Hey You, Dobhar-chu (original) (raw)

When I came across a mention of the Dobhar-chu on Tumblr, I knew this was something I’d want to write about. It doesn’t look like there’s all that much information available online, but there’s enough for a post. It’s described as a creature from Irish folklore, presumably a sort of fairy animal, but I don’t know how old descriptions of it really are. In many ways it seems more similar to the Loch Ness Monster than to traditional mythological creatures, in that people in recent years have reported seeing attacks by them. The Dobhar-chu is classified as a cryptid, although I’ve never been entirely sure where to draw the line between a cryptid and a being of pure myth. Most of the beings of mythology were essentially cryptids in their own time, right?

Anyway, the name of this creature might sound like a kind of Pokémon, but it actually means “river hound.” The Dobhar-chu is described as dog-like, but I suppose mostly like a wild dog, as it’s not at all friendly. Indeed, reported attacks from the dobhar-chu are particularly quick and vicious. While usually dwelling in water, and said to have some characteristics of an otter, they’re also said to be able to travel very quickly on land. They grow up to seven feet long, and shriek like young women. Another name for the beast is “Irish crocodile”; while the creature is presumably mammalian, its method of attack is supposed to be similar to that of a crocodile.

The most famous reported encounter with a Dobhar-chu is that of Grace Connolly, said to have been eaten by one in 1722. Her husband managed to discover and kill the beast, and supporters of the myth point to a tombstone from around that time depicting something looking like a monster.

Anything can look like a monster with enough imagination, but if this is indeed the stone (that’s the impression I got, but sometimes these things are tricky to call), this unidentified thing does appear to have paws. Another encounter is said to have occurred in 1684, but I don’t know how much authenticity there is to these dates.

For what it’s worth, this artist’s impression is the only one I’ve found that makes the Dobhar-chu look particularly scary. In the others, it’s cute. I guess that’s how they get you, or something like that.