From the Púca to Samhain, Ireland’s Bat Legends
For centuries, bats have hovered between myth and mystery in Irish culture.
Folklore & Beliefs:
The Púca (a Celtic creature known for its shapeshifting abilities) could take the form of a bat for its mysterious nighttime adventures, silently gliding through the dark skies.
A bat entering a house was viewed as a sign of change. However, the nature of the change depended on the direction the bat flew when leaving the home.
Found entangled in a woman’s hair? According to ancient beliefs, it was thought to indicate a destiny of eternal damnation.
Bats, never linked to blood-drinking, were instead regarded as mysterious and elusive messengers.
Witches were traditionally said to transform into bats on Samhain, using the cover of darkness to move unnoticed through the night.
Fishermen commonly saw the presence of low-flying bats as natural storm warnings, interpreting their unusual flight patterns as signals of approaching bad weather.
Hanging upside down in broad daylight? It’s as if fortunes have been completely “turned on their head,” revealing a surprising new perspective.
Bats were long thought to move between different worlds at twilight, silently flitting through the fading light as if crossing invisible boundaries.
Language & Names:
Bás dorcha — “dark death”
Sciathán leathair — “leather wing”
Ialtóg — most common modern Irish word for bat