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Dearg Due
Ireland's most beautiful woman, forced to marry a cruel lord. She died of a broken heart—then rose from the grave. The Dearg Due rises once a year to drain the blood of men.
Ancient - Present
Ireland
100+ witnesses
The Dearg Due (Red Blood Sucker) is a female vampire from Irish folklore, predating even Dracula.
The Legend
According to Irish tradition:
The Dearg Due:
- Was a beautiful woman
- Forced into loveless marriage
- Died of despair
- Rose from the grave
- Now drinks blood of men
The Story
The original tale:
- She loved a peasant
- Her father married her to a lord
- For wealth
- The lord was cruel
- She starved herself to death
The Rising
After death:
- She rose from her grave
- Killed her father
- Killed her husband
- Drained their blood
- Now rises once a year
Appearance
The Dearg Due:
- Retains her beauty
- Uses it to lure men
- Drinks their blood
- Returns to grave before dawn
- Cannot be killed permanently
Prevention
To stop her rising:
- Pile stones on her grave
- In Strongbow’s Tree churchyard
- Near Waterford
- The stones must be replaced yearly
- Or she rises again
Significance
The Dearg Due shows:
- Irish vampire traditions
- Existed before Stoker’s Dracula
- Themes of forced marriage
- Female vengeance
- Pre-Christian beliefs
Sources
- Irish folklore documentation