Getting to know the Pooka (Púca)

By Ben Kesp 

Cast your mind back to a time where anything was possible and anything could happen, a time where our beliefs were sacred and we feared to doubt what we encountered. In the distant past and even into the twentieth century, rural Ireland especially was bound by its customs and beliefs in all things, even supernatural. It was very possible that one could have an encounter with a mischievous nature spirit that could bring either good or bad luck. Mostly appearing by night this spirit was the Pooka or Púca in Irish, that could shapeshift from a rabbit to a goat or goblin, to even a magnificent horse with golden eyes. It is even said it could take human form on occasions. 

The Pooka could be found anywhere and especially loved open hilly or mountainous areas, even lakes, and rivers. If you were fortunate or unfortunate to have encountered one, you would have been left bewildered as to what you had experienced. The Pooka had an amazing ability to converse and loved to chat, often disappearing before you knew it was gone. If you happened to be slightly tipsy (drunk) returning from the local pub and happened across a beautiful horse and attempted to get a ride home, well it would have been the ride of your life with the horse achieving leaps and bounds over the countryside only to throw the rider at the end, leaving them to wonder what they had just experienced. 

The Pooka is often associated with the festival of Samhain and the left over harvest that is not collected is regarded as the Pooka’s share. Whether this is to appease the spirit in the hope it won’t bring any bad misfortune over the long winter months – who knows? Whatever its origin and mythical reference, it has transcended into the world of literature and television with representations in many movies and books, immortalising the creature forever. 

A festival dedicated to the Pooka will take place from October 31st to November 2nd in the towns of Drogheda, Trim, and Athboy. So step out of the light and into the darkness to dance with the Pooka - you never know what you might encounter!