Fear Gorta & Fear Gortach

Both Fear Gorta & Fear Gortach may derive from a common legend or source.

1.) Fear Gorta, a.k.a. The Hungry Man, The Man of Famine, is a fairy or spirit found in the folklore of Ireland.

Appearance: The Fear Gorta appears as an emaciated and gaunt man, with hollow cheeks, sunken eyes, and dressed in rags. Fear Gorta may have the appearance of a walking corpse.

Lore: The Fear Gorta travels the land and knocks on doors and approaches people and asks for food and money. Those who freely give are rewarded with prosperity. Those who refuse to give or who abuse him are severely punished with poverty and famine.

Powers: The Fear Gorta can bless or curse, depending on how he is treated by people. Additionally, the presence of the Fear Gorta is an omen of approaching famine.

Derfense Against Fear Gorta: Show kindness to those in need. Those who are cursed by the Fear Gorta deserve their fate for Fear Gorta does not curse the innocent or kind-hearted.


2.) Fear Gortach, a.k.a. Hungry Grass, Fairy Grass, is a small patch of cursed grass.

Appearance: Some claim that hungry grass appears as normal grass. Others claim that it appears as a clump or patch of dead grass.

Lore: There are two folk tales on the origin of hungry grass. The first legend states that hungry grass is created when a corpse is set down on the ground prior to burial. The second legend is that the grass has been enchanted or cursed by fairies.

Powers: Anyone who steps on a patch of hungry grass will begin to feel as if they are starving to death. An insatiable hunger will develop and if the person does not receive treatment they will soon die, usually by overeating.

Defense Against Hungry Grass: Sprinkling bread crumbs on a patch of hungry grass will reverse it's curse. Salting and/or burning the grass may also destroy it's evil influence.

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by William Butler Yeats