The epic Destruction of Da Derga’s hostel is one of the earliest examples of an intentional horror story. Where folklore can be scary this is literature intended to horrify its reader. Or in this case the listener since it seems to have been written to be performed to a crowd.
Samhain Horror: the origin of Da Derga’s Hostel
Epics are a feature of the 12th century but the ideas in the story are earlier. In Irish paganism the most relevant of those ideas are a belief in fate, the ritual tabu’s (geis) that sacred people like kings had to follow, and in a death deity called Donn or Da Derga/Dearg that rules an underworld.
The scribe combines the first two to give the story its structure and to create a sense of tension. The reader knows that the Kings future is planned and is inescapable. That puts them in the position of watching as the King comes closer to his horrific end step by step as each of his geasa are broken.
Samhain Horror: the Irish paganism in the story.
In Irish paganism the idea of ‘geis’ shows a belief in doing things the right way instead of believing in the correct thing. That Irish paganism doesn’t have a holy book and a divinely inspired morality telling you what you must believe.
In Irish paganism with fate, the future is set and whats for you wont pass you by. But it means that no christian creator god has given you free will and a divinely inspired morality doesn’t determine your afterlife.
You can divine the future since it’s predetermined but you’re going to the underworld along with everyone else no matter what your value system is. Whether you get there in one piece or as a talking severed head like King Conaire is your choice.
Kudenko, K. (2015). Mon Semblable – Mon Frère: The ‘Evil Twin’ Motif in Togail Bruidne Da Derga. Studia Celto-Slavica, 7, 131–142
Borsje, J., 2002. Fate in early Irish texts. Peritia, 16, pp.214-231
Boice, C. J. (1998). Mortality, Morality, and Tragedy: The Function of Geis in Early Irish Literature (Master’s thesis, Harvard University Extension School)
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