Encounter Atlas
The púca is a shape-shifting spirit of Irish folklore. It can appear as a horse, goat, cat, dog, hare or eagle, or as a person with animal ears or a tail, but it is usually dark-furred. Its favourite form is a sleek black horse with glowing eyes that tempts a traveller onto its back, then gallops off on a terrifying ride before dumping them back where they started.
The púca can help as well as frighten. Lady Wilde told of a púca that ground a farmer's corn every night until the farmer's son gave it a silk suit. It is closely tied to Samhain: crops left in the field after November 1st were 'púca' and not to be eaten, and some reapers left a 'púca's share' behind. In parts of County Down it is a small, misshapen goblin who wants his share of the harvest.
Wearing sharp spurs was said to protect a rider, since the púca feared 'the sharp things'. The name survives in places such as Poulaphouca, 'the púca's hole', in County Wicklow. Since 2019 a Púca Festival in County Meath has marked Halloween around Trim and Athboy.
What witnesses report
- A black horse that appears on a lonely road
- A wild ride you can't stop
- Spoiled blackberries after November 1st
- An animal that speaks
Famous cases
- 2019First Púca Festival held for Halloween
Trim, Ireland
Seen the Púca?
Tell us what happened. Every report is read by a person before it goes on the map, and you can stay anonymous.
