The Celtic Sea

The gleaming Celtic Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean located off of the southern coast of Ireland was named by an English marine biologist (no less) in 1921 during a meeting of fisheries experts. Nearby Celtic regions have their own names for it; in Irish it’s “An Mhuir Cheilteach”, in Welsh “Y Môr Celtaidd”, Cornish: An Mor Keltek and Breton: Ar Mor Keltiek.

Common species to be found in its waters are minke and other whales, harbour porpoise, dolphins, sharks and seals along with a wide range of seabirds. But we should also mention the mythological creatures said to inhabit its waters.

The Fuath, a malevolent water spirit deadly creatures who can sometimes be seen, if it chooses to take on a physical appearance. Most fuathan have the power of transforming themselves in many things even angels of light. Most often, they present themselves as humanoid creatures, with green skin and the mane and tail of a yellow horse. They have no nose, but very keen eyes, used to find humans when they dare to enter their watery homes; then using their webbed hands and feet, pull the unsuspecting swimmers underwater to their deaths.

And there’s the Kelpie, a shape-shifting spirit usually described as a strong and powerful horse. A white and sky blue colour, it appears as a lost pony, but identifiable by its constantly dripping mane. Its skin was said to be like that of a seal, smooth but as cold as death when touched. Kelpies were said to transform into beautiful women to lure men into their traps.

Care is definitely needed when swimming then!