In Irish legend, the Púca was known to only appear at night and was feared by many humans as it was said that it brought either good or bad fortune to those it appeared to. 

Púcas were often mistaken for an animal due their ability to change shape. 

They can appear as a black goat, a black horse, a black foal, a black dog, a black hare and even sometimes an old man. Although they can change their appearance, one common facial feature is consistent in many stories: their eyes. They have big bright golden eyes. 

According to folklore, the Púca can be found in rural corners of Ireland. It’s believed that the Púca may live in small lakes deep in the mountains.

Foal = baby horse

Hare = lièvre

A banshee is a female spirit in Irish folklore who heralds the death of a family member, usually by screaming, wailing, shrieking, or keening. 

Sometimes she has long hair and wears a grey cloak over a green dress, and her eyes are red from continual weeping. She may be dressed in white with red hair and a ghastly complexion. 

The banshee also is a predictor of death. If someone is about to enter a situation where they might die, she will warn people by screaming or wailing.

To herald = to announce something

To weep = to cry 
Ghastly = pale

Complexion = teint (de la peau)

It is said that after sunset, one of the most terrifying creatures in the spirit world, the Dullahan, can be seen riding a magnificent black stallion across the countryside. Clad in flowing black robes, the Dullahan has no head on his shoulders. He carries it with him in his hand. He is a definite harbinger of someone’s demise and there exists no defence against him - except perhaps, an object made of gold.

Sullen = sombre

A stallion = a male horse 

Clad = wearing (clothes)

Harbinger = someone who announces something

Demise = death

The Fear Gorta almost looks like a skeleton, he is very skinny, he has a haggard face and hollow cheeks.  He wears worn-out clothes. The Fear Gorta walks the earth during times of famine, seeking alms from passers-by. He is known to call house to house begging and if he is treated kindly, he can bestow good blessings and wealth on those he deems worthy.  Of course, those who are unkind will feel his wrath and suffer abject poverty, famine and ultimately…death.

Haggard = extremely tired

Worn-out = usé

Seek = search

Alms = aumône

Bestow = give

Deem = view/consider

In Irish folklore, the leprechaun is a fairy in the form of a tiny old man often with a cocked hat and leather apron. Solitary by nature, he is said to live in remote places and to make shoes and brogues. The sound of his hammering betrays his presence. He possesses a crock of gold; if captured and threatened with bodily violence, he might reveal its hiding place. But usually, the captor is tricked into glancing away, and the fairy vanishes.

Apron = tablier

Remote = isolated/distant

Brogues = Irish shoes

Crock = a clay pot

Captor = someone who captures something/somebody

Glance away = look somewhere else 

There are both male and female Merrows, all living in deep water oceans near shipwrecks…

Female Merrows are known for their great beauty, while male Merrows are rather hideous and terrifying. Female Merrows look like stereotypical mermaids: half-human, a gorgeous woman from the waist up, and fish-like waist down.

The merrows supposedly require a magical red cap to travel between deep water and dry land.

The Merrow is generally a rather hostile being, heralding great misfortune… According to the legend, meeting this type of fantastic creature can announce a strong storm (for fishermen), an imminent death, or a terrible curse.

Hideous = really ugly

Cap = hat

To herald something = to announce/signal