Bram Stoker’s Dracula inspired by ‘dreadful tyrant’ of Irish folklore

Tuesday, November 8 marks Bram Stoker’s 125th birthday – still celebrated by his fans despite his death in 2012 as the creator of one of the most iconic characters in popular culture in history. Although his Gothic novel was well received when it was first published in 1897, Dracula’s popularity skyrocketed and it is now thought of as one of the most well-known pieces of English literature with the tale inspiring more than 200 films, almost as many as Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. But while Stoker is thought to have taken inspiration from several sources, meticulously conducting research in the library, it is said he could also have been inspired by a bloodcurdling Irish folktale. The Irish writer, who was better known as the personal assistant to actor Sir Henry Irving in his lifetime, is thought to have based his popular work on the legend of Abhartach, which translates to mean “dwarf”. Bob Curran, a lecturer in Celtic History and Folklore at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, first made the claim in 2000 which has since been explored by various scholars who have noted the similarities between Abhartach and Dracula. According to historian and writer Patrick Weston Joyce’s The Origin and History of Irish Names of Places, published in 1870, legend has it that the ‘dreadful tyrant’ Abhartach was both a dwarf and a magician. Having committed great atrocities, the bloodsucking Chieftain of Ireland was killed and buried standing up. However, he reappeared in his old haunts more ‘cruel and vigorous than ever’. Bram Stoker is thought to have been inspired by an Irish legend (Image: GETTY)After they attempted to enter him once more, Abhartach emerged again, this time spreading terror throughout the whole country. The third time, he was killed with a wooden sword before being buried with his head facing downwards which was then thought to prohibit him from using his magical powers. Today, Abhartach’s grave is known as Slaghtaverty Dolmen or the Giant’s Grave. It lies north of Londonderry County in Northern Ireland. Similarly, Dracula – who leaves Transylvania for England to seek new blood to feast on – also terrorises the area in which he resides with Abhartach also known to drink human blood too. Dracula finally meets his end when he is stabbed in the heart and decapitated. It was also thought that Stoker’s ‘Un-Dead’ vampire was inspired by Vlad Dracula III, who is also known as Vlad Tepes or the Impaler, thanks to his gruesome antics. Interestingly, King Charles III once revealed that he is distantly related to the Romanian leader. The ruler of Wallachia – a historical region in Romania – was known for his bloody punishment tactics with rumours spreading about his brutality during his lifetime.READ MORE: King Charles shares he is related to sinister historical figure A 1916 cover of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Image: Getty) Some scholars have discounted the theory that Bram Stoker was inspired by Vlad the Impaler (Image: Getty)Not only is he thought to have had people and animals impaled, but he also chopped up rats in prison because he could not ‘forget his wickedness’. ‘Psychopathic’ Vlad Dracula lived in Transylvania in the 15th century. While his name appears to hint at a possible inspiration for Stoker’s vampire, historians have pointed out that the Irish writer had initially planned to call the novel ‘The Un-Dead’. In fact, Stoker’s great-grandnephew, Dacre Stoker, wrote a 2009 sequel to his ancestry’s famous work entitled ‘Dracula the Un-Dead’.Professor Elizabeth Miller, in an essay published in 1998, refuted the claims that Dracula could be based on Vlad the Impaler, claiming Stoker’s research notes do not demonstrate that he had detailed knowledge of the Romanian ruler.DON’T MISS: Meghan and Harry spotted on ‘very low key’ date [INSIGHT]Sunak set to back climate reparations but Boris says ‘we can’t afford’ [ANALYSIS]Acholic stools are ‘the most common’ sign of pancreatic cancer [REPORT] Stoker visited Whitby in 1890 and the town and gothic ruins are thought to have inspired him (Image: Getty)