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[ Fairy Legend ] [ Fir Darrig Legend ] [ Merrows and Mermaids Legend ] [ Puck Legend ] [ Spriggan Legend ] [ Fairy Trees Legend ]
The word merrow or moruadh
comes from the Irish muir (meaning sea) and oigh (meaning maid) and refers specifically to
the female of the species. Mermen have been rarely seen. They have been described as
exceptionally ugly and scaled, with pig-like features and long, pointed teeth. The males
do have their redeeming features, as they are generally amiable and jovial in character.
The female Merrows themselves are extremely beautiful and are promiscuous in their
relations with mortals. This can partly be explained by the extreme ugliness of the male
merrows. Both males and females sometimes come ashore in the form of little hornless
cattle.
Mermaids entice human
lovers with their songs of enchantment. They cause ship-wrecking storms and are most
frequently seen combing their long hair whilst admiring themselves in mirrors.
"Faeries"
by Brian Froud and Alan Lee
'The Irish merpeople are called Merrows and they can be distinguished from other
sea-dwelling faeries in that they wear red feather caps to propel themselves down to their
homes in the depths. Should their caps be stolen, they can no longer return to their
watery homes. The female Merrows are very beautiful and , like other mermaids, appear
before storms as an omen, but they are gentle by nature and often fall in love with mortal
fisherman.'
"The Vanishing
People" by Kathrine Briggs
'Merrows: The Merrows are the Irish mer-people. Like the Roane they live in dry land under
the sea, and need an enchantment to make them able to pass through the water. The female
Merrows are beautiful, but the males are very ugly, though friendly. See 'Soules Cages',
Crofton Crocker.'
Mermaid: A sea fairy, half
women, half fish. Generally a sinister, but murderous character, but occasionally wise and
benevolent with great medical knowledge.
Mermen: The male form of
Mermaid. Often uglier and rougher in the British Isles, but a more sympathetic character
in the Scandinavian
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