Hello One and All!
Today the focus will be on mythology from the Isle of Man. The island, situated in the Irish Sea, has an interesting Gaelic infused mythology. Fairies feature in the folktales from this place, and a particular type associated with it will be the topic of discussion, the fenodyree.
The Fenodyree
The fenodyree is short in stature and covered in copious amount of body hair. In appearance it is quite similar to the satyr, only smaller. There is only one fenodyree, according to the tales, and so the name refers to an individual and not a class.
This creature could be helpful but it's also vindictive. A tale from Marrown states that once the fenodyree helped a farmer mow the grass in a meadow. When the farmer complained that it wasn't low enough, the frustrated creature started to rip out grass in clumps.
The fenodyree is often described with strength greater than any man. Once a gentleman wanted to build a house above the base of Snafield Mountain, but the quarry of rocks were situated far away at the shore. One morning the people woke up to find the enormous white stones now at the construction site. It was the helpful mythical being's work. The gentleman was so grateful that he left a set of clothing as a gift.
The small, hairy helper examined the clothes, then said, "Cap for the head, alas, poor head. Coat for the back, alas, poor back. Breeches for the breech, alas, poor breech. If these be all thine, thine cannot be the merry Glen of Rushen."
The gift worked as a charm and unfortunately expelled it from the area. Ever since the fenodyree's wail could be heard in the mountains as it mourned the loss of its arbour.
The fenodyree had once been a handsome fairy, a Knight of the Fairy Court. He neglected his fairy duties though and fell in disfavour. He then fell in love with a mortal girl from Glen Aldyn, and skipped out on the Great Harvest Moonlight that were held by the fairies in Glen Rushen. This was the final transgression, and for his punishment his appearance was changed to his satyr-like appearance.
All in all, the fenodyree is regarded as a helpful but tragic figure in folklore. It is unforgiving though when it is snubbed.
Hope you enjoyed reading this!
Today the focus will be on mythology from the Isle of Man. The island, situated in the Irish Sea, has an interesting Gaelic infused mythology. Fairies feature in the folktales from this place, and a particular type associated with it will be the topic of discussion, the fenodyree.
The Fenodyree
The fenodyree is short in stature and covered in copious amount of body hair. In appearance it is quite similar to the satyr, only smaller. There is only one fenodyree, according to the tales, and so the name refers to an individual and not a class.
This creature could be helpful but it's also vindictive. A tale from Marrown states that once the fenodyree helped a farmer mow the grass in a meadow. When the farmer complained that it wasn't low enough, the frustrated creature started to rip out grass in clumps.
The fenodyree is often described with strength greater than any man. Once a gentleman wanted to build a house above the base of Snafield Mountain, but the quarry of rocks were situated far away at the shore. One morning the people woke up to find the enormous white stones now at the construction site. It was the helpful mythical being's work. The gentleman was so grateful that he left a set of clothing as a gift.
The small, hairy helper examined the clothes, then said, "Cap for the head, alas, poor head. Coat for the back, alas, poor back. Breeches for the breech, alas, poor breech. If these be all thine, thine cannot be the merry Glen of Rushen."
The gift worked as a charm and unfortunately expelled it from the area. Ever since the fenodyree's wail could be heard in the mountains as it mourned the loss of its arbour.
The fenodyree had once been a handsome fairy, a Knight of the Fairy Court. He neglected his fairy duties though and fell in disfavour. He then fell in love with a mortal girl from Glen Aldyn, and skipped out on the Great Harvest Moonlight that were held by the fairies in Glen Rushen. This was the final transgression, and for his punishment his appearance was changed to his satyr-like appearance.
All in all, the fenodyree is regarded as a helpful but tragic figure in folklore. It is unforgiving though when it is snubbed.
Hope you enjoyed reading this!
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