Vampire stories are very much a part of our society. Prior to the arrival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and the other books/tv shows/movies that were made about the epic Vampire that has grown to be so much a part of our society, one word was used universally to understand the depth, the evil, and the allure of this vicious vampire community…DRACULA.

What do you associate with Dracula? Maybe Transylvania, maybe blood, maybe Halloween? What you may not know is the brilliance of Dracula actually originated in Ireland, where folklore is rich and superstitions are even richer.

Author of this epic tale Bram Stoker, was born in Clontarf on the North side of Dublin, Ireland. He was an active collegiate and athlete at my very own Trinity College Dublin, and quickly became interested in the theatre and folklore of Ireland after being exposed to this wonderful aspect of Irish culture in the theatre in which I often walk before class every day. Stoker, my friends, was genius. He traveled throughout Ireland and to Romania, England, and Scotland, incorporating tales and folklore from these countries in order to create his masterpiece. While much of his passion and motivation behind the novel derived from his love for his Transylvanian folk hero Vlad Dracul, many Irish symbols are evident throughout the novel.

It is argued that “Dracula” originates from the Irish words, “Droch Ola” which means “bad blood”. 

Sláinte Bram Stoker!