Merrow

Merrow are a mythical race of aquatic beings found in Irish folklore. They are often described as having the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish, similar to mermaids and mermen. However, merrow possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. Their skin is typically described as green and their hair as red or green, often adorned with shells or seaweed. They are said to have webbed hands and feet, and sometimes possess a red, cap-like hat called a cohuleán, which is believed to grant them the ability to breathe underwater and bestow good luck.

Legends depict merrow as living in underwater kingdoms, possessing a rich and often melancholic culture. They are known for their beautiful singing voices, which can lure sailors to their doom. Merrow are also associated with powerful storms and shipwrecks. While some tales portray them as dangerous creatures, others suggest a more complex relationship with humans, including instances of merrow falling in love with humans and even marrying them, though these unions were often fraught with sorrow and inevitably ended with the merrow returning to the sea. They are said to be skilled musicians, playing harps and pipes, and their music is often described as hauntingly beautiful. The concept of the merrow highlights the ancient human fascination with the mysteries of the sea and the creatures that might inhabit its depths.