Cú Sídhe

The Cú Sídhe (fairy hound) appears throughout Irish and Scottish folklore as a supernatural dog associated with the fairy mounds (sídhe). It hunted in complete silence unlike natural hounds. It was said to bark only three times — those within earshot who failed to reach safety before the third bark would die of fright or be carried off by the fairies.

An enormous hound, usually dark green (in Irish tradition) or pure white with red ears (in Scottish/Welsh tradition). Its tracks were as large as a man's hand. In some accounts it moved along straight paths, never deviating.

Its triple bark was a death omen — those who heard it three times would die. Could hunt any prey without rest. Its size and strength exceeded any natural animal. In some traditions it guarded fairy women who used it to collect nursing mothers for the fairy realm.