Dermod’s Bane

Introduction

Originally written and submitted to Ghost Stories magazine by Howard in 1929. The story was rejected by Ghost Stories, and then disappeared until Glenn Lord found it in a trunk full of manuscripts in 1964. First published in Magazine of Horror #17 in 1967.

“Dermod’s Bane” is a tale steeped in Irish folklore and family legacy, reflecting on sorrow, supernatural encounters, and the thin veil between life and death. The story intertwines personal grief with the haunting and often violent history of Ireland, blending the supernatural with the emotional journey of coming to terms with loss.

The story

The story is narrated by a man deeply grieving the sudden death of his twin sister, Moira. His agony is profound, feeling as though a part of him has died with her. In his despair, his grandmother suggests he visit Galway, Ireland, the land of their ancestors, to find solace.

In Galway, the narrator connects with his Irish heritage, meeting with old families and hearing tales in Gaelic. Among these stories, he re-encounters the legend of Dermod O’Connor, known as “the Wolf,” a brutal figure from their family’s past. Dermod was a notorious reaver, who, after a life of violence, was ultimately killed by the narrator’s ancestor, Sir Michael Kirowan.

One night, overwhelmed by his grief, the narrator wanders into the hills and encounters the phantom of Dermod O’Connor near a tree known as Dermod’s Bane, where Dermod was executed. The ghost initially appears as his beloved sister Moira, luring him towards a cliff’s edge. However, as he almost falls to his death, the illusion transforms into the monstrous figure of Dermod, with blood and tusks, revealing its true identity. Miraculously, he feels a familiar, comforting hand pull him back, saving him from falling. He believes it’s Moira’s spirit that saved him, allowing him to finally grieve and find a measure of peace.

The narrator / protagonist

In the story “Dermod’s Bane” by Robert E. Howard, the narrator’s name is not explicitly mentioned. However, there are clues within the story that can help us make an educated guess about his identity:

  1. Narrator’s Connection to Galway and the Kirowan Family: The narrator feels a strong connection to Galway, suggesting he is of Irish descent. He also mentions that Dermod O’Connor murdered a youth of the Kirowan clan and that the Kirowans rode out for vengeance. Given this connection to the Kirowan clan, it’s plausible that the narrator could be a member of this family.
  2. Personal Loss: The narrator speaks of his own profound grief following the death of his twin sister, Moira. This personal detail, while not providing a direct clue to his name, emphasizes his deep emotional ties to his family and heritage.
  3. Use of First-Person Narrative: The story is told in the first person, which often suggests a personal connection or lineage to the events or families described.
  4. Recurring Names in Howard’s Stories: Robert E. Howard often reused names in his stories. In this case, the name “Kirowan” appears in other Howard stories, typically associated with characters who have a deep connection to Irish folklore and supernatural elements. For example, John Kirowan appears in Howard’s weird tales as a character knowledgeable about the occult.

Given these elements, while we cannot definitively name the narrator, it is reasonable to speculate that he could be a member of the Kirowan family, possibly even a character who appears under a different guise or at a different time in Howard’s other stories. The exact identity, however, remains part of the story’s mystique, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the narrative without being bound to a specific character’s history outside of this tale.

Characters

  • The Narrator: A man deeply mourning the loss of his twin sister, Moira. He journeys to Galway seeking solace.
  • Moira Kirowan: The narrator’s deceased twin sister, whose death has left him inconsolable.
  • Narrator’s Grandmother: A strong, old woman who suggests that the narrator visits Galway to heal from his sorrow.
  • Shepherd: The person who tells the narrator the tale of Dermod O’Connor.
  • Dermod O’Connor: Also known as “the Wolf,” a notorious figure from the past, known for his violent and brutal behavior.
  • Sir Michael Kirowan: An ancestor of the narrator who fought and mortally wounded Dermod O’Connor.

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