AN DIABHAL, The Devil, Old Nick, The Old...Boy?

WE all know of the devil, he's the red fella with the horns who is likely to be the ruler of our infinite misery if indeed it is true that you should fast on Friday, he also is the mascot for hot sauces and red wine. He's a busy lad.

BUT the devil in Irish Folklore is far from the fallen angel of Danté's Inferno, at his best he's like Al Pacino in Devi's Advocate and his worst, like Elma Fud in Looney Tunes.

THE rule of thumb? In Irish folkore, the devil is either a simpleton you owe money to (TV License Inspector) or the subject of your night terrors (Your Landlord).

LEARN about:

LOFTUS HOUSE where the devil played cards with a woman, steeping her in love and driving her insane.

MUIRDEACH'S HIGH CROSS and its ornate representations of demons.

THE DEVIL IN LANGUAGE and how it reflects satan as the anti-thesis.

THE devil as a half-witted slime ball who just cant catch a break.