Was Bram Stoker Really Considering Making Count Dracula Irish?

Bram Stoker, the Irish author, decided to set his famous vampire novel in Eastern Europe rather than his own country. This decision was not purely coincidental but driven by several factors, including literary influences and the desired atmosphere of the story.

Stoker’s Connection to Ireland

Bram Stoker himself was Irish, but he was an anglophile and spent most of his working life in the UK, primarily in London. Despite this, he never seriously considered making Count Dracula an Irish character for several reasons. First, Ireland was easily accessible from London via express trains and ferry routes, which made it less suitable for the exotic and distant setting the author sought. Moreover, the abundance of Irish people in the UK meant there was no particular exotic appeal in having Dracula Irish.

Setting and Inspiration

Stoker set Dracula in Eastern Europe for a specific reason. It was a remote area that was hard to reach, full of exotic legends and myths. This choice added to the Gothic, eerie atmosphere of the story. In contrast, Ireland's proximity to London would have rendered it inadequate for the desired setting. Additionally, Stoker meticulously researched the setting, using railway timetables and guidebooks for details, such as the Demeter and the Dmitry shipwrecks, and the 90 names on gravestones he incorporated into the narrative.

The 'Droch Fhola' Coincidence

Despite the common assertion that 'droch fhola' (tainted blood) in Irish might have influenced Stoker, this seems to be a mere coincidence. The phrase 'droch fhola' is pronounced 'druck-ohlah,' which happens to sound like 'Dracula,' but there's no substantial evidence linking Stoker to this linguistic similarity. This widespread assumption is largely driven by the appeal of national pride associated with the Irish origin of the character.

Bram Stoker’s Inspiration and Research

To create the perfect vampire narrative, Stoker drew inspiration from existing works in the genre, such as The Vampyre by John William Polidori and Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. The author’s goal was to introduce the terrifying mystique of the vampire close to the reader’s doorstep, as opposed to the more distant settings of these earlier works. He meticulously researched the Demeter and Dmitry shipwrecks, as well as local landmarks, to enhance the authenticity of his tale.

The Styrian Count and Transylvania

Bram Stoker originally planned to set his vampire in Styria, with Countess Carmilla as the protagonist, but later shifted the setting to Transylvania. This decision was rooted in the need for the vampire to have a noble and long-standing aristocratic background. Transylvania, with its rich history and wealth, was well-suited for this iconic character. The name 'Dracula' was chosen for its meaning, 'devil,' and the Wallachian connection, but there's no evidence to suggest Stoker knew about Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad III Dracula, until later in his research.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is very little evidence to suggest that Bram Stoker ever considered making Count Dracula Irish. The decision to set the story in Eastern Europe was not only a matter of convenience but also a crucial aspect of creating the desired atmosphere and mythology for his vampire novel. The detailed research and the choice of locations such as the Demeter and Dmitry shipwrecks, and the haunting imagery of the remote, exotic setting, underscore this. Thus, Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula remains firmly rooted in Eastern European folklore and history.