The death coach is part of the folklore of north western Europe. It is particularly strong in Ireland but is also found in British and American culture. In Irish folklore, it is known as the Cóiste Bodhar (koe-shta-bower), meaning deaf or silent coach, and it is said that the sight or sound of the coach is the harbinger of death. It warns of imminent death to either oneself or to a close relative. In Ireland in particular the Death Coach is seen as a signifier of the inevitability of death, as the belief goes once it has come to Earth it can never return empty. Thus, once the death of an individual has been decided by a greater power, mortals may do nothing to prevent it.
The driver of the Cóiste Bodhar is said to be a headless horseman, called the Dullahan.
The Cóiste Bodhar is mentioned by W. B. Yeats in his collection Folk tales of Ireland.
In British mythology a death coach is said to be seen at times on the Royal Mile of Edinburgh, where it collects the souls of the dead.
The Cóiste Bodhar has been portrayed in the film Darby O'Gill and the Little People.
The Coiste Bodhar also appeared in Strange along with the Banshee who is able to summon the Coach.
Famous quotes containing the words death and/or coach:
“To fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise, without being wise: for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them: but they fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils. And what is this but that shameful ignorance of thinking that we know what we do not know?”
—Socrates (469–399 B.C.)
“Oh! joyous hearts! enfired with holy flame!
Is speech thus tasseled with praise?
Will not your inward fire of joy contain:
That it in open flames doth blaze?
For in Christ’s coach saints sweetly sing,
As they to glory ride therein.”
—Edward Taylor (1645–1729)