Also called Buggan, Boagane.
The tale
The buggane is a huge, shaggy ogre of Manx folklore with tusks and claws. The most famous buggane would not let the roof be finished on St Trinian's Church near Crosby, tearing it off each time it was built. A tailor who vowed to sew a pair of breeches in the church overnight escaped when the buggane tore the roof off yet again, and the church stands roofless to this day.
When they are met
- near ruined chapels
- at night
Staying on their good side
- leave ruins as you find them
- never taunt him
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Visit St Trinian's Church near Crosby on the Isle of Man and hear its story.
- Read Sophia Morrison's Manx Fairy Tales aloud on a winter night.
What their tales teach
- the tales teach how old landmarks were explained
- respect for wild places
Symbols
- the roofless church of St Trinian's
- tusks and claws
- the black mane
Sources
- Morrison, Manx Fairy Tales
- Moore, The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man
More Celtic folklore
- The Banshee The keening woman of the fairy mound
- Selkies The seal folk who come ashore
- The Púca The shape-shifter of November
- The Aos Sí The people of the fairy mounds
- The Kelpie The water horse of the lochs
- The Tylwyth Teg The Fair Family of Wales
- Leprechaun The solitary fairy shoemaker
- Clurichaun The fairy of the wine cellar