The dullahan or dulachán ("dark man") is a headless, demonic fairy, usually riding a horse and carrying his head under his arm.[2] Some versions of the story claim the dullahan is the spirit of Crom Dubh, a Celtic god worshipped in Ireland until the arrival of Christian missionaries in the 6th century.[3] He wields a whip made from a human corpse's spine. When the dullahan stops riding, a death occurs. The dullahan calls out a name, at which point the named person immediately dies.[3] In another version, he is the headless driver of a black carriage, the Cóiste Bodhar.[4] A similar figure, the gan ceann ("without a head"), can be frightened away by wearing a gold object or putting one in his path.[5]