However, there have been arguments challenging this notion. Some critics propose that it's implausible for Stoker to have drawn inspiration for his horror fiction from Prince Vlad the Impaler and that the true connection and muse for Dracula might be closer to his Irish roots.
In a surprising twist, Ireland has its own historical ties to the bloodsucking entity – the vampire. Several elements from Stoker's upbringing in Ireland may have contributed to his imaginative creation of the novel.
For instance, certain aspects of Stoker's childhood in Ireland could have sparked the early seeds of his fascination with blood-sucking creatures. Bram, as a child, was plagued by a mysterious illness, the exact nature of which remains unclear. Strangely, his condition saw a sudden recovery when he turned seven. During the 1840s in Ireland, it was common practice to resort to bloodletting as a means to treat ailing patients. It is plausible that young Bram underwent such treatments, and it's conceivable that these memories of being bled found their way into his imaginative narrative about vampires.
