Leprechauns… They’re Everywhere!
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It’s that time of year again. St. Patrick’s Day is at the end of the week and it appears that leprechauns are just about everywhere. Leprechauns, those “mythical”, red-bearded, pipe-smoking little men all dressed in green who cobble shoes and are prone to mischief, are out there in great numbers, especially at this time of year.
Initially, I wasn’t too worried that they were anywhere but in Ireland. They’re said to be descendants of Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of magical beings that served under the Gaelic goddess Danu. According to legend, this mythical group lived in Ireland long before humans inhabited the land. However, I figured it’d be safer to check if leprechauns exist outside of Ireland now and as usual, research answered my question.
According to Faith Abbott, “Other cultures have fairy folk, but leprechauns are Irish. However, due to Ireland’s membership in the EU, many have moved abroad under the Freedom of Movement terms. I believe there are considerable communities in Glasgow, Costa del Sol and Aya Napa, Cyprus. The last two groups have had a lot of trouble settling due to the effects of the strong sun on their pale Irish complexion.”
Well, that’s Europe, what about North America and the rest of the world?
According to Dennis O’Brien, himself actually being from Ireland, leprechauns are exported “worldwide in special little leprecases, containing enough food and water for 6 days (we always use first class post). Once they settle in their new homes, we forward their rainbows and pots of gold by courier (unfortunately this adds considerably to the transport costs but it would be simply ridiculous to trust a pot of gold to the postal service!)” I read it on the Internet, so it must be true. Oh, man, there’s always something, huh? Now that we know they’re around, how do we keep tabs on these little pranksters?
You can always build a leprechaun trap. Here’s a Wiki How-to. Get the kids to do it and save some time. If you do manage to catch one, keep in mind they’re tricky. You’ve got to keep your eye on them all the time or they disappear. Best to have at least two people so one can always keep watch. It’s said you can negotiate with them for their release. Haggle hard. The typical deal is three wishes and some gold. Don’t settle for less.
Leprechauns are known for their money, and apparently cobbling is quite a lucrative business. Since they spend most of their time alone, the tiny green men pour all their energy into crafting shoes. (Probably Italian design and that’s why they’re so expensive.) They’re said to always have a hammer and shoe in hand. According to legend, you can hear them coming by the telltale tapping sound they make.
Though the legend of the Leprechaun is well over a thousand years old, there was a ‘sighting’ as recently as 1989 by a pub landlord called P.J O’Hare in Carlingford, County Louth. O’Hare claims that he heard screams from a well and found the remains and clothing of a Leprechaun which is on display in his pub! The town now has an annual Leprechaun hunt, though the object of the game is to find plastic versions of the fabled creatures.
Did you know that Leprechauns are actually a protected species under EU law? Carlingford’s Sliabh Foy Loop trail is officially protected land for the 236 Leprechauns that apparently live in Ireland. Makes you want to take a hike, doesn’t it?
You can also be on the lookout for rainbows, of course. It’s said that leprechauns hide their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We have in our travels tried to find the end of many rainbows, but never found any gold. Bad luck or maybe the leprechauns were out to lunch that day.
A rainbow in ushuaia, Argentina. Suppose there are leprechauns at the end of the world?
An interesting fact: There are no female leprechauns - some sources claim leprechauns are the unwanted children of the fairy community. They’re considered ill-tempered and grouchy. And it’s no wonder… they live for hundreds of years and … no sex. That’d make anyone grouchy!
According to folklore, you get pinched on St. Patrick's Day for not wearing green because green makes you invisible to leprechauns. Leprechauns like to pinch people (because they can!). Keep that in mind this week!
Perhaps there’s a little mischievousness leprechaun in all of us. Here’s Your leprechaun name.
Next up… the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Henderson, Nevada. Join us!