The Leprechaun is one of Ireland’s most famous characters in Irish folklore. They have become renowned all over the world.
The mischievous Irish Leprechaun has captured the imagination of millions of people over the years, with tales from some of how they've sighted these wee folk in the Irish countryside.
What is a Leprechaun?
The Leprechaun is part of Irish mythology and folklore that falls under the topic of the Faerie folk, also known as 'wee folk' or the 'little people'. They are members of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of supernatural beings in ancient Irish mythology, who invaded Ireland and were banished to live in the otherworld known as Tír na nÓg.
Standing 2-3 feet tall, Leprechauns are a devious character. They are quick-witted, highly intelligent, and will do anything to evade capture. Usually depicted as a small, bearded man wearing a green coat and hat, they originally wore red coats. Their green clothing became more popular with Ireland’s association with the color green in the 20th century.
As a cousin of the Clurichaun, the Leprechaun is known to have inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the Celts and can survive hundreds of years. Some consider leprechauns to be the true natives of Ireland who are descended from Irish royalty.
Where do leprechauns live?
The Leprechaun can only be found in Ireland, in remote, rural areas, often in underground caves or hollow trees. They prefer to remain hidden from humans and are said to lead solitary lives. Burrowed deep in underground caves with entrances hidden as rabbit holes or found in a hollow trunk of a Fairy tree they find safety away from humans who seek to capture them to be granted 3 wishes.
Do leprechauns really grant wishes?
In Irish folklore, if you capture a leprechaun, he may offer you three wishes or lead you to his pot of gold, but this comes with a warning. Leprechauns are known to use clever tricks and deceit to escape without granting any rewards. Catching one of the wee folk is no easy task and it’s often discouraged. They’re quick, smart, and have magical powers to vanish into thin air but they can be caught.
People do tell stories of their experiences in catching a Leprechaun and getting their 3 wishes. Be cautious of such claims, people tend to tell fibs and how they've caught them.
The love for music & dance
The Leprechaun is well-known for their love of Irish music and traditional dance. They'll often hold Celi’s that can last for days and expert musicians when it comes to playing Irish instruments like the tin whistle, the fiddle, Bodhrán, and even the Irish harp.
Shoemakers by trade
They are considered the only faerie to have a trade which is that of shoe-making. Its believed because leprechaun's dance so much they are always in need of new shoes,
The famous Irish writer and poet, W.B. Yeats is quoted as saying
Because of their love of dancing they (the Fae) will constantly need shoes
Yeats goes on to tell the story of a woman who had been spirited away by the Faeries. She had been returned seven years later, minus her toes. She had danced them off!
You’ll hear an Irish Leprechaun before you’ll ever see one. If you’re ever out in the rural countryside and hear a tap, tap, tap, it’s usually the sound of them hammering nails into the soles of a shoe. But try to find whoever is making the noise is next to impossible.
Are leprechauns considered good or evil?
Leprechauns are neither fully good nor evil. They are tricksters, known for their mischief and love of pranks. While not malevolent, they can be cunning and difficult to outsmart, especially when protecting their gold.
The Drunken Leprechaun
There is a misconception that leprechauns are drunkards however; they do have a fondness of drinking Irish Poitín. It would be unfair to mistake them for their Irish cousins the Cluricauns, a drunken creature who loves to cause chaos around Ireland during the night.
Leprechaun's in the movies
Without a doubt, Darby O’Gill and the little people is the most famous and loved movie describing how leprechauns live in Ireland. Starring Sean Connery, Janet Munro, and Albert Sharpe, it’s a movie full of Irish folklore, songs, and dancing.
The story follows Darby O’Gill, an old Irishman who encounters King Brian, the 5,000 year old leader of the leprechauns. Darby tries to outwit the mischievous leprechaun to secure three wishes, leading to a series of humorous and magical adventures.
If you’ve never seen Darby O’Gill we highly recommend it and is no doubt one of the classics for most Irish families.
Other films include The Luck of the Irish (2001), A Disney Channel original movie where a teenager discovers that he's part leprechaun and must protect his family’s magical heritage. It's a light-hearted, family-friendly take on leprechaun mythology. A Very Unlucky Leprechaun (1998) This family movie centers on a young girl who befriends a leprechaun named Lucky, who has been cursed with bad luck. Together, they embark on an adventure to break the curse.
Leprechaun: Origins (2014) A reboot of the Leprechaun horror franchise, this film takes a darker and more serious approach, depicting the leprechaun as a monstrous, terrifying creature rather than a mischievous trickster.
