Global Mysteries

Americans have a fondness for a group of Ireland’s little people known as leprechauns. We think of them as little tricksters—harmless and lovable. But, are they really lovable?

The leprechaun has a long history in the Emerald Isles. He is a type of fairy in Irish folklore. His origin can be traced back to an eighth-century group of water sprites that merged with a mischievous household fairy believed to haunt cellars. Interestingly enough, there is no evidence of female leprechauns. Some believe them to be the offspring of evil spirits and fairies that flit about even today.

Those who have glimpsed a leprechaun say he is an elderly man about three feet tall often with red whiskers and hair who wears a red or green coat laced with gold. Seven rows of seven buttons adorn the front of his jacket. His breeches are buckled at the knee. He wears a cocked hat. His shoes sport fancy buckles.

The profession associated with leprechauns is cobbler or shoemaker which makes one wonder how they accumulated the big pot of gold they purportedly store at the end of a rainbow. If you wish to sight a leprechaun yourself, simply listen for and follow the tapping of their little cobbler hammers as they create fairy shoes. Catching a leprechaun may be worth a try because legend has it that people who capture one can barter his freedom for his treasure or force him to grant three wishes in order to be released. I haven’t heard of anyone succeeded in this effort due to the devious nature of these creatures.

Leprechauns are indeed devious little tricksters and you can tell when they’re engaged in a mischievous activity because they leap on a wall or boulder and spin wildly with heels in the air balancing themselves on their hat. I’ve not witnessed this myself, but I understand it is quite a spectacle.

Leprechauns are capricious and cannot be trusted. They may delight you with their magic one day and turn a nasty trick on you the next. The lesson the leprechaun teaches is success comes with hard work not from magical get rich schemes.

Are Leprechauns lovable? Sometimes yes but oftentimes no.

More Tips

The Rock of Cashel is Not a Long Way From Tipperary

Blarney Stone, a Gift to Writers