A Guide to Leprechaun spotting

Taking a break from our normally scheduled program to bring you a bit o' blarney as we go into St. Patrick's day.

By Fearghus Hayes O’Connell

Some people go out of their way to avoid the wee folk, others pursue this fairy gentry in search of fortune. Lore tells us that the Leprechauns live in the oaks and the hawthorn trees, the fairy forts, and recently in the shires. But just where can the wee folk be found?

Leprechauns, many say, are the ancient citizens of the Tuatha de Danaan, a godlike race that inhabited Ireland for over 200 years. The de Danaan (Children of the goddess Danu) fell to the invading Milesians.

With their defeat the Tuatha de Danaan retreated to the sidhe mounds where the fae who lived there took them in as protectors to their ring forts. After a few generations, the fae magic of the area began to work on them and they slowly became the dwarf sized mischief makers that you see today.

To locate a ringfort you must look for the tell tale signs. Historically, ringforts are circular enclosures surrounded by an earthen or stone bank which were used as farmsteads from about 500 to 1200 A.D. Within the protective earthen bank, activities such as cooking, grain grinding and pottery making took place along with everyday living. Approximately 40,000 ringforts still dot the Irish countryside.

More direct routes to find yourself a Leprechaun is to find pathways to the land of fairie or Tir Na n'Og,  which often can be found to exist in cave entrances, toadstool rings, and large old Oaks with hollowed insides.

The many standing stone piles oddly placed also give rise to fairy workings. Perhaps Irelands best known portal tomb is Poulnabrone, located alongside the Corofin-Ballyvaughan road in County Claire. This Late Stone Age monument, though the topic of much fairy legend, once held the bones of 16 adults and children who lived in the surrounding farming community.

To those searching for the wee kind, these sites are a good place to start. But remember, the fairie folk are felt more often than seen and their fondest sport is that which they make with humans.

 

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

Hope you have a great St Patty's day. Don't drink and drive and as always, here's to your success.