Leprechauns: Myth or Reality?

A leprechaun is a tiny elf or fairy from Irish folklore, taking the form of an old man, clad in a red or green coat, who enjoys playing pranks on unsuspecting people. Irish legend communicates Leprechauns as cobblers, whose principal occupation is to make and mend shoes; interestingly they make only one pair of each type of shoe. When you hear the tapping of the hammer, it is fairly possible that a Leprechaun is near.

Leprechaun is a small elf creature that comes from Irish folklore. It takes form of an old man, wearing red or green coat who enjoys to make jokes to unaware people. Irish legend presents him as a cobbler, whose work consist of making and mending shoes. Of course they make only one pair of each type. According to that legend when you hear a voice of someone tapping with hammer it is quite probable that a Leprechaun is close to you.

Legend also says that each and every Leprechaun has a pot of his own gold, and if you catch him he will tell you where it is located in exchange for his freedom. In the same time finding a Leprechaun is a hard task as they are extremely smart and easily overcome human intelligence. A good sign to start searching for this creature is a rainbow and the best time to catch it is while elf creation is at work ' simply mending shoes. When you are lucky enough to complete this part of task you need to stay alert as they has a lot of magical tricks up in the sleeve. Passing on that the best way to catch Leprechaun is simply by grabbing him from back or building a trap.

The first known references to this creature appears in the tale 'Adventure of Fergus son of Leti' and it comes from medieval ages. Legends claim that leprechauns are the offspring of bad spirits and evil fairies, but some of people believe that they are representation of Irish god Lug which became a fairy cobbler (Lugh Chromain which literally means 'little stopping Lug') when the Irish people forgot the old gods.

Leprechauns are great musicians who play thin whistles, the Irish Harp and many other instruments typical for Irish tradition. The night is the best time for them to play the music and they gather in hundreds on meetings and enjoy while eating, singing, drinking and of course dancing. They are well known for having pleasure from drinking Poteen and moonshine.

"because of their love of dancing they (the Fae) will constantly need shoes" William Butler Yeats (English Poet, 1865-1939)

They are well known for being great at playing mischief on simple people. Typical activities includes riding their sheeps or dogs, causing small accidents close to the house and in the same time it happens that they adopt into a family and follow member of it in any travel they take. It is more or less known that if in such situation family treats creature bad it will leave after causing as much troubles as possible.

Leprechauns are elf creatures from Irish mythology and sadly no sightings of them have been reported. Even though they are present in Irish folklore since ages and legend about them have been passed by many generations and hopefully this will continue in future.

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