Leprechauns

Leprechaun may have been a horror flick starring a young Jennifer Aniston, but these fairies' presence are deep in Irish mythology. There are many theories as to its name origins. A couple examples include leath bhrogan or shoemaker or luacharma'n, Irish for pygmy. These creatures have also been linked to the Tuatha Dé Danann or pre-Christian deities of Ireland.

Typically we know these sprites as small old men dressed in a green suit. Originally, his appearance differed depending on what part of Ireland he was located in. He wore red not green. In 1831, Samuel Lover wrote: "...quite a beau in his dress, notwithstanding, for he wears a red square-cut coat, richly laced with gold, and inexpressible of the same, cocked hat, shoes and buckles." Yeats described him as "The leprechaun's jacket has seven rows of buttons with seven buttons to each row. On the western coast the red jacket is covered by a frieze one, and in Ulster the creature wears a cocked hat, and when he is up to anything unusually mischievous, he leaps on to a wall and spins, balancing himself on the point of the hat with his heels in the air." Although, today's reports describe leprechauns as being a small human-like creature with red hair and beard and pointy ears.

Leprechauns are self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure left by the Danes when they marauded through Ireland, burying it in crocks or pots often at the end of rainbows. A possible reason why they tend to avoid human contact and are only seen at night. However if a mortal manages to catch one, he promises them great wealth in return for freedom. Some may consider this a greedy deal. However, you must not take your eyes off them for a second. They will vanish in an instant.

This year St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated with a Destination Truth's investigation of the leprechaun. Will Josh and his team be able to set eyes on the elusive creature and silence speculations of its existence? Whether or not he finds proof, people can learn more about one of Ireland's most famous creatures in the first ever National Leprechaun Museum opening its doors next month in Dublin. If you can't wait that long to see one for yourself, try a little Leprechaun watching via webcam at Irelandseye.com.

Comments

Julie Ferguson said…
Sounds like the season premiere of Destination Truth is going to be a good one. I can't wait.

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