Saint Patrick’s Day: Leprechaun Legends

Every year on St. Patrick’s day we’re surrounded by images of gold coins, shamrocks and leprechauns.  But do you know how the legend of the leprechaun became such a big part of our culture? Read on for some little known facts about these tiny tricksters.

• Leprechaun stories date all the way back to books written in the eighth century, when they were named “luchorpán,” which means “small body” in Gaelic.

• If you find a leprechaun, you can make three wishes. But watch out! They’ll grant your wish, but never in the way that you think. You might wish for a new car and found yourself driving a buggy!

• Nowadays, they’re known for their bright green clothing, but the first reports of leprechauns said that they wore red clothes and black hats.

• The stories about leprechauns having pots of gold are real, but the rainbow part isn’t. Most people agree that leprechauns prefer to hide their gold in bushes, not under rainbows.

• There are no lady leprechauns! The legends say that from the beginning of time, all leprechauns have been men.

 Leprechaun Engraving (1900) Photo Credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

• Leprechauns are a protected species in Europe. A law filed in the European Union protects the estimated 236 remaining leprechauns from harm. Anyone who violates the law will be prosecuted.

• The last leprechaun citing was in 1989. A man from the Irish town of Crawford said that he heard wailing, then found the remains of a leprechaun, including it’s clothes, in the bottom of the well. The clothes are still on display there.

• There is a dedicated leprechaun colony in the United States. Since 1947, Portland, Oregon has dedicated a small piece of land to any leprechauns living in the area. In 1976, it became an official leprechaun park.

• If you think there might be a leprechaun nearby, listen closely for a tip-tap sound. All leprechauns are also cobblers, and the tip-tap is the sound of them hammering on a new pair of shoes.

• Some tales say that leprechauns are actually the unwanted children of faeries. If the faerie child is too ugly or mean, they’re cast out as leprechauns. 

Leprechaun Drawing (1862) Photo Credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.