LEPRECHAUN
Irish Folklore
A type of Elf
Has Many Names
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
In the legend and folklore of Ireland, this is the fairy shoemaker. He goes by numerous names, the original being LUCHORPAN, meaning “Little Body”, the designation of a dwarf. In Literature, the names LUBRICAN, LUBBERKIN, LUCHORPAN, and LUPRACAN may be used. Other names are used in different districts, such as LUNRAMAN in Ulster; LUCHRAGAN, LUGADAN, and CLURACAN in Munster; LURACAN in south Leinster and Connacht; and LOIMREACHAN in east Leinster. The LEPRECHAUN is generally described as having a little wizened, grey-bearded face with twinkling eyes and a pointed nose. He is said to wear a red jacket with silver buttons, brown breeches, black silver-buckled shoes, and a high crowned hat. Sometimes he is said to be clothed in all green; however, he usually has a leather apron and appears to be mending a shoe with his little hammer tapping busily. It is this tapping that signifies his presence, but it is not advisable for humans to approach.
This Elf is tricksy, and despite his reputation for guarding crocks of gold, he will play pranks on any mortals who take their eyes off of him for a second, and will vanish laughing. Typical of this is the tale concerning a man who managed to get a LEPRECHAUN to show him the bush in the field where the treasure was located. Having no spade, the man marked the bush with one of his red garters, then kindly released the SPRITE and went for a spade. Returning almost instantly, he found that all of the numerous bushes in the field were wearing a red garter.
Source: Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins Encyclopedia