There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns in traditional Irish legend, so as to how they came to be .. your guess is as good as mine.
These apparently aged, diminutive men are hard-working cobblers, turning out exquisite shoes for other sprites. If you happen across an industrious little fellow hammering out a shoe, look closely - for he may be a leprechaun. Step quietly, for leprechauns will avoid humans, knowing us to be foolish and greedy.
A leprechaun dresses in old-fashioned clothes of green, with a red cap, multi-pocketed leather apron, and buckled shoes. He is quite fond of a smoke from his foul smelling clay pipe which is always close by, and he is frequently in an intoxicated state from home-brew poteen. However, a leprechaun never becomes so drunk that the hand which holds the hammer becomes unsteady and his shoemaker's work affected. If you hear the sound of a hammer from behind a hedgerow you know you have found him.
As well as cobbling, his other trade is banking, and he is guardian to the ancient treasures. Much treasure was left by the Danes when they marauded through Ireland, and the leprechaun buries it in crocks or pots. Rainbows reveal where pots of gold are hidden, so he will sometimes spend all day moving crocks from one spot to another to elude the tell-tale end of the rainbow. If you catch a leprechaun, don't let him out of your grasp before he reveals his gold. He'll try to distract you with all manner of tricks and, in the blink of an eye, will dash out of sight. For such a sturdy little chap, he can move with the speed of a rabbit.
He carries two leather pouches. In one there is a silver shilling, a magical coin that returns to the purse each time it's spent. In the other there is a gold coin for bribing his way out of difficult situations. (Don't accept this coin - it turns into a rock). But he can be generous if you do him a good turn. Your kind deed wil be repaid with a wish.
Leprechauns come in two distinct groups - leprechaun and cluricaun. A cluricaun dresses very stylishly with a jaunty cap, large silver buckles on his shoes, beautiful gold laces and pale blue stockings. You will never see him wear an apron or carry a hammer. He has a jolly grin, a slightly pink-tipped nose and is almost always drunk and cheerful. Pass him by, for he never has any money, or any idea where treasure is buried.
A cluricaun will steal or borrow almost anything, making merry and creating mayhem in your house during the hours of darkness. He will happily busy himself raiding your kitchen, pantry, larder and cellar and after dinner he will harness your sheep, goats, dogs and even your domestic fowls to ride away.Through the countryside he will race them, over the fields and into the bog. Leprechauns denounce cluricaun behavior, but it has been said that cluricauns may just be leprechauns on drunken sprees.
You can make a trap with common household items. Take a net, a cardboard box, green paint, green tissue paper, some pennies and an old shoe. Firstly, paint the cardboard box green and place the old shoe inside. Cover the opening with thin green tissue paper. Carefully lay the pennies on the tissue paper. (If you don't want to use real money, you can easily substitute chocolate gold- wrapped coins or make your own by cutting circles out of cardboard and painting them gold).
Place the trap near some trees or hedgerows. Make sure it's disguised well and blends into the surroundings. When the Leprechaun sees the coins he will try to collect them. He will step onto the tissue paper, it will break and he will fall into the box. Now quickly throw the net over him.
You can also try to lure a leprechaun with some poteen instead of an old shoe. When he falls into the box he will drink the brew, get drunk and then you can grab him.
No one has yet caught a leprechaun, but don't be discouraged. Start looking today. Good luck !!
There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns in traditional Irish legend, so as to how they came to be .. your guess is as good as mine.
These apparently aged, diminutive men are hard-working cobblers, turning out exquisite shoes for other sprites. If you happen across an industrious little fellow hammering out a shoe, look closely - for he may be a leprechaun. Step quietly, for leprechauns will avoid humans, knowing us to be foolish and greedy.
A leprechaun dresses in old-fashioned clothes of green, with a red cap, multi-pocketed leather apron, and buckled shoes. He is quite fond of a smoke from his foul smelling clay pipe which is always close by, and he is frequently in an intoxicated state from home-brew poteen. However, a leprechaun never becomes so drunk that the hand which holds the hammer becomes unsteady and his shoemaker's work affected. If you hear the sound of a hammer from behind a hedgerow you know you have found him.
As well as cobbling, his other trade is banking, and he is guardian to the ancient treasures. Much treasure was left by the Danes when they marauded through Ireland, and the leprechaun buries it in crocks or pots. Rainbows reveal where pots of gold are hidden, so he will sometimes spend all day moving crocks from one spot to another to elude the tell-tale end of the rainbow. If you catch a leprechaun, don't let him out of your grasp before he reveals his gold. He'll try to distract you with all manner of tricks and, in the blink of an eye, will dash out of sight. For such a sturdy little chap, he can move with the speed of a rabbit.
He carries two leather pouches. In one there is a silver shilling, a magical coin that returns to the purse each time it's spent. In the other there is a gold coin for bribing his way out of difficult situations. (Don't accept this coin - it turns into a rock). But he can be generous if you do him a good turn. Your kind deed wil be repaid with a wish.
Leprechauns come in two distinct groups - leprechaun and cluricaun. A cluricaun dresses very stylishly with a jaunty cap, large silver buckles on his shoes, beautiful gold laces and pale blue stockings. You will never see him wear an apron or carry a hammer. He has a jolly grin, a slightly pink-tipped nose and is almost always drunk and cheerful. Pass him by, for he never has any money, or any idea where treasure is buried.
A cluricaun will steal or borrow almost anything, making merry and creating mayhem in your house during the hours of darkness. He will happily busy himself raiding your kitchen, pantry, larder and cellar and after dinner he will harness your sheep, goats, dogs and even your domestic fowls to ride away.Through the countryside he will race them, over the fields and into the bog. Leprechauns denounce cluricaun behavior, but it has been said that cluricauns may just be leprechauns on drunken sprees.
You can make a trap with common household items. Take a net, a cardboard box, green paint, green tissue paper, some pennies and an old shoe. Firstly, paint the cardboard box green and place the old shoe inside. Cover the opening with thin green tissue paper. Carefully lay the pennies on the tissue paper. (If you don't want to use real money, you can easily substitute chocolate gold- wrapped coins or make your own by cutting circles out of cardboard and painting them gold).
Place the trap near some trees or hedgerows. Make sure it's disguised well and blends into the surroundings. When the Leprechaun sees the coins he will try to collect them. He will step onto the tissue paper, it will break and he will fall into the box. Now quickly throw the net over him.
You can also try to lure a leprechaun with some poteen instead of an old shoe. When he falls into the box he will drink the brew, get drunk and then you can grab him.
No one has yet caught a leprechaun, but don't be discouraged. Start looking today. Good luck !!
Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, mythologist and storyteller. http://celebrant.yarralink.com
One of the long standing myths that I still hear... Read More
As the school busses begin to rumble down the road... Read More
Adirondack chairs were invented during the early 1900's by a... Read More
Watch out, it's a tillandsia! Have no fear, I said... Read More
Gardening for wildlife has become quite a passion for me,... Read More
The principal house plants which are easy to raise by... Read More
Fruit gardening and vegetable gardening is a very exciting venture.... Read More
Whether you are an avid vegetable gardener, a beginning herb... Read More
I made my very first garden when I was six... Read More
Of the many types of materials that are available for... Read More
The number one, most asked question that I receive about... Read More
In the past, the garden has traditionally been a separate... Read More
Myths and facts A misconception about bamboo is that they... Read More
There is simply no better vantage point from which to... Read More
The versatile cucumber (cucumis sativus) is tasty pickled, in a... Read More
Wildlife require water just as humans do. Water is essential... Read More
Okay, so you have spent hours upon hours creating the... Read More
One of the pleasurable spin-offs in organic gardening is finding... Read More
February is "Feed the Birds" month in much of North... Read More
There's a new garden in town. It is (mostly) easy... Read More
Bamboo Orchid PlantWhen you think of bamboo you really think... Read More
Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight... Read More
After much searching and deliberation, I finally bought a lawnmower... Read More
A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More
With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has... Read More
Many gardeners like to enjoy their roses twice - first... Read More
This is the time of the year that I keep... Read More
Flowers are a favorite of many backyard gardeners. Thanks to... Read More
One winter evening I was working on the computer when... Read More
Do pests 'gopher' your lawn? Chances are, if you have... Read More
No dig gardens essentially strive to be their own ecosystem.... Read More
One of the best ways to create a warm and... Read More
THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.An Introduction To Indoor Plant Grow Lights.There... Read More
The bright yellow flowers of the marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)... Read More
Trying to start your lawn mower after a long winter... Read More
Spring is coming, and now is the time to get... Read More
Everyone seems to love a secret -- and when the... Read More
Perennials are wonderful because, they bloom year after year. Sometimes,... Read More
Do you love to sit outdoors and swing for hours... Read More
To many people, wood is the quintessential building material for... Read More
I've done a lot of container gardening over the years,... Read More
Gardening is one of life's pleasures whether you grow flowers,... Read More
With summer right around the corner, it's time to sit... Read More
Putting in a flower garden or any garden for that... Read More
Deciduous trees dazzle us with the brilliance of the golds,... Read More
Poison ivy is found throughout southern Canada and most of... Read More
Is your concrete or asphalt driveway an eyesore? Do you... Read More
The world's tallest unsupported flagpole is located in Amman, Jordan.... Read More
Native wildflowers are those that were growing naturally in the... Read More
Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More
Compost, made from decomposed grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches,... Read More
If you're looking for a beautiful, old world garden style,... Read More
It is important when you start to plan a garden,... Read More
Traditionally, preformed ponds are large shells, which are extremely burdensome... Read More
You might be tempted to let Mother Nature, tend to... Read More
Indoors or out, you'll find miniature roses very easy to... Read More
All your hard work has paid off, and now you... Read More
You've planted the flowers, put in the shrubs and even... Read More
Through the use of various mediums pertaining to the outdoors,... Read More
Teak has many qualities that make the indoor and outdoor... Read More
Creating no dig gardens on top of the soil gives... Read More
The word for 'paradise' comes from the Persian word for... Read More
Once water temperatures increase in the summer months, fish become... Read More
HOOEEEHas summer come in with a bang!Heat waves everywhere.And where... Read More
Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months... Read More
In days gone by, outdoor furniture was cast from iron.... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |