Leprechaun Sightings

When most foreigners think of Ireland St. Patrick is generally not the first association that springs to mind. Even as a modern society the shackle of the Leprechaun still manages to rub at our ankles. However this mythological creature has also become a great source of income and attraction amongst many shackle bound business men. A prime example of this is the recent addition of the National Leprechaun Museum in Dublin. 

A Leprechaun (Irish: leipreachán) is a type of fairy in Irish folklore, usually taking the form of an old man, clad in a red or green coat, who enjoys partaking in mischief. Like other fairy creatures, leprechauns have been linked to the Tuatha Dé Danann of Irish mythology. The Leprechauns spend all their time busily making shoes, and store away all their coins in a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If ever captured by a human, the Leprechaun has the magical power to grant three wishes in exchange for their release. Popular depiction shows the Leprechaun as being no taller than a small child, with a beard and hat, although they may originally have been perceived as the tallest of the mound-dwellers (the Tuatha Dé Danann). 

Since the success of the National Leprechaun Museum there has also been a rise in non-national leprechaun costumed men dancing around the streets of Dublin. We caught two such characters at grim moments on their breaks. Each supported by the presence of a cigarette :-)

Sightings of real Leprechauns are things that always do the rounds, most of which are untrustworthy and generally are just fakes. This was until the recent news report in America that shows the effect and representations of a Leprechaun visit that had the entire town of Crichton desperately searching for both the Leprechaun and his pot of gold. Please watch the following clip and bear witness to one of the most accurate Leprechaun representations committed to film. 

After witnessing the above footage I am sure there are those of you wondering how and where you can initiate your own Leprechaun searches? Well thanks to the power of the internet a known Leprechaun filled landscape is now being streamed 24/7 via webcam and is available for you to keep watch of ongoing Leprechaun activity. Below is a sample photo from the site and following it is a link to begin your own Leprechaun watch. 

Site can be found at: http://www.irelandseye.com/leprechaun/webcam.htm