Leprechauns and St. Patrick's Day

Leprechaun ale also symbolic of Ireland. In Irish folklore, they are small Irish fairies, dressed like the bearded Keebler elves, about three feet high, with pointed shoes green vest and hat.

Key facts and traits

• They are mischievous and enjoys practical jokes.
• They wear a green (sometimes red) coat, hat, Spectacles on his pointed nose, Silver buckles to his hose, boots and a cobbler's Leather apron
• They are solitary, spending their time making and mending shoes and looking for gold
• Leprechauns have a pot of gold which they hide at the end of the rainbow.
• If captured by a human, a Leprechaun must grant three wishes in exchange for their freedom.
• If the human either lets go of the Leprechaun or looks away from him, the leprechaun and his gold disappear.
• They often carry a walking stick called a shillelagh. (pronounced shill-lay-lee).

History and folklore

• The earliest known reference to the leprechaun is in the medieval tale the Echtra Fergus mac Léti (Adventure of Fergus son of Léti).[
• According to Yeats, the leprechaun, wear red jackets, but today's folklore has them in green. The leprechaun's jacket has seven rows of buttons with seven buttons to each row.

Leprechaun traps

It is traditional on the eve of St. Patrick's day for children to set out traps to try to catch a leprechaun who may try to enter their house and cause mischief, usually by tipping things over. According to the tradition, one must believe leprechauns are real to trap one. If successfully trapped, the Leprechauns may grant three wishes. However, the leprechaun always escapes, but leaves behind some chocolate gold coins for the children. A box held up with a stick with some candy inside is a suitable trap.

Trap Contests

Some schools, pubs, websites and civic associations hold trap contests, focused on kid creativity.

Other holidays and resources:

• Easter egg hunts - near you!
• Find local children's consignment sales
• Road tripping and camping tips, tricks and destinations
• Local Pick Your Own farms
• Environmental resources
• Consumer protection resources
• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local fruit and vegetable festivals
• Local Honey
• Valentine's Day info and resources
• Local meats, milk, eggs
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots