by Steve Lally
Lough Gowna is full of strange secrets lurking in its depths; some are wonderful and even friendly and some are to be feared and avoided at all costs …
Co. Louth: From the Irish Lú, after the Sun God Lugh. ‘Lugh of the Long Arm’ was a high-ranking member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He defeated the dreaded Fomorians, a savage race of demonic creatures and their leader Balor of the Baleful Eye at what is now called the Poisoned Glen in Co. Donegal. When the old Gods lost their power after the people turned to Christianity, Lugh was demoted to a cobbler and became what is now known as ‘the leprechaun’. Co. Louth is steeped in myth and folklore. Ireland’s greatest hero and mythical character ‘Cú Chulainn’ hailed from Co. Louth. Knockbridge Stone in Co. Louth is where Cú Chulainn died, overcome by magic and betrayal. He was wounded and bound himself to this stone so he would die on his feet. It is said that when he had died the Morrighan (the shape-shifting Celtic Goddess of War, Fate and Death) took the form of a hooded crow and landed on his shoulders.
THE LEPRECHAUN WHISPERER (CO. LOUTH)
Kevin Woods of Carlingford in Co. Louth is believed to be the last leprechaun whisperer in Ireland. Steve met him back in 2012 and kept in touch with him.
We visited him at his home in Carlingford, where he lives with his wife and family. Carlingford is a special little place with winding medieval streets, rugged landscape and sea views that look over across to the Mournes.
Kevin is a friendly man who kindly showed us around his property. He runs a successful business beside his home and has an underground leprechaun and fairy cavern right beside the beautiful Carlingford Lough. He himself gives personal tours and tells the stories of his encounter with leprechauns. You can then visit below the ground, where he believes leprechauns and fairies converge in the morning as the sun rises. He showed us two tunnels, one of which links with the fairy glen in Rostrevor, Co. Down, and the other with Foy Mountain, which Kevin believes is the home of Ireland’s last remaining leprechauns.
Kevin’s story begins twenty-eight years ago when the late P.J. O’Hare, a local publican, heard a terrible scream coming from Foy Mountain. He went up to investigate but he couldn’t find anybody. However, the ground around the place (the Slate Rock) was burned and in the middle of the burning he found some bones and near the bones he found what he thought was a leprechaun suit, with four pieces of gold in the pocket of the trousers. He brought the suit down to Kevin Woods to see what he thought. He trusted that Kevin would believe him. P.J. O’Hare believed that there were leprechauns in the mountains and they were very much alive. Kevin told him it was a load of rubbish and he told P.J. that he would prove it to him. So, Kevin hatched a plan. He told P.J. that he would get as many people up on the Cooley Mountains to search it high and low. But he also knew that for people to help search for leprechauns they would want something in return, so Kevin hid IR£4,000 punt all around the mountain – IR£1,000 under four different toy leprechauns. He sold leprechaun hunting licences for IR£10 each. He said that when the big day arrived for the hunt the place was full of people – they came in their thousands with butterfly nets and traps. Kevin ended up making IR£8,000 for his day.
If you go into P.J. O’Hares pub in Carlingford today, you will see the wee suit that he found up on the Cooley Mountains. It is framed in a glass case.
Sadly, eight years after that hunt, P.J. O’Hare passed away.
Kevin had fond memories of the leprechaun hunt but still wasn’t convinced that the mountain was inhabited by leprechauns.
About two years after P.J. died, Kevin was out fixing the wall at his house. To his surprise he found four gold coins. Kevin felt the best thing to do was go back up the mountain and return the coins to where P.J. had found them all those years previously. When Kevin reached the spot, to his amazement he admits to seeing three leprechauns sitting on a rock. When they saw him they disappeared. He went home to his wife and retold the story, and she advised him to not tell a soul for fear he would be locked up. But he told everybody and, of course, nobody believed him. So, off Kevin went in search of the leprechauns. He headed up the same path as before and was determined to talk to a leprechaun. This time when he reached the top he saw one leprechaun. The leprechaun did not disappear but instead spoke with Kevin and he told him his name was Carraig (the Irish word for rock). He told Kevin that there had been millions of leprechauns in Ireland at one time but they had all died except for 236 of them. He asked Kevin if he would try and get more people to believe in them and Kevin said he would do what he could. Carraig asked him to get leprechauns protected as a species and he said he would have a go at that too.
He told Kevin the story of their lives and how they were here from the beginning of time. They described themselves as spirits. He said that the Mourne Mountains and the Cooley Mountains were created about fifty million years ago and he went on to say that the lough in Carlingford was created 15,000 years ago. He told Kevin how they looked down and saw the first humans arrive from central Europe. He spoke about the Vikings arriving in 804 and how St Patrick sailed into Carlingford in 428. The Vikings burned the place twice and that was the first time that the leprechaun spirit interacted with the human spirit. They decided to help the human spirit but they soon regretted it. They said they helped the human spirit when the Vikings first arrived and then again when the Normans reached us in 1210. They told Kevin that the Vikings were cruel and so the leprechauns decided to intervene, for the cruelty was too much for them to stand by and watch. He said that the leprechaun spirit grew so close to the human spirit that at one stage you couldn’t tell the difference between one and the other. He said that the leprechaun spirit attached itself to the human spirit. Then when the Irish people went off to America to seek their fortune and they became more involved with filthy money and housing and property – that was when the human spirit died, for humans were only interested in what they could buy. Greed took over. And when the human spirit died, so too did the leprechaun spirit.
Apparently, the leprechauns explained to Kevin that there had once been millions of them but they had died out because people stopped believing in them, and they needed someone from humankind to protect them otherwise they would die out altogether.
One legend says that the leprechaun is actually the ancient Irish God Lug. After the Irish people forgot the old gods, the legend goes, Lug became a fairy cobbler named Lugh Chromain, which means ‘little stooping Lug’.
Lugh, Lug or Lú, also known as ‘Lugh of the Long Arm’ and ‘The Shining One’, was an important god of Irish mythology. He was a high-ranking member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the fairy people of Ireland. He is portrayed as a great warrior and protector against the dreaded Fomorians, a monstrous race of invading demons. He was the God of skill, crafts and the arts, as well as oaths, truth and the law. He was also seen as a Sun God, Storm God, and a Sky God. The Harvest festival Lughnasa is named after him.
Kevin Woods wrote a book called The Last Leprechauns in Ireland and while he was writing it he lobbied the EU for six years and finally got leprechauns protected as a species in 2009 under the European Habitats Directive covering the protection of flora and fauna in the EU. Kevin has worked tirelessly for the recognition of leprechaun rights. He got them added to the EU list because they couldn’t prove they didn’t exist.
Cooley Distillery is nestled in the foothills of the Cooley Mountains in Co. Louth, and in 2011 they conducted a survey to see if the Irish people believed in leprechauns. More than half of those surveyed said that they were creatures that once lived in Ireland, and the rest felt they were still in existence today.
Leprechauns are seen as the bankers of the Sidhe; they apparently know where all the gold is hidden and they are in control of the gold. We often see leprechauns represented as cheerful and merry, who go around with a glint in their eyes and are never too far away from a pot of gold. They are also the shoemakers of the Sidhe and their job is to make and mend shoes for other fairy folk. A lovely book by Skye Alexander called Fai
ries: The Myths, Legends and Lore (2014) has a section on leprechauns that says they are part of the elf clan. They are apparently easy to spot because they have red hair and beards, wear green suits and have shiny buckles on their shoes. They smoke pipes and wear shamrocks in their lapels. They are brilliant musicians and love nothing more than a good time. They are not known to be malicious or devious but instead love to play harmless tricks on humans. It is said that if you catch a leprechaun then they are obliged to tell you where there is hidden treasure. If you see one, be on your guard and make sure to be kind, for they will be sure to reward you. But keep a close eye because they have a habit of disappearing in the blink of an eye.
The Leprechaun
By William Allingham
Little Cowboy, what have you heard,
Up on the lonely rath’s green mound?
Only the plaintive yellow bird
Sighing in sultry fields around,
Chary, chary, chary, chee-ee! –
Only the grasshopper and the bee? –
‘Tip-tap, rip-rap,
Tick-a-tack-too!
Scarlet leather, sewn together,
This will make a shoe.
Left, right, pull it tight;
Summer days are warm;
Underground in winter,
Laughing at the storm!’
Lay your ear close to the hill.
Do you not catch the tiny clamour,
Busy click of an elfin hammer.
Voice of the Leprachaun singing shrill
As he merrily plies his trade?
He’s a span
And a quarter in height.
Get him in sight, hold him tight,
And you’re a made Man!
You watch your cattle the summer day,
Sup on potatoes, sleep in the hay;
How would you like to roll in your carriage,
Look for a duchess’s daughter in marriage?
Seize the Shoemaker – then you may!
‘Big boots a-hunting,
Sandals in the hall,
White for a wedding-feast,
Pink for a ball.
This way, that way,
So we make a shoe;
Getting rich every stitch,
Tick-tack-too!’
Nine-and-ninety treasure-crocks
This keen miser-fairy hath,
Hid in mountains, woods, and rocks,
Ruin and round-tow’r, cave and rath,
And where the cormorants build;
From times of old
Guarded by him;
Each of them fill’d
Full to the brim
With gold!
I caught him at work one day, myself,
In the castle-ditch where foxglove grows, –
A wrinkled, wizen’d, and bearded Elf,
Spectacles stuck on his pointed nose,
Silver buckles to his hose,
Leather apron – shoe in his lap –
‘Rip-rap, tip-tap,
Tick-tack-too!
(A grasshopper on my cap!
Away the moth flew!)
Buskins for a fairy prince,
Brogues for his son, –
Pay me well, pay me well,
When the job is done!’
The rogue was mine, beyond a doubt.
I stared at him; he stared at me;
‘Servant, Sir!’ ‘Humph!’ says he,
And pull’d a snuff-box out.
He took a long pinch, look’d better pleased,
The queer little Leprachaun;
Offer’d the box with a whimsical grace, –
Pouf! he flung the dust in my face,
And while I sneezed,
Was gone!
Co. Meath: From the Irish An Mhí, meaning ‘The Middle’. Co. Meath is a prominent county with regards to folklore and mythology; in fact it is known as ‘The Royal County’. The Hill of Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, it was also where Finn Mac Cumhail fought and slew the Monster of Tara. It is the home of Brú na Bóinne (Palace of the Boyne); here you will find some of the world’s most important prehistoric sites such as Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. On the Hill of Tara there was a stone known as the Lia Fáil – it was thought to have been brought to Ireland by the Tuatha Dé Danann. It was used to inaugurate new kings as the stone would cry out if the king was the rightful heir. In Co. Meath you will also find Loughcrew, an ancient tomb where the Creation Goddess known as ‘The Cailleach’ once lived. Co. Meath was also home to the war poet Francis Ledwidge (1887–1917), who wrote some beautiful fairy poetry.
THE PÚCA PRÁINE (CO. MEATH)
County Meath is rich in folklore, history and enchantment. From its ancient tombs to its fairy forts, it is brimming with fine tales to tell. This story is no exception; it is based on a bizarre creature called the Púca Práine.
It was inspired by a tale found in the Dúchas Archive at UCD, The Schools’ Collection, Vol. 0694, pp.401–2. It was told by Andy Rispin, but the name of the collector is unknown. It was recorded at Coolronan National School, Co. Meath.
There is a rath or mound near the Castle of Fraine (which is now in ruins) in the townland of Fraine, Co. Meath. Within this mound lives the Púca Práine. It is said that the Púca dwells amongst the ruins and hilltops and is driven monstrous by much solitude.
The Púca Práine was a holy man who lived in the townland of Fraine long ago. He was a hermit and spent his days and nights alone, dedicating his time and energy to prayer and meditation. One might say that he lived like a snail in his own little shell, alone and content with very little.
So, when he died, he was reincarnated as a snail. As a snail he lived in the stones and rocks of Fraine Rath, just as solitary and content as he had always been.
Now this was no ordinary snail, for it was given great powers and it would utilise them whenever it saw fit to do so. For example, when an old or weak person passed by the townland of Fraine and they wanted to go home, but they did not have the strength or the energy to do it, they would go to the rath (a circular enclosure surrounded by an earthen wall: used as a dwelling and stronghold in former times) and seek out the snail.
They would do this by calling out the name of the holy man. When they did this, the snail would turn into a black pony, but with the head of a snail. What a strange sight this must have been, a creature with the body of a black pony and the head of a snail, it really is the stuff of nightmares.
When this strange creature appeared, the person would get up on the pony’s back and it would carry them home. Now the Púca Práine may well have had the head of a gastropod, but its powerful equestrian body could run like the wind and it could clear any hedge, ditch or stream with a single jump. The Púca Práine would have its passenger back to their front door in record time.
But this was not always the case, for sometimes folk would try and take advantage of the kind Púca Práine. An example of this was recorded in 1837. There were three brothers living near Kildalkey or Cill Dealga (meaning ‘Dealga’s Church’), a village and parish in the Barony of Lune, Co. Meath. Their names were Daniel, Paraic and Wat Moran. The Moran boys were said to have the ability to predict the future. They said once that carts and wagons would go without horses and that after that carts and wagons would travel up in the sky. They were, of course, talking about cars and aeroplanes.
But be that as it may, Daniel Moran did not foresee the consequences of trying to take advantage of the Púca Práine.
On a warm day, Daniel was going home to Kildalkey by Fraine Rath. He called out for the Púca Práine to carry him home.
The beast appeared before Daniel and it stared with scrutiny at the one who had summoned him. The Púca Práine could see that Daniel was neither tired nor old. But yet it kneeled down before him and he let Daniel climb upon his back. He then bolted off like the wind and brought Daniel through hedges, bushes and ditches till his feet and legs were torn and bloody.
When they reached home, the Púc
a Práine threw Daniel off his back and he landed dazed and frightened at his front door with his clothes in tatters. His brothers came out when they heard the commotion and saw Daniel in a heap on the doorstep.
They were shocked to see their brother after such a long time. Daniel was confused about this, as he thought he was only an hour away, but he had been gone for a week.
The brothers took him in and took care of him and he told them the whole strange story. After that Daniel Moran was a great man for the stories and people from miles around would come and listen to him. And, of course, their favourite story was that of the Púca Práine. He said that it was still there and he knew the name of the holy man that you had to call out to summon the beast.
But he never did tell the name to anyone, he took it with him to his grave. But maybe if you are in the townland of Fraine and you happen to come across Fraine Rath, call out the names of as many old holy men that you can think of. And if you guess the right one, you may well summon the Púca Práine. And if you do, make sure you are either very tired, very old, or both!
Co. Offaly: From the Irish Uíbh Fhailí, after the Kingdom of Uí Failghe, which was ruled by the Ó Conchobhair Failghe (anglicised as O’Conor Faly), formerly known as ‘Kings County’. It is here that the Dowris Hoard (consisting of 200 Bronze Age objects) was found. Co. Offaly is the home of Leap Castle, the most haunted castle in Ireland. It is in Co. Offaly where you will find the early Christian monastery of Clonmacnoise, founded by St Ciaran in AD 544. Croghan Hill in Co. Offaly is mentioned in the epic poem ‘The Faerie Queene’ by the English Elizabethan poet Edmund Spenser (1552–1599), published in 1590. T.W. (Thomas William Hazen) Rolleston (1857–1920), the wonderful writer, poet and collector of Celtic mythology, was born in Glasshouse, Shinrone, Co. Offaly.