Leprechauns most famous of Irish folklore
Published Saturday, March 17, 2007
About St. Patrick
Saint Patrick is believed to have been born in the late fourth century, and is often confused with Palladius, a bishop who was sent by Pope Celestine in 431 to be the first bishop to the Irish believers in Christ.
He is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing christianity to Ireland.
Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland. It is true there are no snakes in Ireland, and there probably never have been. The island was separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the Ice Age.
As in many old pagan religions, serpent symbols were common and often worshipped.
Driving the snakes from Ireland was probably symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice.
Leprechauns are the most well-known elves of Ireland. They live in the large grassy hills, wild areas and in the forests.
The leprechaun is a little creature with pointed ears and is about two to three feet tall who avoids having any contact with humans or any other leprechauns or fairies.
He lives alone and puts all of his energy into his passion of shoemaking as he is well known as a fairy shoemaker.
Most of the time a leprechaun can be found with a shoe in one hand and a hammer in the other.
He also is quite fond of a smoke from his tobacco filled foul smelling clay pipe which is never too far away from his reach.
They have a mischievous glint in their eyes and tend to hide behind bushes and hedgerows.
They usually dress in grey or green colored coats red trousers, studded leather apron and a red or green wide brimmedhat.
They carry two leather pouches in which he carries in one, a silver shilling and the other, a gold coin to buy his way out of a tight situation.
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