Irish Faeries, Leprechauns, and Banshees

In preparing our tours in Ireland, we’ve learned a fair bit about fairies and leprechauns. We wanted to share some with you:

Faeries (The Aos Sí): The descendants of the ancient Tuatha Dé Danann who live in the Otherworld or fairy mounds (síde). They are known for their ability to be both helpful and dangerous, often enchanting humans who cross their path.

Leprechauns: Mythical creatures famed for their role as guardians of hidden treasure and their skill as shoemakers.

Banshees (Bean-Sí): Female spirits whose distinctive wailing or keening that traditionally signals approaching death.

To avoid offending Faeries, the Irish rarely actually call them "faeries," preferring respectful euphemisms like "Good Neighbors" (Na Daoine Maithe), the "Fair Folk," or the "People of Peace."

Faeries are deeply connected to specific places, especially mounds, lone trees (like hawthorn or ash), and stone circles. Interfering with a fairy site—like moving a stone or cutting a bush—is believed to bring terrible luck.

Do I believe all this? I’m not sure, but I know the Fair Folk are a part of Irish culture and tradition and while the Irish may not believe all this literally, you won’t find them messing with a Fairy Mound or cutting down a Hawthorn tree.