The leprechaun, also called Farfadet, as in Canada, is a very popular elf in traditional stories in Ireland. He is a small bearded old man (about 75 cm) dressed in a red jacket which has seven rows of seven buttons and a hat. He spends his time making shoes and hiding his gold coins in a cauldron. The word “leprechaun” is said to come from the ancient Roman “Luperci”, related to “Lupercalia”, a festival that included an underwater purification ritual. This ancient Roman festival was organized in honor of the god Faunus or Lupercus, god of the forest and herds. the connection to water is that the first time pixies appeared in Irish literature, they are associated with water.

The leprechaun has its origins in Irish mythology! These creatures would be the descendants of the Tuatha Dé Dannan, people of fantastic creatures who would have tried to conquer Ireland, using their druids with formidable magical powers. But, rejected by the Gaelic people, an agreement was made to leave the buried half of the world (underground in other words) to the Tuatha Dé Dannan when the other half, more airy, was left to the Gaelic people. They are the guardians of treasure but also the manufacturers of the shoes of the fairies. This profession would be very lucrative in the fairy world, which would explain their wealth. Leprechauns can be recognized by the sound of their hammer driving nails into shoes, announcing that they are near. However, under his sympathetic airs, this mysterious little being hides an ambiguity that imposes mistrust. First of all the legend reminds us that the Leprechaun is the descendant of people of invaders. Then, if he likes to play music and dance, the Irish leprechaun is also known for his bad temper. Legend said that if we catch one, it must reveal its treasure to us or grant us three wishes in exchange for its freedom. The Leprechauns would hide their gold in a cauldron at the foot of the rainbows. It is said that his magic would be so powerful that he would be able to pull Sam's soul out of Lucifer's cage. In Lost Girl, leprechauns are creatures that feed on human luck There is a place in Ireland where these creatures are protected which is located in the Carlingford Mountains in County Louth in Ireland. The leprechauns and their heritage are protected by a 2009 European directive which aims to preserve the biodiversity of the area called “The loop of Sliabh Foy”. The aim is to maintain a protected area for flora, fauna, wild animals and leprechauns. Today, It has a distorted image: it is presented as an old man with a red beard, who wears green clothes. The leprechaun sadly carries within him all the stereotypes associated with Ireland

The Leprechaun corresponds well to the spirit of the Saint Patrick festival on March 17, a national holiday. Saint Patrick, who died on March 17, 461, is considered as the evangelizer of Ireland.

But why do so many countries around the world celebrate Saint Patrick's Day? Simply because in the past Ireland was severely hit by famine that caused the deaths of a million of Irish people so they emigrated a lot. The majority left to settle in the United States, but others left for Australia, Japan, Korea, France... Today Ireland has less than 5 million inhabitants, whereas we have 70 million Irish descendants worldwide.