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Saint Patrick’s Day is one of the more popular spring holidays in the USA despite being a celebration of the Irish. When a person thinks about the holiday, their mind is filled with visions of four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, pinching, green, and leprechauns. However, it turns out that there is much more to Irish traditions and folklore than St. Patty’s makes us think.
Bunworth Banshee, Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland, by Thomas Crofton Croker, 1825
Firstly, some people might wonder how so many Irish myths, legends, and stories are passed down or preserved so well. The answer lies in the Irish tradition of Seanchaí (SHAN-A-KEY), Irish storytellers or bards. According to Irish Central, the tradition of telling stories orally is deeply rooted in Celtic culture and is one of the primary reasons many tales have maintained structure. These storytellers were so important that they often held positions of power alongside the king in ancient Celtic society.
Nonetheless, it is these storytellers who are credited with bringing the tales of Irish folk creatures to modern media. Whether it be the cunning Leprechaun or the wailing Banshee, Irish folklore has no faint mark of Western influence. Although, like many other Western adaptations, these creatures appear much more misconstrued than their Irish counterparts. The Banshee, for example, is often seen as a good omen in Irish folklore, contrary to many depictions. The Banshee’s cries can signal death, but can also act as a guide for the deceased or a comforting spirit to those grieving. Leprechauns are no strangers to the concept of rebranding either, as they were originally a minor part of Irish folklore, and at one point were even described as red, not green.
However, not every Irish tale or tradition is rooted in fantastical elements, concepts like the luck of a four-leaf clover are much more realistic. While these mystical clovers are a part of many different European Middle-Aged traditions, they are almost exclusively synonymous with Ireland. The initial premise behind finding a four-leaf clover was that it could protect a person against witchcraft, evil, or bad omens. The four leaves represent hope, love, faith, and good luck for the fourth, and considering the 1 in 10,000 chance of finding a four-leaf clover, good luck isn’t so far off. Keep in mind, though, that some people believe that showing a four-leaf clover to others or passing it down, may run you out of luck!
A traditional leprechaun in red coat and breeches, one of Ireland’s most notorious tricksters. (Photo: Sybil Shearin / Children Story Tales)
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