April 15, 2025 • 26 mins
Welcome back to part two of the legend of the little green sprite, smoking a pipe and with a rainbow coming out of his *** (at least according to Chris). On this episode, Chris and Spence delve into the culture which surrounds this mischievous figure, and attempt to out-geek each other with their Leprechaun movie trivia. Leave your favourite pop culture Leprechaun in the comments !
The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day.
Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore.
From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears.
Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright
Producer: Rebecca Alcorn
Production Company: Causeway Pictures
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:17):
I know all the folks round thesearts and parts.
Can't say I know you.
Leastways.
Not yet.
But I dare say I know whatyou'll be wanting.
Some of the crack, maybe.
How we yarn with your sup, isit?
(00:39):
No harm in that.
Come on over.
Warm yourself, hmm?
I'll warn you though.
If it's the old Begara andBlarney shenanigans you're
after, you'll not hear them fromme.
Well, if such, like, pleasesyou, you sit on.
I'll fill your ears.
(01:01):
And see what story is meant foryou.
On this dark old night.
chris-patterson_2_10-23-202 (01:22):
I'm Chris
spencey-guest437_2_10-23-20 (01:23):
I'm Spence
chris-patterson_2_10-23-202 (01:24):
And this is the Irish Gothic
Podcast.
chris-patterson_11_03-2 (01:28):
Welcome back to part two of our Dive
into the leprechauns.
Chris Patterson (01:36):
In another story about leprechauns, a man
once caught a leprechaun and wasled to a tree in a forest under
which the leprechaun swore tohim that all his treasure was
buried, but having no shovel.
He took off his coat, which wasa lovely red coat, and he hung
it on the tree, so he would havea marker where to go back to, to
(01:57):
dig it up.
So off he goes back to his houseand he gets a shovel.
But when he got back to theforest, his mouth fell open
every tree in the forest had ared jacket hanging on him.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (02:12):
Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (02:14):
That's
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (02:14):
you know.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (02:15):
sneaky, sneaky leprechauns.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (02:17):
Sneaky.
Hey, I tell you what, pay wishhe had just dug with his hands
and that, but do that.
That's so spooky, Chris, that, Imean, I didn't wanna think about
too much'cause it's incrediblyspooky.
I just put my 8-year-olddaughter to bed before we
started recording and we'regoing through her, you know,
getting me bedtime story and herbook is different stories from
around the world and the storyyou literally just told was in
(02:39):
her storybook tonight.
So talk about these myths,enduring.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (02:43):
Well, it's definitely within, you
know, they don't ever die.
They're always continued on.
It's always word of mouth Imean, people, you know, when you
look back on these, people havetried all sorts of tricks to
catch leprechauns in pursuit oftheir treasure.
But the little guys are alwaysone step ahead.
Some legends say leprechaunsmake their gold by crafting
(03:06):
shoes.
While others claim they guardthe treasures of the entire
ferry realm acting as bankers.
Another theory suggests thatVikings who once conquered
Ireland, buried all their goldand entrusted it to the
leprechauns for safekeeping.
But the legend of the leprechaundoesn't end in ancient tales.
(03:27):
In the modern era.
Their influence on culture isstill strong.
spence_10_03-20-202 (03:33):
Absolutely.
I, it's one of those ones Ithink be human nature, but
certainly Irish human nature.
We want to believe inleprechauns.
There's just something aboutthem.
And let me give you a realtangible, example of this man.
So we talked about pearldentists searching for
leprechauns earlier, and there'sactually a little bit of a
festival has sprung up aroundtrying to find leprechauns.
So 1989, a local businessman, Ithink he was a pub owner in
(03:56):
Carlingford, in Ireland.
Claimed to have found theevidence of a real leprechaun on
the mountain of sleeve foy.
And he said that he heard ascream near a wishing.
A wishing well.
And there he found the bones andthe tiny soot, little gold coins
near some scorched earth.
Okay, so the evidence they saywe've got a gold Chris, not just
'cause it's a pub, but the ovensis no display behind the glass
(04:19):
key for visitors to come andsee.
So as a result, a new traditionwas born.
There's now an, an annualleprechaun hunt.
There's a hundred.
They take a hundred or so littleceramic leprechauns and they
hide them around sleeve foy.
Tourists come every year, theytry to hunt them down.
You have to buy a hunter'slicense.
To take part in the hunt.
(04:40):
A little bit of,entrepreneurialism there, I
think.
And it gets even more serious,Chris, I think one year there
was a real bar of gold was theprize that was hidden on the
mountain worth 1,200 Euros downin sleeve foy.
So a lot going on down there.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (04:56):
Well, did you know that in 2009 the
European Union even gave themountain?
Heritage status because thereare still some leprechauns
living there.
That was the idea.
And the European Union stampedthat down.
So leprechauns, you know, theymust be there.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (05:15):
We are protected by law
chris-patterson_10_ (05:17):
Absolutely.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (05:18):
and not as well as the biodiversity
of the land, of course, but Imean, it's really about the
leprechauns, isn't it?
chris-patterson_10_03 (05:23):
sideline.
That's just a sideline.
Obviously, everyone knows theword leprechaun.
I mean, leprechauns have beensuch a big deal in popular
culture to movies.
(05:44):
Leprechauns have totallycaptured our imagination.
inspiring, scurry movies, whichis some of our favorites, which
we'll talk about in a bed space
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (05:54):
Of course.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (05:54):
And being mascots for example.
They're the mascots for theLucky charm cereal.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (06:00):
Yes.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (06:01):
the mascots for the Notre Dame
fighting Irish and even theBoston Celtics basketball team.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (06:08):
Oh, of course.
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (06:10):
But of course, it's the Leprechaun
horror movies that most peopleknow.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (06:15):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (06:16):
The original ones starring, what's
his name from Star Wars.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (06:22):
No
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (06:23):
No, it's the guy that played the
Ewoks and it's completely wentoutta my head.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (06:27):
war Activ.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (06:28):
Warwick Davis starring Warwick Davis.
I think there was about five ofthem, including leprechaun in
space.
Uh of them were leprechaun inIreland.
They were all leprechaun,leprechaun in Los Angeles and
leprechaun and in variousdifferent places, but not in
Ireland.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (06:47):
They were pure horror, Chris, weren't
they?
They like the kind of slasherswith leprechaun, tongue and
cheek.
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (06:52):
They were, I mean, if it was a
slightly exaggerated sort of topof the morning, I've got a big X
leprechauns,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (07:01):
Well, I hope to know Chris, at one of
your guilty pleasures,'causeyou've mentioned it before.
Darby will get on the littlepeople.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (07:08):
a hundred percent.
I
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (07:09):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10 (07:09):
encapsulates Disney encapsulating Irish
folklore.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (07:14):
So for those who don't know the
story, I don't think there can'tbe many people out there who
don't.
But go ahead, head us up.
What's it about?
What's it all about?
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (07:22):
Well, Darby o Gill is a rogue the
town, likes an all drink, andone day he catches king of King
Brian, I believe his name was.
He catches King Brian of theleprechauns and.
The way he catches him is hedecides that he gets King Brian
(07:44):
in the house and he says, let'shave a drink, Brian.
Let's have a drink.
And him and Brian have a drinkall night.
And then Brian wakes up in themorning and he realizes that
it's late outside.
He can't go out, he has to staystuck.
And that's where Darby Ogel getshim and he gets his three
wishes.
But of course, wishes don't goquite the plan.
(08:06):
Do they spend.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:07):
No, not the thoughts I remember, but
I folks, this is a podcast.
I wish you could see the lightin Chris's eyes.
A little claim in his eyes.
This is definitely one of yourguilty pleasures, man.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (08:16):
Sean Connery singing
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:17):
So
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (08:19):
Sean
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (08:19):
Tommy stealing it.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (08:21):
No.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:22):
No.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (08:22):
we'll talk about Tommy Steele.
That was, Tommy Steele played aleprechaun with Fred, a Stern
finnigan's rainbow.
I.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:29):
Ah, there you go.
There you go.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (08:32):
had, Sean Connery, and then there was
a famous Northern Irish actorwho played Darby Albert Sharp,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:39):
Ah,
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (08:40):
and Janet Monroe.
I
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (08:43):
yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (08:43):
the, only Disney film that ever dealt
with folklore or Irish
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (08:47):
Mm-hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (08:48):
Um.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:49):
Oh, well, no, Chris, sorry.
I thought I would try and outgeek you'cause I knew you were
gonna talk about Dario o Gill.
'cause you always try to find away to bring Dario Gill into
conversations.
Disney did dip their toe again.,I've never seen it A Disney
Channel movie.
The Luck of the Irish neverheard of it.
2001.
If I tell you the story, itmight ring a bell because it
(09:10):
sort of rang a bell somewhere ateenager discovers she's part
leprechaun has to protect hisfamily's magical heritage.
Hard, family fun.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (09:19):
I'm not sure about that one.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (09:21):
1998.
Then there was a very unluckyleprechaun, a family movie
sitting on a young girl whobefriends a leprechaun who had
been cursed with bad luck.
And together the girl, theleprechaun, set off to break the
curse.
That sounds all charming, I haveto say.
I haven't seen it honest.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (09:37):
Well, I mean, Rainbow that we just
talked about, that was anAmerican comes to Ireland story.
So you had, Fred, a star comesto Ireland.
You had Tommy Steel is thelittle leprechaun, and he
catches Tommy Steel.
And the idea is he's trying tosave of the time and oddly
enough, I'm not sure it was thefirst film, but it was certainly
(10:00):
one of the first films that,Francis Ford Coppola directed.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (10:06):
Really.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (10:07):
Yeah.
And I mean it.
I heard a story.
I mean, I'm sort of paraphrasinga little bit here.
I heard a story'cause anyonewho's old enough to know sort of
older sort of Disney films andstuff.
Tommy Steele was a dancer.
Fred Aster was a dancer.
Gene Kelly was a dancer.
And on day one, Tommy Steeletells a story where he comes in
(10:31):
to see Fred Eur and FredAstaire's, well known globally
for the best being one of thebest dancers of his time.
And Fred Astaire says to TommySteele.
Show me what you've got.
So Tommy Steele gets up nervousaround the room, does all his
been, and he stops.
And Fred E Star goes, you weretaught by that fucking Irishman.
(10:54):
And he was talking about JaneKelly and he
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (10:57):
No.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (10:58):
him for being taught and doing Gene
Kelly moves.
spence_10_03-20-2025 (11:04):
Brilliant.
chris-patterson_10_03 (11:05):
alienated our young audience now.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (11:07):
Yes, yes, yes.
Yeah.
If, yeah, we've could definitelygive up the game there, there's
more movies there than Ithought, to be honest.
(11:28):
But that being sent still fairlyunderrepresented Wouldn't you
say like, you know, for acharacter that can do so much
schematic pars.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (11:37):
were involved in a film, like a
remake of leprechaun
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (11:41):
Hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-202 (11:41):
a, with a, small wrestler, I
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (11:42):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03- (11:43):
swaddle, or I don't know what they call
them, it was strikingly similar,you know, I think the problem is
we fall into cliche, you know,and
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (11:50):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (11:51):
Well actually we've just had St.
Patrick's Day and we've talkedabout St.
Patrick's Day quite a few timesand there's a number of cliches
that fall into that.
The St.
Patrick's Day just passed there.
I saw Chicago turning they'reriver's green
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (12:02):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (12:03):
you know, so there's a lot of, the
happy drunken Irish personcliche.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (12:08):
It reminds me, Chris, from your
topic, from last time when wetalked about she, Elise.
And how that became a symbolyes.
Of Ireland, but also of Ireland.
Almost a snobbery like, youknow, drunken riotous Irish
almost made depicted as cavemen, with their big sticks, like
trunk lights,
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (12:24):
You look at Lord of the Rings and
you look at, Gandalf for
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (12:27):
hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (12:28):
you know, you've got this and not,
not Gandalf isn't a leprechaun,but you've got this one, this
guy with a big staff, and thestaff is a weapon.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (12:36):
Mm-hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (12:37):
You know, so it's very much, I know
that we talked slightly aboutthis when we were doing, Shely,
but they're always ready for aBarney, you know,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (12:47):
Yeah,
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (12:47):
ready for a fight.
the fact that they have thissort of batten,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212 (12:52):
Uhhuh.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (12:53):
word, to club you whenever they,
whenever you've annoyed them ornot poured the right amount of
whiskey,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (12:59):
And it's got that think, sorry,
Chris.
Go ahead.
Sorry.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (13:02):
Sorry, I'm just saying it's typically
sort of stereotypical as thatthat has been built, the
stereotypical that has beenbuilt around these, just
leprechauns, but a lot of Irishfolklore.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (13:13):
Yeah and that's what intrigued me,
Chris, how these stereotypescome about and maybe more
importantly why they come about.
'cause there's a school ofthought that says, as you know,
Christianity took hold acrossIreland.
Almost in tandem.
The leprechaun stature, itbecame diminutive, it became
small, it's almost, you know,it's almost a way of, making a
(13:37):
mockery of the things thatpeople believed in.
Turn it into a joke thatliterally now fits on the side
of a cereal box.
And it may well be part of thatsame sort of thing that we saw
with, when we talked about St.
Patrick and Hilu Old Legends.
They were either absorbed orthey were kinda.
Mock and made a joke off untilthey became frivolous.
And as these stories show,there's so much more to it than
(13:58):
that.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (13:59):
Well, I mean, we've talked before,
Spence, when we're doing theresearch, if you go back far
enough there, there is somesources that say that
leprechauns weren't small.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (14:09):
Yep.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (14:09):
there is some sources that say the
different, you described earlieron, the different types of
leprechauns from differentcounties in Ireland, they
weren't necessarily these tinylittle men.
I think it was the locker menwho were reasonably tall.
And in general leprechauns, somewere described as to be, five
(14:29):
foot and most smaller Dimi ofmen than
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (14:33):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (14:34):
than, than you know, this, you know,
two foot high,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (14:38):
You have Sprite.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (14:39):
man with a pipe in his mouth,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2 (14:41):
Exactly.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (14:42):
and a rainbow
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (14:42):
And you can Yeah.
You can, what you can see howcreating that stereotype is to
some people's advantage.
And it's just interesting howbeliefs change and clash and
bang off each other, but yetmaybe by making it in a weird
way, Chris, maybe by trying tocheapen it and make a mockery
off it, it's actually made itendure more because it's so
(15:05):
accessible to people in the waythat the for instance isn't,
it's scary.
People love the aans.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (15:10):
I would agree.
I mean, especially Those partsof the US that have
predominantly Irish heritage,you could walk into any of those
parts.
Boston, or Well, especiallyBoston.
I mean there's leprechauns allover Boston in terms of
different versions ofleprechauns and you know, used
for.
Bars and tattoos and basketballteams and, all those, out there.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (15:36):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (15:37):
I think you can walk in to a bar
in Boston or even in New Yorksay, do you know what a morrigan
is?
spence_10_03-20-2025_212 (15:45):
Uhhuh.
chris-patterson_10_03- (15:46):
wouldn't know.
But if you said, do you knowwhat a leprechaun is?
Each one would probably tell youa different version of what a
leprechaun
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (15:53):
Yeah.
sure.
On a plague by them.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (15:56):
Yes, that's what I mean.
And it's, it, almost a link thatcan be seen as a link to
Ireland.
You know,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (16:05):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-202 (16:05):
of ex, what do you call expats
spence_10_03-20-2025_212 (16:08):
Uhhuh.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (16:08):
even people with, grandparents,
great-grandparents, you know,and further back that can prove
they came from Ireland.
It's a link
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (16:16):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03 (16:18):
Heritage.
You know that old saying wherethere are two different types of
people in the world, those thatare Irish and those that want to
be Irish.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (16:27):
And you, Christian, what you're
saying there.
It's, that's a tangible thing.
It sounds ether but it isn't.
That's an actual tangible link.
To your heritage, and if itcomes in a small package, well,
hell, who cares if it keeps youlinked to the land of your four
beers or whatever, it's wellworth.
And we're not the only, I mean,there are other epcon adjacent
(16:49):
creatures across the world, orScottish folks.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (16:51):
is.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (16:52):
The brownies, I believe, at Scottish
English folklore, kindahousehold spurts.
In Germany, there's mischievousCobols.
Scandinavian have the, I'mprobably pronouncing this wrong,
but the Tom te N-I-S-S-E is asmall creature which looks after
a farmer's home and the childrenand rewards hard work.
But of course, like our guy willplay pranks of mistreated.
(17:14):
So there's something in the, youknow, the global need for these
little, small, small creaturesand to live among us.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (17:22):
Know we'll go into the ferries at a
later date.
We're sort of researching thathigh,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (17:28):
I.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (17:28):
but think these whole.
whole world that is almostarrived, as you say, it got
smaller and smaller, and thebelief almost like without the
belief, do they really exist?
You know, that, that sort ofview.
And I think that leprechaunsespecially have surpassed that
(17:54):
leprechauns have come to a pointwhere, you know, it's almost
like they, they did exist at onepoint.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (18:01):
Yeah.
And I remember reading Chrisfrom a kind of psychology point
of view, why, another reasonabsolutely about the heritage,
but another reason why even juston a human level that are
intriguing deals because they'rekind of the underdog.
They're just small littlecreature, but they have wealth.
So it speaks to our aspiration.
And I think maybe not just Irishpeople, but I think certainly
(18:24):
Irish people, we can be a bitmischievous.
We like to get a deal.
We like to get a bargain.
We like to outsmart people.
And that idea that if thecircumstances are just right and
you're just wildly enough youcould make your RTEs just by on
your own guy, on your own on, onyour own metal.
I think that appeals toeverybody.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (18:40):
And also that legendary Irish sense
of humor.
You know that mischievous, youknow, you'll take a pot shot at
your best mate, sort of sense ofhumor where, you know,
everything you say has to befollowed up with no offense,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (18:56):
And offense.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (18:59):
because you just called somebody
something that somebody who'sangry might have called
spence_10_03-20-2025_212 (19:02):
That's right.
That's right.
And
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:03):
and
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (19:04):
I, even our culture,'cause it's
almost be, built round thathumor, you know, when you meet
someone, you say, what's thecrack?
And it's almost a challenge tothe other person, you know,
entertain me.
You know, most people just say,
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (19:14):
I remember saying that to somebody
in America talking about thecrack.
And, uh, they looked straight atme like, what are you talking
about?
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (19:21):
I get arrested.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:22):
you know, there was a bit of, uh,
there was a bit of explaining todo, should I
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (19:26):
Yeah, let's put it that way.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:28):
and for me, know, there's an element
of they've got these shoe makingor shoe repairing little man.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (19:35):
Mm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:36):
see in my head the sort of warrior
princes, the, the, to me it's,the dwarfs and Lord of the
Rings.
That's sort of what I like toenvisage the leprechauns, as you
know,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (19:47):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (19:48):
these, these defenders.
underworld, you
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (19:52):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:53):
You know, the muscle that the ferrys
call in
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (19:55):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (19:56):
right,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (19:57):
Yeah.
Because they are rustic.
They are.
They are.
And they're grafters andthey're, you know, I mean, is it
me?
You just think the elves aremostly born in Northern rings.
You know, it is said D Wars.
We want to see squabbling beatenand
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (20:07):
doors
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (20:07):
the yogurts.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (20:08):
miners
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (20:09):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (20:10):
they're miners and I mean, the elves,
you don't really see, I.
Do much.
I mean, they don't seem to be, Imean they're obviously, they're
great with the bows and all therest of it, but
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (20:18):
But you know what I mean?
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03- (20:20):
Whereas, the dwarfs they mined for gold
continuously.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (20:23):
Gotta get stuck in.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (20:25):
I think when you look at that
specifically and you look at theHobbit more than Lord of the
Rings that, lost for gold, thatthe king has.
That ends up attracting thedragon.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (20:37):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (20:38):
the name of the king, but that lust
for gold, that he must have more
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (20:41):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-202 (20:43):
it almost sort of comes from the
legend of the leprechauns.
I mean, I can't say specificallythat's maybe where he had some
of the research for the divorce,but certainly, you know, that
also that guardianship of thegold.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (20:56):
Yeah.
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (20:57):
not willing to let it go under any
circumstances no
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (21:00):
Uh, Yeah, and bad things befall
people who have avarice andgreed and see'em for the LRE con
stories.
You try to eat more leprechaun.
I tell you what they say.
They say that they, the bestthings come in small packages.
I like, I think hopefully thisepisode, you know, excites
people on to go out there andlearn more about Arons.
'cause we've only touched thesurface,
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (21:20):
Well, I
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (21:20):
you know.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (21:21):
oddly, I said that last week about, Ava
attack,
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (21:25):
Hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (21:25):
and in thinking back, do you wonder
if Ava attack was a leprechaun?
a vampire,
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (21:31):
Well it started off, yeah.
Yeah.
He was a dwarf.
A dwarf tyrant.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'll tell you what, there'smovie ideas popping around here,
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (21:39):
Yeah,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (21:39):
but you know, I,
chris-patterson_10_0 (21:40):
copyright.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (21:41):
I suppose regardless of how the
leprechaun.
May not change in the future.
It's certainly changed fromwhere it began to what we know
now.
But I think those themes of, youknow, chasing wealth, luck,
trickery, humor, charm, allthat, I think that they're going
to endure.
There's such a part of ourheritage, I think a part of many
(22:02):
people's heritage.
I think of ACOs gonna be with usfor a long time.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (22:06):
I mean, leprechauns, as you say,
they've left impressions on, Iwould say, a few people's lives.
Everyone knows who they are.
Going from their mischievousbeginnings in ancient Ireland.
To their big role in modern popculture.
They're a great example of howfolklore changes with the times
and the places we live becauseit travels.
(22:29):
You know, they have traveled.
I'm sure you know, go to anyIrish born in the world, as I
said, and ask the question.
We all know that picture of theJolly Green guy with the pot of
gold.
I mean, whether it's right ornot, it's a different matter,
but we all know that picture.
But if we really look into theirhistory, we find out, like you
say, so much more.
(22:50):
So much more interesting andexciting stories about the
Solidary Fair, about Solidaryfairies who were skilled shoe
makers, treasure guardians, andeven a little bit mischievous.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (23:05):
Love it.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (23:07):
So.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (23:07):
if you're ever in Ireland and you
get yourself in the spot ball,you just have to say, the
leprechauns made me do it.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (23:13):
Will that be?
Yeah, and also in Dublin.
Fun enough.
Just as I'm saying, in Dublin,there's a LOR museum.
I
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (23:19):
Really?
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (23:19):
there yet, but maybe we should do a
field trip
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (23:22):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (23:22):
museum in Dublin.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (23:24):
Old field trips getting longer and
longer.
'cause you know, we are,
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (23:26):
about four or five field trips that
we're gonna have to completely,
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (23:29):
just gonna.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (23:30):
I think we're gonna have to move
to a video.
Video,
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (23:34):
Yes,
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (23:34):
podcast at one point, but,
spence_10_03-20-202 (23:36):
definitely, definitely.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (23:37):
how that goes.
Maybe as we get more towards thesummer, we'll take a day and go
and do one of these things.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (23:42):
Let's do it.
Yep.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (23:44):
but certainly, I mean, as you say,
if somebody gets a chance tolook into the origins of
leprechauns, I think theyshould.
Because it's definitely aninteresting story, so.
What are we doing next week,Spence?
I think it's pr.
You know, I, I think it's maybelet's just pull one out.
(24:05):
Let's say the Morgan.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (24:07):
Hmm.
Yeah.
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (24:10):
God of God, of female, God of war.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (24:13):
No.
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah.
War and sort of past, we sort oftouched upon our wee bit when we
talked about the Ki Cuts, butyeah, maybe a little change of
pace and tone'em from the littlepeople.
Yeah, absolutely.
I see the Morgan.
chris-patterson_10_ (24:25):
Absolutely.
Excellent.
chris-patterson_11_03-20-202 (24:26):
So I think we'll end it there,
Spence.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (24:28):
Alright people, well, no matter where
you're in the world, top of themorning to you and, please tune
in next week for the Morgan.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (24:36):
Take care folks.
Looks like your story has foundyou.
I wish It were another.
But what's meant for you, won'tgo by you.
(24:59):
I'm sorry.
Ach, now.
No need to look so scared, eh?
Enjoy the fire.
Have a sop.
Sure.
Is it all just Irish Gothic?
All just Irish Gothic.
chris-patterson_10_10-17-20 (25:25):
You can find us at iris gothic pod
on Instagram or X, or if youwant to support us, please buy
us a coffee
spence_9_10-17-2024_205215 (25:34):
and look, while you're there, give
us a follow to keep up with allthings in the Irish Gothic
Podcast.
Send us any Irish myths,legends, stories that you'd like
us to delve into next.
chris-patterson_10_10-23-20 (25:43):
The Irish Gothic Podcast was brought
to you by Causeway Pictures.
It's hosted by Chris Pattersonand Spence Wright.
And was produced by RebeccaAlcorn.
All rights reserved.
chris-patterson_10_10-17- (25:58):
Check out our other podcast, Hostage
to the Devil, which delves intothe dark world of possession and
exorcism.
You can get it wherever you getyour podcasts.
I know all the folks round thesearts and parts.
Can't say I know you.
Leastways.
Not yet.
But I dare say I know whatyou'll be wanting.
Some of the crack, maybe.
How we yarn with your sup, isit?
(00:39):
No harm in that.
Come on over.
Warm yourself, hmm?
I'll warn you though.
If it's the old Begara andBlarney shenanigans you're
after, you'll not hear them fromme.
Well, if such, like, pleasesyou, you sit on.
I'll fill your ears.
(01:01):
And see what story is meant foryou.
On this dark old night.
chris-patterson_2_10-23-202 (01:22):
I'm Chris
spencey-guest437_2_10-23-20 (01:23):
I'm Spence
chris-patterson_2_10-23-202 (01:24):
And this is the Irish Gothic
Podcast.
chris-patterson_11_03-2 (01:28):
Welcome back to part two of our Dive
into the leprechauns.
Chris Patterson (01:36):
In another story about leprechauns, a man
once caught a leprechaun and wasled to a tree in a forest under
which the leprechaun swore tohim that all his treasure was
buried, but having no shovel.
He took off his coat, which wasa lovely red coat, and he hung
it on the tree, so he would havea marker where to go back to, to
(01:57):
dig it up.
So off he goes back to his houseand he gets a shovel.
But when he got back to theforest, his mouth fell open
every tree in the forest had ared jacket hanging on him.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (02:12):
Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (02:14):
That's
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (02:14):
you know.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (02:15):
sneaky, sneaky leprechauns.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (02:17):
Sneaky.
Hey, I tell you what, pay wishhe had just dug with his hands
and that, but do that.
That's so spooky, Chris, that, Imean, I didn't wanna think about
too much'cause it's incrediblyspooky.
I just put my 8-year-olddaughter to bed before we
started recording and we'regoing through her, you know,
getting me bedtime story and herbook is different stories from
around the world and the storyyou literally just told was in
(02:39):
her storybook tonight.
So talk about these myths,enduring.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (02:43):
Well, it's definitely within, you
know, they don't ever die.
They're always continued on.
It's always word of mouth Imean, people, you know, when you
look back on these, people havetried all sorts of tricks to
catch leprechauns in pursuit oftheir treasure.
But the little guys are alwaysone step ahead.
Some legends say leprechaunsmake their gold by crafting
(03:06):
shoes.
While others claim they guardthe treasures of the entire
ferry realm acting as bankers.
Another theory suggests thatVikings who once conquered
Ireland, buried all their goldand entrusted it to the
leprechauns for safekeeping.
But the legend of the leprechaundoesn't end in ancient tales.
(03:27):
In the modern era.
Their influence on culture isstill strong.
spence_10_03-20-202 (03:33):
Absolutely.
I, it's one of those ones Ithink be human nature, but
certainly Irish human nature.
We want to believe inleprechauns.
There's just something aboutthem.
And let me give you a realtangible, example of this man.
So we talked about pearldentists searching for
leprechauns earlier, and there'sactually a little bit of a
festival has sprung up aroundtrying to find leprechauns.
So 1989, a local businessman, Ithink he was a pub owner in
(03:56):
Carlingford, in Ireland.
Claimed to have found theevidence of a real leprechaun on
the mountain of sleeve foy.
And he said that he heard ascream near a wishing.
A wishing well.
And there he found the bones andthe tiny soot, little gold coins
near some scorched earth.
Okay, so the evidence they saywe've got a gold Chris, not just
'cause it's a pub, but the ovensis no display behind the glass
(04:19):
key for visitors to come andsee.
So as a result, a new traditionwas born.
There's now an, an annualleprechaun hunt.
There's a hundred.
They take a hundred or so littleceramic leprechauns and they
hide them around sleeve foy.
Tourists come every year, theytry to hunt them down.
You have to buy a hunter'slicense.
To take part in the hunt.
(04:40):
A little bit of,entrepreneurialism there, I
think.
And it gets even more serious,Chris, I think one year there
was a real bar of gold was theprize that was hidden on the
mountain worth 1,200 Euros downin sleeve foy.
So a lot going on down there.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (04:56):
Well, did you know that in 2009 the
European Union even gave themountain?
Heritage status because thereare still some leprechauns
living there.
That was the idea.
And the European Union stampedthat down.
So leprechauns, you know, theymust be there.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (05:15):
We are protected by law
chris-patterson_10_ (05:17):
Absolutely.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (05:18):
and not as well as the biodiversity
of the land, of course, but Imean, it's really about the
leprechauns, isn't it?
chris-patterson_10_03 (05:23):
sideline.
That's just a sideline.
Obviously, everyone knows theword leprechaun.
I mean, leprechauns have beensuch a big deal in popular
culture to movies.
(05:44):
Leprechauns have totallycaptured our imagination.
inspiring, scurry movies, whichis some of our favorites, which
we'll talk about in a bed space
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (05:54):
Of course.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (05:54):
And being mascots for example.
They're the mascots for theLucky charm cereal.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (06:00):
Yes.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (06:01):
the mascots for the Notre Dame
fighting Irish and even theBoston Celtics basketball team.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (06:08):
Oh, of course.
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (06:10):
But of course, it's the Leprechaun
horror movies that most peopleknow.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (06:15):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (06:16):
The original ones starring, what's
his name from Star Wars.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (06:22):
No
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (06:23):
No, it's the guy that played the
Ewoks and it's completely wentoutta my head.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (06:27):
war Activ.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (06:28):
Warwick Davis starring Warwick Davis.
I think there was about five ofthem, including leprechaun in
space.
Uh of them were leprechaun inIreland.
They were all leprechaun,leprechaun in Los Angeles and
leprechaun and in variousdifferent places, but not in
Ireland.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (06:47):
They were pure horror, Chris, weren't
they?
They like the kind of slasherswith leprechaun, tongue and
cheek.
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (06:52):
They were, I mean, if it was a
slightly exaggerated sort of topof the morning, I've got a big X
leprechauns,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (07:01):
Well, I hope to know Chris, at one of
your guilty pleasures,'causeyou've mentioned it before.
Darby will get on the littlepeople.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (07:08):
a hundred percent.
I
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (07:09):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10 (07:09):
encapsulates Disney encapsulating Irish
folklore.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (07:14):
So for those who don't know the
story, I don't think there can'tbe many people out there who
don't.
But go ahead, head us up.
What's it about?
What's it all about?
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (07:22):
Well, Darby o Gill is a rogue the
town, likes an all drink, andone day he catches king of King
Brian, I believe his name was.
He catches King Brian of theleprechauns and.
The way he catches him is hedecides that he gets King Brian
(07:44):
in the house and he says, let'shave a drink, Brian.
Let's have a drink.
And him and Brian have a drinkall night.
And then Brian wakes up in themorning and he realizes that
it's late outside.
He can't go out, he has to staystuck.
And that's where Darby Ogel getshim and he gets his three
wishes.
But of course, wishes don't goquite the plan.
(08:06):
Do they spend.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:07):
No, not the thoughts I remember, but
I folks, this is a podcast.
I wish you could see the lightin Chris's eyes.
A little claim in his eyes.
This is definitely one of yourguilty pleasures, man.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (08:16):
Sean Connery singing
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:17):
So
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (08:19):
Sean
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (08:19):
Tommy stealing it.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (08:21):
No.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:22):
No.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (08:22):
we'll talk about Tommy Steele.
That was, Tommy Steele played aleprechaun with Fred, a Stern
finnigan's rainbow.
I.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:29):
Ah, there you go.
There you go.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (08:32):
had, Sean Connery, and then there was
a famous Northern Irish actorwho played Darby Albert Sharp,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:39):
Ah,
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (08:40):
and Janet Monroe.
I
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (08:43):
yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (08:43):
the, only Disney film that ever dealt
with folklore or Irish
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (08:47):
Mm-hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (08:48):
Um.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (08:49):
Oh, well, no, Chris, sorry.
I thought I would try and outgeek you'cause I knew you were
gonna talk about Dario o Gill.
'cause you always try to find away to bring Dario Gill into
conversations.
Disney did dip their toe again.,I've never seen it A Disney
Channel movie.
The Luck of the Irish neverheard of it.
2001.
If I tell you the story, itmight ring a bell because it
(09:10):
sort of rang a bell somewhere ateenager discovers she's part
leprechaun has to protect hisfamily's magical heritage.
Hard, family fun.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (09:19):
I'm not sure about that one.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (09:21):
1998.
Then there was a very unluckyleprechaun, a family movie
sitting on a young girl whobefriends a leprechaun who had
been cursed with bad luck.
And together the girl, theleprechaun, set off to break the
curse.
That sounds all charming, I haveto say.
I haven't seen it honest.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (09:37):
Well, I mean, Rainbow that we just
talked about, that was anAmerican comes to Ireland story.
So you had, Fred, a star comesto Ireland.
You had Tommy Steel is thelittle leprechaun, and he
catches Tommy Steel.
And the idea is he's trying tosave of the time and oddly
enough, I'm not sure it was thefirst film, but it was certainly
(10:00):
one of the first films that,Francis Ford Coppola directed.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (10:06):
Really.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (10:07):
Yeah.
And I mean it.
I heard a story.
I mean, I'm sort of paraphrasinga little bit here.
I heard a story'cause anyonewho's old enough to know sort of
older sort of Disney films andstuff.
Tommy Steele was a dancer.
Fred Aster was a dancer.
Gene Kelly was a dancer.
And on day one, Tommy Steeletells a story where he comes in
(10:31):
to see Fred Eur and FredAstaire's, well known globally
for the best being one of thebest dancers of his time.
And Fred Astaire says to TommySteele.
Show me what you've got.
So Tommy Steele gets up nervousaround the room, does all his
been, and he stops.
And Fred E Star goes, you weretaught by that fucking Irishman.
(10:54):
And he was talking about JaneKelly and he
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (10:57):
No.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (10:58):
him for being taught and doing Gene
Kelly moves.
spence_10_03-20-2025 (11:04):
Brilliant.
chris-patterson_10_03 (11:05):
alienated our young audience now.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (11:07):
Yes, yes, yes.
Yeah.
If, yeah, we've could definitelygive up the game there, there's
more movies there than Ithought, to be honest.
(11:28):
But that being sent still fairlyunderrepresented Wouldn't you
say like, you know, for acharacter that can do so much
schematic pars.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (11:37):
were involved in a film, like a
remake of leprechaun
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (11:41):
Hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-202 (11:41):
a, with a, small wrestler, I
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (11:42):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03- (11:43):
swaddle, or I don't know what they call
them, it was strikingly similar,you know, I think the problem is
we fall into cliche, you know,and
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (11:50):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (11:51):
Well actually we've just had St.
Patrick's Day and we've talkedabout St.
Patrick's Day quite a few timesand there's a number of cliches
that fall into that.
The St.
Patrick's Day just passed there.
I saw Chicago turning they'reriver's green
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (12:02):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (12:03):
you know, so there's a lot of, the
happy drunken Irish personcliche.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (12:08):
It reminds me, Chris, from your
topic, from last time when wetalked about she, Elise.
And how that became a symbolyes.
Of Ireland, but also of Ireland.
Almost a snobbery like, youknow, drunken riotous Irish
almost made depicted as cavemen, with their big sticks, like
trunk lights,
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (12:24):
You look at Lord of the Rings and
you look at, Gandalf for
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (12:27):
hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (12:28):
you know, you've got this and not,
not Gandalf isn't a leprechaun,but you've got this one, this
guy with a big staff, and thestaff is a weapon.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (12:36):
Mm-hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (12:37):
You know, so it's very much, I know
that we talked slightly aboutthis when we were doing, Shely,
but they're always ready for aBarney, you know,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (12:47):
Yeah,
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (12:47):
ready for a fight.
the fact that they have thissort of batten,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212 (12:52):
Uhhuh.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (12:53):
word, to club you whenever they,
whenever you've annoyed them ornot poured the right amount of
whiskey,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (12:59):
And it's got that think, sorry,
Chris.
Go ahead.
Sorry.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (13:02):
Sorry, I'm just saying it's typically
sort of stereotypical as thatthat has been built, the
stereotypical that has beenbuilt around these, just
leprechauns, but a lot of Irishfolklore.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (13:13):
Yeah and that's what intrigued me,
Chris, how these stereotypescome about and maybe more
importantly why they come about.
'cause there's a school ofthought that says, as you know,
Christianity took hold acrossIreland.
Almost in tandem.
The leprechaun stature, itbecame diminutive, it became
small, it's almost, you know,it's almost a way of, making a
(13:37):
mockery of the things thatpeople believed in.
Turn it into a joke thatliterally now fits on the side
of a cereal box.
And it may well be part of thatsame sort of thing that we saw
with, when we talked about St.
Patrick and Hilu Old Legends.
They were either absorbed orthey were kinda.
Mock and made a joke off untilthey became frivolous.
And as these stories show,there's so much more to it than
(13:58):
that.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (13:59):
Well, I mean, we've talked before,
Spence, when we're doing theresearch, if you go back far
enough there, there is somesources that say that
leprechauns weren't small.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (14:09):
Yep.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (14:09):
there is some sources that say the
different, you described earlieron, the different types of
leprechauns from differentcounties in Ireland, they
weren't necessarily these tinylittle men.
I think it was the locker menwho were reasonably tall.
And in general leprechauns, somewere described as to be, five
(14:29):
foot and most smaller Dimi ofmen than
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (14:33):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (14:34):
than, than you know, this, you know,
two foot high,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (14:38):
You have Sprite.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (14:39):
man with a pipe in his mouth,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2 (14:41):
Exactly.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (14:42):
and a rainbow
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (14:42):
And you can Yeah.
You can, what you can see howcreating that stereotype is to
some people's advantage.
And it's just interesting howbeliefs change and clash and
bang off each other, but yetmaybe by making it in a weird
way, Chris, maybe by trying tocheapen it and make a mockery
off it, it's actually made itendure more because it's so
(15:05):
accessible to people in the waythat the for instance isn't,
it's scary.
People love the aans.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (15:10):
I would agree.
I mean, especially Those partsof the US that have
predominantly Irish heritage,you could walk into any of those
parts.
Boston, or Well, especiallyBoston.
I mean there's leprechauns allover Boston in terms of
different versions ofleprechauns and you know, used
for.
Bars and tattoos and basketballteams and, all those, out there.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (15:36):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (15:37):
I think you can walk in to a bar
in Boston or even in New Yorksay, do you know what a morrigan
is?
spence_10_03-20-2025_212 (15:45):
Uhhuh.
chris-patterson_10_03- (15:46):
wouldn't know.
But if you said, do you knowwhat a leprechaun is?
Each one would probably tell youa different version of what a
leprechaun
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (15:53):
Yeah.
sure.
On a plague by them.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (15:56):
Yes, that's what I mean.
And it's, it, almost a link thatcan be seen as a link to
Ireland.
You know,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (16:05):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-202 (16:05):
of ex, what do you call expats
spence_10_03-20-2025_212 (16:08):
Uhhuh.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (16:08):
even people with, grandparents,
great-grandparents, you know,and further back that can prove
they came from Ireland.
It's a link
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (16:16):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03 (16:18):
Heritage.
You know that old saying wherethere are two different types of
people in the world, those thatare Irish and those that want to
be Irish.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (16:27):
And you, Christian, what you're
saying there.
It's, that's a tangible thing.
It sounds ether but it isn't.
That's an actual tangible link.
To your heritage, and if itcomes in a small package, well,
hell, who cares if it keeps youlinked to the land of your four
beers or whatever, it's wellworth.
And we're not the only, I mean,there are other epcon adjacent
(16:49):
creatures across the world, orScottish folks.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (16:51):
is.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (16:52):
The brownies, I believe, at Scottish
English folklore, kindahousehold spurts.
In Germany, there's mischievousCobols.
Scandinavian have the, I'mprobably pronouncing this wrong,
but the Tom te N-I-S-S-E is asmall creature which looks after
a farmer's home and the childrenand rewards hard work.
But of course, like our guy willplay pranks of mistreated.
(17:14):
So there's something in the, youknow, the global need for these
little, small, small creaturesand to live among us.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (17:22):
Know we'll go into the ferries at a
later date.
We're sort of researching thathigh,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (17:28):
I.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (17:28):
but think these whole.
whole world that is almostarrived, as you say, it got
smaller and smaller, and thebelief almost like without the
belief, do they really exist?
You know, that, that sort ofview.
And I think that leprechaunsespecially have surpassed that
(17:54):
leprechauns have come to a pointwhere, you know, it's almost
like they, they did exist at onepoint.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (18:01):
Yeah.
And I remember reading Chrisfrom a kind of psychology point
of view, why, another reasonabsolutely about the heritage,
but another reason why even juston a human level that are
intriguing deals because they'rekind of the underdog.
They're just small littlecreature, but they have wealth.
So it speaks to our aspiration.
And I think maybe not just Irishpeople, but I think certainly
(18:24):
Irish people, we can be a bitmischievous.
We like to get a deal.
We like to get a bargain.
We like to outsmart people.
And that idea that if thecircumstances are just right and
you're just wildly enough youcould make your RTEs just by on
your own guy, on your own on, onyour own metal.
I think that appeals toeverybody.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (18:40):
And also that legendary Irish sense
of humor.
You know that mischievous, youknow, you'll take a pot shot at
your best mate, sort of sense ofhumor where, you know,
everything you say has to befollowed up with no offense,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (18:56):
And offense.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (18:59):
because you just called somebody
something that somebody who'sangry might have called
spence_10_03-20-2025_212 (19:02):
That's right.
That's right.
And
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:03):
and
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (19:04):
I, even our culture,'cause it's
almost be, built round thathumor, you know, when you meet
someone, you say, what's thecrack?
And it's almost a challenge tothe other person, you know,
entertain me.
You know, most people just say,
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (19:14):
I remember saying that to somebody
in America talking about thecrack.
And, uh, they looked straight atme like, what are you talking
about?
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (19:21):
I get arrested.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:22):
you know, there was a bit of, uh,
there was a bit of explaining todo, should I
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (19:26):
Yeah, let's put it that way.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:28):
and for me, know, there's an element
of they've got these shoe makingor shoe repairing little man.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (19:35):
Mm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:36):
see in my head the sort of warrior
princes, the, the, to me it's,the dwarfs and Lord of the
Rings.
That's sort of what I like toenvisage the leprechauns, as you
know,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (19:47):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (19:48):
these, these defenders.
underworld, you
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (19:52):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (19:53):
You know, the muscle that the ferrys
call in
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (19:55):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (19:56):
right,
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (19:57):
Yeah.
Because they are rustic.
They are.
They are.
And they're grafters andthey're, you know, I mean, is it
me?
You just think the elves aremostly born in Northern rings.
You know, it is said D Wars.
We want to see squabbling beatenand
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (20:07):
doors
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (20:07):
the yogurts.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (20:08):
miners
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (20:09):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (20:10):
they're miners and I mean, the elves,
you don't really see, I.
Do much.
I mean, they don't seem to be, Imean they're obviously, they're
great with the bows and all therest of it, but
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (20:18):
But you know what I mean?
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03- (20:20):
Whereas, the dwarfs they mined for gold
continuously.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (20:23):
Gotta get stuck in.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (20:25):
I think when you look at that
specifically and you look at theHobbit more than Lord of the
Rings that, lost for gold, thatthe king has.
That ends up attracting thedragon.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (20:37):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (20:38):
the name of the king, but that lust
for gold, that he must have more
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (20:41):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-202 (20:43):
it almost sort of comes from the
legend of the leprechauns.
I mean, I can't say specificallythat's maybe where he had some
of the research for the divorce,but certainly, you know, that
also that guardianship of thegold.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (20:56):
Yeah.
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (20:57):
not willing to let it go under any
circumstances no
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (21:00):
Uh, Yeah, and bad things befall
people who have avarice andgreed and see'em for the LRE con
stories.
You try to eat more leprechaun.
I tell you what they say.
They say that they, the bestthings come in small packages.
I like, I think hopefully thisepisode, you know, excites
people on to go out there andlearn more about Arons.
'cause we've only touched thesurface,
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (21:20):
Well, I
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (21:20):
you know.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (21:21):
oddly, I said that last week about, Ava
attack,
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (21:25):
Hmm.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (21:25):
and in thinking back, do you wonder
if Ava attack was a leprechaun?
a vampire,
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (21:31):
Well it started off, yeah.
Yeah.
He was a dwarf.
A dwarf tyrant.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'll tell you what, there'smovie ideas popping around here,
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (21:39):
Yeah,
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (21:39):
but you know, I,
chris-patterson_10_0 (21:40):
copyright.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (21:41):
I suppose regardless of how the
leprechaun.
May not change in the future.
It's certainly changed fromwhere it began to what we know
now.
But I think those themes of, youknow, chasing wealth, luck,
trickery, humor, charm, allthat, I think that they're going
to endure.
There's such a part of ourheritage, I think a part of many
(22:02):
people's heritage.
I think of ACOs gonna be with usfor a long time.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (22:06):
I mean, leprechauns, as you say,
they've left impressions on, Iwould say, a few people's lives.
Everyone knows who they are.
Going from their mischievousbeginnings in ancient Ireland.
To their big role in modern popculture.
They're a great example of howfolklore changes with the times
and the places we live becauseit travels.
(22:29):
You know, they have traveled.
I'm sure you know, go to anyIrish born in the world, as I
said, and ask the question.
We all know that picture of theJolly Green guy with the pot of
gold.
I mean, whether it's right ornot, it's a different matter,
but we all know that picture.
But if we really look into theirhistory, we find out, like you
say, so much more.
(22:50):
So much more interesting andexciting stories about the
Solidary Fair, about Solidaryfairies who were skilled shoe
makers, treasure guardians, andeven a little bit mischievous.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (23:05):
Love it.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (23:07):
So.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (23:07):
if you're ever in Ireland and you
get yourself in the spot ball,you just have to say, the
leprechauns made me do it.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2 (23:13):
Will that be?
Yeah, and also in Dublin.
Fun enough.
Just as I'm saying, in Dublin,there's a LOR museum.
I
spence_10_03-20-2025_21 (23:19):
Really?
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (23:19):
there yet, but maybe we should do a
field trip
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (23:22):
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20 (23:22):
museum in Dublin.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (23:24):
Old field trips getting longer and
longer.
'cause you know, we are,
chris-patterson_10_03-20- (23:26):
about four or five field trips that
we're gonna have to completely,
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (23:29):
just gonna.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-2025 (23:30):
I think we're gonna have to move
to a video.
Video,
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (23:34):
Yes,
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (23:34):
podcast at one point, but,
spence_10_03-20-202 (23:36):
definitely, definitely.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (23:37):
how that goes.
Maybe as we get more towards thesummer, we'll take a day and go
and do one of these things.
spence_10_03-20-2025_2124 (23:42):
Let's do it.
Yep.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (23:44):
but certainly, I mean, as you say,
if somebody gets a chance tolook into the origins of
leprechauns, I think theyshould.
Because it's definitely aninteresting story, so.
What are we doing next week,Spence?
I think it's pr.
You know, I, I think it's maybelet's just pull one out.
(24:05):
Let's say the Morgan.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (24:07):
Hmm.
Yeah.
Yeah.
chris-patterson_10_03-20-20 (24:10):
God of God, of female, God of war.
spence_10_03-20-2025_212431 (24:13):
No.
Yeah, absolutely.
Yeah.
War and sort of past, we sort oftouched upon our wee bit when we
talked about the Ki Cuts, butyeah, maybe a little change of
pace and tone'em from the littlepeople.
Yeah, absolutely.
I see the Morgan.
chris-patterson_10_ (24:25):
Absolutely.
Excellent.
chris-patterson_11_03-20-202 (24:26):
So I think we'll end it there,
Spence.
chris-patterson_10_03-2 (24:28):
Alright people, well, no matter where
you're in the world, top of themorning to you and, please tune
in next week for the Morgan.
spence_10_03-20-2025_21243 (24:36):
Take care folks.
Looks like your story has foundyou.
I wish It were another.
But what's meant for you, won'tgo by you.
(24:59):
I'm sorry.
Ach, now.
No need to look so scared, eh?
Enjoy the fire.
Have a sop.
Sure.
Is it all just Irish Gothic?
All just Irish Gothic.
chris-patterson_10_10-17-20 (25:25):
You can find us at iris gothic pod
on Instagram or X, or if youwant to support us, please buy
us a coffee
spence_9_10-17-2024_205215 (25:34):
and look, while you're there, give
us a follow to keep up with allthings in the Irish Gothic
Podcast.
Send us any Irish myths,legends, stories that you'd like
us to delve into next.
chris-patterson_10_10-23-20 (25:43):
The Irish Gothic Podcast was brought
to you by Causeway Pictures.
It's hosted by Chris Pattersonand Spence Wright.
And was produced by RebeccaAlcorn.
All rights reserved.
chris-patterson_10_10-17- (25:58):
Check out our other podcast, Hostage
to the Devil, which delves intothe dark world of possession and
exorcism.
You can get it wherever you getyour podcasts.
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