Irish folklore is rich in legends, traditions and beliefs, with fairies occupying a special place. Ireland has always been fertile ground for the collective imagination. And contrary to the often angelic and benevolent image of fairies in popular culture, Irish folklore presents a much more nuanced, even darker, vision of these creatures. If you’re expecting winged fairies sprinkling stardust, think again. In Irish tradition, fairies are entities to be taken seriously, and their appearance reflects this complexity!
Fairies, also called “Sidhe” (pronounced “shee”) in Irish Gaelic, are believed to be descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann, an ancient people of gods and goddesses.
After being defeated by the Milesians, ancestors of the modern Irish, the Tuatha Dé Danann retreated to the “Other World”, accessible via hills and fairy mounds.
However, they would regularly sail between the two worlds, playing malevolent tricks in the world of Men…
Since then, superstition has remained strong in Ireland: many Irish people avoid “fairy places”, or are cautious when passing a fairy tree.
Fairies are often described as beautiful, bewitching and seductive beings. But their beauty has a disquieting, even sinister and malevolent side.
Don’t let their beauty fool you! Behind their angelic appearance lie dark, frightening souls!
Although they can take a variety of forms, certain characteristics remain common.
Fairies in Ireland are often dressed in green, the color of earth and nature, but also a color associated with strangeness and magic.
Their eyes are often described as hypnotic, capable of bewitching those who look into them.
Although their size can vary, they are often described as being smaller than humans, although they can change size at will.
These grassy hills or mounds are considered portals to the “Other World”.
A typical fairy mound looks like a small, rounded hill, often surrounded by trees or stones. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish a fairy mound from an ordinary hill, but these places usually have a distinct, almost magical atmosphere that sets them apart.
Like other fairy habitats, mounds are often seen as portals to the fairy world. It is said that those who stand on a mound at midnight can be carried off into the fairy realm.
Legends speak of fairies acting as guardians of these mounds. They protect the land and can punish those who disturb the tranquility of the place.
In some stories, the fairy king himself resides on a mound, from where he rules over his fairy folk.
It’s generally inadvisable to disturb them, or risk incurring the wrath of the fairies.
If that’s the case, beware: magic may be about to befall you! And it’s better not to know the wrath of these magical beings!
Circles of stones or mushrooms, known as fairy rings, are also places where the fairy presence is strong. These perfectly round circles in nature are shrouded in myth and legend, often associated with the world of Irish fairies.
A fairy ring is a flat circle of stones or vegetation, often composed of grass or mushrooms, that stands out clearly from the surrounding terrain. They can be found in fields, meadows and even forests, and are often associated with local stories and superstitions.
It’s said that these rings are portals to the “Other World”, the fairy realm, and that venturing inside can make you lose track of time or transport you to another universe.
According to legend, these circles are where fairies come to dance the night away. Their circle dance leaves a mark on the earth, creating the ring we see.
Disturbing a fairy ring, whether by treading on it or entering it, is considered an act likely to attract bad luck or even the wrath of the fairies. Some stories tell of people disappearing or falling ill after disturbing these circles.
A fairy tree in Ireland – © Bo
Among the captivating elements of Irish folklore, fairy trees hold a particularly special place. These trees, often isolated hawthorns, are considered sacred and are supposed to be portals to the fairy world of the Sidhe.
Although the hawthorn is the tree species most commonly associated with fairies in Ireland, other trees such as oaks and willows are also considered to have links with the fairy world.
It’s not uncommon to find ribbons, pieces of cloth or even small objects left as offerings or tokens of respect to the tree.
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