Superstitions- The Bad Luck of the Irish.

Leprechauns are sprites or fairies found only in Ireland. They usually took the form of older men who were shoemakers by trade. And while they are considered mostly harmless to humans, they are notably taciturn and unsociable, so they usually live alone in remote areas. Until the twentieth century, leprechauns dressed in red, not green, which is the common belief today.

Leprechauns are reputed to be very rich, so there was aways the temptation to capture one and force him to reveal where his gold was hidden. A leprechaun is a wily foe, though, so there are many tales about how he can trick a captor into unwittingly setting him free. In one popular old story, a boy ties a ribbon around a plant that marks a leprechaun's buried treasure. The boy makes the leprechaun promise not to remove the ribbon while he gets a spade. When the boy returns, the leprechaun has kept his promise, but he has also tied every other plant with an identical ribbon.

If you see a leprechaun and want to keep him in view, you must hold your gaze steady. He cannot escape until you take your eye off him, when he will vanish in a blink

Clurichauns are less-known Irish fairies. They are always drunk and seen at night, which is why some folklorists think of them as leprechauns who have been out drinking after work. Clurichauns are bad-tempered and unfriendly, but it's worthwhile to always treat them well because they have a special interest in any wine you may own. If you're nice to a clurichaun, he'll look after it; treat him badly, and he'll ruin it and everything else in your house.

Leprechauns and clurichauns are believed to be so surly because they are the dscendants of the inhabitants of Ireland who were displaced and banished by the invasion of the Celts.