The word "Ireland" conjures up various images in the mind's eye: scenic countryside, a leisurely way of life, the inevitable lush green grass. Another aspect of Ireland, however, evident even to the most casual visitor, is the widespread and sincere belief in all supernatural beings. Not only do the Irish follow their religion with fervour, they are equally enthusiastic in their attitude to those other non- humans, the "little people".
Through examination of Irish fairy figures, the chief sources of information about them (namely, the folk and fairy tales recorded from oral tradition), and modern evidence regarding attitudes to the fairy folk, and through comparison of these aspects with their counter parts in Europe and elsewhere, I shall attempt in this paper to offer some information about the little people of Ireland , and through this, to discover why the Irish, unlike other European nations, whose belief in their own fairy cultures has been subject to "enlightened" attitudes, have maintained a healthy respect of, and affection for, the "wee folk".
Table of Contents
I FOREWORD
II INTRODUCTION
III FAIRIES
1 Fairy
2 Other Fairy Figures
3 Figures fulfilling role of Fairy
4 Conclusion
IV IRISH FAIRIES
1 General Information
(i) Categories
(ii) Origins
2 The Trooping Fairies
(i)Dwelling Places
(ii) Appearance
(iii) Activities
(iv) Contact with Humans
3 The Solitary Fairies
(i) Leprechaun (Irish: Leith Bhroghan)
(ii) Cluricaun (Irish: Clobhair-cean)
(iii) Ganconer/Gancanagh (Irish : gean- canogh)
(iv) Far Darrig (Irish: fear dearg)
(v) Far Gorta
(vi) Far Dorocha
(vii) Far Liath
(viii) Pooka (Irish: puca)
(ix) Dullahan
(x) Banshee (Irish bean sidhe)
(xi) Leanhaun Shee (Irish: leanhaun sidhe)
(xii) Changeling
(xiii) Grogach
4 The Heroic Figures as Fairies
5 Influence of the Fairies on Humans
6 Comparison
V THE FAIRY TAILE
1 Attitudes to the Fairy Tale
2 Characteristics
(i) Generality
(ii) Characters
(iii) Morality
(iv) Cruelty/ Directness
3 Audience
4 Continuing Popularity
5 Style
6 Conclusion
VI THE FAIRY TALE IN IRELAND
1 Introduction
2 The Tale in Ireland
(i) Geographical Position
(ii) Story-telling Tradition
(iii) Audience
(iv) Celtic Background
(v) Present Day Measures
3 Irish Folk Material
4 Comparison between the Irish Tales and the Fairy Tale in General
5 Common Motifs
6 Specific Irish Elements
(i) Atmosphere
(ii) Magic Mist
(iii) Geasa
7 Audience of the Fairy Tale in Ireland
8 Style
9 Continuing Popularity
VII PRESENT POSITION
1 Accounts of Witnesses
2 Reasons
3 Future
VIII THE SOURCES
Objectives and Topics
The main objective of this work is to investigate the contemporary Irish belief in fairy culture and examine why the Irish have maintained a respectful and affectionate relationship with the "wee folk" in contrast to other European nations. The research explores the origins of Irish fairy figures, their classification, and their influence on daily life, while also analyzing the connection between folk traditions and historical mythological figures.
- The categorization of Irish fairies into trooping and solitary types.
- The relationship between fairy belief and traditional Celtic history.
- The role of storytelling and oral tradition in the preservation of folklore.
- The influence of fairy belief on contemporary practices such as charms and folk medicine.
- Comparison of Irish fairy tales with general international fairy tale motifs.
Excerpt from the Book
(i)Dwelling Places
The land fairies live in communities, often near white thorn bushes. In Ireland, it is considered unlucky to cut down a "fairy thorn" for fear of disturbing the fairies. It is a common sight to see a thorn standing in the middle of meadow land, or even a cultivated field, left there by the farmer. It is also unlikely that a builder will cut down a thorn tree to erect a house or other construction, since no luck could be expected for its occupants if the little people had been offended because of its erection. Compare , for instance, the extract from "The Belfast Telegraph" , reproduced as Appendix 2, in which this situation is reported as recently as December 1984.
The following account of the fairy thorn was given to me by Mrs Margaret McCombe, of Whitehouse, County Antrim: There was a fairy thorn in the garden of our old house [in Fairyknowe Park, part of the Fairyknowe estate in the north of Belfast. I assume the name of the estate is indicative of a long-lasting connection with the fairies in the area], and once they were working at the road outside the house, and the contractor came and asked Hugh [Mrs McCombe's late husband] if he would cut it down, for the driver of the bulldozer refused to work near it. It seems on the last job he had done, he'd been made to dig up a thorn tree, and just after, his digger had overturned, and he'd been quite badly injured. Well, Hugh refused of course; we didn't want to annoy the gentry, and eventually the contractor came and dug up the bush himself. A couple of days later, he had an accident in the car, and was seriously injured . It's no good annoying the fairies; no good will ever come of it.
Summary of Chapters
I FOREWORD: An overview of the author's experience in Ireland, establishing the prevalence of fairy belief across social strata.
II INTRODUCTION: Outlines the scope of the study, focusing on Irish fairy figures and why their cultural importance persists.
III FAIRIES: Provides a general definition of fairies based on folklore and myth literature, emphasizing their common traits across cultures.
IV IRISH FAIRIES: Detailed analysis of Irish fairy categories, their dwelling places, physical appearance, activities, and specific individual fairy types.
V THE FAIRY TAILE: Discusses the characteristics of fairy tales, including morality, audience, and their continuing popularity in modern contexts.
VI THE FAIRY TALE IN IRELAND: Explores the unique Irish oral tradition, the geographic factors influencing it, and specific Irish elements like "geasa".
VII PRESENT POSITION: Presents documented accounts of witnesses and contemporary beliefs regarding fairies and charms in Ireland.
VIII THE SOURCES: A concluding section acknowledging the interviewees and references utilized for this study.
Keywords
Ireland, Fairies, Folklore, Mythology, Wee Folk, Leprechaun, Banshee, Pooka, Celtic culture, Oral tradition, Fairy tales, Supernatural, Belief, Charms, Gaeltacht
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research?
The research focuses on the examination of fairy and mythological culture in Ireland, particularly the persistent belief in these beings among the contemporary Irish population.
What are the central themes explored in the work?
The work covers the origins of Irish fairy figures, their behavioral patterns toward humans, the influence of the Celtic past, and the role of oral storytelling in maintaining these traditions.
What is the main objective of the thesis?
The goal is to understand why, unlike many other European nations, the Irish have maintained a strong, sincere belief in and respect for their fairy culture.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author uses a qualitative approach, combining literature review, analysis of historical folk material, and primary ethnographic evidence collected through interviews with Irish individuals.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the taxonomy of fairies, the role of mythological heroes, the influence of the Church, the specific characteristics of Irish fairy tales, and the preservation of this tradition.
Which keywords define this study?
The core keywords include Ireland, Fairies, Folklore, Mythology, Celtic culture, Oral tradition, and Supernatural beliefs.
How is the "geasa" concept defined within the Irish context?
Geasa is described as a magical injunction or a binding obligation that a hero or individual must follow, often leading to significant consequences if ignored.
What is the current stance of the Irish regarding fairy belief?
The research indicates that belief in fairies remains an integral and unselfconscious part of life for many, cutting across various social strata and levels of education.
- Citation du texte
- Brigitte Prem (Auteur), 1979, The Wee Folk. An Examination of the Fairy and Mythological Culture of Ireland, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/203245
