School: Ballyfin, Mountrath (roll number 15537)
- Location:
- Ballyfin, Co. Laois
- Teacher: Seosamh Mac Giolla Fhionáin
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0833, Page 235
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- XML School: Ballyfin, Mountrath
- XML Page 235
- XML “The Leipreachán”
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- We call this little man a leipreachán. He is only about six inches in height, people say he is only as big as your fist. He wears a tall red cap and a blue gown, red shoes with big pointed toes. It is said he lives under a lone bush. People say if you be kind to him he will be kind to you, he would give you a pot of gold. This little man is always making shoes for the fairies to dance. When you want money and if (I) you bring food to the leipreachan he will give you a pot of gold. It is said if you cut down a lone bush the fairies will always be annoying you and, people say (and people say) you will never have an hours luck. When you are in bed they are supposed to knock at the door or window and if you go up you will see no one. If you do anything to a leipreachán he is sure to have revenge.
- Collector
- Brigid Farrell
- Gender
- Female
- Address
- Deerpark, Co. Laois
