Gail's Glimmerings: Leprechaun Day is MAY 13th!

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Leprechaun Day is MAY 13th!

Did You Know?

1. Leprechaun Day is May 13th(YES...there is such a day!)

2. The National Leprechaun Museum in Dublin, Ireland, is dedicated to the folklore and mythology of Ireland.

3. The legend of leprechauns dates back as far as the 8th century.

4. In Irish folklore, there are only male leprechauns.

5. The origin of the word leprechaun may have been “lobaircin”, meaning “small bodied fellow.”

6. Leprechauns love to dance the jig and wear out shoes very quickly. Leprechauns are cobblers, or shoe makers. They always carry a tiny hammer for shoe making.

7. “Faeriefolk” live underground, deeply burrowed in caves. The entrances to their caves are usually hidden by rabbit holes or under old tree stumps.

8. There is a place in Ireland, Carlingford, where someone says they once spotted leprechauns. The Slieve Foy Loop Trail, near the Carlingford Mountains, is protected land. Signs remind hikers to walk softly as it is a heavily populated leprechaun area!

9. The only park of its kind in the world dedicated to leprechauns. is found in Portland, Oregon. Actually, it is also the world’s smallest park, only 2 ft. wide. It was officially named a city park back in 1976. Called Mill Ends Park, it was actually where a light pole was supposed to go but never did. There is a tiny tree in this teeny park.

Check out this resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/LeprechaunsSt-Patricks-DayIreland-A-Readers-Theater-Script-2315668 This fun/informative play has Ms. Bie Ografee's guest being McSean, a leprechaun. McSean is asked questions by the studio audience about the country of Ireland and the long Irish folklore about leprechauns. Great for a unit on folk stories/folklore or as an activity around St. Patrick's Day. The play has 11 questioners, a Did You Know? section, comprehension questions, a teacher page with extension activities and links as well as the key.

Learn about the country of Ireland!