Clurichaun
Land or Origin: Ireland. Other Origins: A similar faery known as a Monciello is native to Italy. Other Names: His Nibs. Element: Earth. Appearance and Temperament: The Clurichaun ("Kloo'-ra-kahn") or clobhair-ceann in O'Kearney, is a solitary faery who resembles his cousin the Leprechaun, and no sightings of females have ever been recorded. Some even say that the clurichaun is a night "form" of the leprechaun, who goes out to drink after finishing his daily chores. [1] Some folklorists regard them as regional variations on the same creature.[2]
Generally he has a cheerful disposition, but is rather aloof even while intoxicated. Like many faeries, the Clurichaun wears a red hat which may be made of plants.
He is the self-appointed guardian of a wine cellar, one which he chooses in his own time, and then moves in and makes himself at home. If you treat them well they will protect your wine cellar. If mistreated, they will wreak havoc on your home and spoil your wine stock. The Clurichaun is almost always drunk, but is impeccably well-groomed and well-dressed. However, unlike their cousins, they are surly. Clurichauns enjoy riding sheep and dogs at night. In some tales, they act as 'buttery spirits, plaguing drunkards or dishonest servants who steal wine; if the victim attempts to move away from their tormentor, the clurichaun will hop into a cask to accompany them.[3] If a man drinks too much the cluricaun will rummage through his wine cellar and the man can't rid himself of the cluricaun until he cuts off his wine supply.
References
- ^ W. B. Yeats, Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, in A Treasury of Irish Myth, Legend, and Folklore, p 80, ISBN 0-517-489904-X
- ^ Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures, "Leprechauns", p264. ISBN 0-394-73467-X
- ^ Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures, "Clurichaun", p77. ISBN 0-394-73467-X