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The word "Leprechaun" comes from the Gaelic luacharma'n, meaning "pygmy"; or leith brogan, meaning "maker of one shoe". One of the things most commonly associated with Ireland, leprechauns are said to be small sprites or fairies who are dressed in old-fashioned clothing and speak in poetry. According to legends, they also make shoes for elves, but only one shoe and never a pair (hence "maker of one shoe"). One of the more popular beliefs about leprechauns is that they possess a treasure, usually in the form of a pot of gold, which a human may take if he can capture a leprechaun. However, you can't look away from a leprechaun once you've captured one or he will disappear.

The leprechaun is a fairly ancient belief of Irish folklore, but it started out quite different. The legend of the leprechaun is believed to have evolved over the years from Lugh, the Sun God of the ancient Celts. Lugh was a major deity to the Euro-Celts and the Indo - Europeans, being roughly as important to his worshippers as Christ is to Christians. He was also the patron of arts and crafts and leader of the Tuatha dé Danaan, and these myths eventually became simplified and popularized into the leprechaun. It was believe that long ago they would help humans and perform small favors for them, but they were eventually driven out by the Gaels. After that, the only contact they are said to have with humans is to cause mischief, like hiding things and turning milk sour.

There is also a Dutch version of the leprechaun called the Kabouter.

Derived from the Gaelic luacharma'n, "pygmy"; or leith brogan "maker of one shoe".

In Irish folklore, the Bean Sidhe ("woman of the hills") is a spirit or fairy who presage a death by wailing. She is popularly known as the Banshee. She visits a household and by wailing she warns them that a member of their family is about to die. When a Banshee is caught, she is obliged to tell the name of the doomed.

The antiquity of this concept is vouched for by the fact that the Morrigan, in a poem from the 8th century, is described as washing spoils and entrails. It was believed in County Clare that Richard the Clare, the Norman leader of the 12th century, had met a horrible beldame, washing armor and rich robes "until the red gore churned in her hands", and had been warned by her of the destruction of his host.

The Bean Sidhe has long streaming hair and is dressed in a gray cloak over a green dress. Her eyes are fiery red from the constant weeping. When multiple Banshees wail together, it will herald the death of someone very great or holy. The Scottish version of the Banshee is the Bean Nighe.

Aiobhill is the banshee of the Dalcassians of North Munster, Cliodna of the MacCarthys and other families of South Munster.