what is the story behind leprechauns and all that folklore also how did st patrick's day start?

Question

the person who provides the most accurate info and history gets picked

also website info please

Answer 1

In Irish mythology, a leprechaun is a type of male faerie said to inhabit the island of Ireland. They are a class of "faerie folk" associated in Irish mythology and folklore, as with all faeries, with the Tuatha Dé Danann and other quasi-historical peoples said to have inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the Celts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprechaun

The modern secular holiday (St. Patrick's Day) is based on the original Christian saint's feast day also thought to be the date of the saint's death. In 1737, Irish immigrants to the United States began observing the holiday publicly in Boston and held the first St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City in 1766.

Today, the tradition continues with people from all walks and heritages by wearing green, eating Irish food, and attending parades. St. Patrick's Day is bursting with folklore; from the shamrock to the leprechaun and to pinching those that are not wearing green. http://www.history.com/minisites/stpatricksday/?page=history4

Answer 2

Ahhhh, so ya be a wondrin' 'bout the tales o' the Emerald Isle? Y be doin' well to visit this site. It be full of marvelous information on the wee folk and be tellin' about the banishment o' the snakes. Do ye know the poor lad was kidnapped and sold into slavery? He escaped and became a monk. Ahh but ye should be a readin' 'bout it all. Here give it a go: http://www.floramex.com/li-stpatricks.htm It discusses the history of St. Patrick's Day , there's a legend here an there, truth be told , some trivia to be sure, and other Information.

Hope this be givin' ya some good information!

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Answer 3

i know more about St. Patrick than leprechauns.

St. Patrick was a kid in England who around the age of 12 got kidnapped and turned into a slave in Ireland. After a few years he escaped and ran back to England, where he went to school to become a Bishop. It is said that he then had dreams about Ireland and that people needed help, so he went back and helped people, and became a preacher. Many people listened to him preach, and became Christian (it was predominantly Pagan before he came). It is also said that he drove out all the snakes in Ireland, but in reality i don't think there ever were that many snakes to begin with.

As for leprechauns, Ireland is a pretty poor country. And where there are many poor people, there are many stories of quick ways to get lots of money. That's how the lottery system works.

What easier way to get money than some short dude hiding in the woods with a pot full of gold coins? I'm not smashing on Irish culture, i think it's awesome, but every country has it's own myths, and elves and leprechauns are Ireland's best i think.

Answer 4

Leprechauns are little make-believe fairies from Ireland. They are the little old men who are shoemakers for the fairies. They usually stand about 2 feet tall. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. The legend is that if you catch one you can force him to tell you where he hides his gold.

Read the history of St. Patrick's Day at this website.
It's the best site that I have found and it fun too.

http://www.marvelicious.com/stpatrick.html

Answer 5

St. Pat killed some snakes.