Irish Folklore: History, Heroes, Fairies, and Traditions

Introduction and History of Irish Folklore

Irish culture is centered upon the folklore and myths that have been a significant part of Irish traditions and history. When it comes to folklore and Gaelic culture, the Irish are proud of their history and often distinguish themselves from the rest of European culture. This paper explores traditional Irish folklore and its significance in contemporary Irish cultural customs and beliefs. It also outlines the factors that have contributed to the development and preservation of Irish folklore.

In order to understand how Irish folklore has shaped the cultural beliefs, traditions, and customs of the Irish people, it is important to understand how Ireland is culturally unique from the rest of Europe and how it differs in geography, history, and tradition. The Irish people are known as some of the best storytellers in the world, and their folklore is considered to be the strongest reflection of Irish culture. In Sean O'Sullivan's work, The Folklore of Ireland, he describes Irish folklore as "the oldest vernacular literature in Western Europe" (11). From O'Sullivan, we learn that the Irish are extremely protective of their folklore and the literature associated with it, and that the written records of these tales date back to the 12th century. O'Sullivan outlines three reasons why Irish folklore differs from the folklore of other ethnic groups in Europe.

First, the geographical placement of Ireland in relation to the rest of Europe allowed the Irish to draw on ideas from other countries, while their relative isolation created an environment in which their own stories and traditions could be preserved and kept as their own.

The second reason, as outlined by O'Sullivan, is that Ireland was able to maintain independence from Roman occupation and therefore never experienced the merging of cultures that occurred in many other Western European nations. This allowed the Irish to maintain their own folklore without Roman influence. It was also said that the Irish "shook all empires but founded none … They were not capable of making Celtia into an empire, but they had enough feeling for wide organization and social culture to recognize these in the Roman Empire and to give that empire their support" (Colum, 44).

Finally, the Irish people and government have been very active in preserving not only the written literature but also the oral traditions of their folklore (O'Sullivan, 12). The Department of Irish Folklore at University College Dublin has recorded over one million pages of written folklore in its collection. A significant part of this preservation is also the oral tradition of the Irish, which has been a cultural trait for centuries. These three factors have contributed greatly to the development and preservation of Irish folklore.

Wars and Heroes in Irish Tradition

Irish folklore holds many characteristics absent from the traditional folklore of other European cultures. Curtin explains that Irish folklore details the names and places of characters as well as their living conditions and behaviors. Characters in Irish folklore also transcend time barriers, as "the heroes and their fields of action are brought to us with as much definitiveness as if they were persons of today or yesterday. This characteristic is much less frequently met in the middle and Eastern Europe" (11). As Curtin points out, this characteristic involves not only the individual characters but also Ireland as a whole, including a description of "the whole region which it belongs: the hills, rivers, mountains, plains, villages, trees, rocks, springs, and plants are all made sacred. The country of the mythology becomes, in the fullest sense, a 'holy land'" (12). This individuality and national pride is reflected in the folklore and is largely responsible for its enduring cultural traditions.

The role of the hero has a strong presence in Irish folklore and literature. The tales of Irish heroes have influenced the perception of the Irish people throughout the world, as they are often referred to as the "fighting Irish." When reading the tales of Irish heroes in folklore, one encounters warriors of great courage and bravery. Irish war folklore has been influenced by history, drawing again on the fact that Ireland was not conquered by the Roman Empire when the rest of Europe was in continuous danger of it. To understand this reputation, Colum tells us that the Irish "were looked upon as barbarians by the Romans and Greeks, but barbarians of a superior kind; they were ranked above the Germans, Ligurians, Iberians. On contemporaries who observed them or reflected on their polity and on their leaders, they left an impression of remarkableness for their military prowess and their individuality" (Colum, 44–45). Often, folktales consist of the hero avenging love and honor. These narratives are also epic in nature, similar to those of Greek mythology and its heroes.

The Role of Fairies in Irish Folklore

The role of fairies in Irish folklore is very different from that found in the folklore of other countries. In Irish folklore, fairies who have powers also have very distinct names and personalities. This distinction is one of the reasons why fairies play such a significant role in Irish folklore and why the stories of fairies have been historically preserved. In Irish folklore, fairies are divided into two classes: sociable and solitary. The sociable fairies are, for the most part, considered good and kind, having only a few faults. The solitary fairies, on the other hand, are considered "gloomy and terrible in some way … But there are, however, among them who have light hearts and brave attire" (Yeats, 384). The sociable fairies are further divided into the Sheoques, or land fairies, and the Merrows, or water fairies.

According to the folktales, fairies can cast spells and steal mortal children. They live in great wealth and love dancing and singing. They create fairy money, which is an illusion and returns to soil or moss after the spell wears off. Sociable fairies are said to be responsible for the green lands of Ireland and for the country's well-known dozens of shades of green.

One of the most well-known types of fairy is the leprechaun. The leprechaun is a solitary fairy and is said to be a shoemaker. He is well known for his mischievous behavior and practical jokes, as well as for being very wealthy due to his continuous shoemaking. The leprechaun has acquired "many treasure-crocks, buried of old in war-time" (Yeats, 75) and is very clever in keeping this treasure hidden from humans. According to legend, if you catch a leprechaun and try to get the location of the hidden gold from him, he will outwit and distract you with his fast-talking nature. Because the leprechaun was once a member of a community outside of the shoemakers, he is significant in demonstrating once again the Irish national pride.

Conclusion

Irish folklore is still very prevalent in today's society. It is not something that is practiced on a daily basis; it is kept alive in Irish literature. In Irish literature, it is common to find a connection between current society and Irish folklore through its words, symbolism, and the use of mythology. The creativity of the tales and the proud nature of the Irish people in preserving this cultural staple are largely responsible for the continued life of Irish folklore in contemporary society.