Getting ready to catch a leprechaun is a fun activity that involves the whole family in the days leading up to St. Patrick's Day which, despite being an Irish tradition, has now spread all over the world; it is therefore not uncommon for events to be organized in Italy as well. First, you need to read up on the party and folklore and then come up with a plan to catch this Irish gnome with traps and games.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Building a Trap
Step 1. Build a trap for the leprechaun
Since it is a small elf, you can make the trap with a shoe box; alternatively, you can use another small container.
- Make an opening for the trap or lift the box by gluing a stick.
- In addition to the box, you can use other small containers, such as a clean can, paper towel tube, bag, net, or old shoe. You can also put honey inside the trap so that the sprite gets stuck inside.
- Make a hole in the top of the box and cover it with a piece of felt. Put a bait on top of the fabric; when the leprechaun tries to catch it, it falls into the hole and then into the trap.
Step 2. Make a trap with a cylinder
You can use a cookie tin or the cylindrical oatmeal container. Cover the opening with tissue paper and place a cardboard box on the side of the cylinder; if the gnome enters this vessel, he is no longer able to get out.
- Make two holes in the top of the sides of the cylinder and stick a toothpick or thin stick into each of them.
- Using tape, attach a perfect disc you cut out of a piece of construction paper to the stick; in this way, you make a push door for the trap.
Step 3. Make the trap shiny
Since leprechauns are attracted to things that shine, you should wrap the top of the trap in aluminum foil.
- You can also paint it with gold paint, sprinkle it with glitter, or add some sparkly decorations to attract the pixie.
- Some people color the trap green in honor of the Irish leprechaun; decorate it with Irish symbols that the gnome will like, such as shamrocks and the rainbow.
Step 4. Put a pendant in the trap to attract the "prey"
Since these creatures love gold, a little piece of jewelry could be the perfect bait.
- Try using an earring. Gold coins are said to be a great attraction for Irish leprechauns. You can purchase gold foil coated chocolate coins at a candy store. As for food and drink, leprechauns love whiskey and dandelion tea; also remember that they live in the forest and eat mushrooms and nuts.
- Place the box in a corner and wait for the pixie to try to catch the bait. Prepare the trap in time; tradition has it that leprechauns are very active during the night before St. Patrick's Day (March 17).
- Do some research in the hidden spots in the garden. These gnomes love to use holes, stony areas and other hiding places to live and make their shoes.
Step 5. Identify the spots that the leprechauns have frequented
How do you know if the trap has caught a curious goblin?
- You may notice traces of green or gold glitter leading to the box. Maybe the pixie may have left a trail of colorful cereal if you want to get really creative.
- The leprechaun may have turned a cup of milk green with food coloring or left small footprints all over the place. These creatures are no taller than 60-75cm, as a result their feet leave much smaller footprints than those of humans.
Part 2 of 4: Playing a Leprechaun Hunt
Step 1. Organize a goblin hunt with a group of children
Mark out a space in which to play "you have it".
- Give 3-5 children a coin and a gold headband, as they represent the leprechauns. All the other children are the "Clovers"; they must play "tag" and, when a leprechaun is caught, it must give up the golden coin.
- Whoever gets the most coins wins. Repeat the game by assigning the role of elves to other children, to give everyone the chance to win.
Step 2. Organize a treasure hunt
Make prints of the bare feet of the gnomes using tempera paints.
- Have the kids follow the trail until the next clue. Arrange items that belong to a leprechaun, such as a pipe, small hat, coin, shoe, or rainbow, at each treasure hunt station.
- Put riddles in each station so that the children have to solve them in order to move on to the next. Make a golden pot full of chocolate coins to leave in the last station; don't forget a note from the leprechaun who makes fun of the children and invites them to try and catch him again next year.
Part 3 of 4: Handling a Leprechaun after Capturing it
Step 1. Be aware of his tricks
Once captured, the goblin grants the person three wishes and a gold coin. These creatures are cheaters and there are many legends of Irish people who have chosen wishes which later turned out to be counterproductive.
- For example, a man named Seamus who lived in County Mayo asked to be the richest man on a tropical island but found himself alone on a desert island and used the third wish to return to Ireland..
- Leprechauns deceive you by confusing you. They are intelligent and try to mislead you by making you choose the wrong desires; don't trust them because they are devious.
Step 2. Know what they represent
Leprechauns are said to be part of the fairy world, made up of little people who are called Luacharman. They are little cobblers, the cobblers of the fairies; sometimes they are called "sprites" or simply "goblins".
- They are creatures closely connected with gold. They are believed to hold the treasure left by the Danish people who invaded Ireland over 1000 years ago. So if you manage to catch a goblin, according to legend he is forced to tell you where the hidden gold is, since he is obliged, by fairy law, to tell the truth.
- Look him in the eye. According to the Irish tradition, the law of the fairies states that the elves must be kind; however, if you look away, the leprechaun is free from this imposition and will likely vanish.
Step 3. Try to understand how these gnomes work
That way, you can be able to catch one and know what to do once you get it. First, remember that elves rarely move in groups, they are in fact solitary creatures.
- Leprechauns are male, they are friends of the robin, they love to drink alcohol and this is why some of them are bad; however, they are generally harmless, if a little mischievous. There is no reason to fear them.
- They are old-fashioned and a bit scruffy. They don't like to conform; if you take one, it's probably dressed in a green jacket and red pants. These creatures wear tall hats and shoes with large buckles.
Part 4 of 4: Finding the Leprechaun in Ireland
Step 1. Look for a fairy ring in the town of Thurles
It is a large green circle that is located near the town of Thurles in County North Tipperary in Ireland and is set in a meadow called the Glen of Cloongallon.
- A 600-year-old oak tree grows in this meadow and legend has it that the elves saved it from the English Tudors.
- You can see this grove online, thanks to a fairy webcam that constantly monitors it.
Step 2. Search throughout the Irish countryside
Leprechauns are known to hide underground in an intricate network of tunnels across Ireland.
- They love music and you may hear them play the Celtic violin or harp, especially at night.
- Another sound you can hear is a kind of "tap, tap" that the goblins make when they work to build shoes.
Step 3. Learn the geographic differences between leprechauns
Some think it is impossible to find them in Italy. They are Irish creatures (and obviously have a strong Irish accent).
- Leinster elves love honey and do not dress very conspicuously; those of Ulster are poets, healers and wear pointy shoes, while the Munster leprechauns are legendary for their love of alcohol.
- The elves who live in County Meath are known for their diplomacy and talkativeness; Connacht creatures are serious and hardworking, they are also the most reserved.
- In the United States, there is a small leprechaun garden in Portland, Oregon.
