Fairies, The Supernatural Beings Who Live In A World Parallel To Our Own
Wikimedia CommonsAn illustration of a fairy by Charles Edmund Brock.
The fairies of Irish folklore are often referred to as the aos sí, or the “people of the fairy mounds.” They are most commonly depicted as beautiful, humanlike creatures, though there are exceptions. In fact, many of the other Irish folklore creatures explored in this list are classified as fairies, including leprechauns, changelings, banshees, and the púca.
In legends, Irish fairies are said to dwell in ancient mounds, stone ring forts, or within the depths of forests, hidden away from mortal eyes. Their dwelling places are often marked by fairy rings — circles of mushrooms — and are considered sacred. It is said that those who disturb these sites may incur the wrath of the fairies, leading to misfortune, abduction, or even death.
To this day, many residents of Ireland still avoid disturbing fairy rings, hawthorn trees, stone forts, and other areas associated with fairies to avoid upsetting the aos sí.
Irish fairies are also known for their love of music, dance, and revelry. They often hold celebrations under the moonlight. Mortals who stumble upon these fairy gatherings can find themselves lured in by the enchanting melodies and dances, only to wind up trapped in the fairy realm for years despite it feeling like only a few hours have passed.
While fairies can be benevolent and offer aid to those who show them proper respect, they can also be quite capricious and occasionally malevolent. In certain stories, fairies play tricks on humans, leading them astray in the woods, or even stealing children and replacing them with changelings. At one point in history, it was common practice to leave offerings of food and milk to appease the fairies and stay in their good favor.
Many of these views have persisted into the modern day, as belief in fairies still holds strong in parts of Ireland.
