Leprechauns

It’s one of those places where you’re not sure how you ended up there. I was disoriented and jet-lagged with no idea of the date or time. For some reason, our 3-days in Dublin were like this.

It was my birthday… I think… and there was family everywhere. Conversations were happening and people were talking and after a short while, I began to realize that the Irish sound exactly like Newfoundlanders. Seems I could pass for a local if I put my accent on. Without speaking, my wild mind-of-its-own red hair blends in and denotes my heritage.

I took La Niña for a walk. If I sat for much longer or drank anything, I’d fall asleep. We wandered aimlessly before discovering the Leprechaun museum. The streets are small and full of people because we arrived on a bank holiday. The activities, festivities and the market-like environment is a bit of a blur and somehow we ended up by the museum.

“Let’s go here,” shouted La Niña and before I knew it we were learning about the Shee, the Tuatha Dé Danann, and the Leithbrágan; all originating from the hidden island of Tír na nÓg off the coast of Northern Island. We got a good dose of the dark folklore before heading in and hearing Irish folk stories as told by a local historian.

The museum is small, but the stories good. It’s geared for children and in the experience, you are made to feel small (in the giant’s lair) and experience what it’s like to walk through a rainbow and find a pot of gold. The Leithbrágan stories and tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann make it worth at least one trip if you’re interested in folk history.