Clurichaun – Little Naughty And Drunken Fellow Akin To Leprechaun In Irish Folklore
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Irish folklore and mythology are full of fascinating heroes, gods, goddesses, ugly creatures, and funny figures, which are known all over the world.
Let's take a closer look at a little and controversial relative to the famous leprechaun.
This little fellow, known as Clurichaun (or cluricaun), is considered a cousin and an 'evil image’ of a leprechaun that is known to have inhabited Ireland long before the arrival of the Celts.
Almost always drunk and hostile, the Clurichaun lives a solitary and adventurous life. During night hours, he entertains himself riding sheep and sheepdogs at night as if they were horses.
The clurichaun looks like a little man about six inches in height, with a wrinkled face, twinkling eyes and a nose that is red from heavy drinking.
He wears a red nightcap with golden lace, red suit, a short leather apron, blue stockings, and silver-buckled shoes. He is often depicted with a purse full of silver.
These creatures do not like to work, which is contrary to leprechauns, often assisting a person in small household tasks, and working with shoemaking.
Tradition has it, the clurichaun guards pubs, breweries, and wine-cellars, particularly those belonging to alcoholics. Besides the creature’s love of drinking, he enjoys pipe smoking and spends much time in the wine cellar, which is his favorite place. No intruders are welcomed there, and he chases away anyone who would enter the place to steal a bottle.
His solitary drinking sessions take place in the cellar, where he also works sometimes preventing casks from leaking and keeping wine from turning bad.
Clurichaun. Image credit: The Irish Post
He is hard to get rid of, for if an owner tries to move, the clurichaun will make the owner a company traveling inside a cask. If the maids do not feed him well, this naughty fellow comes out at night and harasses them.
See also:
Leprechaun: One Of The Most Famous And Powerful Creatures Of The Irish Faerie Folk
Kobold: Mythological Spirit Of Underground: Guardian Of Miners And Earth’s Treasures
The family tired of the Clurichaun’s existence often decides to pack up and move to another place, but it is pointless, and have the opposite effect.
As soon as they reach their new home, the mischievous creature is already there showing its troublesome nature, ready to spill all your wine and cause much damage in the household disturbing its order and harmony, making noise day and night.
The clurichaun is sometimes portrayed carrying a jug of ale. A representation of a Clurichaun in T. C. Croker's Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland. Image source
The Clurichauns are tricksters and jokers but also very loyal creatures. They tend to attach themselves to families, especially the rich ones with the best wine-cellars.
Despite their often troublesome nature, the clurichauns take special care of the family to whom they have attached themselves.
Written by - A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesReferences:
Bane, T. Encyclopedia of Fairies in World Folklore and Mythology
Matthews, J; Matthews, C. The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures
More From Ancient Pages
-
The Legend Of Little Deer—Interesting Cherokee Tale Of How Disease And Medicine Began, And Why The Native Americans Respect All Life
Featured Stories | May 10, 2017 -
Real Giant Kojomkul Who Became A Folk Hero In Kyrgyzstan
Featured Stories | Dec 2, 2020 -
Secrets Of Ancient Skeletons Found In York – Who Were They And Where Did They Come From?
Archaeology | Jan 20, 2016 -
Stunning CGI Reconstruction Of Saint Thomas Becket’s Shrine
Archaeology | Jul 7, 2020 -
Stone Artifacts Reveal Humans Lived In Philippines 700,000 Years Ago – Much Earlier Than Previously Thought
Ancient Places | May 11, 2018 -
3,000-Year-Old City Of Sillyon That Alexander The Great Failed To Conquer
Archaeology | Aug 31, 2020 -
On This Day In History: Maltese Rebellion Took Place – On Sep 8, 1775
News | Sep 8, 2016 -
Controversial Ancient History Of Harappa And Mohenjo Daro – Advanced Indus Valley Civilization Pre-Dates Egypt’s Pharaohs And Mesopotamia
Ancient Places | Apr 15, 2017 -
Was Princess Tadukhipa Of The Mitanni Kingdom Queen Nefertiti?
Ancient Places | Mar 15, 2016 -
Unexplained Phenomenon In East Anglia – Ancient Mystery Deepens As More Unusual Sightings Are Reported – Part 2
Featured Stories | Jun 1, 2018 -
Female Pharaoh Twosret Was Exploited, Used And Almost Erased From History
Featured Stories | Apr 11, 2019 -
Ancient King Who Built A Mysterious Underground City Illuminated By Artificial Lights As Hiding Place
Ancient Places | Apr 16, 2018 -
Death And Afterlife In Ancient Egyptian Beliefs – Death As Transition To Another Reality
Ancient Traditions And Customs | May 28, 2018 -
Puzzling Huge Ancient Sayhuite Monolith In Peru Remains An Unsolved Mystery
Ancient Places | Jul 23, 2016 -
Leopards In Italy? Oh My! New Findings Show That The Landscape Of Italy Was Once A Very Different Place
Featured Stories | Mar 20, 2017 -
Unexplained Teleportation Cases Of People – Dangerous Fog – Part 2
Featured Stories | Oct 2, 2019 -
Four Canopic Jars Dated To The 26th Dynasty Unearthed At South Asasif Necropolis, Luxor
Archaeology | Jun 27, 2018 -
Ajanta Caves: Incredible Accomplishment Of India’s Ancient Stonecutters
Ancient Places | Oct 1, 2015 -
Humans In Africa Fled To The Mountains During The Last Ice Age
Archaeology | Aug 9, 2019 -
Deception And Hidden Truth – Ancient Struggle Of The Eagle And Serpent – Part 1
Ancient Symbols | Sep 4, 2019