Leprechauns, Mischievous little green men or clever marketing ploy by Failte Ireland

star.chaser · 08-07-2009 12:17pm #1

Do they really exist or was this all just a clever way of marketing ireland abroad to potential tourists?

GhostInTheRuins · 08-07-2009 12:39pm

Naw, fáilte ireland aren't that clever.

Overblood · 08-07-2009 2:34pm

Yes the really really do exist.

6th · 08-07-2009 2:36pm

Moved from Mythology Forum

Gone Drinking · 08-07-2009 2:39pm

Well they exist in Alabama, that's for sure.

See here

WindSock · 08-07-2009 2:41pm

They have existed in the Irish psyche long before Bord Failte. They are Sidhe, the fairy folk.

Professey Chin · 08-07-2009 2:46pm

Conspiracy Theories thataway >>

aDeener · 08-07-2009 2:55pm

GhostInTheRuins wrote: »

Naw, fáilte ireland aren't that clever.

il make a bet with you - if i can prove to you leprechauns are real, you have to put my pubicle sac in your mouth, and draw upon it succulently for no less than 30 seconds.

Fratton Fred · 08-07-2009 2:56pm

I saw one in cavan once.

Jeebus · 08-07-2009 2:59pm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I saw one in cavan once.

Inbreeding.

pablomakaveli · 08-07-2009 3:27pm

Theres a short red headed man i see sometimes on Patrick Street in Cork. Ive often wondered if he's a leprechaun. He looks like a leprechaun in normal clothes.

Doesnt seem to have a pot of gold though.

ejmaztec · 08-07-2009 3:36pm

I believe Failte Ireland when they talk about leprechauns, but I don't believe them when they describe North Kerry "as a family-friendly destination, full of fun attractions for adults and children". That's more crock o'sh1t than crock o'gold.:(

biko · 08-07-2009 3:40pm

This is a real letter to the Galway Advertiser, I have the paper clipping at home.

Dear Editor,
I post this letter on my departure from Ireland, with a heavy heart.

On my recent visit to Ireland I briefly took in the enchanting city of Galway and quite frankly I was a little disturbed by what I saw. I am from New York and as a little girl growing up I have been made aware that these little guys' main purpose is to entertain us tourists, how and ever, as I prepared to board my flight to Ireland I was filled with excitement as I was finally going to come face to face with a real live leprechaun.

I spent four weeks touring Ireland, north to south, east to west, and I didn't even see one. It was only while walking down Eyre Square that the reason for this became clear - as one of the local pubs was clearly stating the fact that they "no longer test their shirts on leprechauns," it's obvious that you no longer think you require the benefits of the leprechaun, don't you realise your country is nothing but fields and trees without them.

I was enraged at this. I understand that the introduction of the euro may have slowed things in Ireland down a little, but for pity's sake, the tourists are still travelling to your country and to be blatantly honest, I feel we are being cheated out of appreciating the little guys.

I ask you has it really come to this in Ireland, that the leprechauns are being relegated to the menial job of testing the durability of cotton? You have tarnished your culture. You have tarnished the spirit of the leprechaun. These little guys are the reason your land is so popular; they are the tradition that brings us Americans to your country, and mark my words, if these little guys aren't reinstated, it will be the reason we never return.

Yours,
Mary-Ann Durtz,
New York.

Dartz · 08-07-2009 3:54pm

I ran one of the bastards over recently. Made a right mess of my ****ing front bumper and everything. Went under the wheel though, so he didn't suffer.

Well, it was either a Leprechaun, or a really small midget.

ScumLord · 08-07-2009 4:00pm

I caught one recently I tried to keep him but apparently they have rights now. How ****ed up is that?

pablomakaveli · 08-07-2009 4:43pm

Magnus wrote: »

This is a real letter to the Galway Advertiser, I have the paper clipping at home.

Wow. Come on that has to be a joke. I mean if that is genuine it takes the whole dumb american to a whole different level.

ScumLord · 08-07-2009 5:01pm

pablomakaveli wrote: »

Wow. Come on that has to be a joke. I mean if that is genuine it takes the whole dumb american to a whole different level.

Ya they've hit a new low.

GhostInTheRuins · 08-07-2009 5:12pm

aDeener wrote: »

il make a bet with you - if i can prove to you leprechauns are real, you have to put my pubicle sac in your mouth, and draw upon it succulently for no less than 30 seconds.

I never said they didn't exist.

But anyway, I'll still take you up on that bet.

Riamfada · 08-07-2009 5:17pm

The fact that this thread even exists proves the need for eugenics in society. Note the new sig

conchubhar1 · 08-07-2009 5:27pm

yes - leperchauns never existed in old stories

they were invented when fáilte ireland came into existence - ffs.

----
eugenics me sack - but this thread is truly unbelievable.