Aviva Trivia

Born in Scotland, at Kilpatrick, Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland.  His exact birth date is unknown.  However, it is believed that he was born sometime around the year 385 AD and died around the year 460 AD. 

Born to wealthy parents, Calphurnius and Conchessa, Patrick lived among the wealthy and high ranking families.  Irish intruders at his father’s home took prisoner Saint Patrick at the age of sixteen.  He was taken to Ireland where he was sold as a slave.  He spent the next six years as a captive in Ireland. 

He spent much of this time tending the flocks of his master in solitude in the valley of the Braid.  He became lonely and afraid and turned to God and religion for comfort, praying several times throughout his day.  During this time, he learned the Celtic tongue fluently.  He also learned of the rituals of Druidism, since his master was a druidical high priest.
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The Banshee is female and she has been appointed the task of warning the members of specific families of their impending death.  Typically, the Banshee takes the guise of a riddled, old hag, a dignified matron, or a young woman.  When she appears, she is usually cloaked in the winding sheet of the dead or a gray, hooded cloak.

According to ancient traditions, the banshee could only wail or cry for specific families.  The list of family names has since become much larger due to the prevalence of intermarriages within the original five major families.  The original five families included: the O’Briens, the O’Connors, the O’Grady’s, the O’Neills, and the Kavanaghs.

Occasionally, the Banshee takes on the appearance of a washerwoman.  When this happens, she is referred to as the bean-nighe.  While she takes on this appearance, she is seen washing lots of blood from the clothes of those whom she is supposed to warn of their impending death.
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The Blarney Stone may exist in Ireland in the village of Blarney, but people the world over know of its existence and its intriguing reputation.  It has been said, and believed by many, that whoever kisses the blarney stone will be blessed with the gift of gab, a silver tongue if you will.  The gift of gab is also known as the eternal gift of eloquence, which is known as solabharthact in the Irish tongue.

Although no one knows for sure where this custom originates from, the speculation is that it stems from a man known as Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy.  The word, blarney, means to speak softy and kindly in an attempt to deceive or placate someone without making the mistake of offending him or her. 

It has been said that Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy once made a promise to the Lord President of Munster during the latter half of the sixteenth century.  Cormac promised to give his castle to the Crown, Queen Elizabeth I, and yet, he continually made excuses and delayed the fulfillment of his promise. 
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Leprechauns, small in stature and dressed in green, are also thought to be the guardians of an ancient treasure.  Perhaps the Danes left the treasure when they were passing through Ireland long ago.  In fact, some believe they may have buried the treasure in crocks or pots, hence the tales of crocks of gold.

It is believed by many people and has been for many years that leprechauns are the shoemakers of the Irish.  In fact, some believe that the name, Leprechaun, comes from the Irish for shoemaker, leath bhrogan.  The name may have originated in the Leinster area of the country.  At any rate, the leprechauns are noted for being excellent shoemakers among other things.

However, it is thought that Leprechauns must avoid contact with humans in order not to divulge the whereabouts of the treasure, which is thought to be of great monetary value.  Hence, the Leprechauns are fleet of foot and constantly hiding from the humans who seek them out in hopes of tricking them into revealing the whereabouts of this treasure.  Leprechauns consider humans to be foolish and greedy, and, by all accounts, many humans are.
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In all of Ireland, female fairies have quite a difficult time during childbirth.  In fact, many of the children born to fairies are born with deformities or stunted growth.  Of those that survive, many of them are traded off or exchanged for human children unbeknownst to the human parents. 

Adult fairies are repelled by their ugly offspring and have no love for them.  Whereas they will keep a child that is born without any defects, they cannot abide to keep one that is so deformed.  Therefore, at first chance, they will exchange or swap the deformed fairy child with a human one who they steal from the world of the mortals. 

Human children who have not yet been baptized or who are thought to be exceptionally beautiful and intelligent are most at risk of kidnapping.  The human parents are none the wiser for the uneven exchange.  However, such a terrible trade influences the entire household for the remainder of their lives. 
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The Grogoch, originally from Scotland, settled in Ireland a long time ago.  He is a strange creature that is half human and half fairy, appearing to look somewhat like an aborigine.  No female grogoch has ever been seen, so it is assumed that only males exist.  His stature is short, which makes him appear to be a small, old man. 

He is thoroughly covered with coarse hair or fur that is red in coloring, which is a good thing since he wears no clothing of any kind at any time.  His small body is often very dirty; and small twigs, leaves, and bits of grime may be sticking to it at any given time.  Therefore, personal cleanliness and good hygiene are not his strong suits; and an odor may be noticeable around him.

Despite his lack of any clothing, he feels neither heat nor cold, no matter what the severity in temperature has become.  Although he may have originally been half human, he does not live in a house or cottage like full humans.  Rather, he makes his home in a cave, cleft, or suitable hollow in the rocks or landscape of the area in which he resides.  Many parts of the northern countryside of Ireland are noted for having several grogoch’s houses.  These typically large leaning stones are considered suitable as a home for a fairy of his size.
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Scarier than any who have gone before it, the Pooka sends fear into all around it.  This fairy is a true mischief maker who delights in terrifying animals and humans alike.  He travels after nightfall and dons a series of guises depending on his whereabouts.

Its favorite form to take is that of a sleek, dark steed, which presents a scary visage with its yellow eyes and wild mane flowing down its back.  When the Pooka appears as a horse, he travels the countryside wide and far, reeking havoc as he goes.  The more damage he can create, the happier he will be for he is a vindictive fairy. 

His presence frightens the livestock beyond their wits, causing them to create even more damage than he has already inflicted upon the pastures, barns, and fences.  Remote farms are a natural place for the Pooka to set up a night of wild trampling and major destruction. 
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Members of the Irish fairy world, the Merrows are extremely beautiful females.  Their counterparts, the Mermen or males, are quite ugly with scales, long pointed teeth, and features that are quite pig like.  However, Mermen have rarely been seen, perhaps because of their ugly appearance.

The word merrow or its Irish counterpart, moruadh, probably comes from the Irish word for the sea or muir and the Irish word for maid or oigh.  The physical characteristics of merrows are similar to humans in many respects.  However, they do have flatter feet and their hands have a fine webbing in between the fingers.

People in some parts of Ireland have thought the merrows to be harbingers of death and doom.  Indeed, they live beneath the land in the Tir fo Thoinn or the Land beneath the waves.  Therefore, it is thought that they have a natural dislike or even antipathy for humans.
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Gwyllions are mountain fairies that inhabit the Welsh mountains.  Typically, they are quite ugly and repugnant in appearance and might resemble an old ugly woman.  These hideous female spirits sit on the wayside of a mountain road or trail waiting for unsuspecting travelers to pass.  Gwyllions like to confuse travelers so that they become lost and unable to find their way.

Perched atop a rock, the Gwyllion will watch silently as the traveler approaches.  As the traveler passes by, the Gwyllion will follow the traveler’s path with her eyes.  Travelers might become frightened or simply annoyed with this behavior.  In many cases, the traveler becomes disoriented and lost.  If the traveler speaks to the Gwyllion, she simply ignores him or her.  Eventually, the traveler stops talking to the Gwyllion and wanders aimlessly away.

The Gwyllion’s presence can cause the traveler to become lost, even if he or she is quite familiar with the road.  The sight of this apparition is sudden and unexpected on lonely mountain roads, especially in the dead of night.  When travelers come upon the Gwyllion, they suddenly realize that they do not know where they are.  They believe they have lost their way, even though they have not done so at all.

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Fairy Islands are magical places of mythological origin.  Spring and happiness bloom eternally on these islands providing a wonderful and enchanted land in which to live.  Sickness, old age, and unhappiness are unheard of by all who live here.

The exact whereabouts of the Fairy Islands is unknown, although speculation has them placed in a highly secretive location.  Popular thought places them underwater in an undisclosed spot.  They only arise to the surface at night and are only visible on very special occasions.  Mere mortals, typically fishermen, have seen them, but the islands always seem to disappear before the boats can land.
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The Clurichauns are leprechauns that are sometimes referred to as “His Nibs.”  An Italian version of this faery is referred to as Monciello.  They are always drunk.  Their mood is typically cheery until they have been given a reason to become surly.  Impeccably groomed and dressed, despite their inebriated state, the Clurichaun prefers to wear a red hat that may include a display of plants.

The Clurichauns have their origins in Ireland and are known to be the self-appointed guardians of the wine cellar.  The Clurichauns move about until they have settles upon a particular wine cellar to set up their home.  Nonetheless, Clurichauns prefer to remain aloof from others and spend their time alone for the most part.

Their magical skills include the ability to stop a wine cask from leaking for obvious reasons.  Plus, they can also prevent any wine from turning bad.
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The Irish Ballybogs are known by a variety of names including Peat Faeries, Mudbogs, Bogles (Cornish and Welsh), Bog-a-boos, Boggies, and Boggans (northern England and the Isle of Man).  As you might have guessed from their interesting array of names, these are the guardians of the bogs. 

For those of you who don’t know, a bog is an area that is quite wet, spongy, and marsh like.  A large area of open water is often centrally located in a bog.  Despite the area being poorly drained, flora characteristic to the area is abundant and the area is full of decaying plant matter.
 
Preserved human remains have been uncovered in some of the bogs of northern Europe.  This is considered evidence that people of long ago made human sacrifices to appease the fae who were known to dwell in the bogs.
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