Fairy Facts – Page 4 – The Irish Fairy Door Company (2024)

FAQs

What is the story behind the fairy doors? ›

Legend says that these enchanted doors are actually a portal to the magical kingdom - a way for mythical creatures to travel between their world and ours. The name “Fairy Door” might imply that these doors are only for use by fairies…. but oh no – they work for all types of mythical folk!

Leprechaun: Perhaps the most well-known of all Irish fairies, the Leprechaun is a mischievous little creature. They are also famous for their love of gold and their shoemaking skills.

The fairies are believed to be the Tuatha de Danann, one of the first tribes to arrive in Ireland, they were magical and secretive people. When warrior tribes like the Milesians began to arrive in Ireland the Tuatha de Danann were defeated in battle but would not be forced to leave.

There's Una (also spelled Oona, Oonagh, Uonaidh, all pronounced the same - yes, Gaelic is weird), High Queen of the Irish fairies or Daoine Sidhe. She also holds the title of Queen of Elphame in Scotland and northern England.

Various folk theories about the origins of fairies include casting them as either demoted angels or demons in a Christian tradition, as deities in Pagan belief systems, as spirits of the dead, as prehistoric precursors to humans, or as spirits of nature.

The Unseelie Court describes the darkly-inclined fairies. Unlike the Seelie Court, no offense was deemed necessary to bring down their assaults. In Scotland, they were seen as closely allied with witches.

Irish fairies go by many names depending on where you are in the country and who is doing the talking! Their somewhat official title is Aes Sídhe in gaelic or the Sidhe or Shee, which roughly translates as “the people of the mound.”

Fairies have been generally portrayed as human-like in appearance with magical powers, allowing them to alter their size from unusually small to human-sized. In Orkney, Scotland, fairies were portrayed as short in stature, dressed in dark grey, and sometimes seen in armor.

Fey (fairies, bogarts and other Celtic creatures) can't deal with cold iron. Other magical creatures have other weaknesses. Werewolves can be harmed by silver. Vampires require wooden stakes through their hearts.

What do Irish fairies wear? ›

According to Yeats, the solitary fairies, like the leprechaun, wear red jackets, whereas the "trooping fairies" wear green.

In Norse and Celtic myth, the Fay (elves and faeries) are all children of the earth-goddess (Jord in Norse myth; Danu among the Celts). Given they are more like spirits rather than female divinities, I imagine they would be born from the life energies of plants and the elemental forces of rivers and springs.

Queen Clarion (formerly known as Reina or simply Ree), is the overarching protagonist of the Tinker Bell film series. She is also the beautiful queen of Pixie Hollow, she acts motherly to all fairies and is prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure her treasured fairies live in peace and are well out of harm's way.

Irish fairies often take the form of a hare. But we do know they are small. They should not, however, be confused with leprechauns or pookas, Ireland's other resident small, magical beings. You will see leprechauns on more Irish gifts, but fairies are just as Irish as leprechauns.

According to Greek mythology, Eris is the goddess of the fairies. According to Irish myth, Aine is the goddess of the fairies. She represents love, sun, and fertility. She ensures plentiful crops and harvests with her incredible powers.

A more recent phenomena is that of placing “fairy nests” or fairy doors in the garden in the hopes that the fey will make such a place their home, helping a garden to thrive. This is a very recent idea, following on from the Victorian concept of flower fairies, and romanticism and taming of these folk.

A Fairy Door is a magical portal between our world and the fairy realm usually found at the base of a tree trunk or on a skirting board. Fairy doors can be used to help children with imaginative play and creative thinking. As a result, they can also help children deal with worries and bad dreams.

Blurb. Kirsty and Rachel are thrilled to be at Camp Stargaze. But Jack Frost has stolen the Twilight Fairies' magical bags, causing night-time chaos! Can the girls help Ava the Sunset Fairy find her bag of sunbeam dust, so the sun can finally set?

Myths and stories about fairy rings

In English and Celtic folklore, fairy rings were caused by fairies or elves dancing in a circle. It was said that if humans joined in the dance they would be punished by the fairies, and made to dance in the ring until they passed out from exhaustion.