LEPRECHAUNS OF MARYLAND

Leprechaun

The leprechaun (<Irish lúchorpán, 'small body') is these days represented as a solitary fairy in Irish folklore.  In early times, however, leprechauns were represented as living in communities, perhaps originally in the water.  It has been said, however, thast some of the leprechauns migrated to America.

The Seven Years War - referred to often in America as the French and Indian War - took place at a time when Ireland was under English rule.  A British general, Edward Braddock (1695-1755) on his way to America stopped at Cork and here, it is said, leprechauns sneaked aboard his ship.  When it reached America they went to the Maryland mountains, settling in the present counties of Frederick and Allegany.  They established villages.  But somehow General Braddock had a hoard of gold, which was supposed to have ended up somewhere in the same area.

Braddock was killed in the same year and various people have tried to find his gold in the area.  But none have been successful and it is said that the leprechauns settled in Maryland stop anyone finding it.