Leprechauns

Patsy once heard of a woman who caught a "leprechaun". These Leprechauns are all shoe-makers. The woman brought the one she caught home to the town and bought leather and tools for him. She made a place for him beside the fire. He was very dutiful and made splendid shoes. He got all the trade of the district, but she got the money. This pair were one day in the town and they bought a stock of leather The woman paid for it. She tied it in her shawl and put it on her back. The evening came- very bad, so she took "the lad" and threw him into her apron.

The walked along and a man got up to them. They spoke about the weather.

"You're right enough said the man you have a good pair of shoes. Who made them?" "The lad" put up his head out of the apron.

"I made them" said he and I'm the man that was able to make them. Say no more now, but be going."

The man went off and the pair went home.

Shortly afterwards the woman was coming down from the room one day. She struck her toe against the threshold and then she began to curse.

The lepruchaun told her that his people were about to change their abode and that he would have to leave her. "But before I go" said he "dig up the ground where you struck your toe and you will find something". She dug and found a pot of gold.

This happened at Ballinamore, Parish of Kiltimagh, Mayo. The woman was a Mrs. Quinn. The neighbours always said that the family might thank the lepruchaun for their "good means".