The Luchramán, or Leprechaun

Illustration from 1900 of a Luchramán

The Luchramán, which is anglicised as Leprechaun. They are mentioned in an 8th Century manuscript, which is a old reference even at that point in time. They have been around for a very long time it seems.  They are a diminutive Otherworld race, one of the lesser Sí (the Faeries). 

They and several similar beings migrated to the New World during the 1700s, along with the Ulster Migration. They were well known in the Backsettlements and Uplands where Ulster folk settled in large numbers. There are several races of them, but they are known in the aggregate as Jackros.  

They are most numerous in the Southern Uplands in Appalachia; perhaps best know in the mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina. There are small groups of them in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas, and the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas. However, there are sporadic accounts of them throughout the United States and Canada. 

Jackros are similar to the French Lutins. Lutins are another diminutive race of the Otherworld and they also migrated to the New World. They are found in those areas of large French settlements, such as Quebec, Newfoundland, parts of the northern USA, and even in south Louisiana. A Lutin is also called a Nain Rouge, i.e. a Red Dwarf.

a Lutin

The Jackros were well known and often seen from the 1700s well into the early 20th century, but of late, there has been very few sightings of them. On a personal note, I do know a few people that have seen one, on several occasions. I will write about this in more detail in a future post.

Link:  Finding the McCains

© Barry R McCain 2019