The Fear Dearg are named after their red coats and hats (Dearg means ‘red’ in Irish, and Fearr means ‘man’). They are also called rat boys due to their hairy skin, tail and long snout. They are the most mischievous of all three creatures and actively involve themselves in practical jokes that can be dangerous for the unfortunate humans that cross their path.

Irish Mythology is split into four different cycles with the Mythological Cycle describing how faeries (Sidhe) moved to the other-world. When the Milesians or Gaels arrived in Ireland they took up a dispute with the Tuatha Dé Danann, children of the Goddess Danu. The Tuatha Dé Danann retired underground and became known as the fairy people, sidhe, or the wee folk. They’re banging and hollering at the floor, bunch of menfolk all angry at the hysterical girl making their jobs harder. I say goodbye to the only parents I’ve ever known, even pray like they’d want, then I open the trapdoor and lower the stairs and come down, and I go to my room. Beanpole wants to have words with me, but it ain’t his place. He ain’t my sister, and he ain’t my parents. He makes me sit down at the table and then he says, “I’m afraid your momma’s passed, your momma and your pa. Last night they both passed in their sleep.” These trails serve as a testament to the enduring belief in fairies and the desire to connect with the magical and mystical aspects of the land. Whether for cultural enrichment or simply for the joy of exploration, fairy trails provide an enchanting journey into the heart of Ireland’s enchanting past and present. Origin of FairiesSome Fairy trees were located on the land of farmers, who went to great lengths to make sure that the trees were protected. They would pile boulders around the base of the tree so that there would be no accidental damage caused. Various folklore traditions refer to fairies euphemistically as wee folk, good folk, people of peace, fair folk ( Welsh: Tylwyth Teg), etc. [6] Historical development Sometimes folk beliefs can have a grain of truth hidden in them, and while some superstitions link the hawthorn to death, modern science has found that the flowers produce a chemical compound called trimethylamine, which is also released when animal flesh begins to decay after death, according to Richard Mabey in his book, “Flora Britannica”. There are many different spellings of the word fairy, such as faerie, faery, fay and so on. In this article, we used these words interchangeably! I cut my thumb when the sun’s just disappearing, and the faeries’ wings are buzzing with my heart. I press my blood to the dirt in the hole in the tree, and I say I need help, and they come. The fireflies pinwheel and scatter like smoked out bees as the air turns to honey in my lungs. There’s a strange pull, tugging where my thumb meets the earth, like my blood is well water being drawn out from deep underground, and then faeries start bubbling up from the ground, shake off dirt, unfurl dragonfly wings, and dart out of the hollow. Each one gone yields two more coming up, and there’s more climbing out of the sides of the hollow like ants climbing down from high up in the trunk. The faeries glow steady and dim, like ghost lights through a fog. One lands on my knee, nails digging like claws, and we look at each other real quiet.

Myths and stories about fairies do not have a single origin, but are rather a collection of folk beliefs from disparate sources. 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. Solitary fairies are the fairies who do not live together like the Aos sí. They often avoid human interaction, coming out at night time. Many different types of fairies are found in this classification. In fact, many mythological monsters in Irish folklore fall under the classification of solitary fairies. These are the fairies that you imagine when you think of fairy trees. Banshee For locals and tourists alike, exploring fairy trails provides an opportunity to engage with the rich history of Irish mythology and folklore. Additionally, these trails invite a sense of wonder as visitors embark on a journey to seek out the hidden and ethereal world of the fairies. There are so many unique designs for the Celtic Tree of Life artwork, but in general, the roots and branches of the tree form to create an aesthetic and cohesive circular design. Celtic Tree Of Life Vectors by VecteezyI still wonder sometimes if the real Marianne would’ve been pretty as me, but maybe felt a lot more than I do, maybe cried just like Sister when Mamaw passed. If maybe she’d’ve grown up scared of snakes and spiders, and if she’d’ve crushed on boys and fit in with other girls, and not looked at people like I do most times, wondering why they think stupid things is so important. Now I wonder too: Would she have paid to save Sister like me? I hold Sister close. She shakes and keens but don’t wake. As faerie light swarms the baby, I feel Momma go too.