Irish Clurichaun

In Irish Celtic mythology, the clurichaun (also spelled clutharachán, clutharacán, clúracán) is a mischievous fairy closely related to the leprechaun, known for its love of drinking. These small elves are often found in distilleries, breweries, wine cellars, taverns, and occasionally in private homes, provided there is a sufficient supply of alcohol. Originating from Munster, the southern province of Ireland, the stories of clurichauns were first documented by the Irish antiquary Thomas Crofton Croker in 1825 in his work “The Haunted Cellar.”

Clurichauns are believed to possess knowledge of hidden treasures, leading some to seek their help in treasure hunting. However, due to their primary interest in drinking and smoking, clurichauns are notorious for using tricks to mislead treasure seekers. An example from “Brothers Grimm’s Irish Fairy Tales” describes how they can confuse seekers by multiplying the markers indicating where the treasure is buried, making it impossible to find.

These mischievous fairies are known for causing disturbances, such as opening wine barrels, breaking bottles, and consuming large quantities of alcohol. They have the ability to vanish in the blink of an eye, making them difficult to catch. If a clurichaun is suspected to be present in a home, one can expect their liquor supplies to mysteriously diminish, with the hope that the fairy will depart once the last drop of whiskey, their favorite drink, is consumed. If you find your liquor supplies mysteriously diminished in your home, remember, it was not a family member but the Clurichaun at play.