I never expected to find...Irish fairies

by Lynette Marr (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find Ireland

My three-year-old granddaughter, Evelyn, loves magical creatures. Unicorns, mermaids, and especially fairies inhabit her world and her imagination. So when my husband and I recently traveled to Ireland, I promised her that I would keep my eyes open for that most magical of Irish folk, the fairy people. But what to look for, and where? How could I bring a little of that Irish magic back to my home? I needed to figure out how to locate this magical and secretive people. Fairies were believed to be one of the first tribes to arrive on the Emerald Isle. After being defeated by warrior tribes but not forced to leave their beloved home, they used their magical powers to shrink themselves and find homes which would keep them hidden - mounds, caves, rocky clefts, trees, and even flowers. Sometimes their tiny homes protrude into the human world, and contact between the two worlds can allow faerie powers to shower onto their human visitors. And what gifts! Fairies can bestow continual good luck on those who please them. They can control the weather and seasons, heal injuries and cure the sick, and make people see whatever the fairies wish them to see. They love humans who are generous and fair, kind, gentle, truthful, and courteous. So with this information in hand, I began my quest for fairies. I watched as we traversed the busy streets of Dublin. I surveyed hedgerows along the winding roads and between verdant green fields. I scrutinized an ancient Feasting Circle with its wooden posts in the shape of a crucifix. I traversed a path over the Hill of Tara to a fairy tree - surely I would find a fairy there! But no luck. We arrived at the luxurious Dunloe Hotel and Gardens in County Kerry to be given a map leading to fairy doors in the Dunloe gardens! Could it be possible that my quest might be successful? Armed with my camera and a good pair of walking shoes, I set out to explore. Near the entrance to the property stood a large tree with branches spreading over a fenced pasture. Several feet above the ground rested a tiny red door crowned with a descriptive sign. This was the home of Harry, the fairy who guarded the gate of the hotel property from the trolls which could disturb the tranquility of the guests. I searched for Harry by the door, on the ground, and in the branches, but he remained secretive and hidden. My journey continued. Next I encountered the tiny hotel run by Miles. His customers were prickly hedgehogs, and his sign detailed what his guests could expect from their stay - check in time of 4 am, check out time of 8 pm, meals of succulent leaves upon arrival, and although back massages were discouraged due to fears of prickles, tummy rubs were available. Grace’s tiny door led to a miniature room perfect for sleepovers with friends, complete with late night tales and views of the starry sky. Lily’s door took her visitors to her comfortable abode, with miniature couches, tables and chairs, and tea and biscuits, perfect to put the fairies who visited her for advice at ease. Steward’s red door was nestled on the side of the ground’s castle. This little person lived in the castle keep and kept constant vigil over the waters below. The fairy door that gave humans the best chance to have a close encounter with the world of the little people belonged to Isla. The tiny blue entrance to her home sat at the base of a chair carved from a tree trunk, named the Wishing Seat. We big people could sit on the seat decorated with a red-capped toadstool, close our eyes, and silently send out a wish. Isla’s powers allowed her to see if her human visitor’s heart held kindness, truthfulness, and appreciation, and if she was satisfied, she could grant her visitor’s wish. And so while my quest for fairies was not completely successful and I did not encountered a fairy, I never expected to come so close to these little people and their magical world.