Taibhse, the Púca and Other Spirits, The (2)

Taibhse, the Púca and Other Spirits, The (2)

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  • Teideal (Title): Taibhse, the Púca and Other Spirits, The (2).
  • Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 840422.
  • Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
  • Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): none.
  • Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
  • Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
  • Cnuasach (Collection): Joe Heaney Collection, University of Washington, Seattle.
  • Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): English.
  • Catagóir (Category): lore.
  • Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Joe Heaney.
  • Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): Joan Rabinowitz.
  • Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): probably 19/10/1984.
  • Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): University of Washington, United States of America.
  • Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): KRAB Radio.
  • Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
  • Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.

Joe describes how threats of the púca were potent enough to ensure that children were in the house on time and didn’t go out late at night.

Notwithstanding many accounts to be found in Irish fiction, the cry of the bean sí can only be heard by one person at a time. Only certain families have connection to a bean sí, and you have to be a member of the family in order to hear the cry.

Similarly, there is only one leprachaun in Ireland, and he gets two years younger every year. That’s why he has a pot of gold, because he has no competition making shoes. Joe tells of a man whose family owned a pair of boots made by a leprachaun, which can be used only by a son of the family; they can be used for only one hour a year, on Hallowe’n, and allow the wearer to teleport himself from place to place, by wishing.

Notes

Elements of fairy lore appear in a number of other items in Joe’s repertoire.