Leprechaun

The leprechaun is found in Ireland, originally however, the tales were only found in the north of the isle, particularly Leinster. They were said to have originated in a magical island found in the ocean. They migrated to Ireland and decided to stay. Many legends link their arrival with that of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a magical race that invaded Ireland in ancient times. There have been sightings of the leprechauns since the 8th century.
Until the 20th century the leprechaun was depicted as wearing a red and gold coat, rather than today's popular green and gold. The leprechaun is often male, although females do exist. The female is also much harder to find. The leprechaun is very small, usually around 75cm, and humanoid in appearance. They often have red hair, as is traditional with the Irish. The males also have beards in most cases, which can be of considerable length and are the same colour as their hair. The leprechaun is also depicted as wearing a top hat in the colour of its jacket.
The leprechaun is said to guard a pot of gold and other riches. This "pot" was normally a cauldron and would be buried for safekeeping. Legend holds that the location of such a place would be found at the end of a rainbow. Legend also has it that if you capture a leprechaun he must tell you where he keeps his gold. Where he gets his gold is a matter of serious debate.
Some believe that the leprechauns brought the gold from where they came, whereas others think he is paid by faeries for his work. Some believe they are nothing more than common thieves, whilst many think they took gold from the riches the Vikings left behind after pillaging the Emerald Isle. There is no hard evidence proving any of these theories, and until a leprechaun tells the story of his gold, it will remain hidden to us.
Whatever the truth, the leprechauns have a few jobs. The first and foremost is to make shoes. They make shoes for other faeries, and are the paid for their services. The second is to guard their money. They may do this in several ways. Firstly, they may bury their riches in the ground. They also carry two coins. One is silver and will always return to the leprechaun's pocket, and the other is gold. This coin is used to buy the leprechaun out of sticky situations. However, after leaving the leprechaun, it will dissipate into dust.  The reason they guard their riches is due to humans. Leprechauns see them as selfish and greedy, never to be trusted.
There are ways to trick the leprechaun out of its gold however. If you catch one it is obliged to tell you where it keeps its gold, and from there on you are rich. However, catching one is not as easy as it sounds. They are slippery creatures, and the best way to catch one is when it is busy making shoes. They are constantly looking for a way out, and unless asked direct questions, will use their cunning to get out of a difficult situation. His hat also enables him to completely disappear.
For more information visit:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprechaun
• http://www.leprechaunmuseum.ie/irish-folklore-mythology/the-leprechaun/
• http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/leprechaun.html