History Main / Leprechaun

* The ''Series/HoneyIShrunkTheKids'' spin-off TV series included an episode that subverted Leprechauns twice; the first time, by featuring a fake Leprechaun who turned out to be a midget crook with special effects, who was unmasked by Wayne. Then, just as the ScoobyDoo mystery was unveiled, REAL Leprechauns appeared, who looked NOTHING like the stereotype, and instead looked like humans in black coats, speaking in a genuine Irish accent. They punished the crooked impersonator, then responded to Wayne's inquiry as to the true nature of their technology by disappearing with the message "It's Magic!"

* In ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic III'', most of the maps feature a spot where a leprechaun dances in perpetuity (you can even hear the [[EarWorm music]]), to which the player can go to shake the guy down for cash once per game week. One wonders why he doesn't move along after awhile.

* The ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' Porky Pig short "The Wearing of the Grin".
* The very last Droopy cartoon was titled "Droopy Leprechaun", which revolved around a MistakenForAliens / MistakenForMurderer "plot".

** In a St Patrick's Day parade that turns into a massive brawl, two leprachauns, [[UsefulNotes/TheTroubles one in green, one in orange]] are seen enthusiastically beating seven kinds out of each other.

* Series/PunkyBrewster relates how she met Glomer in the animated series. Glomleys (a creature of which Glomer is) are leprechaun helpers in their homeland of Chaundoon. Another episode has a bad leprechaun imprisoned as a piece of art on a plate escape and causing chaos.
* ''WesternAnimation/LaffALympics'' had an event take place in Ireland where the object was to capture a leprechaun and borrow his pot of gold. While the leprechaun has some fun at the athletes' expense, the Rottens plan to win the event by foul means.

* Series/PunkyBrewster relates how she met Glomer in the animated series. Glomleys (a creature of which Glomer is) are leprechaun helpers in their homeland of Chaundoon.

* Dez, the main character of ''WesternAnimation/{{Wishfart}}'', is one. However, he's a lanky teenager with pretty much no stock leprechaun qualities except for the ability to grant wishes (which he does by shooting a rainbow from his pointer finger). He's very proud of [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch how atypical he is and dislikes being pigeonholed with the usual leprechaun stereotypes]].

* Brazilian author Carolina Munhoz wrote a trilogy about Leprechauns, called Trindade Leprechaun (Leprechaun Trinity), [[IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming each book’s title starting with]] “Por um toque de” (“For/By a touch of”). In her works, they are physically identical to humans, living and hiding themselves among them in modern society. Their morality also varies from individual to individual, just like human morality. They exist in both genders, and the protagonist is a ''female'' Leprechaun, Emily O’Connell. She still has characteristics of the traditional versions: she's a FieryRedhead and her family runs a (high fashion) shoe company. A common trait is that they’re extremely lucky and can recognize other like them.[[spoiler: They also exist outside Ireland: there are Leprechauns of several nationalities, including a Brazilian one]]. The second book reveals that there’s [[spoiler:a MagicalSociety called [[TitleDrop Leprechaun Trinity]]]]. The third book reveals that they can [[spoiler: develop other powers, like teletransportation, telekinesis and a SpiderSense]].

* Encountered several times on ''Series/{{Charmed}}'', first being saved from the MonsterOfTheWeek, then in later appearences assisting in the good fight, usually by Buffing the luck of the heroes. Their duty is to spead luck around, both good and bad.

* ''Series/TheTwilightZone1985'' has an episode in which a leprechaun is captured by three boys while vacationing in America. He grants each of them a wish (all of which [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor backfire comically]]) before being set free.

* Dez, the main character of ''WesternAnimation/Wishfart'' is this. He is ateenager, who, despite granting wishes with his "magic Finger", [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch secretly regrets being one of them, and does not want to "follow tradition"]].

* Dez, the main character of ''WesternAnimation/{{Wishfart}}'', is a leprechaun. However, he's a lanky teenager not too different from your average teen, and he has pretty much no stock leprechaun qualities except for the ability to grant wishes (which he does by shooting a rainbow from his pointer finger). In fact, he states that he really doesn't want to be pigeonholed with the usual leprechaun stereotypes and can't stand it when [[StopBeingStereotypical other leprechauns behave in that way]] (really the only character who does is recurring leprechaun enforcer Finnaula; although Dez's family does have pots of gold).

The most remarkable thing about Leprechauns is that they are practically the ''only'' Irish fairies you see in fiction (with the possible exception of the [[OurBansheesAreLouder Banshee]], who is more often lumped with TheUndead), despite hundreds of other types. Ironically this overuse (and {{Flanderization}}) has led to Leprechauns pretty much becoming a DiscreditedTrope in Ireland itself (outside of tourist gift shops, that is).

* The antagonists of Literature/ForestOfBolandLightRailway are referred to as leprechauns, but they are actually goblins or orcs.

* Leprechauns were included in the 1st and 2nd editions of the ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' game, then disappeared from the system when 3E came out before returning in 4th Edition. The Basic/Expert/etc system, in contrast, detailed their role in fairy society in ''Tall Tales of the Wee Folk''.

[[Myth/CelticMythology Irish myth]] agrees on these basic points: They're the size of children [[LittleGreenMen and favour the colour green]] ([[BringMyRedJacket when they don't wear red]]). They have red hair and green eyes - and if you have red hair and green eyes you may be a descendant of the Fey folk yourself. Leprechauns can become invisible, but if you happen to see one, catch him quick and make him tell you where his pot of gold is hidden (they all have one...[[InexplicableTreasureChests for some reason]]). If you take your eye off the Leprechaun for even a moment though, he'll vanish again and you'll almost certainly never find him. The Leprechaun is a tricky creature and will do his very best to wriggle out of showing you his gold, but you'll always find it at the end of a rainbow. He isn't necessarily malicious but he doesn't appreciate being bullied either, so if you get a wish from a Leprechaun, BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor because they may well pull a JackassGenie on you.

In fiction, they usually have a NiceHat, often with a buckle and/or a shamrock on it. Despite their ridiculous appearance their magic is ''extremely'' powerful, so it's best not to anger them.

[[Myth/CelticMythology Irish myth]] agrees on these basic points: They're the size of children [[LittleGreenMen and favour green clothing]] ([[BringMyRedJacket when they don't wear red]]). Leprechauns can become invisible, but if you happen to see one, catch him quick and make him tell you where his pot of gold is hidden (they all have one...[[InexplicableTreasureChests for some reason]]). If you take your eye off him for even a moment though, he'll vanish again and you'll never find him. The Leprechaun is a tricky creature and will do his very best to wriggle out of showing you his gold. He isn't necessarily malicious but he doesn't appreciate being bullied either, so if you get a wish out of him, BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor because he may well pull a JackassGenie on you.

They are presumed to be flawed offspring of TheFairFolk with some kind of genetic defect because [[OneGenderRace they're all male]]. They tend to work as shoemakers for the rest of TheFairFolk and have a fascination with shining and repairing shoes. If you pay a Leprechaun to shine your shoes, these shoes will always bring you good luck.

In fiction, they usually have a NiceHat, often with a buckle and/or a shamrock on it.

** It turns out that it was the folks in the neighborhood messing with the media and the "leprechaun" was really a [[http://www.theunticket.com/dan-finds-the-leprechaun/ local resident]] with [[http://wafflesatnoon.com/crichton-leprechaun/ dwarfism wearing green and goofing around on a tree.]] No one ''really'' thought there was an actual leprechaun, they knew it was a guy called "Midget Sam" and they played-up the JiveTurkey stuff as well....all to troll the local media. It also was a bit of payback to folks with a possible ethnic-bias who called the media and cops over a big gathering of black people (who were merely being entertained by Sam and not causing trouble).

** It turns out that it was the folks in the neighborhood messing with the media and the "leprechaun" was really a [[http://www.theunticket.com/dan-finds-the-leprechaun/ local resident with dwarfism wearing green and goofing around on a tree.]] No one ''really'' thought there was an actual leprechaun, they new it was a guy called "Midget Sam" and they played-up thee JiveTurkey stuff as well....all to troll the local media.