The Irish "fairy religion," known as Creideamh Sí, isn't a formal church but a deep-rooted folk tradition focused on coexisting respectfully with the Aos Sí (the "People of the Mounds"), powerful, often formidable otherworldly beings linked to ancient Celtic myths, inhabiting hills, mounds, and sacred places. This "Fairy Faith" involves practical customs like leaving offerings (milk, food) to appease them, avoiding disruption of their sites, and understanding that they influence luck, health, and misfortune, integrating with daily life and Christianity as a spiritual, nature-based worldview rather than abstract theology.
The Faerie Faith founded by Roberts and Epona is distinct from other Neopagan traditions with similar names: the Feri Tradition of Victor Anderson (circa 1960); the Radical Faeries group founded by gay men (1979); or the Faery Wicca of Kisma Stepanich (1998).
In Irish and Celtic folklore, fairies are known as “the Good People” or “the Sidhe” (pronounced shee). These supernatural beings are believed to inhabit the otherworldly realm of Tír na nÓg, which is a mystical land beyond the mortal world.
In Irish folklore. Due to the oral nature of Irish folklore, the exact origins of the fairies are not well defined. There are enough stories to support two possible origins. The fairies could either be fallen angels or the descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann; in the latter case, this is equivalent with aos sí.
The Celts believed that the world was populated by a variety of supernatural beings, including faeries. These faeries were seen as powerful, magical creatures that could bring good luck or misfortune to those who crossed their paths.
Never, ever accept a gift from a Fey.
And never, ever verbally say thank you for a gift. It implies that the receiver owes them something, like a food, your firstborn, or a favor (no matter how deranged).
Explanations for the origins of fairies range from Persian mythology to the folklore of the Brythonic (Bretons, Welsh, Cornish), Gaelic (Irish, Scots, Manx), and Germanic peoples, and from the pages of Middle French medieval romances.
Digging deeper into Irish lore, the “Fairy-Faith” or Creideamh Sí is a local tradition comprised of rituals and superstitions surrounding the aos sí or fairies. Known to the islanders as the “little people,” “good people,” or “gentry” (Messenger, et al.
If a sharpened scythe was placed edge-up in a chimney it would repel fairies, and an iron bolt or lock on a door would guard a house, while an axe placed under the pillow would protect the sleeper and striking a fairy with iron will result in its instant disappearance.
Keightley goes on to note that there is only one story he knows of in which multiple leprechauns are seen together, which aligns with what W. B. Yeats wrote about leprechauns in his 1888 book Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry—that the leprechaun is a solitary fairy as opposed to a trooping fairy.
The church does not have any current official teaching on fairies or leprechauns. However, in traditional folklore, fairies and leprechauns were not the sweet and playful creatures that they tend to be in our modern depictions, and they have an association with pre-Christian European paganism.
There's some serious competition when it comes to the scariest creatures in Irish folklore. Take for example the Dullahan, the Irish equivalent of the headless horseman who terrifies weary travelers. Then there's the banshee, a wailing woman who warns Irish families of impending doom.
In Irish mythology and folklore, our warnings about the Fairies are rooted in respect and caution. One of the most prevalent pieces of advice is to avoid disturbing the Sidhe's dwelling places. These include fairy forts, roads, fields, trees, rings, and mounds known as a rath or a lios.
Tinkerbell: Every time someone says 'I do not believe in fairies', somewhere there's a fairy that falls down dead.
Today fairies are not just for little girls' imagination, they're for witches and magical practitioners too. But it's not truly anything new. It dates back to at least ancient times. There are many historical and folkloric connections between fairies and witches particularly in European traditions.
Never thank them: In some traditions, saying "thank you" to the fae can be seen as an acknowledgment that you owe them a favor in return, which may not be something you want. Avoid using their names: Some believe that speaking a fairy's true name gives you power over them.
They have the powers of flight and invisibility, the ability to walk between worlds, gifts of foresight, the ability to communicate with and manipulate the forces of nature like plants and animals and the four elements. Think about them like the avatars for players of a video game where us mortals are the NPCs.
In the old stories this phrasing only meant that you accidentally revealed your full name to the Folk and thereby gave them power over you. With your name they could enchant or lure you, they might even be able to influence your behavior. When you know someone's name you have a certain measure of power over them.
The Wee Folk of Ireland
The Milesians attacked and won a war against the Tuatha de Danann, eventually driving them underground. The Tuatha de Danann used their innate magic to become the Sidhe (pronounced Shee)—today known as the “fairies, “little people,” or the “wee folk.
According to the 2022 census, the most recent, the population is approximately 69 percent Catholic, 2 percent Church of Ireland (Anglican), 2 percent Muslim, 2 percent Orthodox Christian (including Greek, Russian, and Coptic Orthodox), 3 percent unspecified Christian, and 2 percent other religious groups, while 14 ...
Disturbing any fairy property was a no-no. The Schools' Folklore Collection abounds with tales of creepy goings on at fairy forts, and of people who meddled with them, incurred bad luck or who came to a bad end.
They mostly like pretty shiny objects such as gems, pennies, jewels, pearls, beads, crystals, shells, feathers, pinecones. Most of all the fairies LOVE food gifts, especially sweet things, honey, milk, cakes, fruit. Fairies like alcoholic drinks including beer and wine.
The Burren, County Clare:
This otherworldly landscape is famous for its unique rock formations and wildflowers, but it's also believed to be a place where fairies dwell. Full of ancient caves and dolmens it is easy to see why fairies have long been associated with the area.
The church does not have any current official teaching on fairies or leprechauns. However, in traditional folklore, fairies and leprechauns were not the sweet and playful creatures that they tend to be in our modern depictions, and they have an association with pre-Christian European paganism.