This section of this blog provides an introduction to Fairies and their roles in Celtic lands. There are various schools of thought about how Fairies came into existence. One school of thought is that when the great rebellion took place in Heaven some angels did not take sides. In the end, they were cast out of heaven but were not sent to hell. Supposition has it that St. Michael, the patron saint of Fairies, interceded on their behalf and kept them from being cast into hell. Instead, they were given remote/dark places to inhabit on Earth.
Another explanation is that Fairies are not fallen angels but are the remains of the Tuatha de Danaan, one of the early races to inhabit Ireland. The Tuatha de Danaan are thought to have come from Greece with knowledge that seemed magical to others. Thus, they were seen and treated as Gods. However, with the spread of Christianity they lost this status and fled to glens, hollows, and other remote areas where they remain to this day.
Regardless of the true origin of Fairies, the types are clear and we will overview some of them in subsequent entries. Contrary to the popular culture view, most fairies are not like Tinkerbell so brace yourself.
