The Grey Man (also known as Old Boneless among other things) is a relatively formless fairy incapable of speech. He keeps his shape by hanging around chimney fires and in mists. It is said that you can tell when the Grey Man has passed due to the lingering smell of smoke.
This fairy causes lots of problems for humans. He hides rocks so that boats collide with them, hides curves on roads causing cars to miss turns, blights potatoes, and so forth.
The Grey Man can be kept at bay for a while by crying out “God Bless You!” and by carrying a crucifix or other holy medal (especially ones blessed by a church authority).
Many fear the Pooka Fairy. It is a shape shifter and is out and about most nights. One usual form is as a horse. In this form, it rampages around the country scaring livestock, tearing down fences, and causing havoc.
In other forms, it demands shares of crops…. people who do not share suffer the consequences. Pooka has the power of speech and can let its wishes be known. In some cases, it has been known to be helpful by letting people know what the future holds.
One legend has it that the High King of Ireland Brian Boru only rode the Pooka in horse form. He rode the horse to submission and got the Pooka to promise never to bother the Irish again unless they were drunk or lawbreakers. However, the years seem to have eroded the promise because Pooka’s antics continue to this day with no regard given to your situation (sober or drunk, law breaking or not, Irish or not).
Butter Spirits are thought to be related to Leprechauns but more focused in their pursuits. They are small men (less than 2 feet tall) and are found throughout the Emerald Isle and England. In general, they are mischievous and steal anything not nailed down. Their first love is fresh butter (thus the name) and will get it out of fresh milk even before it is churned. It is claimed they only steal from the rich.
These fairies are very resourceful and can reach inaccessible places. The best way to keep them away is to mark things with the sign of a cross.
The Dullahan Fairy rampages about the countryside on festival/feast days. He is a headless horseman who carries his head in his hand. The head glows and can be used to light the way.
The head can only speak once on a journey and does so to call out the name of the soul it is out to collect. The Dullahan Fairy follows a family and forewarns of death and brings the fact of death. Some say the Dullahan is the legacy of the time when beheading was an acceptable form of sacrifice to the gods and represents the remains of the Celtic god Crom Dubh (or Black Crom).
There is really no way to avoid encountering this fairy if you are the one sought. He can go anywhere and go rapidly. However, to avoid encountering him, stay indoors with the curtains drawn (if you look at him and you are not the one sought, you may be blinded or worse). Some believe that he fears gold so always have a bit of gold on hand on festival/feast days.
The Far Darrig (Red Man) tends to be restricted to Donegal in Ireland. He is very elusive and no reliable description of him exists. The reports on sightings of him range from him being a small man dressed in red to a gray giant.
However, it is agreed that he likes play some pretty wicked pranks on mortals. He has a tendency to show up at a home on cold nights demanding shelter. Those turning him away are said to regret it because he takes the luck of the house with him. Those admitting him are reminded of his visit for days because his smell lingers for days. The Red Man is not known for good personal hygiene.
Sheerie Fairies are phosphorescent glimmers of light that move from cover to cover. They combine elements of fairy and human nature. It is thought that Sheerie Fairies are the souls of unbaptized children trying to gain entry to the mortal world.
Given this problem, they tend to be very jealous of and angry toward humans. This may be the reason that they are believed to be behind human misfortune.
These fairies can be found on land or water. For instance, the water types confuse humans into thinking bogs are safe when they are not (and other misfortunes associated with water). Land fairies do similar things to humans like getting them to wander off cliffs.
These fairies do not have the power of speech but do put out a mewling sort of sound. They can be warded off with iron, a crucifix, or holy water.
The Watershee Fairy looks very much like the image many people have of fairies. This fairy appears as a small, delicate, attractive, female with gossamer-wings (she might also appear as a beautiful woman). Unfortunately, this appearance is deceiving. Watershee Fairies lure the innocent into water with their beautiful appearance and mesmerizing singing. Once a person falls into this trap, they drown and the Watershee devours their souls. The best defense against falling under the Watershee’s spell is to wear a cross (or other holy object) and to pray.
Interestingly, images of fairies that look like the Watershee Fairy are quite popular in jewelry, on calendars, statues, and so forth.
Tree fairies (called a variety of names) act as guardians of trees/bushes. They often protect lone trees. If the unwary inflict harm on a fairy tree, woe betide them. Tree fairies are capable of serving up all sorts of retributions to those who kill or damage the tree/bush they are guarding. The offending party might be visited by poverty, illness, or other misfortunes. If the fairy is angry enough, the punishment might extend to the person’s family. So, before undertaking any landscape alterations, be sure a fairy tree is not in your way.
Fairies are thought to have a difficult time birthing. Many times newborn fairies are borne with deformities, mental deficiencies, and so forth. The fairies cannot abide such impurity and seek to exchange the deficient baby with a healthy human baby…thus the name changeling.
Infants who are much admired or infants, who have not been baptized, are often the targets of these fairy exchanges. When such exchanges occur, the human household is in for a rough time. The changeling is very demanding and brings a variety of misfortune to the household. Changelings usually have a wizened appearance, thin frail limbs, darkened eyes, and yellowed skin. One positive attribute of these fairies is that they are often gifted musicians and bring much joy when they perform.
Although less frequent, older children can be the target of a fairy exchange. One can’t tell the change has occurred by the changeling’s appearance as in the case of infants because the changeling will appear much like the child did. However, one can tell by the extreme personality change. Fairy changelings tend to be cold and unresponsive.
In all cases, the changeling has little regard for humans and is indifferent to the burdens placed on the family. For instance, they will eat everything in the house and expect more. In most cases, the changeling does not live more than a couple of years. Examining the burial mound can reveal its true nature. Instead of the body of an infant, one will find bog roots or some other aspect of a tree rather than an infant.
The best way to ward off an exchange is to lay an element of the father’s clothing over the infant. Religious objects (crucifix, etc.) placed around the crib are also thought to be effective deterrents.
It is also thought possible to drive out the changeling by getting it to reveal it’s true age. If it does, the human infant will be returned. Heat and fire may also be effective.
