St. Patrick’s Day is done, but the celebration continues at Carrington Oaks. Test your scavenging skills on the grounds of our Buda, Texas, community March 26-29 to see if you can come out on top in the Pot of Gold Scavenger Hunt. The lucky resident who finds the pot of gold will win a $25 gift card!

In the spirit of this fun contest, let’s take a closer look at the mythical beings synonymous with pots of gold – the leprechaun. Here are five surprising facts about these tiny creatures.

What, Exactly, Is a Leprechaun?

Thanks to their widespread popularity, we all know what leprechauns are thought to look like. But what, exactly, is a leprechaun? According to World History Encyclopedia, leprechauns are “figures in Irish folklore who guard hidden treasure.” And, yep, that hidden treasure is most often a pot of gold. Leprechauns are thought to be solitary mischief-makers with a knack for nimbly evading capture.

OK. We got that out of the way. Now on to those fun facts:

1. There Are No Female Leprechauns

That’s right. Leprechauns are all dudes! At least as depicted in Irish folklore.

2. They Don’t Always Wear Green

Green garb is pervasive in present-day depictions of leprechauns, but some of the earliest accounts of these creatures described them as wearing red. Remember this if someone gives you grief for not wearing green next St. Patrick’s Day!

3. They’re Shoemakers

Even leprechauns need day jobs. The bills don’t pay themselves, after all, and guarding pots of gold takes you only so far in life. Leprechauns’ profession of choice, according to Irish mythology: shoemaking.

4. Leprechauns Are Fairies

That’s right. Leprechauns are said to be a type of fairy, though not the fluttering kind you’re accustomed to seeing in classic animated films. No, leprechauns are a grittier, more devious, and vice-prone brand of fairy.

5. What Does the Word Leprechaun Mean?

This won’t come as much of a surprise, but it’s a cool fact to have in your arsenal. The word leprechaun means “small body.” It hails from the Old Irish word lūchorpān. Lū translates to small and corp means body.

Explore Buda

Now that you’ve studied up on leprechauns, study up on all the things there are to do in and around Buda with a visit to the Carrington Oaks blog.