Irish shirts for fans of Irish beer and Leprechauns

If you're looking forward to St Patrick's Day 2009 and the associated revelry,these humorous Leprechaun shirts could be the Irish shirts for you to wear this St Patrick's Day.




For your benefit these Irish T shirts are fully machine washable.So,if you end up like the person pictured on the Leprechaun shirts with puke and beer spilled all down the front,you can simply bung them in the wash and get them back as good as new ready for your next drinking session with the Leprechauns!

LEPRECHAUN WATCH WEBCAM

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LEPRECHAUNS

The name leprechaun may have evolved from the Irish leath bhrogan (shoe maker), although its origins may also lie in luacharma'n (Irish for pygmy). These apparently elderly, diminutive men are frequently to be found in an intoxicated state, caused by home brew poteen (Moonshine in the US).

However,it is said that they never become so drunk that the hand which holds the hammer becomes unsteady and their shoemaker's work affected.

Leprechauns have also become self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure (left by the Danes when they marauded through Ireland), burying it in crocks or pots. This may be one reason why leprechauns tend to avoid contact with humans whom they regard as foolish, flighty (and greedy?) creatures. If a leprechaun is caught by a human, he will promise great wealth if allowed to go free.

A leprechaun carries two leather pouches,in one there's a silver shilling,a magical coin that returns to the purse each time it is paid out.In the other leather pouch he carries a gold coin which he uses to try and bribe his way out of difficult situations.This coin usually turns to leaves or ashes once the leprechaun has parted with it.However,a warning,you must never take your eye off a leprechaun,for he can vanish in an instant.

The leprechaun 'family' appears to be distinctly divided into two groups - leprechaun and cluricaun. Cluricauns may steal or borrow almost anything, creating mayhem in houses during the hours of darkness, raiding wine cellars or larders.They will also harness sheep, goats, dogs and even domestic fowl and ride them many miles throughout the country at night.

Although the leprechaun has been described as Ireland's national fairy, this name was originally only used in the North Leinster area. Variants include lurachmain, lurican, lurgadhan.