The Vancouver
Institute Of Leprechaun Research
Background
Information
Leprechauns first immigrated to North America during
the potato 
famine in the mid 1800’s. They hid on boats coming to Canada and the US
and through their craftiness some of them eventually moved west and
settled in the Lower Mainland. This area is the perfect climate for
Leprechauns
and provides many areas that are uninhabited by humans. Leprechauns
like the rainy and cool climate, as well as the forests and hills that
can sometimes resemble Ireland.
Leprechaun comes from the Irish “leith
bhroyan” meaning “one shoemaker” because Leprechauns are cobblers,
making shoes for fairies and 
elves. The “one” refers to the fact that Leprechauns are usually seen
only working on one shoe. Humans can hear the sounds of their hammering
and whistling while they work if they are close enough. Leprechauns are
also known for their banking abilities. They take care of fairy money
and
they themselves are rich beyond belief. They do, in fact, have several
pots
of gold, but none of them are located near rainbows, which is a popular
myth.
They are approximately 2ft in height and stocky, but
proportionally built. They wear drab clothing of greens, browns, and
grays accompanied by a hat and sturdy leather shoes. They are very
clever and
have the ability to move quickly and disappear as soon as you take your
eye off them, which makes it very difficult to find them. Their small
lung
capacity restricts their ability to live at high altitudes and although
they can float, swimming is virtually impossible. They are solitary
creatures.
They dislike other leprechauns and hate humans because men are always
trying
to steal their gold. Leprechauns are forced to deal with humans here in
Canada
because they require shoe-making resources. Thus they interact with
shoe
supply and repair stores and if the cobbler or sales men deals with
them
kindly the leprechaun will reward them well (How else could shoe repair
stores
keep operating? Have you ever had shoes repaired?).
The VIOLR is not interested in the wealth of
leprechauns as most humans are. The institute is focused purely on
scientific research and the study of this native Irish species.
