Maineiac

The Leprechaun is a small Irish fairy, about two feet tall, often dressed like a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather apron.

According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes.

They also possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Near a misty stream in Ireland
in the hollow of a tree
Live mystical, magical leprechauns
who are clever as can be
With their pointed ears, and turned up toes
and little coats of green
The leprechauns busily make their shoes
and try hard not to be seen.
Only those who really believe
have seen these little elves
And if we are all believers
We can surely see for ourselves.

Shamrocks have been symbolic of many things over the years. According to legend, the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad, and three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion, as in many others.

St. Patrick used the shamrock in the 5th century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland.

The Blarney Stone is set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. The stone is believed to be half of the Stone of Scone which originally belonged to Scotland.

Scottish Kings were crowned over the stone because it was believed to have special powers. One old story says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to sweet talk, and he was able to talk anyone into doing anything.