Build a better Leprechaun trap.
March 17, 2006 9:48 AM   Subscribe

Who knew that the building of Leprechaun traps are to St. Patrick's day what candy hearts and valentine mailboxes are to Valentine's day. All over the country, elementary school kids are displaying their Leprechaun traps today. What to use for bait? Gold, shamrocks, 4 leaf clovers, rainbows...
posted by 445supermag (26 comments total)
 
My daughter needed to make one for her kindergarten class, I suggested a leghold trap, or maybe a variation on the gopher trap that drives long sharpened iron spikes through the victim, but my wife didn't think that was appropriate.
posted by 445supermag at 9:51 AM on March 17, 2006


Well, depends on why you want the trapped leprechaun, but I'd think a handful of roofies dissolved in a bottle of whiskey would do the trick.
posted by kafziel at 9:53 AM on March 17, 2006


I'd think a handful of roofies dissolved in a bottle of whiskey would do the trick.

That only works if the leprechaun is a member of a sorority. But it's a great way to get the pot of gold.
posted by Jart at 9:57 AM on March 17, 2006



posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:07 AM on March 17, 2006


I made one every year as a kid using various designs, some pretty elaborate. He always escaped, but left behind a pile of pennies or candy.
posted by sonofsamiam at 10:17 AM on March 17, 2006



posted by Mayor Curley at 10:18 AM on March 17, 2006


I'll settle for a midget painted green.
posted by orthogonality at 10:18 AM on March 17, 2006


The traps are easy to build, but finding the right bait is impossible. I've tried everything: pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, green clovers, blue diamonds.

Finally, I just went back to the basics: a bar of Irish Spring and a mallet. Caught one last year. They fry up nice.
posted by PlusDistance at 10:23 AM on March 17, 2006


A Leprechaun is an Irish "elf".

Uh, wouldn't a Leprechaun be closer to an Irish dwarf, or a hobbit with shoes on?
posted by furtive at 10:32 AM on March 17, 2006


furtive: We're not talking the Elfquest, D&D, LoTR type of elves. These are similar to the elves that make shoes in the middle of the night. At least that was my understanding.
posted by ODiV at 10:38 AM on March 17, 2006


orthogonality: I'll settle for a midget painted green.

Irish Times: In Belmar, a group of Irish dwarfs - or little people as they prefer to be called - has been banned from the Belmar event for being too drunk last year.
posted by jamesonandwater at 10:47 AM on March 17, 2006


There are a few dejected leprechauns around.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Hell's Kitchen. In NYC everybody is Irish today.
posted by nickyskye at 11:00 AM on March 17, 2006


How did they ever get that Leprechaun out of the hood
posted by elr at 11:06 AM on March 17, 2006


I have never heard of making Leprechaun traps. Is this an American thing?
posted by arcticwoman at 11:12 AM on March 17, 2006


From nickyskye's link:

"At the request of NBC, we cannot carry the parade on our webcam."

What the hell?
posted by Western Infidels at 11:25 AM on March 17, 2006


Nickskye – Nice links, but the photos may not be as incongruous as you’d think. Check out some of the heros of Irish football (soccer) teams of past and present. We're a little more multicultural than annual viewings of The Quiet Man would lead you to believe.
posted by Sk4n at 11:28 AM on March 17, 2006


Should've said would lead "one" to believe. I'm not accusing you of only watching it annually, Nickskye ;-)
posted by Sk4n at 11:30 AM on March 17, 2006


about.com is well overdue for a re-design.
posted by empath at 11:37 AM on March 17, 2006


or a hobbit with shoes on?

You've never lived with an Irishman, have you?
posted by Mayor Curley at 12:09 PM on March 17, 2006


There's a belief that the term "leprechaun" originates from the great mythological hero of the Tuatha de Danaan, Lugh Lamhfhada.
posted by dopamine at 1:17 PM on March 17, 2006


Not a single "Always after me Lucky Charms" joke?

Geez.
posted by briank at 1:32 PM on March 17, 2006


Just this one, briank.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 1:50 PM on March 17, 2006


Perhaps these flip flops could at least detain a leprechaun.
posted by Julie at 2:52 PM on March 17, 2006


As an Irishman, I just want to say Grrrrr

As the Irish Times puts it, St Patricks Day is depressing and dangerous.

Mostly depressing.
posted by ciaron at 3:18 PM on March 17, 2006


Sk4n, you're right, those photos aren't so incongrous. Irish can mean any number of of styles.

dopamine, loved that Triskelle site link, thanks.

Julie, way cool flip flops!

Ciaron, you mean you and all Irish people don't say "Top of tha' mornin'." like in ye olde Hollywood movies? And St. Paddy's in Ireland is actually named in corporatespeak "GE Money Oíche" which "features the Spanish/Argentian Grupo Puja"? *sigh* Guess you have to come to NYC for the real thing. I invite you and any other refugees from America Ireland, to stay at my place in what is no longer an Irish neighborhood in midtown Manhattan and we can go to the Bronx or Queens heartlands, last remnants of the Irish immigrant bastions here. Or we could drop in on Mayor Curley in Ireland Boston ;-)
posted by nickyskye at 4:27 PM on March 17, 2006


STOP THE INHUMANE PRACTICE OF LEPRECHAUN TRAPPING NOW! Every year, thousands of leprechauns are horribly maimed or killed by inexperienced hunters. STOP THE BRUTALITY!!! THEIR BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS!!!
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:28 PM on March 20, 2006


« Older A good place for a blind date   |   Bruce Sterling on the State of the World Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments