Though there is something curious about all leprechauns being cobblers (what if they want to be writers, farmers, or doctors?), this designation also fits in well with the traditional folkloric division of labor among fairies. It seems that all leprechauns are not only shoemakers but also old male loners, which makes sense from a cultural standpoint, since that type of fairy is so closely associated with shoemaking, a traditionally male vocation. The 1825 publication of a book called 'Fairy Legends' seemingly cemented the character of the modern leprechaun: 'Since that time leprechauns seem to be entirely male and solitary,' they note. Do you not catch the tiny clamour, Busy click of an elfin hammer, Voice of the Lepracaun singing shrill As he merrily plies his trade?' Yeats offered an 18th-century poem by William Allingham titled 'The Lepracaun Or, Fairy Shoemaker' which describes the sound: In his collection of Irish fairy and folk tales, W.B. In the case of the leprechaun, it's the tap-tap-tapping of his tiny cobbler hammer, driving nails into shoes, that announces they are near. Some entities - such as the Irish fairy banshee and the Hispanic spirit La Llorona - are said to emit a mournful wail signifying their presence. In the magical world, most spirits, fairies and other creatures have a distinctive sound that is associated with them. Returning almost instantly he found that every one of the numerous trees in the field sported a red garter!' Having no spade, the man marked the tree with one of his red garters, then kindly released the sprite and went for a spade. In her encyclopedia 'Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins,' folklorist Carol Rose offers a typical tale of leprechaun trickery 'concerning a man who managed to get a leprechaun to show him the bush in the field where his treasure was located. The leprechaun plays several roles in Irish folklore he is principally a roguish trickster figure who cannot be trusted and will deceive whenever possible. But dealing with leprechauns can be a tricky proposition. Leprechauns are usually said to be able to grant the person three wishes.

According to Irish legends, people lucky enough to find a leprechaun and capture him (or, in some stories, steal his magical ring, coin or amulet) can barter his freedom for his treasure.

Deathspank leprechaun honcho