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Far darrig facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A far darrig or fear dearg is a type of faerie from Irish mythology. The name far darrig comes from the Irish words fear dearg, which means Red Man. This is because the far darrig is said to wear a red coat and a red cap.

What is a Far Darrig?

The far darrig is a special kind of fairy in Irish stories. Its name, fear dearg, means "Red Man" in Irish. This is because these fairies are often described wearing a bright red coat and a matching red cap.

How Do They Look?

Besides their red clothes, far darrigs are sometimes called Rat Boys. This is because they are said to be a bit plump. They might also have dark, hairy skin, long noses, and thin tails.

What Kind of Fairy Are They?

In old books like Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, the far darrig is called a "solitary fairy". This means they usually live alone. Other solitary fairies include the leprechaun and the clurichaun. These fairies are often described as being messy, lazy, and very mischievous.

Their Mischievous Nature

The far darrig loves to play practical jokes. They are known for their tricks, especially ones that can be a bit scary or strange. One famous trick they are said to play is replacing human babies with changelings. A changeling is a fairy baby left in place of a human child. Far darrigs are also sometimes linked to bad dreams or nightmares.

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Far darrig Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.