The original source of leprechaun lore.

In Irish folklore, the Cluricaune is a household fairy. It lives a solitary existence and has the characteristics now associated with the leprechaun. Cluricaunes have a wizend appearance and are dressed in green. In fact, they dress rather better than the average brownie might since they do little work and look spruced up ready for a good weekend, with silver shoe buckles, silk stockings and a fine hat. Cluricaune has a purse full of silver and his favorite place is the wine cellar where he will sit in solitary drinking sessions until the casks are dry. He is known to harness sheep and ride them over the fields for fun. When Cluricaunes became known as leprechauns, their silver imagery changed to gold.