Crofton Croker on the Fir Darrig

Pin It

red clothes fer darrig

Fir Darrig, correctly written,fear dearg, means the red man, and is a member of the fairy tribe of Ireland, who bears a great resemblance to the Puck or Robin Goodfellow of Shakspeare’s days. Like that merry goblin, his delight is in mischief and mockery; and numberless are the wild and whimsical stories in which he figures. Although the German Kobolds partake of the good-natured character of the people, yet the celebrated Hinzelman occasionally amused himself with playing tricks somewhat similar to those of master Fir darrig. The red dress and strange flexibility of voice possessed by the Fir darrig form his peculiar characteristics; the latter is said, by Irish tale-tellers, to be as Fuaim na dtonn ‘the sound of the wave’ and again it is compared to ‘Ceol na naingeal, ‘the music of angels’ Ceileahhar na nèan, ‘the warbling of birds’. The usual address to this fairy is, Na dean fochmoid fùinn, do not mock us. His entire dress, when he is seen, is invariably described as crimson; whereas the fairies generally appear in Hata dubh, culaigh ghlas, stocaigh bana, agus brogan dearga; a black hat, a green suit, white stockings, and red shoes. Crofton-Croker, II, 162

Pin It