Also called Far Darrig, the Red Man.
The tale
The Fear Dearg is a small fairy dressed all in red who comes to a house on a stormy night and asks to warm himself by the fire. It is very unlucky to refuse him. He plays grim practical jokes on his hosts, but those who treat him kindly are usually left with good luck.
When they are met
- on winter nights
- when a stranger knocks
Staying on their good side
- let a stranger sit by your fire
- never refuse him, or bad luck follows
- take his jokes with good humour
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Offer hospitality to people in need, which is the heart of his tales.
- Keep your sense of humour when a joke is played on you.
What their tales teach
- the tales teach hospitality
- patience with jokes
- kindness to strangers
Symbols
- the red coat and cap
- the fire
- the rat
Sources
- Croker, Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland
- Yeats, Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry
More Celtic folklore
- The Banshee The keening woman of the fairy mound
- Selkies The seal folk who come ashore
- The Púca The shape-shifter of November
- The Aos Sí The people of the fairy mounds
- The Kelpie The water horse of the lochs
- The Tylwyth Teg The Fair Family of Wales
- Leprechaun The solitary fairy shoemaker
- Clurichaun The fairy of the wine cellar