Leprechauns average about three feet in height according to Irish folklore, but they will be larger than life this weekend, thanks to St. Patrick’s Day.

The fact that the Irish-themed hangover holiday falls on a Sunday means people who usually pretend to be Irish for one day a year could stretch it out an extra 24 hours or so.

If you are one of those weekend warriors, it might be good to brush up on your leprechaun lore before you wear your green or spend your green.

Our leprechaun gallery can help. It’s chock full of interesting facts about the mythical creatures and offers prudent advice on how to catch one.

Erin go bragh!

Loading Slideshow...

  • Leprechauns

    Leprechaun tales date back to medieval times. The earliest story is about how the King of Ulster once fell asleep on the beach and wakes to find himself being dragged into the sea by three of the creatures. He captures his abductors, who grant him three wishes in exchange for release.

  • Leprechauns

    Prior to the 20th century, leprechauns were depicted wearing red, not green.

  • Leprechaun As A Living

    The average leprechaun is about three feet high, so portraying a leprechaun can bring lots of green to little people like Brian Thomas, who is the full-time spokes-leprechaun for O’Sheas Casino in Las Vegas (pictured here with Holly Madison and an unidentifed non-leprechaun).

  • Lucky Charms Leprechaun

    Lucky, the Lucky Charms Leprechaun first appeared in 1964 when the cereal was introduced. Despite its worldwide popularity, the cereal is not available widely in the United Kingdom, and one theory is that General Mills, the cereal’s manufacturer, feared the mascot might offend people there.

  • Leprechauns And Liquor

    Leprechauns are allegedly excellent musicans and are known for throwing wild parties where hundreds get together to dance, sing and drink a form of moonshine called Poteen.

  • Leprechaun’s Pot Of Gold

    According to legend, leprechauns store their money in a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If ever captured by a human, the Leprechaun has the magical power to grant three wishes in exchange for their release.

  • No Female Leprechauns

    An ancient book called <a href=”http://books.google.com/books?id=M4e5e3EkqXYC&pg=PA84&dq=leprechaun+history&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x4FdT8qZJa_ksQL7ocTODQ&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false” target=”_blank”>”A History Of Irish Fairies”</a> reveals that there are no evidence of there being a female leprechaun — ever. Probably explains why this guy is so angry.

  • Man Claims Gang of Leprechauns Beat Him Up

    A Washington man claims a gang of leprechauns beat him up for dancing with a girl that was with the little guys.

  • Leprechauns Are Protected By Law

    Leprechauns are actually protected from destruction under European law. The Sliabh Foy Loop trail in the town of Carlingford is the official protected land for the country’s 236 remaining living leprechauns.

  • Leprechaun Movie Trailer

    “Leprechaun,” a 1993 horror movie is famous for having one of the creepiest leprechauns ever, and for being the film that Jennifer Aniston had to live down when she became famous on “Friends.”

  • How to Draw a Leprechaun

    A video lesson on How To Do A Leprechaun Drawing that will improve your drawing and sketching skills. Learn how to get good at drawing and sketching from Videojug’s hand-picked experts.

  • Dancing Leprechaun Upstages Chris Huhne MP

    Neil Horan, known as the Grand Prix Priest, dances outside Southwark Crown Court as Chris Huhne appears.

  • Catching A Leprechaun

    If you manage to catch a leprechaun, never take your eye off him or he will vanish. For its freedom, a captured leprechaun will grant you three wishes or a gold coin. However, there are stories of people whose wishes backfired or who went insane trying to decide how to best use their three wishes