The Leprechaun Sighting of Mobile Alabama

A dead end street in Mobile, Alabama has become very busy the last couple of days because of people flocking to look at a tree, and the little mythical figure that some say they have seen sitting there. Let’s take a closer look at Leprechauns…

In Irish mythology, a leprechaun (Modern Irish: leipreachán) is a type of male elf said to inhabit the island of Ireland. They are a class of "faerie folk" associated in Irish mythology and folklore with the Tuatha Dé Danann and other quasi-historical races said to have inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the Celts.
Leprechauns and other creatures of Irish mythology are often associated with "faerie forts" or "faerie rings" — often the sites of ancient (Celtic or pre-Celtic) earthworks.
The name leprechaun may have derived from the Irish leath bhrogan (a shoemaker), although its origins may lie in luacharma'n (Irish for pygmy). These apparently aged, diminutive men are frequently to be found in an intoxicated state, caused by some home-brewed “poteen”.
Leprechauns have also become self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure (left by the Danes when they marauded through Ireland), burying it in crocks or pots. This may be one reason why leprechauns tend to avoid contact with humans whom they regard as foolish, flighty and greedy creatures. One interesting fact is that even when the creatures are standing in front of a group of people not everyone will be able to see them. But while anyone keeps his eye fixed upon them, they cannot escape, but the moment the eye is withdrawn they may vanish without a trace.
The leprechaun 'family' appears split into two distinct groups - leprechaun and cluricaun. Cluricauns may steal or borrow almost anything, creating mayhem in houses during the hours of darkness, raiding wine cellars and larders. They will also harness sheep, goats, dogs and even domestic fowl and ride them throughout the country at night.
In Mobile Alabama there is a street called Lecren Street, which lies off of Bayshore Avenue. Lately crowds start gathering around sunset. As you approach You hear many people talking, excitedly and all at the same time.
One said, "It's sitting ,uh, its sitting right up there, its right there. It's a face, a face, the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the frowning mouth."
Another says, "A leprechaun, it looked like, last night it looked just like a little leprecaun. Its still up there."
The people who see the "leprechaun" say you can see it better at night. And that's when the crowds really start coming out. One bystander says, "Now step back so you all can see it. If you just look right there in the middle you see it, right there, you see it, do you see it? Y'all see it?"
Another person says, "Looks like he's smiling right now."
Still another says, "I wanna see it. If its here, I wanna see it. When's it supposed to pop up?"
Ricardo Thomas lives across the street from the tree. He says, "Actually, my brother came in from Atlanta last Sunday night and we were standing outside having a beer, just standing around, and he said, 'you're not going to believe this, but it looks like a man is up in that tree."
The crowds got so heavy, there were traffic jams. Another person said, "I thought he tipped his hat."
Describing the crowds, Thomas said, "Looked like Mardi Gras. All we need is some floats."
According to Irish folklore, if a leprechaun is caught by a mortal, the leprechaun will promise great wealth if he's allowed to go free. It is said that he carries two leather pouches on him at all times. In one there is a silver shilling, a magical coin that returns to the purse each time it is paid out. In the other he carries a gold coin which he uses to try and bribe his way out of difficult situations. This coin usually turns to leaves or ashes once the leprechaun has parted with it.

Now, some people say they've seen the Mobile Leprechaun and some people say they haven't, but the one thing that is certain is that nobody's found a pot of gold -- yet, or if they have they are not talking about it!
So I guess it’s just another snapshot of a weird moment from our weird world!

I’m Average Joe