Irish mythology is very rich and some of its creatures like leprechauns are instantly recognised around the world.

Of course, there is a lot more to it than the 6 characters suggested in this request, but one has to start somewhere.

This idea is inspired by a very nice person on Reddit, who wished to see more stamps with Irish mythology.

I tried to pick creatures that would also have a global appeal, while representing the Emerald Isle at the same time. Here they are:

A leprechaun might be the most iconic Irish mythological creature, since they are often associated with Irish culture and they’re the mascot of St. Patrick’s Day. In folk tales, leprechauns can bring people good fortune, but they can also be mischievous. If you see a leprechaun, they must grant you 3 wishes before they can leave you. However, many tales of leprechauns warn people to choose these wishes wisely to avoid being tricked. The moral of these stories is not to rely on quick routes to fortune.

Banshees are often thought of as fearsome creatures that symbolise death. They’re said to appear as a female figure in a white cloak and cry to signify an imminent death. The story of banshees actually tells a less mystical truth. A banshee or a ‘bean sidhe’ (fairy woman) was the name given to ‘keeners’ who were women who sang at people’s funerals. It was thought that they could be mythological creatures, due to their beautiful singing voice.

The Pooka is an evil shape-shifting fairy who wreaks havoc on people at night. Pookas will take on the form of a horse to stampede people’s property and destroy buildings. They also tend to steal crops, which is why some farmers would allocate a section of their crops to the Pooka as a way of appeasing it. Pookas can also take the form of a human-like goblin. They will call out the name of their victims outside a house and wait for them to emerge. If they do come out, the pooka will kidnap them. If they don’t, the pooka will destroy their property outside. There is no clear meaning behind the legend of the pooka, but this creature most closely resembles the cross-cultural concept of a ‘bogeyman’.

The Fomorians or Fomori are a supernatural race in Irish mythology, who are often portrayed as hostile and monstrous beings. Originally they were said to come from under the sea or the earth. Later, they were portrayed as sea raiders and giants. They are enemies of Ireland's first settlers and opponents of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the other supernatural race in Irish mythology; although some members of the two races have offspring.

Art credit: Romane Weiss on ArtStation

Sidhe (fairies or ‘faeries’ in the more traditional spelling) are one of the most recognisable Irish mythological creatures, since they’re present in many different cultures. In Irish folklore, fairies are divided into two groups: seelie fairies and unseelie fairies. Seelie fairies have a friendly demeanour and are helpful to humans. Unseelie fairies are evil and tend to terrorise humans. Most fairies are said to live in naturally beautiful locations that haven’t been built on by humans, such as forests and meadows. They have magical powers and use these for good and mischief. Fairies are often used as the explanation for strange goings on, such as items going missing.

Merrow is a mermaid or merman in Irish folklore. The merrows supposedly require a magical cap in order to travel between deep water and dry land. They are also believed to collect the souls of those who drown at sea, and keep them on display in their homes.

Art credit: Shannon Freeman on Behance