- Ever since the Tuatha Dé Danann agreed to abandon the sun-ruled land to humans, faeries have made their homes in underground places, emerging only after the moon has ushered mortals to bed. Anthropologists claim that the good people take their name, Aes Sídhe (Folk of the Hillock or Mound) from the large earthen mounds, or sídh, in which they dwell; but faeries actually have diverse tastes in domiciles and dark, earthen mounds are not in particular favor. Some dwell in the clefts of hills, some in deep mountain caves or in shallow ones near and beneath the sea; some prefer wild strewn rocks and others secluded glens. From humans, faeries have inherited old castles, deserted graveyards, ruined churches and the tombs of anchient warriors. But as human have become more numerous, faeries have retreated from mortal habitations and sought the seclusion of distant Atlantic islands ans unsurpassable mountain ranges. Many emigrated to America to explore new frontiers, but when these diminished the faeries moved on.
Most
land faeries dwell within raths (also called lisses, forths and forts)
which are circular areas of half an acre or so enclosed by stone fortifications.
In the ancient days when they lived above ground as warrior-gods, the good
people constructed them as defences against foes and as retreats in which
to play their music and create their poems.- From any fort one can see the next a mile or so to the to his left and another in the same distance to his right. Underground passages link them all, so that if a man was brave enough he could walk the lenght of Ireland without seeing the light of day. It is said that if a man were to sleep within the rath itself, his mortal spirit would be taken away and that of an old Tuatha Dé Danann warrior put in its place; thus would he know all the world's past. But his glory, though intense, would be rather short-lived. For once he has left the rath itself, his new-found knowledge would vanish and his wits dry up and scatter like leaves. Despite all obvious disadvantages, it is safer to enter a rath escorted by the Sídhe than to stumble in on one's own. An abducted guest will be regally entertained and has the hope of returning with all his faculties intact.
The
cave faeries have less intercourse with mortals than their hill-bound,
mortal-abducting brethren. In fact they are indifferent to mortal doings,
being far more interested in maintaining their reputation for fine horsemanship,
which they have held since the renowned times of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Caves are known to make excellent stables. Left in peace (they loathe being
disturbed by us newcomers) they are harmless, but their vengeance is devastating
and their tolerance questionable. Oftentimes, coming home late at night,
fishermen see them traversing the underwater, coral roads they have built
to link their cave homes. A wise fisherman will bow them the right of way
and make a note henceforth to avoid the area.- When faeries of all locations travel abroad, they most often make camp under a hawthorn tree. Under its branches they feel at home. On May Eve when the blossoms are open they leave their underground homes to dance wildly about the tree, daring mortals to join them. But May time (or indeed, any time) humans had best respect the Sídhe's sacred tree, for he who plucks a branch will fall helpless to the faerie power.
~Faerie
Locations~
Source: Carolyn White "A History of Irish Fairies"
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Background courtesy by Rowan
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