A man is bringing leprechauns into the 21st century, despite many people having lost belief.
The best estimates suggest there are only 236 leprechauns left in Ireland.
Leprechaun Whisperer Kevin Woods said the creatures are spirits who show themselves to him in a form that he's comfortable with.
Known locally in Co Louth as 'McCoillte', he secured European Union protection for them in 2009.
Mr Woods told Moncrieff how he sees them has changed.
"They're actually spirits and they show themselves to me in the image that I want to see them in," he said.
"I used to see them as old, bearded men - now I see them as children.
"Their spirit used to be attached to the human spirit; many people after The Famine in 1845 they went to America, Australia, Canada, all these places.
"They brought the spirit of the leprechaun with them to these countries, and then as people started making more money... they stopped believing and the spirit of the leprechaun died in them.
"As a consequence of that there are only 264 left and they asked me could I get them protected as species - and I did in 2009."
The EU Habitats Directive Notice in Carlingford, Co Louth. Image: Kevin WoodsMr Woods has also set up a production company, Carlichauns Entertainment, and is currently working on projects with children's TV veteran Tim Patterson.
"I've ended up in the last year... developing a new series bringing carlichauns and leprechauns into the 21st century," he said.
"It's 26, 11-minute animated adventures; we brought it to the Cannes MIP - it's a kids festival - last October where all the buyers come from all over the world.
"[We] set up meetings with Nickelodeon, Disney and CBS - so that's where we're at," he added.
Mr Woods said he is also preparing to pass his gift on after his own death.
