The word "Ireland" conjures up various images in the mind's eye: scenic countryside, a leisurely way of life, the inevitable lush green grass. Another aspect of Ireland, however, evident even to the most casual visitor, is the widespread and sincere belief in all supernatural beings. Not only do the Irish follow their religion with fervour, they are equally enthusiastic in their attitude to those other non- humans, the "little people". Through examination of Irish fairy figures, the chief sources of information about them (namely, the folk and fairy tales recorded from oral tradition), and modern evidence regarding attitudes to the fairy folk, and through comparison of these aspects with their counter parts in Europe and elsewhere, I shall attempt in this paper to offer some information about the little people of Ireland , and through this, to discover why the Irish, unlike other European nations, whose belief in their own fairy cultures has been subject to "enlightened" attitudes, have maintained a healthy respect of, and affection for, the "wee folk".