A fairy (also ‘elf’, ‘sylph’, ‘deva’, ‘mite’ or ‘nymph’- thought these are not the same beings) is a type of legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural, or preternatural. Some think they are the ghosts of departed Druids. Fairies are magical creatures with human appearance, small stature, magical powers, and a penchant for trickery. They are secretive on the whole but can be conjured or, if malevolent, warded off by specific rites or rituals.

The Tuath(a) Dé Danann (pronounced ‘too-ah day donnum’) are a race of supernaturally-gifted people and many tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann refer to these beings as fairies. The Tuatha Dé Danann were spoken of as having come from islands in the north of the world or, in other sources, from the sky. After being defeated in a series of battles with other otherworldly beings, they withdrew to the sídhe (fairy mounds), where they lived on as "fairies." These fairies, if that’s what they are, are associated with several Otherworld realms including Mag Mell (the Pleasant Plain), Mag Argatnél (the silver-cloud plain), Mag Ildathach (the multicoloured plain) and Tir na nÓg (the Land of Youth).

To be clear, Spirit fairies and Soul faeries are two entirely separate races: ‘fairy’ comes from the Latin fatum, or fate. Fairies are young group Spirits, Beings of Light and pure Spirit. They evolve into higher levels of Light through loving service; ‘faery’ comes from the Gaelic fear shidhe, pronounced ‘far hee,’ meaning ‘man of the shee.’ Likewise, banshee comes from bean sidhe, ‘woman of the shee.’ Sidhe or sí both mean ‘faery mound.’ It’s where they lived, not who they are. Faeries remain a proud and prickly people – quick to take offence and to avenge a perceived insult. They are, in fact, extremely angry with humans. They hate being confused with Spirit fairies. They fear the destruction of their realm by a darkness that they believe was sent by humans. They resent being belittled in folklore and forgotten.