I originally picked this topic because I was surprised by the similarities I saw in the way Leprechauns are represented in Ireland and the US. Through this project I wanted to discover how the image of the leprechaun came up in everyday life in Ireland, mainly Dublin. I knew that in the States the leprechaun was used as something that could emphasize Ireland, and in the States we see leprechauns as mainly as mascots, marketing tools, and to some extent children entertainment. I was surprised to discover its role in Ireland was very similar.
While I did find many similarities, throughout this process I also learned a lot about leprechauns and their significance in Ireland. I visited the National Leprechaun Museum on two separate occasions. Not only did I find a lot of my images there, but I also learned a lot, from old folklore legends to when the leprechaun was introduced to America.
I think if I was to expand this visual ethnography to a larger project of research, I would focus more on the marketing role of leprechauns. I would be interested in a more comparative approach, including pictures not only from Ireland but America as well.
I had a lot of fun gathering images for this visual ethnography. At first I was worried about collecting enough photos, but there was always something or someone new to photograph. Doing this project providing me with a certain lens with which to view the city; I was always on the lookout for anything leprechaun. It reminded me to do more than just walk through the streets, I was not only aware of my surroundings but also noticing and processing the people, buildings, and things around me.
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