The Sidhe - The Fair Folk
The supernatural race dwelling in the hollow hills, remnants of ancient gods.
The Sidhe (pronounced 'shee') are the fairy folk who retreated into the hollow hills when humans came. Once the Tuatha Dé Danann, these powerful beings demand respect and offerings at liminal times. To offend them brings misfortune; to honor them brings blessing.
Never speak ill of the Good Folk, for they hear all and forget nothing.
The Sidhe represent the Celtic relationship with the supernatural forces of the land.
Irish Folk Tradition
Written about in
- What Celtic tradition says about what to say and what to leave unsaid
The most explicit rule about silence in Irish folklore concerns the Good Folk: do not speak ill of them, because they hear everything and forget nothing. The practical version — say nothing about the powerful that you could not stand behind for years — outlives the belief.