Local Leprechaun Visits School

It began as a dare. Patrick Athern's coworker dared him to come to work dressed at a leprechaun. If he took his coworker's dare, there was $1,000 in it for him. Athern earned that money. That was more than a decade ago, but Athern has not retired the suit. Quite the opposite. He had one custom made and dresses as a leprechaun every year and improves his own community.

Locally, the costume was an addition to something he was already doing. With five daughters - three in elementary school - Athern decided a long time ago to donate time to read at . It was an easy decision. Then, when a teacher mentioned in passing that a parent once dressed as Mrs. Clause to read to the class, Athern made another decision. He decided to wear the custom-made suit, come to the school as a leprechaun and read to the students.

"This is one of the few things I can do," he said.

He takes off work every year for the past three years to visit the schools and read a leprechaun-themed story to the kids.

"I love the looks on the kids' faces," he said.

When he read to Debbie Riley's second grade classroom Friday, his daughter Claire told students her father is, indeed, a read leprechaun.

"I asked a lot of people questions about it and I asked them, 'do you think my dad is a real leprechaun,' she said. "I want to show my class that he is a real leprechaun."

Claire is in second grade at Troy Crossroads, along with her twin sister Abby and older sister, third-grader, Emma.

Athern tells the students that unlike some of the leprechauns they might have heard about who are grumpy, he is a happy leprechaun. And, because of his upbeat personality, no one tries to steal his gold.

In addition to the local connection, Athern dons his green suit for a good cause. Eleven years ago, Athern joined Mulliganeers.com., a non-profit agency that has been around since 1995.

"Their motto is, 'giving kids a second chance,'" Athern said. "They raise funds for families that have gone through tragic things in their lives."