Midsummer madness - the leprechaun hysteria in Liverpool, 1964

In 1964, Liverpool experienced a brief leprechaun hysteria after children claimed to spot tiny figures in the city's parks. Rumours spread rapidly, drawing of youngsters hoping to catch a glimpse. The hysteria centred on Kensington and Kirkby. Though no evidence surfaced, the incident reflected the era's folklore fascination and youthful imagination, becoming a quirky footnote in local history. 

Our speaker Dr Mike Benbough-Jackson is a senior lecturer in History at Liverpool John Moores University. He has published on a variety of subjects in modern British history including the Bandicoot hoax of 1996 (Fortean Times March 2025).