Artemis Fowl

Colfer draws from a long tradition of Irish folklore for his worldbuilding in Artemis Fowl, painting his country as “the most magical place on the planet” (68).

In Irish folklore, fairies take their name from the grassy mounds characteristic of the Irish landscape. According to folklore, fairies are thought to live underneath the mounds; in Colfer’s novel, fairies live underground as well. Colfer draws explicitly from Irish legend as his narration recounts the existence of the “ancient fairy race, the Dé Danann” and their battle “against the demon Fomorians, carving the famous Giants’ Causeway with the strength of their magical blasts” (69). The Tuatha Dé Danann refer to a real-life pantheon of Irish deities of the same name, who also battled the Fomorians and claimed Ireland for themselves from the demonic giants.

According to Irish folklore, few people are able to spot the fairies. Colfer further explains this idea in the novel: the Lower Elements Police ensure that humans are unaware of their existence by “mind-wiping” them if they do happen to come across one of “the People.” While fairies may exist in other places, the author connects Ireland explicitly to these sightings; in Ireland, “the Mud people were most in tune with magic, which resulted in a far higher People-sighting rate than you got anywhere else on the planet” (69). Additionally, many myths and legends explain what to do when one encounters a fairy, which may have influenced Colfer’s decision to create “the Book,” the set of rules that govern fairy life.

Ultimately, Colfer uses Irish folklore, heritage, and literature to engage readers with a new kind of story about fairies. He utilizes elements that may be familiar to his readers, such as leprechauns, but brings these folkloric creatures into modern times. Middle grade readers who recall the myths, folklore, and fairy tales of their childhood may see the world of Artemis Fowl as readily accessible to them. Furthermore, Colfer updates these myths by incorporating science and technology into his story. The environmental concerns in the story connect with modern conflicts and may engage readers as well, connecting ancient myths to modern-day concerns.