I ran across an old book that really set me off on a new journey. the book is "Ulster Folklore" by Elizabeth Andrews, published in 1918, I think. There were a lot of local archaeology, or "Antiquities" groups scattered throuought Britain at the time, interested in their local histories. Her book is a result of several papers she gave, reporting interviews with locals about Ulster legends. She describes many stone structures, both above ground and below, that the locals connected to ancient "wee folk".What has me interested is that she believed that there was a race of pygmy-types scattered across Europe and their last stand was probably Ireland. She feels they may have pre-existed taller races (Celts) and eventually bred into the population, but after many years of strife and interaction. She mentions several discoveries of cultural and skeletal remains of very small people. I have begun to try to trace down some of these but there is mention of some in local museums or schools, but seem to have melted into the oblivion of history. I would like to discuss this further with anyone interested in finding a factual historical basis for the legends of the wee folk. Interestingly, she felt that the tales of the giants were actually folk tales circulated among the small people, and when they melded with the taller folk, all the tales coalesced into regional folklore. She has a fairly convincing argument that many of the specific individual giants, fairies, and other wee folk actually lived, and became figures of fable, such as Arthur, etc. Surprisingly, this book was re-issued in paperback in the 70's and there are many copies available.