Chasing Leprechauns

The film begins with Michael Garrett returning from a successful job in Australia, only to be immediately dispatched by his boss, Mr. Thorpe, to Ballyglenn, Ireland. Thorpe Industries has purchased land for a smelting plant, but construction cannot begin until a local 'leprechaun inspector' signs a certificate stating the area is unoccupied by the 'little people.' Michael arrives in Ireland and is immediately met with the town's quirky nature, getting lost and being guided by a friendly local named Sheamus. He meets the Mayor and Patrick Doyle, a greedy businessman, who direct him to the local expert: Sarah Cavanaugh, who also runs the town pub. Michael's initial attempt to bribe Sarah into signing the certificate fails miserably, as she takes her role seriously and finds his corporate arrogance insulting. Staying at a B&B run by the gossipy Evelyn, Michael experiences strange occurrences, like his keys disappearing and finding pine cones in his bed, which the locals attribute to the leprechauns. Sarah eventually agrees to inspect the land but refuses to sign the permit after claiming she can hear the leprechauns 'tapping' in the forest. Under pressure from Thorpe, Michael tries to 'become Irish' to gain the town's favor, participating in Gaelic football and dressing in local wool. He and Sarah begin to bond, culminating in a romantic picnic where they recite Yeats together. However, the relationship sours when Sarah discovers Michael is still carrying the certificate, feeling he is only using her for the deal. Meanwhile, Patrick Doyle tries to subvert Sarah by bringing in a fake expert from Galway, but he is mysteriously hospitalized after a frightening encounter with what he believes are leprechauns. The town is struck by tragedy when Sheamus, Michael's mentor, passes away. At the funeral, Michael realizes how much he has come to care for the community. Inspired by a story Sheamus told him about King Solomon, Michael proposes a compromise: the company will build the plant on the clear land but preserve the forest as a protected recreational area for the leprechauns. Thorpe agrees to the redesign, and Michael decides to quit his life as a traveling fixer to stay in Ballyglenn as the plant manager. The film ends with Michael gifting Evelyn a trip to New York and officially starting a relationship with Sarah, while the leprechauns play one final prank on his car.