Sióg (plural sióga) describes the fairy folk in a register that is lighter and more domestic than the grand mythological sídhe, suggesting small, nimble, and capricious supernatural beings rather than the solemn immortals of the great tales. In folk tradition sióga are blamed for changelings, sudden illness, and inexplicable misfortune, but they also haunt beautiful places — fairy forts, ancient trees, still pools — with an enchantment that poets found irresistible. The word was useful to Revival poets such as Nora Hopper Chesson who sought to populate Irish landscapes with an atmosphere of delicate supernatural presence rather than heroic myth.

Sióg is the Irish word for fairy, used in poetry to invoke the supernatural world in a more intimate or diminutive way. It suggests small, delicate beings associated with specific natural features. Poets use sióg to explore the whimsical and mysterious aspects of folklore. The sióg is less formidable than the aos sí, often interacting with humans in playful or tricky ways. It represents the pervasive presence of the magical in everyday life. Understanding sióg helps interpret the lighter, more folkloric elements of Irish verse.