Irish Myth and Legend

        The Power of Celtic Women in Myths and Legend

                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                       ‘From the rising of the sun to its setting’, the land and waters, people and creatures of Ireland, have been blessed by powerful women.  Women who visited the fields, rivers, and hilltops to protect and nurture.  Women who have supreme power to encourage fertility, aid, and justice.  Women who have heartfelt gifts which inspire poetry and music, healing and understanding.  Women whose gift to the people was sovereignty. 

The white taper in Isolde’s window held a tall, determined flame which 

always drew her close to Brigid.  Looking out, she saw misty snow covering the tree barks, and stone pathways to her favorite retreats.  On this eve, she would be content to summon her friend,  

 Brigid, the daughter, the lover, the goddess of Dagda. 

 Depending on the version told, Brigid was illusive and ever present, as she was the mother, mentor, and teacher to so many.  Her maternal qualities are warm and loving, giving her the title of Goddess of the Hearth and Home.  She is the water, the soil, and the sun.  She nurtures and protects.  Her cloak is a verdant patchwork of Ireland itself.  Her fiery red hair and blue eyes are beauty personified.  Isolde adores her and her tales from the past. 

She was present when the tribe arrived in Ireland and witnessed the first battle called Mag Tiered, Irish Plains or Moytura (which also means lament or sadness).  It was the battle against the tribe, Fir Bolg.  Then, there was the second battle against the Fomorians. Because Brigid was the poet, she kept all the sadness in her heart…how Nuada lost his arm and declared that he should no longer be king.  

Brigid married the beautiful Formorian prince, named Bres. This created an alliance of peace and unity between the tribes.  

Brigid played her harp in the very room where Nuada sought healing for his hand and arm.  Her father and son died in the last battle.  Brigid rushed to the battlefield to mourn them.  From her lips came a loud lament known as keening.  This act was the first-time sorrow had been displayed in Ireland, and gave birth a solemn tradition.  Henceforth, Irish women would ‘keen’ at the graves of their dead.

When Bres proved to be a weak leader Brigid guided her people from the shadows.   She was a strong woman. Even today she moves in the shadows for so many.   

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Isolde thought about Brigid, and yearned to be inspired, for her to be a mantra for her muse now.  Isolde began thinking about the strong women who came before.  She wanted to think about how they inspired and influenced Ireland.  Hoping to give them the justice they deserved, she would start writing at the beginning.

Dipping her quill into her ink well , she began…..

Danu…. Mother Goddess of the Tuatha De Danaan tribe ~ the mother of all other women.  Enui, an original daughter of the tribe was famous for her courageous stand against Donn mac Miled, leader of the Milesians when they attacked.  A Milesian poet, stepped in and helped make the arrangement that the isle would bear her name.  This, “holding of the throne,” as guardian and sovereign until a future king could be named, proved symbolic.   Erin, the fairest land under the sun and moon and personified by a woman!

There were women like Danu, Erui and Boann who remained in the shadows yet influenced legend and myth.  Then there were women like Brigid who quietly appeared through the veils of time teaching, encouraging, and nurturing through the ages.  

Why had the Irish given women such power over the land and its people? The Goddesses of Sovereignty were numerous.  They often had the last word in naming the authority of the land.  

 Morrigan, the Goddess of War and Death, was so powerful yet ellusive. Some say she was the wife of Dagda, Father of the Tuatha de Danaan.   She really took on three forms.  She is a black crow who oversaw and directed war.  As “Phantom Queen”, she saw to the prosperity and sovereignty of the land. 

In some stories Morrigan is Badb, the “battle crow.” Badb would scream and wail to terrify her enemies, in a similar way to the Beansidhe or Banshee, and was known to appear as a ‘washer at the ford’, washing the armor of those who would fall in battle. She would be seen on the battlefield before war as a harbinger of the fate to come, and would take an active part in the battle, striking fear into the hearts of her enemies. She would create confusion amongst the soldiers and instigate chaos.  As Neaim, she flew over the battlefield in a frenzy, freaking out the enemy. 

Isolde smiled as she recalled the Morrigan’s third form.  Macha.  She appeared as a hag whispering in ears, causing drama and conflict, and could prophesy death and war.

Macha could be beautiful as she was in the story where she appeared first as a red horse teasing the cattle owner in Ulster of her skill in running.  Cruinniuc was so infatuated by her that he took her as a wife.  Then he bragged to the king of her skill.  King Connor, who had planned a feast decided to have Macha, who was then pregnant with twins, compete in a race with his royal horses.  Forced to perform, Macha suffered great pain and gave birth to the babies during the race.  Humiliated and angered she put a curse on all the men of Ulster for nine generations.  The curse was that they would not be able to overcome pain in their worst time of need.  Her curse showed punishment for disrespecting a woman and showed how kings with bad judgement would have disastrous reigns.  Macha taught respect and dignity for life, and punishment for those who humiliated people with a good heart. 

Medb Lethderg, Goddess of Sovereignty at Tara was Queen of Leinster.   She was wife of nine successive kings including Conn of One Hundred Battles, and Cormac mac Airt.  All could not be considered King until she slept with them!  

Queen Medb of Connacht, who many believe emanated from the first, had the same dauntless and commanding qualities of sex and power. She was a person not to be messed with!  She was larger than life in myth and legend, becoming the personification of the land, making it fertile.   King Conchobar mac Ness became her first victim.  Through her wiles of sexuality and intellect she became his queen.  Moving on she married King Ailill Mor of Connaught and raised a huge army to fight the Ulster Red Branch. Medb was a fierce warrior queen, who ultimately stands in her grave facing her Ulster enemies!

The Goddess Aine had an aura which was that of a faerie queen. She possessed love, inspiration, and dignity like her sister Brigid before her.

  Aine, also known as “sweetheart of the sidhe”, was very beautiful and many a mortal man fell under her enchantments.  King Ailill of Munster was one, and when he tried to rape her, she bit off his ear!  Later she rendered him unfit to be king.  Another man of stature, an Earl, insulted her and she turned him into a goose!  Her pronouncements were a lesson to men that women were to be loved and respected.

 As seen in so many tales Aine’s actions could both grant and remove sovereignty to men. 

Aine had also gained the reputation of Queen of the fae.   She loved and nutured the land of Erin.  She guarded the cattle and crops at night and tended the farmer’s fields in the summer.  The people adored her. 

Isolde recalled the ancient story of Aine’s sister Grainne, Goddess of Darkness and Light.  Grainne fell in love with the God of the Underworld named Donn.  She goes to him with seeds of light hoping for the promise of life.  He accepts them, while knowing that they are from the world of the Sun.  Together, they celebrate unity and love.  They nurture the seeds and make them grow.  

The people of Ireland honor her as Queen of the Springtime and realize her sovereignty.  She trusted a power different than her own and bravely compromised to create a new gift.  

Grainne later is seen in the famous legend with her lover Diarmuid.  She was the daughter of the famous King Cormac mac Airt.  Finn mac Cool, the valiant leader of the Fianna having lost his wife searched the princess out because she was believed to be the most beautiful woman in all of Ireland.  The King agreed to hold a feast where the two could meet.  During the meal, Grainne was besotted by Finn’s friend, Diamuid, a young and very handsome warrior.  She put a guise over him and that two escape together as lovers.  In this tale, Grainne follows her own heart and chooses her own destiny.  Another lesson to the women of Ireland.  She shows that it is all right for women to feel and act on their desires.  Women had power in the Celtic myths.

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The moon was waning, surrendering to the early hours of a black night.  Isolde yawned, satisfied with the words in her journal.  Women in the years to come would learn about these wise and courageous women of the myths and legends; the Goddesses of the Tuatha de Danann, the Queens of early Erin.  The love and the intelligence that they possessed, became the power and sovereignty of the culture.   The soil in Ulster near Armagh, that once were the holy temples and forts.  Even today they breathe the tales. 

 Emain Macha, which means twins of Macha is a site there visited by people who appreciate the history.  Knackainey Hill in County Limerick is visited regularly to honor Aine especially in summer when the meadowsweet grows in the hills and fields that surround it.  The Goddess Aine is believed to be the “the best hearted woman that ever lived”.  The Hill of Tara visited so often by Medb and Morrigan still a location honored by so many.  Loop-Head Cave near Sligo is believed to be one of the hide-outs used by Grainne and Diarmuid….so like the lover’s cave Isolde and Tristan shared. 

The flame at her window would burn all night long, Isolde promised.  She had visited the monastery at Kildare where the priestesses watched over a perpetual flame.  Isolde recalled having talked with Brigid, the woman who worshipped the Christian God and the Virgin Mother of peace.  The abbot, Brigid allowed priestesses to honor the Goddess Brigid, which was her namesake, the one whose name meant fiery arrow.  She, who protected the herds and the fruitful harvest.  She who stood for peace and justice.  Brigid burned the ritual fires just as her namesake before her, for light and truth and love.

                                                   

The people of Ireland honor her as Queen of the Springtime and realize her sovereignty.  She trusted a power different than her own and bravely compromised to create a new gift.  

Grainne later is seen in the famous legend with her lover Diarmuid.  She was the daughter of the famous King Cormac mac Airt.  Finn mac Cool, the valiant leader of the Fianna having lost his wife searched the princess out because she was believed to be the most beautiful woman in all of Ireland.  The King agreed to hold a feast where the two could meet.  During the meal, Grainne was besotted by Finn’s friend, Diamuid, a young and very handsome warrior.  She put a guise over him and that two escape together as lovers.  In this tale, Grainne follows her own heart and chooses her own destiny.  Another lesson to the women of Ireland.  She shows that it is all right for women to feel and act on their desires.  Women had power in the Celtic myths.

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The moon was waning, surrendering to the early hours of a black night.  Isolde yawned, satisfied with the words in her journal.  Women in the years to come would learn about these wise and courageous women of the myths and legends; the Goddesses of the Tuatha de Danann, the Queens of early Erin.  The love and the intelligence that they possessed, became the power and sovereignty of the culture.   The soil in Ulster near Armagh, that once were the holy temples and forts.  Even today they breathe the tales. 

 Emain Macha, which means twins of Macha is a site there visited by people who appreciate the history.  Knackainey Hill in County Limerick is visited regularly to honor Aine especially in summer when the meadowsweet grows in the hills and fields that surround it.  The Goddess Aine is believed to be the “the best hearted woman that ever lived”.  The Hill of Tara visited so often by Medb and Morrigan still a location honored by so many.  Loop-Head Cave near Sligo is believed to be one of the hide-outs used by Grainne and Diarmuid….so like the lover’s cave Isolde and Tristan shared. 

The flame at her window would burn all night long, Isolde promised.  She had visited the monastery at Kildare where the priestesses watched over a perpetual flame.  Isolde recalled having talked with Brigid, the woman who worshipped the Christian God and the Virgin Mother of peace.  The abbot, Brigid allowed priestesses to honor the Goddess Brigid, which was her namesake, the one whose name meant fiery arrow.  She, who protected the herds and the fruitful harvest.  She who stood for peace and justice.  Brigid burned the ritual fires just as her namesake before her, for light and truth and love.

 Blue Princess, Illustrious Queen

                            A closer look at Gormflaith

Gormflaith ingen Muchada O’Faelain

was born in Naas, Kildare Co, Ireland in 960 AD. She was a beautiful Celtic princess with long black hair and deep blue eyes.  Her father was Flann Sinna, the High King of Leinster Ireland.  Surely, as a child she must have been groomed for the life as a royal, for she went on to take what is recorded in the annals of Erin, “three leaps”!  She married three reputable and historical kings!  The first marriage was to the Viking King of Dublin, Olaf Cuaran, and became mother to the future Ostman, King Sigtrygg, better known as “Silkbeard”.

She also had a daughter, Muire ingen Muchada, who inherited Gormflaith’s beauty but not so much her cunning.

(In my book, “Waves of Love”, Gormflaith”s daughter, Muire was Maire’s mother.)

Both women became wives to Maul Sechnaill mac Domnell, better known as Malacky.  He was a member of the Ui Neill and High King of Mida.  To Him Gormflaith gave a son, Conn. 

 The last and most consequential marriage playing out with gusto in Irish Literature was to Brian Boru, King of Munster.

Some think Gormflaith died Boru’s widow, others think she went on to marry another.  Either way she was determined to get back at him for something. No one will ever really know whether the Munster king ignored her or how he treated her while he was busy gaining the tribes and cities of medieval Ireland.  She gave him two children as well.; Slaine ingen Brian, and Donnchad mac Briain.  Yet something surely went arye because  some believe her prying  had a lot to do why the Battle of Clondarf was fought in 1114.  Be it for revenge or because he had other motives, it is not clear, but in play which was written after she died , it had her throwing her brother’s tunic into a fire when she was asked to sew on a button.  She declared that he was a traitor because the tunic had been given to him by Brian Boru to earn his favor.  She shamed her brother and encouraged him to fight Boru in a war.  She must have seen manipulation and politics in the act and refused to give Boru Leinster approval.  The Viking Town of Dubflin (Dublin), was now a prime center for commerce and trade.  Boru was trying to maneuver his way into a relationship with the important gem port, through those who had friendship with the Ostmen.  

Like so many strong Irish women in myth and legend before her, Gormflaith understood politics and her prowess cunning was on display to affect it.  In the end, there was a war between the Kings of the North, South and East and although the Kings of Dublin did not prevail, Brian Boru died.

Ireland went back to a country with many lesser kings and chieftains.  Perhaps this would have suited Gormflaith.

Slieve Gullion

I am reading “The Yellow House, which is a novel written by Patricia Falvey.  It starts out in the shadows of Slieve Gullion, which is in County Armagh, in Northern Ireland.  Right away my own writer’s antennae went up!  The Mountain, which is the highest in the country, where it is said that on a clear day, one can see the Dublin and Bay and even Wicklow!  I visited the burial cairns in Northern Ireland a few years ago so it was easy to put myself there.  

Slieve Gullion triggered the stories that I have been retelling last summer for my new book, “Irish Myth and Legend, lest we forget.”  

Slieve Gullion is a worthy location, even today as two ancient burial monuments are located there on both sides of the lough.  The forest covered in heather and stone make it a breathtaking must-see. 

Slieve Gullion is a touchstone in Irish Mythology, similar to Tara and the hoy grounds which surround it such as The Hill of Slane.  Slieve Gullion was the place Fionn, (Finn) leader of the Fianna was ticked by Milucra, who some believe was really the ancient goddess, Cailleach Bhera.  Because Milucra’s sister, Aine and she both crushed on the leader of the King’s army, and because Aine had sworn never to marry a man with which hair, her sister put a curse on the lake on the mountain.  The spell made anyone who swam in the lake old.  Then using her woman’s charm, she convinced Finn to fetch the ring, she supposed dropped into it.

From that time on he wore a head of white.  

Another tale which had its setting on the mountain was the one which gave CuChulainn his name, he being the young man who 

was attacked by Culain’s hound.  King Conchobar mac Nessa’s home was located on Slieve Gullion and CuChulainn attended a feast there.

Finally, one of my favorite tales about the badass Irish Queen Medb of Connacht.  She was the character in the epic tale of “Cattle Reid of Cooley.”  She set out to steal the famous stud bull, Donn Cuailnge.  The tale happening, of course, in the Gap of the North which is in the mountain pass running through Slieve Gullion.  CuChulainn also appears in this as the defender of Ulster.

It seems the more I read and learn, words, people and landmarks from Irish Culture are called to the front. When I saw Slieve Gullion in my reading it nudged me to make connections.