Happy International Women's Day! Legendary Women In Irish Mythology

CultureHistory

written by Lulu O'Sullivan7 March, 2024

Hi Everyone. Happy International Women’s Day from all of us here at The Irish Store! I hope I find you all well. Time to go back to stuff of Irish mythology and Irish legends this week. In this world, female figures are very much to the fore and their stories continue to fascinate to this day. Here’s a few of my favorite famous Irish women in mythology.

Women in Irish Mythology

1. Macha

This ancient goddess of Irish mythology appears in many forms and is associated with war, sovereignty and horses. The city of Armagh takes its name from Macha. Armagh is an anglicized version of the Irish, Ard Macha, which means ‘the heights of Macha’.

Macha also has strong links to Navan Fort, the ancient capital and seat of the high kings of Ulster. Its Irish name is Eamhain Mhacha meaning ‘twins of Macha’ and refers to the story where Macha as wife of Cruinniuc, was forced to race against the King of Ulster’s horses while heavily pregnant. She wins the race and gives birth to twins. She then curses the men of Ulster for 9 generations to come, saying they will be cursed with a great weakness at their time of need.

2. Queen Maedbh

Next up we have Ireland’s ultimate warrior queen. She became Queen Maedbh of Connaught when her father gifted her with the western Irish province. Maedbh had many husbands and no man could become king of Connaught unless they were married to Maedbh. She is famously associated with “The Cattle Raid of Cooley”( Táin Bó Cuailnge).

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Insisting on equal wealth with her husband Aillil, she went in search of a prize bull after discovering that Aillil was the owner of an impressive white horned bull whcih she could not match. After searching Ireland for a bull to match that of her husband, she set her sights on the Brown Bull of Cooley. She eventually smuggled the prize bull back to Connaught after many bloody battles involving her army and the mighty Cuchulainn.

3. Aine

Happy International Women's Day! Legendary Women In Irish Mythology - The Irish Store (3)

Aine is the goddess of sun, summer and wealth in Irish mythology. She is also associated with love and fertility with power over animals and crops. Geographically, she is most closely associated with County Limerick and the hill of Knockaineywhich takes its name from the Irish Cnoc Áine. As recently as 1879, the hill was the site of rituals honoring the goddess Aine to bless the land and ensure successful crops.

4. Brigid

Before the arrival of Christianity and Ireland’s famous St. Brigid, there was Brigid the goddess. In Irish Mythology, the goddess Brigid (or Brighid, Brigit or Brid meaningexalted one)is the daughter of The Dagda (the Good God)and the wife of Bres, a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

She is central in the celebration of the ancient Celtic festival of Imbolc and is known as the goddess of healing, poetry and arts and crafts-especially blacksmithing. As a healing goddess she was believed to be present to watch over the birth of every child. Her healing wells can still be found in Ireland to this day. She is also strongly associated with fire and is regarded as a guardian of the home and the hearth.

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5. The Banshee

We end on a decidedly dark note with Ireland’s female version of the Grim Reaper. The Irish – Bean-Sidhe means ‘Faerie woman’. She usually appears as an old woman with long gray hair, dressed in black with eyes red from crying. The Banshee heralds the imminent death at the home of the soon to be deceased with her terrifying wailing. She does not cause the death but rather gives warning in order for the family to prepare.

As ever, thanks so much for joining me to discover these wonderful stories of Ireland.

Shop our full collection ofAran Sweaters,Irish Jewelry,Irish giftsandIrish Homeware below.

Take care of yourselves and each other,

Slán go fóill!

Lulu.

Irish mythology

Lulu O'Sullivan

Hi everyone. I'm Lulu O Sullivan and I founded The Irish Store in 2011 fuelled by my passion for all things Irish; its places, its people, its culture and its craft. At The Irish Store we are dedicated to bringing you, our worldwide community of valued customers, the very finest Ireland has to offer. Thanks for dropping by!

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33 comments

Maureen4 September, 2020 - 6:27 pm

I love to learn about Irish history.

Lulu O'Sullivan7 September, 2020 - 10:36 am

Hi Maureen,

Nice to hear from you. Thanks for reading!

Kind regards,

Lulu

Kimberly Wanzer8 March, 2023 - 11:55 pm

My Irish grandmum lived in Ireland til she died in 1979 all these strong women in Irish history . it’ s a good lesson for all of us with Irish heritage…thanks for sharing

Lulu O'Sullivan9 March, 2023 - 11:09 am

Thanks so much Kimberley for reading,

Kind regards,

Lulu

laurie sommers11 September, 2020 - 1:09 pm

Thank you so much love to hear about my ancestry and always good to know a banshee isn’t what everybody portrays it as

Lulu O'Sullivan11 September, 2020 - 3:33 pm

Thanks so much Laurie. Glad you enjoyed the blog!

Take care,

Lulu.

Joyce Morgan11 September, 2020 - 1:26 pm

Service and quality excellent. 5 stars

Lulu O'Sullivan11 September, 2020 - 3:34 pm

That’s so kind of you Joyce. Thank you for your lovely feedback.

Much appreciated!

Take care,

Lulu

Eileen Chisari11 September, 2020 - 2:30 pm

My Mom was born and lived in Ireland as a young woman. She frequently mentioned the Banshee. In fact, b4 she went to bed and stayed there, she got a second wind and got up from the chair herself and basically RAN around the living room here and there. I was chasing her afraid she was gonna fall. She kept dodging me and told me the Banshee was after her! LOL. Banshee is #5 below. It freaked me out. She died two days later. I never really looked it up but this explains it.

Lulu O'Sullivan11 September, 2020 - 3:36 pm

Hi Eileen,

I had similar stories about the banshee from my grandmother!

Thanks for reading!

Take good care,

Lulu

Cindy McClure11 September, 2020 - 2:35 pm

Hi, Lulu!
I love all the beautiful pictures and history you share of Ireland and its beautiful countryside. I have always known I had an Irish ancestry, but learned last year through Ancestry.com that I am 42% Irish/Scottish. What I’ve read through my research is that there was a lot of migration back and forth from Ireland to Scotland. My Mother’s maiden name is O’Connell, and my Father is a McClure. So all the history you share means a great deal to me. Thank you so much for sharing with the world. I really enjoy reading about Ireland.

Lulu O'Sullivan11 September, 2020 - 3:38 pm

Oh thank you so much Cindy. That kind of feedback really makes it all worthwhile!

I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog and it’s great to have your virtual company!

Take good care,

Lulu

Joseph O'Neill11 September, 2020 - 2:39 pm

Hi LULU, Thank you for the gift you sent me a while back I really enjoyed it. Looking forward doing business with you in again.

Lulu O'Sullivan11 September, 2020 - 3:39 pm

My pleasure Joseph. I’m so glad you liked it!

Thanks so much for choosing The Irish Store!

Best regards,

Lulu

Katie Roberts11 September, 2020 - 3:50 pm

Thank you, Lulu. I love the stories & images you include in your newsletters. Well done!

Lulu O'Sullivan17 September, 2020 - 10:26 am

Hi Katie

Well thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment! So glad you’re enjoying the blog.

Take care,

Lulu.

Helen Mitchell11 September, 2020 - 3:51 pm

I loved the stories of the Irish ladies, I loved in Co. Tyrone for a few years,with 2 of my children born there. I have had quite a few items from you, with my latest the Claddagh bracelet, it is gorgeous. Many thanks Lulu

Lulu O'Sullivan17 September, 2020 - 10:24 am

Hi Helen.

Lovely to hear from you. So glad you like the bracelet. Thanks for choosing The Irish Store!

Kind regards,

Lulu

Sandi11 September, 2020 - 7:59 pm

this was awesome….so nice to read about the goddesses…thank you for sharing….by the way…I absolutely love your shop…I live in America and have already become a new customer
Sandi

Lulu O'Sullivan17 September, 2020 - 10:22 am

Thanks so much Sandi. So glad you enjoyed the blog and welcome to the Irish Store community!

Best regards,

Lulu

Timothy19 September, 2020 - 8:45 pm

Ms. O’Sullivan,

Many thanks for the information on the Irish Women in Mythology. I have copied this and will be sharing this with 11 year old granddaughter, Olivia. I want her and her younger brother Logan to know their heritage and that they come from a great and gentle people. I will also include the stories of Queen Boudicca and Neasa.

Thank you again and stay safe and healthy.

Timothy O’Donnell

Lulu O'Sullivan21 September, 2020 - 7:52 am

Hi Tim,

Thanks so much for your lovely comments. I hope Olivia enjoys it!

Take good care,

Lulu

Isabel Robinson Olsen9 March, 2022 - 1:49 am

Your descriptions of these historical or mythological women adds so much to the Irish mystique which your sweaters and the country of Ireland personify. Thank you.

Lulu O'Sullivan10 March, 2022 - 5:05 pm

Thanks so much for your lovely comments Isabel. So glad you enjoyed the blog.

Thanks for reading!

Kind regards,

Lulu.

Terri Pilon9 March, 2023 - 12:22 am

Lulu: Greetings from Canada. I so enjoy reading your blog. The stories are always interesting and the pictures are beautiful. My husband and I have been saying for some time now that we would so like to take a trip to Ireland, but we never seem to make it happen. My family background is mostly of Scottish descent, but I have a nice dusting of Irish and Welsh thrown in for good measure.
I also want to thank you for the outstanding products you have on your website. My husband and I have many of your sweaters as well as housewares, crystal etc. You are my “go to” place for gifts. My favourite sweater is the Comeragh Aran Turtleneck. I have both colours. Is there a chance you could produce it in other colours as well? I’m really partial to that gorgeous royal blue of my McConnell Shangarry Aran Sweater.
With warm regards
Terri Pilon 🇨🇦

Lulu O'Sullivan9 March, 2023 - 12:04 pm

Hi Terri,

Wow, what wonderful feedback to receive-thank you so much! You have great taste-The Comeragh Aran is gorgeous and we will be looking to stock new colors for our fall/winter collection so watch this space!

Thanks so much for choosing The Irish Store-it really means alot!

Kind regards,

Lulu.

Susan Theresa Tomlinson9 March, 2023 - 1:32 am

Hello Lulu! Thank you for the lovely choices you make sharing the beauty of the Emerald Isle through photos and also it’s rich history with us all! Our pastor here in the states is Irish American and returns yearly to stay with cousins near Killybegs. This spring my husband are cruising around 9 Irish ports with the Norwegian Star. We are so excited! My grandfather came to America at 12 yrs. of age with his 4 other brothers and sisters in the 1880s. My dad was his youngest son of 8 children. From limited records I have, he was from Belina not far from our Killybegs port and Sligo, too, which you mentioned as a favorite spot for you. My husband has been surprising me with some jewelry from your store over the past few years. I now own five of your wonderful sweaters, too. Each one becomes my new favorite. Is it possible to have 5 favorites? If the schedule permits, I want to find your Dublin shop and stop in. Please know, I will be wearing some of your lovely sweaters as we visit our Irish port cities. Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Lulu O'Sullivan9 March, 2023 - 11:26 am

Hi Susan,

I am so delighted you’re enjoying the blogs and that you share my love of Ireland! I think it’s completely fine to have 5 favorites! Your cruise sounds so exciting! I hope you have a wonderful time and no doubt you’ll be looking great in your sweaters from The Irish Store! Just to let you know we don’t have a physical store in Dublin-we are based there but we only trade online. Thanks so much for choosing The Irish Store – it means so much. Happy St.Patrick’s Day to you too and safe travels!

Kind regards,

Lulu.

Steven Mckee9 March, 2023 - 2:01 pm

Great blog! Hope to come to Ireland some day. Love hearing about the strong women of Irish myth and history. Thanks for writing.

Lulu O'Sullivan9 March, 2023 - 3:41 pm

Hi Steven,

Thanks so much -so glad you enjoyed the blog. I hope you get the chance to come visit us soon!

Kind regards,

Lulu.

Sharon Rooney9 March, 2023 - 9:57 pm

Enjoyed reading the snapshots of 3 mythical women. I will look further into their tales.

Lulu O'Sullivan10 March, 2023 - 8:07 am

So glad you enjoyed it Sharon. Thanks for reading,

Kind regards,

Lulu.

Trisha McGuire7 March, 2024 - 3:48 pm

I loved these stories. The only one I knew was St. Bridget. Thank you!

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Happy International Women's Day! Legendary Women In Irish Mythology - The Irish Store (2024)

Women in Irish Mythology

1. Macha

2. Queen Maedbh

3. Aine

4. Brigid

5. The Banshee

Lulu O'Sullivan

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