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    Irish Folklore, Myth & Legend: The Goddess Ériu

    By Ruth O'Meara
    More by Ruth

    Irish Folklore

    Ireland is known for its rich tradition of folklore, mythologies and stories. Many of the stories were recorded in the great Annals or other significant tomes that recorded both history and story. Hidden in bogs and other hideaways as Cromwell’s English forces approached Ireland, torches at the ready to burn Ireland’s monasteries, monks saved the stories from obscurity through their ingenuity and courage.

    Other stories were simply passed down from generation to generation in the oral storytelling tradition. Many stories take on a legendary tinge, mixing fact and fancy. The story of the goddess Ériu is one such story, blending fact and fiction in the very best way.

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    The Tuatha Dé Danann

    Like Niamh Cinn Óir, Ériu came from the spiritual tribe of the Tuatha Dé Danann, although, unlike Niamh, she has no link to Tír na nÓg. As the stories relate, the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived on the west coast of Ireland through a mystical fog, recognised as powerful gods and goddesses whose origins were of an otherworldly realm (of note, “Dé” is the Irish word for god).

    In Irish folklore, the Tuatha Dé Danann were a tribe with magical abilities, led by both powerful male and female leaders. While they honoured the differences between men and women, there was great equality in their society, leaving room for powerful female leaders, rulers and goddesses.

    The Story of Ériu

    Goddess Sculpture atop the sacred Hills of Uisneach

    Goddess Sculpture atop the sacred Hills of Uisneach.

    It is said that Ériu and her sisters were asked to represent the Tuatha Dé Danann when meeting the Milesians, a rival race who arrived in Ireland long after the Tuatha Dé Danann, intent on dominating the country. A patriarchal society, the Milesians were led by their druid, Amergin.

    Ériu and her sisters, with their intuitive powers, sensed that the age of the Milesians was coming upon Ireland, and it was time for them to return through the spiritual veil. Amergin met the three sisters atop Uisneach, the sacred hill in the heart of Ireland, where they requested that Amergin name Ireland after them.

    Ériu’s sovereign presence and connection to the land greatly impacted Amergin. So he named the land after her, leaving their powerful feminine legacy embedded in the land for future generations to come. In Irish poetry, Banba and Fódla are occasionally referenced as alternative names for Ireland as well.

    The Sacred Hill of Uisneach

    guide standing by a large hilltop bouler

    At the heart of Ireland stands the hill of Uisneach. And the heart of the hill is marked by this enormous boulder.

    Uisneach, the sacred hill where this meeting happened, is still considered sovereign ground to this day. Located in Co. Westmeath in the centre of Ireland, the Hill of Uisneach is a very special place of cultural, spiritual, mythological and historical importance to Ireland, and, according to Uisneach, it is “one of the most sacred and historic sanctuaries in the world.”

    Today, a famous fire festival takes place on Uisneach each May to celebrate Bealtaine, one of the ancient Celtic festivals, to mark the start of spring, and honour the goddess Ériu.

    On the sacred site, there is a famous Catstone, known in Irish as Ail na Míreann (literally translates as the “stone of divisions”), under which Ériu’s final resting place is said to be located.

    Ériu's Legacy & Influence

    Large bonfire with fire dancers around the flames

    Traditions are still alive in Ireland – such as a bonfire festival at Bealtaine, the Celtic festival of summer.

    Ériu’s reach is long, and her influence is strong. It is also a female name in Ireland today, often spelt Éirin, showing the goddess’s continued importance. Said to be the meeting point of the five ancient provinces of Ireland, historical records show that her burial site has remained an influential meeting point for thousands of years. Many Irish leaders have delivered inspired speeches and hosted meetings at this powerful point of confluence with legendary origins.

    Today, the four recognised provinces are Leinster in the east, Ulster in the north, Connacht in the west and Munster in the southeast. In Irish mythology, the fifth ancient province was Míde (meaning centre), at which Uisneach is centrally located. Scholars and folklorists theorise that the fifth province may once have referred to a spiritual gateway, the pathway connecting our world to the spiritual world from which the Tuatha Dé Danann once appeared.

    Ériu’s existence reminds us that in Celtic civilisation, female goddesses were recognised and respected, with powerful women revered as leaders in bygone communities.

    Ériu’s legacy of leadership and the power of the feminine still inspires Irish culture and leadership to this day.

    The Bealtaine Fire Festival

    Amazingly, the ancient pagan festivals celebrating the transition from one season to the next are still celebrated in Ireland. On February 1st, we celebrate St Brigid’s Day (Ireland’s newest bank holiday) to mark the start of spring. Samhain, celebrated at Halloween (did you know the origins of Halloween are Irish?), is the start of the winter season – heralded by the folklore figure, the Hag of Beara. Lughnasadh (August 1st) is the start of autumn.

    And May 1st – the festival of Bealtaine – is the start of summer. Nowhere is this celebrated more than atop the hill of Uisneach, where a huge fire festival lights up the night skies each year. The modern reincarnation of this ancient festival clearly takes its inspiration from the old pagan ways. In fact, the prime star of the show? None other than the goddess Ériu is honoured throughout the festival.

    Explore Ancient Ireland

    Wilderness Ireland Departure DatesAvailabilityStatusPriceBook
    Hiking – Kerry & Clare

    6th Apr - 12th Apr 2024

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    Hiking – Kerry & Clare

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    Deluxe Hiking – Ireland Coast to Coast

    4th May - 10th May 2024

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    6 place(s) leftGuaranteed 2,390Book Now
    Deluxe Hiking – Ireland Coast to Coast

    20th Jul - 26th Jul 2024

    7 place(s) leftAvailable 2,640Book Now
    Hiking – Connemara’s Atlantic Edge

    27th Jul - 2nd Aug 2024

    8 place(s) leftAvailable 2,360Book Now
    Hiking – Kerry & Clare

    3rd Aug - 9th Aug 2024

    2 place(s) leftGuaranteed 2,390Book Now
    Hiking – Connemara’s Atlantic Edge

    24th Aug - 30th Aug 2024

    7 place(s) leftAvailable 2,360Book Now
    Deluxe Hiking – Ireland Coast to Coast

    7th Sep - 13th Sep 2024

    2 place(s) leftGuaranteed 2,640Book Now
    Hiking – Kerry & Clare

    28th Sep - 4th Oct 2024

    4 place(s) leftGuaranteed 2,390Book Now

    Meet the Author: Ruth O'Meara

    From the Irish Midlands, I have a love of hiking, surfing and cycling along the Irish coast. After years of living abroad and travelling around the world in international sales and teaching roles, I moved to Achill Island to pursue my passions, share my joy of the outdoors with others, and enjoy the outdoors in any weather.

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