NAME Eber
ALTERNATIVE Ebir / Emer / Ever / Hyber
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY warrior / war leader
CULTURE Partholean tribe
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Munster
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 19th c
BATTLES Magh Ibha
RELATIVES Partholon (father); Dealgnaid (mother); Senboth,
Laighlinne, Slainge, Rudraidhe, Er, Orba, Ferann
and Fergna (brothers); Aidne, Aife, Aine,
Fochain, Muchos, Melepard, Glas, Grennach,
Ablach and Gribendach (sisters); Magog
(ancestor)
ENEMIES Fomorii / Cichol Gricenchos
SEE ALSO Dealgnaid / Cichol Gricenchos / Laighlinne /
Magog / Partholon / Rudraidhe / Senboth /
Slainge
REMARKS Ten years after Partholon and his followers
landed in the ancient province of Munster, they fought the
battle of Magh Ibha. Eber, a son of Partholon, was the war
leader and was killed by Cichol Grichenchos, the Fomorian
war leader, during the battle.
EPITHET Fair Eber (Eber Finn)
ALTERNATIVE Eber Find / Ebir / Emer / Ever / Hyber
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Goidel (Milesian) - Artabri tribe
COUNTRY Egypt / Spain / Ireland
REGION Galicia / Meath / Donegal
LANDMARKS Tochar-etir-da-mag (died)
SITES Teltown (Tailltenn) / Drumleene
CENTERS Brigantia (A Corunna)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 15th c
BATTLES Sliabh Mish / Taillcenn / Druim Lighean
RELATIVES Golamh (father); Scota (mother); Er, Orba,
Feron, Fergna, Caur, Capa, Corunn, Edor, Arb,
Airrbe and Conmael (sons); Eremon, Amhairghin,
Ir, Colptha, Arannan (brothers); Dil and Odba
(half-sisters); Donn and Airioch Feabhruadh
(half-brothers); Bile (grandfather/cousin);
Bregon (great-grandfather); Brego, Bladh, Fuad,
Murthemne, Cualgne, Cuala, Eibleo, Nar and Ith
(cousins); Rifath Scot (ancestor); Fionn mac
Cumhaill (descendant)
ENEMIES Danann / Eremon / MacCuill
SEE ALSO Amhairghin / Arannan / Bile / Bladh / Bregon /
Conmael / Colptha / Donn / Eremon / Fionn mac
Cumhaill / Fuad / Golamh / Ir / Ith / MacCuill /
Odba / Rifath Scot / Scota
REMARKS Eber of the twin birth was the eldest son of
Golamh and Scota and was born in steamy Egypt. During the
invasion of Ireland, Eber killed MacCuill during the battle
of Taillcenn (Teltown).
When the battle was over, their head chieftain and his
mother Scota were both dead and Amhairghin, the druid, had
appointed Eremon to the position of head chieftain of the
Goidel of Ireland.
Eber who was the oldest, disagreed with his twin and
thought that he should rule the Goidel of Ireland. He went
to war with his brother Eremon and took control of the
island south of the Boyne from Tonn Clidna to the Buall.
Eber brought to the south 30 ships and 5 chieftains:
Lugaid son of Ith, Etan son of Oicce, Un son of Uicce,
Caicher the Wizard and Fulman. He also brought Mantan the
harper to give it the sweetness of music.
Eber built Raith Ainninn (Aindind), and Raith Arda
Suird (Rathurd, limerick) was dug by Fulman. Raith
Rigbaird (a large fort east of Easky townland of Carrow
Mably, Sligo) was built by the formidable Etan. Dun
Cairich was built by Un, and Dun Bindi was built by swarthy
Caicher.
Eber went to war with Eremon because the southern half
of Ireland had only one mountain ridge and the northern
half had two mountain ridges within its territory. Eber
was killed in combat with Eremon at Tochar-etir-da-mag and
Eremon became the high chieftain of Ireland. Eber's
descendants became the Goidel of the south of Ireland and
many people including Fionn claimed their ancestry.
ALTERNATIVE Ebir / Emer / Ever / Hyber
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Egypt
TERRITORY Scythia
LANDMARKS Caucasus / Caspain Sea / Volga / Black Sea /
Crimean Peninsula
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 19th c
RELATIVES Sru (father); Boamain (son); Rifath Scot and
Iafeth (ancestors)
ENEMIES Nenuail / Noemius
SEE ALSO Feinius Farsaid / Gaedhal Glas / Iafeth /
Lamfind / Rifath Scot / Sru
REMARKS Eber Scot, son of Sru, son of Esru, son of
Gaedhal Glas, son of Nel, son of Feinius Farsaid, was a
descendant of Rifath Scot.
Eber Scot and his father led four boatloads of Goidel
from Egypt to a Goidel territory of Feinius Farsaid in
Scythia (an area north of the Caucasus streaching east
around the Caspian Sea to the Volga river and west around
the Black Sea to the Crimean Peninsula). When his father
died on arrival, Eber became the new chieftain of his
people.
At this time Nenuail, son of Baath, son of Ibath, son
of Nenual, son of Feinius Farsaid, was the head chieftain
of the tribes. Eber went to war with his cousin and
conquered the territory and became the head chieftain of
both sides of the family of Feinius Farsaid.
Eber Scot was slain by Noemius son of Nenual but his
son Boamain ruled until he was also killed by Noemius.
Noemius then ruled the two branches of the family until he
was slain by Boamain's son Ogamain. Ogamain ruled until he
died and the position was taken his son Tat who was then
killed by Reafloir, son of Refill. Reafloir was slain in
combat by Agnomain but the followers of Refloir refused to
be ruled by Agnomain and drove him and his son Lamfind out
of the territory.
NAME Ebliu
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Limerick
TERRITORY Munster
SITES Slieve Eelim (Slisbh nEblinne)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Lugh (half-brother)
SEE ALSO Lugh / Fintan mac Bochra / Tuan mac Cairill
REMARKS Ebliu married a one-eyed man who was a
reincarnation of Fintan mac Bochra. He saw the invasion of
Ireland by the Goidels and when he died he was reborn as
Tuan mac Cairill with his memory intact. When Ebliu died,
Slisbh nEblinne (Slieve Eelim), a glen in the east of
Limerick, was named after her.
NAME Ebraucos
EPITHET The Yew Man
ALTERNATIVE Eburos
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / Rix
TYPE chariot warrior / high chieftain of Britain
CULTURE Goidel - Coritani tribe
COUNTRY England / Wales / Scotland
TERRITORY Lloegr / Cambria / Albainn
SITES Caer Ebrauc (York) / Mount Agned (Maiden Castle)
CENTERS Caer Troia (Town of Troy) present-day Ilford
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 10th c (ruled 39 years) / BC 972 ca. (died)
RELATIVES Mempricius (father); Maddan (grandfather); Brute
Greenshield (son); Leil (grandson)
SEE ALSO Leil / Maddan / Mempricius
REMARKS Ebraucos was the high chieftain of Britain for
approximately 39 years. He was described as a tall man of
great strength who became a mighty warrior, sailed to Gaul
and looted many places before returning a rich man.
After he returned with his booty he built the fort
Caer Ebrauc (York) and named it after himself. Ebraucos
also received credit for constructing Maiden Castle and a
few other places.
Ebraucos proved a fertile leader, siring 30 daughters
and 20 sons by twenty different wives. His son Brute
Greenshield was appointed heir and he ruled for 12 years
until his grandson Leil became high chieftain of the
tribes.
NAME Echbel mac Dedaid
EPITHET Horse Mouth
ALTERNATIVE Errge Echbel
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel - Clanna Dedad (The Degads)
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Kerry
TERRITORY Munster / the cause of Ulster
SITES Hostel (Bruidhean)
CENTERS Temair Luachra (Tara of the Rushes)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Temuir Luachra / Mac Da Tho's / Cualnge Cattle
Raid
RELATIVES Dedad (father); Dare, Conganchness, Li,
Gabalglinde and Foenglinde (brothers); Cu Roi
(nephew); Eremon and Tea (ancestors)
ENEMIES Host of Connacht / Loth
SEE ALSO Conganchness mac Dedaid / CuRoi macDaire / Dare
mac Dedaid / Dedad / Eremon / Foenglinde mac
Dedaid / Gabalglinde mac Dedaid / Li mac Dedaid
/ Loth mac Fergusa maic Leti / Lugaid mac Curoi
/ Mac Da Tho / Mane Milscothach / Tea
REMARKS Echbel was a chariot warrior of the Clanna Dedad
of Munster. During the battle of Temair Luachra at the
festival for Mane Milscothach, Echbel killed the Ulster
warrior Loth mac Fergusa maic Leti.
When the warriors of Connacht and Ulster were trying
to outboast each other at the hostel of Mac Da Tho, the
killing of Loth was brought up by Lugaid mac Curoi to
irritate the warriors of Ulster. During the Cualnge Cattle
Raid, Echbel fought for the cause of Ulster.
NAME Echdruinn
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY servant
TYPE chief equerry for Conaire (Ard Righ Eirinn)
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath / Dublin
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Magh Liffey
SITES Da Derga's Hostel
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Ath Cliath
ACCESSORIES whip
RELATIVES son of Argatron; Echruid and Echruathar
(brothers)
ENEMIES Ingcel / sons of Donn Desa
SEE ALSO Conaire / Da Derga / Donn Desa / Ingcel
REMARKS Echdruinn and his two brothers were described as
having their hair in a cropped fashion. The 3 wore frocks
with mantles wrapped over them. They carried whips in
their hands and looked after Conaire's horses. During the
the battle of Ath Cliath on Magh Liffey, they each killed a
warrior of the raiders.
NAME Echur
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY guard
TYPE door-guard for Conaire (Ard Righ Eirinn)
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath / Dublin
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Magh Liffey
SITES Da Derga's Hostel
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Ath Cliath
RELATIVES Ersa (father); Comla (mother); Tochur and
Tecmang (brothers)
ENEMIES Ingcel / sons of Donn Desa
SEE ALSO Conaire / Da Derga / Donn Desa / Ingcel
REMARKS Echur and his two brothers were the personal
door guards of the high chieftain of Ireland. All three
wore aprons and gray speckled mantles. They carried holed
maces in their hands and were very swift on their feet.
They each killed an enemy and escaped the destruction at Da
Derga's Hostel, but were wounded. Their mother's name was
Ersa (doorpost) and their father's name was Comla (valve).
NAME Edlco
ALTERNATIVE Edleo mac Allai / Eidleo
GENDER M
FESTIVAL summer solstice
CATEGORY warrior
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Mayo
TERRITORY Connacht
LANDMARKS Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
BATTLES 1st battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura)
(died)
RELATIVES Aldui (father); Satharn (son); Ordan (brother);
Magog and Iarbonel (ancestors)
ENEMIES Firbolg / Nekchu
SEE ALSO Iarbonel / Magog / Ordan
REMARKS Edlco, son of Aldui, son of Tat, was the first
Danann warrior to die during the battle of South Moytura
when he was killed by Nekchu.
NAME Eibhir
EPITHET Niam of the Yellow Hair / Niamh of the Golden
Hair / Maiden from the Sea
ALTERNATIVE Niamh {nee-av} (Beauty/Brightness/Splendor)
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman) / filidh
TYPE sorcerer
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY The Otherworld - Land of Youth (Tir na nOg)
SITES Loch Lein
AGE Iron
DATES AD 3rd c
ACCESSORIES white steed / crown
RELATIVES Iunsa (father); Oisin (husband); Plur na mBan
(daughter); Finn and Oscar (sons)
SEE ALSO Oisin / Oscar
REMARKS Eibhir had heard many tales of valor about
Oisin, a hero of the Fianna, so she left her sunny country
and rode her steed across the water to visit his world and
to persuade him to come back with her and be her husband.
Eibhir was an extraordinarily beautiful maiden and
when she appeared out of the mist of Loch Lein she had her
golden hair in ringlets which rested on her shoulders. Her
eyes were clear blue and her cheeks were rose-colored
against her swan-white skin. She wore a dark brown full-
length mantle of silks decorated with stars of red gold.
She sat upon a golden saddle and her white steed was fitted
with golden shoes and a golden bridle.
It was said that her voice was as sweet as honeyed red
wine as she offered Oisin a long life of feasting,
drinking, playing games and listening to the sound of
harps. He would be wealthy in gold, silver and jewels. He
would receive 100 high-quality swords, 100 suits of armor,
100 satin mantles, 100 steeds, 100 hounds, 100 shirts of
satin, 100 cows, 100 calves, 100 golden-fleeced sheep, 100
rare gems, 100 beautiful handmaidens and 100 warriors.
Oisin would also receive a special suit of armor, a sword
worth 100 others, and the diadem of The God of Youth.
Oisin said goodbye to his father and friends of the
Fianna and went with Eibhir to the Land of Youth. Eibhir
bore him 3 children who were named Finn, Oscar and Plur na
mBan (The Flower of Maidens). Oscar, the youngest male,
returned to Ireland and joined the Fianna.
Oisin was happy in the Land of Youth but grew restless
to see his friends of his own world. Eibhir knew that he
did not realize how much time had passed and was afraid she
would lose him. Oisin insisted that he go for a visit so
she tried to make him understand that as long as he was on
the white steed he would be safe. If he touched the earth
of his world he would become a 300-year-old man. Oisin
never returned to Tir na nOg (Land of Youth) and Niamh of
the Golden Hair may still be waiting for him.
NAME Eidoel
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE horse warrior
CULTURE Cymry (tribes that fight side by side)
COUNTRY Wales / England / Ireland
AGE Post-Roman
DATES AD 6th c
RELATIVES son of Aer; Mabon (cousin)
SEE ALSO Arthur / Culhwch / Mabon / Olwen
REMARKS During Culhwch's quest for Olwen, Eidoel was
needed to find his cousin Mabon, but he was being held
prisoner by Glini. Arthur and his warriors went to Glini
and suggested that maybe he and his prisoner Eidoel could
help to find Mabon.
NAME Eire
ALTERNATIVE Eiru / Eri / Erin / Eriu
GENDER F
SYMBOL red amber
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY deity
TYPE earth goddess / fertility goddess of life
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Kerry / Westmeath
TERRITORY Munster
SITES Uisneach
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Ernmas (mother); Fiachu (father/half-brother);
Eladu (consort); Bress (son); Fodhla and Banbha
(sisters); Macha, Badbh, Danu and Elcmar (half-
sisters); Olloman, Indui, Glonn, Gnim, Coscar
and Neto (half-brothers); Eladu, Brénos and
MacGreine (consorts); Delbaeth (grandfather);
Magog, Iarbonel, Ordan and Net (ancestors)
ENEMIES Suirge
SEE ALSO Amhairghin / Badbh / Banbha / Brénos / Bress /
Delbaeth / Danu / Donn / Eladu / Elcmar /
Ernmas / Fiachu / Fodhla /
Iarbonel / Macha /
Magog / MacGreine / Net / Neto / Ordan
REMARKS Eire, daughter of Ernmas and Fiachu, was a
triple goddess of the Danann in Ireland. Although she was
thought of as one of three sisters, some scholars believe
she was actually one person, Banbha and Fodhla being her
poetic names.
One day Eire was sitting on a hill at Maeth Sceni
overlooking a calm ocean. She saw a large silver vessel
coming toward her. In the vessel she saw a man with blond
hair to his shoulders, wearing gold armor over a shirt that
was embroidered in gold. Over this he wore a cloak with
bands of gold that was held with a brooch of gold and
jewels. He had 5 gold torcs about his neck, a gold-hilted
sword with inlays of silver and gold studs, and was holding
two spears with silver heads and bronze shafts.
The warrior identified himself as Eladu son of
Delbach, then invited Eire to lie with him. He prophesied
she would bear a son and he would be called Eochaid Bress.
He then sailed away leaving only his thumb ring for his
son.
Eire's son Bress grew at supernatural rate and was
trained as a warrior of the Danann. He reached the
position of high chieftain of the Danann but was expelled.
Eire then gave Bress his father's ring, told him who he
was, and showed him the direction to travel in search of
his father.
Eire was also a consort to Brénos and MacGreine
(Cethor) of the Danann to ensure fertility of their people,
animals and crops.
When the Milesian (Goidel) landed in Ireland, Eire met
them at Uisneach. Eire promised Amhairghin that they would
meet success in their invasion if they would name the
Island after her. Amhairghin agreed but Donn, the head
chieftain of the Milesian, insulted her. Eire cursed Donn
and told him he would have no profit from the island nor
would his seed live upon it.
The Goidel won the battle of Taillcenn (Teltown)
against the Danann. Eire died in combat at the hands of
Suirge. She was venerated at Uisneach, the site of
Ireland's Beltainn, and the island is still called Eire's
land (Ireland).
NAME Eis Enchenn
EPITHET Bird Head
GENDER F
SYMBOL 1 eye / bird
CATEGORY ovate
TYPE sorcerer
CULTURE Pictish ?
COUNTRY Scotland
TERRITORY The Otherworld - Isle of Women (Inis na mBan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
ENEMIES Cu Chulainn
SEE ALSO Aife / Cu Chulainn
REMARKS Eis Enchenn was killed by Cu Chulainn before he
left Aife's control on the Isle of Women in the Land of
Shadow. Eis Enchenn was an ancient woman with a bird's
head and was blind in the left eye.
NAME Eisirt
GENDER M
CATEGORY poet
TYPE court poet to Iubdan (Ri Ruirech)
CULTURE Elfin (Fay Folk)
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY The Otherworld - Pond of the Fay (Faylinn)
SITES Dun Rury in Ulster
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
SEE ALSO Aed / Fergus mac Leti / Iubdan
REMARKS Eisirt was the court poet for Iubdan, head
chieftain of Faylinn in The Otherworld. During a feast,
Iubdan was bragging of the powers of his warriors when
Eisirt mentioned a race of giants in a land called Ulster.
Eisirt was thrown into prison and was released only after
promising to go to the land of giants and bring back proof.
When Eisirt arrived at Dun Rury, the fortress of an
Ulster chieftain Fergus mac Leti, he was treated with
respect and received a reward for a demonstration of his
wit and wisdom. He immediately dispensed the reward among
the poets of Ulster and invited Aed, a bard and the court
dwarf, to return home with him to see his land.
Once the people saw the size of Aed they believed his
story and Eisirt then put Iubdan under geis to visit Ulster
himself.
NAME Eithne Imgel
ALTERNATIVE Eithne / Eithni / Eithniu / Ethlinn / Ethliu /
Ethne / Ethnea / Ethniu
GENDER F
CATEGORY warrior / wife of the Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Pictish
COUNTRY Scotland / England / Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg (Plain of Breg)
SITES Inber Domnann
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES AD 1st-2nd c
BATTLES Magh Bolg
RELATIVES Fiachu (husband); Tuathal (son)
ENEMIES Elim
SEE ALSO Elim / Fiachu Finnoilches / Tuathal Teachtmhair
REMARKS Eithne was the daughter of the head chieftain of
the Picts of Albainn (Scotland/northern England). She
married Fiachu Finnoilches, the high chieftain of Ireland.
During the battle of Magh Bolg against Elim and his
Firbolg, she and 2 other women were the only ones of their
side who escaped alive.
Eithne fled to the territory of her father and there
she bore Tuathal, son of Fiachu. When the boy was a 20-
year-old trained warrior she led an expedition to Ireland
where they landed at Inber Domnann. Here they were met by
warriors of Ireland who gave Tuathal the position of high
chieftain and he led them in 123 battles.
NAME Eladu
EPITHET Knowledge
ALTERNATIVE Elda / Eladan / Elatha mac Delbaith /
Elathan /
Elathra / Eladu (fir) / Elotha /
Elothae
GENDER M
SYMBOL fir tree
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain / mariner
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
SITES Plain of Meadows (Magh nInis)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 13th c
RELATIVES Delbach (father); Etain, Danu and Eire
(consorts); Daghda, Oghma, Elloth, Bress and
Delbaed (sons); Manannan (grandson); Net
(grandfather); Magog and Iarbonel (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Bress / Daghda / Danu / Eire / Ernmas / Etain /
Fiachu / Iarbonel / Magog / Manannan / Net /
Oghma / Ordan
REMARKS Eladu, son of Delbach son of Net, was a
descendant of Iarbonel and Magog. He was of the Danann but
a chieftain of the Fomorii. One day he put his vessel to
shore and spied a beautiful woman sitting on a hill
overlooking the sea. The maiden was Eire, daughter of
Ernmas, daughter of Etarlam, son of Ordan, descendant of
Iarbonel and Magog.
Eladu laid with her and identified himself as Eladu,
son of Delbach. He prophesied that she would bear a son
and that he should be called Eochaid Bress. Eladu then
sailed away, leaving only his thumb ring and giving Eire
instructions not to give the ring to the boy until he was
ready to seek his father.
NAME Elbha
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Goidel - Dal nAraide / Danann / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Armagh
TERRITORY Ulster
CENTERS Emain Macha (Navan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Cathbad (father); Maga (mother); Dechtire and
Findchaem (sisters); Genonn and Imrinn
(brothers); Conchobar (half-brother/consort);
Fachtna Fathach, Sualtaim and Ferghus (half-
brothers); Usna (husband); Naoise, Ainle and
Ardan (sons); Ir and Anghus (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Anghus mac Og / Cathbad / Conchobar / Dechtire /
Fachtna Fathach / Ferghus mac Roig / Findchaem /
Genonn Gruadsolus / Imrinn / Ir / Maga /
Naoise
/ Sualtaim macRoig / Usna
REMARKS When Elbha married Usna, she would have spent
her first night with Conchobar because as the head
chieftain it was his duty to father the first child of
every union among his people.
Elbha eventually bore 3 sons who became known as the
Sons of Usna. Her three sons were eventually murdered by
her half-brother Conchobar because of the love affair
between Naoise and Conchobar's bride-to-be.
NAME Elcmar
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Ernmas (mother); Delbaeth (father/consort);
Corpre Crom (son/half-brother); Siugmall
(grandson); Neto (half-brother/husband); Fea and
Nemhain (daughters); Macha, Danu and Badbh
(sisters); Eire, Fodhla, Banbha (half-sisters);
Fiachu, Olloman and Indui (brothers); Brénos,
Iuchar, Iucharba, Glonn, Gnim and Coscar (half-
brothers); Etarlam and Oghma (grandfathers);
Magog, Iarbonel, Ordan and Net (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Badbh Catha / Banbha / Brénos / Danu / Delbaeth
/ Eire / Ernmas / Fea / Fiachu / Fodhla /
Iarbonel / Indui / Macha / Magog
/ Nemhain / Net
/ Neto / Oghma / Olloman / Ordan
REMARKS Elcmar, daughter of Ernmas, bore two daughters
by her half-brother Neto, son of Ernmas, who became
important war goddesses. She also bore to her father a son
called Corpre Crom.
NAME Elcmar
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
SITES Cletech
CENTERS Sidhe Brugh na Boyna
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Boann (wife)
ENEMIES Midhir / Anghus
SEE ALSO Anghus mac Og / Boann / Daghda / Midhir
REMARKS Elcmar was a chieftan of the Danann and had his
seat at Sidhe Brugh na Boyna on Magh mBreg. When Elcmar
was married to Boann, Daghda sent him on a mission, then
cast a spell over him so that he would think only a day had
passed when in fact it was 9 months. This was enough time
for Boann to give birth to Anghus without Elcmar becoming
suspicious.
Elcmar lost Sidhe Brugh na Boyna to Anghus one Samhain
when he was overpowered by 9-year-old Anghus and forfeited
the rule of the Sidhe for a night and a day. The Daghda
ruled that Elcmar put the value of his life above that of
his sidhe and therefore should lose it.
Elcmar was given the three lands around Cletech
overlooking the Sidhe as compensation. Elcmar killed
Midhir in combat but he was killed by Anghus who sought
revenge.
NAME Eldol
GENDER M
SYMBOL club
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY hero / warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Cymry (tribes that fight side by side)
COUNTRY England
REGION Gloucester
SITES Cloister of Ambruis at Caer Caradduc (Salisbury)
AGE Post-Roman
DATES AD 5th c
BATTLES Cloister of Ambruis
ACCESSORIES wooden club
ENEMIES Germani / Hengist
SEE ALSO Aurelius / Gorlois / Uther / Vortigern
REMARKS Eldol, a Briton chieftain, was present at the
unarmed meeting that Vortigern called between the
chieftains of the Britons and those of the Germani. The
two sides met at the Cloister of Ambruis on Beltainn.
Hengist, leader of the Germani, ordered his warriors
to hide knives in their boots and wait for his signal to
attack the Britons. When the slaughter began, Eldol
grabbed a piece of wood as a club and went into a frenzy,
crushing skulls and limbs until he had killed 70 enemies.
Eldol was the only Briton of the 480 to escape the
massacre.
Later, after the arrival of Aurelius and Uther, the
Cymry warriors joined in battle against the invading
Germani. Eldol sought Hengist for a single combat and the
thunder and fire from their swords shook the very heavens.
As the battle raged on, Gorlois of Cornwall moved his
warriors into the vicinity of the combat and when Eldol saw
Gorlios and his Britons he acquired new strength. Eldol
took hold of Hengist by the nose-guard of his helmet and
dragged him in among the Britons so he could capture him
alive. When the battle was over and the Germani were
routed, Hengist was given the death sentence by the Cymry
chieftains. Eldol had the pleasure of chopping off his
head, then out of respect for his courage as a warrior he
gave him a proper pagan burial.
NAME Elffin
ALTERNATIVE Elphin
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Briton
COUNTRY Wales
REGION Gwynedd {Gwin-eth} / Clwyd {clud}
TERRITORY Gwynedd
AGE Post-Roman
DATES AD 6th c
RELATIVES Gwyddno Garanhir (father); Taliesin (foster-
son); Maelgwn (uncle); Rhun (cousin)
ENEMIES Maelgwn / Rhun
SEE ALSO Maelgwn / Rhun / Taliesin
REMARKS Elffin was the son of Gwyddno Garanhir, a
chieftain whose land was flooded over by the sea. Elffin
was of high birth but had little wealth, so he asked his
father if he could have the catch from their fishing weir
on the eve of Samhain. He went to the weir that evening at
low tide but to his disappointment there was not a fish to
be found.
Elffin was about to leave for home when he saw
something caught in the net and went to investigate. He
discovered that the object was a small skin-covered
coracle. He cut the top open with his knife and there
inside was a male child with a radiant forehead. Elffin
and his wife were delighted because they had no children of
their own. The couple named the child Taliesin, which
meant both "fine value" and "radiant brow". They raised
him to manhood and he became a powerful and wise druid.
Elffin's troubles began when he was at the court of
his uncle, the head chieftain of Gwynedd. Maelgyn was
bragging about the fidelity of his wife, the quality of his
bards, and the speed of his horses. Elffin made the
mistake of comparing his wife, horse and bard to those of
his Brenin and was thrown into a dungeon where he was
secured by a silver chain with 13 locks.
Maelgwn sent his son Rhun to seduce Elffin's wife in
order to prove her lack of fidelity. Rhun had a reputation
of being the lustiest man in the world and no woman could
resist his charisma. When Rhun arrived back to the raith
of the head chieftain, Elffin was brought before his uncle
and was confronted with the accusation that his wife had
been caught in an affair with his cousin Rhun. Rhun
offered her finger and her ring as proof.
Elffin examined the finger and ring and stated that
the ring was his but the finger was not from his wife. His
ring would not even fit his wife's thumb. The finger was
rough and the nail was cracked with traces of dough under
it. His wife's nails, on the other hand, were neatly
trimmed and and she had not kneaded bread since her
marriage. The chieftain, feeling the fool, put his nephew
back into the dungeon.
Later Elffin was brought before him again and this
time Taliesin was there, being questioned by the head
chieftain's druids. Taliesin then recited 3 enchanting
poems which struck the court druids dumb and caused the 13
locks to open and the silver chain holding Elffin to fall
from him.
Elffin, on the advice of Taliesin, then challenged his
uncle the head chieftain to a horse race. Taliesin again
used his talent to help Elffin's horse win the race.
Taliesin then led Elffin to a specific place and instructed
the servants to dig a hole. They soon uncovered a large
cauldron of gold which was Taliesin's gift to Elffin and
his wife as thanks for raising him. Elffin was then able
to run his household with dignity and in the style
befitting a chieftain of high birth.
NAME Elico
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / druid
TYPE artificer / blacksmith
CULTURE Gallic - Helvetii tribe
COUNTRY Switzerland / France
CENTERS Rome
AGE Iron
DATES BC 4th c
ENEMIES Romans
REMARKS Elico worked as a blacksmith in Rome and over a
twenty-year period he guided the Celts in 3 separate
attacks against the city.
NAME Elim
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE high chieftain
CULTURE Fir Bolg
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg (Plain of Breg)
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES AD 1st c / AD 55-75 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
BATTLES Magh Bolg / Aicill
RELATIVES Conrai (father)
ENEMIES Fiachu Finnoilches / Tuathal Teachtmhair
SEE ALSO Fiachu Finnoilches / Tuathal Teachtmhair
REMARKS Elim killed Fiachu Finnoilches during the battle
of Magh Bolg and took control of Ireland. He remained the
high chieftain for 15 years untill he was killed by Tuathal
Teachtmhair son of Fiachu during the battle of Aicill.
NAME Elitovios
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Gallic - Cenomani tribe
COUNTRY France / Italy
TERRITORY Gaul / Cisalpine
LANDMARKS Alps
AGE Iron
DATES BC 4th c
SEE ALSO Bellovesus
REMARKS Elitovios led warriors of the Cenomani and Andes
tribes over the Alps and under the guide of Bellovesus into
the Cisalpine of northern Italy.
NAME Elldud
EPITHET The Holy Man of Cor Dewdws
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / druid
TYPE teacher / agriculturalists
CULTURE Pictish / Briton
COUNTRY France / England
REGION Brittany / Cornwall
TERRITORY Gaul / Llydaw / Lloegr
LANDMARKS Loire
AGE Iron
DATES BC 6th c / BC 550 ca.
SEE ALSO Prydain
REMARKS Elldud was a druid who was involved in the
migration of La Tčne A Pictish tribes, under Prydain, from
Llydaw (Brittany) to Cornwall in Lloegr (England). In
Lloegr, he showed the tribes the art of plowing a field,
which was a more productive method than using a mattock or
spade.
NAME Emer Foltchain
EPITHET Of the Beautiful Hair
ALTERNATIVE Amir / Eithne Ingubai / Emer {avair, ay-ver,
ev-air} / Emere
GENDER F
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Fomorii
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Mide / Ulster
LANDMARKS Dun Rudrige / Magh mBreg
SITES Strand of the Yew Tree / An Tete Brecc / Tech
Midchuarta
CENTERS Luglochta Loga (the garden of Lugh) / Dundalk
(Dun Dealgan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
ACCESSORIES 6 gifts of womanhood
RELATIVES Forgall Manach (father); Scibur, Ibur and Cat
(brothers); Fial (sister); Cu Chulainn
(husband); Tethra (ancestor)
SEE ALSO Aife / Condlae / Cu Chulainn / Domhnall / Fand /
Fedlimid Nocruthach / Forgall Manach / Lebarcham
/ Lendabair / Manannan / Scathach / Tethra
REMARKS Emer was a wise and beautiful blonde-haired
maiden who lived with her family at the raith Luglochta
Loga on Magh mBreg. She was blessed with the 6 gifts of
maidenhood: wisdom, chastity, beauty, sweet speech, singing
and needlework. She and Cu Chulainn fell in love when they
were still children but her father said they could not
marry because Cu Chulainn was not yet a fully-trained
warrior. Forgall advised Cu Chulainn to make the perilous
journey to Scotland to train as a warrior with Domhnall the
Warlike.
Cu Chulainn returned from Albainn as a champion
warrior and circled Dun Forgall in his chariot drawn by two
fierce and powerful horses. He was described as the most
handsome of males, clad in a crimson cloak held with a
golden fibula carrying a crimson shield with a silver rim
that was decorated with figures of beasts. Emer's father,
Forgall, would still not let him into the raith.
Emer told Cu Chulainn she could not marry until her
older sister Fial was married, and also that none would
have her who had not killed his hundreds. Cu Chulainn then
decided to go to the Land of Shadows and study with the
legendary female warrior Scathach.
When Cu Chulainn returned to Dun Forgall after many
combats, he leaped the Salmon Feat over the wall of the
fortress and on one throw of his javelin he killed 8
warriors, sparing the 9th who was one of Emer's brothers.
Forgall fell from the rampart to his death. Cu Chulainn
abducted Emer and her sister and their weight in gold and
silver.
During Bricriu's feast at his new home Tech Midchuarta
at Dun Rudrige, Bricriu convinced Emer that because of her
beauty, intelligence and lineage it was important for her
to be the first of the ladies to enter the feast. Bricriu
also told a similar story to Fedlimid and Lendabair. When
the time arrived for the women to enter, each of the 3
arrived with their maidens and began to fight at the door
for the privilege of first footing. Cu Chulainn lifted up
the side of the building to allow Emer to enter first.
During a festival of Samhain, Lebarcham convinced Cu
Chulainn to catch some birds to perch on their shoulders.
He saw a small flock of birds and stunned them all, giving
one to each of his admiring women, but he was one short and
Emer did not receive any. He promised that the next
beautiful bird he saw he would catch for her.
Not long after, Cu Chulainn saw a beautiful pair of
birds flying over that were connected by a red-gold chain.
Emer, who was sensitive to the supernatural, warned her
husband not to catch the birds. However, he ignored her
advice and paid dearly for it. As the birds flew around
the lake they sang everyone to sleep except for Cu
Chulainn, who persisted in trying to catch them. As they
passed over his head he slung 2 stones which missed their
mark. He then threw his javelin and it only parted the
feathers of a wing. This was the first time since he took
up arms that he had missed his target.
In an angry and depressed mood, Cu Chulainn went to
sit by the water. As he sat there on a rock, he was
approached by two women. One was wearing a green cloak of
5 folds and the other wearing a red cloak of 5 folds. They
smiled at Cu Chulainn, then proceeded to beat him with
horsewhips for a long time. When he awoke he had lost his
speech and was taken to his sick bed at An Tete Brecc for a
year.
When Cu Chulainn was finally cured by the Danann, he
made a trip to The Otherworld where he fell in love with
Fand, consort of Manannan. Emer, who was normally not
jealous of Cu Chulainn's many female admirers, armed
herself and her 50 women with knives and planned to kill
Fand when she met with Emer's husband at the Strand of the
Yew Tree. Luckily, the god Manannan appeared and defused
the situation by having everyone drink a magical potion of
forgetfulness.
Emer again displayed her wisdom when Cu Chulainn's son
Condlae arrived by boat on the shores of Ulster. Emer and
her husband were out for a walk along the cliffs when they
saw him approach the shore. Emer warned Cu Chulainn not to
go down to the water's edge because the young warrior who
had landed was his son by Aife. Cu Chulainn again would
not take her advice and suffered greatly when he killed his
son in combat.
Emer foresaw Cu Chulainn's end, and when she could not
stop him from going to his final battle she prepared
herself for death. When her husband was laid out in his
grave, Emer climbed into the grave with him, kissed his
lips and died.
EPITHET The Bird
ALTERNATIVE Sen
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Gailioin
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid
RELATIVES Magach (mother); Doiche (father); Anluan,
Bascell, Cet, Doche, MacCorb and Scandal
(brothers); Maga (sister); Ailill (nephew)
ENEMIES Cualnge / Pictland / Ulster
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Anluan / Bascell / Cet mac
Magach / Doche macMagach / MacCorb / Maga Muresc
/ Magach of Connacht / Medbh / Scandal
REMARKS En raised an army of battle-line warriors to
fight for Medbh and Ailill during their raid into Ulster
for the Brown Bull of Cualnge.
ALTERNATIVE Airgnech / Airgthetch
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariot warrior / high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath / Kilkenny
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Nore river / Magh mBreg
SITES Srgetos (silverwood) / Raith Beag
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 13th c / BC 1238-1211 (Ard Righ - Kings
List)
BATTLES Argatos / Raigne (died)
ACCESSORIES silver shields
RELATIVES Eochu Mumu (father); Rifath Scot and Eber
(ancestors)
ENEMIES Oengus Olmucach / Rothechtaid /
SEE ALSO Conmael / Eber / Eochu Mumu / Oengus Olmucach /
Rifath Scot / Setna Airt
REMARKS Enna Airgdech, son of Eochu Mumu descendant of
Eber of the Milesian (Goidel) became the 12th high
chieftain of Ireland when he defeated Oengus Olmucach in
combat at Argatros.
Enna made silver shields at Argatos and gave them to
the chieftains of Ireland. They were made in the Nore
valley at Raith Beag (the small fort).
Enna Airgdech served as the high chieftain of Ireland
for 27 years before he was slain by Rothechtaid, son of
Maen, in the battle of Raigne. Rothechtaid then took the
position as the high chieftain for 22 years until he was
killed by Setna Airt.
NAME Eochaid Belbuide
EPITHET Horse of the Yellow Lips
ALTERNATIVE Belbuidhe (yellow lips) / Echo (horse) / Echu /
Eochaid / Eochaide {Yo-hee} / Eochaidh /
Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho {Yuhho} / Eochu Buide
/ Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior / Red Branch champion
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
ENEMIES Lena
SEE ALSO Lena / Mac Da Tho
REMARKS Eochaid Belbuide accused Lena, son of Mac Da
Tho, of stealing 7 of his cows and taking them back to
Leinster.
NAME Eochaid mac Eirc
EPITHET The Proud
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} / Eochaidh / Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho
{Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
FESTIVAL summer solstice
CATEGORY warrior / 9th Ri Ruirech
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Firbolg
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath / Sligo
TERRITORY Connacht / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh)
SITES Ballysadare / Strand of Eochaill (died)
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 17th-16th c / BC 18th-17th c / BC 1703-1693
(Kings List)
BATTLES 1st battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura)
(died)
RELATIVES Erc (father); Dui (mother); Tailtiu (wife);
Genann (grandfather); Dela (great-grandfather);
Magog and Semeon (ancestors)
ENEMIES Danann
SEE ALSO Dela / Erc / Genann / Magog / Nuadha / Semeon /
Tailtiu
REMARKS Eochaid, son of Erc, son of Genann, son of Dela
was the 9th head chieftain of the Firbolg and began his
rule when he killed Fodbgen at Magh Muirthemni in Ulster.
Eochaid ruled Ireland with great wisdom, executed the laws
of justice and banned lies and deceit from his realm.
Eochaid was the son of Dui and married the earth
goddess Tailtiu. During his time there was a harvest every
year, the crops were moistened with dew and life was
prosperous. He was the first head chieftain to sit at the
seat of Tara.
Eochaid led the Firbolg in the first battle of Magh
Tuireadh against the Danann, who were led by Nuadha. The
battle was held during the summer solstice around
Ballysadare (Baile-easa-dara) which means "the town at the
waterfall among the oaks" in county Sligo.
Eochaid ruled the Firbolg for 10 years until he was
killed by Luan, Cesarb and Luachra the 3 sons of Nemed, son
of Badra of the Danann at Tracht nEothaille (Strand of
Eochaill) the wright. They killed him with spears and he
was the first warrior to die from spearpoint in Ireland.
When he died darkness, fire and showers of blood engulfed
Tara for 3 days. Eochaid was then buried under a stone
heap at the Traig Eothaile (Strand of Eochaill).
NAME Eochaid mac Luchta
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} / Eochaidh mac Muchtra / Eochaidhe /
Eoched / Eocho {Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL 1-eye / horse
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Munster / cause of Connacht
SITES Temair Luachra
CENTERS Raith Cashel (Caisel)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Temuir Luachra / Cualnge Cattle Raid
RELATIVES son of Luchtae / Ith (ancestor)
ENEMIES Ulster
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Bregon / CuRoi macDaire / Ith /
Mane Milscothach / Medbh
REMARKS Eochaid mac Luchta was a one-eyed chieftain of
Munster who aligned himself with Medbh and Ailill of
Connacht. Eochaid traced his ancestry to Ith, son of
Bregon of the Goidel. He attended the festival at Temair
Luachra for Mane Milscothach, the son of Ailill and Medbh
and foster-son of CuRoi.
NAME Eochaidh Airemh
EPITHET The Plowman
ALTERNATIVE Airem / Airemh / Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid /
Eochaide {Yo-hee} / Eochaidh / Eochaidhe /
Eoched / Eocho {Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariot warrior / high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg (Plain of Breg) / Fremain
SITES Sidhe Indber Cichmane
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd c / BC 128-118 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
RELATIVES Finn (father); Etain Echraidhe (wife); Etain Oig
(daughter ?/consort); Mess Buachalla
(daughter); Eochaidh Feidhleach and Ailill
Anubhaill (brothers); Medbh (niece) / Eremon and
Tea (ancestors)
ENEMIES Sigmall Sithienta
SEE ALSO Ailill Anubhaill / Ailill macMata / Be Find /
Conchobar / Cormac Condloinges / CuRoi /
Eochaidh Feidhleach / Eocho Salbuide / Eremon /
Etain Echraidhe / Etain Oig / Etar / Eterdcelae
/ Medbh / Mesgegra mac Datho / Mess Buachalla /
Midhir / Oengus Tuirmech / Tea
REMARKS Eochaidh Airemh, son of Finn, was a descendant
of Eremon and Tea and was made high chieftain of Ireland
after his brother Eochaidh Feidhleachm died.
One day when Eochaidh was riding near Sidhe Indber
Cichmane, he saw a beautiful maiden of 20 years washing her
hair at a spring. She was Etain, daughter of Etar,
chieftain of the Sidhe, and her bride price was 7 cumals
(21 cows). Etain and Eochaidh fell in love and married.
Unknown to Eochaidh, his wife was the reincarnation of
another female who had been married to Midhir, a Danann
chieftain, about 1000 years earlier. Her name at the time
had been Be Find and she had been murdered by Midhir's
jealous first wife.
One day during the season when Magh nBreg (Plain of
Breg) was in bloom, Eochaidh noticed a young warrior that
he did not recognize within the walls of Tara. When
Eochaidh asked him what he wanted, the stranger replied
that he had come to play fidchell, and supplied a silver
board with golden players. The first game was played for
50 horses and Eochaidh won the game. The next day the
stranger was back with fifty dark gray horses with with
dappled blood-red heads and emerald bridles.
The second game was won by Eochaidh as well and the
following day the stranger arrived to pay his debt. He
brought 50 fiery dapple-gray boars with horse hooves and a
cauldron that could hold them, 50 white red-eared cows and
50 white red-eared calves, 50 gray red-headed wethers, 50
gold-hilted swords, 50 ivory-hilted swords, and 50 bright-
speckled cloaks.
When they were about to play the third game, Eochaidh
asked what the stakes would be and the stranger
nonchalantly replied that the winner would claim his desire
and this was accepted. This game was won by the stranger.
Eochaidh asked the stranger what he desired for a prize and
the stranger said he would be satisfied if he were allowed
to put his arms around Etain and kiss her. Eochaid thought
this an odd prize but told the stranger to come back in a
month and he would have it.
When the time came for the stranger to collect his
debt, Eochaidh surrounded Tara with warriors. Eochaidh and
Etain were inside entertaining when the stranger appeared
out of nowhere to collect his kiss. The stranger put his
arms around Etain and as he kissed her they leaped up
through the skylight, changed into swans and flew away.
Eochaidh and his warriors followed the two swans who
dissapeared into Sidhe Bri Leith. Eochaidh now knew that
the stranger was Midhir, a god of the Danann. He had his
warriors start digging into the Sidhe but after a year and
3 months they were no further than when they started
because the Danann filled in at night what they dug by day.
Eochaidh was told that if he were to leave blind dogs and
cats on guard every night, they would stop the Danann from
destroying thier work. Eochaidh did this and was rewarded
by the appearance of Midhir who told him to return in three
days.
When Eochaidh returned there were 50 identical women
that looked like Etain. Eochaidh was told to choose his
wife and he reasoned that he would ask them all to serve
him because no woman in Ireland could serve better than
Etain. He chose the woman he was sure was Etain but when
they returned home he realized it was not his wife, but her
daughter Etain Oig. Eochaidh impregnated Etain Oig then
married her to Cormac Condloinges of Ulster.
Eochaidh Airemh was high chieftain for 15 years before
he was burned in Fremain by Sigmall Sithienta. During his
time Mesgegra mac Datho was head chieftain of Leinster,
Eochu mac Daire was the head chieftain of Ulster and Eocho
Salbuide was the chieftain of the Danann of Ulster.
NAME Eochaidh Feidhleach
EPITHET The Enduring / The Steadfast
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} / Eochaidh / Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho
{Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy / Fedlech / Feidlech /
Feidlioch {Failyuch}
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariot warrior / high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Corann
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd c / BC 140-128 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
BATTLES Leitir Ruaid / Leitir Ruaid
RELATIVES Finn (father); Ethne (wife); Mughain (step-
daughter); Medbh, Ele, Ethne, Clothra and
Derbrui (daughters); Bress, Nar, Lothar, Congal
(sons); Eochaidh Airemh and Ailill Anubhaill
(brothers); Eremon and Tea (ancestors)
ENEMIES Fachtna Fathach
SEE ALSO Ailill Anubhaill / Clothra / Eochaidh Airemh /
Eremon / Ethne / Fachtna Fathach / Medbh /
Mughain / Tea
REMARKS Eochaidh Feidhleach, son of Finn, descendant of
Eremon and Tea became the 81 high chieftain of Ireland when
he killed Fachtna Fathach during the battle of Leitir Ruaid
at Corann.
Eochaidh Feidhleach married Ethne who brought one
daughter, Mughain, from a previous marriage and bore him
five more daughters. He also sired triplet sons who became
known as The Three Finds. He appointed his daughter Medbh
to the position of Sovereign of Ireland.
Eochaidh ruled Ireland as high chieftain for 12 years
untile he died of natural causes at Tara. He was followed
by his brother Eochaidh Airemh.
NAME Eochaidh mac Echach Doimlein
EPITHET Eochaidh of Leinster
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} / Eochaidh / Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho
{Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Fir Domnann tribe
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Carlow
TERRITORY Leinster
CENTERS Dinn Rig
AGE Iron
DATES AD 2nd c
RELATIVES Fithir (1st wife); Dairine (2nd wife)
ENEMIES Tuathal Teachtmhair
SEE ALSO Tuathal Teachtmhair
REMARKS Eochaidh, head chieftain of Leinster, asked the
new high chieftain Tuathal for one of his daughter in
marriage. Tuathal consented to this and Eochaidh married
Fithir, but the people of Leinster said the other daughter
Dairine was more beautiful so Eochaidh again went to the
high chieftain and told him his daughter had died but he
would marry Dairine. Tuathal agreed to this but when the
second daughter arrived at the raith in Leinster she found
her sister Fithir was still very much alive. They were
both so distraught over the injustice that they committed
suicide.
When Tuathal found out what Eochaidh had done, he
attacked with a combined force from Connacht and Ulster.
Eochaidh was killed and the people of Leinster were
subjected to a tax in the form of the Boramha Tribute
(cattle counting). The tribute was rarely paid without a
fight.
NAME Eochaidh of Leinster
EPITHET The Stud of Leinster
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} / Eochaidh / Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho
{Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Leinster
REGION Carlow
CENTERS Dinn Rig
AGE Ui Néill
DATES AD 6th c
RELATIVES Feildem (wife); Brandubh (son)
SEE ALSO Brandubh / Feildem
REMARKS Eochaidh of Leinster and his wife exchanged
babies with Aidan, a head chieftain of Albainn, and his
wife. The fostering of children was common among the
Celtic people, with foster relations often being closer
than blood relations.
NAME Eochaidhe Allmuir
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} / Eochaidh / Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho
{Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Desi tribe
COUNTRY Ireland / Wales
REGION Dyfed
TERRITORY Mide / Dyfed
AGE Iron
DATES AD 3rd c / AD 277
RELATIVES Teudor mas Regin (descendant)
ENEMIES Cairbre
SEE ALSO Cairbre
REMARKS Eochaidhe Allmuir led his people against
Cairbre, the high chieftain of Ireland, after he tried to
expel them from the province of Mide. He then led his
people to Dyfed in Wales where they were still under the
rule of Teudor mas Regin, a descendant of his, in AD 730.
NAME Eocho Bec
EPITHET The Small
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} / Eochaidh / Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho
{Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd c
SEE ALSO Medbh
REMARKS Eocho Bec was denied sovereignty when Medbh
refused to mate with him.
NAME Eocho Salbuide
EPITHET Yellow Heel
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide /
{Yo-hee} / Eochaidh Salbuidhe / Eochaidhe /
Eoched / Eocho {Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd c
RELATIVES Ness and Finna (daughters)
SEE ALSO Finna / Nessa
REMARKS Eocho Salbuide, son of Loch Mor, was a chieftain
of the Danann in Ulster at the time that Eochaidh Airemh
was the high chieftain of Ireland. Eochu mac Daire was the
head chieftain of Ulster. Eocho Salbuide sired two famous
daughters: Finna and Ness.
NAME Eochu Apthach
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} Eochaidh / Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho
{Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel - Corcu Laegde
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 9th c / BC 866-865 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
RELATIVES Lugaid Laeg (father); Lugaid macDare
(grandfather); Ith (ancestor)
ENEMIES Find Formail
SEE ALSO Lugaid macDare / Ith
REMARKS Eochu became the high chieftain of Ireland after
the death of Bres Ri. He was unpopular because their was a
plague for every month that he was seated. He was called
Apthach because of the number of people who died during the
12 plagues. He was killed by Find Formail who became the
next high chieftain.
NAME Eochu Edgathach
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} Eochaidh / Eochaidhe / Eoched / Eocho
{Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 14th c / BC 1365-1361 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
RELATIVES Daire Doimthech (father); Tea (aunt); Ith
(great-grandfather)
SEE ALSO Ith / Tea
REMARKS Eochu Edgathach, son of Daire Doimthech, son of
Lugaid mac Itha was the 6th high chieftain of Ireland and
lasted 4 year before he was killed by Cermna, son of Ebric.
One thing he was remembered for was introducing the
use checkered garments by the nobles. He was then succeded
by the joint rulers Cermna and Sobairce, sons of Ebric, son
of Eber, son of Ir.
NAME Eochu Muigmedon
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} Eochaidh Muigl Mheadhoin / Eochaidhe /
Eoched / Eocho {Yuhho} / Eochu Mugmedon / Eochy
GENDER M
SYMBOL horse
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE high chieftain
CULTURE Danann / Goidel / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron (late)
DATES AD 4th c / AD 335-342 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
ACCESSORIES Boramha Tribute (cattle counting)
RELATIVES Muiredach Tirech (father); Mongfhinn (1st wife);
Brénos, Fiachra, Ailill and Fergus (sons);
Cairenn Chasdubh (2nd wife); Niall (son); Eremon
and Tea (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Cairenn Chasdubh / Eremon / Mongfhinn / Niall
Noighiallach / Sithchenn / Tea
REMARKS Eochu Muigmedon, son of Muiredach Tirech, son of
Fiacha Sreabhtuinne was a high chieftain of Ireland who
traced his ancestry back to Eremon and Tea.
Eochu managed to extracted the cattle tax (Boramha
Tribute) from Leinster without a fight but his domestic
life was not so calm. His first wife hated his concubine
and when Eochu's son, Niall, was born by her Mongfhinn
tried numerous times to kill him.
Eochu fostered his sons to Mongfhinn's brother
Crimthann and he sent the five boys to Sithchenn the
prophet/smith to divine their futures. Eochu Muigmedon
served as the high chieftain for 7 years before he died at
Tara. Crimthann mac Fidaig, brother of Mongfhinn, followed
him as head chieftain and he fostered Eochu's 5 sons. He
died when he interscepted poision his sister had intended
to killl Niall with.
EPITHET Ol-muccaid (Aengus Olmuccaid)
ALTERNATIVE Echo (horse) / Echu / Eochaid / Eochaide
{Yo-hee} Eochaidh Muigl Mheadhoin / Eochaidhe /
Eoched / Eocho {Yuhho} / Eochu / Eochy
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariot warrior / high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 13th c / BC 1277-1256 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
BATTLES Sliab Belgatain / Cluain (died)
RELATIVES Mofemis (father); Enna Airgdech (son); Mogaeth
(half-brother); Rifath Scot and Eber (ancestors)
ENEMIES Fiachu Labrainne / Oengus Olmucach
SEE ALSO Conmael / Eber / Enna Airgdech / Eremon / Fiachu
Labrainne / Oengus Olmucach / Rifath Scot
REMARKS Eochu Mumu, son of Mofemis was a descendant of
Eber the Milesian (Goidel) and became the 10th high
chieftain of Ireland when he killed Fiachu Labrainne during
the battle of Sliab Belgatain.
Eochu was the next winner in the seasaw battle for the
control of Ireland between the children of the Milesians.
Eochu's mother was his half-brother's daughter and he was
called Ol-muccaid because his mother served the Great Drink
of Mogaeth Mor-olach (the Great Drinker).
The province of Munster (Mumu) was named after Eochu
and he served 21 years as the high chieftain of Ireland. He
fought many battles against the sons of Eremon before he
was killed by Oengus Olmucach the son of Fiachu Labrainne
in a fair combat during the battle of Cluain (Cluana).
NAME Eogabail
GENDER M
CATEGORY druid
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
AGE Iron
DATES AD 2nd c
RELATIVES Donn of Uisneach (father); Aine (daughter);
Manannan (foster-father)
SEE ALSO Aine na gClair / Manannan
REMARKS Eogabail was the father of the love goddess Aine
na gClair and a foster-son of the bloodline of Manannan.
NAME Eogan mac Durthacht
ALTERNATIVE Eogan / Eoghan {owen}
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior / Red Branch champion
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster / Fermag
SITES Hostel (Bruidhean)
CENTERS Raith Airthir in Fermag
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Mac Da Tho's / Cualnge Cattle Raid
RELATIVES Durthacht (father); Findige (wife); Lendabair
(daughter)
ENEMIES sons of Usna / Cet / Host of Connacht
SEE ALSO Cet / Conchobar / Cu Chulainn / Cuscraidh /
Deirdre / Durthacht / Ferghus mac Roig /
Fiacha / Lendabair / Mac Da Tho / Macha /
Naoise
/ Usna
REMARKS Eogan mac Durthacht came upon Cet rescuing cows
that he thought were his, so Eogan threw a spear at him.
Cet threw the spear back and took out Eogan's eye. He was
reminded of this episode later, during the feast at Mac Da
Tho's hostel.
During a battle between Eogan and Conchobar, Conchobar
and his son Cuscraidh were left on the battlefield for dead
but were rescued by a young Cu Chulainn. Later, Eogan was
hired by Conchobar to kill Naoise and his brothers and
Fiacha, a son of Ferghus mac Roig. After a year had passed
and Conchobar failed to get any concessions from Deirdre,
he gave her to Eogan because he knew she hated him as much
as she hated Conchobar. On the way to his fort she killed
herself by throwing herself out of the chariot and smashing
her head on a rock.
At the beginning of the Cualnge Cattle Raid, Eogan was
experiencing his pains of Macha at Raith Airthir. He was
described as having dark brown hair that was thinning on
his forehead. He wore a bright-sleeved tunic next to his
skin and a dull gray cloak held with a silver pin over his
chest. He carried a 5-pronged spear and a curved shield
with a plaited rim. Eogan led a troop of warriors against
Connacht on the side of Ulster.
NAME Eoghan
ALTERNATIVE Eogan / Eoghan {owen}
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES Loughill (Elmwood)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
ENEMIES Ulster
REMARKS Eoghan was a chieftain from Connacht who was
killed in a battle with some warriors from Ulster. He was
buried on the border of the two provinces, near Loughill so
that his spirit would protect Connacht from invasions. The
warriors of Ulster found out where he was buried, opened
his grave and reburied him face down.
NAME Eoghan Mor
EPITHET Mug Nuadat (servants to a new flag)
ALTERNATIVE Eogan / Eoghan {owen} / Mog Lama / Mug (servant)
GENDER M
SYMBOL salmon
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Munster / Leth Moga (The Half of Mug)
SITES Eiscir Riada
CENTERS Raith Cashel (Caisel)
AGE Iron
DATES AD 2nd c
BATTLES Moylena (Moy Leana)
RELATIVES Beara (wife); Conaire, Ailill and Tadhg (sons);
Rifath Scot / Eber (ancestor)
ENEMIES Conn
SEE ALSO Ailill Olomn / Beara / Bile / Conaire Coem /
Conn Cetcathach / Eber / Eremon / Rifath Scot /
Tadhg mac Nuadat / Tea
REMARKS Eoghan Mor was a descendant of Eber of the
Milesian (Goidel). From Eoghan's bloodline came the
Eoganachta who were the rulers of Munster. Eoghan went to
war with Conn, the high chieftain of Ireland, a descedant
of Eremon and Tea. He managed to take the southern half of
Ireland away from him. This new land became known as Leth
Moga (The Half of Mug)
The name Mug means servant, and the southern half was
known as the female half of the island. Eoghan was
referred to as Mug Nuadat which implies servants to a new
flag or banner. The boundary line was the Eiscir Riada, a
line of low hills running from Galway to Dublin and cutting
the island roughly in half.
After 7 years Eoghan was not satisfied with having
only half of the island and went to war with Conn again.
During the battle of Moy Leana (Moyleana), he was killed by
Conn who regained control of the whole island.
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Belgae - Catuvellauni tribe
COUNTRY England
REGION Kent (eastern)
TERRITORY Lloegr
CENTERS Caer Lludd (Kaerlud) present-day Ilford
AGE Iron
DATES AD 1st c / AD 10-20 (chieftain)
RELATIVES Lludd (father); Tasciovanos (brother); Cunobel
(nephew); Cassubellaunos, Nynniaw and Llevelys
(uncles)
ENEMIES Eppillos / Verica
SEE ALSO Cassubellaunos / Cunobel / Eppillos / Llevelys /
Lludd / Nynniaw / Tasciovanos / Verica
REMARKS Epaticcos became chieftain of the Atrebates
tribe when he killed their chieftain Eppillos. This was
around the time that his brother died and his nephew
Cunobel became Brenin of the Belgae. Epaticcos was the
chieftain of the Atrebates until about AD 20 when he was
killed by Verica.
NAME Epona
EPITHET The Divine Mare
GENDER F
SYMBOL mare with foal / woman sidesaddle on a mare
CATEGORY deity
TYPE horse goddess (nourishment/fertility/protection)
CULTURE Urnfield-Hallstatt / Gallic / Belgae
COUNTRY France / Germany / Austria / Switzerland / Italy
Yugoslavia / England
AGE Bronze / Iron
DATES BC 9th c / AD 2nd c
ACCESSORIES horses / bag / birds / torc
REMARKS Epona was the important horse goddess of the
Continental Celts and was venerated at many sites
throughout Europe. She was revered by chariot warriors and
horse warriors alike, and when the Romans came into contact
with the Celts she also became the guardian of mules.
Epona was known to protect, feed and shelter horses,
and her image often adorned stables. She was the most
widely worshipped of the Celtic gods. She is usually shown
either riding side-saddle on a mare, with a foal, feeding
horses or with a group of horses and is also associated
with water. A bronze plaque commemorating her was found at
Alesia, France with what appears to be a horse with a human
head riding in a chariot.
The White Horse of Uffington may have been sacred to
Epona as it was in the territory of the Belgae who were
known horse people. Her name derives from the P-Celtic
"epos" (horse) and the Indo-European "ekus" (horse). Epona
may also have carried the souls of the dead to The
Otherworld. She was venerated by tribes such as the Aedui,
Lingones, Mediomatrici and Treveri who had Urnfield-
Hallstatt roots dating back to BC 9th century and farther,
and her veneration continued on into Roman times.
NAME Eporedorix
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE horse warrior / freedom fighter / war leader
CULTURE Gallic - AEdui tribe
COUNTRY France
TERRITORY Gaul
LANDMARKS Loire / Saône
SITES Alesia (Alise Ste Reine)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 1st c / BC 52 ca.
BATTLES Alesia
ENEMIES Rome
SEE ALSO Comm / Vercingetorix
REMARKS Sometime during BC 1st century, Eporedorix led a
campaign of the AEdui against the Sequani tribe over the
disputed borderline of the Saône river.
In BC 52, he led his warriors in an attack against the
rear of the Roman forces as they were sieging Vercingetorix
and his warriors in the Mandubian oppidum of Alesia. The
only hope the besieged warriors had was that these forces
under the war leader Comm would succeed in opening a path
so they could get out. They failed.
NAME Eppillos
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Brenin
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Belgae - Atrebates tribe
COUNTRY England
REGION Sussex
TERRITORY Lloegr
AGE Iron
DATES AD 1st c / AD 7-10 (chieftain)
RELATIVES Comm (father); Tincommios and Verica (brothers)
SEE ALSO Comm / Epaticcos / Tincommios / Verica
REMARKS Eppillos killed his brother Tincommios because
of his pro-Roman stance and took the position as head
chieftain of the Atrebates. Eppillos was later killed by
Epaticcos, of the Catuvellauni tribe, who made the
Atrebates a sept of the Catuvellauni and took the position
of head chieftain for himself.
NAME Erbin
EPITHET For the South (Gereint Rac Deheu)
ALTERNATIVE Geraint
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / Brenin
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Briton - Dumnonii tribe
COUNTRY England
REGION Cornwall
AGE Post-Roman
DATES AD 6th c
RELATIVES Custennin (father)
SEE ALSO Custennin Corneu
REMARKS Erbin led any army against the Angles in
Northumbria.
NAME Erc
GENDER M
FESTIVAL summer solstice
CATEGORY warrior / war leader
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Firbolg
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Mayo
TERRITORY Connacht
LANDMARKS Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 17th c
BATTLES first battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura)
RELATIVES Genann (father); Cnucha (mother); Dui (wife);
Eochaid (son); Rinnal (brother); Dela
(grandfather); Magog and Semeon (ancestors)
ENEMIES Danann
SEE ALSO Dela / Eochaid mac Eirc / Genann / Magog /
Nuadha / Rinnal / Semeon
REMARKS Erc, son of Genann, son of Dela, became the war
leader of the Firbolg after his son was killed during the
first battle of Magh Tuireadh. The Firbolg fought the
battle on summer solstice but lost to the Danann who were
led by Nuadha. The Danann gave them the province of
Connacht to live in.
GENDER M
SYMBOL salmon
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Gailioin / Goidel / Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Carlow
TERRITORY Leinster
SITES Mound of Slane in Mide
CENTERS Dinn Rig
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid / Gairech & Irgairech
RELATIVES Fedlimid Nocruthach (mother); Carbre Niafer
(father); Carbre (brother); Eochu Imfhota and
Fiachna (half-brothers); Rifath Scot, Eremon
and Tea (ancestors)
ENEMIES Host of Connacht / Conall Cernacht / Cu Chulainn
SEE ALSO Calatin Dana / Carbre Niafer / Fedlimid
Nocruthach / Fiachna / Lugaid mac Curoi /
MacRoth / Medbh
REMARKS Erc mac Cairbre was a descendant of Eremon and
Tea of the Milesian (Goidel) but later claimed his linage
from his father of the Gailioin. During the Cualnge Cattle
Raid Erc and his brother Carbre fought for Ulster the land
of their mother.
Erc came to the mound of Slane in Mide with a mixed
host of warriors surrounding him in a shield of protection.
He was described by MacRoth as a little freckled-faced
young lad wearing a bright hooded tunic of royal silk with
a border of red gold covered by a fringed purple mantle
fastened with a golden salmon-shaped brooch. In one hand,
he carried a bright shield with golden images of beasts, a
gold boss and a golden rim, and in the other hand he
carried a light lance. He wore a sword with a golden hilt
at his side. To the bulls of Ulster he was the calf of
their cow and was protected to the utmost.
Years later when Erc had become the head chieftain of
Leinster he sided with his father's people to seek revenge
on Cu Chulainn for killing his father. Erc helped Medbh
set up a situation where the Clanna Calatin, Lugaid mac
Curoi and himself could kill Cu Chulainn.
During Cu Chulainn's last battle it was Erc mac
Cairbre who hit the Gray of Macha with one of the
supernatural spears of Calatin Dana. Erc was later killed
by Conall Cernacht in revenge for his part in the killing
of Cu Chulainn.
NAME Ercenn
GENDER M
CATEGORY henchman
TYPE chief attendant to Conchobar Ri Ruirech
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Armagh
TERRITORY Ulster
SITES Mound of Slane in Mide
CENTERS Emain Macha (Navan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid / Gairech & Irgairech
ACCESSORIES chains
RELATIVES son of the 3 stewards
ENEMIES Host of Connacht
SEE ALSO Conchobar / MacRoth
REMARKS Ercenn was described by MacRoth as a dark
swarthy man with 7 chains around his neck and 7 warriors at
the end of each chain. He dragged the chain holders so
that their faces scraped the earth.
NAME Ercol
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Garmuin (wife); Medbh (foster daughter)
SEE ALSO Conall Cernacht / Cu Chulainn / Loeghaire
Buadhach / Medbh
REMARKS When Cu Chulainn, Conall and Loeghaire were
competing for the position of the greatest warrior of
Ulster, Medbh sent them to Ercol so he could judge their
bravery. Ercol fought Loeghaire first but when Ercol's
gelding killed his horse, Loeghaire fled back to Ulster.
Ercol then challenged Conall and sent him running as well.
Conall's son Rathand drowned during his flight.
Ercol then fought Cu Chulainn, and in the combat his
horse was killed by the Gray of Macha. Ercol was also
defeated and Cu Chulainn tied him behind his chariot and
made him walk to Ulster as his hostage. Erol prounced Cu
Chulainn the greatest of the Ulster champions.
EPITHET The Perfect / The Youthful
ALTERNATIVE Erimon / Heremon / Herimon
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariot warrior / high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel (Milesian) / Egyptian - Artabri tribe
COUNTRY Spain / Ireland
REGION Galicia / Meath / Donegal
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Tochar-etir-da-mag
SITES Tor Breogain (Tower of Breogan) / Teltown
(Tailltenn) / Drumleene
CENTERS Brigantia (A Corunna) / Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 15th c / BC 1515-1498 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
BATTLES Sliabh Mish / Taillcenn / Druim Lighean / Bile
Tened / Breogan / Comraire
RELATIVES Golamh (father); Scota (mother/wife); Odba
(wife/half-sister); Muimne, Luigne and Laigne
(sons); Tea (wife); Eidenn, Alan, Aine,
Caithiar, Caicher Cernda, Palap and Irial Faid
(sons); Eber, Amhairghin, Ir, Colptha and
Arannan (brothers); Dil (half-sister); Airioch
Feabhruadh and Donn (half-brothers); Bile
(grandfather); Bregon (great-grandfather);
Brego, Bladh, Fuad, Murthemne, Cualgne, Cuala,
Eibleo, Nar and Ith (granduncles); Rifath Scot
(ancestor)
ENEMIES Danann / Eber / Amhairghin / Fulman / Mantan /
Un / Etan
SEE ALSO Amhairghin / Arannan / Bile / Bladh / Bregon /
Colptha / Donn / Eber / Fuad / Golamh / Ir
/
Irial Faid / Ith / MacCecht / Odba / Rifath Scot
/ Scota / Seang / Tea
REMARKS Eremon, son of Golamh and Scotia was born at the
Tower of Breogan at A Corunna, Spain. When his father died
he married his mother Scota to keep control within the
family. Eremon also married his half-sister Odba who bore
him 3 sons, then he married Tea who boar him another 7
sons.
Eremon and his half-brother Donn ruled their people
jointly but during the invasion of Ireland Donn was the war
leader. When Donn was killed Amhairghin appointed Eremon
as the head chieftain of the Goidel invaders. Eremon led
30 ships righ-hand-wise around Ireland then landed in the
Boyne Estuary at a place called Inber Colptha after his
brother.
The names of the 30 chieftains in the landing were:
Brego, Muirthemne, Faud, Cuailnge, Eremon, Eber son of Ir,
Amhairghin, Colptha, Muimne, Luigne, Laigne, Gosten, Setga,
Suirge and Sobairche. Their servants were Ai, Aidne,
Assal, Mide, Cuib, Cera, Ser, Slan, Ligen, Dul, Adal, Traig
and LIne.
During the battle of Taillcenn (Teltown) against the
Danann, Eremon killed MacCecht in revenge for his having
murdered his cousin Ith. Eber was the oldest living member
of the family of Scota after the invasion of Ireland but
Amhairghin the druid decided that Eremon should be the head
chieftain of Ireland for the Goidel.
The two brother went to war and finally Ireland was
divided in half. Eremon received the part of Ireland north
of the Boyne and Eber the southern half. Chieftains loyal
to Eremon were Amhairghin, Eber son of Ir, Sobairche
(Surge), Setga, Goscen, Suirge the strong raven and Cir
(The Poet) son of Is. They gave the north of Ireland
dignity and knowledge.
Eremon built Raith Bethaig ac Eoir (Rathbeagh on the
Nore) and Raith Oind in Cualu, Sobairche built Dun
Sobairche the white sided and strong which is Dunseverick,
Antrim. Setga built Delginis (Dalkey, near Dublin), Suirge
built Dun Etair at Howth, Dublin, Goscen eventually built
Nar west of Sliabh Mish, Amhairghin built Tochar Inbhir
Mhoir (the Great Causeway).
Eremon was attacked by Eber who was still unhappy with
the decision that he was not given total rule of Ireland.
This time Eremon killed Eber in combat at Tochar-etir-da-
mag and joined the two halves of Ireland together.
Amhairghin divided the island into 5 provinces (coiceda),
made Eremon the 1st high chieftain of Ireland and made Tara
the seat of government.
Eremon made the 4 sons of Eber (Er/Orba/Fergna/Feron)
the head of the province of Munster (Mumu). The province
of Connacht was put in the charge of Un, son of Uicce, and
Etan. The leadership of Ulster (Ulaid) was given to Eber,
son of Ir and Crimthann Sciathbel of the Fir Domnann was
appointed head chieftain of Leinster.
Eremon killed his brother Amhairghin during the battle
of Bile Tened and 3 years later he killed Fulman and Mantan
during the battle of Breogan in Femen. A year later Eremon
killed Un and Etan during the battle of Comraire in Mide.
Eremon served the Milesian (Goidel) as the high
chieftain of Ireland for 17 years before he died at his
raith and was buried in the land of silvery Airgatros. The
head chieftains of Ulster claim descendant from Eremon.
After Eremon's death his sons Muine, Luigne and Laigne
divided the island into 3 spheres of influence which they
ruled until Muimne died of plague. Then Luigne and Laigne
were slain by their cousins Er, Orba, Feron and Fergna.
These sons of Eber ruled the island until Eremon's son
Irial Faid killed them and he ruled as the 2nd high
chieftain of Ireland.
Eremon's bloodline continued to rule Ireland through
out much of the next 2500 years. Mael-Sechlainn mac
Domnaill, the last high chieftain (Ard Righ Eirinn), was a
descendant of his.
NAME Erglan
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE champion
CULTURE Nemedian tribe
COUNTRY Ireland / Scotland / England
REGION Donegal
TERRITORY Dobar / Iardobar
LANDMARKS Tory Island (island of towers)
SITES Conann's Tower (Tuir Chonaind)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 19th-18th c
BATTLES Magh Ceitne
RELATIVES Beoan (father); Mathach and Iardacht (brothers);
Starn (grandfather); Macha (grandmother);
Nemhedh (great-grandfather); Magog (ancestor)
ENEMIES Fomorii
SEE ALSO Beoan / Conann mac Faeboir / Fergus Lethderg /
Iarbonel / Macha / Magog / Morc mac Deiled /
Nemhedh / Semon / Starn
REMARKS Because of the devastating effects the battle of
Cnamros and the plague had on the The Nemedian population
they were forced into servitude by the Fomorii. The
Fomorii chieftain Conann demanded that the Nemedian pay an
annual tribute of 2/3 of their harvest, milk, calves and
newborn children. This was to be brought to Magh Ceitne on
Tory Island every Samhain.
Erglan son of Beoan, son of Starn, son of Nemhedh;
Semul son of Iarbonel, son of Nemhedh and their head
chieftain Fergus, son of Nemhedh decieded to attack the
Fomorians in their own territory. They led a force of
30,000 troops by land and 30,000 by sea and attacked Tuir
Chonaind (Conann's Tower), the Fomorian stronghold, on Tor
Innis (Tory Island).
The Nemedian were victorious and captured the island
but their rejoycing was short-lived when a Fomorii fleet of
3x20 ships arrived under the chieftain Morca mac Dela. A
fierce battle took place with a mutual slaughter on both
sides. In the end only one ship with 30 Nemedian warriors
returned to Ireland.
Erglan, Mathach (Matach) and Iardacht (Artach) were 3
of the survivors and eventually led a following of people
away from Ireland and voyaged to Albainn (Scotland/northern
England) where they settled in Dobar and Iardobar and
presumeably became the Fir Domnnan of Scotland.
NAME Eris
GENDER F
CATEGORY deity
TYPE goddess of discord
TERRITORY Gaul
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 13th c
SEE ALSO Achilles / Aphrodite / Athena / Hera / Paris /
Zeus
REMARKS When the deities Peleus and Thetis, the future
parents of Achilles, were getting married, a great banquet
was planned and all were invited except Eris. In revenge,
she hurled a golden apple into the crowd at the wedding
feast that bore the inscription "For the Fairest", thus
causing great commotion.
It was generally agreed that three of the goddesses
Hera, Athena and Aphrodite were the most likely contenders
for the prize. Zeus refused to pronounce which of the
three was the winner so an impartial judgement was enlisted
from the mortal Paris, a young man known for his
appreciation of beauty. The result of the contest
eventually led to the 10 year war between the Trojans and
the Achaeans.
NAME Ernmas
EPITHET Aed Ernmas (Fiery Ernmas) / The Eternal / The
Lasting One / Mother of Heroes
ALTERNATIVE Buan / Buanann / Clothru / Ernmoiss / Ernmusa /
Ernmais
GENDER F
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires) / summer solstice
CATEGORY hero / warrior / farmer
TYPE champion
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Mayo
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES Cong / Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
BATTLES first battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura)
RELATIVES Etarlam (father); Delbaeth (husband); Macha,
Danu, Badbh, Elcmar (daughters); Olloman, Glonn,
Gnim and Coscar (sons); Fiachu and Indui
(sons/consorts); Eire, Fodhla and Banbha
(daughters/granddaughters); Neto (son/grandson);
Echtach (brother); Ordan (grandfather); Daghda
(grandson); Fea and Nemhain (great-
grandaughters); Indui and Nuadha (nephews);
Magog and Iarbonel (ancestors)
ENEMIES Firbolg
SEE ALSO Badbh / Banbha / Daghda / Danu / Delbaeth /
Elcmar / Eire / Fea / Fiachu / Fodhla /
Iarbonel
/ Indui / Macha / Magog / Nemhain
/ Neto /
Olloman
REMARKS Ernmas, daughter of Etarlam son of Ordan, was a
Danann champion warrior. Known as Buanann she ran a
training school for the sons and daughters of the Danann in
the art of combat. Ernmas was killed during the battle of
south Moytura and her training was taken over by her
daughter Danu.
NAME Err
ALTERNATIVE Eirr
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / scout
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel / Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES Ard Cuillen (the Height of Cuillen) / Ath Gabla
(Ford of the Fork)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid (died)
ACCESSORIES Fraech was his charioteer
RELATIVES Nera (father); Innell (brother)
ENEMIES Cualnge / Pictland / Ulster
SEE ALSO Laeg / Nera / Innell
REMARKS Err and his brother were scouts for the Host of
Connacht. They would travel ahead of the main force with
their charioteers looking for the best trails, river
crossings and camp sites. He and his brother found the
ogham wreath on the pillar stone that Cu Chulainn had made
as a challenge to the warriors of Connacht. Later they
came upon Cu Chulainn and Laeg while Cu Chulainn was
constructing the ogham fork in the Creek of the Wood.
Err was the first of the four to lose his head. It
was soon followed by the heads of his brother and that of
their charioteers. The 4 heads were used to adorn the
four-pronged fork erected by Cu Chulainn as a warning to
the warriors of Connacht not to cross the river. The ford
became known as Ath Gabla (ford of the fork).
NAME Errge Echbel
EPITHET Horse Mouth
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster
SITES Temair Luachra / Mound of Slane in Mide
CENTERS Bri Errgi (Errge's Mound)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Temuir Luachra / Cualnge Cattle Raid / Gairech &
Irgairech
ACCESSORIES sword (Lettach)
RELATIVES Uanchend Arritech (foster-son)
ENEMIES Host of Connacht
SEE ALSO Celtchair / Cromm Deroil / CuRoi macDaire /
MacRoth / Uanchend Arritech / Uma
REMARKS During the drunken brawl at Temair Luachra
between warriors of Munster, Connacht and Ulster, Errge was
identified by CuRoi as one of the 3 battle-stays of Ulster,
the other two being Uma and Celtchair. Cromm Deroil
described him as a savage hound who snorted when he smelled
an enemy. He had dark bristly hair and wore a linen tunic
next to his skin which was covered by a dun-gray woolly
mantle fastened with an iron stake. Errge carried a gold-
hilted sword, flat broad-headed spears and a dun shield
with a bronze boss.
During the Cualnge Cattle Raid, Errge was described by
MacRoth as a wild red-handed fighting bear from Bri Errgi
in the north. He was ugly, fearful, big-bellied, big-
mouthed, half-brained, long-handed and with only one clear
eye. He had brown curly hair and wore a tunic next to his
skin and over that a black flowing mantle with a tin brooch
in the shape of a wheel. He carried a gray shield
(buckler) and a well-tempered lance. At his waist he wore
a huge long sword.
NAME Esaire
ALTERNATIVE Esairg / Esarg
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland ?
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Net (father); Tuirbe and Luachaid (consorts);
Diancecht, Goibhniu, Luchtine, Creidhne and
Samhain (sons); Airmid and Etain
(granddaughters); Miach, Cethen, Cu and Cian
(grandsons); Bicfelmas, Lugh, Cairbre and
Delbaeth (great-grandsons) Macha, Badbh, Danu
and Elcmar (great-great-granddaughters); Abcan,
Abartach, Fiachu, Olloman and Indui (great-
great-grandsons); Sabrann, Airgden, Barrand, Be
Chuille, Be Thete, Dianann, Boann, Fea, Nemhain,
Eire, Fodhla, Banbha (great-great-great-
granddaughters); Mechi, Daghda, Corpre Crom, Ai
mac Ollamain, Neto (great-great-great-grandson);
Indui (grandfather); Delbath (brother); Magog
and Iarbonel (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Abartach / Abcan / Ai mac Ollamain / Airmid /
Badbh / Banbha / Be Chuille / Boann / Cian /
Cairbre / Creidhne / Daghda / Danu /
Delbaeth /
Dianann / Diancecht / Eire /
Elcmar / Etain /
Fea / Fiachu / Fodhla / Goibhniu
/ Iarbonel /
Indui / Luchtine / Lugh / Macha / Magog / Miach
/ Nemhain / Net / Neto / Olloman / Samhain
REMARKS Esaire was the daughter of Net and a descendant
of Magog through Iarbonel (The Soothsayer) of the
Nemedians. Esaire was the great progenitrix of many of the
most important Danann.
NAME Eseult
EPITHET She Who Must Be Gazed Upon
ALTERNATIVE Esselt / Esyllt / Iseult / Isolde
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman) / druid
TYPE daughter of the Ard Righ Eirinn / physician
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland / England / France
REGION Meath / Brittany / Cornwall
TERRITORY Mide /
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
SITES Forest of Kelyddon
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Ui Néill
DATES AD 6th c
RELATIVES March (husband); Tristan (consort); Morold
(uncle)
SEE ALSO Arthur / Gwalchmai / March / Morold / Tristan
REMARKS Eseult was an incredibly beautiful woman and a
physician at the court of the high chieftain of Ireland.
She tended the body of her uncle Morold and found a sliver
of the sword that had killed him. She kept the sliver
hoping someday to find the warrior who was responsible for
his death. Around the same time Eseult cured a handsome
minstrel from Cornwall who was dying from poisonous wounds.
It happened that Ireland was being plagued by a dragon
who was devastating the country and her father the high
chieftain offered Eseult's hand in marriage to anyone that
could kill it. The dragon killed many champions until a
young warrior named Tristan got the better of it. During
the battle, Tristan had been wounded by the dragon and had
lost his memory as a result.
As Eseult was treating her patient, she received word
that the dragon had been killed by a steward whom she must
now marry. Gradually her patient's memory began to come
back and she found out that he was the Dragonslayer. When
his sword was checked, she noticed a fragment missing from
the tip which corresponded to the shard that she found in
her uncle's skull.
Eseult now faced a dilemma because the man she was to
marry had also killed her uncle whom she had sworn to
revenge. To her surprise, Tristan claimed her hand for his
uncle March, the head chieftain of Cornwall, and not for
himself. When Eseult was about to leave for Cornwall with
Tristan, her mother who was a filidh gave her a love potion
for her to drink with March on their wedding night. The
potion was mistakenly drunk by Tristan and Eseult on the
way and they fell madly in love. When she arrived in
Cornwall she was married to March, but she and Tristan
carried on a secret relationship until they were discovered
by the court dwarf.
The couple then escaped to the forest of Kelyddon in
Cornwall and survived in the wilds. For some time Eseult,
Tristan and their company avoided the search parties sent
by March but it was only a matter of time before they were
tracked down. Gwalchmai, negotiator for Arthur (high
chieftain of Britain) arrived to settle the difficulty just
as the two groups were preparing to do battle. It was
decided that Eseult should return to the court and be
faithful to her husband March and Tristan was to be exiled
to Brittany.
While Tristan was in Brittany he married a woman named
Isolt. During a combat Tristan was wounded and a boat was
sent from Brittany to Cornwall to bring Eseult so that she
could cure him. Tristan was already dead by the time she
arrived and in grief for her true love, she committed
suicide. From Eseult's grave grew a rosebush and from the
grave of Tristan a vine, and in time the two intertwined.
NAME Esus
EPITHET He Who Directs Wars
ALTERNATIVE Esus (Master) / Hesus
GENDER M
SYMBOL bull
CATEGORY deity
TYPE god of war / death and fertility
CULTURE Urnfield-Hallstatt / Belgae - Treveri / Goidel
Gallic - Parisii
COUNTRY France / Germany
REGION Rhineland
TERRITORY Gaul / Belgica
SITES Paris / Trier
AGE Bronze / Iron
DATES BC 13th c / BC 9th c
ACCESSORIES bull / 3 cranes or egrets / willow tree
SEE ALSO Taranis / Teutates / Zeus
REMARKS Esus was a god of fertility through death and,
along with Taranis and Teutates, was one of the three chief
gods of the Gaul. Each one of the deities was associated
with a different sacrificial rite. A sacrifice to Esus was
suspended head down from the limb of a tree (of life) and
cut to induce blood or beheaded. The triple death of
stabbing, burning and drowning (or strangulation) held
great significance. Esus, Taranis and Teutates may be
associated with the ancient Celtic god Zeus.
A carved stone found in Paris (Paris Altar) shows Esus
in the act of cutting a tree. He is accompanied by a bull
with three cranes or egrets, 2 on his back and 1 on his
head. The bull is a sun symbol, the cranes are symbols of
the moon and the tree a symbol of earth. A similar scene
is presented on the altar from Trier. In BC 1st century
the Aremorican tribes the Esubii and the Atesuii claimed
descent from Esus.
Esus was also honored by woodcutters and builders, as
he was said to prune the tree of life with cruel cuts so
that it would flower, bear fruit and find strength.
NAME Etain
ALTERNATIVE Edain / Etain {Ett-an} / Etan / Etnae / Etnai /
Etoine
GENDER F
FESTIVAL summer solstice
CATEGORY deity / druid
TYPE healer god / poet / physician (medicine)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Sligo
TERRITORY Connacht
LANDMARKS Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
BATTLES second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura)
RELATIVES Diancecht (father); Eladu and Tuar (consorts);
Oghma (son/consort); Delbaeth, Cairbre and
Senbecc (son); Cian, Miach, Ochttriuil, Cethen
and Cu (brothers); Airmid (sister); Esaire
(grandmother); Net (great-grandfather); Magog
and Iarbonel (ancestors); Abcan (rapist)
SEE ALSO Abcan / Airmid / Cairbre / Cian / Delbaeth /
Diancecht / Eladu / Esaire / Iarbonel /
Magog /
Miach / Net / Oghma
REMARKS Etain, daughter of Diancecht, son of Esaire,
daughter of Net, was a druid involved in medicines and was
involved in the second battle of Magh Tuireadh. She bore a
famous son Delbaeth sired by her son Oghma, a son Cairbre
sired by Tuar, and a son Senbecc sired by Abcan when he
raped her.
Etain died from sorrow at the deaths of her sons,
Oghma in the battle of north Moytura and Cairbre during the
combats of Segais Well.
NAME Etain Echraidhe
EPITHET Horse-Riding Edain (Eirelandhraidhe)
ALTERNATIVE Edain Echraidhe / Etain {Ett-an} / Etain Echrade
GENDER F
SYMBOL mare
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY deity / rigbean (noble woman)
TYPE moon goddess of reincarnation
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Ulster / Echrade
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
SITES Sidhe Bri Leith
CENTERS Sidhe Indber Cichmane / Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Etar of Echrade (father); Eochaidh Airemh
(husband); Midhir (consort ?); Etain Oig
(daughter); Ailill Anubhaill (brother-in-
law/consort ?); Eochaidh Feidhleach (brother-in-
law)
SEE ALSO Ailill Anubhaill / Be Find / Eochaidh Airemh /
Eochaidh Feidhleach / Etain Oig / Etar of
Echrade / Fuamnach / Midhir
REMARKS In a past life, Etain was a beautiful maiden
named Be Find but she had been changed into a large scarlet
fly by Fuamnach, wife of Midhir the chieftain of the Sidhe
Bri Leith in Ulster. 1012 years later her soul in the body
of a mayfly landed in the wine cup of Etar's wife and was
swallowed during the festival of Beltainn. Etar's wife
became pregnant and Etain was born to her. Etar was
chieftain of the Sidhe Indber Cichmane at Echrade in the
province of Ulster. Etain was raised with 50 chieftains'
daughters as her attendants.
She had skin as white as new snow with cheeks the
color of foxglove. Her eyes were as blue as hyacinths with
eyebrows as black as a stag beetle. Her teeth were like
pearls and her lips were the red of rowan berries. The
maiden was blessed with long hands, sleek white thighs and
a face that reflected the radiance of the moon.
Her clothing consisted of a hooded gown of green silk
that was embroidered with red gold and held with clasps of
silver and gold at her shoulders, breasts and sides. Over
the gown she wore a mantle of purple fleece with a silver
fringe that was held together with a golden fibula. Her
hair was red-gold in color and she wore it in 2 braids.
Each braid was plaited with 4 locks of hair and fastened
with a bead. She was Etain, 20 years old with a bride
price of 7 cumals (21 cows).
One day Etain was at the spring and had just finished
washing her hair in a silver basin rimmed with gems, purple
carbuncle and 4 golden birds. She was running a silver and
gold comb through her hair when Eochaidh Airemh rode by.
When he saw her he fell madly in love with her. Etain had
been in love with Eochaidh Airemh ever since she had heard
the bards recounting his many great deeds.
Another day as she was by the river with her 50
maidens, a blond-haired warrior of great beauty rode toward
them. He was dressed in a green cloak of the Sidhe. He
then recited a poem to Etain. The poem ended by saying
that once she had been called Be Find and now she was
Etain. The 50 maidens of the sidhe all fell madly in love
with him but he disappeared as suddenly as he had arrived
and no one could find out who he was.
Etain eventually married Eochaidh Airemh, high
chieftain of Ireland, and resided at Tara. The high
chieftain's brother Ailill Anubhaill fell in love with
Etain and was inflicted with a wasting sickness that
brought him near to death. As the Eochaidh Airemh had to
go on a tour of the five provinces of Ireland, the duty of
overseeing arrangements for his brother's death fell to
Etain: the preparing of the grave, the keening and the
sacrificing of cattle.
Etain went to his bedside daily, washed his face and
cut his meat. Eventually his health returned and he
confessed his love for her. They made a tryst to meet on
the hill of Tara. This happened 3 times before she
discovered that he was still in bed and that the person she
had met was the handsome blond stranger Midhir who had used
sorcery to disguise himself as Ailill Anubhaill.
Midhir told her of their past life together and asked
if she would come away with him to The Otherworld. She
said she loved Eochaidh and would only leave him if he
agreed.
NAME Etain Oig
EPITHET Young Etain
ALTERNATIVE Edain / Etain {Ett-an}
GENDER F
SYMBOL bird
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
TYPE daughter of the Ard Righ Eirinn
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Armagh / Meath
TERRITORY Ulster / Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
SITES Emain Macha (Navan)
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Etain Echraidhe (mother); Eochaidh Airemh
(father ?/consort); Midhir (god-father?); Ailill
(uncle/father?); Eochaidh Feidhleach (uncle);
Mess Buachalla (daughter); Cormac Condloinges
(husband)
SEE ALSO Ailill Anubhaill / Cormac Condloinges / Eochaidh
Airemh / Eochaidh Feidhleach / Etain Echraidhe /
Eterscel / Findlam / Mess Buachalla / Midhir
REMARKS Etain Oig was the fruit of a relationship
between Etain Echraidhe and her husband Eochaidh Airemh or
the Danann god Midhir or Ailill Anubhaill. In any case,
Etain Oig was accepted by the high chieftain Eochaidh
Airemh as his daughter and she was raised at Tara.
Etain Oig became pregnant by Eochaidh Airemh and was
wed to Cormac Condloinges, a chieftain of Ulster. She gave
birth to a daughter, which displeased Cormac so he gave the
nursing baby to his servants to dispose of. The servants
were given other instructions to take the baby girl to
Findlam, the cowherd of Eterscel. Etain Oig was then given
a potion by her mother which made her barren.
NAME Etar of Echrade
ALTERNATIVE Edar
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster / Echrade
CENTERS Sidhe Indber Cichmane
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd c
RELATIVES Etain Echraidhe (daughter)
SEE ALSO Etain Echraidhe
REMARKS Etar was chieftain of the Sidhe Indber Cichmane
at Echrade in the province of Ulster. Etar and his wife
were childless until one Beltainn festival when a mayfly
landed in her glass of wine. She became pregnant and gave
birth to a girl whom they named Etain Echraidhe.
NAME Etarcumul
ALTERNATIVE Edarcomhol {ed'-ar-kov-ol} / Etarcomol /
Etarmacol
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES Delga
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid
RELATIVES son of Idth and Lethrenn; Ailill (foster-
father); Medbh (foster-mother)
ENEMIES Cu Chulainn
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Cu Chulainn / Ferghus mac Roig
/ Medbh
REMARKS Etarcumul was a foolish young warrior who
followed Ferghus when he went to parley with Cu Chulainn.
Ferghus did not want Etarcumul to come with him because he
was a haughty and witless person. Ferghus had come to Cu
Chulainn to agree to the terms of single combat, then left
quickly so the Host of Connacht would not think he was
betraying them.
Etarcumul lingered behind to look at Cu Chulainn and
saw only a young lad who need not be feared so he insulted
him. Cu Chulainn offered to fight him first thing in the
morning. Etarcumul agreed and he and his charioteer headed
back to their camp. Etarcumul then decided he wanted to
fight Cu Chulainn right away and returned to the ford. Cu
Chulainn did not want to fight him then because he had
arrived under Ferghus's protection. Etarcumul, being the
fool he was, insisted that Cu Chulainn fight then and
there.
Cu Chulainn slashed at the earth under Etarcumul's
feet and he fell onto his back. He told Etarcumul that he
should accept this as a warning and be gone. Etarcumul
continued to antagonize Cu Chulainn so he slashed him with
an edge stroke that cleaned the hair off his head without
drawing blood and told him to consider this another
warning. Etarcumul came at him again and this time Cu
Chulainn lost his temper and leaped to the edge of
Etarcumul's shield and gave him a double-handed blow that
cleaved Etarcumul from head to navel. Then Cu Chulainn
gave him a side slash that divided Etarcumul into 3
sections.
Ferghus, when he heard what had happened, was angry at
Cu Chulainn for killing Etarcumul while he was under his
protection but calmed down when he found out what had
happened. They tied Etarcumul to the chariot by his feet
and dragged him back to the camp of the Host of Connacht.
When the chariot was going over rough ground, Etarcumul's
body opened in 3 sections and when they were going over
smooth ground, the 3 parts of his body fit together again.
This is the way he was dragged back to camp and dumped in
front of the tents of Medbh and Ailill.
Because Etarcumul had broken his word not to engage in
combat, Ferghus could not be held responsible for his
death. The agreement was made between Cu Chulainn and the
Host of Connacht and he refrained from using his sling that
night and the host supplied him with women, maidens, cattle
and provisions. Etarcumul was buried and an ogham stone
was erected at the site.
NAME Eterscel
EPITHET Eterscel Mor
ALTERNATIVE Eterscelae / Eidirseal
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariort warrior / high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel - Clanna Erainn
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd / BC 113-108 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
RELATIVES Eogan (father); Mess (wife); Conaire (son);
Ailill (brother); Eremon and Tea (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Carbre Niafer / Conaire Mor /
CuRoi macDaire / Eochaidh Airemh / Eremon /
Fergus mac Leti / Findlam / Mess Buachalla /
Oengus Tuirmech / Ugaine Mor / Tea
REMARKS Eterscel Mor became the high chieftain of
Ireland after the death of Eochaidh Airemh and his proud
linage was through Fiacha Fer Mara son of Oengus Tuirmech,
through Ugaine Mor to Eremon and Tea of the Milesian
Goidel.
When Eterscel became the new high chieftain of Ireland,
his filidh told him he would wed a maiden of unknown
origins. When his servants discovered a beautiful maiden
who was the foster-daughter of his cowherd, he realized
this was the girl of the prophecy and offered Findlam the
herder 7 cumals of cattle (21 cows) as her bride price.
In order that his bride would have a legitimate
background, Conaire made Findlam a chieftain and gave him
his own land and the new name Fedlimthi Rechtaidi. When
Eterscel's wife gave birth, she demanded that the child be
called Conaire mac Mess, and arranged his fostering.
Eterscel Mor served as high chieftain 5 years until he
was slain by Nuada Necht. During Eterscel's rule CuRoi
macDaire was the head chieftain of Munster, Fergus mac Leti
was seated in Ulster, Ailill macMata was the head chieftain
of Connachta and Carbre Niafer was the head chieftain of
Leinster.
NAME Ethne
ALTERNATIVE Eithne / Eithni / Eithniu / Ethlinn / Ethliu /
Ethnea / Ethniu
GENDER F
SYMBOL cow
CATEGORY handmaiden
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster
CENTERS Sidhe Brugh na Boyna
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Roc (father)
SEE ALSO Anghus mac Og / Manannan / Roc
REMARKS Ethne was the daughter of Roc, steward to Anghus
mac Og. Ethne and the daughter of Manannan were born at
the same time. When Manannan's daughter came to Sidhe
Brugh na Boyna on Magh mBreg to be a foster of Anghus mac
Og, Ethne was appointed as her handmaiden.
A chieftain that was staying at Sidhe Brugh na Boyna
tried to rape Ethne. The horrible experience caused her to
lose her appetite and she refused all food. Anghus and
Manannan went on a quest and returned with a supernatural
cow that never went dry, and from that time on Ethne lived
on its milk alone.
One day Manannan's daughter decided to go to the river
to bathe and Ethne became separated from her charge. She
had lost her veil of invisibility which allowed her
entrance to the world of the immortals and she could not
find the Spiral Castle (Sidhe Brugh na Boyna), so she was
doomed to the land of the mortals forever.
NAME Ethne
ALTERNATIVE Eithne / Eithni / Eithniu / Ethlinn / Ethliu /
Ethnea / Ethniu
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
TYPE daughter of the Ard Righ Eirinn
CULTURE Goidel / ?
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Eochaidh (father); Ethne (mother); Ailill
(consort); Furbaide (son); Medbh, Ele, Clothra
and Derbrui (sisters); Mughain (half-sister);
Bress Nar, Lothar and Congal (brothers)
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Clothra / Eochaidh Feidhleach /
Furbaide / Medbh / Mughain
REMARKS When Ethne became pregnant she was drowned by
her sister Clothra, and her son Furbaide was born by
caesarean section.
NAME Ethne
ALTERNATIVE Eithne / Eithni / Eithniu / Ethlinn / Ethliu /
Ethnea / Ethniu
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
TYPE daughter of Ard Righ Eirinn
CULTURE Danann / Goidel / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES AD 2nd-3rd c
RELATIVES Cahir Mor (father); Buchet (foster-father);
Cormac macAirt (husband); Ailbe and Grainne
(daughter); Cairbre and Celleach (sons); Art
(brother); Eremon and Tea (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Ailbe / Cahir Mor / Cairbre Lifechair / Celleach
/ Cormac macAirt / Eremon / Grainne / Tea
REMARKS Ethne's father Cahir Mor was the high chieftain
of Ireland. When she became of age she was fostered to
Buchet, her father's cowherd, along with her 12 brothers.
Buchet was rich in cattle but the sons of Cahir brought
home so many friends for feasting that he was left with
only 7 cows and a bull.
The depletion of Buchet's herd reduced the ancient man
and his wife to living in a hut with Ethne in the forest.
When Cormac macAirt discovered Ethne, he fell in love with
her and offered Buchet more cattle than he could take back
to Leinster as a bride price.
NAME Ethniu
ALTERNATIVE Eithne / Eithni / Eithniu / Ethlinn / Ethliu /
Ethne / Ethnea
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Fomorii / Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Donegal
LANDMARKS Tory Island (Tor Innis - island of towers)
SITES Crystal Tower
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Balor (father); Ceithlenn (mother); Cian
(consort); Lugh (son); Nuadha (husband); Echtgne
(daughter?); Tadg Mor, Cucharm, Etarlam and
Caither (sons); Bhain and Beluid (brothers);
Murna and Fionn (descendants)
SEE ALSO Balor / Birog / Cian / Fionn mac Cumhaill / Lugh
/ Murna / Nuadha
REMARKS Ethniu was the daughter of Balor, son of Dot,
son of Net of the Danann. Eithui's father was the head
chiewftain of the Fomorii and when she was born she was
banished to a Crystal Tower on Tory Island. There she was
guarded by her 12 matrons who were ordered never to allow
any visitors. Because towers are associated with study the
heavens and she was under the care of "12" matrons we may
suspect that see was training as a druid or filidh.
The filidh Birog smuggled a Danann warrior named Cian
into the tower and he and Ethniu had intercourse. She
became pregnant and eventually delivered 3 sons. Her
father Balor ordered that the babies be taken from her and
sacrificed to the sea. One of the babies was rescued by
Birog and she took him to a secure place where he grew up
to be Lugh, the great champion of the Danann.
Ethniu later married Nuadha of the Danann and from
that line of descent came Murna of the White Neck and Fionn
mac Cumhaill.
GENDER M
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland / Wales
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Penarddun (wife); Nissyen and Evnissyen (sons)
SEE ALSO Evnissyen / Nissyen / Penarddun
REMARKS Euroswydd was the husband of Penarddun and the
father of Evnissyen and Nissyen. The etymology of his name
suggests "place of gold distribution" which is most likely
Ireland or Anglesey. Dr. Anne Ross suggests that a trade
route for gold went from Ireland through Anglesey in Wales
to the Wash in England and over to the continent.
ALTERNATIVE Efnissen / Efnyssin / Evnissyen {ev'-nis-yen}
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE horse warrior
CULTURE Belgae / Danann
COUNTRY Wales
REGION Gwynedd {Gwin-eth} / Clwyd {clud}
SITES Harlech
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Penarddun (mother); Euroswydd (father); Nissyen
(brother); Manawyddan (half-brother); Beli
(grandfather); Bran and Branwen (cousins)
ENEMIES Bran / Branwen / Gwern
SEE ALSO Bran / Branwen / Beli Mawr / Euroswydd /
Manawyddan / Matholwch / Nissyen / Penarddun
REMARKS Evnissyen was the son of Penarddun and grandson
of Beli Mawr of the Catuvellauni tribe. Evnissyen was
loyal to his mother's people and was generally regarded as
a trouble-maker among the Danann of Wales.
When Evnissyen found out that his cousin Branwen, one
of the three goddesses of Britain, was to be married
without anyone asking his opinion, he became angry and
disfigured the horses that had been given to Matholwch, the
high chieftain of Ireland and husband-to-be.
His cousin Bran the Brenin patched up the situation
but it was not forgotten and two years later Matholwych
began to punish Branwen for Evnissyen's behaviour. When
Bran raised an army to invade Ireland, Evnissyen was a
party to the negotiations. He became angry when Gwern, the
boy child of Branwen and Matholwych, was making his rounds
to visit everyone but avoided him. He grabbed the child
and threw him into the fire. This act destroyed the unity
of the two peoples and started a battle in which many
warriors of both sides were slaughtered.
The Irish had the supernatural cauldron and were
bringing back to life their warriors who had died in
battle. Evnissyen tried to make up for his foolishness by
destroying the cauldron of rebirth that Bran had given to
Matholwch. He crept into the pile of dead warriors and
waited. When he was placed into the cauldron alive it
broke into pieces, killing him. The battle then continued
on more fair terms, but even so, only 7 warriors of Britain
survived the
destruction in Ireland.