NAME Naas
ALTERNATIVE Nas
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Kildare
TERRITORY Leinster
SITES Naas
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Ruadrach (father); Lugh (husband); Ainnle and
Abartach (sons); Cermat (consort); Bua (sister)
SEE ALSO Abartach / Lugh / Cermat
REMARKS Naas and Bua were daughters of Ruadrach ri
Bretan. Naas was the wife of Lugh, and when he found out
that she was having an affair with Cermat, Lugh killed him.
When Naas died, her burial site in county Kildare became
known as Naas.
Much later in the modern history of Ireland, the site
became the center for the Ui Dunlainge tribe, to be
followed by the Ui Faelain.
NAME Nabelcus
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity
TYPE mountain god
CULTURE Gallic - Vocontii tribe
COUNTRY France
REGION Vaucluse
TERRITORY Gaul
LANDMARKS Durance / Rhône
SITES Mont Ventoux
AGE Bronze / Iron
DATES BC 12th-BC 1st c
REMARKS The god Nabelcus was venerated on Mont Ventoux
which lies between the Durance and Rhône rivers in the
territory of the Vocontii tribe. The Vocontii arrived in
the area as Urnfield-Hallstatt people in BC 12th century
and were still there when Caesar arrived in BC 1st century.
NAME Nair
EPITHET Modesty
ALTERNATIVE Nar
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
TYPE wife to the Ard Righ Eirinn
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY The Otherworld
AGE Iron
DATES BC 1st-1st AD c
RELATIVES Crimthann (husband); Feradach Fechtnach (son)
SEE ALSO Crimthann Nia Nair / Feradach Fechtnach
REMARKS Nair, a woman of the sidhe, married Crimthann, a
high chieftain of Ireland. She led him on a 6-week raid to
Edar in The Otherworld from which he returned with an
impressive treasure including a gilded chariot, a golden
fidchell board and the mantle of Crimthann.
NAME Nantosvelta
ALTERNATIVE Nantosvelta (Meandering Brook) / Nantosuelta
(Winding Stream)
GENDER F
SYMBOL raven / woman with a birdhouse mounted on a
staff
CATEGORY deity
TYPE triple goddess (birth/death/regeneration)
CULTURE Belgae - Mediomatrices and Nemetes tribes
COUNTRY Germany
REGION Rhineland-Palatinate
TERRITORY Gaul / Belgica
LANDMARKS Rhine river
SITES Spires
AGE Iron
DATES BC 9th c / BC 70
ACCESSORIES beehive / honeycomb / apples
RELATIVES Sucellos (consort)
SEE ALSO Badbh Catha / Sucellos
REMARKS Nantosvelta was venerated at Spires in an area
first controlled by the Mediomatrices who arrived in BC 9th
century, then by the Nemetes tribe who settled the area
around BC 70.
NAME Naoise
ALTERNATIVE Naisi {nay'see} / Naisii / Naoisi / Naos /
Noisiu / Noise
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior
TYPE chariot warrior / Red Branch champion
CULTURE Goidel - Dal nAraide / Danann / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Armagh
TERRITORY Ulster
SITES The Red Branch hostel / church at Armagh
CENTERS Emain Macha (Navan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
ACCESSORIES sword (Luithech)
RELATIVES Elbha (mother); Conchobar (father/uncle/foster-
father); Deirdre (wife); Usna (step-father);
Fedlimid (half-sister); Aindle, Ardan, Cu
Chulainn, Fiachna, Findchad, Conall, Cormac,
Cuscraid, Fiachu, Fiachna, Follomain, Glas,
Mane, Conaing, Beann, Furbude Fer Bend and
Fiachra (half-brothers); Dechtire and Findchaem
(aunts); Cathbad (grandfather); Ir and Anghus
(ancestors)
ENEMIES Conchobar mac Nessa
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Anghus mac Og / Baruch / Beann
/ Buinne / Cathbad / Conall Cernacht / Conchobar
mac Nessa / Cormac Condloinges / Cu Chulainn /
Cuscraid Menn / Dechtire / Deirdre / Diarmait
mac Conchobar / Elbha / Eogan mac Durthacht /
Fedlimid Nocruthach / Ferghus mac Roig / Fiacha
/ Fiachna / Fiachra / Fiachu / Findchad /
Findchaem / Fintan / Follomain / Furbude Fer
Bend / Gelban / Illann / Ir / Medbh / Usna
REMARKS Naoise, a young champion of the Red Branch, and
his two half-brothers Aindle and Arddan were referred to by
Fintan as 3 torches of valor. It is assumed that he was
sired by Conchobar, head chieftain of the tribe, which
would make him a double grandson of Cathbad and a
descendant of Ir of the Milesian (Goidel).
The child-bride Deirdre persuaded Naoise to elope with
her so she would not have to marry Conchobar. To escape
Conchobar's wrath, Naoise led his party of fugitives to
Albainn (Scotland/northern England) where they hired out as
mercenaries and served a chieftain of the Picts. Eventually
the chieftain fell in love with Deirdre's great beauty and
tried to murder Naoise and his brothers.
Back in Ulster, warriors of the Red Branch wanted
their friend Naoise back and became angry with Conchobar
for keeping him away because of a maiden. Conchobar
finally agreed to pardon them and sent Ferghus mac Roig to
guarantee their safety. Naoise and his brothers, excited
at the prospect of seeing their comrades-at-arms and Emain
Macha once again, overrode Deirdre's fear of deceit and
crossed to Ireland where they were to meet Ferghus.
When Naoise and his entourage landed in Ireland, they
were met by Baruch, a Red Branch warrior who invited
Ferghus to his raith for a feast. Ferghus could not refuse
because it was a geis of his never to refuse an invitation
to a feast. He put his sons Illann, Fiacha and Buinne in
charge to escort Naoise and his party safely to Emain Macha
and when they arrived, they were housed at the Red Branch
hostel.
Conchobar sent Gelban to see if Deirdre was still
beautiful and when he received an affirmative reply he
broke his promise, and warriors loyal to him attacked the
the hostel. Naoise was killed by Eogan when he stabbed him
through Fiacha who was trying to protect him. Aindle and
Arddan were also killed and the warriors of Ulster were
split into two factions. Ferghus led warriors loyal to him
against Emain Macha and set it ablaze, then left for
Connacht where they became mercenaries for Ailill and
Medbh. Ferghus led a 17-year guerrilla war against
Conchobar.
Naoise was buried and not long aftward Deirdre was
buried in a grave beside him. In time, yew trees grew from
their graves and intertwined and are said to be the yews at
the great church of Armagh.
NAME Nathcrantail
ALTERNATIVE Natchrantal
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior / champion
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
LANDMARKS Magh Muirthemni
SITES Druim En (Birds' Ridge)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid (died)
ACCESSORIES 9 holly darts
ENEMIES Cu Chulainn
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Cu Chulainn / Ferghus mac Roig
/ Fiachu / Finnabair / Laeg / Mane Andoe / Medbh
REMARKS Medbh and Ailill sent their son Mane Andoe to
fetch Nathcrantail to come to Druim En (Birds' Ridge) on
Magh Muirthemni to engage in single combat with Cu
Chulainn.
Nathcrantail demanded Finnabair as a reward for the
combat, and this was agreed upon if he won. He went early
in the morning and found Cu Chulainn hunting fowl. He
threw a dart at him but Cu Chulainn only jumped, landed on
the dart and then continued to catch birds. This continued
until Nathcrantail threw his last dart and when Cu Chulainn
leaped on this one he was moving away from him in order to
continue hunting.
Nathcrantail went back to the camp of the Host of
Connacht announcing that Cu Chulainn had run from him.
Ferghus sent Fiachu to question Cu Chulainn, who replied
that he did not kill charioteers, heralds or unarmed
people, and this person had only spits of wood. Cu
Chulainn said that he could not slay Nathcrantail until he
was armed. Early next morning, therefore, Nathcrantail set
out to meet Cu Chulainn again. Cu Chulainn was in a bad
mood and when he threw his cloak over himself it also went
over a pillar stone that he was standing by. Such was his
rage that he did not notice that the stone had snapped off
and that he was carrying it between himself and his cloak.
Nathcrantail refused to fight Cu Chulainn because he
was a beardless boy, so Cu Chulainn had Laeg give him a
false beard. Nathcrantail then threw a spear at Cu
Chulainn who caught it and threw it back, piercing his
head.
Nathcrantail then called to Cu Chulainn and told him
that he had 24 sons in the camp and that he would like to
go back to tell them where his treasures were hidden. Cu
Chulainn agreed to this and soon Nathcrantail returned,
drew his sword and broke it on the pillar stone hidden
under the cloak. Cu Chulainn's battle madness took over
and he leaped on the edge of Nathcrantail's shield, struck
off his head and with another quick motion split him into
four parts.
NAME Necht Scene
EPITHET The Fierce
ALTERNATIVE Nechtan Scene (mouth of the Scene)
GENDER F
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Boyne / Magh mBreg
CENTERS Dun Necht (fortress of Necht)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Fer Ulli (husband); Fandall, Foill and Tuachall
(sons)
ENEMIES Ulster
SEE ALSO Fandall / Fer Ulli / Foill / Tuachall
REMARKS Necht Scene was a warrior woman and had three
fierce sons that revenged their father's death by killing
more Ulster warriors than they left alive. They had their
fortress south of the Boyne river on Magh mBreg. She lost
her three sons to Cu Chulainn when he was 7 years old and
looking for his first combat.
NAME Nechtan
ALTERNATIVE Nectan
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity / filidh
TYPE sorcerer / guardian of a sacred well
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Kildare
TERRITORY Leinster
LANDMARKS Boyne
SITES Hill of Carbury / Segais Well
CENTERS Sidhe Nectain
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
BATTLES Segais Well
RELATIVES Namadach (father); Boann (consort); Ciacher
(brother); Bodb Dearg and Scal Balb (uncles);
Magog, Iarbonel, Net, Ordan and Bress
(ancestors)
SEE ALSO Boann / Bodb Dearg / Bress / Cairbre / Eladu /
Etain / Finnegas / Fionn mac Cumhaill / Iarbonel
/ Magog / Midhir / Net
ENEMIES Boann / Sigmall
REMARKS Nechtan was the son of Namadach and descendant
of Net. Nechtan resided at Sidhe Nectain on the hill of
Carbury in county Kildare. There he guarded the sacred
spring called Segais Well which only he and his three cup-
bearers were allowed to visit.
During the combat of the Segais Well he used druidery
to kill Cairbre son of Etain and he himself was poisoned by
Sigmall, grandson of Midhir.
Segais Well was destroyed by his consort Boann who
disobeyed the law of the spring and walked around it 3
times against the sun (counterclockwise). The spring began
to overflow the pool and chased her across Ireland, thus
forming the Boyne river. Fintan, one of the salmon who
lived in the pool, was caught up in the overflow of water
and released into the Boyne. He was eventually caught by
Finnegas and eaten by Fionn mac Cumhaill.
NAME Nehalennia
EPITHET The Initiatrice
ALTERNATIVE Circe {kir-ke}
GENDER F
SYMBOL 9 (3x3 perfection and reincarnation) / key of
knowledge (white/red/blue)
CATEGORY deity
TYPE sea goddess / protector of mariners
CULTURE Belgae - Morini and Menapii tribe
COUNTRY Netherlands
TERRITORY Gaul / Island of Walcheren
LANDMARKS North Sea / Rhine / Waal / Schelde
SITES Domburg / Colijnsplaat
AGE Bronze / Iron
DATES BC 13th c / BC 1st c
ACCESSORIES hound / shell / dolphins / pomegranates / boat
REMARKS Nehalennia was a Celtic goddess who was
venerated at a site at Domburg which was surrounded by
trees. The site has since settled beneath the sea. Another
site of veneration which also sunk beneath the sea was at
Colijnsplaat in the Westerschelde. It is thought that the
Morini were settled in the area in early times and the
Menapii by BC 6th century.
Roman statues show that Nehalennia often wore a short
cape and boots, both still part of the traditional dress in
the area. She was associated with the sea god of the 3-
pronged spear. She is sometimes shown with a foot resting
on the bow of a ship which may be the bier of the dead. She
was associated with a dog and pomegranates, both symbols of
fertility, healing and the underworld.
Nehalennia was also associated with the number 9, a
symbol of perfection. This suggests that she may have been
a teacher of knowledge. Wilkens believes that Nehalennia
was the late Iron Age name for the Bronze Age goddess Circe
who held the key to knowledge (underworld or subconscious).
She sometimes wore a sun disk showing that she was the
daughter of a sun god. Many statues also show her with a
shell over her head, indicating that she was a goddess of
the highest order. Nehalennia was also venerated by
seafarers for safe passage and by traders for sucessful
transactions.
NAME Neide
EPITHET Ollamh (Master Poet of Ireland)
GENDER M
CATEGORY poet
TYPE poet of the Red Branch
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland / Scotland / England
REGION Armagh
TERRITORY Ulster / Albainn
CENTERS Emain Macha (Navan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Adna (father)
SEE ALSO Adna / Fer Chertnae
REMARKS As an initiate, Neide's journeys led him to
Albainn (Scotland/northern England) where he went to listen
to Eochaidh Echbel (Horse Mouth). One day while composing
a lament by the water's edge he wondered why he was in such
sad mood and a wave informed him that his father was dead.
Neide returned to Ireland where he had to compete
against Fer Chertnae for the "Tugen" mantle of master poet
of Ireland. Neide was not quite up to Fer Chertnae's
ability.
GENDER M
CATEGORY druid
TYPE sage / historical poet
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Irag / Egypt
LANDMARKS Euphrates / Red Sea
SITES Tower of Babel (Gates of God)
CENTERS Babylon
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 20th c
RELATIVES Feinius Farsaid (father); Nenual (brother);
Scota (wife); Gaedhal Glas (son); Rifath Scot
(great-grandfather)
SEE ALSO Feinius Farsaid / Gaedhal Glas / Rifath Scot
REMARKS Nel, son of Feinius Farsaid and great-grandson
of Rifath Scot was born in Babylon, city of the god Bel
{Baal} in modern day Iraq. He became a famous scholar
noted for his skills, knowledge and learning and because of
this he was invited to live in Egypt by the Pharaoh.
This was during the time when Egypt was ruled by the
Hyksos. Nel and his followers settled along the Red Sea
and Nel married a daughter of the Pharaol. She was called
Scota after her husbands people and she bore Nel a son who
was named Gaedhal Glas.
NAME Nemausos
ALTERNATIVE Nemausus
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity
TYPE healer god
CULTURE Gallic - Cenomani
COUNTRY France
REGION Gard
TERRITORY Gaul
LANDMARKS Rhône delta
SITES thermal spring of Nimes
AGE Iron
DATES BC 5th c
REMARKS Nemausos was a Celtic deity who was associated
with the healing springs of Nîmes. The Cenomani tribe was
settled in the area by BC 5th century.
Under the Roman male-dominated culture, Nemausos grew
in importance and became the god of the city of Nîmes.
NAME Nemetona
GENDER F
CATEGORY deity
TYPE healer goddess / goddess of war
CULTURE Belgae - Nemetes tribe
COUNTRY Germany
REGION Rhineland-Palatinate
TERRITORY Gaul / Belgica
SITES curative spring and sacred grove at Altripp
AGE Iron
DATES BC 1st c
REMARKS Nemetona was a goddess who was venerated at the
curative spring in her sacred grove at Altripp near Spires.
The Nemetes tribe settled the area in BC 1st century.
NAME Nemglan
EPITHET The Radiant One (Nemanach)
GENDER M
SYMBOL bird
CATEGORY deity / warrior
TYPE bird god / sun god
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY The Otherworld
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Mess Buachalla (consort); Conaire Mor
(godchild); Anghus (ancestor)
SEE ALSO Anghus mac Og / Conaire Mor / Mess Buachalla
REMARKS Nemglan, a descendant of Anghus, visited Mess
Buachalla on the night before she was taken away from her
place of refuge to marry Eterscel, the high chieftain of
Ireland.
Years later, when the high chieftain died and his son
Conaire was on his way to Tara, a flock of brightly-colored
birds apppeared. As Conaire brought out his sling, the
birds landed and turned into human warriors. Nemglan told
the boy that he was of the Danann and his natural father.
He also explained to the boy that he had a geis never to
kill birds. Nemglan told Conaire that Eterscel was dead
and he would be chosen as the new high chieftain of Ireland
if he walked to Tara naked, carrying a sling and one stone.
NAME Nemhain
ALTERNATIVE Neman / Nemain (Frenzy) / Nemaind
GENDER F
CATEGORY deity
TYPE battle goddess
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES battlefields
AGE Bronze / Iron
DATES BC 16th-15th c / BC 1st c
BATTLES second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura)
RELATIVES Elcmar (mother); Neto (father/consort); Fea
(sister); Coirpre Crom (half-brother); Ernmas
(grandmother); Indui and Delbaeth
(grandfathers); Babdh, Macha and Danu (aunts);
Nuadha (consort); Magog, Iarbonel, Ordan and Net
(ancestors)
ENEMIES Fomorii / Nemtuir the Red
SEE ALSO Babdh Catha / Danu / Delbaeth / Elcmar / Ernmas
/ Fea / Iarbonel / Indui / Macha / Magog /
Net /
Neto / Nuadha / Ordan
REMARKS Nemhain was the daughter of Elcmar, daughter of
Ernmas, daughter of Etarlam, son of Ordan. She was also
the daughter of Neto, son of Indui, son of Delbaeth, son of
Oghma, son of Eladu, son of Delbach, son of Net.
Nemhain and her sister Fea were called Net's Beauties
(Ailech Neit) and were warriors and goddesses of war.
Nemhain's talent lay in the realm of creating frenzy and
before the second battle of Magh Tuireadh on summer
solstice, Nuadha, the head chieftain of the Danann, mated
with her to help assure success against their enemy the
Fomorii. She was slain by the Fomorian Nemtuir the Red
during the battle of north Moytura along with her father
and Badbh.
There were 5 war goddesses (moon phases) of Ireland:
Babdh, Fea, Macha, Morrighan and Nemhain. Each goddess had
her own area of expertise and when mortals went to war the
goddesses had to be appeased. Nemhain's sexual character
(life) was the link between her role as war goddess (death)
and a mother goddess (birth).
Chieftains such as Nuadha mated with war goddesses and
warriors tried to win their influence so that they would be
able to call upon her power to intensify their fighting
frenzy as she raised panic among the enemy. She also
confused her victims with madness, so sacrifices were also
made to win her favor.
The night that Nemhain raised her battle cry over the
armies fighting Cu Chulainn, 100 warriors fell dead of
terror and fright.
NAME Nemhedh
ALTERNATIVE Nemed (sacred)
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY warrior / 1st Ri Ruirech
TYPE giant / head chieftain
CULTURE Nemedian tribe
COUNTRY Turkey / Ireland
REGION Asia Minor / Cork / Roscommon / Antrim / Wexford
TERRITORY Phrygia / Munster / Connacht / Ulster / Leinster
LANDMARKS Black Sea / Plateau of Phrygia / Bosporus /
Kizilirmak / Mediterranean / Atlantic / Cork
Harbour / Slieve Baune
SITES Great Island / Slieve Baune / Whitepark Bay /
Camross / Oilean Arda Nemid (Great Island of
Nemhedh)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 19th-18th c
BATTLES Ros Fraechain / Murbolg / Cnamros
RELATIVES Agnomain (father); Starn, Iarbonel, Anind and
Fergus (sons); Macha (2nd wife); Partholon
(great-granduncle); Magog (ancestor)
ENEMIES Fomorii
SEE ALSO Anind / Fergus Lethderg / Iarbonel / Macha /
Magog / Partholon / Starn
REMARKS Nemhedh was the son of Agnomain and a descendant
of Magog. He and his 4 sons Starn, Iarbonel, Anind and
Fergus led their followers from the ancient Aryan territory
of Phrygia on the Black Sea. Their homeland in Asia Minor
was on the Plateau of Phrygia which was bordered by the
Black Sea, the Bosporus and the Kizilirmak (Halys) river.
After a year and a half of travel, they landed on
Great Island in Cork Harbour on the eve of a Beltainn. The
Nemedian found Ireland empty because the followers of
Partholon had all died off from the plague.
Soon Nemhedh and his followers came into conflict with
the Fomorii and fought the battle of Ros Fraechain
(Badbgna) on or near Slieve Baune in the south of Co.
Roscommon in old Connacht. Nemhedh led his warriors to
victory against the two Fomorii chieftains Gand and Sengand
who were killed during the battle.
Nemhedh then forced his captives, the 4 sons of Matan
Munremar, to build Raith Cindeich in Ui Niallain in one
day. The sons Boc, Roboc, Ruibne and Rotan were then
executed to conceal the secrets of the fortress and were
buried in Daire Lige. The fortress of Raith Cimbaith in
Seimne was also built by Nemhedh.
Nemhedh led his people to victory in 2 more battles
against the Fomorii at Murbolg in Dal Riada, present-day
Whitepark Bay in the north of Co. Antrim and Cnamros
(Camross) near Taghmon in Co. Wexford between Wexford
Harbour and Bannow Bay in old Leinster. In the 9th year of
their taking of Ireland, 2 new lakes burst forth and the
settlers cleared the timber from the land, creating 12 new
plains.
During the 10th year of the taking of Ireland, Nemhedh
and 2000 (3000) of his people died from a plague and were
buried at Oilean Arda Nemid in Cork Harbour, Munster.
Nemhedh's son Fergus became the new head chieftain and
because of the number of deaths from war and plague his
people were forced to become a client tribe of the Fomorii.
They had to pay an annual tribute of 2/3 of their harvest,
milk, calves and newborn children to be delivered to Magh
Ceitne on Tory Island every Samhain.
NAME Nera
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY hero / servant
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES Sidhe Cruachu
CENTERS Raith Cruachain (Rathcroghan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
ACCESSORIES withe (willow bands)
RELATIVES Nuathar (father); Err and Innell (sons)
ENEMIES Danann of sidhe Cruachu
SEE ALSO Aillil / Err / Innell
REMARKS During a Samhain feast at the court of Connacht,
Nera son of Nuathar son of Tacan heard Ailill offer a sword
with a hilt of gold to anyone who would go outside of Raith
Cruachain that eve of Samhain and slip a band of willow
over the foot of one of the sacrifices hanging there.
None of the champions would accept the challenge but
Nera saw a chance to elevate himself, so he accepted. As
he was about to place the willow band on the foot of one of
the dead it asked him for a drink of water. This begins
the tale of "Eachtra Nerai".
While Nera was getting the water for the corpse, he
was captured by the hosts of the sidhe and given the job of
supplying wood for their fires. When he heard that they
were about to raid Raith Cruachain, he managed to slip away
while gathering wood, taking primrose, bracken and wild
garlic as proof that he had been captive in the sidhe and
warning the court of the upcoming raid.
Nera returned with the Connacht warriors when they
raided the sidhe on Samhain eve. After the raid, Nera
stayed behind in the sidhe with his wife. The warriors of
Connacht returned with the Crown of Brion as part of their
plunder.
NAME Nertho
ALTERNATIVE Nerthos
GENDER F
FESTIVAL Spring Equinox (marriage/feasting/intercourse)
CATEGORY deity
TYPE chariot goddess / earth goddess / fertility
COUNTRY Germany
SITES a sacred island in the ocean
AGE Bronze / Iron
ACCESSORIES twisted gold torc
REMARKS Nerthos had a sacred cattle-drawn cart which was
kept in a sacred grove. During her festival the cart was
covered with a sacred cloth which could not be touched by
anyone but her attendants. She and her cart were drawn
from place to place and all iron had to be hidden away, no
fighting was allowed and there was only peace. The
festival was a continuous ritual of feasting and
intercourse. Males were chosen from different places to
please the goddess and then were sacrificed to insure the
renewal of the earth and abundance.
Sometimes the sacrifices were real but at other times
they were symbolic or animals were substituted. At the
close of the festival the goddess returned to her sacred
grove on the island. She, her cart and the cloth were
washed in a sacred lake by slaves who were then drowned.
NAME Ness
ALTERNATIVE Nessa
GENDER F
FESTIVAL Feast of Othar
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
TYPE wife of the Ard Righ Eirinn
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Armagh
TERRITORY Ulster
CENTERS Emain Macha (Navan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Eocho Salbuide (father); Cathbad (consort);
Conchobar (son); Fachtna Fathach (1st husband);
Ferghus (2nd husband); Buinne, Illann and Fiacha
(sons ?); Finna (sister)
SEE ALSO Buinne / Cathbad / Conchobar mac Nessa /
Eochaidh Feidhleach / Eocho Salbuide / Fachtna
Fathach / Ferghus mac Roig / Fiacha / Finna /
Illann
REMARKS One day when Ness was sitting with her maidens
outside Emain Macha, she asked the druid Cathbad what the
present hour was lucky for. Cathbad prophesied that a
child conceived at this hour would be known in Ireland
forever. Because there were no other males around, she
took Cathbad as her partner. The baby was in her womb for
3 years and 3 months before it was born at the Feast of
Othar. The boy was named Conchobar and was raised by his
father Cathbad.
Ness was a strong and ambitious woman and she married
Fachtna Fathach, the high chieftain of Ireland. When her
husband was killed by Eochaidh Feidhleach, she married
Ferghus mac Roig the chieftain of Tola, a territory in
Ulster from Traig Baile to Traig. Ness had agreed to the
marriage only if he would let her son Conchobar be
chieftain for a year. During that year, Ness showed her
son how to be the most popular head chieftain of Ulster.
NAME Nestor
EPITHET Horseman of Gerenia
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Achaean
COUNTRY Spain
REGION Andalucía
TERRITORY Pylos
CENTERS Pilas (Pylos)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 13th c / BC 1240 (defeat of Troy)
BATTLES Trojan War
ACCESSORIES ship with oars
RELATIVES Poseidon (father); Tyro (mother); Neleus
(brother)
ENEMIES Trojans
SEE ALSO Poseidon
REMARKS During the Trojan War, Nestor was the chieftain
of Pylos (Pilas), a territory near Ithaca (west of Seville
and north of Cadiz). During that time period the ocean
reached as far as Seville. His territory was known for its
fine horses and he was known as the Horseman of Gerenia
(Gerena).
Nestor was a man of adventure in his early years,
being involved in the hunt for the Caledonian boar and the
voyage of the Argonauts. His experience contributed to his
wisdom, and his advice was considered of great value during
the Trojan War, from which he returned unscathed.
He was later visited by Telemachus who was worrried
about the fate of his father Odysseus who had still not
returned from the war. Nestor did not know the fate of
Odysseus but he gave Telemachus a chariot and sent his
young son to guide him on his journey.
NAME Net
ALTERNATIVE Ned / Neto / Netos / Neit
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity / warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Scotland
REGION Hebrides
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 17th c
RELATIVES Indui (father); Nemon (consort); Esaire
(daughter); Dot and Delbach (sons); Conn Crodha,
Balor, Diancecht, Goibhniu, Luchtine, Creidhne,
Samhain and Eladu (grandsons); Ordan (cousin);
Neto (descendant); Magog and Iarbonel
(ancestors)
SEE ALSO Balor / Creidhne / Diancecht / Eladu / Esaire /
Fea / Goibhniu / Luchtine / Neto / Ordan / Ibath
/ Iarbonel / Magog / Samhain
REMARKS Net son of Indui was a descendant of Iarbonel
(The Soothsayer) of the Nemedian. Net was the head
chieftain of the Danann of the Hebrides and progenitor of
one of the most important branches of the family tree. His
cousin Ordan was the progenitor of the other.
NAME Neto
ALTERNATIVE Ned / Net / Netos / Neit
GENDER M
FESTIVAL summer solstice
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE champion
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Sligo / Donegal
TERRITORY Connacht / Ailech
LANDMARKS Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh) / Lough Foyle
CENTERS Raith Ailig
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
BATTLES second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura)
RELATIVES Indui (father); Ernmas (mother/grandmother);
Elcmar and Badbh Catha (consorts/half-sisters);
Fea (daughter); Nemhain (daughter/consort);
Midhir, Glonn, Gnim and Coscar (half-brothers);
Eire, Fodhla, Banbha, Macha and Danu (half-
sisters); Delbaeth (grandfather); Magog,
Iarbonel, Net and Ordan (ancestors)
ENEMIES Fomorii
SEE ALSO Badbh Catha / Banbha / Danu / Delbaeth / Eire /
Elcmar / Ernmas / Fea / Fodhla / Iarbonel
/
Indui / Macha / Magog / Midhir / Nemhain / Net /
Ordan
REMARKS Neto the son of Indui and Ernmas was a
descendant of Net and Ordan. He was consort to his aunt
Elcmar and sired 2 daughters, Fea and Nemhain, who were
called Ailech Neit (Net's Beauties).
Neto, the chieftain of Ailech in county Donegal, was
killed along with his 2 consorts during the battle of
Moytura by the Fomorii Nemtuir the Red. He was later
venerated by the Milesian (Goidel) as a war god at a site
on Lough Foyle.
NAME Netos
ALTERNATIVE Ned / Neto / Netos / Neit
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity
TYPE god of war
CULTURE Tartessian / Hallstatt - Turduli Veteres tribe
COUNTRY Spain / Portugal
REGION Granada / Extremadura / Coimbra
SITES Guadix (Acci) / Conimbriga
AGE Iron
DATES BC 6th c
REMARKS Neto was venerated in the Spanish province of
Granada in the town of Gaadix (Acci) and inscriptions to
him have been found in the province of Extremadura. In
Portugal inscriptions have been found at various sites
including Conimbriga at Condeixa-a-Velha near
Coimbra.
NAME Nia
EPITHET The Champion
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE champion
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
AGE Iron (late)
DATES AD 3rd c
RELATIVES Achtan (mother); Lugaidh (father); Cormac
macAirt (half-brother)
SEE ALSO Achtan / Cormac macAirt / Lugaidh mac Conn
REMARKS Nia was a champion warrior and a chieftain of
Connacht.
NAME Nia Segamon
EPITHET Segomo's Champion
ALTERNATIVE Neta Segamonas / Netos / Neti / Nia Segamain
/
Segamonas Net
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE chariot warrior / champion of the god Segomo /
high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel - Eoganachta tribe
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
SITES Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 4th c / BC 329-322 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
RELATIVES Adamair Flidas Foltchain (father); Finnat Mar
(son)
ENEMIES Conall Collamrach / Enna Aignech
SEE ALSO Eber / Enna Aignech / Eremon / Segomo / Tea
REMARKS Nia Segamon was a son of Adamair Foltchain and a
descendant of Eber of the Milesian (Goidel). He became the
high chieftain of Ireland when he killed Conall Collamrach.
He was of the Munster Goidel and was noted for his
skills as a chariot warrior. He reigned for 7 years before
he was slain by Enna Aignech of the life line of Eremon and
Tea.
Three ogham inscriptions have been found in Waterford
county in Munster, Ireland relating to Nia Segamon,
champion of the Celto-Ligurian deity Segomo. The
inscriptions show a relationship to the ruling family of
the Eoganachta of Cashel.
NAME Niall Niamglonnach
EPITHET Of the Brilliant Exploits
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster
CENTERS Dun da Benn (Fort of the Two Gables)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Fintan (son)
SEE ALSO Fintan
REMARKS Niall was the father of Fintan and had his raith
in the north of Ulster at Dun da Benn.
NAME Niall Noighiallach
EPITHET Niall of the Nine Hostages
ALTERNATIVE Noi-giallach
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel / Danann / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
SITES Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron (late)
DATES AD 4th c / AD 355-381 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
ACCESSORIES Boramha Tribute (cattle counting)
RELATIVES Eochu Muigmedon (father); Cairenn Chasdubh
(mother); Loiguiri Mac Neil, Conall Earbreg,
Conall Cremthann, Conall Gulban, Cairbre Mor and
Eogan (sons); Brénos, Ailill, Fergus and Fiachra
(half-brothers); Mongfhinn (step-mother);
Crimthann mac Fidaig and Torna Eices (foster-
fathers); Eremon and Tea (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Brecan / Cairenn Chasdubh / Eochu Muigmedon /
Eremon / Mongfhinn / Muiredach Tirech / Torna
Eices / Tea
REMARKS Niall Noighiallach was the son of Eochu
Muigmedon, grandson of Muiredach Tirech and a descendant of
Eremon and Tea.
Niall's mother died at childbirth and his step-mother,
who hated them, tried to kill him a number of times. When
he was newborn she left him naked on the hill of Tara but
was found by the Munster poet Torna.
When Niall was young, he and his half-brothers were
hunting and became lost. They set up camp and began to
cook their game. His brother Fergus was sent for water and
came across a spring guarded by a crone who wanted a kiss.
He refused her and went back to the camp without the water.
Another brother set off in search of water and he met up
with the ancient hag and also refused her a kiss. All the
brothers refused the hag until Fiachra came upon her spring
and he gave her a light touch of a kiss. She granted that
two of his descendants would become high chieftains of
Ireland.
When Niall came upon the spring and the hag, he
embraced her and she turned into a beautiful maiden who
offered herself to him. She claimed her name was Flaithius
(sovereignty) and foretold that he would be a great high
chieftain and that his bloodline would rule Ireland
forever.
Flaithius told Niall not to give his brothers any
water until they granted him the position of seniority and
the permission to hang his weapons the width of a hand over
the others. Niall did as he was told and followed his
foster-father Crimthann mac Fidaig to the position of high
chieftain of Ireland.
After 26 years as high chieftain, Niall was slain
while on a campaign to invade Letha. He was killed on the
Sea of Wight by a Leinster chieftain Eochu son of Enna
Cennselaig. Niall was the progenitor of the Ui Neill
lineage and his descendants ruled Ireland until AD 1022.
NAME Niam
ALTERNATIVE Niamh {Nee-av} (Beauty/Brightness/Splendor)
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Celtchair (father); Findmor (mother);
Conganchness (1st husband); Cormac Condlonges
(2nd husband)
ENEMIES Conganchness
SEE ALSO Celtchair macUthechar / Conganchness mac Dedaid
/ Cormac Condlonges / Cu Chulainn / Findmor /
Scannlach
REMARKS Niam was considered one of the 8 goddesses of
Ulster. She was one of the 150 maidens whom Scannlach
paraded in front of the 7-year-old warrior Cu Chulainn to
break his warrior's heat.
Niam served her father by marrying Conganchness so
that she could find out his weaknesses. She then relayed
the information on to her father who killed her husband.
Niam then married Cormac Condlonges.
EPITHET Peacemaker
ALTERNATIVE Nisien
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE horse warrior
CULTURE Belgae / Danann
COUNTRY Wales
REGION Gwynedd {Gwin-eth} / Clwyd {clud}
TERRITORY Gwynedd
CENTERS Harlech
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Penarddon (mother); Euroswydd (father);
Evnissyen (brother); Manawyddan (half-brother);
Beli (uncle)
SEE ALSO Beli Mawr / Euroswydd / Evnissyen / Manawyddan
mab Llyr / Penarddun
REMARKS Nissyen, unlike his brother, was always
negotiating peaceful endings to conflicts.
NAME Nodons
EPITHET The Cloudmaker / The Wealthy One
ALTERNATIVE Nodens
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity
TYPE sun god / healer god (eyes)
CULTURE Cymry (tribes that fight side by side)
COUNTRY England
REGION Lancashire / Gloucestershire
LANDMARKS Severn
SITES Cockersands Moss / Lydney
AGE Post-Roman
DATES AD 6th c
ACCESSORIES hounds
REMARKS Nodons was a deity who was associated with
curative waters in the treatment of eye problems. He was
venerated at Cockersands Moss in Lancashire.
The Romans built a temple to him at Lydney in
Gloucestershire overlooking the river Severn. Patrons
often sacrificed dogs at his sites.
NAME Noidhiu Nae mBreathach
EPITHET Of the Nine Judgments (Naoi mBreathach)
GENDER M
CATEGORY filidh
TYPE judge
COUNTRY Ireland
RELATIVES Fingel (mother)
REMARKS Noidhiu's mother Fingel was guarded so that she
would never become pregnant but she was visited by a god
from across the sea. She was pregnant for 9 years and 9
months before she gave birth to a male child. Noidhiu was
condemned to be sacrificed but began to speak and gave 9
judgments, thus saving his own life.
NAME Nominoe
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Brenin
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Gallic
COUNTRY France
REGION Brittany
AGE Post-Roman
DATES AD 9th c / AD 845
ENEMIES French
REMARKS Nominoe was the high chieftain of Brittany when
the Celts fought the French at the Battle of Ballon. After
this battle Brittany was left alone with its Celtic
heritage until the 15th century AD.
NAME Nuadha
EPITHET The Cloudmaker / Of the Silver Hand (Airgetlam)
ALTERNATIVE Nuada / Nuadad / Nuadha {Noo'-u-thu, Noo-da}
/
Nuadha Airgedlamh / Nuada Argat
lamh / Nuadu
Argetlam / Nuadha / Nuadae /
Nuadai / Nuadaitt /
Nuodia / Nuadoo / Nuadot
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires) / summer solstice
CATEGORY hero / warrior / 1st and 3rd Ri Ruirech
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Mayo / Sligo / Donegal
TERRITORY Connacht / Ulster
LANDMARKS Inishowen Peninsula
SITES Cong / Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh) / Grianan
Aileach (burial tumulus)
CENTERS Sidhe of Nuadha
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th c / BC 18th-17th c / 1720-1713 / BC 1706-1686 (Kings
List)
BATTLES first battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura) /
second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura)
ACCESSORIES Cliamh Soluis (the sword of light)
RELATIVES Echtach Baethlaim (father); Ethniu (wife);
Echtgne (daughter); Tadg Mor, Cucharm, Etarlam
(The Poet) and Caither (sons); Macha and Fea
(consorts); Gaible (grandson); Indui and Bresal
(brothers); Midhir (nephew); Magog, Iarbonel and
Ordan (ancestors); Murna and Fionn (descendants)
ENEMIES Firbolg / Fomorii
SEE ALSO Bres / Bresal Etarlam / Bress / Creidhne /
Diancecht / Eochaid mac Erc / Ethniu / Fea /
Fionn mac Cumhaill / Iarbonel / Indui / Lugh /
Macha / Magog / Miach / Midhir / Murna / Sreng
REMARKS Nuadha, son of Echtach, son of Etarlam, son of
Ordan, was the head chieftain of the Danann when they
landed in Ireland on the eve of a Beltainn. The name
Nuadha has been found inscribed in ogham in the Algarve
region of Portugal. The Danann sent Bres to negotiate a
treaty with the Firbolg but the negotiations failed and
Bres was killed. Nuadha led the Danann against the Firbolg
who were led by a chieftain named Eochaid mac Erc. They
fought the first battle of Magh Tuireadh near Cong in
county Mayo during the summer solstice.
During the battle, Nuadha, the flaxen-maned, lost his
hand to Sreng when his heavy slashing sword cut Nuadha's
shield in two and severed his arm from his body. Nuadha's
disfigurement forced him to step down after 7 years as head
chieftain but he did lead the Danann to victory and
conquered Ireland.
Diancecht, with the help of Creidhne, fitted Nuadha
with a silver arm with movenment in all the joints
including the fingers. Miach, son of Diancecht, replaced
the silver arm with one of flesh and blood and Nuadha
rewarded him with his arm of silver.
When Nuadha's hand of flesh had healed, he was again
allowed to regain the position of head chieftain of the
Danann, replacing Bress who had proved to be an unpopular
ruler. Nuadha's sword Cliamh Soluis, a present from Lugh,
was considered one of the 4 treasures of the Danann and
none could escape from it once drawn.
Nuadha led his people against the Fomorii 27 year
after he had lost his arm. The second battle of Magh
Tuireadh was also fought on summer solstice. During this
battle Nuadha lost his head. MacGreine and his brothers
took Nuadha's body to be buried on the Inishowen Peninsula
in a tumulus at Grianian Aileach (Sidhe of Nuadha) in
Ulster.
NAME Nudd
EPITHET Head of the Lower Region / Of the Silver Hand
(Llaw Ereint)
ALTERNATIVE Nevydd
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity / warrior
TYPE horse warrior
CULTURE Cymry (tribes that fight side by side)
COUNTRY Wales
AGE Post-Roman
DATES AD 6th c
RELATIVES Creddylad (daughter); Gwynn (son)
SEE ALSO Creddylad / Gwynn
REMARKS Nudd was considered to be the head of the lower
regions and his daughter was fought over every Beltainn by
two dragons.
ALTERNATIVE Ninnyaw / Nynnyaw / Nennius (Latin)
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Belgae - Catuvellauni tribe
COUNTRY England
REGION Greater London
TERRITORY Lloegr
SITES Caer Lludd (Kaerlud), present-day London
(buried)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 54 (died)
ACCESSORIES sword (Yellow Death)
RELATIVES Beli (father); Lludd, Cassubellaunos, Llevelys
(brothers); Penarddun (aunt); Tasciovanos and
Epaticcos (nephews)
SEE ALSO Beli / Cassubellaunos / Epaticcos / Llevelys /
Lludd / Penarddun / Tasciovanos
REMARKS When Caesar invaded England, Nynniaw fought him
in single combat during a battle. Caesar's sword became so
wedged in Nynniaw's shield that Caesar had to relinquish
it.
Nynniaw used Caesar's sword and fought like a frenzied
madman, killing many Romans and giving courage to his
warriors until he succumbed to wounds inflicted during the
battle. Nynniaw was buried at Caer Lludd (London) with
Caesar's sword.