Ériu, the Goddess of Ireland
Ireland's folklore offers a fascinating mix of history and mythology, which reinforces Ireland's reputation as a nation of storytellers! Interestingly, Irish mythology is actually embedded in the name of the land. The Irish (Gaelic) name for Ireland is Éire or Ériu, believed to be an Irish Goddess who lived in Ireland over 3000 years ago. Find out more about Ireland's namesake and Divine Feminine connections below.
In pre-Christian times, a powerful tribe called the Tuatha Dé Danaan (tribe of the Gods) inhabited Ireland. The Tuatha Dé Danaan were a spiritual tribe who were respected as wise and powerful leaders. According to legend, they were powerful Gods and Goddesses whose origins were of an otherworldly realm (Dé meaning God). Like Niamh Cinn Óir, Ériu was of the spiritual tribe the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Ériu on the Hill of Uisneach, County Westmeath
The Tuatha Dé Danann were a tribe with magical abilities, and had powerful male and female leaders. They honoured the differences between men and women, and there was a great equality in their society.
Although scholars cannot confirm exact dates, it is estimated the Tuatha Dé Danaan ruled Ireland during the late Bronze Age (around 1500BC) for about 200 years, until the age of the Milesians. The Milesians were a rival race who came to Ireland long after the Tuatha Dé Danann with the intention of dominating the land. The Milesians were a patriarchal society, and their druid was called Amergin.
Ériu and her sisters, Banba and Fódla, were asked to represent the Tuatha Dé Danann when meeting the Milesians, at the spiritual heart of Ireland, the Hill of Uisneach.
Ériu and her sisters, with their intuitive powers, likely sensed that the age of the Milesians was coming upon Ireland and it was time for them to return through the spiritual veil. Amergin met the three sisters on the sacred Hill of Uisneach, and each sister requested that Amergin name Ireland after her.
Ériu’s sovereign presence and connection to the land had the greatest impact on Amergin and he did indeed name the land after her, leaving a powerful feminine legacy embedded in the land for future generations to come. In Irish poetry, Banba and Fódla are occasionally referenced as names for Ireland also, l
The history of Uisneach stretches back beyond recorded time, with existing artefacts from the Neolithic (3700-2500 BC) and Bronze Ages (2500-500 BC), demonstrating its significance as a spiritual and ceremonial site in prehistoric times. To this day, it is considered a sacred spiritual site, and, although a working farm, guided tours are offered on the land to delve into its fascinating history and mythology.
On the sacred site, there is a famous Catstone, known as Ail na Míreann (stone of divisions), under which is believed to be Ériu’s final resting place.
Ail na Míreann, Ériu's burial place, Hill of Uisneach, County Westmeath
Historical records show that her burial site has been a powerful meeting point for thousands of years, with many Irish leaders delivering inspired speeches and hosting meetings at this powerful point of confluence, which is the meeting point of the five ancient provinces of Ireland.
In Irish mythology, the fifth ancient province was Míde (meaning centre), on which Uisneach is located. Scholars theorise that the fifth province may have been in reference to a spiritual gateway, a way of connecting to the spiritual world of which the Tuatha Dé Danann were from, and returned to when their time ruling Ireland was complete.
Interestingly, modern Ireland’s first female president, Mary Robinson, inaugurated in 1990, stated in her inspiring inauguration speech:
The Fifth Province is not anywhere here or there, north or south, east or west. It is a place within each one of us - that place that is open to the other, that swinging door which allows us to venture out and others to venture in. Ancient legends divided Ireland into four quarters and a 'middle', although they differed about the location of this middle or fifth province. While Tara was the political centre of Ireland, tradition has it that this Fifth Province acted as a second centre, a necessary balance. If I am a symbol of anything I would like to be a symbol of this reconciling and healing Fifth Province.
(Mary Robinson, President of Ireland, 3rd December 1990)
Ériu’s existence reminds us that in ancient Irish civilisation, female Goddesses were recognised and respected; powerful women were revered as leaders in the community. It is fitting that our first female president would reference the area of this "Fifth Province" in her inauguration speech - it seems that the legacy of Ériu and her sisters are still inspiring Irish culture and leadership to this day!