Macha. Macha (Irish pronunciation: [ˈmaxə]) is a goddess of ancient Ireland, associated with war, horses, sovereignty, and the sites of Armagh and Eamhain Mhacha in County Armagh, which are named after her. A number of figures called Macha appear in Irish mythology, legend and historical tradition, all believed to derive from the same deity. The name is presumably derived from Proto-Celtic *makajā denoting "a plain" (genitive *makajās "of the plain").[1] Macha, daughter of Partholón[edit] A poem in the Lebor Gabála Érenn mentions Macha as one of the daughters of Partholón, leader of the first settlement of Ireland after the flood, although it records nothing about her.[2] Macha, wife of Nemed[edit] Various sources record a second Macha as the wife of Nemed, leader of the second settlement of Ireland after the flood.
Macha, daughter of Ernmas[edit] Macha Mong Ruad[edit] Macha, wife of Cruinniuc[edit] Macha, daughter of Sainrith mac Imbaith, was the wife of Cruinniuc, an Ulster farmer. See also[edit] Anann. In Irish mythology, Anann (Anu, Ana, Anand) was a goddess. 'Anann' is identified as the personal name of the Morrígan in many MSS of Lebor Gabála Érenn. With Badb and Macha, she is sometimes part of a triple goddess or a triad of war goddesses.[1] As such, she may be a Celtic personification of death, and is depicted as predicting death in battle.
As a goddess of cattle, she is responsible for culling the weak. She is therefore often referred to as "Gentle Annie", in an effort to avoid offense, a tactic which is similar to referring to the fairies as "The Good People".[2] Etymology[edit] This name may be derived the Proto-Celtic theonym *Φanon-.[3] Paps of Anu[edit] Anann has particular associations with Munster: the twin hills known as the Paps of Anu (Dá Chích Anann or the breasts of Anu), at WikiMiniAtlas 52°00′55″N 9°16′09″W / 52.01528°N 9.26917°W / 52.01528; -9.26917, near Killarney,[4]County Kerry are said to have been named after this ancient goddess.[1] Works cited[edit] Nemain. In Irish mythology, Nemain (modern spelling: Nemhain) is the fairy spirit of the frenzied havoc of war, and possibly an aspect of the Morrígan.
The name is sometimes spelt Nemon or Neman. Representation in literature[edit] In the grand Irish epic of the Tain Bo Cuailnge, Neman confounds armies, so that friendly bands fall in mutual slaughter. When the forces of Queen Medb arrive at Magh-Tregham, in the present county of Longford, on the way to Cuailnge, Neman appears amongst them: “Then the Neman attacked them, and that was not the most comfortable night with them, from the uproar of the giant Dubtach through his sleep. The bands were immediately startled, and the army confounded, until Medb went to check the confusion.” "He saw from him the ardent sparkling of the bright golden weapons over the heads of the four great provinces of Eriu, before the fall of the cloud of evening. Kinship[edit] Etymology[edit] The meaning of the name has been various glossed. References[edit] MacCulloch, J. Badb. In Irish mythology, the Badb (Old Irish, pronounced [ˈbaðβ]) or Badhbh (Modern Irish, pronounced [ˈbəiv])—meaning "crow"—was a war goddess who took the form of a crow, and was thus sometimes known as Badb Catha ("battle crow").
She often caused fear and confusion among soldiers in order to move the tide of battle to her favoured side. Badb would also appear prior to a battle to foreshadow the extent of the carnage to come or to predict the death of a notable person. She would sometimes do this through wailing cries, leading to comparisons with the bean-sídhe (banshee). Representations in legends[edit] In Irish legends, Badb was associated with war and death, appearing either to foreshadow imminent bloodshed or to participate in battles, where she created confusion among the soldiers and fed on the discord of the conflict.
Sith co nem. Then she delivers a prophecy of the eventual end of the world, "foretelling every evil that would be therein, and every disease and every vengeance. W. The Morrígan.