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Tuatha Dé Danann -

The Tuatha Dé Danann, which roughly translates to “the folk of the goddess Danu,” were the supernatural beings of light in ancient Irish mythology, and the race to which most of the primary deities belong. While they generally fought with the Fomorians, who represented darkness and chaos, there are some stories of intermingling and intermarriage between the two groups.

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The Fomorians -

The Fomorians are the second of the two races of primordial and supernatural beings in Irish mythology. In general, they are the antithesis of the Tuatha Dé Danann and are usually the villains in most early Irish stories, although there are some exceptions to the rule.

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Eriu -

Eriu was the daughter of two prominent members of the Tuatha Dé Danann race, Ernmas and Delbáeth. She is a patron goddess of the Irish isle, and in some stories she is in fact the human personification of Ireland.

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Ethniu -

Ethniu was a member of the generally dark and mischievous Fomorian race of Irish mythology. After being wrongfully imprisoned by her evil father, Balor, she went on to marry Cian, the first king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and gave birth to Lugh, one of the most popular figures of Irish mythology.

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Lugh -

Lugh was one of the first great gods of the Irish pantheon, and belonged to the Tuatha Dé Danann race. He represents many noble ventures, including honesty, craftsmanship and the arts. He was a feared warrior, an accomplished king, and, according to the Irish canon, invented the Celtic version of chess.

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Brigid -

Brigid was an early goddess in Irish Celtic mythology, and a daughter of the Dagda, one of the primordial first deities. She was a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and represented poetry, blacksmithing, animal husbandry, and healing.

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Aengus Óg -

One of the very first members of the Tuatha Dé Danann race, Aengus Óg is also one of the many offspring of the Dagda. He is thought to be the spiritual source of inspiration for poets, and represents love, youth, and summer. He is said to inhabit the Brú na Bóinne, a massive Neolithic structure in Ireland.

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Gráinne -

The endearing love story of the rebellious Gráinne is one of the most popular from old Irish mythology. Daughter to one of Ireland’s first mythical high kings, she was arranged to be married to a man far older than her. On the night of her engagement, however, Gráinne makes up her mind to resist the marriage, and eventually she successfully runs away to modern-day Kerry, Ireland, with the boy she loves.

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Deirdre -

Dierdre is arguably the most enduring heroine from Irish lore. Commonly referred to as Dierdre of the Sorrows, she was another individual who successfully eloped with her true love. Unfortunately, unlike Gráinne, Deirdre and her family were tracked down by the evil King Conor, who killed Dierdre’s family and captured her. Rather than live the rest of her life in sadness, she shattered her own skull on the side of a rock.

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Aoife -

Aoife, whose name can be translated from Irish as “radiance,” is a warrior goddess from old Celtic mythology. In ‘Fate of the Children of Lir,’ a volume of old Irish legend, she is said to have turned her stepchildren into swans out of jealousy.

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Matrona -

Matrona was a mother-goddess worshiped in the continental Celtic tribes of Gaul. The Marne river, in France, is named after her, and numerous terracotta figures in her likeness have been found in the area.

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Fionn mac Cumhaill -

A popular and prolific mythical hero from Irish folklore, Fionn mac Cumhaill’s adventures and exploits, from boyhood into adulthood and until his death, are told in numerous volumes of Irish mythology. He is depicted as a skilled hunter, with admiration reaching him at the young age of 10 when he slayed the fire-breathing monster known as Aillen.

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Oisín -

The mythical poet Oisín is referred to in most texts as the greatest poet of Ireland. He is the son of the legendary warrior-hunter Fionn mac Cumhaill. In one story, he marries the demi-goddess Niamh and becomes king of Tir na nÓg, before being banished 300 years later.

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Niamh -

Niamh was a being not quite godly, not quite mortal, who resided in the otherworld known as Tír na nÓg. In the legend ‘Golden-haired Niamh,’ she brings the mythical mortal poet Oisín into Tír na nÓg, or the “Otherworld,” to live through eternity with her. After 300 years of happy marriage, she allows Oisín to visit his native Ireland, on the condition his feet never touch the ground. Unfortunately, Oisín’s feet did just that, and they never saw each other again.

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Branwen -

Branwen’s story in British Celtic mythology is a tragic one, told in the ‘Mabinogi of Branwen.’ She is married off to the king of Ireland by her brother, the giant king Brân of Britain, but she is banished to work in the kitchens upon her arrival. Once her brother hears of her situation, he comes with an army to her rescue. Unfortunately, Brân is shot with a poison arrow and perishes. Branwen dies of heartbreak soon after.

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Coventina -

Coventina was the ancient patron goddess of wells and springs in certain British-Celtic traditions. Numerous dedications to and depictions of Coventina have been found around natural springs on the British Isles.

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Étaín -

Étaín was a very prominent mortal woman in early Irish legends. In ‘The Wooing of Étaín,’ one of the most popular tales from ancient Ireland, the god Midir falls in love with and marries Étaín. The couple is very happy until Étaín is tormented by the jealous witch Fúamnach, who turns her into a pool of water, then a worm, and then a fly.

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Epona -

Epona was the protector goddess of horses, donkeys, and other equine animals in continental Celtic mythology. She was one of few local Celtic deities to be adopted by the Roman Empire, who claimed her for some time as the goddess of the cavalry.

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Macha -

Macha was an immensely powerful woman in Irish folklore, and the only queen during the era of Ireland’s mythical High Kings. When her father, who cycled in and out of kingship every seven years, died, she stepped up into his place on the next cycle. The other men who shared the throne found this unacceptable and revolted against her, but Macha walked away from the battle victorious and unscathed.

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Medb -

Medb was a powerful mythical warrior queen in Ireland and an important character in the ‘Ulster Cycle,’ one of the most popular and enduring collections of Irish mythology. She made a point of always being just as rich and powerful as her husband, and once infamously went to war with a neighboring kingdom solely for the attainment of one single bull in order to even the playing field.

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The Mórrígan -

The Mórrígan was a powerful, ethereal deity of Irish legend whose name can be translated to “phantom queen” or “great queen.” Thought of as a sovereign goddess, she was often known to appear on battlefields in the form of a crow and inspire courage and bravery in warriors.

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Melusine -

Melusine was a creature in late-Celtic folklore in Western Europe that was depicted as half woman and half sea monster. She was known to marry rich men and demand complete privacy during her bathing times. Without fail, the husbands always break their oath, and Melusine leaves them alone and heartbroken.

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Rosmerta -

In the ancient Gaulish language, the name Rosmerta roughly translates to “provider,” which is fitting for a goddess who was considered a caregiver and bringer of abundance. In ancient art and sculpture, she is often depicted as a close friend of the Roman god Mercury.

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Sulis -

Sulis was a local mother-goddess who was heavily worshiped in the area of Bath, in England. Associated with the hot springs in and around the area, she was thought of as a goddess of health and healing.

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Bladud -

Bladud was a legendary winged king of the Britons, the 10th king since the founding of Britain in Celtic mythology. He is said to have founded the city of Bath, after having his leprosy cured in the mud baths and springs of the area.

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Gwydion -

Gwydion, whose name might translate to “born of the trees,” was a magician from Welsh Celtic mythology associated with mischievousness. A number of wars are started by Gwydion throughout the ‘Mabinogion,’ the mythological canon of the British Isles. The story of one such war, known as the Battle of the Trees, describes Gwydion casting a spell upon a forest of trees who rise up and fight alongside him.

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Rhiannon -

One of the most famous and most respected figures of British mythology is Rhiannon, a woman from the Otherworld who is known for her beauty, her cunning, and her strength. She is often thought to be a British version of older Celtic figures, especially equine deities, and she is often depicted sitting on a horse.

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Cernunnos -

Although very little is known about Cernunnos and no stories have survived regarding his possible exploits, some 50 different depictions of his likeness have been found across Western and Northwestern Europe. His is usually depicted surrounded by a host of animals, and holding bags of grain or gold.

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Brian -

Brian is a character from old Gaelic mythology who commonly represents foolishness and mischievousness. The main tale features Brian and his three brothers pursuing an important demigod named Cian, who escaped their clutches by turning into a pig. In one version of the story, Brian and his brothers take the form of dogs to chase after Cian and kill him.

Sources: (Godchecker) (World History Encyclopedia) (Sky History)

See also: Ireland, forever the "Emerald Isle"

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