Eriu :: A Great Goddess of the Feminine Trinity of Ancient Ireland

Eriu was a goddess of ancient Ireland. She is often seen as a personification of the land of Ireland itself, as it was after her that this small island of the northeastern Atlantic – the furthest western periphery of Europe – was ultimately named.

The name Eriu comes from Old Irish, which we believe can probably be translated as something along the lines of fullness, bounty, or abundance. This gives the name of Ireland itself the meaning “land of abundance.”

Though in more modern times both Ireland and the goddess are often remembered by the modern forms of her name: as Éire, or by the poetic name Erin.

Life and Family of Eriu

Eriu was the daughter of Delbáeth and Ernmas, father and mother respectively, both of the tribe of the Tuatha Dé Danann. (The name Tuatha De Danann means “Tribe of the Goddess Danu” or else is shortened to Tuatha De, which means “Tribe of Gods”)

The Tuatha Dé Danann are a legendary race who held dominion over Ireland in ancient times, to whom the great passage graves and other monuments are attributed. They are remembered through a lens of magic as time has distorted their memory into legend. Their description in myth conjures a vision of a supernatural race in their technological prowess, skill in the arts and sciences, and of course in their ability to heal and perform magic.

Born to Delbaeth and Ernmas along with Eriu, were two other sisters by the name of Banba and Fodla. Together they form a powerful feminine trinity. According to the ancient lore of Ireland found in the Lebor Gabála Érenn, the three sisters were married off to the three kings of the Tuatha De Dannan. The Lebor Gabála Érenn (whose name translates as The Book of the Taking of Ireland or else commonly shortened to The Book of Invasions) is a text written by an anonymous author in the 11th century. At least that is the earliest version we have available to us. Though the Lebor Gabála Érenn undoubtedly contains histories and traditions far older as it is a compilation the ancient poems and oral tradition of Ireland.

Each of the three kings whom the three sisters Eriu, Banba, and Fodla were married off to were grandsons of The Dagda. The three kings of Ireland were Mac Grené the ‘Son of the Sun’, Mac Cuill the ‘Son of Hazel’, and Mac Cécht whose name meant ‘Son of the Plough’.

Ancient lore recalls how Eriu married the grandson of the Dagda, Mac Gréine, entwining Eriu with the direct royal lineage, as The Dagda was the principle male deity of the ancient Irish. The leader and chief of the tribe of gods, the Tuatha De Danann.

Eriu is also said to have been the lover of the Fomorian prince, Elatha. The Fomorians invaded Ireland before the Milesians, though they were defeated by the Tuatha De Danann. Together Eriu and Elatha had a son by the name of Bes.

Eriu is also said to have been the mistress of Lugh, who was one of the most renowned gods throughout ancient Europe. Eriu, Banba, and Fodla were sovereignty goddesses (a technical term in Celtic studies) associated with Badb, Macha, and the Morrigan.

Eriu’s Legacy

When the Milesians arrived from Galicia (perhaps Spain) this spelled doom for the Tuatha De Danann. For after their defeat at the hands of the Milesians, according to legendary accounts, they passed into the Otherworld, the supernatural realm, and faded to their kingdoms below ground.

The three divine sisters stood against the Milesians, demanding that they leave. One account recalls that when Eriu asked the Milesians to leave, one of their number, a man by the name of Donn mac Miled, responded to Eriu’s request with insults. With words of power infused with her magic, Eriu sentenced him to death, and he died shortly thereafter. [3]

As the conflict between the immigrating Milesians and Tuatha De Danann approached resolution, it became increasingly clear that victory was imminent for the Milesians. As the three queens of the Tuatha De Danann realized that fate was not on their side, Eriu, Banba, and Fodla sought only one thing: that their names be remembered. That the land they held so dear bear their name until the end.

Each sister waited atop their favorite mountains. As the Milesians crossed Ireland, they called out from their high vantage, requesting that the land bear their name after the Tuatha De Danann were gone. Though it was to Eriu, atop the sacred mountain Uisneach, that the Milesians listened. [2] Perhaps the power evident in her death curse upon Donn mac Miled convinced them to listen to Eriu’s demands over those of her sisters.

Her request was honored, and Ireland to this day is known to the world bearing the name of this ancient goddess. Though to those learned in native lore, Fodla and Banba’s names are also occasionally used as poetic names for the country, along with Eire and Erin, the poetic forms of Eriu.

Further Reading

1. Eriu | Wikipedia | Accessed 28 Jan 2020 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89riu]
2. Eriu: Powerful Irish Goddess And Sacred Uisneach Hill Where She And God Lugh Are Buried | A. Sutherland | Ancient Pages | 28 Jan 2020 [http://www.ancientpages.com/2019/02/15/eriu-powerful-irish-goddess-and-sacred-uisneach-hill-where-she-and-god-lugh-are-buried/]
3. Eriu and Medb | Iris Studies | Accessed 29 Jan 2020 [https://irishstudies.sunygeneseoenglish.org/eriu-mebd/]