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This is an introduction to Irish Gods and Goddesses – deities you may be interested in through Irish Pagan and Celtic Mythology, by Lora O’Brien.
Now, Gods and Goddesses of the Irish were/are a little different from others in Celtic Mythology coming from Britain and Europe, and it is important to differentiate and understand what we mean by Irish Gods, specifically.
Celtic Gods and Goddesses
First, the term ‘Celtic’ is just a scholarly descriptor, when it’s being used correctly, to talk about anceint Indo-European tribes in Europe who were grouped together (by outside observers) based on ethnolinguistic similarities – so, mainly their language, art, and other cultural indicators.
Basically what that means is that ‘the Celts’ doesn’t describe a single cohesive group of people, and it’s certainly not interchangeable with ‘the Irish’. Or even, ‘people who lived on the island we now call Ireland’!
Even the idea of the Celts coming to Ireland and bringing civilisation or culture to this island is now being viewed (correctly) through the colonial lense it deserves.
There were races and tribes here long before any Celtic cultural influence, and those dates are being pushed back further all the time with new archaeological discoveries.
Irish Gods, therefore, are their own unique thing. And that’s what we’ll be talking about here.
This is just an intro article, so I’ll have to be brief, but you can also find a Pronunciation Guide for the Irish Gods on our YouTube Channel in the Gods and Goddesses playlist >>> Click Here.
The Mórrígan – Our Great Queen of the Irish Gods
The Morrígan or Mórrígan, also known as Morrígu, or Mór-Ríoghain in Modern Irish. Her name can be translated as ‘Great Queen’, or ‘Phantom Queen’.
This Irish Goddess is mainly associated with prophecy, battle, magic, and sovereignty.
She can appear as a crow, who we call the Badb (who is another of the Irish Gods, at the same time as being a form/aspect/sister of the Morrigan).
In Neo Pagan terms she is often reduced to a ‘war goddess’, and misunderstood as a ‘Goddess of Sex and Battle’. Her primary function though, in my experience, is as a bringer of change, and a Guardian of Ireland – both in this world and the Irish Otherworld.
🔗 Is the Morrigan Calling You? – Click for Your Free Guide
Áine – The Bright One
Áine is an Irish Goddess of the seasons, wealth, prosperity, and sovereignty. Her name could mean any of the following – ‘brightness, glow, joy, radiance; splendour, glory, fame’.
She has a strong association with Samhraidh (Grianstad an tSamhraidh – Midsummer) and the sun in general, and can be represented by a red mare (McKillop, 1998).
Some folk talk of her in terms of love and fertility, and she is definitely in the running as one of Ireland’s primary ‘Fairy Queens’ of the Sidhe Mounds in Ireland.
The hill of Knockainey (Cnoc Áine in Irish) is named for her, and up to as recently as 1879, it was recorded that local people were conducting rites involving fire, the blessing of land, animals and crops, in her honour.
🔗 Áine is a ‘Hidden Goddess’ of Ireland – Online Class Here.
Brigid – The Exalted One of the Irish Gods
As Brigit, Brigid, Brighid, or Bríg, this Irish Goddess has been with the Irish Gods from pre-historic Ireland as one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, right through to modern Christian tradition in the form of our primary Catholic Saint.
Brigid’s name is generally translated as ‘exalted one’, and she is a daughter of the Dagda. Learn How to Say Her Name Here.
As one of the Irish Gods, she is associated with the Earraigh, the Spring (and particularly the Pagan Festival of Imbolg or Imbolc), and with fertility, and through her fire she brings healing, poetry and smithcraft.
As Saint Brigid she shares many of the goddess’s associations, with a specific continuity of her sacred flame.
🔗 Click Here for a Class on Brigid, Goddess and Saint 🔥
The Dagda – Our Good God, Chief of Irish Gods
The Dagda is of the Tuatha Dé Danann, whose name means ‘the Good God’, the Dagda is the ‘Great Father’ (Ollathair), chieftain, and druid of the tribe (Koch, 2006).
He controls life and death through his magical club/staff (an Lorg Mór), and can manage the weather, crops, the seasons, and time itself.
In general, his associations are the earthly ones of fertility, agriculture, strength, as well as the Otherworldly ones of magic, druidry and wisdom.
He’s a father, and a foster father, to many, and the husband of the Mórrígan, from whom he seeks advice and counsel.
Besides his great club, the Dagda’s other tools include the cauldron which never runs empty, and a magic harp which can control human emotions and change the seasons.
🔗 Who is the Dagda? – Learn the Answer from an Irish Dagda Bard.
Manannán Mac Lír – Son of the Sea
Manannán now, is not specifically Irish, I’ll admit, and definitely crosses the boundaries with the Celtic Gods of other nations. He does however, appear often in Irish mythology, and so has definitely earned his place amongst the Irish Gods.
Manannán or Manann, also known as Manannán Mac Lír (‘son of the sea’) is, as you may have guessed, a God associated with the sea… but he also has very strong connections to the Otherworld as a guardian and guide, and so with Adventures or Journeys (Eachtraí nó Immrama) there.
Practically, it is very useful to have a relationship with Manannán – an Otherworld Guide – when you engage with Journeys in the Irish Otherworld.
More Guided Journeys Info is in our Free Class Here (how to do it safely!)
He owns a boat named Scuabtuinne (‘wave sweeper’), a chariot that is drawn across the top of the waves as if on land by the horse Aonbharr (‘one mane’, or possibly, ‘water foam’).
He also carries – and sometimes loans out – a sword named Fragarach (‘the answerer’), and a cloak of invisibility (an féth fíada).
🔗 There is a Full Class on Manannán Mac Lir – Click Here.
Lugh – The Shining One of the Irish Gods
Lugh, also known as Lú or Lugh Lámhfada (Lugh of the Long Arm), is one of the most prominent deities in Irish mythology. His name is often translated as ‘the shining one’ or ‘the bright one’, and he is associated with light (obvs), leadership, and skills in many crafts.
He’s a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann who takes the role of kingship after Nuada has to step down, and is known for his versatility and mastery of multiple arts.
This Irish God is celebrated well during the festival of Lúnasa (Lughnasadh), which marks the beginning of the harvest season – first fruits. This festival, while named for himself, famously was the time of the Tailteann Games held in honour of his Firbolg foster mother Tailtiu.
Lugh is depicted as a warrior, king, master craftsman, and saviour, embodying a perfect combination of physical strength, skill, and wisdom.
One of his most notable stories is his role in the Battle of Mag Tuired, where he leads the Tuatha Dé Danann to victory against the Fomorians. During this battle, he defeats the one-eyed giant Balor, his own grandfather, fulfilling a prophecy that he would be killed by his grandson.
Lugh is associated with several magical items, most notably the spear known as Gáe Assail (the Spear of Assal), which is said to be unstoppable in battle, and the sling that he uses to slay Balor. He is also linked with the crane bag, which contains many treasures and magical items.
🔗 Learn More about Lugh in our Online Class Here.
All in all, this is only a brief introduction to a very few of the Irish Gods and Goddesses you might come across or want to learn about if you are drawn to Celtic Paganism.
You can get a better idea of who they are (and how to work with them) individually by clicking the linked resources in bold above, OR… through our online class – Meeting Irish Gods – at the Irish Pagan School.
