Macha

For other uses, see Macha (disambiguation).

"Macha Curses the Men of Ulster", Stephen Reid's illustration from Eleanor Hull's The Boys' Cuchulainn (1904)

Macha (Irish pronunciation: [ˈmˠaxə]) was a sovereignty goddess[1][2] of ancient Ireland associated with the province of Ulster, particularly the sites of Navan Fort (Eamhain Mhacha)[3] and Armagh (Ard Mhacha),[4] which are named after her.[5] Several figures called Macha appear in Irish mythology and folklore, all believed to derive from the same goddess. She is said to be one of three sisters known as 'the three Morrígna'. Like other sovereignty goddesses, Macha is associated with the land, fertility, kingship, war and horses.[6]

Proinsias Mac Cana discusses three Machas: Macha, wife of Nemed; Queen Macha, wife of Cimbáeth; and Macha, wife of Crunnchu, who caused the debility of the Ulstermen.[6] Gregory Toner discusses four, with the addition of Macha as one of the three Morrigans.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference o hogain was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference green was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Toner (2010), p. 86.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference dindsenchas-rennes-094-Ard_Macha was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Koch, John T. Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, 2006. p. 1231
  6. ^ a b Mac Cana, Prionsias. "The Goddesses of the Insular Celts". Celtic Mythology. Hamlyn, 1970.
  7. ^ Toner (2010), p. 81.