How Ireland Got It's Name

You are never far from mythology in Ireland. And the story of how Ireland got it’s name is no different.

Éire’ as Ireland is known in Gaelic, is thought to be a reworking of an old Irish word ‘Ériu,’ the name of an ancient goddess. Combine that with the and Old Norse or English for land and you have Éire-land or Ire-land.

But just how did our Island come to be named after this ancient goddess and who was she really?

Ériu and her sisters - A triple threat

Ériu, who’s name means 'plentiful' or ‘abundant’ is described in the 11th Century text “Lebor Gabála Érenn”, or “The Book of the Taking of Ireland.” She was a queen and sovereignty goddess, representing the verdant land on which she lived.

Ériu, along with her sisters, Banba and Fódla, were members of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the supernatural race that inhabited Ireland before the coming of the first humans. Together Ériu and her sisters are often recorded as different aspects of a single triple-goddess.

The first “Gaels”

The story goes that the first humans to arrive on our shores were the Milesians, ancestoral Gaels that had travelled far and wide. Ériu and her sisters met these invaders on sacred hilltops one by one as they advanced north from their landing point in Kerry, to the seat of power for the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Tuatha Dé Danann last stand and a request from Ériu

At the symbolic centre of Ireland, the sacred Hill of Uisneach, the invaders met Ériu where she addressed them: "Warriors," said she, " welcome to you. It is long since your coming is prophesied. Yours will be the island forever. There is not better island in the world.” But she included a catch "thou shalt have no gain of this island nor will thy children. A gift to me... that my name may be upon this island!"

The invaders willingly conceded and true to their word, the island was named for her and the people that live there became, Éirinn - ‘of Ériu.’

Ériu has the power

Marking this important event, future High Kings of Ireland were said to be ceremonially married to Ériu at Uisneach each year during Bealtaine.

In marrying Ériu at Bealtaine, the king tied his fortune to the land and woe betide him if harvests weren’t good! So the goddess of plenty Ériu remained the highest power in the land with influence even over the king.

What Happend to the Tuatha Dé Danann

The Tuatha Dé Danann reportedly retreated into the ‘otherworld,’ hollow hills, or sídhe. It's said they remain there to this day as Aos Sí, the people of the mounds. A healthy respect of this 'otherworld' permeates Irish culture even now. Many reluctant to cut a 'fairy' tree or disturb a sacred mound for fear of the wrath of the Aos Sí.