Thank you for getting in touch Éire and sharing your own fantastic story. So pleased to hear you enjoyed reading about the origins of Ireland’s (and your own) name. Best of luck to you and yours from all of us here at My Irish Jeweler.
How Ireland Got It's Name
Written by Ciaran on July 31, 2019 | 2 Comments
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 our native tounge, 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?
One of the 80+ WWII era Eire signs - the locations and corresponding numbers were given to Allied pilots to aid with navigation in a time before GPS. This sign was uncovered after a gorse fire on Bray head in July 2018.
Photo Credit: Ciaran Lennon
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 some say, married to the sun and a sovereignty goddess, representing the verdant land on which she lived.
Photo Credit: Eriu. Shi-Spoirad © Jim FitzPatrick 2022
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.
Photo Credit: Trevor Cole (cc)
Tuatha Dé Danann last stand and a request from Ériu
Sensing that the time for the Tuatha Dé Danann to return to their supernatural realm, Ériu met the invaders at the symbolic centre of Ireland, the sacred Hill of Uisneach, in present day Westmeath, where she was said to address them:
"Warriors, 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 Ériu included a request, or more of an ultimatum really
"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 the land and to Ériu at this sacred spot at Uisneach each year during Bealtaine - and there are still fires lit at this spot at the start of May to this day!
A statue of Ériu created by artist Patsy Preston on the Hill of Uisneach.
What Happend to the Tuatha Dé Danann?
The Tuatha Dé Danann reportedly retreated into the ‘otherworld,’ to the land beyond the mists, in 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.
Photo Credit: John Duncan (Public Domain)
Continuing Traditions
We are not sure about all of that, but we do love a good story! And we enjoy doing our part to preserve these wonderful stories and fabulous Irish and Celtic traditions, sharing them with others and drawing on them as inspiration for our carefully crafted jewellery.
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Ciaran
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
Comments
Ask Gemma
Hi Ciaran that's a fantastic story. My Dad chose my name. When he was 18 he wanted his first daughter to be called Éire. When he was 21 he married my mam. When he was 23 he has a first born daughter , me.
It's so strange I have a lot of Éiru's qualities and I have two younger sisters (both have French names). I also showed my mam your drawing of Éiru and she said that she could see me in her.
I'm also about sovereignty and Ireland being Irish.
This has been a special experience for me. Thank you so much.
Lé grá Éire Ní Cheallacháin