IRISH MYTHS

Ireland is famous in the world for its ample and extremely complex mythology. Most of the myths and
legends have been passed on from generation to generation. Becoming an integral part of the cultural Irish
heritage. Therefore virtually each place in Ireland has its own history or myths related to a given area. The
survival of Irish mythology and folklore was possible due to the fact that the Romans had decided Ireland
was too distant territory to conquer and as a consequence left the country alone. This allowed indwelling
there Celtic tribes to develop a Gaelic society of their own that even with the conversion to Christianity, held
a certain autonomy from the rest of Christian Europe. However, the mythology of pre - Christian Ireland did
not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity. Much of it was presented in medieval Irish culture,
though it was shorn of its religious meanings. In fact these who helped to preserve heritage of past centuries
were monks.
They did it because they felt secure enough in their Christianity values to value Irish fairy tales as an
interesting historical legacy, rather than as a threat to Christian doctrine.
A distinguishing feature of Irish myths is a multitude of characters appearing in them. They are both gods,
heroic warriors and mischievous supernatural creatures as well as ordinary people. The action is usually
focused on them. Another significant attribute is traditional Irish storytelling that has always been essentially
an oral tradition. This explains why many different variations of the same fairy tale can exist in different
parts of Ireland and why people who telling legends are often called storytellers.
Irish mythology, folk tales and history is separated into four cycles - the Mythological Cycle, the Ulster
Cycle, the Fenian Cycle and the Historical Cycle. These cycles define important events in Irish history, from
the Invasions of Ireland by the various Celtic tribes, to the division of the country into the five Gaelic
provinces of Ulster, Leinster, Meath, Connacht and Munster, which with the exception of Meath, are still
used in the administration of Ireland.
One of the best-known myths is about mythical Irish warrior whose name is Cu Chulainn . This great hero is
to Irish Mythology, what Achilles is to Greek Mythology. Both brave warriors were undefinable in battle and
both were demi - goods .
Cu Chulainn was said to be the son of Deichtine and the good Lugh, and the nephew of Conchobar Mac
Nessa, the King of Ulster. His given name at births was Setanta but he gained the Cu Chulainn, meaning „
Culann’s Hound ” after he killed a ferocious guard belonging to a smith named Culann. Cu Chulainn offered
the place of the guard dog until a replacement could be reared. There are many legends relating to this
character, one of the most famous is the Catlle Raid of Cooley as told in the Train, in this tale warrior single
- handed fought the armies of Quenn Mebh of Connacht. After the army of Ulster had been put to sleep by
her magic, Cu Chulainn was left to defend Ulster’s lands taking on champion after champions one in single
combat that lasted moths. Even the scene of his death is full of dramatic. His Death is not calm but insidious.
Queen Mebh contrived with his enemies to bring him to battle. She put a spell on the might warrior and he
become mortally wounded by the spear of Lugaid. But Cu Chulainn fought on causing his enemies to retreat
and then he tied himself to a rock to keep himself standing so that enemies wouldn’t think he was wounded.
The ploy almost worked, when a raven landed on his shoulder. Warrior’s enemies returned to finish him off
but not before Cu Chulainn was able to deliver a fatal blow to Lugaid. Today, the image of Cu Chulainn is
invoked by both Irish and Ulster ( Northern Ireland) nationalist. Irish nationalist see him as the most
prominent Celtic irish hero, while unionists see him as an Ulsterman defending the province from enemies to
the south.
Irish mythology also includes local folk tales of supernatural beings. The legends of the Leprechaun is one
of the most enduring myths in Ireland and relates to a mystical type of fairy who is originally linked to the
Tuatha De Danann of Irish mythology. They could be lustful, nasty, capricious creatures whose magic might
delight humans and killed if only someone displease them. Leprechauns are often described as wizened,
bearded old men dressed in green. Sometimes they wear a pointed cap or hat and may be smoking a pipe.
According to Irish legends, people lucky enough to find a leprechauns and capture him can barter his
freedom for his treasure. Leprechauns are usually said to be able to grant the person three wishes. But
dealing with leprechauns can be a tricky proposition. This type of fairy is known for being principally a
roguish tricker who cannot be trusted and will deceive whenever possible. There is even a typical tale of
leprechaun trickery. Concerning a man who managed to get a leprechauns to show him the bush in the field
where his treasure was located. Having no spade, the man marked the tree with one of his red garters, the
kindly released the sprite and went for a spade. Returning almost instantly he found tied every one of the
numerous trees in the field sported a red garter.
 Another type of Irish myths are those that combine Celtic and Christian tradition. One of this kind is the
ancient Irish myth Children of Lir that forms the basis of the classic ballet - Swan Lake. According to the
story, long ago there was an Irish King called Lir with four beautiful children. Their mother died when the
children were very young and King Lir eventually remarried. But as in many other legends the new Queen
was a devious women of witchcraft who wanted the throne to herself, and saw the children as a threat to her
plans. One day, she took the children down to the lake to tech them to swim, but once the children got into
the water, the evil Queen cast a spell on them, turning them into Swans. For 900 years the children were
doomed to live as swans by daylight and only in the light of full moon could take their human form.
Liberation for them came with the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. When the Children of Lir heard the
sound of bells ringing out from a church, they flew down to investigate and as they entered the church their
feathers fell away and they once again became human. But soon they died anyway, because they were
already very old.
Ireland is a country steeped in myths and legends which have been fascinated for generations. Many
contemporary fables and fairy tales draw on the tradition of Irish mythology. However, Irish mythology is
unique in itself without foreseen endings, as well as with ambiguous characters.