Clíodhna

In Irish mythology, Clíodhna (Clídna, Clionadh, Clíodna, Clíona, transliterated to Cleena[dubious – discuss] in English) is a Queen of the Banshees of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Clíodna of Carrigcleena is the potent banshee that rules as queen over the sióga (fairies) of South Munster, or Desmond.[1]

In some Irish myths, Clíodhna is a goddess of love and beauty, and the patron of County Cork.[2] She is said to have three brightly coloured birds who eat apples from an otherworldly tree and whose sweet song heals sickness.[2] She leaves the otherworldly island of Tír Tairngire ("the land of promise") to be with her mortal lover, Ciabhán, but is taken by a wave[2] as she sleeps due to the music played by a minstrel of Manannan mac Lir in Glandore harbour in County Cork: the tide there is known as Tonn Chlíodhna, "Clíodhna's Wave".[3] Whether she drowns or not depends on the version being told, along with many other details of the story.

She had her palace in the heart of a pile of rocks, 5 mi (8.0 km) from Mallow, which is still commonly known by the name of Carrig-Cleena, and numerous legends about her are told above the Munster peasantry.[4]

Associated families[edit]

In general, it has been observed that Clíona is especially associated with old Irish families of Munster. Clíona has long been associated with the lands that had been the territory of the Ui-Fidgheinte (O'Donovans and O'Collins) during their period of influence (circa 373 A.D. to 977 A.D.), or were later associated with what had been the Ui-Fidghente territory (MacCarthys and FitzGeralds).

Clíona is referred to as an unwelcome pursuer in Edward Walsh's poem, O’Donovan’s Daughter. And, in an ode praising Donel O'Donovan upon his accession to the chiefship of Clancahill, Domhnall Ó Donnabháin III he is referred to as the "Dragon of Clíodhna".[5]

Clíodhna is also associated with the MacCarthy dynasty of Desmond, who adopted her as their fairy woman, and the O'Keeffes and FitzGerald dynasty, with whom she has had amorous affairs[4] Clíodhna appears in the name of one O'Leary in a medieval pedigree,[6] as Conor Clíodhna or "Conor of Clíodhna", and it is notable that the family were originally based in the area of Rosscarbery, very near to Glandore, before moving north to Muskerry. The O'Learys belong to the ancient Corcu Loígde.

Surviving traditions of Clíodhna in narrative and poetry associate her with the O'Keeffes and O'Donovans. The latter, originally from Uí Fidgenti in North Munster with its own traditions, where their original goddess was Mongfind, later moved south to Carbery on Cuan Dor Harbour, Clíodhna's traditional abode on the South Munster coast, and she then features in poetry associated with them. The O'Keeffe narrative tradition is more extensive, and Clíodhna has other Desmond associations too.

The legend of O'Keeffe, the Druid and his two daughters[edit]

In the early eighth century, in Feur-magh-Feine (now Fermoy) there lived Draoi Ruadh, the last of the Druids. He had assisted the King of Munster by summoned a great storm to drive back their enemies. The king had grant the Druid the title Prince of Fermoy. He had two accomplished and beautiful daughters: the elder was called Cleena who could transform creatures to any form she pleased and was titled "the queen of the fairies". The younger daughter was called Aoivil (Aibell) and was her inseparable companion.

Caiov (O'Keeffe) was a prince accomplished in mind and body, who had inherited a neighboring territory. He was in the habit of visiting the Druid's palace and liked to join in the sports in which he was often victorious. This attracted the admiration of the Druid and his daughters. Both sisters fell in love with O'Keeffe. Cleena expressed her love openly and discussions began with her father for their marriage. Aoivil secretly feel in love and worked to gain his affection by her innocent arts. Caiov feel deeply in love with Aoivil but this was quickly recognized by Cleena.

Because of her jealousy, Cleena called on the oldest of her nurses to curse her innocent sister. Aoivil was stricken with sickness and the loss of her beauty. Cleena pretended to help her by a powerful sleep mixture, which caused Aoivil's apparent death. Aoivil was laid in a coffin and displayed before the Druid and his wife, who were filled with profound sorrow. She was then laid to rest in a tomb under the palace. Cleena and the nurse entered the tomb by a secret entrance and moved the still unconscious Aoivil to the cave at Castlecor (5 mi (8.0 km) north-east of Kanturk). When revived, Aoivil was told she would be imprisoned there until she forgot about Caiov. Cleena, seeing it may be impossible to make Aoivil forget, and in a fit of jealousy, she transformed Aoivil into a beautify white cat.[7] Cleena magically changed the cave into a palace, so her sister may bear her suffering more easily. The cave at Castlecor was said to be filled with treasures of gold and silver, under control of a white cat that sat on a throne. Cleena told Aoivil that Caiov had fallen in battle with the Danes but Aoivil remained in love with him. For the space of one week a year at midsummer, Aoivil transformed back to her true form. Visitors to the cave sometimes saw the cat residing in the palace surrounded by treasure but were forced out by a mighty wind or invisible force.

When Caiov heard of her supposed death, he was filled with sorrow. The Druid and his wife were overcome with grief and brought them to an untimely grave. After due time, Caiov and Cleena were married with much rejoicing. Together they had three children and lived in happiness. However, the old nurse fell dangerously ill and her conscience forced her to confess everything to Caiov. The prince went to Cleena but she refused to release her sister. Cleena admitted she was unable to return her sister to her true form as she had lost her precious wand. This caused an irreconcilable division between Caiov and Cleena and after some time she retired to her fairy palace at Carrigcleena. Caiov would often come to ask forgiveness and for the release of Aoivil. Cleena remained unable to lift the enchantment but it is said that if one were to come that truly loved Aoivil more than her treasures, the enchantment would be lifted. Cleena still visits Aoivil and while Aoivil briefly resumes her human form, sisters are happy together.[8]

The Blarney Stone[edit]

The most traditional story of the famous Blarney Stone involves Clíodhna.[9] Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, the builder of Blarney Castle,[10] being involved in a lawsuit, appealed to Clíodhna for her assistance. She told him to kiss the first stone he found in the morning on his way to court, and he did so, with the result that he pleaded his case with great eloquence and won. Thus the Blarney Stone is said to impart "the ability to deceive without offending". He then incorporated it into the parapet of the castle.[11] To be fair, Clíodhna does not take credit for all the blarney of the MacCarthys. Queen Elizabeth noted in frustration that she could not effect a negotiation with Cormac MacCarthy, whose seat was Blarney Castle, as everything he said was 'Blarney, as what he says he does not mean'.[12]

Carrigcleena[edit]

Carrigcleena is an outcrop of rocks near Mallow that is said to contain Clíodhna's palace.

Carrigcleena, meaning Cleena's rock[13], is a natural rock feature about 5 mi (8.0 km) south of Mallow.[8] It was long considered as sacred ground by the local peasantry as Cliodhna's principal palace.[13] It consisted of rough ramparts of rocks encircling about a 2 acres (0.81 ha) circle of green land.[8] The encircling rocks rise about 20 feet (6.1 m) above the neighboring fields and occur in a number of separate groups.[13] Among the rocks were many caves of various sizes.[13] One large square stone in the south east corner had some resemblance to an enormous door.[13] A line of stones divide the inner area approximately in half.[13] The outcrop is a very restricted occurrence of Devonian volcanic rocks.[14] The place was described as having a "melancholy, lonesome and frightful appearance".[8]

According to folklore, fairies would assemble quarterly at Carrigcleena for their amusement and to conduct their business.[8] Legends say fairies could be seen "with the light of the declining moon in their May dance, and Cleena at their head in the most splendid attire".[8]

Only a small portion of the original rock outcrop remains, the rest being destroyed by quarrying.[14] The remaining rock is only accessible via a short spur extending from the south wall of the quarry.[14]

Cleena was said to have several other residences including one at Tonn-Cliodhna, "Cleena's Wave" in Glandore.[13]

John O'Donovan[edit]

In her capacity as banshee, Cleena is mentioned by the Irish antiquarian John O’Donovan.[15] Writing in 1849 to a friend, O'Donovan says:

When my grandfather died in Leinster in 1798, Cleena came all the way from Ton Cleena to lament him; but she has not been heard ever since lamenting any of our race, though I believe she still weeps in the mountains of Drumaleaque in her own country, where so many of the race of Eoghan Mor are dying of starvation.

Michael Collins[edit]

Irish revolutionary Michael Collins also had knowledge of Clíodhna. Stories were told of her in the Rosscarbery school he attended, and they took Sunday trips to Clíodhna's rock. Here, according to Michael's friend Piaras Béaslaí:[16]

Michael heard many a wonderful tale of Clíodhna's enchantments, of wrecks and perils, and drownings and treasure trove.

It is worth noting that Collins was descended from the Ó Coileáins of Uí Chonaill Gabra.[17] Both the Ui Chonaill and the Ui Donnobhans were tribes within the Ui-Fidghente.

Origins[edit]

It has been suggested that Clídna derives from the Gaulish goddess Clutonda or Clutondae[18]

In other media[edit]

In the comic opera The Emerald Isle; or, The Caves of Carrig-Cleena, a women disguises herself as Clíodhna to deceive occupying English soldiers.

The banshee queen Clíodhna herself features as a playable goddess and villainess in the MOBA Smite (video game) as the Celtic pantheon's assassin, released in October 2021.[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wood-Martin, William Gregory (1895). Pagan Ireland: An Archaeological Sketch: A Handbook of Irish Pre-Christian Antiquities. London: Longmans, Green, and Co. pp. 132–133.
  2. ^ a b c Matson, Gienna (2004). Celtic Mythology A to Z. Chelsea House. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-60413-413-1.
  3. ^ Gregory, Augusta (1905). Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha de Danan and of the Fianna of Ireland. J. Murray. p. 121. ISBN 978-0901072375. cliodna's wave.
  4. ^ a b Monaghan, Patricia (2004). The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore. Facts on File. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-8160-4524-2.
  5. ^ O'Donovan, John (1856). Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters. Vol. 5. p. 1548.
  6. ^ Irish Pedigrees: O'Leary.
  7. ^ Matson, Gienna (2004). Celtic Mythology A to Z. Chelsea House. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-60413-413-1.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Franklin, Denham (1897). "Cliodhna, the queen of the fairies of South Munster" (PDF). Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. 3 (27): 81–93. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  9. ^ MacKillop, James. A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. Oxford. pp. 43–44, 91.
  10. ^ Irish Pedigrees: MacCarthy, Lords of Muskry #119.
  11. ^ Marsh, Richard; Penn, Elan; McCourt, Frank. The Legends & Lands of Ireland. Penn Publishing. pp. 107–110.
  12. ^ Francis, Charles (2009). Wisdom Well Said: Anecdotes, Fables, Legends, Myths, Humor, and Wise Sayings that Capture the Human Condition. Levine Mesa Press. p. 263. ISBN 9780982388709.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g White, James Grove (1905). Historical and topographical notes, etc., on Buttevant, Doneraile, Mallow, and places in their vicinity (PDF). Vol. 2. Cork: Guy and Company, Limited.
  14. ^ a b c Hennessy, Ronan; Meehan, Robert; Gallagher, Vincent; Glanville, Clare. The Geological Heritage of County Cork.
  15. ^ Yeats, William Butler (2008). The Collected Works of W.B. Yeats Vol. VI: Prefaces and Introductions. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1439106235.
  16. ^ Coogan, Tim Pat (2002). Michael Collins: The Man Who Made Ireland. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 11. ISBN 978-0312295110.
  17. ^ Coogan, Tim Pat (2002). Michael Collins: The Man Who Made Ireland. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 5–6. ISBN 978-0312295110.
  18. ^ Crowe, J. O'Beirne (January 1869). "Religious Beliefs of the Pagan Irish". Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland: 319.
  19. ^ TitanDaddy. "The Queen of the Banshees - 8.10 Update Notes". Smite Game. Hirez Studios. Retrieved 5 October 2021.

Further reading[edit]

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