In Irish mythology, Cliodha is often now known as the Queen of the Banshees but once she was the most beautiful women in Irish mythology and the Tir Tairngire (Isle of Promise).
In County Cork, Cliodha is firmly established as the patron of the land. Here, her mythology survives where she is accompanied by three brightly coloured birds which were believed to cure any sickness just by the sound of their song. Cliodha herself was also a goddess associated with love, passion, beauty, healing and the Otherworld.
Cliodha of the Tutha de Dana falls in love with Ciabham, the son of the king of Ulster. The two inevitably escape Tir Tairngire and when nearing a cove in the Irish coastline, Macmanan’s warriors pursue them. Trapped in the cove, a harp is played to lull Cliodha to sleep before a massive wave sweeps into the cove drowning Ciabham and carrying Cliodha out to sea. This place still bears the name Tonn Chlíodhna, “Clíodhna’s Wave”, which is located near Glandore harbour.
How did she become associated with the folklore of the Banshees? The banshee (Bean Sidhe) is an Irish (and other Celtic) portent of death. Clíodna of Carrigcleena is the Irish fairy goddess associated with the banshees.
According to many accounts, Cliodha has a close association with the Houses of Munster and Cliodha’s Mound is an old barrow on the outskirts of Mallow, which is still commonly known by the name of Carrig-Cleena (Cliodha’s Mound). In May, many local legends tell of lights and fairy activity at the mound and it is thought that Cliodha’s various lovers including the ruling houses of these lands to which she was patron. For many legends, banshees only appeared to foretell of the death of one of the great households.
Cliodha is one of the most enduring Irish goddesses. She is a duality – a goddess who can heal as well as a powerful portent of death.
Leanbh Pearson 