Place of Origin: Ireland
Origin Date: Prominent in ancient Irish mythology, particularly during the early medieval period (circa 5th to 12th centuries CE).
Domain: Land, fertility, sovereignty.
Symbols: Fertile land, lush landscapes.
Attributes: Fertility, abundance, sovereignty.
Epithets: None specifically recorded. In the Banshenchas, Ériu and her sisters are called:
fair women of the Tuatha Dé Danand
a famous throng
clear voice of achievement
three fair daughters of Fiachra
bright women of spirited speech
Equivalents: There are no direct equivalents, but she shares similarities with other earth and land goddesses in various mythologies.
Religion: Irish mythology, Celtic Paganism.
Sacred Texts: Mentioned in the Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of Invasions), an ancient text chronicling Ireland’s mythological history.
Iconography: Typically depicted as a beautiful woman representing the land of Ireland.
Relations: Ériu's sisters are Banba and Fódla, who are members of the Tuatha Dé Danann. She is commonly named as the wife or lover of Mac Gréine ("Son of the Sun"), a grandson of the Dagda. Ériu is also portrayed as the lover of Elatha, a prince of the Fomorians, with whom she produces a son named Bres. Ériu's mother is Ernmas, and in some sources, her father is named Delbaeth. Elsewhere, she is named as the daughter of Fiachra. Her foster-father in the Rennes Dindsenchas is Codal the Roundbreasted.
Description:
Ériu is one of the most significant goddesses in Irish mythology, celebrated as the personification of Ireland and a symbol of sovereignty, fertility, and abundance. Her name is the source of the modern Irish name for Ireland, Éire, cementing her legacy as the embodiment of the land itself. Ériu is one of three sister goddesses, alongside Banba and Fódla, who together represent the spirit and essence of Ireland. While all three sisters are associated with the land, Ériu is the most prominent, as her name was chosen by the Milesians to represent the island.
In the Lebor Gabála Érenn ("The Book of Invasions"), Ériu and her sisters greet the Milesians, the mortal invaders of Ireland. Each sister offers blessings and challenges, but Ériu’s vision for Ireland as a land of wealth, strength, and unity inspires the Milesians to honor her by naming the island after her. This act underscores her role as a guardian of the land and a goddess of sovereignty, linking the prosperity of the land to the moral and spiritual alignment of its rulers.
Ériu is often depicted as a goddess deeply tied to the natural world, embodying the lush landscapes, fertile plains, and flowing rivers of Ireland. Her story reflects the sacred connection between the land and its people, emphasizing themes of renewal, prosperity, and the cycles of nature. Through her, the health of the land is intrinsically connected to the justice and honor of its leaders, making her a central figure in Irish identity and mythology.
Narratives:
The Book of Invasions (Lebor Gabála Érenn): Ériu and her sisters meet the Milesians, the last invaders of Ireland. Each sister offers blessings and challenges to the newcomers, but Ériu's encounter is particularly impactful. She proclaims her vision for Ireland as a land of wealth, strength, and unity, inspiring the Milesians to choose her name for their new home.
The Origin of Ireland's Name: The Legacy of Ériu
The English name for Ireland originates from the goddess Ériu and the Germanic (Old Norse or Old English) word "land." Ériu, seen as the modern-day personification of Ireland, has her name adapted to Éire or Erin. The Proto-Celtic etymology *Φīwerjon- suggests "fat land" or "land of abundance," reflecting the island's early description. This form became *īweriū in Q-Celtic (Proto-Goidelic) and was later borrowed into Greek as Ἰέρνη (I[w]ernē) and Ἰουερνία (Iouernia), which the Romans converted into Latin Hibernia.
Worship Beliefs and Practices:
Ériu was worshipped as a goddess of land and sovereignty. Rituals and festivals likely included offerings and ceremonies to honor the land and ensure its fertility and prosperity.