RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE:

CELTIC GODDESSES AND GODS – WHO AM I?          

(For school-age children)

By Eva Gordon, FoDLA Youth Religious Education Coordinator

Here is a fireside riddle game that can be played  by kids (school age and up) after reading and getting a bit more familiar with some of the myths and legends in the Gaelic tradition. (See The Hill-Fire, vol. 1 (1), p 7, and vol. 1(4), p 7, and  for some sources for the tales.) You could prepare cards with the clues on one side and names on the other. Pictures can be drawn and added as well.

Read one part of each clue at a time, and see who will be the first to guess the answer.

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My father has a magic harp and cauldron. I have two skilful sisters. I am a helper to the poets and healers.  My special animals are the serpent and the oystercatcher bird. My holiday comes in the early Spring.

BRIGHID

We are Land Goddesses.  We met the Milesians when they invaded Ireland. We all gave our names to Ireland, but one of us is more famous!

BANBA, FODLA & EIRIU (ERIN)

I have two frightening sisters. My special birds are the raven and the hoodie crow. My time is the time of battle. I take the strongest warriors as my own, even Cu Chulainn in the end!   I see the future.

MORRIGAN

My father is a great healer. My brother was a surgeon most skilful. I gather the healing herbs that now are scattered over the earth.

AIRMID

I am a Goddess of flowing Waters. Many rivers are named for me. I am Mother of the Tribe (Tuatha).

DANU

I am a Lady of the Fir Bolg. I am foster mother to the Many-Skilled One. I met my death clearing the plain at Telltown in Ireland.

TAILLTIU

I am a fast runner, wife of a king. I had twin babies. A famous fort in Ulster is named after me. My special animal is the horse.

MACHA

I like porridge—a LOT. I have a singing harp. I have a magic cauldron. I have a magic club that can kill and bring life back. I am a master of magic.

THE DAGDA

I guided King Cormac Mac Art to the Otherworld. My boat is called Wave Sweeper. My wife is called Fand (the Pearl). The sea is my realm.

MANANNÄN MAC LÍR

My special bird is the swan. My parents are the Dagda and Boann. My fort is Brúgh na Boinne (Newgrange), which I inherited by a clever trick.  I fell in love with a girl who I saw in a dream. 

ANGUS MAC ÓG

One of my nicknames is “Sun Face.” I am very strong, like Hercules. I’m also called “Honey-Tongue” because I am a god of sweet speech and learning. An ancient  alphabet is named after me.

OGMA

My mother was guarded in a tower. My father, Cian, was able to get into the tower by a magic disguise, and woo her. My grandfather was a Fomorian with a dangerous eye.

I have many talents and skills. My nickname is “Long Arm.”

LÚGH

Cian is my brother, so I’m Lúgh’s uncle. I can make a spear or sword by 3 blows of the hammer. I’m a Smith God.

GOIBNIU (GOBAN SAOR)

I was King of the Tuatha de Danann for a time. I lost my arm in battle with the Fir Bolg, and had to give up the throne. I got a new silver arm from Goibniu and Dian Cecht.

NUADA