The Morrígan

"The Morrígan

The Morrígan is usually interpreted as a "war goddess." W. M. Hennessey's "The Ancient Irish Goddess of War", written in 1870, was influential in establishing this interpretation.

Her role often involves premonitions of a particular warrior's violent death, suggesting a link with the Banshee of later folklore. This connection is further noted by Patricia Lysaght: "In certain areas of Ireland this supernatural being is, in addition to the name Banshee, also called the Badhb."

The Morrígan's role was to not only be a symbol of imminent death, but to also influence the outcome of war. Most often she did this by appearing as a crow flying overhead and would either inspire fear or courage in the hearts of the warriors. There are also a few rare accounts where she would join in the battle itself as a warrior and show her favoritism in a more direct manner.

It has also been suggested that The Morrígan was closely tied to Irish männerbund groups. These groups are described as bands of youthful warrior-hunters, living on the borders of civilized society and indulging in lawless activities for a time before inheriting property and taking their places as members of settled, landed communities. If these groups were in some way dedicated to the Morrígan, then her worship may have resembled that of Perchta groups in Germanic areas.

There is a burnt mound site in County Tipperary known as Fulacht na Mór Ríoghna - "cooking pit of the Mórrígan." The fulachtaí sites are found in wild areas, and usually are associated with outsiders such as the Fianna and the männerbund groups, as well as with the hunting of deer. "

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