Clíodhna
In Irish mythology, Clíodhna (Clídna, Clionadh, Clíodna, Clíona, transliterated to Cleena 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.
[2] She is said to have three brightly coloured birds who eat apples from an otherworldly tree and whose sweet song heals sickness.
[2][3] 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] who considered her their benefactor.
[citation needed] 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] Surviving traditions of Clíodhna in narrative and poetry associate her with the O'Keeffes (Ó Caoimh or Keefer) and O'Donovans.
[citation needed] 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.
[citation needed] This legend is recorded in Acallam na Senórach ("Colloquy of the Ancients"), longest-surviving work of medieval Irish literature.
Ciabham decided to leave Ireland by currach (boat) but encountered great white waves as big as mountains.
[citation needed] The Book of Lismore tells that Teigue was the son and heir of Cian, the king of West Munster.
After rowing for nine weeks, they arrived in a strange land called Inis Derglocha (Red loch island).
The final person they encounter introduces herself as "Cleena Fairhead, daughter of Genann mac Treon of the tuatha dé Danann, sweetheart of Eochaid Redweapon's son Ciabhan of the curling locks; for now some time I am in this island, and from me 'Cleena's Wave' in the borders of Munster is denominated".
The Druid 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".
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).
The cave at Castlecor was said to be filled with treasures of gold and silver, watched over by a white cat that sat on a throne.
None felt greater sorry than Ellen O'Brien, who sought the help of a wizard that lived in Kerry who communed with beings from the other world.
While there are a number of versions of the story, Robert D. Joyce's poem has a happy ending with Cleena releasing the groom[5] named Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond.
[4][14] Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, the builder of Blarney Castle,[15] 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.
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'.
[17] Irish antiquarian John O’Donovan claimed that Cleena visited to lament his grandfather's death in 1798.
[12] 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".
And, in an ode by Muldowny O'Morrison praising Donel O'Donovan upon his accession to the chiefship of Clancahill, he is referred to as the "Dragon of Clíodhna".
[21] In the comic opera The Emerald Isle; or, The Caves of Carrig-Cleena, a woman disguises herself as Clíodhna to deceive occupying English soldiers.
The banshee queen Clíodhna herself features as a playable goddess in the MOBA Smite (video game) as the Celtic pantheon's assassin, released in October 2021.
