Banba

Banba is a figure in Irish mythology, traditionally regarded as one of the three eponymous goddesses who personify the island of Ireland. The name Banba, along with Ériu and Fódla, appears in early medieval Irish texts such as the *Lebor Gabála Érenn* (The Book of the Taking of Ireland) and the *Dindshenchas* (place‑name lore). According to these sources, the three goddesses welcomed the Milesian invaders and each requested that the land bear her name; Banba’s request was eventually honoured, and the island later became known as Banba in poetic and literary contexts.

Etymologically, Banba may derive from the Old Irish *ban* meaning “white” or “bright,” suggesting connotations of purity or radiance. In the mythic narrative, she is depicted as a maternal figure linked to the earth and fertility, and is sometimes associated with sovereignty rituals that legitimize a king’s rule. Later medieval poetry frequently invoked Banba as a synonym for Ireland, emphasizing her symbolic role as a national personification.

Beyond mythology, the name Banba has been employed in modern contexts, including the Banba Peninsula in County Cork, the Banba Football Club, and various artistic works that reference Irish heritage. The term remains an evocative poetic appellation for Ireland, reflecting the enduring influence of ancient myth on contemporary cultural identity.