caoinidhe

Caoinidhe, also known as the "White Mare" or "White Mare of the Tuatha Dé Danann," is a figure from Irish mythology associated with the goddess Ériu, one of the three sisters who personified Ireland. In later medieval Irish literature, particularly in the *Lebor Gabála Érenn* ("The Book of Invasions"), she appears as a divine horse or mare linked to the mythical arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann in Ireland.

The legend describes how the Tuatha Dé Danann, fleeing from the Fomorians, sought refuge in Ireland. As they approached the shore, the goddess Ériu, along with her sisters Banba and Fódla, appeared in the form of a white mare. The Tuatha Dé Danann, led by their king Nuada, were said to have ridden upon her back as she carried them across the sea to Ireland. This mythical journey symbolized their divine claim to the land, which they named after Ériu, later Latinized as *Hibernia* (Ireland).

In some interpretations, Caoinidhe represents the sacred and mystical connection between the Tuatha Dé Danann and the land of Ireland. Her name, meaning "white mare," reflects her association with purity, fertility, and the natural world. The legend also ties into broader Celtic themes of transformation and the blending of divine and earthly realms.

While Caoinidhe is not as prominently featured as other figures in Irish mythology, her role in the *Lebor Gabála Érenn* highlights the importance of horses and animals in early Irish cosmology. The myth endures as part of Ireland’s cultural heritage, symbolizing the mythical origins of the island and its sacred landscapes.