Ériu

Ériu is the ancient Gaelic name for Ireland and also the name of a goddess in Irish mythology. In traditional lore she is a land and sovereignty goddess who, along with Banbha and Fódla, personifies Ireland. The three goddesses are often described as the island’s sacred custodians and are associated with the naming and rightful governance of the land. In various medieval and early modern Irish texts they appear as representatives of the island’s identity and fate, and Ériu is the eponym of the country’s native name.

Etymology and usage: The name Ériu is the source of the modern Irish name Éire for Ireland. Early Irish literature and poetry preserve the goddess Ériu as a symbolic figure of the land, while later sources emphasize her role as a guardian of sovereignty. The Latin forms Ierne and Hibernia are later historical exonyms for Ireland, not direct descendants of the Gaelic name, though they reflect the broader classical naming of the island.

Cultural significance: Ériu remains a prominent symbol in Irish literature and scholarship as a mythic figure and as the linguistic root of Ireland’s Irish-language name. In contemporary use, Éire is the official Irish-language designation for the country, and the figure of Ériu appears in poetry, narratives, and discussions of Irish myth and national identity.

See also: Éire, Banbha, Fódla, Tuatha Dé Danann.