Macha

Macha, one of four female characters in Irish literature and mythology who are associated with themes of sovereignty and warfare. One Macha is recorded as a wife of Nemed, who led the third wave of invasions of Ireland. He cleared a plain that was named for her (Mag Macha; Irish: “Plain of Macha”). The city of Armagh (Ard Mhacha; “Macha’s Height”) is said to have been named for her. Another figure, Macha Mong Ruad (“Macha with Red Hair”), is a warrior-queen who conquered the town of Ulster. She constructed the fortress near Armagh called Emain Macha (sometimes translated as “Macha’s Neck Brooch,” sometimes as “Twins of Macha,” based on the story of the next Macha; also called Navan Fort). A third figure, whose story is the most popular, is Macha, wife of Crunniuc (or Crunnchu). According to her tale, Macha’s husband went to an assembly, and, despite Macha’s instructions not to mention her, he arrogantly claimed that his wife could outrun the king of Ulster’s horses. Forced to do so, Macha not only bested the horses but did so while pregnant. At the end of the race, she gave birth to twins and cursed the men of Ulster to experience the pains of childbirth at a moment of crisis. Finally, there is the war goddess Macha, daughter of Ernmas, who is considered one of the trio of war goddesses called the Morrigans, along with her sisters Babd (“Crow”) and Morrigan (sometimes listed as Nemain or Anand). The “mast of Macha” (mesred Mache) refers to the heads of men slaughtered in battle.