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 ''sidheog'' (fairy women of the hills) of South

Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...

, or

Desmond Desmond or Desmond's may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Desmond'' (novel), 1792 novel by Charlotte Turner Smith * '' Desmond's'', 1990s British television sitcom Ireland * Kingdom of Desmond, medieval Irish kingdom * Earl of Desmond, Iris ...

. In some Irish myths, Clíodhna is a goddess of love and beauty, and the patron of County Cork. She is said to have three brightly coloured birds who eat apples from an otherworldly tree and whose sweet song heals the sick people. She leaves the otherworldly island of Tír Tairngire ("the land of promise") to be with her mortal lover, Ciabhán, but is taken by a wave as she sleeps due to the music played by a minstrel of Manannan mac Lir in

Glandore Glandore (, meaning ''harbour of the oak trees'') is the name of both a harbour and village in County Cork, Ireland. Glandore is located about an hour's drive south-west of Cork city. The village has several pubs, with traditional music. It is ...

harbour in County Cork: the tide there is known as Tonn Chlíodhna, "Clíodhna's Wave". Whether she drowns or not depends on the version being told, along with many other details of the story. She had her palace in the heart of a pile of rocks, from Mallow, which is still commonly known by the name of Carrig-Cleena, and numerous legends about her are told above the Munster peasantry.

Associated families

In general, it has been observed that Clíona is especially associated with old Irish families of Munster. Clíona has long been associated with the lands that had been the territory of the Ui-Fidgheinte ( O'Donovans and O'Collins) during their period of influence (circa 373 A.D. to 977 A.D.), or were later associated with what had been the Ui-Fidghente territory ( MacCarthys and FitzGeralds). Clíona is referred to as an unwelcome pursuer in

Edward Walsh Edward Walsh may refer to: Sports * Ed Walsh (1881–1959), Major League pitcher * Ed Walsh Jr. (1905–1937), Major League pitcher, son of Ed Walsh * Ed Walsh (ice hockey) (born 1951), retired goaltender * Eddie Walsh (footballer) (1914–2006), ...

's poem, ''O’Donovan’s Daughter''. And, in an ode praising Donel O'Donovan upon his accession to the chiefship of Clancahill, Domhnall Ó Donnabháin III he is referred to as the "Dragon of Clíodhna". Clíodhna is also associated with the

MacCarthy dynasty MacCarthy ( ga, Mac Cárthaigh), also spelled Macarthy, McCarthy or McCarty, is an Irish clan originating from Munster, an area they ruled during the Middle Ages. It was divided into several great branches; the MacCarthy Reagh, MacCarthy of Musk ...

, who adopted her as their fairy woman, and the O'Keeffes and FitzGerald dynasty, with whom she has had amorous affairs Clíodhna appears in the name of one O'Leary in a medieval pedigree, as ''Conor Clíodhna'' or "Conor of Clíodhna", and it is notable that the family were originally based in the area of Rosscarbery, very near to Glandore, before moving north to Muskerry. The O'Learys belong to the ancient

Corcu Loígde The Corcu Loígde (Corcu Lóegde, Corco Luigde, Corca Laoighdhe, Laidhe), meaning Gens of the Calf Goddess, also called the Síl Lugdach meic Itha, were a kingdom centred in West County Cork who descended from the proto-historical rulers of Mun ...

. Surviving traditions of Clíodhna in narrative and poetry associate her with the O'Keeffes and O'Donovans. 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. The O'Keeffe narrative tradition is more extensive, and Clíodhna has other Desmond associations too.

Rivalry with Aibell

Clíodhna is said to be a rival of Aibell, in one tale, Clíodhna cast a spell that turned Aibell into a white cat.

The Blarney Stone

The most traditional story of the famous Blarney Stone involves Clíodhna.

Cormac Laidir MacCarthy Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, 9th Lord of Muskerry (1411–1494), was an Irish chieftain. He founded Kilcrea Friary and built Kilcrea Castle. Birth and origins Cormac was born in 1411, the eldest son of Teige MacCarthy, 6th Lord of Muskerry, Tei ...

, the builder of Blarney Castle, 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. Thus the Blarney Stone is said to impart "the ability to deceive without offending". He then incorporated it into the parapet of the castle. To be fair, Clíodhna does not take credit for all the blarney of the MacCarthys. 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'.

John O'Donovan

In her capacity as banshee, Cleena is mentioned by the Irish antiquarian John O’Donovan. Writing in 1849 to a friend, O'Donovan says:

Michael Collins

Irish revolutionary Michael Collins also had knowledge of Clíodhna. Stories were told of her in the Rosscarbery school he attended, and they took Sunday trips to Clíodhna's rock. Here, according to Michael's friend Piaras Béaslaí: It is worth noting that Collins was descended from the Ó Coileáins of Uí Chonaill Gabra. Both the Ui Chonaill and the Ui Donnobhans were tribes within the Ui-Fidghente.

Origins

It has been suggested that Clídna derives from the Gaulish goddess Clutonda or Clutondae

In other media

The banshee queen Clíodhna herself features as a playable goddess and villainess in the MOBA Smite (video game) as the Celtic pantheon's assassin, released in October 2021.