Fir-Bolg Goddess

Tlachta 

 

Name: Tlachta / Tlachtga 

 

PropertiesEarth Goddess / Sorceress

 

Symbol: Cnamhcaill - Thunderbolt

 

Race: Firbolg

 

Father: Mug Ruith

 

Grandfather: Cethern / Fergus Fal

 

Grandmother: Cacht

 

Great-Grandmother: Catmend    

 

Mother: Dron  

 

Consorts: Sons of Simon Magus

 

Sons: Doirb : Cumma : Muach

 

Associated Kings: Tuathal Teachtmair 

 

Associated Sites: Tlachta, Tlachtga, (Ward Hill, Co. Meath.)    

 

Tlachta was an ancient Earth Goddess of Ireland, who is demoted to a sorceress by the christian monks who recorded the ancient tales.

She learns all the magical arts from her father Mug Ruith the Arch Druid of Ireland. 

In a late Mediaeval tale she is raped by the three sons of the biblical Simon Magus and dies of grief giving birth to triplets on Tlachta hill (named after her and now called Ward Hill).  This story echoes the more ancient tale of a goddess who dies giving birth at a sacred site which is then named after her.  Macha died in a similar manner giving birth to twins.

Tlachta was an important site in ancient times, even more important than Temair (Tara), it is now largely forgotten by historians. It was the site where the fires of Samhain (November 1st) were lit to usher in the winter time. The hill of Tlachtga is described as the meeting place of all the druids of Ireland.

Tlachta creates a pillar stone called 'Cnamhcaill' meaning 'bone damage' out of a fragment of 'Roth Ramach' her father's wheel.  It is said to kill all who touch it, blind those that gaze upon it and deafen those that hear it.  Making some commentators say that this is a thunderbolt or thunderstone which can be used as a missile against her enemies. (O'Rahilly)

sources: The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom - Caitlin and John Matthews, Element Books 1994.

The Dictionary of Celtic Mythology - James Mac Killop, Oxford University Press 1998.

 

Stories, Myths and Legends associated with Tlachta

 

The Story of Tlachta

 

Summary of Siege of Knocklong

 

The Siege of Knocklong/Forbais Dromma Damgaire

 

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