
Macha, also known as Macha Mong Ruad, was a sovereignty goddess of ancient Ireland, who was tied to the sun, war, fertility, land, horses and kingship. She is also counted as one of the three Morrígna'.
Overview[]
Macha of the Tuatha Dé Danann, appears in many early sources. She is often mentioned together with her sisters, Badb and Morrígan, whose name was also Anand. The three (with varying names) are often considered a triple goddess associated with war.
Macha was the daughter of Áed Rúad and the only queen in the List of High Kings of Ireland. Her father Áed rotated the kingship with his cousins Díthorba and Cimbáeth, seven years at a time. Áed died after his third stint as king, and when his turn came round again, Macha claimed the kingship. Díthorba and Cimbáeth refused to allow a woman to take the throne, and a battle ensued. Macha won, and Díthorba was killed. She won a second battle against Díthorba's sons, who fled into the wilderness of Connacht. She married Cimbáeth, with whom she shared the kingship.