who is Deirdre? here is the answer

[Shadowulfe]

Deirdre of the Sorrows
IN MYTH- [DEER-druh] The tragic heroine of this folktale is one of the stories in the legends known as "Four Sorrows of Erin," and it is by far the most famous of the quarter. Several versions of the myth exsist today.

Deirdre was the most beautiful woman in the world, but was cursed so that only sorrow could come from her beauty. Because others feared her, she was banished by King Conchobar to the far edge of the island. While there she began having prophetic dreams paticularly of a young man with black hair, red lips, and white skin. The man was Naoise, one of three brothers.

He and Deirdre fell in love and escaped to Scotland, but there a jealous king
wanted her for himself. Before the Scottish king could take action, word reached the pair that King Conchobar would permit their return to Ireland and, having nowhere else to go, they went, though Deirdre's dreams told her only misery would result. Upon their return Conchobar had Naoise and his brothers killed. While Deirdre ws being taken away, she stood in the wagon and killed herself by allowing her head to be bashed against a tree.

The story makes very clear that, at her death, her blood was spilled on the land in the manner of a sacrificial God while Naoise emodies the Triple Goddess aspects.

information from Celtic Myth & Magick by Edain McCoy; pg. 198

[Avena]

Originally posted by Shadowulfe
Deirdre of the Sorrows
Deirdre was the most beautiful woman in the world,


I always thought Blodeuedd (sp?) was the most beautiful woman in the world...and another myth tells Ceridwen's daughter, Creirwy, was the most beautiful...there happen to be many most beautiful women in the world versions in Irish mythology :confused:

And for me Deidre is, if anything, just a tragic fem. hero, or is there any evidence that she was worshipped as a goddess?

Anyway, thanks for the information, Shadowulfe!

[Danustouch]

I was teasing about Dierdre:) Because her story is so tragic..she could have used another protector, maybe? Was just teasing though.

[Lilu]

Originally posted by Avena
I always thought Blodeuedd (sp?) was the most beautiful woman in the world...and another myth tells Ceridwen's daughter, Creirwy, was the most beautiful...there happen to be many most beautiful women in the world versions in Irish mythology :confused:

hehehe - well they have to die sometime! ;) *grin* Then the next in line is the most beautiful! haha just kidding.

BB
Lilu

[Shadowulfe]

Originally posted by Lilu


hehehe - well they have to die sometime! ;) *grin* Then the next in line is the most beautiful! haha just kidding.

BB
Lilu

allthough you are kidding Lilu it would hold true! *grin*

[bansidhe]

ive got a version of this story, but theres no scottish king, juss the other irish one (i kno if i try to remmeber how to spell his name, i ll do it wrong!), and in the version ive got, she asks for the grave of Naois and his three brothers to be dug a little wider, and juss before they cover the bodies over, she jumps in a nd dies of a broken heart. the king then removes her body and buries her across the river, but two trees grow up from each gravbe and entwine. even tho the trees were cut down, they always grew and re-entwined again, showing the couple's everlasting love, even beyond death. i realise that this is probably a highly romantised version, but there it is. another ending ive heard is that Deirdre commited suicide by jumping off her chariot - she would rather the dishonour than live without him.
well, theres my three cents worth! :)
take care and brightest blessings,
bans. :bubbles:

[evilslinkycat]

I was reading through some notes the other day and came acroos this, not sure where it came from but I thought I would post it, kinda seems to fit....

Deirdre’s Lament

“Long the day without Usnach’s Children!
It was not mournful to be in their company!
Sons of a King whom sojourners entertained
Three lions for the Hill of the Cave.

“Three darlings of the women of Brittain,
Three hawks of Slieve Gullion,
Sons of a King whom valor served,
To whom soilders used to give homage!

That I should remain after Naoise
Let no one in the world suppose:
After Ardan and Ainle
My time would not be long.

“Ulster’s over-king, my first husband,
I forsook for Naoise’s love.
Short my life after them:
I will perform their funeral games.

“After them I shall not be alive-
Three that would go into every conflict,
Three that liked to endure hardship,
Three heros who refused not combats.

“O Man that diggest the tomb
And puttest my darling from me
Make not the grave too narrow:
I shall be beside the noble ones.”

[Mairwen]

Isn't that part of the Ulster poems? *trying to remember*

[evilslinkycat]

Originally posted by Mairwen
Isn't that part of the Ulster poems? *trying to remember*
Yeah I think so.... will see if I can find out more and post it later tonight