Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Mug Ruith

Mug Ruith (Old Irish: Mug Ruith, meaning "slave of Roth") is a legendary blind druid in medieval Irish mythology, renowned as one of the most powerful magicians of Munster, capable of manipulating elements, transforming creatures, and altering landscapes through druidic arts. He is prominently featured in tales such as Forbais Dromma Damgaire (The Siege of Druim Damgaire, also known as the Siege of Knocklong), where he aids the Munster king Fiacha Muillethan against the invading forces of Cormac mac Airt by restoring water to a drought-stricken land with a magical spear, lowering an enchanted hill with his breath, and unleashing druidic fires and hounds to rout the enemy. In this narrative, Mug Ruith equips himself with a bull-hide cloak, a bird-headed mask, and a wheeled stone chariot, enabling him to fly and perform feats that secure victory for Munster after a prolonged siege. His blindness is noted in the text when the druid Colpa encounters him, expressing surprise at his visual impairment despite his commanding presence. According to sources like an poem preserved in the Book of Lecan, Mug Ruith was born to Cuindesaig mac Fer Glan, a royal of , and Cacht, daughter of the British king Cathmann from the Isle of Man, making him a descendant of the Ulster hero Fergus mac Róich and an ancestor of the Fir Maige Féne clan. He trained for seven years in sciences in the fairy mound of Sí Charn Breachnatan under the Banbhuana and later mastered advanced wizardry in the East alongside the biblical sorcerer . These traditions portray him as a who lived through the reigns of nineteen kings, serving as a , , and defender of Munster's . Mug Ruith's exploits extend to apocryphal Christian lore, where he is credited with beheading at the behest of , a role that intertwined pagan druidic elements with biblical narratives in medieval manuscripts such as Leabhar Uí Maine and the Yellow Book of Lecan. He fathered the druidess , who traveled the world learning and later died after being raped by nine druidic rivals on the hill named after her in . By the seventeenth century, scholars like and bardic poets in the Iomarbhágh na bhFileadh debate viewed him as Ireland's archetypal "high-druid," though they often minimized his pagan wizardry to align with emerging Christian sensibilities.

Name and Etymology

Etymology

The name Mug Ruith derives from elements, where mug signifies "slave" or "servant," a term commonly used in early medieval texts to denote or servitude. The second component, ruith (or roith), stems from roth, meaning "" or "," yielding the "slave of the wheel" or "servant of the wheel." This etymology is attested in scholarly analyses of mythological , emphasizing the linguistic roots in the language's Proto-Celtic heritage. An alternative reading, drawn from a 9th-century poem preserved in medieval manuscripts, posits Ruith as a reference to Roth mac Ríguill, a legendary king of , thus rendering the name as "slave of Roth" in the context of or . This poem, edited and analyzed in linguistic studies of , highlights the name's association with druidic lineages in texts like Imthechta Moga Ruith and Forbais Dromma Damgaire. The "wheel" motif in the name carries symbolic weight, potentially linking to solar worship in pre-Christian traditions, where the represented disk or chariots used in ceremonies. Such interpretations appear in historical examinations of druidic within compilations like the , a 11th-century pseudo-historical text that incorporates earlier oral and written sources on mythological figures.

Name Variations

The name of the figure known as Mug Ruith appears in various forms across medieval Irish manuscripts, reflecting scribal practices and linguistic evolution in Old and texts. Common variants include Mug Ruith, Mog Ruith, Moga Ruith, and Mogh Ruith, with the first two being the most prevalent in 12th- and 14th-century sources. In the (, MS 1339, H 2. 18, ca. 1160), the name is rendered as Mog Ruith in genealogical entries associating him with lineages. Similarly, the Book of Lecan (, MS 23 P 2, ca. 1390–1418) employs Mug Ruith in prose narratives and Moga Ruith in titles like De fabulis Moga Ruith, while MS 1298 (H. 2. 7, , copying earlier material) uses Mog Ruith in a poem and related texts. The (D ii 1, ca. 1390) also features Mog Ruith in genealogical contexts. These variations often stem from and vowel shifts in , such as the interchange between u and o or the presence/absence of the article-like prefix. Regional differences are evident in Munster-specific manuscripts, where forms like Mogh Ruith or Mogh Roith predominate due to local scribal traditions emphasizing the figure's association with Valentia Island and the Eóganachta dynasty, contrasting with more standardized pan-Irish usages in northern compilations like the Book of Ballymote (ca. 1390), which favors Mog Ruith. Scholarly editions, such as Käte Müller-Lisowski's 1923 compilation of texts, consistently adopt Mog Ruith for standardization while noting manuscript divergences. Modern anglicizations include Mug Ruth or Mogh Rúaidh, reflecting phonetic approximations in English-language scholarship, though Mug Ruith remains the preferred form in contemporary academic works to preserve the original . Debates on center on balancing fidelity to primary manuscripts with readability, with philologists like John Carey advocating for Mug Ruith in editions of poetic sources to align with .

Description and Characteristics

Physical Appearance

Mug Ruith is frequently depicted in mythological sources as a or one-eyed , a trait that aligns with broader motifs where such physical impairments signify enhanced prophetic insight or divine favor. This portrayal emphasizes his inner wisdom over physical sight, as noted in scholarly analyses of early texts linking one-eyed figures to or archetypes. His name and attributes often link him to and cyclical motifs, symbolizing seasonal change. In the medieval narrative Cath Maige Mucrama, the text recounts his survival across the reigns of nineteen ancient kings, highlighting his timeless vitality. This longevity underscores his semi-divine status, allowing him to intervene in pivotal historical-mythical events. His distinctive attire, as detailed in Cath Maige Mucrama, consists of a shaggy, hornless bull-hide draped over his body and a feathered mask called the encennach, evoking a shamanistic or tied to and otherworldly travel. These , recurrent in descriptions of powerful druids, symbolize his command over natural forces and ritual authority, with the bull-hide representing untamed strength and the mask facilitating mystical visions. Medieval manuscripts occasionally illustrate druidic figures in flowing robes and bearing a , motifs that align with Mug Ruith's archetypal representation as a bearer of sacred .

Role as Druid

In , Mug Ruith holds the prominent position of chief of , often regarded as a and one of the province's foremost magical authorities. He serves as a key advisor to 's kings, including figures from the line of Eogan such as Fiacha Moilleathan, providing strategic during times of conflict and ensuring the province's prosperity through his wisdom and influence. This advisory role underscores his integration into the political fabric of pre-Christian , where s like him bridged decision-making with supernatural insight. Mug Ruith's druidic duties encompass , ritual magic, and support in warfare, setting him apart from more strictly priestly functions associated with later religious traditions. In , he foretells events such as sieges and victories, interpreting omens to guide Munster's leaders and foresee outcomes of battles. His ritual magic involves practices learned during extensive training, aimed at invoking protective forces for the realm, while his warfare support includes deploying esoteric knowledge to counter enemies and bolster Munster's defenses. These responsibilities highlight the multifaceted nature of the in early lore, emphasizing and counsel over purely sacerdotal rites. Comparisons to other notable druids, such as Cathbad of , position Mug Ruith as a parallel pinnacle figure, combining magical prowess with political advisory roles in a manner that elevates him within Munster's mythological hierarchy. Like Cathbad, who advised King , Mug Ruith's influence extends to shaping royal strategies and invoking supernatural aid, though his Munster-centric legends emphasize a more autonomous, sorcerous authority. This stature marks him as a preeminent in the traditions, embodying the archetype of a chief who safeguards provincial sovereignty.

Family and Associations

Parentage

In Irish mythology, Mug Ruith is identified as the son of Cethern mac Fintain, a renowned warrior from the Ulster Cycle who fought alongside Cú Chulainn in the Táin Bó Cúailnge, thereby connecting Mug Ruith to the heroic lineages of Ulster despite his primary associations with Munster. An alternative tradition in medieval genealogical texts names his father as Cuinnesc mac Fir Glan, a royal poet of the Ulaid (Ulster), descended from the Ulster hero Fergus mac Róich, further emphasizing these northern roots. Some sources describe Mug Ruith's mother as Cacht, daughter of Cathmann, a from the Isle of Man, which introduces a cross-insular element to his heritage. Additionally, the goddess (often equated with Danu, the mother goddess of the ) is portrayed as his patron.

Descendants and Kin

Mug Ruith's primary descendant in Irish mythological tradition is his daughter , renowned as a formidable sorceress who inherited and expanded upon her father's druidic prowess. She is depicted as accompanying Mug Ruith on his journeys to acquire esoteric knowledge, including studies under the biblical-era magician in the eastern world, where she mastered advanced forms of . This underscores the intimate familial bonds through which magical expertise was cultivated, with Tlachtga emerging as a central figure in the transmission of such arts. The site known as , or the Hill of Ward in , bears her name and serves as a enduring testament to her legacy, traditionally associated with her arrival and the establishment of rituals there. Medieval texts link the hill directly to her exploits, positioning it as a locus of druidic power and seasonal ceremonies. References to other kin are limited in the sources, though the Fir Maige Fene, a medieval in the Fermoy region of , claimed descent from Mug Ruith, implying a broader progeny that perpetuated his influence. No specific sons or apprentices are prominently detailed, but these tribal affiliations suggest lateral family extensions tied to his druidic lineage. The emphasis on Tlachtga exemplifies the matrilineal aspects of magical inheritance in Irish lore, where daughters often embodied and disseminated ancestral wisdom.

Associated Locations

Valentia Island Residence

Mug Ruith, the legendary blind druid of , is depicted in medieval Irish texts as residing on , off the in . Anciently known as Dairbre or Tairbre, the island functioned as his primary home and druidic base, from which he was summoned as an elder during regional conflicts. According to the text De fabulis Moga Ruith, Mug Ruith settled in Dairbre upon returning from his apprenticeship with the sorcerer in the east, establishing it as the center of his mystical practices. The narrative in Forbais Dromma Damgaire further notes that forces "from Dairbre they brought their elder, Mug Ruith," highlighting the island's role in mobilizing his authority. Valentia Island's remote coastal position contributed to its mythological portrayal as a site of isolation, emblematic of otherworldly access in geography, where druids like Mug Ruith could commune with supernatural forces away from mainland society. Local reinforces this, associating the island with his enduring presence, including traditions of his spirit roaming ancient fort walls at night.

Other Mythical Sites

The plain of Mag Mucrama, situated southwest of in , , is a key location in early Irish lore associated with Munster-Connacht traditions. This expansive plain, whose name derives from "the plain of the pigs' measurement," is described in medieval texts as having magical origins linked to swine emerging from the Cave of Cruachan at , a portal-like site in nearby associated with otherworldly forces. The terrain, characterized by open grasslands suitable for large-scale gatherings and conflicts, underscores its role as a dramatic stage for supernatural events. Tlachtga, known today as the Hill of Ward in , Ireland, represents a significant site connected to Mug Ruith through his daughter Tlachtga, a powerful druidess. This prominent hill, rising approximately 90 meters (300 feet) and topped by a large quadrivallate enclosure dating to the , became a burial place for Tlachtga after her death there. It later gained renown as a central venue for ancient fire festivals, where assemblies ignited sacred flames to mark the seasonal transition, reflecting its enduring spiritual importance in ritual landscapes. Sí Charn Breachnatan, a fairy mound (sídhe) in , is associated with Mug Ruith's early training in occult sciences. Medieval Irish legends extend Mug Ruith's mythical associations to eastern locales, portraying him as studying under the sorcerer , a figure from early Christian apocrypha, and being credited with the execution of . These foreign ties contrast with his primary Irish base on , highlighting the expansive scope of his legendary wanderings.

Powers and Abilities

Magical Feats

Mug Ruith demonstrated remarkable control over , particularly , in the legendary of Droma Damgaire, where he restored the flow of Munster's that had been magically obstructed by the druids of , resulting in the death of those druids and the retreat of Cormac's forces. He further exhibited this power by causing a spring to emerge to quench the thirst of the people during the conflict. His command over weather was equally formidable; Mug Ruith could raise tempests or dry up bodies of simply by blowing his breath, feats that underscored his over atmospheric and hydrological forces in Munster's defense against northern invaders. In one account, his breath alone dispelled the illusory elevation of Druimm Damgaire, a magical hill raised by Cormac's druids to overlook enemy territory. Mug Ruith's transformative abilities shone in battle, as detailed in an poem, where he enchanted three sheep into ferocious hounds to and disrupt the opposing forces, blending with physical alteration to shift the tide of combat. He consistently outmatched rival sorcerers, baffling and nullifying the wizardry of Cormac's druids through superior incantations and countermeasures. Attributing to his profound magical preservation, Mug Ruith enjoyed extraordinary , enduring through the reigns of nineteen , a span that positioned him as a timeless guardian of Munster's .

Artifacts and Tools

Mug Ruith's name, translating to "slave of the " or "servant of the " in , underscores the centrality of the roth, or , to his druidic identity and practices. This artifact is depicted as a device linked to magic and , symbolizing cosmic cycles and celestial observation in tradition. In mythological accounts, the roth is elaborated as the roth rothach, a fiery employed in rites to invoke energies, potentially representing a adapted for mystical purposes. A prominent tool associated with Mug Ruith is the roth rámach, or "oared wheel," described as a transformative flying or aerial vehicle capable of flight. Constructed with the aid of the biblical sorcerer according to medieval lore, this device allowed Mug Ruith to traverse the skies, embodying his mastery over air and motion. It later appeared at the Samhain fair of , named for his daughter, where it was viewed as a harbinger of destruction in eschatological prophecies. In the tale Cath Maige Mucrama, Mug Ruith's druidic is portrayed as an ox-drawn vehicle powered by fiery oxen, adorned with blazing jewels that illuminated the night like day, facilitating nocturnal rituals and battles. This , distinct yet complementary to the roth rámach, transformed ordinary travel into a display of magical prowess, enabling rapid movement across landscapes. Mug Ruith wielded a sleagh srutha, or "spear of streams," a staff-like used to channel energies, particularly water. In the Feasa ar Éirinn, he hurls this magic skyward during the of Knocklong, causing it to strike the ground and produce a life-giving spring that aids forces against invaders. The 's symbolic engravings, drawn from , evoke or ogham-like markings representing natural forces, enhancing its role in and hydrological magic.

Legends and Stories

Forbais Dromma Damgaire

The Forbais Dromma Damgaire (Siege of Druim Damgaire, also known as the of Knocklong), is a tale from the , preserved in manuscripts such as the . It recounts a prolonged and conflict between the forces of , under King Fiacha Muillethan, and the invading army from led by , arising from disputes over sovereignty and tribute. In this episode, the Mug Ruith is summoned by Fiacha as a crucial ally to defend against Tara's superior forces and their druidic advisors. Mug Ruith's involvement highlights his role as a of warfare, employing feats that manipulate the elements and landscape to turn the tide of . Amid a inflicted by Tara's druids, he restores water to the land using a magical . He lowers an enchanted that obstructed Munster's defenses with his breath alone. Additionally, he unleashes druidic fires and fierce to rout the enemy, demonstrating his command over natural and illusory forces. Equipped with a bull-hide , a bird-headed , and a wheeled stone that allows him to fly, these acts demoralize the invaders and secure tactical advantages. The culmination of Mug Ruith's interventions leads to a decisive victory for at Druim Damgaire, forcing Cormac's retreat and affirming Munster's autonomy. The tale emphasizes themes of ic warfare, where esoteric knowledge and ritual power rival conventional military might, portraying Mug Ruith as an archetypal figure of regional resistance against centralized rule.

Tlachtga's Tale

Tlachtga was the daughter of the Mug Ruith (also known as Mog Ruith), from whom she inherited profound knowledge of and ic arts. According to medieval preserved in the Metrical Dindshenchas, she accompanied her father on extensive travels to the East, where they sought to master advanced magical practices under the tutelage of , a figure renowned for his arcane wisdom. Some accounts specify that these studies took place in , emphasizing the transmission of ancient esoteric knowledge central to her inheritance of . While studying with , Tlachtga was raped by his three sons, an act that led to her with triplets named Muach, Cumma, and Doirb (or Doirchu). Exhausted from the violation and the subsequent upon her return to , Tlachtga died on a prominent hill in the province of Meath. She was buried there, and the site was named in her honor, marking it as a place tied to her tragic fate and sorcerous legacy. In her final moments, Tlachtga uttered a upon the hill, decreeing that no or gathering could occur there without resulting in bloodshed or misfortune, which imbued the location with an enduring reputation for ill omen. This underscored the perilous inheritance of her magical prowess, blending power with sorrow. As Mug Ruith's daughter, exemplified the transmission of druidic sorcery across generations. The hill of endured as one of Ireland's four principal sites for kindling the sacred fires, from which flames were distributed across the land to renew hearths and ward against the encroaching darkness of winter. This ritual practice perpetuated her legacy, linking her story to ancient seasonal observances and the druidic emphasis on fire as a symbol of renewal and protection.

Judean Connections

Later medieval Irish traditions portray Mug Ruith as having journeyed to the East during his youth, where he apprenticed under , the biblical-era sorcerer depicted in as a practitioner of magic in . There, Mug Ruith learned advanced druidic arts, including techniques for wielding supernatural powers that were later integrated into Irish mythological narratives. These accounts, preserved in manuscripts such as the Yellow Book of Lecan and the Book of Lecan, emphasize his role as a who absorbed knowledge from Simon to enhance his magical prowess. In these syncretic legends, Mug Ruith is further identified as the executioner who beheaded , an event framed as a pivotal that incurred a divine on the , explaining their historical subjugation to . This motif appears in apocryphal Irish texts from the onward, including poems in the Leabhar Uí Maine and the MS 72.1.1, where his involvement underscores a of pagan opposition to early Christian figures. Additionally, Mug Ruith is said to have aided in his legendary aerial contest against , positioning him as an antagonist in the spread of . These Judean connections exemplify Christian euhemerization, transforming the pagan into a active in the AD, bridging pre-Christian lore with biblical history to legitimize the . By linking Mug Ruith to events spanning the ministries of and the apostolic era, medieval redactors highlighted themes of against , while preserving his image as a formidable whose enabled such cross-temporal exploits. Scholarly analyses interpret this as a deliberate to demonize druidic traditions, drawing on apocryphal sources like the Acts of Peter for Simon Magus's backstory.

Cultural Impact

Role in Irish Mythology

Mug Ruith, often titled dia ndruidechtae or "god of druidism," embodies the archetype of the in , representing the pinnacle of pre-Christian magical authority and serving as a counterpoint to the encroaching Christian narratives in medieval texts. As a figure of immense druidic power, he is depicted as a blind or one-eyed sage who trained under and lived through nineteen kings, underscoring his timeless role as a guardian of pagan wisdom against saintly figures. This portrayal bridges pagan and Christian elements, most strikingly in apocryphal tales where Mug Ruith executes , integrating druidic lore into biblical history and reflecting medieval Irish interpolations that harmonize indigenous traditions with emerging . Within the broader Irish mythological corpus, Mug Ruith functions as a Munster-centric hero, providing a southern parallel to the northern protagonists of the Ulster Cycle and the euhemerized deities of the Mythological Cycle. His lineage traces back to Fergus mac Róich of Ulster fame, linking him to the heroic Ulster narratives while positioning him as a defender of Munster against the Dál Cuinn (northern) forces, as seen in conflicts like those in Forbais Dromma Damgaire. This regional dynamic highlights Munster's origin legends, where Mug Ruith's interventions, such as magical duels with rival druids, elevate him as a symbol of local sovereignty and resistance to centralized northern power, tying into the pseudo-historical framework of Lebor Gabála Érenn. Scholars view Mug Ruith's archdruid status as pivotal to the evolution of Celtic magic concepts in medieval Irish literature, influencing portrayals of druids as both poets, judges, and wielders of elemental forces. Analyses by T.F. O'Rahilly emphasize his role in Forbais Dromma Damgaire as a narrative device to assert Munster's antiquity and druidic supremacy, while earlier compilations like those of Käte Müller-Lisowski reveal how his legends were adapted to underscore pre-Christian rituals against Christian apocalyptic themes, such as portents in the Annals of Ulster (1096). These interpretations position Mug Ruith not merely as a legendary figure but as a lens for understanding the syncretism of pagan druidism within the Christianized mythological tradition.

Modern Depictions

In contemporary media, Mug Ruith has been reimagined as a formidable figure akin to from Arthurian legend, emphasizing his powers and mystical artifacts in fantasy narratives. This portrayal draws on his legendary ability to shapeshift and wield solar or storm magic, positioning him as a of ancient sorcery in . While direct appearances in major films or novels remain limited, fan-driven concepts in gaming communities highlight his blind persona and wheel-based flight as central to modern interpretations of mythological heroes. Mug Ruith's association with contributes to interest in his druidic heritage, with the island's ancient forts and trails promoted as historical sites connected to his legends, attracting visitors for cultural and experiences. Recent artistic depictions, such as digital illustrations on platforms like and in 2024, and a Medium in 2025 exploring his mythological role, reflect ongoing cultural interest as of November 2025. Feminist writers have explored Mug Ruith through the lens of his daughter , highlighting themes of female druidic agency and gender dynamics in . These interpretations portray Tlachtga as a powerful sorceress who inherits her father's magical prowess and connect her story to broader motifs of and rituals.

References

  1. [1]
    The Siege of Knocklong
    The druids' conversation came to an end but the horse attendants and the menials had overheard them and they crossed over the stream in pursuit of the druid who ...Author: Unknown · File Description · Encoding
  2. [2]
    [PDF] An Old Irish poem about Mug Ruith
    5 Early Irish History and Mythology (Dublin,. 1946) 519-22. 6 In fact, treatment of Mug Ruith's connec- tions begins on a vellum slip which has been inserted ...
  3. [3]
    (PDF) The Story of Mog Ruith: Perceptions of the Local Myth in ...
    PDF | Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium What did people know about the 'high-druid' of Ireland in the seventeenth century? In this article,.
  4. [4]
    mogh - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
    Irish. Etymology. From Old Irish mug (“slave, servant; serf, bondman”). Noun. mogh m (genitive singular mogha, nominative plural mogha). (literary) bondman ...Cornish · Noun · Irish
  5. [5]
    Fantastic technology in early Irish literature - Persée
    ... Mug Ruith would mean ' the slave of the wheel' we may entertain the notion that the invention, prompted by the name, represents the slave's escape from his ...
  6. [6]
    [PDF] Saint Patrick and the Druids: A Window into Seventh-Century Irish ...
    Mar 4, 2009 · Although Mug Ruith is a Druid in the tale and not a god, his supernatural powers are god- like, and his existence provides evidence that the ...
  7. [7]
    The Story of Mog Ruith - jstor
    John Carey, "An Old Irish poem about Mug Ruith", Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society 10 (2005), 1 13-134, at 1 18. 6 Ibid., 121. 7 ...
  8. [8]
    TEI header for Texte zur Mog Ruith Sage
    Texte zur Mog Ruith ... academic research and teaching only. Sources. Manuscript sources; Dublin, Trinity College Library, MS 1339 (H 2. 18, Book of Leinster), ...Missing: scholarly | Show results with:scholarly
  9. [9]
    2 Druids, cloud‐divination, and the portents of Antichrist
    The magical actions of Mug Ruith and Antichrist are also similar. He is able to alter the balance of the elements like Antichrist in the poem from the Book of Í ...
  10. [10]
    Mug Ruith - Oxford Reference
    O'Rahilly (1946) argues that Mug Ruith was originally a sungod, as his one eye implies. Further, by merely blowing his breath he could dry up waters or raise ...Missing: scholarly | Show results with:scholarly
  11. [11]
    Cethern mac Fintain - Oxford Reference
    In the Táin Bó Cuailnge [Cattle Raid of Cooley], he is a fighter for the Ulster forces, but known as a man of generosity and a bloody blade.Missing: Irish | Show results with:Irish
  12. [12]
    The Prose Tales in the Rennes Dindshenchas III - Translation [text]
    TLACHTGA. Tlachtga daughter of Mog Ruith son of Fergus: three sons of Simon Magus ravished her when she went with her father to learn the world's magic: for ...Missing: English | Show results with:English
  13. [13]
    Giant Women and Flying Machines - jstor
    Tlachtga, daughter of Mogh Ruith, three sons of Simon. Magus ravished her when she went with her father to learn wizardry in the eastern part of the world ...
  14. [14]
    A study of the landscape of Irish Halloween folklore and archaeology
    Tlachtga, whence was it named? Not hard (to say). Tlachtga, daughter of Mogh Ruith, three sons of Simon Magus ravished her when she went with ...
  15. [15]
    Connacht in the Book of Rights - jstor
    His sons Niall, Bri6n and Fiachra, were eponymous ancestors of Ui N?ill, Ui Briiiin and Ui Fiachrach. 9. PARTRAIGE. This name bears on its face its non-Gaelic ...
  16. [16]
    Early History of Valentia Island
    Mug Ruith (or Mogh Roith, “slave of the wheel”) is a figure in Irish mythology, a powerful blind druid of Munster who lived on Valentia Island, County Kerry. ...Missing: sources | Show results with:sources
  17. [17]
    Legends, Ghosts and Stories Galore | Great Lighthouses of Ireland
    Local tradition holds that the island was once home to Mug Ruith, a powerful, blind druid whose spirit is said to roam the old fort walls after dark. Nearby St ...Missing: ring sacred observatory
  18. [18]
    Battle of Mag Mucrama - Ancient texts
    The battle of Mag Mucrima in which fell Art son of Cond and Ailill's seven sons and a slaughter of the men of Ireland along with them.Missing: Ruith mask
  19. [19]
    Cath Maige Mucrama background - Irish Sagas Online
    A list of related sagas and background information about The Battle of Mag Mucrama.Missing: Ruith | Show results with:Ruith
  20. [20]
    [PDF] The History of Ireland - Geoffrey Keating Foras Feasa ar Éireann
    ... Ruith, a druid, who was in Ciarraidhe. Luachra; and this Mogh Ruith lived in the time of nineteen kings, as the poet says in this stanza: The reign of ...Missing: mug | Show results with:mug
  21. [21]
    Roth rámach - Oxford Reference
    It was sighted at the fair of Tlachtga, named for Mug Ruith's daughter. In later legend roth rámach was seen as an engine of destruction that would come over ...Missing: scholarly | Show results with:scholarly
  22. [22]
    Cath Maige Mucrama sources - Irish Sagas Online
    Medieval Irish text and English translation. Máirín O Daly (ed. & tr.), Cath Maige Mucruma: the Battle of Mag Mucrama, (Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1975; repr.
  23. [23]
    [PDF] p5toddlectureser12royauoft.pdf
    General Introduction : I. The Manuscripts. II. The First Recension: (a) Book of Leinster.
  24. [24]
    Full article: The Celtic New Year and Feast of the Dead
    Mar 14, 2024 · The story of the bonfire at Tlachtga has a different problem: that it occurs only in one very late text, from the seventeenth century. This is ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  25. [25]
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0015587X.2023.2282282
  26. [26]
    https://brill.com/downloadpdf/book/9789047415466/B9789047415466_s013.pdf
  27. [27]
    Mogh Ruith - MU Library Treasures - WordPress.com
    Apr 1, 2024 · Mogh Ruith (“Slave of the Wheel”) was a formidable blind magician, sometimes compared to Merlin in Arthurian legend, who intervened in an epic magical conflict.Missing: scholarly | Show results with:scholarly
  28. [28]
    The Legendary Mug Ruith: Irish Wizard, Sun God, Or Ancient ...
    Aug 21, 2021 · Many modern scholars come to the conclusion that Mug Ruith was most likely a personification of an ancient pagan Storm or Sun God. This would ...
  29. [29]
    The 10 Most Powerful Druids From Irish Mythology
    Jan 14, 2023 · She travels the world with her druid father, the aforementioned Mug Ruith, and learns “all of the world's magic” in the process (according to ...
  30. [30]
    About Valentia Island
    Mug Ruith, the legendary druid associated with Valentia Island, is said to have possessed mystical powers and is deeply rooted in Irish mythology. His stories ...Missing: ring sacred wells
  31. [31]
    Magical Valentia Island - Tina O Rourke
    Recently, I discovered the Island is connected in Irish mythology to Mug Ruith, a powerful blind druid who could grow to an enormous size, turn men to stone and ...Missing: ring forts sacred wells observatory
  32. [32]
    Tlachtga, a Light for the New Year (Samhain) by Deanne Quarrie
    Oct 22, 2016 · This is the story of Tlachtga. Her name means “Earth Spear.” Her story gives us the name for a famous place in Ireland where to this day, ...
  33. [33]
    Tlachtga, Forgotten Celtic Goddess – by Judith Shaw
    Nov 27, 2019 · I am Tlachtga who flew through the sky together with my father Mog Ruith in our glowing wheel. ... Roth Ràmach (Oared Wheel). His name ...
  34. [34]
    The Most Powerful Druidess of Ancient Ireland - Emerald Isle
    ... Druid prince Mogh Ruith and who became the mightiest of all Druidesses. She was born and grew up on Valentia island in County Kerry in the southern part of ...