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Happy International Women’s Day!

Welcome to another Newsletter, folks! And Happy International Women’s Day for tomorrow!

As many of you know, my work constantly draws from the strength and resilience of women. From mothers and leaders to witches, goddesses, and fearless eleven-year-olds seeking their place in the world, every woman I depict is a celebration of feminine power and potential.

This year, in honour of International Women’s Day, I am thrilled to unveil the latest illustration from my Celtic Mythology collection. This piece pays homage to a remarkable woman whose name resonates deeply with me: Ceithleann, the namesake of my hometown, Enniskillen. The original Irish name, Inis Ceithleann, translates to "Ceithleann’s Island."

For those unfamiliar, Enniskillen stands out as the only island town in Ireland, nestled between Upper and Lower Lough Erne in the picturesque County Fermanagh. The town's unique geography is integral to the rich tapestry of our story, embodying the connection between land and legend.

Join me in celebrating the indomitable spirit and stories of women like Ceithleann as we honor their legacies—past, present, and future. Together, let us continue to be inspired by their narratives and strength

So who is Ceithleann? I thought I knew the story of the famous warrior woman who took refuge on our island after battle and just before she died, bequeathing us our name. But the reality is far richer than I ever imagined.

Ceithleann was not merely a warrior; she was a Queen. And not just any Queen—she was the Queen of the Formorians, a people cloaked in both dread and intrigue. Picture a race of colossal, monstrous sea-dwellers, their very presence shrouded in malevolence, roaming the Irish landscape and instigating chaos. This formidable legacy was hers to bear.

Her marriage to Balor, the King of the Formorians, is steeped in legend. Balor is often depicted as a giant with a singular, monstrous eye, a harbinger of destruction whose gaze could scorch the earth and obliterate all it fell upon.

The Formorians stood as adversaries to the first settlers of Ireland and to the other renowned supernatural beings of the land, the Tuatha Dé Danann. Their story interweaves with the storied fabric of Irish myth—a narrative where alliances and enmities are never clear-cut.

Ceithleann of the Crooked Teeth as she was widely known was a formidable presence in the annals of myth. A ruler alongside Balor, she possessed an uncanny gift for foresight—a harbinger of fate twisted into the fabric of legend. Her chilling vision foretold the downfall of Balor at the hands of their own grandson, a prophecy woven with ominous threads, asserting that following his emergence, the power of their lineage would wither away in Ireland forever.

Yet, amidst tales of treachery, princesses confined to towers, and the flame of destiny ignited in the form of Lugh—the radiant Sun God revered by the Tuatha Dé Dannan—it is Ceithleann's indomitable spirit as a warrior that boldly strides into the narrative. Her involvement in the Battle of Mag Tuired—one of the fiercest conflicts igniting between the supernaturally charged warriors of the Formorians and the Tuatha Dé Dannan—marks a blood-stained chapter in the mythos of Ireland.

In that turbulent clash in County Sligo, her spear became an instrument of fate when it found its mark upon the Dagda, the mighty King of the Tuatha. Mortally wounded, the Dagda's spirit clawed for survival over a staggering span of 120 years. Yet, for Ceithleann, the strike incited dread so profound that survival required swiftness. Her escape unfolded like a pulse racing against fate; she fled from the chaos, plunging into the waters of Lough Erne, driven by an instinctual will to live.

Upon reaching a small island nestled within the lake—an oasis removed from the tumult of her past—Ceithleann sought refuge. Her weary limbs finally yielded to exhaustion, and as she reclined upon the soft earth, sleep enveloped her. It was here, in her final repose, that her spirit slipped away into the embrace of the eternal.

From this tragic tale emerged the name Ceithleann’s Island, now reverberating through time as Inis Ceithleann, commonly acknowledged today as Enniskillen—a vibrant memory of the warrior queen who once climbed the annals of Ireland’s storied mythology.

There is magic within us and all around us. The names of our places are not mere labels; they are vessels of history, culture, and identity. Each name holds a story, a fragment of memory that connects us to our ancestors and the land we inhabit. It's time to reclaim these narratives, to breathe new life into them, and to celebrate the rich tapestry of our heritage.

Let us dive deeper into the origins of the names that surround us, uncovering the wisdom and wonders that lie beneath the surface. We can transform our understanding of these spaces and show respect for their significance. By reclaiming these names, we honor the narratives they've carried through generations and the magic they continue to inspire.

As we embark on this journey of rediscovery, let us infuse our daily lives with the essence of these stories. Together, we can weave a sense of belonging and unity, rekindling the connections between place, memory, and meaning. Embrace the enchantment that resides in every name, and let it guide us towards a more profound appreciation of our shared spaces. The world is alive with potential. Let us celebrate it.

Le grá & solidarity,

Gráinne

Ceithleann fine art prints will be available to purchase in the Etsy store from Saturday 8th March.