The reality of Queen Maeve would today be impossible to reconstruct unless a completely new reference source popped up. She was a source of ancient legend and then on top of that she was obviously appropriated when the surge of creative literary interest about the fairy realm arose in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and has not really died down.
All that legend making surely attached itself to this obvious burial mound in Ireland. Makes a great story at least to sell tickets and yet another source of legend making.
At least Boadicea had humbled Romans around to write her up. Ireland was far more important during the Bronze Age than is understood possible when our own history is colored by a thousand years of English Norman rule and continuing conflict. The Bronze age made it a swing country for the great circle copper route from Bimini to Lewis and the Mediterranean.
..
All that legend making surely attached itself to this obvious burial mound in Ireland. Makes a great story at least to sell tickets and yet another source of legend making.
At least Boadicea had humbled Romans around to write her up. Ireland was far more important during the Bronze Age than is understood possible when our own history is colored by a thousand years of English Norman rule and continuing conflict. The Bronze age made it a swing country for the great circle copper route from Bimini to Lewis and the Mediterranean.
..
When Irish Legends and History Combine: The Tomb of the Fairy Queen Maeve
Legends
suggest that the green hills of Ireland have always been a place for
fairy games. According to local beliefs, the forests were full of hidden
settlements inhabited by supernatural creatures. Most of them have been
forgotten over time, but the fairy queen Maeve received a special place
in the history of the Knocknarea area and she even has a tomb that is
visited by thousands of people every year. Those who visit her final
resting place are searching for evidence in the mystical secrets of
ancient Irish tales.
The Irish town of Sligo is famous for its stunning green hill that
smells like fresh grass in the morning and covers itself with shimmering
mystery at night. The name Knocknarea usually makes people think about
knocking into or on something, but the truth is that ''knock'' means
nothing more than hill in Irish. However, the etymology of the site’s
full name isn't clear. There are at least three possible explanations
behind this name. Firstly, researchers suggest that it came from Cnoc na Ré , meaning "hill of the moon". However, some others say that it was Cnoc na Riogha ,
which means ''hill of the kings''. This interpretation also suggests
that if the hill contains burials, they may belong to the ancient rulers
of these lands. Finally, a very simple explanation for the name: Cnoc na Riabh , means simply ''hill of the stripes''.
No matter the name’s origins, it is known as the hill of the fairies and is said to be the place where their queen is buried.
The Enchanting Tomb
The greatest treasure of the smooth green hill is a grave that is
located in the heart of the site. It has never been excavated, but there
are at least two suspicions about what hides inside. First, it is
believed that it contains a passage tomb dated to the Neolithic period.
Secondly, many believe that the famous Fairy Queen is buried in a tomb
inside this 327-meter (1,073 ft.) limestone hill.
The most important part of the site is called Medb's Varin, which is
about 55 meters (180 ft.) wide and 10 meters (33ft) high. It is one of
the most intriguing of the unexplored archaeological sites in Ireland
and is known as the tomb of Medb or Maeve. Researchers suggest that it
is about 5000 years old and, due to its long history, it became a place
entwined with legend and myth. As long as the site remains unexcavated,
it is impossible to conclude what it may hold. Researchers suggest that
it is possible that the mysterious tomb belongs to a known Neolithic
religious center in this area. However, tourists from around the world
come to enjoy the hill with the burial of an ancient fairy queen.
Who was this mysterious fairy queen whose remains may be hidden under the green grass of the Knocknarea?
The Fairy Queen of Irish Wuthering Hills
In English literature, she is known as Maeve, Maev, or Maive.
However, in Old Irish, she was called Meḋḃ, Meaḋḃ and Medb. In old Irish
mythology, she appears as a fairy queen and an independent female
deity. There are a bunch of rich legends related to her, many of them
describing her cruel behavior. She also seems to be one of the strongest
warriors among the fairy-related deities. She was a wife of Ailill and
had seven sons. She was murdered by Furbaide who wanted to avenge the
death of his mother, who Maeve had killed.
The modern followers of paganism have created a beautiful vision of
the goddess based on the old mythology. According to Patricia Telesco:
Maeve’s themes are fairies, magic, protection, leadership, and justice (law). Her symbols are birds and gold. As the Fairy Queen, Maeve oversees today’s merrymaking among the citizens of fey during their Fairy Gatherings. She also attends to human affairs by providing protection, wise leadership and prudent conventions. Works of art depict Maeve with golden birds on Her shoulders, whispering magical knowledge into Her ear. Near the beginning of May, the wee folk of Ireland come out of hiding for a grand celebration of spring. If you don’t want Maeve and the citizens of fey to pull pranks on you today, take precautions, as the Europeans do: avoid traveling, put a piece of clothing on inside-out, wear something red, and leave the fairy folk an offering of sweet bread, honey or ale. In some cases, this will please the fairies so much that they will offer to perform a service or leave you a gift in return!'
Furbaide readies his sling, from T. W. Rolleston's Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race, 1911 (illustration by Stephen Reid). ( Public Domain )
News in local magazines suggests that the popularity of Knocknarea has brought the site to the edge of destruction. The devastation of the hill has become immense, so officials want to protect it by limiting the possible number of tourists who visit the fairy queen’s tomb.
Finally, if you would like to see the work of the deceased fairy queen for yourself, Patricia Telesco suggests you use a spell to call Maeve:
It is unknown if someone has really met her spirit, but many people claim that the site where she is said to be buried is perfumed with the fragrance of magic.Take a piece of white bread and toast it until it’s golden brown. Scratch into the bread a word or phrase representing your goal (for example, if raises at work haven’t been given fairly, write the words ‘work’ and ‘raises’). Distribute the crumbs from this to the birds so they can convey your need directly to Maeve’s ears.
By Natalia Klimczak
References:
Knocknarea Queen Maeve Trail, available at: http://www.sligowalks.ie/?pagid=knocknarea-queen-maeve-trail&menu1_topicid=0
Knocknarea, available at: http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/irelandknocknarea.htm
Telesco P., 65 Goddess: a daily guide to the magic and inspiration of the goddess, 1998.
Truhart P., Regents of Nations. Systematic Chronology of States and Their Political Representatives in Past and Present. A Biographical Reference Book, Part 1: Antiquity Worldwide,2000.
Thousands of feet are destroying our heritage. By Tamlyn O’Driscoll, Archaeologist, available at:
https://web.archive.org/web/20070929150530/http://www.sligoweekender.com/news/story.asp?j=31250&cat=news
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