AIBHEALL
AIBHEALL : BRIGHT; SPARKLING; BEAUTIFUL; EFFULGENT
Aibheall is the Fairy queen of northern Munster, Ireland; guardian spirit and possible ancestress of Clan OâBrien. She is the Banshee of the OâBrien clan, but rather than wail, she signals her presence and the forthcoming death via the sounds of her golden harp. Before the battle of Clontarf in 1014 CE, Aibheall manifested to Irelandâs High King, Brian Boru, warning him of his death and advising which of his sons would rule after him. She may be a spirit of Irelandâs sovereignty.
Aibheall owns a cloak of darkness, which renders its wearer invisible. Her harp signals death: it is not heard by everyoneâonly by the one about to die or others associated with the death (family members). When Cu Chulain heard the strains of the harp at his final battle, he knew his end was near. Post-Chris tian ity, Aibheall was demoted to a Fairy queen. Cliodna is her rival. Do not venerate them side-by-side.
Aibheall stars in Brian Merrimanâs eighteenth-century poem, âThe Midnight Court,â in which the Irish poet is summoned to the Fairy queenâs court, as well as in many other songs and poems.
PRONOUNCED:
Ee-vahl
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Aoibheall; Aibell; Aivell
ORIGIN:
Ireland
CLASSIFICATION:
Tuatha DĂ© Danann; Sidhe; Fairy Queen
SACRED SITE:
Craig Aoibheal, the grey rock, the highest point on Craig Liath near Killaloe in County Clare. A sacred healing well nearby is also associated with her.
SACRED ANIMAL:
White cat
SEE ALSO:
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes