Carman

This article is about the mythological goddess. For the singer, see Carman (singer).

In Irish mythology, Carman or Carmun was a warrior-woman and sorceress from Athens who tried to invade Ireland in the days of the Tuatha Dé Danann, along with her three sons, Dub ("black"), Dother ("evil") and Dian ("violence"). She used her magical powers to destroy all the fruit of Ireland.

Four of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Crichinbel, Lug, Bé Chuille and Aoi, challenged Carman and her sons. The sons were forced to leave Ireland, and Carman was imprisoned. She died of longing and was buried in Wexford among oak trees. Her grave was dug by Bres. The place she was buried was called Carman after her, and the Tuatha Dé are said to have instituted a festival there, the Óenach Carman, which was celebrated in historical times.

Her story is told in a poem of the Metrical Dindshenchas, which states that she died in 600 BC.

References

Edward Gwynn (ed) (1906), The Metrical Dindshenchas Vol 3 [link]

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