Medb Lethderg

Goddess of sovereignty at Tara and queen of Leinster. Although portrayed as a separate character from Medb of Connacht, she is her double and is probably older; Medb of Connacht may well be an emanation from Medb Lethderg. Daughter of Conán of Cualu [Dublin/Wicklow], she was the wife of nine successive kings of Ireland, including the father of Conn Cétchathach [of the Hundred Battles], Cormac mac Airt, who could not be considered a king until he had slept with her, and Art mac Cuinn (the son of Conn).

In Irish mythology Medb Lethderg ("red-side") was a goddess of sovereignty associated with Tara. She was the wife or lover of nine successive kings, including Fedlimid Rechtmar, Art mac Cuinn and Cormac mac Airt.

She is probably identical with or the inspiration for Medb of the Connachta in the Ulster Cycle (Byrne 2001).

References

• Byrne, Francis John, Irish Kings and High-Kings. Four Courts Press. 2nd edition, 2001.

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