Irish Myth: Airmid

[Duellist]

My sister, knowing I have a thing for mythology, asked me to find out about the goddess Airmid for her. It was easy enough to find out that she is a goddess of healing (fitting, as my sister is a student nurse) with a knack for herbs and I even read about the battle of Mag Tuired to put what I had read into context. The only issue is that this tale seems to be the whole of the knowledge I can find on her. Oh, there are things that can be implied and a few people willing to talk about their personal experiences of her, but actual texts are sparse.

Does anyone have any advice beyond "Cath Mag Tuired" or have I hit a brick wall here until one or other of us goes and says hello to her?

[DaRC]

Have a look at Eyrnn Rowan Laurie's essay (I've always liked her Druidic writings)
http://www.seanet.com/~inisglas/airmid.html

Other than that the Cath Maige Tuired is the only text (I know of) that references her.
This is not uncommon with Celtic deities - each tribe would have had their own so it's worth understanding more about Celtic healing deities and goddess'
e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulis

[Duellist]

Have a look at Eyrnn Rowan Laurie's essay (I've always liked her Druidic writings)
http://www.seanet.com/~inisglas/airmid.html

That was maybe the best link I found on Airmid. It's a good one, but it's still just an analysis of the text with some extrapolations at its heart. I suppose that's just how it is though; it doesn't reflect badly on the author, but it's sad that we know so little of some pagan topics.

Other than that the Cath Maige Tuired is the only text (I know of) that references her.
This is not uncommon with Celtic deities - each tribe would have had their own so it's worth understanding more about Celtic healing deities and goddess'
e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulis

I was tempted to suggest this to her, but it's a little too much extrapolation for my tastes. I suppose 'go say hello' is probably the best option for her next step...

[Dathi]

Greetings,

Airmid is one of my favourates. She is indeed elusive. Many of the Irish deities can be tracked down to specific locations (e.g. wells etc.) but I have had only a little luck with her. You may find this book of interest: http://www.archive.org/details/medicine ... 00welluoft Medicine in Antient Erin.

Dian Cecht's healing well (Depicted on page 12) may be seen below.

Diancecht

tldiiheapstown.jpg (121.01 KiB) Viewed 753 times

More details here: http://www.carrowkeel.com/sites/moytura/heap1.html

This structure is huge. The legend may be found here: http://archive.suite101.com/article.cfm ... ekly/61760

CFN,

Dathi