Tír na nÓg: The Land of the Young & Celtic Otherworld
The Otherworld is usually called Annwn in Welsh mythology, and Avalon in Arthurian legend. In Irish mythology it has several names, including Tír na nÓg, Mag Mell, & Emain Ablach. In Irish myth there is also Tech Duinn, where the souls of the dead gather.
In Irish mythology, the Otherworld is the realm of the deities, mystical entities, and possibly also of the dead. In Gaelic & Brittonic mythology it is usually described as a supernatural realm of everlasting youth, beauty, health, abundance and joy.
The Otherworld is similar to a parallel universe, elusive, but various folk stories tell us of visits by humans; either through chance or after being invited by one of its residents - often reached by entering burial mounds, caves, by going under water, or across the western sea.
Sometimes, the Otherworld is said to exist alongside our own located beyond the edge of the earth and intrudes into our world; signalled by phenomena such as magic mist, sudden changes in the weather, or the appearance of divine beings or unusual animals.
“ In Irish mythology, the Otherworld has various names. Names of the Otherworld, or places within it, include:
Tír nAill: the other land
Tír Tairngire: land of promise/promised land
Tír na nÓg: land of the young/youth
Tír fo Thuinn: land under the wave
Tír na mBeo: land of the living
Mag Mell: plain of delight
Mag Findargat: the white-silver plain
Mag Argatnél: the silver-cloud plain
Mag Ildathach: the multicoloured plain
Emain Ablach: possibly "isle of apples" ”
It is described as a supernatural realm where there is everlasting youth, beauty, health, abundance and joy, and where time moves differently.
It’s the dwelling place of the gods (the Tuatha Dé Danann), as well as certain folklore heroes & ancestors. In Irish myth and later folklore, the festivals of Samhain and Beltane are liminal times, when contact with the Otherworld was more likely.
“In the tales, the Otherworld is often reached by entering ancient burial mounds, such as those at Brú na Bóinne, and Cnoc Meadha. These were known as sídhe ("Otherworld dwellings") and were the dwellings of the gods, later called the aos sí, or daoine sí ("Otherworld folk").”
The Otherworld is reached by going under the waters of pools, lakes, or by crossing the western sea. In Irish tales, a beautiful young Otherworld woman approaches a hero & sings to him of this happy land. She offers him the promise of her love in exchange for his help in battle.
In Irish myth there is another otherworldly realm called Tech Duinn (the "House of Donn" or "House of the Dark One"). It was believed that the souls of the dead travelled to Tech Duinn; perhaps to remain there forever, or before reaching their final destination in the Otherworld.
Tech Duinn is commonly identified with Bull Rock, an islet off the west coast of Ireland resembling a portal tomb. In Ireland there was a belief that the souls of the dead departed westwards over the sea with the setting sun.
In Welsh mythology, the Otherworld is called Annwn or Annwfn. The Welsh tale of Branwen, daughter of Llyr ends with the survivors of the great battle feasting in the Otherworld, in the presence of the severed head of Bran the Blessed, having become unaware of the passage of time.
The Otherworld is a rich and deeply fascinating topic which I hope to delve into more on this blog. Despite me just scratching the surface with this post, I hope you enjoyed this mini-introduction. Let me know in the comments if you have any similar folklore or mythology where you are in the world.
Until next time.
Slaínte,
Em
