Birog

Cian seduces Ethniu

Birog , also Biróg , is the name of a legendary figure from the Celtic mythology of Ireland who is mentioned in popular tales.

Birog is a druid or síde . In Lebor Gabála Érenn ("The Book of the Lands of Ireland") and in Cath Maige Tuired ("The [Second] Battle of Mag Tuired") it is reported that she saves Cian's son from drowning, to which his grandfather Balor wants to deliver him . Balor has received a prophecy that his grandson will one day kill him, so he keeps his daughter Ethniu in hiding. But Cian discovers her in her tower in search of his lost cow with the help of Birog and fathered a child with her. Balor wants to drown it, but Birog rescues it. It is named Lugh and first kills his father's murderers Cian, Brian , Iuchar and Iucharba , then kills his grandfather Balor in the battle of Mag Tuired.

In another version, the lover is called Ethnius Mac Cinnfhaelaidh and Ethniu gives birth to triplets. The agent Balors drowned two of them in a whirlpool, the third slipped from his hands and was saved by Birog. The child doesn't have a specific name here.

See also

• List of Celtic gods and legendary figures
• Myths and legends from Ireland
• Celtic women

Web links

• Harry Mountain: The Celtic Encyclopedia, Volume 4. Universal-Publishers, 1998, ISBN 9781581128932, p. 813.
• Sutton / Mann: Druid Magic: The Practice of Celtic Wisdom , Llewellyn Worldwide, 2000, ISBN 9781567184815, p. 143.
• Marie Heaney: Over nine waves: a book of Irish legends , Macmillan, 1995, ISBN 9780571175185, p. 7 f.