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Cailleach Beara be a Irish, mythological goddess strongly linked with Munster, Ireland.

She grants the right of reign to Kings. Appears as an old hag &/or a beautiful woman. She

can foretell death.

She is mentioned in a famous poem by P. H. Pearse - one of the leaders of the 1916

Rising.

Mise Éire

Sine mé ná an Chailleach Béara

Mór mo ghlóir

Mé do rug Cúchulainn cróga

Mór mo náir'

Mo chlann féin do dhíol a máthair.

Mise Éire

Uaigní mé ná an Chailleach Béara

I am Ireland

I am older than the Old Woman of Beare

Great my glory

I who bore Cuchulainn the valiant

Great my shame

My own children who sold their mother.

I am Ireland

I am lonlier than the Old Woman of Beare.