About the name
- Origin
- Irish
- Stronghold region
- Ulster
Overview
A war-goddess of Ulster who, after being forced to race against horses while heavily pregnant, cursed the men of Ulster with the pangs of childbirth in their hour of greatest need; her name is preserved in Emain Macha (Navan Fort) and Ard Mhacha (Armagh).
The story behind Macha
Her curse explains why the men of Ulster lay incapacitated when Méabh's army invaded — leaving Cú Chulainn to defend the province alone.
Mythology & legend
War goddess and ancestor figure; one of three sisters whose name persists in Emain Macha and Armagh (Ard Mhacha).
Did you know?
Forced to race the king's horses while pregnant, she cursed the men of Ulster to suffer labour pains in time of crisis.
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