Celtic Mythology 10, Tadg’s Voyage to the Otherworld; a Heroic Quest in Irish Folklore

Celtic Mythology 10, Tadg’s Voyage to the Otherworld; a Heroic Quest in Irish Folklore

A significant body of Irish mythological tales recount journeys to the Otherworld. Their protagonists are usually ordinary people rather than great warriors. Many of the tales revolve around quests, including in this case, a husband’s search for his kidnapped wife.

The Otherworld could be reached in many ways, through a hill, a lake or a mist. For voyagers, however, it consisted of a string of magical Islands, which comprised the kingdom of Mannannan, son of the sea god Lir.

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One voyager to the Otherworld was Tadg, son of Cian of Munster. Tadg’s wife and two brothers had been seized in a raid by foreigners, so he mounted a retaliatory raid by sea. Tadg and his crew sailed through raging storms, until finally the waters grew calm and they found themselves on an island of great peace and beauty. They were amazed to find that it was summer there, although it had been winter in Ireland when they had set out. Moreover, despite the hardships they had been through, they felt not the slightest hunger.

Advancing further, they came to three hills. On each hill stood a fort, one was white, one gold and one silver. Approaching the white fort, they were greeted by a beautiful woman. Tadg inquired who lived there and was told it was the home of the Milesian Kings of Ireland. At the silver fort they met another beautiful woman to whom Tadg asked the same question. It was home, he was told, to everyone else who had once ruled Ireland. At the third hill, they learned that the golden fort was reserved for all the future kings of Ireland, and Tadg himself would find a place there one day.

It turned out that the island’s ruler was Cliodna, a Danaan goddess of great beauty. When Tadg and his crew left for home, she sent three birds to guide them. En route they defeated the raiders and came home with Tadg’s wife and brothers and much booty.

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