An Chailleach Bhéarra

An Chaileach Bhearra (the Hag of Beara) is one of the oldest mythological beings associated with Ireland
and she is particularly associated with Kilcatherine in the Beara Peninsula, where she mostly lived. She was
considered a goddess of sovereignty, giving the kings the right to rule their lands. According to legend, she
had seven periods Of youth one after another so that every man who had lived with her came to die of old
age. Her grandsons and great-grandsons were so many that they made up entire tribes and races and as a
result she was known in many parts of Ireland and up along the west coast of Scotland.Read more