annathepiper | A snippet of Irish mythos (Reply)

Not surprisingly, there are Irish-related quizzes going around LJ today. I did the "What's Your Irish Name" one, told it I'm Anna and a girl, and it told me my Irish name is 'Eimear Sheridan'. I went, 'Wait, Eimear is a girl's name? It looks like Eomer!' (I'm a rider of Rohan? I could deal!)

ellerisse countered, 'Elmer! :D' (Be vewy quiet! I'm hunting Iwishmen!)

Anyway, I Googled the name, and found this over on babynamesofireland.com:

Eimear possessed the "Six Gifts of Womanhood" – "beauty, a gentle voice, sweet words, wisdom, needlework and chastity!" She was bethrothed to the warrior Cuchulainn (read the legend) when they were children and they loved each other very deeply. But Cuchulainn had "a wandering eye" and Eimear endured this, realizing "everything new is fair," but when he made love to Fand, wife of the sea god Manannan, Eimear confronted the lovers. After seeing the strength of Fand's love she offered to withdraw. Touched by this display of unselfishness, Fand left Cuchulainn and returned to the sea. When Cuchulainn died Eimear spoke movingly and lovingly at his graveside.

The Gaelic form, it seems, is Eimhear. I rather like that. I may have to use it at some point.

Your Irish Name Is...