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Categories: Celtic goddesses | Mythological cycle | Irish goddesses | Fertility goddesses | Nature goddesses | Fir Bolg
Tailtiu
Tailtiu (Tailltiu, Tailte) is the name of a presumed goddess from Irish mythology and the town in County Meath that was named after her.
According to the Book of Invasions, Tailtiu was the daughter of the king of Spain and the wife of Eochaid mac Eirc, last Fir Bolg High King of Ireland, who named his capital after her (now Teltown , between Navan and Kells). She survived the invasion of the Tuatha Dé Danann and became the nurse of Lug. Lug established a festival, Áenach Tailteann in her honour, which continued to be celebrated as late as the 18th century. She died after clearing the plain of Breg in County Meath, and Lug instituted funeral games in her honour at the festival of Lughnasadh.
In historical times the town of Tailtiu was where the principal assembly of the early Uí Néill dynasties was held.
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