A Who's Who of World Mythology : Aoibheall


Aoibheall or Aoibhell, the Lovely One, is a Celtic Fairy queen whose activities centered on the Hill of Craglea, Craig Laith (The Grey Rock) in County Clare, Munster. Her abode is the highest point of Craig Laith at Craig Aoibheal, a great rock almost 40 ft high that emerges from the side of the Hill, and there is a well, Tobareevil, on the side of the hill named for her. On the lower slopes of Craglea was the Fort of Greenanlaghna, the original dwelling of the O'Briens before Kincora (Killaloe). She acted as the tutelary spirit of the O’Briens, though in later years she was considered to more of a banshee. Whoever heard the music of her harp did not long survive the experience. In 1014, she accompanied the Delcassian Army to do battle against the Viking army in Dublin. On the eve of the Battle of Clontarf, she appeared to Brian Boru and foretold his death the following day. Legend has it that Aoibheal disappeared when the Great Oak was cut down.