Lough Corrib, the site of Crannog Niall, is believed by many mythologists and scholars to be the original home of Ireland's principal sea-god Manannan mac Lir. The old name for Lough Corrib is Loch nOirbsen or Oirbsiu's Lake and Oirbsiu is an ancient title for Manannan, meaning "flood of water."

Going back as far as we can, Manannan is found in oral traditions as king of Emain Ablach. This imaginary island is often mistakenly connected with an actual place, the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. While Manannan does figure prominently in Manx folklore, it is more likely that the island was named after him, rather than vice versa. Emain Ablach is mentioned in Manx traditions but it is strictly a mythical place and not identified with the Isle of Man.

Emain Ablach can be translated as Island of Apples. It is also glossed as the Land of Promise or Isle of Women. The famous tale of Bran's Voyage opens with a strange woman presenting him with a silver apple branch from Emain Ablach, which sends him on his journey. The Arthurian concept of Avalon was probably drawn heavily from Emain Ablach.

Manannan mac Lir rules Emain Ablach as well as the seas around it. In his best known form, he is depicted as riding a chariot over the waves. He is often likened to the classical sea gods, Neptune and Poseidon.

He is also often confused with Manawydan fab Llyr, the Welsh hero in the Mabinogion, but there is no viable connection there. Manawydan is a skilled craftsman and somewhat of a magician but he lacks the divine powers of the Irish Manannan.

There are a lot of remarkable objects owned by Manannan mac Lir, including: a magical curragh (boat) called "the wave sweeper"; a sea-going horse named Enbarr who either carries the god over the waters or pulls his magical chariot; a sword, Frecraid (The Answerer), that never fails; a magnificent cloak that can change colors like the sea itself; the bag of crane skin that holds all of his wondrous possessions; and pigs that can be slaughtered and eaten one day, then return to life again, replenished. He has the ability of becoming invisible to his foes by wrapping himself in a mist. He casts spells and teaches these to the druids.

What of Manannan's true origins? Mac Lir means "son of the sea" but Allod is usually named as his real father. In trying to trace this mysterious and many-faceted god back through the centuries, it is clear that he is one of the most ancient of all Irish deities. He is mentioned in the earliest writings, transcribed from oral traditions. The oldest and undoubtedly still the most popular of his stories is from the 8th century Imram Brain (Bran's Voyage) where he greets Bran from his sea-chariot. In the Lebor Gabala (Book of Invasions) he appears with the Tuatha de Danaan to fight against the Milesians, a story which is obviously descended from much earlier unwritten sources. His name is scattered throughout all four of the Irish Cycles. In the later writings of the 10th century Cormac's Glossary, he appears in watered-down form as a sea captain and merchant. He is still the recipient of Manx fishermen's prayers today, having escaped complete absorption into the Christian pantheon that converted so many of his fellow deities into saints.

Visit my home for a little more information on Manannan mac Lir. Also,I invite you to read the Samhain Imram thread for a roleplay involving challenges from the Voyage of Bran.