Discover

(Redirected from Fodla)
In Irish mythology, 'Fódla' (later 'Fódhla', 'Fóla'), daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was one of the patron goddesses of Ireland. Her husband was Mac Cecht.
With her sisters, Banba and Ériu, she was part of an important triumvirate of goddesses. When the Milesians arrived from Spain each of the three sisters asked that her name be given to the country. Ériu (Éire, and in the dative 'Éirinn', giving English "Erin") seems to have won the argument, but the poets hold that all three were granted their wish, and thus "Fodhla" is sometimes used as a literary name for Ireland, as is "Banba". This is similar in some ways to the use of the poetic name Albion for Great Britain, but the similarity should not be exaggerated.
According to Seathrún Céitinn she worshipped the Mórrígan, who is also sometimes named as a daughter of Ernmas. The two goddesses may therefore be seen as equivalent.
The LÉ Fola (CM12), a ship in the Irish Naval Service (now decommissioned), was named after her.