Encyclopedia.com > Dictionaries, Thesauruses, Pictures, and Press Releases > A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology > January 2004

Éis Énchenn

A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology | 2004 | 700+ words | Copyright

Éis Énchenn, Ess Enchenn [Ir. éis, band, troop; Énchenn, bird-headed]. Grotesque female adversary of Cúchulainn. The hero encounters her while trying to depart from Scáthach and the land of shadow along a narrow ridge. She is a one-eyed hag who first commands and then begs him to get out of her way. When he complies, clinging only by his toes, she strikes him, trying to knock him down the cliff. But he sees her in time and gives his salmon leap upward, striking off the hag's head. She is revealed to be Éis Énchenn, mother of the last three warriors to die at Cúchulainn's hands: Ciri, Bir, and Blicne. Several commentators have discerned a parallel between Éis Énchenn and Kāli, the destructive mother-goddess of Hindu tradition.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JAMES MacKILLOP. "Éis Énchenn." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES MacKILLOP. "Éis Énchenn." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-isnchenn.html

JAMES MacKILLOP. "Éis Énchenn." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-isnchenn.html

Learn more about citation styles

Find thousands of answers for hundreds of subjects at Answers Encyclopedia .

All answers verified by trusted sources at Encyclopedia.com

Try Answers Encyclopedia now!

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: