The Cailleach Béara is also known as the Hag of Béara, ‘Cailleach’ being the Gaelic word for a hag or old crone.
One of the oldest and most powerful of mythical beings associated with Ireland, the Cailleach forms part of the Great Goddess trinity, alongside younger incarnations as the maiden and the mother.
Her ability to control the weather and the seasons meant many communities looked on the Cailleach with a mixture of reverence and fear.
They were concerned that her mood might affect the productivity of their winter crops.
It was a sad day in Achill when the people lost their faith
Landmarks and Shrines
She is also said to be responsible for the formation of many of the country’s most prominent mountain landmarks, including, Hag’s Head on the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare and Sliabh na Caillí, ‘The Hag’s Mountain’, in County Meath.
According to legend, she either dropped or threw stones from her apron as she passed through the land and these grew into rock formations or mountains.
The Cailleach is, therefore, often attached to sites of geographical and geological significance across Ireland.