Cred, renowned in Scottish and Irish mythology, is often depicted as a fairy queen, a prophetess, or a lovesick mortal queen. One of the most captivating tales surrounding her involves her passionate romance with Cano mac Gartnain, a dashing warrior from Scotland.
Cred went by several names, including Credhne, Credhe, Creidhne, and Credne. She was the stunning daughter of Guire, the chieftain of Connacht in Ireland. To forge a political alliance, her father arranged her marriage with Marcan, an elderly chieftain.
Cano mac Gartnain, son of the Scottish chieftain Gartain, met Cred while visiting her father, Guire, in Ireland. During their gathering, Cred felt an instant and profound attraction to Cano.
To honor her guest, Guire organized a grand feast that warmly welcomed Cano mac Gartnain amid the people of Connacht. However, during the festivities, Cred discreetly slipped a sleeping potion into the wine served to the guests, sparing only the goblet intended for Cano. This act allowed her to confess her feelings to Cano as the others slumbered.
Reciprocating her affection, Cano mac Gartnain and Cred embraced their love in that dreamy moment of secrecy. In a demonstration of his devotion, Cano bestowed upon Cred a magical stone that contained his very soul, marking their love as he was summoned back to Scotland due to his father’s serious illness.
Parting from Cano left Cred in despair, and she watched him leave with a heavy heart. Cano later ascended as the leader of his tribe after his father’s death, ruling with integrity.
However, tensions arose when Colcu, Marcan’s son, discovered Cred’s affair and was furious. Knowing of her clandestine arrangements with Cano, he confronted Cred. Despite his threats, Marcan remained oblivious to the romance between his wife and Cano.
Colcu’s interference hampered Cred’s attempts to reconnect with her beloved, leading to her deep sorrow. In her grief, Cred ultimately chose to take her own life, finding it unbearable to exist without Cano, the man who held her heart.
In a tragic turn, as Cred lay dying, she accidentally crushed the stone, which contained Cano’s essence. He succumbed to grief three days later.
Beyond her narrative as a mortal queen, Cred was also recognized in Irish myth as Creide Firalaind, a fairy queen and prophetess signifying “Truly Beautiful” in Gaelic. Unlike other fairy queens, Creide Firalaind was not of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the divine race of gods.
Legends tell that Creide Firalaind resided on a mythical island in the Otherworld, known as the Land of Women. The Irish hero, Art Aenfe, embarked on a perilous journey to seek her guidance in winning the heart of Delbchem, a maiden from the Land of Wonder.
Creide Firalaind informed Art Aenfe of the dangers he would face and imparted crucial knowledge to help him marry Delbchem, daughter of powerful giants Morgan and Coinchend, who fiercely guarded her. Coinchend, a formidable warrior, had slain many suitors, displaying their heads as warnings.
Grateful for Creide Firalaind’s assistance, Art Aenfe successfully navigated the dangers she foretold and reached Delbchem’s fortress. There, he defeated Morgan and Coinchend, liberating Delbchem. Their return to Ireland was filled with love, culminating in their union as a married couple.
Both Cred and her other persona, Creide Firalaind, represented the nurturing aspects of femininity within Celtic mythology. Cred’s tragic love story highlighted her passionate devotion to Cano mac Gartnain, showcasing her heart-led nature that shunned vengeance against those who sought to separate them.
Creide Firalaind, embodying the benevolence of the Otherworld, not only assisted Art Aenfe in his quest for love but also facilitated the experiences of bravery and sacrifice in pursuit of happiness.
In summary, the legends of Cred and Creide Firalaind enrich the tapestry of Celtic mythology, imparting lessons of love, sacrifice, and the power of devotion.
