Banba’s Crown, the highest point of Ireland’s mainland, is situated at Malin Head in Inishowen, County Donegal. This location is steeped in mythology, as its name is derived from the goddess Banba, one of the deities in Irish folklore. Along with her sisters, Ériu and Fódla, Banba is said to have been a protector of the land, being part of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the ancient Celtic gods known for their extraordinary powers.
Historical references, particularly the Lebor Gabála Érenn—an 11th-century record aimed at chronicling Irish history—describe the arrival of the Milesians, the last settlers of Ireland. Their journey brought them into conflict with the Tuatha Dé Danann. As they made their way to the sacred site of Tara, they encountered Banba, Fódla, and Ériu on three mountains where each goddess requested that the land be named after her. Amergin, a notable bard and judge for the Milesians, consented to this request, allowing his people to claim Ireland as their own.
Upon reaching Tara, the Milesians faced the three kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann: Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, and Mac Gréine. A temporary ceasefire was established, mandating that the Milesians remain nine waves away from the coastline for three days. Yet, when they attempted to approach the land again, the druids of the Tuatha Dé summoned a fierce storm to thwart their advance. In response, Amergin invoked the spirit of Ireland through what is famously known as The Song of Amergin, which succeeded in calming the tempest and enabling their arrival.
Subsequent battles ensued, with the Milesians ultimately overcoming their foes, leading to the demise of the three kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Following the conflict, a resolution was reached: the Milesians inhabited the earthly realm while the Tuatha Dé retreated to the Otherworld, residing within the sídhe mounds. This accord ensured that the names honoring the goddesses—Banba, Fódla, and Ériu—would endure. Today, the name Éire, representing Ireland, traces its roots back to the goddess Ériu. Meanwhile, Banba and Fódla are still occasionally used as poetic references to the country, with all three goddesses embodying themes of sovereignty. Thus, Banba’s Crown remains a lasting tribute to this enigmatic queen at the northernmost edge of Ireland.
