Mór Muman

Who was Mór Muman?

Mór Muman, also written Mór Mumhan or Mór Mumain, is stated to have been a daughter of Áed Bennán, sometime King of Munster, but may in fact represent a euhemerised sovereignty goddess, particularly associated with the Eóganachta.

The Irish language tale Mór Muman 7 Aided Cuanach meic Ailchine is contained in the Book of Leinster. It is suggested that it dates from the 10th century or earlier. According to this story, Mór was placed under an enchantment and lost her senses. She wandered Ireland for two years before she came to Cashel and the court of King Fíngen mac Áedo Duib. Fingen eventually slept with her, and her memory returned. In the morning, Fingen gave her the Queen's robe and brooch, and put aside his current Queen, daughter of the king of the Deisi, and put Mór in her place as she was of better blood. The Metrical Dindshenchas say of Fingen and Mór:

Best of the women of Inis Fail

is Mór daughter of Áed Bennan.

Better is Fingen than any hero

that drives about Femen.

When Fingen died, the story says, Mór Muman married Cathal mac Finguine. Unfortunately, the collector of this tale mistook this Cathal for his grandfather, Cathal mac Áedo.