Mongfhinn

[I] She was the hostile and bitter stepmother of Niall of the Nine Hostages who tried several times to kill the boy. She died by mistakenly taking poison that she had prepared for him. The deed was said to have been done on Samhain, and in later tradition Samhain (Hallowe’en) was called the Festival of the Mongfhinn. In Munster women used to address prayers to her to ward off her evil presence.

Morann

[I] Chief judge and druid of Ulster during the Red Branch Cycle. He was born with a caul on his head. His father ordered him to be drowned but he was rescued and raised by a smith. His most famous judgment was on who should foster Cúchulainn.

Morca

[I] Son of Dela and a king of the Fomorii. He defeated the Nemedians and forced the 30 survivors to flee from Ireland.

Morda

[W] A blind man ordered by Ceridwen to keep a fire lit under her magic cauldron.

Morfan

[W] Son of Tegid, who was so ugly that no man opposed him at the battle of Camluan because they thought him a devil. A warrior of Arthur.

Morgan

[I] King of the Land of Wonder and husband of the monstrous warrior woman Coinchend. He is father of the beautiful Delbchaem. He is slain by Art.

Moriath

[I] Daughter of Scoriath, king of the Fir Morca of Gaul. She became the lover and wife of Móen.

Mórrígán

[I] Sometimes given as Mórrígú. The major triune goddess of war, death, and slaughter. The name signified “great queen,” and she is interchangeable with Macha, Badb, and Nemain. Her favourite shape is that of a crow or raven. She helped the Dé Danaan at the battles of Magh Tuireadh. Having first tried to incite Cúchulainn to make love to her, she fought with him and he managed to wound her. For this his fate is sealed and he is eventually killed. In triumph, she settled on his shoulder in the form of a crow and watched while a beaver drank his blood.

Mug’s Half

[I] The southern half of Ireland.

Muinremuir

[I] Son of Ferrgend and one of the three greatest heroes of Ulster who features in the tales of Mac Da Thó’s boar and Bricriu’s feast. He is the first to accept the challenge when a churl appears and invites the warriors to cut off his head if he, on the next