Celtic and Irish Deities Trivia Quiz

Answer: Aengus

Aengus, also known as Aengus Macan Óc, has a name that translates to 'young son'. Born to The Dagda and Boann, the name adds up; he, like his father, is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann. It's said that his kisses turned into birds that carried messages of love, and many artists have used him as a figure searching for a lover.

While known by the name Aengus in Irish folklore, he was also reflected in tales as Mabon ap Modron in Wales and as Maponos in Northern Britain. In Rome, his tales would've been those of Apollo.

Answer: Cailleach

The goddess of disease, plague, and deadly storms, Cailleach goes by many names throughout the British Isles but is generally seen as a negative force, being attributed to harsh and dangerous things. Considered The Hag of Beara in Ireland, she's almost always depicted as an old crone.

The furthest cliff edge of the Cliffs of Moher (in County Clare), 'The Hag's Head', was named after her, and it's one of many locations in this part of the world where it's believed that her influence shaped the landscape.

Answer: Nuadha

The king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of supernatural figures in Irish mythology, Nuadha Airgetlám was the god of harpers, historians, magic, poets, warfare and writing. It's believed that Nuadha lost his hand fighting the people of Fir Bolg, vanquishing them but losing his right to kingship.

He was, however, healed by Dian Cecht, the god of healing, who gave him a silver replacement hand and allowed him to rule his people for several decades.

Answer: Flidais

Believed to be the lover of Irish folk hero Fergus mac Róich, Flidais is perhaps best-known for having a magical herd of cattle. As is normal with retellings of early myth, the stories behind Flidais have transformed over time. Many scholars believe that she was meant to be a version of the Norse goddess Freyja, who rode in a chariot drawn by cats and was, similarly, a figure representing fertility.

The goddess of the woodland, she's believed to have had mastery over wild creatures.

Answer: Cerridwen

Known over time as the Moon Goddess, the Great Mother and the Grain Deity, Cerridwen is a figure who's spread much further than Wales in terms of folkloric reach as she inevitably became the Celtic deity of initiation, inspiration, magic, and regeneration, all of which ties tightly to the theme of death.

It's through romanticized interpretations of Cerridwen as an enchantress and a white fairy that she inevitably became a key figure in Wiccan practices.

Answer: Gwydion

The Welsh god of enchantment, illusion and magic, Gwydion is a clear and obvious trickster as the lore unfolds. A very capable magician, Gwydion used his wit and cunning to defeat fierce foes; on the more tender side he had the ability to transform flowers into beautiful women.

Some may, interestingly, draw parallels between Gwydion's role as a magical adviser and the role played by Merlin in Arthurian legend, though the former is often described as much more sly and troublesome.

Answer: Morrígan

Often seen as a figure attributed to questions of fate, The Morrígan, or Mór-Ríoghain, is often seen as a portent depicted in the shape of a crow-like bird called a badb. The truth is that there is quite a bit of mystery behind this goddess as she is often part of a trio of sisters (along with Macha and Anand, amongst others), while also being seen as a single figure.

It would likely come as no surprise that her tales also translated into Arthurian legend in the form of enchantress and possible witch, Morgan le Fay.

Answer: Lugh

The sun god and the overseer of crafts and arts, healing, journeys, and prophecy, Lugh is a warrior of the Tuatha Dé Danann and, for comparison, one would likely read of his exploits and see the parallels to the Roman god Mercury. In Ireland, Lugh is associated with ravens and in Wales he's symbolized by a white stag.

August 1st is of particular note for this god as the festival celebrating him, Lughnassadh, is held on that day. The first day of harvest season, it's also a day where, according to myth, the ancient Tailteann Games, a series of athletic events, were held.

Answer: The Dagda

One of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Dagda was known as 'the Good God' and oversaw the arts, knowledge, magic, music, prophecy, prosperity, and regeneration, mainly because of his propensity for wisdom, a trait that allowed him to control life and death. Often depicted as an older, bearded man with a sense of sageness, he might be best compared to Odin in the Norse pantheon.

In the old tales, he was married to the Morrígan and he may have been the brother of Nuadha.

Answer: Goibniu

Part of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Goibniu was considered a god of hospitality, and part of that duty entailed outfitting the other gods of the pantheon with weaponry as one of their key smithing figures. It's Goibniu's weapons, amongst a small handful of others, that were used to aid the gods in fighting the monstrous Fomorians in battle.

The others would have come from Creidhne and Luchtaine, the goldsmith and the carpenter, respectively, of the Trí Dé Dána.