An early sun goddess of ancient Ireland. Of the Tuatha De Danann; second wife of Midir, King of teh Fairy Hill of Bri Leith.
Legendary heroine surpassing all other women in beauty and gentleness. Heroine in the tale The Wooing of Etáin, telling of the competition for her love between the fairy king Midir and the mortal king Eochaid Airem.
Midir's first wife was jealousof Etáin and by a druid's spell, had her reborn as a mortal, the daughter of the Ulster warrior Etar. To make it more difficult for Midir to find her, Etáin was turned into a pool of water, then a worm, and finally a fly.
When Etar's wife accidentally swallowed the fly she became pregnant with Etáin. She was loved by the High King Eochaidh until Midir found her, awakened her memories, and then won her back in a game of chess against the High King.
Etáin lived again with Midir for some time but decided in the end to return to Tara and finish her mortal life as Eochaidh's queen.