Boann.

Boann was water goddess whose name is given to the river Boyne, and is associated with its source as 'poetic cauldron of inspiration'. This sacred spring fed a well around which nine hazel trees grew, dropping their magic nuts into the deep clear pool, feeding five salmon who swan in its crystal waters, after eating these inspiring nuts, caused five streams to burst forth from the well of knowledge, which are said to be the five senses, without which no wisdom can be aqurired.Off the many tales are told of her, one is that she was wife of Nechtan, a water god: Sidhe Nechtan, who held a sacred well, the Well of Segais or Connla's Well, located at the Hill of Carbery, Co Kildare. Only four people were privileged to go there - Nechtan and his three cup bearers. Boann ridiculed this going to the well and walked around it three times in a left-hand circle, where upon three waves arose from the well and pursued her eastwards, causing her to lose a thigh, a hand and an eye, before drowing her at the Boyne -mouth. Its course is said to have formed the river named after her The Boyne. This same tale is also told of the birth of the Shannon and the Goddess Sinead.

The Dadga,the Irish Zeus, desired Boann and sent her husband on a long errand, making nine months seems like one day. Through this union Aonghus Og , the god of love was born. He was called Og or Mac Og because Boann said 'Young is the son who was begotten at the break of Day and born betwixt it and evening'.

In another tale Boann is the wife of Uaitne the harper of the Dagda to him she bore three sons, and gave to them the names of the three moods of harp music, to the first son Geantrai, the relief from pain, she gave joyful music to bring happiness and laughter. The second son Goltrai, who was brought forth in pain and sadess, she gave music that touched the heart and brought sadness. At the bith of the third son Suntrai, the music of sleep and enchantment was the name his exhausted mother gave him.