For my project I will be incorporating the Irish myth of Fragarach; a legendary sword also known as “The Answerer.” The Irish mythology dose not describes what the sword looks like, however, it dose describe it’s magical abilities and power. It was claimed to be forged by the gods, and contain the power of the wind, which would bend to the wielder of the sword. It was also said that if the sword was held to another’s throat, said person could not tell a lie or move. Additionally, it was believed to be able to cut through any wall or shield, and should anyone receive an injury from the sword, it would never heal.
Fragarach is said to be the sword of Manannan mac Lir, know in Celtic mythology as a sea deity. Manannan was know to move atop the waves of the sea in a boat (or sometimes interpreted as a chariot) called the “Wave Sweeper” that would move between our realm and the Otherworld. (In Celtic mythology, the Otherworld is a spiritual realm where deities and powerful spirits live; also called “Land of Youth”) Manannan was not only known for wielding the sword Fragarach but also wore a cloak of invisibility. (It was believed Manannan could only be seen in glimpses during storms, when his cloak was briefly blown askew) He also owned a horse called “Enbarr of the Flowing Mane” which could travel over water as easily as land, and pull his boat. Manannan is tied in with many other Irish mythologies, the oldest existing written document of the myth is dated at 1400, but the myth of Manannan and Fragarach is theorized to be much older.
Note: What is being held in his hand is NOT Fragrach, but a boat ore. many images of Manannan mac Lir depict him rowing his boat.
despite Manannan to be well know in Irish mythology, there is very little information about the sword he held.
My Gods. Hecate (top) and Manannan Mac Lir (bottom) Drawn by myself
Manannan beg mac y Leirr, fer vannee yn Ellan
Bannee shin as nyn maatey, mie goll magh
As cheet stiagh ny share lesh bio as marroo ‘sy vaatey’.
Little Manannan, son of Lieirr, who blessed our land,
Bless us and our boat, well going out
And better coming in with living and dead in the boat.
The following prayer was collected by W.Y. Evans-Wentz from an old Manx woman in 1910. This prayer was said to be used by both the woman’s father and grandfather. Her grandfather had addressed the Manx sea god Manannan, but her father had substituted St. Patrick’s name for Manannan. (via witchuptheroad)
I call to Manannan, free-flowing son of Lir, keeper of the Blessed Isles, land of joy eternal, land of the ever-young and the ever-fair, land of the west, so far from the realm of men. Ancient one, cunning one, tempter of Cormac, scion of the sea, walker between the worlds, guardian of the gates, cloaked in darkness, wrapped in mist, master of magics, worker of illusion, you veil the line between the seeming and the real. Of you, O Manannan, are tales yet told; to you is honor yet paid, on your dearest Isle of Man and in lands that lie beyond the broad salt sea.
Ocean's Meadow 