Banba

In Irish mythology, Banba, daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was one of the patron goddesses of Ireland. Her husband was Mac Cuill.

With her sisters, Fodla and Ériu, she was part of an important triumvirate of goddesses. When the Milesians arrived from Spain each of the three sisters asked that her name be given to the country. Ériu (Éire) won the argument, but Banba is still sometimes used as a poetic name for Ireland, much as Albion is for Great Britain.

According to Seathrún Céitinn she worshipped Macha, who is also sometimes named as a daughter of Ernmas. The two goddesses may therefore be seen as equivalent. Céitinn also refers to a tradition that Banba was the first person to set foot in Ireland before the flood, in a variation of the legend of Cessair.

The LÉ Banba (CM11), a ship in the Irish Naval Service (now decommissioned), was named after her.