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Boannan; Boyne; Boand

Goddess of the Irish river Boyne, Boann is also the mother of Angus mac Og by the Dagda. Three healing harp-strains are said to have been instituted at the three confinements of the Goddess Boann: at her first labour, she was sorrowful because of the pain; at the second birth, she was full of joy; at the third birth she was sleepy because of the length of her labour. These three children were called Goltraiges, Centraiges and Suantraiges, who give their names to the three strains which harpers were to reproduce: the sorrow strain, which provokes the release of lamentation after grief; the joy strain which provokes mirth after sorrow; the sleep strain which provokes rest after trauma.

Once there was a well called the Well of Segais which was shaded by nine magic hazel trees. These trees bore crimson nuts which gave knowledge of everything in the world. Divine salmon lived in the well and ate the nuts. Only Boann's husband Nechtan and this three cupbearers were permitted to visit the well but Boann was curious and went to investigate the nature of the well for herself. The well waters rose to drive her away and flowed out to become the River Boyne.

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