Anu (Irish goddess)

For the Mesopotamian god, see Anu.

Not to be confused with Annan.

Anu or Ana (sometimes given as Anann or Anand) is the name of a goddess mentioned briefly in Irish mythology.

Paps of Anu

Myths and sources

The 9th century Sanas Cormaic (Cormac's Glossary) says in its entry for her:

"Ana – mother of the gods of Ireland; well did she feed the gods".

She may be a goddess in her own right,^[1] or an alternate name for Danu. In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Anand is given as another name for The Morrígan.^[2] As her name is often conflated with a number of other goddesses, it is not always clear which figure is being referred to if the name is taken out of context.^[1] The name may be derived from the Proto-Celtic theonym *Φanon-.^[3][4]

Anu has particular associations with Munster: the pair of breast shaped hills known as the Paps of Anu (Dá Chích Anann or "the breasts of Anu")^[5] in County Kerry are said to have been named after her.^[2]

Her name has the meaning of "wealth, riches, and prosperity." Leaving her with a title of being the goddess of "good fortune and prosperity" in the land of Munster. ^[6]

While an Irish goddess, in Scotland (Alba) a similar figure is referred to as “Gentle Annie”, in an effort to avoid offence, a tactic which is similar to referring to the fairies as “The Good People”.^[7]