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In Irish mythology, Clíodhna ( Clídna, Clionadh, Clíodna, Clíona, transliterated to Cleena in English) is a Queen of the of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Clíodna of Carrigcleena is the potent banshee that rules as queen over the sióga (fairies) of South Munster, or Desmond.
In some Irish myths, Clíodhna is a goddess of love and beauty, and the patron of County Cork. (2025). 9781604134131, Chelsea House. ISBN 9781604134131 She is said to have three brightly coloured birds who eat apples from an otherworldly tree and whose sweet song heals sickness.
She had her palace in the heart of a pile of rocks, from Mallow, which is still commonly known by the name of Carrig-Cleena, and numerous legends about her are told above the Munster peasantry who considered her their benefactor.
Clíodhna is also associated with the MacCarthy dynasty of Desmond, who adopted her as their fairy, and the O'Keeffes and FitzGerald dynasty, with whom she has had amorous affairs
Surviving traditions of Clíodhna in narrative and poetry associate her with the O'Keeffes (Ó Caoimh or Keefer) and O'Donovans. The latter, originally from Uí Fidgenti in North Munster with its own traditions, where their original goddess was Mongfind, later moved south to Carbery on Cuan Dor Harbour, Clíodhna's traditional abode on the South Munster coast, and she then features in poetry associated with them. The O'Keeffe narrative tradition is more extensive, and Clíodhna has other Desmond associations too.
Irish revolutionary Michael Collins also had knowledge of Clíodhna. Stories were told of her in the Rosscarbery school he attended, and they took Sunday trips to Clíodhna's rock. Collins was descended from the Ó Coileáins of Uí Chonaill Gabra. Both the Ui Chonaill and the Ui Donnobhans were tribes within the Ui-Fidghente.
Together they sailed to Teite's Strand in Ireland. Ciabhan went on shore to hunt and left Cleena in the boat. However, the people of Manannan pursued them in ships. One of them treacherously played music which causes Cleena to fall asleep. Then a great wave came and swept her away. The place was then called Tonn Chlíodhna, "Clíodhna's Wave", which is near Glandore harbour. Whether she drowns or not depends on the version being told, along with many other details of the story.
Teigue and his warriors depart the island and after rescuing their kinsmen, they return home victorious.
Caiov (O'Keeffe) was a prince accomplished in mind and body, who had inherited a neighboring territory. He was in the habit of visiting the Druid's palace and liked to join in the sports in which he was often victorious. This attracted the admiration of the Druid and his daughters. Both sisters fell in love with O'Keeffe. Cleena expressed her love openly and discussions began with her father for their marriage. Aoivil secretly fell in love and worked to gain his affection by her innocent arts. Caiov fell deeply in love with Aoivil but this was quickly discovered by Cleena.
Because of her jealousy, Cleena called on the oldest of her nurses to curse her innocent sister. Aoivil was stricken with sickness and the loss of her beauty. Cleena pretended to help her by a powerful sleep mixture, which caused Aoivil's apparent death. Aoivil was laid in a coffin and displayed before the Druid and his wife, who were filled with profound sorrow. She was then laid to rest in a tomb under the palace. Cleena and the nurse entered the tomb by a secret entrance and moved the still unconscious Aoivil to the cave at Castlecor ( north-east of Kanturk). When revived, Aoivil was told she would be imprisoned there until she forgot about Caiov. Cleena, seeing it may be impossible to make Aoivil forget, and in a fit of jealousy, she transformed Aoivil into a beautiful white cat. (2025). 9781604134131, Chelsea House. ISBN 9781604134131 Cleena magically changed the cave into a palace, so her sister may bear her suffering more easily. The cave at Castlecor was said to be filled with treasures of gold and silver, watched over by a white cat that sat on a throne. Cleena told Aoivil that Caiov had fallen in battle with the Danes but Aoivil remained in love with him. For the space of one week a year at midsummer, Aoivil transformed back to her true form. Visitors to the cave sometimes saw the cat residing in the palace surrounded by treasure but were forced out by a mighty wind or invisible force.
When Caiov heard of her supposed death, he was filled with sorrow. The Druid and his wife were overcome with grief and brought them to an untimely grave. After due time, Caiov and Cleena were married with much rejoicing. Together they had three children and lived in happiness. However, the old nurse fell dangerously ill and her conscience forced her to confess everything to Caiov. The prince went to Cleena but she refused to release her sister. Cleena admitted she was unable to return her sister to her true form as she had lost her precious wand. This caused an irreconcilable division between Caiov and Cleena and after some time she retired to her fairy palace at Carrigcleena. Caiov would often come to ask forgiveness and for the release of Aoivil. Cleena remained unable to lift the enchantment but it is said that if one were to come that truly loved Aoivil more than her treasures, the enchantment would be lifted. Cleena still visits Aoivil and while Aoivil briefly resumes her human form, sisters are happy together.
Ellen O'Brien was the only daughter from a chief whose power had crumbled under the Saxon invasion. Fitz-Gerald loved her and stole her heart with his harp playing.
Cleena also desired Fiz-Gerald and resolved to bring him to her unseen hall. On a festival day, a dark cloud descended, enveloped Fiz-Gerald and carried him away. For months, no trace of him could be found and it was generally believed he was taken by enchantment. None felt greater sorry than Ellen O'Brien, who sought the help of a wizard that lived in County Kerry who communed with beings from the other world. The wizard told her that Fiz-Gerald had been taken to Cleena's favorite residence at Carrigcleena. Ellen travelled to that place and pleaded in poetry for Cleena to release her lover. She also appealed to Cleena's kindness and pledged to die at the foot of the rock if she was denied. Cleena was moved by Ellen's plea and released Fitz-Gerald. They departed and were married and afterward had many happy children.
Friends and associates of the couple attempted to make contact with Fairies to try to bring him back. Caitileen Dubh Keating and her daughter Caitileen Oge traveled to Carrigcleana to contact Cleena. They covered their clothes in tar and roll themselves in feathers of different colors. They saw Cleena face-to-face and the demanded the return of John but Cleena firmly refused, saying she would keep him for herself. While there are a number of versions of the story, Robert D. Joyce's poem has a happy ending with Cleena releasing the groom named Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond. In one version, Caitileen Oge was the bride.
According to folklore, fairies would assemble quarterly at Carrigcleena for their amusement and to conduct their business. Legends say fairies could be seen "with the light of the declining moon in their May dance, and Cleena at their head in the most splendid attire".
Only a small portion of the original rock outcrop remains, the rest being destroyed by quarrying. The remaining rock is only accessible via a short spur extending from the south wall of the quarry.
Cleena was said to have several other residences including one at Tonn-Cliodhna, "Cleena's Wave" in Glandore.
In the comic opera The Emerald Isle; or, The Caves of Carrig-Cleena, a woman disguises herself as Clíodhna to deceive occupying English soldiers.
The banshee queen Clíodhna herself features as a playable goddess in the MOBA Smite (video game) as the Celtic pantheon's assassin, released in October 2021.
The name is used occasionally as a female given name e.g. for Cliodhna Cussen the Irish sculptor and for Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan (Aisling Bea).
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