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InCeltic mythology,Carman (Carmán) orCarmun was a warrior and sorceress fromAthens who tried to invadeIreland in the days of theTuatha Dé Danann, along with her three sons, Dub ("darkness"), Dother ("evil") and Dian ("violence"). She used her magical powers to destroy all the fruit of Ireland.
Four of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Crichinbel,Lug,Bé Chuille andAoi, challenged Carman and her sons. The sons were forced to leave Ireland, and Carman was imprisoned. She died of longing and was buried inWexford among oak trees. Her grave was dug byBres. The place she was buried was called Carman after her, and the Tuatha Dé Danann are said to have instituted anÓenach Carmán, orFestival of Carmán.
Celtic historianPeter Berresford Ellis describes her as "a goddess who came to Ireland from Athens with her three ferocious sons – Calma (Valiant), Dubh (Black) and Olc (Evil). They laid Ireland to waste but were eventually overcome by the Tuatha Dé Danann. Carmán died of grief and it is recorded that death 'came upon her in an ungentle shape'. She was subsequently remembered inLeinster by a Festival of Carmán held atLughnasad, 1 August."[1]
Her story is told in a poem of theMetrical Dindshenchas, which states that she died in600 BCE.
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