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In Irish mythology, Manannan mac Lir was a sea and weather god. He was one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, though he was considered older than them. His father was Lir and his wife was Fand. He ruled over the Blessed Isles as well as Mag Mell, the underworld.
Manannan had many magical items. He gave Cormac his magic goblet of truth; he had a ship that did not need sails named "Wave Sweeper"; he owned a cloak that granted him invisibility; a flaming helmet; and a sword named "Answerer" that could never miss its target. He also owned a horse called "Enbarr of the Flowing Mane" which could travel over water as easily as land.
Manannan left his wife, Fand, and she fell in love with Cuchulainn. Since a mortal and fairy (Fand was Queen of the fairies) could not stay together without destroying the fairy, Manannan erased their memories of each other.
He raised two foster children:
- Egobail
- Lugh
In the Isle of Man, Manannan mac Lir was known as Mannan. On Midsummer Eve, people offered green grass to Mannan-beg-mac-y-Leir and prayed for blessings in seafaring and fishing. He was believed to be a magician who could make an illusory fleet from pea shells in order to discourage would-be invaders.
Manannan may actually have been a real person - an Irish prince named Orbsenius who was hailed for his abilities at navigating the Irish sea as a merchant.
His Welsh equivalent is Manawyddan ap Llyr.
Alternative: Barinthus, Manannan, Manawydan, Mannan (Manx)
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