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Teresa The girl's name Teresa is pronounced ter-REE-sah or ter-RAY-sah. It's popular amongst Irish communities throughout the world. It is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "late summer". Popular variant of Theresa. The first bearers of this name might have been from the Greek island of Therasia. The popularity of two saints, Teresa of Avila and Therese of Lisieux, has resulted in the creation of many variants. Nessa Nessa or Neasa was the mother of Conchobhar (Conor) Mac Nessa, king of Ulster. A powerful and beautiful woman, ambitious for her son, she tricked her second husband, Fergus, into giving up his kingdom to his stepson, Conchobhar (Conor), for a year, but he ruled so wisely and so well that the people chose him to be their permanent king. Emer Eimear, Emer pronounced "ee + mer" Eimear possessed the "Six Gifts of Womanhood" – "beauty, a gentle voice, sweet words, wisdom, needlework and chastity!" She was bethrothed to the warrior Cuchulainn when they were children and they loved each other very deeply. But Cuchulainn had "a wandering eye" and Eimear endured this, realizing "everything new is fair," but when he made love to Fand, wife of the sea god Manannan, Eimear confronted the lovers. After seeing the strength of Fand's love she offered to withdraw. Touched by this display of unselfishness, Fand left Cuchulainn and returned to the sea. When Cuchulainn died Eimear spoke movingly and lovingly at his graveside.
Muirne Muirne, or Myrna pronounced 'mir + ne' means high-spirited - festive. Muirne loved Conall who was from an opposing tribe. Her father, a druid, opposed the match and had Conall killed but not before Muirne had conceived a son, who grew up to be the legendary warrior Fionn Mac Cool and who later avenged the death of his father
Brigid Brigid pronounced "bridge + id" The name Brigid comes from brigh meaning "power, vigour, virtue". It epitomizes the Irish genius for layering old and new. The main female deity of the Celts, Brigid made the land fruitful and animals multiply, she blessed poets and blacksmiths. Her namesake St. Brigid of Kildare carried her powers into the Christian era. The stories of Brigid's compassion and miracles are told now as they have been for more than 1,500 years in every part of Ireland. She is equal in esteem and shares a grave with St. Patrick and St. Columcille. Her feast day, February 1st, is the first day of Spring in the Celtic calender.
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