Irish Mythology

The Gods and Spirits of Ireland

CROM CRUAICH

Irish Tutelary God

Also known as Cenn Cruach, Crom-Crúaich, Cromm Crúaich, Cromm-Cruach

Primitive God of Sacrifice, and the Chief Idol of Ireland

Known as the ‘Lord of the Mound’, Crom Cruaich was a large megalithic standing stone at Magh Slaecht, the so-called ‘Plain of Adoration’, surrounded by twelve subservient stone pillars and an air of mystery.

Each year children were sacrificed to him to ensure fertile crops and good harvests. Eventually Christianity came along and put a stop to all that. St. Patrick said it was made of gold, and that he destroyed it with a wave of his crosier. He also claimed that there was a demon inside which jumped out and ran off. Crom Cruaich then bowed down to Patrick and went all droopy, remaining so for evermore.

This was a great public relations exercise for Christianity. But we feel St. Paddy was not one to let a little wild exaggeration stand in the way of one of his ‘me and me crosier’ yarns.

Crom Cruaich Facts and Figures

Name: Crom Cruaich
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names: Cenn Cruach, Crom-Crúaich, Cromm Crúaich, Cromm-Cruach

Gender: Male
Type: God
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role:
In charge of: Patronage
Area of expertise: Tutelary, Patronage

Good/Evil Rating: NOT OKAY, be careful
Popularity index: 8224

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Article last revised on May 22, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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