Author Deborah
Photo of the author Deborah Sheehy at the ancient Boleycarrigeen Stone Circle Wicklow

Author Deborah Sheehy

The Untold Stories of Ireland's Goddesses

Deborah Sheehy is finalising her debut book The Untold Stories of Ireland’s Goddesses which shines a light on the rich feminine heritage of Ireland’s mythology by celebrating the lives of prominent women who shaped its ancient legends.

 

While Irish mythology is full of epic male heroes like Cú Chulainn and Fionn mac Cumhaill, the extraordinary women of Ireland’s pre-Christian legends are far less well-known. Figures such as Queen Maeve and Brigid are familiar to some, but many other powerful goddesses and heroines have been overlooked.

 

Deborah’s book seeks to reclaim these voices, bringing to life the stories of remarkable mythical women whose presence can still be felt in Ireland’s landscape, history, and culture. The legends are retold with heartfelt insight and an appreciation of how these wise, divine, and sovereign figures continue to influence modern life.

 

Meet Brigid, Éire, the Cailleach, the Mórrígan, Macha, Queen Maeve, Bóinn, Étaín, Áine and many more. These women were guardians of the land, keepers of the seasons, and symbols of fertility and renewal. Their legacy is still etched into Ireland’s geography, with mountains, rivers, and ancient sacred sites bearing their names till today.

 

Excerpts from the ‘Landmarks’ section of Deborah’s book where some of the ancient sites associated to the Goddesses from Irish mythology are identified are available under the Gallery tab. Updates on the book’s release will be shared here once it becomes available for purchase.

Deborah’s Journey

Born in Dublin, Deborah’s passion for Irish mythology grew from a deeply personal experience. At the age of 21, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a chronic health condition that greatly influenced her life. Her journey to understand this illness and support others led her to co-found the Endometriosis Association of Ireland.

 

Deborah later trained as a therapist in counselling, psychotherapy, and mindfulness based practices to help others with chronic conditions. In 2002, she conducted Ireland’s first research paper on the impact of endometriosis on women. It can be accessed through the Dublin Business School at this link here or by contacting Deborah directly.

 

Her personal connection to the myths deepened as she uncovered parallels between her health journey and the ancient stories of Ireland’s Goddesses. Both her mother and grandmother also suffered from endometriosis but never received any acknowledgement or support.

 

Deborah’s grandmother, in particular, faced immense societal stigma and narrowly escaped being sent to a Magdalene Laundry for unmarried mothers. These experiences, intertwined with the stories of resilience and power in Irish mythology, inspired Deborah’s exploration of Ireland’s divine feminine archetypes, which now forms the foundation of her writing and research.

The Feminine Energy of the Land

In Irish mythology, the feminine energy is a personification of the land itself. Rivers, mountains, monuments and wells across Ireland bear the names of goddesses and heroines, serving as timeless reminders of their enduring presence. This discovery awakened in Deborah a deep desire to reconnect with the sacred feminine energy embodied in these myths and landscapes.

Deborah has spent decades studying Ireland’s mythology, developing an intimate understanding of the stories and the extraordinary women within them. As a Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in women’s health, she brings a unique perspective to her work, using the symbolism of the myths as a powerful tool for healing and transformation.

Through her writing, Deborah invites readers to explore the wisdom of these ancient archetypes and uncover their relevance in today’s world. Her work inspires a connection to the land, the myths, and the resilience of the women who came before us.

Whats Next

Deborah is already planning a sequel to her debut non-fiction book, where she hopes to share the stories of other fascinating women from Irish mythology who could not be included in her first volume. 

She is also co-author, with Ireland’s best-selling author Patricia Scanlon, of a trilogy of mythic fiction books showcasing some of Ireland’s greatest heroines. The first book in the series, The Curse of Macha, (the sovereignty Goddess of Ulster) is due to be completed in 2026.  

For more information or to get in touch, please contact Deborah:

Keadeen Mountain, next to Boleycarrigeen Stone Circle, Wicklow

Keadeen Mountain, Wicklow

As you climb the hill to the ancient Boleycarrigeen Stone Circle in County Wicklow, you can feel the imprints of the ancestors all around you. Looking over at the beautiful Keadeen mountain beside it, two human figures are shaped into the hillside. Local folklore tells us they represent Fionn (the leader of the Fianna) and his wife. Sometimes they walk down to the stone circle to cook their breakfast. Others say the shapes are of the lovers Diarmuid and Grainne, who hid in the hill to escape the pursuit of Fionn (from the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology).

Book a Consultation

If you’re interested in working with Deborah, she offers a brief, no-obligation 5-10 minute phone call to discuss whether her approach is right for you. 

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