Legend of Bebo
Pronunciation: Bey-bo
Meaning: loved one
Legend:
Bebo (Bébó, Bábó) was a beautiful fairy queen whose blessings reputedly made the region of Ulster prosper. She is known as the bringer of fertility and abundance.
The 13th century story Eisert, based on the 8th century Saga of Fearghus Mac Leide, King of Ulster, relates the exploits and misadventures of Bebo and her husband, King Iubhdán.
Iubhdán is described as having a diminutive stature, and also being extremely boastful. He was leader of a tiny people known as the Faylinn (or Wee Folk) who were apparently only a few inches tall. Because the Faylinn were so small, they believed Ireland to be inhabited by giants!
The court poet eventually became fed up with Iubdan's pride, and told the royal couple about Ulster, the land of Giants and their porridge. The arrogant Iubdan was keen to prove his greatness to Fergus mac Leda, King of Ulster, so he decided to travel north.
His goal was to sneak into a giant’s porridge and eat some without being seen. The foolish Fairy King and Queen became trapped when they fell into the huge bowl of porridge. The giants took the pair to King Fergus, who kept them as his prisoners. Fergus eventually released the pair in exchange for the fairy king’s prized possession, a pair of magical shoes that allowed the wearer to walk on water.
It is believed that Jonathan Swift may have been inspired by this story to write Gulliver’s Travels, describing the land of Lilliput and its vainglorious inhabitants.
Sources: Mylo | Hellishwolf blog | Irish Central | Celtic Wedding rings
