She Changed the World- Aoife

Ireland's history is rich with ancient Celtic and Druid traditions, that are woven into the fabric of her ancestors through years of mythology, spirituality and folklore.

Kings and Queens.

Warriors and battles.

Love, loyalty, revenge and betrayals.

And somewhere in the middle of that was a woman named Aoife.

According to the ancient Irish Ulster Cycle, Aoife was no damsel in distress, waiting to be rescued by a strapping knight in shining amour.

She was the warrior.

Aoife was a formidable fighter and powerful leader. Her reputation was renowned and she was so feared that when confronted by Irish warrior Cú Chulainn, he faced her as his equal. The encounter came to fruition during Cú Chulainn's training with another legendary female warrior called, Scáthach. The women were known rivals, and when conflict exploded between them, Cú Chulainn was drawn into the fight.

Aoife met him in single combat.

Here she was, a woman remembered not because she stood beside a powerful man, but because she could stand against one. While she was ultimately defeated through cunning rather than strength, Aoife's story didn't end on that battlefield. The warriors became lovers, and Aoife later gave birth to their son, Connla. Years passed. Connla evolved into a remarkable young warrior himself and traveled far and wide across Ireland to find his father. What followed became one of the great tragedies of Irish mythology. Bound by instructions surrounding his identity, Connla refused to reveal his name. Cú Chulainn did not recognize his own son. They ferociously fought. Cú Chulainn killed his son, only later to discover the sad truth.

And somewhere behind that tragedy of it all remained Aoife—the warrior woman who had once faced Ireland's greatest hero and later lost their son to the same world of honor, pride and combat. Aoife's story isn't a simple tale about a strong woman.

Strength did not protect her from losing a battle or even her son. Courage did not grant her happiness. Being formidable did not make her impenetrable. Because women do not have to be perceived flawless to be powerful. They can fight and love. They make mistakes and survive loss. And more than a thousand years before anyone advocated for female strength and independence, should was a woman who was brave enough to pick up a sword and fight for what she believed in. She was not the woman standing behind the warrior, she was the one he had to defeat.

Aoife.