The purpose of this book is to examine the ways in which Otherworld (i.e., supernatural) women interact with mortals and the mortal world. First, I establish the position of women in early Ireland so that appropriate comparisons can be made between mortal and Otherworld women throughout the book. This is accomplished primarily through use of early Irish legal and wisdom texts. I also define what is meant by the ‘Otherworld’ and its relevance to the early Irish.

Gender is a hot topic in today's world. What does or does not constitute a woman is beyond the scope of this book; indeed, it is the subject of many books in and of themselves. For purposes of this volume, ‘woman’ is meant to be understood as the society of early medieval Ireland would have understood it. That is, any person born into the female sex. I realize that this is not an ideal ‘definition,’ but for the scope of this book it will be adequate simply because we are attempting to look through the eyes of the audience of the time.

In the main body of the text I move to discussing the differing goals of various intermediaries in early Irish texts, and the manner in which they interact with mortals. For this purpose, I selected five of the earliest known tales containing these themes, all of which claim provenance from Cin Dromma Snechtai: Echtrae Chonnlai, Immram Brain, Serglige Con Chulainn, the eponymous goddess episodes from Lebor Gabala Ereann, and Echtrae Nerai. Some of these women come to the mortal world for love of a certain mortal hero, some to seek help, others have the mortal world come to them. At least one seemingly comes for the sole purpose of starting a war. Near the end, I briefly look at how Otherworld male intermediaries are treated differently in the literature. Finally, I tender conclusions as to why early authors might have used women in these roles as often as they did.

I extend my thanks to Amsterdam University Press for publishing my book, and to the editors, particularly Erin Dailey, for the patience and assistance shown to me throughout the process. Thanks, also, to all who read and critiqued the manuscript, especially Prof. John Carey; it would not be what it is without you.