Who is the Irish god of the sea?

Who is the Irish god of the sea? Manannán mac Lir is the traditional answer. His name means “Manannán, son of the sea” or “son of Ler,” and he is one of the best-known supernatural figures in Gaelic mythology.

Manannán is associated not only with the ocean but also with the Otherworld. Irish tradition presents him as a warrior, ruler and guardian whose realm includes places such as Emain Ablach and Mag Mell. He is also linked with the Tuatha Dé Danann, the godlike people central to Ireland’s Mythological Cycle.

Stories give him remarkable possessions, including the self-navigating boat Sguaba Tuinne, the water-crossing horse Aonbharr and the sword Fragarach. His enchanted cloak can create forgetfulness or conceal people from view. These magical attributes explain why he is more than a simple personification of the sea.

A common mix-up is Lir, sometimes written Ler. Lir is associated with the sea and is described in some traditions as Manannán’s father, while “mac Lir” is Manannán’s patronymic. The related Welsh figure is Manawydan fab Llŷr.