Also called Goibhniu, Gobán Saor (in folklore).
Their story
Goibniu was the smith of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Before the Second Battle of Mag Tuired he promised to make a spearhead with three strokes of his hammer, and replaced every broken weapon. When Ruadán, son of Bres and Brigid, was sent to spy on him and wounded him, Goibniu pulled out the spear and killed him with it. Other tales speak of the Fled Goibnenn, his feast, whose ale kept the gods from age and decay.
Best times to give to them
- Imbolc
- Lughnasadh
- before starting a making project
What they like being given
- ale or a non-alcoholic brew
- bread
- a coin or small piece of metal
- the first thing you make with a new tool
How to honour them
- Ask his blessing on your tools and keep them clean and sharp.
- Share a drink with friends in memory of his feast.
- Finish a piece of work to a good standard rather than rushing it.
How they can help you
- craft and making
- skill with tools
- hosting and hospitality
- resilience
Symbols
- the forge
- the anvil
- the spearhead
- the ale feast
The master builder Gobán Saor of later Irish folklore may descend from him.
Sources
- Cath Maige Tuired
- MacKillop, Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology
More Celtic gods
- The Dagda The good god, father of all
- Lugh Master of all the arts
- Cernunnos The antlered one of the wild
- Manannán mac Lir Lord of the sea and the Otherworld
- Aengus The young god of love
- Nuada The king with the silver hand
- Dian Cécht Physician of the Tuatha Dé Danann
- Credne The bronze-worker of the Tuatha Dé