The Original Cave Diver
Celebrating St. Muirgen, Mermaid Saint of the Deep - Jill Heinerth
January is one of my favorite months, not just because it represents my birthday and new beginnings, but also because it involves deep water, underwater caves, and a woman who refused to stay on the surface. January 27 is the day that Irish Catholics honor St. Muirgen of the Sea, the only mermaid saint in the Christian tradition. As a woman cave diver, I feel a special affinity for this story. After all, when you’ve spent time navigating submerged passages, trusting your training, nerves, and experience, you start to recognize your people, even when they lived 1,500 years ago.
Before she was a saint, she was Lí Ban, whose name in Old Irish means “the most beautiful woman.” Her story is tied to the dramatic birth of Lough Neagh, when the land suddenly sank, and spring water rushed in, drowning her family. The story declares that Lí Ban survived with her dog in an underwater cave for over a year.
Eventually, supernatural forces changed her into a creature of the deep: half woman, half salmon (oh so Canadian), while her loyal little dog became an otter (honestly, my spirit animal and the best dive buddy imaginable). For centuries, she lived beneath the waters of the same lake, free to roam for over 300 years while singing with a voice so mesmerizing it drove sailors mad and lured men to their doom. Sirens wish they had this resumé.
In AD 557, while cruising past Ireland, St. Comgall of Bangor and a young novice spotted her from their ship. Unlike the others, Comgall wasn’t afraid, dazzled, or distracted. The sound of his voice carried truth, calm, and compassion, so she swam to him. She promised to meet the ship again in one year.
True to her word, she returned. Unfortunately, things went off course when the overeager novice and a fisherman caught her in a net. (Gentlemen, please stop trying to hold back powerful women of the sea). Moved with mercy, St. Comgall asked if she wished to be baptized and freed from whatever curse bound her. She said yes.
Baptized on the shore, she was given the name Muirgen, “Born of the Sea.” In a moment that was equally poignant and holy, she aged rapidly, returned fully to human form, received Holy Communion, and died joyfully. She testified that she had given up another 300 years of life for her soul, and that it was worth it.
Even in death, the drama continued. A dispute broke out over her body (Saint’s relics are serious business), settled only when two oxen, guided by angels, pulled her remains straight to the monastery of Tech Dabeoc near Donegal. Divine GPS never fails.
St. Muirgen is honored as an Ancient Saint, venerated long before formal canonization processes existed. Her story appears in medieval Irish sources such as The Book of the Dun Cow and The Annals of the Four Masters, was later translated into English in the 19th century, and was carried throughout the Christian world. Today, she is venerated by both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and she holds a special place in the Western Orthodox tradition.
For me, St. Muirgen isn’t just a mermaid saint. She’s a testament to the strength and resilience of women. She survived the flood, made a home in the depths, and emerged transformed. Honestly? That’s cave diver energy.
Happy Feast of St. Muirgen—patron saint of deep waters, wild women, and those of us who feel most at home below the surface.
We hope your 2026 is off to a great start. Here in Ontario we just had a huuuge snow dump from which we are still digging out. It is beautiful for sure - and what’s life in Canada without a bit of snow? We ask that you consider a small donation towards the coffee bean supply that keeps this newsletter thawed out and going forward. Hot coffee warms our bones and stimulates our brains each week to deliver The Explorer’s Mindset to you. Here’s a link: https://buymeacoffee.com/jillrob
Here is a great Mermaid song by Newfoundland’s favorite sons: Great Big Sea.
Just a warm call back to a year ago when we were on a quirky photo safari in the Eastern Algarve region of Portugal.
We certainly are living through “interesting times.” As weird and wild as things may appear, please don’t compromise your humanity. The most powerful thing you can do is demonstrate relentless decency. LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Love that story!! Saint stories are inspiring and make us strive for our dreams. Thanks Ji;;.
Yes! It resonates "deeply" with me too!