Crom Cruach

Crom Cruach (Old Irish: Cromm Crúaich [kɾom ˈkɾuːa̯xʲ]) was a pagan god of pre-Christian Ireland. According to Christian writers, he was propitiated with human sacrifice and his worship was ended by Saint Patrick. He is also referred to as Crom Cróich, Cenn Cruach/Cróich ([kʲen̪ː ˈkɾuːa̯x]) and Cenncroithi ([kʲen̪ː ˈkɾoθʲi]). He is related to the later mythological and folkloric figure Crom Dubh. The references in a dinnsenchas ("place-lore") poem in the 12th century to sacrifice in exchange for milk and grain suggest that Crom had a function as a fertility god. The description of his image as a gold figure surrounded by twelve stone or bronze figures has been interpreted by some as representing the sun surrounded by the signs of the zodiac, suggesting a function as a solar deity.