It is said by historians by that Queen Mebh or Maeve was originally a goddess that a king would ritually marry as part of his inauguration (hence the number of husbands she has in legend).Her name meaning "she who intoxicates" is cognate with the English word mead, a fermented honey drink. It is therefore thought that the ritual marriage ceremony would have involved sharing a sweet alcoholic drink.Queen Mebh/Maeve has also appeared on the Irish pound note.