In Irish mythology, Queen Achtland married one of the "Tuatha Dé Danann" (too'-ah deh dah'nan) who were the children of the Goddess Danu. Their name is often mistranslated simply into "giants", which gives reference to their stature, as well as their lineage, resembling the Nephilim, "fallen angels", of Christian lore.

Another name for the "children" is the "Sidhe" (shee) which is translated often into "fairy" and conferred increasingly diminutive statures, and powers, throughout the passage of time.

Achtland herself was a mortal woman, and as an adult she was infamous for her displeasure in what she found available to her among the human men. It is said that no man could ever satisfy her, but when she was approached by one of the Tuatha, her heart was smitten with him.

The Tuatha were known to bring all crafts and skills to the human race (originally this knowledge was property of the gods), and it is doubtless that Achtland found much to admire in her new lover. She married this man of the Tuatha, and became immortal by crossing over into the land of the Fey, to be his wife. It is said that she found great delight in brushing his long silken hair.