|
 |
|
 |
|
The Tuatha De Dannan
They
sailed into Ireland on the mists of the sea, they came from the north
and brought 4 great deadly treasures, the Lia Fail (Stone of destiny)
which today stands in the remains of the Forrad on the
Hill of Tara they also brought a
great flashing Spear, the deadly Sword of Nuada and the mighty
cauldron
of the all powerful God the Daghda, this cauldron could satisfy all
who ate from it.
According to the `Annals of the 4 Masters` the people
of the Goddess Danu, descendants of the
Nemedians arrived around 1894 b.c
and ruled Ireland for about 197 years until 1690 b.c...
Eochaid of the Fir Bolgs had a dream the night before
the
Tuatha De Dannan came, his advisors told him the dream meant that
there was a strong adversary to invade Ireland soon! Eochaid sent
his champion Sreng to meet the Tuatha De Dannan,
and on seeing Sreng approach Nuada sent his greatest warrior
Bres out to meet with Sreng. They talked and compared weaponry,
Bres asked for a message to be sent to Eochaid at Tara that if the
Fir Bolg gave up half of the island they would live in peace. They
both departed each others company, Sreng returned to Tara and conveyed
the massage to Eochaid and his advisors but they were not prepared
to give half of the country over to strangers
so both tribes prepared for war. |
|
Nuada king of the Tuatha De Dannan and Eochaid
Of The
Fir Bolg stood opposite Each other on a plain near what is
now known as Cong in County Mayo. The battle that was to follow is
known as the first battle of Moytura and fighting was
fierce with both sides suffering heavy losses. Nuada while leading
his men to victory suffered the loss of one of his arms which under
the law forced him to give up his throne.
The law stated that `The a king should not have any physical
defects of any sort`. After the death of their king and their
loss of the battle the Fir Bolg were allotted
the province of Connacht in the West. With Nuada
being injured in battle the Tuatha De Dannan choose a new king, Bres
son of Elatha, (A Fomorian) turned out to
be an oppressive king exacting taxes and tributes from his people.
Dian Cecht a great physician and healer made an
arm of silver for Nuada. It had movement in every finger
and joint which meant Nuada could
regain his kingship from Bres who was vexed at this, he consulted
in his mother Eri who told Bres he was son of a Fomorian, they then
travelled to meet with Balor of the evil eye.
Balor was the king of the Fomorians and he agreed to raise a great
army to challenge The Tuatha De Dannan, But Balor was mindful of
an old Prophesy a Druid told him `It was of his own grandson Balor
was to be slain` This grandson turned out to be Lugh son of Ethlinn
daughter of Balor and Cian son of Dian Cecht the great healer.
|
 |
|
|
Lugh travelled to the Hill of Tara to greet the
high king Nuada of the Silver Arm. He was barred at the gates until
he stated he was a carpenter, the doorman said they had plenty of
skilled carpenters at Tara. Lugh then stated “I am also a Blacksmith”,
the doorman still barred his entry stating Tara already had a Blacksmith.
”I am a warrior and a hero” said Lugh..” Tara is well protected with
its heroic warriors”. Lugh then replied “I am a scholar, musician
and a poet” still he was barred by the doorman. “I am skilled in the
arts of magic” said Lugh but the doorman stood firm blocking Lughs
entry. Lugh finally asked if Tara had 1 man who was skilled in all
those arts. At last the doorman unbolted the door. Nuada
on hearing of Lughs arrival at Tara gave up his throne recognising
that with Lughs great skills they would be finally rid of the Fomorians,
he now became known as Lugh the Il-danach
(Master of all arts) and prepared the Tuatha De Dannan army for the
Second battle of Moytura
to be fought on a plain in north Connacht near present day Sligo where
they overcame the Fomor army killing their ruler Balor.
The bards of the Tuatha De Dannan recited the epic battles
and skirmishes for many hundreds of years until the arrival of a tall
and handsome race of people from Spain landed in Ireland,
the sons of Miled or
the Celts they were
called…
|
|
 |
|
|
