Faeries are not unique to Ireland. They show up in the folklore of many countries and cultures in one form or another. But let’s face it. If you ask someone to name a country associated with faeries, they are more likely to name Ireland rather than France. And, while some modern citizens of Ireland may be loath to admit it, faeries still permeate Irish culture.
At Beltane, folks tie ribbons to “wishing trees” (hawthorns), a tree folklore claims is an entrance to the Otherworld, in the hope of the wish being granted. The wishes, according to folklore, are granted by the fairies who guard the tree. Speaking of trees, farmers will farm around a “fairy tree” (a tree standing alone in a field), and city planners have been known to build new roads around fairy trees rather than risk the consequences of cutting one down.
Perhaps the most telling indication of the importance of faeries to the Irish is that national myth claims the Tuatha de Danann—who later became known as the faeries—were a magical, immortal people who occupied the island of Eire before the coming of the Milesians, the ancestors of contemporary Irish. And they’ve never left.
This week’s post explores who the Tuatha de Danann were, what happened to them, and how they became the Good People living either underground or in the Otherworld. (Not that they stay there!)
The Arrival of the People of Danu
The Tuatha de Danann (the people of the goddess Danu) are a race of magical beings (some sources label them as divine). According to the myth, they came from four cities north of the island now known as Ireland. The four cities were Falias, Finias, Gorias, and Murias. The people of each city gave the de Dananns a magical gift as a parting present. More about that later.
According to the ancient “Book of Invasions” (Lebor Gabála Érenn), the Tuatha de Danann arrived on the island of Eire in a mist. Just as with immigrants today, the island’s ruling inhabitants, the Fir Bolg, were not happy about the new arrivals invading their space. So, soon the two races engaged in battle. Their confrontation became known as the First Battle of Magh Tuireadh. The Fir Bolg lost, but the de Dananns were so impressed by their courage that they invited the Fir Bolg to stay—as long as they stayed within Connacht, one of Ireland’s four ancient provinces. It is also the least fertile part of the island. After all, the Fir Bolg lost.
But the confrontations didn’t end there. Another race, the Formorians, inhabited the island as well. They apparently were more willing to work with the de Dannans (although they demanded tribute from them) and even intermarry with them. One of Irish myth’s greatest gods, Lugh, is the son of a de Dannan and a Formorian, and the grandson of Balor, the fearsome leader of the Formorians. Balor had a magical eye that could kill people with one look.
Eventually, the two races engaged in the Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh. The Tuath de Danann won again when Lugh, using a slingshot, hit Balor’s deadly eye with a rock. Balor died. There’s no word on how his mom, Balor’s daughter, felt about the incident.
Following the victory, the Tuatha de Danann became the rulers of the island for many generations. They are said to have been a cultured and civilized people skilled in art and poetry as well as magic. Many of the gods and goddesses of Irish mythology are said to be members of the Tuatha de Danann race.
The Milesians
After a few generations (or up to two hundred years, depending on the source) another group of people—the Milesians—arrived. They were a group of Gaels from the European continent, and they are considered the ancestors of the contemporary Irish. The Milesians and the Tuatha de Danann engaged in a series of confrontations, battling for control of the island. In the end, the Milesians won. Sort of. The two groups agreed to share the island with each group taking half, but not in the way you might think. This was no north-south or east-west split. The Milesians won the top half of the island and the Tuatha de Danann went underground to the Otherworld.
Faeries
But, as I said above, they haven’t always stayed in their place. They have felt free to continue to interact with the Irish, blessing them or cursing them, kidnapping children and young women, playing tricks on the humans and causing mischief, and sometimes marrying the humans and taking them to Tir N’Og (the Land of the Young). Over time, the Tuatha de Danann have come to be called the Aos Sidhe, better known today as the faeries.
Read about the various types of Irish faeries in my posts:
Gods and Goddesses of the Tuatha de Danann
Several gods and goddesses of Irish mythology are identified as members of the Tuatha de Danann. They included some of the most powerful and renowned Irish deities.
1) Dagda: A creator known as the Good God, and protector of all. He possesses one of the four magical gifts given to the de Dananns, the Cauldron of Abundance. This cauldron provides a never-ending amount of food. It also can bring people back to life. In addition, Dagda has a club that can bring people back to life or kill them, depending on his will. Finally, he has a harp named Uaithne that can change the seasons with its music. It also can affect people’s emotions, making them laugh, cry, or go to sleep.
2) The Morrigan: the triple goddess of war, fate, and death. She is a shapeshifter. The Morrigan frequently appears as a crow flying above a battlefield. She is fearsome and mysterious. Known as the Phantom Queen, she can be helpful or deadly, depending on her mood and motivations. Many scholars believe Morgan le Faye of Arthurian legend is based on the Morrigan.
3) Lugh: the multi-talented sun god for whom the Celtic fire festival of Lughnasa is named.
4) Brigid: the young and beautiful goddess of summer and fire (among a long list of other things). Every year, she brings the warmth and the return of the sun. Her feast day, February 1st is the Irish festival of Imbolc which marks the start of spring. She also is associated with Beltane, the fire festival that marks the start of summer. Many scholars believe that the goddess is the origin of stories about Saint Brigid of Kildare, whose feast day also is February 1st.
The Four Magical Treasures of the Tuatha de Danann
1) The Cauldron of Abundance: Dagda’s cauldron (see above).
2) Lia Fáil: the stone of destiny. This stone cries out when the rightful High King of Ireland places his foot upon it. The stone still exists today and can be seen on the Hill of Tara.
3) The Spear (or sling-stone) of Lugh: The weapon is said to shoot straight and be impossible to defeat.
4) The Sword of Light or the Sword of Nuadh: It invariably kills the one it strikes.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this post. If you did, please LIKE and SHARE. To SUBSCRIBE for FREE, just click on the “Sign Up” button in the upper right of the page.
Slán go fóill
All artwork for this post (except for the Ukrainian flag and the GIF) by Christine Dorman via Bing Image Creator.
Looking for a guide along your writing journey? Click here for a description of my writing and tutoring services. Questions? Just click here to contact me.