Nuada’s Loss and Bres’ Reign

After the First Battle of Moytura, the Tuatha Dé Danann emerged victorious but suffered a grave loss: their king, Nuada, lost his arm in battle. The Tuatha Dé Danann’s healer, Dian Cécht, crafted a silver arm for Nuada that functioned perfectly. However, their laws decreed that no king could rule with a physical imperfection, forcing Nuada to abdicate the throne.

The Tuatha Dé Danann chose Bres, a strikingly handsome warrior of mixed Tuatha Dé Danann and Fomorian lineage, as their new king. It was hoped that his dual heritage would bridge the divide between the two races. Unfortunately, Bres proved to be a terrible ruler. He taxed the Tuatha Dé Danann heavily to enrich himself and allowed the Fomorians to impose even harsher taxes. His greatest offense, however, was his stinginess and lack of hospitality—a grave insult in Irish culture.

The Bard’s Satire and Bres’ Fall

One day, a traveling bard arrived at Bres’ court, expecting the traditional generosity of a king. Instead, Bres gave him a cold room, no fire, and a dry crust of bread. The bard was so appalled by Bres’ miserliness that he composed the first satire in Ireland, mocking Bres for his greed. The satire spread across the land, shaming Bres and leading the Tuatha Dé Danann to revolt against him. Bres fled to the Fomorians and sought their help to reclaim his throne.

The Gathering of Armies

The Fomorians, led by their fearsome champion Balor of the Evil Eye, assembled an army to challenge the Tuatha Dé Danann. Balor, a giant from Donegal, had one deadly eye that could kill anyone in its gaze and shatter rocks. As he aged, his eyelid became so heavy that five men with hooks were needed to lift it during battle.

Meanwhile, the Tuatha Dé Danann prepared for war. Lugh, a young warrior of extraordinary skill, arrived at Tara, the seat of their power. Lugh was the grandson of Balor, born to Eithne, Balor’s daughter, and Cian of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Balor had tried to kill Lugh as a child to prevent a prophecy foretelling his death at his grandson’s hands. However, Lugh was rescued by the druidess Biróg and raised in secret.

Lugh’s Arrival at Tara

When Lugh reached Tara, the gatekeeper asked him what skill he possessed, as only those with unique talents could join the Tuatha Dé Danann’s army. Lugh listed many skills—magician, smith, poet, warrior—but the gatekeeper claimed they already had someone for each role. Finally, Lugh asked, “Do you have one man who can do all of these things?” This won him entry.

At Tara, Lugh proved his worth by outmatching one of the strongest warriors of the Tuatha Dé Danann in a test of strength, lifting and returning a massive flagstone without conflict. This display of power and wisdom solidified his place among the Tuatha Dé Danann.

The Battle of Moytura

The Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians met on the plains of Moytura for a decisive battle. Nuada, with his silver arm, led his people alongside Lugh. The Fomorians unleashed Balor’s evil eye on the battlefield, wreaking havoc. However, Lugh fulfilled the prophecy by slaying his grandfather. As Balor’s eyelid was lifted, Lugh hurled a stone through his eye, killing him instantly and turning the tide of the battle.

Victory and Aftermath

With Balor’s death, the Fomorians were defeated, and the Tuatha Dé Danann emerged victorious. Bres, who had been captured, begged for his life, offering to teach the Tuatha Dé Danann agriculture in exchange for mercy. They agreed, allowing him to live in disgrace.

Legacy of the Battle

The Second Battle of Moytura established the Tuatha Dé Danann as the uncontested rulers of Ireland. It is a tale of prophecy, redemption, and the triumph of unity over tyranny, cementing the Tuatha Dé Danann’s place in Irish mythology.

The Origin of Cesaire’s Journey

Cesaire, the daughter of Bith, a son of Noah, was the first person to set foot in Ireland. Her story begins in Egypt, where Noah refused to let Bith onto his ark, believing him to be a thief. Determined to find a way to survive the impending flood, Cesaire built three arks and recruited 50 women for each vessel. Alongside her father, Bith, she brought her brother, Ladra, who was the pilot, and her husband, Fintan mac Bóchra.

Cesaire was told to sail to Ireland, a land untainted by sin, in the hope that Noah’s God might spare it from the flood. For seven years, Cesaire and her fleet traveled across the known world, navigating the Nile, Asia Minor, the Caspian Sea, the Mediterranean, and even rivers near the Alps. Despite losing two of their three ships along the way, they finally reached Ireland, landing at Cúil Ceibhe (modern-day Kerry).

The First Settlement in Ireland

Cesaire was the first to step ashore, claiming the land as its leader. Fintan mac Bóchra followed as the first man to set foot on Irish soil. However, Ladra, the pilot, was injured during the landing. Once on the island, they realized they would need to populate the land, but with only three men and 50 women, they divided into three groups. Bith, being older, was assigned 16 women, while Fintan and Ladra each received 17.

Tragedy Strikes

Despite their best efforts, tragedy struck the settlers. Bith was the first to die, unable to handle the challenges of this new life. His women were divided between Fintan and Ladra. However, Ladra succumbed to his injuries shortly after, leaving Fintan as the only surviving man. Overwhelmed by the task of populating the island, Fintan fled to the mountains, leaving Cesaire heartbroken. Consumed by her grief, Cesaire died, marking the first death of a leader in Ireland.

Fintan’s Transformation and Survival

As the floodwaters rose, Fintan sought refuge in a cave. In a mystical dream, he transformed into a salmon, allowing him to survive the flood by swimming through Ireland’s waterways. For 300 years, he lived as a salmon before transforming into a hawk, granting him the ability to see the entire island from above. Over time, Fintan took on the forms of various animals, learning the secrets of the land and witnessing Ireland’s transformation.

Fintan the Sage

Through his many lives, Fintan became a great sage, living for over 5,000 years and serving as a counselor to the people of Ireland. His wisdom and connection to the land made him a central figure in Irish mythology.

Legacy of Cesaire and Fintan

Cesaire’s journey symbolizes humanity’s resilience and hope in the face of disaster. Though her settlement was short-lived, it laid the foundation for Ireland’s mythical history. Fintan’s survival and transformation reflect the deep connection between Ireland’s people and its natural world, making him a symbol of endurance and wisdom in Irish lore.

The Prosperity of the Tuatha Dé Danann

The Tuatha Dé Danann ruled Ireland for many years, bringing harmony and abundance. The land flourished under their rule, with bountiful forests, mild seasons, and enough resources for everyone. However, their golden age came to an end after the death of their High King, who left the kingdom to his three sons: Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, and Mac Gréine. The brothers, unable to agree on how to share power, quarreled bitterly, bringing the Tuatha Dé Danann to the brink of war.

The Arrival of Íth and His Death

Far away in Spain, Íth, a wise and observant man, often stood in his high tower gazing across the sea. One day, he spotted an island in the distance, a land of mountains and green forests. Though his family dismissed it as an illusion, Íth became determined to explore the island. Gathering his men, he set sail for Ireland.

When Íth arrived in Ireland, he marveled at its beauty and traveled to Tara, where the three sons of the Tuatha Dé Danann High King were still arguing. Impressed by Íth’s wisdom, they asked for his counsel. Íth advised them to follow the laws and customs of their land, as these seemed to have brought prosperity. His praise for Ireland’s greatness, however, made the brothers suspicious. Fearing that Íth sought to conquer their land, they killed him.

The Sons of Mil Seek Justice

News of Íth’s death reached his nephew, Míl Espáine, and his sons: Érimón, Éber Donn, and Amhairghin. Swearing to avenge their grandfather, Míl gathered an army and set sail for Ireland. Míl died during the voyage, but his sons carried on, determined to fulfill his wishes.

When the Sons of Míl landed on Ireland’s shores, Amhairghin, a powerful druid, sang a song to announce their arrival, demonstrating their deep respect for the land and its magic.

The Treachery of the Tuatha Dé Danann

At Tara, the Sons of Míl confronted the three kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann, demanding justice for Íth’s murder. The kings requested three days to decide whether to fight, leave, or submit. Amhairghin, being wise, agreed to their terms and led his forces nine waves beyond the shore, ensuring no tricks could be planned.

However, the Tuatha Dé Danann’s druids summoned a magical storm to scatter the Sons of Míl’s ships. Amhairghin, suspecting foul play, sent a man up the mast to observe the storm. The man confirmed it was calm above, proving the storm was unnatural. Using his druidic powers, Amhairghin countered the storm with his own song, calming the seas.

Enraged by the Tuatha Dé Danann’s treachery, the Sons of Míl decided to land immediately and engage in battle.

The Battle of Tailtiu

The Sons of Míl landed at the Boyne and journeyed to the plains of Tailtiu, where they met the Tuatha Dé Danann in a fierce and bloody battle. The three Tuatha Dé Danann kings and their queens—Banba, Ériu, and Fódla—were all killed. Before their deaths, the queens had made a pact with the Sons of Míl: in exchange for their favor, the land would be named after them. Of the three names, only Ériu (Éire) survives today as the name of Ireland.

The Tuatha Dé Danann’s Retreat

Defeated beyond recovery, the Tuatha Dé Danann fled. Instead of submitting to the Sons of Míl, they retreated into the hills, forests, and waterways of Ireland, cloaking themselves in invisibility and taking their magic with them. They became the Aos Sí, or the fairy folk, who live on in Irish folklore.

Ireland’s Division

After the battle, the Sons of Míl divided Ireland between Érimón and Éber Donn, each ruling half of the island. This marked the beginning of human dominion over Ireland and the end of the Tuatha Dé Danann’s reign as rulers.

Legacy of the Battle

The Battle of Tailtiu symbolizes the transition from the age of gods to the age of mortals in Irish mythology. It marks the Tuatha Dé Danann’s transformation into the mystical beings of Irish folklore and the rise of the Milesians as the dominant force in Ireland’s legendary history.