Bard Mythologies

Discovering Ireland's Deep Forgotten Wisdom

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About us
    • An Evolution
    • The Mythic Method
    • Why Myth Matters
  • The Stories
    • Mythological Cycle Stories
    • Ulster Cycle Stories
    • Fenian Cycle Stories
    • King Cycle Stories
    • Voyages and Adventures
    • Bard Reading List
  • Myth and Modernity
    • Immersion 1 – Nine Waves – Introduction to Irish Myth, The Cycles and Silver Branch Perception
      • Wave 1: The Voyage Of Bran
      • Wave 2 – The Cesair Journey
      • Wave 3 – Fintan and the Hawk of Achill
      • Wave 4 – The Settling of the Manor of Tara
      • Wave 5 – Cú Chulainn: Romantic Cultural Hero
      • Wave 6 – Cú Chulainn as a Tragic Hero
      • Wave 7 – Amhairghin and the Arrival of the Sons of Mil
      • Wave 8 – Conaire Mór: The Exemplary King
      • Wave 9 – Niall of the Nine Hostages
    • Myths of the Civil War
    • Immersion 2 – Nine Waves – Myths of the Chosen and Not Chosen People
      • Wave 1 – Birth and Boyhood Deeds of Fionn MacCumhail
      • Wave 2 – Fionn and the Fianna
      • Wave 3 – Oisin and Niamh
      • Wave 4 – Diarmuid and Grainne
      • Wave 5 – Parthalon
      • Wave 6 – Nemed and the Fir Bolg
      • Wave 7 – Balor of the Evil Eye
      • Wave 8 – Cormac MacAirt
      • Wave 9 – Mongan
    • Immersion 3 – Exile, Migration and Return: Voyages and Adventures
      • Wave 1 – Deirdre of the Sorrows
      • Wave 2 – Midir and Etain
      • Wave 3 – The Children of Lir
      • Wave 4 – The One Jealousy of Emer: Cuchulain and Fand
      • Wave 5 – The Voyage of Mael Duin
      • Wave 6 – Brendan The Navigator
      • Wave 7 – The Voyage of Bran
      • Wave 8 – The dream of Oenghus
      • Wave 9 – Brigit and the Tuatha
      • Wave 10 – Columcille and the Celtic Christianity
  • Mythic Matters
    • Global Survey of Irish Mythology
    • Mythic History
    • Mythic Minds
    • Mythic Voices
  • Events
    • Latest Events
    • IMMERSION III: The Fenian Cycle
  • Contact
  • Members
    • My Cart
    • My Account
    • Sign In
    • Register

Nuadhu of the Silver Arm

By Bard Mythologies

Overview

Nuadhu was the King who led the Tuatha Dé Danann into Ireland. He brought the great sword of Nuadhu from which no opponent ever escaped.  This sword was one of the four special gifts the Tuatha brought with them. His army defeated the Fir Bolgs, but he lost his arm in the battle and therefore lost his Kingship, as there was a condition that the King of the Tuatha Dé Danann must be perfect in every way.

Stories of Nuadhu

Nuadhu led the Tuatha Dé Danann into battle and took the land from the Fir Bolgs who resided there at that time. During the first battle of Moytura, his right arm was severed in combat with the Fir Bolg warrior Sreang. Nuadhu asked Sreang to tie up his own right arm to continue with the combat in a fair way but Sreang refused. The Tuatha Dé Danann intervened and offered the province of Connaght to Sreang to save their beloved Nuadhu.

Breas the Beautiful gained the Kingship because of Nuadhu’s imperfection. And while Breas reigned,  Nuadhu’s physician, Dian Céacht, magically fashioned him a silver arm, hence, he became known as Nuadhu of the Silver Arm. However, Dian Céacht persisted with his magic and restored his arm to perfection after an operation that lasted nine days where the physician never left Nuadhu’s side. He was perfect  and eligible to be King again.

At the second Battle of Moytura when the Tuatha Dé Danann went to battle with the Formorians, King Nuadhu gave Lugh authority over his army. At that battle, Nuadhu was slain by the powerful Formorian, Balor of the Evil Eye. When Nuadhu lay dying, the phantom queen, The Morrigán appeared in the shape of a black crow and screamed encouragement at the De Danann troops. Fresh courage was restored and they went on to win the battle. After this the Kingship went to Lugh.

Conclusion

Nuadhu was a wise King who was loved by his people.    His story embodies the idea of the ‘perfection’ in the king.  The fact that he gave up his kingship to Lugh is indicative of a recognition of a code of Sovereignty seen as ‘bigger’ than only one man.

Related posts:

Fintan Mac Bochra and the Hawk of Achill Book of Invasions – 4: The First Battle of Moy Tura The Dagda’s Harp Book of Invasions – 5: The Second Battle of Moy Tura

Filed Under: Irish Character Profiles Tagged With: Mythological Cycle

Listen To The Stories

Join Our Newsletter

Useful Links

Stories
Character Profiles
Ulster Cycle
Fenian Cycle
Mythological Cycle
Kings Cycle

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact

Copyright Bard Mythologies © 2023