Tuatha De Danann

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The Tuatha Dé Danann - Ireland's Greatest Tribe (ireland-information.com)

The Tuatha Dé Danann - Ireland's Greatest Tribe

The Tuatha Dé Danann, the people of the Goddess Danu, were one of the great 

ancient tribes of Ireland. The important manuscript 'The Annals of the 

Four Masters', records that they ruled Ireland from 1897 B.C. to 1700 B.C.

The arrival of the tribe in Ireland is the stuff of legend. They landed at the 

Connaught coastline and emerged from a great mist. It is speculated that they 

burned their boats to ensure that they settled down in their new land. 

The rulers of Ireland at the time were the Fir Bolg, led by Eochid son of Erc, 

who was, needless to say, unhappy about the new arrivals.

The Tuatha Dé Danann won the inevitable battle with the Fir Bolg but, out of 

respect for the manner in which they had fought, they allowed the Fir Bolg to 

remain in Connaught while the victors ruled the rest of Ireland.

The new rulers of Ireland were a civilised and cultured people. The new skills 

and traditions that they introduced into Ireland were held in high regard by the 

peoples they conquered. They had four great treasures (or talismans) that 

demonstrated their skills. The first was the 'Stone of Fal' which would 

scream when a true King of Ireland stood on it. It was later placed on the 

Hill of Tara, the seat of the High-Kings of Ireland. The second was the 

'Magic Sword of Nuadha', which was capable of inflicting only mortal blows 

when used. The third was the 'sling-shot of the Sun God Lugh', famed for its 

accuracy when used. The final treasure was the 'Cauldron of Daghda' from 

which an endless supply of food issued.

The original leader of the Tuatha was Nuada but, having lost an arm in battle 

it was decreed that he could not rightly be king. That honour went to Breas, 

a tribesman of Fomorian descent. His seven year rule was not a happy one 

however, and he was ousted by his people who had become disenchanted 

with hunger and dissent. Nuada was installed as King, resplendent with his 

replacement arm madefrom silver.

Breas raised an army of Fomorians based in the Hebrides and they battled 

with Nuada at Moytura in County Sligo. The Tuatha again prevailed and 

the power of the Fomorians was broken forever. The victory had cost the 

Tuatha their King as Nuadha had died in the battle. A hero of the conflict 

named Lugh was instated as the new King of Ireland.

The grandsons of the next King, Daghda, ruled during the invasion by 

the mighty Melesians. The Tuatha Dé Danann were defeated and consigned 

to mythology. Legend has it that they were allowed to stay in Ireland, 

but only underground. Thus they became the bearers of the fairies of Ireland, 

consigned to the underworld where they became known as 'Aes sidhe' 

(the people of the mound - fairy mounds).

The Melesians used the name of one of the Tuatha Dé Danann gods, Eriu, 

as the name of their new kingdom. Eriu or Eire is still used in modern 

times as the name of Ireland.