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Tuatha dé Danaan (people of the goddess Danu) are a mythological race of people or gods in Irish mythology. They are said to be the fifth group to settle in Ireland, on the island of the Fir Bolg.
Legend
According to legend, the Tuatha dé arrived in Ireland on a dark cloud. Some accounts say they arrived on flying ships and in some accounts they burned their ships to prevent retreat, creating a dark cloud. The Tuatha dé Danaan were prevented from landing by an energy field created by the Fomorians. After circling the island nine times they found a break in the field and landed in County Leitrim. The Tuatha dé brought with them four powerful artifacts, the spear of Lugh, which granted victory to its wielder; the stone of destiny (Lia Fail); the sword of Nuada which no one could escape and the Cauldron of the Dagda from which no one could go unsatisfied.
Once in Ireland, the Tuatha dé came into conflict with Fir Bolog. Led by Nuada they fought and defeated them at the first battle of Magh Tuiredh (Moytora). In the process Nuada lost an arm and was replaced by a half Folmorian, Bres. Bres proved a poor and tyrannical leader and Nuada was replaced after gaining a silver replacement arm from skilled physician, Dian Cecht. Cecht's son, Micah, was dissatisfied with the work of his father, and recited a spell which caused flesh to grow over the prosthetic arm. In jealousy, Cecht killed his own son.
The Tuatha dé also came into conflict with the Fomorians whom they engaged at the second battle of Magh Tuiredh and defeated Fomorian warrior Balor. In the process, Nuada was killed by Balor's poison eye. Lugh of the Long Arm killed Balor and took over as king.
The Tuatha dé Danaan fought a third and final battle, against the Milesians. In that war a truce was drawn between the Tuatha de and the Milesians but the Tuatha de sought victory by creating a storm to destroy their enemy at sea. A Milesian poet, Amergin, used his skill at verse to calm the waves and his people defeated the Tuatha dé. Amergin was called on to divide Ireland among their two people. Amergin granted his people the above ground and the Tuatha dé the underground.
The Tuatha dé Danaan were said to be magical people able to manipulate space and time. Only weapons forged of iron could harm them. They became known as people of sidhe (mounds) and faery mounds are said to mark their underground dwellings where they are believed to have retreated after their defeat by the Milesians.
In Fiction
The Tuatha dé Danaan have made several appearances in popular fiction. In the paranormal romance genre, the most popular example is Karen Marie Moning's Highlander and fever series which introduce the Tuatha dé as an ancient and alien race whose ability to manipulate time and space is indistinguishable from magic.
In the DC Comics universe, the Tuatha Dé Danann are one of five ancient Atlantean races, believed to have been lost. They survive in the underwater city of Thierna Na Oge.
See also
External Links
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