The Tuatha Dé Danann, which means “the people of the goddess Danu” in Old Irish, are a group of supernatural beings who are said to be the descendants of the goddess Danu and her consort Bile. They are also known as the Aos Sí (Áes Sídhe), which means “the people of the mounds” or “the fairy folk” in modern Irish. The Tuatha Dé Danann are considered to be the fifth group of invaders who came to Ireland, after the Partholónians, the Nemedians, the Fir Bolg, and the Fomorians.
The Tuatha Dé Danann are one of the most important and influential groups in Irish mythology, appearing in many stories and cycles such as the Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle, and the Fenian Cycle. As such, they are associated with various aspects of life, such as nature, magic, art, war, sovereignty, and the afterlife. They are also revered as the ancestors and patrons of many Irish clans and families.
—>The Sidhe refers to the fairy folk or spirits of the Otherworld in Irish folklore. The Tuatha Dé Danann are often associated with the Sidhe, indicating a connection between these mythical beings and the Otherworld.
The Arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann
According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, or the Book of Invasions, the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived in Ireland on the first of May, or Beltane, a festival that marks the beginning of summer. They came from four cities in the north, namely Falias, Gorias, Murias, and Finias, where they learned various skills and crafts from four wise masters.
They brought with them four magical treasures: the Stone of Fal (Lia Fáil), the Spear of Lugh, the Sword of Nuada (Fragarach), and the Cauldron of Dagda. They entered Ireland in a magical mist and, to demonstrate their commitment, burned their ships.
When the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived in Ireland, they encountered the Fir Bolg, who were the previous inhabitants of the land. The Tuatha Dé Danann offered to divide the island equally with them, but the Fir Bolg refused. This led to a battle at Mag Tuired, or Moytura, where the Tuatha Dé Danann emerged victorious after a fierce fight. However, they also faced the threat of the Fomorians, who were a race of monstrous and chaotic beings who lived in the sea.
The Fomorians demanded tribute and oppressed the Tuatha Dé Danann until they were finally defeated by them in the second battle of Mag Tuired, where the Tuatha Dé Danann’s champion, Lugh, killed the Fomorian king, Balor. After these battles, the Tuatha Dé Danann enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity in Ireland until the arrival of the Milesians, or the Gaels, who were the ancestors of the Irish people.
Notable Members of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Dagda: The Great Father
In Old Irish, Dagda, meaning “the good god” or “the great father,” stands as one of the most powerful and pivotal members of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Functioning as the tribe’s leader, he assumes the role of a father to many other gods and goddesses, including Brigid, Aengus, Bodb, and Ogma. Associated with fertility, abundance, wisdom, and magic, Dagda possesses a club capable of both taking life and restoring it, a harp that wields control over seasons and emotions, and a cauldron that generously provides food and drink for all. Typically depicted as a sizable and genial figure adorned in a hooded cloak and a belt of gold.
Morrígan: Goddess of Fate and War
Morrígan, which means “the great queen” or “the phantom queen” in Old Irish, is a goddess of fate, war, sovereignty, and death. Also known as the Badb, the Macha, and the Nemain, which represent her different aspects or manifestations, Morrígan is a shapeshifter capable of taking the form of a crow, a wolf, an eel, or a woman.
By influencing the outcome of battles by inspiring fear, courage, or confusion in the warriors, she can also foretell the future and the doom of the heroes. Often depicted as a beautiful and fierce woman donning a red cloak and carrying a spear, Morrígan’s presence is multifaceted.
Lugh: Master of Skills
Lugh, which means “the shining one” or “the flash of light” in Old Irish, is a god of many skills and talents, such as craftsmanship, poetry, music, healing, and martial arts. Known as Lugh Lámhfhada, which means “Lugh of the Long Arm,” or Lugh Samildánach, which means “Lugh the Skilled in All Arts,” he is the son of Ethniu, a Fomorian princess, and Cian, a Tuatha Dé Danann warrior.
Furthermore, Lugh is the father of Cú Chulainn, the hero of the Ulster Cycle, and the owner of the Spear of Lugh, one of the four magical treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann. This spear never misses its target and always returns to its owner. Depicted as a young and handsome man who wears a green cloak and a silver torc, Lugh holds a significant place in Celtic mythology.
Tuatha Dé Danann’s Realm and Realms of Influence
The Tuatha Dé Danann are said to reside in the Otherworld, a parallel dimension existing alongside the human world. This realm is characterized by beauty, abundance, and magic, where time flows differently and the seasons are eternally pleasant. Accessible through various portals like lakes, rivers, caves, hills, or mounds—known as sídhe or fairy mounds in Irish folklore—the Otherworld serves as the Tuatha Dé Danann’s domain. Each member often has a residence named after them, such as Brú na Bóinne, the palace of Dagda, or Brí Léith, the hill of Midir.
Closely tied to nature, magic, and the Otherworld, the Tuatha Dé Danann act as guardians and patrons of various natural elements, including fire, water, earth, and air. They serve as the sources and instructors of various magical arts such as druidry, enchantment, healing, and prophecy. Additionally, they rule and inhabit the Otherworld, recognized as the realm of ancestors, spirits, and fairies. Through these connections, the Tuatha Dé Danann can influence and interact with the human world, either providing assistance or posing obstacles, depending on their will and mood.
Tuatha Dé Danann in Irish Folklore and Culture
The Tuatha Dé Danann have left a lasting legacy in Irish folklore and culture. They are the protagonists and antagonists of many folktales and legends, which are often based on or inspired by ancient myths. Some of these stories include the adventures of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna, the exploits of Cú Chulainn and the Red Branch, the romance of Diarmuid and Gráinne, and the tragedy of Deirdre and Naoise.
These stories are part of the oral tradition of Ireland, which has been passed down from generation to generation and has been recorded and preserved by various writers and collectors, such as Lady Gregory, W.B. Yeats, and Seamus Heaney.
Cultural Representations and Celebrations
The Tuatha Dé Danann exerts a profound influence on various aspects of Irish culture, including art, music, literature, and festivals. Their images, stories, and symbols serve as subjects and inspirations for diverse artistic works, spanning paintings, sculptures, poems, songs, novels, and films. Additionally, the Tuatha Dé Danann actively engage in cultural events, participating as both patrons and inspirations. These events encompass feasts, games, rituals, and ceremonies, all dedicated to honoring their names, attributes, and deeds.
Some of these events include Imbolc, the festival of Brigid; Lughnasadh, the festival of Lugh; Samhain, the festival of the dead; and Beltane, the festival of fire.
Decline and Transformation of the Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuatha Dé Danann’s decline and transformation are attributed to the arrival of the Milesians, or the Gaels, who were the ancestors of the Irish people. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, the Milesians came from Spain and landed in Ireland, where they encountered the Tuatha Dé Danann. The Milesians challenged the Tuatha Dé Danann to a battle for the sovereignty of the land, which the Tuatha Dé Danann accepted. The two groups agreed to a fair contest where the Milesians would sail back to the sea and return to the shore under Tuatha Dé Danann’s magic.
However, the Tuatha Dé Danann used their powers to create a storm and a mist to prevent the Milesians from landing. The Milesians, however, managed to overcome the obstacles with the help of their poet, Amergin, who invoked the spirit of the land and the sea. The Milesians finally reached the shore and fought the Tuatha Dé Danann in three battles, where they killed three of their kings, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, and Mac Gréine. The Tuatha Dé Danann were defeated and forced to surrender the land to the Milesians.
Symbolism and Transformation in Irish Myth
The Tuatha Dé Danann’s decline and transformation are also symbolic and metaphorical in Irish myth. They represent the transition from the old to the new, from the pagan to the Christian, from the magical to the mundane. The Tuatha Dé Danann are not completely destroyed or annihilated by the Milesians, but rather they retreat and withdraw to the Otherworld, where they still exist and influence the human world.
They also undergo a transformation from gods and goddesses to fairies and spirits, who are more ambiguous and elusive in their nature and role. The Tuatha Dé Danann are thus both the predecessors and the successors of the Irish people, who share a common ancestry and destiny with them.
Modern Interpretations and Relevance
The Tuatha Dé Danann have inspired and influenced many contemporary artists and writers, who have reimagined and reinvented their stories and characters in various forms and genres. Some examples of these works are:
- The Chronicles of Prydain, a series of fantasy novels by Lloyd Alexander, features Tuatha Dé Danann as the Children of Llyr, who are the allies of the protagonist, Taran.
- The Iron Druid Chronicles, a series of urban fantasy novels by Kevin Hearne, features Tuatha Dé Danann as the Irish pantheon, who are involved in the affairs of the protagonist, Atticus O’Sullivan, a druid who can communicate with them.
- The Witches of Eileanan, a series of fantasy novels by Kate Forsyth, features Tuatha Dé Danann as the Fairgean, who are the enemies of the protagonist, Isabeau, a witch who fights against their tyranny.
- The Morrigan’s Curse, a novel by Dianne K. Salerni, features Tuatha Dé Danann as the Sidhe, who are the antagonists of the protagonist, Jax, a boy who is cursed by the Morrigan.