Going Underground
"Going Underground"
Greetings, humans. My name is Danu, but you may call me Dana. I am the
mother of the Tuatha De Danaan. A great race of people known for their
bravery, musical prowess, wizardry, intelligence and beauty. If you
wish to know the origins of the cute little sometimes-menacing faerie of
modern literature, you must look to the people of the Goddess Dana. My
people.
The De Danaan were the fourth wave of invaders into what is now known as
Ireland. They defeated the Fir Bolgs at the First Battle of Mag
Tuired. But before we discuss how the De Danaan came to inhabit
Ireland, let’s discuss some of my people who first walked upon that
enchanted land.
Dagda, the good god, is the greatest of the DeDanaan for his great
knowledge of all things, especially science. Ruad Rofessa, the Lord of
Great Knowledge, is the god of druidism (magic). Dagda’s daughter
Brigid is a poetess, healer and goddess of smithwork. She is also known
as St. Brigid in the Catholic religion. Manannan mac Lir is the god of
the sea and a renown trader. Nuada was the king of the De Danaan when
they came to Ireland and Lugh, son of a De Danaan and a Fomorian, sided
with the De Danaan against the Fomorians in the Second Battle of Mag
Tuired.
During the First Battle of Mag Tuired against the Fir Bolgs, Nuada lost
his arm and was no longer perfect and, therefore, no longer a suitable
king. He relinquished the kingship to his adopted son Bres until the
divine smith Dian Cecht fashioned Nuada a silver artificial arm.
The Second Battle of Mag Tuired, between the De Danaan and Fomorians,
was a great battle between two strong races. The Fomorians were also
known for their great powers and fighting abilities. My people had
formed an alliance with the Fomore before coming to Ireland, and Lugh is
the product of that alliance. The De Danaan prepared for seven years
for that battle and finally won when Lugh decapitated Balor, king of the
Fomorians. Balor’s people were never allowed to settle in Ireland.
Only the Milesians (Celts) ended De Danaan rule at the Battle of
Taillte, where the three De Danaan kings and queens were murdered. It
was at that time that Manannan mac Lir dispersed my people into sidhes
where they ruled the faeries. There they have been since, blissfully
happy and they rarely go above ground, usually only to make mischief
among humans.
Fear not, mortals. Faeries still do exist. You may not see us, but we
are there: when you awake with tangles in your hair, when your garden
blooms the most beautiful it ever has, when the wind seems to sing to
you. And my people, the Tuatha De Danaan, still rule in Tir na nÓg
where all faeries live happily, forever young and immortal. Beannacht
all, from the Goddess Dana.
To the Next Article
LE FastCounter