| The Tuatha De Dannan are a race of people in Irish | | | | challenge was to repel the Milesian invasion, the |
| mythology, they are thought to have derived from the | | | | Milesians came from present day Galicia and Northern |
| pre-Christian Gods of Ireland. However, the sources | | | | Portugal. The Milesians encountered three goddesses |
| that survive containing accounts of them were written | | | | of the Tuatha De Dannan; Eiru, Banba and Fodla who |
| in the Christian era and their divine status is exchanged | | | | requested that island be named after them, Eiru is the |
| for mortal kings, heroes and warriors. Tuatha De | | | | origin of modern name Eire and Banba and Fodla are |
| Dannan is translated as 'the people of the goddess | | | | often used in poetry when referring to Ireland. Their |
| Danu', led by their King Nuada they arrived in Ireland | | | | three husbands MacCuill, MacGreine and MacCecht |
| c.1500BC displacing the existing Fir Bolg. During the | | | | brew up a mighty storm to displace the Milesian ships |
| Battle of Magh Tuiredh, Nuada had his arm chopped | | | | but their great poet, Amergin chanted verse to calm |
| off, being no longer perfect, he was replaced by the | | | | the waves allowing the Milesians to land and defeat |
| Fomorian Bres who terrorised the population. The | | | | the Tuatha De Dannan at the Battle of Tailtiu. As part |
| physician Dian Cecht replaced Nuada's arm with a | | | | of their surrender terms the Tuatha De Dannan were |
| working silver prosthetic one and his son recited a spell | | | | banished underground to dwell in the sidhe which are |
| and flesh grew on the silver arm (Dian Cecht later | | | | the hills or earthen mounds that dot the Irish landscape. |
| slew his son in a jealous rage) and Nuada regained his | | | | These underground strongholds were seen as |
| throne. The Tuatha De Dannan then fought the | | | | gateways to the otherworld or underworld. |
| Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh against the | | | | Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring |
| Formorians, Nuada was killed by the evil eye of Balor | | | | Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private |
| but Lugh of the Tuatha De Dannan in turn slew Balor | | | | escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent |
| and took over as king.The Tuatha De Dannan's next | | | | self drive tours of Ireland. |