Cath Maige Tuired
Two saga texts of the Mythological Cycle of Irish mythology.
The name *Cath Maige Tuired* (modern Irish *Cath Maighe Tuireadh*, meaning "The Battle of Magh Tuired") refers to two separate saga texts from the Mythological Cycle of Irish mythology. Both describe conflicts involving the Tuatha Dé Danann: the first against the Fir Bolg, and the second against the Fomorians.
The Old Irish place name *Mag Tuired* (modern Irish *Magh Tuireadh*, anglicised as Moytura or Moytirra) is thought to mean "plain of pillars" or "plain of towers." It denotes two distinct locations, both in Connacht: one near Cong, County Mayo, on the border with County Galway in the territory of Conmaicne Cuile, and the other by Lough Arrow in County Sligo.
The first text—sometimes called *Cét-chath Maige Tuired* ("The First Battle of Mag Tuired"), *Cath Maighe Tuireadh Cunga* ("The Battle of Mag Tuired Conga"), or *Cath Maighe Tuireadh Theas* ("The Battle of Southern Mag Tuired")—recounts how the Tuatha Dé Danann seized Ireland from the Fir Bolg, who were then living there. The story begins with the children of Nemed, an earlier group of inhabitants, leaving for Greece to escape oppression by the Fomorians. Later, a group of Nemed's descendants, the Fir Bolg, return to Ireland and conquer it, holding it for thirty years until the arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann, another group of Nemed's descendants.
Led by their king Nuada, the Tuatha Dé Danann arrive in Ireland in three hundred ships from the northern islands. The Fir Bolg king, Eochaid mac Eirc, foresees their coming in a dream. Upon landing, the Tuatha Dé Danann burn their ships. Negotiations begin between Sreng, the Fir Bolg champion, and Bres of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Bres demands that the Fir Bolg either fight or surrender half of Ireland. The Fir Bolg choose battle. After a delay to prepare weapons, they meet at the Pass of Balgatan, and the fighting lasts four days. Nuada encounters Sreng, who cuts off Nuada's right hand with a single sword stroke. Still, the Tuatha Dé Danann gain the upper hand. A truce is called, and the Fir Bolg are offered three choices: leave Ireland, share the land, or continue the battle. They choose to fight. Sreng challenges Nuada to single combat. Nuada agrees, but only if Sreng ties one arm to make the fight fair; Sreng refuses. The Tuatha Dé Danann then offer the Fir Bolg one of Ireland's provinces. Sreng picks Cóiced Ol nEchmacht, and peace is made.
Dian Cecht
- field
- Irish mythology, Mythological Cycle
- known_for
- Two saga texts recounting battles of the Tuatha Dé Danann against the Fir Bolg and the Fomorians
- language
- Old Irish (original), Modern Irish
- manuscript_date
- 16th-century manuscript (second text), compiled in 12th century from 9th-century material
Lore & Background
The first text, sometimes called Cét-chath Maige Tuired, relates how the Tuatha Dé Danann took Ireland from the Fir Bolg. It begins with the children of Nemed leaving for Greece to escape oppression by the Fomorians. A group of Nemed's descendants, the Fir Bolg, return and conquer Ireland, occupying it for thirty years until the coming of the Tuatha Dé Danann, another group of Nemed's descendants. The Tuatha Dé Danann, led by their king Nuada, come to Ireland in three hundred ships from the islands of the north. After negotiations fail, battle rages for four days at the Pass of Balgatan. Nuada loses his right hand to Sreng, champion of the Fir Bolg, but the Tuatha Dé Danann gain the ascendancy. A truce leads to the Fir Bolg choosing a province, Cóiced Ol nEchmacht, and peace is made. Dian Cecht makes an artificial hand of silver for Nuada, but because no one with a blemish can rule, Bres becomes king. Seven years later Bres dies, and Nuada, having had his arm replaced, is restored.
Reader's Guide
The second text, Cath Dédenach Maige Tuired, tells how the Tuatha Dé Danann fall under oppression of the Fomorians and fight to free themselves. It expands on references in Lebor Gabála Érenn and the Irish Annals and is one of the richest sources of tales of the former Irish gods. The text is found in a 16th-century manuscript but is believed to be a composite work compiled in the 12th century from 9th-century material. It begins with the first battle and the loss of Nuada's arm, then tells how Bres was conceived from a union between Ériu of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Elatha of the Fomorians. Bres oppresses the Tuatha Dé Danann and is deposed; Nuada is restored. Bres appeals to the Fomorians, and Balor of the Evil Eye raises a huge army. Lugh, another product of a Tuatha Dé Danann and Fomorian union, arrives and is given command. Nuada is killed by Balor, but Lugh kills Balor with his sling. Bres is spared on condition he teach ploughing, sowing, and reaping. Lugh, the Dagda, and Ogma rescue the Dagda's harp, Uaithne. Pádraic Colum adapted the saga into the play Moytura: A Play for Dancers, first performed during the 1963 Dublin Theatre Festival.
Did You Know?
- The Old Irish placename Mag Tuired is believed to mean 'plain of pillars' or 'plain of towers'.
- The first battle tells how Nuada lost his right hand to Sreng, champion of the Fir Bolg.
- Dian Cecht, the god of physicians, made an artificial hand of silver for Nuada.
- The second text is found in a 16th-century manuscript but is believed to be a composite work compiled in the 12th century from 9th-century material.
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