Thuatha de Danann Legend

Introduction
Thuatha de Danann is one of Ireland’s ancient great tribes believed to come from regions like Murias, Gorias, Falias and Finias. They refer to people who trace their origin from the goddess of fertility-Danu-who possesses powers that are supernatural. Irish mythology stories that are passed on to generations through poetry and records from Christian monks try to expound on these legends. However, there are many sides of the story making it impossible to categorize either as fiction or a fact. This tribe is believed to have invaded Ireland at a period around four thousand years ago and ruled it (Hull 77).
The divine and human characteristics of Danann tribe
Danann people were skilled in magic, poetry, science, and art. They arrived in Ireland with flying ships that were surrounded by dark clouds. This tribe landed on Iron Mountain after circling Ireland for nine times, and during that period, they covered the sun with the darkness that lasted for three days; this instilled a lot of fear. Moreover, they gave an indication that they were in Ireland to stay. Their arrival with Lia Fail that was able to call out the choosing of rightful kings, Lugh’s spear that brought victory to whoever held it, Dagda Cauldron and Nuada’s sword that produced light like lightening confirmed their divinity (Moritz 82). Additionally, their coming was bizarre and divine which confirmed that they were gods.
The legendary tribe looked different to natives who were dark and small. On the other hand, Dannan people were tall, pale skin, with blonde/red hair and green/blue eyes.

Danann arrival was met by resistance resulting to war. They fought against the ruling tribe known as Fir Bolg, made of pot-bellied people, and who were led by Erc, the son of Eochid, in the first battle. Fir Bolg tribe lost the fight to the invaders making them flee and reside west of Ireland (Ó Néill 372). During that war, Danann king, Nuada Argetlam, had his hand chopped off. This loss cost him a fortune, as his kingship legibility was brought to question. According to Dannan laws, it was a taboo to be ruled by a handicapped ruler. The Dananns proved to be civilized when they possessed established doctrines on leadership; this was among the reasons they conquered Ireland.
Nuada’s lost limb was replaced with silver arm by Dian Cecth, who was a great physician. Later, the limb developed flesh and skin after being treated by Miach, Dian son (Ó Néill 374). This made his kingship legitimate. The success story of Miach healing Nuada was not received well by his father, and due to jealousy, he killed his son because he felt Miach was challenging his career. Nuada later ousted tyrant Bres who had lost people’s confidence after leading them to hunger as well as his oppressive nature. Also, Bres, a descendant from giant primordial Fomorian tribe ganged up his people to retaliate against his ousting. Danann tribe won, though, their King died in the battle making Lugh to be installed as the new king (Hull 77). . However, after the battle Fomorians were allowed to live in Connacht province. The losing of Nuada’s arm and later the death of their king showed their human nature, though it is unnatural that his hand developed flesh and skin.
The glowing claiom solais also referred as sword of light, brought by king Nuada is believed to spare no one once drawn against them. Lugh’s spear made in Gorias northern city by Esras was used to murder the giant king called Balor at Moytura battle; this made Dannan people the undisputed owners of Ireland. Later, Lugh’s spear blinded Airt Cormac making him unfit to rule. Furthermore, Luin cheltchair spear had flames that come out of it which were almost the size of an egg. The flames had the ability to consume the stick and the warrior holding it hence it was necessary for magic to be applied. Cauldron of Plenty vessel made by Semias in Murias Northen city was believed to possess power that was able to restore the dead. Besides, it was said that no one could come to it and leave unsatisfied since it provided food continuously.
The stone of destiny made by Morfessa who was living in Falias was used to confirm the rightful king of Ireland. Cuchullian later broke the stone into two parts as it failed to proclaim him. Tir na Nog, also known as the land of the ever young, was believed to be Danann’s original home, and could only be accessed through the sea via Sidhe mounds gateways. Additionally, the veil separating the two worlds was taken as thin and simply traversable. In Tir na Nog, time was always stand still whereas in mortal world, time passed like lightning flash. Dannans frequently visited the underworld for various reasons, this is evident when Oisin spends three years in magical realm and comes back to realize three hundred years had passed. Surprisingly, he passed on his arrival because age had caught up with him. Danann remained mortal even after visiting the underworld which is a human trait.
Danann people lost two battles to Milesians at Teltown; Milesians were ancestors to current Gaels. Nevertheless, the Ireland’s first Gaels defeated Danann people in military and wits. These defeats were followed by a treaty that required the Danann and the new invaders to share the ruling of Ireland. On the other hand, amergin community of Milesians settled on the grounds that were on the upper side, leaving those on the lower sides to Danann people; this was as well instituted in the treaty (Rosenberg 44). Gaels who had invaded Ireland during the battle were led away through Sidhe mounds by their patron god Manannan, and due to the fact that these invaders had magic that always kept them younger, they went to new domain. Currently, they exist in Ireland as Faery Mounds, something that justifies the existence of modern day legends. As a sign of victory, Melesians decided to name their kingdom after one of Danann gods known as Eriu; which is the modern day Ireland. Gaels are modern times equivalent people narrated by the mythology. It is because their origin and spreading is cloaked in mystery and they were as well known to promote linguistic and broad cultural revival.
The idea of paradise which suggests that no one ages does not hold any meaning since we later discovered that Danann people are mortal. They could not live forever because they would be slain in battles, sickness and other natural courses; one example is where we see Dagda who ruled for eighty years succumbing to an old wound. This is a clear indication that no matter how much credit is given to Danann people, they are more or less this normal people who have good and bad seasons in life.
Work Cited
Ó Néill, Pádraig. “The ages of the world.” Peritia 5 (1986): 369-379.
Moritz, Helen E., and Donna Rosenberg. “World Mythology. An Anthology of the Great
Myths and Epics.” (1987): 82-83.
Rosenberg, Donna. World mythology: an anthology of the great myths and epics. Instructor’s
manual. NTC publishing group, 1995.
Hull, Vernam. “The Four Jewels of the Tuatha Dé Danann.” Zeitschrift für celtische
Philologie 18 (1930): 73-89.