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The Tuatha Dé Danann ("peoples of the goddess
Goddess

A goddess is a female deity. Often deities are part of a polytheism system that includes several deities in a pantheon .Common associations of goddesses are the Earth goddess, the Mother Goddess, Love goddess, and the hearth goddess, reflecting historical gender roles....
 Danu
Danu (Irish goddess)

In Irish mythology, Danu or Dana was the mother figure who accompanied The Dagda. The genitive is Danann , and the dative Danainn....
", Modern Irish pronunciation: , Old Irish: ) are a race of people in Irish mythology
Irish mythology

The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology....
. In the invasions tradition which begins with the Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn

Lebor Gab?la ?renn is the Irish language title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish race from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages....
, they are the fifth group to settle Ireland, conquering the island from the Fir Bolg
Fir Bolg

In Irish mythology the Fir Bolg were one of the races that inhabited the island of Ireland prior to the arrival of the Tuatha D? Danann....
.

They are thought to derive from the pre-Christian gods
Deity

A deity is a postulated preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divinity, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by human beings....
 of Ireland. When the surviving stories were written, Ireland had been Christian
Christianity

Christianity is a Monotheistic religion #Christian view religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as New Testament view on Jesus' life....
 for centuries, and the Tuatha Dé were represented as mortal kings and heroes of the distant past, but there are many clues to their former divine status.






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The Tuatha Dé Danann ("peoples of the goddess
Goddess

A goddess is a female deity. Often deities are part of a polytheism system that includes several deities in a pantheon .Common associations of goddesses are the Earth goddess, the Mother Goddess, Love goddess, and the hearth goddess, reflecting historical gender roles....
 Danu
Danu (Irish goddess)

In Irish mythology, Danu or Dana was the mother figure who accompanied The Dagda. The genitive is Danann , and the dative Danainn....
", Modern Irish pronunciation: , Old Irish: ) are a race of people in Irish mythology
Irish mythology

The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branches of Celtic mythology....
. In the invasions tradition which begins with the Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn

Lebor Gab?la ?renn is the Irish language title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish race from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages....
, they are the fifth group to settle Ireland, conquering the island from the Fir Bolg
Fir Bolg

In Irish mythology the Fir Bolg were one of the races that inhabited the island of Ireland prior to the arrival of the Tuatha D? Danann....
.

They are thought to derive from the pre-Christian gods
Deity

A deity is a postulated preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divinity, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by human beings....
 of Ireland. When the surviving stories were written, Ireland had been Christian
Christianity

Christianity is a Monotheistic religion #Christian view religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus as New Testament view on Jesus' life....
 for centuries, and the Tuatha Dé were represented as mortal kings and heroes of the distant past, but there are many clues to their former divine status. A poem in the Book of Leinster
Book of Leinster

MS H 2.18 , or the Book of Leinster , formerly known as the Book of Oughaval , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, Dublin....
 lists many of the Tuatha Dé, but ends "Although [the author] enumerates them, he does not worship them." Goibniu
Goibniu

In Irish mythology Goibniu or Goibhniu was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the Smith of the Tuatha D? Danann. He and his brothers Creidhne and Luchtaine were known as the Tr? D?e D?na, the three gods of art, who forged the weapons which the Tuatha D? used to battle the Fomorians....
, Creidhne
Creidhne

In Irish mythology, Creidhne was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the artificer of the Tuatha D? Danann, working in bronze, brass and gold. He and his brothers Goibniu and Luchtaine were known as the Tr? D?e D?na, the three gods of art, who forged the weapons which the Tuatha D? used to battle the Fomorians....
 and Luchta are referred to as Trí Dé Dána ("three gods of craftsmanship"), and the Dagda
Dagda

The Dagda is an important god of Irish mythology.Dagda can also refer to:*Dagda, Latvia, a city in eastern Latvia*Dagda , an Irish New Age band...
's name is interpreted in medieval texts as "the good god." Even after they are displaced as the rulers of Ireland, characters such as Lugh
Lugh

Lugh is an Irish deity represented in Irish mythology texts as a hero and High King of Ireland of the distant past. He is known by the epithets L?mhfhada , for his skill with a spear or sling , Ildanach , Samh-ild?nach , Lonnbeimnech and Macnia , and by the matronymic mac Ethlenn or mac Ethnenn ....
, the Morrígan
Morrígan

The Morr?gan or M?rr?gan is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to have once been a goddess, although she is not explicitly referred to as such in the texts....
, Aengus
Aengus

In Irish mythology, Aengus aka Aengus ?g , Mac ind ?g , Maccan or Mac ?g is a member of the Tuatha D? Danann and probably a god of love, youth and poetic inspiration....
 and Manannan appear in stories set centuries later, showing all the signs of immortality. They also have many parallels across the Celt
Celt

Celts , is a modern term used to describe any of the European peoples who spoke, or speak, a Celtic languages. The term is also used in a wider sense to describe the Modern Celts of those peoples, notably those who participate in a Celtic culture....
ic world: Nuada
Nuada

In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu , known by the epithet Airgetl?m , was the first king of the Tuatha D? Danann. He is cognate with the Gaulish and Roman Britain god Nodens....
 is cognate
Cognate

Cognates in linguistics are words that have a common etymology origin.An example of cognates within the same language would be English shirt vs....
 with the British
Prehistoric Britain

Prehistoric Britain was a period in the human occupation of Great Britain that was the later part of prehistory, conventionally ending with the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43, though some historical information is available about Britain before this....
 god Nodens
Nodens

Nodens is a Celtic mythology deity associated with healing, the sea, hunting and dogs. He was worshipped in ancient Britain, most notably in a temple complex at Lydney Park in Gloucestershire, and possibly also in Gaul....
; Lugh is a reflex of the pan-Celtic
Celtic mythology

Celts mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, apparently the religion of the Iron Age Celts. Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure....
 deity Lugus
Lugus

Lugus was a deity apparently worshipped widely in antiquity in the Celtic languages-speaking world. His name is rarely directly attested in inscriptions, but his importance can be inferred from placenames and ethnonyms, and his nature and attributes are deduced from the distinctive iconography of Gallo-Roman inscriptions to Mercury , who is w...
; Tuireann
Tuireann

In Irish mythology, Tuireann or Tuirill Biccreo was the father of Creidhne, Luchtaine and Giobhniu by Brigid.His other sons, by his daughter Danand, included Brian , Iuchar and Iucharba, who killed Lugh's father Cian....
 is related to the Gaulish Taranis
Taranis

In Celtic mythology Taranis was the god of thunder worshipped in Gaul, Ancient Britain, and Hispania and mentioned, along with Esus and Toutatis, by the Roman poet Lucan in his epic poem Pharsalia as a Celtic deity to whom sacrificial offerings were made....
; Ogma
Ogma

Ogma or Oghma is a character from Irish mythology. A member of the Tuatha D? Danann, he is often considered a deity and may be related to the Gaulish god Ogmios....
 to Ogmios
Ogmios

Ogmios was a Gaulish deity, who Lucian records was depicted as a bald old man with a bow and club leading an apparently happy band of men with chains attached to their ears from his tongue....
; the Badb
Badb

In Irish mythology, the Badb was a goddess of war goddess who took the form of a crow, and was thus sometimes known as Badb Catha . She often caused confusion among soldiers to move the tide of battle to her favored side....
 to Catubodua
Catubodua

Catubodua is a Gaulish goddess known from a single inscription in Haute Savoie, eastern France. She appears to be identical to the Irish mythology goddess, the Badb....
.

Name

The translation of Tuatha Dé Danann as "peoples of the goddess Danu" is necessarily imprecise. Old Irish tuath (plural tuatha) means "people, tribe, nation"; and dé is the genitive case
Genitive case

In grammar, the genitive case or possessive case is the grammatical case that marks a noun as modifying another noun. It often marks a noun as being the possessor of another noun but it can also indicate various relationships other than possession; certain verbs may take argument in the genitive case; and it may have adverbial uses ....
 of día, "god, goddess, supernatural being, object of worship" (they are often referred to simply as the Tuatha Dé, a phrase also used to refer to the Israelites in early Irish Christian texts). Danann is also a genitive, for which the nominative case
Nominative case

The nominative case is a grammatical case for a noun, which generally marks the subject of a verb, as opposed to its object or other verb arguments....
 is not attested.

It has been reconstructed as Danu
Danu (Irish goddess)

In Irish mythology, Danu or Dana was the mother figure who accompanied The Dagda. The genitive is Danann , and the dative Danainn....
, which by analogy with Anu
Anann

In Irish mythology, Anann was a goddess. ?Anann? is identified as the personal name of the Morr?gan in many MSS of Lebor Gab?la ?renn. With Badb and Macha, she is sometimes part of a triple goddess or a triad#Mythology and religion of war goddesses....
 is taken to be a female name. The name of the river Danube
Danube

The Danube is the longest river in the European Union and Europe's second longest river after the Volga.The river originates in the Black Forest in Germany as the much smaller Brigach and Breg River rivers which join at the eponymously named German town Donaueschingen, after which it is known as the Danube and flows eastwards for a distance...
 is believed to be Celtic
Celtic languages

The Celtic languages are descended from Proto-Celtic, or "Common Celtic", a branch of the greater Indo-European languages language family. The term "Celtic" was used to describe this language group by Edward Lhuyd in 1707, having much earlier been used by Greek and Roman writers to describe tribes in central Gaul....
 in origin, and Celtic river deities are usually female; and Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology

Hindu mythology is the large body of traditional narratives related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and the Puranas....
 has a water-goddess called Danu
Danu (Asura)

Danu, a Hindu primordial goddess, is mentioned in the Rigveda, mother of the Danavas. The word Danu described the primeval waters which this deity perhaps embodied....
, who may be an Indo-European
Proto-Indo-European religion

The existence of similarities among the Deity and religious practices of the Indo-Europeans peoples allows glimpses of a common Proto-Indo-Europeans religion and mythology....
 parallel. However, this reconstruction is not universally accepted. It is also written Donann and Domnann, which may link them with the Fir Domnann
Fir Domnann

Fir Domnann was an ancient Ireland tribe or people located in the west of Connacht, in what is now the Erris Peninsula in County Mayo. In Irish mythology they make up one third of the Fir Bolg....
 ("men of the Domnainn"), a people associated with the Fir Bolg
Fir Bolg

In Irish mythology the Fir Bolg were one of the races that inhabited the island of Ireland prior to the arrival of the Tuatha D? Danann....
 in myth, who are historically attested in Connacht
Connacht

Connacht is the western Provinces of Ireland of Ireland, comprising counties County Galway, County Leitrim, County Mayo, County Roscommon, County Sligo....
 and may be related to the British Dumnonii
Dumnonii

The Dumnonii or Dumnones were a Celtic tribe who inhabited the farther parts of the West Country peninsula of Britain, during the British Iron Age and the early Roman Britain....
.

The Danaan
Achaeans

The Achaeans is one of the collective names used for the Greeks in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. The other names are the Danaans and Argives ....
 Greeks of Homer
Homer

Homer is traditionally held to be the author of the ancient Greek language epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey, as well as of the Homeric Hymns....
's Iliad
ILiad

The iLiad is an electronic handheld device, or e-book device, which can be used for document reading and editing. Like the Sony Reader or Amazon Kindle, the iLiad makes use of an electronic paper display....
 are not known to be connected to the Tuatha Dé Danann. The spelling "Danaan" is a Latinate anglicisation of the Greek ?a?a?? (Danaoi) and its similarity to "Danann" is most likely coincidental.

Legendary history

The Tuatha Dé Danann were descended from Nemed
Nemed

In Irish mythology, Nemed son of Agnoman of Scythia was the leader of the third group of inhabitants of Ireland. They arrived in 24th century BC according to the chronology of the Annals of the Four Masters, 18th century BC according to Seathr?n C?itinn's chronology....
, leader of a previous wave of inhabitants of Ireland. They came from four northern cities, Falias, Gorias, Murias and Finias, where they acquired their occult skills and attributes. They arrived in Ireland, on or about May 1 (the date of the festival of Beltaine), on dark clouds, although later versions rationalise this by saying they burned their ships to prevent retreat, and the "clouds" were the smoke produced.

Led by their king, Nuada
Nuada

In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu , known by the epithet Airgetl?m , was the first king of the Tuatha D? Danann. He is cognate with the Gaulish and Roman Britain god Nodens....
, they fought the First Battle of Magh Tuiredh
Magh Tuiredh

Cath Maige Tuired is the name of two saga texts of the Mythological Cycle of Irish Mythology. The name Mag Tuired means "the plain of pillars" and is English language as Moytura or Moytirra....
 (Moytura), on the west coast, in which they defeated and displaced the native Fir Bolg
Fir Bolg

In Irish mythology the Fir Bolg were one of the races that inhabited the island of Ireland prior to the arrival of the Tuatha D? Danann....
, who then inhabited Ireland. In the battle, Nuada lost an arm to their champion, Sreng
Sreng

In Irish mythology Sreng was a champion of the Fir Bolg or Men of Bolg. In the first Battle of Magh Tuiredh he faced Nuada, king of the Tuatha D? Danann, and with one great blow he cut off half his shield and severed Nuada's arm at the shoulder....
. Since he was no longer perfect, he could not continue as king and was replaced by the half-Fomorian Bres
Bres

In Irish mythology, Bres, aka Eochaid Bres, Eochu Bres , was a king of the Tuatha D? Danann. His parents were Prince Elatha of the Fomorians and ?riu....
, who turned out to be a tyrant. The physician Dian Cecht
Dian Cecht

In Irish mythology, Dian C?cht , also known as Cainte, Canta, was the God of healing to the Irish people. He sired many children, so many if fact that they are not usually listed....
 replaced Nuada's arm with a working silver one and he was reinstated as king. However, Dian Cecht
Dian Cecht

In Irish mythology, Dian C?cht , also known as Cainte, Canta, was the God of healing to the Irish people. He sired many children, so many if fact that they are not usually listed....
's son Miach was dissatisfied with the replacement so he recited the spell, "ault fri halt dí 7 féith fri féth" (joint to joint of it and sinew to sinew), which caused flesh to grow over the silver prosthesis over the course of nine days and nights. However, in a fit of jealous rage Dian Cecht
Dian Cecht

In Irish mythology, Dian C?cht , also known as Cainte, Canta, was the God of healing to the Irish people. He sired many children, so many if fact that they are not usually listed....
 slew his own son. Because of Nuada
Nuada

In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu , known by the epithet Airgetl?m , was the first king of the Tuatha D? Danann. He is cognate with the Gaulish and Roman Britain god Nodens....
's restoration as leader, Bres
Bres

In Irish mythology, Bres, aka Eochaid Bres, Eochu Bres , was a king of the Tuatha D? Danann. His parents were Prince Elatha of the Fomorians and ?riu....
 complained to his family and his father, Balor
Balor

In Irish mythology, Balor of the Evil Eye was a king of the Fomorians, a race of giants. His father was Buarainech and his wife was Cethlenn. According to legend, he lived on Tory Island....
, king of the Fomorians.

The Tuatha Dé Danann then fought the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh against the Fomorians
Fomorians

In Irish mythology, the Fomorians, Fomors, or Fomori were a semi-divine race who inhabited Ireland in ancient times. They may have once been believed to be the beings who preceded the deity, similar to the Greek Titan ....
. Nuada was killed by the Fomorian king Balor
Balor

In Irish mythology, Balor of the Evil Eye was a king of the Fomorians, a race of giants. His father was Buarainech and his wife was Cethlenn. According to legend, he lived on Tory Island....
's poisonous eye, but Balor was killed himself by Lugh
Lugh

Lugh is an Irish deity represented in Irish mythology texts as a hero and High King of Ireland of the distant past. He is known by the epithets L?mhfhada , for his skill with a spear or sling , Ildanach , Samh-ild?nach , Lonnbeimnech and Macnia , and by the matronymic mac Ethlenn or mac Ethnenn ....
, the champion of the Tuatha Dé, who took over as king.

A third battle was fought against a subsequent wave of invaders, the Milesians
Milesians (Irish)

Milesians are a people figuring in Irish mythology. The descendants of M?l Esp?ine, they were the final inhabitants of Ireland, and were believed to represent the Goidelic Celts....
, from the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes modern-day Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar and a very small area of France....
 (present day Galicia and Northern Portugal
Portugal

Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic , is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Located in southwestern Europe, Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east....
), descendants of Míl Espáine
Míl Espáine

In Irish mythology M?l Esp?ine is the ancestor of the final inhabitants of Ireland, the "sons of M?l" or Milesians , who represent the Goidelic Celts....
 (who are thought to represent the Goidelic Celts). The Milesians encountered three goddesses of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Ériu
Ériu

In Irish mythology, ?riu , daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha D? Danann, was the eponymous matron goddess of Ireland. Her husband was Mac Gr?ine ....
, Banba
Banba

In Irish mythology, Banbha, sometimes written as Banba in English, daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha D? Danann, is the patron goddess of Ireland....
 and Fodla
Fódla

In Irish mythology, F?dla , daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha D? Danann, was one of the tutelary goddesses of Ireland. Her husband was Mac Cecht....
, who asked that the island be named after them; Ériu is the origin of the modern name Éire
Éire

?ire is the Irish language name for the island of Ireland and of the Republic of Ireland....
, and Banba and Fodla are still sometimes used as poetic names for Ireland.

Their three husbands, Mac Cuill
Mac Cuill

In Irish mythology, Mac Cuill of the Tuatha D? Danann, was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cecht and Mac Gr?ine killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
, Mac Cecht
Mac Cecht

In Irish mythology, Mac Cecht of the Tuatha D? Danann was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cuill and Mac Gr?ine killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
 and Mac Gréine
Mac Gréine

In Irish mythology, Mac Gr?ine of the Tuatha D? Danann was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cuill and Mac Cecht killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
, who were kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann at that time, asked for a truce of three days, during which the Milesians would lie at anchor nine waves' distance from the shore. The Milesians complied, but the Tuatha Dé Danann created a magical storm in an attempt to drive them away. The Milesian poet Amergin
Amergin

Amergin ['?~?~?????n?] is the name of two poets from Irish mythology....
 calmed the sea with his verse, before his people landed and defeated the Tuatha Dé Danann at Tailtiu
Tailtiu

Tailtiu is the name of a presumed goddess from Irish mythology and the town in County Meath, now called Teltown, that was named after her.According to the Book of Invasions, Tailtiu was the daughter of the king of Spain and the wife of Eochaid mac Eirc, last Fir Bolg High King of Ireland, who named his capital after her ....
. When Amergin
Amergin

Amergin ['?~?~?????n?] is the name of two poets from Irish mythology....
 was called upon to divide the land between the Tuatha Dé Danann and his own people, he cleverly allotted the portion above ground to the Milesians and the portion underground to the Tuatha Dé Danann. The Tuatha Dé Danann were led underground into the Sidhe
Sídhe

In Irish mythology, the aos s? are a magical people of immense power, who commanded abilities that rivaled the gods. These creatures were said to live in an alternate existence on the same dimension as humans, only their world was an invisible one....
 mounds by The Dagda
The Dagda

The Dagda is an important deity of Irish mythology. The Dagda is a father-figure and a protector of the tribe. In some texts his father is Elatha, in others his mother is Ethlinn....
.

The Tuatha Dé Danann fought against the witch Carman
Carman

In Irish mythology, Carman or Carmun was a warrior-woman and sorceress from Athens who tried to invade Ireland in the days of the Tuatha D? Danann, along with her three sons, Dub , Dother and Dian ....
 and her three sons. They are said to have brought chariots and druidry to Ireland.

The Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann

The Tuatha Dé Danann brought four magical treasures
Four Treasures

In the Mythological Cycle of early Irish literature, the four treasures of the Tuatha D? Danann, or hallows of Ireland, are four magical items which the mythology Tuatha D? Danann are supposed to have brought with them from the four island cities Murias, Falias, Gorias and Findias, when they arrived in Ireland....
 with them to Ireland, one apiece from their Four Cities:

  • The Dagda
    The Dagda

    The Dagda is an important deity of Irish mythology. The Dagda is a father-figure and a protector of the tribe. In some texts his father is Elatha, in others his mother is Ethlinn....
    's Cauldron
  • the Spear of
    Spear of Lugh

    In Irish mythology, the Spear L?in or Spear of Lugh is one of the Four Treasures of Ireland .The Spear Luin was originally forged by the god Lugh for use against Balor of the Evil Eye....
     Lugh
    Lugh

    Lugh is an Irish deity represented in Irish mythology texts as a hero and High King of Ireland of the distant past. He is known by the epithets L?mhfhada , for his skill with a spear or sling , Ildanach , Samh-ild?nach , Lonnbeimnech and Macnia , and by the matronymic mac Ethlenn or mac Ethnenn ....
  • the Stone of Fal
    Lia Fáil

    The Lia F?il is a standing stone at the Inauguration Mound on the Hill of Tara in County Meath in Ireland, which served as the coronation stone for the High King of Ireland....
  • the Sword of Light
    Claíomh Solais

    In Irish mythology, Cla?omh Solais was a sword that came from Findais and belonged to Nuada , who was leader of the Tuatha D? Danann and King of Ireland....
     of Nuada
    Nuada

    In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu , known by the epithet Airgetl?m , was the first king of the Tuatha D? Danann. He is cognate with the Gaulish and Roman Britain god Nodens....


Tuatha Dé Danann High Kings of Ireland

The following is a chronology from the Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters

The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of Middle Ages Ireland history. The entries span from the Deluge , dated as 2,242 Anno Mundi to Anno Domini 1616....
; based on reign-lengths given in Seathrún Céitinn's Forus Feasa ar Erinn. Nuada
Nuada

In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu , known by the epithet Airgetl?m , was the first king of the Tuatha D? Danann. He is cognate with the Gaulish and Roman Britain god Nodens....
's original reign is discounted due to the lack of a precise start date.

  • Bres
    Bres

    In Irish mythology, Bres, aka Eochaid Bres, Eochu Bres , was a king of the Tuatha D? Danann. His parents were Prince Elatha of the Fomorians and ?riu....
     AFM 1897-1890 BC; FFE 1477-1470 BC
  • Nuada
    Nuada

    In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu , known by the epithet Airgetl?m , was the first king of the Tuatha D? Danann. He is cognate with the Gaulish and Roman Britain god Nodens....
     AFM 1890-1870 BC; FFE 1470-1447 BC
  • Lugh
    Lugh

    Lugh is an Irish deity represented in Irish mythology texts as a hero and High King of Ireland of the distant past. He is known by the epithets L?mhfhada , for his skill with a spear or sling , Ildanach , Samh-ild?nach , Lonnbeimnech and Macnia , and by the matronymic mac Ethlenn or mac Ethnenn ....
     AFM 1870-1830 BC; FFE 1447-1407 BC
  • Eochaid Ollathair
    The Dagda

    The Dagda is an important deity of Irish mythology. The Dagda is a father-figure and a protector of the tribe. In some texts his father is Elatha, in others his mother is Ethlinn....
     AFM 1830-1750 BC; FFE 1407-1337 BC
  • Delbáeth
    Delbáeth

    In Irish mythology Delb?eth was the son of either Aengus or Ogma of the Tuatha D? Danann, and Ethniu of the Fomorians. He succeeded his grandfather Eochaid Ollathair, aka the Dagda, as High King of Ireland....
     AFM 1750-1740 BC; FFE 1337-1327 BC
  • Fiacha AFM 1740-1730 BC; FFE 1327-1317 BC
  • Mac Cuill
    Mac Cuill

    In Irish mythology, Mac Cuill of the Tuatha D? Danann, was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cecht and Mac Gr?ine killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
    , Mac Cecht
    Mac Cecht

    In Irish mythology, Mac Cecht of the Tuatha D? Danann was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cuill and Mac Gr?ine killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
     and Mac Gréine
    Mac Gréine

    In Irish mythology, Mac Gr?ine of the Tuatha D? Danann was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cuill and Mac Cecht killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
     AFM 1730-1700 BC; FFE 1317-1287 BC


Tuatha Dé Danann family tree

The following table is based on the genealogies given by Seathrún Céitinn and in the Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn

Lebor Gab?la ?renn is the Irish language title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish race from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages....
, and references in Cath Maige Tuireadh. It is not clear whether the various Elathas and Delbáeths are meant to be different figures of the same name or different traditions regarding the genealogy of the same figure. It is also notable that Fomorians
Fomorians

In Irish mythology, the Fomorians, Fomors, or Fomori were a semi-divine race who inhabited Ireland in ancient times. They may have once been believed to be the beings who preceded the deity, similar to the Greek Titan ....
 such as Elatha and Balor are closely related to the Tuatha Dé.

Agnoman of Scythia
Scythia

The Scythians or Scyths were an Eastern Iranian languages of Equestrianism nomadic pastoralists who dominated the Pontic steppe throughout Classical Antiquity....
 | Nemed
Nemed

In Irish mythology, Nemed son of Agnoman of Scythia was the leader of the third group of inhabitants of Ireland. They arrived in 24th century BC according to the chronology of the Annals of the Four Masters, 18th century BC according to Seathr?n C?itinn's chronology....
 | Iarbonel Faidh | Beothach | Iobáth | Enna | Tabarn | Tat ____________________________________|__________________________________ | | Allai Indai | __________________________|__________________________ | | | Orda Nét
Neit

In Irish mythology Neit was a god of war. He was the husband of Nemain, and sometimes of Badb. Also grandfather of Balor, he was killed at the legendary Second Cath_Maige_Tuired....
  Elatha
Elatha

In Irish mythology, Elatha was a prince of the Fomorians and the father of Bres by ?riu of the Tuatha D? Danann. The imagery surrounding him suggests he may once have been a moon god....
 | ____________________|______________________________________________ | | | | | | Etarlám Esar Brec DelbáethDot Bres
Bres

In Irish mythology, Bres, aka Eochaid Bres, Eochu Bres , was a king of the Tuatha D? Danann. His parents were Prince Elatha of the Fomorians and ?riu....
 | | | | | | | | EochaidDian Cecht
Dian Cecht

In Irish mythology, Dian C?cht , also known as Cainte, Canta, was the God of healing to the Irish people. He sired many children, so many if fact that they are not usually listed....
  ElathaBalor
Balor

In Irish mythology, Balor of the Evil Eye was a king of the Fomorians, a race of giants. His father was Buarainech and his wife was Cethlenn. According to legend, he lived on Tory Island....
 | | | | | ___________|____________________________|______________________ | Nuada
Nuada

In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu , known by the epithet Airgetl?m , was the first king of the Tuatha D? Danann. He is cognate with the Gaulish and Roman Britain god Nodens....
  | | | | || | | | | | (Elcmar
Elcmar

In Irish mythology, Elcmar was the husband of Boann. He may be Nuada under another name....
) Cu Cethen Cian
Cian

In Irish mythology, Cian , son of Dian Cecht of the Tuatha D? Danann, is best known as the father of Lugh by the Fomorian princess Ethniu.He was born with a caul on his head, and was turned into a pig as a boy when struck by a druid's wand....
 Miach
Miach

In Irish mythology, Miach was a son of Dian Cecht of the Tuatha D? Danann. He replaced the silver arm his father made for Nuada with an arm of flesh and blood; Dian Cecht killed him out of jealousy for being able to do so when he himself could not....
 Airmed
Airmed

In Irish mythology, the goddess Airmed was one of the Tuatha D? Danann. With her father Dian Cecht and brother Miach, she healed those injured in the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh....
  Dagda
Dagda

The Dagda is an important god of Irish mythology.Dagda can also refer to:*Dagda, Latvia, a city in eastern Latvia*Dagda , an Irish New Age band...
  Fiacha Delbáeth Ogma
Ogma

Ogma or Oghma is a character from Irish mythology. A member of the Tuatha D? Danann, he is often considered a deity and may be related to the Gaulish god Ogmios....
  Allód Ethniu
Ethniu

Ethniu , Eithne , in Irish mythology, is the daughter of the Fomorians leader Balor, and the mother of Lugh.Her union with Lugh's father, Cian of the Tuatha D? Danann, is presented in early texts as a simple dynastic marriage, but later folkore preserves a more involved tale, similar to the birth of Perseus in Greek mythology....
 (Nechtan
Nechtan

Nechtan, Nectan or Neithon may refer to:Kings:* Nechtan Morbet , king of the Picts* Nechtan nepos Uerb , king of the Picts* Nechtan mac Der-Ilei , king of the Picts...
)| | | | | (Lir
Lir

In Irish mythology, Lir or Ler was the god of the sea, father of Manannan mac Lir, and a son of Elatha. In early genealogies, he is named All?d, and corresponds to Llyr in Welsh mythology....
) _____|____| | _____________|____________| | | ||| | | | | | || | | Etarlám Nemain
Nemain

In Irish mythology, Nemain is the fairy spirit of the frenzied havoc of war, and possibly an aspect of the Morr?gan....
  Bec-Felmas Lug
Lugh

Lugh is an Irish deity represented in Irish mythology texts as a hero and High King of Ireland of the distant past. He is known by the epithets L?mhfhada , for his skill with a spear or sling , Ildanach , Samh-ild?nach , Lonnbeimnech and Macnia , and by the matronymic mac Ethlenn or mac Ethnenn ....
  Cermait
Cermait

In Irish mythology, Cermait of the Tuatha D? Danann was a son of the Dagda. He was known by the epithet Milb?l . He was killed by Lugh after he had an affair with Lug's wife....
 Aengus
Aengus

In Irish mythology, Aengus aka Aengus ?g , Mac ind ?g , Maccan or Mac ?g is a member of the Tuatha D? Danann and probably a god of love, youth and poetic inspiration....
 Bodb
Bodb

Bodb may refer to:* Bodb Derg, Goidelic god* Badb, goddess...
 Midir
Midir

In Irish mythology Midir was a son of the Dagda of the Tuatha D? Danann. After the Tuatha D? were defeated by the Milesians , he lived in the sidh of Bri Leith....
 Brigid
Brigid

Brigit or Brighid , is a figure in Irish mythology, and as such was likely an Irish goddess worshipped in Celtic polytheism. In mythology, she was the daughter of the Dagda, and it thus known for this....
  Boann
Boann

Boann is the Irish mythology goddess of the River Boyne, a river in Leinster, Ireland. According to the Lebor Gab?la ?renn she was the daughter of Delb?eth, son of Elatha, of the Tuatha D? Danann....
  Delbáeth
Delbáeth

In Irish mythology Delb?eth was the son of either Aengus or Ogma of the Tuatha D? Danann, and Ethniu of the Fomorians. He succeeded his grandfather Eochaid Ollathair, aka the Dagda, as High King of Ireland....
  Manannan | | | (Tuireann
Tuireann

In Irish mythology, Tuireann or Tuirill Biccreo was the father of Creidhne, Luchtaine and Giobhniu by Brigid.His other sons, by his daughter Danand, included Brian , Iuchar and Iucharba, who killed Lugh's father Cian....
) | |_________|_________ ______________________|__________________________________ | |||| | | | | | | | | | Ernmas
Ernmas

Ernmas is an Irish mythology mother goddess, mentioned in Lebor Gab?la ?renn and "Cath Maige Tuired" as one of the Tuatha D? Danann. Her daughters include the trinity of eponymous Irish goddesses ?riu, Banba and F?dla, the trinity of war goddesses the Badb, Macha and the M?rr?gan , and also a trinity of sons, Glonn, Gnim, and Coscar....
  Abean
Abhean

In Irish mythology, Abhean son of Bec-Felmas was a filid of the Tuatha D? Danann, and in particular of Lugh. He was killed by Aengus in front of Midir, according to a poem by Fland Mainistreach in Lebor Gab?la ?renn....
  MacCuill
Mac Cuill

In Irish mythology, Mac Cuill of the Tuatha D? Danann, was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cecht and Mac Gr?ine killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
 MacCecht
Mac Cecht

In Irish mythology, Mac Cecht of the Tuatha D? Danann was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cuill and Mac Gr?ine killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
 MacGréine
Mac Gréine

In Irish mythology, Mac Gr?ine of the Tuatha D? Danann was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda.He and his brothers Mac Cuill and Mac Cecht killed Lugh in revenge for their father....
  Fiacha Brian
Brian (mythology)

In Celtic mythology, and especially in Scotland, Brian was a pompous man who helped Cailleach rescue De?-ghr?ine. He was a son of Tuireann, and brother to Iuchar and Iucharba ....
 Iuchar
Iuchar

In Irish mythology Iuchar was one of the sons of Tuireann, of the Tuatha D? Danann, and Danand. He and his two brothers Brian and Iucharba murdered Cian, the father of Lugh, one of the greatest of the Tuatha D? Danann....
 Iucharba
Iucharba

In Irish mythology, Iucharba was one of the sons of Tuireann, of the Tuatha D? Danann, and Danand. He and his two brothers Brian and Iuchar murdered Cian, the father of Lugh, one of the greatest of the Tuatha D? Danann....
 Danand
Danand

In Irish mythology, Danand, the daughter of Delb?eth, son of Ogma, is often confused with the similarly named Danu , the primordial mother. This confusion is set straight in the following passage from Mythical Ireland:...
 Goibniu
Goibniu

In Irish mythology Goibniu or Goibhniu was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the Smith of the Tuatha D? Danann. He and his brothers Creidhne and Luchtaine were known as the Tr? D?e D?na, the three gods of art, who forged the weapons which the Tuatha D? used to battle the Fomorians....
 Credne
Creidhne

In Irish mythology, Creidhne was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the artificer of the Tuatha D? Danann, working in bronze, brass and gold. He and his brothers Goibniu and Luchtaine were known as the Tr? D?e D?na, the three gods of art, who forged the weapons which the Tuatha D? used to battle the Fomorians....
 Luchta Ollam |__________________ | ||| | Ériu
Ériu

In Irish mythology, ?riu , daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha D? Danann, was the eponymous matron goddess of Ireland. Her husband was Mac Gr?ine ....
  = Badb
Badb

In Irish mythology, the Badb was a goddess of war goddess who took the form of a crow, and was thus sometimes known as Badb Catha . She often caused confusion among soldiers to move the tide of battle to her favored side....
  | Aoi
Aoi Mac Ollamain

Aoi Mac Ollamain or Ai Mac Ollamain is a god of poetry and one of the Tuatha D? Danann in Irish mythology. Ai is the son of Olloman, who saved him from the king's decree that Aoi be killed, a decree made response to a druid's prediction that Aoi would be born with special powers....
 Banba
Banba

In Irish mythology, Banbha, sometimes written as Banba in English, daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha D? Danann, is the patron goddess of Ireland....
  = Macha
Macha

Macha is the name of a goddess and several other characters in Irish mythology.Macha can also mean:*The L? Macha , a ship in the Irish Naval Service, named for the goddess...
  | Fódla
Fódla

In Irish mythology, F?dla , daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha D? Danann, was one of the tutelary goddesses of Ireland. Her husband was Mac Cecht....
 = Mórrígan
Morrígan

The Morr?gan or M?rr?gan is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to have once been a goddess, although she is not explicitly referred to as such in the texts....
 = Anu
Anann

In Irish mythology, Anann was a goddess. ?Anann? is identified as the personal name of the Morr?gan in many MSS of Lebor Gab?la ?renn. With Badb and Macha, she is sometimes part of a triple goddess or a triad#Mythology and religion of war goddesses....
 Other members of the Tuatha Dé Danann include:

  • Abartach
    Abartach

    In Irish mythology, Abartach or Abarta was one of the Tuatha D? Danann. He was also known as the Giolla Deacair and was associated with Fionn mac Cumhaill....
  • Beag
    Beag

    In Irish mythology, the goddess Beag was one of the Tuatha D? Danann. She was known for having a magic well....
  • Bé Chuille
    Bé Chuille

    B? Chuille, also known as Becuille and B? Chuma, is one of the Tuatha D? Danann in Irish mythology. In a tale from the Metrical Dindshenchas, she is a good sorceress who joins three other of the Tuatha D? to defeat the evil Greece witch Carman....
  • Brea
    Brea (mythology)

    In Irish mythology, the god Brea was one of the Tuatha D? Danann. He fathered a son with a beautiful peasant girl with elf like qualities. On his birth his father named the boy Negraf Eimaj which translated means 'Courage and Power'....
  • Fand
    Fand

    Fand is an early Irish mythology sea goddess, later described as a "Queen of the Fairy". Her name is variously translated as "Pearl of Beauty" or "A Tear"....


See also

  • Dingle Diamond
    Dingle Diamond

    The Dingle Diamond was a temple allegedly constructed by the Tuatha De Danaan using sacred geometry in the hills of the Dingle Peninsula, West Kerry, Ireland....


External links

  • From "On the Ancient Races of Ireland" by Sir William Wilde