Bres facts for kids

In Irish mythology, Bres (also called Bress) was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He was sometimes known as Eochaid Bres. Bres was not a popular king because he seemed to favor his Fomorian relatives.

What's in a Name?

The name Eochu Bres can mean "beautiful horseman." People who wrote down old stories said that Bres meant 'beautiful'. However, this might not be the true meaning. The original meaning of Bres might have come from words like "fight," "blow," "effort," or "uproar."

Who Was Bres?

In some old texts, like the Lebor Gabála and Cath Maige Tuired, Bres is described as very handsome. But he was also seen as harsh and not very welcoming.

However, a poem called Carn Hui Neit describes Bres differently. It says he was "kindly" and "noble." This poem even calls him the "flower" of the Tuatha Dé Danann. It praises him for being:

• gifted with many good qualities
• a master of love-spells
• a kind friend
• noble and lucky
• an ornament to his people
• someone whose face was never sad
• the best of the Tuatha De
• brave and full of courage
• a king with many spears

Bres's Family

In the story Cath Maige Tuired, Bres's father was Prince Elatha. Elatha was from the Fomorians, who were like giants or sea demons. His mother was Eri from the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Another story, The Fate of the Children of Turenn, says Bres's father was Balor of the Evil Eye. Bres grew very fast. By the time he was seven years old, he was as big as a 14-year-old.

Bres's wife was Brigid, who was the daughter of the Dagda. Their son was named Ruadan. Ruadan was later killed by Goibniu.

Bres in Irish Mythology

Becoming King

In the First Battle of Magh Tuiredh, King Nuada of the Tuatha Dé Danann lost his hand. Because he was not "perfect" (missing a hand), he could not be king.

To try and make peace between the Fomorians and the Tuatha Dé Danann, Bres was chosen as king. Brigid of the Tuatha Dé Danann married him. They had a son named Ruadan. Ruadan was later killed while trying to hurt Goibniu.

An Unpopular King

Bres made the Tuatha Dé Danann pay taxes to the Fomorians. He also forced them to work as slaves. For example, Ogma had to carry firewood. The Dagda had to dig ditches around forts.

Bres was also not a good host. The Tuatha Dé complained that when they visited his home, their knives were never greased. Also, their breath did not smell of ale.

Cairbre, who was a poet for the Tuatha Dé, wrote a very harsh poem about Bres. This was the first satire, or mocking poem, ever written in Ireland. After this poem, everything started to go wrong for Bres.

Losing the Throne

Bres ruled for seven years. Then, Nuada's hand was healed. It had been replaced with a silver one by Dian Cecht and Creidhne. But then, Dian Cecht's son Miach, with help from his sister Airmed, replaced it with a hand of flesh and blood.

Because Nuada was now whole again, he became king once more. Bres was sent away from the kingdom. He went to his father, Elatha, to ask for help to get his throne back. But Elatha would not help him. Elatha told him, "You have no right to get it unfairly when you could not keep it fairly."

Bres's father then sent him to Balor. Balor was another leader of the Fomorians, and Bres hoped he would help.

The Second Battle and His Death

Bres led the Fomorians in the Second Battle of Magh Tuireadh. But he lost the battle. Lugh found him on the battlefield without protection. Bres begged Lugh to spare his life. Lugh agreed because Bres promised to teach the Tuatha Dé about agriculture.

However, another story from the dindsenchas tells a different tale of Bres's death. In this version, Lugh killed Bres. Lugh made 300 wooden cows. He filled them with a bitter, poisonous red liquid. This liquid was "milked" into pails and offered to Bres to drink. Bres felt he had to accept hospitality. So, he drank it all without showing any fear, and it killed him. The Lebor Gabála also mentions this event briefly. In that story, the deadly liquid is said to be sewage.