Cath Maige Tuired facts for kids

Cath Maige Tuired (pronounced: Cah My-geh Too-red) is the name of two important stories from Irish mythology. These stories are part of the Mythological Cycle, which tells about ancient gods and heroes of Ireland.

The name Cath Maige Tuired means "The Battle of Magh Tuireadh." It refers to two different battles that happened in Connacht, a region in Ireland. The first battle was near Cong, County Mayo, and the second was near Lough Arrow in County Sligo. Both stories are about battles fought by the Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of god-like people. In the first battle, they fought against the Fir Bolg. In the second, they fought against the powerful Fomorians.

Ambassadors of the Fir Bolg and Tuath Dé meeting before the Battle of Moytura, an illustration by Stephen Reid.

What the Name Means

The word Cath is an old Irish word. It means 'battle' or 'fight'. Mag (or Maigh) means a "plain" or a flat area of land.

The word Tuired (or Tuireadh) can mean different things. Some say it means "pillars" or "towers." Others say it means "a lament," which is a sad song or cry.

You might also see Maigh Tuireadh called Moytura or Moytirra in English.

The First Battle of Mag Tuired

The first story is sometimes called "The First Battle of Mag Tuired." It tells how the Tuatha Dé Danann took over Ireland. At that time, the Fir Bolg lived on the island.

The story begins with the children of Nemed. Nemed was an earlier leader in Ireland. His people had to leave Ireland to escape the cruel Fomorians. Later, a group of Nemed's descendants, the Fir Bolg, came back to Ireland. They ruled the island for thirty years.

Then, another group of Nemed's descendants arrived. These were the Tuatha Dé Danann. They were led by their king, Nuada. They came to Ireland in three hundred ships from northern islands. The Fir Bolg king, Eochaid mac Eirc, had a dream that warned him of their arrival.

When the Tuatha Dé Danann landed, they burned their ships. This showed they had no plans to leave. Negotiations began between Sreng, a champion of the Fir Bolg, and Bres of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Bres demanded that the Fir Bolg either fight or give them half of Ireland. The Fir Bolg chose to fight.

After getting their weapons ready, they met at the Pass of Balgatan. The battle lasted for four days. During the fight, Nuada met Sreng. Sreng cut off Nuada's right hand with one swing of his sword. Even so, the Tuatha Dé Danann started to win.

A truce was called. The Fir Bolg were given three choices: leave Ireland, share the land, or keep fighting. They chose to fight again. Sreng challenged Nuada to a one-on-one fight. Nuada agreed, but only if Sreng tied up one arm to make it fair. Sreng refused this condition.

So, the Tuatha Dé Danann offered the Fir Bolg one of Ireland's provinces. Sreng chose Cóiced Ol nEchmacht. After this, the two sides made peace.

After the battle, Dian Cecht, the god of doctors, made a silver hand for Nuada. Because of this, Nuada was called Nuada Airgetlám (Nuada of the Silver Hand). However, the goddess Brigid had said that no one with a flaw could rule the Tuatha Dé Danann. Since Nuada had lost a hand, they had to choose a new king. They chose Bres, who was the son of Elatha, a Fomorian king. Seven years later, Bres died. Nuada, whose arm had been replaced, became king again.

The Second Battle of Mag Tuired

The second story is also known as "The Second Battle of Mag Tuired." It tells how the Tuatha Dé Danann, after taking Ireland, faced trouble. They were oppressed by the Fomorians. This story is about their fight to free themselves. It is one of the best sources of tales about the ancient Irish gods.

The story starts by briefly mentioning the first battle. It talks about Nuada losing his arm and Bres becoming king. Then, it explains how Bres was born. His mother was Ériu of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and his father was Elatha of the Fomorians.

Because of his Fomorian family, Bres treated the Tuatha Dé Danann badly. He made their nobles do hard work. He also demanded heavy payments and was not a good host as a king should be. So, he was removed from power. Nuada, whose arm was now fully healed by Dian Cecht's son Miach, became king again.

Bres asked the Fomorians for help to get his kingship back. His father Elatha refused. But another Fomorian leader, Balor of the Evil Eye, agreed to help him. Balor gathered a huge army.

Meanwhile, Lugh arrived at Nuada's court. Lugh was also born from a Tuatha Dé Danann and Fomorian family. He impressed the king with his many skills. Nuada then gave Lugh command of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

In the battle, Nuada was killed by Balor. But Lugh, who was Balor's grandson, killed the Fomorian leader. Lugh used his sling to smash Balor's deadly eye. The eye went through the back of Balor's head. It caused great chaos among the Fomorian army.

After the battle, Bres was found alive. He was spared on one condition. He had to teach the Tuatha Dé Danann how to farm. This included how to plough, sow seeds, and harvest crops.

Finally, Lugh, the Dagda, and Ogma rescued the Dagda's magical harp, Uaitne. The Fomorians had captured it as they retreated.

Adaptations

• Pádraic Colum turned Cath Maige Tuired into a play. It was called Moytura: A Play for Dancers. It was first performed in 1963.

See also

In Spanish: La batalla de Cath Maige Tuired para niños