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The doings of the mythical Irish fairy folk and gods, the Tuatha de Danaan, ("people/children of Danu" in Irish; alternative: Tuatha Dé Danann, "People of the god[dess] Dana") are detailed in the 12th century AD Book of Invasions.
Not much is known of the Tuatha de Danaan prior to their invasion of Ireland, other than that they came from four northern cities, Falias, Glorias, Murias and Finias, where they acquired their occult skills and attributes. On arriving in Ireland, on or about May 1, some accounts state that they burned their boats behind them to prevent themselves from being tempted to return; the Book of Invasions states that they wafted in through the air as a host of spirits. Other sources state that they came from the west ( Atlantic Ocean) on clouds.
They then fought two battles, the First Battle of Magh Tuiredh (later Anglicised to the Battle of Moytura ), on the west coast, in which they defeated the clumsy and ill-armed Firbolgs, the indigenous population, and the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh against the Fomorians, after a guerrilla insurrection by the Fomorians. During this battle, King Nuada of the Tuatha de Danaan lost an arm. He was replaced (since he was no longer perfect) by Bres or Lugh. After defeating the Fomorians, the Tuatha de Danaan gave them Connacht and there was some intermarrying. Nuada had his arm replaced by a silver one (made by Dian CechtIn Celtic mythology, Dian Cecht was the god of healing, a son of Danu and Beli. He was the healer for the Tuatha de Danaan. He blessed a well called Slane so that the Tuatha de could bathe in when wounded; they became healed and continued fighting. He mad) and took back the throne after Bres was exiled for his tyranny. BalorIn Goidelic mythology, Balor was the god of death and King of the Fomorians. His father was Buarainech. His wife was Cethlenn. Balor only had one eye which was usually closed; its gaze killed anyone that saw it. According to a prophecy, Balor was to be ki, the god of death, then killed him.
A third battle was fought against a subsequent wave of invaders, the MilesiansIn Irish mythology Milesians or Sons of Mil Espaine (see Milesius) is the name by which the sons and descendants of Mil Espaine were called. They arrived to Ireland during the festival of Beltane, led by Amhairghin ( Amergin). The Milesians defeated the T, from SpainThe Kingdom of Spain is a country located in the southwest of Europe. It shares the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra. To the northeast, along the Pyrenees mountain range, it borders France and the tiny principality of Andorra. It inc (who are thought to have been the Celts), led by King MilesiusIn Irish mythology Milesius (or Mil Espaine, as he is most commonly named) was a descendant of Bregon, who is considered to have been the ancestor of the "first human rulers" of Ireland, thought to be the Celts; according to the legend, the pre-Celtic dwe, who overcame the goddess, ÉriuIn Dal-Riada and Celtic mythology, riu or ri was the personification of Ireland and mother of Bres by Prince Elatha. She was one of the Tuatha de Danann. The name "Ireland" comes from her name. Along with her sisters (daughters of Dagda and Delbaeth), Fod whom the Tuatha de Danaan sent against them. The Milesians were magnanimous in victory and named the island Erin, the dativeThe dative case is a grammatical case for nouns and/or pronouns. The dative generally marks the indirect object of a verb. Other uses include possession, as in Vulgar Latin and, to a lesser extent, Classical Latin; also, in Classical Greek, which has lost form of her name, in her honour. Defeated, the Tuatha were led underground into the Sidhe mounds by The Dagda. Afterwards, they occasionally intervened in human wars on the side of justice and righteousness, armed with invisibility, flaming lances and magical white shields.
The Tuatha de Danaan fought against the witch Carman and her three sons.
Tuatha de Danaan:
The Tuatha de Danaan had four magical treasures: