Cath Maighe Tuireadh

Cath Maighe Tuireadh ( Battle of Mag Tured ) is an account of the “mythological Cycle” of the Ireland, in which the war is told to us which opposes the gods of the Tuatha Dé Danann to their enemies the Fomoires. Literally, the title results in battles of the plain of the pillars in reference to the warriors on the battle fields. There exist two versions of this mythical event and two draftings different from the second. This essential text of the Celtic Mythologie was found at the 16th century but it is commonly dated from the 11th century. It is to be put in connection with the Lebor Gabála Érenn who belongs to “Irish Annals”.

Succession of the events

Tuatha Dé Danann live in four islands in the north of the world : Falias from which the talisman comes from the stone of Fal and which is directed by the Druide Morfessa, Gorias, from which the lance comes from Lug and which is directed by the druid Esras, Murias from which the cauldron comes from the Dagda and which is directed by the druid Semias, and finally the island of Findias where the sword of Nuada is and directed by the druid Uiscias it is in these places that they were exerted with Art, that they learned Poetry, wisdom and the druidic Magie. They unload in Ireland come on many boats which they burn, some not to set out again. A battle opposes them to the Fir Bolg during which 100.000 of them lose the life, with their king Eochaid mac Eire.

During the battle, the king of Tuatha Die Danann, Nuada has the cut arm, this infirmity makes it unworthy for the exercise of the sovereignty which is transferred to Bres. Diancecht and Credne Cerd manufactures a silver prosthesis, Nuada is called Airgetlam, “with the money arm”. Bres belongs at the same time to Fomoires and Tuatha Dé Danann: Eriu girl of Delbaeth, looked at the sea when arrived a money boat, it transported the king fomoire Elatha mac Delbaith. Unloaded on the ground of Ireland, it is linked with the young girl who will give rise to Bres. When he becomes king, seven warriors are charged to help it and Dagda builds a fortress to him, Dun mBrese . Its reign is deplorable, the Druide Coipre composes a satire, the first of Ireland, which constrained the king with abdication.

powerful the Dagda is victim of the rapacity of a satirist of Tuatha Dé Danann, Cridenbel, which it constrained to give him a third of its daily food. According to the councils of its son the Mac Oc, it dissimulates three gold coins poisoned in food, which causes the death of the satirist and delivers Dagda of this obligation.

Bres is turned over in his/her father to require an army of him in order to reconquer the country by the force, it sends it at Balor and Indech mac De Domnann, the king of Fomoire; a powerful army is mobilized and is started. During this time, Nuada which recovered its throne gives a sumptuous feast to Tara. One of the two gatekeepers of the city, Camall Mac Riagail, sees a strange crowd advancing. A young warrior carrying a royal crown asks him to announce it at the court, it names Lug Lormansclech, wire of Cian, called Samildanach (Polytechnicien). The gatekeeper asks him which is its speciality because no one cannot enter Tara, if he is not expert in some matter. But each quality advanced by the newcomer, the gatekeeper answers that one does not need him. Finally the warrior then says that he is expert in any thing, the king Nuada orders that one lets it penetrate in the fortress where he is accommodated. He is subjected to various tests which he makes a success of all. After the behavior of a council, Nuada abdicates so that Lug leads the war. The preparations last seven years directed by Goibniu, Credne Cerd and Luchta, the Dagda and Ogme give its armament to the chief.

Dagda meets Morrigan, they are coupled and the goddess proposes to him to destroy Indech mac De Domnann, the king of Fomoire, which is concluded. Incantations are sung against Fomoires. Lug sends Dagda espionner Fomoires and to try to delay them until the arrival of the men of Ireland. It thus goes to the camp enemies and asks them a truce. Knowing that it is very greedy, they manufacture gigantic a porridge and they humiliate it while making him eat the cake in a hole of the ground. If he does not eat it in entirety they threaten to kill it. They can make fun of him because it has the belly as large as a cauldron. After which, it turns over to Traigh Eabha. It meets the girl of Indech with which it makes love. To the end she says that she will obstruct the projection of Fomoires by an incantation.

the two armies arrive for the battle, the men of Ireland are under the protection of Lug which will not fight in person. People of Tuatha are assembled around Lug which requires of Goibniu which force it will give them. He answers them that even if the war lasts seven years, he will give them all the weapons which they will need. Even request with Diancecht which answers that any killed warrior will be ressuscity the following day. Credne Cerd, questioned in its turn, said that it will repair the lances, the swords and the shields. Luchta, Ogme, Morrigan, Coirpre, the wizards, the Druid S, all promise their magic assistance. Lug wishes with each one to have the courage of a king.

the battle engages, Fomoires are valiant, but Tuatha Dé Danann are largely favoured by their magic. The first indicate Ruadan, wire of the goddess Brigit and of the king Bres, to go espionner the gods, then, his submitted report/ratio, one entrusts the mission to him of killing Goibniu. This one is wounded, but a bath in the Fountain of Health cures it. Fomoires then decide to dry up the Drowes river by filling up its stone bed. The day of the great battle arrives, a combat without mercy begins, a true slaughter which gives rise to a river of blood; Fomoires are overcome. Balor is killed by Lug, Bres with the safe life because it delivers secrecies relating to agriculture.

Interest of the text

This account of a mythical war between two people which are not human, is capital for the comprehension of the Celtic Mythologie Irish. The military preparations are the occasion to expose the attributes and functions of the most important gods and a structure in perfect adequacy with the trifonctionnelle ideology of the Indo-Europeans. Lug is the paramount god, called Samildanach (the polytechnician) - it can take up all the duties. Comes then Dagda, druid divine who reigns on the sacerdotal class. For the warlike function, there are Ogme which is the Master of the magic and Nuada which incarnates sovereignty. The class of the producers is represented by Goibniu the blacksmith, Credne the bronzier, and Luchta the carpenter. Intervene for the three Diancecht functions the god-doctor, father of Airmed, Miach and Oirmiach, and the doubles Mac Oc or Oengus. Is present also, Brigit the single goddess of the Celtes and its many misadventures.

Resource

The text of the account can be consulted on this site:

Celtic collective literature

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