Irish Mythology and
Celtic Gods of History
The Tuath(a) Dé Danann (Irish: [t̪ˠuəhə dʲeː
d̪ˠan̪ˠən̪ˠ], meaning "the folk of the
goddess Danu"), also known by the earlier name Tuath
Dé ("tribe of the gods"), are a supernatural race
in Irish mythology. They are thought to represent the main deities of pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland. The Tuatha Dé Danann constitute
a pantheon whose attributes appeared in a number of forms throughout
the Celtic world.
The Tuath Dé dwell in the Otherworld but interact with humans and the human world. They are
associated with ancient passage tombs, which were seen as portals to the Otherworld. Their traditional
rivals are the Fomorians (Fomoire), who seem to represent the harmful or
destructive powers of nature, and who the Tuath Dé defeat in
the Battle of Mag Tuired. Each member of the Tuath Dé has
associations with a particular feature of life or nature.
Much of Irish mythology was recorded by Christian monks,
who modified it to an extent. They often depicted the Tuath Dé as kings, queens and heroes of the distant past who
had supernatural powers. Other times they were explained as
fallen angels who were neither good nor evil. However, some medieval writers
acknowledged that they were gods. They also appear in tales set centuries apart, showing them to be immortal.
Prominent members of the Tuath Dé include The Dagda, who seems to have been a chief god; The Morrígan; Lugh; Nuada;
History of the County of
Longford by James P. Farrell was published in 1891 and tells the history of the county from ancient prehistoric
times until the late 19th century.
James P. Farrell claims they
were desdendants of the Milesian conquerors of Ireland who supposedly defeated the mythical Tuatha De Danaan
hundreds of years before Christ. The Milesians are said to have come from Spain . Their ancestor was Ghaedhal or
Gatelus a sixth generation descendant of Noah. Noah is said to have been a ninth generation descendent of Adam the
first man. This reveals the common perception in the 19th century that the Earth was merely a few thousand years
Cistercian Abbey at Abbeyshrule,