the Tuatha Dé Danann. These people of the goddess Dana were a cultured and highly civilized race. They were extraordinarily skilled in all measure of arts and crafts specifically including magic and the black arts. So great was their power that subsequent races and peoples who inhabited the earth’s surface regarded them as gods and goddesses.
The Tuatha Dé Danann conquered Ireland well over a thousand years before the birth of Christ. Unlike other conquerors, the Tuatha Dé Danann did not sail to the coast of the country, armed and ready for battle. Rather they arrived in what seemed to be a dark cloud sailing through the air and they landed on a mountain in Connemara. When they blacked out the sun for three days the Firbolgs, who controlled the country at that time had no choice but to fight. A great and famous battle determined the fate of the Firbolgs who fought bravely for four days but in the end, were no match for the magic and skills of the Dé Danann. The Tuatha Dé Danann ruled Ireland for many decades controlling lesser mortals with their amazing power. However, they also shared some of their secret crafts, including the ability to refine metals like bronze and gold, and they introduced science and poetry to the people they ruled.
The Tuatha Dé Danann were regarded as kindly and beneficent rulers and some of the people of Dana even married or had children by lesser mortals. This practice caused a great deal of debate among the elders of the Dé Danann and it ultimately led to the end of their rule in Ireland. These elders were justifiably concerned that if the people intermarried with lesser mortals all of their secrets would be disclosed and they would lose their identity. As a result they would have no power over subsequent invaders.
In time other races, including the Milesians, threatened to conquer Ireland and the Tuatha Dé Danann made a remarkable decision. After a great conference at which everyone had an opportunity to be heard, the majority of the Dé Danann’s adult population decided to withdraw from the human race and create their own world deep under the crust of the earth. This move would ensure that the Dé Danann blood would remain pure and that the secrets of their power would not fall into the hands of people who might misuse these gifts.
A large number of the Dé Danann chose not to withdraw from the surface of the earth and so remained behind. Some had established relationships with other peoples and did not want to leave their husbands, wives or children behind. Others with children believed that regardless of their probable status as a conquered people and no longer the ruling class, the best interests of their children lay in the sunshine and fresh air of the Irish countryside. Still others had grown to accept the cycle of life as is unfolded on the earth’s surface and were content with birth, life, aging and death.
When the Milesians ultimately invaded Ireland, the Tuatha Dé Danann who remained above on the surface of the earth offered only a token resistance against the invasion and were defeated. In time they mixed their blood with that of the Firbolgs, Milesians and subsequent invaders of Ireland. Thousands of years later, traces of that Dé Danann blood are still reflected in the poetic and artistic nature of the Irish people.
The Milesians, who were the forefathers of the Celtic race, conquered Ireland rather easily because the most of the Dé Danann had retreated into a world where they could perfect and practice their arts and skills in peace and security. That world has been the subject of innumerable myths and legends, which became part of the Irish tradition, and they are still discussed three thousand years later. In these Irish legends the world to which the Dé Danann descended became known as the “Land of Youth” or “Tir na nÓg,” a peaceful and beautiful place with no sickness or death where the people were always happy and time stands still. Even in modern
The Tuatha Dé Danann conquered Ireland well over a thousand years before the birth of Christ. Unlike other conquerors, the Tuatha Dé Danann did not sail to the coast of the country, armed and ready for battle. Rather they arrived in what seemed to be a dark cloud sailing through the air and they landed on a mountain in Connemara. When they blacked out the sun for three days the Firbolgs, who controlled the country at that time had no choice but to fight. A great and famous battle determined the fate of the Firbolgs who fought bravely for four days but in the end, were no match for the magic and skills of the Dé Danann. The Tuatha Dé Danann ruled Ireland for many decades controlling lesser mortals with their amazing power. However, they also shared some of their secret crafts, including the ability to refine metals like bronze and gold, and they introduced science and poetry to the people they ruled.
The Tuatha Dé Danann were regarded as kindly and beneficent rulers and some of the people of Dana even married or had children by lesser mortals. This practice caused a great deal of debate among the elders of the Dé Danann and it ultimately led to the end of their rule in Ireland. These elders were justifiably concerned that if the people intermarried with lesser mortals all of their secrets would be disclosed and they would lose their identity. As a result they would have no power over subsequent invaders.
In time other races, including the Milesians, threatened to conquer Ireland and the Tuatha Dé Danann made a remarkable decision. After a great conference at which everyone had an opportunity to be heard, the majority of the Dé Danann’s adult population decided to withdraw from the human race and create their own world deep under the crust of the earth. This move would ensure that the Dé Danann blood would remain pure and that the secrets of their power would not fall into the hands of people who might misuse these gifts.
A large number of the Dé Danann chose not to withdraw from the surface of the earth and so remained behind. Some had established relationships with other peoples and did not want to leave their husbands, wives or children behind. Others with children believed that regardless of their probable status as a conquered people and no longer the ruling class, the best interests of their children lay in the sunshine and fresh air of the Irish countryside. Still others had grown to accept the cycle of life as is unfolded on the earth’s surface and were content with birth, life, aging and death.
When the Milesians ultimately invaded Ireland, the Tuatha Dé Danann who remained above on the surface of the earth offered only a token resistance against the invasion and were defeated. In time they mixed their blood with that of the Firbolgs, Milesians and subsequent invaders of Ireland. Thousands of years later, traces of that Dé Danann blood are still reflected in the poetic and artistic nature of the Irish people.
The Milesians, who were the forefathers of the Celtic race, conquered Ireland rather easily because the most of the Dé Danann had retreated into a world where they could perfect and practice their arts and skills in peace and security. That world has been the subject of innumerable myths and legends, which became part of the Irish tradition, and they are still discussed three thousand years later. In these Irish legends the world to which the Dé Danann descended became known as the “Land of Youth” or “Tir na nÓg,” a peaceful and beautiful place with no sickness or death where the people were always happy and time stands still. Even in modern
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