Cath Maige Tuired
Also known as: The Second Battle of Mag Tuired, Cath Maighe Tuireadh, Cath Maige Tuiredh, Second Battle of Moytura
An Old/Middle Irish prose saga recounting the Tuatha Dé Danann’s war against the Fomorians at Mag Tuired. Lugh Lámfada rises to leadership after Nuadu’s maiming, musters craftsmen and gods, slays Balor of the Evil Eye, and frees Ireland from tribute, securing sovereignty and order.
Description
Cath Maige Tuired narrates the climactic conflict between the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians. After Nuadu loses his hand and briefly yields kingship to Bres, the realm suffers oppressive tribute and inhospitable rule. With Nuadu restored by Dian Cécht’s craft, Lugh Lámfada arrives at Tara, demonstrating mastery of every art and uniting smiths, healers, and sorcerers. Portents and river-ford encounters with the war-goddess Morrígan frame the mustering. On the plain of Mag Tuired, the Tuatha deploy enchanted weapons, healing wells, and the unerring spear as Goibniu’s feast sustains them. Lugh kills his grandfather Balor with a sling-cast to the baleful eye; Indech falls, and Bres bargains for his life by yielding agricultural lore. The saga closes with prophetic triumph songs and the restoration of rightful sovereignty, blending warfare, craft, and sacral kingship.
Historiography
The tale survives in later manuscripts, notably Royal Irish Academy 23 N 10 (16th century), though its linguistic stratum indicates earlier composition (Old/Middle Irish, often dated to the 11th–12th century). Modern editions and translations, especially Elizabeth A. Gray’s, consolidate variant readings and supply commentary on diction, law, and ritual elements. The saga is central to the Mythological Cycle, interacting with materials in Lebor Gabála Érenn and related narratives about Lugh. Scholarly reception highlights themes of sovereignty, hospitality norms, and the integration of craft-gods into war ideology.
Date Notes
Likely composed in Old/Middle Irish; principal witness is later (e.g., RIA 23 N 10, 16th c.).
Themes
Archetypes
Major Characters
- Lugh
- Nuada
- Balor
- The Dagda
- The Morrígan
- Bres
- Ogma
Myths
- First Battle of Mag Tuired
- Second Battle of Mag Tuired
- Lugh Slays Balor
- Nuadu’s Silver Hand and Kingship
- The Dagda Recovers His Harp
Facts
- Core saga of the Irish Mythological Cycle centered on Mag Tuired in Connacht.
- Nuadu’s maiming and silver prosthesis catalyze a political crisis and Lugh’s rise.
- Bres’s failure of hospitality exemplifies sacral kingship norms.
- Lugh is portrayed as samildánach, master of all arts and crafts.
- Balor’s baleful eye is neutralized by Lugh’s sling in the climactic duel.
- Goibniu’s feast and the Well of Sláine embody ritual healing and sustenance in battle.
- The Morrígan’s river-ford encounter and victory prophecy frame the conflict mythically.
- Indech’s death and Bres’s ransom link victory with agricultural and legal order.
- Language points to 11th–12th-century composition; transmission is via later manuscripts.
- Modern standard edition/translation is by Elizabeth A. Gray with extensive commentary.