The Second Battle of Moytura

The Battle is firmly located in modern-day Moytura, Co. Sligo, a landscape that today is dotted with ancient megalithic monuments including cairns, dolmens, and wedge tombs. The Second Battle of Moytura gives the most revealing insight into the characters of Irish mythology. It tells of the struggle between beneficial and dangerous powers, the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians. The Tuatha Dé king, Nuada, loses his arm in battle and resigns. Breas, the son of a Tuatha woman and Fomorian man, is installed in his place, but he is oppressive and unpopular. The saga tells how he imposes a tax on every home, fails to provide feasts, and is banished. However, Breas regroups and gathers the forces of the Fomorians. Meanwhile, the previous king, Nuada, has his arm replaced by the physician, Dian Ceacht, and is reinstalled.

The character of Balor features in many children's books and fantasy novels, including in this recently illustrated book

Balor on the front cover of this children's book

The character of Balor features in many children's books and fantasy novels, including in this recently illustrated book

The character of Balor features in many children's books and fantasy novels, including in this recently illustrated book

Balor on the front cover of this children's book

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As war looms between the Fomorians and the Tuatha Dé, a handsome and brilliant young stranger called Lugh arrives at the king’s court. Lugh is a smith, a champion, a harpist, a warrior, a poet, a historian, a magician, and a physician – a master of all arts. Lugh leads the forces into battle and engages in a battle with his grandfather Balor, a one- eyed and terrifying giant of the Fomorians. Meanwhile, Breas is captured and offers a constant supply of milk, and promises a harvest of grain in every quarter. Lugh rejects this offer but instead seeks Breas’s advice on ploughing, sowing, and reaping. Lugh was then installed as king of all Ireland.

Multiple theories have been put forward for the myth, including the idea that the secret of agriculture is being wrested from a powerful and reluctant God, a battle of day and life against night and death, and the defeated races representing the fertility of the soil.

Lugh, in particular, is a significant character. Although Lugh is presented as a human, albeit one with superhuman powers, the cult of the God Lugh was known around Europe and seems to have come into Ireland via Gaul (modern-day France) or Britain around the time of Christ. Lugh gives his name to the cities of Lyon, Louth, London, and Lauzan, and may be associated with light (Latin = lux) or oaths (Latin = lugio).

Lugh was of a divine race, a god, a brilliant craft master whose skill ensured the success of agriculture, but his character was also held up as exemplary. He serves as a role model for later heroes, such as Fionn mac Cumhail and, according to tradition, he is the father of CuChulainn of the Ulaidh tribe in the Ulster Cycle, which tells the story of the Red Branch Knights.

Maire Mac Neill 1904-1987

Maire Mac Neill 1904-1987 author of The Festival of Lughnasa, a seminal work in exploring Irish customs, myth and legend.

Courtesy-National Folklore Collection

Maire Mac Neill 1904-1987
Courtesy-National Folklore Collection

Maire Mac Neill 1904-1987

Maire Mac Neill 1904-1987 author of The Festival of Lughnasa, a seminal work in exploring Irish customs, myth and legend.

Courtesy-National Folklore Collection

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Until around the mid 18th century, the harvest festival Lughnasa, celebrated on August 1, was deeply associated with his myth, and folklore scholar Máire Mac Neill records how the day was marked by ritual. Today, the other three quarter days in Irish tradition – Imbolc (St. Brigid’s Day), Bealtaine (May Day), and Samhain (Halloween) are more significant, although some modern neo-pagan communities mark Lughnasagh or Lammas Day as the first harvest, on August 1.