THE TUATHA DÉ DANANN.

The next invasion of Ireland was by a mystical race known as the Tuatha De Danann, who are to be distinguished from all other races who invaded and conquered Ireland, for where there is vagueness in Irish tradition concerning individuals of other invading races, there is by contrast a great wealth of detail concerning the heroes and heroines of the Tuatha De Danann.

The Tuatha De are described as physically outstanding; tall, red-haired, fair-skinned, powerful aristocratic and mystical beings who mingled with mortals and yet remained aloof and superior to them. Their principal residences were in and around Brú na Bóinne, the Boyne Valley, where Newgrange and the other great monuments stand today.

According to Lebor Gabála the Tuatha Dé Danann were the progeny of those Nemedians who followed Jobhath, the third son of Nemed, out of Ireland after the Battle of Conann's Tower.

Led by their commander Jarbonel they settled with others of their race near the city of Thebes in Greece, in an area "between the Athenians and the Philistines." Here they practised the arts of sorcery, magic and necromancy; for according to Forus Feasa there arose great conflict between the Athenians and the Assyrians: "…and several battles fought between them. These sorcerers would use their diabolical charms and revive the slain Athenians, and the next day bring them to battle, which so dispirited the Assyrians…"

The Tuatha Dé Danann then wandered across Europe settling first in Scandanavia, and later in Alba (Scotland) and "The Northern Isles".

From Alba they resolved to reclaim Ireland from the Fomor and the Fir Bolg, for Ireland was theirs by right of heredity, their Promised Land. With them they brought four great magical treasures: the Lia Fáil or Stone of Destiny which shrieked under the rightful monarch of Ireland at the time of his coronation; the Spear of Lugh which would brook no defeat of the warrior who wielded it; the Sword of Nuada (Cliamh Solais the Sword of Fire) from which no one could escape once it was drawn; and the Cauldron of the Dagda from which none came away hungry.