The Mythology Book

164

See also: The war of the gods and Titans 28–29 ■ The treasures of the

gods 144–45 ■ Izanagi and Izanami 220–21 ■ The night barque of Ra 272–75

T

he Dagda acted as both

father-god and provider for

the Tuatha Dé Danann, a

race of divine beings who were the

mythical inhabitants of Ireland

before the Celts. Children of the

goddess Danu, they settled there in

the 9th century bce and brought

talismans with them, including the

Dagda’s Cauldron—an enormous,

endlessly replenishing source of

food and drink.

A god with two sides

While the Dagda’s name meant the

“good god,” his portrayal is more

complex. He was celebrated for his

wisdom, magical powers, and

physical prowess, but also depicted

as a crude comic figure whose

tunic was too short. Along with his

cauldron of plenty, he carried a

magical club; one end killed people,

while the other brought them back

from the dead, emphasizing his

life-giving powers.

The Dagda was a fearsome

fighter all his life thanks to a hearty

diet of porridge. He was also helped

by one of his many lovers, the

Morrigan, a goddess who could

influence the outcomes of battle

by her presence. However, the

Dagda’s 80-year reign ended after

the Tuatha Dé Danann fought the

Battle of Mag Tuired against the

divine but monstrous Formorians.

There, the Dagda “died of a dart of

gore,” a javelin thrown by a woman

named Cethlenn, who was the wife

of Balor, king of the Formorians,

and also a prophetess. ■

THE DAGDA WAS

EIGHTY YEARS IN THE

KINGSHIP OF IRELAND

A COMPLEX GOD

IN BRIEF

THEME

God, warrior, and king

SOURCE

Lebor Gabála Érenn (“The

Book of the Taking of Ireland”),

Anonymous, c. 115 0 ce.

SETTING

Ireland, 9th century bce.

KEY FIGURES

The Dagda A “good god”

with magical powers, also

known as Eochaid Ollathair

(Eochaid the All-father).

Leader of the Tuatha Dé

Danann: mythical figures who

inhabited ancient Ireland.

The Morrigan The goddess

of war and fertility; one of the

Dagda’s lovers.

Danu Ancestral goddess of

the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Cethlenn Formorian queen

and prophetess.

The Dagda’s Cauldron drinking

fountain in Tralee, County Kerry. The

bronze sculpture shows the Dagda and

other ancient Irish deities.

US_164-165_Daghda_Bran.indd 164 01/12/17 4:22 pm

EUROPE 165

See also: The quest of Odysseus 66–71 ■ The labors of Herakles 72–75 ■

Aeneas 96–101 ■ The legend of King Arthur 172–77

B

ran was a legendary Irish

hero who went in search of

an otherworldly paradise.

He learned of this place from an

unnamed woman in strange garb

who appeared at his palace. She

mesmerized Bran and his court

by singing about a distant isle, a

place where sorrow and evil were

unknown, and where there was an

abundance of beautiful maidens.

The Land of Women

The next day, Bran set off by sea

with his men to search for this

wonderful land. On the way, he

met a figure in a chariot, who came

toward him across the waves.

Named Manannan, the mysterious

charioteer sang to Bran, telling him

about his journey and a future son,

who was destined to be a hero. He

also said that Bran would soon

reach the Land of Women.

When they arrived at the Land

of Women, Bran was pulled to shore

by a strand of yarn, thrown to him

by the leader of the women. He and

his men were greeted with loving

hospitality and a bed for every

couple. One of the men, Nechtan,

eventually grew homesick and

encouraged the others to return to

Ireland with him. The women’s

leader warned them, however, that

if they did so, they should not land.

When their ship drew near to

their homeland, no one recognized

Bran and his men or knew who they

were, as so many years had passed.

Nechtan, not heeding the woman’s

warning, jumped ashore and turned

to ash. Bran’s ship sailed away,

never to be heard of again. ■

NORTHERN EUROPE

AS SOON AS HE

TOUCHED THE EARTH,

HE WAS A HEAP

OF ASHES

THE VOYAGE OF BRAN

IN BRIEF

THEME

Journey to the otherworld

SOURCE

“Imram Brain” (“The Voyage of

Bran”), Lebar na Núachongbála

(“The Book of Leinster”),

Anonymous, c. 116 0 ce.

SETTING

Ireland, 7th century ce.

KEY FIGURES

Bran Hero and son of Febal.

Woman An unnamed poet

and seer, possibly one of the

Sidhe, supernatural beings or

goddesses.

Manannan A sea god,

charioteer, and son of Lir.

Nechtan Son of Collbran,

a member of the ship’s crew

on Bran’s voyage.

“There is nothing rough or

harsh, but sweet music

striking on the ear.”

“The Voyage of Bran”

The Book of Leinster

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