Cath Maige Tuired I (The First Battle Of Moytura)

Ambassadors of the Fir Bolg and Tuath Dé meeting before the Battle of Moytura. An illustration by Stephen Reid in T. W. Rolleston's Myths & Legends of the Celtic Race, 1911

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A summary of the Irish Mythological Cycle myth, The Battle of Moytura a.k.a. The First Battle of Mag Tuired as translated by J. Frazer in 1915.

Under the shadow of a heavy tribute to the Fomorians, the children of Nemed sought the counsel of the wise Fintan.

Heeding his words to flee rather than endure, they scattered across the world.

The descendants of Semeon toiled in Greece, where they became the Fir Bolg—the “men of bags”—named for the leather sacks they used to haul soil onto barren rocks.

After two centuries of bondage, they crafted boats from these very sacks and returned to reclaim Ireland, dividing the isle into five provinces.

Soon, the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived from the northern isles, bringing with them a mastery of wizardry and craft that the world had never seen.

Cloaked in mist, they settled upon the hills of Connacht.

Envoys were exchanged—the fierce Sreng of the Fir Bolg and the noble Bres of the Tuatha Dé—comparing the heavy, broad javelins of the old settlers with the keen, slender spears of the newcomers.

Peace was rejected, and the two hosts met upon the Plain of Mag Tured.

For four days, the earth shook with the clashing of “decorated blades” and the sorcery of druids.

In the heat of the fray, Sreng severed the right arm of the High-king Nuada, yet the Fir Bolg king, Eochaid, eventually fell while seeking water to quench a magic-induced thirst.

Exhausted and decimated, the Fir Bolg made a final stand under Sreng.

Recognizing their indomitable spirit, the Tuatha Dé offered a covenant: the Fir Bolg received the province of Connacht, and a weary peace finally settled over the blood-soaked plains.