Cath Maige Tuireadh (the (second) Battle of Magh Tuiredh) is a tale of the Irish Mythological Cycle in which the Tuatha Dé Danann defeat their enemies, the Fomorians. It expands on references to the battle in Lebor Gabála Érenn and the Irish Annals, and is one of the richest sources of tales of the former Irish gods. It is found in a 16th century manuscript, but the text is believed to date from the 11th century. In Irish mythology, Magh Tuiredh (Mag Tuired, Magh Tuireadh, anglicised as Moytura) is the name of the locations of two battles said to have been waged by the Tuatha Dé Danann. ... The Mythological Cycle is one of the four major cycles of Irish mythology, and is so called because it represents the remains of the pagan mythology of pre-Christian Ireland, although the gods and supernatural beings have been euhemerised by their Christian redactors into historical kings and heroes. ... This article is about a mythical people of Ireland. ... In Irish mythology, the Fomorians, Fomors, or Fomori (Irish Fomóiri, Fomóraig) were a semi-divine race who inhabited Ireland in ancient times. ... Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of the Taking of Ireland) is the Middle Irish title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish race from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages. ... Annals are a form of historical writing which record events year by year. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... A manuscript (Latin manu scriptus, written by hand), strictly speaking, is any written document that is put down by hand, in contrast to being printed or reproduced some other way. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ...

In the build-up to the battle it tells how Nuada lost the kingship of the Tuatha Dé after losing an arm, and regained it after a working silver arm was made for him by Dian Cecht and Creidhne. It also tells of the half-Fomorian Bres, who replaced Nuada as king, his conception (when his mother Ériu was visited by the Fomorian prince Elatha on a silver boat), his oppression of the Tuatha Dé, how he was deposed after being satirised for a lack of hospitality, and how he gathered the Fomorians under Balor to help him take back the throne by force, against the will of Elatha. In Irish mythology, Nuada or Nuadu Airgetlám (Silver Hand) was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. ... In Irish mythology, Dian Cecht was a god of healing. ... In Irish mythology, Creidhne (or Credne) was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the artificer of the Tuatha Dé Danann, working in bronze, brass and gold. ... In Irish mythology, Bres, aka Eochaid Bres, Eochu Bres (Eochaid/Eochu the Beautiful), was a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann. ... In Irish mythology, Ériu, daughter of Ernmas of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was one of the patron goddesses of Ireland. ... In Goidelic mythology, Prince Elatha (or Elathan) of the Fomorians was the father of Bres by Ériu. ... In Irish mythology, Balor (Balar, Bolar) of the Evil Eye was a king of the Fomorians. ...

It also tells how Lug gained entry to Nuada's court, for although they already had a carpenter, a smith, a champion, a harper, a hero, a poet, a historian, a magician, a physician, a cup-bearer and a brazier, there was no-one in the court who possessed all these skills simultaneously. Lug won a flagstone-throwing competition with Ogma and entertained the court with his harp-playing, and Nuada began to wonder if this young man could lead the Tuatha Dé to victory over the Fomorians. Nuada abdicated in favour of Lug, who began making preparations for war. The acronym LUG may refer to: Linux User Group Lesbian until graduation Lego User Group This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... In Irish mythology, Ogma, orator and champion of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was a god of scholars, education, writing and eloquence. ...

The Trí Dée Dana, the three gods of art, Goibniu, Creidhne and Luchta, spent seven years making weapons. The Dagda kept a tryst with the Mórrígan in exchange for her assistance. Dian Cecht and his daughter Airmed blessed the well of Slane so it would heal their wounded. Lug sent the Dagda to spy on the Fomorians, but they humiliated him by making him eat a huge amount of porridge from a hole in the ground. In Irish mythology Goibniu or Goibhniu (pronounced Goive-nu) was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the smith of the Tuatha Dé Danann. ... In Irish mythology, Creidhne (or Credne) was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and the artificer of the Tuatha Dé Danann, working in bronze, brass and gold. ... In Celtic mythology, Luchtaine (or Luchta) was a son of Brigid and Tuireann and a god of craftwork and smithing. ... The Dagda is an important god of Irish mythology. ... Template:Cleaunup The Mórrígan (pronounced more rig-en) (great queen, meaning great as in big or large), is an Irish Earth-Goddess, as all Celtic Goddesses were. ... In Irish mythology, the goddess Airmed was one of the Tuatha de Danaan. ... Slane (Baile Shláine in Irish) is an ancient town on the River Boyne in County Meath, Ireland. ...

Both sides gathered for battle. Goibniu's smithing ensured that any broken or blunted weapons would return to the battle sharp and whole the following day, so the Fomorians sent an assassin, Ruadan, son of Bres and Brigid, to kill him. He wounded him with a spear which Goibniu had made for him, but Goibniu pulled it out and killed him with it. His wound was then healed in Dian Cecht's well. In Irish mythology, Brigit or Brighit (exalted one) was the daughter of Dagda (and therefore one of the Tuatha Dé Danann) and wife of Bres of the Fomorians. ...

The battle was long and bloody. Nuada and Macha, daughter of Ernmas, were both killed by Balor. Lug faced Balor, who opened his terrible, poisonous eye that killed all it looked upon, but Lug shot a slingstone that drove his eye out the back of his head, wreaking havoc on the Fomorian army behind. The Mórrígan urged on the Tuatha Dé and the battle became a rout. In Irish mythology, Macha is a goddess linked with war, horses and kingship. ...

Lug found Bres alone and unprotected on the battlefield, and Bres begged for his life. If he was spared, he promised, he would ensure that the cows of Ireland always gave milk. The Tuatha Dé refused the offer. He then promised four harvests a year, but the Tuatha Dé said one harvest a year suited them. But Lug spared his life on the condition that he teach the Tuatha Dé how and when to plough, sow and reap.

External links

• The Battle of Magh Tuireadh translated by Elizabeth Gray
• The Battle of Magh Tuireadh translated by Whitley Stokes