A Beltaine Legend

Long before the birth of Christianity the Tuatha De Danann (The people of the Goddess Danu.) arrived in Ireland in clouds of mist. They had many magical powers and were worshipped and revered by mankind whose fate they controlled.
Eventually man developed in sophistication and cunning and invaded Ireland. The first men to arrive were the sons of Mil. They arrived by sea and took the Tuatha by surprise, landing in Ireland on the feast of Beltaine.
Sadly for the Gods who hadn’t time to weave a strong enough spell to drive them back. The Milanians called upon their own druid to calm the seas and banish the druidic wind that was blowing them back. Two battles were fought- the first in Glenn Faisti, a valley of the Slieve Mish Mountains south of Tralee, and the second at Tailtiu. The Gods marched forward valiantly armed with lances of blue flame and shields of pure white. In both battles the Gods were beaten. No sorcery could overcome the Sons of Milan.
Not even Lug’s magical spear or the sword of Nuada were enough. Not even the Morrigu as they flew above the battle bellowing and screaming, summoning the demons of the air as they urged the Tuatha to destroy the oncoming invaders. But the sons of Milan, although only mortal, had magic of their own. They called upon their druids who fought with the Morrigu and banished the terror and panic that she tried to instil into their hearts. The sons of Milan took the sacred Lia Fail – the stone of destiny for their own, using it to crown their Kings and Queens. Though never again did it cry out to pronounce a sovereign, mortal men had become the heirs of the earth. Badh’s prophecy of the twilight of the Irish gods had been fulfilled. The people of the Goddess Danu no longer ruled the earth.
Many of the Tuatha, although defeated in battle stayed in Ireland. They retreated underground taking with them immortality and their magic knowledge. Using their divine powers they managed to deprive their invaders of corn and milk. It was not until men agreed to pay homage and send offerings to the Gods was their corn or milk returned.
For those that stayed, the sons of Milan agreed to divide the land between them. They took the land above the earth and the Tuatha took that below. Their homes were called the Sidh. A mound or hill with a secret doorway into their magical realm where they lived in underground chambers of great splendour decorated in gold and silver. There were fruit trees that were always abundant in fruit; there was always a pig to roast and naturally an inexhaustible supply of ale. Here Dagda’s magical cauldron of plenty overflowed with abundant delicious meats. Here they listened to Dagda’s magic harp, which he used to change the weather and the seasons, as faeries, clouded in mist, invisible to mankind. Ruled by Dagda, a kind and just God, they became known as the Aes Sidhe.There were even mixed marriages with the invaders and those who chose to give up their immortality to live on the land.
Led originally by Manannan Mac Lir, son of the sea and lord of the headlands, many of the Tuatha left to seek refuge in a paradise overseas. Mainly they went South and West. Some of them though went east and found homes on where we know now as the British Isles. They went in search of island valley of Avilion. Although Manannan still visited Ireland telling his great adventure stories.
Others moved deeper in to the bowels of the earth with Morrigan, the war Goddess; Macha, the red war goddess; Badb, the black war goddess, battle raven and seer and Nemain, goddess of strife and panic. The mighty Morrigu followed their leader. They swore a sacred vow and plotted their revenge. They would return to their country and defeat the mortals, who had stolen their land. Morrigan, the Celtic Goddess, immortal witch and fairy queen would return the land to the gods, demons, giants and dragons.


Footnote
When compared to modern religions the story of the conquest of the Gods by man seems an unusual concept. However once you are aware that the Celts also believed that man was a direct descendent of the God of death, this makes their victory more plausible than it would previously appear.

Retold by Marie Jordan