Then the Morrigan said … So it came to battle at the last. It came, at last, to red and slaughterous battle as it always has, and it always will. It came, at the last, to the calling of kings To the feats of feasting The feasts of poetic words The talking and taking of…
The Battle of Moytura 06: Amarc na Mór Rígna – The Morrigan’s View (Part 2)
As the last sections of our saga are revealed, the overall picture of the Battle of Moytura emerges. The Morrigan, the poet and recorder of the Dé Danann, gives a raven’s-eye view of the battle. Explore some of the overlooked treasures of Cath Maige Tuired with the Story Archaeologists. Don’t forget to subscribe to get…
The Battle of Moytura 06: Amarc na Mór Rígna – The Morrigan’s View (Part 1)
As the last sections of our saga are revealed, the overall picture of the Battle of Moytura emerges. The Morrigan, the poet and recorder of the Dé Danann, gives a raven’s-eye view of the battle. Explore some of the overlooked treasures of Cath Maige Tuired with the Story Archaeologists. Don’t forget to subscribe to get…
How to Get Help from a Craftsman
There are a number of intriguing Irish texts which can only be described as spells or charms, and they still lie in great obscurity, despite calls for attention from Kuno Meyer nearly 100 years ago, and from Dr. John Carey in his excellent article in 2000 (Léachtaí Cholm Cille, issue 30). There are two “charms”…
Goibniu and the Gobbán Sáor
In the podcast episode on “The Four Craftsmen”, we discussed the manner in which characters found only within the saga of Moytura developed an enduring popularity in folklore and story. This would seem to have particular relevance in the case of Goibniu the Dé Danann smith. Goibniu is certainly connected, if not cognate, with the…
The Judgements of the Four Craftsmen
Throughout this part of our discussion of Cath Maige Tuired, we have talked of the four craftsmen: Dían Cécht, the physician; Goibniu the smith; Luchta the wright; and Creidne Cérd the brazier. This might be surprising, considering that the latter three so often appear together, and only rarely with Dían Cécht, who is more usually…
Metal Crafting ~ Some notes
The descriptions of the preparation for the battle of Moytura by the various skilled craftsmen lead to intriguing speculation about the skills and technologies of the builders and weapon-makers within the story. For example, Section 122, which describes the daily restoration of the Dé Danann weapons, creates an entertaining and “high-octane action” picture of the…
The Forge and the Well
from Cath Maige Tuired, Sections 122-3, Lines 526 – 543 Edition: Elizabeth Gray Translation: Isolde Carmody To accompany our discussion of the Four Craftsmen, here are the sections of the text describing the beautifully choreographed work in the forge. I’ve also included the following section describing the family of physicians working around the well of…
The Craftsmen and the Fomoire Spy
The battle lines were drawn up. Spear-tips glinted in the sunlight, a forest-line of readiness. The sharpness of swords behind shields. He would not stand in that line. He would not shed the redness of his blood in that battle Rúadán was not a fighter, but he might have been. Too young, they told him, too…
The Battle of Moytura 05: Inna Cethóir Cerdi – The Four Craftsmen
The technology of Dían Cécht, Goibniu, Luchta and Creidne Cerd is pivotal in the Battle of Moytura. As People of Craft, the Túatha Dé Danann treasure the skills of their makers and shapers. The Story Archaeologists find evidence of their crafting on every stratum of the Battle of Moytura and far beyond. Don’t forget to…