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…
The Dagda and the Mac Óc: Playing with Time and Space
In our story, the Dagda is helped out of trouble by his son, Óengus Mac Ind Óc, and this in turn helps depose Bres and restore prosperity to Ireland after the defeat of the Fomoire. However, in Tocmairc Étaíne, “The Wooing of Étaín”, we see the Dagda getting his son out of scrapes. From the moment…
The Dagda, Ogmios and the Jolly Green Giant
Who is Ogma and what is he doing in the saga of Moytura? For a start, he is recorded as the Dagda’s brother, and his main role seems to be “The Strong man”. When Lugh arrives at Tara, the gate-keeper gives him that title rather than that of warrior. He proves it later by throwing…
The Poems on Ailech
from The Metrical Dindshenchas, Vol IV, edited by Edward Gwynn Translated by E. Gwynn & Isolde Carmody The translations are based on Gwynn’s, with some amendations and modernisation of the English idioms. Short notes are included in the translated text within square brackets. I only include the sections of the poems that contain our story…
Names of the Dagda
from Cath Maige Tuired, edited by Elizabeth Gray translation by Isolde Carmody When the Dagda encounters Indech’s daughter, she demands that he carry her on his back. He replies that it is geis (“taboo”) for him to carry anyone on his back who does not call him by name. She asks his name, and he…
The Leather Cauldron
When Isolde and I were preparing to record the episode focussing on the Dagda and his Moytura stories, we knew that the podcast would be published in Christmas week. Perhaps this coloured our thinking a little, but when you have a fat jolly man who gloriously indulges in overeating and drinking, who is related to…
The Dagda’s Track
The Oak of two meadows The rightness of Four Angles Come Summer, Come Winter Mouths of harps and bags and pipes And didn’t that harp fly? Like a spring storm that scatters the blossom of apples. Like an Autumn wind that whips the waves into flowers of foam. Oh, yes, that harp flew, its melodies…