's nine foster fathers to prevent Lugh from fighting.
In the Fomorian camp, the kings sent an assassin to kill Goibhniu. The assassin was named Ruadan, the son of Bres and Brig (Brigit). Though Ruadan managed to wound the smith with the spear, Goibhniu pulled out the bloody spear and killed the young assassin. When Brig found her dead son, for the first time in Ireland, the keening was heard as she lament her son's death.
With all the fighting men gathered, the battle again took place in Magh Tuiredh (Moytura). As the two armies clashed, weapons and armour were repaired by Goibhniu, Luchta and Credne, with seemingly effortless ease. The pigskin was used to heal the wounded, while the magic cauldron fed the Danann host.
Many Tuatha Dé Danann were killed by Balor's deadly eye, including the Danann king, Nuada of the Silver Hand and his consort, Macha. Caitlin, Balor's buck-toothed wife, wounded Dagda, but according to the Lebor Gabala, Dagda had died from his wound. Ogma was also said to have die in the Lebor Gabala Ogma and Indech (or Tethra), another Fomorian king, killed one another, but Cath Mag Tuired say that Ogma was also alive. Ogma won the sword of Indech – Orna.
However, Balor could not keep his eye opened for very long, before the Fomorian grew tired. As Balor's eye gradually closed, Lugh hurled a stone from his sling, at Balor's eye. Lugh fulfilled prophecy, by killing his grandfather.
Some Fomorians managed to escape steal Dagda's harp, Úaithne. Dagda, Ogma and Lugh pursued the Fomorians. The Fomorians hanged the harp on the wall in Bres' banqueting hall.
Dagda sang to Úaithne to come to him. The harp flew from the wall and into his hand, killing nine Fomorians in its flight.
There were more fighting in which Elatha, the last Fomorian king was killed. The Fomorian army was crushed; their powers were forever broken.
The Tuatha Dé Danann had captured Bres, the former king of Ireland. Lugh only agreed to spare Bres, if Bres tell them when to plant and harvest the crops in the year. This is because Bres was considered to be the god of agriculture.
The battle ended with Morrigan proclaiming victory for the Tuatha Dé Danann. Badb (also Morrigan) ended Cath Mag Tuired with a poem or prophecy.
With the death of Nuada of the Silver Hand, Lugh Lamfada became the new king of Ireland.
|Coming of the Milesians|
Ireland enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity. Lugh Lamfada seemed to rule the Tuatha Dé Danann, after the battle and Nuada's death. Usually his consort was said to be Eriu, but other sources had given 3 to 4 other wives. One of his wives (unnamed) had an affair with Cermait, the son of Dagda. Lugh killed Cermait for seducing his wife. Dagda wept tears of blood over the death of his son.
Cermait had three sons – Sethor MacCuill, Cethor MacCecht and Tethor MacGreine. At Uisnech, the sons of Cermait ambushed and killed Lugh, to avenge their father. Lugh had ruled Ireland for forty years.
Dagda succeeded Lugh as king. Dagda had received a mortal wound by Caitlin, wife of Balor, in the Second Battle of Moytura, but did not die until he had reigned for 80 years. The reign of Delbáeth lasted for 10 years, before his son Fiachna succeeded him and also ruled for 10 years. Fiachna had died fighting Eogan of Inber Mor.
Then, Fiachna was succeeded by the sons of Cermait (MacCuill, MacCecht and MacGreine) and ruled Ireland for 27 years. The three brothers were married to the daughters of Fiachna and Ernmas: Banba, Fodla and Eriu.
The MacGreine and his brothers divided the land between themselves. It wasn't until some years later that Íth, arrived with some of his companions.
The Milesians were more precisely the sons of Míl Espáine (Miled). Míl's ancestors had originally come from Scythia, but Míl had brought them out of Scythia and later Egypt, before they settled in Spain, which was known as the Land of the Dead.
On one clear day, Íth, uncle of Míl, could see the enchanting isle of Erin (Ireland) from Spain, and decided to travel and explore this beautiful, new land. Íth arrived peacefully in Ireland with his follower