Just like the ancient Greeks and Romans, the ancient Celts that populated pagan/pre-Christian Ireland and Britain had their own pantheon of gods and other deities called the Tuatha Dé Danann. These deities have a vibrant and colorful history filled with the same kinds of adventures and stories found in Greek, Roman, and Hindu pantheons. The word “Tuatha” comes from the old Irish word “taut” meaning “people” or “tribe.” The word “Dé” means gods or goddesses, and “Danann” comes from an even older proto-Celtic word meaning “earth”. The closest translation would be “the group of gods who live on earth”.
There are volumes of stories about this Celtic pantheon. Oral tales as well as stories written in prose, poems, and songs. The Tuatha Dé Danann are unique in their pantheon as they spend more time in our world than the members of other pantheons. While they dwell in the “Otherworld”, they interact a lot with humans in our world. Because pagan Celts had an oral tradition, instead of a written one, most of what historians know about the Tuatha Dé Danann comes from the early Christian monks who recorded the stories as they heard them. While they were technically believed to be deities, the stories made them out to be the heroes and heroines of the past who became immortal due to their bravery and great sacrifices. Some historians believe this was the case because early Celts preferred a closer relationship with their deities than other cultures. Also, since it was primarily an oral culture, the stories had to be relatable in order to be remembered.
One of the earliest stories tells the tale of the Tuatha Dé Danann who become embroiled in a savage war with the Fomorians, a supernatural race of Celtic warriors who wreaked havoc on earth and the weather. After the Tuatha Dé Danann defeated the Formorians (who were associated with the most destructive elements of nature), each member of the Tuatha Dé Danann chose to be associated with a particular function of nature and weather.
Legends say that the Tuatha Dé Danann were descended from Nemed, the leader one of the earliest settlements in Ireland. The Tuatha Dé Danann came from the four cities–Falias, Gores, Murias, Finias–which were north of Ireland, but not of this earth. Anyway, the Tuatha Dé Danann came to teach the new inhabitants how to build fortresses, gave them an understanding of science, architecture, the arts, and magic. According to one particular legend in Lebor Gabála Érenn (aka the Book of Invasions written in old Irish), the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived in dark clouds and floated over the land in misty clouds.
Although there are many members of the Tuatha Dé Danann, their main gods are known as The Dagda. The chief god was called The Morrigan. Anu was known as the mother of all mortals and immortals. Manannán was god of the sea, Dian Cecht was the god of healing, Goibniu was god of blacksmithing and metalwork. Other members include Brigid, Aengus, and Nuada. While the entire pantheon was known for their intelligence, the members of The Dagda were supposed to be imbued with the wisdom of all ages and times.
One of the final stories written about the Tuatha Dé Danann revolves around a battle against the Milesians (from modern-day Portugal). These warriors captured three Tuatha Dé Danann goddesses, Ériu, Banba and Fodla. These goddesses asked that the island be named after them, and the warriors agreed. While Éire is the current Irish name of Ireland, some people still use the words “Banba” and “Fodla” to refer to their island. Anyway, the husbands of these goddesses, who were kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann, asked for a three-day truce. The Milesians agreed and anchored their ships off the coast of Southern Ireland. But these three kings created a supernatural storm to drive the warriors away. Eventually, the Milesians came back and forced a peace treaty with the Tuatha Dé Danann. The end result was the the Irish and Milesians could live on the land, but the Tuatha Dé Danann would have to go underground and live in Sidhe mounds, aka ‘fairy hills’. It was after this that the Tuatha Dé Danann eventually became known as Aos Sí, also known as “fairies” in the later stories.
But that’s another set of folklore, legends, and stories that would fill the Library of Congress.
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