For over 2,000 years the legendary Tuatha Dé Danann, a supernatural mythical race, have inspired artists, poets, authors and even computer games and comics. Their influence extends to the Gaelic name for Ireland itself, “Éire,” derived from Eira or Erin, the wife of one of the kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann. But did these beings, described as very tall with red or blonde hair and green eyes, really exist?
Who were The Tuatha De Danann?
According to legend, upon their arrival on Irish soil, the Milesians (a group of Gauls from Iberia) encountered the Tuatha Dé Danann. The Tuatha Dé Danann were reported to have extraordinary abilities, including the power to command the weather, raise the dead after battle, and were even said not to age. These remarkable traits left the Milesians utterly fascinated and in awe of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
The Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann
At the heart of the legend of The Tuatha Dé Danann is their possession of four supernatural treasures, each with extraordinary powers. These treasures are mentioned in the various texts documenting Irish mythology from the Middle Ages such as Lebor Gabála Érenn (“The Book of the Taking of Ireland”), Cath Maige Tuired (“The Second Battle of Mag Tuired”), and Yellow Book of Lecan.
- The Sword of Nuada: Also known as the Claidheamh Soluis or Sword of Light, this invincible weapon ensured victory in battles, making its wielder almost unbeatable.
- The Spear of Lugh: Also known as the Spear of Assal or Gae Assail, this spear was said to possess similar properties to the Sword of Nuada and never missed its target.
- The Cauldron of Dagda: Also known as Coire an Daghdha, this magical cauldron not only provided an endless supply of food but also possessed healing properties, this description is very similar to that of the Ark of the Covenant’s “golden pot that had manna” described in Hebrews 9:4.
- The Sacred Stone of Destiny: Also known as the Lia Fail, this stone of a ‘mythical race’, has been revered for centuries and used for the sacred coronation of British monarchs. Most recently, in 2023, King Charles was crowned while sitting upon this ancient stone, emphasising its significance throughout history
Where Did the Tuatha Dé Danann Come From?
The name “Tuatha Dé Danann” holds clues to their mysterious origins. While “Tuatha” translates to “people,” the meaning of “Danann” has is debated with various theories.
Tuatha Dé Danann: ‘The People of Dan’
One theory is a connection to the Tribe of Dan, one of the 12 tribes of Israel mentioned in the Bible. This theory is that the tribe migrated from the Middle East during the great 7-year famine as described in the story of Joseph, This theory is likely to come from the following quote in the Annals of Ireland that the “The Dan’ans were a highly civilized people, well skilled in architecture and other arts from their long residence in Greece, and their intercourse with the Phoenicians.” There are reports of the tribe of Dan migrating to Greece which supports this connection. The Tuartha de Danann were described as coming to Ireland from ‘the north’ with many theories connecting their names to the River Danube and Denmark and ‘the Danes’ so this theory would see the Tuatha De Danann travelling north from Greece to Denmark via the River Danube, then to Scotland and eventually Ireland.
Tuatha Dé Danann: ‘The People of the Arts’
According to the Brehon Academy, Danann comes from “Dana” which is Gaelic for arts and suggests that the Tuatha Dé Danann’s exceptional talents in various forms of art and music led to them becoming known as ‘The People of the Arts’
Tuatha Dé Danann: ‘The People of Anu’
Author and researcher Freddie Silva offers an intriguing theory suggesting that “Danann” could derive from “D’Anu,” referring to the modern-day highlands of Armenia. This theory draws parallels with the legendary Annunaki of ancient Sumerian mythology, who were also described as tall beings with god-like knowledge and skills, contributing to the advancement of human civilization. This would also link the Tuatha De Danann to a lineage in the Middle East.
A Connection with Other Gods?
Interestingly we find stories all over the world of highly skilled ‘god-like’ people bringing civilisation and knowledge to early humans, such as the ‘Annunaki‘ and ‘The Shining Ones‘. These people are often described as being very tall, having very pale skin and having blonde or red hair and green eyes. Sometimes they are also described as having elongated skulls which appears to have inspired many ancient races to begin the practice of skull binding to achieve a similar look to these god-like people. In the arid Paracas region of Peru, where climate preservation has allowed human remains to be preserved for over 2,000 years, elongated skulls with red hair have been discovered. Recent genetic research conducted by the UCLA Center for Genomic and Bioinformatics as featured on the documentary Ancient Civilizations gives some surprising results. While the paternal genome had no known early human ancestor, the maternal genome could be traced to a haplogroup originating around the Black Sea—an intriguing connection to the area around the Middle East.
Conclusion
The question of whether the Tuatha Dé Danann truly existed or are the stuff of myth remains unresolved. As research from archaeology, religious texts, and global folklore continues we may uncover a clearer picture of the lineage of the Tuatha De Danann, their origins, and the incredible knowledge that they were said to have possessed. Could their mastery of the laws of physics and their impact on ancient civilisations reveal a deeper understanding of the knowledge of our ancestors and the possibilities for our future? As we continue to explore the mysteries of the Tuatha Dé Danann, we may find that the boundaries between myth and history are more fluid than we once believed.
Image: Riders of the Sidhe. (1911) John Duncan (Public Domain)
