NAME Da Choca
GENDER M
CATEGORY hosteller / druid
TYPE artificer / blacksmith
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION west Meath
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES Sliabh Malonn
CENTERS hostel (bruidhean)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Da Choca's
SEE ALSO Cormac Condloinges
REMARKS Da Choca was one of 6 hostellers in Ireland in
his time and his bruidhean was in Sliabh Malonn in eastern
Connacht. He died in a conflict at his bruidhean when
warriors from Connacht attacked Cormac Condloinges.
NAME Da Derga
EPITHET The Red
ALTERNATIVE Hua Derga (red)
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY deity / warrior / druid / hosteller
TYPE god of the dead / supernatural / chief hosteller
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Dublin
TERRITORY Leinster / Cua (Cualu) / Mide
LANDMARKS Dodder / Magh Liffey
CENTERS The Red Hostel (Bruidhean Dearg)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c / BC 38 (destruction)
BATTLES Ath Cliath
ENEMIES Ingcel / sons of Donn Desa
SEE ALSO Bran ap Llyr / Conaire Mor / Da Derga / Donn
Desa / Ingcel
REMARKS Da Derga was described as having red hair, ruddy
cheeks and blue eyes with red eyebrows. He operated a
hostel (bruidhean) on the Magh Liffey by Dodder river near
present-day Dublin in the territory of Cua (Cualu). The
hostel had 7 doors with 7 rooms, each between 2 doors, and
there was a door-vent. The doors were always open unless
they faced the wind, in which case they were shut. The
hostel was also described as having 9 doors plus a door-
valve.
In BC 38 there was a great battle or destruction at Da
Derga's hostel (Bruidhean Dearg) between the high chieftain
of Ireland and a force of raiders from Ireland and Britain.
To get to the hostel, the invading army built hurdles
across the river Liffey. This gave the name to the Town of
the Hurdle Ford (Baile Atha Cliath) which was eventually
built around the site.
During the battle Da Derga was described as wearing a
white hooded shirt and a green cloak and carrying a sword
with an ivory handle. He had 3x50 personal warriors who
were described as having long hair and wearing speckled
green trousers and short cloaks to their buttocks. Their
weapons were clubs of blackthorn with iron bands.
Da Derga also had two attendants, Muredach and Corpre,
who were his fosterlings and the sons of the head chieftain
of Leinster. They served the guests of the hostel with ale
and food. The cauldron of Da Derga's hostel was known to
have been in continuous use since it first opened and was
never taken from the fire.
When Conaire became high chieftain of Ireland, he gave
to Da Derga 100 kine, 100 swine, 100 mantles of close
cloth, 100 blue-colored weapons, 10 red gilded brooches, 10
vats of ale, 10 slaves, 10 querns, 3x9 white hounds with
silver chains and 100 race horses.
When the high chieftain of Ireland and his entourage
arrived at the hostel, Da Derga could not turn them away
even though all the signs pointed to death and destruction.
Da Derga and most of his bruidhean escaped the massacre.
This story is similar to the invasion of Ireland by Bran
and his army of Britons.
NAME Dagdae
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY head chef for the Conaire (Ard Righ Eirinn)
TYPE servant
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath / Dublin
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Magh Liffey
SITES Da Derga's Hostel
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Ath Cliath
ENEMIES Ingcel / sons of Donn Desa
SEE ALSO Da Derga / Donn Desa / Ingcel
REMARKS Dagdae was the head chef for the high chieftain
of Ireland and therefore was a part of the entourage that
gathered at the hostel on the Magh Liffey. He was
described as a gray-haired man and he was accompanied by
Seig and Segdae, his fosterling helpers and sons of Rofer
Singlespit. His two young helpers each wore aprons with
inlaid decorations and all three killed an enemy each
during the destruction at Da Derga's.
NAME Daghda
EPITHET In Fagda Mor (The Great Good God) / The
Excellent God / All Competent / The Red One of
Great Knowledge (In Ruadh Rofhessa) / Dagodevos
(The Capable God) / Great Father Stallion
(Eochaid Ollathair, Echu Ollathir) / Eochaidh
Ollamh
ALTERNATIVE Dagda / Dagdae / Dagdai / Dagdhdha / Dagdhae
/
Daghda {dahg'-du/dahg'-thu} /
Daghdae / Daghdo /
Daghdou / Daghua / Eochaidh
Ollamh {yohee ollav}
GENDER M
SYMBOL oak club / horse
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires) / summer solstice
CATEGORY deity / hero / warrior / filidh / 5th Ri Ruirech
TYPE triple god (death/birth/life) / historical poet
/ harper / negotiator / god of the druids /
father of earth / fertility / oak god / head
chieftain
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Mayo / Sligo / Meath / Donegal
TERRITORY Connacht / East Munster / Leinster / West
Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Unius river
SITES The Bed of the Couple / Plain of Towers (Magh
Tuireadh) / Teltown (Tailltenn) / Drumleene /
Uisneach
CENTERS Sidhe Uisneach Mide
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th c / BC 17th-16th c / BC 1646-1566
(Kings List)
BATTLES first battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura) /
second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura) /
Taillcenn / Druim Lighean
ACCESSORIES magical oak club / supernatural harp /
inexhaustable cauldron / magical tree / black
horse
RELATIVES Eladu (father); Danu (mother/consort); Macha,
Breg and Boann (consorts); Aine, Adair and
Brighid (daughters); Aed Caem, Cermat Milbel and
Anghus (sons); Oghma, Elloth, Bress, Delbaed,
Mechi, Brénos, Iuchar and Iucharbra (half-
brothers); Aigden, Barrand, Be Chuille, Be Find,
Dianann, Be Thete and Boan (half-sisters);
Magog, Iabonel, Ordan and Net (ancestors)
ENEMIES Fomorii / Ceithlenn
SEE ALSO Aed Caem / Amhairghin / Anghus mac Og / Be
Chuille / Be Find / Boann / Bodb Dearg / Breg /
Brénos / Bress / Brighid / Ceithlenn / Cermat
Milbel / Danu / Dianann / Iarbonel /
Indech /
Lugh / Macha / Magog / Midhir / Net / Oghma /
Ordan
REMARKS Daghda was the son of Danu, daughter of Ernmas,
daughter of Etarlam, son of Ordan, as well as being the son
of Eladu, son of Delbach, son of Net.
The Danann invaded Ireland on Beltainn and defeated
the Firbolg during the first battle of Magh Tuireadh which
was fought during the summer solstice. The Daghda was the
spiritual leader of the Danann and mated with many war and
earth goddesses of Ireland to ensure their success. In
time, he became known as the Omnipotent God of Complete
Knowledge. His mother was Danu, the eponymous goddess of
the Danann, and his father was Eladu (fir), the tree of
knowledge.
Daghda could summon the seasons by playing his
supernatural harp. The harp was stolen by Fomorians so,
after the battle of north Moytura, Daghda, Lugh and Oghma
followed the Fomorians to their camp and there on the wall
of the banquet hall was his supernatural harp. Daghda
called out to his harp: "Come apple-sweet murmurer, come
four-angled frame of harmony, come summer, come winter,
from the mouths of harps, bags, and pipes." At this
command the harp flew off the wall of the hall to the hands
of Daghda, killing 9 Fomorians on the way. The Daghda then
played the 3 noble strains: Lament, Laughter and Slumber.
When the Fomorians had fallen asleep, the 3 Danann made
their escape.
Daghda had a supernatural cauldron, a present from
Lugh, whose contents satisfied all guests, a magical tree
which continuously bore fruit and a black horse named Acein
(ocean). Daghda had a supernatural club of oak that was so
large he had to drag it on wheels. He could use one end to
kill the living and the other end to revive the dead. When
his son Cermat was killed by Lugh, Daghda used the club to
resurrect him.
On the eve of summer solstice before the second battle
of Magh Tuireadh, Daghda met with The Morrighan (Danu) at
the Unius river in Connacht. She was washing the blood
from the clothing of the warriors who were to die in the
upcoming battle. The Morrighan was dressed in red and her
long red hair hung from her head in 9 loose tresses. She
and the Daghda had intercourse while she straddled the
river with one foot placed in the north and the other in
the south. The site is still referred to as "The Bed of
the Couple".
The Morrighan promised Daghda that she would take the
blood from the heart of Indech, the Fomorian chieftain, and
the valor from his kidneys. The Morrighan then gave Daghda
two handsful of Indech's blood. The Daghda was then sent
by Lugh to negotiate with the Fomorians in order to buy
time and to spy on them in preparation for their upcoming
battle.
Daghda went to the Fomorians dressed as a fool with a
short tunic that only reached his buttocks, a hood and cape
which only came to his elbows and boots made of horsehide
with the hair side out. He was forced to eat a porridge of
meal mixed with goat, sheep, boar, 8 measures of milk and 8
measures of mead. They mixed the porridge in a hole in the
ground lined with leather. They gave the Daghda a ladle
large enough for a man and woman to lie in. He ate it all
on pain of death, scraping the remainder out with his
finger. Then, with a huge belly, he fell asleep. When he
awoke and left the Fomorian camp, the daughter of Indech
came to him. They performed ritual intercourse and she
promised to turn her arts in favor of the Danann during the
upcoming battle.
During the 2nd battle of Magh Tuireadh, the Danann
lost 3 female and 3 male chieftains and many warriors.
Although Daghda was mortally wounded by the female warrior
Ceithlenn in the battle, he succeeded Lugh as the head
chieftain (oak god). Daghda served 80 years as head
chieftain. After the battles of Taillcenn (Teltown) in
Meath and Druim Lighean (Drumleene) in Donegal, the Danann
were defeated by the invading Goidel.
Daghda negotiated for the Danann and Amhairghin
negotiated for the Goidel. Daghda allotted his chieftains
the sidhes of Ireland, taking Uisneach Mide, the spiritual
center of Ireland in the new province of Mide, as his home.
Because MacGreine was dead, Daghda appointed Bodb Dearg as
head chieftain of the Danann which rusulted in a civil war.
NAME Daire
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE battleline soldier
CULTURE Danann / Goidel / Pictish / Fomorii / Fianna -
Clanna Ui Tarsigh
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Leinster
SITES Allen Hill
CENTERS Raith Almu (Fort of Almain)
AGE Iron
DATES AD 3rd c
RELATIVES Fionn (father); Samhair and Cebha (half-
sisters); Aedh, Ailbhinn, Cairell, Daire,
Fergus, Oisin and Raighne (half-brothers)
SEE ALSO Ailbhinn / Cairell / Cebha / Daire / Fergus
Finnbheoil / Fionn mac Cumhaill / Samhair
REMARKS Daire was a son of Fionn mac Cumhaill. He was
swallowed by a whale but survived by cutting his way out
with his sword.
NAME Daireann
GENDER F
CATEGORY deity
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Tipperary
TERRITORY Munster
CENTERS Sidhe ar Femuin
AGE Iron
DATES AD 3rd c
RELATIVES Sadb (sister); Bodb Dearg (ancestor)
SEE ALSO Bodb Dearg / Fionn / Sadb
REMARKS The goddess Daireann appeared to Fionn and
demanded that he marry her. When Fionn refused she gave
him a poison that drove him temporarily mad. The madness
passed and left no permanent damage.
NAME Damona
EPITHET The Divine Cow / The Great Cow
ALTERNATIVE Damona
GENDER F
SYMBOL cow / snake
CATEGORY deity
TYPE corn goddess / healer and fertility goddess /
earth goddess
CULTURE Gallic - Lingones tribe
COUNTRY France
REGION Haute-Marne
TERRITORY Gaul
LANDMARKS Marne / Meuse / Aube / Saône
SITES curative springs at Bourbonne-les-Bains
AGE Iron
DATES BC 7th c
RELATIVES Borvo, Moritasgus and Abilus (consorts)
SEE ALSO Abilus / Borvo / Moritasgus
REMARKS Damona was a goddess of the thermal springs in
Bourbonne-les-Bains. Her name associates her with the
divine cows. Borvo, Moritasgus and Abilus were consorts of
hers. In later times her image was accompanied by wreaths
of corn ears (grain) and sculpted with snakes coiled around
her arms. The Lingones tribe was in the area at least by
BC 7th century and possibly earlier.
NAME Danaë
ALTERNATIVE Danai
GENDER F
CATEGORY noble
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY France / Ireland
TERRITORY Gaul / Argos
LANDMARKS Seine
CENTERS Troyes (Mycenae)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 14th-13th c
RELATIVES Acrisius (father); Zeus (consort); Perseus
(son); Polydectes (husband)
SEE ALSO Agamemnon / Athena / Zeus
REMARKS Danaë was a daughter of Acrisius, a head
chieftain of Argos. The druids had given a prophecy
whereby he would be killed by a grandchild, so he
imprisoned his daughter Danaë in a tower.
Zeus, in a shower of gold, managed to reach her and
impregnate her. When her son Perseus was born, she and her
son were put in a wooden chest (boat) and given to the sea.
Eventually they landed on the island of Seriphos (Ireland).
Because the high chieftain of Seriphos was interested
in marrying Danaë, he sent Perseus to Libya (southwestern
France) to acquire the head of Medusa, which he did with
the help of the goddess Athena. On his return home,
Perseus saved Andromeda from being sacrificed to a sea
monster by showing it the head of Medusa which turned it to
stone. He and Andromeda were then married. He then
proceeded to Seriphos where he showed Polydectes the head
of Medusa and turned him into stone because he was
mistreating his mother. Perseus then gave the head of
Medusa to Athena.
Next Perseus took his mother and wife to meet his
grandfather Acrisius in Argos. Fulfilling the ancient
prophecy, he accidentally killed his grandfather while
playing quoits. He then took the position of high
chieftain but later traded it for the position of high
chieftain of Tiryns. Here he founded Mycenae (Troyes)
which was later ruled by Agamemnon.
NAME Danaus
ALTERNATIVE Danaus (dan'-ee-us)
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY France
TERRITORY Gaul / Libya / Belgica / Argos
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 13th c
RELATIVES Belus (father) / Aegyptus (twin brother) /
Danaides (50 foster-daughters)
REMARKS Danaus was the son of Belus, twin of Aegyptus,
and father of the Danaids. He was a head chieftain of
Libya (southwestern France, around Bordeaux) but left there
and moved to Argos (northern France) where he became head
chieftain. The people of his territory were called Danaan
(Danann/Danai) and by the time of the Trojan War, the name
Danai referred to all the people of the territory.
His 50 foster-daughters were called the Danaides and
were promised to the 50 foster-sons of their uncle
Aegyptus, but Danaus was afraid of a plot against him and
asked the girls to kill their husbands on the wedding
night. All of them did so except Hypermnestra, and as
punishment they had to spend eternity in Hades pouring
water into vessels with holes, symbolized by the springs
and rivers of Argos.
NAME Danu
EPITHET The Lasting One / Mother of Gods / Nourisher of
the Gods / The Phantom (Morrighan) / Goddess of
Demons (Morrigna) / Great Mother (Morrigu) /
Exalted Raven (Morvan) / Great Jackdaw (Mor
Cegan) / Great Chieftain (Mor Reega)
ALTERNATIVE Ana / Anind / Annan / Anu / Dana / Danann / Danu
{tha-noo, dah'-nu} / Donann / Donu / Flidais /
Morrigan {More-reegan} / Morrighan {Mor-rig-ahn}
GENDER F
SYMBOL blue / woad plant / raven (prophetic) / eel /
wolf / heifer
FESTIVAL summer solstice
CATEGORY deity
TYPE fertility goddess / war goddess
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland / Scotland / Wales
REGION Mayo / Kerry / Sligo / Dublin
TERRITORY West Munster / Connacht / Mide
LANDMARKS Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh) / Magh Liffey
SITES Da Chich Anann (Breasts of Anu / Paps of Anu)
/ Cauldron of Morrighan (Corryvrecken) /
battlefields
CENTERS Sidhe Breg
AGE Bronze / Iron
DATES BC 16th-15th c / BC 2nd c
BATTLES first battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura) /
second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura) /
Ath Cliath / Cualnge Cattle Raid
ACCESSORIES red horses / red chariot
RELATIVES Ernmas (mother); Delbaeth (father/consort);
Brénos, Iucharbra, Iuchar (sons/half-brothers);
Eladu, Ailill, Delbaed and Bile (consorts);
Adair, Airgden, Barrand, Be Chuille, Be Find,
Dianann, Be Thete and Boann (daughters); Daghda
(son/consort); Mechi (son); Macha, Badbh and
Elcmar (sisters); Eire, Fodhla and Banbha (half-
sisters); Fiachu, Olloman and Indui (brothers);
Neto, Glonn, Gnim and Coscar (half-brothers);
Corpre Crom (half-brother/nephew); Fea and
Nemhain (nieces); Magog, Iarbonel, Ordan and Net
(ancestors)
SEE ALSO Ailill of Echraidhe / Badbh / Banbha / Be
Chuille / Be Find / Be Find / Bile / Boann /
Bodb / Brénos / Brighid / Cairbre /
Conaire / Cu
Chulainn / Daghda / Delbaeth /
Dianann / Eire /
Ernmas / Elcmar / Fea / Fiachu /
Fodhla /
Forgemen / Iarbonel / Indui / MacCecht /
MacCuill / MacGreine / Macha / Magog / Olloman /
Nemhain / Net / Neto / Odras / Olloman / Ordan
REMARKS Danu, daughter of Ernmas, daughter of Etarlam,
son of Ordan, was a warrior of the Danann. Like her mother
she was known for her expertise in the arts of combat and
trained many of the Danann warriors.
Danu's sexual character (life) was the link between
her role as a mother goddess (birth) and a war goddess
(death). As an earth goddess she resided at Sidhe Breg in
Munster. Her daughters were known as The Cattle of
Flidais. The hills near Killarney are often referred to as
the Paps of Anu (Breasts of Danu), and Ireland is sometimes
referred to as the Land of Anu. As blue is a sacred color
to the bride or earth goddess, the woad plant was sacred to
Danu.
Danu was also known as as The Morrighan, a warrior
who fought like a demon, spreading chaos and fear. During
the battle of south Moytura she was referred to as the
springs of craftiness and the sources of bitter fighting.
She eventually became venerated as one of the 5 battle
goddesses of Ireland along with Macha, Badbh, Fea and
Nemhain and each had her own area of expertise. When
mortals went to war the goddesses had to be appeased in
order to have them on one's side.
The Morrighan would sometimes appear as a spectre but
mostly she favored the form of a large black raven. The
whirlpool Corryvrecken, between Jura and Scarba Islands is
sometimes referred to as Morrigan's Cauldron. The
Morrighan sometimes appeared as a washer-woman washing the
blood from the clothing of those warriors about to die in
battle. This may have been an incentive to fight naked, as
some did.
The Morrighan's favor could sometimes be won over by
sexual intercourse. The Daghda came across her while she
straddled the river between the Danann and the Fomorii. He
had intercourse with her so she helped the Danann win the
war. The Morrighan was also someone not to cross, as Odras
the Goidel cowherd found out when she tried to stop the
Morrighan from taking her cows.
The Morrighan appeared to Conaire in the form of a
hag. In the form of a raven, she landed on a pillar stone
in Cualnge and told the brown bull to move to Glenn na
Samaisce (Heifers Glenn) in Sliab Culinn (Hollymount),
northern Ulster. The brown bull took 50 heifers and
Forgemen the Cowherd in order to escape capture from the
Host of Connacht.
When the Morrighan approched Cu Chulainn at the river
she had red hair and eyebrows. She was dressed in red and
riding in her red chariot which was drawn by a huge ugly
red horse with one leg. The chariot pole passed through
the horse's body and came out through its forehead where it
was held by a peg. Alongside the Morrighan was a crudely-
dressed man driving a red cow with a forked hazel stick.
The Morrighan offered to help Cu Chulainn in return
for sexual favors but he rejected her affection and sealed
his fate. The Morrighan told Cu Chulainn that she had come
with her treasures and her cattle because she loved him for
his valor and great deeds. Cu Chulainn thought that a
woman would weaken him at that particular time and refused
her advances. She became angry and told Cu Chulainn that
if he did not want her help then he would have her
hindrance.
The Morrighan interfered with Cu Chulainn 3 times
while he was fighting for his life. The first time she
interfered, she appeared as an eel that wound around his
leg and tried to trip him. Cu Chulainn broke the eel's
ribs with his toe and drove it away. The second time she
appeared as a shaggy russet-furred wolf which drove a herd
of cattle against him. Cu Chulainn put out an eye of the
wolf with his sling and drove it off. The third time she
appeared to Cu Chulainn she came disguised as a red heifer
without horns. Cu Chulain broke a leg of the heifer and
she retreated again.
When Cu Chulainn was dying of thirst, an ancient one-
eyed stooping hag with a limp came by leading a tawny milk
cow with 3 teats. Cu Chulainn asked her for a drink of
milk to quench his thirst and she gave him a drink straight
from the teat. Cu Chulainn blessed her and the ancient hag
straightened up. He then asked her if he might have
another drink and she gave him milk from the 2nd teat. Cu
Chulainn again blessed her and she looked at him with two
good eyes. Cu Chulainn asked her if he could have just one
more drink and she gave him milk from the 3rd teat. Cu
Chulainn's thirst was quenched and he blessed her in the
name of all the gods and non-gods. As she walked toward
him he realized her limp was gone and that she was a young
maiden of great beauty; in fact, she was the mighty
Morrighan.
Later when Cu Chulainn fought his final battle and had
tied himself to the pillar stone, the Morrighan came in the
form of a great raven and settled on his shoulder.
NAME Dare mac Dedaid
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel - Clanna Dedad (The Degads)
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Kerry
TERRITORY Munster
CENTERS Temair Luachra (Tara of the Rushes)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Dedad (father); CuRoi (son); Conganchness, Li,
Echbel, Gabalglinde and Foenglinde (brothers);
Eremon and Tea (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Conganchness mac Dedaid / CuRoi macDaire / Dedad
/ Echbel mac Dedaid / Eremon / Foenglinde mac
Dedaid / Gabalglinde mac Dedaid / Li mac Dedaid
/ Tea
REMARKS Dare was the son of Dedad and the father of
CuRoi, champion of the Degads (Clanna Dedad). Temair
Luachra, the burial sire of the Clanna Erainn, became the
headquarters of the Clanna Dedad.
NAME Dare macFiachu
ALTERNATIVE Daire
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior / Red Branch champion
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster
LANDMARKS Carlingford Peninsula / Cantel of Cualnge
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid / Gairech & Irgairech
ACCESSORIES The Brown Bull of Cualnge
RELATIVES Fiachna (father); Imchad and Ros (brothers)
ENEMIES Host of Connacht
SEE ALSO Forgeman / Fruich / MacRoth / Medbh
REMARKS Dare macFiachu found Fruich in the form of a
waterworm in the water he had drawn and it told him of a
coming battle. It was then drunk by a cow and was reborn
as the Brown Bull of Cualnge. The bull was named after the
district on the Carlingford Peninsula in the ancient
province of Ulster and Forgeman was its herdsman (cowherd).
The Brown Bull was a supernatural beast, being the
reincarnation of a god of the Sidhe, and as he grew so did
his fame. The bull would allow 50 youths to rest on his
back in the evening to play draughts, assembly and leaping.
Another virtue was that 100 warriors could be protected
from the elements by his shadow or body heat. Goblins,
boggarts or sprites would not come anywhere near him and
his lowing was musical to the ear for anyone within
hearing. Most important of his many virtues was that he
would mount fifty heifers a day and they would calf within
24 hours or burst apart.
Medbh, Sovereign of Connacht, desired the bull for her
herd and sent MacRoth to negotiate a sale of the bull. She
offered new land, a chariot and 50 heifers and the close
friendship of herself, Sovereign of Connacht. Dare was
considering the offer when his chef overheard one of
Connacht's couriers saying that it was lucky he was giving
the bull peacefully because otherwise they would have taken
it by force. Upon hearing the insult, Dare refused the
offer and sent the negotiators away.
During the Cualnge Cattle Raid, Dare and his brothers
were described as high-spirited youths, fiery and noble.
They had their hair cut close to the head, wore sleeved
tunics embroidered in red gold around their girth and over
these they wore single-colored cloaks folded over them and
held with gold fibulas. Each carried a shield, a gold-
hilted sword on his shoulder and a 5-pointed broad gray-
green spear in his right hand.
The Brown Bull, who was the object of the Bo Tain war,
killed his enemy the Bull White Horn (Finnbhenach) and
headed for home where he died at Druim Tairb (Bull's Back).
NAME Dath
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Carlow
TERRITORY Leinster
CENTERS Dinn Rig
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd c
RELATIVES Mesroeda and Mesgegra (sons)
SEE ALSO Mac Da Tho (Mesroeda) / Mesgegra mac Datho
REMARKS Dath was the head chieftain of Leinster and the
father of Mesroeda and Mesgegra.
NAME Dathi
ALTERNATIVE Nathi
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel / Danann / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Ui Néill
DATES %AD 4th-5th c / AD 381-404 (Ard Righ - Kings
List) %
ACCESSORIES Boramha Tribute (cattle counting)
RELATIVES Fiachra (father); Ailill Molt (son); Eochu
Muigmedon (grandfather); Niall Noighiallach
(uncle); Eremon and Tea (ancestors)
ENEMIES Formenius
SEE ALSO Eochu Muigmedon / Eremon / Loiguiri mac Neil /
Nial Noighiallach / Tea
REMARKS Dathi, son of Fiachra, son of Eochu Muigmedon,
descendant of Eremon and Tea, became the high chieftain
after his uncle Niall Noighiallach. He continued to exact
the cattle tax (Boramha Tribute) from Leinster without a
fight.
Dathi led a fleet of warriors to Sliab Elpa in Thrace
and attacked the fortress of Formenius. During the siege,
he was killed by a bolt of lightning (arrow) sent by a
Thracian god. He was followed by his cousin Loiguiri mac
Neil who ruled for 30 years before the coming of Patrick.
Loiguiri died at Mag Lifi between the hills of Alba and
Eriu while securing the cattle tax from Leinster.
NAME Dealgnaid
ALTERNATIVE Elgnat / Delgnat
GENDER F
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
TYPE wife of the chieftain
CULTURE Partholean tribe
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Munster
SITE Da Econd (Of the Two Fools)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 19th c
BATTLES Magh Ibha
ACCESSORIES lapdog (Saimer)
RELATIVES Partholon (husband); Senboth, Laighlinne,
Slainge, Rudraidhe, Eber, Er, Orba, Ferann and
Fergna (sons); Aidne, Aife, Aine, Fochain,
Muchos, Melepard, Glas, Grennach, Ablach and
Gribendach (daughters); Toba (consort)
ENEMIES Fomorii
SEE ALSO Eber / Laighlinne / Partholon / Rudraidhe /
Senboth / Slainge
REMARKS One day, while Partholon was away fishing and
hunting, Dealgnaid, daughter of Lochtach, and Toba, servant
of Partholon, drank from the tubes of Partholon's vats and
then fornicated by a river. Because of this act the river
was named Da Econd (Of the Two Fools).
When Partholon returned home he found out what had
happened and killed Dealgnaid's lapdog (Saimer) in revenge.
She defended her action by accusing her husband of leaving
her in a situation where such a thing could happen. He was
pronounced negligent and this was the first adultery, the
first jealousy and the first judgment in Ireland. Toba was
later killed by Partholon.
NAME Dechtire
ALTERNATIVE Dectera / Deichtine {dech-tin-e}
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman) / charioteer
TYPE driver for Conchobar (Ri Ruirech)
CULTURE Goidel - Dal nAraide / Danann / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Louth
TERRITORY Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh Muirthemni
CENTERS Raith Dairgthech
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Cathbad (father); Maga (mother); Conchobar
(half-brother/consort); Cu Chulainn (son);
Sualtaim (husband/half-brother); Lugh (consort);
Elbha and Findchaem (sisters); Genonn and Imrinn
(brothers); Ferghus and Fachtna (half-brothers);
Ir and Anghus (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Anghus mac Og / Cathbad / Conchobar / Cu
Chulainn / Elbha / Fachtna Fathach / Ferghus mac
Roig / Findchaem / Genonn Gruadsolus / Imrinn /
Ir / Lugh / Maga / Sualtaim macRoig
REMARKS Dechtire was the daughter of Cathbad and Maga
and in her youth was a charioteer for her half-brother
Conchobar. During a Beltainn festival, she was the consort
to the sun god while Conchobar was the consort to the earth
goddess.
The sun god Lugh changed Dechtire and her maidens into
a flock of birds. The women disappeared for 9 months until
the birds appeared again at Emain Macha, inciting the
warriors to follow after them in their chariots.
At sundown they arrived at a Sidhe mound and were
invited to enter where they were entertained for the night
with a feast. In the morning, Dechtire appeared with a
child and they were told to take the child home to Emain
Macha and to train him well. He was named Setanta after a
Pictish tribe from Britain on her distaff side.
Dechtire then married the filidh Sualtaim who became
the boy's father. They lived at raith Dairgthech (Oak
House) in county Louth on the Plain of Muirthemni.
NAME Dedad
ALTERNATIVE Deda / Degad
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior / champion / head chieftain
CULTURE Goidel / Clanna Dedad (The Degads)
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Kerry
TERRITORY West Munster
CENTERS Temair Luachra (Tara of the Rushes)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Sin (father); Dare, Conganchness, Li, Echbel,
Gabalglinde and Foenglinde (sons); CuRoi
(grandson); Tigernach Tetbannach (uncle); Eremon
and Tea (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Conganchness mac Dedaid / CuRoi macDaire / Dare
mac Dedaid / Echbel mac Dedaid / Eremon /
Foenglinde mac Dedaid / Gabalglinde mac Dedaid /
Li mac Dedaid / Tea / Tigernach Tetbannach
REMARKS Dedad, son of Sin son of Daire, was a descendant
of Eremon and Tea of the Milesian (Goidel). During the
reign of Conaire Mor he became the head chieftain of West
Munster and Tigernach Tetbannach, son of Daire son of
Ailill, was the head chieftain of East Munster.
Dedad established the Clanna Dedad (The Degads) as a
unit of elite warriors or champions. Temair Luachra, the
burial sire of the Clanna Erainn, became the headquarters
of the Clanna Dedad.
NAME Deiotarus
EPITHET The Divine Bull
ALTERNATIVE Dejotarus
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity / warrior / vate / Brenin
TYPE bull god / soothsayer / head chieftain
CULTURE Galatian - Tolistoboii
COUNTRY Turkey
TERRITORY Galatia
SITES Drunemeton (sacred spring)
CENTERS Tolistothora
AGE Iron
DATES BC 1st c / BC 63 / BC 45
RELATIVES Dumnorix (father)
SEE ALSO Dumnorix
REMARKS In BC 63 during the Roman domination of Turkey,
the Galatians lost their independence when Pompey organized
the three chiefdoms of Galatia into principalities of Rome.
Deiotarus was made the chieftain of one of the new
territories. During the civil war between Caesar and
Pompey for control of Rome, Deiotarus plotted to increase
the strife.
In BC 45 Deiotarus defended his conduct before Caesar,
using Cicero as his defence. He was victorious and
returned home as the Rix of the three chieftains of
Galatia.
Deiotarus dedicated a sacred spring, unified the
Celtic tribes, conquered an area and made a treaty with
Rome. The three chieftains who ruled the territory formed
a triumvirate.
NAME Deirdre
EPITHET Of the Sorrows
ALTERNATIVE Darthula / Deirdre {deer-dree} / Derdrui
{der dru}
GENDER F
CATEGORY hero / rigbean (noble woman)
TYPE most beautiful woman
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland / Scotland
TERRITORY Ulster
SITES Armagh
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Fedlim (father); Naoise (husband); Lebarcham
(foster-mother)
ENEMIES Conchobhar / Eogan mac Durthacht
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Baruch / Buinne / Cathbad /
Conchobar mac Nessa / Eoghan mac Durthacht /
Fedlim mac Daill / Ferghus mac Roig / Illann /
Lebarcham / Medbh / Naoise / Sencha
macAilella
REMARKS Deirdre was the daughter of Fedlim mac Daill,
storyteller to Conchobar, head chieftain of Ulster. During
a feast at which Aenchae, Sencha, Cathbad, Conchobar,
Ferghus mac Roig and many of the heroes of Ulster were
present, Deirdre let out a scream while she was still in
her mother's womb. Cathbad prophesied a tall female of
great beauty with golden hair, gray-green eyes, flawless
skin and snow-white teeth. He also predicted that her
great beauty would cause much hardship and many deaths
among the Ulster warriors.
The warriors wanted her put to death, but Conchobar
said he would foster her and raise her away from everyone.
She was fostered to a female filidh named Lebarcham and
taken to a great woods of Ulster, never to see any man but
Cathbad and Conchobar.
One day, when she was reaching the age of marriage,
Deirdre and Lebarcham were looking over the wall of their
raith. It was winter and there was a new snow over the
land. A spot was marked by the red blood of a newly-killed
calf and as they were watching, a large black raven settled
on the snow to eat the blood of the calf. When Deirdre saw
this she cried out that she would like to see a man whose
hair was as black as the raven, whose skin was as white as
the newly-fallen snow and whose cheeks were as red as the
blood of the newly-slain calf. Lebarcham told Deirdre that
there was such a man: Naoise son of Usna, a young warrior
of the Red Branch.
Lebarcham arranged a meeting between Deirdre and
Naoise and the young maiden fell madly in love with him.
She did not want to marry Conchobar, whom she considered an
old man, and tried to convince Naoise to help her to
escape. One night Naoise and his two brothers came to the
raith and rescued Deirdre, taking her and Lebarcham to
Scotland where they became mercenaries for a head chieftain
of the Picts. One night, the head chieftain tried to kill
Naoise and his brothers so he could take Deirdre for
himself, so the group moved on.
Back in Ulster, the warriors wanted their brother of
the Red Branch back and were angry at Conchobar for forcing
them to the wilderness because of a girl. Conchobar agreed
to pardon them and sent Ferghus mac Roig to deliver the
pardon. Naoise and his brothers were excited because they
longed to see their comrades-at-arms and Emain Macha once
again. Deirdre, on the other hand, perceived danger but
was convinced by Naoise that no one including Conchobar
would violate the protection of Ferghus.
When Deirdre and her entourage landed in Ireland, they
were met by Baruch, a Red Branch warrior who invited
Ferghus to his raith for a feast. Ferghus could not refuse
because it was a geis of his never to refuse an invitation
to a feast. He put his sons Fiacha, Illann and Buinne in
charge to safeguard the party to Emain Macha. Deirdre and
her group arrived safely at Emain Macha and were housed at
the Red Branch. Here Cathbad assured Naoise and his
brothers that it was safe to leave the Red Branch hostel
and he would guarantee their safety.
Conchobar broke his promise, and warriors loyal to him
commanded by Eoghan attacked the Red Branch. Naoise and
his brothers and two of Ferghus's sons were some of the
many killed in the fray. This black deed caused a split in
the warriors of Ulster, and Ferghus led warriors loyal to
him against Emain Macha and set it ablaze. He then left
with his warriors for Connacht where they became
mercenaries for Ailill and Medbh and fought a 17-year
guerrilla war against Conchobar.
Deirdre was no joy to Conchobar as she wept for her
lost love. In anger Conchobar asked her what she hated
most and she replied that she hated him and Eoghan, the
killer of Naoise. Conchobar then told Eoghan that he could
have Deirdre for a year and put her in his chariot. Before
they went far Deirdre threw herself out of the chariot and
dashed her head on a rock, killing herself. She was buried
in a grave beside Naoise and in time yew trees grew from
their graves and intertwined. They are said to be the yews
at the great church of Armagh.
NAME Dela
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Firbolg
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 17th c
RELATIVES Loth (father); Gann, Genann, Rudraige, Sengann
and Slainge (sons); Magog and Semeon (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Gann / Genann / Magog / Rudraige / Semeon /
Sengann / Slainge
REMARKS Dela, son of Loth, son of Oirthet, son of
Tribuat, son of Gothorb, son of Gosten, son of Fortech, son
of Semeon of the Nemedian, sired 5 sons who led the Firbolg
invasion of Ireland. After they settled the island his
sons then divided it into 5 territories or provinces
(Coiceda). They became known as Leinster, East Munster,
West Munster, Connacht and Ulster. Their spiritual center
was Uisneach, the center of the island, where the five
provinces met.
NAME Delbaed
EPITHET Shapefire
ALTERNATIVE Dealbaeth / Dealbaith / Delbach / Delbaeth /
Delbath / Delbaith
GENDER M
CATEGORY filidh
TYPE seer
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Munster
SITES Fiachu's Cairn
AGE Ui Néill
DATES AD 4th-5th c
RELATIVES Cas mac Tuil (father)
REMARKS Delbaed and his five sons were banished from
Munster so he went to Fiachu's Cairn and built a druidic
fire which sent out five fire streams and he sent his sons
in those directions.
NAME Delbaeth
EPITHET Tuirill Piccroe
ALTERNATIVE Dealbaeth Dana / Dealbaith / Delbach / Delbaed /
Delbath / Delbaith
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / 6th Ri Ruirech
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Mayo / Sligo
TERRITORY Connacht
LANDMARKS Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th c / BC 1566-1556 (Kings List)
BATTLES first battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura)
second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura)
RELATIVES Etain (mother); Oghma (father); Ernmas (wife);
Macha and Badbh (daughters); Elcmar and Danu
(daughters/consorts); Fiachu, Olloman, Indui,
Corpre Crom, Brénos, Iucharba and Iuchar (sons);
Ai (grandson); Cairbre and Senbecc (half-
brothers); Diancecht (grandfather); Esaire
(great-grandmother); Magog, Iarbonel and Net
(ancestors)
ENEMIES Caicher / Cian / Lugh
SEE ALSO Ai mac Ollamain / Badbh Catha / Brénos / Bress /
Cairbre / Cian / Danu / Diancecht / Elcmar /
Ernmas / Esaire / Etain / Fea / Fiachu /
Iarbonel / Indui / Macha / Magog / Nemhain / Net
/ Oghma / Olloman
REMARKS Delbaeth was the son of Oghma and Etain and a
descendant of Net. Delbaeth sired the 3 sons of Tuirill
Piccroe: Brénos, Iucharba and Iuchar, with his daughter
Danu. There was a blood feud between the bloodlines of
Etain and Cian which came to a head when the sons of
Tuirill killed Cian, father of Lugh.
Once when Delbaeth was suffering a sickness and could
not find a cure he went to his mother's father Diancecht.
Diancecht gave him a draught at Cnoc Uachtat Archae that
caused him to vomit 3 times. The first time he threw up
was in Loch Uair, the second in Loch Iairn and the third in
Loch Aininn.
Delbaeth ruled the Danann for 10 years after Daghda
until he and his son, Olloman, were killed by Caicher, son
of Namadach, son of Eochu Garb, son of Dui Temen, son of
Bress.
NAME Delbchaem
EPITHET Fair Shape
GENDER F
CATEGORY rigbean (noble woman)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY The Otherworld - Land of Wonder (Tir na Iontas)
AGE Iron
DATES AD 3rd c
RELATIVES Art (husband); Morgan (father); Coinchend
(mother)
SEE ALSO Art Aenfer / Coinchend / Morgan
REMARKS Delbchaem was imprisoned by her mother in a
tower built on the top of a high pillar because it had been
foretold that the mother would die when her daughter
married. She finally escaped from her home when Art Aenfer
defeated all obstacles and rescued her from her parents.
She returned to Ireland with Art as his bride.
NAME Delga
ALTERNATIVE Dela / Deled / Delidh
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Fomorii
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Louth
TERRITORY Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh Muirthemni
CENTERS Dundalk (Dun Dealgan)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 19th-18th c
RELATIVES Morc (son)
ENEMIES Nemedian
SEE ALSO Morc mac Deiled
REMARKS Delga constructed a fortress in Ulster called
Dun Dealgan (Dundalk) in county Louth on Magh Muirthemni.
Centuries later it was to become the fortress of Cu
Chulainn.
NAME Derbhorgill
ALTERNATIVE Derbforgaill / Derbforgaille / Derorcaill
GENDER F
SYMBOL swan
CATEGORY deity / filidh
TYPE love goddess / sorcerer
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Scotland / Ireland
TERRITORY The Otherworld - Scandinavia (Lochlann) / Ulster
SITES Tech Midchuarta
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Lugaid Roederg (1st husband); Lugaid Riab nDerg
(2nd husband)
ENEMIES Fomorii
SEE ALSO Bricriu / Cu Chulainn / Lugaid Reoderg / Lugaid
Riab nDerg
REMARKS Derbhorgill was a Danann of Lochlann and was
offered to the Fomorians as a tribute. She was taken down
to the beach where she was to be turned over to Fomorian
warriors when out of nowhere came Cu Chulainn. He killed
all the Fomorians and gave Derbhorgill her freedom.
Derbhorgill changed herself and her maidens into swans
and followed Cu Chulainn to Ireland. She found Cu Chulainn
while he was hunting with his friend Lugaid Reoderg. As
Derbhorgill and her maidens circled, Cu Chulainn let go a
shot from his sling and brought her down. She changed
herself back into a human and Cu Chulainn, realizing what
he had done, sucked out the shot and saved her.
Derbhorgill was even more in love with Cu Chulainn for
having saved her life for the second time, but because he
was already married, Derbhorgill married his Cu Chulainn's
friend Lugaid Reoderg. During Bricriu's Feast at Tech
Midchuarta, Derbhorgill sat in the 8th position from
Conchobar on the women's side.
Derbhorgill eventually married Lugaid Riab nDerg the
high chieftain of Ireland and when she died he wa so in
love with her that he took his own life.
NAME Dianann
ALTERNATIVE Danann / Dinand / Dinann / Donand / Donnand
GENDER F
FESTIVAL summer solstice
CATEGORY filidh / farmer
TYPE sorcerer
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Sligo
TERRITORY Connacht
LANDMARKS Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
BATTLES second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura)
RELATIVES Danu (mother); Airgden, Barrand, Be Chuille, Be
Thete, Be Find and Boann (half-sisters); Daghda,
Mechi, Brénos, Iucharbra and Iuchar (half-
brothers); Delbaeth (grandfather); Ernmas
(grandmother); Magog, Iarbonel, Ordan and Net
(ancestors)
ENEMIES Fomorii
SEE ALSO Be Chuille / Be Find / Brénos / Boan / Daghda /
Danu / Delbaeth / Ernmas / Iarbonel / Lugh
/
Magog / Net / Ordan
REMARKS Dianann daughter of Danu, daughter of Ernmas,
daughter of Etarlam, son of Ordan, promised Lugh that when
they fought the Fomorii she and her sister Be Chuille would
wield their magic and make the trees, rocks and sods of the
earth rise up as an army and attack the Fomorian warriors.
Dianann died a druid's death during the battle of
north Moytura when she was attacked by grey air demons.
NAME Diancecht
ALTERNATIVE Den / Dian Cecht {jan-kett, dee'an-kecht} / Dien
GENDER M
FESTIVAL summer solstice
CATEGORY deity / druid
TYPE healer god / sage of leechcraft / physician
(medicine)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Mayo / Sligo
TERRITORY Connacht
LANDMARKS Plain of Towers (Magh Tuireadh) / Ardagh (Achad
Aba) / Lough Arrow
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
BATTLES first battle of Magh Tuireadh (south Moytura) /
second battle of Magh Tuireadh (north Moytura)
ACCESSORIES leeches and herbs
RELATIVES Esaire (mother); Cian, Miach, Ochttriuil, Cethen
and Cu (sons); Airmid and Etain (daughters);
Creidhne, Goibhniu, Luchtine and Samhain (half-
brothers); Lugh (grandson); Net (grandfather);
Magog and Iarbonel (ancestors)
SEE ALSO Airmid / Bress / Cian / Creidhne / Esaire /
Etain / Goibhniu / Iarbonel / Luchtine / Lugh /
Magog / Miach / Midhir / Net / Nuada /
Octriallach / Samhain
REMARKS Diancecht, son of Esaire daughter of Net, was
the master leech of the Danann when they invaded Ireland.
When Nuadha, head chieftain of the Danann, lost his arm
during the first battle of Magh Tuireadh, Diancecht
replaced it with a silver hand made by Creidhne.
Nuadha, now disfigured, could not remain the head
chieftain of the Danann and was replaced by Bress.
Diancecht's son Miach, who was also a physician, replaced
Nuadha's silver hand with one of flesh and blood. This
display of superior healing by his son made Diancecht so
envious and jealous that he killed Miach.
Diancecht replaced Midhir's eye that he had lost
trying to settle a quarrel on the playing field of Bruig na
Boinne. He wrote a thesis called the "Judgement of Dian
Cecht" which dealt with the legal responsibilities of a
person who had caused personal injury to another.
During the battle of north Moytura, Diancecht and his
children Miach, Ochttriuil and Airmid chanted spells over
the sacred Spring of Health. Diancecht resurrected the
dead and healed the wounded by immersing them into its well
(Tiprait Slainge) which was located in Achad Aba (Ardagh)
between Lough Arrow and Magh Tuiredh.
Diancecht had filled the well with every herb that
grew in Ireland so it was also called Loch Luibe. The well
was destroyed when the Fomorian Octriallach led a raid by
warriors who filled the well with stones from the Drowes
river and built the Cairn of Octriallach. Diancecht died
of painful plague, probably contacted from a poisoned
weapon, during the battle of north Moytura.
NAME Dianos
EPITHET Light Half / Bright Phase
ALTERNATIVE Danius / Dianos {jan-us} / Ianus / Janus
GENDER M
SYMBOL 2 human heads pointing in opposite directions
FESTIVAL winter solstice
CATEGORY deity / chieftain
TYPE god of portals / thunder / sky / oak /
reincarnation
CULTURE Iberian / pre-Goidel - Epirotae / Urnfield-
Hallstatt - Sequani, Aedui / Gallic -
Tricastini, Vocontii
COUNTRY Spain / Germany / France / England / Ireland
REGION Saône-et-Loire
TERRITORY Gaul / Lloegr
LANDMARKS Iberian Peninsula / Arroux / Rhône
SITES Boa Island / Roquepertuse / Holzerlingen /
Leichlingen / Lothbury
AGE Iron
DATES BC 20th c / BC 12 th c / BC 9th c / BC 6th c /
BC 4th c / BC 3rd c
RELATIVES Eperus (father); Iafeth (great-grandfather)
SEE ALSO Iafeth
REMARKS The etymology of the name Dianos suggests roots
in the Aryan language and the meaning "bright phase" or
"bright half". In Celtic mythology he was the son of
Eperus, son of Tubal, son of Iafeth, and was the chieftain
of the Epirotae on the Iberian Peninsula. His father seems
to have been associated with the people of the same name
from southern Albania, an area of the early Goidel and his
grandfather was the progenitor of the Iberians.
Dianos became the two-headed deity who guarded the
entrance to The Land of the Dead in The Otherworld. Spain
is also associated with this mythical place. Dianos was
associated with the oak tree and the winter solstice which
was the ending of the dark half and the beginning of the
light half of the solar year. He was also associated with
reincarnation and his head graced the pommel of many Celtic
swords.
Various Celtic sculptures of Dianos have been found:
one from BC 6th century found at Holzerlingen, one of BC
4th century from Leichlingen, Germany and another found at
Lothbury, England which also dates from BC 4th century.
The Gauls had a temple dedicated to Dianos at Autun in
Saône-et-Loire, France. The site was near the Arroux river
and may have been a druidic center of learning. The site
at one time was in the territory of the Sequani, who were
settled there between BC 12th-8th century, and the Aedui
tribe, who were settled in the area by BC 9th century.
A sculpture of Dianos was found at Roquepertuse in
southern France by the Rhône in the territory of the
Vocontii, who settled there around BC 12th century. The
territory was also settled by the Tricastini in BC 3rd
century. The stone-carving style may have been influenced
by the Ligurians (who were the original inhabitants) or by
the later Iberian settlers, both of whom were excellent
stone carvers.
The Celts in Ireland venerated a sculpture of Dianos
which is now in a small graveyard at the side of the road
on Boa Island at Lough Erne in county Fermanagh, North
Ireland. The style of carving is similar to that of the
sculpture from Holzerlingen.
The two-headed sculptures of Dianos are called
Janiform and the god is often mistakenly credited to the
Romans. Dianos predates the Romans and like most things
Roman he was borrowed from another culture.
NAME Diarmaid ua Duibhne
EPITHET Of the Love Spot (ua Duibhne) / The Auburn-
Haired (Diarmaid Donn) / Yellow-haired Dearmaid
of Women (Dearmaid Buidhe nam Ban)
ALTERNATIVE Dearmaid / Dermid / Dermot / Diarmait {der mot}
/ Diarmuid
GENDER M
SYMBOL boar / flag - Gear-lomlan (bitter brimful)
CATEGORY hero / warrior
TYPE battle-line / 3rd best champion
CULTURE Danann / Goidel / Pictish / Fomorii / Fianna -
Clanna Ui Tarsigh
COUNTRY Ireland / Scotland
REGION Sligo / Tiree / Meath
TERRITORY Leinster / Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
SITES Sidhe Brugh na Boyna / Ben Bulben (Beann
Ghulban) / Ui Fiacrach Aidhne / Forest of Duvnos
CENTERS Raith Almu (Fort of Almain) / Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES AD 3rd c
ACCESSORIES sword - Muileartach (eastern sea)
RELATIVES Tuireann (mother); Donn (father); Anghus (god-
father); Fionn (uncle); Grainne (wife)
ENEMIES Fionn / the white boar of Beann Ghulban
SEE ALSO Anghus mac Og / Conan Maol / Donn / Eber / Fionn
mac Cumhaill / Goll mac Morna / Grainne /
Manannan / Oscar / Roc / Searbhan / Tuireann
REMARKS Diarmaid was the son of Donn of the Danann and
Tuireann, a descendant of Eber of the Milesian (Goidel). He
was said to be fostered by the gods Anghus mac Og and
Manannan of the Danann, meaning that he was fostered by
their descendants.
One day at a camp of the Fianna, Fionn's dogs were
fighting amongst themselves. Diarmaid's half-brother hid
between the knees of Donn for protection but Donn crushed
him to death. The boy's father Roc used a magical wand to
change the corpse into a gray-cropped white boar with no
tail or ears. He gave him the same life-span as Diarmaid
and the boar ran off to Beann Ghulban (Ben Bulben) in
county Sligo to live his life. Diarmaid was given a geis
not to hunt boar for his own protection.
Diarmaid had a beauty spot (ball seirc) which made him
irresistible to females once they saw it. He received the
beauty mark from a goddess of youth when he, Oscar, Conan
and Goll were out hunting. They spent the night in a cabin
in the woods with an ancient man, his daughter, a wether
sheep and a cat. During the evening meal, the cat jumped
up onto the table and in turn each of the Fianna tried to
remove it but failed. The ancient man explained to them
that the cat was the symbol of death and none of them was
stronger. That night each of the males tried to entice the
maiden to sleep with him but only Diarmaid succeeded and
she put her mark on him.
Diarmaid was considered to be the 3rd best warrior of
the Fianna. Diarmaid and Oscar were the best of friends
and Diarmaid, the older, taught Oscar how to play Taileasg.
One night at a feast held in honor of Fionn's marriage to
Grainne, daughter of the high chieftain of Ireland,
Diarmaid's love spot got him into trouble. Grainne did not
want to be married to Fionn and she used Diarmaid's geis
(always to help a maiden in trouble) to rescue her from
this fate. Diarmaid loved his uncle and his life with the
Fianna and did not want to elope with her but he had no
choice.
The two ran away to the forest of Ireland and at first
he left symbols so that Fionn would know that they were not
sleeping together, but as time went on they fell in love. A
cave named Ui Fiacrach Aidhne in the hills of Kenavarra at
the western end of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides became known
as the Bed of Diarmuid and Grainne.
While they were being hunted by the Fianna, the couple
entered the forest of Duvnos in which there was a magical
rowan tree which produced berries of immortality. The tree
was guarded by a giant called Searbhan the Surly. Diarmaid
convinced the giant to allow them to hide in the tree on
condition that they would not touch the berries. They
agreed, but then Grainne complained of her hunger and
wanted to eat some. This situation forced Diarmaid to kill
the giant.
The couple spent 16 years living off the land in
Ireland and Scotland and having many adventures before
Anghus mac Og and Grainne's father, the high chieftain of
Ireland, put enough pressure on Fionn to allow them to come
back to Tara.
The couple returned to live in Raith Grainne at Tara,
and Grainne bore four sons and a daughter by Diarmaid.
While there, Grainne convinced Diarmaid to invite Fionn to
a festival. One night during Fionn's stay, Diarmaid was
woken by hounds of the Danann howling in the distance. In
the morning he found Fionn and some of the Fianna ready to
go on a boar hunt. Diarmaid was under geis not to hunt
boar so he went along only as an extra.
When the white boar of Ben Bulben had been killed,
Fionn asked Diarmaid to measure it from snout to tail.
Diarmaid realized it was his half-brother and while
measuring out the 16-foot boar, he was stabbed in the sole
of his foot (his only vulnerable spot) by a poisonous
bristle.
As Diarmaid lay dying, he asked Fionn for a drink of
water from his hands because only this could save his life.
Fionn said there was no spring in the area and Diarmaid
pointed out that he was lying only 9 paces from a spring
with the best water in the area. Fionn attempted to bring
him water, but each time he remembered the pain Diarmaid
had caused him, the water slipped through his fingers.
Fionn's son Oscar, who was Diarmaid's best friend,
threatened his father with his life if he did not bring
Diarmaid a drink. Fionn brought a 3rd handful of water to
Diarmaid but he was already dead.
Anghus mac Og and his people of the Danann appeared on
Ben Bulben and wailed over the death of Diarmaid, then
carried away his body on a gilded bier to Sidhe Brugh na
Boyna on Magh mBreg in Mide. Grainne then sent her sons
abroad to learn the arts of combat so they could avenge
their father's death but as time went on, Fionn wooed her.
Much to the disgust of the Fianna, Grainne married Fionn
and made peace between him and her sons.
NAME Diarmait mac Conchobar
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / son of the Ri Ruirech
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel - Dal nAraide / Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Armagh
TERRITORY Ulster
SITES Imroll Belaig Eoin / Ard in Dirma (Height of the
Troops)
CENTERS Emain Macha (Navan)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid (died)
RELATIVES Conchobar (father); Fedlimid (half-sister); Cu
Chulainn, Cormac Condloinges, Cuscraid Menn,
Findchad, Fiachu, Fiachna, Naoise, Conall,
Follomain, Glas, Mane, Conaing, Beann, Furbude
Fer Bend and Fiachra (half-brothers)
ENEMIES Host of Connacht / Mane
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Beann / Conchobar mac Nessa /
Cormac Condloinges / Cu Chulainn / Cuscraid Menn
/ Fedlimid Nocruthach / Fiachna / Fiachra /
Fiachu / Findchad / Conall Cernacht / Follomain
/ Furbude Fer Bend / Glas / Macha / Mane Andoe /
Medbh / Naoise / Nocruthach
REMARKS Diarmait son of Conchobar was a descendant of Ir
of the Milesian (Goidel). During the Cualnge Cattle Raid
at the time when the men of Ulster were recovering from the
Pains of Macha, Diarmait was sent to parley with the hosts
of Connacht. Mane, a son of Ailill and Medbh, represented
the Connacht host and Diarmait told him that Conchobar
wanted the Brown Bull and his cattle back, plus restoration
for the damage done. Because Medbh had pledged a meeting
of the bulls, she could bring the White Bull to Cualnge.
Mane delivered the message but Medbh and Ailill
refused all conditions. When Mane delivered the reply,
Diarmait suggested that they exchange spears. They both
died along with 3 score of each side. The site where the
two died became known as Imroll Belaig Eoin and the hill
itself was called Ard in Dirma (Height of the Troops)
NAME Diarmuid mac Cearbhail
ALTERNATIVE Diarmait mac Cerball / Diarmait mac Cerbaill /
Diarmait mac Cerbhaill
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Feis Temhra / Beltainn (Brilliant Fires) /
Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel - Ui Néill / Danann / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
SITES Magh Uisneach / hostel of Banban
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Ui Néill
DATES AD 6th c / AD 514-535 (Ard Righ - Kings List)
ACCESSORIES Tamhlorgaibh fileadh / Boramha Tribute (cattle
counting)
RELATIVES Fergus Cerrbel (father); Mugain (wife); Aed
Slaine and Colman Mor (sons); Morda (2nd wife);
Mael-morda (son); Niall (great-grandfather);
Eremon and Tea (ancestors)
ENEMIES Aedh Dubh
SEE ALSO Aedh Dubh / Banban / Bec mac De / Caoilte /
Eremon / Golamh / Mugain / Niall Noighiallach /
Oisin / Tea
REMARKS Diarmuid mac Cearbhail was a great-grandson of
Niall Noighiallach and a descendant of Eremon and Tea of
the ancient Milesian. When Diarmuid became the high
chieftain, Ireland was inundated with such hailstorms that
12 new streams were created.
Diarmuid was one of the last great pagan rulers of
Ireland and during his rule The Feast of Feis Temhra
(ritual marriage between the high chieftain and the earth
goddess of Mide) was still being practiced. He ordered the
stories of Oisin and Caoilte to be cut into the poet staffs
(Tamhlorgaibh Fileadh).
Diarmuid killed two head chieftains of Leinster over
the cattle tax (Boramha Tribute). After that he extracted
the tax without a fight.
While Diarmuid was high chieftain of Ireland, a legal
representative of the court of Tara was murdered by a
chieftain named Hugh Guairy. Diarmuid sent officers to
arrest Hugh Guairy for the murder he had committed, but he
was hidden away by the clergy of a new religion that was
aggressively trying to defeat the established religion in
Ireland at the time. Diarmuid had the premises searched
and the murderer was brought to justice at Tara. The
clergy of the new religion gathered at Tara and laid a
curse upon it, but it failed and Tara continued to be used
as a site for pagan rituals as late as AD 780.
Diarmuid found that his wife was having an affair with
Flann mac Dima, and on the eve of Beltainn attacked his
raith on the Plain of Uisneach. While it was ablaze, Flann
suffocated in a vat of water where he climbed to escape the
flames.
Diarmuid asked his druids how he would meet his own
death. The first filidh said he would die from slaughter
while he was wearing a shirt made from the single flax seed
and a mantle made from the wool of one sheep. The second
filidh said Diarmuid would die from drowning in a vat of
beer made from a single seed of grain. The third filidh
said Diarmuid would die from burning after eating the bacon
of a swine that was never farrowed.
Diarmuid then asked the seer Bec mac De and he said
that all of the above would be the cause of his death in
the hostel of Banban when the ridgepole fell on his head.
Years later, Diarmuid was invited to a feast at the
hostel of Banban. Diarmuid's wife Mugain refused to go,
saying it would have evil consequences, so Diarmuid went by
himself to the feast. Diarmuid never returned because he
was stabbed by Aedh Dubh, suffocated by smoke from a fire
and drowned in a vat of beer when a burning ridgepole fell
on his head. Diarmuid had ruled Ireland for 21 years. His
body was buried in Conaire but his head was taken to
Clonmacnois.
NAME Diliu macGarach
EPITHET Deluge / Torrent
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES Ard Ciannacht / Ath meic Garach
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid (died)
ACCESSORIES Meslethain (Lethan's fosterling) was his
charioteer
RELATIVES son of Garach; Lon and Uala (brothers)
ENEMIES Cualnge / Pictland / Ulster / Chulainn
SEE ALSO Cu Chulainn / Err / Innell / Lethan / Lon
macGarach / Uala macGarach
REMARKS The 3 macGarach brothers were distraught over
the deaths of Err, Innell and Orlam. They chose an
underhanded method to seek revenge on Cu Chulainn, who had
fought a most honorable fight.
Diliu and his two brothers thought they could have
their charioteers hold strips of aspen-wood so as to attach
themselves into one unit and attack Cu Chulainn together.
To a champion warrior like Cu Chulainn, this was a great
insult to the code the warriors lived by. Cu Chulainn
showed no mercy and took the heads from all six of them at
the ford of the sons of Garach (Ath meic Garach).
NAME Dis
EPITHET The Invisible / Father of the Gauls (Dispater)
ALTERNATIVE Dis Pater / Hades / Pluto / Orcus
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity
TYPE god of night, the underworld and the dark half
of the year
CULTURE Goidel - Parisii tribe
COUNTRY France
TERRITORY Gaul / Hades
LANDMARKS Seine
SITES Paris
AGE Bronze / Iron
DATES BC 13th c
ACCESSORIES Cerberus (3-headed dog)
RELATIVES Rhea (mother); Cronos (father); Goddess-Without-
Name, Aericura and Proserpine [Persephone]
(consorts); Hera and Demeter [Isis] (sisters);
Zeus and Poseidon (brothers); Ouranos
(grandfather); Gaia (grandmother)
SEE ALSO Aericura / Goddess-Without-Name / Hera /
Poseidon / Zeus
REMARKS Dis was the god of the Underworld or the Land of
Hades and kept a fierce 3-headed guard dog named Cerberus.
Dis possessed a helmet which would turn him invisible. The
name Dis probably derives from D'Isis (of Isis). Two
ancient sites of her cult were on the Thames near Oxford
and Paris on the Seine.
There was an altar in Paris, a center of the Parisii
tribe, where Dis was venerated. The Parisii tribe were of
the Goidel culture, some of whom migrated from England
after the Trojan war into the area and developed Paris as a
center. They were still there when the Romans conquered
the area in BC 1st century.
NAME Divico
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Gallic - Tigurini tribe
COUNTRY Germany / France / Switzerland
TERRITORY Gaul
LANDMARKS Garonne / Jura Mountains / Lake Leman
SITES Agen
AGE Iron
DATES BC 109 / BC 107 / BC 58
ENEMIES Rome / Caesar
REMARKS In BC 109 the Tigurini tribe left Germany with
the Helvetii, Cimbri and Teutoni and travelled into Gaul.
In BC 107 Divico led Tigurini warriors to join with
warriors of the Volcae Tectosages in southern France and
together they defeated a Roman army near present-day Agen
on the Garonne river.
Divico eventually led his people to Switzerland where
they settled in the Jura Mountains near present-day Lake
Leman (Lake Geneva). 49 years later, he led a delegation
to negotiate a peaceful passage for his tribe through the
Roman territory of Province. The request was denied by
Caesar, who wanted revenge because a relative had been
killed in the massacre at Agen.
NAME Divitiacus
ALTERNATIVE Diviciacus
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / vergobret / Rex / vate
TYPE magistrate / seer / appointed head chieftain
CULTURE Gallic - AEdui tribe
COUNTRY France
TERRITORY Gaul
LANDMARKS Yonne
CENTERS Bibracte (Autun)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 1st c / BC 58 / BC 57
RELATIVES Dumnorix (younger brother)
ENEMIES Dumnorix
SEE ALSO Dumnorix
REMARKS Divitiacus asked Rome for help in dealing with
his unruly brother. The senate did not want to become
involved but Caesar seized this as an excuse for invading
Gaul. In BC 58 Divitiacus was appointed head chieftain of
the AEdui tribe by Caesar. Under his leadership, the AEdui
invaded the territory of their client tribe the Bellovaci
in BC 57 to try to persuade them not to fight against the
Romans.
ALTERNATIVE Doiche / Dot
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Gailioin
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
SITES Imroll Belaig Eoin (Misthrow at Bird Pass)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid
RELATIVES Magach (mother); Doiche (father); Fithir (son);
Anluan, Bascell, Cet, En, MacCorb and Scandal
(brothers); Maga (sister); Ailill (nephew)
ENEMIES Cualnge / Pictland / Ulster / Chulainn / Fiachna
macFerfebe
SEE ALSO Ailill macMata / Anluan / Bascell / Cet mac
Magach / Dubthach Doel / En / Fiachna macFerfebe
/ Iliach / Loeghaire Buadhach / MacCorb / Maga
Muresc / Magach of Connacht / Mane Andoe /
Scandal
REMARKS Doche supplied warriors for the Host of Connacht
during the raid into Ulster for the Brown Bull of Cualnge.
One day he and Mane Andoe were together and met up with
Fiachna macFerfebe, whom he hated and who was with his good
friend Dubthach Doel. Doche became so angry he threw a
spear at Fiachna but he hit his friend Dubthach by mistake.
Fiachna threw a spear at him but hit his cousin Mane Andoe.
The name of the place therefore became known as the
Misthrow at Bird Pass.
During the Clump-fight of Iliach, Doche recognized
Iliach as the grandfather of his good friend Loeghaire and
treated him with the respect the famous ancient warrior
deserved. When Iliach's wrath and energy was spent, Doche
cut off his head and took his sword to give to Loeghaire as
the old warrior had requested.
NAME Dolb
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE protector of Cu Chulainn
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster
SITES Ath Firdead (Ferdiad's Ford)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid (died)
ACCESSORIES supernatural cowl of invisibility
RELATIVES Goll mac Dolb (son)
ENEMIES Cu Chulainn
SEE ALSO Cu Chulainn / Ferdiad
REMARKS Dolb and Indolb were two Danann who were friends
of Cu Chulainn and would come to his aid in a time of need.
During Cu Chulainn's combat with Ferdiad, they used their
supernatural cowls to make themselves invisible and fought
on either side of him.
Ferdiad suspected Dolb and Indolb were there by the
number of blows raining down on his shield and he used his
skill to kill them both, even though he could not see them.
Cu Chulainn's dishonorable use of these invisible helpers
infuriated Ferdiad and he almost got the better of Cu
Chulainn then and there.
NAME Domaine Mossud
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY filidh
TYPE judge to Conaire (Ard Righ Eirinn)
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Magh Liffey
SITES Da Derga's Hostel
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Ath Cliath
ENEMIES Ingcel / sons of Donn Desa
SEE ALSO Da Derga / Donn Desa / Ingcel
REMARKS The 3 men Domaine Mossud, Dergus Ferde and
Fergus Fordae were judges to the high chieftain of Ireland.
One had a newly-shaven head while the other two had manes
of hair. They wore mixed plaids, mantles, silver pins and
armor. They each killed an enemy warrior during the
destruction at Da Derga's Hostel on Magh Liffey.
NAME Domangart
ALTERNATIVE Domangort / Domhanghart
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE head chieftain
CULTURE Goidel - Dal Riada / Danann / Pictish / Scotti
COUNTRY Ireland / Scotland
REGION Highland / Argyll
TERRITORY Albainn / Argyll / Cinel Loairn / Cinel Gabrain
CENTERS Dunadd
AGE Ui Néill
DATES AD 5th-6th c / AD 506 (became Ri Ruirech)
RELATIVES Fergus (father); Comgall and Gabran (sons);
Angus, Loarn and Muirchertach (uncles); Eremon,
Tea and Cairbre Riada (ancestors)
ENEMIES Pictish - Caledonians
SEE ALSO Angus macEirc / Cairbre Riada / Comgall / Eremon
/ Fergus macEirc / Gabran / Loarn macEirc /
Muirchertach / Tea
REMARKS When Domangart became the second head chieftain
of the Dal Riada in Albainn. He and his uncle Angus joined
the territories together and this was the beginning of the
Scotti (Irish) in Albainn (Scotland/northern England).
They were more of a sea than a land colony when they
settled Cinel Loairn on the north side and Cinel Gabrain on
the south side of Loch Fyne.
NAME Domhnall
EPITHET The Warlike
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior / champion / combat instructor
CULTURE Fir Domnann tribe
COUNTRY Scotland
REGION Strathclyde
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Dornoll (daughter)
SEE ALSO Conall Cernacht / Cu Chulainn / Dornoll /
Loeghaire Buadhach / Scathach
REMARKS Domhnall was a warrior champion of high
reputation who ran a training school for young warriors. Cu
Chulainn, Conall Cernacht and Loeghaire Buadhach were three
of his many students. When he finished teaching them, he
advised Cu Chulainn to go to Scathach for further training.
NAME Domhnall Breac
ALTERNATIVE Brec
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE head chieftain of the Dal Riada of Albainn
CULTURE Goidel / Scotti
COUNTRY Scotland
TERRITORY Albainn
LANDMARKS Plain of Forts (Magh Rath at Moira)
AGE Ui Néill
DATES AD 7th c / AD 637
BATTLES Moyraith (Cath Maige Raith)
ENEMIES Domnall mac Aedh
SEE ALSO Domnall mac Aedh
REMARKS Domhnall Breac raided Ireland and fought against
the warriors of Domnall mac Aedh, the high chieftain of
Ireland, in the battle of Magh Rath at Moira.
Domhnall Breac's champion, Conall, nearly killed the
high chieftain.
NAME Domnall mac Aedh
ALTERNATIVE Domhnall mac Aeda
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Ard Righ Eirinn
TYPE high chieftain
CULTURE Goidel - Ui Néill / Danann / Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Connacht / Leinster / Mide / Munster / Ulster
LANDMARKS Plain of Forts (Magh Rath at Moira)
CENTERS Dun na nGedh (Dun na nGed / Dun na nGeid)
AGE Ui Néill
DATES %AD 6th-7th c / AD 596-626 (Ard Righ - Kings
List) %
BATTLES Moyraith (Cath Maige Raith)
ACCESSORIES shield (Derg-druimnech or Red-backed)
Boramha Tribute (cattle counting)
RELATIVES Aedh (father); Oengus and Fergus (sons); Mael-
Coba, Garban and Cumascach (brothers); Eremon
and Tea (ancestors)
ENEMIES Conall / Domhnall Breac
SEE ALSO Aedh mac Ainmireach / Domhnall Breac / Eremon /
Tea
REMARKS Domnall mac Aedh son of Aedh mac Ainmireach was
a descendant of Eremon and Tea and retained the position of
high chieftain of Ireland for 30 years. He built a new
center for Ireland at Dun na nGedh on the bank of the
Boyne. He built it in the likeness of Tara and from there
the high chieftains continued to rule Ireland.
Domnall was attacked by Domhnall Breac, head chieftain
of the Dal Riada tribe of Scotland. He drove them off
during the battle on Magh Rath (Plain of Forts) at Moira.
Domnall continued to collect the cattle tax (Boramha
Tribute) from Leinster every year without a fight and he
died a natural death.
NAME Domnu
EPITHET Vortex of the Sea
GENDER F
SYMBOL whirlpool
CATEGORY deity
TYPE Great Mother (fertility/abundance/prosperity)
CULTURE Fir Domnann tribe
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Connacht
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 16th-15th c
RELATIVES Indech (son)
SEE ALSO Indech
REMARKS Domnu was the mother goddess of the Fir Domnann
tribe of Ireland. Her name meant "hole in the ocean".
EPITHET Genius
ALTERNATIVE Don {dawn}
GENDER F
CATEGORY deity / rhain (noble woman) / Sovereign
TYPE mother goddess (fertility of the tribe)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Wales
REGION Gwynedd {gwin-eth} / Clwyd {clud}
TERRITORY Gwynedd
LANDMARKS Don river
CENTERS Caer Dathl (Fort Dathal) at Caernarfon
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Mathonwy (mother); Arianrod (daughter);
Amaethon, Gilfaethwy, Govannon and Gwyddion
(sons); Math (brother); Pepin (consort)
SEE ALSO Amaethon / Arianrod / Gilfaethwy / Govannon /
Gwyddion / Math / Mathonwy
REMARKS Don was the mother and eponymous goddess of the
Danann of Wales. There is a Don river that flows into the
Humber.
EPITHET The Dark One
ALTERNATIVE Dond mac Miled / Eber Donn (Dark Eber)
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Beltainn (Brilliant Fires)
CATEGORY deity / warrior / Ri Ruirech
TYPE god of the dead / chariot warrior / head
chieftain
CULTURE Goidel (Milesian) - Artabri tribe
COUNTRY Ukraine / Russia / Egypt / Spain / Ireland
REGION Asia Minor / Galicia
TERRITORY Scythia / West Munster / The Otherworld - House
of Donn (Tech nDuind)
LANDMARKS Caucasus / Caspian sea / Black Sea / Crimean
Peninsula / Mediterranean / Atlantic / Beara
Peninsula / Bull Island
CENTERS Brigantia (A Corunna)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 15th c
RELATIVES Golamh (father); Seang (mother); Dil (wife/half-
sister); Airioch Feabhruadh (brother); Eremon,
Eber, Amhairghin, Ir, Colptha and Arannan (step-
brothers); Odba (half-sister); Scota (step-
mother/wife); Bile (grandfather); Bregon (great-
grandfather); Brego, Bladh, Fuad, Murthemne,
Cualgne, Cuala, Eibleo, Nar and Ith (cousins)
ENEMIES Danann
SEE ALSO Amhairghin / Arannan / Banbha / Bile / Bladh /
Bregon / Colptha / Eber / Eire / Eremon / Fodhla
/ Fuad / Golamh / Ir / Ith / Scota / Seang
REMARKS Donn, son of Golamh, son of Bile, was born in
Scythia (an area north of the Caucasus streaching east
around the Caspian Sea to the Volga river and west around
the Black Sea to the Crimean Peninsula). When his mother
died, he went with his father to Egypt where he studied law
and they fought as mercenaries, then to Spain.
In Spain, Donn and his half-brother Eremon ruled their
people jointly. Donn married his half-sister Dil, joining
these two veins of the family together, and Eremon married
her sister Odba (who was also his half-sister) joining these
two veins of the family together.
When news of Ith's death at the hands of the Danann
reached Spain, Donn was elected as head chieftain of the
warriors to invade Ireland. The invasion fleet consisted
of 36 ships with 2x24 warriors each.
It was prophesied that Ireland would be taken by an
invading force that made landfall at Inber Scene (mouth of
the Shannon). The Milesian circled Ireland 3 times but
each time they came up to Inber Scene the Danann hid the
estuary with fog in the shape of a hog's back, causing the
name Hog Island to be given to Ireland.
The ships finally made landfall at Inber Scene where
they buried two of their dead. The Milesian then fought a
fierce battle at Slieve Mis (Sliabh Mish) on the Dingle
Peninsula. After their victory, Donn led a landing party
to Tara to negotiate with the 3 leaders of the Danann. On
the way they were met by the 3 goddesses of Ireland:
Banbha, Fodhla and Eire. Donn insulted Eire and she
predicted that he would sire no children that would settle
in Ireland.
When the Goidel negotiated with the Danann, they
agreed to pull their fleet back beyond the ninth wave. A
fierce storm was called up by the filidh of the Danann.
Donn was reckless and wanted to attack but Airioch, Donn's
brother and steerman of the ship, told him to be patient as
it was a wind of wizards. Amhairghin calmed the winds and
the sea and Donn, who was impatient to put the Danann under
his blade, set sail. The Danann raised another wind and
his ship was wrecked on Bull Island off Beara Peninsula.
The 24 male and 12 female warriors died with dry blades, a
shame upon Donn son of Seang.
Donn was buried on the island along with his wife Dil
and his brother Airioch Feabhruadh. Bres, Buas, Buaighne
and Bile son of Brig and his wife Buan daughter of
Tigernbard were also buried on the island.
Donn became the god of the dead, and warriors on their
way to the Otherworld would visit him at Tech nDuind (House
of Donn) before he carried them by ship to the Land of the
Dead in the west.
NAME Donn
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE battle-line
CULTURE Danann / Fianna - Clanna Ui Tarsigh
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Leinster
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg
SITES Allen Hill / Sidhe Brugh na Boyna
CENTERS Raith Almu (Fort of Almain)
AGE Iron
DATES AD 3rd c
RELATIVES Tuireann (wife); Diarmaid (son); Fionn (brother-
in-law)
SEE ALSO Anghus mac Og / Diarmaid Ua Duibhne / Fionn /
Roc / Tuireann
REMARKS Donn took his son Diarmaid to Sidhe Brugh na
Boyna on Magh mBreg in Mide to be fostered when he became
of age. While there, Donn learned that his wife Tuireann
was pregnant by Roc, the steward to Anghus mac Og, the
Danann love god.
Later, when Roc's boy was still young, he ran between
the legs of Donn to escape Fionn's hunting dogs who were
fighting among themselves. Donn crushed the boy with his
knees and the child died. Roc, the boy's father, changed
the dead boy into a white wild boar with no tail or ears.
He gave him a life-span equal to that of Diarmaid. The
boar awoke and ran off to Beann Ghulban (Ben Bulben), where
it lived until he and Diarmaid crossed paths at death.
NAME Donn Desa
GENDER M
SYMBOL porcupine
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior / champion
CULTURE Baperi tribe (they of the porcupine)
COUNTRY Ireland
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Fer Gar, Fer Lee, Fer Rogain, Lomna Druth
(sons); Conaire Mor (foster-son)
SEE ALSO Fer Gar / Fer Lee / Fer Rogain / Conaire Mor /
Lomna Druth
REMARKS Donn Desa was a foster-father to Conaire at the
insistence of Conaire's mother. When Conaire became the
high chieftain of Ireland, Donn's sons turned against their
foster-brother and were part of the raiding party that was
responsible for his death. Donn Desa was of the Baperi
tribe (they of the porcupine "noku"). The word Banoku was
their oath ("by the porcupine").
NAME Dornoll
EPITHET Big Fist
GENDER F
CATEGORY warrior
CULTURE Fir Domnann tribe
COUNTRY Scotland
REGION Strathclyde
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Domhnall (father)
SEE ALSO Conall Cernacht / Cu Chulainn / Domhnall /
Loeghaire Buadhach / Scathach
REMARKS Dornoll fell in love with Cu Chulainn when he
and his friends were training with her father Domhnall.
When Cu Chulainn spurned her advances, she sought revenge
by causing Loeghaire and Conall to return home rather than
go on with Cu Chulainn when he went to study with Scathach.
She hoped that he would not survive the journey by himself.
NAME Drappes
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / chieftain
TYPE mercenary / freedom fighter
CULTURE Gallic - Senones tribe
COUNTRY France
TERRITORY Gaul
LANDMARKS Loire / Seine
CENTERS Uxennodunum
AGE Iron
DATES BC 1st c / BC 52 / BC 50 (died)
ENEMIES Rome
SEE ALSO Lucterios / Vercingetorix
REMARKS Drappes was a chieftain with a following of
warrior misfits from other tribes. They were put together
at the start of the campaign by Vercingetorix to attack
Roman baggage and supply trains. Drappes had among his
warriors a Cadurci chieftain named Lucterios who had
survived the siege at Alesia.
Drappes led his band of freedom-fighters to his
fortress Uxennodunum, a place of great natural strength.
Three legions of Romans followed them and set up three
siege camps around the fortress.
Lucterios' experience at Alesia had taught him the
importance of a good grain supply when under siege. Drappes
and Lucterios led a group of lightly-armed warriors to
obtain grain. They succeeded in getting grain from the
Cadurci tribe and stole the rest from the Romans. They
were 12 miles from the fortress when they made camp and
divided the supply between two groups.
Lucterios decided to take the first group in just
before daylight, but a Roman sentry heard some noise and
reported it. The Romans attacked and Lucterios escaped
with a few warriors but most were killed or captured. The
Romans then discovered from their prisoners that an equal
quantity of grain was hidden only 12 miles from the
fortress. The Romans attacked with a legion and Drappes
was taken prisoner. Drappes refused to eat, and died of
starvation.
NAME Dub
ALTERNATIVE Dubh (black/dark)
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY herder
TYPE swineherd of Conaire (Ard Righ Eirinn)
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath / Dublin
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Magh Liffey
SITES Da Derga's Hostel
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Ath Cliath
ACCESSORIES hayforks
RELATIVES son of Mapher; Donn and Dorcha (brothers)
ENEMIES Ingcel / sons of Donn Desa
SEE ALSO Conaire / Da Derga / Donn Desa / Ingcel
REMARKS Dub, Donn and Dorcha were the swineherds of
Conaire, the high chieftain of Ireland. During the
destruction at Da Derga's hostel, they were there to help
defend him. They wore their dark hair in crown tufts and
dressed in green frocks with dark mantles. They wore armor
on their shins and carried hay forks as weapons.
NAME Dubchommar
ALTERNATIVE Dubchomar {dubh-cumair}
GENDER M
CATEGORY filidh
TYPE prophet to the Ard Righ Eirinn
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath
TERRITORY Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBerg
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE iron (late)
DATES AD 3rd-4th c / AD 300 (died)
BATTLES Dubchomar
SEE ALSO Fiacha Sreabhtuinne
REMARKS When the three sons of Eochu Domplen gave notice
that they were going to attack their uncle Fiacha
Sreabhtuinne, Dubchommar the filidh gave this prophecy: if
he intervened, Fiacha would win and remain high chieftain
of Ireland, but his descendants would never hold the
position again. On the other hand, without intervention
from the filidh, Fiacha would lose, and die, but his
descendants would rule Ireland until Doomsday.
Fiacha decided that he would prefer to die in battle.
Dubchommar the filidh decided that he would accompany the
high chieftain into battle and prophesied that the battle
would be named after him, which it was.
NAME Dubh
ALTERNATIVE Dub / Dubh (black/dark)
GENDER F
CATEGORY filidh
TYPE sorcerer
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Leinster
LANDMARKS Liffey
CENTERS Dublin (Black Pool)
RELATIVES Enna (husband)
ENEMIES Enna
REMARKS One day Dubh found out that her husband Enna had
another wife. Dubh then used her sorcery to drown the
other woman. When Enna found out what Dubh had done, he
killed her with a shot from a sling and she fell into a
pool of water and drowned. The pool became known as
Dubhlinn (Dubh's pool).
NAME Dubhdun
EPITHET Dubh dun (place of darkness)
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Oriel
AGE Ui Néil
DATES AD 6th c
BATTLES Dun Bolg
ENEMIES Leinster / Ron Cerr
SEE ALSO Aedh mac Ainmireach / Ron Cerr
REMARKS Dubhdun was a chieftain of Oriel (Airgialla). He
was ordered by the high chieftain, Aedh mac Ainmireach, to
station his troops to protect his camp from a surprise
attack by Leinster warriors.
When Dubhdun heard the rattle of wagons coming with
barrels containing goods for the Boramha Tribute, he
checked them but found only food, and let the wagons into
the camp. When the Leinster warriors came rushing out of
their hiding places in the wagons, Dubhdun tried to protect
the high chieftain but died by the sword of Ron Cerr.
NAME Dublonges
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY warrior
CULTURE Pictish
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Meath / Dublin
TERRITORY Ulster - Pictland / Mide
LANDMARKS Magh mBreg / Magh Liffey
SITES Da Derga's Hostel
CENTERS Raith Rig - Tara
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Ath Cliath
RELATIVES Trebuat (father)
ENEMIES Ingcel / sons of Donn Desa
SEE ALSO Conaire / Curnach / Da Derga / Donn Desa /
Ingcel / Trebuat
REMARKS Dublonges, Trebuat and Curnach were 3 exiles
from Pictland who served Conaire. They were described as
large warriors with brown skin and hair of even length. The
three wore black hooded cowls reaching to their elbows.
They carried huge black swords, black shields and dark
green javelins with thick shafts. Each warrior was wounded
in the massacre on Magh Liffey but each was able to boast
of killing a raider chieftain.
NAME Dubthach Doel
EPITHET The Black Tongue (Dubthach Doel) / The Scorpion
(Dubthach Chafer) / Backbiter (Doeltenga)
ALTERNATIVE Dubhthach {duv-hach}
GENDER M
FESTIVAL Samhain (Night of the Dead)
CATEGORY warrior
TYPE chariot warrior / Red Branch champion
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
REGION Armagh / Dublin
TERRITORY Ulster exile / cause of Connacht
LANDMARKS Magh Liffey
SITES Temair Luachra (Tara of the Rushes) / Da Derga's
Hostel / Imroll Belaig Eoin (Misthrow at Bird
Pass)
CENTERS Emain Macha (Navan) / Raith Cruachan
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Temuir Luachra / Ath Cliath / Cualnge Cattle
Raid
ACCESSORIES sword (Uathach) / The Luin of Celtchair /
cauldron of black blood
RELATIVES Lugaid mac Casrubae (father)
ENEMIES Ingcel / sons of Donn Desa / Connacht / Ulster
SEE ALSO Celtchair / Conaire / Conchobar / Cromm Deroil /
Cu Chulainn / Da Derga / Doche macMagach / Donn
Desa / Fedlimid Nocruthach / Ferghus mac Roig /
Fiachna macFerfebe / Fiachu / Ingcel / Mane
Andoe / Sencha macAilella / Usna
REMARKS Dubthach was a Red Branch champion from the
province of Ulster. He was a large crude warrior with
thick limbs, and considered to be somewhat of a trouble-
maker. He was among the warriors of Ulster who followed Cu
Chulainn on a hilarious drunken ride to Temair Luachra.
Cromm Deroil described him as having bristling black
hair with one cheek painted a gentle blush and the other a
furious red. He wore an open-mouthed leopard on his
shoulders. He had a sword with a bright hilt, carried a
white shield and the dreaded death-dealing Luin of
Celtchair. This was a supernatural spear crafted by the
Danann back in the Bronze Age. The spear was the height of
his shoulder and when it sensed battle he would give it a
blow on the butt with his hand and showers of sparks would
fly from it. The spear then had to kill or be quenched in
the cauldron of magical blood that he carried with him.
During the Destruction at Da Derga's Hostel, Dubthach,
Sencha (son of Ailill) and Goibnenn (son of Lurgnech) were
3 champions who fought for Conaire, high chieftain of
Ireland. All 3 warriors were described as large men with
limbs as thick as a man's waist. All three carried long
black sharp-edged swords, and Dubthach also carried the
Luin of Celtchair.
Dubthach sided with Ferghus mac Roig during the battle
at Emain Macha, which occurred after the death of the sons
of Naoise, and became one of the Ulster Exiles. During the
Cualnge Cattle Raid when the Host of Connacht was camped on
Magh Brega, Dubthach recited a poem about the deeds of Cu
Chulainn that filled the Connacht warriors with fear and
left them with sleepless nights.
Later Dubthach became jealous of Cu Chulainn when his
wife climbed onto the shoulders of others to see him. He
tried to convince the host to ambush Cu Chulainn rather
than fighting him one on one. Ferghus heard him and
accused Dubthach of being a coward for slaying the maidens
of Emain Macha, Mane and Fiachu the young sons of Conchobar
and Fedlimid's young son Carbre all in the name of revenge
for the death of the sons of Usna.
One day during the cattle raid, Dubthach was with
Fiachna macFerfebe when they met up with Mane Andoe and
Doche macMagach. Doche threw a spear at Fiachna whom he
hated but hit Dubthach instead. Fiachna then threw a spear
at Doche but hit his cousin Mane Andoe, wounding him. The
place was named Imroll Belaig Eroin (Misthrow at Bird
Pass).
NAME Dumnacos
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE horse warrior / freedom fighter
CULTURE Armorican - Andes tribe
COUNTRY France
TERRITORY Gaul / Aremorica
LANDMARKS lower Loire / Loir
SITES Lemonum
AGE Iron
DATES BC 1st c / BC 51-50
ENEMIES Duratios / Rome
REMARKS Dumnacos attacked the Roman lackey Duratius of
the Pictones in his fortress at Lemonum. He later received
word that Roman legions were marching to attack him, so he
gave up on his siege and attacked the Roman legions.
Failing to break through their defences, he returned to the
oppidum and continued his siege.
Dumnacos then received word that more legions were on
the way and when he realized that he and his warriors could
not fight them all, he decided to move his warriors back
across the Loire river. At that time of year the river was
high and could only be crossed by the bridge. The Roman
commander who was rushing to help Duratius knew this and
set up an ambush at the bridge. Dumnacos and his Andes
warriors were suprised by a superior force and lost 12,000
warriors and their baggage train in the battle.
NAME Dumnorix
EPITHET Chieftain of the World
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / Brenin
TYPE horse warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Gallic - AEdui tribe
COUNTRY France
TERRITORY Gaul
LANDMARKS Yonne
CENTERS Bibracte (near Autun)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 1st c / BC 54 (died)
RELATIVES Divitiacus (brother); Deiotarus (son); Orgetorix
(father-in-law)
ENEMIES Divitiacus / Caesar
SEE ALSO Casticos / Deiotarus / Divitiacus /
Orgetorix
REMARKS Dumnorix was a chieftain of the AEdui tribe and
formed an alliance with Casticos of the Sequani tribe and
Orgetorix of the Helvetii, which he sealed by marrying
Orgetorix's daughter. After Orgetorix's death, when the
Helveti wanted to pass through the territory of the
Sequani, Dumnorix pleaded their case for them. The Sequani
agreed to allow them to pass through their territory on
their way to new land in the territory of the Santoni
tribe.
Dumnorix was not happy with his brother Divitiacus
because of his pro-Roman stance and friendliness towards
Caesar. When Caesar asked for AEdui horse warriors to help
him in his attacks on the Helvetii, Dumnorix led them. In
a skirmish, he panicked the Romans into retreating but
Caesar became wise to this and relieved him of his position
and warned him about the consequences of causing trouble
for Rome. The migrating tribes were massacred by Caesar,
and the few survivors were sent home except for those of
the Boii, whom Caesar agreed could settle on AEdui land.
Later, in BC 54 when Caesar launched his invasion of
Britain, he tried to force Dumnorix to go with him so he
would not start a rebellion while he was away. Dumnorix
did not want to serve Caesar and took his horse warriors
and started for home but Caesar sent soldiers after him
with the orders to kill him if he refused to do what he was
told. Dumnorix died a free man, refusing to be yoked by
Rome.
NAME Dumnuvelaunus
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / Brenin
TYPE chariot warrior / head chieftain
CULTURE Briton - Trinovantes tribe
COUNTRY England
REGION Essex / Suffolk
TERRITORY Lloegr
CENTERS Colchester (Camulodun - fort of Camulos)
AGE Iron
DATES AD 1st c
RELATIVES Avarwy (father); Imanuentios (grandfather)
SEE ALSO Avarwy Mandubrad / Camulos / Imanuentios /
Addedormarus
REMARKS Dumnuvelaunus became head chieftain of the
Trinovantes after Addedormarus.
NAME Dunatis
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity
TYPE god of strongholds
TERRITORY Gaul
REMARKS Dunatis was a protector of forts and fortresses.
NAME Durthacht
GENDER M
CATEGORY warrior / chieftain
TYPE chariot warrior
CULTURE Goidel
COUNTRY Ireland
TERRITORY Ulster - Fermag
CENTERS Raith Airthir
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
BATTLES Cualnge Cattle Raid
RELATIVES Eogan (son)
SEE ALSO Eogan mac Durthacht
REMARKS Durthacht was an Ulster warrior from Fermag in
the north and fought in the Cualnge Cattle Raid.
NAME Dwynwen
EPITHET Lust Bearer / The White Blessed
ALTERNATIVE Dwyn
GENDER F
CATEGORY deity
TYPE goddess of love and fertility
CULTURE Pictish
COUNTRY Wales / England
TERRITORY Lloegr / Ynys Prydain (Island of the Pretani)
REMARKS Dwynwen was a fertility goddess of the Pictish
culture.
NAME Dwyvach
GENDER F
CULTURE Pictish
COUNTRY Wales / England
TERRITORY Lloegr / Ynys Prydain (Island of the Pretani)
AGE Bronze
DATES BC 13th c
ACCESSORIES boat
RELATIVES Dwyvan
REMARKS At a time when the earth split to the borders of
Annwn, the sky rained fire and the summer was so hot the
trees and plants would burst into flames and most living
things died. When the lake of waters burst its banks and
flooded the land, Dwyvach and Dwyvan (Dwyvawn) escaped in
the naked boat of The Celestial One (Nevydd Nav Neivion).
EPITHET The Celestial One (Nevydd Nav Neivion) / Son of
the Sea (Dylan Ail Mor) / Son of the Waves
(Dylan Eil Ton)
ALTERNATIVE Dyglan
GENDER M
CATEGORY deity
TYPE water god
CULTURE Danann
COUNTRY Wales
REGION Gwynedd {gwin-eth} / Clwyd {clud}
TERRITORY Gwynedd
CENTERS Caer Dathl (Fort Dathal) at Caernarfon
AGE Iron
DATES BC 2nd-1st c
RELATIVES Gilfaethwy (father); Arianrod (mother); Llew
Llaw Gyffes (half-brother); Don (grandmother);
Math (great-uncle); Amaethon, Govannon, and
Gwyddion (uncles)
ENEMIES Govannon
SEE ALSO Amaethon / Arianrod / Don / Gilfaethwy /
Govannon / Gwyddion / Llew Llaw Gyffes / Math
REMARKS Dylan was the son of Arianrod when she was raped
by her brother Gilfaethwy. Dylan was the first-born of
twins and was sent to sea. His uncle Govannon was
responsible for his death.
NAME Dyvnwal Moelmud
EPITHET The Judge (Dyvnwal Moelmud) / Profound Bard son
of Prydain (Dyvn Varth ap Prydain)
ALTERNATIVE Dunvallo Molmutius (Latin)
GENDER M
CATEGORY hero / warrior / ovate / Rix
TYPE judge / high chieftain
CULTURE Briton - Trinovantes tribe
COUNTRY England / Wales / Scotland
REGION Cornwall
TERRITORY Lloegr / Cambria / Albainn
LANDMARKS Thames
SITES temple of Concord
CENTERS Trinovantum (London)
AGE Iron
DATES BC 5th-4th c (ruled 40 years)
RELATIVES Aedd Mawr (grandfather); Prydain (father);
Conwenna (wife); Belinos and Brennius (sons)
SEE ALSO Aedd Mawr / Belinos / Brennius / Prydain
REMARKS When Dyvnwal became the head chieftain of the
Britons in Cornwall, the tribes of England began warring
among themselves. Dyvnwal conquered the other tribes when
he conceived of a crafty plan during a battle in which he
was losing. He and some of his best warriors dressed
themselves in the clothing of their dead enemy and slipped
into the camp, killing the leaders.
Dyvnwal then obtained the position of high chieftain
of the tribes of England, Wales and Scotland. He changed
the center from Caer Troia to Trinovantum (Town of the
Trinovantes), present-day London. Dyvnwal then set about
making laws (Molmutine Law) for his people. One law gave
protection to criminals who reached the temples of the
gods, and granted them pardon when they came out. (This
right included the road to the temple and the living
quarters of the temple.) He also decreed that the plow
should be accepted. Robbery was put to an end, and the
land grew fertile and peaceful.
When Dyvnwal died he was buried by the temple of
Concord, which he had built, and his son Belinos was
appointed high chieftain.