The Fair Folk, Origins and Invasions Part 1

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What are the mythological origins for the Irish Fair Folk, the Sidhe? 

They are otherwise known as fairies or elves, though somewhat incorrectly. Stories and legends have long been told about these mysterious, otherworldly beings, but their true origins and nature are hard to pin down and often confused. The search begins for their origins with medieval period manuscripts, namely the "Book of Invasions" in the Mythological Cycle of Irish history, transcribed by Christian monks. From these transcripts the epic tales begin to take form.

Here we find the Tuatha De Danaan, who were semi-mythological settlers of ancient Ireland, and who were later transformed into the Fair Folk or fairies that we hear of today. The Book of Invasions, although somewhat biased towards Christianity (also depending on the translator), is basically the Irish version of a creation story. Except that the Irish are not created, they are invaders from foreign lands, which is unlike many cultures around the world. 

The Book of Invasions is a recollection of a series of invasions of foreigners who settled in Ireland. The coming of the Tuatha De Danaan is often portrayed as the most important invasion, and they were often portrayed as the most advanced settlers as well. They are documented as being very skilled in the arts, particularly metalworking, and were also said to be advanced as a civilization and culture in governance as well. Interestingly enough, modern archaeology supports the idea of a culture advanced in metalworking settling in Ireland, around 2500 BC, where bronze, copper and gold were fashioned into jewelry and other things (archaeology). The Tuatha De Danaan were also a magical people, and bards and druids were among their most revered. In later Irish history, the characters such as the Dagda and Brigit became pagan deities, and the pagan holidays such as Imbolc and Samhain surround the ordeals of the Tuatha De Danaan. 

The story of their coming to Ireland started after a few previous invasions by characters such as Cesaire, Fintan and Parthelon (which are all stories of their own). When Nemed and his people sailed to Ireland, with thirty ships each manned by sixty people, they came across a mysterious tower of gold along their journey. They were greedy and tried to take it with them, and thus a great storm destroyed most of their ships. Upon fate, some of them made it to Ireland, where they fought the Fomorians (they can be imagined as magical sea pirates, that are entwined with many Irish stories). The Nemedians won and ruled over the Fomorians, but this eventually changed and the Fomorians destroyed the Nemedians so badly that only a few survived. These survivors left Ireland and went in different directions. Some went to Greece, some to Scotland and other places, and some to the North. 

Those Nemedians who went to Greece apparently fared badly there, and eventually returned to Ireland as the Fir Bolg, where they defeated the Fomorians and ruled Ireland for thirty-seven years.

Those Nemedians that traveled to the North were blessed by the patronage of Danu, a mother figure/leader and possibly goddess of the Tuatha De Danaan. (The name Tuatha De Danaan can be roughly translated to people of Danu, but interpretations vary.) With Danu leading them, they visited four great magical cities of the North, and learned valuable skills from the masters from each, and gained magical items as well. The first city was Falias, where they got the stone of destiny, which roared when a rightful king sat on it, and which is still said to exist in Ireland today.  From Gorias they brought the sword of destiny, which never had to be sharpened. From Murias they brought the cauldron of the Daghda of which could feed any number of men who ate from it. Lastly, they took the magical spear from Finias, which would never miss its target. Along with these treasures, they collected many more enchanted tools and weapons, including the Dagda's club which could kill and heal and his harp whose songs could make one laugh, or sleep or cry. From these four cities the Tuatha De Danaan became very skilled great sages, and decided to return to Ireland with their newfound power. This is how the invasion of Ireland by the Tuatha De Danaan began. To be continued......

I paraphrased the story of the Tuatha from Bard Mythologies, who delightfully turned the near incomprehensible story from the Book of Invasions into a story that is easily digestible by the modern reader. They also have stories about all the other cycles of Irish history, and the many invasions as well. I have a lot of stories and material about the Tuatha from an essay I wrote for school, so I have a lot of sources as well. The relevant sources for this article are below:

 “ The Book of Invasions – Part 6: The Sons of Mil.” Bard Mythologies, bardmythologies.com/the-book-of-invasions-part-6-the-sons-of-mil/. Accessed 14 Sept. 2017.

“Ireland in the Bronze Age.” Day of Archaeology, www.dayofarchaeology.com/ireland-in-the-bronze-age/. Accessed 14 Sept. 2017.

Matthews, Caitlin . The Elements of The Celtic Tradition. Rockport, MA, Element Books, Inc, 1991.

McCollum, Daniel. “Gods in Irish & Celtic Mythology.” Study.com, Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/gods-in-irish-celtic-mythology.html. Accessed 14 Sept. 2017.

“Rites of Passage and the Four Treasures of the Tuatha De Danaan.” Order of Bards and Druids, 23 Apr. 2013, www.druidry.org/library/miscellaneous/rites-passage-and-four-treasures-tuatha-de-danaan. Accessed 14 Sept. 2017.

 

I began my investigation into the Tuatha De Danaan out of pure curiousity, and it was an epic journey of research. I don't think I have ever had to dig so deep and read between the lines  so much in researching a subject. There are very little comprehensive sources about the Tuatha that were also credible. After nearly a year of research, I finally compiled by paper and now am super glad to share the information with others! Im stoked to share this intriguing information, that gives insight into the modern idea of fae that we all know and love.  The truth is deep.