Though not as well known as Brighid, Lugh is one of the more popular Irish Celtic deities. In ancient days both London and Lyons had the name of Lughdunum. (the fortress of Lugh)
Lugh is a solar diety with a very interesting conception story. One of the Tuatha de Danaan, named Cian, had a grudge against one of the evil Fomorii giants, Balor. Apparently, Balor had stolen his magic cow.
A druidess gave Cian the information that a prophecy said Balor would be killed by his grandson. To prevent this, Balor had locked his only child, a girl named Ethlinn, up in a tower since birth where she was attended by twelve matrons and didn't know men existed.
With the help of the druidess, Cian managed to get up into Ethlinn's tower and seduce her while the matrons were in a magical sleep. Nine months later, Ethlinn had triplet boys and Balor was furious when he found out. He ordered one of his servants to drown the children in a nearby whirlpool so the servant wrapped them up in a sheet to transport them there. Unbeknownst to Balor's lackey, one of the pins securing the sheet came loose and one of the babies fell out into a little bay. (this bay is still called The Haven of the Pin) The servant drowned the others succesfully but didn't realize Lugh had escaped to the care of the druidess, who sent him to his father where he was fostered by Goban the smith.
Many years and adventures later, Lugh did kill his grandfather by hitting his giant poisonous eye with a stone and turning it in on Balor himself. Lugh was also known by Lugh Lamfada, Lugh of the Long Arm, and as the All-craftsmen because Lugh was the master of all crafts, including poetry, smithing, woodworking..etc. Lugh was also in posession of a magical spear that never missed its mark and many other magical artifacts he recieved as the eric (blood fine) for the murder of his father.
He also has his own holiday, Lughnasadh, on July 31/Aug 1. This holiday celebrates the coming harvest and is traditionally spent doing races and competitions based on the games held during the funeral of Lugh's foster mother.
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