Wild Thistles - Tuatha de Dannan

The Coming of the Tuatha de Danann.

from The Book of Conquests by Jim Fitzpatrick

I am Tuan. I am legend. I am myth.

Mine is the voice that speaks the story. It cannot be told truly except by me, for it is I who have unlocked the words from the secret hoard of my heart and mind...

Sailing the winds above the purple mountains of Connemara, and beyond through the high air and low air that rose and blew among the Red Hills of Reil, was a great fleet.

Shrouded by magic mists, borne on strong winds, the Tuatha de' Danann came in their great mystical ships Raven-emblazoned sails at full stretch.

Beneath the sky of stars the truth is not known whether they were of the heaven or of the earth, sons of demons or of men.

I, Tuan, alone witnessed their coming.

On my curved wings I flew with the enchanted ships and I sang my song of greeting.

I invoke the name of Nemed,

The land of Eireann,

Our God the Sun,

I, Tuan, welcome you.

Welcome to the green mountains.

The dancing shadows of the woods,

The rippling bright waters,

The fish-filled lakes.

It is your land awaits you.

Now pride, not fear, pulsed in my heart keeping time with the drumbeat of the oars. Bright standards and silken banners coloured like all the flowers of the world flew from their mast-heads in the high air.

So I saw the coming of the long ships of the Tuatha de Danann into the valleys of Connacht. each one was hung with magical shields and their sides painted with runes and oghams. The sun, hidden from the Fir Bolg, rose high to touch the armour of these painted strangers with fire and life. Fot the black-sailed ships did not come from the land of Death but were driven by the strength and magic skill of mortal men, heroes, the like of whom have not been seen in the land of Eireann before or since.

A thousand heroes and their followers came with that fleet to Eireann. At their head was a warrior king, a flame-haired giant who stood against the sun, his red, chequered cloak billowing in the restless wind. This was Nuada, King of the Tuatha de' Danann.

I, Tuan, eagle and story bearer, flew with Nuada and his longships above the purple mountains of Connemara and at last came to rest with them against the Red Hills of Commaiche Reine in Connacht.

Nuada, King of the Tuatha de Danann, turned his keen pale eyes towards the green valleys of his ancestral homeland and gave thanks to his god, the sun.

A giant among men, a hero among immortals, he stood against the rising sun. His flaming red hair was tipped with white, as was the custom of his race and crowned by the sacred battle helmet of the Tuatha de' with its silver horns and engraven signs of rank and race.

Under a bodice of studded gold and bronze armour he wore a robe checked with reds, ochres and brown. His red cloak strained to become one with sea and sky. Thus, with his people, Nuada came out of the sun yet hidden by dark clouds.

Thus their king led the people of the Tuatha de Danann back to the land of their ancestors, the land of Nemed the Great, bearing with him their sacred treasures blazoned with magical emblems of their stored wisdom and skill:

The Sun, the Plough and the Hazel Tree.

With them they also brought to Eireann four holy and most ancient things:

Lia Fail, The Stone of Destiny.

Claimh Solais, The Sword of Light.

Slea Bua, the Spear of Victory.

The Cauldron of the Daghda.

***Copyright Jim Fitzpatrick 1978, by kind permission only.***

Jim Fitzpatrick is the renowned artist who created the album covers for Thin Lizzy. Visit his Homepage to view more of his stunning works.

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Tuatha de Dannan
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