![]() He loaned the sword to his son, Fiachra (a.k.a. Magical weapons mac#Gorm Glas was the sword of the Ulster king Conchobhar mac Nessa, which he used in combination with his enchanted shield Ochain (see below). In these later legends the swords have slightly different names but their meanings remain the same: Moralltach (Great Fury) and Beagalltach (Little Fury). Aonghus) and from Aengus Óg to Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, warrior of the Fianna, best-known for his role in the Fenian Cycle tale The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne. These weapons reappeared in later legends, passed down from Manannán mac Lir to the love god Aengus Óg (a.k.a. In addition to Fragarach (see above), Manannán mac Lir carried two swords that were both called Fraoch (Fury): Fraoch Mór (Great Fury) and Fraoch Beag (Little Fury)-although it’s likely that Little Fury was actually a dirk, or short dagger. Howell, part of the Neon Druid collection.)ĥa. (FYI: This sword is featured prominently in the modern Celtic fantasy short story “Fragarach” by R. The items inside could only be removed at high tide, otherwise the bag remained empty. ![]() Later, Fragarach became one of the magical items found within the Treasure Bag of the Fianna, also known as the Crane Bag. Brought by the sun god Lugh from Tír na mBeo (the Land of Living), the sword could pierce any armor and every wound it made was mortal. “Cuchulain’s death”, illustration by Stephen Reid in Eleanor Hull’s The Boys’ Cuchulain, 1904 (source: Wikimedia Commons)Īlso given as Freagarthach, “The Answerer” was the sword of the sea-god Manannán mac Lir. Cruaidín Catutchenn (The Hard-Headed Steeling) Cliamh Solais is the first in a long folkloric tradition of glowing swords, which includes Cruaidín Catutchenn (see below).ģ. Once unsheathed, no enemy could resist it-or escape from it. One of the Four Treasures (or Jewels) of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Cliamh Solais was sometimes described as Nuadu’s Cainnel (a glowing bright torch). ![]() While not all mythologists agree, it’s possible that Excalibur (Welsh: Caledfwlch), legendary sword of Britain’s King Arthur, was inspired by stories of Fergus mac Roth’s sword, as Excalibur is a latin corruption of Caladcholg.Ĭliamh Solais (also: Cliamh Soluis) was the sword of Nuada of the Silver Hand, the first ruler of the Tuatha Dé Danann who lost his hand in the first Battle of Magh Tuireadh. During the Táin bó Cuailnge ( Cattle Raid of Cooley), the longest story in Irish mythology’s Ulster Cycle, Fergus mac Roth famously uses Caladcholg to level the three bald-topped hills of Meath with three strokes of his blade. mac Róich), former king of Ulster who gave up his throne to Conchobhar mac Nessa. Caladcholg (Hard Dinter)Īlso given as Caladbolg (Hard Blade), this was the sword of Fergus mac Roth (a.k.a. The following is a comprehensive(ish) list of the most famous weapons of Irish mythology, organized by type. All have earned their place in one of Western Europe’s most vibrant mythologies. Some of these weapons are instilled with magical properties, some are sentient and seem to have lives of their own, and still others earned their legendary status based solely on the power and prowess of their wielders. Irish mythology, the most well-preserved form of Celtic mythology, is brimming with swords, spears, shields, and other weapons that have served Irish heroes and gods both well (and not so well) on the battlefield. ![]() But as you’ll soon discover, that’s not because its arsenal is lacking. Rarely do the mythical weapons of Ireland appear in popular culture. English mythology boasts Excalibur, the sword that granted King Arthur “supreme executive power” after some “watery tart” threw it at him (source: Monty Python). Norse mythology has Mjölnir, the magical, skull-smashing hammer of Thor. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. ![]()
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