NUADA ARGETLAMH

Nuada was king of the Tuatha De Danann for seven years before they came to Ireland.

They arrived bearing with them their stone of destiny called the Lia Fail which they placed on the mound of Tara and ever after the rightful kings of Ireland were chosen when it called out; the spear of Lugh which ensured victory to whoever wielded it; the Sword of Nuada from whom none could escape and the Cauldron of the Dagda from which none would go unsatisfied.

In Ireland they made contact with the Fir Bolg (a reclusive type of giant-kin), the then inhabitants of the island, and Nuada sought from them half of the island for the Tuatha De, which their king rejected.

Both peoples made ready for war. During the first battle of Magh Tuiredh (Moytura), a battle between heroes ensued.

Nuada faced Sreng, the champion of the Fir Bolg, losing an arm in the fight.

Nuada’s ally, Aengaba of Norway, then fought Sreng, while the Dagda protected Nuada, carrying him from the field.

The Tuatha De gained the upper hand in the battle, but Srend later returned to challenge Nuada to single combat. Nuada accepted on the condition that Sreng fought with one arm tied up; but he refused. By this point the battle was won and the Fir Bolg were defeated.

The Tuatha De offered Sreng one quarter of Ireland for his people instead of the one half offered before the battle, and so they moved westwards to the islands off the west coast namely the Aran Islands.

Dianchecht, the druid physician of the Tuatha De , prepared a bath of magical herbs with such curative properties that the wounded that were plunged into it were made whole. However the bath could not cure the king.

In those days the king was required to be whole in mind and body; so Nuada, a good and well-loved king, having lost his arm, was no longer eligible for kingship and he was replaced as king by Bres.

Bres,is a half Fomorian prince, renowned for his beauty and intellect. He identifies with his Fomorian side and treats the Tuatha De terribly, levying large taxes and forging the usual hospitality and entertainments a king is expected to provide.

A solution is sought, and finally, Dianchecht uses his skill to fashion for Nuada a marvellous hand of silver which functions as well as a human hand and fitted it to Nuada’s arm.

Restored to wholeness, Nuada could, once again, take his rightful place as a king.

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