Dagda

Appearance

The Dagda was described as a giant of a man, oafish in both demeanor and attire. His beard was long and unruly, and he wore a woolen cloak about his head. His clothing never fit right, often exposing his stomach and buttocks. Nevertheless, these faults did little to distract from his good looks.

Some scholars have theorized that his gruff appearance came from the Christians who recorded Irish myths and traditions; these early historians may have wished to make the Dagda appear comedic and foolish in contrast to their own deity. Even in these portrayals, however, the Dagda was still described as wise, witty, and wily on a consistent basis. Such versions also allowed him to remain a druid schooled in magic, art, and military strategy.

The Dagda often carried three sacred relics with him that defined several of his many talents:

1. The coire ansic, a cauldron that could produce a bountiful feast; one could never be found wanting in the company of the Dagda. This particular relic was one of the Four Treasures of the Tuatha dé Danann, which were crafted in Murias.

2. The lorg mór, a mighty club (or staff) that possessed two distinct powers; its head had the power to slay nine men in a single swing while its handle could revive the slain with but a touch.

3. The uaithne, an ornate harp carved of oak. This harp could place the seasons in the proper order and command the wills and emotions of men. With these potent abilities, the Dagda was often seen as a god of order putting everything in its place, every time in its season, and every man to their rightful action.

In additions to these items, the Dagda owned two pigs—one always growing, the other always roasting—and an orchard that bore perennial sweet fruit.

Dwelling

The Dagda’s primary dwelling was at Brú na Bóinne, a series of Neolithic mounds on the banks of the River Boyne in County Meath. These ancient mounds were constructed around 3200 BCE, and as such are older than famous landmarks such as Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. A mound called Newgrange aligned with the rising sun during winter solstice, representing the Dagda’s significance as lord of seasons and his mastery over day and night.

Family Tree

Origins

The Lebor Gabála Érenn laid out the coming of the Tuatha dé Danann, the fifth group of settlers to arrive in mythical Ireland. This group hailed from four cities north of the Emerald Isle, where they had learned the arts and sciences of their time, including magic. At this time, the Dagda was their chief. Though he did not hold the title of king, he was consulted and respected by many as if he was one.

The Courting of Boann

The Dagda fell for Boann, goddess of the River Boyne and wife of Elcmar, a judge of the Tuatha dé Danann. In order to court her, the Dagda sent Elcmar away to High King Bres. With her husband out of the way, Boann soon fell pregnant with the Dagda’s child. To prevent Elcmar from seeking retribution against the child, the Dagda held the sun in place for nine months, allowing Boann to carry and give birth to the child in a single day. The Dagda then gave the child to his son Midir to raise, and the boy became Aengus, god of love and poetry.

Brú na Bóinne

In time, Aengus grew to manhood, and the Dagda helped him trick Elcmar out of his rightful home at Brú na Bóinne. Using a carefully worded ploy befitting the gods of wisdom and poetry, they asked Elcmar to allow them to dwell there for “a day and a night.” This Old Irish phrase had two meanings: a literal day and a night, and all days and nights. In agreeing to their request, Elcmar had unwittingly given his home to his enemies for eternity. Soon after, the Dagda and Boann assisted Aengus in his quest to find the girl haunting his dreams.

Some time later, while Aengus was away, the Dagda distributed his land among his many children. Upon his return, Aengus discovered that his father had saved nothing for him. Using the same careful wording through which they had gained their home, Aengus tricked the Dagda into passing Brú na Bóinne on to him.

The Second Battle of Moytura

Upon arriving in Ireland, the Tuatha dé Danann consolidated power by eliminating or conquering the land’s earlier settlers. The most powerful of these groups was the Fomorians, a monstrous race ruled by the cruel king Balor. Knowing conflict with the Fomorians was inevitable, the Dagda made careful plans to trick them out of key resources, including their sheep. On Samhain, he went to his wife, the Morrigan, goddess of battle and of death, and found her bathing. After they made love, she prophesied the coming battle: they would be victorious over the Formorions—at a price.

At long last, both sides met at Moytura, in County Sligo, where they fought for control of Ireland. During the fierce battle, both Balor and the Dagda’s brother Nuada were laid low. The Dagda himself was also mortally wounded by Cethlenn, wife of Balor. During the battle, the Dagda’s magic harp was stolen, though it was ultimately recovered later. After the battle, the Dagda returned to Brú na Bóinne, where he succumbed to his injuries and was laid to rest in the mounds. At his time of death, he had already ruled for seventy or eighty years, depending on the source.

Like many of the Tuatha dé Danann, he could still be consulted by those visiting the fairy mounds, as well as those who drifted into the perilous Otherworld.

Outside of Ireland

While not as prominent as Brigid or Lugh in Celtic mythology, the Dagda was not without his counterparts. Wise gods wielding powerful clubs and cauldrons of plenty were found throughout both France and Great Britain. Like the Dagda, the Gaullish Sucellus carried a hammer alongside a cup or barrel and ruled over agriculture. Dorset’s Cerne Abbas Giant, a nameless giant wielding a club with an erection, may also have represented one of the Dagda’s counterparts.

The Dagda was also compared to the Germanic Odin and the Roman Dis Pater, as they bore certain similarities to him.