ORIGINS OF THE IRISH SIDHE FAIRIES

Riders of the Sidhe

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day we share a much-condensed version of the mythical origins of the Irish fairy or the aes-sidhe.  Myths and stories like this often serve as  inspiration for our fairies, mermaids and other figural jewelry designs.

Long ago the Fairy Queen, Danu, came from the North in great ships and led her tribe (Tuatha Dè Danann) to Ireland. Upon arrival, Queen Danu ordered the ships burned and told her people that they were in Ireland to stay. Danu was also know as Mother Goddess and after arriving she and her people fought two major battles to lay claim to the land. In the first fierce battle they defeated the Fir Blogs, also known as the Big Belly Boys. In the second battle they brought down a tribe of giants called the Formorians.

Green man kinsman of Dagda

The fairy queen brought four talisman to Ireland. The first was the Stone of Fal or Stone of Destiny, which cried out when a true king of Ireland stepped on it.
Another treasure was the bloodthirsty weapon (sometimes a spear, a sword, or a sling-shot) of Lugh, a respected warrior of the Tuatha Dè. Then, there was the Magical Sword of Nuada, which always swung a fatal blow.
Finally, there was the Cauldron of Plenty, a bronze cauldron belonging to Dagda, warrior son of Danu. This cauldron would satisfy the hunger of anyone who ate from it.

For many years the Tuatha Dè Danann lived peacefully, practicing their art and magic on the Emerald Isle, but the Milesians (Gaels) eventually discovered the rich  and bountiful land. At first, the Tuatha Dè Danann tried to negotiate with the invaders, but the fierce, magical, fairy folk were either defeated or gave way, there are different versions of the story. 
Fairy Queen Danu and her tribe retreat to the Otherworld, (Tír na nÓg) the land of eternal youth, which is entered through the mounds that are so much a part of the Irish landscape and became known as the  'aes Sídhe', the mound folk. They are also called the fairy folk or the wee people. Leprechauns, merrow (Irish mermaid) and selkies are only a few of the Sidhe fairy who are written about in Irish folklore.
There are marvelous tales and works of art that record all of these events, each as intricate and complicated as the beautiful Irish knotwork. 

That's all for this week, we hope this story brings out the Irish fairy in you.

"SPARKLE THE WORLD"