Balor in the context of Fomorians


Balor in the context of Fomorians

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⭐ Core Definition: Balor

In Irish mythology, Balor or Balar was a leader of the Fomorians, a group of malevolent supernatural beings, and considered the most formidable. He is often described as a giant with a large eye that wreaks destruction when opened. Balor takes part in the Battle of Mag Tuired, and is primarily known from the tale in which he is killed by his grandson Lugh of the Tuatha Dé Danann, son of Cian. He has been interpreted as a personification of the scorching sun, and has also been likened to figures from other mythologies, such as the Welsh Ysbaddaden and the Greek Cyclops.

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Balor in the context of Lugh

Lugh or Lug (Old Irish: [l̪uɣ]; modern Irish: [l̪ˠuː]) is a figure in Irish mythology. A member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of supernatural beings, Lugh is portrayed as a warrior, a king, a master craftsman and a saviour. He is associated with skill and mastery in multiple disciplines, including the arts. Lugh also has associations with oaths, truth, and the law, and therefore with rightful kingship. He is also associated with intelligence. Lugh is linked with the harvest festival of Lughnasadh, which bears his name. His most common epithets are Lámfada (Modern Irish: Lámhfhada [ˈl̪ˠaːw ad̪ˠə]; "long hand" or "long arm", possibly for his skill with a spear or his ability as a ruler) and Samildánach (Modern Irish: Samhaildánach [ˈsˠawəlʲ d̪ˠaːnˠəx]; "equally skilled in many arts"). This has sometimes been anglicised as "Lew of the Long Hand".

In mythology, Lugh is the son of Cian and Ethniu (or Ethliu). He is the maternal grandson of the Fomorian tyrant Balor, whom Lugh kills in the Battle of Mag Tuired. Lugh's son is the hero Cú Chulainn, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lugh.

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Balor in the context of Dunlewey

Dún Lúiche, known in English as Dunlewey or Dunlewy, is a small Gaeltacht village in the Gweedore district in the north-west of County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. The village sits in the Poisoned Glen, at the foot of Errigal and on the shore of Dunlewey Lough. The Cronaniv Burn flows along the southern edge of the village. Dunlewey has a tourist centre, called the Lakeside Centre or Ionad Cois Locha, which offers boat trips of the lake. To the west of the lake is a ruined church.

The Irish language name Dún Lúiche means "fort of Lugh", an ancient Irish god. Near the Lakeside Centre is a modern wooden sculpture of the god. Folklore says that the Poisoned Glen is where Lugh slew Balor, and that it is so named because poison seeped from Balor's 'evil eye'.

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Balor in the context of Ethniu

In Irish mythology, Ethniu (Old Irish: [ˈeθʲnʲu]); Modern Irish: Eithne (pronounced [ˈɛhnʲə]), is the daughter of the Fomorian leader Balor, and the mother of Lugh. She is also referred to as Ethliu (Modern Irish: Eithle).

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