Manannan

Also known as: Manannan the Powerful / Manannan the Proud / the Bad Servant / the Gilla Decair / the man of tricks · Family: Tuatha de Danaan · Role: son of Lir · First appears: The Gods · The Coming of the Tuatha de Danaan · The Fight with the Firbolgs · Part 1

Manannan, son of Lir, chose beautiful hills and valleys across Ireland for the Tuatha de Danaan and concealed their settlements behind walls that hid them from their enemies. He made the Feast of Age, whose ale and food kept them from age, sickness, and death. Among his children were Sgoith Gleigeil, Goitne Gorm-Shuileach, Sine Sindearg, Donall Donn-Ruadh, Ilbrec, and Aoife (daughter of Manannan); Aine was said by some to be his daughter, while others said she was the Morrigu. He aided Angus Og in obtaining Brugh na Boinne from Dagda for ever, and Lugh rode with Manannan’s horse and bore his armour and sword.

Manannan taught Diarmuid the use of weapons and reared him with Angus Og; he also taught Cuchulain the use of the Gae Bulg. He sent a messenger to Etain, mother of Conaire, brought up Deirdre’s children in Emhain of the Apple Trees, and warned Conchubar that Deirdre would bring about the breaking up of his kingdom. In one account he agreed to blind the sons of Usnach temporarily. He sent Fer Ferdiad to carry Tuag away, but when she drowned, Manannan killed Fer Ferdiad in anger.

In his dealings with O'Conchubar, Manannan held back the Munster attackers until O'Conchubar and his people were safe in Connacht, then left after taking offence that O'Conchubar had taken the first drink without offering it to him. He brought those he put to death back to life with a herb from his bag. At sea he met Bran (son of Febal) and named himself; he also revealed himself to Cormac, saying he had brought him by enchantments “that you might be with me to-night in friendship.” He sent Cormac home with his wife, children, a cup for judging truth from untruth, and a branch for music and delight.

After a poison-struck hazel-tree killed eighteen of his men and blinded nine, Manannan had it dug up. Luchtaine made him a shield from its wood, which Manannan later gave, with chessmen, to Tadg. Some said Manannan was killed by Uillenn Faebarderg at Magh Cuilenn; according to that account, he was buried standing, and Loch Orbson burst up beneath him. At Slieve Cuilinn, Cuilinn gave Finn a vessel that restored his shape; some said Cuilinn was Manannan. Some also said Manannan was the Gilla Decair.