History from Ages past
“If Her name is called, She answers” Mythology Whether the Tārā figure originated as a Buddhist or Hindu goddess is unclear and remains a source of inquiry among scholars. She is a goddess with numerous forms, widely popular in Nepal, Tibet, and Mongolia, and is the feminine counterpart of the Read more…
The tuatha dé came to Ireland and fought the Fir Bolg for rule of the land. Although wielding the powerful sword of light, Claímh Solais, during the height of battle, Nuada sustained a severing of his arm by the Fir Bolg’s champion, Sreng. The Dagda (the channelers and gods of Read more…
Also known as the ‘Cauldron of Plenty’ (Coire Ansic in Irish, pronounced Kwee-ra On-sik). It was made by the druid Semias of the northern city of Murias. Not much is known about this vessel, although it was thought to have had the power to bring the dead back to life, Read more…
Other Names: Slaughterer, Areadbhair, Crimall Prophesiesed Owner: Aiden Finnegan, Lugh Historical Significance: One of the Four Jewels of the Tuatha De Danann Location: Lugh’s Armory, a chamber beneath Lia Fáil on the Hill of Tara in County Meath, Ireland. The Armory was entrusted to The Naga; only to be released to Read more…
Also known as the Stone of Destiny, and the Coronation Stone. It was made by Morfessa of Falias, and brought into Ireland by the Danann, where they duly placed it at the Hill of Tara, in Co. Meath. Legend has it that its cry confirmed the coronation of the rightful Read more…
Some of the earliest texts in the Manuscripts and Archives Research Library are incised in cuneiform script on clay tablets from Sumeria (modern day Iraq); the tablets are upwards of two thousand years old. There are over 70 Arabic manuscripts including some with Persian, Samaritan, Turkish, Hebrew and Hausa linguistic Read more…
The most significant collection of maps of Irish interest in the Manuscripts and Archives Research Library is that of George Carew, Lord President of Munster at the beginning of the 17th century (MS 1209). This collection contains nearly 70 maps and is one of the largest sets of original Tudor Read more…
The Hildebrandslied (lay or song of Hildebrand) is a heroic epic poem written in Old High German alliterative verse. It is one of the earliest literary works in German, and it tells of the tragic encounter in battle between a son and his unrecognized father. It is the only surviving Read more…
Beowulf, an Atharim hero of the Geats, comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot had been under attack by a monster known as Grendel. After Beowulf slayed him, Grendel’s mother attacked the hall and was then also defeated. Victorious, Beowulf returned Read more…
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne was a skilled warrior and a well-liked and valued member of the Fianna who single-handedly killed 3,400 warriors in a battle and saved Fionn and the Fianna. Aengus Óg owned a deadly sword named Móralltach or Nóralltach (“the Great Fury”), given to him by the sea-god Manannán Read more…