Gods And Goddesses: Balor

Balor is a one eyed god of Death and king of a race of giants known as the Fomorians.

His father was Buarainech and wife Cethlenn. A prophecy told that Balor was to be killed by his grandson and so the god locked his daughter Ethlinn in a tower. However, one of the Tuatha De Danann, Cian, was able to enter the tower and got Ethlinn pregnant with triplets.  When the triplets were born, Balor threw them into the ocean where one was lucky enough to survive. Lugh survived and later killed his grandfather.

Gods And Goddesses: Airmid

Airmid is a healing goddess associated with medicinal plants. Airmid is an Irish goddess who is a member of the Tuatha De Danann. Her father is Dian Cecht, her brothers are Miach, Cian, Cethe and Cut and Airmid has a sister by the name of Etan.

When battle occurred against the Fir Bolgs, it was the Fir Bolgs who were defeated by the Tuatha De Danann but it was the kind of this group, Nuada, who was seriously injured. As Dian Cecht was called upon to heal Nuada it became clear that two of his children, Miach and Airmid were more skilled as healers. The father, son and daughter further went on to build the Well of Slaine, where the three could retore the life of the warriors who died in battled. A later battle didn’t go so well and the well was filled with stones, preventing more warriors to be brought back to life.

Dian Cecht later became jealous of Miach’s superior healing abilities and attempted to kill his son, failing two times before beheading how own son. Airmid was sorrowful over her brother’s death, frequently visiting his grave. One visit had Airmid find 365 healing herbs growing on and around the grave with one herb for every joint and organ of Miach’s body. Gathering up the herbs, they apparently talked to her telling Airmid of their uses and so Airmid arranged the herbs on her cload according to use.  Her father then scattered the herbs, lashing out due to his jealous feelings towards his son. From here, Airmid went on to use her knowledge of herbs to heal those who needed medical attention and kept away from her father.

Gods And Goddesses: Ruadan

He is the Irish god of spying and son to Bres and Brigit. Ruadan is now better known as a saint in modern times. He was killed by a smith called Gobhinu, where some say Ruadan was sent to the smith by his father and was killed by Gobhinu instead. Gobhinu was however wounded but was cured by bathing in a healing fountain. Upon learning of the death of Ruadan, Brigit cried and it is said Brigit's tears were the first of the history of Ireland.