Sources

The two main sources of research I have used to piece together the stories about the ‘Túatha Dé Danann’ are from the Lebor Gabála Érenn and the Dindsenchas.

Each ‘book’ comprises of a set of manuscripts, the earliest of which survive from the 11th and 12th centuries respectively. These written sources were borne out of an oral tradition, which were committed to memory, and passed down, from generation to generation.

The manuscripts aimed to synthesise Ireland’s pre-Christian genealogy, culture, religion and topography with the then present-day adoption of Christianity. Although they are not considered to be a literal account of Irish history or archaeology, they have inspired the country’s folklore and its identity with a ‘Celtic’ culture, which originated within their stories.