An Irish creation myth claims that this fortress Grianán Ailigh (Grianan of Aileach) was built by the great king Daghda of Tuatha de Danann. The grave of the king’s son Aeah was in the centre of the fortress, which had been built around it. Whether such a grave existed is unknown; there are no archaeological remains, although a nearby tumulus could be a grave marker.
An illustrated mythological tale of Balor, the God of chaos and destruction
by Seax Fitzgerald.
SYNOPSIS
Balor in Irish mythology was to some a God of Chaos and Death and to others an evil chieftain who lead the Fomorians a feral warrior tribe who were said to have lived on Tory Island. Balor was notable for a poisonous eye in the middle of his forehead. According to prophecy, Balor was to be killed by his grandson. To avoid his fate, he locked his daughter, Ethlinn, in a tower to keep her from becoming pregnant. However, Cian, one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, with the help of the druidess Birog, managed to enter the tower. Ethlinn then gave birth to Lugh Lamhfada (known as a Sun God) who then became a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
I picked this book up recently by Caitrona Hastings and Andrew Whitson. A really good children’s book in Irish about Balor, well checking out if your an Irish speaker.
Cú Chulainn, Balor’s great grandson, has appeared in comics a number of times, with a variety of appearances and under a variety of spellings, and has inspired other comics characters.
Celtachor - A Warning to Balor
An Irish band with influences from black, doom, and folk metal, with a focus of bringing the Mythology of the Irish saga’s to life from the grief of the Son’s of Tuireann to the Life and Death of Cu Chulainn, and this song is about the evil eye himself, Balor.
Also check out Celtic Death Metal band Suidakra from Germany who have a song called ‘Balor’.
