In Irish/ Celtic folklore the Tuatha De Dannan was the fairy like race who was once believed to be the earlier tribes who ruled over the many Celtics lands at one time. Much of Celtic folklore surrounds these mythical rulers and can still be found in much of the ancient myths. One of the supreme beings who was the king of the Tuatha De Dannan was Nuada who was revered as the seer, warrior, and champion of the Irish people. But being the warrior king, he lost his hand in battle and was no longer complete and no longer perfect in the eyes of the gods. But Dian Cecht who was the smith to the gods of the Tuatha De Dannan made Nuada a hand of silver to replace the one he lost. Nuada became known as Nuada of the Silver Hand. When Nuada became a father to a group of magical children who were natural healers, they soon retrieved his original hand and re-attached it. Thus, Nuada to be re-instated as king. Eventually Nuada gave up his kingship and relinquished his thrown to the popular sun god Lugh. And as most readers of my column know August 1st was the celebration of Lugnasa a day the Celt honored Lugh. The early church adopted Lkugnasa and made it Lammas or loaf mass, a Christian harvest holiday when the early harvest was taken into the church to be blessed by the priest.
And so, it goes.