Midir
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In Irish mythology Midir (or Midhir) was a son of the Dagda of the Tuatha Dé Danann. After the Tuatha Dé were defeated by the Milesians, he lived in the sidh of Bri Leith.
Midir was the husband of Fuamnach, but later fell in love with Étaín, receiving the help of his foster-son and half-brother Aengus to make her his new bride. This provoked Fuamnach's vengeance against the young new wife, causing her a number of disgraces, until after several transformations Étain married Eochaid Airem, at that time the High King of Ireland. Far from giving up, Midir made an attempt to bring his wife back home, going to see the king and challenging to a game of fidchell. Midir won and asked a kiss from Étain as his prize, but Eochaid refused, breaking his word and banishing Midir from Tara. Nevertheless Midir could enter the city and the palace, and turning himself and Étain into swans left the royal residence through the chimney. Eochaid did not accept the loss of his wife and pursued them. Then Midir used his magical powers to turn fifty women into similar to Étain, offering the king the possibility to choose only one. Eochaid, trying to find the true one, chose his own daughter by accident and lost Étain.[1]
According to another telling of this story, Etain, deciding that she still loved Eochaid, gave him a signal so he would chose correctly. In this version, Eochaid chose the real Etain, and Midir lost her forever.
Midir owned three magical cranes which stood outside his house denying entry or hospitality to anyone who approached. They were stolen by Athirne.
Midir also interfered when Fráech attempted to woo Treblainne.
[edit] References
- ^ *Gantz, Jeffrey. Early Irish Myths and Sagas. London: Penguin Books, 1981. ISBN 0-14-044397-5.
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