At the time of the arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann the race inhabiting Eire
was known as the "fir Bolgs" who were divided into three tribes.The "fir Domnann"
controlled North Munster, South Munster and Connaught. The "Fir Bolg" controlled
Ulster and the "Fir Gaillon" Leincester. At that time their king was called
Eochid son of Erc.
It is said that the Tuatha Dé Danann arrived on the 1st of May (Beltaine)
bringing with them treasures from their home cities. From Findias they
brought Nuada's sword, from Gorias they brought Lugh's lance, from Murias
they brought Dagda's cauldron and from Falias they brought the stone of destiny.
The gods reached the coast of Ireland in a shrowd of mist to conceal themselves
from the Fir Bolgs. Morrigu and her fellow war godesses created fogs,
rainstorms and larva to fall on the Fur Bolgs so that
they had to take shelter for three days until their own druids overcame the
enchantments.
Finally the two sides met and after a period of
truce the two sides began a bloody battle where Eochid was slain
and the Fir Bolgs defeated. It was in this very battle that Nuada had
his hand sliced clean off and, although Diancecht skillfully
made him a hand of silver, he was sufficiently disfigured to have to
give up the rule of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
And so it was that the Tuatha Dé Danann took control of Ireland. The surviving
Fir Bolgs were given Connaught to live in and to this day there are
those that claim ancestory to that ancient tribe.