Mother of Lugh
Ethniu was the daughter of Balor, the Evil-Eyed king of the Fomorians. Balor received a prophecy that his grandson would kill him. His response was to lock Ethniu in a crystal tower on Tory Island, off the Donegal coast, with twelve women to keep her company and strict orders that she was never to see or meet a man.
Cian mac Cainte of the Tuatha Dé Danann got through anyway, using a disguise arranged by a druidess named Biróg. Ethniu gave birth to three sons. Balor killed two and ordered the third drowned. Manannán mac Lir rescued the survivor and raised him. That child grew up to be Lugh — the greatest champion the Tuatha Dé Danann ever had. At the Second Battle of Mag Tuired, Lugh killed Balor with a sling-stone through the Evil Eye.
The prophecy was exact. The tower was pointless. Balor’s attempt to stop it was the thing that set it in motion.
Ethniu had no say in any of it. She was imprisoned to serve her father’s fear. She gave birth to the child who fulfilled the prophecy he was afraid of. Her son killed her father. She controlled none of it.
Key facts about Ethniu
- Names: Ethniu; Ethlinn
- Rules over: No divine domain
- Weapons: Not recorded
- Animals: Not recorded
- Other Symbols: Crystal tower on Tory Island
- Parents: Balor (father); Cethlenn (mother)
- Siblings: Not recorded
- Spouse: Cian mac Cainte (of the Tuatha Dé Danann)
- Children: Lugh Lámhfhada (the surviving son; the others killed by Balor)
- Greek equivalent: Danaë (the imprisoned princess whose son fulfilled the prophecy her imprisoner feared)
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