Lugh (Lug Lamfhota [Eriu], Lleu Llaw Gyffes [Cymru], Lugos [Gaulish], Lugus [British & sometimes Roman])
Lugh is the Irish great god of light whose festival is Lughnasadh, a celebration of the death of his foster mother, Tailtiu. He has many epithets including:
* Samildanach, "many skilled," as he was thought to be a patron of the arts;
* Lamfhota, "long-armed," referring to his ability to hurl a weapon a long distance;
* Ildanach, possibly referring to him as a fili or seer.
He is the son of the Danann Cian and Ethniu (or Ethlinn), daughter of Balor, leader of the Fomorians. The Fomorii were often described as having only a single hand, foot, or eye. He replaced Nuadha Airgetlamh as king and battle leader leads the Danaans into victory in the Second Battle of Turieadh. Sometimes called the " Shining One," Lugh also has attributes of a carpenter, mason, poet, Druid, physician and goldsmith. The father of CuChulainn, Lugh also has possibly gave his name to many cities, including London.
In Welsh mythology, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, "of the Skillful Hand," is the son of Arianrhod. He could be killed neither by day nor night, indoors nor outdoors, riding nor walking, clothed nor naked, nor by any weapon lawfully made. His mother laid a series of curses on him, including the promise that he was to have no name unless she gave him one, no weapons unless she provided them and no wife of the human race. With the help of his uncle Gwydion, who raised him, Lleu overcame all these taboos, though the wife, Blodeuedd, created by Gwydion and the magician Math nearly murdered him. She fell in love with another man and plotted his death. When the lovers struck him, Lleu rose into the air in the shape of an eagle. After a long search, Gwydion found him and restored Lleu to human form.
Lug Lamfhota, King of Hibernia
