Bodb, Donn,Knop , Midhir,and Ochne and Tethra

Bodb

Father: The Dagda Mother: Boann

Bodb ruled near Lough Derg (The Red Lake, also named after him). The Fomorians laid his kingdom to waste, but Lugh Lamhfada went to avenge this.

Bodb became the king of the Sidhe of Munster (descendants of the Tuatha De Danann) because he was the oldest child of The Dagda. There were actually four others after the throne as well: llbrech of Ess Ruadh, Lir of Sidhe Fionnachaidh, Midhir the Proud of Bri Leith, and Angus Og, son of the Dagda. All the gods supported the choice of Bodb save two of the eldest: Midhir and Lir. For many years Bodb made war on Midhir, but took no action against Lir, whom he had once counted a friend. Instead, he sent gifts to Lir, trying to win his support.

Bodb also owned a swineherd. It was Bodb’s swineherd that went to Da Derga’s Inn, the night Conaire, the High King of Ireland, met with his death. It was said that whatever feast the swineherd would go to, there would blood be shed before it was over. Bodb lived under the mound of Sidh-ar-Femhin with his daughters. Aside from this he had three sons, Angus, and Artrach, and Aedh. The three brothers actually lived among mortal men in the time of the Fianna afterwards. But after the passing away of the Fianna, the three brothers went back to the Tuatha de Danaan.

Bodb and the faeries owned two magic bulls named Findbennach (white) and Donn Cuailnge (brown). These would eventually become the property of Ailill, husband of Queen Medb of Connaught. This would inturn start a rivalry, causing a war between the men of Connaught and the men of Ulster (known as the Tain Bo Cuailgne or the Cattle Raid of Cooley).

Donn

Donn of Knockfierna was a fairy king that lived in Cnoc-Firinn, Co. Limerick. He was benign and vengeful, creator of storms and shipwrecks, and protector of cattle and crops. When he first met Eriu, one of the Tuatha queens, he did not show her the respect she deserved. Due to that, she said that neither he nor his children would have benefit of the island. While at sea he drowned off the south-west coast, and was buried on the island known as "The House of Donn".

He wished that all of his descendants to come to his house when they die. He is the father of the descendants of Mil, and because he was the first to die, he is also the God of the Dead.

There is another Donn who was chief of the Sandhill fairies of Dooghmore in County Clare. Donn is also known in Co. Fermanagh as the ancestor of the Maguires, whom he helped in their battles. He is also believed to fight against rival hosts in other counties, the winner carrying off the best potato crop for that year.



Knop

Knop is supposed to hold court in a rath, on the roadside between Cork and Youghall. Sometimes music and merriment are heard from within this fort, and travellers often observe strange lights around it

Midhir

Father: The Dagda Other Names: Midir, Mider

Midhir was Lord of the Sidhe of Bri Leith, a famous fairy mound in Co. Westmeath. The mound is named in memory of his daughter Bri and her lover Leith. When Midhir refused to admit Leith, the lover of his daughter Bri to the dun, a great battle was fought in which Bri was killed and afterwards Leith died broken hearted.

He asked his foster son Aonghus Mac Og, to woo the lovely Etain for him. After a while Midhir took Etain Echraide to be his wife. This definitely angered his first wife Fuamnach. when she saw the love that Midhir gave to Etain, and she called to the Druid, Bresal Etarlaim to help her, and he put spells on Etain the way Fuamach was able to drive her away.

Midhir owned three wonderful cows and a magic cauldron. His cows, cauldron, and his daughter Blathnat were taken as spoils of war. These were taken by the heroes of the Red Branch Army of King Conchobar of Ulster. A giant named Cu Roi Mac Dairi, who had helped the Ulstermem, took the goods along with Blathnat to his fortress in Kerry.

Ochne



Ochall Ochne was king of the Sidhe of Connaught. He aslo had a swineherd and it rivaled that of Bodb's. Because of this, they engaged in a series of fights spanning many years. Bodb had a swineherd, whose name was Friuch, and Ochall had a swineherd whose name was Rucht. The swineherd of Ochne eventually becomes the Brown Bull of Cooley, and Friuch eventually becomes the white bull. Queen Medb of Connaught goes to war for possession of it as well (she already has the white bull from Bodb).

Tethra

Other Names: Teathur

Tethra was king of the Fomorians, who dwelt underground in fairy, and also had command of a magical army. He joined in the fight alongside Balor, Indech, and Bres Mac Elatha against the Tuatha De Dannan in the second Battle of Magh Tuiredh. He and his people had lived in the Underworld for many centuries before the Tuatha De Dannan were forced to retreat down underground.



From The Encyclopedia Of Things Fae

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