Fragarach

  1. Home
  2. Wiki
For the sword of Nuada or the spear of Lugh, see Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

In Irish mythology, Fragarach (or Freagarthach), known as "The Answerer" or "The Retaliator", was the sword of the sea god Manannán mac Lir.[1] The sword weakened its foes,[2] and no mail or armour could block it.[3]

Nuada, the first high king, lost his arm in the first battle of Mag Tuired and, being mutilated, was no longer suitable to be high king. So, for the second battle of Mag Tuired, Nuada chose Lugh as provisional king, who brought with him magical gifts from the Celtic Otherworld, including Enbarr the magical horse, Manannán's magical boat, and Fragarach.[4] Using his spear and a sling given to him by Manannán, Lugh defeated the Fomorians and their king Balor.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Clements, Paul (14 May 2016). "Adventures of a sea god – An Irishman's Diary about Manannán mac Lir". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  2. ^ Brown, Arthur C. L. (August 1924). "The Grail and the English Sir Perceval. V". Modern Philology. 22 (1): 88. doi:10.1086/387527.
  3. ^ Rolleston, Thomas William (1992). Myths & Legends of the Celtic Race (Paperback, repr ed.). London: Constable. p. 113. ISBN 9780094677203. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  4. ^ Spence, Lewis (1913). A Dictionary of Medieval Romance and Romance Writers. G. Routledge & Sons, limited. p. 226. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
[edit]