creature · mythological cycle

The Fomorians

FOH-mor-ee-ans

A race of hostile, otherworldly beings who war against the Tuatha Dé Danann for control of Ireland.

The Fomorians (Fomoire) are depicted as a monstrous or otherworldly people, often associated with the sea and with chaos, who oppose successive waves of settlers in the Lebor Gabála Érenn and clash directly with the Tuatha Dé Danann in Cath Maige Tuired. Their king Balor, grandfather of Lugh through his daughter, is killed by Lugh at the Second Battle of Moytura, ending Fomorian dominance over Ireland.

Connections

enemy The Dagda The Fomorians, led by Balor, are defeated by the Tuatha Dé Danann at the Second Battle of Moytura
appears in Cath Maige Tuired (The Battle of Moytura)

Referenced by

enemy (from) Nuada Loses his kingship and his arm fighting the Fomorians at the First Battle of Moytura.
enemy (from) Ogma
ally (from) Bres After being deposed for his stinginess as king, Bres allies with his father's people to reclaim the throne by force.
ally (from) Balor Balor leads the Fomorians as their king.

The Four Cycles of Irish mythology
Cycle	Entries here	Focus
The Mythological Cycle	17	The oldest of the four cycles, telling of the Tuatha Dé Danann and the successive invasions of Ireland.
The Fenian Cycle	6	Tales of Fionn mac Cumhaill and his band of warriors, the Fianna, set generations after the Ulster Cycle in a world of hunting, romance, and roaming adventure.
The Ulster Cycle	12	The heroic tales of Conchobar mac Nessa's court at Emain Macha, centered on Cú Chulainn and the great cattle raid of the Táin Bó Cúailnge.
The Historical Cycle	1	Also the Cycle of the Kings — legendary and semi-legendary tales of Ireland's High Kings, treated by medieval scribes as genuine national history.

Sources

Cath Maige Tuired (The Battle of Moytura)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Fomorians?

The Fomorians (Fomoire) are a race of hostile, often monstrous beings associated with the sea and chaos who oppose Ireland's mythical settlers, most notably clashing with the Tuatha Dé Danann in Cath Maige Tuired.

Who is the most famous Fomorian?

Balor, the one-eyed king of the Fomorians, whose gaze could kill and who is ultimately slain by his own grandson Lugh at the Second Battle of Mag Tuired.

Did the Fomorians and the Tuatha Dé Danann ever make peace?

Partially — Bres, a Fomorian-Danann hybrid, briefly ruled the Tuatha Dé Danann through his mother's line before being deposed, and it's his mistreatment as king that helps trigger the war chronicled in Cath Maige Tuired.