The Dagda

Attested in medieval Irish mythic-cycle texts and learned tracts, the Dagda appears as a chief figure of the Tuatha Dé Danann who rules and provides for the supernatural folk that precede the human Milesians in Ireland. Medieval sources and later summaries place many of his named possessions and deeds in narrative contexts (e.g., the Yellow Book of Lecan, Cath Maige Tuired and related material), while modern scholarly etymology reconstructs his name from Proto-Celtic *Dago-dēwos, 'the good god' or 'the great god'.

Medieval descriptions depict him as a large bearded man, often hooded and physically imposing; later Christian-era folklore sometimes accentuates a corpulent or giant-like comic aspect, but primary sources emphasize a powerful, mature male figure wearing a cloak.

Named mythic possessions define much of his power: a dual-ended staff (lorc / lorg mór) whose rough end slays and whose smooth end can restore life; a magic harp (associated with Uaithne and called by names) that, when played, can put the seasons in order and produce three strains (joy, sorrow, sleep); the coire ansic ('the un-dry cauldron'), one of the Four Treasures, which never runs empty; perpetually productive swine and ever-laden fruit-trees; a protective shirt (léine) against sickness and a cloak (lumman) conferring shape-change. He is portrayed as a provider of abundance, a mediator of seasonal/temporal order via music, and a possessor of ritual/druidic knowledge and restorative power.