Nuada of the Silver Arm 1975

Description

Nuada of the Silver Arm (Nuada Airgedlámh)

Poster: Pen and ink. 1975.

This image was used in a comic strip series I did for the Irish Sunday Independent titled ‘Nuada of the Silver Arm’.

On their arrival in Ireland, the mystical Tuatha Dé Danann engaged in negotiations with the Firbolg for the kingship of Ireland. When this ploy proved unsuccessful, they fought and defeated them in the first Battle of Mágh Tuiredh. Their leader at this time, Nuada, lost his right arm in this battle, and—as a king had to be without physical blemish—he was obliged to stand down in favour of Bres.

Bres was an oppressive ruler, and the country fell into thrall to the Kings of the Fomhaire, an African race who occupied the west of Ireland. Meanwhile, Nuada, his arm struck off, was seven years under cure with Dian Cécht, the healer. During this time, the healing was completed, and a silver arm—richly decorated with sacred runes and with movement in every finger—was fitted to Nuada. From that time on, he was known as Nuada Airgedlámh (Nuada of the Silver Arm) and was reinstated in the sovereignty.

In his keeping was Cliamh Solais (“The Sword of Fire”), which, unsheathed, was so powerful that no enemy could stand before it. He died in the Second Battle of Mágh Tuiredh.