Originally, the Otherworld, particularly the Irish myths, was sometimes situated on some remote islands in the west. Later the Otherworld was located on Ireland itself, but mostly hidden from mortal eyes by strong otherworldly magic.

There were several strange, mythical places of where this Otherworld was located. There was the "Land of Youth", called Tír na nÓg in Irish Gaelic. It was the home of Danu and the other Irish deities known as the Tuatha Dé Danann, which means the "People of the Goddess Danu". It was said to be situated in some distant land, possibly an island or group of islands.

Tír na nÓg has four magical cities: Falias, Gorias, Finias and Murias. In each city, was a magical treasure or talisman, which the Tuatha Dé Danann received when they settled in Ireland. Also residing in each city was a druid. These four druids taught the Tuatha Dé Danann knowledge and skills.

Below is the table with the name of cities in Tír na nÓg, together with the druids and treasures they possessed.




Cities Falias Gorias Murias Findias
Druids Morfesa Esras Semias Uiscias
Treasures Lia Fail
("Stone of Destiny") 		Freagarthach
("Answerer" – sword of Nuada) 		Gáe Assail
(Spear of Lugh) 		Cauldron of Dagda



The Otherworld located on several areas in Ireland was hidden by magic, in a subterranean fortress called Sid, Sidh or Sidhe. The word Sidhe (sid or sidh) means "Fairy Rath" or "Fairy Fort". The Tuatha Dé Danann were sometimes called áes sídhe, which is the "People of the Sídh". The Tuatha Dé Danann retreated here after they were vanquished by the Milesians.

The Irish Otherworld was also called Tech Duinn – "House of Donn" or "House of the Dead". Donn was the Irish god of the dead. For some reason, the location of Tech Duinn is often linked to the province of Munster.

There was also the Tir Tairngire – "Land of Promise", said to be home and realm of the sea-god Manannn Mac Lir. Here was where Lugh was brought up. Tir Tairngire is often translated into Emain Ablach. There is said to be underwater Otherworld, known as Tir fo Thuinn.

The "Land of the Dead" became associated with Spain, where the Milesians come from. While the "Land of the Living" (or the "Land of the Happy Dead") was said to be situated somewhere west of Ireland. It was said to be on some island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and it was originally the home of the Partholanians.


As told by:
Joe, Jimmy
Timeless Myths







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