Eochaid mac Eirc
Encyclopedia
In Irish mythology
Eochaid (modern spelling: Eochaidh), son of Erc, son of Rinnal
, of the Fir Bolg
became High King of Ireland
when he overthrew Fodbgen
. He was the first king to establish a system of justice in Ireland
. No rain fell during his reign, only dew, and there was a harvest every year.
His wife was Teia Tephi. Eochaid named Tailtiu
his capital after her (modern Teltown, County Meath
) and held a festival there every August. He ruled for ten years, until the Fir Bolg were defeated by the Tuatha Dé Danann
in the first Battle of Magh Tuiredh
. During the fighting Eochaid was overcome by thirst, but the druids of the Tuatha Dé hid all sources of water from him with their magic. As he searched for water, he was found and killed by The Morrigan.
Irish mythology
The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branch and the Historical Cycle. There are...
Eochaid (modern spelling: Eochaidh), son of Erc, son of Rinnal
Rinnal
In Irish mythology, Rinnal son of Genann of the Fir Bolg became High King of Ireland when he overthrew Fiacha Cennfinnán. He is said to have been the first king in Ireland to use spearheads In Irish mythology, Rinnal (Rindal, Rionnal, Rinnan) son of Genann of the Fir Bolg became High King of...
, of the Fir Bolg
Fir Bolg
In Irish mythology the Fir Bolg were one of the races that inhabited the island of Ireland prior to the arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann.-Mythology:...
became High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
when he overthrew Fodbgen
Fodbgen
In Irish mythology Fodbgen or Odbgen son of Sengann of the Fir Bolg became High King of Ireland when he overthrew his cousin Rinnal son of Genann...
. He was the first king to establish a system of justice in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. No rain fell during his reign, only dew, and there was a harvest every year.
His wife was Teia Tephi. Eochaid named Tailtiu
Tailtiu
Tailtiu or Tailltiu is the name of a presumed goddess from Irish mythology. Telltown in County Meath, was named for her.-In Irish mythology:...
his capital after her (modern Teltown, County Meath
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
) and held a festival there every August. He ruled for ten years, until the Fir Bolg were defeated by the Tuatha Dé Danann
Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuatha Dé Danann are a race of people in Irish mythology. In the invasions tradition which begins with the Lebor Gabála Érenn, they are the fifth group to settle Ireland, conquering the island from the Fir Bolg....
in the first Battle of Magh Tuiredh
Magh Tuiredh
Cath Maige Tuired , meaning "The Battle of Magh Tuireadh", is the name of two saga texts of the Mythological Cycle of Irish mythology. The name Mag Tuired means "plain of pillars" or "plain of towers", and is anglicised as Moytura or Moytirra...
. During the fighting Eochaid was overcome by thirst, but the druids of the Tuatha Dé hid all sources of water from him with their magic. As he searched for water, he was found and killed by The Morrigan.