Mac Cuill

A king/warrior of the Tuatha Dé Danann, best remembered as the first of the three brothers who kill the hero Lug Lámfhota, along with Mac Cécht (1) and Mac Gréine, in revenge for Lug's having killed their father, Cermait. Often described as the husband of Banba, an incarnation of Ireland. In Christian Irish tradition Mac Cuill is portrayed as a champion of paganism against St Patrick. Muirchú's Life of Patrick (7th cent.) describes the saint, with superior magical power, converting Mac Cuill to Christianity and setting him adrift, as a penance, in a rudderless, oarless coracle which bears him to the Isle of Man, where he becomes a missionary. From the episode evolved the persona of St Maughold of Manx tradition.

In Irish mythology, Mac Cuill of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was a son of Cermait, son of the Dagda. Mac Cuill's given name was Éthur and he was named Mac Cuill after his god, Coll, the hazel. His wife was Banba.

He and his brothers Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine killed Lug in revenge for their father. The three brothers became joint High Kings of Ireland, rotating the sovereigty between them a year at a time, covering twenty-nine or thirty years depending on the source consulted. They were the last kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann before the coming of the Milesians.

Preceded by Fiacha

High King of Ireland (with Mac Cecht and Mac Gréine) AFM 1730-1700 BC FFE 1317-1287 BC

Succeeded by Eber Finn and Eremon

v • d • e Irish mythology: the Mythological Cycle Early invaders Cessair • Partholón • Nemed Fomorians Balor • Bres • Buarainech • Cethlenn • Cichol Gricenchos • Conand • Corb • Elatha • Ethniu • Tethra Fir Bolg Eochaid mac Eirc • Fiacha Cennfinnán • Fodbgen • Gann and Genann • Rinnal • Rudraige • Sengann • Sláine • Sreng • Tailtiu Tuatha Dé Danann Abartach • Abhean • Aed • Aengus • Aí • Áine • Airmed • Anann • Badb • Banba • Beag • Bé Chuille • Bébinn • Boann • Bodb Derg • Brea • Brian • Brigid • Caer • Cermait • Cian • Cliodhna • Creidhne • The Dagda • Danand • Danu • Delbáeth • Dian Cecht • Ecne • Egobail • Elcmar • Ernmas • Étaín • Ériu • Fand • Fiacha mac Delbaíth • Fionnuala • Flidais • Fódla • Goibniu • Iuchar • Iucharba • Lí Ban • Lir • Luchtaine • Lugh • Mac Cuill • Mac Cecht • Mac Gréine • Macha • Manannán • Miach • Midir • Morrígan • Nechtan • Neit • Nemain • Niamh • Nuada • Ogma • Tuireann • Uaithne Four Treasures; • Lia Fáil  Milesians Amergin Glúingel • Breogán • Éber • Érimón • Fenius Farsa • Goídel Glas • Míl • Scota Others The Aos Sí • Biróg • Bran mac Febail • Cailleach • Carman • Crobh Dearg • Crom Cruach • Donn part of a series on Celtic mythology

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