In folklore and mythology, witches have often been depicted as evil beings with dark magic and malicious intent. However, there is one witch that stands out in Celtic mythology as a powerful and complex character - the evil witch Lugh. Lugh is known as a shape-shifting witch, capable of taking on different forms and wreaking havoc wherever she goes. She is often described as a hag with wild, tangled hair and a cackling laugh that sends shivers down the spines of those who hear it. One of the most famous tales involving Lugh is the story of the Battle of Moytura. In this battle, Lugh engages in combat with the Formorians, a group of monstrous sea creatures.
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Left For one, if you venture into a dark space -- an attic, the woods, anywhere you don t see any children -- a child s giggle can scare the hell out of you, horror historian Tananarive Due said. Kjeldgaard-Christiansen, drawing on past researchers work, wrote that evil laughter stands out for its vulgarity, but also shows audiences that they are right to hate the villain and to uphold the moral order implicit in the fiction.
In this battle, Lugh engages in combat with the Formorians, a group of monstrous sea creatures. Lugh uses her dark magic to transform herself into a fearsome serpent, striking fear into the hearts of her enemies. With each strike, Lugh's power grows stronger, and the Formorians are eventually defeated.
A Walk in the Footsteps of Lugh and Balor of the Evil Eye
The beautiful village of Dunlewey Dun Luiche lies at the foot of Errigal Mountain, the highest peak in Donegal.
During last summer’s Feile an Earagail, I joined a guided walk from Dunlewey into The Poisoned Glen Gleann Nemhe, a U-shaped glen believed to have been formed in The Ice Age.
The pleasant weather attracted a large group, that included local families, tourists, walking enthusiasts and curious locals like myself.
After crossing an ancient bridge, we admired the beauty of the area.
It is the site of a mythical battle between Lugh – king of the Tuatha De Danaan, and his grandfather Balor of the Evil Eye.
The Legend of Lugh and Balor of the Evil Eye
A Druid prophecy foretold that Balor would be killed by his grandson. Balor’s only child Eithne, was thus imprisoned in a stone tower on Tor Mor, on the island of Tory. Twelve women kept Eithne company, and were warned that they should never speak of a man and Eithne should never see a man.
Balor’s demise unfolds with the stealing of a cow belonging to a swordsman called Gaibhidin from the mainland tribe, the Tuatha De Danaan.
Cian, a Tuatha De Danaan chieftain was sent to find and return the cow to the mainland.
Miraculously, with the aid of a Druid woman called Birog, Cian entered the tower and fell in love with Eithne, who delivered triplets some time after Cian’s visit.
Balor fell into a rage, beheaded Cian and threw the poor triplets into the sea. However, one of the triplets was rescued by Birog and christened Lugh.
Lugh eventually became king of the Tuatha De Danann, and made his home in a fort at Dunlewey.
Some years later, Balor paid a visit to Gaibhidin’s forge, and bragged of killing Cian and the triplets. Unaware that Lugh had survived, Balor succumbed to the prophecy, when his grandson plunged a fiery rod from the furnace into his head and out through his eye!
Another version of the story has Lugh leading the Tuatha De Danaan at the second battle of Moy Tura, and killing Balor with a slingshot that sends Balor’s eye shooting out of the back of his head!
Balor’s head is said to have been thrown onto a rock – seen in the centre of the photograph below.
This legend suggests The Poisoned Glen Gleann Nimhe is named after the poison that flowed from Balor’s Evil Eye.
Heavenly Glen
An alternative theory on the naming of this beautiful glen, comes from the translation from Irish into English.
Neamh is Irish for heavenly, while neimhe translates as poison.
No matter which theory is true, The Poisoned Glen is indeed a heavenly place, and is well worth a visit.
You can read more about Balor and his fort on Tory Island, in my post:
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
She lives in Donegal, Ireland – an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Neamh is Irish for heavenly, while neimhe translates as poison.
Despite her evil nature, Lugh is also known for her cunning and intelligence. She is said to possess an in-depth knowledge of spells and ancient rituals, which she uses to manipulate and control others. Lugh is not just a mindless villain; she is a complex character with her own motivations and desires. Throughout Celtic mythology, Lugh is often portrayed as a temptress, luring unsuspecting victims into her clutches with her enchanting beauty and seductive charm. Once under her spell, these poor souls become pawns in her wicked games, doing her bidding without question. While Lugh may be an evil witch, her character serves as a reminder that not all villains are one-dimensional. She embodies the duality of human nature, with her beauty and charm masking her true intentions. Lugh's complexity adds depth and intrigue to the world of Celtic mythology, reminding us that the line between good and evil is not always clear-cut..
Reviews for "The Hexed Heart: Love and Betrayal with Witch Lugh"
1. John - 1 star - I found "Evil Witch Lugh" to be a complete disappointment. The story lacked depth, the characters were one-dimensional, and the writing was amateurish. The plot felt rushed and poorly executed, leaving me disengaged throughout. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging read.
2. Emma - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Evil Witch Lugh" after reading positive reviews, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of monotony followed by sudden bursts of action that felt forced and unnatural. The dialogue was stilted and lacked authenticity, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the lack of character development left me feeling apathetic towards their fates. Overall, I was disappointed by the execution of what could have been a great story.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - While "Evil Witch Lugh" had an interesting premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it hard to follow the narrative. The characters were poorly developed, with their actions often feeling inconsistent and confusing. The story itself had potential, but it was overshadowed by the numerous plot holes and loose ends that were never addressed. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.
4. Michael - 1.5 stars - "Evil Witch Lugh" was an utter disappointment. The pacing of the story was all over the place, with slow and uneventful sections followed by rushed and chaotic sequences. The world-building was weak, leaving important details unexplained and leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. The writing itself was lackluster, with numerous grammatical errors and repetitive phrases. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and cannot recommend it to others.