Moytura is where the Tuatha Dé Danann began their invasion by taking on the Fir Bolg in a battle for the possession of Ireland. It’s name in Irish is Cath Maighe Tuireadh, meaning ‘Battle of the Plain of Pillar’. The Danann won. Some thirty years later, a second battle of Moytura was fought, this time against the Fomori, whom some call a race of demons. Again, the Danann won.

The first was fought at Cong on the border of Co Galway and Co Mayo, close to Lough Corrib. The second battle is said to have occurred in Sligo, at a place which is still called Moytirra. There are also many archaeological sites associated with the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Moytirra East Court Tomb, commonly called the Giant’s Grave, is a court cairn and National Monument located in Co Sligo, and is located 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Ballyfarnon, to the east of Lough Arrow. It was built c. 4000–2500 BC, in the Neolithic.

Moytirra East Court Tomb has the remains of a U-shaped court leading to a four-chamber gallery. These would have been covered by a cairn, but these stones seem to have been removed.

Known locally as the Giant’s Grave, and was said to hold the remains of a giant killed in the Second Battle of Moytura. According to mythology, in this battle, Lugh killed his grandfather, the Fomori King Balor with a spear through the eye at Lough na Suil (Lake of the Eye). Perhaps it is Balor who is buried here.

Image | Giant’s Grave, Moytura, Co Sligo

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