In the realm of Irish mythology, Balor, often depicted as a colossal figure, serves as the tyrannical head of the Fomorians, a race of supernatural beings. His most notorious feature is a single eye that unleashes devastation upon being opened. The narrative illustrating his demise at the hands of his grandson, Lugh, has remained central to his legend, with Balor symbolizing drought, decay, and the relentless sun.
Etymology and Titles
The name “Balor” may originate from the Common Celtic term *Baleros, translating to “the deadly one,” which aligns with Old Irish and Welsh terms for death and plague. Alternatively, it may derive from *Boleros, meaning “the flashing one.” Throughout his legend, Balor is referred to by various names, including Balor Béimnech (Balor the smiter), Balor Balcbéimnech (Balor the strong smiter), Balór na Súile Nimhe (Balor of the Evil Eye), and Balor Birugderc (Balor the piercing-eyed), with the latter giving rise to the English iteration of his name.
Mythical Background
Balor is identified as the offspring of Buarainech and Cethlenn, with Neit as his grandfather. Renowned for his tyranny, he rules over Ireland from a stronghold on Tory Island. His destructive eye is notorious enough that, according to the Cath Maige Tuired, a mere glimpse from it could overpower an entire army with just a handful of warriors. It is said that four brave warriors are needed to raise his eyelid, which became poisonous after Balor gazed into a potion brewed by his father’s druids.
Later depictions portray Balor as having one fierce eye, described vividly: “He had a single eye in his forehead, a venomous fiery eye.” The narrative goes on to detail the calamities inflicted upon nature as he gradually uncovered this eye, leading to widespread devastation and igniting the countryside.
Fearing the prophecy of his grandson’s vengeance, Balor imprisons his daughter Ethniu in a tower to prevent her from bearing children. However, he steals a magical cow from the smith Goibniu, prompting Cian, the cow’s guardian, to retrieve it. With the aid of druidess Biróg, Cian locates and unites with Ethniu, leading to Balor’s wrath and Cian’s execution. Following Ethniu’s childbirth, Balor attempts to eliminate the child by drowning him, yet the sea god Manannán intervenes, nurturing the boy who grows up to be Lugh.
The Clash of Titans
Upon ascending to leadership of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Lugh confronts Balor during the notorious Battle of Mag Tuired. Utilizing a spear forged by Goibniu—or in some versions, a sling stone—Lugh strikes Balor through his formidable eye, resulting in devastating fallout for the Fomorian forces. As Balor falls lifelessly to the ground, his baleful eye is said to have left a charred hole that transformed into Loch na Súl, or “lake of the eye,” located in County Sligo. Alternative accounts suggest that his first grandson’s grave lies at Carn Uí Néit, commonly known as Mizen Head today. Features on Tory Island, like Dún Bhalair and Túr Bhalair, commemorate Balor’s storied past.
Folkloric References
In the folklore of the 19th century, Balor became associated with a mystical glass that granted him the power to annihilate anyone he gazed upon. This glass allowed him to wither all crops in Moytura, leading a hero to demand to know his secret. In a moment of folly, Balor removed the glass, allowing the hero to extinguish it, leading to a lake named Suil Balra formed from the blood that flowed from his eye.
Interpretative Analysis
Dáithí Ó hÓgáin suggests that the tale personifies a harvest myth, portraying Lugh’s victory as mankind’s triumph over Balor’s embodiments of death, drought, and blight. This interpretation links Lugh’s conquering feat to the celebration of Lughnasa and echoes the later tale of Saint Patrick overcoming a dark figure named Crom Dubh.
In his reflections within Myths of the Gods: Structures in Irish Mythology, Alan Ward characterizes Balor as a deity embodying drought. The story unfolds where the Drought God captures the cow of fertility, only to be eventually overcome by the united forces of the Sun God Cian and the Sea God Manannán, illustrating a struggle against drought through collaboration with the elements.
Folklorist Alexander Haggerty Krappe presents the Balor myth as an ancient allegory signifying the cycles of nature, where elements of the story parallel myths across different cultures, such as the Greek tale of Acrisius, Danae, and Perseus. He draws comparisons to other mythological beings, highlighting shared characteristics like prophetic demise and the locking away of a daughter.
The legend of Balor encapsulates themes of power, fate, and the resilience of life in the cyclical dance between destruction and renewal.
