In Irish mythology, Eithne, the daughter of Balor, leader of the Fomorians, fell in love with Cian and they have a son, Lugh.

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Eithne (also spelled Ethniu, Ethliu, Ethlinn) was the beautiful daughter of Balor, leader of the Fomorians, a semi-divine race, according to Irish mythology. Eithne fell in love with Cian, leader of the Tuatha De Danann ("people of the goddess Danu"), another race of Irish people. A prophecy says Balor's grandson will kill him and so Balor locks his daughter in a tower. Cian does find Balor (as pictured here in the tower) and Eithne gives birth to Lugh. Legends differ but some say Lugh later blinded Balor; others say he killed him. This illustration dates to around 1905.

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Keywords: balor, celtic, celts, cian, danann, danu, de, early, eithne, ethlinn, ethliu, ethniu, fomorians, goddess, grandson, history, hugh, ireland, irish, legend, myth, mythology, people, tribes, tuatha