Story Summary
Explore the legend of Balor of the Evil Eye, the Fomorian giant whose gaze brought death, and the prophecy that led his grandson Lugh to claim his destiny.
In the dark ages of Irish myth, Balor was the terrifying king of the Fomorians, a race of monstrous giants. He possessed a single, terrible eye that remained closed most of the time. When opened, it unleashed a beam of destruction so potent it could wither whole armies and scorch the earth. A druid's prophecy warned Balor that he would be slain by his own grandson, so he locked his only daughter, Ethlinn, in a high crystal tower on Tory Island to prevent her from ever meeting a man. But fate is not so easily tethered. Cian, a warrior of the Tuatha Dé Danann, managed to reach her with the help of a druidess. From their union, Lugh was born. Fearing for the infant's life, he was spirited away to be raised in secret. Years later, during the epic Second Battle of Mag Tuired, the Fomorians faced the Tuatha Dé Danann. As seven men strained to lift Balor’s heavy, poisonous eyelid with iron hooks, the young hero Lugh stepped forward. With a single, expertly aimed stone from his sling, Lugh struck Balor’s eye with such force it was driven through the back of his skull. The eye’s deathly power turned backward upon the Fomorian army, ending their reign forever and fulfilling the ancient prophecy.
The Moral
Cruelty and isolation cannot prevent the fulfillment of destiny, and even the most overwhelming power possesses a hidden vulnerability.
“No shield could block it, and no wall could stand against the gaze of the one-eyed king.”
Fun Fact
Balor's eye was allegedly poisoned by the fumes of a magic potion his father's druids were brewing, which is how it gained its lethal, magical properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Balor of the Evil Eye?
The story teaches that destiny cannot be avoided through cruelty or fear. It also highlights that even the most formidable enemies have a weakness that can be exploited by courage and skill.
Who killed Balor of the Evil Eye?
Balor was killed by his grandson, the hero Lugh Lamfada, during the Second Battle of Mag Tuired. Lugh used a sling-stone to drive Balor's destructive eye through the back of his head.
Why was Balor's eye so dangerous?
Balor's eye was said to be poisonous and destructive, capable of killing anyone it looked upon. It was usually kept closed because its power was so great it would destroy his own allies if used indiscriminately.
Who were the Fomorians in Celtic mythology?
The Fomorians were a race of supernatural, often monstrous beings who represented the chaotic and destructive forces of nature. they were the primary rivals of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Why did Balor imprison his daughter Ethlinn?
He imprisoned her because a druid prophesied that he would be killed by his own grandson. By keeping her in a crystal tower, he hoped to ensure she would never have a child.
What happened when Lugh struck Balor's eye?
The force of the sling-stone sent the eye through Balor's head, causing its lethal gaze to fall upon the Fomorian army behind him. This instantly decimated his own troops and ended the battle.
