Nuadha Of The Silver Hand - Why We Choose Our Name
The Silver Hand is undoubtedly a rather unique name for a college journal, I am sure you would all agree. But as is the case with most names, there is a story behind its selection. This particular story goes back a long time involving kings, battles and, of course, hands. So join me on a journey through the little bit of Irish mythology behind the Silver Hand.
Whose hand is it anyway?
Nuada Airgetlam (Nuada of the Silver Hand) is a prominent figure in Irish mythology. In fact, cognates of his name can be found throughout the Celtic world. In Wales, he was known as Lludd Llaw Eraint; in Gaul (modern France) he was known as Nodens. His name can be seen in the name of Maynooth: Maigh-Nuad, the plain of Nuada. But who was Nuada in Ireland? Nuada was a member of a tribe known as the Tuatha Dé Danann. The Tuatha Dé Danann were one of the six groups who are said to have settled in Ireland, and are surrounded in mystery. In some stories they are depicted as the pagan gods of Ireland’s past; in others they are depicted as a society skilled with mystical arts. Whatever the case, Nuada was their king when they first arrived in Ireland.
The Story of Nuada
When Nuada led his people to Ireland, they found it already occupied by another tribe, known as the Fir Bolg. The Tuatha Dé Danann sent a messenger, requesting half the island for their people to live on. The Fir Bolg refused this demand leading both sides to war, meeting in battle at a place called Mag Tuired. It was there that Nuada met the Fir Bolg champion Sreng in battle. Sreng was said to have cut Nuada’s hand off with a single strike. Despite this, the Tuatha Dé Danann claimed victory in the battle. However, Nuada could no longer be king, as the laws of the Tuatha Dé Danann required to king to be without physical blemish. Nuada, now short a hand, no longer qualified.
In his place, the Tuatha Dé Danann decided Eochu Bres (the Beautiful Horseman) would be king. Bres’s mother was of the Tuatha Dé Danann, but his father was a Formorian. The Formorians were an interesting group in Irish mythology, similar to the Titans of Greek myths or the Giants of Scandanavian stories. They were said to have dwelled in the seas and on the islands off the western coast. Bres used his power as king to allow his Formorian kin to raid Ireland freely, forcing the Tuatha Dé Danann to pay heavy tribute to them. In desperation, the great physician (or god of healing) Dian Cécht used his abilities to fashion Nuada a hand of solid silver, which functioned as a well as a hand of flesh and blood. Once again without blemish, Nuada took back the kingship. Nuada would later lead his people in rebellion against the Formorians, leading to the Second Battle of Mag Tuired. He would fall in this battle to the Formorian warlord Balór na Súile Nimhe (Balor of the Evil Eye).
Why the Silver Hand?
But why name this journal after the prosthetic hand of some mythological king? Well, there are a few reasons. Along with his silver hand, there was another object strongly associated with Nuada, that being his sword. When drawn, only the truth could be spoken in its presence and it shone so brightly it would always light the path forward. Just as Nuada’s silver hand held this sword aloft to lead the Tuatha Dé Danann, we hope the Silver Hand may serve to hold aloft the work of aspiring journalists within the university, allowing the light of truth to shine on the issues that matter to students within Maynooth University. Nuada’s silver hand is also a powerful symbol of perseverance and adversity overcome. It reflects the hope that the Silver Hand will continue to persevere as a student publication for many years to come.