Nuada

King of Erin (Ireland) and leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Nuada has been called the son of the goddess Danu. Usually Nuada had also been called the son of Echtach and the grandson of Etarlaim. He has also been named as one of the seven sons of Ethliu. This would make him the brother of Dagda, Dian Cécht, Goibhniu, Credne, Luchta and Lug Mac Cein.

He was either married to Macha or Nemain, or even both. These two women were both associated with Morrígan (Morrigan).

During the first battle of Moytura (Magh Tuiredh), the Dananns defeated the Firbolgs, killing Mac Erc, king of the Firbolgs. However, Nuada lost his right hand in the fighting. The people had a law that stated the mutilation of his hand prevented Nuada from ruling Ireland as their king. So the Dananns chose Bres as their king. However, Bres' rule was so harsh that the Dananns felt oppressed.

Dian Cécht (Dian Cecht) was the great physician, who had replaced Nuada's hand with magical silver hand. Nuada became known as Nuada Airgedlámh (Nuada of the Silver Hand). With a new hand, the Dananns willingly accepted Nuada as king, and had Bres step down from the throne. Bres however reconquered Ireland, aided by his grandfather Balor and the Fomorian leaders.

The Dananns then had to suffer from oppression from the Fomorian overlord until the arrival of Lugh, son of Cian (Kian). Lugh sided with Nuada in the second battle of Moytura (Magh Tuiredh). During the battle, Balor killed Nuada. The Fomorians were defeated when Lugh killed Balor with his sling.

Nuada was said to be father of Murna of the White Neck, mother of the hero Finn MacCumhaill.

The Welsh equivalent of Nuada was either Nudd Llaw Ereint or Lludd Llaw Ereint, which is "Llud the Silver Hand".