Irish mythology Irish mythology is the body of myths native to the island of Ireland. It was originally passed down orally in the prehistoric era, being part of ancient Celtic religion. Many myths were later written down in the early medieval era by C ...

Neit (Néit, Nét, Neith) was a god of war. He was the husband of

Nemain In Irish mythology, Neman or Nemain (modern spelling: Neamhan, Neamhain) is the spirit-woman or goddess who personifies the frenzied havoc of war. In the ancient texts where The Morrígan appears as a trio of goddesses — the three sisters wh ...

and/or Fea, and sometimes of

Badb In Irish mythology, the Badb (Old Irish, ), or in Modern Irish Badhbh (, )—also meaning "crow"—is a war goddess who takes the form of a crow, and is thus sometimes known as Badb Catha ("battle crow").http://www.dil.ie/5114 ''badb'', Author: ...

. Also grandfather of

Balor In Irish mythology, Balor or Balar was a leader of the Fomorians, a group of malevolent supernatural beings. He is often described as a giant with a large eye that wreaks destruction when opened. Balor takes part in the Battle of Mag Tuired, a ...

, he was killed at the legendary Second Battle of Moytura.

Etymology

The name probably derives from the proto-Celtic *''nei-t-'' meaning fighting or passion. A similarly named deity appears on two Celtiberian inscriptions, as a Romanized '' Mars Neto'' and as ''Neito''.

Legacy

Neit is described as the uncle of the

Dagda The Dagda (Old Irish: ''In Dagda,'' ga, An Daghdha, ) is an important god in Irish mythology. One of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Dagda is portrayed as a father-figure, king, and druid.Koch, John T. ''Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia' ...

, who gave him ''Ailech Neit'' (Neit's Stonehouse), which is elsewhere described as the grave of Aed, son of the Dagda. ''Ailech Imchell,'' described as the "bright home of horses" and an envied stronghold, is another place where Aed is said to be buried and which is said to be in the "precinct where dwelt

and Neit." Neit is described as "dangerous" and "son of Indui, king of the north country, lord of horse breeding peoples." Neit's sons include

Delbáeth Delbáeth or Delbáed (modern spelling: Dealbhaoth or Dealbhaodh) was one of several figures from Irish mythology who are often confused due to the repetition of the name in the mythological genealogies. Name According to the Dindsenchas, the nam ...

, the father of

Elatha In Irish mythology, Elatha, Elotha, Elier or Elada (modern spelling: Ealadha) was a king of the Fomorians and the father of Bres by Ériu of the Tuatha Dé Danann, as well as Delbaeth, Ogma, Elloth (grandfather of Manannán mac Lir), and the Dag ...

and Esarg, the father of

Dian Cecht In Irish mythology, Dian Cécht (Old Irish pronunciation ; also known as ''Cainte'' or ''Canta'') was the god of healing, the healer for the Tuatha Dé Danann, and son of the Dagda according to the ''Dindsenchas''. He was the father of Cu, Ceth ...

.''

Lebor Gabála Érenn ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'' (literally "The Book of the Taking of Ireland"), known in English as ''The Book of Invasions'', is a collection of poems and prose narratives in the Irish language intended to be a history of Ireland and the Irish fro ...

'
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References

Tuatha Dé Danann Irish gods War gods {{Celt-myth-stub