InGaelic mythology,Brian (orUar) was one of the threeSons ofTuireann along withIuchar andIucharba.
In many extant institutionally-held manuscripts of theOidheadh Chlainne Tuireann, Brian is actually called Uar (orUair[1]), but the name has been emended by editors to "Brian" which conforms with the name in ancient texts.[a][2] Eugene O'Curry was working from a manuscript in his possession,[3] and gives the name as "Brian", but notes that "Uar" was an alternate name for Brian.[4]
InOidheadh Chlainne Tuireann (The Tragedy of the Sons of Tuireann), the three set out to kill their father's enemyCian. Cian is the father ofLugh, one of the greatest of theTuatha Dé Danann. Cian shapeshifts into a pig to disguise himself, but the brothers shapeshift into dogs and hound him. They kill him, dismember his body and try to cover up their crime. In recompense, Lugh makes them quest all around the known world fetching magical weapons, which Lugh plans to use at theSecond Battle of Magh Tuireadh. They succeed in obtaining all that Lugh demanded, but return to Ireland badly wounded, pleading for Lugh to heal them; but he refuses.
In at least one version of this tale, Brian is the clever and subtle one, while his brothers Iuchar and Iucharba are bumbling and easily overawed by Brian. This tale of the Sons of Tuireann has sometimes been likened to an IrishArgonautica.[5]
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