In Celtic Tradition

ANGUS ÓC was the young son of the Dagda and of Boínn. His father was the Dagda and his mother Boand (the Boyne River), while she was still married to Nechtan. To hide their infidelity, the parents asked Elcmar to be the child's foster-father. In a lesser-known version, Eochaid Ollathair (Dagda) seduced through trickery the wife of Elcmar, Eithne, to produce the divine son, who was then fostered by Midir. Angus Óg dispossessed either Dagda or Elcmar to assume his usual residence, Brug na Bóinne [house, hostel of the Boyne], where trees were always in fruit and a cooked pig was always ready for the eating. In some versions Elcmar gains Clettech Sídh in exchange for the loss of Brug na Bóinne. Popular tradition attributes to Angus Óg and to Manannán mac Lir the bringing of cows from India to Ireland. Angus Óg drank the Ale of Immortality, and four swans circled over his head when he travelled. He was the protector of several heroes, most notably Diarmait of the Fenian Cycle; one of his important defences was a cloak of invisibility. He advised Eochaid, who had eloped with his foster-mother, not to camp on his (Angus's) meadow, and punished the hero for ignoring him. Angus Óg was also the father of Maga, the ancestress of the Red Branch in the Ulster Cycle. He is sometimes credited with a son, Nemanach, and sometimes with a wife, Nuamaisi. He mates with Eithne, the daughter of Balor, to produce Delbaeth. His magical sword is Móralltach. In addition, Angus Óg is cited in numerous Old Irish narratives as well as in later folk and fairy lore. Other forms of his name are Angus mac Óg, Angus mac Óc, Angus mac Ócc, Angus mac-ind-Óg, Angus Óengus Óc, Angus of the Brug.