Tailtiu

Irish harvest goddess and eponym of Telltown in Ireland. Daughter of Mag Mor king of Spain and wife of Eochaid the Rough son of Duach, she was a Fir Bolg queen who lived with the Tuatha Dé Danann.

She is the foster-mother of Lugh Lamhfada. Lugh's mother Eithne daughter of Balar was a Formorian, while his father Cian was Tuatha Dé Danann. So on according to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Lugh was fosterd by Tailtiu, but in Manx legend he is raied on Emhain Abhlach by Manannán mac Lir.

After the Second Battle of Magh Turedh, Lugh established funeral games in honor of Tailtiu, who died in the war between the TDD and the Fomorians. These funeral games were called "Lughnasadh"--the festival of Lugh:

Her games were performed every year and her song of lamentation, by Lugh. With gessa and feats of arms were they performed, a fortnight before Lugnasad and a fortnight after: under dicitur Lughnasadh, that is, the celebration (?) or the festival of Lugh.

This festival was held fifteen days before through fifteen days after August 1, which was the height of the festival. This was one of the chief holy days of the Irish (and presumably Celtic) year, the first harvest celebration of the year, and the last major holiday before Samhain.

Source

Lebor Gabal Erenn. The Book of Invasions Translated from the Book of Leinster. Edited by R.A.S. Macalister for The Irish Texts Society.

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