Sídhe
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- This article is about the mythological being. For the software house, see Sidhe Interactive.
The sídhe (Gaelic: daoine sídhe-pronounced 'deenie shee', sing. sióg), (IPA Template:IPA, shee) are a supernatural race in Irish and Scottish mythology, related to the fay and elves of other traditions. There are a number of different types of sídhe: aes sídhe, banshee, Leanan sidhe, sluagh, the fairy host (an slua sidhe) or Wild Hunt, sídhe who can fly through the air and shift shape at will, sídhe who walk the earth at dusk, the guardian sídhe of the lochs of both Ireland and Scotland and many more.
They are the remnants of the underground kingdom given to the Tuatha Dé Danann after they were defeated by the Milesians. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of Invasions), the Tuatha Dé Danann, the “People of the Goddess Danu” were defeated in battle by the mortal Sons of Míl Espáine. As part of the surrender terms the Túatha Dé Danann agreed to dwell underground in the síde (singular síd), the hills or mounds that dot the Irish landscape. Each member of the Tuatha De Danaan was given one mound. Later, due to a corruption of the meaning, both the mounds and the supernatural entities (i.e. sprites) became known as the síd, modern Irish sídhe.