In Irish mythology Neit ( Néit, Nét, Neith) was a god of war. He was the husband of Nemain and/or Fea, and sometimes of Badb.[ The Metrical Dindsenchas Poem 36] Also grandfather of Balor, he was killed at the legendary Second Battle of Moytura.
Etymology
The name probably derives from the proto-Celtic *
nei-t-[ University of Wales: Proto-Celtic vocabulary] meaning fighting or passion. A similarly named deity appears on two Celtiberian inscriptions,
[Francisco Marco Simón, "Religion and Religious Practices of the Ancient Celts of the Iberian Peninsula" , e-Keltoi Vol 6] as a Romanized
Mars Neto and as
Neito.
Legacy
Neit is described as the uncle of the
Dagda, who gave him
Ailech Neit (Neit's Stonehouse), which is elsewhere described as the grave of Ahd, son of the Dagda.
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
Nemain and Neit."
The Metrical Dindsenchas poem 22 "Ailech I" Neit is described as "dangerous" and "son of Indui, king of the north country, lord of horse breeding peoples."
[ The Metrical Dindsenchas poem 24 "Ailech III"] Neit's sons include Delbáeth, the father of
Elatha, and Esarg, the father of
Dian Cecht.
[ Lebor Gabála Érenn §64 ]
