In Goidelic mythology, Nuada was one of the Tuatha de Danaan. He was a god of the sea, children and childbirth, the sun, beauty, healing, sorcery and poetry and writing. One of the four great treasures of the Tuatha de Danaan was his sword, Fragarach, which cut his enemies in half.

In the Second Battle of Magh Tuiredh, Nuada lost his arm. Since he was no longer perfect, his kingship was taken by Bres. His brother, Dian Cecht, made him a living silver hand to substitute. Nuada became known as Nuada Airgedlámh (Nuada of the Silver Hand). Bres had became a tyrant and so was exiled. Nuada returned to the throne and was killed by Balor, the grandfather of Bres.

Later, Dian Cecht's son, Miach, replaced the silver arm with Nuada's old arm; Dian Cecht killed him out of professional envy.