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Irish myth differs from many other cultures because there is no creation element. Where some cultures have the manifestation of deity or elemental beings becoming the physical world in which we live, in the oldest Irish stories, Ireland just is.
The origin stories of Irish myth are collectively known as Lebor Gabála Eireann, which is translated as the Book of Invasions, or the Book of the taking of Ireland.
A Land of Many Peoples
- The Cessairians came out of the East in the last days before the Great flood. It was said by Noe of their tribe that they should “go to the western edge of the world; perchance the Flood may not reach it“. Cessair with the crew of her ship escaped, fifty women and three men arrived in Ireland forty days before the flood. Cessair and most of her people died leaving a Fintan with his long life span to survive and record the rest of the comings to Ireland.
- The Partholonians found Ireland a wasteland after the Great flood. They remained in the land and as they worked it they uncovered a great many lakes and began to form its first plains. Yet they were only in Ireland a decade or so before war came to the against a foe known as the Fomoriag. It was a war they won, but the fate of Partolon’s people was not long in coming for them. Five thousand men and four thousand women died of a week’s plague, leaving Ireland empty but for one survivor. Tuan is said to have lived to carry the story down the years.
- The Nemedians take their name from Nemed, son of Agnomain from the Greeks of Scythia. It’s said that fourty four ships set sail but after over a year, only one made it to Ireland. Those who arrived found that Ireland was again a wasteland, but they began to change that. This of course led to more conflict with the Fomoriag leading to the death of their champions and heavy annual tithes of cattle, grain and people being demanded. Eventually the sons of Nemed gathered people to them and fled the oppression.
- The Fir Bolg descend from Semeon and his people. They had fled Ireland into the land of the Greeks, but even here they were oppressed and placed in servitude. Over two hundred years later these peoples would gather up and leave the oppression to return to their ancestral homeland in Ireland. Finding it empty they took up the rule of the land and prospered.
- The Tuatha Dé Dannan are said to have descended from the Beotach of the Nemed who had remained in Ireland. Their ancestors had gone out of the island in the North and East and multiplied, gaining in great skill and knowledge. Their return to Ireland was prophesied and led to the first battle upon the plains of Moytura as the returned tribe strove against the Fir Bolg for acceptance. In the end victory came to the Tuatha Dé Dannan, yet they agreed to live with the Fir Bolg, giving Connacht in the West to that tribe. They lived and ruled in Ireland for centuries, seeing off further invasion from the Fomorians.
- The Milesians also known as The Gaedhil were said to descend from Gaedil Glas who was at the tower known to biblical history as Babel in what is said to be Scythia. It was he who created the Gaelic language from those that had been at the tower. Yet it was not until many years later that a descendant of his, Ith son of Bregon ‘with tuneful fame’ came to Ireland. It was they who conquered and drove the Tuatha Dé Dannan into the Sidhe.
Oppression and Emigration in the Book of Invasions
When we explore the common themes of the stories above it is easy to see that Ireland has had a long history with invasion and foreign oppression. Time and again the peoples of the island strive to find some place to live and grow in peace, yet their prosperity and security is threatened.
This threat though never comes from those who would come in and exist in peace with the tribes and the land, so ‘Book of Invasions’ maybe sends the wrong message. It is almost always a threat from those who are already powerful and seeking to use that power over others to exploit them and their land.
Even when the descendants of Ireland emigrate to flee oppression at home, they find a world more than willing to exploit them for their labours. Little wonder that they remember and long for the land of their ancestors, the land that at least was theirs.
Ancestry and Immigration
The stories show us time and again that these tribes held their lineage and ancestry in great value and in some cases reverence. The importance of not just knowing who you are, but who your ancestors were and where they came from in many cases informed part of their cultural identity.
There are many fascinating things about this but few more so than the first meeting between the champions of the Fir Bolg and the Tuatha Dé Dannan upon their return. In that moment both champions recognize the shared ancestry between them, even noting that, though centuries apart, they still shared the same language. These were two tribes of immigrants seeking an ancestral homeland which their forebears had left centuries before, but which still informed a deep meaningful part of their culture.
The final arrival changed this theme. The Sons of Mil, who became The Gaedhil did not come seeking ancestral homelands. They came as invaders, bringing their conquest out of Spain and onto the island. This is where the term ‘Book of Invasions’ begins to make more sense.
What does this mean for us today?
There are many things to take from these stories, as there should be. The original format of Irish tales was oral, being handed down through the generations from folks like Fintan or Tuan, but so many more people over the generations of humanity in Ireland. The bards carried the stories of the peoples who came before so that the memories of our origins would not be lost to us.
Ireland, it seems, has almost always been seen as a place of safety, a place of homeland, a place that people, with some effort, can build prosperity and security. It is such a small island, once thought to be on the very edge of the world, but its importance to many tribes can be seen in the intergenerational memory of those who came from it.
Our island has always been a place for many tribes to come and find their way. As much as its peoples emigrate from the shores to new lands, many others immigrate into our homeland and become part of our island’s many tribes. As we can see from the very origins of our island, this is nothing foreign, strange or different for us, it has always been part of what has defined our island.
The taking of Ireland and the legacy of the Book of Invasions continues as it always has. Our amazing abundant island provides safety, and prosperity to all upon it, welcoming those who come and waving fare thee well to those who go.
What is clear to see from all of these stories is that no matter how many generations come and go in our world, there will always be people who consider Ireland as home.
Where to Now?
If you think this topic is interesting, and you’d like to explore further, you can always:
Enroll in a Class – The Taking of Ireland
Visit the Irish Pagan School YouTube Channel
Take a Free Class to Learn More about Paganism, the Irish Gods, or Guided Meditation!
Really interesting and well told and explained
A good primer for those new to the lore of Ireland. Well written with clarity.
This was very informative. I’ve been wondering though, what is the best place to read the book of invasions? Or is there a recommended printing I could purchase?
This history is very complex and interesting. Themes of place and interconnection are so strong.