Celtic: The Lebhar Gabhála Éireann

The Lebhar Gabhála Éireann The Book of the Conquest of Ireland also known as the Book of Invasions is a great source of history, anthropology and Celtic legend in the early Celtic days. The Book of Invasions is a 12th-century recount of Celtic mythology and lore, listing the 6 successful invasions of Ireland that are the basis of Celtic deities or greatly impacted and influenced Celtic belief and festivals. The First Invasion - The People of Cesair Occurring before the Biblical flood, a company of people entered Ireland to claim and settle the land. Under the leadership of Cesair, daughter of Bith who was a son of Noah, the people claimed the land and rose as the Spirit of Ireland. All these people, save Fintan, perished in the Flood. Fintan survived in various forms to oversee all the later events that befell the country.   The Second Invasion - Partholán After the great Flood the land was inhabited by a monstrous race of half human called the Fomhoiré (whose name means sea giants). These creatures had a single leg, hand and eye and three rows of knife like teeth. Partholán and his people invaded the land and defeated the monstrous creatures forcing them into exile on the Isle of Man. The land that remained looked nothing like a country, so Partholán and his people cleared four plains and created seven lakes. They also built the first house, brewed the first beer, established laws, introduced cattle to the land, mined for gold and were consummate craftsmen. Unfortunately their good lives were short lived as the Partholán's were wiped out by a plague.   The Third Invasion - Nemhedh From an unknown place, Nemhedh mac Agnoman and his people entered Ireland and settled the land with no one to resist them. They cleared twelve plains and created for additional lakes creating a beautiful country side. After the death of Nemhedh, the Fomhoiré returned and quickly conquered the people. They forced the Nemhedh's to pay them a tribute f two-thirds their corn, wine and children each Samhain. The people finally rebelled and attacked the Fomhoiré. Their attack failed and only a small handful of people survived. Half of these migrated to Greece, the other half to an unnamed northern land.   The Fourth Invasion - The Fir Bholg The small band of Nemhedh flourished in strength and number in Greece. They grew so large that they split into 3 clans, the Fir Bholg, the Gailioin and the Fir Dhomhnann. The Fir Bholg lead the others and invaded Ireland to reclaim the land from the Fomhoiré. Their invasion was successful and the Fir Bholg divided the land into five provinces, Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht with Meath in the center. The Gailioin settled in Leinster, which later became known as Laighin, the Fir Dhomhnann settled in Connacht and the Fir Bholg inhabited the remaining three provinces.   The Fifth Invasion - The Tuatha DéDanann The handful of Nemhedh's who fled to the unnamed northern land returned. During their time away, they learned a great deal about magikal lore and now called themselves Tuatha Dé Danann, "People of the Goddess Danu". Lead by Daghdha, they returned to the land with 4 treasures; the stone of Fál, the invincible spear of Lugh, the inescapable sword of Nuadha and the inexhaustible cauldron of the Daghdha. The Tuatha fought 2 battles, the first against the Fir Bholg, the second against the Fomhoire; both of whom they defeated with little effort.   The Sixth Invasion - The Sons of Mil Éspáine Landing on the land during the feast of Bealtaine, these invaders from Spain, were lead by Amhairghin, the Fili. They were the first human invaders of Ireland. They defeated the Tuatha and marked towards Tara, the capital of the land. On their march, the Spanish army crossed paths with 3 goddesses, Banbha, Dodla and Eriu who were the wives of the Tuatha Kings. The Goddesses disputed the right of the Mil Éspáine to posses the land. The Spaniards later proved their right by over coming the Tuatha at the battle of Tailtiu. The Tuatha still refused to accept their defeat and used magik to deprive the conquerors of milk and corn. After a stalemate, the two peoples decided to divide the land, the Tuatha claiming the underground half.