The Milesians Take Ireland

These are the races which were in Ireland before the coming of the Sons of Mil: The Sons of Mil approached Ireland and tried to claim it, but the Fomorians guarded the land with spells and incantations so that the Milesians had to circle the island in their ships three times.  After the third circuit, it was decided that the Milesians should have a rowing contest to get to the shore.  Eber Donn, elder son of Mil, was jealous of his brother Ir and wished him ill in the contest.  Ir died before the Milesians reached shore.  Scene, wife of Amergin, also died.

These are the wives of the prominent Milesians:

Amergin greets Ireland with a ley and puts a spell of fruitfulness on the seas.

The Milesians fight the Fir Bolg in a battle at Sleive Mis.  After this, they meet the three Goddesses, wives of the sons of Ogma.  Each Goddess challenges them and requests that her name be used in the land, and to each Amergin promises that her name will be a name of the land.  Fotla was one, Banba was the second, both of whom were promised that her name would be a name of Ireland.  Eriu (Eire) is the third, and her promise of assistance prompts Amergin to make her name the name of the land for ever.

Then the Milesians fight at the battle for Liffey, called Gabar Life, where Eremon loses his horse.

Arriving at Tara, they meet the three kings of the land, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Greine, who demand a truce of three days.  During that time, the Milesians are to return to their ships and go out beyond the ninth wave, place of exile.  Their reason is to keep the Milesians away by spells.  The Milesians agree and go out on their ships.

Once the Sons of Mil are out to sea, the three kings send a Druidic wind against them.  Amergin sends Erannan up the mast to see if the wind continues beyond the tops of the ships, in which case it is a true wind.  If it doesn't, it is a Druidic wind.  Erannan reports that the wind does not continue beyond the top mast, but falls to his death due to the gale.

Amergin makes an incantation, which is powerful because of the agreements made with the Goddesses.  Eber Donn and his family on board his ship are wrecked and drowned.

The Milesians are victorious over the Tuatha de Dannan, but the Tuatha send spells against the Milesian crops and milk so the Milesians have to make a treaty with them.  The Milesians agree to give honor to the Tuatha.

Many of the Tuatha retire to the island of Tir na Nog in the Western Ocean with their king, Mannanan.  The remainder, under their king the Dagda are assigned faerie mounds or sidhe in the land.


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