The Mythology of Ancient Ireland — The Neimheahdian Invasion

The Neimheahdians were the second group of invaders to truly occupy Ireland. As with the Partholans before them, the Neimheahdians and their origins are shrouded in mystery. These people were the followers of a man named Nemed (or Nemedh).

Where Did the Neimheahdians Come From?

It is unclear as to where the Neimheahdians might have come from. Some tales say that they were from Spain, or perhaps Scythia. There is also a legend that speaks of them coming from the mysterious region of the dead. Regardless of their origins, Nemed, son of Agnomon, sailed with his people to Ireland.

At this point, legend is not kind to the Neimheahdians. It is said that of the original 960 followers of Nemed, only nine survived. These nine people were able to quickly reestablish a population in Ireland, but once they had truly colonized Ireland, they were challenged by the Fomorians.

The Neimheahdians and the Fomorians

The five waves of invasion of the Mythological Cycle are littered with references to the Fomorians. They were said to be huge, misshapen creatures, truly terrifying in their cruelty. They take many forms, and were said, in some myths, to have attacked the followers of Nemed as they made their way to Ireland, in the guise of pirates out of Africa.

After the Neimheahdians settled themselves in Ireland and rebuilt their population, the Fomorians again attacked. Nemed and his followers fought against the Fomorians in four great battles, but during these battles, Nemed and many of his people were killed. The Fomorians were able to subdue the remaining Neimheahdians.

Eventually, the Neimheahdians rose in revolt, led by their three remaining chiefs. One of these chiefs, Fergus, kills Conann, who is one of the Fomorian kings. While this was a great victory, it wasn’t long before Morc, the second Fomorian king, routed the Neimheahdians. According to legend, only thirty survived to be sent from Ireland in exile.

What Happened to the Neimheahdians?

The thirty surviving Neimheahdians fled Ireland in despair. Some accounts claim that even these few perished before they found a new homeland. Common myth, however, indicates that they did survive, and even thrive. They are thought to have split into three groups after leaving Ireland.

The first group is thought to have wandered into the vastness of Northern Europe, to later return as a part of the Tuatha De Danann. The second group of refugees made their way to Greece, where they were enslaved. However, they later fled and returned to Ireland as the Fir Bolgs. The third group sought refuge in the north of England. It is sometimes said that ‘Briton’ was so named after the leader of this third group, who was called Briotan Maol.

The Neimheahdians are a powerful part of Irish mythology. Not necessarily because of their original impact on Ireland itself, but because they found the Fir Bolg and become part of the Tuatha De Danann. These two groups form the basis of the Irish Pantheon and are the foundation of the Irish Faery Faith.

The Mythology of Ancient Ireland — The Invasion of the Partholans

The Partholans were among the first to truly occupy Ireland. They were led by a man named Partholan, who brought them to Iver Scene, which is now known as the Kenmare River. He brought with him his sons, their wives, and approximately a thousand followers. It is difficult to determine when, exactly, this might have occured.

Where Did the Partholans Come From?

It is unclear as to where the Partholans might have come from. Legend has it that they came into Ireland from the west. Some myths suggest that Partholan himself once dwelled in the Irish Fairyland, the Land of the Living. Some claim that he murdered his father, Sera, and his father’s wife. He was then expelled from the Land of the Living, and had to seek out another home.

He brought with him his wife Dealgnaid, who later became Queen to his King. In fact, he brought with him a virtually equal number of men and women, supposedly at the urging of Dealgnaid. The plan was, presumably, to found their own civilization on the shores of Ireland.

The Partholans and the Fomorians

The Fomorians make an appearance at several points during the five waves of invasion in the Mythological Cycle. They could be said to be the nightmares of most of the Irish settlers from most of the waves of invasion. They seemed to be violent, cruel, and misshapen people who represent the powers of evil to the early Irish people.

The Partholans had to fight these ‘demons’ for control of Ireland. Finally, after much hardship and many battles, the Partholans drove the Fomorians out to the northern seas. The Fomorians would return to harass and later even challenge later rulers of Ireland. Whether these people ever existed is a matter of much debate.

What Happened to the Partholans?

After their many battles with the Fomorians, the Partholans gathered together on Senmag (roughly translated as the Old Plain) for the purpose of burying their dead. However, this meant that every last one of them had contact with each other, and this spread a pestilence or plague through all of them. All the followers of Partholan died, leaving Ireland open for reoccupation, this time by the Neimheahdians.

The Partholans were the first true settlers of Ireland, followed by the Neimheahdians. Though little is known about them, their culture, and even their origins, they still form an important part of Irish mythology.

The Mythology of Ancient Ireland — The Five Waves of Invasion

Most of the myths and legends of the ancient Faery Faith of Ireland come from the Mythological Cycle. From this cycle arise the Tuatha De Danann, who gave birth to the Irish Pantheon of gods and goddesses. More importantly, the Mythology Cycle contains the five waves of Irish invasion.

There are many conflicting stories regarding the waves of invasion. Since the Mythological Cycle was passed on orally, and never written down by the Irish themselves, it is difficult to ascertain the truth regarding this time. The tales of the five waves were eventually written down, in approximately 1100 C.E., but this was more than one thousand years after the events had occurred.

In addition, the tales were recorded by monks. By the time any attempt was made to reconstruct what had really happened, and what was really believed by the ancient people of Ireland, too much time had passed, and too many facts had been altered.

The five waves are full of tales of wizardry and magic. Modern mythology barely hints at most of the stories that are to be had from this time, and each wave is a curious mix of historical fact and speculation.

The Partholan Wave of Invasion

The Partholan Wave was named after the leader of this group of invaders. This man, Partholan, was said to have bled his homeland after having killed both his mother and his father. He settled his people in the area surrounding Dublin. However, they remained in Ireland for only thirty or forty years before they were all eventually killed by the plague.

The Neimheahd Wave of Invasion

Also named after the leader of this group, the Neimheahd Wave apparently came from Scythia. They were harassed by pirates out of Africa, who descended upon the Neimheahd people and attempted to subdue them. Eventually, after their leader, Neimheahd, was killed, the people abandoned Ireland. They scattered into three groups, two of which would become the ancestors of the next wave of invaders.

The Fir Bolg Wave of Invasion

The Fir Bolg Wave arrived 217 years after the Neimheahdians left. They were said to be escaped slaves from Greece, and they introduced agriculture to Ireland. They also brought with them the rule of law and social institutions, and established the first real monarchical government in Ireland.

The Fir Bolg were defeated by the Tuatha De Danann at the First Battle of Mag Tuired. They did eventually return to Ireland as a subordinate people at the beginning of the Common Era.

The Tuatha De Danann Wave of Invasion

All the other waves of invasion arrived in Ireland by ship, but the Tuatha De Danann Wave were said to have arrived on dark clouds thought the air. They were thought to have alighted on a mountaintop. They were said to be people of magick, a race who were proficient in every art.

These mystical people ruled Ireland for many years. Though they were challenged by their enemies, the Fomorians, the interlopers were never allowed to settle in Ireland. The Tuatha De Danann reigned in Ireland until the coming of the Milesians.

The Milesian Wave of Invasion

The Milesians were Celtic people, and the Celts had long established themselves in Central Europe. The Milesian Wave put an end to the supreme reign of the Tuatha De Danann. When the Milesians first attempted to land in Ireland, the Tuatha De Danann conjured up a storm against them. It seemed as if they would never land safely in Ireland.

Eventually, and in scattered groups, they made their way to land. When they did, the battles between the Milesians and the Tuatha De Danann were fierce. Many were lost on both sides. In the end, the two groups decided that the Tuatha De Danann would rule the spirit land, while the Milesian would reign over the physical realm. Peaceful coexistence was the final result.

The five waves of invasion are full of powerful myths and inspiring symbolism. They give a glimpse into the ancient Irish ethics of war, and are the basis for the Irish Faery Faith that would later arise.

The Mythology of Ancient Ireland — The Fiana

The fiana were roving war bands that served the kings of Ireland in approximately the 3rd century C.E. around the time of the Fenian Cycle. The fiana were soldiers in times of war, but served as national police during times of peace; they were poets and romantics at all times. When they weren’t protecting the realm from its enemies, they prevented robberies, collected tributes and fines, and generally handled anything that might adversely affect Ireland.

There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that tales of the fiana were a part of popular tradition in Ireland through the 11th century. Their stories of honor, law, and loyalty were considered to be essential to the welfare of the community. Even after this time, they were studied in fairy tales as the ideal warriors.

How Did Candidates Enter the Fiana?

It was not easy for anyone to join the fiana. The tests were incredibly difficult and varied, and few people could meet these requirements today. Some of these legendary tests included:

• All candidates had to master the twelve books of Irish poetry before he could be considered.
• Standing in a trench the depth of his knee, the candidate must protect himself with only a shield and staff from nine warriors, who will be casting javelins at him.
• With only a head start of a single tree, the candidate must escape from his pursuers in a thick wood, and must remain unwounded.
• During this flight, he must be so quick and agile that not even a single braid of his hair is loosened by a hanging branch, and he must break no withered branch upon the ground.
• The candidate, during his flight, must bound over branches the height of his forehead and crawl under branches the height of his knee. He must do this with all speed, and without leaving a trembling branch behind.
• In facing the greatest odds, he must stand firm, and his weapon must not shake in his hand.

Whether these requirements were true, or whether time has exaggerated them, we may never know. Regardless, the legendary fiana were certainly well qualified and well trained.

What Were the Duties of the Fiana?

For the most part, the fiana served their king. They carried out the tasks set before them by their leader, and they did so as a well formed and cohesive group. There were also four restrictions, sometimes called geasas that were placed upon each candidate once they passed all the tests of the fiana. These were:

• He shall marry his wife for her manners and her virtues, not for any wealth she might possess.
• He shall be gentle with all women, no matter her station.
• He shall never keep for himself that which another needs.
• He shall stand and fight against all odds, as far as nine to one.

These were considered the most basic principles of the fiana. They were to life their lives in honor and love, and to never waver from their purpose.

The life of a fiana might have seemed difficult to some, but it had its rewards. They were a close nit family of brothers, and they faced adventure and danger together, and so they enjoyed the rewards of such a life as one single entity.