Irish Mythology Overview

The Fomors

The Fomors of Fomorians were the first inhabitants of Ireland. Their name translated means children of Domnu (their Goddess). They are thought to have been a vicous race, and battled with each of the groups of invaders that came to Ireland, until they were defeated by the Tuatha De Danann and exiled to the sea where they become hideous sea monsters.

The Race of the Partholon

The Race of the Portholon were first invaders of Ireland. Myth has it that the came from the Other World in a group of 48 (24 females and 24 males), and that the landed on Ireland on Beltaine. Other sources claim that they came from Greece, where their leader (whose name they beared) had fled after murdering his mother and father. When the Partholon race arrived Ireland consisted only of one plain, and had only nine rivers and three lakes. As the Partholons multiplied, Ireland grew beneath them, though there is disagreement over whether this occured miraculously, or by the work of the Partholon people). The population of the Partholons grew to 5000 and Ireland acquired four new plains and seven new lakes.

With premonition of a forecoming plague the Race of the Partholon all gathered on "the Old Plain", so that it would be easier to care for the ill and bury the dead. The plague killed them all within one week and it is said that they are buried where they died, an mound known as Tallaght, near the city of Dublin. By some accounts the Fomors were respnsible for the plague.

The Race of Nemed

The Race of Nemed were the next divine dynasty in Ireland. Little is known about the except that after four consecutive successes against the Fomors, Nemed (their leader) and 2000 others died from an epidemic. Those who remained were lost without their leader, and were terribly oppressed by the Fomors. In protest of a tarriff introduced by the Fomors which required that one third of all first born children be delivered to the castle on Samhain the remaining Nemed went to the castle of the Fomor kings. Nearly all 16,000 of them were slaughtered, it is said that only thirty remained.

The Fir Bolgs

The Fir Bolgs followed the Nemed. There is not much known about them either. We do know that their leader was named Eochaid, son of Erc. The Fir Bolgs were said to have made peace with the Fomors by subduing to them.

The Tuatha De Danann

Certainly the most popular tribe of Celtic dieties. Tuatha De Danann means literally "folk" or "tribe" of Danu (the Great Mother Goddesses). It is said that the Tuatha arrived in Ireland on Beltaine under the cover of a dense cloud. Macha and Badb (two crone goddesses) helped them remain undiscovered by creating magickal fog and storms which rained blood and fire down upon the Fir Bolgs.

Prior to coming to Ireland the Tuatha De Danaan dwelt in four cities named Findias, Gorias, Murias and Falias. It is here where the Tuatha were said to have learned their occult skills. And from these cities they brought with them the four treasures. From Findias they brought Nuada's invincible sword; from Gorias, Lugh's terribly lance; from Murias, Dagda's eternal cauldron; and from Falias, the Stone of Fal (Stone of Destiny).

There are many legends of the Tuatha De Danann, their exploits and there battles. Click here to read the myths of the Tuatha De Danann