Partholón

These legends were then expanded on in another work, The Book of Invasions, which gives Irish prehistory as a series of invasion struggles.

It says that after the first inhabitants were destroyed in the deluge, Ireland was settled by one Partholone from Iberia, and after his group had been wiped out by plague, by one Nemed from the Caspian Sea, but the Nemedians are then nearly destroyed and scattered by the monstrous Fomorians who dominate them.

After some time, in Greece, the descendants of Nemedians return to Ireland, calling themselves the Firbolg.

But they are driven away by the Tuatha Dé Danann, or Tuatha Dé, who also struggle with the Fomorians but are victorious and reign over Ireland for 150 years.

Thank you.

Interestingly, even if you take a euhemerist perspective and assert that these pseudo-historical medieval works present real history, there remains little evidence in favor of the Egyptian heritage theory.

The Book of Invasions claims six settlements, one before the flood by the granddaughter of Noah, the next after the flood by another descendant of Noah named Partholone, followed by a third descendant of Noah called Nemed.

then his ancestors, the Firbolg, before the Tuatha Dé Danann, and finally the Gaelic ancestors of modern Irish people, who are likewise said to have descended from Noah.

Also the text.

Now, Culture Night is happening this Friday, and if you're out and about and you head down towards Rua Red in Tallaght, that's a South Dublin art center, there's a brand new production, Partholón, and the man leading it all is with us now, Iarlaith Linnód.

Fáilte.

Go raibh maith agat.

Thank you, Oliver.

Uh, Partholón.

Partholón.

Do, do you know anything? This is a ma- Is this a person in mythological history? What, what, what do you know about it-

But Finian objected in bewilderment.

Partholon came to Ireland not long after the flood.

I came with him, said Tuon mildly.

The saint pushed his chair back hastily and sat staring at his host.

And we saw new animals grow.

The bear, the wolf, the badger, the deer, and the boar.

Partholon's people increased, until from twenty-four couples there came five thousand people who lived in amity and contentment, although they had no wits.

They had no wits, Finian commented.