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The Invaders of Ireland
An anonymous poem by a traveling Irish versifier recorded
at the beginning of the 18th century.
Should any inquire about Erin Again, when death seized on the strangers
It is I who can give him the truth I roamed the land merry and free,
Concerning the deeds of each daring
Invader, since time was a youth Both careless and fearless of dangers,
Till blithe Nemed came over the sea.
First Cassir, Bith’s ventursome daughter, The Firbolgs and roving Firgallions
Came here o’er the eastern sea; Came next like the waves in their flow;
The Firdonnians arrived in Battalions
And fifty fair damsels she brought her
To solace her warriors three. and landed in Erris – Mayo.
Bith died at the foot of his mountain Then came the wise Tuatha de Danaans,
And Ladr on top of his height; Concealed in black clouds from their foe;
I feasted with them near the Shannon,
And Cassir by Boyle’s limpid fountain,
Ere rushed down the flood in its might. Though that was a long time ago.
For a year, while the waters encumber After them came the children of Mile
The Earthm at Tul-tunna of strength, From Spain, o’er the Southern waves;
I slept, none enjoyed such sweet slumber, I lived with the tribes as their file (poet)
As that which I woke from at length. And chanted the deeds of their braves.
When Partholon came to teh Island Time ne’er my existence could wither,
From Greece, in teh Eastern land, From death’s grasp I always was freed,
I welcomed him gaily to my land, Till Patrick the Christian came hither
And feasted the whole of his band. To spread the Redeemer’s pure creed.
Pp 22 Eoin Neeson,
The first book of Irish Myths and Legends,
Mercier Press 1965.
203
An anonymous poem by a traveling Irish versifier recorded
at the beginning of the 18th century.
Should any inquire about Erin Again, when death seized on the strangers
It is I who can give him the truth I roamed the land merry and free,
Concerning the deeds of each daring
Invader, since time was a youth Both careless and fearless of dangers,
Till blithe Nemed came over the sea.
First Cassir, Bith’s ventursome daughter, The Firbolgs and roving Firgallions
Came here o’er the eastern sea; Came next like the waves in their flow;
The Firdonnians arrived in Battalions
And fifty fair damsels she brought her
To solace her warriors three. and landed in Erris – Mayo.
Bith died at the foot of his mountain Then came the wise Tuatha de Danaans,
And Ladr on top of his height; Concealed in black clouds from their foe;
I feasted with them near the Shannon,
And Cassir by Boyle’s limpid fountain,
Ere rushed down the flood in its might. Though that was a long time ago.
For a year, while the waters encumber After them came the children of Mile
The Earthm at Tul-tunna of strength, From Spain, o’er the Southern waves;
I slept, none enjoyed such sweet slumber, I lived with the tribes as their file (poet)
As that which I woke from at length. And chanted the deeds of their braves.
When Partholon came to teh Island Time ne’er my existence could wither,
From Greece, in teh Eastern land, From death’s grasp I always was freed,
I welcomed him gaily to my land, Till Patrick the Christian came hither
And feasted the whole of his band. To spread the Redeemer’s pure creed.
Pp 22 Eoin Neeson,
The first book of Irish Myths and Legends,
Mercier Press 1965.
203
