The Irish Celtic Mythological Cycle
The Mythological Cycle comprises the following sections:
1. The coming of
Partholan into Ireland.
2. The coming of
Nemed into Ireland.
3. The coming of
the Firbolgs into Ireland.
4. The invasion of
the Tuatha De Danann, or People of the god Dana.
5. The invasion of the Milesians (Sons of
Miled) from Spain, and their conquest of the People of Dana.
With the Milesians
we begin to come into something resembling history—they represent,
in Irish legend, the Celtic race; and from them the ruling families
of Ireland are supposed to be descended. The People of Dana are
evidently gods. The pre-Danaan settlers or invaders are huge
phantom-like figures, which loom vaguely through the mists of
tradition, and have little definite characterization. The accounts
which are given of them are many and conflicting, and out of these we
can only give here the more ancient narratives.
Irish, Celtic,
mythology, Firbolgs, Tuatha De Dannann, Misesians
Mythological cycle
of the peopling of Ireland with the Misesian demi-gods.
