Hello, my name is Oisín Ó Dubhshláine and welcome to the second episode of our series on the invasions of Ireland. Last week, we spoke about the first group to come to Ireland. This week, we’ll turn to the second group. This is the story of the coming of the Partholonians.
Three hundred years after the arrival of the first tribe, a man named Partholon lived in Greece. He was the son of the King. but Partholon murdered his father and his mother. In this conflict, it’s said that he lost his left as well. The people of Greece exiled Partholon and he left with his tribe.
After seven years of travel, the Partholonians came to Ireland. The landed at the mouth of the Kenmare River. This place is now called Neidín (which means little nest) or Ceann Mara, which means the Head of the Sea. This tribe travelled all over this new island. It’s said that the only saw one plain, as well as three lakes and nine rivers. Partholon cleared three more plains and seven more lakes surfaced. As well as this, Itha, Partholon’s servant, cleared another plain. This is called Magh Itha, which means Itha’s Plain. It’s here that the Partholonians met the Fomorians.
It’s said that the Fomorians lived on the coast of Ireland for two hundred years before the Partholonians arrived. They survived by fishing. At this time, Cichol Grichenchos, sometimes known as Cichol of the Withered Feet was their leader. There were 200 men and 600 women in this tribe. These two tribes fought against one another and the Partholonians won. The Fomorians were driven out of Ireland and Cichol Grichenchos was killed.
After three hundred years, the Partholonians came to Sean Mhagh Ealta Edair or the Old Plain of the Flocks of Edar. At this time, there were nine thousand of them in the tribe: five thousand men, and four thousand women. Partholon had three sons with his wife, Delgnat. As well as this, they had a daughter. Her name was Macha. Partholon’s brother also had a son, named Tuan.
When the Partholonians reached this plain, they were met by a plague. Every one of them was killed. Because of this, the name of this place was changed. It is now called Tamhlacht Muintir Partholóin or simply, Tallaght.
I said that every one of this tribe was killed, but not exactly. One of them escaped. Tuan escaped. He managed to stay alive for thirty years through magic. That’s when he saw another tribe on the horizon. But that’s another story.
That’s our story on the Coming of the Partholonians. Join us next week for our next story.
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