Seemingly random bits of historical myth I, Raelyr, have discovered in my travels of the realm and from local lore. Some may have more truth than others, but all were worth collecting to record Hibernia's past.
The Coming of Partholan into Hibernia
Partholan son of Sera came into ancient Hibernia from The West with his queen Dealgnaid (Dalny), son Rury and brother Starn. Partholan fought the demonic Fomorians and drove them North to Tory Island off Donegal, but then all his people died of plague on The Old Plain (Senmag). Except for Starn's son Tuan who lived alone for 22 years until he saw...
The Coming of Nemed into Ireland
Nemed, son of Agnomon (who was Starn's brother) arrived. Tuan, watching from the cliffs, turned into a stag. Nemed had sailed for a year and a half in 32 30-man barks, but of the original 960 emigrants only nine survived (Nemed and four men and four women). They bred verry fast and Nemed defeated the Fomor in four great battles, then he and 2,000 Nemedians died of plague.
The Fomorian kings Morc and Conann oppressed the survivors who revolted led by chief Fergus and two others, invaded Tory Island, and stormed Conann's tower. Fergus killed Conann but Morc charged in and killed all the Nemedians but 30 who left Ireland in despair. (Or they bred up to 8060 then all died of plague). (Or returned later as Firbolgs and/or Danaans). Tuan turned into a wild boar and saw...
The Coming of the Firbolgs into Hibernia
The Firbolgs arrived in three groups; Fir-Bolg, Fir-Domnan and Galioin. Their kings included Semion Mac Stariat and Eochy (yoo-hee) Mac Erc, who married Taltiu, daughter of the King of the Great Plain (the land of the dead). They didn't do much. Tuan turned into a sea eagle and saw...
The Invasion of the Tuatha De Danaan
The Danaans flew into Western Connacht in magic boats from four great cities; Falias, Gorias, Finias and Murias: with four great treasures; The Lia Fail (the Stone of Destiny), the sword of Nuada, the spear of Lugh of the Long-Arm, the cauldron of the Dagda
The Firbolgs met them at their camp at Moyrein, and sent Streng to interview the Danaan Bres. Bres offered to split Hibernia, but the Firbolg preferred...
The First Battle of Moytura
...(near Cong, south Co Mayo) at which Bres died, the Danaan King Nuada lost a hand and the Firbolg King Eochy was slain, and the Danaans won with magic. The Firbolgs were allowed to keep Connacht.
Nuada of the Silver Hand
Nuada got a silver hand, but was blemished and could no longer rule, so (another) Bres the Bastard became king, and was a useless, mean git, allowing Fomor tax and oppression. Corpry the poet satyrised him and he was forced to abdicate, and Nuada took over again, having had his real hand magically replaced by his physician Dianecht (or his son). Bres ran off to his mum Eri who told him his dad was the Fomorian King Elatha, gave him his father's ring, and they both sailed off to Tory Island. Elatha gives his son Bres an army to conquer Hibernia, led by the greatest Fomorian Old King Balor of the Evil Eye.
Lugh's Birth
Now in his youth Balor had heard prophesy that he would be slain by his grandson, so he locked up his infant daughter Ethlinn in a tower on Tor Mor, guarded from all men by 12 matrons. He also covetted the magical milky cow of Kian, who lived on the mainland with his brothers Sawan and Goban the smith, so while Sawan was guarding it one day Balor tricked him and stole it. In revenge Kian got a druidess called Birog to magically get him into Ethlinn's tower, shagged her and escaped before she delivered triplets. Balor ordered them drowned, but the servant accidentally dropped one on the way to the bay and it was magically rescued by Birog and raised by his dad Kian and then later Duach of The Otherworld and became Lugh. He entered Nuada's service by being a clever dick, and with Duach's gifts of the boat and horse of Mananan Mac Lir and the sword Fragarach, which he soon used to slay Fomorian tax collectors.
The Sons of Turenn
While Balor was preparing to invade Lugh sent his father Kian North to enlist the Ulster Danaans, but because of a feud he was ambushed and stoned to death on the Plain of Murthemney near Dundalk by the three sons of Turenn; Brian, Iuchar and Iucharba. The stones cried out to Lugh and at Nuada's seat at Tara instead of execution he demanded an eric (bloodmoney). The sons of Turenn were honour bound to pay him:
three apples (from the garden of the sun), a pig skin (from the King of Grecia: it heals), a spear (from the King of Persia), a two horse chariot, seven swine (from King Asal of the Golden Pillars: they regenerate after consumption), a hound, a cooking spit (from the 150 sea-nymphs of Finchory: gold), and three shouts on a hill (belonging to the noise-hating fierce warrior Mochaen and his sons)
The trio accomplished everything and brought the treasures to Lugh, but had been mortally wounded by the Mochaens. Lugh witheld the pigskin and they all died.
The Dagda's Travels
Meanwhile, the Dagda Mor had entered the Fomor camp where they failed to kill him by overfeeding. He left and on the road met the virgin daughter of the Fomor king Indech, who was so turned on by his huge cock that they shagged, and she offered to delay the Fomor invasion.
Thus armed with magic things and helpful crumpet Lugh set forth to meet his grandfather Balor at...
The Second Battle of Moytura
...this time in Co Sligo, well North of the first one. The Danaan craftsmen Goban the Smith, Credne the artificer and Luchta the carpenter repaired the Danaan weapons as fast as they were broken. Balor opened his evil eye killing Nuada but Lugh threw a stone in it, killing him and fulfilling the prophesy. Lugh became Ildanach and the Fomor were routed and vanished (almost) forever, taking with them...
The Dagda's Harp
...and harper. The Dagda, Lugh and Ogma pursued them and sneaked into the banqueting hall, and the Dagda grabbed his harp and sent the Fomor to sleep with The Strain of Slumber. Now the Danaans ruled Hibernia for a while.
Tuan was still a sea eagle, and saw...