Magh Ithe
Encyclopedia
Magh Ithe was the location of the first recorded battle fought in Ireland
, dated to 2530 Anno Mundi (since the creation of the world), or 2670 BC, in the Annals of the Four Masters
. Alternatively, Seathrun Ceitinn’s chronology gives the date as 2071 BC.
The relevant extract from the Annals of the Four Masters states:
Magh Ithe, the "Plain of Ith", was said to have been named after Ith, the uncle of Míl Espáine
, a Milesian who was killed by Partholon, the leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann
. The site of the battle was located between Lough Foyle
to the east, Lough Swilly
to the west, and the River Finn
to the south, in the counties of Donegal
and Tyrone
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, dated to 2530 Anno Mundi (since the creation of the world), or 2670 BC, in the Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
. Alternatively, Seathrun Ceitinn’s chronology gives the date as 2071 BC.
The relevant extract from the Annals of the Four Masters states:
- In this year the first battle was fought in Ireland, i.e. Cíocal Grigenchosach, son of GollGollGoll may refer to:*Goll mac Morna, a character from Irish mythology*Goll, son of Garbh, of the Fomorians, early settlers in Ireland*Göll, one of the minor Valkyries of Norse mythology-Surnames:...
, son of GarbhGarbhGarbh is an Irish word describing a rugged landscape feature.It can be found in :* Garbh Sgeir, skerry in the Small Isles in Scotland ;* Garbh Eileach, skerry in the Garvellachs in Scotland....
, of the FomoriansFomoriansIn Irish mythology, the Fomoire are a semi-divine race said to have inhabited Ireland in ancient times. They may have once been believed to be the beings who preceded the gods, similar to the Greek Titans. It has been suggested that they represent the gods of chaos and wild nature, as opposed to...
, and his mother, came into Ireland, eight hundred in number, so that a battle was fought between them and PartholónPartholónPartholón, in medieval Irish historical tradition, was the leader of the second group of people to settle in Ireland, supposedly first to arrive after the biblical Flood. They arrived in 2680 BC according to the chronology of the Annals of the Four Masters, 2061 BC according to Geoffrey Keating's...
's people at Sleamhnai Maighe Ithe, where the Fomorians were defeated by Partholón, so that they were all slain. This is called the battle of Magh Ithe.
Magh Ithe, the "Plain of Ith", was said to have been named after Ith, the uncle of Míl Espáine
Míl Espáine
In Irish origin legends, Míl Espáine or Míl Espáne is the ancestor of the final inhabitants of Ireland, the "sons of Míl" or Milesians, who represent the vast majority of the Irish Gaels....
, a Milesian who was killed by Partholon, the leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuatha Dé Danann are a race of people in Irish mythology. In the invasions tradition which begins with the Lebor Gabála Érenn, they are the fifth group to settle Ireland, conquering the island from the Fir Bolg....
. The site of the battle was located between Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle
Lough Foyle, sometimes Loch Foyle , is the estuary of the River Foyle in Ulster. It starts where the Foyle leaves Derry. It separates the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland from County Londonderry in Northern Ireland.-Transport:...
to the east, Lough Swilly
Lough Swilly
Lough Swilly in Ireland is a glacial fjord or sea inlet lying between the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula and the Fanad Peninsula, in County Donegal. Along with Carlingford Lough and Killary Harbour it is one of three known glacial fjords in Ireland....
to the west, and the River Finn
River Finn
The River Finn is a river that flows through County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. It rises in Lough Finn in County Donegal and flows east through a deep mountain valley to Ballybofey and Stranorlar and on to the confluence with the River Mourne at Lifford...
to the south, in the counties of Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
and Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
.