Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER H. THE HEROIC PEBIOD. We have sketched the mythical period of Irish story as far as the reign of Olav Fola. This wise lawgiver and ruler was of the race of Ir, that son of Miled or Milesius, who perished in the storm evoked hy the magical arts of the Tuath-De-Danaans. It will be remembered that, according to the decision of Amergin, the invaders had again put to sea, and retired to the distance of " nine waves" from the Irish coast, when the storm evoked by the magical incantations of the De-Danaan Druids assailed them. Their fleet was dispersed, and many suffered shipwreck when the elements thus fought against them. Ir, we are told, was buried on the Skellig rocks, off the coast of Kerry. There the cairn which bears bis name--probably one of the oldest sepulchral monuments in the western world--may be seen to this day. His posterity, in common with the descendants of his more fortunate brothers Eber and Eremon, gave kings to Ireland. From these three sons of Miled, and their cousin Lugaid, son of Ith, the great L?sh families trace their pedigrees. From Lugaid claim to descend the O'Driscolls, and other families in the south of Ireland. Eber is the progenitor claimed by the Minister Clans, the MacCarthy's, O'Briens, &c. From Eremon descend, as they suppose, the O'Donnells, O'Neills, O'Connors, MacMurroghs, and other great races in Ulster, Connaught, and Leinster: while the Magenises and their kindred who ruled in that part of Ulster constituting the present counties of Antrim and Down, then called Uladh or Ulidia, derive their genealogy from Ir. It is sometimes significantly asked, where are the descendants of the captains and soldiery, if the existing population are all sprung from the kings ? Obviously at some point of the...
