Facts about The Book of Invasions
- 14
Fir Bolg, one of the invading peoples in Lebor Gabála Érenn, are described as dividing Ireland into five provinces that correspond to the traditional provinces of historical Ireland.
- 13
Four royal cities named Cruachan, Tara, Cashel, and Emain Macha served as the primary power centers for successive dynasties throughout Lebor Gabála Érenn's legendary chronology.
- 12
Scholars identify approximately 150 manuscript copies of Lebor Gabála Érenn scattered across European libraries, with the oldest surviving manuscript dating to the 11th century.
- 11
Goídel Glas, the eponymous ancestor in Lebor Gabála Érenn, supposedly invented the Irish language after being cursed by God for his role in building the Tower of Babel.
- 10
Nemed, the third invader in the text, is credited with clearing twelve plains and building nine royal fortresses across Ireland during his legendary settlement period.
- 09
Partholón, the second invader in the text, supposedly discovered Ireland's four principal lakes and established its first settlement at Inber Scene around 2680 BCE according to internal chronology.
- 08
Eber and Éremon, sons of Mil Espáine, divided Ireland between them after the final invasion, with Eber receiving the southern half and Éremon the northern half according to the text's succession narrative.
- 07
Mil Espáine, the final invader in Lebor Gabála Érenn, arrives from Spain with eight sons who divide Ireland among themselves and establish the dynasty of the Irish kings.
- 06
Fomorians, portrayed as demonic adversaries in Lebor Gabála Érenn, engage in seven major battles against successive invading populations throughout Ireland's legendary chronology.
- 05
Cessair, the first invader in Lebor Gabála Érenn, arrives in Ireland forty days before Noah's Flood with fifty women and three men according to the text's genealogical account.
- 04
Lebor Gabála Érenn synchronizes Ireland's legendary invasions with biblical chronology, placing the Flood of Noah in 2242 BCE according to the text's internal dating system.
- 03
The Tuatha Dé Danann, one of the invading peoples in Lebor Gabála Érenn, arrive in Ireland with their druidic leader Nuada bearing magical artifacts including the Stone of Fal and the Spear of Lugh.
- 02
Medieval Irish monks compiled Lebor Gabála Érenn between the 11th and 12th centuries, drawing from earlier oral traditions and Christian chronologies to create a unified origin narrative.
- 01
Twelve successive invasions of Ireland comprise the narrative structure of Lebor Gabála Érenn, the medieval Irish text also known as The Book of Invasions.