Lebor Gabála Érenn

At a glance

History, context & interpretation

The text and its story

Waves of settlers arrive in Ireland, including the Tuatha Dé Danann, the old gods such as the Dagda, Lugh and Brigid, before the Milesians drive them into the hills.

Traditional attribution

The history of Ireland from the Flood.

Historical scholarship

Compiled by anonymous Christian monks from older myth and legend.

Context and curiosity

The Tuatha Dé Danann became the 'fairy folk' of later Irish folklore.

Chronology and transmission

This text belongs to Norse, Celtic & Finnish (Medieval Ireland). The catalogue gives its approximate dating as 11th century CE and original language or script as Middle Irish. The dated manuscript witnesses and traditional claims may not refer to the same historical event.

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Sources and further reading

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebor_Gab%C3%A1la_%C3%89renn

Historical descriptions are educational summaries. Religious traditions, scholarly interpretations and unverified claims are distinguished where possible; imagery may be illustrative rather than an artifact photograph.