Milesians (Irish)
In Irish mythology the Milesians or Sons of Míl Espáine were the final inhabitants of Ireland, representing the Goidelic Celts.
It had been prophesied that Míl's descendants would rule Ireland, but Míl never reached Ireland himself, dying in Spain. His uncle Íth spied Ireland from a tower, and sailed there along with Míl's wife Scota, but was killed by the Tuatha Dé Danann. When his body was returned to Spain, Míl's eight sons and Íth's nine brothers launched an invasion of Ireland.
They arrived in Ireland during the festival of Beltane, led by Míl's son Amergin. The Milesians defeated the Tuatha Dé Danann and took Tara, their capital city, establishing their own capital there. On their way they met the goddesses Ériu, Banba and Fodla, promising them that the land would be named after the one whose advice could help the invaders in their conquest of the country. Eriu's advice led them in their mission and the land was named Ériu (ancient) or Éire (modern) in her honour. The Tuatha Dé Danann were defeated at the Battle of Tailtiu, and, after a short resistance, a truce was made and the land was divided, the Milesians retaining the part above ground, meanwhile the Tuatha Dé Danann were given the underworld part of the country. Eremon, a son of Míl Espáine, received the rule of the northern half of Ireland, and Eber Finn, one of the chiefs of the Milesians, was granted the rule of the southern half. Some time later both parts went to war, Eber Finn being killed in battle, and Eremon got the rule of all the territory, becoming the first Milesian king of the entire land.
In the historical scheme proposed by T. F. O'Rahilly the descent of the kings of Ireland from the sons of Míl is a fiction intended to provide legitimacy for the Goidels, who invaded Ireland in the 1st or 2nd century BC, giving them the same ancient origin as the indigenous peoples they dominated. See also Early history of Ireland.
Note: the term "Milesian" is an artificial English one, based on the name of the supposed ancestor, Míl. Any similarity to the name "Milesians" as applied to the ancient Greeks of Miletus is coincidental.
| Preceded by: Tuatha Dé Danann | Mythical invasions of Ireland AFM 1700 BC FFE 1287 BC | Succeeded by: none |
Genealogy of the Milesian High Kings
Breogan
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Bile Íth
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Galam Lugaid
(Míl) |
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Donn Eber Amergin Ír Colpa Arannan Eremon Eoinbric Mal
Finn | | | |
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Ir Orba Fearon Ferga Eber Muimne Luigne Laigne Palap Irial Riaglan Edaman
| Fáith | |
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Ebric Conmael Eithrial Sithchenn Congal
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Airtre Cearmna Sobhairce Eochaid Follach Mairtine Dáire
| Faebar Glas | | |
| _______|_______ | | |
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Art Nuada Mofemis Tigernmas Rothlan Eochaid
| | | | | Étgudach
Sedna 1 Glas Eochaid Enboth Flann
| | Mumho | Ruadh
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Fiacha Rossa Enna Smirgull Ailill
Finscothach | Airgthech | |
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Ollamh Roithechtaig Fiacha Fionn
Fodhla | Labhrainne |
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Finnachta Slanoll Gedhe Cairbre Fer Aengus Eochaid
| | Ollgothach | Arda Olmucada Apthach
Fiacha Ailill | | | |
Finnailches Bearnghal Labraid Cas Roitheachtaigh 1
| Clothach |
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Bratha Muineamhón Dian
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Fionn Faildeargdoid Sírna
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Sirlám Cas Ailill
| Cétchaingnech Olchaoin
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Airgeatmhar Failbe Giallchaidh
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Fomor Finntan Deman Badarn Roan Nuadat
| | | | | Finnfail
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Dub Cimbáeth Díthorba Áed Roitheachtaigh 2 Áedan
| Ruad | Glas
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Sithrige Macha Elim Simeon
| Oillfinshneachta Breac
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Rudraige 2 Art
________|______________________________ Imleach
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Ginga Bresal Ross Congal Cas |
| Bódíbad Ruad Clairinech | Breisrigh
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Capa Connra Fachtna Sedna 2
| | Fáthach |
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Fachtna Éllim Duach
| Finn
| __________|_____________
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Cas Muireadach Enda
| Bolgrach Dearg
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Cas Fiacha Duach Lugaid
Trillsech Tolgrach Temrach Iardonn
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Amergin Duach Eochaid Conaing Eochaid
| Ladhgrach Fiadmuine Begeaglach Uaircheas
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Conall Eochaid Lugaid
Cernach Buadach Lámdearg
| ______|______ |
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Irial Úgaine Badbchaid Art
Glunmar Mor |
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Fiachna Lóegaire Cobthach Ailill
Finnamnas Lorc Cóel Breg Finn
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Muireadach Ailill Meilge Eochaid (Fir Bolg)
| Áine Molbthach | |
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Finnchad Labraid Irereo Lugaid Rinnal
| Loingsech | Laigde Dagarmag
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Giallchaidh Ailill Connla Rechtaid Erndolb
Fionn Bracan CáemCáem Rígderg |
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Cathbad Aengus Ailill Cobthach Oiris
| Ollamh Caisfhiaclach Cáem Eclonnach
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Rochruide Bresal Eochaid Mog Corb Luaigne
| Brec Ailtleathan | Laidcinn
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Mal Fergus Aengus Ederscél Fiacha Fer Corb Tat
Fortamail Tuirmech Temrach Fer Mara | Tetmanach
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Fedlimid Enna Conall Ailill Adamair Dichun
Forthriun Aignech Collamrach Érainn | Uairidnach
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Crimthann Labraid Feradach Nia Rudraige
Coscrach Lorc | Segamain |
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Mog Art Blathacht Forga Innatmar Dubthach
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Art Esamain Maine Lugaid Cairbre
| Eamna | Luaigne Cinnchait
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Elloit Rogen Airndil Cairbre
| Ruadh | Lusc
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Nuada Fionnloch Roithriun Duach
Fullon | | Dallta Dedad
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Feradach Fionn Triun
Foglas ______|______ |
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Ailill Eochaid Eochaid Roisin
Glas Feidlech Airem |
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Fiacha Findemna Sin
Foibric | _____|_____
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Bresal Lugaid Degaidh Eochaid
Brec Riab nDerg | |
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Lugaid Crimthann Iar Deitsin
Loithfinn Nia Náir | |
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Sedna Feradach Ailill Dluthach
Sithbac Finnfechtnach | |
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Nuada Eogan Dáire
Necht | |
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Fergus Ederscel Fiatach
Fairge | Finn
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Rossa Conaire Fiacha
Ruadh Mor Finnfolaidh
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Fionn Tuathal
File Teachtmhar
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Conchobar Fedlimid
Abradruad Rechtmar
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Mog Corb Conn
| Cétchathach
Cú Corb
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Nia Corb
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Cormac
Gelta Gáeth
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Fedlimid
Firurglas
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Cathair
Mor
Categories: Mythological cycle