Various Traditions no.5
by Yair Davidiy
More on Irish History

         Thomas F. O'Rahilly ("Early Irish History And Mythology", Dublin, 1971, Eire) compared traditional accounts of peoples who invaded Ireland with the results of research in his own time and came to the conclusion that the invaders of Ireland could be divided into four:
1.The Picts or Cruthen also perhaps identifiable as the "Priteni" which name was once considered a form of "Briton" though the equation is uncertain. Scottish tradition said that the Picts came from Scythia, went to Ireland, and from there moved to Scotland as did other peoples.
2.The Erain or Builg referred to as the Fer Bolg. They equal the Belgae of the Continent and Britain. Included with them were the Osraige, Iar, and Ulaid.
3.The Laginian invaders also known as Gabair. They included the Lagin, Domnain, and Galioin. They came from Armorica (Brittany) in Gaul and conquered much of Leinster and Connacht  meaning more or less all of the center of Ireland. There may be a link between the Domnain and the Dana.
4.The Goidels.  These are identical with the Hiberi, Scotti, and Milesians who are discussed further on.


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