Keatings History of Ireland - Geoffrey Keating

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 Excerpt: ...the plague of his people; and it is not probable that Erin would be inhabited so long without having more people in it than 5,000 men and 4,000 women. HERE IS THE DIVISION WHICH THE FOUR SONS OF PARTHOLON MADE ON ERIN; AND IT IS THE FIRST DIVISION OF ERIN. 2. Er, Orba, Fearon, and Feargna were their names, and there were four-persons of their names among the descendants of Milidh, as we shall put down in giving an account of their own conquest. From Ailioch Neid in the north to Ath-cliath of Leinster, the portion of Er. From the same Ath-Cliath to Oilen Arda Neimhiodh, which is called Oilen Mor an Bharraigh now, the portion of Orba. From the Oilen Mh6r to Ath-cliath Meadhraidhe at Galway, the division of Fearon. From Ath-cliath Meadhruidhe to Oilioch Neid, the portion of Feargna, as says Eochaidh O'Flynn in these verses; and he was chief doctor of Erin in philosophy in his time: --Four sons of griffin-like voices Of noble children had Parthol6n, They took with each other (i.e., to themselves) in full sway The tribes of Erin without contradiction; Not prosperous to the kings their division, The island of Erin being a continuous wood, Treasure scant in each iios during their time; Found each man the knowledge of his division. Er their eldest, of free happiness. Pleasant his part, long without change; From Ailioch Nid, land without treachery, To Ath-cliath of Leinster full-strong. From Ath-cliath of Leinster--leap of the sea--To Oilen Arda Neimbiodh Without sadness, not cowardly his conduct, Was the portion of Orba, for land of his race. From the ford in which Neimidh found death To Meadruidhe of the great territories, A cause of good happiness without conflicts there, The portion of Fearon, long (i.e., extensive) the land. From Meadhruidhe, long also, To Ailio..