The Celts of Ireland

When looking at the stories and lives of the early Celtic people of Ireland, we can look at the Four Cycles of Irish legends and beliefs. These are:

1.   The Mythological Cycle

2.   The Fenian Cycle

3.   The Ulster Cycle

4.   The Historical or King Cycle

Celtic lore is fascinating and a huge part of the build-up of folklore, legends, and mythology across the British Isles and Celtic Europe.

We will look deeper into to stories and legends of Celtic Ireland, but for now, here is an overview of each cycle

The Mythological Cycle

The Mythological Cycle would be best described as the stories of the Gods and the origins of Ireland.

Unfortunately, in terms of source material, this cycle is probably the least well preserved, however, there are sources if you look hard enough and who does not like to spend time lost in old tomes!

References can be found in the Metrical Dindshenchas (the Lore of Places) and the Leber Gabála Érenn (the Book of Invasions). It is thought that the Leber Gabála Érenn was compiled sometime around the 11th Century and is made up of 10 books.

Many of the tales, if looked at comparatively, could be seen as similar to biblical stories, such as the retelling of Genesis, and a story about the Nemed people, who were wiped out by a flood. The stories from this time were taken from the oral tradition of the Celts and put into writing by Christian monks, and so there is a mixture of the original stories and Christian theology throughout the manuscripts.

The Mythological Cycle was a time of gods, giants, and heroes when the Celtic world was just beginning. It was a time of war, a time of magic, and a time where people tried, and often failed, to settle in Ireland.

To try and make sense of the time, we can look at the literatures from the Book of Invasions and also from the Cath Maige Tuired (The Battle of Mag Turied). We must also bear in mind that the literature available was written and translated by scholars at a later time and so, as with many old writings, we must always look to more than once source.

When looking at the Mythological Cycle, we must look at the people who tried, and often failed, to settle on Ireland. It can be a complicated subject, and so it is easiest to break it down into a timeline of the settlers and battles.