Magh Ithe
Magh Ithe was the location of the first recorded battle fought in
Ireland, dated to 2530
Anno Mundi (since the creation of the world), or
2670 BC, in the
Annals of the Four Masters; or
2071 BC in
Seathrún Céitinn's chronology.
The relevant extract from the Annals of the Four Masters states:
In this year the first battle was fought in Ireland; i.e.
Cíocal Grigenchosach, son of
Goll, son of
Garbh, of the
Fomorians, and his mother, came into Ireland, eight hundred in number, so that a battle was fought between them and
Partholón's people at Sleamhnai Maighe Ithe, where the Fomorians were defeated by Partholón, so that they were all slain. This is called the battle of Magh Ithe.
Magh Ithe, the "Plain of Ith", was said to have been named after Ith, the uncle of
Míl Espáine, who was killed by the
Tuatha Dé Danann. It was located between
Lough Foyle,
Lough Swilly and the
River Finn in Counties
Donegal and
Londonderry.
*
History of Ireland*
Irish battles*
Annals of the Four Masters
