THE NEMEDIANS.

For three hundred years the Partholón dominated Ireland until plague destroyed them, then thirty years later, according to Lebor Gabála, came the Nemedians.

The third invasion was led by Nemed, also a descendant of Magog, son of Japhet, with a fleet of thirty-four transports. Some of the early accounts claim Scythian origin for Nemed and his race while others claim he was Greek. It is possible to reconcile both accounts by considering him a Greek of Scythian origin - or vice versa!

The Nemedians deforested a dozen plains in Ireland and defeated the Fomor in three great battles, but Nemed died later of the plague and three thousand of his people with him. After his death his race lived under the sway of the Fomor and each year at Samhain, the first of November, they had to pay a tribute of two-thirds of their corn, their milk and their children.

In desperation they rose against their oppressors and attacked the island fortress of Conann, King of the Fomor. The battle, known as the Battle of Conann's Tower, at first went well for the Nemedians led by Fergus Redside, son of Nemed. Conann was killed by Fergus and his army destroyed. The victorious Nemedians were surprised in desperate battle followed in which the Nemedians were defeated.

Seven years later most of the remaining Nemedians abandoned Ireland rather than live under the yoke of the Fomor. One section of the tribe went back to their Grecian/Scythian homeland while another sailed for 'the north of the world'.

It is from a third group, led by Fergus Redside and his son Briotan, that the Britons are descended according to the texts.