This course will examine the 2,000 years from the arrival of the Gaelic Celts in 1699BC to the arrival of Saint Patrick. I am using the timeline from the (AFM) Annals of the Four Masters that was written in the 1630’s. The narrative is based on the Lebor Gabála Érenn (LGE) that was written in the 11th century.

This account in the LGE is sometimes referred to as "Irish mythological history". It was written by Christian monks who put together an origin history of Ireland by combining the Old Testament and the oral and written history of Ireland available to them.

In this account the last group of Celts to arrive in Ireland were called the "Milesians" from Galicia in Spain. The AFM dates their arrival to 1699 BC. These are said to be the origin of all Gaelic Irish people.

Two "Milesians", Heber and Heremon, divided Ireland between them along the Esker Riada, an ancient road from Dublin to Galway. They established blood lines for the future Irish monarchs that continued with one or two breaks, the most important being that of Brian Boru, until the destruction of the Irish Celtic monarchy by England in the 12thcentury.

The course will examine aspects of the Celt and Roman wars and their implications for Ireland.

Alternative timelines for the arrival of the Gaelic Celts to Ireland will also be introduced.

image for this course comes from www.irelandstory.com