27. Incipit de the Takings of Ireland.
The Book of Invasions

Thereafter Cessair daughter of Bith son of Noe took it, ut poeta dixit, forty days before the Flood.

This is the reason for her coming, fleeing from the Flood: for Noe said unto them: Rise, said he (and go) to the western edge of the world; perchance the Flood may not reach it.

28. The crew of three ships arrived at Dun na mRarc in the territory of Corco Daibne. Two of the ships were wrecked. Cessair with the crew of her ship escaped, fifty women and three men: Bith son of Noe, of whom is Sliab Betha (named)--there was he buried, in the great stone-heap of Sliab Betha; Ladra the pilot, of whom is Ard Ladrand--he is the first dead man who went under the soil of Ireland; Fintan son of Bochra, of whom is "Fintan's Grave" over Tul Tuinde. Cessair died in Cul Cessrach in Connacht, with her fifty maidens.

29, These are their names, ut Fintan cecinit:

A just division we shared between us,
myself and Bith and bold Ladra;
for peace and for reason was it done,
in the matter of the fifty magnificent maidens.

Seventeen women I took, including Cessair
-Lot, Luam, Mall, Mar, Froechar, Femar, Faible,
Foroll, Cipir, Torrian, Tamall, Tam, Abba, Alla, Baichne, Sille:
that is the tale which we were there.

Seventeen Bith took, with Bairrfhind -
Sella, Della, Duib, Addeos, Fotra, Traige, Nera,
Buana, Tamall, Tanna, Nathra, Leos, Fodarg, Rodarg, Dos, Clos:
be it heard -those were our people further.

Sixteen thereafter with Ladra: Alba, Bona, Albor,
Ail, Gothiam, German, Aithne, Inde, Rodarg,
Rinne, Inchor, Ain, Irrand, Espa, Sine, Samoll:
that was our fair company.

None of the seed of Adam took Ireland before the Flood but those.


On to Book of Invasions IV: The Coming of Parlothan

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