The Milesians
Miguel B
Did you know that, according to a legend, the Irish came from Spain?
This legend comes from a book first written in the 11th century AD by Christian monks and it explains the origin of Ireland and the Irish (the Gaels).
According to the legend, the Gaels came from Egypt and at some point they reached Iberia (nowadays Spain) by sea and conquered it. There, Breogán founded a city called Brigantia, and built a tower from the top of which his son Íth could see Ireland. This city, Brigantia, would be nowadays the city of Corunna in Galicia (which was then known as Brigantium) and Breogán's tower is likely based on the Tower of Hercules (which was built at Corunna by the Romans).
Íth sailed to the island with a group of men. He was welcomed by the three kings who ruled Ireland at the time. According to some evidence, these kings were the main pagan gods of Ireland. Íth was killed and his men returned to Iberia (Spain). Íth's brother, Míl Espáine (Miles Hispaniae, 'soldier of Spain'), and his sons were known as the Milesians. They went to Ireland to avenge Íth's death and invade the country. After they landed, they met Banba, Fódla and Ériu, the wives of Ireland's three kings. Each sister said that the Gaels would have good fortune if they named the land after her.
One of the sisters, Ériu, offered her help in defeating the three kings in exchange for becoming the High Queen of all Ireland. With her support, the Milesians won the battle agains the three kings.
Then, the land they had invaded was named after the sister Ériu. Her modern name is often modified to Éire or Erin. If you look at the name of this country, Ireland, it comes from Eire's land.