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The Names of Ancient Ireland
An Ainmneacha na hÉireann

With a land as ancient as this, it should come as no surprise to learn that the place we call ‘Ireland’ was not always known by this name. In fact, it was given many names by diverse groups of people at varying stages throughout history.

Written during the 17th century, Geoffrey Keating’s General History of Ireland; an epic compendium of Irish history from the earliest times to the coming of Saint Patrick, demonstrates this variety chronicling earlier names along with their accepted origins.
The first name which was given to Ireland was ‘Inis na bhfiodhbhadh,’ Island of the woods; and the person who called that name to it was a warrior of the people of Nin, son of Bel, who came from him to spy out Ireland, and on his coming thither he found it to be all one forest-wood.

The second name was ‘Crioch na bhfuineadhach,’ from its being at the limit or end of the three divisions of the world which had then been discovered; ‘fuin’ indeed, from the Latin word ‘finis,’ being equivalent to ‘end.’

The third name was ‘Inis Ealga,’ that is, noble island; for ‘inis’ and ‘oiléan’ are equivalent, and likewise ‘ealga’ and ‘uasal’: and it is during the time of the Firbolg it was usual to have that name on it.
The fourth name was Éire, and it is said that wherefore that name is called to it, according to a certain author, is from this word ‘Aeria,’ which was an old name for the island which is now called Creta or Candia; and why that author thinks that is because the posterity of Gaedhealglas [Gaels] dwelt in that island some space of time after Sru.

However, it is the common opinion of antiquaries that why it is called Éire is from the name of the queen of the Tuatha Dé Danann [Éiru] who was in the land at the time of the coming of the Clanna Míleadh [Milesians] into it: Éire, daughter of Dealbhaoth, was her name, and it is she was wife to Mac Gréine who was called Ceathúr who was king of Ireland when the sons of Míleadh came into it.

The fifth name was Fódhla, from a queen of the Tuatha Dé Danann, who was called Fódhla: it is she was wife to Mac Cécht, whose proper name was Teathúr.

The sixth name was Banbha, from a queen of the Tuatha Dé Danann, that was in the land, who was called Banbha: it is she was wife to Mac Cuill, whose proper name was Eathúr.

These three kings [i.e. Mac Gréine, Mac Cécht, and Mac Cuill] held the sovereignty of Ireland each year by turns; and it is the name of the wife of each one of them would be on the island the year he was himself king.

It is why the island is called Éire more often than Fódhla or Banbha, because that is the husband of the woman whose name was Éire was king the year the sons of Míleadh came there.

The seventh name was Inis Fáil; and it is the Tuatha Dé Danann gave that name to it, from a stone they brought with them into it, which was called the Lia Fáil, it used to roar under the person who had the best right to obtain the sovereignty of Ireland at the time of the men of Ireland being in assembly at the hill of Tara to choose a king over them.
However, it has not roared from the time of Conchubhar forward. Here is a verse of quotation proving that it is from this stone Ireland is called Inis Fáil, as Cionaoth the poet said.

“The stone, which is under my two heels, from it is named Innisfail; Between two shores of a mighty flood, the plain of Fál on all Ireland.”
The eighth name was Muicinis; and it is the children of Míleadh who gave it that name before they arrived in it.

When, indeed, they had come to the mouth of Inbhear Sláinghe which to-day is called the haven of Lochgarman [Wexford], the Tuatha Dé Danann, with their druids, assembled to oppose them there, and they practised magic on them, so that the island was not visible to them but in the likeness of a pig, so it is, therefore, they gave (the name) Muicinis to Ireland.

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