This is a torque (neck ring) made from gold. Found
in County Mayo, Ireland, it is dated circa 1200 BCE and now resides in
the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.
In 1268 BCE, the Milesians invaded Ireland and went
to war with the Tuatha De Dannan for control of the land. These invaders
from the Iberian Peninsula and racially akin to the Basque are the ancestors
of what are now known as the "Black Irish". They came ashore at Inver Skene,
today known as Kenmore Bay. Their great Bard, Amergin, was the first to
step ashore and as his feet touched the soil he chanted these words. Listen to them and hear the music of an age over
3000 years old.
Ic tabairt a choisse dessi i nHerind
asbert Amairgen Glúngel mac Miled in laídseo sís: As he placed his right foot on Ireland, Amergin
of the White Knee recited this poem:
Am gáeth i mmuir I am the sea swell Am tonn trethain The furious wave Am fúaimm mara The roar of the sea Am dam secht ndrenn A stag of seven slaughters Am séig i n-aill A hawk above the cliff Am dér gréne A ray of the sun Am caín lubae The beauty of a plant Am torc ar gáil A boar enraged Am hé i llind A salmon in a pool Am loch i mmaig A lake in a plain Am brí dánae A flame of valor Am gae i fodb feras
fechtu A piercing spear waging war Am dé delbas
do chin codnu A god that fashions heros for a lord Cóich é no-d-gléith
clochur sléibe He who clears the mountain paths Cía ón co-ta-gair
áesa éscai He who describes the moon's advance Cía dú i llaig
funiud gréne And the place where the sun sets Cía beir búar
o thig Temrach Who drives cattle off from Tara Cía búar tethrach
tibis cech dáin That fine herd touches each skill Cía dé delbas
fáebru áine A god that fashions weapons of glory Commus caínte
Cáinte gáeth An able poet. Wise am I.
