Introduction: The Return to a Haunted Land
Following the tragic end of the Partholonians, Ireland once again stood empty—silent and haunted by memory. But the story of ancient Ireland never stays still for long. After centuries of desolation, a new people arrived: the Nemedians, descendants of the same ancient line that had fled destruction and returned in search of redemption, purpose, and survival.
Their story is one of perseverance, rebellion, and brutal suffering — a dramatic chapter in the mythological history of Ireland.
Who Were the Nemedians?
The Nemedians were led by Nemed, whose name means “sacred” or “holy.” Like his predecessors, Nemed was descended from Magog, the son of Japheth, son of Noah. After fleeing Scythia, he and his people spent over a year at sea, enduring a storm-tossed voyage before landing in Ireland.
Their arrival wasn’t just a settlement — it was a return. According to legend, Nemed and his followers may have been descended from those who escaped the plague that wiped out the Partholonians. This link connects their arrival not just to a place, but to a legacy they hoped to reclaim and rebuild.
Achievements of the Nemedians
Upon reaching Ireland, the Nemedians began to clear forests, till the land, and construct forts and buildings — re-establishing the pattern of civilization. They are credited with:
- Building the first royal fortresses, such as Ráth Chimbaith and Ráth Cindeich
- Digging the first great wells and clearing plains
- Fighting back the forces of wild nature to make Ireland livable once again
In many ways, the Nemedians continued the work of the Partholonians, reinforcing the idea that the Irish land demanded resilience and sacrifice in return for habitation.
Rise of the Fomorian Tyranny
But Ireland had not been emptied of danger. The Fomorians, monstrous beings from the sea, returned with greater vengeance. They were no longer chaotic raiders — they had become organized tyrants.
The Fomorians, ruled by Morc and Conand, forced the Nemedians into cruel submission. Every year on Samhain (November 1st), the Nemedians were forced to pay a terrible tribute:
- Two-thirds of their children
- Two-thirds of their grain
- Two-thirds of their cattle
It was a horrifying tax, and it broke the spirit of the people. Ireland became a land of suffering once again.
The Great Uprising
After years of oppression, Nemed’s descendants rose in rebellion. In a coordinated attack, they gathered a mighty host to destroy Conand’s Tower, the Fomorian stronghold on Tory Island.
The Nemedians succeeded — the tower fell, and Conand was slain. But the price was catastrophic. The Fomorians retaliated with overwhelming force, led by Morc, and unleashed destruction that wiped out nearly all the Nemedians. The final battle ended in slaughter, and Ireland fell back into desolation.
Fates of the Survivors
Only a few Nemedians are said to have survived. They scattered across the known world, giving rise to other legendary peoples who would one day return to Ireland:
- Some fled to Greece, becoming the oppressed Fir Bolg
- Others went to the northern isles, where they learned powerful magic and became the Tuatha Dé Danann
- A final group was said to go underground, giving rise to future legends of the sídhe, or fairies
This scattering created the seed for the next great arrivals in Irish myth, symbolizing the idea that every downfall can lead to new beginnings elsewhere.
Legacy and Meaning
The Nemedians are rarely remembered as victors, but they are revered for their struggle. Their tale carries strong themes of:
- Resistance against tyranny
- The cost of freedom
- Suffering passed through generations
- Cycles of rise, fall, and rebirth
In Irish mythology, they represent the soul of defiance — a people who refused to bow forever, even when the odds were impossible.
Conclusion: The Flame That Wouldn’t Die
The Nemedians didn’t leave behind a kingdom or a legacy of peace. What they left was something far more powerful — a spark of resistance. They returned to a cursed land and dared to challenge its darkness. Though crushed in the end, their story is remembered because they tried.
From their ruins came the next great peoples of Ireland, each carrying a piece of their broken story. In this way, the Nemedians never truly vanished. They became part of the land’s deeper memory — a reminder that in Ireland, even the fallen still speak.