Fir Domnann facts for kids
The Fir Domnann were an ancient group of people mentioned in the legendary history of Ireland. They are believed to have lived in Ireland a very long time ago.
Who Were the Fir Domnann?
The Fir Domnann were one of several early groups of people who lived in ancient Ireland. They are often linked to other tribes from that time. These include the Galeóin and the Fir Bolg.
What Does Their Name Mean?
The name Fir Domnann comes from an old word, dumno-. This word means both ‘deep’ and ‘the world’. The word fir in Old Irish means ‘men’. So, Fir Domnann means ‘men of the world’ or ‘people of the world’.
Interestingly, there was a tribe in Britain called the Dumnonii. Their name also means ‘people of the god of the world’. This makes some historians think that the Fir Domnann and the Dumnonii might have come from the same ancient group.
Where Did They Live?
In old Irish stories, the Fir Domnann were often found in Cóice Laigean, which is now known as Leinster. A poem from the 7th century mentions their leader, Mess-Telmann. He was said to be the main ruler of Leinster. He ruled from Dún Áilinne, an important royal site.
Their name is still found in some places today. For example, the place-name Inber Domnann is now Malahide Bay. This is an inlet in north County Dublin on the east coast of Ireland.
However, the strongest links to the Fir Domnann are in north-west Mayo. This area includes Iorrais Domnann, which is where the modern barony of Erris gets its name. Nearby places like Mag Domnann and Dún Domnann also keep their name alive.
