O'Reilly — Milesian Colonization relative to Gold-mining. 37 



copper and tin in the conntries with wliicli they had intercourse. And 

 if it be not possible to trace back in history, similar periods of great 

 mining activity in still more remote times, it is rather through the 

 want of historic records, than through the absence of any such activity 

 in prehistoric ages, since the testimony of the very oldest monuments 

 points to the general knowledge of the precious metals, as far back as 

 the monumental history of man extends, and to the existence at these 

 remote periods of centres of mining enterprise, having for their object 

 the production of these metals. 



Hence, while fully recognizing how various were the causes which 

 gave rise to movements of peoples in the past, it is not unreasonable 

 to see in some of them a certain element of mining enterprise, having 

 for object the acquirement of mining districts and the working of the 

 useful minerals or ores they might present; and in order to secure 

 that end, the obtaining command of the countries where they were 

 presumed or were known to exist, and as well as of the routes of 

 communication, with and from them, to the nearest and most advan- 

 tageous markets. If, moreover, we read of colonizations or emigrations 

 from countries where already great mining activity had become 

 developed, and where men's energies had thereby acquired that 

 stimulus for adventure which the industry of mining tends to give 

 rise to, it is reasonable to suppose that such colonization or emigration 

 had for object, amongst other things, the search for and acquirement 

 of mining districts capable of furnishing a basis for the operations and 

 industries of an active and intelligent community, possessed of a 

 knowledge of the commerce of the useful metals and their accessories, 

 and urged, as it might be, by competition or allured by a favourable 

 opportunity of securing an advantageous field for its energies and 

 powers. 



These general considerations seem to me to arise from the reading 

 of the traditional accounts furnished us of the early colonies which 

 came to Ireland, more particularly that of the Milesians. 



Taking the traditional history of this invasion or colonization as 

 given in O'Kelly's translation of M'Geoghegan's "History of Ireland 

 (1844, cap. III., pp. 46-55), it may be noted that from the very 

 commencement, traditions are mentioned connecting this country with 

 Spain. Thus there is given the tradition of the three Spanish fisher- 

 men who were driven by contrary winds on the coast of Ireland, 

 " some time before the deluge." The tradition that one of the Firbolg 

 princes, Eogha, married Tailta, " daughter of a Spanish prince," who 

 gave name to the place of her burial, still called Tailtin in Meath." 



