375 



migrations from Spain into Ireland, and especially to one migration 

 from the western coast of Spain to Ireland, which was subsequent to 

 that great drought above referred to. These references in Spanish his- 

 tory have a very important bearing on our Irish annals, in relation to 

 the Spanish colony absurdly called Milesian, which Heber and Here- 

 mon are said to have established in Ireland. 



It must be borne in mind that Elorian D'Ocampo generally adopts 

 the chronology of the spurious Berosus, or rather of Annius de Yiterbo, 

 in his references to early events in Spanish history. The dates of those 

 references, therefore, cannot always be depended on. 



In the first book, at page 20, of the Cronica General de Espana," 

 Morian D'Ocampo, referring to the time of the Spanish ruler, Brigo, 

 says : — 



" Others certify, moreover, that this Brigo of Spain placed inhabi- 

 tants on a great island which is now called Yrlanda, and of old was 

 named Ybernia, and had also another name, Yerna, near to England, 

 which island of Yrlanda was not only peopled but ruled over by Brigo ; 

 and those who came to the place after their arrival there were called 

 Brigantes, and a principal river that run through that place was called 

 Brigo. I remember that, having been driven by stress of weather on that 

 coast of Yrlanda, and having landed in a city of that island named Cata- 

 furda (in all probability, Waterford), the inhabitants of the city, with 

 others who came from the interior, manifested much pleasure at meeting 

 us, and took us by the hand in token of welcome, telling us that they de- 

 scended from Spanish ancestors, which intelligence seemed new to me, 

 but afterwards I remembered, in conformity with what they said to me ; 

 I had read in the chronicles and commentaries of Joannes Annius de 

 Yiterbo, that when the Arabs and African Moors had got possession of 

 Spain, in the time of Don Bodrigo, King of the Goths, many Spaniards 

 had abandoned their country, flying to various parts of the world — 

 many had gone to Greece, France, and Germany, seeking succour which 

 none gave them ; and some of them had betaken themselves to that 

 island of Yrlanda, as we shall set forth in the third volume of this his- 

 tory ; and, although some may have returned to Spain, probably many 

 remained there, and mingled with the natives, while the persecution of 

 the Moors endured. From which results the relationship between the 

 Yrlandescos and iheEspanolas. There is a tradition in connexion with this 

 relationship preserved from father to son, that in the most ancient times 

 a certain Spanish personage named Yberno or Hierno (Heber or Heremon, 

 sons of Milidth?), who dwelt on the coast on the fourth side of Spain 

 {quarto ladode Espana) ^ who, being embarked on the sea, was overtaken 

 by a violent gale of wind which he could not resist, and was carried 

 with other companions of his to that island abo^e mentioned (then depo- 

 pulated), in three days only of navigation. There his ship being broken 

 to pieces by the late tempest, he (Yberno) landed with his companions, 

 and also some women they had brought over with them. And on ac- 

 count of that Spanish Hierno or Yberno, it is asserted, the name was 

 first given to that island of Hierna or Yberno, which afterwards the na- 



