Nemed the Farmer (Lebor Gabála Érenn)

• Nemed (modern spellings: Neimheadh or Neimhidh), meaning "holy" or "privileged" is a figure of Irish mythology who features in The Book of Invasions. He was the leader of the third group of inhabitants of Ireland, the Nemedians.
• According to a traditional Irish pedigree, he was a descendant of Noah's son Japheth through Magog. See John O'Hart, Irish Pedigrees: Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation (reprinted 1989), 43, citing "MacFirbis's Genealogies".
• Nemedh voyaged in thirty-four ships, with 1,020 followers, from the Black Sea, over what is now known as Russia, keeping the mountains of Sleibhté Rife, on his left hand; through the Baltic Sea, thence to Ireland, with his wife Macha, and four sons. After being in Ireland twelve years macha died and was buried at Ard-macha (now Armagh). Nemedh laid the foundation of two Royal Forts, which were afterwards called Rath Crombhaoitle and Cinneich. These structures were erected by Bog, Robhog, Rodin, and Ruibhne, four sons of Madain Muinreamhair, a renowned Fomorian, of the race of Cham or Ham, subdued by Nemedh.

Nemedh improved the soil, cut down twelve woods; but was constantly at war with the Fomorians, over whom he gained three victories, namely at Sliabh Blaidhniea; Ross Fraochain, at which Gan and Geanan, two Pirate Commanders, were slain; and at Murblug in Dailraidah, where Stairn was killed by Conuing, the son of Foabhar.

A fourth and a desperate battle was fought at Cenambruis, in Leinster; in this Nemedh was uterly defeated; most of his army cut to pieces; his son Art, who was born in Ireland; was slain, with Iobhchon, the son of Stairn. this defeat broke the heart of Nemedh, so that he, with two thousand of his people, died at Oilean arda Nemeidh, now the Great Island in Cork harbour.

After their defeat the Pirates followed up their success, making themselves masters of Ireland, their chief fort being at Tor Inis, now " Tory Island," whence they issued to prey on the Nemedians, robbing them of their women, children, cattle, butter, wheat, etc.

Seeing how grievously they were oppressed the Nemedians determined to make another effort to get rid of their oppressors; and collecting all their force, under the command of three generals, Beothach, Fathach, and Fergus Leathhearg, with the three brothers -- Earglan, Manntan, Larthacht who lead the army of thirty thousand by sea and the same number by land, attacked the Fomorians, resulting in a sanguinary struggle in which Conuing the Fomorian General with his children and garrison, were destroyed. This battle was scarcely over when the Fomorian Admiral, More, the son of Dela, returned from Africa with sixty sail, landed at Tory and made for the mainland, when they were opposed by the Nemedians. The two main armies on the strand, killing each other till the tide at length swept off most of the Nemedians. Of the Fomorians, More with the better part of the forces escaped to their ships, and soon after landed and took possession of Ireland.

About 30 officers with the 3 commanders escaped; these were SimonBreac, Iobhath, and Briotan Maol; and after a space of 7 years they succeeded in leaving Ireland, taking with them as many as their vessels could carry; those who were forced to remain lived in a state of servitude to the pirates, but governed by their own generals, till the coming of the Firbolgs.

Simeon Breac, who led the Nemedians back to Greece, by the same route they came, over Poland and Russia, only exchanged task masters; being obliged by the Greeks to perform the severest drudgery; to sinkpits and take the clay from the vallies to the tops of the mountainsin leather bags, so as to form a soil for the growth of corn and other fruits.

The second General Iobhath; sailed with his part of the followers to the north of Europe; from him descended the Tuatha de Danaans.

The third General, Briotan Maol, landed in scotland and remained there; from him Britain has received its name. His posterity formed the Celtic people of Scotland, England and Wales.

• Read also Foras Feasa Ar Eirinn Do Réir an Athar Seathrun Céiting, Ollamh Ré Diadhachta (Geoffrey Keating, Michael Dohenychap, 1857, Chapter VII)