Who is Amergin?
Amergin (Ah-MER-gin) was the first mortal bard of Erin. His magic enabled the Milesians to conquer the DeDanaan people who inhabited Ireland before the mortals arrived. When the Milesian fleet of ships first landed, they advanced to Tara, seat of the DeDanaan rulers. The Kings requested three days to consider whether to leave, submit, or fight. Amergin agreed (The Judgment of Amergin, the first judgment delivered in Ireland) that the Milesians must not take the island by surprise. The Milesians returned to their ships and withdrew to a distance of nine waves from the shore. Upon their withdrawal, storm and mist rose to hide the island and fierce winds threatened the fleet. Determining that the storms were of magical origin (there was no storm aloft at the top of the mast), Amergin sang the INCANTATION TO THE LAND OF IRELAND which caused the island to rise up and break through the storm. When the Milesians reached the coast again, Amergin stepped onto the shore and spoke THE SONG OF AME
