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Ireland possesses a rich and varied mythology that has survived for thousands of years since the first Celts arrived in Ireland and rivals the legends of ancient Greece and Rome in its scope. Unlike those of the Romans and Greeks the myths of Ireland were passed down for many years by oral tradition. Written versions of these tales do not occur until the middle ages and were written primarily by Christian monks. Despite the wealth of Irish mythology it is not as well known as the legends of other cultures, with most people’s knowledge only extending as far as the modern ‘fairy tale’ depiction of Leprechauns.

Irish mythology is divided into four cycles. These cycles tell the history of the island dating back from before the arrival of the Gaels and the peoples who inhabited the Ireland before them. The cycles are named the Mythological cycle, the Ulster cycle, the Fenian cycle and the Historical cycle.

The mythological cycle tells the story of the Irish Gods, the Tuatha Dé Danann and their battles against the Fomorians. By the Middle Ages and the arrival of Christianity the Tuatha Dé Danann were downgraded from Gods, though they were still remembered as great heroes and in many tales still had immortal powers. The Tuatha Dé Danann was eventually replaced as the main people of Ireland by the arrival of the Gaels and they retreated underground, becoming the fairy folk.

The Ulster cycle is set around the time of Christianity’s arrival in Ireland. It tells of Conchobar mac Nessa, King of Ulster and his people the Ulaid and their adventures and battles as well as their ties to the new Irish colony in Scotland. The Ulster Cycle still has ties to the mythological cycle and some characters reappear, displaying shape shifting powers and other magics, despite this the tales still take place in historical times and at known places.

The Fenian cycle is set around the 3rd century A.D and takes place mainly in Leinster and Munster. The tales from this cycle are different from those of the Mythological and Ulster in that they are written in verse and are nearer to the romance tradition than the other cycles. This cycle also includes a number of stories featuring the Irish speaking population of Scotland. The stories concern the doings of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna.
The final cycle is known as the Historical cycle and comes from the medieval Irish bards and their attempts to record the history of the Irish Kings of they served and were told in the form of poems. The poems range from completely mythical kings such as Labraid Loingsech to well known historical kings such as Brian Boru.