E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mile’sians (The).
The ancient Irish. The legend is that Ireland was once peopled by the Firbolgs, who were subdued by the Milesians, called the “Gaels of Ireland.”
1
“My family, by my father’s side, are all the true ould Milesians, and related to the O’Flahertys, and O’Shaughnesses, and the M’Lauchlins, the O’Donnaghans, O’Callaghans, O’Geogaghans, and all the thick blood of the nation; and I myself am an O’Brallaghan, which is the ouldest of them all.”—Maclin: Love à la Mode.
