Magh Ithe was the location of the first recorded battle fought in Ireland, dated to 2530 Anno Mundi (since the creation of the world), or 2670 BC, in the Annals of the Four Masters; or 2071 BC in Seathrún Céitinn's chronology.
The relevant extract from the Annals of the Four Masters states:
- In this year the first battle was fought in Ireland; i.e. Cíocal Grigenchosach, son of Goll, son of Garbh, of the Fomorians, and his mother, came into Ireland, eight hundred in number, so that a battle was fought between them and Partholón's people at Sleamhnai Maighe Ithe, where the Fomorians were defeated by Partholón, so that they were all slain. This is called the battle of Magh Ithe.
Magh Ithe, the "Plain of Ith", was said to have been named after Ith, the uncle of Míl Espáine, a Milesian who was killed by Partholon leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The site of the battle was located between Lough Foyle to the east, Lough Swilly to the west and the River Finn to the south in Counties Donegal and County Tyrone. Actually, since Partholon won the battle against the Milesians, the area should justifiably be called "Magh Partholon" Plain of Partholon in his honour and not that of the loser, Ithe.
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