But it was no time for dreams, though the Celt in all ages has proved the sweetest of dreamers, the truest of bards.

These men have rough work to do, and, it may be, gave but scant thought to the beauties of the western isle, and scant thanks to their gods for escape from peril.

Plains were to be cleared, forests cut down, and the red deer and giant elk driven to deeper recesses in the well-wooded country.
Several lakes are said to have sprung forth at that period; but it is more probable that they already existed, and were then for the first time seen by human eye.

The plains which Partholan's people cleared are also mentioned, and then we find the ever-returning obituary:-- "The age of the world 2550, Partholan died on Sean Mhagh-Ealta-Edair in this year."[30] The name of Tallaght still remains, like the peak of a submerged world, to indicate this colonization, and its fatal termination.

Some very ancient tumuli may still be seen there.