) ^BB m& U ^h^ Va^^L^
iSS
kli
...
• •
••
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
TRANSACTIONS
OF
THE OSSIANIC SOCIETY.
TRANSACTIONS
OP
THE OSSIAMC SOCIETY,
FOR THE YEAR
1856,
VOL. IV.
tstojrtye FjsiM n u )'5\)e9\c\)Z%,
DUBLIN; PRINTED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNCIL,
FOR THE USE OF THE MEMBERS.
1859.
JOHNSON REPRINT CORPORATION
New York • London 1972
First reprinting 1972, Johnson Reprint Corporation
Johnson Reprint Corporation Johnson Reprint Company Ltd. I ! 1 Fifth Avenue 24/28 Oval Road
New York, N. Y. 10003 London, NW1 7DD, England
F'rinted in the U.S.A.
L2lOJi:i)e FJ21N H U )5\)&VC\)Z<U;
OR,
FENIAN POEMS
EDITED BY
JOHN O'DALY.
DUBLIN :
PRINTED FOR THE OSSIANIC SOCIETY,
By JOHN O'DALY, 9, ANGLESEA-STREET.
1850.
%\t (Dssianit Sorietn,
Founded on St. Patrick's Day, 1853, for the Preservation and Publi- cation of MSS. in the Irish Language, illustrative of the Fenian period of Irish History, &c, with Literal Translations and Notes.
OFFICERS ELECTED ON THE 17th MARCH, 1858.
^rrsifant :
William S. O'Brien, Esq, M.R.I. A., Cahirmoyle, Newcastle West.
23icc-;j3rf5foriit5 :
Rev. Ulick J. Bourke, Professor of Irish, St. Jarlattis College, Tuam. Rev. Euseby D. Cleaver, M.A., S. Barnabas, Pimlico, London. John O'Donovan, LL.D., M.R.I.A., Dublin. Standish Hayes O'Grady, Esq., Erinayh House, Castleconnell.
Cnunril :
Rev. John Clarke, C.C., Louth
Professor Connellan, Queen's College, Cork.
Rev. Sidney L. Cousins, Bantire, Cork.
Rev. John Forrest, D.D., Kingstown.
Rev. James Goodman, A.B., Ardgroom, Castletown, Berehaven.
William Hackett, Esq., Midleton, Cork,
Rev. Patrick Lamb, P.P., Newtownhamilton.
Michael Lysaght, Esq., Ennis.
Michael J. Mac Carthy, Esq., Derrynanoul, Mitchelstown.
M. M'Ginty, Esq., Brag.
Professor John O'Beirne-Crowe, A.B., Queen's College, Galway.
John O'Daly, Esq., O'Daly's Bridge, Kelts.
John O'Duffy, Esq., 26, Great Brunswick-street, Dublin.
Rev. John L. O'Flynn, O.S.F,C, Church-street Friary, Dublin.
Rev. John O'Hanlon, C.C., 17, James's-street, Dublin.
James O'Mahony, Esq., Bandon.
John T. Rowland, Esq., Drogheda, and Abbey-street, Dublin.
Andrew Ryan, Esq., Gortkelly, Castle, Borrisoleiyh.
George Sigerson, Esq., Queen's College, Cork.
John Windele, Esq., Blair's Castle, Cork.
Cnmtmttre nf ^nliliratinn.
Professor Connellan. Jonh 0'Donovan,LL.D.,M.R.I.A. Rev. John L. O'Flynn, O.S.F.C. Rev. James Goodman.
Standish Hayes O'Grady, A.B. Key. John O'Hanlon, C.C. George Sigerson. Esq. John Windele, Esq.
famsaxn :
Edward Wm. O'Brien, Esq., 40, Trinity College, Dublin.
SSunnrarq $mttan} :
Mr. John O'Daly, 9, Anglesey-street, Dublin.
The main object of the Society is to publish manuscripts, consisting of Poems, Tales, and Romances, illustrative of the Fenian period of Irish History; and other documents illustrative of the Ancient History of Ireland in the Irish language and character, with literal translations, and notes explanatory of the text.
Subscriptions (5s. per annum) are received by the Treasurer, by any member of the Council, and by the Honorary Secretary, with whom the publications of the Society lie for distribution, and from whom pros- pectuses can be obtained.
GENERAL RULES.
1. That the Society shall bo called the Ossianic Society, and that its object shall be the publication of Irish Manuscripts relating to the Fenian period of our history, and other historical documents, with literal translations and notes.
2. That the management of the Society shall be vested in a President, Vice-presidents, and Council, each of whom must necessarily be an Irish scholar. The President, Vice-presidents, and Council of the So- ciety shall be elected annually by the members, at a General Meeting, to be held on the Seventeenth Day of March, the Anniversary of the So- ciety, or on the following Monday, in case St. Patrick's Day shall fall on a Sunday Notice of such meeting being given by public advertisement, inviting all the members to attend.
3. That the President and Council shall have power to elect a Trea- surer and Secretary from the Members of the Council.
4. The receipts and disbursements of the Society shall be audited an- nually by two Auditors, elected by the Council; and the Auditors' Re- port shall be published and distributed among the members.
o. In the absence of the President or Vice-President, the Members of Council present shall be at liberty to appoint a Chairman, who will not thereby lose his right to vote. Three members of the Council to form a quorum.
G. The funds of the Society shall be disbursed in payment of expenses incident to discharging the liabilities of the Society, especially in the publication department, and no avoidable expenses shall be incurred.
7. Every member shall be entitled to receive one copy of the Society's Publications ; and twenty extra copies of each work shall be printed for contingencies.
8. The funds of the Society shall be lodged in Bank, in the name of the President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Society, or any three members the Council may deem proper to appoint.
9. The Council shall have power to elect additional members, and fill vacancies in its own body.
10. Members of Council residing at an inconvenient distance from Dublin shall be at liberty to vote by proxy at elections.
1 1. Membership shall be constituted by the annual payment of Five Shillings, which sum shall become due on the 1st of January in each year.
12. The Ossiantc Society shall publish every year one volume, or more, if their funds enable them.
13. No change shall be made in these Rules, except at a General Meeting, and at the recommendation of the Council ; the proposer and seconder of any motion for such change, shall lodge a notice of their intuition in writing, with the Secretary, twenty clear days before the day of General Meeting.
14 That all matters relating to the Religious and Political differences i lin in this country, be strictly excluded from the meetings and
publications of the Society,
FI FT II A X N UAL REPORT
ItRAD ON THE ITtll DAY OK MAItCII, 1858.
It is now nearly six years since the Ossianic Society was ushered into existence by a few individuals who saw the neglected and sad state of the MS. literature of their country, and of that portion in particular known as Ossianic, which no one seemed to value.
A meeting was held and a committee of gentlemen, Irish scholars, en- rolled themselves determined to commence operations in the vast field open before them, and try the experiment as to whether anything could be done in the shape of printing, and preserving from destruction the poetry, and legends ascribed to Oisin and Caoilte, the ancient bards of Fenian history.
The result of their labours is that there are now three handsome volumes of Ossianic Literature rescued from distruction and in the hands of the members, a fourth is just ready for press and will shortly appear. These volumes have elicited the warm praise of the Irish as well as of the English press ; and the result is that there are now on the roll of the society, five hundred and thirty-two members.
The Council have great gratification in announcing that during the past year, one hundred and five members joined the Society ; and it is cheering to find that such a spirit exists in behalf of their labours.
The Council deeply regret the unavoidable delay which has occurred in the publication of their recent volume, " CofiurJjeacc t5h)Arirt)u&A A5ur 5bn&l0')e," which could not be well avoided ; as the gentleman who under- took the editing of the book was called out of the country on business on various occasions, while the book was going through press ; but care shall be taken in future that delays of this sort shall not occur.
The Council feel great pleasure in calling attention to the lahours of kindred societies formed in America and Australia. One established in Philadelphia under the careful management of a committee of Irishmen (of which we may name two most indefatigable members, John Burton and Patrick O'Murphy, Esqrs.), has sent the sum of fourteen pounds, the subscription of members for copies of our last volume.
The Australian Celtic Association, established in Sydney, has sent seven pounds ten shillings, and the books are on their way.
It is cheering to find that in these distant regions of the globe, Irishmen do not forget the literature of their native land ; and that they exult at the thought of hearing once more the poems and tales so often recited by the Sc.\ncu|6e, or story-teller, at their father's firesides.
The mission of the Ossianic Society is a noble one, and the Council hope they will receive that support from their countrymen, which will enable them to preserve every fragment—no matter how small or trivial which may throw light on the past glories of their native land.
With this view they come before you this day ; their labour is one of love for the neglected literature of their country, and they sincerely hope that an Iiii-h public will meet them in the same spirit.
BOOKS PRINTED BY THE SOCIETY.
I. Cac 5bAbriA ; or, the Prose and Poetical Account of the Battle of Gabhra (Garristown), in the county of Dublin, fought A.D., 283, be- tween Cairbre Liffeachair, king of Leinster, and the Fenian forces of Ireland, in which the latter were conquered, and their ranks finally broken up. Edited by Nicholas O'Kearney, (Out of print.)*
II. Feir t]5e CboTjiviT) Cbinn Sble-)be ; or, The Festivities at the House of Conan of Ceann Sleibhe, a romantic hill which is situated on the borders of the Lake of Inchiquin, in the county of Clare. Edited by N. O'Kearney, (Out of print.)
This document contains a colloquy between Fionn and Conan, in which much light is thrown on the Ancient Topography of Munster ; and also on the Habits and Customs of the Fenian Chieftains.
III. Coruq5eACC t>bjAnrnut>A Ui fcbuibne A5ur Sbn^MWe, P)5iot> Cbon- n)U|c tbeic a.7i%c ; or, an Account of the Pursuit of Diarrauid O'Duibhne and Grace, the daughter of Cormac Mac Airt, Monarch of Ireland in the Third Century, who was married to Fionn Mac Cumhaill, from whom she eloped with Diarmuid. To them are ascribed the Leaba Caillighes (Hags' Beds), so numerous in Ireland. Edited by Standish Hayes O'Grady, President of the Society.
IV. Uoicbe FiAnnuisbeAcbcA ; or, Fenian Poems. Edited by John O'Daly, Honorary Secretary.
BOOKS IN PREPARATION.
I. ImceAcc rjA tnotn&Aitbe ; or the Departure of the Great Bardic Assembly, being the Introduction to the Tain Bo Chuailgne. Edited by Professor Connellan, from the book of 21)ac Capxais KiAbAc : a vel- lum MS. of the XIV. Century. In Press.
II. Z'&w t>6 CbuAilsne ; or, the Great Cattle Spoil of Cuailgue (Cooley), in the county of Louth, being a History of the Seven Years' War between Ulster and Connaught; in the reign of Meadhbh, Queen of Connaught, and Conchobhar Mac Nessa, king of Ulster, on account of the famous bull called Donn Chuailyne ; and which terminated, ac- cording to Roderic O'Flaherty, the Irish chronologist, one year before the Christian era. To be edited by William Hackett.
This very ancient and curious tract comprises three hundred closely-written folios, and contains many interesting details of Mythological Incidents, Pillar Stones, Ogham In- criptione, Tulachs, War Chariots, Leanan Sighes, Mice and Cat Incantations. Together with an account of the Mysterious War Weapon used by Cuehullainn, called Gai Bolg ,• also Some Account of the early Christian Missionaries in Ireland, and the privileges enjoyed by the chief bard.
III. ?l5AlUri) t)A SeAtj6|w6e ; or, the Dialogue of the Sages : an His- torical Work in Prose and Poetry, full of rare information on the achievements of the Fianna Eirionn ; collated with a copy in the Book of Lismore, a vellum manuscript of the Fourteenth Century, by per- mission of his Grace the Duke of Devonshire. To be edited by John Windele.
IV. Cac Pjpjij Cft*5* ; or, an Account of the Battle fought at Vcntry, in the county of Kerry, in the Third Century of the Christian era, be- tween Dairc Donn, Monarch of the World, and the Fenians. To be edited by the Ivev. James Goodman, A.M.
This Battle last) tl for DOfl days; the copy al the disposal of the Society Is the earliest known to exist, having been copied from n vellum manuscript of tho fifteenth century, now deposited In the Uodlclau Library, Oxford, by the Roy. e, d. Cleaver.
• New Editions of Vols. I. and II., now out of print, will be published
as soon as the Council receives 'JiU names to assist in bearing the cost of printing.
XI
V. Cac ChijocA ; or, the Battle of Castleknock, in the county of Dublin, fought A.D. 273, between Conn Ceadchathach, i.e., Conn of the Hundred Battles, and the Clanna Morna ; by his victory in which, Conn obtained the Sovereignty of three Provinces in Ireland, viz. Connaught, Ulster, and Leinster. To be edited by the Rev. Thaddeds O'Mahony.
This tract is copied from a manuscript made by John Murphy of Carrignavar, in the county of Cork, A.I). 1725, and from the fame of the writer as a scribe, no doubt b entertained of the accuracy of the text.
VI. A TRACT ON THE TOPOGRAPHY OF IRELAND ; from the Psalter Mac Richard Butler, otherwise called " Saliar na Rann," containing the Derivation of the Names, Local Traditions, and other remarkable circumstances, of the Hills, Mountains, Rivers, Caves, Cams, Rocks, Tulachs, and Monumental remains of Pagan Ireland, but more especially those connected with the deeds of Fionn Mac Chumhaill. To be edited by Professor Connellan.
rsalter Mac Richard Butler was originally written for Edmond, son of Richard Butler commonly called "Mac Richard," but on his defeat by Thomas, the eighth Earl of Des- mond, (who was beheaded in 14G7),near the banks of the River Suir, where great numbers of the Butlers' followers were drowned and slain, the book fell into the hands of this Thomas, and was afterwards the property of Sir George Carew, Elizabeth's President of Munster; but Anally came into the hands of Archbishop Laud, who bequeathed it to the Bodleian Library, Oxford, where it is now preserved, and the Society have permission to make transcripts of its contents.
VII. A TRACT ON THE GREAT ACTIONS OF FINN MAC CUMHAILL, copied from the Psalter of Mac Richard Butler. To be edited by the Rev. Ulick J. Bourke, of St. Jarlath's College, Tuam.'
VIII. A MEMORIAL ON THE DAL-CASSIAN RACE, and the Divisions of Thomond at the Invasion of the English, A.D. 1172 : to which is annexed a Short Essay on the Fenii or Standing Militia of Ireland ; also, Remarks on some of the Laws and Customs of the Scoti, or Antient Irish, by the late Chevalier O'Gorman; presented to the Society for publication by J. R. Joly, Esq., LL.D., Rathmines.
These manuscripts contain a list of the several families of the Macnamaras, who were named from the houses or lands of inheritance they severally enjoyed ; also a list of the several castles iu the baronies of Bnnratty and Tulla, with the names of the persons who erected them.
IX. Cnj C|tiu\5 t)A SseAlAiseAccA ; or, The Three Sorrows of Story- telling, which relates the tragical fate of the sons of Uisneach, the sons of Tuireann, and the children of Lir, who are represented to have been metamorphosed into swans by their stepmother, Aoife; and in that shape spent seven years on Sruth na Maoile Ruadh, supposed to be that portion of the British Channel which separates Ireland and tho Isle of Man.
* This tract appears in the present volume, edited by Dr. O'Donovan.
SOCIETIES IN CONNECTION.
1. The Architectural and Archaeological Society of Buck-
ingham. Rev. A. Newdigate, Aylesbury, Honorary Secretary.
2. The Architectural Society of the Archdeaconry of Nor-
thampton and the Counties of York and Lincoln ; and the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Bedford- shire and St Albans. Rev. H. D. Nicholson, M.A. St. Albans, Herts, Honorary Secretary.
3. The Cambrian Institute. R. Mason, Esq. High-street, Ten-
by, Treasurer.
4. The Cambridge Antiquarian Society. Chas. C. Babington,
Esq., M. A., Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, Treasurer.
5. The Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire. Rev.
A Hume, D.C.L., LL.D., F.S.A., St. George's, 'Liverpool,
Honorary Secretary.
6 The Kilkenny and South-East of Ireland Archaeological Society. Rev. James Graves, A.B., and John George Augustus Prim, Esq., Kilkenny, Honorary Secretaries.
7. The Suffolk Institute of Archaeology. Samuel Tymms,
Esq., F.S.A., Bury St. Edmunds, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer,
8. The Society of Antiquaries of London. John Y. Akerman,
Esq., F.S.A., Somerset House, London, Secretary.
9. The Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. John
Adamson, Esq., The Castle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne , Secretary.
10. The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. John Stuart, Esq., General Registry House, Edinburgh, Secretary.
11. The Surrey Arch.eological Society. George Bish Webb,
Esq., ''», Southampton-street, Covent Garden, London, Honorary Secretary.
•CSOCSCOCNOOCO©
U ffi ffl !>• " — « ^ CO © ©
O OS
-j a
qo
to
6B
.a
4 .
13
0
<n M o o
«
o
in a>
M
6D ,
C .3 o a Ph pq Ph w <J
>»
pq
|
*-» |
a |
rn |
||
|
* |
2 |
. |
o |
n |
|
p |
& |
q |
||
|
ftn |
tj |
o |
a o a Q c |
|
|
.9 ■J. |
9 bn |
>> M O a o |
"oS oj |
|
|
•*• |
||||
|
OJ u p4 |
-t-» BO |
a i— i |
I I I I I I I I
p
<
P
T3 O
B
to
CO
o o o
b- IfJ t^
<so
«0
|
^ |
o o 1— 1 |
eo |
00 |
||||
|
: |
•* o |
d |
o |
o |
O |
||
|
ao |
P |
*i |
r— I |
o |
|||
|
. |
T3 |
CO |
CO |
-* |
|||
|
• |
§ |
^ |
b- |
||||
|
>o |
eo |
. |
|||||
|
»o |
"0 |
o |
M |
•n |
• |
||
|
QO |
oo 1— ( |
P |
<S |
' |
<L> |
||
|
<2 |
13 • H Pi |
T3 a |
. |
||||
|
T3 |
,13 |
• |
|||||
|
a> .5 |
a o |
O a |
a o |
||||
|
a» |
o |
C! |
|||||
|
o 00 |
p |
T3 a aS |
gflfl |
a> bo P |
|||
|
3 |
•a |
ri |
|||||
|
o |
v^ |
-G |
|||||
|
• pH |
a |
co |
co |
o |
|||
|
+* |
• PH |
oa |
<u |
a) |
X |
||
|
P< |
CO |
CD |
a> |
a |
"2< |
oj |
|
|
A |
o CO .a |
1 |
o u |
o o 1 - |
O o |
a |
|
|
P |
3 CO |
| |
CO |
o CO |
b- |
o
in
5
Mill
CONTENTS.
Biographical Sketch
Elliott Hudson Introduction . . .
OF THE LATE WlLLIAM
rase
XV
xxi
2l5<xllAri} Ojfjt) A5iif PbAcftAjc . . . Cac ctjojc at) &|ji . Laoi6 2t)beAT,i3Ai6 tta
IaT)T) t)5&ATt . l_AO| TT}T)A 2t)>)eATl3A|8 T)A IaTTTT T^eAJt .
2lr)rt)Ar)r)A tja b-p|tioii)-
lAOCTtA8 bo't) 'p'b^ltJt) feO CUjC A]t CTIOC AT)
*m
Se^l5 LocIta L6]T) . . C<so|lce jto catj
I.AOJ& 0|f]T) A|t "C]]X t)A TJ-05 ....
CAOjlce JIO CAT)
2t)AC-3!TfriTAJtCA T^ITI) 2t)AC CuiTJU|U
Page.
The Dialogue between 2 Oisin and Patrick . 3 64 Battle of Cnoc-an-air . 65
The Lay of Mea'rgach 94 of the sharp spears . 95
The Lay of the Wife
164 of Meargach . . 165
Names of the principal
heroes of the Fenians
who fell on Cnoc-an-
194 air 195
200 The Chase of Loch Lein 201 226 Caoilto sang ... 226
The Lay of Oisin on 234 the Land of Youth 235 280
The Boyish Exploits of 288 Finn Mac Cumhuill 289
WILLIAM ELLIOTT HUDSON.
William Elliott Hudson, tlic subject of this short sketch, the second son of Edward Hudson, a celebrated dentist of Dublin, was born at his father's country residence, Fields of Odin (now Hermi- tage), near Rathfarnham, in the county of Dublin, August 18th, 1796. He early displayed those fine qualities which afterwards caused him to be so much courted in society when arrived at man's estate. His superior talents, together with his natural thirst for knowledge, urged him forward, both during his school and collegiate courses, so that each year he distinguished himself by obtaining either premiums or certificates for superior answering. After he was called to the bar in 1818, he went the Munster Circuit, and his abilities, far beyond the ordinary, soon attracted attention, and brought him in brief after brief, so long as he continued to practice as a circuit barrister. So much was he admired in Cork, that such men as the late Recorder Waggett, Rev. Mr. Leslie, Dean Burrowes and others, were accus- tomed to watch the coaches, when expecting his arrival for the assizes in that city ; each endeavouring to anticipate the other in having as their guest, even for a short period, one, whose talents they admired, and whose pleasing and instructive conversation, they so highly appreciated, proceeding as it did from an intellect, well stored with the varied knowledge, which a widely-extended course of reading had supplied to a mind admirably fitted for its recep- tion. In the year 1836, he was appointed Assistant Barrister for the county of Carlow, which post he did not long continue to fill, having
XVI
been promoted to the situation of taxing-officer iu the common law- courts, which office he continued to hold until shortly before his death, when declining health obliged him to retire on a pension, to which he was entitled for his services.
Amongst his other accomplishments, W. E. Hudson early dis- played a taste for music, and a musical talent of the highest order. That he had acquired a practical and theoretical knowledge of that science far beyond his compeers, was often tested ; and especially by Dr. Russell a highly-gifted clergyman, and himself a great theorist. This gentleman, aware of the acuteness of W. E. Hudson's ear in distinguishing sound, put him to the severest proofs, without a single instance of failure; this induced him to test through young Hudson the accuracy of a theory which he held, that every natural sound, such as the roaring of a furnace, the howling of the storm, thunder, water falling in unison, &c ; were all one and the same note, the great A of nature. Day after day for nearly three months Hudson accom- panied Dr. Russell from place to place, to catch what he called " na- tural sounds" ; and so elated was he with the proofs given of the per- fection of his own theory, that it required the utmost vigilance of his physicians to prevent his intellect becoming impaired. In after years William E. Hudson was the composer of a Te Deum, and several chants, none of which were ever published ; he likewise composed a variety of songs, some of which he sent to the press ; but his naturally modest and retiring habits prevented him putting himself forward, ajid thereby caused his fame, either as a literary character or as a musical composer, to have a much more limited circulation than would be ex- pected in the case of a person so highly gifted. When that wrell known periodical, Tlie Citizen, was tottering to its fall, and had well nigh ex- pired, its publishers made a desperate effort to restore its vitality, by bringing it out, in a new form and under a new name, as the Dublin Monthly Magazine. In this struggle Mr. Hudson lent the assistance of his purse and talents, and chiefly owing to his exertions, it revived for a while ; besides contributing to it in a literary way, he brought out in it a collection of Irish airs, the finest published since the days of Bunting, and many of them far surpassing that eminent musician's in arrangement. "His affection," said the editor of the Nation
XVII
newspaper, " for all the remains and witnesses of Celtic civilization, was intensified in this instance by a deep and cultivated feeling of the art." *
Mr. Hudson was a member of the principal literary and scientific societies of Dublin in his day, and a constant attendant at their council meetings : his enthusiastic love for his country led him to be ever forward on these occasions, aiding in whatever could throw light on the history and antiquities of Ireland, in forwarding and advancing the scientific labours and discoveries of our fellow-coun- trymen ; or promoting Irish literature. He was one of the original members of the Irish Archaeological Society founded in 1840, in whose publications and proceedings he took a deep interest. The leading object of this society was the publication of such docu- ments as were calculated to increase our knowledge of Irish history, antiquities, and topography. With him, however, its efficiency and utility have all but expired. Its indications of a feeble existence are now but few and far between. In the year 1845, the editor of the present volume, an enthusiastic lover of the language and antiquities of his country, founded the Celtic Society under the auspices of Mr. Hudson, who took a most active part in its organization, and sus- tainment. The editors of its publications were paid out of his pocket, whilst his mind and pen were incessantly at work in their behalf, to secure a favourable reception from an apathetic public. Mr. Hud- son was not himself the editor of any of their books, but still the onus of much of the work rested on him, whose judgment and in- tellect, well stored with historic learning, were ever ready to guide and assist. He revised all their books in their passage through the press, and to him were they indebted for much of the valuable in- formation which the volumes of the Celtic Society contain. The only portion of these works which appeared exclusively from his own pen was the appendix to the LeabAji i)A 5-CeAjtc ; or, Book of Rights, consisting of various readings selected from the Book of Baih-an-Mlmta (Ballymote) as compared with the text in the Book of Leacan, and ending with a dissertation on the peculiar sound of
♦ The Nation, July 2nd, 1853.
XV 111
some of the letters of the Irish alphabet. His purse was ever open to promote the usefulness of the institution ; and on one oc- casion, a short time previous to its amalgamation with the Irish Archaeological Society, at a meeting held at Dr. Wilde's in Westland- row, he discharged a debt incurred by the council, to the amount of over three hundred pounds ! When Mr. John O'Daly arrived from Kilkenny, for the purpose of establishing the Celtic Society, Mr. Hudson was the first to take him warmly by the hand, and support his efforts. He was, in fact, the main spring of the Society, and owing to his exertions it attained a prominence that gave promise of final success. In the year 1 853 Mr. O'Daly conceived the idea of forming an Association for the Preservation and Publication of MSS. in the Irish language illustrative of the Fenian period of Irish History, and having consulted Mr. Hudson, then as ever foremost to promote every endeavour to preserve from oblivion, those docu- ments in which our ancestors recorded " all important events con- nected with their father-land;'' he received his warmest encourage- ment and support. A meeting was called at Anglesea-street on St. Patrick's day, 1853, at which was formed the Ossianic Society not as a rival but as an auxiliary to other similar institutions. Mr. Hudson took an active and lively interest in fostering it to maturity, and a prominent part in its proceedings during the short period of its existence previous to his decease. His health, however, broken down by frequent paralytic attacks, rendered him incapable of affording the Association that help which the Celtic Society had derived from his extensive knowledge and exertions. His death, which occurred on the 23rd of June, 1853, may be truly regarded as a heavy blow and irreparable loss to the best interests of our Society. His name gave it character, and the interest which he manifested in the under- taking assisted in bringing it into notice.
The success of " The Library of Ireland," and of " The Spirit of the Nation" are in some measure due to Mr. Hudson. Indeed the writer of this paper, has been informed, by Mr. James Duffy, the publisher of these winks, that Mr. Hudson advanced three hundred pounds towards defraying the expenses incurred in bringing out the quarto edition of the latter publication.
XIX
To obviate the difficulties found so seriously to obstruct the translation of the Brehon laws, arising from the imperfect Irish dictionaries extant, Mr. Hudson opened a subscription, to assist in defraying the expense of the compilation of a work, which would facilitate the study of the ancient records of our country. Of this project the Rev. Dr. Todd thus speaks in his opening address as President of the Royal Irish Academy, April 14th, 1856 ; " Our late lamented associate Mr. Hudson, to whose patriotism the library of the Academy owes a valuable addition, deposited in my hands, before his death, the sura of £200 in government securities, as a contribution towards the publication of the Irish Dictionary. This sum with the interest since accruing upon it, which I have added to the principal, is all that is available in the way of funds for carrying out this important national object." In addition to this sum (we have been informed) he proposed giving a further subscrip- tion of £1000 ; but his demise took place before he was able to carry his intention into effect. " It will be one of the many permanent monuments of his career," — says the Nation,* " to write the simple truth of him will sound like the hyperbole of an epitaph. Of all the systematic attempts to encourage the ancient or modern lite- rature of Ireland, made for the last twenty years, or to create a wider interest in our arts, history and antiquities, one thing may always be safely assumed, whoever shines like a dial-plate on the front of the transaction, William Elliott Hudson was hard at work at the rear ; the organizers of it were gathered round his hospitable board ; his pen was slaving in its behalf; and his purse opened with a princely munificence to pay its way to success. His contributions to several, totally separate objects within the last few years counted to our certain knowledge, by hundreds of pounds in each case. And he had the singular property, in common with Davis, of being totally indifferent to any reputation for his share in the work, if only it were done. Nor was his literary enthusiasm, as it some- times is in this country, restricted to dead ages and institutions, for- swearing the future and the present."
• Of July 2nd, 1853.
XX
The Council of the Ossianhc Society, fully convinced that William Elliott Hudson had done more for Irish literature than Sir James Ware for its antiquities, and being desirous to pay the best tribute of respect in their power to the memory of one who took so deep an interest in their affairs, whilst it pleased a wise Providence to spare him among them, employed Mr. Geary the eminent photographer, whilst residing in Grafton-street in 1857, to take a likeness of his bust by the celebrated sculptor Christopher Moore, which Mr. Hudson's brothers generously presented to the Eoyal Irish Academy. " It is an admirable piece of sculpture, and having been taken during his life- time, before struggling with ill health, it conveys much of his character, — the clear brow of silent speculation, and the delicate lip of cultivated taste ; the full beaming eye, was beyond all sculpture."*
To the Council of the Royal Irish Academy, the Council of the Ossiaxic Society owe a debt of gratitude, for their kindness in per- mitting Mr. Geary to take the photograph, and they avail themselves of this opportunity to return their heartfelt thanks to that learned body. This photograph has been cut in wood by the eminent engraver Mr. William Oldham of Bedford House, Rathgar, and will in future ornament the title pages of the Transactions of the Ossianic Society ; it is but a small token of the esteem and regard that they still, and must ever cherish for the memory of the man — William Elliott Hudson.
• The Nation, July 2nd, 1853. Dublin, March 1st, 1859.
INTRODUCTION.
EOM the most reliable and best accredited documents re- specting the ancient Irish hand- ed down to us, it appears certain that, not only the monarchy itself but likewise all posts of honor and profit, had become heredi- tary in different septs and fami- lies. Purity of blood was held, of course, a national object of the first importance ; and the lite- rati, therefore, the conservators of historical evidence, were regarded as of the highest authority; as they alone could prove the descent and determine the rank and station of the people ; hence the necessity of the great number of antiquaries, whom we find supported by national endowments. The monarch and the provincial kings, as well as the nobility and the state officers of the crown, being alike of the royal line of Milesius, great care was taken of their genealogy and descent; and every candidate for these various offices was obliged to give: — 1st. proof of descent; Sndly, of his having been a knight, (for in each of the provinces there
XX11
waa an equestrian order) ; 3rdly, that he had no remarkable deformity or blemish ; so that his person might command respect, suitable to his birth and education. No wonder, then, that the genealogies of the different families of the kingdom, of the Milesian race, were preserved with the utmost care. To secure the literati from any temptation to abuse their trust, honorable provision was made for them by the state. From their rank they were presumed to be beyond the reach of corruption ; and the Jaws secured their persons and properties inviolate ; so that, from the founda- tion to the overthrow of the monarchy, a single instance does not occur of any violence being offered to this body of men. Abuses, however, gradually crept into the bardic institution, mainly arising from the number of idlers who enlisted themselves under its banner ; during two or three successive reigns the kingdom was found to be greatly im- poverished by their exactions, until it was found necessary to reduce the number.
Though the monarchy as well as all other posts of honor, was elective, yet, to prevent as much as possible, any in- conveniences which litigated elections might produce, the successor of the monarch was appointed in his lifetime, and was called Righdhomhna, and this, it is observable, is at this day, we believe, the practice in China and other foreign countries. The Ollamhs or Doctors in the various sciences, who were of the most noble families, had also their successors declared in their own lifetime ; and he that was to fill the post of honor, or have command in the state, had his Tan- aiste appointed to succeed him in office. This arrange- ment prevented the evils of incompetency occasionally arising from direct lineal succession.
The provincial kings in their own position, were equal to the monarch in his exalted station. Each had his order of chivalry, of which he was himself the chief, lie had his
XXU1
Ard-draoi or high priest, to superintend religion, his mar- shal, standard-bearer, chief-treasurer, &c, all these ap- pointments were hereditary in families, to which the most distinguished alone in each was chosen by election.
The different military forces of the kingdom were the particular guards of each province. They were a species of standing militia, composed of trained bands called Curaidhe (champions), an order of knighthood into which none were admitted without exhibiting unexceptionable proofs of birth, learning, generosity, valour, and activity.
The particular militia or knights of every province held their head-quarters, or were located near the residence of their chiefs : thus the militia, or knights of Ulster, called Curaidhe-na-Craoibhe-Ruaidhe (champions or heroes of the Red Branch), were stationed at the Royal Fort at Eamhuin (Emania), near Armagh. They were of the Rudrician race, and were commanded in the reign of Conchobhar Mac Nessa, by the famous champion Cuclmllin1, who, accord- ing to the annals of Clonmacnoise, and the Chronicon Sco- torum, died in the second year of the Christian era ; and was succeeded in command by his cousin Conall Cearnach.
Vestiges of the ancient palace of Eamhuin, or Emania,
1 At the time that Cuchullin was chief of the knights of Ulster, in the reign of Conchobhar Mac Nessa, (a celebrated prince of the Rudrician race, king of Ulster, and monarch of Ireland), Conrigh Mac Daire, a renowned champion, and chief of the Clanna Deaghaidh in Munster, was treacherously slain by Cuchullin, in revenge of an indignity which Conrigh offered him, by cutting off his hair when asleep, and taking from him the object of their contention — the beautiful Blanaid, a lady whom they brought captive from Scotland. She showed greater at- tachment to Cuchullin than to Conrigh, and consequently contrived for him an opportunity of perpetrating a horrid and treacherous murder in the palace of Cahirconry, the ruins of which are still extant on Sliabh Mis in Kerry, near which runs the rivulet called Fionn-Ghlaise. For a fuller account of this transaction, see Keatiny'a Ireland, and Smith's Kerry, p. 156, &c.
XXIV
and of the house of Craoibh Ruadh (Red Branch), adja- cent to the palace are still extant, two miles to the west of Armagh, the site retaining the name of the fort of Navan.
The militia or knights of Leinster, were called Curaidhe Ghamhanruighe, or the Damnonians of Gailian, seated at Dun Aellinne, about twelve miles south-east of Almhuin, the place of their head-quarters in that province previous to the time of Fionn's appointment to this post of honour. On his receiving the command, he removed with his force to Almhuin, a place in the county of Kildare, bordering on Hy-Failghe, now Ophaly, which with the adjoining territory he possesses in right of his mother, Murrain Munchaoimh (the fair haired), daughter of Teige Mac Nuadhat. Here he fixed his seat on the far famed hill of Almhuin as a more central point ; and the knights of Leinster were from thenceforth called Curaidhe na h-Almhuine, or the heroes of Almhuin.1
The militia or knights of Connaught, whose chiefs were the Clanna Morna, of the old Belgian or Firbolg race, have been distinguished by the appellation of Curaidhe Iorrais Dun Domhnainn ; a territory in the county of Mayo, their head quarters. The ruins of the Fort of Dun Domhnainn are still extant in Iorras or Erris, the most western part of that county. Goll Mac Morna, according to 0' Flaherty (see Ogygid), commanded the Clanna Morna, at the famous battle of Magh Lena, A. D.192, and was detached by Conn Ccd- chathach as the most able and expert champion to oppose in person his great competitor Mogh Nuadhat. In that engage- ment Conan Mac Morna, who is said to have been the grand- son of Goll, commanded the Clanna Morna in turn ; and ever since the fall of Fionn Ua Baoiscne, A.D. 283, at Rath Bre-
• Almhuin. The ruins of the fort of Almhuin are still extant on the west end of the Curragh of Kildare; and what we corruptly call the " Bog of Allen" at this day, was formerly the forest of Almhuin, in which the knights were accustomed to enjoy the pleasures of the chase.
XXV
ogha, near the Boyne, by the treacherous hands of Athlach Mac Duibhdrein, had frequent contentions with the Clanna Baoiscne for the captain -generalship of the Fians.
The defection of the Clanna Morna from the rest of their corps at the battle of Gabbra, may be attributed not only to their rivalry for the general command, but also, and more particularly to the murder of Conan, their late captain, by the Clanna Baoiscne or Fianna Finn. In many epic poems written by the bards on the achievements of the Fianna Eireann, this Conan is indiscriminately described by the appellations of Conan Maol Mallachtach Mac Morna, and Conan Mac Garraidhe, and might have been brother to Aedh the son of Garadh, the son of Neamen, the son of Morna, from whom the Clanna Morna were named. He was then king of Connaught, and the last of the Firbolg race who governed that province.
The militia, or knights of Desmond, or South Munster, were called Curaidhe Clanna Deaghaidh, or Ua Deaghaigh, a tribe of the Ernaidhs, of the Heremonian race, who, on being expelled from Ulster by the Clanna Rughraidhe, obtained a principality in South Munster.1 These, some time before the birth of Christ, obtained great power in Munster under their leader Deaghadh, who afterwards became king of that province. His posterity succeeded him in power, in West Munster particularly, and were the champions of Desmond. The territory of Luachair Dea- ghaidh, in the county of Kerry, was their patrimony. There still remain on the western extremity of Sliabh Mis, the foundations of an enormous cyclopean structure, supposed to be the palace begun by Conrigh Mac Daire, whose history we have briefly glanced at. This part of the mountain com- mands, perhaps, one of the finest prospects in the world, and still retains the name of Cathair Chonrigh. Fionghlaise, as
1 Vide O'Flaherty's Ogygia, vol. II., pp. 142, 143.
XXVI
already stated, runs down the steep hill on which this ruin is based, and discharges itself into the bay of Tralee, a short distance to the north, corresponding exactly with the de- scription given by history of the fort of Dun Deaghaidh. Mac Luigheach, a famous champion of this sept, command- ed the Clanna Deaghaidh at the battle of Gabbra, and was slain in that engagement, according to the annals of Innis- fallen.
The militia, or knights of Thomond or North Munster, were the Clanna Baoiscne,1 so called from Baoiscne, their principal ancestor, who, according to the Book of Ballimote, now deposited in the library of the Royal Irish Academy, was the second son of Nuada Necht of the royal race of Leinster, and fifth direct ancestor of Fionn the son of Cumhall, the son of Treanmor, the son of Salt, the son of Elton, the son of Baoiscne.
Fionn soon afterwards received the investiture of For- maoil na bh-Fian, a district in Hy-Kinsellagh,2 concerning which there has been much conjecture, by the donation of his cousin and relative Fiachadh Baiceadha,3 then king of Leinster and youngest son of Cathaoir Mor. The Clanna Baoiscne were also called Fianna Finn, whilst Fionn Ua Baoiscne was their leader and before he took the general command. Oisin the son of Fionn was their chief at the battle of Gabhra, in which his son Oscur fell in an ambush, laid for him by Cairbre LifFeachair, monarch of Ireland, A.D. 277.
It is probable that, inasmuch as Ireland was in these early days much exposed to the descents of African and Northern pirates, a strong necessity existed for the formation of these
1 Clanna Baoiscne. For further particulars of this tribe and their territory, see leabAtt rjjk 5-Cearic (Book of Rights), p. 48, n. g.
2 Hy Kinsellagh. Ibid, p. 208, n. g.
J Fiachadh Baiceadha. See Book of Rights, pp. 200, 20JJ.
XXV11
corps of militia — one in each province, which Pinkerton lms ingeniously conjectured, may have been modelled on the plan of the Roman legions in Britain. According to the Cath Fhinn-tragha, their stations were distributed along the coasts, in the most elevated and inaccessible positions ; and in distant view of each other — so as to communicate by signals, the approach of an enemy, and thereby enable them to come to the succour and relief of the fort invaded. Thus, the forts of Iorras Dun Domhnainn in Mayo, and of Cahir Conrigh on Sliabh Mis, in Kerry, though the distance cannot be less than 100 miles were made available ; and the one at Eas Aedh Ruaidh mhic Badharn, (now Assaroe),near Bally shannon, in the county of Donegal, wherein was always posted a strong detachment of the Ulster militia, was brought in view of that of Iorras Dun Domhnainn. These were the coasts most exposed to the southern and northern invaders. But besides this duty as " coast guards," these military orders were charged with the preservation of "law and order" in the interior of the country ; they were bound to send certain detachments yearly to protect the persons of their respective kings. Thus, the guards of Eoghan Mor, were called teaghlach, or household troops. Cormac Mac Airt, whose reign shines so refulgent in Irish history, had for his body-guards, one hundred and fifty of the principal knights of the kingdom, besides one thousand household troops to guard his palace. The guards of the kings of Munster, or Leath Mhogha, were the people of Ossory, whose coun- try formed the extreme boundaries of that kingdom ; and according to the Book of Rights, ascribed to St. Benignus, we find the duty imposed on this people, by the king of Munster was to wait on him constantly, with a certain num- ber of armed troops. The guards of the king of Desmond, or South Munster, were the Clanna Deaghaidh, as has been already stated, and those of the kings of Thomond, or
XXV111
North Munster, were a detachment of the Clanna Baoiscne ; but in latter times for these were substituted the Dal Cais, a most intrepid body of men. The palace of Brian Boroimhe at Killaloe was called Tigh Chinn Coradh, or the house at the head of the weir. It was the duty of the heredi- tary standard-bearer to preserve the royal banner ; to be amongst the foremost of the troops in action, and in the rear on a retreat — for the troops ever kept their eye on the standard, and when the prince was killed (for he seldom or ever survived a defeat), the standard was struck, which was the signal for a retreat : thus, in the sanguinary battle of Magh Mucruimhe, fought between the monarch Art and Mac Con ; on the death of Art we are told by the poet : —
<<(Do cu^c tueiftje c<\c<v Cbu]T)b." Conn's battle standard fell.
Next to this officer sat the hereditary treasurer, whose duty it was to see the king's contributions and taxes regularly paid ; which was always done on the first of November. These taxes were fixed, and a register kept of them ; so that the particular duties, imposed on the different portions of the kingdom, may be the more easily known.1
Besides these state officers, there were a chief justice or brehon, to expound the laws, a poet or ollainh, an historian, antiquary, physician, surgeon or liagh, and chief musi- cian ; and three stewards of the household with their at- tendants constantly residing at court. All these different offices were retained in Ulster, and in parts of Munster and Connaught, until the accession of James I. to the
• In the reign of Cuchorb, king of Leinster, in the first century, Laighsech, of the progeny of Conall Cearnach, progenitor of the present O'Moras, or O'Mores, obtained from that king a territory, in Leinster, i.e. Laoighis or Leix, called after him, on account of his personal bravery and services. He was at the same time appointed treasurer of Leinster, and privileged to take the fourth place at the council board.
XXIX
throne of England : thus, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1601, O'Neill, Prince of Ulster, visited London, in consequence of a promise made by him the previous year to the Queen ; and Camden tells us that " he appeared at court with his guards of Gall-oglachs [Gallowglasscs] bare- headed, armed with hatchets, their hair flowing in locks on their shoulders, on which were yellow shirts dyed with saffron, with long sleeves, short coats, and thrum jackets; at which strange sight the Londoners marvelled much."
The hereditary marshals of Ulster were the O'Gallaghers ; the Mac Cafferies the standard-bearers ; the Mac Sweenys captains of the guards, and the O'Gnives the poets.
The hereditary marshals of Leinster were the O'Connors, princes of Ui Fhailge ; the standard-bearers were the O'Gormans or Mac Gormans, princes of Hy Mairge or Margy; the O'Dempsys, lords of Clanmalier, were the captains of the guards ; the Mac Keoghs were the historio- graphers ; the O'Dorans the brehons ; and the O'Mores were the hereditary treasurers.
The hereditary marshals of Connaught were the Mac Dermods ; the 0 'Flaherties were the standard-bearers ; the O'Kellys of Hy Many were the treasurers; the Maelconaires the historiographers,1 &c. We do not find who the other state officers were ; but the Mac Firbises were the physicians.
The hereditary marshals of Desmond, or South Mun- ster, were the O'Keeffes ; the O'Falveys were the admirals ; for we find in "Toraigheacht Cheallachain Chaisil," an- nounced for publication by the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society, that the fleet was commanded by Failbhe Fionn. We do not find who the standard-bearer and trea- surer were ; but the Mac Egans were the hereditary chief
1 See a paper on the Inauguration of Cathal Crobhdhearg, king of Connaught, A.D. 1244, published in the Transactions of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society for 1853, in which all these offices are noticed.
XXX
justices or brehons, the O'Daly's the poets, and the O'Cal- lanans the physicians, in which family leechcraft is still a favorite profession.
The hereditary marshals of Thomond, or North Munster, were the Mac Namaras ; the standard-bearers the O'Deas, and the O'Gradys were the captains of the guards until about A.D. 1200, at which time they were succeeded in that trust by the O'Gormans or Mac Gormans, who, being compelled by the Danish or English invaders to abandon their principality of Hy-Mairge in Leinster, removed to Owney and Shingal in the county of Limerick, from whence they were invited to Ibh Breacain (now Ibricane), and were granted that lordship under feudal tenure by Donogh Cair- breach 0 'Brian, king of Thomond, who appointed them captains of his guards, and adopted them as his chief favorites and counsellors, by the style and title of *Fi\i 5P&8 U] BbwAir), by which appellation they are constantly styled in our annals, and in the writings of the Mac Brodins, historiographers of Thomond. Cumheadha (Covey) Mor Mac Gormain was, according to Seaan Mac Rughraidhe Mac Craith, (see Caithreim Thoirdhealbhaidk, or Triumphs of Turlogh), one of Donogh O'Brien's Life Guards in the wars of Thomas de Clare in Thomond, and his son Cumh- eadha, succeeded him after his death in 1310.
The Mac Clanchies were the hereditary chief justices or brehons of Thomond, the Mac Craiths the historiographers and poets. The O'Nealons and the O'Hickies were the hereditary physicians. All these public officers of the state had sufficient estates allotted to them for their main- tenance.
In the Book of Ballimote, it is stated that Nuada Neacht, who reigned monarch of Ireland one year, was the fourth son of Setna Sithbhaic (the peaceable) son of Lughaidh Loithfinn, the progenitor of the royal Lagenian
XXXI
race, and second son of Breasal Breac, or the speckled. From this Nuada Neacht is descended the stock of the Lagenians ; he was king of Tara : and it was he who slew Eidirsgeoil Mor, or the Great, the son of the descendant of Iarnaillin, which deed he committed in opposition to Lughaidh Eiamhdhearg, and thereupon he became king of Ireland. From the aforesaid Nuada Neacht descended Fionn Ua Baoiscne and the celebrated Caoiltc Mac Ronain. For Finn's pedigree see page 285.
Some of our Scottish antiquaries have sought from the mere name to represent Fionn as of Scandinavian or rather Finnish origin ! but the attempt is so devoid of proof or evidence, as to be worthy merely of notice as an ingenious paradox. His death occurred, according to the annals of Innisfallen, in A.D. 283, in the fourth year of the reign of Cairbre Liffeachair, when, says our veracious chronicler, fell the celebrated general of the Irish militia, Fionn the son of Cumhall, by the treacherous hand of a fisherman named Athlach, son of Dubhdrenn, who slew him with his fishing spear at Rath Breogha, near the Boyne, whither he had retired in his old age to spend the remainder of his life in tranquillity from the noise and tumult of war.
The collection of poems, which forms the present volume, are taken from copies made b}7' the following scribes : —
The Agallamh is taken from a copy made in 1780 by a Mr. Laurence O'Foran, who kept a village school at Kil- leen, near Portlaw, in the county of Waterford. It con- tains besides, many other interesting poems and prose matters relative to the Fenian period of our history.
The battle of Cnoc-an-air, or Hill of Slaughter, was taken from a large volume compiled about the year 1812, by Clare scribes, for the Rev. Thomas Hill, of Cooreclure, a member of our Societ}' ; it now belongs to Mr. Blake Foster of Knockmoy, county of Galway, who kindly lent
xxxn
it, with permission to make any use the Society required of its contents. Those that follow were taken from a ma- nuscript volume of Fenian poems made in 1844, by Mr. Martin Griffin, an intelligent blacksmith who resides at Kilrush in the county of Clare. The poem entitled Tir na n-Og, or Land of Youth, is accounted for by Mr. O'Looney ; and Dr. O'Donovan has said all that was ne- cessary regarding the curious and valuable tract which he has, suo more, himself so ably edited.
In conclusion, we feel it our duty, ere we close, to tender the warmest thanks of the Society to the President and Council of the Koyal Irish Academy, for the facility they have afforded us in collating our proofs with their valuable collection of manuscripts, whilst our book was passing through the press : also to the Committee of Publication, for their kindness in revising the same.
The English reader will excuse the style, consequent upon our being obliged to adhere as closely as the idioms of the English language would admit to our originals ; and although the translation may be occasionally a little rugged and uneven — yet, on close comparison with the original, it will, we think, be found a faithful and correct rendering.
JOHN O'DALY.
Dublin, March Mth, 1859.
ivojz\)e ?)vnnu)'5\)&vcx)'cvi.
2l52ai2i2t)t) OJSJN 215US PtjSltRSlJC,
SJN If p AbA bo fuAl),
^miS ru*r *'r ^irc An c-fAirn;
bo C]t^i5 cu b0 lui 'y bo neAnc, 5|6 cu]nceA cac a'j* 3leo 3Anb.
130 cjt£|3eAf rrjo luc 'p "K> rjeAnc, 6 tjac njAineAnn cac A5 p]or>n ;
Annp ai? 3-d§i|t t>i'i mo rp^ir^
ceol bA &]f t)i b^rjr) l]orrj.
P. M| cuaIa cu c6rt)-n)Aic bo ceol,1
6 cup ai? bott)A^T) '5U1* At)iu5 ; 5)8 cao] AnrA&, A]tb3lic, l]Ac,
IX n?A]C bO |t|AUpA cl|Aft AU C1JOC.
O. <t)o njAnAmnri cl]A|t ah ctjoc,
a Pl)Ac|tAic ]X bocc nut); yy n)A|]t3 &u|c bo cAjt) tno cnuc, a'f tjAC b-puA|tAf 3UC An b-cujf.
1 Ceol, music. The musical instruments peculiar to the ancient Irish were the harp and bagpipes. The Dord Mann was used on hunting excursions, and may be considered the Fenian horn of the chase, like the hunter's horn of our own day ; but it must be looked upon as a rery simple musical instrument, inasmuch as it was only adapted for the above purpose. But it is believed by Scanchuidhes or reciters
THE DIALOGUE OF OISIN AND PATRICK.
ISIN ! long is thy slumber, Rise up and hear the psalm ; [thee, Thy agility and valor have forsaken Though thou didst engage in battles and fierce conflicts.
0. I have lost my agility and strength,
Since no battalion survives to Fionn ; In the clerics is not my pleasure, Music after him is not sweet to me.
P. Thou hast not heard music equally good,
Since the beginning of the world until this day ; Tho' thou art aged, silly, and grey [haired], Well wouldst thou attend a host on a hill.
0. I used to attend a host on a hill,
0 Patrick of the morose disposition ; 111 it becomes thee to traduce my form, As I have never been aspersed till now.
of Fenian tales that the Dord was also used as a war-trumpet to summon the Fenian chiefs to battle. We are not aware that any specimen of it is preserved in our national museums. For a learned dissertation on ancient Irish musical instruments, see Cambrensis Eversus, Vol. I., Ch. IV., edited by the Rev. M. Kelly, D.D., for the Celtic Society.
4
O, <Do cuaUj- cool bA bjijrje t)A bup 3-ceel,
51& rr>6rt rvol&y cu au cl|<vp ; f5AlcA|ii;Ac lo]t) LeitfteAc Lao],1 Y avj ^ao]6 bo 5i)j8 at? <Doftb 7~bl^t)t>-
SrnolAC fto-b|V)T) 5leAt)t)A S3A1I,2
\)b 1170113 A^jt t)A rrj-bA^tc A5 buATi) rie cpA|5 ; bA b]i)i;e \\ort) crio^b tjA 5-cot), t;A too fSoV-fA, a cle||tj3 ca|8.
Cpu3 bcifteofl, Ci)u trjo cu||ip, ai; c-aBac bcA3 bo bj A3 "Fiovm) ; At) uAjjt bo f-qiwcAb cu]ri a'|* pu||ic, bo cujfteAb f]i)t) a b-coTftcirt) piA^i).
BUcijA^b At) itrjeAi) 63,
i?ac b-cu3 rt)6ib b'peAjt £AOi 'i) T)-3ft&1i) ;
acc ArbA]i) bo Cbr>u be]|ieoil,
oc ! a PbAtjiAic, bA b]vv a beAl !
21t) bA 3AbA^t b&A3 bo b] A3 "p]Ot)tj, 'i) uaiji bo le]3q ]Ab y:o TjleAtji) Kac ;4 bA b|i}t)e t)A AbbA C]U|l, ']* a t)-A3A|8 o'o c-Siuip5 ATOAC.
1 SoaIcatiijac loji) leicneAc Iaoj, the song of the blackbird 0/ Letter Lee. The blackbird, the thrush, the seagull, the eagle and the raven, are the birds most often commemorated by the Fenian muse. The njiol rtjuise (cur hare), the nA*> riu.\6, or red deer, the buck and doe, the cone, or wild boar, and the efi aUca, or V aoI.cu, the wolf, were the objects of their chase. Letter Lee is not yet identified.
2 SleAtjn At) S5A1I, i.e., the gl&n or vale of Seal. In the Miscellany of the Celtic Society, p. 24, the following note appears : —
" Seal linlbh, i.e., Seal the Stammerer. O'Flahcrty says that Bania, daughter of Seal Balbh, king of Finland, was the Queen of Tuathal Teachtmhar, monarch of Ireland, A. D. 130. A personage of the same 11; rae seems to have flourished in Ireland, from the many places named after him, as Gleann-an-Scail in the county of Antrim, Lcac-an-Scail, a great Cromleac in the county of Kilkenny, and Lcacht-an-Scail, i.e., 8 al's monument, in the barony of Corcaguiny, county of Kerry."
There is also 5b»At)tj an ScajI, and ¥lb>\it)t) At) ScajI, about ten miles west of Dingle. leAcc At) ScajI is still in existence. By accenting the letter a in the word ScA|l these localities would mean the glen of the Bhadc or shadow.
0. I have heard music more melodious than your music, Tho' greatly thou praisest the clerics ; The song of the blackbird of Letter Lee, And the melody which the Dord Fiann made.
The very sweet thrush of Gleann-a-sgail,
Or the dashing of the barks touching the strand ; More melodious to me was the cry ot the hounds, Than of thy schools, 0 chaste cleric.
Little Cnu, Cnu of my heart, The small dwarf who belonged lo Fionn : When he chaunted tunes and songs, He put us into deep slumbers.
Jilathnaid, the youthful maid,
Who was never betrothed to man under the sun,
Except to little Cnu alone,
0, Patrick, sweet wTas her mouth.
The twelve hounds which belonged to Fionn, When they were let loose through Glen Rath ; Were sweeter than musical instruments, And their face outwards from the Suir.
3 Cnii. Dr. O'Donovan says that Cnu was taken by Fionn near a Silk (a fairy haunt) in Magh Feimhean, an extensive plain situated near Siiabh-na-m-ban in the county of T ipperary, (see leAbAn 'J.\ 5-CeAnc, Book of Rights, p. 18, note b), and that he was scarcely tail enough to reach the strings of the harp. From the frequent allusion made to him in Ossianic Poetry, in connection with Fionn, he seems to have been his chief musician, by whose soothing strains the Fenians were lulled into deep and heavy slumbers. Cnu or Cno, also signifies a nut or kernel ; and one of the prettiest ballads ever written by the late Edward Wash, was entitled " Mo Chraoibhin Cno" (my cluster of nuts) commencing thus :_ " My lie-art is far from Liffey's tide. And Publin town ; It strays beyond the Southern side
Of Cnoc Maul Donn : Where Ceapa Chuinn hath woodlands green, Where Ahhuin Mlior's waters flow ; Where dwells unsung, unsought, unseen,
Mo riiraoihhin Cno. Low clustering in her leafy green.
Mo Chraoibhin Cno."
6 O. T><x H>&aI beA5 ^Artj-fA Aft prjiOTjT),
X)\ TlAbATTJAfl AT)T) ACC Cli]3 f jTl b<JA3 J
bo 5AbAri7A|t ]ti3 SA3f at) o* b-pleA6,
Y bo cu]rieArt)Ari cac ajti ^115 3p^3.
<t)o 5AbATTjA]t At) Jr)b]A rrjott,
bA TTJOft ATI T)eA|tC A5U|* ATI b-CTieAT) J CTl]OC 1.0clAlT)T) 'f AT) Jt)b]A fO|ft,
bo C13 a 3-cuib 6|Ti 30 ceAC ^f\)\r)X).
"CU5 f© T)AO] 5-CACA fAtl SpAjlJ,
Y TJAOJ b-p]CC]b CAC A T)-BfT«1T)t) Ulll ; T)]'l 6't) C-fJtUC 'iJATl bA^fCeAb C^OTT,
Dac b-c^eAb a 5-ciof 50 ceAC "pbft)r>.
"Cu5 f© OCC 5-CACA fAT) SpA|T) ceAf,
a'j* AiTibTt]5 1,ocIa|T)T) aiti lAirb le||* ; if be acc bo b] at) borbAT) f A r)A c]Of, if e bA Ti]5 A||t ad T)-3|tei5 bis.
« SleAnn Rac, Glen of the Ratht. Not traceable in the Four Masters, nor in the publications of the Irish Archaeological Society.
8 S|U|ri, the river Suir. This river has its source in Sliabh Ailduin, better known as Greim an Diabhail, (the Devil's Bit mountain), in the county of Tipperary. It takes a circuitous rout by Thurles, Holy- cross, Caher, Ardfinan, Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, and Waterford ; and, being joined by the rivers Nore and Barrow, An Fbeoifi asut an l^earibA (hence the appellation «' Sister Rivers"), at Cheek Point, six miles below Waterford, falls into the British Channel. Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Conmara, a Munster Poet of great celebrity, describes its waters thus, (see Poets and Poetry of Munster, p. 48) ; —
' ' Uirse t)A Slum© A5 bTiuccafe 'ha f I65A1&, Coir bAt)-cno|c G|TieAnn O15."
While the waves of the Suir, noble river ! ever flow, Near tho fair Hills of Eire, O !
The poet Spenser, in his Faerie Queen, describes the scenery of these rivers (with which wc happen to be familiarly acquainted), thus. See Book IV., Canto XL, Verse XLIII. :—
'• The first, tho gentlo Shurc, that making way By sweet Clonmell, adornea rich Waterforde ;
The noxt, the stubborne Newro, whoso waters gray. By fair Kilkenny and Rosaoponte boord ,
0. I have a little story respecting Fionn, We were but fifteen men ; We took the king of the Saxons, of the feasts, And we won a battle against the king of Greece.
We conquered India, the great,
Great was our strength and our might ; The country of Lochlin and eastern India, Their tribute of gold comes to the bouse of Fionn.
He fought nine battles in Spain,
And nine score battles in noble Erin ;
There is no country from the river in which Christ
was baptised, Whose tribute did not come to the house of Fionn.
He fought eight battles in southern Spain, And Lochlin's chief king was his captive ; Full wholly the world was under tribute to him, 'T was he was king of Minor Greece.
The third, the goodly Barow, which'doth hoord Great heapes 8f salmones in his deepe bosome;
All which long sundred, doe at last accord To ioine in one, ere to the sea they come. So flowing all from one, all one at la9t become."
Spenser must be in error when attributing the same source to these
rivers; as the Barrow rises in Sliabh Bladhma in the Queen's County.
But we must presume he followed Giraldus Cambrensis— he being the
only writer on Irish history who fell into this mistake. See Haliday's
Keating, p. 29, Dub. 1809. Cambrensis Eversus, Vol. I., p. 123. This
river formed a fruitful theme for the Munster Poets of the last century ;
and Eoghan Ruadh O'Suilliobhain, a native of Sliabh Luachra in Kerry,
who died A.D. 1784, and is buried at Nohoval near Mill-street, wrote a
very beautiful Jacobite ballad to the air of Caiseall Mumhan, in which
he introduces it thus : —
"?r)A|&ion briuccA le b-A]r t)A Sium© 'r n>e 50 cati^c-Us faoi)." Beside the Suir on a dewy morning I was feebly laid.
and a street ballad, which is very popular in Munster, commencing thus : — " The very first day I left Carrick, Was the twenty-ninth day of last June."
describes its scenery most graphically.
8
O. StJ^IPS &Arf)f<v b'pAT) bA 6]f,
'T 5ai? ">° TT&ir * 5-cluicce 'ij* 3-ceol ;
Alt) 8ot)A1) Cjtjoi) bAjcle A1) C-fluA|5,
bAtt) if c^iuAj bo bejc bed !
Jf CflUAS, A Pb^C|tA]C, A1) f5&Al,
me be^c cAjt §^ t)A b-peAji 50 p At)t) ; A3 ejfceAcc fie cIjaji 'f CI03,
Y me Ati) feAt)6|fi bocc 6aII.
<t>A Tt7Al|tfeA& 7^01)1) A3Uf At) "pblAIJ,
bo c|i6i3nv!7n CW *'t cl°i3;
bo leAi)pA|T?ij At? jqAb po't) t)-3leAi)i),
Y bA ri)|At) l|ott) b|te|c aji a cojf.
jAflft, A PbACjtAjC, OeAtt) Afl <t>blA,
b"pb]ot)t) da b-"F|At)D 'f b& cU]t)t) ; beAtj 3uj8e aji At) b-flAjc,
Y V*c 3-cuaIa8 a cotb-tt)Aic jieb' l^o-
P. Nj |A|t|t|rAb-f a ijeAri? b'pbiotji),
* F1T« SniW |»feV eiri13 tt)YeAri5 ;
Y 31171 b'e a tbjAi) fte t)<x ljt)t), bejc a t)3ljt)t) A3 fl^r*1? feAh;.
O. <Da it)-be]ceA-]*A pA|t|tAif At) "pbjAi?,
a cleijtjTj t)<v S-cljAji Y UA 5-CI03; l)j CAbAJipA c'A]|te bo <DbjA, 1)A bO ]t|Aft cljAJl A3Uf f5ol.
P. Nj Cftej5p|t)t)re tt)AC <De bj,
A|l A b-CA|l)|3 fo,|l A3Uf f|AJi;
a Oirfu, a f|le bu]3,
If Olc ^CAf bll]C bjol 1)A 3-cliAf.
9
0. Woe is me that have remained after him,
My delight not being in games or music ; But being a withering wretch after the host, To me it is sad to be alive !
0 Patrick, sad is the tale, To be after the heroes, thus feeble ; Listening to clerics and to bells, Whilst I am a poor, blind, old man.
If Fionn and the Fenians lived,
I would abandon the clerics and the bells ; I would follow the deer through the glen, And would fain lay hold of his leg.
0 Patrick, ask heaven of God,
For Fionn of the Fenians and his clan ;
Pray for the chief,
Whose equal has not been heard of in your time.
P. I will not ask heaven for Fionn,
0 subtle man against whom hath risen my ire ;
Since it was his delight in his time,
To dwell in glens pursuing the noisy chase.
0. Hadst thou been in company with the Fenians, 0 cleric of the priests and bells ; Thou wouldst not give heed to God, Or to the attending on clerics and schools.
P. I would not forsake the Son of the living God, For all that have been east or west ; 0 Oisin, 0 soft bard, Thou wilt fare ill for depreciating the clerics.
10
O. Ba n)jAt) |te "piorjt) t)* b-pUc
fjArjfAr) a cot) a b-£<\b Ajfi fljAb ; co]X) aIIca1 A5 pA5bAil cua]t), r^oftSiv^l a f-luAij bA \)-& a nj]Atj.
P. Jf jonjSA i^iat) bo bi A3 7^01)0,
t)AC 5-cuipxeAjt fu|tr> At)T) bA §|f; i)] TT)A|jteAr)t) piotjr; r>A A cojt), V i?1 rbAijtjqb cufA, a 0]ni) p6]l.
o. )x Tpo bo rs^i V]°w da nw»
'f T)A A b-CA|tJ13 |ie A|t l]TJt) |t]Arb ;
a t)beACAi8, Y a b-pu]l bed, b'peA|t]t T^otjt) pAOj ojt t)A ]Ab.
P. 3<*c ^T1 bftoijijAif a'i* T^orjrj b'ojt,
|f olc |tACA|* bo 'suf bu]c; CA f£ A T)-TP|teAT)t) a tjjeAll, rtjAri bo 5irj8eAb ye&W a'f bjtuib.
O. )\ be^3 a c|teib|it)-fe bob 5I0JI,
A f ]]t 6't) KojTT) t)A le^bAjt Tt)-b^T) J
30 rt)-be]c piotjr), At) ^Ia]C p|All,
A5 beATT)AtJ t)A A3 b]AbAl A|jt lAjtTJ.
1 Cojo aIIca, i. e., wiW <fo$rs, wolves. These animals seemingly afforded a vast amount of amusement to the Fenians in their hunting excursions ; and until very recently they were not altogether banished from Ireland. In the Irish Penny Journal, there is an article on Natural History by the late H. D. Richardson, a gentleman who devoted much of his time to thiB pursuit, in which he states that wolves were killed in Wexford in 1730 — 40; and one on the Wicklow mountains so late as 1770. In the Banquet of Dun na ngcdh, &c. published by the Irish Archaeological Society, and edited by Dr. O'Donovan (p. 189), it is stated that the last native wo'f seen in Ireland was killed on a mountain in the county of Kerry, in the year 1725 ; and at pp. 64, 65 (idem) we are told that when Dublidhnlh, the Druid, foretold the fate of C'ongal
11
0. A delight to Fionn of the heroes
Was the cry of his hounds afar on the mountain ;
The wolves starting from their dens,
The exultation of his hosts, that was his delight.
P. Many a desire Fionn had,
Which are disregarded after him,
Fionn or his hounds live not,
Nor shalt thou live, 0 generous Oisin.
0. A greater loss is Fionn than we,
And all that have ever lived within our time ; All that ever passed away and all that are living, Fionn was more liberal of his gold than they.
P. All the gold which Fionn and you bestowed, 'Tis of no avail to him or thee ; He is in hell in bondage, Because he committed treachery and oppression.
0. Little do I believe of thy talk,
0 man from Rome of the white books, That Fionn, the hospitable chief, Could be detained by demon or devil.
Claen, in a most satiric strain, the following reference is made to the wolf: —
" CUUXJTX OCUr bUl&t)6 b|lA17,
cTtiqbficqo c]t)t) bun 5-cufiA&, co ttinjcAjt 5A)t)6Anj 5TM0& 5IA17, i)j b-&n\e&ri)£&i\ e]i)b UIa6."
Wolves and flocks of ravens Shall devour the heads of your heroes, Until the fine clean sand is reckoned, The heads of the Ultonians shall not be reckoned. The only specimen of the Irish wolf-dog now in Ireland, that we are aware of, is in the possession of Mr Conyngham Moore of Strand-street in this city.
12
P. TLb }:]onv a T)-|FfteAt}]} Afjt Iaittj,
aij jreAft fArb bo bftor)t)A8 6|t ;
A J)-e|ft|C eAfUflflArtJA A||l <t)blA, CA fe &-CeAC tJA b-piAt) £AOJ bftOI) !
O. <Da tt)-beifc>jr cl<\r>r>A 2t)6ftt)A Arq-5,
r>6 cIat?t)a B*.o|fcr>e, i)A p|ji bA cjieAt) ;
bO beAJtfrAbAOff 7~10T?^ A")AC, 1)6 bO bjA8 ATJ CeAC AC A 1f&]V-
P. C1115 66|3e (b]\\e&vv, fro peAC,
Y da feAcc 5-CACA bj fAp b-peir)!?; r>i c]ub|iAi&i]- }~|Ot)r) An)*c,
5&'fi TT»6fi a tjeAjtc A5uf a b-cjie]r>.
O. ^A rtJA]|tpeA6 pAolAt) A5Uf 3°U>
^DiAjtr^ujb boi;i) A*f Ofcufi A^j, a b-c]5 bAtt curt) beArbAt) T)iv 43] a, T)] be|C T^otjt) i)A b-*piAi)i) aji lAfri).
P. <t)& TDAiftpeAb f&ol'&r) A5uf 5°U>
Y a fiAjb Ai)t) bo't) b-"pe|t;T} fijAri); T)] qubfiAib|f "pioijt) An)AC,
Af At) ceAC 't)A b-pu|l A b-p|Al).
O. CjieAb bo ftp ¥]°W ^MT1 ^blA,
acc be|c A5 |t|A|t cIjaji Af f5ol ; 5TteA]* rrjoft A5 bfior;r)A& At) 6] ft,
Y 5|teA|* e|le fte njejbjfi a coi).
p. 21 o^eAll fie njcfbf fi i;a 3-coi;,
Y le ftiAft t)A f5ol 5AC aot) l^v ;
Y 3AT? ^IT10 A13e AHl (t>bfA,
ac<\ "Fioi^n ija K-)r|At)r) ajji lAjn).
1>J
P. Fionn is in hell in bonds,
The pleasant man who used to bestow gold ; In penalty of his disobedience to God, He is now in the house of pain in sorrow.
0. Were the Clanna Morna within,
Or the Clanna Baoisgne, the mighty men ;
They would take Fionn out,
Or would have the house to themselves.
P. The five provinces of Eirin severally,
And the seven battalions which tb.e Fenians had ;
They could not deliver Fionn,
Tho' great might be their prowess and strength.
0. If Faolan and Goll lived,
Diarmuid the brown-haired and Oscar the noble ; In any house that demon or God ever formed, Fionn of the Fenians could not be in bondage.
P. If Faolan and Goll lived,
And all the Fenians that ever were ; They would not bring Fionn out, From the house where he is in pain.
0. What did Fionn do to God,
Except to attend on hosts and schools;1
A great while bestowing gold,
And another while delighting in his hounds.
P. Because of the amusement of the hounds, And for attending the schools each day ; And because he took no heed of God, Fionn of the Fenians is in bonds.
1 That is to say, bardic schools.
14
O. 21 be|Jl CUfA, A Pb&CftA]C 1)A riAt)t),
t)AC b-C|ubflA6 At) "pbl^r)t) T^Ot)!) AtTJAC J
tja cii]3 co^e 6|neAt)t) led, 36'ti rbojt a rjeAftc frAoj peAC.
"Ca f^&Al beA5 A3AtT)-f A Aft ^blODt), t)j TlAbAIT)A|t AT)t) ACC CUJ5 f ]ri bfcA5 J
bo 5AbAtt)Aji |tis BtieACA]T) tjA b-pleA6, le T?eAjtc Aft fleA5 'suf aji Iaoc.
<t)o 3AbA6 l|T)t) 2t)A3t)U|* rrjoft,
ttjac |t|5 LocIattji) i)a Iot>3 ttj-bfieAC ;
cAT)3Att)A|t 3A0 b|toi?, 3*t) rs1°r»
'f bO CU|fteA1T)A|l Aft 3~C]Of A b-pAb. 21 Pb&CflAfC, ff C|IUA3 At) ]*5&aI,
At) Ki3-f6]t)t)i& beft; pAOi sUr ; Cftojbe 5AIJ A]r>5]&eACC, 5At) puAc,
CftOf8e CflUAf6 A5 COJ*t)AttJ CAC. )X feA3C01|l t)Aft rbAfc le tojA,
6ft A'f b|A8 bo CAbAjjtc bo rjeAc; trjojt bjulcAjb f]Ot)t) CfteAt) t)A rfiuA3, IFfteArw fmAfi rrjA'r e a ce<xc !
2t)|At) TtJIC Cbutt)A]U fTA tfjAfC 3t)AO|,
efrreACc fie f^AOfb1 ObftortjA toejf^ ;2
COblA £A fjtUC (^AfA KuAf8,3
Y ^|Ab 5bAjlltbe t)A 5-cuAi) bo fe|l5.
1 £ao|6 signifies a voice, hum, or sound.
* t>ttoti) beans, literally the red ridge. In the OLs&tt&tT) i)A SeAtjojnis, a very curious tract containing a complete history of the T]&vi}& G]\\]oijr), it is stated that rj^oti) beans was the ancient name of Drumcliff, a small village in the barony of Carbury, and county of Sligo, remarkable for the remains of an ancient Round Tower, frftotij beAns was a'80 tne an" cient name of t)ui) ba. loAcsUr, now Downpatrick, where a great battle was fought, A.D. 1260, between Brian O'Neill and Hugh mac Felim [O'Conor], and the Galls of the North of Ireland, in which many of the Irish chiefs were slain ; which event formed the subject of a long poem
15
0. Thou say est, 0 Patrick of the psalms,
That the Fenians could not take Fionn out ; Nor the five provinces of Erin with them, Tho' great might be their individual strength.
I have a little story respecting Fionn, We were but fifteen men in number ; We took the king of Britain, of the feasts, By the might of our spears and of our heroes.
Magnus the Great was taken by us, [ships ;
The son of the king of Lochlin of the speckled We returned without grief or weariness, And extended our tribute afar.
0 Patrick, woful is the tale,
That the Fenian king should be in bonds ; A heart devoid of spite or hatred, A heart stern in maintaining battles.
It is not just that God should not feel pleased, At bestowing gold and food on one ; Fionn never refused mighty or wretched, Even though cold hell be his doom.
'Twas the desire of the son of Cumhall of noble mien, To listen to the sound of Dromderg ; To sleep at the stream of Eas Ruaidh, And to chase the deer of Gal way of the bays.
for the pen of Gilla Brighde Mac Conmidhe, chief poet of Ulster at the time, published in the Miscellany of the Celtic Society, p. 146. Fionn had a son named Dearg, whose adventures formed a theme for poetic romance, and from whom the place may derive its name.
3 ear Ruai6, or Eas Aedha Ruaidh, Assaroe, the Salmon Leap, a cata- ract on the river Erne, at the town of Ballyshannon in Tir Chonaill (Tyrconnell), i.e., the country of Conall, which was nearly co-extensive with the present county of Donegal, and takes its name from Conall Gulban, the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. — Book of Rights, p. 34, note p. See also Oss. Soc. Trans , Vol. III., p. 115, note 8.
10
O. SsAlcAfinAc loin l.&jcpeAc Iaoj,
coi;t) Hu^fiAi&e1 A3 buA]i) pe c|ta]j j bojtbAT) at) bA|iT) 6 TT7A15 2t)bAOirj,2 bu|tjte at; Iaoj3 6 5bleAt)T) &A niAi,!..3
F03AT1 rell3e r^1^e 3-CTtoc,*
piiAjrrj tia r>-op u]rt) fl]Ab 5-CuA ;6 Tt70t)5A1|t fAOjleATIt) Jojiriuif6 caII, 5A]|t TIA TTI-bA&b Of CIOTTT) AT) C-fluAJ.
CuriT)Arb crteAc t?a TTj-bAjtc fie cotjt),
AT)-UA]U COT)A]]tC bO tobflUITTT-l]]* )7 bfllACflA Bb^AIT) A 5"CtTOC ATT A]Tt,8
V 3^11* ^A |*T*eAb uirri fljAb 2t)it*.9
51ao6 0fcui|t A5 bul bo feil.5,
50CA 5a8aji A|t Le|]t5 t>a b-'phjATiT) ;10 bejc t)a fuibe a TTieAT/3 tja Ti-bATfj, bA \)-& fin bo 51) Ac a rbjATi.
2t)]AT1 bO TT1]AT)A|b OfCU||X -pfe-jl,
be]c A3 ejpceAcc jte h'e]ixy f5lAC ; bejc a 3-CAc A3 co|*3A|t ctiatt),
bA \)-h X \V &0 3T)AC A TT7|ATT.
1 Cotjt) Ru5TiAi6e, the wave of Rughraidhe ; a loud surge on Traigh Rudhraidhe, in the Bay of Dundrum in the county of Down, which drowned Rudhraidhe, the son of Partholan Four Masters, p. 1189.
s 2n&5 2T)aoitj, the plain of Maori, otherwise called Maonmhagh, a ce- lebrated plain lying around Loughrea, in the county of Galway, the inheritance of the Clanna Moirne.
3 5leAt)0 && njajl, Glen of the two heroes.
4 Sl)*b 5-Ctxoc, Sliabh g-Crot. Now Mount Grud, in the townland of Mount Uniack, parish of Killarory, barony of Clanwilliam, and county of Tipperary. The fort and castle of Dun-g-Crot are situated at the foot of this mountain, in the Glen of Aherlow [near Bansha] . — Four Masters, Ed. J. O'D., A.D. 1058, note y.
• S'lAb Cua, Sliabh Cua. Now the parish of Seasgnan in the county of Waterford, situated about midway on the road from Clonmel to Dun- garvan ; and chiefly inhabited by the middle class of farmers, many of whom have amassed considerable wealth by agricultural pursuits.
17
0. The warbling of the blackbird of Letter Lee, The wave of Rughraidhe lashing the shore ; The bellowing of the ox of Magh-maoin, And the lowing of the calf of Gleann-da-mhail.
The resounding of the chase of Sliabh g-Crot, The noise of the fawns round Sliabh Cua ; The seagulls' scream on Iorrus yonder, Or the screech of the ravens over the battle-field.
The tossing of the hulls of the barks by the wave, The yell of the hounds at Drumlish ; The cry of Bran at Cnoc-an-air, Or the murmur of the streams about Sliabh Mis.
The call of Oscur going .to the chase,
The cries of the hounds at Leirg-na bh-Fiann ; To be sitting amongst the bards, That was his desire constantly.
A desire of the desires of the generous Oscur, Was to listen to the clashing of shields ; To be in battle hacking bones, That was his desire constantly.
Mr. James O'Keeffe, of Mountain Castle in the adjoining parish, Modeligo, holds considerable landed property in this parish. One of the five pre- rogatives of the King of Cashel was to pass over Sliabh g-Cua with [a band of] fifty, after pacifying the south of Eire. — Booh of Rights, p. 5.
« lonriur, Erris. An extensive and wild barony in the north-west of the county of Mayo — Four Masters.
i tJnujnj-lir- Now Drumleasef an old church in ruins, near the east extremity of Lough Gill, in the barony of Dromahaire, and county of Leitrim — Four Masters, Ed. J. O'D., A.D. 1360, note i.
8 Cqoe-An-kin, the Hill of Slaughter. A romantic hill in the county of Kerry, situated near Ballybunian, at which there was a great battle fought by the Fenians in the second century.
9 Sl]Ab STJir. Now Slieve mish, a mountain in the barony of Trough- anackmy, in the county of Kerry. There is also another mountain of the same name in the barony of Lower Antrim in the county of Antrim. — Booh of Rights, p. 23, note x.
2
IS
O. Se tqjt b&A5 bo cuAbrnAjt piAft,
bo fe]\$ 50 "pojtrr)AOi,l t)A b-"p|Ai)i) ;' lA|ri) jte l)-eAbAT) ct)0|C at) ScajI, b'fr&ACA|T) ceAb iiaca Aji 5-co|leAtj.
2li)mAT)r)A At) bA occaiji. 3|tyr>t7, bo beAnAb bu|c a 'CbAihjiijrj; bejc bA r)-bet.f* i,f tftuAJ At) cujf, ttjot)ua|i if rtjeAlA At) |ort)cujf*.
2t)e fret.!) 'r At) pUic T^jow,
a']* mo rt)AC Of*cu|t t)A tt)-beirt)eAt)t); *X *t) ce bo buA^i) O BAOi,r5t)e At; bnujb, At) peA]t bub O t)u|bt)e, *D]*|injtt]b.
"Ca]T)|3 l|t)T) "pAolAl) peAtibA,
a'|* cTti,utt rt)AC 2lot)ceAnnbA B&AnnA;
5lAr, Af 5e^nTt» A'r 5o^a dau jadd,
bo cleACc rt)6n-eACC a 5-corf)lAt)t).
■Ca]T)15 l|t)ij Con&t) 5 At) tt)oi,t)3,2
a't; CaoI ceAb^oirteAC o't) G>Att)u|t)t) ; rt)AC LuJAjb t)A|t bAt)bA, Ay i)An ca||#, a'i* "Soil tt)AC 2t)6|it)A bo't) pufjtirjt).
10 lento-TJA-b-^iAijTj, an eminence or slope on the side of some hill in Leinster, but not identified, where the Fenian hunters were wont to muster preparatory to starting for the chase.
1 FortnjAOjl da b V]At) Formaoil of the Fenians. There is a place called Formoyle in the barony of Upper Ossory, in the Queen's County, the estates of William Palliser and Jonah Barrington, Esqrs., also of Mrs. Judith Wheeler, as heirs at law, and Oliver Wheeler, Esq. of Grenane, of which we have a large map on vellum, made in July, !?48, by Thomas 1 ling. From its contiguity to the Hill of Almhuin in Kildare, where Fionn had bis palace, it is likely to be the Formaoil referred to in the text ; but there is another £oTtn)AO|l at Drandon bay in the county of Kerry, to the north of Crjoc at) ScaiI; and in Professor Connellan's Dissertation on Irish Grammar (Dub. 1834), p. 50, mention is made of .1 1 lane near Cill Easbuig liroin in the county of Sligo, called ^onnjAoil ija t-FiATjn, by the Irish-speaking people of the district, who allege that the Formaoils were the hospitals of the Fenians.
19
0. We went westwards sixteen men in number, To hunt at Formaoil of the Fenians ; Nigh the face of Cnoc an Scail, To see the first running of our hounds.
The names of the two mirthful eights I shall relate, 0 Tailgin ; To live after them is a sad fate, Woe and sorrow are my lot.
Myself, and Fionn , the chief, And my son Oscur of the blows ; And he who delivered O'Baoisgne from bondage, The black-haired O'Duibhne Diarmuid.
There came with us Faolan the manly, And the three sons of Aonchearda Bearra ; Glas, and Gearr, and Gobha the generous, Who were accustomed to great feats in battle.
There came with us Conan without hair,
And Caol, the hundred-wounder, from Eamhuin ; Mac Lughaidh who was neither effeminate nor weak. And Goll Mac Morna was of the band.
* Cotj&n 5*1) ii)oit)5, i.e., Conan without hair. This is the celebrated Conan Maol so often referred to in these poems, and of whom there are many ludicrous stories told. He was called Maol from the loss of his hair, being bald-pated ; but the term Maol also signifies a person of low stature, or the humblest menial in any employment. Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Conmara, a Munster poet of the last century, in his Eachtra Ghiolla an Amallain, applies the term thus :—
" Njojt coj^t bAtt) reAlAb bejc cah)aI n)At\ ri)Aol beA5,
A5 n°rt)Att, »)6 as 5^afa6, i)6 A5 cA|tcA& t)A c\\b reAl." It was not right for me to be for a while like little Maol, Digging, or hoeing, or tossing the clay. There are various families in Ireland who derive their patronymic from this term, viz. Maolruanaidh, Maolbrighde, Maolmhichil, Maoldamh- naidh, Maoilsheachlainn, Maolmhuire, &c.
20
O. too h] 't)A|i ir»-bu]8|r) l,|A3Ai) luA|rni)CAC,
TT)A|t AOt) A.'f toAjfte buATJAC J
3obA 3AO^ce a'j* CorjcADAfi At) A13,
A'f CAO|lce C|tAt)r)CA]|t H?AC RorjAlt).1 too b| BflAT;) A1|t CO]t)&]U A3 plOtJT),
AV IT ^ArrjfA bo h) Ss^oIai);
peAftAI} A3 to|AflTTUMb T)A TT)-bAT},2
a']* 218t)ua|U AgrpAfi A3 Ofxuft.
6]le b]teAC A3 "pAolar) rrjAC T^blDt?*
A3 3^r rt^<xc 2lor>ceA|t]tbA BeAjtjtA, 6ic]ll ; A3 5e^Tlft> AV A3 3°bA t)a 15-eAc t^Iai), bo b] "peAb A3111* "poj*cA]3.
too b| SeAjtc A3 Cor)AT) rr;Aol,
a'|" G|j*ceAcc A3 CaoI |te ija cAob ; A3 tu3A]8 lAjbjfl 'f A3 3^1U bo b] "puA]!!) A3UI* 'pocftArrj.
too bj LiiAf A3 LiA5<\r) luAirnoeAC,
A'f toACCAOJIJ A3 toA||te bllA1)AC ;
t&inj A3 5°bA 3AOjce ai? 5tMt>r>, a'|* toAol A3 CAOjlce rt}AC Koi;A]t).
S3AO]lccA|i bu]i)t) 3a8aiji w]c 2t)bo|it)A, ^a imeAllA]b cvjoc tja b-eAjijqb; £A C]urbA|*Aib cojipo|ibA Cbo|tA|r>r),3 a'j* beAl r)A lorbAi)4 jte pArjAjb.
2lf r-ub j-ojft 50 bejtjt) BocAifi/ l]i)t) bA ceolrbAfi A|i i)-a8a[ica ; pi ft tobAffte a 3-C01II 50 3uic-b]iw,
A'f* ]Ab A5 Op)AbA]l A||l cAjocjb.
1 2f)ae Koij^io, Mac Ronain. The chief occupation of Mac Ronain in the Fenian ranks was to draw lots whenever any spoil was to be divided ; hence the epithet Crannchair, of the lot.
2 t3|ATtn)U|& tja n)-bATj. This is Diarmuid O'Duibhne, the subject of our
21
0. There was in our company Liagan the nimble, Together with Daire of the duans ; Gobha Gaoithe and Connor the valiant, And he of the lots, Cailte Mac Ronan.
Fionn held Bran in a blip,
And 'twas I that held Sgeolann ; Diarmuid of the women held Fearan, And Oscur held the lucky Adhnuaill.
Faolan, the son of Fionn, held the speckled File, And Glas, the son of AonchearrdaBearra, held Eitill; 'Twas Gearr and Gobha of the pure steeds, Who held Fead and Fostuigh.
Conan the bald held Searc,
And Caol at his side held Eisteacht ; Lughaidh the mighty, and Goll, Held Fuaim and Fothram.
Liagan, the nimble, held Luadhas,
And Daire of the duans held Dathchaoin ; Gubha Gaoithe, the merry, held Leim, And Caoilte Mac Ronan held Daol.
We let loose the hounds of Mac Morna,
Throughout the borders of hills in numbers ; Round the borders of Corann of the rocks, While the fawns led down hill.
Thence eastwards to the peak of Bothar, Most musical were our horns ; The sweet-voiced men of Daire in the wood, While shouting at the herds.
third volume, who is said to have had a ball seirce, or beauty spot on his left breast, which caused any woman who saw it to fall in love with him.
3 Con<M?t), now Keash, or Ceis-chorainn. in the county of Roscommon.
* Loii^t). literally means a lamb, but is here applied to.the young deer.
s Deiijt) lioiwjri, the peak of Bothar. Not identified.
22
0. SeACC b-picc|b bATh aIIca lAibift,
5 RinD-ja&tAC1 50 ^ocao) ;'2 CA05A& jtaoIcot), CA05Ab n)OTt-coTtc, 5i)|orb ATt r)-65-cot) a b-)rOfin)AO]l.3
Stt) at) ceAb Ia bo T*5AO]leA6
puiTt.eAT)T) b'Aft fAO]C|b cot) a 5-cluicce ; a']* v) n)A]]\]Oi)v bA riA]b a Iacaiti. uc ! a Pb^c^A]c, acc w]ye.
21 Pb^cftAjc, if qtuA5 ™?ire> AH) feAt)6]|i 50 b-AcujnfeAC ; Sat) n&irt), 5At) capa, 5AT) CTteont, A5 cniAll curt) Aipninn 50 b-Alc6|n.
"5aT) Aflb-piAbAC I.UACA1TI ct)l)eA5A,4
5at) ttj^oIca fleibe Client) ;5 5At) bul a i)-5l]Aibib le "p|oi)t), 5At) niAn f5ol tt)ati cleAccAit)t).
3at) beAbcA, 5AT) be-Ai)Art) cneAC, 5AT) ]rt)iric ATI cleAfAjb Uqc;
3AD bul as r^msi6 v* reil3»
bA c&jTtb i)A |tA]b rt)0 6ujl.
P. §511111 a feAi)6|Tt, I&15 bob bAOTf-,
t)j beAj biijc j:eAT*cA a T)-beA]i|it)AO|t* ;
T*n)UA]l) ATI 1)A p]AT)CA]b ACA TieOrt)Ab, b'TTT)C15 Al) "pl)|At)t) A5Uf IrtTCeOCAJTt.
O. 2t)A 1rt)C|5|rt), A PI)ACTtAlC, T)ATl f*A5CATl CUfA,
a pifi at) cjto|be co||trt)iT-3ce ;6
bA TT)A1TTT:eA8 Cot)A1) Art) bA|l,
T)j l6]5|:]&e leAc bo c|atit*ai).
1 K|i)rj-tt<\CAC, a promontary, probably, in Ibh Rathach, (Ivcragh) county of Kerry. Perhaps Bolus bead on Uallinaskcllig bay.
2 Focaoi, not identified.
» FotwjaoiI, see p. 18, note 7.
« Iuacaiu t^heAJjA, now Sliabh Luachra, sometimes called Ciarruidhe Luachra, from Ci'ar, one of the ancient kings of Munstcr, a long range
23
0. Seven score of strong wild oxen, From Rinn-rathach to Fochaoi ; Fifty wolves and fifty huge wild boars Were the spoils of our young hounds at Fonnaoil.
This was the first day on which were let loose A portion of our noble hounds in the chase ; And there lives not of those who were present, Alas! 0 Patrick, but I.
0 Patrick, I am to be pitied,
Being a broken-hearted old man ;
Without sway, without agility, without vigor,
Going to mass at the altar.
Without the great chase of Luachair Dheaghaidh, Without the hares of Sliabh Cuilinn ; AYithout going into fights with Fionn, Without attending schools as was my custom.
Without conflicts, without taking of preys, Without exercising in feats ; Without going to woo or to the chase, Two amusements which I dearly loved.
P. Cease, old man, let be thy folly, [done :
Enough for thee henceforth what thou hast already Reflect on the pains that are before you, The Fenians are departed and thou shalt depart.
0. If I depart, 0 Patrick, mayest thou not be left, 0 man of the ascetic heart ; Were Conan now alive, Thy growling would not be long permitted thee.
of mountain which extends from the harbour of Tralee in Kerry, to the mouth of the Shannon.
6 SllAb Cuiljqt), now Sliabh Guillinn in the county of Armagh.
6 Co|riiT)ir5ce, i.e.. ascetic, literally of the forbidding heart, because th» saint forbade him to enjoy many of his pleasures.
24
O. <tK\ itja8 b At) lA bo b] "pjonn,
a 3-CACAib <\|lr>e a'|* a D-5I1A6 ; cA|i)|c An coIahh 3A1; ceAnn1 6113 Ajnn 30 3le*nn 8a 8Ari).-
)y cu5Ab a cAo3A|* orn ccac pejn, II* bjieATjcA bAC A5u|* 5nAO| ; as iA|t]iA|b A|r3e A]|i ah b-pbemn, If pe|bj|t leo |«| ij a 5&|ll.
cDo 3eAbAi|t A||i3|ob, b\\, a 'p bruise ; b|ob x\V A3Ab A||t bo cuAifib; imc|5 Anoif, bo rtAjb "p|onn, If miqb l]nn cu bul uA|on.
N| 5&AbAb A||t3)ob cu5An) n& Oft, a |ii3-^nni8 An sloiji 6]\; acc cufA pe|n, 3An ce|lc Aft at) b-pejon, bo bejc A3Attj tnAft c&jle p||t.
Jf bflJACAfl bAtnfA, bo jtAjb An |t|3, bA rn-be|b|nn-n 3<M? rbnAOf rternj |t<ve ; nA beibjnn A5Ab-fA rnAri -pjofi, Ajt a b-jrujl 6 neArb 30 jreAfi.
O C113AH* bo bnjACAft Ajft b-cu|f, Aji Oinn, a 5"clor &0'u Fbqnn; cujrurnfe cuf-A po 5e|f, mui)A n-bejn3l|i Xe]Y Mon? peju.
CoUtj 5AI) ceApt), a headless body, an apparition. There are several legends current amongst the Irish peasantry, regarding headless appari- tions One of these legends, "The Headless Horseman of Shanacloch," by the late Edward Walsh, appeared in the Dublin Penny Journal, Vol. ii. No. 57. pp. 33-35. Another legend of the same character is related of a member of the Cosby family, interred in the vault of the ruined church of Noughval, nenrStradbally, in the Queen's County. It was said that at stated periods, a black coach, drawn by four headless
0*i *~0
0. Or had it been on the day in which Fiona
Was engaged in glorious battles and conflicts ; When there appeared to us a headless being, At Gleann da dhaimh.
To thee have I come from my own home, Of the most brilliant hue and shape ; Requesting a gift of the Fenians, To which they can give assent.
Thou shalt get silver, gold, and mantles, As a reward for thy visit ; But depart now, said Fionn, We think it time thou shouldst go from us.
Silver or gold I will not take,
0 royal chief of the pleasant speech ; [Fenians, But thee thyself without concealing it from the To ]i\e with me as my spouse.
By my troth, said the king,
If I were without a wife during my life,
1 would not consent to be thy husband, For all that is from the heaven to the grass.
As thou wert the first to plight thy troth, Says Oisin, in the hearing of the Fenians : I adjure thee by a bond, That thou become my partner.
black horses, with a headlets coachman, and a headless footman, had been seen driving at a furious rate, in the dead hour of mid-night, through the village of Stradbally. The coach itself was said to contain one of Cosbys ; but the writer of this note does not now recollect the particular individual mentioned.
2 3le.\rjf) f^ 8*n>, the glen of the two oxen. The Four Masters give no account of this loca'.iy ; but at A.D. 945, there is a Gleann Damhain mentioned situate near Diir Jnis (the isle of oaks), or Molana, an island
20
O. 2it) uAjfi bo frDuAirjeAf A1T* n?0 1*05,
CU^Uf At) C-fU|TT? fit) A 5-C6]U;
bo lu|5]Of le a 5-cofA]t&,
TT)An bob' 1 Tt^O fAT,C bO TT)T)AO|.
2I5 ceACc bo't) pb&IW curt) bA]le,
T)A b-CTtTuin, t)a 5-ceACfiA]rt, t)a 5-cii|5|n ; A5 jreACAit) i)A n^rjix bob' A|lt;e, r>ioft curt)A leo ce'n cu^e.
2I5 ceACc bo't) coIatt)t) 5at) ccat)!),
bo b] fub 'f at) r>-5leArn) bAjt b-ceACC ;
If t.Oit)8a bftAO] bo bj f a clu,
be]c 5-ceAb cu a't* be|6 5-ceAb eAC.
<De]6 5-ceAb eAC 50t)a fjtTAT), be^c 5-ceAb cu 500A 5-cott)jaII; beTc 5-ceAb 5]oIIa t)a TtA]b t)eA|tc, a' 1* be]c 5-ceAb feAji bo't) iniceAcc.
•Dejc 5-ceAb coni) tja n>-b] o\i,
be|c 5-ceAb clo]beAtri c6|n a'p f*5]Ac; bA rt)A& rbAO|8ce 8attit; a, be^c 5-ceAb bo, cu5Af bort) ceile ai) aoi;Io i,Ab.
<t)o be]n fAiutje bO]f]t) fjAll, ■\y n)ic|b Ijorr) crt|All borr) ceAC ; bo 5eAbA|6 cu 5AC A|f5e ua|8, act 5 at) u]f5e bo buAjt) leTf\
C&W3 f ^1i)le65 fAO] at) b-"peiT)T), bo |tu5 at) t*A]T)i)e f. ao| at) loc ;
b'lTT)C15 AT) fATT)T)e 6 fOTT) AT)UAf, 5AT) f|Of A f5e|l 5Uf ATIOCC.
in the river Blackwatcr, in the barony of Coshmore and Coshbride, in the county of Waterford, near Ballinatray, the seat of the Hon. Mr. Moore, two and a half mile9 north-west of the town of Youghal. The island is called Molana, from St. Maolanfaidh, its patron saint; and
27
0. "When I reflected on my dear,
I put this thought in execution ; I lay beside her without disguise, Because she was meet to be my wife.
As the Fenians readied their houses, In groups of threes and fours and fives, To behold the most noble woman, It was not indifferent to them who should be first.
When the headless being came, There was then in the glen ; on our coming, Many a druid of high repute, Ten hundred hounds and ten hundred steeds.
Ten hundred steeds with their bridles, Ten hundred hounds with their leashes ; Ten hundred servitors in whom was strength, Ten hundred heroes in our ranks.
Ten hundred goblets made of gold,
Ten hundred excellent swords and shields ; Were it a boast for me, [there were] ten hundred
cows, I bestowed them on my love in one day.
She gives a ring to the generous Oisin [and says], 'Tis time I should depart for my home ; [this, Thou wilt obtain every thing thou desirest from So that water will not touch it.
A swallow flew among the Fenians,
And carried off the ring towards a lake ; The ring disappeared ever since, Without any tidings of it unto this night.
in it are the ruins of an abbey of Regular Canons founded in the sixth century by that saint, who was its first abbot. Here was buried Ray- mond Le Gros, one of the co-advcnturers witli Strongbow in the invasion of Ireland.— Smith's Waterford, p. 4:i.
23
O. 6>At) flUAb1 T)A f5|AC*U) TllAbAC,
V pat) be^5 e]le'1 f-uAf t)A beAl ; A5 5<vbA|l a 5-cuATtb 6f Afi 5-ceAot}, A5 fe|t)t)im t)A b-£OT)t) f at) AebeAfi.
<Do bA6Af A3Uf "pl,OT)T) fei,T),
A3 ffeACATT) t)a t)-6atj fte |*eAl ;
5At) PlOf, 5A0CUAlft|f5, CA T)-beACA1.b At) C-eAT),
t»A p|Of f5&AlA cA T)beACAi,6 At) beAp.
P. )x beA5 no, a 8ei5Ti)ic 'pblW,
i)i fiAi,b A5Ab it)t)ce acc feAl; if* treApjt pAt)Art)U|t) tdaji. a cao*, t)A bejc Attif t)A n)eAf5.
O. 21 TT)1C 2lfipluiT)T) AT) ^loift 6]l,
If TT)A]Tt5 be||t cAob ]te cl&ijt t)A CI05; bo bAbAt* A5uf CaojIct, ttjo Iua8,
A5UJ* bO bAbrt)ATt UATTt T)&|t boCC.
Ceol |te a 5-cobl<\8 piOT)T) 5AT) hb\i, Iacat,t)T) 6 loc t)a b-rti] 5-CAol;3 ]*5aIcatit)ac Iotii <Dboj|te at) CAjftT),4
A'f bujCfte AT) bAjri) 6 3leAT)t)-T)A-5-CAOTt.5 Ob^V lACA]t)T) 6 l-OC 6l|tT)0,6
8a bobA]t-coT,T)7 6 toe 2t)e]l3c ;8 b<\ jCATTTtfriAb o't) ^t]u|T)e caII,9 a'x bA f-eAbAC fl&ibe 5-Coi)<x]U.10
1 Cat} *tuAt>, reddish bird. The cuckoo is the bird referred to here, as hovering over them in the air.
* Cat) beA5 eile, another little bird. Thi9 is the njAr.65 or hedge-sparrow, which pursues the cuckoo in its flight, and is believed to make various attempts to get into its beak when singing.
3 loc o* b-CTM 5-CAOl, the lake of the three Caoh, This is the name of a small lough near Kells in the county of Meath.
* trifle At) CbAJn'J, Derrycarn. Now Derrjcarn in the count}' of Meath.
0. The reddish bird of the grey wings
And another small bird in its beak, [ Were] soaring around over our heads, Singing their songs in the air.
Fionn and I together were
Gazing at the birds for a while ; [flown,
Without knowing or learning where the bird had Or tidings whither the woman had gone.
P. That is nought, 0 noble son of Fionn,
Thy possession of her was but for awhile ; Better to remain as thou art, Than to be again among them.
0. 0 son of Calphurn of the bland speech,
Woe to him that confides in clerics or bells ;
I and Caoilte, my friend,
And we were for a time and did not want.
The music to which Fionn slept readily,
Was [the cackling of] the ducks from the lake of
the three Gaols ; The singing of the blackbird of Derrycarn, And the bellowing of the ox of Gleann-na-g-Caor.
The two ducks of Lough Erne, The two otters from Lough Meilghe ; The two hares of yon brake, And the two hawks of Sliabh g-Conaill.
* 3leAT)t) ija 5-Caon, the glen of the berries. Not mentioned by the Four Masters; but there is a Gleannna g-Caor in the county of Cork.
6 Loc CiTtije. Now Lough Erne in the county of Fermanagh. Duald M'Firbi9 and the Leabhar Gabhala agree as to the eruption of this lake. See Four Masters, A.M. 3751.
i t>obAtico]tj, the otter. A remarkable instance of the voracious propen- sities of this animal occurred lately at the glen of Aherlow near Bansha in the county of Tipperary. A farmer, named Dwyer, found the throats
30
O. pe<\& At) fqolAift 6 lj})le:6.yt) r>A rr)-buA8/
r>6 6 fSAjpc cjtuAi8 iDbfiuim le ffiu|c;2
CeAJlCA £riAO|C 6 CbftUACAr) Cb|tUJTf),3
r»6 peAb 8obArico|r> tDbTt"|") H& Cojri.
S5<xlc<xftr>Ac lo|t) 'Dbojrie At> CA|rtt)/ r>j cuaIa& rtjArb, bAft 50 &e|Tb|t), ceol bA bjrwe l]orr> tja e, acc 50 n)-be]8|i)i) pA bur> a r)ej&.
of several of his sheep cut after the night, and, determining to watch the thief, took his gun and concealed himself near the flock; when about midnight he observed something in the shape of a large dog attacking the sheep, at which he took deliberate aim and killed him on tfie spot. On approaching the animal, to his utter surprise it turned out to be a monstrous otter, upwards of four feet long ; and although the river Suir, from which it crawled upwards of half a mile by a narrow stream, abounds with salmon and other fish at this season, (June, 1858), yet his propensities for animal food was such that he preferred it to fish, no matter how tender or delicious it tasted.
8 loc Zt}e]\^e, the lake of Meilghe. The Four Masters record, under date A.M. 4694, that Meilghe Molbhthach, son of Cobhthach Caol Breagh, after having been seventeen years in the sovereignty of Ireland, fell in the battle of Claire, by Modhchorb. When his grave was digging, Loch Meilghe burst forth over the land in Cairbre, so that it was named after him. It is situated on the confines of the counties of Fermanagh, Leitrim, and Donegal. See Four Masters, A.M. 4694, note h.
9 2t)u|i)e call. This must be some adjacent plain or green.
'0 SljAb 5-Cot)a]U, the mountain or hill of Conall. Called after Conall Gulban, who was nursed at the Beinn or peak of Gulban, where the hardiest hawks in Ireland were found in the latter end of the fifteenth century.
I SIsatjt) t)A ti)-buAb, the glen of victories or conquests. Not men- tioned by the Four Masters.
» Grtujn; fie rnujc, the ridge by the stream. Unknown.
s.CfiUAc<xt) Cbfiu|ttj, the Cruachan of Crom. Cruachan was the name of the ancient palace of the kings of Counaught, and was situated near Belanagare, in the county of Roscommon, and is now called Rath- croghan. However, we doubt whether this is the place referred to in the text. Crom was the name of one of the idols of the Pagan Irish, to which, according to Dr. Charles O'Conor (Prol. part I. p. 22), the early colonisers up to the time of St. Patrick, offered the firstlings of animals
31
0. The whistle of the eagle from Gleann na m-buadh,
Or from the rough thicket of the Ridge by the stream ;
Or the grouse of Cruachan Chruim,
Or the whistle of the otter of Drum-re-Coir.
The song of the blackbird of Derrycarn, I never heard, by my troth, Music more melodious to me than it, Were I only beneath his nest.
besides other offerings. Here are his words : — " Magli-Sleachl canus ronnim, ar is and ro bai High cdhal Er. .i. in Crom-Cruach, ayus da fdhal deg do clochaibh uime, agus adhelbsnin door, agus asse ba Tie do gach lucht ro gabh Eirinn go toracht Padric. Is do do iahbraitis ced gen gacha solha, agus primighgen gacha clainde. As cuige do riacht Tigernmus mc Foil. Ri Er dia Samna, co feraibh agus co mnaibh Eir maillefri Dia adhradh co ro sleacht sat uile idhu coro aemdhelar tuil an edan agus eth a sron, agus faircledha anglun corra anuillend, conebladar teor cethraimhe fher n Er ac na slechtaibh — unde Magh slecht dr." i.e. Campus stragis ita appellator, quia ibi fuit praecipuum Idolorum Hiber- nian, nempe Crom-Cruach, et duodecim Idola Saxea circumstantia, et caput ejus ex auro, et hie Deus fuit omnium populorum quotquot posse erunt Hiberniam, usque ad adventum S. Patricii. Huic sacrificaverunt Primogenita cujusque Sobolis, et primogenita filiorum suorum. Hunc Tigernmasius, Alius Foil : Rex Hiberniae, precatus, est die Samnii, cum Viris et mulieribus Hibernian, tali adoratione, et ulnas suas rumperent, cadendo et adorando, donee vulneribus infligereut etiam frontes suas, contunderent nasus, et genua, usque ad sanguinem fundendum. Hinc itaque dicitur Maah-Sleucht. Campus Stragis." And O'Flaherty (vide Ogygia, part 3, p. 197, 4to. ed., Lond. 1685), says, " Cromcruach Ido- lum, cui Tigernmasius rex, ut supra, cum uwiverso populo suo ex do- drante vitam devoverant, totius regni Idolorum omnium princeps ad Idolomania? in Hibernia per S. Patricium eversionem in carapo Moy- sleuct perstitit ; quod reges, et regni proceres summa, stataque sacrorum rituum veneratione colebant ; eo quod responsa dare putabatur a populo stulto, et insipiente, cui colebat illud, ut ait Jocelinus." (See Jocelrn, in vita S. Patricii, c. 56). Dr. O'Donovan says in a note to the Four Masters under A.D. 1117, that there was a chieftain, named Cromdubh, in Umhall [in Connaught] who was contemporary with St. Patrick, and, though a powerful opponent of his, was afterwards converted by the Saint to Christianity on the day called Domhnach Chroim Dhuibh. * t)oirie Ai) CbAjjuj, Derrycarn. In the Transactions of the Galic
0
)y m<VlT*3 bAm 3IAC b^ifceAS niArb, }\ olc born ot)6||i bAft l]orp ; A]jt rt}-be]t bAttj jat) bjAb, 3AT} beoc,
A5 beATJArb CftOfTJA a']* U|tT)A13Ce.
Nj b-olc, A f>eAT)6lft, bAfl lion),
bo 5eAbA||t t)ao] b-pic6]b bAift5i») A|tA|t); 30T)A t)-Ai;r>lAT) jqotjA a'|* peolA,
If olc A r)-AbA]Jt cu, A feAI)0||t.
Society of Dublin (1880), now a rare book, the following beautiful poem will be found at page 194, addressed to one of these birds which fre- quented Derrycarn wood in the county of Meath ; and which is accom- panied by a spirited translation from the pen of Mr. William Leahy :
" t>lW TT), a loin OAme At) CtjAinn ! •Hj cuaIat;, at) An* 'r At) tn-bic, Ceol bub binne t)A bo 5UC, ittcAr cu FA bur) bo t)|o.
aeo ceol ir bintje fA't) tt)-bic, 2T)Aitt5 t)Ac feir» et)t) nir 5° F6|l, 21 ri)ic ilttpluiT) t)A cclocc n)-b|t)t), 'S 50 nj-bencA A|Mr An bo t)0|t).
215ac. tpAtt ca A5ATP rem. OA tt)-beic be|ri)]t) rs^l1 AI> eo]n, t>o bencA benA 50 bjAt), 'S »)j biA6 c'Aine Ain ©|A 50 poll.
21 ccnic loclAt), tja rneb 50Ttn), fuAin 2T)ac CubA|l, t)A cconr) t)ben5' 2lt) c-ei) bo ejej Anor, tl5 tin a rsel bujc 5° fteT*B.
t5om6 At) CATtlT) At) COlll lib ClAfl,
XT)au a t)-bei!)bir at) T=l)|Af) t;or ;
2lti Aille TAtt cAejtbe a cnAnn, 'S eb bo cume«6 atjt) ai) Ion.
SsolsAine lojn bojne At) CrjAitiT), burette at) bAjrt) FhAjll t)A ccAen, Ceol le ccoblAb PlPi) 50 tpoc, Iacajt) 6 loc ca ccttj ccAel.
Ce|tCA pnAejc urt) CbnuACAir) cujon, PebSAil bobno|i) ti|iujn? bA loc ; 5oca rjlAjn 5I10 t)A FpUAC, loi)50|ne cuac ctjurc t)a rcoc.
3oca 5AbAti 5leT)T)A CAeir), Ir s^in FbilAm cAejc t)a reis ;
C.A|fltt) T)A CCOT) A5 CttlAl 50 TT)OC,
SlrxeAC 6 CTIA15 tja ecloc T)-ben5.
2lt) cttAic bo tt)Ain Viw 'r at) FbiAt), t>ob AporA leo r'jAb t)A cjll, Pa b]T)r) leorAt) purple lor), Soca pa CCI05 leo T)jft btT)."
Translation.
Hail tuneful bard of sable wing, Thou warbler sweet of Carna's grovel Not lays more charming will I hear Tho' round th' expansive earth I rove.
33
0. Alas ! that I ever received baptism, It affects my honor, I perceive ; In being without food and drink, Whilst fasting and praying.
P. Not so, old man, I am sure,
Thou shalt get nine score cakes of bread ; With thy fill of wine and meat, Evil thou speakest, old m3ii.
No melody's more soft than thine, While perch'd thy mossy nest beneath ; How sad to miss thy soothing song ! When harmony divine you breathe.
O son of Alphron, cease thy bells, Cease thy hollow-sounding strain ; To Carna's grove thine ear incline, — Thou wilt o'ertake thy psalms again.
0 didst thou hear its mournful tale ! Didst thou, as I, its story know ! Thou wouldst forget thy God awhile, And down thy cheeks would torrents flow.
Found was the bird on Lochlin's plains, (Where purling flows the azure stream) By Comhal's son, for goblets famed, Which bright with golden splendor beam.
You lofty wood is Carna's grove, Which bends to west its awful shade, Where pleased with Nature's wild display, The Fians— noble race ! dclay'd.
In that retir'd and dusky wood, The bird of sable wing was lay'd ; Where the majestic oak extends, llis stately boughs in leafy shade-
The sable bird's harmonious note, The lowing hind of Cora'9 steep, Were wont, at morning's early dawn, To lull the mighty Fionn asleep. 3
34
O. 2ii> b&Al fo A3 j:|iiocaI leAC,
t)i\\\ ubACCAji 'e |te fAS^c ; 50 rV^eAftji \\oxx) bjtu|*5A|t q-jje "Fbirjrn tja rr;o cujb bo'r) corf)fto|t)t).
P. <t)ob' £ ^|t) crjuAfAC t)A b-pofic,1
A3uf ^I^^ac ija i)5A]tb-ct)Oc ; 1FjteAi)rj piA|]t £0 6ejfteA5, Aft f5<\c bu|t r>-b|to|c-c|teifc>iri7.
O. , M|0|i bA \)-'e x]t) bujwe fj^tj,
acc A|i 1]ot)a6 b'^or) a't b'^eoil ;
COfAC CeiJtC a']* COCftATT) jrleAb,
beocA rtjjlpe, a'j* cac bA r>-6l.
)j* qt&6 liorr> <t>iAitrnuib ajuj* 5°U> A5Uf pe^uf bA h]yr) ^\6\\; At) ua^ji i)AC lejjceAji bujrjr) a Iua&,
A Pb^CflAIC 1?UA1&> CA]T)|5 6't) K6|Tt7'
p. Ba ceAb \]VV cu bA lu<v8,
acc 30 b-CAbA]|t b'Ajjte Aft 43bjA Aft b-ciif ; oy At)0]f ]v be^ie bob' ao]j*, -f3u|jt bob' bAOjy, a p|ft 3At? luc.
The noise which haunts the weedy pond, That into triple straight divides ; Where cooling in the crystal wave, The bird of silver plumage glides.
The twitt'ring hens on Cronn's heath And from yon water-girded hill, The deepening voice of gloomy woe, Sad, pensive, melancholy shrill.
The eagle's scream from Foal's vale, From the tall pine the cuckoo's song ; The music of the hounds that fly, The coral-pebbled strand along.
35
0. This mouth conversing- with thee,
May [it] never to a priest confess ;
If I would not prefer the crumbs of Fionn's house
To my share of your entertainments.
P. That was the picking of the banks, And the chase of the craggy hills ; Hell was his portion at the end, Because of your unbelief.
0. Not so to us indeed,
But our fill of wine and meat ;
The first of justice and equality at feasts,
Delicious draughts and all drinking them.
Woe is me Diarmuid and Goll, And Fergus of the tuneful voice ; Since it is not allowed us to name them, 0 Patrick, lately come from Rome.
P. We would allow thee to name them,
But only give thy attention to God first ; Since now thy life is at its end, Leave off thy folly, 0 feeble man.
When liv'd brave Fionn, and all his chiefs, The heath did more the heroes please, Than church or hell they'd dearer deem, The sable bird's melodious lays.
i CnuArac t)A b-popc, picking or gleaning of the banks. Here St. Patrick intimates that Fionn's table was not so plentifully supplied after all. That the viands consisted of berries picked up in the bays, and of wild animals captured on the " craggy hills," which were for that reason in poor condition and not easily eaten.
36
O. 21 PbACttAJC 1t)1)|f* bATT) C|t6 flUO,
6f A^Ab aeA ai) c-eoluf ^ t:eAnn; at? l<?|5peAfi rno jaSati tja rno cu, lion) 50 cu|nc nig nA USJt^r ?
P. 21 f-eAnoijt acA An bAoji;,
a'|* t)ac fAijAirn cni,c bo cun one ; V] le|3pe<xn bo jjAbAn i;A bo cii, leAc 50 cujjic n]5 i;a jieAcc.
O. <t>A rn-bAb ASArnfA bjA8 Ajcne An ^bl^-,
aY 50 Tn-b]Ab n?o cu born' n&jn ; bo pAi,nceocAinn 6 born cojn, 318 b'e bo beAnAS b|Ab 8A?n fe]i).
P. tNA b-AbAjn f|n a feAnojn,
A'f cu a n-berne b-aoipe ; D1 cocjiAm, 3AT) bneA3, An bnere, bo bejuin An rno nig-p-
O. <Dob' t*eAnn aoo cuua8 ArnAjn lc\]fc>] it,
bo bj Ajt FbjAnnAjb 6||ioAi;n; t)A cjgeAnnA An c|iAbAj8, A5ut; cut-a tr&in, a Cblfcinig.
P. 21 Ofnt; nA t>36An Unn,
cAnAf i;a bnjACjtA bujlo; bob' trcAnu <t)fA no b-Aon Id, i;a pjAunAib 6>|jteAniJ ujle.
O. o|8 CAitnt/e Anoji- 3AU plAiceAf,
A*f me |aji 3-CAicjori7 tVaoitv; A PbAcfiAjc, uA CAbAiji A1^ir» bo njAjcib cUnnA Baojt/cho.
37
0. 0 Patrick, tell rne in confidence,
As it is thou that hast the best knowledge;
Will my dog or my hound be let in
With me, to the court of the king of grace.
P. 0, old man, who art silly,
And of whom J can get no good ; Thy dog or thy hound will not be let in With thee, to the court of the king of justice.
m
0. If it were I that were acquainted with God, And that my hound were at hand : I would reconcile him with my hound, Whoever gave food to myself.
P. Say not so, 0 old man,
And thou at the end of thy life ; Unjust, without doubt, is the sentence, Which thou passest upon my king.
0. Better were any one mighty hero only,
Who was in the ranks of the Fians of Eire, Than the Lord of piety, And thou thyself, 0 Cleric.
P. 0 Oisin of the sharp blades,
That speakest words of madness ; God is better for one day, Than all the Fians of Eire.
q. Though I am now deprived of lordship, And am at the close of my life ; 0 Patrick, do not cast reproach, Upon the nobles of the Clan la Baoisgne.
38
O. <Da Tt)-b]A8 A5<M1)|*A ConAt),
jreAn rt^-lAbAncA t)A pe|t)t)e ; bo bfij|*eA8 re bo ceAi)t)f\v, A|X|5 An?eAf5 bo cle|ne.
P. Bbe|c A5 fjoncftAcc A|t At) b-'peint),
a f-eAnojn, i)* bAoc bo con; cuiii)t)i5 56 b-cAir>i3 bo nAe, AY 3AD n?AC ^^ ^P &0 for>*
21ca cu Anf A|8, ^oi]tbce, 1|ac, b'in)C]5 bo 6|aU aY bo 5neAt)t) ; le|5 bjoc Ai) corbftAb b]Ai), a'|* b^A]8 bo leAbA8 a b-plA|ceAf caII.
O. <Do cobUf Art)ui5 pA't) c-pljAb,
■pAOJ 8flUCC l]AC Aft bAnjl CUArjt) J1
t)|0|t cleAcc Ijoti) leAbA8 5AT; b|A8, peA8 bo b]A8 £|a8 An ah 5-ct)oc ub caII.
P. 2lcA cu An TtjeAnu^Ab a t)-be]jte b-AO]|*e,
lb|fi flise 8||icac A5AI* CAtt) ;
feACA]t) fljje CAtt) 1)A b-p|A1),
aY c|ocpA|8 A|t)5]l <D6 pAOi b' ceAi)i).
O. <t)A rn-bei8|rn)p A5up P'oa^aj* pjaI,
A3U]- <t)|A|irf)uib Ai)0||' A|x An rn-bAll ;
&VV 5AC y\'\jfi b'A|t TjAbAnjAjt ni^tt),
3ATJ coAb bo't) clejjt bo 56AbAtt)AO|f* At)t).
P. F^il, a 0|fjn, t)A rnAflA|3 At) clejn,
cAt)Af bjt|AcpA <De At) 3AC bAll; njurjA 1©13K|8 cu 8joc at? cott)nA8 b|Ai), ]y rnon At) p| At) ac A Ab ceAnt).
1 \}lx\\\x cftAtji), tops of trees, i.e., his bed was made of the tender brandies of the trees, and of the foliage. The "grey dew" referred
39
0. Were Conan with me,
The reviler of the Fenians ; He would break thy head, Within among thy clerics.
P. To be ever talking of the Fians,
0 old man, is silly work ; Remember that thy hour is come, And take the son of God in thy behalf.
Thou art old, withered, and hoary,
Thy understanding is gone, and mirth ;
Leave off thy vehement talk,
And thy bed shall be in heaven beyond.
0. I slept out on the mountain,
Under grey dew on the tops of trees :
1 was never used [to go] to bed without food, Whilst there was a deer on yonder hill.
P. Thou art astray at the close of thy life,
Between the straight way and the crooked ;
Shun the crooked path of pains,
And God's angels will come under thy head.
0. Were I and Fergus the generous,
And Diarmuid, now on the spot ; In every path that we ever passed, Despite the clerics we would pass.
P. Cease Oisin, do not insult the clerics,
Who proclaim God's word every where ; If thou wilt not leave off thy insolent talk, Great is the punishment that awaits thee.
to, is the hoar frost so frequent in the months of September and October.
40
O. 4)0 bA&A|*A A^Uf £UlC T1A b-plAIJU,
a't eoftc Art TA|t|i<xi8 uA]t)T) a d^Igai)!;; bA rbeAr*A l|Ort) t)Ac b-pACA At) V]a8, tia bo cl]A|i|*A bejc 5At) ceAi;i>
p. 21ca CU bolAfAC JAI) c^aII,
If TDeAfA bu|c n^ 0^ kqc bAU J bA b-rnijijceA bo riA&Artc AfCjj, bA rijori bo c|Ot) Afi flAiceAr- caII.
O, <t)ob' Aice Ijort) Uim at) pu|c,
t)6 TiAbAftc A|i bjiojc ib]rt bA ^leAtji) ;
t)A a ir5eAllAr)T) bo boAlr-A 6Arn,
aY a b-f:u|5|t)i) bo fulc a b-plAiceAr caII.
p. 21ca bo rbuitii3ii) bAoc jat) fljocc,
b'imc]3 bo fulc A3uf bo TjneArju ; rrjurjA i^lACAb cu rt)0 cort)A||ile '1306c, i;i b-pu]5ib cu bqc a buf tja caII.
O. (t)A rn-beib]i)Dn A3ur A1) f\)]Mm *V]uti>
Art bqijt) cijoic A5 CA|tnAii)5 Iaiji) j1 b'A]rbbeoit) leAb<v|i, cl]Ari, a'f clo|5, b|Ab T105A A5u]t)i) bejc a bur- rjo caII.2
P. ftj TiA^b pt;i)CA acc tt^Aft £aI piip,
136 rt)Ari f|tuc aj ccacc 6 ^Ioatw; r;6 rtiAri fjoc^AOjce Aft ri^-AOilitjr) ct)0]C,
3AC luCC AJAfb bA |tA|b |t|ATt) At)l).
O. *t)o bA&Ar* a n)-BeAri|ir)A At) bA 3boiU,3
a b-pocAut luce i)A t;-A|trr> ceAijt; ; bob' feAftjt liorr) a tj-A^ce AjArr?, T)A At) cjiup 1*0 i;a rt)-bACAl 3-CArrj.
1 Iauo, a blade, sometimes means the head of a lance or spear. In some copies of the poem the word beAijtj, is incorrectly substituted for Uut>, by illiterate scribes.
41
0. The Fenian chief and myself
Were in quest of a boar, in a glen,
'Twas worse to me that I saw not the deer,
Than if thy clerics lost their heads.
P. Thou art piteous and devoid of sense,
That is worse for thee than being blind ;
If thou didst get thy sight within,
Great would be thy attachment to heaven beyond.
0. I would take more delight in the bound of the buck, Or in looking at badgers between two glens ; Than in all that thy mouth promiseth to me, And all the joys I would get in heaven beyond.
P. Thy hope is silly and fruitless,
Thy joyousness and mirth are gone ;
If thou this night rcceivest not my counsel,
It shall not be granted to thee to be here or there.
0. Were I and the Fenians this day
On the summit of a hill drawing swords ;
Despite of books, clerics and bells,
We would have our choice of being here or there.
P. They were but like the smoke of a wisp, Or like a rivulet coming from a glen ; Or like a whirlwind, on the peak of a hill, Each clan of you that ever lived.
0. I was at Bearrna-an-da-Ghoill,
By the clans of the stout arms ;
I would prefer their face again,
To this troop of the crooked croziers.
2 U bur Q& call, on '^'s «'</* or that. A common Irish phrase for " in this world or the next."
s bea|ini)A Ai) t>is 3bo|ll, i.e., the gap of the two Gollt. Not identified.
42
P. jf n)A]c aca a £iof* A5^n^
ca b-pu]l Aft l]C a'|* COft t)A ceAt)t) ;
a'|* 3AT) luce T;e|nc A5 ceAcc bA CAb<vift.
O. N] bftji) Iprr) bo Tjlofi 5<vt) fulc,
cfA cA cu 5I1C A]t bo |iAr>t) ; x)\ clu|i)|n7 pe]t) peAb At) lojtj,1 bneAC Afi f nuc2 r)& cone a r^leAtjn.
P. Ma rneAllcAn cu a 3-cotr>Ainle at? cojnp,
fl* rnAjc led f|u ce^cc Ab ceAnn;
ftAfC T?A CObA TT70|]te A|l At) 5"CU|b TT)-b]3,
6 t}AC nj-beATjouisceAn f<\b Abuf* r)A c<xll.
O. *Da rn-b]Ab S3olb Ssejne A3Artj,
t)6 Ofcujt 5I1C t»A 5-CAc b-ceAnrj ; r>] bi<\brr)AO|r 3AT) jreolrbAC Anocc, Ajt con)A]nle CI05 i)A feAcc Tt)-beAi)t).
P 21 Oifjt), 6 b']n7C)5 bo cjaII,
3IAC t)A bnjACftA |*o le 3neAr)t) ;
!r beirblT) Morn 30 b-cn6j5nn An Fbl*VO,
* T 3° T)3&AbA]n le <t>iA nA neAni;.
1 peAb At) lojt). The whistle or song of the blackbird.
* DfteAC An fnuc, a trout in the stream. Aquatic sports formed another of the Fenian amusements, and perhaps Oisin himself was the Izaak Walton of his day. Rowing boats (regattas ?) was another custom to which they were much addicted ; for at page 49, Vol . I. of the Society's Transactions, in a poem of six stanzas copied from the Book of Leinster, a manuscript of the twelfth century, now deposited in Trinity College Library, we find the following passage ; —
43
P. Well am I aware, [in his head,
Where he is [stretched] on a flag-stone and a twist Scourges assailing him with poison. And no mighty clans coming to his aid,
0. Not sweet to me [is] thy voice without cheer, Tho' thou art clever at thy verses ; 1 hear not the blackbird's song, A trout in the rivulet, or a boar in the glen.
P. Be not deceived by the counsel of the flesh, They shall be glad to dwell with thee ; The happiness of the great be on the few, As they are not blessed here or there.
0. Were Scolb Sgeine with me,
Or the wise Oscur of battles fierce ;
We should not be without flesh this night,
At the command of the bells of the seven tolls.
P. Oisin, as thy understanding is gone, Accept these tidings with joy ; I verily believe thou wilt forsake the Fians, And that thou wilt walk with the God of heaven.
it
2lripccet)b cATtbAc frocnuc, jtjTJirjAin) b.\ ruic 6oti)f\o5 ; fto nMT\bA!)b cofic 7 CA]U CAft,
«jo r^nsinft en aic 1TTJ03."
Music, boating, rewarding,
The prey most difficult I chose ;
1 would kill a boar in the hard wood,
I would rob a vengeful bird* of its eggs.
• This bird is supposed to be the eagle.
44
O. )y 101)31) a Ijoti) bo cori7jtC\& b|At),
a 6I61H15 b0 ciiAjt&A^ 3AC daII;
A J1&& 50 &-Cft6l3f |1)f) pep) At) 'pblAW,
P. <t)*v b-pAicpeApA rr)U]i)z]]x <De,
A3 ]• u]6e 30 sleAfcA curt) pleAb j
ir r<Mrw5e b1°r ^ca sac ros,
t)A A3 rt)uir)C|fi "FbltH) 376 n?6fi A n?eAj*.
5loijte 8jl a'|- cujt ]oi)A ceArjt) ;
5UC At) AjcTvjje cojfi Atjojf,
be]t) leo||i3i)]on) Abup <x'f i?a cajU caII.
O. <£>0 CA]U TT)e tT)0 C|All Abllf,
A'f ry\ bA rbeAfA Ijort) t)A 7*7 ij ; bo cAilleAf flow At) A13, V i?a KIT1 &llne bo bj fqAl.
P. 2lCA "plOtJl) a']- At; fY)]*VV AT)0|r,
50 bubftotjAc Aft Ijc t)a b-pjAt) ;
3Ajbre le tdac <De V d-ajc,
a'|- t)j bei& bA03Al ojtc be]c 3At) c|aII.
O. V\] cpeibjn) peio bo 51671 Atjojr,
A Clej|l|5 ^A TT)-bACAl 5-CAtT) ;
50 n)-b|A6 "Piood a'|- ao "pbjArjt; Afc^, Tt)ut)A b-j:u|3*-]r rulc A bejc At)t).
P. 31 *c At) A|cfti3e copi At)ojr,
ful a 3-cu||i|:|6oAfi pjof Ab c|otjt;; 3eill bo <Db|A, aV bejb pjof A3Ab,
CJA ACO Af-CfT; 1)6 Att)U|C C*V "p|Ol)t;.
0. I marvel at thy daring talk,
0 cleric who hast visited every land ; To say that I would forsake the Fians,
An open-hearted hospitable people, who were not niggardly.
P. Didst thou see the people of God Seated attired at feasts ; More plenteous have they of each good cheer, Than the people of Fionn, tho' great their consi- deration.
Better are ray tidings now,
Glory bright and strive to attain to it,
Receive true repentance now,
Make atonement here and don't lose heaven.
0. I have lost my reason here,
And what I esteemed more than that ;
1 have lost Fionn the noble,
And the fine men, who were generous.
P. Fionn and the Fenians now are [lying] Sorrowful on the flag-stone of pains ; Take thou [follow] the son of God in their stead, And there is no danger of thy being without sense.
0. I believe not thy talk now,
0 cleric of the crooked staffs ;
That Fionn and the Fenians should be within,
Unless they found pleasure in being there.
P. Receive just repentance now,
Before the summons shall be sent to thee ; Believe in God, and thou shalt know Whether Fionn is in [hell] or out of it.
40
O. <Da rt7-bjA6 T^ioijij A5ATI) A*f rr)Ac aij Loit),1
b|Af tjati 8nu]b o 5leo tja Iatjt) ; bAjrr)8eo|r) bo cl]ATi A3uf a 3-CI015, IT *3U1W &o bei&eA8 at? bAll.
P» N] b|A8 ffr) co]8ce Aft bujt 3-cufi,
If peATijt at) luce aca atjt) ; tt)ac Tt|5 T;e|rr>e 8jbfieAf t>a b-uilc, If TT)6fl A C|OT) ATI 8u]T)e 8aII.
0. 2t)A'f bAll ACA TTTUItiqTl <De,
A'f S^^b jAb t)a &A|U ff AT)t)f<v leif ;
Tf COfrbAjl 1)AC 5"CU|TtfeA8 At) "pblATJT),
50 ceAC tja b-pjAt) b& f3Ti]0f.
P. C]tA]8ceACC OTIC A feAT)6]]t,
CArjAf t)A bfiiACfA bujle ;
bob' fleATiTi <t)fA Tie b-AOT) uatti,
tja f]^t)V^ 6|fieAT;T) u]le.
O. 21 Pb&qtAic t)A bACAile CAirrje,
bo be[Ti OTirr) fTieA3fA8 bAtjA; bo b]A8 bo bACAl t)a bTiuf^ATi, bA tT)-b|A8 Ofcuji bo Iacatti.
<Da rr)-be]8eA8 rr>o tt>ac Ot-cuti A5uf <D|A, Iatt) Aft Iajtt) ATI Cbt;oc t)a b-pb]Ai)T) ;a bA b-f Aicfiutjfe njo rf)Ac ati Iati, beATifA]t)t) 3u]i feA|t Uibifi <Dja.
Ciotjtjut* bob' fl6]b|Ti le <Dja,
T)A A cl]ATl A bc|C 1)] buf f 6ATITI ;
DA "Fioijt; fUjc, Rj3 da b-'PiAtjtj, bujrje fjAl bo bj 3AT) cAirrj?
1 VJac at) Lojp, the name of Fiona Mac Cunihaill's spear.
47
0. Were Fionn and Mac an Loin with me,
Two who never withdrew from the fight of the spears; Despite thy clerics and their bells, 'Tis we that would hold the place.
P. That would never come to your turn, A better tribe dwells there ; The Son of the King of heaven, who expels evil, Great is his love for a blind man.
0. If the people of God are blind,
And that the blind are they whom he loves best ; 'Tis likely, he would not send the Fenians, To the house of pain to be exterminated.
P. Misery attend thee, old man,
Who speakest the words of madness ; God is better for one hour, Than all the Fians of Eire.
0. 0 Patrick of the crooked crozier,
Who makes me that impertinent answer ; Thy crozier would be in atoms, Were Oscur present.
Were my son Oscur and God
Hand to hand on Cnoc-na-bh-Fiann,
If I saw my son down,
I would say that God was a strong man.
How could it be that God,
Or his clerics could be better men ;
Than Fionn the chief king of the Fenians,
A generous man without a blemish ?
* Cnoc i)A b-frAM, i.e., the hill of the Fenians. Probably Cnoc-an-air, in the county of Kerry, is the hill referred to.
48
O. 3^C A t)-Ab<Vft cu a't* At; cl]A|t,
bo fie^Ti |tjA5l<\c |t]5 t)a |teAi)i; ; bo bj fiib a b-"piAT)t;A]b Yh]VV, a'|* CA]b a b-plAiceAf <D6 50 ceAT)T).
'Da n)-bei8eA& a^c Atjrj f-pf t)& fU0T> bob' treAjtft r)A flAjceAt/ <t)e ; If at)T) bo ttaca8 "pTOT)!), &X A TtAl^ A136 &0T) pbeiW*
21 beTjt cufA t)ac b-cejb £1aI,
50 b-1FPeAW PA b-p]Atjij 50 b|tivtr ; xy\ |\A]b aot) ijeAC 'fAT) b-f^]\)i), T)AC |tA]b T^aI ATT)eAf3 c&t,c.
<£>a b-pA|cpeA|-A, a cl&ifi|5 c&t,6,
At) T^bl^Titi Ia A]t at) b-cfi&j^1 ub ceAf ; t)6 a Mat; La^a^t)2 t)a fftocAT) feirr),
Aft AT) b-'p&irjT) bA TT)6ft bO TT)eAT\
21 Pb^c|tA]c V^VY'^Z bo <t)blA>
at) cuitt)]T) leu* ai) "pblAT)t) bo bejc bed; t)0 a b-t:ACA]& fe fojft t)a f jaji, fi,l% bob' feAtijt t)A T,Ab a T)5leo?
No A b-frACATb fe 't)A 6u|cce fe|T), 3]6 ATtb 6 6t- Afi 3-C]Ot)T);
A T)31,aII, A 3-CO3A8, T)6 A T)CA|tC,
r:eA|i bo b] coTT^-rt^c le "p|ot)T).
1 CT1&15, strand. This must refer to the battle of Ventry (Fionn Traigh) fought in the third century of the Christian era, between Dairo Donn, Monarch of the World, and the Fianna Eircann, now in pre- paration for the Society, from a manuscript of the fourteenth century.
49
0. All that thou and thy clerics tell,
According to the laws of heaven's king ; [Fionn, These [qualities] were possessed by the Fians of And they are now powerful in God's kingdom.
Were there a place, above or below, Better than heaven ; "Pis there Fionn would go, And all he had of the Fenians.
Thou say est that a hospitable man Never goes to hell of pain ; There was not one among the Fenians, That was not hospitable amongst all.
Uadst thou seen, 0 chaste cleric,
The Fenians one day on yon southern strand ; Or at Naas of Leinster of the gentle streams, Then the Fenians thou wouldst greatly have es- teemed.
Patrick, enquire of God,
Whether he recollects when the Fenians were alive;
Or hath he seen east or west,
Men their equal, in the time of fight.
Or, hath he seen in his own country, Tho' high it be above our heads ; In conflict, in battle, or in might, A man who was equal to Fionn.
2 Nai* lAjjjeAt), now Naas, in the county of Kildare, a noted place iu Fenian history.
4
50
p. Oif|!) if b)r>t) Ijonj bo 3I0U,
*'f beAt)t)ACc jrof* le b-Ayrttu]!) ^pbl^o; Aicfti|- bu|i)t) cA rbe-ib nA&>
bO ri)A|tbA15 A|l Sbl|<\b 1)A U)-BAi) )-]01)\).1
O. <t)o |°5AO|leAn)A|t Aot) rbile cu,
bob' ^eAjtfi liic a't; bo b] 3<an3 ; bo iu\z bA ^ia8 le 3A6 cu b]ob, a']* At) ojjieAb le-|]* AI? b-pe] i)t) ujle.
'DljCx co] i) b§A3 Aji Sbl|^b LllAC'lA,2 bA eo|t) ibop. a n)-BeAnnt)A At) ScajI j3
bA CO]]) A 1j- jAUCATt AT) KorbAjfl,4 A']* bA CO\X) At) AbA]t) Bb<M)t)A.5
<t)])^ co|t) A3 Cv\|n3io t)A 3-cloc,6
a'j* bA cop) A]i toe Jn|*e Uj Cbu]i)t) ;7 bA cop) a b-pboftrrjAoil t)A b-p|At)t),8 a'i* bA. co\\) Ai|i Sbll^b t)A tti-Bai) b-pbloi)i).
21 PbC\C|tA|C, A 3-CUAlAb CU At) c-peA^,
a tt)|c CAlptiuii)t) t)A pf aIu) ]*Att) ; rtjAU bo tti3t)eAb le 7~"iot)t) ]i)A AOt)A]t, a't; 3AI) Aor) t)eAC At)i) b'pb|At)t)Aib "pAil ?
1 SIjaI> ha nj-lur) Ffoni), from rljAb, a mountain, t;a in-bAtj, of tlie wo- men, and t/ioijo. fair-haired ; literally, the mountain of the fair-haired women, now SliaLh-na-man in the county of Tipperary, which is situated within four miles of the town of Clonmel, and two of Carrick-on-Suir. Tor the legend of these fair-haired women, see an interesting paper on the Fenian Traditions of Sliabh na m-Ban, in the Transactions of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, for 1851.
2 Sl]Atj LuAcrvA, now Sliabh Luachar, in the counties of Cork and Kerry.
* tJeAitfinA At) ScaU, Gap of Seal. See note, p. 4.
* RoibAfi, now the Rower, an extensive district in the county of Kil- kenny, separated by the river Barrow from the town of New Ross.
5 Daijija, the river U.mn, in the county of Wexford, celebrated by George Ogle in the beautiful song ; —
" As down bj Banna's banks Ijitraj'd."
51
P. Oisin, sweet to mc is thy voice,
And a blessing furthermore, on the soul of Fionn ;
Relate to us how many deer
Were slain at Sliabh-na-m-Ban Fionn.
0. We loosened one thousand hounds, The swiftest, and the most fierce ; There fell by each hound two stags, And as many more, by all the Fenians.
Twelve hounds at Sliabh Luachra,
And two large hounds at Bearrna-an-Scail, Two hounds on the west of the Rower, And two hounds at the river Bann.
Two hounds at Carrigeen of the rocks,
And two hounds, at the lake of Inchiquin ; Two hounds at Formaoil of the Fians, And two hounds at Sliabh-na-m-Ban-Fionn.
0 Patrick, hast thou heard of the chase, 0 son of Calphruin of the tuneful psalms ; How it was made by Fionn alone, And no one with him of the Fians of Fail ?
« Caitisit) tjA 5-cloc, Carrigeen of the rocks. This is the name of a townland, on the Walsh mountains, in the county of Kilkenny ; but whe- ther it is the Carrigeen alluded to in the text we cannot determine.
7 Loc 1tjre U] Chuu}n, the lake of Inchiquin, literally, the lough of the Island of O'Quin. This romantic lake is situated in the parish of Kil- naboy, barony of Inchiquin, county of Clare, and is about two miles and a-half in circumference. It is bounded on its western side, by a range of rugged but richly wooded hills. It is from this lake, that the barony takes its name ; and the chief or head of the O'Briens, the Marquis of Thomond, took his more ancient title of Earl of Inchiquin. For a very interesting account of the connection of the O'Quin family, with this locality, see the Irish Penny Journal, No. 16, Dublin Journal, &e. Vol. II., pp. 136, 152.
8 Vop.rr)Ao]l tja b-FjAtjt). This Formaoil is situated between Miltown and Ennia, in the county of Clare.
n9
P. Nj cuaIa8, a n7|c At) Hjj,
a Oint) 5I1C t)A i?5T)ioit) t?5A|i3;
AjCfiif b<vtt) a'|* i)A CAt) 36,
cjorjbuf bo |ti5t)eAb l|b At) t-feAl.5 ?
O. H] cAi)Att)Aoirr)e At) *pblAt)t) 50,
A'f bjt§A5 llT)T) TJJOJI fATt)lA5 tlJAtt) ',
le iqwoo *Y ^e TjeAftc Ap Iath,
bO C]5rT}|f flAT) A J* 5AC 5l]A&.
Njoji fiqb cleifteAc a 5-C|U, 5I& b|t)t) l]b a cAOAjb pfAlrrj ; bob' jreAjtri jtocaI 1)a At) T^bl <*')')> •pi|i t)Ari loc a tjjljAb 3<\|tb.
Njojt fiqb cl^ifieAc a 5-C]ll,
a Pb<xcftAic cAoirt) \x h\x)\) slofi ; bob' pejle r)A piorrr) £ejr), jreAji t)AC caoI bo brtot)t)A8 6{t.
<t)& tt)Ai|tpeA8 ttjAC 2t)6|tt)A trjeAjt, t)6 "Soil caIitja r)A]t CAjt f&Ab ; 1)6 njAC Ui C)buibr)e t)A rt)-bAt), at) Iaoc bo cujrieAb cac Afi ceAb.
<t>A rtjAiripcAb ^eArisuf jqle p|Al,
pCAfl A 5-CAt)CA bo JtOt)A A|t At) b-*pC|t)l) ;
t)6 t)A]rie bo f-cit)i)eA8 5AI) locc, a D^uc bo 6I05 rvj b|Ab mo |*pe|f.
'Da rt)A||tpeA8 rt)AC 5*tMlA1b 1)0. Iai)i), At) jreAft t)^[t 3At)t) A5 cup At) a|h ; Ofcuri t)6 tt)AC Roi)A]t) 3|tit)i), bo c|tot)At) fAt) 3-C|ll t)|op f^jrt).
53
P. I have not heard, 0 son of the king, 0 wise Oisin of the fierce deeds ; Eelate to me and tell no untruth, How the chase was made by ye ?
0. We [the Fenians] never used to tell untruth, Falsehood was never attributed to us ; By truth and the might of our hands, We came safe out of every conflict.
There never sat a cleric in a church,
Tho' melodiously ye think they chant psalms, More true to his word than the Fians, Men who never shrunk from fierce conflicts.
A cleric never sat in a church,
0 Patrick mild of the sweet voice ;
More hospitable than Fionn himself,
A man who was not niggardly, in bestowing gold.
If Mac Morna the swift were now alive, The mighty Goll, who loved not jewels ; Or, the son of O'Duibhne of the women, The hero who used to engage a hundred in the fight.
If Feargus, the hospitable bard, were alive,
He who used to bestow their songs on the Fenians ;
Or Daire who used to sing without fault,
In the sound of thy bells, I would take no pleasure.
If Mac Garadh of the blades were alive, He who was not slow, in making slaughter ; Oscur oi' Mac Ronain the cheerful, Your droning in the church would not be pleasant.
54
O. <t>A rr)Ai|t|*eA& 2iobb Be*5 ttjac Fbim),
t)6 "pAolAt) 5rMt)i} i)A|t ^FT1 O^ac; t)6 Cot)*\t) 2t)Aol bo b| 5AT) 5|tuA|3, jp |Ab b'p^5 rrje |*ao| T-nuAirt) le |*eAl !
No At) c-AbAC beA5 bo h) A5 piorvr),
bo cu^eAb'5Ac bu|T)e t)a co||tc|ro fttAiT) ;
bA b|T)t)e Ijort) |*uA|rr) a tt)&A|i,
t*a a b-|*u|l bo'i) clejji a 5-C1U a't* a b-tuAjc.
0|* AT)OCC 1)AC TT)A|neAT)T) At) "pblAt)t),
t>A pjour) |*iaI t)A T)-biu\|* ;
bo bobA|t |*|AT)|*At) t)A p|*Alrr),
AV 3^1t 3A|tb t)a 3-CI05 rt)0 cIiiai*.
P. Sjuift &0 D&<*1 A feAT)6|fl fuA||lC,
i)A bj peApbA A5 Iua8 t;a b-fi&vv ;
a'|* 50 V)-beACAbA|l COUC TT)A|t AT) 5-CeO,
A'r 3° T)-b&]b 50 beo a osIat* V* b-p|Aii !
O. NA b"AbA]Tl flO, A PbACrtAjC ^llC,
a'|* i)ac TiAjb a ri b|c tja A|t T)eATT) i)A r;5|tA|*, aot) Iaoc le a rr)-beAjtf*A|6e buAb,
A|l CeAT)T) At) C-flllA]^, pi 01)1} **0 AI5.
2t)ut)A rt)-b6|beA& t)a 5eA|*A bo bj A|t pbioiji), a'|* i)A|t rbjAr* lej|* b|i||*eA8 cnib ; A b-|*u|l |b||t r*eAif) A5u|* Iah, T)| clAO|b|.*|bj|* Iatt) tt)0 m^.
P. J|* 6 too mj-rc 6CAlbA|5 T)eATT),
II* 6 bo be||t i;eA|tc bo Iaoc ; II* e bo curt) At) b|oc-buAT), II* 6 bo bc||i blAc i)A 5-c|tAob.
55
0. If Aodh Beag the son of Fionn were alive,
Or Faolan the jovial who never refused any one ; Or Conan Maol who was without hair — They left me sorrowful for a while !
Or the little dwarf whom Fionn had, Who put each man into heavy sleep ; More melodious to me was the sound of his fingers, Than all the clerics in church and laity.
As tonight the Fenians do not live. Or the hospitable Fionn of the gifts ; The loud chanting of the psalms, [hearing.
And the hoarse sound of the bells have deafened my
P. Cease thy talk, pleasant old man,
Be not henceforth talking about the Fenians ; For they have passed thee by like a mist, And will be for ever, in the fetters of pain !
O. Say not so, O Patrick the wise,
For there was not on earth or in heaven of grace,
Any hero able to gain victory,
Over the head of our host, Fionn the noble.
Had it not been for the injunctions imposed on Fionn, Which he would not break through ; All that is between heaven and earth, Would not subdue the hand of my king.
P. It is my king, who formed the heavens,
It is he, who gives might to the warrior ;
It is he, that created the universe,
It is he, that gives the blossom of the trees.
56
P. )x e bo 6eAlbA|5 6*1*34 a'** 3fi.*An,
-\X e bo be-fi jAfS «*T* hw ;
It* e bo cnucAj-5 sopc a'j* j*eA*t,
T}] \)-\OX)S>X)X) a'** eACCA pblPO- O, ft] Aft CjtUCUJAb 5OJIC T)A J*&*fl,
C115 rno jtis-re T**^" * bu-l;
ACC Aft COf5A||tC COftpA Iaoc,
A|t cof-nAtf" cn]OC, a'j* Aft cun a clu.
^T* fu1P31&> ATl 1">ittc, A|t fe|l3, Aft nocco»8 rneinTje a b-cujf 5leo ; Aft **T)|nc £|cc|lle,1 a'|* An- ft) An}, a'|* A]t feice<\n) ca*c a b-q-5 At) 6-1.
1 T"|cceAll, Chess. This was the favorite game of the ancient Irish chieftains; and is frequently referred to in the earliest manuscripts extant. In leAbAfi t)A 5-CeAnc (Book of Rights), p. lxi. the follow- ing account of this game, copied from leAbAfi tja b-Ujbjtj, a manuscript of the twelfth century, is given ; and it will serve as a curious specimen of the language of that period : -
'*Cja c-Ajt)tt)-reo ? ol GoebAjft. M| AjtbAjjtc ron, ol \&, 2*)|b]ri Dries lejc. Cjb hoc noAcc ? ol GocfjAiS ? too jnjbijtc jribcjlle pnjcru, ol re-. 5ilnj njAjc r© enj, ol CocbAjfe, pott f]ic\\\ ? 21 FtioiijAS&fin, ol 2f)i&j*t. 21ca, ol eocl)A|6 jnb n-jSAt) 1 *)-<*» coclub, jr le 1*) cech aca jt) jqicell. 2lcA rutjb cet)Ae, ol Snjbjn ri^cell ijao tnerro. l)A Fit*. ofjclAjt OAHSF ocur Fit*- °1P, ocur r-«ttrunu6 [.1 U\rA&] caca bAjjtbi F°t*-r in cUit b| iuc 105194*11, ocur
ten bol5 bj TPT5T T*-or>& cjteburi'Ae. CcrlUjfi 2t)l&m 10 *rf6c]U jAjt ri"- Irtjbjfi, ol Sfljbift. Nj iinrtjenAcc bj 5ju.ll, ol Coc'ja&. Cjb sell bjAr Apt) ? ol 21)tbjjt. CutnnjA Ijtt), ol CochAjb. Koc bjA IjtpfA, ol 2l)jbjtt, tt)A cii bejter ti)o cocell cagsac 5Abujt ij-bubjjjlAr."
" ' What is thy name ?' said Eochaidh. ' It is not illustrious,' replied the other; ' Midir of Brigh T.eith.' 'What brouglit thee hither ?' said Eochaidh. ' To play fithcheall with thee,' replied he. ' Art thou good at fithcheall? said Eochaidh. 'Let us have the proof of it, replied Midir. ' The queen,' 6aid Eochaidh, ' is asleep, and the house in which the fithcheall is belongs to her.' 'There is here,' said Midir, 'a no
57
It is he, that made the moon and the sun, It is, he that brings fish into a lake ; It is he, that formed field and grass, Not like the deeds of Fionn.
0. 'Twas not in forming fields and grass, That my king took delight ; But in mangling the bodies of heroes, In contesting kingdoms and spreading his fame.
In courting, playing, and hunting,
And unfolding his banner, in the front of the fight;
In playing at chess and swimming,
And in beholding all in the house of drinking.
worse fithchcall.' This was true, indeed : it was a board of silver and pure gold, and every angle was illuminated with precious stones, and a man-bag of woven brass wire. Midir then arranges the fithcheall. •Play,' said Midir. 'I will not, except for a wager,' said Eochaidh, 'What wager shall we stake?' said Midir. *I care not what,' said Eochaidh. ' I shall have for thee,' said Midir, 'fifty dark grey steeds, if thou win the game.' "
In Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy, Vol. II., p. 372, there is an Irish poem ascribed to Aldfred, king of the Northumbrian Saxons, and said to have been composed by him, during his exile in Ireland, A.D. 685, in which he describes the Ossorians, as expert hands at the game, in the following stanza :- -
" Ro bbcAC 6 AtioiT) cosle, 21 cqri Alojnn Om<M5be, 2t)iolU TTj|lreAcb uaII tnori rnjAcbc, T=Ut)t)A tfori* n&bcblolUcF)c."
I found from Arato Gle, In the rich country of Ossory, Sweet fruit, strict jurisdiction. Men of truth, chess playing.
58 O. 21 Pb&cftAic, ca jtAjb bo 4)b|A,
AT) CAT) C&]T)1C AT) b]Af CATl leAjl ?
C115 led beAT) ^13 LocIat)i) tja lot>5,
le'fl CU]C TOTT)Ab T*OT)T) f*AT) CjteAf ?
Ho AT) CAT) cA]t)jC AT) C>eATt3 b]AT), TT)AC Tt]3 1ocIaT)T) T)A T31AC T)-0)Tt ; CTieAb T)Afl T-OTICA15 Tt]5 T)A T)AOTT), b6]b ATI be|TT)|OT)T)A|b AT) T>1Tl TT)6]Tl ?
ftd AT) CAT) C&1T)13 2t)A3t)Uf TT)OTt,
at) feA|t bA borib a i)3leo T)Ari cirtj ;
If COfrT)A|l bA TT)A|]tpeA& bo |l}3,
30 5-cujbeocAb le f^ATjTjAib pbli)t)«
No AT) CAT) CA]T)13 ^A]lc TT)AC T^JteOlT),
AT) peATV ATI AT) b-peiT)t) bO CU|Tl AT) C-ATl ; T)] le <t)lA bO CU^C AT) CUTIA8, ACC le b-OfCUTl AtT)eAT/5 CAC.
2l]lleAT)T), TT)AC Ba&TT)A TT)6|Tt,
le TT^llq "CeATT)Al]t T)A fluA^ b-CfieAT) ;
t)ioti Iaitt) xV)t m& "^IT1 &0 TM3»
bill bA clAO]b ACC pJOT)!) pejT).
)ott)8a cac, TT)Aibn), a't- 5I1A&, bo corT)6|tA8 Tie "pjAODAib "pAjl;
T)T CUaIa8 50 T)-beA|tT)A eACC
Tl'13 T)A T)AOTT), T)A 3Uft beATt5 A IaJIT).
P. t-ei5irr)jr b'Aji 3-corT)6ftcAT' ati 5AC CAob, a feAtjont cttjt) aca 5AT) ce]U ;
CU13 3° fc_Kull ^!A AP VeATT) T)A T)-OTlb,
A5uf "piot)!) a'i* a f-loisce u]le a b-pe|i)i).
59
0. 0 Patrick, where was thy God,
When the two came across the sea ; [the ships,
Who carried off the queen of the king of Lochlin of By whom many fell here in conflict.
Or when the mighty Dearg came, The son of the king of Lochlin of the golden shields ; Why did not heaven's king protect them, From the blows of the great man ?
Or when Maghnus the great landed, He who was fierce in dread conflict ; 'Tis likely, had your king then lived, That he would have joined the Fians of Fionn.
Or when Tailc mac Treoin arrived,
He who on the Fians great slaughter made ; 'Twas not by God the hero fell, But by Oscur in the presence of all.
Ailleann, the son of Badhma the great, [spoiled,
By whom Temor of the powerful hosts used to be There did not dare [even] if thy king lived, To go to conquer him but Fionn himself.
Many a battle, victory, and contest, Was celebrated by the Fians of Fail ; I never heard that any feat was performed By the king of saints ; or that he reddened his hand.
r. Let us cease our comparison on both sides,
Withered old man, who art devoid of sense ; Understand that God dwells in heaven of the degrees, And Fionn and his hosts are all in pain.
60
O. Ba rbop AT) T)&ifte |-^r> bo toblA,
3AT) 3IAT/ i)A b-p)At) bo biiA|t) b"pb]OT)T) ;
A311T/ <D|A p^]T>, bA TT)-b|A8' A TT}-b|tU|b,
30 b-cftOjbjreAb At) plAjc cA|t a ceAT)t).
Njop ^uIa^j 7^1 0T?t> Aft peA8 a fiAe, TjeAc bo be|C a b-p£i,T)T) t)A a T)3uAft*; 5AT) puAf5lAb Aft le b-Af p3eAb t)6 6ft, le cac vo sleo, 30 TT)-bejfteA8 buA&.
)\ TDATC AT) CeATJT) bATT) ATI bO tobfA,
befc ATT?eAf3 a elf Aft, njAft cC\frr) ; 3AT) b|A8, 3AT) &a8ac, 3ATT ceol, 3AT) befc A3 b|tOT)t)A& 6fft Aft 8a]tt).
5aTT 3&fft t)A r>3A&A|t T)A T)A TTOC,
3ATT bejc coftbeAb pope T)A cuatt ;
bo c|or)t) a b-T;uAjtAT/ b'eAfbAb at? bf8e,
ttta]C]ttt bo ]t|3 t>e|rbe An/ uacc.
3att f/"^> 3AT) TriA5A|6eAcc, 3AT1 Flow, 5AT) r^nSl8 Kl*l-bAT), 5An rpo|ic; 3AT) fu|8eA6 a i;-|OTiAb rnAft bA 6uaI, 3AT) po^lufir) cleAf luc T)A 5leo;
p. t-^13 cufA bo be]c b'& pioti),
A 1171,0 At) F|3 bA TT)AJC clli;
5e|ll bo'i) ce bo 3t)j8 5AC tt)Ajc, cjtort) bo ceAt)T) a't; freAC bo ^lut).
BuAfl b'ucc a'|* bofftc bo bcoji, cpefb bo'Ti ce ca by bo cjouo; 318 311ft b']Of3i)A leAc a Iua8, IX & bo JIU3 biiA]8 aji 7~b|<>un.
Gl
0. Great would be the shame for God,
Not to release Fionn, from the shackles of pain ; For if God himself were in bonds, The chief would fight on his behalf.
Fionn never suffered in his day Any one to be in pain or difficulty ; Without redeeming him, by silver or gold, By battle or fight, till he got the victory.
It is a good claim for me on thy God To be among his clerics, as I am ; Without food, without clothing or music, Without bestowing gold on bards.
Without the cry of the hounds or of the horns, Without guarding harbours or coasts ; For all that I have suffered for lack of food, I forgive heaven's king in my will.
Without bathing, without hunting, without Fionn, Without courting generous women, without sport, Without sitting in my place, as was due, Without learning feats of agility or fighting.
P. Cease recounting them,
0 son of the king whose fame was great ; Submit to Him who doeth all good, Stoop thy head and bend thy knee.
Strike thy breast and shed thy tear, Believe in Him who is above ; Though thou art amazed at its being said, 'Twas he gained victory over Fionn.
G2
O. 21 PbC\qiAjc, bA it)-be|6|t)t;i*| 5AT) c^jll, bo |*5Ajt|*A|T)r) leb' cl&i|i a 3-qr)t) ;
T)| b|A8 leAbAjl 1)A bACAl bAt),
t)A CI05 cjiaca Atjrj bo cjll.
21 bubA||tc Oino, rrjo |*5oaI cftitA5 ! i?| b]t)i) l]Oxr) puAin? bo b&jl;
50]lpeAbfA 50 |*|tA|*, ACC T)l f A tJbjA,
acc j*ao| pblo^Tj t)A b-T^Arw 5AT) bejc beo !
P. 2t)Aji bo 5eAllA]f A|cjtjj* bujijT),
tT^IS* reAcuii?, Puac a'|* KeA|ts ; n)A]t bo 5eAllA|i* ]VV]X A1^°ir> qopbuf bo fi|5T)eA& l|b At) c-feAh-,.1
O. Miojt b']OTJ5t)A &ujt)tj a bejc bftdijAC,
a'|* ceAi)t) Aji fl6|5 ^e1^ &'&|t t)-fc>ic ; 3]8 b'& bo rt)AojcpeA& oftu|r*r; jatj 5A||te, II* bu|tjt) bob' AbbA|t bejc A5 cao| !
» 2lt) c-reAls, the chase. This poem, which forms part of the 2l5AlUtij, and generally comes in here in our Irish manuscripts, is printed in full in Miss Brooke's Reliques of Irish Poetry, p. 412, Dub. 1816, with a me- trical translation at p. 91, to which we refer the reader. The Rev. Dr. Drummond has also made a highly poetic translation of it, which
63
0. 0 Patrick, were 1 without sense,
I would take off the heads of thy clerics ; There would not be a book or crozier bright, Or matin bell left in thy church.
Oisin said, sorrowful is my tale ! The sound of thy lips is not sweet to me ; I will cry my fill, but not for God, But for Fionn and the Fians not being alive !
P. As thou hast promised, relate to us — Forsake, shun, hatred and anger — As thou hast promised, relate to us now, How the chase was made by you.
O. No wonder we should be sorrowful,
Whilst bereft of the head of our host ; '
Whoever may boast over us that we are not joyful,
'Twas we that had cause to weep !
is published in his Ancient Irish Minstrelsy. The legend which gave rise to the Poem of the Chase, is frequently alluded to in Irish Manuscripts, and is interwoven with the romance, entitled «' Fejr Zfee Choi)&ii) CblDO Sblejbe, which formed the Second Volume of our Transactions. The scene is laid at Sliabh Guillinn, in the county of Armagh.
C%Z\) C\)HO)C 2tN 21JK.
O. 13o bAttiAtt ujle At) ^bl^t) A'f )~|O0t),
a 5-c6|rbc|orjol A]t At) 5-ct)OC t/o T/jA|t;
A3 I^IT^ ^T1 cleAfAjb luc,
a']* XWO 3° f^A^ A3 CA|C]ori) I1A3.1
Cjo8 ettAcc bu]t)t) ArblAiS f|t),
a bubAijtc bjiAOi "CeAri^ftAC2 30 ^\]VV 3I1C ; If e<x5*l \}ox\), a pblOO t)A b-FblAT)T),
TJAC ^AbA At) J11A1) 5U|l &0]l|3 fc>"jb.
Crieab fo ATjojf, bo jiai8 T^io^tj,
le a b-cui5ceAjt leAC ati 5-cu^f bobjidjt) ; aY tjac b-piql Iaoc pAO| At) r^Tteit), t)ac b-pujl T/At) b-pbei^t; T/eAfArb led.
t CAiciori) I1A5, throwing or casting stones. This singular custom was carried on to a great extent in the early part of the present century ; and, it is traditionally said that the tullAitj or pillar-stones, found in various parts of Ireland, were the "cIoca tjeiTic," of the Fenians, and that Fionn Mac Cumhaill himself made no great hoast of casting one of these huge rocks from the hill of Almhuin (Allen), where his palace stood, across to the hill of Howth, a distance of about twenty miles. In"eAccfiA tijjc tja ti)i-corijA]Tile," or The Adventures of an Ill-advised Son, by Carroll O'Daly, better known on account of his rhyming pro- pensities, as —
" CeATibAll bU)6e t)A ij-AbrUxi), Oo fejooeab rcneAt)t)cAi) ati ceAfc>A]b."
Swarthy Carroll the rhymer, Who would play a ditty on the harp, the custom is thus referred to : —
" la. t)A b-treATi 'ouAiri CAfA5 n>e fAt) c-fllAb, Stl'r l& VA b-r/eATi bo caichoo M°5 "JAti lAb."
On the day that the men were mustered, I met tbem on the hill, On the day that the men were mustered I'd cast a stone as well as any of them.
THE BATTLE OF CNOC AN AIR.
O. We were all. the Fians and Fionn,
Assembled on this hill to the west ;
Practising feats of agility,
And we so mirthful casting stones.
Not long were we so,
When the Druid of Tara, wisely said ; I greatly fear, 0 Fionn of the Fians ! That the time is not far when thou shalt regret.
What means this, saith Fionn,
That thou foretel our cause of grief;
There is not a hero under the sun,
Who among the Fians cannot find his match.
Carroll O'Daly was the most celebrated wit of his day, as well as the most eccentric character. He was the first harper of his time, and author of that beautiful and soul-stirring song " e|bljr> a Riiit)," or, Ellen, the secret of my heart, which he composed for the daughter of Kavanagh, the history of which is so well known, that there is no necessity for repeating it here.
2 "Op.60] CeATT)ttAc, the Druid of Tara. According to our ancient an- nalists, Tigearnmas, monarch of Ireland, of the race of Heremon, was the first who introduced the worship of idols into Ireland, about nine centuries before the Christian era ; and it is stated, that while wor- shipping the Crom Cruach, the chief deity of the Irish Druids, along with a vast assemblage of his subjects at Magh Sleacht in Breifne, on the feast of Samhuin, one of their Deities (the day dedicated to whose rites was the same as the last day of October), he himself, with three- fourths of his people, were struck dead by lightning, as a punishment from heaven for his introduction of idolatry into the kingdom. See Connellan's Four Masters, p. 75, note. For a learned Dissertation on Druidism in Ireland, see O'Conor's Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores
Veteres, Tom. I., Proleg. Pars. 1., pp. xx xxxiv.
5
66
O. C|tei& uAimj'e, * fb]t)t), i)A 3-cjuia8 Iai)1), 50 b-jni'l Ai) c6|ji a r>30)|teACc bAO'b; jreAc i)A tj&aIa j*oIa' ub, A3 bA5A|t 8ubAc CAO]b aji cAO]b.
<t)"f:eAC f]Oi)i) 6f A cio»)t) ru*r>
a'j* bO COl)A1ftC CUAjl J*oIa 30 CJI&A1);
11* eA5Al l]ort), bo jia-8 At) |*ao|,
50 b-qocpAjb Ait-juAn* Ajt At) b-pbeiOU-
<t)o 50-|t p-or)*) ciq3e Ofcu]t,
a'f bubA]|tc, a cuftA]8 tja Iai)*) 3eAft, ■\y cujbe 8ujc a be*t A3 caoj, feAC A]t f'lsnjb At) Ae8]|i.
21 ]t]5 i)A h-fh\^VV, &o tiAjS Ofcu|t, t)a 5IAC b]o85 i)A Ai)bpAi)r) tjt]b ; acA i)eA]tc a'|* luc Ab 5&A5A]b, a']* cjtort)-f,luA3 cri&At) rieb' CAO-b.
<Do cATceATt^Ajt u-le ai) Yty&xyr), ]*CAlAb A3 3|t|T)T)-ATt)AjtC t)A ijeul ; bo bj bfteAti) A3iqr)t) -f*o]lb]ft, fubAC. a't bjteAtt) eile bubAc t)A 1)5156.
4)0 lAbAjfi Coijai)2 bo 311c Aftb, A3ur IT* ^ &o T^l** 30 bo|ib cjteAi) ;
1)| b-pUll 1)eAC b'Ajt ACJtA]3 bAC,
Abbu-ri) rpfe-jij acc feAjt ^AOt).
1 N6aU poU, clouds of blood. The Irish still look upon any changes in the clouds as portentous of some forthcoming event ; and here, Fionn foresaw the destruction which awaited the Fenians at Cnoc-an-air.
2 Coijsxp was the most noisy person in the Fenian ranks, though, at
67
0. Believe rue, 0 Fionn of the tempered blades, That the foe is nigh at hand ; Behold those clouds of blood, Threatening gloomily side by side.
Fionn gazed above his head, And he beheld a mighty omen of blood. I greatly fear, saith the sage, That a ruin of slaughter will come upon the Fians.
Fionn called Oscur to him, And said, 0 hero of the sharp blade, 'Tis likely that thou shalt be mourning ; Behold the portents in the heavens.
0 king of the Fenians, saith Oscur, Be not startled, or depressed by them ; There is might and strength in thy arms, And a mighty host at thy side.
We, the Fenians, all spent,
Some time keenly beholding the clouds ; Some of us were merry and gladsome, And others with gloomy countenances.
Conan spoke with a loud voice,
Exclaiming haughtily and proudly ; There is no one whose colour changed, I confess, but a coward.
the same time, the most contemptible. For an account of his enchant- ment in the Bruighin Chaorthainn, and what he suffered there, we would refer the reader to that cv.rious tract, which will hereafter form one of the Society's publications.
63
O. 21 fh]VW iV\c CurbA|U, bo |tivj8 Ai) <t)nA0f,
qorjol bo bu|8eAt) Ab' 6^|l, a'i* no|t;r;ceAji ]Ab leAc Aft leAc, 50 r)-bO|t)ib ^A]|te aji ceACC bo't) r)Ari)A|b?
<Do fe]i)r) "p]ot)r) At) <t)6nb }rb]At)ij; A'r b'i*rieA5Aift j-jAb ]r>A 05^1; 5AC peAn rrjiv luA]c A5 ceACC, e]b|ji >*U\|c, chjac, a'i* cA]r>.
2l]ct)e6cAb Atjojf, A]x 'pioiji) 50 pion,
5AC rjeAC bATt) bufboAt) le'fi b'iout;f a 1176 ; a'|* jrof* 5AC t;eAC bA b-pu]l bort) puAc, njA ciqn]b |*UAf a be|c borr/ Tie^n.
O. 21 OfCU|]t, bo n&jb "pioijp A|t b-ciif,
6j* cu ufifA1 a'|* luc, t>a b-'pjAi.)!); At) b-pAiftpib cu 30 Ia ne CAC, ceA<ic bo't; rj&rbA^b z\ cu3A]t)r) A5 cji]aII.
^lApnAi5iri) b]oc Arjoif, a "pblW, Ai) bul curt) |*ua]o bob' -Sv^l leAc; rrjojt if)A]|*e 8u]c, a'j* bA rb]-clu, rtj&Y eA3Al leAc rjAfrpbe ceACC.
Mj le b-AijbpAt)!) ito]rb l<v]rb cac, bo ]tAcpA|r)0 cn&c curt) fUAfi) ; acc 5un £|op bu|c 5ujt 30&C Ijort), CA1fbeAt)Ab b'pAJAjl Aft 3 AC 3uah*.
N] b]ulc6]3 Tt)|]*e pAfne fie cac, t)fl rt)6n-|*5ac 'tja At)bpA]t)i) oftrp; 3|8eAb 11* eA5Al l|orr>, a "pbfi)!), 511J1 beA3 bob' buj8eAt) uac CA5AI led.
1 UftfA, a pillar, a prop or support, the frame on which a door hangs. Oscur was considered the 9toutest and most valiant of the Fenians ; lience Fionn designates him as above ; but we question whether he bore the
C9
0. 0 Fionn, son of Cumhall, saith the Druid, Call thy forces in thy presence ; And divide them into two separate bodies, That they may watch the approach of the foe.
Fionn sounded the Dord Fhiann, And they answered by a shout ; Each man vicing to be first, Noble, chief, and host.
I shall now truly discern, saith Fionn, Such of my followers as are attached to me ; And also such as do me hate, If they refuse being led by me.
0 Oscur, saith Fionn at first,
As thou art the prop and strength of the Fians, Wilt thou with others watch this night [us.
The approach of the enemy who are making towards
1 ask of thee now, 0 Fionn,
If it be thy wish to take repose ;
It would not become thee, but bring ill fame,
If thou fear that foes may come.
'Tis not through dread of any man's hand, That I would awhile go to rest ; But thou knowest 1 am accustomed, To have visions of every danger.
I shall not refuse keeping watch with the rest, There's neither fear nor terror on me ; Though I greatly fear, 0 Fionn, That the most of thy followers arc in dread.
palm in heroism from Goll mac Morna ; or even his father the poet Oisin. He was killed hy Cairbre Lifeachair at the Battle of Gabhra. Vide Transactions, Vol. I., p. 50.
70
O. ^oipeAf T^orw A|t <t)blArur)uib <Dor)t),
a'|* p|Ap|tAi5eAf 30 CeAtfTJfA bo't) £A]b ; AT) b-pA1|tp]6 CU TT)A]l AOT) le b-OfCiijt, ttta'p ^ot)n}u]r)e leAC irje i)A cAc.
a 5-CAc r)A 5-co|Tb-eA|*5Ait tja b-cnorn-f' U1A3 ;
ACC 50 T17-b|A8 OfCUfl TtUT) TTTO cttoibe,1
jioriTArTT t;6n/ b]A|3 le teAcc buA6.
21 3b<>lU CAlttlA T)A 3-CTUIA6 IaTTTT, All CUrtlATTT) le<vc T?J3 T)A b-^jAT)!) ; AT) b-pAT)pA]8 CU A b-pOCA]ft CAC,
r|b crquu TU13 bATtTt U* i)3Att3 5I1AS.
Nj b-6A5<\l l|OrT) l&TTl bA CJIUA&ACC,
6 tA Of*cun i)4 t>5UAf 4"?' 8A1I; a'i* <t)|A|iiT>uib c]to&A tta b-"F|Ai)i), bejb rtiife tttatt ]Ab 50 Ia.
'CAjijic 'FaoIati2 bo Iacajti "pbl^r;, a'p bo lAbAirt 50 pjocrbAfi, Ajtb ; a't- bub^utc, a rt]5 i)A b-^Arji), T)j TT)6ft lirjr) buic bo fuAi;) 30 lA.
1 Rut) tt)o cnoi6e, the secret of my heart ; or, my heart's treasure. This is still a common phrase in Ireland, but applied only as a term of affection.
2 PAoUrj, or O'Faolain, now anglicised Phclan or Whelan. There were* many distinguished persons of this name iu ancient times who gave names to territories, tribes, and families in Ireland : such as the Ui Faolain of Leinster, a name rather prominent in the county of Kilkenny at the present day. Dr. O'Donovan writes of them ( Vide levari i)A 5.Ce.\ric, Book of Rights, pp. 205—6),—" This was the name of a tribe and territory containing about the northern half of the'present county of Kildare. It comprised the baronies of " Clane" and "Salt," and the greater part, if not the entire, of those of " Ikeathy," and " Oughter- anny." The town of Nas (Naas), and the churches of Clacnadh (Clane), Laithreoch Brain (Laraghbrine, near Maynooth), Domhnach Mor Muiglie Luadhat (Donaghmorc), Cluain Conairc (Cloncurry) ; and
71
0. Fionn calls Diannuid Donn,
And he asketh calmly of the sage ;
Wilt thou watch with Oscur,
If thou art more attached to me than the rest.
I never yet flinched, 0 Fionn, In battle or conflict of mighty hosts, So that Oscur the treasure of my heart, Were before or behind me in time of victory.
0 valiant Goll of the well-tempered swords, Dost thou love the king of the Fians ; Wilt thou remain with them,
Ye are the three who gained sway in fierce conflict.
1 dread not the hardiest hand,
As Oscur of the feats is with me ; And valiant Diarmuid of the Fians, I will be with them this night.
*o
Faolan came into the presence of Fionn, And exclaimed fiercely and loudly ; Saying, 0 Fenian king, We grudge thee not thy repose this night.
Fiodh Chuillinn (Feiglicullen), were in it. After the establishment of surnames, [which happened in the reign of Dn|AT) bonoirije Brian Boroimhe, or Boru, as the name is often for brevity's sake incorrectly written] the chiefs of this territory took that of Mac Faolain, and soon after, that of O'Brain (Anglice O'Dyrne) ; but they were driven from this level and fertile country, about the year 1202, by Meyler Fitz-Henry and his followers, when they retired into the mountains of Wicklow, where they acquired new settlements for themselves ; and in the reigns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, they were possessed of more than the southern half of the county of Wicklow." And at p. 222, note b (idem), he says that, " Magh Laighean was another name for the territory of the JJi Faolain. O'Faolain was the chief of a tribe, named Dcise, de- scended from Fiacha Suighdhe, the elder brother of Conn of the Hun-
O. 21 Cborj^r) ttjaoi,1, bo ]\i\]6 'Ft.otti), j:at> a 3-cuA|*A^b biiba, Lejc-Aifib ; o'r cu if 3Ain^e "ATll-TjAift b]T)T), curt) r^AiitA t^a']* ceAdc bo'i} tJATTMib.
2t)Ar- bul bATt) yt'e^x), a 'pblOt)* bo't) uai,tt), A3 F^T*6 Att fcuAjftc, i)6 Ajt caij; Art) AOt)A|i 5AT) cu]le bo't) "pb^irji;, 50 i)50|rjceAri n)e cjterr)' lAtt ?
Nj cuibe 8ui,c, a Cboi^i) tt)A0]1,
b^lllcAS 7~blt>Dj bO TIA]8 TTTAC VliJAjS,
ac A t)A |t]5 6]* c]ot)T) rjA b-"piAT)T), a 3-corb|iAC, a'|* a rr)-b]A8, '|*A tH>ft.
2t)A CA 7^01)1) T)A |ti5 6f qoT)i) t)A b-^AT)!), A n)|C L1Y5A18, bo fiiv]8 Coi)Ai) ; xy\ corrbuil 511ft cu]be bAit),
bill ATT) AOT)A|t 30 b-UAlTT) 1.6 AC- AT, fib.1 W\\ fAT) b-p1AT)T) U]le, Aft tt)<\C t-UTJAC,
freAjt c6rb-rr)-b|t)r) bob' clo-^uc Ajtb, a't* clo|t)pib At) pb'Ai) "]le bo slott, ttjaY ceAcc bo'r) c6||t a t)5aji bo'i) 2Jrib.
MC\ bf peAfbA lion) bA lu<\8,
A TT>1C Lu^Al^ T)A TT)]!) 5CA5 ',
b'pl)|oi)r> t;a bo't) "pbeit)t) t)j riACAb at)T), cu||t|n) juiAf bo le tt)0 jtAe.
dred Battles, who were expelled from Deece or Deise Tcamhrach, in the county of Meath, by their relative Cormac, the grandson of Conn of the Hundred Battles, about, A.D. 254, when they settled in the county of Waterford about half a century back." One of tbeir descendants, the Bev. John Whelan, P.P. of Modeligo, who died in the year 1819, was as fine a specimen of the old Irish race as one could wish to see.
73
0. 0 Oonan the bald, saith Fionn, [Ard ;
Remain thou in the dark recesses of the cave of Leath- As it is thou who can shout most loudly, To warn us of the approach of the enemy.
If to the cave I shall go, 0 Fionn, To watch for troubles, or for hosts Alone, without more of the Fians, May I be pierced through the middle.
Ill it becometh thee, 0 Conan the bald, To refuse Fionn, saith Mac Lughaidh ; Who is king over the Fians, In battle, in food, and in gold.
Although Fionn be king over the Fians, 0 son of Lughaidh, saith Conan ; 'Tis not likely that I must go Alone to the cave of Leath-Ard.
There's not among all the Fenians, saith Mac Lughach, One who can shout so loudly as thou ; And all the Fenians shall hear thy voice, If the foe comes near the Ard.
Speak no more of this to me,
0 son of Lughaidh of the smooth limbs ; For Fionn or the Fians I shall not go there —
1 refuse it during my life.
i lU]tb Igac an", the cave of Leath Ard ; or, Lahard. Mr. Daniel Sheehan, of Ardagb, Newcastle West, county of Limerick, who has been often on the top of Knockanar, near Bally bunion, says, that there is a cave there, and a spot which to this day is called Lahard ; which circumstance alone is sufficient to identify Ct)oc-ATj-&jTi as the scene of the battle.
74
bo |t4v.]8 Ot/cutt, Vf beib Ab 6C\|t ;
2lob BeAj qtobA tttac "pblt>t),
a'p cujlle tt)Vj* 5t>ao| leAC b't:A5Ail.
Be^fi leAC peAjtAi)1 aV BftAt) Iuac, SsedlAi?, "Fuattt), A*t 2t)eA]tA3At) ; Bo5-l§irt7 a'|* 2iiTteAc CbluAif,
a']* in?C]5 3AI? gTlUATTT?, A Cb0T)A|T),
<Do ^luA^f CorjAt) Alt cotbAi]tle Of/CU1|t,
fe'lOTJTJfAIS ffe bOJtAf T)A b-UATT>A J
t>A cojt) A5U|- 2lo6 Be A3 ttjac "pblOO,2 bo leATjAbAji at; cajt} cuAiftb.
<t)0 CUA]6 'plOTJT) AT)T) T/|T1 CUTTT T/UAT,T),
a'|* t)i c|Atj bo b] a t/uAirbrjeAf atjt) ; atj cat; bo fATblujTjeAb 60 ctt]b,
2lo8 BeA3 TT1AC 'pbltW A be]C 5AT) CeATTT).
'Do CATjbeATJAb bO TT)ATt AOT) ^t] f |*]TJ, 30 TtAlb 3°H C]l6&A A lA]lb 5ll^b,
le 3A|f5ibeAC fioji-eACCAC, caIttta,
b'Aft b'AJTJJTT} "Ca]Ic TT?AC "CfteO|TT. <Do TTTUT*3All Af A COblA 30 pjtAp,
a't bo 501,11 cui^e bjtAoj tja b-'piAiTi);
b'Aft bA COTb-AIOITT) bO fjOTl,
<t)ftAO| eAUbAT),3 r>o peAjt trAfC-ciAll.
1 FeAtiAT), S5eolao, bn-Atj, &c. These were the names of some of the Fenian hounds ; and b^at), which was Fionn's favorite one, was known by the following marks s —
" CorA buj&e bj at* bbriAtj, 21 1>'& CAeb bub 'r^ c*n 5e<\l ; t5fiu|ti) ruA|ctjj6e or ceAijt) rel5, Tr &fc cluAir concru\ cori)-6en5."
75
0. Go there, 0 Conan the bald,
Saith Oscur, and there will be with thee ; Aodh Beag the valiant son of Fionn, And more if thou require.
Take with thee Fearan, and Bran the swift, Sgeolan, Fuaim, and Mearagan, Bog-Leim and Aireach Chluais, And depart without sullenness, 0 Conan.
Conan went by the advice of Oscur,
And made towards the door of the cave ; The hounds and Aodh Beag, son of Fionn, Followed in the track of the host.
Fionn, then, retired to rest, And not long was he there in repose ; When he saw in his sleep, That Aodh Beag, the son of Fionn, was beheaded.
lie likewise saw, That Goll the valiant was engaged in battle, With a mighty powerful champion, Whose name was Tailc Mac Treoin.
He awoke suddenly from his sleep,
And called to him the druid of the Fians,
Whose synonyms always were
The Druid of art, or man of prescience.
Yellow legs had Bran,
Both her sides black, and her belly white ;
A speckled back over her loins.
And two crimson ears, very red.
1 2lo6 OeA5 rnAC J=hinn, Little Aodh the son of Fionn. This 2lob was the youngest son of Fionn. He was called " beas" {small) from his di- minutive stature.
« OriAO] eaU&An, i.e., the Druid of art, or one skilled in magic or sor- cery. In " The Banquet of Dun na n-Gedh," &c, published by the Irish
76
O. <t)'f <Mfr)e|r a put) fornlAT) bo't) <Dtiaoi, atjt; jAC cA]fbeAT)A6 b^ob pub ; bo TiA|8 piorjr), a b-pAic-ciAll y]i) ■\Vr)]T *VO]T sat) rbojll bu-r)-}.
T'OCjrATb ftUACATl Aft AT) b-peiflTh
A pbl^O, If* bAOJAl, bo TIA]8 AT) <t>TtA01 ;
5lbeA& v'] 50it)peA]t at? fc»]t* t-a T^le-c, 3oU caIttja, CTIO&A, T)A 2lo&.
MjOTl b-JTAbA ATT)Ulb \\X) bU|T)T),
AT) CAT) feO CUAlATT)ATt UAlll-^AIfl,
bo f-eiT>r> "pioptj au toojib "pbjATjT), a't* b'^fteA5Aift biAt)-r,5A]|Tc CborjAir).
<Do slllAlf C0T)AT) T)A CfteAT) T11C,1 A't" T)A CO|T) ATT lAlJ lut T)A b|A]5*
b'^AT) 2lo8 BeA5 A'i bfiuAC t;a 1i-uatt)A, 5UTt clofrjeAb le|f TniAirr) tja f5|Ac.
Archaeological Society, p. 4G, note 6, the following curious recipe is given for transforming a poet into a druid : —
" This is the way it is to be done : the poet chews a piece of the flesh of a red pig, or of a dog or cat, and he brings it afterwards on a flag behind the door, and chaunts an incantation upon it, and offers it to idol gods ; and his idol gods are brought to him, but he finds them not on the morrow. And he pronounces incantations on his two palms ; and his idol gods are also brought to him, in order that his sleep may not be interrupted ; and he lays his two palms on his two cheeks, and thus falls asleep ; and he is watched in order that no one may disturb or interrupt him, until every thing about which he is engaged is revealed to him, which may be a minute, or two, or three, or as long as the ceremony requires ; et ides Imbas discitur, i.e., one palm over the other across his cheeks." But it is said (Idem) that " St. Tatrick abolished it, and the Teinm Loeghdha, and declared that whoever should practise them would enjoy neither heaven nor earth, because it was renouncing baptism."
1 CtiSao tijc, swift running, Jlcelness of foot. The Fenians were re- markable for nimbleness of foot ; and one of the qualifications necessary for entering the service was that " the candidate should be a nimble runner ; and that in his flight before a chosen body of the Fenians, he 6hould be able not only to outrun them, but even to defend himself intact against their assaults." Even in modern times the Irish are remarkable
77
0. He revealeth to the Druid the entire secrets, Which he saw in each vision of these ; Fionn saith, the meaning" of those Tell ns now without delay.
Slaughter awaits the Fenians,
O Fionn, I fear, saith the Druid ;
Yet the twain will not be wounded in the conflict,
Goll the noble and valiant, nor Aodh.
Not long were we thus,
When we heard a loud shout ; Fionn sounded the Dord Fhiann, And the fierce yell of Conan replied.
Conan ran with all his might,
And the hounds in full speed after him ; Aodh Beag remained on the brink of the cave, 'Till he heard the clash of the shields.
for nimbleness of foot ; for in a very learned paper on the physical cha- racteristics of the ancient Irish, by Dr. O' Donovan, published in the twenty-third number of the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, we find the following allusions to the agility of the Irish quoted from a French author who visited Ireland in Dermod Mac Murrough's reign, and who was eye- witness to the fact: — "They assailed us often both in van and rear, casting their darts with such might, as no habergeon, or coat of mail, were of sufficient proof to resist their force ; their darts piercing them through both sides. Our foragers, that strayed from their fellows, were often murdered [killed] by the Irish ; for they were nimble and swift of foot, that, like unto stags, they ran over mountains and valleys, whereby we received great annoyance and damage."
And again, quoting Froissart :— " But I shewe you bycause ye should knowe the truth. Ireland is one of the yvele countries of the world to make warre upon, or to bring under subjection, for it is closed strongely and wydely with high forests and great waters, and mareshes, and places [unjinhabytable ; it is hard to entre to do them of the countrey anie damage . . For a man of armes beyng never so well horsed, and ran as fast as he can, the Yrisshemen wyll ryn afote as faste as he, and overtake hym, yea, and leap up upon his horse behynde him, and drawe him from his horse."
78
O. <Do fe]yr) ^ioijt) at) <Ddftb Ajtif,
t/ul bo -\i^]V\c ]Ab Cotjat) tt)aoI; cpfeAb atj t:ac, bo |tA|8 Opcu|t, ca't) coift1 cu3A]T)ij, ca b-pu]l 2io8 ?
<Do b] 2io8 a ij-bojtuf tja b-uAn)A, at) cat) bo sIuatt* TT)fT/e Aft luc ;2
T)J0JI ATTJATICA]* 6 fO]X) CAJt TT)'A|f,
a't* Tj^oft b% 2lo8 bA riieAT/A l*orr). CjtfcAb ei,le bo &A|cr)]b, at> Ofcujt,
A Cb0T)A]T) l]OfbA, TTJAO^l, 3AT) Ce]ll J C]A ACO f]OVt) T)A b-'plATJT), T)0 TT)*T/e,
t>o c|A at) peATi ojle bo'r> T^b^l^TJ* Hi b-^ Fl°W> cut/a, 'tta TjeAC bo'r> pb&lPTi,
TT)0 bAjC^b A TJ-ATT) 3 AC b&1,TT) ' 318' 3U|t ]OT)TbuiT) ItOTT) buTl TT)ATC,
T?i f|b rrro 8A|CT)jb, acc tt)& F&jt}.
Oo JluAlf OfCUJt bO luc CTl&AT), 30 TIA1T)13 T-fe bOTlUf T)A b-UATTT) J
bo t*uat,ti 2lo8 BeA3 tt)ac 'pblOT) £&ll>
3AT> AT)bpAT)TT, 3AT) 6A3, 3AT) buA]TlC
Cjt&Ab at) t*ac 2lo8 Bbi3 w]c pblUD;
A|t OfCUJl, T*U1,TteAC A T)-b|A]3 AT) T>JTt TT)AO*l ?
a't; T)Ari)Aib cAob leAC t)A Tt*c
a le|T)b, f)Ajt CU15 3u|i beA3 b'AOif.
C|A b] at) c6*ft A b-po3Uf 8Arn,
aV tt)6 att)U]3 6 CAbAifi t)a b-'pjATjT) ; i;ioTt c|tiocT)ui5 xr)]\)\)Z]X) tja tt)o cTio]8e,
T)A TT)0 TT)1T*t)eAC JtTATT) T)]Ofl clAO*8eA8.
l C6|*t, pursuit ; one enemy in pursuit of the other.
1 luc, nimblenesa or agility. This and the two following stanzas show how indifferent Conan was ahout the difficulties the Fenians had to encounter ; so that he himself was able to make good his ground by a •peedy retreat, realising the old Irish proverb —
79
0. Fionn sounded the Dord again,
Before Conan the bald arrived ;
What means this, saith Oscur,
The pursuers arc coming*, where is Aodh ?
Aodh was at the entrance of the cave, When I left in haste ; I have not looked behind since, 'Twas not Aodh that troubled me.
What else thy trouble, saith Oscur,
0 Conan, lazy, bald, and devoid of sense ; Whether is it Fionn of the Fians, or I,
Or what other man among the Fians ?
It is not Fionn, thou, nor any of the Fenians, Concerns me at the time of eacli blow ; Though I rejoice in the welfare of you all,
1 care for no one but myself.
Oscur ran with mighty speed, Till he reached the entrance of the cave ; He found Aodh Beag, the son of Fionn the generous, Alive without terror, without trouble.
Why is it, Aodh Beag, son of Fionn,
Saith Oscur, [thou] remainest after the bald man,
And the foe nigh thee in full speed,
0 child, who perceivedst not thy tender age.
Though the enemy were nigh me,
And I beyond any aid from the Fians ; My intellect or heart faltered not, Nor was my courage ever subdued.
Or,
A good run is better than a bad stand.
He who fights and runs away, Will lire to fight another day.
80
O. 2t)o cu|ftpe ! rtjo crteAC ! rtio cuit)a& !
a PbacjiAjc, i|* iin)Al bo <DblA ; bA ii}Aiftpe<\6 2iob Be A3 ah)' 8ajI, bA 6ojl|5 bo sl^irp1 tja 5-cl-Ari !
P. W^hiy 8u-r>t,>, a 0]y]v ri)]c ¥b]VQ,
CfVJOC CACA Cb'JOJC AT) A]Jl ;
V] rb<X]rieAT;i) 2lo8 BeA5 Ab 8&]l,
A'f oa CUffl a 3-CA]* 3T)]Orb t)A 3-cl|A|t.
O. Crjoc At? Afri2 aij ctjoc |«o HAri,
a']* 50 lA at; bftACA b-A]8 b& 5A]|irt} ; A Pb^criA]C tja rt)-b<vcAl Tt)-b&T), V] SAti f ac CU5A8 ai; c-A|t)rf).
P. N& 5IAC CAOTf?, A OjfJTO pfejl,
A3 TTTJAOIljeAb Aft f}j]Ot)\) JJA h-f]^)\) )
3AC A]t 6A3 a'|* a b-pu'1 bed, tie|rbr>i& iAb ujle ACb tojA.
O. N^oit r>eirbr)-8 'p'lotir) T)A b-pjAr)*),
a'j* t»iori r;e|rbt)i& <DiA*irr)uib 0<t)u]btje;
t;]Oji t*e]rbi;i8 Ofcuji tja Iatjt),
tja tjeAc bo'i; b-fe]^), acc Coy&i; SjijUi).
P. too b|;]3 3U|t r>e]rbr;i83 Fjoijtj,
toiATirr-uib tooi)*! a'i* Ofcuft A15; a'i* Ar) 7"bl^t)') ujle rrjAft ]Ab,
T)1 rbA]Tllb TTJAfl <DblA T)A T03TtAf.
1 3l«x]n), a shout, howl, loud talk, or clamour.
2 Ctjoc At) &jri, </ie /(t// 0/ slaughter or destruction. Any one visiting Ballybunion in the county of Kerry, noted for its caves, could not better enjoy themselves than by paying a visit to this celebrated hill, which lies quite close to it. The remaining portion of the poem, but somewhat
81
0. My grief, my ruin, my sadness,
0 Patrick, who art obedient to God ; Had Aodli Beag himself lived with me, It would be ill for the clerics' clamour.
P. Relate to us, 0 Oisin, son of Fionn,
The conclusion of the battle of Cnoc-an-air ; Aodh Beag doth not live with thee, And question not the clerics' deeds.
0. Cnoc-an-air is this hill to the west,
And till the day of judgment 'twill be so called ;
0 Patrick of the croziers bright !
Not without cause did it get the name.
P. Do not become faint, 0 Oisin, the generous, Reflecting on Fionn and the Fians ; All that departed and those who live, Were as nothing compared to God.
0. Fionn of the Fians was [more than] nothing, And so was Diarmuid 0 Duibhne ; Oscur of the spears was [more than] nothing, And all the Fians, save Conan, the gay.
P. Because that Fionn was nothing,
Diarmuid Donn and Oscur the noble ; And all the Fenians likewise, They live not like the God of grace.
different from our version, will be found in The Transactions of the Gaelic Society. Dub. 1808, p. 199.
» Nqti)t)i6, nothing. Here St. Patrick shows that the Fenian heroes were insignificant beings when compared to the majesty of God. 6
82
O. 21 Pl)fcc|tA|C, i)i a tj-^rtjfll* ija b-}riAi)t),
bo b] at; Vgai1 ri'J ^!A aiji?; -||- beAp.b b\ n>-b|A6 fojfi 1)6 fjAfi, 3° r3ATlPA^ A1) "Fbl^UU le]r A ceArjii.1
P. <Do bj cDia Atjij a T;-A|M)n]i i;a b-^jATji;,
ACA TilAri) A'f b&]8 5O b]lACJ WAlfllOtfU, A^Uf I1)A1tt|ri6 30 C|t]OC,
U] b-|ot;Auu fAij )'biAi;;;, a boccAfT) !2
0. 21 p!;C\t]tA]C, tda'v p^o]i bo vs&aI,
av> C-&A5 50 b-fttATjt at; 7"blA')0 J 1JA clufi;itTj en bA lllA&, 5U|t b'e Ttuj buA8 o|i|iA 'IDja.
P. Ba ujaic ai; pbl-^ui; a'i* a ijjijionj,
A 0|r]T) 51i|i;r;, acc j*o aii;a]u ; vj'<x\\ a8;ia8 leo au c-aoi; (Dja iib, Ai;o]|* loAi; bujijij A|i CIjijoc-aij-aki.
O. £>o c|i|All atji; yiib aji at) b-'peji)!),
Ot/cuji a'i; 2lo8 Be,A5 i;a 8ajI; bob' loijrfiupje Ijiji) cgacc vja bjj-e, i;a bA b--|5CA8 p^j ija i;3|tAr«
(D'i;|a|.']iai8 "f]0])]) b'Ofcu|i A|5, Ai> b-^ACAib cat,!;3 t;a T;3]iob Iaoc, a bu'vA]|ic Oixttfi 50 b-pACAjb ]Ab, a'|- 50 ^iajV) a i;-]A]iACc aji aj; b-p'6|!;t;.
1 21 ce^r>;;,, his head. This phrase is very common in Ossianic poetry ; and 1 he pagan Gisin, must have been sorely irritated by the mild and con- vincing arguments of the Saint, when he gave vent to sueh blasphemous expressions. In Icr. O'Grady's copy of the poem the stanza runs thus ; —
" ill PIjacuajc uj a vao^aI oa b-FjAiji;, ir cuis=e bo t5lj|A ta bejc aoo ; IV ftcAnb b'A ii)-b|v\6 tja n]Aij, i;A be|bCA6 t)A Ci5CAiii)A or a 5-C|orjn."
83
0. 0 Patrick, 'twas not in the time of the Fians,
That that man God lived ;
Certain if he were east or west,
The Fians would have stricken off his head.
P. God was in the time of the Fians, Always was and will be for ever, He lives and will live to the end, Not so with the Fians, poor creature !
0. 0 Patrick, if thy tale be true, That the Fians are all dead ; Let me not hear thee boast, That it was God that overcame them.
P. The Fians and their deeds were good, Pleasant Oisin, but in this alone, They adored not the one true God, Now proceed with [the tale of] Cnoc-an-air.
0. There marched towards the Fians
Oscur and Aodh Beag in his company ;
More delightful to us was the coming; of the two,
Than had the King- of Grace approached.
Fionn inquired of Oscur the noble, Had he seen a host of heroes brave ; Oscur said that he had seen them, And that they were in search of the Fians.
O Patrick, if it were in the time of the Fenians, That thy God had been living ; Verily, if he were in their way, He would not lord it over them.
1 bocc*\i), a pauper, a beggar, a miser, §c.
» C&jtj, signifies a multitude, a host, an array, or any other muster or assemblage.
84
O. <t)o C4]ceArr)A|i ttjati fit; 50 Ia,
a'j* ttjoji Iattta cac reACc po'ft T>-b&|r> ;
A PbACflAIC, TTIO l*3feAl C]tUA5 !
t;jofi b-pAbA 51111 cjuia]8 at) c&ittt ! J
P- J')jr "^T1 If cujrbit) leAc,
a rb]C CuriTATll, ca|452 at) jleo ;
A|CTl|t* a'|* TITO beAtTTTACC ojtc,
t*5e<vl fjofi, a']* tta catt 56 ?
0. M] cAnrrxvoifTje at; "pbjATir) 50,
b|tfeA3 leo ttjoti t*ATi)lA8 |t|ATT) ;
ACC le p|ll|1)T) a']* 1JCAT1C Alt IatTT,
cis'tdaoit* r^D <M* 5AC 5l|A8.
iD'cHl^OrTJATV 50 TTJOC AttTAC,
)~]ATH)A 6]TICA1)T) T)A T)-eAC4 VeAT>3 >
ata Ai) 5-ci;oc t*o liot; ATI c-t/Iuaj, vjofi b'jorjjrjA 86]b ceACC 50 ceATTij.
1 Ceirp, which generally signifies a step, is used here to show the dif- ficulty that awaited the Fenian3.
2 'C;vr~, fame, report.
3 5';a6, bailie, strife, contention.
4 Sac, a steed. The earliest record we have of the Fenians having horses is iu S^AtlAii) tja SeATjojfijj;, or Dialogue of the Sages ; where it is said, that at a chase at Ueitjij h-epjn, (the Hill of llowth), a chieftain, named y.ncu> hjac bejijije t>lM°c, son of the king of Rritain [England],
took away by stealth three hounds belonging to the Fenians, namely
Bran, Sgeolan, and An-uaill ; and made for the mountain of Lodan Mac Lir, where he made chase on his arrival. As soon as the Fenians missed the hounds, the following chieftains were despatched after the fugitive, viz., Diarmuid O Duibhne, Goll Mac Morna, Caol from Eamhuin (Emania), Oscur the son of Oisin, Feardubhain the son of Eogha-dearg, Kaighne of the broad eyes, son of Fionn ; Cainche, son of Fionn ; Glas the son of Aonchcarda Bearra, and Mac Lughaidh.
85
0. Thus we remained till dawn,
And none dared to approach us ;
0 Patrick, my woiul tale !
'Twas not long till our case grew perilous !
P. Relate, as thou rememberest,
0 son of Cumhall, an account of the fight ; Relate, and my blessing be on thee, A true tale, and tell no lie.
0. We, the Fenians, never told a lie,
Falsehood to them was never known ; But by truth and the might of our arms, We came unhurt from each conflict.
We went forth early,
The Fians of Eire, of the slender steeds ; Upon this hill the host mustered, No wonder for them to come in force.
They landed at.Inbhear Geiniath, in Britain; and proceeded to the mountain of Lodan Mac Lir ; where they were not long when 'they heard the cry of the hounds, and they surrounded Artuir, and slew himself and all his retinue, and rescued their three favorite hounds. Goll Mac Morna, more cunning than the rest, cast a side-look, and be- held a magnanimous steed with reins of gold ; and saw another with a silver bit chased with gold in its mouth ; Goll captured both animals, and handed them over to Oscur, who gave them in charge to Diarniuid O Duibhne. They then returned to Ireland ; and never halted until they reached old Moynealty, where Fionn was staying at the time ; and de- livered the two horses to him ; one of which wa9 a stallion, and the other a mare, which gave eight births, and eight foals at each birth ; and until then the Fenians had no horses, and these foals were distributed amongst the most distinguished in rank of the Fenian chieftains. In some copies it is 6aid that Artuir s life was saved by Oisin.
SG
O. BeAij bob' <\]h)Q t)&'r) 5|tjAi),
coiia'jic ai; }~biAT)t; A5 ceAcc pAi) lej]i5 ;• b"pf;joi;i; itjac Cuii;A]U, ion"? 8u|c, bo beAt}i;<\|3 filoJAii) at; brux-c bejTv--,.
Cia cu jre-i;, a niogAii;, Aft ^oijy, II* Aili;o r)|ATi) '|*A]* b|ieA^c<v beAlb, ]]• bjui;c lion* |:uA]rt) bo 5l6||i, 'i;& a b-i*it|l iio ceol 50 beAjib ?
Mtait5-i;iia8-c]iocac,2 it* 6 rri'Aii'jn?,
T)5loi; 3b<MlT'<M8- T1>AC ct)I;oUifi ^611;; <MlbiM3 Oll^A3- ")o liiAlUc- a-ji! bo i?A]f3 it)o ]io "CatIc tt)ac "C]ie|T).
O. CjttJAb bo bejjt bA feACT)A& cu; tjJv beii; iuu; o|tiT) Ai;o|f • aii bo coini|iic 50 I a at; bji^c,
5AbA]nj bO l&Jip CA[1 A Cjl0||* ?
V\] 5AT; pat bo c^ai* £UAC,
bAC A!) ^'iA]l bO X)\ A|t A ^1)0] "
8A cIuaj*, taj/gaII, a'c ceAi;i) cajc, cCv A|i atj b-f-'eA]'. i>ac h*aic pjfejrij.
<t)0 fJublAf* At) bOlT'AO, TL'O C|l|,
a'j- t;|0|i v^bAf aiti) jt]j tja fIajc- rjocAjt f]|icAi* acc }"\byc, A FblUU, a'j* i)]o|t tjoaII c|i]v\c ti/aijaca-I ajji.
<DjouyAb cu a ID3I013 615,
bo JiA"j8 ^tJAc CuiTjAi.ll, ijaji cIao|8' ]t|Arb;
r>6 cu|C|.-ib uile A]t bo y^'-xi,
i)A j-oacc 5-CAC AcC\ I'AIT b-)~|-| aiji;.
1 lem.", 1 plain, a pathway, or place of meeting. See also note 10, p. 18.
2 N[.\ii' r*UA&-c*l0CAC, i.c , the ray of the newest form. This lady is sup- posed to be the daughter of Garadh the son of J)olar Dcin, or the Fierce ;
87
0. A woman more beauteous than the sun,
The Fians beheld approaching on the plain ;
Fionn Mac Cumhaill, I tell thee,
Was saluted by the queen of the red mantle.
Who art thou, 0 queen, saitli Fionn, Of the gentlest mien and loveliest form ; Truly more sweet to me is thy voice, Than all the strains of music.
Niamh-nuadh-clu'othach, is my name.
Daughter of Garraidh, the son of Dolar Dein ; The duel* king1 of Greece, m}'- curse upon him ! Bound me to Tailc Mac Treoin.
Why is it that thou shunnest him, Do not conceal the fact from me now : As thy protector till judgment's day, I take thy hand against his will.
Not without cause did I hate him, Black as the coal was his skin ; Two ears, a tail, and the head of a cat, Are upon the man of repulsive countenance.
I walked [travelled] the world thrice, And did not leave a king or lord, That I did not implore, but thou, 0 Fionn, And a chief never promised me protection from him.
I will protect thee, 0 youthful daughter,
Saith Mac Cumhaill, who was never conquered ; Or all shall fall for thy sake, The seven battalions of the Fians.
king of Greece, who forced her to nmrry Tailc Mac Treoin, again t or will, and the tale recorded here is the result of that unhappy union.
88
O. <£>aji bo Ujiij-fi j:&|r>, a ^hwv,
)X beAftb Ifnt), 30 Tj-beAfitjAff- b[teA5 J A'f aij te o'ft ce|c trie uAfb a b-f Ab, 50 b-cufceAr;r> leff cac A'f ceAb.
2li) feAft rriofi a befftfir) Ifb,
ff e b'f A5 roe le f AbA b-peft)f) ; ful Aft rjAfjAb roffe lejf,
bo rspiorAb leir fAoj bo ao 3br*feis.
ft A beAi; forrjAjtbAb Af a 5Aff*5e,
A fl'Oflc CAJf Aft bAC AT} 6] ft J
ojft V] b-frufl Iaoc f aoj at; t>3fte]u, ijac b-f A5A& f ao b-"pejt)r» feAft A clo.
)V 3eAflfl 50 b-f ACATTJAft A5 CeACC,
AT) CAOffeAC "CAflc bA CftUAfb IaT)!),
r/joft urblAfg, A'f irjoft beATirjAij b'pljforjt),
ACC |Afl|tAf CAC CAJl CeAtlO A tf)l)A.
Cuffmifb befc 5-ceAb tia bAfl,
bob' feAftft lArb a Ti-Afiripfft 5le6;
bufi;e bfob TifOft ffll CAft Aff,
5A1; cu|Cfrt) fie "CajIc ttiac "Cncoft) !
'Do CUlfieAttlAft A1)V), A'f bA COffl A TTJAOfbeATT)
5Ar) ArbftAf, CAOflce ttiac KonAjt); bejc 5-c6Ab fSfAc 50jtrt) 5lAf, joriA feAftA|b cftobA b'feAftjt.
'Defc 5-ceAb cA0|f*0Ac, ijaoj 5-ceAb Iaoc, bo b] CAob Aft cAob b'Aji itjuj ijcf ft feft);
A'f A PbAqtAJC, At) CflC|b|tT) CftUAfb,
f|D Aft ceAfCAfb UAftjt; be'i; b-pefut}.
89
0. By thine own hand, 0 Fionn,
It is certain thou hast told a lie ;
For by him from whom I have fled afar,
Fall a battalion and a hundred.
The great man of whom I speak to you, Is he who has left me long in pain ; Before I was bound [wedded] to him, He ravaged Greece twice.
Do not contend about his valour, 0 curling locks of the color of gold ; For there lives not a hero under the sun, Who will not find among the Fians a man his match.
Soon we saw coming towards us,
The chieftain Tailc of the hard spear ; lie did not salute or pay homage to Fionn, But demanded battle on account of his wife.
We sent ten hundred to meet him, Strong of hand in time of war ; None of them ever returned. All fell by Tailc Mac Treoin!
We sent there, and of it we should boast Without doubt, Caoilte Mac Konain, Ten hundred shields blue and green, With the mightiest and best men.
Ten hundred chieftains, nine hundred heroes, Were side by side of our own people ; And, 0 Patrick, of the strict faith, All these we lacked of the Fians.
90
O. jAjtttAf4 Ofcuti ceAb aji "pbpou,
3|8 bO|l5 IjorT) e bo hiAb,
bill bO COTT)ftAC AT) tl*]Tl TT)6|fl,
AT) CAT) bO COT)A1flC b|C T)A fluA^.
C)o 3&AbAiTi ceAb uaitt), ati ^iotjt), 5]b eA5Al Iiott) bo cu|C|tT) ctt]b ; &|ft)5 ! a'i* betft tt)o beAi)t)ACc leAc, cuiTT)t)iS bo 501I, a't* bo ^r)]n).
5luA]reAT- 0|*CU|l, A1) peATl A]3,
A|\ a Ia]tt) T)]0|i cuifteAb b&in), at) Iaoc caItt)a bob' T*e*XTlfl lATTT), 50 TtAJTTTC fO T^Ajlc TT)AC T^t(3]r).
"CAbAlfl AJA]8 6ATT)fA TT&'I),
a ^bo^lc rf)ic "C|ie]T), ati Of-cuti A13 ;
ojti bA|i)T.*eAbr,A bjoc bo ceAtU),
a T)-b]05Al At) bfteAti) t*o 50]!) bo Iaitt).
<t>A|l bO lA|TT)fe, OfCUJIl A15,
5jb bu'&eAC bjoc bAjib1 at* beAi);
b]A8 CU A3ATT)t*A 1)OCC 3AI) 6eAT)T), A'f bjAjb At) pCA]l, f]0])V), 30 ICATT).
1 t)ap"> bard or poet. The Irish bards were always ready to chauut the deeds of their patrons in the most glowing language imaginable ; but had they not been patronised they were equally ready to satirize and decry them. In The Tribes and Customs of Hy-many, published by tlie Irish Archaeological Society at p. 104, we find under date A.I). 1351, that " William Boy O'Kelly, who was celebrated by the Irish bards as a prince of unbounded munificence, invited all the professors of art in Ireland to his house, and entertained them during the Christmas holidays.'* And in the same year, " William M;;c Donnough Moyneagh O'Kelly, in- vited all the Irish poets, brchons, bardes, harpers, gamesters, or com- mon kearroghs, jesters, and others of their kind in Ireland, to his house upon Christmas, where every one of them was well used during the
91
0. Oscur asketh leave of Fionn, Though J regret to tell it, To go to fight the great man, When he beheld the loss of the host.
Thou shalt get permission from me, saith Fionn, Though I dread thy fall by it ; Arise ! and take my blessing with thee, Remember thy valour and thy deeds.
Oscur, the noble,
On whose hand there never was a stain ; The mighty hero of the valiant arm, Went forth till he reached Tailc Mac Trein.
Encounter me, 0 Tailc Mac Trein, Saith Oscur of the noble deeds ; For I shall take off thy head, In revenge for those who were wounded by thy hand.
By thy hand, 0 noble Oscur,
Though thankful to you are bard and maid ; I shall have thee headless this night, And the man Fionn shall be mournful.
holidays, and gave contentment to each of them during their departure ; bo that every one was well pleased, and extolled William for lii? bounty ; one of which assembly composed certain verses in commendation of William and his house, of which the following is the first line : —
"Fjl|& G\\e.\i)i) 50 h-AO|n-ce.\c." The bards of Erin to one house."
For an account of the Irish bards, we would refer the reader to O'Reilly's " Chronological Account of Four Hundred Irish Writers," "The Tribes of Ireland," by Dr. O'Donovan, Walker's " Memoirs," Ilardiman's " Irish Minstrelsy," and tUa Introduction to the " 7am Bo Chuaili/ne," which will form a future volume of the Society's Transactions.
92
O. 2lft peA6 CU13 T)-oj8ce a'f cii|3 Ia, b] at) bjf* t)Aft clAjc A T)5l]A|8; 3At) b|Ab, 3AT) beoc, ati b]c fuAjT), 311T1 cujc 'CajIc ]te buAb ttjo rbic.
<t)o co5bATt)ATi, at) }~blAT)t), opAftb, cati &if At) corbftAic 3A]|tb, 5I&IC ; 5A]|i CAO]t)ce c|te'|i CAiUeArt)Aft bo't) ^b^l^t), a']" 8A 5Aift Tt)AO|8ce cjt£ &A5 CbA]lc.
<t)Afi bo lAirbfe, a Db^llc A15,
516 dac bu]8eAC bjoc bAftb t)A beAt) ;
CA CU A3ATt)f A 3AI) C$AT)1),
a't- v] b]&]6 At) peA]t pjot;^, leAn). NiAtt)-r)UA&-cfiotAC, tT)0Tt At) F3&aI,
At) CAT) COTJAIJIC Tt)&Ab AT) Alft;
5IACA]* t)A|jie at) 3fiuA& 6eA|i3, a't* cujteAT* rrjATib a TTjeAjT; cajc.
Bat1 t)a Tqo^tiA, b'eif* 5AC u|lc, if e 'r-rrjo bo cujft Aft cAc,
ATI AT) 3-CT)OC fO b'6]f At) SljAjb, bO bA|T-C At) "pblAt)T) Ct)OC-At)-A]Jl.
93
0. For five nights and five days,
Were the two, who were not feeble, in battle ; Without food, without drink, without sleep, 'Till Tailc fell conquered by my son.
We, the Fenians, raised on high, After the fierce and rough conflict ; A wailing cry for all we lost of the Fians, And two shouts of joy for the death of Tailc.
By thy hand, 0 noble Tailc, Though not thankful to thee are bard or maid ; I have thee now beheaded, And the man Fionn shall not be mournful.
Niamh-nuadh-chrothach, sad the tale,
When she beheld the extent of the slaughter ; Shame overcame her crimsoned face, And she fell lifeless among the slain.
The death of the queen after all ills, Was what preyed most upon us all ; This hill after the conflict, The Fenians named Cnoc-an-air.*
• The Hill of Slaughter.
L2iOJ<t)t) 2t)l)e2lK52UCC M21 L21NN N5&2W.
O. Nioji b-j:AbA 6u*t)t), at^Ia'S fit), 3-8 t>^|i f ubAC, AO-b-t)t), riWJ
3Ujt C|tl All fo']t T)-fe&1tJ CAJl leAfl,
5A||*5eA6AC 6accac bA cjiua-8 3t)]orb.
N]Oji beAr>r)Ai5 f*& bo rjeAC,
A'r V)o\i urblA]3 b,4f\)]Ot)V, t)A bo'r* ¥b]*VV ; acc b'piApitAjj; |*6 bo 3l6jt bojib,
CA |lA"b A|t 3-COpiAti) A'f Aft b-Cft'AC ?
C'A cu irfejij a 3Air3l613 **15>
A|i 21o8a BeA3 t)Aji TTCA]T)ceAc cfio-8e ;
t;o cji&Ab bo C113 bo't) bul yo cu,
ca pAb bo cuuAf iniA]|i rS^PF^II1 M1?1? ?
Nj cAbA|tp<\b bu*c ]*36aI Ajt b-c,
ftTjuAiufi a lejij-b 3uji beA5 b'AO]"*; •p]0|* n*o ]iu|T) v'] cAbA*t£Ab bo i)eAC, 30 b-j*A3A-8 tt)6 bul b'A3AllAtT) "phf*-*;.
<Do beAUf-Ab eolAf 8u-c, aji lpb]oyi),
* 3<Mr31b13 ">u'*)ce i)A ti}ju 5^5;
TJ1 JTAbA U<\|C At) A]C A b-pU'l,
Aft AT) 3-CTJOC A|l leA3<\& "CajIc rbAC T|t6|t).
<Do 5luA'|- 21o8a Bca3 A*a luc,
*'t* A|) 3A1f5eAbAc 3° &^u^ ^A bI**15>
30 -IA-T)-C le]|l3 AJ) AfU,
't)A ]iA-b Ajt Iaji Ca-Ic ri*AC T|t6lt).
THE LAY OF MEARGACH OF THE SHARP SPEARS.
0. Not long were we left thus,
Though being not pleasant nor gladsome ; 'Till there approached [us] from afar, A mighty hero of the sternest deeds.
He did not salute any one,
Neither did he do homage to Fionn or the Fians ; But he enquired in a most haughty manner, Where our protector and chief was.
Who art thou thyself, 0 valiant champion, Saith Aodh Beag whose heart trembled not ; Or what brought thee on this errand, How far is thy journey when thou departest from us ?
I shall not give thee any information at all, Remember, child, that thou art young ; Knowledge of my secrets I will not give to man, 'Till I can see Fionn and talk to him.
I shall inform thee about Fionn,
0 courteous hero of the smooth arms ; Not far from thee is the place where he is On the hill on which Tailc Mac Treoin fell.
Aodh Beag went in haste,
And the champion close behind him, 'Till he reached the field of slaughter, Where Tailc Mac Treoin was slain.
96
O. 2lt? cat; bo conAiftc At) pbl^DT) A'f "plow,
At) b]f ub A5 ceACc iia T)-bAil, IT eA5Al lion?, bo ]tA]6 at) <Dtiao], t;ac £AbA if AO]b|T)tj bo 2t)b^c Curtail.
2lr> cu T-ioijt), bo jtAib at) feAjt CAlttiA, ttjA't" cu, rf\ cuibe bo beAnb Iaoc, A]r)]rt) bo f-eAf)A8 30 lA at; bnAcA, t)AC ru bo f AHA15 DaiIc ttjac "C]i&]t).
Ml bo buAb Tt)0 IAttta bo cu^c,
at) peATi tja T)-5AiTirt)ceAn "CajIc ttjac T^Tifeii) ;
bo corf;-AiT;itT> v&p) ]VV]T *t>°ir>
a't* bo seAbAift fjor* c|A leA5 at) Iaoc.
2^eA|t5Ac ctiuai8 tja Iat>t) tisIat* t)5§ati, tt)0 cotT)-A|T)|rr;, a "Fbl1)!? tbic CurbAill; trjon beAH3 An rr)o coTip Aintr;, a']* tvjoti Iua6a8 led rrjti cun An 5-cul.
<t>0 sluAlf OfCUU £A 3UC AT) 3l6jn,
a't* b'p|ApnAi3 at; leorfjAT) 3ATJ f*5Ac; atit) bo buA^b bo IAttja a't* bo 1<U)t>,
T)AC TJ301 T)Ce ATI AT)t; CU 30 bflAC ?
M] b-pu]l ah caIatt) t)a b-CTtorti-frob, A 3-CAC t;A 3-coit;|iAC 3A|tb 5I1A6 ; Iaoc bA cfte]t;e a T)5t)]orb 5A]f3e, bo 8eA|t3 ne Ii-atitt) otitt; Ti|Arir.
Hj b6lb]U TT)ATl f|1), Aft Ofcun A13,
TtninA C13CACC no pAjftc bujc bo't; pbl^tjo,
A 2^b0ATl5A15 T)A Ut)l) T)5lAf T)3&ATt,
30]r;|:oA|t cu At;t; 50 b-AO&A]b.
97
O. When the Fians and Fionn beheld These two approaching them ; I [greatly] fear, saith the Druid, [moured.
That Mac Cumhaill will not be long bo good-hu-
M. Art thou Fionn? saith the mighty man,
If thou art it becometh not a great hero,
Ever to conceal his name ;
Art not thou [the man] that subdued Tailc macTreoin.
F. Tell [us] thine own name,
And thou shalt be told clearly
That it is not by the might of my hands fell
The man whose name is Tailc mac Treoin.
Stern Meargach of the sharp tempered green blades, Is my name, O Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Arms reddened not on my body, And none could boast of my retreat.
Oscur goeth at the sound of the voice, And enquireth of the hero, without dread, Is it by the victory of thy hand and spear, That thou art never wounded.
M. There is not on earth of the heavy sward, In battle or conflict fierce and tough, A hero stout in feats of valour, That ever reddened me by his arms.
Thou shalt not be so, saith the noble Oscur, If thy visit to the Fians be not a friendly one, 0 Meargach of the green spears, Thou shalt be wounded to the very heart.
98
2t3« ^3An'5161o» * 5'l6> IT &eA|tb Iaoc, Ab £n|0tA]l r>] &eAT)Airt) cX\f, bA rbejb bo 6d]i at* rjeATtc t)A b-'p'Ar)*), cufcpj|t A5Uf |Ab TtetT)' Iatt).
7^. 2t)ut)A b-pu]l A5Ab acc buAb aitut),
5&A5 TreATtc caI-da coijtp, a']* strjori) ; bo be|TT*ft) tdatt beAnb bujc rt)0 Iatt), 50 tj-50|t»peAft cu cjie Iau bo cfto-be.
2t). )v?)\X bu]T)t), a 2t)b|C CutT)A*U caIitja,
bo Tte*Tt rt)ATt 5eAllATf bArt) atx b-cuf ; c|A lejf, t)o c]or)t)Af bo cujc, "Ca-Ic cfteAt) At) t)e|Ttc, YA 5e^l T^*
"p. Oo cujc "Ca-Ic tt)ac CTieo'T) rboift,
le buA& t)eA]ic-lA*tT)e Or-cu-jri. AJ3 ;
bo cu]c le "CajIc, bo't) }~bl<vt)t) Aft b-cup,
Ijot) be]6 5-ceAb b'treAjiA'b CA]b.
2t). Natt rbojt At) tjA|]te bujcfe, a fh]nv,
b'^ulA]T)3 at) Tvjj-beAT) bob' t*eATttt caiI, bo cujt curt) bA-t* le]]* At) b-p'At)*), a cuiqrt) if 6A5 b'^bjAi^Aib "pAjl.
V. Ml rt)]fe t)A AOt) bo't) pb^lW),
cu.5 A]Ct)e Ari At) 6A5 bo't) rt)t)AOi ;
ACC At) CAt) bO COf)A|TtC b]C At) C-fl6|j, AT) CAJAlb bA]|* bo CUA|6 y'].
2t)A'|* COtT)TlAC ACA UA1C, A]l ^jOt)!), A l)-0|ltlC CUICTTt) "CljAjlc 'fA TT)t)C\ ;
bo jeAbAijt 6 6 bu|t)e bo't) pbl^t)!), t)o ]wi]t) 3° ffe1"7 *e P^MT^-
99
M. 0 champion, whose appearance is that of a true hero, Thy words I but little regard ; Though great thy hope in the strength of the Fians, Thou and they, by my hand, shall fall.
F. If thou hast but the sway of thine arms, Mighty strength of body and action ; I give thee my hand in pledge, That thou shalt be wounded through thine heart.
M. Relate unto me, 0 son of mighty Cumhall,
As thou didst promise at the commencement,
By whom, or how did fall
Tailc the strong and powerful and his bright love.
F. Tailc Mac Treoin the great fell,
By the power of the strong arm of Oscur the noble ; There fell by Tailc, at first of the Fians, Full ten hundred of spotless men.
M. Was it not shameful to thee, 0 Fionn,
To suffer the princess of the loftiest fame,
To be put to death by the Fians ;
Her death will bring havoc among the Fians of Fail.
F. Not I nor any of the Fenians
Ordered the death of the woman, But when she beheld the loss of the host, Into the pangs of death she fell.
If it be battle thou requirest, saith Fionn, For the death of Tailc and his wife ; Thou shalt have it from one of the Fians, Or depart quietly with good will.
100 Aft cAob at; ctjotx co|t/ t?a ctiA^a ;
V] ]A|tt:Ab A S-COmjTJATT), a fblW,
a'|* T)j tl*;\5t.*Ab acc b]f A5A]b beo.
p. C|A b'TAb At) bjp t*|r) b'pA5t:Ai|t beo,
a 2t)beATi5AT5 r»A ^65, Att T^ow ;
IT 1°03t}A IfOTt) TTJATt CU|5CeATt leAC,
bAp leb rjeAttc bo CAbAijtc bu]r)\). 2t). "GuTcceAjt l]ort) butt Ttj-bAp ujle,
ACC CUT*A ATT7ATT1 a']* bO TT)AC 2lo8 ;
V] |*A5t:Ab at) ctjoc yo 50 bftAc,
50 TJ-fOCfTAb bA|* T^b^lc TTTfC T^teO]!).
f. NAjt leofi leACfA a 2t)beAft5Ai5 tja Iatjt),
b]f cati a ceAT)T) bo cujcTrr) bo'r) 1p})e\yi) ; a'|* 5A1) beA^-Ap bo cAbAjfit A[ft cAc, A'f a Iiajacc t:eATt cA]6 bo cu|C le|f treTT).
2t). Njoti leort l|OTDfA, a *phvw W& b-'plAlJTJ,
b]f T)A CftTUft A TJ-bfol A bA]f,
bA rt)-b]Ab A3Ab at) 0|jteAb e]\e bo't) b-pb^iTjT) cuicjqb 50 lejfi le tt)o IAtti).
"p. Ma cufTt a T)-boic bu|c i:e|T), Aft f]o^i), 3u|t b-puflir)5 Ijom bft* r>A aot?,
A T)-ejTt1C bA||* "Cb^llc *T*A TT)T)A,
bo cufcTn) le b' lAfri) bor> pljfejiji).
21). <Da treAbAf butt IaH)A ajj* butt VSWJoiv, a']* bA Tbe]b butt l]OT) b't*eA|tA|b cA|b,
V] r3A!lFAb MD 3° ^ AT? bftACA, r)6 bjol tja TD-bAf bo jeAbAb uA]b.
1 In a copy in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy this stanza reads : —
"C)A Z'Ap WO fUlA]5Ce CAO]b l|Ort),
nj |AnFAo * 5-cor)5PAii) rite, A Vbwv ; nj njiAO licit) ft'fAsbAjl beo A5U|b, ACC 6jr O 50|tT) 11)0 crion)-clo|6irt)."
101
M. Although my hosts are nigh at hand,
On the side of the hill beside the shore ; I shall not ask their aid, 0 Fionn, And I will only leave two of you alive.
F. Who are these two thou wilt leave alive,
0 Meargach of the hosts, saith Fionn ;
1 am astonished that thou shouldst think, By thy strength to put us to death.
M. I am determined to kill all,
But thee only, and thy son Aodh ;
I shall never leave this hill,
'Till I repay the death of Tailc mac Treoin.
F. Is it not sufficient for thee, 0 Meargach of the blades, That two for his death should fall ; And not deal red slaughter to all the Fians, After all the brave men that fell by his hand.
M. They would not suffice, 0 Fionn of the Fians, Two nor three for his death ; If thou hadst as many more of the Fians They will all fall by my hand.
F. Do not imagine to thyself, saith Fionn, That I would suffer two or one For the death of Tailc and his wife, Of the Fians to fall by thy hand.
M. Though great thine arm and thy deeds,
And though thick thy ranks of noble men,
I shall not leave 'till judgment day,
Or satisfaction for their death I shall have from you.
Although my hosts are nigh at hand, I shall not seek their aid, O Fionn ; I will only leave of you alive, but two, From the venom of my heavy sword.
102
O. "U Pb&£jt<MC ! V] ceiljreAb ttjo juh),
3u]t 5UC AijbpAitjt) )rl0,W aV aij fb]to)v, acc Aii)Ait) Ofcun i)A tt)-beirt)eAt)t),
t)Afl C|t1C |toiri) AOt) tjeAC n]Ati).
"p. 21 2t)beA|t3Ai5 tjA r>5lAf Iaijij t)5eAft, bo jtAjS "pio^t), bo 5A|tb sl6]t,
fc»0 5eAbA]Jt COtt)NAC Ab AOt)A|t&1),
T)6 bul Ab 8^]l bo't) "pb&IW 50 leon.
2t). 2t)<v'r cujbe leACfA, a "pblW tt)]c Curi)A|U, tt)t|*e bo corbfiAc bo ri)6ft fluAj, o ^eAjt 30 peA|t, t)5 b'AOi) be]rt), biulcA V] le]]t buic b'pA^Ail tiA^n).
f. Qtyix ci5eAi)U cu a'j- bo cneAt) bu|6eAt),
CUtt) CACA l]t)1) leAC AJl leAc,
o buirje 50 ceAb CA]cp]b At) pblAtn), l&irb biAt) bo cot^rbAil leAC.
QX). KACAb|-A Atjoir, a fbvw TV]C Curi)A]U,
T1)Afl A b-pll]l A3AU) COrt)|tAC le f^5A(l,
b'f*|Of* tt)0 fluA5, t)AC pAbA uAirt),
a']* b] fUAf 50 tt)OC Att} biV]l.
}-. 'CA.bAtp bo fl6]3ce leAc lAicneAc,
Ajt tt)Aib|i) tt)A|* rt)A|c le<\c, au "p|ot)t) ; t)j b-fujl ceAls le b-l^lltc one, biA&rt)AO|bne ollAtt) p&'b ciot;t).
2t). Bjb, A|t tt)o ceAcc, bo n*vi8 eipeAt), At) Iaoc ]f caIhja A|i At) b-'Feint) ; a i)-A|trt) VA 9-feJbe nori)Att) curt) caca, 50 b-^A]cpeAb a 5t)jort) a'|* a ^lejc.
103
0. 0 Patrick ! I shall not my secret conceal, That terror struck Fionn and the Fians, Save only Oscur of the blows, Who never trembled before any one.
F. 0 Meargach of the green sharp blades, Saith Fionn, in a menacing tone ; Thou shalt have single combat, Or more of the Fians shouldst thou require them.
M. If it be desirable to thee, 0 Fionn Mac Cumhaill, That I should fight thy great hosts, One by one, or by one great swoop, Thy request I cannot refuse.
F. If thou and thy mighty followers Come to fight us man for man, From one to a hundred of the Fenians shall Meet thee with a firm hand.
M. I shall now depart, 0 Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Since battle I am to have, To visit my hosts, which are not far from me, And be up early to meet me.
F. Bring thy hosts with thee here,
In the morning if thou like, saith Fionn ; No treachery will be played upon thee, We shall be ready on thy arrival.
M. Have, on my arrival, saith he,
The mightiest hero among the Fians ; In shield and armour ready to fight, That I may see his prowess in battle.
104
O. to'jTt^is 2t)eATt5Ac t)a Iatjt) t>3Uf,
t)|oti t-cAb leir 50 |i<MDI3 a tH«*3; bo cufjt F|OT)T) qoT)6l Aft at? h-fe^ry,
a't/ b'|T)T)|T/ bojb TT)&Ab A 3UAlf.
<t)o titt)t)' feAcc 3-CACA1 at)T) fit) b^ob,
a't/ 3AC TlOTT)T) AT) ]OT)Ab bUAl'ij
IT 3Al|t]fei AT) bA05Al UAl,t)T).
<Do lAbA]Tl Aft b-ciif* le-|f AT) C&Ab CAC, bA T)30]]tC| CAC T)A IaOC TT)|OT) Up ;
b't:|At:nA|5 bjob bo 511c df&nb, at) b-cjtoibjqbij bo 30&C 'tta cujt\
(D'T*|teA3nAbATit bVcrj aot)ca b'pblorjTj, 30 b-cnoibj-'ibii4 cajt a ceArji) 50 bftAc ;
A bubAJflC CAC T)A b-CAOlfCAC ATT)U]l,
ACC 30 leAT)pAbA01t; CAC T)A 3"C&AbCA lATT).
21 bubATrtc cac i)A b-paATt n)eo6'T)Ac, a 3-CAc T)A a T)5leo bA cjteTTje 5I1A8 ;
T)Aft TTA3bAbATl p^T) A Tl]3 CA|3,
a't/ t)a cite|3pib]T/ 30 bjtAc aot) cejrr).
21 bubA]nc cac T)A b-peATt b-pe6fAC, T)A]t cc]be b6]b 30 Ia at) bjvjf ;
a' I* CAC T)A IT)-bllI) peATl Tt)ATl AT) 3-CeAbrjA,
30 leAT)pAbAO]f f6|T) e rrjAft cac.
1 Scacc 3-CACA, seven battalions. The names of the seven battalions are : — Cac njjoTj-un, i.e. the battalion of fresh heroes ; which name they bore on account of their fresh-looking complexion ; cac ija t>-cAO|rcAc, the battalion of the chieftains; cac ija b-treAn njcvAfeAtjtjAc, the battalion of the middle-sized men; cac ija b-teAn b-re6rAc, the battalion of the mid<il' - I men ; cac ija nj-butj feAtt, the battalion of the stout men ; cac t)A b-fCAti rn-beA5, the battalion of the small men ; and cac ija iHAftnjATV&iJi the battalion of the rear guards. If we could find equiva-
105
0. Meargach of the green blades departed,
And stopped not till he reached his hosts ; Fionn summoned the Fenians, And informed them of his danger.
He then divided them into seven battalions, And put each division in its own place ; Hearken, saith he, to my counsel, Not distant is danger from us.
He first addressed the front battalion, [fresh ;
Who were named the battalion of heroes smooth and He enquired of them in a loud tone, Would they fight as usual in his cause ?
They all at once answered Fionn, That they for him would ever fight ; The battalion of the chieftains said likewise, That they would follow the battalion with most hands.
The battalion of the middle-sized men said, In battle or conflict however desperate, That they never deserted their noble king, And would never flinch one step.
The battalion of the middle-aged men said, They would not flinch till the day of death ; And the battalion of the stout men said also, That they would follow him like the rest.
lent terms for the above, it would throw some light upon the military- history of the ancient Irish. In the Library of Trinity College, there is a Fenian tract, in which the names of all the generals and officers serving under Fionn is given ; and this, if published, would probably illustrate the above military distinctions. In the British army there are sappers and miners, pioneers, grenadiers, light infantry, sharp shooters, &c, which terms, perhaps, owe their origin to the various ranks in the army of Fionn Mac Chumhaill.
106 O. 21 biibA|nc cac nA b-f*eAn beA5 f*6f*,
a'|* AT) CAC T)A 1)-beOl5, t)A l)-lA|tTbA|lA|U; 50 ]tAbAt)Afl ^n bll|0|* 1)A 1)5t)10TT),
a't* 50 leAtjpAbAOjf 'e rrjAji cac.1
'Do 50] |t T^onr) cu|3e 0|*cun,
tnAn -peAji cuif* An atj 5-CAC tt}|ormfi ;
A f b'f*|A|*|tA|5 be A1? corb|tAC AO|T)|*|n,
bo 2t)beAjt5AC b&An|*Ab An b-cu|*.
21 bubAijic 0|*cu|i 30 b-cjubjtAb f*fe|lj, corijjtAC 60 cAjt ceAt)t? tja b-'piAtW ; a'j* ttja't* cu|c|rr) bArr>, a pblW, An ffe, \X eA5Al 5u|t bAO^Al bjb atd 01A15.
N] b-ATt^lAlb |*]1) ||« CO||t, An Piod-o, bA 6*jc 6uit)t) cu cu|C|ttj cfijb ; II* cu A|t b-cneo|n, a'|* An b-cn|AC, Aft b-cACA, ah njAi), a'|* ah Ti-b|on.
Jl* ioi;at)D bu|iju f|D tjo |*ub, a fbjW, An 0|*cun, t)A b| bA luAb ; ttca'i* cu|citn b'AOr) t)eAC bo't) pb&IW* t>| |tACA|8 le||* |*AO|t pA buAb.
<Do 50|n piotji) 5°U bA caIida rjeAjtc, a'|* bA cjtuAb S'jfOtb r^eA3 **'r clo|b|tt) ;
a'|* b'|*1A|:itA15 A T)-beAT)f*A8 cotbnAC,
le 2t)eAft5Ac mou bo leAc-CAO|b.
21 "pbiun, au 3°U, 50 5A|*bA 5I1C,
If V\°V- TW> V] 3nA& le^c ">£; bA rrMAT) leAC trio dun a D5UA|f*,
A*f Ofcun o'u nj-buAbA|nc bo bqc |*AO|t.
1 This line reads thus in the Royal Irish Academy's copy :— •' Sai) lems 6fneAc 50 iu*rj bair-" In tlic direct path till the day of death.
107
0. The battalion of the small men said,
And the battalion behind them, the rear guards,
That they were faithful in their acts,
And that they would follow him like the rest.
Fionn called Oscur to him, As commander of the battalion of brave heroes, And asked him if it was in single combat, He would encounter Meargach first.
Oscur saith, that he would himself, Give him battle in behalf of the Fians ; And if I fall, 0 Fionn, saith he, It is to be feared that you will be danger after me.
It must not be so, saith Fionn, We would suffer by thy fall ; Thou art our guide, our chief, Our prop, our path, and our protector.
'Tis all the same to us, 0 Fionn, Saith Oscur, do not magnify him ; If a single man of the Fenians fall, He shall not depart victorious.
Fionn sent for Goll, of powerful strength, Whose feats of sword and spear were great ; And inquired if he would fight The great Meargach in single combat.
0 Fionn, saith Goll cunningly and wisely, "Tis true, thou lovest not me ; Thou wouldst wish to put me in danger, And Oscur from trouble to be safe.
by which the poet implies that the rear-guards would never desert their colors but fight to the very last.
108 f. NAfi 5eAlUif-fe leb' cojl fAOft,
Aft rvo fox)Y& rriAft 5eAll c&c, Sat) feAfArb ||- rjAijieAC uAfc !
3- <t>o seAlUr, a fbwv, 30 tfoft,
30 leAT>pAit)ij bo strjorb rriAfi cAc ; t)] riACAb Aft 3-cul o'r; 5-CAc, rt)A 3AbAtjt) 5AC peAft e bo lAfrfj.
"F- ^o 3°m FlO^TJ 'DjArtrouib <Dor)ii,
a']* b fiAjrftAis "piow be 30 caojt; ;
atj b-cfubriAb corbftAC aojt) fqft,
bo 2t)beAri3AC cftuAfb tja \ot)V rjjjijfoiij.
Nf riACAb a 3"Cd|rb-3liAb 30 bjtAc, le 2t)eAri5AC tja t^Iaj* Iat)t> ; -* Th\VVi tWf cojcceAtjr) at? cac, b]Ab corb n?A]c le peAjt Aijr;.
•D'piApftAjs b"pb<volAt) bo 511c Ajib, a f)-beAi)pA6 corbftAC CAft a cjogt) ; a bubAfftc fe le pjorjt) tja b-'FfAtii}, oftc r;]Oft c]Ac bA b-cujc]i)r) Ai)r>
'Do f-AOileAf-f a, Aft pfOTjr), At) fIajc, t;ac ArblA|b f*ft) bo seAllAjf bupit),
3AC Aft 5eAllAf, Aft "pAolAtJ,
Tie too TiAe r>j TiACAb Aft 5-cul. <t)'f*|Af:fiAi5 bo 5AC peAft bjob
AT) ftACfTAb ft1A AOT)AJt Icif ;
A blibAfftC 3<XC AOT) bo't) CAC TV]01)t) ii|ft,
bo boAftrr)AO|b bjulcAb biijc.
109
F Hast not thou promised of thy own free will,
That thou wouldst place thyself in jeopardy,
On my account as each has promised ;
Not to stand [to thy word] is shameful to thee !
G. I did promise, truly, 0 Fionn,
That I would follow thy deeds like the rest, I shall not flinch from the battle, If every man take his part.
F. Fionn called forth Diarmuid Donn, And he enquired of him, mildly, If he would give single combat To stern Meargach of the powerful deeds.
I shall never engage in single conflict, With Meargach of the green blades ;
0 Fionn, if the battle be general,
1 shall be as good as any there.
He asked Faolan in a loud voice, If he would fight for him ; He said to Fionn of the Fians, Thou wouldst not be sorry if I fell there.
I imagined, saith Fionn, the chieftain, That it was not thus you promised me ; All that I promised, saith Faolan, During my days I shall fulfil.
He asketh of every man of them, If they would singly go with him ; Each one of the battalion of the smooth armed men We refuse thee. [said,
110
O. ^'piApjtA]^ tt^Aft At) 5-eeAbt)A at) iiAjb,
a 5-CAc t)a b-cAOjfeAc ye.A]\ \b]rr)-ie6W, bo b&AjtjrAb bu^lAb livrb ati Iaitt), bo 2t)beAji5Ac 8at)a t)a t^Uf Utit).
21 bubttAbAji u]le beAl Aft beAl,
ijac jtAib peAft bo l*ut)j:A6 f]T) bo lu<\8 ; acc 50 ftAC^AbAOi^ le ce]le, a 5-CAC bA CTte]T)e t|tort)-fluA5.
<t)o lAbA-jfi led 6 cac 50 cac,
a't- V] b-puAi|t tjeAC bo't) iorr)lAit); bul bo conjjtAC 2t)beATt5Ai5 t)A Iatjt),
5Ufl CU]C At) CJtAT)T) ATI T)A b"TA|lTbA]tA1T).
<Do lAbA]tt le cAOifeAC t)a T)-iAfirbATiAt) a't- ttjoti loc jreAjt iATirn)A d'i) 1)5^ ac ; a bubAijtt 5AC aot) b^ob 50 be^te, 50 leArjpAbAoif ejle Cao|T)-Iiac.
<t)o C05 "p]or)t) A5iif OfCiiTi A|5, ua^U 5^111 6f A|tb A5 rt}U|&eATi) ;
T)A T)-]ATtTT)ATtA!) bO 5AbA]l AT) CACA,
a']* t>a peAcc b-crieAT) caca 6]uIcai5 7~bl UP-
<t)o cu^8rT)Aj|t u]le cun) fuAii),
a't* r)|ori f"Arb fiiAirbrjeAr* 8u]t)i) 50 Ia; b'eirnjiorrjAft 50 ttjoc Art tT)Aib]t),
a'j* T)]OTl b-fAbA 50 b-pACATT)ATt AT) CAT). <t)0 5IAC Cv\0|t)-l]AC 6 1 be a'|* A TUT),
a't* bo buAil be]n) caca 50 coat)t) ;
CA1UJ5 2t)eATt5AC I)A Ul)l) l)5lAf a't* A fluA5 50 ptlAp Aft AT) TT)-b*U.
Ill
0. He likewise enquired if there was [arm,
Among the battalion of the chieftains, a man of mighty Who would give battle hand to hand, To fierce Meargach of the green blades.
They all said with one accord, [speak,
That there was not one who would thus presume to But that they all would go in a body, In battle, however desperate, of mighty hosts.
He spoke to them from battalion to battalion, And he found none of the whole That would go fight Meargach of the swords, Till the lot fell on the rear guard.
He addressed the chief of the rear guards [who said], We never shrunk from the fight ; They all said from first to last, That they would follow Caoin Liath.*
Oscur the noble, and Fionn,
Raised a loud shout of applause ;
Boasting that the rear guard engaged in the battle,
After the seven great battalions had refused Fionn.
We all went to rest, And our repose till dawn was not delightful ; We arose early in the morn, And 'twas not long till we saw a host,
Caoin Liath took his armour and shield, And fiercely struck the battle-blow ; Meargach of the blue spears came With his host immediately to the spot.
* i. e. the gentle grey old man.
112
O. FiAVfiAi^eAf 2t)eA|t5<>.c i)A Iat)i) t^Iat;,
bo 2t)bAC Curi)Aill le cjteAT) 501TT7 slojt;
Aft be f^T) AT) lAOC CA3A|tCA,
bo b] a t) ejbe caca at; a corbAiji ? y. M] b-^ 5<5 bei,rblT), Aft T^otjt) tt)ac Curi)Aill,
ACC CAO|T)-l]AC CTtfAC T)A T)-1ATtri)UTtAT);
T)]OTt cui,be le b-AOi) t)eAc e|le bo'i) "pblAi)T),
CU COlbftAC ACC e Ab C-AOT)AJlAT).
2t). Cu^jipeAbfA, a 'FblW, ^a c6rb6A]l fjub, jreAjt ejle bA rb^cf Anjujl ?eyo ? c!3&lf T16 cejle bejn) a;x be|n),
Aft 2t)eA|t5AC CTteAT) T)A lAT)T) T)5eA|t.
<Do 50]ti 2t)eAft3AC peAtt lejf pejT) b'ATt b'A|T)in) 3T)Ajc •DorjT) cDoftcA|i); b'iOT)t;Ai5 at) b'n* a ceije at)t) fit),
TO CAlTt)A 5I1C AJt Cbl)OC-AT)-ATTt.
Ba l^OTbCA, ^eAT,l5AC, piocrbAjt,
bo bj *Dot)T) ^ojtcA^T) a't; C ao| t)-It, <xc ; A3 301 1) a't; A5 c|ieAccu3A& a cejle, 3AT) ceAccAjt A3 5e|le Afi aot) cAob.
•Do bj AT) "pblAT)T) Afl CA0b AT) C^OfC, A3 Ari)ATtC Afl CJtUC T)A IaOC j
a't; 2t)eA|i3AC, a't; a fluA3 ceAT)n, A3 pe]ceATb le ceATTT) CbAO|T)-le|c.
<Do lAbA]Tt C0T)Al) 30 bOTlb CjieAT),
56'ti b-jrAbA f|A?t 6 o't) i)3lejc; CApA]8 bo lAn) 50 b-qqb leAc <Dot)T),
A CbAO|T)-l)AC CflUAjb T)A lAT)T), A|l f6.
no
0. Meargach of the green blades enquireth Of Mac Cumhall in a fierce voice, If he were the conceited hero, Who was in armour in his presence.
Not I, indeed, saith Fionn Mac Cuinhaill, But Caoin Liath, the chief of the rear guard, No other man of the Fenians but he dare venture To fight thee singly.
I'll send, 0 Fionn, to meet him, Another hero like himself; Let them meet face to face, Saith fierce Meargach of the sharp blades.
Meargach called forth one of his own men, Whose name was Donn Dorcain ; Then the two attacked each other, Dexterous and stoutly on Cnoc-an-air.
Fierce, angry, and vengeful,
Were Donn Dorcain and Caoin Liath, Wounding and cleaving each other, Without giving way at either side.
The Fians were on the side of the hill, Beholding the appearance of the heroes ; Meargach and his mighty host Awaiting the head of Caoin Liath.
Conan spoke haughtily and fiercely,
Though far back from the battle he stood ;
Hasten thy hand till thou conquer Donn,
0 Caoin Liath, the hardy, of the swords, saith he. 8
114
O. cl3o h] ai; b]f* T)'<\]\ cU\ic 51]a8,
^3 SeAftttAb 50 b_"P copp a't* ball ; 6 t-ot;5Ail 5tteir)e 50 \)Q0\\) b6]b,
5u.fl CttjC C)OT)I) <DoriCAft) 5 AT) CeAT)T).
T^bAtrxxofboe av> pblATit) ot/Afib, 5A||i ri)AO]&ce cjte n)Ari &A5 <t)or)t) <Dofic&it) 2t)beATt5A]5 i)A lAi)t),
C]A CA1t)]5 CU5A|T)t) CAO|t)-l]AC tTAOtl.
21 biib<\iftc "piorjt) ATjrj fit) le Corj^t), o cjAT)Aib bA ctteAi) bo 5l6|t ; peAC AT)0]r* ijeATic bo Iattj, Ab c-Aor>A|t le t:eAfi bo'r) c-floj;.
Nf treAcpAb TjeAftx tt)o Iatt) t>a rtio 5t)iotT), le b"AOr? T)eAC bjob 50 bti&c; bA TT)-bA& cujcjrr) bArt? fAt) 5-CAC, mo currjAb1 r)iofi b-pAbA oficf- a T^bl^U-
2lt) CAt) COr)AfflC 2t)eA|l3AC T)A IaV)T),
50 b-cu5 Cao|t)-1]ac <Doi)t) po Iatx; bo 5leAf a cojtp cftur-Aluft)r), 5lAt), a ri-e]be caca njAbniA a'|* bAjf*.
<Do sluAif 50 ptiAp bo Iacaip fh]VV, a't> a bubAipc left* bo bojib jlofi ceAi)t), e pep) bo 5Ab<xfl a rj-e^be caca, x)b 'y Iaoc bo b'peAftTi A5 e cuft At)t).
1 21)o cuii)«\&, literally my grief. Conan knew very well that the Fenians would not regret his death, but on the contrary that they would regard it a boon to be relieved from one upon whom they looked as their stul- tified vilifier and defamer. In the romantic tale called the 0nui5C<\g ChaoTtcAintj, or the Mansion of the Quicken Tree, it is related that Co- nan and the Fenians entered the Mansion, which they found most sump- tuously supplied with all the delicacies peculiar to such a place ; and after regaling themselves most comfortably, wondered why they saw no
115
0. The twain, who were not feeble in battle, Were freely cleaving bodies and limbs, From the rising of the sun till evening, Till Donn Dorcain fell a headless corpse.
We, the Fenians, raised aloud, A cheer of exultation for the death Of Meargach's hero, Donn Dorcan, Though Caoin Liath came to us feebly.
Fionn then said to Conan,
Awhile ago thy talk was fierce ; Try now the strength of thy hand In single combat with one of the host.
*e*
I shall not try the valor of my hands or deeds With any one of them for ever ; If I fell in the battle, Lament for me would not be long on thee, 0 Fionn.
When Meargach of the blades beheld That Caoin Liath laid Donn low ; He armed his well-proportioned elegant body, In battle armour for conflict and death.
He went quickly into the presence of Fionn, And said to him in a fierce bold voice, To gird himself in battle armour, Or to send his bravest hero there.
servants or attendants whatever iu the place, but saw tbat the various splendours, and even the doors were vanishing, until it was finally re- duced to a mere boc, or hut, save one entrance only. One of the Fenian chiefs from this circumstance suspected it to be a place of treachery, and exhorted the Fenians to leave as fast as they could ; but Conan, who re- mained behind to do more justice to the viands with which the tables were so abundantly supplied, was at length by some spell or other, fastened to the floor where he would have remained had not some of the Fenians
116
O. to'pfieASAif1 "plow bo bojtb jloft,
a'y bubA|ftt t)AC leoft leAc Art cu|c pop ; a bubonic peif-eAt), 'p If* b0 ^a f10t*> ijaji leofi rrjAjt 8jol a i)-&A5 *£b<Mlc •
<Do 501fX ~f|Ot)t) Aft BI)Ut)At)C\l) b]\)\),
aV c^idis 50.T) ]*51e All l^ lae'
If rt)6fi At) CA|tc<vift)e, Art 2t)eAjt5<xc,
a fAri)uil f]T) b peAfi b0 lu<x& hW'
2t). 5°ITtFeAbrA f^0 c|iorr)-fluA5 u]le,
A|i 2t)eA]i3AC po ^inS le Flow ' ]*5A0jlpeAb tja lAocfiA po cejle, l<\jttr>A|i t)A peirjrje 1)& Iua8 l]Ort).
O. Hjoft b-pAbA 50 b-pACArt)A|i A5 ceAcc,
0fcit|t AiseAtjcA t)A rr)-be|tr)ior)i) 5-cruiAi8 ; a Iaui) IjorbcA t)A 8eAf Ia]tt) bo b],
A Pb^tflAIC ! IT bl^ At> Ve^ b0 luA&A]tU.
P. 2licttir 8u]t)t) a 0|n') fUAlT*c»
C]ot)i)Af bo cuAjb At) cac bo'r) b]y ; ij6 At) le 2t)eA|t3AC t»A Ut)t) t^Ur, bo cujc bo ti)AC, At) c-Ofcu]t 3fioi8e !
O. )9Qin|0 bu!c> A Pb«c|tAic, A|t b'-cur,
5u|i bO]li5 l]Otx) A be^c rt)Ajt z'&]m ;
a i)-biAi5 OfCUJ^t A'f 1)A b-'plAI)!),
A tt)eAr5 1)A 5"CllA|l 3At) pOjt)t) AftA]!) !
p. 21 cftuA5^t) bojcc ! if bAict)'ib \&]}\,
1)AC A TDeAfS t)A 3"CllA|t bUjC 0 CUf
1)1 be^ceA 'r)0]x b& IuaS jai) cfejll, a'|* bo leAtjp^b 50 pjaI ^15 t)A rj-bul.
taken compassion on him, returned and pulled him with all their might and succeeded, but not without leaving the most part of the skin of his back stuck to the floor. It is traditionally recorded by the peasantry
117
O. Fionn replied in a fierce tone, [fallen i
And said, art thou not content with all that have Meargach answered, and with truth, That it was not sufficient for the death of Tailc !
Fionn called Bunanan the melodious, And he came without delay in full speed ; Great is the affront, saith Meargach, To talk of such a man to us.
M. I shall muster all my mighty hosts, Saith Meargach angrily, to Fionn ; I shall let the heroes loose on each other, Of thy Fenian reserves do not speak to me.
0. Not long was it until we beheld approaching Exasperated Oscur of the stern blows, His polished blade in his right hand he bore, 0 Patrick! sad is the loss of the man of whom I speak.
P. Relate to us, 0 pleasant Oisin,
How fared the battle with the two ;
Or was it with Meargach of the green blades,
Thy son fell, the heroic Oscur.
O. I tell thee, O Patrick, at first, That I regret being as I am, After Oscur and the Fenians, Among the clerics without much bread.
P. 0 poor wretch ! it is much to be regretted, [beginning ; That it was not among the clerics thou wert from the Thou wouldst not now be speaking foolishly, And thou wouldst modestly follow the king of the elements.
that his comrades ran to a flock of sheep which they saw grazing in a field, skinned a huge black ewe, and fastened the skin tightly to Conan's back, by which mark he was known ever after.
118
O. "Ctuiaj; 5AI) cA|fe C115A& tre-jri, A3ur 5° Pi0!1 cwr> *>o cIjaji; i)A b-AbA]|i Item) 50 leAijpAjtjr) <t) J A, a't* 50 b-cjt&]5p]rjr) cTtTAt t)A b-pTATiT).
P. Ma b]8 bA fui^eATT), a 0|nt) tt>tc 'pbltW, cu||i bii]T)t) crvjoc A|t cac ct)0|C at) ATft, bo frj at) "pbiAtjr) cjt&At) 50 leojt, Aijo]f if b6|b 50 y. at)T)-Ia5 cI*vtc.
O. 21 PbACftAic ! rt}'<\'x e- DjA t)A t)5ftAf,
C115 At? cArs ri') Ail a,j fc-T^uro ;
i)A Cfieib uat8 6 fo y uAf,
aot) tjjb luATbtqb leAc leb' jtAe.
2llCfl||* bArtj ATJOjl* A PbACTlATC,
at) 6 At) <£>|A 5ttAbniA|t f|i) a bubAijic ; 50 |tu5 pe-]T) buAb Art AT) b-'peji^r), a'|* 5u|t b'fe TpiteAT)i) fuAfi1 a 5-cluib.
P. \W\\X® buic, Af 1)1 b]t6A5,
511ft beA|tbui5 b&Al <De biijT)T) ;
AT) btteATT) T)AC T)-b&AT)pA]8 a TteTjt,
!PlteAi)t) bAoti 511ft be- a i)-biii) !
O. Nj &eA|lT)Ab AT) "FblAVJT) A |te]Jt TtTATT),
T)A crieibf*! <D]A T)A fAob 5I0JI ;
Ti)i)Tf bATt) tdA't- 6 TU15 buAb,
ca b-t-utAiit |*luA|5ce a 5-cun)AT* b6|b.
P. )f 6 <Dja 11115 bu<\8 A|l AT) b-'pe]!)!),
a't* T)]ott TAfijt bA 86at)aH) cac t)a floj;
ACt A C01)3t)Ali) t-46|1) 't*A COri)ACCA CftAlC, 't* If 11)CJtC]bce T)AC plAT* A ^lojt.
1 pUATt, roW. The poet seems to have been acquainted with the opinion of sonic of the schoolmen, that the damned pass from one extremity of
119
0. Misery without redress attend thyself, And truly thy clerics
Do not say to me that I would follow God, And that I would forsake the chief of the Fians.
P. Do not be arguing, O Oisin son of Fionn,
Tell us how the battle of Cnoc-an-air ended ; The Fians were mighty enough, But now they are weak and feeble.
O. 0 Patrick ! if it be the God of grace
Who spread that report about the Fians, Do not believe from him henceforth Anything he tells thee during thy days.
Relate to me now, 0 Patrick, If it be that God of love who said, That he himself conquered the Fians, And that cold hell is their habitation.
P. I tell thee, and 'tis no falsehood,
God's own mouth hath declared to us, That those who will not follow his counsel A hell of pains will be their dungeon !
O. The Fenians never followed his counsels,
Believe not thou God of the feigned speech, Tell me if it were He that obtained victory Where he found hosts their match.
P. It is God who obtained victory over the Fians, And did not ask the aid of battalions or hosts, But his own strength and timely power, And truly his speech is not feigned.
suffering to another, in the next life — from the most intense flames of fire, to the most intolerable degree of cold.
120
O. Na cftejb tj]6 Afi b*c bA Iua8at)tj,
iDiv be*ji 50 ftu5 buA6 aji At) b-"peit)i); 3AI) flu^5 t)A c6|]t i)A 8A]l, t)A seAll 30 bftAc acc 6 K^1i>.
P. )x e 'Dia ^10 Aiy u]le flog,
Tl* e 43'A coift A'f rjeAftc cAc ;
If e <D|A ]iu3 buAS Afi At) b-"p6i*)t),
a'|* xj\ le tjeAfic Iaoc t)A c6|ft cAt).
O. 2li;o|f pAO| b[i|3 bo leAbAjft bAjt),
A'f bo bACA'lle ca le t)A A]p, tAOj f|Ai)|*Ai) bo 6I03 glojt Aftb, At) b-pujl b|teA3 *ot)A |tAi8ceAfi leAc ?
P. 21 OirlU Cfte-b uA'tt) 30 pjo*t,
5AC fjiiocAl bA T)-]ijt)]nnj bu*c Aft <t)l)*A ; 50 b-pujlib sat) ceils, 5At) bfie|3, a'j* 311*1 b'd |.*e*t) bo feojl 8u|t)i) ]Ab.
O. "3&c pmocAl b'Afi A*c*t|** biqc,
t)\ tt)6*i njo ce***c, acc ait)A*i); Tt)A|t a be]*t Ioac 311*1, Ab ua*8 pep),
flU.5 bu<V& A|t At) b-"pe|1)l) At) AOt)A|lAt).
P. lDo 1x113 biiAb a*i a b-cAjt)]3 pop,
6 cup At) boti)A|t) ti)6|)t 30 pjo|i •
a'** beAiapAf A|t A b-qocpA t)A t)-b*A*3,
bA c*te*t)e -Ab 30 be**te At; c-**ao*3|1.
O. Ma cjtc|b *:ocaI bA t)-bubA**ic *t|Ati), t)A *.*6f bA T)-boAjipA|& le t*A |tAC ; 6f j^\)'<\t loj*- bo*c bA Iua8, 3ii|i b'S [tug btiA8 aji At; b-pojnt),
121
O. Believe nothing that he saith,
If he say that he obtained sway over the Fians, Without hosts — without help at hand, Or pledge at all but himself.
P. God himself is all hosts [all powerful], God is the might and pursuer of all, Tis God who obtained sway over the Fians And not by the strength of heroes or pursuit of hosts.
0. Now, on the virtue of thy white book, And thy crozier which lies at its side, Under the chiming of thy high-sounding bells, Dost thou lie in what thou sayest 1
P . O Oisin, believe me truly,
Every word that I relate to thee of God ;
Is without guile or falsehood,
And 'twas himself who taught them to us.
0. Each word that I have related to thee, My quer}'' is not much, but only, Whether he tell thee that it was by himself alone He obtained sway over the Fians.
F. He obtained sway over all that have been From the beginning of the world surely, And he will, over all that will come after, Though great their might, till the world's end.
0. Believe not a word he hath ever uttered,
Nor yet what he may say during his day,
As he is constantly proclaiming
That 'twas he who gained victory over the Fians.
122
P. )x beAfib leACf a 30 rw'ye&w At) )~b]*VV> t)A b-cAfr)]5 TMATb AV A b-c*ocf A]8 f6f ; Y if beAjtb l|ort)f a 50 rt/feAfift <D]A,
T)A CUfA A5Uf ^Ab, A f eA1)0]]l ! O. )\ COfri)Ull TJAC b-fACA CU AX) ftyt-VW}
t)A b-qor*6l 5I1A6 a t)-Art) 3leo ; r^Ofi cofn)U]l |te f *AT)fAr) pfAlrt),
T)A |te cl0|5 A5 CAftlJAlItC, A 5-Ceol. NjOfi COfri)U|l le 4D]A, A PbAC|tA]C,
a f I11A3 n;6ft8AlAC, 6ff(8eAfic, |*ufe ;
xy\ cuaIai8 cAf3 &accac it^Arb,
acc a 5-cu||t]fife 'fAi) cljAji bA clu.
P. NjOft AfCfiff Tt)1|*e t)A At) cljAjt,
6 cuf bujc Cfqai} a rbAyc %\)\ovc) ; n)A]c bo-Cft]oct)Ai5re, a rbAfc,
a Oirit», ir eab 3° ri°n- O. Mi 5S1U1TD, a Pb^cjtAic, bo *DbiA,
t)A f6f bob' bfiiAcjtA if leArij 3l6ft ;
5U|l T\)4.\t 6 fC*t) t)A a suiotb,
of* bujTje 6 bo b^of 3AI) cac, 3AV) ^63.
P. M) \b.y.&V)X) CO] [l CACA T)A flos,
a Oifjt) 30 bed i)A bA|l;
acc jiojtweAf cocfiAn? bo |t&*|t cuil*rb,
a'i* t;i b-p A3At)i) n}|lleA8 6 ija TjArrjAfb.
Cfte-b uAfrt) for Af 36111 3° TW- a Oifjt) dao'c i;ac i)3|t^bAt)i) <D*a ; a'** ttjA'f ttja'c r>o olc leac 6, |f 6 bo ro]f3 t»fel") «;a b-'plAijij.
123
P. Thou iinaginest that the Fians were mightier
Than all who ever came and will come hereafter, But I believe that God is stronger Than thou and they, 0 old man !
0. 'Tis likely thou hast not seen the Fians Mustered for battle in time of war ; Not like the humming of the psalms, Or the clangor of bells, was their music.
Not like unto God, 0 Patrick,
Were his [Fionn's] proud illustrious hosts,
I never heard of any great feat [by him, i.e. God,]
But what thou and the clerics spread of his fame.
P. The clerics or I have not told thee
One-third of his good deeds since the beginning, Goodness without end is his goodness, 0 Oisin, it is truly.
0. I do not submit, 0 Patrick, to God,
Nor yet to thy words which are foolish,
That either he himself or his actions were great,
As he was a man without battalion or hosts.
P. He asketh not for the pursuit of battalions or hosts For ever, Oisin, in his presence, But distributes equally according to merit, And he never gets a hurt from his foe.
Believe me still and truly submit, 0 silly Oisin who lovest not God, And whether it seems good or ill to thee, 'Twas he who checked the career of the Fians.
124 O. <Do cattatj- b|t^A5, i)j \)-'e <Dja,
JU15 budb T)A D'ETAT)!), T)A A TT)-bAT* J
a'j* bA T)-beAftT)Ai8 ceAjtt t)A cocttAn) ftjATT), bo |toir>t)|:e<\.& 50 fjaII at) e-atiat).
P. RojtjrjceAft leAC ajiAt) aY beoc,
bo 5AC cu|b bA b-pA5At)t) at) cl]A|i ; cu]5C|0|i liorrj 31^ TJATjteAc bujc, tdat-Ia a'j* 5UC bo cAbAjfic bo l3b]A.
O. 2t)A 5e]b|mfe AftAi) aY beoc,
AY r«*ll 3AT> cof3 Art)eAr5 fl* 3"cll*t* i
A Pb&C|tA|C ! Xj\ Tt)eAfA]n) Aft AOT) COft, bO <t)blA 50 b-pAfCeATJT) AT) H1AT1.
P. Cior)t)Af bob £&ibifi bo leAc rtjATi,
AT) CAT) 3eT.b]fl b]Ab tT)ATt CAC J T»1 COJ*rbu|l 5UTt leAC-CUTT)A8 J*]!),
A °ino, ir ")in»ic bo 5IAITT) !
O. 21 PbACTtAJC ! T)l CTte]bt:|T)T) bo <DblA,
CUT/A, T)A 't) cl|Afl T)AC CAO|I) ;
tt)AY a T)-e]T)peACc 5eAbrr)AOjb b|A8,
5U|t Ab TOT)A!)1) AT) TtTAft fA |tO]l?f?.
P- 21 Oft/IT) T)A CUT, ft A pUTT) T)] but- TT)6
A b-pilATTlir b'AI)T)]t68 ATT)CAf5 ^A Z~CMW>
leAC-CUTT)A& if] 6eATtT)AbATl JIT, ATT),
Y IT PCA|t|T A T)-0lc t)A TT)AjC T)A b-^AtJO*
O. Olc A3Uf ATT5U1T) 6(*ATlb,
bo cu|qrr) a T;-bA|l bo cI|aji;
aY t)A |tAbA|ftfe fAOft 5 T)A T^OjtT),
6|ft T)jOJl COflT)U|l f|b lo T-lllAS T)A b-"F|Al)1).
125
0. Thou liast told a falsehood, 'twas not God [death, That obtained sway over the Fians, or caused their And if he ever acted justly or evenly, lie would generously share the bread.
P. Bread and drink is shared with thee, Of each meal the clerics get ; I perceive it is shameful to thee Abuse and scandal to give to God.
0. If I get food and drink,
And a willing share among the clerics ; 0 Patrick ! I cannot think on any account That thy God seeth my share.
P. How is it that thou couldst get but half diet, Whilst thou gettest food like the rest ; It is not likely that it is injustice 0 Oisin, how constant is thy clamour !
0. 0 Patrick, I would not believe thy God, Thou, nor the clerics, who are not mild, If it be together [i. e. at one table] we are fed That the portion each gets is alike.
P. 0 Oisin talk no more, [clerics;
Of all the hardships thou hast undergone among the Injustice they never did, [of the Fians.
And their worst acts are better than the best deeds
0. Ills and loud contention
Mayest fall among thy clerics ;
And may thou not escape their venom,
For ye are not like the Fenian hosts.
126 P. )x olc \\ovo a feAt)6|jt lejc,
1JAC ]Ot)TT)U|l) leAC clejfl T)A $>]*.',
c^ocf A^b z\\t\]i 'rjAfi bje leAC 6,
50 bojlb A 1}-bAOft £jlAf TJA b-p|AtJt),
O. Jf leofi l|ort) bo bAOft glAf p]At),
be]C AtrjeAf 3 t)a 5-cliAfi rrjAfi cA|rr> ; A5 feiceArb Aft SfiAf Afb <De,
bO |tO|T?0eAf 50 CA0l At) C-AJtAlJ.
M'l cofrijujl y]h t)A biift rj-^iA,
le *F]OVQ A5 ftTAp. aV A3 |tO]T)t) AfiAjTJ,
T)]0|i rbujrieAfi1 lejf fluA5 t?a b-"pjAr;i}, A'f a b-qjeab ijac jAb t)A 82v]l.
H] rrjAfi ffr> bujcfe a']* bob clejft,
t)A b'A blift fAOft-flAJC If TTJOfl cA]l;
ff n)6|t l^b c|tuA5At)2 bocc, 5AI) fqArj, ai) buri Ti)eAf5 a cunjplACC At) solAft).3
P. <Dob' ]o^njuit) l]t)t)e A'f le 4D|A,
a feAtjojft 1]ac cu bejc b'Ajt |tejft ; t)A be]c fAob-riAjbceAc IjofeA, rrjAri ^ 3t)Ac cufA, a 0|fjr) bAO]t !
O. 21 PbAcjtAic ! bo 8eAt)f Aitji) bo |te||t,
a']* bob' jotjrbujt) l|orr? fe|t) bo tobjA; acc 5U|t rt)|t)|C ljon? bo ItiAbAffi,
30 ]tU5 buAb Aft lph]OW T)A b-"pJAt)t}.
1 2J}ujfteATt, a burthen, a family. Here Oisin indicates that Fionn would not close his doors or refuse food to any that visited him, no matter how numerous they came.
2 CnuATj&n- This word signifies a person in the most ahject state of poverty and want.
127
P. It is grievous to me 0 hoary old man,
That thon lovest not the clerics and God ; A time will come when thou shalt regret it Sorrowful in the bonds of pain.
0. It is enough for me of cruel bonds of pain To be with the clerics as I am, Awaitiug the grace of God, Who slenderly shares with me the bread.
Not like are ye or your God, To Fionn sharing and giving bread, He would feel no burthen in the Fenian hosts, Or in all who came in his presence besides them.
Not so with thee and thy clerics, Or thy chief though great his fame ; Ye grudge a poor feeble wretch To dwell among you, 0 crying horde.
P. We and God would rejoice
0 hoary old man, that thou wert of our way, Nor to be vainly garrulous and tedious As thou always art, 0 silly Oisin !
O. 0 Patrick ! I would do as thou desirest, And 'tis I that would love thy God, But only that thou too often proclaimest [Fians. That 'twas he who obtained sway over Fionn of the
s 3ol&i) signifies one that is constantly crying or growling. The poet uses the expression here in reference to the singing of psalms and hymns by St. Patrick and his choir ; for while he himself was obliged to fast, the singing of psalms was not very much to his taste ; and, therefore, taunted the saint on every possible occasion.
12S
P. BeAt)l)ACt le CACA^b 1)A b-plAI)!),
bA cneADrnAfi ]Ab a'p bA n)A]C a 3-CA|lj A^pif bU]t)t) At)oif* 5AI) bftot), C]A |tU5 buAS A|t Ct)OC At) A||t !
O. C]A 5uji tbiAt) liortj a b-cjiAct pub,
A bejc A|t fiubAl le |Oft)Ab pA^nt : leAi)|.*Ab bujc, ti)A 5e|b|tr) jtjAft, A|t c6|ri)f5le6 6jAt) crjo^c At) Ajjt !
^'lO^r^lo ^GA]t3AC t)A Ut)1) t)5lAf,
a'c Ofcujt, 50 ceAt)i), a 3-c6in)-5le|c ; a PbACftAjC ! bA b-pejcpeA ai) b^p, \y\ ri)olpA8 3t^oib aot) rbic <De !
<Do bAn)U]fi u|le At) 7^1^1)1),
a 5-C|ieACA]b b]AT) pA bnot) 30 cIac ; le b-eA3Al 3u|i cu]C]rt) b'Aft Iaoc, le 2t)eA|t5Ac c^teAt) i)A 3-cnitAb lArb.
<t)o bj fluA3 2t)beA|t3A]3 t)A t>5lAp lAt)t), 5AI) cjio^be, 3A1) 5|teAt)r), A5 pile beon ; b'eA3lA njAjibAb a 5-ceAt)t; cfijAc, le b'0fcu|t bjAt) r)A Iai)T) t^eAfi.
21 PI)AcpiAjc ! bA tTj-be]cpeAb A3 peACAit)i), A]i 5AC itjAt) cuihj-bejn) C|iuA|6; bA |tA]b A|i conpA]b r)A i)3Aftb Iaoc, <D|a i)A 'i) cl&in i)i bejcpeA luAjb.
p. 21 Oint) ! rsA°il ^°nc 5° k°iu>
bo bftjAcnA bAojp a']* Ioat) bob' cnAct ;
bO buA]8 At) 3t)]OTT) Aft Ct)OC At) A]|t !
129
P. Peace be with the battalions of the Fians,
They were mighty and their fame was great;
Relate to us now without grief,
Who gained the victory at Cnoc-an-air?
0. Though it would be my desire to talk of them, And to relate it with much pleasure, I shall tell thee if I am served [with food], Of the fierce conflict at Cnoc-an-air !
Meargach of the green blades,
And Oscur, engaged fiercely in single combat,
0 Patrick ! hadst thou seen the two
Thou wouldst not praise the actions of God's only son.
We, the Fenians, all were
Trembling intensely, and in heavy grief,
Apprehensive our hero would fall
By the mighty Meargach of the stern arms.
The hosts of Meargach of the green blades Were spiritless and joyless, shedding tears, Fearing for the fall of their head and chief By Oscur of the severe arm and sharp blades.
0 Patrick ! wert thou a spectator Of all the traces of the sharp swords Which were on the bodies of the stern warriors, Thou wouldst not mention God or the clerics.
P. 0 Oisin ! leave off a while
Thy silly words, and pursue the tale ;
Tell us which of the twain,
Was victorious in the action at Cnoc-an-air. 9
130
O. 21 2t)l;eA|i5Ai5 ! A[i Ofcufi 6fA]tb, &o 6eA|t5 n)o Iaiju Ajt bo cojip ; bo 5eA|t|tA8 l]on} b'freoil 30 ctjArb, aV ca iA|t5r>68 at? bC\ir A5 ceAcc opr !
<#). Mj l;-eA3Al l]orn ba^ 6b' lAjri},
tjA cu]|t a 5-cCvf rrje, Oj-ciqit ^ejl ;
|f bCA]lb l|OTT) bO CU|C|IT? l]1)tj,
A'f a njAHieAijr) b]ob bob' f-luA^ j:6|r>. O. jf beAjtb Ijorr) a 2t)ljeA|t5A]5 cjtuA|b,
t>AC ^AbA UA^C 30|t) A1} bA]f,
A'f 50 b-cu]Cf:||t-f| a']* bo qiorrj-f-luAJ, IjorrjfA a'|* le fluA5 "pb|Ai)i;A pA^l.1
<t)0 5IAC OfCU]l 30]1T) a'|* £JtAOC,
a'|* bo C05 a Iai;u lAV)-buAbAC ; le rt)]\ie TTjeAijrrjAT) a'j* r>eA]ic Iatt), 3ujt ce]l3 po Iaji 2t)eAji3AC cjtuAib.
MlOft b-pAbA bo't) Iaoc aji CAlti)u]r), Ai) CAr> b'ei|i]3 3AT) clAp A|t]]*; bo 3Ab' rjAjfie ]A|i f]T> atj peAji, a'}* bo rbeAbu|3 a tjeArtt 'f a 5i)jorrj.
1 F|At)t)A "Pxxjl, f/ie F/a?is of Fail. #fc]l, or loir Fcvyl, according to Keating, was one of the ancient names of Ireland. At the Tuatha De Danann invasion the country received this name from a celebrated stone which they brought with tlieni, called the I1A5 Fail, or Stone of Destiny, and of which the poet writes : —
"O'n 5-cloc ro z& poti)' 6a f<Ml, If UAice pki6ceAfi 1tur Fail."
From this stone which is under my two heels, The Island of Fail is called.
T!ii; stone was considered enchanted and held in great veneration for its supposed power of making a terrible noise resembling thunder, which could be heard at a great distance, when one of the royal race of Scythia sat upon it to be crowned. It was then the custom, upon the decease of the reigning monarch, that his successor should sit upon this stone for
131
0. 0 Meargach ! saith Oscur aloud,
My spear has reddened in thy body ;
I have cut thy flesh to the bone,
And the anguish of deatli cometh upon thee !
M. I dread not death by thy hand,
Be not concerned for me, generous Oscur ; I verily believe thou shalt fall by us, And all that survive of thy hosts.
0. I verily believe, 0 stern Meargach,
That thy death wound is not far from thee, And that thou and thy mighty host will fall, By me and the hosts of the Fians of Fail.
Oscur became furious and vehement, And he wielded his all-victorious blade, With such heroic courage and might of arm, That he laid Meargach the hardy low.
Not long was the hero on the ground, When he arose without dread again ; Shame then seized the man, And his strength and valor increased.
coronation ; but if the candidate so sitting was not of the royal blood of Scythia, neither motion nor noise of any sort proceeded from the stone. All the monarchs of Ireland upon their succession were crowned upon it ; and from its great fame, Fergus Mac Earca, first king of Scotland, sent to his brother Murtough, who was then king of Ireland, requesting him to send it to Scotland, in order to be crowned thereon king of that country. He believed thereby that the crown would be more firmly pos- sessed by him and his posterity, by its innate extraordinary virtue. The king of Ireland complied ; and about A.D. 513, Fergus received upon it the crown of Scotland. It was preserved with great care at the Abbey of Scone in that country, for the purpose of crowning their kings upon it, until the time of Edward I., king o. England, who brought it from Scotland. It is said to be now placed under the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey, where it has lost all its former virtue and power.
132
O. 13o cAjc At; bjf beAj-lAoc 3IA1;,
o ArbAfic n;Ajbi;e 50 \)-]^-t)eo]V ;
3AT> rfo 5At? r°r*6> s^t> c&ui&e,
OC ! A PbC\C|lA|C, A T)-b]AT)-5le6.
4D'j1-iap|ia]5 2t)es\|t5Ac b'Ofcuji A13, At; b-c|te]5P|8 50 lA at; 3leo; a bubA]]tc Ofcujt bo geAbAift bo rb|Ai;,
T-At^AbAfi At; b|f lArb aji U\]tb,
A'f bo 5Ab ai; pAi)u]5e a flitAJ; peit;, bo 5luA]f* Of*cujt 30 caIi^a, njeAft, twt; lejftj aii;ac po]ri) ai; b-)rl;ci|t;t;.
Bbl bfteArt; A3uit;t; 30 juibAC, fuA]|tc, a'j- bjieArr; e]le pA TjiuiAirr; i;a i;5t;&, 50 b-6ift3|8 STtfejue A]i i;a tbAjtAC, 5ii|t qot;ol At; i;;\rbA]b cu5A|T;t; 30 CfteAt;.
<Do cua]6 Opcuft a i;-ejbe caca,
a'j- bo 3IAC a Afttt; Ya r3l^c V* *>6jb ; bo cftiAll a 3-coti;bAil ']•*• 3-co|i;t;o, 2t)bcA|t5Ai5 rblfte, ai; cpeAi; leorbAi;.1
<D'|Ot;t;rAi5 ai; bjf* At; bAjtA It, Aft tt;Aib]t; 30 U\ib-3|tob b^At; ; A3 5GAft|tAb a'|* A3 C|tOACCU3A8 a c6jle, a't t;jojt b-pAbA 51171 gfyji9 At; Fb|At;t;.
1 leoii)Atj, a lion. This name is also applied by the poets to a hero, or one who distinguishes himself in battle.
2 S&m* " shout. The Fenians were wont to shout loudly at any signal vietory obtained by them, whether in the field or elsewhere; and Uonn- chadh Ruadh mliic Conmara, iu his Qaczjxa 5bjolU *u> JlnjAllAji), or, Adventures of a Slave of Adversity, thus describes the shout of Charon, the boatman of the Styx; —
133
0. The two noble brave heroes spent [the time] From morning's dawn till evening, Without quarter, without cessation, without delay, Alas ! 0 Patrick, in severe conflict.
Meargach asketh of Oscur the noble,
If he would relinquish the battle for the night ; Oscur saith " thou shalt have thy desire," And they both left separated.
The two came hand in hand,
And the stranger went to his own host ; Oscur strode forth bravely and stoutly, On the plain before the Fians.
Some of us were merry and humorous, And others looked sullen in their countenance ; Till the rising of the sun on the morrow, When the foe mustered around us powerfully.
Oscur went forth in battle armour,
And he took his arms and shield in his hand,
He went onwards to meet
Angry Meargach, the lion of bravery.
The two attacked each other on the s'econd day, In the morning with fierce blows, Cleaving and wounding each the other, And 'twas not long till the Fians shouted.
" t)o ftU5 At) rt)ACAri) ATt bA|* i)o ibeAftAib, Co ft)r) r6 5iv)f% orAn" A'r bc|ceAc, le truAiti) a 50CA bo cnjceAb ija rpe-AftcA, Oo cuaIa at) cfuiioge e A'r cujti iKfteAtjt) sejnj Ar."
The giant seiz'd my hand with gludden'd soul, Then louder roar'd than mightiest thunder's roll ; Ileaven's high cope trembled at his bellowing shout, The round world heard, and hell's black depths cried out.
.S. Hayes's Translation.
104 P- CfteAb At; pAc Aft 5&ift ai; ¥b]&V9,
* Oirty 5TW A]cmr &"itj«j ;
i;a beAftn;Ab, Afccfrt;, bo |Uv|8,
O. Njott 5A]fi ri)AO|6ce, <v Pb&cjtAjc i;ua& !
bo C05 At; "pbl^pt) at; cjtac ub ; acc 5A^|i CAo;i;ce a'f cft&ibceAcc, 5A||t soIaio a'|* 5A||t cutt;a6 !
P. CfteAb £AC A]t cAoit;eAbAtt at; "pbl^tW*
If pAbA Ifort; 50 t;occaj]i pAc, jp coprbujl rrjA-|i leAt;Ap bo Iao],
50 TtAlb OfCUTt A IjOT) C|tU<\b-CAJp
O. 'Dob' e- pAc po'ft 5&jtt aa 'pblATH;,
a PbAc^iATC t)A cl&ijte 50 beATtb;
at; cjteAp befit; C115 2t)eA|i5AC t;a Iaoi;,
b'pA5 Opcujt 50 pAT)T; pAO| caIatt; !
21t; cat; bo corjAjtCTTtAft Opcuft Aft Iatt,
bO f-AOllcAT^ATl A'f CAC 50 flAT,b 5AT) AflAtt;,2
acc trjoft b-pAbA bo'i; Iaoc cttobA, at; cat; b'effii5 beo t;a feApArr; !
21 Of*cu|ft, Ajt "pfOTji; t;a b-'p|Ai;i),
T)] pACAp }\\&Tf) bO COJtp A|l lAft;
Att ujft caItt;at; 5m* ai;|u,
A5 aot; 5A]t;5|6eAC bA but jibe Iatt;.
)y beATtb lfon;fA A|i 2J)eAft5AC t;a Iat;i;, 50 n;-biA8 Of*cujt 50 pAt;i; jat; ppAp; Ajuf at; ciifb ejle bo'1; )~l;f<\i;i;, acc cuf a A5111* 2lo8 Bca3 ATbAfi;.
1 2l)|l|r bo rscol, sweet thy tale. The saint here indicates to Oisin that he was well pleased with his narrative ; and urged him to proceed, for it is to be supposed that Oisin grew silent for a time, thinking mournfully of the great achievements he had witnessed of old.
135
P. Why is it that the Fians shouted,
0 pleasant Oisin relate to me ;
Do not forget, I implore, thy narration,
Delightful is thy account of it [to me].
[arrived !
0. Twas not a shout of exultation, 0 Patrick, recently
That the Fenians raised at that time,
But a shout of sorrow and misery,
A shout of lamentations and [deep] woe !
P. Why is it that the Fenians wailed?
1 long to hear thee reveal the cause ; 'Tis likely as thy lay goeth on, That Oscur was in a perilous position.
0. This was why the Fenians wailed, 0 Patrick, of the clerics, truly ; The third blow given by Meargach of the blades, Left Oscur weak upon the ground.
When we beheld Oscur down,
We and the rest supposed him dead ; But 'twas not long till the valorous hero Arose alive and stood up.
0 Oscur, saith Fionn of the Fians, Thy body was never seen laid
On the clay of the earth till to-day, By any hero however mighty his hand.
1 verily believe, saith Meargach of the blades, That Oscur will be feeble without delay, And the rest of tke Fians,
But thou and Aodh Beag only.
» 3ai) ai)Ati), literally without spirit, meaning that he was a lifeless Torpse.
130
O. (Dub-fU\r) ija "pe]r)i)e jhVzjac,
a 2t)beAji5A|3 cpuA]8 tia t^Ia]4 Ut;t?;
o beAp3Ab Ijorp A]t bo copp,
i;j b-eA5Al bo'r> "pblAtTt;. bo ceAtiti.
Cii|rbi;]8, a 0]*cu|]t, Aft CotiAt) tdaoI, bo cu]c]rr* bo'r; "pblArjt? 5u|t b]c ;
CU]tbT)]b Aft 5AC CAC CpilA]6,
bo feA|-rbui5i|* bo fliiA^o pblDU-
<Do |*pjieA5 CoitAi; Of-cup aj-zj,
a']* cu5 AjA|b 50 bAtjA A|i *2t)beA]t3Ac cpeAtj;
V] pACA8 ]*6f*, A PbAC|lA1C !
cac bob' freApp ]b]p bjp Iaoc. <t)ob' 6 |*iib At) cac bA 6p\T),
A PflAC]lA]C ! T)A 5"Cl|A|l 5At) 30 j CAC 5AT) fO|*A8, CAC 5A1J Pv\]]lC,
cac 5AI) t-caoiia a tj^Ajtb sleo.
<t)o b| at) bjf bob' A]li;e ctjeA]*,
Ofcufi A5uf 2t)eA|t5Ac a beAp rr;e ;
at) bA]tA lA A|i b-ceAcc TieO]T),
a']* t)io]t b-Aict;e a 3-clo iia ]*3epT>.
N] pAjb ball biv 3-coppA]b caoit), 5Ati |t|At) cpeAcc, ttA 5010 Iatw ; o bACAf1 C]\)t),"^o bovt) C]lACC,2 bupirje a't* bo cAc tj]op jpeAyt).
21 OfcujTt! cu]rbt)]b jujt Icb' lAftf),
bO CU]C 3|tllA5AC At) 4311] t) 0|]t j3
rt)A cuttcAp le 2t)eA]t3Ac Ap 3-cul CU.
11] A]ctt]b bu]i)tj cu, A]t "pjoi)ti pa b-pblAt;f).
i tUcAr. This is the name by which the crown of the head is known ; and it is generally believed that talented men lose the hair off this part of their head at an early age. The celebrated poet Carolan is represented as a lnld-patcd man in a print prefixed to Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy.
107
0. The Fenians completely defy thee,
Stern Meargach of the green blades ;
As I have reddened thy bcdy,
The Fians need not dread thy power.
Remember Oscur, saith Conan Maol, Thy fall to the Fians will be a loss ; Remember every hard battle Thou sustained for the hosts of Fionn.
Conan roused the noble Oscur,
And lie boldly faced the powerful Meargach ;
I have never yet seen, 0 Patrick,
A better fought battle between two heroes.
That was the battle that was severe,
0 Patrick ! of the clerics, without doubt ; Abattle without cessation, a battle without partiality, A battle without intermission in fierce conflict.
The two were of the fairest feature, Oscur and Meargach I say ;
On the second day on the approach of evening, [ed. That their form or appearance couldnotbe distinguish- There was not a spot of their smooth bodies Without trace of scars and wounds of blades, From the top of their heads to the sole of their feet, To us and the rest it was not pleasant.
0 Oscur ! remember it was by thy hand, The wizard of Dunore fell ; If by Meargach thou art vanquished, We recognise thee not, saith Fionn of the Fians.
2 Cttixcc. or boiji) cn&cc, used poetically for cnojs, the foot; however, bot)t) cfiacc, or boot) cfiojs, means the sole of the foot.
3 t>iit) 6m, i.e., the fortress of gold. There are three localities in Ire- land bearing this name— one of which (Dunore) is situated in the county
138
O. Nac cuprjp) leAC 311ft ceApo bo b], Mo|i't;fA6 plAtjtjbA ai) <Dup) 0] pi, o i)ac Tj-Aict)i5ceAp l)pp bo srjup;, clojrjceAp Ijrjp 5AC cjiac bo slop.
Hac cu|ri)it) leAc cap &]y Ap Ap^,
5up leAc bo cu|c "Ca^Ic rtxxc "Cpeop) ? AV S^c 5Aif5]8eAC a'p cp^Ap fluA3, bo CU5 a cuAp' Ap Af) b-pb^iP)*
Ba 8eApb \\x)\) ufle, ati pblArjp, t)Ap b-pAbA o'tj t)-b]p Ap C-6A5 ; bA £eApp 5up b'AOibfrjt) bujr;i), Ap b-cu|C|rt) 5AI) liic bo'p peAp cp§Ap.
C|A Cupr Ap CAlATT) AT) IaOC,
a 5-cpeACApb 6A3A bAp l]r>t> ;
b'6ip5|6 50 caIoia rtieAp Apip,
a'j* bubAjpc, |f b]c po bo'p pb6]pp.
<Do h] ad ve6|t) a b-po3uf bupir>,
a'p bo cui3eA8 bo'r) "Fb&lOT) a'p bo cAc ; 50 njo cu|be A1) b|f Iaoc, bo P5up o'p P5leo 30 Ia.
<t)o UbAjp T^otip pip PA pip CAlrtIA, a'p bubA|pc 511P rr)A|f*e bojb ApAop; pcAorjA o'i) 5-CAc bo co|l A cejle, 50 rj-eiP5|6 5p6pr>e a rrjApAC lAe.
21 bubAppc 2t)eAp3AC pa P5Up Utip, IT ct*ibe p|r>, a pblOP tt)jc CuriiAill, a'p v)0]x cAplAjb itjArb Ijort) a i^lejc, Iaoc ip cp6|t>e tjeApc a'p luc.
of Kerry ; the Fort del Or of the Spaniards near Smerwick ; the second ia now a castellated rock in the southern shore of Cnpe Clear in Cork ; and the third is in the county of Mcath. There is an Ossianic Poem in our collection, entitled Qacz]\a &v 2ltj.\ftAit) SPbom, >•«., The Adventures
130
0. Dost not tliou remember how powerful was Nosniadh, the flower of Dunore ; As we recognise not thy countenance, Let us always hear thy voice.
Dost thou not remember after the slaughter, That it was by thee Tailc Mac Treoin fell ? And each hero and mighty host, That made a journey towards the Fians.
We, the Fenians all, perceived,
That death was not far from the two ; 'Twas not long till we were joyful, On the feeble fall of the mighty man.
Though the hero fell to the ground,
In the spasms of death, as we thought, He arose quickly and fiercely again, And saith, " this is sad for the Fians."
The evening was nigh at hand, And the Fians and all conceived, That it was better the two heroes Should cease from the conflict for the night.
Fionn spoke to the mighty men,
And said it would be to the renown of the two, To give up the battle of one accord, Till the rising sun on the morrow.
Meargach of the green blades said,
That is but just, 0 Fionn Mac Cumhaill ; And I never yet encountered in battle, A hero mightier in strength and vigour.
of the Big Fool, or Simpleton ; in which reference is made to 3ftu.V5Ac of fcbuij At) 6m, which may refer to either locality. This poem will appear in our Transactions at some future period.
140
O. O t)OCC A1T)AC, A 2t)beAft5A15 C|tUAl8r
cuift]rt) fuAf* 6u|Cfe, a']* b'^bio^r); &o lo 1)5 b'o]8ce, A5iif 50 bjiAc, 1)6 5ujt bAf bo ceAccAjt 8u|i)t).
<t)o f3u|]t At) &if beA-5-lAoc ox) ijjleo, at) o^bce \]\y j\\ bA cjx&accac cit>t); a 5-coiftp, a b-pe6|l, a']* a 3-et)Ati)A, 5AI) b|ti3, 3AI) blA8, 5A1? re^rr).
2ifl 1)A tT)AftAC A|l Atf)AJlC lAe,
b'|oi)i)f a]5 a ce|le At) &ir 50 b]M) ', bA caIh)a rjeAjtc a']* 51)1011) lArrjA, Aji caIatti bA b-cAjr)i5 |t|Ati?.
'Dob' JAb fUb, A PbACItA^C, A1) t>| |*,
bA 5A]|ibe, a'i4 bA c]te|i)e a i)5leo ; Yll* peA^i bo cu]peA8 AjxeAc 50 ci)Aii), Iai)1) b'A Ia]!!)1 bA b-^ACAb frof.
N] frACAf p6|* b^f n)Afi ]Ab,
a i)eA]tc, a TIJA1), i;a b-cjteAi) luc; a 5-caIii)acc, a ti)|jte, a'j* a n)|fi)eAc, a'|* a t)-in)|jic aji rt)eAt)tT)A]i), bAji l]Ort).
ft] pACAb A f An)U|l |*Ub AJtAOl),
A5 fulAt)5 C|ioiT)-bein)eAi)i) cjuia]8; A5 5eAftftA8 peolA, a'|* crjeAf cAort),
A5 fCAf All) 5AI) pleA8, 5AT) |'U At).
21 b-cfie|fe,2 a b-cji6|t)e, 'fA luc, 5AI) ce^jtce a b-poi)t) 'i)A Tjfc>C\|l ; bo bj Ai) bjf 5AI) f5u|t o'i) i)5t)]Oii), bo lo 1)6 b'o|8cc A]jt peA8 bejc U.
1 lAtjrj b'A lik»b. « sword off their hands. Specimens of the swords used by the ancient Irish can be seen in the hall of the Mansion-house,
141
0. From this night forth, 0 stem Meargach, I will not by thee nor by Fionn ; Neither by night nor by day, nor for ever, Until either of us is dead.
The two brave heroes relinquished the battle For that night, and sorely wounded, Were their bodies, flesh and bone, Without vigor, without fame, without force.
On the morning of the morrow, The two encountered each other fiercely ; They were the strongest and mightiest of arm, That ever came on earth.
These, 0 Patrick, were twain,
The roughest and mightiest in battle ; The most skilful to strike unto the bone, A lance off their hand, that I have seen yet.
Two like them have not yet been seen,
In strength, in pursuit, or in robust agility ; In prowess, in swiftness, and in courage, And in feats of dexterity I apprehend.
I have not seen the like of the two, In enduring heavy severe blows ; In cleaving flesh, and soft skin, Or in enduring without food or repose.
In might, in strength, and in agility, Without want of feats or deeds ; The two gave not up the action, For day or night during ten days.
Dawson- street, Dublin, which no man of the present day could wield with one arm.
2 In other copies a o-cneArAib.
142
O. 21 2t)beAft5Ai5 cp.uAi.8 t>a Iat)I) t^Iat/, aji Orxujt, 50 ce<\r>r> orAfib ; IX >t?6|t At) i)A|pe 8ti|r)t} AjtAOi}, £*o rA'tj 5leo a^ji aji Iat^a.
2t). 21 OfCU]]t ! if cu Af cjiuAib Iattj, b'Ajt iTT>T|i Art) corbSAjl watt); bo cu]C]td l]ort) iy h cjtjoc atx 2t)eAft5^c, a'|* bo Ijoii t;a b-pblArji?.
O. M] \)-h XX)0 C\Y\OC T)A CTVJOC T)A b-*pbl^TJT),
a 2t)beAjt5Ai5 6]titA-|8 tta ttsIaj* Iatitt ; cujcjn) rtiATt luAbA||t leb' Iattt), A]t Ofcujt t)a itA^bce CeATTT).
<Do 5IAC Of*CUfl TJA lAT)r> T)3&A|t,
rtjeArjrtjuii), c]A 311ft Baoc a frjuAb ;
trjojt b-fAbA 50 T)-bubA]|tc cati ej^,
At? ceAT)t) slop 2t)eA]t5<\c, bA rbAfc f uaij.
B|AT,8 Ctl AJt bjc bf8 T)A fUA]t),
a 2t)beA|t5A]5 cjuiat.8 ! Ajt Ofcujt A13 ;
i;6 51171 bujc ati bjc c\r)t),
t)6 8att)t/a, rrjAfi rbu|3f|t, Aft Iaji.
Mjop b-^AbA 8u]i)r> CAob aji cAob, A5 ^eiceAii) aY A5 ejt/ceACc lco; 30 |*<Mb 2t)eA|t5AC Aft cul r3efce, A5 Ot/cuft tja nj-b&fTDCATjT) 3-cfuiA]8.
Nj b-frUAJJl f*3JC T^iV fOfA8 6 Of*CUft,
ACC 5AC bfrfTT} CO|l5 b<\ IcAJAb 30 CCAt)1), A b-£0|ftCCAr)t) AT) COTr,|tAfC CftUAf8,
bo 2t)beA|t3<\c, 511ft buAfi) a ccai;i; !
143
0. 0 stern Meargach of the green blades, Saith Oscur, stoutly and aloud, Great is the shame to us both, That the conflict is on our hands so long.
M. 0 Oscur ! 'tis thou that hast the hardiest hand, That ever played with me ; Thy fall by me w^ll be the end, Saith Meargach, and the end of all the Fians.
0. It is not my end, nor the end uf the Fians, 0 stern Meargach of the green blades, To fall, as thou sayest, by thy hand, Saith Oscur of the stern words.
Oscur of the sharp blades assumed
Courage, though weak was his appearance ; [said, It was not long afterwards till the boastful Meargach It would be well if we took repose.
Thou shalt not take food or repose, 0 stern Meargach ! saith noble Oscur, Until thou art beheaded, Or that I, as thou boastest, shall have fallen.
Not long were we on both sides, Ministering and listening to them ; Till Meargach was behind his shield, Prepared for Oscur of the severe blows.
Oscur did not give him rest or quarter, But severely dealt each fierce blow ; At the close of the severe combat, Of Meargach he cut his head.
144
O. <Do c63b<ut)A|ttt>e, at) fbl^O* 3&1I» ib»l&1»W a'|* cac 3&ift CAointe 50 cn»A|8; a bubAijtc thac 2t)beA|t3Ai5 1)A lAi)rt,
C|5eA& f 6A|t Art) COrt)bAll UA^b ?
'Cb<JIS i)A coii)3rr)ib, a't* rtA corbbAil, l.oi)5AbAi; rrjAC BnuAi&irt i)A T)-eAc; A-jnirt) rt>ic 2t)beAn5<\|5 i)A Iai;u, C|AnbAt) bob' t:65a41ac a b-tneAf.
Sul yd b-cu5Art) cfcf3 at) caca,2 Ofcujt b<v cnuA5 5AT) curi a ruin) ; bo b] ljot)CA bo cneAccA]b Abbal, o 2t)beAn5AC cno&A t)a 5-cnu<\8 ^\oxr).
Ku5Art)ATl Art lAOC CaItT)A,
o Art)Aric t)a b-peAfi n)on-cneAT),3 a't* b'jAnri ce<vb An *pblot)T) A|t b-cuj*, bul bo corbnAC tr)ic 2t)beA]t5Ai5 £&|t).
Njoft Aoncu|3 7*101)0 bo't) Iaoc caj&, bul bo corbnAC le CjAnbAt) itjeAn ; bo cujjteAb lei^eAt* ne a cneAbAib,
V IT S^PI1 5° ,n0 b01^15 bul"» *V f*eAn.
1 To show how various copies of the poem differ ; as indeed do all our Ossianic and other compositions, when transcribed by illiterate scribes, we quote the following stanzas from Mr. O'Grady's copy, which was written in 1845, by an intelligent blacksmith, named Griffin, in Kilrush, county of Clare : —
" &ri cuiqro &o 2f)beAri5AC re-Ant), bA bonb F05AUAC A b-ciif 5IC0 ; a BubAinc a h;ac le slop flAfi sneAnn, c|5eAc Ai)0 VCAn Art) c6|ft."
Upon the fall of stout Meargach,
Who was fierce and destructive in the beginning of battle ; His son said in an unpleasant tone, Let a man meet me here.
145
0. We, the Fenians, raised a shout of triumph, And the foe a bitter Avail ; The son of Meargach of the spears said, Let a man from among you come to meet me ?
There came in his presence to face him,
Longadan, the son of Brodin, of the steeds ;
The name of the son of Mearg-ach of the swords,
[Was] Ciardan, the avenger in battles.
Before I render an account of the battle,* Pity that Oscur should not be immortalized, He was covered with huge wounds, By heroic Meargach of the hard deeds.
We brought the magnanimous hero [with us], From the sight of the great mighty men ; And he asketh leave of Fionn first To go fight Meargach's son.
Fionn would not consent that the noble hero, Should go to fight Ciardan the swift ; Healing medicine was applied to his wounds, And soon to us it was sad.
2 Again : —
" Sul A b-CUJAb CUATVAtSbM At) CArA, OfCUtl bA CfUJAJ; 5AI) A CUfl A \U]M) ;
bo bj ceiTjtj cficACtAC jtaiw,
5AIJ CApA 5AI) It)CAbA|fl 5AIJ lUJC !"
* Before I relate the account of the battle, Pity that Oscur would not be noticed ; He was sick, wounded, and weak, Without agility, without sense, without strength !
* Again : —
" So cneArbA 6 Ati)Aftc c'ac." Mildly from the gaze of the rest 10
146
O. 21'; cai; b'jJAjbAroAji aji Iaoc,
|*]ijce 50 pAoi; ah leAbA fiiA|i; ; a'j* luce pueAfbAil1 i;a cdtr)8'<\]l, cAi^AtoAjt bo I AC A} ft at; caca Iua8a|*.
'D'joijf'Ais C|A]t&Ai) 50 CAlfTJA, A3»j* LcijjAb&i) bA 3A]tb 3I068; a']' iVjoji b-pAbA b6]b a r^lejc, ai; cai; cu|]teA8 ti;AC B|iuAjbji; A|i peSj!2
^o cu]c, a PbC\cjtA|C, b'Ajt b-"pl;ep;i;, le CiA]ib(\i), a i)-AOi;A]i, Ai)coAblA; be]cucAbAn a']* ccvAb b'£eAfiA-|b c(iuA]8 bA bA|cuib bu|i;i) itAp;i; Ajt rr)-biAc,3
<t)o cujc len* At) bA|lA IA,
5AI) bOAjl^Ab AH A C1)C]|* CAOirb; bA CCAb (-'CA11 bA CAllt)A It'tC,
a PI;Ac|iajc ! bA 8ubAC At; c'e\\r>.
2ii; CAt; bo coi;Ainc 5°^ tV^c 21)6|u;a, CjAjibAi; A5 qonbAb i;a |*Iua3 ; bo sluAif pep; i;a corbbAjl, &y i)l oji b-^AbA ah l&n 50 b-puAHt.
Jau b-opcitt; bo CbiAubAt; ne 5oll, bo 5A||t, bo slAirt), a'j- bo cAop; cac; bo 3^nt lo UicjjApi ai; }rl;iAt;i;, 31 b' t)Afi f-AOfi lAb 6 bion)bAb.
Taji;^ bcAitbftACAijt bo Cl;|A]tbAt;, b'Ait bA corb-Ait;in; I.IA3A1; n)CAit ; bA 6|i6bA caUpa § tt)Ait Iaoc, Af Ait freAbAf da )-ep;i;c- b'j^Apt cac.4
1 Luce FtteAr&A|li i.e., attendants, or persons to wait upon him, nurses.
2 P066, or roocAft, to fade, wither, or decay.
3 bL\r, flower ; \>y which the poet indicates that the flower of the Fenian army were slain in the engagement.
147
0. When wo left our hero,
Feebly laid upon n bed of repose,
And attendants with him,
We made towards the battle I announced.
Ciardan encountered stoutly,
With Longadan the tough in battle,
Nor long were they in the conflict,
When the son of Brodin was put to death !
There fell, 0 Patrick, of our Fians, By Ciardan alone, on the first day, One hundred and ten of hardy men, Sad to us was the loss of the flower [of our hosts].
There fell by him on the second day,
Without his smooth skin being- reddened, Two hundred men with sinews strong, 0 Patrick ! sorrowful was the deed.
When Goll Mac Morna beheld Ciardan sweeping away the hosts, He himself went forth to meet him, And 'twas not long till he laid him low.
On the fall of Ciardan by Goll,
He shrieked and yelled, and his friends wailed ; The Fenians shouted with gladness, Though they were not free from sorrow.
A brother of Ciardan arrived,
Whose name was Liagan the active ;
He was a hero valorous and stout,
And the bravest of the Fi?.ns he challenged.
« 0'f05Aitt cac, he proclaimed battle, i.e., lie challenged the best among the Fians to combat.
143
C&|fijt) rt)AC I-U5A18 b<\ 8|At) lAti),
i)ioji b-pAbA 66|b A5 |*]ub<xl,
t)UAjjt bj Ce]]t]t) n)AC L115A18 Aft lAft.
1^11)15 jreAti qle bo'n pbl^ijij,
b'&fi b'^jijitt) 2t)<v5i)u|* itjac LobAft&it), bo cuic y.e\\) a'|* ceAb bo't) b-"p6jt)r),
le V]A5AT) C|t68A All AOt)AflAI).
(Do 5luA]|* Cot)At) r)A|l 8|At) A 5-CAC,1 a']' 1)A]t TA^fl cA]l 5^11-36 1)A 5i)in); a 5-corb8A]l L1A5A1P, A|t ceAcb bo lArAjjt, 1Y bAOC bo cuA^ftb a £ijt n)AO]l !
JA|i b-ceAcc bo Cboi)At) a b-fx^uf bo, bo C05 L]A5<m; 50 c]i68a a lA^ri), ]f* cfiei^e oftc Ar> peA|t aji bo cu\, r)iv rt)]fe jtorbAb, aji Cot);\t).
'D'peAC L|A5Ai) cvi68a t)A 8^5,
a'|* b(V CApA At) lAJlftACC, A5 Cot)At) j
At; ceAtjtj 5Uft T3A^ ° 0* rt)tqi)eAl !
M|Ofi feA|*Ajri? Cot)Ai) At) bAll,
a']* t)jofi ]A|i|t peAji a ceAcc a 0-ajc;
bo sluA^i* bo c6]]i ]teACA ^ao] '13 b-"pjAi)t),
A' |* bO CAJC A lAt)t) Of A lAltT).
<t)'p|Ap|AA|8 *pAol<U) bo't) b-jreAjt Tt)A0l, C|t6Ab p<\C 1)A]l feApi)A|8 At) bAll,
731111 n A] fie ac At) 5i)]ott) bo mt)t),
A'f JUft lo CCAI5 Ctt]t LjA^At) Al)l).
1 t!;\n 6].vt) a 5-CAC, not powerful in battle. In this stanza Conan is represented as the greatest of cowards. He never sought praise for any feat lie performed, and very justly, because he did nothing to boast of, having exhibited the most glaring acts of cowardice on every occasion. On this
140
0. There arrived in his company,
Ceirin, the son of Lughaidh, of the vehement hand ;
Not long- were they engaged,
When Ceirin the son of Lughaidh fell.
Another of the Fianna arrived,
Whose name was Magnus Mac Lobharain ; He with one hundred of our men fell By Liagan the heroic alone.
Conan, never potent in battle, And who never sought fame for valour or deeds, Went to meet Liagan, who when he came in his pre- sence, Said, " silly is thy visit, thou bald man !"
When Conan came nigh to him, Liagan fiercely raised his hand ; More dangerous for thee is the man behind, Than I before thee, saith Conan.
Liagan the heroic looked behind,
And quick was the blow made by Conan ;
Before he could look forward,
His head was severed from the neck !
Conan did not maintain his ground, Nor did he ask any to take his place ; He ran with all haste towards the Fians, And flunjy his blade from his hand.
Faolan enquireth of the bald man, Why he did not maintain his ground ; That he was guilty of a shameful act, And that 'twas by treachery Liagan fell.
occasion, however, lie was cunning enough to alarm his antagonist Liagan, falsely telling him of an attack from the rear ; and thus avail himself of the opportunity, whilst he looked backwards, to cut off his head.
150
O. <Da b-c|3eA8 l|0!t)fA le I)-A0t)b6in),
At) fluA5 erteAt) bo cti|i curr) b&]|* ; le ceil3, v']0]i t)Ajt Ijott) at) beAjic, a> dj b-pA5&A0ir fOf5 Arr>e<\f5 tjA b-F|Ai)i).
)rt)C]5, Ajt *pAoU\i), ofATib,
a'p 3IAC Ab lAjrr) &o Iat)1) A|tjp;
Af ].*65Aijt cac caItda C|i68a,
ati £eAjt 8o't) c-flo5 rrj&f A] I, t}0 A[i 8j|\
M] 5eAbAfe bo corbAijile, aji Cot)At), 3)8 b'e Ajuib le'|i t)Afi rt)0 ^\f\o\v ; £65fiA8 ^ejT) cac a't* cotv\x<\c, a^i T-eATt t)o 80 bo'i) c-flttA3-bu|8|ij«
T3fi|All Art) 8A]l|-o, att "pAolAi),
a'|- coj;5bAi8 lAri) Ijort) ai)T)|« a t)31|a8; tda't- cu|citi) 8att) lev ce cioctAf, SAitttt) cu5Ab peAjt bo't; fl^AT)!).
W] TtACAb ATT) AOT)A1l AT)I),
T)A pop Ab bAlll'l, ATI AT) T^eATt TT)AC1 ; bA TT)0 CUJCJTT) bATT)f*A A pl)AoU\J ', 1)]0]l b'c ATT) bATT) be|c A3 5IA08AC !
T^A|!t TT)A|l v'SOt) IpTTj A f*JTt HjAO]l,
a'j* cAbA||i leAC ATt^f bo Iatii) ;
1)A t:AT) ATT) t*OCA1ft TT)A|' A]l leAC,
kiAt* eA3Al leAC cAc bob' ceAi)i) !
rt>0 CftJAll "pAolAl) a't* AT) {.'OAfl TT)Aol, 30 TtAl)3AbAlt A |U\Ot) COJ- A|l CO]]'; Al) A]C 't)A 1lA|b i|A3Al) A|l lAft,
a ): HaoIAji) ! A|t ConAi), bj Ab copb ?
151
0. It" I could by one blow
Put the mighty host to death,
By artifice, I would not blush at the deed,
And they would not be sheltered by the Fians.
Go, saith Faolan, loudly,
And take thy sword in thy hand again, And proclaim battle fiercely and heroically, To one of the host if they will, or to two.
I shall not take thy advice, saith Conan, Whoever of you is ashamed of my act, Let himself proclaim battle and fight, Against one or two of the host.
Approach with me, saith Faolan,
And give me a helping hand in the battle ; If I fall by him that comes, Call to thy aid one of the Fians.
1 shall neither go there alone,
Nor yet with thee, saith the bald man ;
Were I to fall, O Faolan,
Then it would be too late for me to call !
Come along with me, 0 bald man, And bring with thee again thy sword ; Stay not with me if thou likest, If thou art afraid of losing thy head.
Faolan and the bald man proceeded, Till they both reached step by step, The place where Liagan lay, 0 Faolan ! saith Conan, be silent ?
152
O. <£>0 C65 AT) £eAfl TT)Aol A Iaijt),
a't* bo Tqc 50 ceAT)t) pAO] AT) b-pfciijij; & po5A|ri T^aoIaij at) cac 50 b-ajtb, ATI peAbAf T*lo5 cac a 5-c6]tT)-5le]c.
<Do cAitii5 5° b-&Af3A 't;a c6tt)6A|1, lAOC VOTl|tAT)CA bA 5Ajxb 5I0T1 ; ^Aol-ClAb1 bO 5t)A]C A AIDITT), a't* A IaT)T) 'fA* T^IAC t)A 8eAT> lA]Tf>.
Njoji b-pA&A bo'i; &jf a b-cjtojb t)A Iaiiu,
50 b-pACATT)A|l, a't* bA 3JieAT)T) Tie cAc ; ^AolAT) cllfbe, ATI T)3A]tb Iaoc,
ati cul T^ejce A5 C)Aolc|Ab Att>.
*Do C05bA&ATl CAC 3<X]tCA 3Tt1,r)T>,
ce']t 8o]l]5 A 3"CA0J CTie b&f l.^ A3 at, 11 ;
bO cd5bATT)A]TlT)e 3ATICA 50|l
cjie cftei3iOT) a TtejTic bo pb^olAi) !
'Do CHAINS OfCUTl ATI IJ-UAjll ^AjTl,
ati A leAbA rrjATi a liAi,b 50 £AT)i) ;
CA AT) CAC CO|CCeAT)T) Afl pO,
A'f/ t)j be|& T>eAC bo'l) "pl)0|t)t) JtOrT>AtT) j:ao| ceAtjt?.
M|0|t b-pAbA 50 b-frACATTJATt A5 CeACC, Ai) Iaoc rtreATi caIttja Afi cjioai; luc ; i)|0]t b-peAf bup)r) 311T1 Ab e bj atit;, 311T1 beAtujuis 30 ceAijtjfA b"pi)joi;i).
'Do f-AO|l TT)C, A yb]V1) }- Aft T*C,
Ati cat) cuaIa|8 At) 3*\jft bobjtoji); t)Ac iiA]b Iaoc ot-3ati8a A|t At) 3-ct)oc> a't- biqt)e A3u]b T)A TtAjb bed!
1 i.e., Tlic dark-haired,
153
0. The bald man raised his sword
And ran quickly towards the Fians ;
Faolau loudly proclaimed battle
To the bravest of the foe single-handed.
There came quickly to meet him, A valiant hero with bombastic talk, Daolchiabh was his usual name, And his shield and spear were in his right nand.
The two were not long fighting with their swords Till we saw, and to our foes it was a cause of joy, Faolan the active, our brave hero, Behind his shield by noble Daolchiabh.
They [the enemy] raised a shout of joy,
Though sorrowful they wept at the death of Liagan ;
We raised a shout of wailing
For the failure of his strength by Faolan !
Oscur heard our loud shout
In his bed where he was feebly laid ;
The battle is general, saith he,
Before I arrive the Fians will be all beheaded !
It was not long till we saw approaching, The stout swift hero in full speed ; We knew not that 'twas he was there Till he courteously saluted Fionn.
I imagined, 0 Fionn ! saith he, When I heard the sorrowful wail, That there was not a brave hero left on the hill, And that not one of you was left alive !
154
O. lDo bj "pAol&n a'p <t)AolciAb,
a t)5leo A5uj* a 3-corbHAC c|tuA]8 ; A5 5eA|t|tA6 peolA, conp, a'j* ci)Ari?,
A T)-ATT)A]tC AftAOt) bA CUUAT; !
<D']Ajin y:]Ot)r) A]t At) Iaoc CAlr^A, OfCUJt A]5eAt)CA If e lllAfeAlTt},
bul Anjf cAjt A|f bo'i) biiij,
a'i* 5At; pufneac po luc At? sled.
Nf JtACAb CArt TTj'a]]*, A fh]VV CA]& !
A|t Opcuji t?ah cIajc a t)5l]Ab ;
vo 50 b-pAfCjreAb qA aco bo't) bfp,
bo cu]cpeA|* f At? t>3T)iori) le b-^^5*
<Do bj pAol&i) bA cuaoca8 50 rt)6n, A3 <t)Aolc|Ab 50 ch68a, ceAT)t) ;
A fbAoUlU ! Aft OfCUfl t)A lAT)1) t^eAft,
cu i\i]Z]rt) le <DaoI Ijoto rjfon 5|ieAtjr).
<D'|:eAC 'pAolAI), a']* bA CnttAfS A CAf,
Aft Ofcufi le b|ort)bAo ft)A 5>)uin a frlAic i)A Iaoc caIttja, aji ]*e, rtjA cufcfn) 13 a c|ief3 tijo cu|f.
2t)C\'f cti|qn) biqc le ct)AolcfAb
A "pbA0lA|1) ! CfA bjAI) A tftOtt) flo^ \ CUfCpeAbf A A3Uf flll^3 1)A b-"p]AT)l),
1)6 ciqcffb ^AolcfAb Ab beof^.
CufTt71)|3, A "pbAolAfp ! AH OfCU|l CftPAU,
3un b'fornbA Iaoc t>o tujc leb' lAfti);
a'p ijac cufbe 6u|c a tj-Atbajtc ija b-}-|Ai)n,
3AI) fOAfAiT) le 'DaoIcjaV) a t)-bA|l.
0. Faolan and Daolchiabh were In battle and hard conflict ; Cleaving flesh, body and bones, To see them both was pitiful !
Fionn asked the chivalrous hero, Oscur the magnanimous, I mean, To go back again to the Dun, And not to remain under the excitement of the fight.
I shall not return, 0 noble Fionn ! Saith Oscur who was not feeble in battle, Until I see which of the two it is That will fall in the action.
Faolan was greatly overpowered
By Daolchiadh the valiant and stout ;
0 Faolan ! saith Oscur, of the sharp blades,
Thy fall by Daol would not be pleasant to me.
Faolan gazed, and perilous was his position, On Oscur, with grief in his countenance, 0 prince of heroes brave, saith he, If I fall, forsake not my cause.
If thou fallest by Daolchiabh,
0 Faolan ! though fierce his great hosts, The Fenian hosts and I shall fall, Or Daolchiabh shall fall after thee.
Remember, 0 Faolan ! saith the valiant Oscur, That many a hero fell by thy hand, And that it ill becomes thee before the Fians If thou stand not with Daolchiabh hand to hand.
156
O. H]0]l b-JTAbA 8uit?T) tt)A]t X]X),
30 b-pACArr?Afi a'j bVo|b|r)T) ai; f5&A^ » OAolcjAb A5 'pAolAt) 5A1? ceAr>t),
A']* bO C05bATT)Afl 5A||t SJtlTJTJ TTJAft b'eA5 I
21 buba^c Ofcufi bo 311c Ajtb, ci5eA6 cac u]le b'AOt) cAOjb ; A'r 5eAbA]b cac cojcceArjo 3Afib, 5AP rbo|U le peA|i3 fliiA^ce 'pbl'W'
H] ^5^|tpAbyA Ajl "pAolAT) 1)A lAT)T>,
50 b-ruicp]8 Ijort) cu]le bo'r) c-floT;; len/ Ia]H7 pe]o i?a b-AOtjAfi&r), Ti)ut)A 5-cu|tcA|t le cac n)e A|t £eo5 '
P. Jwir> A Offitj, A'r V'* cat? bpeA3,
rtjA'f ri^n> AT> T"blAt)t), bob' ^e&ftfi liic; cfieAb t)ac cac co]cceAi)t), ceAtji), fuA|fi 2t)eAfi5Ac YA f^UA5 ^T* b-cuj* ?
O. 21 PbAcftAic ! t)jo]i 5t)&ic \e]y At) b-"pe|i)t),
5At) jtoZJA 3MA^ &0 cAbAT|tc bo cC\c ; irjoji ]oorbu]i) led ceAl5 t)A rt)eAt)3, tjeAC bo'r) bjteAn) t;]ojt b'e c'<\]\.
Hjojt 8]ulcui5 ai) "pblAW T^e *)* hw,
A 3"CAC T)A 5-CO|ri7eAf5U|t C|t6]1) floj, CAC CO]CCeA1)t) T)6 A1) AOT)<\|t,
bo cAbA]|ic bVoi) b'jAjtpAS e.
P. <Dob' cuAftA|*5b<X]l 30 fqoji leAt),
30 b-pA3tt)A0|b cfijoci;ii3A8 at) caca c|tuA]8,
t)6 ati cujc At; veAll bojib iib,
bA 1)50||lCCA|t bo 5UAC Icac "pAol&t)?
157
0. Not long were we thus [situated]
Till we saw, and pleasant was the sight,
Daolchiabh by Faolan beheaded,
And we raised for his death a shout of triumph !
Oscur saith in a loud voice, Let them all come at once, And they shall encounter a fierce general battle Without delay from the wrathful Fian-host.
I shall not give up, saith Faolan of the blades, Till more of the host shall fall, By my own hand in single combat, Unless they put me to death.
P. Kelate, 0 Oisin, and tell no lie,
If ye, the Fenians, were the most expert, Why was it that a determined general battle Meargach and his hosts did not encounter at first 1
0. 0 Patrick ! it was not customary with the Fenians Not to give choice of the fight to their foes, They cherished not treachery nor malice 'Twas not the fame of any of the tribe.
The Fians refused not to give during their time Battle or contest of mighty hosts, General battle, or single combat, To any one who sought it.
P. Thy narrative follow truly
Till we find how the hard battle ended, Or did that mighty hero fall, Whom so often thou calledst Faolan ?
158
O. Cap eif* (t)l)AolcfAb bo cuft curt) b&|f ;
b'jAftft PaoIai) ceAb Aft 'pbiorji?, bul bo cott)ftAC 3AI) cAfftbe Aft bfc, le Iaoc efle bo fluAj cajc.
2iot)CA t)A 'pejwe ai) CAt) piAffi, b'^65A||t 50 cfiuAfb cac Aft cac; cA]t)j3 Iaoc b'&ft bA cotT)-Ait)frt), Cf Ai) rt)AC Lacctja i)A corbb&fl.
<t)'|Otj|*Ai5 At) b|f beA5-lAoc a cefle, 30 CfteAt) CAlrt)A cnitAfb ; rvjoft b-pAbA 311ft b'AOfbfrjt} buft)t) ;
A*f CAC 50 bubAC fTAOf lAt)-5|lUA|It). Hi CU3 }^AolAt) At) bAflA b&fft),
cutt) CI)fAfi) tijfc l.ACcr)A t)A 3-CfiuAb Iai)i);
AI) CAt) bO COt)CAtt)Afl A5 CeACC,
|t]o^A|r) CAflce bA bfteA^A 5t)uff\ lt)o cit|C CfAt) rtjAC Laccija le pAolAt),
fill fTA b-CA]t)15 At) flfO^D CU3A1DT);
bo f5u]|i At) 5leo Aft 5AC cAob, A5 fe|ceAtT) t)A beA3-ri)t)A iib.
<Do co5bA6 fte cac 5Ajica caoj,
Aft AfCt)6 t)A ftf05-tT)t)A bojb,
bO bj At) *f\)]6.W) 1)A fOfb bA t)"Att)AftC,
2ljft a ceAt)t) bo bj At) pole 6ftbA,
A PbACftAfC ! t)f 36 bAtt) A Tt)AOfbCAtT) ;
t)f f*ACA CllfA t)A bO tobfA,
A f-ATtJUfl bO Cf Ab Aft AOt) ti)f)AOf.
159
0. After putting- Daolchiabh to death, Faolan asketh leave of Fionn, To go fight without any delay Another hero of the host.
When he obtained the consent of the Fians,
He vehemently proclaimed battle against the foe;
A hero, whose name was
Cian Mac Lachtna, came to meet him.
The two brave heroes attacked each other, Mightily, fiercely, and sternly ; 'Twas not long till we rejoiced, And the foe was sorrowful and gloomy.
Faolan had hardly dealt the second blow, To Cian Mac Lachtna of the hard blades, When we beheld approaching A fair princess of noble features.
Cian Mac Lachtna fell by Faolan Before the princess arrived ; The battle was relinquished on each side, Waiting the arrival of that fair lad}^.
The enemy raised a wail of grief On recognising the princess ; The Fians were silently gazing at her, Whilst she incessantly shed tears!
On her head were the golden locks,
0 Patrick ! it is no falsehood to proclaim,
Thou nor thy God never saw
Such hair npon [the head of] any woman.
160
O. (t)'j:|AVit<M*5 \\ bo 5l6|t bA focttjA,
ca riAib "pi01?1)* TM5 T>A b-piAT)!) ;
1)6 Aft CU]C A Ceile CAOtT), trjeAJt,
a']4 a &]]♦ rrjAC c&'ri £Ab nAb. C]A \)-& bo ceile caott7, Aji pioijrj,
iwir ^'h^ A'r &0 *Mr wac J
ttjaY ciqc]tt) b6|b aji cxyoc ai) A]ft, bo 5eAbA|ji a b-cA]*5 le brie|c leAC?
2i]i)]rt) tt)0 ce^le bA rbdjt buAb,
2t)eA|t5AC criuAfb t)A Iai)1) 1)31 a j* ; a'|* ttjo 6)y rt)AC, CiAjtbAi) bA cpeAt), A5uf L1A5AI) bo bj ceAi)t) a 3-CAC.
21 rqO-ZJAII) C<\]&, bo 1lA]6 'piorjrj, c|A 50 tt)0 ljOti)CA, CApA, crieAi); bo cujceAbAji at) cjtiuji ub luAbAip, a 5-CAi fA r)5l]A& bA rbefb a luc.
<Do r^neAb A^uf bo j^||t at? FI^IO *l5» A5U]* bo 5rieAb i)A bAfA 50 lort) criuAJ ; bo f|l 50 suipc p|iAfA be6|t, A'f bubA||tc, rt)0 bjtot) ! ca b-puil ti)0 crqujt ?
<t)o ^luAlf AI) T1105A11) CAflce,
50 b]At) A3 T"5rteAbA jro't) Art ; 50 ]tSiit)i5 fj 50 beAcc At) A|c, irjA riAib a c6]le 'fA b1T "J*0 AT* ^T1*
*t)0 C|Ot)6l At) "pblAtJt) A1)Ojri 'yA V]A]X,
A'f bo qot)6l cac trjAji |Ab 30 clA]C ; op 3AC CAob a'|* Arib bo'i) ct)OC, A3 e|rreA6c le caoj-juc t)A rr)t)A.
161
0. She enquire th in a gentle voice,
Where was Fionn, the king of the Fians, Or did her gentle husband fall, And where were her two sons ?
Who is thy gentle husband, saith Fionn, Relate to us, and thy two sons ; If they fell on the Hill of Slaughter, You will get their history to bring home.
The name of my husband, whose sway was great, [Was] hardy Meargach of the green blades, And my two sons were Ciardan the valiant, And Liagan, who was stout in battle.
0 noble princess, saith Fionn, Though accomplished, agile, and mighty, The Three thou speakest of fell In battle and conflict, though great their agility.
The noble princess cried and wailed, And wrung her hands in dismal grief ; She shed a bitter flood of tears, And exclaimed ! where are my Three ?
The bright princess went forth
Intensely wailing among the slain,
Till she reached the spot,
Where her husband and two sons fell.
The Fians mustered east and west,
The foe, in like manner, feebly came
From every side and peak of the hill,
Listening to the caoin of the woman. 11
102
O. 2t Pb&ctiAic"! v) f aca b0 fob]*, bo cleifi yoy, v'o> cii pejr) ; Tt)AC]*Arbu]l t;a rr)T)A iib, a b-peAftj* a, a 3-clo, 'fA fS^irb.
2lr> cat) cA]r)i5 6f c|Ot)i) ija 3-cojip, bo ttoc a jrolc b] ati 8ac at) 6]h ; bo fir) cAttfTjA Aft at) b-c|t|urt, 5A15 cApA, 3Af) luc, 5AU crteojft!
*t)'ACflA15 A b-eAbAf) TTJAjfeAC, Tl^t),
a beATiCA 3Ttn)i) 'fA beAp5 31x11 a& ; a leACA, A beAl, a't* a ctiuc 30 l&fft,
A 1*ATT)U]l bo'r) 6A3 bA CTIUA3 ! M]Oft b-ttAbA 6lilT)1), A P1)ACTIA1C ! tT)A|t f]1),
30 t)-beACA]6 \] a i;-&AiAib bAjf,
<Do co3Aib at) T)Arf)Aib uaiII-caoi 3eAft,
a'p at) pblATjp pqr) b] y ao| biorr;bA& !
4)o f AO]leArr;A||ttiG a't* pop cAc, 30 b-piAiri bAr» atjd 3At> 3<MTM">; bo cA]t;|3 tta ctiuc jt&it) Apif, a']* bo cat; A3 caoj at) Iaoj ttiati leATjAf !
163
0. 0 Patrick ! thy God bath not seen, Nor yet thy clerics, nor thyself, The equal of that woman, In figure, form, and countenance.
When she stood over their bodies,
She tore her hair, -which was of the colour of gold,
She stretched across the Three
Without movement, energy, or strength !
Her beautiful and smooth forehead changed [colour], Her sparkling eyes and crimson face, Her cheeks, mouth, and form all over, Her equal to face death was woful !
Not long were we, 0 Patrick ! thus, Till she fell into the swoon of death ; The foe raised a bitter wail, And the Fians themselves were in grief !
We and the foe imagined,
That she had there died without a moan ; But she assumed her own shape again, And sung in tears the lay that follows !
L210J 2t)N 21 2l)t)62lK32U5tj,
.1. 2i|lr>e f-rHiAb-^eAl, a tj-bjAis a jqji A5iif a b|Af ttjac bo cujc aji cijoc Arj A]|t.
O. 21 2l)beA|i5Ai5 t)A DsUf-Uiji; us&Art,1 boh' ]oh}8a 5I1A8 a']* cjtort)-CAc; a b-c]or)6l fluAJ a'|* AOt)A|tA]rj, bo cujc leb' cjiua6-IA|it; feAl.
MjOjt b-|:eA|*AC rt)& 50 fiA^b ^r>A r)-biAi5, Cft&ACC t)A f^AI) A]t bo cojtp ; \ iy beAjtb lion? 5uri ce^l^, a 3|tA8, a'|* tjAC rjeAjtc lArb bo buA]8 ojic !
'Dob' frAbA bo crqAll At) ]tt)C]&X), 6b' cjjt bA caott? 50 b"Jo|r T"^l^2 b'jouDfAise pbino A3uf t;a b-^^w, bo ceAl5 rrjo cjtjAji bo'i; ri)-b&f !
1 This is a good specimen of the ancient Irish caoin or lament, and is nlso valuable as embodying and representing the belief in omens by the ancient Irish ; and sufficiently bears out the opinion entertained by those who closely study the early history of our country, as to the eastern origin of its first colonisers. A fragment of this curious poem has al- ready appeared in print, having been published by the late Philip F. Barron of Waterford, in his Magazine, entitled Ancient Ireland, (See Lamentation of Ala over Mordhaigh, p. 105, Dub. 1835) ; but a comparison between that and the present version will show considerable variance and difference.
2 loir F*Ml> Island 0/ Fail. At p. 130, note 1, referring to this term, we stated, on the authority of Keating, one of the most learned antiquaries of his time, that the l)A Pxvjl, from which Ireland received the above name, was removed to Scotland, and thence to Westminster Abbey ; where, according to our author, it now lies; but since writing that note, we have consulted Dr. Petrie's Antiquities of Tara Hill, where, at page 1.00, the learned Doctor states that the Lia Fail is still at Tara, which important discovery, if we might rely on his arguments, would entitle him to the marked thanks of the Irish nation, lie states, that after the eventful year, 1"08, it was removed from its antient situation in the Rath, called
THE LAY OF THE WIFE OF MEAItGACU,
I.E. OP AlLNE, OF THE BRIGHT COUNTENANCE, OVER IIER HUSBAND AND TWO SONS WHO FELL AT CNOC-AN-AIR.
O. O Meargach of the sharp green blades, Many a conflict and severe fight, Amidst the hosts and in single combat, Came off by thy hardy hand in thy time.
I never knew that there remained after them, A wound or scar upon thy breast, And I feel assured, that it was treachery, love, And not the might of arms that overpowered thee !
Long was thy journey afar,
From thine own fair land to Innis Fail ;
To visit Fionn and the Fians,
"Who treacherously put my Three to death !
the Forradh, to mark the grave of the insurgents, slain at Tara in the outbreak of that year. At p. 162, he gives a woodcut representation of this stone, which he describes as but six feet high above ground, but that its real height is said to be twelve feet. It is a matter of surprise that the Council of the Royal Irish Academy, if they believe this to be the Lia Fail, has made no effort to save such a relic, leaving it thus exposed to destruc- tion. Surely when that body makes such strenuous efforts to rescue mat- ters of minor importance as they often do, they should not leave the Lia Fail to merely mark the graves of rebels on Tara Hill ! The identification cf the existing stone with the Lia Fail, requires, however, some further corroboration. Taking it that the LiaFail stood upright originally as at pre- sent, and that the monarch inaugurated, stood on the apex of it, while it audibly expressed approbation when the right heir occupied that position, we can hardly conceive that he could have found a locus standi on a space so unfitted for an exhibition of the kind as the narrow-rounded summit of this stone presents. The account given by our bardic historians of the Lia Fail would lead one to believe that it was a small flat stone, such as the one now under the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey, and not a pillar-stone six feet above ground, and six more below, as Dr. Petrie's account represents it.
106
O. <t)iorT>b&8 ! rtio ceile, rr>o ceATjir,
bo cATlleAT* le nieAr)3 tta b-)^AT>i>;
ttjo &jy 05I.AC, njo 6]f ttiac,
two 8]f b'peAjtAib bA 5Afib 5I1A& !
2t)o ciirbA ! tuo b[A& ^5Uf ttjo &eoc ! rtio ciirbA ! rrro co|*5 6 5AC at fib; 1170 ciirbA ! rt)0 criTAll at; jtt)ct,at),
AV 3°^ CA1,lleAT/ TTTO lAOCftA CAfb !
9X)o ciirbA ! rrio <t>bi*i) Aft lAft,
TTTO ciirf)A ! mjo f5Ac ^V "7° T51A^ > 11)0 ciirbA ! 2t)eAp5Ac a'j* Cf AjtbAr), rtio curb a l_f A5AT1 ! bA b)ieA5 elf Ab !
2t)o curbA ! n>o cofirjeAb a'j* hk> bfor}, ttjo cuttja ! ttio bfifj A5iif rrro ceAtjij; ttto ciirbA ! b'& A]* bojlb o't) olc, rrjo cuttja atjocc ! f]b 50 trAtjtj !
2t)o ciirijA ! rrjo luc7;Ai|t a'j* itjo 5fteATir>,
TTJ0 ClinjA ! TTJO jeAll ATJT) 5AC AfC,2
rrjo ciirbA ! rrjo luc a't" rrjo rreATtc,
TTJO ciitfjA ! 6 TJOCC ATTJAC 50 bftAC !
2t)o cuttja ! tdo cfteofft A'f* rrjo cfif aII, ttjo ciirbA ! rrjo rb|Atl 30 IVr) bAff,
TTJO CUTT)A ! TTJO CAf fje a']* TTJO fl6fTT>,
rrjo ciirbA ! rrjo Iaocjia6 bA CAf8 !
2t)o ClilTJA ! TTJO leAbA8 a't* TTJO fHlAT),
ttjo ciirbA! ttjo cuAfftc A'f ttjo ceACc;
ttjo ciirijA ! uj'ofbe a'|* ttjo blA8,
rrjo cuttja cftAf8ce ! njo cftfiin poAji !
1 CcAtjT) means also a head, and in pronunciation and signification strongly resembles the Tersian word khan.
107
O. Sorrowful ! my husband — my chief, I lost by the wiles of the Fians, My two youths — my two sons, My two men who were fierce in battle !
My grief ! my food and my drink ! My grief! my precept everywhere, My grief! my journey afar, And that I lost my noble heroes !
My grief! my Dun laid low,
My grief! my shelter and shield, My grief ! Meargach and Ciardan, My grief Liagan ! of the broad chest !
My grief ! my ward and defence, My grief! my strength and might, My grief it is ! and gloom from evil, My grief this night ! to find ye slain !
My grief! my joy and my pleasure, My grief! my desire in each place ; My grief! my agility and my strength [are gone], My grief ! from this night evermore !
My grief! my guide and my path,
My grief! my love till the day of my death, My grief! my treasure and my sway, My grief ! my heroes who were noble !
My grief ! my bed and my slumbers, My grief! my visit and my arrival ; My grief! my consoler and my renown, My sore grief! my three men !
2 Aliter, &jtt), heiyht, everywhere.
163
O. 2t)o curbA ! ttjo mAife aY ttjo f3e|rb, ttjo curb a ! ttjo feAbA a't ttjo CAifje
TTJO CimjA ! TTJO C-Jfbe A'f "JO TT)AOjT),
ttjo curbA ! ttjo cnf cobble 3A]f3e ! 2t)o curbA ! rrjo cA-ribe aY ttjo 3A0I,
TTJO CUrbA ! TTJO rtJU]T)C1Tl a']* TTJO CAflAT.b,,
ttjo cutt)a ! h/aca-ii aY ttjo rijAcATji, ttjo curbA a'i* ttjo cAf* ! f|b rrjATtb !
9X)o CUnjA ! ttjo pAjftc a'|* TTj'p^'lce,
TTJO CUTT)A ! TTJO flAlT)Ce 3AC ATTJ,
TTJO Curb A ! TTJO TbeTbTjT A'f TTJO folAf,
ttjo SotIi^ bolAif ! |*|b 50 pArjTi !
2t)o curbA ! bo f leA5 a'|* bo Iatjtj,
ttjo curbA ! bo ceAT)t)]*Acc aY bo 3fiA6, ttjo curbA ! bo ijji aY bo bAjle, rrjo curbA ! fib bo f5Aipe orrj' bail !
2t)o curbA ! rrjo cuat) aY ttjo caIatc, ttjo curbA ! ttjo cA]f*5e a']* ttjo fear; ; ttjo cuhta ! rrjo njonbACC a-'t* rrjo iij^eAcc, ttjo curbA aY ttjo caot. ! T*ib 30 b"^^3 •
2t)0 CUrbA ! TTJO ftAC 30 b-JOTTJ-f-lAT;, TTJO CUnjA ! fib ATJ ATTJ 3l|A6 "
ttjo curbA ! ttjo qorjol 1*163,
ttjo curbA ! TTJO cnjati leorijAij 3|torbe !
2t)o CUTbA ! TTj'lTTJjriC A3UT- rrj'ol,
ttjo curbA ! ttjo ceol A3U1* rrj'AOjbrjeAf ;
TTJO CUHJA ! TTJO T-riTATJ&TJ1 aY TTJO bATJTJCJtACC,2
ttjo cunjA caijtjcIac ! fib clAOjbce !
1 SruArjfcrj, a summer house, such as is found in gentlemen's gardens, •where the ladies of the houshold and their attendants take shelter from the burning heat of the sun in the summer season. Grianan also was the
169
O. My grief! rny beauty and my adornment, My grief! my jewels and my wealth, My grief ! my treasures and my chattels, My grief! my three valorous torches of chivalry !
My grief! my kindred and my relatives, My grief ! my people and my friends, My grief! my father and my mother, My grief and my sorrow ! that ye are dead !
My grief! my affection and my welcome, My grief ! my health at all times, My grief ! my blitheness and my solace, My harsh desolation ! that ye are feeble !
My grief! thy spear and thy lance, My grief! thy gentleness and love, My grief! thy country and thy home, My grief ! that ye are separated from me !
My grief! my havens and my coasts, My grief! my wealth and my prosperity, My grief! my greatness and my possessions, My grief and my wail ! are ye till I die !
My grief ! my riches all,
My grief ! your absence in battle time, My grief! my muster of hosts, My grief ! my three heroic lions !
My grief! my games and my festivities, My grief ! my songs and my pleasures ; My grief! my summerhouse and my train, My crying grief! that ye are feeble !
name by which that portion of a castle or palace set apart, or appropriated for the use of ladies was called — probably our drawing-room or boudoir. 2 t>Aijtjctucc, female attendants, ladies in waiting, &c.
170
O. 2t)o cuttja ! rx)y:o\)X) A5u|* rti 'jrjA&Ac,
trio cuttia ! too ctiiati beAjtb Iaoc ;
TT)0 CUTT)A OC ! Tt?0 CUtTJA 1Ab !
a'j* a W5A6 at) |ti7C|AT) bo'r; fb&WV !
^'aicjt) roe ati at) fluA5 t15el cti^at;, bo b) a T)3le|c 6f ciot)o at? <Du|T) ; A 3-CAC le cejle a T>5liT)cib Ae]8i|t, 50 ftAib at; leAT) le bu<*]T)c borr/ CTtjuri !
C)'A1C|T) TT)e Aft AT) b-^SJATl-SUC fJ5e !
bo fe]b 50 ctiuittt) ArreAc atd cIuait*;
T)A|l b-£AbA UA1 TT) 3OIIT) T)UA8 tS^I^-
buti b-ciqcTrr; ]f e bo cuati !
C)'aic|T) TTje a b-cuf at> lAe,
bo |*3 A]t ttio cti'uti beA5-lAOc liorrj ;
ATI ATT)AftC beAflA £oIa TJA ^TlU^b,
t)&ti b-p]lleA& pAO" buAb CIJ.3ATT) !
<D'aic|t; Ttje A|t 3UC T)A m-b^bb, atm) biijt 3-cACAiTi Tbe|8-Ti 3<vc oeo-T) ;
6 f3ATlAbA1Tl llOTT) 30 CTIOCAC CAOTT),
3UT1 b-po5UT> bArt) leAT) a't* bTtot) !
Jf CU]rb]T) l|OTT) A Cft|U]|l bA t]\&&T) !
311TI TT)ii)ic roe lib bo Iuai8 ;
bA ro'*roceAcc 30 \)-Q^]-\\]\)\) b]b,
OAC b-jreicjqoo biijt 030AO] £ao- buab !
1 SIUA5 rijje, /airy /ios<. The recital of the long list of omens in the following stanzas is particularly beautiful and characteristic. A belief in omens is of remote antiquity in Ireland, and, prevails in many parts of the country among the people at the present day. In no other poem in the Irish language is such a long list of omens strung together as in the present one. Ailne knew by the legions of fairies she saw in a vision fighting in the air, that her heroes would never return to her alive ; also by the hosts in the glens of the sky — by the voice
171
O. My grief! my lands and my chase, My grief ! my three heroes true ; My grief alas ! 0 my grief are they ! Conquered afar by the Fians !
I knew, by the mighty fairy host, That were in conflict over the Dun, Fighting each other in the chasms of the air, That evil would befall my Three !
I knew, by the fairy strain, That came direct into mine ear, That evil tidings were not far from me, Your fall was what it portended !
I knew, on the morn of that day,
On which my three noble heroes parted me, On beholding tears of blood on their cheeks, That they would not return victorious to me !
I knew, by the vulture's croak,
Over your delightful mansion each evening, Since ye parted me in strength and beauty, That sorrow and gloom were at hand !
Well do I remember, 0 mighty Three ! How often I had told to you, That if to Eirinn ye did steer, I would not see you crowned with victory.
of the sprites of the hill, as it was wafted to her ear on the breeze, — by the mournful cry of the Banshee, which she heard round the Cathair each night, since her heroes departed — by the deep croak of the raven each morning — by the foam of the torrent, when it changed to the colour of blood — by the visits of the eagle every evening and wheeling ominous in flight over the Dun — by the withering branches of the trees before the Dun— and by the black raven, which she saw flying before them on the way on the day that they left for Eirin— by her broken rest at
172
O. <t)'A]C1t) tT)e ATt 5UC At) t:e]C,
5AC TT)AibeAt) 6 ctti, aII ]*]b UA|n) ; 5ujt tujqrt) bjb, 0 bATtttAtbuil piojt, a't* t)A|t b-pjlleAb 8]b bo'r) qti le bu<v6 !
'D'aICJTJ TT)e A C|t|U]|t bA CAlS,
A]t T)-beATiTT)Ab bujt t)-] aII-cot) bjb ; T)Ari b-tqlleab 6]b Ajiif le bu*8, 3AT) ceAls 6 fluAigqb "pbl^t) '•
^D'Ajqi) tt)e a co|t)t)le SAi^e ! |*jtuc at) eAt/A A3 CAO]b at) <Dutt) ; A|t rr)-be]C At) ^uil le l]T)t) butt b-cTt|A]llj At) reAll t/o ri|Arb 30 TtAib a b-pior)r) !
to'Aiqt) rrje A|t cuA]|tb At) ioUi]t,
3AC rteoit) A3 qlleAb 6y qot)t) At) t>u]r>; t)Ati b-f AbA 30 3-cluiDqt)t) ?e]V, CAf5 bjio]c-r,5eil 6rt)' cri|uri !
<D'A|C|r) rtje at) cat) b't*eoj3 at) b|le,
'b|ji 5&A3 a't; biqlle 6f corf)A]ri At) iDuit),
T)Afl CeACC £0 bu<\8 CAfl T)A|t* bjb,
6 ceAhjAjb "pbl^P tf)ic Cutt)A]U ! Na jtticAit) "pjoi)!) ! a 1x105*11) A15 (ati '5p'*]Qe),1
T)A t?6f irtlCAjl) AT) "pblAtit) ; T)i le ce|l3, t)A le rt)eAt)3, bo cujceAbAfi At)t) bo qiiAti !
Nj CU5 at) ]tjo3Ait) f tteA3|iA6 ATt bic, (aji 5bftAit)i)e),
A3Uf t)|oji cujti t-uirt) t)A 5I0T1 ;
acc leAt)tt)ii|t) bA CAO|t)e a't* bA caoj,
30 qiAT- A3 rjori f |le beort !
nights — by the floods of tears which alarmed her in her sleep— by the mournful cry of the favorite hound of Ciardan every evening. — In one dream, she imagines herself to be in the form of a 6pectre — in another vision, she sees a lake of blood on the site of the Dun ; by all which phenomena she conjectured the fall of her heroes. In the Tale of
173
O. I knew, by the raven's croaking voice, Each morning since ye left me, That your fall was true and certain, And that ye would not return victorious to your land !
I knew, 0 noble Three,
In forgetting the leashes of your hounds ; That ye would not again return with victory, Without treachery from the hosts of Fionn !
I knew, ye torches of valor !
By the cascade's stream, near the Dun, Having changed into blood at your departure, That this guile was ever found in Fionn.
I knew, by the eagle's visit Each evening over the Dun, That ere long I would hear Evil tidings from my Three !
I knew, when the huge tree withered, Both branch and leaves before the Dun, That victorious you would never return From the wiles of Fionn Mac Cumhaill !
Do not decry Fionn, 0 noble princess (saith Grainne), Nor yet decry the Fians ; 'Twas not by treachery nor craft, That thy Three [heroes] fell !
The princess made no reply to Grainne, And she heeded not her talk ; But continued her caoine and her wail, Incessantly shedding tears !
Deirdre, published in the Transactions of the Gaelic Society (Dub. 1R08), similar visions appear to her, respecting Naisi, Ainle, and Ardan.
i 3ri2qnne, Grace. This lady was the daugbter of Cormac Mac Airt, ■who was monarch of Ireland in the Third Century. She was betrothed to Fionn Mac Cumhaill, but her subsequent amours with Diarmuid O'Duibhue, forms the subject of our Third Volume.
174
O. ^>\]i]\) rr)6 Aft attjatic bujt r)-biAi3,
at) lA bo ctt|aII -f jb o'r) t)-<Dut); Aft eiql at) t>6|C riotrjAib atttac,
TlATl COTT)ATlCA tt)A1C ATI CAfA ClhjATT) ? ^t)'A]C|t; TT)fe ATI CO]T) CblAftbA]T),
A5 sUirb 5oUttt 5AC T)e5|ii ;
T)ATt Vj-JTAbA 50 b-pAJAIIJI), TT)0 p|AT) !
buri b-cAf3, a CTijAji, tt)o 8ob|tor) !
O'^ICIT) TT)6 ATI eAfbA THlATt),
5AC Ojbce buAt) po fftocAjb beoft ; orr)' ]tof5Aib 6 f5ATt fib liort?, T)A|t cuati cutT)bA]5 8]bfe a f otic.
<D'a1C]T) TT)& ATI AT) ATT-l|115 bft6]T),
bO CeAfbAlT) TT)0 3UAlf bATT) f6]T) ;
5UTV 56ATlTlAb tT)0 CeAT)T) A'f TTTO lATT)A SjOTT),
3ujt fibfe bo b] 5AT) Tt^irrj !
'D'Aiqti rtje ati UA]ct)]r) biT)ti-3l6|t<\c, 5a8ati bA Tio-feATic lerr>' l,]A5AT) ! A5 5IATD301I 3 ac n)A]b|i) 30 rfioc, rpo CTqufi 5UTI 6]T)T)ce 86]b at) bAf !
<E>'&]i]l) Ttie AT) CAT) CeAT*bAT)A8 bATT), AT) loc f oIa ATI A]C AT) <t)uiT) J COftCAJlCA 30 TIAlb t1)0 CftlUTl, 6'tT 3-Ce]l3 1)ATt f AOTl TlfATT) "pjOOt) !
Na bj A3 Aiqf "pb|')r) (a|1 5^1»)0e), a beAt), c]A CTiAibce bo cjtojbe, cjtei3 ^CAT-bA bqc A3 irrjcAitre, tia b-'pjATjt) njojib^Uc, i;A "pjof)!;.
175
0. I knew, on looking after you,
The day on which ye left the Dun,
And on the flight of the raven before you,
That it was no good omen of your return !
I knew, by the hounds of Ciardan, Mournfully howling every evening, That ere long, I would hear, my pain ! Of your fate, 0 Three, my dark grief!
I knew, by the want of rest, Each long night past with tears streaming ; Dowu from my eyes since ye left me, That such did not forebode luck to you.
I knew, by the sorrowful vision That revealed my doom to me, That my head and hands were cut off, That it was ye who were bereft of sway !
I knew, by melodious Uaithnin, The favorite dog of my Liagan ! Howling each morning early, That death was certain for my Three !
I knew, when in a vision I saw,
A pool of blood where the Dun stood,
That my Three were vanquished
By the wiles from which Fionn was never exempt !
Do not reproach Fionn (saith Grainne), O woman, though sorrowful be thy heart, Give up henceforth to be speaking ill, Of the proud Fians, or of Fionn.
176 O. 21 '5\)]ib]i)X)e ! Aft ^105^10 At? d]]\~C]*b,
bA TTJO leAr At} C^Afl fO A|l Ia|i j
|omc^]r> ijo Aiq|* rjioft leoft leAc, n)A|i &]ol 30 beAjtb h>a rrj-bAf !
<£><* b-pAi;bAO|f i)A 3-c6|rij-ci|i feit), a T*1°5<Mt) fe|rb, Aft 3|i^1t)i)e ¥h]VV \ a'|* 3AI) ceAcc bo 8]03aIc rbfc ^|teo|t), o'r) b-'peirjrj r>]Ojt 86|b bA 6^c !
<Da rrj-bA8 cu]C|ii) bd]b le cocjtAtt) lAt)i), 5A1) ceAls v& n?eAi)3, a ^bp^l^e caoii? ;
*t)A TtJAlJteAbAOlf, A |1|05A|t) AJ5,
xy\ in)CA]t?pib]]* j:e|t) Ai) ^bl^W : If le CftobAcc a'f T)eA]tc a lAti),1 b'-pivjbAbAft ajx Iaji bo qiiAfi !
<t)o qocpA8 led, a 3bT**Mt)r)e, At) 3t)jort), a 5-cufi po 8jiAO|5eAcc Afi b-ruf;
'f* If COfTt)U]l 5UJI b'ATblAjS bj,
t)6 xy\o\\ t*\z\xx) 30 bftAt borr/ cftjufi.2
Cjteib uAitt), a 1tfo§A]t), aji 5Tt*1twe, i)ac ji^ib ceA^ f At; la|rb, i;a rt)eAt}3, bo leA5 2t)eAft3Ac ija Iaijij t^lAf, a'p bo ce]l5 le rjeAftc bo a ceArn) !
1 A liter " ?X)&1\ ir WJ&lfc 6ujc, bjc a 5-qt)p,
Mac lo ti)eAiJ5 t>o Ioajas ]a&."
As their headless bodies bear thee witness, That it was not by treachery they fell !
* Aliter "t>o b'pe|b]Tt, a 5br*2M»)iJO, a bejftin),
a Ioa5a6 lo ce|l5 A*r lo ttjcAt)5 ;
177
0. 0 Grainnc ! saith the princess of the golden hair, If those Three who have fallen were thine, Truly, reproach or shame would not suffice thee, As satisfaction for their death !
Had they remained in their own country,
0 mild princess, saith Grainnc of Fionn ; And not come to be avenged for Mac Treoin, From the Fians they would receive no hurt !
Ilad they fallen in fair battle,
Without deceit or treachery, O gentle Grainne,
1 would not' reproach the Fians,
But they do not survive to bear me witness !
Had they survived, 0 noble princess,
They themselves would not decry the Fians ; 'Twas by valour and might of arm, They laid low thy Three !
They might, 0 Grainne, the deed perform, By putting them under magic spells, at first ; And 'tis likely that it was so, Or else my Three would never fall.
Believe me, 0 princess, saith Grainne, [arm
That there was neither venom nor treachery in the By which fell Meargach of the green blades, And that by might cut off his head !
A'r A U-bjAis Ti)-bejc cttApU(5te 6b)b, a i)-b|cceATjt)A6 le j:oittneA|tc Upi?."
It may be possible, 0 Grainne, I say, To slay them by treachery and malice, And after their being decrepid, To behead then) by the force of swords ! 12
178
O. )t)t)]Y\rt) bu^c p6f 5AU bp6A3,
At) b]f* bo le^5 50 pAbi) bo 61ai)i) ;
V&H ciqbe A]C|f bo CAbAjjic bojb,
&'if i)Aji b-peAf*AC bo]b b|iAO]3eAcc t)A tt)eAt)3 !
21 5b]t&iwe ! A]t At) lM05A]t) A15, b'Aji b'A]t)itT) 2i]li)e 5eAl-fi)UAb ; ^)] c\xe]i>]xt) uajc, t>a o't) b-^^tjtj,
5U]t CU]C]tt) bAtT) lAOCftA tt)Aft lltA&A]Jt.
Ma bj peAfbA l]i)i) bA Iua6,
i)1 fiAjb jijArb ceAl.5 'fAi) b-pejt)!),
ACt 5t)10li)A]tCA lAOCU]f* A3Uf* 3A]f*3e.
t)A cA]t)i5 ]tiArb Iaoc i)A com i)A t)-bA]l,
bO |tU5 A rt)-bllA6 A 3-CeAjlC 1)A lAt)1),
AY 3° tD-bejb ArblA^b 50 Ia a n)-bA|f* !
'Da b-cujAbAon* ceA]tc da co]|t, bort)' cfi]ii|t bA cjtobA a t)3t)jori) ;
A'f bA fluA5 Cft&At)ri)A|t CAC-bllAbAC,
a b-cinciir> t)iOji uArtjAt) l|i)i) !
21 2ljlt)e ! if* AlujrM) prniAb a'j* 5V*o]> 6 t)AC 3-Cjte]b||t x]\)v bA UiAb ;
lU^iri'1' feu1c 3° b-ciqcp]b cujlle,1 ful |*3A|i|.*Ai8 ljt)t)e bo H)6fi flu A3 !
21 5b|t»1tJi)e ! A]t At; nio^Ait) A13,
aji fot) tjA 3-CftuAb-f caji bo bul b'cA3 ;
CA bCA]tb 66|C A3Att)|*A Af CAC,
50 3-oi|jtf.*ib A]i An At) b-)-6|i)i).
1 Ahlcr "■ LeA5FA|h ajj FbjAiJJJ A'f ij| lc ce«xl5,
cu|llo Ajt <\i) leA]l5 bob' cflOty-flUAS !"
179
0. I tell thee again without falsehood,
The two who laid thy children low, That reproach was not due to them, And that they knew not sorcery nor guile !
0 Grainne ! saith the noble princess, Whose name was Ailne of the fair form ; I believe not thee nor the Fians,
That my heroes fell as thou sayest.
Do not henceforth to us proclaim, And do not be sullen or angry at it : There never was treachery in the Fians, But feats of heroism and valor.
1 tell thee still, and 'tis no falsehood, [them, That there never yet came a hero or pursuit to meet That obtained sway [over them] by right of the sword, And that they shall be so till their death !
Had they dealt justly or honourably, With my Three who were mighty in action ; And with their victorious mighty hosts, Their fall then would not surprise me !
0 Ailne ! of the most elegant shape and form, As thou dost not believe what I say, I tell thee that more will fall, Ere thy great hosts part us !
O Grainne ! saith the noble princess,
For the sake of the hardy men who have died, I have great hopes that my hosts Will deal destruction to the Fians !
The Fians will slay, and not by treachery, More in the field of thy great troops.
180
O. 21 2ljlne ! An 3ftC\|!)ije An Sfqiyn, II* beAjib Ijnrj *p^|fe bo cjijaII ; cajji ljon>f*A a'j* lejj* At) b-}^ejnr>, 50 5-CA|ceAnj le cejle beoc a'j- bjA8 ?
<Do 8|iilcu|5 2ijli;e 5eAl-j*t)UA8,
ad cu-|teA8 fitAjji 6 3bjtAjv)t)e pr-ltM) ; a'j* a biibAjftc nAjt cu-be l&j £ejn, j*leA8 tja feAf* bA 6 luce a V5V]rn !
OO r^eAjtjtcAji rno cojip port)' lAjt, bo nAj8 Cor>An bo JAnb slojt ; 50 n-]ocj*Ajjtj*e, a 2ijlr>e TjeAl- j**jua8, jtncAjn A|i "f*lttA"5 5AI) cojjt !
21 ftp rnAojl jj* Sltajnne be|lb, bA b-j*AC<\8 An Aop lejjt5 j*6j* ; If beAnb ljotn 3u.f1 jocaj* 50 cjuiaj8 A n-jrncAjt;), a'j* bA cniiA5 An f5eol !
JocpA|8 cii njoj* cjiua8, aji ConAt), A]i]X a'j* jtncAjn t)A b-'pjAnn ; bAjnjrcAb An ceAnt) 6ji-j*ojlc bjoc, rr?A sejbjtn ceAb "pbl^O t>A b-pjAtnj.
3j8 rnojt co|jiceAtnujl bo cojtp,
a'j* 5ujt leACAn, Ion), cjtoc bo rt)AOil ;
a'j* cu j:tAri)An-cnAtT)Ac, njT-jn-j^jceAc, rneAjt,
rnAn 8eAlb nAc rnAjc aji Iaoc I1
<Do cosbAnjAjt ujle at; )-b|Ainj, 5Ajn bA 8jai; 5JieAtn? a'j* cAc; An cai) b'jrn8eAjt5 ai; beAt.*-, ai; fOAji tijaoI IcAri) a'j* b']tt)Cb]i).
1 Alitor, " SeAlAjiuje ijac hjajc a*j Iaoc."
I promise that the hero is not brave.
181
0. 0 Ailne ! saitb the pleasant Grainne,
I know that thou hast come from afar, Come with me and with the Fians, Till we together eat and drink ?
Ailne of the bright form declined
The invitation given her by Grainne of Fiona ;
And she said it was beneath herself
To partake of cheer from people of their deeds.
May my body be rent in two, Saith Conan, in a surly voice ; But thou wilt pay, O Ailne bright, For unjustly stigmatising our hosts.
O bald man of the ugliest aspect, That I have yet met on any plain ; I apprehend I have sorely paid For the stigma given, and how sad the tale !
Thou shalt pay more sorely, saith Conan, For the scandal thou hast given the Fians, I will cut off thy head of the golden locks, If I am permitted by Fionn of the Fians.
Though huge and bulky is thy body, And though flat and bald is thy skull, And tho' thou art thick-boned, tough-sinewed, swift These are marks which ill becomes a hero !
We, the Fenians all, raised A shout of joy, and so did the foe, When the woman rebuked and reproached The silly bald man [Conan].
132
O. 'Do 5IAC at) peAji rtjAol n>op. fc^]i^,
aY bo lAliAjft bo 5A|ib 311c Anb, cu|f* caot, A5uj* pftocA bedft, 5U]8]rr) bo'r) y-h&VW A*f &o c&c !
<t)0 CA|t]tA11)5 A IaT)T) At/ A CnUA1.ll CAI^e,
a'|* C115 fjc 3Ajtb curt} i)A rr)t)A ;
bo buAi,l Ope un A|i C]tuAib-beitT),
bo biiAjt) puAiri) a'|* be|c At; CI)OT)AT) !
iD'llAlll Cot)AT), A'f b'p^AC 50 C|tUA§
An Of*cun ija 3-cniiA& Iai)t) t)3eAU,
A bubA^HC Coi)Al), T)A|n AT) JTJjOti),
t<o 50|iMf tt)o clj8 o cAob 50 CAob !
M| 50|t)^it)T) bo clj8 i)A bo conp, acc 50 b-pACA8 3uji b'olc bo tt}0|im), t;]0|i ciqbe 8ujc t)occa bo clo]8]rt), An ATbAnc 3t)Aoi t)<x n)T)A t^Jv t^e^ri).
M] b-pu|l tt)o fujrt) a f3e]n) T)A Tt)i)A,
T)A 3T)lil f aIuT,T)I), T)A T)A 31)AO],
If rneAfA Ipti) AT,qt; 3AT) ci^U,
A3 ttt)ca|t) t)A b-"piAi)i; Ajuf "pbiw !
<Do 3luAif "piouo 'fAi; "pbl<M)T) 6'ij 3-cnoc, A*f Opcun aco i)A peAft cjijtj ]iiAin; bo cujaII cac Y at) njo-zjAjn fein), A]i a b-CAob p6]i) 50 pjtAp 1T)Aft ]Ab.
2ifl 1)A ri)A|tAC CAl,!)^ AT) }:I)1,AT)1),
A1l ^0 3~ct)oc 'i)A TiAi,b at) c-An;1
A'f T)jO|l b-pAbA 30 b-pACATT)A|t A3 CeACC,
2l|li)c f-i)iiA8-3eAl A311T; cac.
Aliter. " 7jo 50]ri)eAii)U|l b)Atj curt) aij &in»"
With venom severe towards the slaughter.
183
0. The bald man became very angry,
And he spoke in a loud rough voice, A cause of weeping and floods of tears, I pray for the Fians and their foes !
He drew his sword from its costly scabbard, And made a fierce dart towards the woman ; Oscur gave him a hard blow, That made Conan shriek and roar !
Conan howled, and looked piteously, On Oscur of the sharp -tempered blades, And he said, shameful is the deed, Thou hast pierced my breast from side to side !
I would not pierce thy breast nor thy body, But that I saw thy bad intent ; It was not meet for thee to unsheath thy sword, On seeing the shape and beauty of the woman!
I am regardless of the beauty of the woman, Of her fine features or her shape ; I think worse of the undeserved reproach She has cast on the Fians and Fionn !
Fionn and the Fenians left the hill, And Oscur with them as their guide ; The gentle princess and her hosts Sped their own way in haste like them.
In the morning the Fians came On the hill where lay the slain ; And 'twas not long till we beheld approaching, Ailne of the bright countenance and her hosts.
184
O. <t)o jluAff 5p&]t)\)e i)A 5-c6ri)8C\|[,
a'p bo 71115 A]i Ia^H) Aft 2l|li)0 pefrt; le i;a cejle aji AOt) ]t|AT) Ap fji), ai) bif pit) c]5 a b-cup At) c-pluAi5»
po'l) Att) 't)A jtat)5AbAit pitjt), bo pejtn) <t)Aifte bit)t)-cAC ceojl; bo peii)i) 'pjOl)!) At) BAjtft-buAS,1 A*f bO 5AHlft) po luAp a citotTj-ploj*
21 2lilt)e fouAS-jeAl! a^ 3ll*MWe> At) Att)U\i& ip Afl leAc bjp be^-lAOC ; bo &ul a 5-coirb-5;liA8 t)A Iai)1), 1)0 CAC coicceAi)i) Aft 5AC caoI>.
21 5b|t*1Ui)e! A]t 2lili)e bA 5eAl pt)iiA8, 1P Att)lAi8 ip cuibe Ait JAC cAob ;
CfljOCAb2 bO lAOCpiA 1)A b-'plAt)!),
a'p cpiocAb tt)Ait iAb a 3-coiti)-5leic ? 5<Mlin> cu^Ab bo cftjocAb Iaoc (Apt "5]\&]W)e),
AH At) lentj 1)A t)-AOt)A(tAI) ;
a'p joiiipeAbpA qrjocAb i)A b-"piAi)t), 50 b-ci^Ajb CAC blA1) AJl C1)0C At) Alft !
1 DAttn-biiAh, sometimes called bcxntt ouaBajI. This and the bop?? phiAim, were the war-trumpets used by the Feuian chiefs to summon their troop3 to battle.
2 CftjocAS, thirty. Here Ailne proposes to Grainne, that thirty com- batants a side should be chosen to decide the conflict, which number they .summoned forth in their turn — each calling the bravest hero or combatant in the ranks. Among the names of those 80 called, the fol- lowing bear a striking resemblance to some of those of the present day ; Thus — ConAtuvn, seems identical with the present Conran ; KiiAjcije, (writ- ten UuA|cine, in the copy consulted by us in the Royal Irish Academy),
185
0. Grainne advanced (o meet thein,
And took gentle Ailne by the Land ;
They walked together on the one path,
And the two approached the front of the hosts.
At the time that they reached us,
Daire sounded the melodious music of battle ; Fionn sounded the Barr-buadh, And called in haste his mighty hosts.
0 bright Ailne ! saith Grainne, Is it thy wish that two heroes, Should fight with their blades, Or a general battle on each side.
0 Grainne ! saith Ailne of the bright countenance, It is thus it should be at either side, Thirty of the Fenian heroes, And thirty their match, to meet !
Call to thee thy thirty heroes (saith Grainne), On the plain by themselves, And I shall call thirty of the Fians, Till they give severe battle on Cnoc-an-air !
would go far to identify the name Renehan or Rooney ; CorsAjfte or Cor. 3A|tcAC, now Cosgrave, is a name famous in Irish History (see Ossianic Trans. Vol. I.). e^t»l^ine may be the modern name Uficujle (Hurley) or lAflflAiee, O'Herlihy, whom Dr. O'Brien in his Irish Dictionary, at the end of the letter /, describes as chiefs of a district in the barony of Muskerry ; and also states that they were hereditary wardens of the Church of St. Gobnait, at Ballyvourney ; and were possessors for many years of the large parish of that name. Smith states that they were chiefs near Ma. croom. For an interesting account of this family see Conncllan's edition of the Four Masters, p. 199, note.
186
O. 21 T-\)u&]ib<\]t) ! Aft 2l|lt)e fijuAS-^eAl, bo cujc leb' l^|rh ao aotj lo, cftjujt A5uf ceAb jreAft caIttja rtjeAjt, cA||i|*e A3 cA3|tA6 Ab ceAi)i? sled !
21 3blAb^r» ! Afi "S]i<x]t)\)& 6|*&ftb, bo cu|c leb' lA]rb|*e at) aotj cac, eft} ceAb A5u|* **e jqjt b&A5, ]*eA|*ri*A*8 Aft CAob fte t/aij*.
21 2t)beAr)u|fi ! aji 2ljl*;e, rft|All le<\c, bo CU5C&& at) pjAb Tt^eArt o'r) c-f*l|Ab, le Iuaj* bo 8& con* lucTT?Aft cjiuAjb, t)] rrjeACA |f biiAl biqc 5I1A8.
21 KuAjcr-e ! A|t 3l»*HtMje At? Sfilflt), t>] bT/tifpe^& t;ob' c|iO|5 at? ctvjoo&t), le be'tje bo c6|tt Aft lorr* luc, be]|i cl-fbe bo fub a 3-cottj-6a-1.
21 CbOT)AftA|T) ! TJAft t;^3 |11ATT>
crj^Tt) t)iv plACA'l fl&i) A3 Iaoc,
b'Aji corbttowic leAC a 3-CAc \)& T^lco,
TtjeAI'AITI) 3Ufl coiji CU 5l*0&AC.
2i Cbof*3A|jte ! at,i o|tC\]i)i*c 30 teAi;i*, bo cujjtpeAb at) ceAi)i) bVoy-be'TT), rr)]le o't* 3-colu|t;i* b'trcAjtAT*'!) lift, 5AbA|rr)f*e cu a 3-c6|ttt-31c|c.
21 &A|ilA|*te ! t*a TT)5|t cfteAcc, bo cujx Aft cojtpA|b Iaoc le i*j*b ; II* Tt)eA|*CA 3ii|t cujbe 6»|c cftjAll, a'|* cuiii)T)i3 at; cftjujt bo ciijc !
187
0. 0 Thuardan ! saith Ailne, of the bright countenanco, There fell by thy hand in one day, One hundred and three mighty swift men, Come thou as leader in the fight !
0 Giabhan ! saith Grainne aloud, There fell by thy hand in one battle, Three hundred and sixteen men, Stand thou by his side.
0 Meanuir ! saith Ailne, go forth, Thou that hast brought the swift deer from the hill ; By the swiftness of thy two fleet hardy legs, Cowardice is not thy character in battle.
0 Ruaithne ! saith pleasant Grainne,
Thou wouldst not crush the withered grass, When in pursuit [of the foe] by thy fleetnesa, Thou shalt match him in the conflict.
0 Conaran ! who never left A bone nor a tooth sound in any hero "Who engaged thee in battle or conflict, I think thou shouldst be called !
0 Cosgaire ! saith Grainne firmly, Who would send the head by one blow From the body a mile of soft ground, I will have thee in the combat.
0 Earlaire ! who left large scars, On the bodies of heroes with venom ; 'Tis determined that thou shouldst go, And remember the Three who fell !
1SS
O. <£)o bj at) bjf bo n)t)Aib yc]w,
9l]li)c Asuf 3n<MT)T)e, beAt) fbl^t) ;
A3 3AJTITT) *']• A3 C03A T)A b-peA|t,
311T1 Ijot> cpiocAb 30 beAcc ati 3AC CAOjb.
iD'ioijTjfuiTjeAbATi t)a cfi&in-piTi a c&ile, 3<\c b]|* b^job a 3-c6]rb-3liA& c|iuai& ; a b-p6]|tceAi)r) at> caca t>]Oji tt)A]ti bo'i) Ijot), a PbAcjtAjc ! acc ti\x bo't) *Fb]&vy !
<t)'ATi b-qi|OCAibi)e bo tt)Aiti At) b^f, If y. at>t) n)0 CTiojbe 6 be]c bA luAb ! i)] cft&]3peAfi l|orr> tt)o tjtAcc 30 £0|ll, APbAtTtA]c! o't) K6|tt), Ai) CTte]b|TT) ctuiai&.
21 1) CAT) bO COTJAJtC AT) lp))|A1)T), AT) CUlCjTT) 30 b]AT) ATI CAC, bO COjbAbATl Z]\] 3A|tCA 3ft|t)t),
bA cloy a T?5l|i)i) a']* a i)-Aiib. 21 2l|lue 3eAl-fi)uAb ! ati 3|l*Mt)i)e,
If tt)STl AT) CAT* ATI 5AC CAob; A|t T)A Iaoc bA CJtUAb 3A|f3e, CTtJAll leAC 'fA TT)A|jtCAl)T) bob' bll|8]l).
M] cpjAllpAb T^t) T)A ]Ab T-ub,
a 3bp^1T)0O ! b'Aft i;-bii|cce pep),
T)o 30 b-tu|ctqb fjAb 50 bepte,
30 b-pA3Ajb b|b-T-cnt5 atx ai) b-^jr)!)!
J Win"? &uic, a 2l|lt)e ! i)A i)3oaI 5IAC,
30 TT)'T*eATt|t 6]b TTAb bo'i) CO||t,
50 Ttocciqi) blip b-cj|t Alu|t)t) frfiffl, T)6 pcAjt fS^il T)j TtACA]b beo !
ISO
0. The two gentle women,
Ailne and Grainne, the wife of Fionn,
Were calling and choosing the men,
Until exactly thirty were mustered at a side.
The mighty men attacked each other,
Each two of them in hand to hand conflict, At the close of the battle there only survived,
0 Fatrick ! but two of the Fians !
Of our thirty the two survived, My heart is sick from its recital !
1 shall not cease my narrative yet,
0 Patrick ! from Rome, of the harsh faith.
When the Fians beheld The foe falling fast, They raised three cheerful shouts, Which were heard in valleys and on hills.
0 Ailne bright ! saith Grainne, 'Tis a sad case on both sides, The slaughter of the valorous heroes, Depart with what survives of thy hosts.
Neither they nor I shall go,
0 Grainne ! to our own country ; Till they fall to the last man, And are avenged of the Fians !
I tell thee, Ailne ! of the fair hands, That 'twere better for you to cease the pursuit, Till you reached your own fair country, Than that no one to bear tidings shall go alive !
190
O. Hj tn]All buit)t), b'Ati b-qft, aii 2l|liie ! 50 cuiqrt) b'^orTjlAt) Aft T*Iua5 ; t)o 30 Ti>-be]^eAnj l]t)t) a iHmojaI cac, ceAt)t) 'pbjW cjtuAb-lAti) a t^leo.
21 i; cAt) bo cuaIa]6 |*Iua5 t)A b-"piAt)t), jlofi At)-ti)iAt)t)AC t)A tt)t)A "b ! bo feit)t) }-iot)t) At) BAUft-bitAb, A3 3^ IT1"? A f^lA5 T?A clujb.
'iDo c|tu|t)r)^3eATi)A|t 6 5AC Attb bo'i) ct)oc, at) n)6]b bo b] Ait lACA^Tt At)t) ; a bubAijit 'pjorjt) bo juc Afib l|t)t), coitbt^leo a'-j* b^o^Al bjb Arjoif 50 ceAtitj.
Nj JtAlb AJIf A|8 T)A 65IAC rtieAjl,
bo f-luAi^cib CAlrt)A cti68a fhw) ', t)A]t 5IAC 50 pjtAp Attn) a'|* 6]be,
A' |* CAC 3AT) |*CAOt)Ab ttjAft. |*]t)1).
21 2l|ltie f"TiuAb-5eAl ! ]y bojlb liott), bo ttAib p|oi)t) t)A 3-c]tuA6-jleo ; 5eAllA]rr) buic a'|* i)j slop bu&^e, i)AC rr)A|ftpeA& A5Ab Aor) t)eAc bed !
<Do fep)t) "piorjt) Ai)t) ftr> ofAjtb, At) <t)6nb le 3&Jtt-30ltr) curt) ^leo; b'|Oi)t)|*ui5eAbAtt a cejle 6 3<nc CAob, a']* bo ^eAjtAb At) cn^At) cac 50 bjAi)!
UcT), a Pb^cTtA|C ! bob' & fub ai) cac, bA cft6|t)e a']* bA CAlrt)A Iait) 3I1A16 ;
b'A|t CU5A& 6 CUf At) bOlt)Alt),
A'f bo'l) |tjOJAJI) COA1)l) bA bobjtoi) !
191
0. We shall not proceed to our country, saith Ailne ! Till all our hosts shall fall ; Or that we bring in revenge The head of Fionn, the firm hand in battle.
When the Fenian hosts had heard, The hostile declaration of that woman, Fionn sounded the Barr-buadh, To summon his hosts in his presence.
We mustered from all parts of the hill, Such of us as were present there ; Fionn saith in a loud tone, Battle with vengeance now proclaim.
There was not an aged nor an active hero, Of the mighty warrior hosts of Fionn, Who did not instantly take arms and armour, And the foe without faltering did likewise.
0 Ailne the bright ! I much regret, Saith Fionn of the hardy deeds ; I promise thee, and 'tis no falsehood, That one shall not be left alive to you !
Fionn then vehemently sounded, The Dord with a call for vengeance to the fight ; They attacked each other at either side, And the battle was fought furiously !
Alas, 0 Patrick ! that was the battle, [flict,
The fiercest and the mightiest of hand to hand con- That was fought since the beginning of the world, And to the stubborn princess 'twas disastrous !
192
O. <t)o CftlA.ll OfCU|t A b-CU|f t)A b^ANt),
a']* a lAt)t) l|on)CA t)A 8eAf* bojb ;
30 flAT)5AbA|l £e|t) ASUf* CAC,
An lejfi5 At) Aifi a']* At) c6|TT7f3le6, 21 Pb&cftAfC ! T)^ cAi)A]rt) acc tfofi,
C]A 3Ufl CflUA8-lArbAC 3T)]OTT)AC CAC J
bo ru^ceAbAfi u]le lejr At) b-"p|At)t),
ACC CfllUfl, A'f At) flj03A]1) Art)A|t) !
<t)o cu]c f At) 3-CAc ub bA 5Aftb b|At), bo liot) fluA3 t)A- b-'pjAt)!) £&1') 5 be^crjeAbAfi a']* f& ceAb £eAU, bO IaOCUA bA 3Aflb 5l]A]b !
O'ltDCis At) ftiosAit) 'x At) cnii'tn ub, a']4 t)fon b-peA|* bujrjt) ca'ji 3AbA& led; bA bubAC fAb An a b-cn|All, cfe An i)Ari)Aib ^Ab ! bA bobnot) !
2I3 y |t) cjvjoc At) caca cnuA]b,
a Pb^cnAfc t)UAb!' i)A rtj-bACAl rn-bAn ;
6 fit) Art)AC bO bA1]*C At) "pl)|At)t), Afl At) 3"Ct)OC fO f]A|t Ct)OC At) A^l !
P. jwir bujt)t), a Oirjt) ! 3At) 30,
t)A Iaocua cnobA bo'n pb|At)t) ;
A 1)-&A3t1)Air At) Cn^OCAb CA]b,
bO CUJC fAt) An Afl At) 3"Cl)OC fO f*|A|l ?
O. T^uAnu|*3bAil bo beAjtAb bujc,
An 3AC pniort)-ceAuc 5A[tb Iaoc ;
bo cujc An At) 5-ct)oc ne cac,
A'f ^eir AT^ b-freA]i bAt)A, "Ca|Ic n)AC Cfiftjij ?
• 1 XI 1)h*cr>*ic ijUAb, 0 Patrick newly arrived. This phrase is very common in Ossianic poetry when St. Patrick's name is introduced, and it goes far to show that these compositions were written immediately on
193
O. Oscur went forth at the head of the Fians, With his polished sword in his right hand, Until they and the foe met, On the field of slaughter and conflicts.
0 Patrick ! I relate but the truth, Though the foe were hardy and fierce, They all fell by the Fians, Except three and the princess herself.
There fell in that severe and fierce battle Of the Fenian hosts, Six hundred and ten men, Heroes who were valiant in fio-ht.
*o4
The princess and the three departed, And we know not whither they went ; Sorrowful they were at parting, And, O Patrick of the clerics, 'twas sad !
Thus ended the severe contest
O Patrick, of the white croziers, lately come ;
Henceforth the Fians named
This hill westwards, the hill of slaughter !
P. Relate to us, 0 Oisin ! without guile, The mighty heroes of the Fians, Besides the noble thirty [men] Who fell in the slaughter on the hill of battles !
0. An account I shall give thee
Of the history of each robust hero,
That fell on the hill by the foe,
And by that daring man Tailc mac Treoin.
the Saint's arrival in Ireland, modern as the language and phraseology of the compositions may appear to us of the present day. 13
<Do cufc Aft ci)oc At) Ajft, le rlu^5b ^ObeA^A^b-
O. *T)o CUfC Afl AT) 5"CT)OC fO f 1A|t,
Cot)t) CfAbfiAC bA 5Aftb 5le6;
bo b'reAjtfi U\ri) A'r t)eAjtc a i)5l|A8,
1)A CAC Oe C]A IcAC If tTJOJl!
Jp At)t) bo cufc \ If bforT)bA& Ifon),
<t)ftAllA8 plAT)t), bA bltAt) A 5-CAC ;
aV b']rt)|te6cA6 Aft luc A lAtt) 50]0tb, le ttjac <De bf A*f t>i qubftAS ceAb.
)y At)t) bo cu|c 'f VT cjtuAJ l]t)t), LuAi^Ar) ~5&o\x vo- b-cnotr) Iaijij;
bO CU5A& At) CO|tC o'l) C-flfAb,
le fttqc lAt) 8fAT) A jAjtbbAll.
jf At)t) bO CU]C CflUA3At) CAltt)A,
b'iceA& At) n^Afic At)t) AOt) p|toit)r);
A'r &A n^qb JjAITtTJjl) bo't) AftAt),
a']* bA njAijieAS bA £nA]t) le|r cleff! i)A Kort)A !
Jy At)i) bo cu]C CaoI LuA^ueAC n)eAjt, Ajt luc bA luAfce 1)A At) 5AOC ;
ClA|t1)At) t)A 5-CneACC Ut)t) CftUAl8,
bA tt)AnaeA8, i)]on fuA^nc bob' cle]]i !
Jp At)t) bo ciqc 'DojtcAt) rt)eAft, bob' freAnji a 5-CAc t)A <D|A ub ; bo jeA|t|tA8 t)A cufup A*f i)A ct)An)A, A'r bo |tO|t)t)eA8 At) c-AftAt) 50 b-»l*>
NAMES OF THE PRINCIPAL FENIAN HEROES
THAT FELL ON ONOC-AN-AIR, BY THE TROOPS OF MEARGACH.
0. There fell on this western hill
Conn Ciabhrach the fierce in battle ; Of firmer hand and might in conflict, Than God's hosts of whom thou boasteat!
'Twas there fell, and my grief! Dralladh Flann, who was firm in the fight, [arms , And who would play in regard of agility and feats of With the son of the living God, and would not suc- cumb.
And 0 my grief! 'twas there fell,
Luanan, the wise, of the heavy spears ; Who would bring the wild boar from the hill, By the great swiftness of his robust limb3.
'Twas there mighty Cruagan fell, Who would devour a cow at one meal, With forty cakes of bread, Had he lived how he would hate the Roman clerics !
'Twas there Caol the swift fell, Who in swiftness was fleeter than the wind ; And Ciarnan inflicter of severe wounds ; Had they lived it would not be pleasant to thy clerics.
'Twas there Dorcan the nimble fell,
Who was stronger in battle than thy God, Who hacked bodies and bones, And cheerfully did share the bread.
196
O. )x At?*) bo cu]c CaoI biiAijAc rtjeAjt,
BohjAijte, SeAfic, A5uf CfiiAS^t);1 ceAcjtAjt 3Ajib bo lAocA^b c|iuaiS, njo 8Aci;AO]b ^Ab UAirr; Aft y<\\) !
)X At)tj bo cuic L1A5AI) rx)\\) 5^3, bA cljpce aY bA cfi&At) a 3-cAC ; a'j* bo b] A3 pfieA|*CAl ua b-"p]At)t), 30 ^inn^S* "T1? tt*N» ^A feA*-
Jf AT)t) bO CU]C 2t)eA1)5*Vt) CAOtn,
bA cojiCAftCA bejrn a b-cftorr) sleo ; 2t)eAr)bu|fte A5uj* CiAt;AbC\r>, CAlrrjA,
C|t]U|l bA TT)6jt TT)v\1C 5 At) 56 !
)y Ai)t) bo cu|c Lon^Ajrie bA cfteAi), C|A|ibAi) bot)u bA ctjeAfbA rrjejw ;
3A|l3<Xt> bO CO|*3A|tCAC Cl)Att)A, 2t)]At)At7 a']* ^DoOp-TjlAJpe bA CAOTT).
Jf At;i) bo cujc Ce]|t]t)2 coy caoI, CfiuAbAT) a'i* 2lob r>A t)-6fi rpeAr)i), c|t]A|t bob' pA||tnt)3 cA]l a'|* clii, a'|* bA ri7A]c luc a r^leo t>a Ur)t).
)y AT)T) bo cujc "pollArbAr) btlAbAC BiofAi), LiiAife, <t)AO|fe a']* I.A13 ! CA]t}ce, I^oijat), a']- ^Aiue feirb- tD|iuilleA6, BIaoS, A3uf CeAt)t)CA][t.
J|* At)i) bo in]z Cufti)&t) bcobA,
Koi3i)e, oloiftoe, CjAjt a'|- BjtAb ;
Be All A] fie, CuutTjjT), a' 1* 2t)eAi)ubat) rtjeAft,
tAij-tje, "pftAOc, N|aII aV O^r*
1 CniA5^t). This name is similar to the present O'Cregan, and pro- bably the Ulster family of that name descended from him.
197
0. Twas there Caol the poetic and swift fell, Bolgaire, Searc, and Criagan ; Four stout and hardy heroes, Alas that they are away from me !
'Twas there fell Liagan of the smooth limbs, The active and mighty in battle ; He who entertained the Fians, Plentifully, freely, and generously, in his time.
'Twas there gentle Meangan fell,
Whose blow was deadly in fierce battle,
Meanduire and Cianadan the brave,
Three of great worth, without exaggeration !
'Twas there the mighty Lorgaire fell,
Ciardan the brown [haired] of gentlest disposition, Gargan the hacker of bones, Mianan and Donn-ffhlaire the mild.
O'
'Twas there Ceirin, the slender-legged, fell, Cruadan and Aedh, of the goldeu diadems Three whose fame was wide spread, And who were expert in the fight of spears.
'Twas there the victorious Follamhan fell, Biosan, Luaise, Daoise, and Laig; Cainte, Lionan, and Gaine the gentle, Druilleadh, Blaodh, and Cionntair.
'Twas there fell Curnan the lively, Roighne, Gloirne, Ciar and Brad, Beallaire, Cuirnin, and Meanndan the swift, Laisne, Fraoch, Niall and Glas.
2 Ceinfo- There are numerous families in Ireland, at the present day bearing this name.
198
i
O. )y &t)\) bo tiifc 21)uaUm; tja ij-e^cc,
a 5-cjtuA&50|l tja 5-cAC bA ceAurj; A5iif lortMb ejle, a Pb&tjiAic miAb ! i?ac b-pu|l|ti) bA Iua6 at;oh* atjii.
P. ) \)v>\ x &*"? 0]f\\), n)'<x\ cuirtjp;) leAC,
c'a'ti cji|a11a6 Isac a'x lefp ai) b-'peitji; J
T<\Jl b~p^5bJV]l At) A|t-CT)01C 6)b,
leAr) 30 -pfoji a'[* r)A car) b]ie<v5 !
0. <t)o criu|r)i)eAn?A]ri Aft 5-co|t; 'f<vri i)5A&A]ri, a cl6]riic j:6 ^e|6]ni, a't* t)| bft&A5; bo luAbrtitqri u|le bul bo fe^lj, A|i bftUAC a't* Art lc|ti5 1.oca L&iri.
)l* £AbA rrjife, a Pb&cjiAic T)ua6 ! 5AI) beACA A5 Iua& buic t*5&aI ; r)] cofrbuil leAC t)A leb' <Db|A, 5u|i Ab iot)tr)uiT)e l|b cliAft t;A rtie !
P. TAbAiji cuAitu|*5bAil da fe1^3e 6u|i?o^
a Oiriu ! <m* ruio v°v c-iroc^ij ;
lijij]]* bui^t) Ai)rr)Ar)t)A i)A 5-coi) fAOice, a't* tja i)5<x8a|i b<v b|i)t) 511c a'|* 5&J ji.
O. 21 PbC\C|tA]C ! bo jeAbAit) 50 Ia At) bflAC,
ihjccacc a'i* c|t<\cc Afi At; b-^ejtop ; A|ji A]t 5-cor)A]b, A'r* ati i)5AbA]ri guc-bjijtj, uc ! if* c|tiiA5 At; bjc a bejc bA r>be|r '•
1 Aliter, ')<* t)-eac, of the Bteods.
109
0. 'Twas there fell Mualan of the exploits, In the midst of the battle's rage ; And many more, 0 recent Patrick ! That I cannot now name.
P. Tell me, Oisin, if thou rememberest, Where you and the Fenians went ; When ye left the slaughter hill, Relate truly, and tell no lie !
0. We gathered our hounds and dogs,
0 Cleric in want ! and 'tis no falsehood,
We all agreed to go and hunt,
On the banks and plains of Loch Lein.
Long am I, OP atrick, lately arrived ! Without food, telling thee tales ; 'Tis not likely that thou and thy God, Would be fonder of the clerics than of me.
P. Relate to us an account of the chase,
0 Oisin ! and leave off thy complaining ; Tell us the names of the high-bred hounds, And the dogs most melodious in voice and cry.
0. 0 Patrick ! I could till doom's day, Go on and tell about the Fians, Of our hounds and melodious dogs, Alas ! how sorrowful to live after them !
sejis to cd 2i tejM.
o. 5iiiAire"vr^AOi&^e M) M01^ &0 wait1*
CAjt 'e]x caca At) A|jt bo't) b-)-e]uo;
50 |iAt;5ArrjA]|t At) f A]cce feA't-^lAf iib,
A|t bfiUAC C]urbj*Aib tocA tefi).1
Jf e fjt) at? loc if &]lije r361"?- biv b-pu|l po'i) t)5|ieit) 50 beAcc ;
If ]OtT)8A t*COfl AC& o't) b-'pejT)!),
Ai)i) 5 At) bfie|3 a b-CA'fse a t)0cc !
P. Jt)t)ir bup)t), A 0|nu F6]l|
ciot)i)Af b'pAt) o't) b-"pe]t)t) |*ai) loc ;
c|A aco 6ft t)6 A]|i5eAb e,
A'f cjteAb at) ce]tr) bo msoe a 601*5.
O. 2lc& At)T) fl'lb fAT) cAob iu&]&,
CAO^Ab lu|fieAC 50|ltT) slaf, ACA AT)1) f*Al) CA0b |;1,A|t, CA05Ab clojAb A1) AOt) IcACC.
1 loc le|t), Loch Lein. This was the ancient name of tire lakes of Ivillarney in Kerry, retained to the present day. The O'Cearbhaills or O'Carrolls, of the race of Aedh Beannan, king of Minister, were chiefs of tliis district, and had their residence there; but the O'Donn- chadhas, (of the second branch of whom The O'Donohoe, M.P., is the present lineal representative) ; who were originally seated in the plain of Caiseal (Casheil), having settled at Loch Lein, dispossessed and reduced the O'Carrolls, with other families descendants of Conaire Mor, and erected a new territory, to which was given the name Eoganacht Locha Lein ; and afterwards Eoganacht Ui Dhonnchadha. One of the live prerogatives of the king of Minister, was to remain to enjoy the it of Loch Lein from one Monday to another; and, according to the poet Bcnean or Benignus, who is said to have been a disciple of St.
THE CHASE OF LOCH LEIN
0. We proceeded, such of the Fians as survived, After the battle of the great slaughter, Till we reached the verdant plain, On the banks and borders of Loch Lein.
This is the lake — the fairest to be seen, That is under the sun truly ; Many treasures belonging to the Fians, Are in it, doubtless, secured this night.
P. Relate to us, 0 generous Oisin,
How they were left by the Fians in the lake, Or whether it be gold or silver, And what it is that detains it there ?
0. There are there in the northern side [of the lake] Fifty blue-green coats of mail ; There are in the western side, Fifty helmets in one pile !
Patrick, the king of Loch Lein was exempt from paying tribute to the king of Caiseal. Here are his words; — " p|l cnj tM5A a 2t)uii)Aii) TTjom,
a (5)^'^n b0 cbAini Pi com, nj 3Abnix]tj nj 5AbchA|t 5&7U, nj RAjchleAnft, nj lAch* l&|n."
There are three kings in great Mumha, Whose tribute to Caiseal is not due ; The king of Gabhran whose hostages are not to be seized on The king of Rathleann, the king of Loch Lein.
leAbAfi ha 5-CeAftc, pp. 58, 59.
The following stipends were given by the king of Caiseal to the king of Loch Lein : — Seven steeds, seven drinking horns, and seven shields, and seven hounds (lb. pp. G8, ()9). And at pp. 256, 257> (Idem), we find the
202
O. 21ca Apr; j*ai) CAob ceAf,
beic 5-ceAb clo]8eArb leACAi} 31at), bejc 3-ceAb rsjAC a']* ao Dojtb 'PblAijt),
a'|* At} BAftyt-bllAb ATI AOt) ]tiAr>.
2lcA Apr) fAt) CAob fo|tt,
6|t aY eAbAc 50 leojt, a'|* 301I ; fcori bob' iort)AricAc le riAb,
C|5eAb A 3-C&IT) 3AC lA CATl TT)U||t.
Cia bo|li3 bo feATjojri t)a p-beois, a Pb^c|t<\|c ! pAO] bjior) bA Iua6, a |tA|b A5uit)o bo cot)A]b fAO]ce, a't* bo jAbAift 3uc-b]r;rj bo TjeAbAiri uAirrj.
<Do by AT)t) SseolAtj A5Uf BftAl},1 lort)A]rie, Bftob, A5u|* Lorrj-luc, cui5 corjA a b-ciif feil^e AV "5V]owa, t)Ac p5A]tAb cojbce le y-]or)v !
<t)o b] A5 fioprj bo 5A&ATt<\]b b]t)t)e, UAjctfjtij Bpio^rbAri, A5uf UAjU-beo ; SceAlUnte BeACCATjte aY cD]Ar)-rt^r', CAllAyrie, )riAbrr;Arj aY S3]ATtld3.
4)0 bj A|5e 2l)At;Airie A3uj* "CjieAij, tuAf, Saocajx, SeAjtc aY Cu<\|rib,
KAbAi|ie, '5]i]M)1\r), ASiif 'puAirt). following awards granted by the king of Caiscal to the king of Loch
Lein ! —
"&o ni l*cbA le|i) lebAiri
blJ5l& cunjAio chajribeAtijA|l,
FIC) b6 ACUf Wcbl ©AC,
ficbl I005 &6 — fji spocb bfiCAcb."
To the king of extensive Loch Lein, Is due a friendly return, Twenty cows and twenty steeds, Twenty ships to him — no bad award.
See also Windcle's Notices of Cork and Killarney, and Mrs. Hall's Hand- book for Killarnetj.
203
0. There are in the southern side
Ten hundred broad and glittering swords ; Ten hundred shields and the Dord Fhiann, And the Barr-buadh likewise .
There is in the eastern side
Gold and raiment in plenty, and spoils,
Treasures too many to describe,
That came afar each day across the sea.
Though [it be] doleful for an old man living after them, 0 Patrick ! to be in sorrow recounting them, The names of all our well-bred hounds, And melodious dogs you will get from me.
We had there Sgeolan and Bran, Lomaire, Brod, and Lom-luth ; Five hounds foremost in the chase and actions That never parted Fionn !
Fionn had of melodious dogs, Uaithnin, Brioghmhar, and Uaill-bheo; Steallaire, Reachtaire, and Dian-ras, Callaire, Fiadhman, and Sgiarlog.
He had also Manaire and Trean, Luas, Saothar, Searc and Cuaird ; Banduir, Cathbuadh, aud Liasan. Radaire, Grianan, and Fuaim.
1 Here Oisin relates to St. Patrick the names of the principal hounds which the Fenians brought from Cnoc-an-air ; and if we are to rely upon the category, many of the names have something significant about them ; — For instance — Brioghmhar, signifies the strong or vigorous; Uaill- bheo, a lively howl ; Steallaire, spatterer ; Dian-ras, swift in the chase ; Trean, strong ; Luas, swift ; Saothar, expeditious ; Searc, affection ; Cuaird, to go on an errand ; Cath-bhuadh, victorious in battle ; Radaire, pleasing; Grianan, sunbright ; Fuaim, noise ; Lom-bhall, bare-limbed: Monaran turf-ranger ; Feargach, wrathful ; lias, race.
The classical reader will, no doubt, recollect a similar enumeration of
204
O. <t)o bj Ai5e lorn-bAll A3U|* 2t)or)AtiAr), peAt^AC, fe^]iA\), Botjt) A5uf RAf, Ct?A5Ai|te, "peirtjo, ^uy BAll-uri, 2t)AllA]fie, T^tteAt)-luc ^511^ R]t)r)-bA|i.
<Do bj A|5e pop 'DuArjAij rrjeAjt, SuAtjAt), BeAttc, A5uf "peall, LeA5A|]te, Vo\i&]]ie, A3ut* Sl]ornAt), C\\]i]]ie, LAttbAjtAt), A5u|* 36aU.
215 y\X) A5A&|*A A PrjACftAIC bA|t) !
At? Ijot) cot) Ailtje a'f 5A8A|t cftfeAr) ;
bo ]tu5 "pjOT^r) 6 ctjoc At) Aijt,
50 le]|t5 a']* 50 fleAf A]b Loca L6it).
'Do bj A5 Ofcup. bo f*AO|c cor>A|b,
"peAb A3U]* "pof*CAi5, CIuaii) a']* pAobAji ; 2l|pe, 2t)ifte, "pAijte, *'r tuAf, OaoI, 5fluAirt), pjofi a'i* CaoI.
<Do bj 't)A T)-bA]l bo 5A&ftAib bitjtje, CleAt-, "pjlleAb, 2^ai3, AV ^U<M3>
2UcAt), "pAftJlAlflC, SjC-C|tUA]b A*f 3eA|t]t,
<DfiAt)Aifie, Kejrt), ObAi)r> a'j* Cuai),
<Do bj A)5e Lo|t5A]|te, *pe|ceArb a']* Botjt), Co|*5A]|te, ^eArt), BuaIcAi), a']* 'ptiAoc, CeA^At), 2t)cAt)3, PpeAbAi]xe, a'|* Pjat),
SqiACAIfte, HjAI), 31°PAt) A'}* CAOtt).
<Do bj A3 "pAolAt) bo cot)Aib A|ltje,
21i)-UaiII ATjibAjt, UajU A3iif Toj*ca|3,
BoqtcAi), "pOAtt)Ai|te, CaoIaij a'|* Cuac,
'DaoIAi;, SuAi), 2l|ifi a f }roc|u\rt).
tlie names of Acteon's dogs, that pursued their master, transformed into a stag by the goddess Diana, in punishment for having surprised her whilst bathing with her nymphs (Ovid's Metamorphoses, lib. iii.) The Latin poet, however, is neither so tedious nor so unvarying in his enu- meration, as the Irish bard, in the present instance, for having given distinctive characteristics to his dogs. He breaks off with the words: —
20o
0. He had Loin-bhall, and Monaran,
Feargach, Fearan, Bonn and Has, Cnagaire, Feirin, and Ball-ur, Mallaire, Trean-luth, and Rinn-bhar,
He had likewise Duanan the swift, Suanan, Beart, and Feall ; Leagairc, Foraire, and Sliomhan, Crithire, Larbharan, and Geall.
Ilere thou hast, 0 Patrick ! the fair [haired] The number of fine hounds and stout dogs, Which Fionn brought from Cnoc-an-air, To the plains and borders of Loch Lein !
Oscur had of true bred hounds
Fead and Fostaigh, Cluain and Faobhar, Aire, Mire, Faire and Luas, Daol, Gruaim, Fior and Gaol.
He had along with them of melodious dogs Cleas, Filleadh, Maig and Ruaig, Altain, Farraire, Sith-chruaidh and Gearr, Dranaire, Reim, Obann and Cuan.
He had Lorgaire, Feitheamh and Bonn, Cosgaire, Feam, Bualtan and Fraoch, Cealgan, Meang, Preabaire and Pian, Stracaire, Rian, Gloran and Caouih.
Faolan had of fine hounds An-Uaill the lucky, Uaill and Fostaigh, Barcan, Feamaire, Caolan and Cuach, Daolan, Suan, Arr, and Fothram.
" Quosque referre mora est." — Lib. iii., v. 225.
In some of our modern Anglo-Irish hunting songs and ballads, the names of the dogs of the chase are likewise given. Can it be that our bards and song-writers followed a classical model, without a consciousness of the fact?
200 O. too bj A]5e bo JA&jiAib b]t)t)-5l6ftAC,
C0I5AP, }-Af5<v, T^rjorbAr; A'f CjteAc, ^l^-fSniOT) TPeAll, lUill-biT)D, a't* tents-
430 bj A^e pof 5l*1ti|J AV BeolAij,
"CftuA&o^r), C^Aitbocc, A3u|* Ci<\t)-cu<\ijtb,
OcCAt), joljllAUt, pleAS, A3Uf "pOfCAIS.
too bj A5 3°H &0 corjAib f Ao^ce,
5luAj|te, B103A, CjteACC a'j* 2l]|tc ; C]Ar), Fa8a]ic, &]fbeAcc a'j* Pajiic, 'CjteArj-luc, B^ifte, &iqoll a'f }-eAf.
too bj A^e "puUtjs A3uf 6Abficrr>, T^uAfiAr), 6/A5A, A311J* "CeAi^ij; 2ijtb-leirt), S^|t-|tuic, A3Uf JtijcjAt), 3<x^bAtj, )-|<nU, A3u|* LeAijAt).
too bj A|5e bo 5A6jtA]b uA]U-b|t)r), Bo5-l6|rr), S5JC, 5°lar; A3ur Cojjt, SeAjib&r>, ^P0*3-"*!^ A3uf SeACjiAij, "pOTjluAirrj, 'peAb-^Ant, A3uf KArjcofft.
too bj Ai5e pof 2t)A0il|r) b^ t>rj,
TuAft3Anae, R103, A3U|* 2lrr)AUr),
to|tAUA]fte, NjTTJ-piACAll, A3Uf ScftACA,
CluAt)<x]fte, TDftorn-TjeAftft, A5uf* SeAjtc&t?.
too bj bo cot) Aib A3 2t)Ac Lu^Acb,1 SeAbAC, Lu]i)3eAC, A5Uf 6||tle<\c ; 2t)6fi-cAir), Currj&T), A3U|* "puAftrtjA,
2lolAT}, S5UAbA, A3Uf "pAob^fl
1 2f)ac liiSAcf). This Fenian chief was son of Daire Dcarg, son of Fionn Mac Cunihaill. His mother's name was Luiglicach— so called from luigh, to swear, because all the females belonging to his household swore that she was a daughter of Fionn. Hence he was called Mac Lu-
207
0. He had of melodious dogs
Marbhan, Forfhogra, Fiar and Teilig, Colgan, Fasga, Finomhan and Creach, Leir-sgrios, Feall, Uaill-bbinn and Leirg.
He had also Glaisin and Beolan,
Formaoil, Ciarbhan, Gluais and Lorg, Truadhnan, Ciarbhocht and Cian-clmaird, Ochtan, Iolghuair, Fleagh and Fostaigh.
Goll had of noble hounds
Gluaire, Bioga, Creacht and Aire, Cian, Radharc, Eisdeacht and Pairt, Trean-luth, Baire, Eitioll and Feas.
He had also Fulang and Eadrora, Fuaran, Eaga, and Teanan, Ard-leim, Sar-ruith, and Imchian, Garbhan, Fiall, and Leanan.
He had of melodious dogs
Bogleim, Sgith, Golan and Toir, Searbhan, Grod-uaill, and Seachran, Foghluaim, Fead-ghair, and Rantoir.
He had likewise Maoilin the melodious, Tuargaire, Ring, and Amalan, Dranaire, Nimh-fhiacail, and Straca, Cluanaire, Trom-ghearr, and Searcan.
Mac Lughach had of hounds
Seabhac, Luingeach, and Eirleach, Mor-than, Cuman, and Fuarma, Aolan, Sguaba, and Faobhar.
gliach, after his ruothei's name; because it was considered disgraceful to call him after his father. It was Lughaidh Lamlia the Momonian that struck Fionn at the feast in the palace of Tara. Vide Agallamh na Sean. oiridh, or Dialogue of the Sages.
208
O. too b] A^e bo 5A8|tA]b beobA,
LuAbft^r), SeoUb, A3Uf CACAb ; Cul-fAOfi, 2t)|oi)-5A]]te, 45117 ScuAirr?,
B|Ab&r), BftUACAjft, A5Uf CAfA8.
too b] A]5e pof JorpUr) CjauAij, CAO|i&r>, touAiftc, A5tif Cu]le65. 2lft5u|r>, B]teAC-bAll, A^uf toutjuifi, 2t)eAji-bAll, "p]OT)r»&ui|t, A5Uf* C|tiif*l63.
too h] A3 21)ac Kot)Ain 3|tii)i}, bo cot)A]b luA]te A5u|* fAOice, CuAtj-co|rt)6A&, A5uf 2t)ACA]|te rpeA|t, Crj^TT^Ac, UftlAC, A5111* 3A°]ce.
too b] Ai5e yoy N]Art7ftAc Iua^c, 2l|t)rbeAft, CuAjpc, A3uj* N<jaI, BoIac, LAb|tu|p, Ajuf B0I3 reAr>3, 2t)eAt)trm|t), peAm, ^up CjiAOpc.
too b] A^e bo TjAbjtA^b po^luAirntjeAC, CjtAipleijt, Suatj, A5iif "Coirs; Cu]i;t)e, 3"^5^^ toocc, a'j* to6|c, BuAtjAtj, "poitt, A5iif poire-
too b] A]5c touA]xb^y A5111* St)*p, \.ow&V, Cac, A3U|- CAOfSuft ; CA|b'itj, 3eAlar;, a'|* Liu\|c-3loAf,
pOICjlJ, BeAf, A3U|* Bao||*c.
too bj A)3e pop 3A1l^-UAl^ 5&A|i,
"pUA|C|l), "CAOrtJAb, A3UJ* LojtC&TJ,
2Upu|fie, 5lub-5*Wj A3ur CeAjtc, Cuatjajji, BoyuUlce, A311J* UAnjiuj.
209
O. He had of sprightly dogs
Luadran, Seoladh, and Tacadh, Cul-saor, Mion-ghaire, and Stuaim, Biadan, Bruachair, and Casadh.
He had likewise Iomlan the hardy, Caoran, Duairc, and Cuileog, Arguin, Breac-bhall, and Dunuir, Mear-bhall, Fionnduir, and Truslog.
Mac Ronain the social had, Of swift and noble hounds, Cuan-choimead, and Machaire the swift, Cnamhach, Urlach, and Gaoithe.
He had also Niamhrach the swift, Ainmhear, Tuairt, and Neall, Eolach, Ladruin, and Bolg the slender, Meanmhuin, Feara, and Traost.
He had of well bred dogs Craipleir, Suan, and Toisg, Cuinne, Guagan, Docht, and Doith, Buanan, Foir, and Foisg.
He had Duardan and Snap, Loman, Cath, and Caosgur, Caibin, Gealan, and Luaith-ghleas, Foithin, Beas, and Baoise.
He had also Garbh-uaill the sharp,
Fuaithin, Taomadh, and Lorcan,
Alpuire, Grod-ghair, and Tearc,
Cuanair, Bonnlaice, and Uamhan. 14
210
O. <Do bj A3 (t)|A|trt)u|b 0'(Dit|bt)e,
bo cor)A]b f AO|ce a lorrj luc, C6|f|]t Nojuji) A5iif 3eA]t-leAt)A toujlleoT, l,6|,T?pAbA, A5iif Clujb.
<Do bj A]5e bo 5A8|SA]b I'ejlje, CuaIai;, Lo|ji5eAc, Ajuf ol&pij, <t)ub-rue|8]ri), ]roUAj|ie, A5uf Jajijiacc., *;-(u\|icCvi;, 3ku'?<MTie> A^uf 21oi)A]tAi;.
&J I] bo cot;A]b A3 3-^f* CAorb,
OjteAbA||te, Soa]*3, A3up 2l)5|t-6A]l, LitAbAij, Burjj'Ac, SeAr>3A|jte, a'|* CjhaII, Loji3^;), Sc|aIIa|jis, a 5 up 'CjtCvccAij.
lt)0 bj bO 3A&flA]b A]36 T)A b-pOCA]U,
JaIIaij, Co|*5Ai|t, I^jisAp A3up "CjunjAb ; C]m;v\t), ^^l^bjij, "PaIIa A3u|* "CjieAi;, RjAnjAi;, Seifice, Bajic A311P Cjtii.
'Do bj A3 FeAji3iir pile pblUD, bo couA^b bA 3ujorbAc, Iua]c;
OjObAt), pUAbAC, A3U|* Rji;-|tU]C,
LuAbfiAi;, "puiiweATi), 3<o<M?') A3U|* <Du|l. (t)o bj A]3e bo 3A&ytA|b ^lArrj-birnjc,
pUAC&l,), <DlACt, )~J0|l AJU}' L]01)AI) ;
Cua|*ac, Bic-bjrji;, Asm* 3ttUAS^c,
U Art) AC, BleACC, A3llf (DIaccaij,
Do bj A3AmfA y.c]\), a PbC\cjtA|c !
A3ur A3 c^c 6 pig fUAf j
a i;-c^A3it)Air ua 3-cotj A'f i;a U3A8A[t iib, bo|6 3-ccAb Aji luc ijac b-pujljn) bo liiAb.
211
O. Diarmuid O'Duibhne had,
Of noble, fierce, and swift hounds, Coisir, Noinin, and Gear-leana, Duilleog, Leim-fhada, and Oluid.
He had of dogs for the chase, Cualan, Loirgeach, and Glaimh, Dubh-ghreidhim, Follaire, and Iarracht, Fuarcan, Glamaire, and Aonaran.
Glas the gentle, had of hounds Treabhaire, Seasg, and Mor-dhail, Luaban, Bnnsach, Seangaire, and Triall, Lorgan, Stiallaire, and Trachtan.
lie had of dogs along with them,
Iallan, Cosgair, Treas and Trughadh, Cianan, Gaimbin, Falla and Trean, Riaman, Scirce, Bare and Cru.
Feargns, Fionn's poet, had, Of swift and active hounds ; Giodan, Fuadach, and Rin-ruith, Luadran, Fuinneamh, Geibheann and Duil.
He had of dogs of the sweetest cry, Fuathan, Dlacht, Fior and Lionan, Cuasach, Bith-bhinn, and Gruagach, Uamach, Bleacht, and Dlachtan.
I had myself, 0 Patrick ! And so had all the rest, Besides those hounds and dogs, Ten hundred more for the chase that I do not name.
212 P. )W]V a 0]y]\), ija u-eAcc 6ftuAi6 !
IT i^3i)A lion? t)5 |f 3cA|tji 5Ufi cii|C, f]A]6 lej|i3e At) Ioca lib?1
O. 2i PbAc]iA]c! a 5-c;j,a1a ci'i At) c-fe]^,2
a rhic 2!lpjtiijr) t)A pfAlrn f&tij ! ti?An bo ui~;;e a:; beAij le 'pjOTjr), a f 5A1; ao») t)eAC Ar)t) t)A corr)&A]l.
P. M] b5]C 50 5-CUAlA A rblC At) fi]5 f
A 0irjt> 5I1C, i;a t;5i)iorb t»3^r-3; A|C|t|f 8u]t)t) 5A0 cu||tfe bfioiv,
c|ot)aj* bo |ti5rje led At) c-feAl3
0 o •
O. M] cAijnjAOjftje At) "pb]Ai)t) 30,3 t)jo|t cu|be § bo fArbliijAb l<?o, le jqfijtjrje a'j* le t)eA|ic Aft Iah), bo c]3rr)AO||* j-'lAt) op 3AC sleo.
Mjofi fU|8 t)eAC Ab c|ll,
A PbAcjlAjC, |f bft)t) pUAltt) 3I0JI !
bob' f}]ft]T)?)]3o t;a "piot)t) pfe|t),
At) feAjt 1)Aft caoI bo bft01)Ab 6]t. M]0|i |'-U]8 t)OAC A 5~C|U,
5(6 b]T)rj l|b a CAi)A]b p|*A]lrt),
bob fe£fl|t fOCAl t)A At) pb]A1)t),
f jjt ij&ji lo|c a i)3leo 3A]tb.
1 /}/j7cr " 2ltj p|A6 nn MJ 1«ca ii&."
The deer of that lake.
U 5-CUaU cii Ai) c-re)l5 ? //are you /icarrf 0/ <^e chase f The chase referred to here is that of Sliabh Fuaid, (which will be given in a subse- quent volume of our Transactions), where Ailne transformed herself
213
T. Relate, 0 Oisin, of the marvellous deeds ! Without falsehoods, a lay of the chase ; I am mistaken, or you soon slew The deer of the plains of that Lake.
0. Patrick ! have you heard of the chase, 0 son of Alpruin of psalms sublime ! That the woman caused to Fionn, And no one present in his company.
P. 'Tis not likely I have heard, 0 son of the king ! 0 Oisin the wise, of terrible deeds, Relate to us without the sadness of sorrow, How the chase was performed by them ?
0. We, the Fians, told no lies,
Such should not be laid to our charge ; By truth and the strength of our hands, We came unhurt from every battle.
A cleric never sat in thy church, O Patrick, of the melodious voice ! More truthful than Fionn himself, The man who was not niggardly in bestowing gold.
None sat in a temple, Though sweet ye think they chant psalms, More strict of their word than the Fians, Men who faltered not in fierce conflict.
into a deer in order that the Fenians may give her chase, for the purpose of entrapping them, to be avenged for the death of her husband and sons who fell at Cnoc-an-air.
3 56, a lie. This expression very frequently occurs in Fenian poetry, because a strict adherence to truth was one of the chief characteristics of the Fians. Even at this day a liar is held in utter contempt by the peasantry.
214 O. <tK\ nMijtpeAb 2t).\c 2t)dftr)A Tt)eATt,
1)6 3o^ CAlrT)A T)&|1 CAft f &Ab J
1)6 21)ac Uj ^b^b^e i)<x n)-bAT), at) Iaoc bo cu]fteA8 cac aji 66Ab!
ltK\ r^AijtpeAb peA^ut; p]le 'pblWj
peAji a sce^c bo |tO|T)i) Att At) b-^eji)!); 1)6 'D&ute bo feit)r)eA8 3AT) locc, a i)5uc t)<x 5-CI05 vj\ bejc rrjo tP^lf'
43a Ti)AT|tt;eA8 2t)eA|i3Ac t)a Iat)t),
AT) £eAJt T)Aj1 5AT)T) A3 CUfl AT) Al,ft ; OfCUTt aY 2t)AC Koi)A|T) 5|tJT)T), bO CJtOT)AT) ]*AT) 5"C|U T)]0|t f'ATT) !
<£)<\ TT)ATpt;eA8 2lo8 BeAj rt)AC f\)\i)t),
T)6 pAoUvT) 5|t|T)T) 1)Aft &AT1JI T)eAC, T)6 C0T)C\T) TTJAol bO bj 3AT) 3ftUA]3,
1?; T,Ab b'p A3 n;e pAO] 31,111*1,11) le peAl !
Mo' i) c-AbvVC beA3 bo bj A3 "p|oi)i),
bo cujfteAb 3AC aot) a b-co]fic]n) puAjt) !
bA b|i)i)e Ijott) puAjri) a n)eAfi,
i)*v b-pujl bo cl6]]t a 3-C|U 'f A b-cuAC !
Of A1)0|p T)AC TT)A1JteAT)T) AT) "F^AT)!), T)& 'plOI)!) t;i,AlTT)<X|t T)A T)-bUAf ; bO bo8Afl |*|AT)f AT) T)A pfAllT),
a't; 316ft 3Aftb i)A 3-CI03 ri)0 cIuaj*.
P. S3U||l bO b&Al A fCA!)6|ft pilAf^C I
rA b] peApbA A3 Iua8 tja b-)^Ai)T); 50 T)-beACAbAtt cottc TT)A|t at) 3-ceo, AV 3° rrj-bcib 30 beo a r^Up i)a b-pjAt) !
2Yo
0. Had Mac Morna the swift lived,
Goll the mighty, who loved not gems,
Or Mac Ui Dhuibhne, the beloved of women,
The hero who vanquished one hundred [men in battle] !
Had Fergus, Fionn's poet, lived,
He who distributed justice to the Fians,
Or Daire, whose music was faultless,
To the sound of the bells I'd give no heed.
Had Meargach of the spears lived,
He who was not scanty in dealing slaughter,
Oscur and Mac Ronain the pleasant,
Thy humming in the church would not be agreeable.
Had Aodh Beag, the son of Fionn, lived,
Or Faolan the pleasant, who refused not any one,
Or Conan the bald, who was without hair,
'Tis they who have left me in gloom for a time.
Or the small dwarf, who belonged to Fionn, Who lulled each one into heavy sleep ; The sound of his finger was dearer to me Than all thy clerics in church and country.
As it is now that the Fians do not live,
Or Fionn the generous, the bestower of rewards, The hum of the psalms and harsh sound of the bells Have deafened my ears.
P. Close thy lips 0 pleasant old man !
Henceforth do not name the Fians ;
They passed off like a mist,
And shall be for ever in bonds of pain.
216
O. $}& rr)6|b clo|5 ac& Ab C|U,
T)) c|tG|bf.*|t)i) bo bfteic Afi At} b-"pejt)!/., i)\ bftejc bo cle[|te acc att)U]1.
Jf* rt)|r)]C A COblAf aiduic Afl fljAb, ^AO] 6flUCC t|AC £AO| b&flft cjtAtjt) ;
a'|* irjofi cleACc l]ort) leAbA 5AT) b]Ab, ^eAb be^c p]A&' Ajt At) 5-ct;oc ub caII !
P. N| bjbeArjt) A5Ab le<\b..\ 5AT) b|Ab,
bo 5e]beAi?r) cu peACt rt)b<\y\i-g]t) Afi^t),
aY r?^of5Ar) rrjofi bo'rj ^rr>,
a'|* ceAC|t<\rbA8 rbA]|ic 5AC AOt) l&.
O. 'Do COt)A|]lC rt)6 CAO|t CAOftCAJflt),2
bvV rbo £AO| 86 t)& bo rbeAf*5<vi) ;
a']* bo corjAfic rr>e builleo5 ei&t)eA|ij,
b<v ri?6 a'j* bA le]ce i)<v bo bAifvijjr) AjtC\|r) !
1 Fjao, c/eer. The most perfect skeletons of this animal, the Cervus Giganteus, as we assume, now known in Ireland, are preserved in the Museums of the Royal Dublin Society, and of Trinity College, where there are three specimens to be seen. There is also a very perfect skeleton in the Belfast Museum, into which we were conducted during a recent visit to that town, by Mr. Robert Mac Adam, a gentleman who takes peculiar interest in matters of archaeology ; and to whose exertions we believe the Museum of that town is mainly indebted for the vast collection of antiquities therein preserved. This skeleton stands upwards of six feet high, and is perfect in every respect.
2 CAori C\oncu|i)n, i.e.. The Berry of the Rowan Tree. It is tradi- tionally recorded that, in order to defeat the argumeuts of St. Patrick, respecting the quantity of food given to Oisin, the latter, though aged and blind, set out, attended by a guide, and on arriving at Glenasmoil, which is supposed to belhe valley of the Dodder, near Dublin ; the guide called his attention to a huge tree bearing fruit of enormous size, of which Oisin, told him to pluck one and preserve it. Proceeding further in the glen, the guide's attention was attracted by the great size of the ivy leaves which covered the rocks, and which from their immense eize overshadowed the valley from one end to the other; of these Oisia
217
O. Though many bells are in thy church,
Chanting and dolefully humming psalms,
I would not credit thyjudgment respecting the Fiaus, Nor the judgment of thy clerics but regard it alike.
I often slept abroad on the hill,
Under grey dew, on the foliage of trees, And I was not accustomed to a supperless bed While there was a stag on yonder hill !
P. Thou hast not a bed without food,
Thou gettest seven cakes of bread,
And a large roll of butter,
And a quarter of beef every day.
0. I saw a berry of the rowan tree Twice larger than thy roll ; And I saw an ivy leaf Larger and wider than thy cake of bread.
also directed him to pull a leaf and preserve it. They then proceeded to the Curragh of Kildare, where Oisin sounded the Dord Fhian, which lay concealed under a Dalian, and a flock of blackbirds answered the call, among which was one of enormous size, at which Oisin let loose a favorite hound that after much wrangling killed the bird. They cut off a leg which they brought home, and laid the rowan berry, the ivy leaf, and leg of the blackbird before St. Patrick, to show that Oisin was right, and tlie Saint wrong in his notions respecting the dietary of Oisin whilst living with the Fenian?. A very curious paper on the Fenian traditions of SLiabh-na-m-ban, where the scene of this legend is laid, by Mr. John Dunne of Garryricken, will be found in the Transactions of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society, for 1851, p. 333.
We are informed that large and luxuriant ivy leaves grow atChapel- izod, county Dublin, and also at Glenasmeil, one of which was procured by an official on the Ordnance Survey, and now preserved as an original illustration of the text, in the manuscript volume of " Letters on the An- tiquities of the county Dublin," preserved in the Archives of the Irish Ordnance Survey Office ; as a proof that the large ivy of former days had not yet degenerated in Ireland. The largest ivy leaf we have seen, grew on the old walls of St. John's Church, Kilkenny, in July, 1858.
21S
O. 'Do COf)AftC tt)§ CeACftA1T)Ab lo|I)>
bA ri)d i)A bo ceACftAti)Ab ti)A|tCAit) ; II* b bo Ijot) mo cftoibe le cuijtfe, be]c Ab C|3f], a boccA|t) !
Jf* TD^rj^c bo bAbAfA 30 j*iaII,
A 1)-<Dui) At? |115 1)Att 5At)lJ,
Ait ^eAb n)]op a 5-CA|c|m bo't) n)-b]Ab, bo b|Ab cAfi x\)&]x 3AC c^otjr).
2t)ui)A n)-be*c t)A 3eA|*A bi Aft 7"blor)t>, a'|* t)A|t rb|At) lejf cuic|ti) cjtib,
A |tA]b Aft 1)eAli) 'fA b-fU]l Ajl I Aft,
i)l clAojbpeAbAojf lArb tdo 7115 !
P. )y e tdo |ti5fi bo beAlbui3 t)eAii),
II* 6 bo beift i)eAftc t)a Iaoc ; If 6 bo curt) at) b]oc-bitAi), If & bo bejjt Mac t)A 3-CfiAob.
Jf 6 bo beAlbu.15 eAf3A a't; 31i|Ar), If 'e bo beitt 1AT/3 Aft IfTji) ; If & bo crtucui3 3011c a't/ f&Aft, 1)1 b"1°T)^t)t) a'i* &acca "pbf)') !
O. Mi Aft cftucu^Ab 5011c 1)A feAft,
cug ti)o ftisfe K^T? a 6ufl ; acc A5 cof*3Ant coftpAfb Iaoc, A5 cofOAti) cfijoc a'i* A3 cuii a clu !
%]\ fumS'l6 Ait itDiitc, Ait fells. Ait i)occAb ti)cift5e a b-cuf 5leo, Aft iti)ntc t;icc|lle a'i* Ait ftjAti), a'i* aji -cciceAti) cac a b-ci5 At) °|l»
219
0. I saw a quarter of a blackbird
Which was larger than thy quarter of beef; Tis it that fills my soul with sadness, To be in thy house thou poor wretch !
I often had pleasant times
In the Dun of the generous king ;
What food I [now] use in a month
I would have left after me at each meal there.
Had it not been for the prohibitions which bound Fionn, And that it was not his wish to violate them, All that dwell in heaven and earth Would not vanquish the hand of my king.
P. 'Tis my king made heaven,
'Tis he who gave the hero might,
'Tis he who held eternal life,
'Tis he who gave blossom to the trees.
'Tis he who made the sun and moon, 'Tis he who brings fish into the lakes, 'Tis he who created fields and grass, Not such were the deeds of Fionn !
O. 'Tis not the creating of fields and grass My king took as his choice, But the hacking of bodies of heroes, Protecting territories, and spreading his fame.
The wooing, the play, and the chase,
The unfolding of banners in the battle's front,
The playing at chess and swimming,
And the entertainment of all at the festive board.
220 O. 21 Pb&cfiAic ! c& |tA]b bo <Dbi<s
At) CAT) CA]I)15 Al) b]f CA|l leATl?
C115 led beAt) ^5 Loci aw t)a lor>5, le'ji cqc ioti)Ab Iaoc t-at) CTieAr* ?
Ho At) CAT) CA1t)15 2t)A3t)U|' XX)0\\,
AT) peATi bA boyib 5leo i)<v|t qrt) ; II* cofrrjuil b& ti)AiJtf:eA& &o <t)blA, 50 5-cuibeocA le "pi<xt)t)<\ib "pbl'H)-
No At) cat) ca.1013 "CajIc tt)ac "C|ieoir>,
At) peAjt aji At) b-'peirjt) bo cuffi at) z-&]\ ! Di leb' <Dbl^ b° cujc At) curtAb, acc le b-Orcufi a tT)eA]*5 c&c.
2lUtT)A,1 Tt)AC Bb^b»^A TT)6]Tt,
le ti)|llci TeAtbA|]t t)A T-I03 crteAt); t)]Ott leoirf) f|t) rrjiv n^tt b0 ^bl^j bul b& cUoib acc "pioi)t) pen).
Jf ]ort)bA cac, Tt)A8tT), aV 3I1A8, bo cort)6ftAb le p]At)!)Aib "Fbl'Wj T)i cuaIa 50 t)-beA|tnAb 6acc, T115 t)A t)Aon) t)iv 51111 8eAti3 a Urb !
p. L6i5eAtr)AOib b'ATi 3-cotT)6ficur- ati 3AC cAob,
A f-OA1)6l|l C^OI) AC& 3AT) C&lllj
cui5 50 b-puil <D|A ati t)eAri) t)A i)-6ftb. a't- ^01)1) fA tH°15c0 u]le a b-pe]t;t) !
O. Ba ri)6|t At) i)^|tte pji) bo tt>bi<x,
3AI) slAf t)A b-p|At) bo bu^i) b')*biot)t), aV ^ia V&V) h,x n)-be|C a m-b|toib,
30 b-cftoibpeAb At) flAlC CAft A ceAt)t). 1 ^4/i'ter, ittUi'M-
221
O. 0 Patrick ! where was thy God,
When the two came across the sea ? [the ships,
"Who carried off the wife of the king of Lochlin of On whose account many a hero fell in conflict.
Or when Magnus the Great landed, He who was in battle fierce, 'Tis likely if thy God had lived That he would have aided the Fians and Fionn !
Or when Tailc Mac Treoin landed, He who dealt slaughter to the Fians, 'Tis not by thy God the hero fell, But by Oscur in the midst of the foe !
Or Alama, the son of Badhma the Great,
By whom Temor of the brave hosts was pillaged, Thy God dared not, had he lived, Go fight him but Fionn himself.
'o'
Many a battle, strife, and conflict, Was waged by the Fians of Fionn ; I never heard of any deed performed [hand.
By the king of the saints, or that he reddened his
P. Let us cease our contention on both sides, O withered old man devoid of sense ! Know that God dwells in heaven of the orders, And that Fionn and his hosts are in bonds.
O. Great would be the shame of God
If he did not release Fionn from his bonds, And if God himself, were a captive, The chief would fight for his sake.
222
O. Njojt f*ulAt)5 Y]°wv ATt Ve*& A TtAe» TjeAC a be^c a b-peitii) t)A i^uaij*, Ai? jtua^IaS A]|t le Ajr^eAb yd 6]t, a 5-CAc r)A r^leo 50 TD-beAji&8 buA8.
)\ n)A]C AT) CeATjTlAC bATT) Aft bo t)bl^>
be]c <\roeAi*3 a cl]&Tiri rrjAri cA]tt) ; 3AT) b|A6, 3A1? eabAC, 5<xr> ceol, 3Atj bejc A3 bfiorjAS 6|fi A]t 8Ajrb.
OAt) 3A]ri tja t)5a8ati t)A tja t-coc, 5AT) be]c A3 co^rbeAb poric tja cuatj ; 5101) a b-^uAfiAf b'eAfbAb at; bib, rr;A]C|n; bo T1J5 r>e]rbe An?' ubAcc !
5atj r')Arb> 3*?> |:|Ab3ui8eAcc, 3ait f]Ot)v,1
5*v ruHi5l6 p]Ai-bAt>, 3AT) rp6nc>
5AT) fujbe ai? jorjAb ttjati bA 8uaI, 3at> poTjluin) cleA]*A lux t)A sleo.
P. 21 feATJOIft CfljOT) AtA Alt bAOU*,
t3U]Ti a't* tja b] as prtiocAl 3AT) ceill ; TtiAicpeAri le <D|A burc a b-tA|i)i3. feAfCA ttta'i* A|l leAc a ti^jti.
O. S^fAirj bu^c r^eit) tiA bob' <t)blA,
a cle]rii3 i)A 5-cliAri v] cabAripAb;
5AC a TTbeAttrjAT* bA rbj-riiAri,
V] buj8eACAf l]orT) ottujb a TTJAjceArb !
P. )y CftuA3 l]orr) bo crtut Cftjoi),
a 0]x'}X) ! t)A bj A5 fjmocaI 5at> ^61^ J if t;Aiti bujc, bAix Ijott) 30 tfoft, Arrtjujlc bo f-joft a?t tb^c <t)e !
1 Aliter, Forjij, music, lands, inheritance, &c.
223
O. Fionn never suffered, in his day,
That any should be in pain or bonds ; Without his ransom by silver or gold, By battle or conflict, till he won success.
It is sufficient punishment for me from thy God, To be among his clerics as I am, Without food, clothing, or music, Without bestowing gold on bards.
Without the cry of the hounds or the sounding horns, Without guarding havens and ports, For what I suffer for lack of food, I forgive heaven's king in my will !
Without swimming, hunting, or Fionn, Without wooing modest women, without sports, Without being seated in my place as was my due, Without learning feats of agility or war.
P. O withered old man who art silly,
Cease henceforth thy foolish talk ;
God will forgive thee all that has passed
If in future thou follow his laws.
0. Satisfaction to thyself or thy God,
0 cleric of the clerks ! I shall not make ; All that I have transgressed of his laws,
1 do not thank you to forgive !
P. I pity thy withered form,
0 Oisin ! cease talking such silly words ; Shameful it is for thee, I believe truly, Thy constant mockery of the son of God !
224
bo rSAjtpAiDt; leb' cI&iji a 5-qiji? ; X)) bejc bACAl 13A leAbAji bAi),
t)2V CI05 C]lACA ATJt) )50 C]ll !
P. 1-&13 cup a bo bejc bAOc,
a rbjc Arj |t]5 bA n)A]C clu ; 5e]ll bo't) ce bo 51)16 5AC tdaic, c|ton) bo ceAtjt) a']* peAc bo 5IUT} !
Bua]1 b'ucc a'|* bojnc bo beoji ! cjie|b bo'ij ce acA 6y bo cjoijr), ce 31111 b']ot)5t)Ab leAc a Iua8, If e bo ft«3 biiAb A]t "pblO'W !
O. 21 PbAC|tA]C ! XX)0 f5^Al C|tUA5 !
T)j b\\)\) l]ort? pUAjri) bo befl ;
5ojlpeAb 50 pjtAp a> Di f. a (Db|A,
acc }~|Ot)r), aY ai? pb|At)r), 5At) bejc bed.
P. B] Ab COfb, A f*OAt)6|Il fuAnic,
c?l«M3» rc^uiu, puAc a'j* peAp5 ; n)A|t bo 50aIIah', A]Cjt|p bujr;t;, cjot;t)Af bo pisue led ai) c-j-OAb; ?
O. MjOft b'joi)5t)A8 8iiji;rj a bejc bftorjAC,
a'|* ceAtji; aji f*lo5 bo bejc b*A|t i)-bjc'; c]A 5u|t n)ii|5 oftujut) 3CA1) A'f 5Ajjte, |f bii|r)i) bob' AbbAjt be|c A5 caoj !
225
0. 0 Patrick ! were I devoid of sense,
I would rid thy clerics of their heads ; There would not be a crozier or white book, Or matins bell in thy church !
P. Cease thou to be silly,
0 son of the king of great fame ! Submit to Him who doetli all good, Stoop thy head and bend thy knee.
Strike thy breast and shed thy tear,
And believe in Him who is above thy head, Though thou art amazed at Him being named, 'Tis He who obtained sway over Fionn !
O. 0 Patrick ! my woful tale !
The hum of thy lips is not sweet to me,
1 shall bitterly cry, and not for God,
But that Fionn and the Fians are not alive !
P. Hush ! thou pleasant old man,
Forsake, shun, hate and anger ; As thou hast promised, relate to us How they performed the chase ?
O. No wonder that we were sorrowful And we bereft of our chief ; Though reproached for smiles and laughter, 'Tis we that had cause to weep !
15
22G
The following Stanzas were written by Caoilte Mac Ronain, on the occasion of some feud arising between the king of Minister and Fionn Mac Cumhaill : —
C2K)JLC6 KO Cl)2tN.
<D'vo5fiAb c<\ca ojtcrA a "pbl'Wj a pfft t)A n?-bfi|ACA|t rt)-b|c-b|i;n ; or cu i'<\]T)]-5 30 CeAim Con 5AI) A]cceo, 5AI} ejlju^Ab.
CorbftAC "pbiuo A'r |t|5 vt)iitbAt), pocAjbe bA rn-bjAb piibAft, A]|i5f| cAc bjob a cc|le, bA cuftACA a 5-c6|tbe||i5e.
21 be]\i]rnY& ]\]h ]tAb V5^, bA ^oft bAn? At; pAjrbiue, b|A|6 bftAC-peAfl a b-2llibuitj, bo't) CAC p05|lA8 ojit a pblDt)'
CAOILTE SANG.
Proclaiming war on thee, 0 Fionn, 0 man of the sweet melodious words ; Because thou hast come to Ceann Con, Without reproaching, without accusation.
The combat of Fionn with Munster's king, A meeting that gave occasion to grief, One of them plundered the other, Their contention was most heroic.
I say unto thee a plain saying, That my prediction is true, There shall be spies at Almhuin, For the war proclaimed on thee O Fionn.
T, ) R N 21 N - 6 5 •
THE LAND OF YOUTH.
KDITED BY
BRYAN O'LOONEY.
DUBLIN:
PRINTED FOR THE OSSIANIC SOCIETY. 1859.
The Council of the Ossianic Society do not hold them- selves responsible for the authenticity or antiquity of the following poem ; but print it as an interesting specimen of the most recent of the Fenian Stories. In the tract which follows it will be found one of the most ancient of the re- cords that describe the exploits of Finn Mac Cumhaill.
TO
WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIEN, ESQ.,
PRESIDENT OF THE OSSIANIC SOCIETY.
Sir, — Pursuant to your wishes, and at your very kind suggestion, T have undertaken the following translation of the Ossianic poem, on Cjn pa n-65 (" Land of Youth,") in the humble but confident hope that I may, however, unpretending as an Irish scholar, be in some measure in- struments in restoring our ncylected lore to its former style and stan- dard.
From my knowledge of the Fenian stories, and Ossianic poems which circulate in this country, I would classify them under three different and distinct heads, 1st, Fenian history, which comprises all based upon fact and supported by the ancient records and chronicles of our country, such as Cac SAbriA, Car CnucA and the like, which it would be absurd to dis- credit against the forcible evidence of our trustworthy annals. 2nd, inventions and poetic fictions which are entertaining, and intended by the authors more to amuse the reader and to embellish history, than, as son;o say, to impose on his understanding, and claim the credit of truth. Sid, the poems and prophecies of Fjonn, Coinioll, CAOilce, and others of the Fiatjpa Cmionn (Irish Militia), which are very interesting, and I should think entitled to as much credit as the early traditions of any other nation.
Some assume that the genuine old poems and stories cannot be dis- tinguished from the modern fictions, and consequently that they caunot be credited, but that all must be considered worthless. This is a very unjustifiable assumption. The Irish scholar will at once know the com- position of the Fenian period, as the language and style is different from that of latter times. From the fourteenth to the beginning of the
230
eighteenth century, we have another class of poems and romantic tales, which exhibit a later stage of the language, but which are well worthy of attention. My own convicton is that the Ossianic poem on the " Land of Youth" is of this last class and date, and from the testimony of many corroborating facts supported by the result of an inquiry which I insti- tuted at your suggestion, I believe it to have been written by the learned Michael Comyn, contemporaneously with the romance of Cottolb ttjac ScAittij, ~\c. (Torolv the son of Starn), about the year A.D. 1749. By comparing Cfa t)& tj-os with the occasionally interspersed verses in the romance of Torolv the son of Starn, &c. whose author is universally ac- knowledged to be Michael Comyn, it will be perceived that there is such a similarity and almost identity of style in them as to leave no doubt that they are both the productions of the same master mind. As further proof of this I may state that an illiterate man of my acquaintance can repeat several verses of it, but knows it under no other name but that of Iao] at) CoinutjrJ; (Comyn's Lay), and that his father had it from Comyn's manuscript. Another man states in a letter to me, that his copy of it was written in the year 1762 by a celebrated Irish scholar, who lived in Ruan, County of Clare. In this poem we have an account of Cfn V& fl-bAojije ry&iie (Land of the good people), the elysium of the Pagan Irish as related to St. Patrick by Oisin, when he returned to Erin after a lapse of more than three hundred years, which he spent in the enjoyment of all bliss, with his charming spouse, the golden headed (haired) Niamh. While Oisin sojourned in the paradise of perpetual youth, it was (it seems falsely) said of him that he was dead, but as those who enter the " Land of the Just" can never die, so Oisin lived until he returned to relate the history of his adventures, and of this happy elysium. The inhabitants, of the eastern countries believed that in the west there was a happy final abode for the just which was called C|n tja n-&*\07ne njAiie (Land of the good people.)
This elysium is supposed to be divided into different 6tates and pro- vinces, each governed by its own king or ruler, such asCjn r>A Tj-05 (Land of youth) Cjri oa n>beo (Land of the Living) Cfn i)« nj-biw6A (Land of virtues) and several others. According to traditional geography and his- tory the " Land of Youth" is the most charming country to be found or imagined, abounding in all that fancy could suggest or man could desire, and bestowing the peculiar virtue of perpetual youth, and hence the name. In the " Land of Virtues," or as some call it, the Land of Vic- tories," (but the latter name 1 suppose to be a mis-translation, as I have never heard of a battle or strife in this country) ; it is all peace, tran- quility and happiness. As there is no conflict there can be no victory — and there is no virtue to be desired which is not to be had on entering
231
this country! The "Land of Life" is supposed to give perpetual life to the departed spirits of the just. These are supposed to be located somewhere about the sun's setting point, and have means of approach, chiefly through the seas, lakes and rivers of this world, also through raths, duns and forts. The seas, lakes and rivers act as cooling atmospheres, while the raths, duns and forts, serve as places of ingress and egress to and from them. There are besides, different grand-gates, as it were, through, out the world, such asC]U Scuinn (Kill Stuifin), situate in Liscannor Bay, supposed to be one of the chief entrances into Cfrv nA n-65 (" Land of youth.") This is said to be a beautiful but small city, marked by the white breaking waves between leACc (Lahinch,) and lior-CeAnnujrt (Liscannor). The white breaking waves, which are always seen in this part of the Bay, are said to be caused by the shallowness of the water over this enchanted little city, which is believed to be seen once in seven years, and of which, it is observed, that those who see it shall depart this world be- fore the lapse of seven years to come ; but it is not supposed tliat those persons die, but change their abode, and transmigrate from this world of toil, into the elysium of the just, i.e. Cfn V* tj-65 (" Land of Youth,") where they shall, at once, become sportive, young and happy, and con- tinue so for ever. It is also believed, that those who see those enchanted spots, are slightly endowed with the gift of prophecy, from the time they see it till they depart this world, and that they pass through this enchanted passage, so magically shewn them, prior to their departure. For further information on CjUScuint) (Kill Stuifin), read Comyn's Ro- mance, called Cacc^a tonoilb tdaic ScAjrin A5Af a cniuri h>ac (the ad- ventures of Torolv Mae Starn and his three sons). Contiguous to this place is another spot called Cnoc ija nos^ibe (Fairy Hill), this was the ancient name of Lahinch, before the death of the Chieftain, O'Connor of Dumhach, (the Sand pits), who had been treacherously slain there, and in memory of whom there had been raised a monument called Icacc uj Cotj- cubAjn (O'Connor's monument), which in Irish is the present name of this little town, but in its anglicised form Lahinch, or Lahinchy, it has lost all sight of the old derivation. It was called Cnoc tjA S(05M6e (Fairy Hill), from its being the meeting place of the fairy nobles of this section of the country, who, it seems, lived on terms of intercourse with the nobles of Cjfi nA n-65 (" Land of Youth,") and this hill is traditionally believed to be the place where both tribes met and held their periodical conferences. The nobles of this country are said to live in the great and large duns, for- tresses, lisses, and raths, and to act as agents to the nobles of Cjft t)A 0-65 (" Land o'f Youth,") and to those of all the states of the lower paradise. One of the duties of their station is to mark the persons suitable to the lower country, and by their supernatural power they meet or send messengers to
232
carry off those persons. It is in the shape of a beautiful lady, such as NlATtj Croo 6m, golden-headed, (haired) Niamh, that this messenger ia generally seeu. After the human creature whom she has visited has seen her, she vanishes in some magic way, and goes hack to her own country. Ere long the person visited will pine away by some formal disease, and will be said to die, but fairy tradition proves that he or she (whichever it may be), does not die, but that they go into this eiysium, where they will become young again and live for ever.
There are several such passages in this country, to describe which, would be both needless and endless. Suffice it to mention a few of the greatest celebrity— 16 or ib brieArAl (O'Breasail's country), jb leicjn, (O'Leihin's country), Inchiquin and Lough Gur. The great Earl of Desmond i3 supposed to have been submerged in the latter, where he is seen once in every seven years, anxiously awaiting the destined hour of return to his country. On reference to the ancient records and Pagan history of different nations, it will be seen that they have their traditions of Pagan elysiums as well as Ireland.
13. O'LOONEY. Monreel, October 6th, 1858.
Since the above was written, the Honorary Secretary to the Ossianic Society has been furnished with a similar legend.
9, Anyksea-st., Dublin, Jan. 20th, 18j9. "Sir,
" There is a similar legend to that related in the following poem told of Oisin's descent, and living for three hundred years in U*irij ija CAoruxc 5U|re (the cavern of the grey shecp>, a large cave which is situated at Coolagarronroe, Kilbenny, near Mitclielstown, in the county of Cork. After the printing of this poem had been decided upon, I wrote to Mr. William Williams of Dungarvan, who is a native of the district, for in- formation respecting any legendary lore connected with this cave, from whom I received the following answer, as being current amoug the pea- santry."
J. O'D.
233
LEGEND OF THE GREY SHEEPS CAVE AT COOL AG A II- RONROE, NEAR KILBENNY.
"Oisin went into the cave, met a beautiful damsel, after crossing the stream, lived with her for (as he fancied) a few days, wished to revisit the Fenians, obtained consent at last, on condition of not alighting from a. white steed, with which she furnished him, stating that it was over 300 years since he came to the cave. He proceeded till he met a carrier, whose cart, containing a bag of sand, was upset ; he asked Oisin to help him ; imable to raise the bag with one hand, he alighted, on which the steed fled, leaving him a withered, decrepid, blind old man."
" On a certain May morning long ago, a grey sheep was seen to come out of the cave, and to go to a neighbouring farmer's field, where she re- remained, until herself and her breed amounted to sixty grey sheep.
" The boy who took care of the sheep, was a widow's only son, a dis- ciple of Pan ; for he played on the bag-pipes.
" His master, the farmer, ordered him one fine day to kill one of the sheep, he proceeded to the field for that purpose ; but the old sheep knowing his intention, and resolving to frustrate it, bleated three times, which instantly brought all the other black sheep around her, when they disappeared altogether into the cave. The boy followed them but having crossed the enchanted stream which runs through the cave, he was unable to return ; as no one ever re-crosscd it but Oisin. On reflecting on the anguish his loss and absence would cause his mother, he raised a mournful strain which he accompanied by the music of his bag-pipes. On every May day from that day to this, the lamentations of the boy, and the music of his pipes are heard in the cave."
L2tO)<Dt) OJSJM 21K -C\)JK N 21 M-65,
2t)Ajt bViCTtiT* ffe bo P&bfiu|5 t)Aori)CA.
P. 21 0|t*JD UAfAll ! A Tt)]C At) |tJ5 !
bo b'peA]tjt s^ori) 5*]r$e > 3I1AC;
AlCTt^f bUIDD A X)0]X 3A1) TbAlJtJ C]01)1)Uf T^Alflir CAjft 6]f T)A b-^ADD ?
O. JrweofAb fjD bujr, a PAbtui|3 rju^b,
5^b bO]lb \]ox\) a Iua8 6f Ajtb CAIfl e\\ AT) caca ^bjtA1 CTtuAjb,
ADD Aft TT)AribA&, tT}0 DUATt ! At) C-Ot*3ATI A3.
LA b'A TiAbArt)Aifit)e u|le At) ^-jadd T^ODD T^lAl 'fATi rbAiji b]t)D At)t), 3]8 50 rt)bA bo]lb, bubAC Aft TS^aI, CAjft &ir Aft UocrtAib befc 30 JTADD !
21 fe|l5 bu|t)D Ati tDAib]D ceobAc, a d'it)1oI bottbA|b Loca l.e|D,2 rt)ATt A TtAjb CftA|DD cutDjtA bA tDjUfe blAc, \ c6ol 5AC cttAc 50 b|t)D A5 fe|D.
tJujt-i^eAb lirjt) ad ejl|C tdaoI, bo b'peATtTt lefTD. |tu]C \ luc ; bj Art 5-coiD 't- Ati D-5AbAjtt 30 l6|fl 50 blue 'da b&|5 pA lAt) fjubal.
1 3^bftA. Garristown in the county of Dublin. See the Introduction to Vol. I. of the Transactions of the Ossianic Society, also the note from Mr. J. Reid in same book, page 112.
Gabbra is not Garristown, but a stream which flows into the Boyne,
LAY OF OISIN ON THE LAND OF YOUTHS;
A3 HE RELATED IT TO SAINT PATRICK.
P. 0 ! Noble Oisin, 0 ! son of the king !
Of greatest actions, valor, and conflicts, Relate to us now without despondency, How thou livedst after the Fians ?
0. I will tell it thee, 0 Patrick ! lately arrived, Though mournful to me to say it aloud : — " After the hard battle of Gabhra, In which was killed, alas ! the noble Oscar.
One day we, the Fianna, were all assembled,
Generous Fionn and all of us that lived were there ; Tho' dark and mournful was our story, After our heroes being overcome.
We were hunting on a misty morning Nigh the bordering shores of Loch Lein, Where thro' fragrant trees of sweetest blossoms, And the mellow music of birds at all times.
We aroused the hornless deer
Of the best bounding, course, and agility ; Our hounds and all our dogs Were close after in full chase.
not far from the hill of Skreen, near Tarn, in the County of Meath. — J. O'D.
2 loc lejp, the old Irish name of the Lakes of Killarney in the county of Kerry.
236
O. HjOft b'f^AbA 30 bpACAfTJAfft A V]*]*'
At) TTJAftCAC bf At) A3 teACC CU3Af1)t) !
aot) TTjACAori) tijtja bo b'Aflle bfteAC, Aft CAel-eAC bAt) bA rrjffie luc.
4>o fCAbArrjAfft ufle be'13 cfeil.3, Aft ATfjAjtc beflbe t>a fif05-rt)r)A ; bo JAib ]OT)5Ar)cAr T^opr; 'f aij Tf AtW, t)ac pACAbAft fi[Arb beAt) corn bjteA5 !
Bj coftofn ftjoTjSA Aft a ceArjn,
A3ur bftAC bonn be'n c-ff obA bAOft ; buAjlce ]te fteulcAfb beAjt5 6fft, A5 jtoIac a bfto5A fjof* 30 pfcAfi.
Bj pAjoe 6fjt Aft cfiocAb nof,
a|* 5AC buAl buj be b'A blAOjj rnAft 6ft ; a ftoj^A 50firr)A, sIatja 5AT) frnujb TTjAft bjtAon bftuccA Aft bAft At) peofft.
Ba befft5e a 3ftuAfb 'rjA at) ftof,
T t>A 31^e A ro68 'oa oaIa Aft cufrjt) ; bA rnjllfe bUf* a bAlf-Arn pof, 'tja rn|l a beA& ftol cfte 6e^\i^-f]or)V).
Bj bftAC fTAftfAfT)3, fTAbA, ftefb,
A5 poUc Ati fcejb-efc bAjo; bfAllAfb 3fteAr>cA be beAjt3-6fi, A3Ar TP]*V beAl-6|jt 't)a beAf-lik|ri).
Bj ce|cjte cjtub 30 curncA ffAOf, be't; 6ft buj8e bA sUfne f3&]l, pleAr3 Ain3ib a 3-cul a cjijij, 'f t)j jtAfb 'f\\n r-|-Aoi7;oAl cac bo b'fl*CAft|i !
237
0. 'Twas not long 'till we saw, westwards, A fleet rider advancing towards us, A young maiden of most beautiful appearance, On a slender white steed of swiftest power.
We all ceased from the chase,
On seeing the form of the royal maid ; 'Twas a surprise to Fionn and the Fianns, They never beheld a woman equal in beauty.
A royal crown was on her head ;
And a brown mantle of precious silk, Spangled with stars of re 'i. gold, Covering her shoes down to the grass.
A gold ring was hanging down
From each yellow curl* of her golden hair ; Her eyes blue, clear, and cloudless, Like a dew drop on the top of the grass.
Redder were her cheeks than the rose,
Fairer was her visage than the swan upon the wave, And more sweet was the taste of her balsam lips Than honey mingled thro' red wine.
A garment wide, long, and smooth, Covered the white steed ; There was a comely saddle of red gold, And her right hand held a bridle with a golden bit.
Four shoes well shaped were under him, Of the yellow gold of the purest quality ; A silver wreath was on the back of his head, And there was not in i>he world a steed better.
• Perhaps figuratively meaning that such curl was like a loop of gold.
238
O. <Do C&|U13 Tl b0 lACA]ft piurj,
bo lAbAjrt 50 cao]T) cr>eAfbA a b-fuAfft) ;
A5Uf A bubAJltC f], " A 71.13 T)A b-^iAtji), 1f f AbA, C1,AT) A 1)0] f TT)0 CUA|fb."
"p. " C]A CU fefO, A TtjOSAlt) 013,
IT peAjiji clob, mAife V 3T)aoj, Afqtff buftjr) f Ac bo f3eoi,l,
c'a]T)TT) fe|T) a't* bo C]|t ?"
' Njatt> Ciur> 6]|t, |f 6 njA|t)n?, A nVV 3AfbA t)A n?6|t-f I013 ;
CAf TT)T)A]b AT) bOTTJAfT), fUA^JteAf 3Affuu
If nje ir>5eAtj cA|lce R15 tja 15-63."
" alC[»ir b"1W> A TX103A7TJ CA]f,
cjteAb f Ac bo ceACc cAjt leAji a c-ceft) ; aij 6 bo ceile b'lnjqs ua^c,
Mo CAb e At) buA|6|TtC acA ojtc ?&]\) ?"
r Hj be ti)o cejle b'jnjcis uAffti.
V V°T V]o\i Iua6a& voh le JjAer) feAjt, a 11J3 da peiwe ^ AOjf.be cAjl,
acc feAf c ff 3f A8 bo cu3Af bob' itiac !"
" Cja aca 6ort) c\o]x), a ir>50Ai} blAjc,
V b-cu3A]f 3fAb, t)6 f6f seAT),
t)A Cefl OfiU|T)T) A T)0]f f Ac,
A'f AjCflf buff)!) bO CAf, a beAf) ?"
1(
Jijijedf Ab fefo XV> 6ui,c, a FblOt), bob' rbAC 3fit)t), Atmj-cjtuAib ; Oino ttkatjatutjac i?a b-cpeAiHAri?,
AT) UOC ACAjrt) AT)0]f bo lllAjb."
239
0. She came to the presence of Fionn,
And spoke with a voice sweet and gentle, And she said, " 0, king of the Fianna, Long and distant is ray journey, now."
F. " Who art thou, thyself, 0 youthful princess ! Of fairest form, beauty, and countenance, Relate to us the cause of thy story, Thine own name and thy country."
" Golden-headed Niamh is my name, 0, sage Fionn of the great hosts, Beyond the women of the world I have won esteem, I am the fair daughter of the King of Youth."
F. " Relate to us 0 amiable princess
What caused thee to come afar across the sea —
Is it thy consort has forsaken thee,
Or what is the affliction that is on thyself."
N. " Tis not my husband that went from me,
And as yet I have not been spoken of with any man,*
0 ! king of the Fianna of highest repute,
But affection and love I have given to thy son."
" Which of my children [is he] 0 blooming daughter, To whom thou hast given love, or yet affection — Do not conceal from us now the cause, And relate to us thy case, 0 woman."
" I will tell thee that, 0 Fionn ! Thy noble son of the well-tempered arms, High-spirited Oisin of the powerful hands, Is the champion that I am now speaking of."
• i.e., I have not been betrothed to any man.
240
f. CneAb at) fAc a b-cu5A|f 3ua8
A jn^eAt) AlAinn At) ^U]lc n&jb,
bOtrt rt)AC f&Jt) feACAf cAc
'f A l|ACC flA|C Ajtb f a't) T)3fte|T) ?"
N] 3AT) AbbAtt A frj5 t)A b-'pjArtt), bo cAi)5Af* a 5-C|Ar) f a t)A be]t)
ACC CUAjlAf5bA]l b'pAJAjl Art A SAjf^e,
feAbuf a peanfAint) A5iif a n)e]t)."
Jf |Ort)bA rt)<XC |t]5 AJAf A|lb-^lA|C,
bo 6115 bony 3eA» Ajuf* fion-gfiAb, t)jon Aoncuj^eAf ]\]<xri> bVet) feAU, 50 bcu5Af feAnc b'Ojf jn A13 !"
O. ^Aft AT) IAtT) ]•]!) OftC, A PAbftU]5 !
5jb i)ATt T)A||teAC l]on) trtAn f5&Al,
D| |t<\ib Aet) bAll bjort) t)AC uAjb a T)-3ftA6,
Ic b-|t)5eAt) AU|t)i) At) fujlc jieib.
ct)0 jtU5Af Aft A lAJti) Art)' bo|b,
'y biibuAf bo Tjlon 3uc-b|t)t) ;
yiOfl-CAOl,!) f A^lce Jt6tT)Ab,
a it|05<N]t) o|5 bo'i) c]|t.
" Jr cu ir 5ilo> r ir iw*, bl^c,
If cu bo b'feAnu Ijort) ti)AH ri)t)<\oi ; ■\y cu ti)o nojA cAn ii)i)Aib At) bortiA|t), a t,ioaIca|I) rt)6bArt)Ail if be|fe 51)^0]."
" 50Ar^ V«c fulAt)5A]b fion-Uoic, a 0|fjt) f6]l, cu|U|n) Ab' c6iT)Aifi ceAcc l|ott) fe]t) At)0|t/ ah tr/eAC, 30 mseArt) cai,|i An* 50 Tjji t)A n-63.
241
0. " What is the reason that thou gavest love,
0 ! beautiful daughter of the glossy hair, To my own son beyond all,
And multitudes of high lords under the sun."
" Tis not without cause, 0, king of the Fianna !
1 came afar for him —
But reports I heard of his prowess,
The goodness of his person and his mien."
" Many a son of a king and a high chief Gave me affection and perpetual love ; I never consented to any man 'Till I gave love to noble Oisin."
" By that hand on thee, 0 Patrick, Though it is not shameful to me as a story, There was not a limb of me but was in love With the beautiful daughter of the glossy hair."
I took her hand in mine,
And said in speech of sweetest tone, " A true, gentle, welcome before thee, 0 young princess to this country !"
" 'Tis thou that art the brightest and the fairest of form, 'Tis thee I prefer as wife
Thou art my choice beyond the women of the world 0 mild star of loveliest countenance !"
" Obligations unresisted by true heroes
0 generous Oisin I put upon thee
To come with myself now upon my steed
Till we arrive at the ' Land of Youth.' 16
242
O. " S] aj) qji if Aoiboe le pA^A^l, If ri)6 caiI ai)oit- f'&'y T)-5fie|u; crtA|i)r) A5 cricn)A8 le cojifiA \ Mac, a\' biijlleAbAfi A5 fAf aj; bA|i[i<\ib 50115.
V "5^9 ul^e rA 8*A bpGACA 'j'lijl
i)1 ]iacai8 caiccaivj o|ic leb' ]tAe, b&y x)6 n)eAC xj\ fe|Cp|& cu.
" <t)o 5eAbA]|i fleA8, irqitc 'p 6l, bo 5eAbAi|i ceol b|i)i) Airi ceAb ;
bO 50AbA]|t A1|t5|0& A5AT* 6ft,
bo 5eAbA|ji pof* ]ott)A.b peAb.
" <Do 5eAbA|ji ceAb clo|8eATT) 5AI) 56, 5eAbAi]t ceAb bftAC \ ti6|l be f |obA bAO|i ; 5eAbA]]t ceAb eAc if ii)|tte a r;-5leo, 'x 5eAbAijt ceAb leo be corjAib seutt.
" <Do 5eAbA]it it)] <>VV-y 1058 a Kj5 t>a i)-05,
1)AC CU5 TtlAIT) fOf bO 1)6AC f Ajt) T)-5tte]1),
bo bcAijpAf bjoi) bu]c b'oibce x l°> a 5-cAc, a i)-5leo \ a T)-5A]tb-5leAc.
" <t)o 5CAbA]|i lu|jteAC cuti)bAi5, c6]ji, A'f clo]beArT) c|i)0O]ft ij- cl|i-be beim; t)a'ji c6Afii)A]5 ijeAC tti.AH) ua8 beo,
T)OC COr)A]1lC fOf AT) C-A1tTt) seiiTt.
" <Do 56AbAiTi c6Ab e|be \ lejije f |to|l, 5eAbA]ft ceAb bo, \ X®Y c6Ab Iaoj ; ^eAbAiTt ceAb caojxa, 5oi)A lorqiAfb 6jit, 5eAbAift ceAb peob i)ac bptql 'fAi; c-fAOJAl.
243
0. " It is the most delightful country to be found, Of greatest repute under the sun Trees drooping with fruit and blossom And foliage growing on the tops of boughs.
" Abundant, there, are honey and wine And everything that eye has beheld, There will not comedeclinc on thee with lapse of time, Death or decay thou wilt not see.
t< n
Thou wilt get feasts, playing, and drink,
Thou wilt get melodious music on the harp string,3,
Thou wilt get silver and gold,
Thou wilt get also many jewels.
" Thou wilt get, without falsehood, a hundred swords ; Thou wilt get a hundred satin garments of precious
silk, Thou wiltget a hundred horses the swiftestin conflict, And thou wilt get a hundred with them of keen hounds.
" Thou wiltget the royal diadem of the 'King of Youth,' Which he never yet gave to any person under the sun, 'Twill protect thee both night and day, In battle, in tumult, and in rough conflict.
" Thou wilt get a fitting coat of protecting mail
And a gold headed sword apt for strokes,
From which no person ever escaped alive
Who, once, saw the sharp weapon.
[satin,
" Thou wilt get a hundred coats of armour and shirts of
Thou wilt get a hundred cows and, also, an hundred
calves, [fleeces,
Thou wilt get a hundred sheep, with their golden
Thou wilt get a hundred jewels not in this world.
244
O. " 5eAb<vifi ceAb TT)Aj3beAt) TT)eA6rt<\c, 63,
T/ojllt/eAC, lot)t)ftAc, ntAjt At) t)-3fteft) ; 1Y peAftft bejlb, cftuc, A5UT/ prjob,
Y i|- bp)t)e beojl 'i)A ceol i)A t)-&At).
" 3^0^11* ceAb lAec if cjtejt)e.A t)-3leo, |p dp-be pof A 5-cleAfAjb luc ; AjitricA, ejbce, of bo 66ri)Apt, A b-"Cjjt i)A t)-05, n)A ci5Ht l^orr).
" 'Do 5eAbA||i 5AC i)j b*A t)-bubftut/ leAc, a']* AO|br>eAj* pop t)AC lej|t bArbfA 'luAb, joAbApi rt}^]ye, rjeAjtc a']* bfpjzje,
Y bjAbfA pep; A5Ab rpAfijbrjAOp"
" <DjuIca& aji b]c i)\ beuftpAb uAftt),
A Jl]05AT) C-fUAptC T)A 3'CUACA t)-Offl J
If tu rt)o P05A cA|i rbuA^b ai) boti)Api, A'f jtACAtr) le £ot)t) 50 "Cpt t)A V-O5"
2tpi rrjujij At) ejc, cuAbtrjAfji AfiAOt), Apt rt)0 beiUA, bo fU|b At) 615; A biibAptc, " a Offji), r:Ai)Ait) 50 ftejb, 50 jtjTjeAtt) beul At) rtjAjtA ri)6j|t."
2li)t) pp) b'cpt^fb At) c-eAC Aft luc,
AT) qi&c ttiJeAtt)A||i 50 C|urt)A|r; i)A CJ1A3A ; bo Cftojc 6 pep) At)t) fp) curt) pp'tbAfl, 'X bo 16)5 cjtj 5i;uir at o|- Attb.
l2il) CflAC COI1t)A|JlC "p|OI)t) 'f AI) )rb|AI)t), ai) c-cac 50 bfAt) YAU C-|*|ubAl ; A5 CAbApiC A3A|8 A|t At) b-CfieAf)-rt)Uf ft,
bo lefjcAbAfi c|i] ^AfiftcA jujl 'j* cutt)A|6 !
24.5
0. " Thou wilt get a hundred virgins gay and young Bright, refulgent, like the sun, Of best form, shape, and appearance, Whose voices are sweeter than the music of birds.
" Thou wilt get a hundred heroes mostpowerful in conflict, And also most expert in feats of agility, In arms and armour waiting on thee In the ' Land of Youth' if thou wilt come with me.
" Thou will get everything I promised thee (f) And delights, also, which I may not mention, Thou wilt get beauty, strength, and power, And I myself will be thy wife."
" No refusal will I give from me,
0 charming queen of the golden curls ! Thou art my choice above the women of the world, And I will go, with willingness, to the 'Land of Youth.' "
On the back of the steed we went together, Before me sat the virgin ; She said: " Oisin let us remain quiet, Till we reach the mouth of the great sea."
Then arose the steed swiftly,
When we arrived on the borders of the strand He shook himself then to pace forward, And neighed three times aloud.
When Fionn and the Fianna saw, The steed travelling swiftly, Facing against the great tide, They raised three shouts of mourning and grief.
f Every verse with this mark (f) is taken from a MS. which I lately got, and was not in the MS. transcribed for the president or in Mr. Griffin's copy.
(14 ft
O. " 21 Ojriu," An ^lorjt), 30 me||ib, cnfc|C, " rt)o cufi)A8 >ejr) cu A3 ^rpceACC UA"|n)j V 3A1J fu|l A3lMt)i) Ann* bo coacc, c115A.IT) caji A]f pAO| Iatj bin\8 !"
^)'A]fC|tt5 a &e]lb A3A]* a |*3&iit>,
'f ^0 f"|l pflAfA &&AH AI)UAf ;
3ufi pljuc a bno|m)e, 'f a jeAl-sijfc,
']• bubA'UC, " n)0 l&un cu, a 0\y)i) uA|iD !
21 pl;AbnA|3, bA bubAC At) f*5eAl, Afi |*5A|iAri7ii]i;i; fie ce|le aoi; rub; |*5A]tArinilU Ai) aca|i ne r)A 117AC f-*e|t), D* bubAC, I A3, £AOi) be*c b'A Iua8 !
ct>0 p03A|*-|*A TT)'aCA|U 30 CAOJt), CAOrfr,
']\u) coiT}A]i)i) ce<\8i)A, ^u<\|noA|* iu\6; b'^A3A|* |*Iai)} ii]le A3 At) b)-e|i;i),
']• bO f"|l 1)A b&A|tA 'nilA]* le It)' 3|UlA|b !
)X |0*t)8a Uv AO|b(nr), bjo|*-fA '\ ")z\o\)\),
'r ^fJ TFb|Ai}i) 'i)*T» 3-C10i)ij V*AO| h\i)|'.e[iij ;
A3 injjftc pjccjlle A3<\p A3 61,
'y A3 clop ceo]l, aj; bu|8oAi; 6a cno-Aij.
2I3 |-oa15A[|ioacc a Q-5leAr;i;cA|b n)\iy, '\-'\\\ i;3AbA||t be|l-bi;)i) A^ufi^i; aiji; ; yoAl^b e|le 8ujnn a t)-5AMb 3IJAC, A3 c|ieAp3Ai|ic Iaoc 30 Uij-ceAfjt;.
p. 21 Ojrjij bAO|c, c|i6|3 30 pdjl,
bo b' 3A|f30 n;6|i Aft Ai; u-'|-oji)i; ; c|oniHif bo ciiAbA|f 30 <3j|l 1)A u-63, a')- Icai) bu-uu 3Ai; 36 A|i bo |*56aI.
247
0. '' 0 Oisin !" said Fionn slowly and sorrowfully,
" Woe it is to me that thou art going from me, I have not a hope that thou wilt ever again, Come back to me victorious."
His form and beaut}' changed, And showers of tears flowed down, Till they wet his breast and his bright visage And he said, " My woe art thou, 0, Oisin ! in going from me."
0 Patrick, 'twas a melancholy story
Our parting from each other in that place, The parting of the father from his own son — 'Tis mournful, weak, and faint to be relating it !
1 kissed my father sweetly and gently, And the same affection I got from him ; I bade adieu to all the Fianna,
And the Tears flowed down my cheeks.
Many a delightful day had Fionn and I, And the Fianna with us in great power, Been chess-playing and drinking, And hearing music — the host that was powerful !
A hunting in smooth vallevs,
And our sweet-mouthed dogs with us there ; At other times, in the rough conflict, Slaughtering heroes with great vigour.
P. 0 ! foolish Oisin, forego a while
Thy great actions of the Fenians,
How didst thou go to the " Land of Youth,"
Proceed, faithfully, with thv tale to us.
248
O. (t)o cu5Art)ATji aji 3-ciil bo't; C]jt,
Y ^|t t)-A5Ai& 50 b]fteAC, sUt), ri^ft ; bo CfiAjj at; rbjt)-TT)U]ia yidri)*]*),
Y bo Ijotj 'tja bftojrwqb lOtjAfi iJ-bjAjj.
<t)o cor)CArr)AT|t ]ot)3Ar)cuir 'i)Ajt ^CibAl, CAcytACA, cii||iceAr)A A3 A]* cAn*leA]r), piolAiqbe £jor)T)AoltA, A5Af bujtjce,
5ft]At}&]l} lot)t)flACA, A5A|* pC\lA]f*.
ct)o cot)CArt)AT|i, pop jte A|t c-cAeb, ejl^c it)Aol Aft le^rr) luc ; a'|* 5a8aji clitA|f-8eA|t5, bAr>, A5 cACf.*At;u 30 &ai}a 'pAr> c-f|ubAl«
too COtJCAITJAIJl j:6r, 5A0 56, A|r>bffi 65 Ajfi fceAb-eAC born;, iibA.ll 6||a 't;A ©eAf-lA|ri7,
Y 1 A3 injceAct A|jt bAftft tja b-to»)i?.
<t)o cor>CArt7Aip 'tja be6]3, Tt)A|tCAC 65 A|l f ceAb bAr) ; jtaoj bfiAC coftcu^jt beAp3 ]*fi6]l,
Y clojbeAri) qwojji i;a 6eAf*-la|m.
" C]a bl^b Ar> b||« ub, bo cib^m, A Ttj°5<xlt) CAOjt?, irjujf bort? p<\c; At) beAi? lib ]y A|lpe 3r)AO|,
Y rrjAjiCAC |*l|6rt) At) e]6 bA|i) ?"
" Na cuifi ]*it|n) 't)A b-pcicpi8 cii, A Oinu itrbA|l, 't)C\ b-pACA]|- p6f, t)j b-pii|l |oi;i;ca qle acc r>qtb-T)j 30 iMseAft) 30 "C||t K13 da u-63."
249
0. We turned our backs to the land And our faces directly due-west, The smooth sea ebbed before us, And filled in billows after us.
We saw wonders in our travels, Cities, courts and castles, Lime-white mansions and fortresses, Brilliant summer-houses and palaces.
We saw also, by our sides
A hornless fawn leaping nimbly, And a red eared white dog, Urging* it boldly in the chase.
We beheld also, without fiction, A young maid on a brown steed, A golden apple in her right hand, And she going on the top of the wave3.
We saw after her,
A young rider on a white steed,
Under a purple, crimson mantle of satin,
And a gold- headed sword in his right hand.
" Who are yon two whom I see,
0 gentle princess, tell me the meaning, That woman of most beautiful countenance, And the comely rider of the white steed."
" Heed not what thou wilt see,
0 ! gentle Oisin, nor what thou hast yet seen,
There is in them but nothing,
Till we reach the land of the ' King of Youth
> D
'2oQ
O. t>0 COt)CAtt)A||t UA|1) A ^-C]M)V,
p&lAf 5fi]AT)TT)Afi, ucc-bl&|c ; bu8 bneA^cA bejlb A3aj* 3i)e, b'A jiA|b Y**U c-j-aotjaI le j:A3A|l.
" C|A At) but) ]t^6j8<\, |to-bneA3,
AjAf *e6f*, if <\|li)e b'<\ o-|:aca|8 |*u|l; 'i)& b-j*uil|ti)j8 A3 cji|aII 't)A 8C\|l,
1)6 C|A If* A|lb-plA]C A1)t) f*ub ?"
" Jr>3eAn jt]3 qn tja rt)-beo,
-]• bAiT)fxic>3AiT) jjof *t)i)f' ad biit); C113 "ponjon BuilleAC1 8nujrt)e I03AC, lejf le p6|ftT;eA|ic 5&A3 ']• liijt.
" 3eArA cult1 T1 ^IT1 ^ b-cneAt), 3AI) beAt) bo 8eAt)ATT) 8| 30 bnAcAc ;
30 b-p^3Ab f] CUttA8 t)0 p]Oft-lAOC,
bo f-eA|*ti)o8A8 3I1AC le ||* U\rb Ajn U\|tr*."
" Be-n buAb A3uf beAt)t)ACx, a N*Ati) 6|i*T) 6||t, 1)1 cuaIa|* bo ceol n|Ati) ||* ye*\uji ! 'r>& cao]t)-3u]c b|t)t) bo ri*]l|f-b§o*l, Y |f rr)6n At) bfiot) l|t)t) beAt) b'*v c C\ 1 1 .
" "Ce|58eAti) ai)0||* b'A f*|Of bot) but), a'|* b--peib||t 311*1. bu|nt) ac& |-e a i)-bAi); At) C|teAt)-lAoc ub bo cu*c|rt) l*ort*, a 3-cleAfAib lujc, rt*Ajt bAb 3t)'Ac."
*t)0 CUA8tt)Al|t At)1) |"|t) bot) but),
a'** c^|i)|5 cujaiijtj At) nio3At) 63;
bo b'|ot)Ai)i) beAlljiAb 8| 'f bot) 3'tein,
a'|* bo cuiji f| ceAb p&jlce |tdri)A|i).
1 For^ofi, t> Utile AC, i.e. the striking Giant, was the despotic ruler of tlie " Land of Virtues," — a country not mentioned in any other copy of tliis poem that 1 have seen.
251
0. We saw from us afar
A sunny palace of beautiful front,
Its form and appearance were the most beauteous
That were to be found in the world "
" What exceeding — fine, royal mansion, And also, the best that eye hath seen, Is this, that we are travelling- near to, Or who is high-chief of that place ? "
"The daughter of the king of the ' Land of Life,' Is queen, yet, in that fortress She was taken by Fomhor Builleach,of Dromloghach, With violent strength of arms and activity.
" Obligation she put upon the brave, Never to make her a wife, Till she got a champion or true hero, To stand battle with him hand to hand."
" Take success and blessings, O golden-headed Niamh, I have never heard better music Than the gentle voice of thy sweet mouth, Great oriel" to us is a woman of her condition.
o
" I will go now to visit her to the fortress. And it may be for us it is fated That that great hero should fall by me, In feats of activity as is wont to me."
We went thcu into the fortress, To us came the youthful queen, Equal in splendor was she to the sun, And she bade us a hundred welcomes.
252
O. Bj cuIaj8 be f jobA buj8e,
aji ad rijojA^T) bo b'&ilrje T/t)68; a ctjeAf CA|lce rt7A|t aIa ajji cut,t)t>,
\ A 8& 3|lUA|b bj Alft 8ac AT) ftOt/.
2ljt 8ac at) 6|ji bo bj a folc,
AY A 5°Tlrt)"Ttor5A S^tJA 3AT1 ceo ;
A bejlJT) TTjeAlA AJJI 8AC T)A 5"CAO|t,
Y A TOaIa CAol bA 5JteAT1CA cl68.
*t)o fuibeArrjAjit at)T) \\x) fjof,
5AC TT-AOl) bJT) Aft CACAO jft 6) ft ;
bo leA5A8 C115A] t)i) rnottAt) bj8, a' |* cu||tT) bj;z;e bj ljot)CA beoift.1
2ll) CftAC CAfCeATT)A]Jt ATI fAfC bj8, a']* fOTT)Ab trjOTITICA 11)1,1]^ 6]l ; bO lAbATJl AT) |t]05A|T) 65, CAOjT),
11* eb bubA|jtc j*j, " e|fx lion) 50 t;6]l."
^'in^t; bu]T)T) p|or a't; t:J\c a r5^1l>
Y bo f|l t)a beottA le t)a jttuAfb,
a bubAffic t)A|t b-ffjlleAb 8] b'A cjn peji),
Y ^ }~ACAC CHCAt) bO be]C 50 bllAl)'.
" Bj bo tot/b, a ltjo5A|i) 615,
fSufjt be'b buoi)T), aY V'« bj caoj8 ;
aY bO bo|Jt|TT) 8lljC rno Iait),
At) C-ACAC A] ft, 50 b-CUjCpib l]t)T) !"
" Mj bfrujl Iaoc Ai)0]f le pAgAjl, b'A cfi6|i)e cA|l jrAOj'i) iJ-5]tfe|1J, bo beujipAb coirjftAC lAii) aji Iajit),
bo't) ACAC bAI)A T)A 3-ClUlA|8-bo|tT)."
1 Although this word resemble the word " beer," the' liquors were very different.
253
0. There was apparel of yellow silk
On the queen of excelling beauty,
Her chalk-white skin was like the swan on the wave,
And her cheeks were of the colour of the rose.
Her hair was of a golden hue, Her blue eyes clear and cloudless ; Her honey lips of the colour of the berries, And her slender brows of loveliest form.
Then we there sat down,
Each of us on a chair of gold,
There was laid out for us abundance of food
And drinking-horns filled with beoir.
"O
When we had taken a sufficiency of food, And much sweet drinking wines, Then spoke the mild young princess, And thus said she, " harken to me awhile."
She told U3 the knowledge and cause of her tale, And the tears flowed down her cheeks ; She said, " my return is not to my own country, Whilst the great giant shall be alive."
" Be silent, O young princess !
Give o'er thy grief and do not mourn,
And I give to thee my hand
That the giant of slaughter shall fall by me !"
" There's not a champion now to be found Of greatest repute under the sun, To give battle hand to hand To the bold giant of the hard blows.''
254
O. ' )W]T\n) ^ujc, a fi]05A|i) cAori),
ijac |*5<xcroAft l]ori) a ceAcc Att)' bAjl, rt}UT)A b-cu|cp]8 l|onj, bo bftJ3 rrjo 3OA3, 50 b-cu|cpeA& p6|T) Afi bo V5Ac."
Njoft b'pAbA 50 b-f:<\c<\rT7A!|t A3 coacc,
AT) C-ACAC CfteAl) llA TT)6 3|lA|l),
beAjtc A]t be cjio|ci)e t/ja6,
a't; lur%5-peA|tT;A|b ^a|ia|i;u ioija lAjri).
Njoft beAi)T)A|5 ']* ij]0|i urbUi|5 6uji;r), acc b'peAc a i;-5olin* V* D_63~rn'A>
b'pUA5A|fl CAC A5Af COtbflAC C|l6A1),
Af ciiAbAf fep) ]Ot)A coti)bA|l.
2l|i pcAb c|i| t;-o]6co A5Uf cfi] Ia, bo bc\n)u||i Yau i)-3|i^r3A?1 ceAt;i) 3]b 30 nj-bA Cfi^At) ^ ai) c'acac Ajtj, bo bAjijeAf 3AI) ypAf bo a cgauu !
21 1; cjiAc cot)t)A||ic ai; bjp bAij 63,
AU C-ACAC t1JO|t 30 pAOl) Afl U\|i ;
bo le|3eAbA]i z\\] 3Ajica 3i'.|i)i;, le rr)6|i-iT)AO|beArb A3A]* lucTjAifi!
'l)o ciiAbit)A|fi aijo fit) bo'i; b:'u;, Y bo bjob-f a bfiujijce, IA3, ^aoi; ; A3 |-|leA6 jtoIa 30 lAi;-u|i
A CCACC 30 blue Af tTJO C|lCACb !
'Do cA|i)|5 ]i)3oaij jt]3 i)A it)-beo, 3° n°ll A3 p6i|t]3C|i; o|irt) yo]\); bo cu]|t ]ce '(• bAlfAii) ah/ cijeA&A, Y bob jOf" yi>]V flAi) 'i;A b6|3-
255
0. " I tell to thee, 0 gentle queen,
I am not daunted at his coming to meet me, Unless ho fall by me, by the strength of my arms, I will fall myself in thy defence."
'Twas not long till we saw approaching
The powerful giant that was most disgusting, A load was on him of the skins of deer, And an iron bar in his hand.
He did not salute or bow to us, [maiden,
But looked into the countenance of the young Proclaimed battle and great conflict, And I went myself to meet him.
During three nights and three days We were in the great contest, Though powerful was he, the valiant giant, I beheaded him without delay.
When the two voung maidens saw The great giant, lying motionless, weak and low, They uttered three joyful cries, With great boasting and merriment.
We then went to the fortress,
And I was bruised, weak and feeble, Shedding blood in great abundance, Coming closely out of my wounds.
The daughter of the " King of the Living" came In truth to relieve myself; She put balm and balsam in my wounds, And I was whole after her.
250
O. <t)o CAicAtrjAoift Afi b-p|to|0ij 50 fubAc,
a']* bA n)eA6|iAC 8u]r;t) Apt) no b'A eip; bo c6]|ti5eA6 pur)t) Apt) y&x) but), leApcACA clujb be clurb t)A t)-eAt).
<Do cu|fteArt)U||ir>e Ar> peAjt n)6ft,
a b-peAjtc p6b-8o]Tb|U, pAit|*A|t)3, |te]8,
bo C05bAf A l|A Of A leACC,
A'f TSPl^^r A *]V]iW * tJ-oijArp-cfiAob !
2l|l t)A TpAflAC, AJl AtTJAJXC IaO|,
bo 8u]f|5Tt)A|Ti a |* Afi rjeAl,
" ]V rt)]i\b bu\i)V," Aft lu^eAij At? 7173,
" citfAll 5AP f5ic b'Aft b-c]|t pefr)."
<t)0 jleAfArtJAlft 0|1|tA1t)r> 5AI) fCAb,
\ bO 5AbArT)A||t AJl 5-CeAb Jiff At) 615,
bub biibAc bubftot)AC ^jrjtj 'pa b|A]5,
Y Tjjoft cA|fte bo'i; sjijAtj-beAr) fotjAfi t>beo]5 !
D] peAf bort) pe]t), a pAb|tA|5 ffejib, CAb bo cajxIa bo'p jtjo^Ajr) 615 ; o'r) lA |*5AnAtt)uifti)e A|iAOt? lej, t;6 Afi p]ll p&io 50 q|t i;a rp-beo.
P. H)o\i jijoinr bui»™ A Oiriu swop, (t)
cja'p tjfi 'pa |iAbA]f pe|p ; po|llfi5 &"1'W Atjoir a b-Ajptp,
A'f leAT) A|t]f JtJAp bo r30|l.
O. "Cjft pA rp-buA8 At; cjft iib,
a't 50 bejtpip P] b|t6A5 *V c-A|0fijj (f)
TT)A CA 5l6|Jte A b-plACAf I1J4|l bj Apt), bO 8|A le 3|tOA1)l), CAbAUf.\\|t)l) 3A||Ut).
257
0. We consumed our feast with pleasure, And then we were merry after, In the fortress were prepared for us, Warm beds of the down of birds.
We buried the great man
In a deep sod-grave, wide and clear,
I raised his flag and monument,
And I wrote his name in Ogham Craobh.
On the morrow, at the appearance of day, We awoke out of our slumbers, " It is time for us," said the daughter of the king, "To go without delay to our own land."
We prepared ourselves without a stay, And we took our leave of the virgin, We were sorrowful and sad after her, And not less after us was the refulgent maid.
lov
I do not know, 0 mild Patrick ! What occurred to the young princess, Since the day we both parted her, Or whether she herself returned to the Land of Life.
P. Thou didst not tell us, 0 pleasant Oisin,
What country it is in which thou wast thyself;
Reveal to us now its name,
And continue again the track of thy story.
0. That country is the " Land of Virtues,"
And certainly the name is not miscalled,
If heaven hath glories as were there,
To God, with love, I would give praise. 17
253
O. <t)o cu5Att)Ahi Afi 3-cul bo't) buy,
a'|* Aft fceAb fuit)t) f- A01 lat)-fte]rt) ;
Y 50 rt)bA liiA^ce leu* At) eAC bAt), 'r)A 5AOC ri)A]tCA aji bnujtt) fl^b.
ftjou b-pA&A 511ft boucAjj At? vpe]ji, a']* 311ft eiT*3iS 50,0c At)T)'r sac A]ub ; bo Ia]* At? ri)6n-trmi]t 50 CJteAt),
Y t;j jtA^b AtT)A|tc 5ne]t)e le FA5A1I !
SeAlAb bujyt) A5 Atr)Auc t)A ijeull,
Y Aji T)A neulcA b] pA |*rt)u]b ;
b'lrMS A1? C-AT)j:A A5Af At) 3AOC,
aY bo fo]llf|5 Pboebuf 6f An c-ceAt)t).
<t)o cot)t)CAtt)A|it ne An b-CAO|b, cjn |t6-AO]beAt) pAO] lAn-blAc, aY Tt)A5A rt)A||*eACA, |ie]8e rnjt), aY but) jijOTjbA bA |to-bneA5A.
M| HA]b bAC b'A b-jreACA fit|l, be 5onn) ujt, b'uAjcne, Y D^t> J be concun beA|t5 aY be bujSe, t)ac jtA^b 'y&v Tt1°5"^)n05 cAO]tt) bo n<\8.
<t)o b] An At) b-cAob efle 8e't) but), 5JtlAt)A]t) lonnnACA A3Uf pAlA]f; beAt)CA u^le be cIoca buA8A,
le lAti)A f UAb' A5A|* fAOJl-CeAnb. NjOU b-f AbA 50 b-peACATDAIft CU^Ajnn,
A5 cnjAll o'n n-bun ]ot) An 5-cori)bA|l, qtj CA05A& Uec bo b'-peAn|i luc, f5e|ri), cl|u, aY bo b'AO|n8e cA]U
259
O. We turned our backs on the fortress,
And our horse under us in full speed,
And swifter was the white steed,
Than March wind on the mountain summit.
Ere long the sky darkened,
And the wind arose in every point,
The great sea lit up strongly,
And sight of the sun was not to be found !
We gazed awhile on the clouds, And on the stars that were under gloom The tempest abated and the wind, And Phoebus bris-htened o'er our heads.
'o'
We beheld by our side,
A most delightful country under full bloom, And plains, beautiful, smooth and fine, And a royal fortress of surpassing beauty.
Not a colour that eye has beheld Of rich blue, green, and white, Of purple, crimson, and of yellow, But was in this royal mansion that I am describing.
There were at the other side of the fortress, Radiant summer-houses and palaces, Made, all of precious stones, By the hands of skilful men and great artists.
Ere long we saw approaching From the fortress to meet us, Three fifties of champions of best agility, Appearance, fame and of highest repute,
200 O. " Cta at) z)\i .<\l<\ir;r) \ r/ub,
A jIJ^eATJ C1U]TTJ)A b-CJl|OpAl 6] ft,
It* bfie&5CA brieAC b'A b-peACA fujl, Tjo'tj ) pub T/jtt t>A t/05 ?"
" ))' 1 3° fceirr>]f), a 0|riU f61l>
i)]0|t ir)i)]T/eAT/ brt6A5 8ii]c b'<v cAO|b, xj\\ \y\ b'-ari 5GaIIa|-|*a 6u|c peit), tjac b-p it|l ^o]lle]|i A5Ab bo fiort."
<Do c^]i)i5 ca3Aii)t) i,or)T)A beoi5, ceAb be at; 65 bo b'AjUe ys&\riy ;
^60} bjlACA J'] Ob A 1]0T1CA b'ofi,
A5 pA]lc]U5A& |t6ti)A|iTr) b'A b-c^Tt poft).
<Do COTTtTCATTTAlft. ATt]|* A5 CeACC,
uu]$e<\t) bo Tjlejiie, 5IA0 T/IUA5 ;
A3ur TM3 0]|lbeAftC, COTT1ACCAC, CfteAT),
bo b-peAftp. fseiri), be]lb, 'f T/r)uA&. B| lejije bu]8e be f-jobA f ftoll,
AJAf TTlAtT?-b|l<\C OflbA Of A C]OT)t) ;
bj co?'.3;tt bjx|cleAiji)AC be'y 6ft,
50 |*0]ll]*CAC, loiitrftAC ATt a ceAtjT).
<t)0 C0T)1)CATT)A1TI A5 ceAcc 'ija 8e6|5, ATI da] i)}1.] 05 a itt 05 bo b'Aiftbe c^l ; a't; cA05Ab bpuiTjueAll tT)]Uif, 66]|t, bo b'Ajle clob, ioi;a cotf)bA|l.
2I5 ceAcc b6]b ujle Ajt aoij bAll, bo UbA|ft. 50 ceAT)T)f a |i|5 i)A 1/05 ; A5UT; a bub*\|Tic, " if 6 fco 0|f|i) hjac t*1t)0> cejle C6.0]i) HjAtb C]i)t) 6||t."
2G1
0. " What beauteous country is that
0 gentle daughter of the golden locks ! Of best aspect that the eye has seen, Or is it the ' Land of Youth V "
" It is, truly, 0 generous Oi3in !
1 have not told a lie to you concerning it, There is nothing I promised thyself
But is manifest to thee for ever."
To us, came after that
A hundred maids of exquisite beauty, Under garments of f:ilk filled with gold, Welcoming me to their own country.
We saw again approaching,
A multitude of glittering bright host, And a noble great and powerful king, Of matchless grace, form and countenance.
There was a yellow shirt of silken satin And a bright golden garment over it, There was a sparkling crown of gold, Radiant and shining upon his head.
We saw coming after him
The young queen of highest repute;
And fifty virgins sweet and mild,
Of most beautiful form in her company.
When all arrived in one spot, Then courteously spoke the " King of Youth," And said, "This is Oisin the son of Fionn, The gentle consort of ' Golden-headed Niamh !' "
262
O. <t>o iiutj fe oftn? aijt; f|r* aji lAiri},
A5111* a bubA-fic a 3-c6rr}-A|tb bo't) c-fldi; ;
" A 0|f jt) CAlttJA, A TT}]C At} ftjj,
ceAb tt?]le f A]lce ji6rt)AC."
" 2lt) cf|t fo lor)' A|i ca^^r f^tj, i)] ce-lfeAb j-j^aIa opx 3At) 50; II* f <\bA, buAij e bo f ao-zjaI, A'f be|8 cu fe*t) cojbce 05."
" Nj'l AO]br)eAf bA'ft fnjAO|tj|5 cftojSe, i;ac b-pu]l 'fAij cjit feo f a'b c6rt?A|ft, a Oini), c|te]b u<x|tij 50 fjofi, 5ttT» ">ire T»1S ^lT» V* t>-65-"
" 215 fO At) b<\]V]l]054.]y CAOtT),
AV o/jUTjeAij f&i** N|Arb C]i) 6|jt; bo cua]6 CAfi TT)ii*-rf)ui|i fab' 66-ij, cutrj bejc ti7Aft cejle ajc* 50 beo."
43o 5Ab<\|* bii|8eACA|* lejf at? ftj-5,
a']* b'utT)lu]5CAf J*] Of bo'l) fljO^Afr) CO||t, l)|0|t fCAb<\8 AT-1* fft; 30 1)6Af5Al& l]Ut),
30 |tAi*5Art7Ai*t fi.j05b1t.03 ^5 tja u-63.
lt)0 CA1t-|3 UAJfle 1)A CACJ1AC CAOJtT*',
]b||i feA|i A3Af rt)i)AO| jot/ A|t 5-cori)&A|l ; bj fleAb A'f feAfbA At)t- bo f jo]t, A|i peA& bejc r*-oj8ce A'f bejc l&.
<t)o pofAb tt?e le HfAti) C]1)V o\\i,
A PAbjiA|3 o't) K6|ri) i*a nj-bACul it'-bat),
f |t) rt}AJt CUAbAf 50 Cjfl t)A O-65,
3J6 bo|l|b b|toi)<NC l|Ott)fA CftACC.
2G3
0. He took me then by the hand,
And said, [aloud to the hearing of ] the host, " O, brave Oisin ! O, son of the king- ! A hundred thousand welcomes to you !"
" This country into which thou comest,
I'll not conceal its tidings from you, in truth,
Long and durable is your life,
And thou thyself shalt be ever young."
" There's not a delight on which the heart hath mused But is in this land awaiting thee ; 0 ! Oisin believe me in truth, For I am king of the ' Land of Youth !' '
11 This is the gentle Queen,
And my own daughter the Golden-headed Niamli, Who went over the smooth seas for thee To be her consort for ever."
I gave thanks to the King,
And I bowed down to the gentle Queen,
Nor staid we there, [but proceeded] soon, [Youth."
Till we reached the royal mansion of the " King of
There came the nobles of the fine fortress, Both men and women to meet us ; There was a feast and banquet continuously there, For ten nights and ten days.
I espoused "Golden-headed Niamh,"
0 ! Patrick from Rome of white croziers ! That is how I went to the " Land of Youth/' Tho' woeful and grievous to me to relate.
264 P. LeAt) bu|t)i) peAfbA A|t bo njeol,
A OlflT) Offl t)A t)-ATltt? 1)-A|t ;
C]ot)\)uy &'pA5bAif ^iji t)a 15-65,
If £AbA fr6f l]Ott) 30 1)OCCA1fl f AC.
Jt^ir b&imj At>o]f le ti)6ft 3fieAt)t),
At) jtAjb AOt) clAt)1) A5A& |t6 NlATT),
tjo't) pAbA bibjf a b-T^it i)A 1)03, A1^Mr 3At) bfiou biiit)t) bo rS^Al
O. <Do h) A5ATT) fte NiAri) c]t)t) d]\x,
be clo]i)t) bu8 jto-tt)A|c 3t)AOj a'j* rs^m; bo b'peC\|t|i be|lb, cjtuc A5itf ft)68, b^f rt)AC 65 A5uf* ii)5eAt) cAoti).
<t)o cAjceAf cjteinjfe pAbA cjAt), Cftj ceAb bl|A8A]t) A5Af t)|Of tt)6 ; 311JI fmAOjr;i5 tt)e 50 tt)bA b'e tt)0 tbjAf), "p\o\)y 'f At) piApt; b'^Aicrit) beo.
P. 21 0]|-jr), c-fUATitc leAi) bob' f3eAl, (t)
AV TWIT fe»10t) ca b-pu^l bo clAt)i); CAbAiJt 8u|i)r) 5At) rtjo|ll A i)-A|t)tt),
A'f At) CftJC 't)A b-f.'Ull]b At)t) ?
O. Bj A3 N|Att) £A T)A 3-c6rt)A|ii, (t)
t]\i t)A t)-65, t)A rt)-beo 'f t)A tt;-buAb ; pleAfS IT coit6|t) be'u |tl3-6]Ti, a'|* iort)Ab |*eojb t)Ac t)jrt) bo Iua8.
"Cll3 N]Ati) Aft Jt)0 bjf tt)AC, (t)
A]i)tt) rt)'ACA|i a'|* rt)0 bei5-tt)]c ; T^iopt) oiftbeAjtc, ceAi)t) t)A flit A3,
'fAt) C-Of3A]l 0|fl-A|ttT)-llUA8.
2G5
P. Continue for us further thy tale,
0 golden Oisin of the slaying arms !
How didst thou leave the " Laud of \outh,"
I, yet, think it long till you reveal the cause.
Tell to us now with great pleasure, Hadst thou any children by Nianih, Or how long wert thou in the " Land of Youth," Relate to us, without grief, thy story,
0. I had by Golden-headed Niamh,
Of children of surpassing beauty and bloom, Of best form, shape, and countenance, Two young sons and a gentle daughter.
I spent a time protracted in length, Three hundred years and more, Until I thought 'twould be my desire To see Fionn and the Fianna alive.
P. 0 pleasant Oisin continue thy story, And tell us where are thy children ; Give us, without delay, their names, And the land in which they are.
0. Niamh had awaiting them,
The Land of Youth — the Land of Life, and the land
of Virtues : A wreath and crown of the kingly gold, And many 'ewels I do not mention.
Niamh gave to my two sons
The names of my father and of my good son, Noble Fionn — head of the hosts — And Osgar of the red golden arms.
266
O. £u3uf jt&id bort) CAori) -]W5]V, (t)
]te b-AOt)cA N]A?b At) oifi-cir>r) ; bo buAb <x n)Aife 'fA 3t)6-5eAr),
At) C-A1T)n) ^Op, P^T1 *?* TT}bAT)."
a't Aft TT)0 C§lle CAOJT), NlAlT) Cjr)t} 6]ft ;
bul 50 b-6miTw cA|t A]r Ajtir,
b'peACA|i) 7r]T^n> A5^r A rboft-fl6i5.
" <Do 5eAbA]|i ceAb u^rv," Aft At) fr^eAp CAorb, " c']8 bojlb Ar> |*56aI l]orp cu be|C b'A. Iua8; A]t eA5Al t)Afi ceACc bu^c Ajqf |teAb jt&, bort) cfft F&|t), a 0|fiu buAbAij."
" CjieAb if eA5Al bujor), a jijcnjAit) blAjc, 'fAtj c-eAC bAi) bo bejc ^a'tt) p&IT1* n)u|i)pi8 atj c-eolup bu|t)i) 30 f <\rb, a'|* £|Uj:|b f^ CAIX ')'Air cii5Ab peit;. '
" Ciiitbi)i5 a 0\y]\-), CAb ca nje jiAb, ti)A leA5A]|t cpAcc A|i caIah) |i&]8 ; ijac ceAcc bu|c coibce Aft'if* 50 bjt&cAC, bot) cjft AlA|t)i)-f*eo 'i)A b-pi]l|rr) pe|T).
" 21 be|jt]tt) leAc-]*A Ajtjf* 5AI) 56, tt)A cuj|iljr)5|fi pop be't) cac bAt) ; i)A qucf Aift coibce 50 T^fi ua tj-65, a 0]f)t) 6|ft i;a t)-A]iii7 1/A15.
" 21 bo]]i\rt) leAC bo'r? cfteAf peAcc, vj'a'y ccacc be'i) eAC bujt £ejt) ; 50 tt)-be|bjjt Ab' f-eAi;6||t cjajot)A bAll, 5at; lujc, 5At; 3JteAiJij, 3A0 ]t]i, 3A1; I
6inj !
267
0. I, myself, gave to my gentle daughter, By consent of golden-headed Niamh, In virtue of her beauty and loving countenance, The true name — Plur-na-mban, [the flower of women.]
I asked leave of the king, And of my kind spouse — golden-headed Niamh, To go to Brian back again, To see Fionn and his great host.
" Thou wiltget leave from me," said the gentle daughter, " Though 'tis a sorrowful tale to me to hear you
mention it, Lest thou mayest not come again in your life To my own land, 0 victorious Oisin I"
" What do we dread, 0 blooming Queen ! Whilst the white steed is at my service, He'll teach me the way with ease, And will return safe back to thyself."
" Remember 0 Oisin I what I am saying, If thou layest foot on level ground, Thou shalt not come again for ever To this fine land in which I am myself.
" I say to thee again without guile,
If thou alightest once off the white steed,
Thou wilt never more come to the ' Land of Youth,'
0 golden Oisin of the warlike arms !
" I say to thee for the third time, If thou alightest off the steed thyself, That thou wilt be an old man, withered, and blind, Without activity, without pleasure, without run, without leap.
268
O. " Jr ^il]3 l]ort), a 0]f]V 3tmw> (t) cu 6ul 50 b-6>lMt)t) 5IAI* 50 beoj ; t)i'l |*i Atjoif awa-I bo b^ ; *\ V) freicpi|t coi&ce T^ot)*) t)A plo3A&.
MH|1 Aijoif A v&W]VV uile, (f) acc ACAjji u-ftb V plo-Tjce MAorb ;
a OiniJ SPIW reo "J° P65>
1)1 cAfpAijt co]8ce, 50 T^ft i)A ^-63."
^'p^ACiif fiiAf 'tja 5t)ii]f le c|iuA3, (f) \ bo f-jl ott)' |tOf*3A boftcA beoft ; A pAb|iuj5 bu6 cjiiiAJ leAc \, a |tAobA6 pole Ar> d|t)i) 6] ft.
<Do CUJft pi Tt)e £AO' jeApA C|tlt£W]&, (f)
bul 11* ceACC 3 At) biiA'rjc fie bAt), a']* bubAfttt l]Ott) bo buA6 a tD-bpi^e,
b^A TT)-b|tlf*|T)t) fAb 't)A CAf*f:A]t)t) ]*l&9.
<t)o 5e<vllAp b| 5AC vj\ 5AT) bjieA3,
50 3-c6|ri)ljoi)f*Ajt)i) f:e|T) A t)-biibA||tc \\ Ijott) ;
bO CUA8Af Aft tt)U*t) At) e|6 bA]T),
a'p b'pAsbAf plAt) A5 luce At) bii]i).
<Do pOJAf-fA H)0 Cqle CAO't),
'f bA bubAC t*'t)t) A3 f5A|iA8 le] ;
Tt)0 &1f tDAC, 'x tt)'lt)3CAt) 63,
bo bj pAO| bjiot) A3 |*|leA8 beAji' !
<t)0 3leA|*A|* OJtfT) CUtt) pjul)A|l,
'l* bo CU3AI* rt)o cul bo T^^jt T)A t)-63 ; bo ft*c Ai) c-eAC 30 1)ca**3ai8 putt),
rt)A|t bo }\\T)\) l]Ott), A*f le NjAtt) C|t)t) opt.
209
0. " 'Tis a woe to me, 0 loving Oisin,
That thou ever goest to green Erinn ;
'Tis not now as it has been ;
And thou never shalt see Fionn of the hosts.
" There is not now in all Erin,
But a father of orders and hosts of saints ;
0 loving Oisin ! here is my kiss,
Thou wilt never return to the ' Land of Youth !'"
I looked up into her countenance with compassion, And streams of tears ran from my eyes,
0 Patrick ! thou wouldst have pitied her Tearing the hair off the golden head.
She put me under strict injunctions
To go and come without touching the lea, And said to me by virtue of their power, If I broke them that I'd never return safe ;
I promised her each thing, without a lie, That I would fulfil what she said to me ;
1 went on the back of the white steed
And bade farewell to the people of the fortress.
I kissed my gentle consort,
And sorrowful was I in parting from her, My two sons, and my young daughter Were under grief, shedding tears.
I prepared myself for travelling, And I turned my back on the " Land of Youth," The steed ran swiftly under me, As he had done with me and " golden-headed Niamh."
270
ATI 3AC v] bA'ft CeAl)5Tt)Al8 lion) pfeitfj tjo 30 &-c^r)]5 ti)6 A|t]r cati i)'ait>,
21 PAbftU'3 1}A l/dflb A3Uf 1)A l)AOtT),
tvjoft ]T)r)ifeA]* bjt6A5 bujc tiiatt) frof ;
tltj A3Ab-f a ^ac 1170 r3&ll>
'f ttjAti b'pAsbAf f^i*} "Ci|t tja i)-63-
<D'a Tt)bei6it)T)-|-e ?&]v, a pAbTiAis,
AlbAll bO b^Of-fA AT) lA ub F&J1),
bo cu]rifir)t) bo cl&nt 50 le^ri cuttj bAif, a'** ceAi)T) Ari b|tA5A]b t)i beA& Arrj 6&15 !
<D'a bpA3Air)t)fe J^irire b&'rj i)-ArtAt), rr>ATi 3e-btT)t) 3AC ctiac 6 ^pjor)-); bo 3u-&t*itK> euro |t]3 tja t>-3?tar> cu beic 50 flAt) 6f A 6]or)T).
P. <Do 5eAbA||t AftAT) A3Af beoc,
3AI) aot) locc Aijoif ua-tto P<) ; ]y b]X)V liorn-fA 311c bo beo'l. Y leAt> buit)*) pof ATI bo ]*3&aI.
O. 21 ti ceACc bom -p^ir) ad fit) a b-qfi,
b'^ACAf CTlU]T)t) At) 3AC Ulle A'Jtb ;
bO fTT)AO*T)eAf AT)T> f'T} 30 tfOTl,
T)AC TlA^b CUAITllfS ^11)*) &3ATI) le FA3A1I !
Njojt b-f AbA bort) A3Af tjjoTi c*AT),
30 b-jreACA Ai)|A|t A5 ceAcc frA'rrj be]t) ;
TTJATlcfluAS TTjOfl *b]Jt feATlAjb A3Uf rf)T)A, 'f bO CAt)3AbATl Art/ lACA'Jt f*&1rt.
271
0. Our story is not told in full,
Of every thing that occurred to myself,
Until I came again back
To green Erin of the many jewels.
0 Patrick of the orders and of the saints, I never yet told you a falsehood, There is to thee the reason of my story, And how I left the " Land of Youth."
If I myself had been, 0 Patrick ! As I was, that self-same day, I would put thy clerics all to death, And a head on a neck would not be after me.
If I got plenty of the bread
As I used to get, at all times, from Fionn, I would pray to the king of grace To have thee safe, over it.
P. Thou wilt get bread and drink,
Without any fault now from myself, Melodious to me is the voice of thy mouth, And continue for us still thy story.
0. On my coming, then, into the country, I looked closely in every direction, I thought then in truth That the tidings of Fionn were not to be found.
'Twas not long for me nor tedious, Till I saw from the west approaching me, A great troop of mounted men and women, And they came into my own presence.
272
O. <Do beAT)r)U|5&AbAri borp 50 CAO]r), f&jrri, a't bo 5^ib lOt^ArjeAp 5<xc 11-Aor) b]ob ;
Aft f AlCfltl TTJ&Ab TTJO peAjtfAlJ £&]!),
rrjo 8e]lb, rrjo 506 A5Af rpo 5r)AO]^
♦D'piApiiujseAf jr&jrj Atir) tip bjob pub, At) 5-cuAlAbAri "p|ot)t) bo be\i beo ; t)6 A|t rbAift aoi) e|le be't) "p^tit) t)6 cjieAb 6 Ar) l&ut) bo bAit) bo^b ?
" <Do cuAlArt)A]fit)e cfiAcc Ajt ^jorjt), Aft rjeAftc, aji lu]c, A5uf Aft cfieAfl ;
T)AC flA]b jllAri) A fAtTJAflc fub,
a b-peAftfAiw, a 5-clu, A5U]* a rrf^]r)\). ")X fOip&A leAbA|i r^rtjobcA yjoy,
T)AC lfe||l 1ft)!) A]Cft||* 8ufC 50 ffO|l,
aji 6ACCA|b plijn A5uf Ajt at) b-'peji)!).
" <t)o cuAlArt)A]ri 30 itAfb A5 "p|or)r), ttjac bub lor)r)|iAC f5e|rb *f dob, 50 b-CAii)i5 615-beAi) £AO| i)A 6fe|ij, Y5A i)-beACA|b lej 50 'Cjri iia 9-65."
MuA||t cuAlAf p&iD At? corfjjtAb ub,
r)A'|t rbAjfi "p|or)t} 't)A rjeAC be't) f"fe|B1), bo ^Iaca]* cujitfe A'f rt)6ri cuit)a8, Y bA lAtj-bubAC rrje iot)A t)-b6|5 !
Njort T-cAbAf-fA ajjt) f|i) be't) fiejrt), 50 Iuac eAf5A|8 5At) Aoti rii0|ll; 30 b-cus^r tp'A5A]6 50 3U0 tiejb, Ajt 2llrbA|r; gaccac, leACAti l,A|5eArj.
273
0. They saluted me kindly and courteously, And surprise seized every one of them, On seeing the bulk of my own person, My form, my appearance, and my countenance.
I myself asked then of them, Did they hear if Fionn was alive, Or did any one else of the Fianna live, Or what disaster had swept them away ?
" We have heard tell of Fionn,
For strength, for activity, and for prowess, That there never was an equal for him In person, in character, and in mien.
There is many a book written down,
By the melodious sweet sages of the Gaels, Which we in truth, are unable to relate to thee, Of the deeds of Fionn and of the Fianna."
We heard that Fionn had
A son of brightest beauty and form,
That there came a young maiden for him
And that he went with her to the " Land of Youth."
When I myself heard that announcement, That Fionn did not live or any of the Fianna, I was seized with weariness and great sorrow, And I was full of melancholy after them !
I did not stop on my course, Quick and smart without any delay, Till I set my face straightforward To Almhuin of great exploits in broad Leinster. 18
274
O. Ba tt)6|i 6 trj'iorjjATjcui4 Ai)t) pub,
t)ac ^eACA]8 cujjtc y-]^t) t)a rlojj ; V) T^b 't)A b]Ot)Ab Ai)t) 50 Tqofi, acc ^lA&Ajle, pljoS A5uf TjeAijtjcos !
Uc a PAbjtuj5 ! a't* uc, tt)oi)uati ! bA beAl'6 at; cuaijic A5<vri}-p* 6, 5<xtj cuo.^-irs ftw 'da da b-piAgt?, & p^3 f AOI p| AT) rt)0 le'it) |t& !
P. CI Gjfjt) ! f3;i|;i At)Oif be'b bnot),
f|l bO 8«301|t Aft Ob 1 a t)A t)-5\i&y, c'a "pioun fAi) ^aut) z\i\]i 50 leort, a't* r;fl a b-ir5|ft|5C|t) pub 50 briAc.
O. Ba rijori ai; CJ111A3 V\Q> A P^fc>TtA1S»
}'|oiit) 50 bjtAc bo be|G a b-pejt); 1)6 CfteAb e at) c5]ji bo TU13 ati buA]8, fA Ijacc Iaoc crtuAi.8 bo cu]c leif peir).
P. Jr- e ct)]A bo 111x3 buAb Airt %ov\),
a't* T)j r;eA]ic T)Ari)Ab 'r>A cneAi)-lArr), A5U1* AT* At? b-"pe]i)T) u]le n)Aft 6, a T)-|t;TteAi)T) bAou b'A fjou cua8 !
O. 21 P<\b]iAj3 Vciu|tu|3 n)e 'f^') *Mc,
'i)A b-pu|l f]oi)\) Art lAi,ri) A311T* at) %&W), Y t)] b-pujl ipj;aAT)T) 't)A r:lAiieAT; Ai)i), bo cu||ii:eA& pA ceAt)i)pr>Acc ]Ab.
21)a'|- a rji) aca Of*3Aii rrjo itjac pe|t), ai) Iaoc La c|toji)c a b-cjionj-^leo ; i)joji cutt)a8 |t) n:jteAi)i) 'i)A b-plA]ceAf <De, buj8oAi) b'A tijejb i;ac tjieAr/SAjto^Ab !
275
0. Great was ray surprise there,
That I did not not see the court of Fionn of the hosts ; There was not in its place in truth But weeds, chick-weeds, and nettles.
Alas, 0 Patrick ! and alas, my grief! A miserable journey it was to me, Without the tidings of Fionn or the Fianna ; It left me through life under pain.
P. 0 Oisin ! now desist from thy grief,
Shed thy tears to the God of Grace, Fionn and the Fianna are weak enough, And relief is not theirs for ever.
0. That would be a great pity, 0 Patrick !
That Fionn should be in pain, for ever ; Or what pursuers gained victory over him, Since many a hardy hero fell by himself.
P. It is God who gained victory over Fionn,
And not the strength of enemy or strong hand,
And over all the Fianna like him,
Condemned to hell, they are eternally tormented.
0. 0 Patrick ! direct me into the place
In which Fionn is in hands and the Fianna, And there is not a hell or a heaven there That will put them under subjection.
If Osgar my own son be there,
The hero that was bravest in heavy conflict, There is not created in hell, or in the Heaven of God A host tho' great, that he would not destroy.
276
P. \.^]^nj]b b'Ajt u-|ort)A]tbai8 A|i 5AC CAob,
&'y le,M) beb' r^eAl, a Oi|-]t) A15; CAb bo catiIa 8uic 'ua be^j, CAft fef f t)A "pejrjrje beic Afi U\|t !
O. Jr;r>eof*Ab ?6ii) n9 Sujc, a PAbrmis,
cA:t ?]}• rr;e. r^SOAjf 2ilrbujij LA]jeAr), 1)] riAib aoi; AicrieAb i)A fiA^b at) y-\AVV, T)Cv'ti cuA|tcu|5eAr" 30 bjAt) 5AT) Aoy ii?0]ll.
2l]t ruo T-Ab^jl born cpe TjleAiin at) ftijojl,1 bo courjAjpc rue tr;6fi-c|iii|r)t)|U5Ab atjo ; crn c6Ab pe<x|i A5iir* r>j bA rbo, bo b| riorbArp At)i)f' atj tj-jleAUt).
(t)o UbAiti btijne 8e't) cft^Ab,
A5Af a bubAijtc pe be 511c 6|* A|ib ; " cAfifi b'ajt 5-CAbA|ri, A ]1|05-Iao|6,
a'|* pilAf5A|l r-|IJt) Af At) 3-CflUAb-CAI* !"
( '^1^13 ,T^ ^W no bo lC\CA|rt,
A'f M°3 "^r1 Ti)A]inju|[t A5 ai) 1*165 ;
bj TTjeASACAtJ t)A lejCe OTICA AllUAt*,
'fA cuii b]ob piAf, i)jo|i b'tl-e|b|fi leo !
21i) ciqb aca b] jrA'r) lie nop,
bo b]obAii b'A 5-clAO]beArr) 50 pAtir) ;
le tftuirne ad uaIai,5 rb6|ri,
bo ca]U 50 le6|i b]ob a lueAbAjft !
'Do lAbAjji bujije bo r>A rrjAOjri,
a-jUj' a bubAjfic, " a lM03"3Air3e^bAi5'6|5 ; Vuai-jaU ^OAfcA Art rrio bujbeAi), i)6 bii|r>e bjob, i;j bfe|8 boo ! '
' o'ioaijt ai) rii)6|l, <Afc va//ey 0/ <Ae thrush, now anglicized Glonasmole.
277
P. Let us leave off our controversy on each side And continue thy story, 0 valiant Oisin ! What occurred to thee after that, Subsequently to the Fianna being low.
0. I, myself will tell thee that, 0 Patrick !— After I left Almhuin of Leinster, There was not a residence where the Fianna had been, But I searched accurately without any delay.
On my passing thro' the glen of the thrushes, I saw a great assembly there, Three hundred men and more Were before me in the glen.
One of the assembly spoke, And he said with a loud voice : " Come to our relief, 0 kingly champion ; And deliver us from difficulty !"
I, then came forward, And the host had a large flag of marble, The weight of the flag was down on them, And to uphold it, they were unable !
Those that were under the flag below, Were being oppressed, weakly, By the weight of the great load Many of thein lost their senses.
One of the stewards spoke
And said : — " 0 princely young hero i
Forthwith relieve my host,
Or not one of them will be alive."
278
O. )x DfyjieAc ai) bcAjtt, At;o|f le jiA8, a't* At) ojfieAb acA b'peAftAib At)t), t)ac r]ocpA8 le TreATic at) c-|*l6|3, ai) l]05-|*o co5b<\]l 30 lAi)-ceAt)T)."
OD'a rtjA|]teA8 0|'5A|i tt)ac O^t),
bo beATtpAb atx At) I105-P 't)A SeAf-lAim, bo cu]|tpeA8 b'ujicATt j caji at) fluAJ, V] b fie A3 -\x 8"aI borr) At)0|j* bo TtC\8.
<t>o luibeAf Aft Tt)o cliACAt) beAf, V bo ]tu5A|* ati At) leic Art) lAin) ; le t)eA]tc A5itf le luc n)o 3&A3, bo cu|[ieA|* f-eAcc b-peitiT-e ) 6 t)A fj&jc.
Le T.-ef5n) t)A le|ce lAT)-ri)6iTi,
bo bjtif 3io]tcA 6]]\ at) eic bAti) ;
bO CAt^Aj'-fA Al)UAf 50 lCM)-bOCC, ATI b0T)t) TT)0 &A COf ATI At) Tt)-bAt) !
N] c£MT3e cait)]5 rt)e at)uat-, i)A 51AC u att) At; at) c-eAc bAt),
b'|TT)q5 AT) fJT) CUTT) T-jubAjl,
'X rr)|fe pA pubAft 50 Iaj, clAjc !
<t)0 CA]lleA|* ATT)ATtC TT)0 f ul,
TT)0 &CAlb 17)0 31)U|T- 'l' TT)0 T^Ajl,
bo bjoT- att)' feAT)6|Tt bocc oaII,
5A1) bft!3, 5AT) TT)eAbA1Tt, 3AT) A]ttb ! 21 pAbTlA13, T-jt) A5Ab TT)0 njeAl,
njAjt cAtiIa 8ott) t.-e|r) 3AT) 36; tt)o 8ul A311P Tt)'itt)ceAcc 30 beAcc,
A'f TT)0 ceACC CAJt tT)'A1T- 6 "CjTt 1)A 1)-03 !
279
0. 'Tis a shameful deed, that it should now be said, And the number of men that is there, That the strength of the host is unable To lift the flag with great power.
If Oscur the son of Oisin lived,
He would take this flag in his right hand, He would fling it in a throw over the host — It is not my custom to speak falsehood.
I lay upon my right breast,
And I took the flag in my hand,
With the strength and activity of my limbs
I sent it seven perches from its place !
With the force of the very large flag, The golden girth broke on the white steed ; I came down full suddenly, On the soles of my two feet on the lea.
No sooner did I come down,
Than the white steed took fright,
He went then on his way,
And I, in sorrow, both weak and feeble.
I lost the sight of my eyes,
My form, my countenance, and my vigour,
I was an old man, poor and blind,
Without strength, understanding, or esteem.
Patrick ! there is to thee my story, As it occurred to myself without a lie, My going and my adventures in certain, And my returning from the " Land of Youth."
280
The following Prophecy by Caoilte, respecting Chain Cheasain, deserves preservation ; but want of space must excuse our offering a translation : —
c2iojixe ko c\)%n.
CIuait) CbeAfAir) ]xo clor aitjac, 5ur a b-cAjijjeAb tt)ac Lu^Acb, b* Kor rt)]c "Cfieoir)1 fort ATT> 031*11)0 fie jtAe cojjeACc at) "CAjhjirjij.
2icc 518 caucaji prAjlnj po reAc,
a 5-CluAiD CbeAfAit) i)A 5-cl6||ieAc; &b cor)r)Ajtc Ar> CbluAITJ ctte]brbPAC, j:A 8ArbftAi8 TtuAb jio beAi)r)AC.
56 beic lei^eAr ir at) Iatt), |to bj cai) at)T) bA b-orcAill ; lonb^iS b<x litjt) rt)Ari) At) c-rjtuc,
A8bA8 CflAt)T)A At) clllATT) CflOCAC. 2t)A1,C A dutt), A CA|tJtT)A, A \)-&V,
n;A]c a tt)eAf jiaIac jto ctt^At) ;
CAOTT) A b-Al|lT)l8e A'r A b'UblA,
rt)A]C a b-ublA r:|Ot)T)-cubA]icA.
"CA|t)15 AT) CAfttlT)3A1T.te CAT,ft,
CluA|t) CeArA]t) A5 "CAil5eAt)t)A]b,
A bubAlJtC 7^101)1) p]Al fTAll^eAC,
50 tt)A]c ueitbe t)aott) Ai,t)5leAC.
"C]i\ p|cc|oc I1J05A11) 50 jteAcc, bAbAji A5Att) ]r TT)6it A]rt)i)eA|tc;
50 T)lb|0 A l0At/A ujle, |tobfATT) deACCAC clllAt)U|8e.
1 Ros mic Treoin is the old and present Irish name of the town of New Ross in the county of Wexford.
S$2lC-3NJ2t)2lRta f)HU 2t)2tC CU2t)-&Jll.
THE BOYISH EXPLOITS
OF
FINN MAC CUMHAILL.
EDITED BY
JOHN O'DONOVAN, LL.D., M.R.I.A.
CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, BERLIN.
DUBLIN :
PRINTED FOR THE OS8IANIC SOCIETY.
1859.
Letter addressed by Br. John 0' Donovan, to the President of the Ossianic Society.
Dublin, Dec. 27th, 1858.
Dear Sir Having, at your request, undertaken to translate into
English — to lengthen out the abbreviations, and to fix the grammatical endings of the contracted words, in this notice of the boyish exploits of
the celebrated Finn Mac Cumhaill, the Fingal of Mac Pherson's Ossian, I
beg to offer you a few observations on the age and importance of the little tract, as well as of the manuscript from which it has been taken. This tract was copied letter for letter, and contraction for contraction from a fragment of the Psalter of Cashel now preserved in the Bodleian Library at Oxford (Laud. 610), by the Rev. Euseby D. Cleaver, M. A., of Christ Church, Oxford, in 1854, and now curate of S. Barnabas, Pimlico, London, whose progress in the study of the Irish language is truly wonderful, considering the slight advantages of oral instruction which he has possessed. He has copied this little tract so faithfully that I was able to understand it as well as if I had the original manuscript before me. No artist ever copied a portrait or inscription more accurately. This manuscript was examined in the year 1844 by the Rev. Dr. Todd, S.F.T.C.D., who published a full account of its contents in the Proceed- ings of the Royal Irish Academy, vol. 2, p. 336, sq. In 1846 I examined it again with the most anxious care, and published a brief notice of its more important contents in the introduction to Leabhar na g-Ceart. It consists of 292 pages folio, vellum, and was transcribed in 1453 by John Boy O'Clery and others at Pottlerath, in the barony of Crannagh, and county of Kilkenny, for Edmund Butler, the head of the sept of Mac Richard, who afterwards became Earls of Ormonde. This manuscript remained in the possession of Mac Richard Butler till the year 1462, when Ormonde and he were defeated in a battle fought at Baile-an-phoill, now Pilltown, in the barony of Iverk, county of Kilkenny, by Thomas, Earl of Desmond, to whom he was obliged to give up this very copy of the Psalter of Cashel, together with another manuscript (now unknown),
284
called the Book of Carrick-on-Suir. This fact appears from a memoran- dum on fol. 110, p. b, of which the following is a literal translation : —
" This was the Psalter of Mac Richard Butler, until the defeat at Baile-an phoill, was given to the Earl of Ormonde, and to Mac Richard by the Earl of Desm jiid ( Thomas), when this book and the book of Carrick, were obtained in the redemption of Mac Richard ; and it was this Mac Richard that had these books transcribed for his own use ; and they remained in his possession until Thomas, Earl of Desmond, wrested them from him."
The foregoing memorandum was written in the manuscript, while it was in the possession of Thomas, Earl of Desmond, whose name ' ' Thomas, of Desmond," appears in English, in his own hand, on fol. 92, a., See Leabhar na g-Ceart, Introduction, pp. xxviii — xxx. The publication of t'.is manuscript, as it stands, would be a great desideratum in Irish liter- ature, and I trust that Sir John Romilly will not think it unworthy of his attention.
I am of opinion that this little tract is of great antiquity, and contains, perhaps, the oldest account we have remaining of Finn and his cotem- poraries. You will observe that the style is extremely simple, and alto- gether devoid of that redundancy of epithets which characterises the prose compositions of later ages, which are equalled only by those of " El famoso Feliciano de Silva."
The celebrated Irish antiquary, Duald Mac Firbis, in his genealogical work, pp. 435, 436, gives various pedigrees of the famous Irish hero, Finn Mac Cumhaill. Some deduce his descent from the Orbhraighe of Druim Imnocht, others from the Corco Oiche, a sept of the Ui-Fidhgeinte, who were seated in the present county of Limerick. Some state that he sprung from the Ui-Tairsigh of Ui-Failghe, a plebeian sept, while other genealogists maintain that he came of the Ui-Tairsigh of the Luaighni Teamhrach of Fera-Cul in Bregia, which was one of the three septs from whom the chief leader of the Fians, or Irish militia, was elected. Mac Firbis, however, states that this discrepancy must have arisen from mis- taking one Finn for another; but that by far the greater number of the authentic Irish authorities agree in deducing the pedigree of the famous Finn Mac Cumhaill from Nuada Neacht, the fourth son of Sedua Sithbhaic, the ancestor of the kings of Leinster.
By the mother's side, Finn Mac Cumhaill was descended from Tadhg, son of Nuadhat, son of Aice, son of Daite, son of Brocan, son of Fintan of Tuath-Daite in Bregia. This Mac Firbis believes to be his true ma- ternal descent, though others 6tate that his mother was Torba, daughter of Echuman of the Ernaans of Dun-Cearmna (the old head of Kinsale, in the county of Cork), and that he had a half-brother by the mother's side, who was called Finn Mac Gleoir.
285
Mac Firbis adds that Finn Mac Cunihaill possessed, in right of his office of leader of the Fians, seven ballys, or townlands, out of every tricha-ched, or hundred, in Ireland ; that he was born in the third year of the reign of Conn of the Hundred Battles, and died in the year 283.
Some genealogical books give the pedigree of our hero thus : — Finn, son of Cumhall, son of Trtfnmor, son of Subalt, son of Ealtan.pon of Baiscne, son of Nuada Necht : others, Finn, son of Cumhall, son of Baiscne, son of Tr&imor, son of Ferdarath, son of Goll, son of Forgall, son of Daire, son of Deaghaidh, son of Sin ; but of the various pedigrees of our hero which Mac Firbis has copied from Irish authorities, the follow- ing is the only one that can be considered authentic : —
1. Nuada Necht,
I
2. Fergus Failge, ancestor of the Kings of Leinster,
I I
3. Rossa Ruadh, 3. So-alt,
I I
4. Finn, the poet, king of Leinster, 4. Alt,
5. Conchobhar Abhraruadh, 5. Cairbre Garbhroin,
I 1
6. Moghcorb, king of Leinster, 6. Baeiscne,
I I
7. Cucorb, king of Leinster, 7. Modh,
I I
8. Nia Corb, 8. Buan,
I I
9. Cormac Gealtagaoith, 9. Fergus,
I I
10. Feilimidh Firurglais, 10. Trendorn,
I I
11. Cathaeir Mor, monarch of Ireland, 11. Trenmor,
A.D., 177. I
12. Cumhall,
I
13. Finn Mac Cumhaill, si. 284.
He had a sister named Sidh, who was proverbial in Ireland for her fleetness of foot, and who was the mother of Caoilte Mac Ronain, also famous in the Fenian tales for his agility. He had another sister, Seogen, who was the mother of Cobhthach, son of Crunnchu.
I have always believed that Finn Mac Cumhaill was a real historical personage, and not a myth or god of war, like the Hercules of the Greeks, the Odin of the Scandinavians, or the Siegfried of the Germans. He was the son-in-law of the famous Cormac Mac Airt monarch of Ire- land, and the general of his standing army. He was slain in the year A.D., 284, according to the Annals of Tighernach, a period to which our authentic history unquestionably reaches. (See Ogygia, part hi, c. 70).
This celebrated warrior was, as we have seen, of the regal line of the kings of Leinster, of the Milesian or Scotic race (for my ingenious friend Mr. Herbert F. Hore has theorised in vain to prove him of Scandinavian
28G
origin) ; he had two residences in Leinster, one at Allen (Almhain,) in the present county of Kildare, and the other at Moyelly in the (now) King's County, both of which descended to him from his ancestors. Pinkerton, the most critical and sceptical writer that has ever treated of Irish and Scottish history, has the following remarkable words, in which he ex- presses his conviction of Finn's undoubted historical existence : —
" He seems," says he, " to have been a man of great talents for the age, and of celebrity in arms. His formation of a regular standing army, trained to war, in which all the Irish aecounts agree, seems to have been a rude imitation of the Roman legions in Britain. The idea, though simple enough, shows prudence, for such a force alone, could have coped with the Romans had they invaded Ireland. But this machine, which surprised a rude age, and seems the basis of all Finn's fame, like some other great schemes, only lived in its author, and expired soon after him." — Inquiry into the History of Scotland, vol. ii, p. 77.
Our own poet and historian, Moore, who read all that had been writ- ten by the Mac Phersons and the modern critics on the history of Finn, expresses his conviction that he was a real man of flesh and blood, and no god of war or poetical creation. He concludes his account of him in the following poetical strain.
" It has been the fate of this popular Irish hero, after a long course of traditional renown in his country, where his name still lives, not only in legends and songs, but yet in the more indelible record of scenery con- nected with his memory, to have been all at once transferred by adop- tion to another country (Scotland), and start under a new but false shape, into a fresh career of fame." — History of Ireland, vol. i. p. 133.
The only known descendants of our hero, now known to exist, are the Dal-Cais, i.e. O'Briens of Munster and their correlatives. Cormac Cas, king of Munster, who married Samhair (Samaria), the daughter of Finn by Gr&ine, daughter of Cormac Mac Airt, monarch of Ireland, and had by her, according to the Irish genealogists, three sons, Tinne and Connla, of whose race nothing is known, and Fearcorb, the progenitor of the Dal Cais, the hereditary enemies of the race of Cor.n of the Hundred Battles. After the death of Finn, the monarch Cairbre Liffechair, son of Cormac, the grandson of Conn of the Hundred Battles, disbanded and outlawed the ClannaBaeiscue, of whom Finn was then the head, and retained in his service their enemies, the Clanna-Morna, a military tribe of the Firbolgs of Connacht. The Clanna-Baeiscne th^n repaired to Munster to their relative, Fearcorb, who retained them in his service, contrary to tho orders of the Irish monarch. This led to the bloody battle of Gabhra (near the Boyne in Meath), in which the two rival military tribes slaughtered each other almost to extermination. In the heat of the ac- tion, Oscar, the grandson of Finn (and son of Oisin,) met the monarch
287
in single combat ; but fell, and the monarch retiring from the combat, was met by his own relative Semeon, one of the Fotharta, (a tribe that had been expelled into Leinster) who fell upon him after being severely wounded in the dreadful combat with Oscar, and despatched him by a single blow.
Oisin and Caeilte Mac Ronain survived all the followers of our hero, and are fabled to have lived down to the time of St. Patrick (A.D. 432), to whom they related the wonderful exploits of Finn and his cotempo- raries. This, however, is incredible ; but it is highly probable that both lived to converse with some Christian missionaries who preceded the great apostle of Ireland, and who found it difficult to convert them from their pagan notions.
There is a very curious dialogue, partly preserved in the book of Lis- more, and partly in a MS. in the Eodleian Library at Oxford, said to have been carried on between Caeilte, son of Ronan, and St. Patrick. This dialogue, notwithstanding its anachronism, or perhaps rather mis- nomer, is of great value to the Irish linguist, topographer, and antiquary, on account of the curious ancient forms of the language which it pre- serves, and the various forts, mounds, sepulchres, plains, mountains, estuaries and rivers which it mentions by their primitive and mediaeval names.
Hoping that this tract will soon see the light under your auspices, as President of our Society,
I remain, dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
JOHN O'DONOVAN.
To
William Smith O'Brien, Esq. President of the Ossianic Society.
2t)2ic-5N)^2iRt^ vjnn jnn so sjs.
O K21L21 cornc|t)6l ajj, ocuf irnpjcb beAbtbA, irt)or> p]AT)Ai5ecc ocuf in) AiibrnAen.- A^ecc &inet)i), ibijt Curt)ull tt)AC "Cnentnoin, ocuf Uiftsnent) rt)AC Lu|3ecb Cujnn, bo LuAisne, .1. bo Conco Ocbe Cujle Cboncunb botj ^Cumuli xVOi A1T* 0A b]b]*|be })-\X\ T^Ainnfi5 A cuACfon)[.i. cuac] Curnujll. TonbA, ir)5|r> 6ocl)Arr)Ait) bo 6nr>A]b, 1|- 1 bA bAt)-cele bo Cburnull, no co CAnb 2t)ujn.ne 2t)uncAirt)- *CucAb lAnurn CAcb CnucbA eAcunnA .1. iqn Cuti)ull ocuf Unsjtenb.
^AjneOeAns, rnAC 6cbA]b "pinb, nj]C Coiftpne 5^1<M5, rnjc 2i)u]|teAbAi3, ocuf a tt)ac, m. 2leb, ]C CAbAjnc -\t) cbAcbA ipAjtnAb 2t)utt7;Hinn. ^l]r)tv i)A|ll bon 'DAjne fin 2t)ont;A 2t)uncAjrt). <Do beuAn jAjmrn j« CAcb iau fji) ; bo |iaIa jcen Lu]cec ocuf 2leb, n)AC 2t)ojit)A, if it) cbAc; 50T)iif* Lucec 2leb, co nop mill a lecb-nopc, cot)ibbe no lil a Aii)itt) 3°U o nt) ile e. <Do cuic Lucec Ia 5°U > 5°UAf bAt) peji co|tt)ecA connbuih; a fee pcjfin Curnull ipt)
1 (Chieftainship of the Fians, i.e. the leadership of the Irish militia.
2 Cumhall. The best account of this military leader will be found in the battle of Cnueha, preserved in the book of Lismore.
3 Luaighni, a famous military sept in Meath descended from Luaighni, one of the brothers of Conn of the hundred battles. Oyygia, part iii. c. 57.
* Cuil Contuinn, a territory situated on the borders of tho present counties of Meath and Cavan.
5 Cnueha. Connell Magheoghegan states in his translation of the annals of Clonmacuoise, A.l). 7"^6, that this is the place called Castle- knock, [near the river Lifley, county of Dublin. J
THE BOYISH EXPLOITS OF FINN, DOWN HERE.
HERE happened a meeting of va- lour, and contention of battle, re- specting" the chieftainship of the Fianns,1 and the head-stewardship of Erin, between Cumhall,2 son of Treannidr, and Uirgrenn, son of Lughaidh Corr, [one] of the Luaighne,3 i.e. this Cumhall was of the Corca-oiche of Cuil-contuinn,4 for of these the Hui-Tairsigh his tribe were [a subsection] . Torba, daughter of Eochaman [one] of the Ernaans, had been the wife of Cumhall, until he married Muireann Munchaemh, [Murinda of the fair neck] . The battle of Cnucha5 was afterwards fought between them, i.e. between Cumhall and Uirgrenn.
Daire Dearg, son of Eochaidh Finn, son of Coirpre Ga- lach, son of Muiredhach Muinderg, and his son Aedh, were fighting the battle along with Muirgrenn. Another name for this Daire was Morna Munchaim. The battle was then fought, Luichet and Aedh son of this Morna met to- gether [in single combat] in the battle ; Luichet wounded Aedh, and destroyed one of his eyes, so that from this the name of Goll6 [Luscus] adhered to him from that time forth. Luichet fell by Goll. The keeper of his own corrbholg7 of seds [treasure bag] wounded Cumhall, and
« Goll is glossed Caech, and means one-eyed, the same as the Latin luscus.
7 Corrbholg, i.e. a round bag, $ed means a jewel or any article of
value.
19
290
CAC. <t)0 CU|C Cumuli I A 3°^ n1&c 2t)0fUJA If ]1) CAcb,
ocuy bejnjb a frojbb ocuf a cenb le]f*, cor^b be f|n bu] pjcl; buijAb ]rjn *fit)\) ocup u;ac 2t)onnA, coinb be f]t) no cec |ij feAi;cljA]6 : —
3oll mAC <DAne C)eTn5 co mblA|b, 2t)]c 6cljA]b ^pjtJi nw A 3A1l> 21} jc CA]npne 3Al<M& co t>3^l, 213,0 2!}'.ii]teAbA]5 a pinbmA^.
Fo TT)A]ib ooli Lujcec ha ceb, 2i cacIj Cihica, nocbA buec, Uqcec pjrm ]ij 5A]fceb 5U11) La njAC 2t)onr)A bo nocbAjn.
)x \&\x bo cujc Cumuli m6n,
) CAC ClHlcbA T)A CAcb"]*l05
2l|ne cucj*ac ]\) CAcb cenb, Jm piAi;A|becc nA \)-Q>]]ier)b.
Bacau dAljbA 2t)6ftI)A -\Y]t) CAcb, Ocuj* LuAi5tje t)A "GemnAcb, 21] n bA leo piAi)uj* pen "pAjl, T^n^A lA]m cac ni5 co nobAi5.
Bu| mAc ac Cumuli co m-buAjb, )\) f]\m pujlecb pAebufi cftuAjb ; p]rm ocuf 3°U W0!1 A ")blAb, "Cnetj bo nonnfAtAn co5Ab.
J An \\\) bo noin)fACAn f]b, "p]t;b ocup 3°^ 'M c&i> t>3»)]iT), Co concuju BAtjb Siooa be, pAt) mu]cc a 'Cemuiji LuAjcne.
2leb bA ljAinm bo m*c ^DAjjte, Con 5Aeb Lu^cec cop A|t)e, O no 5Aec mAc LuAi5t)e lonb, (t)Aine coij|tuiceA np- ^o\U 5-
i Finnmhagh, otherwise Maghfinn, a plain in the barony of Athlone, county of Roscommon, at this period possessed by the Firbolgs, of whom the Clanna-Morna were a sept.
291
Cumhall fell by Ooll son of Morna in the battle, and carried oil his arms and his head ; and from this there was a funda- mental hatred between Finn and the sons of Morna, con- cerning which the historian sang: —
" Goll was son of Daire Dearg of fame, Son of Eochaidh Finn of valiant deeds, Son of Cairbrc Galach of prowess, Son of Muireadhach of Finnmhagh.1
This Goll slew Luichet of hundreds, In the battle of Cnucha, no falsehood, — Luichet Finn of noble chivalry, By the son of Morna fell !
It was by him fell Cumhall the Great, In the battle of Cnucha of embattled hosts What they fought this stout battle for, Was for the Fian leadership in Erin.
The Clanua Morna were in the battle, And the Luaighni of Teamhair For the Fiannship of the men of Fail was theirs Under the hand of each valiant king.
The victorious Cumhall had a son ; The blood shedding Finn of hard weapons, Finn and Goll of great fame, Mightily they waged war.
After this they made peace Finn and Goll, of the hundred deeds, Until the Banbh Sinn a fell On the plain at Teamhair Luachra,2
Aedh was the name of Daire's son, Until Luichet wounded him with dexterity, But since the stout son of Luaighne wounded him He was called by the name of Goll."
* Teamhair Luachra, a place in Kerry not far from Castle Ieland, in the district of Sliabh Luachra.
292
CoftfiAcI) fto AccA]b CurDull a it)u<\i .1. 2t)u|iu;e, ocuf befits x\ W&c, ocuf bejiA Ait)tt) bo, .1. toewoe. "Cjc f|<\cc<v]l rt)AC Cot)cii)t) ocuj* BobbiDAll, b<M)bjtA|, ocuf 10 LjAcb Uiac|ia bo rA13e& 2t)u]|ii)e, ocuf bejttib leo 10 rt)AC, Ajjt r^ift lAti) a rbkcAifi a bee A]cce. 'puibjr ^Jl)u] jtt>e U "5\eo]\\ l,Arr)-be|t5, U |t] LArrjrio^e lAitbAtr), cot)| be^fjbe 10 tiAb, "p|t)i) "7AC 5leo!t1' ^ul& cT1^ Bobbin ocuf ji) Lpcb> ociif -\\) rt)<\c leo 1 po|C|i|b Slejb] BlAbrt)<\. Ko b<\|'.ob 10 rtxvc At)b fji) 1 c<\|be. toeicbbifi or), aji bA bjrobA 51IU cA|lcA]ft qtrtfefOAC, ocuf Uecb r)e|rt)i)ecb r)<\irr)bi5e, ocii|* pejUjb pe^Acl) FfijcbuufAcb b0 l^ec|ti& Ltt-M-ne, ocuf bo n)\c&]h 2t)ofti)A pofi c] 11} tr;]c f]i), ocuf "CuIca n)\c Curouill. Ko Ajlpec lAtiuri) ]\) bA bAi;pe]t)bi5 f|tj pft| fie pobA e pAt) fAmlAjb pi).
"Cjc a mC\cA||t a c|t?b fe robljAbAt) lAri fji) bpjf a rt)]c, Ai|i bo biwnb b| a bee ip|t) ii)Ab uc, ocuj* bo rio bA becA^l le rt)<vc 2t)ortt)A bo. C|b criAcc acjiacc aj* cac pAfAcb lt)A- cele, co jiajijjcc pojcfiib Slebe BlAbrrjA; po5e]b it) f)Ai)- bo]cb ocup it) ti)ac ii;a coblAb ]t)t)Z], ocuj* cocbA]b pi At) o>ac it)<s b^ebe TATib<viT), ocup qropAjse £pqA be, ocup pi cpiort) iA|xurt). Cop|b Ai;b pji) bo piojr) t)A fiAt)t)A ic rt)U|rit) ] rrj a rrjAC —
CobAjl tie piiAt)Af) pA|rt)e, ^ftl.
■C|rt)i)Af at) 11)510 celebpiAb bo r)A bArjpeiobebujb iAit fit), ocup Acbepic pp^u r)ort)5AbbAJp ft) rt)AC cott)Ab ]tj-
1 Muireann. This was very common as the proper proper name of a woman among the ancient Irish. It is explained in Cormac's Glossary, as meaning mor-fhinn, long-haired.
2 Lamhraighe, a people of Kerry in the west of Minister.
3 SUabh Bladhma, i.e. the mountain of Blailhma, (Ogygia III., 16.) now Slievc Bloom on the confines of the King's and Queen's Counties. It is sometimes called Sliabh Smoil. The summit of this mountain is called 2i)ulL\ch C|ncAt)tj, the summit of Erin, and from it, the O'Dunnes have taken the motto of ?t)ulUch &.\\\c-.\\)\) ttbu !
293
Cumhall left his wife pregnant, i. e. Muirenn,1 and she brought forth a son, and gave him the name of Deimne. Fiacail the son of Cuchenn, and Bodhmall the Druidcss and Liath Luachra came to Muirenn and carried away the son, for his mother durst not keep him with her. Muirenn afterwards married Gleoir the Redhanded, king of Lamh- raighe,2 from which Finn is called the eon of Gleoir. However Bodhmall and Liath taking the boy with them went to the forests of Sliabh Bladma,3 where the boy was nursed secretly. This was indeed necessary, for many a sturdy stalworth youth, and many a venomous inimical hero and angry morose champion of the warriors of Luaighni, and of the sons of Morna, were ready to despatch that boy, and [also] Tulcha the son of Cumhall. But however the two heroines nursed him for a long time in this manner.
His mother came at the end of six years after this to visit her son, for it was told to her, that he was at that place, and she feared the sons of Morna for him, i.e. [might kill him.] But however, she passed from one solitude to another, until she reached the forest of Sliabh Bladhma [Slieve Bloom,] and she found the hunting booth \_hut] and the boy asleep therein, and she afterwards lifted him and pressed him to her bosom, and she then pregnant [from her second husband,] and then she composed these quatrains caressing her son :
" Sleep with gentle pleasant slumber, &c."4
The woman afterwards bids farewell to the heroines, and asked them if they would take charge of him till he
* The rest of this Lullaby is lost. Indeed it would appear from the shortness of the sentences, and the abrupt and flighty nature of the composition, that the whole story has been very much condensed, and in some places mutilated.
294
£e|t)ebA e, ocuf |io foubAb \\) tnAC [Alqiurr; ft; rb]c] jati f|t; cuu bA bl^re^5A e-
"Cts-\\)\c \x) rrtAC ]V& Aermji irtjAcb fti AfiAile l'<\ At;b, ocuf |b coi)bA)|tc [11; puAf Iac1;a co] t;a IacI;a]t; fO|tf y; lot. TaiiIaic uncb«ll trulcblb ocuf ]io cefCAfu a fit;i;fAb ocuf a b^cebA b], co tocuiji tArrjiiell fujfijie, ocuf jio 5AbfAtr» TAiuut;, ocuf riof fuc le]f bo cljun) i;a fi.At;bofcbl. Cor;jb b] fit; ceb feAi.5 f]t)b.
"Luibffurt; Ia Aep ccAnbA |A|icA]i) ^o|t cecbeb iijac 2i)otv- t)<\ ; co rnboj j:o CuoccAib accu. Jce a i;-Ai;rt)At;bA f ]be, fuz\) ocuf Hue I; ocuf Ke5t;A '^Ab-'pebA, ocuf Ternle, ocuf 0|lpe, ocuf Ro5e]u. T^A]t;i5 l^bi^le cA||tifjm At;b 7*1 r>, co rjbejxtjA CATtjiAcb be, cot;]b be bo 5A|jiceA ^Deirrtge 2t)Ael be. 13] £05^8 a Lai^i; ]t; cai; fir; .i. "PiaccaiI n?Ac Co8i;a ef ]be. 'Do uaIa b]r> 'PjacajI 1 "p|b 5^]ble t:onf at; Aef ceAnbAi, ocuf fio rnAjib iiil) acc 'De^rnne a Aei;utt ; bu] furrj Ac "p]ACA|l ttjac Co8t;A iati y]X) ]Y)& C|5, a yef- ciot; uA||ibeo]l. T^eccAfc ft) bA bAnfe|t;bj5 bu beAf co tecl; }~iacIa rr>|c Cobt)Ai, fon ^AftAftt 'Deirrjiie, ocuf bo bejtAn bO]b c ; ocuy bo ben<vic leo a t;bef \)b lAjicArti cuf •|t) ii;t;Ab cebr)A.
<Do cbuA]bfort) Ia Aile At;b a AerjAu Arr)<\cl; co niAcbc 21)a5 Ljfe 50 Afio^le but; Arm, cot;of fACCAjb ]i; rrjAcnAfb 65 oc irt)A|t) foji fAjcbe ft; bu]Tje. "C|Cfiurrj con;lub i;o cort)|rr)A|T) pft^ufuri). Tic ]Au i;a bAnAcb ocuf bo beuAc ceri;|iAiti)e ]i;i;a A'JAjb ; z\cyc Anjf a cm|ai; ft; a A3A|b. C]b ciiacc act;a5AC u]le fi;t)A A5A]b fA bcoj5, ocuf bo be|ieb-furt; led; cliqcbe fOftjtA u|l|. C]A b^l'trf) fil fojic,
1 At them. The original Irish is defective here. The words obviously omitted are supplied in brackets. In Feis tight Chonain, p. 129, it is Stated that Finn in bis first chase killed the pras-lacha (widgeon?), and her clutch of twelve young birds.
» Crotta, i.e. Crotta Ciiach, now the Galty mountains in the south of tbe county of Tipperary.
3 Fidh-Oaibhle, now Feegile, in the parish of Cloonsast, north of
295
should be of heroic age ; and the son was afterwards reared by them till he was fit for hunting.
The boy came forth alone on a certain day, and saw tho [the pros lacha with her brood of] ducks upon the lake. He made a shot at them,1 and cut off her feathers and wings, so that she died, and he afterwards took her to the hunting booth : and this was Finn's first chase.
He afterwards went away with certain poets to flee from the sons of Morna ; and they had him [concealed] about Crotta.2 These were their names, Futh and Ruth, and Regna of Mad Feada, and Teimle, and Oilpc, and Rogein. Here he was seized with the scurvy, so that he became a carrach [scald,] and was thence called Deimne Mael. There was a plunderer in Leinster at this time, by name Fiacuil, son of Codhna. Fiacuil came into Fidh Gaibhle3 upon the poets, and killed them all except Deimne alone, who was afterwards with Fiacuil (in his house in a cold sheskin [marsh]. The two heroines came southwards to the house of Fiacuil, son of Codhna, in search of Deimne, and he was given to them ; and they took him from the south to the same place [where they had him previously].
He went forth one day alone [and never halted] till he reached Magh Life,4 and on the green of a certain Dun [fort] there he saw youths hurling. He went to contend in agility or to hurl along with them. He came with them next day, and they sent the fourth of their number against him. He came again, and they sent the third of their number against him, and finally they went all against him, and he won one game from them all. What is thy name said they?
Portarlington, in the King's County. This was the name of a famous wood in Leinster, in which St. Berchan, the Irish prophet, erected his church of Cloonsast, the ruins of which still remain.
* Magh Liffe, i.e., the plain of the Liffey; a very level plain in the county of Kildare, through which the river Liffey winds its course.
296
ol j*|ac, <t)eiTt)T)e, ol ye. JoOU4!*5 ]V njACftAife fepjft jt)feut)A|b TO 0] T*l^- 2t)A|ibA|8 y | be 6 roAb coi)cuict|, roA|* a curr)ACCAcb| e, ol ye, v] c<\en)y&rT)4.iy v] bo, ol hac > cujtAb <t)e|rooe a Ajoro- Cit)&Af a beccof-c, ol y e. 2t)ACAero cuccAcb, £10b, ol |*|ac, ||* A.|rjri7 feo (Denjt)e }~iob ArolA|b |*|o> ol yeye&tt). Coojb fee |*|0 Afebejxqp |o roACftA|b |:jt||Hiro piui).
'Cjcpuro |Ajt t)A bA]|tecb felA y Ai5|b, ocay lujb cuccu |oa clu|cb| £0 cejicAc a lojt3A y^m AOAeopecc. JroAf\xif*|uro pu]C|bf|urt7, ocay c|tA|*cftAjb rooftfent1 b^b. l_u|b uAicbjb A jrojcbpib Slebe BlAbnjA.
T>\c ]AftuTT) | cb|Ob r>eccrouioe |A|t f]o> cuf |0 robA|le cebrjA. )y ArolA|& bAcufi 10 roACftA|b |c fOArb pojif jo locb b| yt)A pA|t|tAb. 3^ei)t;A|5ic |o roACfiAjb e]y\urt) |rocecbc b|rt)bAbA Ffi|u. L|031bno ||* io locb cuca |Aft fjo, ocuf bAb|b Tjoybuji fe|b pot) locb, ocuf ce-|c pe|o £A Sl|AbBlAferr>A ]A]t y\r). C|A ]to bA]b to roAcjtA|fe, ol cacI). ]~100, ol n^c; cooAfe Af ]-|i) fio leADAb )~|00 e.
"C|C|*iuit) pecc Ai)b cAjt SliAb BUbroA aroAcb, ocu|* |0 bA bAr>pei)b|b |n)n)A|Ue pft||* ; cooacaji AlroA |rob|C|*cift b*A5A|b Allu|b poiiAif |i) flebe. 2t)or>uAft cjtA o|t |tj bA feocujoo, ijj C|C bjoo Afcub t)e|cb b|b pub ACCA|r)i). T^cbjro|*A, [ol'pioo] ocuf |t|cbA|b poftfio, ocuf AfCAjb bA t)A5 b|b, ocu|* be||i|b leu* bjA p|At;t)boicb> <t)o3i)inurTJ |*els co 50&cAcb b6|b iA|t f|rj. 6>||iib buA|t) pcrtA, a 3ille, 0|i oa bAopeoebA p|t||*,
A|fl ACA|C n)JC 2t)6ftt)A pO|t A|C|ll bo tt)A|tbcA.
<t)o lu|b|*]utt} a AeijAft Uv\b|b co |i|Acbc Loci) L6|t) [ocuj*] op
LllAcbAlft, CUfl ACCU||t A AtT)|*A|l)C AC Jt|3 Bet)C|t<\15e Al)b
no; 0| T10 ylo]vby]it) mo loOAfe rio be, acc cer)A, ty\ buj IT \V |te flO re^5Aine ^ iooi-aitjIa; A|- Art)lA|& if-bepc io |t|
1 Loch Lein, now the Lakes at Killarney in Kerry.
2 Luachra, i.e., Luachair Deaghfiidh, a district in the now covinty of Kerry, containing the two Pap mountains.
3 Beantraighe, a district in South Minister, believed to have been co- extensive with the barony of Hantry in the county of Cork.
297
Dcimne replied he. The youths tell this to the owner of the dun [fort.'] " Do ye kill him if he comes again, if ye are able," said he. We are not able to do aught unto him, replied they ; Deimne is his name. What is his appear- ance?" said he. He is a well-shaped fair [jinn] youth, replied they, Deimne shall be named Finn therefore, said he. And hence these young men used to call him Finn,
He came the next day to them, and joined them in their game, they attacked him all together, with their hurlets, bat he made at them and prostrated seven of them, and [then] made off from them into the forests of Sliabh Bladhma.
He afterwards returned at the end of a week to the same place. What the youths were at [then] was swimming in the lake which was close by [the dun.] The youths challenged him to swim with them. He plunged into the lake to them, and afterwards drowned nine of them in the lake, and then made to Sliabh Bladhma himself. Who drowned the youths ? enquired all. Finn, replied they [i.e. the survivors]. And from this the name of Finn clung to him [among all who heard of tins deed of drowning.]
He came forth on one occasion out beyond Sliabh Bladh- ma, the two heroines being along with him, and they per- ceived a fleet herd of the wild deer of the forest of the moun- tain. Alas ; said the two old women, that we cannot detain one of these with us. I can, [said Finn] and he ran upon them, and catching two bucks of them, brings them with him to his hunting booth. After this he used to hunt for them constantly. Depart from us now, 0 young man, said the female warriors to him, for the sons of Morna are watching to kill thee.
He went away from them alone [and halted not,] till he reached Loch Lein1, and over Luachair,2^till he hired in military service, with the king of Bentraighe.3 He did not go by any name here, but there was not at this time a
298
VWT '• b1A K^cbAb Cumuli rt)Ac, ol ye, At) bAjtUc |to bo cuf a e ; acc cerjA, v] cuAlAtrjujttje rt)AC bpAcbAjl bo Acbc
■CulcATt^AC ClUTJAlll, OCUf ACAf|t> AC |l| 2llbAt) \X) ArDfAltJe.
CelebjtAibnn) bot) ji| i<xu fir;, ocuf cec uA]b|b co Cahi- b|t]3e .1. C]A|iftAi5e ] obju, ocuf AC01113 ic a w$ ffij a r)-Art)j*Ait>e. "C]c it) ]ti jAftum ac pjbcellAcc it) AjiAjle lo. 'Cecoirsibpn? Uif ocuf bejiib fecc clujcbi bjAi5 A|tojle. C]A c\?fA? ol ]\) jtj. 21)ac A]cbi3 b0 tuA]3i)|b rerDriAcb, ol re. 2lcc, ol ]\) |t] ; acc if cii jt> rt)AC fiOfpuc 2t)ir|fii)e bo CujdaII, ocuf t>A bj yaw v] If T]*> O<uc nxMtbcAjt pop rr)ei)ecb-t*A. Li^b Af* ]A|i f]ij co Cit|ll]i)b 6 Cuaijac, co cec LocAit) fUic 3obAt;u : ]V5\V |to CAert) lAifjbe .1. Cjiuicb^e A b<Mt)rt) : Abi;<\i3 y]be 3JtAb bot) 3jUa. <£)o b&fifA rt)iD- 310 bujc, ol ir> 3obA, eft) co pecA|i cia cu. }rAjbir i^ ]vx,]x) leir It) 31^ !A]tcA]ij. <Dei)A r^e5^ b^^j ol IT) 5iIIa ttir ID t>5obAi)u. <Do 5^1. bit) LocbAt) b] t-lei3 bo. CeleAbftAjb bAt) bo LocAt) ocuf luib Tteirt)e. 21 rt)]c, ajv Locaij, t>A be]]x3 IT If r^5e I-*0!1!' A "?"bl ai) njuc bjAi)A Apjtt) yt) Beo ; 11* y] tto fAfj-Aib njeoboi) 2t)urr)ut). Ocuj- \yye6 cjia bo tiaU boi) 3ilU bul yo]\y jij |4l5e POT* rt)bi p) tt)tic. 2ibi)Ai3 it) rtmcc cuice lAit fit), "poceinbffrt) bt)A uficufi bj r*le|3 t^MMM' co jia lu|b cnjce, co ftuf fAttCAjb cet) At)n)uit). Bcimb-fiiitT) bt)A cet)t) t)A rt)uicce leu* bot) 3ol)Aii)t) a coibcbc a it>3Ji)e. )y bo y\\) aca SliAb ttmice a 2t)urt)<\it)i).
<t)o luib it) 3jUa jiojtDe lAit fii) i Coi)i)AccAib, b'lAjijtAib CjtinjAill n)ic Cnet)tt)6|ii. 2irbA|l ito buj yo\\ a j-eb co
1 Albain, i.e., Scotland.
1 Ciarraighe, now Kerry. The territory so called extended in ancient times only from Tralee to the Shannon. Its more ancient names would appear to have- been Cairbrighe, or Corbraighe.
3 Cvilleann O' y-Cuanach. This is the present name of Cullen, in the county of Tipperary, near the borders of the county of Limerick. It originally belonged to the territory of Coonagh, now a barony, in the north-cast of the county of Limerick.
299
hunter like him, and so the king said to him : if Cumhall had left any son, methinks thou art he, but we have not heard of Cumhall having left any son, but Tulcha Mac Cumhaill, but he is in military service with the king of Albain.1
He afterwards bids farewell to the king, and goes away from him to Cairbrighe, at this day called Ciarraighe2 [Kerry], and he staid with this king in military service. The king came one day to play chess. He [Finn] played against him, and won seven games in succession. Who art thou ? said the king. The son of a peasant of the Luaighni of Teamhair, replied he ; Not so, said the king ; but thou art the son whom Muirenn [my present wife] brought forth for Cumhall ; and do not be here any longer, that thou mayest not be killed while under my protection. After this he went to Cuilleann 0 g-Cuanach3 to the house of Lochan, a chief smith : he had a very comely daughter, Cruithne by name ; she fell in love with the youth. I will give thee my daughter, said the smith, although I know not who thou art. The daughter then cohabited with the unknown youth. Make lances for me, said the youth, to the smith. Lochan then made two spears for him. He then bade farewell to Lochan, and went his way. My son, said Lochan, do not go on the passage on which the boar called Beo is usually [to be] seen ; it has devastated the [whole of] Middle Munster. But the youth happened to go on the very pass where the pig was. The pig afterwards rushed at him ! but he made a thrust of his spear at it, and drove it through it, so that he left it lifeless, and he brought the head of the pig with him to the smith as a dower for his daughter. From this is derived Sliabh muice4 in Munster.
The youth then went into Connaught to look for [his uncle] Crimall, son of Trenmor. As he went on his way he heard
* Sliabh Muice. i.e., the Pig's mountain, now Slieve Muck, situated between the town of Tipperary and the glen of Aherlow.
300
cuAlAjfo 311I rjA \)-hx) n)r>&. Lu^fo pA] co t)-acca pr) tdtjaj, ocup bA foepA polA cecb pe pecc, ocup bA pcepc polA 115 peAcbc Aple, co rt)bA be|%5 a bel. JpAc bel foep5, a bet), ol pe. 21ca foe^cbip ocurt), ol pj ; rt)'oeT) tt)ac bo rr)<xpbA6 fo'oet) lAec pop5pAt)foA rr)6p bo pAlA cucurr). C|A aiutd bo tbjc, ol pe. 3l0,)fe^ A a port), ol pp )x foe ac<\ 2ltb \)-^\ox)X)cs ocup TocAjt i)-3l0,)r)A pop 2t)Aet)rr)U]5, ocup ip or) bel foeiftsi \\x) aca 2lcb H)-Bel 'Dei^j 6 pjt) pile. Lujb fo1P T^lflk T?foe5A]fo it) lajcb, ocup pep<x|c cort)loi)t) ocup foo pujc lA]f 6. Jp att}Iai8 jrrjoppu buj p|T), ocup coppbol5 i)A pefo A|3i .1. peojfo CutdujII. )y foe fojT) foo pocbAjp AT)t) PIT) .1. Lt,ac LuACfiA. )x e cefo sup) CutouII t, CAcb Cr>ucb<v- "Ce^fo ] CorjrjACCAib ^Afi y]T), ocup pA5eiib CpirrjAll it)* perjojp a Tj-fo]cbttejb cAjlle Aijfo, ocup fopert) foot; ye]\)^]VV TT)Aille f p]p, ocup if jAfo f|rj foo 51)] t/e^A foo. TocbAjb ]t) coppboh; fopr) foo ocuf Acpec a pcelA 6 cut; co foejpe, ocup att)a-|1 po n)<xpb pep t)a pefo. Ce]leb|tA]8 Fl')T) foo Cp|rt)All, ocup lujfo pojrrje fo'po5lA]rr) ejcpi co "ppjrjecep po bo] port Bo]T). Njp Iatt) un)oppo be]cb a T)-op|T)T) ceT)A t)o co T)-foecliA]fo pe p]li,foecc, at/i eA5l<v ttjac Ujp5peT)t) ocuf
TT)AC 2t)6ftT)A.4
Secbc n)-bl|A&T)A foo "piijrjecjT; pop B6|T) oc uni)Ai5e lAcb L]i)i)e }~ejc; A|p foo buj a cA|ppt)5ipe foo eo "po|C foo corrjAilc, ocup ceT) t)i t)a Ajopjp ]C|p jApurT). }~picb ]r>
TT)-bpAfoAT), OCUp pO b_«pb<\fo foO 4)6)11706 urT)OppO pi) bpAfotU)
1 Maenmhagh, Moinmoy, a territory lying round Lough Reagh in the present county of Galway ; but the situations of Ath-Glonda, i. e. the ford of Glonda, and of Tochar-Glonda, the causeway of Glonda, are now unknown by these names.
2 Ath-Beldeirg, i.e., ford of Red mouth, not identified unless it be Bal- lyderg.
» The Doinn, i.e. the river Boyne in Meatli.
* Here endsfolio 1 19 of the original MS. and on the upper margin of folio 120, in the handwriting of the scribe, is the following observation : —
301
the wail of one [solitary] woman. Ho went towards her, and viewed the woman : The first tear she shed was a tear of blood, and the other was a gush of blood, so that her mouth was red. " Thy mouth is red, 0 woman !" said he- I have cause for it, said she : my only son was killed by a huge ugly hero, who came to me. What is thy son's name ? said he. Glonda is his name, said she. From him Ath- Glonda and Tochar-Glondain Maenmhagh1 are called, and from this Belderg the name Ath-beldeirg2 remains ever since. Finn then went in pursuit of the hero, and they fought a combat, in which he fell by him [Finn.] The way he was situated was, he had the treasure bag with him, i.e., the [bag containing the] treasures of Cumhall. The person who fell here was Liath Luachra, he who first wounded Cumhall in the battle of Cnucha.
He now proceeds into Connaught, and finds Crimall, then an old man, in a desert there, and some of the old Fianns along with him, who were wont to chase for him. He gave him the Corrbholg, and told him the news from beginning to end : — how he had killed the possessor of the treasures. lie bids farewell to Crimall, and goes forward to Fineces [who lived at the Boinn3] to learn poetry. He durst not remain in any part of Ireland until he took to learn poetry, from fear of the sons of Uirgrenn, and the sons of Morna.4
Seven years Finn-eges remained at the Boinn [Boyne] watching the salmon of Linn-Feic,e for it had been prophe- sied that he would eat the [sacred] salmon of Fee, and that he would be ignorant of nothing afterwards ! He caught the salmon, and ordered [his pupil] Dcimne to roast
O Mary [Virgin J it is long till Edmund comes from the meeting.
This was Edmund Butler for whom the MS. was transcribed.
J Linn Feic, i. e. the pool of Fee, a deep pool in the River Boyne, near Ferta fcr fecc, the ancient name of the village of Slane, on this river.
302
bo pi|t?e, ocuy Afberic At) t;]le pjt^f cet) ui; bot) bjiAbAt) bo cort)A]lc. <t)o beitc it) 5flU bo At) bjiAbAt) i,ati. tja pu]i)e, 1t)ATt corgi] f xj\ bot) b|tAbAT), a 51IU, ol yq y.]le. Mjco, ol -(j) 5|Ua, acc rt)o oiibu bo loifcef, ocuf bo fiAbup ]rt) beolu ]A]tcA|o. C|A b-A]T)ft) jql ojtcfA, a 31UA, ol f&. toetrrwe, ol ]t) 3]IIa. T^int) bo Ait)rt), ol ye, a SjIIa, ocuf
If bUjC CUCAblT) bfXAbAI) b]A COfT)A|lc, OCUf ft CU "(TTT^Itlb CO
VJV- 'CoiTTjlib td 5iIIa |t) bfiAbATi ]A|tcAit). Jj- j-ji) cjia bo tiAc ]t> K?r b0 FlW -i- at; cad bo bejteb a ottbAit) itja beolu, ocuf t)ocAt) c^a Ve^vwl^e^, ocuf jto VAiUf-iceA bO lA^lAtt) 1.T) X)] tto b|b 't)A Aiijpif.
Ho t;o3luitt)nutt) V) ctte|b be yetQZfflux V\h*> -1- ^e]t)rt) Ue5A ocuf Jnyuy t;ott Oi;t)A, ocut- <Djcebul bicef)DAib. Jf At)b nt) bo pottie pit)!) it) U13 fi oc ptioti)Ab a 6]Cf] :
Ceccett)A|t) CAjt) jtee ! jto fA]ri At)b cucbc ! Cai)ai,c luft) lAt,b Iai.1), b^A rr)-be|d) LA15AJ5 At)t). OA^nib ca] cfiuAib beAt), iy trocet) fAti) fAffi, ^ul&!5 riT)& riTx> bttui,t)t)e cettb caiII cjtAtb. CeAttbuib |*Att) rixAtll t-|tucb, r*131& 3n<M5 IuacI) lit)t), LeAcAib trolc t^obA jrriAicb, pottbuib CAt)Acb pAt)t) t:ii)t), "FuAbAin bifsell rceill fisitie, itDttib rietb TtiAt) tti,tb
7teA1)A,
CuuticbeAjt fAl V"*V, cui5cbi|i Mac it) bjc. BenA]b * * *
1 Finn is thy name. It appears that our hero had concealed from his master Finn-Eg£s that he had been known by the name of Finn, after he had drowned the nine boys in Magh-Liffe. But the poet finding that he had first tasted of the salmon of Linn Feic without intending it saw that the ancient prophecy was fulfilled in him, and that his real name must be Finn. O'Flahcrty states that our hero assisted his father- in-law Cormac son of Art, in compiling codes of laws ; and the Life of St. Columkille compiled by Manus O'Donnell, states that he possessed the gift of prophecy, and foretold the birth and future greatness of St. Columbkille.
303
it, and the poet told him not to eat of the salmon. The young man brought him the salmon after cooking it. Hast thou eaten any part of the salmon, 0 young man ? said the poet. " No," replied the young man, but I burned my thumb, and put it into my mouth afterwards. What name is upon thee, 0 youth ? said he. Deimne, replied the youth. " Finn is thy name,1 0 youth," said he, and it was to thee the salmon was [really] given, [in the prophecy] to be eaten [not to me], and thou art the Finn truly. The youth afterwards consumed the salmon, and it was from this the [preternatural] knowledge was given to Finn, i.e., when he used to put his thumb in his mouth, and not through Teinm Laegha [poetical incantation,] whatever he had been igno- rant of used to be revealed to him.
He learned the three compositions which signify the poets, namely the Teinm Laegha,'1 the Imusfor Os?ia, and the Dlcedul dicennaib ; and it was then Finn composed this poem to prove his poetry :
May-day3 delightful time ! how beautiful the color !4
The blackbirds sing their full lay, would that Laighaig were here
The cuckoos5 sing in constant6 strains, how welcome is the noble
Brilliance of the seasons ever; on the margin of the branchy woods
The summer suaill7 skim the stream, the swift horses seek the pool,
The heath spreads out its long hair, the weak fair bog- down grows.
Sudden consternation attacks the signs, the planets in their courses running exert an influence :
The sea is lulled to rest, flowers cover the earth.
2 Teinm Laeyha. For a curious account of this poetical incantation as given in Cormac's glossary, the reader is referred to the " Battle of Magh Bath," printed for the Archaeological Society, p. 46. It is said that
304
St. Patrick abolished the Teinm Laegha and the Imbas for Osna, as being profane rites, and allowed the poets to use another called Dichedal do chendaibh, which was in itself not repugnant to Christianity, as requiring no offering to false gods or demons.
3 May-day, ceccenjAJt), is glossed bellcAjtje by O'Clery. It signifies the beginning of summer.
* Color, cucc, gl. sac, color, gl. cuiwre, gl- S^e, face, countenance, mien.
5 CAf, gl. cuaca, cuckoos.
6 Constant, CftuAb, gl. &]Af).
7 Summer suaill, gl. the swallows. The words of this fragment, which was considered to be the first composition of Finn, after having eaten the salmon of the Boyne, is very ancient and exceedingly obscure. The translation is only offered for the consideration of Irish scholars, for it is certain that the meaning of some of the lines are doubtful. The poem obviously wants some lines at the end ; and Mr. Cleaver states, that the remaining portion of the manuscript is so defaced as to render it totally illegible.
INDEX.
Agallamh na Seanoiridh, quoted,
14, n. Aherlow, glen of, 16, n., 29, n.,
299, it.
Albain (Scotland), 298.
Allen, 28G.
Almliuin, 286. hill of, 18, n.
Ancient Irish swords, where de- posited, 140, n.
Ancient map, quoted, 18, n.
Ancient prophecy, fulfilment of, 302, n.
Antrim, 4, n.
Antrim, (Lower), 17, n.
Apparitions, 24, n.
Armagh, 23, »., 63 n.
Assaroe, 15, n.
Ath Beldeirg, 300, n.
Ath-Glonda, its present name,
300, n. Athlone, 290, n,
B.
Ballinaskellig bay, 22, n.
Bally bunion, 17, »•, 73, n., 80, n.
Ballyderg 300, n.
Ballyshannon, 15, n.
Ballyvourney, 185, n.
Bania, 4, n.
Bann, river, 50, 50, n., 57.
Bansha, 16, n„ 29, n.
Bantry, 29 n.
Bardic satires, 90, n.
Barrington, Sir Jonah, estates of,
18, n. Barron, Philip F., 164, n. Barrow, river, 43, n., 50, n. Battle of Downpatrick, 14, n. Beantraighe, 29d, n. Bcarrna-an-da-Ghoill, 40, 40, n.,41. Bearma-an-Scail, 50, 50, n., 51. Belanagare, 30, n. Beiini Ijothair, 21, n. Benignus, 200, n. Blackbirds, 217, n., song of, 4, n. Bladlima, mountain of, 292, n, 20
Boinn (the Boyne), 300, 300, n.,
301. Boroimhe, Brian, 71, n. liothar, peak of, 20, 2 1 . Bolus head, 22. n. Boyne, river, 235, n., 286, 300, «.,
301, n. Brandon bay, 18, n. Bregia, 284. Breifne, 65, n. Butler, Edmund, 283.
Cairbre, land of, 30, n. Cairbrighe, 298, ». Caiseal (Cashel), 201, n. Cambrensis E versus, quoted, 3, n. Cape Clear, 138, n. Carbury, barony of, 14, n. Carolan the poet, 136, n. Carrick-on-Suir, 50, ?», 284. Carrigeen, 50, 51, 51, n. Cas, Cormac, 286. Cashed, 200, n, kings of, their pre- rogatives, 17, n. Castle Island, 291, «. Castleknock, 288, n, Cavan, 288, n. Ceis-Chorainn, 21, n. Chess-playing, antiquity of, 56, n. Ciarraighc (Kerry), 293, n. Ciarruighe Luachra, 22, n. Cill Easbuig Broin, 18, n. CillStuifin, 231. Clan william, barony of, 16, n. Clanna Morna, their inheritance,
16, n,
Claire, battle of, 30, n. Clane, barony of, 70, n. Clare, 51, n., 140, n., 230. Cleaver, Rev. E. 1)., 283. Clonmacnoise, annals of, quoted,
288, n. Clonmel, 16, n., 50, n. Cloonsast, parish of, 294, n. Cnoc-an-air, 16. 17, where situated,
17, n.
306
Cluain Conaire, (Cloncurry),71, ».
Cnoc-an-Scail, 18, n.
Cnu, 4, 5.
Cnucha, battle of, 288, 288, n., 289.
Cobhthach Caol Breagh, 30, re.
Comyn, Michael, 230.
Conall Gulban, 30, re.
Connall, country of, 15, re.
Conn of the hundred battles, 71, re.,
286. Conan Maol, 19, »., anecdote of,
114, n. Con n:i light, 30, re., 286. Connellan, Professor, quoted, 18, n. Coolagarronroe, 232. Gorann, where situated, 21, re. Corcaguiny, barony of, 4, re. Corea-oiche, 284, 288, 289. Cormac M.ic Airt, 1 73, w. Coon igh, territory of, 298, n. Cork. 29, »., 50, re, 138, re., 232,
234., 296. re. Corrbholg, 300, 301, its use, 280, re.,
288, 289. Coshbridge, barony of, 24, n. Coshmore, barony of, 24, re. Crannagh, 283. Crom, one of the idols of the pagan
Irish, 30, n. Crom Cruach, 31, h., 65, n. Crom Dubh, 31, re. Cromleac, where found, 4, n. Crotta Cliach, 294, re. Cruachan Chruim, grouse of, 30,
3 1, where situated, 30, n. Cuckoo, 28, re., ancient Irish name
for, 304, n. Cuilcontuin, 288, 289. Where si-
tuated, 288, re. Cuillean O'g-Cuanach, 298, re. Cullen, 298, re.
D.
Daire Dearg, 206, re., 288, 289.
Dair Inis, (isle of oaks), 24, re.
Dalian, (pillar stone), 217, n.
Dal (.'as, the O'Briens, V 86.
g Bon of b'ionn, adventures of, 15, 7i.
Dcecc, 71, n.
3, their skeletons, whore depos- ited, 216, n.
Deise, Teamrach, 71, "•» a tribe
name, J\t n.
Derrycarn, 28. 29, 32, »., songof the blackbird of, 30, 31., where situ- ated, 28, ti.
Desmond, the great Earl of, 232, 283, 284.
Dinn Senchus, quoted, 42, re.
Dodder, river, 216, re.
Doire an Chairn, 31, n.
Domhnach Chroim Dhuibh, 31, n.
Donegal, 15, re., 30, re.
Dord Fhiann, 4, 5., 68, 69, 76, re., 217, re. Its use, 2, n.
Down, 16, n.
Downpatrick, ancient name of, 14, «. battle of, 14, n.
Dromahaire, barony of, 17, »•
Drom Dearg, 14, 15. its ancient naire, 14, re.
Druim Lis,(nowDrumlease), where situated, 17, re.
Druim-re-Cor, otter of, 30, 31,
Druim Imnocht, 2S4.
Drumeliff, ancient uame of, 14, re,
Drumlish, 16, 17.
Drum Lease, see Druim Lis.
Dublin, 140, n., 216, re.
Ducks, 28. 29.
Dumhach, 231.
Dun Cearmna, its present name, 284.
Dundalethghlas, 14, n.
Dundrum, bay of, 16, n.
Dungarvan, 16, re., 232.
Dun g-Grot, fort and castle of, 16,tj.
Dunne, John, 217, n.
Dunore, where situated, 137, n.
Dwyer, 29, n.
E.
Eamhuin, 18, 19.
Kas Aedha Ruaidh, 15, n.
Eas Ruaidh, 14, 15.
Erne, river, 15, n.
Erris, where situated, 17, n.
F.
Fail, Fiansof, 50, 51. Faoidh, meaning of the term, 14, re. Fee, pool of, 301, re. Fenian hounds, their names, 202, 203, signification of, 2 3. n Ac, its ancient name, 294, n. Fenian games, 4, re.
307
Fera cul, 284.
Fermanagh, 29, n., 30. M.
Fiachadh, Suighdhe, 1\. n.
Fians, their chieftainry, 288, 289.
Fidh Gaiblile, 42, n., 294, a.
Finland, king of, 4, n.
Finn-eges, 300, 301, 302, re.
Finn's first poem, 302, 303. His pedigree, 285.
Finnmhagh, where situated, 290, n.
FiodhChuillinn,(Feighcullen,)71,«.
Firbolgs, 286, 290, n.
Foehaoi, 22, 22, re., 23.
Formaoil, 18, 19, 22, 22, n., 23.
Formaollna-bh-Fian, where situa- ted, 18, n.
Fothartas, 287.
Four Masters, quoted, 16, «., 17, n., 24, n., 30, re., 31, n.
Gaelic Society, transactions of,
quoted, 32, n. Galty mountains, 294, n. Galway, 14, 15, 16, n., 234, n,,
300, n. Garristown, 234, n. Garryricken, 217, n. Gleann-na-g-Caor, stag of, 28, 29,
29, n. Gleann Damhain, 24, n. Gleann-da-dhaimh, 24, 24, «., 24. Gleann-da-Mhail, lowing of the calf
of, 16, 17. Gleann-na-m-buadh, whistle of the
eagle of, 30,31. Gleann-na-Sgail, 4, 4, n., 5. Glenasmoil, 216, n. Glen of the two oxen, 24, n. Glen Rath, 4, 5. Gleoir, the redhanded, 292, 293. Glonda, the ford of, 300, n. Gilla-Brighde Mac Conmhidhe,
chief poet of Ulster, 15, n. Grenane, 18, n. Grianan, its meaning, 168, n. Griffin, Martin, 140. n.
II.
Hares, 28, 29.
Hawks, 30, n.
Hore, Ileib-rtF., 285.
Horses.how brought to Ireland 85,w ITowth, hill of, 84, n. Hui Tairsigh, 288, 289.
I.
Ibh-rathach, 22, n.
Idol worsliip, 65, n.
Ikeathy, 70, n.
Inbhear, Geiniath, 85, n.
Inchiquin, 232, lake of, 50, 51,51, n.
Inis Fail, 164, n.
Iorrus, scream of the seagulls of,
16, 17. Irish druids, 65, n. Irisli proverb?, 79, n. Irish names, their identity, 184, n. Irish families to whom the prefix
"Maol" belongs, 19, n. Iverk, barony of, 283. Ivy leaves, their great size, 216, n.
K.
Keash, 21, n.
Kells, 21, n., 28, n.
Kelly, the late Rev. M„ D.D.,
3, n. Kerry, 4, n., 17, n., 18, n., 22, n.,
23, 7i., 50, n., 80, re., 138, it.,
200, n., 265, n., 291, n., 292, re.,
296, n. Kilbenny, 232. Kildare, 18, «., 49,n.,70,re., 217, n.,
286, 295, n. Kilkenny, 4, 50, n., 51, n , 70, n.,
217, re., 283. Killarney, 235, n. Ancient name
of the lakes of, 200, n. Killarory, parish of, 16, n. Kilrush, 140, n. Kilnaboy, 51, n.
King's County, 286, 292, n., 295, re. Kinsale, old head of, 284. Knockanar, 73, n.
L.
Laithreach Brain, 70, n.
Lake of the three Caols, 28, 29.
Where situated, 28, n. Lamhraighe, 292, n.
30S
Lahinch, 231.
Laragbbrine, 70, n.
Leabhar Gabhala, quoted, 29, n.
Leabbar na g-Ceart, quoted, 5, n.
Leac-an-Scail, 4, n.
Leacht-an-Scail, 4, n.
Leahy, Mr. William, 32, n.
Leath Ard, 72, 73, 73, n.
Leirg-na-bh-Fian, 16, 17, 18, n.
Leitrim, 17, »., 30, n.
Leinster, 18, »., 70, n., 285, 286,
287, 295, n. Ancestors of the
kings of, 284. Letter Lee, 4, 4, n., 5. Blackbird
of, 16, 17. Liars, held in contempt by the
Irish peasantry, 213, n. Liffey, plain of, 295, n. Limerick, 73, n., 284., 298, n. Linn Feic, 300, 301, 301, n. Lismore, book of, 287, 288, n. Loch Lein, 200, n, 201, n. Loch Meilghe, 29, 29, overflowing
of, 30, n. Lodan, Mac Lir, 85, n. Lough Erne, 28, 29. The ducks
of, 28, 29. Where situated, 29, n. Lough Gill, 17, n. Lough Gur, 232. Loughrea, 16, n. Lough Reagh, 300, n. Luachair Dheaghaidh 22, 22, n., 23.
where situated, 226, n. Luaighni, their history, 288, n. Luaghni Teamhrach, 284. Luinhan, meaning of the term,
21, n.
M.
Mac Adam, Robert, 216, n.
Mac Airt, Cormac, 286.
Mac Cumbaill, Fionn, 284.
Mac Conmara, 19, n.
Mac Faolain, 71, ».
Macroom, 185, n.
Mac Lughach.why so called, 206, n.
Mac Firbis, Duald, quoted, 29, n., 284.
Mac Murrough's reign, 76, n
Mac Ronain, Caoilte. How occu- pied, 20, n., his agility, 285.
Mac-an-Loin, 42, 42, n., 43, 46, 47,
Maenmhaigh, its present name, 3U0, n.
Magb Fcimheann, 4, n.
Magh Finn, 290, n.
Magh Laighean, 71, n.
Magh Life,its present name, 295, n.,
drowning of nine youths in, 302,
302, n., 303. Magh-Maoin, 16, n., bellowing of
the ox of, 16. 17- Magh Sleacht, 31, n., 65, n. Maon. plain of, 16, n. Maonmhagh, l6, n.' Maynooth, 71, n. Mayo, 17, n. Meath, 28, n . 32, n., 72,/*., 138, n„
235, n., 286, 288, n., 300, n. Meilghe, lake of, 30, n. Miol muighe, (the hare), 4, n. Mitchelstown, 232. Modhchorb, 30 n. Modeligo, 72, n., parish of, 17, n. Molana, 24, n., 25, n. Molbhthach, .Meilghe, 30, n. Moore, quoted, 286. Moore, the Hon. Mr. 24, n. Mount Grud, 16, n. Mount Uniacke, 16, n. Mountain Castle, 17, n. Moyelly, 286.
Muirenn, her pregnancy, 292, 293. Muireann, a general name for wo- men among the ancient Irish,
292, n. Munster, 286, 296, n. King of,
200, n. Musical Instruments peculiar to
the Ancient Irish, 2, n.
N.
Naas, 48, 49, 49, «., 70, n.
New hall, 31, n.
New Ross, 50, n., ancient name of,
280. Niall of the Nine Hostages, 15. n.
O.
O'Brain, fO'Byrne,) 71, «. O'Breasail's country, 232. O'Briens, 51, n.
O'Ccarbhaill's (O'Carroll's), 200, n O'Connor, 231.
O'Connor, Dr. Charles, quoted 30,n. O'Clery, John Boy, 283, 304, n. O'Connor, Hugh Mac Feliin, 14, n. O'Crcgan, 196, n.
O'Daly, Carroll, anecdotes of, 64,n., 65, n.
309
O'Donehadhas, 200, n.
O'Donnell, Manus, 302, n.
O'Donolioe, M.P., The, his descent, 200, n.
O'Donovan, Dr., 31, n-, 76, n.
O'Duibhne, Diarmuid, his ball seam, or beauty spot, 20, n.
O'Dunnes, how they got their mot- to, 292, ».
O'Flaherty, quoted, 4, n., 31, n.
Ogle, George, 50, «.
O'Grady, 82, n., 140, n.
O'Herlihy, 185, n.
Oisin, legend of, 233,
O'Keefle, Mr. James, 17, n.
O'Kelly, William Boy, his hospi- tality to bards, 90, n.
O'Leihin's country, 232.
Omens, belief in, by the ancient Irish, 170, n.
O'Neill, Brian, 14, n.
O'Quin, family of, 51, n.
Ormonde, 283, 284.
Oscur, great call of, 16, 17.
Ossory, Upper, barony of, 18, n.
Ossorians, expert chess-players, 57, n.
Otter, remarkable instance of the voracity of, 29, n.
Otters, 28, 19.
Oughteranny, 70, n.
Pagan worship, 65, n.
Palliser, William, estates of, 18, n.
Pap mountains, 296, n.
Petrie, Dr., quoted, 164, n.
Piltown, 283.
Pinker ton, quoted, 286.
Portarlington, 294, n.
Pottlesrath, 283.
Q.
Queen's County, 18, n., 292, x.
R.
Eathcroghan, 30, n.
Raymond le Gros, his place of inter- ment, 25, n.
Reading, Thomas, 18, n.
Remarkable headstone for rebels, 165, n.
Ridge by the stream, 30, 31.
Rinn-rathach, 22, 22, n , 23.
Riofog, English name of, 21, n.
River Erne, n.
Roscommon, 21, «., 30, «., 290, n.
Round Towers, 14 n.
Rower, 51 >, 50, n., 51.
Ruan, 230.
21, n. Rudhraidghe, son of Partholan,
where drowned, 16, n. Rughraidne, wave of, 16, 16, «., 17.
S.
Salmon of Fee, 300, 301. Salmon Leap, 15, n. Salt, barony of, 70, n. Seasgnan, (now Slievegoe), parish
of, 16, n. Seal Balbh, (the Stammerer), 4, n.
His monument, 4, n. Scotland, 164, n. Shannon, river, 298, n. Sheahan, Daniel, 73, n. Sheep, slaughter of,by an otter,30,n. Sidh, Fionn's sister, her fleetness of
foot 285. Skreen, hill of, 234, n. Slane, ancient name of, 301, n. Sliabh Bladhma, 292, 292, «., 293. Sliabh g-Crot, 16, n. Chace of, 16,
17. Sliabh Cua, 16, «., 17, «. Fawns
of 16, 17. Sliabh g-Conaill, from whom called,
30, n. The hawks of, 28, 29 Sliabh Cuilinn, 22, 23. Sliabh Guillinn, 23, n., 63, n. Sliabh Luachra, 22, n., 50, 50, n.
51,291, n. Sliabh Mis, (now Slieve Mish),
where situated, 17, n. Murmur
of the streams of, 16, 17. Sliabh Muice (the Pig's Mountain') ,
299, n. "
Sliabh-na-m-ban 5, n., 50, 50, n.,
51. Fenian, traditions of, 217, n Slieve Bloom, 292, n. Slieve Muck, where situated, 299, n. Sligo, 18, n. Smith, quoted, 25, n. Smerwick, 138, n. Specimen of an ancient Irish Lul- laby, 292. 293. Stone of destiny, 130, n. Stone-throwing, antiquity of, 64, n.
310
Strongbow. 25, n.
S. Barnabas, 283.
St. Berchan, 295, n,
St. Columbkill quoted, 302, n.
St. Gobnait, church of, 185, n.
St. Molanfaidh, 25, n.
St. Patrick, 31, n., 81, n., 201, n.,
203, n., 216, n., 287, 304, n. Suir (the river), 4, 4, n., 5, 30, n. Surnames, 71, n Swallows, 26. 27
T.
Tara, 234, n. Druid of, 65, n.
Hill of, 164, n. Teamhair Luachra, where situated,
291, n. Thomond, Marquis of, 51, ?t. Thrush, 4, 4, n., 5. Tipperary, 5, n., 16, n., 29, n.,
50, n., 294, n., 298, re., 299, n. Tir Chonaill, (Tir Connell), 15, n. Tobar Glonda, 300, n. Todd, Rev. Dr., 283. Traigh Rudhraighe, 16, n. Tralee, 298, «., harbour of, 23, n. Troughanackrny, barony of, 17, n. Tuathal Teachtmhar, 4, n.
U.
Ui Faelain, 70, n.
Ui Failghe, 284.
Ui Fidhgeinte, 284.
Ui Tairsigh, 284.
Ulster Journal, quoted, 76, n.
Ulster families, their descent, 196,n.
Unmall, 31, n.
W.
Walsh mountains, 50, n.
Walsh, the late Edward, quoted,
5, n. Waterford, 16, n , 24, n., 72, n.,
164, n. Westminster Abbey, 164, n. Wexford, 50, n, 280. Wheeler, Mrs. Judith, 18, n. Wheeler, Oliver, 18, n. Whelan, Rev. John, B. P., 72, n. Wicklow, 71, n. Williams, W., 232. Windele, quoted, 202, n. Wolves, 22, 23.
Youghal, 25, n.
M E M B R R S
Adamson, Arthur, Esq., Court Lodge, Rathkeale.
Ahern, Rev. Maurice, P.P., Castle- mahon.
A lister, John, Esq., LL.D , Barris- ter, Regius Professor of CivilLaw, T.C.D., 5, Lower Gloucester- street, Dublin.
Appleyard, Rev. E. S., M.A., Til- gate Cottage, Crawley, Sussex
Armstrong, Adam, Esq., Bally- gawley, Co. Tyrone.
Aslier, Messrs. A. and Co., Pub- lishers, Berlin.
Atkinson, Edward, Esq., M.D., Drogheda.
B.
Broderick, the Hon. Miss Charlotte, Bath.
Barron, Mrs., Bonn, Germany.
Burton, Mrs., Burton Hall, county Carlow.
Baldwin, Thomas, Esq., Professor of Agriculture, Board of Educa- tion, Glasnevin, Dublin.
Ball, Captain, Adare.
Barry, Rev. Edward, P.P. Mul- lough, Miltownmalbay.
Bell, Rev. Edward, A.B., Ennis- kean, Co. Cork.
Black, Rev. Wm., M.A., Raheny.
Blacker, Kev. B. H., M.A., Rokeby, South-hill Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Bourke, Rev. Ulick J.. Professor of Natural Philosophy, Humanity, and Irish, St. Jarlath's College, Tuam.
Bourke, Thomas, Esq., C.E., Rail- way Department, Melbourne.
Bourke, John, Esq., 42, Marlbo- rough-street, Dublin.
Bourke, Thos., Esq., St. Patrick's College, Maynooth
Bradshaw, Henry, Esq., Fellow of King's College, Cambridge.
Brady, Mr. J., Glasnevin, Dublin.
Brash, Richard Robert, Esq., Sun- day's Well, Cork.
Breen, John, Esq., A.B., C.E.,Kil- inacduane, Kilrusli.
Breen, Simon, Esq., Kilrusli.
Browne, Edward George Kirwan, Esq., Moate, Westmeath.
Buckley, Rev. Jeremiah, P.P., 17. Great Hamilton-street, Glasgow.
Bunton, John, Esq. Solicitor, Ennis,
Burke, Joseph, Esq., Barrister, 17, Fitzwilliam-place, Dublin.
Burke, Rev. Michael, P.P., Kil- chreest, Diocese of Kilmacdnagh.
Burke, Joseph, Esq., Bray.
Burton, John, Esq., Assembly Build- ings, cor. 10th, and Chestnut- streets, Philadelphia.
Butler, James John, Esq., 23, Elhs's-quay, Dublin.
Byrne, Kev. P., P.P., Castletown- Geoghegan, Westmeath.
Byrne, Myles, Esq., Ovoca.
Cleaver, Miss Fanny A., St. Leo- nards on Sea.
Cahalan, Rev. Thomas, P.P., Kil- tulla, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Campbell, John, Esq., Auckland, New Zealand.
Carey, Joseph, Esq., Rathkeale.
Carr, Rev. John, Carmelite Church, Auugier street, Dublin.
Carroll, Peter, Esq., 54, Rathmines Road, Dublin.
Casey, Rev. John, P.P., Kilrosenty, Lamybrien, Co. Waterford.
Casey, Rev. James, C.C., Kilronan, Co. Galway.
Casey, Rev. John, P.P., Killarney,
Casey, Rev. Michael, C.C., Bally- knock, Carrick-on-Suir.
Casey, Kennedy, Esq., Rathkeale.
Cavenagh, Mr. Francis, 92, Capel- street, Dublin.
Clarke, Rev. John, C.C., Louth.
Cleaver, Kev. E. D., M.A., S. Bar- nabas, Pimlico, London.
312
Clelland, Jame9, Esq., Irish-street, Downpatrick.
Cole, W. L., Esq., Proprietor of the Irish American, New York.
Coleman, Rev. Wm., C.C., Glaun- tane, Mallow.
Coleman, Everard Home, Esq , F.R.A.S., F.R.C.S., General Re- gister and Record Office of Sea- men, Adelaide Place, London Bridge, London, E.C.
Collins, Rev. J., C.C., Innishannon, Bandon.
Collins, Edward F., Esq., Hull Advertiser, Hull.
Collis, Capt., City-quay, Dublin.
Comyn, Francis Lorenzo, Esq. Lis- sinard, Bally vaughan, Burren, Co. Clare.
Condon, Pierse, Esq., Brooklyn. New York.
Condon, James, Esq., Ardreagh, Rathkeale.
Connellan, Professor, Queen's Col- lege, Cork, and Dublin.
Considine, Mr. Donald, Jail-street, Ennis.
Conway, M. E., Esq., General Post Office, Dublin.
Cooper, Rev. Leonard Leader, A.B., The Castle, Antrim.
Coote, Henry C, Esq., Doctors' Commons, London, E.C.
Cosgravc, Michael, Esq., Ballagh- aderreen, Mayo.
Costello, John, Esq., Gal way.
Cousins, Rev. Sidney Leslie, A.B., Banteer, Co. Cork.
Creagh, Pierse, Esq., J. P., Barris- ter, Mount Elva. Co. Clare, and Mountjoy-square, Dublin.
Crean, Thomas J., Esq., Dungarvan
Cronnolly, Mr. Richard, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway.
Crowe, Thomas, Esq., J.P., D.L., Dromore, Ruan, Co. Clare.
Crowley, Cornelius, Esq., Bandon,
Culbert, Robt., Esq., Stanus-place, Lisburn.
Culhane, James, Esq., Ballystecn, Askeaton.
Cullen, Luke, Esq., Mount St. Joseph, I llondalkin.
Cullinan, Ralph, Esq., Malgowna, J .mils.
Cuming, George, Esq., Markethill,
Cummins, Rev. Jeremiah, C.C., South Presbytery, Cork.
Cunningham, D. P., Esq., Crohane, Killenaule, Co. Tipperary.
Cussen, Very Rev. Robert, D.D., P.P., V.G., Bruff.
D.
Dunraven, The Rt. Hon. the Earl of, Adare Manor, Adare.
Daly, John, Esq., Charleville, En- niskerry.
Daly, R. B., Esq., West-street, Drogheda.
D 'Alton, Henry, Esq., Ballagha- derreen, Co. Mayo.
Dalton, Mr. Patrick, Dungeehy, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
Davenport, Tyrrell, Esq., Bally, nacourty, Co. Clare.
Dee, Jeremiah, Esq.,Newtown-San- des, Co. Kerry.
Delany, George, Esq., Longford Terrace, Kingstown.
Delany, Mr. Hugh, Glandore, Ros- carberry, Co. Cork.
De Vere, Aubrey, Esq., Curra- chase, Adare.
De Vere, Stephen, Esq., M.P., Cur- rachase, Adare.
Dinan, Rev. Michael, P.P., Clon- dagad and Ballynacally Co. Clare.
Doherty, Rev. PhilipVincent, O.P., Chapel House, Denmark-street, Dublin.
Doherty, John Izod, Esq., Bloom- wood, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
Doherty, William Izod, Esq., 21, Wcstland-row, Dublin.
Dolphin, Mrs., Corr-House, county Galway.
Donegan, John, Esq., Dame-street, Dublin.
Dowden, Richard (R), Esq., Rath- Lee, Sunday's Well, Cork.
Dowling, Robert, Esq., 107, Great Howard-street, Liverpool.
Drummond, Rev. Wm. Hamilton, D.D., M.R.I. A., 27, Lower Gar- diner-street, Dublin.
Drummond, William, Esq., Rock- vale Castle, Stirling.
Eassie, William, Jun., Esq., Glou- cester.
313
Egan, George William, Esq., M.D., Dundrum, Co. Dublin.
Ellis, Richard, Esq., Glenasrone, Abbeyfeale.
Enright, Timothy, Esq., Castle- martin, Rathkeale.
Fairholme, Mrs., Comragh House,
Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. Faughney, James, Esq , Castlebar. Ferguson, Samuel, Esq., Barrister,
20, N. Gt. George's-st., Dublin. Field, John, Esq., Blackrock, Co.
Dublin. Finn, Jeremiah, Esq., 114, Patrick- street, Cork. Finn, Rev, Thomas, C.C., Ardfi-
nan, Clonmel. Fisher, Rev. Wm. Allen, Kilmoe,
Schull, Skibbereen. Fitzgerald. Edward, Esq., A.B.,
Nelson Terrace, Youghal. Fitzgerald, Robert, Esq., Geraldine
Place, Kilkee. Fitzgerald, Gamaliel, Esq.,George's-
street, Limerick. Fitzgerald, John Lloyd, Esq., Gle-
nastar House, Newcastle West,
Co. Limerick. Fitzgerald, Rev. F., Donnybrook. Fitzgerald, Very Rev. Archdeacon,
P.P., Rathkeale, Co. Limerick. Fitzgibbon, Danl., Esq., Rathkeale. Fitzpatrick, W. A., Esq., Kilma-
cud Manor, Stillorgan. Fleming, John, Esq., Clonea, Car-
rick-on-Suir. Foley, Rev. Daniel T., D.D., Pro- fessor of Irish, Trinity College,
Dublin. Foley, Mr. John, Royal Marine Ar- tillery, The Fort, Cumberland,
Portsmouth. Foley, John W., Esq., 19, Shepper-
ton Cottages, New North Road,
Islington, London. Forrest, Rev. John, C.C., D.D.,
Kingstown. Foster, Capt. Francis Blake, J.P.,
H.C.T.C., Forster Park.Galway. Fowler, Thomas Kirwan, Esq.,
Alexandria, Egypt. Franks, Rev. James S., Reens,
Rathkeale.
21
Frazer, Rev. D., Manse of Fcarn
by Tain, Scotland. Frost, John, Esq., Solicitor, Ennis.
G.
Gabbett, Lieut. -Colonel, Madras Artillery, India.
Gabbett, Rev. Robt., M.A., Glebe, Foynes, Co. Limerick.
Gauge, — , Esq., Museum of Irish Industry, Dublin.
Geoghegan, J. C, Esq., Surveyor- General of Excise, London, Ennis.
Geoghegan, Henry, Esq., M.A., C.E., Calcutta.
Gibson, John, Esq., Kilrush, Co.
Gilligan, Rev. P. J., C.C., 61,
James'sstreet, Dublin. Glennon,T. P., Esq., Coventry. Goff, Michael, Esq., 4, Barker-st.,
Waterford. Good, Rev. John, C.C., Gal way. Goodman, Rev. James, A.B., Ard-
groom, Castletown, Berehaven. Graves, Rev. Chas., D.D..F.T.C.D.,
M.R.I.A., Dublin. Graves, Rev. Jas., A.B., Kilkenny. Grealy, Rev. Thos., P.P., Kiltho-
mas, Diocese of Kilmacduagh. Greaven, Anthony, Esq., Grand
Parade, Cork. Green, Thomas, Esq., Ennis. Griffin, Mr. Martin, Kilrush.
H.
Hill, Lord George Augusta, Ramel-
ton, Co. Donegal. Hackett, Wm., Esq., Midleton. Hallinan, Mr. John, Ballinakilbeg,
Castlemahon. Hammond, Thos., Esq., Drogheda. Hanley, Joseph, Esq., Barrister,
25, Lr. Gardiner-street, Dublin. Hanley, Wm. Francis, Esq., M.D.,
Holycross, Thurles. Hanna, J. W., Esq., Saul-street,
Downpatrick. Harold, Charles, Esq., Curah,
Crookstown, Co. Cork. Harpur, Geo., Esq., Sheep House,
Drogheda. Hartigan, Patrick, Esq., Cloonagh,
Rathkeale, Co. Limerick.
314
Hart, James Charles, Esq., B.A., Clifden, Connamara.
Hartney, Rev. Murtough, P.P., Corofin, Co. Clare.
Haverty, Patrick M., Esq., 112, Fulton-street, New York.
Haverty, M., Esq., Askeaton.
Hawkes, Z., Esq.,Moneens, Bandon.
Hayes, Cornelius, Esq., Rathkeale.
Hayes. Edward, Esq., Melbourne, Australia.
Hayes, Mr. Nicholas, Cahir-Guil- lamore, B.uff.
Haynian, Rev. Samuel, A.B., Nel- son Place. Youghal.
Healy, William, Esq., Castlebar.
Hegarty, Jeremiah, Esq., 2, St. David-street, Cardiff.
Henegan, D., Esq., Bantry.
Hennessy, Maurice, W., Esq., Al- bert Road, Kingstown.
Hester, Rev. Bartholomew, P.P., Ardcarne, Boyle.
Hewitt, Thomas, Esq., Barrister, Cork.
Hickey, Rev. James, C.C., Church of St. Nicholas, Francis-street, Dublin.
Hickey, Cornelius, Esq., Abbey- view, Rathkeale.
Hickey, Wm. R., Esq., Surveying General Examiner of Excise, So- merset House, London.
Hill, Rev. Thomas, C.C., Coore- clare, Ennis, Co. Clare.
Hodges, Smith, and Co., Messrs.,
104, Grafton-street, Dublin. Hodges, John, Esq., M.D., Belfast. Hodnett, Jeremiah, Esq., Solicitor
and Town Clerk, Youghal. Hooper, Charles T., Esq.. A.M.,
28, Mary- street, Dublin. Hore, Herbert F., Esq., Pole-IIore,
Wexford, Humphries, Thomas, Esq., Kilma-
cow, Waterford. Hynes, Patrick, Esq., 83, Fonte- noy-street, Liverpool.
Inchiquin, The Lady, Dromoland, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Inchiquin, The Rt. Hon. Lord, Dro- moland. Newmaiket-on-Fergus.
Irwin, Rev. Wm., C.C., Metropoli- tan Church, Marlborough -street, Dublin.
J.
Joly, J. R., Esq.,LL.D., Barrister, 38, Rathmines Mall, Dublin.
Jordan, Mr. Patrick, 32, Wardour- street, Oxford-street London.
Jottrand, Mons., Rue Roy ale, Ex- teriure, Bruxelles.
K.
Keane, The Right Rev. Wm., D.D.,
Bishop of Cloyne, Fermoy. Kildare, The Most Noble the Mar- quis of, Carton, Maynooth. Kavanagh, Miss Julia, 21, Glou- cester-st., Queen's-sq., London.
Kavanagh, James, Esq., Swanlin- bar, Co. Cavan.
Kane, Thos.,Esq.,M.D., Limerick.
Keane, Rev. _, C.C.,St. Ligouri's, Great Hamilton -street, Glasgow.
Kean, Francis N., Esq., Hermitage, Ennis.
Kearney, Matthew, Esq., Catholic University, Dublin.
Keating, M. J., Esq., Butter Ex- change, Cork.
Keegan, Francis Michl., Esq., 20, Crown-st., Soho-sq., London.
Keightley, Thomas, Esq., Fairfax House, Chiswick.
Kiersey, Michael, Esq., The Mills, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford.
Kelly, Denis Henry, Esq., D.L., J- P., M. R. I. A., Castlekelly, Mount Talbot.
Kelly, Rev. Thomas, P.P., Tonha, and Tonaharna, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare.
Kelly, Hugh, Esq., T.C., Great Brunswick-street, Dublin.
Kelly, Wm. B., Esq., 8, Grafton- street, Dublin.
Kelly, John W., Esq., C.E., Ennis.
Kelly, Stephen, Esq., Galway.
Kelly, Thos. Esq., Wilkinstown, Navan.
Kenedy, Patrick, Esq., 6, Anglesea- street, Dublin.
Kenedy. William, Esq., I. N. S., Rathkeale.
315
Kennifeck, Rev. Maurice, P.P., Rathconnack, Co. Cork.
Kenny, Jumes C. F., Esq., A.B,, J.P., M.R.I. A., Barrister, Kil- clogher, Monivea, Co. Galway, and 2, Merrion-sq., S., Dublin.
Kerin, Michael, Esq., Chureh-st., Ennis.
Kilroy, Andrew, Esq., 24, Temple- bar, and Anglesea-st., Dublin.
King's Inns, The Hon. Society of, Dublin.
Kir wan, John Stratford, Esq., Moyne, Dangan, Co. Galway.
Kirwan, Patrick, Esq., Graigavalla, Carrick-on-Suir.
Knox, J. B., Esq., Proprietor of the Clare Journal, Ennis.
L.
Leahy, The Most Rev. Patrick,
D.D., Archbishop of Cashel and
Emly, Thurles. Lamb, Rev. Patrick, P.P., New-
townhamilton, Co. Armagh. Lanphier, Somerville, Esq., 61,
George's street, Cork. Lane, Rev. M., P.P., Donough-
more, Coachford, Co. Cork. Langan, Patrick, Esq., Battrams-
town.'Duleek. Lawler, James, Esq., 17, Water- street, Liverpool. Lawler, Patrick, Esq., Liverpool. Leader, Rev. T, C.C., Youghal. Leahy, Rev. Patrick, C.C., Church
of St. Nicholas, Francis-street,
Dublin. Leech, G. Win., Esq., Rathkeale
Abbey, Rathkeale. Lemane, James, Esq., Irish Reve- nue Department, Custom House,
Dublin. Lewis, H., Esq., Literary Sale
Rooms, 31, Anglesea-st., Dublin. Littledale, Rev. Richard Frederick,
A.B., T.C.D., 10, Crown-street,
Soho, London. Logic, Daniel W., Esq., Portland
Terrace, Park Road, Oldford
Bow, London. Lynch, Mr. l'atrick, Knock Firenn,
Ballingarry, Co. Limerick.
Lyons, Michael, Esq., Rathkeale. Lysaght, Michael, Esq., Ennis.
M.
Manchester, His Grace the Duke of, Tanderagee Castle, County of Antrim.
Mac Adam, Robert, Esq., 18, Col- lege-square, East, Belfast.
Mac Cartie, Daniel, Esq., Skibber- een, Co., Cork.
Mac Carthy, Rev. Justin, P.P., Mallow.
Mac Carthy, Rev. J., C.C., Mallow.
Mac Carthy, John George, Esq., South Mall, Cork.
Mac Carthy, Wm., Esq., Derryna- noul, Mitchelstown.
Mac Carthy, Michael Felix, Esq., A M., Dublin.
Mac Carthy, Daniel, Esq., 2, Port- land-place, Bath.
Mac Dcrmott, Joseph, Esq., 1, Cowlcy-place, Dublin.
Mac Douall, Professor Charles, Queen's College, Belfast.
Mac Dowcll, Patrick, Esq., R.A., 74, Margaret-street East, Caven- dish-square, London.
Mac Kenzie, JohnWhitefoord.Esq., F. S. A. S., 16, Royal Circus, Edinburgh.
Mac Lauehlan, Rev. T., M.A., F.S.A.S., Free Gaelic Church, and 4, Viewforth, Edinburgh.
Mac Loughlin, Very Rev. Francis, O. S. F., Willowbank Convent, Ennis.
Mac Mahon, Rev. John, P.P., Kil- farboy and Miltownmalbay.
Mac Mahon, Rev. James, C.C., Ennis.
Macmahon, Rev. Patrick, P.P., Mountshannon Daly, Whitegate, Co. Galway.
Mac Namara, Daniel, Esq., Tullig, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick.
Mackesy, Mrs. Margaret E., Castle- town-Kilpatrick, Navan, Meath.
Mac Namara, Michael, Esq., Soli- citor, Green Park, Ennis.
Macray, Rev. W. D., M.A., 69, Holywell, Oxford.
M'Carthy, Rev. John, C.C.Mallow.
810
M'Carthy, T., Esq., Bandon.
M'Oullagh, Niall, Esq., Buenos Avres.
M'Devitt, Rev. James, C.C., St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.
M'Evoy, D., Esq., Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny.
M'Gauran, John, Esq., Westland- row, Dublin.
M'Ginty, M., Esq., Bray.
Madden, Rev. John, C.C., Gort, Co, Galway.
Madigan, Thomas, Esq., Kilrush.
Madigan, Andrew, Esq., Kilrush.
Magauran, Patrick, Esq., Ballina- more, Co. Leitrim.
Magennis, Edward Augustus, Esq., 8, North-street, Newry.
Maguire, Edward, Esq., J.P., Bar- rister, Gortoral House, Swanlin- bar, Co. Cavan.
Maguire, Nathaniel, Esq., Bone- brook, Bawnboy.
Mahony, Rev. Laurence, Buttevant, Co. Cork.
Mahony, Richard, Esq., Dromore Castle, Kenmare.
Marnel, Mr. John, Pallas, Mary- borough.
Martin. John, Esq., 26, Rue Lace- pede, Paris.
Meagher, Very Rev. Monsignore, William, D.D., V.G., P.P., Rath- mines, Dublin.
Meagher, Rev. John, C.C., Lorrha, liorrisokane.
Meany, Rev. Patrick, C.C., Bally- knock, Carrick-on-Suir.
Meany, Rev. G., C.C., St. James's Church, Blackburne Lancashire.
Moloney, Kev. Michael, C.C., Kil- bride, Wicklow.
Moloney, Rev Thomas, C.C., Mul- lough, Miltownmalbay.
Moloney, ttev. B., P.P., Clough- Jordan & Monsea, Co. Tipperary.
Moloney, P., Esq., Jail-st., Ennis.
Monsell, Kt. Hon. William, M.P., Tervoe, Co. Limerick.
Moore, John, Esq., Solicitor, Mid- leton, Co. Cork.
Moore, Kcv. Philip, C.C., Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
re, Mr. Wm. E., N.T., Castle- mahi n.
Moran.Rev, Patrick, C.C., Kilkee.
Moran, Michael, Esq., Drumgra- nagh, Ennis.
Moriarty, M., Esq., St. Mary's Cottage. Dumfries.
Moroney, Jeremiah, Esq., Philadel- phia.
Morris, Henry, Esq., 4, Little Ship- street, Dublin.
Moxon, Wm. Milson, Esq., Survey- ing General Examiner of Excise, Somerset House, London.
Moylan, John, Esq., Rathkeale.
Moynahan, Mortimer, Esq., Skib- bereen, Co. Cork.
Mulcahy, Rev. E.s P.P., Timo- league, Bandon.
Mullane, Mr. Michl., Castlemahon.
Murray, Rev. Thomas L., P.P., Kilcolman, Mallow.
Murphy, Rev. Dominick, South Presbytery, Cork.
Murphy, Rev. Wm., C.C., Skib- bereen, Co. Cork.
Murphy, James, Esq., I.Lombard- street, Dublin.
Murphy, M. A., Esq , 7, James's- street, Liverpool.
Murphy, Rev. T., P.P., Youghal.
N.
Nash, David William, Esq., Bar- rister, 9, Vyvyan Terrace, Clif- ton, Bristol.
Nash, Rev. A., Rathkeale.
Nealon, Jas., Esq., Toonagh, Ennis.
Newell, Rev. T., C.C, Ennistymon.
Newport, Rev. Andw., C.C, Ennis.
Nicholson, John Armitage, Esq , Belrath, Kells, Co. Meath.
O.
O'Brien, Rt. Hev. Dominick, D.D., Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Waterford.
O'Hea, Most Rev. Michael, D.D., Bishop of Ross, Skibbereen.
O'Brien, William Smith, Esq., M K I. A., Cahirmoyle, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick (4 copies).
O'Brien, Edward W., Esq., Sch., 40, Trinity College, Dublin, and Cihirnioyle, Newcastle W t, Co. Limerick.
317
O'Brien O'Fiely, T., Esq., A.B., LL.B., Ruby Lodge, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. O'Beirne-Crowe, Jolin, A.B., Pro- fessor of Celtic Languages, Queen's College, Galway. O'Boyle, Rev. Thomas, C.C., South Gloucester, County of Carleton, Canada West, North America. O'Brickley, Mr. David, 27, Hatton
Garden, London. O'Brien, Patrick, Jun., Esq., Clare
Castle, Co. Clare. O'Brien, Richard, Esq., 56, Cam-
den-street, Dublin. O'Brien, Robert, Esq., Old Church,
Limerick. O'Brien, Mr. Daniel, St. David-
street, Cardiff. O'Brien, Rev. William, C.C., Kil-
mihil, Kilrush, Co. Clare. O'Brien, Mr. John, Ballycullen,
Ashford. Co. Wicklow. O'Byrne, John, Esq., 7, Jardin
Royal, Toulouse. O'Byrne, Messrs. P. & Co., Aston's-
quay, Dublin. O'Callaghan, Eugene, Esq., Lime- rick. O'Carroll, Rev. Vincent. O.P., St.
Saviour's Priory, Limerick. O'Carroll, Rev. Christopher. C.C.,
Rue Castle, Craughwell. O'Cavenagli, John Eugene, Esq., 6, Essex-street, Islington, London. O'Connell, D., Esq., M. D., Flint- field, Mill- street, Co. Cork. O'Connor-Kerry, Rev. Chas. James, C.C., Saiidiford, Dundrum, Co. Dublin. O'Connor, Michael, Esq., Glena-
geary, Kingstown. O'Connor, Mr. Thomas, 19, Shep- herd-street, Oxford st , London. O'Connor, Mr. Michael, 97, St.
Martin's Lane, London. O'Connor, Patrick, Esq., Secretary, Scientific and Literary Society, Kilrush. O'Daly, John, Esq., O'Daly's
Bridge, Kells. O'Daly, Mr. John, 9, Anglesea-st.,
Dublin. O'Donnell, Michael, Esq., Solicitor, Charleville.
O'Donnell, Rev. Patrick, C.C.,
Carrick-on-Suir. O'Donoghue, Rev. Edmund, C.C.,
Shannon-view, Shanagolden. O'Donoghue, Rev. Philip, C.C.,
New York. O'Donohue, Francis, Esq , Bally- gurreen, Newmarket-on-Fergus. O'Donovan, John, LL.D.M.R.I.A. Barrister, 36, Upper Bucking- ham-street, Dublin. O'Donovan, Mr. J., Lisbehoge, De- sert Serges, Bandon. 0'J)onovan-Rossa, Jeremiah, Esq ,
Skibbereen, Co. Cork. O'Duffy, John, Esq., 75, Dame- street, Dublin (4 copies.) O'Driscoll, Denis Florence, Esq., A.B , Senior Scholar in Natural Philosophy, Queen's Coll., Cork. O'Driscoll, John, Esq., 10, Angle- sea-street, Dublin. O'Driscoll, Patk., Esq., C.E., Ennis. O'Farrell, James, Esq., 1, Bevois Cottages, Bevois Valley, South- ampton. O'Farrell, Rev. Mark, P.P., Fer-
bane, Diocese of Ardagh. O'Farrell, M. R., Esq., 28, Upper
Pembroke-street, Dublin. O'Flaherty, Martin, Esq , Galway. O'Flanagan, Mr. John, Wellbrook,
Corofin, Co. Clare. O'Flynn, Rev. John L., O.S.F.C,
Church-street Friary, Dublin. O'Gorman, Thos., Esq., 28, Heytes-
bury-street, Dublin. O'Grady, Admiral, Erinagh House,
Castleconnell. O'Grady, Standiah Hayes, Esq.,
Erinagh House, Castleconnell. O'Grady, Rev. Thomas, Berehaven. O'Grady, Rev. Thomas Standish,
P.P., Adare. O'Grady, Mr. Stephen, Kilareidy. O'Grady, Edwd., Esq., Rathkeale. O'Hagan, John, Esq., Barrister,
2U, Kildare-street, Dublin. O'Hanlon, Rev. John, C.C., 17,
James'-street, Dublin. O'llanlon, David, Esq., M.D.,
Rathkeale. O'Hannigan, John, Esq., Dungar-
van, Co. Waterford. O'Hara, Randall, Esq., 2, John- street, Cardiff.
318
O'Hara, John, Esq., Curlough, Bawnboy.
O'Hea, Patrick, Esq., Bandon.
O'Herlihy, P., Esq., 33, Ebenezer Terrace, Sunday's Well, Cork.
O'Higgin, Rev. R. J., Limerick.
O'Horgan, Rev. _, C.C., St. Lau- rence O'Toole's, Dublin.
O'Kelly, Wm, Esq., 32, Chestnut- street, Liverpool.
O'Keeffe, Connor, Esq., Queen's College, Cork, and Abbeyview, Kilcrea.
O'Kennedy -Morris, Michael, Esq., A.B., M.D., Queen's University, Boulie, Kilcooley Co. Tipperary.
O'Laverty, Rev. James, C.C., Dio- cesan Seminary, Belfast.
O'Loghlen, Sir Colman M., Bart., 20, Merrion-sq., South, Dublin.
O'Loghlen, Bryan, Esq., Rockview, Ennis.
O'Looney, Brian, Monreel, Ennis- tymon.
O'Mahony, Rev. Thomas, P.P.. Crusheen and Rath. Co. Clare.
O'Mahony, Rev. Thaddeus. A.B., 24, Trinity College, Dublin.
O'Mahony, James, Esq., Bandon.
O'Mahony, James, Esq., Ballivil- lone, Bandon.
O'Meara, John, Esq., Birr.
O'Neill, Geo. F., Esq., B.A., Newry.
O'Neill, Neal John, Esq., Marino Crescent, Clontarf, and 82, Marl- borough-street, Dublin.
O'Neill, Rev. James, C.C., Ratfi- cormick, Co. Cork.
O'Rcgan, Mr.,— N.T., Bally vohan.
Ormond, Robert, Esq., Mulgrave- street, Cork.
O'Rourke, Rev. John, C.C., Kings- town, Co. Dublin.
Orr, Samuel, Esq., Flower Field,
Coleraine. O'Sullivan, Denis, Esq., Bantry. O'Sullivan, Mr. James, 2, Cowane- street, Stirling, Scotland.
P.
Parker, John II., Esq., Shamrock Lodge, Harold's Cross, Dublin.
Parkhousc, Thos., Esq., Tiverton, Devon.
Petty, John, Esq., C.E., Ennis.
Phayer, William. Esq., Limerick.
Phelan, Mr. William, Walshestown.
Fierce, Richard, Esq., Waterloo Place, Wexford.
Pigott, John Edw., Esq., M.R.I. A., Barrister, 96, Lr. Leeson-street, Dublin.
Pontet, Marc, Esq., 8, Upper Sackville-street, Dublin.
Power, Rev. Joseph, M.A., Uni- versity Library, Cambridge.
Power, William, Esq., 116, Bar- rack-street, Waterford.
Power, Patrick James, Esq., Cool- agh, Dungarvan.
Prim, John G. A., Esq., Proprietor of the Moderator, Kilkenny.
Q.
Quaid, Rev. Patrick, P.P., Drom-
collogher, and Broadford, Char-
leville, Co. Limerick. Quin, Very Rev. Andrew, P.P.,
V.G., Kilfenora and Kiltoraght,
Co. Clare. Quinlivan, Rev. Michael, P.P.,
Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co.Clare.
R.
Raleigh, F. Gibbon, Esq.. Castle-
mahon. Reade, Rev. Geo. Fortoscue, A.B.,
Inniskeen Rectory, Dundalk. Reeves, Rev. William, D.D. Lusk,
Co. Dublin. Reeves, Rev. John, C.C., Kilmeady. Reynolds, Thomas, Esq., City Mar- shall, Dublin. Roche, Lewev, Esq., 49, Patrick-st.,
Cork. Roche, Mr. Michael, Castlemahon. Rooney, M. W., Esq., 26, Anglesea-
street, Dublin. Rowan, Very Rev. Archdeacon,
D.D., M.K.I.A., Tralee. Rowland, John T., Esq., Solicitor,
Drogheda. Royal Dublin Society, Library of,
Kildare-street, Dublin. Russell, Thomas O'Neill, Esq., 103,
Grafton-street, Dublin. Ryan, Andrew, Esq., Gortkelly
Castle, Borrisoleigh. Ryan, Patrick, Esq., St. Patrick's
College, Maynooth.
3li»
s.
Scott, William, Esq., Ranelagh, Co. Dublin.
Shairp, John Campbell, Esq., the University, St. Andrews, Scot- land.
Shaw, Mrs.; Monkstown, Cork.
Sheahan, Michael, Esq., Buttevant.
Sheahan, Mr. Daniel, Ardagh, New- castle West, Co. Limerick.
Sheahan, Mr. Michael, Newcastle West Post Office, Co. Limerick.
Sheehan, Daniel, Esq.,1 15, Patrick- street, Cork.
Sheehy, Geo., Esq., Castlcmahon.
Sheehy, Henry, Esq., Port William, Ballingarry, Co. Limerick.
Siegfried, Kudolf Thomas, Ph D., Trinity College, Dublin.
Sigerson, Geo.. Esq., A.B., Queen's College, Cork.
Skene, William F., Esq., 20, In- verleith-row, Edinburgh.
Smiddy, Rev. Kichd., C.C., Mallow.
Soanes, Robert L., Esq,, 2, Royal Exchange Buildings, Cornhill, London.
Stack, Rev. John, C.C., Tomgeany, Scariff, Co. Limerick.
Stackpoole, Capt. W., J.P., Bally- alla, Ennis.
Stamer, Wm., Esq , M.D., Ennis.
Stephens, Professor George, Copen- hagen.
Stephens, Thomas, Esq., Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.
Sullivan, W. K., Ph. D., Museum of Industry, Stephen's Green, Dublin.
Sweeny, Mr. William, Tanlehane.
Synan, Very Rev. Dr., P.P., Sha- nagolden, Co. Limerick.
Talbot de Malahide, The Rt. Hon.
Lord, Malahide Castle, Malahide. Talbot, Marcus, Esq., Ennis. Thomson, Miss M. M., Ravensdale,
Flurry Bridge, Co. Louth. Tierney, Daniel, Esq., A.B., C.E.,
Queen's University, Blackwater
Lodge, Shannon Baidge, King's
County.
Tighe, Robert, Esq., Fitzwilliam-
square, Dublin. Todd, Rev. James Ilenthorn, D.D.,
S.F.T.C.D., F.S.A., President
of the Royal Irish Academy,
Dublin. Todd, Burns, and Co., Messrs. (per
Librarian), Mary-street, Dublin. Tracy, Rev. John, C.C., Ballyneill,
Carrick-on-Suir. Trevor, Kev. .fames, C.C., Bray. Troy, John, Esq., Fermoy. Tully, Rev. Patrick, P.P., Gort,
Co. Galway.
VandermaeVen, Mons. Corr, Brux- elles.
Varian, Ralph, Esq., 105, Patrick- street, Cork.
Vaughan, Rev. Jeremiah, P.P., Kil- raghtis and Doora, Co. Clare.
Veale, James, Esq., Cappoquin.
W.
Walsh, Michael, Esq., Labasheeda,
Kildysart, Co. Clare. Walsh, Robert P. C, Esq., 34,
Ebenezer Terrace, Sunday's Well,
Cork. Ward, John, Esq., Endowed School,
Back-lane, Dublin. Ward, Rev. Peter, P.P., Turlough,
Castlebar. Ward, Mr. Luke, Castlebar. Westropp, Ralph M., Esq., Ravens-
dale, Carrigaline, Co. Cork. White, John Davis, Esq., Deputy
Registrar, Diocese of Cashel,
Cashel. Wheeler, Rev. Robert, C.C., Cel-
bridge. Whitestone, John, Esq., Clonda-
gad and Ballinacally. Wilde, William Robt., Esq., M.D.,
F.R.C.S.I., M.R.I.A., 1, Mer-
rionsquare, North, Dublin. Williams, Wm., Esq., Dungarvan. Williams, Patrick, Esq., Dungarvan. Wilson, Andrew, Esq., Surveying
General of Excise, Somerset
House, London. Windele, John, Esq., Blair's Castle,
Cork.
320
Woodlock, Mr. John, South Mall, Wynne, Mr. Michael, Lough Allen, Thurles. Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim.
Wright, Charles H. H., Esq., A.B., Wynne, Rev. — , D.D., Dundrum, 19, Trinity College, Dublin. Co. Dublin.
Wright, Edward P., Esq., LL.D., | Wyse, Capt. Bonaparte, Waterford 5, Trinity College, DubUn. i Artillery, Waterford.
AUSTRALIAN CELTIC ASSOCIATION, SYDNEY. Treasurer — Jeremiah Moore. Esq. Secretary — W. Davis, Esq.
M'Encroe, The Venerable Arch- deacon, Sydney.
Plunkett, The Hon. John Hubert, Q.C., M.L.A], Sydney.
M'Carthy, Rev. Timothy, Armi- dale.
Corish, Rev. M. A., O.S.B.
Beart, Mr. Bryan.
Brien Mr. James.
Caraher, Mr. Owen Joseph.
Cleary, Mr. James,(Maryborough.)
Cleary, Mr. Richard.
Coverny, Mr. Robert.
Crane, Mrs. Patrick.
Cunningham, Mr. Edward.
Davis, Mr. \Vm. M.
Davis. Mr. John.
Hilbert, Mr. J.
Kearney, Mr. Denis.
Lennan, Mr. James.
M'Cormac, The Widow.
Mac Donnell, Mr. Randall.
M'Evilly, Mr. Walter.
Moore, Mr. Jeremiah.
O'Dwyer, Mr. John.
O'Molony, Mr. P. O'D. (Secretary.)
O'Neil, Mr. Thomas.
O'Neil, Mr. Morgan.
O'Neill, Mr. James.
O'Neill, Mr. Cornelius.
O'Reilly, Mr. Robert M.
Reidy, Mr. P.
Smith, Mr. James.
Stevenson, Mr. John.
LONDON, CANADA WEST, ASSOCIATION.
Downes, Henry, Esq.
Irwin, William, Esq.
M'Cann, Philip, Esq.
Norris, Patrick G., Esq., Solicitor.
Oliver, D. Noble, Esq.
O'Mara, Patrick, Esq. Robinson, William, Esq. Shanly James, Esq., Barrister. Tierney, John M., Esq., (Law Stu- dent,) Secretary.
ERRATA.
Page 32, note, for 1880, read 180S.
,, 152, stanza 5, line 4, for ceApo, read ceAtjt).
,, 166, ,, 1, ,, 1, insert reference to the word ceAtjij'
,, 213, line I, note, for may read might.
,, 221, stanza 6, line 4, for bonds read pain,
THE KND.
HECD ID-
LD URL
MAR 7 1973
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
Los Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.
nrnt —
DISCHARGER—
B JUN 1 8 mu
MAR 7^3
BBfi&vm
BAR 2 0 1973
ffFC'D LD-URL
NOV 7i933
RENEWAL Nnv
RENEWft
LD URL ~
Form L9-Se%)liM9
«WPRl
11 1973
MAY 0 1 2006
APR 1 3 19 £
fc
UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
AA 000 414 295 6
, . • • ..
|
ft ';>■ |
IM' :] |
V |
||||
|
| JH |
W^ jffl |
B -^ |
f J |
\ jM |
||
|
I ''ii |
r 1 |
|||||
|
ri mW |
■ 3flV |
L '' |
w |
|
' |
•• . r, |
|
v |
1
■
■„*-»■
|
... - • |
||
|
- |
: | |
|
|
•' |
,;v |
|fJ |
|
^^^^^i |
■H |
|
|
1 If |
^^^^H |
^ |
|
1 1 1 V$»vyi3fiAE8 |
•..4W
■ *■.»'
.»
'
|
" . ••' |
" . |
||
|
• |
.. • , |
||
|
• . |
|||
|
^C ;#,T»J |
|||
|
■ |
R^jH |
\. |
|
|
'. |
■ IHL^f |
||
|
' ■* |
Jff^ |
ipji |
K
I I
•■
:,'■
■
V
\i
II
-
|
.. |
iJk MfwH1 |
|
1 H |
i i
« '""? ^
.
|
wm- |
|
|
WW |
'v-
.
|
. |
■j ■ |
|
UOOO |
£.'^ •»,' ■' -- /"'.V |
* *
, :'-- . •'
; ■ n
,
'»'