Skip to main content

Full text of "Silva gadelica (I-XXXI) : a collection of tales in Irish with extracts illustrating persons and places"

See other formats 


Google 


This  is  a  digital  copy  of  a  book  that  was  preserved  for  generations  on  library  shelves  before  it  was  carefully  scanned  by  Google  as  part  of  a  project 

to  make  the  world's  books  discoverable  online. 

It  has  survived  long  enough  for  the  copyright  to  expire  and  the  book  to  enter  the  public  domain.  A  public  domain  book  is  one  that  was  never  subject 

to  copyright  or  whose  legal  copyright  term  has  expired.  Whether  a  book  is  in  the  public  domain  may  vary  country  to  country.  Public  domain  books 

are  our  gateways  to  the  past,  representing  a  wealth  of  history,  culture  and  knowledge  that's  often  difficult  to  discover. 

Marks,  notations  and  other  maiginalia  present  in  the  original  volume  will  appear  in  this  file  -  a  reminder  of  this  book's  long  journey  from  the 

publisher  to  a  library  and  finally  to  you. 

Usage  guidelines 

Google  is  proud  to  partner  with  libraries  to  digitize  public  domain  materials  and  make  them  widely  accessible.  Public  domain  books  belong  to  the 
public  and  we  are  merely  their  custodians.  Nevertheless,  this  work  is  expensive,  so  in  order  to  keep  providing  tliis  resource,  we  liave  taken  steps  to 
prevent  abuse  by  commercial  parties,  including  placing  technical  restrictions  on  automated  querying. 
We  also  ask  that  you: 

+  Make  non-commercial  use  of  the  files  We  designed  Google  Book  Search  for  use  by  individuals,  and  we  request  that  you  use  these  files  for 
personal,  non-commercial  purposes. 

+  Refrain  fivm  automated  querying  Do  not  send  automated  queries  of  any  sort  to  Google's  system:  If  you  are  conducting  research  on  machine 
translation,  optical  character  recognition  or  other  areas  where  access  to  a  large  amount  of  text  is  helpful,  please  contact  us.  We  encourage  the 
use  of  public  domain  materials  for  these  purposes  and  may  be  able  to  help. 

+  Maintain  attributionTht  GoogXt  "watermark"  you  see  on  each  file  is  essential  for  in  forming  people  about  this  project  and  helping  them  find 
additional  materials  through  Google  Book  Search.  Please  do  not  remove  it. 

+  Keep  it  legal  Whatever  your  use,  remember  that  you  are  responsible  for  ensuring  that  what  you  are  doing  is  legal.  Do  not  assume  that  just 
because  we  believe  a  book  is  in  the  public  domain  for  users  in  the  United  States,  that  the  work  is  also  in  the  public  domain  for  users  in  other 
countries.  Whether  a  book  is  still  in  copyright  varies  from  country  to  country,  and  we  can't  offer  guidance  on  whether  any  specific  use  of 
any  specific  book  is  allowed.  Please  do  not  assume  that  a  book's  appearance  in  Google  Book  Search  means  it  can  be  used  in  any  manner 
anywhere  in  the  world.  Copyright  infringement  liabili^  can  be  quite  severe. 

About  Google  Book  Search 

Google's  mission  is  to  organize  the  world's  information  and  to  make  it  universally  accessible  and  useful.   Google  Book  Search  helps  readers 
discover  the  world's  books  while  helping  authors  and  publishers  reach  new  audiences.  You  can  search  through  the  full  text  of  this  book  on  the  web 

at|http: //books  .google  .com/I 


yg    g    PBOPBETT   OF   THl 

Miálgm 


JWaries^ 


•S»7 


A  It  T  E  S      SCirNTIA     VEKITAS 


u 


r 


A 


SILVA    GADELICA 


(I.— XXXI.) 


A    COLLECTION  OF  TALES  IN  IRISH 


WITH  EXTRACTS  ILLUSTRATING  PERSONS  AND  PLACES 


EDITED  FROM   MSS.  AND  TRANSLATED  BY 


STANDISH    H.    O'GRADY 


TRANSLATION  AND  NOTES 


"  Nobiliora  forsao  alii,  ego  quod  possum.** — JOH.  Fred.  GrONOVIUS,  in  dedicatione 
Plauti  ad  Colbertum, 

*'  Quum  intellexerís  quod  antea  nesciebas,  vel  interpretem  me  aestimato  si  gratus  es 
vel  parapbrasten  si  ingratus.*' — S.  HiERONYMUS,  in  Prologo  GaUaio, 


WILLIAMS    AND    NORGATE, 

14,   HENRIETTA  STREET,  COVENT  GARDEN,   LONDON; 
AND  20^  SOUTH  FREDERICK  STREET,  EDINBURGH. 

1892. 


PRINTED  BY  C.  GKKKN  AND  805, 
ITS,  STBAKD. 


PREFACE. 


;; 


I 


To  many,  perhaps  to  most,  of  those  enlightened  people  for 
whose  hands  more  immediately  this  volume  is  destined  and  to 
whom  it  owes  its  existence,  both  style  and  subject-matter  will 
be  altogether  strange  ;  here  and  there  too  it  may  be  held  that  a 
promulgator  of  such  wares  is  bound  to  justify  his  action.  Now, 
under  favour,  to  attempt  this  would  be  to  invert  the  right  order. 
Not  only  is  'justification '  (whether  in  or  out  of  theology)  a  strong 
word,  and  as  such  repugnant  to  the  modesty  of  the  Gael ;  but  the 
thing  itself  falls  into  divers  kinds,  of  all  which  one  only  variety 
can  be  valid  here:  that  which  is  not  antecedent  but  subsequent, 
not  verbal  but  practical,  and  which  emanates  neither  from  pub- 
lisher nor  from  published,  but  from  the  public.  This  phenomenon 
of  ours  may,  however,  very  well  be  simply  accounted  for, 

SiLVA  Gadelica,  then,  is  in  the  nature  of  a  straw  tossed  up  to 
see  how  the  wind  blows  ;  in  other  words,  to  test  the  judgment  of 
some  who  from  time  to  time  and  from  widely  differing  motives 
have  strenuously  urged  that  at  this  present  some  such  effort  had 
a  chance  of  being  well  received.  The  effort,  as  you  see,  has  been 
made ;  the  reception  has  to  come  :  with  the  receiving  community 
it  lies  now  to  show  whether  or  not  the  aforesaid  weatherwise 
(enormously  eminent  men  one  or  two  of  them)  prophesied  more 
than  they  knew,  and  thereby  to  pronounce  those  concerned  in 
making  the  experiment  either  guilty  or  not  guilty  of  over-confi* 
dence  in  their  skill  as  caterers. 

The  work  is  far  from  being  exclusively  or  even  primarily 
designed  for  the  omniscient  impeccable  leviathans  of  science  that 
headlong  sound  the  linguistic  ocean  to  its  most  horrid  depths, 
and  (in  the  intervals  of  ramming  each  other)  ply  their  flukes  on 
such  audacious  small  fry  as  even  on  the  mere  surface  will  venture 
within  their  danger.^     Rather  is  it  adapted  to  the  use  of  those 

*  Thackeray  warns  Bob  Brown  the  younger  that,  since  the  days  of  yCsop,  a 
desire  to  cope  with  bulls  is  known  to  be  fatal  to  frogs.    As  yet  no  Gadelic 


393118 


ví  Preface. 

weaker  brethren  who,  not  blindly  persisting  in  their  hitherto  bliss- 
ful ignorance,  may  be  disposed  to  learn  if  but  a  little  of  an  out-of- 
the-way  and  curious  branch  of  literature  A  few  further  and 
necessary  remarks,  technical  or  otherwise,  are  postponed  ;  let  us 
at  once  proceed  to  review  our  Irish  pieces,,  which  first  of  all,  and 
in  a  very  general  way,  may  be  ranged  under  the  following  heads : — 

A  Hagiology:   I — IV;   hagiological    matter   in    XXVIII, 
XXIX,  also. 

B.  Legend  :i  V— X,  XIII— XVI,  XXII— XXV,  XXVII— 

XXXI. 

C.  Ossianic  lore:  XI,  XII,  XXI,  XXVI ;  Finnic  matter  in 

XXVIII  also. 

D.  Fiction: 2  XVII— XX. 

*  Here  the  term  embraces  tales  having  whether  an  actual  basis  of  history  or 
a  mere  historical  element,  however  slight,  as  well  as  those  which  seem  to 
embody  myths  and  traditions.  The  accurate  sifting  of  them  is  left  to  special- 
ists to  perform,  each  according  to  his  own  peculiar  views. 

*  Includes  tales  of  later  date :  deliberate  inventions  pure  and  simple,  and  for 
the  most  part  (as  are  our  present  specimens)  of  a  jocose  character. 

Next,  the  articles  shall  be  taken  in  numerical  order  and  a  brief 
description  of  the  sources  given : — 

I.  This  Life  of  the  elder  S.  Kieran,  of  Scirkieran  in  the  King's 
county,  is  taken  from  Egerton  H2:  a  voluminous  and  neat  MS. 
in  the  British  Museum  (1042  pp.  of  foolscap),  written  in  1780-82 
by  Maurice  O'Conor,  working  shipwright  in  the  port  of  Cork, 
who  probably  transcribed  from  a  copy  (now  in  the  Royal  Irish 
Academy)  made  by  his  tutor:  John  Murphy,  of  Raheenagh  near 
Blarney.  The  text  is  a  specimen  of  good  modern  (say  17th 
cent.)  Irish,  formally  and  as  to  vocabulary  correct ;  it  is  however 
too  close  a  translation  from  the  Latin  ^  to  be  *streng  irisch'  in 
style.  IV  M  do  not  mention  this  Kieran ;  his  chronology  is 
altogether  obscure. 

*  i.e.  from  the  life  in  the  codex  Kilkenniensis,  printed  by  the  Irish  Franciscan 
John  Colgan,  priest,  in  his  Acta  Sanctorum  Hiberniae:  Louvain,  1645. 

II.  Life  of  S.  Molasius,  Abbot  of  Devenish  in  loch  Erne  (after- 

batrachian  has  sought  thus  to  burst  himself;  per  contra  it  were  no  less  instruc- 
tive than  easy  to  point  out  how  and  where  lordly  cetaceans  of  philology, 
enviously  invading  shallows  in  which  the  humble  Celtic  whitebait  sports  at 
ease,  lie  stranded  (as  Milton  has  it)  *many  a  rood  in  length.' 


Preface.  vii 

wards  burial-place  of  the  Maguires  of  Fermanagh)  +  563,  to  be 
distinguished  from  his  contemporary  namesake  of  Leighlin ; 
from  Additional  18,205:  a  well  written  i6th  century  small-quarto 
MS.  on  vellum  in  the  British  Museum,  the  remainder  of  which 
consists  in  a  number  of  metrical  pieces  on  the  dues,  privileges 
and  rights,  of  Molasius'  successors.  These,  like  all  memoria 
technica  productions,  which  is  what  they  really  are,  have  no 
literary  merit.  The  text,  as  though  somewhat  inattentively 
taken  down  from  dictation,^  is  in  places  defective  or  obscure  and, 
formally,  altogether  modernised  ;  so  also  is  the  spelling,  which  is 
frequently  incorrect  to  boot.  The  first  page  of  the  MS.  is  much 
defaced ;  0*Curry  renounced  to  make  it  out ;  but  any  errors  in 
the  pedigree  as  printed  are  of  little  consequence  since,  so  far  as 
Molasius  is  concerned,  it  is  fictitious;  see  extracts  ad  loc. 

*  A  common  practice,  responsible  for  much  textual  imperfection. 

III.  Life  of  S.  Magnenn^  of  Kilmainham,  near  Dublin,  from 
Eger^yn  oi :  a  small-folio  vellum  MS.  of  the  15th  cent,  in  the 
British  Museum,  written  by  the  industrious  scribe  Uilliam  Mac 
an  LegJta^  'William  Mac  Alea'  *  Lee.*  General  character  of  text 
much  as  in  II,  but  orthography  better.  IV  M  do  not  mention 
this  Saint,  nor  does  MD  give  his  obit 

*  The  name  is  fem.  in  form  ;  its  gen.  Maigmnni  occurs  once  in  this  tract 
(Ir.  p.  38, 1.  31),  otherwise  it  is  undeclined. 

*  His  patronymic  signifies  h  rov  iarpovf  and  the  Mac  Aleas  were  hereditary 
physicians.  William's  transcripts  are  mostly  hagiological  and  medical ;  a 
MS.  of  his  in  the  King*s  Inns,  Dublin,  is  dated  1463,  another  in  the  R.  I.  A. 
1467.  He  had  the  habit  of  using  in  his  colophons  a  peculiar  Latin  construc- 
tion of  his  own,  e.g.  "  Uilliam  qui  scripsit  ut  bona  morte  peribit,"  representing 
literally  Uilliam  ro  scrib  degbhds  go  négaidh  j/,  *  it  was  William  that  wrote 
this,  may  he  die  a  good  death*;  sometimes  he  says  *  libera  morte,'  meaning 
saorbhAs  *  free-death,'  i.e.  death  in  a  state  of  grace,  free  or  exempt  from  con- 
demnation ;  door  no  saor  is  *  guilty  or  not  guilty,*  door  ó  epscop  saor  6  bhan- 
riogain  is  Miable  to  bishop,  exempt  from  Queen,*  i.e.  for  dues  and  taxes: 
see  Additional  Charter  34,938,  in  British  Museum. 

IV.  Life  of  S.  Cellach,  bishop  of  Killala,  from  the  Leabkar 
breac  *  Speckled  Book  of  the  Mac  Egans,'  otherwise  leabhar  mór 
dúna  Daighre  *the  Great  Book  of  Duniry ':  a  large-folio  vellum 
MS.  in  the  Royal  Irish  Academy,  written  at  some  date  not  very 
much  anterior  to  24U.  A  paper  transcript  of  this  life,  made  in 
1629  by  br.  Michael  O'Clery,  O.S.F.,  is  in  the  Burgundian  library, 


viii  Preface. 

Brussels.  Neither  in  IV  M  nor  in  M  D  is  this  prelate  mentioned ; 
but  from  the  literary  point  of  view  our  tract  is  perhaps  the  best 
in  Irish  hagiography.*  Unfortunately  an  important  episode  was 
wanting  in  the  Leabliar  breac  copyist's  archetype. 

^  The  shortest  of  the  kind  will  be  this  :  "  Three  penitents  resolved  to  quit 
the  world  for  the  ascetic  life,  and  so  sought  the  wilderness.  After  exactly  a 
year's  silence  the  first  one  said  :  *  'tis  a  good  life  we  lead.'  At  the  next  year's 
end  the  second  answered  :  *  it  is  so.'  Another  year  being  run  out,  the  third 
exclaimed  :  *  if  I  cannot  have  peace  and  quiet  here  I'll  go  back  to  the  world.' " 
The  original  Irish  is  in  a  paper  MS.  in  the  British  Museum,  but  for  the 
moment  I  have  mislaid  the  reference. 

V.  A  story  of  king  Dermot's  servitor  Aedh  baclámh^  from  'Mac 
Carthy-Riach*s  Book*:  a  15th  cent,  folio  MS.  on  vellum,  written 
(partly  at  all  events)  for  the  delectation  of  Mac  Carthy-Riach 
(Finghin  mac  Dermot  an  dúna  mac  Donall  Riach)  who  died  in 
1505.  In  June,  1629,  this  fine  codex  was  in  the  Franciscan 
abbey*  called  tigh  ox  teach  Molaga  'Timoleague/  i.e. '  S.  Molaga's 
House,'  where  br.  Michael  O'Clery  transcribed  from  it.  That  \s 
the  last  we  hear  of  it  until  18 14,  when,  during  some  interior  altera- 
tions made  in  Lismore  Castle,  county  Waterford,  the  opening  of 
a  long  built-up  passage  or  recess  disclosed  a  wooden  box  contain- 
ing this  MS.  in  loose  staves,  together  with  a  portion  of  a  fine 
antique  crozier.  The  former,  much  damaged  by  rats,  has  ever 
since  been  known  as  *  the  Book  of  Lismore  *  and  is,  of  course,  the 
property  of  the  Dukes  of  Devonshire. 

^  In  his  translation  of  the  Annals  of  Clonmacnoise,  Conall  Mageoghegan  of 
Lismoyny  in  1627  renders  this  word  by  *the  king's  serjeant.*  Its  meanings 
cannot  be  discussed  here  ;  but  that  in  this  case  it  denotes  an  office,  and  is  not 
a  mere  sobriquet,  appears  from  Jr.  p.  75,  lin.  antepen.,  where  it  occurs  in  the 
pL,  baclátmh.     In  the  sense  of  *  cripple-handed*  IV  M  use  adj.  bacldmach, 

•  Founded  in  1240  by  the  then  Mac  Carthy-Riach,  who  was  buried  in  the 
choir ;  it  became  the  burial-place  of  O'Mahony  of  Carbery  too,  of  the  Barr)'s- 
More,  and  of  the  barons  de  Courcey. 

VI.  Death ^  of  king  Dermot  above,  son  of  Fergus  cerrbhél 
(otherwise  Dermot  mac  Cerbhall,  si.  592),  as  related  in  the  lost 
'Book  of  Sligo,'  from  Egerton  1782:  a  thick  small-quarto  vellum 
MS.  in  the  British  Museum,  written  at  various  periods  from  1419 
to  1517;  a  memorandum  gives  the  obit  of  the  reigning  Mac 
Murrough-Kavanagh,  Art  Buie  mac  Donall  Riach,  on  S.  Cathe- 
rineVday  in  the  latter  year.    The  scribes  were  O'Mulconrys;  and 


N. 


Preface.  ix 

their  penmanship  is  a  credit  to  them ;  part  of  the  MS.  was 
executed  at  Enniscorthy,  county  Wexford,  some  of  it  in  Conn- 
acht     This  tale  is  akin  to  V. 

*  The  word  used  here  {aidedh,  aidedh)  means  a  death  tragical  in  its  nature ; 
in  most  cases,  therefore,  violent.  The  aidedha  (such  deaths)  formed  one  of 
the  categories  into  which  the  professional  reciters'  repertory  was  divided. 

VII.  Birth  of  Aedh  sláine^  son  of  king  Dermot  above,  from 
Leabhar  na  huidhre  *  the  Book  of  the  Dun  [cow]  * :  a  folio  vellum 
MS.  in  the  Royal  Irish  Academy,  and  the  earliest  non-ecclesi- 
astical codex  in  Ireland.  Of  the  scribe  we  know  only  this: 
that  he  was  Maclmuire  mac  Conn  na  mbocht  O'Ceilechar,  and 
that  in  1106  a  gang  of  plunderers  murdered  him  in  the  fair 
midst  of  the  great  church  of  Clonmacnoise.  .  Divers  memoranda 
recording  the  fortunes  of  the  book  during  later  centuries :  how  it 
was  taken  and  retaken  by  force  of  arms,  attest  the  estimation  in 
which  it  was  held  by  the  O'Donnells  of  Tirconall  and  the 
O'Conors-Sligo. 

VIII.  The  Wooing  of  Becfola,  from  Egerton  \j%\\  a  thick 
small-quarto  vellum  MS.  in  the  British  Museum,  written  mostly 
by  Diarmaid  bacach  mac  Finghin  Mheic  Pharrtholdin  Mame 
Dermot  mac  Fineen  Mac  Parlane,'*  in  M'Gauran's  country,  1487. 

*  The  Scots,  aspirating  the  P,  make  it '  Mac  Farlane' ;  besides  their  attempt 
at  transliteration,  the  Irish  have  (as  with  many  other  names)  sought  to  '  trans- 
late' it  as  well,  and  then  it  becomes  *Bateman.'  The  process,  which  is  not 
self-evident,  is  this:  a  man  named  Parrtholdn  in  Irish  is  always  'Bar- 
tholomew' in  English,  and  this  again  is  familiarly  shortened  to  *Bat;'  the 
occasion  was  too  good  to  be  lost.  This  is  at  least  as  old  as  Duald  Mac 
Firbis's  time  (he  was  murdered  in  1670  by  one  of  the  English  settlers,  at 
Dunflin  county  Sligo),  who  in  his  Great  Book  of  Pedigrees  gives  *  Bateman' 
as  the  equivalent 

I X.  Disappearance  of  Caenchomrac,  abbot  of  Inchenagh  in  loch 
Ree  :  from  the  Book  of  Lisipore.  The  expression  *son  of  purity' 
means  that  he  had  embraced,  and  faithfully  observed,  a  life  of 
chastity. 

X.  Panegyric  of  king  Cormac  son  of  Art  son  of  Conn  of  the 
Hundred  Battles,  ^  266,  and  of  Finn  son  of  Cumall :  from  Egerton 

XI.  Enumeration  of  Finn's  Household,  with  the  conditions  of 
admission  into  the  Fianna  :  from  /Egerton  1782. 


'^  -■  Cv:.^ 


Preface. 

Xgallamh  na  senórach  *the  Colloquy  of  the  Ancients*:^ 
from"  the  Book  of  Lismore.^  In  a  short  exordium  this  tract 
represents  Finn  mac  Cumall's  son  Ossian,  and  Cacilte  son  of 
Crunnchu  mac  Ronan,  with  a  small  remnant  of  the  fianna 
Eirenn^  as  having  by  more  than  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  sur- 
vived the  fatal  battle  of  Gowra  (in  Meath),  where  that  chosen 
body  was  exterminated.  The  aged  warriors  had  reached  a 
point  well  to  the  north  of  the  present  Drogheda  when  they 
separated:  Ossian  going  yet  farther  north  to  seek  out  his 
mother,  a  woman  of  the  tuatJia  dé  Danann  and  therefore  peren- 
nial ;^aeilte  moving  south  until  somewhere  not  far  from  Tara 
he  foregathers  with  S.  Patrick,  then  in  the  earlier  stage  of  his 
mission.  The  heathen  veteran  being  treated  with  kindness  and 
consideration,  he  readily  adopts  the  new  doctrine  and,  as  a 
docile  neophyte,  accompanies  the  Saint  on  an  apostolic  circuit 
of  Ireland.  They  proceed  south  and  west  about ;  on  the  way 
Caeilte  is  closely  questioned  anent  all  lore  connected  with  glens, 
hills,  lochs  and  raths,  S.  Patrick  evincing  in  the  subject  an  interest 
as  keen  as  do  the  provincial  kings  and  those  chiefs  through 
whose  countries  the  holy  men  with  their  renowned  disciple  pass. 
Leinster,  Munster,  Connacht,  and  Ulster  having  been  traversed 
thus,  they  reach  Tara  and  there  find  Ossian  installed  at  the  court 
of  king  Dermot  mac  CerbhailP  (V,  VI).  The  Feast  of  Tara  is 
being  held,  and  for  the  public  benefit  both  heroes  recite  of  their 
own  and  fellows'  deeds  so  much  as  their  great  age  suffers  them 
to  have  retained  in  memory.  Their  narrative  is  taken  down  by 
reporters  of  that  period,  and  copies  multiplied  so  that  when  the 
men  of  Erin  break  up  for  home  one  is  carried  into  each  quarter 
of  Ireland,  •s 

*  This  is  convenient,  but  too  literal ;  English  use  requires:  'Colloquy  with 

the  Ancients,*  meaning  in  modern  phrase:  *the  interviewing  and  questioning 

of  the  Ancients  by  S.  Patrick  and  others,'  for  agallamh  here  is  a  verbal 

noun  with  object  in  gen.     Besides  the  loss  of  certain  folios  (indicated  in  text 

and  version)  and  damage  of  rodents,  the  piece  is  imperfect  at  end ;  the  scribe 

left  it  so,  and  apparently  had  no  prospect  of  completing  it,  for  the  last  line 

is  immediately  followed  by  other  and  incongruous  matter  (much  defaced). 

^   *  To  return  for  a  moment  to  this  MS. :  it  is  the  work  of  three  scribes,  one 

r  of  whom  is  unknown;  the  two  others  were  a  friar  sumamed  O  Buadhachdin 

I  *  Buchan,'  *  Buhan,'  who  copied  from  the  lost  Book  of  Monasterboice  (county 

{  Louth) ;  and  Ang^s  O'Callanan,  who  in  a  very  fine  finished  hand  penned  two 

\  tracts :  an  AgallaTnh  bkeg  *  the  Lesser  Colloquy,'  and  suidigud  tellaig  Them- 


Preface.  xi 

r<uh  '  the  Settling  of  the  Demesne  of  Tara,'  a  colophon  to  the  latter  containing 
the  writer's  name  and  an  envoi  to  Mac  Carthy-Riach.  Folio  1 16  exhibits  a 
curious  poem  of  44  quatrains  by  Mahon  mac  Donall  mac  Eoghan  O'Daly, 
hereditary  rhymer  to  the  Mac  Carthys-Riach,  in  which  he  justifies  the  strong 
measures  taken  in  1478  by  Fineen  and  his  brother  Dermot  to  depose  their 
first  cousin  Cormac  mac  Donough  mac  Donall  Riach,  who  had  usurped  the 
chiefly  from  their  father  Dermot  an  dúncu  This  affair  is  glosed  over  by 
IV  M,  but  see  Annals  of  loch  Cé  ad  an.  Quatt.  42,  43,  convey  a  compliment 
to  Mac  Carth/s  wife :  lady  Kathleen  Fitzgerald,  daughter  of  Thomas  eighth 
earl  of  Desmond,  lord  justice  of  Ireland.  In  1467  he  was  superseded  by 
John  Tiptoft,  earl  of  Worcester,  who  next  year  treacherously  beheaded  him 
at  Drogheda,  whence  the  Irish  say  'Thomas  of  Drogheda';  in  1470  the  earl 
of  Warwick  and  the  duke  of  Clarence  had  Tiptoft  executed  in  England  (I  V  M 
ad  ann.).  The  verses,  of  which  some  twenty  syllables  in  all  are  defaced  hope- 
lessly, are  followed  (f.  116  b)  by  a  law  opinion  on  the  case,  in  prose ;  the  metre 
is  sédna, 

'  This  is  an  example  of  the  latitude  which  the  original  narrator,  whoever 
he  was,  allowed  himself  in  matters  of  chronology. 

"^  XIII.  Death  of  Eochaid,  son  of  Mairid  king  of  Cashel  (i.e.  of 
Munster),  by  the  bursting  forth  of  loch  nEchach  *  Eochaid's  loch,' 
anglice  *  loch  Neagh,'  the  occasion  of  which  is  related,  as  well  as 
the  story  of  JJban  the  m^ymaid:  from  the  Book  of  the  Dun. 

^  XIV.  Death  of  Fergus  mac  Leide,  king  of  Ulidia,  by  the 
marine  monster  called  *  the  Sinech  of  loch  Rury ' ;  an  event 
brought  about  by  malice  of  the  king  of  the  Luchra-  or  Lupra- 
folk,  otherwise  Lupracáns  'Pigmies,'  to  avenge  certain  affronts 
put  on  him  by  Fergus.  These,  and  the  occasion  of  the  dwarf- 
monarch's  visit  to  Fergus's  court  at  Emania,  are  told  at  length. 
In  this  tale  there  is  an  element  of  facetiousness ;  it  is  from 
Egerton  1782.  and  much  defaced  in  places ;  the  scene  is  laid 
before  the  historic  period. 

XV.  The  Manner  of  king  Cormac's  Birth,  a  tale  which  may 
be  considered  prefatory  to  that  of  the  battle  of  Mucramh  (XXII), 
from  *the  Book  of  Ballymote':  a  large-folio  vellum  MS.  in  the 
Royal  Irish  Academy,  written  circ  1400  (some  of  it  before,  some 
later),  and  for  more  than  a  century  afterwards  owned  by  the 
Mac  Donoughs  of  Ballymote  (county  Sligo),  a  sept  of  the  Mac 
Donoughs  of  Tirerrill.  Black  Hugh  O'Donnell  (XVIII)  either 
bought  it  of  Mac  Donough  for  a  hundred  and  forty  milch  cows 
or  rather,  when  harrying  that  chieftain,  accepted  the  book  in 
lieu  of  so  many;  for  the  expression  used  in  a  memorandum  on 
f.  333  a,  and  which  needs  no  \sic)\  altogether  favours  the  latter 


xii  Preface. 

supposition,  as  also  do  the  relations  between  O'Donnell  and  the 
Mac  Donoughs  in  1516,  1522.  After  further  vicissitudes  it  was 
acquired  by  the  chevalier  Thomas  O'Gorman,  who  in  1785  pre- 
sented it  to  the  Academy.^ 

*  The  piece  contains  a  wolf  story;  the  medieval  Irish  are  reported  to  have 
taken  these  animals  for  *  gossips,'  i.e.  for  godfathers  and  -mothers,  and  the 
Brehon  laws  show  that  they  tamed  and  made  pets  of  them  as  well  as  of  cranes, 
hawks,  foxes  and  deer  (ALI  IV,  115). 

XVI.  Fiachna's  sidh^  a  lacustrine  story  of  regions  beneath  the 
waters  :  from  the  Book  of  Lismore. 
^  XVII.  Flight  and  Pursuit  of  the  Gilla  decair  and  his  wonder- 
ful Horse,  a  favourite  tale  of  a  more  or  less  burlesque  nature : 
from  a  paper  MS.  written  by  Labhrás  Mac  AncUla  *  Lawrence 
Mac  Nally,'  of  the  county  Meath,  in  J76g  ;  formerly  in  my  own 
possession,  now  Additional  34,1 19  in  the  British  Museum;  a  good 
MS.  of  its  class.     The  piece  is  not  found  on  vellum. 

XVIII.  The  Kern  in  the  Narrow  Stripes,^  otherwise  *0'Don- 
neirs  Kern,'  from  Additional  18,747:  a  paper  MS.  in  the  British 
Museum,  written  in  i8qq  by  Patrick  Lynch,  for  Samuel  Coulter 
of  Carnbeg  near  Dundalk ;  the  tale^  does  not  occur  on  vellum. 
There  are  divers  versions  of  it,  and  as  good  a  one  as  has  come 
in  my  way  I  have  transcribed  from  a  MS.  written  in  the  county 
Cavan  in  i8^7  by  Silvester  M'Gibney,  a  country  schoolmaster, 
and  now  owned  in  London  by  Norman  Moore,  M.D.,  who  kindly 
placed  it  at  my  disposal.  Not  only  is  the  recension  a  good  one, 
but  for  its  time  the  text  is  quite  remarkably  correct. 

*  lit.  'the  narrow-striped  Kern,*  referring  to  his  garb;  the  conventional 
'slender  swarthy  Kern'  is  wrong:  we  do  not  learn  that  he  was  either  one  or 
the  other,  whereas  the  new  shirt  offered  him  to  replace  (and  presumably  to 
match)  his  own  was  striped  (tr.  p.  313,  inf.);  to  this  add  that  the  correct 
reading  is  caoilriabhach  (two  adjj.  cpd.)  and  not  cool  riabhach  (two  indepen- 
dent adjj.),  and  the  matter  is  beyond  doubt.  The  meaning  oiriabh  is  *a  stripe,' 
e.g.  Lugaidh  riabh  nderg  *L.  of  [the]  red  stripes'  (ind.  A);  riabhach  is 
'striped':  applied  to  man  or  horse  it  means  'grizzled,'  'iron-grey';  to  a  cow, 
'brindled.'  In  both  the  Highlands  and  Ireland  the  pronunciation  (except 
metri  gratia)  is  riach ;  in  the  latter  it  is  commonly  introduced  into  English : 
every  one  knows  what  a  *a  riach  heifer'  is,  also  *a  riach  fog'  \ceo  riabhach]. 

*  Two  very  abraded  versions  of  this  tale  survive  orally  in  the  Highlands, 
whither  it  must  at  once  have  been  carried  by  the  Islesmen  who  in  thousands 
took  mercenary  service  with  the  great  Irish  chiefs  during  the  i6th  cent. :  with 
O'Donnell  and  O'Neill  especially.  These  curious  waifs  are  printed  by  John 
F.  Campbell  in  Tales  of  the  W.  Highlands,  I.  pp.  289—319.    The  Kern  (i.e. 


Preface^  xiii 

Manannan  mac  Lir)  if  not  himself  historical,  is  the  means  of  introducing  us 
to  characters  not  only  historical  but  modem; — (i)  Black  Hugh  (Hugh  Oge) 
became  *0*Donneir  at  his  father's  death  in  1505;  in  1522  he  fought  the 
bloody  battle  of  Knockavoe,  otherwise  *the  breach  of  loch  Monann/  by 
Strabane,  in  which  O'Neill  was  defeated  and  had  900  men  killed ;  for  his  end, 
see  Extracts  ad  loc.  His  son  and  successor,  Manus,  compiled  the  life  of 
S.  Columbkill  now  in  the  Bodleian,  (ii)  The  contemporary  Seaan  mac  an 
iarla  was  *John  of  Desmond,'  son  of  Thomas  of  Drogheda  above,  eighth 
Earl ;  consequently  brother  of  Mac  Carthy-Riach's  wife  Kathleen  Fitzgerald. 
He  is  accused  of  having  procured  the  death  of  his  own  brother,  James  (ninth 
Earl),  whom  John  tnanntach  mac  Edmond,  a  Geraldine  of  the  Mac  Gibbon 
branch,  beheaded  at  Rathkeale  in  1487,  aged  twenty-nine  years.  For  this 
deed  James's  son  Maurice  (tenth  Earl)  banished  his  uncle  John,  and  had 
Shane  tnanntach  cut  into  many  pieces,  one  of  which  with  his  head  was 
exposed  in  the  shambles  of  Limerick,  the  rest  being  distributed  to  other 
cities.  In  1 5 16  Shane  mac  an  iarla  was  besieged  in  the  castle  of  loch  Our 
(county  Limerick)  by  earl  Maurice's  son  James  and  Mac  Carthy-Riach  (Donall 
mac  Finghin),  his  grandnephews,  with  other  Mac  Carthys.  Shane's  wife 
being  More,  daughter  of  Murrough  mac  Brian  Duff  O'Brien,  he  appealed  to 
her  kin  and,  before  long,  the  men  of  Thomond  appeared  in  such  force  that 
they  of  Desmond  raised  the  siege:  IV M  ad  ann.,  and  Toma  mac  Torna 
O'Mulconr/s  Irish  record  of  the  Desmonds,  written  after  the  death  of  James 
mac  Maurice  above,  eleventh  Earl,  t  June  i8th,  1529.  (iii)  The  Mac  Eockaids 
*  M'Keoghs'  were  hereditary  chief  poets  of  Leinster:  see  divers  of  their  i6th 
cent  poems  in  iX\t  Leabhar  branach  *Book  of  the  O'Bymes,'  H.  i.  17  in  Trinity 
College,  Dublin.  Who  their  head  was  at  our  story's  period  does  not  appear, 
(iv)  It  is  not  certain  which  O'Conor-Sligo  the  romancer  means:  Felim  mac 
Manus  mac  Brian,  *a  charitable  and  humane  man'  (IV  M),  1 1519;  whether 
he  be  the  man  or  not,  his  Munster  expedition  (like  all  that  is  ascribed  to  the 
other  real  characters)  is  fictitious,  (v)  O'Kelly  of  Hy-Many  (Teigue  mac 
Melachlin),  head  of  the  whole  name,  f  1513;  O'Kelly  of  the  Callow  (Teigue 
Rua  mac  Melachlin),  head  of  a  sept  of  the  úi  Maine^  +  I5I9'  (vi)  The  actual 
Mac  Murrough-Kavanagh,  in  virtue  of  descent  from  Diarmmdna  ngall  *  D.  of 
the  English,'  who  first  invited  Strongbow  over,  was  always  styled  *  king  of 
Leinster' ;  ours  must  be  Art  Buie  mac  Donall  Riach  already  alluded  to,  1 15 17. 
(vii)  The  O'Donellans  were  hereditary  bards  to  the  O'Conors-Connacht ;  two 
other  branches  of  them  there  were,  both  in  Ulster,  and  all  poets  by  profession. 
The  Shane  O'Donellan  from  whose  house  the  Kern  is  lost  to  view  for  good 
and  all  was  doubtless  a  contemporary  of  the  composer's.  These  identifica- 
tions are  thrown  out  merely  as  starting-points  for  the  curious,  who  also  may 
accept  it  that^e  tale  was  written,  if  not  during  Black  Hugh's  life,  very  soon 
after  his  death  m  IJ37 ;  and  perhaps  no  one  laughed  at  it  more  heartily  than 
would  Manus  his  son  who,  though  as  a  chief  he  was  a  man  of  the  sword  and 
one  that  stood  no  nonsense,  was  yet  a  great  wit  and  good  versifier,  as  witness 
his  many  epigrams  in  dan  dlrech  that  have  come  down.S  He  more  especially 
loved  occasionally  to  run  a-tilt  at  his  good  friends  and  devoted  adherents,  the 
Franciscan  brethren  of  Donegal. 

XIX.  Bodach  an  chóta  lachtna  'the  Carle  of  the  Drab  Coat/ 


xiv  Preface. 

from  Egerton  154:  a  lOth  cent  paper  MS;,  in  the  Britif 
written  by  Edward  O'Reilly.     Herein  mention  is  made  of  the 
baron  of  Inchiquin's  house,  but  that  peer's  identity  is  concealed.   • 
Considering  that  the  first  earl  of  Thomond  and  baron  was  created 
in  1 543,  it  would  have  been  invidious  to  specify  which  of  them 
was  contemporary  with  Finn  mac  Cumall. 

XX.  Leigltes  coise  Chain  'the  Leeching  of  Cian's  leg':  from 
,  ;  tj           Egerton  .1781.     The  historical   personages  are    Brian   of  the 

Tribute,  his  sons,  and  Cian  son  of  Bran.  The  repetition  of  *  by 
thy  hand '  as  an  asseveration  is  farcical,  but  'das  ding  an  sich  *  is 
true  to  nature:  it  was  customary  to  swear  by  the  chiefs  hand. 

XXI.  Bruidhen  chéise  Chorainn  *  the  Enchanted  Cave  of  Kesh- 
corran'  (county  Sligo)  :  from  Additional  18,747.  Here  bruidhen 
is  used  in  its  secondary  sense:  see  XXVI. 

XXII.  Fotha  diatlia  Mucramha  'Occasion  of  the  battle  of 
Mucramh'  (county  Galway),  with  particulars  of  the  battle,  and 
its  consequences,  from  leabhar  Glinne  da  locha  'the  Book  of 
Glendaloch,'  now  better  known  as  'the  Book  of  Leinster';  a 
large- folio  vellum  MS.  in  Trinity  College,  Dublin  ;  who  the 
scribe  or  scribes  were  is  not  certain,  but  marginalia  shew  that 
it  was  (when  as  yet  in  process  of  compilation)  in  the  hands 
of  Finn  Mac  Gorman,  bishop  of  Kildare,  -f  1160.  The  con- 
jecture of  some  that  he  had  at  any  rate  a  great  share  in  the 
writing  of  its  older  part  is  supported  by  two  passages  that  have 
been  much  misinterpreted:  the  bishop's  letter^  in  lower  margin 
of  p.  288 ;  and  a  colophon  to  the  tain  M  Cuailgne,  p.  104^,  the 
tone  of  which  is  that  of  a  grave  churchman  much  rather  than  of 
an  ordinary  lay  scribe.  In  one  or  two  places  the  text  of  our 
piece  is  not  quite  satisfactory. 

*  Partly  defaced,  but  having  no  inherent  obscurity  whatever ;  it  runs,  and 
should  be  pointed,  thus: — "[Betha]  ocus  sláinte  ó  Fhiunn  epscup  chilli  Dara 
do  Aed  mac  Chrimthainn  .  do  f  hiur  leigind  ardrfg  leithi  moga  Nuadat .  ocus 
do  chomarbu  Choluim  meic  Chrimthainn  .  ocus  do  phrimsenchaid  Laigen  ar 
gaeis  ocus  eolas  ocus  trebaire  lebar  ocus  fessa  ocus  foglomma  .  ocus  scribthar 
dam  deircd  in  sceoil  bicse.  Cu  cinnte  dait  a  Aeid  amnais  .  a  fhir  cosinnaeib 
ollmais  Í  cian  gar  [d'aen  bith]  it  ingnais  .  mian  dam  do  bith  [frim  deghais]. 
Tucthar  dam  duanaire  meic  Lonáin  confaiccmis  a  cialla  na  nduan  filet  ann 
//  uaU  in  Christú''  i.e.  "  Life  and  health  from  Finn,  bishop  of  Kildare,  to  Aedh 
mac  Crimlhann,  i.e.  to  the  professor  of  the  king  of  the  southern  half  of  Ireland 
[Dcrmot  na  ngall  Mac  Murrough],  to  the  representative  of  Columba  son  of 
Crimthann,  to  Leinster's  prime  antiquary  for  wisdom,  skill,  and  cultivation 


% 


Preface.  xv 

of  books,  knowledge,  learning,  and  be  the  end  of  this  little  tale  written  for 
me.  [Independent  quatrain :]  O  keen  Aedh,  be  it  to  thee  a  thing  certified, 
thou  man  of  fairest  and  pleasurable  qualities,  that,  be  it  long  or  be  it  short 
that  any  other  shall  be  without  frequenting  thee,  'tis  my  desire  to  have  thee 
[ever]  conveniently  near  to  myself.  [Postscript :]  Let  the  book  of  [Flann] 
mac  Lonan's  poems  be  given  me  that  I  may  see  the  meaning  of  the  pieces 
that  are  in  it,  and  fare  thee  well  in  Christ"  Be  it  observed  that  Dr.  Todd's 
version  (Introd.  to  facs.,  p.  8  a)  violates  all  idiom,  and  is  based  (i)  on  the 
erroneous  supposition  that  prose  and  quatrain  are  consecutive  matter  (ii)  on. 
the  fallacy  thereout  arising :  that,  because  prep,  do  with  verbal  noun  forms  a 
certain  and  peculiar  construction,  it  must  do  the  same  with  a  tense ;  which  is 
not  the  case.  The  'little  tale'  is  our  XXII  above  and,  as  I  understand  it,  the 
Bishop  was  transcribing  it  when  his  copy  gave  out.  Wtxhsscribthar^tucthar^Bxe 
neither  indie,  nor  subj.  but  imperatives :  not  the  imperious,  but  that  of  request, 
supplication,  as  in  prayers,  e.g.  'ora  pro  nobis'  'da  nobis  hodie.'  Brackets  in 
the  quatrain  enclose  mere  suggestions,  but  the  sense  is  quite  obvious. 

XXIII.  Catk  Chrinna  'the  Battle  of  Crinna*:  from  the  Book 
of  Lismore.  The  central  figure  of  the  tale  is  Teigue,  son  of 
Olioll  Olom's  son  Cian,  progenitor  of  the  various  tribes  called 
Cianacht,  In  stories  relating  to  this  individual  there  always  is 
an  element  of  humour.  That  one  which  told  how  he  and  a  deer 
killed  each  one  the  other  at  Rosnaree  on  the  Boyne  is  lost 
unfortunately. 

XXIV.  Echtra  mhac  nEchach  'Adventure  of  Eochaid's  Sons' : 
from  the  Book  of  Ballymote.  Here  we  are  told  how  and  where 
Niall  of  the  nine  Hostages^  was  born  and,  in  an  allegory,*  how 
he  attained  to  pre-eminence  over  his  half-brethren.* 

*  From  whose  sons  Conall  (si.  464)  and  Eoghan  (t  465)  sprang  the  two 
great  tribes  known  as  cinél  Conaill '  kind,  or  race,  of  Conall,'  cinél  Eoghain 
'race  of  Eoghan';  their  countries  being  tir  Coruull  ^ CJs  land,'  tir  Eoghain 
'E.'sland,'  anglicised  'Tirconnell' and  'Tirowen* 'Tyrone.'  Of  the  various 
septs  or  'nations'  comprised  in  either,  the  O'Donnells  eventually  became 
paramount  in  the  former,  the  O'Neills  in  the  latter ;  and  their  internecine 
rivalry,  which  endured  for  nearly  a  thousand  years  and  before  Kinsale  in  1602 
culminated  in  the  ruin  of  both,  was  such  that  later  poets  feigned  Conall  and 
Eoghan  to  have  been  twins  bom  in  grips,  either  clutching  the  other  by  a 
shoulder  and  a  wrist,  thus  portending  future  discord  (e.g.  Teigue  dall  in  tad 

féin  chinnios  ar  chloinn  Neilly  circ.  1 590).    The  annals  however  record  that 
Eoghan  died  of  grief  for  Conall's  death. 

'  This  stock  parable  of  a  hideous  crone  whom  the  approach  of  a  fearless 
lover  transforms  into  a  miracle  of  beauty  personating  (according  to  circum- 
stances) either  sovereignty  over  Ireland  or  chiefry  of  a  clan,  signified  that  these 
prizes  fell  to  energy  and  the  strong  hand. 

•  The  most  celebrated  of  these  was  Brian,  progenitor  of  the  tribe  called  úi 
Bhriuin  '  nepotes  Briani,'  the  subdivisions  of  which  were  distinguished  by 


xvi  Preface. 

their  localities,  as  úi  Bhriuin  seola^  bréifne^  etc. ;  after  the  establishment  of 
surnames  their  chief  septs  were  the  O'Conors-Connacht,  O'Conors-Sligo, 
O'Conors-Donn,  O'Conors-Rua  (all  in  Connacht),  O'Flahertys,  O'Reillys  and 
0*Rourkes  (see  the  Book  of  Rights,  p.  107,  note  r).  Note  that  the  O'Conors- 
Faly  (in  K/s  and  Q.'s  cos.)  were  of  Leinster  origin,  from  Cahir  More's  son 
Ros  fcdlghe ;  O'Conors-Corcomrua  (in  Clare)  and  O' Conors- Kerry,  of  the 
clanna-Rury  in  Ulidia ;  and  the  O'Conors  of  Glengiven  (county  Deny),  in 
which  they  have  been  numerous  in  our  own  times,  are  of  the  Cianacht  or 
posterity  of  Teigue  son  of  Cian. 

XXV.i  Death  of  king  Crimthann  son  of  Fidach,  and  of  Brian, 
Ailill,  Fiachra,  three  of  his  predecessor  Eochaid's  sons :  from  the 
Book  of  Ballymote.  Here  we  meet  with  the  use  of  poison,  which 
as  an  instrument  of  crime  occurs  but  very  seldom  in  the  huge 
corpus  of  Irish  legend  ;  in  Irish  history,  so  far  as  I  can  recollect, 
not  at  all.  Even  to  the  race  they  hated  so  bitterly,  the  very 
Elizabethans  did  not  impute  such  practices.^ 

*  The  reader  will  please  to  observe  that  in  the  Extracts  (both  text  and 
translation)  this  piece  is  misnumbered  XXVI. 

*  They  did  better:  they  themselves  had  recourse  to  them.  In  1563  lord 
deputy  Sussex  (using  one  Thomas  Smyth  as  his  tool)  sought  with  a  present 
of  poisoned  wine  to  rid  *  the  State  *  of  Shane  O'Neill,  and  came  near  to  suc- 
ceed. O'Neill  addressed  a  remonstrance  to  Elizabeth,  and  she  expressed 
great  indignation  at  the  attempt  (Sta.  Pa.,  Ir.,  Eliz.  ix,  no.  32). 

XXVI.  Bruidhen  blug  na  liAlmaine  *  the  little  Brawl  at  Almh- 
^  ain*:^  from  Additional  18,747.     Good  version  of  a  tale  which, 
according  to  O'Curry,  is  not  very  common. 

^  As  in  the  case  of  XVIII,  this  English  title  too  is  an  innovation  on  the 
accepted  rendering:  *the  little  Fort  of  Almhain.'  In  the  first  place,  no  doubt 
whatever  but  that  primarily  bruidhen  (n.  f.,  gen.  bruidhne)  means,  not  a  fort, 
but  a  royal  or  other  mansion  for  hospitality  on  a  large  scale,  and  in  that  sense 
is  frequent  in  tales.  According  to  a  mem.  in  Lismore  f.  158^:  2  and  else- 
where, there  were  in  Ireland  five  prime  or  special  bruidkens  (to  which  some 
added  a  sixth),  being  of  this  construction :  each  one  had  seven  doors,  was 
traversed  by  seven  alleys,  and  had  seven  hearths;  every  hearth  with  its 
cauldron  that  held  a  beef  and  a  pig  in  bacon.  Secondly,  these  bruidhens  are 
the  subject  of  as  many  tales  relating,  with  variety  of  time  and  circumstance, 
how  during  banquets  they  severally  were  surprised,  stormed  and  destroyed, 
with  whole  or  partial  slaughter  of  the  revellers.  Hence  in  the  title  of  a  story 
the  term  bruidhen  alone  indicates  sufficiently  that  it  is  one  of  violence  in 
some  form,  but  connected  with  a  dwelling;  the  full  formula  being  toghail 
bruidhne  *  the  uking  *  *  demolition  *  of  a  given  mansion.  In  the  body  of  other 
narratives  bruidhen  therefore  often  occurs  in  a  secondary  sense,  implying  a 
ruse  or  device  for  violent  purposes,  ^%.  do  chuir  si  bruidhen  roime  *he  set  a 
bruidhen  for  him* ;  do  bhi  bruidhen  aige  or  muir  agus  bruidhen  ar  tir  *  he  had 


Preface.  xvii 

one  such  on  sea,  and  another  on  land ' :  where  clearly  there  cannot  be  ques- 
tion of  an  actual  edifice.  To-day,  colloquially,  the  word  signifies  *  a  quarrel ' 
'  dissension '  *  ruction  * :  tárrla  bruidhen  ecUorra  *  there  happened  a  row  between 
them';  duine bruidhentach  *a  quarrelsome  person';  and  such  would  seem  to 
be  the  meaning  in  our  title.  Consider  these  points: — (i)  Here  we  have  a 
^n//V^[i^;f-d welling,  but  neither  is  it  stormed  nor  destroyed,  (ii)  If  this  was 
a  small  or  lesser  *fort'  (let  us  call  it),  where  or  what  was  the  greater?  It  is 
not  mentioned,  nor  does  adj.  beg  *  little '  appear  except  in  the  title,  (iii)  The 
bountiful  great  hall  of  Almhain  is  notorious  in  Ossianic  lore  ;  we  do  not  hear 
of  any  subsidiary  refectory,  (iv)  The  dwelling  that  seated  such  a  company 
cannot  have  been  a  small  one  ;  and  this  last  suggests :  to  what  then  does  the 

*  little '  refer  ?  surely  the  broil  in  which  so  many  fell  was  a  big  one.  True ; 
but  the  adj.  is  employed  playfully,  to  emphasize  the  fact  that  not  a  sword  was 
drawn  nor  spear  thrown :  the  affair  began  with  a  buffet,  and  never  proceeded 
to  anything  worse  than  sledge-hammers  ;  it  was  in  fact  merely  *a  glove  fight.* 

^nJ  XXVII.  Echtra  Tliaidg  mluic  Cliéin  'the  Adventure  of  Cian's 
son  Teígue':  from  the  Book  of  Lismore.  The  progenitor  of  the 
various  Cianachta  is  presented  as  true  to  his  reputation  for  *  bon- 
hommie '  and  shrewdness.  When  Veniusa  in  the  island  tells  him 
that  Connla  Rua  and  she  after  all  those  years  passed  together, 
and  they  loving  each  other,  are  still  as  it  were  strangers,  Teigue's 
comment:  is  aebda  ecus  is  ait  sin  amounts  to  *c*est  magnifique 
mais  ce  n*cst  pas  la  guerre,'  exactly.  Amongst  other  localities,  I 
leave  *  the  land  of  Fresen '  to  scientific  geographers ;  the  name 
of*  Fresenius'  is  not  unknown  to  students  of  chemistry:  is  it  of 
Fresen ic  origin  ? 

XXVIII.  Boramka^ih^  Boromean  Tribute':  from  the  Book 
of  Leinster;  a  history,  so  far  as  it  extends,^  of  that  famous 
imposts  origin  and  of  difficulties  experienced  in  levying  it 
during  the  succeeding  ages.* 

*  i.e.  from  king  Tuathal  techtmar  t  io6,  who  first  instituted  the  tax,  to 
S.  Moling  of  Luachair  1 596,  who  procured  its  remission. 

*  From  the  most  remote  times  collection  of  any  kind  of  dues  has  in  Ireland 
been  a  ticklish  business ;  the  extraordinary  tale  called  *  the  Siege  of  Cnoc 
damhgairej  near  Knocklong  (county  Limerick),  is  based  on  king  Cormac's 
attempt  forcibly  to  exact  his  revenue  from  Munster,  a  province  which  appears 
to  have  habitually  and  successfully  been  refractory  to  the  monarchs,  i.e.  kings 
of  all  Ireland  as  distinguished  from  the  five  provincial  kings.    As  for  the  cios 

*  rent '  (so  Elizabethans  rendered  it,  and  such  it  means  to-day)  or  tribute  which 
the  urradha  *  subordinate  chiefs '  paid  to  their  chief  paramount,  it  had  to  be 
taken.  In  English  a  chiefs  urradha  were  called  his  *  gentlemen':  thus 
O'Conor-Sligo  was  O'Donnell's  gentleman,  and  continually  it  needed  hundreds 
of  swords  and  axes  (many  of  whom  never  saw  Tirconall  again)  to  persuade 
him   to  his   duty.    The  following  again  were  0*Conor-Sligo*s  gentlemen 

b 


xviíí  Preface. 

O'Dowda,  0*Gara,  O'Hara-Buie,  O'Hara-Riach,  O'Hart,  Mac  Donough  of 
the  Corann  and  Mac  Donough  of  Tirerrill,  who  all  were  just  as  reluctant  to 
part  The  whole  theory  is  summed  up  in  a  still  lively  tradition  of  the  follow- 
ing correspondence  (incorrectly  given  in  the  Abbe  Mageoghegan*s  Histoire 

d'Irlande):  cuir  chugam  mo  chios  no  mara  gcuirtr inise  O  DOMHNAILL 

i.e.  "send  me  my  rent,  or  if  not O'Donnell";   answer:  ni  fhuil  cios 

agat  orm  agus  da  mbiadh mise  O  Neill  i.e.  "  I  owe  you  no  rent,  and  if  I 

did O'Neill."    Fictitious  if  you  will,  but  typical. 

XXIX.  Fragmentary  Annals:  from  Egerton  1782.  In  this 
tract,  as  well  as  in  I,  II,  V,  VI,  XXVIII,  it  will  be  noticed 
that  some  outrageously  discreditable  dodges  (the  only  condign 
word)  are  laid  to  the  charge  of  eminent  saints.  The  late  William 
Reeves,  D.D.,  and  John  O'Donovan,^  have  commented  severely 
on  passages  of  this  nature ;  arguing  that,  while  they  manifestly 
are  fabulous,  the  fact  of  their  concoction  betrays  the  low  moral 
standard  of  whatever  age  it  was  that  gave  them  birth.  I  confess 
that  I  cannot  take  the  matter  quite  so  seriously :  these  episodes 
have  all  the  appearance  of  broad  caricatures  drawn  to  raise  a 
laugh,2  and  perhaps  the  worst  that  can  be  said  of  them  is  that 
they  are  not  in  the  taste  of  our  day ;  even  as  Gilray's  and  Row- 
landson's  political  cartoons  would  no  longer  attract  a  generation 
accustomed  to  John  Tennicl.  It  is  idle  to  suppose  that  the  native 
Irish  writers  of  remote  times,  whose  general  tone  indubitably  is 
that  of  gentlemen  writing  for  gentlemen,  knew  no  better  than 
seriously  to  credit  men  like  S.  Columbkill  and  Adamnan,  for 
instance,  with  conduct  worthy  of  Til  Eulenspiegel. 

^  The  former  in  his  Adamnan's  Life  of  Columba,  the  latter  in  his  ed.  of 
part  of  this  piece. 

'  Nor  were  the  heroes  so  sacred  but  that  they  too  were  victims  of  burlesque : 
in  the  tale  of  Illann  ilchrot/tach  (the  king  of  Spain's  son),  Finn  and  Ossian 
not  only  *funk,'  but  act  with  incredible  meanness ;  the  Stowe  copy  oitochmarc 
Eimre  *  the  Wooing  of  Eimer'  is  immediately  followed  by  a  short  story :  aithed 
Eimre  re  viae  rlgh  Lochlann  *  Eimer*s  Elopement  with  the  king  of  Lochlann's 
son,'  in  which  Ireland's  paragon  of  chastity  and  fidelity  (at  that  time  CuchuUin's 
wife)  is  pourtrayed  as  shameless  and  unfaithful.  The  quatrains  appended  to 
this  bit  sufficiently  mark  the  writer's  spirit ;  and  it  must  be  remembered  that, 
as  inter  alia  many  of  their  sobriquets  shew,  the  Irish  were  (and  indeed  are 
still)  particularly  fond  of  the  joke  per  antiphrasin. 

XXX.  Story  of  a  Wicked  Girl  of  the  Greeks  :  from  the  Book 
of  Leinster ;  not  of  Irish  origin,  but  selected  merely  on  account 
of  its  suitable  length.^ 


Preface.  xix 

*  Some  peculiar  constructions  there  are  in  this  tale,  which  can  be  more 
accurately  rendered  in  Latin.  The  style  is  not  Ciceronian,  it  is  true ;  but 
there  is  no  knowing  what  Tully  might  have  written  had  he  translated  literally 
from  Irish.     He  would  have  been  none  the  worse  for  being  able  to  do  so. 

XXXI.  Abacuc's  Perjury :  from  the  Book  of  Leinster.  How 
one  bearing  a  Hebrew  name^  chanced  to  be  at  the  Convention 
of  Taillte  is  not  explained 

^  It  has  been  put  through  a  process  of  folk-etymology  the  intermediate 
stage  of  which  we  see  p.  'jZ  of  tr.,  and  the  last  in  Maurice  O'Conor's  copy  of 
Keating's  History: — "A.D.  517:  do  ghab  Tuathal  maelgharb  mac  Chormaic 
chaoich  meic  Chairbre  meic  Néill  naoighiallaig  do  shiol  Eiremhóin  ríogacht 
Eirenn  trí  bliadna  dég.  is  fá'n  am  so  do  thuit  a  chenn  do  bhacach  i  naonach 
Thaillten  tré  láimh  Chiaráin  do  thabairt  i  néithech  .  agus  do  mhair  sé  cheithre 
bliadna  mar  sin  idir  na  manchaib  gan  chenn"  i.e.  "A.D.  517:  Tuathal  inael- 
gharby  son  of  Cormac  caech  son  of  Niall  9  H.  of  the  seed  of  Heremon,  had 
the  kingdom  of  Ireland  for  thirteen  years.  At  this  time  it  was  that  his  head 
fell  from  a  beggar  in  the  Convention  of  Taillte  through  his  having  sworn  by 
Kieran's  hand  in  a  lie  ;  in  which  plight  he  lived  among  the  monks,  headless, 
for  four  years"  (Eg.  1 12,  f.  348  b\ 

Our  tales  being  disposed  of  thus,  let  us  collect  a  few  items  of 
evidence  as  to  the  nature  and  peculiarities  of  the  people  with 
whom  they  originated.  First  comes  Strabo  ("f-circ.  A.D.  25),  say- 
ing that  Ireland  lies  to  the  north  of  Britain,  that  the  inhabitants 
are  wilder  than  the  Britons,  are  cannibals  with  enormous  appetites, 
and  consider  it  but  decent  to  eat  their  defunct  fathers  ;  the  simple 
anthropophagy  he  excuses  by  alleging  that  it  is  a  Scythian  habit 
too,  while  Gauls,  Iberians  and  very  many  others  have  resorted 
to  it  in  siege  extremities.  They  had,  says  he,  peculiar  notions  as 
to  degrees  of  consanguinity ;  but  the  great  geographer,  like  the 
honest  man  he  was,  warns  us  that  he  had  no  corroborators 
worthy  of  credit^     Pomponius  Mela,  in  the  first  cent.,  will  not 


^  ^aX  Z\  KoX  aXXai  ictpl  ri\fv  Bpirravuci^v  vrjvu  fUKpai  /xcyaXi}  ^  >)  'Ispvri  rrpÓQ  apitrov 
avrg  irapaP^ISXrifikinj  trpofiriKTje  fiaXKov  ^  TrXarof  tx^^^^*  "^^P*^  ÍC  ovdív  ixofiív  Xkytiv 
oa^ÍQ  irXi^v  on  aypiutrtpoi  rutv  Bpcrravwv  virápxov<nv  oi  Karoucovvrte  afjrfjv  ávOpu)' 
iro^ayoi  di  otnreg  Kai  iroXv^ayoi  roue  tb  iraripag  TeKwrqtravrtQ  KarEtrOUiv  cv  icoA^ 
TiOtfievoi,  Kai  TavTa  i*  ovrut  Xsyofuv  (í»c  ouk  ixovrec  a^ioTriarovc  iiapTvpaQ.  Kairoi  to  yt 
r^c  avOpiuTTOipayiae  Kai  ^kvQikov  dvai  XlyErai  Kai  Iv  avayKalc  froKiopKtjTuea'iq  Kai 
KtXroi  Kai'IfiripEQ  Kai  áXXoi  wXiiovc  iroi^trat  tovto  Xsyovrai  (IV.  V,  4).  The  verifier 
will  perceive  this  excerpt  to  be  very  slightly  contracted.  That  ornament  of 
the  Porch,  Chrysippus,  wrote  up  to  a  thousand  lines  inculcating  that  survivors 
are  bound  to  cat  their  dead : — iv  ^i  ry  Ilipi  iroXtrciac  Kai  /iriTpáai  Xkya  <rvvkpxf<r- 
$ai  Kai  Ovyarpaffi  Kai  vloi^'  rá  ^  avra  ^^<n  Kai  Iv  rtf  Hepi  r&v  /ii)  ^i'  iavrá  aipirCiv 

b2 


XX  Preface. 

allow  that  there  is  any  element  whatever  of  good  in  them  : 
i  jnorant  of  all  rirtues  they  are,  devoid  of  piety.*  Lastly  (of  the 
ancients},  in  the  second  century-  Solinus,  pedant  and  plagiarist, 
writes  that  the  new-bom  Irish  man-child  had  its  first  solid 
nutriment  gently  administered  by  the  mother  on  the  point  of 
her  husband  s  s\*ord,  the  while  she  uttered  gentile  prayers  that 
by  such  weapon  her  offspring  [ha\nng  lived  by  it]  might  even- 
tually and  honourably  die  in  war.- 

Xow  let  us  hear  the  famous  Jesuit  Edmond  Campion,  a 
Londoner  and  graduate  of  Oxford  L'nder  date  of  June  the 
9th,  1 57 1,  he  writes  in  the  preface  to  his  Irish  narrative  -? — 

(i;  Irish  chronicles,  aldiou^h  the}*  be  reported  to  be  full  fraught  of  lewde 
examples,  idle  tales  and  genealogies.  *et  quicquid  Graecia  mendax  audet  in 
histona ' :  yet  concerning  the  state  of  that  wild  people  I  am  persuaded  that 
with  choice  and  judgment  1  might  have  sucked  thence  some  better  store 
of  matter,  and  gladly  would  have  sought  them,  had  I  found  an  interpreter 
or  understood  their  tongue:  the  one  [interpreters]  so  rare  that  scarcely 
fi\-c  in  five  hundred  can  skill  thereof;  the  other  so  hard  that  it  askcth  con- 
tinuance in  the  land  of  more  yeares  than  I  had  months  to  spare  about  the 
business. 

L^pon  the  authority  no  doubt  of  his  entertainer  J.  Stanihurst, 
Recorder  of  Dublin  and  Speaker  of  the  Irish  Commons,  an 
Englishman,  he  characterises  the  natives  : — 

vii"^  The  pei-^ple  are  thus  inclined:  religious,  franke, amorous,  irefull»  sufler- 
able  of  paines  intinite,  ver\-  glorious  [glorieux],  many  sorcerers,  excellent  horse- 


car««f««ir  cjXm'^i-  vPiog.  Laert.  in  vit.  Chr>s.\  In  the  other  respects  our  heathen 
Irish  w-ere  not  genuine  Stoics,  inasmuch  as  it  was  only  Bacchus  that  rapt 
ihem  to  do  wh,u  the  Greek  preached,  and  they  were  much  ashamed  after- 
warvis :  Hnintome  and  Tallemant  des  Reaux  tell  us  what  some  perfectly  sober 
Christians  did:  not  casually,  but  habitually  and  ex  professo,  and  there  are 
thi^c  that  know  what  gi^s  on  now-a-days.  As  for  Extract  XXIX.  xiv,  refer- 
ring to  Christian  times,  it  must  be  believed  *  per  impossibile'  or  not  at  all. 

*  Cultorcs  ejus  [!vem.v]  inconditi  sunt,  et  omnium  virtutum  ignari,  pietatis 
cx|>ortcs  vH  1.  vi,  05\ 

•  Pucrpcra  siquando  marem  edidit  primos  cibos  gladio  imponit  mariti, 
inquo  OS  |var\uli  summo  mucrone  auspicium  alimentorum  Icviter  infcrt,  et 
gcniilibus  xx^tis  optat  non  aliter  quam  in  bello  et  inter  arma  mortem  oppetat 
(cap.  «\  It  must  Ik?  confessed  that,  during  sixteen  hundred  years  at  least, 
the  fiiVrcaching  ctlicacity  of  their  pagan  orisons  was  abundantly  manifest 
in  those  ladies*  remote  descendants. 

s  Edition  of  1809. 


Preface.  xxi 

men,  delighted  with  warres,  great  almsgivers,  passing  in  hospitalitie  ;  the 
lewder  sort  (both  clarkes  and  laymen)  are  sensuall  and  loose  above  measure. 
They  are  sharpe  witted,  lovers  of  learning,  capable  of  any  studie  whereunto 
they  bend  themselves,  constant  in  travaile,  adventurous,  intractable,  kinde- 
hearted,  secret  in  displeasure  (p.  19). 

(iii)  In  some  comers  of  the  land  they  used  a  damnable  superstition,  leaving 
the  right  armes  of  their  infants  males  unchristened  (as  they  tearmed  it),  to  the 
intent  it  might  give  a  more  ungracious  and  deadly  blow  (p.  21). 

(iv)  I  found  a  fragment  of  an  epistle  wherein  a  vertuous  monke  dedareth 
that  to  him  (travailing  in  Ulster)  came  a  g^ave  gentleman  about  Easter 
desirous  to  be  confessed  and  houselcd,  who  in  all  his  life  had  never  yet 
received  the  blessed  Sacrament.  When  he  had  said  his  minde,  the  priest 
demanded  him  whether  he  were  faultlesse  in  the  sinne  of  homicide?  hee 
answered  that  hee  never  wist  the  matter  to  be  hainous  before ;  but  being 
instructed  thereof  he  confessed  the  murther  of  fís^ :  the  rest  he  left  wounded 
so  as  he  knew  not  whether  they  lived  or  no.  Then  was  he  taught  that  both 
the  one  and  the  other  were  execrable,  and  vcrie  meekelie  humbled  himself  to 
repentance  i^bid,), 

(v)  One  oflSce  in  the  house  of  a  great  man  is  a  tale  teller,  who  bringeth  his 
lord  on  sleepe  with  tales  vain  and  frivolous,  whereunto  the  number  give  sooth 
and  credence.  So  light  they  are  in  beleeving  whatsoever  is  with  any  counte- 
nance of  gravitie  aflSrmed  by  their  superiours  whom  they  esteem  and  honour, 
that  a  lewd  prelate  within  these  few  yeares  needy  of  money  was  able  to  per- 
swade  his  parish  that  S.  Patricke,  in  striving  with  S.  Peter  to  let  an  Irish 
galloglass  into  Heaven,  had  his  head  broken  with  the  keyes  ;  for  whose  relief 
he  obtained  a  collection  (p.  25). 

(vi)  Where  they  fancie  and  favour  they  are  wonderfull  kinde.  They 
exchange  by  commutation  of  wares  for  the  most  part,  and  have  utterly  no 
coyne  stirring  in  any  great  lords'  houses.*  Some  of  them  are  richly  plated  ; 
their  ladies  are  trimmed  rather  with  massie  jewels  than  with  garish  apparell ; 
it  is  counted  a  beautie  in  them  to  be  tall,  round  and  fat  (p.  28). 

So  far  a  writer  who,  when  he  comes  to  deal  with  contemporary 
events  in  Ireland,  discloses  great  rancour.  Better  for  him  he 
had  tarried  with  the  wild  men  that  never  harmed  him,  or  in  some 
of  the  lands  which  he  visited  after  them  ;  when  he  returned,  his 
own  highly  civilised  countrymen  rewarded  his  John-Bullism  with 
a  degree  higher  than  any  he  had  taken  at  Oxford :  in  fact,  on 
the  1st  of  December,  1581,  they  hanged  and  quartered  him. 

A  far  more  equitable  writer  was  Richard  Stanihurst,^  son  of 

*  Writers  are  fond  of  remarking  either  that  history  repeats  itself,  or  that 
history  does  not  repeat  itself,  according  to  their  exigency.  It  is  safe  to  affirm 
that  here  the  former  aphorism  is  the  one  in  point 

•  Bom  in  Dublin  1552, 1 1618.  Except  in  the  accident  of  his  birth  he  was 
an  Englishman :  could  not  speak  Irish,  a  defect  which  in  that  day  quite  shut 


xxii  Preface. 

the  Recorder  and  Speaker  above,  and  (like  Campion)  a  Roman 
Catholic  priest;  his  'Description  of  Ireland'  is  printed  in  Ralph 
Holinshed's  Chronicles.^  Several  of  his  passages  are  identical 
with  Campion's,  which  is  not  surprising ;  but  the  following  are 
his  own.  Under  heading  of  "  The  disposition  and  manners  of 
the  meere  Irish,  commonlie  called  the  wild  Irish''  we  find  : — 

(vii)  The  men  are  clean  of  skin  and  hew,  of  stature  tall.  The  women  are 
well  favoured,  cleane  coloured,  faire  handed,  big  and  large,  suffered  from 
their  infancie  to  grow  at  will,  nothing  curious*  of  their  feature  and  proportion 
of  body.  Their  infants  (they  of  the  meaner  sort)  are  neither  swadled  nor 
lapped  in  linen,  but  folded  up  starke  naked  in  a  blanket  till  they  can  go 
(p.  44  :  2). 

(viii)  Greedie  of  praise  they  be,  and  fearefull  of  dishonor,  and  to  this  end 
they  esteem  their  poets  who  write  Irish  leamedlie  and  pen  their  sonnets 
heroicall,  for  which  they  are  bountifully  rewarded;  if  not,  they  send  out 
libels  in  dispraise  {ibid.). 

(ix)  The  Irish  man  standeth  so  much  upon  his  gentilitie  that  he  termeth 
anie  one  of  the  English  sept,  and  planted  [bom  and  settled]  in  Ireland, 
*  bobdeagh  galteagh  \bodach  galldd^  that  is :  *  English  churle ' ;  but  if  he  be  an 
Englishman  borne,  then  he  nameth  him  *  bobdeagh  saxonagh  {bodctch  sac- 
sanacky  that  is :  a  *  Saxon  churle' ;  so  that  both  are  churles,  and  he  the  onelie 
gentleman. 

(x)  They  observe  divers  degrees,  according  to  which  each  man  is  regarded. 
The  basest  sort  among  them  are  little  yoong  wags  called  *Daltins  [dail- 
tinedhdV:^  these  are  lackies  and  are  serviceable  to  the  g^oomes  and  horse- 
boies,  who  are  a  degree  above  the  *  daltins.*  Of  the  third  degree  is  the  Kerne, 
who  is  an  ordinary  [private]  soldier  using  for  his  weapon  sword  and  target. 
Kerne  signifieth  (as  noble  men  of  deepe  iudgement  informed  me)  *  a  shower 
of  Hell,'*  because  they  are  taken  for  no  better  than  for  rakehels,  or  the  di veil's 

him  off  from  intercourse  with  natives ;  in  political  feeling  was  thoroughly 
English,  was  a  sufficiently  severe  critic,  yet  had  some  sense  of  fair  play  and 
wrote  without  bitterness. 

*  Holinshed  as  well  was  a  churchman  f  1593';  our  excerpts  are  from  the 
ed.  of  1 583. 

*  i.e.  *  careful,'  in  the  way  of  using  artificial  aids :  as  corsets  and  more. 

'  The  word  dailtin  is  still  in  common  use :  bishop  O'Brien  in  his  dictionary 
rightly  explains  it  by  '  a  jackanapes,  a  puppy,  an  impertinent  insignificant 
fellow.* 

*  i.e.  as  though  ceithem  (n.  f.  of  number :  a  body,  regiment,  of  the  men 
individually  called  ceatharnach)  were  a  corruption  of  cith  ifrinn  *imber 
infemi';  thus  man-o'-war's-men  *of  deepe  iudgement'  called  the  old'Bel- 
lerophon'  the  *  Billy- ruffian'  and,  etymologically,  with  as  much  reason.  There 
is  no  Hiberno-english  equivalent  for  ceatharnach^  but  the  vocable  (pron. 
ceathranach)  is  often  introduced  in  speaking  English,  in  the  sense  of  *a 
rowdy'  and  so  forth ;  the  Scots  make  it  *cateran,'  a  Highland  freebooter. 


Preface.  xxiii 

blacke  gard,  by  reasing  of  the  stinking  sturre  [sco.  *  stour*]  they  keepe  where- 
soever they  be.  The  fourth  degree  is  a  Galloglasse,  using  a  kind  of  pollax 
for  his  weapon.  These  men  are  commonlie  weieward  rather  by  profession 
than  by  nature:  grim  of  countenance,  tall  of  stature,  big  of  lim,  burlie  of 
bodie,  well  and  strongly  timbered,  chieflie  feeding  on  beefe,  porke,  and  butter. 
The  fift  degree  is  to  be  an  Horsseman,  which  is  the  chiefest  next  the  lord  and 
captaine.  These  horssemen,  when  they  have  no  stale  of  their  owne,  gad  and 
range  from  house  to  house  like  arrant  knights  of  the  round  table,  and  they 
never  dismount  untill  they  ride  into  the  hall  and  as  farre  as  the  table 

(p.  45  :  i). 

(xi)  To  rob  and  spoile  their  enimies  they  deeme  it  none  offense,  nor  seeke 
anie  meanes  to  recover  their  losse  but  even  to  watch  them  the  like  tume  ;  but 
if  neighbors  and  friends  [blood  relatives]  send  their  purveiors  to  purloine  one 
another,  such  actions  are  iudged  by  the  breighons  \breitheamhain  *  brehons  * 
'judges']  aforesaid  (p.  45 :  2). 

Their  food,  dress,  language,  shall  be  barely  glanced  at : — 

(xii)  No  meat  they  fansie  so  much  as  porke,  and  the  fatter  the  better.  One 
of  John  O'Nel's  [Shane  O'Neill's]  household  demanded  of  his  fellow  whether 
beefe  were  better  than  porke  ;  "  that  (quoth  the  other)  is  as  intricat  a  ques- 
tion as  to  ask  whether  thou  art  better  than  O'Nele"  (Stanihurst,  lib.  cit. 

p.  45 :  0. 
(xiii)  Their  plenty  of  grasse  makes  the  Irish  have  infinite  multitudes  of 

cattle  ;  and  in  the  heate  of  the  late  rebellion  [1598 — 1603]  the  very  vagabond 

rebels  had  great  multitudes  of  cowes  which  they  stil  (like  the  nomades)  drove 

with  them  whether  soever  themselves  were  driven,  and  fought  for  them  as  for 

their  altars  and  families  (Fynes  Moryson's  Itinerary,  pt.  III.  iv,  5:  ed.  1617, 

p.  160).    They  feede  most  on  whitmeates,  and  esteeme  for  a  great  dainty 

sower  curds,  vulgarly  called  by  them  *  bonaclabbe '  * ;  and  for  this  cause  they 

watchfully  keepe  their  cowes,  and  fight  for  them  as  for  religion  and  life  (p.  163). 

(xiv)  Linnen  shirts  the  rich  doe  weare  for  wantonnesse  and  bravery,  with 
wide  hanging  sleeves,  playted  ;  thirtie  yards  are  little  enough  for  one  of  them. 
They  have  now  left  their  saffron,  and  leame  to  wash  their  shirts  four  or  five 
times  in  a  yeare  (Campion,  lib.  cit.  p.  24). 

(xv)  Ireland  yeelds  much  flax,  which  the  inhabitants  work  into  yame,  and 
export  the  same  in  g^eat  quantity.  And  of  old  they  had  such  plenty  of  linnen 
cloth  as  the  wild  Irish  used  to  weare  thirty  or  forty  elles  in  a  shirt,  al  gathered 
and  wrinckled  [i.e.  *  kilted']  and  washed  in  saffron,  because  they  never  put 
them  off  til  they  were  wome  out'  (Moryson,  ubi  supra). 

*  i.e.  áainne  c/adai'r  *  clotted  mxWi^^bainne  reamhar  *  thick  milk,'  according 
to  locality. 

'  Friend  Fynes's  veracity  cannot  be  dealt  with  here  ;  but  in  the  same  breath 
he  tells  us  that  they  slept  naked.  This  had  been  the  custom  of  Europe : — 
Cest  que  nos  aieux  couchaient  nus,  ainsi  que  nos  aieules.  Cette  nudité 
nocturne  était  encore  usitée  au  temps  de  Charles  VII.  [1403 — 1461].  Toutes 
Ics  miniatures  de  nos  vieux  manuscrits,  meme  les  gravures  de  nos  premiers 
imprimés  gothiques,  jusqu'k  Francois  ler  [1494 — 1547],  s'accordent  á  placer 


xxív  Preface. 

(xvi)  The  tongue  is  sharp  and  sententious,  offereth  great  occasion  to  quicke 
apothegmes  and  proper  allusions ;  wherefore  their  common  iesters,  bards, 
and  rhymers,  are  said  to  delight  passingly  them  that  conceive  the  grace  and 
propriety  of  the  tongue.  But  the  true  Irish  indeed  differeth  so  much  from 
that  they  commonly  speake,  that  scarce  one  among  five  score  can  either 
write,  read,  or  understand  it ;  therefore  it  is  prescribed  among  certaine  their 
poets  and  students  of  antiquitie  (Campion,  lib.  cit.  p.  17). 

(xvii)  And  in  verie  deed  the  language  carrieth  such  difficultie  with  it,  what 
for  the  strangenesse  of  the  phrase  and  the  curious  featness  of  the  pronuncia- 
tion, that  a  verie  few  of  the  countrie  can  attein  to  the  perfection  thereof;^ 
and  much  lesse  a  forrener  or  stranger  (Stanihurst,  lib.  cit.  p.  12:  2). 

N.  A  possible  objection,  that  these  illustrations  (as  being  com- 

paratively modern)  cannot  well  bear  on  tales  of  much  earlier 
ages,  may  be  forestalled  by  observing  that  down  to  1600  the  old 
Irish  way  of  life  had  not  known  solution  of  continuity:  so  far 
had  English  influences  been  from  prevailing,  that  the  reverse  took 
place.  Within  an  incredibly  short  period  numbers  of  the  Norman 
arrivals  flung  off"  their  surcoats  and  the  rest  to  don  the  Irish  shirt 
and  trews  ;  they  were  of  fine  linguistic  capacity,  and  lost  no  time 
in  procuring  the  best  dictionaries  extant :  Strongbow  himself 
chose  Dermot  Mac  Murrough's  beautiful  sister  Eva,  while  the 
de  Burgos  [*  Bourkes ']  went  to  intermarrying  with  the  O'Briens  ; 
and  so  with  others,  whose  *  chiefest  books  were  women's  looks, 
which  right  good  Irish  taught  them.'  Then  they  took  bards  and 
brehons,  and  became  the  *Hibernis  ipsis  hibemiores'  of  Henry 
the  VIITs  time.  The  assimilating  power  was  so  great  that 
Stanihurst  complains: — 

(xviii)  The  verie  English  of  birth,  conversant  with  the  savage  sort  of  that 
people  became  degenerat  and,  as  though  they  had  tasted  of  Ceres'  poisoned 
cup,  are  quite  altered  (lib.  cit  p.  45 :  2). 

The  general  reader,  it  may  be,  will  not  find  much  to  interest 
him  in  the  few  remarks  that  follow  ;  but  the  book's  welfare  and 
a  pardonable  regard  for  my  own  safety  necessitate  them : — 

In  preparing  this  collection  of  Irish  tales  I  have  followed  lines 


dans  un  état  complet  de  nudité  toutes  les  personnes  qu'elles  représentent 
au  lit  (Antony  Meray,  la  Vie  au  temps  des  Cours  d* Amour:  Paris  1876,  pp. 
229-31-33).  This  for  princes,  knights,  and  dames  of  high  degree;  every- 
where the  people  shewed  themselves  in  this  respect  strong  conservatives. 

*  This  remark  and  Campion's  are  but  as  though  in  respect  of  Chaucer, 
Shelley's  *  Revoh  of  Islam,*  Tennyson's  *  In  Memoriam,'  and  Browning's 
poems,  one  said  so  much  of  the  English  populace. 


Preface.  xxv 

of  my  own,  begotten  of  a  theory  that  these  studies  can  be 
popularised  only  by  a  division  of  labour.  Accordingly  I  aspire 
to  a  role  no  higher  than  that  of  the  humble  quarryman  who 
painfully  gets  the  rough  stuff,  winds  it  to  the  surface,  and  there 
leaves  it  to  be  dealt  with  as  they  list  by  stonecutter  and  sculptor, 
architect  and  engineer:  here  is  raw  material  for  'keltologue* 
arid  '  philologue,'  for  folklorist,  comparative  mytl\ologist,  and 
others.  Personally  I  cannot  boast  of  being  anything  that  ends 
in  either  *-logue*  or  *-ist':  that  is  to  say  in  these  countries; 
were  I  back  in  the  United  States,  I  should  of  course  profess  at 
least  the  arts  of  *  breathist,' '  eatist,'  *  sleepist,'  and  *  walkist' 

The  plan  of  campaign  (for  campaign  it  is)  demanding  that 
anything  outside  of  Irish  matter  and  its  equivalent  in  English 
should  be  a  minimum,  while  it  was  needful  that  to  non-experts 
should  be  given  some  sort  of  foothold  in  an  otherwise  hopeless 
morass  of  names  and  events  entirely  new  to  them  and  devoid 
of  dates,  in  preference  to  a  body  of  cheap  second-hand  notes 
pillaged  from  the  printed  works  of  John  O'Donovan  I  have 
appended  the  Extracts.  For  two  reasons  the  text  of  these  is 
not  and  ought  not  to  be  in  the  Irish  volume:  firstly,  this  latter 
was  in  the  binder's  hands  before  it  occurred  to  me  to  add  such 
an  appendix ;  secondly,  the  impression  of  this  English  volume 
largely  exceeds  that  of  the  other. 

This  has  no  claim  to  be  a  critical  edition :  where  an  editor  is 
denied  the  opportunity  of  comparing  different  versions,  such  a 
thing  is  impossible ;  apart  from  which,  the  work  could  not  be 
extended  and  retarded  indefinitely.  I  hope  just  to  see  it  occupy 
the  rank  which  Orientalists  agree  in  according  to  products  of  the 
native  presses  of  Stamboul,  Cairo,  and  Boulaq:  that  of  a  good 
and  careful  manuscript.  Of  set  purpose  or,  as  some  would  have 
it,  of  malice  prepense,  I  have  in  the  direction  of  uniformity 
tampered  somewhat  with  the  orthography  {and  that  alone)  of  my 
sources,  and  have  accentuated.  In  this  the  student  beginning  his 
Celtic  studies  will  find  his  account,  and  thereby  much  space  has 
been  saved  ;  details  of  the  method  will  provisionally  appear  else- 
where. It  may  be  well  to  add  that  it  is  not  suitable  to  all  texts, 
nor  to  all  editors ;  in  the  case  of  these  pieces  and  their  editor  it 
appeared  to  me  to  be  legitimate. 

By  the  way  of  bibliography  it  may  be  mentioned  that  VII,  text 


xxvi  Preface. 

with  German  tr.,  was  printed  by  Ernst  Windisch^  in  1884  ;  VIII, 
another  version,  from  the  Book  of  Lecan,  by  Brian  O'Looney^  in 
1870;  XIII  is  printed  in  the  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society's 
Journal  (4th  series,  i  p.  96)  by  J.  O'Beirne-Crowe,  whom  also  I 
knew:  one  whose  great  amount  of  real  knowledge  was  marred 
by  eccentric  fancies  in  translation ;  a  Highland  tale  having  the 
same  name  as  XX,  but  without  other  common  element,  ap- 
pears in  'Fife-side  Stories':  D.  Nutt,  London,  1890;  XXII  and 
XXVIII  are  edited  by  Whitley  Stokes  in  Revue  Celtíque^  xiii ; 
a  portion  of  XXIX  is  comprised  in  John  O'Donovan's  *  Three 
Fragments,*  edited  in  i860  from  a  paper  MS.  written  more  than 
a  century  after  Eg.  1782,  a  codex  with  which  he  docs  not  appear 
to  be  familiar ;  with  XXX  compare  LXXVII  in  Sir  Frederick 
Madden's  Early  English  versions  of  the  Gesta  Romanorum,  from 
Add.  9066  (re-edited  by  Sidney  J.  H.  Herrtage  in  1879),  p.  394: 
*  Of  the  penance  of  a  Woman  which  had  committed  three  Mur- 
ders,* also  Méon*s  Nouveau  recueil  de  Fabliaux  et  Contes  (Paris 
1823),  ii  256:  *de  la  Roine  qui  ocist  son  Senechal,*  and  le  Grand's 
Fabliaux  (Paris  178 1)  v  189.  This  hint  I  owe  to  Norman  Moore. 
What  with  0*Curry*s  *MS.  Materials*  and  *  Manners  and  Cus- 
toms,' d'Arbois  de  Jubainville's  *  Essai  d*un  Catalogue,*  and  the 
R.  I.  A.  facsimiles,  the  inquirer  need  not  be  at  a  loss  respecting 
other  MS.  versions. 

From  those  facsimiles  it  is  that  the  pieces  referred  to  LU,  LL, 
LB  and  BB,  are  derived :  the  last  of  these  is  photographed  ;  the 
first  three,  lithographed,  are  noble  monuments  of  modern  Irish 
penmanship,  and  deserved  better  than  that  the  able  and  inoffen- 
sive man  (last  of  a  line  of  scribes)  who  executed  them  should 


*  Professor  of  Sanskrit  in  the  University  of  Leipsic,  one  of  the  few  dis- 
tinguished continental  scholars  in  this  department  who  act  on  the  golden 
rule:  *sic  utere  tuo  ut  alienum  non  ladas.*  With  his  usual  kindness  he  sent 
me  the  *  separat-abdruck  *  of  his  paper  read  before  the  Royal  Gesellschaft  der 
Wissenschaften  of  Saxony,  July  29th  as  above. 

'  In  the  Academy's  Irish  MSS.  series,  i  pt.  i. 

'  On  January  i8th  of  this  year,  at  which  time  my  text  and  version  of  XXII 
were  in  printer's  hands,  I  was  offered  the  loan  of  this  edition  ;  I  declined  it 
however,  and  never  saw  it  until  October  ist  (when  I  applied  for  it  at  the 
British  Museum),  nor  have  I  altered  a  tittle  of  my  own  in  consequence.  The 
same  applies  to  XXVIII,  which  I  first  saw  on  December  ist,  long  after  mine 
was  printed. 


Preface.  xxvii 

have  had  his  last  years  embittered,  if  not  his  end  hastened,  by 
outrageous  onslaughts  of  incompetent  critics.  I  knew  Joseph 
O'Longan  well. 

Higher  up  I  spoke  of  tossing  straws ;  but  to  me,  the  tosser, 
this  has  been  the  tossing  of  a  caber  as  large  as  they  make  them. 
The  body  of  the  work,  indices  included,  has  been  printed  between 
April  4th,  1 89 1,  and  November  nth,  1892;  it  was  started  with 
copy  just  sufficient  to  furnish  16  pp.  each  of  text  and  translation. 
During  that  period  therefore  the  entire  text  was  copied  for  press : 
much  of  it  and  all  the  translation  being  written  twice,  a  rough 
version  first,  then  the  revised,  which  I  confess  might  with  the 
advantage  of  time  have  been  made  much  better  than  it  is.  Any 
that  have  experienced  what  it  is,  with  difficult  work  and  for  a 
long  spell  to  keep  just  ahead  of  an  energetic  printer,  will  under- 
stand me.  At  this  rate  of  speed  the  Extracts  were  not  only 
written  and  translated,  but  hunted  up  and  discovered  as  well. 
Index  C  had  to  be  omitted:  it  was  made,  and  besides  'matters' 
contained  many  words  and  phrases  which  it  seemed  desirable 
to  notice,  and  corrections  not  a  few ;  but  there  was  not  room 
for  it. 

From  first  to  last  I  have  worked  single-handed  :  in  no  respect 
have  I  received  textual  help  whatsoever  ;  and  if  so  it  be  that  'tis 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive,  then  native  Irish  scholars 
both  past  and  present  must  be  rated  as  blest  indeed.  Of  the 
several  volumes  of  Irish  stories  in  English  dress,  without  Irish, 
which  one  so  often  sees  quoted,  I  have  never  even  beheld  one. 

Serious  obligations  of  another  kind  however  I  am  under,  and 
it  is  with  much  gratitude  that  I  acknowledge  them : — 

The  late  Duke  of  Devonshire,  with  accustomed  liberality,  con- 
sented that  for  my  purpose  the  Book  of  Lismore  should  tempo- 
rarily be  deposited  in  the  British  Museum,  whither  Lady  Louisa 
Egerton  was  good  enough  herself  to  convey  it,  Edward  J.  L. 
Scott,  Keeper  of  tlie  MSS.,  having  first  kindly  consented  to  take 
charge.  In  the  same  spirit  this  loan  was  continued  to  me  by 
his  Grace  that  now  is. 

To  my  countrymen  and  friends,  Norman  Moore  above  and 
J.  J.  Mac  Sweeney,  I  am  much  beholden:  to  the  former  for 
unlimited  use,  as  reader  and  as  borrower,  of  his  excellent  Irish 
library ;  to  the  latter  for  the  alacrity  and  accuracy  of  his  answers 


xxviii  Preface. 

to  queries  anent  classification  and  particulars  of  MSS.  under  his 
hand  as  Assistant-Librarian  of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy. 

Nor  must  I  omit  hearty  tribute  to  the  good-will  and  intelligent 
interest  manifested  by  all  concerned  in  the  material  production 
of  this  book :  the  Irish  was  printed  as  readily  and  as  correctly  as 
the  English,  and  throughout  there  has  not  been  a  hitch. 

This  leads  me  to  briefly  account  for  non-use  of  Irish  type  :  the 
reason  is  a  business  one  simply;  it  was  commercially  impossible. 
The  old  character  is  the  best  for  texts  such  as  I  have  printed, 
in  which  aspirations  abound ;  scientifically,  it  is  not  suitable  for 
the  oldest  texts:  for  them  italics  are  essential,  and  in  Irish 
type*  you  have  them  not 

One  regret  I  surely  have,  and  it  is  a  keen  one:  that  Sidney 
Williams,  head  and  founder  of  the  house  from  which  Silva 
Gadelica  goes  forth,  is  no  longer  here  to  see  the  completion  of 
a  venture  so  readily  and  kindly  undertaken  at  my  instance. 

Let  me  finish  by  intimating,  since  I  am  often  tantalised  by 
having  a  kinsman's  good  work  attributed  to  myself,  that  my 
trade  mark  (without  which  no  goods  are  genuine)  is  either  as  on 
the  title-page,  or  thus  in  full, 

STANDISH   HAYES   O'GRADY. 


*  Many  inconsequent  utterances  there  have  been  about  the  difficulties  of 
its  use,  and  the  impossibility  of  attaining  to  accuracy ;  but  what  about  setting 
up  and  correcting  Arabic,  Hebrew,  Sanskrit,  and  mathematical  work?  I 
take  it  t>n  myself  to  say  that,  were  the  demand  by  a  miracle  to  become  such 
as  would  warrant  the  purchase  of  an  Irish  fount,  not  a  murmur  would  be 
heard  in  the  office  of  Messrs.  Green  and  Son. 


OliV 


y 


lid 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 


I.  Life  of  S.  Kieran 

IL  Life  of  S.  Molasius 

in.  Life  of  S.  Magnenn  

IV.  Life  of  S.  Cellach 

V.  Story  of  Aedh  ^o^/im^      

VI.  Death  of  king  Dermot      

VII.  Birth  of  king  Aedh  Slaine 

VIII.  The  Wooing  of  Becfola     

IX.  Disappearance  of  Caenchomrac  ... 
X.  Panegyric  of  king  Cormac 
XI.  Enumeration  of  Finn's  People     ... 
VXIIyThe  Colloquy  

XIII.  Death  of  Eochaid  mac  Mairidh  ... 

XIV.  Death  of  king  Fergus,  etc 

XV.  Birth  of  king  Cormac        

XVI.  Fiachna's  sidh        

XVII.  Pursuit  of  the  C7/7/a  ^^roir 

XVIII.  O'DonnelPs  Kern 

XIX.  The  Carle  in  the  Drab  Coat 
XX.  The  Leeching  of  Cian's  Leg 
XXI.  The  Enchanted  Cave  of  Keshcorran 
XXII.  Battle  of  Magh  mucramha 

XXIII.  Battle  of  Crinna      

XXIV.  Story  of  king  Eochaid's  sons 
XXV.  Death  of  king  Crimthann,  etc.     ... 

XXVI.  The  Little  Brawl  at  Almhain 
XXVII.  Teigue  mac  Cein's  Adventure 

XXVIII.  The  Boromean  Tribute     

XXIX.  Fragmentary  Annals         

XXX.  The  Greek  Emperor's  Daughter  ... 
XXXI.  Abacuc  the  Perjurer  


f  I 


PAGE 
I 

...     i8 

•••    35 
...    50 

...    70 

...    76 

..  •    00 

...    9i\i 

...    94V:         .    . 

...    96 

...    99 

...   lOI 

...  265 

...  269 

...  286 

...  290NJ 

...    292^    Ti^ni     fe    Ig  f" 

...  3" 

...  yi^  ^^^J^^^L 

...  332^  UT. 

...  34> 
•  ••  347*v 

...  359 
...  368 

...  373 
...  378 
...  38ysi 

...  401 

...  424 

'...  449 

...  453 


XXX  Table  of  Contents. 

m 

Extracts,  Irish  text  of 

Extracts,  Translation  of  

Notes  and  Corrections 

„     to  Extracts  (text)  

„      to  Extracts  (translation)  

Index  A,  of  Names      

Index  B,  of  Places       


PAGE 

..  455 
..  501 

..  549 
..  569 

..  571 
..  577 
..  595 


CONSPECTUS  OF  MSB. 

(i)  On  Vellum. 

BB  (B.  of  Ballymote),  XV.,  XXIV.,  XXV. 

LB  (the  Leabhar  breac\  IV. 

LL  ('Liber  Lagcniensis':  B.  of  Leinster),  XXIL,  XXVIIL,  XXX.,  XXXI. 

LU  (B.  of  the  Dun),  VIL,  XIIL 

Lis.  (B.  of  Lismore),  V.,  IX.,  XIL,  XVI.,  XXIII.,  XXVII. 

Add.  18,205,  II. 

Eg.  91,  IIL 

Eg.  92,  Notes,  p.  575. 

Eg.  1781,  VIIL,  XX. 

Eg.  1782,  VI.,  X.,  XL,  XIV.,  XXIX. 

K.,  Kilbride  no.  3,  Advocates'  Library,  Edinburgh,  quoted  in  Extracts. 

*^*  >  n  '^O.    16,  ,y  „  „  „  „ 

(ii)  On  Paper. 

Eg.  112,  I. 

Eg.  154,  XIX. 

Add.  18,747,  XVIII.,  XXL,  XXVI. 

Add.  34,119,  XVIL 


Comparative  Table  of  Pagination. 


Ir. 

• 

Eng. 

Ir. 

Eng. 

I  IS 

I 

55  is 

57:   5 

2  „ 

2:   4 

56  » 

58:13 

3  .. 

3:   3 

57  » 

59:16 

4  » 

4:   7 

58  ., 

60: 16 

1  " 

5:   7 

59   n 

61  :22 

6„ 

6:    9 

60  „ 

62:32 

7  » 

7  :  12 

61  „ 

63>' 

8  „ 

8:14 

62  „ 

65:   6 

9  .. 

9:19 

63  » 

66:  14 

lO  „ 

10:  21 

64  ,* 

67:18 

II  „ 

II  :2I 

65  » 

68:27 

12    M 

12  :  24 

66,. 

70 

13     M 

13:29 

67,, 

71:    9 

14  ., 

14:33 

68  „ 

72:14 

15  » 

15:36 

69., 

73:13 

i6  „ 

16.1- 

70  „ 

74 

17     M 

iS 

71  « 

74:    2 

i8  „ 

19:    4 

72  ,. 

75:19 

19     M 

19:33 

13  » 

76  :2I 

20  „ 

20:32 

74  „ 

78:    4 

21   „ 

21  :  21 

75  » 

79  :  16 

22   „ 

22  :    5 

76  ,. 

80  127 

23   » 

23:    3 

78  „ 

81:35 

24  ,t 

23  X 

83:    3 

25   « 

24:  14 

79   n 

84:14 

26  „ 

25:14 

80  „ 

85:13 

27    M 

25:31 

81  „ 

86:27 

28  „ 

26:  13 

82  „ 

^ix' 

29  »» 

27 

83» 

89:11 

30 ». 

27:23 

84,, 

90:23 

31 », 

28 :  29 

85  ,. 

91  :  10 

32  „ 

29:35 

86  „ 

92:14 

33  .» 

30:31 

87  » 

93:18 

34  », 

31:33 

88  „ 

94:24 

35  " 

32:36 

89., 

95^^ 

36  ,. 

33:15 

90  „ 

97:    5 

37  ., 

34:31 

91  t, 

98: 12 

38  » 

35^ 

92  „ 

99:   5 

39  » 

37:   8 

93  M 

loo:  15 

40  „ 

38 :  18 

94  » 

loi  :  15 

41  «* 

39:30 

95  » 

102  :20 

42  „ 

41  :    2 

96., 

103 :  26 

43  »» 

42  :  II 

97  „ 

104 :  25 

44  M 

44:19 

98,, 

105 

45  .. 

44:25 

99  » 

106:  10 

46  „ 

45-r 

100  „ 

107  :  22 

47  » 

47:    6 

lOI   „ 

108:   6 

48  „ 

48:18 

102  „ 

109: 13 

49  M 

49:29 

103  ,, 

110:22 

50     M 

51:   5 

104  „ 

1 1 1  :  25 

51   M 

52: 12 

105     M 

113:    6 

52  » 

53:24 

106     „ 

114:  12 

53  M 

54:31 

107     M 

»15:    5 

54  » 

56 

108     „ 

116:13 

Ir. 

Eng. 

109  b 

117:19 

no  „ 

118:25 

III  „ 

119:36 

112  „ 

[20S 

113  ». 

[22:    6 

114   M    ] 

123:15 

115  »  1 

[24:29 

116  „ 

125  X 

117     M 

127 

:   6 

118     „      ] 

[28 

:  II 

119    » 

129: 

!    9 

120     „ 

'30 

:    6 

121    „ 

131  i 

5 

122   „ 

[32: 

:  15 

123   « 

133 

;  18 

124   » 

'34 

:28 

125   » 

»35 

:26 

126  „ 

'^\ 

=  38 

127   „ 

[381 

:    4 

128   „ 

139 

:I3 

129  „    \ 

[40: 

20 

130  „ 

141 

:32 

13'    » 

'43! 

2 

132   „ 

144 

;i8 

133  » 

145: 

:20 

134  „ 

[46: 

30 

135   » 

147^         1 

136  „    ] 

[49: 

9 

137   1, 

[50 

15 

138   „    1 

[51: 

21 

139   »» 

[52: 

30 

140  „ 

'53 

=  35 

141    » 

155 

'  5 

142   „ 

156. 

:l6 

143   ». 

'57 

:26 

144   M 

158 

=  35 

145    .» 

160. 

!    7 

146  „ 

[61: 

24 

147   »» 

162 

33 

148   „ 

163  a: 

149   ,» 

164 :  27 

150  „    ] 

165  :  39 

151    »» 

[66* 

152   »    1 

[68:    4 

153  »»    1 

[69:17 

154  M    ! 

[70:30 

155   »    J 

172 

156  »    ! 

[73:10 

157   » 

174:21 

158   » 

175:28 

159  » 

176:33 

160  „ 

177  4f 

161    „    ] 

179 

162   „ 

[80: 

:   7      1 

)» 


»» 


»» 


II 


Ir. 

63  U 

64  » 

65  II 

66  „ 

67  II 

68  „ 

69  » 

70  „ 

71  11 
1^  II 

73  I, 

74  I. 

75  » 

76  ,1 

n  I, 

78  ,. 

79  I, 

80  „ 

81  „ 
82 

83 

84 

85 

86  „ 

87  „ 

88  „ 

89,, 

90  II 

91  11 

92  „ 

93  II 

94  II 

95  I, 

96  „ 

97  11 
981, 

99  11 

200  „ 

201  „ 

202  „ 

203  „ 

204  „ 

205  „ 

206  „ 

207  „ 

208  „ 

209  „ 

210  „ 

211  „ 

212  „ 

213  II 

214  ,1 
21 

21 


Eng. 

181 

:i9 

182 

:29 

183  jf 

185 

:   6 

186 

:i5 

187 

'33 

188 

33 

190 

191 

:   6 

192. 

:20 

193 

:32 

195 

:    5 

196 

:I4 

^97 

•25 

198 

36 

200: 

5 

201  : 

'3 

202 

:2I 

203 

=  34 

205 : 

2 

206: 

12 

207  - 

:20 

208 

32 

210 

:    2 

211  : 

i<; 

212  : 

\\ 

213! 

,26 

2141 

27 

2151 

33 

217  : 

2 

218 

15 

219  ; 

;20 

220  • 

126 

221  , 

=  35 

222: 

33 

224: 

4 

225  : 

5 

226: 

13 

227  : 

9 

228: 

19 

229: 

29 

231: 

2 

232 

233: 

10 

234: 

6 

235: 

II 

II 


If 


236  :  20 

237  :  29 
238:26 

239 :  29 
240  X 
242:  8 
243:22 
244:21 


xxxu 


Comparative  Table  of  Pagination. 


Ir.   Eng. 

Ir.   Eng. 

Ir.   Eng. 

Ir.   Eng. 

217  is  245:34 

267  is  301 

:34 

317  is  357  :  7 

367  is  406  :  17 

218  „  247  :  3 

268  „  302 

:36 

318  „  358:22 

368  „   406  :  26 

219  „  248 :  10 

269  „  304 

:  3 

319  »  359:29 

369  „  406 :  30 

220  „  249 :  15 

270  „  305 

:  II 

320  „  360 :  35 

370  „  407  X 

221  ,,  250 :  24 

271  „  306 

:  12 

321  „  362  :  5 

371  „  409:  4 

222  „  251 :3c 

272  „  307 

:l8 

322  „  363  :  3 

372  „  409  :  32 

223  „  252  :  18 

273  "  308 

:2I 

323  „  364:  12 

373  »  4'o  :  28 

224  „  253  :  26 

274  ..  309 

:l8 

324  ».  365  5  20 

374  „  410:34 

225  „  254  :  30 

275  .»  310 

:25 

325  „  366  :  26 

375  „  412  :  6 

226  „  255« 

276  „  3" 

:29 

326  „  367« 

376  „  413  :  7 

227  „  257  :  8 

277  .1  312: 

32 

327  1»  369  ••  12 

377   M  413* 

228  „  258  :  12 

278  „  Z\l\ 

26 

328  „  370 :  10 

378  „  414« 

229  „  259  :  18 

279  M  314 : 

29 

329  „  371  :  21 

379  „  416  :  10 

230  „  260 :  25 

231  „  261  :  38 

280  „  315  : 

.29 

330  „  372  :  23 

380  „  417  :  19 

281  „  316: 

19 

Zl^  »   373  '  21 

381  „  418:28 

232  „  263  :  7 

282  „  317  : 

21 

332  „  374 :  35 

382  „  419  :  27 

233  M  264 :  16 

283  „  318  : 

21 

333  ,»  375  :  21 

383  „  420  :  3 

234  „  265  :  22 

284  „  319 : 

28 

334  M  37^ '  20 

384  „  420  :  6 

235  »»  267  :  5 

285  „  320: 

17 

335  »  377  :  19 

385  „  420  :  34 

236  „  267  :  10 

286  „  321 : 

21 

336  »  378  :  22 

386  „  421  :24 

237  „  268 :  13 

287  „  322 : 

10 

337   »  379 '  19 

387  „  422  :  15 

238  „  269  :  24 

.288  „  323  : 

15 

338  »  380:21 

388  „  423  :  9 

239  »»  270:31 

289  „  324 : 

5 

339  »  381  :  27 

389  „  423« 

240  „  27I>' 

290  „  325 : 

5 

340  „  382  :  30 

390  „  424:11 

241  »  273 

291  „  326: 

10 

341  »»  383  Í  27 

391  »  425 

242  „  274 :  19 

292  „  327  : 

16 

342  „  384  :  32 

392  „  426  :  10 

243  »  275  :  29 

293  »  328  : 

19 

343  "  385  :  28 

393  „  427  :  18 

244  „  276« 

294  ,.  329 : 

25 

344  »  387  :  2 

394  „  428  :  28 

245  »  277  :  21 

"  295  „  330: 

26 

345  M  387  :  36 

395  "  429  :  36 

246  „  278 :  38 

296  „  331  : 

31 

346  „  389 

396  „  431  :  6 

247  „  279  :  22 

297  ,.  332 : 

28 

347  »»  389  :  36 

397  M  431  ^' 

24S  „  280:35 

298  ..  334 

348  »  390  :  29 

398  M  433  :  " 

249  „  281  :  43 

299  »  335:" 

349  „  391  :  26 

399  ».  434  •»7 

250  „  282 X 

300  »  336  :  21 

350  "  392  :  22 

400  „  435  :  16 

251  „284:  4 

301  »  337  :  27 

35  Í  »»  393:29 

401  „  436  :  29 

252  „  284  Jf 

302  „  338  :  31 

352  „  394  :  16 

402  „  437-?' 

253  .»  286 

303  «  339  :  34 

353  »  395  :  24 

403  ..  439  :  8 

254  „  287 :  6 

304  „  340* 

354  M  396  :  8 

404  „  440  :  17 

255  »  288 :  5 

305  »  342 

355  ..  397  :  5 

405  „  441  :  16 

256  ,,  289  :  22 

306  „  343 

356  ..  398  :  13 

406  „  441  :2i 

257  »»  291 

258  „  292  :  10 

307  „  344 :  4 

357  »  399 :  9 

407  „  442  :  10 

308  „  345  Í  9 

358  „  400  :  15 

408  „  443  :  »3 

259  »  293  :  21 

309  »»  346 :  10 

359  „  401  :  18 

409  „  444  :  17 

260  ,,  294 :  26 

310  „  347  :  13 

360  „   402  :  26 

410  „  445  :  18 

261  „  295  :  22 

311  „  348:27 

361  „  403  :  17 

411  „  446:24 

262  „  296  :  31 

312  „  350:  7 

362  „  404  :  8 

412  „  447  :  29 

263  „  297  :  24 

313  ..  35Í  •  19 

363  „  404  :  29 

413  „  448>' 

264  „  298  :  29 

3í4t.  352  j: 

364  „  405  :  18 

414  „  450  :  9 

265  „  299  :  36 

3>5  «  354  :  16 

365  w  405  ••  35 

415  „  451  :27 

266  „  300:31 

316  „  355  Í 

36  1 

366  „  406 

416  „  453 

SILVA  GADELICA. 


Life  of  S.  Kieran  of  Saighir. 

Beatissimtis  episcopus  Ciaranus  sanctorum  Hibemia  primo- 
genitus  Le.  bishop  Kieran  of  Saighir  was  the  first  saint  bom  in 
Ireland  ;  and  was  of  Leinster's  eastern  portion,  which  is  called 
Ossory.  In  that  time  the  Irish  all  were  non-christians  and  gen- 
tiles. Laighne  was  his  father's  name  and  he  was  of  the  nobles  of 
Ossory ;  his  mother's  name  was  Liadain^  and  she  was  of  the 
southern  part  of  Munster,  being  indeed  [to  be  more  precise]  of 
the  Corca-laighde  by  race. 

Before  she  conceived  Kieran  in  her  womb  his  mother  had  a 
dream  :  as  it  were  a  star  that  fell  into  her  mouth  ;  which  dream 
she  related  to  the  magicians  and  to  the  knowledgeable  ones  of 
the  time,  and  they  said  to  her:  "thou  wilt  bear  a  son  whose  fame 
and  whose  virtues  shall  to  the  world's  latter  end  be  great  [i.e. 
notorious}"  Afterwards  that  holy  son  Kieran  was  born ;  and 
where  he  was  [actually]  brought  forth  and  nursed  was  in  Corca- 
laighdcy  on  the  island  which  is  called  Cléire.  Verily  God  chose 
him  in  his  mother's  womb. 

When  Ireland  then  had  [first  and  vaguely]  heard  Christ's  name 
the  disposition  of  Christian  devotion  had  its  first  origin  in  Kieran ; 
his  parents  and  every  other  one  marvelling  at  the  extent  to  which 
all  his  deeds  were  virtuous.  He  was  mild  in  his  nature,  and  of 
converse  sweet ;  his  qualities  were  attended  with  prosperity,  his 
counsel  was  instruction,  and  so  with  all  else  that  appertained  to 
a  saintly  man. 

One  day  that  he  was  in  CUire  there  it  was  that,  he  being  at 
the  time  but  a  young  child,  he  made  a  beginning  of  his  miracles  ; 
for  in  the  air  right  over  him  a  kite  came  soaring  and,  swooping 
down  before  his  face,  lifted  a  little  bird  that  sat  upon  her  nest. 

B 


2  S.  Kieran  of  Saightr. 

Compassion  for  the  little  bird  took  Kieran,  and  he  deemed  it  an 
ill  thing  to  see  it  in  such  plight ;  thereupon  the  kite  turned  back 
and  in  front  of  Kieran  deposited  the  bird  half  dead,  sore  hurt ; 
but  Kieran  bade  it  rise  and  be  whole.  The  bird  arose,  and  by 
God's  favour  went  whole  upon  its  nest  again. 

A  score  and  ten  years  now  before  ever  he  was  baptised  Kieran 
spent  in  Ireland  in  sanctity  and  in  perfection  both  of  body  and 
of  soul,  the  Irish  being  as  we  have  said  gentiles.  But  the  Holy 
Spirit  being  come  to  dwell  in  His  servant,  in  Kieran,  he  for  that 
length  [of  time]  lived  in  devotion  and  in  perfect  ways ;  then  he 
heard  a  report  that  the  Christian  piety  was  in  Rome  and,  leaving 
Ireland,  went  thither,  where  he  was  instructed  in  the  Catholic 
faith.  For  twenty  years  he  was  there  :  reading  the  Holy  Scrip- 
ture, collecting  his  books  and  learning  the  rule  of  the  Church  ; 
so  that  when  the  Roman  people  saw  our  Kieran's  wisdom  and 
cunning,  his  devotion  and  his  faith,  he  was  ordained  into  the 
Church.  Afterwards  he  reached  Ireland  again  ;  but  upon  the 
way  from  Italy  Patrick  (primate  of  Ireland)  had  met  him,  and 
when  they  (God's  people)  saw  each  other  they  made  much  rejoic- 
ing and  had  great  gladness.  Now  at  that  time  Patrick  was  not 
a  bishop,  but  was  made  one  later  on. 

Celestinus  it  was  that  made  a  bishop  of  him  and  then  sent 
him  to  preach  to  the  Irish ;  for  albeit  before  Patrick  there  were 
saints  in  Ireland,  yet  for  him  God  reserved  her  magistracy  and 
primacy  until  he  came ;  nor  till  his  advent  did  their  kings  or 
their  lords  believe  by  any  other's  means. 

Said  Patrick  to  Kieran :  "  precede  me  into  Ireland  ;  and  in  the 
marching  of  her  northern  with  her  southern  part,  in  her  central 
point,  thou  shalt  find  a  well.  At  such  well  (the  name  of  which  is 
uardn)  build  thou  a  monastery ;  there  shall  thine  honour  abide 
for  ever  and  thy  resurrection  be."  Kieran  answered  and  said  : 
"  impart  to  me  the  spot  where  the  well  is."  Patrick  said  to  him  : 
"  the  Lord  will  be  with  thee :  go  thou  but  straight  before  thee ; 
take  to  thee  [first]  my  little  bell,  which  until  thou  reach  the  well 
that  we  have  mentioned  shall  be  speechless ;  but  when  thou 
attainest  to  it  the  little  bell  will  with  a  clear  melodious  voice 
speak  out :  so  shalt  thou  know  the  well,  and  at  the  end  of  nine 
years  and  a  score  I  will  follow  thee  to  that  place." 

They  blessed  and  kissed  each  other,  and  Kieran  went  his  way 


S.  Kieran  of  Saighir.  3 

to  Ireland  ;  but  Patrick  tarried  in  Italy.  Kieran's  bell  was  with- 
out uttering  until  he  came  to  the  place  where  was  the  well  of 
which  Patrick  spoke:  Uarán  namely;  for  when  Kieran  was  come 
into  Ireland  God  guided  him  to  that  well»  which  when  he  had 
reached,  straightway  the  little  bell  spoke  with  a  bright  clear  voice: 
barcdn  Ciardin  'tis  called,  and  for  a  token  is  now  in  Kieran's 
parish  and  in  his  see ;  throughout  the  territories  round  about  'tis 
carried  to  be  sworn  upon  [in  covenants]  between  kings,  for  a 
sanction  that  they  shall  keep  their  troth.  Moreover  it  is  borne 
about  to  all  peoples  in  general  to  procure  for  the  successors  to 
Kieran's  monastery  all  that  of  which  they  may  stand  in  need. 
Where  it  was  made  was  with  Germanus  the  bishop,  Patrick's 
master,  who  also  gave  it  to  Patrick. 

Touching  that  well  of  which  we  have  spoken  :  the  very  spot  in 
which  it  is  is  in  the  mearing  betwixt  two  parts  of  Ireland,  Mun- 
ster  being  the  southernmost  part  and  ....  the  northern  ;  howbeit 
in  Munster  actually  the  country  is  which  men  call  Ely.  In  that 
place  Kieran  began  to  dwell  as  a  hermit  (for  at  that  time  it  was 
all  encircled  with  vast  woods)  and  for  a  commencement  went 
about  to  build  a  little  cell  of  flimsy  workmanship  (there  it  was 
that  [later]  he  founded  a  monastery  and  metropolis  which  all  in 
general  now  call  Saighir  Chiardifiy  When  first  Kieran  came 
hither  he  sat  him  down  under  a  tree's  shade  ;  but  from  the  other 
side  of  the  trunk  rose  a  wild  boar  of  great  fury  which,  when  he 
saw  Kieran,  fled  and  then  turned  again  as  a  tame  servitor  to  him, 
he  being  by  God  rendered  gentle.  Which  boar  was  the  first  dis- 
ciple and  the  first  monk  that  Kieran  had  there ;  and  moreover 
went  to  the  wood  to  pull  wattles  and  thatch  with  his  teeth  by 
way  of  helping  on  the  cell  (human  being  there  was  none  at  that 
time  with  Kieran,  for  it  was  alone  and  away  from  his  disciples 
that  he  came  on  that  eremiteship).  And  out  of  every  airt  in 
which  they  were  of  the  wilderness  irrational  animals  came  to 
Kieran  :  a  fox  namely,  a  brock,  a  wolf,  and  a  doe ;  which  were 
tame  to  him,  and  as  monks  humbled  themselves  to  his  teaching 
and  did  all  that  he  enjoined  them. 

But  of  a  day  that  the  fox  (which  was  gross  of  appetite,  crafty, 
and  full  of  malice)  came  to  Kieran's  brogues  he  e'en  stole  them  and, 
shunning  the  community,  made  for  his  own  cave  of  old  and  there 
lusted  to  have  devoured  the  brogues.    Which  thing  being  shewn 

B  2 


4  S.  Kieran  of  Saighir. 

to  Kieran  he  sent  another  monk  of  the  monks  of  his  famih'a  (the 
brock  to  wit)  to  fetch  the  fox  and  to  bring  him  to  the  same  spot 
[where  all  were].  To  the  fox's  earth  the  brock  went  accordingly, 
and  caught  him  in  very  act  to  eat  the  brogues  themselves  (their 
lugs  and  thongs  he  had  consumed  already).  The  brock  was 
instant  on  him  that  he  should  come  with  him  to  the  monastery  ; 
at  eventide  they  reached  Kieran,  and  the  brogues  with  them. 
Kieran  said  to  the  fox  :  "  brother,  wherefore  hast  thou  done  this 
thievery  which  was  not  becoming  for  a  monk  to  perpetrate? 
seeing  thou  neededst  not  to  have  committed  any  such ;  for  we 
have  in  common  water  that  is  void  of  all  offence,  meat  too  we 
have  [of  the  same].  But  and  if  thy  nature  constrained  thee  to 
deem  it  for  thy  benefit  that  thou  shouldst  eat  flesh,  out  of  the  very 
bark  that  is  on  these  trees  round  about  thee  God  would  have 
made  such  for  thee."  Of  Kieran  then  the  fox  besought  remission 
of  his  sins  and  that  he  would  lay  on  him  a  penance ;  so  it  was 
done,  nor  till  he  had  leave  of  Kieran  did  the  fox  eat  meat ;  and 
from  that  time  forth  he  was  righteous  as  were  all  the  rest. 

Afterwards  his  own  disciples  came  to  Kieran,  with  many  more ; 
then  he  began  to  build  a  stately  monastery,  and  henceforth 
those  animals  in  their  own  condition  abode  still  with  Kieran,  for 
they  diverted  him.  Now  grew  the  Christian  faith  in  Ireland  [in- 
somuch that]  before  Patrick's  advent  thither  there  were  three 
most  saintly  bishops :  as  Ailbe  of  Imlech  iubfuiir^  bishop  Braus, 
with  Declan  in  his  land  and  country,  in  the  Decies  of  Munster ; 
while  of  his  own  country  too,  of  Ossory,  Kieran  the  holy  turned 
many  men  to  the  Catholic  faith. 

It  was  after  this  that  from  Pope  Celestinus  the  glorious  Arch- 
bishop Patrick  came  into  Ireland  ;  from  whom  all  that  land  was 
filled  with  the  Christian  faith  and  baptism. 

To  Kieran  came  once  a  young  woman  :  he  made  of  her  a 
Christian  and  a  veritable  servant  to  God,  and  near  to  the  monas- 
tery built  for  her  a  small  but  honourable  cell ;  about  her  he 
assembled  other  saintly  maidens,  and  of  these  was  the  most 
exquisite  virgin  whose  name  was  Bruinnech  :  daughter  of  a  noble 
lord  of  Munster.  By  Kieran's  mother  she  was  beloved  dearly 
and  zealously  ;  she  was  under  Liadain's  special  care,  and  profit- 
able in  all  her  ways.  But  when  the  chief  of  Hy-Fiachrach  heard 
the  fame  of  this  girl's  beauty  that  we  have  mentioned,  with  great 


S.  KUran  of  Saighir.  5 

bands  of  kerne  he  came  and  carried  her  away  forcibly ;  his  name 
was  Dinuiy  and  with  him  in  his  castle  she  was  for  a  long  time ; 
indeed  she  slept  by  him,  and  he  held  her  dear  exceedingly. 
Kieran  came  to  Dlnia  to  require  the  girl  of  him,  but  Dima  con- 
sented not  to  dismiss  her  ;  he  said  further  that  by  no  means 
would  he  suffer  her  to  depart  from  him  unless  that  a  stork's  voice 
it  were  that  on  the  morrow  woke  him  (it  was  time  of  winter  then 
and  great  snow  was  fallen  ;  but  on  the  spot  where  Kieran  was 
with  his  disciples  fell  no  whit  of  the  same).  On  the  morrow's 
mom  then  (although  the  thing  were  against  nature)  on  every 
housetop  that  was  in  the  precinct  a  stork  uttered  ;  which  when 
Dima  heard,  speedily  he  sought  Kieran,  on  his  knees  he  fell 
before  him,  and  let  the  young  woman  go.  She  was  pregnant 
then,  which  was  not  good  in  Kieran's  sight ;  therefore  upon  her 
body  he  signed  the  Holy  Cross,  and  her  burden  vanished  quite 
away ;  then  he  led  her  to  her  own  cell  which  [now]  is  called  Cill 
Liadain. 

In  love  for  the  woman  Dima  was  entangled  hugely  however, 
and  repented  him  that  he  had  dismissed  her.  He  returned  to 
carry  her  away  again,  but  God  wrought  conformably  to  the  will 
of  three :  of  Kieran,  of  his  mother,  and  of  the  woman's  self ;  so 
that  when  he  came  to  the  town  Bruinnech  died.  Dima  took  it 
ill,  and  said  to  Kieran  :  "  wherefore  hast  thou  slain  my  wedded 
wife  that  before  me  never  knew  a  man,  for  as  a  lawful  spouse  I 
bound  her  to  me  ?  thy  habitation  therefore  shall  not  be  in  this 
place,  but  I  will  expel  thee  out  of  it"  Kieran  answered  :  "  not  of 
thyself  are  the  powers  by  which  thou  mightest  do  that  or  any 
other  thing ;  but  God  it  is  that  hath  given  thee  faculty,  as  it  were 
an  earthly  shadow,  for  so  long  as  it  may  please  Him.  Therefore 
my  place  I  will  not  leave  for  thee  but,  whether  it  like  thee  or  like 
thee  not,  will  still  be  in  it."  Dima  when  he  heard  it  departed  with 
great  anger,  and  against  Kieran  uttered  threats ;  but  in  revenge 
of  his  injustice  distress  of  God  fell  on  him,  insomuch  that  when 
he  came  to  his  castle  he  found  it  and  all  as  many  buildings  as 
surrounded  it  on  fire.  Now  a  favourite  [little]  son  that  he  had 
was  forgotten  in  the  house  and  he  asleep  in  Dimds  bed  ;  but  his 
nurse,  when  she  perceived  that  for  man  it  was  not  possible  to 
rescue  him  from  the  flames,  cried  with  a  loud  voice :  "  beloved 
babe,  I  make  thee  over  to  Kieran  of  Saighir^  and  to  his  safeguard 


6  S.  Kieran  of  Saighir. 

do  consign  thee  !*'  whereat  the  flames  being  fallen  and  the  pre- 
mises cooled  down,  the  child  was  found  whole  as  though  but 
asleep.  When  Dhna  saw  it  he  came  where  Kieran  was  (and  the 
bishop  called  Aedh  with  him) ;  from  Kieran  he  accepted  a  sore 
penance  and  dedicated  to  him  his  two  sons :  Donough  (the  son 
that  the  Saint  had  himself  saved  from  the  fire)  and  another  one, 
with  their  seed  and  posterity  after  them,  [with]  both  monastery 
and  revenue,  and  with  burial  place.  Then  to  his  own  place  Dlma 
returned  again,  with  joy  and  with  Kieran's  benediction.  As  for 
this  latter  it  grieved  him  that  his  charge  was  so  quickly  gone  from 
the  world,  and  he  knew  that  thenceforth  Dima  would  no  more  do 
him  violence;  where  the  young  woman's  body  was  thither  he  went 
therefore,  and  in  her  behalf  made  prayers  to  God  so  that  she  rose 
from  death  and  for  a  long  time  after  that  lived  on. 

Of  another  day  the  steward  that  Kieran  had  in  order  to  the 
monastery's  work  [of  construction]  came  to  him  saying:  "we  lack 
swine."  Kieran  made  answer:  "even  as  God  giveth  us  every 
other  thing  so  too  will  He  furnish  swine."  Sure  enough  on  the 
morrow  there  came  to  the  workmen  an  exceeding  great  sow  and 
along  with  her  of  little  pigs  a  dozen,  from  which  in  the  sequel 
proceeded  many  porkers. 

Of  Kieran  upon  yet  another  day  the  self-same  man  sought 
sheep.  Kieran  said :  "  the  One  that  gave  us  swine  will  give  us 
sheep;"  and  the  steward  being  gone  out  saw  on  the  green  a 
score  and  eight  white  sheep  that  ate  grass.  Then  he  took  them 
away,  and  of  them  came  many  sheep. 

A  certain  man  of  power  that  was  in  that  country : — and  to 
Kieran  he  brought  his  dead  son  to  be  made  alive  again  {Laeghaire 
was  the  boy's  name).  Kieran  having  prayed  to  his  Lord,  the  lad 
rose  up  from  death  and  lived  long  after ;  in  gratitude  for  which 
that  man  bestowed  on  Kieran  and  on  his  representative  for  ever 
the  land  that  is  called  Rdth-ferdin. 

It  was  after  this  that  Patrick  the  Preacher  came  into  Ireland, 
and  to  the  king  of  Munster :  to  Angus  son  of  Nadfnuch^  who 
believed  in  God  and  in  Patrick ;  and  Patrick  baptised  him. 

In  that  time  came  one  of  the  seed  of  Duach^  of  the  country  of 
Ossory,  and  of  set  purpose  killed  Patrick's  horse ;  by  the  king's 
people  he  was  seized  and  without  delay  set  in  fetters,  that  he 
might  be  put  to  death.   Howbeit  in  his  behalf  his  friends  besought 


S.  Kieran  of  Saighir.  7 

Kicran,  who  came  to  the  king  and  in  lieu  of  the  other  gave  him 
wealth  of  gold  and  of  silver,  so  procuring  [the  prisoner]  to  be 
enlai^ed  free  to  his  own  country.  But  Kieran  being  gone  the 
treasure  went  to  nothing,  whereby  anger  took  the  king  and  he 
summoned  Kieran.  He  enquired  of  him  why  for  the  culprit 
that  he  held  he  had  given  him  empty  riches  (mock  substance 
that  is  to  say);  Kieran  answered  and  said :  "  all  riches  whatsoever, 
'tis  but  of  nought  they  come  and  into  nought  must  go."  Again 
anger  took  the  king,  and  he  threatened  Kieran ;  but  from  God 
vengeance  came  on  the  king,  for  on  the  instant  his  sight  was 
taken  from  him  and  in  the  presence  of  all  that  were  present  he 
fell  to  the  earth.  Then  came  Carthach  (that  was  pupil  to  Kieran 
and  related  to  the  king)  and  besought  Kieran  for  him ;  [in  the 
end]  by  prayer  of  Carthach  and  of  many  more  it  came  to  pass 
that  for  the  king  Kieran  relighted  his  eyes  and  he  rose  up  whole 
(now  to  many  it  had  seemed  as  though  the  king  were  dead,  and 
it  were  his  resurrection  that  Kieran  had  effected  thus),  and  being 
risen  conferred  many  alms  on  Kieran,  and  to  God  gave  thanks. 

Some  good  harpers  that  Angus  the  king  had  at  that  time : — 
they  were  melodious  as  they  sang  poems  and  played  their 
harps.  Of  a  day  that  they  walked  through  Muskerry  in  the 
province  of  Munster,  there  they  were  slain  by  some  that  were 
enemies  to  them ;  their  bodies  were  hidden  in  a  loch  adjoining 
to  the  open  ground  in  which  they  were  killed,  and  their  harps 
were  slung  in  a  tree  on  the  loch's  shore.  Now  this  [i.e.  the 
harpers'  absence]  misliked  Ang^s,  and  he  took  it  ill  that  he  knew 
not  what  was  befallen  them  ;  but  he  was  aware  that  Kieran  was 
full  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  virtue,  and  he  came  to  him  in  order  to 
learn  that  which  had  happened  to  the  harpers :  for  (seeing  that 
he  had  embraced  the  faith  of  Christ)  he  would  not  seek  it  of  his 
magician.  What  Kieran  said  to  him  was :  "  thine  harpers  are  slain 
privily,  and  their  bodies  hidden  in  a  loch  hard  by  the  spot  where 
they  were  killed ;  their  harps  moreover  hang  in  a  tree  on  the 
loch's  shore."  The  king  besought  Kieran  that  he  would  go  with 
him  to  the  loch  in  order  that  he  might  find  the  bodies  to  have 
them  raised ;  to  the  loch  they  went,  and  for  three  days  Kieran 
fasted  in  order  that  it  should  be  possible  to  raise  the  bodies : 
which  three  days'  fast  being  accomplished  the  loch's  water  ebbed 
to  an  extent  such  that  they  were  no  longer  hidden  at  all.     They 


8  S.  KUran  of  Saighir, 

were  lifted  and  brought  into  the  presence  of  Kieran,  who  made 
prayer  to  God  so  that  before  all  men  the  dead  rose  as  though 
they  had  but  slept :  their  number  was  eight,  and  the  length  of 
time  that  they  had  been  in  the  loch  an  entire  month.  Out  of  the 
tree  they  (as  Kieran  instructed  them)  took  to  them  their  harps, 
and  in  presence  of  the  king,  of  Kieran,  and  of  all  the  rest  in 
general,  played  delicious  melody :  in  which  music  was  delight- 
fulness  such  that  great  number  of  the  multitude  fell  asleep  to  it ; 
and  glory  was  given  to  God  and  to  Kieran  (as  for  the  loch  in 
which  they  had  been  drowned,  from  that  time  forth  water  gathers 
not  there  ;  only  that  for  a  commemoration  of  that  miracle  it  still 
is  called  loch  na  gcruitiredh^  i.e.  *Loch  of  the  Harpers').  Then 
Kieran,  after  the  king's  and  the  harpers'  benediction  had,  returned 
to  his  own  metropolis. 

On  yet  another  day  as  the  king's  (Angus's)  steward  walked 
through  the  land  that  is  called  Múscraighe  tire  there  came  in  his 
way  a  herd  of  swine,  and  he  bade  his  people  kill  a  hog  of  them  ; 
they  killed  and  took  it  into  the  nearest  wood  to  eat  it.  [Which 
while  they  did]  certain  that  were  their  enemies  happening  on 
them  slew  the  steward  and  a  score  of  his  people  on  the  bank 
of  the  river  that  is  called  Brosnach,  When  Kieran  was  certified 
of  this,  by  his  pupil  Carthach  (that  was  brother  to  Angus  the 
king,  or  it  may  be  his  grandson)  and  by  others  he  was  entreated 
that  they  might  go  fetch  the  bodies  of  that  company,  so  that 
wild  beasts  should  not  devour  them.  They  having  reached  the 
bodies  then,  Kieran  saw  that  such  number  as  he  had  with  him 
sufficed  not  to  carry  them  to  the  church ;  with  a  loud  voice 
therefore  he  said :  "  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  rise 
wretched  people!  come  with  me!"  they  rose  straightway  (the 
hog  also  with  them),  and  a  certain  holy  man  that  had  Eochaid  to 
his  name,  and  was  of  that  same  country,  returned  to  his  house ; 
but  they  that  were  raised  up  [and  had  not  previously  been  holy 
men]  were  from  that  time  pious  monks  with  Kieran. 

Yet  another  day  Kieran  walked,  and  in  his  way  there  was  by 
chance  a  brake  on  which  was  great  abundance  of  blackberries  ; 
and  from  his  seer's  quality  he  comprehended  that  [for  some  pur- 
pose] these  would  be  needed  yet.  He  provided  them  with  a 
covering  therefore,  that  the  winter's  cold  should  not  touch  them  ; 
and  it  was  his  intent  that,  though  to  a  year's  end  they  were  there, 


S.  Kieran  of  Saighir.  9 

they  should  be  none  the  worse,  if  not  indeed  all  the  better.  It 
was  after  this  that  by  a  certain  chief  of  his  people  {Concraidh 
king  of  Ossory :  he  was  the  chief  in  question)  a  feast  was  prepared 
for  the  king,  for  Angfus ;  to  consume  which  feast  the  king  came, 
and  his  queen,  and  with  them  a  great  multitude,  the  season  being 
then  just  after  Easter.  At  this  banquet  the  queen  fell  in  love 
with  Concraidh  and  (for  he  was  comely  of  form  exceedingly) 
besought  him  to  respond  to  her;  but  Concraidh  refused  this 
thing.  In  order  that  after  the  king  she  might  remain  with  Con* 
craidh  in  the  town  the  queen  resorted  now  to  a  feigned  sickness, 
and  said  that  if  she  might  have  blackberries  to  eat  ^he  would 
be  whole  (for  she  never  thought  that  at  that  season  it  were 
feasible  to  get  blackberries).  On  account  of  the  king,  Concraidh 
for  his  part  feared  to  have  her  in  the  town  ;  he  went  therefore  to 
where  his  own  peculiar  patron  Kieran  was,  to  whom  he  shewed 
each  particular  that  we  have  mentioned  (now  every  spot  in  Ossory 
belongs  to  Kieran's  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction).  Kieran  when  he 
had  heard  the  matter  said  :  "  blackberries  she  shall  have,"  and  so 
went  to  the  brake  upon  which  in  the  foregoing  autumn  he  had 
left  blackberries  under  cover ;  of  which  he  brought  back  a  vessel 
full  and  by  Concraidh  sent  them  to  the  queen.  She  ate  them 
and  was  whole,  for  on  the  spot  she  cared  no  whit  more  for  him  ; 
it  was  the  taste  of  honey  moreover  that  the  queen  and  every  one 
that  ate  them  found  in  those  blackberries.  She  perceived  then 
that  it  was  a  miracle  had  been  performed  on  her  by  Kieran, 
wherefore  she  came  and  humbled  herself  to  him  and  craved  for- 
giveness ;  Kieran  gave  her  remission  and  his  blessing  too,  but 
said  :  *'  from  the  death  that  is  pronounced  for  thee  I  may  not  save 
thee :  for  in  the  one  day  thyself  and  Angus  must  find  death  in 
battle;  but  God  will  have  mercy  on  you"  (this  was  Eithne  Uathach 
daughter  of  Enna  CinnselacKs  son  Crimthann  ;  Patrick  foretold 
so  much  for  them,  and  Kieran  too  on  this  occasion,  and  it  was 
true :  for  by  Muirchertach  mac  Erca  and  Illann  son  of  Dúnlang 
king  of  Leinster,  and  by  Conn's  Half,  Ang^s  and  that  queen  fell 
in  the  battle  of  Cill-osnadh  on  Moy-Fea  of  Offaley  {sic) ;  the  day 
on  which  that  battle  was  delivered  being  the  eighth  of  the  Ides  of 
October,  when  the  Lord's  Age  was  thirteen  years  and  fourscore 
and  four  hundred  years.  Patrick's  demise  in  the  same  year). 
Yet  another  day  Patrick  and  Angus  son  of  Nadfraech  with  a 


lo  5".  Kieran  of  Saighir. 

great  multitude  came  to  Saighir  (where  Kieran  was),  and  eight 
oxen  were  slaughtered  for  them  besides  other  meat  [provided]. 
Said  some  one  or  other  to  Kieran :  "  for  yon  so  great  multitude  of 
people  where  is  the  profit  in  what  meat  is  here?"  Kieran 
answered  :  "  He  that  in  the  wilderness  did  with  a  little  bread  and 
fish  satisfy  many  thousands  may  well  effect  that  to  yonder  num- 
bers this  small  portion  of  meat  shall  be  satiety."  He  blessed  his 
own  well,  and  turned  it  to  wine  ;  and  of  God's  grace  and  Kieran's 
it  came  that,  so  long  as  ever  all  such  throngs  as  were  present 
there  desired  it,  they  had  their  sufficiency  of  meat  and  of  wine. 

Yet  another  time  came  the  king  of  Tara  with  a  strong  force 
to  take  the  men  of  Munster's  pledges.  Olioll  king  of  Cashel 
would  not  submit  to  him,  but  made  a  great  gathering  to  oppose 
him  ;  and  close  to  Kieran's  metropolis  they  met  Kieran  would 
fain  have  made  peace  between  them ;  they  would  not  have  it 
[i.e.  his  mediation]  of  him,  and  from  God  he  procured  that  which 
of  proud  human  folk  he  had  not  gained :  for  in  the  face  of 
Munster  as  they  marched  to  the  battle  a  mighty  wood  sprang 
up,  while  to  bar  Conn's  Half  the  Brosnach's  stream  swelled  over 
her  banks  so  that  not  one  dared  take  it.  When  they  saw  that 
miracle  fear  seized  them :  the  king,  seeing  the  current  which 
formerly  was  passable  for  his  hosts  rise  against  them  now,  turned 
away  from  that  stream  and  departed  to  his  own  country ;  and 
that  night  Munster  lay  in  the  vicinity  of  Kieran's  metropolis. 
He  sent  to  the  king  a  beef  and  a  pig  ready  cooked  ;  with  which 
meat  the  whole  army  was  replete,  and  they  left  fragments.  By 
these  various  miracles  God's  name  and  Kieran's  were  magnified. 

Of  another  time  great  bands  of  marauders  came  out  of  other 
countries  into  the  marches  of  Munster,  to  do  pillage  and  to  kill 
people;  but  a  good  man  of  Munster  whose  name  was  Lonan 
overtook  them,  and  the  outlaws  turned  to  flight  When  they 
saw  that  they  might  not  by  any  means  escape,  they  prayed 
Kieran  to  save  them  out  of  that  extremity ;  and  when  Lonan 
and  his  people  would  have  taken  and  killed  them,  a  thunderbolt 
fell  betwixt  them  and  the  robbers.  Great  fear  took  Lonan  and 
his  men,  so  that  beyond  that  point  they  followed  them  not,  but 
reverted  to  their  own  dwelling-place ;  and  the  bandits  recognised 
that  they  were  Kieran's  miracles  which  had  succoured  them. 
They  repaired  to  him  therefore  and  told  him  their  story ;  and 


S.  Kieran  of  Saighir.  1 1 

the  course  on  which  they  resolved  was  to  don  religious  habits, 
and  thenceforth  to  serve  God  and  Kieran ;  this  was  performed 
by  them,  and  until  they  died  they  continued  under  Kieran's 
hand  in  good  works  and  in  piety. 

Yet  another  day  came  a  thief  (whose  name  was  Cairbre)  of 
Leinster's  province,  and  stole  an  extraordinary  good  cow  that 
Kieran's  monks  had ;  but  as  he  made  for  Slievebloom  a  mist 
and  a  darkness  came  down  upon  him  so  that  the  way  was  no 
longer  patent  to  him,  and  he  falling  into  a  river  was  drowned. 
The  cow  turned  and  to  Kieran  and  to  the  monks  came  back  again. 

Yet  another  day  Kieran  sent  to  his  nurse,  to  Cuinche^  a  team 
of  oxen  (they  having  no  man  with  them)  to  plough  for  her. 
Whenever  the  oxen  were  come  to  her  she  knew  that  it  was  Kieran 
had  sent  them  to  her  to  plough  :  now  it  was  a  long  way  between 
Kieran  and  CuinMs  monastery  i.e.  Ros-bennackoir,  for  this  is  in 
the  sea's  neighbourhood,  in  the  eastern  part  of  Ireland.  Those 
oxen  ploughed  of  themselves  and  (the  time  of  ploughing  ended) 
returned  to  Kieran,  there  being  no  one  with  them.  It  was 
Kieran's  use  upon  every  Christmas  eve  (after  from  his  own  hand 
administering  communion  to  his  familia  in  Saighir)  to  resort  to 
his  nurse's  monastery,  to  Ros-bennachoir,  and  from  his  own  hand 
again  to  give  her  too  the  communion  of  Christ's  Body ;  on  which 
same  night  then  he  would  return  to  his  own  convent.  And  the 
manner  after  which  we  understand  that  it  was  Godthat  did  this 
is  [by  considering]  how  he  wrought  with  Abacus  in  bringing 
him  from  India  (his  own  country)  to  Chaldaea  and  back  to  India 
again  in  but  a  brief  space  of  the  day.  S.  Cuinch^s  great  stone 
(on  which  she  practised  to  pray  to  and  to  supplicate  her  Lord) 
stood  on  the  sea's  shore  a  space  from  the  monastery :  its  name 
is  Carraig  Chuinche  now,  round  about  which  the  sea's  waves 
would  oftentimes  come  up.  Kieran  one  day  mounted  upon  this 
stone  and  it  floated  on  the  sea ;  then,  when  Kieran  so  willed  it, 
came  back  to  its  place.  Nor  was  this  wonderful,  for  it  is  written  : 
mirabilis  Deus  in  Sanctis  suis  (Ps.  cxxxv.)  i.e.  "  God  is  marvellous 
in  his  saints." 

The  pupil  whom  we  have  said  that  Kieran  had,  Carthach 
namely :  he  and  a  virgin  of  Liadairis  familia  fell  immoderately 
in  love  with  each  other  and  conceived  a  contaminated  intention 
of  sinning ;  they  appointed  a  place  of  meeting  where  they  should 


12  S.  Kieran  of  Satghir. 

be  at  their  ease  to  court,  and  attended  the  same ;  but  when  they 
would  have  embraced,  a  thunderbolt  fell  between  them  so  that 
hardly  they  escaped  unconsumed.  Great  fear  took  them,  and 
for  the  magnitude  of  their  terror  they  uttered  not  a  single  word  ; 
they  returned  back  [from  their  assignation]  but  the  virgin  was 
stricken  blind,  and  till  the  time  of  her  death  was  so :  nor  was  it 
an  inequitable  judgment  that  the  woman  who  had  blinded  her 
mind  even  to  [the  pitch  of  committing]  sin  should  have  her  eyes 
blinded  of  corporal  [i.e.  physical]  light  Carthach  for  his  part 
submitted  to  the  penance  imposed  on  him,  and  went  on  a  pil- 
grimage. Whence  also  Kieran's  sanctity  is  manifest ;  for  God 
would  not  that  those  two  virgins  should  sin  that  were  in  the 
saint's  keeping,  seeing  that  in  safeguarding  of  his  flock  he  was  a 
most  zealous  pastor. 

To  Kieran  came  two  that  were  brethren  to  each  other  (jOdhran 
and  Medfiran  their  names  were,  of  Múscraighe-thire  and  of  the 
town  called  Letracli) :  and  when  these  reached  Saighir  the  one 
man  (it  was  Medfiran)  longed  to  abide  with  Kieran  ;  but  Odhran 
said  :  "  not  thus  thou  promisedst,  my  brother,"  and  told  Kieran 
not  to  keep  back  his  brother  from  him.  Kieran  answered  :  "  God 
shall  judge  betwixt  us  whose  he  shall  be :  in  his  hand  let  him 
take  this  taper,  let  him  blow  on  it  with  his  breath,  and  if  the 
taper  kindle  let  him  remain  with  me ;  if  it  light  not,  let  him  go 
with  thee."  The  taper  was  given  him  in  his  hand,  he  blew  on  it 
with  his  breath,  and  straightway  it  lighted ;  therefore  in  great 
sanctity  and  in  good  works  Medhran  till  his  death's  day  abode 
with  Kieran.  To  Odhran  Kieran  said  :  "  I  tell  thee,  Odhran^  that 
though  thou  range  the  whole  world,  yet  'tis  in  thine  own  town,  in 
Letrach^  thou  shalt  die ;  return  therefore  and  in  that  same  pass 
thy  time,  for  'tis  from  thee  that  it  shall  have  its  name  for  ever.'* 
Through  Kieran's  words  Odhran  returned  to  his  own  town,  where 
he  made  an  honourable  monastery ;  his  virtues  and  his  sanctity 
were  great,  and  after  performance  of  miracles  in  number  (as  is 
read  in  his  own  life)  he  went  to  Heaven.  Thus  then  Kieran's 
words  were  verified,  for  Letrach  Odhrain  it  is  which  serves  that 
place  for  a  name. 

A  woman  called  Etill  walked  one  day  and  chanced  to  be 
thrown  down,  so  that  her  bones  were  broken  and  she  died ;  at 
three  days*  end  Kieran  brought  her  to  life  again  and  she  con- 


S.  Kieran  of  Saighir.  1 3 

ceded  to  him  the  land  on  which  she  had  the  fall :  léim  Etille  [i.e. 
*  Etiirs  Leap*]  is  its  name.  Moreover  she  gave  thanks  to  God 
and  to  Kieran. 

A  retainer  of  the  king's  people,  Cennfaela  by  name :  he  slew 
Cronan  that  was  a  friend  to  Kieran  ;  the  saint  revived  him  (and 
at  the  seventh  day's  end  it  was  he  did  it)  in  the  name  of  Christ. 
He  then  [Cronan]  being  in  the  presence  of  all  the  rest  whole 
again,  Kieran  said  :  "he  that  killed  thee  {Cennfaela  namely)  shall 
be  slain,  and  in  the  castle  which  is  called  Rath ...  of  Ely  (?) 
his  body  shall  be  burned." 

Yet  another  day  the  king  of  Munster  (OlioU)  addressed  Kieran 
with  surly  words,  and  departed  from  him  in  great  wrath  ;  but  it 
was  no  long  time  before  the  king  was  stricken  dumb,  so  that  for 
eight  days  he  was  speechless.  He  came  to  Kieran  and  prostrated 
himself  before  him ;  he  accused  himself  of  his  unlawful  deeds 
[which  he  had  committed]  and  craved  forgiveness ;  and  Kieran, 
when  he  perceived  that  the  king  felt  true  penitence,  blessed  his 
tongue  so  that  at  once  and  with  plain  clear  utterance  he  spoke, 
then,  after  Kieran's  blessing  received,  went  away  whole  to  his 
house  and  magnified  God's  name  and  the  saint's. 

One  night  Kieran  and  a  pilgrim  named  Germanus  that  was 
with  him  entered  into  a  stream  of  cold  water,  in  which  when 
they  had  now  been  for  a  long  time  Germanus  said :  "  Kieran,  I 
may  no  longer  hold  out  in  the  water."  Kieran  made  the  sign  of 
the  Holy  Cross  upon  the  water,  whereby  he  turned  it  to  be  tem- 
perate and  of  bathing  heat ;  and  there  they  were  praising  God 

Kieran  said :  "  to-morrow,  Germanus,  a  beloved  guest  will  come 
to  us:  Carthach  namely,  the  king  of  Munster's  son  and  mine 
own  pupil,  whom  for  a  sin  that  he  lusted  to  commit  [and]  had 
not  God  and  I  hindered  him  [would  have  committed]  I  sent  on 
a  pilgrimage :  [I  hindered  him  I  say]  for  I  would  not  that  he 
should  have  ruined  [or  *  thrown  away']  all  his  hitherto  devotion 
and  his  labour.  He  having  obtained  remission  of  his  sins,  and 
being  cleansed  of  his  fault,  returns  even  now ;  thou  therefore 
take  of  this  fish .  that  surrounds  thee,  so  that  it  shall  be  ready 
against  my  beloved  son."  As  Kieran  had  bidden  him,  so  Ger- 
manus caught  a  great  fish ;  and  on  the  morrow  (as  also  Kieran 
had  said)  Carthach  came. 

Yet  another  time :  by  a  certain  king  named  Furbaidhe  Kieran 


14  S.  Kieran  of  Saighir. 

of  Clonmacnoise  was  taken  and  set  in  bonds :  the  cause  being 
that  of  the  Icingf's  treasure,  which  was  in  Kieran's  custody,  the 
saint  (for  he  was  full  of  pity)  bestowed  great  portion  on  the  poor 
of  God.  Where  Kieran  was  [in  prison]  thither  the  king  came 
one  day,  and  through  jocoseness  said  :  '*  if  I  got  four  bald  cows, 
red-bodied,  with  white  heads  on  them,  I  would  enlarge  thee."  He 
answered :  "  God  is  able  for  that  same ;  but  let  me  out  to  seek 
them,  and  if  I  find  them  not  I  will  myself  return  again  to  be  at 
thy  disposal."  His  bonds  were  loosened  then  and  he  came  to 
Saigkir,  where  the  other  Kieran  was,  to  whom  he  told  this 
matter ;  at  which  time  both  the  Brendans  were  with  Kieran,  and 
to  them  all  it  was  a  gladdening  that  Kieran  of  Cluain  was  come. 
Said  the  other  Kieran  to  his  man  of  trust :  "  what  shall  these 
saints  have  to  eat  to-night  ?"  the  man  of  trust  rejoined  that, 
saving  flesh  alone,  he  had  no  meat  Kieran  said :  "  with  speed 
make  ready  that  thou  hast"  The  flesh  then  being  boiled,  Kieran 
blessed  it  and  in  the  others'  presence  changed  it  at  his  discretion 
to  oil,  to  fish,  to  pottage,  and  to  various  meats  ;  while  by  God's 
grace  it  came  to  pass  that  for  the  meal  of  those  saints  whom  we 
have  mentioned  all  the  vessels  of  the  house  were  filled  up  with 
fine  wine.  There  was  within  there  a  monk  {mac  Congair  he  was) 
to  whom  it  was  distasteful  to  eat  meat  with  the  saints,  and  he 
said  that  he  would  not  use  the  meats  that  were  made  out  of  the 
flesh.  Kieran  pronounced : ''  thou  shalt  e'en  eat  flesh  in  Lent,  and 
on  the  day  in  which  thou  shalt  eat  it  thine  enemies  shall  slay 
thee ;  thy  head  also  shall  be  taken  from  thee,  and  thou  shalt  not 
possess  the  kingdom  of  God ;  and  thy  life  thou  shalt  spend  disas- 
trously, for  thy  monk's  habit  thou  shalt  lay  aside."  Now  Kieran's 
words  came  true,  for  close  to  Saighir  of  Kieran  he  was  killed. 

Then  those  four  saints  (two  Kierans  and  two  Brendans)  made 
an  alliance  between  themselves  and  between  their  successors  after 
them.  Kieran  of  Cluain^  after  leave  taken  of  those  other  saints 
and  their  blessings  had,  turned  to  go  his  way,  lacking  all  know- 
ledge where  were  the  kine  which  the  king  demanded  of  him. 
Kieran  of  Saighir  came  a  piece  of  the  way  with  him  to  convey 
him,  and  either  gave  the  other  farewell  benediction.  Said  Kieran 
of  Cluain :  "  by  my  blessing's  efiicacity  be  there  for  ever  in  thy 
town  riches,  and  much  treasure,  and  cattle ;"  Kieran  of  Saighir 
said :  "  by  virtue  of  my  blessing  be  there  in  thy  place  for  ever 


5".  Kieran  of  Saighir.  1 5 

wealth  both  of  wisdom  and  of  piety."  When  then  they  were 
come  to  the  ford  that  is  called  Aih-salach^  upon  the  river's  bank 
they  got  four  bald  and  white-headed  cows.  Kieran  of  Cluain  said : 
"seest  thou  how  God  hath  given  us  the  cows  which  the  king 
required  of  us  ?"  They  parted  from  each  other  then,  having  first 
rendered  thanks  and  praise  to  God,  and  having  in  token  of  peace 
and  of  grace  given  and  received  blessing  and  osculations  ;  Kieran 
the  elder  returned  back  to  Saighir^  and  the  other  Kieran  went  to 
Cluain,  He  sent  the  kine  to  the  king,  who  marvelled  how  it 
could  be  that  cows  such  as  they  had  been  found ;  but  Kieran 
being  now  discharged  of  his  promise  they  vanished  away  to 
nothing,  so  that  from  that  time  to  this  no  account  whatsoever 
of  them  has  been  had.  Whereupon  the  king  was  aware  that  that 
which  he  had  done  to  Kieran  was  unrighteous. 

In  the  monastery  of  Clonmacnoise  was  a  child  whose  name 
was  Crithid:  that  in  good  works  was  no  more  than  a  fool;  but  in 
bad  works  of  maliciousness,  right  noxious.  He  came  to  Saighir 
and  for  a  while  was  there  with  Kieran  the  elder,  who  had  enjoined 
that  till  a  year's  end  a  certain  holy  fire  which  at  the  previous 
Eastertide  he  had  consecrated  must  not  be  quenched  within  the 
monastery,  but  be  nourished  and  safeguarded  there ;  yet  at  the 
Devil's  instigation  the  child  of  whom  we  spoke  came,  and  of  set 
purpose  quenched  the  fire.  Kieran  said :  "  know  ye  that  the 
accursed  child  whom  men  call  Crithid  of  Cluain  hath  quenched 
the  sacred  fire  that  we  had  ?  vengeance  shall  come  on  him  for 
this,  and  he  will  die  to-morrow."  Which  also  was  verified :  for 
on  the  morrow  the  wolves  killed  him  on  the  lands  abroad,  and 
there  he  was  left  [uneaten].  Kieran  said  :  "  up  to  Easter  shall  be 
no  fire  in  the  church  unless  God  put  it  there."  But  Kieran  of 
Cluain  heard  that  the  child  was  perished  so,  and  speedily  he 
came  to  Saighir  where  he  was  received  with  much  honour.  The 
monastery  wanted  all  fire  however ;  for  it  was  from  the  aforesaid 
holy  flame  that  every  night  they  kindled  others  there,  and  Kieran 
had  pronounced  that  (unless  God  sent  such  from  Heaven)  there 
should  not  until  Eastertime  be  fire  in  it  But  to  the  town  on 
that  day  came  [as  we  have  said]  guests :  Kieran  of  Cluain  and  his 
company,  who  were  much  oppressed  with  cold,  for  it  was  snowy 
weather  then.  Kieran  the  elder  went  out  and  with  vehement 
prayer  stretched  forth  his  hand  to  God  ;  into  his  breast  fell  then 


1 6  S.  Kieran  of  Saighir. 

a  fiery  mass,  round  about  which  he  wrapped  his  mantle's  skirt 
and  took  it  into  the  house  where  the  guests  were.  Who  being 
now  warmed,  supper  was  made  ready  for  them  ;  but  when  they 
were  set  to  eat  it  Kieran  of  Cluain  declared  that  till  he  should 
have  restitution  of  the  child  he  would  not  eat  meat  Kieran  the 
elder  said :  "  we  know  that  such  is  thy  journey's  purpose,  and  God 
will  grant  us  that  he  come  back  alive  to  us ;  eat  thy  meat  then, 
for  that  child  is  on  his  way  to  us."  Even  as  Kieran  said  the 
word  the  child  came,  whom  when  they  saw  they  rendered  thanks 
to  God  and  to  his  sanctity.  They  ate  their  meal ;  and  Kieran  of 
Cluain^  having  received  Kieran  the  elder's  blessing,  departed 
taking  his  child  with  him. 

Yet  another  day:  one  of  Kieran's  own  brethren  came  and 
unguardedly,  not  of  purpose,  quenched  the  fire  again ;  he  did 
penance  and  had  absolution.  That  same  day  Ruadhan  of  Lothra 
came  to  the  town  on  a  visit  to  Kieran,  and  in  the  monastery  was 
no  fire  for  the  period  of  the  guests*  stay.  Kieran  went  therefore 
to  a  great  stone  that  was  near  him  and  blessed  it ;  forthwith  the 
stone  took  fire,  and  in  that  condition  he  carried  it  to  the  house  in 
which  the  guests  were.  Which  when  Ruadhan  with  his  disciples 
saw,  to  God  and  to  Kieran  they  gave  glory  and  laudation. 

The  brother  whom  we  mentioned,  Bdithin  :  he  spilt  a  vessel  of 
milk  that  he  had  carrying  it ;  but  Kieran  made  the  sign  of  the 
cross  on  the  utensil  and  it  was  full  again.  Fear  before  their 
master,  before  Kieran,  fell  on  the  brother  that  had  spilt  the  milk 
and  on  some  others  of  the  brethren  ;  after  which  many  were 
confirmed  in  the  faith  and  in  good  works. 

Kieran  prayed  to  his  Lord  one  day:  an  angel  came  and  shewed 
him  that  the  season  of  his  death  was  [comprised]  within  but  a 
short  space.  In  the  angel's  presence  he  craved  of  God  petitions 
three,  and  these  he  had  of  the  angel  even  as  he  desired  them,  for 
they  had  been  promised  to  him  by  God :  the  first  petition  of 
them  was  that,  whosoever  should  be  buried  in  his  metropolis,  in 
his  burial-ground,  the  gates  of  Hell  should  not  be  shut  on  him 
after  the  Judgment-day;  the  second  petition  was  that,  whosoever 
should  shew  honour  to  his  day,  lack  of  the  world's  wealth  should 
not  afflict  him,  and  that  on  the  yonderside  he  should  have  Heaven ; 
the  third  petition  was  that  the  tribe  of  which  he  was  and  to  which 
he  was  patron,  they  of  Ossory  namely,  never  should  by  any  extern 


5.  Kieran  of  Saighir.  1 7 

tribe  such  as  might  come  unlawfully  to  take  their  country  be 
worsted  in  battle,  neither  themselves  go  to  make  unjust  conquest 
in  any  other  land. 

This  holy  one  of  whom  we  have  spoken,  Kieran  of  Saighir : 
in  every  place  he  was  full  of  humility,  and  to  his  death's  date 
loved  to  hear,  to  read,  and  to  learn  [i.e.  study]  the  Scripture.  It 
is  related  too  that  he  (with  the  saints  of  Ireland  his  contempo- 
raries) was  with  Finnian  of  Clonirard,  and  entered  that  school  at 
an  advanced  age,  where  he  attained  to  great  theology ;  so  that 
on  him  (as  on  the  others)  was  bestowed  the  designation  of 
'  Finnian's  pupil.'  He  being  now  grown  ancient,  being  of  great 
wisdom  also,  instructed  perfectly  (as  we  have  said),  and  an 
honourable  bishop,  nevertheless  (for  love  of  humility  and  of 
knowledge)  was  contented  to  learn  still,  while  from  him  [at  the 
same  time]  others  derived  instruction.  Moreover,  from  his  *  young 
age'  [i.e.  from  childhood]  Kieran  never  drank  aught  by  which  he 
might  be  drunken,  never  wrapped  himself  in  downy  or  in  soft 
raiment,  never  partook  of  a  banquet,  never  slept  his  fill,  nor  for 
love  of  carousing  and  of  good  company  rushed  off  anywhither. 
And  his  own  tribe,  the  tribe  of  Ossory  (forby  many  other  men) 
he  converted  to  the  faith.  Many  times  he  was  visited  by  angels  ; 
he  ordained  great  number  of  bishops,  of  priests,  and  of  other 
orders  of  the  Church.  The  angel  instructed  him  also  of  a  vene- 
rable well  by  which  much  various  disease  and  infirmity  is  healed : 
its  name  is  tobarCiárain  [i.e.  'Tubberkieran*  or  *  Kieran's  Well']. 

Thirty  years  Kieran  passed  in  zealous  service  to  God  before 
his  baptism.  Then  when  by  age  and  by  sickness  he  was  now 
become  infirm,  the  days  of  his  death  drew  near  to  him  ;  and  out 
of  every  quarter  where  they  were  he  summoned  to  him  his  people 
and  his  parishioners,  and  blessed  them.  He  enjoined  on  them  to 
keep  God's  commandments,  and  on  the  third  of  the  nones  of 
March  he,  being  surrounded  by  choirs  of  saints,  with  Christ's 
peace  received  the  sacraments  of  the  Church.  He  dismissed  his 
spirit  and,  by  God's  leave,  in  the  one  night  with  him  a  score  and 
ten  bishops  that  he  had  himself  ordained  went  likewise  to  the 
Kingdom  of  God. 

Here  is  an  end  of  the  Life  of  Kieran  :  written  by  Maurice 
O'Conor,  ship-carpenter,  in  Cork. 


i8 


5.  Molasius  of  Devcnish. 


Life  of  S.  Molasius  of  Devenish. 

It  was  a  certain  noble,  admirable,  and  laudable  sage  of  free- 
men's race — a  pre-eminent  member  of  Heber  the  Fair's  royal 
line  and  of  the  ancient  Eoganacht  of  Cashel — that  once  upon  a 
time  spent  his  flesh  in  honour  of  the  one  God  Almighty,  serving 
Him  : 

The  great  and  miraculous  Molasius  son  of 


Nadfraech  son  of 

Barr  son  of 

Corbrann  son  of 

Tuaislén 

Degha 

Aedh  the  Fair 

Eochaid 

Lughaid 

Angus  si.  A.D.  489 

Nadfraech 

Core  of  Cashel  fl.  438 

Lughaid 

OlioII  Rubriculus 

Fiacha  Broad-crown 

Eogan  M6r  si.  195 

OiloU  Oluim  d.  234 

Moghnuadhat  fl.  123 

Moghnéid 

Dcrg 

Derg 

Duach  Donn  si.  A.M.  5041 

Cairbre  Broad-eye 

Lughaid    of   Luaighne 

si.  5016 
Innatmar  si.  4990 
Nia-segaman  si.  4887 
Adamar  Smooth-hair 

si.  4787 
Ferchorb  si.  4737 
Moghcorb  si.  4701 
Cobthach  the  Slight 
Rechtadh  Red-wrist 

8l.  4566 


Lughaid  of  Laighde 

si.  4469 
Eochaid  si.  4422 
Olioll  the  Fair  si.  44 IS 
Art  of  Emly  si.  4394 
Lughaid  Redhand 

si.  4365 
Eochaid  Uairches 

si.  4356 
Anradach 

Enna  the  Red  d.  4319 
Duach  the  Fair  sL  4306 
Senna  Inarrach  si.  4290 
Bresrigh  si.  4247 
Art  of  Emly  si.  4192 
Felim  si.  4177 
Rothechtadh  d.4176 
Ruann    of    the    royal 

slaughter 
Failbhe ...(?) 
Cas  Cétaichne 
Failldergdóid  si.  3882 
Muinemon  si.  3872 
Cas  Clothach 
Irará 
.... 
Arus  (?) 
Glas 

Nuada  Deglaech  (?) 
Eochaid  Bright-edge 

si.  3727 
Conmael  sL  3579 


Heber  the  Fair  si.  3501 

Milesius  of  Spain 

Bile 

Breogan 

Bruta 

Detha 

Erchadh 

Allaid 

Nuada 

Nenuall 

Heber- Scot  [a  quo  *thc 

Scoti'] 
Srú 
Esru 
Gaedhel  Glas  [a  quo  '  the 

Gael'] 
Niul 

Fenius  Farsa 
Ruath 
Magog 
Japhet 
Lamech 
Noah 

Mathusalem 
Enoch 
Jared 
Malaleel 
Cainan 
Enos  son  of 
Seth  son  of 
Adam  son  of 
The  Living  God 


Monoa  daughter  of  Midhlogh  of  the   Corcaraighe  was  this 


S.  Molasiíis  of  Devenish.  19 

Molasius'  mother ;  and  as  for  her,  by  computation  of  her  genea- 
logy her  'incarnation*  [i.e.  birth]  was  a  noble  one:  for  it  was 
the  illustrious  Feidhlim  Rechimar,  son  of  Tuathal  Techtmar  and 
monarch  of  Ireland,  that  very  precisely  was  her  grandfather  and 
(as  all  allowed)  head  of  her  tribe.  Which  two  limpid  pedigrees 
(extant  still  for  constant  recitation)  set  plainly  forth  how  the 
arch-saint's  ingredients  were  ordered  nobly  in  Ireland,  [emanat- 
ing as  they  did]  from  her  two  prime  seats  of  precedence :  from 
Cashel  namely  and  from  fair  Tara,  as  the  poet  declaring  him 

said : — 

Noble  is  Molasius  the  mitaculous  . . . 

Thirty  years  before  whose  birth  moreover,  Patrick  the  excel- 
lent, of  the  melodious  paternosters,  when  he  the  Primate  came  to 
Benn-osna  once,  foretold  that  ruddy  lightning-flame  of  Europe's 
westernmost  part :  Molasius  son  of  Nadfraech ;  so  that  in  verifi- 
cation of  the  Tailchentis  prophecy  the  poet  said  : — 

Hail  to  the  guest  of  virtues  many  . . . 

Now  in  the  night  Molasius'  mother  saw  a  dream  :  that  she  got 
seven  fragrant  apples,  and  the  last  apple  of  them  that  she  took 
into  her  hand  her  grasp  could  not  contain  it  for  its  size  ;  gold  (as 
it  seemed  to  her)  was  not  lovelier  than  the  apple.  This  dream 
she  told  to  her  husband,  and  the  man  said  :  "  truly  I  understand 
it :  thou  shalt  bear  an  offspring,  excellent  and  famous,  with  which 
the  mouths  of  all  Ireland  shall  be  filled,  and  it  shall  distance  its 
coevals." 

At  all  events  the  time  came  when  Molasius'  mother  must  bring 
forth,  and  her  pains  took  her.  A  magician  said  to  her :  "  if  thou 
delay  thy  birth  so  that  thou  bear  it  not  till  the  sun  rise  to-morrow, 
then  shall  that  good  birth  which  thou  shalt  have,  woman,  be 
illustrious  and  for  a  great  dignity,  and  miraculous,  righteous,  very 
noble,  and  be  an  ofl*spring  profitable  for  the  salvation  of  the 
world's  most  western  portion  ;"  and  he  said  : — 

If  to-morrow  thou  shalt  bear  a  son  . . . 

The  Very  God  retained  the  birth  in  Monods  womb,  so  that, 
just  when  the  sun  was  risen  on  the  morrow,  she  brought  forth 
....  upon  a  certain  flagstone ;  and  it  was  taken  to  bishop  Eocho^ 
baptized  and  blessed  :  who  also  conferred  first  orders  on  him 
afterwards,  as  one  said  : — 

Bishop  Eocho  the  angelic  . . . 
C  2 


20  S.  Molasius  of  Devenish. 

And  indeed  it  was  clear  that  the  Holy  Spirit's  favour  accom- 
panied Molasius,  for  at  the  end  of  a  month  after  his  birth  he 
spoke  and  praised  the  Lord ;  fulfilling  [the  words  of]  the  Psalmist, 
as  one  said  : — 

Even  as  the  psalm  says :  ex  ore  infantium  .  .  . 

He  swallowed  not  . .  .  meat,  nor  meat  that  was  impure,  nor  any 
kind  of  theft;  and  when  they  would  feed  him  against  his  grain  he 
used  straightway  to  throw  it  up.  One  thing  in  especial:  every 
degree  of  increment  that  took  place  in  Molasius*  flesh  occurred 
in  his  humility  also  and  in  his  excellence,  in  his  . .  .  and  in  his 
purity,  even  as  Christ  hath  said  : — 

He  that  shall  exalt  himself. . . 

Thus  then  Molasius  entered  upon  his  studies :  so  that  he 
became  wise,  knowledgeable  in  a  high  degree,  and  was  head- 
monk  in  miracles  ;  nor  had  aught  that  was  his  own  peculiar,  but, 
whatsoever  he  got,  that  he  used  to  bestow  on  God's  poor  and 
needy  for  love  of  his  Maker  and  Creator,  and  for  an  exemplifying 
of  the  Psalmist  when  he  says  :  dispersit  dedit  pauperibus : — 

For  God's  sake  he  gave  to  the  poor  .  .  . 

Another  one  of  Molasius'  wonders :  once  when  a  monk  of  his 
monks  had  mixed  meal  and  water  and  kneaded  a  cake,  but  had 
not  fire  and  made  his  plaint  to  Molasius  therefore,  the  saint  said 
to  the  monk  :  "bring  me  hither  two  coals  ;"  whereupon  the  coals 
were  brought  to  him,  and  he  applied  his  breath  to  them  so  that 
they  kindled  like  torches.  Wonderful  that  was  in  the  monks' 
sight  and,  wonderful  though  it  were,  rejoiced  them  [i.e.  they  had 
joy  without  fear].  "  Dear  sons,"  Molasius  said,  **  the  thing  which 
is  hard  to  men  is  easy  to  God  :"  as  one  said  : — 

If  loyally  and  dutifully  thou  believe  . .  . 

Now  Molasius  the  miraculous  with  his  monks  was  for  the  forty 

days  of  Lent  without  consuming  bite  or  sup,  or  any  meat  in  the 

world  but  fruits  of  trees  and  earth's  plants  and  herbs  ;  while  yet 

another  Lent  he  with  his  monks  was  for  forty  days  without  any 

kind  of  meat  whatsoever,  saving  the  cellarer's  hand  full  of  barley 

grain  to  each  monk  from  the  one  midday  to  the  other :  as  one 

said : — 

One  Lent  Molasius  and  his  monks  were  .  .  . 

It  was  once  when  two  lepers  on  a  quest  for  entertainment  came 
to  Molasius  at  a  season  when  he  had  no  meat  to  shew  :  he  sum- 


S.  Molasiiis  of  Devenish.  2 1 

moned  his  cellarer  and  said  to  him  :  "give  to  yon  men  their  suf- 
ficiency of  meat  and  drink."  The  cellarer  answered  :  "  I  have  no 
food  little  or  much."  "Go  into  the  kitchen,"  said  Molasius  to 
the  cellarer,  "  and  in  it  thou  shalt  find  two  cakes  with  their  accom- 
paniment of  butter,  and  two  chunks  of  fish,  and  two  vessels  full  of 
milk."  The  cellarer  proceeded  and  found  as  the  saint  had  said, 
whereupon  he  gave  the  poor  their  fill :  as  one  said  : — 

Once  on  a  time  Molasius  whose  delight  was  not  in  folly  .  .  . 

Another  time :  and  all  Ireland  lay  under  grief  of  death  and 
dissolution,  they  being  tormented  for  that  the  [plague  called] 
buidhe  chonnail  had  now  made  great  slaughter  of  Ireland's  best 
men  (in  which  [lit  *  where*]  perished  Dermot  and  Bldthmac  ]o\nX. 
kings  of  Ireland,  and  S.  Féichin  of  Fore,  S.  Ailerdn  the  Wise,  and 
of  Ireland's  nobles  a  great  portion)  to  such  pitch  that  they  which 
died  there  transcended  all  count  and  comparison,  all  reason  and 
recollection.  According  to  some  it  was  half  and  one  over  of  the 
men  of  Ireland  ;  others  again  asserting  that  it  was  two-thirds  of 
them  that  expired.  The  men  of  Erin  took  counsel  therefore  how 
that  sickness  might  be  turned  from  them ;  and  what  they  all 
proposed  was  to  make  a  day's  and  a  night's  fast  to  God  and  to 
Molasius  for  their  succour  and  relief :  as  the  poet  said  : — 

A  three  days'  fast  of  zealous  abstinence  . .  . 

Howbeit  the  men  of  Erin  fast  to  Molasius,  and  Molasius  fasts 
to  his  God,  so  that  they  had  succour  and  relief  from  that  sick- 
ness ;  and  then  it  was  that  to  Molasius  they  assigned  [a  rate  of] 
one  screpall  out  of  every  house,  if  only  there  were  in  it  three  of  a 
family ;  from  every  chief  of  a  cantred  a  '  cow  of  three  hands  ;'  a 
riding  horse  from  every  provincial  king,  and  from  the  king  of 
Ireland  a  horse  with  his  caparison  of  battle  ;  the  whole  to  be 
honourably  discharged  to  Molasius  and  to  his  community  after 
him  for  ever  at  Lammastide  ;  as  the  poet  said  : — 

A  lamentable  plague  of  hideous  sickness  . .  . 

After  which  it  was  that  Declan's  sons  came  to  seek  Molasius, 
and  he  bade  them  write  the  Evangile  for  him.  They  wrote  all 
the  gospels  within  the  space  of  two  days  and  one  night ;  in  which 
night  light  failed  them  not,  but  was  as  [it  is  during]  every  day. 
By  this  wonder  Molasius'  miracle-power  was  lauded  much. 

He,  having  about  him  a  hood  of  badger's  skins  (whence  the 
brocainech  is  named  :  a  good  one  of  Molasius'  relics)  and  in  his 


22  S.  Molasius  of  Devenish. 

hands  a  small  strip  of  [the  same]  leather,  went  to  Hell  for  the 
purpose  of  calling  up  a  certain  jester,  Manann  the  leper  to  wit ; 
whereby  for  Molasius  God  brought  the  same  out  of  Hell  along 
with  fifty  that  were  his  namesakes  :  as  the  poet  said  : — 

Thrice  fifty  Níananns  did  Molasius  bring . . . 

Of  another  day  Molasius  was  stark  naked  bathing  himself  in 
water  (nor  though  there  were  ice  on  it  would  that  hinder  him ; 
and  when  he  was  thus  none  durst  look  on  him,  for  there  was  but 
his  skin  cleaving  to  his  bones  :  seeing  that  of  meat  he  used  for  a 
whole  week  but  barely  so  much  as  to  another  one  would  have 
been  a  single  dinner) ;  a  monk  of  his  monks  came  to  look  for 
him,  and  that  was  not  pleasing  to  Molasius,  who  said  to  him : 
"  do  not  the  like  again,  but  for  the  deed  which  thou  hast  done 
do  penance."  "  I  will,  according  to  thy  pleasure,"  the  monk  said. 
"  Come  into  this  water  then,"  said  Molasius.  The  monk  replied : 
"truly  I  will ;"  but  not  long  he  was  in  it  when  he  said  to  Mola- 
sius :  "  for  the  greatness  of  its  virulence  and  of  its  cold  I  may  not 
endure  the  water."  "If  that  be  what  thou  sayest,  come  into  this 
other  water  ;"  whereupon  the  monk  entered  that  water.  Short  a 
time  as  he  was  in  it  he  found  its  excessive  heat  to  be  such  that 
he  said  :  "  help  me,  lord,  for  I  may  not  support  these  griefs  ;  and 
patent  to  me  it  is  that  God's  grace  bears  thee  company,  neither 
will  we  do  aught  that  thou  mayest  prohibit."  Molasius  blessed 
the  water  then  so  that  it  was  temperate :  between  cold  and  heat 
Certain  it  is  indeed  that  for  Molasius  the  elements  were  tem- 
perate according  to  his  will,  and  conformably  to  his  intention 
were  obedient :  as  the  poet  said  : — 

God's  elements  and  O  the  elements  of  God  . . . 

One  night  that  Molasius  with  his  monks  ate  their  supper  they 
saw  the  house  roof  afire,  with  its  flames  bursting  from  it,  and  the 
monks  thought  to  abandon  the  house  for  fear  of  their  being 
burnt  "  By  no  means,"  quoth  Molasius,  "  but  bow  ye  your  heads, 
and  bend  your  knees  and  be  prepared  for  death,  and  leave  the 
matter  betwixt  me  and  the  fire ;  neither  let  one  of  you  look  up." 
The  monks  did  so;  nor  was  it  long  they  had  been  there  when 
the  roof-tree  of  the  house  fell  on  the  ground  in  front  of  them,  and 
the  fire  did  them  no  harm  but  that  "Understand,  brethren 
beloved,"  said  Molasius,  "  that  your  endurance  is  manifest  to  God, 


S.  MolasÍHS  of  Devenish,  2  ^» 


o 


and  that  ye  are  chosen  sons  of  God.     Rise  now,  for  God  hath 
saved  us  from  the  fire  :"  as  one  said  : — 

When  Molasius  with  his  monks  was  .  .  . 

Another  time  when  Molasius  was  in  the  house  of  a  good  king 
of  the  kings  of  Ireland,  it  chanced  that  fire  caught  in  the  houSe 
so  that  it  was  not  possible  to  save  it.  Molasius  blessed  the  house 
and  extended  his  arms  for  the  croisfighill^  and  the  fire  burned  but 
three  wattles  in  the  house  (the  name  of  which  place  to-day  is 
druim  clethchoir)  and  the  king  offered  it  to  God  and  to  Molasius 
for  ever,  after  himself. 

Molasius  was  one  day  and  a  synod  of  clergy  came  in  his  way  : 
these  had  a  good  *book  of  ways*  [i.e.  itinerary]  out  of  which  he 
would  fain  have  copied  somewhat ;  but  he  had  not  a  pen,  neither 
had  the  company.  Molasius  however  spied  a  flock  of  birds  that 
hovered  over  him,  and  he  stretched  forth  his  hand  to  them  ; 
whereby  from  them  to  him  there  fell  a  quill,  so  that  then  he 
wrote  the  book  :  as  one  said  : — 

The  bird  bestowed  his  quill . . . 

Once  when  Molasius,  and  certain  of  his  clerics  with  him,  jour- 
neyed in  the  land  of  Carbery,  he  saw  a  woman  milking,  of  whom 
he  craved  a  drink  for  his  attendant,  and  the  woman  said :  "  not  to 
the  lad  only  will  I  give  the  milk,  but  to  you  all."  "  That  is  better 
still,"  said  Molasius.  "  Well  then,  my  lord,"  the  woman  went  on, 
"  hitherto  I  am  a  barren  woman  ;  but  do  thou  relieve  me,  and 
make  intercession  for  me  that  it  fall  to  my  share  to  have  issue." 
"  If  so,"  Molasius  said,  "  call  to  us  thy  husband  ;  let  him  take  my 
cup  to  the  well  and  bring  back  to  us  its  fill  of  water  in  it"  Then 
the  water  was  given  into  Molasius'  hand,  he  blessed  and  con- 
secrated it,  and  passed  it  to  the  woman  to  drink :  "  woman,"  he 
said,  "  have  it  for  a  thing  assured  that  henceforth  thou  shalt  be 
pregnant,  and  shalt  bear  a  son :  good,  miraculous,  saintly,  wonder- 
working, righteous ;  to  him  it  is  that  God  the  Creator  and  all 
Ireland's  saints  will  give  honour  very  great,  and  perfect  privilege : 
whose  first  name  shall  be  mac  na  cretra^  from  the  sanctifying  and 
consecration  which  I  imparted  to  the  water ;  but  for  us  it  is  *  the 
very  noble  bishop  Finnacha'  that  shall  be  his  permanent  desig- 
nation ;  him  I  hail  before  his  advent  and  make, welcome :"  and 
he  pronounced  these  words  : — 

A  welcome  I  utter  for  [the  subject  of]  a  truthful  vision  . , . 


24  «S".  Molasius  o/  Devenisk. 

Then  Molasius  blessed  bishop  Finnacha  in  his  mother's  womb, 
and  what  he  said  was  :  "  Ireland's  saints  and  the  Creator  of  all 
creatures  shall  bestow  on  him  exceeding  great  honour  and  privi- 
lege, and  the  right  of  sanctuary,  and  he  himself  shall  be  the  fifth 
high  saint  [that  shall  have  been]  in  his  place :  protecting  it, 
giving  effect  to  every  supplication  that  shall  be  addressed  to  him, 
avenging  the  violation  of  it,  and  requiting  every  ill  thing  and 
injustice  that  shall  be  done  to  it  Shortness  of  life,  and  Hell,  be 
to  them  that  spoil  it ;  Heaven  to  his  successor,  but  that  his  privi- 
leges he  curtail  not,  neither  diminish  his  dues  :"  as  one  said  : — 

*Tis  a  birth  of  virtue  that  is  in  thy  womb,  woman  .  . , 

Howbeit  Molasius  became  famous,  and  (his  age  being  now 
advanced  ;  his  faith  and  devotion,  his  wisdom  and  guidance  also 
being  notorious)  like  every  other  apostle  besides  he  went  to 
Finniafi  of  Clonirard  and  read  [i.e.  studied]  the  Gospel  there ; 
after  which  the  apostles  said  to  Finnian  that  he  should  come 
with  each  man  of  them  [in  turn]  to  his  church  to  consecrate  it 
Fitmian  cared  not  to  do  this  (for  he  was  an  old  man),  but  said  : 
*'  I  will  go  with  the  saint,  whosoe'er  he  be  of  you  that  my  dun 
cow  shall  follow."  Thereupon  the  saints  break  up,  the  dun 
cow  follows  Molasius  and  Nindidhy  and  Fvinian  with  his  twelve 
apostles  follows  these  to  Devenish,  where  for  a  year  they  were 
with  Molasius : — 

Twelve  saints  that  yonder  were  ordained  .  .  . 

He  that  at  this  time  was  chief  over  that  land  was  Red  Conall 
son  of  DaimMn,  to  whom  his  wizard  said  :  "  unless  thou  go  to 
Molasius  to  Devenish,  and  unless  this  night  thou  quench  his  fire, 
he  it  is  that  shall  be  lord  over  this  domain  and  over  the  [whole] 
loch  in  which  it  is  ;  and  his  successor  after  him  it  is  that  in  voice, 
in  power  and  in  privilege,  shall  preponderate."  Then  for  Red 
Conall  his  horses  were  harnessed,  and  he  took  his  way  to 
Devenish,  lashing  them  hard  until  he  attained  to  the  place  that 
has  the  appellation  of  omna  gabtha  [i.e.  *the  sticking  oak']  for 
there  [hard  by  an  oak-tree]  the  horses'  feet  were  held  fast  so  that 
they  could  not  stir  a  step  [lit  *so  that  they  had  not  a  step'];  but 
to  the  king  and  to  his  people  this  was  a  wonderment,  a  marvel, 
and  moreover  most  displeasing  to  them.  Said  a  young  man  of 
his  people  to  the  king :  "  let  turn  the  horses'  heads  eastwards  and, 


S.  Molasius  of  Devenish.  25 

if  straightway  they  start,  then  is  Molasius  a  man  of  God."     The 
horses'  heads  were  turned  to  the  east  and  they  went  at  once. 

As  for  Red  Conall :  the  horses  he  let  be,  and  made  his  way  on 
foot ;  the  wicker  boat  that  he  had  he  launched  upon  linn  an  tairbh 
[i.e.  *the  bull's  pool*]  with,  in  the  bottom  of  it,  a  bull  all  cooked 
[lit  *  sodden'],  but  the  bull  leaped  into  the  loch  and  the  boat 
was  swamped.  Further :  two  white  horses  that  the  king  had, 
with  crimson  manes  and  tails  on  them,  they  died  out  of  hand. 
Then  fear  took  Red  Conall,  and  by  him  an  embassage  was  sent 
to  Molasius  in  order  that  he  should  raise  the  horses  up  from 
death.  Molasius  came,  brought  the  horses  to  life  again,  and  that 
pleased  the  king  well.  Molasius  said  :  "  make  we  now  a  bargain  : 
I  of  my  Lord's  part  will  to  thyself,  and  to  thy  son  after  thee, 
grant  this  region ;  and  leave  thou  me  this  spot  of  land  upon 
which  I  am."  Quoth  the  king  :  "  I  thank  thee  not  for  that :  mine 
own  land,  and  my  father's  and  my  grandfather's  before  me!"  "  If 
that  be  what  thou  say  est,"  Molasius  answered,  "may  neither  thy 
son,  nor  yet  man  of  thy  seed  for  ever,  have  the  dominion  of  this 
land."  Molasius  turned  his  back  on  him,  and  on  the  instant  the 
king's  eyes  [i.e.  sight]  were  taken  from  him. 

To  continue  the  king's  story :  it  was  people  he  had  leading 
him,  to  shew  him  the  way,  till  he  gained  his  house.  Thereupon 
in  all  haste  he  had  a  great  feast  made,  which  he  sent  as  a  present 
to  Molasius,  and  with  it  conveyed  the  land  to  him  ;  then  besides 
settled  on  him  all  its  dues  for  ever.  "On  my  Lord's  behalf," 
Molasius  said,  "  I  restore  to  thee  thine  eyes  whole  and,  so  long  as 
thou  livest,  neither  thine  own  fortune  nor  thy  rule  shall  be 
opposed  ;  but  certain  it  is  that  by  no  one  of  thy  posterity  shall 
the  rule  ever  be  assumed  :"  as  one  said  : — 

A  stubborn  war  unjust  arose  . . . 

It  was  once  upon  a  time  that  the  apostles  came  to  inis  cométa : 
and  they  were  for  a  night  without  fire,  so  that  they  sent  a  little 
boy  that  they  had  with  them  to  Edardhruim  to  fetch  fire ;  and 
he  brought  away  two  live  coals,  but  on  the  return  was  drowned  : 
himself  and  both  his  coals.  The  little  boy  was  searched  for  then 
and  brought  up  with  the  black  coals  in  his  hand.  In  virtue  of 
his  Lord's  power  Molasius  summoned  him  back  to  life,  and  his 
soul  entered  into  him  then  ;  and  to  the  black  wet  coals  the  saint 
applied  his  breath,  so  that  they  blazed  like  a  torch.     God's  and 


20  S.  Molasius  of  Devenish. 

Molasius'  names  were   magniiied   hereby,  and   one  uttered   a 

»3y  • —  Ireland's  apostles  came  . .  . 

Yet  another  time  that  Molasius  was  in  Devenish  and  no  meat 
by  him  :  and  there  came  a  number  of  [self-invited]  guests  to 
visit  him  (for  he  was  the  general  repair  of  sick,  and  of  such  as 
sought  entertainment,  and  of  the  extern ;  he  was  moreover  a  resort 
of  poor  and  of  naked,  of  orphans  and  of  such  as  were  in  distress- 
ful straits  ;  every  one  too  that  from  none  other  in  Ireland  could 
find  help,  and  all  such  for  whom  work  was  not  suitable,  nor 
deference  forthcoming,  nor  kindly  care,  used  at  the  last  to  come 
to  Molasius  that  he  should  help  them  against  cold  and  famine, 
against  thirst  and  hunger).  But  at  all  events,  what  Molasius  on 
that  occasion  did  with  his  guests  and  poor  was  this :  he  caused 
bring  to  him  all  that  in  Devenish  there  were  of  decayed  and  black 
old  pots ;  these  he  broke  up,  made  into  portions,  and  gave  to  all 
as  though  he  had  served  out  bread ;  and  then,  whatsoever  kind 
of  meat  any  one  of  them  fancied  individually,  the  same  was 
produced  from  his  fragment  of  the  pots ;  while,  to  each  one  that 
so  desired,  it  turned  to  raiment  as  well,  according  to  their  mind 
and  inclination  :  as  one  said  : — 

Devenish  the  isle  of  oxen  . . . 

It  was  once  upon  a  time  that  Molasius  went  to  Moycame 
when  the  king,  when  Aedh^  had  a  great  feast  on :  Molasius  sent 
his  lad,  and  his  pitcher  with  him,  to  request  ale  and  meat ;  but 
he  was  denied  and,  coming  back  to  where  Molasius  was,  told 
him.  "  Why  then,"  quoth  the  saint,  "  let  the  feast,  both  ale  and 
meat,  vanish  into  nothing." 

For  the  king's  part,  his  ale  was  turned  to  brine  and  his  meat 
to  foulness.  The  king  came  and  asked  what  had  ruined  the  ban- 
quet ;  "that  is  soon  told,"  the  house-steward  answered ;  "  Molasius' 
lad  came  hither,  and  in  the  matter  of  liquor  and  of  meat  I  denied 
him."  "  An  evil  deed  thou  hast  done,"  the  king  said;  "  this  spot  [I 
dedicate]  to  him  [the  saint]  in  lieu  of  the  denial  that  thou  gavest 
him,  and  let  it  serve  him  for  ever."  Molasius  was  conducted  to 
them  then  ;  the  king  made  genuflection  to  him,  and  offered  him 
up  the  land.  Molasius  blessed  it  and  the  banquet  with  its  meats, 
and  renovated  these  so  that  in  the  sequel  they  constituted  a  feast 
befitting  the  king  and  Molasius  himself :  as  the  poet  said : — 

Moycame  the  resort  of  hundreds  . . . 


S.  MolasÍMS  of  Devenisk.  27 

After  all  these  miracles  which  Molasius  had  performed  through- 
out Ireland,  the  resolve  that  he  took  was  to  go  to  Rome :  to  the 
intent  that  there  he  should  write  his  life,  and  should  bring  back 
to  Ireland  somewhat  of  her  soil  and  of  her  relics.  The  way  he 
took  was  by  Ferns  of  S.  Maedóg;  and  forthwith  this  was  revealed 
to  Maedóg^  who  uttered  a  lay : — 

To-night  a  company  repairs  to  us  . . . 

Hard  upon  this  Molasius  reached  Ferns ;   MaedSg  goes  to 

meet  him,  gives  him  welcome,  and  afterwards  according  to  his 

wish  and  to  his  inclination  ministers  to  him  with  meat  and  drink, 

with  bed,  and  with  all  privacy  of  conversation  ;  and  so  those  two 

high  saints  agreed  that,  either  of  them  in  secret  craving  any  boon, 

the  prayers  of  both  respectively  should  take  the  one  direction  : 

that  any  whom  Molasius  might  bless  should  be  blessed  oíMaedóg 

also ;  and  that  any  whom  Molasius  might  curse  should  be  cursed 

of  Mcudóg  likewise,  et  e  contrario.    All  behests  whatsoever  that 

one  saint  of  them  should  promulgate,  both  of  them  to  co-operate 

to  their  fulfilment.     Molasius  said  too  :  "  pray  with  me  that  this 

journey  on  which  I  go  be  a  profit  to  the  Church  in  general,  and 

to  Ireland  universally."    Between  them  then  they  uttered  a  little 

lay  there : — 

Thy  prayer,  O  gentle  Maedóg^  I  entreat . . . 

Then  Moléisius,  journeying  Romeward,  crossed  the  sea  and 
came  to  Tours  of  S.  Martin.  The  church  of  Martin's  precinct 
he  found  shut,  with  a  single  warder  appointed  by  God  and  by 
S.  Martin  to  watch  it.  Molasius  asked  to  have  it  opened  before 
him  :  "  by  no  means  will  I  open,"  said  the  warder ;  "  but  if  they 
deem  it  expedient  let  God  and  Martin  open  before  thee."  Where- 
upon the  seven  locks  that  were  on  the  door  opened  alone  before 
Molasius,  and  the  door's  valve  receded  so  that  the  entrance  was 
thrown  wide.  There  Molasius  said  Mass  then,  to  God  and  to 
S.  Martin ;  which  done,  he  took  the  way  to  Rome. 

As  they  [i.e.  he  and  other  pilgrims]  were  of  a  night,  when 
Molasius  supped,  they  saw  a  snake  approach  him.  Fear  and 
horror  seized  them  all  before  it,  but  Molasius  calls  it  to  him  and 
crumbles  some  of  the  bread  for  it ;  which  it  ate,  and  then  licked 
his  hand  nor  did  him  any  harm. 

It  was  yet  another  day  that  Molasius  travelled  through  the 
eastern  world :  and  he  came  upon  masons  that  did  their  work. 


28  S.  Molasius  of  Devenish. 

Molasius  halted  to  find  fault  with  them,  for  the  way  in  which  the 
task  was  done  pleased  him  not.  The  masons  made  at  Molasius, 
and  laid  hands  on  him  violently :  that  was  evil  in  God's  sight, 
therefore  He  turned  the  masons  back,  and  their  hands  and  feet 
refused  their  office  (for  their  feet  clove  to  the  ground  and  their 
tongues  [i.e.  speech]  departed  from  them) ;  till  [at  last]  Molasius 
took  compassion  on  them  and  restored  them  to  their  mind  and 
senses  in  order  that  they  should  believe,  and  believe  they  did 
then,  vehemently,  in  God  and  in  Molasius  ;  and  the  grace  of  God 
came  on  them  :  as  one  said  : — 

\scribe  omits  this  poem!] 

Howbeit,  in  the  gloaming  of  the  eventide  Molasius  reached 
Rome,  and  the  city  was  shut  before  him  [i.e.  he  found  it  shut] ; 
he  asked  to  have  it  opened,  but  the  gatekeeper  opened  not  for 
him,  and  thrice  Molasius  struck  the  hand-log  upon  the  city's 
gate.  Then  throughout  the  city  a  great  din  and  a  booming  roar 
occurred  :  such  that  huge  fear  took  them  of  Rome  thereat,  and 
they  said  that  it  was  the  Judgment  there.  Rome's  great  gate 
opened,  and  in  the  city  every  single  thing  on  which  was  lock  or 
any  fastening  (whether  internal  or  exterior)  opened  of  itself  The 
gate  being  opened  before  him  thus,  Molasius  entered  into  Rome 
and  there  abode  that  night. 

On  the  morrow  however  all  the  populace  of  Rome  gathered 
together  to  one  place,  where  the  Pope  of  Rome  was ;  and  the 
Pope  enquired  of  them  all  in  one  spot  [saying]  :  "  know  ye  what 
was  the  great  noise  that  occurred  in  Rome,  at  which  fear  seized 
on  all  in  general  ?"  The  gatekeeper  came  and  said :  "  last  night  at 
even,  when  the  gates  were  closed,  there  came  a  tall  and  pale-faced 
cleric  of  the  Gael  and  sought  to  have  them  opened.  I  opened  not, 
but,  though  I  did  not  so,  yet  God  opened  before  him."  The  Abbot 
of  Rome  said  :  "bring  us  that  Irish  cleric."  Then  Molasius  was 
conducted  to  him,  and  was  made  welcome,  and  bidden  to  say 
Mass  in  presence  of  the  Pope  and  of  Rome's  people  all.  They 
forgot  nothing  in  the  way  of  belittling  Molasius,  of  deceiving  him, 
and  of  testing  him :  he  went  with  them  to  S.  Peter's  high  altar 
in  Rome ;  the  altar  was  dressed  then  for  Molasius'  use,  but  no 
missal  was  given  him  at  all,  nor  cruet,  nor  any  bell.  Molasius 
put  on  the  vestments  now,  but  said  that  in  absence  of  those 
three  things  the  altar  was  not  adequate  to  the  celebration  of 


S.  Molasius  of  Devenish.  29 

Mass  thereat.  The  Romans  said  :  "  let  the  God  that  gives 
thee  everything  provide  thee  with  the  three  things  also  which 
thou  requirest  of  us."  "  This  is  a  proving  of  me,"  Molasius  said, 
"and  my  Lord  in  Heaven  hears  it ;"  even  as  he  said  it  he  to  his 
Lord  lifted  his  two  hands  on  high  and  besought  Heaven's  King 
for  help  in  this  conjuncture.  When  the  Creator  of  all  creatures 
heard  that,  He  sent  down  upon  the  altar  a  small  missal ;  He  sent 
a  cruet,  and  along  with  it  a  belL  This  pleased  Molasius  well, 
and  there,  in  presence  of  the  Pope  and  of  the  Romans  too,  he 
said  Mass  and  performed  pure  sacrifice  ;  after  which  he  preached 
a  sermon  and  purged  all  hearts  in  which  were  evil,  and  wrong, 
and  malice,  of  such  as  heard  the  same.  After  the  Mass  that  he 
had  said  and  the  sermon  that  he  preached,  the  Pope  and  his 
twelve  cardinals  and  what  was  there  [of  the  people]  all  gave  him 
their  blessing,  and  with  one  accord  bestowed  on  him  their  souls' 
affection. 

Then  Molasius  said :  **  what  shall  be  done  with  these  three  things 
which  God  hath  laid  on  the  altar?"  "Take  thou  with  thee  thy 
choice  of  them,"  the  Pope  made  answer,  "  for  to-day  thou  art  the 
one  of  us  that  hast  the  greatest  labour."  "  I  will  take,"  Molasius 
said,  "that  little  Gospel."  The  Pope  rejoined  :  "i<^  [i.e.  *  little'] 
shall  be  its  name  for  ever:"  wherefore  men  call  it  soscéla  beg 
Malaise  [i.e.  'Molasius  his  little  Gospel'].  Molasius  continued 
excelling  in  gentleness  and  in  honour,  in  faith,  in  devotion,  in 
wisdom  and  in  knowledge,  and  this  time  was  for  a  season  in 
Rome  ;  so  that  there  he  transcribed  all  that  was  needed  of 
[canonical]  law  and  rule,  and  of  all  knowledge,  such  as  was  not 
before  in  Ireland.  In  accordance  with  the  Pope's  permission  he 
came  later  as  an  illustrious  archlegate  to  Ireland,  and  when  he 
reached  his  house  found,  [hanging]  on  a  birchen  bough,  the  bell 
that  in  Rome  was  given  him  on  the  altar ;  and  the  cruet  he 
got  in  another  place.  Thrice  it  was  remitted  to  Rome,  and  each 
time  stole  away  again  after  Molasius,  wherefore  [the  name  of] 
éloidhech  [i.e.  *the  deserter']  was  bestowed  on  it. 

A  load  of  Rome's  soil  he  brought  moreover ;  with  relics  of 
Paul,  of  Peter,  of  Laurence,  of  Clement  and  of  Stephen.  Some- 
what of  [the  B.V.]  Mary's  hair  too,  with  an  ankle-bone  of  Martin ; 
of  other  illustrious  saints'  relics  a  great  share,  and  some  relics  of 
the  holy  successors  [of  Peter]  that  were  sepulchred  in  Rome. 


30  S.  Molasius  of  Devenish. 

Molasius  arrived  in  Ireland  now ;  that  was  revealed  to  Mae- 
dog^  and  he  said  these  words  : — 

I  hail  miraculous  Molasius  . . . 

After  this,  Maedóg  w£is  not  long  there  when  Molasius  came 
to  Ferns.  Maedóg  goes  to  meet  him  and  bids  him  be  welcome. 
Maedóg  enquired  of  Molasius  concerning  all  his  travel,  from  the 
day  in  which  he  went  out  of  Ireland  until  he  was  come  back 
again.  Molasius  related  to  him  how  he  had  fared  both  in  Rome 
and  in  every  other  place.  "  Leave  me  my  share  of  the  gifts  thou 
bringest  from  Rome,"  said  Maedag,  "I  will  indeed,"  Molasius 
answered,  "  and  open  the  bosom  of  thy  frock  that  I  may  lay  them 
in  it  for  thee."  Then  Maedag  opens  out  his  bosom,  and  into  it 
Molasius  puts  some  of  Mary's  hair  and  of  Martin's  ankle-bone ; 
somewhat  of  Paul's  relics  and  of  Peter's,  a  share  of  Laurence's  relics 
and  of  Clement's,  and  of  Stephen  the  martyr's  relics.  Maedag 
rejoiced  to  see  the  sacred  relics  in  his  bosom,  and  said  to  Mola- 
sius :  "  now  am  I  well  assorted  by  thee."  Molasius  answered : 
"  brec  Maedhóig  shall  be  its  name  for  ever,  its  privilege  shall  be 
complete  and  its  miracles  many ;  none  shall  dare  violate  it ;  not 
to  obey  it  when  it  shall  happen  to  be  among  them  shall  to  the 
seed  of  Fergna  be  a  red  wound  of  death  ;  and  to  the  children  of 
Brian  all,  both  east  and  west,  a  venomous  fire ;  and  to  the  children 
of  Niall  and  to  them  of  Oriel  a  destruction  and  a  manslaying.  Be 
it  well  enshrined  ;  neither  is  it  lawful  that  any  but  one  in  orders 
carry  it,  or  else  one  that  is  free  from  all  defilement  whatsoever :" 
and  one  has  pronounced  a  lay  : — 

By  us  Molasius'  tale  is  told  .  .  .* 

As  he  came  from  Rome,  Molasius  chanced  upon  a  certain  holy 
man  (one  that  was  a  namesake  of  his  own  :  Molasius  the  Hebrew 
namely)  that  in  the  midst  of  the  sea  [i.e.  in  the  open  sea]  floated 
on  a  flagstone.  Then  Molasius  and  that  man  changed  places, 
and  it  was  upon  that  stone  that  Molasius  came  to  Ireland  ;  for  a 
proof  of  which  miracle  and  for  a  commemoration  of  which  stoiy 
the  same  stone  endures  still  in  Devenish. 

At  all  events  Molasius,  being  now  returned  from  Rome,  reached 

♦  The  scribe  gives  but  the  first  line  of  this  poem,  to  which  he  appends  the 
following  note : — "And  we  do  not  follow  on  with  any  more  of  the  lay,  because 
there  is  nothing  in  it  but  the  same  that  goes  before  it ;  which  is  better  as  it 
is  [in  prose  above]  than  in  bad  verse." 


S.  Molasius  of  Devenish.  3 1 

Devenish,  where  he  deposited  the  relics  of  Paul,  of  Peter,  of 
Laurence  the  martyr,  of  S.  Clement  and  of  the  martyr  Stephen, 
of  Mary,  and  of  other  that  were  saints  of  Rome.  Now  the 
reason  for  which  he  brought  hither  those  relics  and  those  bits  of 
soil  was  that,  unless  they  went  for  some  weighty  [special]  reason, 
or  unless  a  saint  might  go  thither  to  write  his  life,  it  should  not 
be  imperative  on  the  Gael  to  repair  to  Rome  : — 

Well  gotten  is  the  land  that  we  have  gained  .  .  . 

Molasius  having  committed  those  holy  relics  to  the  little 
sanctuary  as  we  have  said,  he  was  not  long  in  Devenish  when 
out  of  Tará  *  the  apostles'  sent  a  message  to  fetch  him  ;  for  that 
was  the  hour  and  the  season  in  which  betwixt  Dermot,  son  of 
Cerbhall  and  king  of  Ireland,  [of  the  one  part]  and,  of  the  other, 
Ruadhan  of  Lothra  and  all  the  apostles,  there  was  war  and  great 
conflict  because  of  the  saint's  prerogative  violated  in  the  matter 
of  Aedh  Guaire  that  was  king  of  Connacht :  whom  Dermot  the 
king  had  taken  from  Ruadhan  and  from  the  saints  of  Ireland 
forcibly,  and  he  under  their  protection.  Which  Aedh  Guaire 
king  of  Connacht  it  was  that  a  short  time  before  had  slain  Aedh 
Badamh  because  he  was  displeasing  to  him  [i.e.  had  offended 
him]. 

Molasius  reached  the  spot  where  upon  Tara's  green  the 
apostles  were  in  their  tents ;  they  all  rose  to  receive  him,  and 
bowed  their  heads  to  him,  and  then  Molasius'  tent  was  pitched 
in  the  midst  of  all  the  other  saints'  tents.  Now  the  [form  of] 
contest  which  they  and  the  king  of  Ireland  maintained  was  that 
they,  relying  on  their  sanctity,  on  their  prayers  and  on  their 
miracles,  fasted  the  one  night ;  the  king  of  Ireland  on  the  other 
hand,  strong  in  the  truthfulness  of  his  cause,  in  his  kingly  pre- 
rogative and  in  his  princely  right,  fasting  the  next  night  against 
them.  Up  to  which  time  they  had  been  eleven  saints  that  fasted 
[lit  *at  the  fasting'],  but  now  that  Molasius  was  come  they  were 
twelve ;  and  those  apostles  were  Ireland's  prime  saints  :  Ruadhan 
of  Lorrha,  Maedóg  of  Ferns,  FéicMn  of  Fore,  Columba,  Cainnech 
the  Pious,  Tighemach  of  Cluain-eoiSy  Enan  the  angelic,  the  pres- 
byter Fraechy  Becan  son  of  Culu^  the  bishop  mac  Carthainn^  the 
elder  Mochta  of  Lughba^  Mochuda  the  devout,  and  Molasius  of 
Devenish.  It  was  nightfall  with  Molasius  as  he  came  to  Tara, 
and  snow  falling  heavily ;  but  it  was  the  saints  that  fasted  that 


32  5.  Molasius  of  Devenish. 

night,  and  Molasius  [just  off  his  journey]  fasted  with  them.  On 
that  night  it  was  not  permitted  to  the  king  of  Ireland  to  settle 
himself  comfortably  nor  to  be  at  rest,  and  he  had  neither  doze  nor 
nap  of  sleep ;  but  [as  in  a  waking  dream]  it  was  shewn  to  him 
that  the  men  of  God,  fasting  against  him  on  the  green  of  Tara, 
dealt  inequitably.  Dermot  thought  it  all  too  long  till  day  came, 
and  when  come  it  was  they  must  needs  use  main  force  to  open 
the  doors,  for  the  thickness  of  the  snow.  The  king  of  Ireland 
rises  and  looks  abroad  upon  the  tents,  and  the  way  they  were 
was  all  pure  white  with  snow,  saving  only  Molasius'  tent  To 
this  the  snow  had  not  adhered  at  all,  nor  for  seven  feet  on  every 
side  of  it  had  the  earth  taken  snow.  "  Who  is  in  yon  tent  which 
the  snow  has  not  caught  at  all?"  asked  the  king.  "Molasius  of 
Devenish,"  the  others  answered  all,  "  that  came  yesterday  about 
the  hour  of  nones."  "For  him  it  is  that  this  [oppression]  is 
flung  on  me,"  said  Dermot,  "  and  heavily  the  pale-face  of  loch 
Erne  last  night  affected  me ;  he  is  indeed  a  living  fire  ablaze» 
but  (as  I  deem)  ought  not  to  have  been  heavy  on  me,  for  my 
burden  was  very  great  before ;  and  now  I  place  myself  under 
his  safeguard  and  under  that  of  Heaven's  King  and  Earth's,  in 
whom  we  on  either  side  believe."  The  matter  was  shewn  to 
Molasius  and  stirred  his  pity  ;  also  it  was  appointed  for  the  king 
of  Ireland  to  confer  with  the  saints  that  day,  and  Molasius  strove 
to  make  peace  between  the  king  and  Ruadhan  with  the  others, 
but  prevailed  not.  Then,  when  he  prevailed  not,  to  the  king  of 
Ireland  Molasius  gave  his  choice  :  whether  to  have  his  life  cut 
short  and  his  body  tormented  [first],  with  Heaven  for  his  soul 
and  with  rulership  for  his  seed  after  him  for  ever ;  or  length  of 
life  coupled  with  Hell  for  himself,  and  none  of  his  seed  after  him 
to  attain  to  kingly  rule  and  reign  for  ever  and  for  ever.  The 
choice  that  the  king  made  was  to  have  his  body  pained,  with 
dominion  to  his  seed  after  him.  Even  so  did  God  well  bring  it 
to  pass,  and  therefore  it  is  that  Clan-Colman  and  the  seed,  of 
[Dermot's  son]  Aedh  Sláine  are  bound  to  pay  to  Molasius  a 
tribute  every  year  continually  in  winter  :  as  one  said  : — 

The  apostles  twelve  of  Innisfail . .  . 
As  for  Molasius  however,  after  this  he  made  no  farther  stay  at- 
all  at  this  contest  with  the  saints  by  Tara ;  for  in  his  eyes  it  was 
a  lamentable  thing  that  Tara  must  be  abolished  and  the  seat  of 


5.  Molasius  of  Devenish.  33 

Ireland's  sovereignty  put  from  her  vigour :  he  knowing  well  as 
he  did  that  in  the  end  the  saints  would  prove  stronger  than  the 
king  of  Ireland.  Upon  which  occasion  it  was  that  both  the  saints 
of  Ireland  and  her  [lay]men  all  conferred  on  Molasius  the  pre- 
eminence in  miracles,  and  precedence  in  working  of  wonders 
[i.e.  allowed  that  he  wéis  pre-eminent  etc.] ;  for  he  never  ceased 
from  performing  of  miracles,  from  rooting  out  the  sons  of  accursed- 
ness  [i.e.  the  reprobate],  from  lifting  up  the  righteous,  from  blessing 
the  tuat/ia  and  the  triucha  generally  throughout  all  Ireland. 

Next  he  came  to  Devenish,  and  in  his  way  there  chanced  a 
company  of  young  ecclesiastics  that  cleared  away  [a  brake  of] 
briars  and  blackthorn ;  and  they  began  to  bemoan  to  him  their 
hands  and  their  feet,  for  the  thorns  pierced  them.  Forthwith 
[he  rent]  his  mantle  for  them,  and  of  one  portion  of  the  same 
were  made  [miraculously]  gloves  of  price,  as  though  it  had  been 
kneaded  [i.e.  well  suppled]  glover's  leather ;  while  of  the  other 
part  were  produced  thick  [and  as  it  were]  bark-soaked  brogues 
h'ke  tanner's  leather. 

It  was  in  that  time  that  the  [tribe  called]  Dartraighe  were  in 
the  latter  end  of  the  great  vindictive  banishment  which  they  of 
Munster  inflicted  on  them  because  that  to  Cashel  their  rule  had 
been  so  pernicious,  and  because  they  had  slain  so  many  of  the 
úi  Chonaill  G/iabra ;  and  for  the  great  extent  to  which  they 
aided  foreigners  and  gentiles  as  against  the  Gael,  shewing  them 
all  ways  and  paths  in  which  their  enemies  used  to  be  [i.e.  the 
most  secret  recesses  of  their  countries]  ;  and  for  this  reason  it  was 
that  the  Dartraighe  were  exiled  from  their  original  land  and 
from  their  own  natural  lease  láimhe^  viz.  a  triucha  céd  of  their 
ancient  patrimony  in  the  Southern  Half:  from  céide  ua  Cairbre 
in  the  south  to  uaimh  anfhómorach  on  the  borders  of  the  Cech-- 
traighe  westward  ;  and  from  abhann  na  hechraidhe  to  . . . 

Forty  years  it  was  that  throughout  Ireland  in  her  length  and 
breadth  they  were  in  banishment ;  five  hundred  armed  men : 
that  was  their  strength.  During  which  time  not  more  than  three 
years  they  were  on  any  one  land  ;  for  the  provincial  kings  used 
to  have  them  under  conditions  and  protection  till  such  time  as 
the  Dartraighe s  own  misdeeds  would  prevail  against  them  :  that 
is  to  say  until,  for  the  exorbitant  extent  of  land  that  they  *  sucked' 
to  themselves  [i.e.  grabbed  and  absorbed]  and  for  their  turbulence, 

D 


34  'S'.  Molasius  of  Devenish. 

their  rudeness,  and  their  so  frequent  brawls  and  fights  in  set 
assemblies,  in  conventions,  and  in  every  other  meeting  whatsoever, 
the  said  provincial  kings  would  weary  of  them.  They  used 
moreover  to  make  assaults  on,  and  do  violence  to,  Ireland's 
various  chieftains  :  essaying  forcibly  to  occupy  their  land  against 
them  ;  so  that  to  their  *  friends'  [i.e.  allies  by  bond  of  blood]  and 
neighbours  these  needs  must  make  complaint  of  them. 

Through  all  this  interval  it  was  in  Connacht  that  they  were 
for  the  longest  period,  and  until  in  attacking  western  Connacht 
they  on  the  one  day  slew  the  king  of  Utnhall  and  the  king  of 
Partraighe  [baronies  of  the  Owles  and  of  Partry,  county  Mayo], 
so  that  they  [of  Connacht]  drove  them  across  Luan's  Ford 
[Athlone]  westwards  into  Meath ;  there  they  sat  down  in  the 
centre  of  Delvin.  Delvin  and  Westmeath  came  at  them  and 
harried  them  ;  but  they  had  done  no  more  than  barely  to  knock 
up  bothies  [in  which  to  camp  together]  in  one  place  when  the 
Dartraighe  caught  them  in  the  middle  of  the  plain  of  Durrow 
[in  the  King's  county].  Here  they  fought  out  a  stubborn  and  a 
hardy  battle,  until  they  of  Delvin  with  Westmeath  were  routed 
and  a  vast  *rcd  slaughter'  was  executed  on  them.  Then  the 
Dartraighe  returned  and  made  peace  with  Connacht ;  [which 
done]  they  seized  both  the  Delvins  [two  baronies  in  Westmeath] 
forcibly  for  three  half  years.  Thence  again  they  came  to  the 
fir  ceall  [barony  of  Fircall,  King's  county],  with  whom  for  a  spell 
and  for  a  space  of  time  they  strove  for  their  land ;  whereupon 
Fircall,  and  the  Delvins,  and  the  men  of  Meath,  gathered  together 
to  the  Dartraighe  and  devastated  them  all  but  utterly.  The 
Dartraighe  overhauled  them  in  the  rear  of  their  cattle  [as  they 
drove  them],  and  upon/á«  7ia  neachy  which  to-day  is  called^» 
an  ghribaighy  they  fought  a  battle.  The  Delvins  and  Fircall  were 
defeated  there,  great  carnage  was  inflicted  on  them,  and  they 
abandoned  the  Dartraighés  kine.  Now  the  Dartraighe  had  a 
poet  there,  and  he  made  a  lay : — 

A  fight  victorious  ye  have  fought . . . 

Here  ends  the  Life  of  Molasius. 


S.  Magnenn  of  Kilmainham.  35 


Life  of  S.  Magnenn  of  Kilmainham. 

Magnenn,  and  Toa,  and  Librén,  and  Cobthach,  were  the  four 
sons  of  Aedh  son  of  Colgan  son  of  Tuathal  son  of  Felim  son  of 
Colla  fa  chrich.  Which  bishop  [Magnenn]  was,  from  Shannon 
to  benn  Edair  [the  Hill  of  Howth],  a  tower  of  piety ;  and  in  his 
own  time  a  vessel  of  selection  and  of  sanctity :  one  that  from  his 
seven  years  completed  had  never  uttered  a  falsehood,  and  that 
(for  fear  lest  he  should  see  the  guardian  devil  of  her)  had  never 
looked  a  woman  in  the  face. 

It  was  once  upon  a  time  that  Magnenn  went  upon  a  visit  to 
the  house  of  his  companion  and  of  his  friend,  i.e.  to  the  place 
where  Loman  of  loch  Uair  [lough  Owel]  was,  in  Meath ;  and  in 
that  town  was  one  that  also  was  his  friend,  and  had  been  his 
hearer.  The  condition  in  which  now  he  beheld  him  was  with  a 
great  running  from  both  his  &f^s.  The  holy  cleric  was  startled 
to  see  his  friend,  and  he  uttered  thus  :  "  Deo  gratias  (Le.  to  God 
be  thanks  for  that),  pitiable,  O  my  friend,  is  thine  eyes'  plight : 
they  [as  it  were]  mocking  at  the  world,  while  the  world  mocks  at 
them !  thirty  years  to  this  present  time  it  is  since  I  have  seen 
thee ;  and  hadst  thou  but  till  to-day  done  as  [then]  I  counselled 
thee,  thou  hadst  made  good  thy  share  of  the  Heavenly  City's 
amenity  [which  is  great  indeed] :  for  the  bird  which  in  the 
Heavenly  City  hath  the  least,  and  that  the  most  discordant  voice, 
yields  more  delight  than  the  whole  Earth's  good  things."  The 
other  answered :  "  friend,  I  throw  myself  on  thy  protection ! " 
Magnenn  took  on  him  for  God's  sake  to  protect  him,  and  said 
to  him  :  "  that  which  thou  wouldst  take  ill  to  be  done  to  thyself, 
do  not  to  another ;  and  though  thou  be  in  thy  latter  time,  yet 
will  God  take  thee  to  Him  [i.e.  accept  thee]."  Magnenn  the 
bishop  and  Loman  of  loch  Uair  make  pact  together  then,  either 
on  other  bestows  his  benediction,  and  they  take  leave. 

At  which  time  also  Magfnenn  preached  to  Dermot  son  of 
Fergus,  to  the  king  of  Ireland ;  and  when  Loman  of  loch  Uair 
heard  the  tokens  of  the  Day  of  Doom  and  the  rigorous  judgments 

.    D  2 


36  S.  Magnenn  of  Kiltnainham. 

of  the  Triune  God,  in  the  king's  presence  and  the  people's  he 
broke  out  and  wept  aloud.  When  the  king's  people  for  their 
part  heard  that  delivery :  the  saintly  cleric's  austere  verdicts  and 
stem  enunciations,  in  the  king's  presence  a  score  and  ten  of  them 
severed  themselves  from  the  false  world  [i.e.  embraced  the  reli- 
gious life].  Thenceforth  the  king  too,  Dermot  son  of  Fergus, 
looked  to  his  own  peace  with  God,  and  to  Magnenn  assigned 
great  dues  and  'alms'  [i.e.  endowments]  ^s :  a  screpall  on  every 
nose ;  for  every  chieftain's  daughter  that  should  take  a  husband, 
an  ounce  of  gold  or  (should  his  stewards  choose  it  rather)  such 
raiment  as  they  [i.e.  chieftain's  daughters]  should  have  had  on 
them  [at  the  wedding].  Of  the  gold  which  he  had  in  tribute  of 
the  men  from  over-seas  the  king  conferred  on  him  the  making 
of  a  pastoral  staff  likewise,  and  of  a  crozier.  At  this  period 
Magnenn's  preaching  by  loch  Uair  was  notable,  as  was  also  his 
consideration  with  the  king  of  Ireland  ;  and  on  Dermot  he  pro- 
nounced a  benediction,  saying  to  him  :  "  misericordia  domini  super 
filios  vestros  (i.e.  God's  mercy  be  on  thyself  and  on  thy  sons)." 

It  was  once  when  Magnenn  went  to  the  house  of  Finnian  of 
magh  bile :  [as  they  met]  they  saluted  one  another,  and  when 
they  heard  the  vesper-bell  went  abroad  at  vespertide  on  the 
Sunday.  [On  the  way]  they  bared  their  hearts  to  God  and, 
there  as  they  were,  they  witnessed  a  linen  altar-cloth  that  with 
an  undulating  [i.e.  fluttering]  motion  was  just  come  down  out  of 
the  firmament.  Said  bishop  Magnenn  :  "  pick  up  that,  Finnian." 
"  Never  say  it,  holy  bishop,"  Finnian  answered  :  "  thyself  art  he 
whom  such  doth  best  befit,  nor  is  the  thing  a  likely  one  for  me  to 
have."  Mtfgnenn  the  bishop  said  :  "  I  swear  by  the  angels  that, 
until  from  God  I  have  just  such  another,  I  will  not  lift  it"  A 
second  time  they  look  up  to  God,  and  between  them  crave  yet 
another  altar-cloth  [and  it  was  vouchsafed  them] :  a  miracle  by 
which  God's  name  was  magnified  ;  while  they,  for  their  devotion's 
efficacity  that  was  so  great,  vented  joyful  cries  of  exultation. 
Now  these  same  linen  cloths  are  in  being  still. 

It  was  once  on  a  time  that  the  king  of  Ireland's  steward  came 
to  require  rent  of  Magnenn's  nurse,  in  whose  bosom  he  (being 
then  just  three  years  old)  lay  the  while  ;  and  that  which  was  his 
lawful  due  the  steward  took  not,  but  a  thing  to  which  he  had 
no  right  at  all,  that  was  what  he  demanded.     Magnenn's  nurse 


5*.  Magnenn  of  KilmainJutm.  37 

(he  being  as  aforesaid  in  her  bosom)  wept  with  a  loud  cry,  and 
straightway  the  power  of  one  leg,  of  one  arm  and  of  an  eye, 
departed  from  the  steward.  He  vociferated,  saying :  "  I  saw  a 
dream  but  lately ;  as  though  I  had  been  guilty  in  the  matter  of 
a  Mamb  of  compassion  ;'  which  lamb  I  now  deem  that  child  thou 
hast  to  be,  and,  wouldst  thou  in  his  name  procure  me  succour  of 
God  now,  never  again  henceforth  would  I  lift  thy  rent  on  thee." 
The  nurse  looked  on  the  little  boy,  and  said  :  "  dear  son,  misery 
should  by  rights  have  comfort."  When  the  child  heard  his 
nurse's  words,  upwards  to  God  on  high  he  raised  his  eyes  and 
both  his  hands ;  then  speedily  and  on  the  instant  the  steward  is 
relieved.  Indoors  there  is  a  clamour,  and  among  them  all  it  is 
reported  that  Magnenn  is  a  holy  child.  These  then  were  the 
first  miracles  of  Magnenn. 

Once  upon  a  time  Magnenn  had  a  ram  sheep  that  accompanied 
him,  and  when  they  walked  the  ram  would  carry  Magnenn*s 
book  of  prayers ;  but  a  certain  bad  man  came  to  Magnenn  and 
stole  the  ram.  Magnenn  with  his  thrice  nine  clerics  followed  the 
trail  to  the  robber's  house ;  by  various  relics,  and  by  Magnenn's 
hand,  the  marauder  denies  that  he  is  guilty  in  the  matter  of  the 
ram,  which  [at  the  very  instant]  partially  was  in  a  hole  of  the 
earth  beneath  the  robber's  house,  cut  up,  while  another  portion 
of  the  same  was  in  his  belly,  eaten.  For  the  holy  cleric  God 
worked  a  manifest  miracle  then,  so  that  in  the  hole  where  he  was 
the  ram  spoke  to  them.  Magnenn  and  his  thrice  nine  look  up 
to  God  and  thank  Him  that  He  had  multiplied  His  miracles. 
As  for  the  thief:  from  his  eye  was  taken  its  sight,  and  their 
vigour  from  his  legs  and  arms,  and  in  his  entire  body  a  mighty 
perturbation  wrought ;  and  with  a  loud  voice  he  cried  :  "  woe  is 
me  that  am  a  sinner !  and,  O  Magnenn,  I  adjure  thee  by  God 
that  thou  deprive  me  not  of  Heaven  besides !"  Magnenn,  when 
he  heard  the  sinner  do  an  act  of  penitence,  conceived  for  him  an 
affection  and  compassion  ;  he  made  vehement  prayer  to  God, 
and  in  virtue  of  supplication  won  of  Him  that  the  blind  man's 
eyes  [i.e.  sight]  should  return  to  him,  and  he  be  set  in  his  place 
again  [i.e.  restored  as  he  was  before].  By  this  miracle  God's 
name  and  Magnenn's  were  magnified,  et  reliqua. 

Yet  another  time  that  Magnenn,  being  on  a  circuit  of  devotion, 
came  to  the  house  of  Molasius  of  Leighlin  (that  was  son  of  Cairell 


38  S.  Magnenn  of  KUmainkam. 

son  of  Muiredach  Redneck) :  now  Molasius  was  so  that  in  his 
body  were  thirty  diseases,  and  he  (for  devotion's  sake)  penned  in 
a  narrow  hovel.  Moreover  he  was  thus :  spread  out  in  form  of  a 
cross,  with  his  mouth  to  the  ground  and  he  weeping  vehemently, 
the  earth  under  him  being  wet  with  his  tears  of  penitence 
Magnenn  said :  "  I  adjure  thee  by  God,  and  tell  me  wherefore 
thou  askedst  of  Him  that  in  thy  body  there  must  be  three  score 
and  ten  diseases."  Molcisius  answered :  "  I  will  declare  it,  holy 
bishop :  my  [spiritual]  condition  is  revealed  to  me  as  being  such 
that  my  sinfulness  like  a  flame  pervades  my  body ;  therefore  I 
am  fain  to  have  my  purgatory  here,  and  *  on  the  yonder  side* 
[i.e.  beyond  the  grave]  to  find  the  life  eternal.  Knowest  thou, 
Magnenn,  how  the  grain  of  wheat  uses  to  be  before  it  be  sown  in 
the  earth :  that  it  must  needs  be  threshed  and  beaten  ?  even  in 
like  wise  it  is  that,  or  ever  I  be  laid  into  the  gprave,  I  would 
have  my  body  to  be  threshed  by  these  infirmities ;  and  to  God 
be  thanks  for  it  that,  how  near  soever  death  be  to  me  now,  thou 
art  come  my  way  before  I  die.  For  God's  love,  lay  me  out 
becomingly;  perform  thou  the  order  of  my  sepulture  and  burial." 
Accordingly  Magnenn  [when  the  time  came]  carried  out  the 
order  of  those  obsequies,  which  made  the  third  most  exalted 
burial  that  was  done  in  Ireland :  Patrick  in  dun  dd  leth  nglas 
[Downpatrick] ;  Mochuda  in  RditMn  of  O  Suanaigh  [Raheen, 
near  TuUamorc] ;  and  Molasius,  that  by  holy  bishop  Magnenn 
was  buried  [at  Leighlin]. 

It  was  once  upon  a  time  that  bishop  Magnenn  went  to  the 
place  where  Finnchua  of  bri  gobhann  [near  Mitchelstown]  was, 
and  him  he  craved  to  have  go  with  him  on  a  visit  to  Arran 
where  Enda  of  Arran  was,  and  to  which  there  was  resort  of  Ire- 
land's and  indeed  of  all  Europe's  saints,  where  too  mórphapa  papa 
had  been  (?).  So  Magnenn  proceeded  into  Arran,  made  friends 
with  its  saints,  and  then,  after  achieving  victory  of  penitence  and 
of  pilgrimage,  with  the  thrice  nine  holy  clerics  that  were  his 
companions  came  away  out  of  it  again.  One  night  [on  their 
travel],  hard  by  Gannnay  they  were  without  meat ;  and  to  Mag- 
nenn his  people  said  :  "  holy  cleric,  pity  it  is  for  us  that  this 
night  we  are  not  in  Tallaght  where  we  might  have  to-night's 
sufficiency,  and  we  so  sharp  set"  Magnenn  answered  :  "young 
men,  never  say  it !   seeing  that  God  succours  both  poor  and 


S.  Magnenn  of  KilmainJiam.  39 

rich,  and  that  neither  is  His  abih'ty  greater  to  relieve  us  in 
any  other  place  than  it  is  to  help  us  where  we  are."  Not  long 
then  they  were  there  when  they  heard  baying  and  cry  of  a 
hound  having  in  front  of  him  a  deer  which,  whenever  he  was 
come  close  to  the  holy  clerics,  fetched  a  desperate  sudden  leap 
and  so,  right  before  them,  broke  his  neck.  Magnenn  said  :  "  Deo 
gratias ;  temperately  eat,  and  to  your  Maker  render  thanks  that 
ye  are  so  comfortably  conditioned."  His  people  did  so,  and  [the 
refection  ended]  carried  off  their  several  remnants  of  the  flesh. 
In  this  fashion  they  tramped  on  until  fastingtide  came,  and  to 
Magnenn  a  man  of  his  familia  said  then :  "  I  adjure  thee  that 
thou  impart  to  us  the  doctrine  and  admonitions  of  fasting  [i.e. 
preach  to  us  on  its  theory  and  practice]."  He  made  answer:  "  fast- 
ing profits  nought  when  [independently  of  thine  own  will]  meat 
is  withheld  from  thee  so  that  thou  canst  not  have  it ;  nor  [is  there 
virtue  in]  a  fast  based  on  vanity  and  pride,  which  then  should  be 
the  motives  of  your  abstention ;  neither  is  one  held  to  observe 
the  fast  from  meat  any  more  than  that  of  the  lips  [i.e.  tem- 
perance of  speech]  and  abstinence  from  all  faults  in  general.  I 
tell  you  also,  miserable  beings,  that  for  the  evil  which  a  man 
does  actually  God  impleads  him  not  more  straitly  than  he  indites 
him  for  the  good  which,  when  he  might  have  done  it,  he  neglected 
and  performed  it  not.  Woe  to  him  too  that  [unconcernedly] 
sees  evil  wrought,  and  knows  not  fear  of  Him  that  for  ever  and 
for  ever  is  the  Lord  !" 

It  was  of  another  time  that  Magnenn  went  on  a  visit  to  the 
place  where  Maelruain  of  Tallaght  was,  whom  he  found  thus : 
just  emergring  out  of  a  well  of  water  after  chanting  of  the  psalter's 
three  times  fifty  psalms  in  it  Through  humility  Maelruain 
saluted  the  sacred  bishop,  made  him  great  welcome  and  gave 
him  the  kiss  of  peace,  saying :  "  my  friend,  take  heed  to  me." 
He  reached  his  hand  across  him  and  from  the  hem  of  the  hair 
integument  that  he  wore  next  his  skin  plucked  a  strong  fibula, 
with  which  he  dealt  himself  a  blow  in  the  breast  on  the  gospel 
side.  Out  of  the  pin's  place  issued  not  blood  but  merely  a  little 
pinkish  fluid  ;  and  the  motive  of  this  ordeal  was  to  announce  to 
bishop  M^^enn  that  in  Maelruain's  body  pride  existed  not. 
Magnenn  replied :  "  I  see  that ;  and  why  I  [for  my  part]  am 
come  is  to  have  exhortation  of  thee,  to  crave  that  to  thee  I  may 


40  S.  Magnenn  of  Kiltnainham. 

make  confession,  and  to  be  purged  of  all  my  sins  and  guiltíness." 
Maelruaín  said :  "  in  God's  name  I  adjure  thee  that  forthwith 
thou  make  thy  confession."  Magnenn  b^an  :  "  thrice  I  say  to 
thee  *have  mercy  on  me!'  I  tell  thee  (he  went  on)  that  from 
the  day  in  which  I  took  holy  orders  never  have  I  suffered  the 
canonical  hours  to  run  [unobserved]  the  one  into  another ;  and  I 
tell  thee  that  from  the  day  in  which  I  was  baptised  never  have 
I  violated  my  purity,  my  chastity  ;  neither  from  the  time  when  I 
was  called  'priest'  have  I  been  even  for  one  day  without  [saying] 
Mass."  Maelruain  asked  now  :  "  holy  bishop»  in  performance 
of  corporal  labour  doest  thou  any  handiwork  at  all?"  Magnenn 
answered :  "  nor  work  nor  labour  do  I ;  neither  indeed  (respect 
to  my  day  being  had)  is  it  incumbent  on  me  to  perform  any 
such."  Muelruain  cried :  "  aléis  for  that !  I  have  never  heard 
confession  of  a  man  but  [with  his  own  hands]  laboured  for  his 
body  [i.e.  to  supply  his  own  corporal  requirements]."  Magnenn 
rejoined :  "  then,  holy  cleric,  yield  me  reverence."  Maelruain 
assented  :  "  I  will  indeed."  "  I  tell  thee  farther  that  upon  any  man 
that  ever  came  to  me  [to  confess]  I  never  laid  penance  (how 
severe  soever)  but  on  mine  own  body  I  would  inflict  one  more 
severe  than  it :  thus  once  on  a  time  came  to  me  the  king  of 
Saxons'  son  to  confess  and  to  seek  devotional  tuition,  of  whom 
I  enquired:  'doest  thou  any  handiwork?'  he  said  that  he  did 
not ;  but  I  affirmed  that  I  would  not  infringe  God's  law,  and 
the  injunction  that  he  gave  to  Adam  when  he  enjoined  him  to 
feed  himself  by  his  hand's  and  by  his  body's  labour,  and  with 
his  sweat  Alas  then  that  my  peregrination  and  my  visit  [hither] 
must  be  even  like  to  his!"  But  Maelruain  returned:  "by  no 
means :  rather  shall  sages  and  ancient  books  have  preserved  to 
the  World's  end  thy  journey  hither  and  the  miracles  that  yet 
.shall  proceed  from  thee,  as  being  both  very  excellent"  Magnenn 
the  bishop  craved:  "instruct  me  for  God's  sake!"  to  whom 
Maelruain :  "  in  His  name  I  say  to  thee :  weep  for  the  sin  of  friends 
and  of  neighbours  [as  though  it  were  thine] ;  on  God  set  all  thy 
thoughts,  nor  dwell  at  all  whether  on  friend  or  comrade,  on  gold 
or  silver,  or  on  the  specious  World's  false  show,  but  thy  con- 
fessions and  thine  heart  place  all  in  God  ;  on  Mary — Mother  of 
Glory — meditate ;  on  the  great  (i.e.  the  twelve  major)  prophets, 
together  with  John  the  Baptist,  ponder;  as  on  the  lesser  prophets 


iS.  Magnenn  of  Kilmainham.  41 

with  Habacuc  Think  on  the  fourfold  Evangel,  on  the  twelve 
Apostles,  and  on  the  eleven  disciples  that  He  had  for  followers ; 
on  the  band  of  youths  that  the  King  Eternal  has  for  a  house- 
hold retinue :  the  token  of  said  retinue  being  a  cross  of  gold  in 
their  foreheads,  and  on  their  backs  a  cross  of  silver.  Meditate 
moreover  on  the  nine  angelic  orders,  on  bliss  of  the  Heavenly 
City's  glory;  so  shall  great  privileges  appertain  to  thy  succes- 
sion's [i.e.  successors']  see,  and  yonder  thou  shalt  win  the  glory 
everlasting.  This  then  is  my  counsel  to  thee,  holy  bishop. 
Farther  yet :  to  thy  successors'  see  great  prerogatives  shall  belong, 
and  in  Ireland  thy  fire  shall  be  the  third  on  which  privilege 
[of  sanctity]  shall  be  conferred,  i.e.  the  fire  of  the  elder  Lianan 
of  Kinvarra,  the  lively  and  perennial  fire  that  is  in  Inishmurray 
[in  Sligo  bay]  and  bishop  Magnenn's  fire  in  Kilmainham.  Thou 
too  art  the  one  that  to  thine  own  monks,  and  to  such  as  from 
Shannon  to  the  [eastern]  sea  accomplish  thy  prescriptions,  shalt 
beside  Patrick  and  Ireland's  other  saints  be  their  final  judge." 

Then  the  two  cemented  friendship :  to  them  that  [in  the 
future]  should  transgress  their  behests  they  bequeathed  a  curse, 
and  eke  to  be  killed  with  keenest  weapons  and  thrust  into  the 
hell  of  Malemantus,  of  Salemas  and  of  Beelzebub:  the  chief 
commanders  that  in  Hell  are  the  least  merciful  [i.e.  the  most 
ruthless];  their  souls  [with  their  bodies]  to  be  lodged  in  the 
nethermost  tier  of  Hell's  pit. 

Magnenn  the  bishop  had  also  here  three  petitions  [granted 
him]  of  God  :  plenty  and  honour  and  worldly  wealth  to  be  theirs 
that  should  favour  his  clergy  and  his  representative  after  him ; 
while  to  them  that  should  persecute  his  precinct  and  his  own 
peculiar  see  he  left  three  legacies :  a  life  short  and  transient, 
blotting  out  of  their  posterity,  and  the  Earth  not  to  yield  them 
her  fruit  To  them  too  that  being  under  M^^enn's  safeguard 
despair  of  his  protection,  woe !  for  of  God  he  procures  for  them 
any  rightful  petition  that  they  ask  of  him,  and,  on  this  hither 
side  [of  the  grave],  length  of  life  with  fruitfulness  of  land ;  on 
the  yonder  side,  presence  [i.e.  fruition]  of  eternal  glory.  He 
obtained  also  that,  by  whomsoever  bishop  Magnenn  should  be 
held  dear,  the  same  should  be  beloved  of  men. 

Here  now  are  some  of  bishop  Magnenn's  perfections :  whenso- 
ever he  came  to  a  refectory  or  to  drink  a  draught,  before  ever 


42  S.  Magnenn  of  Kiltncnnham. 

he  tasted  his  meal  or  that  which  he  should  consume  he  would 
make  five  meditations :  the  first  of  them  being  how  he  was  bom 
originally,  and  in  how  mean  estate  he  came  from  his  mother's 
womb ;  the  second,  how  in  time  he  should  escape  out  of  his 
death-extremity ;  the  third,  how  the  soul  is  rapt  away  to  look 
on  Hell ;  the  fourth  again,  how  it  goes  to  contemplate  the 
Heavenly  City  that  it  may  shun  being  taken  back  again, 
whereby  its  self-distrust  [i.e.  humility  and  solicitude]  is  all  the 
greater ;  the  fifth,  how  the  sinners*  cairn  [i.e.  the  edifice  of  their 
ambition,  how  high  soever  piled]  is  in  a  trifling  while  afterwards 
abased.  He  used  to  tell  his  monks  that  for  the  Holy  Spirit 
they  ought  in  their  inmost  parts  to  leave  a  passage  free :  one 
into  which  they  should  not  admit  secular  [i.e.  material]  sustenance. 
Thrice  at  a  time  he  was  wont  to  say  that  the  World  is  a  mere 
mass  of  deception.  "  Look  to  it,  my  beloved  people,"  he  said, 
"  and  take  heed  thereto :  if  ye  spurn  God's  commandments,  how 
shall  ye  making  your  petitions  to  Him  look  up  to  Him  ?  or  how 
shall  God  hearken  to  your  cry  and  earnest  prayer?" 

It  was  of  a  time  that  bishop  Magnenn  went  to  the  place 
where  S.  Moling  was  :  a  meal  of  victual  was  served  to  them 
and,  conformably  to  precept,  sanctified  with  benediction.  Said 
a  man  of  his  familia :  "  to-day  [as  we  came  hither]  we  marked 
a  cross  and  a  fresh  grave,  but  what  is  buried  there  we  know 
not"  Magnenn  enquired:  "in  what  spot  saw  ye  that?"  The 
other  answered  :  "  on  an  acclivity  that  is  in  the  side  of  bema  na 
gaoithe  [Wind-gap]."  The  bishop  said :  "  I  have  never  seen  a 
cross  but  I  would  thrice  make  genuflection  to  it ;"  his  meal,  after 
it  was  blessed  and  all,  he  left  therefore  and  (his  thrice  nine  holy 
clerics  in  his  company)  went  his  ways  till  he  came  to  bema  na 
gaoithe^  where  for  a  long  space  he  was  in  contemplation  of  the 
cross  and  of  the  grave ;  nor  spoke  to  any,  but  to  the  cross  bent 
the  knee  three  times.  His  people  questioned  him,  what  made 
him  to  be  silent ;  he  never  answered  them  ;  a  three  hours'  spell 
he  continued  so,  then  in  a  voice  mild  and  gentle  said  :  "  I  charge 
thee  tell  me  who  is  laid  in  that  grave ;  and  what  the  reason  that 
I  never  saw  the  cross,  and  I  after  passing  close  beside  it"  The 
miserable  being  [tenant  of  the  tomb]  answering  him  said :  "  I 
will  tell  thee  that,  holy  bishop,  even  though  from  thine  interpella- 
tion I  gain  no  relief.     I  am  a  heathen,  and  never  was  it  feasible 


S.  Magnenn  of  Kilmainham.  43 

to  do  evil  but  I  did  it ;  the  weak  I  harried,  I  sought  to  curry 
favour  with  the  strong ;  on  the  feeble  churches  I  exercised  perse- 
cution, and  incurred  excommunication  by  bell  and  candle  with 
malediction  of  the  righteous ;   I  had  death  without  penitence, 
and  all  philosophers  [i.e.  learned]  of  the  world  could  not  recite 
the  one  half  of  my  torment  [which  indeed  could  not  be  shewn] 
unless  that  Almighty  God  should  tell  it     Wherefore  it  is,  holy 
bishop,  that  the  guardian  angel  thou  hadst  with  thee  suffered 
thee  not  to  see  me  [i.e.  my  cross  and  grave];  and  by  God  I  adjure 
thee  now,  holy  bishop,  pray  for  me  and  bestow  on  me  thy  mercy !" 
thereupon  Magnenn  looked  up  to  God,  but  his  guardian  angel 
said  to  him :  "  rouse  not  God's  wrath,  neither  any  more  idly 
waste  thy  time."    Magnenn  made  a  genuflection,  and  by  the 
same  path  returned  back  to  the  place  where  Moling  was ;  and 
the  meal  which  Magnenn  had  blessed,  neither  Moling  nor  his  con« 
gregation  had  tasted  of  it  until  he  thus  was  come  s^ain.   Magnenn 
said :  "  this  is  strange,  holy  cleric ;  what  is  the  reason  that  this  meat 
was  not  consumed  ?"   The  other  answered  :  "  we  were  not  worthy 
that  we  should  eat  it  after  that  it  was  blessed  by  thee."   "  Holy  one, 
never  say  it!  for  though  all  Ireland's  saints  had  blessed  it,  yet  wert 
thou  good  enough  for  it,  and  thee  it  would  have  become  to  eat  it." 
They  ratify  their  concord  and  their  amity,  and  with  his  thrice 
nine  bishop  Magnenn  goes  away.     But  that  night  it  befell  him 
to  lose  his  way,  he  fell  to  supplicate  instantly  to  the  end  he 
might  be  freed  from  that  wandering  up  and  down,  and  [very 
soon]  found  himself  in  a  mansion  where  was  a  great  company  of 
riotous  people.     He  said  :  "  alas  for  this !  bad  as  it  was  to  stray, 
the  crowd  is  worse :  such  is  its  loathliness,  and  such  its  ribald 
words."     He  enquired  then  whether  near  at  hand  there  were  any 
decent  place,  and  it  was  told  him  that  hard  by  was  a  poor  widow 
of  but  small  account ;  he  repaired  to  the  place  where  the  widow 
was,  and  she  testified  her  joy  at  the  company  of  saints  that  she 
saw  draw  towards  her.    The  clerics  salute  her  and  make  a  pitch 
on  the  premises,  Magnenn  greatly  eulogising  the  decency  and 
quietness.     "  Well  for  one  that  is  in  the  life  of  poverty  in  which 
thou  art,"  said  he,  "  so  long  as  it  be  not  a  poverty  suffered  against 
the  grain  [lit  a  poverty  of  'unwill*  or  of  'disinclination'],  for  in 
the  Church  such  meets  with  no  approval,  since  him  that  practises 
it  it  leads  into  sin  and  [later]  lamentation." 


44  S.  Magnenn  of  Kilmainham. 

On  the  morrow  Magnenn  rose ;  all  the  Saturday  he  and  his 
thrice  nine  walked  ;  when  the  Sunday's  [anterior]  limit  came  the 
holy  bishop  happened  to  be  on  an  open  plain,  and  there  they 
pitch  for  that  night  Throughout  which  same  cold  and  wet 
night  much  rain  and  harsh  wind  variably  veering  were  their  lot ; 
but  bishop  Magnenn  planted  his  four-square  pastoral  staff  [to 
stand]  over  them,  round  about  it  again  each  man  of  them  planted 
his  own  crook-headed  staff,  over  his  company  of  clerics  the  holy 
bishop  raised  [and  spread]  his  four-cornered  hood,  and  for  that 
band  wrought  manifest  prodigy :  for  great  as  was  the  night's 
tempest  and  foul  weather,  and  every  pool  and  hollow  brimmed, 
yet  upon  the  saints  fell  no  drop  of  the  storm.  On  the  Monday 
they  rose ;  those  wonders  were  patent  which  he  had  performed 
for  the  saints,  and  [the  noise  of]  these  miracles  pervaded  tíie 
whole  of  Ireland. 

Of  Magnenn's  characteristics  was  the  manner  of  his  carrying 
himself  in  regard  to  riches,  for  he  never  accepted  either  gold  or 
silver  or  any  metal  that  is  denominated  moneta\  and  a  Culdee  that 
was  in  Kilmainham  bore  this  great  testimony  of  him,  saying : 
"  Magnenn  the  wonder-worker,  that  never  sinned  with  woman ; 
Magnenn  the  sage,  whose  use  and  wont  it  was  to  weep."  Farther : 
in  preaching  he  never  uttered  any  one  word  a  second  time  [in  the 
same  discourse];  he  never  left  a  sermon  [after  him  anywhere] 
but  some  one  or  other  he  had  'brought  to  faith'  [i.e.  converted] ; 
nor  ever  sat  at  king's  shoulder  or  at  chiefs  (purposing  thus  to 
eschew  acquiring  of  a  high  mind),  and  honour  of  kings  and  of 
mighty  lords  he  would  contemn  greatly,  saying :  "  alas  for  him 
to  whom,  when  once  he  hath  renounced  the  World,  honours  con- 
ferred by  the  powerful  yield  any  satisfaction." 

After  this  it  was  that  from  benn  Edair  came  a  robber,  who 
stole  the  leper  woman  of  Kilmainham's  cow  (for  the  lepress  was 
so  that  she  had  a  cow  that  was  in  milk  always,  and  used  suf- 
ficiently to  supply  the  poor,  the  needy  and  the  palsied)  ;  now  she 
had  cognisance  of  the  robber,  and  proceeded  (crying  aloud  as  she 
went)  to  the  place  where  with  his  gathering  of  saints  and  clerics 
bishop  Magnenn  was ;  to  whom  all  she  related  bitterly  how  she 
was  plundered  in  the  matter  of  her  single  cow,  whereby  she  too 
was  herself  fallen  into  leanness  and  emaciation.  At  this  tale 
holy  bishop  Magnenn  and  his  knot  of  clerics  were   angered 


S.  lylagnenn  of  Kilmainham.  45 

exceedingly :  the  bells  in  the  place,  great  and  small,  are  rung ; 
and  against  the  robber  they  with  bell,  with  cursing  and  with 
malediction,  pronounce  excommunication.  After  this  [for  a  long 
time]  the  holy  bishop  uttered  not,  but  was  silent :  without  a  stir 
whether  of  foot,  of  hand,  or  of  any  one  of  his  organs ;  then  he 
spoke  softly  and  said  that,  though  he  had  essayed  to  pronounce 
a  benediction  on  the  robber,  the  magnitude  of  his  displeasure  at 
him  was  such  [that  he  could  not  compass  it] ;  and  neither  saint 
nor  other  righteous  man  obtained  of  Magnenn  that  he  should 
afford  the  thief  a  prayer  or  even  one  sigh  of  compassion. 
They  said  :  "O  righteous  one,  wherefore  doest  thou  this?"  He 
answered :  "  I  will  tell  you :  for  the  greatness  of  mine  incense- 
ment  it  is,  and  for  the  weightiness  of  my  severity ;  and  because 
that  I  am  fain  to  rouse  God's  anger  to  increasing  of  the  everlast- 
ing torment  yonderside :  in  the  place  where  from  no  friend  may 
help  be  had ;  in  the  place  where,  when  once  the  soul  falls  into 
Malemantus'  clutch  in  HelPs  pit's  nethermost,  nor  saint  nor  just 
man  may  any  more  gain  his  petition  [for  relief  of  the  condemned 
irrevocably} 

"  On  them  that  shall  violate  my  prerogatives  and  my  monks' 
rights  I  lay  three  heavy  sentences :  that  their  eyes  be  closed  to 
the  world  that  they  have  loved  [i.e.  may  they  be  blinded],  and 
the  Heavenly  City  shut  against  them  so  that  it  be  not  in  their 
power  to  win  it ;  to  them,  the  actual  violators,  I  bequeath  death 
by  weapon's  point ;  and  to  their  successors  after  them  a  niggard 
yield  of  fruits,  as  David  in  the  psalter  says :  semen  impiorum 
peribit. 

"  Of  God  I  entreat  that,  on  the  day  when  the  twelve  regal 
thrones  shall  be  set  on  Mount  Sion,  on  the  day  when  the  four 
streams  of  fire  shall  gird  the  mountain  round  about,  and  on  the 
day  when  the  three  peoples  shall  be  there :  Heaven's  people,  and 
Earth's,  and  Hell's  [i.e.  angels,  men,  devils],  they  that  shall  have 
outraged  me  be  found  guilty  of  death  in  Hell.  But  as  for  them 
that  shall  have  magnified  and  fostered  me  [and  my  successors], 
may  it  (with  Christ's  leave)  be  myself  that,  by  Patrick's  side, 
shall  sit  in  judgment  on  them." 

Bishop  Magnenn  said  moreover :  "  woe  to  him  (according  as 
the  [sacred]  records  and  writings  set  forth  the  tokens  of  the  fifteen 
days  preceding  Doom)  that  in  that  day  is  not  [found]  true, 


4^  5.  3íagmnM  of  Kilwmimkam^ 

úiáiful  ^fac^^  rrSA  and  g«t>  and  of  good  report ;  without 
fropwn  oar  stemrscs  oe  God's  Son  bent  on  him  as  he  comes  joy- 
fnZy  to  a«t  [aad  to  resnrae]  his  bodjr.  But  to  Ludfer's  folk 
that  l<x  e:±ar:cecsesK  of  their  torment  come  that  day  to  meet 
their  Éilse  bodies,  misery!  for  thus  Ixkevise  say  the  scriptures : 
that  soch  shall  dacn  be  ba!d,  murky  of  hue,  hairiess  and  tooth- 
less :  and  tboogh  his  fadier  and  his  modier  or  his  wedded  wife 
were  on  either  side  of  one,  yet  woaM  he  never  look  on  them  ; 
bot  tremble  all  over  there,  with  his  heed  fixed  only  on  his  sins 
arrayed  in  firont  of  him.  Of  which  crew  of  Lndfer^s  no  individual 
may  Elch  himy;f  in  among  Jesus'  people ;  but  they  must  all  be 
huddled  in  a  grimy  gang  apart.* 

A  prophecy  of  bishop  Magneim's  was:  that  a  time  should 
come  when  there  should  be  daughters  flippant  and  tart,  devoid 
of  obedience  to  their  mothers ;  when  they  tÁ  low  estate  should 
make  much  murmuring,  and  seniors  lack  reverent  cherishing; 
when  there  should  be  impious  laymen  and  prelates  both,  per- 
verted wicked  judges,  disrespect  to  elders ;  soil  barren  of  fruits, 
1%-eather  deranged  and  intemperate  seasons  ;  women  given  up  to 
witchcraft,  churches  unfrequented,  deceitful  hearts  and  perfidy 
on  the  increase ;  a  time  when  God's  commandments  should  be 
violated,  and  I>oomsday*s  tokens  occur  every  year. 

It  was  once  on  a  time  when  bishop  Mag^enn  went  on  an 
excursion  to  Athlone :  he  sat  on  the  [river's]  strand,  and  when  a 
certain  leper  saw  the  holy  bishop  *  from  him '  [i.e.  some  way  off 
as  >-et]  with  an  exceeding  great  cry  he  cried  out  and  said  to  him  : 
"  hear  my  complaint,  and  entreat  the  mighty  Lord  for  me ! "  The 
holy  bishop  hearing  that  laid  his  heart  bare  to  God,  looked  up 
overhead,  and  his  compassion  yearned  on  the  unclean  ;  he  desired 
water,  washed  the  leper*s  hands  and  feet  [and  he  was  whole]. 

Of  that  holy  bishop's  perfection  was  this  too :  that  he  never 
entered  into  any  place  where  war  or  conflict  was  but  merciful- 
ness and  pity  would  [efficaciously]  attend  that  which  he  said, 
and,  before  he  departed,  the  parties  would  be  at  peace.  Lovingly 
he  would  say  to  them  :  "  that  which  is  spent  ye  have  had ;  that 
which  ye  have  given  away  ye  have  yet ;  that  which  ye  have 
hoarded  up  ye  have  lost ;  and  that  in  respect  of  which  ye  have 
unbecomingly  denied  any  is  [even  now]  avenged  on  you."  So 
soon  then  as  the  tuatha  and  the  tribes  would  hear  that,  straight- 


S.  Magnenn  of  Kilmainham.  47 

way  they  used  to  make  peace,  and  he  would  go  on  to  say  that 
such  was  the  third  thing  with  which  God  was  best  pleased  in  the 
world  [the  three  being]  love  to  Himselfward,  giving  of  copious 
alms,  and  maintenance  of  peace. 

An  urchin  of  his  familia — one  that  was  just  seven  years  old — 
said  to  him:  "holy  bishop,  how  must  we  practise  piety?"  [the 
answer  was] :  "  early  tierce  and  long  none ;  meat  so  much  as 
may  suffice  a  little  boy ;  sleep  as  it  were  of  a  captive  cast  for 
death ;  often  meditation  on  God ;  not  to  suffer  one  canonical 
hour  to  run  into  the  other  without  having  [duly]  meditated  on 
it ;  much  prayer  every  night :  as  though  that  night  should  be 
one's  last,  and  his  own  final  end,  to  be  determined  by  his  state 
then  [///.  *on  the  head  of  that*],  were  the  being  without  limit 
without  cessation  in  the  life  eternal  yonder,  in  fruition  of  endless 
existence,  and  free  of  all  care.  Whosoever  now  shall  [by  his 
ill  course  of  life]  make  these  behests  to  be  of  none  effect  shall 
abandon  [i.e.  forego,  be  deprived  of]  three  things :  monument, 
son  [i.e,  male  issue],  praise  [i.e.  posthumous  renown]." 

A  habit  that  bishop  Magnenn  had  :  which  was  that  never  was 
any  for  three  hours  in  his  company  but  he  would  reveal  what 
spirit  were  in  him,  and  would  understand  speedily  whether  it 
were  good  angel  or  bad  that  accompanied  any  man's  body  [i.e. 
person]. 

He  studied  fervently  with  Ireland's  twelve  apostles,  whose 
names  were  these :  two  FinnianSy  two  Colmans,  Kieran,  Cainnech 
[S.  Canice],  Comghall^  two  Brendans,  Ruadhán^  Nindidli^  Mobhi 
son  of  Nadfraech ;  and  these  [I  say]  are  the  twelve  arch-saints 
that  together  with  Patrick  were  in  Ireland,  being  also  (along 
with  bishop  Magnenn)  preceptors  in  devotion  and  in  exhortation. 
Who  all  blessed  him  in  every  increment  of  piety  that  they  could 
think  of. 

It  was  another  time  that  on  a  devotional  tour  Magnenn  went 
to  the  place  where  Mochuta  of  Raheen  was,  and  Mochuta 
enquired:  "how  art  thou,  my  friend?"  "I  am  not  as  I  have 
been  ;  and  shall  be  not  as  I  am,  and  shall  yet  go  to  nothing.  I 
tell  thee,  Mochuta,  that  I  have  seen  an  ancient  man  requiring  of 
his  sons  to  be  virtuous,  and  sure  his  own  members  nor  his  senses 
he  never  disciplined  from  the  world's  evil  ways." 

Hard  upon  which  Mochuta  questioned  him :  "  in  the  case  gf 


48  S.  Magnenn  of  Kilmainham. 

such  as,  being  in  orders,  break  their  vows,  what  shall  we  do?" 
Magnenn  answered :  "  by  leave  of  God's  angel  I  will  tell  thee : 
I  affirm  that  whatsoever  priest  violates  his  orders  or  his  chastity, 
the  same  is  toward  God  guilty  of  death  thereby ;  and  whatsoever 
woman  shall  indulge  but  one  ordained  man's  propensity,  I  hold 
it  to  be  the  same  as  though  she  had  not  shunned  an  individual 
man  in  all  three  portions  of  the  world  :  the  reason  of  this  being 
that  it  is  proper  to  a  priest  [i.e.  one  of  his  attributes]  to  walk  in 
the  honour  of  his  orders  in  all  three  parts  of  the  world  [i.e.  to 
keep  himself  intact  in  all  peregrinations  however  distant].  Or 
again  [I  take  her  guilt  to  be]  as  though  she  had  ten  thousand 
husbands,  and  ten  hundred  supra  mille :  the  reason  of  which  is 
that  they  be  ten  thousand  legions  of  angels  which  accompany 
the  body  of  every  priest  that  is  chaste ;  and  this  is  caused  by 
the  fact  that  he,  even  as  Jesus,  is  in  everlasting  supplication  [i.e. 
intercession]  on  the  angelic  altar.  Woe  to  him  too  to  whom 
after  a  priest  such  woman  shall  become  a  prize  :  for  to  be  familiar 
with  her  and  to  know  her  is  a  [thrusting  of  the]  head  into  mire ; 
and  a  renunciation  of  baptism,  of  faith,  of  piety ;  a  pact  with 
Lucifer,  with  Dathan  and  with  Abiron ;  with  Pluto  and  with 
Beelzebub ;  with  Malemantus,  with  the  swart  sow,  and  with  the 
chief  captains  of  Hell's  host"  And  these  were  bishop  Mag^enn's 
testifyings  anent  concubinage  of  women  and  of  priests. 

Mochuta  said  :  "  tell  us,  holy  bishop,  how  must  pilgrimage  be 
made?"  "There  be  three  species  under  [i.e  according  to]  which 
one,  when  he  leaves  his  country,  enters  on  a  journey  of  pilgrimage; 
and  but  one  cause  for  which  of  God  he  wins  the  Heavenly  King- 
dom, all  which  is  as  thus :  when  of  his  heart  and  mind  and  of 
veritable  zeal  one  breaks  with  the  world's  vices  [and  becomes  a 
pilgrim],  then  in  such  wise  he  attains  unerringly  to  God ;  but 
when  he  goes  on  a  pilgrimage  indeed,  the  while  his  mind  dwells 
[at  home]  on  his  children,  on  his  wife  or  on  his  land,  and  he 
prefers  them  to  God  :  then  is  his  peregrination  in  vain,  nor,  saving 
displacement  of  body  [i.e.  locomotion]  and  idle  toil,  has  he  any 
profit  of  the  same ;  for  to  have  gone  abroad  out  of  his  own 
natural  patrimony  is  but  small  gain  to  any  unless  thereafter  he 
shall  [be  found  to]  have  made  the  pilgrimage  efficaciously.  Also 
when  faithful  Abraham  went  forth  out  of  his  own  peculiar  father- 
land the  Lord  gave  him  counsel,  which  was  this :  *  henceforth 


S.  Magnenn  of  Kilmainham.  49 

reck  no  more  of  thy  land  and  soil,  neither  be  thy  mind  bent  to 
return  s^ain  to  it/  And  this  is  the  guardian  angel's  counsel  to 
every  man  that  may  make  pilgrimage :  not  to  repeat,  by  act 
whether  of  hands,  of  feet,  of  body,  the  ethics  which  in  the  land 
where  he  has  been  [hitherto]  were  his  [and  to  expiate  which  he 
is  a  wanderer  now]  ;  for  by  the  standard  of  proficiency  in  morals 
and  in  virtuous  practice  it  is  that  God  rates  every  individual  of 
the  human  race.  Again  :  such  and  such  performs  a  pilgrimage 
[virtually]  when  (himself  [i.e.  his  person]  abiding  still  among  his 
family)  he  finds  his  heart  vehemently  incline  to  pilgrimage,  but 
(though  he  find  it  so)  feebleness,  or  poverty,  or  burden  of  house- 
hold care  suffers  him  not  to  perform  it  [actually] ;  which  [inward 
motion  or  intention]  then  is  to  him  the  same  as  though  [in  the 
body]  he  visited  the  tombstones  of  Peter  and  of  Paul,  and  Christ's 
sepulchre :  supposing  it  to  be  thither  he  were  bound  and  that 
the  flesh  [with  its  infirmities]  hindered  him,  which  then  should 
assume  the  soul's  responsibility  for  the  pilgrimage  left  unmade  ; 
[lastly]  every  Christian  is  bound  to  be  subject  to  the  rule  of 
Church,  for  with  the  Lord  that  judges  equitably  contrition  is 
imputed  for  devoutness.  This  then  is  the  problem  which  in  the 
way  of  conversation  and  for  friendship's  sake  thou  didst  propound 
to  me  [lit  'askedst  of  me']." 

Ms^nenn  said  :  "  knowest  thou,  Mochuta,  at  what  time  comes 
the  roth  rdmkach  ['the  Rowing  Wheel']  prognosticating  the 
Perverter's  advent  in  Ireland?"  "Thus  Antichrist  shall  come: 
as  one  that  is  mighty  and  wise,  yet  foolish :  foolish  namely  as 
towards  God,  but  wise  to  work  out  his  own  proper  detriment ; 
one  whose  mother  (for  he  is  a  daughter's  progeny  by  her  father) 
is  a  sister  of  his  own ;  one  whose  entire  face  is  but  one  flat 
surface,  and  he  having  on  each  foot  six  toes  ;  and  the  manner  of 
him  is  besides  that  he  is  a  judge  violent  and  black  [i.e.  pitiless 
and  unjust]  having  in  his  forehead  a  light  grey  tuft ;  out  of  all 
metals  he  makes  gold  [i.e.  transmutes  them]  and  raises  up  the 
dead.  In  whose  time  mercy  shall  not  be  until  that  Eli  come 
and  Enoch    .     .     .     [ccetera  desiderantur^ 


K 


50  S.  Cellach  of  Killala. 


Life  of  S.  Cellach  of  Killala. 

A  king  that  ruled  over  Connacht :  Eoghan  Bél^  son  of  Cellach 
son  of  Olioll  Molt  son  of  Daihi  son  of  Fiackra  son  of  Eochaidk 
Moyvane : — Ever^'  pro\-ince  in  Ireland  he  used  to  ravage,  and 
would  return  victorious,  bringing  his  prey  with  him  ;  neither  out 
of  his  own  province  was  prey  ever  driven  from  him  successfully, 
for  it  was  in  front  of  him  the  defeat  was  alwa>'s.  But  when  he 
might  not  (before  it  actually  left  his  confines)  overtake  such  prey 
attempted  on  him,  then  would  he  on  that  very  day  provisionally 
harry  the  self-same  country  into  which  his  prey  was  lifted.  Why, 
even  the  Munster-  and  the  Leinstermen  obeyed  him  and  (their 
kinc  having  now  many  times  been  driven  forcibly)  were  fain  to 
court  his  favour. 

At  all  events,  betwixt  this  Eoghan  and  the  children  of  Niall  a 
great  feud  fell  out ;  till  not  these  only  but  the  whole  two  pro- 
vinces stood  opposed,  province  to  province :  Connacht  and  Ulster. 
Their  conditions  were  unequal  however,  inasmuch  as  never  had 
Eoghan  Bel  suffered  loss  of  a  battle,  nor  was  salvage  ever  had 
of  him ;  while  of  his  preys  taken  and  triumphs  won  of  Conall,  and 
of  Eoghan,  and  of  Oriel,  the  frequency  was  beyond  counting ; 
for  so  long  as  Eoghan  Bel  lived  never  a  day's  peace  was  made 
with  them,  but  every  quarter  of  a  year  (aye,  every  month)  he 
raided  them  and  put  them  to  the  sword's  edge.  Thus  then  the 
children  of  Niall  deemed  it  a  hard  thing,  and  a  grievous,  in  this 
wise  ever  to  endure  violence  of  Eoghan  Bel  and  of  Fiachra's 
progeny ;  the  remainder  of  Connacht  too  being  all  upon  thenrL 
Ulster  in  general  therefore,  casting  about  what  they  should  do, 
were  resolved  on  muster  and  preparation  for  a  foray  in  full 
numbers,  and  so  fell  upon  the  land  of  Connacht. 

Two  kings  they  were  that  at  this  time  ruled  them  [Ulster] : 
Fergus  and  Donall,  Muirchertach  mac  Erca's  two  sons;  on 
Connacht  now  these  made  great  preys,  and  all  before  them  to 
the  Moy  ravaged  completely,  utterly  :  at  driving  of  which  stealths 
they  were  a  gathering   five  battles  strong.     Clan-Fiachrach's 


S.  CelUich  of  Killala.  5 1 

braves  set  out  indeed  to  pursue,  but  never  a  cow  was  taken  from 
the  others  nor  a  sword  dulled  on  them  until,  at  the  bridge  of 
Martray  Eoghan's  family  and  household  overtaking  them  pressed 
them  hard  and  sore  in  fight,  and  at  sceichln  na  gaoit/ie  Eoghan 
himself  too  caught  them  up.  He  (seeing  the  so  great  host)  to 
Fergus,  to  Donall,  and  to  Ulster's  nobles  despatched  ambassadors 
(men  of  science  and  of  art)  who  should  bid  them  abandon  the 
prey  in  its  integrity  and  so  depart  in  peace,  or  otherwise  be 
challenged  presently  to  battle.  The  envoys  sought  Fergus  and 
Donall,  to  whom  they  delivered  Eoghan's  mandate;  but  they, 
as  having  their  prey  in  front  of  them  and  being  therefore  high 
in  spirit  and  cheery  to  abide  the  fray;  denied  all  restitution.  Of 
clan-Neill  and  of  Ulster  there  were  there  five  battles,  with  them 
of  Oriel  added ;  one  huge  battle  of  clan-Fiachrach,  and  Con- 
nachfs  braves  besides  in  their  own  separate  companies,  but  all 
under  Cellach's  son  Eoghan  BéL 

When  Eoghan  heard  that  which  from  clan-Neill  his  poets 
brought  him  back,  he  dismounted ;  for  they  told  him  that  for 
this  time  war  was  his  one  alternative,  nor  should  he  ever  [so  said 
Ulster] — no,  though  he  stood  the  battle — win  back  a  single  cow. 
Then  Connacht  armed  and,  sudden,  swift,  unsparing,  charged 
upon  clan-Neill.  At  sight  of  Eoghan's  standard  and  of  the 
banners  that  so  many  a  time  had  had  their  preys,  Ulster  turned  : 
either  side  in  hate  quivering  to  reach  the  other,  and  between 
them  there  the  battle  of  Sligo  was  delivered.  It  was  won  against 
the  North  of  Ireland :  their  prey  was  captured  from  them,  and 
Innumerable  slaughter  of  their  people  made ;  Fergus  and  Donall 
moreover  perished  there  ;  Eoghan  Bel  too  being  hurt  heavily,  so 
that  it  was  upon  spears'  shafts  he  was  borne  away.  For  three 
days  (as  some  say)  he  lived  on,  or  (as  yet  others  have  it)  for  a 
week ;  to  and  from  him  the  nobles  went  and  came,  their  lamenta- 
tion for  him  being  very  great  the  while. 

Upon  the  king  now,  upon  Eoghan  Bel,  the  surgeons  plied  the 
hand ;  but  in  the  end  it  was  a  thing  assured  that  he  must  die, 
and  the  children  of  Fiachra  sought  counsel  of  him  who  he  might 
be  that  in  his  room  they  should  make  chief.  Eoghan  Bel  said  : 
"your  plight  is  strait;  two  sons  I  have:  Cellach  (disciple  to 
Kieran  of  Cluain)  and  Muiredach  the  younger  son  that  by  his 
youth  is  not  as  yet  fit  for  inauguration.     My  counsel  to  you  is 

E  2 


52  6*.  Cellach  of  Killala. 

this  therefore :  repair  to  Cluain,  to  Kieran  where  he  is,  and  him 
entreat  with  craving  of  his  consent  that  Cellach  be  dismissed 
with  you  to  be  made  chief,  seeing  that  ye  have  none  other  that 
is  fit.  In  which  matter  be  careful  to  beseech  him  instantly." 
This  done,  Eoghan  prescribed  the  manner  of  his  burial :  in  the 
open  field  in  the  borders  of  clan-Fiachrach,  with  his  spear  red 
in  his  hand  and  his  face  toward  the  North ;  "  for,"  said  he,  "  so 
long  as  my  grave  shall  confront  them,  I  having  also  my  face 
turned  to  them,  against  Connacht  they  shall  not  endure  in  battle." 
Thus  he  was  laid  accordingly,  and  the  rest  which  he  prophesied 
was  accomplished  veritably :  for  wheresoever  afterwards  clan- 
Neill  and  Connacht  chanced  to  meet,  it  was  defeat  that  fell  on 
them  [the  former]  and  on  the  North  in  general.  Wherefore 
Niairs  children  and  the  North  were  determined  thus :  that  with 
a  great  host  they  would  come  to  rath  ua  Fiachrach,  lift  Eoghan 
and  carry  him  off  northwards  over  Sligeach,  So  they  did,  and 
away  there  in  the  flat  land  of  loch  Gile  [lough  Gill]  he  was  buried 
with  his  mouth  downwards.  But  as  Eoghan  Bel  had  instructed 
them  to  go,  so  too  clan-Fiachrach  went  to  Clonmacnoise  and  to 
the  place  where  Kieran  was  in  prayer ;  who  when  they  were 
come  to  him  bade  them  be  welcome,  and  bestowed  them  in  a 
cubicle.  That  night  they  were  well  provided,  and  to  Kieran 
shewed  their  errand  afterwards ;  but  his  disciple  he  denied  them 
utterly.  Nevertheless,  and  for  all  he  thus  refused  their  prayer,  in 
Cluain  they  tarried  yet  a  second  night  and  until  Cellach  came  to 
visit  them.  They  conferred  with  him,  and  supplicated  him  that 
he  would  go  with  them  ;  so  that  in  the  end  he  yielded  to  bear 
them  company,  and  departed  on  the  morrow  nor  of  his  spiritual 
master  took  farewell  at  all.  The  thing  was  told  to  Kieran  :  how 
that  without  counsel  had  of  him  his  disciple  thus  was  stolen 
away.  Kieran  said  :  "  if  he  be  gone  indeed,  then  may  the  choice 
that  he  hath  made  not  thrive  with  him,  but  with  that  he  under- 
takes let  him  have  malison  :  so  may  it  be  that,  at  the  last, 
pernicious  grief  come  at  him,  and  *  death  by  point'  be  that  which 
shall  displace  him.  I,  acting  for  my  Lord  that  is  Heaven's  King 
and  Earth's,  bequeath  moreover  that  for  all  time  such  death  by 
point  be  that  which,  beyond  every  help  and  without  fail,  shall 
take  him  whosoe'er  he  be  that  thus  deserts  his  student-life." 
As  for  Cellach :  him  Fiachrach's  children  led  away,  and  con- 


S.  Cellach  of  Killala.  53 

ferred  on  him  clan-Fiachrach*s  chiefry  from  the  Rodhba  to  the 
Codnach.  For  a  while  he  held  it,  but  when  he  heard  that  his 
preceptor  cursed  him  the  life  misliked  him.  At  which  same 
time  Colman's  son  Guaire  was  so  that  throughout  Ireland  his 
fame  and  honour  now  excelled  :  clan-Fiachrach  oi  Aidhne  being 
by  way  of  territory  all  his  own.  Thus,  and  without  delay,  things 
(in  respect  of  land  tenure)  went  ill  between  the  pair,  in  whom 
anon  it  was  notorious  that  either  hated  other.  Yet  even  so  they 
trysted,  and  set  a  meeting  at  which  they  made  peace ;  but  of 
Guaire's  part  guile  entered  into  this  their  pacification,  and  towards 
Cellach  he  acted  traitrously :  killing  there  all  so  many  as  he 
might  lay  hold  on  of  his  people,  Cellach  with  thrice  nine  of  his 
following  escaping  forth  out  of  the  camp  privily. 

Now  was  he  for  a  full  year  *  under  wood'  [i.e.  a  fugitive  and 
outlaw  in  the  forest],  weariness  filling  him  and  remorse  that 
ever  he  forsook  his  student-life,  as  well  as  for  much  good  that 
Kieran  had  done  for  him.  Continually  he  rebuked  himself,  so 
grieved  he  was  for  that  which  it  was  befallen  him  to  do.  "  Woe 
is  me  (he  cried)  into  whose  head  it  entered  ever  for  grossness  of 
this  wretched  fleeting  world  to  quit  my  learning  and  my  master  !'* 
then  he  said  : — 

"Alas  for  him  that  for  any  of  the  vile  rude  World's  estates  forsakes  the 
clerkly  life — woe  to  him  that  for  a  transient  world's  royalty  gives  up  a  faithful 
God's  great  love  I  Alas  for  him  that  in  this  life  takes  arms,  unless  that  for 
the  same  he  shall  do  penance  ;  better  for  one  are  the  white-paged  books  with 
which  canonical  psalmody  is  chanted.  Grand  as  may  be  the  art  of  arms,  'tis 
yet  of  slender  profit  and  fraught  with  heavy  toil ;  of  it  one  shall  have  but  a 
most  brief  life,  which  in  the  end  must  be  exchanged  for  Hell.  But  of  all 
callings  stealth  is  the  worst :  sneaking,  perjured,  nimble  thieving ;  he  that 
conmiits  it,  though  at  one  time  he  have  been  ne'er  so  good,  thenceforward  is 
but  as  a  wicked  one.  Of  all  which  evil  things  a  large  portion  is  fallen  to 
Cellach  son  of  Eoghan  now  :  from  table  to  table  as  he  wanders  with  a  gang 
of  villains,  let  him  beware  of  death.  Alas  for  him  who  to  have  black  murk 
servitude  of  Hell  abandons  Heaven,  blest  abode  of  saints  ;  O  Christ,  O  Ruler 
of  Battles,  woe  to  him  that  deserts  his  mighty  Lord  ! " 

This  great  fit  of  penitence  having  taken  Cellach,  the  plan  upon 
which  he  hit  was  that  the  nine  his  companions  in  the  late  war 
with  Guaire  should  seek  out  Kieran  of  Cluain  his  tutor;  he 
himself  being  shy  of  trusting  to  Kieran,  by  reason  that  previously 
he  had  disobeyed  him.  Outside  of  Cluain  he  waited  therefore, 
and  until  there  he  met  with  certain  of  his  whilom  condisciples 


54  'S'.  C el  loch  of  Killala. 

and  fellow  clerics.  They  bade  him  welcome  and  kissed  him ; 
into  the  town  he  entered  with  them  and,  all  unknown  to  Kieran, 
that  night  abode  there.  Along  with  him  on  the  morrow  the 
heads  of  the  community  went  to  the  place  where  Kieran  was, 
to  supplicate  for  peace  and  mercy ;  and  to  his  master  there  he 
bent  the  knee.  Then,  though  his  first  displeasure  had  been  so 
great,  Kieran  repenting  him  of  the  curse  which  he  had  laid  on 
Ccllach  vouchsafed  him  peace  :  "  my  son  (he  said),  if  I  might  do 
it,  thy  curse  I  would  revoke ;  which  since  I  may  not,  God  never 
be  for  that  less  favourable  to  thee,  nor  for  my  utterance  of  such 
be  thy  place  in  Heaven  cut  off." 

The  Holy  Spirit's  grace,  and  love  of  the  Trinity,  entered  into 
Ccllach  then  ;  and  he  enjoined  his  people  to  go  back  to  the  spot 
in  which  Muiredach  his  brother  was  (and  where  the  youth  chanced 
to  be  at  the  time  was  in  the  king  of  Luighnés  house)  :  **  be  with 
him/'  Ccllach  said,  "and  cleave  to  him  continually."  As  Cellach 
prescribed  to  them,  so  they  went  their  way  and  became  thence- 
forth people  of  Muiredach's. 

As  for  Ccllach,  zealously  he  bent  his  head  to  study,  pursuing 
it  strenuously,  with  circumspection  ;  and  for  each  degree  of  incre- 
ment in  his  learning,  thrice  so  much  his  almsgiving,  his  charity, 
and  all  other  his  good  works  progressed.  Fame  of  his  piety 
i)vcrspread  Ireland,  men  loved  him  with  an  universal  love  and, 
Cellach  in  all  things  acting  according  to  his  preceptor's  word, 
Kieran  was  well  pleased  with  him.  Priest's  orders  were  conferred 
upon  him  now,  in  which  long  time  he  rested  ;  but  then  came  the 
clergy  of  his  tribe  and  elected  him  to  a  bishopric :  episcopal 
orders  were  laid  on  him,  and  for  a  bishop's  see  he  had  Killala. 
This  greater  bishopric  of  his  henceforth  he  administered  indeed, 
but  for  the  most  part  was  in  Clonmacnoise  rather  than  in  his 
diocese.  In  all  Ireland  was  none  of  more  renown  for  honour, 
for  piety,  for  clerkly  bearing ;  none  whom  the  erudite  cherished 
more  dearly,  and  all  denominations  of  them  adhered  to  him. 

He  once  upon  a  time,  on  episcopal  visitation  bound,  with  a 
great  company  of  clerics  mounted  came  to  Kilmore  of  the  Moy ; 
and  where  Guaire  son  of  Colman  chanced  to  be  that  day  was  in 
Diirlas  Guaire,  his  confidential  (many  in  number)  with  him.  In 
his  immediate  fellowship  were  his  own  son  Nar  mac  Guaire  too ; 
and   Ferchoga's  son  Nemcdh,  an   uncontaminated  [i.e.  utterly 


•S*.  Cellach  of  Killala.  55 

devoted]  fosterling  to  Guaire,  to  whom  this  man  Nemedh  said  : 
"  in  guise  unfriendly,  and  ill-disposed  of  mien,  Cellach  the  bishop 
hath  given  us  the  go-by."  Guaire  made  answer:  "it  matters 
not ;  I  will  send  after  him  messengers  to  bid  him  come  speak 
with  me,"  and  so  despatched  to  Cellach  a  man  of  the  confidentials 
(the  precise  time  then  being  noon  of  a  Saturday).  To  the  bishop 
the  envoy  said  :  "  in  that  ye  passed  him  by  [a  while  ago]  Guaire 
is  but  ill  pleased  with  thee ;  yet  come  even  now  and  speak  with 
him."  "  I  will  not  go,"  Cellach  returned  :  "  *tis  vesper-time,  and 
no  transgression  of  the  Lord's-day  do  I ;  but  here  to-morrow  I 
will  say  my  hours  and  will  give  Mass,  the  which  (if  it  so  please 
him)  let  him  come  to  hear,  and  afterwards  confer  with  me ;  he 
has  no  long  way  to  come.  But,  should  he  not  care  to  do  this, 
then  will  I  (he  again  consenting)  on  Monday  go  to  him." 

Back  again  to  Guaire  the  messenger  departed,  and  repeated 
to  him  all  Guaire's  utterance ;  in  addition  he  set  forth  that 
Cellach  had  refused  [peremptorily]  to  come  with  him,  and  accused 
him  that  to  Guaire  he  bore  no  love  at  all.  By  reason  of  this, 
great  anger  entered  into  Guaire  and  he  said  to  his  emissaries : 
"  return  to  Cellach  ;  warn  him  that  this  night  he  quit  the  country  ; 
if  he  go  not,  then  shall  the  church  in  which  he  is  be  burnt  upon 
him  :  it  and  his  people  all."  The  same  messenger  then,  having 
s^ain  sought  Cellach,  disclosed  Guaire's  message  fully.  "God 
betwixt  me  and  the  unrighteous,"  he  replied,  and  up  to  Monday's 
morning  never  left  the  spot.  Out  of  it  he  departed  then  and 
came  into  the  borders  of  loch  Con,  where  he  spent  the  night ; 
next  he  gained  the  loch  which  men  to-day  call  Claenloch,  and 
gazed  upon  it  until  forth  before  him  in  the  loch  he  saw  an  island 
{oilén  Etgair  is  its  name)  over  which  it  was  revealed  to  him  that 
much  angelic  ministration  was  performed.  He  drawing  near 
enquired  whether  there  [in  the  island]  were  any  benediction  of 
some  saint ;  but  they  [of  the  country]  said  that  never  had  saint 
conferred  a  blessing  on  it  Then  Cellach  said  :  "  even  so ;  here 
it  is  that  'tis  ordained  for  me  to  be  a  hermit."  His  people  jeering 
at  him  and,  again,  dissuading  him  from  all  project  of  abiding  in 
the  island,  he  rejoined  :  "  that  I  must  stay  here  is  decreed  ;  but 
take  ye  your  departure,  for  in  my  bishopric  your  [own  appointed] 
places  are  many  [and  are  various]." 

Loath  as  they  were  they  did  so  and,  saving  four  clerics  in  his 


56  5.  Cellach  of  Killala. 

company,  left  Cellach  all  alone ;  which  four  were  Maelcróin^ 
Maelddlua,  Maelsenaigh,  and  Macdeoraidh  :  Cellach's  condisciples 
once.  From  Shrovetide  until  Easter  they  continued  in  perform- 
ance of  their  office,  serving  God  zealously ;  through  Ireland  the 
noise  went  forth  that  holy  bishop  Cellach  (his  bishopric  aban- 
doned) lived  a  hermit's  life ;  then  Easter-time  came  round  and 
his  brother  Eoghan  BeFs  son  Muiredach  visited  him  often,  nor, 
but  by  his  counsel,  did  anything  at  all.  All  which  when  Guaire 
heard,  rage  possessed  him  and  enmity  to  Cellach ;  so  that,  ill 
as  things  stood  between  them  previously,  now  they  were  worse 
by  far ;  for  he  feared  that  Muiredach  (through  prompting  of  his 
brother  Cellach,  as  well  as  for  his  own  inherent  qualities,  and 
cognisance  of  being  himself  apt  matter  of  a  chief)  would  grasp 
at  the  main  power.  Over  and  above  which,  his  son  Nar,  and 
Nemedh  son  of  Ferchoga,  daily  and  nightly  plying  Guaire  with 
forged  and  wicked  tales  of  him,  harped  on  it  to  Guaire  that  he 
must  slay  holy  bishop  Cellach.  A  treason  they  contrived  between 
them  then,  which  was :  to  bid  Cellach  come  visit  them,  and  to 
have  poison  all  ready  made  against  him  ;  for  hateful  as  he  was 
to  Guaire,  yet  would  the  king  not  that  in  his  very  presence 
weapons  were  used  upon  him.  So  they  did :  with  intent  on 
Cellach  they  prepared  poison,  then  to  the  island  where  he  was 
in  his  loch  sent  messengers  with  charge  that,  Cellach  refusing, 
they  should  invite  his  condisciples  to  repair  to  Guaire  in  order 
that  hither  and  thither  betwixt  the  two  they  might  do  friendly 
message-bearers*  office.  In  his  isle  these  envoys  lighted  upon 
Cellach  (who  just  then  read  his  hours)  and  saluted  him.  He 
greeted  them,  and  they  told  him  that  from  Guaire  they  came  to 
fetch  him,  both  to  a  great  feast  which  the  king  had  for  him,  and 
to  speak  with  him.  "  No  more  will  I  go  thither,"  Cellach  said, 
"  nor  for  sake  of  the  perishable  poor  world's  feast  or  favour  neglect 
mine  offices."  "  Never  do  their  bidding,"  the  condisciples  cried, 
"and  in  Guaire  it  is  but  fondness  to  imagine  that  by  things 
such  as  these  thou  mayest  be  drawn  to  love  him."  The  envoys 
said :  "  suffer  then  that  thy  condisciples  come  with  us ;  so  shall 
Guaire  be  well  pleased  with  thee,  and  whatsoever  privy  errand 
he  shall  have  to  send  thee  they  will  convey."  Cellach  said  :  '*  I 
will  not  hinder  them,  nor  yet  constrain  them  to  it;"  and  when 
Maelcróin  with  the  others  heard  him,  all  four  together  accom- 


S.  Celldch  of  Killala.  57 

panied  the  envoys  in  their  return  to  Guaire,  where  he  was  in 
Dúrlas.  He  gave  them  welcome  and  rejoiced  to  see  them  come  ; 
with  meat  and  drink  they  were  provided  sedulously. 

Then  a  banquetting-house  apart  was  set  in  order  for  them,  and 
thither  for  their  use  the  fort's  best  liquor  was  conveyed.  On 
Guaire's  either  side  were  set  two  of  them  and,  with  an  eye  to  win 
them  that  they  should  quit  Cellach,  great  gifts  were  promised 
them  :  all  the  country  of  Tirawley  ;  four  spinster  women  such  as 
themselves  should  choose  out  of  the  province,  with  these  their 
wives'  sufficient  complement  of  horses  and  of  kine  (such  gifts  to 
be  by  covenant  secured  to  them)  ;  and  of  arms  a  present  adequate 
equipment  to  be  furnished  to  each  one.  That  night  they  bode 
there,  and  at  the  morning's  meal  with  one  accord  consented  to 
kill  Cellach.  Thence  they  departed  to  loch  Con ;  where  they 
had  left  the  boat  there  they  found  it,  and  then  pulling  off  reached 
Cellach.  He  was  thus  :  his  psalter  spread  before  him  as  he  said 
the  psalms ;  he  never  spoke  to  them  ;  he  made  an  end  of  psalm- 
ody and,  looking  on  them,  marked  their  eyes  unsteady  in  their 
heads  and  clouded  with  the  hue  of  parricide. 

"  Young  men,"  said  Cellach,  "  ye  have  an  evil  aspect ;  since  ye 
went  from  me  your  natures  ye  have  changed,  and  I  perceive  in 
you  that  for  king  Guaire's  sake  ye  are  agreed  to  murder  me." 
Never  a  tittle  they  denied,  and  he  went  on  :  "  an  ill  design  it  is  ; 
but  follow  now  no  longer  your  own  detriment,  and  from  me  shall 
be  had  gifts  which  far  beyond  all  Guaire's  promises  shall  profit 
you."  They  rejoined  :  "  by  no  means,  Cellach,  will  we  do  as  thou 
wouldst  have  us,  seeing  that,  if  we  acted  so,  not  in  all  Ireland 
might  we  harbour  anywhere ;"  and  even  as  they  spoke,  into  Cel- 
lach they  plunged  their  spears  in  unison ;  yet  he  made  shift  to 
thrust  his  psalter  in  between  him  and  his  frock.  They  stowed 
him  in  the  boat  amidships,  two  of  themselves  in  the  bow,  and  so 
gained  a  landing-place ;  thence  they  carried  him  into  the  great 
forest  and  into  the  dark  recesses  of  the  wood.  Cellach  said : 
"  this  that  ye  would  accomplish  I  esteem  to  be  a  wicked  work 
indeed,  [the  which  would  ye  even  now  renounce]  in  Clonmacnoise 
ye  might  shelter  safe  for  ever ;  or  should  it  please  you  to 
resort  rather  to  Bláthmac  and  to  Dermot  (sons  to  Aedh  Sláine) 
now  ruling  Ireland  [with  them  ye  would  be  secure] ;"  then  he 
indited  : — 


58  S.  Celiac h  of  Killala. 

m 

"  O  ye  young  men  that  terrify  me,  to  Heaven's  high  King  pride  is  abomi- 
nable ;  distorted  as  your  eyes  are,  the  secret  of  your  hearts  is  more  perverted 
still.  As  against  me  ye  have  consented — cruel  resolve  foreboding  violence ; 
the  shame  of  it  shall  long  endure  to  you,  and  parricide  bring  you  repentance 
yet.  Ye  being  they  that  kill  me  [visibly]  are  not,  as  I  believe,  my  veritable 
slayers ;  but  Kieran's  curse,  my  tutor's  [strikes  me] — a  bum  is  hottest  in  the 
after-pain.  The  curse  is  very  bad  for  me,  yet  seek  I  not  to  shun  my  butcher- 
ing ;  but  to  you  it  shall  be  a  plague  and  a  consternation  that  on  me  ye  ever 
plied  the  bloody  hand.  A  certain  One  I  have  upon  my  side,  the  like  of  whom 
existeth  not :  with  Christ  my  cause  is  bound  up  closely,  the  angels'  Heaven 
shall  be  my  dwelling-place.  Treason  it  was  when  ye  were  determined  to  fall 
on  me  unrighteously ;  but  death  by  point  shall  in  the  end  work  your  destruc- 
tion and,  O  ye  young  men,  Hell  awaits  you!" 

"  Farther  to  advise  us  in  the  matter  is  but  idle,"  they  retorted  ; 
"we  will  not  do  it  [i.e.  thy  bidding]  for  thee."    "Well  then,"  he 
pleaded,  "this  one  night's  respite  grant  me  for  God's  sake." 
"  Loath  though  we  be  to  concede  it,  we  will  yield  thee  that," 
they  said  ;  then  raised  the  swords  which  in  their  clothes  they 
carried  hidden,  and  at  the  sight  of  them  a  mighty  fear  took  Cel- 
lach.     They  ransacked  the  wood  until  they  found  a  hollow  oak 
having  one  narrow  entrance,  and  to  this  Cellach  was  committed, 
they  sitting  at  the  hole  to  watch  him  till  the  morning.     They 
were  so  to  the  hour  of  night's  waning  end,  when  drowsy  longing 
came  to  them  and  deep  sleep  fell  on  them  there.     Cellach,  in 
trouble  for  his  violent  death,  slept  not  at  all ;  at  which  time  it 
was  in  his  power  to  have  fled  (had  it  so  pleased  him),  but  in  his 
heart  he  said  that  it  were  misbelief  in  him  to  moot  evasion  of  the 
living  God's  designs.     Moreover  he  reflected  that  even  were  he 
so  to  flee  they  must  overtake  him,  he  being  after  Lent  [just 
passed]  but  poor  and  feeble.     Morning  shone  on  them  now,  and 
he  (for  fear  to  see  it  and  in  terror  of  his  death)  shut  to  the  door ; 
yet  he  said :  "  to  shirk  God's  judgment  is  in  me  a  lack  of  faith, 
Kieran  my  tutor  having  promised  me  that  I  must  meet  this  end ;" 
and  as  he  spoke  he  flung  open  the  tree's  door.     The  raven  called 
then,  and  the  scallcrow,  the  wren,  and  all  the  other  birds ;  the 
kite  of  cluain-eds  yew-tree  came,  and  the  *  red  hound '  [wolf]  of 
druim  mic  Dair  (yclept  the  brécaire  i.e.  *  the  deceiver')  whose  lair 
was  by  the  island's  landing-place.     "  My  dream  of  Wednesday's 
night  last  past  was  true,"  says  Cellach :  "  that  four  *  wild  dogs* 
rent  me,  and  dragged  me  through  the  brackens ;  that  down  a 
precipice  I  fell  then,  nor  evermore  came  up ;"  and  he  pronounced 
this  lay : — 


S.  Cellach  of  Killala.  59 

"  Hail  to  the  Morning  fair  that  as  a  flame  falls  on  the  ground — hail  to  Him 
too  that  sends  her — the  Morning  many-virtued  ever  new !    O  Morning  fair 
so  full  of  pride — O  sister  of  the  brilliant  Sun — hail  to  thee,  beauteous  Morning, 
that  lightest  my  little  book  for  me !  Thou  seest  the  guest  in  every  dwelling — 
shinest  on  every  tribe  and  kin — hail  O  thou  white-necked,  beautiful,  here 
with  us  now — O  golden-fair  and  wonderful !    My  little  book  with  chequered 
page  tells  me  my  life  hath  not  been  right ;  Maelcróin — 'tis  he  whom  I  do 
well  to  fear :  he  it  is  that  comes  to  smite  me  at  the  last.    O  scallcrow  and  O 
scallcrow,  grey-coated,  sharp-beaked,  paltry  fowl !  the  intent  of  thy  desire  is 
apparent  to  me,  no  friend  art  thou  to  Cellach.    O  raven,  thou  that  makest 
croaking !  if  hungry  thou  be  now,  O  bird !  from  this  same  rath  depart  not 
until  thou  have  a  surfeit  of  my  flesh.    Fiercely  the  kite  of  cluain-eds  yew- 
tree  will  take  part  in  the  scramble ;  his  hom-hued  talons  full  he'll  carry  off, 
he  will  not  part  from  me  in  kindness.    To  the  blow  [that  fells  me]  the  fox 
that's  in  the  darkling  wood  will  make  response  at  speed ;  he  too  in  cold  and 
trackless  confines  shall  devour  a  portion  of  my  flesh  and  blood.    The  wolf 
that's  in  the  rath  upon  the  eastern  side  o(  druim  mic  Dair:  he  on  a  passing 
visit  comes  to  me,  that  he  may  rank  as  chieftain  of  the  meaner  pack.    On 
Wednesday's  night  last  past  I  saw  a  dream :  as  one  the  wild  dogs  dragged 
me  eastwards  and  westwards  through  the  russet  ferns.    I  saw  a  dream :  that 
into  a  green  glen  men  took  me ;  four  they  were  that  bore  me  thither^  but  (so 
meseemed)  ne'er  brought  me  back  again.   I  saw  a  dream :  that  to  their  house 
my  condisciples  led  me ;  for  me  then  they  poured  out  a  drink,  a  draught  too 
they  quaffed  off  to  me.    O  tiny  wren  most  scant  of  tail !  dolefully  thou  hast 
piped  prophetic  lay ;  surely  thou  art  come  to  betray  me,  and  to  curtail  my 
gift  of  life.     Wherefore  should  Macdeoraidh,  dealing  treasonably,  seek  to 
hurt  me  ?  a  monstrous  act :  for  brothers  two  my  father  and  Macdeoraidh's 
father  were.     Why  should  Maeldálua  go  about  to  injure  me,  he  that  of  a 
truth  hath  shewn  me  treachery  ?  for  sisters  twain  my  mother  and  Maeldálua's 
mother  were.    Why  should  Maelsenaig  lust  to  harm  me,  he  that  in  the  con- 
spiracy hath  used  me  guilefully  ?  for  well  I  wot  that  he  is  a  pure  man's  son — 
Maelibair's  son  Maelsenaig.   O  Maelcróin  and  O  Maelcróin,  thou  art  resolved 
on  a  deed  that  is  iniquitous !  for  ten  hundred  golden  ingots  Eoghan's  son  had 
ne'er  consented  to  thy  death.    O  Maelcróin  and  O  Maelcróin,  pelf  it  is  that 
thou  hast  taken  to  betray  me  1  for  this  World's  sake  thou  hast  accepted  it, 
accepted  it  for  sake  of  Hell.    All  precious  things  that  ever  I  had — all  sleek- 
coated  young  horses— on  Maelcróin  I  would  have  bestowed  them  that  he 
should  not  do  me  this  treason.    But  Mary's  great  Son  up  above  me  thus 
addresses  speech  to  me :  '  thou  must  have  earth,  thou  shalt  have  Heaven  ; 
welcome  awaits  thee,  Cellach.' " 

By  them  now  Cellach  was  lifted  out  of  the  tree,  and  first  of  all 
Macdeoraidh  struck  him  ;  afterwards  Maeldálua,  Maelsenaigh 
and  Maelcróin  [in  order]  struck  him ;  and  in  such  fashion  there 
they  did  to  death  the  holy  bishop,  Eoghan  Bel's  son  Cellach ; 
then  after  their  master,  their  lord,  their  sacred  kinsman  murdered, 
went  their  ways  to  Guaire,  who  (for  all  their  deed  was  heinous) 


6o  S.  Cellach  of  Killala. 

met  them  right  joyously.  To  him  [Cellach]  the  ravens,  and  the 
scallcrows,  and  the  forest's  several  preying  things  flocked  together 
(as  he  himself  had  presaged  for  them),  and  of  his  flesh  and  blood 
consumed  somewhat ;  but  every  preying  creature  whatsoever  that 
much  or  little  ate  of  him  died  on  the  spot 

Touching  holy  bishop  Cellach's  brother  Muiredach,  son  of 
Eoghan  Bel :  that  same  day  he  came  looking  for  his  brother, 
even  as  many  a  time  before  he  came  for  speech  with  him  and  to 
have  counsel  of  him,  seeing  that  but  by  Cellach's  precept  (his 
precept  namely  that  was  his  teacher,  his  brother  and  his  spiritual 
father  all  in  one)  he  did  nought.  When  therefore  he  came  as  he 
used  ever  to  the  island's  fcrryport,  yonder  in  the  island  he  heard 
nor  speech  nor  chant  of  Cellach.  The  boat  indeed  they  [he  and 
his]  got  at  the  port,  but  the  isle  when  they  were  come  into  it 
they  found  all  void  :  Cellach  not  there  at  all.  In  haste  they 
returned,  and  so  soon  as  Muiredach  [by  questions]  heard  that 
the  young  clerks  had  been  to  Guaire's  house,  he  knew  that  there 
Cellach  had  been  pointed  out  to  them  to  slay.  The  way  that  he 
took  now  was  by  the  spot  where  the  Congheilt  dwelt,  between 
loch  Cuilinn  and  loch  Con.  To  guard  which  Congheilt  a  raging 
beast  opposed  them,  presently  and  before  his  face  killing  nine 
of  his  people.  Eochaidh's  son  Conall,  his  condisciple,  chid  him 
for  this,  and  said  that  a  king's  son  enduring  thus  to  view  his 
people  slaughtered  by  the  beast  could  be  but  recreant.  In  quest 
of  the  monster  Muiredach  went  forth  then  and  dived  into  the 
loch,  but  the  first  time  found  her  not ;  a  second  time  he  went, 
and  at  the  third  hit  her  track,  and  up  out  of  the  loch  followed 
her  till  he  came  on  her  where  she  slept  gorged.  Through  her 
and  into  the  earth  he  thrust  his  sword ;  she  with  the  weapon 
stuck  in  her  [fled  and]  sprang  into  the  loch.  Muiredach  followed 
by  the  track  and  fought  with  her ;  in  which  fight  he  was  hurt 
grievously,  but  in  the  end  killed  the  beast,  took  her  head,  and  to 
Conall  his  condisciple  with  his  folk  in  general  carried  it  ashore. 
Conall  said  :  "  a  gallant  fight  is  that  thou'st  fought,  my  son  :  to 
slay  the  Congheilt's  monster;  whence  also  thy  name  shall  be 
*Cuchongeilt"'  (and  so  the  practice  grew  of  calling  him  Cuchon- 
geilt). 

Away  they  came,  and  through  the  wild  wood  followed  on  a 
track  of  five  :    followed  zealously,  until  they  found  the  clubs 


S.  Cellach  of  Killala.  6i 

where  those  had  left  them.  " Even  so,"  said  Muiredach  :  "for  a 
token  to  slay  Cellach  these  clubs  were  brought  from  Guaire.  Let 
them  lie,  and  follow  we  the  traces  of  the  band."  Again  they 
went  upon  the  trail,  and  so  found  the  tree  with  Cellach's  body 
there  :  part  eaten  by  the  creatures.  The  gruesome  deed  lay 
heavy  upon  Muiredach,  and  he  said  : — 

"  Dear  was  he  whose  body  this  is :  to  mine  own  death  his  death  I  liken ; 
the  corpse  of  Eoghan  Bel's  son  Cellach  I  see  drenched  in  its  own  blood. 
Sister  for  me  is  none,  alas!  in  Ireland's  nor  in  Scotland's  land ;  my  father  is 
dead,  dead  my  mother,  now  God  hath  left  me  brotherless.  If  it  be  not  with 
pure  Gelghéis,  or  else  with  Conall,  Eochaidh's  son,  I  know  not  whether  with 
any  now  kindness  there  be  or  yet  dear  love  for  me.  O  loch  Claen,  and  O 
loch  Claen,  henceforth  thou  prosperest  no  more !  for  not  from  slaughter 
savedst  thou  that  which  now  is  but  the  corpse  of  Eoghan's  son  Cellach. 
Thy  bands  of  kerne  thou,  Cellach,  didst  renounce  to  follow  psalmody  with 
light ;  valour's  deeds  thou  gavest  up  for  books  full  of  all  purity.  The  feasting- 
house  thou  didst  desert  for  frequentation  of  the  altar;  tributes  thou  didst 
forego,  O  man  !  in  Jesus  the  Beloved  didst  place  thy  love.  In  vengeance  of 
high  Eoghan's  son,  Macdeoraidh  is  as  good  as  slain  by  me ;  lapped  in  his 
own  blood  shall  Macdeoraidh  lie,  that  butchered  thus  dear  Eoghan's  son. 
His  pious  clerkly  life  was  good  in  his  beautiful  yew-shaded  church ;  dear  was 
his  bead  of  hair  so  fair,  dear  is  his  corpse  and  well-beloved.  In  vengeance 
of  the  white-skinned  Cellach,  Maeldálua  is  as  good  as  fallen  by  my  hand ; 
in  this  foul  treason  if  Maelsenaigh  had  a  part,  he  too  is  fallen.  As  for 
Maelcróin — rare  as  the  gold  is,  I  would  give  it  to  Tiave  the  ruthless  slaying 
of  him." 

This  done  they  lifted  Cellach's  body  to  Dromore,  that  is 
called  Turlach  now ;  but  for  Guaire's  fear  [that  was  on  them] 
they  of  the  Turlach  would  not  suffer  that  it  should  be  laid  with 
them.  They  came  to  Liscallan ;  but  the  familia  of  Killcallan, 
as  dreading  Guaire,  endured  not  to  have  him  laid  with  them. 
Cuchongeilt  being  vexed  at  this  said  that  he  would  be  avenged 
on  them  for  their  denial ;  nor  were  they  gone  far  from  the  church 
when  they  beheld  the  same  ablaze  with  fire  (fire  fallen  from 
heaven)  that  flamed  on  high,  and  in  combustion  because  they 
yielded  not  to  take  in  Cellach's  body.  Since  which  time  there 
is  not  any  human  inhabiting  of  the  spot 

They  being  yet  there  saw  towards  them  two  wild  deer  with  a 
wain,  which  with  great  effort  they  drew  between  them  till  they 
came  abreast  of  the  body.  Amid  that  company  the  stags  laid 
their  bier  upon  the  ground,  and  to  all  of  them  that  which  they 
saw  enacted  thus  seemed  passing  strange ;  but  at  the  miracle 


62  5.  Cellack  of  Killala. 

which  for  holy  Cellach's  sake  was  wrought  by  God  they  were 
rejoiced  exceedingly.  On  the  bier  which  the  two  stags  had 
borne  they  laid  the  corpse,  then  moved  it  on  until  they  gained 
the  Eskers  in  the  west ;  there  they  perceived  a  church  with  a 
cell  contiguous,  at  which  cell's  door  the  deer  laid  the  body 
from  them  and  the  church-bells  pealed  of  themselves.  The 
clergy,  being  come  forth  and  standing  over  the  body,  enquired 
whose  it  might  be ;  and  when  they  learned  it,  for  his  soul's  rest 
they  sang  the  psalms  with  zeal.  A  bevy  of  angels  likewise, 
coming  down  from  Heaven,  did  honour  to  his  soul  and  to  his 
place  of  sepulture  on  earth.  Farther :  the  same  deer  came  daily 
and,  like  the  oxen,  ploughed.  Their  ploughing  done,  at  noon 
then  they  frequented  Cellach's  tomb  to  lick  it  Now  came 
Cuchongeilt  and,  standing  at  his  brother's  grave,  said  : — 

"After  my  brother  that  cherished  me,  sorrowing  and  wretched  I  stand 
here  ;  from  the  day  in  which  Eoghan's  son  ceased  to  live,  no  more  I  seek 
his  dwelling-place.  To  him  that  shewed  this  treason  shall  be  evil,  and  his 
high  abode  be  but  a  desert  after  him ;  he  that  in  the  eastward  butchered 
thee,  upon  the  Devil's  black  flagstones  he  shall  lie.  Woe  to  him  that  reposes 
trust  in  them  to  go  into  their  house,  or  that  confides  in  the  children  of  Cobthach's 
son  Colman  ;  the  deed  procured  by  Guaire  shall  subject  him  to  woe  of  misery 
eternal." 

Out  of  every  airt  in  Connacht  they  that  had  loved  Cellach 

and  had  been  friends  to  him  gathered  themselves  to  Cuchongeilt 

now,  so  that  in  one  spot  they  were  in  number  three  hundred 

armed  men  together.     He,  seeing  that  against  Guaire  he  might 

not  as  yet  find  favourable  path  of  war,  was  resolved  that  he 

would  go  to  Marcan  king  of  Hy-Many  and  of  Medraighe ;  from 

whom  accordingly  he  had  [guarantee  of]  protection  against  all 

Ireland.      Cuchongeilt  struck  his  hand  in  his,  and  for  twelve 

months  Marcan  billeted  his  people  ;  Cuchongeilt  himself  for  that 

space  of  time  being  in  Marcan's  house,  and  with  great  honour 

shewn  him.     But  now,  the  year  run  out,  Marcan  said  to  him : 

"  to-morrow,  Cuchongeilt,  depart ;  yet  is  not  churlishness  the 

cause  that  this  is  said  to  thee,  but  that  on  Guaire  we  may  not 

presume  so  far  as  to  retain  thee  longer  by  us ;"  and  Marcan 

uttered : — 

"  Thy  visit  to  my  house,  Cuchongeilt  son  of  Eoghan,  hath  been  good  ;  O 
ycllow-haircd  £oghan*s  son,  thine  increase  swelleth  as  a  flood  !  At  morning's 
prime  tt>-morrow  go  on  thy  way  bravely,  and  for  a  year  abide  with  them-*- 
with  Acdh  Sláinc's  noble  sons.     Prosperous  be  the  path  thou  takest,  O 


k. 


S.  Cellach  of  Killalai  63 

son  of  Eoghan,  generous  one  !  from  Marcan's  house  propitious  progress  have 
thou,  so  shall  thy  journey's  end  be  good." 

Eastward  over  Shannon  they  held  their  course  :  three  hundred 
men  all  told  ;  and  on  to  Tara  where  Dermot  was,  and  Bláthmac, 
Aedh  Sláine's  sons,  and  they  found  welcome.  Cuchongeilt's 
folk  were  quartered  abroad  over  the  tuatlia  of  Bregia ;  while  he 
and  a  part  of  his  confidentials  were  of  Bláthmac's  own  companion- 
ship, and  high  in  honour.  Now  Bláthmac  had  a  haughty  spinster 
daughter  (Aife  by  name)  betwixt  whom  and  Cuchongeilt  a 
wooing-match  began :  either  to  other  gave  a  mighty  love,  and 
they  were  very  few  that  at  the  time  had  any  inkling  of  the  court- 
ship. But  Cuchongeilt  chancing  of  a  day  to  play  chess  [with 
Bláthmac]  and  the  game  going  hard  against  him,  the  daughter 
came  and,  standing  over  her  father,  to  his  disadvantage  prompted 
the  other  to  a  move.  Bláthmac  scanning  her  keenly  said  :  "  thou 
art  zealous  to  prompt  against  me,  daughter,  and  the  game  hast 
taken  from  me;  truly  between  thee  and  Cuchongeilt  there  is 
friendship."  She  made  answer:  "nor  seek  I  to  conceal  it." 
"  Wherefore  then,  seeing  thou  acknowledgest  the  thing,  sought 
ye  riot  my  license?"  Cuchongeilt  said  :  "as  yet  we  have  done 
no  wrong,  nor,  but  by  thy  leave,  will  act  at  all."  "  That  being  so 
I  will  not  come  betwixt  you  and  your  love,  but  (many  as  be 
they  that  seek  her)  will  give  her  to  thee :  I  hold  thee  to  be  a 
son-in-law  sufficient  for  me."  The  wedding-feast  was  held  that 
night ;  they  slept  together,  and  between  them  for  a  space  all  was 
well ;  until  one  night,  Aife  and  Cuchongeilt  discoursing  gently, 
she  said  to  him  :  "  brave  though  thy  bodily  presence  be,  and  thy 
renown,  yet  that  thy  valour  is  so  poor,  thy  hardihood  so  puny,  is 
a  great  defect  in  thee."  "Whence  hast  thou  that?"  he  asked. 
"  From  thy  negligence  to  exact  vengeance  of  them  that  slew  thy 
brother."  "Thy  speech  is  good,  young  woman,"  he  rejoined, 
and  then  conceived  shame  for  that  which  his  wife  had  uttered  to 
him.  Cuchongeilt  being  early  risen  on  the  morrow  sent  to  his 
people  a  privy  message ;  out  of  all  quarters  they  flocked  in  to 
him  and,  he  surrounded  by  them  thus,  they  marched  out  of  the 
town.  With  the  design  to  stay  him,  Bláthmac  and  all  the  gentles 
of  the  fort  were  there ;  yet  would  not  Cuchongeilt  even  to  do  him 
pleasure  halt  In  Aife  this  bred  woful  grief,  and  on  all  men 
she  enjoined  that  they  should  hinder  him  of  setting  forth  :  "  for 


64  «S".  Cellach  of  Killala. 

if  Connacht's  women  see  him  they  will  love  him,  and  never  shall 
I  see  him  more."  Then,  when  she  might  not  restrain  him,  her 
heart  was  heavy  to  her  and  she  indited  : — 

"  Matter  of  grief  is  that  which  I  spoke :  I  have  reproached  a  crimeless 
man  ;  'tis  not  God's  Son  [but  mine  own  petulance]  that  hath  sent  Eoghan's 
son  to  roam.  Straightway  then  sorrow  filled  me,  my  strength  no  more  shall 
know  increase  ;  rather  than  abide  in  Bregia  I  would  depart  to  follow  after 
Cuchongeilt  The  man  of  challenges — prize-taker  in  all  conventions — I  fear 
for  him  ;  [fear]  that,  even  though  by  a  circuit  he  reach  his  country,  to  Guaire's 
snares  he  must  be  obnoxious  still.  Pleasure  I  will  no  more  practise — sorrow 
[henceforth]  hath  all  my  heart ;  to  me  my  death  undoubtedly  is  nearer  than 
to  another  is  [mere]  debility  of  sickness.  Alas  that  ever  he  came  to  Tara : 
he  that  to  maidens  is  gentle  and  benign  ;  and  readily  as  he  sets  out  now  for 
Guaire's  country,  the  time  will  come  when  he  shall  Imow  repentance. 

Touching  Cuchongeilt  and  his :  westwards  they  travelled 
athwart  the  tuatha  of  Bregia  and  of  Meath,  over  Shannon, 
through  Connacht,  and  so  into  Tirawley:  his  very  own  and 
proper  lands,  where  straightway  their  plight  was  one  of  hardship ; 
for  their  numbers  were  such  that  they  might  not  shift  to  hide 
themselves,  and  no  meat  at  hand.  Cuchongeilt  headed  for  a 
house  known  to  him  of  yore  in  glenn  mac  ú-Arann  in  the  west, 
into  which  house  that  night  they  fitted  all ;  and  in  it  Cuchon- 
geilt left  them  while  he  went  out  alone  to  scour  the  country. 
He  was  not  gone  far  when  there  he  saw  a  mighty  herd  of  swine, 
and  considered  them  until  he  spied  a  lusty  and  a  weighty  hog ; 
then  propelled  a  javelin  into  him,  and  so  killed  him.  Now  came 
the  swineherd  running  to  him,  and  enquired :  "  man,  wherefore 
hast  thou  killed  the  swine  that  was  not  thine?"  "A  longing  to 
slay  him  that  came  over  me,  for  I  hunger,"  Cuchongeilt  answered  ; 
but  the  swineherd  said  :  "  the  deed  that  thou  hast  done  will  breed 
thee  penitence  yet."  "Step  now  this  way  awhile  and  let  us 
speak  together,"  said  Cuchongeilt,  whom  the  young  man  for  his 
part  sought  to  shun,  but  could  not  compass  it  He  being  then 
in  Cuchongeilt's  power,  this  latter  questioned  him :  "  whose  are 
these  swine  ?  is  he  of  this  country  that  owns  them  ?"  The  swine- 
herd answered :  "  if  thou  be  indeed  of  Connacht's  province, 
strange  it  seems  to  me  thou  knowest  not  the  four  whose  is 
this  land :  Maelcróin,  Maeldálua,  Maelsenaigh  and  Macdeoraidh, 
condisciples  four  to  Cellach  son  of  Eoghan  Bel ;  for  all  in  general 
have  heard  how  by  him  this  country  was  made  over  to  them." 


S.  Cellach  of  Killala.  65 

"  Thy  words  are  true,"  Cuchongeilt  said  ;  but  he,  the  swineherd, 
stood  and  with  scrutiny  examined  him.  "  Why  starcst  thou  at 
me  so?"  "If  I  be  right,  and  long  as  it  is  since  last  I  looked  on 
thee,  thou  art  Eoghan  Bel's  son  Cuchongeilt"  "  The  recognition 
is  a  sure  one,"  assented  Cuchongeilt,  round  about  whose  neck 
the  young  man  clasped  his  arms  and  kissed  him  thrice;  then 
asked:  "and  know'st  thou  me?"  "Not  as  yet"  "I  am  that 
little  boy  whom  thou  wert  wont  to  see  with  thine  own  brother 
Cellach ;  and  God  I  thank  that  to  me  first  of  all  men  in  this 
country  he  hath  guided  thee.  But  hast  thou  a  company  ?  hast 
thou  people?"  "I  have  so;  in  quest  of  flesh  for  whom  I  am 
come  hither."  "What  is  their  number?"  "Three  hundred  that 
as  one  man  are  skilled  in  arms,  and  valiant."  "  And  for  whom  a 
hog  is  all  too  little,"  said  the  herd  :  "  but  lead  them  to  me  hither, 
that  of  the  swine  they  may  e'en  take  a  night's  sufficiency  for 
alL  Henceforth  I  am  of  thy  part,  and  am  he  that  for  the  time 
to  come  will  guide  thee  in  this  land,  and  will  deliver  it  into  thy 
hand,  and  instruct  thee  how  thou  shalt  reach  the  four  that  slew 
Cellach  thy  brother ;  for  they  are  in  Dun  fidhne  where  newly 
they  have  made  a  fort  with  four  doors  to  it,  a  door  for  every 
man  of  them :  Maeldálua,  Maelsenaigh,  Maelcróin,  and  Mac- 
deoraidh;  whom  up  to  this  day  their  Irachts  have  opposed. 
For  this  their  fort's  inauguration  then  I  will  convey  to  them  the 
swine,  and  take  likewise  a  store  of  rushes ;  none  the  less  kill  of 
the  porkers  so  many  as  shall  seem  sufficient"  Cuchongeilt 
answered :  "  I  will  go  with  thee ;  and  thy  load  of  rushes,  'tis  I 
will  carry  it"    "  I  am  well  pleased,"  said  the  herd. 

Away  they  went  then,  but  previously  Cuchongeilt  bade  his 
people  (their  meal  well  finished)  follow  after  him  ;  first  they  must 
let  the  night  grow  dark  upon  them,  and  then  (but  by  lone  and 
tangled  paths)  on  to  Dun  fidhne.  The  swineherd  with  his  hogs 
made  for  the  dún^  Cuchongeilt  being  his  companion :  with  his 
rush-load  on  his  back,  his  weapons  girt  about  him  and  well  hidden 
in  his  clothes.  To  such  as  questioned  him  :  "  who's  that  under 
the  load  ?"  the  herd  would  answer :  "  'tis  a  fellow-herd  of  mine." 
Day  being  ended  now,  Cuchongeilt's  people  [marched,  and  in 
time]  attained  the  fort's  vicinity,  where  as  yet  none  of  the 
swine  were  slaughtered.  Inside  the  company  carousing  were  in 
highest  glee ;  and  for  himself  and  for  his  people  each  man  of  the 


66  S.  Cellach  of  Killata. 

four  that  occupied  the  fort  had  an  especial  door.    Cuchongeilt 

(having  about  him  raiment  of  the  swineherd  and  accompanied 

by  him)  entered  into  the  dún^  and  on  the  floor  cast  down  his 

bundle;   then   in   the  midst   of  the  building  and  among  the 

ministers  of  the  feast  they  sate  them  down.     Into  Cuchongeilt's 

hand  the  swineherd  thrust  a  golden  drinking-horn ;  he  drank  a 

draught  out  of  it,  and  then  throughout  the  dwelling  studied  his 

foes  curiously.     He  said  to  the  swineherd  :  "  forth  of  this  house 

I  issue  not  to-night ;  but  depart  thou  and  fetch  our  people,  bring 

them,  for  these  all  are  foolish  now  and  merely  drunken."     Even 

as  Cuchongeilt  charged  him,  so  the  herd  went  away ;  and  back 

to  the  fort  led  the  others,  who  as  they  came  up  were  never 

marked  at  all  till  at  the  four  doors  at  once  they  stormed  into  the 

fort.     On  the  spot  were  taken  the  four  that  once  slew  Cellach 

son  of  Eoghan :  Maclcróin,  Maeldálua,  Maelsenaigh,  and  Mac- 

deoraidh,  round  about  whom  their  confidential  all  were  slain ; 

but  to  the  general  it  was  proclaimed  that  they  should  continue 

in  their  several  carousing  seats,  seeing  that  all  were  friends  to 

Cuchongeilt.     Up  and  down  among  them  he  and  his  people  sate 

after  their  enemies  destroyed,  and  until  morning  drank  and  made 

merry  with  them.     At  early  morn  they  rose  from  the  banquet, 

and  westwards  through  the  country  carried  off*  the  four  in  bonds : 

past  (but  not  very  far  past)  lee  turseair^  with  their  right  hand 

to  the  sea-resounding  Moy.     Thither  four  posts,  long  and  thick, 

were  brought  to  them  ;  the  four  were  laid  on  these  and,  they 

being  yet  alive,  their  limbs  lopped  from  them.     The  trunks  were 

hung  up  then,  and  they  so  choked  to  death ;   whence  ard  na 

rias:h  is  ever  since  the  designation  of  that  place  :  as  one  said  : — 

"  Opportune  are  these  executions,  O  Cuchongeilt  son  of  Eogan  1  of  Mael- 
dálua,  of  Maelcróin,  of  Maelsenaigh,  and  of  Macdeoraidh.  Death  violent 
and  mutilating  and  untimely,  and  the  hanging  up  then  of  their  carcases — my 
God  ^tis  blithe  to  speak  of  it,  for  torment  was  their  rightful  due.  Long  shall 
their  shame  endure  to  them,  aye,  until  advent  of  stroke-dealing  Doom  ;  their 
souls  are  with  the  Devil,  and  to  strangle  them  was  opportune." 

The  four  being  hanged  by  them  thus,  Cuchongeilt  entered 

into  Hy-Fiachrach's  land  and  (after  many  of  his  people  slain) 

assumed  power  over  them  and  took  their  pledges   [hostages} 

Henceforth   his   generosity's    and   his   valour's   fame   increased 

mightily,  and,  great  as  Guaire  was,  to  them  of  all  arts  and  sciences 

throughout  Ireland  Cuchongeilt  was  dearer  yet  than  he.     Over 


S.  Cellach  of  Killala.  67 

Tirawley  and  Hy-Fiachrach  of  the  North  he  there  and  then 
made  himself  supreme ;  while  in  the  south  Guaire  was  lord  of 
Hy-Fiachrach  AicUine,  Between  the  two  conflict  of  war  broke 
out  forthwith,  nor  were  it  feasible  to  set  forth  all  violence  and 
evil  that  by  Cuchongeilt  was  executed  upon  Guaire :  in  fine, 
between  them  both  it  wanted  but  little  of  both  Irachts'  extinction, 
or  even  of  the  whole  province  brought  to  an  end. 

Now  Guaire's  daughter  Gelghéis  was  so  that  she  was  deep  in 
love  with  Cuchongeilt,  for  which  love's  sake  she  ever  had  refused  to 
lie  with  man.  They  [the  two  kings]  being  wearied  with  the  war, 
Cuchongeilt  pressed  Guaire  for  his  daughter :  whom  Guaire  how- 
ever would  by  no  means  yield  to  give  him.  Howbeit  his  people 
(to  the  end  the  war  should  cease)  beseeching  Guaire  instantly,  he 
consented;  but  on  these  conditions:  himself  to  make  the  wedding- 
feast,  and  Cuchongeilt  to  come  to  his  house.  Cuchongeilt  would  not 
in  any  wise  agree  to  this,  so  that  for  a  great  while  they  made  war 
on  one  another  still,  and  up  to  such  time  as  Guaire  (in  order  to 
please  the  great  bulk  of  his  people)  must  needs  make  peace.  He 
then  thus  wearied  out,  Gelghéis  was  made  over  to  Cuchongeilt  and 
things  went  lovingly  between  them  ;  his  generous  reputation  at 
this  time  standing  high  in  Ireland.  But,  though  he  was  placable 
to  Guaire's  folk,  the  churches  of  his  land  he  desolated  ever,  which 
in  Guaire's  sight  was  an  evil  thing.  Therefore  the  treason  that 
Guaire  put  in  practice  was  this  :  to  seek  the  spot  where  just  then 
Kieran  of  Clonmacnoise  was  with  his  clergy ;  whom  he  would 
enjoin  to  go  and  (in  order  to  their  mutual  peace  and  amity) 
bring  back  Cuchongeilt ;  in  Kieran's  mouth  also  was  put  a  pro- 
mise to  Cuchongeilt :  that  would  he  but  come  into  Guaire's  house 
he  should  unopposed  be  chief  of  his  own  country.  Kieran 
found  Cuchongeilt  accordingly,  and  strenuously  exhorted  him 
not  to  let  slip  the  power  of  Connacht :  what  though  he  must 
adventure  himself  with  Guaire?  Gelghéis  as  well  persuading 
him ;  for  well  she  knew  that  Kieran  nursed  no  treachery,  nor 
could  she  surmise  that  Guaire  would  deal  guilefully  with  the 
saint  Against  his  natural  propensity  Cuchongeilt  [in  the  end] 
consented  to  bear  Kieran  company  thither  (they  also  being  many 
that  entreated  him  to  it)  and  he  uttered  : — 

"Although  I  be  escorted  with  a  hundred,  yet  loath  I  am  to  set  out  on  the 
way ;  but  come  I  back,  or  come  back  not,  it  is  more  befitting  that  I  go.    An 

F  2 


68  S.  Cellach  of  Killala. 

evil  vision  I  have  seen:  that  swine  of  Colman's  son  tore  me;  for  me  (should 
the  dream  prove  a  true  one)  the  matter  will  have  ill  event.  An  evil  vision  I 
have  seen :  that  swine  of  Colman's  son  rent  me ;  but  though  thereby  I  get  my 
death,  yet  will  I  not  be  slack  to  visit  him." 

Here  Cuchongeilt's  death  is  not  forthcoming,  but  that  is  not 
purposely  on  our  part  {scribes  note) : — 

With  a  company  of  which  Cuchongeilt  too  was  one,  Kieran 
came  to  Dúrlas  Guaire^  where  for  three  nights  they  were 
ministered  to  and  cared  for ;  and  then  in  Kieran's  presence  a 
bond  of  peace  between  Guaire  and  Cuchongeilt  was  entered  into. 
But  Kieran  having  now  left  the  town,  what  Guaire  plotted  was 
to  execute  a  parricidal  deed  on  his  kinsman,  on  his  son-in-law, 
and  on  a  foremost  saint  of  Ireland.  In  Dúrlas  Guaire  therefore, 
and  by  Guaire  son  of  Colman  son  of  Eochaidh,  was  wrought  out 
a  design  following  which  Eogan  Bel's  son  Cuchongeilt  was  there 
and  then  put  to  death as  one  said  : — 

God  having  permitted  it,  Eoghan's  dwelling-place  is  void  to-night ;  whe- 
ther of  timber  or  of  stone,  no  house  is  sprung  up  there ;  a  lonely  wilderness 
it  shall  be  ever.  A  protector  of  women  and  of  children  the  unconquered 
hero- warrior  was — a  leader  of  armed  bands,  of  bardic  companies — well  might 
all  men  obey  him.  He  was  good  to  ser\'e  his  friends*  necessity — of  largesse 
to  the  poets  he  was  prodigal — no  ale-drinker  in  backward  houses.  At  all 
times  he  desired  music  of  the  strings — the  cry  of  hounds  was  melody  to  him 
— in  a  great  mead-carousing  company  he  had  delight,  nor  e*er  consented  to 
a  feast  in  islands.  When  first  the  mother  happily  brought  forth  OlioU's 
grandson  Eoghan  Bel,  the  mouth  [i.e.  the  acclamation]  of  every  country 
round  about  welcomed  the  little  blue-eyed  thing.  Therefore  it  was  that  (as 
I  now  proclaim)  the  name  of  Eoghan  Bel  adhered  to  him;  to  Connacht's 
favourite,  and  to  Fiachra's  grandson  of  the  flowing  hair,  the  suffrage  of  all 
chiefs  was  given.  With  sixteen  years  completed  the  stripling's  bulk  sufficed 
him ;  and  upon  Hy-Fiachrach  thenceforth  no  man  adventured  raid  or  robbery. 
His  mind  inclined  to  Meath,  the  portion  of  Flann's  son — his  right  hand  was 
towards  Brendan's  fertile  rath— his  *  smooth  side'  [i.e.  his  amity]  towards 
Cruachan  of  poetic  companies— his  *  rough  side*  [i.e.  his  enmity]  turned  to 
them  of  Oriel.  He  revelled  in  the  attack  made  to  enforce  his  tribute  upon 
Oriel's  noble  men — in  despoiling  of  Eoghan's  seed,  and  in  checking  of  their 
federation.  Never  was  he  the  man  to  be  a  single  month — nor  at  any  time 
was  he  so  long  actually  -without  a  progress,  whether  by  land  or  else  by  sea, 
to  plunder  Conall's  progeny.  Yonside  of  Assaroe  upon  a  time  (and  a  gallant 
rush  it  was)  eastward  or  westward  Eoghan  left  not  with  Ulster  a  single  cow 
that  he  brought  not  into  Connacht.  Fury  fell  on  Niall's  noble  children, 
dwelling  and  martial  rage  occupied  them ;  from  the  dark  Drowes  to  Kesh- 
cornnn  of  the  hazel  woods  they  laid  all  waste.  At  which  time  Eoghan's 
strength  was  but  a  small  part  of  his  people :  there  where  he  was  (with  horses 


S,  Cellach  of  Killala.  69 

and  with  hounds,  with  langorous  women)  in  the  high  burg  of  01ioll*s  grand- 
son. He  (seeing  his  country's  preys  driven  past  him  on  their  way)  like  a 
mighty  and  a  raging  bull  went  into  them  [Ulster],  encountered  them.  From 
the  children  of  Niall  he  rends  their  prey,  but  he,  Hy-Fiachrach's  king,  him- 
self is  wounded ;  then  having  reachedhis  own  house  dies,  and  desert  isEoghan's 
home  to-night.  Desert  is  gentle  Cellach's  dwelling  too,  home  of  him  that 
by  point  of  weapon  mangled  lies ;  Eoghan's  son  being  beyond  all  controversy 
dead,  the  churches  of  Connacht  are  perished  away.  Gentle  Cellach's  dwell- 
ing-place is  desert,  he  being  torn  by  weapon's  points Desert 

Cuchongeilt's  habitation  is,  home  of  one  to  whom  whole  countries  gave  great 

love He  whom  the  Moy  did  most  affect :   [alas]  that  by 

Guaire's  violence  he  should  be  fallen  I  alas  for  her  whom  'twas  his  fate  to 
love,  woe  that  he  ever  gave  ear  to  Gelghéis !  Had  Kieran  but  known  all, 
ne'er  had  he  found  the  death  he  met — had  Brendan  of  pure  piety  but  known 

it,  or  mac  Duach Until  for  a  spell  he  had  denied  them  first, 

[to  Guaire's  house]  he  went  not  with  the  company — went  not  till  for  a  time 
they  perpetrated  fasting  on  him,  and  a  three  days'  abstinence  from  meat. 
To  Eoghan's  most  comely  son  said  Gelghéis  of  the  blooming  cheek :  *^  and 
wouldst  thou  then  deal  treasonably  with  the  honour  of  Ireland's  exalted 
saints  ?  Hadst  thou  to  Guaire  but  given* up  Ddrlas  and  the  level  marshland 
of  the  Moy,  thou  hadst  not  needed  now  to  go  into  his  house  with  guarantee 
of  saint  or  nemhtd.  Wit  and  wisdom  are  not  equal — not  equal  age  and 
hardihood — gentleness  and  affection  are  not  equal  in  you  and  in  clan- 
Colman."  Cuchongeilt  of  the  conventions  answered :  "  since  ye  desire  it,  and 
to  do  you  pleasure,  to  the  many-retinued  house  of  Colman's  son  I  will  repair." 
The  cleigy  and  Cuchongeilt  in  haste  equipped  them  and,  Cuchongeilt  lead- 
ing, held  straight  course  to  Dúrlas,  Though  Kieran  of  Cluain  were  a  man 
prone  to  wrath,  and  potent  as  were  Brendan's  miracles :  yet  never  a  look  Col- 
man's son,  the  destroyer,  cast  on  that  perfect  band  of  clerks  to  heed  them. 
Then  in  both  low  places  and  high  they  [of  Dúrlas]  wreak  the  slaughter ; 
so  that  at  long-haired  clan-Colman's  hands  Cuchongeilt,  as  was  ordained, 
perished.  Without  reprieve  they  banned  him  then,  those  saints  cursed  mur- 
derous Guaire :  his  life,  his  death,  they  blighted  both,  so  that  this  spot  is  void 
and  desert 


70  Aedk  Baclamk» 


A  Story  of  Aedh  Baclamh, 

Aer!h  Baclamh,  spear-bearer  of  Cerbhall's  son  Dermot  [the 
king] :  a  fit  of  heavy  sickness  took  him,  and  for  a  year  he  was 
in  a  wasting  of  continued  illness  ;  but  recovered  health  then  and 
went  to  confer  with  Dermot,  to  whom  he  said :  "  for  this  year 
past  that  I  am  lying  down,  how  goes  the  order  of  thy  discipline 
and  peace  ? "  Dermot  said :  ^  I  perceix-e  not  any  imminution 
that  it  suffers."  "  There  is  a  thing  whereby  I  will  discover  that," 
said  Acdh  Baclamh  :  "  I  carrying  thy  spear  laid  crosswise  in  the 
bend  of  both  my  arms  will  traverse  Ireland  obliquely,  west  and 
south  about,  until  I  reach  the  door  of  e\'ery  liss  in  Ireland,  and 
over  their  thresholds  carry  in  the  spear  transversely ;  so  shall  the 
regimen  and  peace  of  Ireland  be  ascertained." 

From  Tara  therefore  Aedh  Baclamh  (and  with  him  the  king 
of  Ireland's  herald  to  proclaim  Ireland's  peace)  arrived  in  the 
province  of  Connacht,  where  he  made  his  way  to  the  mansion  of 
Acdh  Guaire  of  Kinelfechin  in  Hy-Many.  He  [at  the  time]  was 
so  that  round  about  his  fortalice  he  had  a  stockade  of  red  oak, 
and  had  a  new  house  too  that  was  but  just  built,  with  a  view  to 
his  wife's  marriage-feast  Now  a  week  before  Aedh  Baclamh's 
arrival  the  other  had  heard  that  he  was  on  his  way  to  him,  and 
enjoined  to  make  an  opening  before  him  in  the  palisade  [but  not 
in  the  dwelling]. 

Acdh  Baclamh  came  accordingly,  and  Aedh  Guaire  gave  him 
welcome.  Acdh  Baclamh  said  that  the  house  must  be  hewn 
[f;pcn  to  the  right  width]  before  him.  "  Give  thine  own  orders 
according  as  it  may  please  thee  to  have  it  hewn,"  Aedh  Guaire 
said,  and  (even  as  he  uttered)  dealt  him  a  sword-stroke  and  so 
toi>k  off  his  head. 

Now  in  this  time  the  discipline  of  Ireland  was  such  that,  who- 
soever killed  a  man  void  of  offence,  nor  cattle  nor  other  valuable 
consideration  might  be  taken  in  lieu  of  him  [the  slain]  but, 
unless  only  the  king  of  Ireland  should  ordain  or  else  permit 
such  to  be  accepted  for  him,  he  [the  slayer]  must  himself  be  put 
to  death. 


Aedk  Baclamh.  71 

When  Dermot  had  heard  of  the  killing  he  sent  his  young 
men  and  his  executive  to  waste  and  to  spoil  Aedh  Guaire : 
who  fled  to  bishop  Senan,  for  it  was  the  one  mother  they  had. 
Senan  the  bishop  again  goes  with  him  to  Ruadhan  of  Lorrha,  for 
it  was  two  sisters  to  Ruadhan  that  had  nursed  bishop  Senan  : 
Gael  and  Ruadhnait  were  their  names.  Aedh  Guaire  found  no 
sanctuary  with  Ruadhan,  however,  but  was  banished  away  into 
Britain,  where  he  was  for  a  year ;  and  thither  Dermot's  people 
came  to  demand  him,  so  that  again  he  was  sent  to  Ruadhan. 
Dermot  came  himself  to  Ruadhan  to  require  him,  but  the  saint 
had  him  put  into  a  hole  of  the  earth  which  to-day  is  called  poll 
Ruadltdiny  Le.  *  Ruadhan's  Pit'  Dermot  sent  his  lad  to  ransack 
Ruadhan's  kitchen  to  see  whether  Aedh  Guaire  were  in  it  but, 
the  lad  being  entered  into  the  kitchen,  his  eyes  were  blinded 
presently.  When  Dermot  saw  him  so,  he  in  his  turn  went  into 
the  kitchen  ;  but  found  not  Aedh  Guaire  there,  and  asked 
Ruadhan  where  he  was  (for  he  opined  that  Ruadhan  would  not 
tell  a  lie).  Ruadhan  answered  :  "  I  know  not,  unless  that  he  be 
under  yon  thatch." 

Dermot  returns  home  now ;  but  on  the  way  remembers  the 
cleric's  word  and  so  turns  back  again,  goes  into  the  reclusorium, 
and  sees  a  candle  being  carried  to  the  place  in  which  is  Aedh 
Guaire :  to  fetch  whom  he  sends  yet  another  that  is  a  confidential 
lad  to  him  (Donnan  Donn  was  the  lad's  name)  and  he  excavates 
the  place  of  hiding,  but  the  arm  that  he  extends  to  take  Aedh 
withers  up  to  the  shoulder ;  whereupon  he  makes  obeisance  to 
Ruadhan,  they  both  [i.e.  he  and  his  fellow  that  was  blinded] 
remain  with  him,  and  from  that  time  to  this  are  in  Pollruane. 
Then  Dermot  carries  off  Aedh  Guaire  to  Tara. 

Ruadhan  repairs  to  the  elder  Brendan,  of  Birr,  and  to  Ireland's 
twelve  apostles ;  they  both  [accompanied  by  the  rest]  follow 
Dermot  to  Tara,  and  that  night  fast  upon  him  ;  while  he,  relying 
on  his  kingly  quality  and  on  the  justice  of  his  cause,  fasts  on 
them  (in  which  night  the  sons  of  *  Tara's  twelve  Pillars,'  that 
were  with  the  king's  steward,  died  ;  but  on  the  morrow,  the 
steward  adjuring  him  to  it  in  God's  name,  Ruadhan  brings  them 
to  life  again). 

In  such  fashion,  and  to  the  end  of  a  year,  they  continued  before 
Tara  gnder  Ruadhan's  tent,  exposed  to  weather  and  to  wet; 


72  Aedh  Baclamh. 

they  [i.e.  either  party]  being  every  second  night  without  food : 
Dermot  and  the  clergy,  that  fasted  on  each  other. 

Where  [the  other]  Brendan  (Finnlogh's  son)  was  at  the  time 
was  in  exploration  of  the  sea,  in  quest  of  the  Promised  Land  ; 
and  an  angel  showed  him  that  Ireland's  twelve  apostles  were 
before  Tara,  contending  with  the  king  of  Erin,  who  had  just 
done  violence  to  Ruadhan.  Brendan  came  from  the  sea  now 
and  landed  at  dun  Rosarach^  where  he  abode  that  night  and 
then  blessed  the  dun,  Howbeit,  whenever  Dermot  heard  of 
Brendan's  arrival,  and  how  he  came  to  succour  the  saints  and 
clergy,  great  fear  took  him  ;  in  so  much  that  he  said  to  the 
saints :  "  were  ye  to  give  me  fifty  horses,  blue-eyed  and  with 
golden  bridles,  I  would  yield  you  up  Aedh  Guaire."  This  came 
to  Brendan's  ears  ;  he  summons  fifty  seals,  turns  them  into  the 
forms  of  [so  many]  horses,  and  drives  them  before  him  to  the 
green  of  Tara,  Then  it  was  that  the  clergy  and  all  Tara's  host 
welcomed  Brendan,  who  fell  to  narrate  to  them  all  the  hardship 
of  the  sea  ;  and  to  the  hosts  of  Tara  Brendan's  utterance  was 
sweet.  He  enquired  of  Dermot  whether  in  lieu  of  Aedh  Guaire 
he  would  accept  cattle  or  other  consideration.  "  I  will  accept," 
Dermot  said,  **  yon  fifty  blue-eyed  horses  ;  but  on  condition  that 
one  shall  guarantee  them  to  me  for  a  year  and  a  quarter."  So 
the  horses  were  made  over  to  Dermot,  and  the  cleric  went 
security  for  them  for  that  time.  [Which  being  now  run  out]  the 
horses  one  day  raced  on  Tara's  green,  and  the  riders  Qudging 
their  speed  to  be  insufficient)  plied  them  with  their  horse-rods, 
at  which  they  became  frantic ;  nor  could  a  pull  be  got  at  them 
before  they,  taking  their  riders  with  them,  dived  into  [lit  *  put 
their  heads  under  *]  the  sea,  and  both  parties  of  them  [men  and 
horses]  were  turned  into  seals.  Dermot  was  wroth  at  this,  went 
into  Tara,  and  Tara's  seven  lisses  were  shut  on  him  to  the  end 
the  clergy  should  not  enter  into  Tara,  and  lest  therein  they 
should  leave  malevolence  and  evil  bequests. 

Then  meat  and  ale  were  given  them ;  and  people  were  assigned 
to  wait  on  them,  also  to  keep  watch  and  ward  over  them  until  in 
their  presence  the  clergy  should  have  veritably  and  effectively 
accomplished  the  act  of  consuming  and  of  eating.  But  that 
night  Brendan  counselled  them  thus :  their  hoods  to  be  about 
their  heads,  and  they  to  let  their  meat  and  drink  pass  their  lips 


Aedh  Baclamh.  73 

down  into  the  bosoms  of  their  frocks  and  so  to  the  ground^  which 
they  did.  It  was  reported  to  the  king  that  the  clergy  partook 
heartily  of  meat  and  liquor ;  he  therefore  ate  meat  that  night, 
while  in  the  same  the  clergy  fasted  on  him  by  stratagem. 

Now  Dermot's  wife  (Mughain  the  woman  was)  saw  a  dream, 
which  dream  was  this:  that  upon  Tara's  green  was  a  vast  and 
wide-foliaged  tree,  and  eleven  slaves  hewing  at  it ;  but  every  chip 
that  they  knocked  from  it  would  return  into  its  place  again  and 
there  adhere  [i.e.  be  incorporated  as  before]  instantly,  till  at  last 
there  came  one  man  that  dealt  the  tree  but  a  stroke,  and  with 
that  single  cut  laid  it  low ;  and  the  poet  pronounced  a  lay : — 

The  wife  of  Tara's  king  of  the  heavy  torques  beheld  an  evil  dream  .  .  . 

As  for  Dermot  son  of  Cerbhall :  after  that  dream  he  rose  early, 
so  that  he  heard  the  clergy  chant  their  psalms,  and  he  entered 
into  the  house  in  which  they  were.  "Alas,"  he  said,  "for  the 
iniquitous  contest  that  ye  have  waged  against  me :  seeing  it  is 
Ireland's  good  that  I  pursue,  and  to  preserve  her  discipline  and 
royal  right;  but  'tis  Ireland's  *unpeace'  and  murderousness  that  ye 
endeavour  after.  For  God  himself  it  is  that  on  such  or  such  an 
one  confers  the  orders  of  prince,  of  righteous  ruler,  and  of  equi- 
table judgment,  to  the  end  he  shall  maintain  his  truthfulness,  his 
princely  quality,  and  his  governance.  Now  that  to  which  a  king 
is  bound  is  to  have  mercy  coupled  with  stringency  of  law,  and 
peace  maintained  in  the  tuatfiUy  and  pledges  [hostages]  in  fetters; 
to  succour  the  wretched,  but  to  overwhelm  enemies ;  and  to 
banish  falsehood,  for  unless  on  this  hither  side  one  do  the  King 
of  Heaven's  will,  no  excuse  is  accepted  from  him  yonder.  And 
thou,  Ruadhan,"  said  Dermot :  "  through  thee  it  is  that  injury  and 
rending  of  my  sway,  and  of  mine  integrity  to  Godward,  is  come 
about;  and  I  pray  God  that  thy  diocese  be  the  first  in  Ireland 
that  shall  be  renounced,  and  thy  church-lands  the  first  that  shall 
be  impugned."  Ruadhan  retorted:  "rather  may  thy  dynasty 
come  to  nought,  and  none  that  is  son  or  grandson  [i.e.  lineal 
descendant]  to  thee  establish  himself  in  Tara  for  ever."  Dermot 
said :  "be  thy  church  desolate  continually."  Ruadhan  said :  "deso- 
late be  Tara  for  ever  and  for  ever."  Dermot  said  :  "  may  a  limb 
of  thy  limbs  be  wanting  from  thee  that  it  accompany  thee  not 
under  ground,  and  mayest  thou  moreover  lack  an  eye."  "  Have 
thou  before  death  an  evil  face  [Le.  a  repulsive  aspect]  in  sight  of 


74  Aedh  Baclamh. 

all ;  may  thine  enemies  prevail  over  thee  mightily ;  and  the  thigh 
that  thou  liftedst  not  before  me  to  stand  up,  be  the  same  mangled 
into  pieces."  Dermot  said :  "the  subject-matter  anent  which  our 
contention  is  [i.e.  Aedh  Guaire]  take  ye  away  with  you ;  but  in  thy 
church,  Ruadhan,  may  the  alarm-cry  sound  at  nones  always,  and 
even  though  all  Ireland  be  at  peace  be  thy  church's  precinct  a 
scene  of  war  continuously."  And  from  that  time  to  this  the  same 
is  fulfilled. 

Upon  Dermot  then  came  great  repentance  for  having  pitted 
his  wrath  against  the  clergy,  and  he  uttered  this  lay  below : — 

Woe  to  him  that  with  the  clergy  of  the  churches  battle  joins  . . . 


Cerbhall's  son  Dermot  was  once  upon  a  time,  and  the  official 
panegyrists  lauded  the  king,  his  peace,  and  all  his  excellent  ways. 

Black  Aedh  son  of  Araidhe  was  there,  in  front  of  Beg  mac  Dé 
(now  Dermot  it  was  that  had  slain  Araidhe  of  Ulster,  but  had 
taken  to  bring  up  his  son  Black  Aedh).  Beg  dixit :  "  I  see  the 
valiant  wolf-dog  that  shall  spoil  the  brilliant  mansion."  "  Beg," 
said  Aedh,  "  what  hound  is  that  ?  "  "  It  might  chance  to  be  thy- 
self." "Why  how  should  that  be?"  asked  Dermot  "Easily 
enough :  this  hand  of  Black  Aedh's  it  is  that  in  the  house  of 
Banbhan  and  of  Bainbhsech  [his  wife]  shall  to  thy  lips  administer 
a  poisonous  draught,  there  being  about  thee  at  the  same  time  a 
shirt  woven  of  flax  grown  from  one  seed,  and  a  mantle  of  a  single 
sheep's  wool ;  in  thy  horn  :  ale  brewed  from  one  grain  of  com  ; 
and  on  thy  dish :  bacon  of  a  pig  that  never  was  farrowed."  Dermot 
said :  "  so  long  as  I  am  alive  he  [Black  Aedh]  shall  not  be  in 
Ireland."  All  cried  out :  "  kill  him  ! "  "  Nay,"  said  Dermot,  "but 
he  shall  be  expelled  out  of  Ireland."  So  Black  Aedh  is  banished 
into  the  land  of  Scotland. 

Dermot  was  one  day  that  he  saw  a  warrior  enter  into  the 
house  to  him :  "  whence  art  thou  come  ?  "  he  asked.  "  Not  from 
any  great  distance  [the  new-comer  answered] ;  come  that  thou 
mayest  pass  a  night  with  me  as  my  guest"  "Good,"  quoth  Dermot, 
"say  so  much  to  Mughain."  She  replied:  "so  long  as  I  am  alive 
upon  no  invitation  go  I."  For  all  that  they  [the  rest  of  them] 
accompany  Banbhan  [for  he  it  was]  to  Rath  Bhig^  in  which  (after 
they  were  set  down)  they  saw  on  the  floor  of  the  house  apart  a 


Aedh  Baclamh.  75 

gentle  and  a  beautiful  young  woman  [charged]  with  a  bundle  of 
excellent  apparel.  "  Whence  the  woman  ?**  enquired  Dermot  "A 
daughter  to  me  she  is,"  said  Banbhan  :  "  good  now,  woman,"  he 
went  on  to  his  daughter,  "  hast  thou  there  raiment  for  Dermot  ?  " 
"I  have  so,"  replied  the  woman;  and  out  of  the  bag  that  she  had 
drew  a  shirt,  with  a  mantle,  which  he  takes  about  him  [i.e.  puts 
on].  "  Tis  a  good  shirt,"  said  all.  "  A  good  shirt  it  is,  of  one 
grain  of  flax-seed,"  said  Banbhan  :  "  a  fanciful  daughter  of  ours  is 
yonder  damsel,  and  she  it  was  that  procured  to  set  a  single  flax- 
seed of  which  she  made  a  strike,  and  so  on  till  eventually  her  sow- 
ing became  a  ridge."  "  *Tis  a  good  mantle,"  said  all.  "  It  is  good," 
Banbhan  answered,  "and  of  one  sheep's  wool  it  was  made."  After 
this  meat  and  liquor  were  given  them.  "  Tis  good  bacon,"  said 
all.  "Good  it  is,"  returned  Banbhan,  "being  as  it  is  of  the  bacon 
of  a  porker  that  never  was  farrowed."  "  How  so?"  they  asked. 
"  Soon  said,"  he  answered :  "  certain  swine  that  were  with  pig 
and  they  took  knives  to  them,  so  that  the  piglings  (and  they 
alive)  were  extracted  out  of  them  and  then  fattened."  "  Good  ale," 
said  all.  "  Good  it  is,"  said  Banbhan,  "  though  it  be  but  a  sample 
of  ale  from  a  single  grain  of  wheat  [as  thus] :  of  a  day  that  I 
went  out  to  inspect  the  ploughing  I  killed  a  wood-pigeon ;  in  his 
crop  was  found  a  grain,  what  corn  [it  was]  was  unknown  ;  it  was 
committed  to  a  ridge,  and  from  it  in  due  course  there  sprang  a 
sicklefuU,  so  that  this  is  its  grain  and  this  its  ale  here. 

Dermot  looked  up  after  that :  "  the  lower  part  of  this  house  is 
new,"  said  he,  "  but  its  upper  part  is  not  fresh."  "  It  was  of  a 
time,"  Banbhan  said,  "when  we  went  in  currachs  to  take  fish, 
that  we  saw  the  ridgebeam  of  a  house  [come  floating]  towards  us 
on  the  sea ;  and  under  that  beam  a  house  was  built  by  me  [i.e.  I 
built  a  house  and  used  that  beam  in  the  roof]."  "  True  it  is," 
said  Dermot :  "  that  is  the  ridgebeam  of  my  house  which  I  caused 
to  be  thrown  into  the  sea ;  and  what  Ireland's  saints  prognosti- 
cated for  me  was  that  until  all  these  sure  tokens  should  be  [i.e. 
coincide]  for  me  I  should  not  have  death :  for  which  reason  it  was 
that  I  cast  the  beam  into  the  sea."  Also  with  the  same  glance 
that  Dermot  threw  at  the  beam  he  saw  a  small  herd,  red-headed, 
with  white  stars,  that  grazed ;  and  that  was  matter  of  prohibi- 
tion to  him.  "  Come  ye,  let  us  go  our  ways  out,"  said  Dermot. 
!'  By  no  means,"  quoth  Suibhne's  son  Black  Aedh  [meeting  him 


76  Death  of  King  Dertnot. 

in  the  doorway^  for  he  was  even  then  returned  from  Scotland 
whither,  after  [pubh'c]  dishonour  done  him  in  the  convention  of 
Taillte,  he  was  banished  by  Dermot 

The  house  is  taken  upon  Dermot  now,  and  burnt  over  his  head ; 
he  does  earnest  penitence,  dies,  and  (he  having  thus,  according  as 
Brendan  prognosticated  to  Flann  of  the  Monastery,  had  punish- 
ment on  this  hither  side)  went  to  heaven  ;  as  one  said  : — 

'*  Black  Aedh  of  the  imposts,  Suibhne's  son,  was  Ulidia's  honourable  king: 
he  it  was  (and  this  is  no  blind  darkling  m>'stery)  that  slew  Dermot  son  of 
CerbhalL" 


This  is  tJu  Death  of  Dermot  son  of  Fergus  Cerrbeoil  as 

the  Book  of  Sligo  tells  it. 

It  was  when  by  Tuathal  Maelgarb  once  Fergus  Cerrbeoil's 
son  Dermot  was  driven  into  banishment  on  loch  Ree  and  on 
Shannon  : — Now  in  that  same  time  it  was  that  Ciardn  mac  an 
tsaoir  came  to  Druim  tibrat  (the  spot  where  Clonmacnoise  stands 
to-day)  to  found  his  monastery.  With  eight  upon  the  loch 
Kieran  travelled,  but  with  bi^-elve  hundred  on  land.  A  fire  is 
kindled  by  the  clergy. 

Where  Dermot  in  his  banishment  was  just  then  was  at  sndmh 
dd  en  (that  is  to  say :  t\v'o  birds  that  Nar  son  of  Conall  Cer- 
nach's  son  Finncha  killed  there  on  Eistine  the  Amazon's  shoulder, 
whence  it  is  named  sndmh  dd  A,  Le.  'two  birds'  swimming- 
place  ').  Said  his  wizards  to  Dermot :  "  the  purpose  for  which 
yon  fire  is  kindled  to-night  is  such  that  it  never  will  be  quenched." 
"  Verily  it  shall  be  even  now  [that  the  quenching  will  be  done]," 
Dermot  said,  as  the  boats  came  to  Port-grencha,  where  Tipra 
Finghin  is  to-day. 

There  it  was  that  the  cleric  was  in  act  to  plant  a  church. 
"  What  is  the  work  thou  doest  ?  "  Dermot  asked.  "  To  build  a 
little  church,"  Kieran  answered.  "That  might  as  well  be  its 
name :  eglais  bheg,  i.e.  *  little  church.' "  "  Thrust  in  the  upright 
with  me,"  Kieran  said  to  Dermot,  "  and  [as  we  do  it]  suffer  my 
hand  to  be  put  over  thine ;  so  shall  thy  hand  and  thy  royal  rule 
ere  this  time  after  to-morrow  have  been  imposed  on  the  men  of 


Death  of  King  Dermot.  7  7 

Ireland."  "  How  will  that  be  effected ;  for  Tuathal  rules  over 
Ireland  and  I  am  driven  out  ? "  Kieran  replied :  "  that  is  a 
matter  for  God." 

Dermot's  foster-brother,  Maelmar  ú  Argata^  went  [at  the  time 
predicted]  to  the  place  where  Tuathal  was,  at  Grellach-eilte  south- 
east of  Ros-echy  and  into  Tuathal's  breast  drove  a  spear  so  that 
he  left  him  lifeless  :  a  deed  for  which  Maelmór  is  himself  killed 
presently,  and  hence  the  tale  called  echtra  M/iaeilmhair,  i.e.  *  the 
romance  of  Maelmór '  (now  Maelmór  was  of  the  Hy-Conall  of 
Murthemny,  and  third  foster-brother  to  Dermot :  Luchtaof^/A- 
fema  and  Enna  mac  ú  Laighse  were  the  others).  Hereupon, 
before  it  was  a  week's  end,  the  men  of  Ireland  inaugurated 
Dermot  king. 

By  Dermot  and  by  the  men  of  Ireland  the  great  congregation 
of  Usnach  is  held  now  at  Beltane  ;  for  at  that  time  Ireland's 
three  high  gatherings  were  these :  the  congregation  of  Usnach, 
at  Beltane ;  the  convention  of  Taillie,  at  Lammas ;  the  feast  of 
Tara,  at  sam/iain  [All-Hallows] ;  and  whosoever  of  the  men  of 
Ireland  should  have  transgressed  these,  the  same  [I  say]  that 
should  have  violated  this  their  ordinance,  was  guilty  of  death. 

From  Dermot  to  Kieran  comes  a  message  procuring  him  to 
join  the  gathering,  and  the  king  himself  proceeds  to  Cnoc-brecdin 
to  receive  him  ;  there  he  made  halt  to  wait,  whence  tulach  na 
comnaidhe  [i.e.  *  hill  of  halting']  is  denominated.  Kieran  repaired 
to  him  accordingly.  "  Why,  how  now,"  Dermot  said :  "  since 
here  it  is  that,  for  the  first  time  since  I  by  thy  benediction 
attained  to  the  kingdom,  we  are  met  now ;  be  this  stretch  of 
land  as  it  is  (with  its  oxen  and  with  its  kine)  made  over  to 
thee  by  way  of  *  altar-sod.'"  But  in  this  same  plain  was  one  that 
was  an  enemy  to  the  king :  Flann,  son  of  Dima  (from  whom 
tulach  DMtna  or  tulach  Fhlainn  is  named).  The  king  [find- 
ing himself  in  the  neighbourhood]  has  Dima's  house  burnt, 
and  within  it  the  owner  is  wounded  sore ;  which  warrior  [seek- 
ing to  evade  the  flames]  gets  into  a  bathing-vat  that  is  in  the 
dwelling,  and  there  expires.  "  Right  soon  thou  hast  trans- 
gressed thy  covenant,"  Kieran  said  to  Dermot,  "  seeing  that  in 
the  matter  of  the  land  thou  grantedst  us  thou  hast  already  done 
us  violence.  Yet  in  any  case,"  he  went  on,  "  nor  from  thyself 
nor  from  thy  children  will  I  take  either  Heaven  or  Earth  [i.e. 


78  Death  of  King  Dermot. 

joys  of  the  one,  temporal  possessions  of  the  other] ;  but  the 
violent  death  which  he  there  hath  gotten  by  thee,  that  shall  be 
the  very  one  which  thou  too  shalt  have :  to  be  wounded,  and 
drowned,  and  burnt"  "  Cleric,"  said  Dermot,  "I  am  terrified: 
thine  own  assessment  I  award  thee  in  satisfaction  of  the  deed." 
"  Nay,"  the  cleric  answered  :  "  the  missile  that  I  have  delivered, 
by  that  same  I  may  myself  be  hurt  to  death  if  it  fall  not  out  so." 
And  hence  it  was  that  Dermot's  death  was  indeed  brought  about 
as  had  been  promised. 

The  two  of  them,  king  and  cleric,  repaired  to  Usnach,  joined 
the  congregation  of  the  men  of  Erin,  and  there  they  were  for 
a  fortnight  In  which  meeting  a  mighty  thirst  [i.e.  drought] 
afflicted  them  ;  so  that  their  human  were  in  strait  peril,  and  their 
four-footed  perished  largely.  Then  they  had  recourse  to  Kieran, 
to  find  them  succour.  Kieran  made  prayer,  and  there  came  then 
a  wet  [i.e.  rain]  that  in  token  of  the  miracle  left  twelve  main 
streams  in  Ireland  ;  whence  it  is  that  Kieran  is  entitled  to  a 
general  cess  throughout  Ireland.  In  presence  of  the  men  of 
Ireland  there  Dermot  made  obeisance  to  Kieran,  and  settled  on 
him  his  own  service  and  his  children's  for  ever. 

Following  which  again  at  Lammastide  Kieran  was  in  the 
convention  of  Taillte^  where  he  worked  wonders  many,  and 
miracles  exceeding  great  There  too  it  was  that  this  prodigy 
was  operated,  viz.  a  man  that  took  a  perjured  oath  :  and  in  con- 
sequence there  came  a  running  ulcer  in  his  neck,  whereby  his 
head  fell  off  him  ;  so  that  in  presence  of  the  Men  of  Ireland  he 
went  about  in  the  gathering  and  he  without  a  head.  Which 
man  was  the  hactic  whom  for  a  length  of  time  (for  seven  years, 
that  is  to  say)  the  monks  had  in  Cluain. 

After  this,  for  a  long  period  Dermot  reigned  in  Ireland  ; 
neither  came  there  in  those  times  a  king  that  was  grander,  that 
was  more  revered,  or  that  in  figure  and  in  face,  in  wisdom,  in 
speech,  in  royal  rule,  was  more  excellent  than  he. 

It  was  once  upon  a  time  that  Dermot  feasted : — Mughain, 
daughter  of  Concraidh  mac  Duach  of  the  Eoganacht  of  Cashel, 
was  at  his  hand — she  that  was  mother  of  Dermot's  son  Aedh, 
which  same  Aedh  Slaine  she  carried  at  the  time.  They  then, 
so  many  as  had  been  at  the  carouse,  stepped  abroad  upon  the 
green  to   cool   themselves   and,  as  they  were  there,  saw  draw 


Death  of  King  Derntot.  79 

near  them  on  the  sward  Dermot's  nephew,  Suibne  son  of  Colman 
More.  A  hundred  riders,  that  was  his  number :  dark  grey 
mantles  with  clasps  of  silver  wrapped  one  half  of  the  troop,  and 
about  the  other  were  crimson  cloaks  with  fringes  of  gold  and 
silver ;  under  one  half  of  the  band  were  dark  grey  horses,  and 
white  under  the  other ;  fifty  greyhounds  they  had  with  bronze 
chains  on  them,  and  all  had  bossy  shields  slung.  Even  as 
Suibne  entered  the  assembly,  the  woman  (Mughain  namely) 
uttered  a  loud  inarticulate  cry  that  was  heard  throughout  all 
the  company.  "  Woman,  what  may  this  be  ? "  Dermot  asked  : 
"  is  it  on  the  lad  just  come  thy  mind  is  bent  ?  "  Said  Beg  mac 
Dé  :  "  thou  art  indeed  no  prophet ;  but  thou  hast  a  seer."  "  Dis- 
cover the  matter  then,  since  thou  art  a  prophet."  "  I  know  it," 
said  Beg :  *'  the  son  that  the  woman  carries,  he  it  is  that  shall 
slay  yonder  stripling."  That  was  true :  Aedh  Slaine  did  [after- 
wards] kill  Suibne,  who  left  a  son  (Conall  mac  Suibne)  and  he 
again  slew  Aedh  Slaine.  It  was  concerning  this  that  a  quatrain 
was  uttered  : — 

^  Not  aright  do  some  of  the  young  men  cast  up  their  accounts  :  it  was 
Conall  that  slew  Aedh  Slaine  because  Aedh  Slaine  had  slain  Suibne.'' 

That  is  to  say  :  Conall  mac  Suibne,  he  killed  Aedh  Slaine  at 
Loch  Sewdy ;  Aedh  Gustan,  he  in  the  one  day  slew  Aedh  Buie 
king  of  Teffia,  and  Aedh  Róin  king  of  Offaly  in  bruidlien  Dáchoga ; 
and  this  was  the  first  fratricide  of  clan -Colman  and  of  Aedh 
Slaine's  seed,  i.e.  Aedh  Slaine  to  kill  his  kinsman,  Suibne  son  of 
Colman  ;  and  Suibne's  son  Conall  to  kill  him  in  lieu  of  it. 

Now  that  same  Beg  mac  Dé,  'tis  he  was  the  best  seer  that 
was  in  his  time ;  he  too  it  was  that  to  certain  three  just  issued 
out  of  Tara  said  a  cunning  thing :  "  good  now,"  the  three  had 
said,  "  so  hither  Beg  comes  to  us  ;  we  will  e'en  say  something  to 
him  :  Beg,  all  hail ! "  "  Tis  well,"  quoth  Beg.  "  How  long  will 
there  be  dwellers  in  the  fort  out  of  which  we  come  ? "  asked  the 
first  man  of  them.  "What  is  the  river's  depth?"  said  the  second. 
"  What  is  the  thickness  of  bacon-fat  this  year  ?  "  asked  the  third 
man.  "  Pas  go  tain  amárach^*  answered  Beg.  He  it  was  that 
spoke  with  nine  at  once,  and  delivered  them  a  single  discourse 
that  satisfied  [i.e.  answered  and  resolved]  their  nine  discourses 
addressed  to  him.  Yet  again  he  it  was  that  in  Tara  enunciated 
to  Dermot  son  of  Cerbhall  (what  time  the  official  panegyrists 


8o  Death  of  King  DermoL 

lauded  the  king,  his  peace  and  his  good  ways)  as  thus :  Black 
Aedh  son  of  Suibne,  i.e.  son  of  the  king  of  Dalaradia,  was  in  front 
of  Beg  mac  Dé  (now  it  was  Dermot  that  had  slain  that  Suibne, 
and  taken  his  son  Aedh  mac  Suibne  to  rear),  and  Beg  said : 
"  I  see  the  gallant  wolfdog  that  shall  spoil  the  brilliant  man- 
sion." "What  hound  is  that,  Beg?"  asked  Aedh.  "A  cú  ruadh 
[wolf] — some  cú  or  other — it  might  well  be  thyself,"  Beg  replied. 
"  How  could  that  be  ?  "  queried  Dermot  "  Easily  said  :  that 
hand  of  Black  Aedh's  it  is  in  sooth  that  in  the  house  of 
Banbhan  the  hospitaller  shall  make  a  poisoned  draught  to  enter 
thy  mouth,  there  being  about  thee  at  the  same  time  a  shirt 
derived  from  a  single  flax-seed,  with  a  mantle  produced  from 
a  single  sheep ;  in  thy  horn :  ale  brewed  from  a  single  grain  of 
com ;  on  thy  plate :  bacon  of  a  pig  that  never  was  farrowed ;  while 
'tis  the  main  beam  of  the  house — ^the  ridgepole — that  (after  thy 
foemen  shall  have  as  good  as  done  thee  to  death)  shall  fall  on 
thy  head."  "  Black  Aedh  to  the  slaughter !"  all  cried  out  "  Not 
so,"  said  Dermot :  "but  be  he  removed  forth  out  of  Ireland,  and 
so  long  as  I  live  he  shall  not  revisit  it"  By  Dermot  thereupon 
Black  Aedh  is  in  exile  relegated  to  the  land  of  Scotland  nor, 
so  long  as  Dermot  lived,  was  he  re-admitted  into  Ireland. 

Dermot's  tribute,  and  discipline,  and  law  prevailed  in  Ireland 
generally :  his  stewards  and  his  managers,  also  his  regular  soldiers 
in  their  billets,  were  throughout  Ireland  up  and  down.  At  this 
particular  time  the  king's  stewards  and  sergeants  accompanied 
him  into  Connacht ;  also  the  king's  herald,  that  used  to  precede 
them  and  to  make  proclamation  to  any  such  house  at  which  in 
quest  of  guestly  entertainment  they  arrived.  And  thus  it  was  that 
the  crier  heralded  them,  viz.  to  the  effect  that  the  town's  gate,  or 
the  castle's,  into  which  they  had  to  pass  must  be  demolished  be- 
fore them  so  that  Dermot's  spear  should  pass  in  athwartwise ;  a 
thing  which  (for  the  king's  fear)  there  was  none  dared  but  to 
perform  before  them.  But  Diabolus — he  it  was  that  violently 
possessed  [lit.  'jumped  into']  the  crier  now  to  urge  the  following 
evil  thing  upon  him,  to  the  end  evil  greater  yet  should  come  of  it 

For  they  came  once  to  Aedh  Guaire's  house  in  the  land  of  Hy- 
Many  in  Connacht,  whose  castle  must  needs  be  breached  before 
them  and  the  king's  spear.  Then  anger  took  Aedh ;  he  slew  *  the 
lad  of  the  spear '  (the  crier  namely)  and  anon,  to  escape  Dermot, 


Death  of  King  Dermot.  8 1 

fled  into  the  land  of  Muskerry  and  under  protection  of  bishop 
Senach,  for  the  bishop's  mother  and  Aedh  Guaire's  were  two 
sisters.  Subsequently  Senach  the  bishop  brought  him  to  Ruadh- 
an  of  Lorrha  and  committed  him  to  his  safeguard  ;  for  two 
sisters  that  Ruadhan  had  :  Gael  and  Ruadhnait,  it  was  they  that 
had  reared  bishop  Senach,  By  Ruadhan  Aedh  Guaire  was  be- 
stowed among  the  Britons  however,  for  by  reason  of  Dermot  he 
might  not  be  anywhere  in  Ireland.  But  such  was  Dermot's  in- 
fluence and  power  over  others  that  because  of  him  Aedh  ulti- 
mately could  not  be  either  in  Scotland  or  with  the  Britons ;  so 
that  he  returned  to  Ireland  to  Ruadhan,  who  had  him  hidden 
under  ground.  Where  Ruadhan  was  then  was  at  the  spot  in 
which  poll  Ruadháin  [i.e.  *  Ruadhan's  Pit ']  is  to-day.  It  was 
told  to  the  king  that  Aedh  Guaire  was  come  to  Ireland  again,  and 
that  Ruadhan  held  him  concealed  in  the  earth.  Then  Dermot 
repaired  to  Ruadhan,  and  despatched  his  charioteer  to  recover 
Aedh  Guaire  from  him  forcibly.  The  young  man  entered  into 
the  sanctuary,  but  on  the  instant  was  deprived  of  his  eyes.  The 
king  being  now  wroth  at  this,  he  came  to  Ruadhan  and  enquired 
of  him  (for  he  knew  that  Ruadhan  would  not  tell  a  lie)  where  was 
Aedh  Guaire.  Ruadhan  made  answer:  "  verily  I  know  not  where 
he  is,  if  he  be  not  under  thee  even  where  thou  art."  The  king  de- 
parted out  of  the  sanctuary  then,  nor  any  more  heeded  that  which 
the  cleric  had  said ;  but  in  his  mind  afterwards  he  recalled  to 
memory  Ruadhan's  utterance,  and  recognised  that  in  the  ground 
under  him  where  he  had  stood  Aedh  Guaire  was.  He  deputed 
a  man  of  his  people  (Donnan  was  his  name)  to  go  down  to  Aedh, 
over  whose  head  the  same  fell  to  dig  away  the  earth ;  but  his 
arms  were  reft  of  their  power  presently.  Thereupon  he  came  to 
Ruadhan  and  made  obeisance  to  him  ;  the  man  also  that  pre- 
viously was  blinded  made  obeisance,  and  thenceforth  they  abode 
with  Ruadhan  :  which  two  it  is  that  to-day  are  reputed  saints  at 
Pollniane.  Now  came  Dermot  himself  into  the  church  and  took 
Aedh  Guaire  out  of  the  hole  in  the  ground,  which  to-day  is  called 
Pollniane.  By  the  king  Aedh  was  brought  in  bonds  to  Tara, 
where  in  recompense  of  all  his  contrivance  Dermot  would  have 
had  him  hanged. 

Ruadhan  in  the  mean  time  had  sought  out  Brendan  of  Birr  for 

G 


82  Death  of  King  D erf  not. 

the  purpose  of  taking  him  with  him  to  retrieve  his  protege,  and 
the  pair  went  on  to  Tara.  There  they  demanded  of  the  king  to 
have  him  whose  safety  Ruadhan  had  guaranteed ;  but  Dermot 
answered  that  to  him  who  should  have  infringed  royal  law  the 
Church  had  no  right  to  extend  immunity,  for  that  in  so  doing  a 
violation  of  right  both  human  and  divine  was  inherent 

The  clerics  chanted  psalms  of  commination  now,  and  rang 
their  bells  against  the  king.  That  night,  and  in  the  one  instant, 
died  in  Tara  twelve  sons  of  chiefs  that  were  twelve  in  pupilage 
to  the  king ;  whose  respective  guardians  came  to  the  clergy  and 
with  persistence  exhorted  them  to  resuscitate  the  youths.  The 
saints  prayed,  and  the  lads  were  recalled  to  life. 

For  a  full  year  after  this  they  anathematised  Dermot  and  plied 
him  with  miracles,  he  giving  them  back  prodigy  for  prodigy.  But 
in  the  long  run  they  prevailed  nothing  over  him  until  to  the 
house-steward,  by  way  of  procuring  him  to  tell  the  king  that  now 
at  last  the  clergy  partook  of  a  refection,  they  made  promise  of 
Heaven.  The  house-steward  went  to  Dermot  and  told  him  that 
the  clergy  ate  a  meal,  so  that  in  this  wise  [for  it  was  not  true] 
they  in  the  matter  of  fasting  won  an  advantage  over  him.  That 
night  Dermot  saw  a  dream  :  that  in  Tara  was  a  great  tree,  the 
top  of  which  reached  to  the  clouds  of  heaven  and  its  shade  over 
all  Ireland.  Fifty  foreigners  he  saw  (and  among  them  two  leading 
strangers)  that  felled  the  tree,  but  all  that  which  they  chopped 
from  it  was  continually  made  good  again  forthwith ;  they  put 
him  from  the  tree  and  laid  it  prostrate,  so  that  it  was  the  falling 
tree's  crash  that  awoke  him.  "  Even  so,"  Dermot  said :  "  I  am 
the  tree  ;  the  foreigners  that  chop  it  are  the  clergy  cutting  short 
my  life,  and  by  them  also  am  I  fallen." 

On  the  morrow  the  king  rose  and  went  to  the  place  where  the 
clergy  were  :  "  ill  have  ye  done,"  he  said,  "  to  undo  my  kingdom 
for  that  I  maintained  the  righteous  cause.  At  all  events,"  he 
went  on,  "  be  thy  diocese  the  first  one  that  is  ruined  in  Ireland 
and,  Ruadhan,  may  thy  monks  desert  thee!"  The  saint  retorted : 
"  may  thy  kingdom  droop  speedily ! "  Dermot  said  :  "  thy  see 
shall  be  empty,  and  swine  shall  root  up  thy  churchyards."  "Tara 
shall  be  desolate,"  Ruadhan  said,  "  and  therein  shall  no  dwelling 
be  for  ever."     Dermot  said :  "  may  shameful  blemish  affect  thy 


Death  of  King  DermoL  83 

person,"  and  straightway  one  of  Ruadhan's  eyes  burst.  Ruadhan 
said :  **  be  thy  body  mangled  by  enemies,  and  thy  limbs  disin-r 
t^frated  so  that  they  be  not  found  in  the  one  place."  Dermot 
said  :  ''  may  there  a  wild  boar  come  that  he  grub  up  the  hill  on 
which  thou  shalt  be  buried,  and  that  thy  relics  be  scattered  ;  also 
at  nones  continually  be  there  in  thy  churchyard  howling  of  'wild 
hounds '  [i.e.  wolves],  and  the  alarm-cry  every  evening ;  neither 
be  they  its  own  monks  that  shall  dwell  in  it"  Ruadhan  said  : 
"  the  knee  that  was  not  lifted  in  reverence  before  me,  be  not  the 
same  sepulchred  with  thy  body."  Then  upon  the  royal  hearth 
Ruadhan  imprecated  the  blackness  of  darkness  :  that  nevermore 
in  Tara  should  smoke  issue  from  roof-tree. 

Just  then  it  was  that  Dermot  looked  at  the  ridgebeam.  "  That 
beam  is  hostile  to  thee;  that  roof-tree  it  is  that  shall  yet  be 
hurled  upon  thy  face  as  thou  lookest  up  at  it,  after  that  by  them 
from  over  sea  thou  shalt  have  been  stricken  down."  "  Cleric,  take 
all  thy  will !"  the  king  cried.  Then  their  prisoner  is  enlarged  for 
them,  and  both  parties  make  peace;  whereupon  Dermot  said 
this : — 

''Alas  for  him  that  to  the  clergy  of  the  churches  showeth  fight ;  woe  to 
him  that  would  contend,  with  giving  cut  for  cut ;  through  this — through  my 
dissension  and  Kuadhan's — Tara  shall  be  desolate  and  clean  swept.'' 

He  went  on :  "  evil  is  that  which  ye  have  worked,  clerics — 
my  kingdom's  ruination  ;  for  in  the  latter  times  Ireland  shall 
not  be  better  off  than  at  this  present  she  will  have  been.  But  in 
any  wise  may  it  be  so  that  bad  chiefs,  their  heirs-apparent,  and 
their  men  of  war  shall  quarter  themselves  in  your  churches 
then ;  and  be  it  their  own  [Le.  the  inhabitants']  selves  that  in 
your  houses  shall  pull  off  such  people's  brogues  for  them,  ye  being 
the  while  powerless  to  rid  yourselves  of  them." 

The  clergy  (their  prisoner  with  them)  started  for  home,  and  so 
to  Pollruane ;  but  first  they  perceived  thirty  dark-grey  horses, 
super-excellent  in  shape,  that  issued  from  the  sea  and  came  to- 
wards them.  These  they  presented  to  the  king  ;  their  running 
was  tried  [against  his  other  horses]  and  they  proved  the  speedier ; 
but  said  horses  then  re-assumed  the  identical  form  [which  they 
had  worn  in  the  sea]  and  so  returned  to  the  same  place  out  of 
which  at  first  they  came.  After  which  Dermot  and  the  clergy 
were  at  peace. 

G  2 


$4  Death  of  King  Dermot. 

It  was  when  Dermot  was  of  a  night,  and  he  sees  two  draw 
near  him  :  the  one  man,  as  he  deems,  wears  a  cleric's  semblance  ; 
the  other  one  a  layman's.  They  come  up  to  him,  take  off  his 
king's  diadem,  make  of  it  a  diadem  apiece  (either  man  of  them 
having  one  half,  for  so  they  divide  it  between  them),  and  with 
that  depart  from  him.  Dermot  starts  out  of  his  sleep  then,  and 
tells  his  vision.  "  Just  so,"  said  Beg  mac  Dé  and  said  Cairidh 
son  of  Finnchaemh  [his  mother]  that  was  Dermot's  poet :  "  thy 
dream's  interpretation  we  have  for  thee  :  Thy  kingdom  is  deter- 
mined, of  thy  reign  there  is  an  end,  and  for  the  future  thy 
princely  grasp  of  Ireland  is  cast  off :  division  between  Church  and 
I^ay  namely,  that  is  what  shall  subsist  now  ;  and  that  which  thy 
royal  diadem's  partition  forbodes  is  even  such  another  apportion- 
ing of  Ireland's  sovereignty  betwixt  Church  and  State."  He 
proceeded  :  "  a  time  will  come  when  Church  shall  be  enslaved  by 
State,  and  when  privilege  of  church-lands  shall  not  exist ;  but 
they  shall  be  obnoxious  to  free  quartering  at  the  hands  of  all. 
In  lieu  of  this,  however,  evil  shall  overtake  the  State  :  so  that 
the  son,  the  father,  the  kinsman  [of  what  degree  soever],  shall 
kill  each  other,  and  every  man's  weapon  be  red  with  another's 
blood.  By  perfidy  of  all  men  [fruits  of]  the  earth  shall  perish, 
and  mast  of  trees,  and  produce  of  the  waters." 

Tara's  festival  is  held  by  Dermot  now :  at  the  actual  banquet 
Curnan  (son  of  Aedh  son  of  Eochaid  tirmchama^  a  quo  slol 
Maeilruain  in  Connacht)  kills  a  man,  and  places  himself  under 
protection  of  Muirchertach  mac  Erca's  two  sons :  Fergus  and 
Donall,  who  in  turn  put  him  under  Columbkill's  guarantee.  The 
king  has  him  slain  in  expiation  of  his  misdemeanour,  and  Con- 
nacht turns  on  Dermot :  impleading  him  for  slaughter  of  their 
king's  son  Curnan.  Dermot  proceeds  to  ravage  Connacht,  and 
reaches  cúil  sibrinne  hard  by  Ml  dreimne.  In  order  to  avenge  on 
Dermot  his  violated  guarantee,  Columbkill  gathers  clan-Neill  of 
the  North.  Along  with  him  Fergus  and  Donall  (Muirchertach 
mac  Erca's  two  sons),  Ainmire  son  of  Sedna  king  of  Kinel- 
connell,  Muiredach  mac  Duach,  and  Eochaid  tirmchamds  son 
Aedh,  proceed  into  Connacht.  But  between  the  two  armies 
Frechan  son  of  Tenesan  (Dermot's  wizard)  set  up  *a  magic  bar- 
rier,' and  then  it  was  that  Columbkill  uttered  : — 

♦*  Wherefore,  O  God,  dost  Thou  not  fend  off  from  us    .    .    ." 


Death  of  King  DermoL  85 

Tuatdn  (son  of  Dimdn  son  of  Sardn  son  of  Cormac  son  of 
Eoghan  son  of  Niall)  comes  then,  capsizes  the  barrier  and  clears 
it  at  one  jump ;  but  on  the  other  side  a  spear  meets  him,  enters 
him,  and  he  is  killed.  Now  of  all  ColumbkilFs  people  he  was 
the  only  man  whom  death  reached.  Then  Dermot  is  defeated 
*^lt\sfri  féinnidh  ndremain^  le.  3.  case  of  [a  barrier]  opposed 
to  a  warrior  that  would  not  be  denied,"  said  Columbkill ; 
whence  the  name  cúil  dreimne^  otherwise  cúil  dreunfliéinne^  has 
prevailed. 

Dermot  went  to  Tara  and  again  said  to  Beg :  "  let  me  have 
certain  knowledge  what  manner  of  death  it  is  that  shall  carry  me 
off."    Beg  said  :  "  that  is  not  matter  of  doubt : — 


<( 


in  Beg's  rath  thou  shalt  drink  a  malt-drink  of  a  single  grain  ;  and  there  it  is 
that  thou  shalt  be  laid,  Dermot." 

"My  kingdom  after  me — after  what  fashion  shall  it  be?** 
asked  Dermot ;  and  then  it  was  that  Beg  enunciated  this  : — 

"  An  evil  world  is  now  at  hand  :  in  which  men  shall  be  in  bondage,  women 
free  ;  mast  wanting,  woods  smooth,  blossom  bad  ;  winds  many,  wet  summer, 
green  com  ;  much  cattle,  scant  milk  ;  dependants  burdensome  in  every 
country,  hogs  lean,  chiefs  wicked ;  bad  faith,  chronic  killing ;  a  world 
withered,  raths  in  number. 

"  These  be  the  princes  that  shall  succeed  thee  : — 

"  [The  kingdom  shall  revolve]  from  Niall  to  Niall,  from  land  to  land  : 
a  Niall  by  sea  ;  a  Niall  in  slaying  ;  a  Niall  in  fire  ;  a  Niall  to  hew  down  in 
every  night,  after  the  wrecking  of  AilechJ^ 

"Be  our  magicians  brought  to  us,"  Dermot  said,  "that  we 
ascertain  whether  it  be  the  one  thing  that  they  and  Beg  for- 
bode  for  us."  "  He  doubts  me  does  he,"  says  Beg  ;  and  there- 
upon in  great  anger  and  in  vindictive  dudgeon  goes  out  from 
Dermot,  having  after  him  a  great  crowd  that  begged  of  him 
a  prophecy,  and  so  on  until  he  saw  Columbkill  that  awaited 
him.  He  saluted  him,  and  Columbkill  said  :  "  it  is  a  marvel- 
lous prophecy ;  from  God  comes  this  great  foreknowledge  that 
is  vouchsafed  thee."  "God  we  thank  for  the  same,"  Beg  an- 
swered. Columbkill  enquired  then  :  "  knowest  thou  thine  own 
death's  day  ?  "  "  Cleric,  I  know  it  well,"  quoth  Beg  :  "  there  are 
yet  seven  years  of  my  life."     "  That  is  a  grand  thing  for  him 


86  Death  of  King  DermoL 

to  whom  it  is  so  done ;  if  indeed  it  be  true,"  said  Columbkill. 
••  It  is  not  true;''  Beg  said  :  "  there  are  but  seven  months  of  my 
life."  "  Good  again,  if  it  be  true,"  said  Columbkill.  "  It  is  not 
true."  Beg  said :  **  there  arc  of  my  life  but  seven  hours  of  the 
day — speedilj-  let  me  have  communion  and  the  sacrifice !"  Then 
the  cleric  tonsured  him,  gave  him  communion  and  sacrifice, 
and  he  went  [presently]  to  Heaven.  Now  it  had  stood  pro- 
phesied for  Beg  that  before  he  attained  to  death  he  must  utter 
three  falsehoods  [as  above]  ;  for  up  to  that  hour  he  never  had 
told  a  lie.  For  the  same  reason  also  it  was  that  Columbkill 
sought  him  out,  for  he  knew  that  in  that  day  he  had  to  die 
incontinentlv. 

His  magicians  [as  aforesaid]  were  brought  to  Dermot,  and  he 
enquired  of  them  what  manner  of  death  he  should  encounter. 
••  Slaughter,"  said  the  first  magician :  "  and  'tis  a  shirt  grown 
from  a  single  flax-seed,  with  a  mantle  of  one  sheep's  wool,  that 
on  the  night  of  thy  death  shall  be  about  thee."  *'  A  light  matter 
it  is  for  me  to  ex-ade  that,"  Dermot  said  "  Drowning,"  said  the 
second  magician :  •*  and  it  is  ale  brewed  of  one  grain  of  com 
that  thou  shalt  despatch  that  night"  "Burning,"  quoth  the 
third  wizard  :  "and  bacon  of  swine  that  never  was  farrowed — 
that  is  what  shall  be  kax  thy  dish."  Dermot  said :  "all  this  is 
unlikely." 

Then  on  his  regal  circuit  Dermot  [set  out  and]  travelled  right- 
handed  [Ic.  south  and  west  about]  round  Ireland,  that  is  to 
say  :  from  Tara  into  Leinster  ;  thence  into  Munster ;  thence  into 
Connacht,  and  athwart  Ulster's  province ;  so  that  at  the  end  of 
a  >*car'8  prepress  he  would  by  samMain  again  reach  Tara  in  time 
to  [Krform  his  j^ciw^ii>r-tide  ofiice  and  to  meet  the  men  of  Ire- 
land at  Tara's  festi\*al. 

One  d«iy  then  as  Dermot  \;i*as  on  this  circuit,  he  saw  a  warrior 
enter  the  house  to  him  and  :  "  whence  comest  thou  ?  "  he  asked. 
•*  Not  from  any  distance,"  he  replied :  "  come  along  and  spend 
with  me  a  night  of  gucstly  entertainment"  "  Good, '  said  Der- 
mot, "tell  Mughain."  "Not  so,"  she  answered:  "so  long  as  I 
live,  never  will  I  go  on  an  invitation  ;  and  if  thou  eat  [with  him], 
it  is  in  my  despite :  for  to  go  upon  an  invitation  will  [so  'tis 
prv>phcsicil]  have  an  ill  event  for  thee." 


Death  of  King  Dermot.  8  7 

With  Banbhan  [that  bade  him]  Dermot  goes  to  Rathbeg,  and 
when  they  were  set  down  in  the  house  they  saw  a  graceful 
young  woman  enter,  with  raiment  that  was  rarely  fine.  "  Whence 
the  woman  ? "  Dermot  queried.  Banbhan  made  answer  :  "  a 
daughter  to  me  she  is  and,  to  spite  Mughain  because  she  came 
not  with' me,  the  girl  shall  this  night  be  thy  wife."  "  I  am  well 
pleased,"  quoth  the  king. 

Pending  the  preparation  of  meat  a  bed  was  made  for  them, 
and  [the  meal  being  now  ready]  Banbhan  said  :  "  Well,  girl, 
hast  thou  brought  raiment  for  the  king ? "  "I  have,"  she  said, 
and  handed  shirt  and  mantle,  which  the  king  took  and  put  on. 
"  Tis  a  good  shirt,"  said  all.  "  It  is  one  worthy  of  thee,"  said 
Banbhan,  "  being  the  shirt  of  one  flax-seed  :  a  fanciful  girl  is 
that  one  there,  and  she  it  was  that  sowed  a  single  seed  of  flax 
and  made  a  strike  of  it,  which  then  became  a  ridge-full."  "  Tis 
a  good  mantle,"  cried  all.  "  Good  it  is,"  said  Banbhan  :  "  of  a 
single  sheep's  wool  'tis  made." 

Then  meat  and  liquor  were  supplied  to  them,  and  said  Ban- 
bhan :  "  the  bacon  that  never  was  farrowed  is  good."  "  How 
so  ?  "  asked  Dermot.  "  It  was  pigs  that  were  with  young, :  they 
took  knives  to  them  so  that  their  piglings  (and  they  alive)  were 
extracted  from  them,  and  fattened  afterwards."  "Tis  good 
ale ! "  said  all.  "  Good  it  is,"  said  Banbhan,  "  ale  brewed  of  a 
single  grain  of  corn  :  it  was  one  day  that  I  went  out  to  survey 
my  tillage,  and  I  killed  a  ringdove  ;  in  whose  crop  was  found 
one  grain,  but  of  what  cereal  was  unknown.  It  was  committed 
to  a  ridge  however,  and  its  yield  was  a  sickle-full.  This  again 
was  sown,  and  this  is  its  produce  in  the  shape  of  ale  "  [///.  *  this  is 
its  com  and  its  ale.'] 

After  this  Dermot  looked  upwards,  and  said  :  "  the  lower  part 
of  the  house  is  new,  but  its  upper-work  is  not  recent."  Banbhan 
answered  :  "  it  was  once  upon  a  time  that  in  currachs  we  went , 
to  take  fish,  and  we  saw  towards  us  the  ridgebeam  of  a  house  that 
floated  on  the  sea.  For  the  curiosity  of  the  thing  I  had  a  house 
made  with  it"  Dermot  said  now :  "  truthfully  was  Beg's  pro- 
phecy uttered  ! "  and  with  that  sprang  to  get  out.  "  This  is  thy 
way ! "  said  Black  Aedh  in  the  doorway,  giving  him  at  the  same 
a  spear  in  the  breast  that  pierced  him  through  and  so  broke  his 


( 


88  Aedh  Sláine. 

spine.  Then  Dermot  turns  back  into  the  house  ;  on  the  outside, 
Ulster  surrounds  the  dwelling,  and  the  same  is  burnt  upon  them 
[that  are  in  it].  Dermot  himself  [seeking  refuge  from  the  flames] 
entered  the  ale-vat,  and  anon  the  mansion's  roof-tree  fell  on  his 
head  so  that  he  died  \lit.  *  so  that  he  was  dead  of  it.'] 

Thus  perished  the  king ;  and  his  body  was  consumed  all  but 
the  head,  which  with  his  relics  was  carried  to  Clonmacnoise 
and  buried  in  [the  slope  called]  the  claen  ferta^  or  otherwise 
the  céite ;  for  there  it  was  that  he  (what  time  he  fasted  in 
eglais  bhegy  whereby  he  was  healed  of  his  head-sickness  after  he 
had  done  his  fasting  against  the  saints  of  Ireland,  his  cure 
having  previously  been  denied  him)  had  elected  to  be  laid. 
Concerning  which  death  it  was  that  this  was  pronounced  : — 

"  The  spell  of  shelter  in  Rathbeg — loss  of  Dermot  that  was  ...  — 
extinction  of  a  prince — abundance  of  battles — alas  for  him  that  shall  contrive 
his  utter  destruction." 

And  this  is  the  death  of  Dermot  son  of  Cerbhall  (which  is  as 
much  as  to  say  urrbhall^  i.e.  ceirrbheol^  i.e.  bél  cerr). 

Finis. 


Birth  of  Aedh  Sláine. 

Tara  of  the  Kings :  she  it  was  that  to  all  kings  successively 
ruling  Ireland  was  a  peculiar  appanage ;  and  it  was  a  universal 
thing  for  them  that  thither  all  Ireland's  Charges,  and  dues  pre- 
scribed, and  rents,  must  be  brought  in  to  them.  With  the  men 
of  Ireland  too  it  was  general  that  out  of  all  airts  they  should 
resort  to  Tara  in  order  to  the  holding  of  Tara's  Feast  at  samhain- 
tide.  For  these  were  the  two  principal  gatherings  that  they  had : 
Tara*s  Feast  at  every  samhain  (that  being  the  heathens'  Easter) ; 
and  at  each  lughnasa^  or  *  Lammas-tide,'  the  Convention  of  Taillte. 
All  precepts  and  all  enactments  which  in  either  of  these  festivals 
were  ordained  by  the  men  of  Ireland,  during  the  whole  space  of 
that  year  none  might  infringe. 

In   Taillte  then  once  upon  a  time  the  Gael  had  an  extra- 


Aedh  Sláine.  89 

ordinary  great  convention,  he  that  at  such  epoch  was  king  of 
Ireland  being  Dermot  son  of  Fergus  Cerrbeol.  The  men  of  Ire- 
land were  disposed  along  the  benches  of  the  assembly-ground : 
all  of  them  according  to  precedence  of  ranks,  of  calling,  of  legiti- 
mate claim  and,  in  fact,  after  the  fashion  of  hitherto  use  and 
wont 

Now  the  women,  with  the  kingfs  two  wives,  had  a  sitting-place 
apart ;  the  queens  that  on  this  occasion  kept  Dermot  company 
being  Mairenn  (sumamed  maelie,  *  bald ')  and  Mughain,  daughter 
of  Conchraid  son  of  Duach  (of  the  men  of  Munster).  Mughain 
bore  Mairenn  a  great  jealousy,  and  to  a  certain  female  jester  she 
said  that  she  would  give  her  her  own  award  [i.e.  told  her  to  name 
her  own  price]  if  from  the  other  queen's  head  she  would  remove 
her  headgear  of  gold ;  for  the  manner  of  Mairenn  was  that  she 
lacked  all  hair,  so  that  a  queen's  head-dress  it  was  which  habitu* 
ally  concealed  her  defect  The  jestress  came  to  Mairenn  there- 
fore, and  began  to  importune  her  for  some  boon  or  other.  The 
queen  averred  that  she  had  it  not  to  give.  "Thou  shalt  have  this 
at  anyrate,"  said  the  other  as  from  the  queen's  head  she  tore  her 
casque  of  gold.  Mairenn  cried  :  "  God  and  S.  Kieran  help  me  at 
this  need ! "  nor  had  an  individual  in  the  crowd  so  much  as  well 
turned  his  eyes  on  her  there,  when  down  to  her  very  shoulders 
fell  the  flossy,  convoluted,  golden-sheeny  hair  which  through 
Kieran's  power  grew  on  her.  The  whole  host  are  astounded  at 
the  miracle,  and  well  pleased  that  the  queen  is  not  put  to  shame. 
"God  I  invoke,"  cried  Mairenn,  "that  for  this  thing  thou  be 
disgraced  in  presence  of  the  men  of  Ireland  !"  which  came  true. 

After  this  Dermot  frequented  Mugain  still,  but  she  was  barren  ; 
whereby  she  was  unhappy,  for  the  king  meditated  to  abandon 
her  utterly.  The  other  wives  also  that  the  king  had  were  a  grief 
to  her,  that  they  bore  children :  Eithne  in  especial,  daughter  of 
Brenann  £>a//  of  the  conmaicne  cúile  talad  and  mother  of  Colman 
Mór\  and  Breo,  daughter  of  Colman  mac  Neman  from  dun 
Suan€y  mother  of  Colman  Beg,  So  Mugain  was  sad  for  this : 
for  her  being  without  either  son  or  daughter,  and  the  king  pur- 
posing to  dismiss  her. 

.  Finnian  of  magk  bile  [angL  '  Moville '],  and  bishop  Aedh  son 
of  Bri,  arrived  in  Bregia.  The  queen  came  to  visit  them,  and 
began  to  implore  the  clerics  that  they  would  succour  her.    Finnian 


QO  Aedk  Sláine. 

and  bishop  Aedh  blessed  water,  gave  it  to  her  to  drink,  and  she 
became  pregnant ;  but  what  she  eventually  produced  from  this 
promise  was — a  lamb.  She  cried :  "  woe  is  me  that  I  should 
have  borne  a  four-footed  thing,  after  which  I  shall  never  be 
acceptable  to  any ! "  "  Not  that  it  is  which  shall  come  to  pass," 
said  Finnian :  "  but  such  a  thing,  a  similitude  namely  of  the  sin- 
less Lamb  that  was  offered  up  for  the  human  race,  shall  to  thy 
womb  be  for  a  consecration." 

Again  the  cleric  blessed  water  for  her,  and  she  conceived  of  it ; 
then  bore  a  silvern  salmon.  "  Woe  is  me  for  this ! "  she  said  : 
"  for  all  thou  doest  in  my  behalf  I  am  but  the  worse  off,  cleric, 
seeing  that  with  the  men  of  Ireland  these  two  births  will  become 
matter  of  common  notoriety ;  from  all  which  no  good  awaits  me." 
"  Not  that  it  is  which  shall  take  place,"  said  the  cleric :  "  but  the 
silvern  salmon  I  will  take,  and  by  me  a  use  will  be  made  of  him  ;* 
in  virtue  of  him  too  \lit  *  on  the  head  of  him ']  thou  shalt  bring 
forth  a  son,  and  in  addition  bear  brothers  to  him ;  but  from  him 
shall  kings  of  Ireland  spring  in  number  more  than  from  the 
others."  Mughain  answered :  "  I  am  well  pleased,  if  that  thou 
sayest  be  but  fulfilled  to  me  ! "  "  Fulfilled  it  shall  be,"  quoth 
the  cleric. 

Then  Finnian  and  bishop  Aedh  pronounced  a  benediction  upon 
the  queen  and  on  the  seed  to  emanate  from  her ;  he  [i.e.  one  of 
them]  put  water  into  his  cup  and  gave  it  to  the  queen,  who  both 
drank  of  it  and  washed  in  it  By  this  process  she  found  herself 
with  child  and,  this  time,  had  a  son  :  who  was  Aedh  Sldine.  A 
good  offspring  in  sooth  was  that  which  was  bom  then :  Aedh 
Sldine,  Good  are  his  clan  too  in  Bregia:  good  in  respect  of 
profuseness,  of  renown,  of  honour;  of  hardihood,  of  lifting  tribute, 
of  holding  the  upper  hand  ;  of  rectitude,  of  heroic  practice,  of 
brilliancy ;  of  dealing  with  church  orders,  of  exercising  hospi- 
tallers* functions,  of  compassionateness ;  of  ethics,  of  sagacity,  of 
pride;  of  fame,  of  affection,  of  cordiality;  of  form,  of  good  sense, 
of  intelligent  apprehension  ;  of  nobility,  of  excellence,  of  splen- 
•dour.  For  *  a  golden  wand  laid  across  a  plate  of  white  bronze,* 
that  is  what  the  seed  of  Aedh  Sláine  are  athwart  Bregia's  plain  ; 

♦  The  only  additional  detail  furnished  by  the  concluding  lay  of  fourteen 
quatrains  is  that  of  this  silver  salmon  Finnian  had  a  reliquary  and  other 
•sacred  objects  made. 


Becfola.  91 

and  all  opulence  whatsoever,  every  grandly  ordered  household^ 

'tis  with  that  of  Aedh  Sláine  that  men  compare  it 

To  commemorate  which  transactions,  and  to  store  them  in  all 

men's  memory,  it  was  that  the  sennachie,  Flann  of  the  Monastery 

namely,  sang  this : — 

^  Mughain,  daughter  of  Duach's  son  gentle  Conchraid  out  of  Desmond  : 
she — wife  of  Deraiot  son  of  Cerbhall — without  intermission  plied  large-handed 
generosity.    .    •    ." 


N» 


The  Wooing  of  Becfola. 


It  was  once  upon  a  time  when  Aedh  Sláine's  son  Dermot 
enjoyed  Ireland's  royal  rule,  his  fosterling  Crimthann  mac  Aedh 
being  with  him  as  a  pledge  from  them  of  Leinster.  He  and 
Crimthann  his  alumnus,  taking  with  them  their  various  weapons 
and  one  single  lad,  went  of  a  day  to  áth  truitn.  They  saw  a  lone 
woman  in  a  chariot  c6me  out  of  the  west  and  across  the  ford. 
Fairer  she  was  than  any  one  of  the  whole  world's  women.  Der- 
mot enquired  :  "  whence  art  thou  come,  woman  ?  "  **  Not  froni 
far,"  she  answered.  "What  makes  thee  to  be  alone?"  "I  am 
in  search  of  wheaten  g^ain,"  said  she.  "  Thou  shalt  find  such 
with  me,"  said  Dermot.  "  We  refuse  it  not,"  said  the  womaa 
Thereupon  he  conveyed  her  to  Tara,  and  she  shared  his  comfort*^ 
able  bed.  All  in  general  enquired :  "whence  the  woman,  Dermot?" 
**  I  will  not  telL"  All  said  again  :  "  bee  afholuy  i.e.  his  bride-gift 
to  her  is  but  small."  "  Be  that  her  name,"  said  the  magicians, "  i.e. 
Becfholar 

Subsequently  the  woman  pitched  her  love  on  Crimthann  mac 
Aedh  the  king's  pupil  in  lieu  of  Dermot,  and  for  a  long  time 
persevered  in  soliciting  of  him.  The  young  man  indeed  said 
that  at  the  hour  of  tierce  on  Sunday  he  would  proceed  to  cluain 
da  chailkch  to  meet  her,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  her  off 
surreptitiously ;  but  his  people  dissuaded  him  from  eloping  with 
the  king  of  Ireland's  wife. 

Then  at  early  mom  on  Sunday  she  rises  from  Dermot.  "  In 
what  direction  is  the  early  rising,  woman?"  he  asked.  "To 
cluain  dd  chaillech**  she  made  answer.  "  What  signifies  that ? " 
The  lady  said :  "  eight  smocks  with  embroidery  of  gold,  eight 


92  Becfola. 

brooches  fully  set,  and  three  diadems  of  gold  that  I  have  left  in 
keeping  there."  Dermot  said  :  "  go  not  on  Sunday  to  look  for 
them  ;  a  Sunday's  journey  is  not  good."  She  replied  :  "  let  there 
some  come  with  me,  for  that  I  will  go  is  certain."  "  It  shall  not 
be  from  me  [that  any  will  bear  you  company],"  said  Dermot 

She  then  and  her  handmaid  went  out  of  Tara  southwards  into 
the  Duffry  of  Leinster.  There  they  went  astray  and  wandered 
until  night,  when  they  marked  a  route  of  wolves  that  drew  to- 
wards them  on  the  hill-side.  To  escape  these  she  climbed  into  a 
tree,  but  her  maid  the  wolves  devoured.  Not  long  had  she  been 
in  the  tree  when  in  the  heart  of  the  forest  she  discerned  a  fire. 
She  approached  it,  and  saw  by  the  fireside  a  young  man  having, 
as  regards  both  arms  and  raiment,  the  fairest  aspect  in  the  world : 
close  to  whom  she  sits  down.  The  young  man  glanced  at  her 
but,  until  he  made  an  end  of  cooking  a  wild  boar  that  he  had  in 
hand,  neither  spoke  nor  turned  his  face  to  her.  So  soon  as  of 
his  swine  he  had  made  a  roasted  one,  he  washed  his  hands  and 
from  the  fire  went  down  to  the  loch.  She  followed  after  him. 
The  young  man  got  into  his  craft,  she  with  him.  They  row  now 
till  they  attain  to  a  higb::iutting  pleasant  island,  and  there  enter  a 
vast  and  beautifii^palacejin  which  they  find  not  any  man  before 
them.  Next  they  partake  of  diverse  meats  and  of  mead  delec- 
table. The  pair  of  them  retire  into  the  one  bed,  but  up  to  next 
morning  he  never  turned  round  to  her  nor  in  any  wise  molested 
her  at  all. 

When  morning  came  they  heard  a  hail :  "  come  out,  Flann,"  a 
voice  cried  ;  and  certain  men  came  on  the  scene.  The  young 
man  rises,  girds  on  his  arms  [and  goes  out].  She  repairs  to  the 
dwelling's  door  to  look  after  him,  and  perceives  there  three  that 
are  of  equal  age,  and  figure,  and  valiance;  while  in  another  direc- 
tion she  sees  other  four  fully  weaponed.  Then  the  eight  fight  a 
manly  and  a  virile  fight :  four  of  a  side.  He  and  his  three  rout 
the  other  four :  but  all  of  them  (he  only  excepted)  fall  foot  to 
foot,  lifeless  and  dead,  while  he  passes  back  into  the  fort.  **^Haye 
good  luck  of  thy  valour,"  she  said :  "  a  gallant  deed  it  is  that 
thou  hast  done."  "  So  it  were  a  good  deed,  had  it  but  been 
against  foemen  that  I  executed  it."  She  enquired :  "  whence  the 
young  men  ? "  "  Brother's  sons  [i.e.  nephews]  were  those  four 
that  opposed  me,  and  three  brothers  to  me  the  three  others." 


\ 


J 


Becfola.  93 

**  What  was  that  for  which  they  strove  with  thee  ?  "  He  said  : 
^'inis  Fedaigh  mhic  an  daill  [i.e.  *  island  of  Fedach  son  of 
Dall ']."  "  And  how  earnest  thou  not  to  make  thine  own  of 
me  ?  "  "  Because  I  am  but  so  bad  a  match  for  thee  after  thine 
abandoning  of  Ireland's  king,  and  that  as  yet  the  island  is  not 
mine.  Should  it  fall  to  my  lot  however  I  will  go  fetch  thee,  and 
thou,  if  it  seem  good  to  thee,  shalt  be  to  me  for  an  only  wife.  ^  'v^ 
But  for  the  present  revert  to  the  king ;  at  the  foot  of  the  same  **» .  ^  % 
tree  thy  handmaid  is  safe  and  sound,  free  of  all  hurt  and  risk,  '^  /  h^ 

and  I  will  myself  convey  you  both  to  Tara."  ^ , 

Then  they  made  their  way  to  Tara  ;  and  when  she  reached 
Dermot's  dwelling,  there  was  the  king  rising  from  his  bed  on 
the  same  Sunday  still.  "  Truly,"  he  said,  "  it  had  not  been  right 
for  thee  in  violation  of  God's  ordinance  to  transgress  the  Sunday." 
She  returned  :  "  by  no  means  have  I  done  so." 

Even  as  they  were  there  they  saw  four  young  ecclesiastics 
that  came  in.  The  king  asked  :  "  What  hath  occasioned  you  to 
transgress  the  Sunday  ?  "  "  Injunction  of  our  principal,  Mola- 
sius  of  Devenish,  it  is  that  hath  despatched  us  to  thee."  Then 
they  gave  the  reason  as  follows  :  "  it  was  a  certain  one  of  the 
familia  of  Devenish  that  early  rose  to  turn  out  his  kine,  and  he 
saw  eight  comely  young  men  (well  equipped  with  armour  and 
weapon)  that  fought  together:  in  which  battle  all  slew  their 
respective  opponents  and,  saving  one  man  alone,  were  killed  by 
them.  Then  Molasius  buried  the  other  seven,  who  left  behind 
them  in  our  hands  a  two  men's  load  of  gold  and  silver  which  had 
adorned  their  necks,  their  arms,  and  their  weapons ;  and  the 
wherefore  that  we  are  come  to  thee  is  that  thou  mayest  learn 
the  amount  of  thine  own  share  in  said  treasure."  The  king  said  : 
"  by  no  means — the  treasure  that  God  hath  given  to  him,  I  will 
not  interfere  with  him  to  share  it ;  but  of  that  gold  and  of  the 
silver  be  a  reliquary  and  emblems  fashioned  with  cunning  work- 
manship." Which  is  the  very  thing  that  was  effected ;  for  of 
that  gold  Molasius'  shrine  and  his  pastoral  staff  were  formed. 

The  young  clerics  told  the  king  then  that  at  the  battle,  and  at 
the  slaying  of  all  them  that  fought,  the  queen  had  been  present 
By  this  time  the  king  was  clothed,  and  he  enjoined  Becfola  to 
return  back  again  to  Fledach's  descendant  Flann.  She  rose  with 
alacrity  and  retraced  her  way  to  Flann,  after  which  the  two  never 
parted  more; 


94  Caefuhomrac. 


Disappearance  of  Caenchomrac. 

A  certain  noble  bishop  that  was  in  Clonmacnoise :  Caen- 
chomrac  was  his  name,  which  at  first  had  been  Mochta.  He  was 
a  son  of  purity,  a  '  coarb '  of  God  ;  and  on  a  pilg^mage  it  was 
that  he  came  to  Cluain,  where  the  reverence  and  consideration 
paid  to  him  were  great :  for  in  the  case  of  all  such  as  died  from 
time  to  time  he  would  learn  of  God  whether  the  same  should 
have  reward  or  should  have  torment  Also  to  any  [that  desired 
it]  he  would  in  the  preceding  year's  last  quarter  announce  the 
year  in  which  he  should  die.  But  the  deference  shown  to  him 
in  Cluain  he  by-and-by  deemed  to  be  excessive ;  and  he  came 
to  inis  aendaimh  \angL  *  Devenish']  in  loch  Ree,  there  to  perform 
his  pilgrimage ;  for  he  took  it  to  be  suitably  lonely  for  perform- 
ance of  canonical  order,  for  Mass  and  for  orisons. 

Along  with  him  in  the  isle  was  a  prayerful  body  of  monks, 
that  to  gather  alms  and  firstfruits  in  Teffia  used  to  wander 
abroad  over  the  mainland  ;  for  the  men  of  Teffia  were  in  great 
subservience  to  him  :  one  hundred  piglings,  a  hundred  calves,  a 
hundred  lambs,  a  cake  of  bread  for  every  kneading  trough,  and 
for  every  catltair  a  screpall^  they  yielded  him  on  condition  that 
(they  being  thus  subject  to  a  screpall  payable  to  him)  the  num- 
ber of  their  slain  at  any  one  time  should  never  exceed  nine  :  as 
•  he  said  [once  after  a  battle]  i — 

'*  My  King  I  thank  that  the  men  of  Teffia  are  for  their  land  [i.e.  likely  to 
.  endure  therein] :  not  one  of  them  is  killed.    I  affirm  to  you  (and  no  false 
profession  of  amity  it  is)  that  if  ye  but  invoke  me  nine  only  shall  be  your 
loss  in  battle.'' 

He  added  :  "  moreover,   though   they  that   attempt  you  be 

many,  and  ye  but  few,  if  ye  but  think  on  me  ye  shall  come 

whole  away : — 

'*  Nine  men  in  Teffia's  land  opposed  to  a  hundred  thousand  thousands  : 
let  them  only  meditate  on  Caenchomrac,  and  to  their  own  countries  they 
shall  go  back  safe  and  sound.  Of  this  world's  hosts  whole  bands  shall  not 
have  the  victory  over  them — if  they  but  render  me  their  service,  my  service 
too  being  to  Godward." 

For  a  while  then  he  had  been  thus  in  both  Cluain  and  inis 


Caenchomrac.  95 

aendaimh  [i.e.  first  in  one,  then  in  the  other],  and  of  a  time 
when  he  was  in  the  island  his  monks  went  forth  as  above. 
Eoghan  and  Ecertach,  two  sons  of  Aedhacan  of  Hy-Many,  and 
bosom  disciples  of  the  cleric  both,  proceeded  to  Slieveleitrim  m 
Hy-Many.  There  the  clan-Fannan  were  :  hunting  in  the  moun-  / 
tain  ;  they  had  killed  a  goodly  number  of  wild  swine,  a  pigling  ' 
of  which  they  bestowed  on  the  clerics.  These  carried  him  off  to 
their  house  and,  having  imposed  him  on  a  forked  stick,  put  him 
to  the  fire.  But  as  the  cleric  chanted  his  psalms  he  saw  towards 
him  a  tall  man  that  emerged  out  of  the  loch  :  from  the  bottom  of 
the  water  that  is  to  say.  He  saluted  the  cleric,  and  this  latter 
him.  He  said  :  "  well  would  he  that  on  a  forked  stick  is  at  the 
fire  have  rendered  thee  the  responses  and  sung  psalms  with 
thee."  "  What  is  this  at  all  ?  "  Caenchomrac  asked.  The  other 
answered  :  "  soon  told — a  monastery  that  we  have  down  under 
this  loch  (now  that  there  should  be  subaqueous  inhabiting  of 
men  is  with  God  no  harder  than  that  they  should  dwell  in 
any  other  place),  and  the  monastery's  young  men  mutinied  :  for 
which  they  were  expelled  in  form  of  swine.  These  now  it  is 
that  to-day  are  slaughtered  in  Slieveleitrim,  and  one  of  the  same 
is  he  at  the  fire  on  a  forked  stick.  I  am  his  father  according  to 
the  flesh ;  here  in  my  hand  is  his  psalter,  and  on  thee  I  confer 
it"  ('the  Swine's  Psalter'  it  was  called,  and  for  a  length  of  time 
subsisted  in  Clonmacnoise ;  but  the  name  given  to  Eoghan  was 
an  banbky  or  *  the  Pigling,'  which  indeed  was  an  application  of 
the  term  to  one  with  a  boar's  mouth).  Caenchomrac  licensed 
the  father  to  take  him  away  and  bury  him,  and  he  said  to  the 
bishop :  "  what  hinders  thee,  cleric,  that  thou  comest  not  with  me 
to  inspect  the  monastery  that  is  under  this  loch  ?  "  Caenchomrac 
answered :  "  I  will  go."  They  both  dive  into  the  loch  and  enter 
the  monastery,  where  from  the  one  canonical  hour  to  the  same 
of  the  following  day  Caenchomrac  tarried.  On  the  morrow  he 
returns  to  his  house,  and  he  all  covered  with  lacustrine  wrack. 
He  made  a  frequent  practice  of  resorting  to  the  parts  beneath 
the  loch  ;  nor  from  that  time  forth,  and  so  long  as  he  lived,  was 
the  monastery  in  any  way  veiled  from  him. 

On  every  Easter  Thursday  the  various  clerics  used  to  resort  to 
inis  aendaimh^  to  Caenchomrac,  that  he  might  consecrate  oil  for 
them.     He  on  the  other  hand  would  perform  canonical  service 


Ni 


QÓ  Cormac  and  Finn. 

for  them,  give  them  Mass,  consecrate  their  oil,  and  preach  to 
them.  After  service  and  Mass  on  which  day  it  was  customary 
to  have  a  banquet ;  and  [on  this  particular  occasion  of  ours] 
ale  and  meat,  as  the  habit  was,  is  served  out  to  the  clerics. 
Caenchomrac  left  them,  went  out,  and  the  greater  part  of  that 
day  spent  away  from  them.  Later  he  came  back  to  the  house 
where  they  dined,  saluted  them,  and  after  like  fashion  they 
greeted  him.  He  sees  them  have  their  dishes  full  of  fat  pork, 
and  falls  to  chide  them  for  eating  such  in  Lent.  He  gave  them 
great  objurgation — anger  and  prodigious  indignation  seized  him 
to  the  extent  that  for  the  godliness  flashing  in  his  visage  they 
might  not  look  him  in  the  face.  The  clerics  fled  before  him. 
Away  from  them  Caenchomrac  rushed  abroad,  and  from  that 
time  to  this  has  not  been  seen  ;  nor  is  it  known  whether  it  were 
under  the  loch  he  went  to  dwell  in  the  monastery,  with  serv- 
ing of  God,  or  whether  it  were  angels  that  carried  his  soul  to 
Heaven.  After  this  the  sages  of  the  Gael  never  have  eaten  flesh 
on  Maunday  Thursday. 


Here  is  the  Panegyric  of  ContCs  son  Connac  and  the 
Death  of  Finn  son  of  CumlialL 

A  monarch,  noble  and  worshipful,  that  attained  to  rule  Ireland : 
Cormac,  son  of  Art  son  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles.  Sub- 
sequently he  reigned  over  her  for  forty  years,  excepting  the  two 
during  which  Ulster  usurped  :  that  is  to  say  Fergus  Black-knee 
for  one  year,  and  Eochaid  Gonnat  for  another.  Twice  in  fact 
the  Ulidians  deposed  Cormac.  The  same  Cormac  too  was  for 
four  months  missing  from  among  his  people  nor,  until  he  him- 
self came  back  and  told  his  adventures,  was  it  known  in  what 
direction  he  was  gone. 

To  proceed  :  saving  David's  son  Solomon  there  never  was  in 
the  world  a  king  that  for  lustre  of  his  intellect,  for  opulence  Oi 
his  reign,  might  be  likened  to  Cormac.  For  he  never  gave  judg- 
ment but  he  had  the  three  judicial  requisites  :  that  of  a  mind 
gifted  with  sagacity ;  that  of  judicial  precedent,  and  that  olbai 


Cor  mac  and  Finn.  97 

bias.  As  a  result  of  which  judgments'  wisdom  and  science  it  was 
that  in  Cormac's  time  the  calf  commonly  was  born  at  the  term 
of  three  months'  gestation  ;  in  his  day  a  sack  of  wheat  was  pro- 
duced from  every  ridge ;  in  his  day  the  colpach-hoiiQvs  were 
already  calved  cows.  Any  river  that  was  but  knee-deep,  in  his 
time  a  salmon  was  got  there  in  every  one  mesh  of  the  net.  In 
his  time  the  cow  had  her  udderful  of  Westings.  In  his  time  it 
was  with  the  finger's  tip  that  men  might  gather  honey  [as  they 
walked],  seeing  that  for  the  righteousness  of  Cormac's  governance 
it  was  rained  down  from  Heaven.  In  his  time  it  was  that  vessels 
could  not  be  had  for  the  milk,  for  the  kine  shed  their  milk  with- 
out cessation. 

That  king  was  comparable  to  Octavius  Augustus  also :  for 
even  as  to  the  former  every  one  paid  Caesarian  [i.e.  imperial] 
tribute  for  his  patrimony  ;  so  to  Cormac  likewise  all  men  out  of 
their  own  natural  localities  paid  the  royal  rent,  for  Cormac  never 
deprived  any  one  of  that  which  was  his  own. 

In  the  world  there  was  not  a  king  like  Cormac  :  for  he  it  was 
that  excelled  in  form,  in  figure  and  in  vesture  ;  in  size,  in  justice 
and  in  equity ;  in  his  eyes  too,  in  either  one  of  which  were  seven 
pupils,  as  Senuath  the  poet  tells  us  when  he  says  : — 

**  Beautiful  was  the  difference  that  was  between  them  which  were  a  varie- 
gated pair :  for  in  the  man*s  eyes  fourteen  pupils  were  extant.* 

He  it  was  that  in  respect  of  sagacity,  of  wisdom,  of  eloquence, 
of  action  and  of  valour,  of  royal  sway,  of  domination,  of  splen- 
dour, of  emulation,  of  ethics  and  of  race,  was  vigorous  in  his 
own  time.  Of  Ireland  he  made  a  land  of  promise :  she  being 
then  free  of  theft,  of  rapine,  of  violence  ;  exempt  from  all  neces- 
sity of  watching,  of  herding,  and  without  perplexity  in  the  matter 
of  either  meat  or  raiment  to  affect  any  man. 

But  in  the  way  of  Cormac's  eulogy  this  [that  we  have  said]  is 
all  too  little ;  for  unless  that  an  angel  should  instruct  him  a  man 
may  not  declare  it  all.  Great  were  his  power  and  control  over 
the  men  of  Ireland,  seeing  that  (unless  one  rendered  Cormac 
military  service)  none  of  them  dared  abstain  from  work. 

Now  he  whom  Cormac  had  for  chief  of  the  household  and 
for  stipendiary  master  of  the  hounds  was  Finn  son  of  Cumhall ; 
for  the  primest  leader  that  the  king  of  Ireland  had  was  hig 
master  of  the  hounds  always. 

H 


98  Corniac  and  Finn. 

Warrior  better  than  Finn  never  struck  his  hand  into  a  chiefs  : 
inasmuch  as  for  service  he  was  a  soldier,  a  hospitaller  for  hospi- 
tality, and  in  heroism  a  hero ;  in  fighting  functions  he  was  a 
fighting  man,  and  in  strength  was  a  champion  worthy  of  a  king  ; 
so  that  ever  since,  and  from  that  time  until  this  day,  it  is  with 
Finn  that  every  such  is  co-ordinated.  Forby  all  which,  Finn 
with  the  king's  especial  bands  enjoyed  general  right  and  exerciser 
of  chase  and  venery  throughout  Ireland. 

Where  Finn's  abiding  was  mostly  was  in  Abnha  of  Leinster; 

t.  ^  but  when  decrepitude  and  old  age  weighed  on  him  (Cormac  also 

^vc<;  being  now  gone)  he  dwelt  in  Almha  permanently;  unless  that 

^Y  "^'N^  he  might  have  occasion  to  make  seme  passing  excursion  out  of 

^  ^  *^  '-^  5  ;^        ^^'     S^^  ^^^  ^^'^  spouse  to  Finn  was  Fatha  Canann's  daughter, 

^€i  ^  Smirgat ;  she  was  a  prophetess  and  wise  woman,  and  had  told 

^^  ^^      '^*'.      him  that  whensoever  he  should  drink  a  draught  out  of  a  horn 

^  t/',^  '^^  -«.  r      that  act  would  end  his  life  ;  so  that  thenceforth  he  never  took  a 

drink  out  of  a  horn,  but  out  of  aiachs  [scot.  *  quaighs ']. 

One  day  Finn  sallied  out  of  Almha^  and  by-and-by  found 
himself  in  the  place  called  adharca  iuchbadli  in  Offaley;  there  on 
a  hillside  he  came  upon  a  well,  out  of  which  he  took  a  drink. 
Under  his  *  knowledge-tooth '  he  put  his  thumb  then,  and  worked 
the  incantation  of  teinm  lacghda,  whereby  it  was  revealed  to  him 
that  the  end  of  his  term  and  of  his  life  was  come ;  and  he  sang 
these  quatrains  following  : — 

The  prophecy  is  befallen  Finn  .  .  . 
Then  he  went  on  till  he  reached  druim  Bregh  [i.e.  '  the  Ridge 
of  Bregia  *],  in  which  country  existed  causes  of  enmity  to  Finn 
and  the  Fianna ;  for  by  him  it  was  that  Uirgrenn,  of  the  tribe 
called  the  Luaighne  of  Tara,  fell  once.  These  gathered  now, 
with  Uirgrenn's  three  sons,  and  Aichlech  More :  son  namely  of 
Duibrenn,  that  was  third  man  of  the  sons  of  Uirgrenn.  Between 
them  is  fought  an  extraordinary  and  a  ruthless  battle,  manly, 
masculine  and  fierce,  in  which  all  and  several  recalled  to  mind 
their  grievances  (whether  remote  or  more  immediately  touching 
themselves)  that  they  had  the  one  against  the  other.  At  Brea 
upon  the  Boync :  that  is  where  that  battle  came  off;  they  were 
at  the  hand-to-hand  work  for  a  length  of  time,  and  till  on  both 
sides  their  mischiefs  were  very  many.  The  fight  was  won  against 
Finn,  and  he  perished  in  it     Duibrenn's  son  Aichlech :  by  him 


Fintís  People.  99 

Finn  fell,  and  he  it  was  that  beheaded  him ;  wherefore  in  order 
to  the  commemoration  of  the  deed,  and  to  bring  the  ignorant 
to  the  way  of  knowledge,  the  sennachie  sung  these  quatrains : — 

iffr^o'j  great  battle  of  exploits  bright    .    .    . 

This  then,  according  to  archaeological  verity  and  as  experts 
relate  it,  is  Finn's  death ;  but  his  origin  they  declare  variously. 
Some  of  them  say  that  he  was  of  the  corca-Oidie  in  ua  Fidhgeinte\ 
others  again  assert  (and  this  is  the  truth  of  the  matter)  that  he 
was  of  the  úi  Tairrsigh  of  Offaley,  which  were  of  the  Attacotti, 
as  Maelmura  has  said  in  the  chronicle :  six  stocks  there  are  that 
shall  have  territorial  settlement,  but  are  not  of  Breogan's  people, 
viz.  the  Garbraighe  of  the  Suca ;  the  ui  Tairrsigh ;  the  Galeoin 
of  Leinster  [and  others]. 

They  of  Leinster  however  state  that  Finn  was  great-grandson 
to  Nuada  Necht,  and  that  his  pedigree  is  this  :  Finn,  son  of  Cum- 
hall  son  of  Sualtach  son  of  Baeiscne  son  of  Nuada  Necht 

The  above  is  Cormac's  Panegyric  and  Finn's  Death. 

Finis. 


The  Enumeration  of  Finn's  People. 

This  is  the  enumeration  [and  description]  of  Finn's  people : 
their  strength  was  seven  score  and  ten  officers,  each  man  of  these 
having  thrice  nine  warriors,  every  one  bound  (as  was  the  way  with 
Cuchullin  in  the  time  when  he  was  there)  to  certain  conditions  of 
service,  which  were:  that  in  satisfaction  of  their  guarantee  violated 
they  must  not  accept  material  compensation ;  in  the  matter  of 
valuables  or  of  meat  must  not  deny  any ;  no  single  individual  of 
them  to  fly  before  nine  warriors. 

Of  such  not  a  man  was  taken  into  the  Fianna ;  nor  admitted 
whether  to  the  great  Gathering  of  Usnach,  to  the  Convention  of 
Taillte^  or  to  Tara's  Feast ;  until  both  his  paternal  and  his  ma- 
ternal correlatives,  his  tuatha  and  kindreds,  had  given  securities 
for  them  to  the  effect  that,  though  at  the  present  instant  they 
were  slain,  yet  should  no  claim  be  urged  in  lieu  of  them :  and 
this  in  order  that  to  none  other  but  to  themselves  alone  they 

H  2 


\ 


lOO  Finns  People. 

should  look  to  avenge  them.  On  the  other  hand :  in  case  it  were 
they  that  inflicted  great  mischiefs  upon  others,  reprisals  not  to  be 
made  upon  their  several  people. 

Of  all  these  again  not  a  man  was  taken  until  he  were  a  prime 
poet  versed  in  the  twelve  books  of  poesy.  No  man  was  taken 
till  in  the  ground  a  large  hole  had  been  made  (such  as  to  reach 
the  fold  of  his  belt)  and  he  put  into  it  with  his  shield  and  a  fore- 
arm's length  of  a  hazel  stick.  Then  must  nine  warriors,  having 
nine  spears,  with  a  ten  furrows'  width  betwixt  them  and  him, 
assail  him  and  in  concert  let  fly  at  him.  If  past  that  guard  of 
his  he  were  hurt  then,  he  was  not  received  into  Fianship. 

Not  a  man  of  them  was  taken  till  his  hair  had  been  interwoven 
into  braids  on  him  and  he  started  at  a  run  through  Ireland's 
woods  ;  while  they,  seeking  to  wound  him,  followed  in  his  wake, 
there  having  been  between  him  and  them  but  one  forest  bough 
by  way  of  interval  at  first.  Should  he  be  overtaken,  he  was 
wounded  and  not  received  into  the  Fianna  after.  If  his  weapons 
had  quivered  in  his  hand,  he  was  not  taken.  Should  a  branch  in 
the  wood  have  disturbed  anything  of  his  hair  out  of  its  braiding, 
neither  was  he  taken.  If  he  had  cracked  a  dry  stick  under  his 
foot  [as  he  ran]  he  was  not  accepted.  Unless  that  [at  his  full 
speed]  he  had  both  jumped  a  stick  level  with  his  brow,  and 
stooped  to  pass  under  one  even  with  his  knee,  he  was  not  taken. 
Also,  unless  without  slackening  his  pace  he  could  with  his  nail 
extract  a  thorn  from  his  foot,  he  was  not  taken  into  Fianship : 
but  if  he  performed  all  this  he  was  of  Finn's  people. 
'  7\.  good  man  verily  was  he  that  had  those  Fianna,  for  he  was  the 
seventh  king  ruling  Ireland  :  that  is  to  say  there  were  five  kings 
of  the  provinces,  and  the  king  of  Ireland  ;  he  being  himself  the 
seventh,  conjointly  with  the  king  of  all  Ireland. 

Finn's  two  poll-wards  were  Noenalach,  and  Raer  grandson  of 
Garb  ;  the  two  stewards  of  his  hounds  :  Crimthann  and  Connla 
Cas  ;  his  dispenser :  Cathluan  son  of  Crimthann  ;  his  master  of 
the  banquet :  Core  son  of  Suan  ;  his  three  cupbearers :  Dermot 
grandson  of  Duibhne,  and  Faillin,  and  CoUa  son  of  Caeilte; 
the  two  overseers  of  his  hearth :  Caeilte  and  Glanna ;  his  two 
makers  of  the  bedi  Admoll  and  mac  Neri;  his  twelve  musicians: 
Fergus  True-mouth,  Fianu,  Bran,  two  Reidhes,  Nuada,  and 
Aithirne  Aghmar,  and    ....     Flann  and  Aedh,  Cobthach  of 


The  Colloquy.  loi 

the  high  strains,  and  Cethern  ;  his  physician  :  Lerthuile ;  his  two 
keepers  of  the  vessels  :  Braen  and  Cellach  Mael ;  his  barber : 
Scannal ;  his  comber :  Daelgus  ;  his  charioteer :  Rinnchu  ;  his 
two  masters  of  the  horse :  Aena  and  Becan ;  his  strong  man : 
Urchraide  grandson  of  Bregaide ;  his  six  door-keepers :  Cuchaire 
and  Bresal  Borr,  Fianchad  and  Mac-dá-fer^  Imchad  and  Aithech 
son  of  Aithech-bal ;  his  carpenter:  Donngus;  his  smith:  Collan; 
his  worker  in  metal :  Congaran  ;  his  horn -players  :  Culaing  and 
Cuchuailgne ;  his  two  soothsayers :  Dirinn  and  Mac-reith ;  his 
carver :  Cuinnscleo ;  his  candle-holder :  Cudam ;  his  two  spear- 
bearers  :  .    .    .    and  Uadgarb ;  his  shield-bearer :  Railbhe,  and 

so  on. 

Finis, 


The  Colloquy  with  the  Ancients. 

When  the  battle  of  Comar,  the  battle  of  Gowra,  and  the  battle 
of  Ollarba  had  been  fought,  and  after  that  the  Fianna  for  the 
most  part  were  extinguished,  the  residue  of  them  in  small  bands 
and  in  companies  had  dispersed  throughout  all  Ireland,  until  at 
the  point  of  time  which  concerns  us  there  remained  not  any  but 
two  good  warriors  only  of  the  last  of  the  Fianna :  Ossian  son  of 
Finn,  and  Caeilte  son  of  Crunnchu  son  of  Ronan  (whose  lusty 
vigour  and  power  of  spear-throwing  were  now  dwindled  down) 
and  so  many  fighting  men  as  with  themselves  made  twice  nine. 
These  twice  nine  came  out  of  the  flowery-soiled  bosky  borders 
of  Slievefuad  [county  Armagh]  and  into  the  Itiglibartabaruu^X. 
this  present  called  lughmadh  \angL  *  Louth  *],  where  at  the  falling 
of  the  evening  clouds  that  night  they  were  melancholy,  dispirited. 

Caeilte  said  to  Ossian  then  :  "  good  now,  Ossian,  before  the 
day's  end  what  path  shall  we  take  in  quest  of  entertainment  for 
the  night  ?'*  Ossian  answered  :  "  I  know  not,  seeing  that  of  the 
ancients  of  the  Fianna  and  of  Finn's  people  formerly  but  three 
survive :  I  and  thyself,  Caeilte,  with  Cdinha  the  she-chief  and  she- 
custodian  that,  from  the  time  when  he  was  a  boy  until  the  day  in 
which  he  died,  kept  Finn  son  of  Cumall  safe."  Caeilte  said : 
**  we  are  entitled  to  this  night's  lodging  and  provision  from  her ; 
for  it  is  not  possible  to  rehearse  nor  to  shew  the  quantity  which 


I02  The  Colloquy. 

Finn,  captain  of  the  Fianna,  bestowed  on  her  of  precious  things 
and  of  treasures,  including  the  third  best  thing  of  price  that  Finn 
ever  acquired :  the  Anghalach  namely,  or  drinking-horn  which 
Moriath  daughter  of  the  king  of  Greece  gave  to  Finn,  and  Finn 
to  Camha. 

With  Camha  therefore  they  got  hospitality  for  that  night ; 
their  names  she  enquired  of  them  and  [at  their  sound]  wept 
vehement  showers  of  tears ;  then  she  and  they,  each  of  the  other, 
solight  to  have  tidings.  Next,  they  entered  into  the  bed-house 
disposed  for  them,  and  Camha  the  she-chief  prescribed  their  refec- 
tion :  that  the  freshest  of  all  kinds  of  meat  and  the  oldest  of  all 
sorts  of  drink  be  given  them,  for  she  knew  in  what  fashion  such 
as  they  used  to  be  fed.  She  knew  also  how  much  it  was  that 
many  a  time  before  the  present  had  constituted  a  sufficiency  for 
Ossian  and  for  Caeilte.  Languidly  and  feebly  she  arose  and  held 
forth  on  the  Fianna  and  on  Finn  mac  Cumall ;  of  Ossian's  son 
Oscar  too  she  deliberated,  of  7nac  Lugach^  of  the  battle  of  Gowra 
with  other  matters ;  and  by  reason  of  this  in  the  end  a  great  silence 
settled  on  them  all. 

Then  Caeilte  said  :  "  such  matters  we  hold  now  to  be  not  more 
painful  than  the  way  in  which  the  twice  nine  that  we  are  of  the 
remnant  of  that  great  and  goodly  fellowship  must  perforce  part, 
and  diverge  from  each  other."  Ossian  answered  that :  "  they 
being  gone  [lit,  *  after  them ']  in  me  by  my  word,  and  verily,  is  no 
more  fight  nor  pith."  Valiant  as  were  these  warrior-men,  here 
nevertheless  with  the  she-chief — with  Camha — they  wept  in  gloom, 
in  sadness,  and  dejectedly.  Their  adequate  allowance  of  meat 
and  of  drink  was  given  them  ;  they  tarried  there  for  three  days 
and  three  nights,  then  bade  Camha  farewell,  and  Ossian  said : — 

"  Camha  to-day  is  sorrowful :  she  is  come  to  the  point  where  she  must 
swim ;  Camha  without  either  son  or  grandson  :  it  is  befallen  her  to  be  old 
and  blighted.'' 

Forth  of  the  town  they  came  now,  and  out  upon  the  green ; 
there  they  took  a  resolve,  which  was  this :  to  separate,  and  this 
parting  of  theirs  was  a  sundering  of  soul  and  body.  Even  so 
they  did  r^Nfor  Ossian  went  to  the  sldh  of  ucht  Cleitigh^  where  was 
his  mother :  Blái  daughter  of  Derc  surnamed  dianscothach  [i.e. 
*of  the  forcible  language']  Nvhile  Caeilte  took  his  way  to  inbher 
Bic  loingsigh^  which  at  the  present  is  called  tnainistir  droichid 


The  Colloquy.  Í03 

átha  [í.e.  *  the  Monastery  of  Drogheda  *]  from  Beg  loingsech  son 
of  Arist  that  was  drowned  in  it :  the  king  of  the  Romans'  son 
namely,  who  came  to  invade  Ireland  ;  but  a  tidal  wave  drowned 
him  there  in  his  inbher,  i.e.  *  inver '  or  estuary.  He  went  on  to 
linn  Féic^  i.e.  *  Fiac's  Pool/  on  the  bright-streaming  Boyne  ;  south- 
wards over  the  Old  Plain  of  Bregia,  and  to  the  rath  of  Drumderg 
where  Patrick  son  of  Calpurn  was. 

Just  then  Patrick  chanted  the  Lord's  order  of  the  canon  [i.a 
Mass],  and  lauded  the  Creator,  and  pronounced  benediction  on 
the  rath  in  which  Finn  mac  Cumall  had  been  :  the  rath  of  Drum- 
derg. The  clerics  saw  Caeilte  and  his  band  draw  near  them  ; 
and  fear  fell  on  them  before  the  tall  men  with  their  huge  wolf- 
dogs  that  accompanied  them,  for  they  were  not  people  of  one 
epoch  or  of  one  time  with  the  clergy. 

Then  Heaven's  distinguished  one,  that  pillar  of  dignity  and 

angel  on  earth :  Calpurn's  son  Patrick,  apostle  of  the  Gael,  rose 

and  took  the  aspergillum  to  sprinkle  holy  water  on  the  great 

men  ;  floating  over  whom  until  that  day  there  had  been  [and  were 

now]  a  thousand  legions  of  demons.     Into  the  hills  and  *  skalps,' 

into  the  outer  borders  of  the  region  and  of  the  country,  the 

demons  forthwith  departed  in  all  directions ;   after  which   the 

enormous  men  sat  down. 

J. 

"  Good  now,"  Patrick  said  to  Caeilte,  "what  name  hast  thou ?"      .  ^^f / 
"  I  am  Caeilte  son  of  Crunnchu  son  of  Ronan."     For  a  long  while         ^  r-    '^  « ^ 
the  clergy  marvelled  greatly  as  they  gazed  on  them ;   for  the 
largest  man  of  them  reached  but  to  the  waist,  or  else  to  the 
shoulder  of  any  given  one  of  the  others  and  thevjitting.     Patrick  ^í^  ."^  ^\ 

said  again :  "  Caeilte,  I  am  fain  to  beg  a  Boon  of  thee."  He 
answered :  "  If  I  have  but  that  much  strength  or  power,  it  shall 
be  had ;  at  all  events,  enunciate  the  same."  "  To  have  in  our 
vicinity  here  a  well  of  pure  water,  from  which  we  might  baptise 
the  tuatha  of  Bregia,  of  Meath,  and  of  Usnach."  "  Noble  and 
righteous  one,"  said  Caeilte,  "that  I  have  for  thee,"  and  they 
crossing  the  rath's  circumvallation  came  out ;  in  his  hand  he 
took  Patrick's  and  [in  a  little  while]  right  in  front  of  them  they 
saw  a  loch-well,  sparkling  and  translucid.  The  size  and  thick- 
ness of  the  cress  and  of  the  fothlacht^  or  brooklime,  that  grew 
on  it  was  a  wonderment  to  them  ;  then  Caeilte  began  to  tell  its 
Came  and  qualities,  in  doing  of  which  he  said  : — 


I04  The  Colloquy. 

"O  Well  oitráigh  dá  bhan^  i.e.  *two  women's  strand,*  beautiful  thy  cresses 
luxurious-branching,  are  I  since  thy  produce  is  neglected  on  thee,  thy  foth- 
lacht  is  not  suffered  to  grow.  Forth  from  thy  banks  thy  trouts  are  to  be  seen, 
thy  wild  swine  in  thy  [neighbouring]  wilderness  ;  the  deer  of  thy  fair  hunting 
cragland,  thy  dappled  and  red-chested  fawns  !  Thy  mast  all  hanging  on  the 
branches  of  thy  trees  ;  thy  fish  in  estuaries  of  thy  rivers  ;  lovely  the  colour  of 
thy  purling  streams,  O  thou  [that  thyself  art]  azure-hued,  and  again  green 
with  reflection  of  surrounding  copsewood  I    .    .    ." 

"  Tis  well,"  Patrick  said  :  "  hath  our  dinner  and  our  provant 
reached  us  yet?"  " It  ha«  so,"  answered  bishop  Sechnall.  " Dis- 
tribute it,"  said  Patrick,  "and  one  half  give  to  yon  nine  tall 
warriors  of  the  survivors  of  the  Fianna."  Then  his  bishops,  and 
his  priests^  and  his  psalmodists  arose  and  blessed  the  meat ;  and 
of  both  meat  and  liquor  they  consumed  their  full  sufficiency,  yet 
so  as  to  serve  their  soul's  weal. 

Patrick  said  then  :  "  was  not  he  a  good*  lord  with  whom  ye 
were ;  Finn  mac  Cumall  that  is  to  say  ? "  Upon  which  Caeilte 
uttered  this  little  tribute  of  praise  : — 

"  Were  but  the  brown  leaf  which  the  wood  sheds  from  it  gold — were  but 
the  white  billow  silver — Finn  would  have  given  it  all  away." 

"  Who  or  what  was  it  that  maintained  you  so  in  your  life  ?  " 
Patrick  enquired  ;  and  Caeilte  answered  :  "  truth  that  was  in  our 
hearts,  and  strength  in  our  arms,  and  fulfilment  in  our  tongues." 

"  Good,  Caeilte,"  Patrick  went  on  :  "  in  the  houses  which  before 
our  time  thou  didst  frequent  were  there  drinking-horns,  or  cups, 
or  goblets  of  crystal  and  of  pale  gold  ? "  and  Caeilte  answered 
that :  "  the  number  of  the  horns  that  were  in  my  lord's  house  was 
as  follows : — 

**  Twelve  drinking-horns  and  three  hundred  made  of  gold  Finn  had ;  when- 
c\'er  they  came  to  the  pouring  out  the  quantity  of  liquor  that  they  held  was 
immense.*' 

"  Were  it  not  for  us  an  impairing  of  the  devout  life,  an  occasion 
of  neglecting  prayer,  and  of  deserting  converse  with  God,  we  as 
we  talked  with  thee  would  feel  the  time  pass  quickly,  warrior." 
Then  Caeilte  began  to  rehearse  the  drinking-horns,  with  the 
chiefs  and  lords  whose  they  had  been  : — 

"  Horns  that  were  in  Finn's  house,  their  names  I  bear  in  mind    ..." 

"  Success  and  benediction  attend  thee,  Caeilte,"  Patrick  said  ; 
this  is  to  me  a  lightening  of  spirit  and  of  mind  ;  and  now  tell  us 
another  tale."     "  I  will  indeed ;  but  say  what  story  thou  wouldst 


The  Colloquy.  105 

be  pleased  to  have."  "  In  the  Fianna  had  ye  horses,  or  cavalry?" 
Caeilte  answered  :  "  we  had  so ;  thrice  fifty  foals  from  one  mare 
and  a  single  sire."  "  Whence  were  they  procured  ? "  "I  will  tell 
thee  the  truth  of  the  matter  : — 

"  A  young  man  that  served  with  Finn :  Arthur  son  of  Béine 
Brity  his  complement  being  thrice  nine  men.  Finn  set  on  foot 
the  hunting  of  Ben-Edar  (which  indeed  turned  out  to  be  a  bounti- 
ful and  a  fruitful  hunt).  They  slipped  their  hounds  accordingly, 
while  Finn  took  his  seat  on  cam  an  fhéinneda  [i.e.  *  the  Fian's 
cairn']  between  Edar's  eminence  and  the  sea;  there  his  spirit 
was  gay  within  him  when  he  listened  to  the  maddened  stags' 
bellowing  as  by  the  hounds  of  the  Fianna  they  were  killed  rapidly. 

"Where  Beine  Brit's  son  Arthur  was  stationed  was  between 
the  main  body  of  the  hunt  and  the  sea  in  order  that  the  deer 
should  not  take  to  the  sea  and  elude  them  by  swimming.  But  N^ 
Arthur,  being  thus  on  the  outside  and  close  against  the  shore, 
marked  three  of  Finn's  hounds:  Bran^  Sceolaingy  and  Adnuall^ 
and  he  resolved  on  a  plan,  which  was :  himself  and  his  three  nines 
to  depart  away  across  the  sea,  he  carrying  off  with  him  into  his 
own  land  those  same  three  hounds.  This  plot  was  put  into  action 
then ;  for  well  I  wot  that  they,  having  with  them  those  three  hounds, 
traversed  the  sea's  surface  and  at  inbhermara gaimiach  in  Briton- 
land  took  harbour  and  haven.  They  landed  there,  proceeded  to 
the  mountain  of  Lodan  son  of  Lir.  and  hunted  it. 

"  Touching  the  Fianna :  after  this  occurrence  they  made  an 
end  of  their  hunting  and  of  their  sylvan  slaughter,  then  camped 
at  the  eminence  of  Edgaeth's  son  Edar,  and  (as  the  custom  was 
then)  Finn's  household  hounds  were  counted.  Now  his  hounds 
were  many  in  number,  as  the  poet  said  : — 

"  An  enumerating  of  branches  [on  the  tree]  was  that  of  Finn's  full-grown 
hounds  with  his  sleek  melodious  pack  of  youngsters :  three  hundred  of  the 
first  there  were,  and  puppy-hounds  two  hundred.'* 

"Many  men  they  must  have  been  that  owned  those,"  said 
Patrick.  "  True  for  you  indeed,"  Caeilte  answered,  "  for  the  tale 
that  used  to  be  in  Finn's  house  was  this : — 

"  They  that  dwelt  in  the  house  of  Finn  were  three  times  fifty  of  joyous  leaders 
of  the  Fianna  ;  three  hundred  confidential  servitors  as  well,  and  two  hundred 
fosterlings  that  were  worthy  [of  their  chiefs]." 

"  But  when  the  hounds  were  told  a  great  shortcoming  was  dis- 


io6  The  Colloquy. 

covered  in  them :  Bran,  Sceolaing,  Adnuall  [were  missing],  and 
it  was  told  to  Finn.  *  Have  all  three  battalions  of  the  Fianna 
searched  out,'  he  said ;  yet  though  the  search  was  made  were  not 
the  hounds  found. 

-  "  To  Finn  then  was  brought  an  elongated  basin  of  pale  gold  ; 
he  washed  his  kingly  face,  put  his  thumb  under  his  knowledge- 
tooth,  truth  was  revealed  to  him,  and  he  said  :  *  the  king  of  the 
Britons*  son  has  deprived  you  of  your  hounds  ;  pick  ye  therefore 
nine  men  to  go  in  quest  of  them  I'  They  were  chosen,  their  names 
being  these :  Dermot  son  of  Donn  son  of  Donough  son  of  Dub/ián, 

of  the  Ema  of  Munster  in  the  south  :  Goll  mac  Morna " 

"  Was  Goll  a  chiefs  son,  or  a  simple  warrior's  ?  "  Patrick  enquired. 
"A  chiefs,"  answered  Caeilte : — 

"  He  was  son  of  Teigue  son  of  Morna  of  the  tnaghy  that  was  son  of  Faelan 
son  of  Feradach  son  of  Fiacha  son  of  Art  of  the  magh  son  of  Muiredach  son 
of  Eochaid." 

"  There  was  Gael  cródha  the  hundred-slayer,  grandson  of  Nemh- 
nann  :  a  champion  that  Finn  had,  and  endowed  with  deadly  pro- 
perty (which  property  attaching  to  him  was  that  his  arm  never 
delivered  a  cast  that  missed  the  mark,  and  that  never  was  his 
hand  bloodied  on  a  man  but  the  same  would  before  a  nine  days* 
term  were  out  be  dead) ;  there  was  Finn's  son  Ossian  :  he  that, 
if  only  a  man  had  a  head  to  eat  with  and  legs  to  go  upon  [and 
carry  off  his  largesse],  never  refused  any."  "  Caeilte,"  said  Payick, 
"that  is  a  great  character."  "And  though  it  be  so  it  is  a  true 
one,"  Caeilte  answered,  and  said  : — 

"  In  the  matter  of  gold,  of  silver,  or  concerning  meat,  Ossian  never  denied 
any  man  ;  nor,  though  another's  generosity  were  such  as  might  fit  a  chief,  did 
Ossian  ever  seek  aught  of  him." 

"  There  was  Ossian's  son  Oscar :  the  chiefs  son  that  in  all  Ire- 
land was  best  for  spear-throwing  and  for  vigorous  activity ;  also 
FfirHoman^snn  of  fíodhh  Herg  SQp  of  the  Daghda :  Finn's  son 
Raighne  Wide-eye,  his  son  Cainche  the  crimson-red  ;  Glas  son  of 
Encherd  Béra^  mac  Lughach  and  myself.  Now,  saintly  Patrick, 
we  the  aforesaid  within  ourselves  were  conscious  [i.e.  felt  confi- 
dent] that  from  Taprobane  in  the  east  to  the  garden  of  the 
Hesperides  in  the  world's  westernmost  part  were  no  four  hundred 
warriors  but,  on  the  battle-field  and  hand-to-hand,  we  were  a  match 
for  them  :  we  had  not  a  head  without  a  helmet,  nor  shoulder  with- 


The  Colloquy.  107 

out  whitened  shield,  nor  right  fist  that  grasped  not  two  great  and 
lengthy  spears.  On  this  expedition  we  went  our  ways  then,  and 
until  we  reached  Lodan^mac  Lir's^mountain,  where  we  had  been 
no  long  time  before  we  heard  dialogue  of  men  that  hunted  in  the 
field. 

"  As  regards  Beine  Brit's  son  Arthur :  he  just  then,  with  his 
people,  sat  on  his  hunting-mound.  Them  we  charge  in  lively 
fashion,  kill  Arthur's  people  all ;  but  round  about  him  Oscar 
knits  both  his  arms,  gives  him  quarter,  and  we  bring  off  our  three 
hounds.  Here  Goll  mac  Morna  chancing  to  look  about  him  saw 
an  iron-grey  horse,  flecked  with  spots,  and  wearing  a  bridle  fitted 
with  wrought  ornament  of  gold.  At  another  glance  that  he  threw 
to  his  left  he  discerned  a  bay  horse  (one  not  easy  to  lay  hold  of) 
and  having  a  reticulated  bridle  of  twice  refined  silver  fitted  with 
a  golden  bit  This  [second]  horse  also  Goll  mac  Morna  seized 
and  put  into  the  hand  of  Ossian,  who  passed  him  on  to  Dermot 
ua  Duibhne,  After  successful  execution  and  due  celebration  of 
our  slaughter  we  came  away,  bringing  with  us  the  heads  of  those 
thrice  nine,  our  hounds  and  horses  too,  with  Arthur  himself  *  in 
hand  [i.e.  a  prisoner],'  and  so  back  to  where  Finn  was :  in  Edar's 
old  fna£^h  nelta  \angL  *Moynalty'].  We  reached  his  tent,  and 
Caeilte  said :  *  we  have  brought  Arthur.'  This  latter  entered 
into  bonds  with  Finn,  and  thereafter,  up  to  the  day  in  which  he 
died,  was  Finn's  follower.  The  two  horses  we  gave  to  Finn : 
horse  and  mare,  of  whose  seed  were  all  the  horses  of  the  Fianna, 
who  hitherto  had  not  used  any  such.  The  mare  bred  eight  times  : 
at  every  birth  eight  foals,  which  were  made  over  to  the  various 
detachments  and  *  good  men '  [i.e.  notables]  of  the  Fianna,  and 
these  in  the  sequel  had  chariots  made." 

"  Success  and  benediction  be  thine,  Caeilte,"  said  Patrjjk, "  and 
tell  us  the  names  of  the  chiefs  and  mighty  men  that  owned  those 
horses."    Then  Caeilte,  telling  it,  said  : — 

"  The  horses  of  the  Fianna  are  known  to  me    .    .    ." 
.    "  Success  and  benediction,  Caeilte :  all  this  is  to  us  a  recreation 
of  spirit  and  of  mind,  were  it  only  not  a  destruction  of  devotion 
and  a  dereliction  of  prayer." 

There  they  were  until  the  morrow's  morning  came,  when  Patrick  ^ 
robed  himself  and  emerged  upon  the  green ;  together  with  his 
three  score  priests,  three  score  psalmodists,  and  holy  bishops 


io8  The  Colloquy. 

three  score  as  well,  that  with  him  disseminated  faith  and  piety 
throughout  Ireland.  Patrick's  two  guardian  angels  came  to  him 
now :  Aibellán  and  Solusbrethach^  of  whom  he  enquired  whether 
in  God's  sight  it  were  convenient  for  him  to  be  listening  to 
stories  of  the  Fianna.  With  equal  emphasis,  and  concordantly, 
the  angels  answered  him  :  "  holy  cleric,  no  more  than  a  third  part 
of  their  stories  do  those  ancient  warriors  tell,  by  reason  of  forget- 
fulness  and  lack  of  memory ;  but  by  thee  be  it  [such  as  it  is] 
written  ^n  tabular  staffs  of  poets,  and  in  ollaves'  word^  for  to  the 
companies  and  nobles  of  the  latter  time  to  give  ear  to  these  stories 
will  be  for  a  pastime."     Which  said,  the  angels  departed. 

From  Patrick  now  messengers  were  despatched  to  fetch  Caeilte, 
and  he  along  with  the  nine  that  were  his  number  were  brought 
to  the  saint ;  whose  names  were  these :  Failbhe  son  of  Flann  ; 
Eoghan  Red-weapon,  the  king  of  Ulidia's  son ;  Flann,  son  of 
Fergus  king  of  Kinelconnell ;  Conall  the  Slaughterer,  son  of 
Angus  king  of  Connacht ;  Scannlan,  son  of  Ailell  king  of  Ossory ; 
Bacdan,  son  of  Garb  king  of  Corcaguiney ;  Luaimnech  Linn,  son 
of  the  king  of  the  Ema  of  Munster ;  Failbhe  and  Uainchenn,  the 
king  of  Dalaradia's  sons  out  of  the  north  ;  with  Fulartach,  son  of 
Finghin  king  of  the  tuatha  of  Bregia  and  of  Meath. 

Patrick  said :  "  know  ye  why  ye  are  brought  to  confer  with 
me  ?  "  "  In  sooth  we  know  it  not,"  they  answered.  "  To  the  end 
ye  should  make  obeisance  [i.e.  conform]  to  the  gospel  of  Heaven's 
and  of  Earth's  king:  the  Very  and  the  most  Glorious  God." 
Then  and  there  the  water  of  Christ's  Baptism  was  by  Patrick 
sprinkled  on  them  preparatory  to  the  baptism  and  conversion  of 
all  Ireland. 

Then  [with  his  right  hand]  Caeilte  reached  across  him  to  the 
rim  of  his  shield,  and  gave  to  Patrick  a  ridgy  mass  of  gold  [taken 
thence]  in  which  were  three  times  fifty  ounces :  this  as  a  fee  for 
the  baptism  of  the  nine  with  him.  He  said  :  "  that  was  Finn's, 
the  chief's,  last  wage  to  me  and,  Patrick,  have  it  thou  for  my  soul's 
and  for  my  commander's  soul's  weal."  The  extent  to  which  this 
mass  reached  on  Patrick  was  from  his  middle  finger's  tip  to  his 
shoulder's  highest  point,  while  in  width  and  in  thickness  it  mea- 
sured a  man's  cubit.  Now  this  gold  was  bestowed  upon  the  Tail- 
c/tenn's  canonical  hand-bells,  on  psalters  and  on  missals. 

Patrick  said  again :   "  it  is  well,  Caeilte ;  what  was  the  best 


The  Colloquy.  109 

hunting  that  the  Fianna  ever  had,  whether  in  Ireland  or  in  Scot- 
land ?  "  "  The  hunting  of  Arran."  Patrick  enquired  :  "  where  is 
that  land  ?  "  "  Betwixt  Scotland  and  Pictland  :  on  the  first  day 
of  the/r^^iZ«-month  (which  now  is  called  lughnasadh  i.e.  *  Lammas- 
tide')  we,  to  the  number  of  the  Fianna's  three  battalions,  practised 
to  repair  thither  and  there  have  our  fill  of  hunting  until  such  time 
as  from  the  tree-tops  the  cuckoo  would  call  in  Ireland.  More 
melodious  than  all  music  whatsoever  it  was  to  give  ear  to  the 
voices  of  the  birds  as  they  rose  from  the  billows  and  from  the 
island's  coast-line  ;  thrice  fifty  separate  flocks  there  were  that  en- 
circled her,  and  they  clad  in  gay  brilliance  of  all  colours  :  as  blue, 
and  green,  and  azure,  and  yellow."    Here  Caeilte  uttered  a  lay: — 

**  Arran  of  the  many  stags — the  sea  impinges  on  her  very  shoulders  !  an 
island  in  which  whole  companies  were  fed — and  with  ridges  among  which 
blue  spears  are  reddened !  Skittish  deer  are  on  her  pinnacles,  soft  blackberries 
on  her  waving  heather  ;  cool  water  there  is  in  her  rivers,  and  mast  upon  her 
russet  oaks  !  Greyhounds  there  were  in  her,  and  beagles  ;  blaeberries  and 
sloes  of  the  dark  blackthorn  ;  dwellings  with  their  backs  set  close  against  her 
woods,  and  the  deer  fed  scattered  by  her  oaken  thickets  !  A  crimson  crop 
grew  on  her  rocks,  in  all  her  glades  a  faultless  grass  ;  over  her  crags  affording 
friendly  refuge,  leaping  went  on  and  fawns  were  skipping  !  Smooth  were  her 
level  spots — her  wild  swine,  they  were  fat ;  cheerful  her  fields  (this  is  a  tale  that 
may  be  credited),  her  nuts  hung  on  her  forest-hazels'  boughs,  and  there  was 
sailing  of  long  galleys  past  her  1  Right  pleasant  their  condition  all  when  the 
fair  weather  sets  in :  under  her  rivers'  brinks  trouts  lie  ;  the  sea-gulls  wheeling 
round  her  grand  cliff  answer  one  the  other— at  every  fitting  time  delectable 
is  Arran  1 " 

"Victory  and  blessing  wait  on  thee,  Caeilte!"  said  Patrick: 
"  for  the  future  thy  stories  and  thyself  are  dear  to  us." 

Straightway  now  forth  from  him  Patrick  saw  a  fort,  a  fair 
dwelling,  and  :  "  Caeilte,"  he  said,  "  what  is  yon  town  ?  "  "  That  \j 
is  the  proudest  town  that  ever  I  was  in,  in  Ireland  or  in  Scot- 
land." "  Who  lived  there  ?  "  "  The  three  sons  of  Lughaid  Menn 
son  of  ^agus,  i.e.  the  king  of  Ireland's  three  sons :  Ruidhe^  and 
FiachUy  and  Eochaid  were  their  names."  "  What  procured  them 
that  great  wealth  ?  "  '^^^esih 

"  It  was  once  upon  a  time  that  they  came  to  have  speech  of  j 
their  father,  to  fert  na  ndruadh,  i.e.  'grave  of  the  wizards,*  north- 
west of  Tara : — *  Whence  come  ye,  young  fellows  ? '  he  enquired. 
They  made  answer  :  *  from  echlais  banghuba  to  the  southward,  out 
of  our  nurse's  and  our  guardian's  house.'     '  My  lads,  what  set  you 


I  ló  The  Colloquy. 

in  motion  ?  *  asked  the  king  again.  *  To  crave  a  country  of  thee, 
a  domain/  For  a  space  the  king  was  silent,  and  then  said  :  *  no 
father  it  was  that  on  me  conferred  either  country  or  domain,  but 
my  own  luck  and  dazzling  achievement.  Lands  therefore  I  will 
not  bestow  on  you,  but  win  lands  for  yourselves.'  Thereupon 
they  with  the  ready  rising  of  one  man  rose  and  took  their  way  to 
the  green  of  the  brugh  upon  the  Boyne  where,  none  other  being 
in  their  company,  they  sat  them  down.  Ruidhe  said  :  *  what  is 
your  plan  to-night?*  His  brothers  rejoined:  'our  project  is  to 
fast  on  the  tuatha  dé  Danantiy  aiming  thus  to  win  from  them  good 
fortune  in  the  shape  of  a  country,  of  a  domain,  of  lands,  and  to 
have  vast  riches.'  Nor  had  they  been  long  there  when  they 
marked  a  cheery-looking  young  man  of  a  pacific  demeanour 
that  came  towards  them.  He  salutes  the  king  of  Ireland's  sons; 
they  answer  him  after  the  same  manner.  *  Young  man,  whence 
art  thou?  whence  comest  thou  Y  'Out  of  yonder  brugh  chequered 
with  the  many  lights  hard  by  you  here.*  *  What  name  wearest 
thou  ? '  *  I  am  the  Daghda's  son  Bodhb  Derg ;  and  to  the  tuat/ta 
dé  Danann  it  was  revealed  that  ye  would  come  to  fast  here  to- 
night, for  lands  and  for  great  fortune.  But  come  with  me,  lads.' 
Simultaneously  they  rose,  and  entered  into  the  brugh  \  supper 
was  served  them,  but  they  ate  it  not.  Bodhb  enquired  of  them 
why  it  was  that  they  took  no  meat  *  Because  the  king  of  Ireland, 
our  father,  denied  us  territory  and  lands.  Now  there  are  in  Ire- 
land but  two  tribes  that  are  equal :  the  sons  of  Milesius,  and  the 
tuatha  dé  Danann ;  to  the  alternative  one  of  which  we  are  come 
now. 

"  Then  the  tuat/ta  dé  Danann  went  into  council,  he  that  in  such 
council  was  most  noble  in  rank,  and  preponderant,  being  Mid/tir 
Yellow-mane  son  of  the  Daghda,  who  said :  '  those  yonder  ac- 
commodate now  with  three  wives,  since  from  wives  it  is  that 
either  fortune  or  misfortune  is  derived.'  Whereat  were  given  to 
them  Midhir's  three  daughters :  Doirenn,  and  Aife,  and  Aillbhe. 
Quoth  Midhir:  'say,  Bodhb,  what  gifts  shall  be  given  them?' 
Bodhb  said  :  *  I  will  declare  it.  Three  times  fifty  sons  of  kings 
we  are  in  this  sidh ;  from  every  king's  son  of  whom  be  given 
them  thrice  fifty  ounces  of  red  gold,  while  from  me  they  shall 
have  [in  addition]  thrice  fifty  suits  of  raiment  various  with  all 
hues.'    Aedh,  son  of  Aedh  na  nabusach  from  cnoc  ardmuUa  out  in 


The  Colloquy.  i  I'l 

the  sea,  which  to-day  is  called  Rachrainn  \angL  '  Rathlin  *],  and  a 
stripling  of  the  tuatha  dé  Dafiann^  said  :  'from  me  too  a  gift  for 
them,  viz.  a  horn  and  a  vat ;  regarding  which  it  needs  but  to  fill  the 
vat  with  pure  water,  and  of  this  it  will  make  mead  both  drinkable 
and  having  virtue  to  intoxicate ;  but  into  the  horn  put  bitter  brine 
out  of  the  deep,  and  on  the  instant  it  shall  turn  it  into  wine.' 

*  A  gift  for  them  from  me,'  said  Lir  of  sidh  Finnachaid :  *  three 
times  fifty  swords,  and  thrice  fifty  well  rivettcd  spears  of  length.' 

*  A  gift  from  me  to  them,'  said  the  Daghda's  son  Angus  Oge  :  *  a 
fort  and  stronghold,  and  a  most  excellent  spacious  town  with 
lofty  stockades,  with  light-admitting  bowers,  with  houses  of  accu- 
rate prospect  and  very  roomy ;  all  this  in  whatsoever  place  it 
shall  please  them  between  rdih  Chobtaigh  and  Tara.'  *A  gift 
for  them  from  me,'  said  Aine  daughter  of  Modharn  :  *  a  she-cook 
that  I  have,  to  whom  it  is  matter  of  prohibition  to  refuse  meat  to 
any ;  but  according  as  she  serves  out,  so  too  is  her  store  replen- 
ished [of  itself].'     *A  gift  from  me  to  them,'  said  Bodhb  Derg: 

*  a  good  minstrel  that  I  have  {Fer-tuimie  mac  Trogain  is  his  name), 
and  though  saws  were  being  plied  where  there  were  women  in 
sharpest  pains  of  childbirth,  and  brave  men  that  were  wounded 
early  in  the  day,  nevertheless  would  such  sleep  to  the  fitful 
melody  that  he  makes.  Yet  to  the  dwelling  in  which  for  the 
time  being  he  actually  is  he  is  not  minstrel  more  effectively  than 
to  that  whole  country's  inhabitants  in  general  [for  all  they  as  well 
may  hear  him].'  For  three  days  with  their  nights  they  abode  in 
the  sidJu 

"  Angus  told  them  to  carry  away  out  of  fidh  omna^  i.e.  '  Oak- 
wood,'  three  apple-trees :  one  in  full  bloom,  another  shedding 
the  blossom,  and  another  covered  with  ripe  fruit  Then  they 
repaired  to  the  dún^  where  they  abode  for  three  times  fifty  years, 
and  until  those  kings  disappeared ;  for  in  virtue  of  marriage 
alliance  they  returned  again  to  the  tuatha  dé  Datiaan,  and  from 
that  time  forth  have  remained  there.  And  that,  Patrick,  is  the 
dan  concerning  which  thou  enquiredst  of  me,"  said  Caeilte : — ^^ 

Caeilte  cecinit. 
"  Three  things  in  great  plenty,  and  O  great  plenty  of  three  things,  that  out 
of  Buide's  high  fort  issued  !  a  crowd  of  young  men,  a  great  troop  of  horses, 
the  numerous  greyhounds  of  LughaicPs  three  sons.  Three  sorts  of  music, 
and  O  music  of  three  kinds,  that  comely  kings  enjoyed !  music  of  harps, 
melody  of  sweet  timpans,  humming  of  Trogan's  son  Fer-tuinne,    A  triple 


112  The  Colloquy. 

din,  and  O  a  din  three-fold !  sound  of  tramping  ascending  from  that  fort's 
green,  uproar  of  racing,  boom  of  lowing  kine.  Three  noises,  and  O  noises 
three !  sound  of  its  swine  span-thick  in  fat  and  excellent,  buzz  of  the  crowd 
upon  the  palace  lawn,  [indoors]  hilarity  of  revellers  with  mead-begotten 
clamour.  Fruit  crops  in  three  stages,  and  O  crops  in  stages  three,  that  used  to 
be  there  hanging  on  its  boughs  1  a  tree  a-shedding,  a  tree  in  bloom,  and  yet 
another  laden  ripe.  Three  sons  it  was  that  Lughaid  left  (though  their  great 
deeds  are  passed  away) :  Ruide,  spacious  Lughaid's  son,  Eochaid  and  manly 
Fiacha.  I  will  testify  to  Eochaid  that  never  took  a  step  in  flight :  never  was 
he  without  his  customary  music,  nor  ever  for  any  time  without  quafHng  of  ale 
[i.e.  banquets  were  constant  in  his  mansion].  I  will  testify  to  Fiacha  (though 
the  fame  of  his  depredations  be  obscured) :  never  he  uttered  expression  that 
was  excessive,  and  in  his  time  was  none  that  more  excelled  in  valour.  I  will 
testify  to  Ruide,  to  whom  those  foresaid  three  things  [i.e.  young  men,  horses, 
hounds]  in  great  plenty  flowed  in :  that  never  a  thing  he  denied  to  any  man, 
nor  of  a  man  sought  anything  at  all.  Thirty  chieftains,  thirty  leaders,  thirty 
champions  that  might  befit  a  king ;  while  the  strength  of  his  centuple-com- 
pounded host  was  hundreds  thirty-fold  thrice  told.'' 

"Caeilte,"  said  Patrick,  "success  and  benediction!  all  this  is  a 
recreation  of  spirit  and  of  mind  to  us." 

Not  long  they  had  been  there  when  they  saw  draw  towards 
them  as  straight  as  might  be,  out  of  the  south,  a  young  man  that 
made  a  brave  show:  about  him  was  a  crimson  mantle,  and  in 
it  a  fibula  of  gold :  next  to  his  skin  a  shirt  of  yellow  silk ;  he 
brought  also  a  double  armful  of  round  j^llow-heade_d_nuts^  and 
of  beautiful  golden-yelfow  apples^  which  he  deposited  on  the 
ground  in  front  of  Patrick,  who  enquired  :  "whence  bringest  thou 
this  fruit,  lad?"  He  answered:  "out  of  the  luxuriant-branchy 
Feeguile."  "  What  is  thy  name  ?"  "  Falartach  son  of  Ferg^us  am 
I."  "What  is  thy  rightful  heritage?"  "The  rule  over  Bregia's 
tuatha  and  Meath's,  and  over  the  Decies  of  Tara,  is  that  which 
constitutes  my  right ;  but  [instead  of  enjoying  it]  I  am  a  free- 
booter and  an  outlaw."  "Who  is  he  upon  whom  thou  doest 
depredation?"  "An  own  brother  to  myself:  Becan  son  of 
Fergus."  "  Thy  right  be  to  thee  shortly,"  said  Patrick.  "  Holy 
cleric,  give  it  a  definite  term."  "Within  this  same  year  in 
which  we  are  it  shall  be;  but  whence  bringest  thou  the  fruit?" 
"  Verily  I  know,"  Caeilte  said,  "  whence  it  was  brought :  from  ros 
ink  Triuin  beyond  in  Feeguile,  a  hunting  preserve  that  one  had 
who  to  Finn  mac  Cumall  was  a  fighting  man  of  trust :  the  lusty 
and  prowess-performing  son  of  Lugh."  Patrick  said :  "  it  is  well ; 
there  it  is  that  a  confidential  of  my  own  familia  dwells,'  Oesan 


The  Colloquy.  1 1 3 

namely,  the  king  of  Scotland's  son,  that  also  is  a  chaplain  to 
mc."  "  That  place,"  Caeilte  went  on,  "was  a  hunting  preserve  to 
the  Fianna  ;  and  whenever  in  both  Ireland  and  Scotland  scarcity 
of  game  bcfel  them,  in  ros  mic  Triinn  they  always  had  their 
sufficiency  of  hunting  for  three  days  and  three  nights  ": — 

Caeilte  cecinit. 
"As  cluain  chesdin  it  was  heard  of  afar:  to  which  mac  Lughach  would 
resort ;  but  at  the  coming  of  the  TáilcJienn  its  designation  became  ros  nUc 
Triuin.  Though  in  cluain  chesAin  of  the  clerg)' psalms  now  are  sung  in  alternate 
strains,  I  have  seen  the  gentian-bearing  cluain  all  covered  with  the  red  deer 
in  their  sportivencss.  Over  the  linn  though  reading  there  be  now,  there  was 
a  time  when  [cluain  dtesdin"]  contained  no  church ;  but  a  soil  of  apple-trees, 
a  place  in  which  was  swimming  of  its  streams  [by  the  Fianna  at  their  pastime] 
and  a  habitation  of  tribute  the  gentian-growing  cluain  was  then.  The  pro- 
pitious prophecy  is  come  to  pass,  and  táilchenns  have  made  their  dwelling  in 
cluain  chesdin :  Finn  the  generous,  the  giver  away  of  rings  and  bracelets,  had 
said  that  it  would  be  a  repair  of  saints,  of  angels.  Many  a  time  we  and  our 
hounds  by  turns  followed  hard  on  the  young  and  gallant  deer:  the  while  our 
warriors  and  their  beagles  at  their  own  discretion  preyed  all  the  region  around 
the  fair  cluain.  It  was  three  score  queens  that  at  one  and  the  same  time  I 
had  in  truth ;  and  all  of  them  I  used  to  entertain,  for  I  was  an  artfully  skilled 
beguiler." 

Patrick  asked :  "  what  time  of  day  is  it  now  ?"  Benignus  said : 
"it  is  near  night"  "Is  our  supper  come  to  us  yet?"  the  saint 
enquired.  Benignus  answered:  "it  is  not  indeed."  Fulartach 
son  of  Fergus  said  now:  "holy  Patrick  I  could  put  thee  in  the 
way  of  a  town  in  which  to-night  thou  shouldst  have  supper  and 
provision."  "What  place  is  that?"  "In  Becan's,  in  my  own 
brother's  house,  in  the  tuatha  of  Bregia  and  of  Meath."  ^ 

Some  clerics  preceded  Patrick  to  the  house  of  Becan,  who  was  ' 
so  that  he  had  thirty  milch  herds ;  yet  he  denied  them  meat 
Benignus  and  the  clergy  return  therefore,  tell  their  story  to 
Patrick,  and  he  says :  "  all  so  many  as  the  fellow  has  of  cattle 
and  of  people,  I  ordain  that  by  to-morrow  there  be  not  a  single 
one  of  them  escaped  alive."  The  thing  came  true  too,  ut  dixit  \ 
Patriciiis : — 

"  Becan  here  and  Becan  there :  be  his  fastings  not  many  in  number ;  so 
long  as  the  sun  shall  travel  right-handwise,  let  Becan  not  make  mirth  for  them 
[his  people]." 

Then  the  earth  swallowed  up  Becan  with  his  people — with  all 
his  wealth,  animal  and  human,  simultaneously — and  Fulartach 
mac  Fergus  said :  "  holy  cleric,  this  night's  lodging  and  entertain- 

I 


1 1 4  The  Colloquy. 

mcnt  I  proffer  thee:  nine-and-twenty  kine  which  hitherto  I  have 
had  supporting  my  kerne  while  they  marauded  and  were  out- 
laws." Patrick  said :  "  chiefs  power  from  me  to  thee  from  mid- 
day to-morrow,  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee,  until  ye  run  counter 
to  the  Church."  Thus  then  was  Becan  consigned  to  the  earth, 
and  Patrick  committed  the  governance  to  Fulartach. 

Next,  Patrick  enquired  of  Caeilte  how  many  brothers  Finn  had, 
and  he  answered :  "  he  had  two  brothers :  Fithal  and  Dithran : — 

"On  this  point  of  the  three  sons  that  Cumall  had  our  antiquaries  are 
obscure  [but  I  can  clear  it  up]  :  Finn  and  Dithran  of  the  feasts,  and  Fithal  of 
the  bards  were  they." 

"  Whose  son  was  mac  Lugach:  he  concerning  whom  last  night 
I  enquired  of  thee?"  Patrick  said.  Caeilte  made  answer:  "for 
another  that  would  be  a  problem,  but  not  so  for  me.  He  was  son 
to  Finn's  son  Daire  Derg. 

•  ••••••• 

"  So  soon  as  the  boy  was  bom  he  was  laid  in  Finn's  bosom, 
and  he  again  laid  him  in  the  bosom  of  Duban's  daughter  Muing- 
finn  (wife  to  Finn:  she  that  of  the  Fianna  had  reared  eight 
hundred  that  now  bore  shield  and  weapon),  and  she  nurtured  the 
boy  till  his  twelve  years  were  complete.  Then  she  gave  him  a 
sufficient  complement  of  arms  and  armour ;  and  so  he  went  his 
way  until  he  reached  carraic  Conluain  and  the  mountain  of  Smól 
mac  EdUcair,  which  to-day  is  called  sliabh  Bladhma  \angL  'Slieve- 
bloom'],  where  Finn  and  the  Fianna  were.  He  entered  the  presence 
of  Finn  the  chief,  who  gave  him  verj*  gentle  welcome ;  the  lad 
made  his  covenant  of  sen-ice  and  of  fealty  to  him,  struck  his 
hand  in  Finn's,  and  for  a  year  was  in  the  Fianna.  But  among 
these  for  such  space  of  time  he  showed  great  sloth,  so  that  under 
that  youngster's  conduct  not  more  than  some  nine  of  the  Fianna 
had  attaincti  to  killing  whether  of  boar  or  of  deer ;  together  with 
all  which  he  used  to  beat  both  his  hounds  and  his  ser\-itors. 

** Then  the  Fianna  proceeded  to  ros  influHnneda  [i.e.  'the  Fian's 
point ']  on  swelling  Icck  Léins  edge  in  the  south  [Le.  Killamey]  ; 
and  when  the  three  battles  of  the  Fianna  were  come  so  far,  before 
V\\\\\  they  laid  complaint  against  mac  Lugach,  saying:  'take  now 
thy  choice,  whether  to  have  us  or  mac  Lugach  by  himself.' 

"Now  was  mac  Lugach  brought  to  confer  with  Finn,  who 
ciK;uiix\i  of  him:  *g^xxl  now.  mac  Lugach,  what  harm  hast  thou 


The  Colloquy,  115 

done  the  Fianna,  seeing  that  one  and  all  they  have  a  spite  at 
thee?'  *  I  affirm  upon  my  word/  he  said,  *that  I  know  not  their 
reason  ;  unless  indeed  it  be  that  they  are  averse  to  my  practice 
of  athletic  feats  and  of  spear-casting  among  them.' 

"  To  mac  Lugach  then  the  chief  gave  counsel,  and  his  counsel 
had  great  virtue  in  it,  and  abode  lastingly  with  mac  Lugach  ;  and 
Finn  said: — 


li  ( 


Mac  Lugach!  if  armed  service  be  thy  design,  in  a  great  man's  house-  ^f 
hold  be  quiet,  be  surly  in  the  rugged  pass.  Without  a  fault  of  his  beat  not 
thy  hound ;  until  thou  ascertain  [her  guilt]  bring  not  a  charge  against  thy 
wife ;  in  battle  meddle  not  with  a  buffoon,  for,  O  mac  Lugach,  he  is  but  a  fool. 
Censure  not  any  if  he  be  of  grave  repute ;  stand  not  up  to  take  part  in  a 
brawl ;  neither  have  anything  at  all  to  do  with  either  a  mad  man  or  a  wicked 
one.  Two-thirds  of  thy  gentleness  be  shewn  to  women  and  to  creepers  on 
the  floor  [i.e.  little  children],  likewise  to  men  of  art  that  make  the  duans\ 
and  be  not  violent  to  the  common  people.  With  thy  familiars,  with  them 
that  are  of  thy  counsel,  hasten  not  to  be  the  first  into  bed ;  perverse  alliance 
shun,  and  all  that  is  prohibited ;  yield  not  thy  reverence  to  all.  Utter 
not  swaggering  speech,  nor  say  that  thou  wilt  not  render  the  thing  that  is 
right ;  for  a  shameful  thing  it  is  to  speak  too  stifHy  unless  that  it  be  feasible  to 
carry  out  thy  words.  So  long  as  in  the  universe  thou  shalt  exist,  thy  lord  for- 
sake not ;  neither  for  gold  nor  for  other  valuable  in  the  earthly  world  abandon 
thou  thy  guarantee  [i.e.  him  that  places  himself  under  thy  protection].  To  a 
chief  utter  not  strenuous  criticism  of  his  people ;  for  it  is  not  a  *  good  man's  * 
[i.e.  a  gentleman's]  occupation  to  abuse  a  great  lord's  people  to  their  chief.  Be 
not  a  continually  tattling  tale-bearer,  nor  a  false  one ;  be  not  loquacious,  nor 
censorious  rashly ;  be  the  multiplicity  of  thy  chivalrous  qualities  what  it  may, 
yet  have  thou  not  the  Irachts  hostilely  inclined  to  thee.  Be  not  a  frequenter  of 
the  drinking-house,  nor  given  to  carping  at  an  ancient  man ;  the  conduct  thou 
hearest  recommended,  that  is  the  right  [rd  TrpcTov] :  meddle  not  with  a  man 
of  mean  estate.  Deal  not  in  refusing  of  thy  meat,  and  any  that  is  penurious 
have  not  for  a  familiar ;  force  not  thyself  upon  a  chiefs  nor  give  a  chief 
lord  occasion  to  speak  ill  of  thee.  Stick  to  thy  raiment,  hold  fast  to  thine 
armature,  until  the  stem  fight  with  its  weapon-glitter  be  well  ended ;  never 
renounce  to  back  thy  luck,  yet  follow  after  gentleness,  mac  Lugach  1'" 

"  Success  and  benediction ! "  said  Patrick  :  "  a  good  story  it  is 
that  thou  hast  told  us  there;  and  where  is  Brogan  the  scribe?" 
Brogan  answered :  "  here,  holy  Cleric."  "  Be  that  tale  written  by 
thee  " ;  and  Brogan  performed  it  on  the  spot. 

Then  Patrick  questioned  Caeilte:  "had  ye  musicians  in  the 
Fianna?"  and  he  answered:  "we  had  so,  the  finest  musician  that 
was  in  either  Ireland  or  Scotland."  "What  name  was  his?" 
" Cnú  dheireoil\\,^.  'diminutive  nut ']."  "  Where  was  he  acquired  ?" 
"  Between  crota  cliach  and  sidh  na  mban  fionn  \angL  *  Slievena- 

I  2 


'r                ', 

S,    •'.     s 

f( 

**.      "* 

%         ^           M. 

<      ^, - 

\  "- 

^c           < 

%          /■,  • 

x*"/      ^ 

Vt 

1 1 6  The  Colloquy. 

man ']  in  the  south."  "What  is  his  description  ?"  "  Four  fists  of 
Finn's  they  were  that  made  up  his  stature,  three  in  the  instrument 
of  music  that  he  played  ;  and  the  matter  with  him  was  this :  that 
the  tuath  dé  DanantCs  other  musicians  were  grown  jealous  of  him. 
"  On  the  day  in  question,  Finn  with  design  to  hunt  repaired  to 
Slievenaman  and  there  sat  upon  a  certain  turf-built  grave.  The 
chief,  taking  a  look  round  then,  saw  a  tiny  man  that  close  to  him 
upon  the  green  mound  [//'/.  *  on  the  sod ']  played  and  performed 
upon  his  harp  ;  the  manner  of  him  being  that  he  had  on  him  long 
light-yellow  hair  down  to  his  very  loins.  So  soon  as  he  perceived 
Finn  he  came  to  him  and,  the  chief  being  the  first  man  that  was 
come  in  his  way  since  he  had  emerged  out  of  the^^^  laid  his 
hand  in  Finn's ;  then  in  Finn's  presence,  and  until  the  Fianna 
came  up,  continued  to  play  his  harp.  They  being  there  heard 
a  superlatively  sweet  music  and,  *good  now,  Finn,'  they  said: 
*  this  is  the  third  best  windfall  thou  ever  hadst'  The  same  tarried 
with  Finn  until  he  died."     Then  Caeilte  uttered  a  lay : — 

"  A  dwarf  it  was  that  stalwart  Finn  obtained :  such  was  the  excellence  of 
his  memory  that  he  retained  by  heart  all  whatsoever  in  both  east  and  west  he 
chanced  to  hear.  Cnú  deireoil  was  the  man's  name;  in  Ireland  he  was  not 
unknown ;  beloved  was  the  wee  urchin  that  was  expert  of  speech,  whose 
cognomen  was  Cnú  deireoil.  I  will  relate  to  you  how  Finn  procured  the 
dwarf:  a  propitious  offspring  'twas  that  was  had  then,  for<it  was  Lugh  mac 
Eithlenn's  only  son>  We  were,  along  with  Finn,  betwixt  the  crota  and  Slieve- 
naman ;  when  on  the  green  bank  near  beside  us  there  we  heard  a  perfect 
music.  To  him  [the  minstrel]  we  listened  then — his  melody  admitted  not  of 
indifference — it  lacked  but  little  that  the  swelling  music,  well  sustained,  had 
lulled  us  all  to  sleep.  Cumall's  son  Finn  of  Almha  spoke  out  clearly  then, 
and  said :  *  whence  comest  thou,  small  man,  that  with  a  touch  so  smooth  and 
deft  playest  the  harp  ?'  *  Out  of  Slievenaman  come  I :  a  place  where  mead 
is  drunk,  and  ale ;  and  therefore  am  I  come  precisely,  to  be  for  a  spell  in  thy 
companionship.'  '  Thou  shalt  have  precious  things,  and  wealth,  and  red  gold, 
and  good  servitors ;  for  well  I  like  the  manner  of  thee,  and  thou  shalt  have 
full  measure  of  my  intimacy.'  In  Finn's  hand  he  laid  his  own,  and  thereat 
we  were  joyous  all ;  hither  we  conveyed  him  with  us,  and  deemed  our  find  to 
be  a  gentle  one.  Four  fists  were  in  the  stature  of  the  man,  three  in  his  harp 
so  mild  and  dear :  fuU-volumed  was  the  sound  of  the  soft  delicate  instrument, 
sweet  the  outpourings  of  his  little  harp.  The  five  musicians  of  the  Fianna 
were  in  a  body  brought  to  him ;  so  that  in  those  yonder  parts  from  Cnú  in 
gentle  wise  we  learned  a  fairy  music.  Of  these  was  Senach's  son,  Senach 
himself  and  Daighres  two ;  m  noble  style  they  learned  from  him,  and  Cuan 
likewise  studied.  To  Finn  of  the  Fianna  'twas  a  sore  perplexity  to  Have  his 
mannikin  without  a  spouse :  [as  still  he  was]  for  the  valiant  man  could  not 
frame  to  stomach  the  gross  huge  women  [whom  we  love].     Finn  the  great 


The  Colloquy.  117 

chief  said  that  gold  and  silver  too  he  would  bestow  on  him  that  in  Ireland 
should  discover  such  a  thing:  a  woman  his  dwarfs  counterpart.  Quoth  Sd 
mac  Eoghain — a  warrior  with  a  lion's  nature — *  I  will  name  (and  my  story's 
fraught  with  good  event)  a  place  where  that  is  which  shall  match  him  just.' 

*  My  blessing  take,  and  hie  thee  to  thy  home,  O  son  of  Eoghan  out  of  Munster ! 
but  first  for  friendship  tell  us  forth  the  country  in  which  such  a  thing  exists  to 
be  reported  of     *0  Finn,  the  hardy,  the  triumphant,  to  tech  Duinn  [i.e. 

*  Donn's  House*]  in  Munster  make  thy  way:  where  there  is  (and  she  will  fit 
thy  purpose)  a  woman  to  whom  Bláthnait  is  cognomen.'  In  all  haste  then 
we  and  the  chief  of  the  Fianna  skilled  to  ply  the  edge  [i.e.  in  the  use  of  all 
cutting  weapons]  take  our  journey  to  *  Donn's  House '  to  seek  the  woman :  a 
proceeding  by  which  our  good  spirits  were  much  enhanced.  Blathnait  we 
found  within  the  sidh^  and  of  a  truth  brought  her  away ;  then  in  the  great 
house  yonder  Blathnait  and  Cniii  ddreoil  slept  as  man  and  wife.  An  ounce 
of  gold  a  man  we  give — so  many  as  we  were  of  the  Fianna — in  dowry  of  the 
blameless  woman  that  was  bestowed  upon  the  dwarf  Four  fists,  I  say,  were 
in  the  stature  of  the  man,  and  in  his  smooth  white  harp  were  three ;  the  wife 
was  taller  than  the  husband ;  they  made  a  dear  white-handed  couple !  All 
mysteries  of  the  broidering  art  the  wife  possessed :  skill  to  manipulate  the 
silver  and  the  gold ;  the  man's  it  was  (and  a  stupendous  gift)  to  gratify  the 
whole  world's  throngs  at  once  with  minstrelsy.  Among  the  Fianna  there  was 
not  a  queen,  a  leader,  nor  a  chief  endowed  with  sense,  but  to  the  couple 
so  infantine  [in  bulk]  they  gave  their  love  and  divers  gifts  of  price.  Whenever 
hard  foul  weather  would  come  on  the  Fianna,  men  of  kingly  mind,  under  his 
mantle  Finn  would  have  them  both:  Blathnait  and  the  mannikin.  ^Vhen 
good  was  coming  to  the  Fianna,  Blathnait  with  wisdom  would  reveal  it ;  and 
when  evil  awaited  them,  the  dwarf  would  not  conceal  it  from  them./  Upon 
the  Earth  there  is  not  melody  (such  as  a  man's  soul  might  desire)  but  in  the 
banquet-house  its  strains  were  petty,  except  such  as  Cnú  deireoil  used  to 
make  [i.e.  how  excellent  soever  they  were  in  themselves  they  would  not  stand 
comparison  with  his].  Three  windfalls,  best  that  Finn  most  generous  Fian 
chief  ever  had :  his  deerhounds  Bran  and  Sceolan,  the  faultless ;  and  Blathnait 
together  with  the  dwarf." 

After  this  they  were  no  long  time  till  they  saw  seven  tall  young 
fellows  that  came  towards  them.  Patrick  said :  "  whence  come 
ye,  striplings,  and  who  are  you  ?"  "  From  Eoghan  Lethdcrg^  son 
of  Angus  and  king  of  Munstcr^s  both  provinces,  we  are  come 
to  fetch  thee,  holy  Patrick."  The  saint  said :  "  wc  will  e*en  go 
thither;  for  wheresoever  endowments  may  be  had,  there  it  is  a 
matter  of  duty  to  take  them."  "And  what  shall  we  do:  these 
nine  warriors  here  ?"  asked  Caeilte.  "A  month's,  and  a  quarter's, 
and  a  year's  welcome  to  you  to  be  with  me,"  Patrick  replied. 

Then  Patrick  set  out,  and  the  way  that  he  took  was  into  Fee- 
guile;  into  Drumcree,  which  at  this  time  is  called  'Kildare'; 
across  the  sniithlinn  in  Durrow,  and  over  the  Barrow;  over  tóchar 


1 

U 


1 1 8  The  Colloquy. 

LeigJiCy  i.e.  *the  stone  causeway  of  Cuarnait's  daughter  Liagh/ 
where  Liagh  perished ;  into  *  the  old  Plain  of  Dian  mac  Dilenn's 
daughter  Roic/tet*  now  called  *  Moyrua  of  Rechet ;'  into  old  magk 
neo  \angL  *  Moynoe  *  i.e.  *  the  plain  of  yews  *]  now  called  *  the  Plain 
of  Leix ';  over  the  spawning-salmon-full  Nore;  skirting  Aghaboe 
of  ...  .  the  mighty  striker,  now  called  achadh  .  .  .  .  ; 
into  the  way  of  Dála  mac  á-Máir;  past  ros  an  churad  [i.e.  *the 
hero's  wood  *]  now  called  the  very  beautiful  ros  cré\  with  his  right 
hand  towards  lathach  bo  Lodáin  mhicLir  or  *the  slough  of  Lodan 
mac  Lir's  cows/  now  called  the  clár^  or  'expanse/  of  Derrymore; 
past  the  Corroges  of  Cleghile;  past  aiillenn  ua  cuanach  to  the 
westward,  where  at  Finn's  hands  Cuillenn  mac  Morna  perished; 
past  léim  in  fhéintuda  or  *  the  Fian's  leap  * ;  skirting  the  assembly- 
place  of  Nechtan's  wife  Cuil,  now  called  the  heifer-carrying  fair- 
green  of  Old  Clochar;  past  cenn  febhrat  of  sliabh  caoin,  i.e.  'the 
Ballyhowra  Hills '  and  *  Slievereagh,*  to  the  southward ;  by  ttdach 
naféinne  or  *hill  of  the  Fianna,'  which  now  is  called  Ardpatrick: 
where  was  Angus's  son  Eoghan  Lethderg,  king  of  both  Munster 
provinces,  and  the  nobles  of  the  same  along  with  him. 

Then  his  tent  was  unfurled  over  Patrick ;  the  king  of  Munster 
came  with  the  chief  men  of  his  people  and  laid  his  head  in 
Patrick's  bosom,  and  made  obeisance  to  him.  For  a  week  the 
saint  was  there  :  raising  the  dead,  healing  them  that  had  diseases 
and  infirmities,  and  relieving  every  other  affliction  besides. 

His  own  award  was  conceded  to  Patrick ;  after  which  Eoghan 
went  his  way  to  rosach  na  righ:  to  his  own  strong  place,  and 
Munster's  nobles  sought  their  own  several  forts  and  good  towns. 

Patrick  said :  "  good  now,  Caeilte,  and  wherefore  was  the  name 
oi^onntidach  [i.e.  *  white  hill ']  given  to  this  eminence  on  which 
we  stand  ?"  "I  will  tell  you  the  truth  of  it,"  answered  Caeilte: 
"it  was  hence  that  we,  the  three  battalions  of  the  Fianna 
marched  to  deliver  the  battle  of  Ventry.  Hither  our  spears  had 
been  brought  to  us,  charmed  withies  also  for  our  spear-shafts. 
Finn  surveyed  the  hill  round  about  him,  and  said :  *  the  hill  is 
white;  what  better  name  then  could  it  have  ^Hcí^xí  fionntulachT 


>>M 


Caeilte  cecinit, 
"  O  thou,  this  high  and  pleasant  hill,  to  which  the  Fianna,  white  [with  their 
peeled  withies]  did  resort  I   a  vast  extended  camp,  a  picked  body  of  fine 
young  men,  were  customary  things  upon  thee.  This  was  our  portion  to  relate : 


The  Colloqtiy.  119 

we  used  to  gain  some  eminence  in  a  level  land  [and  there  would  have]  beautiful 
blackberries,  haws  of  the  hawthorn,  nuts  from  the  hazels  of  Cantyre.  Tender 
twigs  of  the  thorny  bramble-bush,  sprigs  of  the  beneficial  gentian ;  and  every 
Beltane  we  used  to  consume  both  smooth  shoots  and  head  of  the  watercress. 
Birds  out  of  trackless  oaken  woods  would  find  their  way  into  the  Fianna's 
cooking  pit ;  parti-coloured  squirrels  out  of  Berramain^  and  variegated  nests 
from  mountain  pinnacles.  Rapid  salmons  out  of  Unnmhuine^  the  eels  of 
noble  Shannon;  woodcocks  of  Fidhrinn,  otters  out  of  the  Deel's  hidden 
places.  Fish  of  the  briny  sea  from  the  coasts  of  Buie  and  Beare ;  mcdhbán 
of  lightsome  Fáide^  and  dutlesc  from  the  coves  of  CUire.  To  swim  the  loch- 
forming  Loiftgsech  was  a  frequent  habit  with  mac  Lugach ;  upon  thy  yonder 
side,  O  hill,  we  used  to  come  in  a  host  of  many  numbers.  I  and  Ossian  of 
renown,  we  used  to  embark  in  currachs ;  as  I  frequented  its  waves  and  its 
[abutting]  hills,  I  had  the  severities  of  the  green  sea. 

"  From  this  spot  also  it  was  that,  as  aforesaid,  we  marched  to  1 
fight  the  battle  of  Ventry  ;  and  [as  we  did  so]  we  saw  approach 
us  [out  of  another  quarter]  a  young  man  of  Finn's  people :  the 
valiant  and  hundred-slaying  Cael  ua  Nemhnainn.  *  Whence  art 
thou  come,  Cael  ?'  asked  Finn.  <  *  Out  of  the  perilous  brugh  to  the  ^W 
northward.'  *What  sought'st  thou  there?'  *To  have  speech  of 
Muirenn  daughter  of  Derg,  mine  own  nurse.'  *What  was  the 
motive  of  that  ?'  *  It  was  because  of  a  fairy  sweetheart  and  of  a 
splendid  match  propounded  to  me  in  a  dream :  Créidhe^  daughter 
of  Cairbre  surnamed  *Whiteskin,'  king  of  Ciarraighe  Luachra! 
Finn  said:  *knowest  thou,  Cael,  that  of  all  Ireland's  women  she 
is  the  arch-she-deceiver  ?  few  costly  things  there  are  but  she  has 
coaxed  away  to  her  own  mansion  and  grand  dwelling-place.' 
Cael  said :  *  and  knowest  thou  what  the  condition  also  is  which 
she  requires  of  all  [that  would  woo  her]  ? '  *  I  know  it,'  Finn 
answered:  *[she  will  entertain  none  but  him],  whosoe'er  he  be, 
that  of  art  or  poetic  skill  shall  have  sufficient  to  make  for  her  a 
duan  setting  forth  a  full  description  of  her  cuachs^  her  horns,  her 
cups',  her  ians  and  all  other  her  fine  vessels,  together  with  that  of 
her  various  vast  palaces.'  *A11  which  I  have  in  readiness:  given 
to  me  by  Derg's  daughter  Muirenn,  mine  own  nurse.' 

"  Then  for  that  time  we  renounced  the  battle,  and  over  regions 
of  hills,  of  rocks,  of  tulachs^  took  our  way  until  we  came  to  loch 
Cuire  in  the  west  of  Ireland.  We  reached  the  door  of  the  sídh^ 
and  with  the  shafts  of  our  long  and  gold-socketted  spears  there 
performed  the  dard^nsa.  Girls,  yellow-haired,  of  marriageable 
age,  shewed  on  the  balconies  of  bowers ;   and  Credhe,  accom- 


I20  The  Colloquy. 

panicd  by  three  fifties  of  women,  issued  forth  to  speak  with  us. 
Said  the  Fian-chief  to  her:  'to  elect  and  to  woo  thee  we  are 
come/  The  lady  enquired  who  it  might  be  that  sought  to  court 
her.  *Cael  it  is,  the  valiant,  the  hundred-slayer,  grandson  of 
Nemhnann,  son  of  the  king  of  Leinster  in  the  east  !*  She  said: 
Vwe  have  heard  his  report,  albeit  we  never  have  seen  him.  But 
has  he  my  duan  for  me  ?'  Gael  answered :  *  I  have  so,*  then  rose 
and  sang  his  duan : — 

"  *A  journey  I  have  in  hand  on  a  Friday  (if  I  go  then  am  I  a  true  guest)  to 
Credhe's  mansion  (the  effort  is  no  trivial  one)  against  the  mountain's  breast 
in  the  north-east.  It  is  appointed  for  me  to  go  thither  :<^o  Credhe,  at  the 
Paps  of  Anann  >and  that  there  I  must  remain  exposed  to  difficulties,  for  four 
days  and  half  a  week.  Pleasant  is  the  house  in  which  she  is  :  what  with  men 
and  boys  and  women,  with  both  magicians  and  minstrels,  with  both  cup- 
bearer and  door-keeper,  with  both  horse-keeper  that  never  shirked  his  duty 
and  dispenser  to  distribute  meat,  the  command  over  all  whom  belongs  to  fair 
Credhe,  the  yellow-haired.  What  with  coverlet  and  what  with  down,  in  her 
dun  my  lot  will  be  a  pleasant  one  ;  [of  old]  it  hath  been  heard  that,  should 
Credhe  but  will  it,  my  journey  would  be  an  auspicious  one  for  me  [i.e.  the 
conditions  of  a  quest  such  as  mine  have  long  been  matter  of  notoriety].  A 
bowl  she  has  whence  juice  of  berries  flows,  with  which  she  has  been  used  to 
make  her  eyebrows  black ;  crystal  vats  of  fermenting  grains,  cups  she  has 
and  goblets  exquisite.  The  colour  of  her  dun  is  as  that  of  lime  ;  coverlets 
and  rushes  [for  the  beds]  abound  among  them  there ;  silk  is  among  them, 
and  many  a  blue  mantle  ;  among  them  are  red  gold  and  the  polished  drinking- 
horn.  Her  bower  by  loch  cuirc^  of  silver  and  of  yellow  gold  :  its  ridg>'  thatch 
is  laid  without  defect,  of  ruddy  birds*  wings,  crimson-red.  Two  green-hued 
door-posts  which  thou  seest — their  door  has  no  deformity ;  silver  taken  as 
spoil  from  the  slain  ('tis  of  old  renown)  was  the  beam  that  furnished  forth  its 
lintel.  Credhe's  chair  upon  thy  left  [on  entering]  was  more  and  more  delight- 
ful [the  longer  one  surveyed  it] ;  an  overlay  of  ElpcCs  gold  it  had,  and  stood 
at  her  delicate  bed's  foot.  A  glittering  bed  laid  out,  that  dominates  the 
chair ;  that  was  made  by  Tuile  in  the  east,  of  yellow  gold  and  of  precious 
stones.  Yet  another  bed,  on  thy  right  hand,  of  gold  and  of  silver  wrought 
unerringly  ;  with  tent-like  curtains  having  appearance  of  the  foxglove's  flower, 
and  running  upon  slender  copper  rods.  The  household  that  is  in  her  house, 
to  them  it  is  that  above  all  their  lines  are  fallen  in  pleasant  places ;  their 
mantles  are  neither  pale  nor  smooth  [i.e.  neither  faded  nor  worn  to  a  gloss], 
their  redundant  locks  are  curly  and  in  colour  fair.  Wounded  men  losing 
heavy  jets  of  blood  would  fall  asleep  to  the  fair>'  birds  a- warbling  on  her 
bower's  radiant  eaves.  Should  I  have  reason  to  be  grateful  to  the  woman,  to 
Credhe  for  whom  the  cuckoo  calls  :  her  lays  shall  live  on  yet  more  numerous, 
if  she  but  requite  the  loving  service  done  her  [in  composing  this].  To 
Cairbre's  daughter  if  it  pleasing  be,  she  will  not  reduce  me  to  terms  of  post- 
ponement ;  but  may  she  rather  say  to  me  here  now :  *  thy  journey  is  most 
welcome  to  me.'    A  hundred  feet  in  Credhe's  house  there  are  from  one  angle 


The  Colloquy,  121 

till  you  reach  another ;  and  twenty  fully  measured  feet  in  the  width  of  her 
noble  door.  Her  roof  with  its  thatch  of  blue  and  yellow  birds'  wings  ;  her 
parapet  in  front  at  a  well,  of  crystal  and  of  carbuncle  gems.  Four  posts 
round  every  bed  there  are,  of  gold  and  of  silver  laid  together  cunningly  ;  in 
each  post's  head  a  crystal  gem  :  they  make  heads  not  unpleasant  [to  behold], 
A  vat  is  there,  of  princely  bronze,  out  of  which  runs  the  juice  of  merry  malt ; 
over  the  vat  stands  an  apple-tree,  with  the  multitude  of  its  heavy  fruits. 
When  Credhe's  horn  is  filled  with  the  vat's  potent  mead,  at  one  time  and 
with  precision  four  apples  fall  down  into  the  horn.  Yon  four  that  are  rehearsed 
above,  they  set  about  dispensing  [of  the  mead] :  to  four  that  sit  there  then 
they  hand  a  drink  apiece,  likewise  an  apple.  She  that  owns  all  these  things, 
both  at  low  water  and  at  flood  [i.e.  in  their  entirety] —Credhe  to  wit  from  the 
triple-pinnacled  tulachs — hath  by  a  spearcast's  length  excelled  all  Ireland's 
women.  Here's  at  her  with  a  lay — no  bride-gift  out  of  shape — no  epithalamium 
rashly  and  perfunctorily  made  !  here  on  the  spot  have  at  the  lovely  Credhe, 
in  whose  eyes  may  mine  have  been  a  smiling  journey  !' 

^  "  Then  that  couple  were  bedded,  and  there  they  [the  Fianna] 
were  for  seven  days :  drinking  and  in  all  enjoyment,  without 
lack  whether  of  meat,  of  liquor,  or  of  any  good  thing  whatsoever,^ 
were  it  not  that  one  other  care  oppressed  Finn :  the  allmarach^ 
presence  at  Ventry.  Then  the  woman  presented  to  each  one 
of  them  individually  a  special  and  sufficient  battle-dress,  and  we 
took  leave  of  each  other. 

"  *  Let  the  woman  come  with  us,*  Finn  said,  *  that  we  may  learn 
to  which  of  us  either  jgood  or  ill  shall  befal  in  this  present  busi- 
ness.* \The  woman  brought  with  her  vast  numbers  of  cattle  to 
supply  their  sick  and  wounded  ;  and  she  it  was  that  so  long  as 
the  battle  was  a-fighting  fed  them  all  with  lacteal  produce, 
with  new  milk.)  In  her  house  too  it  was  that  the  invalids  and 
sick  of  the  Fianna  lay.  And  even  as  in  lavishing  of  jewels  and 
of  treasure  the  woman  outdid  the  women  of  the  Fianna,  so  also 
in  valour  and  in  skill  at  arms  her  husband  in  that  battle  out- 
stripped the  three  battalions  of  the  Fianna.  Truly  a  calamity 
was  that  which  on  the  last  day  of  the  battle  was  effected :  the 
drowning  of  Cael  namely ;  and  other  beings  too  there  were,  of 
the  brute  kind,  which  had  a  life  of  length  equal  to  his  [i.e.  that 
perished  at  the  same  time].  He  being  drowned  then,  the  outside 
swell  washed  him  in.  The  women  and  the  gentles  of  the  Fianna 
came  to  seek  him  ;  by  them  he  was  raised  and  carried  to  the 
southern  strand  (to  the  southward  of  Ventry  that  is  to  say),  so 
that  trágh  Chaeil  or  *  CaePs  Strand  *  is  that  shore's  name  ever 
since,  zxiáfert  Chaeil  or  *Cacrs  Grave.* 


122  The  Colloquy. 

"  The  woman  came  and  stretched  her  by  his  side ;  she  raised 
a  clamorous  weeping  and  greatly  wailed:  *why  should  not  I/ 
she  said,  *die  of  grief  for  my  mate,  when  even  the  restless 
wild  creatures  die  there  of  sorrowing  after  him!'  Then  Credhe 
said : — 

"  *  The  haven  roars,  and  O  the  haven  roars,  over  the  rushing  race  of  rinn 
dd  bharc !  the  drowning  of  the  warrior  of  loch  da  chonn^  that  is  what  the 
wave  impinging  on  the  strand  laments.  Melodious  is  the  crane,  and  O 
melodious  is  the  crane,  in  the  marshlands  of  druim  da  thrén !  *tis  she  that  may 
not  save  her  brood  alive  [///.  *  that  saves  not  her  live  ones '] :  the  wild  dog  of 
two  colours  [i.e.  the  fox]  is  intent  upon  her  nestlings.  A  woful  note,  and  O  a 
woful  note,  is  that  which  the  thrush  in  Drumqueen  emits  1  but  not  more 
cheerful  is  the  wail  that  the  blackbird  makes  in  Letterlee.  A  woful  sound,  and 
O  a  woful  sound,  is  that  the  deer  utters  in  Drumdaleish !  dead  lies  the  doe 
of  druim  silenn^  the  mighty  stag  bells  after  her.  Sore  suffering  to  me,  and  O 
suffering  sore,  is  the  hero's  death — his  death  that  used  to  lie  with  me !  that  the 
son  of  her  out  of  doire  da  dhos  should  be  now  with  a  truss  beneath  his  head  ! 
Sore  suffering  to  me  is  Gael,  and  O  Gael  is  a  suffering  sore,  that  by  my  side  he 
is  in  dead  man's  form !  that  the  wave  should  have  swept  over  his  white  body — 
that  is  what  hath  distracted  me,  so  great  was  his  delightfulness.  A  dismal 
roar,  and  O  a  dismal  roar,  is  that  the  shore's  surf  makes  upon  the  strand  I 
seeing  that  the  same  hath  drowned  the  comely  noble  man,  to  me  it  is  an 
affliction  that  ever  Gael  sought  to  encounter  it.  A  woful  booming,  and  O  a 
boom  of  woe,  is  that  which  the  wave  makes  upon  the  northward  beach !  but- 
ting as  it  does  against  the  polished  rock,  lamenting  for  Gael  now  that  he  is 
gone.  A  woful  fight,  and  O  a  fight  of  woe,  is  that  the  wave  wages  with  the 
southern  shore  1  as  for  me,  my  span  is  determined ;  that  my  appearance  [i.e. 
beauty]  is  impaired  by  this  is  noted.  A  woful  melody,  and  O  a  melody  of  woe, 
is  that  which  the  heavy  surge  of  Tullachleish  emits  I  as  for  me  :  the  calamity 
that  is  fallen  upon  me  having  shattered  me,  for  me  prosperity  exists  no  more. 
Since  now  Grimthann's  son  is  drowned,  one  that  I  may  love  after  him  there 
is  not  in  being ;  many  a  chief  is  fallen  by  his  hand,  and  in  the  battle  his  shield 
ne'er  uttered  outcry  1' 

"  Then  the  young  woman  stretched  herself  out  by  Gael's  side 
and,  for  grief  that  he  was  gone,  died.  In  the  one  grave  they  both 
were  buried  there;  and  I  myself  it  was  that  raised  the  stone  which 
is  over  the  resting-place,  and  hence  is  called  '  the  tomb  of  Gael 
and  of  Gredhe.*" 

Success  and  benediction,  Gaeilte!"  Patrick  said:  "'tis  a  good 
story  thou  hast  told  ;  and  where  is  scribe  Brogan  ?"  "  Here  am* 
I."  "By  thee  be  written  down  all  that  Gaeilte  hath  uttered." 
And  written  down  it  was. 

Not  long  they  were  now  till  they  saw  towards  them  a  strong 
body  of  men  that  made  a  good  show :  girt  about  with  a  bulwark 


Tfie  Colloquy.  123 

of  shields  locked,  and  having  at  their  shoulders  a  very  forest- 
grove  of  lofty-spears,  gold-socketted.  They  [i.e.  some  of  them] 
entered  into  the  tent  where  Patrick  was ;  in  whose  bosom  their 
lord  laid  his  head,  while  they  made  genuflection  to  him.  Patrick 
said:  "who  art  thou,  young  man?"  He  answered:  "I  am  Bran, 
son  of  Derg  king  of  Munster."  Patrick  pursued:  "wherefore  art 
thou  come  hither?"  "  It  is  the  art  and  discipline  of  Fianry  that 
I  am  fain  to  learn,  holy  cleric ;  for  I  have  heard  that  in  thy 
company  is  a  warrior  of  Finn's  people,  and  with  him  I  would 
desire  to  study  the  dordfiansar 

"  Caeilte,  my  soul,  thou  hearest  that,"  said  Patrick.  "  I  hear  it : 
good  now.  Bran,  how  use  ye  yourselves  to  manage  the  hunting?" 
"  Some  tulach,  or  cairn,  or  wood  of  mountain  rising  from  a  plain, 
we  hem  in  and  so  for  the  whole  day's  space  pursue  the  game. 
One  while  we  kill  a  deer,  another  time  he  evades  us."  In  Patrick's 
presence  Caeilte  wept  then,  tearfully,  in  sadness,  so  that  his  very 
breast,  his  chest,  was  wet. 

Then  Patrick  and  Caeilte,  with  all  so  many  as  they  had  of  a 
company,  went  up  into  cenn  Febhrat  of  Slieveriach,  and  the  lie 
of  that  particular  spot  to  which  they  attained  was  this:  three 
glens  there  were  about  the  mountain  and  betwixt  them  a  loch,  its 
name  being  loch  b6\  that  of  the  mountain,  osmetaL  [Caeilte 
said]:  "westward  of  the  loch  is  cnoc  na  haeire^  ^náfinninis  is  the 
easternmost  hill's  denomination.  But  the  name  of  this  hill  is 
cnoc  Maine  \  and  here  was  a  notable  rogue-stag  called  Hath  na 
dtri  mbenn  or  *the  grey  one  of  the  three  antlers,'  that  for  the 
space  of  seven-and-twenty  years  had  ever  eluded  the  Fianna, 
both  man  and  deerhound.  Now  a  warrior  of  the  Fianna  killed 
him,  and  that  warrior  am  I." 

Caeilte  rose  now:  eastward  and  westward  of  the  loch  he 
stationed  his  people,  on  the  south  and  on  the  north,  and  Patrick 
sat  him  down  ;  whence  also  suid/ie  Pdtraic  or  *  Patrick's  seat'  is 
the  name  of  that  place  in  cenn  Febhrat  of  Slieveriach.  Then  on 
high  he  reared  his  waving  signal  of  chase,  of  hunting,  and  of 
Fianlike  venery.  He  uttered  three  mighty  and  formidable 
whoops :  whereby  neither  in  adjacency  nor  in  proximity  to  him, 
nor  whether  in  plain  or  on  moor,  on  mountain  or  in  wood,  was 
there  a  free-roaming  stag  but  in  his  career  of  headlong  speed 
came  up ;  and  to  cool  themselves  after  their  course  they  all  plunged 


124  ^'^^  Colloquy. 

before  the  hunters'  faces  into  ample  loch  bo.  Insomuch  that,  at 
that  rushing  noise  and  mighty  resonance,  horror  and  fear  and 
apprehension  took  them  :  at  the  wild  stags  I  say,  at  the  roe  deer 
frenzied,  at  the  weighty-sided  boars,  regarding  which  it  wanted  but 
little  of  their  having  all  perished  on  the  spot  with  the  length 
of  their  race  and  with  distress  of  breath.  The  huntsmen  ex- 
tended themselves  round  the  loch,  and  of  the  quarry  a  single 
beast  escaped  not  away  alive.  They  divided  the  fruits  of  the 
chase,  there  being  up  to  eight  hundred  head  for  apportionment. 
Benignus  said :  "  to  us  be  given  a  tithe  of  the  hunt."  But  Bran 
mac  Derg  was  not  altogether  well  pleased  to  divide  with  any  one 
else  that  which  was  fallen  to  his  own  share  [i.e.  proceeds  of  the 
hunt  originated  by  himself  and  carried  out  by  his  men]. 

Hereat  an  inward  disorder  [in  the  nature  of  a  flux]  seized  the 
king  of  Munster's  son,  who  cried :  "  holy  cleric,  lay  thy  hand  on 
this!"  Caeilte  said:  "by  my  word,  until  thou  pay  the  fee  he 
shall  not  go  [to  help  thee]."  Bran  said:  "what  fee?"  "Seeing 
that  'tis  in  thy  stomach  the  ailment  is,  be  it  the  belly  of  every 
cow,  of  every  swine  and.  of  every  sheep  [slaughtered  in  thy 
country]  to  be  yielded  by  thee  to  Patrick  for  the  Church's  use 
for  ever."  Bran  said :  "  that  I  will  concede ;  so  shall  my  son 
too  after  me."  Which  then  from  that  time  forth  became  a 
continuous  practice  with  all  Ireland.  Then  to  Bran  mac  Derg's 
stomach  Patrick  put  his  hand,  and  on  the  instant  he  was 
whole. 

"  We  must  be  going  now,"  Caeilte  said.  Patrick  enquired : 
"and  what  way  is  that  [i.e.  in  what  direction]?"  "I  remember, 
saintly  Patrick,  that  for  dread  of  the  tuatlia  dé  danann  nor 
crowd  nor  host  had  dared  sit  upon  these  three  tulachsi*' — 

Caeilte  cecinit 
"Tulachs  three  I  bear  in  mind,  that  feel  not  age  nor  fade  away;  over 
which  the  *  grey  one  of  three  antlers '  used  to  course  from  their  one  border  to 
the  other.  Three  churches  too  I  have  in  memory,  that  once  were  holds  of  a 
good  lord ;  within  them  was  then  no  voice  of  bell,  but  rather  the  *  wizard's 
knot '  surrounded  them.  Caeilte  is  my  very  name  indeed :  a  captain  of  the 
truthful  Fianna  I  have  been ;  when  we  had  to  cross  the  glen  we  used  not  to 
make  any  halt.  Finn  the  Fian-chief,  when  he  was  in  life,  would  not  endure 
to  have  the  flighty  young  buck  with  the  sprouting  horn  to  bell  over  his  capacious 
camp.  I  and  Flann  son  of  Failbhe,  we  used  *  to  redden '  [i.e.  hack  and  hew] 
many  heroes  of  the  Leinster  men ;  this  is  my  conscience  verily  [i.e  I  affirm  it 
on  my  conscience],  that  many  a  battle  I  bear  in  mind." 


The  Colloquy.  1 2  5 

And  so  the  company,  laden  with  their  burdens  of  the  chase, 
departed. 

With  a  look  that  Caeilte  threw  around  the  mountain  on  his 
left  hand  he  saw  a  fort,  a  fair  town.  He  said :  "  on  my  conscience 
we  never  knew  a  fort  to  exist  yonder ;  let  us  then  make  over  for 
the  town." 

They  took  their  way  to  the  dwelling  accordingly,  but  it  was  an 
amazement  to  them  not  to  see  either  crowd  or  throng  there  but, 
[instead  of  that],  ;iiine  she-  and  three  men-slaves.  Into  a  private 
bower  apart  that  was  in  the  town  they  entered,  where  were  two 
women  and  they  weeping  and  mourning.  Here  they  were  fed 
and  ministered  to,  their  travelling  and  wayfaring  gear  was  taken 
from  them,  and  Caeilte  enquired  of  the  women  what  fort  this 
might  be.  "  It  is  that  of  the  chief  of  Fermoy*s  two  sons  :  Lochan 
and  Eoghan  their  names  arc."  "  And  why  are  ye  gloomy  and 
melancholy?"  "Good  cause  we  have:  we,  that  ourselves  are 
two  sisters,  belong  to  two  brothers ;  our  husbands  are  gone  to- 
night to  bring  home  [other]  wives,  and  of  our  stay  in  the  fort 
therefore  there  remains  no  more  than  till  such  time  as  our 
husbands  shall  return,  and  new  wives  with  them.  With  a  glance 
that  Caeilte  threw  around  him  and  into  the  inner  part  of  the  fort 
he  perceived  a  huge  mass  of  stone  which  a  confidential  warrior 
to  Finn  had  once :  Senach  viae  Maeilchró^  of  Finn  mac  CumalFs 
original  people.  Now  this  mass  was  so,  that  all  whatsoever 
wage  Finn  had  ever  given  to  Senach  (thrice  fifty  ounces  of  gold, 
thrice  fifty  ounces  of  silver  and  three  times  fifty  ounces  of  white 
bronze)  was  shut  up  close,  with  said  rock  of  stone  covering  them. 

Caeilte  said  to  the  women  then :  "  were  I  to  succour  and  relieve 
you,  and  to  bring  you  back  your  husbands,  what  fee  would  ye 
give  me?"  They  replied:  "had  we  but  any  fee  in  the  whole 
world  that  might  be  pleasing  to  thee,  we  would  give  it  thee." 
"  Verily  ye  have  such :  that  vast  lump  of  stone  at  the  fort's  farther 
side."  "Alas  for  thee  to  say  it!  for  the  whole  country's  multi- 
tude was  occupied  with  putting  of  it  in  the  site  in  which  it  is, 
and  the  setting  of  it  fair  took  all  their  effort;  yet  shouldest  thou 
alone  [as  it  would  seem]  be  able  to  control  it!"  "Myself  it  is 
that  will  be  deceived  in  it,"  said  Caeilte,  "  should  I  not  be  able." 
"  It  shall  pass  [i.e.  is  hereby  conveyed]  from  us  to  thee,  and  with 
benediction,"  said  the  women. 


120  The  Colloquy. 

Then  he  came  forth  of  the  town,  and  took  back  his  right 

hand's  fill  of  special  fairy  herbs  known  to  him  as  having  been 

had  by  the  queens  and  noble  ladies  of  the  Fianna.     These  he 

gave  to  the  women ;  who  washed  in  a  bath  made  of  those  herbs, 

and  this  compelled  their  own  husbands  to  their  love,  insomuch 

that  the  wives  whom  they  had  brought  home  they  dismissed 

away  back  again.     The  great  stone  was  made  over  to  Caeilte 

and  he  said : — 

"  O  stone  of  belach  átha  /    .    .    ." 

There,  in  that  place,  Caeilte  abode  and  was  well  tended  and 
ministered  to.  Early  on  the  morrow  he  rose,  and  gave  the  flag- 
stone a  wrench  towards  him  out  of  the  earth.  They  came  along, 
and  so  to  finntulach  which  to-day  is  called  Ardpatrick,  where 
Patrick  was.  He  questioned:  "where  wast  thou  last  night, 
Caeilte?"  and  Caeilte  told  him  the  story  from  first  to  last 

Not  long  had  they  been  there  when  they  marked  seven  that 
drew  near  them.  Patrick  said:  "whence  are  ye  come,  young 
men?"  "Out  of  the  province  of  Connacht  to  the  northward." 
"What  hath  set  you  in  motion?"  "From  Connacht's  gentles 
we  come  to  fetch  thee,  holy  cleric,  to  convert  us  (both  man  and 
woman)  to  thy  Gospel."  Patrick  said  then :  "  it  is  not  right  that 
the  Church  make  any  lagging  but  to  disseminate  it" 

Patrick  with  his  people  set  out,  and  away  they  came  from  the 
southward:  through  mid-Munster,  past  luintnech  uladh,  into fidh 
flagman  which  is  called  'Cratlow;'  into  sliabh  aidhidin  rlgh^  into 
sliabh  Echtge  or  *the  mountain  of  Echtge*  daughter  of  Nuada 
Silver-arm;  by  cuaille  Chepáin  in  Echtge \  the  place  in  which 
Cepan  mac  Morna  fell;  past  loch  na  b6 girre  which  is  called  loch 
Gréine  or  '  the  loch  of  Grian  *  daughter  of  Finn  ;  into  the  brecthlr^ 
which  at  this  time  is  called  tir  Máine^  i.e.  *the  land  of  Hy-Many* 
or  *0'Kelly's  country;*  past  loch  linnghaeth  which  is  called  loch 
cróine.  There  Muiredach  More  mac  Finnachta  king  of  Connacht 
was,  expecting  Patrick  ;  whose  tent  was  now  spread  over  himself 
with  his  clerics.  The  chiefs  of  Connacht's  province  came  then, 
made  obeisance  to  Patrick,  and  laid  their  heads  in  his  bosom. 

As  for  the  saint,  he  issued  out  of  the  tent  and  sat  on  a  sepulchral 
mound  compact  of  sods ;  Caeilte  came  with  him,  and  said :  "  here 
it  was,  holy  Patrick,  that  Oscar  fought  his  first  battle."  Patrick 
asked :  "  what  cause  had  he  ?"     "  Soon  said  :  it  was  about  Niamh, 


The  Colloquy.  127 

daughter  to  Fergus  Finn's  son  Aedh  Donn  king  of  Ulster,  that 
was  betrothed  to  Aedh  son  of  Fidach  son  of  Finntan,  but  was  given 
to  the  king  of  Connacht's  son.  Which  latter  was  not  of  numbers 
sufficient  to  stand  a  battle  with  Oscar  and  the  Fianna,  until  from 
him  to  Conn's  grandson  Cormac,  king  of  Ireland,  had  been  sent 
a  petition  craving  reinforcements  in  large  quantity;  and  Cormac 
despatched  with  him  the  four  [remaining]  provinces  of  Ireland, 
to  give  battle  to  the  Fianna.  On  this  spot  then  the  fight  was 
fought  for  the  girl,  and  Oscar's  maiden  exploits  in  that  battle 
were  these  (as  Finn  said) : — 

"  *  Rise  up,  Oscar !  be  it  known  that  thou  art  [of]  the  true  stock :  sufficient 
[i.e.  formidable]  as  is  the  stature  of  the  good  men  arrayed  against  thee,  never- 
theless relieve  us  of  a  hundred  of  their  heroes !  Go  through  them  and  over 
them,  that  their  trunks  be  shorn  headless;  take  the  resonant  green  shield, 
and  take  the  sharp  sword!  From  the  weaponed  warrior  that  shall  have 
wounded  thee  win  shield  and  win  spears ;  win  mail — may  it  serve  thee — may 
they  not  boast  thy  trophies!  A  great  event  for  me  in  the  presence  of 
witnesses  is  the  devoting  of  my  babe  at  his  nine  years  completed !  There 
has  not,  there  never  will,  come  one  more  excellent  whether  of  hand  or  of  oath 
[i.e.  of  greater  deeds,  of  veracity  more  pure] ;  there  is  no  spearshaft  that  shall 
bore  farther  into  a  human.  Woe  to  him  upon  whom  with  keen  sword  he 
shall  charge,  when  once  his  arm's  wrath  is  roused — his  that  when  he  stands 
up  rages!'" 

Then  Caeilte  said : — 

"Oscar's  maiden  deeds  victorious  were:  the  towering  haughty  king  of 
Ulster  slain  ;  Leinster's  king,  without  any  cavil,  and  Connacht's  hardy  king 
likewise.  To  him  came  then,  after  that,  Aedh  mac  Fidach  mac  Finntan; 
but  him  he  leaves  without  a  head — seldom  is  hand-to-hand  set-to  so  tough. 
Aedh  Donn  son  of  Fergus  Finn — Ulster's  king  with  the  deadly  point — by 
dint  of  shield,  of  sword  so  hard,  Oscar  killed  at  the  same  time.  Baedan  mac 
Femarb,  the  virulent,  that  Lcinster  had  for  impetuous  king — sufficient  though 
his  daring  were — he  killed  at  the  one  instant  of  time.  Handsome  kingly 
Oscar's  own  condisciple,  that  was  gentle,  that  was  prudent:  Linne  mac 
Lighne,  who  had  deeds  to  show,  Oscar  slew  in  error.  To  view  the  battle 
Niamh  of  the  many-coloured  vesture  came:  the  battle's  rout  bursts  full  upon 
her,  and  the  tenacious  queen  is  slain.  Patrick  that  possessest  truth,  in  this 
matter  I  tell  thee  that  Oscar's  royal  fury  was  prodigious,  and  that  his 
maiden  exploits  were  not  small." 

"Success  and  benediction,  Caeilte!"  Patrick  cried,  "and  where 
is  Brogan?  be  that  tale  written  down  by  thee,  so  that  to  the 
chiefs  of  the  world^s  latter  time  it  prove  a  diversion."  And 
Brogan  penned  it 

"  Good  now  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  said  Patrick  :  "  what  [i.e.  whose] 


128  The  Colloquy. 

grave  is  this  on  the  hill  upon  which  we  stand  ?"  "  Soon  said," 
Caeilte  answered :  "a  warrior  of  the  Fianna  of  Ireland  that  met  his 
death  there,  Airnelach  mac  Admallan,  the  king  of  Leinster's  son. 
For  a  man  of  verse  came  hither  with  a  duan  for  him  [i.e.  composed 
on  or  addressed  to  him]  and :  *  it  is  well,  man  of  verse,'  he  said, 
'  grant  me  so  long  grace  until  I  have  by  me  my  jewels  and  my 
treasures.'  The  man  of  verse  replied :  *  truly,  and  by  my  word,  I 
will  not ;  but  if  I  be  not  gratified  will  in  this  very  day  lampoon 
and  satirise  thee.'  When  the  other  heard  that,  he  laid  his  face 
to  the  earth ;  nor  ever  lifted  up  his  countenance  [but  kept  it  so] 
till  he  died  for  shame.  The  green-surfaced  tulach  was  closed 
over  him,  his  stone  was  reared  over  him  ;  and  'tis  against  it  thy 
back  is  now,  holy  Patrick."  The  saint  said :  "  Heaven,  and  his 
release  from  torment,  be  to  him  from  me  in  recompense  of  his 
sense  of  honour."  In  which  very  hour  his  soul  came  out  of  pain, 
and  in  form  of  a  white  dove  sat  over  Patrick  on  the  pillar-stone. 

r  Patrick  enquired:  "and  who,  Caeilte,  is  in  this  the  tulach's 
southern  end  ?"  ^"  Salbhuide,  son  of  Feidhlecar  king  of  Munster, 
that  perished  there  in  pursuit  of  a  fairy  deerj^  his  number  being 
thirty  deer-hounds,  thirty  servitors,  thirty  warriors  [who  also 
died  with  him];  and  the  tulach  was  walled  up  on  them."  Ut 
dixit  Caeilte : — 

"In  this  end  to  the  southward  is  Salbhuide*s  son,  of  the  poets  :  fifty  con- 
ghlanns  of  white  silver  were  not  accounted  for  a  puny  treasure." 

Benignus  said :  "  we  would  fain  get  at  these  precious  things." 
"  Thou  shalt  have  that  same,"  Caeilte  said ;  and  opened  the  grave, 
in  which  was  his  spearshaft's  full  depth  of  rings  and  bracelets. 
Quoth  Benignus  again :  "  to  the  man  of  a  while  ago  thou  grantedst 
Heaven  for  his  honour's  sake ;  and  now  for  his  valuables  [here 

L revealed  to  us]  give  Heaven  to  that  other  warrior  [whose  they 
were]."     Patrick  said  :  "  it  shall  be  granted." 

Then  Patrick  enquired  of  Caeilte  :  "  what  was  it  that  brought 
you,  all  the  Fianna  as  ye  were,  to  naught  ?"  He  made  answer  : 
"the  two  battles  which  we  fought  last,  the  battle  of  Gowra 
namely,  and  the  battle  of  Ollarba.  Three  battalions  strong  we 
marched  to  fight  the  battle  of  Inverollarba,  and  saving  six 
hundred  of  us  none  came  off;  neither  had  Finn's  spirit,  whether 
in  battle  or  in  fray,  up  to  that  point  ever  complained  for  the 
Fianna.     But  this  time  he  took  heed  to  the  loss  of  such  chiefs, 


■^v. 


r-^ 


The  Colloquy.  129 

and  lords,  and  heroes,  and  champions,  and  confidential  people  as 
were  fallen  in  those  battalions: — 

"  *  Find  out  for  us  how  many  we  be    .    .    .*" 

"Success  and  benediction,  Caeilte!"  said  Patrick. 

Then  Cainen,  son  of  Failbhe  son  of  Fergus  son  of  Eoghan 
More,  questioned  Caeilte:  "where  was  Olioll  Olom  son  of  Mogh 
Nuadat  slain?"  and  he  answered  that:  "on  the  summit  of  sliabh 
Claire  to  the  southward  he  died,  of  an  apoplexy  brought  on  by 
grief;  and  Sabia  daughter  of  Conn  died  in  Tara,  of  sorrow  for 
Maccon  her  well-beloved  son":  thus  Caeilte.  Cainen  enquired  C/  -^ 
again:  "and  where  was  Ferchis  mac  Comain,  the  poet,  killed?"^*  It  ^  ^ 
was  a  shot  of  a  hardened  holly  javelin  which  on  the  top  of  j/w:i A  ^-^  ^  ^u 
crot  Ael  son  of  Dergdubh  delivered  at  a  stag,  but  with  the  same 
slew  Ferchis  unwittingly."^  "And  Olioll  Olom's  seven  comely 
sons,  where  died  they  ?"  Cainen  asked.  Beine  Brit  it  was  that  in 
the  great  battle  of  magh  mucrama^  they  being  routed  before 
Maccon's  vast  gathering,  slaughtered  them."  ^^Ath  {set  upon  the 
smooth  wide-spread  plain,  whence  is  it?"  "Comla  Derg  from 
cnoc  den  that  wounded  Eoghan  More*s  son  FiacJia  muilletlian 
there;  whence  by  rights  it  is  called  áth  iuisil  or  *  ford  of  falling.'" 
And  he  said  : — 

"^M  tuisil  is  the  ford's  name ;  to  all  men  this  is  a  cognisance  of  the 
veritable  cause :  it  was  a  fall  that  Connla  of  cnoc  den  caused  worthy  Fiacha 
Muillethan  to  make." 

" And  the  battle  of  samJiain^*  said  Cainen,  " by  whom  was  it 
fought,  and  who  perished  there?"  "Olioll  Olom's  son  Cormac 
Cas  it  was  that  delivered  it  against  Eochaid  Red-brow,  king  of 
Ulster  in  the  north.  There  Eochaid  fell ;  and  there  was  hit 
Cormac  Cas,  who  for  thirteen  years  lay  under  cure  with  his  brain 
leaking  away  from  him,  and  he  for  that  period  holding  the  rule 
of  Munster.  At  dun  ar  sUibh  or  ^ dun  on  mountain*  he  had  a 
fort  built,  a  good  town,  which  was  so  that  in  its  midst  was  a 
sparkling  and  translucent  loch-well.  About  the  spring  he  had  a 
great  and  royal  house  made;  but  immediately  at  its  brink  three 
huge  pillarstones  were  planted  and  there  (with  its  head  to  the 
eastward  and  betwixt  said  three  columns  of  stone)  the  king's  bed 
was  set,  while  out  of  a  cuach  or  else  a  bowl  a  confidential  warrior 
of  his  people  splashed  water  on  his  head  continually.  There 
too  he  died,  and  in  that  fort  was  laid  in  subterranean  excava- 

K 


130  The  Colloquy. 

tions  ;  whence  dun  trl  Hag  or  *  fort  of  three  pillarstones'  by  way 
of  name  is  given  to  it."     Then  Caeilte  uttered  a  lay : — 

"  Pleasant  assuredly  is  this  dun  in  the  east,  which  men  denominate  dun 
Eochaid\  more  pleasant  still,  when  once  the  daylight  comes,  are  Sabia's 
lying-place  and  Olioll's    .    .    ." 

To  return  to  Muiredach  mac  Finnachta,  king  of  Connacht,  he 
had  a  beloved  son:  Aedh  mac  Muiredach.  At  this  juncture  a 
goaling  match  was  promulgated  by  the  young  lads  of  Connacht, 
and  upon  them  Aedh  mac  Muiredach  without  assistance  won  six 
goals.  He  sat  down  after  it,  an  access  of  grave  and  fatal  sick- 
ness took  him,  and  there  he  died.  This  was  told  to  his  people 
and  to  his  mother:  Aeife,  the  king  of  Ulster's  daughter.  By  the 
women  of  the  province  outcry  of  woe  was  made  on  account  of 
the  youth's  demise;  and  his  mother  prescribed  to  lay  him  in  the 
bosom  of  the  Táilchenn :  in  his  bosom  namely  to  whom  God  had 
granted  all  Ireland,  and  power  of  benefitting  all  that  were  in  her. 
But  the  king  of  Connacht  said :  "  such  action  were  in  my  sight 
most  reprehensible,  unless  indeed  to  the  Saint  himself  as  well  it 
were  acceptable." 

Then  out  of  the  tent  in  which  the  king  of  Connacht  was  with 
his  attendants  (the  dead  also  being  there :  with  a  fringed  mantle 
thrown  over  him,  and  indued  with  a  soft  crimson  hood)  a  message 
was  sent  to  fetch  Patrick.  His  mother,  his  three  condisciples 
and  his  sister,  said  that  they  must  die  of  grief  for  him  [///.  *  of  his 
grief*];  which  when  saint  Patrick  heard  he  had  compassion,  and 
his  heart  yearned  towards  them. 

A  basin  of  pale  gold  was  brought  to  the  cleric  now,  with  its* 
fill  of  water  in  it;  he  blessed  the  water,  and  it  was  transferred  to 
an  exquisite  aiach  of  fair  silver.  The  holy  cleric  went,  raised  the 
soft  crimson  hood,  and  into  Aedh  mac  Muiredach's  mouth  poured 
three  drops  of  the  water ;  at  the  third  drop  of  which  he  rose 
sound  and  whole,  drew  his  hand  across  his  face,  and  got  out  of 
bed.  At  this  the  whole  concourse  were  joyful  and  of  good  cheer, 
and  believed  in  God;  they  laid  their  heads  in  Patrick's  breast, 
and  invested  him  with  all  power  over  them  from  great  to  small. 
Throughout  that  night  they  tarried  there;  next  morning  they 
quitted  the  town,  and  all  together  went  on  their  way:  into gann- 
magh,  which  now  is  called  magh  Finn\  into  tocharan  bhanchuire^ 
which  at  this  time  men  call  tóchar  Finn  \  right  hand  to  ros  na 


,--> 


The  Colloquy.  131 

fingaile,  which  now  is  named  ros  comdin  or  *  Roscommon  *  (the 
occasion  of  its  having  been  called  ros  nafingaile  being  nine  sons 
of  Uar  mac  Idhas  that  slew  each  other  there),  and  past  rath 
Ghlais  which  now  men  style  rath  Brénainn,  There  the  king  of 
Connacht's  tent  was  pitched :  Patrick  and  Caeilte  came  and  sat 
on  a  sodded  mound  that  dominated  the  rath's  outer  limit;  the 
king  of  Connacht  with  all  his  company  joins  them,  and  they  sit 
down  by  Patrick  and  by  Caeilte.  -^ 

Then  Muiredach  mac  Finnachta  questioned  Caeilte:  "whence  „  ,.' «-^ 
is  rath  G/iIais  applied  to  this  rath  ?"     "  I  will  tell  you,"  Caeilte 
said :  "  it  was  Glas,  son  of  Drecan  king  of  Lochlann,  that  with  a 
force  numbering  twenty-five  battles  came  to  win  Ireland's  royal    ^ 
power;  the  point  at  which  they  arrived  being  the  cathair  [i.e.    '     '»;/ 
*cahir*  or  *  stone  fort*]  ol  Damh  dilenn^  now  called  dun  rosarach,       \ 
Now  at  this  particular  season  Finn  mac  Cumall  was  in  Alm/ia  of    ^ 
Leinster."  CHere  Muiredach  enquired  of  Caeilte:  "why  was  the 
place  named  AlmhaV     Caeilte  replied :  "  a  warrior  of  the  tuatha 
dé  Danann  that  lived  in  the  teeming  glittering  bru£^h\  Bracan     \ 
was  his  name,  and  he  had  a  daughter  that  was  still  a  virgin :  her 
name  was  Almha,     Cumall  son  of  Trénmór  took  her  to  wife :  in  -  , 

bearing  him  a  son  she  died,  and  this  green-surfaced  tulach  was  a 

closed  in  over  her.^  From  her  therefore  it  is  designated  now ;  < 

whereas  until  then  it  had  been  ^lack.  ucLjaircsena,  i.e.  *the 
look-out  hill.'  Or  else  it  is  that  Alm/ia  was  his  narhe  that  had 
it  in  Nemhed's  time.  Or  yet  again  it  is  that  there  Nuada  the 
magician  made  a  fort  and  place  of  strength,  from  which  fortalice 
he  produced  an  almfia  or  *herd  of  kine,*  whence  Ahnfia  [the 
place-name]."     And  Caeilte  said : — 

"  Leinster's  Almha — the  Fianna's  liss — the  town  which  Finn  most  bounti- 
ful made  his  resort:  here  follows,  according  to  every  antiquary,  that  from 
which  the  name  is  taken.  Almha  was  the  man's  name  that  in  Nemed's 
time  possessed  it  with  vigour  and  with  fame ;  upon  the  green  hill  yonder  he 
expired  of  a  sudden  and  immediate  plague.  A  warrior  of  the  Firbolgs  that 
was  no  fool — luchna  was  the  warrior's  name — both  east  and  west  the  fort  was 
fiill  of  his  cattle,  of  his  herds.  His  droves,  impelled  by  thirst,  went  to  a  well 
to  drink  water;  such  was  the  urgency  of  their  drouth  that  they  all  fought  and 
left  their  horns  behind  them.  From  these  horns  of  the  kine  (that  were  some 
white,  some  flecked  with  other  colours)  which  they  had  left  about  the  uarán- 
well — from  that,  I  say,  we  now  have  here  [the  place-name]  adarca  bo  adbal 
luchna  or  *the  horns  of  luchna's  mighty  kine.*  Daughters  five  had  lofty 
luchna :  that  warrior  skilled,  and  cheery,  yet  vehement  [at  need] ;  from 

K  2 


^ 


132  The  Colloquy, 

whom  it  was  that  all  the  countnes  which  they  occupied  extended  far  and 
wide  [in  course  of  time].     Carmann  in  Carmann's  rough  land,  with  whom  for 

a  season  bards  abode ;    Tregds  wife  in  his  potent  house 

LiHe/s  plain  of  golden  hue  was  that  deft,  fair,  and  tall  young  woman's  share 
(as  I  opine  this  is  no  perverted  lore),<$nd  the  fifth  daughter  was  Almha 
that  was  seated  here.  Nuada  the  wizard,  an  ill-conditioned  fellow :  by  him 
a  strong  high  dun  was  made  in  Almha,  with  bright  crystal  for  his  spacious 
fort's  stockade.  Pmcjvhite  all  over  the  dun  was,  ás~CKough  it  had  had  all 
Ireland's  lime;  from  thT  almha  or  *herd'  that  he  brought  from  his  man- 
I  sion :  from  that,  I  say,  the  name  of  Almha  cleaves  to  it."  ^ 

^  "  Well  hast  thou  told  that  tale,  Caeilte,"  said  Muiredach  mac 

Finnachta. 

Caeilte  resumed :  "  where  we  were  then  [at  the  point  where  you 
broke  me  off  namely]  was  in  this  same  Almlta  of  Leinster,  and 
thither  intelligence  of  that  invading  fleet  came  to  us:  she  that 
brought  it  being  Spré  aithinne  or  *  Firebrand-spark,'  daughter  of 
Mughna  mucraesach,  and  the  king  of  Ireland's  she-runner.  To 
Finn  was  summoned  his  own  she-runner,  to  gather  and  to  muster 
both  Ireland's  and  Scotland's  Fianna,  Conn's  grandson  Cormac 
the  king  got  together  the  tuatha  of  Tara,  the  bands  of  Bregia, 
and  the  great  general  army  of  all  Ireland;  and  so  they  came 
hither,  to  this  place,  five-and-twenty  battles  strong.  Between  the 
Fianna  and  the  settled  [i.e.  non-nomadic]  folk  lots  were  cast,  for 
the  determining  to  which  of  them  it  should  fall  to  engage  the 
allmarachs  or  *  over-sea  men  * ;  and  the  Fianna's  chance  it  was  to 
open  the  battle.  Every  day  to  a  week's  end  a  fight  was  fought ; 
fifteen  hundred  allmaraclis  and  éirennachs  were  slain,  and  then 
the  main  battle  was  delivered ;  in  which  Glas  fell  by  Finn  mac 
Cumall,  and  his  seven  sons  by  the  Fianna.  Thrice  fifty  warriors 
in  number  we  marched  with  Finn  to  fight  that  battle,  and  by 
each  one  of  us  fell  fifty  fighting  men.  Three  of  us,  of  the  Fianna, 
entered  into  the  tent  in  which  Glas  mac  Drecan  was;  there  we 
found  nine  columns  of  gold,  the  smallest  one  of  which  was  in 
bulk  equal  to  a  three-ox  yoke.  These  we  hid  in  this  red  moor 
northward  of  the  rath,  and  here  Glas  mac  Drecan  was  laid  under 
ground.     From  him  therefore  this  rath  is  called  rath  Ghlais, 

Patrick  exclaimed:  "victory  and  benediction,  Caeilte,  'tis  a 
good  story  thou  hast  told  us  1  and  by  thee,  Brogan,  be  the  same 
written."  And  Brogan  wrote  it.  For  that  night  they  tarried 
there,  and  on  the  morrow  rose  early ;  they  came  away  into  roe 
carpait  Fergiisa,   i.e.   *the  place,  or  arena,  of  Fergus'  chariot,' 


The  Colloquy.  133 

which  at  this  time  is  called  iofnaire  meic  C/wnrach^  i.e.  'mac 
Conrach's  ridge  * ;  touching  cnoc  na  righ,  i.e.  '  hill  of  the  kings/ 
now  named  uarán  nGaradh  or  *  Garadh's  «^rrf«-well,'  where  they 
halted  and  pitched  camp.  His  tent  was  spread  over  Patrick; 
then  he  sang  his  hours.  He  blessed  that  rare  hill  with  the 
beautiful  sides,  and  said:  "this  shall  be  the  eighteenth  burial- 
ground  that  I  shall  hold  most  dear  in  Ireland  [i.e.  it  shall  be 
dearest  in  the  eighteenth  degree]."  "  What  is  the  most  unfortu- 
nate thing  [i.e.  the  great  objection  to  it]  is  that  it  has  no  water 
in  its  vicinity,"  said  the  king  of  Connacht. 

Then  Patrick  rose  and  drew  near  to  a  jutting  rock  which  he 
perceived  just  in  the  outskirts  of  the  spot  in  which  they  were, 
and  into  the  same  thrust  his  staff  so  that  it  impinged  on  the 
ground  and  substratum  underlying  it;  whereupon  three  jets  of 
pellucid  water  burst  out  of  the  rock.  Benignus  cried :  "  Endow 
the  well,  holy  Patrick!"  "Prophylaxis  for  a  certain  space  to 
every  one  that  shall  drink  its  water,"  said  Patrick :  "  also  by  good 
leave  of  the  Creator  all  Ireland's  wells  to  fail  in  the  world's  latter 
time,  and  all  Ireland  to  be  comforted  from  this  one  well ;  yet 
again :  this  water  to  be  thrice  administered  to  any  man,  and 
there  is  no  distress  that  may  afflict  him  but  it  will  relieve." 

"  Tell  us  a  story,  Caeilte,"  said  Patrick.  "  A  story  I  will  tell 
thee  of  a  case  in  respect  of  which  the  Fianna  of  Ireland,  both 
man  and  dog,  had  well-nigh  perished  upon  this  very  hill  on 
which  thou  art,  as  thus:  Guaire  Gall  and  Flaithes  were  Finn's 
two  bearers  of  the  chess-board,  and  to  play  a  match  with  Guaire 
upon  this  tulach  came  a  warrior :  Finn  Bane,  son  of  Bresal  king 
of  Leinster.  Guaire  Goll  said :  *  I  will  play  with  thee  for  a  stake.' 
Finn  Bane  asked:  *what  stake?'  'Three  ounces  of  gold  from 
each  of  us.'  Now  as  a  matter  of  fact  Finn  Bane  was  third  best 
chess-player  in  the  Fianna,  coming  as  he  did  after  Finn  mac 
Cumall  and  Diarmaid  ua  Duibhne^  but  before  Flaithes  called 
faebrach  or  *  sharp-edged,'  the  gilla  na  fidchille  or  *  lad  of  the 
chess-board,*  and  Guaire  Goll  his  fellow.  These  two  therefore 
played  for  three  days,  during  which  Guaire  won  not  a  single 
game,  and  his  stake  lapsed  from  him.  On  the  other  then  he 
heaped  insult  and  abuse:  saying  that  in  gilla'auXy  he  was  no 
gilla^  in  military  service  no  warrior,  and  in  weapon-skill  no  man« 
at-arms.     Finn  Bane  raised  his  hand  and  lent  Guaire  a  fist  so 


134  The  Colloquy. 

that  out  of  his  upper  gum  he  knocked  three  front  teeth  and 
made  Guaire  to  fall  flat  across  the  chess-board  [dead].  This  is 
reported  to  Finn,  and  he  orders  to  kill  Finn  Bane  with  his 
people.  Ossian  however  said:  *by  my  word  he  shall  not  be 
killed,  but  referred  to  the  judgment  of  Caeilte,  of  Dermot,  and 
of  Fergus  called  *  True-lips '  that  to  thee,  Finn,  is  ollave  in  chief 
of  the  Fianna.'  Which  three  delivered  their  judgment,  and  to 
this  effect :  *  wheresoever  thou,  Finn,  shalt  encounter  Finn  Bane's 
gilla,  give  him  a  físt;  thou  shalt  have  a  donation  [i.e.  a  solatium] 
moreover:  from  every  leader  of  Ireland's  Fianna  an  ounce  of  gold.' 
Thus  peace  was  made  by  them. 

"  At  twenty  years'  end  we  came  to  coill  choiméta^  i.e.  *  wood  of 
safe  keeping,'  in  the  land  of  the  úi  Tairrsigh  of  Leinster:  now 
called  *Drumcree.'  The  Fianna  proceeded  to  hunt,  and  left  behind 
there  a  warrior  of  their  number  to  safeguard  the  women;  his  name 
was  Garadh  mac  Mórna^  and  his  condition  this :  that  the  major 
part  of  his  life  was  past,  and  his  kinsmen  all  were  slain.  The 
women  said  to  him :  *  come  on,  Garadh,  hast  thou  a  mind  to  play 
chess  with  us?'  *By  no  means,'  he  answered.  'What  means 
this?'  the  women  said  again.  Garadh  began  :  *one  day  that  we 
were  at  tulach  na  rlgh  or  *  the  hill  of  kings,'  and  at  loch  an  éin  or 

'  the  bird's  loch,'  in  the  province  of  Connacht '  and  so  told 

them  the  story,  which  is  this  that  ye  have  just  heard,  holy 
Patrick.  A  woman  of  them  said  then:  *the  very  purpose  for 
which  Garadh  was  left  behind  with  us,  was  it  not  to  make  fire 
for  us  and  to  play  chess  with  us,  because  he  is  gone  off  his  lusti- 
hood  and  his  spear-throwing,  and  because  the  condition  in  which 
he  is  is  that  of  old  age?'  But  Garadh  said:  'this,  by  my  word, 
is  an  utterance  of  women  that  are  hostile ;  neither,  how  long 
soever  I  should  persist  in  fellowship  with  the  Fianna,  would  they 
ever  be  firm  friends  to  me.* 

"  Then  in  the  bruidhen  he  kindled  a  great  fire,  came  out  himself 
bringing  his  arms  with  him,  shut  to  the  seven  doors  that  were  to 
the  dwelling,  and  chanted  at  them  an  old  rhyme: — 

"  *  Lovely  women  of  Finn's  Fianna,  play  ye  now  chess  for  yourselves :  the 
sapient  king's  junior  ones  are  ye ;  I  am  a  senior,  and  my  play  is  old.  The 
burthen  of  age  weighs  on  me,  wear  and  tear  of  my  antiquity ;  I  am  coeval 
with  your  fathers,  and  every  sting  that  vexes  me  is  but  rendered  the  more 
keen  by  this:  that  at  an  age  such  as  mine  I  should  have  been  marked  out  to 
play  with  you.    A  day  at  loch  an  éin  I  have  in  memory  (an  ancient  man 


The  Colloquy.  135 

without  an  ancient  legend  is  amiss)  in  which  well-nigh  took  place  the  slaughter 
of  them  all,  through  quarrel  begotten  of  a  certain  match.  Guaire,  Finn's 
gilla^  and  Bresal's  son  Finn  Bane  held  at  the  chess-board  scientific  play, 
whence  a  contention  sprang.  Finn  Bane  as  a  player  was  better  than  Guaire 
from  glas  bemann ;  Finn  Bane  won  four  games,  and  Guaire  but  a  single  one. 
Against  Bresal's  green-mantled  son  huge  anger  grows  in  Guaire  now;  evil 
things  he  says  to  him  in  earnest,  all  for  his  straight  and  honourable  play. 
Finn  Bane's  shame  is  very  great,  and  speedily  he  lifts  the  hand ;  so  that  from 
Bresal's  winning  son  a  fist  landed  on  Guaire's  mouth.  Up  rise  the  splendid 
Fianna,  the  generous,  the  famous,  the  all-valorous ;  it  was  a  vexation  to  them 
to  have  the  Chiefs  gilla  stricken  for  a  paltry  cause.  Up  rise,  I  say,  with  one 
accord  Finn  Bane's  Fianna  and  Finn  mac  Cumall's;  Caeilte's  Fianna  and 
Conan's,  Ossian's  and  Ferdoman's.     Then  it  was  that  Finn  himself  said: 

*  see  outside,  my  stalwart  potent  son,  wherefore  the  Fianna's  anger  kindles — 
what  may  be  their  uprising's  cause.'  [But  here  a  man  of  Finn's  comes  in  and 
cries :]  *  Guaire  thy  gilla^  O  Finn,  a  young  man  that  was  bearer  of  thy  chess- 
board :  no  valid  cause  is  that  for  which  his  slaughter  by  mac  Bresal  stands 
effected!'  *  Be  mac  Bresal  seized,'  quoth  Finn,  *nor  ransom-gift  accepted  in 
his  stead ;  neither  be  Ossian,  Dermot,  Caeilte,  for  a  protection  to  him  in  the 
cause.'  Ossian  spoke  then :  *  by  thine  hand,  O  glorious  Finn — by  thy  nobility 
and  by  thine  honour — slain  mac  Bresal  shall  not  be  because  he  chanced 
into  a  broil.  Father,  O  son  of  Cumall,  stand  fast  by  thy  wisdom !  straight 
judgment  it  is  that  befits  a  prince,  not  blustering  words  of  menace.  Were  it 
we  here  that  lacked  self-restraint,  from  thee  it  is  our  admonishing  should 
emanate :  thy  finger  submit  to  thy  knowledge-tooth  ;  pass  not  rash  judgment 
resting  on  one-sided  evidence.  Let  take  Faelchú^  Fercrom's  son  and  heavy- 
haired  mac  Bresal's  gilla ;  if  now  mac  Bresal  hath  slain  Guaire,  by  thine  own 
self  be  Faelchu  killed.'  From  Cumall  of  the  tender  honour's  son  we  come 
away  after  Finn  Bane ;  and  so  bring  with  us  Bresal's  son  to  the  Fian-chief  of 
Ireland's  Fianna.  The  one  Finn — Almhcis  Finn  mac  Cumall — then  ques- 
tioned of  another  Finn :  wherefore  it  was  that  he  assaulted  Guaire  that  now 
was  gone,  was  passed  away.  Finn  Bane  answered :  *  Finn !  Guaire  thy  gilla^ 
a  carle  that  bore  thy  chess-board,  he  came  at  early  morning  and  defied  me  to 
play  one  single  game.  Four  games  then  I  won  on  Guaire  son  of  Beobertach ; 
l3ut  because  this  was  an  irritation  to  him — and  through  anger — he  *  scalded 
me,'  gave  me  vituperation.  By  reason  that  in  presence  of  all  Ireland's  Fianna 
he  inflicted  on  me  stiff  contumely :  I  was  no  gilla — I  was  no  laech — when  the 
pinch  came  no  óglacch  was  I — I  lift  up  my  straight  right  arm  (no  indiligence 
I  make  about  it)  and  deal  a  fist  across  his  mouth — nought  tell  I  but  a  truth- 
ful tale.*    *A  blessing  on  the  arm  that  gave  it  to  him,'  Ossian  surely  said: 

*  thy  gilla^  Finn  of  the  chiefs — not  causeless  is  the  slaying  of  him  found  to 
have  been.  Unless  thou  readily  forgive  the  fist,  Fian-chief,  it  shall  be  com- 
pensated to  thee :  a  screpal  of  gold  from  each  man  of  us  thou  shalt  have — 
wrongful  it  were  now  shouldst  thou  persist  not  to  give  ear  to  us.  But  if  this 
[that  I  have  set  forth]  please  thee,  belike  't  will  serve  to  check  thy  gillas  in 
their  ill-demeanour :  Guaire,  Coman,  active  Saltran,  that  practise  to  rail  at  all 
Ireland's  Fianna.  Guaire  reviled  Finn  Bane ;  Coman  has  upbraided  Glas ; 
and  more  preposterous  than  aught  that  can  be  told  is  how  the  flippant  Solam 
castigated  Ferdoman.     Finn  mac  Bresal  from  rath  chrd — if  to  this  gilla  he 


1^6  The  Colloquy. 

have  given  a  fist :  O  Chief  possessed  of  many  polished  drinking-horas,  give 
thou  too  a  fist  to  mac  Bresal's^y/^il'  *Take  thou  my  blessing,  and  to  thine 
own  house  repair  [in  peace]/  said  Finn  to  Finn  son  of  Bresal :  *  it  was  the 
guerdon  of  that  which  Guaire  himself  bad  uttered — outrageous  speech  must 
have  outrageous  blow/  Finn  Bane  made  answer :  '  chief  of  the  Fianna, 
holders  of  the  naked  edge,  the  boon  I  crave  of  thee  is  this :  that  from  this 
day  forth  and  for  ever  it  be  not  use  and  wont  for  the^z7/a  to  *give  language' 
to  the  óglaeM  Then  hand  to  hand  we,  Fianna  of  high^punctilious  CumalPs 
son,  took  oath  that  any  gilla  who  would  not  show  deference  must  not  pre- 
sume to  continue  in  Finn's  Fianna.  'Tis  I  to-night  am  gilla  to  you  and, 
womanfolk,  I  yield  you  reverence;  [besides]  I  have  passed  my  word  of  a 
good  warrior  that  never  would  I  strive  with  womankind.  How  long  soever 
we  may  be  together,  O  womanfolk  of  Almhds  Finn — so  long  as  I  live  and 
have  my  memory — women,  I  will  not  play  with  you  I"' 

Patrick  said  :  *'  success  and  benediction,  Caeilte !  grand  lore 
and  knowledge  is  this  thou  hast  uttered  to  us." 

Then  the  whole  company  rose  and  moved  on  to  the  cairn 
of  Fraech  son  of  Feradach  \cam  Fraeich  i.e.  *  Carnfree '],  and 
Patrick  went  up  upon  the  eminence.  "  Good  now,  Caeilte,"  he 
said:  "  believed  ye  in  the  King  of  Heaven  and  of  Earth,  or  indeed 
knew  ye  that  He  existed  at  all?"  To  which  Caeilte  makes 
answer:  "the  Fian-chief  knew  it;  for  he  was  a  magician,  and  a 
seer,  and  a  prince.  We  all  also,  through  one  night's  deadly  event 
that  we  witnessed,  understood  that  there  was  a  God."  "And 
what  was  that  event?"  "A  great  household  that  the  king  of 
Ireland — that  Cormac  son  of  Art — had :  ten  score  sons  of  kings 
(of  whom  was  none  but  was  a  king's  son  and  a  queen's  as 
well),  and  at  ros  na  righ  north-east  of  áth  na  Bóinne  or  'the 
Boyne's  ford'  they  used  to  be."  "What  ros  is  that?"  queried 
Patrick.  "  Ros  cailledh  (for  of  every  kind  of  tree  there  are  a 
a  thousand  there),  and  there  these  youths  had  a  vast  and  regal 
mansion ;  but  their  victual  was  never  otherwise  than  served  out 
and  brought  to  them  from  Tara.  One  night  accordingly  there 
they  were  after  banquetting  and  enjoying  themselves;  their  beds 
were  spread  for  them,  and  so  they  remained  for  the  night 

"  But  now  came  the  chief  steward  of  Tara  in  the  morning, 
(Binne  ....  he  was),  to  speak  with  the  king  of  Ireland's 
son  that  was  in  the  bruidhen)  the  house  was  opened  before  him, 
and  how  were  they  but  all  dead.  Hence  then  we  understood 
that  the  True  and  most  Glorious  God  existed:  the  One  that 
hath  dominion  and  power  over  us  all."     Caeilte  said  then : — 


The  Colloquy.  137 

"  Town  of  the  king^ — ros  Temrach  i.e.  *  Tara's  wood* — there  *tis  that  many 
a  time  a  great  household  was;  upon  its  slopes  with  their  smooth  sward 
throngs  of  men  and  horse-herds  were  in  numbers.  Ten  score  so  stately  sons 
of  kings  made  up  that  household  worshipful ;  an  equal  complement  of  women 
it  was  that  were  there  to  furnish  forth  the  same.  Thus,  O  noble  and  pure 
Patrick,  this  was  no  long-drawn  destruction ;  for  all  together  and  at  once 
they  passed  away — that  company  that  lived  in  the  one  town." 

"  Which  ten  score  men,  and  women  as  many,  were  buried  in 
that  tulachy  and  therefore  from  that  time  to  the  present  its  name 
is  cnoc  an  air  or  '  the  hill  of  slaughter.'  As  for  the  wood  in 
which  they  had  dwelt,  before  their  [i.e.  the  other  people's]  faces 
the  earth  swallowed  up  the  entire  ro5\  and  by  this  means  we 
apprehended  the  King  of  Heaven  and  of  Earth." 

"Victory  and  benediction,  Caeilte!"  cried  Patrick. 

Then  Caeilte  said:  "holy  Patrick,  my  soul,  I  hold  that  to- 
morrow it  is  time  for  me  to  go."  "And  wherefore  goest  thou?" 
"  To  seek  out  the  hills  and  bluffs  and  fells  of  every  place  in  which 
my  comrades  and  my  foster-fellows  and  the  Fian-chief  were  along 
with  me ;  for  I  am  wearied  with  being  in  one  place."  There  they 
abode  that  night ;  next  day  they  all  rose,  Caeilte  laid  his  head  in 
Patrick's  bosom,  and  the  Saint  said :  "  by  me  to  thee,  and  what- 
soever be  the  place  (whether  indoors  or  abroad)  in  which  God 
shall  lay  hand  on  thee,  Heaven  is  assigned." 

Then  Muiredach  mac  Finnachta,  king  of  Connacht,  went  his 
way  to  exercise  his  royal  rule  and  regimen ;  Patrick  also  went 
his :  to  sow  faith  and  piety,  to  banish  devils  and  wizards  out  of 
Ireland;  to  raise  up  saints  and  righteous,  to  erect  crosses,  station- 
stones,  and  altars ;  also  to  overthrow  idols  and  goblin-images,  and 
the  whole  art  of  sorcery. 

Touching  Caeilte  now:  on  he  went  northwards  to  the  wide 
plain  of  lorg  an  Daghda  or  *  the  plains  of  Boyle';  across  coirrléim 
naféinne^  which  at  this  time  is  called  eas  meic  Néra  or  *  the  water- 
fall of  Nera's  son  * ;  northwards  yet  into  sliabh  Seghsa  or  *  the 
Curlieu  mountains';  into  bema  nagcét,  now  called  céis  Chorainn 
or  *  Keshcorann,'  and  out  upon  the  Corann's  level  lands. 

Here  they  heard  a  great  rushing  sound  that  came  towards 
them,  and  with  a  glance  that  Caeilte  threw  around  him  he  dis- 
cerned nine  wild  stags  in  swift  career.  At  these  they  [Caeilte 
and  his  eight]  delivered  nine  javelins,  and  so  killed  the  nine 
deer ;  whereby  they  had  that  night's  provision.     They  pack  the 


á 


138  The  Colloquy. 

venison  on  them,  and  bring  it  along  to  eas  meic  Modaim  or  *  the 
waterfall  of  Modarn's  son/  now  called  eas  dara  or  *  Ballysodare ' ; 
into  crioch  an  chosnatna^  which  is  called  crioch  Chairbre  or  *  the 
barony  of  Carbery';  past  the  rinn  or  'point'  of  Ebha  daughter 
of  Geibtine  mac  Morna:  the  place  where  a  tidal  wave  drowned 
her ;  skirting  druim  derg^  now  called  druim  cliabh  or  *  Drumcliff/ 
and  áth  an  cliomraic  or  *the  fighting  ford/  now  called  áth  an 
daimh  ghlais  or  *  the  grey  stag's  ford.*  Thence  they  held  on  to 
lecht  na  muice  or  'the  swine-grave/  where  once  the  wild  pig 
killed  Duibhne's  grandson  Dermot ;  and  to  the  tulacKs  top 
where  leaba  Dhiartnata^  *  Dermot's  bed/  is.  There  Caeilte  laid 
his  weapons  on  the  ground,  and  himself  lay  down  on  his  dear 
comrade's  grave  and  place  of  rest.  Copious  and  very  lamentable 
tears  he  wept,  so  that  both  breast  and  chest  were  wet  with  him, 
and  said :  "  alas  that  my  companion  is  gone  from  me  I "  From 
mid-day  till  the  end  of  the  day's  waning  they  tarried  there  and : 
"  friends/'  he  said,  "  woe  is  me !  with  grief  for  Dermot  and  for 
his  children  I  could  be  fain  nevermore  to  depart  from  this  the 
place  in  which  they  recline!"  Failbhe  said  here:  "  how  now,  had 
Dermot  sons  ?  "     "  He  had  so,  and  here  are  their  names : — 

"  The  names  of  brown-haired  Dermot*s  sons  by  the  daughter  of  Conn's 
g^randson  Cormac:  Finnchad,  and  Illann,  and  Uath;  Selbach,  Sercach,  and 
Iruath. 

"  That  *  grey  stag's  ford '  of  which  we  spoke  a  while  ago,  there 
it  was  that  Caeilte  coscair  righ  fought  with  Dithramach  son  of 
Eoghan's  son  the  Scál^  that  was  king  of  Munster  and  mother's 
son  [i.e.  half-brother]  to  Finn."     And  Caeilte  said : — 

"  In  presence  of  the  great  and  goodly  host,  hardily  they  fought  a  fight  of 
two :  in  their  wrath  they  tore  up  the  very  trees  upon  the  path  over  the  grey 
stag's  ford.  Caeilte  it  was  that  hurled  his  spear  at  first,  such  was  his  pretty 
weapon-pla/s  perfection;  but  no  more  than  dismissed  it  from  his  hand  he 
had,  when  a  well-aimed  javelin  stuck  in  him.  His  right  hand  and  his  left 
foot  he  shore  from  vehement  Dithramach ;  but  'twas  his  own  head  that  stem 
Caeilte  left  upon  the  north  side  of  Dnimcliff." 

Thence  they  proceeded  to  coill  na  mbuidhen  or  *  wood  of  the 
companies/  now  called  coill  Muadnatan  or  'Muadnait's  wood'; 
over  the  benn  of  Muiredach's  son  Gulban  gort^  or  *  Benbulbin ' ;  to 
garbhros  or  'rough-grove,'  now  daire  na  datnhraidhe  'the  deer- 
herd's  oak-grove.'  There  they  make  a  capacious  fian-booth  for 
cooking ;  they  roof  it  in  with  sedge  green  in  the  top,  pale  towards 


The  Colloquy.  139 

the  roots,  securing  it  with  ties  over  all,  and  there  the  brandering 
and  seething  of  their  flesh  is  effected  by  them.  Says  a  man 
of  them :  "  is  there  water  near  us  ?  "  Caeilte  answered :  "  surely 
there  is — Ossian's  well."  "It  is  a  dark  night,"  said  the  others. 
"  Not  to  me  is  it  dark,"  said  Caeilte :  "  for  in  Ireland's  five  great 
provinces  is  not  a  spot  in  which  whether  out  of  rock  or  out  of 
river  a  cuach{\A  is  procured  but  by  both  day  and  night  I  am  at 
home  there."  In  his  one  hand  therefore  he  took  a  silver  cuach^ 
in  the  other  his  thick-shafted  solid-socketted  spears,  and  walked 
straight  to  a  well.  He  heard  a  sound  of  fluid  mouthed,  of  water 
troubled,  and  what  should  be  there  but  a  long-flitched  boar  that 
drank.  Into  the  rivetted  well-poised  spear's  thong  he  put  his 
finger,  and  at  the  swine  delivered  a  cast  which  killed  him  ;  then 
with  his  cuach  still  in  his  hand  he  brought  him  away  upon  his  back.  ,^ 

That  night  they  spent  there,  and  on  the  morrow  went  on  across  \  \| 
the  falls  of  Assaroe,  so  to  sldh  of  Aedh  at  Assaroe.  Here  on 
their  advent  they  marked  a  young  man  that  upon  the  green-clad 
tiilach  awaited  them :  a  crimson  mantle,  fringed,  enfolded  him ; 
in  this,  high  on  his  breast,  was  a  silver  brooch,  and  he  wore  a 
white  shield  having  ornament  of  interlaced  creatures  in  red  gold  ; 
his  hair  behind  was  rolled  into  a  ball  covered  with  a  golden 
cuach  \  with  a  long  chain  of  antique  silver  he  held  in  leash  two 
hounds  of  the  chase ;  mighty  weapons  of  weight  too,  glittering 
blue,  he  bore.  Whenever  Caeilte  reached  him,  lovingly  and 
warmly  the  young  man  gave  him  kisses  three,  and  on  a  mound 
he  sat  down  beside  him.  "Warrior,  who  art  thou?"  Caeilte 
asked.  "  Derg  dianscothach  son  of  Eoghan  out  of  the  tuatha  of 
Usnach  abroad,  sind  thine" own  foster-fellow."  "And  how  goes 
thy  life  with  thy  mother's  people  :  the  tuatha  dé  Danann  in  Hdh 
AedhaY*  The  young  man  answered  :  "whether  of  meat  or  of 
raiment  no  item  is  wanting  to  us  there,  and  yet:  Ligaimelicon^    ^ 

live  their  life  than  that  which  I  lead  in  the  sidh''    " Solitary  as  ^        '^ 

thou  huntest  to-day,"  said  Caeilte,  "  in  camar  na  dtri  nuiscedh  or 

*  the  valley  of  the  three  waters '  in  the  south,  where  Suir  and 

Nore  and  Barrow  come  together,  I  have  seen  thee  escorted  with 

a  great  company:  fifteen  hundred  young  men,  fifteen  hundred 

gillas^  and  women  fifteen  hundred."    Then  he  said : — 


Semenn  sacaire,  and  Beg  that  ^^sgilla  to  the  bromhacsy  which  three     .     ^ 
had  the  worst  life  of  any  that  were  in  the  Fianna — I  had  rather       V^ 


á 


140  The  Colloquy. 

"Of  numbers  few  is  this  thy  hunting,  Derg:  thou  art  parted  from  thy 
Fianna,  companions  of  thy  chase ;  but  art  thou  well  versed  in  their  various 
deaths  by  violence  ?"  "  Well  versed  am  I  in  all  the  places  where  they  fell ; 
for  though  my  gentle  hound  [and  myself  consequently]  dwell  in  the  sidhy  yet 
is  my  mind  bent  on  the  Fianna.  Never  yet  at  any  time  I  was  in  any  spot — 
or  east  or  north,  or  south  or  west — where  my  time  sped  more  quickly  than 
among  them,  however  few  their  number.** 

"  Derg,  my  soul,  it  is  well :  which  of  the  Fianna  is  in  this  sod- 
built  grave-mound  on  which  we  are?"  "Myself  and  thou  it  was 
that  buried  him,"  said  Derg:  "it  were  but  right  therefore  though 
I  knew  it"     Then  he  said : — 

^^  Cuinnscleo  Xh^  gilloy  son  o{  Ainnscleo    .    .    .** 

"  Derg,  against  whom  or  what  was  the  desperate  and  distress- 
ful race  run  ?"  "  Against  the  black  horse  that  Dil  mac  dd  creaca 
had,"  answered  Derg: — 

"A  black  horse  Dil  mac  dd  creaca  had :  in  all  sports  that  they  set  on  foot  at 
the  rock  which  dominates  loch  Guir  [on  the  Hill  of  Doon  over  loch  Gur] 
he  clean  swept  off  the  three  prizes  of  the  meeting." 

"  Caeilte,"  said  Derg,  "  in  what  house  were  we  on  the  night  in 

question  ?"     "  In  Cahir  mac  Ailell's  house  :  he  having,  upon  his 

invitation  issued,  himself  conveyed  Finn  and  the  Fianna  thither ; 

and  in  Cahir's  house  we  were  for  three  days  and  three  nights, 

during  which  our  numbers  suffered  no  lack  of  meat,  of  fluid,  nor 

of  any  good  usage  whatsoever."   "  Gave  we  him  anything  at  all  ?" 

continued  Derg.     "  Finn  gave  him  three  hundred  cows,  as  many 

mantles,  and  three  hundred  ounces  of  gold,"  answered  Caeilte ; 

and  he  said : — 

"Three  hundred  kine,  three  hundred  mantles,  three  hundred  swords  of 
solid  temper,  Finn  gave  (as  honorarium  for  his  liquor)  to  Cahir  son  of  Ailill." 

Derg  questioned  again:  "who  was  it  that  actually  gave  the 
horse  to  Finn :  was  it  Dil  mac  dd  creaca^  or  was  it  Cahir  mac 
Ailill?"  "It  was  Fiacha  called  muillethan  or  'broad-crown,'  son 
of  Eoghan  More,"  Caeilte  answered,  and  said : — 

"  *  Take  thou  here  the  headlong  black  horse,*  quoth  Fiacha  to  the  Fianna's 
chief:  *here  is  my  sword  with  its  renown,  and  for  thy  charioteer  here  is 
another  horse  from  me.*  Off  to  the  strand  that's  over  Berramhan  Finn  went 
to  make  a  trial  of  the  black  horse ;  and  three  times  I  ran  clear  away  from  him, 
for  I  was  swifter  than  any  [mortal]  thing. 

"The  horse  ran  to  the  strand's  westernmost  end,  and  there 
died  of  over-galloping  \lit  *  from  puff  of  run ']  ;  wherefore  tráigh 


The  Colloquy.  141 

an  eich  dhuibh,  or  *  the  black  horse's  strand/  is  the  name  of  that 
shore  which  hitherto  had  been  called  iráigh  Bkerramhain  or 
*  the  strand  of  Berramhan/  " 

Caeilte  said  again :  "  *tis  the  latter  end  of  day  that  is  here  now  ; 
for  the  beautiful  lustrous  clouds  of  day  are  gone,  and  the  night's 
dark  shades  are  come  to  us." 

Then  for  the  purpose  of  telling  Ilbhrec  of  Assaroe  and  Aedh 
minbhrec  son  of  the  Daghda  all  about  Caeilte,  Derg  dianscotJtach 
passed  over  into  the  sidh  and  related  all  his  colloquy  from  the 
time  when  first  Caeilte  came  up  to  him  until  that  instant  hour's 
date.  " He  must  be  brought  into  the  sldh*'  they  said,  " for  we 
have  heard  of  his  honour  and  of  his  prowess."  Derg  went  to 
fetch  him,  brought  back  himself  with  his  people,  and  in  the  sidh 
they  were  set  down  in  their  rightful  and  befitting  places.  That 
was  just  the  time  when  between  Lir  of  sidh  Finnachaidh  and 
Ilbhrec  of  Assaroe  there  was  great  war.  There  used  a  bird  with 
iron  beak  and  tail  of  fire  to  come  and  perch  at  a  golden  window 
that  was  in  the  sidh^  and  there  every  evening  shake  himself  till 
he  would  not  leave  sword  on  pillow,  nor  shield  on  peg,  nor  spear 
on  rack  without  bringing  it  down  about  the  sidhÁoWs  heads. 
These  used  to  hurl  missiles  at  him,  but  what  happened  was  that 
every  cast  would  land  on  the  head  of  some  boy,  or  woman,  or 
fosterling  of  themselves.  That  night  of  Caeilte's  entrance  their 
banquetting-house  was  set  in  order ;  the  same  bird  arrived  among 
them  and  wrought  the  same  destructive  mischief.  They  of  the 
sidh  fell  to  throwing  at  him,  but  could  not  effect  the  least  thing 
against  him.  Caeilte  enquired  :  "  how  long  is  the  bird  carrying 
on  in  this  fashion?"  Derg  answered:  "for  the  space  of  a  year 
now,  since  we  and  they  of  the  other  sidh  went  to  war." 

Then  Caeilte  put  his  hand  inside  the  rim  of  his  shield  and 
produced  thence  a  copper  rod  that  he  had,  with  which  he  made 
a  throw  at  the  bird  so  that  he  came  tumbling  down  to  them  and 
lay  on  the  sidh's  floor.  "  Did  ever  any  do  casting  better  than 
that  ?"  asked  Ilbhrec.  Aedh  minbhrec  of  Assaroe  enquired :  "  was 
there  in  the  Fianna  one  that  at  throwing  was  equally  good  with 
thee?"  "My  word  I  risk  for  it,"  Caeilte  answered,  "that  no  one 
of  them  above  another  had  any  right  to  brag ;  for  in  every  man 
of  them  was  his  full  sufficient  complement  of  martial  vigour  and 
of  marksmanship,  and  so  too  there  was  in  me." 


142  The  Colloquy, 

Hereupon  Ilbhrec  reached  up  his  hand  and  from  its  rack  took 
down  a  sharp  javelin  with  sheeny  angles,  which  he  put  into 
Caeilte's  hand,  saying:  "Caeilte,  my  soul,  examine  now  what 
spear  is  that,  and  which  of  the  Fianna  he  was  that  owned  it." 
Caeilte  took  from  the  javelin  its  shoe  and  its  wraps,  and  there  in 
its  socket  were  thirty  rivets  of  Arabian  gold.  ..."  That  is 
the  spear  of  Fiacha  mac  Congha  ...  by  means  of  which  it 
was  that  at  the  first  Finn  son  of  Cumall  acquired  chief  command 
of  Ireland's  Fianna ;  and  out  of  Finnachadh's  green-grassed  sidJt 
'twas  brought  For  it  was  Aillén  mac  Midhna  of  the  tuatha  dé 
Danann  that  out  of  sldh  Finnachaidh  to  the  northward  used  to  W 
come  to  Tara:  the  manner  of  his  coming  being  with  a  musical 
timpdn  in  his  hand,  the  which  whenever  any  heard  he  would  at 
once  sleep.  Then,  all  being  lulled  thus,  out  of  his  mouth  Aillen 
would  emit  a  blast  of  fire.  It  was  on  the  solemn  samkain-a^y 
he  came  in  every  year,  played  his  timpan,  and  to  the  fairy 
music  that  he  made  all  hands  would  fall  asleep.  With  his 
breath  he  used  to  blow  up  the  flame  and  so,  during  a  three- 
and-twenty  years'  spell,  yearly  burnt  up  Tara  with  all  her  gear. 
That  was  the  period  when  the  battle  of  Cnucha  was  fought, 
in  which  fell  Cumall  son  of  Trenmor.  Now  he  left  after  him 
a  pregnant  wife:  Muirenn  smooth-hair,  daughter  of  Teigue  mac 
Nuadat. 

"  Cumall  being  gone  the  Fian-chiefry  was  made  over  to  GoU 
mac  Morna,  who  held  it  for  ten  years.  But  a  son  had  in  due 
course  been  bom  to  Cumall,  which  was  Finn ;  and  up  to  the  age 
of  ten  years  he  was  [perforce]  a  marauder  and  an  outlaw.  In 
this  his  tenth  year  Tara's  Feast  was  made  by  the  king :  Conn 
cédchatJtach  or  *  of  the  hundred  battles ' ;  and  as  all  Ireland  drank 
and  enjoyed  themselves  in  the  great  house  of  the  Midchuarty  they 
never  noticed  anything  until  among  them  appeared  there  [///. 
'until  there  arrived  to  them']  one  that  was  quite  a  stripling, 
and  of  varied  aspect  In  presence  of  Conn  of  the  Battles  and  of 
Goll  mac  Morna  he  sat  down,  having  Ireland's  nobles  round 
about  him  in  the  house.  Note  that  one  of  the  prerogatives 
attaching  to  the  Feast  of  Tara  was  that  for  the  space  of  six 
weeks  [///.  *  a  fortnight  plus  a  month  *] — so  long  that  is  to  say  as 
men  were  busied  with  the  Feast  of  Tara — none  might  dare  to 
broach  either  feud  or  cross-feud.     The  king  of  Ireland  looked  at 


^'. 


') 


The  Colloquy.  143 

the  youth ;  for  whether  to  him  or  to  any  other  that  was  in  the 
bruidJun  the  same  was  unknown. 

"  His  horn  of  state  was  brought  to  the  king  then,  and  he  put 
it  into  the  lad's  hand.  He  enquired  of  him:  'whose  boy  is 
this  ?'  *  I  am  Finn  mac  Cumall,  son  to  the  warrior  that  formerly 
had  the  Fianna*s  command  in  chief  and,  king  of  Ireland,  I  am 
come  to  procure  my  friendship  with  thee  [i.e.  to  be  reconciled 
with  thee  and  to  enter  thy  service].'  Conn  said :  *  boy,  thou  art 
a  friend's  son  and  son  of  a  man  of  trust'  Then  the  lad  rose  and 
as  towards  the  king  of  Ireland  made  pact  of  service  and  of  fealty. 
Conn  took  him  by  one  hand,  placed  him  at  the  shoulder  of  [i.e. 
next  to]  Art  mac  Conn,  and  for  a  space  and  season  they  devoted 
themselves  to  quaff  and  to  enjoy  themselves. 

**  Then  with  a  smooth  and  polished  drinking-horn  that  was  in 
his  hand  the  king  of  Ireland  stood  up  and  said:  *if,  men  of 
Ireland,  I  might  find  with  you  [i.e.  among  you]  one  that  until  the 
point  of  rising  day  upon  the  morrow  should  preserve  Tara  that 
she  be  not  burnt  by  Aillen  mac  Midhna,  his  rightful  heritage 
(were  the  same  much  or  were  it  little)  I  would  bestow  on  him.' 
To  this  the  men  of  Erin  listened  mute  and  silent  however,  for 
they  knew  that  at  the  plaintive  fairy  strain  and  at  the  subtle 
sweet-voiced  notes  produced  by  the  wondrous  elfin  man  that 
yearly  used  to  burn  Tara,  women  in  the  pangs  and  warriors 
gashed  about  would  fall  to  sleep. 

"Finn  rose  now  and  to  the  king  of  Ireland  said:  *who  will  in 
thy  behalf  go  security  and  be  sureties  to  me  for  the  fulfilment  of 
this?'  Conn  answered:  *the  provincial  kings  of  Ireland,  and 
Cithruadh  with  his  magicians.'  They  all  of  them  enter  into  the 
bond,  and  Finn  takes  in  hand  to  safeguard  until  the  morrow's 
daybreak  Tara  with  all  her  substance.  Now  in  the  king  of  Ire- 
land's retinue  was  one  that  to  Finn's  father  Cumall  had  been  a 
young  man  of  trust :  Fiacha  mac  Congha,  and :  *  good  now,  my 
lad,'  he  said,  *  suppose  that  I  furnished  thee  a  certain  spear  of 
deadly  property,  and  with  which  no  devious  cast  was  ever  made, 
what  guerdon  wouldst  thou  give  me?'  'What  fee  demandest 
thou  of  me?'  'Whatsoever  prosperous  result  thy  right  hand 
wins  at  any  time,  one-third  of  it  to  be  mine ;  a  third  part  more- 
over of  thine  innermost  confidence  and  privy  counsel  [i.e.  of  thy 
three  most  privy  counsellors  I  to  be  one].*     *It  shall  pass  for 


144  ^^  Colloquy. 

thee  [i.e  thou  shalt  have  it],*  Finn  said,  and  under  his  word  took 
on  him  the  obligation.  Then  Fiacha  prescribed:  'whenever 
thou  shalt  hear  the  fairy  melody:  sweet-stringed  timpan  and 
dulcet-breathing  tube,  from  the  javelin's  head  strip  its  casing  and 
apply  the  weapon  whether  to  thy  forehead  or  to  some  other  of 
thy  parts  ;  so  shall  the  noxious  missile's  horrific  effect  forbid  that 
sleep  fall  on  thee/ 

"  Then  in  presence  of  all  Ireland  Finn  rose  to  ward  Tara ; 
unknown  to  the  sons  of  Morna  or  to  any  other  that  was  in  Tara's 
mansion  mac  Congha  gave  him  shield  and  spear,  and  he  made 
the  complete  circuit  of  Tara.  He  was  not  long  before  he  heard 
a  plaintive  strain,  and  to  his  forehead  he  held  the  flat  of  the 
spear-head  with  its  dire  energy.  Aillen  began  and  played  his 
timpan  till  (as  his  use  was)  he  had  lulled  every  one  else  to  sleep, 
and  then  to  consume  Tara  emitted  from  his  mouth  his  blast  of 
fire.  But  to  this  Finn  opposed  the  crimson  and  fringed  mantle 
which  he  wore,  so  that  [instead  of  speeding  horizontally  on  its 
mission]  the  flame  fell  down  [perpendicularly]  through  the  air, 
carrying  with  it  the  fourfold  mantle  a  twenty-six  spans'  depth 
into  the  earth  ;  whereby  ard  na  teinedh  or  *  fire  hill  *  is  the  name 
of  that  eminence,  and  glenn  an  bhruit  or  *  the  mantle  glen '  that 
of  the  glen  adjacent  When  Aillen  mac  Midhna  was  aware  that 
his  magical  contrivance  was  all  baffled,  he  returned  to  sidh  Finn- 
adiaidh  on  the  summit  of  sliabh  Fuaid.  Thither  Finn  followed 
him  and,  putting  his  finger  into  the  spear's  thong  as  Aillen 
passed  in  at  the  sidh^s  door,  delivered  a  well-calculated  and 
successful  throw  that  entered  Aillen  in  the  upper  part  of  his 
back,  and  in  form  of  a  great  lump  of  black  blood  drove  his  heart 
out  through  his  mouth.  Finn  beheaded  him,  carried  the  head 
back  to  Tara,  fixed  it  upon  a  pole  of  sinister  significance,  and 
there  it  remained  until  rising  of  the  sun  aloft  over  the  heights 
and  invers  of  the  land.  To  Aillen  then  his  mother  came  and, 
after  giving  way  to  great  grief,  went  to  seek  a  leech  for  him : — 

"*A  lamentable  case,  O  most  admirable  she-physician:  by  Fiacha  mac 
Congha's  spear — by  the  fatal  mantle  and  by  the  pointed  javelin — Aillen  mac 
Midhna  is  slain !  Ochone,  Aillen  is  fallen !  three  jets  have  spurted  from 
him :  here  is  his  heart's  blood,  together  with  the  marrow  of  his  back.  Ochone, 
Aillen  is  fallen !  fairy  chief  of  benn  Boirche :  now  are  the  numbing  death 
mists  come  upon  him— O  Boirche^  O  she-physician,  'tis  a  lamentable  case! 
Ochone  but  he  was  joyous,  and  ochone  but  he  was  blithe,  was  Aillen  son  of 


The  Colloquy.  145 

Midhna  oi  sliahk  Fuaid\  nine  times  he  burnt  up  Tara,  and  to  gain  high 
fame  was  his  constant  endeavour.* 

"Then  with  their  king  all  Ireland  came  upon  Tara*s  green 
where  Finn  was,  and  he  said  :  *  King,  thou  seest  that  man's  head 
that  used  to  burn  Tara ;  his  pipe  also,  his  timpan  and  all  his 
music  ;  I  opine  therefore  that  Tara  with  all  her  stuff  is  saved/ 

"  Hereupon  the  place  of  assembly  was  filled  by  them,  and  a 
course  of  action  proposed ;  the  plan  finally  adopted  being  to 
confer  Ireland's  Fian-command-in-chief  on  Finn.  'Good  now, 
my  soul,  Goll  mac  Morna/  said  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles, 
'what  is  thy  choice :  whether  to  quit  Ireland,  or  to  lay  thy  hand 
in  Finn's  ?'  Goll  made  answer :  *  I  pledge  my  word  that  'tis  my 
hand  I  will  lay  in  Finn's  [rather  than  take  the  alternative].' 

"  By  this  time  the  charms  used  to  procure  luck  and  a  good 
event  had  worked,  and  the  chiefs  of  the  Fianna  rising  struck  their 
hands  in  Finn's  ;  but  first  of  all  Goll  mac  Morna  struck  his,  to 
the  end  that  others  of  the  Fianna  should  be  the  less  inclined  to 
feel  shame  at  doing  so.  In  which  command  Finn  continued 
until  he  died  ;  and  where  he  met  his  death  was  at  aill  an  bhruic 
or  *  the  brock's  cliff,'  in  luachair  Degaidh.  Now  the  spear  thou 
puttest  into  my  hand,  Ilbhrec,  therewith  was  that  beneficial  deed 
done  for  Ireland  ;  by  its  means  also  it  was  that  Finn  ever  and 
always  had  all  his  fortune,  and  the  spear's  constant  original  name 
was  birgJia^  or  *  spit-spear.'"  Ilbhrec  said  :  "keep  thou  the  spear 
by  thee,  Caeilte,  until  we  learn  whether  Lir  will  come  to  avenge 
his  bird  upon  us." 

Now  were  their  horns  and  their  cups  raised,  and  they  ban- 
quetted  and  had  recreation  of  mind  and  spirit.  Ilbhrec  said  : 
"good  now,  Caeilte,  my  soul,  to  whom  wilt  thou  (should  Lir 
come  to  avenge  his  bird  on  us)  assign  command  of  the  battle?" 
"  To  the  one  to  whom  Finn  used  to  commit  his  battle's  chief 
command :  to  Derg  dianscothach  yonder."  They  of  the  sidh 
questioned:  "takestthou  it  upon  thyself,  Derg?"  He  replied: 
"  I  do,  with  its  pleasure  and  with  its  pain."  Thus  they  passed 
that  night ;  and  in  the  morning  were  not  long  before  they  heard 
blowing  of  horns,  rumbling  of  chariots,  clashing  of  shields,  with 
general  uproar  of  a  great  host  that  came  on,  and  it  surrounded 
the  sidh.  Out  of  this  were  despatched  some  to  spy  out  how 
many  they  were ;  and  it  turned  out  that  they  were  three  valorous 

L 


146  The  Colloquy. 

battalions  of  equal  bulk.  Said  Aedh  mmbhrec\  "a  sore  vexa- 
tion to  me  is  that  which  will  be  wrought  now :  that  we  must 
violently  perish  and  die,  our  fairy  brugh  too  to  be  possessed  by 
Lir  of  sldh  Finnachaidh"  But  Caeilte  said  :  " knowest  thou  not, 
Aedh,  that  from  both  hounds  and  wolves  the  mighty  wild  boar 
escapes  often,  and  that  when  the  stag  at  bay  is  roused  to  a  last 
desperate  charge  he  likewise  escapes  scot-free  from  the  deer- 
hounds?  and  who  is  he  whom,  man  to  man,  ye  deem  most 
formidable  in  the  battle?"  "The  man  that  of  all  the  tuatha  dé 
danann  excels  in  prowess :  Lir  of  sidh  Finnachaidhl^  they 
answered.  Caeilte  went  on  :  "  the  thing  which  ever  and  in  all 
battles  I  have  undertaken,  that  is  to  say :  hand  to  hand  to  meet 
the  best  champion  that  should  be  there,  I  will  not  suffer  to  fall 
to  the  ground  this  day."  "  What  single  combat  dost  thou  pro- 
mise us,  Derg?"  they  asked.  "Whose  encounter  is  that  which 
after  the  former  ye  hold  to  be  most  arduous?"  " Encounter  of 
Donn  and  of  Dubh,"  they  answered.  Derg  said  :  "  I  will  manage 
them  both."  The  forces  of  the  sidh  came  out  now  to  affront  the 
battle,  and  from  early  day-rise  to  mid-day  either  side  of  them 
plied  the  other  with  handily  missile  darts,  with  small  spit-like 
javelins,  with  broad-  and  blue-headed  spears  and  with  great 
stones.  Caeilte  and  Lir  of  sidh  Finnachaidh  encountered,  aggres- 
sively and  bloodily,  and  in  the  end  of  the  affair  Lir  iell  by  Caeilte. 
Then  that  pair  of  good  warriors:  Dubh  and  Donn,  Eirrge  anghlon- 
nacKs  two  sons,  advised  concerning  maintenance  of  the  battle, 
and  thus  they  ordered  the  fight :  Dubh  in  the  van  of  the  phalanx, 
Donn  to  make  vigilant  defence  in  the  rear.  This  move  Derg 
dianscothach  marked  ;  into  his  spear's  thong  he  put  his  forefinger, 
and  at  the  nearer  man  of  them  made  a  felicitous  cast  which 
broke  his  spine  in  twain  and  penetrated  full  into  the  farther 
one's  carcase,  so  that  they  perished  of  the  one  throw.  Ilbhrec 
said  now  :— 

"  By  Caeilte  Lir  is  fallen  :  no  deed  undeserving  of  the  poean  ;  by  Eoghan's 
son  Derg,  and  with  a  single  cast,  are  fallen  Dubh  and  Donn.  The  battle, 
having  gone  against  Lir  with  his  great  host,  is  dwindled  away  northwards  ; 
saving  three  only  that  were  skilled  to  make  their  way  from  it,  not  one  of 
them  is  scaped  out  of  the  field." 

After  victorious  spoiling  of  the  enemy  and  due  triumph  they 
re-entered  into  the  sidh^  and  thenceforth  for  ever  had  forcible 


The  Colloquy.  147 

rule  and  domination  over  sidh  Finnachaidh,  Caeilte  said  :  "here 
is  thy  spear  for  thee,  Ilbhrec."  "  It  is  not  beseeming  for  thee  to 
say  it  to  me,"  Ilbhrec  answered  :  "  for  though  upon  Lir  there 
had  been  no  arms  but  that  spear  [to  assign  as  his  spoils],  yet  is 
it  to  thee  it  should  have  fallen,  seeing  that  thou  art  a  very  and  f 
right  heir  to  it"  After  which  for  three  days  and  three  nights  I 
they  abode  in  the  sidh.  — ^ 

"  Good  now,  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  said  Ilbhrec  of  Assaroe :  "  where 
was  it  that  Finn  believed  actually,  or  did  he  ever?"     Caeilte 
answered :   "  he  did  that"     "  But  where  ?  and  what  was  the       * 
origin  of  his  doing  so?"     "It  was  on  drtiim  diamhair  or  *the     ^mp 
secret  ridge,'  which  now  men  call  druitn  da  en  or  '  two  bird  ri^gre^'  C^      /^^ 
upon  the  Shannon  ;  and  the  origin  of  his  belief  was  the  rehabili-      "'^^      ^?L 
tating  of  Bodhb*s  daughter  Finnin,  who  [so  'twas  said]  had  killed  \'       ^ 

her  own  husband,  Conan,  whereas  it  was  Conan  and  Ferdoman  P*. 

that  had  slain  each  other.   The  Fianna  then  arrived  d±fidh  énaigh  ^*^ 

or  *  bird  wood,*  which  at  this  time  is  named  druim  diamhair  [as 
above] ;  a  bowl  of  pale  gold  was  brought  to  Finn,  he  washed  his 
white  hands,  splashed  the  clear  water  about  his  face,  and  under 
his  knowledge-tooth  put  his  thumb.  The  true  was  revealed  to  x 
him,  the  false  hidden  from  his  ken  ;  and  it  was  shewn  him  that 
in  the  world's  later  time  both  the  boon-bestowing  Táilchenn 
should  come,  and  Kieran  mac  an  tsaoir  or  *the  carpenter's  son* 
found  a  house  [i.e.  Clonmacnoise]  that  should  influence  half  of 
all  Ireland.**    Then  Caeilte  uttered  : — 

"  Beloved  is  the  church    .    .    . 

"Thither  to  us  came  knowledge  of  that  conflict  [in  which 
Conan  and  Ferdoman  were  fallen] ;  there  it  was  that  Finn  made 
this  act  of  belief,  and  by  the  same  gained  Heaven  : — 

**  Woe  for  the  Fian- warrior  that  heard  the  tidings  when  we  came  to  sndmh 
da  en  :  slaughter  of  Conan  mael  from  the  magh^  Ferdoman's  slaughter  too. 
Drtiim  diamhair^  O  druim  diamhair^  was  this  spot's  name  until  the  Fianna's 
time  ;  druim  énaigh  or  *bird  ridge*  is  its  name  ever  since,  from  Finn's  and 
the  Fianna's  fowling  there.  *  By  His  good  will  that  is  Lord  of  all  the  clans, 
an  illustrious  offspring  'tis  shall  be  bom  there :  a  worthy  son  of  Heaven's 
King,  whom  angels  are  expecting.  Kieran  the  pure  he  shall  be,  he  it  is  shall 
be  bom  in  the  royal  rath  ;  he  likewise  shall  appropriate  half  Ireland — son  of 
the  carpenter  out  of  Murthemny.  [They  that  shall  dare  to  become]  spoilers 
of  his  church  shall  undergo  a  sudden  death  by  reddened  points  of  spears : 
torment  and  execution  deplorable,  and  lowest  depth  of  Hell.  I,  even  I,  tell 
you  now — the  prophecy  is  true  for  me — I  believe  in  the  Father,  in  the  Son, 

L  2 


\ 


148  The  Colloquy. 

and  in  the  Holy  Spirit  all  in  One.  Kingdom  of  Heaven's  King  [the  dwellers 
in  which]  are  better  than  any  other  tribe,  I  hold  to  exist :  the  King  who  hajth 
granted  me  a  respite  [to  this  hour  in  which  I  believe]  will  not  suffer  me  to 
fall  under  eternal  woe.* " 


f 


After  this  again  until  expiration  of  six  weeks  they  were  in 
the  sidh^  and  Caeilte  said  :  "  it  is  time  for  us  to  depart,  for  we  are 

^"*^  now  for  a  good  while  here  within."    "God*s  benison  on  thee,  and 

^  j^  that  of  the  people  inside  here,"  said  the  sidh-iofAa  :  "  and  though 

it  were  for  everlasting  thou  shouldst  desire  to  abide  with  us,  thou 

^^  y .  shouldst  have  it"     Ilbhrec  said  :  "  since  on  going  thou  art  bent, 

^  "  here  for  thee  ardynii^^^rgeous  vestures  comprising  rich  mantles ; 

0^  ^  nine  shields  too^^^^ears,  andrhlnh  long  swords  with  hilt  and 

^  guard  of  gold  ;(jiinelibunds  besideSTor  the  pleasant  chase."   They 

^Tt^  took  leave  of  eadi  other  :  a  blessing  the  departing  left,  and  car- 

^  ried  away  gratitude  ;  weary  as  the  battle  had  been,  more  irksome 

yet  to  Derg  dianscothach  it  was  to  part  from  his  own  familiar 
(  and  condisciple,  for  the  day  in  which  he  was  sundered  from  Finn 
\  and  from  all  the  Fianna  he  had  not  found  sadder  than  this. 
^  With  those  nine  warriors  of  his  Caeilte  took  his  way  and 
visited  sliabh  cuire^  sliabh  Cairbre^  sliabhe  céide  to  the  northward, 
and  cathair  dhavnh  dheirg  or  *  red  stag's  fort.*  Soon  they  per- 
ceived, awaiting  them  upon  a  cairn,  a  brilliant  gaily-coloured 
pair :  a  handsome  young  man  with  a  lady  of  his  own  age  beside 
him.  Of  Caeilte  he  sought  tidings,  and  Caeilte  told  him  his  story : 
"  of  Finn  mac  Cumall's  folk  am  I,  and  Caeilte  mac  Ronan  is  my 
name  ;  but  of  what  cognomen  art  thou,  warrior  ?"  "  Eoghan  the 
princely  hospitaller  is  my  name :  I  am  of  the  former  people  of 
Cormac's  son  Cairbre  Lifechair ;  Becnait  the  she-hospitaller  is 
this  lady's  name  :  she  and  I  are  of  equal  age,  and  ten-score  years 
we  have  completed  both  of  us."  Caeilte  enquired  :  "  hadst  thou 
not  enormous  wealth,  young  man ?"  "I  had  so,"  he  answered  : 
"  for  from  mac  Modharn's  Assaroe  northward  to  cnocanfhomorach 
or  *  the  pirate's  hill*  (which  now  is  styled  northern  Ireland's  torach 
or  *Torry  Island*)  were  no  countries  but,  as  against  every  second 
or  it  might  in  some  cases  be  against  every  third  town  of  them,  I 
had  a  milch  herd.**  Caeilte  asked :  "  and  what  did  away  with 
all  that?**  "A  thieving  monster  and  most  hideous  pirate,  and  a 
*  son  of  mishap,*  whom  Finn  ruined  [i.e.  utterly  discorafitted]  once : 
he  has  wasted  seven  entire  triucha  céts^  or  'baronies/  until  there 


The  Colloquy.  149 

is  none  to  take  land  or  estate ;  and  these  being  thus  exhausted 
utterly,  he  has  turned  all  to  a  desert  Me  too  in  sooth  he  has 
minished  and  harried,  all  to  seven-and-twenty  milch  herds  of  the 
last  of  my  substance  that  I  have  still."  Caeilte  asked  :  "  where 
bides  this  man  ?"  "A  strong  fast  rock  of  a  stone  that  is  to  the 
north  of  us  here,  right  on  the  spacious  bay,  that  is  his  post ;  and 
he  being  as  he  is  but  three  in  company  yet  carries  off  his  ship's 
full  cargo  [of  booty  and  of  captives],  for  he  is  himself  a  match  for 
four  hundred,  his  hound  for  three  hundred,  and  his  daughter  for 
three  more ;  neither  can  any  hurt  them."  Caeilte  asked :  "  at 
what  point  enters  he  the  bay?"  "Why,  over  against  the  town 
on  the  north-west."  There  Caeilte  and  his  tarried  for  that  night, 
and  in  all  respects  were  served  and  tended. 

Early  on  the  morrow  Caeilte  rose  alone.  He  took  his  sword, 
and  shield,  and  spear,  and  made  his  way  to  the  impregnable 
rock  beside  the  bay.  Here  he  was  for  a  space  and  then  saw  a 
airach  with  three  in  it :  a  shag-haired  dog  of  a  dirty  grey,  that 
round  his  neck  wore  a  rude  iron  chain  ;  in  the  curacKs  bow  a 
great  lump  of  a  wench,  bald  and  swart,  that  from  a  distance 
loomed  like  some  jutting  point  of  rock  and  in  her  hand  held  a 
substantial  spit-spear;  while  in  the  after-part  sat  the  hulking 
carle.  Near  hand  to  Caeilte  they  took  the  beach,  and  as  they 
came  a  certain  repugnance  and  fear  affected  him.  The  man  of 
bulk  said  to  his  daughter  :  "  loose  the  hound  and  slip  him  at 
yonder  tall  man  all  alone,  so  that  before  the  dog  enters  on 
expedition  and  excursion  he  may  feed  his  cram-full  of  him." 
The  daughter  loosed  the  animal ;  before  which  Caeilte  felt  a 
loathing  and  a  timidity  which  whether  in  battle  or  in  single 
fight  never  had  touched  him  yet,  and  he  said  :  "  my  Creator  and 
my  Táilclunn  both  I  put  forth  against  [the  three  of]  you  !"  Then 
with  a  small  dart  of  copper  that  he  had  he  delivered  at  the 
hound  a  most  careful  throw,  in  such  wise  that  one  end  of  the 
spike-dart  stuck  in  its  upper,  the  other  in  its  lower  palate,  closing 
its  mouth.  Then  it  fell  out  of  the  ciirach,  and  after  all  it  was  in 
the  sea's  depth  it  perished.  With  intent  on  Caeilte  the  other 
two  came  ashore  and  boldly,  hard-heartedly,  fought  with  him. 
From  his  great  toe  to  his  hair  the  daughter  inflicted  on  him 
thirty  wounds ;  but  to  her  Caeilte  administered  a  sword-stroke 
with  which  he  let  out  her  very  viscera  and  vitals.     Against  the 


1 50  The  Colloquy. 

great  man  now  he  fought  more  intensely  and  pressed  him  home  ; 
with  three  cuts  he  made  three  pieces  of  him  (the  third  being 
his  head)  and,  when  he  had  taken  from  them  their  three  heads, 
carried  them  back  to  the  bruid/ien.  Eoghan  and  Caeilte's  people 
came,  recognised  those  heads,  and  gratefully  acknowledged  the 
deed.  Feeble  and  strengthless  Caeilte  sat  down,  and  upon  him 
fell  dimness  and  stupor-clouds.  Balsamic  herbs  were  applied  to 
him,  and  for  a  fortnight  he  was  under  cure ;  by  which  means  was 
made  of  him  a  smooth  whole  man  without  a  scar. 

Caeilte  said :  "  we  have  to  depart  to-morrow,  and  a  blessing  it  is 
we  leave  with  you."  Next  day  accordingly  they  gave  Eoghan 
farewell,  and  thence  came  away  to  tulach  na  gcét  or  *  the  hill  of 
hundreds,*  now  called  tulach  da  ech  or* two  horse  hill';  north- 
ward to  cúillios  naféinne  or  *the  Fianna's  rear-fort';  to  currach 
na  miolcJwn  or  *  the  greyhound  curragh,'  called  currach  aian  or 
*  curragh  of  wolves' ;  northward  still  to  both  chnó  or  *the  nut  bothie,' 
where  once  the  poet  appeared  to  Lu^h  Long-arm  mac  Ethlenn, 
and  where  Columkill  son  of  Felim  was  bom  ;  northward  to  daire 
Guilt  ox  *Goirs  oak  wood'  where,  as  they  issued  from  the  grove's 
edge,  they  saw  a  young  man  with  his  back  leant  against  a  massive 
pillar-stone.  He  wore  a  fringed  mantle  having  a  fibula  of  gold 
upon  the  breast,  and  [under  that]  a  tunic  of  soft  silk ;  two  wolf- 
dogs  he  held  in  hand,  and  in  front  of  him  were  a  pack  of  beagles. 
Caeilte  greeted  the  young  man,  who  returned  the  salutation  and 
enquired  :  "who  is  he  to  whom  ye  belong?"  Caeilte  answered  : 
"  our  chief  and  lord  lives  no  more  ;  I  mean  Finn  mac  Cumall." 

Then  the  young  man  wept  copious  and  very  lamentable  tears 
so  that  breast  and  chest  were  wet  with  him,  and  :  "  who  then  art 
thou  thyself,  warrior  ?"  asked  Caeilte.  "  I  will  proclaim  me  to 
thee :  Donn  son  of  Aedh  son  of  Garadh  mac  Moma  am  I." 
"  Thy  father  was  good,"  said  Caeilte ;  and  he  uttered  : — 

"He  was  the  disdainful  one  of  lasting  fame — the  Fian-warrior  of  genuine 
audacity ;  he  was  the  productive  branch  of  good  repute  :  one  to  sweep  up 
the  whole  world's  valuables." 

"Good  now,  Caeilte,  my  soul :  hast  thou  my  father's  spear?" 
asked  Donn.  "  I  have  even  to  his  shield  andliis  sword,"  Caeilte 
replied.  "  By  the  virtue  of  thy  valour  and  of  thy  weapon-play  I 
adjure  thee  tell  me  the  originating  cause  for  which  he  was  slain." 
Caeilte  said  :  "  that  will  I  e'en  tell  thee,  for  well  I  remember  \% : — 


The  Colloquy,  \  5 1 

"  It  was  Dubhdithre  then,  chief  of  Ossory's  Fianna,  that  had 
been  slain  by  thy  grandfather,  by  Garadh  mac  Morna,  and 
carraig  Ghuill  ox  'Goll's  rock'  to  the  westward  was  taken  upon 
Goll  mac  Morna ;  for  the  three  battles  of  the  Fianna  besieged 
him  there  during  a  six  weeks*  space,  during  [the  last  nine  days 
and]  nine  nights  of  which  he  was  without  sustenance:  whereby  a 
debility  infected  his  vigour  and  his  spear-throwing.  The  son  of 
Dubhdithre's  son  Smaile  passed  into  *the  rock*  [i.e.  stone  strong- 
hold] now  and  in  view  of  all  Ireland's  Fianna  took  Goll's  head, 
which  he  brought  to  Finn.  Then  against  Smaile's  son  thy  father 
began  to  urge  law  and  equity,  claiming  to  have  the  award  due 
in  a  case  between  one  of  chiefs  rank  and  a  simple  warrior** : — 

Caeilte  cecinit, 
"Smaile's  son  said  that  to  fair-skinned  and  fortune-favoured  Acdh  he 
would  not  tamely  yield  the  thing  that  was  just ;  but  body  to  body  would  give 
him  satisfaction  for  every  mischief  that  his  hand  had  wrought  him. 

"Thy  father  proposed  next  that  between  himself  and  mac 
Smaile  a  mutual  settlement  should  be  permitted.  *Aedh,'  said 
the  latter,  *  I  will  give  thee  a  donation  [in  atonement].*  *  What 
donation  is  that  ?*  *  I  will  give  Goll  mac  Morna*s  two  spears ; 
shield  of  Conbhron*s  son  Cairell;  Dubhdithre*s  horn,  and  Muirenn 
of  Macha's  sword  that  Goll  had,  with  Sigmall's  hunting  neck- 
torque.'  I  too  it  was,*'  continued  Caeilte,  "  that  went  with  the 
message,  in  which  matter  was  said  : — 

"  *  From  us  to  Aedh  let  messengers  arrive :  let  them  say  to  the  noble  chief 
that  all  that  which  [by  way  of  remedy  at  law]  is  promised  him  shall  never  never 
be  fulfilled.  But  promise  him  a  certain  collar  of  the  chase  that  out  of  sidh 
Nennta  once  was  brought  to  Finn  ;  from  which  no  stag  (and  that  without 
ever  a  shot  planted  in  him  from  behind  a  ditch)  may  scape  unslain.  Ofi'er 
him  Cairell's  famous  shield  which  in  the  cut-and-thrust  work  he  was  wont  to 
wear  ;  a  grateful  treasure  is  the  ubiquitous  buckler  whose  lord  embraced  the 
terror-striking  qualit>'  of  a  hundred  men.  Offer  him  the  battle-sword  that 
Muirenn  of  Macha  had  ;  Dubhdithre's  drinking-horn  too  offer  him,  which 
indeed  hitherto  I  have  kept  hidden  :  the  ransom  of  fifty  slaves  from  over 
seas  there  is  of  gold  in  its  circumference.  Offer  him  certain  two  darts  with 
shafts  of  very  yellow  wood  [lignum  vita:  ?]  :  how  little  soever  the  blood  they 
draw  and  wound  they  make,  every  man  into  whom  they  enter  is  but  dead.* 
Albeit  these  things  I  offered  them,  yet  Garadh's  children  accepted  not :  such 
was  the  number  of  their  own  separate  force  in  which  they  trusted— those  tall, 
those  generous,  stem  and  bloody  sons.  By  gentle  Morna's  children  [formerly] 
fell  the  virile  Fintan  from  the  hazel  woods :  by  Banbh,  Sinna,  Sciath  brec  or 
*  spotted  shield*  the  bellicose,  and  Finn  More  son  of  Cuan.  But  because  he 
had  slain  Goll,  eric  they  demand  of  wrathful  mac  Lugach  ;  of  Caeilte  with 


152  The  Colloquy. 

the  trenchant  glittering  weapon,  and  of  ...  .  out  of  luachair.  A 
warrior  of  Bregian  Tara's  tuaih  that  had  dared  to  fight  with  Goll  himself: 
shorn  of  his  head,  all  becrimsoned,  there  in  the  battle  (and  a  manly  piece  of 
carving  'twas)  lay  he  whose  name  was  '  Flaithes  the  exceeding  handsome.' 
Dubhdithre's  son,  mac  Smaile,  said  again  :  *  had  the  accomplished  and 
white-handed  Goll  had  fifty  sons  thrice  told,  to  all  such  his  offspring  together 
he  had  not  been  more  dear  than  to  me  only  my  good  father  was.  My  sire, 
impetuous  Dubhdithre,  wise  and  most  honourable  member  of  the  Fianna ; 
never  in  battle  was  his  complaining  heard  ;  his  lustihood  and  spear-throwing 
were  good  !  Tell  the  men — for  true  it  is — that  nothing  else  will  I  concede 
but  nine  hundred  with  their  backs  against  his  grave  standing  ready  for  them 
on  the  tulach  toward  which  they  march.* " 

Donn  said :  "  by  the  verity  of  thy  valour  and  of  thy  skill  in 

arms,  Caeilte,   I   adjure   thee   that   thou   give   me   my  father's 

weapons."     "That  will  I,"  returned  Caeilte,  "for  he  I  trow  was 

delicately  generous  to  answer  a  petition."     Then  Caeilte  gave 

him  his  fathers  weapons  all,  and  said:  "show  us  now  the  way, 

Donn."     "  To  what  place  seekest  thou  to  have  guidance  ?"     "  To 

the  house  of  Conall  son  of  Niall,  that  is  king  of  Kinelconall ": — 

Caeilte  cecinit, 
"  O  Donn !  show  us  now  the  way,  cheerfully  and  void  of  ill  intent ;  for 
surely  thou  art  all  alone:  a  solitary  survivor  of  thy  Fianna,  of  thy  band. 
The  sons  of  Moma  are  departed  —a  cause  of  grief  and  constant  heaviness ; 
ten  hundred  warriors — that  was  their  complement:  a  tribe  that  knew  not 
weariness.  I  tell  thee  (and  all  that  I  say  shall  come  true)  that,  with  much 
silver  and  gold  to  boot,  of  me  thou  shalt  have  thy  request,  O  Donnl" 

"  Thither  then  I  will  go  before  thee,"  said  Donn :  "  for  he  is  my 
mother's  brother,  and  he  'tis  that  has  nourished  me ;  if  moreover 
he  it  be  that  holds  the  government,  'tis  I  that  have  the  reversion 
of  it."  Donn  armed  himself  now,  and  took  his  way  to  Conall's 
house :  to  dun  na  mbarc,  Conall  mac  Neill  said :  "  tell  us  some 
news,  Donn";  and  he  related  how  Caeilte  had  given  him  the 
arms  and  even  now  was  on  his  way  to  the  king.  "That  [i.e. 
leave  and  licence  to  visit  me]  he  shall  have,"  said  Conall :  "  both 
because  he  is  of  Ulster,  and  for  all  that  he  hath  himself  achieved 
of  noble  deeds."  Donn  exhibited  to  him  the  divers  edged  and 
other  weapons  which  Caeilte  had  given  him,  and :  "  'tis  of  a  good 
man,"  said  the  assembly,  "  that  those  gifts  have  been  had."  "  A 
good  man  he  is  in  sooth,"  Conall  assented,  "  seeing  that  to  one 
better  than  he  the  designation  of  mac  ágláich  or  *  son  of  warrior ' 
never  was  given  yet."  Then  when  Caeilte  was  discerned  draw- 
ing near  to  the  fort,  Conall  with  the  gentles  of  his  host  and  of  his 


The  Colloquy.  153 

people  rose  to  make  him  welcome ;  Caeilte  for  his  part  sets  him 
down  on  a  cairn  in  front  of  the  dún^  and  the  crowd  sit  round 
about  him. 

Conall  questioned  Caeilte:  "wherefore  was  this  cairn  styled 
earn  Gairbh  daireV  which  query  Caeilte  answered,  for  he  it  was 
that  knew  how :  "  a  warrior  of  trust  to  Finn  mac  Cumall  that  was 
here,  Garbhdaire  mac  Angus,  son  of  the  king  of  Munster  in  the 
south ;  and  as  he  hunted  one  day  he  killed  thrice  fifty  stags,  as 
many  does,  and  as  many  boars.  They  of  the  country  and  of  the 
land  saw  him  ;  they  set  on  him  and  violently  deprived  him  of  his 
game,  of  the  produce  of  his  chase,  while  of  them  he  slew  three 
hundred  men  of  war.  The  denizens  closed  in  about  him  and 
converted  him  into  *  an  apple  on  spear-points,'  so  killing  him.  But 
we,  the  three  battalions  of  the  Fianna,  came  up  to  avenge  him ; 
we  emptied  the  whole  country,  killed  its  three  kings,  and  others 
of  the  inhabitants  made  good  their  escape  into  islands: — 

"  By  spacious  Eoghan's  race  Garbhdaire  is  slain  upon  the  strand ;  fifty 
warriors  here  we  slaughtered  all  in  vengeance  of  Garbhdaire. 

"Now  he  it  is  that  with  his  panoply  complete  is  within  this 
cairn  ;  in  whose  possession  was  Lughmac  Eithlenn's  chain  also 
that  used  to  confine  the  captives  of  Milesius'  sons  and  of  the 
tuatha  dé  danannJ'  Conall  said :  "  we  would  fain  have  these 
arms."  "  If  it  so  please  thee  be  the  cairn  dug  into  presently," 
answered  Caeilte.  "  Not  so,  but  to-morrow  be  it  opened ;  for 
night  is  here,  and  in  the  same  'tis  carousal  and  enjoyment  that 
shall  occupy  us."  Hereat  they  came  and  entered  into  the  great 
bruidhen  ;  Caeilte  with  his  people  was  ushered  into  a  retired  and 
sequestered  house  apart,  and  there  they  were  well  ministered  to. 
Now  she  that  was  spouse  to  Conall  was  Bebhionn,  daughter  of 
Muiredach  mac  Finnachta  king  of  Connacht,  and  Conall  said  to 
her :  "  good  now,  woman :  be  it  long  or  be  it  short  that  Caeilte 
shall  be  here,  be  rations  for  ten  hundred  given  to  him  daily ; 
also  be  eight  score  kine  put  into  a  fenced  grass  field  over  against 
him,  the  same  to  be  milked  every  night  for  him." 

There  they  abode  throughout  that  night,  and  on  the  morrow 
proceeded  to  Garbhdaire's  cairn.  It  was  excavated,  and  Lugh 
mac  Eithlenn's  chain  was  found  ;  the  shield  also  was  found 
perfect  and  whole,  even  as  it  had  been  deposited  by  his  side. 
The  weapons  were  brought  up,  and  the  warrior's  head :  within 


154  ^^  Colloquy. 

which  the  biggest  man  of  the  assembly  found  room  in  sitting 
posture.  Conall  said:  "my  soul,  Caeilte,  it  is  a  huge  head!" 
"  Huge  and  good  as  well  was  he  that  wore  it,"  Caeilte  answered ; 
and  the  weapons  he  made  over  to  Conall,  but  reserved  the  chain 
to  give  it  to  Saint  Patrick.  After  which  the  tomb  was  closed 
again. 

Then  Conall  mac  Neill  enquired  of  Caeilte^ saying:  "right  out 
before  us  in  the  sea  is  an  island,  and  on  it  a  fort ;  in  this  again 
a  colossal  sepulchre  the  origin  of  which  we  know  not"  At  hear- 
ing this  Caeilte  wept.  Conall  went  on  :  "  by  the  reality  of  thy 
valour  and  of  thy  weapon-play  I  adjure  thee  and  come  with  us 
to  view  it"  But  Caeilte  said:  "by  my  word  that  is  the  third 
place  in  Ireland  which,  after  them  that  have  been  there,  I  care 
not  to  see ;  to-morrow  nevertheless  I  will  go  with  thee  thither." 

For  that  night  they  remain  in  the  dwelling  ;  next  day  Conall, 
his  wife,  and  the  congregation  of  the  town  all  rise,  for  in  their  eyes 
Caeilte  was  an  augmenting  of  the  spirit  and  an  enlargement  of 
the  mind.  These  repair  to  the  dun  in  which  he  was,  and  on  the 
grave  which  it  contained  Caeilte  took  his  seat :  seven  score  feet 
of  Conairs  were  in  its  length,  and  in  its  width  twenty-eight. 
Conall  said :  "  good  now,  my  soul,  Caeilte — nought  that  ever  I 
have  seen  appears  to  me  more  marvellous  than  does  this  tomb :  tell 
us  then  whose  it  is."  "  I  will  tell  thee  the  truth  of  it,"  answered 
Caeilte :  "  the  grave  it  is  of  the  fourth  best  one  of  all  women  that 
in  the  one  time  with  herself  ever  lay  with  man."  Conall  asked : 
"and  who  were  those  four  pre-eminent  women?"  "ggbia 
daughter  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles ;  Ei^ne  ollarda 
daughter  of  Cahir  More;  Cormac's  daughter  Aillb/ie,  called 
gruaidbhrec  or  *  of  the  variegated  [i.e.  red  and  white]  cheek,'  and 
woman  of  this  grave :  Berrach,  called  brec  or  *  freckled,*  daughter 
of  Cas  Cuailgne  king  of  Ulster  in  the  north  and  Finn  mac  Cum- 
all's  well-beloved  wife.  Now  if  in  any  one  woman  of  them  was 
goodness  in  excess  of  the  others,  'tis  in  her  it  was :  in  her  mansion 
it  was  that  the  guest  used  to  be  from  the  first  Monday  in  satnh^ 
ain-úá^  to  the  first  one  of  spring,  and  then  have  his  choice 
whether  to  depart  or  from  that  out  to  stay  on  there.  Any  man 
that  could  not  elsewhere  get  a  sufficiency  either  of  arms  or  of 
clothing  would  from  her  have  his  all-sufficiency  of  both."  Coilall 
enquired:  "and  the  cause  of  her  death?"    "I  have  it  for  thee," 


The  Colloquy.  155 

said  Caeilte :  "  it  was  Goll  mac  Morna's  father  and  mother  that 
brought  her  up,  neither  had  they  any  fosterling  other  than  she. 
Finn  craved  her  of  her  father,  who  however  said  that  unless  it 
were  with  Goll  mac  Morna's  consent  he  would  not  give  her  to 
Finn.  Of  Goll  then  the  latter  solicits  his  fosterling,  and  he  made 
answer:  "conditions  there  are  upon  which  I  would  bestow  her: 
that  for  all  time  she  never  be  dismissed ;  that  she  be  to  thee  for 
third  wife,  and  in  the  matter  of  aught  that  she  may  request  of 
thee  shall  never  have  refusal."  Finn  said :  "  it  shall  be  granted 
all."  "Who  shall  be  our  securities?"  "Have  thou  thy  choice 
of  such,"  Finally  as  trustees  for  her  Finn  put  in  his  own  three 
foster-sons:  Daighre,  Garadh,  and  Conan.  She  for  her  part 
abode  with  Finn,  whereby  she  brought  him  three  sons :  Faelan, 
Aedh  beg,  and  Uillenn  cdWoa  faebairdherg  or  *  Red-edge';  and 
Finn  had  her  for  a  loving  wife  until  such  time  as  her  foster- 
brethren  the  clanna  Mórfia  turned  to  be  spoilers  and  outlaws 
upon  Finn,  their  number  being  thirty  hundred  warriors."  Ac- 
cording to  which  Caeilte  uttered  a  quatrain : — 

"  Ten  hundred  and  twenty  hundred  there,  that  was  the  bulk  of  proud  clan- 
Moma's  rank  and  file ;  over  and  above  which  their  chiefs'  and  their  chieftains' 
tale  was  fifteen  hundred. 

"  The  sons  of  Moma  went  off  to  daire  tarbd/ia,  or  *  oak-wood  of 
bulls,'  in  the  province  of  Connacht ;  there  the  three  battles  of  the 
Fianna  caught  them  before  they  were  risen  out  of  their  camp,  and 
in  the  wood  fell  fifteen  assured  and  well-weaponed  men  of  them. 
But  now  came  that  mighty  man  of  valour,  Goll  mac  Moma,  and 
covered  their  retreat ;  after  whose  taking  of  this  upon  him  we 
prevailed  not  to  do  them  any  the  smallest  hurt  The  clanna 
Mama  then  came  to  a  determination  that  they  would  not  spare 
to  slay  all  whosoever  they  were  that  in  friendship's  bonds  were 
attached  to  Finn  and  to  the  Fianna ;  and  he  that  so  counselled 
them  was  Conan  maely  or  *the  bare,*  mac  Moma:  for  he  was  a 
breeder  of  quarrel  among  followers,  a  malicious  mischief-maker 
in  army  and  in  host.  The  sons  of  Moma  came  along  to  this 
green-grassed  mead,  where  they  considered  of  what  they  should 
do  to  Berrach  Brec,  to  their  own  foster-child.  They  prescribed 
to  offer  her  a  condition:  she  to  bring  away  all  her  jewels  and 
other  valuables,  to  forsake  Finn,  and  that  of  clan-Moma  then  she 
never  need  stand  in  dread.     She  when  this  was  conveyed  to  her 


156  The  Colloquy. 

cried :  *  alas !  is  it  to  injure  me  ye  would,  foster-brethren  of  my 
heart?*  *  Verily  it  is/  they  answered  ;  but  the  woman  said:  *by 
no  means  will  I  to  do  you  pleasure  forsake  my  spouse,  my  first 
husband  and  my  gentle  love  !* 

"  The  sons  of  Morna  in  their  entire  battle-phalanx  came  to  the 
town  in  which  she  was ;  round  about  it  each  put  his  hand  into 
his  fellow's,  and  from  every  airt  of  the  four  they  fired  it  Forth 
of  the  town  issued  the  queen,  having  with  her  thirty  of  a  woman- 
company,  but  from  the  dúrCs  balcony  Art  mac  Morna  marked 
her  step  on  to  the  white  strand  and  make  for  her  galley  ;  he  put 
his  finger  into  the  spear's  thong  and  sent  it  at  her.  The  lady 
heard  the  javelin's  hurtling  sound,  and  turned  her  face  to  the 
missile  ;  full  in  her  chest,  in  her  very  bosom,  it  landed  and  broke 
her  spine  in  two  ;  thus  she  died.  By  her  own  people  afterwards, 
when  they  had  harried  the  dún^  she  was  carried  up  from  the 
shore  and  laid  in  this  gi-ave."    Thus  Cailte,  and  he  uttered : — 

**  Berrach  Brec,  O  Berrach  Brec,  Cas  Cuailgne's  daughter,  whom  I  loved : 
she  was  a  queen  of  yellow  hair,  a  wife  she  was  right  worthy  a  good  man. 
Upon  the  sea-shore  she  was  slain :  a  deed  that  surely  was  not  right ;  her  dun 
was  kindled  with  iire :  that  was  a  lawless  deed  with  ill  intent.  Three  hundred 
shields  there  were  within  her  house,  three  hundred  sets  of  chess-men  and 
three  hundred  boards ;  beakers  three  hundred  for  drinking,  to  which  red  gold 
had  been  applied  in  ornament.  Never  had  she  refused  the  prayer  of  any ; 
her  corporal  form  was  excellent,  and  her  wisdom :  there  in  the  very  place 
where  her  venerated  grave  is,  to  which  men  give  the  name  of  *  Berrach's 
tomb.* 

"  Under  you  here  then,"  he  continued,  "  is  the  woman  whose 
sepulchre  is  this  and  whose  story  ye  have  heard." 

After  this  Caeilte  rose  and  in  a  northerly  direction  skirted  the 
town,  all  following  him.  He  laid  his  hand  upon  a  huge  stone 
that  from  the  dwelling's  side  projected  somewhat,  and:  "men," 
he  said,  "  take  ye  hold  on  one  end  of  the  stone  and  leave  me  the 
other."  The  whole  company  went  at  it,  but  availed  nothing 
against  it.  Caeilte  said:  "where  is  Donn  mac  Aedh  mac 
Garadh?"  "Here  am  I,"  he  answered.  "Go  and  face  me,  for 
a  hero's  and  a  battle-champion's  son  thou  art ;  and  should  I  find 
treasure  beneath  the  stone,  to  thee  I  would  give  its  third  part." 
Both  came  and  to  the  stone  gave  a  vicious  wrench,  determinedly 
and  with  main  strength  dragging  at  it  in  such  wise  that  they 
landed  it  fairly  on  the  ground,  on  the  earth's  surface.     "  Success 


The  Colloquy.  1 5  7 

and  benediction,  Donn!"  cried  Caeilte,  "better  thy  help  alone 

than  all  Kinelconall's  aid ;  and  where  are  Conall,  the  queen,  and 

Donn  ?"     "  Here  we  are,"  they  answered.     "  Enter  ye  now  right 

into  the  cavity  disclosed  to  you,  in  which  are  three  vats:  one  full 

of  gold,  another  of  silver,  and  a  vat  filled  with  ciiachsy  with  horns, 

with  cups.     But  of  the  precious  things  give  not  to  me  aught 

saving  only  the  craebgldasach — sword  of  Finn's  thigh — and  the 

escra  or  goblet  of  his  hand,  that  I  may  present  them  to  Patrick ; 

for  in  their  ornament  and  chasings  are  ounces  of  gold  thrice 

fifty,  even  so  many  of  silver,  and  three  times  fifty  crystalline 

gems."     They  as  above  went  all  three  into  the  cave  and  brought 

out  their  load  apiece :  one  of  each  kind  of  treasure ;  the  whole 

concourse  too  penetrating  into  the  recess  carried  off  their  glut  of 

the  same,  so  that  among  them  all  was  not  a  family  of  nine  but 

was  amply  stocked  with  silver  and  with  gold. 

At  this  point  his  chariot  came  to  Conall,  and:  "get  thee  into 

the  chariot,  Caeilte,"  he  said.     "And   I   stand  in  need  of  it," 

answered  Caeilte,  "for  I  am  wearied  in  the  assembly."     They 

mounted  the  chariot  and  Conall  let  his  horses  have  the  goad 

westward  to  trdigh  chonbhice^  or  *  Copbeg's  strand,*  where   he 

enquired :  "  wherefore  is  this  shore  called  by  that  name,  Caeilte  ?" 

"  Soon  told,"  was  the  reply :  "  it  was  a  favourite  deer-hound  that 

Finn  had,  and  not  in  all  Ireland  might  any  stag  whatsoever  at 

which  he  was  slipped  find  covert  before  he  would  head  him  off 

and  run  him  back  right  up  to  the  Fianna's  main  pack  and  to 

their  attendants  ;  neither  did  hound  other  than  he  ever  sleep  in 

the  one  bed  with  Finn.      Here  it  was  that  Goll  mac  Moma 

drowned  him  ;  here  also  that  a  tidal  wave  washed  him  ashore, 

and  so  he  lies  under  yon  green  cairn  that  thou  seest  abut  upon 

the  beach."     Then  Caeilte  uttered : — 

"  Piteous  to  me  was  Conbeg's  cruel  death  I  Conbeg  of  abundant  symmetry  ; 
in  wake  of  wild  pig  or  of  deer  ne'er  have  I  seen  a  more  expert  of  foot !  A 
pain  to  me  was  Conbeg's  cruel  death !  Conbeg  of  the  hoarse  deep  note :  at 
expeditious  killing  of  the  buck  ne'er  have  I  seen  a  more  expert  of  foot !  A 
pang  to  me  was  Conbeg's  cruel  death !  Conbeg  drifting  on  the  high  green 
seas :  his  cruel  fate,  it  gave  rise  to  contention ;  his  death,  it  wanted  nothing 
that  was  piteous!** 

That  night  they  came  on  to  dun  na  mbarc,  and  on  the  morrow 
Conall  said :  "  hard  by  us  here  is  a  ridge  {druim  Náir  or  *  Nar*s 
ridge'  is  its  name),  and  in  it  a  swine  as  against  which  both 


158  The  Colloquy. 

hounds  and  men  are  powerless."  "  I  have  seen  the  day,"  Caeilte 
answered,  "that  I  was  a  hunter;  but  where  is  Donn  mac 
Morna?"  "  Here,"  cried  Donn.  "Take  then  thy  weapons,  that 
we — so  many  as  we  are  of  the  Fianna — proceed  to  hunt  the  wild 
pig."  They  went  up  into  the  ridge,  and  there  saw  the  boar  with 
nine  tusks  growing  from  each  jaw  of  him.  At  sight  of  the 
colossal  hounds  and  men  the  beast  screamed,  while  in  his 
presence  a  certain  horror  and  fear  overtook  these.  "Be  it  left 
between  me  and  the  swine,"  said  Donn,  "  for  whether  I  live  or 
die  is  all  one!"  Caeilte  said:  "a  hero's  privilege  is  that  thou 
claimest."  Donn  addressed  him  to  the  boar  therefore;  but  as 
the  creature  charged  him  Caeilte  dealt  it  a  spear-thrust  from 
one  armhole  to  the  other,  and  in  such  wise  it  perished  by  them. 
Until  Conall's  contingent  came  to  fetch  the  boar  they  could  not 
convey  him  from  the  spot ;  but  then  he  was  brought  into  the 
presence  of  Conall,  who  said :  "  'tis  a  huge  swine."  "  True,"  said 
Caeilte:  "  this  is  the  muc  sJilángha  or  *  prophylactic  pig,'  in  respect 
of  just  such  another  as  which  it  was  that  the  war  and  feud  of  clan- 
Morna  and  of  clan-Baeiscne  came  about" 

Not  long  they  were  there  before  they  saw  seven  that  came 
towards  them.  "  Whence  come  ye,  young  men  ?"  asked  Conall 
son  of  Niall.  "  We  are  come  from  Calpum's  son  Patrick,  from 
Finn's  son  Ossian,  and  from  Dermot  son  of  Cerbhall,  to  fetch 
thee  and  Caeilte."  The  latter  said  :  "  after  my  hunting  I  indeed 
am  impotent  to  go  thither  to-day ;  but  thou,  Conall,  go  and  bear 
with  thee  yonder  presents:  for  Patrick,  the  goblet  that  was 
Finn's;  the  craebghlasach — Finn's  sword — for  Cerbhall's  son 
Dermot,  king  of  Ireland  ;  for  the  same  king  too  (seeing  that  'tis 
the  prophylactic  swine)  the  boar  which  but  now  is  killed,  so  that 
all  may  see  it,  and  the  king  divide  it  to  them  both  high  and  low." 
Even  so  was  the  whole  thing  carried  out :  first  of  all  the  sword 
was  put  into  the  hand  of  Donn  mac  Aedh  mac  Garadh  mac 
Morna,  Caeilte  saying :  "  until  such  time  aa  thou  reach  the  king 
of  Ireland,  both  profit  and  peril  of  the  sword  all  rest  on  thee, 
young  man !"  Conall  himself  took  the  escra  for  Patrick,  the 
slaves  bore  the  pig,  and  they  progressed  as  far  as  cnoc  uachtair 
Erca  or  'upper  hill  of  Ere,'  which  at  this  time  is  denominated 
Usnach.  When  they  came  up  where  should  Patrick  be  but  on 
Usnach's   summit,  with  Dermot  son  of  Cerbhall  on   his  right 


The  Colloquy.  159 

hand,  and  on  his  left  Ossian  son  of  Finn,  beside  whom  sat 
Muiredach  mac  Finnachta,  king  of  Connacht ;  by  him  again  was 
Eochaid  leithderg  \ar\g  of  Leinster,  and  next  to  him  Eoghan  derg 
mac  Angus  king  of  Munster's  both  provinces,  who  thus  [for  they 
sat  in  a  circle]  touched  the  king  of  Ireland's  right  hand. 

Now  came  Conall  mac  Neill,  laid  his  head  in  Patrick's  bosom 
and  made  genuflexion  to  him.  Dermot  the  king  said :  "  come 
hither,. Conall";  but  he  answered:  "rather  is  it  in  Patrick's  pre- 
sence I  will  be  [to  serve  him],  so  that  as  here  on  Earth  so  too 
in  Heaven  'tis  he  shall  be  my  superior."  Patrick  made  answer: 
"  regal  power  I  convey  to  thee,  and  that  of  thy  seed  thirty  kings 
shall  reign  ;  my  metropolitan  city  and  mine  abbacy  moreover 
I  make  over  to  thee,  and  that  thou  enjoy  all  whatsoever  I  shall 
have  out  of  Ireland's  five  great  provinces." 

Into  Patrick's  hand  Conall  put  the  escra  of  gold,  and  said  : 
"  thine  own  friend,  Caeilte  son  of  Ronan,  it  is  that  hath  given 
thee  that  gift"  "  By  my  word  he  is  a  friend,"  Patrick  said,  and 
passed  the  escra  into  the  king  of  Ireland's  hand.  Long  time  the 
king  scanned  it,  then  said  :  "  never  have  we  seen  precious  thing 
more  excellent  than  this  escra  ;  and  thou,  Ossian,  consider  it  well 
whose  it  may  have  been."  "It  was  my  own  father's — Finn  mac 
Cumall's — and  he  gave  it  to  one  that  was  a  wife  to  him  :  to 
Berrach  Brec,  daughter  of  Cas  Cuailgne,  whom  the  sons  of  Morna 
slew.  I  hold  it  for  a  certain  thing,"  he  went  on,  "  that  he  who 
got  this  found  the  second  best  treasure  also  that  was  in  Ireland 
or  in  Scotland  :  where  then  is  the  craebghlasach^  Finn's  sword  ?" 
"  Here  I  have  it  for  the  king  of  Ireland,"  answered  Conall,  "  and 
'tis  a  good  recognition  thou  hast  made  ;  go,  Donn,  deliver  it  to 
the  king  of  Ireland,  for  'tis  to  him  that  Caeilte  hath  assigned  it'* 
Donn  placed  the  sword  in  Ossian's  hand,  and  as  he  did  so  it  was 
seen  that  the  weapon's  hilt  filled  his  own  grip  [i.e.  fitted  it 
exactly] ;  whereupon  Ossian  said :  "  that  the  sword  fills  thy 
grasp  is  a  wonderment  to  me ;  for  never  has  it  filled  grip  but 
that  of  a  man  either  of  clan-Baeiscne  or  of  clan-Moma."  "Whence 
art  thou  [i.e.  what  is  thy  descent],  young  fellow  ?"  asked  the  king 
of  Ireland.  "  I  am  Donn  son  of  Aedh  son  of  Garadh  son  of 
Morna."  "By  my  word  thy  father  and  thy  grandfather  were 
good,"  quoth  Ossian :  "  deliver  now  the  sword  into  the  king  of 
Ireland's  hand."    "What  is  the  sword's  fee,  king  of  Ireland?" 


\ 


i6o  The  Colloquy. 

asked  Donn.  "What  fee  seekest  thou  ?"  "  Ireland's  Fian-chiefiy, 
even  as  my  grandfather's  brother  Goll  mac  Morna  had  it"  "  If 
Ossian  and  Caeilte  license  it,  it  shall  be  thine."  "  Aye  do  we," 
Ossian  consented,  "  for  my  license  is  Caeilte's  ;  and  the  office  is 
kind  to  Donn,  of  whose  stock  seven  chiefs  have  held  the  high 
Fian-leadership  of  Ireland  and  of  Scotland."  "Tis  thus  I  confer 
it  on  thee,"  said  the  king  :  "  nor  tax,  nor  tribute  whether  of  gold 
or  of  silver,  such  as  was  paid  to  every  royal  Fian-chief  before 
thee,  to  be  yielded  thee  in  virtue  of  it ;  but  privilege  of  Ireland's 
chase  and  venery  to  be  thine."  Then  Donn  took  pledges  and 
sureties  for  it,  and  for  a  score  and  seven  years  filled  Ireland's 
and  Scotland's  high  Fian-chiefry :  up  to  the  time  namely  when 
Dubh  son  of  Dolar  slew  him  in  the  battle  of  Cuire  beyond  in 
Scotland. 

Lastly  the  boar  was  produced  before  the  king  of  Ireland. 
"  There,"  said  Conall,  "  is  the  pig  which  Caeilte  and  Donn  have 
killed  and  Caeilte  presents  to  thee  for  distribution  among  the 
men  of  Ireland,  on  the  supposition  that  for  a  portion  of  the 
prophylactic  swine  to  fall  in  their  way  would  be  to  them  for  a 
preservation."  To  the  twenty -five  battles  which  all  Ireland 
mustered  at  the  hill  of  Usnach  the  king  portioned  out  the  boar 
therefore,  whereby  they  all  were  rendered  blithe  and  purged  of 
melancholy.  Now  this  was  the  last  prophylactic  swine  that  was 
distributed  among  the  men  of  Ireland. 

Then  Conall  More  mac  Neill  said  to  the  king  of  Ireland: 
"  what  ordinance  art  thou  pleased  to  ma^ke  for  Caeilte  if  he  come 
to  seek  thee?"  "That  he  is  to  have  the  rations  often  hundred 
warriors  ;  eight  score  cows  also  to  be  put  into  a  grass  field  fenced, 
and  their  produce  nightly  served  to  him  and  to  Ossian  his  con- 
disciple  before  they  lie  down."  There  then  they  all  abode  for 
that  night  and  till  the  morrow's  morn. 

To  return  to  Caeilte ;  for  him  Conall's  horses  as  we  have  said 
were  harnessed,  his  chariot  made  ready,  and  he  took  his  way 
over  the  summit  of  sliabh  Fuaid\  past  caorthann  ban  fiann  or 
*  the  rowan-tree  of  fair  women,'  which  now  is  called  caorthann 
cluana  dhá  dhamh  or  *  rowan-tree  of  the  two-ox  meadow  ;*  past 
and  to  the  northward  of  drd  an  ghaiscidk  or  'height  of  the 
prowess-feat,'  now  named  fochard  Muirtheimhne  or  *  the  throw- 
ing-place  of  Murthemny,'  where  at  the  hosting  of  tain  bo  Cuailgne^ 


The  Colloquy,  i6i 

or  *  the  raid  for  the  kine  of  Cuailgne/  Cucbulh'n  did  his  heroic 
casting ;  northward  of  áth  na  carpat  or  *ford  of  chariots/  called 
áth  Guill  or  *ford  of  Goll';  by  echlasc  ech  Conadainn  or  *the 
horse-rod  of  Cuchullin's  horses  [i.e.  the  place  where  they  got  the 
goad],'  now  named  lighe  an  léith  Mhacha  or  *  grave  of  Macha's 
Grey  [Cuchullin*s  favourite  horse]/  betwixt  Dundalk  and  the 
sea ;  so  past  sliabh  na  con  or  *  the  wolf  mountain/  which  men 
style  sliabh  Bregh  or  *  the  hill  country  of  Bregia.* 

This  was  the  very  point  and  period  of  time  at  which  Dermot  son 
of  Cerbhall  (all  Ireland's  gentles  accompanying  him)  occupied 
the  top  of  Usnach,  and  he  interrogated  whether  in  propinquity 
to  him  there  were  any  water.  All  cried:  ** there  is  not!"  But 
Ossian  heard  that,  and  said :  "  bring  me  a  sitlial  that  I  may  go  in 
quest  of  water."  "  Take  with  thee  a gilla**  said  Dermot.  Ossian 
answered  :  "  nor  gilla  nor  óglaech  shall  come  with  me." 

Ossian  went  forth,  but  kept  his  face  turned  backwards  on  his 
track  so  as  to  see  that  in  the  men  of  Ireland's  camp  none 
watched  him.  In  this  fashion  he  attained  to  the  well  of  Usnach, 
called  an  fhinnlescach  or  *the  white-rimmed/  which  from  the  time 
when  the  battle  of  Gowra  was  fought  to  that  present  no  man  of  all 
Ireland  had  ever  gotten.  He  came  on  the  well's  gravelly  brink, 
and  in  it  saw  eight  beautiful  salmon  clothed  in  their  diversely 
shaded  hues ;  the  intricacy  of  the  place  being  such  that  there 
they  needed  not  to  fear  anything.  He  pulled  eight  sprigs  of 
watercress  and  eight  of  brooklime  ;  the  sitfial  he  dipped  into  the 
pool,  scooped  up  the  eight  salmon  alive  and  plunging  madly, 
then  with  the  sprigs  of  cress  and  brooklime  floating  in  the  vessel 
came  back  to  Usnach,  where  he  set  the  sithal  before  the  king 
of  Ireland.  All  were  amazed  at  the  sight — the  stalk  alone  of 
each  sprig  of  them  reached  to  Dermot's  knee.  "They  must 
be  divided  into  two  portions,"  he  said  :  "  one  half  to  Patrick,  the 
other  to  ourselves."  The  Saint  answered  :  "not  so,  seeing  that 
ye  are  the  more  numerous ;  but  be  they  separated  into  three, 
and  one-third  given  to  the  Church,  for  that  is  her  own  peculiar 
share."  So  it  was  done,  and  :  "  It  is  well,  king  of  Ireland," 
quoth  Patrick :  "  but  never  let  that  pair  [Caeilte  and  Ossian]  dock 
thee  of  thy  lot  in  Heaven."  Dermot  asked  :  "  what  is  the  drift 
of  that,  holy  Patrick  ?"  "  It  is  directed  at  the  so  great  intensity 
with  which  thou  turnest  thy  thoughts  to  them/' 

M 


102  The  Colloquy, 

Touching  Caeilte  again  :  he  got  as  far  as  the  brtigh  of  Aengtis 
mac  an  DagJida  to  the  northward  ;  across  féic  on  the  bright- 
streaming  Boyne ;  right  hand  to  the  hill  of  Tlachtga^  and  left  to 
the  hill  of  Taillte  daughter  of  mac  ú  M6ir ;  ascending  then  by 
rod  na  carpat^  or  *  the  road  of  chariots/  to  the  top  of  Usnach  : 
the  spot  in  which  the  men  of  Ireland  were.  Caeilte  alighted  in 
the  assembly  and  came  where  Patrick  was ;  he  bowed  to  him 
and  laid  his  head  in  his  bosom.  A  decayed  warrior  (of  Patrick's 
familia  now),  Muchua  mac  Lonan,  rose  before  him  and  :  "  'tis 
well,  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  said  Patrick,  "tell  us  who  is  Muchua." 
Then  Caeilte  enunciated  : — 

"  Muchua :  son  of  Lonan  of  the  tunics  son  of  Senach  (at  whom  we  will 
direct  no  thrust)  son  of  Angus  of  the  iron-grey  horse-stud  son  of  ...  . 
son  of  Blath  brecdhorn  or  *  freckle-fist,'  son  of  Aedhan  son's  son  (?)  of  Fergus 

son  of  Cinaeth  son  of  Fiacha son  of  Eoghan's  son 

Muiredach." 

Muchua  said  :  "  what  have  I  to  do  but  to  remember  thee  in  all 
the  eight  canonical  hours  of  the  Church  !" 

"Come  up  hither,  Caeilte,"  cried  Dermot,  "and  be  at  my 
shoulder!"  "No  man  of  a  king's  shoulder  am  I,  but  one  of  a 
king's  presence,"  he  answered  :  "  for  I  am  but  the  son  of  a  simple 
man  of  war,  and  he  that  now  is  at  thy  shoulder  is  better  than  I." 
"My  word  I  pledge  to  it,"  said  Ossian,  "that  never  in  all  Ireland 
did  a  woman  thy  contemporary  bear  one  that  justly  might  have 
dubbed  himself  a  better  than  thou  !" 

Then  the  men  of  Ireland  welcomed  Caeilte,  and  the  king  gave 
him  a  triple  welcome ;  Caeilte  gave  Ossian  three  kisses,  and  sat 
down  on  one  side  of  him.  A  fistful  of  watercress  and  of  brook- 
lime  that  was  in  Ossian's  hand,  and  he  put  it  into  Caeilte's.  "Cress 
and  brooklimc  of  the  flescach  this  is,"  said  Caeilte,  "  and  hadst 
thou  fish  in  it?"  "I  got  eight  salmon,"  Ossian  answered,  "and 
the  eighth  salmon  of  them  we  two  have."  Caeilte  said  :  "  by  my 
word  never  was  my  portion  in  hand  of  woman  or  of  man  that  I 
would  prefer  before  thee." 

Caeilte  now  put  his  hand  into  the  rim  of  his  shield  and  down 
on  the  ground  before  them  threw  the  chain  of  Lugh  mac  Eith- 
lenn.  Ossian  said :  "  Caeilte,  it  was  in  Garbhdaire's  cairn  thou 
foundcst  the  chain."  "  Surely  it  was,"  he  answered,  and  gave  it 
to  the  king  of  Ireland.  Five-and-twenty  battles  that  the  assembly 
mustered,  and  this  chain  would  go  round  them  all ;  supposing 


The  Colloquy.  163 

eight  hundred  warriors  to  fit  within  it  and  it  to  be  locked  on  the 
first  man,  to  open  it  was  not  possible  until  said  first  man  should 
be  freed. 

The  king  said  :  "  'tis  well,  Caeilte — it  was  a  good  four  that  at 
the  one  time  were  in  Ireland  :  Cormac  mac  Art,  and  Finn,  and 
Cairbre  Lifechair,  and  Ossian."  "Cormac  was  a  fine  warrior, 
Finn's  excellence  was  known  to  all";  and  Caeilte  uttered  : — 

"  Had  his  son  come,  and  his  enemy,  to  stand  a  verdict  of  assize  :  one  of 
his  virtues  it  was  that  as  between  them  he  would  not  have  pronounced  a 
lying  judgment" 

"Caeilte,"  said  Dermot,  "was  Cormac  better  than  Finn,  and 
was  Cairbre  better  than  Ossian  ?" 

"  By  the  King  that  is  over  me,  Cormac  was  not  better  than  Finn ;  nor  was 
far-famed  Ossian  inferior  to  Cairbre  Lifechair." 

Eochaid  Lethderg,  king  of  Leinster,  enquired  of  Caeilte :  "  what 
cause  had  Finn  and  the  Fianna  that,  above  every  other  monster 
which  ye  banished  out  of  Ireland,  they  killed  not  the  reptile  that 
we  have  in  the  glen  of  ros  enaigh  ?"  Caeilte  replied  :  "  their  reason 
was  that  the  creature  is  the  fourth  part  of  Mesgedhra's  brain, 
which  the  earth  swallowed  there  and  converted  into  a  monstrous 
worm.  Now  this  it  was  not  fated  that  we  should  slay  until  the 
Táilcltenn  should  arrive :  a  disciple  of  whose  familia  it  is  that  in 
the  latter  end  of  time  shall  bind  it  with  a  single  rush-stem,  and 
in  this  bond  it  shall  continue  to  the  Judgment"  "  To  what  end 
then  used  the  Fianna  come  to  have  themselves  and  their  hounds 
slain  by  the  reptile  in  that  loch?"  "A  fairy  sweetheart  that 
Finn  had,  whom  for  the  multiplicity  of  various  shapes  tKat  she 
assumed  (for  there  was  not  an  animal  but  she  would  enter  into 
its  form)  renounced  her.  Now  one  day  the  Fianna  came  upon 
the  cairn  overhanging  said  loch,  and  a  deer  swam  away  out  on 
the  loch  ;  but  \h^  piast  rose  at  us  and  killed  a  hundred  hounds 
and  a  hundred  men  of  us.  I  questioned  Finn  whether  it  were 
by  us  that  the  creature  was  to  fall ;  which  being  so,  then  would 
we  encounter  it  and  so  avenge  our  people  on  it  To  his  know- 
ledge-tooth Finn  submitted  his  thumb ;  verity  of  prophecy  [i.e. 
a  true  presage]  was  revealed  to  him,  and  he  pronounced  : — 

"  Glen  of  ros  enaigh  (this  will  come  true  for  me)  the  bell's  voice  shall  yet 
sound  there  sweetly  and  perpetually ;  though  it  should  carry  nought  but  the 
roedeer,  yet  manifold  its  precious  virtues  were    .    .    ." 

M  2 


164  The  Colloquy. 

Howbcit  none  may  count  up  all  that  the  ancient  men  related 
as  having  been  by  themselves  and  by  the  other  chiefs  of  the 
Fianna  performed  in  the  way  of  great  and  valorous  achievement, 
of  mastery  in  use  of  arms  ;  all  this  over  and  above  the  legendary 
lore  of  every  hill  and  of  all  the  lands  concerning  which  the  men 
of  Ireland  enquired  of  them. 

Then  came  Trenbrugaid  son  of  Treon,  a  principal  brtighaid 
cétach  to  the  king  of  Ireland,  and  an  emulous,  accompanied  with 
three  times  fifty  men  of  stature.  Every  man  of  them  had  on  a 
deep  blue  mantle  ;  beautiful  shirts  of  pure  white  they  wore  too, 
and  in  their  hands  they  had  three. times  fifty  fork-spears  distri- 
buted. They  salute  the  king  of  Ireland,  and  he  answers  them. 
"  King,"  they  said,-  "we  have  a  great  banquet  for  theeTnine  score 
vats  of  mead,  and  of  clear  fermented  ale  ten  score,  along  with 
their  sufficient  proportion  of  diverse  and  varied  meats."  Which 
provant  and  liquor  they  had  brought  with  them  for  the  king. 
He  enquired  of  Ossian :  "  is  it  together  with  the  gentles  of  Ire- 
land that  ye,  like  the  rest,  will  repair  to  the  house  of  drinking 
and  of  pleasure  ?"  Ossian  answered :  "  be  our  share  of  meat  and 
fluid  given  to  us  apart ;  for  they  of  the  present  are  not  people  of 
one  generation  nor  of  one  time  with  us."  " How  many  are  ye?" 
asked  the  king.  Ossian  said :  "  twice  nine  men ;  being  nine  to 
me,  and  to  my  comrade,  to  Caeilte,  nine."  "  Twenty  vats  to 
you,  with  their  sufficiency  of  meat,"  said  the  king.  "  Good 
now.  King,"  objected  Caeilte :  "  neither  as  regards  meat  nor  in 
respect  of  liquor  put  us  on  the  same  footing;  for  where  to 
me  should  be  given  ten  vats,  thirty  vats  it  were  right  that 
Ossian  should  obtain."  Thus  then  they  spent  that  night 
mirthfully  and  of  good  cheer,  without  shortcoming  whether  of 
meat  or  of  drink. 

On  the  morrow  they  all  rose,  and  on  a  tulach  the  king  of  Ire- 
land s  tent  was  spread  over  him :  into  which  tent  was  admitted 
none  but  either  chief  or  chiefs  heir-apparent ;  Patrick  with  his 
clergy  being  lodged  in  the  tent's  second  half,  whither  in  turn 
were  sufiTered  to  enter  none  but  bishop,  priest,  or  the  specially 
devoted  to  the  King  of  Heaven  and  of  Earth.  Ossian  sat  before 
Patrick  ;  Caeilte  before  the  king  of  Ireland,  who  asked :  "  which 
of  you  is  the  elder?"  "I  am,"  Caeilte  answered:  "for  when 
Ossian  was  born  I  had  thirty  years  completed  ;  for  now  seventeen 


The  Colloquy.  165 

years  he  has  shared  my  bed,  and  out  of  my  house  it  was  that  he 
got  his  first  command  of  Fianna  and  a  band  of  followers." 

Then  the  king  questioned  farther:  "what  was  the  number  of 
Ireland's  kings  by  whom  lands  were  granted  to  the  Fianna?" 
Caeilte  (for  he  knew  it)  made  answer:  "  it  was  a  king  that  attained 
to  rule  Ireland,  Feradach  Fechtnach,  and  he  had  two  sons :  Tuathal 
and  Fiacha.  Feradach  died,  and  his  two  sons  between  them 
divided  Ireland:  her  precious  things,  her  various  wealth  and  her 
treasures,  her  kine  and  cattle-herds,  her  duns  and  hill-strengths, 
to  the  one ;  to  the  other :  her  cliffs  and  her  estuaries,  her  mast 
and  her  *  sea-fruit,'  her  salmon  beautiful  in  their  graduated  hues, 
her  hunting  and  her  venery."  Dermot  asked:  "where  made 
they  this  partition?"  "At  this  hill  upon  which  we  sit  now." 
"  That  partition  was  not  an  equitable  \lit,  *  a  comparable  *]  one," 
said  Ireland's  good  men.  Ossian  asked :  "  whether  of  the  portions 
is  that  which  yourselves  had  preferred  to  the  other?"  "Her 
feasts,  her  dwelling-houses,  and  all  the  rest  of  her  good  things," 
they  said.  "  The  portion  which  they  contemn,"  said  Caeilte,  "  that 
is  the  very  one  which  in  our  eyes  had  been  the  better  part." 
"Caeilte,"  said  Ossian,  "say  and  tell  the  truth  of  it;"  and  he 
uttered : — 

"  Say,  Caeilte,  for  to  this  enquiry  much  good  guidance  appertains  [i.e.  much 
useful  information  will  result  from  it],  whence  had  Ireland's  first  half-and- 
half  apportionment,  that  of  all  countries  surrounding  Usnach,  its  origin  ?" 
"  Who  'twas  that  to  the  Fianna  granted  lands  canst  thou,  Ossian,  tell  to  us  ? 
who  'twas  that  resigned  the  post  of  gilla  con^  and  who  that  waged  him  with 
a  stipend  ?  For  I  mind  the  cause  of  all,  O  son  of  straight-standing  Derg : 
from  the  time  when  Fiacha  beneficed  the  Fianna,  till  that  in  which  thou, 
Ossian,  wert  abandoned.  Ten  years  of  prosperous  command  thou,  Ossian, 
king-chief,  didst  enjoy :  until  over  Bregia  the  Fianna  were  driven  northwards 
so  that  perforce,  Ossian,  they  deserted  thee.  Feradach's  good  son  as  I 
opine,  whose  cognomen  was  Fiacha  Finn :  Eithne  daughter  of  Daire  Dubh, 
that  great  queen,  was  his  mother.  Feradach  and  Fiacha  Finn  his  brother : 
they  divided  Ireland  share  and  share;  and  the  men  of  Ireland  flourished  all, 
being  free  from  war  and  emulation.  Verily  the  younger  son  elected  to  cast 
in  his  lot  with  the  Fianna :  to  have  rivers,  wastes  and  wilds,  and  woods,  and 
precipices,  and  estuaries.  Feradach,  as  I  believe,  assumed  monarch's  power 
over  the  men  of  Ireland :  her  feasts  he  took,  her  earthly  fruits,  her  houses, 
her  herds  and  all  her  sportiveness.  Feradach's  reign  was  good,  up  to  the 
time  when  by  the  great  chief  Mál  he  fell:  the  perishing  of  a  king  that 
used  to  put  to  shame  prowess  of  others,  such  was  the  death  of  prince 
Feradach.  Auspiciously  then,  so  soon  as  Feradach  was  fallen,  Fiacha 
entered  into  Tara  and  from  the  great  Mál  mac  Rochraide  wrested  the  power 


1 66  The  Colloquy. 

of  all  Ireland.  Hard  upon  this,  to  the  magnanimous  Moma  Fiacha  com- 
mitted the  Fianna,  and  after  Morna  four  of  his  tribe  had  them.  Moma, 
vigorous  son  of  Cairbre,  ten  years  he  had  of  their  command-in-chief;  ten 
years  were  Garadh's  lot  as  well,  till  he  was  parted  from  his  comely  head. 
Garadh's  son  Daighre,  vigorous  too,  had  five  years  in  the  chiefty ;  a  seven 
years'  total  was  the  spell  of  Donn  Mac  Moma,  last  of  them.  Eochaid  son  of 
Marcadh  out  of  the  east — out  of  Ulidia — was  chief  of  Ireland's  Fianna  then: 
a  year  and  a  half  he  lasted  in  supreme  power  over  them.  Cas  mac  Cannan, 
a  hardy  blade  and  of  Ulidia  likewise,  he  enjoyed  a  single  year ;  Dubhan  his 
son,  him  I  credit  with  two.  Out  of  Munster,  in  guerdon  of  their  wily  machi- 
nations, Liath  of  Luachra  and  Labradh  Red-hand  succeeded:  these,  that 
were  sons  of  plebeian  men  of  Ara,  attained  (no  niggardly  allowance)  to  ten 
years  apiece.  Trénmhór  ua  Baetscne:  he  was  grandson  to  Sétna  sithbac^ 
grandfather  to  Finn,  father  of  Cumall  and  of  Crimall.  Trenmor,  the  affec- 
tion felt  towards  him  being  great,  obtained  all  Ireland's  Fianna  in  one  mass : 
both  north  and  south  they  made  him  chief,  and  seventeen  years  were  his 
period.  By  virtue  of  the  sword  and  shield  Amall,  so  hardy  in  his  vehemence, 
grasped  the  command :  thirty  determined  battles  he  fought  for  it,  and  held  it 
seven  years  until  he  fell  in  Cnucha's  fight.  Then  Moma's  sons  (that  were 
thirty  warriors  of  great  renown)  felt  grief  and  chronic  sorrow  for  Daighre, 
GoII,  and  Garadh.  Goll  More,  son  to  the  last  Moma,  ten  years  he  had  in 
govcmance  of  all  Ireland's  Fianna.  Then  came  *the  golden  salmon,'  Finn 
son  of  Cumall  son  of  Trenmor :  gift-bestowing  noble  leader  of  our  hosts ; 
our  admirable  diversely  accomplished  sage.  Two  hundred  years  in  flourish- 
ing condition  and  thirty  more  free  of  debility  (a  lengthy  term)  were  Finn's 
existence;  which  brought  him  to  the  point  at  which  he  perished  in  taking 
•  the  leap  of  his  old  age.'  The  seventeen  chiefs  of  whom  I  am  certified  as 
having  had  command  of  Ireland's  Fianna:  Finn — Almha's  lofty  champion — 
was  better  than  the  whole  of  them  I  Sorcerers  five  (a  guild  refractory  to 
handle)  the  best  that  ever  fell  to  the  land  of  the  west :  these  my  memory 
accurately  serves  me  to  set  forth  with  all  their  gramarye.  Of  whom  was 
Baghna  from  sliabh  Baghna^  Cathbadh  likewise  (most  admirable  wizard), 
Stocan  son  of  the  gentle  and  hundredfold-possessing  Core,  Moghmith,  and 
Finn  of  Formoyle.  Five  physicians,  wondrous  set  I  the  best  that  ever  fell 
to  Banba's  land:  long  as  it  is  that  I  am  after  them,  I  am  well  versed  in 
their  description.  They  were  Miach^  Oirbedh^  and  Dianchécht  their  father ; 
Gtxbhrán^  the  oversea  physician  come  out  of  the  east  [i.e.  from  Scotland] ; 
Baeiscne's  grandson  himself,  Finn  of  the  splendid  hair.  Five  poets,  a  noble 
company  I  the  best  that  ever  fell  to  Erin's  land :  my  memory  accurately  serves 
me  to  detail  them  too  in  all  their  bardic  skill,  Cairbre^  the  poet  whom 
Amerj^in  of  the  Gaels'  island  procured  across  the  seas ;  Fercheirtne  along 
with  Labraidh  lorc^  Moghruith  again,  and  Finn  of  the  naked  sword.  Five 
that  in  acute  intelligence  were  the  most  sagacious  whom  in  all  Ireland  the  one 
house  contained :  Fithal  and  Flaithri  his  son,  Aillmhe^  Cairbre^  and  Cartnac. 
The  problem  which  these  in  their  wisdom  would  propose,  'tis  out  of  hand  that 
Finn  alone  would  solve ;  but  that  which  Finn  of  the  banquettings  would  moot, 
not  one  of  the  five  could  manage.  Five  warriors  and  men  of  wrathful  utterance 
(the  best  that  ever  fell  to  Elga's  land),  roughest  in  action  and  in  mighty  deed, 
rudest  in  battle  and  in  dual  fight :  Lugh  son  of  Cian  mac  Cáinte  from  beyond. 


The  Colloqtiy.  167 

Cúchulainn^  Conall^  Lughaid  lagha  (good  hand  at  martial  work)  and 
Baeiscne's  grandson  Finn  himself.  Five  the  most  generous  that  were  ever 
found,  and  of  the  bright  Gaels'  race  best  for  giving  of  raiment  and  of  meat 
(well  they  spent  their  substance):  Eithne's  son  Lugh^  illustrious  Aenghus^ 
Cúchulainn  (most  warlike  arm),  the  gentle  Conaire  of  visage  that  never 
blenched,  and  Finn  mac  Lugach  were  of  the  one  tenour  all.  Five  chiefs 
that  by  me  are  verified  (best  that  ever  fell  to  Erin's  land) :  accurately  my 
memory  serves  me  to  recite  them  in  their  reigning  order:  Eiremón  son  of 
great  Milesius,  Ughaine  after  Heremon;  Aenghus  tuirmech^  Conn  cédcha- 
thacky  and  stout  Finn :  a  laech  in  roughness  and  for  desperate  deed,  an 
óglaech  for  affectionate  fidelity;  a  cleric  for  preaching  God's  Son,  and  for 
truthfulness  a  prince.  By  the  King  that  is  over  me  above!  a  fault  1  knew 
not  in  Finn's  Fianna  except,  O  God  that  visitedst  the  Earth,  that  they  wor- 
shipped not  the  Son  supremely.  The  good  followers  live  no  more ;  Finn  the 
veritable  chief  lives  not :  in  his  house  the  troop  no  longer  is,  surrounding  the 
commander  and  Fian-leader.  Better  than  all  others  was  their  disposition  of 
the  chase,  better  than  all  lords  was  their  captain ;  so  great  was  the  bulk  of 
their  hounds  and  of  their  men,  the  number  of  their  shields  and  of  their 
swords.  He  was  a  king,  a  seer,  a  poet ;  a  lord  with  a  manifold  and  great 
train;  our  magician,  our  knowledgeable  one,  our  soothsayer:  all  whatsoever 
he  said  was  sweet  with  him.  Excessive  as  perchance  ye  deem  my  testimony 
of  Finn,  and  though  ye  hold  that  which  I  say  to  be  overstrained :  nevertheless, 
and  by  the  King  that  is  above  me,  he  was  three  times  better  still !  Seven 
times  the  great  chief  made  act  of  faith — Cumall's  son  Finn,  of  Almha ;  the 
seventh  time,  when  he  was  well  advanced,  was  that  which  was  the  occasion 
of  his  end  and  death.  The  Southern  Half:  'twas  Eoghan  ruled  it;  and 
Trenmor,  he  was  his  lieutenant :  Trenmor  son  to  Cairell  of  cnoc  an  scáil^ 
with  whom  all  whatsoever  he  said  was  sweet." 

"Success  and  benediction,  Caeilte!"  said  Dermot  grandson  of 
Cerbhall :  "and  where  are  Ireland's  sages  and  her  antiquaries ? 
in  ollaves*  diction  be  these  matters  written  down  upon  the  tabular 
staves  of  poets  and  in  records  of  the  learned  ;  to  the  end  that  of 
all  the  knowledge,  the  enlightenment,  the  hill-lore,  and  of  all  the 
doughty  deeds  of  arms  which  Caeilte  and  Ossian  have  communi- 
cated to  us,  each  and  all  may  to  their  own  country  and  to  their 
land  take  back  their  share.'*     Even  so  it  was  done. 

Then  Finn,  son  of  Faebarderg  chief  of  Hy-Kinsela,  interro- 
gated Caeilte :  "  the  giusach  Finn  now,  what  is  the  reason  that 
beyond  every  other  spot  in  the  country  saints  and  righteous 
affect  it?"  Caeilte  answered  that,  saying:  "it  was  a  hunting 
preserve  that  Finn  had ;  and  when  from  inneoin  of  Moyfemen  to 
benn  Edair  the  Fianna  could  not  in  all  Leinster's  fierce  province 
procure  their  sufficiency  of  game,  they  would  get  it  in  the 
giusachr 


1 68  The  Colloquy. 

Finn  mac  Faebar  said  again  :  "good  now,  Caeilte,  and  why -is 
the  name  of  áth  Fema  or  *  Ferna's  ford '  given  to  the  ford  that 
is  in  the  midst  of  the  giusach  ?  This  question  Ossian  answered  : 
"it  was  Goll  mac  Morna  that  slew  Ferna  son  of  Cairell  there 
as  being  a  spoiler  of  clan-Morna  ;  also  he  was  son  of  the  king  of 
the  Déise  or  *Decies*  in  the  south,  and  to  Finn  an  óglaech  of 
trust.  When  now  he  was  thus  laid  in  a  dug-out  cavity  of  the 
earth,  under  his  knowledge-tooth  Finn  put  his  thumb,  truth  was 
revealed  to  him,  and  he  said  :  *  well  for  thee,  Ferna  son  of  Cairell, 
that  art  buried  where  thou  art !  for  many  are  the  Mass-bells  and 
the  white  books  of  Hours  that  shall  be  used,  and  much  oblation 
of  the  Lord's  Body  it  is  that  shall  be  made  over  thee  where  thou 
liest/"     Ut  dixit:— 

"*Fema*s  ford,  O  ford  of  Ferna,  where  virtuous  Maedog  shall  be !  many 
though  its  warriors  be  to-day,  its  heavenly  canticles  shall  yet  abound. 
Fema's  ford  of  the  smooth  sandy  brink,  virtuous  will  be  the  man  that  shall 
possess  it ;  when  'soul  friends'  [i.e.  confessors  and  spiritual  directors]  shall 
have  made  their  way  thither,  thou  [Fema]  shalt  be  the  nearer  to  God. 
Across  the  ford  of  Finglas  Maedog  of  the  numerous  familia  will  come  into 
the  land ;  Maedog  of  the  numerous  familia  shall  arrive  :  a  splendour  of  the 
sun  piercing  through  showers ;  the  son  of  the  star  shall  arrive :  himself  a  star 
of  everlasting  precious  property.  For  all  it  be  to-day  a  place  appointed  in 
which  the  Fianna  use  to  seethe  their  flesh  :  Maedog  of  the  numerous  familia 
shall  come  hither,  and  I  congratulate  the  chief  that  has  it  for  his  h\inú\-tulack, 
A  mighty  boar  will  he  be  whom  I  now  prognosticate,  an  angry  lightning-flash 
of  Doom ;  Maedog  of  the  numerous  familia  will  arrive,  shall  be  a  wave  to 
sweep  o'er  many  a  ford.'" 

"All  this  of  a  truth  is. good,"  said  Faebarderg :  "but  I  have 
another  query  which  I  fain  would  put  to  thee,  Caeilte."  He 
answered  :  "  say  on."  "  A  place  that  we  have  here  at  the  march- 
ing of  both  provinces  [Leinster  and  Munster  namely],  in  the 
plentifully  manned  valley  of  the  three  waters,  where  Suir  and 
Nore  and  Barrow  meet :  the  name  of  which  spot  is  ros  broc  or 
*  word  of  brocks,'  and  I  desire  to  learn  of  thee  to  whom  was  sub- 
jected the  dwelling  that  is  there." 

"  Two  óglaechs  of  trust  to  Finn  that  occupied  it :  Cellach  of 
braenbhile,  and  Moling  luath  or  *  the  swift*  of  Leinster's  province, 
either  of  whom  owned  two  hundred  óglaechs^  two  hundred  gillas^ 
two  hundred  wolf-  and  deer-hounds  ;  and  though  the  entire 
three  battles  of  the  Fianna  had  been  searched  out,  hardly  had 
there  been  found  a  pair  which  in  athletic  proficiency  and  in 


The  Colloquy.  169 

spear-throwing  should  have  exceeded  them.  Another  perfection 
yet  there  was  in  them,  seeing  it  was  in  their  mansion  that  for 
a  whole  year  the  Fianna  might  abide  nor  know  shortcoming 
either  of  meat  or  of  liquor."  Here  Finn  mac  Faebar  interposed 
with:  "to  me  the  water  of  this  town  is  a  matter  of  wonder; 
which  itself  [i.e.  the  reservoir]  lies  on  an  eminence,  its  stream  [i.e. 
its  discharge]  being  directed  down  a  precipice,  and  to  every  dis- 
ease with  which  it  has  contact  it  aflfords  relief."  "  The  cause  of 
such  benign  efficacy  is  this,"  said  Caeilte :  "  that  is  the  first  water 
in  Ireland  which  angels  blessed,  likewise  the  last,  and  Taeide  is 
the  river's  name.  But  to  proceed  :  there  those  two  óglaechs 
dwelt  until  the  sons  of  Morna  turned  out  as  depredators ;  and 
one  night  they  never  perceived  anything  until  the  sons  of  Morna, 
closing  in  from  front  and  rear,  had  completely  surrounded  their 
town.  For  three  days  and  three  nights  they  assaulted  the  place, 
during  which  time  they  availed  nothing  against  it  until  they  got 
a  chance  to  fire  it.  The  town  accordingly  was  both  plundered 
and  burnt  by  them ;  not  an  individual  denizen,  man  or  woman, 
escaping  without  being  either  consumed  or  slain  with  weapon. 
When  they  had  made  an  end  of  harrying  and  of  playing  havoc 
with  the  town,  straightway  they  drew  off  to  the  westward,  cross- 
ing the  Barrow  at  the  shallows  of  inbher  dubhghlaise^  i.e.  *  Inver- 
douglas'  or  *  estuary  of  the  black  burn.'  Then  we  the  three 
battalions  of  the  Fianna  reached  the  town,  but  to  the  dwellers 
there  that  was  no  help  now.  On  the  fort's  green  Finn  and  all 
Ireland's  three  Fian -battalions  set  them  down;  tearfully  and 
dejectedly  he  wept,  for  not  often  had  there  been  wrought  a 
slaughter  that  by  the  Fianna  was  esteemed  more  grievous  than 
this.  A  long  bowl  of  pale  gold  was  brought  to  the  chief,  to 
Finn  ;  he  washed  his  hands,  upon  his  kingly  and  most  comely 
face  he  dashed  water,  under  his  knowledge-tooth  he  put  his 
thumb,  and  the  third  greatest  revelation  that  ever  was  shewn  to 
him  it  was  now  that  it  took  place.  He  said  therefore:  'four 
chosen  seers  they  are  that  after  me  shall  arise  in  Ireland,  who 
for  the  King  of  Heaven  and  of  Earth  [i.e.  to  His  honour  and 
glory]  shall  practise  their  confession  and  set  forth  their  doctrine. 
As  the  fourth  man  of  these  [i.e.  as  one  of  these  four]  will  come 
Moling  son  of  Faelan  son  of  Feradach  son  of  Fidgha ;  and  a 
battle  which  in  the  latter  time  will  be  fought  in  Ireland,  that  of 


The  Colloquy. 

magh  rath  or  *  Moira '  namely :  Suibhne  (surnamed  geilt  or  *  the 
madman  *)  that  shall  escape  out  of  that  battle,  'tis  in  this  town  he 
will  be  slain  and  buried.  The  above  cleric's  mother  will  be  a 
woman  of  the  Munster-folk,  whence  they  of  Munster  shall  not 
dare  to  do  this  spot  a  mischief.*     Then  Finn  said : — 

"  *  Ros  broc  to-day  is  a  path  for  wolves,  and  a  rushing  sea  betwixt  two  cliffs ; 
be  the  time  long  or  be  it  short  until  saints  shall  come  hither,  Moling  is  the 
name  of  him  whose  church  it  will  be  then.  Turbulent  Taeide  of  the  eddying 
pools,  along  the  margin  of  the  rock  she  makes  a  flood ;  yet  even  hither  shall 
great  concourse  flock,  bound  on  their  pilgrimage  for  love  of  God.  Hither 
out  of  the  north,  from  Moira,  the  flighty  man  [Suibhne]  shall  come ;  unto 
the  cleric  on  a  propitious  morning  this  shall  be  a  glad  occasion.  The  House 
of  Moling  son  of  Faelan  son  of  Feradach  Finn :  one  shall  pay  him  an  ounce 
of  gold  to  have  his  house  [i.e.  his  grave]  within  his  [Moling's]  cemetery.  The 
shining  saint's  bell  called  the  bennán  Moling  shall  be  rung  at  the  Hours ;  his 
mother  being  a  Munster- woman,  the  Icuchs  oiLuimnech  or  *the  estuary  of  the 
Shannon*  shall  not  dare  aught  against  him.  Out  of  the  north  will  come  the 
men  of  Cualann,  their  host's  advance  shall  be  right  to  the  church ;  from  that 
time  forth  until  the  very  Judgment  saint  Moling's  House  will  go  from  good 
to  better.  I  tell  it  all  to  you  beforehand,  and  the  presage  will  be  true  for 
me;  it  helps  to  render  Finn's  soul  acceptable  here,  does  this  prophecy  of 
Moling's  advent  to  the  Ros,^ " 

Then  the  king  of  Ireland  said  to  Patrick:  "it  is  time  now  for 
me  to  go  to  Tara  ;  and  you.  Ancients,  come  ye  with  me  ?"  They 
replied :  "  till  a  year's  end  we  will  not  go  thither." 

Then  Eochaid  lethderg  king  of  Leinster  said :  "  to  spend  this 
year  I  will  convey  Ossian  to  dun  Liamhna  or  *  Dunlavin,'  i.e.  the 
dun  of  LiamJtain  called  *of  the  soft  smock'  and  daughter  to 
Dobhran  of  the  Duffry.  Conall  More  son  of  Niall  said :  "  to 
spend  this  year  I  will  take  Caeilte  with  me  northwards  to  dun  na 
vibarc!^  Dermot  the  king,  son  of  Cerbhall,  said :  "  I  will  carry 
off  Patrick  to  Tara,  to  baptise,  to  bless,  and  in  his  own  law  and 
rule  to  order  the  men  of  Ireland." 

All  broke  up  now  to  their  own  several  countries,  but  so  as 
that  in  a  year's  time  they  met  again  at  Tara ;  and  this  that  you 
have  here  [both  above  and  to  follow]  comprises  'the  Colloquy 
with  the  Ancients*  at  the  pillar-stone  on  the  top  of  Usnach,  as 
well  as  all  else  that  by  way  of  knowledge  and  instruction  they 
uttered  to  the  men  of  Erin. 

Touching  Caeilte:  in  company  with  Conall  mac  Neill  he  made 
his  way  to  rath  Artrach  in  the  north,  in  the  land  of  Kinelconall. 


The  Colloquy.  1 7 1 

The  gentle  nubile  yellow-haired  damsels  and  the  small  green- 
mantled  boys  of  the  residence  came  forth  to  give  Caeilte  welcome; 
and  the  company  tarried  at  the  festive  banquetting  until  the  sun 
being  risen  from  his  fiery  pillow  flooded  the  cliffs  and  waterfalls 
and  estuaries  of  the  Earth.  ,^^^^^^^ 

Caeilte  and  Conall  with  the  gentles  of  his  people  issued  from  /  Nj 
the  town,  and  Conall  enquired :  "  wherefore  was  the  name  of  ( 
rath  Ar track  given  to  that  rath,  rath  Mongaigh  to  that  one  to 
the  northward,  and  lios  na  néices  or  *  liss  of  the  poets '  to  this  liss 
south  of  us?"  Caeilte  answered  that:  "it  was  three  sons  that 
Bodhb  Derg  son  of  the  Daghda  had  in  the  many-windowed  brugh 
upon  the  Boyne:  Artrach,  and  Aedh  surnamed  'handsome,'  and 
Angus,  between  whom  and  their  own  father  a  variance  fell  out. 

*  Come  now,  my  sons,'  said  Bodhb,  *  quit  me  the  iuaiha  de 
danann  and  betake  you  to  the  king  of  Ireland,  to  Conn's  grand- 
son Cormac.  There  is  good  cause  why  it  were  just  for  you  to 
give  up  the  tuatha  de  danann  :  of  country  or  of  land  they  have 
not  so  much  as  will  support  both  themselves  and  all  that  Artrach 
has  of  wealth  in  cattle ;  Angus  alone  in  gillas  and  in  óglaechs 
outnumbers  the  whole  tuatlia  de  danann^  and  in  multitude  of 
poets  handsome  Aedh  exceeds  the  bardic  fraternities  of  Ireland 
and  of  Scotland  both.* 

"  Bodhb's  three  sons  accordingly  came  to  Cormac,  who  enquired 
what  had  set  them  in  motion.  *  Our  own  father  that  has  given 
us  notice  to  clear  out  from  the  tuatha  de  danann^  and  we  are 
come  to  seek  land  of  thee.'  'That  ye  shall  have,'  answered 
Cormac :  *  I  will  grant  you  four  triuchas  of  the  rough-land  which 
to-day  is  called  tir  Conaill  or  'the  land  of  Conall'  [otherwise 

*  Tirconneir].'  Now  the  eldest  son  of  them,  Artrach,  had  a 
bruidhen  of  seven  doors,  with  a  free  welcome  before  all  comers; 
Angus  called  ilcldesach^  or  *  of  the  many  accomplishments,'  was  in 
rath  Mongaig  and  had  with  him  the  kings'  sons  of  Ireland  and  of 
Scotland  acquiring  the  art  and  craft  of  missile  weapons ;  hand- 
some Aedh  was  in  lios  na  néices  with  Ireland's  and  Scotland's 
bardic  bands  by  him.  Thus  they  passed  thirty  years  of  Cormac's 
reign,  until  he  died  in  rath  Speldin  in  Bregia.  Then  they 
returned  back  again  to  the  tuatha  de  danann  \  and  [at  that  time], 
what  with  smooth  crimson-pointed  nuts  of  the  forest  and  with 
beautiful  golden-yellow  apples,  this  was  a  liss  pied  and  various 


172 


The  Colloquy. 


"^ 


with  red  [and  with  many  other  tints]  although  to-day  it  be  but  a 

blighted  liss  " : — 

Caeilte  cecinit. 

"  Blighted  this  day  is  rath  Artrach^  though  once  it  was  a  fresh  rath  filled 
with  many  weapons ;  lightsome  upon  the  south  side  and  the  north  was  this 
rath  of  manifold  property.  This  slone  northward  of  the  liss,  'tis  numbers 
that  are  in  ignorance  concerning  it :  three  times  fifty  ounces  thrice  told  be 
they  that  rest  abidingly  beneath  its  breast.  The  name  of  the  rath  lying  north 
to  us  is  '  rath  of  Mongach ' :  of  him  that  had  an  ample  host ;  and  but  a  little 
way  from  it  to  the  southward  'tis  to  rath  Aedha^  or  *Aedh's  rath/  of  the  poets." 

Conall  enquired  now:  "where  is  the  stone  under  which  the 
gold  and  the  silver  are  ?"  "  It  is  not  to  find  the  stone  that  makes 
the  difficulty,  but  to  get  it  out  of  the  ground."  "  No  difficulty 
there,"  quoth  Conall  rising  with  four  hundred  men.  In  unison 
they  all  applied  their  hands  to  the  stone  to  drag  it  from  the  earth  ; 
but  in  such  mighty  eflTort  was  no  profit  at  all,  neither  availed  they 
to  stir  it  in  the  least.  "  Not  a  man  to  lend  a  hand  or  to  hoist  a 
load  have  we  at  this  present,"  Caeilte  said  as  under  the  stone  he 
thrusted  in  his  spear's  head  and  thereby  prised  it  from  its  bed. 
Into  the  place  where  the  stone  had  lain  he  reached  a  hand  and 
brought  out  Finn  mac  Cumall's  lia  or  'stone-coffer*  in  which 
were  three  times  fifty  ounces  of  silver,  as  many  of  red  gold, 
thrice  fifty  golden  chains,  and  a  sword  of  battle.  Conall  said: 
"divide  the  treasures,  Caeilte."  "The  sword  and  the  chains  {sic) 
to  thee ;  the  coffer  of  red  gold  [and  of  silver]  to  holy  Patrick,  for 
he  is  the  Gaels'  casket  of  belief  and  faith." 

r—  Then  Conall  said :  "  we  have  here  three  tulachs,  but  whence  are 
the  names  they  bear  we  know  not :  tulach  na  laechraidtie  or  *  grave 
of  the  laec/is*  one  is  called ;  tulach  an  bhanchuire  or  *  tulach  of  the 
woman-bevy'  another;  and  leacht  na  macraidlu  or  'grave  of  the 
boys'  is  the  third  tulach s  name:  in  which  tulach  is  a  well  with  a 
river  flowing  out  of  it,  glaise  na  bfer  or  *  the  stream  of  men'  being 
the  denomination  of  this  latter.  Caeilte  said :  "  it  was  a  wife 
that  Finn  took,  Sabia  daughter  of  the  Daghda's  son  Bodhb  Derj 
namely;  and  she  required  of  him  a  marriage  gíit,  which  was  that 
to  her  share  must  fall  one  half  both  of  his  matrimonial  society  and 
of  his  booty  [the  remaining  moiety  to  be  shared  among  his  other 
wives]  ;  and  the  reason  of  this  demand  was  that  from  Taprobane 
to  the  Hespcrides'  garden  scarce  was  there  a  woman  better  than 
she.     To  Finn  then  she  was  plighted  at  the  ^idh  on  Femen,  at 


L 


The  Colloquy.  1 73 

this  time  called  sidh  na  mban  fionn ;  which  done  he  started  on 
the  track  and  trail  of  clan-Morna,  that  were  out  in  depredation 
and  outlawry  upon  him,  and  so  reached  this  rath:  rath  Artrach, 
Here*  he  halted  and  pitched  camp,  then  said  to  the  young 
woman's  brother  Ferdoman  son  of  Bodhb:  *in  the  eyes  of 
Bodhb's  daughter  Sabia  it  must  be  all  too  long  that  I  am  abroad 
from  her,  and  she  will  say  'tis  affront  and  contumely  that  for  a 
year  now  I  have  treated  her  to.  Messengers  I  ought  by  rights 
to  send  to  fetch  her ;  but  who  were  the  fittest  to  despatch  V 

*  Why,  her  four  own  foster-brethren :  Conan  and  Cathal,  the  king 
of  Munster's  two  sons ;  Cathal  and  Crimthann,  the  king  of 
Leinster's  two ;  which  make  the  four  that  she  holds  dearest  in 
Ireland'  (now  when  there  was  not  a  wife  in  Finn's  bed,  'tis  they 
that  kept  him  company).  Finn  asked  them :  *  men,  which  of  you 
is  it  will  go  to  fetch  the  woman  V  The  king  of  Munster's  two 
sons  answered :  *  we  are  they  that  will  undertake  it ;  for  it  is  in 
our  country,  in  our  land,  she  is,  and  she  it  is  that  of  all  Ireland's 
women  is  to  us  dearest  and  most  preferable.'  So  they,  being  in 
number  three  hundred  and  having  four  hundred  gillas  together 
with  their  hounds,  marched  to  sidh  na  mban  fionn  where  they 
entered  into  the  spacious  lustrous  sldh,  A  most  gentle  welcome,  I 
void  of  all  guile  and  treachery,  was  offered  them ;  the  freshest  of 
all  kinds  of  meat  and  the  oldest  of  all  sorts  of  drink  were  served 
to  them.  There  they  abode  for  three  days  and  three  nights,  after 
which  they  said :  *  'tis  to  fetch  thee  we  are  come  from  Finn  mac 
Cumall.'  The  young  woman  replied :  *  what  remains  but  to  go 
to  him  ?' 

Then  her  woman- folk  assumed  their  raiment  and  their  burthens 
of  travel  and  of  wayfaring:  one  hundred  daughters  of  chiefs  and 
of  chieftains  in  vesture  of  all  colours ;  they  came  away  to  this 
tulach,  where  their  horses  were  unyoked  and  ate  grass.  Here  it 
was  that  a  great  thirst  afflicted  the  woman  and  all  her  she- 
attendants.  The  king  of  Munster's  son,  Conaing  son  of  Dubh 
son  of  Angus  Hreach^  said :  *  here  is  no  water  at  hand ' ;  and  there 
being  on  the  hill's  top  an  enormous  rock  of  a  stone,  with  mighty 
effort  they  one  and  all  turned  to  at  the  same  and  got  the  huge 
block  out  of  its  cavity,  whereupon  out  of  its  former  berth  there 
gushed  water  that  formed  a  sparkling  and  translucid  loch-well. 

*  In  manly  wise  the  water  has  been  excavated  for/  said  the  young 


1 74  Tfu  Colloquy. 

woman :  *  what  name  then  better  than  glaise  na  bfer  [i.e.  rivulus 
virorum]  could  it  bear?*  So  they  drank  their  full  fill  of  the  water. 
Again  she  said :  *  as  touching  Finn  now,  ye  promised  him  to 
be  here.'  *  By  our  word/  they  answered,  *  here  it  is  that  he  pro- 
mised to  be ;  but  we  know  also  that  he  was  gone  in  pursuit  of 
clan-Moma  and  into  Ulidia's  most  glorious  province,  to  befina 
Boirche!  It  was  not  long  now  before  they  saw  a  phalanx  in 
fighting  array,  in  warlike  guise,  that  straight  out  of  the  north 
came  on  with  speed ;  there  being  in  it  eight  hundred  oglaechs, 
Sabia  enquired:  *know  ye  those  yonder?'  *We  do,*  said  Co- 
naing :  *  yonder  is  Goll  of  the  terrible  deeds,  son  of  Morna,  and  'tis 
at  us  he  comes.'  By  them  then  the  young  woman  was  placed  in 
her  chariot. 

"  Goll  in  his  turn  asked :  *  know  ye  yon  men  ?*  Conan  mac 
Morna  answered:  *we  do:  yonder  are  the  two  sons  of  Dubh,  son 
of  Angus  Ureach  king  of  Munster,  that  are  two  men  of  trust  to 
Finn  mac  Cumall.* 

"  Against  Goll  with  his  people  now  Finn's  followers  set  knee 
to  fight  and  face  to  fray,  and  either  side  hurled  their  spears  at  the 
other,  Howbeit  of  the  sons  of  Morna  four  hundred  men  that 
bore  weapon  fell  by  Finn's  people ;  but  these  perished  without 
the  escape  of  a  single  one  alive.  As  for  the  woman-folk,  they 
laid  their  faces  to  the  ground  and  for  horror  of  the  battle  died  ; 
whence  also  this  tulach  has  the  name  of  tulach  an  bhanchuire, 

"  Now  came  hither  Finn  and  the  three  battles  of  the  Fianna, 
and  they  beheld  the  slaughter ;  then  the  king  of  Leinster's  two 
sons  laid  their  lips  to  the  ground  and  for  grief  at  their  foster- 
brethren  died.  Finn  saw  that :  his  arms  fell  from  his  hands,  and 
he  wept  copious  very  lamentable  showers  so  that  his  very  breast 
and  chest  were  wetted.  The  Fianna  also  wept  all,  and  Finn 
said:  'alas  for  him  that  [with  these  tidings]  should  reach  the 
house  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles,  soft-smocked  Liamhain's 
dun !  an  ill  tale  it  is  that  will  be  carried  to  the  fort  of  sliabh 
Claire,  and  to  the  borders  of  sliabh  Cua,  and  told  to  Dubh  mac 
Angus  tlreach,  king  of  both  Munster's  provinces  in  the  south ! 
an  evil  tale  it  is  that  shall  overtake  Bodhb  Derg  at  sliabh  na 
mbann  fionn  to  the  southward :  that  of  his  daughter's  death !  * 

Then  Finn  went  and  the  carnage  was  searched  out  by  him, 
but  he  found  not  Sabia.     The  Fianna  came  and  in  excavations 


The  Colloquy.  175 

of  the  earth  buried  those  four  hundred  of  Finn's  people,  the 
manner  in  which  each  one  of  these  was  found  being  with  a  man 
of  the  sons  of  Morna  dead  under  him.  Over  them  their  names 
were  written  in  Ogham,  their  funeral  games  were  held,  and 
therefore  it  is  that  this  hill  bears  the  name  of  cnoc  na  laechraidhe 
or  *the  hill  of  laec/ts']  the  other  is,  as  aforesaid,  'the  hill  of 
women ' ;  while  this  one  to  the  north  is  árd  na  macraidJie  or 
*  eminence  of  the  striplings,'  from  the  king  of  Leinster's  sons  that 
were  there  laid  under  earth.  This  then,  Conall,  is  that  which 
thou  requiredst  of  me,"  said  Caeilte. 

Then  Conall  enquired  of  him  further:  "was  Finn  bound  by 
gesa  or  *  prohibitions'?"  Caeilte  answered:  "they  were  many, 
but  it  was  not  they  that  came  against  him  ;  yet  a  trembling  and 
a  great  fear  fell  on  him  at  the  laying  under  ground  of  those 
youths."     Ut  dixit : — 

"A  woful  deed,  and  O  a  deed  of  woe,  it  was  that  Dubh's  two  sons,  the  two 
sons  of  the  king,  and  four  hundred  gillas  and  hounds  perished  without  one 
being  missed  by  weapon.  Great  calamity,  O  great  calamity,  and  cause  of 
many  tears  round  about  rath  Artrachy  was  Conaing's  death  and  Cathal's  too : 
that  both  should  lie  at  one  field's  end.  Glas  na  bfer,  O  glas  na  bfer^  *tis  it 
shall  be  a  perennial  ancient  well ;  the  story  shall  be  a  famous  one  with  all,  it 
shall  endure  to  the  Judgment  of  Judgments.  Not  to  take  a  morning's  walk  in 
Bregia's  moor;  not  to  turn  his  back  on  any  company  of  poets;  not  to  take  a 
night's  rest  at  dun  ráth^  nor  to  give  wages  to  their  óglaechs  there;  not  to 
sleep  with  Bodhb  Deri's  daughter  upon  the  longest  eventide  that  falls  upon 
the  land  [i.e.  midsummer-night] ;  not  to  walk  on  the  sidh  of  Femen  by  the 
new-kindled  blaze  of  a  red  fire  [i.e.  at  Beltane  and  on  S.  John's  eve] :  such 
were  the  prohibitory  injunctions  of  him  that  never  refused  any  man's  petition 
(were  it  to  his  own  detriment  or  not),  of  him  whose  bodily  form  and  whose 
wisdom  both  were  excellent:  I  speak  of  Cumall's  son,  Finn  of  Almha. 
Death  of.Cathal  and  of  curly  Crimthann:  under  the  green-skinned  tulach 
there  they  are;  north  or  south  who  ever  saw  the  like  of  them  and  theirs 
being  slaughtered  all  at  once  ?  Finn  of  the  Fianna  [when  his  time  came] 
was  slain  performing  his  heroic  leap ;  that,  alas !  broke  my  heart  in  twain — 
brought  my  strength  down  to  nothing!" 

"Victory  and  benediction  be  thine,  Caeilte!"  said  Conall: 
"great  knowledge  and  lore  thou  hast  left  with  us  for  recital  to 
them  of  the  latter  time." 

After  that  they  passed  inside  the  dwelling,  where  until  the  hour 
of  repose  they  drank  and  were  merry.  On  the  morrow  Caeilte 
rose  and  to  Conall  Derg  mac  Neill  and  all  his  people  bade  fare- 
well, saying:  "now  must  I  go  into  some  other  quarter."    That 


1.76  The  Colloquy. 

day  therefore  he  journeyed  eastward   to  loch  an  daimh  dluirg 

in  Dalaradia,  where  were  two  eminent  presbyters  of  Patrick's 

familia :   Colman  of  Ela  and   Eoghanan,  and  they  performing 

all  the  order  of  the  serene  dominical  Canon  [i.e.  the  Mass]  with 

mutual  praising  of  the  Creator. 

Then  came  three  young  ecclesiastics  of  the  clerics*  familia  and 

launched  their  currach  to  catch  fish,  they  the  while  saying  their 

presc;ribed   Hours.     Caeilte  saw  them,   listened   to  them,  and 

said : — 

"  A  rare  thing  it  was  ever  for  the  ear  of  my  head  to  hearken  to  euphonious 
reading;  there  was  a  time  when  'twas  more  frequent  with  me  to  give  an 
ear  to  warbling  of  good  women  [i.e.  high-bom  ladies].  Whosoever  should 
possess  a  pen,  long  time  he  would  be  occupied  in  writing  them :  for  mise- 
rable as  I  am  here  now,  many  are  the  wonders  that  I  have  experienced. 
Slow  was  my  journey  from  Tralee,  long  time  I  have  waited  for  it ;  and  as  for 
books  of  [clerkly]  reading,  for  me  to  listen  to  such  was  a  seldom  thing." 

Then  Colman  of  Ela  and  Eoghanan  came  out  and  saw  the 
great  men  with  the  huge  wolf-dogs  in  their  hands  [i.e.  in  leash]. 
"Even  so,"  Colman  said:  "yonder  is  Caeilte,  who  is  of  Finn's 
people  and  eke  of  Patrick's  familia."  "  Have  him  brought  into 
the  island  to  us,"  cried  all.  He  [and  his]  were  brought  accord- 
ingly, and  set  in  a  secluded  house  apart  where  the  oldest  of 
every  liquor  and  the  newest  of  every  meat  was  given  them. 

They  having  now  made  an  end  of  their  supper  and  refection, 
Colman  enquired  of  Caeilte:  "wherefore  was  the  name  of  loch 
an  daimh  dlieirg^  or  *the  red  stag's  loch,'  assigned  to  this  one?" 
Caeilte  answered  that:  "it  was  a  red  stag  that  haunted  in  the 
open  lands  of  well-watered  Luachra  in  the  south,  and  four  times 
a  year  used  to  get  clear  away  from  hounds  and  men  of  the 
Fianna ;  but  at  last  they  followed  him  to  this  spot  We,  four 
of  the  Fianna  to  wit,  came  up  with  him  :  Diarmait  ua  Duibhne^ 
and  mac  Lugach,  and  Glas  son  of  Encherd  of  Beirre^  and  it  was 
I  that  as  we  neared  this  ford  was  next  to  him.  All  together  we 
flung  our  spears  at  him  and  he  fell  by  us ;  I  secured  one  antler, 
Dermot  the  other,  and  he  carried  it  off  to  Tara-Luachra,  to  Finn. 
He  set  the  butt  of  it  on  one  of  his  feet,  and  the  topmost  tine  was 
on  the  crown  of  his  head  ;  now  he  was  the  tallest  man  of  the 
Fianna.  The  other  antler  I  deposited  [in  the  loch]  close  against 
this  island,  and  I  take  it  that  did  but  the  light  serve  me  I  could 
make  my  way  to  it"    And  he  uttered : — 


The  Colloquy.  1 7  7 

"This  loch  is  the  red  stag's  loch,  to  which  we  came  from  path  to  path  [i.e. 
every  step  of  the  way  from  our  starting-point]  ;  until  the  very  ultimate  gene- 
ration henceforward  that  shall  be  its  name.  If  indeed  it  be  light  for  me,  and 
broadly  light  athwart  the  land  at  large,  the  antler  whole  and  perfect  I  will 
deliver  to  you  on  your  floor.  We  four  that  made  our  number  when  we  came 
from  the  west  and  out  of  Munster  of  the  many  captives :  our  vigour  and  our 
fame  were  good  until  we  reached  the  loch." 

"  Success  and  benediction,  Caeilte ! "  said  Colman :  "  that  is 
great  knowledge  and  true  guidance  to  have  survived  with  any 
one."  Caeilte  said :  "  look  now,  thou  young  ecclesiastic,  whether 
the  moon  be  risen  in  her  pavilion  of  the  air;"  and  a  seminarist 
answered :  "  she  is  risen,  so  that  both  land  and  sea  [i.e.  the  world's 
entire  surface]  are  illumined  by  her."  So  Caeilte  proceeded  to 
the  hindermost  nook  of  the  island,  thrust  his  hand  down  by  its 
brink  and  brought  up  the  antler,  then  carried  it  off  and  laid  it  on 
the  floor  of  the  house  in  which  the  clerics  were. 

He  that  at  this  time  was  king  of  Ulidia  was  Eochaid,  called 
faebhairdherg  or  *  Red-edge,*  and  he  was  in  close  proximity  to 
them  on  tulach  na  narm  or  *  the  hill  of  arms,*  now  called  magh 
rath  or  *  the  plain  of  raths,'  i.^.  *  Moira.'  Colman  and  Eoghanan 
with  six  students  rose  right  early,  and  took  the  antler  to 
exhibit  it  to  the  king  of  Ulidia  and  to  the  Ulidians  in 
general,  who  were  there  two  hundred  armed  men  in  number. 
The  seminarist  brought  the  horn  into  the  king's  presence,  and 
under  it  the  whole  of  them  might  have  fitted  to  shelter  against 
foul  weather  or  storm.  The  king  asked:  "who  got  the  antler, 
and  where  was  it  found?"  "In  the  red  stag's  loch  Caeilte  got 
it,"  they  answered.  "  Happy  would  I  deem  myself,"  said  the 
king,  "  if  he  should  come  my  way ;  for  he  would  leave  with  us 
the  ancient  lore  of  all  our  borders,  of  all  our  hills,  and  the  dis- 
crimination of  all  our  countries." 

As  for  the  clergy,  after  leaving  the  antler  with  the  king  of 
Ulidia  they  returned  to  the  island.  Caeilte  said:  "good  now, 
Colman,  my  soul,  what  is  the  reason  of  those  eight  Hours  for  the 
purpose  of  which  ye  both  daily  and  nightly  rise?"  "The  reason 
of  them  is  a  weighty  one,"  said  Colman,  "  and  is  this :  eight 
faults  there  be  that  cleave  to  body  and  to  soul  of  every  man  ; 
now  those  eight  Hours  purge  them."     Then  Colman  uttered: — 

"  The  eight  carnal  imperfections,  that  gnaw  us  to  the  bone ;  the  eight  choice 
Hours,  that  vehemently  banish  them :  Prime,  against  immoderate  gluttony ; 

N 


178  The  Colloquy. 

Tierce,  against  anger  bom  of  many  causes ;  cheerful  lightsome  Noon  we  con- 
stantly oppose  to  lust ;  Nones  against  covetousness  so  long  as  we  are  on  the 
breast  of  weary  Earth ;  pleasant  and  profitable  Vespers  we  oppose  to  sore 
despair;  Compline,  against  perverting  weariness:  this  is  a  fair  partition; 
cold  Noctums  that  equally  divide  [the  night],  against  inordinate  boasting  [i.e. 
pride] ;  Matins  of  God's  atoning  Son,  against  enslaving  sullen  pride.  Mayest 
thou,  O  judicial  King,  O  Jesus,  save  me  for  sake  of  the  eight ! " 

Caeilte  said :  "  success  and  benediction,  Colman  ;  well  hast  thou 
resolved  that  question !  and  what  hinders  me  that  I  should  not 
practise  to  observe  those  eight  Hours,  seeing  that  God  hath 
prolonged  \lit.  'delayed']  me  to  be  contemporary  with  them?" 

Then  Colman  questioned  Caeilte:  "what  is  the  cause  that  the 
name  of  tipra  an  bhantrachta  or  *  the  well  of  women '  is  given  to 
this  well  close  against  the  loch?"  Caeilte  answers  that:  "it  was 
Niamhy  daughter  of  Angus  tireach  king  of  Munster,  that  from 
dun  na  mbarc  in  the  province  of  Munster  eloped  with  Finn's  son 
Ossian  and  came  to  this  well ;  here  he  was  with  her  for  six  weeks, 
enjoying  the  hunting  and  venery  of  Ulidia  ;  the  damsel  too  with 
her  thirty  women  used  to  come  every  morning,  and  in  this  blue- 
surfaced  water  they  would  wash  their  faces  and  their  hands. 

That  his  daughter  was  stolen  away  with  Ossian  lay  very 
heavily  on  the  king  of  Munster;  both  provinces  of  Munster 
were  mustered  by  him:  five  hardy  battles  equal  in  bulk,  and 
in  pursuit  of  the  Fianna  they  came  hither.  Just  then  Niamh 
washed  herself  at  the  well,  and  she  saw  the  five  battles  on  the 
tulach  right  over  her.  "  Alas  for  it,"  the  young  woman  cried : 
"  and  happy  she  that  had  died,  or  been  slain,  ere  her  guardian, 
her  father,  her  three  brothers  and  Munster's  nobles  had  seen  her 
thus ! "  She  laid  her  face  to  the  ground  and,  with  the  thirty  her 
companions,  died ;  as  for  her,  her  heart  as  a  lump  of  black  blood 
passed  from  her  mouth,  and  hence  it  is  that  from  that  time  to 
this  cnoc  an  air  or  *  the  hill  of  slaughter  *  is  this  tulach* s  name." 
Then  Caeilte  uttered : — 

"In  this  hill  lies  the  queen    .    .    . 

"When  both  provinces  of  Munster  saw  the  woman-folk's  death 
their  king  said :  *  an  evil  undertaking  hath  been  this  of  Ossian's 
and  of  the  Fianna's  against  us ! '  and  he  enjoined  his  she-runner 
Muirenn  daughter  of  Muiresc  to  seek  out  Finn  and  challenge 
him  to  battle.  The  runner  went  her  way  to  rath  chinn  chon  or 
*  rath  of  the  wolf-dog's  head'  in  Dalaradia,  where  the  Fianna  were. 


k. 


The  Colloquy.  179 

Finn  sought  her  tidings,  and  she  told  him  the  errand  on  which 
she  came.  *  Until  this  day/  said  Finn,  *  it  has  been  a  rare  thing 
to  challenge  me  to  battle  !  go,  Garbchronan,  summon  the  Fianna 
to  the  fight*  He  went  out  and,  standing  over  the  Fianna's 
leaguer,  emitted  three  wrathful  larum-cries  which  were  heard 
in  the  heart  of  their  camp ;  and  the  Fianna  answered,  for  they 
knew  that  some  great  motive  urged  him  to  haste.  They  rose 
therefore  and  stoutly  arrayed  themselves  in  order  of  war;  then  of 
Finn  enquired  the  cause  of  battle,  and  he  told  it  them.  Now 
said  Fergus  True- lips  to  Finn:  *Fian-chief,  for  giving  battle  to 
the  king  of  Munster  in  the  matter  of  his  daughter  whom  thou 
hast  slain  thou  hast  not  right  on  thy  side.* 

"Then  by  Finn  and  the  chiefs  of  the  Fianna  a  course  was 
determined  on,  pursuant  to  which  he  said  to  Abartach*s  daughter 
Smirgait:  tell  Angus  tlreach  and  Munster*s  nobles  that  I  will 
pay  them  the  award  of  Cormac  grandson  of  Conn,  of  Eithne 
ollardha  daughter  of  Cahir  More,  and  of  Cithruadh  son  of  Fer- 
caecait  The  runner  departed  and  delivered  what  she  had  to 
say.  *  It  shall  be  accepted,*  Angus  said,  *  if  bondsmen  and  sure- 
ties for  its  fulfilment  be  put  in.*  *What  sureties  requirest  thou?* 
'  The  son  of  him  that  hath  done  me  wrong ;  Oscar  son  of  Ossian, 
and  Ferdoman  son  of  the  Daghda*s  son  Bodhb  Derg,  and  Dermot 
son  of  Donn  son  of  Donough.*  Finn  yielded  that  and  both 
parties  repaired  to  Tara,  where  the  judgment  given  them  was 
this:  the  girl  to  be  raised  out  of  the  tulach  in  which  she  lay,  and 
put  into  scales ;  her  own  weight  of  gold  and  again  her  own 
weight  of  silver  to  be  given  to  the  king  of  Munster  in  eric  of 
her ;  a  separate  eric  to  be  paid  for  every  chief  or  chieftain's 
daughter  that  perished  there.  'Fianna  of  Ireland  how  shall 
we  apportion  such  eric?*  said  Finn.  They  answered:  *  one-third 
from  clan-Baciscne ;  from  us  the  Fianna,  two.*  And  this.  Col- 
man,**  ended  Caeilte,  "is  the  only  eric  that  ever  Finn  allotted 
among  the  Fianna.** 

At  this  point  it  was  that  from  rath  Aine  to  the  red  stag's 
loch  Eochaid  Red-edge  sent  a  message  to  fetch  Caeilte.  This 
latter  bade  Colman  and  Eoganan  farewell  therefore ;  while  to 
him  the  saints  promised  eternal  happiness,  to  entertain  his  com- 
plaint, and  for  his  welfare  to  supplicate  Heaven's  King  and 
Earth's.     Then  in  the  king  of  Ulidia's  chariot  Caeilte  journeyed 


i8o  The  Colloquy. 

to  rath  Aim  in  that  country's  easternmost  part,  where  with  their 
king  the  nobles  of  the  Ulidians  were.  Now  our  Eochaid  Red- 
edge  was  virtuous  and  was  worshipful ;  for  without  justice  on 
his  side  he  never  harried  any,  nor  from  any  man  was  taken  that 
which  in  virtue  of  original  racial  right  was  his  own. 

Three  battles  by  the  way,  that  was  the  king's  strength  on  this 
day.  Caeilte  in  due  course  reaches  them ;  he  leaps  from  the 
chariot,  and  the  king  of  Ulidia  in  concert  with  all  his  host  gives 
him  ardent  welcome.  "  Good  now,  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  said  the 
king :  "  what  thing  could  we  enquire  of  thee  which  should  profit 
us  more  than  the  lore  of  this  rath :  rath  Aim  ?"  Caeilte  answered : 
"  I  possess  its  origin  : — 

"  It  was  Aine,  daughter  of  Modham  king  of  Scotland  across 
the  sea;  to  whom  the  men  of  Alba  kept  saying  :  *what  ails  thee, 
lady,  that  with  some  good  man  [i.e.  one  of  high  degree]  in  either 
Alba  or  Erin  thou  matest  not?'  The  young  woman  affirmed 
that,  Finn  mac  Cumall  excepted,  in  those  lands  was  no  man  that 
might  match  her ;  and  her  words  being  reported  to  Finn  he 
commissioned  Finn,  called  y^r^«  champair  or  *man  of  quarrel,' 
and  Ronan  the  royal  oglaechy  Scotland's  two  Fian-chiefs,  to  go 
and  to  crave  her  of  her  father.  *  What  conditions  shall  we  take 
with  us  ?*  they  asked.  *  Promise  her  power  over  all  that  I  possess 
both  in  Ireland  and  in  Scotland.'  *  Fian-chief,  it  is  well :  but  send 
with  us  now  two  confidential  of  thine  own  people,  to  the  end 
the  lady  may  the  more  readily  believe  us.'  Finn  told  me  and 
mac  Lughach  to  accompany  them,  saying :  *  although  in  my  behalf 
ye  shall  undertake  never  so  much,  yet  will  I  give  it  to  her.' 

"We  four  free-born  óglaechs  therefore  took  our  way  to  dtin 
mónaidh,  or  *  Edinburgh,'  in  Scotland  ;  there  we  were  quartered 
in  a  special  house  apart,  in  which  Modharn  king  of  Scotland,  and 
together  with  him  his  daughter  Aine,  came  to  visit  us.  He  ques- 
tioned us  ancnt  our  expedition  and  our  journey ;  we  told  him 
all  our  charge.  *Thou  hearest  that,  daughter,'  said  the  king: 
'that  the  best  man  in  Ireland  and  in  Scotland  solicits  thee.* 
The  young  woman  answered:  *I  will  go  with  him'  and,  upon 
condition  that  all  she  asked  of  him  were  given  her,  was  betrothed 
to  Finn  mac  Cumall.  We  and  the  girl  with  us  (she  furnished 
with  all  sorts  of  precious  chattels  in  abundance)  returned  to  Ire- 
land and  came  to  this  rath  where  we  are  ;  Finn  too  and  the  three 


The  Colloquy.  i8r 

battles  of  the  Fianna  arrived  hither  from  Tara-luachra  to  meet 
and  to  fall  in  with  us.  Here  she  caused  to  be  constructed  a 
mansion,  a  proper  town  and  a  lodge  of  her  own,  in  which  for  a 
year  she  [of  her  own  substance]  ministered  to  and  entertained 
the  Fianna*s  three  battles  in  such  style  that  neither  they  nor  our 
guests  lacked  meat  or  liquor  at  all. 

"  At  a  year's  end  then  mac  Lughach  said  to  Finn  :  *  by  way  of 
country  and  of  lands  Modharn's  daughter  Aine  is  all-sufficient 
for  thee.*  Finn  answered  :  *  by  my  word,  mac  Lughach,  I  know 
not  what  I  could  require,  whether  in  Ireland  or  in  Scotland,  that 
the  Fianna  have  not  in  Aine's  house.'  Subsequently  this  queen 
was  with  Finn  for  seven  whole  years,  during  which  she  abun- 
dantly gratified  all  Ireland  and  Scotland  ;  she  bore  Finn  two 
sons :  lUann  of  the  red  edge  and  Aedh  Beg^  but  died  in  child- 
birth of  Aedh"  :— 

Caeilte  cecinit, 

"  Empty  to-day  is  Aine*s  rath,  in  which  once  young  men  laughed  many  a 
laugh ;  frequent  were  men  in  crowds,  horses  in  studs,  upon  its  slope  with  the 
smooth  sward.  Three  hundred  ladies  were  in  the  liss  (many  are  they  that 
are  in  ignorance  of  it) ;  three  hundred  men  of  trust  were  there,  three  hundred 
fosterers  of  befitting  quality.  Better  than  all  other  women  that  woman  was  ; 
and  such  the  multiude  of  her  guests — one  and  all  are  dead  together  now — 
that  she  made  her  town  to  be  all  empty  [i.e.  exhausted  it]. 

"  Here  she  was  laid  in  excavations  of  the  earth,"  continued 
Caeilte,  "  her  stone  was  reared  over  her  resting-place,  her  funeral 
ceremony  was  performed,  and  her  ogham-name  inscribed." 

"Victory  and  benediction  be  thine,  Caeilte!"  cried  the  king 
of  Ulidia  :  "  a  good  story  it  is  that  thou  hast  told  us  ;  and  be  it 
by  you  others  written  on  the  tabular  staves  of  poets  and  on 
monumental  stones  of  the  Fianna." 

The  king  of  Ulidia  with  his  force  now  proceeded  to  rath  na 
sciath  or  *  the  rath  of  shields,'  standing  over  the  boisterous  trácht 
Rudhraighe  or  *  Rury's  strand':  the  present  /^7««  Rudhraighe  or 
'Rury's  wave.'  They  entered  the  dwelling,  and  a  sequestered 
house  apart  was  assigned  to  Caeilte ;  he  was  served  well,  and 
the  whole  town  from  small  to  great  committed  to  his  discretion. 

Again  the  king  of  Ulidia  questioned  Caeilte:  "here  are  two 
graves  on  Rury's  strand :  what  is  their  origin  ?"  "  It  was  two 
that  were  sons  to  Aedh  mac  Fidach  mac  Fintan,  king  of  Con- 
nacht,  and  were  buried  there ;  these  were  dear  to  Finn  and  to 


i82  The  Colloquy. 

the  Fianna  all,  the  cause  of  whose  love  for  them  was  this :  that 
whatever  the  paucity  or  whatever  the  copiousness  of  art  and 
mystery  possessed  by  any  it  never  would  come  unrewarded 
away  from  them  [i.e.  their  generosity  to  artists  was  not  regulated 
by  their  degree  of  proficiency  in  art] ;  neither  was  any  ever  in 
dispute  with  Finn  and  the  Fianna  but  they  would  for  a  year's 
time  make  peace  between  them.  A  single-handed  match  for  a 
hundred  oglaechs  either  of  them  was,  and  they  would  have  made 
a  worthy  pair  of  sons  whether  for  Cormac  son  of  Art  or  for 
Finn  ;  seventeen  years  they  were  in  the  Fianna.  Now  once  upon 
a  time  Finn  and  the  three  battles,  in  exercise  of  their  privilege 
to  hunt  all  Ireland,  came  hither  to  Rury's  strand  and  Finn  pre- 
scribed to  keep  watch  and  ward.  Two  sons  of  kings  with  their 
people  it  was  that  nightly  mounted  guard  over  Finn  and  the 
Fianna,  and  on  the  night  in  question  the  duty  fell  to  the  king  of 
Connacht's  two :  Art  and  Eoghan.  They  moved  off,  four  hundred 
oglaechs  all  told,  with  four  hundred  gillas,  and  marched  to  the 
head  of  this  strand  ;  there  they  had  not  been  any  time  when  up 
came  two  kings  of  the  kings  of  Lochlann  in  the  north :  Conus 
and  Conmael  were  their  names,  whose  "fathers  had  been  slain  by 
Finn  mac  Cumall  in  the  battle  of  druim  derg  over  in  Scotland. 
Both  which  kings,  being  two  valiant  and  equal  battalions  strong, 
gained  this  shore  in  order  to  the  avenging  of  their  father  upon 
Finn,  but  saw  four  hundred  that  bore  shield  and  weapon  drawn 
up  ready  before  them  on  the  beach  ;  the  manner  of  the  king  of 
Connacht*s  son  Art  being  that  he  had  a  sharp  glittering-edged 
spear  of  special  deadly  virtue  which  Finn  had  a  twelvemonth 
before  given  to  him  :  the  órlasrach  or  *  gold-flaming'  was  its 
name ;  another  spear  too  there  was,  that  Finn  had  given  to 
Eoghan  :  the  muinderg  or  *  red-neck'  it  was  called. 

"Then  the  allmarachs  enquired  who  warded  the  shore,  and 
Art  returned  that  they  were  of  Finn's  people.  '  Happy  he  that 
should  drop  on  so  many  as  these  of  his  folk,  for  not  one  of  you 
shall  escape  alive  !'  said  they.  *  If  ever  a  set  of  them  were  caught 
in  a  quandary,  'tis  not  we  that  are  so  taken  now,'  answered  Art 
The  others  landed,  and  those  eight  hundred  óglaeclis  found  it  a 
huge  strain  to  make  head  against  the  two  valorous  and  equal 
battalions  ;  at  it  they  went  however,  hand  to  hand,  and  from  the 
fall  of  evening's  shades  until  midnight  the  hacking  and  the  hew- 


The  Colloquy.  183 

ing  went  on  apace.  That  was  the  hour  in  which  Finn  had  a 
vision,  and  what  he  saw  was  this :  a  pair  of  grey  seals  that  sucked 
his  own  two  breasts.  The  Fian- chief  awoke  and:  'where  is 
Fergus  True-h'ps?'  he  asked.  *  Here/  said  Fergus:  'what  hast 
thou  seen  ?'  *  A  couple  of  ocean  seals  that  sucked  both  my  breasts.' 
The  poet  said:  *it  is  the  king  of  Connacht's  two  sons,  whom 
this  night  thou  sentest  to  stand  sentry  for  the  Fiann,  that  are 
overmatched  by  allmaraclis!  *  Rise,  men,'  cried  Finn,  *  for  what 
the  poet  says  is  true !'  Simultaneously,  at  the  one  instant,  the 
Fianna  rose  out  and  came  to  Rury's  strand,  where  of  their  own 
they  found  but  the  king  of  Connacht's  two  sons  alive,  and  they 
with  the  slings  of  their  shields  about  their  necks ;  nor  of  the 
allmarachs  lived  there  a  man  at  all.  Here  is  the  plight  in  which 
the  king  of  Connacht's  sons  were  found:  their  bodies  full  of 
bloody  gashes,  their  shields  and  spears  propping  them  in  stand- 
ing posture  still.  No  two  of  the  Fianna  had  ever  maintained 
personal  conflict  thus.  By  the  Fianna  the  ships  which  had  been 
the  Lochlannachs'  were  hauled  ashore,  and  they  proceeded  to 
pillage  them  ;  the  king  of  Lochlann's  two  sons,  Conus  and  Con- 
mael,  were  laid  in  excavations  of  the  earth.  The  king  of  Conn- 
acht's sons  died  within  a  very  brief  space ;  for  here  over  Rury's 
wave  the  Fianna  lifted  and  bore  them  off,  and  Finn  enquired 
of  the  wounded:  'friends,  are  ye  perchance  curable?'  They 
answered  :  *  alas  that  thou,  thine  own  perception  also  being  so 
good,  shouldst  say  it !  for  round  about  either  of  us  came  nine 
hundred  laeclis ;  who  all  are  fallen  indeed,  but  we  too  are  fallen. 
Be  our  grave  made  therefore,  and  our  stone  reared  over  the  place 
of  our  rest ;  the  arms  likewise  with  which  we  have  played  the 
men,  and  which  thou  gavest  us  in  stipend,  be  the  same  buried 
along  with  us.'  Body  parted  from  soul  with  them  and  they,  two 
brothers  as  they  were,  were  there  laid  in  excavations  of  the  earth. 
This  then  is  the  cause  for  which  their  fame  and  high  repute  have 
endured  after  them." 

Eochaid  Red-edge  said :  "  by  thy  valour  and  by  thy  weapon- 
skill,  Caeilte,  I  adjure  thee  that  those  arms  thou  bring  up  for  us 
out  of  the  sod-covered  grave."  He  made  answer:  "for  sake  of 
Finn  mac  Cumall  and  of  the  great  and  gallant  company  that 
buried  them,  loath  I  am  to  do  it ;  nevertheless  ye  shall  have 
them."     They  set  to  and  opened  the  tomb;  the  weapons  were 


184  The  Colloquy, 

taken  out:  the  Masrach  and  the  muind€rg\  this  latter  spear  of 
which  was  now  given  to  Angus  the  king  of  Ulidia's  son,  the 
former  to  that  king  himself.  This  done  the  dead  were  returned 
to  the  grave  and  their  stone  restored  over  their  resting-place ; 
cath  trágha  Rudhraighe  or  'the  battle  of  Rury's  strand'  is  this 
battle's  name  therefore,  and  it  is  one  of  the  special  articles  of 
Fian-lore. 

The  king  of  Ulidia  cried:  "have  success  and  benediction, 
Caeilte !  great  information  is  this  that  thou  hast  deposited  with 
us."  They  passed  into  the  dwelling,  a  banquetting-house  was 
disposed  for  them,  and  in  it  they  passed  that  night  mirthfully. 

But  as  regards  Caeilte:  next  day  he  was  weighed  down  with 
a  fit  of  inertness  and  of  old  age ;  wherefore  the  king  of  Ulidia 
came  to  visit  him  and,  when  he  was  set  down  beside  him  on  the 
couch,  said :  "  Fian-chief,  how  goes  it  with  thee  to-day  ?"  "  Might 
I  but  get  to  hunt  Ben-Boirche,  'tis  all  the  better  I  should  be." 
The  king  answered:  "verily  thou  shalt  have  it"  His  wolf-dogs 
and  other  hounds  were  gathered  to  Eochaid,  and  he  went  north- 
ward to  benna  Boirche  or  *  Boirche's  peaks,'  i.e.  *  the  Moumc  moun- 
tains';  Caeilte  accompanied  him  and  for  that  day  ordered  the 
hunt  in  such  wise  that  from  ethach  to  the  tidal  wave  due  north 
of  Ben-Boirche  each  man  could  put  the  dog- thong  into  the 
other's  hand  [i.e.  reach  him  the  leash]. 
r — ^  Now  where  Caeilte  and  the  king  were  was  at  the  Wave  actually, 
\  where  in  scrutiny  of  the  sea  they  gazed  far  and  wide;  then  abroad 
\  upon  the  surface  they  perceived  a  quite  young  woman  and  she 
at  one  time  swimming  on  her  back,  then  doing  the  side-stroke, 
and  anon  the  *  foot-stroke '  [i.e.  treading  water].  Right  in  front 
of  them  now  she  sat  on  a  wave  as  though  she  sat  on  some  tulach 
or  on  a  rock  ;  she  lifted  her  head  and  said :  "  is  not  that  yonder 
Caeilte  son  of  Ronan?"  "Truly  it  is  I,"  he  answered.  "Many 
a  day  we  saw  thee  upon  that  rock,  and  in  company  of  the  best 
man  that  was  in  Ireland  and  Scotland:  Finn  son  of  Cumall." 
"  Woman,  who  art  thou  so  ?"  "I  am  Llbhán^  daughter  of  Eochaid 
mac  Eoghan  mac  Aih'll,  who  for  nowahundred  years  am  in 
the  water,  nor  since  the  Fian-chief  departed  have  till  this  day 
\  appeared  to  any ;  and  what  moved  me  to  shew  myself  to-day 
\  was  to  see  Caeilte."  'Hereupon  the  deer,  flying  before  the  hounds 
and  taking  the  water,  swam  out  into  the  sea:  "Caeilte,"  cried 


The  Colloquy,  185 

Liban,  "  a  loan  of  the  spear  to  me  till  I  kill  the  deer  and  send 
them  ashore  up  to  you  !"  Into  her  hand  Caeilte  put  the  coscarachy 
with  which  she  slew  the  deer ;  and  the  most  copious  hunting  that 
Finn  ever  made  in  that  spot,  that  which  Caeilte  and  the  king  of 
Ulidia  had  this  day  was  as  large.  Touching  the  young  woman, 
she  then  darted  the  spear  upwards  and  ashore  to  Caeilte  and  so 
departed  from  them.  They  that  know  all  about  it  say  that  to 
every  five  men  of  the  Ulidians  on  that  day  fell  a  wild  pig,  a  stag 
and  a  doe ;  while  to  the  king  of  Ulidia  and  to  Caeilte  for  their 
aliquot  share  came  thirty  deer.  After  which  they  went  on  to  rath 
na  sciath  which  at  the  present  is  called  rath  itnillox  *  the  external 
rath*;  and  so  far  then  we  have  *the  Hunting  of  Ben-Boirche,' 
with  *  the  Colloquy  of  Liban  and  Caeilte.' 

They  went  into  the  rath,  where  a  feasting-  and  a  pleasure- 
house  was  set  out  for  them,  and  in  the  same  Caeilte  saw  a  thing 
that  surprised  him :  a  gentle  yellow-haired  damsel  in  the  Fian- 
seat,  dispensing  jewels  and  treasure  in  lieu  of  all  the  poems  and 
other  artistic  efforts  that  were  put  forth  within.  Caeilte  questioned 
the  king:  "who  is  the  young  woman  to  whom  above  all  the  rest 
reverence  and  great  honour  is  rendered?"  "Daughter  she  was 
to  an  óglaech  of  mine  of  whose  seed  now  live  none  but  this  girl; 
and  the  manner  of  her,  Caeilte,  is  this:  she  has  a  half-quatrain, 
and  in  all  Ireland  she  cannot  find  one  to  compose  a  half-quatrain 
that  shall  fit  it  as  its  own."  Caeilte  said :  "  I  am  no  man  of 
verse ;  howbeit,  lass,  pronounce  the  half-quatrain."  The  girl 
uttered,  and  Caeilte  after  her : — 

"A  dark  man's  dún^  and  O  a  dark  man's  dún^  that  is  the  mansion  which 
our  blood  imbrues!" 

dixit  Caeilte : — 

"  All  the  Fianna  are  decayed  away,  not  a  munificent  one  lives  of  the  last 
of  them." 

Caeilte  laid  the  horn  out  of  his  hand  and  wept  copious  tears, 
very  lamentable,  so  that  breast  and  chest  were  wet  with  him. 
"That  quatrain's  meaning,  Caeilte,- my  soul?"  exclaimed  the 
king.  "  Its  meaning  I  have,"  said  Caeilte,  "  but  alas  for  me  that 
I  have  to  moot  that  to  which  it  refers.  For  knowest  thou,  king 
of  Ulidia,  the  four  that  of  all  such  as  in  Ireland  and  in  Scot- 
land lived  at  the  one  time  and  in  the  same  epoch  with  them 
excelled  in  generosity:  Finn  mac  Cumall  and  Ossian  his  son, 


i 


1 86  The  Colloquy. 

and  Dubh  son  of  Treon  of  the  Ulidians  here,  with  his  son  Fial 
mac  Dubh  ?  In  which  two  latter  was  even  a  degree  of  bounti- 
fulness  in  excess  of  the  others ;  for  though  all  that  was  in  Ire- 
land and  in  Scotland  had  been  bestowed  on  them  yet,  had  they 
but  found  one  to  crave  it  of  them,  they  would  have  given  away 
the  whole  of  it.  Wherefore  to  Cormac  and  to  Finn  it  seemed  a 
pitiable  thing  that  they  should  be  affected  with  this  degree  of 
liberality,  and  lack  adequate  great  substance  to  give  it  effect 

"Then  came  all  Ireland  once  to  the  Convention  of  Taillte: 
the  Fianna's  three  battles,  and  all  the  folk  of  settled  habitation 
as  well ;  Dubh  son  of  Treon  and  his  son  Fial  mac  Dubh  arrived, 
and  sat  before  the  king  of  Ireland,  to  whom  (saving  that  he  had 
heard  of  them)  they  were  unknown.  He  that  was  at  Cormac's 
shoulder  was  Finn  mac  Cumall ;  Ossian  at  Finn's  hand,  and 
Cairbre  Lifechair  at  Cormac's  other  side.  *  Good  now,  my  soul, 
Cormac,'  said  Finn:  'is  the  warrior  in  thy  presence  known  to 
thee?'  Cormac  replied:  'surely  he  is  not'  'Those  are  Dubh 
son  of  Treon  out  of  the  province  of  Ulidia  in  the  north,  and  his 
son  Fial  mac  Dubh.'  Cormac  enquired :  *  is  that  latter  the  needy 
óglaech  of  whom  we  hear  much  mention  made?*  'That  is  he 
just,'  said  Finn.  Again  Cormac  enquired,  saying:  'where  is  Fial 
mac  Dubh?'  'Here  by  me,*  answered  Dubh.  'What  occasions 
this  generosity  that  is  in  you  both  father  and  son,  and  ye  but 
óglaechí  sons?'  'Noble  sir  and  monarch,'  said  Fial,  'were  we 
to  deny  or  refuse  a  thing  to  any  man  we  should,  as  we  suppose, 
die:  both  father  and  son.*  Cairbre  Lifechair  and  Ossian  said: 
'men  of  Ireland,  a  pity  'tis  for  you  not  to  give  Dubh  mac  Treon 
and  his  son  some  succour  and  relief!'  Cormac,  Finn,  and  all 
Ireland's  chiefs  said:  'we  will  administer  to  them  that  comfort 
of  which  ye  speak ;  for  it  is  upon  the  men  of  Ireland  that  all 
whatsoever  shall  be  given  to  them  will  be  expended.*  Cormac 
pronounced :  *  yearly  I  will  give  them  one  hundred  of  every  kind 
of  cattle.'  'Yearly  will  I  give  them  even  so  many,'  said  Finn ; 
and  the  nobles  of  Ireland  promised  them  yet  other  great  riches. 
So  Dubh  mac  Treon  betook  himself  to  his  own  dwelling,  where 
for  full  seventeen  years  he  continued  to  spend  that  substance ; 
nor  were  it  possible  to  recount  all  the  good  which  he  did  during 
that  interval,  and  until  upon  the  green  of  his  own  mansion  one 
night  there  befel  him  an  accident  and  a  mischance :  the  advent 


The  Colloquy.  187 

to  rath  Dhiiibh  or  '  Dubh's  rath  *  of  a  bewitch ?"{f  {f^^  frrv^p  q£^ 

horsemen,  who  enquired  what  town  it  were.    Some  one  or  another  '  ^"^   ^«*1 

said  to^them :  *this  is  the  town  of  Dubh  mac  Treon ;  that  is  to    *^    je^Uvvc», 

say  of  that  special  óglaech  who,  whether  of  the  sons  of  Milesius    '^•'t  •  v#v>t* 

or  of  the  tuatha  dé  danann^  is  for  generosity  pre-eminent'     Says   c^.^  v,^   ^^^ 

a  man  of  the  new-comers:  *pity  forsooth  that  of  the  tuatha  dé  -r«,  -^ 

danann  we  have  not  one  to  match  him !'  and  another,  taking  a 

deadly  javelin  that  he  had,  threw  and  hit  Dubh  in  the  pale  of  the  "^^    ^*»»'  i    ot 

nipple,  so  killing  him ;   then  Fial  his  son  took  his  place  and    TW  -^  0  ^ 

held  it  for  the  space  of  ten  years  and  three  score^  But  good  now, 

young  woman,  and  inasmuch  as  their  story  thou  requiredst  of  me, 

what  relationship  hadst  thou  with  these?"     "A  daughter  to  that 

latter  óglaech^  to  Fial  mac  Dubh,  am  I,'"  she  answered,  "  and  of 

that  great  fellowship  which  thou  hast  seen,  saving  me  only  there 

lives  none ;  wherefore  also  it  is,  Caeilte,  that  Ulidia's  king  hath 

given  me  the  charge  over  his  jewels  and  his  treasure  to  dispense 

them."     "  What  is  thy  name  ?"     "  Uaine  daughter  of  Fial."    "  It 

is  indeed  a  fitting  thing  for  the  king  of  Ulidia  to  give  thee  the 

discretion  of  his  precious  things  and  of  his  wealth." 

Then  the  king  of  Ulidia  said  to  his  son,  to  Angus  mac  Eochaid : 
"  Angus,  my  soul,  take  that  girl  to  wife ;  for  not  in  another  pro- 
vince in  Ireland  wilt  thou  find  one  having  a  father's  and  grand- 
father's record  better  than  hers";  whereupon  the  young  man 
wedded  her,  and  so  long  as  he  lived  had  her  for  only  wife. 
Following  upon  all  this  they  remained  feasting  and  enjoying 
themselves  till  the  end  of  three  days.  -— p 

Again  the  king  of  Ulidia  said  to  Caeilte :  "  in  order  to  hunt  I 
and  to  have  sport  of  venery  I  would  fain  go  to  foradh  naféinne 
or  *the  Fianna's  seat'  here."  Early  on  the  morrow  then  they 
took  their  way,  three  battles  of  them,  toforadJt  naféinne ;  which 
when  they  had  reached  the  gentles  and  Caeilte  entered  into  the 
great  liss  that  was  there,  and  Caeilte  seeing  the  place  said : 
"many  indeed  were  they  that  out  of  this  precinct  had  their 
hunger  and  thirst  assuaged,  and  were  paid  for  their  art  and 
science,  by  Finn  mac  Cumall."  There  Ulidia's  king  and  nobles, 
Caeilte  also,  set  them  downj^jior  were  they  long  there  before 
they  saw  draw  near  them  as^^/d^yor  *  non-warrior'  that  wore  a 
fair  green  mantle  having  in  it  afioula  of  silver;  a  shirt  of  yellow 
silk  next  his  skin,  over  and  outside  that  again  a  tunic  of  soft 


i88  The  Colloquy. 

satin,  and  with  ^  timpan  of  the  best  slung  on  his  back.  "  Whence 
comest  thou,  j^:í7/4f?^asked  the  king.  "  Out  of  the  sidh  of  the 
Daghda's  son  Bodhb  Derg,  out  of  Ireland's  southern  part." 
"What  moved  thee  out  of  the  south,  and  who  art  thou  thyself?" 
"  I  am  Cas  corach^  son  of  Cainchinn  that  is  ollave  to  the  tuatha  dé 
danann^  and  am  myself  the  makings  of  an  ollave  [i.e.  an  aspirant 
to  the  grade].  What  started  me  was  the  design  to  acquire 
knowledge,  and  information,  and  lore  for  recital,  and  the  Fianna's 
mighty  deeds  of  valour,  from  Caeilte  son  of  Ronan."  Then  he 
took  his  timpan  and  made  for  them  music  and  minstrelsy,  so 
that()ie  set  them  slumbering  off  to  sleeps  "  Good  now,  Caeilte, 
my  soul,"  said  Cascorach,  "what  answer  retumest  thou  me?" 
"  That  thou  shalt  have  everything  to  seek  which  thou  art  come 
and,  if  thou  have  but  so  much  art  and  intellect  as  shall  suffice  to 
learn  all  that  the  Fianna  wrought  of  valorous  deeds  and  exploits 
of  arms  [thou  shalt  hear  the  same].  \ln  this  town  once  was  an 
óglaech :  Finn  mac  Cumall,  and  'great  would  have  been  thy 
wealth  and  stipend  from  him  in  lieu  of  thy  minstrelsy,  although 
to-day  the  place  be  empty !"  and  Caeilte  uttered  : — 

"  This  night  the  Fianna's  seat  is  void,  to  which  Finn  of  the  naked  blade 
resorted  ;  from  death  of  the  chief  that  knew  not  melancholy,  Almha  the  noble 
and  the  great  is  desert  1  The  goodly  company  live  not ;  Finn,  the  very 
prince,  lives  no  more  ;  no  longer  the  cohort  manifest  to  view,  nor  champions, 
accompany  the  Fian-chief.  Finn's  Fianna,  though  once  they  roamed  from 
glen  to  glen,  are  dead  one  and  all ;  a  wretched  life  it  is  to  be  as  I  am  now : 
left  after  Dermot  and  Conan !  after  GoU  mac  Moma  from  the  plain,  and  after 
Olioll  of  the  hundreds !  after  that  Eoghan  of  the  bright  spear  perished,  and 
Conall,  at  the  first  discharge  !  Once  for  all  I  tell  you,  and  all  that  which  I 
say  is  true :  great  were  our  losses  yonder  (even  without  Dubhdirma)  at  tech 
drumann.  The  cohorts  and  the  hundreds  thus  being  gone,  pity  but  'twere 
there  I  had  found  death  I  gone,  for  all  they  once  ranged  from  border  to 
border,  and  though  the  Fianna's  seat  was  crowded  once  I'* 

To  his  heed  and  mind  Caeilte  then  recalled  the  losses  of  all 
those  warriors  and  great  numerous  bands  among  whom  he  had 
been ;  and  miserably,  wearily,  he  wept  so  that  breast  and  chest 
were  wet  with  him.  After  which  they  came  on  to  tulach  an  trir 
or  *  hill  of  three  persons,'  upon  which  the  king  of  Ulidia  and 
Caeilte  and  all  the  rest  as  well  sat  down. 

"  This  is  a  beautiful  hill,  Caeilte,"  the  king  said  :  "  but  where- 
fore was  the  name  of  tulach  an  trir  conferred  on  it,  and  abhann 
déise  or  'river  of  two  persons'  on  this  river;  also  lecht  cinn  chon 


The  Colloquy.  i8gr 

or  'grave  of  the  wolf-dog's  head'  upon  yonder  tomb?"  Caeilte 
answered  :  "  I  will  tell  thee,  although  the  origin  of  them  be  not 
new  and  that  I  myself  was  not  old  [i.e.  was  very  young]  when 
those  names  clave  to  these  spots  : — 

"  It  was  a  king  that  was  in  Scotland  :  Iruath  mac  Alpine,  and 
had  daughters  three :  Muiresc  and  Aeife  and  Aillbhe  were  their 
names.  These  fell  in  love  with  three  óglaecJis  of  the  Fianna  of 
Ireland  :  Encherd  of  Beare's  three  sons  Ger  and  Glas  and  Gabha  ; 
which  óglaechs  also  fell  in  love  with  them,  and  for  twenty  years 
there  was  reciprocal  affection  between  them.  But  once  upon  a 
time  [i.e.  at  length]  the  women  eloped  and  came  to  this  tulach^ 
where  a  fit  of  sleep  and  slumber  fell  on  them.  That  was  the 
very  hour  and  time  at  which  by  the  son  of  Macnia's  son  Maccon, 
and  in  the  province  of  Leinster,  a  fearsome  bruidhen  was  set  in 
Finn  mac  Cumairs  way;  nor  may  poets  attain  to  recount  all  that 
fell  there  of  the  Fianna  and  of  Fatha  Canann*s  folk.  There 
moreover  perished  those  three  pinks  of  valour :  Encherd  of 
Bearers  three  sons.  Concerning  the  three  damsels  :  they  awoke 
out  of  their  sleep  and  saw  towards  them  three  óglaechs  of  the 
Fianna ;  they  enquired  of  them,  and  these  told  them  how  the 
bmidhen  was  come  off:  with  slaughter  made  of  the  Fianna,  and 
fall  of  Encherd  of  Beare's  three  sons.  Upon  this  tulach  the  girls 
uttered  their  loud  woe  and  lamentation,  and  for  grief  of  those 
three  died.  Which  young  women  had  two  own  foster-brethren, 
sons  of  the  king  of  the  Catti  in  the  north  :  Uillenn  and  Eochaid 
were  their  names.  These  had  made  a  stout  and  vigorous  attempt 
in  pursuit  of  their  foster-sisters,  and  so  reached  this  river ;  the 
stream  however  was  in  spate  against  them,  but  on  the  yon-side 
they  saw  rich  and  marvellous  vestures  [i.e.  on  the  young  women 
as  they  lay],  whereupon  with  all  boldness  they  took  the  ford  and 
the  river's  flood  drowned  them.  These  then  are  they  that  are 
beneath  those  two  green  mounds  which  are  at  the  ford's  edge. 

"  Lecht  cinn  chon  now,"  continued  Caeilte  :  "  it  was  a  favourite 
wolf-dog  that  Finn  mac  Cumall  had,  the  name  of  which  was 
Adhnuall,  and  from  the  aforesaid  bruidhen  he  wandered  aimlessly 
away  northwards  and  was  all  astray.  Thrice  he  scoured  all 
Ireland,  and  at  last  gained  this  ford  where  he  emitted  three 
howls  and  there  died ;  which  hound,  king  of  Ulidia,  was  the 
third  [i.e.  one  of  the  three]  best  that  Finn  ever  had. 


190  The  Colloquy. 

"As  touching  Ulidia's  two  Fian-chiefs,  Goll  of  Gulban  and 
Cas  of  Cuailgne :  they  hunted  this  plain,  and  saw  three  young 
women  having  upon  them  raiment  of  the  rarest,  of  all  colours, 
and  they  dead  upon  the  tulach.  For  a  long  space  they  made 
lamentation  for  them,  then  under  ground  laid  all  three  sisters. 
They  entered  the  ford  and  in  it  saw  the  two  óglaechs^  drowned  ; 
these  two  they  laid  beneath  sods  of  the  earth." 

His  tale  being  told,  Caeilte  bids  the  king  of  Ulidia  farewell 
and  up  the  face  of  hills  and  crags  takes  his  way  to  the  summit 
of  green-grassed  Slievefuad,  to  the  rowan-tree  of  cluain  da  damh 
or  *  two-stag  lawn,'  and  to  roe  nagcarpat  or  *  the  space  of  chariots' : 
the  spot  in  which  formerly  the  Ulidians  marching  here  after  the 
battle  of  gaitidhe  and  ilgliairidhe  [i.e.  the  final  encounter  of  tain 
bo  Cuailgne  or  'the  raid  for  the  kine  of  Cuailgne']  abandoned 
their  chariots.  When  he  got  so  far,  thither  also  (to  the  same  rae 
nagcarpat)  Patrick  was  just  come  with  thrice  fifty  bishops,  as 
many  priests,  as  many  deacons,  and  three  times  fifty  psalmodists. 
There  they  sat  down,  and  Patrick  performed  his  Hours  with 
praising  of  the  Creator.  At  this  instant,  I  say,  Caeilte  and  his 
nine,  together  with  Cascorach  mac  Cainchinne,  the  minstrel, 
joined  them.  They  greeted  him  with  welcome,  the  clerics  fell 
to  question  him  for  nqws,  and  he  told  them  all  his  doings  for 
that  year  past 

"Where  is  scribe  Brogan?"  Patrick  cried.  He  responded: 
"  here  am  I."  "  By  thee  be  written  down  and  amended  all  that 
Caeilte  hath  enunciated  concerning  the  interval  since  at  the 
pillar-stone  on  the  top  of  Usnach  he  parted  from  us  and  to  this 
very  present  hour." 

<^  "  Good  now,  my  soul,"  queried  Patrick  :  "  who  is  yonder  hand- 
some curly-headed  dark-browed  youth  along  with  thee,  and  he 
having  an  instrument  of  music?"  "Cascorach  mac  Cainchinne 
that  is,"  answered  Caeilte,  "son  of  the  tuatJia  dé danann's  minstrel, 
who  is  come  to  me  to  acquire  knowledge  and  Fian-lore."  "A 
good  road  it  is  that  he  hath  chosen  and,  Caeilte,  thou  hast  been 
spared  for  signal  privilege  :  to  see  the  time  of  faith,  of  saints,  of 
righteous,  and  to  be  in  fellowship  with  the  King  of  Heaven  and 
of  Earth.  And  thou,  Cascorach,  play  for  us  somewhat  of  thy 
minstrel's  art  and  craft"  "  Verily  it  shall  be  done,"  Cascorach 
answered  :  "  and  never  before  thee,  saintly  cleric,  have  I  done  so 


The  Colloquy.  191 

for  any  whom  I  gratified  more  willingly  than  I  will  thee."  He 
took  his  timpan,  tuned  it,  and  on  it  played  a  volume  of  melody 
the  equal  of  which  for  sweetness  (saving  only  the  dominical 
canon's  harmony  and  laudation  of  Heaven's  King  and  Earth's) 
the  clergy  had  never  heard.  Upon  them  fell  a  fit  of  slumber 
and  of  sleep  and,  when  he  had  made  an  end  with  his  minstrelsy, 
of  Patrick  he  requested  its  recompense.  The  Saint  said :  "  what 
guerdon  seekest  thou,  my  soul?"  "Heaven  for  myself,"  he 
answered,  "  which  is  the  best  reward  that  is ;  good  luck  also  to 
go  with  my  art  and  with  them  that  shall  exercise  my  art  after 
me."  Patrick  said  :  "to  thyself  be  Heaven,  and  be  that  art  of 
thine  the  third  [i.e.  one  of  the  three]  for  sake  of  which  in 
Ireland  one  shall  to  the  latest  time  procure  his  own  advance- 
ment ;  how  great  soever  be  the  grudj^iiS  surliness  which  shall 
greet  a  man  of  thy  science :  let  him  but  perform  minstrelsy,  let 
him  but  recite  tales,  and  such  penuriousness  shall  vanish  before 
him  ;  everlastingly  may  thine  art  number  to  itself  the  chiefs 
bed-fellow,  and  to  them  that  profess  it  be  all  happiness,  only  so 
as  they  in  their  function  show  not  slothfulness^'  Then  to  its 
case  Cascorach  restored  his  implement  of  music^ 

"A  good  cast  of  thine  art  was  that  thou  gavest  us,"  said  Brogan. 
"Good  indeed  it  were,"  said  Patrick,  "but  for  a  twang  of  the 
fairy  spell  that  infests  it ;  barring  which  nothing  could  more 
nearly  than  it  resemble  Heaven's  harmony."  Says  Brogan :  "  if 
music  there  be  in  Heaven,  why  should  there  not  on  earth? 
wherefore  it  is  not  right  to  banish  away  minstrelsy."  Patrick 
made  answer:  "neither  say  I  any  such  thing,  but  merely  incul- 
cate that  we  must  not  be  inordinately  addicted  to  it" 

They  were  not  long  there  when  they  saw  a  sedate  silvery-grey 
warrior  draw  near  to  them :  a  crimson  mantle  with  a  brooch  of 
gold  wrapped  him  round,  to  his  neck  was  slung  a  gilded  sword 
and  in  one  hand  he  had  a  staff  of  white  hazel.  He  laid  his  head 
in  Patrick's  bosom,  and  made  genuflexion.  "  Of  what  cognomen 
art  thou  ?"  asked  the  Saint.  "  Eoghan  the  arch-hospitaller  is 
my  name,  and  I  am  of  the  king  of  Ireland's  people:  of  Dermot 
mac  Cerbhall's."  "  Are  thine  the  hands  in  which  we  have  heard 
that  such  great  substance  is?"  "Even  mine,"  he  said.  "This 
very  night  we  quarter  ourselves  on  thy  resources,"  cried  bishop 
Soichell,  who  was  Patrick's  head  dispenser.     Eoghan  enquired : 


192  The  Colloquy. 

"and  what  night  may  this  be?"  ^* Samhain-ewty^  replied  Patrick. 
"From  to-night  until  Beltane-eve  ye  as  many  as  ye  are,  both 
your  familia  and  your  guests,  shall  have  welcome  with  me." 
Benignus  said:  "a  fat  monk  it  is  that  the  cleric  hath  recruited "; 
but  Patrick  pronounced:  "he  shall  go  to  serve  Maclia  [i.e. 
Armagh]  in  the  north ;  and  if  fat  he  be,  so  too  shall  his  son  be 
and  his  grandson  after  him."  Benignus  rejoined  again :  "  what 
name  then  could  be  conferred  on  them  that  were  better  than 
úi  mhéith  Mltacha  or  *  the  descendants  of  Macha's  fat  one '?" 

Then  they  marked  fifty  tall  men  having  iron  fibulae  in  their 
mantles  that  approached  them.  "  Who  be  these  ?"  Patrick  asked. 
Eoghan  answered :  "  my  hospitallers  and  my  biatachs  " ;  and  these 
all  made  obeisance  to  Patrick,  who  cried :  "  your  posterity  both 
living  and  dead  be  assigned  to  Mocha !" 

Upon  the  whole  province  now  distress  of  cold  settled  and 
heavy  snow  came  down  so  that  it  reached  men's  shoulders  and 
chariots'  axle-trees,  and  of  the  russet  forest's  branches  made  a 
twisting  together  as  it  had  been  of  withes,  so  that  men  might  not 
progress  there. 

Caeilte  said  then:  "a  fitting  time  it  is  now  for  wild  stags  and 
for  does  to  seek  the  topmost  points  of  hills  and  rocks ;  a  timely 
season  for  salmons  to  betake  them  into  cavities  of  the  banks." 
And  he  uttered  a  lay : — 

"  Cold  the  winter  is,  the  wind  is  risen,  the  high-couraged  un quelled  stag 
is  on  foot:  bitter  cold  to-night  the  whole  mountain  is,  yet  for  all  that  the 
ungovernable  stag  is  belling.  The  deer  of  Slievecam  of  the  gatherings 
commits  not  his  side  to  the  ground ;  no  less  than  he  the  stag  of  frigid  Echtge's 
summit  catches  the  chorus  of  the  wolves.  I,  Caeilte,  with  brown  Dermot  and 
with  keen  light-footed  Oscar :  we  too  in  the  nipping  night's  waning  end  would 
listen  to  the  music  of  the  pack.  But  well  the  red  deer  sleeps  that  with  his 
hide  to  the  bulging  rock  lies  stretched — hidden  as  though  beneath  the 
country's  surface — all  in  the  latter  end  of  chilly  night.  To-day  I  am  an  aged 
ancient,  and  but  a  scant  few  men  I  know ;  once  on  a  time  though  in  the  cold 
and  ice-bound  morning  I  used  to  vibrate  a  sharp  javelin  hardily.  To 
Heaven's  King  I  offer  thanks,  to  Mary  Virgin's  Son  as  well ;  often  and  often 
I  imposed  silence  on  [i.e.  daunted]  a  whole  host  whose  plight  to-night  is  very 
cold  [i.e.  they  are  all  dead  now]." 

"  It  is  time  for  us  to  depart  to  our  mansion  and  good  town," 
said  Eoghan.  They  took  their  way  therefore  and  soon  saw  the 
dwelling  before  them  ;  at  which  when  they  arrived  Caeilte  with 


The  Colloquy.  193 

his  people  was  ushered  into  a  secluded  lodge  apart,  the  town  was 
laid  at  their  own  discretion  and  (saving  only  such  length  of  time 
as  the  clerics  took  to  give  Mass,  to  say  their  hours  and  to  laud  the 
Creator)  there  they  all  were  for  three  days  and  three  nights, 
quaffing  and  taking  their  pleasure- 
Then  came  Eoghan  the  head  hospitaller  to  confer  with  Patrick, 
and  he  began  to  tell  him  how  that  there  was  no  water  near  at 
hand  to  them  ;  for  people  were  wearied  with  bringing  water  to 
the  town.  And  a  wonder  it  was  [to  the  new-comers  to  see]  that 
day  how  the  same  town  lay,  it  being  as  it  were  an  occult  hole  in 
the  earth :  for  round  about  it  over  and  hither  was  a  mountain, 
nor  was  it  furnished  with  any  opening  but  a  single  one,  out  of 
which  egress  took  place ;  so  that  all  the  men  in  the  world  how- 
ever much  they  had  ambitioned  it  would  not  have  availed  to 
ravage  or  to  spoil  it.  Patrick  enquired  of  Eoghan :  "  found  ye 
traces  of  any  band  or  company  that  should  have  preceded  you 
into  the  place?"  Eoghan  replied:  "we  got  a  spear,  a  sword  and 
an  iron  vessel."  "  Knowledge  of  the  well  will  be  found  with 
Caeilte,"  said  Patrick ;  a  messenger  was  sent  to  fetch  Caeilte,  and 
he  was  brought  to  the  Saint 

"  Good  now,  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  said  Patrick :  "  knowest  thou  who 
it  was  that  before  Eoghan  occupied  this  seat  ?"  "  An  easy  thing 
it  is  for  me  to  know  it,"  he  made  answer,  "  seeing  that  I  was  one 
of  the  eight  that  were  at  the  giving  of  this  town  to  the  man  on 
whom  Finn  mac  Cumall  conferred  it:  the  solitary  warrior  that 
ever  by  use  of  compulsion  effected  his  fellowship  with  Finn, 
Conan  namely,  son  of  the  Hath  Luachra  or  *grey  man  of 
Luachra,'  out  of  the  west  For  it  was  befallen  him  to  have 
worked  Finn  great  mischief:  as  to  have  from  one  savihain-tla^ 
to  another  slain  a  wolf-dog,  digilla  and  an  óglaech  of  the  Fianna, 
besides  the  killing  of  one  among  the  three  best  men  appertain- 
ing to  clan-Ronan:  Aedh  rinn  mac  Ronan,  together  with  his 
three  sons  Aedh  and  Eoghan  and  Eobhran.  [Conan's  device 
was  executed  thus :]  the  Fian-chief  being  come  to  cam  Lidghdech 
or  *  Lughaid's  cairn '  in  the  west,  in  the  province  of  Munstcr,  and 
he  after  the  chase  sitting  down  there,  here  came  Conan  at  him 
from  behind,  and  round  his  shoulders  outside  of  all  his  armature 
clasped  the  chief  captain  before  he  was  aware.  Finn  recognised 
who   he  was  that   thus  had   taken  him,  and:   *what  wouldest 

O 


194  '^f^^  Colloquy. 

thou,  Conan?*  he  said.  *To  make  my  covenant  of  service, 
to  have  fellowship,  to  cement  fealty  with  thee ;  for  I  am  now 
seven  years  in  exercise  of  marauding  and  of  outlawry  upon  thee, 
and  may  no  longer  shift  to  endure  thy  wrath/     But  Finn  said : 

*  even  though  I  took  thee,  yet  so  great  is  the  evil  and  iniquity 
thou  hast  wrought  all  Ireland's  Fianna  that  I  cannot  deem  they 
would  admit  thee  to  peace/  *Do  but  thou  receive  me,  Fian- 
chief,  and  leave  the  rest  between  the  Fianna  and  myself  *I 
will,'  said  Finn,  'although  for  my  part  it  is  a  service-contract 
extorted  forcibly.'  Thus  did  Finn  receive  him,  and  Conan  enlisted 
with  him  and  became  one  of  his  people.  Then  in  detachments 
and  in  companies  the  Fianna  arrived,  and  to  each  band  of  them 
as  they  came  up  it  was  an  astonishment  to  behold  in  one  and  the 
same  place  those  two  that  in  all  Ireland  and  Scotland  had  been 
the  greatest  enemies. 

"  *  Conan,'  said  the  Fianna,  '  it  is  well ;  but  in  lieu  of  the  great 
injuries  thou  hast  done  us  what  hast  thou  to  offer?'  'Every 
strait  peril,  every  extremity,  every  great  harm  that  shall  over- 
take you,  be  it  I  that  first  shall  adventure  myself  against  it — but 
on  these  terms :  that  if  I  fall  in  the  matter  [and  ye  suffer]  your 
enmities  be  heaped  on  me ;  if  I  fall  not  [and  ye  be  rescued], 
the  fame  and  lustre  of  it  to  be  mine.'  Ossian  answered :  *  verily, 
and  by  our  words,  never  have  we  had  conditions  better  than 
these.'     Whereupon  peace  was  made  with  Conan. 

"Finn  enquired:  *how  many  of  a  following  art  thou,  Conan?' 

*  Five  hundred  oglaecliSy  five  hundred  gillaSy  and  as  many  hounds.' 

*  Thou  being  so  many  in  force,'  said  Finn,  *  search  out  Ireland 
for  thyself,  and  whatsover  triucha  céd  in  her  thou  shalt  choose 
I  will  give  it  thee.'  We  therefore,"  continued  Caeilte,  "eight 
óglaechs  of  us,  accompanied  him  hither  to  this  town  in  which  we 
are  ;  nor  till  he  gained  it  had  Conan,  for  all  that  the  Fianna  had 
admitted  him  to  peace,  felt  confidence  in  any  other.  But  when 
he  saw  this  spot  that  it  was  an  obscure  refuge,  strong  and 
impregnable,  he  was  in  love  with  it;  with  all  his  force  and 
following  he  came  therefore,  for  a  space  of  thirty  years  the  place 
was  possessed  by  him,  and  every  battle  and  bicker  that  occurred 
during  that  time  he  continually  affronted  the  first  hazard  of 
them  all." 

Tatrick  questioned:   "what  was  the  manner  of  that  Conan's 


'  The  Colloquy,  195 

death  ?"  "  He  was  one  of  the  four  men  of  the  Fianna  that  died  in 
his  bed  [///.  *on  pillow*]:  a  venomous  worm  it  was  that  settled 
in  his  head;  and  in  the  same  interval,  between  one  canonical 
hour  and  another,  he  perished." 

Again  Patrick  asked:  "what  served  him  for  water  here?" 
Caeilte  said :  "  a  well  of  spring-water  that  is  in  the  town."  "  Tis 
a  mysterious  place  where  it  is  then,"  said  Eoghan,  "  for  on  the 
earth's  surface  we  cannot  find  it."  "  But  a  few  of  the  Fianna 
were  they  to  whom  it  was  familiar  until  such  time  as  a  certain 
óglaech  of  them  hit  upon  it,  and  I  after  him,  lastly  the  man  of  the 
place  himself."  "Who  was  the  first  óglaechV  said  Patrick. 
"  Aedh  son  of  Finn  ;  and  I  affirm  that  in  all  Ireland  was  not  a 
spot  in  which,  whether  from  cliff,  from  river,  from  estuary  or  from 
any  fastness,  human  being  had  ever  drawn  beaker-  or  bowl-ful 
of  water  but  he  would  at  midnight  make  his  way  to  it  Now. 
where  the  well  is,"  added  Caeilte,  "  is  in  the  rugged-headed  rock's 
very  side,  and  covered  in  with  a  most  solid  hermetically-fitted  lid 
of  stone.  Many  a  day  Smirgat  and  Derdubh  from  dubhsliabh  or 
*  black-mountain  '  found  it ! "  and  he  uttered : — 

"I  know  a  well  upon  the  southern  side  which  shall  procure  you  your 
especial  weal ;  within  the  which,  right  in  its  midst,  for  you  a  sparkling  perfect 
water  is.  *  Water  the  dun  will  never  have,'  quoth  Eoghan  innocent  of  ill 
intent,  *  unless  the  King  of  Heaven  help  us,  and  gentle  radiant  Mary's  precious 
Son.'  Good  my  prowess  in  the  battle  was  against  the  men  from  over  sea ; 
fifty  thrice  told  that  made  a  gallant  show  fell  by  me  there.  Smirgat  daughter 
of  the  generous  Fathach,  Derdubh  from  the  mountain  black :  a  pair  beloved 
and  that  would  range  afar  to  spy  out  and  deliver  their  enemies  to  the  Fianna. 
I  was  the  Caeilte  that  was  endowed  with  form ;  many  were  they  whom  I 
forced  to  pant  out  uch  !  when  by  virtue  of  my  running  only  I  got  together  a 
couple,  male  and  female,  of  all  wild  creatures  in  existence.  A  good  folk  Finn's 
people  were — alas  for  him  that  in  Ireland  survives  them !  much  of  alacrity 
the  impetuous  brotherhood  possessed,  and  many  were  the  lands  in  which  they 
knew  their  way  about ! " 

Says  Patrick:  "the  thing  is  to  go  now  and  to  find  the  well." 
"I  dread  to  find  it,"  said  Caeilte:  "for  nine  warriors  they  were 
that  used  to  lift  off  its  cover,  and  even  so  many  that  used  to 
put  it  on  again ;  I  fear  lest  the  well's  water  [being  released] 
drown  the  town."  But  the  Saint  rejoined:  "God  is  well  able 
to  mete  it  out  as  shall  be  expedient."  Caeilte  proceeded,  they 
went  with  him  ;  and  a  mighty  block  of  stone  that  projected 
from  the  town's  side  [i.e.  from  the  natural  wall  of  rock  that 

O  2 


196  The  Colloquy. 

hemmed  it  round] — Caeilte  clasped  both  his  arms  about  it  and 
dragged  it  to  him,  whereby  out  of  the  rock  leaped  a  very  vehe- 
ment burst  of  clearest  water,  most  delicious  to  the  view,  and 
straightway  began  to  completely  swamp  the  town.  Here  how- 
ever Patrick  raises  the  mild  hand  of  faith  that  ever  relieved  all 
\  stress  and  all  straits  on  which  it  was  brought  to  bear,  and  into 

'  the  rock  and  mountain  the  water  is  swallowed  back  again :  all 

\  but  the  fill  of  Patrick's  hollowed  palm  that  trickled  gently  out. 

Benignus  cried:  ^^bas  Phátraic  ox  *  Patrick's  palm'  be  the  well's 
I  name  for  the  future!"     "I  license  it  to  be  so,"  Patrick  said, 

I  "  until  in  the  latter  time  fratricide  shall  by  them  of  its  country 

i  be  committed  in  the  town." 


They,  Patrick  and  Caeilte  and  so  many  as  they  had  with  them 
in  the  dwelling,  came  out  upon  the  green ;  and  soon  they  saw  come 


'  towards  them  a  solitary  óglaech^  whose  description  was  this:  next 
to  his  skin  he  had  a  shirt  of  yellow  silk,  a  handsome  green  mantle 
round  him,  and  in  the  same  a  brooch  of  gold  surmountiiijg  his 
breast  "Who  art  thou,  young  man?"  asked  Caeilte.  "Aedh 
son  of  Aedh  na  nabasach  from  cnoc  árdmhtdla  abroad  in  the  sea, 
which  at  this  time  is  called  rachlainn  or  rachrainn^  i.e.  *  Rathlin  * 
or  *  Raghery '  island.  I  am  leading  youth  of  the  ttiatha  dé 
danann  in  general,  and  to  enquire  somewhat  of  thee  I  am 
come  now."  "Young  man,  what  wouldst  thou  enquire  of  me?" 
returned  Caeilte.  "There  is  not  anything  of  which  I  would 
interrogate  thee  sooner  than  of  the  reason  why  the  name  of  cami 
Manannáin  or  *  Manan  nan's  cairn '  is  given  to  this  one."  Then 
Caeilte  began : — 

"It  was  a  warrior  of  the  tuatha  dé  danann :  AilUn  mac  Eogabaily 
that   fell  in  love  with  the  wife  of  Manannan  mac  Lir;  while 
Aillcn's  sister,  Aine  daughter  of  Eogabal,  fell  in  love  with  Man- 
annan, to  whom  again  she  was  dearer  than  the  whole  human 
\o  tribe  besides.     Aine  asked  of  her  brother  now,  of  Aillenfs^what 

r4  '  is  it  that  hath  wasted  [///.  *  made  to  ebb ']  the  king-like  stately 

^  ^  form  that  clothed  thee  once^    '  By  my  word  and  verily,  young 

woman,'  Aillen  said,  *  thine  only  self  excepted  there  is  not  of  the 
human  race  one  to  whom  I  would  disclose  the  matter*;  and 
he  told  her:  *it  is  that  I  am  enamoured  of  Uchtdelbh  or  'Breast- 
shape,'  i.e.  *  of  the  shapely  bosom,'  Angus  Finn's  daughter  and 
wife  of  Manannan.'     'In  my  hand  lies  the  remedy  for  that!' 


The  Colloquy,  197 

cries  Aine :  *  for  Manannan  is  in  love  with  me  and,  if  he  give 
thee  his  wife,  I  will  as  the  price  of  procuring  thee  relief  yield  him 
my  society/  They,  Aillen  and  Aine,  came  away  as  far  as  to  this 
tulach,  whither  Manannan  too  (his  wife  with  him)  arrived.  Aine 
took  her  seat  at  Manannan's  right  hand,  and  gave  him  three 
loving  passionate  kisses ;  then  they  sought  news  one  of  the 
other.  But  when  Manannan*s  wife  saw  Aillen  she  loved  him — " 
Here  Patrick  interrupting  said :  "  why  this  is  a  complicated  bit 
of  romance:  that  Aillen  mac  EogabaFs  sister  should  love  Man- 
annan, and  Manannan's  wife  fancy  Aillen";  whence  the  old 
adage  :  *  romancing  is  a  complicated  affair.'  Caeilte  resumed : 
"so  Manannan  handed  over  his  own  wife  to  Eogabal's  son  Aillen, 
himself  taking  Aillen's  sister  Aine ;  and  these,  Aedh,  my  soul,  \ 
are  the  two  complementary  answers  to  the  question  [//'/.  *  are  the] 
two  queries ']  which  thou  hast  put  to  me." 

In  that  town  they  abode  the  length  of  a  week  ;  then  they  bade 
farewell  to  chief-hospitaller  Eoghan  and,  in  guerdon  of  all  that 
this  latter  had  done  by  way  of  compliance  with  his  will,  the 
Saint  granted  him  Heaven.  ^^^^ 

Then  they  progressed  eastwardly  to  glenn  an^cái^ ox  'glen  of 
the  champion,'  which  at  the  present  is  called  muinter  Dhiughra\ 
(the  place  where  to  Mllchú  macú-Buain  king  of  Dalaradia  Patrick 
once  had  been  in  bondage),  and  they  see  before  them  a  flourishing 
church  in  which  were  thirty  young  ecclesiastics  that  fervently 
glorified  the  Creator.  Upon  looking  away  in  the  other  direction 
they  perceive  again  a  church  having  beside  it  a  fair  green  close, 
and :  "  to  the  King  of  Heaven  and  of  Earth  we  give  thanks  for  it," 
said  Caeilte :  "  an  habitation  of  [profane]  crowds  and  of  [armed] 
throng  this  hath  been,  yet  is  it  now  a  place  of  saints  and  of 
righteous."  Patrick  enquired  :  "  which  of  the  Fianna  were  in 
yon  town  ?"  "  In  the  one  was  Raighne  Wide-eye  son  of  Finn, 
and  his  son  Cainche  the  crimson-red  in  the  other;  but  the  clan- 
Morna  slew  Raighne  mac  Finn :  from  whom  is  fnagh  Raighne  or 
*  Raighne's  plain,'  and  the  other  son  as  well :  from  whom  is  sliabh 
Chainc/ie  or  '  Cainche's  mountain.'  " 

It  was  but  a  short  time  they  had  been  there  till  they  saw 
towards  them  a  gentle  maid  of  pubescent  age  and  with  flowing 
yellow  hair.  Among  them  she  sat  down  upon  the  sodded  mound, 
and:  "who  art  thou,  girl?"  asked  Patrick.     "I  am  Eddin  Fair- 


1 98  The  Colloquy. 

hair,  daughter  of  Baeddn  king  of  Dalaradia."  "  And  wherefore 
art  thou  come?"  pursued  the  Saint  "In  order  to  dedicate  to 
thee  our  kin  both  quick  and  dead  ;  for  of  my  seed  [i.e.  race]  lives 
none  now  but  myself  and  my  own  brother."  With  that  she 
thrust  her  hand  between  herself  and  her  smock  and  produced 
fifty  ingots  of  gold  with  as  many  of  silver  (in  which  were  fifty 
ounces  of  each  metal),  and  to  Patrick  gave  the  whole  as  a  screpall 
soiscéla,  i.e.  'scripulum  evangelii*  or  'gospel  penny,'  then  made 
genuflection  to  him.  "  What  name  bears  thy  brother  ?"  he  asked. 
^^ Loingsech  mac  Baedan,"  she  answered.  "Ireland's  royal  rule  I 
grant  him,"  Patrick  said,  "  and  three  of  his  seed  to  reign  after 
him."  "All  that  ever  we  shall  possess  of  Ireland  we  assign  to 
thee,  holy  Cleric."  Then  she  bade  them  farewell,  but  they  con- 
tinued on  the  tulach. 

Now  along  with  Patrick  was  one  that  to  Muiredach  mac 
Finnachta  king  of  Connacht  was  an  óglaech  attached  to  his  per- 
son :  Core  mac  Dairine,  son  of  the  king  of  corca  Dhuibhne  or 
*the  barony  of  Corcaguiney'  in  Kerry,  and  he  said:  "Caeilte, 
my  soul,  there  is  a  question  I  would  fain  put  to  thee :  why  is  a 
certain  wave  called  tonn  ChUodhna  or  *  of  Cleena,'  and  another 
one  tonn  Téide  or  'of  Teide'?"     Caeilte  said  then  : — 

'"  It  was  an  óglaech  of  trust  that  Finn  had  :  Ciabhdn^  son  of 
Eochaid  Red-weapon  king  of  Ulidia  in  the  north ;  and  he  was 
so  that,  as  the  moon  in  her  twelve  provinces  exceeds  in  brilliance 
I  all  stars  of  heaven,  even  such  was  the  measure  in  which  for  form 
and  feature  that  young  man  outshone  all  kings'  sons  in  the  world. 
With  him  the  Fianna  grew  to  be  discontented  however,  the  cause 
of  their  discontent  being  this :  among  them  was  no  woman,  mated 
or  unmated,  that  was  not  in  love  with  him.  Finn  renounced 
him  therefore ;  yet  was  he  loath  to  have  him  go,  only  that  for  the 
greatness  of  their  jealousy  he  feared  the  Fianna  of  all  Ireland. 
Ciabhan  went  his  way  accordingly,  and  to  trdgh  an  chaim  or 
'  strand  of  the  cairn*  (which  now  is  called  trágh  na  dtréinfJur  or 
'strand  of  the  strong  men*)  in  the  province  of  Ulidia,  between 
dun  Sobliairce  or  'Dunseverick'  in  Antrim  and  the  sea.  There 
he  saw  a  high-prowed  currach  having  a  narrow  stem  of  copper, 
and  in  it  two  young  men  that  wore  each  one  a  robe  wrapping 
him  to  his  shoulders.  Ciabhan  salutes  them  and  they  return 
it:  'whence  are  ye,  youngsters?'  he  asked  them.     Says  one  of 


The  Colloquy.  199 

them  :  '  I  am  Lodan  the  king  of  India's  son,  and  yonder  other 
is  Eolus  son  of  the  king  of  Greece ;  the  sea  has  drifted  and  the 
wind  driven  us,  nor  know  we  what  land  or  what  race  of  the  world 
at  large  is  that  in  and  among  which  we  are/  *  He  that  should 
fancy  to  sail  the  sea  with  you,'  said  Ciabhan,  *  would  ye  give  him 
a  berth  in  the  currach  ?'  *  Wert  thou  all  alone  we  would  do  so,' 
they  answered.  *Come  now,  Ciabhan,'  his  people  said,  *is  it 
Ireland  thou  hast  a  mind  to  leave?'  *  Even  she  it  is,'  he  replied, 
*  for  in  her  I  find  neither  shelter  nor  protection.'  Ciabhan  stepped 
into  the  currach  and  bade  farewell  to  his  men,  who  were  gloomy 
and  discouraged  :  for  to  part  from  him  they  felt  to  be  a  divorcing 
of  soul  and  body ;  then  with  the  two  young  men  in  the  boat  he 
ratified  amity  and  friendship. 

"  Now  rose  at  them  white  and  bellowing  waves,  insomuch  that 
each  huge  ocean  billow  of  them  equalled  a  mountain  ;  and  that 
the  beautiful  variegated  salmon  wont  to  hug  bottom  sand  and 
shingle  touched  the  currach's  very  sides ;  in  presence  of  which 
phenomena  horror  affected  them,  and  fear  and  affright,  Ciabhan 
saying :  *  by  our  word  and  verily,  were  it  but  on  land  we  were 
we  could  whether  on  battle-field  or  in  single  combat  make  a  good 
fight  for  ourselves.'  In  this  great  extremity  they  continued  until 
they  saw  bear  down  on  them  an  óglaech  having  under  him  a 
dark-grey  horse  reined  with  a  golden  bridle ;  for  the  space  of 
nine  waves  he  would  be  submerged  in  the  sea,  but  would  rise  on 
the  crest  of  the  tenth,  and  that  without  his  breast  or  chest  wetted. 
He  enquired  of  them  :  *  what  fee  would  ye  give  him  that  should 
rescue  you  out  of  this  great  strait?'  They  made  answer:  *is 
there  in  our  hand  the  price  that  is  demanded  of  us?'  'There  is 
so,'  said  the  warrior  :  '  that  yourselves  be  by  conditions  of  service 
and  of  fealty  bound  to  him  that  should  so  succour  you.'  They 
consented  and  struck  their  hands  into  the  óglaecICs, 

"  This  done  he  drew  them  all  three  to  him  out  of  the  currach 
on  to  the  horse,  abreast  and  alongside  of  which  the  boat  on  its 
beam  ends  swam  till  they  came  into  port  and  took  the  beach  in 
tir  tarrjigair£syx  *  the  land  of  promise.'  There  they  dismounted 
ana  went  Sip  to  /ocA  luchra  or  *loch  of  the  pigmies,*  and  to 
fflanaimatfs  m///^/>  or  stone  fort  in  which  an  end  was  just  made 
of  ordering  a  banquctting-hall  before  them.  All  four  of  them 
were  served  then  :   their  horns,  their  cuachs^   their  cups  were 


20Q  The  Colloquy. 

raised  ;  comely  dark-eyebrowed  gillas  went  round  with  snnooth- 
polished  horns ;  sweet-stringed  timpans  were  played  by  them, 
and  most  melodious  dulcet-chorded  harps,  until  the  whole  house 
was  flooded  with  music. 

"Then  there  apxpeared  a  set  of  long-snouted  spur-heeled  lean- 
hammed  carles,  foxy  and  bald,  full  of  ribald  quips,  that  in 
Manannan's  mansion  used  to  practise  games  and  tricks,  one  of 
which  was  this :  to  take  nine  straight  osier-rods  and  (the  while 
they  stood  on  one  leg  and  had  but  one  arm  free)  to  dart  them 
upward  to  rafter  and  to  roof-tree  of  the  building,  he  that  did  this 
catching  them  again  in  the  same  form.  The  purpose  for  which  they 
practised  this  was  the  putting  to  shame  of  such  free-bom  scions  of 
noble  race  as  out  of  far  foreign  bt)rdcrs  from  time  to  time  arrived 
there.  On  the  present  night  therefore  the  performer,  according 
as  previously  he  was  wont,  executed  his  feat  and,  coming  to 
Ciabhan  then  (for  in  form  and  gait,  as  in  fame,  he  excelled  all 
'  such  as  both  of  tuatlia  dé danajin  and  of  Milesius'  sons  were  in  the 
house  of  Manannan),  put  the  nine  rods  into  his  hand.  Ciabhan 
stood  up  and  before  Manannan  and  all  chiefs  of  the  land  of 
promise  did  the  trick  as  though  that  had  been  his  one  and  only 
study  always.  He  handed  the  things  to  Eolus  son  of  the  king 
of  Greece,  who  promptly  and  accurately  achieved  the  matter, 
passed  the  implements  to  the  king  of  India's  son  Lodan,  and  in 
lil^  wise  he  too  managed  it. 

^"Now  in  the  land  of  promise  Manannan  possessed  an  arch- 
ollave  that  had  three  daughters :  CUodlma  or  *  Cleena,'  Aeife 
and  Edaein  Fair-hair,  the  tuatha  dé  danann's  three  treasures  of 
spinsterhood  and  chastity,  whom  in  fact  it  was  not  to  be  feared 
that  aught  else  but  pernicious  effects  of  continence  would  ever 
kill.  Yet  upon  our  three  warriors  these  at  the  one  instant  cast 
their  affections,  and  appointed  to  elope  with  them  on  the  very 
next  day.'N  To  meet  said  three  the  girls  sought  the  landing-place, 
where  the  king  of  India's  son  Lodan  and  Eolus  son  of  the  king 
of  Greece  [with  their  damsels]  got  into  one  currach,  Ciabhan  son 
of  Eochaid  imdherg  and  CIcena  entering  another.  From  this 
point  they  sail  away  to  trdgh  Théite  or  *Teite's  strand'  in  the 
south  of  Ireland,  a  spot  on  which  that  name  was  conferred  thus  : 
it  was  Ragamain's  daughter  Teite  bhrec  or  *the  freckled,'  that 
with  thrice  fifty  young  women  resorted  thither  for  *a  wave-game' 


The  Colloquy.  201 

[i.e.    surf-riding],  and    they  all  were   drowned;   whence  trágh 
TMte. 

"  As  regards  Eochaid  imdherg^s  son  Ciabhan,  he  landed  upon 
this  shore  and  went  off  to  hunt  in  the  adjacent  country ;  but  the 
outer  swell  rolled  in  on  Cleena,  whereby  she  was  drowned  there, 
and  from  her  it  is  called  tonn  ChHodhna  or  *Cleena*s  Wave*  [in 
cuan  dor  or  *Glandore  harbour'].  Now  came  after  her  Manannan's 
own  special  household  :  Ildathach  and  his  two  sons,  who  also 
were  enamoured  of  the  girl,  and  on  the  same  beach  were  drowned/* 
As  Caeilte  said : — 

"Cleena  Fair-head — a  lasting  calamity  it  is — upon  the  shore  her  death 
took  place ;  a  cause  sufficing  for  her  mother  too  to  die  was  the  event  from 
which  the  old  name  is  derived.  When  they  of  the  promised  land  once  had 
a  general  convention  made,  Eochaid  imdherg^s  son  Ciabhan  it  was  that  by 
contrivance  carried  off  his  wife.  Across  the  wide  ship-carr>Mng  sea  Ciabhan 
with  the  curly  mane  abducted  yonder  distant  gathering's  queen,  whose  name 
was  Cleena.  Afloat  he  left  her  there,  and  went  upon  a  careless  enterprise : 
in  quest  of  game — a  seemly  employment  'twas — Ciabhan  passed  in  under  the 
forest's  tangled  tresses.  He  being  gone  the  wave  came  in — to  Cikbhan  it 
was  no  propitious  incident ;  a  disaster  at  which  we  felt  grief  and  displeasure 
was  the  fair-headed  Cleena's  drowning.  Wave  of  Teite's  dun  that  was  a 
haunt  of  chiefs  :  such  was  the  name  the  spot  had  borne  until  that  billow 
drowned  the  woman  to  whom  *  Cleena'  was  cognomen.  On  this  shore  to  the 
north  ye  have  lecht  Téite  or  *  Teite's  grave'  [where  she  was  laid],  surrounded 
by  a  numerous  company ;  upon  the  southern  side  lecht  CHodhna^  *  Cleena's 
tomb,'  lying  close  up  against  the  sidh  of  dorn  buidhe  or  *the  yellow  fist.' 
Dombuie's  locks  are  drenched  with  the  rollers  of  that  mighty  deluge ;  but 
many  a  one  though  there  be  there,  yet  Cleena  is  she  whom  they  drown. 
Across  the  salt  sea  fifty  ships  in  number  Manannan's  own  especial  household 
come — that  was  not  an  uncomely  assemblage — and  are  drowned  all  in 
Cleena's  Wave.  Ildathach  and  his  two  sons — the  three  are  drowned  upon 
their  wooing  expedition ;  alas  for  them  that  trusted  in  the  ship  which  found 
no  mercy  from  the  Wave  of  Cleena. 

"  Then  Ciabhan  casmhongach  came  to  us  at  the  druim  or  '  ridge' 
of  Asal  mac  ú'Móir\  in  which  same  night  died  Eochaid  inidherg 
king  of  Ulidia,  and  Finn  invested  Ciabhan  with  that  kingdom's 
rule  after  his  father.  This  then,  Core  mac  Daire,  is  the  narration 
thou  soughtest  of  me,"  ended  Caeilte. 

After  this  the  whole  company,  Patrick  with  them,  moved  on 
to  rath  Mhedhba  or  *Meave's  rath,*  and:  "Caeilte,**  said  the  Saint, 
"who  was  the  Meave  from  whom  this  rath  is  denominated?" 
"She  was  Eochaid feidhlecKs  daughter  Meave.*'  "Was  this  it 
that  served  her  as  a  principal  residence?**     "By  no  means  was 


202  The  Colloquy, 


it  so ;  but\hither  on  the  high  festival  day  of  samhain  she  would 
resort  to  confer  with  her  magicians  and  her  poets  in  order  to 
learn  that  which  during  the  coming  year  should  turn  out  either 
well  or  ill  for  her ;  and  the  manner  of  her  coming  was  in  chariots 
by  ninqsl  as  :  nine  in  front  of  her,  nine  behind,  and  on  either  side 
of  her  nine^  Patrick  asked  :  "for  what  purpose  did  she  that?" 
"To  the  end  neither  miry  spattering  of  the  way  nor  froth  from 
the  horses  should  reach  her,  nor  her  fresh  clean  vesture  be 
defiled."     "  This  is  material  for  merriment,"  said  the  Saint 

"Caeilte,"  he  said  again,  "what  is  this  field's  name?"  ^' Gort 
an  fhosdóidh  or  *  the  field  of  staying/  "  "  What  staying  was  that  ?" 
"  It  was  Dmimdhergox  *  Red-back,'  called  ddna  or  *  the  bold,'  son 
o{  Duibdheichelt  ox  *  Black-raiment'  of  Connacht  here,  that  was 
an  óglaech  to  Finn  and  had  all  but  deserted  from  him  on  account 
of  his  wage  which  he  thought  was  too  long  in  coming  to  him. 
The  three  battles  of  the  Fianna  went  about  to  detain  him,  but 
with  them  he  rested  not ;  to  stay  him  therefore  came  Finn,  in 
whose  manner  of  staying  an  óglaech  were  special  properties,  one 
of  them  being  that  if  on  the  mutineer  he  made  but  three  quatrains 
he  would  incontinently  become  reconciled.     Finn  said  now  : — 

"  Thou,  Dhruimdherg  dána^  pre-eminent  in  the  encounter,  if  this  day  thou 
shalt  depart  from  me  with  credit  to  thyself,  then  is  our  leave-taking  a  matter 
of  rejoicing  to  us.  But  at  rath  chró  thrice  fifty  ounces  once  I  gave  thee  in  a 
single  day ;  and  at  cam  Ruidhe  the  fill  of  my  cuach^  of  silver  and  of  yellow 
gold.  Rememberest  thou  at  rath  Aei  when  we  got  the  two  women,  and  when 
we  ate  the  nuts,  that  I  was  there  and  likewise  thou  ?" 

Again  and  the  whole  company  drew  forward  to  ros  na  hechraidhe 
or  *the  grove  of  horses/ which  now  is  named  ail  fionn  or  *  the  white 
stone,'  i.e.  *  Elphin'  [where  Caeilte  explained]  :  "the  reason  of  its 
being  called  *  the  horse  grove'  was  that  when  the  provincial  kings 
of  Ireland  banquetted  in  Cruachan  here  it  was  their  horses  used 
to  be  in  fenced  paddocks." 

"  Victory  and  benediction  be  thine,  Caeilte,"  said  Patrick  : 
"that  is  great  experience  thou  possessest !" 

There  they  had  been  but  a  little  while  when  they  saw  come  to 
them  a  lone  woman  robed  in  mantle  of  green,  a  smock  of  soft 
silk  being  next  her  skin,  and  on  her  forehead  a  glittering  plate 
of  yellow  gold.  "  Whence  art  thou  come,  young  woman  ?"  chal- 
lenged Patrick.    "  Out  of  uaimh  Chruachna  or  '  the  cave  of  Crua- 


The  Colloquy,  203 

chan/"  she  replied.  Caeilte  asked  :  "woman,  my  soul,  who  art 
thou  ?"  "I  am  Scothniamh  or  *  Flower-lustre,'  daughter  of  the 
Daghda's  son  Bodhb  derg."  Caeilte  proceeded :  "  and  what 
started  thee  hither?"  "To  require  of  thee  my  marriage-gift, 
because  once  upon  a  time  thou  promisedst  me  such."  "What 
then  was  it  that  hindered  thee  from  coming  to  earn  Cairedha 
away  south  in  Leinster  s  province  to  seek  it,  seeing  it  fiad  been 
promised  that  there  thou  shouldst  have  it?"  ".Untruthfully 
thou  sayest  that,"  she  rejoined,  "considering  the  separation 
one  from  the  other  that  was  forced  on  us."  Here  Patrick 
broke  in  with :  "  it  is  a  wonder  to  us  how  we  see  you  two : 
the  girl  young  and  invested  with  all  comeliness ;  but  thou, 
Caeilte,  a  withered  ancient,  bent  in  the  back  and  dingily  grown 
grey."  "  Which  is  no  wonder  at  all,"  said  Caeilte,  "  for  no  people 
of  one  generation  or  of  one  time  are  we :  she  is  of  the  tuatlia  dé 
datianrty  who  are  unfading  and  whose  duration  is  perennial ;  I 
am  of  the  sons  of  Milesius,  that  are  perishable  and  fade  away." 
Patrick  said  :  "  give  the  woman  her  answer,  Caeilte."  "  That 
will  I  indeed,"  he  answered,  and  took  his  way  to  cam  soghradhach 
on  the  north-west  side  of  Cruachan  ;  he  put  his  left  elbow  to  the 
cairn,  pushed  aside  some  of  it,  thrust  in  his  hand  and  brought 
up  the  highbordach :  a  crannoge  which  for  purposes  of  rent  and 
tribute  had  been  given  to  Finn,  and  which  Finn  gave  as  wages 
to  Conan  mael  mz.c  Morna,  who  hid  it  in  the  cairn.  The  crannoge  / 
was  on  this  wise  :  stuffed  with  its  fill  of  gold  ;  and  Caeilte  gave  y 
it  to  the  young  woman  as  her  bride-gift^  "It  is  but  a  sterr 
distance  off  the  road  and  track  of  chariots  that  thou  hast  gotten 
that,  Caeilte,"  said  Patrick  ;  and  the  other  answered  : — 

"  People  have  been  that  heretofore  were  here,  for  all  the  precious  quality 
and  vastness  of  whose  gear  they  are  but'  very  few  [i.e.  none  at  all]  that  ever 
have  come  at  it,  though  not  remote  it  be  from  public  ways.  In  Slievefuad 
there  is  a  hidden  hoard  would  set  all  Ireland  on  the  move :  three  hundred 
ounces  of  the  ruddy  gold,  together  with  the  duille  dherg  or  *red  leaf  [a 
spear's  name].  Four  vats  full  of  gold  there  upon  the  very  pinnacle  of 
Slievesmole :  the  least  vat  of  them  being  too  wide  for  two,  yet  somewhat 
strait  to  hold  three  men.  Son  of  Calpum  endowed  with  sanctity,  this  much 
I  tell  thee  in  the  matter :  still  the  treasures  do  endure,  but  not  so  the  people." 

When  Patrick  had  made  an  end  of  his  hours,  of  Mass,  and  of 
all  the  order  of  the  Canon,  Caeilte  was  brought  to  him  and  he 


r 


204  The  Colloquy. 

interrogated  him  :  "  why  was  the  name  of  glenn  na  caillighe^  i.e. 
*  glen  of  the  caillech  or  hag/  given  to  this  one  below  ?"  and  Caeilte 
said  : — 

"  It  was  of  a  day  that  Finn  and  the  Fianna  were  here,  and  we 
saw  a  daft  thing  of  a  crooked-shinned  grimy-looking  hag  that 
made  for  us.  She  challenges  us  to  run  a  race  with  her  on  con- 
dition that  the  Fianna  risk  their  customary  stake  on  the  event, 
and  the  terms  concluded  accordingly  are  that  from  him  who 
shall  be  left  behind  his  head  be  taken.  We,  three  of  the  Fianna, 
ran  against  her:  Ossian  and  Diarrnaid 6  Duibhne  and  myself; 
and  we  ran  to  áth  ntór,  which  at  this  time  is  called  dth  mogha,  I 
was  first  crossing  the  ford  westwards  ;  I  turned  therefore  to  face 
the  beldam  behind  me  and  lent  her  a  sword-cut  that  put  her 
head  from  her  carcase,  since  which  time  to  the  present  'tis  from 
her  that  glen  is  named."  The  clerics  passed  into  the  mansion,  it 
was  blessed  by  them,  and  after  such  benediction  a  legion  of 
angels  hovered  over  it ;  there  then  they  tarried  for  a  fortnight 
beyond  the  month. 

Upon  a  certain  day  during  their  sojourn  in  this  place  they 
were  aware  of  a  young  man  whose  general  form  and  pleasurable 
aspect  were  excellent  "  Who  art  thou,  stripling  ?"  Patrick  asked. 
"  I  am  Aedh  son  of  Eochaid  lethderg*'  he  replied,  "  son  of  the 
king  of  Leinster  in  the  south.  Now  it  was  a  goaling-match  that 
was  got  up  by  us  at  the  sldh  of  Liamhain  Soft-smock;  and  at  the 
hurling  were  present  my  father  and  my  mother,  Bebhinn  daughter 
of  Cuan  mac  Fintan  king  of  Connacht,  that  have  no  offspring  but 
myself  alone.  Against  the  youths  my  opponents  I  [i.e.  my  side] 
took  seven  goals ;  but  at  the  last  one  that  I  took,  here  come 
up  to  meCt^o  women  clad  i»  green  mantíe^:  two  daughters  of 
Bodhb  derg  mac  an  DagJida^  and  their  names  Slad  and  Mumain. 
Either  of  them  took  me  by  a  hand,  and  they  led  me  off  to  a 
garish  brugh ;  whereby  for  now  three  years  my  people  mourn 
after  me,  the  sldh-ioV^  caring  for  me  ever  since,  and  until  last 
night  I  got  a  chance  opening  to  escape  from  the  brugh,  when  to 
the  number  of  fifty  lads  we  emerged  out  of  the  sidh  and  forth 
upon  the  green.  Then  it  was  that  I  considered  the  magnitude 
of  that  strait  in  which  they  of  the  sidh  had  had  me,  and  away 
from   the   brugh  I  came  running  to   seek  thee,  holy  Patrick." 


V. 


"  That,"  said  the  Saint,  "  shall  be  to  thee  for  a  safeguard,  so  that 


The  Colloquy.  205 

neither  their  power  nor  their  dominion  shall  any  more  prevail 
against  thee." 

Then  Cacilte  said  to  Patrick:  "it  were  time  for  us  to  travel 
south  into  Leinster's  province  in  order  to  restore  his  son  to  the 
king,  to  sow  the  faith  there,  and  to  acquire  benefactions  to  the 
Church."  Patrick  called:  "where  is  Cascorach  mac  Cainchinne?" 
"Here  am  I,  holy  cleric,"  answered  the  minstrel.  "Be  the  king 
of  Leinster's  son  in  the  one  bed  and  in  the  one  condition  with 
thee  until  we  reach  his  province." 

Towards  Leinster  they  journeyed  now  and  so  gained  fert 
Raeirinne,  or  *the  grave  of  Raeire'  daughter  of  Ronan  ruadh 
or  *  rufus,'  in  the  great  plain  of  Leinster ;  and  here  Caeilte  told 
them  how  that  grave  came  by  the  name:  "it  was  an  only  sister 
that  I  had,"  he  said:  "whose  name  was  Raeire,  and  who  was 
wife  to  Goll  mac  Morna  ;  upon  this  tulach  she  died  in  childbirth 
of  a  son,  the  infant  also  perishing  with  her ;  and  now  would  I 
dearly  like  to  crave  a  boon  of  thee,  holy  Patrick."  "  Caeilte,  my 
soul,  what  boon  is  that?"  "  To  have  my  own  sister  brought  out 
of  torment,  since  now  I  have  attained  to  thy  fellowship  and  to 
thy  love."  Patrick  answered  him :  "  for  thy  sake  be  thy  father 
also,  thy  mother,  and  thy  lord  Finn  mac  Cumall  taken  out  of 
pain,  if  it  be  good  in  the  sight  of  God."  For  this  thing  Caeilte 
returned  thanks  to  God  and  to  the  Táilchenn^  and  it  was  the 
richest  prize  that  he  had  ever  had.  After  which  they  proceeded 
to  cam  na  gairadh  or  *  the  cairn  of  heroes/  at  this  time  called 
the  garbthanack  or  *  cruel  burial,'  in  Hy-Murray. 

"  Tell  us,  Cailte,"  said  Patrick,  "  for  what  reason  the  name  of 
an  gharbthanach  or  *the  cruel  burial'  was  conferred  on  this 
spot?"  and  Caeilte  answered  that: — 

"  It  was  a  monarch  that  swayed  Ireland :  Tuat/tal  techtmhar 
son  of  Fiaclia  findolach  son  of  Feradach  finnfechtnach  (which 
Tuathal  it  was  that  from  the  provincial  kings  of  Ireland  took 
their  heads  ;  so  that  from  this  techtadh  or  *  appropriation '  that  he 
made  of  Ireland,  and  exercised  upon  her  provincials  for  Tara 
to  serve  himself,  men  called  him  Tuathal  techtmhar  or  *the 
acquisitive  *),  and  he  had  two  daughters :  Fithir  and  Dairine 
were  their  names.  The  king  of  Leinster,  Eochaid  son  of  Eochaid 
ainclunn  came  to  sue  for  one  of  them,  and  Tuathal  questioned 
him:  *  whether  of  the  two  girls  wouldest  thou?*     'I  would  fain 


2o6  The  Colloquy. 

have  Fithir/  said  the  king  of  Leinster.  But  the  king  of  Ireland 
replied  that  the  younger  he  would  not  give  away  before  the 
elder,  therefore  to  the  king  of  Leinster  Tuathal's  daughter 
Dairine  was  given  ;  for  whose  bride-gift  he  assigned  of  every 
kind  of  stock  an  hundred.  In  this  place  for  a  year  she  was  by 
him,  but  he  loved  her  not ;  one  night  therefore  in  his  bed  he 
framed  within  himself  a  snare  and  artifice,  which  was  this:  to 
carry  the  king  of  Ireland's  daughter  into  mid-forest,  to  fell  it 
round  about  her  and,  nine  foster-sisters  that  she  had  being  with 
her,  to  construct  for  her  a  secret  and  secluded  house ;  then  to 
say  that  she  was  dead.  His  horses  were  harnessed  for  the  king, 
his  chariot  was  made  ready,  and  he  reached  Tara  to  confer  with 
the  king  of  Ireland.  The  latter  asked  him  for  news,  and  he  said: 
*  great  and  evil  tidings  I  have — that  the  daughter  thou  gavest  me 
died  last  night  with  us.'  *  Wherefore  then  art  thou  come  to  seek 
me  V  asked  Tuathal ;  *  for  a  tale  more  grievous  than  that  is  to 
me  I  have  not  heard.'  The  king  of  Leinster  said :  *  I  am  come 
to  solicit  of  thee  the  other  daughter,  for  I  would  not  be  severed 
from  thine  alliance.'  *  By  my  word,'  exclaimed  Tuathal,  '  the 
giving  of  my  daughter  to  thee  augurs  me  neither  peace  nor 
pleasure.'  The  king  of  Leinster  answered :  *  not  I  it  was  that  had 
power  of  her  life.'  So  the  other  daughter  was  given  to  him," 
Caciltc  went  on,  "  and  he  brought  her  to  this  town  ;  to  which 
when  the  girl  was  come,  there  her  sister  was  before  her  " : — 

Caeilte  cccinit. 
"  Her  mouth  Fithir  laid  to  the  ground  (no  perfect  alliance  this  for  Leinster's 
king) ;  and  so  her  heart  was  broken  into  three,  for  her  strength  was  vanished 
into  nothing. 

"And  when  the  other  daughter  saw  that  she  too  died,  for 
sorrow  of  her  sister : — 

"  Fithir  and  Dairine,  jovial  TuathaPs  daughters  twain :  Fithir  expired  for 
very  shame,  Dairine  died  of  grief  for  her." 

"  By  the  king  of  Leinster  their  laying  out  was  performed  here, 
and  the  king  said :  *  it  is  a  cruel  burial,'  whence  the  name  garb- 
tUanach  cleaves  to  this  place ;  and  in  this  sodded  grave,  holy 
Patrick,  they  were  laid  together,"  ended  Caeilte. 

"Success  and  benediction  be  thine,  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  cried 
Patrick  :  "  that  is  a  good  story ! " 

Hard  by  them  now  they  saw  a  brugh  with  a  fenced  field  of 


The  Colloquy.  207 

grass ;  in  it  a  youth  affable  and  of  distinguished  presence,  and 
in  the  pasture-field  before  him  thrice  fifty  horses.  Patrick  ap- 
proached the  stripling,  who  rose  before  him,  and  the  Saint  said : 
"  a  king's  supporters  be  about  thee  and  appertain  to  *  the  man  of 
thy  place '  [i.e.  thy  representative] ;  what  name  hast  thou  ?" 
"  I  am  Muiredach,  son  of  Tuathal  mac  Finnachta  king  of  this 
country."  "What  is  that  mansion  which  we  perceive?"  asked 
Patrick.  "  That  of  a  hospitaller  belonging  to  the  king  of 
Leinster's  people :  Coscrach  na  gcét  or  *  Coscrach  of  the  hun- 
dreds'  is  his  name."  "Why  is  that  name  imposed  on  him?" 
"  His  stock  and  herds  it  is  not  possible  to  number  until  they  be 
reckoned  by  hundreds."  Patrick  asked :  "  shall  we  there  find 
this  night's  entertainment  ?"  "  Thou  shalt,"  the  young  man 
answered,  "for  in  the  town  I  have  charge  and  authority,  the 
óglaech  of  the  place  not  being  there  himself."  So  they  came  to 
the  town,  and  he  lodged  Patrick  with  his  familia  in  a  most 
spacious  royal  house  that  was  in  it,  where  with  all  reverence 
they  were  ministered  to. 

As  regards  Caeilte  he  took  his  way  to  cloch  na  narm  or  *  the 
stone  of  arms  '  to  the  southward  of  the  dwelling  :  the  spot  where 
yearly  the  Fianna  practised  to  grind  their  weapons  upon  a  certain 
great  mass  of  stone  ;  and  he  standing  there  over  the  stone  wept 
copious  very  lamentable  tears  as  he  remembered  the  great  and 
brave  company  which  many  a  time  had  stood  over  it  along 
with  him.  But  he  had  not  been  there  long  before  he  discerned  a 
single  óglaech  that  came  towards  him :  around  him  was  a  crimson 
mantle  with  a  brooch  of  gold  in  it ;  he  wore  the  semblance  of 
a  good  man  and  had  a  princely  port,  smooth  curling  hair  too ; 
and  before  Caeilte  well  knew  it  the  young  man  sat  on  one  end  of 
the  stone  by  him.  "Warrior,  what  is  thy  cognomen?"  asked 
Caeilte.  ^^ Coscrach  na gcét  is  my  name,"  he  answered,  "and  art 
thou  he  for  whom  I  take  thee?"  "And  who  may  that  be?"  "As  I 
suppose,"  said  Coscrach,  "  thou  art  Caeilte  mac  Ronan."  Caeilte 
answered :  "  true  it  is  that  I  am  so."  "  I  rejoice  that  thou  hast 
chanced  towards  me,"  Coscrach  said.  "And  why  is  that?"  Cos- 
crach says:  "I  have  nine-and-twenty  j^/Vr(?<://<i  or  'plough-lands'; 
and  when  it  is  fitting  time  for  reaping  of  the  crop  here  comes  a 
most  impetuous  wild  deer  that  spoils  and  ruins  it  all  to  such 
pitch  that  we  have  no  profit  of  the  same.    I  adjure  thee  therefore, 


2o8  The  Colloquy, 

Caeilte  my  soul,  lend  me  some  succour  and  relief  in  the  matter 
of  averting  that  stag  from  me/'  "When  I  was  in  vigour  and 
in  fettle  I  would  have  fended  off  that  same  from  thee/'  said 
Caeilte. 

Here  they  marked  the  approach  of  a  swift-marching  phalanx, 
hostile  in  array  of  battle,  with  a  grove  of  tall  spears  reared  at 
their  shoulders,  a  bulwark  of  well-turned  red  shields  protecting 
them.  "  Coscrach,  my  soul,  who  are  they  ? "  asked  Caeilte. 
"  Tuathal  mac  Finnachta,  king  of  this  country,"  said  Coscrach ; 
and  with  that  the  óglaech  sat  down  upon  the  green  where  they 
were. 

Then  Caeilte  said  to  Coscrach  of  the  hundreds :  "  couldst  thou 
but  find  messengers  to  cluain  chaoin  na  fairche  or  *  Clonkeen '  in 
the  province  of  Munster,  to  doire  na  finghaiU  or  *  the  oak-grove 
of  fratricide,'  my  seven  hunting  nets  are  there."  The  messengers 
went  to  fetch  the  nets  therefore,  and  brought  them  back.  Caeilte 
ordered  this  hunt,  disposing  the  bulk  of  the  men  and  greater 
part  of  the  hounds  in  the  direction  from  which  he  supposed 
that  the  stag  would  come.  Upon  the  precipices  and  waterfalls 
and  invers  of  the  country  he  stretched  his  nets,  and  the  great 
deer  (as  his  habit  yearly  was)  came  at  them.  Caeilte,  seeing 
him  come  to  áth  an  daimh  or  *the  stag's  ford'  on  the  Slaney, 
grasped  the  coscrach  or  *  the  slayer,'  his  spear  namely,  and  as  the 
deer  was  entangled  in  the  toils  smote  him  with  a  mighty  throw 
so  that  of  the  spear's  shaft  [besides  the  head]  a  portion  equal  to 
the  length  of  a  warrior's  hand  shewed  through  him.  Coscrach 
said  then :  "  in  good  sooth  I  think  the  deer's  blood  is  drawn  " ; 
whence  from  that  time  to  this  áth  deargtha  an  daimh  or  *  ford  of 
bleeding  the  stag '  is  its  name.  His  chine  they  carried  to  druim 
leathan  or  *  broad  ridge,'  which  at  this  time  is  called  druim  ndearg 
na  damhraidlie  or  *  red  ridge  of  the  deer.'  "  Caeilte,  thine  advent 
to  usward  is  a  lucky  one,"  said  Coscrach  of  the  hundreds.  They 
gained  the  mansion  in  which  Patrick  was,  and  Coscrach  laid  his 
head  in  the  Saint's  bosom,  as  did  his  seven  sons  also  and  his 
seven  daughters,  and  all  made  genuflexion  to  him ;  for  on  this 
night  two  benefits  were  befallen  Coscrach:  Patrick's  ministration 
to  his  soul's  weal,  and  Caeilte's  salvage  of  his  crops  by  slaughter 
of  the  stag  that  wasted  him.  That  night  then  they  passed  with 
quaffing   and   all   enjoyment,   and  on    the   morrow   the   whole 


The  Colloquy.  209 

company  together  with  saint  Patrick  issued  forth  on  the  fort's 
green. 

Then  Coscrach  questioned  Caeilte:  "why  was  the  name  of 
clock  na  narm  given  to  this  solid  block  of  stone?"  "That," 
Caeilte  answered,  "  is  the  stone  on  which  yearly  at  samliainAAÁ^ 
the  Fianna  used  to  grind  their  arms ;  and  on  that  stone  was 
exposed  the  best  official  test  of  peace  [prevailing  in  the  land] 
that  during  the  reign  of  Conn,  of  Art,  of  Cormac  and  of  Cairbre 
Lifechair  was  in  either  Ireland  or  Scotland :  an  arm-ring  of  red 
gold  which,  there  being  a  hole  in  the  pillar-stone,  was  passed 
through  the  same,  and  so  excellent  was  the  rule  of  those  kings 
that  none  dared  take  it  away ;  while  the  magicians'  divination 
was  so  acute  that  therefore,  as  well  as  for  the  said  kings'  discipline, 
none  ventured  so  much  as  to  move  it  with  a  touch.  Howbeit 
those  former  kings  successively  passed  away  until  Cairbre  Life- 
chair  arose,  who  fell  in  the  battle  of  Gowra ;  then  we  (so  many 
of  the  remnant  of  the  Fianna  as  we  were)  retreated  to  this  ford, 
and  with  putting  of  that  which  had  been  its  upper  part  down- 
wards I  inverted  the  stone  so  that  it  was  as  ye  behold  it."  The 
company  said:  "could  we  but  see  the  hole  and  the  token  we 
would  believe  the  thing."  "  Grant  me  a  little  spell — for  the  Gael 
is  a  perfervid  being — till  I  lift  the  nether  and  make  an  upper 
end  of  it,"  said  Caeilte ;  whence  the  adage :  *  a  perfervid  being 
is  the  Gael.*  But  the  whole  of  them  as  many  as  they  were  there 
went  at  it  presently  and  all  together,  yet  even  so  availed  no  jot 
with  it.  Then  came  Caeilte  and  with  his  two  fore-arms  embraced 
it,  hove  it  out  of  the  earth,  and  it  proved  to  be  thus:  with  its 
bangle  of  gold  through  a  hole  at  the  lower  end,  so  that  all  in 
general  saw  it.  Caeilte  addressed  himself  to  the  bracelet  and 
divided  it  in  two :  one-half  he  gave  to  Patrick,  the  other  to  them 
of  the  town  in  which  they  were,  and  its  name  therefore  from  that 
time  to  this  is  cluain  fhalach^  i.e.  *  lawn  of  the  fail  or  armlet ' ; 
that  of  the  stone  being  Ha  na  narm  or  *  the  monolith  of  arms.*" 
Whereupon  Cailte  uttered  a  quatrain : — 

'*  Many  a  spear  of  the  kind  with  which  grief  is  wrought,  many  an  accom* 
plished  hero's  sword,  was  sharpened  by  us  here  upon  the  pillar-stone,  O 
Coscrach,  on  each  recurring  samhain-á2iy,** 

"  Success  and  benediction  attend  thee,  Caeilte ;  that  is  good 
antiquarian  lore  thou  hast  imparted  to  us  I "  said  Patrick. 

p 


210  The  Colloquy. 

For  Coscrach  of  the  hundreds  his  horses  were  harnessed  now, 
his  chariot  was  made  ready,  and  away  he  came  eastwards  to 
druim  leatltan  or  *the  broad  ridge*  of  Laeghaire  mac  Ugaine, 
in  order  to  confer  with  Eochaid  leitkdearg\áng  of  Leinster,  and  to 
tell  them  there  all  about  Caeilte.  "Coscrach,"  said  the  king, 
"  in  that  thou  never  advisedst  me  that  Caeilte  was  with  thee  my 
displeasure  at  thee  is  great." 

To  seek  Patrick  and  Caeilte  then  the  king  of  Leinster  rose  out 
three  battles  strong  to  Rathmore  of  Moyfea,  which  at  the  present 
is  termed  Rathmore  in  the  great  plain  of  Leinster.  Patrick  with 
his   familia  sit  in  front  of  the  rath  (whence  suide  Pátraic  or 

*  Patrick's  seat '  is  the  spot's  name),  and  the  king  of  Leinster 
with  all  his  numbers  sits  likewise.  "  Though  I  be  come  to  thee, 
saint  Patrick  my  soul,"  says  the  king,  "  yet  were  we  at  the  time 
already  oppressed  with  a  sore  emergency :  inasmuch  as  Ailill  mac 
Scanlann  mac  Dunghal,  king  of  the  Decies,  had  challenged  us  to 
battle  at  coill  an  chosnamlia  or  *the  wood  of  contention,*  now 
called  magh  Raighne  or  *  Raighne*s  plain*;  but  him  I  have 
suffered  to  burn  the  country,  and  am  come  to  do  thy  will  and  to 
have  speech  of  thee."  Patrick  answered  :  "  with  thee  in  guerdon 
of  it  be  the  burial-place  of  Ireland*s  kings,  if  only  thou  make  the 
circuit  of  this  flagstone  on  which  I  sit  *' ;  and  Caeilte  uttered : — 

"At  Laeghaire's  broad  ridge  a  flagstone  lies  ;  the  which  if  [on  the  eve  of 
battle]  Leinster's  king  of  the  wide  territories  but  go  right-handed  round,  the 
defeat  shall  be  in  front  of  that  good  man." 

Now  said  Patrick:  "  I  command  that  where  he  [Ailill]  stands 
in  magh  Raighne  there  the  earth  swallow  him  up  ** ;  which  also 
was  effected  on  the  spot :  for  by  efficacy  of  Saint  Patrick's  word 
the  earth  engulfed  him,  and  it  was  decreed  that  never  should 
his  successor  prevail  against  a  king  of  Leinster. 

The  king  said:  "greatly  I  welcome  thine  advent,  Caeilte, 
though  it  were  trusting  to  thy  face  alone  thou  camest  [i.e.  on 
thine  own  merits  apart  from  Patrick's  support] !  and  good  right 
too  why  thou  shouldst  come,  for  thy  mother  was  Teigue's 
daughter  Eithne.  But  tell  me,  Fian-chief,  why  the  well  which 
we  have  here  before  the  rath  was  called  tipra  na  scaidlieirce  or 

*  the  mirror  well."*  "  It  was  Scáithdearc  or  *  mirror,'  daughter  of 
Cum  all,  who  as  she  tried  the  bramble-bush  of  loch  Lurgan  was 
drowned  in  that  well ;   for  out  of  that  same  bush  the  swelling 


TJie  Colloquy.  2 1 1 

cold-lymphed  loch  Lurgan  rose  and  spread  from  an  cJiorrabhall 
or  *  the  odd  apple-tree  *  that  is  against  Slievesmole  or  *  the 
mountain  of  Sf9i6l  mac  EidhUcair'  (now  called  Slievebloom) 
even  to  this  spot,  and  was  in  process  of  extending  over  the 
whole  province.  Then  it  was  that  Finn  brought  into  play  the 
most  powerful  and  pre-excellent  defence  that  ever  any  contrived, 
whether  before  or  since:  the  súghmaire  or  *  sucker'  out  of  the 
land  of  India,  the  wizards  out  of  the  land  of  Almayne,  the 
Amazons  out  of  Saxon-  and  out  of  Frank-land,  and  absorbed 
that  swelling  cold-lymphed  loch." 

"  Those  original  Fianna  of  Finn's  were  a  noble  set,"  said  the 
king  of  Leinster.  "  No  worse  than  each  man  of  us  their  survivors 
was  each  man  of  them,  except  in  so  far  as  they  attained  not  to 
be  in  the  one  epoch  and  time  with  you  ;  and  a  thing  that  served 
shepherds  and  herdsmen  for  a  pastime  was  to  practise  here  the 
gathering  up  of  their  weapons  and  of  their  raiment  that  once 
were  the  three  battalions  of  the  Fianna :  Finn  mac  Cumall's,  and 
those  of  Ferdoman  mac  Innoman  from  láthrach  caein  or  *  plea- 
sant site,'  of  the  Galianic  province."  Eochaid  king  of  Leinster 
said :  "  by  the  reality  of  thy  valour  and  of  thy  skill  at  arms, 
Caeilte,  I  conjure  thee  to  recite  for  us  in  their  companies  and  in 
their  cohorts  all  such  as  loch  Lurgan's  bramble-bush  drowned  of 
them."     Then  Caeilte  said : — 

"  Faelan  of  Finnloch  out  of  the  province  of  Connacht  in  the 
west ;  Angus  and  Dobarchú  or  *  waterdog,'  i.e.  *  otter,'  out  of 
Leinster  s  province ;  Druimdiurg  or  *  red-back '  of  Derry,  and 
Dubh  dlid  dét  or  *  black  one  of  two  teeth,'  of  Kinelconall  in  the 
north  ;  lubhar  and  Aicher,  Aedh  and  Art,  the  four  kings  of  coill 
an  chosnam/ia  at  this  present  called  Ossory ;  Cairell,  Caicher, 
Cormac  and  Caemh,  the  king  of  Dalaradia's  four  sons  out  of  the 
north ;  Maine  and  Art  and  Aralt  or  '  Harold,'  the  king  of  Scot- 
land's three  sons  from  beyond  ;  Eobhran  and  Aedh  and  Eoghan, 
the  king  of  Britain's  three  sons ;  Uai  king  of  Isla  and  his  two 
sons :  Cerna  and  Cemabroc,  the  two  kings  of  innse  gall  or  *  the 
isles  of  strangers,'  i.e.  the  Hebrides,  in  the  north ;  Diure  and 
Barrae  and  Idae,  the  king  of  northern  Lochlann's  three  sons ; 
Luath  and  Innell  and  Eoghan,  the  three  kings  of  the  Mairtine 
of  Munster  in  the  west ;  Glas  and  Delga  and  Duibhne,  three  sons 
of  the  king  of  the  tuatha  of  Bregia  and  of  Meath ;  Illann  and 

P  2 


212  The  Colloquy. 

Aedh  and  Eoghanan,  three  sons  of  the  king  of  Kinelowen  in  the 
north  ;  Samaisc  and  Arthur  and  Inbeir,  three  sons  of  the  king  of 
the  gallghaedhel  or  *  Norse-Gael  *  from  beyond  ;  which  make  up 
the  names  of  the  chiefs  and  lords  and  men  of  territory  which  the 
bramble-bush  drowned  of  Finn  mac  CumalFs  original  Fianna. 
And  though  my  vigour  and  my  spear-throwing  be  done  for, 
yet  have  I  known  this  plain  that  it  was  a  swelling  and  cold- 
ly mphed  loch  the  water  of  which  was  blue  and  clear."  He 
uttered  now: — 

"  Water  of  a  pellucid  rill    .    .    ." 

Then  he  brought  to  mind  and  took  heed  that  this  day  he 
lacked  his  Fianna,  his  band,  his  own  very  people,  and  was  reft  of 
his  strength  and  spear-skill ;  whereat  he  fell  to  grieve  mightily. 
"  Good  now,  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  said  Patrick,  "  it  is  not  just  for 
thee  to  grieve ;  for  thy  desire  [gratified]  and  thy  state  now  are 
better  than  all  the  rest,  inasmuch  as  I  have  found  thee,  and  that 
to  thee  above  any  other  one  of  the  Fianna  God's  good  things,  as 
faith,  and  piety,  and  fervent  prayer,  are  come." 

The  end  of  day,  and  night's  first  beginning,  came  upon  them 
now  and  Coscrach  said  to  the  king  of  Leinster:  "  I  have  for  thee 
a  large  and  dainty  banquet,  eight  score  vats  of  ale  fit  to  drink 
and  of  a  fine  flavour."  "  Never,"  returned  the  king,  "  has  there 
been  offered  me  a  feast  with  which  I  was  pleased  better  than  with 
this."  As  many  as  they  were  therefore,  both  of  laymen  and  of 
clerics  that  accompanied  Saint  Patrick,  they  started  for  said  feast 
and  entered  into  the  mansion. 

Then  stood  up  a  cup-bearer  to  pour  out,  a  door-keeper  to  do 
the  ofliice  of  the  door,  a  dispenser  to  make  out  portions ;  from 
their  own  proper  vats  of  red  yew  the  spigots  were  taken  by  them, 
servitors  arose  with  goblets  of  white  gold,  and  to  all  in  general 
meat  and  liquor  were  served  out. 

But  the  king  of  Leinster  said  to  Patrick:  "saw  we  hot  a 
minstrel  with  you?"  "Surely  thou  sawest  one,"  answered  Pat- 
rick: "Cascorach,  that  with  Caeilte  acquires  knowledge  and 
instruction.  Where,"  he  continued,  "is  the  acolyte?"  "Here 
am  I,  holy  cleric."  "Get  thee  out,"  said  the  Saint  [privily], 
"  and  let  Aedh  son  of  Eochaid  king  of  Leinster  carrying  Casco- 
rach's  timpan  for  him  come  back  with  thee,  but  with  a  dark 


The  Colloquy.  213 

and  ample  hood  upon  him."     In  which  wise  he  was  brought  to 
Patrick  and  to  the  king  of  Leinster. 

Cascorach  played  his  timpan,  inspiring  it  with  a  certain  fairy 
cadence;  whence  it  is  reported  that  to  the  marvellous  magic 
music  which  he  made  for  them  wounded  men  would  have  slept 
Which  done,  jewels  and  things  of  price  were  given  to  the 
minstrel,  who  continually  put  them  into  his  gilla's  hand  [as 
though  to  keep  for  him] ;  but  the  latter  as  regularly  distributed 
them  to  all.  These  questioned :  "  which  of  the  three  excels  in 
generosity — whether  they  that  in  the  first  place  bestow  the 
jewels,  or  the  minstrel,  or  the  gilla}"  " The  gilla's  liberality  is 
the  best,"  said  the  king,  "  for  he  it  is  that  to  the  general  gives 
away  all  that  he  gets."  Cascorach  said :  **  everything  that  I 
shall  get  let  him  give  it  out ;  for  not  to  gather  pelf  am  I  with 
the  Táilchenn  and  Caeilte,  but  to  gain  knowledge  and  instruc- 
tion with  Caeilte,  and  from  Patrick  to  win  Heaven  for  my  soul." 
The  king  asked :  "  minstrel,  my  soul,  where  gottest  thou  the 
gilla  that  in  generosity  exceeds  thyself?"  "Away  north  in  the 
province  of  Ulster,"  Cascorach  answered.  "What  name  has 
he?"  "  He  is  just  ^ gilla  that  we  got  hold  of,  concerning  whom 
it  is  unknown  whether  he  have  a  name,  or  even  a  father  and 
mother."  ,^ 

The  king  of  Leinster  stood  up  with  a  great  horn  that  was  in  | 
his  hand,  and  said:  "good,  my  soul,  holy  Patrick,  it  was  once 
when  we  were  at  soft-smocked  Liamhain's  sidh,  and  to  us  came 
a  pair  of  delicate  yellow-haired  damsels  that  out  of  the  midst  of 
the  meetin^arried  off  my  only  sop>,  neither  know  we  whether 
it  was  up  into  the  firmament  or  into  earth  downwards  they  took 
him.  I  after  my  only  son  am  as  a  solitary  tree  opposed  to 
wind  ;  and  from  that  time  to  this  want  him,  not  knowing  in  the 
world  how  he  fares.  From  thee  therefore,  holy  Patrick,  I  would 
learn  whether  he  be  alive  or  whether  he  be  dead."  The  Saint 
said :  "  if  it  be  God*s  good  pleasure  knowledge  of  that  shall  be 
had  for  thee."  There  they  were  until  rising  time  on  the  morrow,  j 
and  until  the  sun  went  up  out  of  his  fiery  zone. 

Then  said  the  king  to  Patrick :  "  for  hunting  and  for  the 
chase  I  desire  to  go  eastwards  to  tiilach  an  nikdil  or  *  the  hero's 
hill,*  in  the  plain  of  Leinster  ;  and  it  were  right  thou  camest  with 
me,  for  it  will  divert  thee  more  than  will  the  being  at  home:  the 


2 1 4  The  Colloquy. 

whole  throng  and  multitude  of  Leinster  will  congregate  to  us 
there."  Hereupon  two  great  companies  went  with  them:  one 
set,  whose  occupation  was  devotion  and  the  faith,  with  Patrick ; 
another,  that  were  busied  with  the  Fianna  of  Ireland's  many 
deeds  of  valour  and  of  arms,  with  Caeilte  mac  Ronan  and  the 
king.  Thus  they  went  their  way  to  iulach  an  mháil  in  Leinster's 
plain. 

There  the  king  questioned  Caeilte:  "wherefore  was  that  name 
given  to  this  hill,  and  cnocAeife  to  that  one  below?"  and  Caeilte 
began : — 

"  It  was  a  monarch  that  swayed  Scotland :  Aiel  son  of  Donald 
of  the  fleet,  and  he  had  a  son :  Mál  mac  Aiel,  who  again  had  a 
spouse:  Aeife,  daughter  of  Scoa's  son  Albh  king  of  Lochlann  to 
the  northward.  Now  of  Finn's  people  was  a  warrior,  mac  Lugh- 
ach,  and  in  every  laudatory  composition  whatsoever  that  in  both 
Ireland  and  Scotland  was  made  for  Finn,  mac  Lughach's  praises 
were  recited.  What  then — why  when  the  king  of  Lochlann's 
daughter  heard  the  great  testimonies  that  authors  and  ollaves 
bore  to  mac  Lughach  she  loved  him  for  his  reputation. 

"Mai  mac  Aiel,  three  hundred  óglaechs  strong,  went  to  hunt 
sliabh  mar  monaidh  in  Scotland ;  who  being  gone  the  lady  in  her 
bower  framed  a  design :  to  take  with  her  over  to  Ireland  nine  own 
foster-sisters  that  she  had  ;  and  such  nine  women  accordingly 
came  over  the  *  sea's  mane '  [i.e.  wave-crests]  to  Ben-Edar,  where 
the  nine  women,  the  queen  tenth,  landed. 

"That  was  the  day  on  which  the  hunting  of  Ben-Edar  was 
made,  its  extent  being  from  the  little  field  of  Meille  mac  Lurga 
Lom's  house  against  Slievebloom  up  to  Ben-Edar ;  and  where 
Finn  was  was  in  his  hunting-seat,  with  his  gentle  loving  foster- 
ling by  him:  Duibhrinn,  son  of  the  king  of  Kinelconall  out  of 
the  north : — 

Caeilte  cecinit 

"  Brown-haired  Duibhrinn  that  could  fight  the  fight  many  a  time  I  summon 
to  the  flowing  ale;  my  pleasant  right-spoken  little  fosterling  and  my  very 
heart  the  sportive  Duibhrinn  was. 

"  Far  and  wide  on  every  side  the  youngster  looked  about  him 
and  there  before  him  saw  a  vessel  that  took  the  haven's  beach, 
there  being  in  her  after  part  a  modest-eyed  queenly  lady  with 
nine  women  in  her  company.     With  great  store  of  all  rich  things 


The  Colloquy.  2 1 5 

such  as  they  had  brought  with  them  they  joined  Finn,  by  whose 
side  Aeife  sat  down.  The  Fian- chief  looks  upon  her  and  requests 
an  account  of  herself,  whereupon  from  first  to  last  she  tells  him 
all  her  doings:  that  she,  being  fallen  in  love  with  mac  Lughach, 
was  come  over  the  sea  to  seek  him.  Then  Finn  welcomed  her, 
for  close  was  his  kinship  with  him  to  whom  she  came:  his 
daughter's  son. 

"  The  hunting  had  an  end  and  the  gentles  of  the  Fianna  by 
bands  and  companies  repaired  to  Finn,  each  party  as  they  came 
up  enquiring  who  might  the  queen  be.  Finn  told  them  her 
name  and  style,  and  the  errand  on  which  she  came  to  Ireland. 

*  We  greet  her  that  has  taken  such  a  journey,*  they  made 
answer:  *for  in  Ireland  or  in  Scotland,  save  only  Finn  the  chief, 
is  no  better  man  than  he  to  whom  she  is  come.' 

"  It  was  to  mac  Lughach  that  the  hunting  of  Slievebloom's 
western  side  was  fallen  that  day  and  [that  being  the  farthest 
point]  he  last  with  all  his  number  reached  us.  Finn's  tent  was 
spread  over  him,  and  into  it  were  brought  the  lady  and  the 
chieftains  of  the  Fianna ;  mac  Lughach  entering  sat  on  one  side 
of  Finn,  she  took  the  other.  As  all  the  rest  had  done,  so  too 
mac  Lughach  questioned  concerning  her,  and  Finn  gave  him  her 
whole  history  from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  saying:  *to  thee 
she  is  come,  and  out  of  my  hand  into  thine  here  she  is,  together 
with  all  her  battle  and  her  strife ;  yet  upon  thee  will  not  that  lie 
more  heavily  than  on  the  Fianna  at  large  [who  will  have  to  back 
thee].'  That  same  night  Finn  (and  with  him  the  Fianna  bring- 
ing the  lady  with  her  woman-folk)  came  to  Almain,  where  mac 
Lughach  and  she  were  bedded,  and  for  a  year  and  a  month  she 
was  with  him  unclaimed.  But  then,"  continued  Caeilte,  "  we  the 
three  battles  of  the  Fianna  being  upon  this  hill  saw  before  long 
three  bold  divisions  equal  in  size  that  marched  on  us.  We 
demanded  who  was  there,  and  they  answered :  *  it  is  Mai  son  of 
Aiel  son  of  Donald  of  the  fleet,  to  avenge  his  wife  upon  the 
Fianna.'     *A  good  time  it  is  at  which  he  comes,'  said  Fionn, 

*  just  when  we  are  all  in  one  spot' 

"  Then  the  battalia  advanced  on  each  other:  Aiel  son  of  Donald 
of  the  fleet  grasped  his  arms,  came,  and  ten  times  charged 
through  and  through  the  Fianna,  of  whom  at  each  rush  fell  a 
hundred  warriors.     In  the  battle's  centre  he  and  mac  Lugach 


2 1 6  The  Colloquy. 

fought:  past  the  smooth  hard  spears'  necks  either  towards  other 
took  four  paces,  and  with  the  broad-grooved  swords  laid  on  : 
each  one  upon  his  fellow's  head.  Be  it  a  long  time  or  a  short 
that  they  were  at  it,  at  all  events  Mai  fell  by  mac  Lughach,  and 
was  buried  in  this  tulach*^  Caeilte  said,  and  uttered : — 

"  Tulach  an  mhdil  this  is :  a  tulach  where  much  carnage  was ;  there 
warriors  lay  in  their  blood,  and  strength  in  martial  strokes  there  was. 
Seven  score  of  ships  in  number  Mai  came  o'er  the  glittering  and  foaming 
brine;  of  which  save  only  a  single  vessel's  crew  no  soul  escaped  alive.  In 
virtue  of  shield  and  battle-sword,  of  many-coloured  raiment,  gallantly  Mai 
crossed  the  sea :  whose  hand  in  action  was  a  hero's.  Many  a  cliff  and  many 
a  famous  inver,  many  a  river  and  many  a  bum  [he  faced],  many  a  hazard 
and  tribulation  [he  endured,  and  emitted]  many  an  uch !  or  ever  he  won  to 
the  tulach  \ 

"Hence  that  name  belongs  to  the  tulach^  and  we  have  cath 
tulcha  an  m/idil  or  *the  battle  of  tulach  an  niliáiV\  but  tulack 
Aeife  is  the  name  of  yon  hill  farther  down,  for  upon  that  one  the 
lady  stood  so  long  as  the  battle  was  a-fighting.  From  which 
time  forth  she  belonged  to  mac  Lughach,  and  to  him  became  a 
mother  of  children." 

Patrick  and  the  whole  company  together  rose  now  from  the 
hill  on  which  they  were,  and  progressed  as  far  as  tulach  na  bfiadk 
or  *the  hill  of  deer'  to  the  westward  thereof  Here  Caeilte 
spied  two  raths  that  were  on  that  tulachy  as  rath  Speldin  and 
rath  an  mlidil  *or  the  hero's  rath,'  and  the  king  of  Leinster 
[when  they  were  pointed  out  to  him]  said :  "  Caeilte,  my  soul,  the 
one  rath  is  a  large  one;  and  who  were  in  them  both?"  "Two 
hospitallers  to  the  king  of  Ireland,  to  Cormac,"  answered  Caeilte: 
"  and  in  them  it  was  that,  from  the  first  of  the  month  troglian 
now  called  lughnasadh  or  *  Lammas*  to  the  day  of  sam/iain  or 
*All-Hallows,'  yearly  those  two  hospitallers :  Began  the  stock- 
master  and  Speldn  son  of  Dubhán^  had  the  pledges  of  all  Ireland, 
feeding  them." 

Yet  another  tulach  they  saw  near  to  them,  and:  "Caeilte," 
said  the  king  of  Leinster,  "  why  has  this  been  called  caeilesna  or 
*the  short  rib?'"  "I  remember  that,"  Caeilte  answered:  "it  was 
Milid  out  of  the  east,  son  of  Trechosach  king  of  the  continent, 
that  with  thrice  fifty  óglaeclis  came  to  win  Ireland's  sovereignty. 
He  fell  to  require  pledges  of  Finn  mac  Cumall ;  but  the  latter 
said  that  to  any  such  number  (though  picked  from  the  whole 


The  Colloquy.  ,  217 

world's  humans)  he  would  not  yield  so  much  as  a  gtlla^  or  other 
captive  whatsoever.  Milid  defied  Finn  to  single  combat ;  but  I 
rose,"  said  Caeilte,  "  for  that  day  there  was  in  me  the  capacity  to 
handle  a  good  man,  and  by  me  he  perished  sheerly  wearied  out 
with  fight.  Now  so  hugely  pleased  at  his  fall  the  men  of  Ireland 
were  that  a  portion  of  him  was  bestowed  on  every  tulach  of 
note,  two  of  his  short  ribs  being  left  on  this  one,  and  hence  that 
appellation." 

Again  they  moved  on  and  as  far  as  Rathmore  of  Moyfea, 
even  to  the  king  of  Leinster's  mansion.  That  night  he  had  a 
banquetting-house  set  in  order,  and  prescribed  to  furnish  Casco- 
rach  with  his  timpan  to  the  end  he  should  make  minstrelsy  for 
the  company.  Patrick  said :  "  let  the  gilla  whom  we  found,  his 
own  gilla,  deliver  him  his  timpan."  The  gilla  brought  the  instru- 
ment, handed  it  to  the  minstrel,  and  Cascorach  received  it  into 
his  hand. 

At  this  instant  it  was  that  the  roof-tree  took  fire:  all  in  unison 
were  staring  at  the  flames,  and  the  musician  made  a  motion  to 
lay  the  timpan  out  of  his  hand  and  into  its  case ;  but  the  gilla 
said  to  him :  "  never  let  that  hinder  thee  of  thine  art  nor  of  thy 
minstrelsy  ;  leave  it  but  to  me  to  save  the  house."  A  lump  of  a 
stone  that  he  had,  rolled  in  a  corner  of  his  shirt,  he  took  then  and 
hurled  so  excellently  well  that  both  roof-tree  and  fire  it  carried 
away  and  out  over  the  town's  lofty  palisade;  whence  árd  féice 
or  *  roof-tree  eminence '  has  from  that  day  to  this  been  the  name 
of  the  place.  **  Success  attend  thy  throwing,  my  son,"  cried 
Patrick :  "  good  luck  go  with  thy  distributing  and  with  thy  cutting 
up ! "  All  they  of  the  house  said:  "  never  have  we  seen  minstrel 
have  gilla  better  than  is  that  one  for  strength,  for  address,  for 
generosity."  Here  they  abode  for  that  night  and,  all  being  on 
the  morrow  risen  with  Saint  Patrick,  went  upon  cnoc  na  righ  or 
'  the  hill  of  kings,'  which  now  is  called  Maiste  or  *  the  hill  of 
Mullaghmast,'  where  Patrick  sat  down.  As  for  the  king  of 
Leinster,  by  him  a  hunting-match  was  set  on  foot  in  the  spot 
now  called  árd  na  macraidhe  or  *  the  hill  of  lads '  (a  present 
alternative  name  also  being  árd  scol  or  *hill  of  schools'), 
extending  to  lias  na  móirrighna  or  *  liss  of  the  great  queen,*  as 
also  Maiste  is  named.  Of  Patrick's  familia  were  none  in  the 
king's  company  at  this  hunt  excepting  the  musician  and  his 


2í8  The  Colloquy. 

gilla ;  but  at  the  hands  of  these  two,  master  and  man,  not  a  soul 
of  the  king's  people  attained  to  draw  first  blood  whether  of  wild 
swine  or  of  stag ;  nor  since  the  Fianna  died  out  had  there  been 
held  a  chase  more  productive  than  this. 

Then  Patrick  stood  up  and  to  them  all  delivered  admonition 
and  a  sermon  ;  the  province  of  Leinster  dedicated  to  the  Saint  a 
third  part  of  their  children,  and  of  their  wealth  a  trian  or  *  third,' 
whereby  cnoc  na  dechmaidhe  or  *  the  tithe  hill  *  is  its  name  ever 
since  ;  magh  an  trin  or  *  plain  of  the  third  part '  is  that  of  the 
wold;  and  árd  an  phróicepta^  i.e.  'eminence  of  Xh^ próicept^  or 
•preaching,*  that  of  the  rising  ground  on  which  Patrick  held 
forth. 

After  the  sermon  a  great  thirst  took  Patrick.  Close  to  them 
they  saw  a  town  (the  name  of  which  was  tech  cruinn  or  *  round- 
house *)  and  in  the  same  a  great  feast  laid  ;  a  drink  for  Patrick 
was  besought  of  the  host  {Maelán  son  of  Dubhdn  his  name  was) 
but  in  the  matter  of  a  draught  from  that  banquet  he  denies  the 
Saint.  The  righteous  one  being  angered  at  the  niggard  said: 
"  to  thee,  Maelan,  be  not  born  either  son  or  daughter ;  have  thou 
not  relatives,  nor  yet  a  single  kinsman."     Neither  had  he. 

After  that  they  all  came  on  to  drd  Chuillinn  in  the  plain  of 
Leinster,  where  they  gazed  abroad  at  the  precipice  and  at  the 
river  [that  were  there],  and  at  drd  Chuanaidhe,  The  king  in- 
terrogated Caeilte  with:  "  why  was  drd  Chuanaidhe  conferred  on 
the  drd  or  *  eminence  *  yonder  away  from  us,  and  on  this  spot 
the  name  of  drd  Cuillinn  ?"  Lamentably  and  in  grief  Caeilte 
wept  then,  and  said :  "  it  was  a  special  fosterling  that  I  had  here, 
Cuanaidhe,  son  of  Lenn  mac  Faebar  king  of  Leinster,  namely ; 
whose  mother,  Dubthach's  daughter  Cuillinn,  was  not  a  good 
woman.  Now  once  we  were  on  the  print-track  of  clan-Morna 
and,  to  the  number  of  thrice  fifty  shield-wearers  from  among  the 
armour-clad  young  men  of  Ireland's  Fianna,  came  hither:  a 
shoulder  without  a  white  buckler,  a  head  that  lacked  a  helmet, 
was  not  amongst  us.  On  stout  C(ul  ua  Nemhnainn  the  hundred- 
wounder  I  enjoined  to  follow  the  trail,  and  that  warrior  accord- 
ingly carried  it  as  far  as  the  town  in  which  dwelt  a  certain  she- 
miller  [Cuillinn  above].  In  the  woman's  company  he  saw  a  dark- 
browed  young  man  that  parleyed  with  her:  a  shirt  of  regal  silk 
the  same  had  next  his  skin,  and  about  him  a  fringed  mantle  of 


The  Colloquy,  2 1 9 

fair  crimson  with  a  brooch  of  gold,  he  the  while  sitting  by  her  on 
the  platform's  edge  [where  she  lay].  "My  good  son,"  said 
Cuillinn,  "be  going  now;  for  this  is  no  place  in  which  thou 
mayest  confer  with  me,  and  clan-Morna  (those  hereditary  ene- 
mies to  Finn)  have  by  the  ford  already  crossed  the  river." 
Cael  returned  to  us  and  the  tale  was  told  us ;  then  with  the 
ready  rising  of  one  man  we  up  and  away  till  we  overtook  the 
other,  whom  (that  is  to  say  Cuanaidhe,  son  of  Lenn  mac  Faebar 
and  my  own  fosterling)  we  never  recognised.  He  turned  his 
face  on  us,  charged  through  us  thrice,  and  the  third  time  de- 
livered me  a  spear-cast  that  transfixed  both  my  knees ;  whence 
also  at  every  hill  or  crag  up  which  I  run  it  is  the  after-effect  of 
that  spear  which  comes  against  me.  To  him  in  turn  I  for  my 
part  administered  a  throw  which,  piercing  his  tunic's  sinus, 
grimly  cracked  his  spine  in  two  in  him,  and  at  yonder  eminence 
he  died  ;  hence  *  Cuanaidhe's  eminence  '  it  is  called." 

They  all,  Patrick  along  with  them,  went  on  to  Rathmore  of 
Moyfea,  entered  into  that  good  town,  and  there  for  a  space 
drank  and  took  their  pleasure.  "Be  thy  timpan  brought  to 
thee,  Cascorach,"  said  the  king.  Then  Bebhionn  daughter  of 
Coban  king  of  Connacht  declared :  "  that  dark  capacious  hood 
which  envelops  the  head  of  the  minstrel's  gi//a,  I  wonder  that 
neither  by  day  nor  by  night  it  is  ever  stripped  from  him." 
"  How  do  we  know  but  'tis  a  head  in  some  way  disfigured  that 
he  wears,"  said  the  king:  "and  yet,  so  far  as  every  limb  that  we 
see  of  him  goes,  no  defect  of  conformation  affects  it  at  all." 

To  Caeilte  then  king  Eochaid  said :  "  I  possess  [the  stuff  of]  a 
spear-shaft,  and  on  this  I  would  fain  have  thee  to  expend  four 
touches  of  thy  skill ;  for  I  have  heard  that  whether  in  Ireland  or 
in  Scotland  there  is  not  a  shaft-trimmer  better  than  thyself" 
Caeilte  answered :  "I  tell  thee  that  the  spear-shaft  which  of  old  all 
Ireland  could  not  finish,  it  was  I  that  could  make  a  hand  of  it." 
The  shaft  was  put  into  Caeilte's  hand  and  [in  four  operations]  he 
dressed  it  effectually,  so  that  in  all  Ireland  and  Scotland  was  no 
shaft  better  wrought  "Now,"  said  the  king,  "fit  the  spear." 
Caeilte  set  his  foot  [i.e.  stood  close  up]  to  a  solid  post  of  the 
house,  and  into  it  drove  the  spear's  head ;  then  he  grasped  the 
shaft  and  [falling  back  to  a  certain  distance]  dexterously  hurled 
it  at  the  head  with  such  aim  and  force  that  into  its  bed  and 


\i 


2  20  The  Colloquy. 

socket  it  went  home  just  as  though  already  for  a  long  time  it 
had  been  adjusted  there.  "  Here,  king  of  Leinster,  my  soul,  is  thy 
spear  for  thee,"  said  Caeilte.  Eochaid  takes  the  weapon,  and 
good  it  was :  "  my  two  horses  and  my  chariot  to  thee,  Caeilte," 
he  cries,  "in  guerdon  of  the  finished  spear!"  and  those  were  the 
pair  of  horses  and  the  chariot  which  at  the  last  drew  Caeilte  in 
Ireland,  the  names  of  the  two  being  Err  and  InnealL 

Howbeit  the  spear  was  in  the  king's  hand  and,  as  he  con- 
sidered it  intently,  he  thought  it  great  grief  that  he  had  no  son 
and  heir  that  should  succeed  to  it.  To  Patrick  enquiring  why 
he  fretted  so  he  replied;  "good  cause  I  have  for  it"  "And 
what  is  that  ?"  "  It  is  by  reason  of  the  son  'concerning  whom  a 
while  ago  I  spoke  to  thee :  that  I  am  without  an  own  peculiar 
and  befitting  successor  for  that  spear  which  Caeilte  has  fitted  for 
me."  "  Good,"  quoth  Patrick :  "  be  it  put  into  the  hand  of  the 
minstrel's  lad  till  we  know  whether  his  grip  will  be  filled  with  its 
shaft  and  socket " :  and  the  spear  was  handed  to  the  youth,  who  ' 
right  gallantly  wielded  and  poised  it.  "  Doff  now  once  for  all 
thy  dark  capacious  hood,  and  well  mayest  thou  wear  thy  father's 
spear  1"  said  Patrick.  The  lad  removed  his  hood,  and  none  there 
but  recognised  him.  "  By  our  word,"  exclaimed  the  assembly, 
"it  is  a  good  cleric's  gift!"  and  the  king  said:  "holy  Patrick, 
seeing  that  till  this  day  thou  hast  nourished  him,  and  nurtured, 
let  not  the  tuatha  dé  danantís  power  any  more  prevail  against 
the  lad."  Patrick  answered:  "that  death  which  the  king  of 
Heaven  and  of  Earth  hath  ordained  is  the  one  that  he  will 
have."  Now  rose  the  host  and  throng  belonging  to  the  dun  and 
with  the  young  man  struck  terms  of  service  and  of  fealty,  so  that 
by  the  morrow's  rising-time  he  had  ten  hundred  of  a  force. 

Again  the  whole  of  them  (Patrick  as  well)  advanced,  Caeilte 
travelling  in  the  chariot  which  the  king  had  given  him  ;  and 
they  reached  drd  fostadha  na  féinne  out  across  Slaney,  where 

^  Caeilte  alighted  out  of  the  chariot  and  a  hunting-match  was  dis- 
posed by  them.  "^C"  Caeilte,"  said  the  king,  "  it  is  well :  why  now 
was  drd  fostadha  naféinne  or  *  eminence  of  the  Fianna's  arresta- 

\  tion '  given  to  this  rise ?"  "I  remember  it,"  answered  Caeilte, 
"  though  its  origin  be  no  new  thing  [i.e.  is  very  ancient] : — 

"  It  was  one  day  that  Finn  mac  Cumall  and  the  three  battles 
of  the   Fianna  came  to  this  ford,  where  as  we  sat  we  saw 


The  Colloquy.  221 

upon  the  round  rock  yonder  that  commands  the  ford  a  lone 
young  woman  girt  with  a  silken  tunic  and  wrapped  in  a  green 
mantle  held  with  a  brooch  of  gold ;  on  her  head  was  a  golden 
diadem,  emblem  of  a  queen,  and  she  said:  *  Fianna  of  Ireland, 
let  one  warrior  of  you  come  and  speak  with  me/  Dathchaein's 
son,  Sciathbreac,  stepped  forward  and:  *whom  wouldest  thou?' 
he  asked  ;  she  answered :  *  Finn  mac  CumalL*  To  confer  with 
the  damsel  Finn  sought  the  ford:  'who  art  thou,  girl,'  he  said, 
*and  what  is  thy  desire?'  *I  am  Doireann,  daughter  of  the 
Daghda's  son  Bodhb  Derg,  who  to  mate  with  thee  in  considera- 
ikion  of  bride-gift  and  of  presents  am  come  hither.'  *  What  bride- 
gift  ?*  asked  Finn.  *  A  stipulation  that  for  one  year  I  be  thine 
only  wife,  and  after  that  in  perpetuity  enjoy  a  full  half  of  thy 
conjugal  society/  *That/  said  Finn,  *I  concede  not  to  any  one 
of  the  whole  world's  women,  neither  will  yield  to  thee.' 

"  Out  of  her  bosom  then  the  young  woman  brought  a  cuach  of 
white  silver  containing  its  fill  of  delicious  mead,  and  reached  it 
to  Finn,  who  questioned:  '  young  woman,  what  is  this  ?*  *  Mead,' 
was  her  answer:  'delectable,  potent  to  intoxicate.'  Now  to  Finn 
it  was  prohibition  to  refuse  a  regalement ;  he  took  the  cuach 
therefore,  drank  a  draught  from  it  and,  that  swallowed,  straight- 
way was  all  demented.  Upon  the  Fianna  he  turned  his  face,  and 
every  harm  and  flaw  and  mishap  of  battle  that  he  knew  against 
any  man  of  them  he,  by  operation  of  the  frenzy  that  the  young 
woman  had  worked  in  him,  threw  in  their  teeth. 

"Then  the  chieftains  of  Ireland's  Fianna  rose  and  left  the 
place  for  him  :  namely  every  one  of  them  to  retire  to  his  own 
land  and  country  ;  so  that  upon  said  hill  were  left  none  but  Finn 
and  myself.  I  rose  then  and  went  after  the  Fianna,  to  whom  I 
said :  *  men,  for  a  cozening  fairy  woman's  mischief  that  afflicts 
him,  never  desert  your  chief  and  lord!'  Twelve  times  and  yet 
another  I  collected  and  on  this  hill  mustered  them ;  the  last  of 
day  being  come  now  and  the  first  of  night,  the  venom  died  out 
of  Finn's  tongue  so  that  at  the  final  time  of  my  staying  them  his 
sense  and  memory  returned  to  him  ;  but  now  would  he  have 
fallen  upon  his  weapons  of  war  and  have  chosen  to  die  rather 
than  to  live.  And  that,"  ended  Caeilte,  "  was  one  of  the  two 
days  on  which  I  had  the  greatest  amount  of  hardship  that  ever 
befel  me,  as :  the  aforesaid  day  of  staying  the  Fianna ;  and  the 


i. 


r 


222  TAe  Colloquy. 

day  when,  by  bringing  him  *  the  odd  drove/  I  ransomed  Finn 

from  Cormac  the  king.     This  then  is  the  reason  that  from  that 

time  to  this  they  respectively  are  árd  an  fhostadha  and  áth  an 

fhostadha^  or  *  the  hill '  and  *  the  ford  of  staying  * : — 

Cailte  cecinit, 
"  The  ford  where  Finn's  Fianna  were  stayed    .    .    ." 

"  Great  quantity  of  evil,  of  battles  and  encounters,  was  had  in 
these  various  places  named  by  thee,  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  said 
Eochaid  mac  Angus  Finn  king  of  Leinster.  "  It  is  not  that  any 
of  those  things  comes  against  me  to-day,"  Caeilte  replied,  "  but 
only  blight  and  decrepitude." 

The  company,  Patrick  accompanying  them,  passed  on  across 
duibhfidh  or  *  black-wood,'  now  called  fidh  dorcha  or  *  dark  wood,' 
to  sliabh  na  mban  or  *  mountain  of  women '  now  *  the  mountain 
of  Aighe  son  of  Ugaine.*  They  ascended  into  the  top  and,  being 
set  down,  tarried  there  for  a  season. 

The  king  enquired  of  Caeilte:  "what  mountain  is  this,  and 
what  the  place  where  we  are?"  "This,"  answered  Caeilte,  ^^\s 
a  mountain  in  the  which  is  a  fairy  brugh  that  none  (save  only 
Finn  accompanied  with  six  óglaechs)  has  ever  found ;  and  it  was 
this  way : — 

"A  beautiful  and  timorous  fawn  that  was  roused  by  us  at 
Torach  or  *  Torry  island  *  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  We,  being 
six  óglaechs^  followed  it  from  Torach  to  this  mountain  of  Aighe 
mac  Ugaine.  Here  the  fawn  *  put  its  head  into  the  earth  *  [i.e. 
vanished  under  ground],  and  in  what  direction  it  went  [after- 
wards] we  knew  not  Heavy  snow  poured  down  now,  making  of 
the  forest's  branches  as  it  were  a  withe-twist ;  the  greatness  of  the 
foul  weather  and  of  the  storm  that  came  robbed  us  of  our  lusti- 
hood  and  of  our  resourcefulness,  and  Finn  said  to  me :  *  canst 
thou,  Caeilte,  find  us  protection  against  this  night's  tempest  ?'  I 
suppled  myself  and  away  with  me  over  the  mountain's  elbow 
to  the  southward  where,  when  I  took  a  look  round,  I  perceived  a 
well  illuminated  (f/^  jiirnished  forth  with  great  variety  of  cuackSy 
of  horns  and  of  cups.  For  a  space  I  stood  in  front  of  the  sidh 
considering  it,  and  bethought  me  how  I  might  manage  to  enter 
the  place  and  to  enquire  all  about  it ;  or  else  whether  it  were 
back  again  to  Finn  with  his  few  Fianna  I  should  go.  The  course 
on  which  I  determined  was  such  as  that  I  went  into  the  sidh^ 


The  Colloquy.  223 

and  on  the  house  floor  sat  down  in  a  chair  of  crystal.  I  surveyed 
the  house  round  about  me,  and  saw  on  the  one  side  of  it  eight- 
and-twenty  warriors  with  a  woman  of  lovely  form  at  each  man's 
shoulder ;  on  the  other  side,  six  gentle  and  yellow-haired  damsels 
that  wore  shag  cloaks  reaching  to  their  shoulders.  In  the  fair 
midst  of  the  mansion  another  such  sat  in  a  chair  and  held  a 
harp  on  which  she  performed  and  played  continually ;  to  whom 
every  time  that  she  had  sung  a  lay  was  reached  a  horn  that  she 
should  take  a  draught  from  it»,  she  handing  it  back  to  him  that 
had  given  it  to  her.  Round  her  therefore  they  all  sat  and  made 
merry. 

"  *  Caeilte  my  soul,'  said  she,  *  suffer  that  thou  be  reverently 
ministered  to.'  *By  no  means  will  I,'  was  my  answer,  *for  I 
have  with  me  those  that  are  better  than  I,  as  Finn  mac  Cumall 
[with  others  his  companions],  and  in  this  sldh  he  desires  to 
have  entertainment  for  this  night.*  The  óglaech  of  the  s{dh 
said  :  *  Caeilte  my  soul,  go  to  fetch  Finn  ;  for  he  in  his  own 
house  never  refused  a  man,  neither  with  us  shall  he  meet  with 
denial.'  I  went  accordingly  to  bring  Finn,  and  he  said :  *  it  is  [i.e. 
seems  to  be]  a  long  time  thou  art  away  from  us,  Caeilte,  for 
since  the  day  on  which  I  first  took  warrior's  arms  in  my  hand 
never  have  I  had  a  night  that  distressed  me  more  sorely  than 
does  this  one.' 

"Thereafter  we,  being  as  we  were  six  that  bore  shield  and 
weapon,  entered  into  the  bright  and  spacious  sidh :  Finn  namely, 
myself,  Diarmaid  6  Duibhne^  Ossian,  Oscar  and  mac  Lughach. 
In  there  we  sat  on  the  edge  of  ,a  couch,  and  to  tend  us  worship- 
fully  a  soft  girl  came,  yellow-haired,  of  marriageable  age ;  then 
she  transferred  us  to  a  translucent  crystal  seat  in  the  hall's  centre, 
and  the  freshest  of  all  meats  with  the  oldest  of  all  liquors  were 
brought  to  us.  Now  when  we  had  made  an  end  of  moderating 
our  hunger's  keenness  and  our  thirst  the  Fian-chief  said :  *  who 
among  you  is  he  whom  I  shall  question  ?'  and  the  tallest  óglaech 
of  them  answered :  *  enquire  of  whom  thou  wilt'  *  Warrior,  who 
art  thou  thyself?'  Finn  began  :  *  for  I  knew  not  that  in  Ireland 
were  so  many  as  this  number  present  and  I  impotent  to  recognize 
them.'  *  Yonder  eight-and-twenty  óglaechs  whom  thou  seest  in 
the  sidh'  the  other  answered,  *  had  the  ;iame  iatlier  and  mother, 
and  indeed  are  sons  to  the  Daghda's  s6q  Midir  Vellow-manc ; 


224  ^'^^  Colloquy. 

our  mother  being  Fionnchaem  or  'the  fair-lovely/  daughter  of 
the  king  of  sidh  monaidh  in  the  east  [i.e.  in  Scotland],  Now 
to-morrow  it  will  be  thirty  years  since  a  convention  and  muster 
of  the  tuatha  dé  danann  was  made  to  confer  their  sovereignty  on 
the  Daghda's  son  Bodhb  Derg  at  the  hospitable  lightsome  brug/i, 
who  of  us,  so  many  brethren  as  we  are  here,  began  to  demand 
prisoners  [i.e.  hostages] ;  but  we  said  that  until  the  tuatha  dé 
danann  in  general  had  given  such  neither  would  we.* 

"  *  To  Midir,  to  our  father,  Bodhb  Derg  said :  *  unless  thou  put 
away  thy  sons  from  thee  we  will  wall  up  thy  sldh  on  thee/  We 
therefore,  these  eight-and-twenty  brothers.  Came  out  to  seek  a  sidh- 
place  ;  and  searched  out  all  Ireland  until  we  found  this  obscure 
and  hidden  spot,  in  which  from  that  time  to  this  we  abide. 
Twenty-eight  brethren  as  I  say  we  are  here,  who  had  each  man 
of  us  ten  hundred  óglaeclis  of  his  own  ;  but  saving  the  eight-and- 
twenty  that  we  are  of  one  father's  and  one  mother's  progeny  all 
these  are  now  extinguished.*  *  And  how  is  your  extinguishment 
effected  ?'  asked  Finn.  *  By  the  tuatha  dé  danann's  coming 
yearly  thrice  to  give  us  battle  on  this  grass-clad  green  abroad.* 
*  What,'  enquired  Finn,  *  is  the  long  fresh  grave  that  we  saw  on 
the  green  outside?*  *That  is  Dianghalach  the  wizard's:  who 
was  a  good  magician  that  the  tuatha  dé  danann  had,  and  the 
greatest  loss  that  was  inflicted  on  them.'  Finn  questioned: 
'what  was  the  next  loss?*  'All  that  the  tuatha  dé  danann  had 
of  jewels,  of  wealth  and  of  treasures:  comprising  horns,  and 
cuachs,  and  goblets  of  crystal  and  pale  gold,  we  at  one  stroke 
reft  from  them.*  *  What  was  the  third  loss?*  asked  Finn.  Donn 
mac  Midir  answered:  *  Fethnaid  daughter  of  Fidach,  the  tuatha 
dé  danann' s  she-minstrel:  their  melody,  and  recreation  of  their 
spirits  all.  So  then  to-morrow  is  their  appointed  time  to  be 
here  to  give  us  battle,  but  in  fighting  number  we  are  but  these 
eight-and-twenty  brothers  to  oppose  them.  We  had  perceived  our- 
selves, as  being  few  in  number,  to  be  in  peril  and  over-matched ; 
wherefore  in  form  of  a  daft  fawn  we  despatched  yonder  bare- 
headed woman  to  Torach  in  Ireland's  northern  part  to  fetch  thee, 
and  her  ye  followed  to  this  sldh.  That  young  woman  whom  ye 
see  wrapped  in  a  green  mantle  and  washing  herself,  she  it  is  that 
went  to  look  for  you.  The  vacant  part  that  ye  see  of  the  sídh^ 
that  is  the  room  of  them  whom  the  tuatJta  dé  danann  have  slain.' 


The  Colloquy.  225 

"  That  night  they  passed  in  drinking  and  making  merry,  and 
when  they  rose  Donn  mac^idir  said  to  Finn:  *come  with  me 
upon  the  green  that  thou  may'st  see  the  place  in  which  yearly  we 
and  the  tuatha  dé  danann  give  each  other  battle,*  They  issued 
forth  and  looked  abroad  upon  the  graves  and  monumental  stones. 
Donn  said :  *  it  is  appointed  that  thus  far  the  tuatJia  dé  danann 
come  to  meet  us.'  *In  what  fashion  [i.e.  who  and  how  many] 
come  they  to  keep  tryst  with  you  ?'  asked  Finn.  Donn  answered 
him :  *  Bodhb  Derg  with  his  seven<>sons  ;  Angus  Oge  son  of  the 
Daghda  with  his  seven  sons ;  Finnbarr  of  cnoc  meadha  siuil^  or 
*Knockmaa'  near  Tuam,  with  his  seventeen  sons;  Lir  oi  sidh 
Fionnachaidh  with  his  twenty-seven  sons,  and  their  offspring  as 
well ;  fcjgii^^n  of  Nuadha  out  of  the  beautiful  sidh  of  Almh- 
ain ;  Donn  of  the  island,  and  Donn  of  the  dabJiach  or  *kieve'; 
the  two  named  Glas  out  of  sldh  G/dais  in  the  land  of  Ossory ; 
Dobhran  of  the  Duffry  out  of  Liamhain  smooth-smock's  sidh  in 
the  province  of  Leinster ;  Aedh  of  the  island  out  of  Rathlin  in 
the  north ;  Ferai  and  Aillen  and  Lu  and  Fainnle,  all  sons  of 
Eogabal  out  of  sJdL-M^igabail  or  '  Knockany '  in  the  south  ;  Cian 
and  Coban  and  Conn,  three  sons  of  the  king  of  sidh  monaidh 
over  from  Scotland  ;  Aedh  Minbhreac  of  Assaroe  with  his  seven 
sons ;  the  children  of  the  mórríghan  or  *  great  queen,'  daughter 
of  Emmas,  with  her  six-and-twenty  she-warriors  ;  the  two  Luaths 
from  Moyliffey ;  Bratán  and  BaillgJieal  and  AbJiallruisc  out  of 
the  sidh  of  Cletty  in  the  Bregian  plain  ;  Cathal  and  Caithne  and 
Catarnach  out  of  the  sidh  of  Druimderg,  from  the  land  of  Kinel- 
conall  in  the  north ;  Derg  and  Drecan  out  of  the  sidh  of  Ben- 
Edar  in  the  east ;  Bodhb  Derg  himself  with  his  great  household : 
ten  men,  ten  score,  and  ten  hundred  ;  all  which  are  the  chiefs 
and  territorial  lords  of  the  tuatha  dé  danann  that  year  by  year 
come  to  uproot  our  sidh  upon  us.' 

"  Finn  re-entered  the  sidh  and  to  his  people  imparted  all  this, 
then :  '  my  faithful  folk,'  he  said,  *  the  necessity  and  the  oppres- 
sion, the  extremity  and  distress  of  these  whose  guests  we  find 
ourselves  are  great  indeed ;  ourselves  too  have  chanced  into  a 
strait  pass,  and  unless  that  in  our  own  defence  we  play  the  men 
it  is  odds  whether  ever  again  we  see  one  of  our  Fianna  and 
followers.'  *  Finn,  my  soul,'  cried  each  one  of  us,  *  where  hast 
thou  at  any  time  marked  faintness  in  us  that  thou  warnest  us 

Q 


220  The  Colloquy. 

beforehand?'  Finn  answered:  *my  word  I  give  that,  though  I 
explored  the  whole  world,  yet  should  I  having  with  me  this 
present  number  of  Ireland's  Fianna  never  know  fear  nor  fright* 
The  people  of  the  sidh  went  out  now,  Finn  with  his  six  warriors 
accompanying  them,  and :  *  good  now,  Donn,'  said  he,  *  is  it  by 
day  or  by  night  that  the  tuatha  dé  danann  come  to  you?*  *  At 
the  night's  junction  [with  day],*  Donn  mac  Midir  answered,  *  that 
they  may  do  all  the  heavier  mischief.*  There  they  tarried  there- 
fore till  night  came  on, 

"  Finn  said :  *  let  one  of  you  go  out  upon  the  green  to  keep 
watch  and  ward  for  us,  to  the  end  the  tuatha  dé  danann  come 
not  at  us  without  our  knowledge  and  unheard  by  us  ;*  nor  was 
the  look-out  man  gone  far  when  he  saw  five  stern  battles  of  equal 
size  that  marched  on  him.  *  As  it  seems  to  me,*  said  he  of  the 
look-out  [making  his  report],  *  warriors  and  battle-champions  in 
numbers  presently  surround  fert  in  druadh  or  the  *  wizard's 
grave,*  and  this  time  are  a  match  for  heroes  indeed.*-  Then  Finn 
uttered : — 

"  *  Worthy  opponents  of  laechs  are  round  the  wizard's  grave,  with  multi- 
tude of  spears  sharp-pointed,  strong    .    .    .* 

"'Where  now  is  Oscar?*  Finn  asked.  *Here,  Fian-chief,'  he 
answered.  *This  day  do  valiantly  in  the  tuatha  dé  danann' s 
battle ;  so  too  let  Dermot  and  mac  Lugach  do.  Myself  and 
Caeilte  and  Ossian  it  is  that  are  the  seniors  of  our  band  ;  there- 
fore the  battle's  rearward  leave  ye  to  us,  and  in  the  fight  bear  us 
the  sons  of  Midir  safe:  that  little  group  of  brothers  that  they 
are.  That  they  should  come  to  harm  were  for  us,  now  that  we 
have  joined  them,  a  treason  to  honour  and  to  loyalty.* 

"  Then  from  the  last  of  evening's  shades  [i.e.  from  the  setting 
in  of  darkness]  to  the  confines  of  the  morrow*s  mom  we  fought 
the  battle,  in  which  the  tuatlia  dé  danann's  losses  at  any  rate 
were  ten  men,  ten  score  and  ten  hundred. 

"  Bodhb  Derg  and  Midir  and  Fionnbarr  said  now:  *how  shall 
we  manage  with  all  these  slain  ?  let  Lir  of  sidh  Fionnacliaidh 
give  us  counsel,  since  he  is  the  eldest  of  us.*  Lir  said :  *  I  will 
advise  you :  to  their  own  sidh  respectively  let  all  carry  away  their 
friends  and  fosterlings,  their  sons  and  brethren  ;  but  round  about 
us  [that  tarry  here]  be  a  wall  of  fire  thrown  up  on  our  one  side, 
and  on  the  other  a  defence  of  water  made.*   After  this  the  tuatha 


The  Colloquy.  227 

dé  danann  erected  that  great  sepulchral  stone,  nor  of  all  the 
carnage  which  they  of  our  sidh  had  inflicted  on  them  left  so 
much  as  the  raven  might  perch  upon. 

"  Into  the  sldh  Finn  and  the  sons  of  Midir  entered  sore  hurt 
and  bleeding,  while  of  us  others  were  three  in  very  evil  plight: 
mac  Lughach,  Oscar  and  Dermot  Thrice  during  that  year  the 
Uiatha  dé  danann  assailed  the  same  sidhy  and  battles  three  we 
fought  with  them.  Our  loss  from  them  consisted  in  Conn  mac 
Midir ;  as  for  us,  we  [that  is  most  of  us]  were  come  off  well  from 
the  last  battle,  seeing  that  upon  Oscar  and  Dermot  the  venom 
and  fury  of  the  battle  leant  to  such  pitch  that  bended  twigs  of 
white  hazel  they  were  which  maintained  their  raiment  on  them 
as  they  lay  littered  in  blood  upon  their  bed.  We  then,  the  four 
warriors  that  were  whole  stepped  forth  upon  the  green,  and  Ossian 
said:  *  an  ill  trip  it  was  that  we  took  to  the  sidh  of  Midir's  sons, 
to  leave  behind  my  son  and  my  foster-brother.*  *  Woe  to  him,* 
said  mac  Lughach,  *who  having  left  Oscar  and  Dermot  after 
him  should  face  the  Fianna:  and  that  because  for  the  sustaining 
of  the  Fian-service  in  arms  have  been  no  two  better  than  they.* 

*  Whoe'er  he  be  that  will  so  face  them,  it  shall  not  be  myself,* 
Finn  said.     With  that  Donn  mac  Midir  came  up  to  us,  and: 

*  good  now,  Donn,'  said  Finn  again,  *  knowest  thou  of,  or  where 
to  find,  that  which  should  heal  those  men?*     Donn  answered: 

*  I  know  not  of  anything  but  one  special  physician  whom  the 
tuatha  dé  danann  have  ;  and  from  him,  unless  the  wounded  have 
had  their  dorsal  marrow  severed,  within  a  nine  days*  space 
assuagement  and  relief  will  be  procured  them  so  that  they  shall 
be  hurt-whole  and  unscarred.'  Finn  asked :  *  how  should  we  get 
hold  of  him,  for  no  firm  friends  to  us  are  they  with  whom  he  is  ?* 
'At  earliest  day,*  replied  Donn,  *he  issues  from  the  brugh  to 
gather  healing  herbs,  that  so  he  may  light  on  them  still  carrying 
the   morning's   moisture-bead   [i.e.  the   dew].*     'Donn,*   said  I, 

*  find  me  one  that  will  point  out  to  me  said  physician  and,  dead 
or  alive,  he  shall  come  with  me.* 

"Then  rose  Aedh  and  ¥\dinn  fuileach  or  'ruber  sanguinarius* 
saying:  *  Caeilte,  my  soul,  come  along.*  They  went  their  way  to 
the  dew-shot  brugKs  green,  which  when  they  had  reached  they 
saw  a  strapping  young  fellow  clad  in  garb  of  defence  and  wear- 
ing a  mantle  of  wethers'  wool  from  the  flock-abounding  land  of 

Q2 


228  The  Colloquy. 

promise ;  and  his  cloak's  skirtful  of  healing  and  balsamic  herbs 
he  hai  for  putting  into  the  wounds  and  hurts  of  such  from 
among  the  tuatha  dé  danann  as  had  been  damaged  in  the  battle. 
*  Who  is  that,  Aedh  ?*  I  asked.  He  answered :  *  yonder  is  the 
óglaech  to  seek  whom  we  are  come ;  him  mind  ye  well  that  he 
escape  not  away  from  you  into  the  sidh!  At  one  and  the  same 
instant  we  ran  upon  him,  and  I  caught  him  by  the  shoulders  ; 
thence  we  took  him  to  the  ford  on  the  Slaney  (where  the  Fianna 
were  stayed)  in  the  great  plain  of  Leinster,  and  here  a  magic 
vapour  rose  about  us  so  that  we  were  invisible.  We  thus  having 
gained  the  tulach  that  commands  the  ford  saw  four  men  clad  in 
fringed  mantles  of  crimson,  with  four  golden-hilted  swords  in 
their  hands,  and  four  hounds  of  the  chase  with  them.  To  them 
we  were  not  perceptible  through  the  magic  mist  which  sur- 
rounded us,  but  they  were  manifest  to  us,  and  they  that  were 
there  were  Finn's  two  sons:  Cainche  and  Raighne,  with  my  own 
two:  Colla  and  Faelan,  whose  discourse  turned  on  the  loss  of 
Finn  mac  Cumall,  their  captain  and  their  lord,  which  for  now  a 
year  had  afflicted  them.  I  heard  the  converse  of  my  pair  of  sons 
and  of  Finn's,  and  their  colloquy  saddened  me,  for  thus  they 
spoke:  *what  will  Ireland's  Fianna  do  in  future,  without  leader, 
without  lord?'  said  Raighne.  *They  have  nothing  to  do,'  said 
Colla  mac  Caeilte,  *but  to  repair  to  Tara  and  then  disband 
themselves,  or  either  to  create  a  Fian-chief  for  themselves*;  and 
those  sons  wept  bitterly  [///.  'heavily'],  copiously,  for  the  loss  of 
their  two  fathers  and  of  their  common  lord.  We  came  away 
from  them  and  till  we  reached  loch  da  en  or  '  two-bird  loch.' 
by  that  which  at  the  present  is  called  the  mountain  of  Aighe 
mac  Ugaine  ;C3^e  went  into  the  sidf^  Finn  and  Donn  mac 
Midir  welcomed  Liubhra  the  physician,  and  to  him  Oscar  and 
Dermot  were  exhibited.  'There,'  said  Donn,  'are  two  that  are 
kinsmen  to  me ;  try  now  whether  they  be  likely  to  convalesce 
and  be  healed.'  The  leech  examined  them  and  said :  *  they  are 
curable — supposing  my  fee  to  be  a  good  one.'  '  Good  it  shall 
be  indeed,'  I  said:  'how  long  now  will  it  take  to  heal  them?* 
'  A  nine  days'  space,'  said  Liubhra  the  protophysician.  I  went 
on  :  *  a  good  fee  thou  shalt  have,  even  this  :  that  thy  life  be  left 
thee  ;  but  and  if  the  young  men  recover  not  with  thee,  mine  own 
hand  shall  take  off  thy  head.'     The  leech  accordingly  cured  and 


The  Colloquy.  229 

set  them  up  within  the  time,  so  that  they  were  unscarred  and 
hurt-whole/ 

"It  was  after  this  that  from  Cormac  mac  Art,  from  the  king 
of  Ireland,  and  consequently  upon  their  lord  and  leader  Finn 
mac  Cumairs  absence,  a  gilla  came  to  bring  the  Fianna  to 
Almhain  in  order  to  their  proceeding  with  Cormac  to  hold  the 
Feast  of  Tara;  and  the  Fianna  of  all  Ireland  in  their  integrity: 
both  man  and  woman,  both  gilla  and  óglaech^  and  minstrel  too, 
attained  to  fert  na  ndruadh  on  Tara's  green. 

"  Then  Goll  mac  Morna  sat  on  one  side  of  Ireland's  king,  and 
her  provincial  kings  with  their  retinues  sat  [duly  ranged]  in 
Tara.  *  Fianna  of  Ireland,*  said  Cormac,  'your  loss  is  great: 
being  your  leader  and  your  lord,  Finn  son  of  Cumall.'  *  Great 
indeed  it  is,'  said  Goll  mac  Morna.  *It  is  great,'  repeated 
Cormac :  *  for  three  equal  losses  they  were  which  aforetime  were 
inflicted  on  Ireland :  Lugh  and  Conn  and  Conaire  ;  and  this 
makes  one  of  the  four  greatest  losses  that  ever  befell  her/ 
*What  course  of  management  [///.  'what  navigation  or  steer- 
ing'] prescribest  thou  for  the  Fianna  now,  Cormac?*  asked  Goll 
mac  Morna.  The  king  answered :  *  to  thee,  Goll,  I  assign  privi- 
lege of  hunting  and  venery  over  all  Ireland,  until  we  know 
whether  Finn  be  disappeared  outright ;  clan-Baeiscne  however, 
and  Finn's  issue,  to  have  of  thee  their  choice  of  hunting-ground 
for  this  year.'  The  Fianna  of  Ireland  consented  to  this,  Goll 
saying:  'until  for  three  years  he  shall  have  been  away  from  all, 
and  that  of  all  Ireland  no  individual  man's  expectation  any  more 
look  for  him,  in  respect  of  the  Fian-chiefry  I  will  not  oppose 
Finn  [i.e.  will  not  seek  to  supersede  him].' 

"  To  Cormac  now  Aillbe  Freckle-cheek  said :  *  how  shall  Finn's 
fair  woman-folk  make  out,  these  seventeen  ladies  namely  ?'  *  For 
each  one  of  them  with  her  attendant  bevy  be  a  retired  and  well- 
secured  house  made  [in  which  to  live]  for  a  month,  for  a  quarter, 
and  for  a  year,  till  we  learn  whether  Finn  be  alive  or  dead  ;  their 
full  sufficiency  of  meat  and  fluid  to  be  provided  them  for  that 
time.' 

"  Finn's  minstrels  turned  their  faces  to  Cormac  then :  Daighre 
mac  Morna,  Der  ua  Daighre,  Senach  ua  Daighre,  Suanach  son  of 
Senach,  and  Suanach  son  of  Senchenn  that  was  Finn  mac 
Cumall's  reciter  of  old  tales  and  the  sweetest  that  in  Ireland  or 


230  The  Colloquy. 

Scotland  ever  handled  timpan  ;  also  Cnú  deireoil  the  dwarf,  and 
Blathnait  his  wife.  Cormac  answered  them  and  said:  *I  am 
well  pleased  that  ye  should  be  in  Tara ;  as  from  myself  there- 
fore ye  shall  have  'half-due/  and  I  will  grant  you  the  full 
equivalent  of  that  stipend  which  Finn  used  to  pay  you  [i.e.  your 
old  rate  of  pay  shall  be  continued  to  you  on  Finn's  account,  I 
adding  half  so  much  on  mine]/ 

"Fergus  True-lips,  poet  of  the  Fianna,  joined  them:  whose 
number  was  ten  hundred  of  poets  and  men  of  art.  Cormac  said 
to  them :  *  for  you  I  have  Ireland's  choicest  prosperity,  that  is, 
from  tonn  Chliodhna  or  '  Cleena's  wave '  to  tonn  Rudhraigfie  or 
•  Rury's  wave.' 

"Then  came  Finn's  meidhescal^  accompanying  Garbchronan 
chief  of  the  senior  gUlas,  and  said :  *  give  heed  to  us,  Cormac  1 ' 
He  answered:  *to  you  by  way  of  comfortable  maintenance  I 
apportion  from  the  broad  áth  lóic/ie  or  *ford  of  Loch*  [Le. 
'  Athlo ']  in  the  west,  eastward  to  Ben-Edar.' 

This  done,  in  Tara  they  proceeded  and  Cormac  entered  teach 
mar  midchtiarta  or  *  the  great  mid-court  house,'  where  he  had 
every  man  settled  according  to  precedence  deriving  rightly  from 
his  father  and  grandfather:  Goll  mac  Moma  he  caused  to  be 
set  in  the  Fian-chicf's  place,  Cahir  More's  daughter  Eithne  the 
poetess  in  a  queen's  room,  and  by  her  side  again  Aillbhe 
Freckle-cheek ;  next  to  Aillbhe,  Garadh  Black-knee's  daughter 
Maighinis ;  and  from  that  out  all  the  rest  according  to  callings 
and  to  rightful  due.  Thereupon  meat  and  drink  was  served  out 
to  them. 

' "  Then  Cormac  stood  up  with  a  polished  drinking-horn  that  he 
held,  and  said:  *  it  were  well,  men  of  Ireland,  if  in  hill,  in  hidden 
place  or  rugged  wild,  in  cliff,  in  inver,  in  river,  or  in  any  sidh  of 
Ireland's  or  of  Scotland's  fairy  mansions,  some  one  from  among 
you  could  find  for  us  tidings  of  Finn.* 

"  Hereupon  Bemghal  the  bóchétach  or  *  owner  of  cows  in  hun- 
dreds' from  the  borders  of  Slievefuad  in  the  north,  who  also  was 
royal  hospitaller  to  the  king  of  Ireland,  made  answer:  *it  was  the 
day  on  which  the  Fian-chief  came  out  of  the  north  in  pursuit  of 
a  fairy  deer,  he  having  with  him  the  six  warriors  that  were  his 
companions  [when  they  roused  the  quarry] :  and  into  my  hand  he 
put  a  keen  spear  of  special  deadly  quality,  with  sheeny  head. 


The  Colloquy.  231 

likewise  a  hound's  collar,  and  told  me  to  keep  them  by  me  till 
such  time  as  we  should  meet  again  in  the  one  spot.  Bernghal 
handed  spear  and  collar  to  Cormac,  then  he  to  Goll,  and  they 
all  considered  it  The  king  said:  *a  great  loss  to  the  men  of 
Ireland  is  he  whose  spear  and  whose  collar  these  are,'  and 
further  questioned  the  óglaech  whether  either  Finn  or  they  that 
were  with  him  had  hounds  with  them.  *They  had,'  the  hospi- 
taller said.  *Goll,'  asked  Cormac,  *what  hounds  were  those?' 
*  Bran  and  Sceolang  held  by  Finn,'  replied  Goll :  '  Adhnuaill  and 
Fémaine  by  Ossian ;  larratach  and  Fostadh  by  Oscar ;  Baeth 
and  Buidlie  by  Dermot ;  Breac  and  Luath  and  Láinbhinn  by 
Caeilte  ;  Conuall  and  Comrith  by  mac  Lughach.' 

"  Cormac  enquired :  *  where  is  Fergus  True-lips  ?'  *  Here,  noble 
sir  and  monarch,'  answered  he.  *  Knowest  thou  how  long  the 
Fian-chief  is  away  from  us  ?'  *  I  remember  it,'  the  poet  said:  *a 
month,  a  quarter,  and  a  year  it  is  since  he  is  missing,'  and  he 
uttered : — 

"  *  Finn's  computation  how  long  he  is    .    .    .' 

"  The  king  of  Ireland  said  now :  *  the  loss  is  great ;  for  it  is  not 
our  mind  that  may  any  more  be  set  on  finding  those  six  that  in 
Ireland  and  in  Scotland  were  the  best  [i.e.  I  at  all  events  give  up 
all  hope] ;  but  Cithruadh,'  he  continued,  *  many  jewels,  much 
wealth  and  treasure  the  Fian-chief  lavished  on  thee,  and  yet 
thou  tellest  us  not  whether  he  be  alive  or  dead.'  *  The  Fian- 
chief  lives,'  returned  Cithruadh,  *  but  as  for  my  telling  on  him  I 
will  not  do  it,  seeing  that  he  would  not  himself  wish  any  such 
thing.'  All  in  general  were  rejoiced  at  this,  for  they  knew  that 
everything  which  Cithruadh  had  ever  presaged  was  come  to 
pass.  *  Give  it  a  date,'  said  Cormac  [///.  *  an  end '  or  '  limit '  i.e. 
name  the  day  of  his  return].  Then  Cithruadh  son  of  Ferchae- 
cait  said :  *  on  the  last  day  of  Tara's  Feast  the  Fian-chief  will  be 
seen  * ;  and  this,  namely  for  how  long  Finn  was  in  ddJi  dd  én^ 
constitutes  a  problem  in  *  the  Colloquy  of  the  Ancients.' 

"  After  all  this,  in  the  sldh  we  tarried  yet  for  those  six  weeks 
during  which  the  Feast  of  Tara  was  maintained,  and  until  for 
Donn  mac  Midir  we  had  taken  the  tuatha  dé  danantís  hostages ; 
and  from  that  time  forth  the  Fianna  of  Ireland  had  not  more 
frequent  and  free  intercourse  with  the  men  of  settled  habitation  1 
than  with  the  tuatha  dé  danann."  ^-^ 


232  The  Colloquy. 

The  while  Caeilte  told  this  tale  to  Eochaid  they  had  seen  an 
óglaech  approach  them :  a  shirt  of  king's  satin  was  next  his  skin  ; 
over  and  outside  it  a  tunic  of  the  same  soft  fabric,  and  a  fringed 
crimson  mantle  confined  with  a  bodkin  of  gold  upon  his  breast ; 
in  his  hand  a  gold-hilted  sword,  a  golden  helmet  on  his  head, 
and  Donn  mac  Midir  it  was  that  was  there.  In  Patrick's  bosom 
he  laid  his  head,  and  gave  him  command  over  the  tuatha  dé  da- 
nanriy  who  all  made  genuflexion  to  him  ;  and  to  Patrick  with  his 
people  Donn  mac  Midir  gave  that  night's  entertainment.  Next, 
the  whole  company  and  Patrick  along  with  them  advanced  to 
Rathmore  of  Moyfea,  and  at  night  came  in  messengers  from  the 
king  of  Munster  to  fetch  Patrick,  and  to  tell  him  that  the  king 
would  adhere  to  his  gospel.  The  Saint  therefore  bade  farewell 
to  the  king  of  Leinster  and  to  the  chief  men  of  his  people  and  of 
all  his  country,  and  with  his  familia  journeyed  thence  to  lias  na 
laechraidhe  or  ^  liss  of  warriors/  now  called  caiseal  na  righ  or 
•  Cashel  of  the  kings.' 

Then  came  Eoghan  son  of  Angus,  king  of  both  provinces  of 
Munster,  escorted  by  great  numbers,  to  meet  holy  Patrick ;  and 
all  Munster's  chiefs  did  him  reverence,  laying  their  lands  and 
their  whole  riches  at  his  discretion.  "A  'gospel  penny*  for 
saint  Patrick,  king  of  Munster  I "  cried  Benignus.  "  What  penny 
is  that,  cleric?"  asked  the  king.  "A  country  and  land  for  him." 
The  king  answered:  "this  town  to  serve  him  and  his  familia 
after  him  for  ever."  "  How  shall  it  be  given  to  us  [i.e.  how  shall 
the  grant  be  defined]?"  "As  thus,"  the  king  said:  "Patrick  to 
mount  upon  Uac  na  gcéad  or  *  the  flagstone  of  hundreds,'  and  so 
much  as  on  all  sides  of  him  he  can  see  of  Munster's  plain-land  to 
be  his."  Patrick  stepped  up  upon  the  stone,  and  to  suit  the 
saintly  cleric  the  sun  rose  so  that  in  all  directions  everything 
was  lighted  up  for  him ;  also  at  the  instant  of  Patrick's  setting 
his  foot  on  the  flag,  out  of  its  edges  rose  a  thousand  and  one 
legions  of  demons  and  betook  them  into  the  air  and  the  firma- 
ment, seeking  to  evade  saint  Patrick.  After  this  Patrick  blesses 
the  stone,  and  forby  the  benediction  confers  on  it  the  virtue  of 
counsel  [i.e  of  being  oracular] ;  an  angel  of  God  also  to  pass 
over  it  at  every  evening-tide ;  the  king  of  Munster  accompanied 
by  a  great  chief's  nine  sons  to  fast  upon  it,  and  he  should  have 
whatsoever  boon  he  craved ;  finally,  that  its  fire  should  be  one 


The  Colloquy,  233 

of  the  three  which  at  the  last  shall  in  Ireland  be   alive  and 
thriving. 

The  king  of  Munster,  her  nobles  too,  make  Caeilte  welcome 
and :  "  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  quoth  the  king,  "  why  was  leac  na  gcéad 
conferred  on  this  stone  ?"  "  I  remember  its  derivation,"  Caeilte 
answered :  "  cognisance  of  Heaven  we  never  had  until  Finn  sat 
on  that  stone  and  a  hundred  times  put  his  thumb  under  his 
knowledge-tooth ;  whereat  Heaven  and  Earth  [i.e.  things  celes- 
tial and  terrestrial]  were  shewn  him,  the  Very  and  Glorious 
God's  faith  and,  Táilchenn^  thine  advent  to  Ireland  in  which 
[thenceforth]  should  be  saints  and  righteous  men,  and  religion  of 
the  Cross  and  of  devotion."  "Who  first  made  a  mansion  here?" 
Caeilte  answered :  "  Fiacha  Broad-crown  son  of  Eoghan,  who  for 
thirty  years  ruled  both  provinces  of  Munster ;  by  him  a  strong 
ditch  was  run  round  this  town,  and  therein  he  dwelt"  Ut  dixit 
Patricius : — 


"  This  stone,  its  name  is  clock  na  gcécuL 


%% 


"  Have  victory  and  benediction,  holy  Patrick,"  cried  the  king 
of  Munster:  "  'tis  good  knowledge  that  thou  likewise  [i.e.  as  well 
as  Caeilte]  hast  imparted  to  us ! "  

The  entire  company  abode  there  until  out  of  his  fiery  zone  the   ( 
sun  rose,  and  filled  the  world  with  his  light.     They  went  their 
way  thence  westwards  to  ráithin  na  niongnadh  or  *  the  little  rath 
of  wonders '  on  Moyfemen  ;  and  at  one  end  of  it  the  king  with 
the  nobles  of  Munster  sat,  Patrick  and  Caeilte  taking  the  other. 

Then  the  king  questioned  Caeilte :  "  why  was  this  called  *  the 
little  rath  of  wonders'?"  which  made  Caeilte  to  say: — 

"  A  wondrous  windfall  that  Finn  found  on  this  rath  awaiting  him :  three 
men  of  surpassing  form,  and  a  single  hound  among  them. 

"  It  was  of  a  day,"  he  went  on,  "  that  we  the  three  battles  of 
the  Fianna  came  to  this  tulach  and  saw  three  óglaecJis  awaiting 
us,  with  one  hound ;  in  the  whole  world  was  not  a  colour  but 
was  in  that  animal,  which  also  as  compared  with  other  hounds 
shewed  an  enormous  bulk.  They  sat  before  Finn,  and  he 
asked:  'whence  come  ye  young  men?*  *Out  of  the  greater 
loruath  or  *  Norway,*  in  the  east,'  they  replied.  *  And  for  what 
come  ye  ?'  *To  make  our  covenants  of  service  and  our  friend- 
ship with  thee.'    'What  is  the  benefit  that  shall  accrue  to  us 


234  ^^^  Colloquy. 

from  your  being  with  us  ?*  *  We,  being  as  we  are  three  persons, 
have  each  man  of  us  a  separate  qualification.'  *  What  are  those  ?' 
Says  one  of  them :  *  I  will  discharge  the  watching  and  warding 
of  all  Ireland's  and  Scotland's  Fianna.'  *  Of  every  stress  of 
battle  and  of  single  combat  that  shall  occur  to  them  I  will  relieve 
them,  let  them  all  but  keep  still,'  said  the  next.    The  third  said : 

*  I  will  meet  every  difficulty  that  shall  crop  up  for  my  lord,  and 
of  me  shall  be  had  everything  that  may  be  petitioned  of  him. 
As  for  the  hound,*  he  added,  *  so  long  as  there  shall  be  deer  in 
Ireland  he  will  provide  for  the  Fianna  every  other  night,  and  on 
the  nights  between  I  will  do  the  like.'  Finn  asked  :  *  what  will 
ye  demand  of  us  and  to  be  with  us  so  ? '  *  We  claim  three  con- 
ditions,' they  replied :  *  that  when  once  night  shall  fall  none  ever 
come,  whether  within  a  distance  or  close  to,  towards  our  camp ; 
that  never  be  anything,  much  or  little,  portioned  out  to  us  [i.e. 
we  are  to  provide  for  ourselves] ;  and  that  to  us  the  Fianna  of 
Ireland  allot  the  worst  of  their  hunting  [i.e.  their  poorest  game 
country  on  all  occasions].'    *  On  your  conscience  now,'  said  Finn, 

•  why  seek  ye  that  when  night  comes  no  man  see  you?'  *We 
have  a  reason,'  answered  they :  *  but  be  it  a  long  time  or  a  short 
that  [you  and]  we  shall  keep  company  [///.  *  be  on  one  path '], 
question  us  no  more.  [We  will  however  tell  you  thus  much: 
that]  of  these  three  óglaechs  which  make  our  number  every  third 
night  one  man  is  dead  and  we  the  other  two  watch  him,  where- 
fore it  is  that  we  would  not  have  any  to  see  us.'  Now  to  Finn  it 
was  a  thing  prohibited  to  see  a  dead  man  unless  that  weapons 
had  slain  him  ;  but  [in  this  case]  he  had  the  remedy  at  hand :  he 
needed  but  to  keep  clear  of  this  rath. 

"  To  Finn  now  came  seven  men  of  science  belonging  to  the 
people  of  Cithruadh  son  of  Airemh  son  of  Ferchaegat,  to  demand 
the  fee  for  a  poem :  thrice  fifty  ounces  of  gold  and  as  many  of 
silver,  to  take  to  Tara  for  Cithruadh.  *  We  shall  find  a  help  for 
that,'  said  Scannal  6  Liatháin,  *  Good  now,  men  of  art,'  the  three 
óglaechs  said :  *  had  ye  rather  get  your  poem-fee  to-night  than  to- 
morrow?'    *  To-morrow  suffices  us,'  replied  the  learned. 

"Then  came  those  óglaechs  aforesaid  to  the  hound's  lair  a 
little  way  outside  of  ráithin  na  niangnadh ;  and  in  their  presence 
the  hound  threw  up  that  amount  of  gold  and  silver,  which  was 
given  to  the  schoolmen  and  away  they  went. 


The  Colloquy,  235 

"  Here  Finn  said :  *  how  shall  the  three  battles  of  the  Fianna 
do  to-night,  they  having  no  water?'  and  one  of  the  three  en- 
quired: *  how  many  right  drinking-horns  has  Finn?'  *  Three 
hundred  and  twelve/  I  told  them  ;  for  as  I  have  said : — 

"  Twelve  horns  and  three  hundred    .    .    . 

"*Pass  me  the  horns  into  my  hand,'  the  óglaech  said,  *and 
whatsoever  shall  be  found  in  them  that  drink  ye.'  Thrice  he 
filled  them  with  ale,  and  with  the  third  time  of  filling  they  that 
drank  were  confused  and  cheerily  vociferous.  *  Wonderful  in- 
deed is  the  process  of  this  banquet,'  said  Finn ;  whence  lios  na 
fkidfte  or  *  liss  of  the  banquet '  is  the  name  of  that  one  in  which 
it  was  given  to  Finn,  and  leabadh  in  chon  or  *  the  hound's  bed '  is 
that  of  the  lair.  For  this  reason  it  was,"  ended  Caeilte,  "that 
this  was  called  *  the  little  rath  of  wonders,'  and  that  other  little 
one  rath  chinn  chon  or  *  rath  of  the  hound's  head ' ;  and  in  this  j 
wise  they  were  for  a  year  in  the  Fianna." 

Then  Eogan  mac  Angus  mac  Nadfraech,  having  with  him 
Patrick  and  Caeilte,  progressed  to  [another]  rath  chinn  clion^  in  the 
south  part  of  Moyfemen,  and  to  lios  an  bhanntrachta  or  '  liss  of 
the  woman-folk.'  The  whole  company  sat  upon  the  rath  and 
Caeilte  sat  in  front  of  the  king,  who  asked :  "  why  were  this  rath 
and  this  liss  called  by  those  names?"  Caeilte  made  answer:  "it 
was  a  royal  hospitaller  of  hundreds  that  was  here:  Cellach  son 
of  Dubh  dead  or  *  niger  dentatus ' ;  whose  [bucolic]  wealth  and 
substance  when  they  were  numbered  covered  all  the  great  plain 
of  Femem,  but  in  the  world  was  not  a  man  better  endowed  than 
he  was  with  churlish-  and  with  niggardli-ness.  To  the  number 
of  thirty  that  wore  shields  and  bore  arms  we,  after  the  hunting 
of  sliabh  Cuay  were  come  with  Ireland's  and  Scotland's  Fian- 
chief,  and  there  sat  down  on  the  rails  of  couches ;  but  before 
ever  an  end  was  made  of  tending  us,  on  every  one  of  us  indi- 
vidually (Finn  alone  excepted)  the  man  of  the  house  heaped 
insult  and  reproach. 

"A  certain  fierce  man  of  the  Fianna:  Cuinnscleo,  son  of  Ainns- 
cleo  king  of  Britain  in  the  east,  spoke  at  him  then  and  said :  *  a 
mighty  ready  bit  of  dog's-head  snapping  and  snarling  this  is  to 
which  the  boor  has  treated  Ireland's  Fianna  I'  'Thou  hast 
lighted  on  a  happy  word  by  way  of  name  for  him/  said  Finn : 
'  fix  unn  con  or  *  dog's  head '  on  him.' " 


236  The  Colloquy. 

"  And  why,"  sought  the  king  of  Munster,  "  was  this  rath  called 
'  of  the  woman-folk '  ?  "  "  Soon  said,"  answered  Caeilte :  "  it  was 
fifty  sempstresses,  the  best  in  Ireland,  that  for  the  purpose  of 
making  raiment  and  wearables  for  the  Fianna  the  Chief  caused 
bring  together  to  this  rath.  The  charge  over  whom  all  he  gave 
to  the  king  of  Britain's  daughter:  Dergoda  by  name,  wife  of 
Ossian's  son  Oscar,  and  in  this  town  they  were  for  a  long  series 
of  years ;  hence  it  is  called  rath  an  bhanntrachtar 

The  king  went  on:   "what  is  that  solid   pillar-stone  in  the 

middle  of  the  rath  ?"     "  The  she-company's  candelabra  it  was," 

said  Caeilte:  "for  in  order  that  nor  soot  nor  grime  nor  smoke  of 

fire  should  reach  themselves  or  their  garments  they  would  not 

have  a  fire  but  thrice  in  the  year  [and  therefore  had  to  be  lighted 

otherwise].   In  this  town  then  they  were  as  I  have  said  for  a  span 

of  years,  busied  with  needlework  of  all  kinds  and  with  making 

^l^     ,  up  of  apparel  for  the  Fianna.'C  Now  in  the  king  of  Hy-Kinsell- 

^  ach's  daughters,  whose  names  were  Fionnchas^  Fionndruine  and 

^^ff  Finninglun^  these  women  possessed  a  great  source  of  pastime; 

for  they  had  a  little  timpan  with  its  leithrinn  of  silver  and  its 
pegs  of  gold,  and  to  the  enticing  fairy  music  which  those  three 
of  the  she-company  used  to  make  even  women  in  the  sharpest  of 
their  pangs  would  have  slept'S 

"  Caeilte,"  said  the  king  of  Munster,  "  what  are  these  two  great 
graves  that  we  see  ?"  "  The  three  óglaechs  that,  as  above,  took 
service  with  Finn  at  ráithín  na  ningnadh  and  had  the  wonderful 
hound,  it  was  they  that  slew  the  two  warriors  whose  graves  those 
are :  Donn  and  Dubhan,  the  king  of  Ulidia's  two  sons  out  of  the 
north."  "  How  perished  they  ?"  asked  the  king.  "  The  three  lay 
in  a  place  apart  from  the  Fianna,"  Caeilte  replied,  "  with  their 
hound  centrally  between  them  ;  and  when  once  night  came  there 
used  a  wall  of  fire  to  surround  them  so  that  none  might  dare  even 
to  look  at  them.  On  the  night  in  question  the  king  of  Ulidia's 
sons  kept  watch  for  Ireland's  and  Scotland's  Fianna,  and  thrice 
made  the  circuit  of  their  camp.  The  third  time  however  they 
saw  the  fiery  wall,  and  Donn  said:  *'tis  a  strange  thing  how 
these  three  óglaechs  are  for  now  a  year  past,  and  their  hound 
amongst  them ;  for  they  have  proclaimed  that  after  nightfall 
none  must  go  look  at  them.'  Then  the  king  of  Ulidia's  sons 
passed  inside  through  the  fire-wall ;  when  they  were  there  they 


n 


The  Colloquy.  237 

got  their  arms  ready  to  their  hands,  and  so  scanned  both  men 
and  dog.  But  the  huge  hound  which  daily  they  had  in  the 
chase  was  at  this  instant  no  greater  than  a  lap-dog  such  as  a 
great  lady  or  man  of  high  estate  may  keep ;  one  man  moreover 
/  with  his  keen  sword  naked  in  his  hand  standing  sentry  over  the 

animal  while  to  the  mouth  of  the  same  another  held  a  cuach  of 
fair  silver ;  and  the  choicest  of  every  kind  of  liquor  which  any 
individual  of  the  three  might  require  of  him,  that  is  what  the 
hound  kept  on  ejecting  from  his  mouth  into  the  cuach, 

"  Then  to  the  hound  an  Sglaeck  of  them  said :  *  it  is  well,  thou 
noble  and  righteous  and  high-couraged !  give  heed  now  to  the 
treachery  wrought  thee  by  Finn/  At  this  the  hound  wagged  his 
tail  hard,  whereby  was  created  a  factitious  magic  wind  that 
made  their  shields  to  fall  from  our  men's  shoulders,  their  spears 
from  their  hands,  their  swords  from  their  sides,  and  to  be  cast 
before  their  faces  into  the  fiery  wall.  Hereat  the  three  killed  the 
king  of  Ulidia's  two  sons  ;  which  being  effected  the  dog  turned, 
applied  his  breath  to  them,  and  reduced  them  to  dust  and  ashes 
so  that  nor  blood  nor  flesh  nor  bone  was  ever  found  of  them. 
Their*s  then  are  the  two  mounds  concerning  which  thou  ques- 
tionedst  me,"  ended  Caeilte :  "  but,  mould  and  sand  excepted, 
whosoever  should  open  them  would  not  find  them  to  contain  the  / 
smallest  thing."  ^ 

"  Never,  Caeilte,  hast  thou  told  us  tale  more  marvellous,  more 
fraught  with  mystery  than  this,"  said  the  king :  "  but  what  is  yon 
high  fence  beside  the  pillar-stone  over  in  the  rath?"  "That," 
Caeilte  said,  "  is  the  she-company's  wage  from  Finn  yearly,  which 
it  was  Ossian's  son  Oscar  that  hid:  ten  score  ounces  of  gold 
thrice  told,  and  where  he  hid  it  was  under  that  monolith's  base." 
The  concourse  of  them  went  and  excavated,  and  brought  out  the 
gold :  a  third  of  which  was  given  to  the  king  of  Munster,  a  third 
to  Patrick  and  Caeilte,  and  to  the  clergy  another  third.  "  The 
gold  lasts  on,"  said  Caeilte,  "but  neither  the  Fian-chief,  nor 
Oscar  that  hid  it,  have  endured  " ;  and  he  uttered : — 

"  The  dog's-head  rath  remains  to-day    ..."  *i 

"As  touching  those  same  three  óglaechs^  Caeilte:  was  it  with 
you  they  continued  after,  or  away  from  you  they  went?" 
"  They  tarried  with  us  until  at  rdiíMn  na  naenbar  or  *  the  rath  of 
nines '  in  Leinster's  great  plain  the  three  battles  of  the  Fianna 


\ 


238  The  Colloquy. 

were  told  off  into  small  sections  of  nine  men,  and  till  in  quest  of 
the  king  of  Ulidia's  two  sons  fallen  by  the  king  of  Iruath's  sons 
out  of  the  east  nine  óglaeclis  and  nine  gillas  visited  every  town  in 
Ireland. 

"  After  he  had  dispersed  us  Finn  mac  Cumall  for  his  part  be- 
took himself  to  Tara  Luachra,  there  being  with  him  of  the 
Fianna  none  but  the  camp-followers  and  drudges. 

"  As  for  those  squads  of  nine  which  for  the  purpose  of  seeking 
the  king  of  Ulidia's  sons  he  had  made  of  the  Fianna,  to  the 
same  place  and  all  in  one  night  they  repaired  to  join  him ;  but 
brought  no  hint  whether  those  men  were  alive  or  dead." 

Here  Patrick  and  the  king  of  Munster  passed  southerly  on- 
wards to  benn  bhdn  in  reatha  or  *the  white  hill  of  running/ 
between  Slieveriach  and  Slievecrot.  Patrick  and  the  rest  sat 
down,  and  the  king  questioned  Caeilte:  "why  was  this  benn 
called  by  such  a  name?"  and  he  answered  that: — 
—  "  It  was  once  upon  a  time  that  Finn  was  on  this  tulach^  upon 
which  [as  they  came  to  it]  they  had  seen  a  woman  that  awaited 

them.     A  crimson  mantle 

\here  is  a  laaina  embracing  the  death  of  Edaein  Fair-hair  of  Ben- 
Edar  ;  tJu  story  of  tlu  king  of  Munster' s~iSaughier  Cuillenn  wooed 
by  Cullann^  son  of  Fergus  king  of  Ulidia ;  and  the  opening  lines 
of  Treon's  daughter  Bébhionn  and  Iter  visit  to  Finn  mac  Cumall\ 
.  .  .  .  *  By  my  word  and  indeed,'  GoU  answered,  *  never  have 
either  I  or  any  other  seen  a  woman  bigger  than  she.'  Out  of  her 
bosom  the  woman  took  her  long  graceful  hand ;  on  which  were 
three  rings  of  gold,  there  being  two  on  the  other,  and  every 
one  of  them  as  thick  as  a  three- ox  yoke.  *  It  were  but  right  to 
question  her,'  said  Goll ;  but  Finn  objected :  *  how  could  that  be, 
unless  we  rose  to  our  feet  ?  and  'tis  a  question  whether  even  so 
she  could  hear  us.' 

"  To  confer  and  to  converse  with  her  the  whole  company  rose 
now  and  stood,  but  simultaneously  with  them  she  too  rose. 
*  Maiden,'  said  Finn,  *  sit  down  and  on  the  hill-side  lean  thine 
elbow,  if  so  be  thou  desire  us  to  hear  anything  from  thee.'  Upon 
the  hill  then  she  lay  along,  and  the  Fian-chief  sought  to  know  of 
her  out  of  what  land  she  came  and  who  was  she  herself.  *  Out 
of  the  land  of  Lasses  in  the  west,'  she  said,  'where  the  sun  sets: 
of  which  country's  king  I  am  daughter.'  *Whatis  thyname?'  'My 


\ 


; 


^y. 


The  Colloquy.  239 

name  is  Bebhionn  daughter  of  Treon/    *  And  why  is  that  land 

called  'of  lasses*?     '  Of  men/  she  replied,  '  there  are  in  it  none 

but  my  father  with  his  three  sons,  whereas  nine  daughters  and 

seven  score  they  are  that  have  been  born  to  him :  hence  that  is 

dubbed  *  the  land  of  lasses.'     '  What  country  is  the  nearest  to 

it?'     'The   land  of  Men.'     «Who  is  king  over  it?'     '  Cédach  ^^^«^«^*^ 

croidhearg  or  '  the  crimson-red  possessor  of  hundreds,*  who  to  his  i  C  A  lUo  '  J 

own  share  has  sons  eight  score  and  an  only  daughter.     Now  to  a 

son  of  his,  to  handsome  Aedh  son  of  Cedach,  I  was  given :  thrice 

was  given,  and  three  times  (this  being  the  third)  ran  away  from 

him.'     *  Who  or  what  directed  thee  to  this  country  ?'     *  It  was 

three  fishers  that  the  wind  blew  off  this  land  and  over  to  us: 

they  informed  us  of  this  region,  in  which  they  affirmed  a  good 

warrior,  Finn  mac  Cumall,  to  be.     If  then  thou  be  that  aglaeck,  I 

am  come  to  seek  thee  and  to  be  under  thy  safeguard.'     Then 

she  took  off  her  glove  and  laid  her  hand  in  Finn's,  whereat  he 

said  :  *  put  thy  hand  in  Goll  mac  Morna's :  with  no  warrior  in 

Ireland  is  it  more  expedient  for  thee  to  have  tie  of  friendship 

and  of  guarantee  than  with  the  same.'     In  Goll's  hand  accord-  I 

ingly  the  maid  laid  hers  and  with  him  knitted  those  ties.  -* 

"  With  that  they  saw  come  towards  them  in  headlong  career  I? 
a  hart  with  some  of  the  Fianna's  hounds  after  him,  but:  Met  the 
deer  be,'  said  Finn,  '  for  'tis  not  to  any  hunting  of  our  hounds  that 
we  will  trust  to-night,  but  rather  will  have  recourse  to  some  óglaech 
of  the  Fianna.  Where  then  is  Finn  son  of  Cuan  ?*  '  Here  am  I,' 
he  answered.  *  Precede  us  now  to  thy  house,  and  for  this  night 
be  we  provided  and  ministered  to  by  thee.'  '  To  give  thee  aught 
is  to  us  a  grateful  task  ;  for  eight  score  milch  herds  I  have  in  the 
pastures  of  Luachra,  and  by  means  of  thee  it  was  that  I  came  by 
all  those.'  But  of  Finn  mac  Cumall's  virtues  was  this:  that  no 
matter  how  much  he  should  at  any  time  have  bestowed  on  any 
man,  neither  by  day  nor  by  night  did  he  ever  bring  it  up  against 
him.  So  to  his  own  house  Finn  mac  Cuan  repaired  in  advance 
of  the  Fianna. 

"  To   return   to  the  young  woman :  she  doffed  her  polished   " 
gilded  helmet  all  bejewelled,  and  in  seven  score  tresses  let  down 
her  fair  curly  golden  hair,  at  the  wealth  of  which  when  it  was 
loosened   all  stood  amazed,  Finn  saying:    *  great  gods   of  our 
adoration,  a  huge  marvel  Conn's  grandson  Cormac,  and  Eithne 


240  The  Colloquy. 

the  poetess  daughter  of  Cahir  More,  and  the  Fianna's  blooming 
woman-folk,  would  esteem  it  to  see  Treon's  daughter  Bebhionn ! 
good  now,  girl,  in  thine  eyes  were  it  too  little  to  assign  thee  the 
portion  of  ten  hundred  ?'  Upon  the  dwarf,  on  Cnú  deireoil^  that 
before  Finn  just  then  played  a  harp,  the  girl  looked  and  said : 
*  be  it  little  or  be  it  much  of  an  allowance  that  thou  shalt  give  to 
yon  wee  man  that  works  the  harp,  the  equivalent  of  that  same  I 
too  will  account  amply  sufficient' 

"  Of  Finn  now  she  begged  a  drink,  and  he  said :  '  where  is 
Saltran  sálfhada  or  *  long-heel  *?  *  Here  am  I,  Fian- chief,'  the 
gilla  answered.  *  Bring  the  goblet  called  cuach  sntera  puill  full  of 
water  from  yonder  ford  *  (the  cuach  held  a  draught  for  nine  men 
of  the  Fianna).  The  gilla  brought  the  cuachiwX  and  handed  it  to 
the  young  woman  ;  she  poured  the  water  into  her  right  palm  and 
drank  three  sips  of  it,  then  raised  her  hand  and  over  the  whole 
concourse  of  them  sprinkled  the  residue,  which  caused  them  and 
herself  with  them  to  burst  out  a-laughing.  Finn  said :  *  on  thy 
conscience,  girl,  what  made  thee  to  not  drink  the  water  out  of 
the  cuachY  *  Never,'  she  answered,  'have  I  drunk  anything 
from  a  vessel  saving  such  to  which  there  should  be  a  rim  either 
of  gold  or  of  silver.'  I  chancing  at  this  point  to  look  about  me," 
proceeded  Caeilte,  "  saw  a  tall  young  man  come  towards  us,  and 
if  the  girl  was  big  he  was  bigger  still :  a  shag  cape  covered  his 
shoulders ;  he  had  no  beard,  and  though  the  whole  world's  men 
had  been  collected  alongside  of  him  not  one  of  them  had  been 
found  comelier  than  he.  A  green  cloak  he  had  about  him  and 
in  that  a  brooch  of  gold,  while  next  to  his  skin  was  a  shirt  of 
king's  satin  ;  a  shield  red  as  the  rowan-berry  was  slung  on  him, 
at  his  side  hung  a  sword  of  gilded  hilt,  and  in  his  hand  was  a 
brave  thick-shafted  spear. 

"Then  all  the  throng  looked  on  him  and,  excepting  only 
professional  men  of  valour,  few  there  were  of  us  but  horror  and 
fear  seized  before  him.  But  Finn  had  a  stout  nature,  for  never 
whether  by  day  or  in  the  night  had  fear  taken  him  before  human 
being,  and  what  the  Fian-chief  said  therefore  was:  *let  neither 
gilla  nor  warrior  of  you  speak,  nor  a  man  stir  from  his  place ! 
knows  any  one  of  you  yon  aglaechV  *I  know  him:  that  is  the 
man  seeking  to  escape  whom  I  am  come,'  the  maiden  said,  and 
sat  down  betwixt  Finn  and  Goll.     The  stranger  drew  near  us, 


The  Colloqjty.  241 

and  that  which  was  in  his  intention  was  not  present  to  us  in  our 
intelligence  by  any  means:  for  so  soon  as  he  came  right  up  to 
Finn  and  Goll  he  raised  the  spear  and  at  the  girl  made  a  greedy 
and  most  cruel  thrust,  so  that  of  the  weapon's  shaft  so  much  as 
equalled  the  length  of  a  warrior's  hand  appeared  through  her 
back.  He  drew  the  spear  and  passed  on  his  way  out  through  the 
crowd.  *Men,'  cried  Finn,  'ye  see  that;  and  he  that  upon  the 
doer  of  it  will  not  avenge  this  foul  deed,  let  him  not  any  more 
have  his  mind  bent  on  Fianship !' 

"Then,"  Caeilte  went  on,  "we  the  three  battles  of  the  Fianna 
started  on  the  instant,  so  that  upon  the  hill  was  left  none  but 
Finn  and  Goll  and  the  woman  wounded  to  death ;  and  we  all 
made  after  the  stranger  to  rath  na  macraidJie  or  'the  rath  of 
lads,'  now  called  rath  7ia  gcaerach  or  'the  rath  of  sheep,'  in 
Moylee  to  the  southward  ;  thence  to  the  corcach  or  marshland 
of  magh  Uladh  or  '  the  Ulidian  flat,*  where  they  of  Ulidia  were 
in  camp  to  beleaguer  the  claenráth  or  'sloping  rath,'  what  time 
they  slew  Cúraei  mac  Daire ;  downwards  and  on  to  láthair  luinge 
or  '  ship-place,'  where  clanft  Deaghaidh  or  the  *  children  of  Degh- 
aidh'  kept  their  galleys,  and  to  the  inver  of  labhartJionn\  which 
means  either  *  Labar-wave,'  because  Milesius  of  Spain's  daughter 
Labar  was  drowned  there  ;  or  '  speaking-wave '  [from  labar  *  pos- 
sessing speech  '],  because  there  the  surf  *  spoke '  to  the  coast ; 
yet  farther  to  tiopra  an  laeich  leisc  or  *  well  of  the  lazy  warrior,' 
westwards  to  trdigh  Li  or  'the  strand  of  Li  son  of  Oidhreamhair 
['  Tralee '],  and  to  rinn  chdna  or  *  tribute  point,'  at  which  yearly 
the  allmJiaracJis  or  '  over-sea  men '  used  to  pay  rent  and  tribute 
to  Curaci.  There  he  set  his  face  outwards  to  the  broad  bay,  and^ 
four  aglaec/ts  we  were  that  were  well  up  with  him  :  Jifirmot,  and 
Glas  son  of  Encherd  Beirre,  and  Oscar  son  of  Ossian,  and  mysejf 
fourth.  We  too  faced  the  open  sea  to  strike  out  upon  it ;  but 
after  him  I  came  bounding  as  I  ran  at  topmost  speed  and  [just 
before  I  took  the  water]  hurled  at  him  [who  already  was  in  it], 
whereby  the  spear  entered  the  sling  of  his  shield  and  his  left 
shoulder,  and  the  buckler  fell  off  into  the  sea.  I  [by  this  time 
wading  up  to  him]  met  the  shield  with  my  left  hand  and,  as  he 
brought  his  right  to  draw  my  spear  out  of  him,  I  caught  the  one 
that  was  in  his  left  and  it  came  away  with  me ;  but  when  I 
would  have  delivered  him  a  cast  of  his  own  spear  '  the  thick  of 

R 


242  The  Colloquy. 

the  waves  and  the  deep  of  the  sea'  came  between  us  [i.e,  we 
being  now  out  of  our  depth  I  lost  sight  of  him  among  the  rollers, 
and  so  landed  again].  Then  as  we  stood  and  watched  him 
fixedly  we  saw  a  great  galley,  with  two  that  rowed  her,  bear 
down  out  of  the  west ;  he  got  on  board,  and  we  never  knew 
which  way  they  went  from  us.  Our  three  battalions  returned 
eastward  to  this  tulack  and  Finn  sought  an  account  of  us,  which 
I  gave  him,  and  on  the  ground  we  laid  the  shield  and  spear 
before  him.  '  Excellent  in  sooth  those  arms  are,'  said  the  young 
woman :  '  being  indeed  the  spear  which  is  named  the  torainnchk- 
asach  or  '  performer  of  the  thunder-feat'  so-called,  and  the  shield 
the  donnchraebhach  or  '  red-arabesqued.'  Finn,  it  is  well,'  she 
went  on  :  'by  thee  now  be  my  grave  and  my  burial  cared  for 
becomingly ;  for  it  was  while  I  trusted  to  thy  guarantee  and 
honour  that  I  came  by  my  death,  and  to  thee  it  was  that  1  came 
into  Ireland.'  Her  bracelets  she  gave  to  the  bardic  folk :  to  Cnú 
dheireoil,  to  Blathnait  his  wife,  and  to  the  harper  Daighre ;  soul 
parted  from  body  with  her,  here  she  was  laid  under-ground,  and 
from  her  the  name  of  druim  na  mnd  mairb/ie  or  'ridge  of  the 
I  dead  woman'  was  conferred  on  this  druim  or  'ridge,'  O  king  of 
Munstcr,"  ended  Caeilte. 

"And  daire  in  ckogair  or  'oak -grove  of  the  conspiracy'  [///. 
'whisper'],  whence  is  it?"  asked  the  king  of  Munster.  "The 
four,"  Caeilte  answered,  "of  whom  thou  hast  heard  me  tell  how 
they  were  at  rdithln  na  niongnadh,  the  three  Sglaeclis  and  their 
hound  namely:  to  kill  these  the  Fianna  conspired  here."  "  But 
what  cause  had  they  to  conspire  against  them,  and  they  in  their 
own  service  ?"  "  They  understood  not  the  manner  and  practice 
after  which  they  disposed  themselves:  that  they  must  have  a 
camp  apart,  with  a  rampart  of  fire  round  about  them  and  none 
to  see  them  until  rising-time  on  the  morrow.  Finn  however 
said :  '  by  no  means  would  I  have  them  slain ;  for  of  the  whole 
world's  men  they  are  the  best  in  vigour  and  in  spear-skill,  and 
they  possess  three  arts  for  the  sake  of  which  it  is  not  right  to 
kill  them:  firstly,  were  all  possible  men  laid  in  disease  and 
sickness,  let  but  the  one  man  of  them  apply  certain  herbs  to  the 

ailment  of  each 

\ltere  is  a  lacuna  covering  tlie  remainder  of  this  story  and  thai  of 
the  three  sons  of  Uar  son  of  Indast ;  Caeilte' s  problem  to  Patrick  ; 


The  Colloquy .  243 

the  charming  of  the  pernicious  birds  that  ravaged  the  fields,  and  the 
forepart  to  Patrick' s  decision  in  t/ie  viatter  of  Aedh  mac  Miiiredach 
hing  of  Connacht  and  Bodhb  Derg^s  daugliter  Aillenn  iolchrothach 

,  which  follows  Iuré\ ^^ 

"  I  am  she,"  answered  the  young  woman.  "  What  is  it,"  Patrick  ' 
went  on,  "that  maintains  you  [i.e.  thee  and  thine]  thus  in  the 
zenith  of  your  form  and  comeliness?"  "All  such  of  us  as  par- 
took of  Goibhniu's  banquet,  nor  pain  nor  sickness  troubles  them — 
but,  holy  Patrick,  in  my  case  and  the  king  of  Connacht's  what  is 
thine  award  ?"  "It  is  a  good  one,"  the  Saint  replied:  "  by  God 
and  myself  it  is  determined  that  a  man  be  restricted  to  one  single 
wedded  wife,  and  this  prescription  we  [that  are  here]  may  not 
transgress."  "And  I,"  said  the  girl,  "what  am  I  to  do  now?" 
"  To  retire  to  thy  home  and  sídh^'  Patrick  enjoined  her,  "  and  if 
the  king  of  Leinster's  daughter  depart  before  thee,  that  man  on 
whom  thou  hast  bestowed  thy  love  to  have  thee  thenceforth  as 
his  only  wife.  But  if,  whether  by  day  or  by  night,  thou  do  either 
the  king  or  his  present  spouse  a  mischief,  I  will  spoil  thee  in 
such  wise  that  not  thy  mother,  nor  thy  father,  nor  yet  thy 
guardian  shall  care  to  see  thee  " ;  and  Patrick  uttered : — 
"  O  Aillenn,  generous,  crimson-cheeked    .     .    ." 

"  Is  this  then  thy  fixed  determination,"  she  asked :  "  that  so 
long  as  he  shall  have  that  wife  I  may  not  be  g[iven  to  the  king  ?'* 
"Even  so,"  answered  the  Saint.  "What  remains  then,  holy 
Cleric,"  she  went  on,  "but  this:  by  thy  word's  truthfulness  to 
conjure  thee  that  should  the  king's  wife  go  before  me  I  be  given 
to  him  ?"  Patrick  said :  "  I  affirm  on  my  veracity  that  if  she  go 
first  thou  shalt  be  granted  to  him." 

Then  the  young  woman  wept  plentifully,  wofully,  and  the 
king  said :  "  I  am  dear  to  thee."  "  Dear  indeed,"  she  replied. 
"  Of  the  human  tribe  is  none  more  beloved  than  thou  art  to  me," 
he  said,  "  but  that  I  may  not  go  beyond  the  conditions  and 
prohibition  of  the  Táilchenn  and  of  the  Very  God."  So  the 
maid  departed  to  her  sidh  till  such  time  as  the  story  again 
touches  on  her.  -^ 

For  three  days  with  their  nights  Patrick,  Caeilte  and  the 
company  tarried  in  that  spot ;  then  they  progressed  to  fert 
Fiadhmóir  or  *  Fiadhmor's  grave '  on  macJiaire  an  scdiiy>r  *  the 
hero's  plain/  now  called  magh  nAei  or  '  the  plain  of~Aei/  where 

R  2 


244  TJte  Colloquy. 

I 

all  sat  down,  and  Patrick  too :  whence  suidJie  Pdtraic  or  *  Patrick's 
seat '  is  the  name  of  that  place. 

\  The  king  of  Connacht  welcomed  Caeilte  and  enquired  of  him : 

"  why  was  the  name  of  *  Fiadhmor's  grave '  given  to  this  place 

'  and 

\lacuna  comprising  the  main  part  of  Jiow  Fiadhmór  mac  Arist 
king  of  Scotland  came  to  Ireland  in  quest  of  Aei  daughter  of  Finn 

mac  Cumair\ 

"so  from  the  shades  of  evening  until  the  morrow's  morn  we 
fought  this  fight,  and  our  bodies  streamed  with  blood  ;  we  were 
the  victors  nevertheless.  From  these  three  heroes  we  took  their 
heads,  and  agreed  among  ourselves  to  carry  them  off  and  so  to 
go  back  again.  This  course  we  abandoned  however  and  rather 
turned  upon  the  rest  of  the  invaders  that  were  on  the  shore,  of 
whom  in  our  first  shock  of  battle  we  slew  four  hundred  óglaechs ; 
the  three  battles  of  them  converged  upon  us  and  for  the  fair  day's 
length  till  night-time  we  strove  with  them  ;  then  when  they  saw 
that  their  champions  were  fallen  they  broke  to  their  vessels  and 
swift  galleys,  and  we  came  off  full  of  wounds  and  bleeding. 

"  By  this  time  fear  on  our  account  had  taken  the  Fian-chief,  and 
he  said :  *Fianna  of  Ireland,  go  ye  in  pursuit  of  the  three  that  went 
from  you  *;  but  just  as  they  rose  in  their  three  serried  phalanxes 
we  came  up  to  them  at  this  hill,  and  before  Finn  we  laid  the 
heads  upon  the  ground.  It  was  I,"  Caeilte  said,  "that  killed 
Fiadhmor,  Dermot  that  killed  Circall,  and  Oscar  that  slew 
Congna.  The  three  heads  were  bestowed  on  yonder  tulachs  and 
hence  they  bear  those  denominations,  while  *  the  battle  of  trágh 
Eot/iaile  *  is  the  name  of  this  battle  in  the  Fian-lore." 

"  Success  and  benediction,  Caeilte,"  said  the  king  of  Connacht, 
"  and  if  thou  desiredst  jewels  and  rich  things  we  would  give  them 
thee ! "  "  Thou  art  all  the  better  of  having  offered  them  [i.e.  hast 
the  merit  of  a  generous  action],  but  I  need  them  not,"  answered 
Caeilte. 

Again  they  came  on :  to  breicshliabh  or  *  spotted  mountain,' 
i.e.  *  Bricklieve '  near  loch  Arrow,  called  sliabh  formaeUe  or  '  bald- 
topped  mountain '  also,  i.e.  *  Slieveformoyle  * ;  and  to  suid/u  Finn 
or  *  Finn's  seat,'  i.e.  *Seefinn,'  on  the  mountain's  summit;  and  as 
they  sat  there  Caeilte,  surveying  the  place  in  which  Finn  was 
wont  to  have  his  seat,  wepL     "  Caeilte,  my  soul,"  said  the  king 


The  Colloquy.  245 

of  Connacht,  "  what  makes  thee  to  weep  ?  is  it  perhaps  the  sight 
of  that  spot  where  Finn  sat :  of  Formoyle  of  the  Fianna  ?"  "  That 
indeed  it  is,"  he  answered:  "  for  this  mountain  was  their  choicest 
hunting-ground:  round  about  loch  na  neilltedh  or  *the  looh  of 
hinds '  that  is  to  say,  which  now  is  called  loch  formaeile  or  *  loch 
of  the.  Formoyle';  and  cluain  na  damraidJu  or  *the  lawn  of 
harts,'  presently  called  cell  tulach  or  '  the  church  of  tulachs^ 
which  was  Conan  Mael  mac  Morna's  town  ;  and  ros  na  mac- 
raidhe  or  '  the  wood  of  lads/  now  />/  airfn  or  *  the  place,'  where  a 
part  of  the  Fianna's  horses  were  kept ;  on  to  the  dun  of  Saltran 
Long-heel,  now  called  cell  OuieimMn  or  *  saint  Caeimin's  church ' 
upon  the  river  Suca  ;  thence  on  to  ntóin  na  fostadha  or  *  the 
moor  of  staying,'  known  as  main  an  tachair  or  *  moor  of  the 
affray ';  and  so  to  carraic  an  fhomorach  or  '  rock  of  the  pirate/  at 
this  time  called  dtin  mór'' 

The  king  farther  questioned  Caeilte:  "whence  was  Finn  mac 
Cumall's  origin  ?"  and  he  replied:  "of  Leinster,  being  of  the  tlii 
Thairrsigh,  that  is  from  glaise  Bolcáin ;  or  he  was  Finn  son  of 
Cumall  son  of  Tredliom  son  of  Cairbre  cdXl^á garbshrón  or  *  rough- 
nose'  son  of  Fiacha  fóbhreac  or  *the  slightly  freckled'  of  the  úi 
FhailgCy  a  quibus  *  Offaley.'"  "  Whence  sprang  his  mother?"  "She 
was  Muirne  smooth-neck,  daughter  of  Teigue  son  of  Nuadha,  of 
the  tuatha  cU  danann  ;  and  that  [i.e.  Finn]  was  one  of  the  five  best 
warriors  that  in  Ireland  ever  took  shield  and  sword  ;  and  of  all 
the  world's  north-westernmost  part  the  hand  pre-eminent  in  be- 
stowing of  jewels,  of  rich  things,  and  of  great  wage  ;  one  of  the 
three  best  men  that  ever  fell  to  the  island  of  the  Gael ;  one  who, 
if  only  a  man  had  a  head  to  eat  with  and  legs  upon  which  to  go 
[and  to  carry  off  his  bounty],  never  denied  one  in  any  matter  and, 
to  the  end  none  should  say  it  was  fear  that  moved  him,  never 
turned  and  looked  behind  him/' 

"What  were  the  standing  Fianna's  names?"  asked  the  king.      '^ 
"  Finn  mac  Cumall  verily,"  Caeilte  began,  "  and  Ossian  with  his      *2  p*  ^ 
four  sons:  Oscar,  Ossian,  Echtach  and  Ulach;  Raighne  Wide-  '"^*^^ 

eye,  Caine  the  crimson-red,  Uillenn  Sharp-edge,  Faelan  the  virile  V 

and  Aedh  Beg,  all  sons  of  Finn  ;  Finn  More  son  of  Cuan  son  of 
Murrough,  high  chief  of  Munster's  Fianna ;  Finn  son  of  Teme- 
nan,  chief  of  the  Decian  Fianna  in  Munster ;  Finn  soft  of  Urgna, 
chief  of  Kinelconall's  Fianna ;  Finn  son  of  Foghaeth  and  Finn 


246  The  Colloquy. 

son  of  Abhratruadh  or  '  Red-eyebrow/  the  two  Fian-chiefs  of 
Dalaradia  in  the  north  ;  Finn  Bane  grandson  of  Bresal,  Fian-chief 
of  Hy-Kinsellach  ;  Yvavifer  an  champair  or  *  man  of  contention/ 
Fian-chief  of  Scotland  ;  Goll  Gulbain  and  Cas  of  Cuailgne,  the 
two  Fian-chiefs  of  Ulidia  in  the  north ;  Deghoc's  three  sons : 
Fead  and  Faeidh  and  Foscadh ;  Encherd  Beirre's  three  sons : 
Glas  and  Gear  and  Gubha ;  Caeilte  mac  Ronan  and  his  two 
sons :  Faelan  and  CoUa ;  Goth  gaeithe  or  *  spear  of  the  wind ' 
mac  Ronan,  who  when  he  desired  to  assert  his  own  running 
power  used  to  be  a  javelin  cast  in  front  of  all  the  Fianna;  Lergan 
the  swift  from  Luachair  in  the  west,  that  used  to  bring  in  the 
wild  hinds  as  another  would  fetch  home  his  own  proper  kine ; 
Diannaid  6  Duibhne  of  the  men  of  Munster,  that  never  knew 
weariness  of  foot  nor  shortness  of  breath  nor,  whether  in  going 
out  or  in  coming  in,  ever  flagged ;  mac  Lugach  the  impetuous 
and  strong :  primest  young  man  of  Ireland's  and  of  Scotland's 
Fianna,  mainstay  of  universal  Fianry's  valour ;  Bran  Beg,  grand- 
son of  Buacachan,  chief  comptroller  of  Ireland's  and  of  Scot- 
land's Fianna  ;  Scannal  grandson  of  Liathan,  leader  of  their 
striplings  ;  Sciathbreac  son  of  Dathchain,  the  Irish  Fianna's  best 
man  at  games  ;  Goll  More  mac  Moma,  with- his  twice  thirty  own 
brothers  and  fifteen  hundred  of  one  kith  and  kin  ;  and  the  three 
*  men  of  instrument '  from  Slievefuad,  having  three  instruments 
of  music  which  they  played  concertedly  and  facing  each  other 
[i.e.  all  three  facing  inwards],  and  the  which  when  any  heard 
neither  trouble  nor  hardship  any  more  afflicted  him."  "  What," 
asked  the  king  of  Connacht,  "were  those  óglaechí  names?"  ^^Luath^ 
Léidmhech^  and  Lánldidir,  i.e.  'the  swift,*  *the  destroying,'  *the 
powerfully  strong,*  who  were  of  the  standing  Fianna,"  Caeilte 
answered :  "  the  above  being  the  names  of  those,  chiefs  and  lords 
and  men  of  territory  whom  Finn  had,  and  that  thrice  in  every 
year  used  to  victual  him  in  his  own  liss,  and  were  performers  of 
the  dórd  fiansa.  These  then,  king  of  Connacht,  are  the  questions 
thou  enquiredst  of  me,"  Caeilte  ended,  and  straightway  benumbed 
in  stupor  fell  down  on  the  hillside.  For  three  days  and  three 
nights  after  that  he  remained  without  capacity  to  travel  or  to 
go,  fretting  for  his  comrades  and  for  his  foster-fellows ;  where- 
fore here  the  king  of  Connacht  had  a  camp  pitched,  and  they 
caused  Caeilte  to  be  bathed. 


The  Colloquy.  247 

Next  they  drew  on  to  cluain  na  ndamh  or  *  the  lawn  of  stags/ 
which  now  is  called  cluain  imdheargtha  or  *  the  lawn  of  reproach/ 
where  they  camped  ;  Patrick  blessed  the  town,  and  of  Caeilte 
the  king  sought  the  reason  of  such  two  names. 

"It  was  a  special  bounty  of  the  chase  that  Finn  and  the 
Fianna's  three  battles  had  here:  a  hart  to  every  two  of  them, 
and  to  Finn  three  ;  whence  the  spot  was  called  *  the  lawn  of 
stags/  But  *  the  lawn  of  reproach '  was  conferred  on  it  for  this 
reason:  when  clan-Morna  were  on  terms  of  depredation  upon 
Finn,  once  on  a  time  just  as  they  were  busied  with  their  meal 
and  had  their  portions  before  them  they  never  noticed  anything 
until  we  were  come  round  about  this  ridge  and  so  surrounded 
them.  Then  said  Goll  mac  Morna:  *a  great  reproach  it  is  that 
these  men  have  fixed  on  us  ! '  *  Be  *the  lawn  of  reproach'  its 
name  henceforth/  said  Conan  Mael  mac  Morna.  But/*  said 
Caeilte,  "  their  gallantry  we  must  not  suppress  to  clan-Moma's 
prejudice:  for  out  through  the  battalion  of  the  Fianna  came 
the  weighty  phalanx  in  their  might,  nor  did  we  avail  to  draw 
blood  or  to  have  *  a  superficial  reddening '  of  them.  Here  we 
sat  down  by  their  fires,  and  to  Finn  a  basin  of  pale  gold  was 

brought     

\Jure  is  a  lacuna  comprising  the  sequel  of  this  section  ;  the  tale  of 
Radtibh  son  of  Dubh  and  of  Finn  mac  Cumalls  daughter  Aeife 
dhearg ;  Tighernach  mac  Conn's  churlishness  to  Patrick ;  origin 
of  the  rath  of  Cas  and  of  Conall^  the  king  of  KinelconalCs  two 
sons^  and  of  tobar  Pátraic  or  ^Patrick's  well' ;  the  Saint's  banish- 
vient  of  t/ie  nine  goblins  into  inis  serine  or  *  shrine  island'  in  loch 
Carra  ;  tlie  cause  o/>Caeilte's  visit  to  Assaroe^  and  how  he  ent^recf 
sidh  dumha  in  Leyney  of  Connacht  on  his  way  ;^he  expedition  of 
tlie  king  of  Denmark's  sons  Garbh  and  Eolus^  with  Be  dreacain 
or  "^  the  dragon  maidy  daughter  of  loruathy  to  Ireland  for  the  pu  r- 
to^e  of  the  followÍ7ig  battle^ 

jThen  Cascorach  mac  Cainchinne  enquired  of  the  tuatha  dédanann : 
"  have  ye  for  me  a  hard,  tough,  and  right  solid  shield  ?  "     Donn 

_mac  Midir  replied :  "  I  have  one."  "  Give  it  me,"  said  Cascorach. 
The  shield  was  given  to  him,  he  took  the  sword  in  his  hand  and 
came  straight  to  where  the  she-brave  watched  and  warded  the 
invaders^  "  And  what  mayest  thou  be,  young  man  ?"  she  ques- 
tioned.    "  To  do  battle  with  thee  am  I  come,"  said  he.     "  Never 


\< 


24&  The  Colloquy. 

until  this  day,"  said  she,  •*  have  I  been  matched  in  fight  against 
one  man  only,  or  even  against  two ;  more  often  has  it  been  mine 
to  inspire  a  hardy  battalion  of  full  strength  with  fear  of  me  ;  and 
as  for  thee,  young  fellow,  seeing  thou  art  come  to  encounter  me, 
'tis  positive  that  nowhere  else  in  the  world  hast  thou  been  able 
to  find  thee  room."  For  all  that,  bloodily  and  with  good  en- 
deavour they  set  to  and  either  on  other  inflicted  thirty  huge 
wounds  such  as  need  the  leech's  care.  In  the  end  however  the 
young  man  nimbly  and  vehemently  falling  on  her  plied  her  with 
deadly  strokes,  and  with  a  cut  that  he  chanced  to  get  at  her  past 
her  shield's  rim  struck  off  her  head.  This  he  bore  away  to  the 
tuatlia  dé  danann,  and  Caeilte  uttered  a  quatrain : — 

"  Cascorach  of  the  strokes  has  killed  the  woman  (no  boasting  fib  it  is)  ;  he 
has  left  her  lying  on  the  strand  with  the  sea-foam  washing  up  to  her." 

"  A  great  deed  is  that  thou  hast  done,  stripling,"  the  Danish 
invaders  cried  [from  their  ships]:  "  to  have  slain  before  our  faces 
the  champion  that  we  had,  and  that  in  all  extremity  used  to 
relieve  us  ! " 

Then  they  inaugurated  EoUis  the  late  king's  brother  and  came 
ashore  to  challenge  the  tuatha  dé  danann^  who  said :  **  we  accept, 
for  more  and  more  easy  we  find  it  to  give  them  battle." 

Early  in  the  morning  then,  ere  yet  a  man  of  the  host  was  up, 
Fermaise  son  of  Eogabhal  rose  and  grasped  *  the  pronged  javelin ' : 
so  called  because  on  either  side  of  it  were  five  prongs  each  having 
both  its  edges  garnished  with  sickle-shaped  barbs,  every  one  of 
which  again  would  have  *  cut  a  hair  against  the  stream.'  "  My 
gods,"  he  said,  "what  manner  of  man  is  Eolus?"  and  he  that 
accompanied  him  said:  "the  comeliest  óglaech  and  the  finest 
form  of  the  whole  world's  men."  "  Go  not  thou  to  any  distance 
from  me,"  said  Fermaise, "  but  continue  to  instruct  and  guide  me." 

About  him  then  Eolus  took  his  fighting  garb  of  battle,  and  his 
various  weapons  in  his  hand,  and  stepped  upon  the  ship  s  gang- 
way. "  There,  young  man,"  the  companion  said,  "  is  he  whom 
thou  requirest  me  to  point  out  to  thee :  with  the  diadem  of  gold 
upon  his  head,  wearing  the  red  shield  and  clad  in  the  green  suit 
of  mail."  With  that  Fermaise  gave  his  foot  a  solid  bearing  on 
the  ground,  put  his  finger  into  the  javelin's  thong,  and  at  the 
other  delivered  a  cast  that  impinged  on  the  shield's  very  rim  ;  it 
broke  the  good  warrior's  back  in  him  and,  after  driving  his  heart 


'J^ 


The  Colloquy.  249 

as  it  were  a  great  lump  of  blood  out  through  his  mouth,  the 
spear's  point  passed  clean  through  him  and  stuck  in  the  ship's 
bulwark.  Howbeit,  when  the  Danish  fleet  saw  that  those  three 
were  fallen  they  renounced  the  battle  and  departed  to  their  own 
land  ;  then  Caeilte  uttered : — 

"Joyful  the  sidhÁoX^  are;  that  without  loss,  without  violence  done  to 
themselves,  they  are  scaped  from  the  host  of  them  with  the  curling  locks  is 
not,  in  our  judgment,  conducive  to  their  payment  any  more  of  tribute." 

Throughout  all  Ireland  the  fall  of  that  trio  was  made  much  of, 
both  the  tuatha  dé  danann  and  the  men  of  Erin  esteeming  it  a 
wondrous  event  that  by  the  aforesaid  three  {Le.  Caeilte,  Cascorach,    v    p 
Fermaise]  were  perished  those  that  (every  year  came  to  harry  and     j 
to  spoil  them.  ^  ^  ^    ^    7/ 

Caeilte  asked  now :  "  where  is  the  seer  Eoghan  ?"  who  answered :     ^  >      'y 
"  here  ! "     "  Procure  me  knowledge  of  and  true  monition  concern-         ^  N^     "'^l. 
ing  my  life's  length  ;  for  I  am  but  a  decrepid  ancient,  for  whom  ^  i^ 

the  latter  end  of  his  age  and  of  his  time  must  now  be  near  at  r 

hand."     Then  Eoghan  pronounced  a  quatrain: — 

"  Seventeen  years  from  this  day  there  are  for  thee,  O  Caeilte  of  fair  fame, 
till  thou  shalt  fall  at  Tara's  pool :  grievous  as  by  the  king's  household  that 
will  be  accounted." 

"  Success  and  benediction  attend  thee,  Eoghan,"  Caeilte  said : 
"this  forecast  is  identical  with  that  which  my  chief  and  lord, 
my  gentle  loving  guardian  Finn,  made  for  me."  "  What  length 
of  life,"  said  the  others,  "does  Eoghan  assign  thee?"  "Seven- 
teen years,"  answered  Caeilte.  "  That  will  prove  true,"  they  went 
on,  "  for  never  has  he  asserted  that  one  should  have  a  given  span 
but  it  would  so  happen  to  him  ;  and  for  very  many  years  he 
used  to  tell  us  that  by  you,  and  with  those  weapons,  these  three 
were  to  fall."  ^ 

Then  Caeilte  said:  "^/(i/A-folk,  it  is  well ;  by  you  now  be  my  f 
cure  (the  errand  upon  which  I  came  to  you)  effected,  for  I  have 
given  you  my  healing's  fee:  the  greatest  benefit  that  ever  was 
achieved  for  you  'tis  I  have  wrought  it."  "  True  it  is  indeed  that 
thou  hast  done  so,"  they  replied,  "  and  by  us  a  change  of  form 
and  feature  shall  be  brought  about  for  thee  so  that  again  thou 
mayest  enjoy  vigour  and  full  activity;  and  chief  command  of  the 
tuatha  dé  danann  s  young  men  be  thine  as  well."  "  That  were  a 
miserable  thing,"  said  Caeilte, "  that  I  should  take  on  me  a  shape 


250  The  Colloquy. 

of  sorcery !  by  no  means  will  I  take  another  than  that  which  my 
Maker  and  my  Creator,  He  that  is  the  Very  and  Glorious  God, 
hath  conferred  on  me,  and  which  the  rule  of  faith  and  devotion 
of  that  Táilchenn  with  whom  I  have  foregathered  in  Ireland  doth 
assign  to  me."  "  A  true  warrior^s  and  a  very  hero's  utterance  is 
that,"  they  said,  "  and  the  thing  thou  sayest  is  good  ;  but  in  the 
matter  of  healing  thee  we  crave  yet  a  respite."  "  What  is  the 
respite's  reason  ?"  "  It  is  three  ravens  which  yearly  come  to  us 
out  of  the  north  and,  when  the  youngsters  of  the  sldh  are  goaling, 
swoop  on  them  and  carry  off  one  apiece  of  them,**  said  Ilbhreac. 
There  then  they  tarried  until  day  was  come  with  its  full  light, 
whereupon  the  tuatha  dé  danann  in  general  proceeded  to  look  on 
at  the  hurling:  for  every  six  men  was  given  them  a  chess-board  ; 
a  backgammon -board  for  every  five ;  for  every  ten  men  a  timpan, 
for  every  hundred  a  harp,  and  in  the  proportion  of  one  to  every 
nine  were  supplied  pipes  shrill  and  dominant. 

Then  they  saw  three  ravens  that  out  of  the  north  came  in  from 
the  deep  sea,  pitched  on  the  great  tree  of  special  properties  that 
stood  on  the  green,  and  there  emitted  three  lugubrious  ill-omened 
screeches.  Were  it  a  thing  permitted  that  the  dead  should  be 
raised  out  of  earth,  or  hair  snatched  from  the  heads  of  men, 
those  three  screeches  would  have  effected  both ;  as  it  was  they 
perturbed  and  disordered  the  whole  concourse. 

Cascorach  took  a  man  of  the  chessmen,  with  which  he  made  a 
shot  at  one  of  the  ravens,  and  the  missile  entered  first  his  beak 
and  then  his  throat,  so  killing  him.  Another  of  the  ravens 
Fermaise  aimed  at  and  slew,  while  for  the  third  one  Caeilte  in 
like  manner  did  as  much.  Then  he  said :  "  the  birds  are  done 
away  ;  now  let  my  cure  be  wrought."  But  they  of  the  sidh  said : 
"  knowest  thou  not,  Caeilte,  that  for  now  a  long  time  there  is  a 
feud  fastened  on  the  tuatlia  dé danann ?"  "What  feud  is  that?" 
he  asked.  **  It  is  the  king  of  Ulidia's  three  sons  in  the  north: 
Conn,  Congal  and  Colla,  that  predatorily  war  on  them  and,"  said 
Ilbhreac  again,  "yearly  come  to  us  demanding  eric  for  Eochaid 
Red-neck  (king  of  Ulidia,  and  their  grandfather)  whom  in  the 
battle  of  trágh  Baile  or  *  Baile's  strand,'  i.e.  Dundalk  to  the 
northward,  the  tuatha  dé  danann  slew.  From  every  sidh  in  Ire- 
land year  by  year  they  require  a  set  combat  of  three:  a  combat 
of  unequal  event,  for  the  three  of  us  that  are  told  off  to  it  are 


The  Colloquy.  251 

killed  invariably,  the  three  brethren  going  scot  free ;  and  it  is  to 
the  people  of  our  sidh  that  this  year  it  falls  to  fight  with  them." 
Now  where  the  king  of  Ulidia*s  sons  dwelt  after  their  yearly 
marauding  upon  the  tuatha  dé  danann  was  on  benn  Boirc/te  in 
that  province. 

Said  one  son  of  them:  "what  sidh  is  it  ours  to  attack  now?" 
*'  Ilbhreac's  sidh  of  Assaroe,"  answered  the  other  brothers ;  but 
one  of  them  added:  "in  that  sidh  is  a  warrior  of  Finn  mac 
Cumairs  people,  having  with  him  two  more,  to  whom  whether 
prepared  for  fight  or  taken  at  disadvantage  it  were  [under  other 
circumstances]  well  to  give  a  wide  berth ;  but  should  we  now 
shirk  this  same  sidh  they  [the  tuatha  dé  danaftn]  will  affirm  that 
it  is  from  unwillingness  to  face  them  on  any  terms  that  we  do 
so."  The  three  therefore  for  that  night  tarried  where  they  were ; 
then  they  looked  to  their  armature  and  various  edged  weapons, 
and  early  on  the  morrow's  morn  reached  Assaroe.  The  sidh- 
people,  Caeilte  with  his  two  accompanying  them,  came  out  upon 
the  green  and  he  enquired:  "are  those  yonder  the  three  that 
come  to  assail  you?"  "They  are  they  indeed,"  they  answered  ; 
and  Caeilte  said:  "the  men's  bodily  form  and  their  equipment 
both  are  good." 

"  Men,  it  is  well,"  he  called  to  the  strangers :  "  for  how  long 
now  are  ye  in  contention  with  the  tuatha  dé  danann  ?"  "  For  a 
hundred  years  we  are  at  it,  and  yearly  slay  three  of  them,"  they 
replied.  "  If  ye  do  so  then  have  ye  three  times  over  avenged  your 
grandfather  on  them ;  and  should  ye  encounter  here  'tis  your- 
selves will  fall,  for  it  is  you  that  have  the  unjust  cause."  "  We 
will  pay  you  a  fine,"  put  in  Ilbhreac,  "out  of  every  sidh  in 
Ireland  :  twenty  ounces  of  gold,  of  silver  as  many,  and  either 
side  to  cry  quits  with  the  other."  The  brethren  said :  "  we  will 
accept  that"  It  was  delivered  to  them  therefore,  and  they 
departed. 

"  Let  my  cure  be  wrought  now,"  said  Caeilte,  "  for  I  hold  it  to 
be  time;"  and  Ilbhreac  called:  "where  is  Elcmhays  daughter, 
Bebhionn  ?"  "  Here  am  I,"  answered  the  woman.  "  Into  some 
hidden  place  convey  Caeilte  son  of  Ronan  and  procure  him  to  be 
well  tended  and  healed,  seeing  that  from  both  tuatha  dé  danann 
and  all  Ireland  he  has  averted  spoliation  and  violence  of  out- 
lawry.    Also  let  Cascorach  make  him  music  and  minstrelsy,  and 


252  The  Colloquy. 

Fermaise  son  of  Eogabal  keep  watch  and  ward  for  him  and 
minister  to  his  wants." 

Bebhionn  (and  her  two  sons  with  her)  proceeded  to  te<uh  na 
narpn  or  *  the  house  of  arms/  where  a  rich  bed  in  which  to  be 
cured  was  decked  out  for  Caeilte,  and  a  basin  of  white  gold  con- 
taining its  fill  of  water  was  brought  to  the  lady.  She  took  to  her 
a  mash-tub  of  crystal  into  which  she  had  put  certain  herbs  ;  these 
she  comminuted  in  the  water,  handed  the  basin  to  Caeilte,  and 
out  of  the  same  he  drank  a  great  draught  [whtck  potion  and  four 
that  follow  it  act  emeticalfy^  Bebhionn  in  answer  to  the  patient's 
queries  very  minutely  reporting  tlurapeutic  progress  each  time, 
and  the  fifth  she  pronounces  to  be  the  last  step  towards  perfect 
recovery;  then]  the  woman  gave  him  a  can  of  new  milk  and  he 
drank  it  but,  as  a  consequence  of  all  that  retching,  was  for  three 
days  and  three  nights  debilitated  and  out  of  sorts. 

"  In  my  judgment,  Caeilte,"  said  the  lady,  "  thou  hast  gotten 
easement  and  relief"  "  That  have  I  indeed,"  he  answered,  "  but 
that  the  great  disorder  of  my  head  annoys  me."  "  *  The  washing 
of  Flann  daughter  of  Flidhais*  shall  be  done  for  thee:  the  which 
being  used  to  any  head  this  latter  is  not  affected  by  ache,  nor  by 
baldness,  nor  by  defect  of  sight."  For  a  space  and  a  spell  there- 
fore that  remedy  was  applied  to  him.  They  of  the  s/dh  also 
divided  themselves  in  three  [lit.  *  made  thirds  of  themselves '] 
to  visit  and  to  divert  him  (one  third  being  of  their  gentles  and 
great  nobles,  another  of  their  young  men,  and  one  more 
of  their  womankind  and  poets)  for  the  time,  were  it  long  or 
short,  that  he  should  be  on  his  bed  of  convalescence.  All 
special  fruits  of  the  chase  moreover  that  they  secured  were 
bestowed  on  Caeilte. 

Thus  the  lady  and  both  her  sons,  with  Cascorach  and  Fermaise 
son  of  Eogabal,  drank  and  made  merry  by  Caeilte  when  they 
heard  a  sound,  a  gush  of  music,  draw  near  from  the  water  of 
Assaroe:  melody  for  sake  of  which  one  would  have  abandoned 
the  whole  world's  various  strains.  They  hang  their  harps  on  the 
corners  of  the  couches  and  go  out,  which  made  Caeilte  to  wonder ; 
then  he  noticed  and  recognised  that  he  yet  lacked  his  spear-power 
and  his  full  strength,  and  he  said :  "  many  a  stern  and  desperate 
fight,  many  a  warlike  mélée  and  van  of  battle  I  have  faced,  and 
to  say  that  to-day  there  is  not  in  me  so  much  strength  or  pith 


The  Colloquy.  253 

as  to  go  out  along  with  all  the  rest ! "  and  tears  burst  out  and 
adown  his  cheeks. 

After  having  heard  the  music  the  j/<j/A-people  that  had  been 
abroad  returned  and  Caeilte  sought  newsof  them,  saying:  "what 
was  the  burst  of  music  that  we  heard?"  "It  was  Uainebhuidlie 
out  of  the  sldli  of  Dom  buidlie  from  Cleena's  Wave  in  the  south, 
and  with  her  the  birds  of  the  land  of  promis^.  she  being  minstrel 
of  that  entire  country.  Now  is  her  turn  to  visit  this  sídh^  and 
every  year  she  takes  some  other  one  " :  thus  Bebhionn.  By  this 
time  the  new-comers  had  entered  the  sidhy  the  birds  as  well 
coming  in  and  perching  on  the  cornices  and  couches  of  the  dwell- 
ing. Thirty  of  them  penetrated  into  teach  na  narm^  where 
Caeilte  was,  and  there  within  struck  up  in  concert  Cascorach 
handled  his  timpan,  and  to  every  piece  that  he  played  the  birds 
sang  him  an  accompaniment  "Many's  the  music  we  have 
heard,"  Cascorach  said :  "  but  music  so  good  as  that,  never." 

Then  *the  washing  of  Flann  daughter  of  Flidhais'was  per- 
formed for  Caeilte ;  and  never,  so  long  as  he  lived,  did  defect 
of  sight,  of  hearing  or  of  hair,  afflict  him,  but  he  was  scarless 
and  hurt-whole.  "The  matter  and  the  cause  for  which  I 
came:  to  have  my  foot  healed,  let  it  be  executed  now,"  said 
he.  "  To-morrow  in  the  morning  it  shall  be  done,"  the  woman 
answered. 

At  that  time  she  brought  to  him  the  two  tubes  of  Modham's 
daughter  Binn  ;  a  she-slave  sucked  at  one,  a  he-slave  at  the 
other,  and  left  not  in  his  foot  unsoundness,  nor  ailment,  nor 
clotted  blood  but  they  brought  out,  and  he  was  whole.  For 
three  days  and  three  nights  after  the  cure  he  and  his  abode 
there. 

The  dwellers  in  the  sidh  emerged  now  to  the  banks  of  Assaroe, 
laid  aside  their  clothes,  and  struck  out  into  the  stream  to  swim. 
Caeilte  said :  "  what  ails  me  that  I  should  not  go  swim,  since  my 
health  is  restored  me?"  and  with  that  he  plunged  in  and  dis- 
ported himself  in  the  water.  This  done  they  passed  into  the 
sidh  again,  and  that  night  a  banquetting-hall  was  set  out  for 
them.  Caeilte  fell  to  take  leave  of  them  and  to  render  thanks 
for  his  restoration :  "  for,"  said  he,  "  I  am  whole  and  perfect, 
wherefore  a  benison  be  on  you  " ;  and  he  uttered : — 

"  A  blessing  on  the  people  of  the  sidh    .    .    ." 


254  ^^^  Colloquy. 

"Verily  and  by  our  word,"  rejoined  the  denizens,  "never  on 
the  earth's  surface  have  we  seen  warrior  better  than  thou ;  we 
opine  indeed  that  not  Finn  himself  surpassed  thee."  "  Alack," 
he  cried,  "  were  it  Finn  that  ye  looked  on  ye  would  give  up  the 
whole  human  race  nor  ever  mention  them  !  but  it  is  time  for  me 
to  go,  and  so  a  benediction  rest  on  you :  the  men  of  Erin  were 
trysted  to  meet  at  Tara  within  a  twelvemonth  [which  even  now 
expires],  and  I  cannot  choose  but  go  to  have  speech  of  my  com- 
rade and  foster-fellow  Ossian  son  of  Finn  ;  as  well  as  for  the 
precept  laid  on  me  by  the  Táilchenn^  who  commanded  me  to 
repair  thither  when  all  Ireland's  chieftains  should  be  gathered  in 
one  spot :  in  order  to  the  reciting  of  the  Fianna's  great  deeds  of 
valour  and  of  arms,  of  Finn  mac  Cumall's,  and  of  Ireland's  other 
good  men's  too,  that  by  authors  and  by  oUaves  the  whole  should 
be  amended  and  preserved  to  the  latter  times."  The  lady 
answered :  "  we  have  a  means  of  help  for  thee."  "  What  help  \s 
that?"  he  asked.  "That  we  should  convey  to  Tara  for  thee  a 
certain  mnemonic  potion  of  nature  such  that  never  a  stream,  nor 
river,  nor  estuary,  nor  battle,  nor  single  combat  came  in  thy  way 
but  thou  shalt  have  present  in  thy  memory."  Caeilte  made 
answer:  "that  is  a  helpful  gift  of  very  kinsmen  and  of  friends  ; 
if  then  we  should  happen  to  possess  aught  that  ye  might  desire, 
ye  should  have  it  of  us." 

"  A  great  favour  is  this  that  thou  hast  conferred  on  us,"  said 
Bebhionn :  "  to  have  averted  from  us  them  that  every  seventh 
year  harried  and  raided  us ;  for  thy  behoof  therefore  I  have  a 
ribbed  shirt  in  the  which  while  thou  art  no  opposition  shall 
affect  thee  [in  thy  undertakings] ;  a  fringed  mantle  likewise, 
purely  crimson,  of  wool  of  the  land  of  promise  from  beyond, 
and  its  border  yellow  with  gold:  he  about  whom  it  is  will  be 
the  chief  ornament  of  all  meetings  and  conventions.  A  boon 
most  comfortable  to  an  aged  senior  I  have  too:  a  fish-hook 
named  aicil  mac  mogha  which  thou  couldst  not  set  in  any  rapid, 
in  estuary  nor  in  river,  but  there  it  surely  would  capture  some- 
what." "Fermaise  son  of  Eogabal,"  said  Caeilte,  "what  wilt 
thou  do  ?"  "  I  will  continue  in  this  sldh  until  the  Feast  of  Tara 
be  held,  and  I  carry  thither  all  things  that  Bebhionn  has  promised 
thee."  "And  thou,  Cascorach,  what  wilt  thou  do?"  "Go  with 
thee,"  he  answered,  "  to  acquire  knowledge  and  right  instruction 


The  Colloquy.  255 

up  to  such  time  as  the  men  of  Ireland  break  up  in  Tara."  They 
bade  good-bye  to  the  j/^//-people  and  came  out  to  cnoc  an  nuaill 
or  *  the  hill  of  outcry/  where  the  tuatha  dé  danann  at  their  part- 
ing from  Caeilte  made  great  nuall  or  'outcry/  whence  the  hill's 
name  from  that  day  to  this.  Quoth  Caeilte :  "  until  the  Judg-i 
ment  come,  and  the  world's  last  day,  this  town  I  will  not  revisit/i 

They  came  on  to  eas  na  finghaile  or  *  the  falls  of  fratricide, 
now  called  *  the  falls  of  Cronan  son  of  Balbh ' :  for  it  was  seven 
brothers  that  once  were  there ;  concerning  the  falls  there  was  a 
falling  out  between  them  and  each  one  killed  another,  so  that 
from  them  the  falls  were  denominated.  But  their  father,  Cronan 
son  of  Balbh,  lived  after  them  and  ever  coming  hither  used  to 
bewail  his  sons ;  one  night  his  heart  burst  in  his  body,  and  from 
him  comes  eas  Crónáin  or  *  the  falls  of  Cronan.' 

Not  long  had  they  been  there  when  the  clouds  of  waning  day 
fell  on  them  ;  so  they  moved  away  from  the  falls  and  by-and-by 
saw  a  tall  man  that  awaited  them  on  a  tulach.  They  sat  down 
by  him  and :  "  whence  come  ye  ?"  he  enquired  ;  in  answer  to 
which  they  impart  their  names,  their  designations,  and  their 
story,  then  in  their  turn  ask:  "and  who  art  thou  thyself?"  "I 
am  Blathmac  the  stock-owner  from  the  outskirts  of  Slievelugha, 
out  of  cidl  radhairc  which  now  men  call  cúil  6  bFinn  or  *  Cool- 
avin.*"  "  It  is  this  night's  entertainment  that  we  would  have  of 
thee,"  said  Caeilte.  Now  in  all  Ireland  that  same  óglaech  most 
excelled  in  churlishness  and  grudging,  he  replied  therefore: 
"  would  ye  but  give  me  a  price  I  would  yield  you  provant  and 
have  you  served  for  the  night."  Caeilte  questioned:  "what 
price  is  that  ?"  "  The  matter  is:  three  pillar-stones  that  are  hard 
by  my  town,  and  are  called  *  the  three  men's  pillar-stones,'  but 
we  know  not  from  whom  they  are  so  styled/'  "  I  have  it  for 
thee/'  said  Caeilte,  "for  I  remember  it: — 

"  It  was  a  good  warrior  that  was  in  Ireland's  Fianna:  Breasal's 
grandson  Finn  Bane,  who  also  was  of  clan-Baeiscne,  and  he 
had  three  superlative  daughters ;  neither  were  there  of  the 
children  of  Baeiscne  more  than  three  as  good  as  he:  Finn 
namely,  Ossian,  and  Oscar.  To  set  against  which  excellence 
of  these  men  Finn  Bane's  daughters  had  three  perfections  of 
their  own :  in  broidcring  and  in  all  other  skilled  handiwork  they 
outdid  all  Ireland's  women,  and  in  the  whole  island  were  no 


256  The  Colloquy. 

three  women  of  finer  form.  Special  and  gorgeously-coloured 
apparel  it  was  that  men  practised  to  take  into  the  gathering  of 
Taillte,  into  the  great  convention  of  Usnach,  to  the  Feast  of 
Tara ;  and  none  cared  for  raiment  other  than  such  as  those  women 
had  made.  To  these  Finn  mac  Cumall  said:  'girls,  go  not  with 
any  men  but  those  on  whom  I  and  Ireland's  Fianna  shall  bestow 
you.*  Thus  then  they  were  for  a  season  in  Almhain  of  Leinster, 
awaiting  the  Chiefs  word,  and  until  three  men  of  clan-Morna 
passing  by  carraig  Almliaine  or  *  the  rock  of  Almhain  '  saw  the 
maidens  at  their  embroidery  north-easterly  from  them  on  the 
rock.  Those  three  óglaechs:  Conan  and  Art  and  Meccon  their 
names  were,  came  near  and  said:  'yonder  is  a  good  chance  to 
do  a  stroke  of  slaughter  upon  Finn  and  clan-Baeiscne,  of  whom 
(Finn  himself  and  Ossian  and  Oscar  only  excepted)  there  are 
not  three  more  valuable  than  those.'  They  captured  the  women 
and  led  them  to  this  tulack,  on  which  were  GoU  and  his  brethren. 
He  asked:  'whence  are  the  she-captives  brought?'  'From 
Almhain,'  answered  she  that  was  the  eldest.  '  This  is  a  where- 
withal to  make  peace  with  the  Fianna,*  said  Goll.  'By  our 
word  and  indeed,'  cried  Conan,  'it  is  not  to  make  peace  with 
them  that  we  have  brought  these  women,  but  to  kill  them  before 
your  faces  ! '  *  Our  curse  be  on  him  that  shall  slay  them,*  said 
Goll :  *  and  as  for  our  being  present  at  their  slaughter,  that  will 
we  not  by  any  means.* 

"Thereupon  clan-Morna,  all  but  those  six  aforesaid,  as  one 
man  departed  from  the  hill,  and  the  girls  said  [to  the  three  that 
continued  with  them]:  *is  it  to  kill  us  ye  are  fain?'  'Even  so,* 
Conan  replied.  They  said :  '  we  will  g^ve  you  good  conditions, 
as  that  every  mischief  and  all  wrong  that  ever  ye  have  done  to 
Finn  and  to  the  Fianna  be  forgiven  you,  and  peace  made  be- 
tween you ;  we  ourselves  also  to  be  yours  as  wives.'  On  no 
account  were  these  terms  granted  them  however,  but  the  three 
dealt  them  three  cuts  and  took  off  their  three  heads.  Here  they 
were  laid  under  earth,  and  lie  under  the  three  monoliths  in  ques- 
tion :  Etaein  and  Aeife  and  Aillbhe  their  names  were." 

"  Success  and  benediction,  Caeilte  !  **  the  óglaech  cried :  "  for 
myself,  for  my  son  and  for  my  grandson  that  is  a  good  item  of 
knowledge ;  in  return  for  which  piece  of  old  lore  ye  shall  e'en  be 
welcome  for  these  three  nights.** 


Tlie  Colloquy.  257 

They  advanced  therefore  to  lias  na  mban  or  *  the  Hss  of  women* 
in  Coolavin,  and  passed  into  the  dweUing,  where  they  were  well 
served  that  night  From  a  vat  of  mead  that  he  had  the  óglaech 
dipped  a  homful  and  reached  it  to  Caeilte,  saying:  "thine  be  the 
whole  vat,  Caeilte ;  and  though  'twere  for  a  year  thou  desircdst 
to  stay  on  here  thou  shouldst  have  it"  "A  blessing  attend  thee," 
the  ancient  answered,  "  but  longer  than  this  night  we  will  not 
tarry."  "Well  then,"  said  the  host,  "another  thing  I  have  to 
enquire  of  thee :  why  was  this  liss  called  *  of  women  '  ?"  ^-| 

"  It  was  nine  sisters  of  the  tuatlia  dé  danann's  women  that 
hither  came  to  meet  nine  warriors  of  the  Fianna  ;  but  they  being 
come  thus  far  the  children  of  Morna  spied  them  out  as  they 
kept  their  tryst,  and  slew  them  :  from  whom  this  spot  has  the 
name  of  lias  na  viban!'  There  then  they  passed  that  night ;  on  1 
the  morrow  they  took  leave  and  bequeathed  a  blessing.  ^ 

They  reached  earn  nafinghaile  or  *  the  cairn  of  fratricide,*  now 
called  dumJia  na  con  or  *  the  mound  of  wolf-dogs,'  where  as  they 
stepped  up  the  tulach  they  saw  nine  lovely  women  that  with  a 
queen  of  excellent  form  in  their  midst  awaited  them.  A  smock 
of  royal  silk  she  had  next  to  her  skin  ;  over  that  an  outer  tunic 
of  soft  silk,  and  around  her  a  hooded  mantle  of  crimson  fastened 
on  her  breast  with  a  golden  brooch.  Upon  seeing  Caeilte  the  lady 
rose  and  gave  him  three  kisses ;  then  he  asked :  "  maiden,  who 
art  thou?"  She  replied:  "I  am  Echna  daughter  of  Muiredach 
mac  Finnachta,  the  king  of  Connacht*s  daughter  that  is  to  say." 
Now  the  bevy  of  them  had  a  chess-board,  on  which  they  played  ; 
a  can  of  delicious  mead  too,  which  they  drank,  and  in  which 
floated  a  fair  polished  horn.  Every  time  that  a  game  was  won 
and  ended  they  took  a  draught :  they  caroused  in  fact  and  made 
merry.  The  manner  of  the  lady  was  this :  she  had  three  perfec- 
tions ;  for  of  the  whole  world's  wise  women  she  was  one,  and  he 
whom  she  should  have  counselled  had  as  the  result  both  afflu- 
ence and  consideration.  "Caeilte,  my  soul,"  she  said,  "where 
wert  thou  last  night?"  "In  the  house  of  Blathmac  the  stock- 
owner,  at  aiil  radhairc  below,  in  Leyney  of  Connacht"  "  All 
hail  to  thee,  'tis  thine  own  way  thou  art  come ! "  cried  the  girl. 
She  took  one  end  of  the  chess-board,  and  Caeilte  the  other, 
in  his  lap,  saying:  "a  long  time  it  is  that  I  have  not  played 
chess." 

s 


r 


258  The  Colloquy, 

When  they  had  now  played  for  a  while  they  laid  the  board 
from  them ;  they  [the  new-comers]  looking  abroad  saw  three 
duns  near  to  them,  and  Caeilte  enquired  of  the  young  woman : 
"  what  duns  are  these  ?"  She  replied :  "  it  was  I  that  had  them 
made."  "  It  was  a  good  woman  that  had  them  made,"  said  he. 
"But  Caeilte,"  she  went  on,  "what  minstrel  is  that  by  thee?" 
"Cascorach,  minstrel  of  the  tuatJia  dé  danann  at  large,  and  the  best 
that  is  in  both  Ireland  and  Scotland."  "  His  semblance  is  good, 
if  only  his  minstrelsy  be  such."  "  By  our  word  and  indeed,"  said 
Caeilte,  "  good  as  are  his  looks  his  minstrelsy  is  better."  "  Take 
thy  timpan,  oglaechl'  she  commanded;  he  took  it,  played  on  it  and 
performed  sustainedly.  Which  being  done  she  gave  him  the  two 
bracelets  that  were  on  her  arms,  and  Cascorach  said :  "  success 
and  benediction  attend  thee,  lady,  but  I  need  them  not ;  neither 
shall  I  ever  give  them  to  one  whom  I  could  prefer  to  thyself: 
take  them  therefore  and  with  them  a  blessing." 

It  was  the  last  of  day  then  ;  and  they  betook  them  to  the 
nearest  one  of  those  three  dúns^  where  they  were  bestowed  in  a 
hidden  and  retired  apartment.  Etrom  son  of  Lugar,  the  young 
woman's  guardian,  rose  and  made  Caeilte  welcome ;  she  entered 
then,  and  in  this  wise  they  all  feasted  and  enjoyed  themselves. 
"Caeilte,  my  soul,  'tis  well,"  said  the  girl:  "why  was  this  cairn 
called  *of  fraticide,'  and  this  mound  outside  *of  wolf-dogs'?" 
"  It  was  Ben  mebhla  or  *  woman  of  malice,'  daughter  of  Ronan 
and  a  sorceress  of  the  tuatlia  dé  danann^  that  fell  in  love  with 
Finn  mac  Cumall ;  but  Finn  said  that,  so  long  as  he  could 
have  any  other  woman  whatsoever  in  the  whole  world,  he 
never  would  wed  a  witch.  Finn's  wolf-dogs  being  slipped  came 
hither,  thrice  fifty  in  number,  and  the  said  woman  breathed 
her  breath  on  them,  whereby,  to  spite  Finn,  she  incarcerated 
them  in  this  mound:   hence  it  is  named  *of  the  wolf-dogs. 


>  n 


"  And  *  the  cairn  of  fraticide,'  whence  is  it  ?"  "  It  was  Ldmk 
luatk  or  'swift  hand,'  son  of  Cumasc  deabhtha  or  'melee- 
fighter'  son  of  Déanamh  comlilainn  or  'duellist,'  who  was  of 
this  country's  people :  and  any  occasions  of  single  combat 
that  might  befal  the  kings  of  Ireland,  as  Art  and  Cormac  and 
Cairbre  [successively],  he  it  was,  and  his  father  and  grandfather 
[before  him],  that  used  to  undertake  them  all. 

**  At  that  time,  in  the  Duffry,  and  in  the  duibhjidh^  and  in 


The  Colloquy.  259 

Slievecarbery  which  now  is  styled  Slievegorey,  was  an  6glaech\ 
Borbchú  son  of  Trénlámliacli  was  his  name,  who  had  a  daughter : 
Niamh  or  *  brilliance'  she  was  called  They  were  nine  brethren 
that  Lamhluath  above  had,  every  man  of  whom  separately  came 
to  crave  the  girl  of  Borbchu  ;  and  what  each  one  used  to  say  to 
him  was:  *we  will  kill  thyself  and  sons  all  together  unless  thou 
give  us  thy  daughter.'  What  Borbchu  on  the  other  hand,  for  fear 
of  being  slain,  used  to  tell  each  of  them  apart  was:  *it  will  so 
turn  out  that  she  shall  be  thine.* 

"  One  day  then  upon  this  hill  Lamhluath  said :  *  is  it  true,  my 
brothers,  that  ye  look  for  the  woman  whom  I  have  solicited  of 
Borbchu?'  They  answered:  'it  is  true.*  Thereupon  a  pang  of 
jealousy  took  him ;  he  rose,  took  his  sword,  and  to  the  brother 
that  was  next  to  him  dealt  a  stroke  that  killed  him.  But  at 
sight  of  the  fratricide  those  seven  that  remained  laid  their  lips  to 
the  ground,  and  for  grief  of  their  brother  died.  They  were  put 
away  under  this  cairn,  and  hence,  lady,  is  *  the  cairn  of  fratricide  * ; 
in  lieu  of  which  deed  he  [the  doer]  submitted  to  saint  Patrick  in 
Tara  and  said  that,  were  the  latter  but  so  to  enjoin  him,  he  would 
ply  his  own  sword  upon  himself** 

"Success  and  benison,  Caeilte  my  soul,*'  the  maiden  cried: 
"  great  knowledge  and  true  instruction  is  this  that  thou  hast  left 
with  us !  and  now,  knowest  thou  a  defect  that  ails  me  and  for 
which  I  cannot  find  relief?*'  "  What  defect  is  that  ?*'  "  A  head- 
disorder  that  attacks  me,  and  water  wherewith  to  cool  it  is  none 
in  proximity  to  us ;  for  when  I  apply  water  to  my  head  I  get 
ease."  Caeilte  called :  "  where  is  Cascorach  ?*'  "  Here,"  answered 
he.  "  Go  out  to  the  well,  taking  with  thee  this  holy  water,  and 
sprinkle  it  on  the  well ;  so  shall  the  magic  veil  that  hangs  over 
it  fall  away,  and  it  will  serve  all  men.  Which  well  is  that  of 
Cormac's  daughter  A  illbhe  ghruaidblireac  or  '  freckle-cheek.*  '*  All 
this  Cascorach  did,  and  the  well  was  revealed  to  every  one. 
"Thy  hospitality's  fee  to  thee,  lady,  it  is  that  the  well. serve  thee 
and  them  of  the  country,**  said  Caeilte ;  and  so  it  did  until 
between  two  kings  that  grasped  the  rule  of  Connacht  fratricide 
was  perpetrated:  Aedh  and  Eoghan  were  their  names,  and  by 
Aedh  the  latter  was  slain  at  lie  an  fliomorach  or  *  the  pirate's 
flagstone,'  now  called  lie  Ghnatliail  or  *  Gnathal's  flagstone.'  In 
that  night  too  were  inflicted  the  three  greatest  losses  that  ever 

s  2 


26o  The  Colloquy. 

fell  on  Connacht's  province,  as:  the  draining  away  of  the  falls 
that  ran  out  of  inbliear  na  bfear  or  *  the  inver  of  men/  known 
presently  as  *  the  Moy ' ;  the  ebbing  in  that  same  night  of  the 
high  tide  which  out  of  the  main  ocean  outside  used  to  ascend  the 
Gaillimh  or  *  Galway  river/  and  on  which  [in  great  part]  depended 
the  weal  of  the  whole  province ;  moreover  the  running  dry  of 
this  well :  of  Aillbhe's." 

Caeilte  resumed :  "  to  depart  must  be  ours  to-morrow ;  and 
never  have  I  carried  my  head  into  the  house  of  a  woman  better 
than  thyself."  "  A  most  urgent  thing  I  would  enquire  of  thee 
before  departure,  Caeilte  my  soul,"  the  girl  said,  and  he  asked : 
**  what  thing  is  that  ?"  "  Who  is  yon  minstrel  with  you,  and  who 
his  father  and  his  mother  ?"  "  Cascorach  mac  Cainchinne  son  of 
the  tuai/ia  dé  danann's  ollave,  himself  also  an  ollave,  his  mother 
being  Bebhionn  daughter  of  Elcmar  of  the  brugh!^  "An  ill 
chance  indeed,"  she  cried,  "  that  he  is  not  son  to  Bodhb  Derg,  or 
to  Angus,  or  to  Teigue  son  of  Nuadha ! "  "  What  means  that, 
young  woman?"  asked  Caeilte.  "That  I  who  never  yet  have 
loved  any  am  fallen  heavily,  hugely,  in  love  with  him."  "  Not 
one  of  those  others  will  in  the  long  run  prove  better  than  he/' 
said  Caeilte,  "  in  virtue  of  saint  Patrick's  award  that  at  the  last 
he  shall  hold  all  Ireland's  ollaveship  ;  and  saving  only  this 
minstrel  he  will  relegate  the  tuatha  dé  danann  to  *  the  foreheads ' 
of  hills  and  of  rocks  [i.e.  to  their  wildest  steeps],  unless  that  now 
and  again  thou  see  some  poor  one  of  them  appear  as  transiently 
he  revisits  earth  [i.e.  the  haunts  of  men].  And  thou,  Cascorach, 
what  is  thy  mind  anent  this  business  ?"  "  My  mind  is  this,"  he 
answered :  "  that  of  the  whole  world's  women  never  have  I  seen 
one  to  please  me  better  than  this  one."  "What  then  hinders 
you  that  ye  should  not  make  a  match  of  it?"  asked  Caeilte. 

She  said:  "with  thy  consent  and  by  thy  counsel " 

•  •••••• 

".     .     .     .     and  Finn  held  the  chase  of  Slievegamph,  and  of  the 

Curlieu  mountains,  and  of  the  green-banked  Corann's  broad  low 
lands ;  and  there  the  gilla  ran  after  a  deer  in  such  fashion  that  his 
own  spear  chanced  into  *  the  hollow  of  his  side,'  and  that  to  the 
length  of  a  warrior's  hand  the  strong  thick  shaft  thereof  went 
clean  through  him.  We  the  three  battles  of  the  Fianna  came  to 
him,  and  for  nine  nights  he  lived  on  and  we  striving  to  work  his 


The  Colloquy.  261 

cure ;  but  then  he  died,  and  this  green-skinned  tulach  was  closed 

in  over  him : — 

Finn  cecinit  this  quatrain. 
"  *  Alas,  O  variously  handsome  Eolar,  O  valiant  battle-loving  hero,  for  all 
thy  body's  blood  that  is  turned  to  clotted  gore  after  streaming  through  a 
cruel  wound  I ' 

"  Cnoc  an  eolais  or  *  the  hill  of  guidance  *  too  is  another  name 
for  it/'  added  Caeilte.  "What  'guidance'  [i.e.  instruction  or 
interpretation]  was  that?"  "It  was  Cainnelsciath  or  'candle- 
shield/  i.e.  *  of  the  glittering  shield/  a  magician  of  Finn's  people, 
that  from  the  firmament's  clouds  drew  omens  in  Finn's  presence, 
and :  *  yonder,'  said  he,  *  is  the  spot  in  which  by  Fatha  Canann 
mac  Maccon  mac  Macnia  a  bruiden  will  be  made.'  *  Verily/ 
Finn  said,  *  I  see  that/  and  he  uttered : — 

"  *  Cainnelsciath,  over  a  bruiden  three  clouds  of  noxious  property  I  see :  to 
all  of  us  proclaim  the  thing  if  it  so  please  thee,  for  thou  understandest  the 
matter  for  which  they  are  there.  O  Cainnelsciath,  declare  this :  all  that  thus 
holds  me  in  perplexity  ;  from  thy  lord  hide  not  the  case  as  it  stands :  the 
three  clouds  of  woe  which  I  see.*  *  I  see  a  cloud  [the  wizard  answered],  one 
clear  as  crystal,  hang  above  a  wide-doored  bruiden  ;  there  the  chief  of  a  band 
one  day  shall  be  when  the  chalk  flies  from  shields  as  they  are  riven.  A  cloud 
of  grey,  foreboding  grief,  I  see  in  the  fair  midst  between  the  other  two :  that 
for  which  the  ravens  lust  shall  come  of  the  event,  when  there  is  glint  of 
weapons  in  their  play.  A  crimson  cloud  than  which  blood  unmixed  is  not 
more  red  I  see  there  poised  above  the  two:  if  battle  there  be  [and  so  there 
will]  the  hue  of  ruby  gore  will  prove  to  have  portended  wrathfulness  [i.e. 
ferocity  of  fight].  That  bodies  must  be  tortured  and  great  hosts  perish  in 
the  early  day,  O  king  of  Cli  that  knowest  every  day,  the  three  clouds  which 
I  see  foretell.' " 

Then  they  all  went  to  Tara ;  before  the  men  of  Ireland  Caeilte 
and  Ossian  related,  and  Ireland's  ollaves  emendated  all  that  they 
said. 

"Victory  and  blessings  attend  you,  noble  sirs/'  the  men  of 
Erin  said :  "  though  in  all  Ireland  should  be  knowledge  and 
instruction  no  more  than  that  which  even  now  ye  have  be- 
queathed to  them,  yet  were  it  meet  that  they  should  gather 
themselves  together  in  one  place  to  have  it." 

Then  Cascorach  rose  and  said :  "  Caeilte,  my  soul,  henceforth 
it  is  time  for  me  to  go  ;  the  benison  that  is  due  from  every  pupil 
be  upon  thee  then."  "  And  on  thee  rest  the  blessing  due  from 
every  guardian  that  has  had  a  charge,"  Caeilte  answered :  "  for  of 
all  that  ever  I  have  seen  thou  the  most  dost  excel  in  art."  Dermot 


202  The  Colloquy. 

the  king  added :  "  all  Ireland's  ollaveship  I  confer  on  thee  for  so 
long  as  I  rule  over  her." 

That  was  the  hour  and  time  in  which  thrice  nine  of  the 
remnant  of  the  Fianna  that  had  accompanied  Caeilte  came  out 
of  the  west  to  Tara.  They  took  heed  and  were  diligent  to  mark 
that,  they  now  lacking  their  vigour,  their  pith  and  their  full 
force,  there  was  not  paid  them  attention  or  regard  so  much  as 
that  one  should  even  speak  with  them.  Upon  the  hillside  there- 
fore they  laid  their  lips  to  the  earth  and  there  died  ;  under  which 
tulaclls  mould  they  were  laid,  and  so  cnoc  na  nanbhar  or  *  hill  of 
the  nines '  is  that  hill's  name  after  them." 

"A  miserable  thing  indeed  is  this,"  said  Ossian:  "that  was 
the  last  surviving  residue  of  the  great  and  gallant  band  which 
Finn  had,  and  ourselves."  That  day  the  andent  men  were 
grieved  and  wretched  after  those  nines,  seeing  that  of  the  Fianna's 
three  battalions  there  had  endured  none  but  Caeilte  and  Ossian 
and  the  aforesaid.  The  men  of  Ireland  all  were  hushed,  not  a 
man  of  them  speaking  to  his  fellow,  so  greatly  oppressed  they 
were  with  the  sorrow  which  the  seniors  testified  after  their  Fianna 
and  own  very  people.     Then  Ossian  uttered : — 

"Is  there  here  one  that  could  tell  (and  were  he  unlearned,  of  a  low  estate) 
the  place  in  which  Finn's  cuach  was  left  all  by  itself  in  cromghlinn^  i.e. 
*  Crumlin '  or  *  the  crooked  glen '?" 

"  Except  this  day,"  said  Caeilte,  "  never  was  there  one  in 
which  I  found  it  not  easy  to  speak  with  thee,  Ossian ;"  and  he 
said : — 

"  Here  is  one  that  could  declare  where  it  was  that  Finn  turned  right-hand- 
wise  ;  the  spot  which  is  in  the  green  glen  nought  but  a  magic  veil  hath 
hidden." 

Ossian  cecinit, 

"Is  there  here  one  that  could  tell  (and  were  he  unlearned,  of  a  low  estate) 
who  'twas  that  set  the  head  of  Currach  coin  upon  the  hill  over  the  strand  of 
Bodamar  ?" 

"  It  was  thou  that  didst  take  off  his  head,"  said  Caeilte,  "  and 

thy  father  that  first  wounded  him,  and  myself  that  closed  in  the 

tulach  over  him  " : — 

Caeilte  dixit, 
"After  which  [i.e.  the  beheading]  I  brought  the  head  to  the  hill  that  stands 
over  the  strand  of  Bodamar ;  there  it  is  from  that  time  to  this,  and  lies  at 
rest  within  the  hill." 

Ossian  said :  "  remembrest  thou  too,  my  soul,  who  it  was  that 


The  Colloquy,  263 

over  Ballachgowran  of  a  morning  made  a  cast  at  Goll  mac 
Moma  ?"  "  It  was  I/'  Caeilte  answered,  "  that  sent  the  spear  at 
him ;  it  struck  off  the  golden  helmet  on  his  head,  and  of  his 
flesh  carried  away  from  him  a  fragment  as  thick  as  its  own  shaft 
[i.e.  ploughed  such  a  furrow  in  his  head]."  "  And  proudly  taken 
by  him  that  was,"  said  Ossian :  "  great  as  the  hurt  was,  again  he 
donned  the  helmet  and  took  his  weapons  in  his  hand,  and  to 
his  brethren  called  out  that  he  felt  no  whit  ashamed."  Then 
Ossian  uttered : — 

"Is  there  here  one  that  could  tell  (and  so  on)    .    .    ." 

The  king  of  Ireland  enquired  of  them  now:  "who  was  it  that 
in  the  battle  of  Gowra  slew  Cairbre  Lifcchair  ?"  "  Ossian's  son, 
Oscar,  it  was  that  killed  him,"  said  Caeilte.  "  The  exact  truth  of 
the  matter  it  is  that's  best,  my  soul,"  put  in  Ossian.  "  Who  then 
was  it  that  destroyed  him ?"  asked  Dermot  "  Orlámh  or  'gold- 
hand,'  king  of  the  Fotharta  in  the  south :  an  óglaech  whom  I  had, 
and  my  father  before  me."  "And  Oscar,"  pursued  the  king: 
"who  slew  him?"  "It  was  a  single  cast  by  Cormac's  son 
Cairbre  Lifechair  that  did  it."  "And  mac  Lughach:  who  killed 
him  in  the  same  battle  ?"  "  Bresal  mac  Eirge,  son  of  the  Norse- 
Gaels'  king  from  out  of  the  Hebrides  yonder  away,  that  was 
captain  of  the  king  of  Ireland's  household." 

Now  this  night  was  the  last  one  of  Tara's  Feast,  and  they 
passed  it  in  banquetting  and  pleasure ;  on  the  morrow  the  whole 
host  rose. 

Then  the  men  of  Erin  broke  up  to  their  various  provinces,  each 
into  his  own  borders  and  ancestral  seat.  The  king  of  Ireland 
likewise  drew  off,  and  came  to  lie  na  ndniadh  or  'flagstone  of  the 
magicians'  north-easterly  from  Tara.  Bebhionn  daughter  of 
Alasc  mac  Angus,  of  the  king  of  Scotland,  was  his  wife  ;  to 
whom  he  spoke,  and  what  he  said  was  this:  "  I  desire  to  proceed 
upon  the  grand  visitation  of  Ireland,  and  my  wish  is  that  thou  be 
in  Tara  ministering  to  the  ancients  so  that  from  the  men  of 
Erin  neither  disgrace  nor  reproach  reach  me."  The  queen 
answered :  "  as  thou  shalt  ordain  and  themselves  shall  pronounce, 
even  so  shall  their  pleasure  be  executed."  Together  then  the  king 
and  queen  entered  into  the  house  in  which  the  seniors,  Ossian 
and  Caeilte,  were,  and  the  king  told  them  this.  But  the  manner 
of  Ossian  was  that  he  was  the  most  modest  man  in  Ireland,  and 


264  The  Colloqtiy. 

he  said :  "  not  so  shall  it  be  done,  noble  sir  and  king :  but  be  thy 
wife  along  with  thyself;  and  as  for  us,  commit  us  to  the  chief 
steward/'  "Well  then/'  quoth  the  king,  "have  the  steward 
brought  to  us."  Himself  and  his  wife  were  produced,  and  the 
king  said  to  them:  "here  is  the  fashion  in  which  I  prescribe  to 
you  to  feed  the  ancients  here:  that  [on  my  account]  ye  have 
seven  score  kine  put  into  a  fenced  grass  field,  the  same  nightly 
to  be  milked  for  them  ;  rations  also  for  ten  hundred  to  be  pro- 
vided them  by  the  men  of  Erin  ;  that  they  have  liquor  and  milk 
in  Tara  too,  be  bathed  every  other  day,  and  in  their  beds  have  a 
layer  of  fresh  rushes  strewed.  This  too :  that  the  last  of  their 
liquor  be  not  drunk  out  when  they  shall  have  the  new  ready  to 
their  hand.  And  thou,  steward,"  the  king  ended,  "  hast  seven 
sons:  the  which,  and  thyself  along  with  them,  I  will  have  killed 
should  the  seniors  want  any  item  of  all  this." 

Ossian  said :  ^^lige  in  abliaic  or  'the  dwarfs  lair*  in  Tara,  to 
make  trial  of  which  all  Ireland  used  to  resort  thither,  was  not 
more  wonderful  than  ourselves  commended  thus  to  Maelntuirir 
son  of  Dubhariy  Tara's  chief  steward,  and  to  Beoan  the  stock- 
owner's  daughter  Cuarnaity  his  wife," 

"  What  was  that — the  dwarf — Ossian,  my  soul  ?"  questioned  the 
king.  "A  treasure-trove  that  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles  got: 
in  whose  stature  were  three  of  Conn's  spans,  and  who  was  the 
best  chess  and  backgammon  hand  in  Ireland ;  granted  that  all 
ailments  in  the  world  were  concentrated  in  one  individual,  he 
had  but  to  lay  his  hand  on  him  and  he  would  relieve  him  ;  and 
though  all  Ireland  had  stood  arrayed  against  each  other  on  the 
battle-field  he  would  have  made  peace  between  them.  Now  a 
stone  that  was  here  in  Tara,"  Ossian  went  on,  "  it  was  upon  that 
his  bed  was,  the  properties  of  which  bed  were  extraordinary:  the 
biggest  one  of  the  men  of  Ireland  got  his  exact  fit  in  the  manni- 
kin's  bed,  while  in  the  same  the  tiniest  babe  that  could  be  found 
had  but  his  own  sufficient  room.  This  then,  and  the  lia  fail  or 
*  stone  of  destiny  '  that  was  there,  were  the  two  wonders  of  Tara." 

"What  that  was  out  of  the  way  attached  to  the  lia  fáilV' 
Dermot  enquired  ;  to  which  Ossian  made  answer:  "any  one  of 
all  Ireland  on  whom  an  ex-parte  imputation  rested  was  set  upon 
that  stone  :  then  if  the  truth  were  in  him  he  would  turn  pink  and 
white  [///.  *  it  was  whiteness  and  pinkness  that  it  (the  stone)  made 


Death  of  Eochaid.  265 

for  him  *]  ;  but  if  otherwise,  it  was  a  black  spot  that  in  some  con- 
spicuous place  would  appear  on  him.  Farther:  when  Ireland's 
monarch  stepped  on  to  it  the  stone  would  cry  out  under  him, 
and  her  three  arch-waves  boom  in  answer :  as  the  wave  of  Cleena, 
the  wave  of  Ballintoy,  and  the  wave  of  loch  Rury ;  when  a 
provincial  king  went  on  it  the  flag  would  rumble  under  him  ; 
when  a  barren  woman  trod  it,  it  was  a  dew  of  dusky  blood  that 
broke  out  on  it ;  when  one  that  would  bear  children  tried  it,  it 
was  *  a  nursing  drop '  [i.e.  a  semblance  of  milk]  that  it  sweated." 
Dermot  son  of  Cerbhall  sought  now :  "  and  who  was  it  that  lifted 
that  flag,  or  that  carried  it  away  out  of  Ireland  ?"     "  It  was  an 

óglaech  of  a  great  spirit  that  ruled  over " 

•  •••  •••• 

\ccetera  desunt\ 


This  is  the  death  of  Eochaid  son  of  Mairid. 

A  good  king  that  ruled  over  Munster:  Mairid  son  of  Cairid, 
He  had  two  sons :  EocJtaid^Xiá  Ribh.  Guaire's  daughter  Eibhliu^ 
from  the  brugh  of  the  mac  óg,  'tis  she  was  wife  to  Mairid.  Upon 
his  son,  on  Eochaid,  she  pitched  her  fancy  (now  from  this 
Eibhliu  it  is  that  sliabh  Eibhlinne  or  *  Eibhliu's  mountain  *  is 
named).  For  a  long  time  she  solicited  the  young  man,  and  at 
last  pressed  him  hard  that  privily  he  should  fly  with  her.  Ribh 
told  his  brother  that  rather  than  disgrace  himself  he  ought  to 
carry  off  the  woman,  and  that  he  would  himself  quit  the  country 
with  him. 

With  Eibhliu  therefore  Eochaid  eloped,  and  Ribh  went  with 
them.  Ten  hundred  was  their  complement  of  men,  and  the 
manner  of  their  travel  was  with  bringing  of  flocks  and  herds. 
Their  soothsayers  told  them  that  not  in  the  one  place  it  was 
fated  for  them  to  effect  a  landed  settlement,  and  they  parted 
accordingly  at  bealach  da  Hag  or  *  the  way  of  two  flagstones.' 

Ribh  went  westwards  to  *the  country  of  Midirs  game  with 

the  mac  6g^  otherwise  magh  finn  or  *  the  white  plain.'     Here 

"^^lidir^/  who  previously  had  killed  their  horses,  came  to  them 

lea3Tng  by  the  halter  one  that  bore  a  pack-saddle.    On  him  they 


266  Death  of  EocJiaid. 

loaded  all  their  stuff,  and  he  conveyed  it  to  Airbthiu*s  plain:  the 
place  where  loch  Ree  is  to-day.  At  this  point  the  garran  lay  down 
with  them,  then  stood  up  again,  and  in  that  spot  burst  forth  a 
spring  which  in  the  event  overwhelmed  and  drowned  them  all : 
the  same  is  loch  Ri  or  *  loch  Ree.' 

Eochaid  on  the  other  hand  went  on  till  he  reached  the  brugh 
of  the  mac  6s^,  A  tall  man  came  to  them  and  would  have  turned 
them  out  of  the  country,  but  they  went  not  for  him.  That  night 
the  man  killed  all  their  horses.  On  the  morrow  he  returned  to 
them  and  said:  "  unless  ye  quit  the  land  on  which  ye  stand,  to- 
night I  will  slay  all  your  people."  Eochaid  answered :  "  great  mis- 
chief hast  thou  wrought  us  already,  to  have  killed  all  our  horses  ; 
without  which  we  could  not,  even  though  we  desired  it,  depart" 

<  Angus  [or  the  mac  6g,  for  he  it  was]  gave  them  a  great  horse, 
and  on  him  they  clap  all  their  gear  ;  he  enjoined  them  moreover 
not  to  unload  the  horse  [on  the  way],  nor  [at  any  time]  to  let 
him  make  a  halt,  lest  where  he  stood  there  happened  that  which 
should  be  to  them  an  occasion  of  their  death.^  Upon  a  Sunday 
then  in  *  mid-harvest  month,'  or  September,  they  set  out  and  so 
to  liathmuine  or  *  grey  bramble-bush '  in  Ulidia,  where  the  whole 
of  them  gather  to  the  horse  and  with  one  motion  relieve  him  of 

*  all  their  impedimenta  ,'^ut  never  a  one  of  them  turned  his  head 
back  along  the  way  by  which  they  were  come.^The  animal 
stood  with  them  therefore,  and  here  too  there  was  a  spring  well. 
Over  this  Eochaid  had  a  house  made,  with  a  flap  to  cover  the 
well  and  a  woman  to  tend  it  continually ;  and  against  Muiredach 
son  of  Fiacha  he  in  the  sequel  made  good  his  claim  to  the  half- 
rule  of  Ulidia. 

But  once  on  a  time  that  the  woman  had  not  shut  down  the 
well,  linn  muine  or  *  the  bramble-bush  water'  rose  and  covered 
Itathmuvti^oye  ;  there  Eochaid  was  drowned  with  his  children, 
all  buvLib^^nd  Conaing,  and  Curnan  the  half-wit  from  whom 
are  the  oSfmBuain  and  the  ddl  Saline;  which  latter  indeed 
ever  and  anon  had  foretold  to  them  how  that  the  loch  would 
overrun  them,  saying: — 

"  Come  ye,  come  ye,  grasp  edged  tools  and  hew  you  vessels  out :  with  a 
grey  flood  /tnn  muine  shall  whelm  liathmuine  ;  in  the  broad  water  Aire  and 
Conaing  shall  be  drowned  ;  swim  east  and  west  and  up  and  down  through 
every  sea  I " 


Death  of  Eochatd.  267 

And  this  was  true  for  him  ;  for  by  the  space  of  three  hundred 
years  Liban  ranged  the  sea,  with  her  lap-dog  in  form  of  an 
otter  close  after  her  whichever  way  she  went  and  never  parting 
from  her  at  all.  Herself  it  was  that  to  Beoan  son  of  Innle  when 
he  caught  her  in  his  nets  told  all  her  fortunes,  on  which  occasion 
she  chanted  these  words  which  follow : — 

"  Beneath  loch  nEchach  I  have  my  dwelling  now :  high  above  me  is  the 
once  solid  surface  which  troops  of  horses  trod  ;  under  ships'  rounded  hulls  is 
my  appointed  place  ;  the  wave  it  is  my  roof,  the  shore  my  wall    .    .    ." 

This  then  was  what  most  contributed  to  disperse  the  Ulidians 
throughout  Ireland :  the  eruption  of  loch  nEchach  or  '  loch  Neagh* 
namely.  After  her  baptism  another  name  was  conferred  on  Liban : 
muirghein  or  *  sea-birth,'  that  is  to  say  [a  compound  meaning] 
gein  mara  or  *  birth  of  the  sea.*  As  for  one  half  of  her  'tis  a 
salmon  it  was,  the  other  being  human  ;  and  for  he»  it  was  that 
the  sennachie  sang  these  quatrains: — 

'*  A  sea-birth  that  is  a  birth  fraught  with  special  virtues  the  daughter  of 
haughty  Eochaidh  is    •    .    ." 

Liban  and  Airiu  were  Eochaidh  Finn's  two  daughters ;  Airiu 
wife  of  Cuman  was  drowned  there,  and  he  died  of  grief  for  her: 
hence  cam  Cumáin  or  *  Curnan's  cairn '  has  its  name,  and  that 
is  *the  invention  of  Curnan.' 

Now  for  a  full  year  Liban  had  been  in  her  bower  beneath  the 
loch  and  her  lap-dog  with  her  there,  God  preserving  her  the 
while  from  the  waters  of  loch  Neagh,  when  she  said  one  day : 
"  O  Lord,  happy  the  one  that  should  be  in  the  salmon's  shape, 
scouring  the  sea  and  swimming  even  as  they  do  I "  Then  she 
was  turned  into  salmon's  form,  and  her  lap-dog  into  an  otter's ; 
so  that  whatever  the  course  she  took,  and  into  what  airt  soever, 
he  was  immediately  in  her  wake  under  the  waters  and  the  seas. 
In  which  wise  she  continued  from  the  time  of  Mairid's  son 
Eochaid  to  that  of  Comgall  of  Bennacliar  or  *  Bangor/ 

From  tigh  Dabheoc  the  same  Comgall  despatched  Beoan  mac 
Innle  to  have  speech  of  Gregory  and  to  bring  back  canonical 
order  and  rule.  As  Beoan's  people  therefore  navigated  the  sea, 
from  under  the  currach  they  heard  a  chant  as  of  angels  and 
Beoan  questioned :  "  whence  this  song  ?"  "  It  is  I  that  make  it," 
answered  Liban.  "  Who  art  thou  ?"  Beoan  pursued.  "  Liban 
daughter  of  Mairid's  son  Eochaid  am  I."    ''And  what  causes 


268  Death  of  Eochaid. 

thee  to  be  in  this  fashion  ?"  She  said :  "  for  now  three  hundred 
years  I  am  beneath  the  sea ;  and  the  purpose  for  which  I  am 
come  is  to  tell  thee  that  I  will  go  westwards  to  meet  thee  at 
innbher  OllorbcL  On  this  very  day  twelvemonth  then,  and  for 
sake  of  the  saints  of  Dalaradia,  be  my  tryst  kept  by  you ;  all 
which  tell  thou  to  Comgall  and  to  the  other  saints  as  well" 
"That  will  I  not  unless  its  price  be  paid  me,"  said  Beoan. 
"What  is  the  price  thou  askest?"  "That  I  have  thee  buried 
in  mine  own  monastery."  "Verily  thou  shalt  have  that,"  she 
replied.  Beoan  subsequently  returned  from  the  eastward,  and 
to  Comgall  with  the  rest  of  the  clergy  told  all  the  story  of  the 
muirg/teilt  or  mermaid. 

Thus  the  year  ran  out ;  [at  the  place  appointed  on  the  coast] 
the  nets  were  made  ready,  and  she  was  taken  in  that  of  Fergus 
from  Meelick.  She  was  brought  to  land,  her  form  and  her 
whole  description  being  wonderful.  Numbers  came  to  view  her 
and  she  in  a  vessel  with  water  round  about  her. 

Like  every  one  else  the  chief  of  the  úi  Cltonaing  was  there, 
and  he  wore  a  crimson  mantle.  This  she  eyed  persistently,  and 
the  warrior  as  it  were  enquired  of  her,  saying :  "  if  it  be  that  thy 
mind  is  bent  on  the  mantle  it  shall  be  thine."  "  Nay,"  she 
answered :  "  by  no  means  is  it  to  that  end  I  observe  it,  but  because 
on  the  day  in  which  he  was  drowned  it  was  a  crimson  mantle  that 
Eochaid  wore.  Nevertheless,"  she  added,  "in  guerdon  of  this 
thine  offer  to  me  good  luck  be  upon  thee  and  on  \the  man  of 
thy  place '  [i.e.  thy  successor]  ;  neither  in  any  convention  where 
he  shall  find  himself  be  it  ever  needful  to  ask  which  is  thy  repre- 
sentative." 

There  came  up  a  great  swart  laech^  uncouth  of  aspect,  and 
killed  her  lap-dog.  To  him  and  toTiis  ribe  she  bequeathed  that 
never  should  they  triumph  over  any  but  ignoblest  foes  nor,  till 
such  time  as  they  should  fast  at  her  shrine,  avail  to  take  ven- 
geance for  ills  done  to  them.  Hereupon  the  óglaech  made  genu- 
flexion to  her. 

Now  arose  a  contest  for  her  possession :  Comgall  saying  that, 
since  it  was  in  his  country  she  was  caught,  she  was  his  ;  Fergus 
maintaining  that,  since  it  was  into  his  net  she  had  chanced,  she 
must  be  his  ;  while  Beoan  again  affirmed  her  to  be  his  property, 
for  that  so  she  herself  had  promised  to  him.    Accordingly  those 


Death  of  Fergus.  269 

saints  fasted  all,  in  order  that  concerning  this  their  dispute  God 
should  deliver  judgment  as  between  them. 

To  a  certain  man  there  an  angel  said:  "from  *  cam  Airenn^  or 
*  Airiu's  cairn  *  will  come  two  stags ;  upon  these  yoke  ye  the 
chariot  [in  which  she  is],  and  whatever  be  the  direction  in  which 
they  carry  her  let  them  be.  On  the  morrow  the  deer  came  as 
the  angel  had  proclaimed,  and  bore  her  away  to  tech  Dab/teoc, 
Then  the  clergy  gave  her  her  choice:  whether  to  be  baptised  and 
then  and  there  presently  go  to  Heaven  ;  or.  to  be  continued  in 
life  for  the  same  length  of  time  again  [300  years],  and  so  to  go 
to  Heaven  after  life  prolonged  beyond  many  ages.  The  election 
she  made  was  to  depart  then.  Comgall  baptised  her,  and  the 
name  that  he  conferred  on  her  was  Muirghein  or  *  sea-birth,'  as 
before;  or  perhaps  Muirgheilt,  i.e.  *  sea-prodigy,*  that  is  to  say 
geilt  in  vihara  or  *  the  prodigy  of  the  sea.'  Fuincfte  too  was 
another  name  for  her. 

In  that  place  wonders  and  miracles  are  wrought  through  her, 
and  there  she  (after  the  manner  of  every  other  sainted  virgin) 
enjoys  honour  and  reverence  even  as  God  hath  bestowed  them 
on  her  in  Heaven. 

Finis, 


The  king  of  the  Lepracane£  journey  to  Emania^  and  how 
the  death  of  Fergus  mac  Léide  king  of  Ulidia  was 

brought  about. 

A  righteous  king,  a  maintainer  of  truth  and  a  giver  of  just 
judgments,  that  had  dominion  over  the  happy  clanna  Rudh- 
raidhe  or  *  children  of  Rury  *:  Fergus  son  of  Léide  son  of  Ruiy ; 
and  these  are  they  that  were  his  heroes  and  men  of  war:  Eirgenn, 
Amergen  iurthunnach  or  *  the  ravager,'  Conna  Buie  son  of  Iliach, 
and  Dubthach  son  of  Lughaid. 

By  that  king  a  great  feast  was  made  in  Emania,  and  it  was 
ready,  fit  to  be  consumed,  all  set  in  order  and  well  furnished 
forth ;  that  very  season  and  hour  being  the  same  also  at  which 


270  Death  of  Fergus. 

the  king  of  the  Lupra  2Ln^\Lupracdn  h^d  a  banquet :  whose 
name  was  lubhddn  son  of  A  bhdaetn. 

These  are  the  names  of  the  men  of  war  that  were  lubhdan's : 
Conan  son  of  Ruiched,  Gerrchu  son  of  Gairid,  and  Righbeg  son 
of  Robeg ;  Luigin  son  of  Luiged,  Glunan  son  of  Gabam,  Febal 
son  of  Feornin,  and  Cinnbeg  son  of  Gnunian ;  together  with 
Buan's  son  Brigbeg,  Liran  son  of  Luan,  and  Mether  son  of 
Mintan.  To  them  was  brought  the  strong  man  of  the  region 
of  the  Lupra  and  Lupracan,  whose  prize  feat  that  he  used  to 
perform  was  the  hewing  down  of  a  thistle  at  a  single  stroke ; 
whereas  it  was  a  twelve  men's  effort  of  the  rest  of  them  to  give 
him  singly  a  wrestling-fall.  To  them  was  brought  the  king's 
presumptive  successor:  Beg  that  was  son  of  Beg;  the  king's 
poet  and  man  of  art  likewise:  Esirt  son  of  Beg  son  of  Buaidghen, 
with  the  other  notables  of  the  land  of  the  Lupra  and  Lupracan. 

By  these  now  that  banquet-house  was  ordered  according  to 
qualities  and  to  precedence:  at  one  side  lubhdan  was  placed, 
having  next  to  him  on  either  hand  Béblió  his  wife,  and  his  chief 
poet ;  at  the  other  side  of  the  hall  and  facing  lubhdan  sat  Beg 
son  of  Beg,  with  the  notables  and  chiefs  ;  the  king's  strong  man 
too :  Glomhar  son  of  Glomradh's  son  Glas,  stood  beside  the  door- 
post of  the  house.  Now  were  the  spigots  drawn  from  the  vats, 
the  colour  of  those  vats  being  a  dusky  red  after  the  tint  of  red 
yew.  Their  carvers  stood  up  to  carve  for  them  and  their  cup- 
bearers to  pour ;  and  old  ale,  sleep-compelling,  delicious,  was 
served  out  to  the  throng  so  that  on  one  side  as  on  the  other  of 
the  hall  they  were  elevated  and  made  huge  noise  of  mirth. 

At  last  lubhdan,  that  was  their  king  and  the  head  of  all 
their  counsel,  having  in  his  hand  the  com  breac  or  *  variegated 
horn '  stood  up  ;  on  the  other  hand,  over  against  lubhdan  and  to 
do  him  honour,  stood  up  Beg  son  of  Beg.  Then  the  king,  by 
this  time  affably  inclining  to  converse,  enquired  of  them  saying: 
"have  ye  ever  seen  a  king  that  was  better  than  myself?"  and 
they  answered :  "  we  have  not"  "  Have  ye  ever  seen  a  strong 
man  better  than  my  strong  man?"  "We  have  not."  "Horses 
or  men  of  battle  have  ye  ever  seen  better  than  they  which 
to-night  are  in  this  house  ?"  "  By  our  words,"  they  made  answer, 
"  we  never  have."  "  I  too,*'  lubhdan  went  on,  "  wage  my  word 
that  it  were  a  hard  task  forcibly  to  take  out  of  this  house  to-night 


Death  o/ Fergus.  271 

either  captives  or  hostages :  so  surpassing  are  its  heroes  and  men 
of  battle,  so  many  its  lusty  companions  and  men  of  might,  so 
great  the  number  of  its  fierce  and  haughty  ones  that  are  stuff  out 
of  which  kings  might  fittingly  be  made." 

All  which  when  he  had  heard,  the  king's  chief  poet  Esirt  burst 
out  a-laughing  ;  whereupon  lubhdan  asked :  "  Esirt,  what  moved 
thee  to  that  laugh?"  Said  the  poet:  "I  wot  of  a  province  that 
is  in  Ireland,  and  one  man  of  them  would  lift  hostages  and 
captives  from  all  four  battalions  that  here  ye  muster  of  the 
Luchra."  "Lay  the  poet  by  the  heels,"  cried  the  king,  "that 
vengeance  be  taken  of  him  for  his  bragging  speech  ! "  So  it  was 
done  ;  but  Esirt  said :  "  lubhdan,  this  thy  seizure  of  me  will  bear 
thee  evil  fruit ;  for  in  requital  of  the  arrest  thou  shalt  thyself  be 
for  five  years  captive  in  Emania,  whence  thou  shalt  not  escape 
without  leaving  behind  thee  the  rarest  thing  of  all  thy  wealth 
and  treasures.  By  reason  of  this  seizure  Cobthach  Cas  also,  son 
of  Munster's  king,  shall  fall,  and  the  king  of  Leinster's  son 
Eochaid  ;  whilst  I  myself  must  go  to  the  house  of  Fergus  son  of 
Leide  and  in  his  goblet  be  set  a-floating  till  I  be  all  but  drowned" 
Which  said  he  indited : — 

"  A  great  feast  there  is  to-night  in  Emania,  but  a  feast  evil  to  women,  and 
to  men  an  evil  one :  jovial  as  be  the  crowds  that  now  enjoy  it,  the  end  will 
be  melancholy  dismal  gloom    .    .    . 

"  An  evil  arrest  is  this  thou  hast  made  of  me,  O  king,"  Esirt 
went  on:  "but  grant  me  now  a  three-days'  and  three-nights' 
respite  that  I  may  travel  to  Emania  and  to  the  house  of  Leide's 
son  Fergus,  to  the  end  that  if  there  I  find  some  evident  token  by 
which  thou  shalt  recognise  truth  to  be  in  me  I  may  bring  the 
same  hither ;  or  if  not,  then  do  to  me  that  thou  wilt" 

Then  Esirt,  his  bonds  being  loosed,  rose  and  next  to  his  white 
skin  put  on  a  smooth  and  glossy  shirt  of  delicate  silk.  Over 
that  he  donned  his  gold-broidered  tunic  and  his  scarlet  cloak,  all 
fringed  and  beautiful,  in  soft  folds  flowing:  the  scarlet  being  of 
the  land  of  the  Finn,  and  the  fringe  of  pale  gold  in  varied  pattern. 
Betwixt  his  feet  and  the  earth  he  set  his  two  dainty  shoes  of  the 
white  bronze,  overlaid  with  ornament  of  gold.  After  assumption 
of  his  white  bronze  poet's  wand  and  his  silken  hood  he  set  out, 
choosing  the  shortest  way  and  the  straightest  course,  nor  are  we 


272  Death  of  Fergus. 

told  how  he  fared  until  he  came  to  Emania  and  at  the  gate  of 
the  place  shook  his  poet's  rod. 

The  gate-keeper  when  at  the  sound  he  was  come  forth  beheld 
there  a  tiny  man,  extraordinary  comely  and  of  a  most  gallanl 
carriage,  in  respect  of  whom  the  close-cropped  grass  of  the  green 
was  so  long  that  it  reached  to  his  knee,  aye,  and  to  the  thick  of 
his  thigh.  At  sight  of  him  wonder  fell  upon  the  gate-keeper  ; 
and  he  entered  into  the  house,  where  to  Fergus  and  to  the  com- 
pany he  declared  the  matter.  All  enquired  whether  he  [Esirt] 
were  less  than  Aedh :  this  Aedh  being  Ulster's  poet,  and  a  dwarf 
that  could  stand  on  full-sized  men's  hands  ;  but  the  gate-keeper 
said:  "upon  Aedh's  palm  he,  by  my  word,  would  have  room 
enough."  Hereupon  the  guests  with  pealing  laughter  desired  to 
see  him:  each  one  deeming  the  time  to  be  all  too  long  till  he 
should  view  Esirt  and,  after  seeing  him,  speak  with  him.  Then 
upon  all  sides  both  men  and  women  had  free  access  to  him,  but 
Esirt  cried:  "huge  men  that  ye  are,  let  not  your  infected  breaths 
so  closely  play  upon  me !  but  suffer  yon  small  man  that  is  the 
least  of  you  to  approach  me ;  who,  little  though  he  be  among 
you,  would  yet  in  the  land  where  I  dwell  be  accounted  of  great 
stature."  Into  the  great  house  therefore,  and  he  standing  upon 
his  palm,  the  poet  Aedh  bore  him  off. 

Fergus,  when  he  had  sought  of  him  tidings  who  he  might  be, 
was  answered :  "  I  am  Esirt  son  of  Beg  son  of  Buaidghen :  chief 
poet,  bard  and  rhymer,  of  the  Luchra  and  Lupracan."  The 
assembly  were  just  then  in  actual  enjoyment  of  the  feast,  and  a 
cup-bearer  came  to  Fergus :  "  give  to  the  little  man  that  is  come 
to  me,"  said  the  king.  Esirt  replied :  "  neither  of  your  meat  will 
I  eat,  nor  of  your  liquor  will  I  drink."  "  By  our  word,"  quoth 
Fergus,  "seeing  thou  art  a  flippant  and  a  mocking  fellow,  it 
were  but  right  to  drop  thee  into  the  beaker,  where  at  all  points 
round  about  thou  shouldst  impartially  quaff  the  liquor."  At 
which  hearing  the  cup-bearer  closed  his  hand  on  Esirt  and  popped 
him  into  the  goblet,  in  which  upon  the  surface  of  the  liquor  that 
it  contained  he  floated  round,  and :  "  ye  poets  of  Ulster,"  he 
vociferated,  "much  desirable  knowledge  and  instruction  there 
is  which,  upon  my  conscience,  ye  sorely  need  to  have  of  me,  yet 
ye  suffer  me  to  be  drowned  ! " 


Death  of  Fergus.  273 

With  fair  satin  napkins  of  great  virtue  and  with  special  silken 
fabrics  he  being  now  plucked  out  was  cleaned  spick  and  span, 
and  Fergus  enquired :  "  of  what  impediment  spakest  thou  a  while 
since  as  hindering  thee  that  thou  shouldst  not  share  our  meat  ?" 
"  That  will  I  e*en  tell  thee,"  the  little  man  replied :  "  but  let  me 
not  incur  thy  displeasure."  "  Thou  shalt  not,"  promised  the 
king:  "only  resolve  me  the  whole  impediment"  Then  Esirt 
said  [and  Fergus  answered  him]: — 

E,  "  With  poet*s  sharp-set  words  never  be  angered,  Fergus  ;  thy  stem 
hard  utterance  restrain,  nor  against  me  take  unjustifiable  action"    F,  "O 
wee  man  of  the  seizure  .......-" 

E,  "Judgments  lucid  and  truthful,  if  they  be  those  to  which  thou  dost  pro- 
voke me :  then  I  pronounce  that  thou  triflest  with  thy  steward's  wife,  while 
thine  own  foster-son  ogles  thy  queen.  Women  iair-haired  and  accomplished, 
rough  kings  of  the  ordinary  kind  [i.e.  mere  chieftains] :  how  excellent  soever 
be  the  form  of  these,  'tis  not  on  them  the  former  let  their  humour  dwell  [i.e. 
when  a  genuine  king  comes  in  their  way]"  /^  "  Esirt,  thou  art  in  truth  no 
child,  but  an  approved  man  of  veracity  ;  O  gentle  one,  devoid  of  reproach, 
no  wrath  of  Fergus  shalt  thou  know  2" 

The  king  went  on :  "  my  share  of  the  matter,  by  my  word,  is 
true ;  for  the  steward's  wife  is  indeed  my  pastime,  and  all  the 
rest  as  well  therefore  I  the  more  readily  take  to  be  a  verity." 
Then  said  Esirt :  "  now  will  I  partake  of  thy  meat,  for  thou  hast 
confessed  the  evil ;  do  it  then  no  more."  Here  the  poet  waxing 
cheerful  and  of  good  courage  went  on :  "  upon  my  own  lord  I 
have  made  a  poem  which,  were  it  your  pleasure,  I  would  declaim 
to  you."  Fergus  answered :  "  we  would  esteem  it  sweet  to  hear 
it,"  and  Esirt  began : — 

"A  king  victorious,  and  renowned  and  pleasant,  is  lubhdan  son  of  Abh- 
daein :  king  of  ma^h  LJfe^  king  of  magh  faithlenn.  His  is  a  voice  clear  and 
sweet  as  copper's  resonance,  like  the  blood-coloured  rowan-berry  is  his 
cheek ;  his  eye  is  bland  as  it  were  a  stream  of  mead,  his  colour  that  of  the 
swan  or  of  the  river's  foam.  Strong  he  is  in  his  yellow-haired  host,  in  beauty 
and  in  cattle  he  is  rich  ;  and  to  brave  men  he  brings  death  when  he  sets 
himself  in  motion.  A  man  that  loves  the  chase,  active,  a  generous  feast- 
giver  ;  he  is  head  of  a  bridle-wearing  army,  he  is  tall,  proud  and  imperious. 
His  is  a  solid  squadron  of  grand  headlong  horses,  of  bridled  horses  rushing 
torrent-like  ;  heads  with  smooth  adornment  of  golden  locks  are  on  the 
warriors  of  the  Luchra.  All  the  men  are  comely,  the  women  all  light- 
haired  ;  over  that  land's  noble  multitude  lubhdan  of  truthful  utterance  pre- 
sides. There  the  fingers  grasp  silver  horns,  deep  notes  of  the  timpan  arc 
heard  ;  and  how  great  soever  be  the  love  that  women  are  reputed  to  bear  the^ 
[Fergus], 'tis  surpassed  by  the  desire  that  they  feel  for  lubhdam" 

T 


2  74  Death  of  Fergus. 

The  lay  ended  Ulster  equipped  him  with  abundance  of  good 
things,  till  each  heap  of  these  as  they  lay  there  equalled  their 
tall  men's  stature.  , "  This  on  my  conscience,"  quoth  Esirt,  "  is 
indeed  a  response  that  is  worthy  of  right  men  ;  nevertheless  take 
away  those  treasures :  of  which  I  conceive  that  I  have  no  need, 
seeing  that  in  my  lord's  following  is  no  man  but  possesses  sub- 
stance sufficient"  Ulster  said  however:  "we  pledge  our  words 
that,  as  we  never  would  have  taken  back  aught  though  we  had 
given  thee  our  very  wives  and  our  kine,  even  so  neither  will  we 
take  again  that  we  now  have  given  thee."  "  Then  divide  ye  the 
gifts,  bards  and  professors  of  Ulster  ! "  Esirt  cried :  "  two  thirds 
take  for  yourselves,  and  the  other  bestow  on  Ulster's  horseboys 
and  jesters." 

So  to  the  end  of  three  days  and  three  nights  Esirt  was  in 
Emania,  and  he  took  his  leave  of  Fergus  and  of  Ulster's  nobles. 
"  I  will  e'en  go  with  thee,"  said  Ulster's  poet  and  man  of  science, 
Aedh :  that  used  to  lie  in  their  good  warriors'  bosoms,  yet  by 
Esirt's  side  was  a  giant ;  for  this  latter  could  stand  upon  Aedh's 
palm.  Esirt  said:  "'tis  not  I  that  will  bid  thee  come:  for  were  I 
to  invite  thee,  and  kindness  to  be  shewn  thee  in  the  sequel,  thou 
wouldst  say  'twas  but  what  [by  implication]  had  been  promised 
thee  ;  whereas  if  such  be  not  held  out  to  thee  and  thou  yet 
receive  the  same  thou  wilt  be  grateful." 

Out  of  Emania  the  pair  of  poets  now  went  their  way  and, 
Aedh's  step  being  the  longer,  he  said :  "  Esirt  thou  art  a  poor 
walker."  This  one  then  took  such  a  fit  of  running  that  he  was 
an  arrow's  flight  in  front  of  Aedh,  who  said  again :  "  between 
those  two  extremes  lies  the  golden  mean."  "On  my  word," 
retorted  Esirt,  "that  is  the  one  category  in  which  since  I  am 
among  you  I  have  heard  mention  made  of  the  golden  mean  ! " 
On  they  went  then  till  they  gained  traigk  na  dtréinfhear  or 
'strand  of  the  strong  men'  in  Ulster:  "and  what  must  we  do 
now?"  Aedh  asked  here.  "Travel  the  sea  over  her  depths," 
said  the  other.  To  Aedh  objecting:  "never  shall  I  come  safe 
out  of  that  [trial],"  Esirt  made  answer:  "seeing  that  I  compassed 
the  task  'twere  strange  that  thou  shouldst  fail"  Then  Aedh 
vented  a  strain  and  Esirt  answered  him : — 

A,  "  In  the  vast  sea  how  shall  I  contrive  ?  O  generous  Esirt,  the  wind 
will  bear  me  down  to  the  merciless  wave  [on  which]  though  I  mount  upwards 


Death  of  Fergus.  275 

yet  [none  the  less]  shall  I  perish  in  the  end"  E.  "  To  fetch  thee  fair  lubhdan's 
horse  will  come,  get  thee  upon  him  and  cross  the  stammering  sea:  an  excel- 
lent horse  truly  and  of  surpassing  colour,  a  king's  valued  treasure,  good  on 
sea  as  upon  land.  A  beautiful  horse  that  will  carry  thee  away :  sit  on  him 
nor  be  troubled  ;  go,  trust  thyself  to  him." 

They  had  been  no  long  time  there  when  something  they 
marked  which,  swiftly  careering,  came  towards  them  over  the 
billows*  crests.  "  Upon  itself  be  the  evil  that  it  brings,'*  Aedh 
cried,  and  to  Esirt  asking:  "what  seest  thou?"  answered:  "a 
russet-clad  hare  I  see."  But  Esirt  said:  "not  so — rather  is  it 
lubhdan's  horse  that  comes  to  fetch  thee."  Of  which  horse  the 
fashion  was  this:  two  fierce  flashing  eyes  he  had,  an  exquisite 
pure  crimson  mane,  with  four  green  legs  and  a  long  tail  that 
floated  in  wavy  curls.  His  [general]  colour  was  that  of  prime 
artificers'  gold-work,  and  a  gold-encrusted  bridle  he  bore  withal. 
Esirt  bestriding  him  said:  "come  up  beside  me,  Aedh;"  but 
again  the  latter  objected :  "  nay,  poet,  to  do  thee  alone  a  skiff^s 
oflSce  his  capacity  is  all  too  scant."  "  Aedh,  cease  from  fault- 
finding: for  ponderous  as  may  be  the  wisdom  that  is  in  thee,  yet 
will  he  carry  us  both." 

They  both  being  now  mounted  on  the  horseCtraversed  the 
-  combing  seas,  the  mighty  main's  expanse  and  Ocean's  great  pro- 
found, until  in  the  end  they,  undrowned  and  without  mishap, 
reached  tnagh  faithlenny  and  there  the  Luchra  people  were  before 
them  in  assembly.  "  Esirt  approaches,"  they  cried,  "  and  a  giant 
bears  him  company  !  "  Then  lubhdan  went  to  meet  Esirt,  and 
gave  him  a  kiss :  "  but  poet,"  said  he,  "  wherefore  bringest  thou 
this  giant  to  destroy  us?"  "No  giant  is  he,  but  Ulsters  poet 
and  man  of  science,  and  the  king's  dwarf.  In  the  land  whence 
he  comes  he  is  the  least,  so  that  in  their  great  men's  bosoms  he 
lies  down  and,  as  it  were  an  infant,  stands  on  the  flat  of  their 
hands.  For  all  which  he  is  yet  such  that  before  him  ye  would 
do  well  to  be  careful  of  yourselves."  They  further  asking:  "what 
is  his  name?"  were  told  that  he  was  called  'poet  Aedh.*  "Alack 
man,"  they  cried  to  Esirt,"  thy  giant  is  huge  indeed  ! " 

Next,  Esirt  addressing  lubhdan  said:  "on  thee,  lubhdan,  I 
lay  bonds  which  true  warriors  may  not  brook  that  in  thine  own 
person  thou  go  to  view  the  region  out  of  which  we  come,  and 
that  of  the  '  lord's  porridge '  which  for  the  king  of  Ulster  is  made 
to- night  thou  be  the  first  man  to  make  trial" 

T  2, 


276  Death  of  Fergus. 

Then  lubhdan,  in  grief  and  faint  of  spirit,  proceeded  to  confer 
with  Bebo  his  wife :  he  told  her  how  that  by  Esirt  he  was  laid 
under  bonds,  and  bade  her  bear  him  company.  "  That  will  I," 
she  said:  "but  in  that  Esirt  was  cast  into  prison  thou  didst 
unjustly."  So  they  mounted  lubhdan  s  golden  horse  and  that 
same  night  made  good  their  way  to  Emania,  where  they  entered 
unperceived  into  the  place.  "  lubhdan,"  said  Bebo,  "  search  the 
town  for  the  porridge  spoken  of  by  Esirt,  and  let  us  depart  again 
before  the  people  of  the  place  shall  rise." 

They  gained  the  inside  of  the  palace  and  there  found  Emania's 
great  cauldron,  having  in  it  the  remnant  of  the  *  people's  porridge.' 
lubhdan  drew  near,  but  might  by  no  means  reach  it  from  the 
ground.  "  Get  thee  upon  thy  horse,"  said  Bebo,  "  and  from  the 
horse  upon  the  cauldron's  rim."  This  he  did  but,  the  porridge 
being  too  far  down  and  his  arm  too  short,  could  not  touch  the 
shank  of  the  silver  ladle  that  was  in  the  cauldron  ;  whereupon  he 
making  a  downward  effort  his  foot  slipped,  and  up  to  his  very 
navel  he  fell  into  the  cauldron  ;  in  which  as  though  all  existing 
iron  gyves  had  been  upon  him  he  now  found  himself  fettered 
and  tethered  both  hand  and  foot.  "  Long  thou  tarriest,  dark 
man  ! "  Bebo  cried  to  him  (for  lubhdan  was  thus  :  hair  he 
had  that  was  jet-black  and  curled,  his  skin  being  whiter  than 
foam  of  wave  and  his  cheeks  redder  than  the  forest's  scarlet 
berry:  whereas — saving  him  only — all  the  Luchra  people  had 
hair  that  was  ringletted  indeed,  but  of  a  fair  and  yellow  hue  ; 
hence  then  lie  was  styled  *dark  man').  Bebo  sang  now,  lubhdan 
answering  her: — 

She,  **  O  dark  «nan,  and  O  dark  man  !  dire  is  the  strait  in  which  thou  art : 
to-day  it  is  that  the  white  horse  must  be  saddled,  for  the  sea  is  angry  and  the 
tide  at  flood"  He.  "  O  fair-haired  woman,  and  O  woman  with  fair  hair  I 
gyves  hold  me  captive  in  a  viscous  mass  nor,  until  gold  be  given  for  my 
ransom,  shall  I  ever  be  dismissed.  O  Bebo,  and  O  Bebo !  mom  is  at 
hand,  thou  therefore  flee  away :  fast  in  the  doughy  remnant  sticks  my  leg, 
if  here  thou  stay  thou  art  but  foolish,  O  Bebo  1 "  She,  "  Kash  word  it  was, 
'twas  a  rash  word,  that  in  thy  house  thou  utteredst:  that  but  by  thine 
own  good  pleasure  none  under  the  sun  might  hold  thee  fast,  O  man!"  He. 
Rash  was  the  word,  the  word  was  rash,  that  in  my  house  I  uttered :  a  year 
and  a  day  I  must  be  now,  and  neither  man  nor  woman  of  my  people  see!" 

"Bebo,"  cried  lubhdan,  **get  thee  away,  and  to  the  Luchra- 
Und  take  back  th^t  horse."    "  Never  say  it,"  she  answered  :  *'  of 


Death  of  Fergus.  277 

a  surety  I  will  not  depart  until  I  see  what  turn  things  shall  take 
for  thee." 

The  dwellers  in  the  town  when  they  were  now  risen  anon 
lighted  on  lubhdan  in  the  porridge  cauldron,  out  of  which  he 
could  not  frame  to  escape ;  in  which  plight  when  they  saw  him 
the  people  sent  up  a  mighty  roar  of  laughter,  then  picked  lubh- 
dan out  of  the  cauldron  and  carried  him  off  to  Fergus.     "  My 
conscience,"  said  the  king,  "  this  is  not  the  tiny  man  that  was 
here  before:  seeing  that,  whereas  the  former  little  fellow  had 
fair  hair,  this  one  hath  a  black  thatch.     What  art  thou  at  all, 
mannikin,   and   out   of   what   region   come?"     lubhdan    made 
answer:  "I  am  of  the  Luchra-folk,  over  the  which  it  is  I  that 
am  king ;  this  woman  that  ye  see  by  me  is  my  wife,  and  queen 
over  the  Luchra:  her  name  is  Bebo,  and  I  have  never  told  a  lie." 
"  Let  him  be  taken  out,"  cried  Fergus,  "  and  put  with  the  common 
rabble  of  the  household — ^guard  him  well ! "     lubhdan  was  led 
out  accordingly        ....... 

.  said  lubhdan :  "  but  if  it  may  please  thee  to  show 
me  some  favour,  suffer  me  no  longer  to  be  among  yonder  loons, 
for  the  great  men's  breaths  do  all  infect  me ;  and  my  word  I  pledge 
that  till  by  Ulster  and  by  thee  it  be  licensed  I  will  never  leave 
you."  Fergus  said:  "could  I  but  think  that,  thou  shouldst  no 
more  be  with  the  common  varlets."  lubhdan's  reply  was :  "  never 
have  I  overstepped,  nor  ever  will  transgress,  my  plighted  word." 

Then  he  was  conducted  into  a  fair  and  privy  chamber  that 
Fergus  had,  where  one  that  was  a  servant  of  trust  to  the  king 
was  set  apart  to  minister  to  him.  "  An  excellent  retreat  indeed 
is  this,"  he  said,  **  yet  is  my  own  retreat  more  excellent  than  it " ; 
and  he  made  a  lay : — 

"In  the  land  that  lies  away  north  I  have  a  retreat,  the  ceiling  of  which  is 
of  the  red  gold,  and  the  floor  all  of  silver.  Of  the  white  bronze  its  lintel  is, 
and  its  threshold  of  copper  ;  of  light-yellow  bird-plumage  is  the  thatch  on  it 
I  ween.  Golden  are  its  candelabra,  holding  candles  of  rich  light  and  gemmed 
over  with  rare  stones,  in  the  fair  midst  of  the  house.  Save  myself  only  and 
miy  queen,  none  that  belongs  to  it  feels  sorrow  now  ;  a  retinue  is  there  that 
ages  not,  that  wears  wavy  yellow  tresses.  There  every  man  is  a  chess-player, 
good  company  is  there  that  knows  no  stint:  against  man  or  woman  that 
seeks  to  enter  it  the  retreat  is  never  closed." 

Fer  dédh  or  *  man  of  smoke '  the  fire-servant,  as  in  lubhdan's 
presence  he  kindled  a  fire,  threw  upon  it  a  woodbine  that  twined 


278  Death  of  Fergus. 

round  a  tree,  together  with  somewhat  of  all  other  kinds  of  timber, 

and  this  led  lubhdan  to  say:  "  burn  not  the  king  of  trees,  for  he 

ought  not  to  be  burnt ;  and  wouldst  thou,  Ferdedh,  but  act  by 

my  counsel,  then  neither  by  sea  nor  by  land  shouldst  thou  ever 

be  in  danger."     Here  he  sang  a  lay: — 

"  O  man  that  for  Fergus  of  the  feasts  dost  kindle  fire,  whether  afloat  or 
ashore  never  burn  the  king  of  woods.  Monarch  of  Innisfail's  forests  the 
woodbine  is,  whom  none  may  hold  captive ;  no  feeble  sovereign's  effort  is  it  to 
hug  all  tough  trees  in  his  embrace.  The  pliant  woodbine  if  thou  bum,  wailings 
for  misfortune  will  abound  ;  dire  extremity  at  weapons'  points  or  drowning  in 
great  waves  will  come  after.  Bum  not  the  precious  apple-tree  of  spreading 
and  low-sweeping  bough:  tree  ever  decked  in  bloom  of  white,  against  whose 
fair  head  all  men  put  forth  the  hand.  The  surly  blackthom  is  a  wanderer, 
and  a  wood  that  the  artificer  bums  not ;  throughout  his  body,  though  it  be 
scanty,  birds  in  their  flocks  warble.  The  noble  willow  bum  not,  a  tree 
sacred  to  poems ;  within  his  bloom  bees  are  a-sucking,  all  love  the  little 
cage.  The  graceful  tree  with  the  berries,  the  wizards'  tree,  the  rowan,  bum  ; 
but  spare  the  limber  tree :  bum  not  the  slender  hazel.  Dark  is  the  colour  of 
the  ash :  timber  that  makes  the  wheels  to  go  ;  rods  he  furnishes  for  horse- 
men's hands,  and  his  form  turns  battle  into  flight.  Tenterhook  among  woods 
the  spiteful  briar  is,  by  all  means  bum  him  that  is  so  keen  and  green  ;  he 
cuts,  he  fiays  the  foot,  and  him  that  would  advance  he  forcibly  drags  back- 
ward. Fiercest  heat-giver  of  all  timber  is  green  oak,  from  him  none  may 
escape  unhurt :  by  partiality  for  him  the  head  is  set  on  aching  and  by  his 
acrid  embers  the  eye  is  made  sore.  Alder,  very  battle-witch  of  all  woods, 
tree  that  is  hottest  in  the  fight — undoubtingly  bum  at  thy  discretion  both  the 
alder  and  the  whitethorn.  Holly,  bum  it  green ;  holly,  bum  it  dry :  of  all  trees 
whatsoever  the  critically  best  is  holly.  Elder  that  hath  tough  bark,  tree  that 
in  truth  hurts  sore :  him  that  furnishes  horses  to  the  armies  from  the  sidh 
j  bum  so  that  he  be  charred.    The  birch  as  well,  if  he  be  laid  low,  promises 

abiding  fortune :  bum  up  most  sure-  and  certainly  the  stalks  that  bear  the 
{;  constant  pods.     Suffer,  if  it  so  please  thee,  the  russet  aspen  to  come  headlong 

;t  down  :  bum,  be  it  late  or  early,  the  tree  with  the  palsied  branch.     Patriarch 

of  long-lasting  woods  is  the  yew,  sacred  to  feasts  as  is  well  known :  of  him 
now  build  ye  dark-red  vats  of  goodly  size.  Ferdedh,  thou  faithful  one, 
wouldst  thou  but  do  my  behest :  to  thy  soul  as  to  thy  body,  O  man,  'twould 
work  advantage  ! " 

After  this  manner  then,  and  free  of  all  supervision,  lubhdan 
abode  in  the  town  ;  while  to  them  of  Ulster  it  was  recreation  of 
mind  and  body  to  look  at  him  and  to  listen  to  his  words  . 
•  ••  •  •  •  •  ••'• 

Again,  lubhdan  went  to  the  house  of  a  certain  soldier  of  the 
king's  soldiers  that  chanced  to  fit  on  him  new  brogues  that  he 
bad :  discoursing  as  he  did  so,  and  complaining,  of  their  soles  that 
were  too  thin.     lubhdan  laughed.    The  king  asked :  "  lubhdan, 


ii 


Death  of  Fergus.  279 

why  laughst  thou  thus  ?"    "  Yon  fellow  it  is  that  provokes  my 
laughter,  complaining  of  his  brogues  while  for  his  own  life  he 
makes  no  moan.     Yet,  thin  as  be  those  brogues,  he  never  will 
wear  them  out."   Which  was  true  for  lubhdan,  seeing  that  before 
night  that  man  and  another  one  of  the  king's  people  fought  and 
killed  each  other     ....... 

....  •  •  .  .  .  . 

Yet  another  day  the  household  disputed  of  all  manner  of 
things,  how  they  would  do  this  or  that,  but  never  said :  "  if  it  so 
please  God."    Then  lubhdan  laughed  and  uttered  a  lay: — 

"  Man  talks  but  God  shcwcth  the  event ;  to  men  all  things  are  but  con- 
fusion, they  must  leave  them  as  God  knoweth  them  to  be.  All  that  which 
Thou,  Monarch  of  the  elements,  hast  ordained  must  be  right ;  He,  the  King 
of  kings,  knows  all  that  I  crave  of  thee,  Fergus.  No  man's  life,  however  bold 
he  be,  is  more  than  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  ;  were  he  a  king's  son  he  knoweth 
not  whether  it  be  truth  that  he  utters  of  the  future." 

lubhdan  now  tarried  in  Emania  until  such  time  as  the  Luchra- 
folk,  being  seven  battalions  strong,  came  to  Emania's  green  in 
quest  of  him ;  and  of  these  no  single  one  did,  whether  in  height  or 
in  bulk,  exceed  another.  Then  to  Fergus  and  to  Ulster's  nobles 
that  came  out  to  confer  with  them  they  said :  "  bring  us  our  king 
that  we  may  redeem  him,  and  we  will  pay  for  him  a  good 
ransom."  Fergus  asked:  "what  ransom ?*'  "Every  year,  and 
that  without  ploughing,  without  sowing,  we  will  cover  this  vast 
plain  with  a  mass  of  corn."  "  I  will  not  give  up  lubhdan,"  said 
the  king.  "  To-night  we  will  do  thee  a  mischief."  "  What  mis- 
chief?" asked  the  king.  "All  Ulster's  calves  we  will  admit  to 
their  dams,  so  that  by  morning  time  there  shall  not  in  the  whole 
province  be  found  the  measure  of  one  babe's  allowance  of  milk." 
"  So  much  ye  will  have  gained,"  said  Fergus,  "  but  not  lubhdan." 

This  damage  accordingly  they  wrought  that  night ;  then  at 
mom  returned  to  the  green  of  Macha  and,  with  promise  of 
making  good  all  that  they  had  spoiled,  again  required  lubhdan. 
Fergus  refusing  them  however  they  said :  "  this  night  we  will  do 
another  deed  of  vengeance :  we  will  defile  the  wells,  the  rapids, 
and  the  river-mouths  of  the  whole  province."  But  the  king 
answered:  "that  is  but  a  puny  mischief  (whence  the  old  saw 
*  dirt  in  a  well ')  "  and  ye  shall  not  have  lubhdan." 

They  having  done  this  came  again  to  Emania  on  the  third  day 
and  demanded  lubhdan.    Fergus  said:  "I  will  not  give  him." 


28o  Death  of  Fergus. 

**A  further  vengeance  we  will  execute  upon  thee."  "What 
vengeance  is  that?"  "To-night  we  will  bum  the  millbeams 
and  the  kilns  of  the  province."  "  But  ye  will  not  get  lubhdan," 
quoth  the  king. 

Away  they  went  and  did  as  they  had  threatened,  then  on 
the  fourth  day  repaired  to  Emania  and  clamoured  for  lubhdan. 
Said  Fergus :  "  I  will  not  deliver  him."  "  We  will  execute 
vengeance  on  thee."  "What  vengeance?"  "We  will  snip  the 
ears  off  all  the  corn  that  is  in  the  province."  "Neither  so  shall 
ye  have  lubhdan."  This  they  did,  then  returned  to  Emania  on 
the  fifth  day  and  asked  for  lubhdan.  Fergus  said:  "I  will  not 
yield  him." 

"Yet  another  vengeance  we  will  take  of  thee.**  "What  ven- 
geance?" "Your  women's  hair  and  your  men's  we  will  e'en 
shave  to  such  purpose  that  they  shall  for  ever  be  covered  with 
reproach  and  shame."  Then  Fergus  cried :  "  if  ye  do  that,  by 
my  word  I  will  slay  lubhdan  ! "  But  here  this  latter  said :  "  that 
is  not  the  right  thing  at  all ;  rather  let  me  be  enlarged,  that  in 
person  I  may  speak  with  them  and  bid  them  first  of  all  to  repair 
such  mischief  as  they  have  wrought,  and  then  be  gone." 

At  sight  of  lubhdan  they  then,  as  taking  for  granted  that  the 
license  accorded  him  must  needs  be  in  order  to  his  departure 
with  them,  sent  up  a  mighty  shout  of  triumph.  lubhdan  said 
however:  "my  trusty  people,  get  you  gone  now,  for  I  am  not 
suffered  to  go  with  you  ;  all  that  which  ye  have  spoiled  make 
good  also,  neither  spoil  anything  more  for,  if  ye  do  so,  I  must 
die."  They  thereupon,  all  gloomy  and  dejected,  went  away ;  a 
man  of  them  making  this  ditty: — 

"  A  raid  upon  thee  we  proclaim  this  night,  O  Fergus  owner  of  many  strong 
places  !  from  thy  standing  com  we  will  snip  the  ears,  whereby  thy  tables  will 
not  benefit.  In  this  matter  we  have  already  burnt  your  kilns,  your  millbeams 
too  we  have  all  consumed ;  your  calves  we  have  most  accurately  and  universally 
admitted  to  their  dams.  Your  men's  hair  we  will  crop,  and  all  locks  of  your 
young  women  :  to  your  land  it  shall  be  a  disfigurement,  and  such  shall  be 
our  mischiefs  consummation.  White  be  thy  horse  till  time  of  war,  thou  king 
of  Ulster  and  of  warriors  stout !  but  crimsoned  be  his  trapping^  when  he  Ts 
in  the  battle's  press.  May  no  heat  inordinate  assail  thee,  nor  inward  flux 
e'er  seize  thee,  nor  eye-distemper  reach  thee  during  all  thy  life :  but  Fergus, 
not  for  love  of  thee  !  Were  it  not  lubhdan  here  whom  Fei^gus  holds  at  his 
discretion,  the  manner  of  our  effecting  our  depredations  would  have  been 
such  that  the  disgrace  incurred  by  the  latter  would  have  shown  his  refusal 
to  be  an  evil  one." 


Death  of  Fergus,  281 

"And  now  get  you  hence,"  said  lubhdan:  "for  Esirt  has  pro- 
phesied of  me  that  before  I  shall  have  abandoned  here  the 
choicest  one  of  all  my  precious  things  I  may  not  return." 

So  till  a  year's  end  all  but  a  little  he  dwelt  in  Emania,  and 
then  said  to  Fergus :  "  of  all  my  treasures  choose  thee  now  a 
single  one,  for  so  thou  maycst.  My  precious  things  are  good 
too";  and  in  a  lay  he  proceeded  to  cast  them  up: — 

"  Take  my  spear,  O  take  my  sp^^ar^  thou,  Fergus,  that  hast  enemies  in 
number  1  in  battle  'tis  a  match  for  an  hundred,  and  a  king  that  holds  it 
will  have  fortune  among  hostile  points.  Take  my  sljield,  O  take  my  shield, 
a  good  price  it  is  for  me,  Fergus  !  be  it  stripling  or  be  it  grey-beard,  behind 
his  shelter  none  may  wounded  be.  My  swprd,  and  O  my  sword  !  in  respect 
of  a  battle-sword  there  is  not  in  a  prince's  hand  throughout  all  Innisfail  a 
more  excellent  thing  of  price.  Take  my  cloak,  O  take  my  cloak,  the  which 
if  thou  take  it  will  be  ever  new  !  my  mantíeis  good,  Fergus,  and  for  thy  son 
and  grandson  will  endure.  My  shi^^  and  O  my  shirt  1  whoe'er  he  be  that  in 
time  to  come  may  be  within  its  weft — my  grandsire's  father's  wife,  her  hands 
they  were  that  spun  it.  Take  my  belt,  O  take  my  belt  I  gold  and  silver 
appertain  to  a  knowledge  of  it ;  siclcness  will  not  lay  hold  on  him  that  is 
encircled  by  it,  nor  on  skin  encompassed  by  my  girdle.  My  helmet,  O  my 
helmet,  no  prize  there  is  more  admirable !  no  man  that  on  his  scalp  shall 
assume  it  will  ever  be  obnoxious  to  reproach  of  baldness.  Take  my  tunic, 
O  my  tunic  take,  well-fitting  silken  garment !  the  which  though  for  an 
hundred  years  it  were  on  one,  yet  were  its  crimson  none  the  worse.  My 
cauldron,  O  my  cauldron,  a  special  rare  thing  for  its  handy  use  !  though  they 
were  stones  that  should  go  into  my  cauldron,  yet  would  it  turn  them  out 
meat  befitting  princes.  My  vat,^  and  O  my  vat  I  as  compared  with  other 
vats  of  the  best,  by  any  that  shall  bathe  in  him  life's  stage  is  traversed  thrice. 
Take  my  mace,  O  take  my  mace,  no  better  treasure  canst  thou  choose !  in 
time  of  war,  in  sharp  set-to,  nine  heads  besides  thine  own  it  will  protect. 
Take  my  horse-rod,  O  my  horse-rod  take :  rod  of  the  yellow  horse  so  fair 
to  see  !  let  but  the  whole  world's  women  look  at  thee  [with  that  rod  in  thy 
hand  and]  in  thee  will  centre  all  their  hottest  love.  My  timpan,  O  my  timpan 
endowed  with  string-sweetness,  from  the  red  sea's  borders  !  within  its  wires 
resides  minstrelsy  sufficing  to  delight  all  women  of  the  universe.  Whosoe'er 
should  in  the  matter  of  tuning  up  my  timpan  be  suddenly  put  to  the  test,  if 
never  hitherto  he  had  been  a  man  of  art  yet  would  the  instrument  of  itself 
perform  the  minstrel's  function.  Ah  how  melodious  is  its  martial  strain,  and 
its  low  cadence  ah  how  sweet !  all  of  itself  too  how  it  plays,  without  a  finger 
on  a  single  string  of  all  its  strings.  My  shears,  and  O  my  shears,  that  Barran's 
smith  did  make  1  of  them  that  take  it  into  their  hands  every  man  will  secure 
a  sweetheart.  My  needle,  O  my  needle,  that  is  made  of  the  eanach^s  gold  ! 
.  .  .  .  Of  my  swine  two  porkers  take  !  they  will  last  thee  till  thy  dying 
day ;  every  night  they  may  be  killed,  yet  within  the  watch  will  live  again. 
My  halter,  O  my  halter !  whoe'er  should  be  on  booty  bent,  though  'twere 
a  black  cow  he  put  into  it  incontinently  she  would  become  a  white  one. 


282  Death  of  Fergus. 

Take  my  shoes,  my  shoes  O  take,  brogues  of  the  white  bronze,  of  virtue 
marvellous !  alike  they  travel  land  and  sea,  happy  the  king  whose  choice 
shall  fall  on  these  !  ^ 

"  Fergus,"  said  lubhdan,  "  from  among  them  all  choose  thee 
now  one  precious  thing,  and  let  me  go." 

But  this  was  now  the  season  and  the  hour  when  from  his 
adventure  poet  Aedh  returned  ;  and  him  the  professors  presently 
examined  touching  lubhdan's  house,  his  household,  and  the 
region  of  the  Luchra,  Concerning  all  which  Aedh  forthwith 
began  to  tell  them,  inditing  a  lay : — 

"  A  wondrous  enterprise  it  was  that  took  me  away  from  you,  our  poets,  to 
a  populous  fairy  palace  with  a  great  company  of  princes  and  with  men 
minute.  Twelve  doors  there  are  to  that  house  of  roomy  beds  and  [window] 
lighted  sides ;  'tis  of  vast  marble  [blocks],  and  in  every  doorway  doors  of 
gold.  Of  red,  of  yellow  and  green,  of  azure  and  of  blue  its  bedclothes  are  ; 
its  authority  is  of  ancient  date:  warriors'  cooking-places  it  includes,  and 
baths.  Smooth  are  its  terraces  of  the  egg-shells  of  I  math  ;  pillars  there  are 
of  crystal,  columns  of  silver  and  of  copper  too.   Silk  and  satin,  silk  and  satin, 

bridles ;  its  authority  is  of  ancient  date :  warriors' 

cooking-places  it  includes,  and  chess-boards.  Reciting  of  romances,  of  the 
Fian-lore,  was  there  every  day  ;  singing  of  poems,  instrumental  music,  the 
mellow  blast  of  horns,  and  concerted  minstrelsy.  A  noble  king  he  is:  lubh- 
dan son  of  Abhdaein,  of  the  yellow  horse  ;  he  is  one  whose  form  undergoes 
no  change,  and  who  needs  not  to  strive  after  wisdom.  Women  are  there,  that 
in  pure  pellucid  loch  disport  themselves:  satin  their  raiment  is,  and  with 
each  one  of  them  a  chain  of  gold.  As  for  the  king's  men-at-arms,  that  wear 
long  tresses,  hair  ringletted  and  glossy :  men  of  the  mould  ordinary  with  the 
Luchra  can  stand  upon  those  soldiers'  palms.  Bebo — lubhdan's  blooming 
queen — an  object  of  desire — never  is  the  white-skinned  beauty  without  three 
hundred  women  in  her  train.  Bebo's  women — 'tis  little  they  chatter  of  evil 
or  of  arrogance  ;  their  bodies  are  pure  white,  and  their  locks  reach  to  their 
ankles.  The  king's  chief  poet,  Esirt  son  of  Beg  son  of  Buaidghen :  his  eye 
is  blue  and  gentle,  and  less  than  a  doubled  fist  that  man  of  poems  is.  The 
poet's  wife — to  all  things  good  she  was  inclined  ;  a  lovely  woman  and  a 
wonderful :  she  could  sleep  in  my  rounded  glove.  The  king's  cupbearer — in 
the  banquet-hall  a  trusty  man  and  true :  well  I  loved  Feror  that  could  lie 
within  my  sleeve.  The  king's  strong  man — Glomhar  son  of  Glomradh's  son 
Glas,  stem  doer  of  doughty  deeds :  he  could  fell  a  thistle  at  a  sweep.  Of 
those  the  king's  confidential,  seventeen  *  swans '  [i.e.  pretty  girls]  lay  in  my 
bosom ;  four  men  of  them  in  my  belt  and,  all  unknown  to  me,  among  my 
beard  would  be  another.  They  (both  fighting  men  and  emdites  of  that  sidh) 
would  say  to  me,  and  the  public  acclamation  ever  was :  '  enormous  Aedh,  O 
very  giant  1 '  Such,  O  Leide's  son  of  forests  vast,  such  is  my  adventure :  of 
a  verity  there  is  a  wondrous  thing  befallen  me." 

Of  those  matters  then — of  all  lubhdan's  treasures — Fergus 


Death  of  Fergus.  283 

made  choice,  and  his  choice  was  lubhdan's  shoes.  This  latter 
therefore,  leaving  them  his  blessing  and  taking  theirs,  bade 
Fergus  and  the  nobles  of  Ulster  farewell  (Ulster  grieving  for 
his  departure)  and  with  him  the  story  henceforth  has  no  more 
to  do. 

As  regards  Fergus  however,  this  is  why  he  picked  out  lubh- 
dan's  shoes :  he  with  a  young  man  of  his  people  walking  of  a  day 
hard  by  Lochrury,  they  entered  into  the  loch  to  bathe ;  and  the 
monster  that  dwelt  in  the  loch — the  sinech  of  Lochrury — was 
aware  of  them.  Then  she  shaking  herself  till  the  whole  loch 
was  in  great  and  tempestuous  commotion  reared  herself  on  high 
as  it  had  been  a  solid  arc  hideous  to  behold,  so  that  in  extent  she 
equalled  the  rainbow  of  the  air.  They  both  marking  her  towards 
them  swam  for  the  shore,  she  in  pursuit  with  mighty  strokes  that 
in  bursting  deluge  sent  the  water  spouting  from  her  sides.  Fergus 
suffered  his  attendant  to  gain  the  land  before  himself,  whereby 
the  monster's  breath  impinging  on  the  king  turned  him  into  a 
crooked  and  distorted  squint-eyed  being,  with  his  mouth  twisted 
round  to  his  very  poll.  But  he  knew  not  that  he  was  so  ;  neither 
dared  any  enquire  of  him  what  it  might  be  that  had  wrought 
this  [change]  in  him,  nor  venture  to  leave  a  mirror  in  the  one 
house  with  him. 

The  young  man  however  told  all  the  matter  to  his  wife  and 
the  woman  showed  it  to  Fergus's  wife,  to  the  queen.  When 
therefore  ancnt  precedence  in  use  of  the  bath-stone  there  was 
a  falling-out  between  the  king  and  queen,  the  king  giving  her  the 
fist  broke  a  tooth  in  her  head ;  whereupon  anger  seized  the  queen, 
and  she  said :  "  to  avenge  thyself  on  the  sinech  of  Lochrury  that 
dragged  thy  mouth  round  to  thy  poll  would  become  thee  better 
than  to  win  bloodless  victories  of  women."  Then  to  Fergus  she 
brought  a  mirror,  and  he  looking  upon  his  image  said:  "the 
woman's  words  are  true  for  her,  and  to  this  complexion  it  is 
indeed  the  sinech  of  Lochrury  that  hath  brought  me."  And 
hence  it  was  that  before  all  lubhdan's  other  precious  wares 
Fergus  had  taken  his  shoes. 

In  their  ships  and  in  their  galleys  the  whole  province  of  Ulster, 
accompanying  Fergus,  now  gathered  together  to  Lochrury.  They 
entering  the  loch  gained  its  centre ;  the  monster  rose  and  shook 
herself  in  such  fashion  that  of  all  the  vessels  she  made  little  bits 


284  Death  of  Fergus, 

and,  as  are  the  withered  twigs  beneath  horses'  feet,  so  were  they 
severally  comminuted  and,  or  ever  they  could  reach  the  strand, 
all  swamped. 

Fergus  said  to  Ulster:  "bide  ye  here  and  sit  you  all  down, 
that  ye  may  witness  how  I  and  the  monster  shall  deal  together." 
Then  he  being  shod  with  lubhdan's  shoes  leaped  into  the  loch, 
erect  and  brilliant  and  brave,  making  for  the  monster.  At  sound 
of  the  hero's  approach  she  bared  her  teeth  as  does  a  wolf-dog 
threatened  with  a  club  ;  her  eyes  blazed  like  two  great  torches 
kindled,  suddenly  she  put  forth  her  sharp  claw's  jagged  array, 
bowed  her  neck  with  the  curve  of  an  arch  and  clenched  her 
glittering  tusks,  effacing  [i.e.  throwing  back]  her  ears  hideously, 
till  her  whole  semblance  was  one  of  gloomy  cruel  fury.  Alas 
for  any  in  this  world  that  should  be  fated  to  do  battle  with 
that  monster :  huge-headed  long-fanged  portent  that  she  was ! 
The  fearsome  and  colossal  creature's  form  was  this :  a  crest  and 
mane  she  had  of  coarse  hair,  a  mouth  that  yawned,  deep- 
sunken  eyes  ;  on  either  side  thrice  fifty  flippers,  each  armed  with 
as  many  claws  recurved  ;  a  body  impregnable.  Thrice  fifty  feet 
her  extended  altitude  ;  round  as  an  apple  she  was  in  contraction, 
but  in  bulk  equalled  some  notable  hill  in  its  rough  garb  of 
furze. 

When  the  king  sighted  her  he  charged,  instant,  impetuous,  and 
as  he  went  he  made  this  rosg  or  *  rhapsody  ' : — 

"  The  evil  is  upon  me  that  was  presaged    .    .    ." 

Then  both  of  them,  seeking  the  loch's  middle  part,  so  flogged 
it  that  the  salmon  of  varied  hue  leaped  and  flung  themselves  out 
upon  the  shore  because  that  in  the  water  they  found  no  resting- 
place,  for  the  white  bottom-sand  was  churned  up  to  the  surface. 
Now  was  the  loch  whiter  than  new  milk,  anon  all  turned  to 
crimson  froth  of  blood.  At  last  the  beast,  in  figure  like  some 
va.st  royal  oak,  rose  on  the  loch  and  before  Fergus  fled.  The 
hero-king  pressing  her  plied  her  with  blows  so  stalwart  and  so 
deadly  that  she  died  ;  and  with  the  sword  that  was  in  his  hand, 
with  the  caladcliolg^  best  blade  that  was  then  in  Ireland,  he 
hewed  her  all  in  pieces.  To  the  loch's  port  where  Ulster  sat  he 
brought  her  heart ;  but  if  he  did,  his  own  wounds  were  as  many 
[as  hers]  and  than  his  skin  no  sieve  could  be  more  full  of  holes. 
To  such  pitch  truly  the  beast  had  given  him  the  tooth,  that  he 


Death  of  Fergus.  285 

brought  up  his  very  heart's  red  blood  and  hardly  might  make 
utterance,  but  groaned  aloud. 

As  for  Ulster,  they  took  no  pleasure  to  view  the  fight,  but 
said  the  while  that  were  it  upon  land  the  king  and  the  beast 
had  striven  they  would  have  succoured  him,  and  that  right 
valiantly.     Then  Fergus  made  a  lay : — 

"  My  soul  this  night  is  full  of  sadness,  my  body  mangled  cruelly  ;  red 
Lochniry's  beast  hath  pushed  sore  through  my  heart.  lubhdan's  shoes  have 
brought  me  through  undrowned  ;  with  sheeny  spear  and  with  the  caladcholg 
I  have  fought  a  hardy  fight.  Upon  the  st'n^cA  I  have  avenged  my  deformity — 
a  signal  victory  this.  Man  !  I  had  rather  death  should  snatch  me  than  to 
live  on  misshapen.  Great  Eochaid's  daughter  Ailinn  it  is  that  to  mortal 
combat's  lists  compelled  me ;  and  'tis  I  assuredly  that  have  good  cause  to 
sorrow  for  the  shape  imposed  on  me  by  lubhdan." 

He  went  on  :  "  Ulster !  I  have  gotten  my  death ;  but  lay  ye 
by  and  preserve  this  sword,  until  of  Ulidia  there  come  after  me 
one  that  shall  be  a  fitting  lord  for  him;  whose  name  also  shall  be 
Fergus:  Ros  Rua's  son  Fergus. 

Then  lamentably  and  in  tears  Ulster  stood  over  Fergus  ;  poet 
Aedh  too,  the  king's  bard,  came  and  standing  over  him  mourned 
for  Fergus  with  this  quatrain : — 

"  By  you  now  be  dug  Fergus's  grave,  the  great  monarch's,  grave  of 
Leide's  son  ;  calamity  most  dire  it  is  that  by  a  foolish  petty  woman's  words 
he  is  done  to  death  !  " 

Answering  whom  Fergus  said  : — 

"  By  you  be  laid  up  this  sword  wherewith  *  the  iron-death  *  is  wrought ; 
here  after  me  shall  arise  one  with  the  name  of  Fergus.  By  you  be  Ihis  sword 
treasured,  that  none  other  take  it  from  you  ;  my  share  of  the  matter  for  all 
time  shall  be  this :  that  men  shall  rehearse  the  story  of  the  sword." 

So  Fergus's  soul  parted  from  his  body:  his  grave  was  dug,  his 
name  written  in  the  Ogham,  his  lamentation-ceremony  all  per- 
formed ;  and  from  the  monumental  stones  [uladh]  piled  by 
Ulster  this  name  of  Uladh  [Ulster]  had  its  origin. 

Thus  far  the  Death  of  Fergus  and  the  Luchra-people's  doings. 

Finis, 


286  Birth  of  Cormac. 


This  that  follows  is  the  Birth  of  Cormac  grandson 

of  Conn. 

Art  son  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles  went  to  fight  the 
battle  of  magh  mucramka  against  Maccon.  Westwards  over 
Shannon  he  marched  with  the  general  hosting  of  all  Ireland,  and 
the  night  before  the  battle  he  passed  as  a  guest  in  the  house  of 
Olc  Acha  the  smith.  That  night  they  had  unpleasant  converse 
and  ill  speeches:  Olc  Acha  saying  to  Art'that  for  his  giving 
battle  to  Maccon  there  existed  no  reason  more  convenient  or 
fitter  than  there  was  for  his  engaging  Olioll  Olom's  son  Eoghan ; 
that  as  against  the  former  his  cause  moreover  was  bad,  for  that 
Lughaid  [surnamed  Maccon]  had  certain  rightful  claims  upon 
him.  "What  amount  of  children  leavest  thou?"  the  smith 
enquired  of  Art,  who  answered :  "  I  know  not  of  any  but  one  son 
only."  "  That  is  too  little,"  the  smith  said :  "  this  night  wed  thou 
my  daughter,  for  it  is  prophesied  for  me  that  from  me  some  great 
dignity  must  spring."  A  thing  which  was  verified,  for  a  great 
dignity  Cormac  son  of  Art  son  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles 
was. 

That  night  the  king  mated  with  Ulc  Acha's  daughter  Etan, 
and  then  it  was  that  Cormac  was  conceived.  Art  told  her  that 
she  would  bear  a  son  and  that  he  should  be  king  over  Ireland. 
Then  too  it  was  that  he  imparted  to  her  all  secret  instructions 
for  the  boy's  behoof,  and  declared  to  her  that  on  the  morrow  he 
would  be  slain.  [In  the  morning]  he  bade  her  farewell,  saying: 
**  take  thy  son  to  his  friend  of  Connacht,  to  Lughna  in  Corann, 
there  to  be  fostered  " ;  and  as  he  had  himself  premised  the  king 
afterwards  was  killed  in  the  battle. 

Accordingly  Etan  proved  to  be  with  child,  and  [in  due  time] 
it  occurred  to  her  to  repair  to  Lughna's  house  in  order  that  in 
the  same  she  should  bring  forth  the  offspring  which  she  carried. 
But  so  soon  as  she  arrived  within  that  country  her  pains  took 
her,  she  came  down  out  of  her  chariot  and  gave  birth  to  a  son. 
Her  maid  went  off  and  pulled  twigs,  which  she  strewed  under 


Birih  of  Cormac.  287 

her:  hcnc^  fiadnacha  or  'twigs/  'brushwood/  Le.  "Feenagh/  in 
Corann.  At  the  boy's  birth  a  report  as  of  thunder  boomed 
through  the  air,  and  Lughna  upon  hearing  the  sound  uttered : — 

"  Noise — thunder — birth  of  king    .    .    ." 

He  went  on  :  "  even  so :  the  true  prince's  son,  Cormac  son  of 
Art,  it  is  that  is  born  now  ;  let  us  go  to  seek  him,  for  to  me  it  is 
committed  to  keep  him  until  he  shall  be  fit  to  rule  the  land." 

After  her  child-bed  Etan,  having  first  enjoined  her  maid  to 
mind  the  boy  till  they  should  be  able  to  proceed,  slept  The 
maid  too  slept  however,  and  a  she-wolf  coming  to  them  ravished 
the  child  to  the  spot  in  which  were  her  whelps:  to  the  stone  cave 
that  is  hard  by  craeibhech  or  *  locus  ramosus,'  i.e.  *  Creevagh,*  at 
the  achail  in  that  which  to-day  is  sidh  Cliomtaic  or  *  Cormac's 
sídh^  By -and -by  the  woman  started  out  of  her  sleep  and, 
because  she  found  not  her  son,  cried  out  lamentably.  Here 
Lughna  came  up  to  her,  and  asked  them  what  they  were  about 
The  woman  told  him  all :  that  it  was  towards  him  she  had 
been  on  her  way,  for  that  to  him  it  was  intrusted  to  foster  the 
child.  Then  Lughna  conveyed  her  to  his  dwelling  and  gave 
out  that,  whosoever  he  should  be  that  procured  knowledge  of 
and  a  clue  to  the  infant,  he  would  grant  his  own  prayer  [i.e. 
would  let  him  name  his  own  reward]. 

Now  one  Grec  mac  Arodh  as  he  ranged  the  country  of  a  day 
came  by  chance  over  a  cave,  in  front  of  which  he  saw  wolf-cubs 
gambol  and  among  them  a  little  urchin  on  his  hands  [i.e.  on  all- 
fours].  "Just  so,"  he  said,  and  went  off  to  Lughna ;  then  bound 
him  to  his  terms  if  he  should  get  him  the  king's  son.  To  this 
Lughna  assented,  and  hence  were  given  to  Grec  the  lands  on 
which  the  Grecraiglte  or  '  Grec-posterity '  are  established :  the 
guerdon  of  Grec's  finding  of  Cormac.  This  done  Lughna  and 
he  took  their  way  to  the  cave,  and  by  them  boy  and  cubs  both 
were  taken  out  of  it ;  at  which  point  Lughna  prognosticating  for 
him  uttered : — 

"  Conn's  victorious  representative  I  hail    .    .    ." 

In  the  sequel  that  same  boy  was  nurtured  by  Lughna,  and 
none  dared  to  provoke  him  against  his  father's  enemies  [i.e. 
against  Lughaid  Maccon  and  his  faction].  The  lad  verily  was 
*a  pasture  of  the  eyes*  of  many:  for  form  namely  and  for 
vesture,  for  propriety  and  for  proportion,  for  ready  speech,  for 


288  Birth  of  Cor  mac. 

gaiety,  for  comeliness,  for  pride,  for  fire,  for  strength  and  for  high 
spirit ;  and  the  name  that  was  conferred  on  him  by  Lughna  was 
corbmac,  just  as  Art  had  left  that  it  should  be  given  to  him. 

Once  upon  a  time  Cormac  and  Lughna*s  sons:  Ochomon  and 
Nathnach,  were  at  play.  He  struck  one  of  them  and :  "  oh  dear," 
cried  the  patient,  "there  has  stricken  me  a  fellow  whose  clan 
and  race  are  unknown,  except  that  he  is  a  gentleman  without 
a  father!"  whereupon  Cormac  in  great  dejection  sought  out 
Lughna  and  recited  to  him  how  he  had  been  reviled.  "  That  is 
not  true,"  his  guardian  said :  "  thou  art  the  very  prince's  son,  son 
of  Art  son  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles,  and  for  thee  it  stands 
foretold  to  hold  thy  father's  helm  ;^or  so  long  as  he  [that  now 
sits  there]  lords  it  in  Tara  will  corn,  or  milk,  or  mast,  or  sea-fruit 
[i.e.  yield  of  fish]  or  seasons  Come  aright^  "  Come  we  therefore," 
said  Cormac,  "that  we  may  visit,  and  bide  our  time  in,  our 
father's  house  in  Tara."     "  Let  us  even  go,"  Lughna  answered. 

Then  the  two  went  their  way:  Lughna,  and  Cormac  accom- 
panied with  his  wolves,  he  having  also  a  body-g^ard  of  kerne 
which  from  the  time  of  Eochaid  Airemh  to  that  present  had 
been  in  Corann  ;  for  it  was  they  that  slew  Eochaid :  too  heavy 
a  rent  namely  that  had  been  imposed  on  them.  They  are  the 
firchúl  Bregh  of  to-day,  [and  are  there]  because  that  by  way  of 
comradeship  they  came  with  Cormac  thither. 

So  they  held  on  till  they  gained  Tara,  where  welcome  was 
accorded  them  and  Cormac  received  on  the  footing  of  a  dalta 
[i.e.  protege  and  pupil].  At  which  time  there  was  in  Tara  a  she- 
hospitaller:  Bennaidh,  whose  roaming  sheep  came  and  ate  up 
the  queen's  crop  of  woad.  The  case  was  referred  to  Lughaid 
[Maccon  the  king]  for  judgment,  and  his  award  was  :  the  queen 
to  have  the  sheep  in  lieu  of  the  woad.  "  Nay,"  Cormac  said : 
**  the  shearing  of  the  sheep  is  a  sufficient  offset  to  the  cropping  of 
the  woad ;  for  both  the  one  and  the  other  will  grow  again."  "  That 
is  the  true  judgment,"  all  exclaimed:  "a  very  prince's  son  it  is 
that  has  pronounced  it!"  The  one  half  of  that  house  in  which 
the  false  judgment  had  been  given  slid  down  the  steep  declivity 
[on  which  it  stood],  and  will  so  abide  for  ever:  whence  claenfherta 
Temrach  or  '  the  sloping  mounds  of  Tara.* 

Maccon's  rule  in  sooth  was  not  good:  the  men  of  Ireland 
warned  him  off  therefore,  and  bestowed  it  on  Cormac.    After 


Birth  of  Cormac.  289 

which,  and  so  long  as  Cormac  hVed,  the  world  was  full  of  all 
good  things.  His  wolves  also  Cormac  continued  to  have  with 
him  ;  and  the  reason  of  that  great  esteem  which  Cormac  bore  to 
wolves  was  that  wolves  had  fostered  him. 

By  him  was  effected  the  renovation  and  decoration  of  Tara  as  ^ 
before  him  she  never  had  been,  in  respect  of  both  houses  and 
ramparts,  and  of  all  other  edifices  :  both  laech-howsts  and  ladies' 
bowers,  and  '  houses  of  the  earth  *  [i.e.  underground  storehouses, 
cellars,  etc.].  ^VVell  off  too  Ireland  was  during  that  king's  time : 
for  the  multiplicity  of  her  fish  the  river  waters  might  not  be 
forded,  nor  her  woods  traversed  easily  for  the  exuberance  of 
their  mast ;  while  for  the  quantity  of  their  honey  which  by 
reason  of  his  righteous  rule  was  vouchsafed  from  heaven  the 
travelling  of  her  plain  countries  was  no  ready  matter.  The 
numbers  of  her  wild  creatures  of  the  chase  too  were  such  as, 
though  they  should  have  had  nor  tilth  nor  reaping,  would  have 
comforted  her  people  with  meat  in  sufficiency.^ 

So  Cormac  continued  to  reign  in  Tara,  and  by  him  in  due 
time  was  constructed  the  noblest  building  that  ever  was  erected 
there ;  nor  though  he  was  opposed  by  Ulster  was  he  ever  divorced 
from  his  kingdom,  but  in  the  house  of  Speldn  the  hospitaller  died 
when  in  his  throat  there  stuck  a  salmon's  bone  which  had  been 
kneaded  up  among  the  wheat  given  to  him  [in  the  form  of  bread]. 
Such  was  the  cause  of  his  death. 

Now  what  Cormac  bequeathed  to  his  confídentials,  and  en- 
joined on  them,  was  this:  not  to  bury  him  in  the  brugh^  because 
it  was  not  one  and  the  same  god  that  he  and  they  that  were 
sepulchred  therein  adored  ;  but  he  prescribed  his  burial  in  Ros- 
naree,  with  his  face  set  eastwards  to  the  rising  of  the  sun. 

Finis. 


u 


290  Fiachnc^s  Sídh. 


Laeghaire  mac  Crimtkann^s  visit  to  the  fairy  realm  of 
Magh  meall  or  ^  the  Plains  of  Pleasure' 

Once  upon  a  time,  Crimthann  Cas  being  their  king  then, 
Connacht  were  in  convention  by  énloch  or  *  bird-loch '  in  magh 
nAei  or  *the  plain  of  Aei.'  On  the  night  in  question  they 
remained  assembled  and,  when  on  the  morrow  they  were  risen 
betimes,  saw  a  man  that  came  through  the  mist  and  towards 
them :  a  mantle  of  five  folds  he  wore,  and  in  his  hand  were  two 
five-barbed  darts  ;  a  gold-rimmed  shield  was  slung  on  him,  at  his 
belt  was  a  gold-hilted  sword,  and  golden-yellow  hair  streamed 
behind  him. 

"  Give  welcome  to  him  that  comes  to  you  I "  cried  Laeghaire 
libhán  son  of  Crimthann,  the  noblest  young  man  that  was  of 
Connacht  namely,  and :  "  a  welcome  to  the  warrior  whom  we 
know  not ! "  he  said  to  the  stranger,  who  made  answer:  "  I  thank 
you  all."  "  Wherefore  comest  thou  ?  "  Laeghaire  enquired,  and 
the  other  said :  "  to  crave  a  force  of  men."  "  Whence  art  thou  ?" 
He  replied :  "  of  the  men  of  the  sidlie  I  am  ;  Fiachna  mac  Retach  is 
my  name,  and  the  matter  is  that  my  wife  is  taken  from  my  head 
[i.e.  pillowj  SdFs  son  Eochaid  having  carried  her  away.  He  then 
in  a  pitched  battle  being  slain  by  me,  she  is  gone  to  a  brother's 
son  of  his:  to  Dalb/ls  son  Goll,  that  rules  the  fort  oi  magh  mealL 
Seven  battles  I  have  given  him,  but  all  are  gone  against  me  ;  for 
this  very  day  yet  another  one  is  declared  by  us,  and  to  solicit 
help  it  is  that  I  am  come.  To  every  man  moreover  that  shall 
desire  it  I  will  in  lieu  of  his  coming  with  me  give  a  fair  sum  of 
gold,  and  of  silver  the  same."  With  that  he  turned  and  went 
from  them. 

"  Not  to  aid  yonder  man  were  a  shameful  thing,"  Laeghaire 
said,  and  together  with  fifty  fighting  men  stepped  out  after  him 
who,  still  preceding  them,  dived  down  into  the  loch,  and  they 
followed  him.  There  they  saw  before  them  a  strong  place,  and  a 
company  embattled  that  stood  face  to  face  with  them.  He, 
Fiachna  mac  Retach,  went  on  yet  in  front  of  them  and  to  his 


Fiachna^s  Sídh,  291 

own  hold,  where  they  saw  two  companies.  **  Verily  it  is  well," 
said  Laeghaire:  "I  to  the  number  of  fifty  warriors  will  engage 
with  the  chief  on  the  other  side."  **  I  will  answer  thee,"  said  Goll 
son  of  Dolbh. 

In  their  two  fifties  therefore  they  laid  on  each  other,  and  [in 
the  end],  after  the  fall  of  Goll  and  of  all  his  fifty,  Laeghaire  with 
his  escaped  alive.  Then  *the  battle  broke  before  them/  and 
they  made  general  slaughter  of  their  enemies. 

"  Where  is  the  woman  ?  *'  Laeghaire  asked  ;  and  Fiachna  said : 
"within  in  the  dun  of  Magh  meall,  surrounded  by  a  force." 
"  Bide  ye  here  while  I  and  my  fifty  go,"  Laeghaire  said,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  fort  They  set  about  taking  it,  and  he  called  [to 
the  defenders]:  **but  little 'twill  profit  you  [to  hold  out]:  your 
king  is  fallen,  your  nobles  are  slain ;  suffer  then  this  woman  to 
come  forth,  and  in  return  your  safety  shall  be  accorded  you,** 
So  it  was  done  and,  as  she  came  out,  she  pronounced  [that 
which  is  known  as]  *  the  lament  of  Eochaid  amlabat^s  daughter.' 

Laeghaire  returned  with  her  and  laid  her  hand  in  Fiachna's  ; 
that  night  Fiachna's  daughter  Der  gréine  or  *  maid  of  the  sun  ' 
was  coupled  with  Laeghaire,  and  with  his  fifty  laechs  fifty  other 
women,  and  to  a  year's  end  they  abode  with  them.  Laeghaire 
said  then:  "let  us  go  seek  tidings  of  our  land"  "  If  ye  would 
come  back,"  Fiachna  enjoined,  **  take  with  you  horses,  but  by  no 
means  dismount  from  off  them." 

So  it  was  done:  they  went  their  way  and  came  upon  a  general 
assembly  in  which  Connacht,  as  at  the  year  expired,  mourned  for 
the  aforesaid  warrior  band,  whom  now  all  at  once  they  per- 
ceived above  them  [i.e.  on  higher  ground].  Connacht  sprang  to 
meet  them,  but  Laeghaire  cried:  " approach  us  not  [to  touch  us]: 
'tis  to  bid  you  farewell  that  we  are  here  ! "  "  Leave  me  not !  " 
Crimthann,  his  father,  said :  **  Connacht's  royal  power  be  thine ; 
their  silver  and  their  gold,  their  horses  with  their  bridles,  and 
their  noble  women  be  at  thy  discretion,  only  leave  me  not ! " 

But  Laeghaire  turned  from  them  and  so  entered  again  into  the 
sldhy  where  with  Fiachna  he  exercises  joint  kingly  rule ;  nor  is  he 
as  yet  come  out  of  it 

Finis, 


U  2 


292  í%^  Gilla  dec  air. 


This  is  the  pursuit  of  the  Gilla  decair  and  his  Horse. 

A  noble  king  and  an  excellent  that  once  on  a  time  held  royal 
rule  and  supreme  sway  over  Ireland:  Cormac  son  of  Art  son  of 
Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles  ;  in  which  stout  sovereign's  day 
Ireland  was  disciplined  and  prosperous,  peaceable  and  happy, 
rich,  full  of  all  good  things.  Nor  was  her  being  so  matter  of 
wonderment:  seeing  that  in  exercise  of  hospitality  this  Cormac 
was  a  hospitaller,  in  poesy  a  poet,  and  in  martial  worthiness  a 
very  king. 

In  the  same  sturdy  king's  time  too  Finn  son  of  Cumall  son  of 
Baeiscne's  grandson  Trenmor  was  in  the  chief  command  over 
Ireland's  Fianna,  that  is  to  say:  Cormac  was  monarch  of  all ;  after 
whom  came  the  provincial  kings  [five  in  number]  and  the  royal 
captains,  Finn  [chief  of  these  latter]  being  in  order  the  seventh 
king  that  men  reckon  to  have  at  that  period  been  in  Ireland. 

Copious  were  the  profits  and  wage  of  Finn  and  of  the  Fianna : 
in  every  tuath  a  townland,  in  each  townland  a  cartron  of  land, 
and  in  every  house  there  a  wolf-dog  whelp  or  else  a  beagle  pup 
[at  nurse]  from  All-hallows  to  Beltane,  with  many  another  privi- 
lege not  recounted  here.  But  great  prerogatives  as  were  these, 
greater  yet  by  far  the  pains  and  hardships  which  in  return  lay  on 
Finn  and  the  Fianna  his  followers:  to  fend  off  and  to  repel  from 
Ireland  strangers  and  over-sea  aggressors,  thievery  and  enter- 
prise of  outlaws,  with  all  other  villany ;  so  that,  as  here  is  set 
forth,  'twas  much  of  wearing  work  the  Fianna  had  to  safeguard 
Ireland. 

One  day  then  that  Finn  and  the  Fianna  (they  being  in 
<r  _Jj,^/^^ Leinster's  spacious  Almhain)  enjoyed  AlUiaJlo^tide's  exhilara- 
ting and  cheerily  resounding  banquet,  Finn-^^o  had  their 
gentles  and  chief  nobles  close  beside  him — enquired  of  them 
whether  now  they  held  it  time  to  go  hunt  and  to  pursue  the 
chase ;  for  thus  it  was  that  he  and  they  used  to  pass  the  year: 
from  Beltane  to  All-hallows  in  hunting  and  in  deeds  of  venery; 
from  All-hallows  to  Beltane  again  in  the  prescribed  keeping  of 
all  Ireland 


The  Gil/a  decair.  293 

At  all  events  among  them  then  it  was  resolved  to  proceed 
with  the  ordering  of  that  noble  chase,  and  the  ground  to  which 
for  that  purpose  they  repaired  was  Munster's  two  proud  pro- 
vinces [Thomond  and  Desmond  namely].  From  Almhain 
accordingly  they  set  out  by  the  nearest  paths,  and  on  till  they 
reached  tuath  6  mBuilc^  the  centre  of  Fircall,  and  the  Brosna 
river  in  Slievebloom  ;  so  to  Eibhliu's  twelve  mountains  or  *  Slieve- 
phelim,'  to  cnámhchoill  or  'Cleghile*  of  mac  Raighne^  and  to  drom 
collchoille  which  now  is  called  Aine  cliach  or  *Knockany.' 

The  hunt  was  thrown  out  and  extended  by  them  along  the 
borders  of  that  forest  which  to-day  men  name  magh  Breogain  ; 
through  blind  and  trackless  places,  and  the  broken  lands ;  over 
fair  and  open  level  confines,  and  Desmond's  lofty  hills  called  at 
this  day  luachair  Degltaid  or  *  Slievelogher ' ;  in  among  Slieve- 
crot,  beautiful  and  pleasant,  sliabh  na  muds  bonny  smooth  tulaclis^ 
the  even  banks  of  azure-streaming  Suir ;  athwart  the  green-grassed 
verdure-coated  plain  of  Femen,  and  Eithne's  high-lying  rugged 
Decies,  on  to  dark-wooded  Ballachgowran. 

Brief:  nor  wood  nor  plain  nor  hill-country  in  both  provinces 
of  Munster  but  a  chief  of  nine  hunted  there  and  plied  woodcraft, 
deploying  and  distributing  the  chase.  Finn  sat  on  his  hunting- 
mound,  and  certain  of  the  good  warriors  tarried  by  him :  his 
own  son  Ossian,  Ossian's  son  Oscar ;  Goll  mac  Morna,  Art  *  of 
the  great  strokes  *  mac  Morna ;  Dathchain's  son  Sciathbreac, 
bearer  of  Finn's  shield ;  the  three  Balbhs :  three  sons  of  the  *  caird 
of  Berra ' ;  Caeilte  son  of  Ronan,  Duibhne's  grandson  Dermot  of 
the  glittering  teeth,  Liathan  luath  or  *  the  swift '  from  luachair 
Degliaid  \  Conan  mac  Morna,  the  Fianna's  man  of  scurrilous  and 
abusive  speech,  with  Finn  Bane  son  of  Bresal ;  and  in  the  forests 
and  waste  places  round  about  him  Finn  and  his  accompanying 
Fianna  deemed  it  sweet  to  hear  the  hounds'  cry  and  their  baying, 
the  striplings'  hurried  call,  the  strong  men*s  noise  and  din,  whis- 
tling and  blithe  shouting  of  the  Fianna. 

Of  such  as  were  with  him  Finn  enquired  who  would  go  watch 
and  ward  the  hill  [on  the  side  of  which  the  mound  his  seat  was 
made],  and  Finn  Bane  son  of  Baeiscne's  grandson  Bresal  an- 
swered the  chief  captain  that  he  would  go  to  it.  Over  his  broad 
weapons  he  extended  a  good  warrior's  ready  hand,  betook  him 
to  the  hill-top,  and  fell  to  look  abroad  on  all  sides:  westwards 


,t^^f<^ 


294  ^^  Gilla  decair. 

N^  and  eastwards,  to  the  southward  and  to  the  north.  ^Jíor  had  he 
been  long  so  when  out  of  the  eastern  airt  directly  he  marked 
draw  towards  him  a  ruffian,  virile  indeed  but  right  ugly,  a 

V  creature  devili^  and    misshapen,  a  grumpy-looking  and   ill- 

favoured  loon,  equipped  as  thus:  a  shield  that  on  the  convex 
was  black  and  loathly  coloured,  gloomy,  hung  on  his  back's 
expanse ;  upon  his  dingy  grimy  left  thigh  all  distorted  was  a 
wide-grooved  and  clean-striking  sword ;  stuck  up  at  his  shoulder 
he  had  two  long  javelins,  broad  in  the  bead,  which  for  a  length 
of  time  befcH'e  had  not  been  raised  in  fight  or  mélée ;  over  his 
armature  and  harness  was  thrown  a  mantle  of  a  limp  texture, 
while  every  limb  of  him  was  blacker  than  smith  s  coal  quenched 
in  cold  ice-water.  A  sulky  cross-built  horse  was  there,  gaunt  in 
the  carcase,  with  skimpy  grey  hind-quarters  shambling  upon 
weedy  legs,  and  wearing  a  rude  iron  halter.  This  beast  his 
master  towed  behind  him,  and  how  he  failed  to  drag  the  head 
from  the  neck  and  this  from  the  attenuated  body  was  a  wonder : 
such  plucks  he  communicated  to  the  clumsy  iron  halter,  and 
sought  thus  to  knock  some  travel  or  progression  out  of  his  nag. 
But  a  marvel  greater  yet  than  this  it  was  that  the  latter  missed 
of  wrenching  from  his  owner's  corporal  barrel  the  thick  long 
arms  appertaining  to  the  big  man :  such  the  sudden  stands  and 
stops  he  made  against  him,  and  the  jibbing.  In  the  mean  time, 
even  as  the  thunder  of  some  vast  mighty  surf  was  the  resonance 
of  each  ponderously  lusty  vigorous  whack  that  with  an  iron 
cudgel  the  big  man  laid  well  into  the  horse,  in  the  endeavour  [as 
we  have  said]  thus  to  get  some  travel  and  progression  out  of  him. 
All  which  when  Finn  Bane  son  of  Bresal  saw,  within  himself  he 
conceived  that  such-like  stranger  and  over-sea  adventurer  it 
were  not  right  without  their  knowledge  to  admit  to  Finn  and 
to  the  Fianna  With  strong  swift  steps,  with  speedy-footed  rush, 
he  started  therefore  and  reached  both  Finn  and  Fianna,  then 
uttered  this  lay: — 

^  May  the  gods  bless  thee,  Finn,  O  man  of  afiable  discourse  •  .  ." 
After  this  lay  the)^  saw  the  big  man  approach  ;  but  short  as 
was  his  distance  from  them  now,  yet  for  his  gait  of  going  and  his 
progress  that  was  so  bad  he  was  a  long  time  in  covering  it 
When  at  length  he  came  into  Finn's  presence  he  saluted  him, 
and  bowed  his  head  and  bent  his  knee,  giving  him  symptom  of 


Tlie  Gilla  decair.  295 

obeisance.  Finn  raised  his  hand  over  him,  granted  him  leave  of 
utterance  and  speech,  then  sought  news :  "  whether  of  the  world's 
noble  or  ignoble  bloods  art  thou  ?"  He  answered  that  he  knew 
not  of  whom  he  might  be,  [nor  aught  else  of  his  particulars]  save 
one  thing  only:  that  he  was  a  Fomorian  who  in  quest  of  wage 
and  stipend  visited  on  his  own  account  the  equitably  judging 
kings  of  Christendom,  and  had  heard  that  in  respect  of  pay  Finn 
never  yet  had  denied  any  man.  "  He  never  has  indeed,"  said 
Finn,  "  neither  now  will  deny  thee ;  but,  big  man,  what  brings 
thee  without  a  horseboy  ?"  "A  good  cause  it  is  :  nothing  in  the 
world  irks  me  more  than  to  have  a  horseboy  with  me,  because  it 
is  a  hundred  men's  meal  of  meat  and  comestibles  that  up  to  one 
day's  end  serves  my  turn,  and  even  this  I  account  all  too  little 
for  myself  alone ;  I  grudge  therefore  to  have  any  such  boy  to 
meddle  with  it"  "  And  what  name  bearest  thou  ?"  "  The  £Í//a 
decair l^  he  replied.  "  Wherefore  was  ^ ^e gilla  decair'  imposed 
on  thee  ?"  "Again  the  cause  was  a  good  one:  in  the  whole  world 
nought  find  I  that  comes  harder  to  me  than  for  the  benefit  of 
my  lord  for  the  time  being,  or  of  any  man  that  'has  me'  [i.e. 
retains  me],  to  do  any  one  single  thing.  But,  Conan  mac  Moma," 
the  big  man  went  on,  "  among  the  Fianna  whether  of  the  two  is 
greater:  a  horseman's  stipend  or  a  footman's  ?"  "A  horseman's 
wage,"  said  Conan :  "  for  as  against  a  footman  he  has  twice  as 
much."  "  Thee  then  I  call  to  witness,  Conan,  that  I  am  a  horse- 
man :  that  I  have  a  horse,  and  that  in  very  act  of  horsemanship 
it  was  that  I  approached  the  Fianna.  Thou,  Finn  son  of  Cumall : 
upon  thy  guarantee  then  and  on  the  Fianna's  I  will  e'en  turn 
out  my  horse  among  their  own."  "  Turn  him  out,"  quoth  Finn. 
The  big  man  chucked  the  coarse  iron  halter  which  confined  his  ,^C 
horse's  head,  and  the  creature  with  rapid  strides  careering  made  '\  x.  '^ 
away  till  he  reached  the  Fianna's  troop  of  horses,  which  anon  he  -   & 

fell  to  lacerate,  and  to  kill  promptly :  with  a  bite  he  would  whip 
the  eye  out  of  one,  with  a  snap  would  snip  the  ear  off  a  second, 
and  yet  another  one's  leg  would  fracture  with  a  kick.  "  Take 
thy  horse  out  of  that,  big  man,"  cried  Conan:  "by  Heaven's 
parts  and  Earth's  I  pledge  myself  that,  were  it  not  the  manner 
in  which  under  Finn's  and  the  Fianna's  security  thou  hast 
enlarged  him,  I  would  let  his  brains  out  through  his  head's  and 
his  capital  summit's  several  '  windows '  [i.e.  ears,  eyes,  nose  and 


296  714^  Gilla  decair. 

mouth] ;  and  many  a  sorry  prize  as  heretofore  Finn  has  drawn 
in  Ireland,  a  worse  than  thyself  he  never  had."  "  By  Heaven's 
parts  and  Earth's  as  well  I  too  pledge  myself  that  take  him  out 
of  that  I  never  will ;  for  horseboy  that  should  do  me  his  office 
I  have  none,  and  to  lead  my  own  horse  by  hand  is  no  job  of 
mine." 

Conan  mac  Moma  rises,  takes  the  halter  and  claps  it  on  the 
big  man's  horse ;  where  Finn  and  the  Fianna  were,  thither  he 
brings  him  and  for  a  long  time  holds  him.  Said  Finn :  "  even  to 
such  an  one  as  in  all  accomplishments  of  Fianry  should  far 
surpass  the  big  man  thou,  Conan  mac  Morna,  hadst  ne'er  con- 
sented to  render  horseboy's  service ;  but  wouldst  thou  give  my 
counsel  action,  it  were  that  thou  shouldst  mount  the  big  man's 
horse  and  with  him  search  out  all  hills  and  hollows  and  delicately 
flowered  plains,  until  in  reward  of  the  Fianna's  horse-troop  that 
he  has  destroyed  his  heart  were  broken  in  his  body  [i.e.  take  and 
gallop  him  to  death  up  hill  and  down  dale]."  Then  Conan 
went,  with  a  horseman's  vault  he  backed  the  big  man's  horse,  and 
violently,  to  his  best  eadeavour,  dug  both  his  heels  into  him  ;  but 
never  a  bit  he  stirred  for  that.  "  I  perceive  what  ails  him,"  Finn 
said :  "  until  he  have  on  him  a  number  of  people  the  very  counter- 
poise of  his  own  cavalier  no  motion  may  be  had  of  him."  At 
Conan *s  back  now  thirteen  men  of  Ireland's  Fianna  mounted  the 
big  man's  horse ;  he  lay  down  under  them  and  then  got  up 
again.  **  I  esteem  that  ye  make  a  mock  of  my  horse,  and  that 
not  even  I  myself  escape  you  scot-free ;  therefore,  Finn,  and 
considering  all  that  in  this  first  day  I  have  seen  of  your  con- 
temptuous frivolity,  I  were  to  be  pitied  should  I  put  in  the 
residue  of  my  year  with  you.  I  recognise  moreover  that  that 
which  currently  obtains  of  thee  is  but  a  mock  report " ;  then  he 
pronounced  a  lay,  as  follows : — 

"  Now  will  I  be  parting  from  thee,  Finn    .    •    ." 

This  lay  ended,  in  spiritless  and  inactive  guise,  weakly  and 
wearily,  the  big  man  proceeded  until  betwixt  himself  and  Ire- 
land's Fianna  he  had  placed  a  certain  hill  that  lay  in  his  way  : 
but  so  soon  as  he  had  surmounted  its  topmost  pinnacle  [and 
thereby  was  lost  to  view]  he  kilted  his  coat  right  up,  aye  over 
his  spherical  hinder  protuberances,  and  away  with  him  as  though 
with  the  swallow's  or  with  the  roe-deer's  speed — or  as  it  were 


The  Gilla  decair.  297 

vociferous  wind's  blast  over  mighty  mountain  in  mid-month  of 
March — even  such  were  the  vigorous  rapidity,  the  violence  and 
energy,  of  the  thundering  rush  that  the  big  man  made  as  he  left 
the  hill. 

When  the  horse  saw  his  lord  that  departed  from  him  he  could 
not  endure  it  but,  great  as  was  hi^  load,  with  sudden  course  of 
keenest  gallop  took  his  way,  following  his  lord.  At  sight  of 
those  thirteen  men  behind  Conan  mac  Morna  on  the  big  man's 
horse  and  he  in  motion  Finn  and  the  Fianna  guffawed  with  a 
shout  of  mockery,  flouting  Conan.  He  then,  perceiving  that  to 
dismount  was  not  within  his  means,  screamed  and  screeched  on 
Finn  and  the  Fianna  that  they  should  not  let  him  go  with  the 
so  hideous  and  terrific  big  one  (concerning  whom  it  was  all 
unknown  what  clan  or  kind  were  his)  and  took  to  reproaching 
and  reviling  of  them :  "  *  a  deadly  giddiness  over  water '  take 
thee,  Finn — may  some  serfs  or  some  robber's  son  of  the  ignoble 
blood — one  that  by  way  of  a  father's  and  a  mother's  son  shall  be 
even  worse  than  thou — take  from  thee  all  that  might  preserve  thy 
life,  and  [in  the  end]  have  thy  head,  unless  thou  follow  us  and, 
whate'er  the  region  or  the  island  into  which  the  big  man  shall 
transport  us,  bring  us  to  Ireland  back  again  !  "  Thereupon  Finn 
and  the  Fianna  set  out:  over  each  great  hill's  bald  pate,  into  the 
depth  of  every  glen,  across  every  estuary's  swimming-place  they 
followed  the  gilla  decair  \  on  to  pleasant  sliabh  luachra^  to  tulach 
na  sengliaoitlu  now  called  bema  cliabair^  and  into  the  borders  of 
corca  Dhuibhne  or  *  Corcaguiny'  in  Kerry,  where  the  gilla  decair 
set  his  face  right  towards  the  deep  sea  and  [would  have  sped 
away]  over  the  green-waved  ocean  brine.  But  Liagan  Luath  of 
Luachair  Deghaid  got  his  two  hands  on  the  tail  of  the  gilla 
decaif^s  horse,  thinking  to  have  hauled  him  in  by  the  long  horse- 
hair and  so  to  have  detained  them  that  rode  him.  To  Liagan 
Luath  however  he  on  the  contrary  gave  a  lusty  right  valiant  tug, 
and  into  the  expanse  of  sea  and  ocean  dragged  him  in  his  wake. 
Tightly  now  Liagan  clutched  the  tail ;  and  aye  as  they  went  the 
sea  in  huge  round  swells  kept  rolling  after  them,  but  shewed  a 
sandy  strand  ahead. 

That  those  fifteen  men  of  his  people  thus  were  taken  from  him 
was  a  worry  to  Finn,  himself  too  being  left  under  bonds  to 
recover  them.     "What  shall  we  do  now?"  Ossian  enquired  of 


298 


The  Gilla  decair. 


^ 


him.  "  What  should  we  do  but,  be  the  region  or  island  what  it 
may  into  which  the  big  man  shall  convey  them,  to  follow  our 
people  and  by  fair  means  or  by  foul  to  retrieve  them  back  again 
to  Ireland?"  "What  can  we  effect  without  either  ship  or  fast 
galley?"  "There  is  this,"  Finn  answered:  "that  to  the  children 
of  Gaedlul  ^las  [i.e.  the  Gael]  son  of  Fenius  Farsa  son  of  Niul 
the  tuatha  dé  danann  once  by  way  of  special  gift  bequeathed 
that,  whosoever  of  them  should  have  occasion  to  leave  Ireland  for 
a  time,  let  him  but  resort  to  Ben-Edar  and,  be  the  number  what 
it  would  that  accompanied  him  thither,  there  they  should  find  a 
'  ship  or  a  speedy  galley  to  suffice  them." 

Here  Finn  glanced  tow»ds  the  sea  and  saw,  on  a  straight 
course  towards  him,  a  brace  >f  yalnrnng  fpllQ^c  bulkiest  of 
heroes,  most  powerful  offignting  men,  hardiest  of  champions. 
Upon  his  dorsal  superficies  the  first  one  wore  a  ribbed  and 
gaudy-coloured  shield  with  forms  of  lions,  of  leopards,  and  of 
marvellous  griffins  designed  exactly  and  embossed  on  it ;  at  his 
left  leg's  thigh  was  a  massy  mighty-striking  sword,  steel-flash- 
ing, very  terrible,  and  at  his  shoulder  two  thick  great  spears ; 
a  scarlet  mantle  with  a  fibula  of  gold  surmounting  his  breast 
wrapped  him  ;  on  his  head  he  had  a  twisted  fillet  of  white 
bronze  ;  gold  underlay  either  foot  [i.e.  he  had  golden  sandals]. 
On  the  second  man  was  just  such  bravery.  No  long  tarrying 
they  made  before  they  came  upon  the  spot,  and  bowed  their 
heads  and  bent  their  knees,  rendering  to  Finn  tokens  of  obei- 
sance. He  raised  his  hand  over  them,  gave  them  licence  of  dis- 
course and  utterance,  and  enquired  whether  they  were  of  the 
world's  noble  or  of  its  ignoble  bloods.  They  averred  themselves 
to  be  sons  to  the  king  of  Ind;  ^nd  that  their  peregrination  into 
Ireland  was  moved  by  an  intent  there  to  be  for  a  year  on  Finn's 
wage  and  stipend :  "  for,"  said  they,  "  we  have  heard  that  in  all 
Ireland  is  not  a  man  that  would  prove  more  acute  than  he  in 
judging  between  [i.e.  in  appraising]  the  accomplishments  which 
we  two  possess."  "And  these  that  ye  have,  what  are  they?" 
asked  Finn.  The  first  man  said :  "  in  the  way  of  special  art  I 
have  a  carpenter's  axe  and  a  sling ;  and  though  in  one  spot  I 
had  thirty  hundred  of  Ireland's  men,  yet  with  the  striking  of 
three  strokes  of  my  axe  upon  the  sling-stick  I  would  produce 
either  ship  or  speedy  galley  to  suffice  them,  while  as  for  co-opera- 


The  Gilla  decair.  299 

tion  I  would  require  of  them  none  other  than  that  during  delivery 
of  such  three  strokes  they  should  bow  down  their  heads."  "Good      yVjU^    ®-4 
art,"  quoth  Finn:  "and  now  what  art  hath  that  other  man?"  . 

The  second  rejoined:  "  I  by  way  of  art  have  this:  that  I  would         '^^    ^J\j\ 
carry  the  teal's  trail  over  nine  ridges  and  nine  furrows,  until  I  QV^Oidie    -Ti 
came  on  her  in  her  dwelling  and  on  her  bed ;  and  upon  either    . 
sea  or  land  would  do  the  thing  indifferently."    "  Good  art,"  Finn    Jva*^    ^-^   \ 
said  again:  "and  would  ye  lend  us  help  in  tracking  we  would    t^^s^sX^i 
have  great  use  for  you."    A  man  of  them  asked :  "  What  is  taken     ' 
from  you  ?"     Finn  told  them  the  gilla  decait^s  history  from  first    ^^  'T^wu^J 
to  last,  and  questioned  them:  "what  are  the  names  ye  bear?"         ^ 
The  first  replied :  "  I  indeed  bear  *  the  king  of  Ind's  son :  Fera- 
dach  the  very  valorous.'"     Thereupon  Ireland's  Fianna  incline 
their  heads  and  the  very  valorous  Feradach  proceeds  to  inflict 
on  his  sling-stick  three  stokes  of  the  axe  he  had,  by  which  pro- 
cess he  made  the  bay's  whole  circumference  and  the  sheltering 
haven  to  be  all  full  of  ships  and  of  speedy  galleys.     Finn  asked 
now:  "what  shall  we  do  with  the  so  great  number  of  those 
vessels?"     Feradach  made  answer:  "saving  only  so  many  as 
will  serve  thy  turn  we  will  do  away  with  them." 

Then  Caeilte  rose  and  emitted  three  loud  tremendous  shouts, 
so  that  in  all  airts  where  they  were  Ireland's  Fianna  hearing  him 
surmised  that  at  the  hands  of  extern  and  over-sea  assailants 
Finn  and  the  rest  of  the  Fianna  were  in  some  dire  necessity  and 
strait  In  small  separate  squads  [as  they  chanced  to  be]  they 
set  out  therefore  and  [converging]  reached  cloclidn  cinn  chait  or 
•  the  cat's  head's  stepping-stones '  in  Corcaguiny's  western  part, 
where  they  sought  to  learn  of  Finn  what  need  or  what  thing  of 
horror  had  overtaken  him  in  that  from  their  several  slipping- 
stations,  hunting  forests  and  various  wiles  of  venery,  he  drew 
them  thus  away.  Finn  told  them  all  the  gilla  decait's  business 
from  first  to  last 

Between  themselves  now  Finn  and  Ossian  took  counsel,  and 
what  seemed  good  to  them  was  this :  since  but  fifteen  men  of  his 
people  were  carried  off  from  Finn,  he  with  fifteen  others  to  go 
upon  their  track  ;  Ossian  to  be  left  in  the  Fianna's  command-in- 
chief,  and  to  keep  Ireland.  Then  Finn  and  Ossian  made  a 
lay: — 
"  Thou  departing  on  adventure,  red-weaponed  and  blood-shedding  Finn  .  .  .*' 


300 


The  Gil/a  decair. 


After  which  lay  a  grand  ship  of  great  burthen  was  fitted  out 
for  Finn  and  his  people ;  and  in  her  were  stowed  victual  where 
it  might  be  got  at  to  consume,  gold  where  it  could  be  had  to 
give  away.  Then  along  the  sides  and  bulwarks  of  that  ship  in 
which  they  were  now  embarked  those  stalwart  young  men  and 
comely  valiant  heroes  took  their  seats ;  in  their  expert  wide- 
grasping  and  enduring  hands  they  gripped  the  broad-bladed 
tough  oars  ;  and  so  athwart  the  deep  and  heaving  main's  expanse, 
the  valleys  of  the  vast  terrible  sea's  frowning  masses,  over  the 
gaping  white-foamed  gulfs  broad-backed  black-visaged  and  swift- 
hurtling  surges,  with  straining  mighty  effort  they  pulled  off. 
p  Now  rose  the  sea,  turning  to  become  a  wondrous  and  loud- 
bellowing  thing  of  awe,  in  fierce  and  diverse-sounding  mad- 
careering  ponderous  volume ;  in  eminences  restless,  curving  and 
grim-headed ;  in  gloomy  murk  impenetrable  surfaces ;  in  wide- 
jawed  white-skinned  waves ;  in  mighty  mane-clad  hills  [which 
in  their  motion  seemed]  frenzied,  reason-reft ;  in  dire  currents 
fed  of  many  lesser  streams,  and  in  much-burthen-bearing  far- 
extended  broken  green-hued  waters.  To  Finn  and  his  people  it 
was  both  a  lullaby  and  again  an  early  morning  rouse-call  to  hear 
broad  ocean's  concert  as  against  their  ship's  sides  it  purred  one 
while,  anon  loudly  boomed,  accompanying  her  ever. 

Three  days  he  and  his  passed  thus,  nor  of  mainland,  of  isle  or 
island,  saw  any  coast  at  all.  But  at  the  end  of  that  period  a 
man  of  Finn's  folk  went  into  the  ship's  head,  and  away  out  from 
him  descried  a  rugged  grey  huge  precipice  ;  towards  which  cliff 
they  drove  their  craft,  and  found  that  on  it  there  abutted  a  rock, 
solid  and  cylindrical,  having  sides  slipperier  than  dorsal  fin  of 
eel  on  river's  bottom.  ^^Jp  to  this  they  got  the  gUla  decair* s 
track,  but  found  none  that  left  it.  Now  spoke  Fergus  Truelips, 
Finn's  oUave,  and  said:  "cowardly  and  punily  thou  shrinkest, 
Dermot ;  for  with  most  potent  Manannan  son  of  Lir  thou 
studiedst  and  wast  brought  up,  in  the  land  of  promise  and  in  the 
bay-indented  coasts;  with  Angus  Oge  too,  the  Daghda's  son, 
wast  most  accurately  taught ;  and  it  is  not  just  that  now  thou 
lackest  even  a  modicum  of  their  skill  and  daring,  such  as  might 
serve  to  convey  Finn  and  his  party  up  this  rock  or  bastion."  At 
these  words  Dermot's  face  grew  red ;  he  laid  hold  on  Man- 
annan's  magic  staves  that  he  had  and,  as  once  again  he  redly 


The  Gilla  decair.  301 

blushed,  by  dint  of  skill  in  martial  feats  he  with  a  leap  rose  on 
his  javelins'  shafts  and  so  gained  his  two  soles'  breadth  of  the 
solid  glebe  that  overhung  the  water's  edge.^Under  him  and 
downwards  Duibhne's  grandson  looked  on  Finn  and  his  people 
but,  much  as  he  longed  to  descend  again  and  bring  them  up,  he 
could  not  compass  it.  He  left  the  rock  behind  him  therefore ;  and 
was  not  gone  far  when  he  perceived  a  waste  and  tangled  sylvan 
tract:  shelter-giving  woods  of  densest  thicket  which,  of  all  that 
ever  he  had  ranged,  did  most  abound  in  foliage,  in  babble  of 
burn  and  sough  of  wind,  in  melody  of  birds,  in  huni  of  bees. 
From  east  and  west,  from  south  and  north,  Duibhne's  grandson 
traversed  the  plain  and,  as  he  looked  abroad,  was  aware  of  a  vast 
tree  with  interlacing  boughs  and  thickly  furnished ;  hard  by 
which  was  a  great  mass  of  stone  furnished  on  its  very  apex  with 
an  ornamented  pointed  drinking-horn,  and  having  at  its  base  a 
(air  .welLof -V^^ter  in  all  its  purity.  Now  after  his  passage  of  the 
sea  drouth  and  thirst  were  set  in  on  Dermot,  and  he  lusted  to 
drink  a  homful  of  the  spring  s  water  ;  down  he  stooped  to  it,  but 
heard  a  loud  and  rumbling  noise  that  [so  it  seemed]  came  toward 
him,  and  he  perceived  then  that  of  the  fountain's  special  spells 
it  was  that  none  must  drink  a  drop  of  its  water.  Nevertheless 
he  said :  "  I  will  quaff  my  fill  of  it." 

This  done  he  was  no  long  time  before  he  saw  approach  to  him 
a  wizard  wearing  mien  and  garb  of  hostile  import ;  nor  was  it 
courteous  salutation  that  he  when  he  came  up  addressed  to 
Dermot,  but  he  outrageously  upbraided  him:  saying  that  to 
roam  his  forest  and  domain  of  waste,  and  to  drink  up  his  store 
of  water,  was  an  iniquitous  thing  for  him  to  do.  Boldly  and 
vehemently  then  Dermot  and  the  magician  faced  each  one  the 
other,  and  in  valiant  manful  right  heroic  wise :  mutually  answer- 
ing and  requiting  with  rapid  sharp-dealt  strokes  and  stern  buffets 
until  even-tide  and  day's  end  overtook  them.  Here  the  wizard 
judged  it  time  to  knock  off  from  fighting  with  Dermot,  and  dived 
to  the  bottom  of  the  well  quite  away  from  him  ;  but  to  Dermot 
it  was  a  vexation  that  his  partner  in  the  combat  was  divorced 
from  him  thus.  He  looks  to  the  four  airts  however,  and  sees  a 
herd  of  deer  draw  through  the  forest ;  then  draws  near  to  them 
and  into  the  next  stag  sends  a  right  javelin-cast  that  rips  out  his 
entrails  and  inwards,  leaving  them  on  the  ground.    He  carried 


302  The  Gilla  decair. 

him  off  [to  a  fitting  place],  took  out  his  kindh'ng  gear  and  made 
a  large  fire ;  of  the  deer's  flesh  he  cut  individual  small  gobbets, 
imposed  them  on  spits  of  the  white  hazel,  and  that  night  used 
his  sufficiency  of  venison  and  of  the  spring's  water  both. 

At  early  morn  he  roused  himself  and  at  the  well  before  him 
found  the  magiciaii,  who  said :  "  grandson  of  Duibhne,  it  seems 
to  me  that  to  have  had  the  travelling  of  my  waste  and  forest 
sufficed  thee  not  but  thou  must  enjoy  its  venery  as  well."  At  all 
events  [at  it  they  went  again]  and  dealt  each  othgcialQW  for  blow, 
wound  for  wound,  prod  for  prod,  until  for  th€(second)time  eve- 
ning and  the  day's  end  caught  them.  For  three  twenty-four 
hours  they  fought  thus  all  day,  and  nightly  Dermot  had  a 
mighty  hart ;  but  on  their  contest's  last  day  Dermot,  when  the 
magician  made  his  usual  nimble  jump  for  the  well,  would  have 

ÍAvwjit  thrown  his  arm  around  the  other's  neck  and  [in  the  effort]  both 

together  dived  into  it,  once  underneath  which  the  wizard  forsook 

UuJH   O^^n     Dermot     He  leaving  the  well  behind  him  followed  after  and 
^  found  before  him  a  wide  open  country,  beautiful  and  flowery :  in 

Aj^^KKh  T  CU  ^^^  midst  a  re^al  splendid  citv  and,  on  the  green  fronting  the 
I  citadel,  a  serried  host  and  multitude  who,  whenever  they  saw 
Dermot  make  for  the  wizard,  left  to  the  latter  as  it  might  be  a 
royal  road  and  common  way  until  through  the  portal  he  was 
passed  into  the  place  of  strength,  and  on  him  then  they  shut  the 
fortress  gates.  Then  the  whole  host  turned  on  Dermot ;  yet 
never  a  whit  of  faintness  did  that  breed  in  him,  nor  diminution 
of  his  hardihood :  but  under  them,  and  through  and  over  them, 
he  passed  as  would  hawk  through  flight  of  small  birds,  or  wolf 
through  sheep-flock ;  or  as  the  weighty  rush  of  a  mad  swollen 
stream  in  spate  that  over  and  adown  a  cliff  of  ocean  spouts,  even 
such  was  he  as  he  mangled  and  slew  those  companies,  whelming 
them  utterly,  till  in  the  end  they  betook  them  some  to  the 
country's  fast  wild  woods,  and  the  remnant  inward  through  the 
fort's  gates  which,  as  well  as  the  city's,  they  closed  after  them. 
That  stubborn  fight  thus  ended,  Dermot  all  full  of  hurts  and 
wounds  and  drenched  in  blood  lay  down  upon  the  ground. 

To  him  enters  now  a  burly  wizard  of  great  daring,  and  from  the 
direction  of  his  rear  impinges  on  him  with  a  kick.  Dermot 
rouses  himself  and  to  his  weapons  reaches  his  ready  warrior 
hand,  but:  "grandson  of  Duibhne,"  the  sorcerer  cried,  ''take  it 


The  Gilla  decair.  303 

easy:  not  to  do  thee  harm  or  hurt  am  I  come,  but  to  apprize 
thee  that  an  ill  place  of  sleep  and  of  sound  slumber  is  that  in 
which  thou  art,  on  thine  enemies'  and  thy  foemen's  green  ; 
rather  come  with  me,  and  thou  shalt  have  a  better  sleeping 
berth."  Dermot  followed  the  wizard:  long  and  far  they  jour- 
neyed from  the  spot,  and  until  they  found  ahead  of  them  a 
towering  fortress  in  which  were  thrice  fifty  high-mettled  men- 
at-arms  with  their  suitable  allowance  of  gentle  women,  forby  a 
white-toothed  rosy-cheeked  delicate-handed  and  black-eyebrowed 
maiden  that  sat  against  the  castle  wall :  a  silken  mantle,  a  tunic 
netted  of  golden  threads  she  had  about  her  and,  on  her  head,  a 
queen's  rightful  decorated  wimple.  A  most  friendly  welcome  in 
his  own  name  and  surname  was  given  to  Dermot;  he  was 
bestowed  in  an  infirmary,  herbs  of  price  and  virtue  were  applied 
to  his  hurts  and  he  was  healed  completely,  made  *  all  smooth  * 
again.  Now  were  the  castle's  boards  and  benches  set ;  nor  was 
villain  set  in  gentle's  room,  nor  a  gentle  in  the  villain's,  but  at  said 
tables  each  one  according  to  his  rank,  his  patrimony  or  his  art, 
was  in  his  own  becoming  place.  Excellent  toothsome  viands 
were  brought  in  to  them,  together  with  well -flavoured  strong 
drinks ;  the  fore-part  of  night  they  passed  in  banqueting,  the 
second  with  recreation  of  intelligence  and  mind,  and  the  third 
they  brought  to  with  soundest  sleep  lasting  until  at  morrow's 
morn  the  sun  in  his  fiery  orb  rose  over  the  grossly  earthy  world. 
For  three  days  and  three  nights  Dermot  was  in  the  fort,  the 
best  feast  that  ever  he  had  had  beingTefved  to  him  the  while  ; 
and  at  the  end  of  that  space  he  enquired  what  might  be  the 
castle  and  what  the  country  in  which  he  found  himself,  and  who 
was  head  over  it.  The  wizard  told  him  that  this  was  //rjjif 
Jhuinn  or  *  the  submerged  land  '  [lit,  *  terra  sub  unda ']  ;  he  that 
had  fought  with  him  being  king  of  that  realm,  and  his  sobriquet 
in  chivalry  *  the  Wizard  of  the  Well,'  who  to  him  that  now  spoke 
was  *a  foeman  of  the  red  hand'  [i.e.  there  was  a  blood  feud 
between  them].  He  farther  told  Dermot  that  he  himself  was 
*  the  Wizard  of  Chivalry,'  and  for  a  year  had  been  on  wage  and 
stipend  with  Cumall's  son  Finn  in  Ireland,  than  which  year  also 
he  never  had  put  over  him  one  that  he  had  found  more  delec- 
table ;  after  which  he  desired  to  learn  of  Dermot  what  were  the 
journey  and  the  undertaking  that  lay  before  him.    Then  Dermot 


304  The  Gilla  decair. 

rehearsed  to  him  from  first  to  last  the  history  of  Finn  and  the 
^lla  decair, 

Howbeit  when  to  Finn  and  his  folk  it  now  seemed  too  long 
that  Dermot  was  away  from  them,  of  the  ship's  cordage  they 
made  ladders  and  applied  them  to  scale  the  jutting  crag  in  order 
to  trace  out  Duibhne's  grandson  ;  then  they  came  upon  the  rem- 
nant of  his  venison,  for  never  yet  had  he  eaten  flesh  but  he  left 
some  fragment  Finn  looked  on  all  sides,  and  in  the  open  saw  a 
horseman  that  came  towards  him :  a  horse  of  a  handsome  colour 
was  under  him,  one  of  darkest  bay,  which  a  most  comely  bridle 
of  the  red  gold  held.  When  he  came  up  Finn  saluted  him  ;  he 
for  his  part  bent  his  head,  gave  Finn  kisses  three,  and  intreated 
him  with  him  to  his  dwelling.  Long  and  far  they  went  thence  and 
at  last  found  in  their  front  a  mighty  and  spacious  place  of  arms, 
well  garrisoned,  and  on  the  green  before  this  fort  a  numerous 
army.  Here  Finn  and  company  spend  three  days  and  three 
nights,  the  finest  feast  that  ever  they  had  being  served  to  them 
the  while,  and  most  decently.  That  interval  being  run  out,  and 
Finn  questioning  what  might  be  the  fortress  and  what  the  country 
in  which  he  was,  the  other  answered  that  this  wasthe  land  of 
SoTf^^a  and  he  its  king ;  that  for  a  year,  than  which  he  never  had 
passed  a  more  delectable,  he  once  had  been  on  wage  and  stipend 
with  Finn  in  Ireland. 

By  Finn  and  the  king  of  Sorcha  accordingly  a  day  of  gather- 
ing and  of  high  convention  was  appointed,  and  [when  it  came] 
they  saw  a  she-courier  or,  in  other  words,  a  feminine  running 
footman  progress  through  the  assembly  to  them.  The  king 
examined  her  for  news,  and  such  indeed  she  owned  to  having: 
as  that  the  bay's  limits  and  the  harbour's  were  full  of  ships  and 
galleys ;  armed  bodies  throughout  all  the  land,  and  they  plunder- 
ing the  country.  "I  see  it  all,"  quoth  the  king:  "the  monarch 
of  the  Greeks  it  is  that's  there,  in  prosecution  of  his  conquests  all 
the  world  over ;  he  would  reduce  the  universe  at  lai^e  under  his 
own  rule  and  tribute  and,  as  he  has  seized  all  other  countries,  so 
now  he  takes  this  as  well."  With  that  the  king  glanced  at  Finn, 
who  within  himself  understood  that  it  ^vas  help  and  participation 
that  thereby  the  king  sought  of  him ;  he  said  therefore :  "  the 
holding  and  the  maintaining  of  this  land  I  take  upon  myself 
until  I  quit  it" 


TJu  Gilla  decair,  305 

He  and  his,  with  the  king  of  Sorcha,  set  out  and  followed  up 
that  host,  of  whom  by-and-by,  after  great  slaughter  of  warriors 
and  oglaechsy  they  made  headlong  lamentable  fugitives:  a  mere 
frightened  unenduring  bird-flock,  and  suffered  not  to  escape  but 
barely  so  many  of  them  as  might  suffice  to  tell  their  tale.  The 
monarch  of  the  Greeks  spoke  now,  saying:  "who  is  it  that  has 
made  this  grievous  carnage  of  my  people?"  and  he  proceeded  to 
affirm  that  never  before  had  he  heard  of  the  men  of  Ireland's 
valiance  and  achievement  either  as  existing  presently  or  as  being 
even  matter  of  tradition  ;  but  that,  as  matters  stood,  he  would 
even  to  the  world's  very  last  end  banish  all  progeny  of  Gael  Glas 
son  of  Niul  son  of  Fenius  Farsa.  Finn  and  the  king  pitched  a 
green  pavilion  right  in  view  of  the  monarch's  fleet,  nearest  to 
which  of  all  the  country's  forces  was  the  tent  occupied  by  Goll 
mac  Morna  and  by  Ossian's  son  Oscar. 

Again  the  Grecian  monarch  spoke,  and  said :  "  whom  may  I 
find  to  avenge  on  Finn  and  on  the  king  of  Sorcha  my  people's 
slaughter  and  dishonour  ?"  "  Thou  shalt  have  me,"  answered 
the  king  of  Franks'  son  and,  after  gathering  together  the  bulk  of 
his  household,  marched  on  the  tent  in  which  Finn  and  the  king 
of  Sorcha  were.  Goll  mac  Morna  when  he  saw  this  rose  to 
meet  and  to  answer  them  ;  but  Oscar  asked :  '*  what  then  is  this 
that  thou  wouldst  do,  Goll  ?"  and  he  replied :  "  this  day's  fight  I 
desire  to  fight  for  Finn."  "So  do  not,"  said  Oscar:  "thy  hand 
it  is  that  in  battles  and  in  fights  of  two  is  proved  the  most ; 
rather  now  suffer  me  in  Finn's  behalf  to  endure  this  day's  set-to." 
Goll  having  yielded  Oscar  licence  of  the  combat,  he  and  the 
king  of  Franks'  son  faced  each  other:  like  two  rabid  dragons, 
like  two  far-reaching  terrible  lightning-jets,  or  two  surges  of 
most  violent  spring- tide  surmounting  pinnacles  of  rock — such 
might  fitly  be  that  pair  of  worthy  champions'  commemoration 
and  description. 

Yet  Goll  mac  Morna,  after  clasping  of  his  body  in  its  armature 
of  battle,  came  and  upon  the  king  of  Franks'  men  made  a  charge 
so  brave  and  undismayed,  so  fraught  with  hewing  and  with 
blood-spilling,  that  he  converted  them  into  crazed-like  erratic 
lightly  driven  leaves  [the  sport  of  winds] ;  in  such  measure 
that  heads  were  left  bodiless,  bodies  lifeless,  wives  reft  of  their 
husbands,  and  mothers  wanting  their  sons. 

X 


3o6  The  Gilla  decair. 

Oscar  of  the  martial  weapons  now  triumphantly  pressed  home 
to  execute,  to  behead,  the  king  of  Franks'  son  ;  which  being 
accomplished  he  turned  to  GoU  and  helped  him  to  destroy  so 
many  of  the  whilom  pjince's  household  as  he  had  not  yet  killed. 
Their  leader's  head  he  shook  full  in  sight  of  the  Grecian 
monarch's  fleet,  and  the  two  together  emitted  that  which  to 
Finn  and  his  people  was  a  shout  of  victory  and  of  exultation, 
but  to  the  Greeks  one  of  gloom  and  of  discouragement 

At  this  point  the  king  of  Greeks  again  delivered  himself,  and 
said :  "  whom  can  I  have  that  on  Finn  and  the  king  of  Sorcha 
will  avenge  my  own  shame  and  my  people's?"  "Thou  shalt 
have  me,"  answered  an  enormous  stripling:  the  king  of  Africs 
son.  With  the  full  number  of  his  own  contingent  this  youth 
sought  the  tent  in  which  the  king  of  Sorcha  lay,  and  when  the 
king  of  India's  sons  saw  the  move  they  came  to  meet  them. 
"  What  would  ye  do  ?"  Finn  asked  of  these,  and  the  very  valiant 
Feradach  made  answer:  "this  day's  strife  we  would  gladly 
undertake  for  thee."  "  That  shalt  thou  not,"  said  Finn :  "  for  as 
yet  ye  are  not  in  my  pay  during  a  space  of  time  such  as  might 
entitle  you  to  a  fight  of  the  kind."  But  they  [speaking  severally] 
rejoined :  "  by  my  arms  of  prowess  and  of  chivalry  I  vow  that,  if 
thou  grant  us  not  liberty  of  the  fray,  we  will  no  longer  be  thy 
stipendiaries."  With  that,  on  either  side  those  pillars  of  battle, 
those  prodigies  of  performance,  fought  a  fight  that  was  desperate 
and  cruel,  with  thundering  onset  and  with  pitiless  laying  on  of 
blows,  so  that  they  shivered  their  thick-shafted  crimson-headed 
and  broad-socketted  spears ;  and  all  those  good  warriors  with 
their  hewing  and  sore  vehemence  cleft  each  other's  shapely 
helmets  wrought  of  cunning  armourers.  As  for  the  kihg  of 
India's  sons:  in  front  of  both  armies  the  tall  youth,  prince  of 
Africa,  was  beheaded  by  them,  and  his  head  they  shook  at  the 
Grecian  host.  At  Finn  they  vented  a  shout  of  triumph  and  of 
exultation,  which  to  the  Grecian  potentate's  forces  was  one  of 
melancholy  and  of  discouragement. 

Yet  again  he  spoke:  "whom  may  I  have  to  take  vengeance 
on  Finn  and  on  the  king  of  Sorcha  for  my  own  and  my  people's 
shame?"  "Thou  shalt  have  me,"  said  his  own  son:  "to  cope 
with  the  fifteen  men  that  Finn  has  I  will  lead  other  fifteen,  and 


k 


The  Gilla  decair.  307 

will  myself  bring  thee  his  head ;   each  one  of  my  people  also 
bringing  that  of  another."  ^^ ^^^^^  .^4 

The  king  of  Greeks  had  a'^9pi«ster  daughter  {Taise^  called  ^ 
taebghel  or  'white-sided/  was  her  name)  who — as  the  sea  sur- 
passes all  torrents,  the  Shannon  other  rivers,  and  the  eagle  birds 
— in  form,  in  beauty  and  in  aspect,  transcended  the  whole  world's 
universal  women  ;  andsfor  his  fame  and  wide  renown  she  loved 
Finn  though  she  had  not  seen  him^  Of  her  father  therefore  she 
craved  as  a  boon  that  he  would  admit  her  to  look  on  at  the 
combat  set  betwixt  Finn  and  her  brother.  This  leave  the  king 
vouchsafed  her,  and  she  brought  with  her  the  handmaid  whose  it 
was  to  bear  her  company. 

The  Greek  prince  faced  the  tent  in  which  were  Finn  and  the 
king  his  friend,  whereupon  Finn  said :  "  I  see  it  all — single  com- 
bat he  would  have  of  me,  and  one  of  my  people  to  fight  with 
each  man  of  his."  Like  two  most  doughty  lions  he  and  the 
Greek  confronted  or,  for  hostility,  like  a  pair  of  venomous 
snakes,  or  again  in  swift-footed  rushes  like  two  talon-wearing 
griffins ;  so  that  the  earth  of  ponderous  glebe  shook  beneath 
their  tread,  and  with  the  rapidity  and  fervour  of  those  good 
warriors'  right  striking  they  fairly  hurled  the  straight  swords 
from  their  hands,  making  themselves  heard  among  the  crags  and 
distant  recesses.  At  last  Finn  dealt  the  prince  a  weighty  stroke 
of  mighty  impact  and  from  his  graceful  neck,  from  off  his  body, 
sent  his  head  flying  far.  A  shout  of  victory  and  of  triumph  was 
sent  forth  by  Finn  and  his ;  by  them  of  the  Grecian  fleet,  one 
of  gloom  and  discouragement.  Over  the  grave  of  the  fallen  the 
monumental  stone  was  raised,  their  names  written  in  Ogham 
above  them  all ;  and  great  as  was  the  love  which  at  the  first 
Taise  of  the  white  body  had  borne  to  Finn,  seven  times  so  much 
she  bestowed  on  him  while  he  butchered  her  brother.  Privily 
therefore  she  sent  him  an  embassage,  offering  herself  to  him :  a 
matter  which  to  Finn  was  one  of  gladness  and  of  complete 
inclination. 

That  night  Taise  stole  away  to  him.  On  the  morrow  the 
monarch  awoke,  and  it  was  told  him  how  Taise  was  fled  away  to 
Finn.  Not  the  loss  of  his  people  he  lamented  now,  but  white- 
bodied  Taise  ;  and  declared  that  on  him  who  should  retrieve  her 
from  Finn  he  would  confer  many  precious  things,  and  wealth. 

X  2 


3o8  The  Gilla  decair. 

A  chief  captain  of  the  household  of  the  monarch's  folk  spoke: 
"fulfill  me  that  which  thou  hast  promised,  in  which  case  I  will 
from  Finn  recover  thee  the  maid  lífor  I  possess  a  certain  special 
branch  of  great  beauty,  and  though  I  had  the  whole  world's 
hosts  tc^ether  in  one  spot,  with  the  mere  sound  of  my  sprig 
waved  over  against  them  I  would  throw  them  all  into  trance  of 
sleep  and  soundest  slumber.'^  The  chief  captain  of  the  house- 
hold went  his  way  for  the  tent  in  which  Finn  and  the  king  of 
Sorcha  were,  waved  the  branch  at  them,  and  threw  them  into  a 
stupor  such  that  in  the  same  night  he  kidnapped  Taise.  But  the 
determination  to  which  the  monarch  came  was  that,  Taise  being 
thus  restored,  no  more  of  his  people  must  be  slain  by  Finn  ; 
accordingly  he  took  himself  off  to  the  land  of  Greece, 

On  the  morrow  Finn  quivered  to  find  that  Taise  was  [as  he 
supposed]  departed  on  the  sly,  and  after  the  monarch's  daughter 
he  felt  dark  and  spirit-faint.  "  O  Finn,"  Sorcha's  king  said, "  nor 
gloom  nor  discouragement  afflict  thee  with  grieving  for  the 
maiden  !  I  with  a  numerous  host  will  myself  bear  thee  company 
to  the  Greek  monarch's  land,  where  by  fair  means  or  by  foul  we 
will  win  back  his  daughter ;"  and  he  pronounced  a  layi — 
"  TTiat  was  well  won,  O  son  of  Cumall !  .  .  ," 
After  this  lay  a  day  of  general  gathering  and  of  high  conven- 
tion was  set  by  Finn  and  the  king  of  Sorcha ;  and  [as  all  were 
assembled]  they  saw  banners,  diversely  gaudy,  ornamented 
variously,  standards  of  soft  silk,  well-tempered  battle-swords 
carried  at  warriors'  and  at  champions'  shoulders,  dense  great 
groves  of  lengthy  spears,  tall  and  tough,  reared  over  them  and 
(in  that  numerous  company's  forefront)  Dermot  of  the  glittering 
teeth.  Him  Finn  recognises,  and  despatches  to  him  Fei^us 
Truelips  to  enquire  what  it  all  might  mean ;  what  was  the  band 
with  which  he  came,  or  had  he  procured  tidings  to  bring  to  him 
of  his  people  gone  with  t\\e  gilla  decairf  Dermot  made  answer 
that  this  was  the  Wizard  of  Chivalry,  who-by.,his  magic  art  had 
shewn  him  that  it  was  Allchad's  son  ;Ábartach|Í  who  from  Finn 
had  carried  off  those  fifteen  men  of  his  intojthe  land  ofprqmise. 
Hereupon  Finn  was  determined  what  he  would  do:  Dermot 
being  now  joined  with  Goll  and  Oscar  he  would  send  them  on  to 
the  Grecian  lands  to  fetch  the  monarch's  daughter  and,  along 
with    them,    Fei^us    to   proclaim    their    slaughters    and    their 


The  Gilla  decair.  309 

triumphs ;  himself  and  the  rest  of  his  folk  to  make  for  the 
promised  land,  and  whosoever  should  the  first  be  there  to 
await  the  other  party. 

For  Finn  and  people  a  brave  ship  of  burthen  was  fitted  out ; 
and  of  their  farther  doings  record  there  is  none  until  they  found 
themselves  in  the  land  of  promise,  where  they  saw  a  grand 
gathering  held  in  which  was  Abartach  son  of  Allchad.  To  him 
Finn  sends  a  messenger  to  require  of  him  his  missing  men,  or 
else  battle.  Abartach  chose  rather  to  restore  him  his  people, 
and  in  damage  of  his  long  journey  to  pay  him  that  which  him- 
self he  might  assess.  Then  he  took  Finn  home  with  him  to  his 
own  strong  place,  where  the  best  feast  that  ever  Finn  had  had 
was  ministered  to  him  most  becomingly;  and  Finn  tarries  in  the 
land  of  promise  until  Goll  and  Oscar  should  join  him. 

Touching  which  two,  for  them  also  a  tall  ship  of  great  capacity 
was  made  ready:  one  with  a  sharp  and  decorated  prow,  one 
built  solidly.  They  turned  their  backs  to  the  land  and  set  their 
faces  to  the  sea:  to  the  green-chequered  ocean's  borders,  to  the 
angry  and  frowning  cold-wet  acclivities  of  the  main ;  with 
strenuous  labouring  and  with  swift  career  holding  their  course 
till  they  listened  to  utterance  of  sea-hogs  and  of  mermaids,  to 
wondrous  monsters  of  the  abyss,  and  on  the  coasts  of  fair  and 
lovely  Greece  finally  came  into  port.  Their  craft  they  beached 
where  wave  might  not  buffet  her  nor  pound  her  into  little  bits, 
nor  rock  break  her  up.  Forth  from  them  now  they  saw  the 
city  of  Athens  which  is  in  Greece  and,  when  they  were  landed, 
chanced  upon  the  state's  herdsmen  and  the  cattle  of  the  country 
[i.e.  the  national  stock].  Of  these  herdsmen  they  sought  to 
learn  how  was  the  city  named  which  they  saw,  what  the  country 
in  which  it  stood,  and  who  might  be  its  head  ?  The  others  for 
their  part  interrogated  the  strangers  whether  it  were  in  obscure 
and  devious  glens  of  some  kind  that  they  were  born  [and  reared], 
inasmuch  as  they  lacked  all  knowledge  of  this  city,  and  even  of 
its  name ;  then  proceeded  to  tell  them  that  it  was  the  city  of 
Athens  in  Greece,  than  which  not  one  in  all  the  world  abounded 
more  in  strong  arms  of  soldiers  and  of  martial  men  in  crowded 
companies,  and  given  up  to  practice  of  valour  and  of  chivalry. 
Said  Oscar  to  Goll:  "and  what  shall  we  do  now?"  Goll  said  to 
Oscar:  "  what  should  we  do  but  enter  into  the  city  and,  by  fair 


3IO  The  Gil/a  decair. 

means  or  by  foul,  fetch  away  Taise  ?"  "  Not  so  will  we  do," 
said  Fergus  Truelips,  "  but  rather  weave  ye  your  hair  in  four-ply 
tresses  and  give  out  that  ye  are  poets,  keen-edged,  correct  of 
diction,  that  wander  to  visit  all  Christendom's  equitably  judging 
kings."  But  Goll  said:  "supposing  a  cast  of  our  art  to  be 
required  of  us,  what  shall  we  do  then  ?"  and  Fergus  replied :  "  in 
your  behalf  I  will  supply  the  same."  This  they  did,  and  headed 
for  the  fort ;  then  with  a  poet's  wand  struck  a  stroke  on  the  lintel 
of  the  city  gate.  The  gate-ward  told  them  that  the  king  was  not 
at  home,  but  gone  to  hunt ;  that  within  were  none  but  Taise  and 
her  companion  waitingmaid,  to  whom  until  the  king  should  be 
returned  access  was  not  to  be  had  by  any. 

The  monarch  came  back :  for  he  had  that  day  disposed  a  great 
hunting  party  whereby  hounds  had  red  muzzles,  and  warriors 
crimsoned  hands;  while  by  effect  of  that  heavily  productive  chase 
the  followers  and  villains  of  the  king's  household  were  all  spent 
with  toil.  Goll  and  Oscar  saluted  the  king,  and  he  sought  their 
tidings ;  Taise  of  the  white  side  knew  them,  but  never  spoke  to 
them.  The  time  of  sleep  and  slumber  being  now  at  hand  how- 
ever, in  order  to  their  reciting  of  some  tales  for  her  pastime  she 
required  to  have  those  unknown  men  of  art  admitted  to  her  sole 
company.  Into  the  one  chamber  therefore  they  all  went,  and 
there  disclosed  themselves :  each  to  other.  To  Fergus  demanding 
the  stratagem  by  which  for  the  second  time  she  would  elope  to 
Finn,  she  said  that  on  the  morrow  the  monarch  would  prosecute 
the  same  hunting ;  as  for  herself,  with  Goll  and  Oscar  she  would 
steal  away  to  the  ship  out  of  which  they  were  but  now  come. 
The  king  went  afield,  and  Taise  quietly  made  off  with  the  two 
[who  pulled  out  and  away]  till  they  were  in  the  land  of  promise. 
Finn  when  he  perceived  these  five  individuals  at  a  distance 
passed  on  them  an  opinion  of  recognition,  saying  that  those 
with  whom  he  would  compare  these  comers  he  held  in  dear 
affection:  Goll  and  Oscar  namely,  Fergus  Truelips,  Taise  and 
the  waitingmaid  her  fellow. 

His  people  now  being  all  re-united  thus  with  Finn,  Abartach 
son  of  Allchad  told  him  to  make  his  own  assessment  of  indem- 
nity for  the  affront  put  on  him,  and  for  his  long  peregrination  ; 
but  Finn  said  that  the  wage  which  [at  his  first  engaging  of  him] 
he  had  promised  to  Abartach,  and  the  damages  [now  due  to  him- 


O^Donneirs  Kern.  3 1 1 

self],  he  would  suffer  to  stand  one  against  the  other.  Neverthe- 
less Abartach  replied :  "  in  all  this  there  is  not  any  advantage  to 
me  so  long  as  the  Fianna's  man  of  abuse  and  their  reviler,  Conan 
mac  Moma,  remains  without  his  own  award  of  compensation." 
Here  Conan  cried:  "by  Heaven's  divers  parts,  and  Earth's,  I 
bind  myself  that  in  default  of  that  same  I  will  not  rest  con- 
tented!" So  much  Abartach  promised  him,  and  the  adjudica- 
tion that  Conan  made  was  this :  that  he  should  carry  off  fourteen 
women  (best  that  were  in  the  promised  land),  besides  Abartach's 
own  wife;  the  same  lady  to  be  stuck,  as  had  been  Liagan  Luath 
of  Luachair  Deghaid,  at  the  horse's  tail ;  and  the  fourteen  afore- 
said to  bestride  him  until  again  he  should  be  in  the  western  part 
of  Corcaguiny. 

And  know  now  that  neither  gold  nor  silver  it  was  that  Conan 
awarded  himself,  but  simply  as  we  have  said:  he  to  carry  off 
fourteen  women  (best  in  the  land  of  promise),  along  with  Abar- 
tach's wife  who,  like  the  swift  Liagan,  must  be  stuck  at  the 
horse's  tail ;  while  the  fourteen  other  women  (even  as  Conan  and 
the  rest  of  his  people  had  done)  should  ride  him  till  again  they 
should  be  at  clochán  cinn  chait  in  the  west  of  Corcaguiny. 

"There  are  thy  people,  Finn  !"  said  Abartach ;  and  the  chief 
looked  on  every  side  of  him,  but  whether  up  or  whether  down  he 
saw  no  more  Abartach.  Home  to  Leinster's  spacious  Almhain 
he  carried  Taise,  and  they  of  the  place  made  the  couple's  wed- 
ding feast 

This  then  is  the  Pursuit  of  the  Gilla  decair^  and  the  romance 
relating  to  him,  from  first  to  last. 

Finis, 


Story  of  the  Kern  in  the  narrow  stripes  or,  as  some  have 

it^  of  O'DonnelPs  Kern. 

O'Donnell  (Black  Hugh  son  of  Red  Hugh  son  of  Niall garbh 
son  of  Turlough  of  the  Wine)  was  in  Ballyshannon  of  a  day,  and 
with  his  country's  gentles  and  chief  notables  there  held  high 
festival.     With  new  of  all  meats  and  with  old  of  all  liquors  they 


312  O'Donnell's  Kern. 

were  supplied  and  plied  until,  one  and  atl  being  by-and-by  full 
and  merry  and  of  gocxl  cheer,  a  certain  galloglass  of  O'Donnell's 
following  took  on  him  to  utter  thus:  "by  Heaven's  grace,  from 
this  very  spot  to  the  king  of  Greece's  house  there  is  not  a  single 
house  better  than  this  ;  neither  are  there  two-and-twenty  fellows 
pleasanter  than  a  score  and  two  that  now  arc  in  the  same :  as 
Red  Conan  O'Raflerty,  and  Dermot  O'Giilagan,  and  Cormac 
O'Kieri^n,  and  Teigue  O'Cnigadan,  together  with  others  whom 
it  boots  not  to  recite  here." 

They  in  this  strain  discoursing  anon  saw  towards  them  a  kern 
that  wore  narrow  stripes :  the  puddle-water  plashing  in  his  brogues, 
his  lugs  through  his  old  mantle  protruding  both,  a  moiety  of  his 
Bword's  length  naked  sticking  out  behind  his  stem,  while  in  his 
right  hand  he  bore  three  limber  javelins  of  the  holly- wood  charred 
[i.e.  fire-hardened  in  place  of  iron-headed].  "God  save  thee, 
O'Donnell,"  quoth  he,  "And  thee  too,"  the  chief  returned: 
"whence  comest  thou?"  "My  use  and  wont  is  to  be  in  Islay 
one  day,  another  in  Cantyre ;  a  day  in  Man,  a  day  in  Rathlin, 
and  yet  another  on  SUevecam ;  for  a  ranting  rambling  roving 
blade  am  I,  and  thou,  O'Donnell,  art  he  that  for  the  present  hast 
a  hold  of  me."  "  Be  the  gatekeeper  summoned  to  me,"  O'Donnell 
said;  and  the  gatekeeper  appeared  who,  on  being  questioned: 
"was  it  thou  that  didst  admit  this  fellow?"  answered:  "not  I 
indeed  ;  nor  have  I  ever  before  seen  him."  But  the  Kern  said : 
"  O'Donnell,  let  him  pass ;  for  to  enter  in  was  for  me  a  matter 
no  easier  than  it  will  be  (whenever  I  am  so  minded)  to  emerge 
again."  "Sit  down,"  said  O'Donnell.  "I'll  sit  or  I'll  not  sit; 
for  nought  do  I  but  that  which  may  be  pleasing  to  myself" 
O'Donnell  listening  to  him  nevertheless  made  him  no  rejoinder, 
but  marvelled  what  manner  of  man  should  be  he  that  unseen  by 
janitor  or  by  any  other  in  the  gate  could  enter  into  the  fortress 
and  make  his  way  into  the  very  heart  of  O'Donnell's  mansion. 
The  men  of  art  too  with  all  their  eyes  considered  him. 

Here  the  Kern  said :  "  play  us  a  measure  of  music,  Red  Conan 
O'Rafferty!"  and  at  his  behest  Red  Conan  did  so.  "Dermot 
O'Giilagan,  play  a  tune  !"  and  Dermot  executed  a  piece.  "Make 
music,  Cormac  O'Kieragan  and  Teigue  O'Cnigadan!"  and  for 
the  Kern  they  struck  up  melody  that  welled  aloud. 

Howbeit  those   cunning  players   all  played  smooth -flowing 


O' Donneir s  Kern.  3 1 3 

harmonious  and  delectable  airs,  the  harp's  sweetest  consonances, 
till  with  their  minstrelsy's  fairy  spell  men  might  well  have  been 
lulled  to  sleep.  Yet  the  Kern  cried :  "  by  Heaven's  graces  three, 
O'Donnell,  since  first  I  heard  tell  of  them  whose  music  is  the 
making  of  every  evil  sound — Belzibub's  artists  to  wit,  and 
Abiron's,  with  those  of  the  other  black  murk  princes  of  the  in- 
fernal commonwealth,  that  in  nethermost  Hell's  smoke-wrapped 
ground-tier  with  their  sledge-hammers  ever  ding  the  iron — any 
one  thing  which  might  paragon  thy  folk's  dissonance  I  never  have 
heard ! " 

He  with  that  taking  an  instrument  made  symphony  so  gently 
sweet,  and  in  such  wise  wakened  the  dulcet  pulses  of  the  harp, 
that  in  the  whole  world  all  women  labouring  of  child,  all  wounded 
warriors,  mangled  soldiers,  and  gallant  men  gashed  about — with 
all  in  general  that  suffered  sore  sickness  and  distemper — might 
with  the  witching  charm  of  this  his  modulation  have  been  lapped 
in  stupor  of  slumber  and  of  soundest  sleep.  "  By  Heaven's  grace 
again,"  exclaimed  O'Donnell,  "since  first  I  heard  the  fame  of 
them  that  within  the  hills  and  under  the  earth  beneath  us  make 
the  fairy  music — such  as  are  Finn  mac  Forgy,  and  Shennach 
O'Dorgy,  and  Suanach  mac  Shennach,  and  the  scológ  of  Kil- 
cullen,  and  the  bacach  of  Benburren  :  that  at  one  and  the  same 
time  make  some  to  sleep,  and  some  to  weep,  and  others  again  to 
laugh — music  sweeter  than  thy  strains  I  never  have  heard ;  thou 
art  in  sooth  a  most  melodious  rogue !"  "  One  day  I'm  sweet 
another  I'm  bitter,"  replied  the  Kern.  Then  he  that  served  the 
company  [i.e.  the  major-domo]  spoke  to  him,  saying:  "Kern, 
come  up  higher  and  sit  in  O'Donnell's  company  to  eat  with  him: 
he  sends  to  bid  thee  up."  "  That  will  I  not,"  he  retorted :  "  I 
will  not  be  otherwise  than  in  the  post  of  an  ugly  rascal  that 
would  make  sport  for  gentlemen  ;  higher  than  this  therefore  I 
will  not  go  but,  if  it  so  please  them,  let  them  send  me  down  their 
bounty."  By  the  man  of  service  therefore  they  transmitted  to 
the  Kern  a  jerkin,  a  hat,  a  striped  shirt  and  a  mantle.  "  Here," 
said  the  servitor,  "  is  a  suit  that  O'Donnell  sends  thee ;"  but  the 
Kern  refusing  the  same  said:  "  I  will  not  have  it ;  nor  shall  any 
that  is  of  gentle  blood  ever  have  wherewithal  to  taunt  me." 

To  guard   the  outer  gate  on  either  side  twenty   horsemen 
armed  and  armoured  all  were  told  off  now,  and  twenty  gallo- 


314  O'Donneirs  Kern. 

glasses  that  indoors  should  surround  and  hold  the  Kern.  As 
many  more  too  were  stationed  [with  the  horse]  at  the  fortress 
gate  without,  for  now  they  perceived  that  no  man  appertaining 
to  this  world  was  he  ;  and  he  enquired :  "  what  would  ye  with  all 
these?"  to  which  O'Donnell  returned:  "to  keep  thee."  "By 
Heaven's  three  graces,  it  is  not  with  you  that  I  will  dine  to- 
morrow !"  "Good  now:  and  where  else?"  asked  the  Chief. 
"  At  Knockany,  twelve  miles  forth  of  Limerick  city,  where  Shane 
mac  an  iarla  is,  in  Desmond."  "  By  Heaven,"  quoth  a  galloglass 
of  them,  "  were  I  to  catch  thee  giving  but  a  single  stir  till  morn- 
ing, with  my  axe's  poll  I  would  knock  thee  into  a  fair  round 
lump  upon  the  ground ! " 

But  here  the  Kern  taking  the  instrument,  made  melody  so 
sweet  ...  [as  above] ;  then  to  them  that  were  outside 
called:  " galloglasses,  where  are  ye?  here  Tm  out  to  you,  and 
watch  me  well  or  I  am  clean'  gone  away ! "  On  hearing  these 
words  the  first  galloglass  jumped  up,  raised  his  axe,  and  gave  his 
next  man  a  clour  that  felled  htm  to  the  earth  ;  and  the  remnant 
of  them,  marking  their  fellow's  stroke  that  had  so  missed  its 
mark,  with  fury  and  virulence  lifted  up  their  axes  against  the 
Kern  and  at  his  head  let  fly  again,  and  yet  again,  and  lustily ; 
all  which  endeavours  fell  on  one  man  or  on  another  of  them- 
selves. In  this  fashion  the  Kern  set  the  galloglasses  to  belabour- 
ing of  each  other  with  their  axe's  polls,  the  mounted  men  as 
well  getting  their  share,  until  all  hands  lay  there  stretched  in 
blood.  He  however,  that  had  neither  scrape  nor  scratch  on  him, 
accosted  the  gatekeeper  and  bade  him  exact  from  O'Donnell  in 
fee  of  his  people's  resuscitation  twenty  cows  and  a  cartron  of  free 
land ;  also  he  prescribed  thus :  "  to  each  man's  gums  rub  this 
herb  here ;  so  shall  he  stand  up  sound  and  whole."  As  the 
Kern  had  shewn  him  so  the  gatekeeper  did ;  and  in  reward  of  his 
men  brought  to  life  again,  had  of  O'Donnell  the  twenty  kine  and 
cartron  of  free  land. 

Just  at  this  very  time  it  was  that  on  the  green  in  front  of  his 
dwelling  and  good  town  Shane  mac  an  iarla  of  Desmond  held 
gathering  and  convention,  and  he  as  he  chanced  to  look  about 
him  was  aware  of  one  that  approached  him :  a  kern  in  garb  of 
narrow  stripes,  with  half  of  his  sword's  length  stuck  naked  out 
behind  him  ;  the  puddle-water  churning  in  his  old  brogues,  his 


O  'Donneirs  Kern.  3 1 5 

ear-tips  protruding  through  his  ancient  mantle,  and  in  his  hand 
he  held  a  long  rod  partially  scorched.  "  God  save  you  ! "  he 
cried.  "  And  thee  too,"  returned  Shane  mac  an  iarla :  "  whence 
comest  thou  young  man  ?"  "  In  O'Donnell's  mansion  in  Bally- 
shannon  I  slept  last  night ;  the  night  before  in  dun  monatWA,  in 
the  king  of  Scotland's  house ;  and  here  with  you,  mac  an  iarla^  I 
sleep  to-night"  "  What  is  thy  name  ?"  "  Duartane  O'Duartane 
are  my  name  and  surname."  "  What  road  hast  thou  travelled 
hither?"  "By  Assaroe  of  mac  Modhairn  which  now  is  called 
the  Sligeach  or  *  Sligo,'  and  so  to  the  fair  Keshcorran  ;  from  the 
Corran  to  the  Curlieu  hills  and  to  Moylurg  of  the  Daghda ;  past 
Cruachan  in  magh  Aei  to  magh  mucram/ia,  and  [through  the 
length  of  Thomond]  into  the  land  of  Hy-Conall  Gowra,  until 
now  I  have  reached  thyself,  Shane  mac  an  iarla  1 "  Then 
Duartane  was  taken  indoors,  where  he  tossed  ofT  a  drink,  washed 
his  feet,  and  till  sunrise  hour  on  the  morrow  slept 

Shane  mac  an  iarla  at  this  time  visiting  him  spoke  to  him 
affably  and  friendliwise,  in  these  words :  "  thy  sleep  I  perceive  to 
have  been  a  long  one ;  which  indeed  is  no  wonder,  considering 
thy  yesterday's  journey  that  was  so  protracted.  But  I  have 
heard  that  in  books  and  with  the  harp  thou  hast  much  skill, 
wherefore  this  morning  I  am  fain  to  hear  thee."  "In  these 
arts,"  rejoined  the  Kern,  "I  of  a  certainty  am  most  potent." 
Straightway  a  book  was  brought  to  him,  but  one  word  he  could 
not  frame  to  read ;  a  harp  also  being  furnished  to  him,  not  a 
tune  could  he  play.  "Thy  music  and  thy  learning  are  as  it 
would  seem  but  clean  forgotten,"  Shane  said,  "  which  moves  me 
to  indite  a  quatrain  on  thee: — 

"  Good  heavens,  this  is  a  grand  repute  to  have :  that  Duartane  O'Duartane 
cannot  read  one  line  of  a  book  nor,  failing  that,  has  even  a  word  at  all  by 
rote!" 

Duartane,  finding  himself  thus  in  process  of  criticism  and  of 
ridicule,  now  laid  hold  on  Shane  mac  an  iarlds  book,  in  which 
from  page's  top  to  bottom,  and  with  enunciation  well  cadenced 
and  correct,  he  carefully  and  decently  read.  Next  he  seized  the 
harp  and  played  such  a  gush  of  music  .  .  .  [as  before]  ;  and 
Shane  mac  an  iarla  said :  "  thou  art  a  most  sweet  man  of  science." 
"  One  day  Tm  sweet,  another  I'm  sour,"  quoth  the  Kern. 

Midday  being  by  this  time  past,  Shane  mac  an  iarla  and 


3 1 6  O ' Donne Ifs  Kern. 

Duartane  along  with  him  walked  abroad  on  Knockany,  and  the 
former  asked:  " Duartane,  wert  thou  ever  before  upon  this  hill  ?" 
**  Aye  was  I,"  he  replied,  "  and  in  company  of  one  that  in  time  of 
old  was  famous  in  the  chase,  in  hunting,  and  in  all  art  of  venen- : 
Finn  son  of  Trenmor  son  of  Baeiscne  son  of  Fiacha  saidhbir  son 
of  Brec  son  of  Daime  Donn.  son  of  £>eghad.  There  with  him 
were  the  heroes  of  the  Fianna  too:  Ossian  son  of  Finn,  Raighne 
son  of  Finn,  Oscar  son  of  Ossian ;  the  Black-knee  and  the  Black- 
foot  of  Bengulban  ;  Dubthuath  and  Art  mac  Moma ;  Goll,  Conan, 
Beith,  sons  of  Moma.  Round  about  this  hill  the  chase  was  set 
(HI  foot:  we  made  hares  to  seek  the  hill-tops,  sent  foxes  on  their 
travels,  roused  brocks  out  of  their  brock-holes,  with  flushing  of 
birds  and  with  putting  of  fawns  to  their  best  speed.  Thus  we 
stood  and  gave  ear  to  the  hunters'  halloo,  to  the  clink  of  dog- 
chains,  to  cry  of  hounds  and  to  the  young  men  as  they  cheered 
them ;  till  a  hart  dappled  of  white  and  red,  and  having  in  him 
other  v'ariety  of  colour,  appeared  and  fled  before  us  into  the  west 
At  him  Finn  slipped  his  own  leash-hound:  Bran  of  the  sweet 
music ;  the  white  hound  also,  and  the  brown :  énán  and  m(u  an 
tuim,  which   swiftly   bounding  westwards  over   Luachra  sped 

away "  but  Shane  mac  an  iarla  at  this  point  chancing  to 

cast  his  eye  round  from  south  to  north,  the  Kern  was  vanished 
quite;  nor  could  mac  an  iarla  tell  into  which  one  of  all  terrestrial 
airts  he  was  gone  from  him. 

Now  so  it  happened  that  at  this  season  a  certain  gentleman  of 
Leinster  and  doctor  of  poetry:  Mcu:  Eac/iaidh  or  *  M'Keogh,'  had 
for  an  eighteen  weeks'  space  lain  with  a  broken  leg  that  ever 
discharged  acrid  matter  of  marrow  and  of  blood,  nor  could  by 
any  means  at  all  procure  the  same  to  be  healed ;  yet  all  this 
time  had  by  him  physicians  and  surgeons  tu'elve,  the  best  that 
were  in  Leinster.  All  at  once  he  discerned  a  soldier  clad  in 
narrow  stripes,  wrapped  in  a  sorry  mantle  and,  as  he  drew  near, 
crooning  a  ditty.  "God  save  thee,  M'Keogh,"  said  the  Kern 
[for  he  it  was].  "And  thee  too,''  answered  M'Keogh:  "whence 
art  thou  ?"  "  In  Shane  mac  an  tarings  house  I  slept  last  night ; 
in  O'Donnell's  mansion  in  Ballyshannon  the  night  before.  In 
Aileach  na  rfgli  or  *  Ellach  of  the  kings '  I  was  bom.  One  day  I 
am  in  Islay,  another  in  Cant>Te ;  a  day  in  Rathlin,  another  on 
fioHncltam  naforaire  or  'the  white  look-out  caim'  on  Slicvcfuad ; 


O  'Donnelfs  Kern.  3 1 7 

for  I  am  a  frisky  flighty  strolling  fellow."  "What  art  is  thine?" 
M'Keogh  demanded.  "  I  am  *  material  of  a  physician  *  [i.e.  a 
medical  student]."  "What  name  bearest  thou?"  '*  Cat/uzl  O 
Céin  are  my  name  and  surname,"  said  the  Kern :  "  and  wouldst 
thou  but  put  away  from  thee  the  churlishness,  and  the  penury,  and 
the  niggard  nature  that  are  in  thee  I  would  e'en  heal  thee."  "  All 
that,"  M'Keogh  made  answer,  "  indubitably  is  in  me  until  I  have 
imbibed  three  drinks ;  but  from  that  moment  *tis  equal  to  me 
what  any  one  shall  do."  "  But  wilt  thou  at  my  instigation  drop 
churlishness  and  penury  ?"  M'Keogh  said:  "  I  will  so."  Forth- 
with Cathal  produced  a  salutiferous  herb,  the  which  so  soon  as 
he  had  applied  to  the  leg  he  cried :  "  rise  now,  M'Keogh,  till  we 
see  hast  thou  a  run  in  thee !"  and  the  patient  standing  up  made 
one  dart  and  away  with  him  across  the  level  land — the  rest  of 
them  all  in  consternation  after  him — so  that  with  sheer  running 
he  left  the  twelve  physicians  far  behind. 

"  M'Keogh,"  said  the  Kern,  "  I  have  wrought  thy  cure  but, 
shouldst  thou  hereafter  at  any  time  even  once  more  use  churlish- 
ness or  penury,  I  will  come  back  and  the  same  leg  which  by  me 
now  is  healed  I  will  break  again ;  nor  that  one  only,  but  the 
other  leg  as  well;  after  which  not  all  the  physicians  of  the  Fianna 
[supposing  them  risen  from  the  dead]  would  mend  either  one  of 
them."  "Never  will  I  do  so,"  said  M'Keogh:  "but  I  have  a 
buxom  daughter  whom,  together  with  three  hundred  horses, 
three  hundred  cows,  three  hundred  sheep  and  as  many  hogs,  I 
will  bestow  on  thee  ;  so  shalt  thou  have  prospered  with  thy  wife- 
hunting."  Cathal  assented  to  this :  "  it  is  well ;  and  be  she  fair 
or  be  she  foul  mine  she  shall  be." 

Then  for  Cathals  benefit  M'Keogh  had  a  great  feast  made, 
and  many  guests  bidden  ;  which  banquet  being  now  ready  and 
viands  all  ordered  for  the  eating,  Cathal  pulled  himself  together, 
and  never  russet-clad  hare  on  a  March  day  was  swifter  than  he 
as  he  fled  away  over  the  scalp  of  the  hill  facing  the  town.  To 
M'Keogh  enter  presently  the  man  of  service,  saying:  "that 
physician  that  thou  hadst,  the  one  out  of  Ulster  (Cathal  by 
name) — the  russet-coated  beast  denominated  *hare'  is  not 
speedier  than  he  over  yon  hilFs  crown  and  far  away!"  where- 
upon M'Keogh  made  this  quatrain  following: — 


3i8  O' Donneir s  Kern. 

"  The  physician  from  Ulster  is  dear  even  as  Ulster  themselves  are  dear  to 
us  ;  a  father's  son  out  of  the  northern  airt  he  is :  right  happy  he  that  has 
Cathcd  O  din:' 

Without  tasting  of  either  rest  or  recreation  Cathal  now  took 
his  way  till  he  reached  SHgo  on  the  instant  when,  in  order  to  the 
avenging  of  the  Connacht  crone's  basket  upon  the  Munster  crone, 
O'Conor-Sligo  would  have  set  forth ;  who  being  as  he  was  in 
act  to  march  saw  towards  him  a  kern  that  wore  garb  of  narrow 
stripes,  and  who  said:  "God  save  thee,  O'Conor!"  "And  thee 
too,"  was  O'Conor's  answer:  "where  hast  thou  been  now?" 
"  Last  night  I  was  in  the  Lagan  of  Leinster,  in  M'Keogh's  house  ; 
the  night  before,  twelve  miles  out  of  Limerick  in  Shane  mac 
an  iarla  of  Desmond's  house;  the  night  before  that  again  in 
O'Donnell's  mansion  at  Ballyshannon ;  and  in  dun  ntonaidh^  in 
the  king  of  Scotland's  house,  the  night  before.  In  Ellach  of  the 
kings  I  was  born.  I  am  in  Islay  one  day,  in  Can  tyre  another;  a 
day  in  Man,  a  day  in  Rathlin,  and  another  on  Finncharn  in 
Slievefuad ;  for  a  poor  rambling  shambling  flighty  loon  am  L" 
"  What  name  bearest  thou  ?"  the  Chief  enquired  "  My  name  is 
Gilla  dé ;  and  what  now  may  be  that  which  takes  you  all  from 
home?"  O'Conor  answered :  "  for  the  purpose  of  giving  Munster 
battle  it  is  that  I  draw  out"  "  Would  ye  but  hire  me,  I  would 
go  with  you,"  said  the  Kern  ;  but  a  kern  of  O'Conor's  putting  in 
his  word  called  out :  "  by  my  faith  it  is  not  merely  that  we  would 
not  hire  thee,  but  we  would  not  ourselves  take  either  bribe  or 
bounty  and  to  have  thee  with  us  at  all !"  "  Not  with  you  seek  I 
to  go,  but  with  O'Conor,"  returned  GUla  dé\  "and  it  might  well 
happen  that  for  having  me  with  him  O'Conor  should  in  the  end 
be  none  the  worse."  The  Chief  then  questioned  him :  "  how  much 
will  purchase  thee,  Gilla  déV*  "  Never  a  thing  I  ask  but  that 
while  I  continue  with  thee  nothing  that  is  unfair  be  done  to  me," 
he  said  ;  and  those  terms  O'Conor  promised  him  that  he  should 
have. 

The  men  of  Connacht  marched  and,  drawing  over  Shannon 
westwards,  made  a  three  days'  incursion  into  Munster:  harrying 
them,  and  sweeping  together  to  one  place  their  herds,  their  horses 
and  their  flocks ;  driving  every  creature  that  could  be  made  to 
travel.  They  got  the  Munster  crone's  two  bracked  cows,  with 
her  hornless  bull ;  and   these,  as  a  solatium   for  her  basket. 


O  'Donnelfs  Kern.  3 1 9 

O'Conor  made  over  to  the  Connacht  crone.  But  not  long  they 
had  been  a-driving  of  the  prey  when  they  saw  the  stout  lads  of 
Munster's  either  province  [Thomond  and  Desmond]  that  after 
their  cattle  followed  hard ;  and  Gilla  dé  presenting  himself  before 
O'Conor  gave  him  his  choice :  whether  to  have  the  prey  driven, 
or  the  pursuit  checked.  The  Chief  saying  that  he  had  rather  the 
pursuit  were  checked,  Gilla  dé  with  a  bow  and  twenty-four  arrows 
turned  on  the  pursuers  and  never  once  let  fly  but  he  floored  nine 
times  nine  of  the  Munstermen  ;  so  that  within  bow-shot  of  him 
none  might  stand  his  ground  without  being  hit  On  the  other 
hand,  though  all  the  Connachtmen  had  [in  this  interval]  dedi- 
cated themselves  to  a  single  score  of  the  captured  cattle,  they 
had  not  availed  to  drive  them  the  length  of  an  arrow's  flight 

O'Conor  sent  for  Gilla  dé^  and  now  bade  him  drive  the  prey. 
With  prompt  consent  and  with  the  swallow's  speed  the  gilla 
swept  around  the  prey  to  block  them,  and  drove  them  all  until 
by  virtue  of  hard  running  they  were  far  out  of  Munster's  ken ; 
but  these,  marking  Gilla  dé  thus  turn  his  back  on  them,  hurried 
up  after  Connacht  and  slaughtered  them  so  unmercifully  that  of 
necessity  he  must  again  turn  on  the  pursuit 

In  this  manner  he  was  kept  on  the  run  betwixt  prey  and 
pursuit  until  from  the  westward  they  recrossed  Shannon,  and  so 
home  to  Sligo  and  O'Conor's  dwelling-place. 

The  Chief  entering  in  before  all  others  a  drink  was  put  into  his 
hand,  and  he  drained  it  without  a  thought  on  Gilla  dé  who, 
coming  on  the  instant  into  O'Conor's  presence,  proclaimed  that 
he  took  his  leave  of  him.  This  was  unpalatable  to  the  leader, 
and  he  said  that  in  atonement  of  the  slight  put  on  him  in  respect 
of  the  drink  the  Kern  should  have  his  own  award  ;  but  the  gilla 
declined  the  offer,  or  to  be  any  longer  with  him,  saying  that 
anent  this  matter  he  had  concocted  certain  verses: — 

"  An  injustice  to  Gilla  dé  is  unbecoming  to  him  that  perpetrates  it :  what 
I  tell  the  Chief  is  that  the  judgment  which  he  has  ruled  is  bad.  It  was  I 
surely  that  to  fetch  the  kine  went  with  thera  to  Tralee :  the  one  that  could 
hinder  the  pursuit,  it  is  not  fair  that  he  alone  must  not  have  anything. 
Though  I  had  been  with  Brian's  son  Murrough,  taking  *  pledges*  and  cows, 
with  all  other  preys,  and  that  we  had  lifted  the  whole  world's  rents,  I  had 
never  given  him  but  one  half  of  the  whole." 

O'Conor  gave  one  look  round,  and  never  knew  into  which  one 
of  all  terrestrial  airts  Gilla  dé  was  gone  from  him. 


320  O' Donneir s  Kern, 

At  this  same  juncture  Teigue  0*Kelly  chanced  to  hold  a 
general  gathering  and  muster  at  his  dwelling  and  good  town, 
when  he  saw  come  to  him  a  kern  clad  in  narrow  stripes :  half  his 
sword's  length  naked  out  behind  him,  his  ear-tops  both  sticking 
out  through  his  old  mantle,  and  he  had  a  pair  of  old  brogues  in 
which  the  puddle-water  clapped.  "  God  save  you  all,"  he  said, 
and  received  like  salutation.  "  Where  hast  thou  been  ?"  asked 
Teigue  O'Kelly.  "  In  O'Conor-Sligo's  house  I  slept  last  night, 
and  before  that  in  M'Keogh's  in  the  Lagan  of  Leinster  ;  before 
that  again  in  Shane  mac  an  iarla  of  Desmond's  house,  in 
O'Donnell's  mansion  of  Ballyshannon,  and  in  the  king  of  Scot- 
land's town.  In  Ellach  of  the  kings  I  was  born.  I  am  in  Islay 
one  day,  in  Cantyre  another ;  a  day  in  Rathlin,  and  another  on 
the  white  cairn  in  Slievefuad  ;  for  I  am  a  poor  rambling  rakish 
fellow."  "What  art  is  thine?"  "I  am  a  good  conjuror:  one 
such  as  will,  if  thou  bestow  on  me  five  marks,  shew  thee  a  trick." 
Teigue  saying :  "  I  will  give  them,"  the  Kern  laid  on  his  open 
palm  three  rushes,  professing  as  he  did  so  that  with  a  single  puff 
of  his  breath  he  would  abstract  the  middle  rush,  and  the  two 
outer  would  leave  still  where  they  were.  He  was  ordered  to 
execute  the  thing:  upon  the  pair  of  rushes  that  were  farthest 
apart  he  imposed  two  finger-tips,  and  the  central  rush  he  puffed 
from  his  palm  ;  then  he  cried :  "  there  thou  hast  a  trick,  Teigue 
O'Kelly !"  "The  trick,  upon  my  conscience,  is  not  a  bad  one," 
O'Kelly  said  ;  but  a  kern  of  his  following  ejaculated :  "  that  he 
mightn't  have  luck  that  did  it ;  for  bestow  on  me  but  the  half  of 
those  five  marks,  and  I  will  perform  it!"  "After  the  same 
fashion  do  that  same  trick,  and  I  will  give  thee  the  half  of  those 
five  marks,"  said  the  narrow-striped.  Upon  his  hand's  palm  the 
soldier  now  placed  three  rushes  but,  in  seeking  to  copy  the 
other's  action,  right  through  palm  and  back  of  his  hand  he 
rammed  both  his  finger-tips.  "  Tut  tut,  man,"  cried  the  Kern :  "  an 
outrageous  trick  is  that  which  thou  hast  done  there,  and  that  is 
not  the  way  in  which  I  did  it ;  but  at  any  rate,  seeing  thou  hast 
lost  the  money,  I  will  set  thee  to  rights  again."  The  conjuror  so 
saying  applied  to  the  hand  an  herb  of  great  virtue,  and  presently 
it  was  whole  again. 

"Teigue  O'Kelly,"  resumed  the  conjuror,  "wouldst  thou  bestow 
on  me  five  other  marks  I  would  shew  thee  yet  another  feat ;" 


O  'Donnelfs  Kern.  321 

and  to  O'Kelly  demanding:  "what  feat  is  that  then?"  he 
answered:  "on  the  one  side  of  my  head  I  would  wag  an  ear, 
while  the  other  should  stand  still."  "  Do  it,"  said  the  Chief. 
Then  the  man  of  tricks  raising  a  hand  laid  hold  on  one  ear  and 
made  it  to  wag  on  the  side  of  his  head.  "  Of  a  surety  it  is  a 
good  trick!"  laughed  O'Kelly.  "Never  thank  thee,"  O'Kell/s 
Kern  cried  again :  "  for  if  I  have  any  luck  at  all  I  will  myself 
achieve  that  bit  of  jugglery!"  and  the  pied  Kern  said:  "now 
that  the  other  trick  was  too  much  for  thee,  do  this  one."  With 
that  the  soldier  putting  up  his  hand  made  an  ear  to  wag  indeed ; 
but  if  he  did,  it  came  clean  away  from  the  side  of  his  head. 
"  Teigue,"  said  the  conjuror,  "  this  is  a  clumsy  kern  of  thine,  for 
that  i*  faith  is  not  the  way  in  which  I  bring  off  my  trick ;  yet 
will  I  in  any  wise  heal  him  and,  for  gift  of  farther  five  marks, 
shew  thee  still  another  one." 

This  time  he  took  out  of  his  bag  a  silken  thread,  and  so  projected 
it  upwards  that  it  stuck  fast  in  a  certain  cloud  of  the  air.  Out  of 
the  same  receptacle  he  pulled  a  hare,  that  ran  away  up  along  the 
thread ;  a  little  beagle,  which  when  it  was  slipped  at  the  hare 
pursued  it  in  full  cry ;  last  of  all  a  small  dogboy,  whom  he  com- 
manded to  follow  both  hare  and  hound  up  the  thread.  From 
another  bag  that  he  had  he  extracted  a  winsome  young  woman, 
at  all  points  well  adorned,  and  instructed  her  to  follow  after 
hound  and  dogboy  and  to  preserve  the  hare  from  injury  by  the 
former.  With  speed  the  lady  ran  away  up  in  chase ;  and  to 
Teigue  O'Kelly  it  was  a  pleasure  then  to  contemplate  them  and 
to  give  ear  to  the  mellow  hunting  cry,  until  they  finally  going 
out  of  all  ken  entered  into  the  cloud. 

There  for  a  long  spell  they  were  now  altogether  silent,  and  the 
trick-man  said :  "  I  fear  me  that  up  aloft  there  some  bad  work  is 
forward."  "  Such  as  what?"  asked  the  Chief.  "  That  the  hound 
would  eat  the  hare,  and  the  lad  make  love  to  the  lass."  "  Twould 
be  kind  for  them,  that  same,"  quoth  Teigue.  Then  he  reeled  in 
the  thread ;  and  caught  the  dogboy  with  his  arm  round  the 
young  woman's  waist,  the  hound  a-picking  of  the  hare's  bones. 
Fury  filled  the  man  of  sleight  to  a  pitch  so  great  that  he  drew 
his  sword  and,  dealing  the  dogboy  a  stroke  on  the  neck,  knocked 
his  head  off  his  body  ;  but  Teigue  O'Kelly  signifying  that  he  was 
not  too  well  pleased  with  a  deed  so  unconscionable  done  in  his 

Y 


32  2  O' Donneir s  Kern. 

very  presence,  the  conjuror  affirmed  :  "  if  it  so  grieve  thee  I  can 
amend  the  evil,  and  readily."  So  saying  he  picked  up  the  head 
and  with  it  made  a  shot  at  the  body  ;  by  operation  of  which  the 
young  man  truly  stood  up,  but  his  face  was  turned  backsideways. 
To  this  O'Kelly  said :  "  better  for  him  he  were  out-and-out  dead 
rather  than  living  and  in  such  plight."  At  this  hearing  the 
other  collared  the  dogboy  and  twisted  the  head  on  him  into  its 
right  place,  so  restoring  him  perfect  as  he  was  at  first;  and  that 
done  he  pronounced  this  quatrain : — 

"  He  gives  little  or  he  gives  much,  and  sometimes  he  gives  twenty  marks  ; 
the  lifeless  man  he  brings  to  life — all  chiefs  on  earth  must  envy  Teigue." 

For  one  instant  O'Kelly  looked  aside,  and  of  all  earthly  airts 
he  never  knew  into  which  one  the  conjuror  was  vanished  from 
him. 

Now  in  the  *king  of  Leinster's'  house  [i.e.  in  Mac  Murrough- 
Kavanagh's]  just  at  this  time  a  banquet  was  held,  and  they 
descried  towards  them  a  kern  clad  in  narrow  stripes :  with  puddle- 
water  that  aye  churned  in  his  old  brogues,  and  his  sword's  point 
naked  out  behind  him.  "  God  save  you  all  !**  he  said.  "  And  thee 
too,"  returned  the  king  of  Leinster:  "but  whence  art  thou?"  "From 
Teigue  O'Kelly's  house  I  am  come  now,  and  before  that  was  in 
0'Conor-Sligo*s ;  I  am  in  Islay  one  day,  in  Cantyre  another; 
one  day  in  Man,  another  in  Rathlin,  and  a  third  on  the  look-out 
cairn  in  Slievefuad  ;  for  I  am  a  foolish  frisking  rambling  fellow." 
"What  name  is  thine?"  pursued  the  king.  "My  name,"  he 
answered,  "  is  the  gilla  decairJ* 

In  the  king  of  Lcinster's  mansion  were  sixteen  men  that  were 
harpers,  and  the  gilla  decair  [when  he  had  heard  them]  said 
to  him :  "  my  word  I  pledge  that  since  the  time  when  in  the  lower- 
most Hell  I  listened  to  the  sledge-hammers'  thunder,  aught  so 
vile  as  thy  music  I  never  have  heard."  "  Thou  greasy  rogue," 
the  burliest  of  the  string-folk  cried,  "a  *bad  right'  it  is  thou 
hast  to  tell  us  that !"  and  to  him  the  gilla  decair  returned :  "  hard 
as  it  were  in  execrable  strumming  to  outdo  those  fifteen  others, 
thine  own  self  positively  it  is  that  for  discord  and  for  harshness 
overtops  them  all."  The  man  of  strings  raised  his  sword  and, 
striking  the  gilla  decair  [as  he  thought]  on  his  crown's  fair  apex, 
judged  that  he  had  made  of  him  two  even  halves ;  but  what 


O'Donneifs  Kern.  323 

befell  him  in  reality  was  this:  that  his  own  proper  sconce  proved 
to  be  the  spot  on  which  his  cut  impinged,  and  by  the  same  it  was 
split  in  two.  So  also  with  the  remaining  string-folk,  who  (so 
many  of  them  as  could  get  at  the  gilla  decair)  discharged  at  him 
each  man  his  handful,  yet  in  their  own  persons  received  the 
punishment  of  every  blow. 

Certain  of  his  chief  intimates  the  king  now  ordered  to  lead  out 
that  naughty  fellow,  and  to  hang  him  up.  They  seized  him 
therefore  and,  as  they  supposed,  strung  him  up ;  but  when  they 
were  returned  into  the  king's  presence,  there  they  found  the  gilla 
decair  before  them.  "Wast  not  thou  he  whom  we  left  swing- 
ing on  a  gallows?'*  they  asked  [in  amazement].  •'Try  was  it," 
the  Kern  replied.  So  they  tried  the  gallows,  and  in  his  stead 
found  suspended  the  best-beloved  confidential  that  the  king  had. 
Thrice  was  this  trick  accomplished  by  the  gilla  decair^  so  that  of 
the  king's  very  familiars  (forby  the  major  part  of  his  musicians 
slain  previously)  were  hanged  three. 

Until  sunrise  hour  on  the  morrow  the  gilla  decair  tarried  in  the 
king  of  Leinster's  house  *  and  no  thanks  to  them '  [i.e  whether 
they  would  or  not].  But  in  the  morning  he  came  before  the 
king  and  said :  "  king  of  Leinster,  divers  of  thy  people  yesterday 
I  put  to  death  ;  I  will  however  leave  them  whole  again."  "  I  am 
well  pleased,"  said  the  king.  Then*  [after  they  were  restored] 
the  gilla  decair  taking  a  harp  played  music  so  sweet    ...    [as 

*  Eg.  i66yf,  75: — Out  of  his  conjunng-bag  he  drew  a  herb  that  he  had, 
rubbed  it  to  the  palate  of  each  man  of  them,  and  successively  they  rose  up 
whole  as  ever  they  had  been  before.  Then  he  went  forth  out  of  their  presence, 
and  never  stayed  nor  stood  until  he  came  to  Shane  O'Donnellan's  house  ;  a 
mether  of  bonny ro war  and  a  dish  of  crab-apples  were  served  to  him,  and  of 
these  he  *  used  *  his  full  quantum.  Out  of  their  presence  too  he  went  forth 
without  either  leave-taking  or  farewell,  and  subsequently  with  main  hard 
running  went  ahead  in  such  wise  that  it  was  unknown  to  them  into  which  of 
the  whole  vast  world's  airts  he  had  taken  his  course,  only  this :  that  he  was 
departed,  and  that  there  was  no  more  account  of  him.  And  so  there  you 
have  the  Circuit  of  Manannan  mac  Lir  of  the  tuatha  da  danann^  who  was 
wont  thus  to  ramble  in  the  character  of  a  prestidigitator,  of  a  professor  in 
divers  arts,  of  one  that  on  all  and  sundry  played  off  tricks  of  wizardry,  imtil 
now  at  last  he  is  vanished  from  among  us  without  leaving  us  more  than  his 
bare  report ;  even  as  all  other  magicians  and  artists  that  ever  have  been  are 
vanished,  likewise  the  Fianna,  and  all  classes  of  people  that  since  that  date 
have  appeared  or  for  all  time  shall  appear  and,  in  the  long  run,  ourselves 
along  with  them. 

Y  2 


324  The  Carle  of  the  Coat. 

before],   and   the   king   after  a  momentary  glance  at  his  own 
musicians  never  knew  which  way  he  went  from  him. 

As  for  the  Kern,  never  a  stand  nor  stay  he  made  till  he  gained 
cill  scire  or  *  S.  ScMs  church,'  i.e.  *  Kilskeer '  in  Meath,  and  the 
house  of  Shane  O'Donnellan.  There  they  brought  him  a  mether 
of  bonny  clabber  and  a  dish  of  crab-apples,  of  which  so  soon  as 
he  had  his  fill  eaten  he  departed  from  before  them  :  but  in  what 
direction,  that  they  knew  not ;  neither  from  that  day  to  this  has 
any  man  ever  had  jot  or  tittle  of  his  tidings. 

Finis, 


Here  is  the  Visit  of  the  king  of  Thessalys  son  Cael  an 
iarainn  to  Ireland^  and  how  unfortunately  his  walking- 
match  turned  out  with  him;  or  according  to  some 
authorities^  the  Adventure  of  the  Carle  of  the  Drab 
Coat. 

It  was  a  day  of  gathering  and  of  conference  constituted  by 
Finn  son  of  Cumall  son  of  Art  son  of  Trenmor  grandson  of 
Baeiscne,  with  the  seven  battalions  of  the  reserve  and  seven  of 
the  regular  Fianna,  at  the  Hill  of  Edar  son  of  Edgaeth ;  and  as 
they  threw  an  eye  over  the  sea  and  great  main  they  saw  a  roomy 
and  a  gallant  ship  that  upon  the  waters  bore  right  down  for 
them,  from  the  eastward  and  under  a  press  of  sail.  She  was 
fitted  out  as  though  for  war  and  contention ;  and  they  had  not 
long  to  wait  before  they  marked  a  tall,  bellicose,  impetuously 
valiant  oglaech  rise  by  means  of  his  javelins'  staves,  or  of  his 
spears'  shafts,  and  so  attain  both  his  soles'  width  of  the  white- 
sanded  beach.  A  polished  and  most  comely  lorica  he  had  on  ; 
an  armature  that  was  solid  and  infrangible  surrounded  him ;  his 
handsome  red  shield  surmounted  his  shoulder,  and  on  his  head 
was  a  hard  helmet;  at  his  left  side  a  sword,  wide-grooved,  straight 
in  the  blade  ;  in  his  two  fists  he  held  a  pair  of  thick-shafted 
spears,  unburnished  but  sharp ;  a  becoming  mantle  of  scarlet 
hung  on  his  shoulders,  with  a  brooch  of  the  burnt  gold  on  his 
broad  chest. 


The  Carle  of  the  Coat,  325 

Thus  equipped  then,  and  in  this  fashion,  he  came  into  the 
presence  of  Finn  and  of  the  Fianna ;  and  Finn  spoke  to  him, 
saying:  "of  the  whole  world's  bloods,  noble  or  ignoble,  who  art 
thou,  warrior  ;  or  out  of  which  airt  of  the  four  art  come  to  us  ?" 
<"  Gael  an  iarainn  is  my  name,  the  king  of  Thessaly's  son  ;  and  in 
all  that  which  (since  I  left  my  own  land  and  up  to  this  present) 
I  have  perambulated  of  the  globe,  I  have  not  left  either  isle  or 
island  but  I  have  brought  under  tribute  of  my  sword  and  under 
my  own  hand.  What  now  I  desire  therefore  is  to  carry  off  the 
universal  tribute  and  capital  power  of  Ireland."^  Conan  said :  "  we 
never  have  seen  laech,  nor  heard  of  warrior,  but  a  man  to  turn 
him  would  be  found  in  Ireland."  "  Conan,"  answered  Gael,  "  in 
thine  utterance  find  I  nought  else  than  that  of  a  fool  or  gaby ; 
for  were  all  they  that  during  these  seven  years  past  are  dead  of 
the  Fianna  added  now  to  those  that  yet  live  of  them,  I  would  in 
one  single  day  treat  them  all  to  the  grievousness  of  death  and  of 
life  curtailed.  But  I  will  do  a  thing  which  ye  will  esteem  a 
condition  easier  than  that :  if  among  the  whole  of  you  ye  find 
one  only  laech  that  in  running,  or  in  single  fight,  or  in  wrestling 
shall  get  the  better  of  me,  no  more  worry  nor  trouble  will  I 
inflict  on  you,  but  will  get  me  gone  back  to  my  own  land  again." 
"  Why  now,"  said  Finn,  "  the  runner  that  we  have :  Caeilte  mac 
Ronan  to  wit,  he  at  this  moment  is  not  at  home ;  and  were  he 
here  he  would  have  a  run  with  thee ;  but  if,  warrior,  thou  be  a 
one  that  will  tarry  with  the  Fianna,  and  with  them  make  friend- 
ship and  observe  the  same,  while  I  go  to  Tara  of  the  Kings  to 
fetch  Caeilte — whom  if  I  find  not  there  I  shall  to  a  certainty  get 
in  Keshcorran  of  the  Fianna — then  do  so."  "  So  be  it  done," 
Cael  assented. 

Then  Finn  started  on  the  road,  and  had  not  gone  far  when  he 
happened  on  an  intricate  gloomy  wood,  the  diameter  of  which  a 
deeply  scooped  out  hollow  way  traversed  throughout.     Into  this 
forest  he  had  not  penetrated  any  distance  before  he  met  a  dia-       y^ 
bolical-looking  being  of  evil  aspect,  an  irrational  wild  monster  of  ^ 

a  yellow-complexioned  thick-boned  giant  having  on  him  a  long  yj^^^ 

drab  coat  down  to  the  calves  of  his  two  legs,  either  of  which  \ 

under  him  as  they  carried  the  great  fellow's  ill-assorted  body 
was  like  the  mast  of  some  ship  of  largest  rate  ;  like  the  side  of  a 
wide-wombed  boat  was  each  brogue  of  the  two  that  garnished  his 


326  The  Carle  of  the  Coat. 

knobbed  feet  armed  with  curved  nails;  the  drab  coat  that  invested 
him  had  to  it  a  pewter  platter's  width  of  a  skirt-trimming  con- 
sisting in  a  yellow  stucco  of  mud,  and  this  at  every  step  that  he 
took  would  flap  against  the  calf  of  one  leg  so  as  to  knock  out  of 
it  a  report  that  could  be  heard  half-a-mile  of  country  away  ; 
while  every  time  that  he  lifted  a  foot,  there  used  half-a-barrel  of 
mire  to  squirt  upwards  to  his  buttocks  and  even  over  his  entire 
yellow-tinted  person,  Finn  fell  to  consider  the  great  man  for  a 
length  of  time  (for  never  before  bad  he  seen  his  like)  and  walked 
still  on  his  way  till  the  other  spoke,  saying:  "  what  is  this  course 
of  trudging  or  wandering  that  is  befallen  thee  to  make,  Finn  son 
of  Cumall,  all  alone  and  solitary  without  a  man  of  Ireland's 
Fianna  by  thee  ?"  "  Such,"  replied  Finn,  "  is  the  measure  of 
my  perplexity  and  trouWe  that  I  cannot  frame  to  tell  thee  that 
nor,  though  I  could,  would  it  do  me  any  good  whatsoever." 
•*  Unless  to  me  thou  do  explain  the  matter,  thou  wilt  for  ever 
suffer  the  damage  and  detriment  of  it  [i.e.  of  thy  reticence]." 
•*  Well  then,"  Finn  began,  "  if  I  must  tell  it  thee,  know  it  to  be 
the  king  of  Thessaly's  son  Gael  an  iarainn  that  yesterday  at 
noon  came  in  at  Ben-Eldar,  looking  to  acquire  for  himself  the 
rent  and  rule  of  all  Ireland  unless  only  that  some  one  laech  I 
may  find  who  in  running,  in  single  combat  or  at  wrestling,  shall 
overcome  him."  "  And  what  would  ye  do  ?"  the  big  one  enquired : 
"  for  I  know  him  well,  and  there  is  not  a  single  thing  asserted  by 
him  but  he  is  able  to  fulfil :  upon  the  Fianna  universally  he 
would  inflict  slaughter  of  men  and  virile  óglaechsl'  Finn  went  on : 
•*  I  would  proceed  to  Tara  of  the  Kings  to  fetch  Caeilte,  whom  if 
I  find  not  there  I  shall  undoubtedly  get  in  Keshcorann  of  the 
Fianna,  in  order  that  of  yon  warrior  he  may  win  a  running 
match."  <" Verily  then,"  said  the  big  fellow,  "thou  art  but  *a 
kingdomless  man '  if  Caeilte  son  of  Ronan  be  thy  grand  resource 
with  which  to  scare  away  the  other."  "  Then  indeed  I  know  not 
what  I  shall  do,"  said  Finn.  "  But  I  do,"  quoth  the  great  man : 
•*  wouldst  thou  but  put  up  with  me,  of  that  hero  I  would  upon 
my  oath  win  a  running  wager."  Finn  rejoined :  "  I  esteem  that 
in  carrying  thy  coat  and  huge  brogues  for  a  single  half-mile  of 
country  thou  hast  thine  utmost  endeavour  to  perform,  and  not  to 
embark  in  a  running  bet  with  that  laeck'*  "  By  all  that's  positive, 
unless  I  win  it  of  him  not  a  man  of  all  Ireland  will  bring  it  ofT."> 


The  Carle  of  the  Coat.  327 

"  So  be  it  done,"  consented  Finn :^* but  what  is  thy  name?"  and 
he  made  answer:  "my  name  is  bodach  an  chóta  lachtna  or  'the 
carle  of  the  drab  coat/"  ^ 

Then  Finn  and  the  Carle  returned  back  again,  nor  concerning 
their  travel  and  wayfaring  is  anything  told  us  until  they  reached 
Ben-Edar. 

There  Ireland's  Fianna  in  their  numbers  gathered  about  the 
big  man,  for  never  before  had  they  seen  his  like  ;  Gael  an  iarainn 
too  came  upon  the  ground,  and  enquired  whether  Finn  had 
brought  a  man  to  run  with  him.  Finn  answered  that  he  had, 
and  exhibited  his  man ;  but  when  Cael  had  seen  the  Carle  he 
objected  that  to  all  eternity  he  would  not  run  with  any  such 
greasy  bodach.  At  this  hearing  the  latter  emitted  a  coarse  burst 
of  horse-laughter,  saying:  "in  respect  of  me  thou  art  deceived, 
warrior ;  acquaint  me  therefore  with  the  length  of  course  that 
thou  wouldst  run,  the  which  if  I  run  not  with  thee,  and  more  too 
if  such  be  thy  pleasure,  thine  it  shall  be  to  take  the  stakes."  "  I 
care  not,"  rejoined  Cael,  "  to  have  in  front  of  me  a  course  of  less 
than  three  score  miles."  "  *Tis  well  as  it  happens,"  said  the 
Carle:  "three  score  miles  exactly  they  are  from  Ben-Edar  to 
Slieveluachra  of  Munster."  "So  be  it  done,"  Cael  assented. 
"  Well  then,"  suggested  the  bodach^  "  the  right  thing  for  us  to  do 
is  to  proceed  westwards  to  Slieveluachra  to  begin  with,  and 
there  to  put  up  to-night,  so  that  to-morrow  we  may  be  ready  for 
our  start  and  our  walk." 

Those  two  good  laechs  {Cael  an  iarainn  the  king  of  Thessaly's 
son  namely,  and  the  Carle  of  the  drab  coat)  set  out  accordingly, 
and  of  their  journey  there  is  not  any  record  until  as  the  sun 
went  under  they  reached  Slieveluachra  of  Munster.  "  Cael,"  said 
the  other  then,  "  it  behoves  us  to  knock  up  some  kind  of  dwell- 
ing, whether  house  or  hut,  to  have  over  our  heads."  But  Cael 
retorted :  "  by  all  that's  certain,  I  never  will  set  about  building  a 
house  on  Slieveluachra  for  the  sake  of  passing  one  night  there, 
considering  that  I  have  no  desire  at  all  ever  during  the  whole 
course  of  my  life  to  return  thither."  "  So  be  it,"  quoth  the 
bodach :  "but  if  I  can  manage  to  put  up  the  like,  'tis  far  enough 
away  outside  of  it  will  be  any  that  shall  not  have  given  his  help 
to  make  it." 


328  The  Carle  of  the  Coat. 

The  Carle  entered  then  into  the  nearest  darkling  and  intricate 
wood,  where  he  never  stayed  nor  rested  till  he  had  tied  up  four- 
and-twenty  couples  of  gross  timber  ;  and  these,  along  with  their 
complement  of  rafters  from  the  same  wood  and  of  fresh  rushes 
of  the  mountain,  he  brought  in  that  one  load  and  so  erected  a 
house  long  and  wide,  all  thatched  and  warm.  Of  the  forest's 
sticks  both  green  and  dry  he  on  that  lodging's  floor  made  up  a 
vast  bonfire,  and  a  second  time  addressed  Gael:  "if  thou  be  a 
man  to  come  with  me  and  in  these  woods  seek  some  game  or 

other **     "  I  understand  nothing  about  it,"  answered  Gael : 

**  and  if  I  did,  'tis  not  to  second  the  like  of  thee  I  would  go." 

Again  the  bodach  sought  the  nearest  wood's  recesses,  into 
which  he  was  not  penetrated  far  when  he  roused  a  drove  of  wild 
swine  ;  the  stoutest  boar  that  he  saw  he  cut  off  from  the  rest  and, 
along  every  track,  through  every  covert,  followed  until  by 
strenuousness  of  running  and  of  painful  effort  he  vanquished 
and  struck  him  to  the  earth  ;  neatly  and  expeditiously  he  made 
him  ready  and  before  that  same  great  fire  put  him  down  to  roast, 
with  a  turning  contrivance  to  the  spits  that  should  keep  them 
going  of  themselves.  Then  the  Carle  started,  nor  ever  halted 
before  he  attained  to  the  baron  of  Inchiquin's  house  (that  was  a 
score  and  ten  miles  from  Slieveluachra)  and  brought  away  two 
barrels  of  wine,  two  pewter  dishes,  all  as  much  bread  as  there 
was  ready  in  the  house,  a  table  and  a  chair,  the  whole  of  which 
he  carried  in  the  one  load  and  so  regained  Slieveluachra.  Here 
he  found  his  meat  roasted  before  him ;  half  of  the  boar,  a  moiety 
of  the  bread  and  a  barrel  of  wine  he  set  aside  to  provide  for  the 
morning ;  the  other  half  of  each  he  served  to  himself  upon  the 
table,  and  comfortably,  luxuriously,  sat  down.  He  ate  his  full 
quantum  of  meat,  after  which  he  ingurgitated  into  his  person  a 
barrel  of  wine  ;  upon  the  floor  of  that  caravanserai  he  shook  out 
a  copious  layer  of  rushes,  and  was  wrapped  in  sleep  and  lasting 
slumber  until  on  the  morrow's  day  both  the  all-brilliant  sun 
rose,  and  Gael  an  iarainn  (who  during  the  night  had  been  on  the 
mountain's  side  without  meat  or  drink)  came  and  roused  him 
from  his  snooze,  saying :  "  rise,  bodach !  it  is  now  time  for  us  to 
set  about  our  journey  and  our  wayfaring."  With  that  the  Carle 
woke  up,  rubbed  his  eyes  with  his  palms,  and  said :  "  there  is  an 


The  Carle  of  the  Coat.  329 

hour's  time  of  my  sleep  that  I  have  not  worked  out  yet;  but  since 
thou  art  in  a  hurry,  I  yield  thee  my  consent  that  thou  be  off, 
and  undoubtedly  I  will  be  after  thee." 

Accordingly  Gael  went  ahead  upon  the  way,  not  without  great 
misgiving  by  reason  of  the  small  account  which  he  saw  the 
bodach  make  of  him.  When  now  the  latter  had  slept  his  stint  he 
rose  to  a  sitting  posture,  washed  his  face  and  hands,  served  him- 
self up  meat  on  the  table ;  then  at  his  perfect  ease  sat  down 
to  it,  ate  up  the  remaining  half  of  boar  and  bread,  and  finally 
swigged  off  the  second  barrel  of  wine. 

At  this  point  the  Carle  got  up,  in  his  drab  coat's  skirt  he  care- 
fully stowed  away  the  pig's  bones,  and  away  with  him  at  the  speed 
of  a  swallow  or  of  a  roe,  or  as  it  had  been  a  blast  of  the  searing 
March  wind  careering  over  the  summit  of  some  hill  or  rugged- 
headed  rock,  until  he  overhauled  Gael  an  iarainn  and  across  the 
way  in  front  of  him  pitched  out  the  porker's  bones,  saying:  "try, 
Gael,  whether  upon  those  bones  thou  mayest  find  any  little  pick 
at  all ;  for  sure  it  is  that  after  passing  last  night  in  fasting  con- 
dition on  Slieveluachra  thou  art  full  of  hunger."  "  Thou  shouldst 
be  hanged,  Garle,"  he  answered,  "  ere  I  would  go  look  for  meat 
upon  the  bones  which  with  thy  glutton-tusks  thou  hast  gnawed  ! ' 
"  Well  then,"  said  the  bodach^  "  it  were  none  too  much  for  thee 
to  put  on  a  gait  of  going  better  than  thou  hast  done  as  yet" 

Here  he  pushed  on  as  though  he  were  turned  to  be  a  madman, 
and  in  that  one  heat  went  thirty  miles ;  then  he  fell  to  eating  of 
blackberries  from  the  brambles  that  were  on  either  side  of  the 
road  or  way,  till  such  time  as  Gael  came  up  to  him  and  said : 
"  bodach,  thirty  miles  back  from  here  is  the  spot  in  which  I  saw 
one  skirt  of  thy  drab  coat  twisted  round  the  neck  of  a  bush,  and 
the  second  tangled  in  another  bush  ten  miles  behind  that  again." 
"  Is  it  the  skirts  of  my  coat  ?"  asked  the  Garle,  looking  himself 
all  down.  "  'Tis  they  just,"  Gael  said.  "  In  that  case,"  argued 
the  bodachy  "  that  which  it  were  the  right  thing  for  thee  to  do 
would  be  to  delay  here  eating  of  blackberries,  in  order  for  me  to 
return  and  bring  back  the  skirts  of  my  coat."  "  It  is  very  certain 
that  I  will  do  no  such  thing,"  answered  Gael,  and:  "so  be  it,"  said 
the  bodach. 

Gael  went  his  road,  while  the  Garle  returned  till  he  found  the 
skirts  of  his  coat  as  the  other  had  said  ;  he  sat  down,  pulled  out 


330  The  Carle  of  the  Coat. 

his  needle  and  thread,  and  so  stitched  them  on  in  their  own  place 
again.  This  done  he  retraced  his  steps,  and  Gael  was  not  gone 
far  when  the  Carle  caught  him  up  and  said  to  him :  "  Gael,  thou 
must  put  on  a  gait  of  going  better  than  thou  hast  done  yet,  if  a? 
thou  hast  already  expressed  thou  wouldst  carry  off  all  Ireland's 
tribute  ;  for  I  will  do  no  more  turning  back  now." 

Then  with  the  speed  of  swallow  [etc.  as  before]  the  bodach  set 
off  as  though  converted  into  a  madman  ;  and  such  the  impe- 
tuous rush  of  pedestrianism  which  carried  him  along,  that  soon  he 
surmounted  the  crown  of  a  certain  hill  within  five  miles  of  Ben- 
Edar,  where  he  devoted  himself  to  eating  of  blackberries  from 
the  brambles  until  he  had  made  of  himself  a  juice-filled  sack. 
He  then  put  off  his  drab  coat,  again  produced  his  needle  and 
thread,  and  sewed  up  the  garment  so  as  to  make  out  of  it  a  long 
and  wide  bag,  very  deep.  This  he  stuffed  to  the  muzzle  with 
blackberries,  and  on  his  skin  rubbed  a  quantity  of  the  same  so 
that  he  was  as  black  as  any  smith's  coal ;  said  load  he  hoisted 
upon  his  shoulder  and,  stoutly,  nimble-footedly  set  out,  making 
for  Ben-Edar. 

The  position  of  Finn  and  of  the  general  Fianna  was  that  they 
were  filled  with  great  apprehension  of  Gael  an  iaraintis  being  in 
front,  for  without  knowing  in  the  world  who  he  was  they  had 
pitched  all  their  hope  in  the  Garle.  Now  abroad  on  a  tulacKs 
top  Finn  had  a  certain  emissary  to  spy  whether  of  the  two  that 
raced  held  the  lead  ;  and  he,  so  soon  as  he  caught  sight  of  the 
Garle,  went  in  and  told  Finn  that  Gael  came  along  in  the  way 
and  the  bodach  dead  upon  his  shoulder.  "  A  suit  of  arms  and  of 
armour,"  cried  Finn,  "  to  him  that  shall  bring  us  tidings  better 
than  these ! "  and  a  second  messenger  when  he  was  gone  out 
recognised  it  to  be  the  bodach  that  was  there.  Around  him 
the  Fianna  of  all  Ireland  flocked  together  joyously,  and  sought 
news.  "  I  have  good  news  for  you,"  he  said :  "  but  for  the  mag- 
nitude of  my  hunger  it  is  not  possible  for  me  to  publish  it  before 
I  eat  my  sufficiency  of  parched-corn  meal  and  blackberries  mixed : 
my  share  of  these  I  have  brought  with  me,  and  let  you  now  pro-  ^ 
vide  me  my  fill  of  such  meal."  On  Ben-Edar  now  a  great  cloth 
was  opened  out  on  which  to  serve  the  Garle,  with  a  heap  of 
meal  in  its  very  centre ;  in  among  the  meal  he  shot  his  sack  Oi(^ 
of  blackberries,  and  with  a  will  turned  to  at  eating  them,  v 


1^ 


The  Carle  of  the  Coat.  331 

But  soon  they  saw  Gael  along  the  road,  with  his  hand  at  his 
sword's  hilt,  his  two  eyes  blazing  red  in  his  head,  and  he  ready 
to  charge  in  among  the  Fianna  to  hew  them  and  to  bone-split. 
When  then  the  bodach  saw  him  in  this  array,  he  picked  up  his 
great  paw's  fill  of  the  meal  and  blackberries,  and  upon  Gael  dis- 
charged the  mess  to  such  purpose  that  he  banished  his  head  to 
the  distance  of  a  fair  scope  of  ground  from  his  body ;  then  where 
the  head  was  thither  he  ran,  and  with  it  a  second  time  let  fly  at 
the  trunk  in  a  way  that  he  fastened  it  on  as  solid  as  ever  it  had 
been.  The  manner  of  him  now  however  was  with  his  face  to  his 
back,  his  poll  upon  his  chest ;  so  the  bodach  ran  at  him,  dashed 
his  whole  carcase  violently  to  earth,  lashed  him  up  hard  and  fast 
and  inextricably,  and  said :  "  Gael,  was  it  not  a  mistaken  thing 
for  thee  to  say  that  on  this  occasion  the  chief  rent  and  sovereign 
power  of  Ireland,  though  there  were  none  but  thyself  alone  to 
strive  for  it,  would  be  suffered  to  go  with  thee?  nevertheless 
none  shall  ever  have  it  to  say  to  Ireland's  Fianna  that  to  a 
solitary  warrior,  he  having  none  but  himself  to  take  his  part, 
they  would  administer  grievousness  of  death  and  of  short  life.  If 
therefore  thou  be  one  to  swear  by  sun  and  moon  in  guarantee  of 
thy  transmitting  the  rent  of  Thessaly  yearly  during  thy  life  long 
to  Finn  and  to  the  Fianna,  thou  shalt  have  thy  life  in  the  guise 
which  now  thou  wearest"  By  sun  and  moon  Gael  swore  yearly 
to  fulfil  that  all  his  life. 

Then  the  bodach  takes  him  by  the  tips  of  his  fingers,  leads  him 
to  his  ship  and  puts  him  in  sitting  posture  into  her ;  to  the 
vessel's  afterpart  he  gave  a  kick,  and  with  that  same  sent  her 
seven  leagues  out  to  sea.  There  you  have  the  fashion  in  which 
the  expedition  of  the  king  of  Thessaly's  son  Gael  an  iarainn 
turned  out  with  him :  to  be  dismissed  home  under  the  conditions 
of  a  fool  or  simpleton,  without  power  ever  again  so  long  as  he 
should  live  to  strike  a  blow  in  battle  or  in  tough  single  encounter. 
^The  bodach  came  back  to  Finn  and  the  Fianna,  and  told  them 
that  he  was  the  fairy  rf^jpf  nf  rath  Chruac/tan  or  *  Rathcroghan,* 
that  came  to  loose  them  out  of  the  fetters  in  which  they  had 
been  [i.e.  to  succour  them  in  their  straits].  For  the  fairy  chief 
Finn  then  made  a  feast  and  banquet  of  a  year  and  a  day.  ^ 

So  far  then  the  adventures  of  Gael  an  iarainn^  the  king  of 
Thessaly's  son,  and  of  the  Garle  of  the  Drab  Goat 


332  Ctans  Leg. 


How  the  Leg  of  Cian  son  of  Maelmuaidh  son  of  Bran 

was  healed. 

Upon  a  day  that  Brian  of  the  Tribute's  stewards  went  to  lift 
his  rent  and  cess  in  West  Munster,  they  came  to  the  house  of 
O'Cronagan  of  Coirell\  but  O'Cronagan  himself  (who  was  a 
dependant  of  Cian  son  of  MaelmuaidH)  not  being  at  home,  his 
wife  enquired  who  they  might  be  ;  and  they  answered :  "  we  are 
the  king  of  Ireland's  stewards."  "And  who  is  king  over  Ire- 
land?" the  woman  asked  again.  "Brian  son  of  Kennedy;  to 
lift  whose  tribute  we  are  here."  "  Never  have  we  paid  rent  to 
man,  neither  to  him  will  pay  any."  So  the  stewards  went  away, 
and  back  to  Kincora,  where  Brian  was  with  the  gentles  of  the 
Dalcassians ;  at  which  time  also  he  held  high  festival  for  the 
men  of  Ireland.  The  stewards  told  the  dishonour  which  O'Cron- 
agan's  wife  had  done  them,  and  Brian  said:  "well  I  wot  how 
that  will  be  settled  ;  for  before  the  men  of  Ireland  break  up  from 
me  I  will  set  out,  and  upon  O'Cronagan  will  avenge  this  my  dis- 
honour." "  That  is  the  proper  thing  to  do,"  the  gentlemen  of  the 
Dalcassians  said,  and  away  they  all  went  to  Coirell  of  O'Cron- 
agan  ;  there  they  burned  up  the  triucha  céd  immediately  adjoin- 
ing him,  but  again  he  was  not  at  home. 

His  wife  therefore  followed  them  [as  they  retired],  and  found 
Brian  and  the  chieftains  of  the  Dalcassians  in  the  rear  of  the 
prey;  she  saluted  them,  and  Brian  answered  her.  Then  she 
began :  "  unjustly  thou  hast  made  these  preys  on  us,  inasmuch  as 
rent  we  never  yet  have  paid  to  man ;  he  that  is  lord  over  us 
never  having  exacted  any  such."  "And  who  is  he?"  "Cian, 
son  of  Maelmuaidh  that  is  a  dependant  of  thine  own ;  and,  Brian, 
grant  me  now  a  boon!"  "So  I  will,"  said  the  king.  "Well 
then,  restore  me  my  little  greyhound  and  my  sheep."  "  That, 
on  my  conscience,  is  a  lady's  request,  and  thou  shalt  have  it. 
Thou  therefore  go,  Cian  son  of  Mahon,  and  so  much  of  the  preys 
as  thou  mayest  avail  to  overtake,  give  to  her  in  guerdon  of  her 
prudent  discourse ;  as  for  O'Cronagan,  let  him  come  after  me  to 


Cians  Leg.  333 

Kincora;  where  the  rest  of  his  preys  he  shall  have  again,  or  else 
their  eric." 

O'Cronagan  came  home,  and  made  him  ready  to  follow  Brian : 
a  company  of  twelve  men,  having  about  them  all  garments  of 
grey,  unfulled  ;  so  they  reached  Slievcluachra.  But  here  O'Cron- 
agan saw  towards  him  a  greyhound:  one  half  white,  the  other 
green  ;  incontinently  he  clapped  a  chain  on  him,  then  made  the 
best  of  his  way  to  Kincora,  where  Brian  bade  him  be  welcome. 
O'Cronagan  craved  a  favour,  and  the  king  answered :  "  it  shall  be 
had."  The  other  stood  up  now  and  said:  "give  me  then  the 
leash  of  little  beagles  which  thou  hadst  in  a  gift  from  the  king  of 
France."  "Thou  shalt  have  them."  On  the  morrow's  morn 
O'Cronagan  rose  early;  but  even  as  he  departed  Brian's  son 
Murrough  met  him,  and  enjoined  him  that  until  he  had  his  preys 
he  should  not  go  away.  O'Cronagan  said  however  that  with 
that  which  already  he  had  gotten  he  was  pleased  better  than  he 
could  be  with  all  Ireland's  wealth.  — — j 

^  Thus  he  took  his  way  back  to  Slieveluachra,  and  one  of  the  1 
beagles  started  a  hare ;  O'Cronagan  slipped  the  greyhound  at 
her,  and  he  coursed  her ;  he  himself  sat  down  to  look  on,  but  his 
people  said  that  they  for  their  part  would  pursue  their  journey 
and  not  wait  on  him.  It  was  but  a  short  space  that  he  had  been 
there  when  he  marked  the  hare  return  towards  him  with  the 
beagle  and  the  greyhound  both  well  up  to  her,  a  very  little 
distance  dividing  her  from  them.  With  a  cry  of:  "sanctuary, 
O'Cronagan  !"  the  hare  ran  and  crouched  in  his  bosom,  where 
incontinently  she  was  turned  into  a  beautiful  young  woman. 
"  Thou  shalt  have  it,"  he  answered  ;  and  the  maiden  promised 
that  the  dearest  boon  which  he  might  proffer  she  would  con- 
cede to  him.  "  Do  but  come  home  with  me  this  night,"  she 
said,  and  filtered  into  a  s{dh\  in  the  same  was  a  fair  dwelling, 
and  there  they  found  an  aged  couple.  They  used  meat  and 
drink ;  a  couch  and  high  bed  was  made  ready  for  O'Cronagan, 
he  bade  the  girl  precede  him  into  it,  and  said  that  such  was  all 
the  petition  he  would  crave  of  her.  She  indeed  made  answer 
that,  loath  as  she  was,  yet  would  she  execute  the  thing  ;  but  the 
ancient  pair  said  that  for  themselves  the  business  misliked  them, 
they  not  knowing  but  that  to  some  end  all  this  was  contrived  by 
Brian. 


X 


334  Cians  Leg. 

On  the  morrow  O'Cronagan  and  the  young  woman  rose  and 
travelled  to  Coirell-O'Cronagan  ^and  as  they  drew  near  to  the 
town  there  met  them  a  young  man,  who  told  them  that  O'Cron- 
agan's  wife  was  a-missing.  In  his  town  then  he  saw  great  houses 
and  halls,  and  this  was  to  him  a  source  of  wonder.  ^To  three 
years'  end  that  woman  dwelt  with  hin>>  and  again  [i.e.  after 
Brian's  distraint  on  him]  O'Cronagan  prospered,  so  that  he  had  a 
great  troop  of  horsemen  and  many  people  ;  which  caused  him  to 
say  that,  saving  one  only  fault,  in  himself  was  no  defect  at  all. 
To  his  wife  enquiring  of  him  what  that  one  might  be,  he  said 
that  it  was  the  not  having  as  yet  made  a  feast  for  the  king  of 
Ireland.  She  affirmed  that,  Brian  having  already  heard  the 
fame  of  his  wealth  and  general  thriving,  he  needed  not  to  do 
any  such  thing ;  but  he  held  out  that  without  giving  Brian  a 
banquet  he  would  not  be  content.  Such  banquet  therefore  was 
prepared  for  Brian ;  and  O'Cronagan  himself  repaired  to  Kin- 
cora,  whence  he  conducted  Brian  and  the  chiefest  of  all  Ireland 
back  to  Coirell-O'Cronagan.  For  three  whole  days  they  were  in 
the  town  enjoying  the  best  of  service  and  of  ministration  ;  but  to 
her,  to  O'Cronagan  s  new  wife  namely,  Brian  and  Murrough  his 
son  yielded  up  their  very  soul's  love  ;  which  yet  was  but  nought 
as  compared  with  the  love  for  her  felt  by  Cian  son  of  Maelmu- 
aidh.  After  four  days  spent  thus,  Brian  rose  and  was  for  going  ; 
but  O'Cronagan  said  it  irked  him  that  the  king  should  go  away 
that  night.  The  wife  on  the  other  hand  insisted  that  it  were 
just  as  well  to  suffer  their  departure  ;  that  not  in  Ireland  at  large 
could  they  have  had  a  feast  more  proper  than  one  of  three  days 
and  three  nights,  ^sfíevertheless  O'Cronagan  maintained  that 
dismiss  Brian  that  night  he  would  not ;  they  tarry  on  in  the 
house  therefore,  and  Cian  said  that  for  the  nonce  he  would  do 
the  service.  In  this  way  O'Cronagan  sat  at  the  board,  but  Cian 
and  the  wife  were  together  [waiting  on  the  company] ;  and  he 
told  her  that  he  felt  huge  love  towards  her  and  longed  for  her 
companionship.  She  however  declaring  to  him  that  never  would 
she  be  his,  Cian  proceeded  to  knock  her  down ;  whereupon 
straightway  she  was  changed  into  a  great  brood  mare,  and 
rushed  for  the  door.  Cian  indeed  caught  her  by  the  one  hind 
leg;  but  she  raising  the  other  struck  him  in  the  shank  and 
broke  it,  which  done  she  made  good  her  escape. 


Cians  Leg.  335 

On  the  morrow  the  concourse  all  repaired  to  their  several 
homes,  and  Cian  to  inis  Cliéin  or  *  Cian's  island/  where  for  a  year 
he  lay  sick  of  his  leg  ;  the  physicians  availing  not  to  make  it 
knit,  nor  to  draw  out  any  virulent  matter  that  perchance  were  in 
it^ABut  upon  the  very  day  twelvemonth  (Cian*s  people  being 
now  gone  to  Mass  and  he  therefore  alone)  to  him  enter  a  young 
man,  of  whom  as  he  took  a  seat  beside  him  Cian  enquired  where 
he  had  been  at  Mass.  "  In  Rémas  na  rlgh  or  *  Rheims  of  the 
Kings'  in  France,"  he  answered.  Cian  said:  "a  most  great 
marvel  is  that  which  thou  dost  express."  "  I  have  seen  a  greater," 
returned  the  other.  "  And  what  might  that  same  be ?"  "I  am, 
O  Cian,  brother's  son  to  thee ;  and  in  Knockgraffan  once  had  a 
fairy  sweetheart,  whom  (in  order  that  I  might  love  the  king  of 
the  Déisés  daughter)  I  slighted.  She  consequently  laid  me 
under  bonds  [purporting  penalties  to  take  effect]  unless  I  forsook 
Ireland,  [and  further  condemning  me  to  this:  that]  so  soon  as  I 
grew  to  love  any,  even  then  I  must  abandon  them.     I  went  to 

France  therefore,  and  there  all  their  nobles  loved  me "  "  But 

for  thine  honour's  sake,  young  man,  what  was  the  wonder  of 
which  but  now  thou  spakest  ?  [for  in  all  this  is  nought  so  very 
strange]."     "That  I  will  set  forth  to  thee,"  said  the  narrator: — 

"  I  [leaving  France  as  my  bonds  required]  sought  the  king  of 
Dreollanris  mansion,  but  after  a  while  returned  again  to  France  ; 
there  just  then  the  king  lacked  a  wife,  and  he  sought  to  learn  of 
me  whether  I  had  in  my  eye  any  woman  befitting  a  king  of 
France.  I  shewed  him  that  the  king  of  Dreollann's  daughter 
was  single,  and  a  worthy  wife  for  him  ;  but  that  to  demand  her 
would  avail  him  nothing  until  first  [in  order  to  inspire  a  proper 
respect]  he  should  have  made  some  forays  and  incursions. 
Accordingly  the  king  of  France  set  himself  in  motion  and,  when 
he  was  come  into  the  land  of  Dreollann,  forthwith  burned  the 
country.  I  betook  me  to  the  king's  strong  place,  and  he  ques- 
tioned me  whose  were  those  great  forces ;  to  which  I  made 
answer  that  yonder  was  the  king  of  France,  to  make  suit  for  his 
daughter.  The  king  of  Dreollann  said :  *  I  had  bestowed  her  on 
him  without  his  coming  thus  in  person  to  require  her.*  This 
answer  I  retailed  to  the  king  of  France ;  and  at  the  same  time 
prescribed  to  him  that  of  the  other  potentate  he  should  accept 
nor  jewels  nor  other  valuables  whatsoever,  but  only  the  twenty- 


336  Cians  Leg. 

four  serfs  that  he  had,  and  the  four-and-twenty  knights  that 
guarded  him.  This  request  the  king  obtained,  and  home  to 
France  carried  off  the  woman,  the  serfs,  and  the  knights.  Some 
little  time  afterwards  I,  when  I  was  gone  out  upon  the  fort*s 
green,  saw  towards  me  twelve  monks  and  nine  serfs :  each  one 
of  these  latter  having  a  carpenter's  axe,  and  the  senior  of  them  a 
bundle  of  somewhat  rolled  in  his  bosom.  The  eldest  of  the 
monks  said:  "a  good  place  this  in  which  to  build  a  monastery ;" 

^C<^|  C  the  other  opened  out  his  bosom  and  planted  acorns  [of  which  he 

^  had  a  parcel  there],  which  sprouted  forthwith  and  grew  into  full- 

A^0vOo\<l>V,j  ^        sized  oaks.     Of  these  the  carpenters  made  boards;  the  monks 
^  for  their  part  prepared  lime,  and  in  short  built  a  great  monastery 

^^^AA.c'i'.^)  \  ^"  which  they  performed  their  offices.     I  joined  them  ;  they  rang 

bells,  and  bade  me  go  fetch  the  king  of  France.     I  went  and 

"A-  ^J^KKK^)^      brought  him  with  his  wife  ;  we  entered  the  monastery,  and  there 

the  monks  meeting  us  bent  the  knee  to  king  and  wife.     Then 

Í^^T^   Hftl^         ^^^^  enquired  of  him  whether  he  thought  it  any  harm  to  have 
\}  the  monastery  built  so.     The  king  replied  that   he   was   well 

pleased  to  have  it  built,  and  would  afford  him  help  [to  maintain 
it]:  which  help  was  an  entire  triucha  céd^  his  wife  also  bestow- 
ing another.  "  Well  then,"  pursued  the  senior  monk,  "  be  with 
me  this  night  at  my  monastery's  inauguration  feast."  The  king 
came  therefore,  and  his  nobles,  and  had  fair  service  and  good 
ministration  ;  he  and  his  spouse,  together  with  the  count  of  the 
council  and  his,  being  put  into  the  one  chamber:  now  these 
two  were  right  fond  of  their  wives.  But  on  the  morrow  the  king 
when  he  rose  found  not  his  wife  by  his  side,  and  so  questioned 
the  count  whether  his  were  by  him.  That  nobleman  made 
answer  that  she  was  not ;  and  [when  they  looked  about  them] 
where  they  found  themselves  to  be  was  in  their  own  several 
chambers  at  home.  ^From  the  king's  fort  we  set  out  now  in 
quest  of  the  monastery  again,  but  never  lighted  on  the  place  in 
which  it  had  been  ;  neither  found  we  plank  or  stone,  but  only  the 
bare  green :  the  wives  of  those  two  were  taken  from  them  indeed^ 
And  all  this,  O  Cian  son  of  Maelmuaid,'*  the  Vagrant  [for  such 
was  the  speaker's  name]  ended,  "  is  in  the  way  of  wonder  niore 
considerable  than  that  in  Rheims  of  the  Kings  a  while  ago  I 
should  have  been  at  Mass  with  the  king  of  France,  and  now  be 
here."     "Greater  an   hundredfold   indeed,"  said   Cian.     "Well 


Cians  Leg.  in 

then,  to  heal  thee  am  I  come,"  the  Vagrant  said,  and  on  the  fire 
put  down  a  certain  brew. 

In  the  interval  Cian  enquired :  "  but  what  became  of  those  two 
ladies?"  "  I  will  tell  thee:  I  followed  the  king's  wife  (as  for  the 
count,  he  died  for  grief  at  the  loss  of  his)  and  in  the  end  reached 
Greece,  where  there  met  me  one  of  whom  I  sought  intelligence 
He  shewed  me  that  a  full  year  ago  he  had  seen  four-and-twenty 
monks  that  rode  on  horses  ;  but  whither  between  that  time  and 
this  they  might  be  gone,  he  knew  not.  For  a  year  I  tramped 
on,  and  until  I  happened  on  a  strong  place  ;  there  I  went  to  work 
with  questions,  and  they  told  me  that  just  a  year  before  they 
had  seen  twenty-four  monks  on  horses.  On  I  went,  and  for 
another  twelvemonth  was  up  and  down  in  Greece ;  at  which 
year's  end  a  regal  mansion  of  great  size  was  before  me,  and  the 
dwellers  therein  apprised  me  that  they  had  seen  twenty-four 
young  men  that  had  with  them  a  couple  of  women.  They  told 
me  too  that  it  was  the  king  of  SorcKzi^  son  was  there ;  and  by 
thy  hand,  O  Cian,  I  never  stayed  till  I  attained  to  such  the  king 
of  Sorcha's  hold  and  entered  into  a  bower,  in  which  those  ladies 
were.  The  king's  son  coming  bade  me  be  welcome  ;  but  I  required 
the  king  of  France's  wife,  and  eke  the  count's.  He  promised 
that  I  should  have  them  ;  affirming  that  in  the  mean  time  none 
had  wronged  them,  and  that  the  reason  for  which  he  had  taken 
them  was  this :  the  inordinate  love  that  their  own  husbands  had 
borne  them.  I  craved  a  convoy,  and  he  sent  with  me  his  brother: 
him  called  *  of  the  Yellow  Mantle,'  and  the  best  arm  in  the  world. 
With  him  and  the  women  I  came  away ;  and  when  by-and-by 
night  overtook  us,  I  declared  to  comfort  the  count's  widow  in 
her  solitude.  The  Yellow-mantled  swore  that  for  the  king  of 
France's  wife  (if  I  acted  so)  he  on  his  side  would  e'en  do  as  much  ; 
I  abstained  from  the  count's  widow  therefore. 

"On  the  next  day  we  progressed  as  far  as  the  German 
emperor's  strong  place ;  which  emperor  had  a  daughter,  and 
in  the  whole  world  was  not  a  woman  that  to  me  could  be  dearer 
than  was  she  [at  first  sight].  Furthermore:  so  too  was  she 
affected  towards  myself.  At  morn  we  rose  and  moved  off  from 
the  town,  but  soon  he  of  the  mantle  said  that  in  the  same  he  had 
forgotten  something.  Thither  he  returned  therefore  and,  in 
despite   of  the   Almaynes  (whom  copiously  he  slew),  brought 

z 


338  Cians  Leg, 

away  the  emperor's  daughter.  Speedily  he  caught  us  up,  and 
that  same  night  we  entered  into  France ;  here  I  made  my  own 
of  the  count's  widow,  and  he  usurped  the  emperor's  daughter:  a 
move  which,  by  thy  hand,  O  Cian,  irked  me  extremely.  How- 
beit  I,  as  I  said,  made  shift  with  the  count's  widow  ;  but  he  of 
the  Mantle  averred  that,  since  he  had  conveyed  us  into  France, 
he  would  now  depart  taking  with  him  his  new  wife.  Upon  this 
issue  we  fought,  and  I  deprived  him  of  his  head  ;  to  the  king  of 
France  I  then  restored  his  wife,  and  the  count's  widow  escorted 
to  her  home ;  after  which  I  carried  off  the  emperor's  daughter 
and  betook  me  to  the  king  of  Orkney's  isles,  where  for  three 
years  I  abode.  In  that  space  of  time  she  bore  me  three  sons, 
whom  three  earls  of  Lochlainn  took  home  with  them  to  rear. 

*•  In  the  meanwhile  it  had  been  noised  abroad  that  he,  the 

Yellow-mantled,  was  fallen  by  me ;  in  quest  of  me  the  king  of 

Sorcha's  sons  came  into  France  and,  when  they  found  me  not 

there,  fired  and  preyed  and  ravaged  the  French  lands,  killing  the 

king.     The  late  count  of  council's  three  sons  too  came  to  the 

island  in  which  I  was  and,  all  because  upon  their  mother  I  had 

begotten  youngsters,  verily  sought  to  slay  me.    But  by  thy  hand, 

Cian,  all  three  of  them  together  with  their  men  I  killed ;  which 

done  I,  as  being  fain  to  leave  the  island,  made  me  ready.     In 

the  harbour  however  I  found  a  great  fleet,  and  saw  towards  me 

a  currach  out  of  which  there  loomed  up  a  martial  and  a  stalwart 

stripling,  one  that  had  a  black  knee.     Right  to  the  spot  where 

with  my  wife  I  stood  he  came  and,  forthwith  recognising  the 

emperor's   daughter,   gave   her  a  kiss  :    at   the   same  time  he 

enquired  of  me  in  what  degree  she  was  akin  to  me.     When  I 

answered  that  she  was  my  wife,  he  of  the  black  knee  (who, 

saving  only  that  blemish,  was  the  comeliest  young  man  that  ever 

I  had  seen)  maintained  that  she  was  none  such.     On  the  head  of 

it  then  he  and  I  fought  and,  when  our  weapons  shivered,  grappled : 

either   to  other   with   painful   effort  giving  twists   violent  and 

sudden.     The  upshot  was  that  Black-knee  bound  me  fast,  and 

took  from  me  my  wife.     In  that  island  for  a  whole  year  I  lay  in 

bonds ;   then  came  to  me  the  three  Danish  earls  that  to  their 

isle  had  borne  away  my  sons,  and  they  it  was  that  loosed  me. 

I  left  the  island  then  and  roamed  to  some  strange  land,  in  which 

for  twelve  months  I  was  utterly  astray ;  but  at  such  year's  end 


Cians  Leg.  339 

the  point  at  which  I  found  myself  was  the  same  where  [at  my 
first  landing]  my  galley  was  abandoned.  I  got  into  her,  and 
after  a  time  fell  in  with  an  island  in  which  by  way  of  inhabitants 
were  none  save  one  beautiful  young  woman :  a  spinster.  Here 
I  put  in  a  year,  at  which  term  the  young  woman  had  borne  me 
a  son.  Her  too  I  left  here,  and  long  wandered,  until  at  the  close 
of  a  day  there  was  I  in  a  kingly  and  vast  fortress.  I  grounded 
my  spear,  and  where  should  it  land  but  on  my  very  foot,  piercing 
it  through  to  the  floor,  so  that  in  this  fort  for  a  year  I  lay  sick 
of  my  foot.  Leeches  indeed  and  physicians  were  brought  to  me  ; 
yet  for  all  they  did  to  me  my  torment  was  but  the  greater.  The 
year  run  out,  there  came  to  me  a  young  damsel  bringing  her  lap 
full  of  certain  herbs  ;  a  poultice  of  these  she  laid  upon  my  foot, 
and  on  the  instant  I  was  whole.  The  king  of  Orkney's  hold  this 
was  ;  and  she,  his  daughter.  Such  now,  O  Cian,  is  the  actual 
cataplasm  which  here  I  bring  thee  too."  It  was  applied  to  Cian's 
leg,  and  he  was  sound.  "  Now  will  I  depart,"  said  the  Vagrant ; 
but  Cian  entreated  him :  "  for  thine  honour's  love  so  do  not,  but 
of  thy  rambles  tell  me  somewhat  more:  the  Mass-folk  will  not 
join  us  yet  awhile."     "  I  will  say  on  then : — 

"  One  day  I  started,  and  in  due  course  attained  to  the  coasts  of 
Lochlainn  ;  there  three  well-fashioned  and  appointed  youths  met 
me,  with  fast  horses  under  them.  To  these  seeking  to  know  who 
I  might  be  I  answered  that  I  was  *the  Vagrant';  whereupon  the 
young  men  shewed  me  that  they  were  sons  of  mine,  being  indeed 
the  three  that  the  emperor's  daughter  had  brought  me  ;  and  all 
agreed  to  take  part  with  me  in  search  of  him  that  had  the  black 
knee.  I  prescribed  to  them  therefore  that  they  should  travel 
each  one  of  them  a  part  of  the  world,  I  another,  and  we  trysted 
in  the  world's  eastern  portion  ;  any  such  one  of  us  in  whose  way 
Black-knee  should  fall,  to  slay  him. 

"  I  held  my  way  through  Greece  and  to  the  lands  of  Sorcha,  A 
where  (as  I  passed  by  the  king's  fortalice)  I  came  on  a  young -^ 
man  and  bade  him  tell  the  king  of  Sorcha's  son  that  I  indeed 
never  had  played  the  monk,  nor  for  fear  of  any  man  had  ever 
built  a  sham  monastery.  Which  message  the  young  man  de- 
livered not  that  night,  but  on  the  morrow.  The  prince  knew 
that  I  was  he  of  whom  the  other  spoke,  and  in  pursuit  of  me 
despatched  nine  serfs  commissioned  to  ransack  the  whole  world. 

z  2 


340  Cians  Leg. 

"  I  vaguely  errant  pursued  my  path,  and  thus  encountered  a 
warrior  that  rode  a  destrier  of  speed.  He  told  me  that  I  strayed 
exceedingly,  but  that  he  would  point  me  out  the  way.  In  his 
hand  then  he  took  mine,  and  for  that  day  had  me  in  tow  of  his 
charger ;  at  last  he  bestowed  me  in  a  keep,  where  I  passed  a 
year  from  kalend  to  kalend ;  during  which  spell  I  was  not  able 
to  quit  the  building,  no  human  being  save  myself  being  within 
it,  but  meat  and  drink  in  plenty.  The  year  expired,  the  young 
man  returned  to  me  ;  to  the  spot  in  which  formerly  he  had  found 
me  he  led  me  back  again  and,  with  an  intimation  that  this  was 
all  that  he  would  do  in  the  way  of  giving  me  a  course,  left  me. 
I,  O  Cian,  [as  my  use  was]  went  forward,  but  in  gloom  and 
dejection,  lachrymose,  and  in  the  way  before  me  eventually  dis- 
cerned four  knights  on  horses,  each  man  of  them  having  a  bosom- 
load  of  gold.  I  questioning  them  who  they  were,  they  revealed 
that  they  were  Black-knee's  stewards  ;  and  by  thy  hand,  O  Cian, 
those  four  I  killed,  and  then  moved  on  again.  In  my  route 
I  found  a  great  river  and,  on  the  bank,  a  huge  giant  who,  I 
evading  him  and  making  for  the  sea,  cried  out  that  were  all  men 
in  the  universe  to  travel  their  several  roads  as  now  I  travelled 
mine,  it  were  but  few  of  the  world's  journeys  that  ever  people 
would  manage  to  perform  at  all.  I  bade  him  void  my  path,  but 
he  refused ;  we  encountered  therefore,  he  fell  by  me,  and  for  a 
full  twelvemonth  I  essayed  to  cross  that  inlet  of  the  sea  [the 
aforesaid  river's  estuary].  At  that  period  I  won  over  it  is  true, 
but  hardly;  for  it  all  but  killed  me. 

"Again  as  I  journeyed  I  saw  in  front  of  me  a  keep  and 
seigniorial  mansion,  which  I  knew  for  Black-knee's.  Upon  the 
dwelling's  green  I  knocked  up  as  it  had  been  a  hunting  bothie ; 
then  the  town's  denizens  and  head  men  descrying  me,  a  puissant 
right  valorous  warrior  was  dismissed  to  require  an  account  of  me. 
Said  warrior,  by  thy  hand,  O  Cian,  fell  by  me.  By  the  same 
hand,  O  Cian,  ere  evening  fell  three  hundred  further  champions 
of  them  perished  by  me.  Next  I  saw  draw  near  a  young  man : 
harnessed  in  truth,  but  invested  also  with  poet's  garb  and  other 
gear,  who  enquired  what  name  I  owned.  I  disclosed  that  I  was 
*  the  Vagrant,'  and  at  once  he  shewed  me  that  he  was  a  son  of 
mine.  The  thing  being  strange  in  my  eyes,  I  examined  him 
where  the  other  two  were  ;  but  those  he  told  me  were  destroyed. 


Ctans  Leg,  341 

yet  was  it  neither  in  battle  nor  in  single  fight  that  they  were 
fallen.  He  went  on  to  say  that  certainly  he  had  not  buried 
them  ;  as  for  himself,  he  now  was  a  stipendiary  of  Black-knee's. 
I  still  questioning  him  whether  he  had  laid  eyes  on  his  mother, 
the  emperor's  daughter,  he  replied  that  seen  her  he  had  ;  she 
however  had  not  known  him.  I  sought  whether,  since  he  had 
been  with  Black-knee,  anything  in  the  nature  of  single  combat 
were  fallen  to  his  lot ;  and  he  showed  that  on  muir  an  scdil  he 
had  slaffi  two  that  were  brethren  to  Black -knee,  and  that  same 
by  Blacl^-knee's  own  licence  ;  moreover  that  he  had  had  mastery 
of  the  Wizard  of  the  Glen.  Here,  by  thy  hand,  O  Cian,  I 
enjoined  on  him  to  enter  in,  and  to  the  emperor's  daughter  to 
signify  that  it  was  I  that  was  there.  Accordingly  he  set  forth  to 
her  how  he  himself  was  the  third  son  that  once  she  had  to  the 
Vagrant,  who  even  now  was  abroad  upon  the  green.  Hereat 
great  joy  took  the  emperor's  daughter :  she  sent  me  out  a  pro- 
vision of  meat  and  drink  sufficient  for  a  hundred,  and  that  night 
I  and  my  son  passed  together.  In  the  morning  we  rose  betimes; 
and  I  directed  him  to  go  again  into  the  fort,  and  this  tm^  to 
proclaim  to  Black-knee  that  I  was  the  man  upon  the  green,  to 
whom  also  he  [the  messenger]  was  son.  He  did  so  and,  by  thy 
hand,  O  Cian,  there  we  were  for  a  year — my  son  and  I — killing 
daily  two,  and  some  days  four,  of  the  forces  of  the  gaethlach  [i.e. 
of  the  Maeotic  Marsh].  At  the  year's  end  I  saw  two  striplings 
approach  ;  they  delivered  their  own  tale  and  desired  ours,  where- 
upon I  instructed  them  that  I  was  the  Vagrant,  and  the  youth 
by  me  there  a  son  of  mine.  "  Why  then,"  they  replied,  "  we  also 
are  sons  of  thine."  I  would  have  learnt  the  manner  of  their 
demise,  but  they  said :  "  how  we  were  slain,  or  how  brought  back 
to  life,  we  know  not ;  but  resuscitated  we  surely  are."  So  soon 
as  I  had  rehearsed  them  my  own  exploits  and  the  young  man 
their  brother's,  they  promised  that  for  a  year  they  would  relieve 
us  of  all  battle-toil.  This  they  did  ;  and  at  the  second  year's 
expiration  we,  finding  ourselves  now  all  four  united,  beheld  a 
numerous  host  land  in  the  bay,  and  what  should  be  there  but 
the  nine  serfs  that  the  king  of  Sorcha's  son  had  sent  to  seek  me 
out.  On  our  other  hand  we  marked  a  young  man  that  in  mould 
and  form  and  garb  was  comeliest  of  all  such  as  down  to  that  very 
day  we  ever  had  beheld.     Where  we  were,  thither  he  came  ;  and 


342  Cians  Leg. 

asked  who  we  might  be.  I  certified  him  that  I  was  *  the  Vagrant, 
and  those  three  beside  me  there  three  sons  of  mine.  He  told  me 
that  he  likewise  was  son  to  me ;  to  which  I  rejoined  that,  were 
he  indeed  such,  then  should  I  know  him  by  the  tokens  which  he 
might  impart  to  me.  *  Certain  it  is,'  thus  he  went  on,  *  that  I  am 
son  to  thee  and  to  the  king  of  Orkney's  daughter  ;  my  name  too 
is  *  the  Solitaire,'  and  I  derive  it  from  the  island  in  which  I  was 
born :  yclept  *  the  Isle  of  Solitude/  Much  wandering  truly  I 
have  done  in  research  of  thee  ;  and  one  day  as  I  ranged  the 
lands  of  Sorcha  and  passed  hard  by  the  king's  dwelling,  they 
interrogated  me  who  I  was.  I  displayed  to  them  that  I  was 
*  the  Solitaire,'  son  to  *  the  Vagrant ' ;  and  with  that  the  king  of 
Sorcha's  son  coming  out  fought  with  me.* 

"  Then,  O  Cian,  my  own  and  the  youths'  two  years*  exploits  I 
recounted  to  him,  and  the  Solitaire  engaged  that  for  a  year  to 
come  he  would  bear  us  free  of  all  fight.  Incontinently  then  he 
fell  upon  the  force  of  new-comers  and  slew  the  nine  serfs  ;  then 
for  the  stipulated  year  he  fought  with  and  persistently  killed  all 
armed  bodies  that  opposed  him,  until  in  the  end  the  whole  of 
them,  by  thy  hand,  O  Cian,  were  fallen.  By  thy  hand  again,  O 
Cian,  the  Solitaire  and  Black-knee  did  contend  together ;  nor, 
by  thy  hand  still,  O  Cian,  was  finer  set-to  ever  fought  out: 
Black-knee  in  the  end  falling  by  the  Solitaire.  At  this  crisis 
we,  by  thy  hand,  O  Cian,  leaped  into  the  fort  and  brought  away 
the  emperor's  daughter:  the  wife  that  from  that  day  to  this  I 
have. 

"And  now,  Cian,  I  will  just  be  gone  ;  for  those  my  sons,  after 
their  travail  throughout  the  world,  are  all  at  loggerheads:  the 
three,  by  reason  of  their  own  mother's  super-excellence  and 
because  they  are  the  seniors,  being  but  ill-pleased  that  the 
Solitaire  must  be  lord ;  his  skill  in  arms  on  the  other  hand  is 
the  greater,  and  he  fiercer  than  the  others.  Hence  it  is,  Cian, 
that  I  will  depart  and  bring  matters  to  a  settlement  betwixt 
them  all.  Thou  therefore  have  good  luck ;  thy  leg  (as  it  would 
seem  to  me)  is  now  in  good  repair:  to  heal  the  which  I  came." 

Such  then,  and  so  far,  is  the  Healing  of  Cian's  Leg ;  and  I 
myself  am  mac  xcc. 

Finis, 


The  Cave  of  Keshcorran.  343 


Here  follows  the  Enchanted  Cave  of  Keshcorran, 

It  was  a  great  and  general  hunting  match  that  by  Finn  son  of 
Cumall  son  of  Art  son  of  Trenmor  grandson  of  Baeiscne,  with 
the  brave  and  comely  Fianna  of  the  Gael,  was  convened  through- 
out the  Corran's  fair  borders ;  among  the  beautiful  tuat/ta  of 
Leyny ;  within  the  confines  of  Brefny  ;  in  the  trackless  fast- 
nesses of  Glendallan  ;  in  the  nut-  and  mast-abundant  regions  of 
Carbury ;  in  the  strong  coverts  of  Kyleconor's  woods,  and  over 
the  wide  plane  expanse  of  Moyconall. 

Then  Finn  sat  upon  his  hunting  mound  on  the  top  of  high 
Keshcorran  ;  at  which  instant  there  tarried  by  him  none  but  his 
two  wolf-dogs:  Bran  and  Sceolaing^  and  Conan  Mael  mac 
Morna.  Now  was  it  sweet  to  Finn  to  look  on  ;  to  listen  to  the 
hounds*  music,  to  the  young  men's  clear  joyous  cheering,  to 
utterance  of  athletic  warriors  and  deep  voices  of  mighty  men,  to 
various  whistling  of  the  Fianna,  in  all  the  wild  and  desert  forests 
of  the  land  ;  for  even  in  the  bordering  countries  those  hunting 
cries  which  they  emitted  were  freely  heard :  these  being  such 
that  deer  were  roused  out  of  their  wilds,  brocks  banished  from 
their  brock-holes,  birds  driven  to  take  wing ;  and  at  this  point 
each  wrathful  and  eagerly  fierce  wolf-dog  was  slipped  from  his 
leash  to  course  the  tulach. 

Howbeit  the  ruler  that  at  such  time  had  sway  in  Keshcorran 
was  Conaran  son  of  Imidel,  a  chief  of  the  tuatha  dé  danann  ;  and 
so  soon  as  he  perceived  that  the  hounds*  cry  now  sounded 
deviously,  he  bade  his  three  daughters  (that  were  full  of  sorcery) 
to  go  and  take  vengeance  of  Finn  for  his  hunting.  The  women 
sought  the  entrance  of  the  cave  that  was  in  the  tulach^  and  there 
sat  beside  each  other.  Upon  three  crooked  and  wry  sticks  of 
holly  they  hung  as  many  heathenish  bewitched  hasps  of  yarn, 
which  they  began  to  reel  off  left-handwise  in  front  of  the  cave. 
They  had  not  been  long  so  when  Finn  and  Conan  reached  the 
cavern's  edge,  and  so  perceived  the  three  hideous  hags  thus 
busied  sit  at  its  entrance:  their  three  coarse  heads  of  hair  all 


/ 


344  '^^  Cave  of  Keshcorran. 

dishevelled  ;  their  eyes  rheumy  and  redly  bleared  ;  their  three 
mouths  black  and  deformed,  and  in  the  gums  of  each  evil  woman 
of  them  a  set  of  sharpest  venomous  and  curved  fangs ;  their 
three  bony-jointed  [i.e.  scraggy]  necks  maintaining  their  heads 
upon  those  formidable  beldames;  their  six. arms  extraordinarily 
long,  while  the  hideous  and  brutish  nail  that  garnished  every 
finger  of  them  resembled  the  thick-butted  sharp-tipped  ox-horn  ; 
six  bandy  legs  thickly  covered  with  hair  and  fluff  supported 
them,  and  in  their  hands  they  had  three  hard  and  pointed 
distaffs. 

In  order  to  view  the  harridans  Finn  and  Conan  passed  through 
the  hasps  ;  whereupon  a  deathly  tremor  occupied  them  and  pre- 
sently they  lost  their  strength,  so  that  by  those  valiant  hags  they 
were  fast  bound  indissolubly.  Another  pair  of  the  Fianna  came, 
and  with  them  the  sons  of  Nemhnann :  through  the  yarn  they 
passed  to  where  Finn  and  Conan  were  ;  they  too  lost  their  power, 
and  by  the  same  hags  were  lashed  down  in  rigid  bonds.  These 
warriors  then  they  carried  away  into  the  cave. 

But  a  little  time  they  had  been  thus  when  Oscar  and  mac 
Lugach  came  upon  the  ground,  having  along  with  them  the 
gentles  and  chief  nobles  of  clan-Baeiscne ;  clan-Morna  as  well 
was  on  the  spot  and,  when  they  had  looked  upon  the  hanks, 
there  was  not  in  any  one  man  of  them  all  so  much  as  a  newly 
delivered  woman's  strength.  The  children  of  Corcran  appeared 
and,  when  they  saw  the  yarns,  their  pith  and  valour  likewise  was 
abolished.  In  short,  the  children  of  Smól  and  the  Fianna  all,  both 
gentle  and  simple,  were  bound  ;  so  that  as  helplessly  pinioned 
and  tightly  tethered  culprit  prisoners  the  hags  transported  them 
into  black  mysterious  holes,  into  dark  perplexing  labyrinths. 

Howbcit  at  the  cave's  mouth  was  great  baying  of  wolfdogs 
that,  after  their  lords'  and  their  owners*  departure  and  excursion 
away  from  them,  demanded  them  there.  Many  a  deer  full  of 
hurts,  bone-cleft,  many  a  wild  pig  killed  outright,  and  mortally 
mangled  brocks,  with  hares  that  had  suffered  much,  lay  on  the 
hill-side  after  the  binding  of  them  that  hitherto  and  thus  far  had 
carried  them. 

Now  came  those  huge  daring  warrior-women,  and  they  hold- 
ing in  their  hands  three  wide-channelled  hard-tempered  swords, 
to  the  spot  in  which  the  Fianna  lay  tied.     Round  about  them 


The  Cave  of  Keshcorran.  345 

on  every  side  they  looked  abroad  if  perchance  they  might  spy 
any  individual  or  straggler  of  the  Fianna  to  whom  they  might 
administer  death  and  everlasting  destruction  ;  and  when  they 
failed  of  this,  would  have  entered  into  the  fort  with  intent  to 
have  unsparingly  dismembered  and  hewn  the  Fianna  all  in 
pieces. 

But  anon  they  did  see  a  single  tall  warrior,  martial  and  valiant 
of  aspect,  white-toothed,  that  bore  him  as  one  skilled  in  arms  ; 
none  other  indeed  than  the  raging  lion,  the  *  rabies  of  battle,*  the 
torch  that  flamed  in  the  day  of  onset :  the  great-souled  Goll  son 
of  Morna  son  of  Cormac  son  of  Mahon  son  of  Garadh  Black- 
knee  son  of  Aedh  of  the  Poems  son  of  Aedh  of  cenn  claire  son  of 
Conall  son  of  .  .  .  son  of  Get  son  of  Magach  son  of  Cairbre 
king  of  Connacht  Whom  when  the  three  sable  uncanny  mis- 
begotten witches  perceived,  incontinently  they  went  to  meet  him 
and  the  two  sides  [he  and  they]  fought  a  fight  of  extremity,  keen 
and  cruel.  At  all  events  the  hero's  wrath  kindled  exceedingly, 
and  upon  those  rude,  raging,  utterly  hideous  dames  he  rained 
mortal  blows  and  ungentle  strokes,  until  at  last  he  raised  the 
straight  sword  and  to  the  brace  of  monstrosities  that  happened 
to  be  right  in  front  of  him :  Caemhóg  to  wit,  and  Cuillenn  Red- 
head, dealt  one  mighty  cut  whereby  of  either  one  he  made  two 
accurately  even  and  equal-sized  portions.  Which  cut  was  one  of 
the  three  greatest  that  ever  was  delivered  in  Ireland,  as:  the 
stroke  stricken  by  Fergus  son  of  Ros  Rua  in  the  final  battle  of 
the  great  raid  for  the  kine  of  Cuailgne^  with  which  at  a  sweep  he 
shore  off  *the  three  Maels  of  Meath';  that  which  by  Conall 
Cernach  was  given  to  Get  mac  Magach  ;  and  this  stroke  of  Goll 
mac  Morna's,  with  which  he  slew  Caemog  and  Guillenn  Red- 
head, two  daughters  of  Conaran  mac  Imidel. 

Then  from  behind  him  the  senior  one  of  Gonaran's  children : 
laran  ni  Clionaráin^  clasped  her  arms  round  Goll  as  he  be- 
headed the  other  twain  ;  but  in  her  despite  Goll  forced  himself 
round  to  face  her,  and  in  his  turn  locked  his  long  arms  about 
her.  Thus  they  wrestled:  bravely,  with  strength  of  grip  and 
with  savage  effort,  until  Goll  gave  the  hag  one  mighty  twist  and 
so  hurled  her  to  earth.  With  the  straps  of  a  shield  he  bound  her 
fast,  and  he  bared  his  sword  to  cut  her  in  pieces,  but  she  spoke: 
"  warrior  that  never  wast  worsted,  man  of  might  that  whether  in 


^ 


46  The  Cave  of  Keshcorran. 


battle  or  in  single  fight  never  hast  blenched,  my  bcxly  and  life  I 
commit  to  the  safeguard  of  thy  generosity  and  valour !  surely  it 
were  better  for  thee  to  have  the  Fianna  whole,  without  blood 
drawn  on  any  one  of  them  ;  and  by  the  gods  that  I  adore  I  swear 
that  all  that  which  I  hold  forth  I  will  fulfil  to  thee." 

Then  the  kingly  hero  loosed  her  bonds ;  and  they  both  went  on, 
to  the  hill  iji  which  the  Fianna  (Finn  with  them)  lay  tied  hard 
and  fast.  Here  Goll  said:  "be  their  fastenings  cast  off  from 
Fergus  Truelips  and  from  the  Fianna's  men  of  science  first  of 
all ;  after  which,  be  the  same  done  in  order  for  Finn,  for  Ossian, 
for  the  nine-and- twenty  sons  of  Morna,  and  for  the  Fianna  gene- 
rally." In  this  wise  then  the  witch  freed  them  ;  the  Fianna 
promptly  rising  emerged  from  the  cave  and  sat  down  beside  the 
tulach ;  then  Fergus  Truelips,  poet  of  the  Fianna,  looked  upon 
Goll  and  fell  to  laud  him  for  the  deed  which  he  had  done. 

Soon  they  saw  towards  them  yet  another  weird  evil-fashioned 
creature  and  irrational -looking  deformity,  in  the  shape  of  a 
gnarled  hag  full  of  knotted  veins  and  sinews,  upon  every  hair's 
point  of  whose  shaggy  grey  eye-brows  and  -lashes  that  garnished 
her  either  a  small  apple  or  a  large  sloe  would  have  stuck  fast. 
A  pair  of  serous  eyes  nevertheless  blazed  in  her  head ;  a  huge 
blueish  flattened  nose  surmounted  the  precinct  of  her  black  and 
distorted  wrinkled  mouth,  while  in  that  gaping  orifice  a  hideous 
ragged  set  of  masticators  stood ;  arms  she  had  thin,  but  tough  of 
muscle,  nails  long  and  formidable  as  a  wolfdog's ;  a  strong  and 
infrangible  armature  clothed  her ;  at  her  thigh  was  a  wide- 
channelled  straight-bladed  sword,  and  a  great  shield  of  the 
warrior's  pattern  hung  on  her  back's  upper  part  [i.e.  on  her 
shoulders]. 

In  this  semblance  she  came  into  Finn's  presence,  and  she  laid 
him  under  bonds  to  provide  her  from  among  his  men  with  her 
fill  of  single  combat.  Said  Finn  to  Ossian;  "go,  my  son,  and 
rid  us  of  yon  prodigious  hag."  But  Ossian  answered :  "  after  all 
that  from  the  others  I  have  had  of  ill-treatment  and  of  con- 
tumely, I  ^m  not  able  ;  and  this  is  Conaran's  daughter  larnan, 
coming  to  avenge  her  sisters."  Thus  then  Ossian,  and  Oscar, 
and  Conan,  mac  Lugach  and  Dermot,  Caeilte  mac  Ronan  and 
Cairell,  with  the  remaining  chief  men  of  the  Fianna,  declined  to 
encounter  with  the  witch ;  so  that  Finn  said  he  would  himself 


Battle  of  Magh  mucramha.  347 

tackle  her.  Here  however  Goll  mac  Morna  said :  "  Finn,  combat 
with  a  crone  beseems  thee  not ;  I  therefore  will  fight  with  her, 
for:  *  when  the  need  is  greatest,  'tis  then  the  friend  is  proven.*** 

Promptly  now  Goll  went  to  meet  her ;  and  between  them  was 
fought  a  brave  bout,  a  desperate  fight,  during  which  neither  dis- 
cerned in  the  other  any  note  of  weakness  or  of  fainting.  At  all 
events  Goll  passed  his  right  hand  to  the  strap  of  his  shield  and 
thence  drew  his  deadly  blade,  with  which  he  made  a  cast  free  of 
all  swerve  or  deviation,  and  drove  it  through  the  boss  of  the 
hag*s  shield  and  so  through  her  heart,  that  it  shewed  out  on  her 
far  side.     In  this  wise  then  she  perished  presently. 

Next,  after  the  slaughter  of  Conaran  mac  Imidel's  three 
daughters  Goll  proceeded  to  Keshcorran,  and  of  the  bruiden  or 
*  fort*  made  a  red  glowing  pile  of  flame;  while  all  the  wealth  that 
he  found  within  it  he  turned  over  to  the  Fianna.  Which  done, 
Finn  bestowed  on  Goll  his  own  daughter:  Caemh  or  *  the  slender,' 
called  cneisghel  or  *  the  white-skinned.*  She  it  was  that  bore 
him  a  famous  son :  Fed  son  of  Goll  mac  Morna,  who  at  his  seven- 
teen years  completed  was  by  the  Fianna  killed  upon  that  same 
rath. 

So  far  then  the  Enchanted  Cave  of  Keshcorran. 

Finis, 


Here  follow  the  origin  of  the  Battle  of  Magh  mucramhuj 
and  the  occasion  of  Lughaid  mac  con's  death. 

Olioll  Olom  son  of  Moghnuadat^  of  the  seed  of  Heber  son  of 
Milesius  of  Spain:  which  Olioll  was  king  of  Munster;  and  with 
him  was  Sabia,  daughter  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles. 

Three  sons  of  hers  Eoghan  and  Cian^  and  Cormac  cas,  sons  of 
OiloU,  were :  from  whom  are  the  Eoghanacht,  the  Cianacht,  and 
dáil gCaiSt  i.e.  *  the  Dalcassian  race*  or  *  the  Tribes  of  Thomond.' 
A  foster-son  to  Olioll  and  Sabia  was  Lughaid^  surnamed  mac  con 
or  *  wolfdog*s  son,*  that  was  of  the  corca  Luig/ie,  and  nursed  on 
the  one  knee  and  at  the  one  breast  with  Olioll's  son  Eoghan. 

Now  upon  a  samAain-QVQ  Olioll  went  to  tend  his  horses  upon 


348  Battle  of  Magh  ^nucramha. 

Aine  cliach^  now  cnoc  Aine  or  'Knockany/  and  his  couch  was 
strewed  on  the  hill  for  him.  That  night  the  hill  was  stripped 
bare,  and  they  knew  not  who  had  so  stripped  it.  Three  times  it 
befell  him  thus,  and  he  deemed  it  a  strange  thing ;  then  he 
despatched  messengers  to  Ferclus  mac  Comáin^  that  dwelt  in  the 
land  called  Mairg  in  Leinster:  a  seer  too,  and  a  man  of  fight  to 
boot.  He  came  to  confer  with  Olioll,  and  on  samhatn-cve  again 
^-ibey  went  upon  the  tulach  ;  there  Olioll  continued  as  before,  but 
Perches  was  without  its  precinct.  To  the  sound  of  the  four- 
foóféd  as  they  grazed,  sleep  fell  on  Olioll  now  ;  forth  from  the 
j/f///  issued  its  denizens  ;  and  Durgabal's  son  Eogabal,  king  of 
the  sldh^  followed  in  their  wake  with  his  daughter  Aine,  who  had 
in  her  hand  a  timpan  of  copper^nd  she  playing  it  in  front  of 
him.  Perches  rose  at  him  anil  on  the  instant  aimed  a  blow  at 
him.  With  intent  to  enter  again  into  the  sldh  Eogabal  fled 
before  him  ;  but  with  a  great  javelin  Perches,  whenever  he 
reached  the  spot  where  Olioll  was,  smote  him,  and  piercing  him 
through  broke  his  back.  As  for  the  girl,  Olioll  caught  and 
kissed  her ;  but  as  they  struggled  she  nipped  an  ear  clean  off,  so 
that  she  left  on  him  neither  flesh  nor  skin  of  the  same ;  from 
which  time  never  any  such  grew  on  him  again,  and  thenceforth 
Olioll  atom  or  *  docked-of-an-ear  *  is  his  appellation.  "  111  have 
ye  been  to  me,"  said  Aine:  "to  have  done  me  violence  and  to 
have  killed  my  father ;  to  requite  the  which  I  too  will  do  thee 
violence  and,  by  the  time  we  two  shall  have  done  with  one 
another,  will  leave  thee  wanting  all  means  of  reprisal  !"  That 
young  woman's  name  it  is  that  appertains  to  the  hill:  Aine 
cliach,  OliolTs  mansion  was  bmgh  Hgh  or  *  king's  burgh,'  i.e. 
'Bruree,'  on  the  Maigue:  a  great  water,  and  anent  which  the 
poet  sang: — 

So  long  as  it  shall  be  a  stream,  Maiguc's  water  shall  without  clarification 
be  drinkable  ;  because  it  flows  past  the  side  of  Mellan's  son  Aedan  the  poet's 
liss. 


But  Art  son  of  Conn,  mother's  brother  to  Eoghan,  making  the 
visitation  of  Connacht  once,  Olioll's  said  son  Eoghan  and  Lugh- 
aid  mac  con  his  fosterson  set  out  to  join  him,  all  with  the  view  of 
bringing  back  from  him  both  horses  and  bridles ;  and  as  they 
came  along  the  flat  land  by  the  river,  in  a  clump  of  yew  that 
overhung  a  certain  rapid  water  they  heard  music.  Back  to  Olioll 


Battle  of  Magh  mucra7nha.  349 

then  they  convey  a  man  whom  they  had  plucked  out  of  the  clump, 
in  order  that  the  king  (because  they  strove  for  their  find)  should 
arbitrate  between  them :  a  man  it  was  with  three  strings  to  his 
timpan.  "What  is  thy  name?"  they  had  asked,  and:  " Fer  ft 
son  of  Eogabal "  he  had  answered.  "  What  has  turned  you 
back  ?"  said  Olioll.  "  Quarrelling  we  are  about  this  man."  "And 
what  manner  of  man  is  this  ?"  "A  good  timpanist."  "  Let  play 
his  music  for  us,"  Olioll  said  ;  and  quoth  he:  "  it  shall  be  done." 
Then  he  played  them  the  goltraighe  or  *  weeping-strain,'  reducing 
them  thereby  to  weep,  to  wail,  and  bitterly  to  lament,  till  it  was 
besought  of  him  that  he  would  desist.  Next  he  played  the 
gentraighe  or  *  laughter-strain,'  so  forcing  them  all  to  a  cachin- 
nation  such  that  it  was  barely  but  their  very  lungs  became 
visible.  Now  he  performed  the  stiantraighe  or  *  sleep-strain,'  and 
threw  them  into  a  slumber  lasting  from  one  tráth  to  another. 
All  which  being  done,  into  the  same  quarter  whence  at  first  he 
came  he  departed  again  j^and  so  left  them  that  which  should 
breed  much  mischief  between  them :  this  being  indeed  the  very 
thing  that  he  aspired  to  effect.^ 

Then  they  stand  up,  and  say:  "give  us  judgment,  Olioll." 
"  Small  profit  in  that  now,"  the  king  answered :  "  but,  if  ye 
must  have  it,  what  said  ye  when  the  man  was  found?"  Lugh- 
aid  said:  "*mine  his  music!'  were  my  words";  and  Eoghan: 
"'the  musician's  mine!'  I  cried."  "Just  so,"  said  Olioll:  "the 
man  is  Eoghan's."  Lughaid  demurred :  "  it  is  a  false  judgment." 
"  It  is  true  for  me,"  said  Olioll.  "  Not  so,"  retorted  Lughaid : 
"  truth  is  not  a  habit  on  thy  lips."  But  Eoghan  said :  "  thou — 
a  common  loon  like  thee — art  not  one  whom  it  is  right  to  have 
a-censuring  of  him."  "  Even  such  a  loon  as  I  am,  then,  it  is  that 
shall  shear  that  head  from  off  thee  and  trample  on  thy  cheek." 
"  How  will  it  be  done?"  "  On  the  battle-field,"  was  the  answer: 
"  on  this  day  month  come  thou  that  we  meet  on  cenn  Febhratr 
And  the  thing  was  verified :  on  that  day  month  they  met,  either 
one  with  his  host,  and  the  two  armed  lines  stood  face  to  face. 

Along  with  the  wolfdog's  son,  Lughaid  lágha  his  guardian,  son 
of  Moghnuadat,  [brother  to  Olioll  Olom,]  came  to  the  battle ; 
and  there  it  was  that  Maccon  proceeded  to  confer  with  his  jester: 
Dodera  by  name,  whose  precise  origin  was  of  the  corca  Luighe, 
Now  in  form  and  feature  the  jester  was  Maccon's  very  counter- 


350  Battle  of  Magh  mucramha. 

part,  and :  "  good  now,"  the  latter  said  to  him,  "  Eoghan  will 
challenge  me  to  a  fight  of  two,  and  the  fiery  courage  of  him — a 
king's  son — stuff  of  a  king — grandson  of  yet  another — will  cut 
me  short."  "  Never  let  it  pass  thy  lips,  or  thou  art  sheerly 
doomed!"  the  jester  cried,  and  went  on:  "  I,  with  thy  diadem 
upon  my  head  and  thine  armature  about  me,  will  go  in  lieu  of 
thee  so  that  all  shall  say  it  is  thou  that  comest  there.  Then,  if  a  fact 
it  must  be  that  I  fall,  get  thee  away  incontinently:  for  the  whole 
host  will  say  that  thou  art  fallen,  and  on  the  instant  the  battle 
will  *  burst'  Up  and  down  the  battle  Eoghan  moreover  will  seek 
thee  and,  should  he  but  catch  a  glimpse  of  those  calves  of  thine, 
thou  wilt  be  smitten."  The  jester  is  duly  slain  ;  but  Eoghan, 
who  knew  well  that  it  was  not  Maccon  he  had  killed,  bent  him 
to  hunt  out  the  latter.  "  The  battle  is  bursten,"  all  cried :  "  Mac- 
con  is  fallen  !"and  so  indeed  it  was:  his  was  the  defeat  Athwart 
the  rout  now  Eoghan  discerned  Maccon's  calves:  as  it  were  a 
single  night's  snow  for  whiteness  ;  after  him  he  ran,  and  made  a 
cast  so  that  as  the  other  fled  the  spear  entered  him  in  a  fashion 
which  gave  rise  to  the  saying:  brén  gairr  forndortai,  "Is  the 
shot  gone  home  ?"  Eoghan  called  to  him,  and  the  overthrow  was 
complete.     Hence  it  was  that  one  uttered : — 

"  The  battle  of  cenn  Febhrat  it  was  that  at  the  cost  of  many  a  lamentation 
was  won  against  mac  con  ;  seven  years  are  allotted  now  for  Mucramks  battle 
to  come  off  on  a  morning." 

And  the  same  came  true. 

After  all  which,  by  reason  of  Eoghan  it  was  no  longer  feasible 
for  Maccon  to  continue  in  Ireland  ;  as  a  fugitive  therefore  he 
made  his  way  to  Scotland,  it  being  unknown  at  home  with  what 
number  of  a  company  he  was  gone.  With  him  went  Lughaid  / 
lágJia  (so  called  from  a  great  spear  that  constantly  was  in  his  ^x 
hand),  they  being  in  all  but  thrice  nine.  They  repaired  to  the 
king  of  Scotland,  and  Lughaid  instructed  his  people  instantly 
that  they  must  not  act  rashly:  with  intent  namely  that  they 
should  not  be  recognised,  lest  that  in  order  to  gratify  Art  mac 
Conn,  king  of  Ireland,  they  might  be  slain  by  the  king  of 
Scotland.  He  enjoined  them  also  that,  as  though  to  his  every 
fellow  each  individual  of  them  were  a  king,  each  one  should 
execute  any  other's  pleasure  [i.e.  obey  his  orders] ;  further:  that 
none  should  address  him,  Maccon,  by  his  name.     Cheerily  the 


Battle  of  Magh  ntucramha.  351 

king  of  Scotland  received  them  ;  but  who  they  were  they  pro- 
claimed not,  neither  was  it  known  whence  they  came,  only  this : 
that  they  were  of  the  Gael.  Every  morning  to  a  years  end  a 
hog  and  an  ox  were  given  them,  all  in  a  house  apart ;  and  the 
king  grew  to  admire  at  the  excellence  of  their  persons,  of  their 
grand  bearing,  and  of  their  skill  in  arms  to  win  whether  battle, 
skirmish,  or  single  combat ;  at  their  proficiency  in  the  conven- 
tion, in  the  game,  on  the  racecourse,  at  draughts  and  chess,  in 
soldierly  service  generally. 

One  day  then  that  Maccon  played  chess  against  the  king,  they 
saw  enter  to  them  a  man  of  unwonted  garb,  and  the  king  enquired : 
"whence  this  fellow?"  "I  am  of  the  Gael,"  he  answered  for 
himself.  "  What  art  pliest  thou?"  the  king  asked  again.  "The 
poetV  "Tidings  of  the  men  of  Ireland  thou  hast  then:  the 
reign  of  Conaire's  son  Art,  goes  it  well  ?"  "Aye  well,"  the  other 
answered:  "never  in  Ireland  has  been  such  a  reign."  "Who  is 
king  of  Munster  ?"  "  Olioirs  son  Eoghan,  for  his  father  is  an 
aged  man."  "  And  Lughaid  viae  con  ?"  "  Since  his  banishment 
by  Eoghan  son  of  OHoll,  his  goings  on  are  not  known."  "  A  sad 
thing  that,"  the  king  rejoined,  "  and  alas  for  Ireland  that  wants 
him !  Maccon's  race  too,  in  what  plight  are  they  ?"  "  With 
them  nothing  goes  well ;  but  they  are  in  serfdom,  in  discomfort, 
and  in  woman-bondage."  When  Maccon  heard  that,  there  being 
in  his  hand  at  the  moment  chessmen  of  silver  and  of  gold,  to  twice 
three  of  them  he  *set  his  finger'  [i.e.  hurled  them]  and  struck  the 
chamber's  panel  in  front  of  him.  The  king  marking  him  said : 
"  a  fit  of  affection  it  is  that  comes  over  him  ;  his  tale  is  told 
manifestly."  Here  Maccon  went  out,  and  the  king  said  again : 
"  good  now,  young  men,  Lughaid  viae  con  it  is  that  goes  out ;  I 
see  it  in  the  motion  that  but  now  he  made."  On  the  morrow 
another  man  is  summoned  for  him,  and  the  same  news  recited  ; 
he  executed  the  same  gesture.  "Just  so,"  quoth  the  king:  "  this 
is  Maccon,  and  for  fear  of  me  it  is  that  they  name  him  not.  But 
in  order  that  we  may  know  for  certain,  a  trap  shall  be  contrived 
for  them :  be  there  given  them  a  hog  and  an  ox  on  the  foot,  with 
intimation  that  their  own  people  must  prepare  them  for  them  ; 
then  they  will  refer  the  matter  to  the  hazard  of  the  lot,  but 
Maccon  will  be  left  out  of  it."  He  commissions  the  major-domo 
to  have  it  done ;  Maccon  however  did  join  in  drawing  lots  for 


352  Battle  of  Magh  mucramha. 

the  cooking.  "  Good  now,"  the  king  [thus  foiled]  said  to  the 
major-domo:  "find  out  now  who  is  first  to  be  helped,  and  in 
front  of  whom  the  function  is  performed."  Now,  saving  only 
the  steward  aforesaid,  there  was  no  outsider  present  with  them. 
[This  test  also  failing]  the  king  said  again :  "  even  so — let  kill 
now  a  few  mice ;  upon  each  one's  mess  lay  a  mouse,  red,  with 
her  fur  on,  and  be  it  set  before  them."  [This  being  done]  they 
were  told  that  unless  they  ate  the  mice  they  would  be  killed. 
"  How  bear  they  themselves  ?"  asked  the  king.  "  They  fast, 
with  their  dishes  before  them."  "  That  is  Munster's  form  of  fast- 
ing: over  full  dishes,"  the  king  said:  "be  it  repeated  to  them 
that,  an  they  eat  not,  they  must  be  slain."  "  That  he  might 
never  grow  old  from  whom  the  order  emanates!"  Maccon 
cried  as  he  put  the  mouse  into  his  mouth  (the  king  privily  watch- 
ing him  the  while),  and  with  that  all  the  others  as  well  put  in 
theirs.  Howbeit,  one  melancholy  fellow  of  them  there  was  who, 
whenever  he  brought  the  mouse's  tail  to  his  lips,  kept  retching, 
and :  "  a  knife  across  thy  weasand  ! "  Maccon  threatened :  "  to 
say  that  one  can  eat  a  mouse  down  to  her  tail  [and  must  stop 
there]!"  Thereupon  he  swallowed  the  vermin's  tail.  Said  the 
king  from  the  door  [where  he  peeped] :  "  they  do  a  thing  or  two 
to  please  thee  [I  see] ;"  and  Maccon  replied:  "so  much  I  also  do 
for  them."  "  Art  thou  Lughaid  ?"  "  That  is  my  name,"  he 
answered.  Then  the  king  exclaimed :  "  a  welcome  to  thee  1  and 
wherefore  hast  thou  hidden  thyself  from  me  ?"  "  For  fear  of 
thee."  "Had  I  but  known  thee,"  the  king  went  on,  "ere  this 
day  I  had  avenged  thy  grievance."  "  Even  to-day  help  might 
overtake  me."  "And  help  indeed  thou  shalt  have,"  the  king 
said :  "  for  as  regards  myself,  I  am  king  of  Scotland  ;  my  mother 
is  the  king  of  Britain's  daughter,  my  wife  daughter  of  the  king 
of  Saxons ;  whom  all  [i.e.  the  forces  of  which  potentates]  thou 
shalt  take  with  thee  to  avenge  thine  injury."  Maccon  said :  "  I 
am  thankful  for  the  same."  All  that  folk  then  the  one  man 
alone  procured  to  come  on  a  joint  hosting  ;  and  what  there  was 
of  ships,  of  galleys  and  of  barques,  in  the  coasts  of  Britain  and  of 
Saxonland  were  gathered  together  so  that  they  were  in  the  king 
of  Scotland's  port,  and  with  them  a  vast  flotilla  of  small  boats: 
men  do  indeed  affirm  that  betwixt  Ireland  and  Scotland  was  a 
continuous  bridge  of  currachs. 


Battle  of  Magk  mucramka.  353 

To  wreak  his  vengeance  on  the  men  of  Ireland  Maccon  then 
went  with  this  great  army,  with  this  ponderous  host ;  and  truly 
no  loving  son  to  Ireland  it  was  that  brought  them.  They 
harried  the  land,  and  great  multitudes  consented  to  them  there ; 
but  till  they  reached  magh  mucram/ia  in  the  borders  of  óg  Bethra^ 
northwards  from  áth  cliath  namely,  resistance  they  encountered 
none.  __ 

(Now  magh  mucramJia  or  *  the  plain  of  imicramh  *  is  derived    I        % 
thus: — It  was  certain  pigs  of  paganism  that  once  on  a  time  '^  / 

emerged  from  the  Cave  of  Cruachan — that  is  to  say  the  Hell's        J        ^ 
Gate  of  Ireland,  out  of  which  the  ellén  trechenn  came  and  wasted  '"•       ^( 

Erin  until  in  all  Ulidia's  presence  Conall  Cernach's  father  Amergin  ^ 

in  single  fight  destroyed  him  ;  out  of  which  too  came  a  flock  of 
%^ite  birds  that  throughout  Ireland  withered  up  whatsoever  their 
breaths  impinged  on,  till  such  time  as  Ulidia  with  their  slings 
killed  them — out  of  this  cave,  I  say,  those  same  swine  issued  ; 
and  they  were  such  that  in  any  spot  which  they  trod  nor  com, 
nor  grass,  nor  leaf  would  sprout  before  the  end  of  seven  years  ; 
in  any  place  where  they  were  numbered,  there  they  abode  not 
but,  were  the  counting  of  them  so  much  as  attempted,  would 
migrate  into  another  country.  Neither  was  it  feasible  so  to 
enumerate  them  as  that  [several  doing  it]  they  should  arrive  at 
the  one  tot:  "there  are  three  there!"  one  would  say;  "seven, 
rather!"  another  would  cry;  "eleven  pigs!"  "thirteen  pigs!" 
and  so  their  count  would  be  lost.  The  swine  might  not 
be  wounded  [killed]  either ;  for  when  they  were  assailed  with 
missiles  they  would  disappear.  Once  however  Meave  of  Cru- 
achan and  Ailill  [her  husband]  proceeded  to  count  them  on  the 
plain  of  mucramh^  and  the  pigs  were  numbered  by  them  [i.e.  the 
attempt  was  made]  but,  Meave  being  in  her  chariot,  one  hog  of 
them  cleared  it  at  a  leap.  All  cried  out :  "  there  goes  a  pig  over, 
Meave!"  "Never  a  bit!"  quoth  the  queen  as  she  caught  the 
porker's  shank  [in  transitu] ;  but  at  the  beast's  forehead  the  skin 
opened,  so  that  in  Meave's  hand  he  left  his  hide  [entire]  with  the 
shank  [and  so  sped  on  his  way]  ;  nor  from  that  time  to  this  has  1 
it  been  known  whither  they  all  betook  them.  Hence  magh  muc^  I 
r/mha  or  *the  plain  of  swine-counting.') 

The  spoiling  of  Ireland  was  permitted  to  Maccon  now  until  he 
reached  this  same  magh  mucramha  in  Connacht's  eastern  part; 

2  A 


354  Battle  of  Magh  mucramha. 

and  Art  mac  Conn,  monarch  of  Ireland,  said :  "  now  is  it  full 

time  to  make  head  against  these  men."     "  It  is  so,"  answered 

Olioll  01om*s  son  Eoghan,  who  indeed  the  very  day  before  went 

already  to  Dil  son  of  ú-Creca,  of  Ossory,  that  dwelt  on  druitn 

Dil  or  *  Dil's  ridge '  (a  wizard  he  was  too,  and  blind  to  boot).    To 

him  Eoghan  had  said :  "  come  with  me  to  revile  the  men,  and  to 

deal  with  them  by  incantation."     "  Tis  well,"  he  answered :  "  I 

will  go  with  thee."     "  High  time  it  is,  father,"  said  his  daughter 

(she,  Dil's  daughter  Moncha,  was  a  spinster  and  she  it  was  that 

did  him  a  charioteer  s  office).     When  then  [on  this  their  errand] 

they  had  reached  magh  clinch,  by  Eoghan's  speech  the  magician 

knew  that  he  was  doomed,  and :  "  good  now,  Eoghan,"  he  said : 

"  leavest  thou  any  posterity  ?"     Eoghan  replied :  "  no  great  thing     ^<if 

by  any  means."     "  Good  again,"  said  Dil :  "  daughter,  wed  thou    C^ 

with  Eoghan,  to  the  end  we  may  learn  whether  from  me  there  ^     H,  / 

shall  ever  spring  a  king  of  Munster."     A  bed  was  made  for  the  ^u^     * 

couple,  and  right  excellent  the  offspring  that  there  and  then  was  ^   '^'L. 

engendered :  Fiacha,  called  muillethan  or  *  broad-crown,'  son  of  ^  ^*v 

Eoghan.  ■• 

{Fiacha  was  but  a  nickname  for  him,  being  indeed  so  much  as 
to  say  fer  da  Hach,  i.e.  *  man  of  two  sorrows  '  or  *  man  of  two  o 

piteous  things ' :  seeing  that  on  the  morrow  of  the  day  when  he 
was  begotten  his  father  was  slain,  and  that  his  mother  perished 
on  the  self-same  day  in  which  he  was  brought  forth  ;  of  which  two 
events  either  one  was  pitiable:  hence  fer  da  liach  as  above.  As 
regards  epithet  muillet/tan  or  *  broad-crown,'  the  occasion  of  his 
being  so  styled  was  this :  at  dth  Nemt)i£7in  on  the  Suir  [as  she 
drove  the  wizard's  chariot]  the  pains  of  labour  assailed  Dil's 
daughter  Moncha,  and  her  father  said :  "  an  ill  thing  it  is  that 
thou  art  not  brought  to  bed  to-morrow  morning  [instead  of  to- 
day] for,  had  it  been  then,  that  which  now  is  to  be  born  should 
for  ever  have  overtopped  all  Ireland."  "  True  it  is,"  she  answered : 
"  therefore  unless  that  the  offspring  break  out  through  one  or 
other  of  my  sides,  by  no  other  way  shall  it  win  forth  at  all!" 
Into  the  water  she  went  down  from  them,  and  bestrid  a  stone 
that  is  in  the  mid  ford :  "  maintain  thou  me,"  she  cried  to  the 
rock,  and  to  the  hour  of  tierce  upon  the  morrow  there  she  held 
fast.  "  It  is  time,"  her  father  said  ;  they  loosed  her  hold  for  her, 
and  her  lips  faded  [i.e.  she  died] ;  but  the  babe's  head  had  been 


nS 


x\ 


Battle  of  Magh  tnucramha.  355 

flattened  against  the  stone,  whence  Fiacha  muillethan  or  *  broad- 
crown  *  was  imposed  on  him :  father  of  the  Eoghanacht  in 
general.) 

At  all  events  Conn's  son  Art,  having  about  him  the  men  of 
Ireland's  main  strength,  drew  over  Shannon  westwards.  The 
night  before  the  battle,  i24ȣ^  (a  smith  of  Connacht)  played  the 
host  to  him  and  his  discourse  was  some  such  as  this:  "a  weighty 
company  are  these  that  Maccon  brings  at  you — this  ox-herd  of 
Albas  and  of  Britain's  men  will  bellow,  and  will  press  you 
home — not  upon  flight  their  minds  are  bent ;  for  their  flight, 
some  of  them,  were  too  distant :  even  to  sliabh  Ealpa — the  con- 
ditions moreover  of  him  along  with  whom  [as  thy  partner]  this 
battle  is  to  be  fought  are  bad :  this  time  'tis  Lughaid  that  has  a 
just  claim  on  him — but  tell  me,  Art:  how  much  progeny  leavest 
thou  ?"  "  One  son."   "  'Tis  all  too  little,"  quoth  the  smith :  "  thou  ^     "'^^ 

therefore.  Art,  this  night  espouse  my  daughter  (now  her  name  ^  (k      * 

was  Achtari) ;  it  stands  prophesied  for  me  that  from  me  some  ^\l 

great  honour  is  to  derive."  And  this  came  true ;  great  honour 
indeed  it  was :  Cormac  mac  Art  mac  Conn.  Art  told  her  that 
she  would  bear  a  son  who  should  be  king  of  Ireland  ;  and  every 
secret,  every  most  hidden  thing  to  be  employed  for  that  son's 
weal,  he  imparted  to  her.  He  apprised  her  too  that  on  the 
following  day  he  must  be  slain  ;  enjoined  her  that  to  his  friend 
of  Connacht  she  should  carry  his  son  to  foster,  and  so  bade  her 
farewell.     On  the  morrow  then  duly  he  went  to  the  battle. 

Lughaid  mac  con  for  his  part  had  his  plans  all  ready  laid :  half 
of  his  people  were  dismissed  underground,  which  means  that  for 
his  advanced  guard  a  pit  was  made,  and  hurdles  were  laid  over 
them ;  their  spears  were  broken  off"  at  the  bulge,  and  the  tips 
just  protruded  through  the  hurdles.  It  was  done  at  that  point 
where  the  pick  of  the  all  Ireland  men  were  ;  and  besides  this,  in 
order  that  they  should  not  desert,  every  Gael  [of  them  that  had 
joined  themselves  with  the  invaders]  either  had  one  leg  made 
fast  to  that  of  an  Albanach,  or  to  one  Gael  two  Britons  were 
allotted.  Now  were  both  armies  arrayed  on  either  side  ;  as  for 
the  kings:  in  the  one  battle's  van  were  Lughaid  maccon^  Lughaid 
lágJta  and  Beine  the  Briton  ;  in  the  other's,  Art  mac  Conn, 
Eoghan  mac  OlioU  and  his  son  again,  Corbchacht  Maccon  now 
challenged  Eoghan  to  single  combat ;  but  he  made  answer  that 

2  A  2 


356  Battle  of  Magh  mucramha. 

this  time  he  would  not  meet  him,  for  that  as  against  Maccon  his 
cause  was  a  bad  one.  This  last  affirmed  that,  though  he  fell  for 
it,  now  should  it  not  be  a  case  of  any  jester  put  forward  in  his 
stead  ;  for  he  would  choose  the  men  of  Ireland's  wolfdogs  to 
devour  him  rather  than  any  longer  to  be  in  parts  extern  to  his 
own  country. 

Forthwith  now  the  air  over  them  was  black  with  demons  that 
waited  on  the  miserable  souls  to  hale  them  away  to  Hell.  Two 
only  excepted,  Angels  there  were  none ;  and  whatsoever  the 
direction  in  which  Art  tended  throughout  the  army,  over  his 
head  it  was  that  (by  reason  of  the  true  prince's  righteous  nature) 
these  same  ever  kept 

One  on  the  other  both  lines  advanced,  and  a  stem  part  they 
played  on  either  hand  ;  grim  phenomena  were  there :  white  dust 
of  chalk  and  lime  that  as  a  cloud  rose  from  shields  and  targets 
maltreated  with  edge  of  swords,  with  spears'  and  javelins'  points, 
well  given  and  well  taken  by  the  warriors  ;  pounding  and  splinter- 
ing of  bucklers  hammered  with  sword-blades  and  with  stones ; 
hurtling  sound  made  by  delivery  of  missiles  ;  spouting  and  drip- 
ping of  blood,  of  gore,  from  plebeians'  limbs  and  through  sides  of 
gentles.     The  manner  of  both  Lughaids  \fnac  con  and  lág/ia\  up     j 
and  down  the  battle  was  that  of  bears  among  piglings;  in  such   /    ^' 
style  they  dashed  aside  all  men  in  turn.     A  crested  helmet  was        ^ 
on  the  head  of  either  ;  about  him,  mail  of  iron  ;  in  his  hand,  a  ^%^ 
great  sword ;  and  upon  the  opposing  host  tHey  charged  so  that^  ^ 
many  hundreds  of  them  they  laid  low.     After  the  same  simili-   ^  4 
tude  were  Eoghan  and  Corbchacht,  sons  of  Olioll,  on  the  other 
side.     An  emulative  contest,  one  worthy  of  right  men,  was  this 
that  the  men  of  Erin  and  of  Alba  fought  together  ;  and  it  wanted 
little  but  that,  in  process  of  their  mutual  belabouring,  every  man 
must  trample  on  his  fellow's  very  feet.     But  as  they  thus  were 
welded  together,  out  the  earth  one  man  [then  another]  would  be 
wounded  from  both  his  right  and  left  rear,  and  flung  prostrate ; 
then  out  of  their  pit  the  men  of  Alba  rose  up  and  surrounded 
them.     Finally,  the  battle  went  against  Art  mac  Conn  and  all 
Ireland,  and  they  were  slaughtered.     The  rout  took  its  course  to 
the  southward,  by  áth  cliath  in  the  borders  of  6g  Bethra ;  their 
sepulchre  is  at  the  fords  north  side:  that  of  Olioll  Olom's  seven 
sons.   There  too  is  turlach  Airt  or  *  Art's  turlough,'  where  on  the 


<. 


Battle  of  MagJi  mucram/ta.  357 

stone  in  the  ///A*/^^/ir^Ioghnuadat*s  son  Lughaid  /dg/t^iicv/cd  his 
head  from  him,  as  thus:  even  as  Beine  the  Briton  struck  the 
head  from  Olioirs  son  Eoghan,  Lughaid  /dg/ia  chanced  on  him 
and  (for  a  fit  of  kindly  affection  took  him)  said :  "  out  of  a  direc- 
tion upwards  from  his  two  shoulders  it  falls  on  Beine  " — meaning 
thereby:  a  low  stroke  it  is  that  Beine  strikes,  a  high  one  that 
strikes  Beine — "  for  the  strokes  that  Beine  the  Briton  strikes,  my 
nature  is  all  distorted";  and  with  that  he  dealt  Beine  a  cut  over 
the  neck  such  that  his  head  sat  on  the  breast  of  Eoghan's  body 
[lying  supine  under  him  as  he  stooped].  Maccon  found  him  in 
the  act,  and :  "  that  is  a  bad  stroke  of  generalship,  Lughaid,"  he 
said.  "  It  matters  not  to  thee ;  in  lieu  of  this  one,  I  will  even 
now  bring  thee  the  king  of  Ireland's  head."  Northwards  he  set 
off  again  to  meet  the  rout,  and  encountered  with  Art ;  he  slew 
him  and  took  his  head:  whence  turlach  Airt  in  the  border  of  óg 
Bethra, 

Then  Lughaid  mac  con  forcibly  laid  hold  on  Ireland's  kingly 
power ;  for  seven  full  years  he  was  in  Tara,  and  took  to  his 
bosom  Art's  son  Cormac  to  have  in  fostership. 

Now  Olioll  Olom  lived  yet,  and  his  word  was  ever: — 

'*  Gone  to  ruin  my  sheepfolds  are  to-day,  nor  sons  of  mine  nor  grandsons 
watch  them  now ;  my  testimony,  unimpeachable,  is  this :  that  the  love  once 
theirs  I  now  bestow  on  Maccon." 

Maccon's  continual  saying  after  his  jester  was  this : — 

"  Since  Dadera  is  departed,  no  laughter  is  produced  ;  for  after  Dairine's 
merry.jester  there  is  desolation." 

Of  Sabia,  daughter  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles,  the 
constant  utterance  was  this : — 

"Alas  for  me,  alas  for  Clia,  that  ever  Ferfi  was  found  in  his  yew :  he  that 
for  Art  procured  unequal  fight,  and  brought  about  a  grave  for  Corbchacht." 

But  in  Tara  once  certain  sheep  ate  up  greenstuff  that  belonged 
to  Lughaid  mac  cotis  queen,  and  recourse  was  had  to  Lughaid's 
award.  He  said :  "  I  adjudge  the  sheep  in  lieu  of  it  [the  tres- 
pass]." Cormac,  who  was  then  a  little  boy,  was  by  him  on  a 
couch,  and :  "  not  so,  my  guardian,"  he  said :  **  more  equitable 
were  the  shearing  of  the  sheep  in  damage  of  the  greenstuff 
cropped  ;  for  in  the  ground  the  vegetables  will  grow  again,  and 
so  too  the  wool  upon  the  sheep."     "  That  is  the  truthful  verdict," 


358  Battle  of  Magh  mucramha. 

all  exclaimed :  "  a  very  prince's  son  assuredly  it  is  that  has  pro- 
nounced it  I"  With  that,  one  half  of  the  house  fell  headlong 
down  the  declivity  [by  which  it  stood] :  the  half  namely  in  which 
the  false  judgment  had  been  delivered,  and  in  this  conformation 
the  so-called  claenfJterta  Temrach  or  *  Tara's  mounds  askew '  shall 
survive  for  ever.     On  this  occurrence  it  was  that  one  sang: — 

"  Lughaid,  a  doughty  warrior,  as  I  perceive  has  nevertheless  passed  judg- 
ment in  a  mist  of  error  ;  from  that  time  forward  and  for  ever  it  endures  to 
him :  upon  that  side  the  rath  is  crooked." 

Thereafter  for  a  year  he  reigned  in  Tara,  and  neither  grasses 
pierced  ground,  nor  leaf  sprouted  from  woods,  nor  yet  grain 
formed  in  com.  Indeed  (for  he  was  a  tyrant)  the  men  of  Ireland 
ran  him  out  of  his  royal  office.  Westwards  therefore,  and  with 
great  moveable  possessions  [cattle,  horses,  followers]  he  retired  to 
his  own  country- ;  but  Lughaid  lágJia  went  not  with  him,  for  he 
said :  "  the  place  in  which  because  of  thee  I  opposed  my  brother, 
as  a  consequence  of  which  I  afterwards  committed  fratricide, 
thither  I  will  no  more  return,  but  to  the  son  of  that  king  whom 
I  slew  will  yield  me  up  in  satisfaction."  Three  times  now  Maccon 
took  his  leave  of  Cormac  and  still  turned  back  to  him,  till  in  the 
end  he  bade  him  a  last  farewell.  Westwards  I  say  he  repaired 
to  Olioll,  minding  to  have  cherished  him,  and  entered  into  the 
liss  to  him.  But  about  his  neck  Sabia  flung  both  her  arms,  and 
[whispering]  said:  "approach  him  not,  laddie:  an  evil  man  is  he 
to  whom  thou  comest,  and  an  unforgiving !"  "A  welcome  thing 
this  is,"  cried  Olioll:  "come  to  me  then  that  thou  mayest  dwell 
with  us  ;  of  me  mayest  make  a  father,  while  of  thee  I  make  a  son, 
since  sons  I  have  none  to  care  for  me  now!"  Then  he  laid 
cheek  to  cheek  with  Maccon  ;  but  with  a  tooth  of  noxious  pro- 
perty that  he  had  in  his  head,  got  at  him  in  the  cheek. 

With  that,  Maccon  went  out  from  him ;  there  he  met  with 
Sabia  who,  as  she  looked  on  him,  cried  out:  "ah  woe!"  and 
uttered : — 

"This  is  a  hurt  whereby  is  fallen  a  king  whom  a  venomous  fang  has 
wounded a  disastrous  leave-taking  this  has  been  I" 

After  which,  Coman's  son  Perches  [the  poet  aforesaid]  came  to 
Olioll,  and  the  old  man  called  to  him :  "  ho,  Perches  !  away  with 
thee  after  Maccon,  one  half  of  whose  head  shall  ere  three  trátfia 
become  round  melt  all  away!"     Perches  made  after  him,  but 


Battle  of  Crinna.  359 

Maccon  in  the  mean  time  had  gained  his  own  country  and,  with 
his  forces  surrounding  him,  set  his  back  to  a  pillar-stone.  They 
descried  Perches,  and  Maccon  cried  :  "  suifer  him  not  hither  1" 
then  betwixt  them,  both  the  men  opposed  a  barrier  of  shields. 
But  athwart  the  multitude  Perches  hurled,  and  struck  him  in  the 
forehead  so  that,  the  stone  responding  from  behind,  Maccon  fell 
lifeless.  Then  Perches  (the  host  pursuing  him)  entered  the  rapid 
water,  on  the  surface  of  which  the  splinters  of  his  spear  were 
distributed  to  them.  Concerning  him  it  was  that  Conn's  daughter 
Sabia  said : — 

"  Alack  for  it,  and  woe  the  day  that  ever  Ferfi  was  found  in  his  yew  !  but 
that  which  shall  utterly  consign  me  to  misery  is  Ferches  his  spearcast  that 
has  stricken  Maccon." 

Then  Olioll  said : — 

"  Up  to  this  present  it  is  thirty  years  that  I  am  a  decrepid  senior  ;  but  now 
the  cast  of  Coman's  son,  the  poet's,  has  roused  me  from  my  lethargy  !" 

Por  yet  seven  years  again  Olioll  resumed  Munster's  sway. 

This  then  is  the  Battle  of  Mucramh,  in  the  which  fell  Art  son 
of  Conn  and  OlioH's  seven  sons,  forby  a  great  carnage  of  the 
men  of  Ireland  along  with  them;  hence  it  was  said: — 

The  morning  of  magh  mucramha^  on  which  kings  in  number  fell,  was  fatal 
to  Art  son  of  Conn. 

Others  again  affirm  that  Lughaid  mac  con  had  reigned  for 
thirty  years  in  Ireland  ;  unde  diciiur: — 

As  far  in  every  direction  as  the  bright-hued  green  sea  Maccon  held  the 
land  of  Banba ;  for  thirty  grand  and  noble  years  he  held  royal  sway  over 
Ireland. 

Finis, 


This  following  story  is  that  of  the  Battle  of  Crinna. 

Over  Ireland  there  reigned  an  admirable  king:  Cormac,  grand- 
son of  Conn  ;  at  which  period  also  over  the  Ulidians  was  a  king: 
Pergus  Blacktooth,  who  had  two  brothers :  Pergus  Longhair,  and 
Pergus  called  *  Pire-Bregia.'  Where  Cormac's  mansion  was  then 
was  in  Tara ;  and  that  of  every  king  in  Ireland  as  well,  for  the 


360  Battle  of  Crinna, 

purpose  of  holding  Tara's  Feast:  for  a  fortnight  before  samhain 
that  is  to  say,  on  sa^nhain-azy  itself,  and  for  a  fortnight  after. 
And  the  reason  for  which  they  practised  to  gather  themselves 
together  at  every  sam/iatn-t\áe  was  this :  because  at  such  season 
it  was  that  mast  and  other  products  were  the  best  matured. 
Here  too  is  the  reason  for  which  the  Feast  of  Tara  was  made  at 
all :  the  body  of  law  which  all  Ireland  enacted  then,  during  the 
interval  between  that  and  their  next  convention  at  a  year's  end 
none  might  dare  to  transgress  ;  and  he  that  perchance  did  so 
was  outlawed  from  the  men  of  Ireland. 

Now  the  Ulidians  with  a  great  muster  set  out  to  take  part  in 
the  Feast,  and  in  advance  of  themselves  sent  messengers  to 
examine  their  own  house  there,  also  to  reconnoitre  Tara.  The 
condition  in  which  these  found  their  tenement  was:  no  thatch, 
no  means  of  warmth,  walls  a-gape,  and  all  befouled  by  the  royal 
town's  cattle  and  dogs.  The  emissaries  returned  and  said  that 
the  house  was  not  fit  to  be  entered,  and  that  in  Tara  Cormac  had 
but  a  scanty  force.  Then  to  determine  what  they  should  do, 
Ulidia  assembled  in  general  council ;  and  their  decision  was  to 
throw  themselves  into  order  of  battle,  and  to  march  on  Cormac ; 
whereupon  they  sent  him  word  to  come  and  meet  them  in  line, 
face  to  face,  with  their  weapons  between  them.  But  Cormac's 
strength  was  not  sufficient  to  give  them  battle ;  what  he  did 
therefore  was  to  evade  them:  westwards  he  departed  out  of 
Tara,  his  confidentials  joined  him,  and  he  questioned  them  what 
plan  they  should  adopt,  from  what  quarter  solicit  reinforcement. 
Then  it  was  that  Cesarnn,  Cormac's  poet,  said : — 

"  O  Cormac,  unless  that  [nearer  to  hand]  thou  hast  some  battle-winning 
friend,  then  of  Munster  crave  a  champion,  mighty,  hard-hitting  ;  a  lord  that 
may  relieve  thee  of  all  fear  of  enemies    .     .    ." 

Cormac  answered:  "if  the  counsel  given  by  Cajrbre  be  the 
same  as  that  which  Cesarnn  has  pronounced,  the  same  it  is  that 
I  will  adopt"     Then  Cairbre  said : — 

"  O  my  gentle  Cormac    .     .    . 

"  For  Teigue^  son  of  Cian^  he  it  is  that  must  fight  the  battle  of 
Crinna:  in  prophecy  it  stands  for  him,  and  [besides]  his  father 
was  a  son  of  Conn's  daughter  Sabia  [father's  sister  to  thee]  ; 
thou  therefore  go  south  to  Teigue  and  grant  him  all  that  which. 


Battle  of  Crinna.  361 

in  guerdon  of  his  coming  with  thee  to  fight  the  battle,  he  shall 
demand." 

So  Cormac  resorted  to  OlioU  Olom's  house,  and  there  great 
welcome  was  accorded  him.  "  The  object  for  which  we  are  come 
hither,"  he  said,  "  is  to  entreat  your  good  will."  "  Which  thou 
shalt  have,"  answered  they:  CormacJ^as  son  of  Olioll  Olom  to 
wit,  and  Fiacha  Broadcrown  son  of  Eoghan,  and  Olioll  himself. 
Cormac^and  Fiacha  it  was  that  at  this  time  were  Olioirs  repre- 
sentatives ;  and  between  them  his  country  was  divided,  for  he 
was  not  able  himself  to  govern  it :  from  the  one  atk  cliath  to  the 
other  every  second  subdivision  of  the  land  was  allotted  to  Cormac, 
the  rest  to  Fiacha,  Teigue  standing  as  next  heir  to  either. 

They :  Olioll  Olom,  Cormac  Cas  and  Fiacha,  then  took  counsel 
between  them  ;  and  what  they  planned  was  to  lead  Cormac  to 
the  place  in  which  he  should  find  LughaidJláí!^,  with  a  view  to 
his  accompanying  him  northwards  to  deliver  the  battle.  Accord- 
ingly they  sought  the  spot  where  Lughaid  was,  and  where  should 
that  be  but  in  the  glen"  of  Aherlach:  there  they  caught  him 
bathing  himself  and  he  [consequently]  unarmed.  In  order  to 
hem  him  in  round  about,  they  made  of  themselves  three  parties ; 
Cormac  approaches  him,  over  his  head  holds  his  naked  sword, 
and  cries :  "  death  impends  on  thee,  Lughaid  ! "  "  A  death  from 
me  in  lieu  of  my  own  !"  Lughaid  answered.  "  I  will  not  accept 
it,"  said  Cormac,  "unless  it  be  a  king's  head  taken  in  battle." 
"  It  shall  be  given  thee."  "  I  will  not  accept  it,"  Cormac  pursued, 
"unless  it  be  the  head  of  Fergus  Blacktooth  king  of  Ulidia." 
"Thou  shalt  have  it"  "Pledge  thine  honour  to  it,"  insisted 
Cormac.  "  I  do  so."  Then  Lughaid  raised  his  head,  and  said : 
"that  he  may  never  thrive  that  prompted  thee!  the  old  counsel- 
lor's advice  it  is  that  here  has  been  put  in  action  ;  and  as  its 
inception  has  been  bad  for  us,  so  too  will  its  end  be  an  ill  one." 

Then  Cormac  went  to  Teigue,  who  with  great  welcome  greeted 
him,  and  said :  "  grandson  of  Conn's  daughter  Sabia,  by  reason 
that  for  thee  it  is  foretold  that  thou  must  do  it,  come  thou  to 
avert  distress  from  us!"  But  Teigue  answered:  "to  fight  the 
battle  of  Crinna,  verily  I  will  not  go ;  for  it  is  not  I  that  am 
bound  to  it :  neither  upon  my  land  is  it  that  men  inhabit  there, 
nor  is  it  my  home  precinct  that  is  ploughed."  Cormac  rejoined : 
"  see  now  to  whether  of  us  two  it  the  more  legitimately  falls  to 


dos^^    Cs^fit,\^j^U^\ 


^ 


^^"f  ^<cC«vx  S^^'C^  -  0\\c 


362  Battle  of  Crinna. 

strive  for  this  portion  of  Conn's :  for  thou,  Teig^e,  art  son  of 
Sabia  his  daughter ;  were  I  moreover  to  win  my  land,  to  thee  and 
to  thy  race  in  perpetuity  should  be  granted  all  so  much  as, 
between  the  hour  at  which  the  battle  should  be  won  and  night- 
time, thy  chariot  might  encompass ;  and  that  same  in  excess  of 
thine  own  just  stipend.  Howbeit,  in  order  to  thine  affording  us 
the  most  precious  succour  that  we  could  have :  the  making  good 
our  claim  to  Tara  namely,  we  have  but  to  remind  thee  of  our 
kinship."  "  This  matter  I  will  not  take  in  hand,  nor  go  to  do 
battle  with  Ulidia.*'    Then  Cormac  uttered : — 

"  Conn's  farewell  was  a  leave-taking  "  (and  so  forth) 

After  all,  Teigue  did  go  with  Cormac  ;  and  a  great  obnubila- 
tion was  conjured  up  for  him,  so  that  he  slept  a  heavy  sleep  and 
that  things  magic-begotten  were  shewn  to  him  to  enunciate,  and 
power  was  lent  him  to  declare  that  which  was  in  store  for  him. 
But  Cormac,  free  of  sleep,  listened  to  him,  et  dixit  Teigue: — 

"  Much  valour,  much  incitement    .    .    ." 

After  the  singing  of  that  lay  Teigue  awoke ;  he  passed  his 
hand  over  his  face,  and  said :  "  it  is  time  for  us  to  go  up  to  fight 
the  battle."  "  Time  it  is  indeed,"  Cormac  replied,  and  chanted  a 
lay: — 

^  The  revelations,  oh  the  revelations,  that  Teigue  makes  before  Crinna's 
battle    .    .    ." 

Subsequently  they  reached  Crinna,  and  Teigue  said  to  Cor- 
mac: "come  thou  too,  and  with  a  strong  force,  to  fight  the 
battle,  because  from  my  country  I  am  come  with  but  a  little 
number:  fifty  good  warriors  and  thirty  chieftains,  Lughaid  lágha 
and  myself."  "  By  no  means  will  I  bring  an  army  with  thee  for 
the  battle :  but  yield  me  the  integrity  of  my  country  and  of  my 
land,  and  I  will  deliver  the  battle ;  or  else  fight  it  thou,  with  so 
many  as  thou  hast  brought,  and  for  ever  take  thy  share  of  land  as  is 
prophesied  for  thee."  Then  Teigue  formed  his  people:  his  young 
men  he  placed  with  himself  in  the  battle's  forefront,  his  prime 
warriors  in  the  centre,  his  greybeards  in  the  rear,  whereas  the 
custom  which  hitherto  had  prevailed  in  Ireland  was:  their  grey- 
beards in  front,  their  prime  men  in  the  centre,  their  striplings  in 
the  rear ;  the  intention  with  which  this  was  done  being  that  every 
man  should  have  a  taste  of  his  own  contemporaries.     Now  the 


Battle  of  Crinna.  363 

object  that  Teig^e  aimed  at  when  he  put  his  striph'ngs  in  front 
was  that  dismay  should  not  take  them  at  sight  of  the  greybeards 
cut  up  before  their  faces  [i.e.  before  their  own  turn  came].  Then 
Ulster  made  of  themselves  a  battle :  their  greybeards  they  posted 
in  front,  their  warriors  in  the  centre,  and  their  striplings  last 
Now  comes  Cormac  to  Lughaid  lágha^  and  says  he:  "  every  chief 
and  every  righteous  man  to  his  word !  from  thee  I  am  entitled 
to  a  king*s  head  in  battle,  in  eric  of  my  father  that  thou  slewest 
in  the  batle  of  Mucratnh ;  also  it  must  be  the  head  of  Fergus 
Blacktooth,  king  of  Ulidia."  "  That  shall  be  given  thee,"  replied 
Lughaid. 

Then  the  battles  proceeded  to  encounter:  Ulidia  charged  with 
reckless  bounds,  so  that  under  the  warriors'  feet  the  earth  shook 
again  ;  that  [on  both  sides]  their  irrational  horses  of  exotic 
semblance  were  routed,  were  distracted  and  frenzied,  by  the 
bewilderment  of  reddened  point  and  edge  of  gold-encrusted 
weapons  ;  by  the  blows  on  blood-red  war-shields,  by  hurtling  of 
sharp-headed  javelins,  long  and  thick,  and  by  the  rattle  of  glitter- 
ing proof  mail.  Then  with  simultaneous  fall  Ulidia's  greybeards 
and  Munster's  striplings  fell  mutually. 

Lughaid,  wreaking  his  fury  on  the  rank  and  file  until  he 
reached  him,  now  got  at  Fergus  through  the  press,  and  in  so 
doing  was  mangled  sore  ;  he  dragged  Fergus's  head  to  him  how- 
ever, and  hewed  it  from  him.  With  it  he  went  to  where  Cormac 
was,  and  said  to  him :  "  here,  Cormac,  is  a  king^s  head  in  battle, 
even  as  I  promised  thee,  that  is :  Fergus's  head."  "  A  blessing 
of  thy  valour  and  of  thy  skill  in  arms  light  on  thee,  Lughaid," 
said  Cormac :  "  had  the  real  kingr's  head  been  brought  to  me  I 
had  not  prized  it  more  than  this  his  own  brother's  head !"  "Is 
that  what  it  is  then  ?"  asked  Lughaid.  Cormac  answered:  "that 
it  is,  indeed "  (for  on  the  spot  Ulidia  make  a  king  of  Fergus 
Longhair;  they  set  the  king's  helmet  on  his  head,  with  the  title 
of  king  he  is  saluted  by  them,  and  they  fight  on  for  their  own). 
"  Good  now,  Lughaid,"  Cormac  went  on :  "  that  which  thou  didst 
promise  me,  that  from  thy  hands  I  should  have  a  king's  head  in 
battle,  if  now  it  is  plain  to  thee  that  this  is  not  the  king's ;  for 
the  king  I  see  yet,  and  his  helmet  on  his  head."  "  'Tis  evident," 
said  Lughaid:  "into  my  hurts  stuff  ye  now  dry  sops,  to  see 
whether  I  can  make  anything  of  yonder  [i.e.  that  other]  Fergus." 


364  Battle  of  Crinna. 

Cormac*s  charioteer  came,  and  with  the  but  of  Lughaid's  own 
spear  rammed  the  sops  into  his  wounds  ;  in  which  guise  then  he 
charged  into  the  mass,  just  on  the  instant  when  it  befell  Teigue 
and  Fergus  Longhair,  with  their  respective  warriors,  to  come 
together.  Onward  through  the  battle  Lughaid  made  his  way  to 
Fergus  with  intent  to  strike  off  his  head  as  he  had  promised. 
On  the  one  side  as  on  the  other  all  the  fighting  men  fell  with 
concurrent  fall,  but  Teigue  was  on  his  legs  yet  Fergus  went  to 
the  spot  where  his  brother  had  been  killed,  and  Lughaid  after 
him ;  they  fought,  and  upon  the  same  stone  on  which  he  had 
struck  off  his  brother's  head  Lughaid  took  his.  His  helmet  fell 
from  his  head  on  the  stone,  and  Lughaid  took  back  his  head  and 
diadem  to  Cormac,  saying:  "a  king's  head  in  battle  for  thee, 
Cormac!"  "Success  attend  thine  honour  and  thy  name,  Lug- 
haid :  I  never  had  wished  the  king's  head  rather  than  that  thou 
hast  given  us!"  "What  means  that:  that  this  is  not  the  king's 
head  ?"  "  That  such  it  is  not  indeed,"  said  Cormac.  Lughaid 
assented :  "  it  is  true."  "  True  indeed,"  replied  Cormac.  "  Look 
now,  gillal'  said  Lughaid,  "  and  see  how  the  battles  encounter,  or 
is  Teigue  still  a-foot  ?"  The  gilla  reported :  "  he  is  so."  "  What 
are  they  at  now?"  asked  Lughaid  again.  "The  greybeards  on 
the  one  side  are  facing  for  the  youngsters  on  the  other."  "  Put 
a  few  more  sops  into  my  wounds  that,  along  with  the  greybeards 
of  Munster,  I  may  vent  my  death-fury  on  Ulidial"  The  style 
of  king  had  by  the  Ulidians  been  immediately  conferred  on 
Fergus  Fire-Bregia,  and  he  invested  with  the  kingly  helmet; 
and  the  Ulidian  striplings,  accompanying  him,  betook  them  to 
the  fight.  On  the  other  side,  Munster's  greybeards  with  Lughaid 
and  Teigue  did  the  same,  and  between  the  two  parties  a  bitter 
battle  was  delivered.  The  northern  striplings  are  routed,  Fergus 
is  slain  ;  upon  still  the  same  stone  Lughaid  takes  off  his  head, 
then  carries  it  to  Cormac.  Now  what  Cormac  hit  upon,  because 
fear  of  Lughaid  had  taken  him,  was  to  install  Deilenn  the  magi- 
cian in  his  royal  seat;  and  what  Deilenn  said  then  was  that,  unless 
the  freedom  of  his  own  race :  the  culaite  of  Bregia  were  granted 
him,  he  would  not  occupy  it.  Cormac  yielded :  "  that  shall  be 
given  thee."  Thereupon  Deilenn  took  the  royal  place,  and  upon 
his  head  assumed  the  king's  helmet.  But  Lughaid,  having  in  his 
hand  the  head  of  the  third  and  last  Fergus,  came  up  in  search  of 


Battle  of  Crinna.  36  5 

Cormac ;  with  the  head  he  made  a  shot  [as  he  thought]  at  the 
king,  and  so  slew  Deilenn  whom  he  took  for  him.  There  men 
planted  the  wizard's  monumental  stone,  whence  dumha  Deilenn 
or  *  Deilenn's  mound/ 

After  this,  Cormac  accosts  Lughaid  and  says  to  him:  "no 
kindly  act  to  me  it  was,  Lughaid,  when  thou  slewest  my  magi- 
cian." "  Not  him  but  thyself  it  was  that  I  desired  to  kill," 
answered  Lughaid ;  and  then  it  was  that  the  poet  uttered : — 

"  Upon  the  one  flagstone  at  rath  chró^  or  *  the  gory  rath,*  were  slaughtered 
the  three  Ferguses    .     .    ." 

Here  Lughaid  heard  great  outcry  to  the  northward  of  him, 
and:  "what  shouting  is  it  that  I  hear  now, ^7/a?"  he  enquired. 
"  The  cheering  of  Munster's  men  in  the  wake  of  the  rout,"  said 
the  gilla.  As  he  still  was  there  he  heard  a  roar  that  came 
towards  them  from  their  front,  and  Lughaid  asked  again :  "  what 
cry  is  this  from  the  front, gillaV^  "  Ulidia*s,  as  they  turn  to  face 
the  pursuing  battle."     Then  Cormac  said : — 


"  Go  forth,  Lughaid  that  art  not  feeble,  to  encounter  Eochaid gunncU  .   .   . 
'tis  time  for  thee  to  succour  Teigue    .    • 


}i 


"True,"  said  Lughaid:  "Eochaid  it  is  that  even  now  has 
joined  the  battle  and,  unless  I  make  my  way  to  him,  there  is  not 
a  man  to  tackle  him ;  neither  is  it  any  young  beardless  lad's 
work,  and  he  wounded  and  hacked  about,  to  stand  up  to  that 
man  of  might ;  the  little  rest  of  my  life  that  yet  is  in  me,  'tis  on 
him  therefore  that  it  shall  be  expended."  Therewith  he  arises 
and  comes  to  where  the  others  fight  the  fight,  and  betwixt  both 
armies  a  battle  is  delivered  indeed :  for  when  they  had  made  an 
end  of  flinging  and  had  otherwise  used  up  all  their  weapons, 
every  man  of  them  with  his  hand  actually  tore  away  another's 
inwards :  hence  áth  an  ifiathair^  or  *  the  ford  of  entrails,'  north- 
ward of  Crinna. 

After  that,  Ulidia  was  routed  ;  and  the  ill-informed  affirm  that 
in  this  battle  Lughaid  slew  Eocliaid  giinnat^  but  it  is  not  true. 
Against  Ulidia  on  that  day  seven  battles  *  were  broken ' :  the 
battles  of  Crmna,  of  Rath  chr6,  of  Aircetros^  of  Conacliadh^  of 
Sithbe^  of  Ath  an  inathair^  of  dniim  Fuaid. 

For  after  the  events  aforesaid  [and  the  first  four  of  these 
battles]  the  Ulidians  confer  the  royal  power  on  Eirnemach,  and  at 


366  Battle  of  Crinna. 

Sithbe  fight  a  battle  to  make  good  his  claim  ;  thence  they  get  as 
far  as  Aircetros^  where  they  fight  another ;  thence  to  Conachadh^ 
in  like  wise  to  druim  Fuaid,  and  beyond  that  point  they  were  not 
followed. 

The  battle  being  now  finally  broken  [i.e.  won],  Teigue  repairs 
to  Cormac  and  says :  "  that  which  was  promised  to  me,  namely 
so  much  land  as  after  the  battle  my  chariot  might  travel  round, 
be  the  same  now  given  to  me."     "  That  shall  be  granted  thee," 
Cormac   answered.     But   Cormac's  chariot,   and   his  charioteer 
Maeldóit  or  *  clench-the-fist,'  are  assigned  to  him  to  guide  him  in 
the  course  which  he  should  take ;  and  Cormac  instructed  Mael- 
doit,  saying:  "  whenever  Teigue  shall  swoon  away,  gilla^  do  thou 
then  turn  the  chariot*s  head  eastward  again."     The  gilla  asked : 
"  what  reward  shall  be  given  me  for  doing  this  ?"     "  The  freedom 
of  thy  children  and  of  thy  race  for  ever,"  said  Cormac,  "  if  to 
Teigue  thou  give  not  either  Taillte  or  Tara."     "  That  shall  be 
done,"  the  gilla  answered.     Teigue  starts  to  make  the  circuit  of 
his  land  ;  and  at  such  times  as  he  fainted  off,  what  the  gilla  did 
was  to  turn  the  horses'  heads  and  the  chariot  eastward  again ; 
then  when  he  came  to,  the  driver  would  turn  the  horses*  heads 
back  to  the  westward.     In  this  manner  they  got  as  far  as  the 
river  Liffey;  it  was  then  evening  with  them,  and  Teigue  said 
here:   "good   now,  gilla^   what  river  is  this?"     "Verily  it  is 
Liffey."     ^^Gilla,   have   we  brought  away  Tara   and  Taillte?" 
"We  have  not."     "Have  we  brought  either  of  them?"     "We 
have  not."     "That  is  an  ill  thing  indeed,"  said  Teigue:  "neither 
shall  that  for  which  thou  hast  played  this  trick  ever  profit  thee  !" 
then  from  its  sheath  Teigue  drew  his  sword,  and  in  that  very 
place  [i.e.  there  and  then]  made  of  Maeldoit  three  portions  [i.c. 
with  two  cuts],  whence  cnuic  Maeldoit  or  *Maeldoit's  hillocks' 
over  Liffey. 

Teigue  thereafter  proceeded  to  Tara,  to  require  of  Cormac  that 
he  should  be  treated  for  his  wounds.  "Thy  treatment  shall 
indeed  be  undertaken,"  said  Cormac,  "  and  physicians  brought  to 
thee."  Such  therefore  are  called  in  to  Teigue  and  to  Lughaid 
lágha  ;  but  either  one  of  them  is  bestowed  in  a  house  apart,  and 
an  enormous  fee  promised  to  the  leeches  in  reward  of  introducing 
into  the  patients*  gashes  and  hurts  divers  deleterious  matters : 
beetles,  awns  of  barley  [and  so  forth],  with  intent  to  work  their 


Battle  of  Crinna.  367 

destruction  and  death  ;  the  object  with  which  they  were  sepa- 
rated being  that  neither  should  see  the  foul  play  that  was  carried 
on  in  regard  of  the  other.  On  this  wise  then  they  continued 
until  they  were  wasted  away  all  but  a  little ;  but  from  Teigue 
at  this  point  word  was  sent  southwards  to  the  seed  of  Olioll 
Olom :  to  Cormac  Cas,  and  to  Fiacha  Broadcrown  son  of  Eoghan, 
that  they  should  procure  physicians  to  be  sent  to  him  to  know 
whether  he  might  be  cured  at  all.  Cormac  in  the  mean  time 
went  to  confer  with  Lughaid  lágha^  for  [as  he  thought]  he  knew 
beforehand  that  Lughaid  would  not  live,  and  said:  "by  thy 
valour  and  thy  weapon-play,  Lughaid,  I  conjure  thee  that  (since 
now  no  longer  thou  mayest  hope  for  life)  thou  tell  me  how  my 
father,  Art  son  of  Conn,  comported  himself  in  the  hour  when  by 
thee  he  was  being  slain  and  his  head  taken."  "  Thou  shalt  know 
it,'*  Lughaid  made  answer:  "he  bleated  like  a  he-goat;  he 
bellowed  like  a  bull ;  he  screeched  like  a  woman  "  (now  the 
reason  for  which  Lughaid  said  this  was  that  he  supposed  Cor- 
mac would  kill  him  presently,  for  he  was  fain  so  to  die  rather 
than  to  linger  as  he  was).  Hereupon,  at  the  question  that  Cor- 
mac had  put  to  him,  anger  and  fury  seized  Lughaid,  a  swelling 
and  a  suppuration  filled  him  up  utterly ;  and  on  the  instant  his 
coagulated  blood,  and  all  that  were  in  his  inside  of  beetles  and 
of  worms  [there  planted  by  the  venal  medicine-men],  discharged 
themselves  violently  and,  by  operation  of  this  rage  that  took 
him,  lay  before  his  face  on  the  green.  Then  in  his  hand  he 
picked  up  a  prize  flagstone,  and  made  for  Cormac  ;  but  the  king 
evading  him  cleared  out  of  his  way,  and  Lughaid  made  a  cast  of 
the  stone  that  went  a  man's  length  into  the  earth.  Such  then 
was  the  occasion  of  Lughaid's  recovery  this  time. 

In  due  course  the  leeches  from  the  south  reached  Teigue,  to 
examine  whether  he  were  curable.  His  plight  was  now  exceed- 
ing feeble,  desperate,  and  out  through  the  wall  of  the  house  the 
physicians  heard  the  moan  that  he  made.  "  A  moan  of  sickness 
this  that  the  Chief  emits,"  says  one  ;  "  a  moan  caused  by  weapon's 
point,"  said  a  second  ;  "a  moan  wrought  by  some  living  creature," 
quoth  the  third.     "  He  needs  treatment,"  said  all  three. 

They  enter  the  house  in  which  Teigue  is,  and  it  is  voided  for 
them.  "This  is  not  a  flourishing  state  of  things,"  they  said. 
"By  no   means   indeed,"   answered   Teigue.     Said  one  of  the 


368  Eochaid's  Sons. 

physicians:  "  manifestly  it  is  no  man  of  the  North  that  will  make 
a  good  job  of  thee,  but  myself"   "  I  would,"  replied  Teigue,  "  that 
thou,  rather  than  the  North,  hadst  the  successful  curing  of  me." 
Here  the  leeches,  when  the  house  [as  we  have  seen]  was  emptied 
about  them  so  that  besides  him  and  themselves  there  were  not 
any  present,  take  him  in  hand:  under  a  plough's  coulter  they 
keep  a  smith's  bellows  a-blowing  till  it  is  red,  then  at  Teigue's 
belly  they  feign  to  make  a  drive  of  it,  and  so  [by  virtue  of  the 
emotion  wrought  in  him]  the  major  part  of  such  reptiles,  beetles, 
blood-clots,  and  all  other  noxious  matters  as  were  in  him,  flew 
out  and  lay  before  them  all  upon  the  floor.   Thrice  in  this  fashion 
the  same  application  was  threatened  to  his  paunch;  and  it  left  in 
him  neither  moan  nor  sickness,  but  he  was  whole.     Teigue  by 
the  way  killed  the  medicos  that  had  introduced  the  creeping 
things  into  his  inside. 

Then  he  retired  south  to  his  own  home.  Cormac  sought  to 
evade  giving  him  the  land,  but  Teigue  set  about  preparing  to 
fight  him  for  it ;  what  the  king  determined  to  do  therefore  was 
to  give  him  the  fee  of  his  territory  in  perpetuity,  as  he  had  proi 
mised  him  ;  and  so  it  shall  be  for  ever. 

Finis. 


The  Story  of  Eochaidh  Muighmedóins  Sons. 

Over  Ireland  was  an  admirable  king  and  an  eminent:  Eochaid 
called  mtiighmedóin\  and  he  had  five  sons:  Brian,  Ailill,  Fiachra, 
Fergus,  Niall.  Mongfhionn  or  *  Long-fair-haired,'  daughter  of 
Fidach,  was  Brian's  mother  and  Fiachra's,  Fergus's  and  Ailill's ; 
Cairenn  called  casdubh  or  *  the  curly-black,'  daughter  of  Saxall 
called  balbh  or  *  the  stutterer,'  king  of  Saxons,  was  Niall's.  And 
to  the  queen  this  last  son  was  an  object  of  spite ;  for  to  her  dis- 
paragement it  was  that  the  king  had  begotten  him  of  Cairenn, 
whom  therefore  the  queen  kept  in  a  condition  of  great  hardship : 
so  great  indeed  that  she  on  the  one  side  must  draw  Tara's  water, 
while  against  her  alone  on  the  other  were  pitted  all  the  rest  of 
the  she-slaves,  and  they  depending  on  her  service  [to  keep  them 


EochaicPs  Sons.  369 

going  in  their  own  task  of  distributing  it  to  the  community] ; 
moreover,  even  when  she  was  great  with  Niall  the  task  still  was 
compulsory  on  her,  with  intent  the  child  should  perish  in  her 
womb. 

Thus  it  came  to  the  time  of  delivery  with  her,  but  for  all  that 
she  never  broke  off  the  duty ;  and  at  last,  upon  Tara's  green  she 
bore  a  son  and  she  lying  apart,  kennelled  in  her  tub.  She  dared 
not  pick  up  the  boy  from  the  ground,  but  in  that  same  spot  left 
him  exposed  to  the  prey-birds  ;  neither,  for  fear  of  Mongfhionn, 
durst  any  man  of  all  Ireland  carry  him  home,  the  dread  of  her 
lying  heavy  upon  all.  But  Torna  the  Poet  afterwards  coming 
on  the  green  saw  the  babe  lie  all  lonely,  the  *  raptores '  already 
attempting  him.  Torna  took  him  to  his  bosom,  and  in  his  behalf 
showed  all  that  should  be  after,  saying: — 

''A  welcome  to  the  little  guest  that  shall  yet  be  Niall  of  the  Nine  Host- 
ages   .    .    ." 

Then  Torna  carried  off  the  boy  and  nurtured  him,  and  until 
he  was  fit  to  be  a  ruler  neither  he  nor  Torna  resorted  to  Tara  ; 
but  there  [when  they  did  come]  they  lighted  on  Cairenn,  still 
drawing  water  for  the  town.  Niall  said  to  her:  "let  be  the 
service."  "  I  dare  not,"  she  answered,  "  for  the  queen."  Niall 
said:  "  my  mother  shall  not  slave,  and  I  a  king's  son  I"  Then 
he  took  her  to  Tara  and  invested  her  with  purple  raiment 

Anger  possessed  the  queen,  and  she  misliked  all  this ;  the 
verdict  of  Ireland  in  the  matter  being  that  Niall  was  the  one  to 
be  king  after  his  father,  so  that  eventually  Mongfhionn  said  to 
Eochaid :  "  between  thy  sons  deliver  now  a  judgment,  which  of 
them  it  is  that  shall  succeed  thee."  "  I  will  not,"  he  said,  "  but 
Sithchefin  the  magician  shall."  They  were  all  sent  to  Sithfiiienn, 
the  smith  that  dwelt  in  Tara,  who  also  was  a  seer  of  wondrous 
capacity.  He  then  [having  gotten  them  into  it]  set  fire  to  the 
forge  over  them.  Niall  won  out,  bringing  the  anvil  with  its 
block;  "may  it  be  Niall  that  prevails,  and  for  ever  shall  be  a 
solid  anvil !"  cried  the  wizard.  Brian  got  out,  and  brought  along 
the  sledgehammers:  "  Brian  for  your  foughten  fields  !"  the  magi- 
cian said  again.  Fiachra  escaped,  bringing  a  pail  of  ale  and 
the  bellows:  "your  ornament  and  your  art  shall  be  Fiachra's!" 
Ailill   reached   them,  with  the  receptacle  in  which  the  spear- 

2  B 


370  Eochaid's  Sons. 

heads  were:  "  Ailill  to  avenge  you  !"  Fergus  broke  out,  having 
a  bundle  of  dry  sticks  and  in  it  a  green  one  of  yew:  "Fergus 
withered !"  the  wizard  cried  ;  and  that  came  true,  for  the  seed  of 
Fergus  were  no  good,  one  only  excepted :  Cairech.  Hence  then 
the  adage :  *  a  green  stick  of  yew  among  a  faggot  of  dry  fire- 
stuff';  and  to  foreshew  the  same  it  was  that  the  sennachie  sang: — 

"  Eochaid's  five  sons :  Niall  the  anvil    .    .    ." 

Mongfhionn  felt  this  thing  to  be  a  grievous  one ;  to  her  sons 
therefore  she  said:  "ye  four  sons  of  mine  as  ye  are,  quarrel 
among  yourselves,  that  Niall  come  to  separate  you ;  then  slay 
him."  They  quarrel  accordingly.  "  I  were  better  to  part  them," 
said  Niall.  "  Not  so,"  quoth  Torna.  Then  *  Mongf hionn's  sons 
were  appeased ' :  whence  the  old  saw  to  that  effect 

She  said  however  that  with  this  enunciation  of  Sithchenn's 
she  would  not  rest  content ;  and  to  that  same  man  they  were 
sent  again,  to  seek  arms  of  him.  So  they  repaired  to  the  smith 
and  he  made  them  arms  ;  the  most  notably  excellent  weapon 
that  was  of  them  he  put  into  Niall's  hand,  and  the  rest  delivered 
to  the  other  sons:  "go  now  and  hunt,  and  prove  your  arms," 
said  the  smith. 

They  went  and  hunted  and,  after  a  time,  when  they  had  now 
been  long  astray  found  themselves  shut  in  on  every  hand.  When 
they  ceased  from  their  wandering  they  kindled  themselves  a  fire ; 
they  cooked  them  somewhat  of  the  game,  and  ate  till  they  were 
satisfied.  But  then,  by  operation  of  their  meal,  they  were  affected 
with  great  drouth  and  thirst,  and :  "  let  us  send  one  to  look  for 
^Q    i.  water,"  said  they.     "  I  will  go,"  said  Fergus.     Away  the  young 

fellow  goes  in  quest  of  water  ;  and  he  lights  on  a  well,  over  which 
^  he  finds  an  old  woman  standing  sentry.  The  fashion  of  th^ag 
was  this:  blacker  than  coal  every  joint  and  segment  of  her  was, 
from  crown  to  ground  ;  comparable  to  a  wild  horse's  tail  the 
grey  wiry  mass  of  hair  that  pierced  her  scalp's  upper  surface  ; 
with  her  sickle  of  a  greenish  looking  tusk  that  was  in  her  head, 
and  curled  till  it  touched  her  ear,  she  could  lop  the  verdant 
branch  of  an  oak  in  full  bearing  [i.e.  acorn-laden] ;  blackened 
and  smoke-bleared  eyes  she  had  ;  nose  awry,  wide-nostrilled  ;  a 
wrinkled  and  a  freckled  belly,  variously  unwholesome ;  warped 
crooked  shins,  garnished  with  massive   ankles   and   a   pair   of 


EochaicTs  Sons.  371 

capacious  shovels  ;  knotty  knees  she  had,  and  livid  nails.  The 
beldame's  whole  description  in  fact  was  disgusting.  "  That's  the 
way  it  is,  is  it?"  said  the  lad,  and:  "that's  the  very  way,"  she 
answered.  "  Is  it  guarding  the  well  thou  art  ?"  he  asked,  and 
she  said :  "  it  is."  "  Dost  thou  license  me  to  take  away  some 
water  ?"  "  I  do,"  she  consented,  "  yet  only  so  that  I  have  of  thee 
one  kiss  on  my  cheek."  "  Not  so,"  said  he.  "  Then  water  shall 
not  be  conceded  by  me."  "My  word  I  give,"  he  went  on,  "that 
sooner  than  give  thee  a  kiss  I  would  perish  of  thirst  1"  Then  the 
young  man  departed  to  the  place  where  his  brethren  were,  and 
told  them  that  he  had  not  gotten  water. 

Olioll  started  to  look  for  some,  duly  reached  the  same  well, 
and  denied  the  cailUach  a  kiss.  He  besought  her  for  water,  but 
she  granted  him  not  access  to  the  spring. 

Brian,  eldest  of  the  sons,  then  went  on  the  quest,  and  equally 
attained  to  the  identical  well ;  he  solicited  the  old  thing  for 
water,  but  denied  her  a  kiss. 

Fiachra  went  now ;  the  spring  and  the  cailUach  he  found  both, 
and  petitioned  for  water.  "  I  will  give  it,"  she  said,  "  and  give 
me  a  kiss  for  it"  He  bestowed  on  her  a  bare  touch  of  a  kiss, 
and  she  said:  "have  thou  but  mere  contact  of  Tara!"  and  it 
came  true:  of  his  seed  two  ruled  Ireland,  DatM  and  Ailill  molt 
namely,  but  of  the  others'  seed :  of  Brian's,  Ailills,  Fergus's,  not 
one. 

Niall  went  in  search  of  water,  and  came  to  the  very  well :  "  let 
me  have  water,  woman !"  he  cried.  "  I  will  give  it,"  said  she, 
"  and  bestow  on  me  a  kiss."  He  answered :  "  forby  giving  thee 
a  kiss,  I  will  even  hug  thee  !"  then  he  bends  him  to  embrace  her, 
and  gives  her  a  kiss.  Which  operation  ended,  and  when  he 
looked  at  her,  in  the  whole  world  was  not  a  young  woman  of 
gait  more  graceful,  in  universal  semblance  fairer  than  was  she: 
to  be  likened  to  the  last-fallen  snow  lying  in  trenches  every 
portion  of  her  was,  from  crown  to  sole  ;  plump  and  queenly  fore- 
arms, fingers  long  and  taper,  straight  legs  of  a  lovely  hue  she 
had  ;  two  sandals  of  the  white  bronze  betwixt  her  smooth  and 
soft  white  feet  and  the  earth  ;  about  her  was  an  ample  mantle  of 
the  choicest  fleece,  pure  crimson,  and  in  the  garment  a  brooch  of 
white  silver ;  she  had  lustrous  teeth  of  pearl,  great  regal  eyes, 
mouth  red  as  the  rowan-berry.     "  Here,  woman,  is  a  galaxy  of 

2  B  2 


372  Eockaid's  Sons. 

charms,"  said  the  young  man.     "  That  is  true  indeed."    "  And 
/ho  art  thou  ?"  he  pursued.  "  *  Royal  Rule '  am  I,"  she  answered, 
and  uttered  this: — 

"KingofTara!  I  am  *  Royal  Rule*    .    .    . 

"Go  now,"  she  said,  "to  thy  brethren,  and  take  with  thee 
water ;  moreover,  thine  and  thy  children's  for  ever  the  kingdom 
and  supreme  power  shall  be,  excepting  only  two  of  the  seed  of 
Fiachra  :  Dathi  and  Ailill  molt,  with  one  out  of  Munster:  Brian 
of  the  Boromean  Tribute  ;  which  three  shall  be  kings  *  sine 
renitentia.'  And  as  at  the  first  thou  hast  seen  me  ugly,  brutish, 
loathly — in  the  end,  beautiful — even  so  is  royal  rule:  for  without 
battles,  without  fierce  conflict,  it  may  not  be  won ;  but  in  the 
result,  he  that  is  king  of  no  matter  what  shows  comely  and 
handsome  forth.  Howbeit,  to  thy  brothers  deal  not  water  until 
they  give  thee  conditions :  till  they  yield  thee  their  birthright, 
and  that  thou  raise  thy  weapon  an  arm*s  length  over  theirs." 
"  So  shall  it  be  done,"  said  the  young  man. 

Then  he  takes  leave  of  her,  and  to  his  brothers  carries  water  ; 
but  it  was  not  served  out  to  them  till  they  granted  him  all  terms 
which  he,  according  as  the  woman  had  instructed  him,  required 
of  them.  He  bound  them  over  then  that  never  to  all  eternity 
should  they  oppose  him,  nor  [their  posterity]  his  children. 

Thereafter  they  all  repaired  to  Tara  ;  the  others  raised  their 
weapons,  and  Niall  his  the  length  of  a  warriors  arm  over  them. 
They  sat  down,  and  Niall  among  them  in  the  centre.  The  king 
sought  news  of  them.  Niall  told  all  their  doings :  how  they  had 
gone  to  look  for  water,  had  stumbled  on  the  spring  and  the 
woman,  and  how  she  had  prognosticated  for  them.  "  How  comes 
it,"  said  Mongf hionn,  "  that  it  is  not  the  eldest :  Brian,  that  tells 
the  story  ?"  They  replied :  "  for  the  sake  of  water  we  had  before- 
hand resigned  him  our  birthright."  "Ye  have  given  it^ in  per- 
petuity," said  Sithchenn:  "for,  his  and  his  children's  from  this 
time  forth  for  ever  the  main  power  and  royal  rule  of  Ireland 
shall  be."  And  it  was  verified :  for  unless  that  he  had  it  *  cum 
renitentia,'  not  a  single  one  other  than  an  issue  of  his  ruled 
Ireland  from  Niall  hither  to  'the  heavy  hitter  of  the  Hill  of 
Usnach':  Melachlin  son  of  Donall ;  seeing  that  of  Niall's  pos- 
terity, both  of  the  north  and  of  the  south,  there  held  her  ten 


Death  of  Crimthann,  etc,  373 

kings  of  his  son  Conall's  race,  sixteen  of  his  son  Eoghan's  [and 
so  forth]  as  one  has  recited : — 

**  I  am  instructed  how  many  they  are  that,  from  the  loins  of  Niall  the  man 
of  lofty  exploits,  have  grasped  Ireland    .    .    ,^ 

Finis, 


Death  of  Crimthann  son  of  Fidach,  and  of  Eochaidh 
Muightnedóin s  three  sons:  Brian^  Ai/iil,  Fiachra. 

A  noble  and  a  reverend  king  that  once  upon  a  time  ruled 
Ireland:  Eochaidh  muighniedóin.  He  had  a  spouse  worthy  of 
him :  Mongfhionn  daughter  of  Fidach,  and  she  bore  him  four 
sons :  Brian  and  Fiachra,  Ailill  and  Fergus  their  names  were ;  con- 
cerning whom  she  sees  a  dream,  and  it  was  this :  that  they  were 
transformed  into  four  carnivores,  as  Brian  into  a  lion's  shape, 
Fiachra  into  a  greyhound's,  Ailill  into  a  beagle's,  Fergus  into 
that  of  a  commonplace  dog.  Then  they  carried  on  with  rugging 
and  riving  of  one  another:  in  the  beginning,  at  every  other  bout 
the  greyhound  would  worst  the  lion  ;  but  finally  the  lion  prevails 
against  all  three  who,  meekly,  submissively,  without  a  sign  of 
mutiny,  give  in  to  him  [acknowledge  his  superiority].  This 
dream  Mongfhionn  tells  to  the  magician  Sithchenn,  and:  "just 
so,"  he  says,  "  Brian  will  be  an  aggressive  and  a  raging  lion,  such 
too  his  seed  after  him :  as  opposed  to  all  other  men's  fury  they 
shall  be  a  virulently  contentious  phalanx,  and  steadfast  to  endure 
others'  onslaughts  on  themselves ;  after  whom  Fiachra  and  his 
will  be  given  to  war  and  excursions :  he  shall  hack  and  hew 
at  Brian's  race,  Brian  at  his ;  between  them  both  shall  be  armed 
strife,  mutual  mischiefs  wrought,  and  the  rule  partitioned  to  the 
posterity  of  each  alternately ;  in  the  end,  however,  the  seed  of 
Brian  will  prevail  over  all  the  other  sons*  children,  and  the  pre- 
eminence be  theirs.  Ailill  will  be  a  hound  of  the  chase,  seeking 
out  and  striving  for  lands  in  provision  for  his  brethren  ;  as  for 
Fergus,  his  seed  will  be  but  a  sorry  set  of  plebeians,  and  'tis 
hardly  if  ever  his  race  will  be  made  out  at  all. 

In  course  of  time  Eochaid  died,  and  between  his  five  sops 


3  74  Death  of  CrinUhann,  etc. 

then  was  dire  contention  for  his  land :  Niall  by  himself  of  the 
one  part,  and  Mongfhionn's  four  sons  of  the  other.  What  she 
hit  upon,  now  that  she  had  failed  of  getting  the  kingdom  for  her 
son  Brian  alone  (who  was  the  favourite  one  of  her  children),  was 
this :  by  means  of  solicitation  and  of  magic-practice  (for  in  all 
sorcery  and  witchery  she  was  an  adept)  to  allure  the  men  of 
Ireland  to  confer  the  royal  power  upon  his  brethren,  that  she 
might  send  him  over-seas  to  learn  the  art  of  arms,  whereby  later 
he  should  turn  out  an  eminent  hero  fit  to  make  the  kingdom  his. 

Accordingly  Brian  crossed  the  sea,  and  with  Senach  son  of 
Onga  in  the  north  of  Scotland  learned  warlike  accomplishments 
until  in  all  feats  of  arms  and  valour  he  was  vigorously  competent. 
When  then  at  seven  years'  end  his  training  was  perfected,  he 
returned  from  the  eastward":  a  brownhaired,  powerful  and  bull- 
like man,  with  solidity  of  limb,  with  the  strength  of  nine,  and  in 
either  hand  endowed  with  equal  weapon-skill — such  was  Brian. 

Crimthann  reigned  over  Ireland  still,  and  to  Mongfionn  it  was 
a  sore  vexation  that  Brian  was  not  king.  But  on  a  royal  progress 
Crimthann  went  into  Scotland — for  thus  it  was  that  the  king 
of  Tara  ever  proceeded  on  his  grand  visitation :  from  Tara  into 
the  Galianic  province  [Leinster] ;  thence  into  both  provinces  of 
Munster  [Thomond  and  Desmond]  ;  afterwards  into  the  province 
of  Olnegmacht  [Connacht],  thence  again  into  the  province  of 
Ulster,  and  so  into  Scotland — whereupon  Mongfhionn's  sons 
laid  forcible  and  violent  hold  on  Crimthann's  domain.  He 
upon  hearing  of  this  returned  out  of  the  east ;  into  Connacht  he 
brought  a  great  host  that  he  mustered,  to  expel  his  sister's  sons 
out  of  his  kingdom  ;  he  marched,  and  pitched  camp  on  the  Moy 
amongst  the  Connachtmen.  Mongfhionn  debated  with  herself, 
and  what  she  imagined  was  that  to  Brian's  brothers  she  should 
offer  a  banquet  on  the  Moy  in  Tirawley,  invite  her  own  brother 
thither  as  though  to  make  peace  with  her  sons  and,  with  intent 
to  procure  the  royalty  for  Brian,  administer  to  him  a  poisoned 
draught. 

To  her  brother's  house  Mongfhionn  repaired  therefore ;  be- 
twixt Crimthann  and  her  children  she  patched  up  a  fraudulent 
peace,  and  conducted  him  to  the  feast.  When  they  had  made 
an  end  of  the  entertainment  Mongfhionn  put  into  her  brother's 
hand  a  poisoned  cup,  but:  "I  will  not  drink,"  he  said,  "until 


Death  of  Crimthann^  etc.  375 

thou  first  shalt  have  drunk."  She  drinks,  and  Crimthann  after 
her.  Subsequently  Mongfhionn  died,  on  samhaitis  very  eve, 
and  this  constitutes  [the  tale  called]  *  Mongfhionn  the  Sorce-  N^ 
ress's  Tragical  Death*;  and  the  reason  for  which  samhain-XXa^ 
is  by  the  common  people  called  *  the  Festival  of  Mongfhionn  *  is 
that  she,  so  long  as  she  was  in  the  flesh,  had  [occult]  powers,  and 
was  a  witch :  wherefore  it  is  that  on  samhain-^wQ  women  and  the 
rabble  address  their  petitions  to  her. 

Now  came  Crimthann  from  the  northward,  progressing  towards 
his  own  natural  country  (that  of  the  men  of  Munster)  until  he 
gained  sliabh  siiide  in  Hgk  or  *  the  mountain  of  the  king's  sitting,' 
and  there  he  died.  Fidach  his  father,  his  mother,  and  she  that 
had  nursed  him,  came  to  the  spot  where  he  perished  ;  there  they 
gave  way  to  piteous  grief,  and  all  three  died  upon  the  very 
ground.     Concerning  which  the  historian  vented  this: — 

"  Crimthann's  poor  tumulus,  what  its  origin  ?...." 

Howbeit  that  treachery  which  she  had  executed  on  her  brother, 
and  her  choice  of  death  for  herself  in  hopes  that  Brian  should 
have  been  king  after  her,  served  Mongfhionn's  purpose  not  at 
all :  for  Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages  it  was  that  succeeded  Crim- 
thann and  ruled  all  Ireland  ;  nevertheless  Brian  was  his  most 
formidable  agent  in  war  and  his  next  in  command,  out  of  all 
countries  bringing  him  in  pledges  and  tribute. 

Eventually  Brian  acquired  the  sovereignty  of  Connacht's  pro- 
vince, while  Fiachra  took  all  from  cam  Feradaigh  or  *  Feradach's 
cairn '  to  magh  mucramha  \  hence  between  the  two  was  a  vieing 
and  great  jealousy,  so  much  so  that  a  war  sprang  up  among 
them.  Between  them  is  fought  the  battle  of  Damchluain^  which 
goes  against  Nathi  and  his  father:  Nathi  escapes,  but  Fiachra  is 
taken  and,  being  brought  to  Tara,  delivered  into  the  hand  of  Niall 
his  brother.  Out  of  this  a  second  time  grows  an  exceeding  great 
war,  between  Brian  and  Nathi :  the  former  having  his  camp  at 
Datnchluain  in  úi  Bhriuin  seola,  hard  by  comtnaicne  cuile ;  Nathi 
with  clan-Fiachra  posted  against  him  in  Aidhne,  Brian's  magician, 
Dritliliu^  is  brought  to  him,  and  he  questions  him  as  to  what  the 
consummation  should  be  of  this  war  of  his  and  Nathi's.  The 
wizard  said  that  'twas  Nathi  should  be  victorious,  and  have  sway 
even  to  Slieve-Elpa.     Brian's  children  are  brought  to  him  and 


37^  Death  of  Crimthann^  etc. 

he  blesses  them,  teUing  them  that  Echen  their  senior  should  be 
their  chief  after  him:  four-and-twenty  sons  Brian  had,  concern- 
ing which  fact  the  poet  uttered: — 

"  Eochaid  muighmedóiris  son  Brian    .    .    .'* 

Especially  he  blessed  Dai  galachy  the  youngest,  and  foretold 
that  of  him  the  royal  line  should  be.  Then  Nathi  with  his  force 
all  in  battle  array  marches  on  Brian  where  he  with  but  a  little 
number  was  in  camp ;  between  them  a  bitter  struggle  takes 
place:  the  [second]  battle  of  Damchluain  is  won  against  Brian, 
and  himself  pursued  out  of  the  fray  as  far  as  tulcha  DomhnaUl  or 
*  Donairs  tulachs!  There  Enna  ceinnselacK s  son  Crimthann  slays 
him,  and  Brian's  son  Enna  emalach  kills  Crimthann  presently  ; 
in  which  spot  Brian  is  buried.  After  a  long  time  Beaedh  of  ros 
Cairn  came  and  carried  away  Brian's  remains  to  Ros  Caim,  where 
he  laid  him :  whence  the  *  Brian's  Sepulchre '  of  to-day.  Drithliu 
the  magician  is  slaughtered  on  the  banks  of  Finnlochy  whence 
aenach  Drithliud  or  *  Drithliu's  green '  has  its  name ;  and  on 
their  account  the  sennachie  sang: — 

"  Over  Conn's  Half  Brian  assumed  sportive  sway    .    .    ." 

Niall  now  loosens  Fiachra's  fetters  from  him,  and  p'ves  him  the 
rule  of  Connacht,  he  henceforth  being  Niall's  prime  agent  in  war 
and  next  in  command,  bringing  him  in  pledges  to  Tara.  Fiachra 
son  of  Nathi,  and  the  son  of  Fiachra's  own  son  Amhalgaid  [a 
quo  Hr  Amfialgaid  or  *Tirawley'],  were  for  pledges  in  Niall's 
hand ;  in  which  condition  said  Fiachra  died  in  Tara,  and  from 
him  are  the  úi  Fiachrach  of  cúilfabhair  in  Meath. 

Now  Eochaid  ntuighmedóin's  sons  Fiachra  and  Ailill  with  a 
vast  army  marched  into  Munster  to  lift  rent  and  pledges,  and 
advance  as  far  as  Caenraighe  or  *  Kenry'  of  úi  Chairbre,  Then 
the  men  of  Munster,  led  by  Eochaid  son  of  Crimthann  More  son 
of  Fidach  and  by  Maige  tnescorachy  gather  themselves  in  order  of 
battle  to  oppose  Fiachra ;  and  a  good  man  indeed  was  he, 
Fiachra,  to  encounter  whom  they  came  thither:  that  for  weapon- 
play  was  a  man-at-arms  and,  for  wisdom,  one  both  to  marshal 
the  battle  and  to  rule  a  country ;  kingly  in  form,  a  warrior  with 
fair  hair  so  long  that  it  fell  to  his  shoulder's  point,  whence  he  is 
styled  Fiachra  foltshnáitheach  or  *  thread-haired.'  To  him  accord- 
ingly the  men  of  Munster  give  battle  in  Kenry,  and  in  the  fight 


Death  of  CrinUhann^  etc.  377 

Maige  mescorach  wounds  Fiachra  very  sore ;  nevertheless,  by 
dint  of  hand-to-hand  work  the  battle  goes  against  Munster  and 
great  carnage  of  them  is  made,  so  that  in  the  event  Fiachra 
carries  away  out  of  the  province  fifty  pledges,  with  their  entire 
tribute,  and  so  follows  his  way  to  Tara. 

But  when  he  was  come  to  the  spot  now  called  Forrach  in  úi 
7Pieic  UaiSy  there  Fiachra  died  of  his  hurt  His  grave  was  dug, 
his  lamentation-rite  performed,  his  name  written  in  Ogham  ; 
after  which,  in  order  that  perpetually  it  should  be  for  a  reproach 
to  Munster  and  a  fitting  matter  with  which  to  taunt  them,  round 
about  Fiachra's  grave  the  pledges  whom  they  had  brought  out  of 
the  south  were  buried  and  they  alive.  Every  man  of  them,  as 
they  were  put  quick  into  earth,  said :  "  it  is  for  uch  [i.e.  *  upon 
uchV  an  ejaculation  of  despair]  that  these  tumuli  are  being 
founded  ";  and  so  said  they  all.  Quoth  a  magician  there:  "even 
such  shall  be  the  name  of  the  place,  Forrach  to  wit";  and  it  was 
to  proclaim  these  doings  that  the  antiquarian  uttered : — 

"  Eochaid's  son  of  brilliant  lustre    .    .    ." 

So  soon  as  they  heard  of  Fiachra's  death,  they  of  Munster 
returned  out  of  the  west  [whither  they  had  been  driven  after 
their  defeat] ;  and  by  Eochaid  son  of  Crimthann  son  of  Fidach, 
now  king  of  Ireland,  Ailill  is  captured.  Right  precious  too 
this  was  in  the  Momonians'  estimation,  for  it  had  been  to  them 
a  burning  thing  that  the  sons  of  the  woman  that  slew  their  lord 
should  have  forced  their  way  to  them :  for  he,  their  former  lord, 
was  one  that  upon  extern  borders  had  enforced  their  exactions  of 
reparation,  and  of  all  other  countries  had  with  aggression  taken 
pledges ;  had  reduced  under  Munster's  rule  and  sway  the  diverse 
districts  of  both  Ireland  and  Scotland.  Ailill  they  hewed  in 
pieces  then :  such  was  the  manner  of  his  death.  Between  them 
both  [i.e.  the  two  races :  Eocfiaidmuightnedóiriszxiá  Crimthann's] 
there  subsequently  was  great  war,  and  for  a  lengthened  space ; 
which  occasioned  them  [Munster]  to  win  and  to  hold  the  soil 
on  which  at  this  day  they  still  are  planted  [Thomond] :  and  the 
matters  [that  you  have  now  heard]  make  up  the  efficient  cause 
of  all  later  war  between  Connacht  and  Munster,  of  the  whole 
rivalry  that  they  have  carried  on  between  them.  On  which  head 
it  was  that  the  historian  sang: — 

"Eochaid's  three  sons,  Fiachra,  Brian,  Ailill:  by  wound  had  of  Maige 


378  The  little  Brawl. 

mescorachy  Fiachra  perished  after  the  fight ;  Brian  was  mortally  wounded  at 
dan  Daire ;  with  lofty  Eochaid  son  of  Crimthann,  Ailill  got  a  poisoned 
draught ;  such  were  the  tragic  deaths  of  those  haughty  three.'' 

Lughaid  mentis  son  of  Angus  (called  tireach  or  *  landgrabber*) 
son  of  Fercorb,  he  it  was  that  first  and  violently  grasped  the 
land  of  Thomond :  for  which  reason  it  is  called  *  Lughaid  Red- 
hand's  cruel  sword-land  ';  seeing  that  the  countries  which  the 
men  of  Munster  acquired  by  main  force  were  two:  that  of  Ossory 
in  eric  of  Edirsceol  (whom  Leinster  slew),  and  Thomond's  in 
eric  of  Crimthann  son  of  Fidach.  Howbeit,  not  because  they 
have  any  legitimate  title  to  it  they  possess  the  same :  because 
that,  according  to  legal  right  of  provincial  partition,  such  ground 
of  Thomond  belongs  to  Connacht's  province,  which  [properly 
speaking]  extends  from  Luimneach  [the  lower  Shannon]  to  the 
river  Drowes. 

Such  then  is  the  narrative  of  Crimthann  mac  Fidach's  violent 
death ;  of  Mongfhionn's,  and  of  that  of  Eocliaid  muighmedóirís 
three  sons:  Fiachra,  Brian,  Ailill. 

Fmis, 


The  little  Brawl  at  Almhain. 

It  was  a  pleasantly  sonorous  banquet  on  the  greatest  scale 
that  by  Finn  son  of  Cumall  son  of  Trenmor  was  convoked  in 
Leinster's  spacious  Almhain:  which  feast  being  now  prepared 
and  all  ready  for  the  eating,  the  good  men  and  great  gentles  of 
the  Fianna  came  to  enjoy  it.  Now  they  that  apart  from  Finn 
were  the  noblest  of  these,  and  the  most  honourable,  were:  the 
mighty  GoU  mac  Morna  ;  Ossian  son  of  Finn,  Oscar  son  of 
Ossian  ;  mac  Lugach  of  the  terrible  hand,  Dermot  of  the  light- 
some face,  and  Caeilte  son  of  Ronan ;  the  vigorous  children  of 
Dubhdiorma^  the  children  of  Smól^  and  DubhdáboirenrC s  people  ; 
Goll  gulbaUy  the  swift-footed  Corr  and  his  sons:  Conn,  Donn, 
Aedh  and  Anacan  ;  Ivor  son  of  the  valorous  and  victorious 
Crimthann,  and  two  that  were  sons  to  the  king  of  Leinster  (they 


The  little  Brawl.  379 

both  also  standing  to  Finn  in  the  relation  of  alumni),  with 
Coirell  grandson  of  Conbran.  To  the  feast  came  likewise  two 
that  were  sons  to  the  king  of  Scotland,  and  along  with  them 
divers  bold  impetuous  scions  from  among  the  sons  of  the  whole 
world's  kings  and  chiefest  nobles. 

Thither  came  moreover  the  Fianna  of  all  Ireland  ;  then  Finn 
sat  in  the  chief  captain's  seat  at  the  fort's  one  mid-side,  the 
mirthful  Goll  mac  Morna  at  the  other,  and  under  either  of  them 
the  chieftains  of  his  own  folk ;  after  which  every  man  of  the 
company,  according  to  his  degree  and  patrimony,  sat  in  his  own 
appointed  and  befitting  place,  even  as  everywhere  and  at  all 
times  previous  had  been  their  use  and  wont. 

Altogether  marvellously  then  the  servitors  rose  to  serve  and  to 
supply  the  hall :  they  laid  hold  on  jewelled  drinking  horns, 
studded  (every  flashing  and  elaborate  goblet  of  them)  with  fair 
crystalline  gems  and  wrought  with  cunning  workmanship  in 
shining  patterns,  and  to  those  good  warriors  all  were  poured 
strong  fermented  draughts  of  smooth  luscious  liquors:  then 
merriment  waxed  fast  in  their  youths,  audacity  and  spirit  in 
their  heroes  ;  in  their  women,  kindness  and  gentleness  ;  in  their 
poets,  knowledge  and  the  gift  of  prophecy. 

Straight  and  promptly  now  a  crier  stood  up  and,  for  the  inhi- 
bition of  serfs  and  pilferers,  rattled  a  coarse  iron  chain  ;  a  long 
one  of  antique  silver  he  shook  to  check  the  gentles  and  chief 
nobles  of  the  Fianna,  likewise  their  erudite  by  profession,  and  all 
listened  hushed  in  silence.  Fergus  Truelips,  Finn's  poet  and 
the  Fianna's,  rose  and  before  Finn  son  of  Cumall  sang  the  songs 
and  lays  and  sweet  poems  of  his  ancestors  and  forbears.  With 
the  rarest  of  all  rich  and  costly  things  Finn  and  Ossian,  Oscar 
and  mac  Lughach,  rewarded  the  bard  wondrously ;  whereat  he 
went  on  to  Goll  mac  Morna  and  in  front  of  him  recited  the 
bruidhne  or  *  Forts,'  the  toghla  or  *  Destructions,*  the  tdna  or 
*  Cattle-liftings,'  the  *  tochmarca '  or  *  Wooings,*  of  his  elders  and 
progenitors:  by  operation  of  which  artistic  efforts  the  sons  of 
Morna  grew  jovial  and  of  good  cheer. 

Here  Goll  said:  "where  is  my  runner?"  and:  "here  am  I, 
royal  captain,"  she  made  answer.  "  Hast  thou  brought  me  from 
the  Danes  my  'hand-tribute '?"  "  Surely  I  have,"  she  said  and, 
so  soon  as  she  had  spoken,  rose  promptly  and  on  the  hall's  floor 


380  The  little  Brawl. 

before  Goll  deposited  as  it  were  the  bulk  of  some  huge  swine,  or 
a  stalwart  warrior's  full  load,  of  the  beautiful  twice-molten  [i.e. 
double  refined]  gold.  He  loosed  the  covering  that  confined  this 
tribute  and,  in  presence  of  the  concourse,  spilt  on  the  ground 
those  noble  treasures  of  great  beauty.  Goll  paid  Fergus  accord- 
ing to  his  wont ;  nor  of  all  who  that  night  were  in  Almhain's 
fort  was  there  knowledgeable,  keen-worded  poet,  skilled  rhymer 
accustomed  to  rich  guerdons,  sweetly  melodious  harper,  well 
instructed  neatly  expressive  antiquary  or  other  man  of  science 
whatsoever,  whether  of  the  Eirennachs  or  Albanachs,  but  Goll 
gave  him  largesse  of  gold,  or  of  silver,  or  of  divers  costly  things. 

Finn  spoke  then,  saying:  "how  long,  Goll,  hast  thou  this 
tribute  on  them  of  Lochlann:  my  own  rent  too  being  upon 
them,  and  a  warrior  there  safeguarding  my  rent  and  tribute,  my 
hunting  and  rights  of  venery  ?  Ciaran  son  of  Lathairne  he  is :  a 
hard-bitten  hero  in  the  fight,  and  in  his  own  household  are  ten 
hundred  that  are  valiant" 

Goll  (for  he  perceived  that  Finn  was  moved  by  anger  and  by 
envy  at  him)  spoke  to  Cumall's  son,  saying:  "a  long  time  now, 
Finn,  I  have  that  tribute  on  the  Lochlannachs :  even  from  the 
hour  in  which  thy  father  forced  on  me  war  and  contention,  and 
the  monarch  of  Ireland  with  his  provincials  joined  Cumall  against 
me,  and  I  perforce  must  quit  Ireland  for  them.  I  went  my  ways 
into  Britain :  which  country  I  took,  killed  the  king  himself,  and 
made  massacre  of  his  people  ;  but  Cumall  expelled  me  out  of  it. 
Thence  I  progressed  to  Finnlochlann,  the  king  of  which,  with  his 
household,  fell  by  me ;  but  again  Cumall  ejected  me.  On  I 
went,  into  Scotland  :  the  king  of  the  land  fell  by  my  deed,  and 
still  Cumall  drove  me  out.  I  entered  into  Saxonland  :  the  king 
of  Saxons  with  his  whole  household  perished  by  me,  yet  Cumall 
put  me  out  of  that.  But  [at  last]  I  came  to  the  battle  of  Cnucha, 
and  there  thy  father  fell  by  me;  at  which  very  time  it  was  that  I 
acquired  this  rent  upon  the  Lochlannachs  and,  when  I  had  pene- 
trated to  the  king  of  Danes*  hold,  brought  away  thyself  and  thy 
fifteen  men  along  with  thee :  the  king's  wife  being  enamoured  of 
thee,  and  thou  therefore  after  lying  for  a  whole  year  captive  in 
an  underground  dungeon,  while  they  had  a  day  fixed  on  which 
to  put  both  thee  and  thy  party  to  death.  And  by  thy  hand, 
Finn,  I  assaulted  the  Danish  king's  hold :  himself,  Eoghan  More, 


The  little  Brawl.  381 

I  slew,  and  cut  off  his  people,  taking  from  them  their  gold  and 
their  silver.  I  left  a  king  over  the  Lochlannachs :  Tine  son  of 
Trioscall ;  imposed  on  them  a  tribute  to  myself,  and  there  it  is. 
Now,  Finn,"  continued  Goll,  "  no  *  tribute  of  the  hand  *  [i.e.  won 
by  the  strong  hand]  it  is  that  thou  hast  on  them  :  but  in  their 
country  enjoyest  simple  stipend  of  Fian-command-in-chief  and 
stewardship  of  vigilance,  which  I  will  not  to  thy  detriment  impair. 
Moreover,  Finn,  in  regard  of  this  rent  be  not  jealous  of  me:  for 
though  I  had  more  than  that,  'tis  to  thee  and  to  all  Ireland  I 
would  give  it!" 

Angrily  and  fiercely  Finn  retorted,  saying:  "  in  this  narrative, 
Goll,  thou  hast  confessed  that  from  the  city  of  Beirblie  thou 
camest  to  Cnucha,  and  there  slewest  my  father;  and  a  bold  thing 
it  is  for  thee  to  tell  me  so."  "  By  thine  own  hand,"  quoth  Goll, 
"  wert  thou  to  do  me  dishonour  as  did  thy  father,  the  very  same 
treatment  that  I  gave  Cumall  is  that  which  I  would  mete  to 
thee."  "Goll,"  answered  Finn,  "my  power  were  good  not  to 
Met  that  go  with  thee':  for  as  against  every  one  man  in  thy 
household,  I  have  a  hundred  warriors."  "  So  too  thy  father  was," 
said  Goll,  "  and  I  avenged  my  dishonour  on  him ;  in  like  wise 
also  would  I  do  to  thee,  didst  thou  but  deserve  it  of  me." 

Cairell  Whiteskin,  grandson  of  Baeiscne,  spoke  [mockingly], 
saying:  "many  a  man,  Goll,  thou  hast  quelled  in  Finn  mac 
Cumairs  household  !"  Conan  mael  (or  *the  bald  ')  mac  Morna, 
man  of  imprecations,  spoke  and  said :  "  by  my  weapons  I  swear 
that,  however  few  he  might  have  with  him,  Goll  never  yet  was 
without  having  in  his  household  a  hundred  and  one  men  each 
one  of  whom  would  have  quelled  thee !"  "  And  is  it  of  them 
that  thou  art,  thou  crooked-spoken,  sconce-peeled  Conan  ?" 
asked  Cairell.  "  Of  them  just,  thou  comb-wearing,  nail-scratch- 
ingi  rugged-skinned  Cairell  of  little  strength ;  and  I  would 
undertake  to  prove  on  thy  person  that  Finn  [when  he  spoke] 
was  in  the  wrong." 

With  that,  Cairell  stood  up  and  upon  Conan  discharged  a 
furious  buffet ;  not  tamely  was  this  responded  to  by  the  patient, 
but  right  in  among  his  forehead  and  his  teeth  [i.e.  over  his  whole 
face]  he  dealt  Cairell  another.  At  all  events,  they  then  adminis- 
tered each  to  the  other's  skin  and  entire  body  a  series  of  rapid 


382  The  little  Brawl. 

and  spiteful  stabs,  so  that  from  that  great  struggle  these  good 
men's  breasts  and  chests  were  well  mangled. 

Then  rose  two  sons  of  Ossian's  son  Oscar:  Echtach  and  111- 
ann  ;  of  their  shields  they  made  as  it  had  been  close  dense  bul- 
warks round  about  them,  and  in  the  mélée  inflicted  upon  Conan 
deep  thrusts,  hardly  to  be  healed.  Which  when  Goll  mac 
Morna's  two  sons  saw,  that  Conan  was  in  that  extremity  namely, 
they  too  stood  up  and  in  the  fight  wounded  Oscar's  progeny. 

Then  the  strong  lion,  Oscar  of  the  great  deeds,  son  of  Ossian, 
rose  and  in  his  sumptuous  gold-adorned  battle-gear  harnessed 
his  comely  body:  assuming  upon  his  neck  a  fine,  artfully  wrought 
tippet  of  proof ;  his  great  shield  on  his  left  arm  and,  in  the  other 
hand,  his  hard  straight-bladed  sword  ;  in  which  g^ise,  impetuously 
and  with  high  courage  he  went  to  relieve  his  sons  and  Cairell  his 
kinsman.  He  never  bared  his  sword  however,  but  betook  him  to 
lay  on  sledging-blows :  that  is  to  say,  in  this  sudden  outbreak  he 
used  in  either  hand  a  sledge-hammer  ;  and  Conan  said  to  him : 
"  the  gods  I  thank  for  it  that  thou,  Oscar,  in  fair  fight  comest  in 
my  way,  for  I  will  e*en  snip  thy  life's  thread !" 

Then  Oscar  and  Conan  encountered,  and  their  meeting's  up- 
shot was  that  Conan  was  worsted  and  that  Oscar  forced  from 
him  a  groan  of  distress.  Conan  looked  at  Art  Oge  mac  Morna  ; 
that  powerful  champion  stood  up,  and  by  him  Oscar  was  wounded. 
This  might  not  be  endured  by  Finn's  son,  Ossian,  and  by  him 
Art  Oge  was  hurt  Garbfoltach  or  *  Rough-hair'  mac  Morna  rose, 
and  by  him  Ossian  was  wounded.  The  bold  mac  Lugach  rising 
invested  himself  in  his  fighting  garb,  and  Garbfoltach  was  hurt 
by  him.  The  broadchested  Garadh  mac  Morna  stood  up,  and 
by  him  mac  Lugach  was  wounded. 

At  this  point  Finn's  son  Faelan,  having  with  him  his  three 
hundred  kinsmen,  rose  and  resolutely  entered  the  press ;  by 
whom  all  the  sons  of  Morna  were  put  from  their  places. 

Then  rose  that  hardfighting  pillar  of  battle,  Goll  mac  Morna, 
and  took  on  him  his  vesture  of  battle :  about  his  neck,  his  hand- 
some tippet  of  the  best ;  upon  his  smooth  skin,  his  white-bordered 
hempen  jack ;  in  his  pinknailed  fist,  his  sharp-pointed  sword, 
solid,  well-balanced  for  the  stroke  ;  his  ample  bossy  shield  on  his 
left  arm.     Irresistibly  he  burst  into  the  fray,  and  neither  flaming 


The  little  Brawl  383 

taper  nor  flaring  all-illuminating  torch  in  the  great  hall  he  left 
unextinguished,  nor  a  single  table  but  he  made  small  disinte- 
grated fragments  of  it. 

Triumphantly  now  Finn  vented  his  battle-cry  or  *  forest-shout/ 
and  on  all  Ireland's  Fianna  enjoined  to  utterly  quench  and 
unsparingly  to  kill  the  sons  of  Moma  [i.e.  all  clan-Morna]. 

Then  around  themselves  the  Fianna  made  of  their  shields 
close,  solid  palisades  ;  Finn  put  himself  at  the  head  of  those  men 
of  might,  and  the  two  parties  fell  unrelentingly  to  bone-splitting 
of  each  other.  A  fermentation  of  anger  took  Goll,  and  to  shelter 
his  people  he  turned  himself  into  a  shield,  massive,  infrangible ; 
the  various  bands  and  their  chieftains  waxed  furious ;  the  cham- 
pions, reckless  ;  the  combatants  increased  and,  from  the  tough 
unloving  battle  which  they  fought  together,  the  martial  men 
were  full  of  hurts.  Plentiful  there  the  blood  was,  a-flowing  in 
streams  down  the  sides  of  free-bom  offsprings  ;  gashes  deep  and 
incurable  covered  those  destructive  and  not-to-be-parted  pha- 
lanxes. An  ill  place  it  had  been  for  feeble  invalid,  or  delicate 
taper-fingered  woman,  or  aged  senior  of  long  date,  to  be  in:  the 
little  brawl  at  Almhain  on  that  night,  a-listening  to  groans  of 
young  and  old,  of  high  and  low,  as  they  lay  maimed,  faint  and 
infirm,  or  were  stricken  down  and  cut  up.  At  this  game  then 
they  endured  from  the  first  of  night  to  rising  of  the  morrow's 
sun,  nor  ever  gave  each  other  quarter. 

Then  rose  the  sapient  trenchant-worded  poet — the  richly 
rewarded  good  man  of  verse — Fergus  Truelips  and,  together 
with  him,  the  Fianna's  men  of  science  all,  and  to  those  com- 
panies of  men-at-arms  chanted  their  duans,  their  skilled  rhymes 
and  eloquent  panegyrics,  with  a  view  to  check  and  to  assuage 
them. 

Thereupon,  with  the  poets*  music,  they  ceased  from  their 
hacking  and  hewing,  and  suffered  their  weapons  to  fall  on  the 
ground ;  these  arms  the  poets  picked  up,  and  between  their 
owners  they  effected  a  reconciliation.  Finn  however  affirmed 
that  with  clan-Morna  he  would  not  make  peace  until  he  should 
have  had  the  king  of  Ireland's  judgment  in  the  matter,  that  of 
Aillbhe,  daughter  of  said  king  Cormac  son  of  Art  son  of  Conn 
of  the  Hundred  Battles,  of  Cairbre  Lifechair  [his  son  and]  Ire- 
land's  heir,  of  Fithal  and  of  Flathri ;  the  crowning  judgment 


384  The  little  Brawl. 

to  lie  with  Fintan  son  of  Bóchna :  all  which  Goll  said  that  he 
would  concede  to  him.  They  bound  themselves  (the  poets 
going  security  for  them)  to  abide  by  that  peace,  and  appointed 
a  certain  day :  one  fortnight  from  that  present,  upon  Tara's 
green. 

The  Fianna's  losses  were  examined  now,  and  those  of  Finn  s 
people  were  eleven  hundred  men  and  women :  for  many  a  most 
noble  and  hitherto  fortunate  lady,  and  lovely  woman  of  many 
charms,  and  gentle  maid  of  sweet  discourse,  and  gallant  warrior, 
were  fallen  there  ;  while  many  a  slashed  nose,  many  an  eye 
ruptured  and  ear  lopped,  many  a  leg  shorn  through  the  bone, 
arm  chopped,  carcase  mangled,  and  side  bored  in  holes,  had  such 
of  Finn  mac  Cumall's  people  as  still  lived. 

As  for  Goll  and  his  good  folk,  the  clan-Morna,  of  them  were 
wanting  none  but  eleven  men  and  fifty  women  ;  it  was  not  that 
the  women  were  slain  however,  but  that  with  fear  they  simply 
died.  Every  one  of  them  that  was  curable  was  put  to  be  treated 
and,  for  as  many  as  on  either  side  were  slain,  very  deep  and 
broad-sodded  graves  were  dug. 

Then  that  great  house  of  Almhain  was  cleansed,  and  again 
every  one  of  them  seated  himself  in  order  of  nobility  and  patri- 
mony: in  which  guise  they  pass  fourteen  days,  and  at  such 
period's  end  repair  to  Tara.  Cormac  and  Cairbre,  Aillbe  and 
Fithal,  Flathri  and  Fintan  mac  Bochna,  sat  in  the  place  of 
judgment,  and  first  of  all  Finn  addressed  himself  to  tell  his  tale  ; 
but  Goll  objected :  "  it  is  not  to  thee,  Finn,  that  willingly  we 
would  assign  the  recital  of  any  such  matters  that  should  be 
betwixt  us,  seeing  that  as  against  me  thou  wouldst  turn  a  lie 
into  truth,  and  of  truth  make  a  lie  ;  wherefore  to  Fergus  True- 
lips  entrust  we  either  one  of  us  the  statement  of  his  case,  and 
let  him  by  his  gods  swear  to  do  justice  between  us." 

Finn  consented,  and  Fergus  guaranteed  to  deal  equitably  ; 
then  he  told  how  it  was  Cairell  first  that  had  lent  Conan  a 
buffet ;  that  Goll's  two  sons  came  to  Conan's  aid,  and  Oscar  to 
succour  his  own  ;  that  with  that  the  Fianna  in  general  and  clan- 
Morna  rose  at  each  other,  and  from  night's  beginning  to  sunrise 
on  the  morrow  ruthlessly  engaged  in  mutual  bone-hewing  ;  that 
Finn's  losses  during  the  time  consisted  in  eleven  hundreds  of 
men   and   women,   clan-Morna's  being  eleven    men   and    fifty 


Teigue  son  of  Cian.  385 

women ;  over  and  above  which,  in  virtue  of  this  onfall  a  great 
number  of  them  on  both  sides  were  badly  hurt 

Cormac  said:  "considering  the  numbers  that  were  against 
them,  I  wonder  at  the  smallness  of  clan-Morna*s  loss ;"  to  which 
Fergus  answered  that  it  was  Goll  had  interposed  to  cover  his 
own  people:  "  and  such,  O  king  of  Ireland,  is  the  history  of  this 
broil,*'  he  ended.  Then  Flathri  pronounced :  "  damages  to  clan* 
Morna  ;  for  in  this  cause  it  was  upon  them  that  the  aggression 
was  committed.'*  "That  is  no  decision  of  a  jurist's  son,"  said 
Cormac:  "for  to  his  lord  every  simple  warrior  owes  obedience," 
"  That,**  said  Flathri,  "  holds  good  for  the  *  white-striking '  [i.e  for 
the  fisticuffs] ;  not  so  for  the  bloodshed."  Fithal  pronounced: 
"  inasmuch  as  they  were  the  first  aggrieved,  we  hold  clan-Morna 
exempt  from  payment  of  all  damage  ;  farther:  Finn  also  we 
exempt,  in  consideration  of  his  copious  loss."  Fintan  son  of 
Bochna  assented:  "that  is  the  award  of  a  jurist's  son  ;"  Cormac 
likewise,  and  Cairbre,  commended  the  same. 

This  done,  the  Fianna  were  summoned  to  the  spot,  the  judg- 
ment was  imparted  to  them,  and  on  this  wise  peace  was  made 
between  the  parties.    So  far  then  '  the  Little  Brawl  at  Almhain.' 

Finis. 


This  that  follows  is  the  /Idventure  of  Cians  son  Teigue. 

It  was  once  upon  a  time  when  Teigue  son  of  OlioU  Olom's  son 
Cian  was  on  his  *next  heir's  ckiCUit'  into  the  west  of  Munster, 
and  his  own  kindly  brethren:  Aimelach  and  EogJtan  along  with 
him.  And  that  was  the  very  time  and  hour  in  which  came 
Cathmann  son  of  Tabam — a  man  that  was  king  of  the  beauteous 


land  of  Fresen :  a  country  lying  over  against  Spain  to  the  south- 
east— out  of  the  coasts  of  Fresen  then  this  same  Cathmann 
(with  a  strength  of  nine  first-rate  ships'  crews)  came  on  a  roving 
commission,  scouring  the  sea  to  make  discovery,  until  they  made 
the  land  in  Munster's  western  part  where,  in  or  about  Berehaven 
(to  be  precise),  they  caught  the  country  napping,  and  so  slipped 
ashore,  the  whole  ileetful  of  them ;  by  whom  the  country  was 

2  c 


^"f  p^ 


386  Ttigue  son  of  Cian. 


spoiled  and  ravaged,  nor  were  the  inhabitants  ever  aware  of 
them  until  they  had  surrounded  their  prey,  both  human  and  of 
kine:  Teigue's  entire  family  being  taken,  and  himself  by  sheer 
weapon-play  coupled  with  resolution  haralv  escaping  away  from 
them.  There  namely  were  captured  (jUba^  daughter  of  Conor 
Red-brows  and  wife  of  Cian's  son  Teigue,  with  both  his  brethren : 
Airnelach  and  Eoghan ;  and  among  all  the  various  denomina- 
tions of  captives  and  of  booty  away  they  were  carried,  in  the 
hands  of  robbers  and  trusting  to  the  clemency  of  allmarac/is 
[a  poor  look-out],  until  they  reached  Spain  and  the  coasts  of 
Fresen.  Teigue's  wife,  Cathmann  tells  off  to  himself  for  the 
cJ^  ^^y^fr»  purposes  of  his  bed  and  most  privy  couch  ;^is  two  kinsmen  he 
1^0^ >     I  relegates  to  servitude  and  hardship:  Eoghan,  to  work  a  common 

Au/A  ferry  across  a  fjord  on  the  coast ;  Airnelach,  to  pull  firewood 

\v  \'  .       -  and  to  keep  up  fire  for  the  people  at  large  ;Qwhile  for  their  sua' 

'pbV*^^  port  was  given  them  barley  seed  only,  with  muddy  turbid  watef)i> 

*   I  •        .  Teigue's  concerns  must  be  told  now:   whom  grief  and  dis- 

\xy<0*^      ^jlJXV  couragement   affected,  for   sake  of  his  brethren  and   his   wife 
jf^S^  ravished  from  him  by  Allmarachs.     Forty  warriors  of  his  people 

however  had  likewise  escaped  unslain  by  these,  having  on  the 
contrary  themselves  killed  of  them  a  man  apiece,  and  one  indi- 
vidual of  the  over-sea  men  they  brought  in  in  hand.  This  fellow 
told  them  the  particulars  of  that  land  out  of  which  they  had 
been  attacked  ;  and  the  project  which  Teigue  formed  in  con- 
sequence was  to  build  and  fit  out  (suitably  to  a  long  passage)  a 
smart,  strongly  put  together  currach  of  fivc-and-twenty  thwarts, 
in  which  should  be  forty  ox-hides  of  hard  bark-soaked  red 
leather.  Then  he  provided  all  due  items  of  his  currach's  neces- 
saries: in  the  way  of  thick  tall  masts,  of  broad-bladed  oars,  of 
pilots  fully  qualified,  and  of  thwarts  solidly  well  laid  and  fitted 
in  their  berths,  in  such  fashion  that  in  all  respects  this  currach 
was  as  it  should  be,  and  thoroughly  staunch. 

With  mighty  effort  now  they  ran  down  and  bravely  launched 
the  craft :  some  stout  hands  in  her,  all  standing  by  to  meet  the 
huge  green  billows,  to  deal  with  the  lofty  rising  of  the  salmon- 
bearing,  strong-crested  sea,  with  the  rude  broken  race  of  the 
spring  tide.  With  victuals  and  all  stores  they  filled  their  currach 
so  that,  though  they  kept  the  sea  for  a  whole  year,  they  had  had 
as  much  as  would  keep  them  of  meat  and  drink,  and  of  right 


Teigue  son  of  Cian.  387 

good  raiment.  The  young  men  then  being  at  all  points  ready, 
Teigue  said :  "  men  !  take  your  currach  to  sea,  and  let  us  be  off 
in  quest  of  our  own  that  for  now  already  some  time  are  away 
from  us  ;"  and  he  uttered  a  lay: —  ^^^^      2ici* 

"  Out  upon  the  high  and  stormy  sea  your  currach  take    ..."  /  '    ,  ^ 

Forth  on  the  vast   illimitable  abyss  they  drive  their  vessel    '    ^    ""^^JLILíí" 
accordingly,   over  the  volume  of  the   potent   and   tremendous       Vv|#Trf 
deluge,  till  at  last  neither  ahead  of  them  nor  astern  could  they 
see  land  at  all,  but  only  colossal  Ocean's  superficies.   Farther  on, 
they  heard  about  them  concert  of  multifarious  unknown  birds  and 
hoarse  booming  of  the  main  ;  salmons,  irridescent,  white-bellied, 
throwing  themselves  all  around  the  currach  ;  in  their  wake  huge 
bull  seals,  thick  and  dark,  that  ever  cleft  the  flashing  wash  of  the 
oars  as  they  pursued  them  and,  following  these   again,  great 
whales  of  the  deep  ;  so  that  for  the  prodigiousness  of  their  fashion, 
motion  and  variety,  the  young  men  found  it  a  festive  thing  to 
scrutinise  and  watch  them  all:  for  hitherto  they  had  not  used  to 
see  the  diverse  oceanic  reptiles,  the  bulky  marine  monsters. '  Vox\ 
the  space  of  twenty  days  with  twenty  nights  thus  they  continued        "  • 
rowing  on  the  sea,  and  then  sighted  bold  land  having  a  fair  and 
favourable  coast.     They  hold  a  straight  course  for  the  same  till 
they  reach  it,  then  all  hands  land  and  there  they  beach  their 
currach  ;  they  light  fires,  their  provisions  are  passed  out  to  them, 
and  these  the  warriors  despatch  redoubtably.     On  the  beautiful 
green  grass  they  make  themselves  beds,  and  from  that  moment 
to  the  bright  hour  of  sunrise  on  the  morrow  enjoy  themselves  in 
sleep.     Next  day,  Teigue  being  early  risen  prepares  to  perambu- 
late and  to  search  out  the  land,  to  make  a  circuit  and  find  out 
whether  in  the  island  were  any  inhabiting  of  either  men  or  beasts. 
He  takes  on  him  his  armature  of  battle  therefore,  and   thirty 
warriors  of  his  people  fully  weaponed  start  with  him ;  they  go 
right  ahead  and  explore  the  whole  island,  but  signs  of  human    / 
habitation  find  not  any  whatsoever  nor,  save  only  all  flocks  of    ^^9J     h/^ 
sheep,  aught  else.     The  size  of  these  creatures  was  unutterable:     (-  r  ^^V 

they  were  not  less  than  horses  of  the  largest,  the  entire  island  too  ^^hy^    On 

being  full  of  their  wool.     One  parlous  great  flock  in  particular  ^'^^«c^ 

they  found  there,  of  _gig^antic  rams  which  a  single  special  one 
exceeded  all:  nine  horns  bedecked  him  and  on  our  heroes  he     ^ /iL 
charged,  violently  butting.    In  irritation  Teigue's  people  turn  on  *^^/ 


2  c  2  ^' 


k 


2^ 


388  Teigue  son  of  Cian. 

him  and  between  them  and  him  a  fight  comes  off,  in  which  the 
ram  at  this  first  burst  staves  in  some  five  of  their  shields ;  but 
then  Teigue  poises  that  throwing  javelin  of  his  that  might  not 
be  eluded,  and  at  the  ram  delivers  a  lucky  cast,  so  killing  him. 
Now  the  full  burthen  of  those  nine-and-twenty  others  that  were 
present,  that  is  what  he  was  to  carry.  They  brought  him  to  the 
currach,  prepared  him  deftly,  and  brandered  him  till  he  was 
meat  fit  for  the  young  men  to  consume.  For  its  beauty,  its 
extraordinary  nature  and  the  richness  of  it,  they  gather  great 
store  of  the  wool  and  put  it  into  the  currach.  For  three  nights 
they  were  in  the  island,  and  a  wether  it  was  that  nightly  pro- 
vided our  fine  fellows.  Human  bones  too  of  enormous  size  they 
found  there,  but  what  death  had  carried  off  the  owners  was 
unknown  to  them :  whether  it  were  men  that  had  slain,  plague 
or  pestilence  exterminated,  or  in  fact  the  rams  that  had  killed 
them.^ 

They  leave  the  island  and  pull  ahead,  upon  which  course  that 
they  held  they  light  on  a  pair  of  most  peculiar  islands,  contain- 
ing a  multitude  of  very  special_birds  of  the  blackbird  sort:  some 
of  them  possessing  the  bulk  of  eagles  or  of  cranes,  and  they  red 
(but  with  green  heads  on  them)  while  eggs  they  had  that  were 
pied  of  blue  and  of  pure  crimson.  Of  which  eggs  certain  from 
among  the  navigators  ate  somewhat,  and  on  the  instant  an 
integument  of  feathers  would  sprout  out  all  over  every  one  that 
so  fed  ;  but  when  they  bathed,  such  plumage  would  as  quickly 
drop  from  them.  Now  the  Allmarach  that  they  had  with  them, 
he  it  was  that  had  given  them  this  course,  for  on  some  former 
occasion  he  as  he  cruised  had  followed  this  same  track  of  theirs. 

Again  they  pull  away,  for  six  weeks  (during  which  spell 
they  never  made  a  landfall),  until  the  Allmarach  said:  "we  are 
all  adrift,  and  carried  into  the  deep  illimitable  ocean  of  the  great 
abyss!"  Then  the  blast  with  its  coarse  utterance  rose;  great 
uproar  was  wrought  in  the  sea,  so  that  it  was  turned  into  heaving 
hills,  into  great  mountains  ill  to  climb  ;  and  at  encounter  of  all 
this  dirty  weather,  of  these  heavy  squalls:  things  which  hitherto 
they  had  not  practised  to  endure,  much  fear  occupied  the  people 
of  Cian's  son  Teigue.  But  he  fell  to  stir  up  and  to  incite  them, 
telling  them  to  meet  the  sea  like  men,  and  he  said: — 

"Young  men  of  Munster,  rise    .    .    . 


Ttigtu  son  of  Cian.  389 

"  And,  men,"  he  went  on,  "  do  valiantly — fight  for  your  lives 
against  the  ocean's  heavy  seas  that  rise  at  you  along  the  currach's 
sides!"  He  by  himself  took  the  craft's  one  side,  all  his  people 
manned  the  other,  and  Teigue  prevailed  against  the  whole  of 
them:  he  alone  sufficing  to  pull  the  currach  round  on  the  other 
twenty-nine,  while  he  contrived  to  bale  and  keep  it  dry  besides. 
After  this  they  got  a  turn  of  fair  wind  and  hoisted  their  sail, 
whereby  the  currach  shipped  less  water  on  them ;  then  the  sea 
moderated,  abating  its  hubbub  till  finally  it  lay  fair  flat  calm, 
and  until  on  every  hand  about  them  there  was  chorus  of  birds 
unknown  and  multiform.  They  now  descry  land  with  a  good 
coast,  of  a  pleasing  aspect,  and  at  the  sight  become  joyful  and  of 
good  courage.  They  close  in  with  it,  and  find  a  fine  green- 
bosomed  estuary  with  spring-well-like  sandy  bottom  having 
silver's  pure-white  refulgence ;  with  salmons  variegated  and 
gaudy,  decked  in  choice  shades  of  crimson  red  ;  delicate  woods 
with  empurpled  tree-tops  fringing  the  delightful  streams  of  this 
country  into  which  they  were  come.  "A  beauteous  land  is  this, 
young  men,"  said  Teigue:  "and  I  could  give  him  joy  whose 
natural  lot  in  life  it  were  to  dwell  on  in  the  same  !"  then  he 
vented  a  lay: — 

"  A  lovely  land  is  that  into  which  I  am  entered    .    .    ." 
And  he  went  on :  "a  lovely  land  and  a  fruitful,  I  say,  is  this 
into  which  we  are  come  ;  land  we  then,  haul  ye  up  your  currach         ^ 
and  dry  it  out !"  which  done,  a  score  of  stalwart  warriors  set  out    ^^^     ^^ 
on   their  rambles,  leaving  other  twenty  to  mind  the  currach.  rQ^    C 

Now,  for  all  they  had  had  of  cold,  of  strain  on  their  endurance,        ^^         4^ 
of  foul  weather  and  of  tempest,  yet  neither  for  meat  nor  for  fire  v-/     '  ^ 

did  they,  after   reaching   the  coast  on  which  they   thus  were  ^^ 

landed,  feel  any  craving  at  all:  the  perfume  of  that  region's 
fragrant  crimsoned  branches  being  by  way  of  meat  and  satisfy- 
ing aliment  all-sufficient  for  them.  Through  the  nearest  part  of 
the  forest  they  take  their  way,  and  come  by-and-by  upon  an 
^rchard  full  of  red-laden  apple-trees,  with  leafy  oaks  too  in  it, 
and  hazels  yellow  with  nuts  in  their  clusters^  "  I  marvel,  men," 
quoth  Teigue,  "at  that  which  I  perceive <in  our  own  land  at 
this  present  instant  we  have  winter,  and  here,  in  this  country, 
summer!?  Extraordinary  was  the  amenity  of  that  spot  to  which 
they  had  attained  now ;  bu^  they  quit  it,  and  happen  on  a  wood  :.• 


1^<JxA 


Avail 


390  Teigue  son  of  Cian. 

great  was  the  excellence  of  its  scent  and  perfume,  rj^und  purple 
berries  hung  on  it,  and  ^vcTy  one  of  them  was  bigger  than  a 
man's  head.  Birds  beautiful  and  brilliant  feasted  on  these  grapes  ; 
fowls  they  were  of  unwonted  kind :  white,  with  scarlet  heads  and 
with  golden  beaks.  As  they  fed,  they  warbled  music  and  min- 
strelsy that  was  melodious  and  superlative,  to  which  patients  of 
every  kind  and  the  repeatedly  wounded  would  have  fallen  asleep ; 
with  reference  to  which  it  was  that  Teigue  chanted  this  lay 
following : — 

"  Sweet  to  my  fancy,  as  I  consider  them,  the  strains  of  this  melody  to  which 
I  listen  are    .     .    ." 

Still  they  advance,  and  so  to  a  wide  smooth  plain  clad  in 
1^  .  ^  flowering  clover  all   bedewed  withThoney)  a  perfectly  flat  and 

'        /    .  ,  even  plain  it  was,  without  either  rise  of  fall  of  surface  except 

three  prominent  hills  that  it  bore,  each  one  of  these  having  on  its 

■ 

side  an  impregnable  place  of  strength.  Said  plain  they  traverse 
so  far  as  the  nearest  hill,  and  there  find  a  white  bodied  lady, 
fairest  of  the  whole  world's  women,  who  said:  "I  hail  thine 
advent  and,  Teigue  son  of  Cian,  thou  shalt  have  victual  and 
constant  supply  !"  "The  sameto  thee,  if  that  be  lawful  for  me; 
but,  gentle  and  sweet-worded  woman,  what  is  thy  name?"  "  I 
am  Gothnia's  daughter,  wife  of  Sldinghe  son  of  Dela  son  of 
Loth**  she  answered.  "  Queen,"  said  Teigue,  " that  thou  sayest 
there  is  good :  set  me  now  forth,  I  pray  thee,  every  colony  that 
ever  settled  Ireland,  and  the  tongues  that  served  them  all,  from 
Cesair^s  time  to  her  plantation  by  Milesius'  sons."  "  I  am  expert 
to  tell  it,"  she  answered  and,  between  them,  they  sang  a  lay : — 

"  Well  thou  speakest,  lady :  Gothnia's  daughter  blithe  and  bright  .  .   ." 

Then  he  said :  "  woman,  that  is  well ;  knowledge  thou  hast  and 
genuine  instruction  ;  tell  me  therefore  what  is  this  regal  and 
great  fortalice  upon  the  high  hill's  face,  with  round  about  it  a 
bulwark  of  white  marble?"  "That,"  she  answered,  "is  the  fort 
of  the  royal  line."  "  What  line  is  that  ?"  "  Of  Ireland's  kings: 
from  Heremon  son  of  Milesius  to  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles, 
who  was  the  last  to  pass  into  it."  Teigue  asked:  "what  is  this 
country's  jiamc?*'  "  Ijtis..  lpQ.ha__ox_  Moch  island  '  this  is,"  she 
said:  "over  which  they  are  two  kings  that  reign,  as  Ruadrach 
and  Dergcroiclie  sons  of  Bodhb."     "And   who  dwells   in  yon 


Teigue  son  of  Cian.  39 1 

middle  fort  that  has  a  colour  of  gold  ?"  "  It  is  not  I  that  will 
tell  it  thee  ;  but  to  that  same  intermediate  fort  betake  thyself,  and 
there  thou  shalt  learn  it ;"  with  which  the  lady  departed  from 
them  to  the  fort  of  white  marble.  Teigue  with  his  people  moved 
on  till  they  gained  the  middle  hold,  where  ag^ain  they  found  a 
/t^ucehNof  gracious  form  and  she  draped  in  vesture  of  a  golden 
fabric.  "All  hail,  Teigue!"  said  she,  and:  "lady,  I  thank  thee 
for  the  same,"  he  returned.  <"  Long  time  it  is  since  'twas  fore- 
told for  thee  to  come  on  this  journey,  Teigue. 'j^  "Thy  name, 
lady?"  "  QgsairJ)daughter  of  Noah's  son  Bethra,  people  call 
me;  I  am  the  first  woman  that  reached  Ireland  before  the  Flood, 
and  with  me  three  men :  Bith,  Fintan,  Ladra ;  but  ever  since  we 
came  out  of  that  dark  unquiet  land,  in  this  one  here  we  bide  in 
everlasting  life."  "Thou  art  a  knowledgeable  expert  woman  so," 
said  Teigue.  "  Proficient  I  am  indeed,"  she  answered,  "in  every 
people  and  generation  that  ever,  down  to  this  very  day,  took 
Ireland."  "This  island's  name,  what  is  it?"  "Thou  askest 
that  thou  knowest  already  [///.  *  quaestio  post  notitiam  isthaec  *]." 
"  But,"  said  Teigue,  "  I  know  not  whether  it  be  the  same  tale 
with  thee  and  with  her  whom  previously  we  have  addressed." 
"  The  same  verily,"  she  said :  "  inis  cly^loclia  or  *  red  loch  island ' 
is  this  one's  name  ;  because  of  a  red  loch  that  is  in  it,  containing  • 
an  island  surrounded  with  a  palisade  of  gold,  its  name  being  ^^^-nl  rh 
inis  PatmoSy  in  which  are  all  saints  and  righteous  that  have  ^  vcL^ 
served  God.  These  latter,  men's  eyes  never  have  beheld,  for 
between  radiance  of  the  Divinity  and  the  constant  discourse 
which  God  and  the  Angels  hold  with  them,  our  vision  may  not 
dwell  nor  even  but  impinge  on  them."    Then  she  sang  a  lay : — 

"  Red  loch  island    .    .    ." 
"  Let  us  now  learn  from  thee,  woman,"  said  Teigue,  "  who 
dwells  in  this  dun  that  we  see  with  a  golden  rampart."     "  Soon 
said,"  was  her  answer:  "all  kings,  and  rulers,  and  noble  men  of        j 
ordained  rank  that  from  our  own  time  back  to  that  of  Milesius'     ^/i-0  ^ 
sons  have  held  Ireland's  supreme  power — they  'tis  that  are  in  *      / 
yonder  dún\  both  Partholan  and    Nemid,   both   Firbolgs   and  ^cSlL    úf) 
tuatfia  dé  Danann^  "  Woman,  that  is  well,"  Teigue  said :  "  know-  ^^^^ 

ledge  thou  hast,  and  right  instruction."  "Truly,**  said  Cesair, 
"  I  am  well  versed  in  the  World's  history  :<for  this  precisely  is 
the  Earth's  fourth  paradise^ the  others  being  inis  D<^Ub  in  the 


392  Teigue  son  of  Cian. 

world's  southern,  and  inis  Escandra  m  its  boreal  part  (to  the 
northward  of  *  the  black  watery  isle  7,  Adam's  paradise,  and  this 
island  in  which  ye  are  now:  the  fourth  land,  I  say,  in  which 
Adam's  seed  dwell — such  of  them  as  are  righteous."  "  And  in 
that  notable  dun  we  see  encircled  with  a  silver  rampart,  who 
inhabits  ?"  "  It  is  not  that  I  know  not,"  she  replied,  "  but  I  will 
not  tell  you  ;  go  to  yond^  hill  however,  there  shall  ye  learn  all." 
They  proceeded  to  tHe(third  hilL)on  the  summit  of  which  was  a 
seat  of  great  beauty  ancv^QllAery  apex,  a  gentle  and  youthful 
couple  clad  in  outward  semblance  that  was  fresh  and  recent. 
Smooth  heads  of  hair  they  had,  with  sheen  of  gold  ;  equal  vest- 
ments of  green  wrapped  them  both ;  and  all  might  deem  it  to 
have  been  from  but  the  one  father  and  the  one  mother  that 
they  sprang,  seeing  that  dissimilarity  of  form  or  fashion  between 
them  there  was  none.  Round  the  lower  part  of  their  necks 
chains  of  red  gold  were  wound  and,  above  these,  golden  torques 
clasped  their  throats. 
Then  Teigue  said : — 

"  A  pleasant  place  is  this  in  which  your  chief  resides    .    .    ." 

And  they  chanted : — 

"  Teigue  is  good :  a  mighty  hero,  a  man  with  luck    .    .     ." 

"  What,  gentle  queen,"  he  enquired,  "  is  thy  cognomen  ;  whence 
thy  race  ?"  "  Soon  told,"  she  answered :  "  my  name  is  Veniusa, 
and  daughter  I  am  to  Adam — for  four  daughters  we  are  in  the 
four  mysterious  magic  countries  which  the  upper  [i.e.  former] 
woman  declared  to  thee:  Veniusa,  Letiusa,  Aliusa  and  Eliusa 
our  names  are,  whom  though  the  guilt  of  our  mother's  trans- 
gression suffers  not  to  abide  together  in  one  place,  yet  for  our 
virginity  and  for  our  purity  that  we  have  dedicated  to  God  we 
are  conveyed  into  these  separate  joyful  domiciles."  "Who  is 
that  so  comely  stripling  by  thy  side?"  "Him  let  himself  pro- 
claim to  thee,"  said  she,  "  for  he  has  both  speech  and  eloquence." 
Now  the  youth  was  so,  that  in  his  hand  he  held  a  fragrant  apple 
having  the  hue  of  gold  ;  a  third  part  of  it  he  would  eat,  and  still, 
for  all  he  consumed,  never  a  whit  would  it  be  diminished.  This 
fruit  it  was  that  supported  the  pair  of  them  and,  when  once  they 
had  partaken  of  it,  nor  age  nor  dimness  could  affect  them.  The 
young  fellow  answered  Teigue,  saying:  "I  am  son  to  Conn  of 


>^ 


Teigue  son  of  Cian.  393 

the  WiiTiflr^  T^affUc  "  <«  /\r»  fiiAii  then  Connla?"  "  I  am  indeed  : 
and  this_ypung  woman_of  the  many  charms  it  was  that  hither 
brought  me."  "That,"  said  Teigue,  *'is  both  likely  and  as  it 
should  be."  "  I  had  bestowed  on_him  [i.e.  felt  for  him]  true  affec- 
tion's loyeJ'.lbe.  girl  explained,  "  anSTEerefore  wrought  toliave 
him  come  to  me  in  this  land  ;  where  our  delight,  both  of  us,  is  ^,^ . 
to  continue  in  looking  at  and  in  perpetual  contemplation  of  one  '  '  ^^^ 

another  :^bove  and  beyond  which  we  pass  not,  to  commit  ^^U^^  ^ 
impurity  or  fleshly  sin  whatsoever."^  "  That,"  quoth  Teigfue  ^««r^^  ^ 
again,  "  is  a  beautiful,  and  at  the  same  a  comical  thing  I  and  who 
occupies  yon  grand  dun  that  we  seej^rt  with  a  silver  rampart 
"  In  that  one,"  she  replied,  "  there  is  not  any  one."  "  Why,  what 
means  that  ?"  Teigue  asked.  "  For  behoof  of  the  righteous 
kings  that  after  acceptance  of  the  Faith  shall  rule  Ireland  it  is 
that  yonder  dun  stands  ready ;  and  we  are  they  who,  until  such 
those  virtuous  princes  shall  enter  into  it,  keep  the  same :  in  the 
which,  Teigue  my  soul,  thou  too  shalt  have  an  appointed  place." 
"  And  how  may  that  be  contrived  ? "  "  Believe  thou  in  the 
Omnipotent  Lord,"  she  said,  "  and  even  to  the  uttermost  Judg- 
ment's time  thou. shalt  win  that  mansion,  with  God's  Kingdom 
afterwards."  "I  confess,  I  adore,  I  supplicate  him!"  responded 
Teigue.  "  Come  we  now  away,"  the  girl  said,  "  till  we  view  the 
disposition  of  yonder  abode."  "  Were  it  permitted  us,  I  would 
go,"  said  Teigue,  and  she  assented:  "so  it  is."  Then  Teigue 
with  his  people  (said  pair  accompanying  them)  drew  near  to  the 
dun  where  the  girdle  of  marble  was,  and  it  was  but  hardly  if  the 
beautiful  green  grass's  heads  were  bowed  beneath  that  couple's 
smooth  soft-white  footsoles.  They  pass  under  the  arched  door- 
way with  its  wide  valves  and  portal-capitals  of  burnished  gold  ; 
they  step  on  to  a  shining  well-laid  pavement,  tesselated  of  pure 
white,  of  blue,  of  crimson  marble,  and  so  on  till  they  gain  the 
vast  lordly  edifice  in  which  was  to  be  the  happy  and  splendid 
company  of  kings.  A  jocund  house  was  that,  and  one  to  be 
desired :  there  was  a  silver  floor,  with  four  choice  doors  of  bright 
gold ;  gems  of  crystal  and  of  carbuncle  in  patterns  were  set  in 
the  wall  of  finndruine^  in  such  wise  that  with  flashing  of  those 
precious  stones  day  and  night  alike  shone.  The  girl  takes  in 
hand  to  deliver  them  the  plan  and  whole  description  of  the 
dwelling,  saying :  "  here  we  are  stationed,  to  await  all  monarchs^ 


«^ 


394  Teigue  son  of  Cian. 

provincial  kings,  and  tribal  chiefs  in  Ireland  " ;  and  she  made  a 
lay: — 

"  Ireland  that  was  partitioned  into  five    .    .    ." 

Obliquely  across  the  most  capacious  palace  Teigue  looked 
away,  and  marked  a  thickly  furnished  wide-spreading  apple-tree 
^j  that  bore  blossom  and  ripe  fruit  both.  "  What  is  that  apple-tree 
beyond?"  he  asked,  and  she  made  answer:  "that  apple-tree's 
fruit  it  is  that  for  meat  shall  serve  the  congregation  which  is  to 
be  in  this  mansion,  and  a  single  apple  of  the  same  it  was  that 
brought  [coaxed  away]  Connla  to  me."  Then  she  uttered  a 
lay: — 

"A  wine-producing  apple-tree  in  the  midst  of  it    .    .    ." 

V'  She  continued  to  Teigue:  "here  make  we  a  halt,  here  let  us 

pause ;  for  not  mine  it  is  to  declare  to  thee  the  manner  of  thy 
life's  ending,  but  one  that  will  do  so  thou  shalt  have."  There- 
upon the  two  part  from  them  ;  howbeitAhe  exhilarating  proper- 
ties of  the  house  were  such  that,  after  their  leaving  them,  Teigue 
and  his  people  experienced  neither  melancholy  nor  sorrow.> 

Soon  they  marked  towards  them  a^  whole  array  of  feminine 
beauty,  and  among  them  a  lovely  damsel  of  refined  form :  the 
noblest  and  most  desire-inspiring  of  the  whole  world's  women  to 
survey,  who  when  she  was  come  on  the  ground  said :  "  I  welcome 
thee,  Teigue  I"  "I  thank  thee  for  it," he  returned :  " and,  maiden, 
who  art  thou  ?"  "  Cleena  Fairhead,  daughter  of  Genann  mac 
Treon  of  the  tuatha  dé  Danann^  sweetheart  of  Eochaid  Red- 
weapon's  son  Ciabhan  of  the  curling  locks  ;  for  now  some  time  I 
C?  am  in  this  island,  and  from  me  *.CleenaV  Wave 'sin  the  borders 

A^y^  of  Munster  is  denominated.     Also,  that  which  for   meat   and 

—  sustenance  serves  us  all  is  the  fruit  of  the  same  apple-tree  which 

but  a  while  ago  thou  sawest."  To  Teigue  and  party  it  was  a 
pleasant  thing,  and  a  pastime,  to  listen  to  her  parlance  ;  then  he 
said :  "  it  is  time  for  us  to  set  about  going  in  quest  of  our  people." 
^  "  The  longer  ye  bide  and  tarry  with  us,"  the  young  woman  said, 
"  the  better  shall  we  be  pleased.">  Even  as  they  exchanged  these 
words  they  saw  enter  to  them,  through  the  side  of  the  house  [i.e. 
by  a  window]  three  birds:  a  blue  one,  with  crimson  head  ;  a 
crimson,  with  head  of  green ;  a  ^icd  one  having  on  his  head  a 
colour  of  gold,  and  they  perched  upon  the  apple-tree  that  stood 
before  them.     They  eat  an  apple  apiece,  and  warble  melody 


Teigue  son  of  Cian.  395 

sweet  and  harmonized,  such  that  the  sick  would  sleep  to  it 

"Those  birds,"  Cleena  said,  "will  go  with  you;  they  will  give  o^J  ,' 

you  guidance,  will  make  you  symphony  and  minstrelsy  and,    *  } 

until  again  ye  reach  Ireland,  neither  by  land  nor  by  sea  shall  '^^Acl^ 

sadness  or  grief  afflict  you.     Take  with  thee,"  she  continued, 

"this   fair  cup  of  emerald   hue,   in  which  are  inherent  many    ^^ 

virtues :  for   [among   other  things]  though  it   were   but  water         ^  ^«  <-    c  % 

poured  into  it,  incontinently  it  would  be  wine."     "  Where  was  it 

fashioned  ?"  he  enquired.     "  Soon  said:  a  whale  it  was  which  in 

this  haven  where  ye  landed  the  sea  cast  ashore  ;  we  cut  him  up, 

and  in  his  heart's  core  was  found  that  goblet,  the  name  of  which 

is  an  biasdairiy  i.e.  'product  of  the  biast  or  bestia.'     From  that,   P^J^l^ 

let  not  thine  hand  part ;  but  have  it  for  a  token :  when  it  shall  *7 

escape  from  thee,  then  in  a  short  time  after  shalt  thou  die  ;  and  I 

where  thou  shalt  meet  thy  death  is  in  the  glen  that  is  on  Boyne's 

side :  there  the  earth  shall  grow  into  a  great  hill,  and  the  name 

that  it  shall  bear  will  be  croidhe  eisse ;  there  too  (when  thou  shalt 

first   have   been  wounded  by  a  roving  wild  hart,  after  which 

AUmarachs  will  slay  thee)  I  will  bury  thy  body  ;  but  thy  soul 

shall  come  with  me  hither,  where  till  the  Judgment's  Day  thou 

shalt  assume  a  body  light  and  ethereal.     This  ^armature  as  well 

take  thou  about  thee  and,  how  many  soever  the  battles  and  the 

single  combats  thou  shalt  fight,  though  thy  body  be  hurt  yet 

shall  thy  soul  be  whole."^  Here  Teigue  began  to  take  his  leave 

of  the  lady,  and  between  them  they  made  a  lay: — 

"  Time  it  is  for  us  to  humbly  go    .    .    ." 

Subsequently  they  depart  out  of  the  bright  radiant  mansion, 
the  girl  going  with  them  to  convey  them  to  the  landing-place 
where  they  had  left  their  comrades  and  currach.  To  these  latter 
she  gave  very  courteous  greeting,  for  which  they  thanked  her  in 
kind  ;  (she  asked  them  then  how  long  they  had  been  in  the  ^ 
country,  and :  "  in  our  estimation,"  they  replied,  "  we  are  in  it  but  ,  , 

one  single  day."  She  however  said :  "  for  an  entire  twelvemonth  »*•*>*  VvmtK- 
ye  are  in  it ;  during  which  time  ye  have  had  neither  meat  nor 
drink  nor,  how  long  soever  ye  should  be  here,  would  cold  or 
thirst  or  hunger  assail  you."  "  Happy  he  that  should  for  ever 
live  on  in  that  life!"  Teigue's  people  cried,  but  he  said:  "un- 
grateful and  irksome  to  us  though  it  be  to  depart,  yet  were  it 


396  Teipu  son  of  Cian. 

time  that  in  earnest  we  went  to  work  to  leave  the  bright  land  in 
which  we  are."    Then  the  young  woman  uttered : — 

**  Be  ye  gone,  but  with  you  take  an  everlasting  evercheery  benison   ,    .    ." 

Their  sharp  fast  currach  now  they  drive  ahead  over  the  great 
deep's  convexity  ;  and  the  birds  struck  up  their  chorus  for  them, 
whereat,  for  all  they  were  so  grieved  and  sad  at  renouncing  that 
fruitful  country  out  of  which  they  were  thus  come,  these  modula- 
tions gladdened  and  soothed  them  that  they  became  merry  and 
of  good  courage  all.  <But  when  they  looked  astern  they  saw  not 
the  land  from  which  they  came,  for  incontinently  an  obscuring 
magic  veil  was  drawn  over  it  > 

For  the  space  of  a  day  and  a  half  now  they  carry  on  and  sail 
the  sea,  they  being  all  the  time  sunk  in  slumber  of  deepest  sleep, 
till  they  reached  the  land  of  Fresen  ;  then  they  perceive  that 
they  are  come  into  port  and  have  taken  the  ground,  and  the 
birds  desist  and  are  silent  The  young  men  rose  and  in  all  haste 
landed  ;  which  done,  they  took  counsel  how  they  should  proceed 
in  the  quest  for  Teigue's  wife  and  kinsfolk,  and  he  said :  "  I  will 
go  alone  to  search  out  and  to  explore  the  country."  His  arms 
and  armature  were  brought  to  him  ;  the  fearless  hero  set  out  and 
stoutly  walked  the  land  until  he  came  to  an  arm  of  the  sea  [fjord] 
that  was  betwixt  them  and  [as  he  now  discovered]  the  king's 
hold.  Then  to  the  shore's  very  edge  he  went  down  to  examine 
it ;  there  he  saw  a  currach  lying  off  all  ready  for  him,  and  asked 
to  have  the  craft  put  across  for  him.  The  young  man  in  charge 
of  the  ferry  rose,  came  to  meet  him,  and  fell  to  curiously  consider 
him  ;  whose  form  of  speech  when  he  heard,  his  heart  warmed 
to  the  hero's  whole  guise  and  to  his  manner  of  address.  Strenu- 
ously he  pulled  in  the  currach  to  him,  and  as  quickly  stepped 
ashore ;  but  Teigue  had  recognised  him  when  as  yet  he  was 
afloat  Yet,  though  Teigue  it  was  [i.e.  even  for  Teigue]  it  had 
been  no  easy  matter  for  him  to  discern  his  own  brother:  for  that 
good  warrior's  form  and  fashion  were  all  changed  with  this 
drudgery  of  the  sea,  he  not  having  from  his  youth  up  had 
experience  of  such  service.  For  all  which,  the  heroes*  hearts  how- 
ever had  acknowledged  each  other ;  earnestly  now  and  passion- 
ately they  kissed,  and  side  by  side  upon  the  sandy  beach  sat 
down.    Of  Eoghan  [for  he  it  was]  Teigue  sought  tidings  con- 


Teigue  son  of  Cian.  397 

cerning  Airnelach  and  the  woman  [his  own  wife],  and  between 
them  they  made  a  lay : — 

"  Tidings  thou  hast,  Eoghan  1  wanderer,  quickly  tell    .    .    .'' 
This  ended,  a  second  time  Teigue  began  to  question  Eoghan  t 
how  was  the  keep,  as  regards  both  strength  and  power  to  hold 
out ;  or  had  the  king  any  that  were  moved  by  ill-will  or  irrita- 
tion at  him:  one  that  disputed  his  realm  with  him,  or  had  in 
hand  to  contrive  the  monarch's  detriment  ?"     "  Surely  he  has, 
warrior,"  said  Eoghan :  "  and  a  propitious  hour  is  this  in  which 
ye  are  come,  seeing  that  'tis  not  long  since  it  was  mooted  to 
assault  this  hold."  "  Who  would  execute  this  enterprise  ?"  "  Two 
most  noble  sons  of  kings  that  are  in  this  land,  being  of  the 
monarch's  own  blood  and  kinship:  Eochaid  Redweapon  namely, 
and  Tuire  called  tortbhuilleach  or  *  of  the  ponderous  blows,'  two 
sons  of  Cathmann   the  king's  brother,  who  for  a  year  past 
vex  this  land  with  marauding  and  with  acts  of  outlawry.     But 
yesterday  they  were  on  this  coast ;  I  was  summoned  to  confer 
with  them,  and  in  respect  of  this  strong  place  they  examined  me. 
They  solicited  me  instantly,  reminding  me  of  my  cause  of  enmity 
against  the  king,  of  my  dishonour  at  the  hands  of  him  that  held 
me  in  bondage  and  in  hardship.   Nor  did  I  for  my  part  deny  but 
that  I  would  perform  that  of  which  they  spoke:  to  deliver  the 
monarch  to  his  enemies.     I  went  therefore  to  report  the  matter 
to  Airnelach,  and  said  young  men  we  trysted  for  this  night  and 
in  this  spot,  in  order  to  carry  the  fastness  and  overpower  the 
king.    This  secret  design  we  imparted  to  the  queen  also,  and  for 
the  same  her  spirit  was  rejoiced:  for  the  gentle  lady  loved  not 
Cathmann,  neither  had  renounced  her  first  loving  love  for  thee. 
When  therefore  we  found  her  mind  and  our  own  inclinations  •  to 
be  in  the  one  place'  [i.e.  to  coincide]  with  [those  of]  the  gallant 
company  of  depredators  (the  king's  near  kinsmen  I  mean),  accom- 
panied as  they  were  with  a  strong  force,  the  resolve  to  which  we 
came  was  to  attack  the  monarch  this  very  night.    Since  then  the 
lady's  wedding-feast  is  all  ready,  and  the  end  of  that  respite  u 
which  she  craved  of  Cathmann  now  at  hand,  thus  it  is  that  thou 
must  do:  go  amongst  thy  people  to  hurry  them  up.     For  myself, 
I  will  repair  to  yonder  wood,  in  which  are  the  king  of  Fresen's 
two  sons :  Eochaid  and  Tuire  as  before,  and  to  them  will  impart 
all  thy  description,  and  how  that  to  take  vengeance  for  thy  wife 


39^  Teigue  son  of  Cian. 

and  kindred  [ravished  from  thee]  thou  art  come  into  this  land, 
as  well  as  to  take  us  out  of  this  bondage  and  misery  in  which  we 
are.  Also,  to  those  braves  I  will  promise  this  country's  royal 
rule ;  and  will  tell  them  to  come  at  this  night's  first  beginning  to 
meet  thee,  and  so  on  to  the  fastness  to  deliver  a  combined 
assault." 

Here  Teigue  bade  Eoghan  wind  up  this  conversation,  confer 
again  with  both  Airnelach  and  the  lady,  and  return  to  him  with 
the  result ;  but  first  he  related  to  his  brother  somewhat  of  his 
passage,  of  his  perilous  things  and  of  his  wonders.  Then  they, 
being  thus  in  perfect  agreement,  parted. 

Touching  Teigue  now:  he  being  jocund  and  of  good  cheer 

sought  his  people,  and  the  young  men  were  gladdened  when  they 

saw  him  draw  near  the  strand,  because  in  consideration  of  the 

length  of  time  that  he  had  been  away  from  them  apprehension 

had  possessed  them  and  they  wearied  for  him.    They  questioned 

him  of  the  land  ;  pleasantly  he  fell  to  tell  them  all  about  it,  and 

from  first  to  last  rehearsed  to  them  his  whole  adventure.     With 

this  recital  they  were  invigorated  hugely,  and  their  spirits  rose 

when  they  heard  that  in  the  region  Eoghan  and  Airnelach  still 

lived  before  them  ;  whereupon  Teigue  uttered  a  lay ; — 

'*  A  good  one  your  passage  athwart  the  stammering  sea  hath  been,  young 
men  of  Erin's  island    .    .    P 

And  he  continued:  "rise  ye  now,  my  good  people,  and  let  us 
go  to  meet  them  that  have  trysted  us."  Round  about  Teigue 
then,  to  keep  him  well,  that  tough  band  rose  and  in  one  course 
reached  the  hard  at  which  Eoghan  plied  the  ferry.  The  very 
first  of  night  it  was  with  them  then  ;  and  at  the  one  instant 
Teigue  arrived  at  the  strand,  Eochaid  and  Tuire  on  the  other 
shore  opposite  them.  In  familiar  wise  they  discoursed  each  other 
across  the  fjord,  and  to  Teigue  with  his  strong  men  the  Fresen- 
achs  accorded  welcome.  They  [the  Gaels]  being  busy  with  these 
speeches  saw  Eoghan  in  his  boat  heading  for  them ;  he  came 
where  Teigue  was,  and  imparted  the  news  of  the  fort:  that  he  had 
had  speech  of  Airnelach  and  the  woman,  the  whole  community 
meanwhile  being  seated  in  order  to  the  enjoying  of  that  great 
feast ;  that  the  monarch's  banqueting-hall  was  ordered,  the 
nobles  of  the  land  of  Fresen  tranquilly  in  act  of  battening  there 
and,  the  bulk  of  [liquid]  provision  being  now  served  out,  that 


Teigue  son  of  Cian.  399 

they  were  well  drunken  and  made  hilarious  uproar.  He  told 
Teigue  that  now  was  the  time  to  storm  the  citadel,  and  by  his 
means  the  [farther]  heroes  were  ferried  across  to  their  allies  so 
that  all  together  they  were  on  the  fort's  side  of  the  arm.  Which 
royal  youths  when  they  had  joined  Teigue  entered  into  con- 
ditions and  fellowship  with  him,  and  upon  a  tulach  struck  their 
hands  in  his  ;  he  on  his  side  giving  them  guarantees  that  might 
not  be  transgressed,  to  the  effect  that,  supposing  them  to  come 
victorious  off  from  this  operation,  the  kingdom  should  be  handed 
over  to  them.  Now  the  warriors'  number  upon  the  ground,  they 
being  drawn  up  together,  was  seven  hundred,  and  (for  the 
present)  so  much  for  them. 

Concerning  the  Allmarach  that  accompanied  Teigue  on  this 
expedition — the  same  that  in  the  matter  of  the  original  conten- 
tion had  by  our  heroes  been  captured  in  the  Irish  countries — he 
it  was  that  on  this  cruise  gave  Teigue  his  course,  and  piloted  him. 
He  now  had  been  present  at  Teigue  and  the  king's  sons'  making 
of  their  compact  together,  nor  took  they  any  heed  at  all  either 
to  watch  or  to  ward  him.  When  therefore  he  heard  a  project  for 
the  monarch's  violent  death  put  into  working  order,  natural 
fondness  and  affection  filled  his  heart,  and  ^way  round  the  rear 
of  that  noble  party  he  stole  off  in  hot  haste  to  the  fort  with 
intent  to  warn  the  king  in  advance  of  the  others,  and  so  arrived. 
But  just  as  he  won  to  the  door  of  the  king's  own  mansion,  he 
saw  towards  him  a  man^  Airnelach  son  of  Cian,  and  the  same 
questioned  him  what  haste  or  hurry  ailed  him.  "  Great  cause 
indeed  there  is  for  it,  seeing  that  Cian's  son  Teigue  with  his 
merry  men  out  of  Ireland's  lands  come»  at  you  to  take  vengeance 
on  you  for  his  wife  and  kin.  Tuire  and  Eochaid  too  are  with 
him,  wherefore  suffer  me  to  pass  on  to  the  king  with  a  warning." 
When  Airnelach  heard  that,  round  the  Allmarach'fi  shoulders  he 
locked  both  his  long  strong  arms,  ejected  him  through  the  for- 
tress' gate,  took  him  out  on  the  green,  and  speedily  beheaded  the 
riever ;  this  done,  Teigue  and  his  reached  the  same  green  ;  Air- 
nelach went  to  meet  them,  and  to  them  all  administered  friend- 
ship's kisses.  Headlong  then  they  made  for  the  fastness  and 
(for  at  this  season  never  a  guard  was  mounted  at  the  gate)  got 
in.  In  this  one  rush  they  penetrated  right  up  to  [but  not  into] 
the  main  building  [the  king's  own],  round  about  which  they 


400  Teigue  son  of  Cian. 

emitted  whoops  such  as  would  make  the  inmates  to  jump  smartly 
and  to  its  sides  they  applied  firebrands  and  torches. 

As  concerning  them  of  the  mansion :  when  they  heard  those 
diverse  loud  unfriendly  shouts,  promptly  they  rose  and  took  to 
them  their  arms,  their  manifold  weapons  of  edge  and  point ;  but 
the  manner  of  them  that  were  in  the  fort  at  large  was  this :  that 
they  were  in  a  condition  of  drunkenness  and  bewilderment.  Now 
the  noblest  and  most  excellent  that  at  this  instant  kept  the  king 
company  were  Illann  called  áithesach  or  *the  exultant*  (the 
monarch's  only  son)  and  Conan  called  codaitchenn  or  *  hardhead ' 
(chief  of  his  household),  having  along  with  them  twelve  hundred 
of  the  land  of  Fresen's  champions.  These  came  then,  and  thus 
they  found  the  king:  in  his  own  privy  chamber,  with  his  fighting 
harness  on  him.  Through  the  bruidetis  doors  they  burst  out, 
and  by  them  the  fires  were  quenched,  slaughter  and  losses 
wrought  on  the  assailants.  By  no  manner  of  means  might  this 
punishment  and  these  losses  be  endured  by  the  Eirennachs  from 
the  Allmarachs:  again  they  assailed  the  brtiiden  to  its  peril,  and 
were  as  rudely  met  by  the  Allmarachs.  At  this  point  Teigue 
enjoined  his  people  to  show  hardihood  and  valiance,  and  in 
the  bicker  to  outdo  all  the  rest  [their  allies] ;  dourly,  grimly 
the  Eirennachs  answered,  and  went  to  work  cutting  off  the  Allmar- 
achs. Then  it  was  that  Cian*s  son  F^oghan  coscarach  and  Conan 
Hardhead,  chief  of  the  monarch's  household,  encountered  in  the 
press  and  fought  an  unintermittent,  brave,  and  bitter  fight ;  but 
upon  Eoghan's  other  side  there  came  nine  warriors  of  Conan's 
poll-guard  to  destroy  him,  yet  the  end  of  the  tussle  was  that  by 
Eoghan's  hand  Conan  and  his  nine  fell  expeditiously.  As  for 
Eoghan  himself  however,  he  had  but  taken  Conan's  head  and 
uttered  his  triumph-cry  when  he  too  fell  in  the  same  blood-litter. 
When  Illann  saw  these  deaths  his  anger  rose,  and  his  soul  grew 
high  as  he  beheld  his  people  slain  and  brought  to  naught,  and  he 
made  his  way  to  range  through  the  whole  battle.  Tuire  Hard- 
hitter  made  for  him,  and  presently  they  closed  on  the  field :  the 
set-to  was  an  even  one,  for  in  the  mélée  both  champions  together 
fell  Teigue  and  Eochaid  Redweapon  seeing  these  deaths,  and 
their  own  next-of-kin  in  dire  straits,  discharged  themselves  upon 
the  Allmarachs  and  with  terrible  carnage  punished  them  to  such 
pitch  that  in  this  onset  two  hundred  fell  by  them.     Here  then 


The  Tribute.  401 

the  Allmarachs  failed  to  make  a  stand  against  our  young  men  ; 
so  that  a  chance  at  the  bruiden  was  had,  and  Teigue  with  his 
Eirennachs  about  him  made  his  way  to  the  king's  chamber,  in 
which  he  was.  Eochaid  and  Airnelach  pursued  the  Allmarachs 
whom,  so  long  as  ever  they  stuck  up  to  the  young  men  to  bandy 
blows  with  them,  they  kept  on  thinning  out  and  violently 
slaughtering.  Upon  their  return  they  found  Teigue  and  Cath- 
mann  laying  on  each  other  in  the  fair  midst  of  the  bruideni  in 
which  bout  Cathmann  gave  Teigue  thirty  wounds,  but  Teigue 
'brought  the  upper  earth  to  bear  on  him'  [i.e.  manoeuvred  to  get 
the  advantage  of  higher  ground],  which  is  so  much  as  to  say  that 
his  body's  president,  his  head  to  wit,  he  made  to  part  company 
with  his  carcase;  whereupon,  and  after  Cathmann's  head  duly 
taken,  he  *  gave  the  cry.' 

When  the  queen,  Liban  daughter  of  Conor  Redbrow,  heard 
the  triumph-shouts  and  learned  these  killings,  without  delay  or 
dilly-dally  she  came  to  her  spouse,  and  for  her  dear  love  rejoiced 
and  was  glad  exceedingly ;  that  she  saw  her  hero  was  to  the 
gentle  lady  matter  of  thankfulness  indeed.  To  the  far  end  of  a 
fortnight  they  abode  in  that  fort,  and  in  the  result  of  it  all 
Eochaid  Redweapon  was  made  king  over  the  fair  realms  of 
Fresen.  To  Teigue  they  yielded  pledges  and  hostages.  Then 
he  constrained  his  people  that  they  should  depart,  telling  them 
to  face  the  sea  cheerily  ;  out  of  the  strong  place  he  carried  away 
precious  things,  treasures,  other  good  booty,  forby  Liban  his 
wedded  wife  and  his  two  brethren :  Eoghan  and  Airnelach.  He 
reached  Ireland  bringing  with  him  victory  and  spoils  and,  to 
wind  up  the  story,  Teigue  made  a  lay : — 

^  Time  it  is  for  us  to  seek  our  home,  comely  and  dear  people  mine. ' 

[ccBtera  desideraniur\ 


Here  begins  the  story  of  the  Boromean  Tribute. 

A  supreme  king  that  reigned  over  Ireland:  Tuathal,  called 
techtvtar  or  *  the  possessor,'  son  of  Fiacha  fionnflwlaidh  or  *  of 
the  white  kine '  son  of  Feradach  finnfeclUnach  or  *  thebrightly 

2  D 


402  The  Tribute. 

prosperous*;  which  Tuathal  it  was  that  had  Ireland  forcibly. 
By  him  Elim  mac  Conrach  was  slain  in  the  battle  of  Acaill  by 
Tara ;  five-and-tvventy  battles  he  *  broke '  on  them  of  Ulster, 
other  twenty-five  on  Leinster,  thirty-one  on  the  men  of  Munster, 
and  on  Connacht  twenty-five :  all  this  to  avenge  the  murder  of 
his  father  and  of  his  grandfather,  whom  the  Plebeian  Tribes  of 
Ireland  killed  ;  it  being  upon  such  those  Plebeians  (hat  Tuathal 
broke  all  these  battles.  Then  he  sat  down  in  Tara,  and  Tara's 
Feast  was  held  by  him  ;  thither  to  him  flocked  all  Ireland:  both 
men  and  women,  both  lads  and  lasses,  and  by  all  the  elements 
pledged  themselves  that  neither  against  himself  nor  against  his 
seed  would  they  ever  to  all  eternity  strive  for  Ireland's  sove- 
reignty. The  provincial  kings  present  at  that  festival  were 
these :  Fergus  of  Febhaly  king  of  Ulster ;  Eoghan  son  of  Ailill 
érann,  king  of  Cúróis  province  or  *  West-Munster ' ;  Daire's  son 
Eocho,  king  of  the  province  of  Eochaid  mac  Luchta  or  *  Tho- 
morid*;  Conrach  son  of  Derg,  king  of  Connacht;  and  Eocho 
son  of  Eochaid  doimhlén,  that  ruled  Leinster. 

Now  Tuathal  had  two  daughters,  loving  and  beloved :  Fithir 
and  Dáirine  their  names  were,  and  the  elder  of  them  (for  in  Ire- 
land at  that  time  it  was  not  use  and  wont  that  the  younger 
should  *be  bedded  before  the  elder's  face,*  i.e.  be  married 
before  her)  Eochaid  doimhlérís  son  took  to  wife  and  brought 
home  to  rath  imil  in  Leinster:  this  daughter  of  Tuathal's  being 
also  dear  fosterling  to  the  king  of  Connacht  above.  Leinster 
however  said  to  their  king:  "thou  hast  left  behind  the  better 
one**;  wherefore  again  he  went  north  to  Tara,  and  to  Tuathal 
said :  "  the  girl  that  I  took  away  is  dead,  and  now  am  I  fain  to 
take  thine  other  daughter.**  Tuathal  made  answer:  "had  I 
daughters  one-and-fifty,  in  order  that  thou  mightest  enjoy  a  wife 
of  them  they  should  all  be  given  to  thee."  The  other  maiden 
therefore:  Dairine,  that  was  fosterling  to  the  king  of  Ulster,  was 
given  to  him  and  her  too  he  carried  to  rath  itnil,  where  the  first 
one  was  before  her.  When  then  Fithir  saw  Dairine,  straightway 
she  died  for  shame  ;  when  this  latter  witnessed  her  sister's  death 
she  likewise  died,  for  grief. 

The  truth  of  this  story  travelled  as  far  as  Tara,  and  to  Tuathal, 
from  whom  word  was  carried  to  the  king  of  Connacht:  Fithir's 
foster-father,  and  to  Dairine's :  the  king  of  Ulster.  These  gathered 


The  Tribute.  403 

together  their  forces  to  the  spot  where  Tuathal  techtmar  was,  and 
when  they  were  met  in  the  one  place  he  said :  "  a  great  and 
heinous  deed  hath  the  king  of  Leinster  done,  in  that  of  his 
deceitfulness  the  death  of  both  my  daughters  is  come  about"; 
and  even  as  he  spoke  he  made  a  lay: — 


"  Fithir  and  Dairine,  predatory  Tuathal's  daughters  twain 


II 


What  Connacht  said  now  was  that  from  Leinster  they  would 
not  accept  aught  but  battle  ;  the  same  it  was  that  Ulster  pro- 
nounced ;  but  the  king  of  Ireland  said:  "I  indeed  care  not  to 
give  Leinster  battle  ;  nevertheless,  and  if  your  resolve  it  be,  let 
all  in  general  march  straightways  upon  them."  Together  they 
numbered  twelve  thousand,  and  Connacht  took  their  way  over 
Guala  to  Naas,  where  they  camped  ;  Tara  s  host,  with  the  king 
of  Ireland,  rose  out  over  Buaidglun^  over  Rig/ie^  over  magh 
Nuadfiat  or  *  Maynooth '  to  Naas,  and  there  took  camp ;  over 
Esa^  over  Odhba^  over  Fitharty  over  Faendruim^  Ulster  rose  out 
and  on  to  Letbduma^  where  they  pitched.  Leinster  set  on  to  meet 
them,  and  to  Ulster  gave  battle  so  that  Fergus  of  Febhal  their 
king  fell,  also  the  Borbraighe  of  Ulster. 

Again  the  allied  armies  rose  out:  Naas,  Aillenn  or  *  Dunallen,' 
Maistiu  or  *  Mullaghmast,*  Rdiriu  or  *  MuUaghreelion '  they 
burned,  and  levelled  bdirc  Bresaili  a  mansion  of  imperishable 
wood  which  once  Bresal  called  brathairchenn^  emperor  of  the 
World,  procured  to  be  made.  Leinster,  to  the  number  of  nine 
thousand,  march  to  meet  them  ;  and  at  rath  intil^  which  to-day 
is  called  the  garbtlionnach^  they  gave  battle — a  wrathful  ruthless 
battle  was  fought  betwixt  them,  and  Leinster  (because  fair  play 
was  not  conceded  them)  were  routed  ;  in  which  engagement  were 
slain  Eocho  son  of  Eochaid  doimhlén^  king  of  Leinster,  and 
together  with  him  twenty  other  kings  [chiefs  of  note].  From 
harvest's  first  beginning  to  sam/min'tlde,  inception  of  winter, 
Conn's  Half  harried  Leinster  until,  upon  the  terms  of  both  his 
daughters*  blood-price  to  be  paid  him,  Leinster  in  the  end  made 
peace  with  Tuathal,  who  thereupon  committed  the  government 
thereof  to  Ere  son  of  Eocho  above.  Now  the  blood-price  was 
this : — 

Thrice  fifty  times  an  hundred  cows,  thrice  fifty  hundred  swine  ; 
mantles   as   many,  and   chains  of  silver ;  thrice  fifty  hundred 

2  D  2 


404  The  Tribute, 

wethers ;  the  same  of  copper  cauldrons,  and  (to  be  set  in  Tara's 

house  itself)  one  great  copper  reservoir  in  which  should  fit  twelve 

pigs  and  twelve  kine ;  thirty  cows,  red-eared,  with  calves  of  their 

colour,  with  halters  and  spancels  of  bronze  and,  over  and  above 

that,  with  bosses  of  gold  ;  concerning  all  which  one  sang: — 

"Tuathal  the  Possessor:  all  earth's  productions  they  were  that  used  to 
come  to  Tuathal  to  his  house    .    .    •*' 

Subsequently,  Tuathal  fell  by  the  hand  of  Mál  son  of  Roch- 
raide  at  main  in  diatha  or  *  the  battle  moor,'  he  having  just  com- 
pleted one  hundred  and  ten  years,  thirty  of  which  he  had  passed 
in  supreme  rule  of  Ireland.  Next,  the  same  Mai  assumed  that 
rule,  and  lifted  the  boromhaox  *Boromean  Tribute';  again,  Felini 
called  rechtaidh  or  *  the  legist '  levied  it  from  Cú  chorby  who  by 
Felim  was  slain  in  battle ;  then  after  many  battles  Felim's  son 
Conn  lifted  it ;  Conn's  son-in-law,  Conairc,  took  it ;  Art  [son  of 
Conn]  began  to  reign,  and  demanded  the  boroinha  but  never 
secured  it  without  a  battle ;  Art's  son  Cormac  lifted  it,  and  one 
year  so  did  Fergus  Blacktooth. 

Then  Cormac  mac  Art's  son  Cairbre  Lifechair  reigned,  and 
upon  them  of  Leinster  proceeded  to  levy  the  Tribute  ;  but  what 
Bresiil  bclach  son  of  Fiacha  baicidli  said,  was  that  without  a 
battle  for  it  he  would  not  yield  it.  By  Cairbre  hereat  a  general 
muster  of  tlie  Northern  Half  was  led  to  cnámhros  or  'Bone- 
wood  '  in  Leinster  ;  which  province  were  gathered  together  to  the 
Garbthonnach,  and  Bresal  enquired  of  them:  "how  shall  we 
deliver  the  battle?"  then  he  made  a  lay: — 

"  Give  us  now  your  counsel,  O  ye  of  the  sore  wounded  province :  tell  us, 
ye  right  men  of  Leinster,  whether  is  it  peace  ye  would,  or  war    .    .    ." 

The  head  men  of  the  province  answered:  "let  a  messenger,  O 
Bresal,  be  despatched  from  thee  to  Finn  son  of  Cumall."  "  It 
shall  he  none  other  than  myself,  if  I  but  have  your  consent." 
Southwards  he  toolc  his  way  therefore,  to  riun  deiscirt^  which 
to-day  men  call  rinn  Di(bháÍ7i  ailithir  or  *  Duanc  the  Hermit's 
point,'  where  Finn  mac  Cumall  was,  and  in  the  house  of  Ireland's 
prime  champion  tidings  v/ere  requested  of  the  king  of  Leinster. 
Then  the  king  rehearsed  all  the  illegalities  wrought  on  him,  and 
said :  "  for  none  other  that  perchance  should  come  to  relieve 
Leinster's  province  of  this  oppressive  tax  could  that  same  be 
kinder  than  for  thee  ;"  and  even  as  he  spoke  he  made  a  lay: — 


The  Tribute,  405 

"  Arisest  thou,  O  Finn,  as  partisan  in  fight — with  Leinsler  wilt  thou  be  on 
the  one  side  ?    .    .    ." 

Then  Finn,  his  Fianna  being  with  him,  rose  and  marched 
(their  left  hand  to  the  Barrow)  to  the  point  of  ros  broc  or  *  Brock- 
wood  '  upon  that  river.  The  royal  commander  seated  himself  on 
a  ridge  that  overhung  the  wood,  and  beheld  a  melodious  imma- 
terial host  that  in  companies  ascended  to  Heaven  and  again 
descended.  "  What  host  is  that  ?"  the  Fianna  asked,  and  Finn 
said :  "  Angels  those  are,  the  Household  of  Heaven's  King  and 
Earth's ;  and  táilchenns  they  are  that  yet  shall  come  hither,  even 
w  here  yonder  Angels  are." 

Now  in  this  town  were  three  that  to  Finn  were  own  condis- 

ciples  of  yore:  three  sons  of  Fiacha  mac  Conga,  whose  names 

were  Moiling  luath  or  '  the  swift,'  Cellach  cael  or  *  the  slender,' 

and  Braen  ;  and  the  Fianna  had  not  long  been  there  when  they 

saw  towards  them  swift  Moiling,  whom  when  Finn  perceived  he 

made  this  lay : — 

"  Moiling  luath^  Cellach,  good  Braen :  Fiacha's  three  sons  endowed  with 
nature  fierce    .    .    ." 

Moiling  enquired:  "wherefore  are  ye  come  hither?"  and  Finn 
said :  "  the  king  of  Leinster  that  is  come  to  lodge  a  complaint 
with  us  respecting  hardship  and  violence  done  him,  inasmuch  as 
all  Ireland  with  Cairbre  lifechair  have  given  him  the  alternative 
either  to  fight  or  to  suffer  that  they  lift  the  Tribute.  Hence  we 
desire  to  come  and  lend  Leinster  a  helping  hand  in  battle." 
What  Moiling  told  Finn  then,  was  that  not  with  any  small 
number  he  ought  to  meet  the  Monarch  followed  as  he  was  by  all 
Ireland  ;  now  Finn's  strength  there  was  fifteen  hundred  officers 
having  thirty  men  apiece  [46,500  all  told].  Moiling  went  on: 
"  abide  with  us  then  for  this  night,  and  thou  shalt  have  many 
dainties,  which — how  far  soever  apart  the  places  out  of  which 
they  must  be  procured — shall  be  brought  together  in  the  one 
spot ";  and  even  as  he  addressed  Finn  he  made  a  lay: — 
"In  the  Brock- wood  thou  shalt  have,  O  Finn  of  the  battle    •    .    ." 

After  this,  the  Fianna  rose  simultaneously  and  slipped  their 
wolfdogs ;  upon  these  and  his  multitude  the  commander  gazed, 
and  said :  "  a  place  trampled  by  hunting  parties  ros  broc  is  to- 
night ;"  and  he  made  a  lay: — 

**  Rosbrock  this  day  is  a  resort  of  hounds    .    .     ." 


4o6  The  Tribute. 

To  Moiling  luat/is  fine  mansion  they  took  their  way  accord- 
ingly; there  every  one  of  them  was  ranged  according  to  rank 
and  degree  of  honour,  and  music  played  so  that  from  one  corner 
to  the  other  the  entire  house  was  flooded  with  harmony. 

In  front  of  the  chief  commander  were  three  warriors,  whose 
names  were:  Miledan,  Ethledan,  and  Enan  na  huarbhoWu  or  *of 
the  cold  bothie,'  this  latter  in  the  middle  between  the  other  two  ; 
and  here  now  follows  *  Enan's  Vision  concerning  the  Boromha ' : — 

What  he  had  just  seen  was:  clerics,  arrayed  in  fine  textile 
silken  vestments,  that  before  him  [i.e.  as  it  seemed  to  him]  gave 
Mass,  he  too  himself  being  among  them  and  helping  them  to 
perform  Mass  ;  the  clergy  there  present  [in  his  dream]  being  the 
Moiling  and  his  clerics  of  the  future.  Then  Enan  rose,  and 
round  about  him  examined  the  crowd  [of  Fianna  arrived  during 
his  ecstasy] ;  they  were  a  source  of  wonder  to  him,  and  he  made 
a  lay  predicting  that  clergy  should  come  thither: — 

^  Ros  brocy  a  town  of  much  contention,  that  stands  over  fair  clear  Barrow's 
lymph    .    .    ." 

Three  days  and  three  nights  Finn  with  his  force  passed  in  that 
place,  until  out  of  every  airt  all  Ireland's  Fianna  were  come  in  to 
him.  They  all  drew  on  to  rdth  imil  (which  to-day  is  called  the 
Garbthonnach),  and  Finn  mac  Cumall  the  chief  commander  en- 
quired: "where  here  perished  the  young  women  because  of 
whom  this  tribute  is  lifted  from  Leinster?*'  The  spot  being 
indicated  to  him,  he  sat  down  there  and  made  a  lay: — 

"  A  terrible  deed  it  was  that  was  done  here,^  and  one  through  which  men 
did  incur  great  enmity    .    .    .*• 

That  night  then  the  Fianna  tarried  at  the  Garbthonnach,  and 
on  the  early  morrow  rose  to  join  the  king  of  Leinster ;  the 
weight  of  them,  that  of  the  Galianic  province  or  *  Leinster  *  also 
[when  their  junction  was  effected],  all  together  set  their  facets  to 
Conn's  Half:  and  the  place  in  which  they  were  now  was  cndmhros 
or  *  Bonewood  *  above.  Between  the  parties  was  fought  a  hardy 
battle :  on  either  side  equally  valorous,  emulous  alike  ;  yet  for  all 
that  the  North  could  not  make  shift  to  hold  out,  but  were 
defeated  so  that  there  were  slain  of  them  nine  thousand  along 
with  Cairbre  lifecJiait^s  three  sons :  Eochaid,  Eochaid  doimhlén^ 
and  Fiacha  called  sraibhtine  or  *  of  the  fire-showers';  whence  it 
was  said : — 


The  Tribute,  407 

"  The  battle  at  Cndmhros    .    .    ." 

After  which  the  Boramha  was  not  levied  on  Leinster  until  by 
Dunlaing  son  of  Enna  Nia  the  thirty  royal  maidens,  with  to  each 
one  of  them  a  hundred  young  women,  were  slain  in  Tara  (whence 
the  claenfJierta  or  *  sloping  mounds '  there)  so  that  again  the 
Boramha  was  imposed  on  Leinster.  Many  a  battle  Leinster 
fought  in  the  matter  of  the  Tribute,  from  that  time  forth  and  until 
Laeghairc  son  of  Niall  acquired  Ireland's  sovereignty  ;  which 
battles  and  the  chief  deaths  were  these:  the  battle  of  Maynooth, 
won  by  Bresal  bélach ;  the  battle  of  Cruachan  claenta  also,  by 
Labradh  against  Eochaid  muighmedóin ;  twelve  battles  that 
Enna  *  broke  on  *  Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages,  and  the  latter's 
slaughter  at  the  hands  of  Enna's  son  Eochaid  at  the  Iccian  sea. 

Then  Niall's  son  Laeghaire,  I  say,  reigned  over  Ireland ;  he 
gathers  the  North  with  him  to  lift  the  Boramha,  and  on  a  host- 
ing enters  into  Leinster:  he  that  at  that  period  was  king  of  the 
province  being  Enna  cinnselach  or  *the  quarrelsome,'  son  of 
Bresal  bélacHs  son  Labradh.  Leinster  rally  around  Enna,  and 
give  Laeghaire  battle :  the  battle  of  dth  dara  or  '  Adare  *  upon 
the  Barrow ;  there  the  latter  is  defeated,  a  *  red  slaughter '  of 
Conn's  Half  made,  and  their  heads  are  collected  so  that  in  magh 
Ailbhe  or  *Moyalvy '  on  Barrow-side  a  cairn  of  them  was  made. 
Laeghaire  himself  was  taken:  he  promised  that  never  for  all 
time  would  he  lift  the  Boramha,  and  to  spare  him ;  he  farther 
pledged  himself  with  guarantee  of  the  Elements  that  to  all 
eternity  no  more  would  he  intrude  into  Leinster  to  levy  it — all 
which  points  were  the  very  ones  that  he  did  not  fulfil,  for  at  the 
end  of  two  years  and  a  half  he  came  and  at  sidh  Nechtain  took 
kine.  For  which  reason  it  was  that  on  the  bank  of  the  stream 
called  cas  or  *the  crooked'  the  Elements  meted  out  death  to 
Laeghaire,  as:  Earth  to  swallow  him.  Sun  to  scorch  him.  Wind 
[his  breath]  to  pass  away  from  him  ;  of  which  is  said: — 

**  Laeghaire  perished,  son  of  Niall    .    .    ." 

Afterwards  Ailill  molt  son  of  Dathi  swayed  Ireland,  and  lifts 
the  Boramha.  These  now  are  the  battles  which  Leinster  won 
against  him  and  against  the  other  kings  that  reigned  after  him, 
down  to  Aedh  son  oí  Ainmire:  the  battles  oi  Luachair  in  Bregia, 
of  dumJia  Aichir,  of  Ocha,  all  against  Ailill  molt\  and  in  this 


4o8  The  Tribute. 

last  he  fell,  likewise  Crimthann  mac  Enna.  The  battles  of 
GrainnCy  of  Tortan^  of  druim  Ladhgann^  of  brigh  Eile,  of  Fremh- 
ain  in  Meath,  won  by  FailgJie  roth  (nomen  illius  magni  regis)  son 
of  Cathaeir ;  twenty-eight  battles  won  by  Dunlaing,  through  S. 
Bridget's  word  [intercession] ;  the  battles  of  Magh  ochtair  (won 
against  Lughaid  mac  Lacghaire),  of  Druim  da  viaiglie^  of  dun 
Másc^  of  Ocha  alachath^  of  Slaibre^  of  Cenn  sratha^  of  Fin7iabhair^ 
all  gained  by  Ailill  mac  Uunlaing ;  one  gained  by  Coirpre  illad- 
ach ;  the  battle  of  druifn  Laeghaire  won  by  Angus  and  Fergus, 
Crimthann  mac  Enna's  two  sons,  against  Dermot  son  of  Cerbhall. 
Thus,  though  the  kings  that  had  Tara  did  indeed  lift  the  Bor- 
omha,  very  many  of  them  there  were  that  never  got  it  without  a 
battle  [i.e.  but  few  of  them  did  so]. 

Now  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech  reigned  over  Ireland,  and  his  sons 
were  these :  Donall,  Maelcoba  the  cleric,  Gabhrdn  and  dtmascach. 
Which  last  came  to  discourse  his  father,  and  said  to  him:  "I 
desire  to  make  *  a  stripling's  free  circuit  of  Ireland,'  and  the  wife 
of  every  king  in  Ireland  shall  pass  a  night  with  me."  lie  set 
out  therefore  on  a  free  excursion  round  about  Ireland,  and  so 
arrived  from  the  yonside  over  Righe,  making  for  Leinster ;  his 
strength  was  four  battalions.  He  that  at  such  time  was  king 
over  Leinster  was  Brandubh^  son  of  Eochaid  son  of  Muiredach 
son  of  Angus  brugach  son  of  Felim  son  of  Enna  cinnse/o.ch ;  it 
was  told  him  that  the  king  of  Ireland's  son,  on  free  progress 
bound,  drew  near  him,  and  says  he:  "let  messengers  meet  them; 
and  be  it  told  them  that  I  am  not  there,  but  gone  among  the 
Britons  to  lift  rent  and  tribute.  Have  them  billeted  through  the 
country  from  Boyne  to  the  Inneoin,  and  let  every  man  slay  them 
that  thus  are  quartered  on  him  ;  but  let  Cumascach  himself, 
having  with  him  three  hundred  sons  of  chiefs,  come  to  me  and, 
even  as  the  other  provincial  kings  have  done,  so  will  I  too  give 
him  my  wife."  The  billeting  was  duly  carried  out,  and  the  fourth 
battle  of  them  reached  Brandubh's  mansion  in  bclach  dubhtaire^ 
which  to-day  men  call  belach  CongJdaise  or  *  Baltinglass.'  Then 
Cumascach  *  sat  down  *  [pitched]  in  the  town's  close  ;  people 
came  to  meet  and  to  look  after  him,  and  they  were  all  drafted 
oíT  into  the  one  house. 

On  this  day  it  was  that  Dunlaing's  grandson  Macdoc  came  to 
Brandubh,  and  he  bringing  with  him  presents :  a  flesh-hook,  a 


The  Tribute.  409 

cauldron,  a  shield,  a  sword,  which  he  exhibited  to  the  king  and 
made  a  lay  the  while : — 

"  Here  be  presents  for  a  king    .    .    •" 

With  that  Maedoc  takes  leave  of  Brandubh,  with  uttering  of 
these  few  words : — 

"  My  ileshfork  of  three  prongs,  and  powerful  to  lift    .    .    ." 

Maedoc  departed  ;  but  Brandubh  assumed  a  slave's  garb  and 
summoned  to  him  Airnelach  son  of  Airmedach,  king  of  Ofialey, 
to  whom  he  said :  "  proceed  we  now  to  set  yon  cauldron  on  a 
fire,  and  with  swine  and  beeves  to  fill  up  the  same."  They  had 
it  lifted  on  to  a  fire  accordingly,  and  charged  with  hogs  and 
beeves  ;  then  all  about  it  a  huge  red  flaring  bonfire  was  kindled, 
which  soon  brought  it  to  a  boil. 

Then  it  was  that  the  king  of  Ireland's  son  said :  "  but  where  is 
Brandubh's  wife  ?"  and  messengers  were  sent  from  him  to  fetch 
the  queen.  She  came  to  confer  with  him,  and  with  welcome 
greeted  the  monarch's  son,  saying  also:  "grant  me  a  boon." 
"What  boon  seekest  thou?"  he  asked  "Soon  said,"  was  her 
answer:  "concede  me  that  I  be  not  stayed  till  I  have  done  with 
serving  out  meat  to  the  multitude,  and  until  I  buy  off  mine 
honour  from  them."  That  favour  was  yielded  her,  whereupon  she 
went  her  ways  till  she  gained  the  devious  hidden  shelter  of  dun 
BuicJiet^  and  so  abandoned  the  town  altogether. 

Just  then  it  was  that  Cumascach's  lampoonist  Glasdamh 
(accompanied  with  his  nine  of  the  craft)  came  to  solicit  of  them 
that  tended  the  cauldron  a  first  helping  by  way  of  perquisite,  and 
Brandubh  [in  his  disguise]  said :  "  is  it  thyself  that  in  thine  own 
behalf  wilt  give  a  stroke  of  the  flesh-hook,  or  shall  it  be  I  ?" 
The  jester  answered :  "  e'en  make  it  thou."  So  Brandubh  thrust 
in  the  hook,  and  at  one  stroke  brought  up  nine  pieces  ;  then  the 
lampooner  began  narrowly  to  examine  him,  and  said:  "by  my 
word  and  sooth,  that  is  no  serfs  deal,  but  a  king's!"  and  away 
he  carried  his  portion  to  the  house  of  the  king's  son,  who  also 
expressed  the  same  opinion. 

Then  it  was  that  to  Angus,  son  of  Airmedach,  Brandubh  said : 
"  let  us  have  a  barrow  laden  and  taken  to  the  king  of  Ireland's 
son."  So  it  was  done,  and  the  two  kings :  Brandubh  and  Angus, 
after  hoisting  the  barrow  on  them,  bear  it  laboriously  into  Cum- 


4IO  The  Tribute. 

ascach's  presence ;  out  they  came  again,  and  after  them  (for  in 
either  man  of  the  two  was  the  strength  of  nine)  shut  to  the 
mansion's  huge  door.  Now  were  four  fires  set  to  the  house :  one 
to  every  side  [i.e.  it  was  set  on  fire  in  four  places],  and  Cumascach 
said :  "  who  is  it  takes  the  house  on  us  ?"  "  I,  even  I !"  Brandubh 
answered ;  and  then  it  was  that  Glasdamh  the  scurrile  jester 
cried :  "  on  me  at  any  rate  let  not  a  deed  of  shame  be  wrought, 
for  I  have  eaten  thy  meat!"  "There  shall  not  any  such  be 
done,"  Brandubh  returned:  "climb  up  the  house  therefore  and 
get  on  the  roofs  ridgepole ;  leap  out  over  the  top  of  the  flames 
and,  in  so  far  as  regards  us,  thou  shalt  be  safe."  "  Cumascach," 
said  the  jester,  "thou  hast  heard:  take  then  my  duds  about  thee 
and  away  out  1"  In  such  guise  Cumascach  went  out,  and  was 
shattered  greatly  ;  feebly  he  made  his  way  to  main  Chumascaigh 
or  '  Cumascach's  moor,*  right  against  the  green  of  cill  Rannairech. 
There  it  was  that  Lóichin  lonn^  grandson  of  Lonan,  and  Herenach 
of  that  church,  lighted  on  him  and,  so  soon  as  Cumascach  had 
declared  himself  to  him,  struck  off  his  head.  He  took  it  to 
where  Brandubh  was,  and  exhibited  it  to  him  ;  wherefore  it  was 
that  freedom  [exemption]  was  granted  to  cill  Rannairech, 

Then  it  was  that  bishop  Aidan  came  to  them :  bishop  of  Glen- 
daloch,  that  was  *  mother's  son  *  [half  brother]  to  Aedh  mac  Ain- 
mirech,  and  what  the  churchman  said  was :  "  these  be  great  deeds 
[deaths]  that  ye  have  executed."  Brandubh  asked :  "  upon  whom 
will  such  be  avenged?"  the  cleric  answered:  "I  care  not  though 
it  were  upon  my  mother's  son,  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech";  and  he 
made  a  lay : — 

"A  Lord  all  powerful  I  implore—  Lord  oi  cill  Rannairech    .    .    ,** 

To  Brandubh  bishop  Aidan  continued :  "  let  there  an  embass- 
age be  sent  from  thee  to  Ailech,  to  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech's  house, 
and  be  it  told  him  that  his  son  is  slain."  "  It  shall  be  despatched," 
Brandubh  assented,  and  he  made  a  lay: — 

"  From  me  let  messengers  proceed  to  Ailech    .    .    ." 

Northward  they  travelled  then  and  reached  Ailech,  where  the 
king  of  Ireland  required  of  them  that  they  had  to  tell ;  and  what 
they  replied  was  this:  "as  for  the  matter  with  which  we  are 
charged,  without  a  price  we  will  not  declare  it."  Aedh  said: 
"  here  is  this  horn  for  you :"  whence  the  designation  of  *  Leinster's 


The  Tribute.  411 

Horn '  in  Ailech.  Then  they  tell  their  news:  "  by  us  thy  son  is 
killed,  and  slaughter  of  his  people  made."  "  Those  tidings  we 
have  heard  already,"  said  the  king,  "  yet  for  all  that  ye  shall  get 
away  whole  ;  but  if  we  come  after  you,  ye  shall  see."  Out  of  the 
North  the  envoys  returned  to  where  Brandubh  was,  and  impart 
to  him  the  king  of  Ireland's  appointment  to  enter  Leinster  and 
avenge  his  son. 

By  Ainmire  s  son  Aedh  a  general  gathering  of  Conn's  Half 
was  made  now,  and  they  progressed  as  far  as  the  Righe.  It  was 
told  to  Brandubh  that  the  men  of  Ireland  were  at  the  Righe  (the 
place  where  he  himself  was  being  Scadharc  in  úi  Chtnnselaigh\ 
and  he  marched  northward,  crossing  Muintech  and  Muinichin 
and  Daimhne^  Etar,  Ardchaillidh^  ard  mBresta^  the  Slaney,  and 
over  Fé  into  belach  dubhtaire  (now  called  belach  Conghlais  or 
•  Baltinglass  ')  his  own  dun. 

At  this  stage  it  was  that  bishop  Aidan  sought  out  Brandubh, 
who  said :  "  Cleric,  thou  hast  news ! "  The  prelate  answered :  "  and 
it  is  that  the  North  are  at  Baeth  ebha  by  dun  Buaice^  where  they 
have  just  pitched  camp  and  secured  themselves."  "  Thou  then^ 
Cleric,  get  thee  away  to  thy  mother's  son,  to  Aedh  son  of  Ain- 
mire, and  in  our  behalf  request  of  him  a  truce  until  such  time  as 
our  forces  have  come  in  to  us ;  after  which  he  shall  have  either 
peace  or  war  [as  he  may  desire]."  The  cleric  sought  the  king  of 
Ireland's  tent,  and  welcome  was  accorded  him  ;  then  his  errand 
was  required,  and  he  declared  how  Brandubh  was  at  rath  Bran- 
duibh  on  the  Slaney.  "  Wherefore  comest  thou  in  especial  ?"  asked 
Aedh.  "To  petition  for  a  present  suspension,  with  a  view  to 
either  peace  or  war  [as  may  fall  out]  later  on."  "  That  truce 
thou  never  shalt  have  until  thou  execute  such  and  such  a 
ribald  gesture."  Then  the  ecclesiastic  is  incensed,  and  cries: 
"  if  God  knoweth  me,  may  a  bitch  wolf  carry  off  to  yonder  tulach 
the  three  dearest  members  that  thou  hast  1"  And  it  came  true  ; 
whence  from  that  time  to  this  the  name  of  trébhall  or  *  three- 
limb-place  '  is  given  it. 

Anger  took  the  king  of  Ireland  ;  he  rose,  the  men  of  Ireland 
rose,  and  they  came  on  their  way  bringing  with  them  Aidan  the 
bishop.  They  reached  belach  dúin  bolg^  and  the  king  queried : 
"what  is  the  name  of  this  belach  or  *pass*?"  "This  is  belach 
diiin  bolg  or  *  pass  of  the  dun  of  sacks.' "     "  What  sacks  are  they 


412  The  Tribute. 

at  all?"  pursued  the  king.  "The  men  of  Ireland's  provision 
bags,  which  this  night  Leinster  will  occasion  to  be  left  there," 
the  cleric  answered.  They  came  on,  and  to  a  flagstone,  where 
again  the  king  asked:  "and  what  is  this  great  grey  stone's 
name?"  The  cleric  said:  "//V  cJiomairt  chndnih  or  *the  flag  of 
bone-smashing/"  "What  bones  now  can  they  be  ?"  "  It  is  so 
called  because  that  to-night  thy  bones  will  be  broken  on  it,  and 
thy  head  taken  off."  Onward  they  came  still,  to  berua  na  sciath^ 
where:  "what  might  be  this  gap's  name?"  the  king  questioned, 
and  the  bishop  said:  ^*berna  }ia  sciath  or  'the  gap  of  shields.*" 
"  And  what  shields  are  they  ?"  "  Those  of  Conall  and  of  Eoglian 
[i.e.  of  their  posterity],  which  to-night  will  be  left  there." 

The  men  of  Erin  crossed  that  gap,  then  they  took  hold  and 
camp;  but  bishop  Aidan  repaired  to  Brandubh,  and  the  king 
sought  his  news.  The  cleric  stated  that  all  Ireland  were 
leaguered  at  cill  Bélat  or  'S.  Bclaifs  church,'  adding  that  at 
their  hands  he  had  not  had  honour  [i.e.  had  been  dishonoured]. 

Then  said  Brandubh:  "Clerk,  what  is  thy  counsel  to  us?" 
"Soon  said,"  quoth  the  bishop:  "in  this  rath's  outer  ditch  have 
thou  a  candle  of  the  very  hugest  dipped  ;  next  be  there  brought 
thee  three  hundred  teams  with,  in  each  one  of  them,  twelve 
oxen  ;  upon  these  let  white  paniers  be  charged,  which  shall  hold 
great  number  of  young  men  overlaid  with  straw  and,  over  all 
again,  a  layer  of  actual  victual.  Be  there  moreover  brought  thee 
thrice  fifty  unbroken  horses,  and  to  their  tails  be  fastened  bags  ; 
for  the  purpose  of  stampeding  Ireland's  horse-herds  let  such 
then  be  filled  with  pebbles.  Let  that  great  taper,  with  the 
cauldron  'about  its  head'  [i.e.  shading  it],  precede  thee  until 
thou  gain  the  centre  of  their  camp  ;  send  in  the  meantime  a 
message  to  the  king  of  Ireland,  purporting  that  to-night  the 
provant  of  Leinster  will  be  supplied  to  him." 

This  plan  was  executed  by  Brandubh ;  but  while  they  were 
busied  with  it  he  said :  "  it  were  better  for  me  that  I  went  myself 
to  spy  out  the  house  ;  thou  therefore.  Clerk,  come  with  me."  "  I 
will,"  he  answered. 

Brandubh,  having  with  him  six  score  young  men  that  brought 
along  a  single  horse,  set  out  now  (the  cleric  accompanying  them 
in  his  chariot)  from  that  spot,  and  so  on  till  they  came  and  were 
upon  the  one  side  of  sldh  Nechtain,     The  ecclesiastic  looked 


The  Tribute.  413 

abroad,  and  down  upon  the  camp,  over  which  he  saw  as  it  were 
a  motley  birdflock  of  all  diverse  colours,  but  without  progression  ; 
he  asked  therefore :  "  what  manner  of  pied  birdflock  is  it  we 
sec?"  and  Brandubh  replied:  "the  men  of  Erin's  standards  on 
staves  and  javelins  over  their  bothies.*'  Then  the  cleric  uttered : — 

"Standards  I  see    .    .    .** 

Aidan  the  bishop  departs  from  them  now  to  his  own  church, 
and  immediately  Brandubh  saw  the  mountain  all  filled  with 
striplings:  the  striplings  that  were  there  being  Ulidia's,  that 
followed  Dermot  son  of  Acdh  róin.  The  king  of  Leinster's  sons 
and  his  household  surrounded  them,  and  they  [the  youths]  were 
seized  by  the  neck.  "Who  are  ye?"  asked  the  Leinstermcn. 
"  Ulidia*s  lads,  with  the  king  of  Ulidia's  son."  This  was  reported 
to  Ulidia,  and  they  rose  out:  seven  thousand  seven  hundred 
being  their  number,  both  lay  and  cleric  ;  they  approached  near 
to  Brandubh,  and  said :  "  wherefore  hast  thou  taken  our  young 
fellows?"  "To  relieve  myself  of  your  full-grown  men  of  war^" 
he  answered.  "  Thou  shalt  be  relieved  of  them  for  ever,"  the 
king  of  Ulster  said,  "  and  a  pact  of  amity  shall  be  made  between 
us,  and  unity,  for  such  was  the  very  thing  foretold  by  Conor  mac 
Fachtnas  dream;"  and  the  king  declared  the  vision,  saying: — 

"  I  being  in  my  sleep  did  see  a  wondrous  dream :  knoweth  any  one  of  you 
its  true  interpretation  ?  I  saw  that  a  vat  of  crystal  with  the  burnished  hue  of 
gold  I  had  on  midfloor  of  my  mansion,  at  Bregia  on  the  Boyne.  This  vat's 
one  third  was  of  men's  blood  (a  wonderful  set-out),  while  in  its  inside  was 
new  milk  but  a  third.  Another  third  was  sparkling  wine  (a  marvel  'twas  to 
nie)  ;  men  too  with  bowed  heads,  and  come  across  the  inarticulate  sea,  sur- 
-rounded  it.  All  Leinster,  many  though  they  be,  and  with  the  multitude  of 
their  achievements — to  them  I  have  yielded  up  my  heart's  affection,  and  with 
it  mine  intelligence." 

For  Conor  had  seen  that  dream,  in  which  farther  he  witnessed 
Leinster  and  Ulidia  round  the  vat  and  drinking  from  it.  "I 
know  it  all,"  said  he:  "the  fellowship  foretold  here  is  that  the 
blood  seen  in  the  vat  is  that  of  the  two  provinces  in  conflict ;  the 
new  milk  being  the  dominical  canon  which  the  clergy  of  both 
provinces  chant ;  the  wine,  Christ's  Body  and  Blood  which  they 
offer  up."  Then  he  went  on  expounding  it,  and  made  a  lay: — 
"  Make  we  our  compact,  a  compact  may  it  be  for  ever    ..." 

Lcinster's  saints  and  Ulidia's  sat  down  on  the  mountain  and 
entered  into  a  fellowship  that  never  should  be  dissolved.     Bran- 


414  '^f^  Tribute. 

dubh  proposed  to  the  king  of  Ulidia  that  from  the  king  of  Ire- 
land's camp  he  should  sunder  his  own,  and  the  other  asked: 
"  but  how  may  we  effect  it  ?"  "  Easily  answered,"  said  Bran- 
dubh:  "on  the  very  ground  taken  up  by  the  king  of  Ireland 
pitch  ye  too  your  camp,  and  ye  will  be  quarrelled  with ;  never 
put  up  with  that,  so  shall  ye  part  from  them."  Ulidia  did  as 
Brandubh  suggested ;  Conall  and  Eoghan  rose  up  against  them 
and,  or  ever  they  could  be  separated,  had  killed  two  hundred  of 
them.  Thence  Ulidia  moved  off  to  inis  Ulad  or  *  Ulidia's  isle,* 
in  which  with  their  spears  they  dug  a  ditch  about  them ;  their 
horses  they  bestowed  between  themselves  and  daingen  na  mana. 

Again  bishop  Aidan  turned  to  seek  Brandubh,  and  what  he 
said  was:  "great  in  very  deed  was  the  dishonour  that  my 
mother's  son  did  me,  I  mean  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech ;  God  will 
avenge  it  on  him  " ;  and  he  made  this  quatrain : — 

"  A  fragment  of  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech    .    .    ." 

He  continued :  "  upon  KilcuUen's  green  it  shall  fall  down  from 
the  raven  [that  carries  it],  and  until  seven  years'  end  the  little 
boys  of  Kilcullen  shall  make  a  ball  of  it  The  seminary  of 
Kildare  will  come,  and  that  same  ball  one  of  them  shall  steal ; 
they  will  put  it  to  another  derisory  use,  and  have  it  till  seven 
more  years  be  out  Then  shall  Maedoc's  seminary  of  adult 
clerks  come  to  Kildare,  and  again  a  man  of  them  shall  steal  it ; 
from  which  time  forth  I  see  not  what  becomes  of  it  Also  this 
mountain  on  which  the  cotach  or  *  fellowship '  is  made :  sliabh  in 
chotaigh  henceforth  shall  be  its  name,  i.e.  *  mountain  of  fellow- 
ship '  or  *  Slievegadoe,'  whereas  hitherto  it  has  been  sliabh  Nech- 
tain'*    With  that  the  cleric  departs. 

Upon  his  only  horse  Brandubh  starts  to  look  for  single  com- 
bat from  the  men  of  Erin  ;  and  he  that  came  from  them  to  meet 
him  was  Blathach,  the  king  of  Ireland's  master  of  the  horse,  and 
*  the  king's  horse  under  him '  [i.e.  and  he  mounted  on  the  king's 
horse].  Now  the  manner  of  Blathach  was  that  he  was  virulent 
and  fierce ;  also  he  never  threw  a  spear  that  missed  its  mark. 
All  which  however  profited  him  nothing:  for  he  fell  by  the  hand 
of  Brandubh,  who  also  struck  off  his  head  at  dtk  blathachta  (which 
to-day  is  named  dth  Blathciia  or  *  Blathach's  ford '). 

This  triumph  won,  and  he  having  the  king  of  Ireland's  horse 
as  well,  Brandubh  returned  and,  according  as  bishop  Aidan  had 


The  Tribute.  415 

prescribed,  his  oxen  and  horses  aforesaid  are  brought  in  to  him. 
Then  he  said :  "  can  I  have  one  to  go  spy  out  the  camp  and  the 
king,  and  to  be  there  awaiting  us  till  we  shall  come  up?  for 
which  service  he  shall  have  a  stipulated  fee:  if  he  be  slain, 
Heaven  to  be  his  from  Leinster*s  clergy  ;  but  should  he  escape, 
his  own  tuath  or  *  district '  exempt  of  charges,  besides  the  free- 
dom of  mine  own  [and  my  successors']  table  to  himself  and  to 
his  representative  [for  ever]."  Securities  for  this  were  given, 
and:  "  I  will  go,"  said  Ron  cerr  son  of  Dubliánach^  i.e.  the  king  of 
Imale's  son.  "Give  me  now,"  he  went  on,  "a  calfs  blood  and 
dough  of  rye,  that  they  be  smeared  on  me ;  be  there  a  capacious 
hood  too  furnished  me,  and  a  wallet."  All  was  done,  so  that 
he  resembled  any  leper.  A  wooden  leg  was  brought  him  ;  into 
the  cleft  of  it  he  thrust  his  knee,  and  in  this  get-up  (with  a 
sword  under  his  raiment)  went  his  way  to  the  place  where  Ire- 
land's notables  were,  in  front  of  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech's  tent 
Tidings  were  asked  of  him,  and  what  he  said  was  that  he  came 
from  cill  Bélat\  "at  early  morn  I  went  to  Leinster's  camp  ;  in 
my  absence  people  came,  and  my  hut,  my  quern,  my  great  spade 
and  my  oratory  have  been  destroyed."  "Twenty  milch  kine 
from  me  in  compensation  of  the  same,"  said  the  king  of  Ireland, 
"  if  I  come  whole  out  of  this  hosting  ;  and  go  now  into  the  tent : 
there  shalt  thou  have  a  nine  men's  room,  tithe  of  my  mess,  and 
the  whole  household's  fragments.  But  what  do  Leinster  ?"  he 
enquired.  "  They  are  busied  with  preparing  of  victual  for  you, 
and  never  have  ye  had  meat  with  which  ye  were  sated  better 
[than  ye  will  be  with  this]:  they  seethe  their  swine,  their  beeves, 
their  bacon-hogs."  "Curse  them  for  it!"  cried  Kinelconall  and 
Kinelowen.  "A  pair  of  warriors  eyes  are  what  I  see  in  the 
leper's  head,"  said  the  king.  "  Alas  for  thee  and  thy  notion  of 
keeping  Ireland's  sovereignty,  if  it  be  at  my  eyes  that  alarm  per- 
vades thee!"  "By  no  manner  of  means  is  that  so,"  answered 
the  king:  "but  send  now  and  fetch  Dubhdúin  king  of  Oriel." 
He  appeared,  and  the  monarch  said  to  him :  "  thou,  taking  with 
thee  Oriel's  battalion,  proceed  southerly  to  bun  Aife  and  to  the 
criiadabliall\  there  keep  watch  and  ward  that  Leinster  surprise 
not  our  camp."  According  as  the  king  had  commanded  them 
they  marched  therefore. 

Then  it  was  that  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech  said  to  his  horseboy : 


4i6  The  Tribute. 

"  bring  me  now  Columbkill's  cowl,  that  this  night  it  be  on  me  and 
serve  me  for  a  safeguard  against  Leinstcr."  For  Columbkill  had 
promised  him  that  never  should  he  be  killed  while  he  wore  his 
cowl,  as  thus :  Aedh  once  on  a  time  had  asked  the  Saint :  "  how 
many  kings.  Cleric,  from  among  them  of  whom  thyself  thou  hast 
had  cognisance,  will  win  to  Heaven  ?"  and  Columbkills  answer 
was :  "  certain  it  is  that  I  know  of  none  but  three  kings  only,  and 
they  were  [Cairbre  called]  daimhbt  damhargait^  king  of  Oriel ; 
Ailill  bannda^  king  of  Connacht ;  Feradach  fionn  mac  DiuxcJf,  of 
the  corca  LaigJie,  king  of  Ossory."  "And  what  good  wrought 
these  beyond  all  other  kings?"  asked  Aedh.  "Soon  said,"  the 
Saint  rejoined :  "  Daimhin  to  begin  with — from  him  no  clerk  ever 
came  away  with  refusal  of  his  prayer;  he  never  reviled  an 
ecclesiastic  ;  nor  sacred  [person  nor  church  did  he  ever  vex,  and 
much  substance  he  dedicated  to  the  Lord.  For  this  gentleness 
that  he  used  to  the  Lord's  people  therefore  he  went  to  Heaven, 
and  the  clergy  still  chant  his  litany. 

"As  touching  Ailill  bannda,  the  matter  whereby  he  had  the 
Lord's  peace  was  this :  the  battle  of  rfdl  Chonaire  it  was,  which 
he  fought  against  clann  Fiachrach  and  in  which  he  was  defeated, 
when  [as  they  retreated]  he  said  to  his  charioteer:  *cast  now,  I 
pray  thee,  a  look  to  the  rear  and  discover  whether  the  killing  be 
great,  and  the  slayers  near  to  us.*  The  driver  looked  behind 
him,  and  replied :  *  the  slaughter  that  is  made  of  thy  people  is 
intolerable!'  'Not  their  own  guilt,  but  my  pride  and  unrigh- 
teousness it  is  that  comes  against  them,'  said  the  king:  'where- 
fore turn  me  now  the  chariot  to  face  the  pursuers  ;  for  if  I  be 
slain,  it  will  be  a  redemption  of  many.'  Then  Ailill  did  earnest 
act  of  penance,  and  by  his  foemen  fell.  That  man  therefore," 
said  Columbkill,  "attained  to  the  Lord's  peace." 

He  continued :  "  as  for  Feradach  fio7in  mac  DuacJi^  king  of 
Ossory,  he  was  a  covetous  and  unconscionable  man  who,  though 
it  were  but  a  solitary  scruple  whether  of  gold  or  of  silver  that  he 
heard  of  as  possessed  by  any  in  his  country,  would  by  force  make 
his  own  of  it  that  he  might  apply  it  to  the  decoration  of  drink- 
ing-horns, of  crannoges,  of  swords,  of  chess-boards  and  -men.  In 
process  of  time  sickness  that  might  not  be  endured  [for  long] 
came  upon  him,  and  his  treasures  were  brought  together  to  him 
so  that  he  had  them  by  him  in  his  bed.     Then  his  enemies,  i.e. 


The  Tribute.  417 

the  children  of  Connla,  came  *to  take  the  house  on  him';  his 
own  sons  also  came  to  carry  away  [and  secure]  all  the  precious 
things  ;  but  said  he :  *  sons,  ye  shall  not  take  them  ;  for,  because 
many  a  one  I  have  persecuted  to  get  those  treasures,  even  there- 
fore I  for  God's  sake  desire  that  in  this  hither  world  I  in  my 
turn  be  tormented  for  them  and  of  my  own  free  will  resign  them 
to  my  enemies,  to  the  end  the  Lord  torment  me  not  *  yonder ' 
[i.e.  in  the  future  state]/  Hereupon  his  sons  went  out  from 
him  ;  the  king  for  his  part  did  fervent  act  of  penance,  and  at 
his  foes*  hands  perished.     He  then  has  the  Lord's  peace." 

"And  now  as  to  myself,"  said  Aedh:  "am  I  to  have  the 
Lord's  peace  ?"  but  Columbkill  made  answer:  "no,  not  on  any 
account  whatsoever!"  Then  he  pleaded:  "Cleric,  procure  me 
from  the  Lord  that  Leinster  have  not  the  victory  over  me." 
"Alas  for  that,"  said  the  Saint:  "for  of  them  my  mother  was  ; 
wherefore  they  came  to  me  to  Durrow^  and  made  as  though 
they  would  'fast  upon  me'  till  I  should  grant  them  a  sister's 
son's  appeal:  that  which  they  besought  of  me  being  that  never 
should  an  extern  king  prevail  against  them.  This  then  I  have 
promised  to  them  ;  howbeit  here  is  my  cowl,  by  virtue  of  which 
(if  only  it  be  on  thee)  thou  never  shalt  be  slain." 

Such  now  was  the  cowl  which  at  this  season  Aedh  demanded 
of  his  gilla  ;  but  the  latter  said :  "  that  cowl  we  have  left  behind 
in  Ailech,"  To  which  Aedh  replied :  "  all  the  more  likely  then 
that  by  Leinster  this  night  I  shall  be  left  lying !" 

To  resume  our  account  of  Brandubh:  with  loud  outcry  his 
horse-troops  and  ox-teams  were  incited  ;  he  formed  up  his  bat- 
talions, and  with  gloom  of  night  marched  till  Oriel  heard  first  a 
pit-a-pat,  and  then  the  great  host's  full  dull  sound,  with  snorting 
of  the  horses,  puffing  of  the  oxen  under  the  wains.  Oriel  sprang 
up  and  stood  to  their  arms,  challenging:  "who  goes  there?" 
"  Soon  told,"  the  answer  came :  "  Leinster's  gillas^  laden  with  the 
king  of  Ireland's  provision  !"  Oriel  drew  near,  and  according  as 
each  man  of  them  put  up  a  hand  [to  the  loads]  he  would  find 
under  his  touch  either  a  porker  or  a  beef.  They  said  therefore: 
"  'tis  true  for  them  :  let  them  pass  on  ";  and  further:  "  let  us  too 
go  along  with  them,  that  in  the  serving  out  of  these  rations  we 
be  not  forgotten."  So  Oriel  betook  them  to  their  camp  huts ; 
Leinster  held  on  to  cnoc  na  caindle  or  *  hill  of  the  candle '  [as  it  is 

^  E 


4i8  The  Tribute. 

called  since],  and  there  the  cauldron  was  taken  from  the  taper. 
"What  light  is  yon  that  we  see?"  asked  the  king,  and:  "soon 
said/'  the  leper  answered :  "  it  is  the  food  that*s  come  " ;  whereat 
he  rose,  took  off  his  tree  leg,  and  his  hand  stole  to  his  sword. 
From  the  ox-teams  their  loads  were  lifted  down  ;  the  horses  were 
turned  loose  among  those  of  the  men  of  Erin,  so  that  they  were 
frenzied  with  fear  and  broke  down  their  owners'  bothies  and 
tents.  Out  of  their  hampers  now  Lcinster  rose  (as  it  were  a 
surging  flood  that  leaps  against  the  cliffs),  with  their  sword-hilts 
in  their  grasp,  their  shields  held  by  the  straps,  and  clad  in  their 
hooded  mail.  "  And  who  be  these  ?"  Kinelconall  and  Kinel- 
owen  enquired  ;  the  leper  answered :  "  they  that  are  to  serve  out 
the  viands."  "  Bless  us  all,"  said  the  others  again,  "  but  they  are 
many !"  Then  Conall  and  Eoghan  in  their  turn  rose,  and  if  they 
did,  they  were  but  as  hands  thrust  into  a  nest  of  snakes.  Round 
about  the  king  of  Ireland  they  threw  a  bulwark  of  spears  and 
shields  ;  himself  they  constrained  to  mount  his  horse,  and  they 
led  him  away  to  berna  na  sciath  or  *the  gap  of  shields,'  in 
front  of  which  the  men  of  Erin  now  abandon  theirs  [and  hence 
the  name].  Ron  cerr  charged  at  the  monarch,  and  in  striving  to 
reach  him  slew  nine  men  ;  Dubhdúin  king  of  Oriel  interposing 
between  the  two,  he  and  Ron  cerr  encountered  and  by  the 
latter  he  of  Oriel  fell.  Again  Ron  launched  himself  at  the  king  ; 
but  Fergus  son  oi  Flathrl,  king  of  Tulach  6g,  comes  between  them 
and  he  too  falls  by  Ron,  Yet  a  third  time  he  rushes  for  the 
king  ;  he  grasps  him  by  the  leg,  drags  him  down  from  his  horse, 
and  on  lie  chomaigh  chnámh  as  aforesaid  hews  off  his  head.  Then 
he  takes  to  him  his  bag  that  he  had  brought,  turns  out  the  broken 
victuals,  and  puts  in  the  head  ;  into  the  mountain  tracks  he  gets 
himself  privily  away,  and  until  morning  there  keeps  close.  But 
Leinster  followed  up  the  North  and  made  red  slaughter  of  them  ; 
on  the  morrow  the  whole  force  in  triumph  and  exultation  sought 
the  spot  where  Brandubh  was  ;  Ron  cerr  arrives,  and  lays  before 
him  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech's  head.  There  then  you  have  *  the 
battle  of  Dun  bolg,  an  episode  in  the  History  of  the  Boromha': 
in  which  battle  it  was  that  Beg  also,  son  of  Cuanu,  perished. 

Subsequently  the  following  lifted  the  Tribute:  Colman  rimid 
or  *thc  celebrated,*  and  Aedh  uairidlinach  or  *of  the  shivering 
disease  [ague]';  Maelcoba,  Suibhne  fnenn^  Donall  .son  of  Aedh, 


The  Tribute,  419 

Cellach  and  Conall  cael ;  Blathmac  and  Dermot,  Maelcoba's  two 

sons.     Blathmac's  son  ruled  Ireland  afterwards,  but  never  drove 

the  Boromha ;  once  however  he  mustered  the  North  and  made 

his  plaint  to  them,  saying: — 

"  Give  me  your  counsel,  race  of  comely  Eoghan :  shall  we  attack  gallant 
Leinster,  or  shall  we  tarry  in  our  homes  ?" 

Conall  and  Eoghan  came  then,  the  men  of  Bregia  also,  and  of 
Meath,  so  far  as  lerg  mnáfine,  Leinster  marched  against  them 
(their  king  at  the  time  being  Faelan  son  of  Colgu),  and  they 
fought  a  battle.     In  the  result  the  Tribute  is  left  with  Leinster. 

Cennfaeladh  son  of  Crunnmael  ruled  for  four  years,  till  he  fell 
by  Finnachta  [his  nephew}  Then  Finnachta  fledJiach  or  *  the 
festive,*  son  of  Dunchadh,  held  Ireland  for  twenty  years  and 
twice  brought  off  the  Boromha  sine  renitentia  \  the  third  time 
that  he  came  to  lift  it  Leinster  rose  against  him.  A  great  gather- 
ing of  the  North  was  made  by  him  to  láthrach  Muiredach  or 
*  Murray's  site,'  in  the  marches  of  Leinster  and  Meath.  Intelli- 
gence of  this-  reaches  Bran  son  of  Conall  [king  of  Leinster],  by 
whom  the  province  is  called  out  and  they  repair  (both  lay  and 
clerk)  to  Dunallen.  Howbeit  Moiling  came  not  with  them,  so 
they  sent  to  fetch  him ;  and  where  he  was  just  then  was  at  ros 
broc  (which  at  this  present  time  is  called  tech  Moiling,  i.e.  '  MoU- 
ing's  house  'or  *  S.  Mullen's '),  for  from  the  time  when  first  he 
came  from  snitJiair  Guaire,  i.e.  'Guaire's  stream'  or  *  Shrule,' 
until  he  gained  ros  broc,  he  had  not  found  a  place  of  habitation : 
unde  Moiling  cedniti — 

"  Hither  to  come  I  was  resolved  ;  here  'tis  that  I  will  say  mine  hours  ; 
until  the  Judgment's  Day  shall  come,  from  this  same  dwelling  I  will  never 
part    .    .    ." 

So  soon  as  that  summons  reached  Moiling,  he  assembled  his 
familia  and  made  a  lay: — 

"  A  well-beloved  trio,  O  Christ  benign  and  glorious    .    .    ." 

So  Moiling  took  his  way  to  Dunallen,  where  Leinster  were  ; 
by  all  a  very  gentle  welcome  was  extended  to  him,  and  he  sat 
down  at  the  king  of  Leinster's  side. 

Then  said  Bran :  "  what  scheme  of  action  shall  be  ours — 
whether  shall  we  give  battle  to  the  North,  or  just  put  our  trust  in 
our  saints  and  so  go  to  crave  that  the  Boromha  be  remitted  ? 
and  again :  should  we  have  recourse  to  the  saints,  then  which  one 

2^2 


420  The  Tribute. 


of  Leinster's  holy  men  shall  we  send  to  solicit  such  remission  ?" 
and,  even  as  he  spoke  he  made  a  lay: — 

"  Proclaim  to  us,  O  Tuathal  son  of  Ailill  the  terrible,  whom  shall  Leinster 
have  from  luathmaigh    .    .    ." 

And  Bran  of  the  lofty  head  continued,  fortifying  Moiling: — 

"  Moiling  !  arise  and,  armed  with  genuine  piety,  do  a  thing  to  preserve  us : 
northward  go    .    .    ." 

He  went,  and  bade  ToUcIienn  of  cluain  ena^  the  poet,  accom- 
pany him  to  the  king  of  Ireland's  house  in  order  that  he  it 
should  be  that  should  chant  the  panegyric  which  Moiling  had 
made ;  and  the  Saint  as  he  girded  on  his  vesture  for  the  journey 
uttered  these  words: — 

"In  name  of  the  Trinity    .    •    .** 

They  took  their  way  to  the  house  of  Cobthach  mac  Colman  in 
úi  Faeláin^  and  a  banquet  was  spread  for  them  so  that  they  were 
satisfied.  But  to  the  man  of  verse  his  own  posse  of  bards  and 
minstrels  said  here :  "  we  grudge  thy  belonging  to  a  mere  cleric's 
company  [as  at  present  we  must  be  called]";  and  the  poet 
answered:  "well  then,  leave  we  the  clergy  and  let  us  get  on 
ahead  of  them  to  the  king  of  Ireland's  house."  So  they  did  and, 
all  being  arrived  there,  the  rhymer  sang  Molling's  duan  and  said 
that  'twas  he  had  made  it. 

Touching  the  Saint :  on  the  morrow  he  rose,  but  the  bardic 
choir  was  not  forthcoming,  and:  "just  so,"  said  he — "what  the 
rhymester  has  done  is  to  slip  away  with  my  poem,  which  he  will 
sell  to  the  monarch."  He  took  his  way  across  a  strip  of  Finn-- 
mhagh  which  to-day  is  named  niagh  tiEchain,  and  up  through 
magh  Cláraigh  till  he  reached  láthrach  Muiredaigh,  The  men  of 
Erin's  lads,  accompanying  Finnachta's  son  Donnghilla^  rose  at 
them  and  (their  advent  being  already  beforehand  announced  to 
them)  let  fly  a  volley  of  [previously  prepared]  sods,  stones  and 
stumps,  so  that  .  .  .  not  .  .  .  [Moiling  nevertheless] 
held  on  [until  he  entered]  the  king's  [presence],  but  never  met 
with  [either  salutation  or  welcome],  whereat  he  was  much  morti- 
fied. Colgu,  son  of  Maenach  son  of  Dubhanach,  however,  and 
Colgu's  son  Dermot  rise  before  him,  and  the  latter  *  raises  his 
knee  '  to  him :  the  way  in  which  at  the  time  they  were  situated 
being  that  they  sat  over  the  leg  which  supported  one  angle  of  a 


The  Tribute ^^  421 

couch.  Moiling  in  consequence  blessed  that  Colgu,  and  Dermot 
his  son.  Now  ensued  a  colloquy  anent  those  same  youngsters 
aforesaid,  and  [when  they  were  gone  to  hunt]  they  threw  at  a 
wild  deer ;  but  a  spear  of  them  penetrated  Donnghilla  mac  Finn- 
achta's  ienga  orcan  so  that  he  died  presently  (all  in  satisfaction 
of  Molling's  plaint  for  his  affront)  and  great  clamour  of  weeping 
was  made  for  him.  "Thine  own  son  Donnghilla  'tis  that  is 
fallen  to  salve  mine  honour,"  said  Moiling  [to  the  king  when  they 
heard  the  cry].  "  Cleric,  raise  the  lad  and  thou  shalt  have  the 
price  of  it"  The  Saint  answered :  "  in  lieu  of  my  poem  and  of 
thy  son's  resurrection,  along  with  Heaven  secured  to  thyself, 
naught  ask  I  but  a  respite  from  the  Boramha  until  Monday"; 
and  the  king  said :  "  that  thou  shalt  have."  Moiling  stepped  to 
him :  by  the  Trinity  and  the  dominical  Four  Gospels  he  bound 
him  ;  he  imposed  on  him  a  covenant  with  penal  clauses,  and 
sang  this  duan : — 

"  Finnachta  of  the  úi  Néill — as  the  sun,  so  is  his  strength    .    .    ." 

"  Worse  and  worse  we  deem  thy  design,"  said  the  king,  "  now 
that  thou  tellest  a  lie:  inasmuch  as  the  poem  that  Tollchenn  the 
bard  made,  thou  sellest  for  thine  own."  "  If  he  it  be  that  made 
it,"  the  Saint  replied,  "  let  him  stand  up  and  sing  his  duan."  The 
poet  rose  and  went  to  work,  but  what  he  enunciated  [in  place  of 
the  above]  was : — 

"  Dribble  drabble    .    .    ." 

Then  with  a  wild  and  frenzied  rush  the  rhymer  departed  to 
the  water  of  dun  mic  Fhdnat  or  *  the  dun  of  Fanait's  son,'  north- 
ward from  Assaroe,  and  in  the  same  was  drowned.  Which  thing 
when  Finnachta  saw,  he  caught  the  cleric's  foot  under  him  [i.e. 
as  he  stood  there]  and  besought  him  that  he  would  no  more  be 
incensed  at  him:  only  to  raise  him  up  his  son,  and  that  every 
single  thing  for  which  he  was  come  should  be  his.  With  that, 
Moiling  went  and  stood  over  the  boy;  he  besought  the  Lord 
fervently,  and  God  raised  Finnachta's  son  for  him ;  whereupon 
Moiling  said  :-^ 

"  Christ  has  power  of  my  body    .    .    .'* 

So  Moiling  came  out  of  the  North  and  back  to  Leinster,  the 
Boramha  having  been  remitted.  But  Adamnan  heard  the  story: 
how  the  Tribute  was  forgiven  to  Moiling,  and  a  respite  until 


422  The  Tribute. 

Monday  granted ;  he  sought  the  place  therefore  where  Finn- 
achta  was,  and  sent  a  clerk  of  his  familia  to  summon  him  to  a 
conference.  Finnachta  at  the  instant  busied  himself  with  a  game 
of  chess,  and  the  cleric  said :  "  come  speak  with  Adamnan.'*  "  I 
will  not,"  he  answered,  "  until  this  game  be  ended."  The  ecclesi- 
astic returned  to  Adamnan  and  retailed  him  this  answer ;  then 
the  Saint  said :  "  go  and  tell  him  that  in  the  interval  I  will  chant 
fifty  psalms,  in  which  fifty  is  a  single  psalm  that  will  deprive  his 
children  and  grandchildren,  and  even  any  namesake  of  his  [for 
ever],  of  the  kingdom."  Again  the  clerk  accosted  Finnachta, 
and  told  him  this  ;  but  until  his  game  was  played  the  king  never 
noticed  him  at  all.  "  Come  speak  with  Adamnan,"  repeated  the 
clerk,  and:  "I  will  not,"  answered  Finnachta,  "till  this  [fresh] 
game  too  shall  be  finished";  all  which  the  cleric  rendered  to 
Adamnan,  who  said :  "  a  second  time  begone  to  him ;  tell  him 
that  I  will  sing  other  fifty  psalms,  in  which  fifty  is  one  that  will 
confer  on  him  shortness  of  life."  This  too  the  clerk,  when  he 
was  come  back,  proclaimed  to  Finnachta  ;  but  till  the  game  was 
done  he  never  even  perceived  the  messenger,  who  for  the  third 
time  reiterated  his  speech.  "  Till  this  new  game  be  played  out, 
I  will  not  go,"  said  the  king  ;  and  the  cleric  carried  it  to  Adam- 
nan. "  Go  to  him,"  the  holy  man  said :  "  tell  him  that  in  the 
meantime  I  will  sing  fifty  psalms,  and  among  them  is  one  that 
will  deprive  him  of  attaining  to  the  Lord's  peace."  This  the  clerk 
imparted  to  Finnachta  who,  whenever  he  heard  it,  with  speed  and 
energy  put  from  him  the  chess-board  and  hastened  to  where 
Adamnan  was.  "  Finnachta,"  quoth  the  Saint,  "  what  is  thy 
reason  for  coming  now,  whereas  at  the  first  summons  thou 
camest  not?"  "Soon  said,"  replied  Finnachta — "as  for  that 
which  first  thou  didst  threaten  against  me:  that  of  my  children, 
or  even  of  my  namesakes,  not  an  individual  ever  should  rule 
Ireland — I  took  it  easily.  The  other  matter  which  thou  heldest 
out  to  me:  shortness  of  life — that  I  esteemed  but  lightly:  for 
Moiling  had  promised  me  Heaven.  But  the  third  thing  which 
thou  threatenedst  me:  to  deprive  me  of  the  Lord's  peace — 
that  I  endured  not  to  hear  without  coming  in  obedience  to  thy 
voice  "  (now  the  motive  for  which  God  wrought  this  was :  that 
the  gift  which  Moiling  had  promised  to  the  king  for  remission  of 
the  Tribute,  He  suffered  not  Adamnan  to  dock  him  of).     "  Is  it 


The  Tribute.  423 

true,"  questioned  the  Saint,  "  that  thou,  actually  thou,  hast  for- 
given the  Boramha  till  Monday?"  "True  it  is,"  quoth  the  king. 
"Thou  art  cozened  in  the  bargain,"  said  Adamnan:  "for  the 
Judgment  Monday  [i.e.  Doomsday]  it  was  that  Moiling  spoke  of 
[meant]  and,  unless  to-day  thou  transgress  the  pact,  nevermore 
will  any  do  so."  Now  since  Finnachta  had  been  next  heir  to 
the  crown,  and  Adamnan  a  young  scholar,  they  had  been  friends. 
Then  it  was  that  Adamnan  made  these  quatrains: — 

"Albeit  this  day  the  withered,  grey,  and  toothless  king  doth  bind  his 
locks    .     .       ." 

Hereat  the  men  of  Erin  set  out  to  pursue  Moiling  ;  and  where 
he  was  [when  they  came  up  with  him]  was  in  Fortiocht^  laying 
out  the  site  of  a  mill,  and  they  [he  and  his]  saw  towards  them 
Finnachta  and  all  Ireland  ;  whom  so  soon  as  Moiling  marked, 
he  uttered : — 

"  O  my  Almighty  Lord,  that  hast  made  every  king  under  Heaven.    .    .    ." 

Then  he  goes  straight  across  the  ford  and  rings  his  bell,  and 
Leinster's  kine  strikes  with  a  panic  such  that  [they  broke  away] 
and  every  cow  of  them  gained  her  own  sheltering  fastness  ;  but 
in  hostile  guise  the  North  hemmed  in  Moiling  and  his  associates, 
and  the  Saint  said : — 

"  May  ye  be  as  rocks  upon  brown  oaks,  may  ye  be  as  waves  on  azure 
waters,  may  ye  be  as  belfries  surmounting  churches,  and  may  all  this  not  be 
a  mere  fit  of  dreaming." 

Westward  then  he  came  to  the  place  where  now  S.  Mullen's 
Cross  is ;  there  he  sat  down  and  made  certain  quatrains: 

"  Make  we  here  a  bellicose  down-sitting,  rise  we  up  for  fight  of  victory  ; 
whosoever  shall  be  under  Columbkill's  protection,  his  body  shall  not  be  a 
prey  to  wolves.  My  malediction  light  on  Finnachta,  the  King  of  Heaven's 
curse  likewise  ;  Finnachta  has  tergiversated  on  me,  for  which  act  may  his 
kindred  never  the  higher  grow  [i.e.  may  they  be  cast  down].  O  Bridget  of 
Kildare — O  mcu:  Tail  of  Kilcullen — and  Thou,  O  Son  of  Mary— yours  be  my 
sitting  every  time  I  sit !" 

Moiling  said  now :  "  some  succour  would  be  wanting  to  us 
here."  The  thing  was  revealed  to  Mothairén,  that  was  in  the 
king  of  Leinster's  assemblage,  who  said :  "  at  thi^  present,  Moil- 
ing is  in  a  straight ;  were  it  good  in  the  Lord's  eyes  therefore,  I 
would  fain  have  a  fog  to  envelop  him  and  his  party."  Straight- 
way a  mist  was  flung  abroad  over  them  and,  though  so  it  was, 


424  Fragmentary  Annals. 

yet  they  knew  it  not,  but  deemed  that  their  enemies  still  saw 
them.  Nevertheless  they  moved  on  as  far  as  áth  LaegJiaire 
(where  Laeghaire  l&ingsech  was  bom),  and  there  MoUing  said: 
"in  yon  town  in  which  we  hear  the  bell,  who  dwells?"  and 
Colmnait^  or  '  Columbella,'  the  nun  answered  him :  "  alas  now, 
Cleric !  terror,  as  I  suppose,  hath  confused  thee ;  that  is  cill 
Usailky  i.e.  'church  of  S.  Auxilius'  or  *Killossy.*"  Moiling 
asked:  "what  great  and  pinnacled  burg  is  that  which  we  see 
in  cúilna  cethardaV*  "That,"  said  the  nun,  "is  Kildare";  and 
thereupon  Moiling  made  this  invocation : — 

"  O  Bridget,  bless  our  path,  that  on  our  journey  no  disaster  fall ;  O  nun 
from  the  brimming  Liffey,  from  thee  [i.e.  from  thy  shrine  of  Kildare]  may  we 
in  safety  reach  our  home    .    •    ." 

Finis. 


Here  follow  some  fragmentary  Annals,  viz.  from  Suibhne 
Mentis  accession  down  to  the  death  of  Conghal  of  Kinna- 
weer:  A.D.  615 — 710. 

A.D.  615  .  .  .  Suibhne  menn  (he  being  at  that  time  a  very 
young  man)  was  in  his  own  house  of  a  day,  and  to  his  wife  said 
perchance:  "  I  marvel  to  see  how  small  at  this  hour  is  the  mea- 
sure of  Kinelowen's  superiority  over  the  rest  of  the  tribes."  To 
which  the  woman  by  a  species  of  mockery  answering:  "and 
what  hinders  thee  from  shewing  some  hardihood,  from  leading 
them  to  war  upon  and  ever  to  have  victory  of  the  others  ?*'  he 
said  again :  "  even  so  shall  it  be." 

He  therefore  with  his  weapons  about  him  issued  forth  on  the 
morrow's  morn,  and  a  young  man  of  the  people  of  the  country, 
who  also  was  armed,  met  him ;  with  whom  Suibhne  fought,  forcing 
him  to  *  the  submission  at  the  spear's  point'  In  like  fashion  [by- 
and-by]  he  gathered  to  himself  an  army,  whereby  in  the  end  he 
laid  hold  on  the  sovereignty  of  Ireland. 

In  his  time  it  was  that  a  war  was  bred  between  the  two  Fiach- 
nas :  Fiachna  son  of  Deman,  and  Fiachna  son  of  Baetan  ;  which 


Fragmentary  Annals.  42  5 

latter  Fiachna's  mother  it  was  who,  when  she  knew  that  she  was 
fruitful,  said  to  her  husband  as  she  looked  upon  a  wolf  that 
rushed  upon  a  flock  of  sheep  and  worried  them :  "  of  thee  and  of 
me  would  there  were  bom  a  son  who  after  that  same  example 
should  deal  with  thine  own  tribe."  But  the  father  cried :  "  may 
no  such  boy  come  into  the  world  1"  In  due  course  she  bore 
Fiachna,  and  he  was  put  out  to  nurse. 

A  time  came  when  he  returned  to  his  father's  and  his  mother's 
house ;  but  for  his  doumess,  and  for  his  mother's  nature  that  was 
in  him,  his  father  loved  him  not.  She  therefore  taking  him 
away  bestowed  him  in  a  little  dwelling  apart,  where  together 
with  a  guardian  that  he  had  he  was  nourished.  One  day  the  lad 
came  out,  bearing  in  his  hand  for  some  other  boys  a  spit  on 
which  was  the  remnant  of  his  flesh-meat,  and  so  came  to  the 
royal  dwelling  in  which  his  father  was ;  but  the  father,  seeing 
him  draw  near,  loosed  a  savage  hound  that  was  his  and  urged 
him  upon  his  son.  At  that  very  instant,  and  with  intent  to  have 
snatched  the  flesh,  a  hawk  swooped  upon  the  little  lad  ;  who 
nevertheless  deftly  met  both  hawk  and  hound,  as  thus :  with  the 
spit  having  the  flesh  still  upon  it,  down  his  gaping  throat  he 
thrust  the  hound  to  the  heart ;  the  hawk  he  grasped  and  held  in 
the  other  hand.  Then  his  mother,  seeing  the  hawk  on  one  side 
of  her  son  and  the  hound  on  the  other,  gave  a  start:  a  start  so 
great  that  thenceforth  she  never  again  bore  child. 

Regarding  the  great  war  that  was  between  the  aforesaid  two 
Fiachnas,  it  was  Baetan's  son  that  ever  had  the  victory ;  nor 
over  Deman's  son  Fiachna  only,  but  over  all  other  kings  what- 
soever that  opposed  him.  Also  the  notable  Mongan  was  son  to 
that  same  Fiachna  son  of  Baetan  ;  for  albeit  certain  dealers  in 
antiquarian  fable  do  propound  him  to  have  been  son  to  Man- 
annan,  and  wont  to  enter  at  his  pleasure  into  divers  shapes,  yet 
this  we  may  not  credit :  rather  choosing  to  take  Mongan  for  one 
that  was  but  a  man  of  surpassing  knowledge,  and  gifted  with  an 
intelligence  clear,  and  subtle,  and  keen. 

He  then  having  with  him  his  mother,  a  great  company  also 
following  them,  came  one  day  along  the  beach ;  and  on  the 
strand  his  mother  saw  a  fair  stone  of  many  colours.  She  picked 
up  the  stone  and  showed  it  to  her  son,  who  said :  "  that  stone  of 
beauty  which  thou  seest,  even  thereby,  my  mother,  shall  I  be 


426  Fragmentary  Annals. 

slain."  She  at  this  hearing  being  greatly  troubled  ground  all 
the  stone  into  very  powder,  but  her  son  said :  "  my  mother,  that 
is  but  labour  in  vain;  for  though  thou  make  dust  thereof,  and 
hide  it  underground,  by  it  none  the  less  thy  son  must  die." 
Then  the  mother,  having  with  her  the  stone  that  was  made  into 
dust  and  wrapped  in  a  cloth,  entered  into  a  ship  and  upon  the 
sea  went  as  far  as  eye  could  reach,  even  till  she  might  no  more 
descry  land  ;  there  she  cast  into  the  sea  the  cloth  that  held  the 
dust. 

625.  Now  after  this,  and  at  the  end  of  many  years,  out  of 
Britain  came  a  great  fleet ;  and  the  people  of  it  wasted  the 
country  round  about  the  spot  where  they  landed,  but  Mongan 
brought  an  army  and  they  were  driven  back  to  their  ships.  A 
man  of  them  however  picked  up  from  the  beach  a  stone  with  a 
cast  of  which  he  struck  Mongan  in  the  head,  and  he  fell.  Now 
the  stone  in  question  was  that  same  one :  being  compact  of  the 
dust  that  was  folded  in  the  cloth,  and  which  the  waves  had 
impelled  before  them  to  the  shore.  The  stone  they  knew  again, 
and  of  it  Mongan  died  in  Suibne  Menn's  nineteenth  year,  he  at 
the  point  of  death  having  laid  the  stone  in  the  hand  of  his 
mother,  who  also  knew  it.  Moreover,  he  that  had  slain  him 
being  with  his  whole  ship's  company  taken  captive,  Mongan 
suffered  not  a  man  of  them  to  be  put  to  death,  but  caused  them 
to  be  loosed.  Nevertheless,  and  great  as  was  the  fleet,  save  one 
man  only  there  did  none  of  them  win  safe  over  sea  to  the  east- 
ward. 

Furthermore :  Mongan  in  the  very  article  of  death  had  said  to 
his  mother :  "  I  at  a  perfect  year's  end  shall  be  alive  in  my  grave  ; 
thou  therefore  [at  that  time]  open  the  tomb."  But  his  mother 
taking  no  heed  of  the  bissextile  was  deceived :  for  that  was  a  leap 
year.  She  came  therefore,  but  not  on  the  right  day ;  yet  in  her 
son's  body  she  still  found  heat,  with  a  warm  sweat  that  broke  out 
upon  him,  blood  also  flowing  from  his  nostrils  the  while  he 
struggled  to  rise  up  {si  venim  est).  His  father  lived  for  a  year 
and  a  bit  after  this. 

626.  To  return  to  Fiachna  son  of  Deman :  he  having  now  been 
oftentimes  overthrown  by  Baetan's  son  Fiachna  enquired  of 
many,  and  more  especially  questioned  a  young  kinsman  of  his 
own  that  was  in  training  with  S.  Comhgall^  touching  his  being 


Fragmentary  Annals.  427 

by  the  other  so  continually  brought  low  and  put  to  confusion. 
Comhgairs  disciple  answered  and  said :  "  knowest  thou  on  behalf 
of  which  one  of  you  two  Comhgall  is  the  more  instant  in  prayer: 
whether  it  be  for  his  father's  people  that  he  plies  his  devotion,  or 
for  us  that  so  heartily  have  taken  him  to  us  and  embraced  his 
doctrine?"  "True  it  is,"  said  the  king,  "nor  shall  the  matter  be 
for  long  left  at  rest  with  him." 

He  thereupon  with  a  great  company  went  straight  to  seek 
Comhgall  and  enquired  of  him,  saying:  "for  which  one  of  us, 
Cleric,  doest  thou  the  more  zealously  entreat  the  Lord  ?"  "  For 
both  of  you  I  pray,"  Comhgall  answered :  "  for  my  father's  tribe, 
and  for  the  one  that  so  zealously  hath  received  my  teaching." 
Then  the  king  insisted :  "  but  to  which  of  us  dost  thou  in  thy 
prayer  most  chiefly  devote  the  fervour  of  thy  heart  ?"  "  To  my 
father's  tribe,"  said  Comhgall.  "  Alas  and  alas  for  that,  thou 
holy  man,  "cried  the  king:  "many  are  they  of  the  freemen  of 
our  race  that  thereby  are  slain  and  taken  captive  1  and  as  for 
myself,  I  were  better  dead  than  suffering  so  frequent  shame. 
Wherefore,  if  it  so  please  you,  to  me  and  to  my  dishonoured  tribe 
grant  now  some  speedy  relief,  or  we  shall  be  found  turned  to 
enemies."  Then  said  Comhgall:  "desirest  thou  success  in  this 
world,  or  Heaven's  kingdom  on  the  farther  side ?"  "I  pray,"  the 
king  replied,  "  that  I  may  triumph  over  my  enemies ;  and  may 
see  my  own  people  seized  of  their  wealth  and  of  their  spoils, 
while  their  people  are  my  captives.  Touching  the  king  that 
heretofore  so  many  a  time  hath  conquered  me :  I  pray  that  by 
me  he  may  be  slain,  and  that  the  story  of  their  slaughter  told 
out  of  the  mouth  of  bards  may  in  time  to  come  be  for  melody  at 
feasts." 

Comhgall  then,  being  saddened  at  this  saying,  caused  them  to 
summon  to  him  Baetan's  son  Fiachna,  to  whom  he  spoke:  "and 
what  choice  makest  thou — whether  still  as  of  old  to  have  the  vic- 
tory, with  loss  of  Heaven  on  the  farther  side  ;  or  by  Fiachna  son 
of  Deman  to  fall  in  battle,  and  for  ever  to  dwell  in  the  kingdom 
of  Heaven  ?"  Baetan's  son  Fiachna  answered :  "  a  short  life  here 
is  my  election,  and  to  abide  in  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  everlast- 
ingly i"  for  which  Comhgall  presently  returned  thanks  to  God. 
Now  a  fool  that  Baetan's  son  Fiachna  had,  laid  his  ear  to  the 
wall  of  the  house  and  listened  to  this  discourse  ;  who  afterwards 


428  Fragmentary  Annals. 

besought  Comhgall  that  at  one  and  the  same  instant  with  his 
lord  he  too  might  die  in  the  battle ;  and  that  as  in  this  hither 
world  he  had  ever  been  in  his  lord's  close  fellowship,  even  so  in 
the  kingdom  of  Heaven  he  still  might  be  his  companion.  Comh- 
gall made  answer:  "right  so  will  God  bring  it  to  pass  ;  and  as 
in  this  life  thou  dost  praise  thy  lord,  so  too  in  honour  shalt  thcu 
sit  and  hearken  to  the  sweet  music  of  the  dwellers  in  Heaven  as 
they  laud  Mary's  Son." 

Whereupon,  both  Fiachnas  with  all  their  friends  being  on 
either  side  mustered  for  the  fight,  the  Fiachna  that  hitherto  had 
used  to  conquer  was  overthrown  in  the  battle;  whereas  the 
Fiachna  that  always  was  worsted,  he  now  it  was  that  had  the 
victory ;  whence  it  came  about  that  Baetan's  son  Fiachna,  king 
of  Ulster,  was  slain  by  Fiachna  son  of  Deman.  Howbeit  he,  the 
latter,  had  no  long  life  after:  for  he  gathered  a  great  gathering 
and  led  them  into  Ulster,  where  by  his  enemies'  devices  he  too 
perished.  We  are  indeed  told  that  there  used  a  man  fairy  to 
discourse  with  this  Fiachna  son  of  Deman  (which  fairy  man  in 
good  sooth  was  but  a  demon)  so  that,  his  enemies  now  drawing 
near,  Fiachna  asked  his  familiar :  "  what  is  in  store  for  yon  army, 
and  what  for  myself?"  In  answer  to  which  the  demon  said: 
"  of  these  two  dirty  clods  before  thy  face,  choose  thee  now  upon 
which  one  thou  wilt  die:  seeing  that  upon  either  this  or  that, 
according  to  thine  own  award,  thou  hast  to  fall."  Whence  the 
good  old  adage:  'even  as  Fiachna's  familiar  counselled  him/ 
Thus  was  Fiachna  son  of  Deman  slain. 

628.  At  the  end  of  fourteen  years  Suibne  Menn  was  killed  by 
Fiachna's  son  Maelcoba,  king  of  Ulster  {in  margin :  note  that  by 
Scannlan's  son  Conghal  he  fell,  and  not  by  Maelcoba  son  of 
Fiachna). 

After  Suibne,  Donall  son  of  Aedh  son  of  Ainmire  held  Ire- 
land's royal  power ;  whose  history  and  doings  appertain  to  the 
narration  of  the  Battle  of  Magh  Rath.  636.  In  the  eighth  year  of 
Donall's  reign  it  was  that  the  Battle  of  Magh  Rath  was  fought. 

643.  Then  Maelcoba's  two  sons,  Conall  and  Cellach,  became 
kings  of  Ireland  ;  after  whom  Diarmaid  and  Blathmac,  Aedh  of 
Slaine's  two  sons,  had  her.  In  their  day  Scannlan  king  of 
Osraidlie  or  *  Ossory '  banished  the  entire  tribe  of  the  corca 
Laighde  away  out  of  the  land  of  Ossory. 


Fragmentary  Annals.  429 

649.  In  those  kings'  time  was  killed  Ragliallach  mac  Fuatach 
king  of  Connacht,  i.e.  in  sexto  anno  ;  which  Raghallach's  nature 
was  this:  he  was  self-willed  and  full  of  malice.  For  he  had  a 
brother's  son  that  was  a  lad,  and  upon  whom,  hotly  as  he  lusted 
to  slay  him,  yet  he  never  could  lay  hands  ;  wherefore  he  schemed 
to  make  himself  lean  and  miserable  to  view,  nor  used  any  suste- 
nance other  than  sheeps*  legs,  saying  the  while  that  'twas  a  sick- 
ness ailed  him  ;  and  distemper  full  sore  it  was  too  that  most  truly 
did  afflict  him  then :  Envy  to  wit — Envy,  greatest  torment  that 
in  this  hither  world  hath  any  place,  seeing  that  one  brother  it 
brings  to  kill  the  other. 

So  Raghallach,  through  operation  'of  envy  and  by  abstinence 
from  meat,  grew  leaner  and  poorer  until  death  was  at  hand  ; 
then  to  his  kinsman  he  sent  a  message  that  he  should  come  and 
speak  with  him,  for  that  he  lay  at  death's  door.  But  the  nephew, 
as  well  knowing  his  elder's  guile,  when  he  was  summoned  went 
not  at  once ;  rather  did  he  wait  to  gather  to  himself  a  strong 
company,  and  so  entered  into  the  house  where  Raghallach  lay, 
his  band  also  carrying  their  swords  naked  under  their  vesture 
and  on  all  sides  closely  encompassing  their  lord. 

As  for  Raghallach,  he  likewise  being  well  provided  with 
retainers  nevertheless  trusted  not  in  them  but  in  his  own  craft, 
pursuing  which  he  said :  "  alack  and  alas  !  how  evil  is  my  plight, 
how  pitiable,  when  mine  own  kinsman,  and  he  whom  I  would 
have  to  be  king  after  me  and  do  above  all  men  love,  will  not 
adventure  him  to  approach  me  but  with  a  troop  to  g^ard  him. 
Yet  even  so  I  offer  thanks  to  God  for  that  thou,  being  as  thou 
art  of  my  race,  in  age  and  vigour  art  sufficient  to  reign  in  my 
stead.  But  how  grievous  a  thing  in  thee  it  is  that  thou  bringest 
a  company  to  keep  thee  against  me  that  now  lie  at  the  point 
of  death,  my  flesh  and  my  body  all  dwined  and  pined  away!" 
When  then  the  young  kinsman  heard  those  words  his  heart 
yearned  greatly  to  his  elder,  and  he  shed  copious  showers  of 
tears. 

With  a  lesser  number  he  came  to  visit  him  on  the  morrow ; 
on  the  third  day  he  appeared  all  alone,  and  now  it  was  that 
Raghallach's  people  leaping  out  upon  him  slew  him.  Raghallach 
rose  forthwith,  as  though  he  had  been  whole  and  sound ;  far 
from  which  however,  that  was  the  very  season  at  which  he  who 


430  Fragmentary  Annals. 

but  even  now  had  slain  his  brother  was  altogether  un-sound. 
Howbeit,  in  all  joviality  and  lightness  of  heart  he  fell  to  carouse. 
Next,  Raghallach's  wife  Mairenn  questioned  her  magician  as 
being  one  that  had  foreknowledge  of  the  future,  saying:  "how 
stands  this  great  prosperity  which  Raghallach,  his  foes  all  fallen 
by  his  hand,  now  enjoys  with  savour  of  contentment  so  surpass- 
ing ?"  and  that  which  moved  her  query  was  a  boding  she  had 
that  by  some  enemy  Raghallach  indeed  must  perish ;  but  who 
that  enemy  should  be,  she  could  not  tell.  The  seer  answered 
and  said :  "  a  king  that  hath  slaughtered  all  his  own  brethren — 
by  his  own  issue  shall  the  downfall  of  such  an  one  be  wrought, 
though  as  yet  he  have  no  inkling  of  the  like.  Also  for  thyself — 
thy  luck  will  soon  have  an  end,  and  by  thine  own  womb's  fruit 
thou  shalt  be  undone."  [All  which  being  told  him]  Raghallach 
enjoined  upon  her  that  privily  and  at  its  very  birth  she  should 
kill  whatsoever  she  might  bear:  to  the  end  that  the  thing  pro- 
phesied should  not  (their  own  offspring  being  the  instrument) 
come  upon  them. 

It  was  no  long  time  after  when  Mairenn  had  a  daughter,  whom 
she  bade  her  swineherd  take  away  and  kill.  The  swineherd  for 
his  part  looking  upon  the  tiny  babe  s  face,  his  heart  went  forth  to 
her  ;  whereby,  putting  her  again  into  the  same  pouch  and  carry- 
ing her  to  the  house-door  of  a  certain  pious  woman  that  was  his 
neighbour,  there  he  left  her  hanging  upon  a  cross  hard  by  the 
church.  At  early  morn  the  devout  widow  came  forth  and,  find- 
ing the  pouch  on  an  arm  of  the  cross,  peeped  to  see  what  might 
be  in  it.  When  she  beheld  the  wee  baby  maid  she  loved  her 
forthwith,  and  took  her  to  her,  and  in  the  ordinances  of  the 
Church  nurtured  her  until  in  all  Ireland  there  was  not  aught  that 
was  fairer  than  she.  Raghallach  heard  her  fame,  and  sent  mes- 
sengers to  the  maid's  nurse  requiring  the  maid  of  her  ;  but  she 
gave  her  not,  and  out  of  the  sacred  precinct  in  which  she  was 
men  brought  her  to  the  king  forcibly.  He  when  he  saw  her 
loved  her  vehemently,  not  knowing  his  own  daughter ;  whereat 
•  Mairenn  in  her  jealousy  swimming  over  Shannon  fled  to  ailech 
I  Mairinne  to  seek  out  Diarviaid  riianaidh^  king  of  Ireland.  From 
(  which  Mairenn  in  truth  this  Ailech  has  its  name, 
""^his  strange  thing,  being  bruited  throughout  all  Ireland,  anon 
became  matter  of  indignation  to  the  saints  of  Ireland.     Féichin 


Fragmentary  Annals.  43 1 

• 

of  Fore,  many  other  saints  also  coming  with  him,  betook  him- 
self to  Raghallach  to  rebuke  him  ;  who  all  perforce  departed 
again,  the  king  neither  hearkening  to  them  nor  believing  them. 
So  they  fasted  upon  him :  his  love  towards  her  being  such  that 
when  her  chariot  went  before  she  must  needs  turn  her  face  back- 
wards upon  him  ;  whereas  he,  if  his  chariot  led,  would  set  his  face 
to  her.  It  is  even  thought  that  in  Ireland  none  ever  had  done 
the  like. 

643.  The  saints  prayed  that  before  Beltane,  and  at  the  hands 
of  mean  folk,  he  by  weapons  of  dishonour  should  perish  in  a  foul 
pit.  All  which  was  fulfilled :  for  Beltane  being  now  at  hand,  a 
wounded  stag  rushed  upon  Raghallach  in  the  island  where  he 
watched.  He  seeing  the  deer  approach  took  his  spear,  and  with 
a  thrust  pierced  him  from  the  one  side  to  the  other ;  yet  by 
swimming  he  escaped,  and  Raghallach  getting  into  a  boat  pur- 
sued the  deer,  which  from  the  loch  went  a  great  way  and  until 
he  came  upon  certain  churls  that  cut  turf.  These  killed  the  stag 
and  divided  him.  The  king  then  coming  up  loudly  threatened 
them  by  reason  that  they  had  broken  up  the  deer,  commanding 
them  to  yield  him  the  venison.  But  among  them  the  churls 
decreed  to  slay  Raghallach  the  king  before  they  would  upon 
compulsion  give  up  the  flesh ;  and  this  their  design  they  verily 
executed  with  the  turf-spades  that  were  in  their  hands,  dealing 
him  strokes  on  the  head  that  left  him  lifeless,  according  to  pre- 
cise promise  of  the  saints.  In  this  matter  it  was  that  Mairenn, 
whom  he  had  had  to  wife  and  who  also  had  nurtured  Dermot 
[ruanaidh^  to  whom  she  was  now  fled],  uttered  these  words : — 

"  The  entire  land  of  the  ///  Briuin  was    ,    .    ." 

649.  By  the  same  Dermot,  in  the  seventh  year  of  his  reign, 
a  gathering  was  made  against  Guairc  of  Aidhne:  in  requital  of  a 
lampoon  pronounced  upon  him  [Dermot]  by  an  old  dame,  Sinech 
cró  by  name,  after  the  lifting  of  her  cows  by  Guaire.  Thus  she 
indited  against  Dermot,  seeking  to  breed  quarrel  betwixt  him 
and  Guaire  of  Aidhne: — 

"  O  Dermot,  thou  laggard  in  help     .     .     ." 

Which  plaint  of  hers  was  not  fruitless:  for  Dermot  ruanaidh 
with  a  hosting  came  to  Shannon,  Guaire  of  Aidhne  also  having 
[on  his,  the  western,  bank]  a  great  muster  made  to  meet  him. 


432  Fragmentary  Annals. 

Guaíre  now  sent  Cuimin  fada  (that  was  Fiachna's  son,  and 
coarb  of  S.  Brendan)  desiring  of  the  king  a  four-and-twenty 
hours'  truce  before  he  should  cross  over  Shannon  westward. 
Where  Dermot  met  Cuimin  was  on  a  raft,  midstream  of  Shan- 
non, and  there  Cuimin  disclosed  his  errand.  Cheerily  and  kindly 
Dermot  answered :  "  'tis  but  a  little  thing  thou  askest ;  and  were 
the  boon  a  greater  one,  in  truth  it  should  be  thine."  "  If  that  be 
so,"  said  Cuimin,  "  then  get  thee  back  to  the  same  bank  whence 
thou  art  come."  Dermot  answered :  "  head  of  Ireland's  piety  as 
thou  art,  I  pledge  my  word  that  until  either  peace  be  granted  me 
or  war  I  may  not  give  back  [a  step]."  "  Come  on  then  to  this 
hither  bank,"  said  Cuimin.  "  I  swear  to  Heaven,"  cried  Dermot, 
"  that  for  the  space  of^  the  truce  thou  askest  I  never  would  have 
transgressed  thy  behest,  hadst  thou  but  met  me  farther  to  the 
eastward." 

So  these  two:  the  cleric  and  the  king,  were  there  until  morn- 
ing, when  Cuimin  said  to  Dermot:  "in  marking  as  I  do  the 
fewness  and  the  sorry  figure  of  this  thine  army,  O  king,  I  am 
astounded  at  thy  triumphs  in  foray  and  in  fray.  For  great  as  in 
the  eyes  of  some  thy  force  may  be,  nevertheless  are  they  that  be 
arrayed  against  thee  more  in  numbers  by  far  and,  since  at  all 
points  they  are  the  more  excellently  well  equipped,  make  the 
more  gallant  show."  "  Cleric,"  answered  Dermot,  "  knowest  thou 
not  that  neither  by  numbers  nor  yet  by  outward  semblance,  but 
conformably  with  God's  will,  a  battle  is  gained  ?  and  whereas 
thou  sayest  that  our  host  is  but  mean  to  view,  'tis  not  fair  forms 
but  hardy  hearts  that  win  the  fight.  Which  of  a  truth  holds 
good  not  in  respect  of  men  alone,  but  of  other  animals  as  well : 
for  though  a  wolf  be  but  one,  yet  will  he  with  slaughter  drive 
before  him  a  flock  of  many  sheep,  and  not  merely  that:  but  will 
put  to  flight  and  plentifully  destroy  droves  of  the  greater  cattle ; 
the  hawk  too,  and  the  falcon,  pursue  after  other  fowls  greater 
and  more  beautiful  than  they."  "  Wherefore,  O  king."  enquired 
Cuimin,  "saidst  thou  that  conformably  with  God's  will  the  battle 
is  gained?"  "How  now.  Cleric,"  the  king  rejoined:  "is  it  not 
so,  that  one  with  Truth  on  his  side  prevails  against  the  man  of 
falsehood  ?  yea,  consider  how  that  Christ  as  ye  tell  us,  he  being 
but  alone  as  against  the  Devil  and  the  Jews,  did  nevertheless 
and  in  despite  of  all  prevail,  seeing  that  with  him  was  Truth. 


Fragmentary  Annals.  433 

The  host  that  I  have  by  me  I  therefore  deem  to  be  suflRcient 
against  them  of  Connacht:  for  these  are  they  that  put  their 
trust  in  a  cause  which  is  false." 

Then  Guaire  with  the  men  of  Connacht  meeting  Dermot  man- 
aidh  and  his  army,  between  them  a  hard  and  sore  and  wrathful 
battle  was  fought.  There  was  wrought  there  a  slaughter  of 
Connacht,  and  a  slaughter  of  them  of  Munster  with  the  two 
Cuans,  their  leaders,  that  were  joined  with  the  Connacht  host 
Through  the  word  of  S.  Cdiniin  of  inis  Cealtra^  or  '  Innishcaltra' 
in  loch  Derg,  it  was  that  this  battle  went  against  Guaire ;  the 
Saint  having  for  the  space  of  the  canonical  hours  thrice  told 
fasted  upon  him,  and  in  this  cause  said :  "  if  it  be  but  right  in  the 
sight  of  God,  the  man  that  is  stubborn  to  stand  out  against  me, 
against  his  enemies  let  him  not  stand  fast."  At  which  time 
moreover  an  Angel  communed  with  Caeimin,  saying: — 

*'  In  the  battle  which  in  Innishcaltra  the  lowly  one  shall  fight  against  the 
powerful,  it  is  the  weakling  that  shall  prove  strong,  and  the  strong  that  shall 
be  brought  to  order.* 

Hence  before  the  battle  Guaire  had  sought  Caeimin,  and  with 
genuflexion  had  offered  to  do  all  his  will ;  but  the  Saint  had 
said:  "now  is  it  no  longer  mine  to  hinder  thy  foes  that  they 
should  not  triumph  over  thee;  yet  [so  much  I  may  procure: 
that]  this  once  done  they  in  turn  shall  submit  to  thee."  At 
which  point  Caeimin  uttered : — 

**  When  edge  shall  meet  edge,  and  point  encounter  point,  then  the  humble 
cleric  to  whom  thou  hast  been  stiffnecked  will  be  to  thee  a  cause  of  penitence, 
O  Guaire  1  the  Son  of  God  hath  ordained  that  in  an  hour's  vicissitude  Guaire's 
heart  shall  be  subject  to  the  stronger,  and  these  again  to  Guaire." 

His  people  then  being  destroyed,  Guaire  fled  away  out  of  the 
battle  and  all  alone  came  to  a  liftle  monastery  in  which  was  a 
pious  woman  ;  and  she  began  to  question  him  as  to  who  he 
might  be.  The  king  gave  himself  out  for  a  man  of  trust  apper- 
taining to  Guaire,  and:  "woe  is  me,"  she  cried,  "for  the  king 
that  in  all  Ireland  hath  the  pre-eminence  in  generosity  of  alms, 
who  after  red  havoc  made  of  his  people  is  now  a  fugitive  before 
his  enemies  !"  For  water  to  pour  over  the  feet  of  the  guest  that 
was  come  to  her  the  woman  repaired  to  the  bum  at  hand,  and  in 
the  water  spied  a  great  salmon,  but  by  no  means  could  kill  him  ; 
whereat  Guaire  came  out  and  (he  having  speedily  broken  the 

2  F 


434  Fragmentary  Annals. 

salmon's  jowl)  brought  him  in  and  made  him  ready,  thanking 
God  for  the  single  salmon  which  this  night  was  the  portion  of 
one  who  many  a  night  before  had  had  ten  beeves  at  his  discre- 
tion ;  then  he  indited : — 

"  For  that  which  to-night  is  procured  for  my  refection  I  return  thanks  to 
God — yea,  for  a  single  salmon — I,  even  I,  that  by  beneficence  of  Mary's  Son 
have  [many]  another  night  possessed  ten  kine." 

After  the  rout  Dermot  harried  Connacht ;  to  the  hag  that 
had  satirized  him — to  Sinech  Cro — he  gave  satisfaction  for  her 
cows,  and  incontinently  then  she  sang  thus: — 

"  For  ever)'  chieftain's  son  that  is  faint-hearted,  a  counsel  here  I  have  to 
give :  round  about  the  brugh  let  him  walk  right-handed,  and  my  warrior's 
remnants  shall  be  his.  Not  on  steers'  necks  nor  on  cows'  is  my  warrior's 
blade  made  dull :  upon  kings  it  is  that  the  sword  in  Dermot's  hand  this  day 
hath  cast  derision.  Beneath  Aidhne's  trees  Guaire  the  king,  Colman's  son, 
hath  been  fain  to  sit  and  rest:  beyond  all  expression  his  discomfiture  by 
terror  of  my  warrior  was.  Since  blood  in  showered  drops  hath  all  bespattered 
Dermot's  shirt  of  dusky  red,  armature  of  a  man  that  can  *  turn  back  the 
battle'  is  not  befitting  without  motley  colours.  Since  blood  in  showered 
drops  hath  all  bespattered  chest  of  Dermot's  horse,  then  water  in  which  Grib 
{nomen  equi  regis)  is  washed  may  not  be  drunk  at  the  Sacrifice.  When 
from  either  side  in  turn  the  slender  shafts  are  hurled,  count  on  it  that  a 
bloody  mantle  will  [first]  wrap  the  one  that  comes  from  Dermot's  hand. 
When  in  the  prelude  to  the  melee  the  lesser  javelins  fly,  the  pair  on  which 
they  first  impinge  are  Dermot's  horse  and  his  own  self." 

Guaire  and  Connacht  now  debated  whether  they  should  still 
shew  fight,  or  rather  give  Dermot  hostages ;  Guaire  also  to  yield 
him  *  submission  at  the  spear's  point.'  Which  latter  being  their 
determination,  he  came  before  Dermot ;  and  there,  in  Guaire*s 
presence,  the  hag  recited  her  verses  aforesaid. 

So  to  Dermot  Guaire  made  submission  at  the  sword's  point, 
the  manner  of  which  submission  is  this:  the  sword's  point,  or 
the  spear's,  is  put  between  the  teeth  and  in  the  mouth  of  him 
that  makes  the  submission,  he  the  while  lying  on  the  ground 
supine.  When  then  he  was  so  laid,  Dermot  said :  "  now  will  we 
seek  to  learn  whether  it  be  for  God's  sake,  or  for  vain-glory  of 
popularity,  that  Guaire  practises  his  notorious  almsgiving."  He 
bade  both  a  jester  and  a  poor  leper  of  his  people  ask  somewhat 
of  Guaire,  and:  "O  Guaire,  an  alms!"  cried  the  jester;  but  he 
heeded  him  not.  "  Give  me  an  alms,"  quoth  the  beggar ;  and  to 
him  he  gave  his  bodkin  of  gold,  for  other  wealth  he  had  none. 


Fragmentary  Annals.  435 

The  leper  departs  from  him ;  but  a  man  of  Dermot's  train  fol- 
lows him,  and  having  deprived  him  of  the  bodkin  hands  it  to 
Dermot.  The  beggar  returns  to  Guaire  and  makes  his  plaint, 
telling  how  the  bodkin  was  taken  from  him.  At  his  tale  Guaire's 
heart  yearned  with  pity,  and  he  gave  him  his  gold-adorned  belt, 
so  he  went  away  again  the  second  time.  Still  a  man  of  Dermot's 
people  followed  him,  took  from  him  the  girdle,  and  gave  the 
same  to  Dermot.  A  third  time  the  beggar  came  to  Guaire 
supine,  with  the  point  of  Dermot's  sword  between  his  teeth  ; 
and  at  sight  of  the  wretch's  tribulation  great  tears  rolled  down 
the  king's  cheeks.  Dermot  asking:  "weepest  thou  for  grief  that 
there  thou  liest,  conquered  by  me?"  Guaire  made  answer:  "I 
pledge  my  word  that  not  for  that,  but  for  yonder  beggar's  sake 
I  weep."  Then  said  Dermot :  "  rise  1  neither  shalt  thou  be  in 
subjection  under  me,  seeing  thou  art  vassal  to  a  King  that  is 
worthier  than  I:  to  the  King,  I  say,  of  Heaven  and  of  Earth;  I 
will  not  use  dominion  over  thee.  This  only:  spoil  me  no  more 
my  mother's  people."  In  such  wise  then  Dermot  and  Guaire 
made  peace,  and  the  former  said:  "come  thou  to  the  great 
gathering  of  Taillte  in  order  that,  all  Ireland  being  witnesses,  I 
yield  thee  up  my  sovereignty."  And  thus  it  was  that  Caeimin's 
word  was  fulfilled. 

In  due  time  Guaire  went  to  the  great  gathering  of  Taillte,  and 
with  him  a  great  sack  of  silver  to  make  distribution  to  the  men 
of  Ireland  ;  but  upon  these  Dermot  had  enjoined  that  nor  high 
nor  low  of  them  should  in  the  Assembly  dare  to  ask  aught  of 
Guaire.  Then  in  the  convention  Guaire  sat  beside  Dermot,  and 
in  companionship  of  the  very  king  of  Ireland.  In  this  fashion 
two  days  passed  ;  on  the  third,  Guaire  said  to  the  king:  "  let  a 
bishop  be  fetched  ;  I  would  make  confession  and  have  unction  !" 
"  How  is  this  ?"  asked  Dermot.  Guaire  answered :  "  for  my  death 
that  is  at  hand  ;"  and  on  being  further  questioned  how  he  knew 
it  so  to  be,  he  went  on:  "that  is  soon  told — it  is  because,  all 
Ireland  being  gathered  together  in  one  place,  as  yet  not  a  poor 
wretch  of  them  hath  begged  an  alms  of  mel"  "  Henceforth  shall 
no  prohibition  be  laid  on  any  that  he  should  not  ask  of  thee," 
said  Dermot,  "and  here  I  bestow  on  thee  a  sack  of  silver  to 
dispense."  "  Not  so,"  was  the  answer,  "  but  of  silver  I  myself 
have  sufficient  store." 

2  F  2 


436  Fragmentary  Annals, 

This  said,  he  rose  and  stood:  with  either  hand  making  dis- 
tribution to  all  and  several  ;  and  they  do  say  that,  with  the  dint 
of  stretching  forth  to  reach  the  poor,  one  of  his  arms  was  from 
that  hour  half  as  long  again  as  its  fellow.  Then  Dermot  laid  his 
head  in  Guaire's  bosom,  and  with  one  accord  the  men  of  Ireland 
from  that  day  forth  accepted  and  followed  Guaire's  counsel.  How- 
beit,  Connacht  [in  the  end]  esteeming  his  generosity  to  be  exces- 
sive, and  grudging  his  lavish  gifts  outside  the  borders  of  the  land, 
they  were  instant  upon  Caeimin  of  Innishcaltra  that  in  respect  of 
this  largesse  he  would  curb  him.  "  Restrain  him  I  will  not,"  said 
the  Saint :  "  nevertheless  I  pray  the  Lord  that  of  his  seed  shall 
come  one  to  rake  in  from  the  extern  men  of  Ireland  all  so  much 
as  he  shall  have  dispersed  among  them."  This  too  was  fulfilled : 
for  from  the  men  of  Ireland  Lonan*s  son  [Flann  the  poet]  won 
back  in  payment  of  his  art  a  store  no  less  than  Guaire  had 
squandered  abroad. 

The  same  Guaire  it  was  that  with  Cuimin  Fada  and  Caeimin 
chanced  one  day  to  be  in  the  church  in  Innishcaltra:  a  great 
church  which  in  Columbkiirs  honour  had  been  built  by  Caeimin. 
Then  Cuimin  asked  Guaire  of  what  he  would  choose  to  have  the 
church  full,  and  to  have  it  his.  "Soon  said,"  the  king  answered: 
"  I  would  have  it  full  up  of  silver  and  of  gold  ;  yet  not  to  hoard, 
but  for  my  soul's  weal  to  distribute  to  the  poor  and  lowly  of  the 
Lord."  Guaire  in  turn  asked  Cuimin  what  he  would  choose  to 
have  there  in  profusion,  and:  "I  would,"  he  answered,  "that  I 
had  great  store  of  books  ;  the  which  being  resorted  to  by  students, 
these  then  should  preach  to  all  mankind."  "  Tell  us,  Caeimin," 
said  the  two,  "what  that  is  of  which  thou  wouldst  wish  great 
plenty."  "  Soon  said :  I  would  that  in  my  body  were  implanted 
the  whole  measure  that  it  might  contain  of  sickness  and  of  sore 
disease,  and  in  a  degree  such  that  no  single  bone  of  me  should 
cleave  to  another  to  be  laid  together  in  the  earth." 

All  which  also  God  brought  to  pass:  for  on  Guaire  he  bestowed 
worldly  wealth  in  great  abundance  ;  and  Cuimin  became  a  sage 
in  wisdom,  a  mighty  preacher.  He  nevertheless  had  no  great 
luck  with  his  preaching  after  Mochúda  of  Lismore  cursed  him 
for  holding  forth  (and  that  in  Mochuda's  own  presence)  to  his 
familia  as  they  worked  in  the  field  ;  thereby  causing  them  to 
forsake  Mochuda,  who  was  moved  to  say:  "for  all   Cuimin's 


Fragmentary  Annals.  437 

great  labour  in  preaching,  may  the  whole  sum  of  that  which  by 
his  discoursing  he  shall  win  back  from  the  world  not  exceed  one 
hornless  dun  cow  in  a  byre."  As  touching  Caeimin,  him  the 
*  fire-swelling'  took;  and  of  all  his  bones  no  one  held  to  its 
fellow  as  they  went  under  ground. 

Enna,  son  of  ú  Laigse  and  coarb  of  Kieran,  him  Guaire  had  for 
spiritual  director.  Now  in  his  garden  a  certain  widow's  son  was 
taken  by  Guaire  of  Aidhne,  and  she  coming  before  Enna  com- 
plained of  this  hardship.  "  Naught  else  have  I  for  thee,"  he 
said,  "  but  to  bid  thee  recite  him  this  quatrain."  The  old  woman 
went  straight  to  Guaire,  and  sang  the  quatrain  at  him,  thus: — 

"  Considerest  thou,  Guaire,  the  turning  livid  that  follows  the  first  mere 
growing  pale  ?  be  certified  of  this :  that  all  alone  and  without  a  fellow  thou 
shalt  yet  dwell  under  mould  of  cill  mic  Duach    .    .     ." 

She  went  on :  "  my  petition  then  is  that  my  young  and  only 
son  be  restored  to  me  " ;  and  Guaire  answered :  "  thou  shalt  have 
him,  but  Enna  shall  be  paid  out  for  this."  And  it  was  verified : 
for  a  certain  churl  of  the  familia  of  Clonmacnoise  chasing  Enna's 
horse  out  of  his  field  killed  him,  and  Enna,  after  having  said 
churl  seized,  in  satisfaction  of  the  horse  laid  on  him  a  fine  of 
one  hundred  cows ;  whereupon  the  common  fellow  for  comfort 
repairing  to  Guaire,  the  king  said :  "  to  Enna  recite  this  quatrain." 
The  churl  departed  to  Enna,  and  delivered  the  quatrain : — 

"  Great  falsehood  [i.e.  an  iniquitous  award]  it  was  for  mac  ú  Laigse  that  a 
single  head  [i.e.  one  animal]  should  be  made  to  represent  an  hundred  kine  ; 
that  the  much  should  pass  in  payment  for  the  little    .    .    ." 

"  Verily,"  Enna  said,  "  it  is  an  iniquity,  and  I  will  ask  of  thee 
but  one  cow."  Now  this  kind  of  thing  often  passed  between 
Guaire  and  him. 

665.  In  the  tenth  year  of  Guaire's  reign  died  these  kings: 
Blathmac  and  Dermot.  Thus  it  was  that  Blathmac  perished: 
by  the  yellow  plague,  in  caladh  truim  or  'Galtrim'  of  the 
Buaighne ;  where  also  Dermot  died  of  the  same,  and  he  stand- 
ing erect,  extended  against  a  cross ;  as  he  looked  upon  the  men 
of  Leinster  that  drew  near  to  slay  him,  then  it  was  that  the  soul 
departed  out  of  him. 

671.  After  this,  Blathmac's  son  Sechnasach  rulecj  over  Ireland  ; 
whom  Dubhdúin  of  the  Cairbres  slew  in  treason. 

675.  Him  Cennfaela  son  of  Blathmag's  son  Crunnmael  fol- 


438  Fragmentary  Annals. 

lowed,  for  four  years ;  and  by  Finnachta,  son  of  Dúnchadh  son 
of  Aedh  of  Slaine,  he  fell  in  battle,  at  Aircheltra. 

Finnachta  fledhach  or  *  the  festive,'  son  of  Dunchadh,  reigned 
next,  for  the  space  of  twenty  years:  at  the  end  of  which,  in 
grellach  Dollnid  he  was  slain  by  Conghalach  and  Dluthach's  son 
Aedh. 

And  in  respect  of  this  world's  goods  this  same  Finnachta  at  the 
first  was  endowed  but  poorly :  he  possessing  but  wife  and  house 
and,  saving  one  ox  and  a  cow  only,  no  stock  at  all.  Near  to  his 
bothie  then  the  king  of  ^r  Rois  or  *  the  men  of  Ross '  (who  had 
lost  his  way)  one  night  wandered  up  and  down  ;  and  for  stonn, 
for  darkness  and  for  snow,  no  night  that  ever  preceded  it  had 
been  worse  than  this:  so  that  for  the  magnitude  of  tempest  and 
of  gloom  obstructing  them,  they  might  by  no  means  reach  the 
dwelling  to  which  the  king  with  his  wife  and  people  would  have 
gone.     Therefore  they  even  deliberated  to  rest  under  some  tree. 

This  debate  Finnachta  (whose  bothie  as  aforesaid  was  at  no 
great  distance)  overheard  and,  when  he  had  sought  them  out,  he 
said  it  were  fitting  that  they  had  recourse  to  his  own  poor  man's 
shelter  rather  than  travel  throughout  the  murky  night,  the 
weather  also  being  so  foul.  The  king  and  people  answered: 
•*  thy  words  are  just,  and  right  glad  we  are  to  hear  them  spoken.'* 
So  they  accompanied  him  to  his  house,  the  size  of  which  certainly 
was  in  excess  of  its  gear,  and  there  Finnachta  dealt  his  ox  one 
blow  in  the  head,  his  cow  another.  These  the  king's  own  party 
with  spit  and  cauldron  most  speedily  and  lustily  prepared  ;  which 
done,  they  ate  of  them  until  they  were  filled  and  so  slept  on  to 
morning's  dawn. 

At  daybreak  the  king  said  to  his  wife:  "knowest  thou  not 
that,  poor  as  this  house  hath  ever  been,  it  is  poorer  yet  now  that 
for  us  its  only  cow  is  slaughtered  ?"  "That,"  answered  the  wife, 
"  is  true  indeed,  and  I  deem  it  but  equitable  that  by  me  it  should 
be  made  rich  ;  whatsoever  therefore  thou  shalt  give  to  the  man, 
upon  the  woman  I  will  bestow  an  equal  value."  "  Thou  say'st 
well,"  quoth  the  chief  of  the  men  of  Ross. 

So  to  Finnachta  he  gave  a  very  great  herd  of  cattle,  many 
swine  too  and  many  sheep,  with  their  herdsmen  and  with  their 
shepherds.  To  Finnachta's  spouse  the  chief's  wife  in  like  wise 
jjranted  the  same  of  kine,  of  swine  and  of  sheep  ;  over  and  above 


Fragmentary  Annals.  439 

which  they  gave  them  excellent  raiment,  noble  horses,  brave 
mares,  with  all  else  of  which  in  the  way  of  worldly  pelf  they 
might  stand  in  need. 

It  was  no  long  time  after  when  Finnachta  with  a  great  com- 
pany of  horsemen,  he  being  bidden  by  a  sister  of  his  that  had 
preparation  made  for  him,  set  out  towards  her  house ;  and  upon 
whom  should  they  light  as  they  came  riding  on  their  way,  but 
on  Adamnan :  that  was  then  a  little  scholar  and,  with  a  vessel 
of  milk  upon  his  back,  chanced  to  pursue  the  same  path  as  they. 
In  his  haste  to  get  out  of  the  way  before  the  horsemen  he  struck 
his  foot  against  a  stone  and  stumbled,  whereby  he  let  the  vessel 
fall  from  his  back  and  so  made  shivers  and  shives  of  it.  Never- 
theless, swiftly  though  the  horses  travelled,  Adamnan's  speed 
was  no  less  than  theirs,  as  dolefully  and  in  sorrow  he  carried 
along  the  fragments  of  his  pitcher. 

Finnachta  marking  him  laughed  aloud,  and  said :  "  I  will  make 
a  cheerful  boy  of  thee  again,  for  in  all  perplexity  and  strait  I  am 
right  helpful ;  and  of  me,  my  young  learner,  thou  shalt  have  pro- 
tection." In  this  fashion  he  bade  Adamnan  cast  off  his  gloom  ; 
but  the  lad  answered  him :  "  good  cause  I  have  for  the  same,  fair 
sir ;  seeing  there  be  three  worthy  students  of  theology  that  dwell 
in  one  house,  to  whom  are  servitors  myself  and  two  others :  whose 
use  and  wont  it  is  that  one  servitor  of  us  (each  in  his  turn)  must 
go  abroad  seeking  provision  for  the  other  five.  That  which  I 
had  acquired  is  now  spilled  upon  the  ground  ;  but  most  of  all  I 
grieve  for  the  borrowed  pitcher  broken,  because  I  own  nothing 
with  which  to  make  restitution."  Finnachta  said :  "  I  will  make 
restitution  for  the  pitcher;  do  thou  but  bring  to  the  house 
whither  we  are  bound  the  three  students  together  with  the  other 
two  servitors  that  by  thy  fault  to-night  are  foodless,  and  there 
they  shall  have  meat  and  drink."  So  it  was  done ;  Adamnan 
fetched  the  young  clerks,  and  a  banqueting  house  was  made 
ready :  one  half  being  appointed  for  the  clergy,  and  for  the  laity 
another. 

Then  he  that  was  Adamnan's  instructor,  being  filled  with 
influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  the  spirit  of  prophecy, 
uttered  thus:  "the  man  for  whom  to-night  this  feast  is  made 
shall  be  supreme  king  of  Ireland,  and  Adamnan  head  of  Ire- 
land's piety  and  wisdom.     He  shall  moreover  be  soul-friend  to 


44^  Fragmentary  Annals. 

Finnachta  who,  until  he  shall  offend  Adamnan,  will  greatly 
flourish.*' 

Shortly  after  this,  Finnachta  having  with  him  his  fast  friend 
the  king  of  fir  Rois  went  to  his  father's  brother,  to  Cennfaela, 
beseeching  him  that  he  might  be  set  over  a  territory.  Cennfaela 
then  having  assigned  him  the  high  stewardship  of  Meath  from 
Shannon  to  the  sea,  for  a  season  Finnachta  continued  so ;  but 
it  came  to  pass  that,  as  one  day  he  devised  with  this  his  fast 
friend  the  king  of  ^r  RoiSy  he  asked  him  what  he  should  do:  for 
that  in  his  own  eyes  his  hitherto  condition  was  now  no  longer  a 
sufficient  one.  Then  did  that  chief  give  him  stern  and  daring 
counsel,  saying:  "is  it  not  so  that  slighe  Asatl  evenly  parts 
Meath  in  two  ?  thou  therefore  so  handle  the  one  half  of  Meath 
that  it  shall  cleave  to  thee  and  be  addicted  to  thy  cause  ;  then, 
a  place  of  meeting  being  appointed  with  the  other  half,  slay  their 
chief  men  and  buttresses  of  battle :  so  shalt  thou  win  not  alone 
the  sovereignty  of  Meath  but,  if  it  so  please  thee,  the  royal  power 
of  Tara  herself  may  verily  be  thine." 

This  design  was  wrought  out  by  Finnachta  and  he  provoked 
to  battle  Cennfaela,  his  father's  brother ;  whose  wife  when  she 
heard  of  it  fell  to  rebuking  of  her  husband  for  the  stewardship 
that  he  had  conferred  upon  Finnachta,  and  the  woman  pro- 
nounced this  quatrain: — 

"  The  western  country's  fighting  men  are  rallied  around  Finnachta  ;  Cenn- 
faela is  shorn  of  his  royal  dignity,  how  greatly  is  this  of  his  own  doing  !" 

675.  Between  Finnachta  and  Cennfaela  now  was  fought  a 
tough  battle,  wherein  this  latter  was  slain  and  with  him  a  great 
multitude.  Then  Finnachta  had  Ireland's  monarchy  for  the 
space  of  twenty  years. 

The  same  Finnachta  it  was  that  to  Moiling  remitted  the 
Boromcan  Tribute,  which  before  his  time  had  been  levied  by 
forty  kings  in  succession,  viz.  from  Tuathal  techtmhar  to  Finn- 
achta himself.  For  at  the  last  came  Moiling,  deputed  by  all 
Lcinster  to  entreat  a  day's  and  a  night's  remission  of  the  Bor- 
amha  ;  which  Finnachta  took  to  signify  one  day  and  one  night, 
whereas  this  was  by  no  means  Molling's  mind :  he  thereby  imply- 
ing duration  of  eternity.  This  respite  in  any  case  Finnachta 
granted,  and  Moiling  coming  out  to  go  his  way  said :  "  thou  hast 
remitted  it  for  ever  and  for  ever."     Th'in  Finnachta,  understand- 


Fragmentary  Annals.  441 

ing  that  Moiling  had  ensnared  him,  called  oa  his  people :  "  make 

all  speed,  pursue  the  Saint,  and  tell  him  that  for  the  space  of  one 

day  and  one  night  only  I  have  conceded  the  relief.    For  the  holy 

man  I  verily  doubt  hath  cozened  me:  seeing  that  in  day  and 

night  all  eternity  is  comprehended."     Moiling  for  his  part,  so 

soon  as  he  was  aware  of  men  that  followed  him,  swiftly  and  with 

despatch  ran  till  he  gained  his  own  house,  the  king's  people  never 

so  much  as  drawing  up  to  him. 

There  are  those  that  hold  Moiling  to  have  approached   the 

king  with  a  poem  ;  which  indeed  is  true,  and  here  you  have  the 

duan : — 

"  Finnachta  above  the  race  of  Niall    .    •    ." 

Thus  it  was  that  to  Moiling  Finnachta  remitted  the  Boramha 
nor,  sorely  as  he  repented  him,  could  he  ever  again  lift  Leinster's 
tribute. 

Others  again  aver  that  in  lieu  of  a  promise  that  he  should  go 
to  Heaven  Finnachta  forgave  the  tribute,  et  hoc  verius  est.  For 
immediately  after  Molling's  visit  Adamnan  sought  out  Finnachta, 
to  whom  he  sent  in  a  cleric  of  his  familia,  bidding  him  come  out 
and  confer.  Finnachta  at  the  moment  busied  himself  with  a 
game  of  chess*         ....... 

695.  Then  Finnachta  bowed  his  head  and  laid  it  in  Adamnan's 
bosom  and  before  him  made  act  of  penance,  so  that  of  that  which 
in  reward  of  the  Boramha's  remission  Moiling  had  promised  him 
— the  Kingdom  of  Heaven — Adamnan  deprived  him  not ;  but 
Finnachta  and  his  son  Bresal  being  in  their  tent,  his  kinsmen 
Aedh  son  of  Dluthach  and  Conghalach  entered  in  unperceived 
at  night  and  Icilled  Finnachta  with  his  son,  and  struck  off  their 
heads  upon  a  hurdle. 

697.  After  Finnachta,  and  for  eight  years,  Loingsech  son  of 
Angus  held  Ireland's  kingly  power.  Molling's  death  was  in  the 
first  year  that  Loingsech  was  king,  and  in  the  same  year  Adam- 
nan's  Law  was  imposed  on  Ireland. 

699.  In  the  fourth  year  of  which  reign  were  seen  in  the  heavens 
three  shields  that  clashed  each  against  the  other,  as  it  had  been 
three  waves  of  ocean  that  encountered :  a  white  shield  there  was, 

*  This  episode,  verses  included,  being  given  in  terms  almost  identical 
with  those  of  the  preceding  piece  {ante^  pp.  422, 1.  3 — 423, 1.  10),  it  is  not 
translated  here. 


442  Fragmentary  Annals. 

a  shield  with  the  colour  of  fire,  and  a  shield  having  hue  of  blood. 
Hence  men  presaged  the  evils  that  afterwards  came  to  pass :  for 
the  cattle,  saving  a  few,  perished  throughout  all  Ireland  ;  nor  in 
Ireland  alone,  but  in  the  whole  of  Europe. 

700.  Furthermore:  in  the  next  year,  in  the  fifth  of  Loingsech's 
reign,  the  greater  part  of  the  men  of  Ireland  died  because  of  a 
famine  so  dire  that  men  devoured  that  which  may  not  be  so 
much  as  mentioned  [i.e.  there  was  cannibalism]. 

702.  In  Loingsech's  seventh  year  \leg,  sixth,  i.e.  701]  was  a  fall- 
ing out  between  Conaing's  son  Irghalach  and  Adamnan,  whom 
Irghalach  had  outraged  in  that  he  slew  Niall  his  kinsman  who 
had  taken  sanctuary  with  the  Saint.  Then  Adamnan,  to  the 
end  Irghalach's  life  should  be  cut  short,  took  to  fasting  through 
the  night:  sleepless,  and  plunged  in  some  cold  stream.  Irghalach 
on  his  side  used  to  question  Adamnan,  asking:  "and  what  wilt 
thou  do  to-night,  Cleric  ?*'  to  which  this  latter,  as  being  loath  to 
utter  a  falsehood,  would  reply  that  all  sleepless  and  immersed  in 
cold  water  he  would  fast  till  morning.  Then  would  Irghalach 
do  these  same  things :  for  the  purpose,  that  is  to  say,  of  shielding 
himself  from  Adamnan's  curse.  Yet  for  all  that  the  Saint  still 
trapped  him  in  the  end  ;  for  he  enjoined  a  cleric  of  his  familia: 
"  at  eventide  be  thou  here  in  my  semblance,  and  with  raiment  of 
mine  about  thee  ;  should  Irghalach  then  come  to  enquire  what 
thou  doest  to-night,  tell  him  that  thou  wilt  both  feast  and  sleep, 
and  so  procure  him  to  do  the  same."  For  Adamnan  could  more 
easily  endure  that  a  man  of  his  familia,  and  not  he  himself,  should 
tell  a  lie. 

Irghalach  in  due  course  came  and  found  the  cleric,  of  whom, 
deeming  it  had  been  Adamnan,  he  enquired:  "cleric,  what  doest 
thou  to-night  ?"  "  I  banquet  and  I  sleep,"  he  answered  ;  where- 
fore that  night  Irghalach  also  both  feasted  and  slept.  But  Adam- 
nan kept  fast  and  vigil,  and  until  dawn  tarried  in  the  river. 

Him  therefore  Irghalach  in  his  sleep  saw  stand  up  to  his  neck 
in  the  water ;  at  the  which  he,  starting  vehemently  out  of  his 
sleep,  told  the  thing  to  his  wife.  Now  the  woman,  as  being  with 
child  and  fearing  lest  her  offspring  through  some  imprecation  of 
Adamnan's  should  perish,  was  lowly  and  humble  to  the  Lord  and 
to  him,  oftentimes  beseeching  him  that  he  would  not  curse  her 
child.    When  then  very  early  on  the  morrow  Irghalach  was  risen, 


Fragmentary  Amials.  443 

he  went  abroad  and  met  Adamnan,  who  said :  "  O  son  of  ac- 
cursedness,  O  man  most  audacious  and  most  evil  that  ever  God 
created  1  know  that  'tis  but  a  little  while  until  the  kingdom  shall 
be  severed  from  thee,  and  thou  thyself  shalt  go  to  HelL"  Which 
when  Irghalach's  wife  heard  she  came  to  Adamnan  and,  grovel- 
ling under  his  feet,  cried:  "curse  me  not  the  child  that  I  carry !" 
He  answered  then:  "that  which  thou  bearest  with  thee  shall 
indeed  be  king ;  but  by  operation  of  the  malediction  laid  upon 
his  father,  one  of  his  eyes  is  even  now  bursten."  And  so  it  fell 
out :  for  a  boy  was  bom  forthwith,  whom  also  they  found  to  want 
one  eye. 

702.  In  the  next  year  (that  being  the  seventh  of  Loingsech's 
reign)  this  Irghalach  was  slain,  after  having  in  the  night  before 
he  was  killed  himself  seen  the  manner  of  his  death.  On  the 
morrow  of  this  vision  therefore  Irghalach  came  forth  and,  stand- 
ing upon  a  high  rock,  heard  a  loud  voice  cry:  "  spread  yourselves 
over  the  country  round  about,  and  bum,  and  scorch  and  harry 
it !''  Then  he  saw  great  bands  and  companies  that  spoiled  the 
land ;  and  he  came  and  stood  abreast  of  innis  mac  Nesain  or 
'  Ireland's  Eye,'  where  at  that  selfsame  hour  a  British  fleet  was 
by  a  great  tempest  constrained  to  refuge.  Of  which  Britons  a 
certain  warrior  likewise  had  in  the  past  night  had  a  dream :  as  it 
were  a  herd  of  wild  boars  that  grunted  about  him,  and  the  largest 
boar  he  had  killed  with  a  javelin-stroke.  A  presage  verified 
exactly:  for  that  boar  signified  Irghalach,  and  the  rest  of  the 
herd  his  retinue  of  sinners;  and  with  a  single  javelin-cast  Irghal- 
ach there  and  then  was  destroyed  by  that  warrior. 

703.  In  the  aforesaid  Loingsech's  eighth  year  it  was  that  a 
great  hosting  was  made  by  him,  to  prey  and  waste  Connacht ; 
and  his  bards  satirized  Cellach,  son  of  Raghallach  and  king  of 
Connacht,  saying  it  was  not  befitting  that  in  front  of  Ireland's 
monarch  such  palsied  old  king  should  lift  him  up  in  emulation, 
and  that  (should  he  persist)  he  it  was  that  would  be  put  to  flight 

Howbeit  not  this  by  any  means,  but  the  contrary,  was  that 
which  came  to  pass.  For  at  sight  of  his  country  pillaged  and 
laid  waste,  Cellach  king  of  Connacht  called  to  him  both  Dun- 
chadhs  (him  of  Murrisk  and  the  other)  whom  beforehand  he  had 
decreed  to  reign  after  him  in  Connacht.  For  himself,  after  bath« 
ing  of  his  body,  together  with  oil  and  many  diverse  herbs  applied 


444  Fragmentary  Annals. 

to  his  arms,  on  his  right  hand  he  took  one  of  the  aforesaid  Dun- 
chadhs,  another  on  his  left,  and  all  around  him  marshalled  Conn- 
acht  for  the  battle.  Vigorously  he  sprang  far  forth  out  of  his 
chariot,  making  all  and  several  to  hear  the  rattling  of  the  grand 
old  man's  bones  as  he  leaped  ;  then  towards  the  enemy's  bat- 
talions he  rushed  exultant,  crying  aloud:  "look  to  it,  men  of 
Connacht,  that  your  freemen's  honour  ye  defend  now  and  main- 
tain !  for  neither  is  the  race  that  here  stands  against  you  nobler 
than  yourselves,  or  of  courage  higher  than  yours,  nor  up  to  this 
very  day  have  they  wrought  deeds  greater  than  ye  have  done." 
Thus  he  spoke :  with  quavering  voice  indeed,  but  with  a  flashing 
eye. 

To  all  which  Connacht  gave  heed  so  that  in  the  event,  before 
them  that  had  but  this  shaky  old  king  to  lead  them  against  the 
monarch,  the  enemy  broke  and  fled.  There  Loingsech  king 
of  Ireland  was  slain  (and  of  his  people  a  red  slaughter  made) 
together  with  his  two  sons,  with  Colgu's  sons  both,  and  Dubh 
dibherg  son  of  Dúnghal^  with  Eochaidh  of  the  Lenthan^  Ferghar 
of  Forbraithy  and  Conall  of  Gowra.  On  the  fourth  of  the  Ides  of 
July  [at  the  sixth  hour  of  Saturday]  this  battle  came  off":  the 
battle  of  Corann ;  and  it  was  occasioned  by  these  quatrains  which 
Conall  Menn  indited : — 

**  One  night  I  was  in  Corann — cold  I  was,  and  fearful  too    .    .    ." 

After  this  event,  and  with  leaving  of  the  two  Dunchadhs  to 
rule  over  Connacht,  Cellach  retired  from  the  World  and  became 
a  penitent  of  the  Church.     +705.  Two  years  later  he  died. 

704.  Next  in  order,  and  for  one  year,  Fuagartach  son  of  Niall 
had  Ireland's  sovereignty:  a  second  turn  of  it,  that  is  to  say.  He 
made  a  hosting  into  Leinster,  but  they  gave  him  battle:  the 
battle  of  Claentray  in  which  upon  S.  Martin's  Eve  there  was  red 
havoc  of  his  people  with  Dermot  ruanaidJis  son  Bodhbchadh. 

In  this  year  it  was  that  from  Adamnan  all  Ireland  adopted 
one  discipline  and  one  rule:  for  in  Ireland  hitherto  there  had 
been  one  party  which,  as  touching  celebration  of  Easter  on  the 
April  moon's  fourteenth,  and  the  *  tonsure  of  Simon  Magus,*  held 
with  Columbkill ;  another  set  following  Patrick  in  keeping  of 
Easter  on  the  fourteenth  of  April  when  that  day  chanced  to  be 
a  Sunday,  while  yet  a  third  faction  took  a  middle  course  between 
the  other  two.     Whereby  all  Ireland  being  for  now  a  length  of 


Fragmentary  Annals.  445 

time  kept  in  turmoil,  God  of  his  vengeance  sent  on  them  much 
tribulation  ;  even  till  such  time  as  Adamnan,  who  (because  in 
Canterbury's  ancient  Abbey  he  had  received  the  Roman  rule) 
was  expelled  from  the  abbotship  of  lona,  came  among  them :  he 
at  the  first  having  been  a  follower  of  Columbkill,  Bede  it  is 
that  in  the  Historia  Bedce  tells  this  ;  and  in  this  same  year  Adam- 
nan  himself  died  [on  the  ninth  of  the  kalends  of  December], 

705.  Then  Conghal  of  Kinnaweer,  son  of  Fergus  of  Fanait, 
and  grandson  of  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech's  son  Donall,  assumed 
Ireland's  royal  power. 

707.  In  his  second  year  he  made  a  hosting  into  Connacht, 
which  he  plundered  and  burnt  as  far  as  the  plain  of  Murrisk.  In 
his  third  year  also  he  had  a  great  army  gathered,  in  order  to  the 
utter  uprooting  of  Leinster.  By  him  the  general  muster  of  the 
North,  I  say,  was  marched  and  so  they  came  into  úi  Faeláin. 
Now  he  that  at  the  time  actually  was  king  of  Leinster  was 
Faelan  and,  so  soon  as  he  heard  that  Conghal  pitched  camp  in 
his  country,  he  was  resolved  that  in  order  to  have  peace  of  him 
envoys  must  be  sent,  with  great  store  of  precious  gifts  for  pre- 
sentation. But  when  it  was  told  to  Conghal  that  the  king  of 
Leinster's  messengers  were  on  their  way,  as  regards  himself,  his 
brother  and  his  army,  he  used  fraud :  for  it  is  the  wont  of  kings 
(who  care  nothing  to  conquer  by  main  strength  rather  than  by 
subtlety)  that  for  their  enemy's  overthrow  they  frame  wiles  and 
colourable  deceits,  notwithstanding  that  their  force  be  of  itself 
sufficient  to  crush  the  foe.  Just  so  did  Conghal  now  lay  a  plot: 
bidding  the  chiefs  of  his  army  quit  the  camp  till  sunrise  hour  on 
the  morrow,  and  by  no  means  to  be  present  when  the  king  of 
Leinster's  messengers  should  come  in.  Certain  fellows  of  mean 
estate  also  he  caused  to  take  those  others'  place  and  to  serve  him 
for  companions ;  sundry  of  despicable  and  ragged  mien  being 
dispersed  through  all  the  camp,  and  himself  arrayed  in  tatters. 
Then  to  meet  the  messengers  he  sent  his  own  horseboy,  with 
this  command :  "  use  all  thy  diligence  to  vilipend  me,  speaking 
of  me  with  contumely  and  affirming  that  I  am  naught ;  so 
perchance  shall  they  of  Leinster  despise  us  and  take  us  to  be  of 
none  account" ;  whereat  the  horseboy  went  his  way  and  did 
Conghal's  behest. 

When  at  last  Conghal  heard  that  the  envoys  drew  near,  he 


44^  Fragmentary  Annals. 

took  about  him  a  beggarly  suit  and  (as  though  they  had  been 
his  gentles)  sat  among  the  rabble.  In  addition,  there  was  brought 
to  him  a  young  pullet  with  her  leg  broken,  and  he  fell  most 
intently  to  splicing  of  the  pullet's  leg.  Upon  marking  the  king's 
coarse  surroundings  and  the  host's  garb  in  general,  among  them- 
selves the  messengers  said :  "  of  this  king  and  of  his  army  we 
make  no  account ;  and  as  for  our  precious  things  and  presents, 
these  it  were  altogether  unbecoming  that  we  gave  to  him."  After 
conference  with  Conghal  they  were  conveyed  into  a  dirty  house, 
where  for  all  meat  a  pig  with  her  bristles  on  was  allotted  them  ; 
so  next  day  they  set  out  on  their  return  to  Leinster  and  to 
Faelan  [their  king],  to  whom  they  told  their  tale :  shewing  him 
that  Conghal  and  his  army  were  naught,  that  he  in  very  truth 
was  no  king  at  all,  and  that  to  such  an  one  neither  hostages  nor 
the  mastery  should  be  ceded. 

As  for  Conghal,  the  messengers  being  gone  he  gathered  to 
him  his  chiefs  and,  after  deliberation  had,  they  decreed  to  execute 
his  design,  which  was :  to  harry  Leinster,  to  kindle,  conflagrate, 
and  kill.  This  they  did  accordingly:  with  burning  up  of  Leinster's 
whole  plain,  with  red  havoc  of  its  people,  nor  did  their  king  once 
shew  himself  to  check  them  ;  which  was  for  two  reasons:  for  his 
messengers*  report,  and  for  the  defeat  which  at  Martinmas  last 
past  he  had  inflicted  on  Fuagartach  [so  that  now  he  rested  on 
his  laurels].  In  the  long  run  however,  to  the  burnings  which  he 
witnessed  with  his  own  eyes  he  gave  credence  rather  than  to  all 
his  ambassadors'  discourses. 

With  fire  and  otherwise  Conghal  for  half  a  year's  space  dis- 
tressed Leinster,  yet  Faelan  never  offered  him  battle ;  hence 
Conghal,  greatly  blaming  him,  indited : — 

"  What  ails  the  king,  that  out  of  his  country  he  has  not  driven  stranger 
horses?  Faelan  has  Leinster's  Liffey  all  full  of  foemen's  horses  in  their 
troops." 

And  again : — 

"  O  Liffey,  bid  me  farewell  I  to  satiety  now  I  have  tarried  in  thine 
embrace    .    .    ." 

Of  Leinster  at  this  time  there  was  a  certain  warrior,  fierce, 
stout  of  heart,  whose  name  was  Cuan  fithise  or  *  Cuan  the 
Doubler,'  and  who  daily  on  his  own  occasion  used  to  kill  a 
number  of  Conghal's  people,  while  others  again  he  hurt ;  yet  by 


Fragmentary  Annals.  447 

his  horse's  speed  continually  returned  [whence  the  nickname] 
sound  and  whole  from  them  of  the  North  nor,  many  as  were  the 
good  horses  started  after  him,  had  any  ever  overtaken  him. 

One  day  Conghal  came  to  reason  with  Cuan  (a  glen  being 
between  them),  and  said :  "  what  makes  thee  thus  to  harry  my 
people  ?"  whom  Cuan  answered:  "that  in  very  deed  is  a  question 
beyond  all  conscience,  for  well  thou  knowest  how  cruel  and  how 
sore  is  thy  dealing  with  the  heritage  of  my  fathers,  and  that 
therefore  it  is  that  I  vex  thee ;  yet  again :  were  but  others  as  I 
am  to  thee,  the  profit  of  thy  raid  into  Leinster  were  scant 
indeed."  "  Most  true,"  Conghal  assented,  "  neither  is  it  arro- 
gance in  thee  to  say  so  much :  for  as  thy  words  are,  so  also  are 
thy  deeds.  And  now  what  hinders  us,  thee  and  me,  that  we 
should  not  join  in  friendship — friendship  that. to  thy  fathers*  land 
would  bear  good  fruit?  the  price  however  of  which  friendship 
needs  must  be  that  for  twice  his  value  thou  sell  me  that  horse." 
"  King,  say  it  not !"  answered  Cuan :  "  my  word  I  stake  that  for 
lucre,  and  to  Leinster's  torment,  never  shall  this  horse  pass  under 
a  northern  man  and  I  alive  1 "  Conghal  pursued :  "  on  thy  con- 
science then  I  charge  thee,  Cuan,  and  tell  me  how  is  that  horse 
bred,  whence  has  he  that  wondrous  turn  of  speed  ?"  "A  mare 
that  I  have  in  my  own  town,"  answered  Cuan,  "  and  one  that 
truly  is  by  no  means  of  the  best — she  bore  him;  and  on  my  lands 
he  was  nurtured  and  brought  to  perfect  strength." 

With  this  they  parted  ;  and  the  king  summoned  his  own  good 
horsemen,  to  whom  he  said :  "  to-day  follow  Cuan  to  his  fort's 
very  gate;  for  when  his  horse  shall  reach  his  pasture  and  the 
horses  that  were  reared  with  him,  but  little  labour  it  will  be  for 
you  to  catch  him  with  his  rider."  Conghal's  horsemen  did  as 
they  were  charged,  following  Cuan  till  they  reached  the  spot 
where  his  horse  had  been  foaled  and  daily  was  wont  to  graze: 
up  to  which  point  no  horse  exceeded  him  in  speed.  Great  was 
the  din  and  earthquake  made  by  the  horses  of  the  North  as  they 
pursued  ;  long  time  after  their  tracks  endured  in  the  soil  and  on 
the  rocks  with  the  fury  of  the  riding,  and  the  air  behind  them 
was  all  aglow  with  sparks. 

There  then  Cuan  the  Doubler  was  taken  ;  nor  did  they  shew 
him  manly  courtesy  of  fair  fight,  but  all  set  on  him  and  slew  him, 
hewing  him  in  pieces  and  cutting  off  his  head..    Over  him  they 


-448  Fragmentary  Annals. 

raised  the  cry  of  victory  and  in  triumph  returned  to  king  Con- 
ghal's  camp,  bringing  Cuan's  spoils,  his  head  also  and  his  horse ; 
and  the  whole  host  shouted  aloud  to  see  the  head,  unde  Conghal 
cecinit\ — 

"  Young  men  of  melody  these  young  men  are :  after  the  wasting  of  Moy- 
liffey,  sweet  the  sound  of  their  loud  rejoicings  over  Cuan  the  Doubler's 
head  I" 

To  return  to  Leinster:  both  lay  and  cleric  they  came  together 
in  one  place  and,  for  the  spoiling  of  their  land,  for  Cuan*s  death, 
their  spirit  was  faint ;  which  caused  them  to  say  then  that,  Con- 
ghal's  own  stern  courage  and  his  army's  numbers  being  such,  it 
was  no  light  task  for  them  to  give  him  battle.  To  the  man  of 
fight  therefore  that  should  slay  Conghal,  they  promised  that  for 
all  time  the  kings  of  Leinster  should  concede  his  children's  free- 
dom and  that  of  all  his  race,  the  boon  to  be  coupled  with  Heaven 
conferred  by  the  Clergy. 

Forthwith,  for  sake  of  Heaven  from  the  Clergy  and  of  his 
whole  kindred's  freedom  granted  by  the  kings,  such  an  one  of 
the  men  of  Leinster  took  on  himself  to  enter  into  Conghal's  camp 
and  to  kill  him.  The  manner  of  his  going  was  with  two  great 
spears  in  his  hand,  as  though  he  had  been  for  selling  them  ;  and 
when  he  had  reached  the  enemy's  rearguard  a  man  of  them  said 
to  him :  "  carest  thou  to  sell  a  spear  of  them  ?"  "  Aye  do  I,"  the 
other  answered :  "  and  according  to  the  rate  at  which  the  king 
himself  shall  appraise  them  both."  Then  past  the  sentries  at  the 
gate,  and  through  the  companies,  they  made  their  way  to  where 
the  king  was ;  and  there  the  fighting  man,  with  one  of  the 
spears  delivering  a  home-thrust  at  the  king,  smote  him  in  the 
breast  All  to  no  purpose  though :  for  the  king's  prevision  had 
been  such  that  he  was  equipped  with  a  tough  slab  of  yew  having 
a  width  equal  with  his  chest,  and  underlying  his  silken  surcoat 
as  far  as  his  chin.  In  his  onset  the  Leinster  warrior  had  cried : 
"  price  me  this  spear,  O  king  !"  to  which,  after  the  push  received, 
Conghal  answered :  "  nay,  but  see  thou  whether  it  be  better  than 
the  plate  which  is  betwixt  me  and  it !" 

They  that  stood  behind  the  king  to  guard  him  rose  now  and 
would  have  slain  the  man  ;  but  the  king  charged  them:  "sit  ye 
down,  neither  kill  him  at  all !"  then  he  questioned  the  stranger: 
"  in  guerdon  of  thy  coming  to  destroy  me,  what  have  Leinster 


Puella  Graca.  449 

promised  thee?"  and  he  made  answer:  "their  Clergy  have  pro- 
mised me  Heaven  ;  their  king,  my  posterity's  freedom  to  the  end 
of  time."  "  Thou  shalt  be  my  retainer,"  the  king  rejoined,  "  and 
never  a  whit  the  less  for  that  shall  Leinster  make  good  those 
their  covenanted  gifts." 

Where  the  king  at  the  instant  chanced  to  be  was  at  the  foot  of 
an  oak :  great  snow  lying  too,  and  the  tree  just  then  laden  with 
ripe  mast.  The  man  of  Leinster  accordingly  standing  there  [to 
keep  the  king],  because  of  the  confidential  post  bestowed  on  him 
envy  possessed  some  of  the  fighting  folk,  and  one  of  Conghal's 
men  said :  "  it  were  well  to  prove  yon  favoured  henchman  of  the 
king's — this  acorn  therefore  I  will  project  at  the  king's  head  for, 
should  it  pass  the  guard  and  hit  the  king,  right  so  would  shaft  or 
stone  as  well  have  reached  him."  With  that,  at  Conghal's  head 
he  aimed  the  acorn  ;  but  the  Leinster  guard,  parrying  with  his 
sword,  cut  the  acorn  in  two  and  [with  the  same  sweep]  gave  him 
that  threw  it  a  stroke  in  the  head  that  killed  him. 

Finally,  with  victory  and  with  booty  the  king  returned  to  his 
own  house  ;  he  having  also  in  satisfaction  of  his  grandfather 
[slain  by  them]  taken  vengeance  of  Leinster. 

i"  706.  At  the  end  of  seven  years  after  which,  Conghal  died  of 
plague. 

Finis, 


ImprobcB  cujusdam  de  GrcBcis  ptiellce  narratur  eventus. 

In  castro  fuit  aliquando  de  Graecis  admirabilis  quidam  rex  : 
in  oriente  quippe  regibus  semper  castrum  est,  citra  [extrinsecus] 
autem  reginae  solent  bibere  et  comedere.  Affertur  illi  nuntius  : 
"  tibi  dignitas,  tibi  honor,  rex  !  proxima  hac  nocte  filia  tibi  nata 
est."  Rex  "feliciter"  inquit  "vigeatque,  et  super  ventrem  qui 
peperit  sit  benedictio!"  Tunc  miles  quidam  astans  dixit  "rex, 
tibi  dignitas!  mihi  filius  hac  praeterita  nocte  natus  est"  Cui 
princeps  :  "ergo  ipsi  despondeatur  filia."  Sic  enim  loquebantur 
utpote  quibus  perpetui  erat  moris  filius  siquando  quis  in  una 
eademque  ac  filia  nocte  nasceretur  ut  adinvicem  alligarentur  alter 

2  G 


450  Puella  Grceca, 

alter! ;  hoc  tamen  pacto  ut,  vel  repentina  alterutro  infantium 
abrepto  morte,  castum  se  in  perpetuum  superstes  alienique  omnis 
commercii  expertem  servaret.  Curiose  deinde  ad  lectionem  pru- 
dentiam  artes  pusiola  instituta  est,  quo  factum  ut  earn  universa 
spectaret  patris  percunctatio  et  deliberatio ;  hae  vero  cuncta  in 
semoto  quodam  fiebant  habitaculo,  ubi  praeter  talem  qui  ei  fun- 
geretur  officio  nemo  audebat  intrare.  Ipsa  quoque  fuit  quae  omni 
nocte  regali  coetui  ultima  solebat  pocula  ministrare,  eumque  ad 
finem  ut  sincerum  et  sanctificatum  evaderet  quodcunque  iis  de 
die  in  diem  foret  eventurum.  Nam  crepidis  induta  veniebat  et 
apprehenso  cratere  in  comua  fundebat,  inde  revertebatar.  Quae 
semel  adamavit  gracilem  quemdam  e  familiari  turba  puerum  ; 
is  autem  una  vice  [nescio  quo  consilio]  ad  puellas  in  domum 
intromissus  prius  non  egreditur  quam  amici  facti  sunt  ipse  et 
domicella.  Ille  altera  post  vice  cum  eadem  dormivit  in  dicto 
habitaculo,  et  ecce  rex  veniens  ad  januam  "  aperite"  ait.  Surgit 
juvencula  supinoque  amasio  inducit  culcitam,  in  quam  ergo  rege 
capiente  sedere  filia  patri  assidet  et  sic  ad  nonam  usque  mutua 
fruuntur  confabulatione.  Rex  exit,  mortuus  is  invenitur  qui  sub 
culcita  condebatur.  Metum  domicellis  res  injicit ;  unde  ad  se 
citant  unum  validum  ribaldum  gynecaei  ostium  forte  fortuna  prae- 
tereuntem,  cui  post  datum  cibum  "istam"  inquiunt  "tolle  a  nobis 
fardellam,  operaeque  accipies  mercedem."  Ligato  statim  onere 
illae  "quodlibet  in  praecipitium  dimitte"  commendant ;  principis 
autem  filia  :  "  eo  meliorem  eventum  negotium  habebit  egomet  si 
tecum  ivero,"  et  in  ipsa  ora  rupis  jubet  "a  te  deorsum  projice!" 
quod  agente  ribaldo  ambobus  eis  [scilicet  quum  mortuo  tum  vivo] 
duabus  ipsius  appositis  manibus  in  vallem  praecipites  impulit, 
dicens  :  "eo  enim  praestantius  tuum  erit  arcanum  [eo  magis 
tacebis]."  Quo  facto  memoratus  miles  loquitur:  "filio  isti  jam 
tempus  est  filia  tradatur."  Rex  respondet:  "ecce  teneram  pro- 
fecto  venustamque  habes  adolescentulam,  et  eandem  generosam 
bonis  imbutam  artibus."  Hymenis  itaque  peracturus  secreta 
juvenis  adest,  at  ilia  inter  se  dixit:  "quid  denique  faciam?  pro- 
prium  mihi  in  damnum  forefactum  meum  patebit  et  illico  com- 
burenda  sum."  Tunc  pedissequam  suam  adloquens:  "tu  demum" 
inquit  "ita  mihi  praesta  auxilium  ut  mei  sub  specie  cum  viro  con- 
cumbas,  qui  simul  ac  tecum  congressus  fuerit  ego  me  tibi  confestim 
supponam";  et  ancillae  reddenti  "viro  jam  data  [desponsata] 


Puella  GrcBca.  451 

sum  "  domina  dixit  "  hac  de  re  denuo  capiemus  consilium  [alio 
tempore  videbimus]."  Ad  binas  igitur  sponsus  in  obscuram  sane 
cameram  introducitur,  quominus  se  antequam  mane  fuerit  in- 
vicem  conspiciant  Admittitur  inquam  juvenculis  ephebus,  cui 
filia  regis  acclamans  :  "  ave,  ad  juvenem  tuam  accedas  reginam  ; 
tibi  prosit,  additis  quoque  filiis  filiabusque!"  quo  dicto  latitura 
paullo  removet  se  quoad  operatum  habent  opus  putativi  con- 
juges.  Posthac  dormiente  juvene  patrona  ad  servam  "locum 
istum"  ait  "jam  sine  ego  occupem";  sed  ilia:  "minime  hercle, 
prius  saltem  quam  virum  cuncti  viderint  eum  qui  me  cognovit" 
Domina  "  bene "  inquit  et  sopitis  ambobus  protinus  egressa 
candelam  poscit,  qua  tecto  admota  conflagrata  est  domus.  Libe- 
raturus  aedes  sponsus  exsurgit,  domicella  "ex  piscina  aquam!" 
clamitante  ad  ancillam ;  quam  versus  piscinam  properantem 
insequitur  ilia  atque  procurvatae  super  aquam  sodalis  duobus 
correptis  cruribus  caput  ejus  demersit  nee  sursuni  levari  passa 
est,  quo  plane  modo  occidit  servam.  At  sponsa  antequam 
regressa  est  liberavit  sponsus  aedes,  ad  quem  deinde  ilia:  "pedis- 
sequa  ubinam  mea  est  ?  quae  proh  mihi  dolor  mergendo  si  forte 
mersa  fuerit !"  Hanc  mox  exanimem  conspiciunt,  ejusque  deplo- 
rationi  incumbit  domina;  sed  marito  dicente  "tua  nihil  hoc  refert" 
illi  ipsa  se  continuo  praebet  lecti  comitem,  et  in  suam  eum  postea 
regionem  revertentem  prosequitur.  Consequenter  mulieris  pater 
moritur,  maritus  quoque  obit  diem.  Regni  potestatem  novus 
suscipit  rex  ;  hujus  ingens  dignitas,  viduae  quoque  permagna. 
Ad  regem  ergo  qui  ei  donaria  largiatur  mulier  accersitur ; 
quem  ubi  adit,  jucunde  valde  excipitur  et  cum  eo  inter  epulas 
amodo  una  versatur.  Dominae  brevi  aliquando  sciscitanti  "estne 
tibi  confessor?"  rex  profert  "sanequidem:  admirabilis  omnino 
vir";  et  ilia  "  mihimet  ipse  idem  erit  director";  nee  mora, 
directoris  ministerio  fruitura  pergit  et  omni  semota  occultatione 
facit  confessionem.  Ordinatus  autem  vir  ubi  insipientiam  per- 
petrasse  audisset  poenitentem  necnon  delicatissimam  ipsius  for- 
mam  notasset,  sollicitandae  mulieri  impense  navavit  operam  ;  sed 
ilia  "minime"  infit:  "quae  enim  tanta  jam  operata  est  insipientia, 
ne  hujus  quidem  adhuc  pcenam  persolvimus,  ei  nedum  incre- 
mentum  adferremus.  In  audiendis  confessionibus  non  ultra  per- 
severat  vir,  ilia  regi  valefacit.  Quo  cum  doctore  collocuturus 
propediem   rex   proficiscitur,   et   huic   ille  confessionem  viduae 

2  G  2 


452  Píiella  Grcsca. 

enarrat.  Dixit  prínceps  "  male  se  res  habet,"  iteratoque  adcita 
mulíere  percunctatur  "  dedistine  confessionem  ? "  qua  respon- 
dente  "ita,"  quaerítur  "  sollicitavitne  te  clericus?"  at  ilia  "non 
ea  sum"  ait  "quae  declaravero."  "Sed  et  hoc  perperam"  prin- 
ceps  inquit :  "  ergo  tu,  clerice,  in  quempiam  abi  locum  unde 
tui  ne  commemorationem  quidem  audiam."  In  querceam  autem 
sine  ostii  aditu  domum,  exiguas  praeter  quasdam  fenestellas  alio 
omni  carentem  foramine  et  in  trivio  locatam,  curavit  duci  muli- 
erem  ;  cui  post  sancti  qui  homines  minuta  ciborum  frustula  intro 
porrigebant.  Qua  in  conditione  septem  illi  ductis  annis,  flebilis 
denique  et  misera  macraque  de  ea  facta  est  creatura.  Tunc 
regi  refertur  talem  adhuc  eam  in  vita  degere ;  aperitur  career, 
fovendam  princeps  secum  vehit  inclusam,  cujus  refocillationi 
confestim  data  opera  mox  omnium  ilia  longe  pulcherrima 
exstitit.  Ille  "  idonea "  inquit  "  ista  est  quam  rex  eligeret," 
et  ipsam  adloquens:  "ad  eundem  veni,  et  tua  sub  directione 
ero";  sed  mulier  "regi"  infit  "jam  ipsa  me  dedi  quo  nee  egre- 
gior  alter  quivis  possit  esse  ad  quem  iretur  [irem],  et  a  quo  dum 
viva  ero  nunquam  me  aversura  sum.  Tu  vero  mihi  desertum  et 
ecclesiam  fieri  facias."  Ita  factum:  vaccis  bovibus  equis  auro 
argentoque  completur  desertum,  et  rex  "agedum  mulier"  inquit, 
"  tuum  ingredi  aedificium  " ;  ilia  autem  :  "  clericus  me,  director 
scilicet,  antegrediatur."  "Quisnam  ille?"  "Meus  quidem  ipsius 
quem  improbavi  olim."  Is  ergo  quum  ejus  quam  tantam  interea 
fecerat  poenitentiae  efficacitate  sanctum  se  hoc  temporis  praeberet, 
ad  illam  accedit.  Itaque  in  deserto  fuerunt  suo,  in  coelum  pos- 
tremo  demigraverunt ;  quorum  et  in  gratiam  [quorum  depreca- 
tione]  tam  multa  operata  sunt  miracula  ut  optima  apud  Graecos 
invocation  is  sedes  facta  sit  ea  quae  circa  illos  fundata  est  civitas. 
Talis  igitur  fuit  quem  improba  de  Graecis  domicella  nacta  est 
eventus. 

Finis. 


Ambactu.  453 


Here  follows  an  item  from  among  the  wonders  of  the 

Convention  of  Taillte. 

Taillte's  Convention  is  held  by  Dermot  son  of  Cerbhall,  S. 
Kieran  the  carpenter's  son  also,  his  confessor,  being  there  beside 
him ;  the  meeting's  games  are  played,  its  races  run.  There  a 
certain  woman  accosts  her  husband  and  accuses  him  of  intrigue 
with  another  woman.  He  persisted  in  denial  of  the  fact,  and 
the  wife  said :  "  I  will  accept  his  affidavit  sworn  under  Kieran's 
hand."  The  husband  accordingly  swore  under  Kieran's  hand  that 
in  the  matter  which  his  wife  laid  to  his  charge  he  was  guilt- 
less ;  but  it  was  a  lie  for  him.  Therefore  upon  his  neck,  just 
where  the  cleric's  hand  had  lain,  an  ulcerous  tumour  took  him 
and  his  head  fell  from  him  so  that,  in  presence  of  all  Ireland 
there  he  went  about  in  the  concourse  and  he  without  a  head :  a 
miracle  whereby  God's  name  was  magnified  and  Kieran's. 

By  Kieran  subsequently  the  headless  one  was  conveyed  to 
Clonmacnoise,  there  to  be  looked  after  for  so  long  as  God  should 
appoint  his  life  to  be.  To  the  end  of  seven  years  after  Kieran 
he  lived  on  with  the  monks  ;  then  a  woman  was  brought  to  him, 
he  made  it  up  with  her,  and  in  due  course  she  bore  a  son :  from 
whom,  as  some  say,  are  the  Sogliain  in  Meath.  But  the  man 
after  his  marriage  consummated  died  presently,  and  by  the 
clergy  was  laid  at  the  east  end  of  iomaire  Chomgaill,  or  *  Com- 
gall's  ridge,'  where  to-day  stands  eras  Comgaill  or  *  Comgall's 
Cross.'  There  then  Ambacuc's  stone  and  place  of  rest  are,  for  a 
commemoration  of  his  story  to  all  men,  and  this  is  an  item  of 
the  wonders  of  Taillte's  Convention. 

Here  too  is  another  one  of  the  same  meeting's  marvels:  the 
seeing  namely  of  three  ships  that  navigated  the  air  over  their 
heads  when  with  Murrough's  son  Donall  the  men  of  Ireland 
celebrated  the  Convention. 

Finis. 


I.  i — vii] 


Irish  Text  of  Extracts. 

I.  Page  i: — (i)  Ciarán  saigfri  mac  Luaigne  meic  Ruanainn  .m.  Chonaill 
.m.  Choirpri  niad  .m.  Buain  .m.  Dimbuain  .m.  Echach  lámdóit  .m.  Amal- 
gaid  .m.  Loegaire  birn  biiadaig  .m.  Oengusa  osrcthi    (ii)  50  Martis.   Ciarán 
cpscop  et  confessor .  ar  sliocht  Aongusa  osairge  atá  ar  sliocht  Labrada  loing- 
sig  Ó  bfuilet  laignig  acus  atá  do  shiol  Eiremóin  do  Chiarán.     adeir  sein- 
lebar  ró-aosda  memraim  amail  adubramar  ag  Brigit  lo  Feb.  go  raibe  Ciarán 
saigre  cosmail  i  mbésaib  acus  i  mbethaid  re  Clemens  papa  (iii)  Incipit 
geinelach   sil   Birn   .i.   osairge.     Osairge   sil   Bresail  brie  in  sin  .  Bresal 
brec  diu  mac  Fiachach  fobric  meic  Aililla  glais  ocus  aroile  ut  in  gene- 
logiis  Laginensium  scripsimus  [Bresal  brec  tra  mac  Fiachach  fobric  meic 
Oililla  ghlais  .m.  Feradaig  foghlais  .m.  Nuadat  fullón  .m.  Allóit  .m.  Airt 
.m.  mogha  Airt  .m.  Chrimthainn  choscraig  .m.  Feradaig  finnfechtnaig  .m. 
Feidlimid  fortriuin  .m.  Fergusa  fortamail  .m.  Aongusa  ollomhan  .m.  Oililla 
bécáin  .m.  Labrada  loingsig  .m.  Oililla  áine  .m.  Laogaire  lore  .m.  Ugaine 
mhóir].     dá  mac  dana  la  Bresal  mbrec  .i.  Lugaid  senathair  Laigen  ocus 
Connla  caem  senathair  Osairge  ocus  ni  dilsiu  do  chlaind  Lugdach  in  tainm- 
niugud  as  Laigin  oldás  do  chlaind  Chonnlai.   in  aimsir  in  Bresail  brie  sin 
tra  tánic  in  cétna  bó-ár  in  Eirinn  ocus  noconfhargaib  acht  teora  dartada  in 
Eirinn  ité  derga  .i.  dairt  i  Cliu  dairt  ilLiniu  dairt  i  Cuailngiu  .  is  de  atá 
imbliuch  fir  oendarta.  di*n  bóraimi  diu  tuc  Bresal  in  Eirinn  is  de  ainmnigther 
bennchur  Comgaill  ut  quidam  dicunt    .    .     .     Loegaire  birn  buadach  mac 
side  ingine  Delbáith  druad  bráthair  Mogha  ruith  mac  Oengusa  osrithi  .i.  etir 
osu  alta  fofrith  meic  Chrimthainn  máir .  Cennait  ingen  Dairi  meic  Dedad  isi 
boe  in  arrad  Chrimthainn  máir  is  í  máthair  Oengusa  osfn'thi .  meic  leir  .m. 
Faelreg  .m.  Sétnai  .m.  Aililla  .m.  Lugdach  .m.  Labrada  .m.  Charthaig  .m. 
Nuadat  .m.  Chonnlai  .m.  Bresail  brie  ocus  aroile    (iv)  Oraighi  .i.  osdirghi 
.i.  éirghi  OS  leo  ie  teieheadh  résna  Déisib  dia  ro  fáesatar  in  fcrand  a  filit  na 
Deisi  aniugh.   no  Osraighi  .i.  osfn'thi  .i.  itir  ossaibh  allta  fofrith  \fns,  fothri] 
Aenghus  osraigi  .i.  sean  Osraighi       (v)   Laigin  can  as  ro  ainmniged.    ni 
annsa  .  laigin  quasi  lagain  .i.  de  na  lágnaib  lethna  do  ratsat  leo  na  dubgaill 
dar  muir  anall  da  táneatar  maroen  ra  Labraid  loingsech  .i.  Emoll  mac  rig 
Danmarg  a  tóisech.   is  ó'ndLabraid  illé  fil  grain  ocus  gératacht  ocus  ómun 
ocus  urfuath  for  Laignib  .  unde  poeta  :  Labraid  loingsech  lor  a  lin  .  lasrort 
Cobthach  in  dinn  rig  t  eo  sluag  laignech  dar  linn  lir .  dib  ro  ainmnigthea 
laigin.  tuaim  tenba  a  ainm  ria  sain  .  enuie  in  rogniad  indorgain '  is  dinn  rig 
Ó  shein  ille  .  ó  marbud  na  rigraide.   da  chet  ar  fichit  chét  ngall .  eo  lágnaib 
lethna  leo  anall '  de  na  lágnaib  tuctha  ann  sin  .  de  atát  Laigin  for  Laignib 
(vi)  Gailion  tra  ocus  Domnann  anmann  sin  do  Laignib  amail  dorimther  i 
tain  bo  Cuailgne.   dolluid  fianlach  do  ghallaib  la  ndalta  la  Labraid  loingsech 
doehum  nEirenn  eo  ro  ortadar  dinn  rig  ocus  aroile  .  inde  nominaii  sunt  gslion 
quasi  gall-lion  .  ocus  ro  mairset  a  clanna  eéin  máir  isin  tir  ui  est  dun  ngalion 
la  dál  Meisi  corb    Page  3: — (vii)  Eile  rigderg  mac  Imchada  meic  Eire  .m. 
[Eichin]  .m.  Finncha[in]  .m.  Feic  .m.  Finnch[ada]  .m.  Chonnlai  .m.  Taidc 


456  Text  of  Extracts.  [i.  vni— xxi 

.m.  Chéin  .m.  Oililla  óluim     Page  4:— (viii)  12^  Septembris,  Ailbe  aird- 

espoc  Ó  imlech  iubair  A.D.  S4i  an  tan  ro  faoidh  a  spirat.   do  shliocht  Fhirth- 

lachtgha  meic  Fhergusa  .m.  Rosa  .m.  Rughraide  atá  Ailbe  .  Sant  ainm  a 

mháthar.   is  é  do  chum  i  ndán  in  riagail  darab  tus  :  abair  dam  fri  mac  Saran. 

Cuimin  coindeire  cecinit :  carais  Ailbe  aoigedchaire   .   .   .  (ix)  Ailbe  imlechu 

.i.  iubair  mac  Olchon  meic  Arra  .m.  Daula  .m.  Latir.i.  ara  .m.  Imrossa 

nithai  .m.  Firthlachtgai  .m.  Fergusai  .m.  Roig    (x)  Ailbe  imlecha  ibairmac 

Olcain  .i.  naiss  meic  Arra  .m.  Dala  .m.  Laidfhir.m.  Imrosa  .m.  Fhirth- 

lachtga  .m.  Cheltchair  .m.  Chuthechair  .m.  Fhotaid  .m.  Fir  filed  .m.  Rosa 

.m.  Rudraige    (xi)  230  Maii.    lobar  epscop  do  shiol  Ireoil  meic  Chonaill 

chernaig  do  acus  Lassar  do  Déisib  breg  a  mháthair  .  is  í  a  chell  Begéire  .i. 

inis  fil  for  muir  amuig  la  hiiib  Cheinnsellaig  i  Laignib  .  cheithre  bliadna  ar 

cheithre  céd  a  aois  an  tan  ro  faoidh  a  spirat  A.D.  50a   adeir  sein  lebar  ró- 

aosda  memraim  inabfrith  martarlaic  Maoilruain  tamlachta  acus  comanmanna 

naomh  na  hEirenn  go  raibe  cosmailes  béas  acus  bethad  ag  espuc  lobhar  re 

hEoin  baisde    (xii)  I  bar  epscop  mac  Lugna  meic  Chuirc  .m.  Chuirb  .m. 

Choirpri  .m.  Néill  .m.  Echach  a  quo  úi  Echach     (xiii)  clanna  Chonaill 

chernaig  .  id  est  dál  nAraide  ocus  ui  Echach  ulad  acus  Conaille  muirtheimne 

ocus  Laigse  laigen  ocus  na  secht  [Sogain]     (xiv)  2\^  Julii,    Deglan  airde 

moire  mac  Eire  meic  Maicniada  epscop  acus  confessor  do  shliocht  Echdach 

finn  fuathairt  [.m.  Feidlimid  rechtmair  .m.  Tuathail  tcchtmair  .m.  Fiachach 

finnfolaid]  ó  bfuil  Brigit  dosom  acus  Deitsin  ainm  a  mháthar .  Colmán  epscop 

do  baist  é    ...     in  déisib  Muman  atá  an  eglas  sin  [airde  moire]  inadh 

ina  ndemasom  ferta  acus  mirbuile  imda      (xv)   Déclan  ó  aird  móir  mac 

Rossa  meic  Nair  .m.  Fiachach  .m.  Chonaill  .m.  Mecon  a  quo  dál  Mccon  .m. 

Oengusa.m.  Chormaic  ulfhota  .m.  Airténfir.m.  Chuinn  chétchathaig  .  acus 

Colmán  oirthir  Fhemin  germanus  Declain     Page  5 : — (xvi)  lo^  Novembris. 

Aodh  mac  Brie  epscop  6  chill  air  i  Mide  acus  ó  shliab  liag  i  dtir  Bogaine  i 

gcinél  Conaill  .  aois  Christ  an  tan  ro  faoidh  a  spirat  dochum  nime  588 

(xvii)  epscop  Aed  mac  Brie  meic  Chormaic  .m.  Chrimthainn  .m.  Fiachach 

.m.  Néill  náighiallaig    (xviii)  epscop  Aedh  mac  Muirchertaig  meic  Foirt- 

cheimn  .m.  Dicolla  .m.  Chrimthainn  .m.  Airmedaig  .m.  Senaig    .    .     .m. 

Rosa  rigfhota  .m.  Fiachrach  suidgi  .m.  Feidlimid  rechtmair  .m.  Tuathail 

techtmair      (xix)  geinelach  eoganachta  Chaisil.     Oengus  mac  Nathfraoich 

meic  Chuirc  .m.  Luigdech  .m.  Aililla  flainn  bic  .m.  Aililla  flainn  móir  .m. 

Fiachach  muillethain  .m.  Eogain  móir  .m.  Aililla  óloim  .m.  Eogain  taidlig 

diar  ba  ainm  mogh  Nuadat  ro  rainn  Eire  ra  Conn  cétchathach     Page  8 : — 

(xx)  A.D.  158.   an  chédbliadain  do  Chonaire  mac  mogha  Lama  i  rige  uas 

Eirinn     165.   iar  mbeith  ocht  mbliadna  i  rige  nEirenn  do  Chonaire  mac 

moga  Lama  torchair  la  Neimid  mac  Sruibginn.    tri  meic  laisan  gConaire 

isin  :  Coirbre  muse  6  ráiter  Múscraide  .  Cairpre  basehaein  ó  dtád  Baiseinn  i 

georca  Baiseinn  .  ocus  Cairpre  riata  ó  bfuilit  dál  Riata.    Saraid  ingen  Chuinn 

chédchathaig  máthair  na  maesa  Conaire  meic  moga  Lámha    (xxi)  geinelach 

Muscraige  tire.   Cairpre  muse  cut  nomen  Oengus  mac  Conaire  meic  moga 

Lama    .     .     .m.  Chonaire  móir  .m.  Etarscéli     .     .     .m.  Ir  .m.  Itha  .m. 

Brcogoin.   ic  Breogoin  condrecat  ocus  sil  mac  Miled  .i.  Eiber  ótát  eoganacht 

Muman  ocus  Eiremón  ótát  leth  Chuinn  ocus  Laigin.   da  mac  Itha  .i.  Lugaid 

ocus  Ir .  Lugaid  isindleith  thes  atá  maroen  is  Eiber  is  uad  atá  corco  Loeigde, 

Ir  imorro  issindleith  tuaid  foroen  ocus  Eiremón.  is  ó  Ir  atá  dál  Músca  ocus 


I.  xxii— xxix]  Text  of  Extracts.  457 

Baiscinn  ocus  Duibne  .  co  tarscenset  Mumain  in  amsir  mac  Aililla  óloim  .i. 
Coirpre  muse  mac  moga  Lámha  ocus  Ailill  bascháin  ala  nainm  do  dana 
Cairpre  macside  Oengusa  meic  moga  Lama  .  ciatberat  araile  betis  bráithir 
na  tri  Cairpri  acht  is  ó  aithrib  écsamlaib  rogenatar  .  is  inunn  imorro  a 
mbunad  for  ciil  ut  pradiximus.    atberat  araile  imorro  at  bráithir  Oengus 
muse  ocus  Ailill  bascháin  ocus  Eochaid  riatai  .i.  tri  meic  Chairpre  meic 
Chonaire  .m.  Meisi  buachalla    (xxii)  A.M.  3503.   an  dara  bliadain  do  rige 
Eiremóin  ós  Eirenn.   tomaidm  naoi  mBrosnach  .i.  aibhne  nEile  .  naoi  Righe 
.i.  aibne  Laigen  .  ocus  teora  nUinsionn  ua  nOiliolla  isin  bliadain  chédna 
Page  9 : — (xxiii)  geinelach  ua  Cennselaig.   cid  ar  an  apraiter  ui  Chennselaig 
do  shil  Labrada  laidig  meic  Bresail  belaig.   ni  annsa  .  cath  Cruachain  cloenta 
ro  memaid  re  Laignib  for  Eochaid  muigmedóin  rig  nEirenn  corragbad  and 
Cétnadach  fili  Echach  muigmedóin.   in  tan  iarum  bás  oca  anacul  tuas  forsna 
sciathaib  na  fer  is  ann  tánic  Enna  sin  cath  co  tard  gai  i  Cétnadach  ocus  co 
ro  thib  Enna  .  conid  ann  asbert  Cétnadach  :  is  salach  in  gen  sin  a  Ennai  ocus 
bid  €  th'ainm  co  bráth  Enna  gen  salach  .  unde  ui  Ghenselaig    .     .     .    ocht 
meic  tra  Enna  genselach  :  Crimthann  ocus  Feidlimid  .  Eocho  .  Ere  .  Trien. 
Conall .  Coirpre.   is  é  Crimthann  ro  chreit  do  Pátraic  irráith  bilig  ocus  fáca 
Pátraic  bennachtain  fair  co  bráth    .    .    .    Eithne  uathach  ingen  Crimthainn 
ben  Oengusa  meic  Nadfráich  máthair  Bresail  ocus  Senaig  da  mac  Oengusa 
.m.  Nadfráich  rig  Muman.   is  í  indEithnesi  ocus  Oengus  a  fer  do  dechatar 
la  Ú  Cennselaig  do  chosnam  rigi  Laigen  fri  Illainn  mac  nDúnlainge  [meic 
Enna  niadh  bráthar  athar  d'Enna  chennselach]  .  dolluid  dana  Illann  ocus 
Muirchertach  mac  Erca  co  tuaisciurt  Eirenn  leis  in  agaid  fer  Muman  ocus 
ua  Cennselaig  co  comráncatar  i  cath  chinn  losnada  immaig  Fea  .i.  losnad 
muice  meic  Da  thó  ro  rannad  ann  co  torchratar  ann  Eithne  ocus  Oengus  a 
fer  ocus  ar  intsluaig  olchena.    Meld  ocus  Beloc  ocus  Cinniu  teora  ingena 
Ernbrainn  de  na  Déisib  tri  mná  Chrimthainn  meic  Ennde    .     .     .     Cinniu 
imorro  ni  ro  thechtside  do  chlaind  acht  oeningen  .i.  Eithne  uathach  .  is  aire 
imorro  dogairthe  uathach  disidc  uair  feoil  lenam  dobeirthe  di  combad  luai- 
thide  na  fhoirbred  co  tabraitis  na  lenaim  fuath  di.   is  aire  imorro  dobeirthe 
di  feoil  lenam  combad  luathaide  no  fhoirbred  uair  atrubratar  a  fáidi  risna 
Déisib  .i.  frisin  lucht  rosail  combad  ina  tinnscra  fogébdis  ferann      (xxiv) 
A.D.  527.   iar  mbeith  cheithre  bliadna  fichet  i  rige  nEirenn  do  Muirchertach 
mac  Muiredaig  meic  Eogain  .m.  Néill  naoighiallaigh  ro  loiscedh  i  dtigh 
Chleitigh  uas  Bóinn  oidche  shamna  iarna  bháthadh  i  bfion      Page  i  i  : — 
(xxv)  I  lo  Augusti,   Liadain  fedhb  máthair  Chiaráin  saighri  acus  cédbhanabb 
naomhógh  Eirenn     (xxvi)  Odrán  maigistir  illetrachaib  in  liib  Daigri  ocus 
Medrán  saigri  da  mac  Meiccraith  meic  Throchaill  .m.  Esamain  daigre  .m. 
Nuadat  nemnich  a  caille  chinn  Fhebrat       (xxvii)   a.   2^  Octobris  Odhrán 
leitrech  .  acus  is  eiside  Odrán  maighistir  atá  do  shliocht  Chonaire  [chaoim] 
meic  moga  Lámha  acus  derbbhráthair  do  Medhrán  etcet.    is  é  Odran  ba 
maigistir  acus  mac  Cuilinn  <5  Lusca  do  innis  do  Chiarán  chluana  a  shaogal 
do  thimdibe     b,  260  Novembris.    Odran  ó  leitrechaib  Odráin  i  Múscraige 
thíre    c.  6^  Juiii  Medhrán  .  gomad  é  so  Medrán  saigre  atá  ar  sliocht  Chon- 
aire mic  mogha  Lámha  airdrig  Eirenn  atá  do  shiol  Itha  meic  Bhreogoin 
(xxviii)  Ciarán  mac  in  tsaeir  i  cluain  mac  Nóis  .  Ciarán  mac  Luaigne  ocus 
Carthach  i  Saigir    (xxix)  50  Martis  Carthach  epscop  dalta  Chiaráin  tsaigre. 
ba  dia  bhailtib  druim  fertáin  acus  i  gCairbre  ua  gCiardha  atá  druim  Fertáin. 


458  Text  of  Ex/racís.  [ii.  i— vi 

acus  is  kis  inis  uachtair  for  loch  Silenn  acus  cill  Chartbaig  i  dtfr  Boghaine  i 
gcenil  Chonaill.  mac  d'Aongus  mac  Nadfraoich  sin  Mumain  eisium  Page 
15: — (xxx)  a.  BaeiChine  mac  Finnaig  meic  Echdach  .m.  Batrr.tn.  Chairthinn 
gut  et  saeirbile  dicitur  .xa.  Chormaic  .m.  Luigne  .m.  Eogain  .m.  Ghuaire 
.m.  Eire  .m.  Bacain  .m.  Lugdach  loigsi  .m.  Loigsig  chennmóir  .m.  Chonaill 
chemaig  b.  22"  Mali.  BaoithCn  mac  Finn^g  6  Ínls  Baoiihrn  in  oirther  Laigen 
do  shiiocht  Laoigsig  lennmhóir  meic  Chonaill  chemaig  do.  Trea  ingen  Rónáin 
meic  Cholmáin  .m.  Choirpre  ingen  rig  Laigen  a  mbdthair  Page  16 :— (looti) 
t3<>  Decimbris.  Finnén  duana  Eraird  isin  Mide  saoi  egna  acus  aide  naom 
Eirenn  ina  aímsir  do  shiiocht  Cheltchair  meic  Uithechair  atá  .  do  shiiocht 
Ir  meic  Mfled  espáine  d<5.  adeir  seinlebar  ro  aosda  mcnuaim  ina  bfWih 
martarlaic  Maoilniain  tamlachta  acus  comanmanna  na  naom  go  raibe  Finnén 
cosmail  i  mb^saib  acus  I  mbethaid  re  P61  apstal 

II.  Page  17:— (i)  Molaise  apstal  mac  Nadfráich  meic  Barxáin  ,m.  Chon- 
brain  -m.  Duailsen  .m.  Dega  .m.  Chruinn  badrúi  .m.  Echach  cobai  .m. 
Lugdach  .m.  Rosa  .m.  Imchada  .m.  Feidlimthe  .m.  Chais  ,m.  Fiachach 
araide  [a  quo  da!  nAraide]  .  .  -m.  Iriéil  ghlúnmair  .m.  Chonaill  chemaig 
(ii)  12"  Septembris.  Molaise  mac  Nadfraoich  abb  Daiminsi  do  shfol  Iréil 
meic  Chonaill  chemaig  do  .  Monua  ainm  a  mháihar  do  réir  a  bheihad  féin 
c.  5-  adeir  Cuimfn  coindeire  isin  dan  darab  tiis  :  carais  Pátraic  puirl  Macba 
go  raibe  grád  ag  Motaise  beith  i  gcarcair  chloiche  acus  fós  tech  naoighed  do 
beilh  aige  fó  chomair  gach  aoin  d'Eirinn  .  ag  so  mar  adeir  :  carais  Molaise 
an  locha  .  .  .  adeir  beiha  Chiaráin  chluana  c.  47  gurab  do  na  hocht 
nórdaib  do  bhi  in  Eirinn  órd  Molaise  .  gidedh  do  b'féidir  gurab  d'aon  cile  do 
na  comanmannaib  labrus.  iar  bforba  30  bliadan  do  chuaid  dochum  nime 
A.D.  563.  ar  an  gciiigedh  la  dég  do'n  mhtsi  féin  coimédtar  fdil  acus  saoire 
Molaise  agá  phorráisde  acus  thermann  fdin  i  mbelach  M'ithéÍii  juxfa/rairem 
Michén  b.  ffl/anuarii  Muadhnat  dgh  .  caille  ainm  a  baile  Í  gCairbre  droma 
cliabh  .  TaluUa  banabb  cille  dara  .  Osnat  ógh  .  trf  derbsethracha  do  Mholaise 
daiminsi  an  triur  sin  (iii)  a.  A.D.  1070.  Ailill  O  hAirretaich  ardchomarbii 
Chiaráin  chluana  mac  Nóis  d'ég  ina  oilithrc  i  gcluain  Iraird  .  do  chorea 
Raidhe  cenéi  Aililla  b.  1 185.  Maoliosa  O  Dálaigh  ollam  Eirenn  acus  Alban 
ardtaoisech  corca  Raidhe  ocus  corca  Adain  saoi  oirderc  ar  dhán  ar  einech 
ocus  ar  uaisli  do  eg  i  gcluain  Iraird  oca  oililhre  Page  20:  -(iv)  A.D.  664. 
mortladh  adbal  do  beith  in  nEirinn  in  bliadainsi  da  ngoirthf  an  buide  chon- 
naill  ocus  do  écsat  in  drong  so  do  naomaib  Eirenn  di  :  Féichfn  abb  Fobair 
14*  Februarii.  Rónán  mac  Bcraig  .  Ailcrán  indegtia  .  Crónán  mac  Silnc. 
Manchán  teithe  .  Ultdn  mac  úi  Chunga  abb  cluana  Iraird  .  Colmán  cas 
cluana  mic  N<Sis  ocus  Cuimminc  abb  cluana  mic  Nóis.  iar  mbeith  ocht 
mbliadna  Í  ríge  nEirenn  do  Diarmait  ocus  Blathmac  da  mac  Aoda  sláine 
atbaihatar  do'n  mortlaid  ch^tna  .  ro  tathaimset  beos  Maolbresail  mac  Maeili- 
dúin  ocus  Cii  gan  máthair  rf  Muman  .  Aongus  uladh.  atbailset  ilimat  d'eglais 
ocus  do  tuaith  in  Eirinn  do'n  mortlaid  isin  cenmotátside.  dithgréin  an  tres 
la  do  Maoi  (v)  Féichine  fabair  mac  Cuilchama  meic  Chillini  .m.  Chillini 
.m.  Chail  .m.  Aeda  .m.  Saini  .m.  AÍrt  chirb  .m.  Niadhcorb  .m.  Chonpaic 
m<3ir  .m.  Echach  finn  fuathairt  .m.  Feidlimid  rechtmair  -m.  Tuathail  techt- 
mair  (y\)  zcfi /anuarii.  Féichln  abb  Fobhair  ó  baile  Fobair  isin  Mide  A.D. 
664.  is  é  Féichin  fobair  fós  do  bendaig  in  lomaig  .  i .  oilén  ina  bfuil  eglas  ag 
Féichín  in  iarthar  Chonnacht  i  ndiithaig  (  Fhlaithbertaig  do  réir  mar  as  Ibllus 


II.  vii— xii]  Text  of  Extracts.  459 

ina  bethaid  féin  ina  léghtar  ferta  acus  mirbala  imda  .  do  shiiocht  Eochada 
finn  fuathairt  ó  bfiiil  Brigit  do  som  do  réir  na  duaine  :  naomshenchas  naom 
insi  Fail,  adeir  Cuimin  coindeire  isin  dan  darab  tus  :  carais  Pátraic  .  .  . 
nach  gcuiredh  Féichín  édach  etir  a  thaob  no  a  asnach  acus  an  leba  no  an 
charcair  ina  luigedh.  adeir  senlebar  ró-aosda  memraim  go  raibe  Féichín 
fobair  cosmail  i  mbésaib  acus  i  mbethaid  re  hAntóin  manach  (vii)  290  De- 
cembris,  Eirerán  fer  leighinn  chluana  Eraird  Page  24: — \^^  Novembrts 
Finnchad  chille  Forga  .  mesaim  gurab  é  so  espoc  Finnchad  ó  chill  Arga  i 
mBréifne  noch  do  thaimgir  Molaise  amail  tuicter  i  mbethaid  Molaise  c.  18 
Page  25: — (viii)  a,  Ninnid  láimidan  mac  Echdach  meic  Ellainn  .m.  Aeda 
.m.  Loegaire  .m.  NéiU  náigiallaig  .m.  Echdach  muigmedóin  .  siur  do  Cere 
ingen  Echdach  b,  Ninnid  apstal  mac  Fergusa  meic  Chóimeic  .m.  Enna 
.m.  Néill  náigiallaig  (ix)  \Z^  Januarii.  Ninnid  epscop  for  loch  Eime  acus 
ro  b'éside  Ninnid  saobruisc.  do  shiiocht  Enda  meic  Néill  do  .  is  de  do  goirthi 
Ninnid  láimidhan  go  bfios  dam  .  féch  betha  Brigde  c.  41.  adeir  an  lebar 
immun  gurab  é  Ninnid  mac  Echdach  Ninnid  láimidan  (x)  a,  Colum  apstol 
tire  da  glas  mac  Nainneda  meic  Nastair  .m.  Chrimthainn  bic  .m.  Echach 
.m.  Oengusa  .m.  Chrimthainn  móir  .m.  Chathaoir  móir  b.  13®  Decembris, 
Colum  tire  da  glas  mac  Ninnedha  do  shiiocht  Chathaoir  móir  rí  Eirenn  atá 
ar  sliocht  Labrada  luirc  meic  Ugaine  móir  etc,  acus  Minchloth  deirbshiur  do 
Chaeimill  ingin  Cheinnfionnáin  meic  Cheisi  .m.  Lugair  a  mháthair.  is  do 
ghoirios  Aongus  [céile  dé]  Colum  mac  Crimthainn  acus  da  ngoirid  ugdair 
eile  mac  úi  Chremthannáin.  is  é  tug  sacarfaic  do  Finnén  chluana  Eraird 
acus  ba  deiscipul  somh  do  Finnén.  Mocaoimhe  tire  da  ghlas  acus  Odrán 
rug  a  thaisi  go  hinis  Celtra  amail  do  thaimgir  Ciarán  saigre  ina  bhethaid  féin 
c.  6  acus  amail  do  thairngir  Mocaomóg  an  tan  do  bhi  sé  ag  baistedh  Odráin. 
féch  Odrán  2°  October  (xi)  cu  Cainnech  mac  Leintich  meic  Luigdech  .m. 
Aeda  álainn  .m.  Fidchuire  .m.  Altae  .m.  Ogamuin  .m.  Fidchuiri  .m. 
Delmnae  etc,  sicut  in  genelogia  Brendini  [apostoli  filii  Finloga  i.e,  Delmnai 
.m.  Ennae  .m.  Fualascaig  .m.  Astamain  .m.  nioga  Aeda  qui dicitur zx^ct  ,m.. 
Fergusa  .m.  Rosa  .m.  Rudraide]  b,  \\^  Octobris.  Cainnech  abb  do  shiiocht 
Chéir  meic  Fergusa  .m.  Rosa  .m.  Rudraidhe  do  .  Achadh  bo  a  phrimchell 
acus  atá  reigles  aige  i  gcill  rigmanadh  in  Albain.  adeir  senlebar  ro-aosda 
memraim  go  raibe  Cainnech  cosmail  i  mbésaib  acus  i  mbethaid  re  Pilip 
apstol .  acus  ni  fhaghaim  suaithniugad  ar  bith  ar  an  gCainnech  ar  a  dtugadh 
an  tuarasgabáil  sin  .  acus  munab  é  so  é  iarraim  párdún  ar  an  naom  ar  a 
dtugadh  ma  atu  ag  dénamh  ainbfis  in  aimriocht.  is  minic  labrus  Colum  cilli 
ar  Chainnech  ina  bhethaid  acus  is  cosmail  gurab  é  an  Cainnech  do  bi  i 
gCiannachta  ar  a  labrann  .  84  a  aeis  an  tan  ro  fhaeidh  a  spirat  dochum  nime 
A.D.  598.  acus  dar  lat  do  réir  an  roinnsi  is  é  ro  baoi  i  gCiaQnachta  glinne 
Geimin  i  nUlltaib  :  a  Chainnig  na  cána  .  ni  doinnimh  a  ndéna  .  in  achad  bo 
at  beoda  .  m<5  isa  mo  do  sgéla  .  i  gCiannacht  atchuala  .  do  dhiadacht  do 
sgéla.  ag  so  fós  mar  adeir  Cuimin  coindire  isin  dan  .i.  carais  Pátraic  .  .  . : 
carais  Cainnech  an  chrábaid  .  beith  in  dithreib  chruaid  chrannaig  í  ni  biodh 
sigá  ghoire  .  acht  mad  na  hoighe  allaid.  atád  trí  Cainnig  eile  ann  acus  ni  fes 
duinn  cia  diob  ar  a  tugtar  an  tuarasgabáilsi  (xii)  a,  epscop  mac  Cairthinn 
mac  Cainnig  meic  Feidlimthi  .m.  Echach  .m.  Chlothchon  .m.  Aireda  .m. 
Maileda  .m.  Bresail  .m.  Briuin  b,  150  Septembris.  Aedh  epscop  .i.  epscop 
mac  Cairthinn  ó  Chlochar  .  acus  fer  da  chrioch  ainm  oile  do  an  tan  rob  abb 


46o  Text  of  Extracts.  [ii.  xiii— xvi 

Dairinsi  6  thus  é  amail  tuigter  as  na  rannaibsi :  Aedh  ba  he  a  ainm  .  .  . 
espoc  mac  Cairthinn  is  é  ba  tréinfher  do  Phátraic  acus  do  biodh  agá  iomchur 
tar  gach  ionad  aimréid.  dogeibter  geinelach  Aedha  espuig  mic  Chairthinn  ó 
Chlochar  co  hEochaid  mac  Muireda  acus  ó  Eochaid  go  hEiremón  c,  6°  Oc- 
tobris  Aedh  .  acus  gomad  é  so  espoc  mac  Carthainn  ó  Chlochar  .i.  tréinfer 
Pátraic.  ar  sliocht  Echdach  mic  Muireda  atá  do  shiol  Eiremóin  dosomh  .  no 
gomad  é  Aodh  mac  Aodha  atá  do  shliocht  Fiachrach  mic  Echdach  muigm- 
edóin  do  beith  ar  an  la  so  (xiii)  190  Augtisti,  Mochta  epscop  Lughmaig  tri 
céd  bliadan  a  aois  an  tan  do  chuaid  dochum  nime  A.D.  534.  acus  ni  dhubairt 
briathar  bréige  no  aineolach  acus  nir  ith  greim  méith  no  ina  mbeith  sugh 
sésúir  an  fad  sin  .  gonad  aire  sin  tugad  an  tuarasgbáilsi  air  acus  fós  agá 
fhoillsiugad  go  rabatar  tri  fichid  senóir  ina  thegh  no  nach  dcnadh  saothar  ar 
bith  acht  ag  rádh  psalm  acus  emaighte  :  fiacail  Mochta  fa  maith  bés  .  tri 
chéd  bliadan  buan  an  cios  í  gan  guth  niomruill  seiche  suas  .  gan  mir  nion- 
muir  seiche  suas.  tri  fichit  senóir  psalmach  .  a  theglach  rigda  réimenn  í  gan 
ar  gan  buain  gan  tioradh  .  gan  gniomradh  acht  mad  léigenn.  fer  tri  fichet 
fer  tri  cét .  arco  fuin  is  scin  in  dét  í  ni  mó  cion  ógán  fó  ghail .  i  faithfide  an 
senfiacail.  adeir  Cuimin  coindeire  isin  dan  darab  tus  :  carais  Pátraic  .  .  . 
gurab  céd  bliadan  do  bi  Mochta  gan  greim  do  annlann  no  do  ni  méith  do 
ithe  .  ag  so  mar  adeir  :  carais  mo  Mochta  lughmaig  .  tré  recht  acus  tré 
riagail  Í  gan  mir  nannlainn  ina  chorp  .  na  bhocht  fri  re  céd  bliadain.  do 
thaimgir  an  Mochta  so  Coluim  cille  200  bliadan  riana  ghein  (xiv)  a.  Tiger- 
nach  epscop  cluana  Eois  mac  Coirpre  meic  Fergusa  .m.  Ennai  .m.  Labrada 
.m.  Brioin  .m.  Echach  .m.  Dáire  barraig  .m.  Chathaeir  móir  b,  Tigernach 
epscop  cluana  Eoais  mac  Coirpre  meic  Fergusa  .m.  Enna  .m.  Lacbáin  .m. 
Brain  .m.  Dáire  barraig  .m.  Chathaeir  móir  c.  40  Aprilts,  Tigernach  epscop 
cluana  Eoais  i  bferaib  manach  no  gomad  etir  feraib  manach  ocus  Oirgialla 
atá  cluain  Eoais.  do  shliocht  Chathaoir  móir  airdri  Eirenn  do  Laignib  do 
Tigernach  .  Derfraoich  ingen  Echdach  mic  Chrimthainn  ri  Airgiall  a  mhá- 
thair.  A.D.  548  (xv)  a,  Bécán  cluana  aird  mac  Murchada  meic  Muiredaig 
.m.  Diarmata  .m.  Eogain  .m.  Oililla  óluim  b.  50  Aprilts,  Bécán  mac  Cula 
in  imlech  Fiaich  i  feraib  ciil  Bregh  gomad  do  shiol  Eogain  móir  meic  Oililla 
óluim  do.  an  tan  táinig  Coluim  cille  acus  ri  Eirenn  Diarmait  mac  Fergusa 
cerrbeoil  iar  marbad  Bresail  a  meic  mar  a  raibe  Bécán  is  amlaid  fuaradar  é 
ag  tógbáil  chaisil  acus  brat  fliuch  imc  acus  é  ag  emaigthe  go  madh  aire  sin 
adubradh  :  gniomh  caisil  [is]  croisfígill .  sléchtain  imaigte  idan  *  a  déra  uadh 
gan  étáil  .  buaid  Bécáin  gan  chuid  chionad.  lam  i  cloich  1dm  ináirde  .  glún 
fillte  fri  coir  cairrge  í  súil  ag  siledh  dér  caidh  aile  .  acus  bél  ag  emaigte.  ro 
féch  Bécán  tairis  acus  ódchonnairc  Diarmait :  fó'n  talmain  a  fhinghalaig  ar 
sé  acus  do  chuaid  gonuige  a  ghlúine  fó'n  talmain.  ar  mo  chomairce  táinig 
chugat  ar  Colum  cille  do  thodiuscad  a  mic  do.  ro  thoduisig  Bécán  Bresal 
mac  an  rig  ó  marbaib  Page  29: — (xvi)  a.  Moedóc  fema  mac  Setnai  meic 
Eire  .m.  Feradaig  .m.  Amalgjida  .m.  Muiredaig  .m.  Cholla  uais  b.  Moedóc 
mac  Setna  meic  Eire  .m.  Fheradaig  .m.  Amalgada  .m.  Mhuiredaig  .m. 
Chártainn  .m.  Eire  .m.  Echdach  .m.  Cholla  uais  c.  ^i^  Januarit,  Maedh^g 
epscop  Ferna  Aedh  a  chédainm  do  shiol  Cholla  uais  airdrig  Eirenn  do. 
Eithne  ainm  a  mháthar  do  shiol  Amalgadha  meic  Fiachrach  .m.  Echdach 
muigmedóin.  ba  dia  chédfertaib  an  lee  for  a  rugadh  da  bhaistedh  é  no 
bítís  each  agá  nimlochtadh  uirre  amach  acus  istech  amail  gach  narthrach 


II.  xvii,  xviii]  Text  of  Extracts.  46 1 

aile  gusan  oilén  bói  ar  in  loch  for  a  rugadh  é .  ba  dia  fhiortaib  fós  bacán 
siuil  banfigidh  bói  illáim  Eithne  máthair  Maedóg  agá  breith  baoi  ina  mhaide 
feoidhighte  chruaid  chuill  do  infhás  fó  dhuille  acus  dagbláth  acus  dagthorad 
ina  dhegaid  acus  is  marthanach  fós  an  coll  sin  ina  chrann  úr  gan  urchra  gan 
chrionad  fó  chnóib  gacha  bliadna  in  inis  brechmaige  etc,  A.D.  624  an  tan  ro 
faoidh  a  spiral  dochum  nime.  adeir  senlebar  r<5-aosda  memraim  go  raibe 
Maodóg  ferna  cosmail  i  mbésaib  acus  i  mbethaid  re  Cornelius  papa    Page 
32 : — (xvii)  craebh  coibnesa  fer  mBréifne  ann  so  sis.    Fergus  mac  Muiredaig 
mail  meic  Eogain  sreim  .m.  Duach  galaig  .m.  Briain  .m.  Echdach  muig- 
medóin  trí  meic  lais  .i.  Eochaid  tirmchama  sen  sil  Muiredaig .  acus  Duach 
tenga  umha  sen  clainne  Choscraig  acus  muintiri  Murchada  .  Fergna  in  tres 
mac  sen  ua  m Bruin  (xviii)  na  hAirgialla  imorro  ité  ata  nessom  d'liib  Néill 
aithli  Connacht.    Fiacha  sroptine  mac  Corpri  liphechair  is  é  senathair  ú 
NéiU  ocus  Airgiall  .i.  Muiredach  tirech  mac  Fiachach  sroptine  is  uad  ú 
Néill .  Eocho  domlén  imorro  mac  Corpri  liphechair  sen  Airgiall.   bátar  trí 
meic  oca  [Eocho]  .i.  na  tri  Colla  .  is  uadib  atát  ú  meic  Uais  ocus  ú  Criihthainn 
ocus  Mugdornai  ocus  Airgialla.   Fiacha  sroptine  didiu  ocus  Eocho  domlén 
dá  mac  Carpri  liphechair.   is  for  Fiacha  tra  ro  imriset  tri  meic  a  bráthar  .i. 
na  tri  Colla  in  fingail  conid  Í  indfhingal  sain  ro  scar  rfge  Eirenn  fri  claind 
Echdach  domlén.   is  amlaid  so  imorro  forcoemnacar  indfhingal  .i.  ba  ri  i 
Temair  in  Fiacha  sroptine  amail  atrubramar  .  bái  mac  amra  aice  .i.  Muire- 
dach tirech.   is  é  ba  tuarcnid  flatha  la  Fiacha  .  uair  ba  hórd  issindamsir  sin 
na  téiged  in  ri  féin  issin  cath  acht  a  thuargnid  flatha  dia  raith.   luid  ianim 
Muiredach  tirech  fecht  ann  do  raith  a  athar  co   sluagaib  móraib  imme 
imMumain  co  tartsat  fir  Muman  cath  do  .  mebaid  remi  ocus  dobert  giallu 
Muman.  bái  Fiachu  sroptine  ifoss  colléic  in  duib  chommair  fri  Taltin  aness. 
sluag  dana  laiside  issin  dunud  imbái.   sluag  aile  dana  la  tri  maccu  a  bráthar 
lasna  tri  Colla  i  telaig  .  acht  ba  la  Fiacha  tra  bátar  uile.   in  tan  iarum  tánic 
fis  seel  .i.  mebsain  ria  Muredach  issed  bái  imbélaib  each  Muredach  tirech  is 
é  adbar  rig  Eirenn.   is  ann  sin  atbertatar  na  tri  Colla  :  cid  dogénam  .  ro  gab 
flaith  ri  Fiacha  .  sed  asbeir  each  dana  bid  €  a  mac  bas  ri  na  diaid  .  issed  as 
maith  dun  tabram  cath  do'n  tsenrigse  ocus  techfid  in  sluagsa  immuinn  ocus 
ticfat  chucainn  riasiu  ti  Muredach  ocus  dobéram  cath  dosaide  acht  co  ti. 
tiagair  uadib  co  Fiacha  co  bráthair  anathar  assin  telaig  inaraile  .  fuacarth.air 
cath  fair  uadib  .i.  ó  maccaib  a  bráthar.   bói  drúi  la  Fiachaid  .  Dub  commair 
a  ainm  .  atbertsede  ra  Fiacha  connicimse  duit  maidm  remut  acht  ata  so  de. 
mad  romut  máis  dogéna  fhingail  for  maccaib  do  bráthar  .  bat  ri  féin  iarum 
ocus  ni  ba  ri  ncch  dit  chlaind  co  bráth.   mad  fort  máides  dogéntar  fingal  fort 
ocus  is  uait  II  bias  flaith  for  Eirinn  co  bráth  ocus  ni  bia  ó  na  tri  Collaib  flaith 
CO  bráth.   toga  de  sin  ol  in  driii.   asbert  Fiacha  :  maidm  forom  ocus  rige  dom 
shiol.   toethusa  dana  it  arrad  ol  in  driii  ocus  bid  é  m'ainmse  bias  forsin  cath 
do  grés.    cath  Duib  chommair  is  é  ainm  in  chatha  sin.    marbthar  iarum 
Fiacha  issin  chath  .  lotar  iarum  na  Colla  tri  chét  in  Albain  for  teched  ria 
Muredach  .  gabaidside  rige  nEirenn.   dobert  ri  Alban  grádugud  mór  do  na 
Collaib  ar  a  laechdacht  .  bátar  tri  bliadna  in  Alban  .  imrádit  tuidecht  in 
Eirinn  condernad  Muiredach  fingal  forro  ocus  co  ructhá  dib  intaire  rombói 
forro  .i.  indfhingal   doUotar  a  triur  na  tri  Collai  cen  choin  cen  gilla  combátar 
i  Temraig  .  asbert  in  dorsaid  fri  Muredach  :  atát  na  tri  Colla  forsindf  haidchi. 
cid  dogéntar  friu.   oslaic  in  les  ol  Muredach  dus  cid  dogénat.  dollotar  a  triur 


462  Text  of  Extracts.  [ii.  «x,  xx 

combátar  ar  lár  indrígthige  i  Temraig  .  in  filet  scéla  lib  ol  Muredach  .  friscart 
fer  dib  :  ni  fhilet  scéla  bud  ansu  duitsiu  andás  andernsamni  .i.  guin  t'athar. 
adfetamami  chena  na  scéla  fsein.  ni  do  digde  em  táncamarni  ar  na  Colla. 
is  cumma  duib  ol  Muredach  ni  digéltar  foraib  .  mas  da  bar  nguin  do  dech- 
abair  ni  ricfa  n( .  in  taire  ro  gabsabair  ni  dingébsa  dib.  is  airbere  maith  sin 
do  drochlaech  ar  na  Colla.  atbert  Muredach  :  na  bid  garbad  foraibsi  ocus 
robarbia  fáilte  ocus  cennsa.  ocus  bátar  iar  sin  re  m6r  indegbráthirsi  ocus  is 
iat  bátar  tuarcnide  catha  la  Muiredach  tirech  na  tri  Colla  ocus  ba  mór  ind- 
imseirc  b6i  eturru  ocus  in  rig.  asbert  Muredach  iar  sain  risna  Collu  :  atchiu 
ro  gabsat  ililtniugud  .  bés  ni  bat  córai  diar  néis  .  scuchad  each  ó  chéili  uan 
ocus  geibid  imm  aimsirsc  oenna  tire,  asbertatar  na  Collui :  cá  tir  as  assu  Iat 
do  thabairt  dunai  dit  chumachtu  condernam  tir  claidib  de  .  ar  ni  bátar  óic 
bad  fherr  indát  na  Collai.  atbert  Muredach  :  érgid  for  Ultu  nidat  gora  dun. 
fianlaech  mór  i  suidiu  do  na  Collaib.  lótar  iar  sain  na  Collai  co  firu  Olné- 
cmacht  comtar  daltai  dóib  ocus  condagabsat .  dollotar  iar  sain  fir  Olnécm- 
acht  secht  catha  leo  combátar  la  Ultu  oc  cam  achaid  lethdeirg  i  femmaig. 
ferait  secht  catha  ó'n  earn  sin  fri  Ultu  .  cath  cacha  lái  co  cenn  sechtmaine. 
sé  catha  ó  fheraib  Olnécmacht  ocus  in  sechtmad  cath  lasna  Colla.  no  maided 
for  Ulto  each  oen  la  .  cath  na  Colla  in  la  dédenach  .  ni  collad  bag  i  suidiu. 
geibthe  in  cath  samlá  ocus  samadaig  co  tánic  femu  fuil .  atá  i  fail  in  chaim 
coll  [na  nothar].  ||  máidid  iar  sain  for  Ulto  i  tossuch  in  dara  lathe  .  téit 
animguin  co  glenn  Rige.  sechtmain  dóib  iar  sain  ic  slaide  Ulad  .  condemad 
tir  chlaidib  do'n  tir  itát  Mugdornai  ocus  ú  Crimthainni  ocus  cosna  hAirtheraib 
ocus  Ú  mac  Uais.  is  é  leth  Chuinn  ú  Néill  in  deiscirt  ocus  ú  Néill  in  tuaiscirt 
ocus  teora  Connachta  ocus  Airgialla  ocus  araile  (xix)  Cairbre  lifeachair  .i. 
ar  a  méd  ro  char  Life  .  no  is  Life  a  máthair  .  no  is  a  Lifi  ronalt  Cairbre. 
dianebairt  in  file  :  tri  meic  da  chlainn  gan  chur  de  .  ac  Cairbri  do  char  Life  í 
Fiacha  sroibtine  na  sen  .  Eochaid  is  Eochaid  doimlén.  Colla  oss  ronalt  oss 
sedguine  .  a  quo  ú  mac  Uais  ocus  úi  Thuirtri.  Colla  menn  ótát  Mugdornai 
ronalt  Mennet  chruithnech  ocus  Mugdomdub  de  Ultaib  .  Mennet  dana  ótá 
dál  Mennet  la  Mugdomaib  \sed  Mugdom  unde  ortus  ignoratus  acht  is  do 
Ulltaib  doberar].  Colla  fochrich  no  fochri  no  ochre  mac  Echach  doimlén. 
ocus  Elige  ben  Chrinden  cherda  toirrchis  Eochu  do  chionn  a  céile  combreth 
Colla  de  ocus  conceit  si  ar  a  céli  ocus  báiseom  for  altrom  co  cenn  .xx. 
mbliadan.  asrin  Eochu  doimlén  caecait  bo  di  for  a  altromsom  fri  Crinainn 
ar  réir  Chormaic  úi  Chuinn  ar  is  each  fuiche  a  mac  mani  chreder  de  conid 
de  as  Chonnla  fochrith  a  ainm.  no  Colla  fo  chridaig  .i.  dobered  a  mháthair 
criaid  f6  chnáma  dia  diamlugud  etir  maccu  na  cerdda  .  no  Connla  ochrae  .i. 
Ochrae  ainm  indaite  rodnalt.  is  ó*n  Cholla  sain  atát  ú  Crímthannáin  ocus  in 
tairther  ocus  ú  Méith  (xx)  a,  Collaidh  .i.  colaighe  iarsan  ni  ro  marbsat 
Fiacha  sroibtine.  Colla  oss  .i.  Cairell  .i.  oss  ar  a  luaithi .  no  is  i  oss  seguine 
ronalt .  no  oss  .i.  seguinech  é  .i.  oiss  alta  ro  geoghnadh  nam  segh  agh  nallaid 
dicitur .  no  Colla  uais  ar  a  uaisli  ar  is  é  ro  gab  righi  nEirenn  seach  na  Collu 
eili.  Colla  meann  .i.  Aedh  .i.  Mennad  chruithncach  ronalt .  no  dana  guide 
ro  boi  ann  is  de  dobcirthea.  Colla  fochrich  .  Muiredhach  .i.  fo  Chrinneann 
cerda  dorindi  Eochaid  fri  hOiligh  é  .i.  ingen  righ  Alban  .no  fochri  .i.  fo 
chriaidh  .i.  ere  dobeiredh  ben  in  cherda  imme  dia  diamrugud  .  no  Ochrae 
ainm  na  haidi  an  ronalt .  no  Connla  forcraidh  ar  liter  fair  ben  Chrindenn 
cerda  b,  Cairbre  lifechair  tra  tri  meic  lais  .i.  Fiacha  sraibhtine  dia  fuil  Eocho 


II.  xxi— xxiv]  Text  of  Extracts.  463 

muigmedóin  gona  sliocht  .  ocus  Eocho  daimlén  ocus  Eochaid.  dibaid  in 
darna  Eochaid  .  Eocho  doimlén  dono  trf  meic  leis  amail  asbert  in  filid  :  tri 
meic  Echach  ard  a  mblad  .  na  tri  Colla  adchualabar  í  Colla  menn  Colla  fo 
tri .  is  Colla  uais  in  tairdri.  is  eol  dam  anmanna  in  trfr  .  résiu  ro  marbsat  in 
rig  Í  ina  thir  tuiredach  thall .  Aedh  Muiredach  is  Cairell.  Cairell  Colla  uais 
in  ri .  Muiredach  Colla  fo  tri  í  Aedh  Colla  menn  mór  a  blad  .  trén  re  gach 
tenn  in  triarar.  tri  meic  Chairpri  nocho  chél .  Eocho  is  Eochaid  doimlén  í 
Fiacha  sraibtine  co  rath .  ro  marbsat  tri  meic  Echach  Page  34 : — (xxi)  a,  En- 
án  droma  rathe  mac  Eirne  meic  Chaelchruid  .m.  Aeda  sláine  .m.  Diarmata 
.m.  Fergusa  cherrbeoil  .m.  Chonaill  chremthainne  .m.  Néill  náigiallaig  .m. 
Echdach  muigmedóin  b.  19®  Augusti,  Enán  droma  raithe  in  iarthar  Mide 
do  shliocht  Echdach  finn  fuathairt  meic  Feidlimid  rechtmair  .m.  Tuathail 
techtmair  ó  bfuil  Brigit  dosomh  (xxii)  a,  cruimther  Fraech  chluana  chonmaic- 
ne  mac  Carthaig  meic  Nethe  .m.  Onchon  .m.  Finnloga  .m.  Findir.m.  Chus- 
craid  .m.  Meicchecht  .m.  Eire  .  .  .m.  Luigdech  chonmaic  .m.  Fhoirbsen 
móir  .  .  .m.  Chasalaig  .m.  Mochtai  .m.  Mesomain  .m.  moga  Dit  [^t/i 
et  Conmac  mac  Fergusa  et  Medba]  b,  20*>  Decembris,  cruimther  Fraoch  ó 
chluain  Chollaing  i  niuintir  Eolais  do  shliocht  Chonmaic  meic  Fergusa  .m. 
Rosa  .m.  Rudraige  do  c,  i^^  Februarii,  Berach  abb cluana  coirpthe  i  gConn- 
achtaib  Fionmaith  deirbshiur  do  chruimther  Fraoch  ó  chluain  Chonmaicne 
i  muintir  eolais  a  mháthair  d,  tri  meic  Medba  ri  Fergus  dar  cenn  Aililla  .i. 
Ciar .  Core  .  Conmac  \(jui  et  mogh  Dit],  Ciar  a  quo  ciarraige  Luachra  ocus 
ciarraige  Cuirche  .  ciarraige  Ai .  ciarraige  Chonmenn.  Core  a  quo  Corcom- 
ruad.  Conmac  a  quo  conmaicne  cula  Tolaid  ocus  conmaicne  cenil  Dubáin 
(xxiii)  a,  Mochuta  lis  móir  mac  Finaill  meic  Noei  náir  .m.  Firb  \a  quo  ú  Firb] 
.m.  Ambrith  .m.  Imchada  .m.  Ebric  .m.  Menchon  .m.  Aulaim  .m.  Meschon 
.m.  Sula  .m.  moga  Airt  [.i.  Ciar]  .m.  Coirpsen  móir  [Oirbsen  márdiatá  loch 
nOirbsen  máir  .  ár  ba  mag  nEpsen  a  ainm  ar  tús  ocus  atá  inad  a  thige  ina 
iarthur  in  locha  acht  tánic  in  loch  thairis  ocus  fuath  tigi  dichairr]  .m. 
Echadoin  .m.  Ennae  uais  .m.  Eochamain  .m.  Fidchuire  .m.  Telmne  .m. 
Eoinne  .m.  Lainne  .m.Tulsaig  .m.  Demmoin  .m.  moga  tuatha  [qui  et  mog 
doe]  quiet  Ciar  mac  Fergusa  meic  Rosa  .m.  Rudraige  b,  14°  Maii.  Mochuda 
epscop  Lis  móir  acus  abb  Raithne  é  ó  thus  fós  do  shliocht  Chéir  meic 
Ferguis  meic  Rosa  .m.  Rudraige  do  do  shiol  Ir  meic  Miled  do  shonnrad. 
Carthach  ainm  eile  do.  is  aige  eimh  ro  bói  an  coimthinól  oirderc  .i.  deich- 
nebar  ocus  secht  gcéd  an  tan  rob  abb  i  Raithin  acus  ro  aigilledh  aingel  gach 
tres  fer  diob.  adeir  Cuimin  coindeire  isin  dan  darab  tús  :  carais  Pátraic 
.  .  .  nach  dema  aoinnech  roime  leth  a  ndema  do  dhéraib  .  ag  so  mar 
adeir  :  carais  Mochuta  an  chrábaid  .  .  .  A.D.  636  Page  36 : — (xxiv)  a. 
Doigre  dart  a  quo  Dartraige  mac  Cruinnluachra  a  quo  telach  Chruinnluachra 
.  .  .m.  Lugdach  cal  a  quo  Calraige  .m.  Dáire  doimthig  do  shiol  Lugdach 
meic  Itha  .m.  Breogoin  b,  Dartraige  .i.  dartroige  .i.  clann  no  ceinél  Dáire 
c.  Dáire  doimthech  .i.  domh  tech  ar  bói  daidbres  ocus  teirce  mór  ré  linn. 
Dáire  sirchrechtach  .i.  duanach  .i.  sirduanach  nam  crecht  éigis  dicitur,  ara 
méd  do  dan  dognithea  do  atbeirthea  sirchrechtach  de  d.  Lugaid  laige  a  quo 
corco  laige  mac  siden  Dáiri  sirdréchtaig  e.  sé  meic  Dáire  sirchrechtaig  fian 
conilar  nglonn  f,  tellaige  Dartraige  imorro  .i.  tellach  Chascain  ocus  tellach 
Chonaill  ocus  tellach  Chacain  .i.  tri  meic  Ailgile  meic  Flainn  .m.  Chaichir 
.m.  Dunlaing  .m.  Oilella  .m.  Chormaic  .m.  Aengusa  .m.  Etbach  .m.  Aen- 


464  Text  of  Extracts,  pii.  i— » 

gusa  .m.  Luigdech  cal  a  quo  Calraige  amail  asbert  lebar  droma  sailech  ocus 
cin  droma  sncchta  g.  geinelach  Dairine  .i.  sll  Lugdach  meic  Itha-  Ouach 
mac  Maicniad  meic  Meicchon  .m.  Luigdech  laigde  .m.  Dáire  sfrchrechljúg 
.m.  Sidebuilg  .  .  .  .m.  Ethlenn  .m.  Lugdach  -m.  Itha  .in.  Breogoin 
(xxv)  tuaiha  Parlraige  6  áth  na  mallachtan  go  glaisi  guirt  na  lainne  ocus  (t 
Chaol  go  Fál  (xxvi)  a.  geinelach  Delbna  bethra.  Trén  mac  Sige  meic 
Aindiled  .m.  Bic  .m.  Baeláin  .m.  UelbáÍth  .tn.  Tail  ,m.  Chonaill  echluatth 
.m.  Luigdech  minn  .m.  Aengusa  thírig  .m.  Firchuirb  .m.  Chomiaic  chais 
.m.  Oitilla  óluim  b.  geinelach  Delbna  mdire.  Blat  mac  Sige  meic  Aindiled 
\ulanlé\  c.  trf  meic  dec  Cais  meic  Chonaill  echluaith  ocus  is  aire  adbeinhea 
Tál  fri  Cas  uair  dalta  sáir  é  ocus  itiat  so  a  chland  .i.  Lugaid  elc  ,  Sedna. 
Aengus  cenn  nathrach  .  Blad  a  quo  úi  Blaid  .  Caisen  .  Lugaid  delbaeth  a  quo 
na  Delbna .  Cormac  .  Carthann  .  Cainnech  .  Aengus  cennaitin  .  Aedh  .  Lois- 
cen  .  Noe.  Delbaeth  dana  is  é  in  dara  Lugaid  adberar  sunn  ó  fuilel  na  secht 
nDelbna  d.  Delbaeth  .Í,  doilbaedh  .i.  teine  doilbthe  doróine  .  n6  dclb  aeda 
.i.  teinedh  .  ir  an  tan  ro  indarb  a  chliamain  féisin  .i.  Trat  mac  Tassaig  tria 
cheird  ndráidechla  [ms.  nadraiechta]  é  as  an  ferann  a  tilet  Tralraige  issed  do 
luid  for  tciched  a  crich  ua  Néill.  luid  a  cam  Fiachach  ocus  ati  [ms.  atáid] 
teinc  ndráidechta  {sic)  and  cor  máidset  cóic  sruama  teined  as  cor  chuirsium 
mac  do  fri  each  sruaim  teined  dib  conid  d(h  atáit  na  cóic  Delbna  ,  conad  de 
sit)  ro  len  Delbaed  dcsium  .i.  delb  aeda  ,i,  delb  teined  At  ha  Lugaid  a  ainm 
connuice  sin.  no  delb  aeda  fair  ar  a  chdime  ár  ba  dergaigthech  a  dhelbsom 
(xxvii)  Connachia  .1.  coinéchta  .i.  dia  ro  marb  Ailbe  coin  meic  da  thó  is  de 
ro  hainmnigedh  Connachta  dib.  no  coinnichta  .i.  ichta  Chuinn  .i.  clanna 
Chuinn  nam  ichi  clann  no  ceincl.  no  Connachta  .i.  achta  Chuinn  .i.  gnfma 
Chuinn  ar  is  é  dorigne  crfch  claidim  di  ar  éigin  ár  is  inann  acht  ocus  gnfm, 
is  de  sin  imorro  ráiter  cóiced  Olnégmacht  riu  .i.  fledh  do  tairced  dóib  sin 
ocus  do  chlannaib  Degaid  a  tig  Doma  druad  .  co  ráncadar  ar  tóisech  ocua 
nfr  ansad  fri  clainn  Degaid  acht  ro  rannsad  an  linn  ocus  atibset  a  da  trian. 
conehairt  in  drái  :  is  égmacht  an  tólsa  ar  sé  conad  de  ro  len  cóiced  olnégm- 
acht  iadsom. 

III.  Page  37:— 0)  /^  Maignenn  ocus  Tua  ocus  Cobthach  ocus  Librén 
celri  meic  Aeda  meic  Cholgan  .m.  Tuathail  chruinnbeoil  .m.  Feidlimthi  .m. 
Fiachrach -m.  Cholla  fochrfch  b.  \if>  Decembris.  Maignenn  abb acus  epscop 
cille  Maignenn  la  taob  átha  cliath  do  shfol  Cholla  da  chrfoch  do.  Sinell  ingen 
Chenannáin  siur  senSinchill  naoim  a  mháthaír  (ii)  T>  Fibruarii.  Lomnián 
locha  uair  in  úib  mac  Uais  isin  Mide  do  chenél  gConaill  gulban  meic  Néill 
dd  Page  38; — (iii)  a.  Finnian  maige  bile  mac  Coirpri  meic  Aihlla  .m. 
Trichim  .m.  Feicc  .m.  FÍnnchada  .m,  Bresail  .m.  Sirchada  .m.  Fiatach  linn 
a  quo  dál  Fiatach  b.  \V  Februarii.  Finnian  epscop  muige  bile  acus  gomad 
do  shliocht  Fhiatach  fhinn  airdrfg  Eirenn  do  do  réir  na  duaine  .i.  naoim- 
senchus  naom  insi  Fail,  adcir  scnlebar  ro-ausda  memraim  go  raibe  Finnan 
muige  bile  cosmail  i  mbésaíb  acus  i  mbelhaid  re  lacob  apstol  Page  39: — 
(iv)  a.  Molaisse  Icchglinni  mac  Chairell  chniaid  meic  Muiredaig  [muindeirg] 
,m.  Forgo  .m.  Feradaig  .m.  Aililla  .m.  Fiachach  fir  mara  .m.  Oengusa 
tuirbig  b.  \%°  Aprilis.  MolaÍse  mac  Cairill  abb  lethglinne  a  Laignib  do 
shliocht  Fiatach  fínn  airdrfg  Eirenn  do  shfol  Eircmoin  do.  Maiihgemh  ingen 
Aoddin  meic  Ghabráin  rfg  Alban  a  mháthair  .  is  da  dherbad  sin  adubrad  : 
Molaise  lasairdo  theinid  .  mac  Maithgeime  monaid  í    PACE  40:— (v)  1^  No- 


III.  vi— ix]  Text  of  Extracts.  465 

vembris,   Finnchu  mac  Finnloga  ó  brí  gobhann  i  bferaib  muige  féine  isin 
Mumain  do  shliocht  Briain  meic  Echdach  muigmedóin  do  .  i .  Finnlogh  mac 
Sétna  .  acus  Idnait  ingen  Floinn  lethdeirg  do  Chianachta  glinne  geimin  a 
mháthair  amail  adeir  lebar  Meg  Charthaig  riabaig.    Ailbe  imlig  iubair  do 
baist  é.   baoi  Finnchú  secht  mbliadna  in  abdaine  iar  gComgall .  ba  dalta  do 
Chomgall  Finnchú  acus  is  aige  dorigne  leiginn.   is  é  an  Finnchú  so  no  bfodh 
go  menic  i  gcarcair  chloiche  ro  badh  airde  iná  a  fhad  féin  acus  cloch  uas  a 
chionn  ocus  cloch  fó  a  chosaib  acus  dhá  bhacáin  íarainn  cechtar  dá  thaob  na 
carcrach  .  ocus  no  léigedh  a  dhi  oscaill  ar  na  corránaib  sin  co  na  benadh  a 
chenn  frisan  gcloich  suas  na  a  chossa  fnsan  leic  sfos.   taria  Comgall  benn- 
chuir  chuice  in  aroile  aimsir  go  ro  fhuráil  fair  toidecht  as  in  gcarcair  sin  gér 
ba  lesc  lais.  is  é  no  luigedh  in  aonadhnacol  la  gach  marb  no  hadhnaicthea 
ina  chill  in  chédoidche     (vi)  a,  Maelruain  tamlachta  mac  Colmáin  meic 
Shenáin  .m.  Agnidi  .m.  Mochtai  .m.  Chuinneda  .m.  Fiacca  .m.  Mail    b, 
7^  Julii,   Maolruain  epscop  Tamlachta  a  Laignib  .  eidir  áth  cliath  acus  chill 
dara  atá  Tamlachta.     do  shliocht  Echdach  meic  Muiredaig  atá  do  shfol 
Eiremóin  do  Mhaolruain.    Broicsech  ainm  a  mháthar.    táinig  Mainnsena 
máthair  Brénainn  birra  go  Saigir  acus  do  b'áil  lé  dol  go  hoilén  doimhle  .  na 
héirg  ar  Ciarán  acht  is  i  dTamlachta  bias  t*eiséirge  féin  acus  eiséirge  do  meic 
.i.  Brénainn.  A.D.  787     (vii)  a,  Enna  áimi  mac  Conaill  meic  Daimine  .m. 
Choirpri  daim  argait  .m.  Chrimthainn     b,  21^  Martts.  Enda  abb  Arann 
Conall  derg  mac  Coirpre  doimh  airgid  a  athair  do  shiol  Cholla  da  chrfoch  do 
shonnrad.  Aeibfionn  ingen  Ainmirech  meic  Rónáin  rí  na  nard  a  mháthair 
acus  máthair  Libae.    acus  ro  thréicsiumh  oigrecht  rige  acus  róchonách  a 
atharda  ar  dia  gur  chumdaig  eglas  in  Arainn  acus  ro  gab  a  habdaine  iarum. 
trf  chaoga  lion  a  choimthinóil .  ba  he  fromad  acus  derbad  dobeiredh  forra 
gacha  nóna  dia  saorad  ar  pecthaib  .i.  gach  fer  dfb  iar  nuair  do  chur  i  gcurach 
gan  chroicenn  iter  uime  for  an  muir  amach  acus  no  thiged  an  sáile  isin 
churach  dia  mbeith  coir  no  pecadh  ar  in  tf  no  biadh  ann  .  ni  thiged  diamad 
glan  Ó  phectaib  .  acus  is  é  Enda  an  tabb  as  déidencha  no  theigedh  isin 
churach.  ni  frith  aoinfher  do'n  tri  caoga  sin  nach  táinic  gan  flechad  as  an 
churach  achtmad  Gigniat  cóic  no  cócaire  Enda  a  aonar.    cid  dorónais  a 
Ghigniat  ar  Enda.  atbertsomh  nach  demaid  acht  tuilliudh  bee  dia  chuid  féin 
do  thabairt  i  gcuid  Chiaráin  meic  in  tsaoir.   forchongraid  Enda  fairsiumh  an 
toilén  d'fágbáil  acus  atbert  :  ni  thalla  gadaide  son  .  ni  ro  dheonaigessa  sin 
chena    Page  43: — (viii)  a.  Moiling  luachra  mac  Faeláin  meic  Fheradaig  .m. 
Eire  .m.  Fiachnai  .m.  Eogain  .m.  Dega  .m.  Labrada  .m.  Bresail  belaig  .m. 
Fiachach  baiceda  .m.  Chatháir  móir    b,  17^  Junii,   Moling  luachra  epscop 
et  confessor  6  thig  Moling  do  shliocht  Chathaoir  móir  airdrig  Eirenn  do 
Laignib  do  .  Nemhnat  chiarraigech  a  mháthair  no  Emhnat  do  réir  a  bethad 
c.  2.    is  é  do  ling  luachair  Degaid  do  thri  léimennaib  an  tan  do  bátar  na 
fuatha  ina  dhiaid  conid  aire  sin  adubrad  Moling  luachra  ris  gér  ba  Thairchell 
a  chédainm.  is  lionmar  a  mirbuile  re  a  ninnisin.   Dairchcll  diu  a  chédainm. 
aidche  naon  ro  chuir  Moling  a  iasgairedha  do  ghabáil  éisg  acus  ro  ghabsat 
bradán  mór  isna  lionaib  .  acus  an  tan  do  scoilted  air  frith  tinne  óir  ina 
medhón  acus  ro  rann  Moling  an  tor  i  tri  rannaib  .i.  trian  do  bhochtaib  acus 
trian  fri  cumdach  minn  acus  an  trian  naile  fri  dénamh  lubhra  acus  oibre. 
A.D.  696    Page  47: — (ix)  a.  loP  Septembris.   Finnén  epscop  maige  bile  do 
sliocht  Fhiatach  f  hinn  airdrig  Eirenn  ó'n  abarthar  dál  bFiatach  acus  atá  do 

2  H 


466  Text  of  Extracts.  [iii.  x— xiv 

shiol  Eiremóin  do  b,  dáig  is  do  chlaind  Oengusa  tuirbig  do  dál  Fiatach  acus 
do  chlaind  imorro  Ollaman  fótla  do  Ultaib  acus  do  dál  Araide  .  dáig  is  iat 
sin  na  firUlaid  c.  cethri  meic  Feic  meic  Imchada  .m.  Bresail  .m.  Sircbada 
.m.  Fiatach  finn  a  quo  dál  Fiatach  .i.  Trichem  a  quo  úi  Thrichim  .  Trian 
a  quo  ui  Thréna .  Brian  a  quo  ui  Briuin  .  Eochaid  gunnat  aijus  mater  Máthair 
chaem  uocabatur  a  quo  ui  Echach  na  harda.   Finnbarr  .i.  Finnia  maige  bile 
mac  Coirpre  meic  Aililla  .m.  Trichim  cujus  filius  Díchú     (x)  a,  Colmán  elo 
mac  Beodgna  meic  Mochtae  .m.  Cuinneda  .m.  Lairine    .    .    [.m.  Echach] 
.m.  Maireda    .    .     .m.  Ethriéil  .m.  laireoil  .m.  Eiremóin    b,  260  Septem- 
bris,   Colmán  ela  6  lainvEla  i  bferaib  cell  in  iarthar  Mide  do  sliocht  Echdach 
meic  Muireda  de  shfol  Eiremóin  do  do  thaoib  a  athar  acus  deirbshiur  do 
Cholum  chille  a  mháthair  .i.  Mór  ingen  Feidlimid  meic  Fhergusa  chennfada 
•  m.  Chonaill  ghulbain  .m.  Néill  naoigiallaig  amail  adeir  betha  Cholmáin  fein 
c.  I.    50  a  aeis  an  tan  ro  fáid  a  spirat  dochum  nime  A.D.  610    (xi)  a.  Com- 
gall  bennchair  mac  Setnai  .m.  Echach  .m.  Broein  .m.  Forgo  .m.  Emaine  .m. 
Chrimthainn  .m.  Echdach  .m.  Lugdach  .m.  Rosa  .m.  Imchada  .m.  Fheid- 
limid  .m.  Chais  .m.  Fhiachach  araide  qui  Darerca  prius  dicebaiur     b, 
iqo  Maii,   Comgall  abb  Bennchuir  ulad  do  shiol  Ireoil  meic  Chonaill  cher- 
naig  do  .  fer  Ian  do  rath  de  acus  da  ghrád  an  fer  so  .  fer  ro  oil  acus  ro  lesaig 
iliomat  do  naomaib  oile  inar  adhain  acus  inar  las  teine  dhomhúchta  grádha 
dé  ina  gcride  acus  ina  menmannaib  amail  as  follus  i  scnliubraib  Eirenn. 
adeir  Cuimin  condoire  gurab  gacha  domnaig  do  chaithedh  Comgall  biad. 
adeir  betha  Chiaráin  gurab  do  na  hocht  nórdaib  do  bi  in  Eirinn  órd  Com- 
gaill .  adeir  senlebar  ró-aosda  memraim  go  raibe  cosmailes  bés  acus  bethad 
ag  Comgall  bennchuir  le  Yilacob  apstol    (xii)  a.  Duilech  mac  Malaig  meic 
Sinill  .m.  Nadfráich  .m.  Fiachnai  .m.  Allai  .m.  Chonmáil  ghlais  .m.  Fher* 
gusa  .m.  Rosa.   Mobái  dana  mac  Sinill  meic  Nadfráich  .  Malán  dana  mac 
Sinill  ei  Cumán  mac  Sinill  et  Crónán  mac  Sinill  et  Mániu  mac  Sinill     (xiii) 
A.D.  631.   an  tochtmad  bliadain  do  Dhomnall  [mhac  Aedha  mheic  Ainm- 
irech].   Carthach  .i.  Mochuda  mac  Fiondaill  do  innarbad  a  Rathain   636.   an 
tres  bhliadain  dég  do  Dhomnall.    S.  Mochuda  epscop  Lis  mhóir  acus  abb 
Raithne  d'ég  i^^  Aiaii  750.   an  dara  bliadain  dég  do  Dhomnall  [mac  Mur- 
chada  meic  Diarmata].   Fidhmuine  O  Suanaigh  angcoire  Raithne  d'ég    758. 
Fiodhairle  O  Suanaigh  abb  Raithne  d'ég  céd  lá  &  October  1153.   slóighed  la 
Muirchertach  mac  Néill  Meg  Lachlainn  acus  la  tuaiscert  Eirenn  i  fóirithin 
Toirrdelbaig  ui  Bhriain  dia  thabairt  i  rfge  Muman  doridise  co  ráinic  co  Cráib 
teine.   Toirrdelbach  O  Conchobair  do  thinól  Chonnacht  co  riacht  co  magh 
lici  Pátraic  in  agaid  in  tuaisceirt.  táinic  dna  Tadg  O  Briain  cona  shlógh  co 
raithin  ui  Shuanaig  i  foirithin  Chonnacht   (xiv)  a.  Tlachtga  can  as  ro  hainm- 
niged.    nf  annsa  .  Tlachtga  ingen  moga  Roith  fordosreiblengadar  tri  meic 
Símóin  druad  dia  luid  le  [a]  hathair  do  foglaim  druidcchta  in  airther  in  betha. 
fo  deig  is  Í  doróine  [ffis.  doroighne]  in  roth  rámach  do  Thriun  ocus  in  lia  i 
Forchartha  ocus  in  coire  i  Cnámchoill.   témái  iaram  anair  ocus  in  dede  sin 
le  go  torracht  telaigh  Tlachtga .  fordoslamnadh  ann  sin  iarum  go  mberdais 
tri  macu  .i.  Doirb  diatá  magh  nDoirbi .  ocus  Cuma  diatá  mag  Cuma .  ocus 
Muach  diatá  mag  Muich.    i  cdin  dana  beid  an  anmann  sin  i  cuimni  fer 
nEirenn  n(  thora  dfgal  nechtrann  dochum  n Eirenn.   ocus  atbath  dia  hass- 
aidh  ocus  is  uirri  dorinnedh  in  dim  .  umie  Tlachtga.   Tlachtga  ingen  Mogha 
moir  .  rosleblcngadar  meic  Símóin  *  ó'n  nuair  thánic  dar  muir  mas  .  is  di  atá 


i  V.  i  -vii]  Text  of  Extracts.  467 

Tlachtga  taebghlas  b,  Moghruith  .i.  Roth  mac  Righuill  ronalt  is  de  ba  mogh 
Ruith.  no  mogh  roth  .i.  magus  rotarum  [ms.  rotharam]  .i.  is  a  rothaib 
dognidh  a  thaisceladh  c,  Mogruith  mac  Cuinisc  meic  Fhirdechet  .m.  Forgib 
.m.  Firglain  .m.  Fhirfhalaid  .m.  Chaeir.m.  Fergusa  .m.  Róig  .m.  Rosa  .m. 
Rudraige  d,  Cacht  ingen  Chatmainn  ben  eile  d'Fergus  máthair  Mogaruith 
meic  Fergusa  ocus  Roth  mac  Riguill  rosnalt.  Dér  ocus  Droigen  máthair  dá 
mac  Mogaruith  .i.  Buan  ocus  Fercorb  ocus  máthair  Chairbri  lifechair  Page 
49: — (xv)  de  Elii  et  Enoc,  in  tan  tra  ro  bói  Michel  reompu  oca  mbreith  i 
parrdus  uile  fhireon  petarlaicthe  ó  Adam  co  Crist  doralai  dias  fer  narsatai 
naggarb  mór  tromdai  dóib  ina  nagaid  cor  iarfaigset  na  huile  noemu  acus 
fírénu  :  coich  sibse  ol  siat .  uair  nfr  b'aichnid  dóib  iat  marobatar  in  iffiumd 
maroen  riu  fen  .  ocus  sib  in  uar  corpaib  i  parrthus.  atbert  oen  dib  :  mise  ol 
sé  Enoc  ocus  is  me  ro  tócbad  conice  so  tria  bréthir  ndé  ocus  ro  suidiged  i 
parrdus  «inn  so  ol  sé  .  in  fersa  imorro  fil  mar  oen  frium  Elias  tesbites  sin  ocus 
is  é  ro  tócbcid  ||  beos  i  carput  tcntige  connice  so  .  ocus  nír  blaisemar  bás  cose 
acht  is  beo  sinn  beos.  de  Antichristo  .  ocus  roncoimét  in  chumachta  dhiadai 
CO  ti  Antichrist  do  chathugud  fris  ó  fhertaib  ocus  mirboilib  diadai  ocus  Ó 
dherbairdib  ingantaib  i  ndeiriud  in  domain,  iar  sin  muirbfid  Anticrfst  fa 
deoidh  sinn  in  lerusaléim  .  acht  ar  abba  éireochmaitne  i  ciunn  tri  laa  co  leith 
iar  sin  ocus  sinn  bii  ocus  tóicébthar  sinn  iar  sin  i  nélaib  co  ncm 

IV.  Page  49: — (i)  a,  A.D.  478.  iar  mbeith  fiche  bliadan  i  righe  Eirenn 
d'Oilioll  molt  mac  Dathi  meic  Fhiachrach  docher  i  gcath  Ocha  la  Lugaid 
mac  Laegaire  .  la  Muirchertach  mac  Erca  .  ocus  la  Fergus  cerrbél  mac 
Conaill  chremthainne  .  ocus  la  Fiachra  mac  Laegaire  ri  dál  nAraide  .  ocus 
la  Cremthann  mac  Enna  chennselaig  ri  Laigen.  is  do'n  chursa  do  ratadh 
d'Fiachra  na  Lee  ocus  cam  Eolairg  i  dtiorfhocraig  in  chatha  b,  Ailill  molt 
.i.  mian  muilt  bói  for  a  mháthair  fair  .i.  for  Eithne  ingcin  Chonrach  .  conid 
f  Fial  ingen  Echach  séitche  {tns,  séitidh]  an  rig  do  rad  an  lesainm  c.  Fial 
ingen  Echach  feidlig  diatá  Cruachan  bri  eile  la  Laigne  ben  Dathi  meic 
Fiachrach.  Eithne  ingen  Chonrach  ben  eile  do  máthair  Oililla  muilt  (ii) 
A.D.  527.  iar  mbeith  cheitre  bliadna  fichet  i  rige  Eirenn  do  Muirchertach 
mac  Muiredaig  meic  Eogain  .m.  Néill  naoigiallaig  ro  loisgedh  é  i  dtig  Cleitig 
uas  Bóinn  oidche  Samna  iama  bhádud  i  fion  (iii)  A.D.  561.  iar  mbeith  trí 
bliadna  i  rige  Eirenn  do  Dhomnall  ocus  d'Fergus  da  mac  Muirchertaig  [meic 
Erca]  ro  égsat  araon  Page  50: — (iv)  A.D.  537.  cath  Sligige  ria  bFergus 
ocus  ria  nDomnall  da  mac  Muirchertaig  meic  Erca  .  ria  nAinmire  mac 
Sédna  ocus  ria  Naindid  mac  Duach  for  Eogan  bél  ri  Connacht.  ro  mebaid 
an  cath  rempa  .  dorochair  Eogan  bél  .  dia  nebrad  in  so  :  fichter  cath  ua 
bFiachrach  .  la  feirg  faobair  tar  imbel  í  gésis  buar  námat  fri  slega  .  sretha  in 
cath  i  Crinder.  arcelt  Slicech  do  muir  mar  .  fuile  fer  lia  feoil  í  bertait  ilaig 
tar  Eba  .  im  chenn  nEogain  beoil  Page  51 : — (v)  geinelach  ua  Fiachrach 
aidni.  Guaire  aidni  mac  Colmáin  meic  Cobthaig  .m.  Coibnenn  .m.  Conaill 
.m.  Eogain  .m.  Echach  .m.  Nathi  .m.  Fiachach  .m.  Echach  muigmedoin 
Page  52: — (vi)  a,  geinelach  Lugni  connacht.  Nia  corp  mac  Lói  ó  filet  Lugni 
meic  Cormaic  galeng  .m.  Taidc  .m.  Céin  A  geinelach  Lugne.  Eghra  faprig 
a  quo  ua  hEgra  mac  Soergusa  meic  Becce  .m.  Lathgusa  a  quo  eland  Lath- 
gusa  .  .  .m.  Ithchaire  .m.  Aiit  chirb  c.  Art  ccrb  .i.  Art  tesctha  no  cirrtha 
nam  cerb  cirrtha  dicitur  d,  Luighne  .i.  Lai-gene  .i.  clanna  Lai  meic  Cormaic 
gaileng  meic  Taidg  .m.Céin    Page  53: — (vii)  Loch  con  und€  nominatur,  ni 


468  Text  of  Extracts.  [v.  i— Hi 

annsa  .  coin  Manannáin  meic  Lir  ocus  conart  Mod  ótát  insi  Mod  co  comrán- 
catar  immon  inuic  ro  fásaig  in  t(r  impu  .i.  inse  Mod.  mani  etrantis  na  coin 
in  muic  ro  pad  fhásach  lea  co  hAlpain.  ro  leblaing  in  muc  issin  loch  riasna 
conu  .  cengsat  na  coin  na  degaid  .  rosimmart  dóib  forsindloch  út  ocus  ni 
théma  cú  imbethaid  cen  tescad  ocus  cen  bádud.  luid  in  muc  iar  sin  cosinn- 
insi  fil  and  unde  mucinis  .  unde  poeia  :  cuanart  Manannáin  meic  Lir .  ocus 
cuanart  Muid  mórmir  i  rosmudaig  muc  Mod  dia  gibis  .  ic  Loch  con  ic 
Mucinis  (viii)  Cloenloch  unde  nominatur,  Cloen  mac  Ingair  cluane  cétna 
cennaige  do  dechaid  a  hAlpain  in  Erinn  condusib  flatha  is  and  atbath  aeon 
loch  ut .  ocus  in  oenbliadain  tomaidm  locha  Dachaech  .  ocus  Cloenlocha. 
ocus  locha  Dadall .  ocus  .1.  Faeiii .  ocus  .1.  ning .  ocus  .1.  Gabar .  ocus  .L 
Gainn  .  ocus  .1.  Duib .  ocus  .1.  nDremainn  .  ocus  .1.  Duinn .  ocus  .1.  Ceraim. 
ocus  .1.  Cam.  Cloen  mac  Ingair  cluana  cé  .  cairpdech  crichid  cennaide  í  con- 
dúsib  flatha  rosfro  .  is  ann  atbath  i  cloenloch  b,  loch  Dachaech  unde  nomt^ 
natur,  ni  annsa  .  Dachaech  ingen  Chichuil  grigechgluin  ocus  ba  si  a  máthair 
Fuata  ocus  issed  mead  eturru  oen  ingen  dall.  atrullai  uadib  assin  phurt  con- 
dergenai  a  haided  sin  loch  tit.  Dachaech  ingen  Chichuil  chaim  .  griggegluin 
gránda  glasgairb  *  romtirb  lémai  Ifnib  ler .  condergenai  a  haided  Page 
59: — (ix)  A.D.  649.  cath  airthir  Seola  i  Connachtaib  ria  gCennfaolad  mac 
Colgain  ocus  ria  Maonach  mac  Baoithin  tóisech  ua  mBriuin  in  ro  marbad 
Marcán  mac  Toimeine  tóisech  ua  Maine  (x)  a,  Bresal  mac  Máini  móir  cúig 
meic  lais  .i.  Fiachra  finn  ocus  Dalian  ocus  Conall  ocus  Crimthann  cael  ocus 
Maine  mál  ótát  f  Maine  bréntair.  trf  meic  Dalláin  meic  Bresail  .i.  Duach 
ocus  Lugaid  ocus  Lomán.  cúic  meic  Luigdech  .i.  da  Eogan  .  Crimthann  cael 
ocus  Feradach  findoll.  tri  meic  Feradaich  .i.  Cairpre  crom  ocus  Cairpre  mac 
Féichini  ocus  Nadsluaig  ótáit  ú  Fínáin.  cetri  meic  la  Cairpre  mac  Féichini 
.i.  Brénainn  dall  ocus  Aedh  abla  ocus  Aedh  guaire  ocus  Lochéne  b.  Bresal 
mac  Maine  móir  meic  Echach  firdághiall  .m.  Imchada  .m.  ChoUa  focrich 
c,  geinelach  ua  Máini.  Dicholla  mac  Eogain  fhinn  meic  Chormaic  .m. 
Choirpri  chruim  .m.  Fheradaig  .m.  Lugdach  .m.  Dalláin  .m.  Bresail  .m. 
Máini  .m.  Echach  .m.  Domnaill  .m.  Fiachach  sroiptine  .m.  Chairpri  life- 
chair  d,  Lann  ingen  Luigdech  léna  ben  Firdághiall  máthair  Bresail  meic 
Maine  Page  63: — (xi)  a,  geinelach  ua  bFiachrach  in  tuaiscirt.  Maeldub 
mac  Elgaig  meic  Fiachnai  .m.  Nathi  .m.  Fiachrach  .m.  Echach  muigmedóin 
b,  geinelach  ua  bFiachrach  fhinn.  Aedh  mac  Fináin  meic  Amalgaid  .m. 
Fhiachrach  fhinn  .m.  Bhresail  .m.  Maine  mhóir  \ut  ante]  Page  64: — (xii) 
a,  rogabsat  cethra  rfga  do  chlainn  Eire  chaelbuide  rige  Connacht  .i.  Eogan 
bél.  acht  is  é  in  coitchenn  conad  mac  do  AilioU  molt  mac  Dathi  Eogan  bél 
Aedh  fortamail  ocus  Ailill  inbhannda  a  bráthair  b.  Oilill  inbannda  [ms.  in- 
banna]  .i.  can  ulchain  do  bói 

V.  Page  66: — (i)  Ruadán  lothra  mac  Fergusa  bim  meic  Echdach  .m. 
Duibdéin  .m.  Dáire  cerba  .m.  Duach  duinn  .m.  Maine  muncháin  .m.  Aililla 
flainn  bic  .m.  Aililla  flainn  móir  .m.  Fiachach  muillethain  .m.  Eogain  .m. 
Oililla  óluim  (ii)  Senán  innsi  Cathaig  mac  Gerrcind  meic  Dubthaig  .m. 
Décci  .m.  Imchada  .m.  Chuirp  .m.  Luigdech  .m.  Oililla  .m.  Oengusai  .m. 
Choirpri  bascháin  .m.  Chonaire  [chaeim]  .m.  Moga  lama  .  .  .m.  Itha 
.m.  Breogoin  (iii)  A.D.  972.  orgain  inse  cathaig  do  Maghnus  mac  Arailt 
colLagmannaib  na  ninnsed  imbe  ocus  lomar  tigema  gall  Luimneich  do  breith 
eisti  ocus  sánigad  Senáin  imbe    275.  inis  Cathaig  do  shárugad  do  Bhrian 


VI.  i— ix]  Text  of  Extracts.  469 

mac  Cinnéidig  for  ghallaib  Luimnig  im  lombar  cona  da  mac  .i.  Amlaoib 
ocus  Duibchenn.    Brian  caogad  bliadan  d'aois  an  tan  sin 

VI.  Page  72: — (i)  a.  Aedh  sláine  mac  Diarmata  meic  Fhergusa  cherr- 
beoil  [Fergus  cerrbél  .i.  caime  bái  ar  a bél  no  girre]  .m.  Chonaill  chremthainne 
[Conall  cremthainn  .i.  Cremthann  ronalt]  .m.  Néill  náigiallaig  b,  A.D.  475. 
Conall  cremthainn  or  chinset  clanna  Chohnáin  ocus  siol  Aodha  sláine  d'ég 

595.  an  chédbliadain  d'Aodh  sláine  mac  mic  Dhiarmata  ocus  do  Cholmán 
rímid  i  ríge  Eirenn  (ii)  a,  A.D.  528.  an  chédbliadain  doTuathal  maolgharb 
mac  Corbmaic  chaoich  .m.  Choirpre  .m.  Néill  náigiallaig  i  ríge  Eirenn  b, 
Tuathal  maelgarb  .i.  Cuman  ingen  Dallbronaig  máthair  Thuathail  mail  ghairb 
is  Í  ro  fosaig  a  chenn  fri  cloich  icá  breith  ic  idnaide  daigsen  condema  luca 
ocus  cnuic  ina  chiunn  in  chloch  .  conid  de  doghoirter  Tuathal  mael  garb  de 
c,  Cumain  maine  ingen  Dallbronaig  siur  Brigdi  ben  Chormaic  cháich  meic 
Chairbri  .m.  NéiU  máthair  Tuathail  mail  gairb  .m.  Cormaic  (iii)  móin  tíri 
Náir  unde  nominaiur,  ní  annsa  .  Nár  mac  Conaill  chemaig  meic  Amairgin 
iargiun  no  Nár  mac  Finnchada  meic  Chonaill  chemaig  is  é  ro  marbad  inti  la 
Eitsen  mbanfhéinnid  iar  marbad  a  da  hen  for  snám  dá  én  for  Sinainn  .  unde 
snám  dá  én  ocus  móin  tíri  Náir.  Nár  mac  Finnchada  fuathaig  .  mac  Conaill 
chaeim  chathbuadaig  í  brisis  ben  a  báig  comblaid  .  immóin  tíri  Náir  nertmair 
Page  73 : — (iv)  A.D.  538.  iar  mbeith  aonbhliadain  dég  i  ríge  Eirenn  do 
Tuathal  maolgharb  torchair  i  ngrellaig  eillte  la  Maolmór  mac  Airgedain .  oide 
Diarmata  meic  Cherbaill  eside  .  ocus  dorochair  Maolmór  inn  fo  chédóir  (v) 
Tailltiu  can  as  ro  hainmnigedh.  n(  annsa  .  Tailltiu  ingen  Magmoir  ben 
Echach  gairb  meic  Duach  temen  .  is  leis  durónad  duma  na  ngiall  i  Temraig 
ocus  ba  hi  sin  buime  Loga  meic  Scáil  bailb.  is  f  conatach  co  a  fer  caillid 
cuan  do  sluidi  di  comad  aenaig  mo  a  lecht .  ocus  adbath  i  calainn  Auguist  iar 
sin  ocus  ro  acht  a  guba  ocus  a  nasad  la  Lugaid  unde  Lugnasad  dicimus,  cúic 
cét  bliadan  ocus  tri  mile  ria  ngein  Crist  in  sin  ocus  nogníthí  anaenach  sin  la 
gach  rig  la  each  nogebedh  Eirinn  co  táinic  Pátraic.  ocus  .cccc.  oenach  i 
Tailltin  Ó  Pátraic  co  dubaenach  nDonnchada  meic  Flainn  .m.  Maeilshech- 
lainn  (vi)  Temuir  unde  nominaiur,  ni  annsa  .  Temuir  .i.Teamur  .i.  múr 
Tea  ingine  Lugdach  mac  Itha  [meic  Breogoin]  ben  Eiremóin  meic  Miled  .i. 
is  ann  ro  hadnacht  Í .  unde  poeta  cecinit  :  in  cétben  luid  in  uaig  uair  .  do'n 
chuain  a  tur  Breogain  bain  f  Tea  brega  ben  in  rig  .  dianid  ainm  Temair  fir 
Fail,  uel  temuir  a  uerbo  greco  TEMORO  .i.  conspicio  ,  uair  is  temair  ainm  do 
cech  inad  asnid  soirb  fégad  radairc  .  unde  dicitur  temair  na  tuaithe  ocus 
temair  in  tige  .  Cormac  mac  Cuilennáin  Page  74 : — (vii)  geinelach  rig  Mide. 
Murchad  mac  Airmedaig  meic  Chonaill  guthbinn  .m.  Shuibni  .m.  Cholmáin 
móir  .m.  Diarmata  .m.  Fergusa  cherrbeoil  (viii)  A.D.  552.  féis  Temra  do 
dénam  la  rig  Eirenn  Diarmait  mac  Fergusa  cherrbeoiL  marbad  Colmáin 
móir  meic  Diarmata  ina  charpat  la  Dubshlait  ua  Trena  do  Chruitnechaib 

596.  an  dara  bliadain  d'Aodh  sláine  ocus  do  Cholmán  [rimid].  Suibne  mac 
Colmáin  bhig  tigema  Mide  do  mharbad  la  Aodh  sláine  i  mBridamh  Page 
75:— (ix)  a.  A.D.  600.  iar  mbeith  sé  bliadna  i  rige  Eirenn  d'Aodh  sláine 
mac  Diarmata  ocus  do  Cholmán  rimid  mac  Baetáin  meic  Muirchertaig  .m. 
Muiredaig  docher  dna  Colmán  rimid  la  Lochan  diolmana.  torchair  Aodh 
sláine  la  Conall  nguithbinn  mac  Suibne  meic  Cholmáin  móir  no  big  .m. 
Diarmata  ag  loch  semhdide.  Aodh  gustan  comdalta  Conaill  ocus  Baothgal 
bile  ronguinsetar .  Conall  mac  Suibne  diu  do  mharbad  Aodha  róin  tóisech 


470  Text  of  Extracts.  [vi.  x— xv 

ua  bFáilge  ocus  Aodha  buide  toisech  ua  Maine  isin  16  chétna  in  ro  marbad 
Aodh  sláine  lais.  is  d'foraithmet  na  nécht  sin  ro  raided  :  ba  rómór  an  ruad- 
chumha  .  for  rigraid  Eirenn  uile  í  b.  Conall  guithbinn  .i.  ar  a  binni  do 
chantairi  in  tan  ba  sacart/í?^/.  Aedh  gustan  .i.  Aedh  gusdána  .i.  ba  mór  an 
gus  do  na  tri  rig  do  mharbad  isin  aenló  .i.  Aedh  sláine  rí  Eirenn  .  ocus  Aedh 
buide  rf  Tcfa  .  ocus  Aedh  róin  rí  ua  Failge  (x)  a.  Bee  mac  Dé  druad  mac 
Gnoei  meic  Lugdach  .m.  Dalláin  .m.  Bresail  .m.  Maine  .m.  Néill  náigiallaig. 
no  Bee  mac  Dé  druad  mac  Noei  meic  Chonaill  echluaith  .m.  Lugdach  minn 
dimmain  b,  Nói  mac  Cais  meic  Chonaill  echluaith  a  quo  Bee  mac  Dei  .i. 
\Jiliu5\  Fumi  ut  alii  put  ant  c,  12»  Octobris,  Beg  mac  De  meic  Ghnoei  do 
shliocht  Cholla  dáchríoch  do  ocus  fáidh  oirrderc  é  d,  A.D.  557.  a  naoi  dég 
do  Diarmait.   S.  Beg  mac  De  fáid  oirrderc  d'eg    (xi)  geinelach  dáil  Araide. 

a.  Fiacha  araide  mac  Oengusa  goibnenn  meic  Fergusa  gaillini  .m.  Tiprai- 
ti  qui  occidit  Conn  cédchathach  .m.  Bresail  láig  qui  subintrauit  loch  Láig 
.m.  Bresail  .m.  Feirb  .m.  Mail  ^«/ Tuathal  techtmar  occidit  .m.  Rochride 

b,  Araide  bibre  in  cáinte  de  Muimnechaib  ba  sé  rechtaire  do  Chormac  ua 
Chuinn.  Cairech  a  ben  is  Í  ro  anacht  Fiacha  mac  Oengusa.  inde  dicitur 
Fiacha  araide  a  quo  dál  Araide  c,  dál  .i.  rann  n Araide  .1.  airial  rig  Eirenn 
.1.  is  Í  a  lepaid  thechtaide  fo  bith  as  orba  niadh  ro  gabsat  no  is  do  chlainn 
nia  doib.  imarcraide  dono  bith  fo  ghliin  rig  dóib  ár  rob  é  rínia  Eirenn  isin 
aimsir  a  raibe  Conall  cemach  mac  Aimirgin.  aliter .  quod  uerius  est .  dál 
nAraide  .i.  Fiacha  araide  ainm  in  fir  ó  nainmnigter  iad  Page  76: — (xii) 
1 50  Aprilis.  Ruadán  mac  Fergusa  ab  Lothra .  tri  chaogait  bói  ina  choimtinol 
acus  do  gheibdis  a  sásadh  do  ghres  gan  saothar  ndaonna  agá  nimfliulang  do 
ghnáth  ag  ernaighte  ocus  ag  molad  an  choimde  na  ndiila  .  do  shiol  Eogain 
móir  meic  Oililla  óluim  dosomh.  adeir  senlebar  ró-aosda  memraim  go  raibe 
Ruadán  lothra  cosmail  i  mbésaib  acus  i  mbethaid  re  Matha  apstal  Page 
79: — (xiii)  A.D.  554.  an  seisedh  bliadain  dég  do  Diarmait .  féis  déidenach 
Temra  do  dénam  do  Diarmait  rig  Eirenn.  Curnán  mac  Aeda  .i.  mac  rig 
Connacht  do  bhásugad  la  Diannait  mac  Cerbaill  tar  slánaib  acus  comairge 
Coluim  chille  iarna  tharraing  go  haindeonach  as  a  lámaib  .  conad  é  fochann 
catha  cula  Dreimne  555.  an  sechtmad  dég  do  Diarmait.  cath  cula  dreimne 
do  bhrised  for  Diarmait  mac  Cerbaill  la  Fergus  ocus  la  Domnall  da  mac 
Muirchertaig  meic  Erca  .  la  hAinmire  mac  Sedna  ocus  la  hAindid  mac 
Duach  ocus  la  hAodh  mac  Echach  tirmchama  ri  Connacht.  i  gcionaid 
marbtha  Chumáin  meic  Aodha  meic  Echach  tirmcharna  forfaosamh  Coluim 
chille  do  ratsat  clanna  Ndill  in  tuaisceirt  ocus  Connachta  an  cath  sin  cula 
Dreimne  do'n  rig  do  Diarmait .  ocus  fós  imon  gclaoinbhreith  rug  Diarmait 
ar  Cholom  cille  im  liubar  Finnen  ro  scriob  Colum  cille  gan  rathugad  d'Fin- 
nén  dia  ndechsat  i  réir  nDiarmata  go  ro  choigcertaig  Diarmait  an  mbreith 
noirrdeirc  :  la  gach  boin  a  boinin  etc,  Fraochán  mac  Tenusáin  is  é  dorigne 
indeirbe  ndruad  do  Dhiarmait  .  Tuathán  mac  Dimmain  meic  Sáráin  .m. 
Chormaic  .m.  Eogain  is  é  ro  la  indeirbe  ndruad  dar  a  chenn.  tri  mile  trá  is 
edh  torchair  do  mhuintir  Dhiannada  .  aoinfher  námá  issedh  torchair  do*n 
leith  naill .  Maghláim  a  ainm  .  ar  is  é  ro  ching  tar  an  eirbhe  ndruad  (xiv) 
Indorb  fhinn  ingen  rig  Saxan  ben  Eogain  meic  Néill  [náigiallaig]  máthair 
Muiredaig  meic  Eogain.  Ere  ingen  Lóaim  rig  Alban  máthair  Muirchertaig 
[móir  meic  Muiredaig  .m.  Eogain]  (xv)  a.  geinelach  rig  cenéil  Chonaill. 
Aedh  mac  Ainmirech  meic  Shetnai  .m.  Fhergusa  [chcnnfhoda]  .m.  Chonaill 


VI I.  i,  ii]  Text  of  Extracts.  4  7 1 

ghulbain  .m.  Néill  náigiallaig  b,  A.D.  564.  an  chédbliadhain  do  Ainmire 
mac  Sédna  meic  Fergusa  chennfhoda  i  rige  Eirenn  566.  iar  mbeith  tri 
bliadna  i  rige  Eirenn  d'Ainmire  mac  Sédna  torchair  la  Fergus  mac  Neilline 
(xvi)  a,  craeb  coibnesa  fer  mBréifne  ann  so  sis.  Fergus  mac  Muiredaig  mail 
meic  Eogain  sreim  [.i.  rang  beg  bái  na  bhél]  .m.  Duach  galaig  .m.  Briain 
.m.  Echach  muigmedóin  tri  meic  lais  .i.  Eochaid  tirmchama  sen  sfl  Muire- 
daig .  ocus  Duach  tenga  uma  sen  clainne  Choscraig  ocus  muintire  Murchada, 
Fergna  in  trcs  mac  sen  ua  mBriuin  b.  Eogan  sremh  .i.  sreng  bai  ina  beolu 
no  ina  rose.  Duach  galach  .i.  gal  ocus  uch  leis  .i.  foghal  ocus  fo-uch  do- 
beirdis  meic  eili  Bhriain  air  in  tan  ba  macámh  óc  é.  Duach  tenga  uma  .i.  ar 
febus  a  urlabra  .i.  ar  binni  fhoghrach  a  urlabra.  Eochaid  tirmchama  .i.  ni 
thabradh  a  bráthair  do  .i.  Duach  tenga  umha  rf  Connacht  do  biadh  acht 
carna  tirim  c.  A.D.  557.  cath  móna  doire  lothair  for  Cruithniu  ria  nuib 
Néill  an  tuaisceirt  .i.  ria  gcenél  gConaill  ocus  Eogain  du  i  dtorchradar  secht 
dtaoisig  Cruitnech  im  Aodh  mbrec  .  ocus  is  do'n  chur  soin  dorochair  doridise 
na  Lee  ocus  earn  Eolairg  do  chlannaib  NéiU  an  tuaisceirt.  Cennfaoladh  ro 
ráidh  in  so  :  sfnsit  faebra  sfnsit  fir .  in  móin  móir  doire  lothair  í  adbair  chom- 
ronna  nach  cert .  secht  rig  Cruithne  im  Aodh  mbrec.  fichtir  cath  Cruithne 
nuile .  ocus  forloiscter  Eilne  Í  fichtir  cath  gabra  Liffe .  ocus  cath  cuile  Dreimnc. 
bersat  gialla  iar  gconghal .  as  soin  siar  im  chnuas  nuach  í  Fergus  Domnall 
Ainmire  .  ocus  Nainnid  mac  Duach.  fillsit  da  mac  meic  Erca  .  ar  chenn  in 
chatha  chétna  Í  acus  an  ri  Ainmire  .  fillis  i  selbaib  Sédna  567.  iar  mbeith 
aonbliadain  i  rige  Eirenn  do  Bhaodán  mac  Ninneda  meic  Fergusa  chennfoda 
docher  oc  léim  in  eich  i  ndebaid  lasan  da  Comaoine  .i.  Comaoine  mac  Col- 
main  big  meic  Cherbaill  ocus  Comaoine  mac  Librene  meic  Illadhan  .m. 
Cherbaill.  tré  chomairle  Colmáin  bhig  dorónsat  an  gniom  ishin  d,  A.D.  499. 
cath  Seghsa  ria  Muirchertach  mac  Erca  for  Duach  tenguma  ri  Connacht.  is 
edh  fochann  an  chatha  .i.  Muirchertach  ro  bai  i  rathaigius  etir  in  rig  ocus 
Eochaid  tirmchama  a  bráthair  go  ro  gabad  Eochaid  for  comairce  Muircher- 
taig.  Cennfaoladh  asbert  da  dherbadh  :  cath  Seghsa  ben  do  mnáib  fodruair. 
ro  bói  crú  derg  dar  cruisich  la  Duisich  ingin  Duaich  í  cath  Delga  cath 
Mucrama  ocus  cath  tuama  Drubha  .  la  cath  Seghsa  i  dtorchair  Duach  teng- 
umha  Page  81 : — (xvii)  a,  A.D.  965.  cath  formaoile  oc  ráith  big  ria  cenél 
Eogain  for  chenél  Conaill  .  dii  i  dtorchair  Maolisa  O  Canannáin  tigema 
cenéil  Chonaill  ocus  Muirchertach  O  Taidhg  rigdhamna  Connacht  go  soch- 
aidib  aile  amaille  friu  b,  rath  mór  immaig  line  can  as  ro  hainmniged.  ni 
annsa  .  rath  Rogin  a  hainm  ar  tús  co  flaith  Bresail  brie  meic  Briuin  rig  Ulad 
[conjdechaidside  for  echtra  fo  loch  Laeig  combái  caoca  bliadan  ann.  Mór 
dana  ingen  Rithir  mac  Derlaim  frisin  re  sin  isindráith  conepert  si :  is  cian 
lem  echtra  Bresail .  ocus  aspert  ben  :  bid  cian  duitsiu  ar  ni  tharga  Bresal  co 
bráth  dá  echtra  co  a  sheol  co  tisat  a  mairb  do  chách.  ba  marb  dana  Mór  fo 
chétóir  ocus  ro  HI  a  hainm  di'n  ráith  unde  rath  Mor .  ocus  doriacht  Bresal 
brec  fescur  d'adaig  amail  asberar  in  echtrai  Bresail 

VII.  Page  82:— (i)  A.D.  558.  iar  mbeith  fiche  bliadan  ós  Eirinn  i  rige  do 
Diarmait  mac  Fergusa  cherrbeoil  docher  la  hAodh  ndubh  mac  Suibne  ri  dál 
nAraide  ag  ráith  big  i  maig  line,  tugad  a  chenn  go  cluain  meic  Nóis  go  ro 
hadnacht  innte  ocus  ro  hadnacht  a  cholann  i  gCoindeire  (ii)  a,  Corbach 
ingen  Maine  do  Laignib  ben  Fergusa  chirrbeoil  máthair  Dhiarmada  meic 
Fhcrgusa.   Mugain  ingen  Choncraid  meic  Duach  do  Chonnachtaib  ben  Diar- 


472  Text  of  Extracts.  [Viii. ;  ix.  i,  ii 

mada  ineic  Cbrebaill  {He)  máthair  Aeda  sláine  b,  geinelach  Fiachrach  oeli 
d'uib  Duach.  Oengus  mac  Conath  meic  Choncraid  diarbo  ingen  Mugain  ben 
Diarmata  meic  Cherbaill  diatá  cam  Mugaine  in  Airget  rois  .m.  Duach  cliach 
.m.  Maine  muncháin  .m.  Choirpri  .m.  Chuirc  .m.  Luigdech  .m.  Aililla  flainn 
bic  .m.  Fiachach  muillethain  .m.  Eogain  móir.m.  Oililla  óloim  c,  Flann 
cecinit  :  Mugain  ingen  Choncraid  chain  .  mac  Duach  di'n  desMumain  5  ro 
chren  fialgarta  cen  fheill .  ben  Diarmata  meic  Cheirbeill.  is  f  seo  cen  bét- 
blaid  mbrath  .  cétfaid  araile  senchadh  \  cona  hollaltaib  cen  ail .  ba  de  Chon- 
nachtaib  Mugain  Page  84: — (iii)  a,  mag  mBregh  can  [as]  ro  hainmnig- 
edh.  [ni  annsa]  .  mag  mBregh  dono  .i.  Bregh  a  ainm  daimh  Dhile  .i.  Dil 
ingen  Lughmannrach  do  dechaid  a  tir  Fhailge  la  Tulchainne  ndrái  .i.  drái 
Chonaire  meic  Méisi  buachalla.  in  aenuair  dono  rogenair  indisiu  agus  rug  in 
bhó  a  laegh  seoch  na  hinnile  ar  chena  agus  ro  char  in  ingen  in  laegh  ar  a 
geinemain  in  aenuair  fria  agus  ro  éimidh  Tulchainne  a  tabairtsi  gu  tugadh  a 
damh  lé  .  agus  ru  bo  dual  dosein  in  mhórrigan  do  chuaidsium  da  thabairt  na 
brimana  sin  leis  gu  mbeith  i  muig  Eolgaide  .i.  cétainm  in  mhuige  .  gunad  de 
ainmnicher  mag  mBreg.  no  gumad  de  Bhreogan  la  ro  slechtad  in  mag  no 
hainmnighte  amail  adubrad  :  mag  mBreogain  mbuaid  ar  mbunad  .  gu  tuaim 
trcbair  gach  trelaim  Í  sinni  iar  lenmain  tar  lera  .  ra  gab  Brega  for  Bregaib 
b,  Essa  ingen  Echach  aireman  ocus  Edáine  máthair  Meisibuachalla.  ocus 
in  Mesbuachalla  sin  dono  ben  Eitirsceoil  máthair  Chonairi.  ocus  fa  ben  do 
Chonchobar  mac  Nesa  in  Mesbuachalla  sin  comad  Í  máthair  Chonnaic 
chonloingis  .  no  is  í  Clothra  ingen  Echach  feidhlig  a  máthair 

VIII.  Page  85: — (i)  a,  A.D.  630.  cath  cuile  Chaoláin  ré  nDiarmaid  mac 
Aodha  sláine  .  airm  in  ro  marbadh  da  mhac  Aongusa  meic  Cholmáin  móir 
.i.  Maoluma  ocus  Colga  ocus  araill  oile  amaille  friu  b,  Temair  ingen  Aeda 
builc  meic  Finghin  .i.  rig  na  nDéisi  ben  Diarmada  ruanaid  meic  Aeda  sláine 
máthair  Chernaig  shotail.  Cemach  sotal  .i.  ar  a  uallcha  ocus  ar  méd  a 
menman  leis  atbeirthea  ris  (ii)  A.D.  628.  an  cúigedh  bliadain  do  Dhomnall 
[mhac  Aoda  mheic  Ainmirech].  cath  átha  Goan  in  iarthar  Liffe  ria  bFaolán 
mac  Colmáin  ocus  ria  gConall  mac  Suibne  tóisech  Mide  ocus  ria  bFailbe 
flann  rig  Muman  .  airm  in  ro  marbad  Criomthann  mac  Aoda  meic  Shenaig 
ri  Laigen  co  sochaide  oile  imaille  fris  (iii)  Dubthur  unde  nominatur,  ni 
annsa  .  dubthfr  Guaire  meic  in  Daill  in  sin  iarsindi  dorigni  fingail  for  a 
bráthair  oc  daminis  for  Dáirine  ndubchestach  mac  in  Daill  .i.  a  mharbad  ar 
thnúth  ocus  ar  thangnacht  co  ro  leth  fid  ocus  mothar  dar  a  fherann.  unde 
poeta  :  ro  marb  Guaire  Dáire  ndonn  .  cen  náire  nír  bo  imroll  í  mac  a  athar 
adbal  bet .  is  a  mharbad  tria  drochét 

IX.  Page  87: — (i)  a.  yfijulii.  Caenchomrac  ó  inis  éndaim  for  loch  Ribh 
acus  rob  epscop  é  i  gcluain  meic  Nóis  ar  dtús  do  muintir  Dega  a  chénél. 
acus  ro  fágaib  cluain  ar  méd  a  airmidne  innte  ar  ro  adhairset  na  comfhoigsi 
é  amail  fháid  .  co  ndechaid  d'iarraid  uaignesa  for  loch  Ribh  iaram  b.  ri  ua 
nDega.  Dub  da  crioch  mac  Conamail  meic  Aeda  .m.  Oengusa  .m.  Dega 
.m.  Enna  chenselaig  (ii)  a,  Teftha  ingen  Echach  aireman  ben  Náisi  meic 
Nechtain.  Eochaid  airemh  .i.  is  leis  do  radadh  cuing  ar  damaib  ar  a  muin 
ar  tús.  no  air  uanih  .  or  is  leis  do  tochladh  talam  do  dénam  uama  ar  tús.  Be 
bindia  ingen  Chremthainn  ben  Finn  meic  Finntain  máthair  Echach  finnléith 
ocus  Echach  ai remain  ^.  A.M.  5084.  iar  gcaithem  cóig  mbliadan  ndég  i  rige 
Eirenn  d'Eochaid  airemh  ro  loisgedh  la  Sighmall  i  bFremhain    c.  Tethba 


X.  i— iv]  Text  of  Extracts.  473 

can  as  ro  hainmniged.  ni  annsa  .  Tebtha  ingen  Echdach  aireman  co  roscar 
Nóisiu  mac  Nechtain  finngualai  ó  loch  Léin  ocus  ba  hi  a  muimeside  Eitech 
ingen  Lennghlais  meic  Luin  do  Glomraide  trachta  Tuirbi  .  is  Í  do  chóid 
maraen  lia  dalta.  ó  do  roacht  Tethba  co  hard  Nóisen  ocus  ba  hard  numai 
a  ainm  co  sin  asbert  si :  bid  tesbaid  do  chumdach  in  tfrese  mo  dhulasa  as. 
ni  badh  fior  on  ar  Nóisiu  .  nf  theiséba  do  shlonnudsa  du'n  tirse  .  is  edh  on 
airatá.  is  teidm  neich  indail  bréithri  fácbaisiu  for  in  tirse  ar  sisi .  ocus  bad 
lili  com  uidi  ar  ar  tarrgraid.  ba  fior  diu  .  air  atbath  a  muime  oc  dul  fo  des 
conid  de  atá  cenn  Eitig  ocus  Tebtha  .  de  quibus  dicitur :  do  rat  Tebtha  do*n 
tir  tuaid  .  nadbad  sechna  dar  sárbuaid  í  a  comainm  Cleitech  ro  char  .  ingen 
Echach  aireman.  do  luid  la  Nóisin  anall .  la  [mac]  Nechtain  iinnghualann  t 
Tebtha  rotuille  each  tech  .  is  a  muime  móirEitech.  Eitech  ingen  Lennghlais 
luain  .  roscar  fri  dennmais  ndrechbuain  í  áit  ar  fácaib  duibe  a  drech  .  ba  he 
a  cenn  uighe  Eitech.  maraid  a  nanmann  dia  néis  .  condusfaghbam  fria 
naisnéis  í  na  mban  co  mbrig  is  combladh  .  ro  thog  gach  tir  dia  taradh  d, 
tráig  Tuirbi  can  as  ro  hainmniged.  ni  annsa  .  Tuirbe  tragmar  athair  Gobáin 
saeir  is  é  rodonseilb .  is  ó'n  forbai  isisein  focherdedh  a  urchur  dia  biail  i  tulaig 
imbela  fria  aigid  in  tuile  conurghairedh  in  fairge  ocus  ni  thuidched  tairis. 
ocus  ni  fes  a  gheinelach  saindriud  acht  manip  aen  di  na  tesbadachaib  [aesa 
dána]  atrulladar  a  Temraig  riasin  sab  nilldánach  fil  i  ndiamraib  Breg 

X.  Page  89 : — (i)  a,  A.D.  157.  iar  mbeith  cuig  bliadna  triochat  i  rige 
Eirenn  do  Chonn  chédchathach  torchair  la  Tibraide  tirech  mac  Mail  meic 
Rochraide  rig  Ulad  i  dtuaith  amrois  b.  Conn  cédchathach  .i.  céd  cath  ro 
bhris  for  Mumain  ocus  céd  cath  for  Ultaib  ocus  tri  fichit  cath  for  Laignib. 
dianebairt  :  céd  cath  for  in  Mumain  móir .  ro  bris  Conn  calma  i  cédóir  ' 
céd  ar  Ultu  maraen  riu  .  is  sesca  cath  for  Laigniu  c,  Una  ollchrothach 
ingen  rig  Lochlann  ben  Feidlimid  rechtmair  máthair  Chuinn  chétchathaig. 
Lennabair  ingen  Chatháir  móir  ben  Chuinn  chétchathaig.  Aife  ingen 
Ailpin  ben  eile  do  Chonn  máthair  Airt  aeniir  ocus  Chonnla  maid  ocus 
Saidbe  .  ocus  is  i  fa  máthair  do  Lughna  fertri  iartain.  Lann  ingen  Chrem- 
thainn  chats  ben  eile  do  Chonn.  Main  ocus  Sadb  ocus  Sáraid  tri  ingena 
Chuinn  .  Sadb  máthair  Meicchon  ocus  secht  mac  Oililla  óloim  ocus  fa  ben 
eile  do  Ainel  {sic)  ingen  Eogabail .  Main  máthair  na  tri  Fergusa  {sic)  .i.  Fer- 
gus duibdédach  ocus  Fergus  foiltlebar  ocus  Fergus  bod  for  Bregaib  ocus 
torchradar  a  triur  i  cath  Chrinna  la  Cormac  .  Sárait  máthair  na  tri  Coirbre 
.i.  Coirbre  rigfhoda  ocus  Coirbre  muse  ocus  Coirbre  bascháin  tri  meic 
Chonairi  meic  Moga  lama  (ii)  Fergus  duibdédach  .i.  déda  duba  bádar  oca, 
no  dub  é  ocus  déda  mora  aice  .i.  dub  dédach  (iii)  a,  A.D.  267.  énbhliadain 
d'Eochaid  gonnat  i  rige  Eirenn  go  dtorchair  la  Lugaid  menn  mac  Aongusa 
d'Ulltaib  b,  Eochaid  gunnat  .i.  fer  ro  beg  é  .i.  ro  ghunnataig  .i.  ro  bloghaig 
.i.  is  leis  do  foghailtea  Conaille  fo  Eirinn.  no  Eochaid  gunnat  .i.  Eochaid 
bragfhada  .  nam  gunnat  braighe  no  muinél  dicitur  Page  90 : — (iv)  a,  Bresal 
brec  trá  dá  mac  leis  .i.  Connla  senathair  Ossairgi  ocus  Lugaid  senathair 
Lagen.  mac  didiu  do'n  Lugaid  sin  in  Sétna  sithbac  .  cethri  meic  la  Sétna. 
Nuadu  necht  tra  in  cethramad  mac  Sétnai  sithbaic  is  uad  atá  bunad  Lagen. 
ocus  ba  rig  Temrach  é  ocus  is  leis  docher  [Etirscél]  mór  mac  Eogain  rí 
Muman  .i.  ar  Lugaid  reo  nderg  doringni  Nuadu  in  [ngniom  sin]  ocus  is  iar 
sin  ro  gab  Lugaid  rigi  nEirenn.  ocus  is  ua  do  Nuadait  necht  Finn  ua  Báiscni 
ocus  Cáilte  .  ut  Senchán  tóirpéist  cecinit  isin  chó[ir  anmann]  :  Finn  tulcha 

2  I 


474  ^^^'  of  Extracts,  pc.  v— x 

tuath  curi  ca  .  .  chrothsait  cres  mbodbae  bare  .  .  di  thonnaib .  tri  úi  Báíscne 
buada  .i.  Finn  ocus  Oisin  mac  Finn  ocus  Cáilte  .  cuitechta  conda  ferta  filset 
trf  úi  Nuadat  necht  .i.  co  filet  a  macca  .  .  Finn  didiu  mac  Cumaill  meic 
Trénmóir  .m.  Suaelt  .m.  Ellain  .m.  Baiscni  .m.  Nuadat  necht  b.  Baine 
ingen  Scáil  bailb  ben  Tuathail  techtmair  máthair  Feidlimid  rechtmair  ocus 
Chumaill  meic  Trénmóir.  Muirn  munchaem  ingen  Taidg  meic  Nuadat  má- 
thair  Fhinn  meic  Chumaill.  Gráinne  ingen  Chormaic  ui  Chuinn  ben  Fhinn 
úi  Bháiscne  ocus  fa  ben  do  Diarmait  f  iarum.  Aillbe  ghruaidbrec  ingen  Chor- 
maic ben  eile  d'Fionn.  ocus  fa  ben  do  Moingfionn  ingen  Dubáin  máthair 
Ulaic  meic  Fhinn.  ocus  fa  ben  eile  do  Bodomar  ingen  Lugair  iascairi  ocus 
is  Í  ro  mharb  Currach  lifi  mac  Catháir .  conad  ina  dighail  ro  marbh  Finn 
Currach.  ocus  fa  ben  d'Fionn  Smirgad  ingen  Fothaid  canann.  Aine  ingen 
Finn  meic  Chumaill  máthair  Echach  doimlén  (iv)  Sedna  sithbac  .i.  sfdhbac 
uair  ic  tairmesc  shidha  do  ghrés  no  biodh  ocus  ac  tabairt  chocaid  imm  anáir 
Page  91 : — (v)  Fothadh  canainni  .i.  Canann  ainm  con  bói  oco  .  is  uada  ro 
hainmniged  (vi)  Adarca  unde  nominatur  ,\.  in  úib  Failge.  luchna  echbél 
rígbriuga  ro  bói  ri  Faffainn  anairtuaid  i  fan  in  briugad  frisinabbar  machad 
mBrigti  indiu.  ba  he  a  bés  an  amberthe  do  inniid  cacha  bliadna  ina  thig  no 
bid  ca  altram  ocus  ca  chlithugud  in  tsotha  sain  co  beltaine  cacha  bliadna  co 
ro  charsat  a  chcthri  é.  in  tan  tra  ba  marb  é  táncatar  a  bóchethra  uile  issin 
chnoc  lit  combatar  tri  la  ocus  tri  aidche  ic  imarbád  isin  chnuc  sin  ic  cáiniud 
luchnai  co  torchratar  anadarca  dib  ocus  co  ndcrnta  cnuic  impu  .  do  naib 
tulchaib  sin  asbertatar  adarca  luchna  .  condcchatar  assa  aithle  do  dfol  anitad 
CO  Boinn  undc  áth  almaini  for  bun  mBoinni  (vii)  a,  Bóand  cid  diadá.  ní 
annsa  .  Bóann  ben  Nechtan  meic  Labrada  do  dechaid  dochum  in  tobair 
diamair  baci  in  urlainn  sfda  Nechtain.  cech  aen  fodricedh  ni  tbicedh  uad 
can  máidsin  a  da  rose  acht  mcnptis  é  Nechtan  ocus  a  trf  deogbairi .  Flesc 
ocus  Lesc  ocus  Luam  ananmann.  fecht  ann  musluid  Bóand  la  dfmus  do  co 
bfis  cumachta  in  tobair  ocus  asbcrt  nad  bái  cumachta  diamair  connisadh 
cumach  a  dclba  .  ocus  imsái  tuaithbel  in  topair  fo  tri  ocus  máidhid  tri  tonna 
tairsi  di'n  tobur  ocus  fosruidbed  a  sliasaid  ocus  a  láim  ocus  a  Icthsuil.  imsái 
diu  for  teiched  a  hailhisi  co  fairgi  ocus  an  uisce  ina  diaid  co  hinber  mBóinne. 
ba  hi  sin  dono  mathair  Aengusa  meic  in  Dagda.  no  itá  Bó  ainm  in  tsrotha 
ocus  Finn  abann  sléibc  Guaire  ocus  dia  comrac  mole  as  ainm  Bó«inn.  dabh- 
ilia  ainm  a  hoircc  undc  cnoc  dauilla  .  sliab  in  chotaig  hodic  b.  Bóann  ingen 
Delbacith  mathair  Aengusa  in  broga  .  ocus  ba  ben  do  Nechtain  mac  Labrada 
leisbric  i  c.  tri  dindgna  Eirenn  ccn  «lil  .  duma  na  ngiall  i  Temraig  í  brug 
meic  indóc  niabda  dul  .  is  dun  Cremthainn  in  Etur  (viii)  a,  A.D.  283.  a  sé 
ddg  do  Chairbre.  Fionn  ua  Báiscne  do  thuitim  la  hAichlech  mac  Duibdrenn 
ocus  la  macaib  Uirgrenn  do  Luaignib  temnich  oc  áth  Brea  for  Boinn  dian- 
dcbrad  :  ro  bith  Finn  ba  do  ghaib  .i.  do  na  gaib  iasgaig  ro  gonadh  é  ^.  ro 
dichncd  Finn  ba  fcr  tenn  .  ó  a  óclaech  mac  Duibdrenn  í  is  ro  benad  de  a 
chenn  .  ó  macaib  anaib  Uirgrenn  Page  92 : — (ix)  geinelach  ú  Fidgentid. 
Conall  a  quo  ui  Chonaill  ghabra  mac  Intait  meic  Dáiri  .m.  Briuin  .m. 
Fiachrach  fidgennid  .m.  Dáire  cherba  .m.  Aililla  flainn  bic  .m.  Aililla  flainn 
móir.  de  chur  luinge  ina  ngiall  fidgenid  nominatus  est ,  ct  gut  fecit  eguum 
ligneum  in  circo  Cholmáin  ilLifiu  agitari.  [adberait  araile  ba  fidgeinid  Maine 
muncháin  mac  Oililla  flainn  big  meic  Fiachach  fir  da  liach]  (x)  A.D.  884. 
Maolmura  an  file  foircthe  fircolach  staraide  ergna  an  bhérla  scoitegda  d'ég. 


XI. ;  XII.  i— v]  Text  of  Extracts.  475 

is  fair  tugad  an  teistemainsi  :  nf  forlaig  talmain  togha  .  nf  targa  i  dTemrai^ 
tura  Í  ni  taiche  allEiriu  iormar.  fer  mar  Mhaol  mhfnghlan  Mura.  ni  eisib  bás 
gan  dolmai  .  ni  roacht  gnás  co  marba  •  nfr  hiadadh  talam  trebthaig  .  for 
senchaid  badid  amra 

XI.  ibid,\—{y)  fianna  a  uenatione  ,\,  ó'n  tseilg  dognídís  atbeirthea  fianna 
friu.  no  fianna  .i.  fincdha  ár  is  ina  finedaib  ocus  ina  naicmib  do  bidfs.  no 
fianna.  i.  féinneda  an  rig  iat  (ii)  Mide  can  as  ro  hainmnigedh.  nf  annsa. 
Mide  mac  Brata  meic  Deta  cédna  ro  fada  teinid  fri  clandaib  Neimid  in 
Eirinn  ocus  ro  bái  secht  mbliadna  for  lasad  .  conid  6'n  teinid  sin  ro  hadhnad 
gach  primtheine  in  Eirinn  conid  de  dligios  a  comarba  miach  la  muic  gach 
aenchleithe  in  Eirinn  .  conerbradar  drui  Eirenn  :  is  mide  duinn  in  tinese  ro 
hadadh  isin  tir  .  co  ro  tinóilid  drúi  Eirenn  in  aentech  co  tallaid  a  tengtha  as 
a  cennaib  tria  chomairli  Midi .  cor  adnaid  i  talmain  Uisnech  ocus  condeisid 
Mide  prímdrúi  ocus  primsenchaid  Eirenn  uasaib.  adbert  Gaire  ingen  Gumoir 
muime  Midi  :  is  uais  nech  dofuilter  sunn  innocht.   unde  Uisnech  ocus  Mide 

XII.  Page  94 : — (i)  A.D.  284.  iar  mbeith  secht  mbliadna  dég  i  rfge  Eirenn 
do  Chairbre  lifechair  docher  i  gcath  gabra  Aichle  do  láim  Sémeoin  meic 
Chirb  do  Fhothortaib  iar  dtabairt  na  fcinne  d'Fiorchorb  mac  Chormaic  chais 
lais  in  nagaid  an  rig  do  chosnam  Icithe  Moga  fris  285.  énbhliadain  do'n  da 
Fothad  OS  Eirinn  go  dtorchair  Fothad  cairpthech  la  Fothad  nairgtliech. 
docher  Fothad  airgtech  iar  sin  i  gcath  Ollarba  i  Line  la  Caoilte  (ii)  Ossfn 
cecinit .  i  cath  Gabra  ro  marbad  Oscar  ocus  Cairbre  Ipfechair]  :  ogam  illia 
lia  uas  lecht .  baile  i  téigtís  fecht  fir  i  mac  rig  Eirenn  ro  gaet  ann  .  do  ghae 
ghann  ós  Gabair  gil.  tarlaic  Cairpre  urchar  nairc  .  domuin  amairc  maith  is 
tress  \  gairsiu  condrfstais  a  scfss  .  Oscar  ro  bi  a  lam  des.  tarlaic  Oscar  irchar 
noil .  CO  fergach  lonn  immar  leo  í  co  ro  marb  Coirpre  ua  Cuinn  .  riasragiall- 
satar  gluinn  gleo.  amainsi  mora  na  mac  .  fisaratar  a  mbás  do'n  ghleo  i  gairsiu 
condrfstais  a  nairm  .  roptar  lia  ammairb  inámbeo.  misse  fodéin  isin  tres. 
leith  andes  do  Ghabair  ghlais '  marbsa  caecait  laech  fo  df .  is  mise  rosbi  dom 
bais.  airpeitenn  carpach  fochruch  .  inninaim  ba  ruth  domrogh  í  ro  marbainn 
tore  i  caill  cháid  .  no  sháirginn  én  áith  im  ogh.  in  togam  út  fil  sin  chloich. 
imma  torchratar  na  troich  í  dámmairedh  Finn  fichtib  glonn  .  cian  bad 
chumain  in  togom  (iii)  sliab  Fuait  can  as  ro  hainmniged.  ni  annsa  .  Fuat 
mac  Bili  meic  Brige  .m.  Breogoin  do  tarall  inse  for  muir  oc  tuidecht  dóib 
dochum  nEirenn  .i.  inis  maigdena  no  mo  ogdeda  id  est  morogdiada .  each  aen 
no  fuirmed  a  bonn  fuirri  nf  aprad  goe  cén  no  bfdh  innti.  tuc  diu  Fuat  fót  leis 
aissi  conid  fair  condeisid  breithemnus  ocus  a  coigcert .  in  tan  diu  do  dórdad 
goe  imsóadh  a  fond  in  arda  ocus  a  fhér  fri  grian  ocus  [in  tan]  adbeired 
imorro  fir  imsóadh  a  fhér  in  arda  .  ocus  atá  diu  in  fót  sin  beus  isin  tsléib 
ocus  is  fair  dellaid  in  gráinne  torchair  a  gerrán  Phátraic  .  conid  adrad  sruith 
Ó  sin  ille  ar  coiméd  na  firinne  ann.  aliter  comad  ó  Fuat  mac  Breoguin  co 
dfles  ro  ráitea  .  unde  sliab  Fuait  nominatur  Page  96: — (iv)  A.D.  447.  a 
naoi  dég  do  Laogaire  [mac  Néill  náighiallaig].  Secundinus  .i.  Sechnall  mac 
Ú  Baird  mac  sethar  Pátraig  .i.  Darerca  epscop  arda  Macha  cúig  bliadna 
sechtmoghad  a  aois  an  tan  ro  faoidh  a  spirat  .1.  270  Nouember  Page  98: — 
(v)  a,  benn  Edair  \etc^  Etar  ben  Gainn  meic  Dela  in  cóiged  rig  fer  mbolg 
is  i  sin  cétna  ben  adbath  do  chumaid  a  fir  sunn  prius  .  ocus  is  ann  ro  had- 
nacht  i  mbeinn  Etair.  aliter  ^Xacc  Á,  ó  Etur  mac  Edgáith  ro  bái  i  clemnus 
Manannáin  is  é  adbath  do  sheirc  Aine  conatclad  a  fhiurt  isin  beinn  ucut 


476  Text  of  Extracts.  [Xii.  vi— xii 

b,  Marga  ben  Edair  meic  Edgáith  Page  99 :— (vi)  a.  A.M.  4875.  iar  mbeith 
sesgat  bliadan  i  rige  Eirenn  d'Aenghus  tuirmech  Temrach  at  bail  i  dTemraig. 
Aengus  tuirmech  do  ghairm  de  ár  as  chuige  tuirmigter  saorchlanna  sfl  Eire- 
móin  b,  Oengus  tuirbech  .i.  tuirbech  leis  .i.  in  mac  dorinne  fria  ingen  .i. 
Fiachaid  fer  mara.  no  dono  is  chuice  tuirmigter  saerchlanna  Eirenn  .  is  aire 
adbeirthea  Aengus  tuirbech  c,  da  primaicmi  dec  do  Emaib  ocus  cethri  for- 
shlointe  fichet  .i.  da  forshlonnud  cacha  aicme  (vii)  máthair  Diarmata  ó'n 
Dáil .  ingen  Churraig  meic  Chatháir  \  is  Blai  derg  di'n  Bhanbai  bhrais  .  má- 
thair  Ossine  amnais.  ticedh  [sf]  irriocht  elite .  i  comdáil  na  dibeirge  •  com- 
demad  Ossine  de  .  ri  Blai  ndeirg  irriocht  eilte  (viii)  A.D.  2550.  Parthalón 
d'ég  for  senmaigh  elta  Edair  isin  mbliadainsi.  in  aimsir  ghabála  Parthalóin 
ro  slechtait  na  muigesi  acht  namá  ní  fes  caite  bliadna  in  ro  slechtait .  mag 
nEithrige  la  Connachta  .  mag  nithe  la  Laigniu  .  mag  Lii  la  húib  mac  Uais 
bregh  .  mag  Latharna  la  dál  nAraide  2820.  naoi  mfle  do  eg  fri  haointsecht- 
main  do  mhuintir  Phárthalóin  for  shenmaig  elta  Edair  .i.  cúig  mfle  d'feraib 
ocas  ceithre  mfle  do  mnáib  .  conad  de  sin  atá  táimlecht  muintire  Párthaláin. 
trí  céd  bliadan  ro  chaithset  in  Eirinn  Page  102 : — (ix)  a,  bái  tra  Eochaid 
ollathair  .i.  in  Dagdha  mór  mac  Elathan  ochtmogat  bliadan  i  rigi  Eirenn.  is 
aige  do  bádar  na  tr(  meic  .i.  Aengus  ocus  Aedh  ocus  Cermad  caem  .  is  forra 
ina  cethrar  rosgnfset  fir  Eirenn  sfd  in  broga  b,  Eochaid  ollathair  .i.  uille  é 
iná  a  athair .  no  ollathair  .i.  uille  do  thuathaib  de  Danann.  Daghda  .i.  daigh 
de  .i.  dia  sainemail  ag  na  geinntib  é  c,  tuatha  de  Danann  .i.  dee  in  taes 
dána  ocus  andé  in  taes  trebtha  Page  103 : — (x)  a,  Dagdha  ocus  Oghma 
ocus  Alloth  ocus  Bres  ocus  Delbaeth  cuic  meic  Elathain  meic  Delbáith  .m. 
Néid  b,  Oengus  mac  innóg  ocus  Aedh  caem  ocus  Cermad  milbél  trf  meic 
in  Daghda  meic  Elathan  c,  Midhir  brig  léith  mac  Indái  meic  Echtaig  .m. 
Edarlaim  d,  Nuada  airgetlám  mac  Echtaig  meic  Edarlaim  e,  Bodhb  sfda 
fer  Femin  mac  Echach  gairb  meic  Duach  temin  .m.  Breis  .m.  Elathan  .m. 
Delbáith  .m.  Néid  (xi)  a.  Brf  léith  \etc^  Liath  mac  Celtchair  is  é  mac 
Flatha  bái  i  sidchairib  co  ro  charastarsein  Brf  mbruachbric  ingin  Midir  mór- 
ghlonnaig  meic  Indúi  .m.  Echtaig.  do  chóid  dana  Brf  a  hingenrad  co  fertai 
na  ningen  i  taeb  Temrach  .  luid  Liath  a  buiden  macaem  co  mbái  i  tulaig  na 
hiarmaithrigi.  feimidset  comrac  nf  bod  nesum  fri  taibleoraib  sfdi  Midir  ár  ba 
lir  beich  telleoin  illó  ainnle  imfrecra  a  ndiubraicthe  .  co  ro  brised  leo  Cochlán 
gilla  Léith  conapad.  imsói  in  ingen  do  Brf  léith  co  roebris  a  cride  inti  ocus 
atbert  :  cen  Liath  cen  co  ro  osa  in  ingensa  is  mo  ainmsea  bias  fuirri  .i.  Bri 
léith  .i.  Brf  as  la  Liath.  conid  de  adberar  Brf  léith  ocus  dinn  Cochláin  b, 
mag  Femin  unde  nominatur,  nf  annsa  .  Femen  ocus  Fera  da  derbráthair  .i. 
da  mac  Mogaib  meic  Dachair  do  chlainn  Bratha  meic  Detha.  oenbac  ocus 
oenluasat  iaim  eturru  andis  .  in  tráth  no  bid  Femen  ic  fuilged  no  bid  Fera  ic 
bacad  et  uicissim  .  unde  mag  Femin  et  mag  Fera  .  unde  poeta  :  Femen  Fera 
fir  fathga  .  do  shiol  delbghlan  Deatha  í  itiat  ro  shlechtsat  nammaig  .  Femen 
Fera  a  fidbaid  Page  104 : — (xii)  fid  ngaibli  [e/c]  Gabul  glas  mac  Ethadóin 
meic  Nuadat  argatláim  tall  grinni  Ainge  ingini  in  Dagdai  ro  teclaimside  do 
dénam  drochtai  di .  uair  in  drochta  dognfd  in  Dagda  nf  anad  de  thinsaitin 
céin  no  bid  in  muir  for  linad  ocus  ni  ticed  bainne  as  céin  ba  haithbe.  tarlaic 
Gabul  iarum  urchor  do'n  grinni  sin  a  beluch  Fhualascaig  co  ra  gab  fos  ocus 
forbairt  in  chaill  for  each  leth  .  unde  fid  nGaibli.  ue/  combad  Í  Gabul  gáir- 
cchtach  ingen  Guill  glais  ben  Oirc  meic  Ingais  ro  báided  issindabainn  sin 


XII.  xui— XV]  Text  of  Extracts.  477 

iar  marbad  a  fir  la  AilioU  mac  Aeda  róin  in  áth  ore  .  unde  Gabul  ocus  áth 
ore  fwminantur,  tul  is  aire  ainmnigter  Gabul  di'ndabainn  ar  in  gablugud 
dogni  si  irrinn  da  chluana  .i.  cluain  sasta  ocus  cluain  mór    Page  106: — 
(xiii)  a,  Temair  luachra  \etc^  Temair  ingen  Lugdach  meic  Itha  ben  Eiremóin 
is  di  tugad  Temair  luachra  ocus  temair  Brega  ocus  gach  temair  olchena  da  fil 
in  Eire,   luachair  imorro  fodéisin  ba  mag  scothach  co  reimes  mac  nUgaini 
no  go  gein  Cuinn  ut  alii  dicunt  fo  deig  as  indi  do  bruinnset  Siuir  ocus  Eoir 
ocus  Berba  ocus  loch  Riach  ocus  loch  Léin  i  luachair  .  ocus  adces  bili  toirten 
ocus  Eoron      b,  loch  Léin  \etc^    Léin  linfiaclach  mac  Bain  bolgaid  meic 
Bannaig  .m.  Glammaig  .m.  Gomir  cerd  sidi  Buidb  is  é  ro  baei  sin  loch  ignim 
niamlestar  Fainni  ingini  Flidais.   iar  scur  a  oipri  gach  naidchi  focherded  uad 
a  indeoin  sair  co  hindeoin  na  nDéise  cosin  fert .  ocus  tri  frosa  focherded  .i. 
fros  uisci .  fros  teined  .  fros  do  nemainn  chorcarglain  .  ocus  dognidh  Neman- 
dach  a  cétna  ic  sliaidi  cuaich  Choncobair  atuaid  .  unde  loch  Léin  nominatur 
Page  107 : — (xiv)  crota  Cliach  [etc.]   Cliach  cruitire  Smirduib  meic  Smáil  rí 
na  trf  narus  a  sid  Baine  do  luidsen  do  thochuired  Chonchinne  ingine  Buidb 
a  sfd  for  Femen  .  no  combad  Baine  a  hainm.  bái  diu  Cliach  bliadain  lain 
\fns,  ilainm]  ic  senmaim  forsin  dinn  sin  ocus  ni  roacht  co  s(d  mBuidb  ni  bo 
nesom  la  méd  cumachta  in  tsfda  ocus  ni  caemnacair  ni  do'n  ingenraid  .  acht 
ro  sephainn  a  chroit  co  róimid  in  talam  faei.   conid  as  ro  mhuid  in  draic  is 
de  loch  bél  dregcon  .i.  dreg  theined  fuair  muime  Temog  ann  i  riocht  bradáin 
conid  Fursa  rostenn  isin  loch  .  ocus  is  é  sin  in  draig  taimgiter  im  féil  Eoin 
do  thurgbáil  for  Eirinn  fri  deired  domain  ocus  is  de  sin  atát  Crota    Page 
109 : — (xv)  a.  Berba  unde  nominatur,  Berba  is  inti  ro  láittea  na  trf  nathracha 
ro  bátar  i  cride  Méichi  meic  na  mórrígna  iama  marbad  do  Diancecht  i  maig 
Méichi.   mag  Fertaige  ainm  in  maige  sin  ar  tús.   delba  tr(  cenn  nathrach 
bátar  forsna  trf  cridib  bátar  i  Méiche  .  ocus  mani  thairsed  a  marbad  forbér- 
táis  na  nathracha  sain  ina  broinn  co  na  farcbaidfs  anmanna  beo  in  Eirinn. 
CO  ronloisc  Diancecht  iama  marbad  ocus  co  ronlá  a  luaith  lasin  sruth  ut  co 
romberb  ocus  co  ro  dílég  cech  nanmanna  b6i  innti.   unde  mag  Luadat  ocus 
mag  Méichi  ocus  Berba  :  cride  Méichi  cruaid  in  chned .  isin  Berba  ro  báided  Í 
a  luaith  iama  loscud  lib  .  ro  chuir  mac  Cecht  cétchuinig    b,  slige  Dala  unde 
nominatur,  .ni.  Dalo  glas  do  grécaib  Scithia  is  uad  dogarar  sligi  Dala  .  Créa 
imorro  ingen  Feidlecon  a  ben  is  uaide  ainmnighter  ros  Créa .  Cannan  mac 
Eidlecon  dana  is  uad  congarar  cluain  Cannan.    Carmun  cétbrugach  der- 
bráthair  do  Dalo  condaluid  iar  néc  Dalo  do  triall  a  hEirinn  contoracht 
Carmun  liphi  conid  ann  atbath  do  chumaid  a  bráthar.    Dala  tra  ocus  Carmun 
ocus  Imteng  secundum  quosdam  ocus  Gláire  ocus  Brea  ocus  Grea  ocus  Cairiu 
sechtor  fáid  meic  Thait  .m.  Ogamuin  .m.  Beamuin  .m.  Sni  .m.  Esrú  .m. 
Gaedil  glais  .  ocus  Rafann  a  siur .  co  ro  fodlait  do  dfth  Dalo  ar  ba  he  Dalo 
a  cuingid.    Inteng  dana  ic  dun  Inteing  .  hie  secundum  quosdam  [Carmun 
mortuus  est]  .  Gláire  ós  dún  Gláire  in  Eilib  .  Brea  ic  dún  Brea  in  úib  Briuin 
cualann  .  Grea  in  dun  Grea  in  úib  Garrchon  ós  sléib  Airgiall .  Cairiu  ic  dun 
Cairenn  .  Rafann  dana  a  siur  ic  Ráirinn  in  liib  Muiredaig.   is  amlaid  sin  ra 
fodlait  sechtor  fáid  ocus  is  uaidib  ainmnigter  na  inada  sin  :  Dalo  Inteng 
Gláire  glan  .  Brea  Grea  Cairiu  is  Cannan  *.  ocus  Carmun  cloen  cathach  .  ba 
hadbal  eland  oenathar     c.  cenn  Febrat  can  as  [etc.']    .ni.  Febra  mac  Sin 
derbráthair  senDedaid  meic  Sin  conid  ro  marb  Cain  mac  Deirg  dualaig  co 
tuc  a  chenn  cosin  sliab  ucut .  unde  cenn  Febrat  dicitur,  do  luid  iarum  Garbán 


4  7^  Text  of  Extracts,  [xii.  xvi   xxi 

mac  Dedaid  da  digail  for  Cain  mac  nDeirg  dualaig  conid  romarb  for  sléib 
Cain  ocus  CO  rue  a  chenn  co  cenn  Febrat.   mór  laech  ocus  laeiches  ro  had- 
nacht  ann  la  suidib  .  in  Lughaid  loighde  .  ocus  Dodera  mac  Urmora  in  file, 
ocus  Eithne  ocus  Maer  ocus  Mugain  ocus  araile    d,  Maer  ocus  Modar  da 
ingin  Fergusa  cnae  meic  Ugaine  .  Maer  máthair  Echach  meic  Luchta.   Maer 
ingen  Buide  meic  Buain  ben  Ardáin.   Eithne  ingen  Luigdech  meic  Dairi  siur 
Maicniad  máthair  Chonairi  meic  Moga  lama  ocus  máthair  Luigdech  lága 
meic  moga  Nuadat    Page  i  io  : — (xvi)  geinelach  Ciarraige  luachra.  Ussalach 
mac  Astumain  meic  Chéir.m.  Fhergusa  .m.  Róig  .m.  Rosa  .m.  Rudraige 
Page  ii6: — (xvii)  a.  Luimnech  [etc.]    comdál  ro  baei  etir  Mumain  ocus 
Connachtu  co  tucsat  leo  a  cathfiru  in  da  rig  .i.  da  mac  Smucaille  meic  Bac- 
duib  .  Rinn  ocus  Faebar  a  nanmann.   ro  gab  indalanái  for  faesam  mBuidb  a 
sfd  Femin  .  gabais  alaile  faesam  Ochaill  sfdi  Cruachan.    tucsat  iarum  na 
cathfir  a  ceird  mucach  ar  aird  ocus  do  luid  each  dia  coimes  i  sruth  ocus 
odarluimni  liathglasa  im  slog  in  da  dál.   conid  iar  sin  táinic  a  tuile  inn  ocus 
ni  ro  airigset  la  met  anacnaig  co  rue  in  sruth  a  luimne  uile  dib  .  conid  ann 
asbertsat  na  dercaide  :  is  luimnechda  in  tinbcr  indrosa.   no  luman  ainm  in 
scéith  .  ocus  in  tan  bás  icon  imargail  ro  fo;cal  in  sruth  a  luimne  do  na  laechaib 
.i.  a  sciathu  conerbradar  indrig  ó  thul  tuinne  :  is  luimnechda  intinber  indrosa. 
unde  Luimnech  nominatur   b,  Echtga  unde  nominatur,   .ni.  Echtga  uathach 
ingen  Urscothaig  meic  luinni  truimi  de  thuathaib  dé  Danann  is  ann  ro  alt  i 
cúil  echtair  i  taeb  nenta  la  Moach  maelchenn.   ro  bái  cuthgaire  Gainn  ocus 
senGhainn  oca  cuingid  .i.  Fergus  mac  Ruide  lusca  béisti  .i.  béist  ro  alt  as  a 
lusca  .i.  as  a  nóidenacht  ina  medón.   ro  faem  dana  indingen  féis  laissium  fo 
dáig  ferainn  cuthgaire  ocus  deogbaire  bui  ina  láim  ó  rig  Olnécmacht  .i.  6 
Maenmag  co  fairge.   ni  bái  dana  innmas  lais  ocus  bái  ferann  .  conid  é  tinn- 
sera  tucad  di  in  sliab  út .  ocus  bertar  da  baei  ann  .i.  bo  atuaid  ||  ocus  b6 
andes  ocus  beirid  in  b6  atuaid  trian  mbleehta  seeh  in  mboin  andes.   unde 
poeta  :  Echtga  uathach  ós  each  blaid  .  ingen  urdaire  Urscothaig !  si  conait- 
echt  sliab  nach  slait .  for  Fergus  na  turfhochraic    c,  Moenmag  unde  nomi- 
natur.  .ni.  Moen  mórgnfmach  fer  berrtha  mac  Miled  is  é  cétna  fer  no  berrad 
in  Eirinn  .i.  iar  tascur  mac  Miled.   is  é  dana  cétna  luach  berrtha  tucad  ar 
tus  in  Eirinn  .i.  Berramain  .i.  main  i  commáin  berrtha.  marb  dana  Moen 
imMoenmaig  .  unde  poeta  :  ba  marb  Moen  co  mini  gal  .  for  maig  Moein 
atchualamar  Í  fofhuair  cen  debtha  trebaig  .  illóg  berrtha  Berramain     Page 
1 19: — (xviii)  A.D.  241.   a  cuig  dég  do  Chorbmac.   atiad  ann  so  catha  Chorb- 
maic  for  Mumain  an  bhliadainsi .  cath  Beirre  .c.  locha  Léin  .c.  Luimnig  .c. 
Gréine  .c.  Clasaig  .c.  Muirisc  .c.  Ferta  i  dtorchair  Eochaid  taobfada  mac 
Oililla  óluim  .c.  Samhna  i  dtorchair  Cian  mac  Oililla  óluim  ocus  .c.  Arda 
chaim       Page  120: — (xix)  A.D.  746.    S.  Comán  .i.  naom  rosa  Chomáin 
agus  is  uadh  ainmnigter  ros  Comáin  deesse  san  bhliadainsi  no  san  bliadain 
inár  ndiaid  agus  sgribtar  air  go  raib  sé  dá  chéd  bliadan  d'aois.   atá  imresan 
edir  na  hannalaib  cia  acu  bliadain  inar  eg  sé     Page  122: — (xx)  A.D.  76. 
iar  mbeith  fiche  bliadan  i  rige  6s  Eirinn  d'Eilim  mac  Conrach  dorochair  i 
cath  Aichle  la  Tuathal  techtmar    Page  126: — (xxi)  a^  Mag  luirg  [etc.]  dia 
mbaei  Conall  cemach  oca  ghaire  i  Cruachain  conid  ann  ro  gheogain  Ailill  rig 
Connacht  tria  uráil  Medba  conid  aire  ro  teich  as  in  Cruachain  .  condechaid 
ócbaid  Chonnacht  ina  diaid  ocus  condechadar  na  tri  ruadchoin  Mairtine  for 
a  lurg  .  conid  assin  congabsat  a  lorg  .i.  a  muig  luirg  co  mag  slecht  na  Bréifni. 


XII.  xxii-xxiv]  Text  of  Extracts.  479 

CO  ronortsat  na  tri  ruadchoin  do  feine  oc  áth  na  miana  og  Maigin  ocus 
rofucsat  a  chenn  leo  co  crfch  Beirre  i  corco  Laigde  i  cinaid  chinn  Chonrái 
meic  Dairi.  conid  Í  sin  gaire  Chonaill  i  cruachain  ocus  unde  mag  luirg  b, 
A. I).  748.  Fursa  esa  mac  nEirc  d'ég  .  es  mac  Neirc  for  Búill  es  úi  Fhloinn 
andiu  r.  es  Ruaid  [etc.].  Aedh  mad  mac  Baduirn  di  Ulltaib  ri  Eirenn  ro 
báided  ann  oc  faicsin  a  delba  oc  snám  in  esa  ocus  a  quo  es  ruaid  nominatur. 
ocus  is  é  a  sid  s(d  nAeda  ar  ur  in  esa.  aliter  Ruad  ingen  Maine  milscothaig 
doraega  Aedh  mac  Labrada  leisbric  meic  Roga  rodaim.  is  as  táinic  a  hila- 
thaib  moige  Maein  .  i  curach  Abhcáin  éicis  táinic  ocus  a  lám  clé  fri  hEirinn 
dia  luid  la  Gaeith  mac  Gaeise  glaine  do  aenach  fer  Fidgae.  tuargaib  a  seol 
creda  for  a  curach  in  ingcn  ocus  do  luid  a  haenar  isin  inber  conusfaca  Aedh 
do'n  tsuidiu  irraba  ocus  ni  fidir  in  ingen  cia  tir  inarraba  .  co  cuala  dórd  na 
samghuba  isin  inbiur  nach  cuala  nech  riam  ocus  asbert :  is  é  seo  inber  bus 
áiniu  in  Eirenn  .  ocus  conattuil  ina  suan  ocus  deillig  dar  braine  a  luinge  co 
ro  báided.  conid  de  asberar  es  Ruaid  Page  127 : — (xxii)  Druim  cliab  [etc.], 
is  ann  doróntá  cléib  curaig  Chumáin  chasduib  dia  luid  do  thogail  diiin  bare 
for  Ainle  mac  Loai  lámfhotai  diambái  bliadain  colleith  ocu  [co  torchair  Ainle 
ann  cona  rig^aib  ocus  co  lion  a  fhualais  olchena].  is  ann  adbert  Cumán 
cosdub  mac  Réa  doirchi  iarsin  togail :  is  ni  in  ni  dia  tiagat  fir  dénam.  unde 
poeta  :  mac  Réa  doirchi  data  .  Cumán  cruaid  cennfhata  í  rogní  cliabu  cian 
ro  clos  .  in  druim  cliab  diambói  in  teros  Page  153: — (xxiii)  a.  Liamain  cid 
diatá.  .nl.  Liamain  lenncháin  ocus  Fcrcharthain  ocus  Mianach  ocusTruistiu 
ceithri  ingena  Dubthaig  dubthaire  meic  Fergnaei  ri  Déisi  bregh  co  roscarsat 
ceithri  meic  Aichir  chirr  meic  Echdach  ondot  do  émaib  Muman  do  shiol 
Moga  lama  meic  Luigdech  .m.  Chairpri  chroinichinn  co  tángadar  ceithri 
meic  [Aichir]  aniar  co  tech  nDubthaig  .i.  Ferdubh  ocus  Fernocht .  Roimper 
ocus  Fomu  a  nanmanna  .  co  ro  lásat  a  curu  bliadain  fri  Dubthach.  bádar 
dono  oc  cuingid  a  nothor  post  ocus  ni  thug  Dubthach  co  mbeidis  mis  fri 
bliadain  occa  .  air  is  é  Dubthach  ro  thuill  mis  fri  faichill  ocus  combaeidecht 
mbliadna.  do  luid  dono  Dubthach  for  creich  i  Laigniu.  léicitsium  galar  forru 
ar  na  tistais  leis  .  dotaed  Dubthach  iarum  ocus  élaitsium  dá  éis  ocus  ceithri 
ingena  Dubthaig  leo  co  comfamaic  Dubthach  friu  ilLaignib  cor  marb  a 
nochtur  .i.  Fomu  fer  Liamna  .  Roimper  fer  Ferchartana  .  Fer  nocht  fer 
Miancha  .  Fer  dub  la  Truistin.  ro  marbad  diu  uili  .i.  Fer  dub  ic  dubathaib 
Maisten  .  Fer  nocht  ic  Fomocht .  Roimper  i  nglais  Rompair .  Fomu  i  Fomain. 
Liamain  for  Liamain  .  Mianach  in  Achaill .  Ferchartain  i  Forchartain  .  Tru- 
istiu  for  áth  [Truisten].  do  luid  dono  aniar  a  máthair  .i.  Luachair  bhoiren- 
nach  a  hainm  ocus  a  Boirinn  chorcomruad  di  co  fuair  fios  bunaid  marbta  a 
ccithre  mac  cor  maid  a  cride  inte  .  is  di  asberar  Luachair  baimig.  do  luid 
Aicher  conapadh  i  cnuc  duma  Aichir  in  uib  Fehncda  b,  geinelach  ua 
bP'eilmedha.  tri  meic  Muiredaig  meic  Oengusa  .m.  Feidilmthi  a  quo  úi 
Fheilmeda  .m.  Enna  chenselaig  .i.  Eocho  .  Ailill  .  Eogan  a  quo  Bee  mac 
Eogain  Page  157:— (xxiv)  sliab  Cua  unde  nominatur,  .ni.  Cua  ccnnmár 
mac  Brocshalaig  chrínglúinig  dalta  Boibli  meic  Buirchi.  tánic  bó-ár  mór  in 
Eirinn  in  aimsir  Chonaill  chlárainig  conná  frith  in  Eirinn  acht  oentsamaisc  i 
nglinn  tSamaisci  ocus  oentarb  .  ac  Boibli  dana  ro  bátar  sain,  ro  fóided  cech 
dalta  dia  daltaib  dia  comet,  in  tan  ro  siacht  do  Chua  chennmár  cuairt  a 
cométa  ro  fhell  foraib  .  rosnuc  leis  condemai  brothlaig  foraib  ocus  dosfuaid 
issin  tsléib.   unde  poeta  :  Cua  cennmar  co  cruth  chain  .  mac  Brocalaig  chrin- 


480  Text  of  Extracts.  [xii.  xxv— xxviii 

glúnmair  \  datta  d'uaid  a  boin  sin  tsléib  .  ropo  dalta  condaillchéill  Page 
160: — (xxv)  a.  mag  Muirisci  unde  nominatur.  .ni.  muiriasc  mór  dianid  ainm 
rosualt  focheird  in  muir  ann  fo  thir .  ocus  issi  a  ruin  indanraannai  sin  no 
aisnéided  Colum  cilli  do  chách  .i.  trí  scéithi  dogníd  ocus  ba  in  airdi  cech 
scéith  dfb  .i.  scéith  immuir  ocus  a  eithre  in  arda  .  ocus  bádud  curach  ocus 
bare  ocus  ár  for  anmanna  in  mara  sin  bliadain  sin.  scéith  in  aer  ocus  a  err 
sfs  ocus  adcuired  suas  a  scéith  .  ár  for  anmanna  foluamnacha  ||  indacoir  sin 
bliadain  sin.  scéith  dana  aile  fo  thir  combrénad  in  tir .  ocus  ár  for  dóine  ocus 
for  cethru  sin  bliadain  sin.  combad  in  aimsir  na  nAed  ocus  Coluim  chilli  no 
thecmad  in  tanmanna  sin  .  unde  Dalian  [forgaill]  cecinit :  legais  nina  rosualt 
etir  scolaib  screptra.  uel  tola  muiréisc  móir  dorala  ann  in  aimsir  Gairb  glijn- 
raige  co  ro  linsat  glenna  ocus  fána  in  tire  illeith  fri  muir.  uel  combad  í 
Muiresc  ingen  Ugaine  móir  dia  tucad  di  in  mag  sin  ocus  combad  ann  no 
aplad  in  Muiresc  sin  :  muiriasc  focherdi  in  muir  m6r .  diamba  ainm  rosualt 
rígmór  í  ba  hangbaid  angnim  [nglan]  nglé  .  ro  thaimgir  Colum  cillé.  uel : 
tola  mairbéisc  tuile  the  .  fri  re  Gairréisc  glúnraige  í  fobruchta  muir  mflib 
eland  .  fo  chethri  tirib  Erand.  uel :  mas  Í  Muiresc  chiar  chrechach  .  ingen 
dian  ui  degEchach  í  ba  blad  buair  cen  choir  chuir  .  fofhuair  in  mag  co  mór- 
muir  d.  mata  Muirsci  d'feraib  Olnégmacht  máthair  trí  mac  Rosa  .i.  Finn 
ocus  Cairbre  ocus  Oilill .  ocus  is  é  in  tOilill  sin  tucsat  Connachta  chucu  a 
dualgus  a  máthar.  fa  ben  dono  in  Muiresc  sin  d'Fior  da  loch  .i.  Cairbre 
cennderg  eisiden  .  co  rue  maea  do  im  Chet  .  im  Annluan  .  im  Ailill  .  im 
Moghcorb  .  im  Toiche  .  im  Finn  ocus  im  Scannlán  c,  Macha  ingen  Aeda 
maid  meic  Badairn  ben  Chimaith  meic  Finntain  is  isein  ro  alt  Ugaine  mór 
mac  Echach  buadaig.  Cesair  chruthach  ingen  rig  Fhrange  ben  Ugaine  móir 
máthair  a  trí  ingen  [.i.]  Aine  ocus  Aife  ocus  Muiresc  Page  163: — (xxvi) 
A.M.  2545.  Rudraige  mac  Parthalóin  do  bhádad  i  loch  Rudraige  iar  dtom- 
aidm  in  locha  tairis  .  conad  uada  ráiter  loch  Rudraige  Page  165 : — (xxvii) 
a.  benn  Bairchi  cid  diatá.  .nl.i.  Bairche  bóaire  Rosa  ruadbuidi  ba  hedh  a 
shuide  mbuachalla  in  benn  .  ocus  is  cuma  argairedh  gach  mboin  ó  dtá  dún 
sobairce  gorige  in  niBóainn  ocus  ni  gheiledh  miol  diob  mir  foróil  sech  araile. 
conid  de  sin  atá  benn  Bairchi  amail  asbert :  Bairche  bóaire  gu  mblaid  .  bói 
ag  Rosa  ruad  ronairt  -  mar  in  benn  nach  tláith  tuba  .  a  shuide  bláith  buach- 
alia  Ó.  aliter  Bennán  mac  mBric  ind  ro  marb  Ibel  mac  Manannáin  i  ndul 
CO  a  mnái  .i.  Lecon  ingen  Lodair  a  hainmsein  conid  é  fáth  d'arro  léic  Man- 
annán  a  trí  lomann  cumad  dia  chridiu  .i.  loch  Ruide  .  loch  Cuan  .  loch  Da- 
chaech  .  ocus  ro  marb  Bennán  iar  sin  forsin  mbeinn  ut .  unde  benn  Bennáin 
dicitur  c,  A.D.  730.  ro  chuir  in  mhuir  miol  mór  i  dtir  i  gcóigedh  Ulad  i 
mBoirrche  do  shunnrad.  do  dechaid  gach  aon  baoi  na  fochraib  dia  dechsain 
ar  a  inggnáithe.  an  tan  ro  bás  agá  choscradh  fofrith  trí  fiacla  óir  ina  chenn. 
caoga  unga  in  gach  fiacail  diobsaide.  ro  chuir  Fiacha  mac  Aoda  róin  ri  Ulad 
ocus  Eochaid  mac  Bresail  flaith  ua  nEchach  fiacail  diob  go  Bennchair  go 
raibe  fri  re  imchéin  for  altóir  mBennchoir  gur  ba  foirréil  do  chách  i  goitch- 
inne  i  Page  170:— (xxviii)  Gáirech  unde  nominaiur,  .ni.  gáir  in  diatha 
móir  acá  thabairt  dia  ro  marbad  Cuchulainn.  uel  combad  ó'n  gáir  focherdsat 
macrad  na  hEmna  im  Choinculainn  ina  othorlige  chró  .  condechraisetar 
g^aigi  ocus  carpait  ocus  airm  ocus  alchaingi  in  grellachaib  indátha  combátar 
amail  tinniu  fubthaide  i  teinid  cherda  ||  for  fiuchad  ocus  for  sceinmnig  arméit 
in  nuallgaire  doringensat  oc  cóiniud  a  comdhaltai.   unde  poeta  :  gáir  rogníset 


XII.  xxix— xxxiii]  Text  of  Extracts.  48 1 

macrad  muad  .  Emna  ulad  na  narm  mad  !  oc  cáiniud  [in]  chuiri  chr6  .  ferais 
fuili  for  firó     Page  176: — (xxix)  a,  mag  Raigne  unde  nominaiur.    Raigne 
rómánach  do  dechaid  a  tirib  Roman  ocus  ruam  ocus  bac  ria  ais  iar  tuaslucud 
in  murgabail  i  Toirinis  glan  i  tirib  Franc  ri  trf  laa.   ro  imeclaig  opair  aile 
samlaid  do  thabairt  fair .  ro  theich  iarum  co  toracht  co  himlech  Meccond. 
ropo  druim  fidbailed  uile  éside  in  tan  sin  co  ro  shelaig  é  dia  baic  ocus  dia 
ramainn  .  unde poeta  :  is  é  ro  shelaig  in  mag .  Raigne  rónirt  rómánach  í  dia 
luid  a  Toirinis  tair .  for  élúd  for  imgabail.   unde  etiam  poeta  cecinit :  atchuala 
dagfer  ndámach  etc.    b,  A.D.  859.   athnuadadh  aenaig  Raighne  la  Cerbhall 
mac  nDunghaile  [la  tighema  Osraidhe]  (xxx)  tonn  Chlidna  unde  nominaiur, 
.nl.   Clidna  ingen  Genainn  meic  Triuin  do  dechaid  a  tulaig  da  roth  a  maig 
mell  tfri  taimgiri  la  luchna  ciabainech  do  rochtain  in  meic  óic  do  ratsaide 
bréic  impe .  ro  shephainn  ceol  di  issindnóidh  chredumai  imbái  contuil  fris. 
ocus  imrói  a  seol  frithrosc  co  tudchaid  timchell  Eirinn  fodes  co  toracht 
inninad  ut.   is  é  tan  conuargaib  in  murbrúcht  nemfhoircnedachró  scáile  fo 
chrícha  in  betha  frecnairc  .  fo  dáig  roptar  é  trí  mórthuile  Eirenn  .i.  tuile 
Clidna  .  tuile  Ladrann  .  tuile  mBaile  .  acht  ni  in  oenuair  conuargabsat  [rob  é 
in  tuile  medónach  tuile  Ladrann].  dorumart  tra  in  tuile  in  arda  ocus  fodáili 
fo  thfr  Eirenn  .  co  tarraid  in  curach  út  ocus  indingen  ina  cotlud  inn  forsin 
tracht  CO  ro  báided  ann  sin  Clidna  chruthach  ingen  Genainn  [m'nde  tonn 
Chlidna  .  ocus  fós  amail  ro. chain  Cáilte  ar  an  dinn  cédna  in  aimsir  Pádraig 
ar  an  agallaim  dorónsat  ar  dinnsenchas  Eirenn  :  Clidhna  chennfinn  buan  an 
bed  [etc.]    Page  179 : — (xxxi)  druim  n Assail  iarfaigther  dam  .  cid  diatá  in 
tilach  thonnglan  •  do'ndiiur  ro  threb  for  a  fhóir  .  diatá  Assal  mac  Umóir. 
acus  meic  Umóir  uile  .  cade  a  slonud  ar  suide  !  cade  a  craeb  choibnesa 
immach  .  acht  mad  fine  fomorach.    fer  dibsaide  Assal  ard  .  deisid  uas  in 
druim  dronard  i  immedón  Muman  miad  nglé  .  uas  chliu  Mail  meic  Ugainé. 
adaig  luid  Fergus  mac  Róig  .  do  thig  Assail  meic  Umóir  i  ferais  Assal  fáilte 
fris  .  mochen  duit  dia  caeimsimis.   cid  ar  Fergus  cid  diatái .  do  menma  cid 
ar  a  clái  í  innocht  ar  Assal  mo  brath  .  itá  i  tuicthin  mo  marbath.  ni  ragsa  ar 
Fergus  istech  .  ni  maith  áige  anairech  i  rout  a  ghillai  dar  druim  sair .  scuir 
in  carpat  iar  sodain.   áth  carpait  Fhergusa  atá  .  andes  do  tháib  na  tulchá  • 
deisid  ann  ed  bee  ó'n  rot .  bái  fer  ocon  forchomót.   immedón  aidchi  tic  dam. 
as  in  tfr  dian  ainm  Espán  í  suil  dreised  suas  fir  ra  clos  .  bái  tricha  gae  i 
Fergos.   atnaidh  Fergus  na  ferga .  im  na  rennaib  róderga  Í  marbais  tricha 
dib  didiu  .  ro  fácaib  na  chróligiu.   tiagait  as  na  slóig  iar  sain  .  gabait  tall  im 
thech  nAssail  *  co  rucsat  cenn  Assail  áin  .  6  hEirinn  [leo]  co  hEspáin.  othrais 
Fergus  ilair  ngal .  i  tig  Chonchinn  meic  Dedad  í  tánic  [ann]  Cúrúi  d'fius  scél. 
ótá  tir  Franc  co  fortrén.   accáinis  a  imned  fris  .  Fergus  fri  mál  maige  Mis  Í 
condeochatar  diblinaib .  irróchéin  dia  rodigail.    caithir  in  rig  rue  in  cenn. 
tánic  dias  trén  na  thimchell  •  muchsat  marbsat  immon  rig  .  in  sluag  direcra 
dirim.   CO  tucsat  leo  na  da  chenn  .  Ó  hEspáin  co  tir  nEirenn  í  cenn  in  rig 
róneirt  anair .  cenn  nAssail  co  druim  nAssail     Page  182 : — (xxxii)  Roeiriu  in 
uib  Muiredaig  [etc.]    Róiriu  mac  Senáin  meic  Sétnai  mac  rig  Chonnacht 
docher  i  cath  ann  la  Laignib  ocus  is  ann  ro  hadnacht  ut  alii  dicunt.  ocus 
Roeiriu  ingen  Rónáin  rigfiled  rig  Laigen  co  tug  di  a  hathair  tulaig  Dagdadh 
ina  thir  co  rusáitreb  ocus  conid  inde  rosadnacht .  et  de  quibus  duma  Raeirenn 
dicitur  et  hoc  carmen  canunt :  fil  folach  [etc.]     Page  186 : — (xxxiii)  unde  mag 
Femin.  Femen  ocus  Fera  finn  .  milid  mera  na  mórdinn  í  is  Fea  fri  fidfhogail 

2  K 


482  Text  of  Extracts.  [xii.  xxxiv— xxxvu 

Fail  .  mcic  Inogaich  meic  Dacháir.  la  claind  Miled  mbadha  mbrais  .  brogsat 
CO  Banba  mbanglais  Í  anairm  fri  dual  andána .  bac  is  tuag  is  tromráma.  tuag 
oc  tamnad  oc  trénmud  .  ocus  bac  ic  eiremud  í  anairm  ana  cen  uabur .  ocus 
ráma  oc  róruamur.  slechtsat  tri  maige  med  nam  .  techtsat  tria  gaire  angar- 
mann  í  mag  Fea  ni  dela  do  deir .  mag  Fera  is  mag  Femein.  no  chuired 
[each]  c«1  chéile  .  cen  fhuirech  cen  aithméile  í  cen  baethrún  rosmairn  immaig. 
claemchlud  airm  ocus  ernaig.  mag  Fea  nir  threic  ciar  bo  thui .  Fea  ben  Néit 
[ben]  mcic  Indui  í  finnben  ba  sercaigthe  sere  .  ingen  Elcmaire  fhiailchert. 
atchuala  congili  gné  .  dá  dam  dile  derscaigthé  í  Fé  ocus  Men  friangairm 
sein  .  Ó  fuil  ainm  ar  maig  Fhemein  (xxxiv)  sliab  Bladma  [etc]  Bladma  no 
Blod  mac  Con  meic  Chais  chloithmfn  ro  marb  buachaill  Bregmháil  gobann 
Chuirche  meic  Snithe  rig  ua  Fuada  [no  rig  Muaide].  do  luid  iarum  ina  nói- 
dhfn  gur  gab  irros  Bladma  .  ros  Náir  imorro  a  ainm  ar  tus.  do  luid  as  sen 
isin  sliab  ||  unde  sliab  Bladma.  no  is  Blad  mac  Breogoin  as  marb  ann  ocus 
is  uad  ro  hainmniged  mons  Bladma  :  Blod  mac  Con  meic  Chais  chloithmin. 
ro  marb  buachaill  Bregmáil  bain  í  gobann  Cuircbe  meic  Snithe  .  ro  g^b  ag 
ros  tire  Náir.  [no  it  bleda  mara  .i.  biasta  ruiseda  ananmanna  ocus  bud  in 
uiscib  ocus  i  tirmaib  ocus  ité  ro  ruidbedh  na  crunnu  .  unde  sliab  bledach 
Bladma  dicitur  ocus  ros  Náir  meic  Eidlecon  €  prius  Page  192: — (xxxv) 
Maistiu  \etc.'\  Maistiu  .i.  mesdti  .i.  dii  baile  imbid  mes  .  ut  dicitur  ba  fidbaid 
aimser  ro  baei  etc,  aliter  Maistiu  ingen  Oengusa  meic  Umóir  dosfug  Dáire 
derg  mac  Echach  taebfota  a  crich  comul  a  haenuch  Oengusa  co  comfamaic 
frie  Grisban  liccerd  ingin  Richisi  for  lár  in  muige  condagaib  ailges  di  ocus 
rosnesart  conglámaib  ainmechaib  conapaid  reimpi  de.  ro  léig  Dáire  urchor 
for  Gris  do  nertlig  míled  bái  leis  condeirgene  bruar  dia  ciunn  for  lár  in  muige 
condeillig  i  sruthair  snuaide  conid  Gris  ó  sain  illé.  no  atá  Maistiu  ingen 
Aengusa  meic  Umóir  bandruinech  Oengusa  in  meic  óig  issí  ro  chum  delb 
croisi/rrwj  in  Eirinn  i  corrthair  brollaig  inair  Aengusa  .  ar  rostadban  Aengus 
di  isin  maighin  sin  .  unde  mágh  Maisten  dicitur.  eamuin  dono  Conall  mac 
Aengusa  ocus  Maer  a  qua  áth  Maeiri  ocus  áth  mara  hodie  .  ocus  adbath 
Maer  ocus  Maistiu  do  chumaid  Chonaill  chaeil  meic  Aengusa  .  unde  Maistiu 
ocus  áth  mara  Page  199: — (xxxvi)  mag  Life  unde  nominatur,  .ni.  Lifea 
ingen  Chanann  churchaig  luid  la  Dcltbanna  mac  Druchta  la  dáilem  Conaire 
rig  Temrach.  assid  Buidb  ar  Femen  dosaide.  uair  rop  álainn  lé  in  mag  dar 
a  tánic  ni  ra  gab  acht  a  ainmniugud  ó  a  hanmaim  .  connarodáil  Deltbanna 
do  fheraib  Eirenn  co  ro  ainmnigthe  in  mag  ut  ó  anmaim  a  mná.  unde poeta  : 
Life  luchair  leor  do  blaid  .  ingen  Chanann  chétchurchaig  Í  dia  hainm  dogarar 
in  mag  .  dia  tudchaid  co  tir  Temrach.  [no  conad  Fea  anainm  .  ocus  1Í  ó'n  ni 
ba  lainn  le  anafaca]  Page  213: — (xxxvii)  a.  Finnghlas  illuachair  Dedad 
unde  nominatur,  .ni.  Bláthnat  ingen  Minn  rig  fer  Falga  ben  Chonnii  .  ocus 
ba  lennánside  do  Choinchulainn  ocus  issi  ro  dál  Coingculainn  conUItaib 
immaille  fris  for  a  cennsi  ocus  do  digail  fair  na  tri  nerc  .i.  bo  niuchna  ocus  in 
chaire  tucad  a  forbais  fer  Falga  .i.  innse  Gall  indiu  .  ocus  do  digail  berrtha 
Chonchulainn  diarrosberr  Cúrúi  cona  chlaidiub  ocus  diarfumalt  cac  na  mbó 
mo  a  chenn.  conerbairt  si  fris  tiachtain  aidchi  samna  ar  a  cenn  ocus  no 
doirtfcd  si  blegon  na  nerc  niuchna  sin  .i.  tri  bai  iuchna  ocus  a  choire  tuc 
Ciinn  leis  .  ar  is  do'n  choire  no  tháltáis  na  bai  ocus  is  a  Ian  no  bligthe  uaidib. 
ra  doirt  didiu  blegon  na  tri  nerc  niuchna  lasin  nglaisi  sis  ó'n  chathraig  co 
tráig  Li  comba  finn  in  glaise  ocus  combad  ann  sin  no  thistáis  Ulaid  ocus  no 


XII.  xxxviii— xi]  Text  of  Extracts^  463 

gabtáis  in  cathraig  ocus  no  marbtáis  Coinrúi.  unde  porta  :  ro  ort  Bláthnat 
ingen  Minn  .  orgain  osar  cét  inglinn  Í  mór  gním  do  mnái  brath  a  fir  .  dóig  is 
fris  rodasmidir  b.  Bláthnat  ingen  Chonchobair  ben  Chonrui  meic  Dbairi. 
ocus  fa  ben  do  Bláthnat  ingen  Minn  ri  fer  Falga  c,  Mórann  mhanannach 
ingen  Ir  meic  Uinnside  no  comad  Uinnside  siur  Echach  echbeoil  máthair 
Chonrí  meic  Dhairi  Page  226: — (xxxviii)  a,  Adarca  in  liib  Failge  [etc.] 
luchna  echbél  qui  et  luchna  ciabfinn  rigbriuga  baei  fri  Fafainn  atuaid  anair 
i  fiin  in  briugad  ba  he  a  besad  altrom  ocus  imthógbáil  sotha  a  thige  comba 
bliadain  .  co  ro  charsat  a  cheithri  é.  in  tan  ba  marb  é  dochomlaiset  a  cheitri 
a  dhochum  confáiset  trí  laei  ocus  tri  aidche  mo  a  cholainn.  amail  ná  tuid- 
cid  leo  musluid  each  d(b  i  Tua  im  araile  ocus  fodailet  luchna  co  anadarcaib 
ocus  focherded  angleo  cor  lásat  anadarca  combátar  dumai  dib  isna  Tuachaib. 
conid  dib  dobertar  Adarca.  musluadat  iarum  do  dhiol  anitad  co  Bóinn  ocus 
fosdailed  co  hAlmain  comdar  mairb  ina  nalmaib  inti  et  unde  dicitur  Almu. 
Almu  didiu  ingen  Becáin  briugad  ben-  luchna  chiabbháin  imsái  iar  mbás 
luchna  indiaid  a  halaim  co  maigin  a  hathar  conapad  nann  do-  chumaid 
luchna  ocus  do  dith  a  ceitri .  et  a  qua  Almu  dicitur,  uel  ita  .  Almu  almoin 
.i.  fri  móin  aniar  ut  dicitur  ixxhxi  fri  bri  Eile  anair.  no  Almu  .i.  ail  mo  id  est 
in  II  ail  OS  móin  no  i  moin.  no  all  mo  .  no  ollam  mo  b,  Aillenn  [etc.]  Crem 
marda  rug  ingin  Lugdach  ri  Laigen  ar  aithiudh.  Aillenn  didiu  a  hainm. 
Aillbe  ainm  a  hoirce.  ocus  adbath  Aillenn  ar  náire  oice  ocus  asna  aball  trdna 
lige  .  is  [de]  asberar  aball  Ailinne.  ocus  adbath  a  hoirce  ina  diaidside  ocus 
ro  as  ibar  trftsidhen  .  is  de  asberar  ibar  Baile  .i.  Ailbe  tré  dheilidin  .  ut 
dicitur :  aball  Ailinne  arda  .  ibar  Baile  becfhorba  •  cia  dosberar  allaide  .  nfs- 
tucaid  doeine  borba.  Art  mesdelmunn  mac  Sétna  cétna  conaclaid  múr  in 
Ailinn  .  Fiach  didiu  ocus  Buirech  ocus  Ururus  rosclaedar  fa  deoid  .  Buirech 
dono  focherd  as  in  chludh  in  cloich  fil  innte  .  dianebairt :  ail  ann  ocus  issed 
ainm  nosbia.  it  imda  didiu  a  hanmann  iarum  ut  alius  dixit  [etc.]  Page 
230: — (xxxix)  a,  tri  Fothaidh  .i.  tri  fóshuith  iad  .i.  fotha  maithi  iad  .i.  ar  ba 
chétchlann  Fuinche  iad.  no  Fothaid  .i.  fotha  ithi  ar  is  fo  chleith  doróine 
Macniadh  fri  Fuinche  iad  .i.  Fuinche  ingin  Náir  meic  Irmora.  no  Fothaid 
.i.  fothaidhi  .i.  taidhi  maithi  iad  .i.  is  taidhe  gach  lánamhnas  cleithe  .  conad 
de  asbreth  in  drái :  fochen  taidhe  dia  ro  chin  in  triar  amne.  conid  de  ro 
lil  dib  Fothaid  b.  Fuinche  thréchiochach  ingen  Firmora  d'feraib  Chliach 
máthair  na  tri  bFothadh  ocus  Churraig  meic  Chathaeir  ocus  Théiti  meic 
Maicniad  a  quo  aenach  Téiti  c.  ard  Fothaid  cid  diatá.  .nl.  Fothad  conatuil 
ann  go  cenn  nái  mis  fri  foghur  circi  Boirchi  diambái  for  echtra  .  unde  ard 
Fothaid  :  Fothad  airgthech  glan  a  gluais  .  ro  thuil  ann  cona  athluais  í  fri  re 
nái  mis  monor  nglé  .  fri  fogor  circi  Boirché  d,  Eochaid  airgtech  .i.  is  Icis  do- 
rónad  scéith  airgid  ar  tus  in  Eirinn  Page  233 : — (xl)  a.  do  luid  for  finghail 
fuachda  .  mac  Eogabail  ardbruacha  í  rosfugTuagh  nir  dhodaing  dath  .  ingen 
Chonaill  chollamrach.  ocus  conid  de  sin  fós  adubrad  in  duan  :  Tuag  inbir 
alainn  gaeth  glas  .  in  eol  duib  a  dinnsenchas  i  in  fcdabair  gan  mine  .  scnchas 
Tuaighe  toinnghile  ...  tri  tonna  Eirenn  uile  .  tonn  Chlidhna  tonn  Rudh- 
ruide  í  in  tonn  ro  bháid  ben  meic  Lir  .  isin  tráig  ag  Tuaig  inbir  b,  Tuagh 
ingen  Chonaill  chollamrach  ben  Fhirhi  meic  Eogabail  do  thuathaib  de 
Danann  c,  A.D.  4880.  iar  mbeith  ciiig  bliadna  i  rige  Eirenn  do  Chonall 
chollamrach  mac  Etersceoil  temrach  meic  Eachach  ailtlcthain  dorochair  la 
Nia  bcghamain   4887.  iar  mbeith  secht  mbliadna  i  rige  Eirenn  do  Nia  sheg- 


484  Text  of  Extracts.  [xiii.  i— v 

amain  irac  Adhamair  dorochair  la  hEnna  aighnech.    is  in  aimsir  an  rig 
Niadh  shegamain  do  blightea  ba  ocus  eillte  fo  aenchuma 

XIII.   ibid.',  —  (i)   ba  bee   Banna  ro  bói   than,  diambeth  nech  rcsbad 
chuman  Í  noslingtis  mná  is  maic  immach  .  ria  maidm  lonn  locha  Echach. 
Eocho  mac  Maireda  mais  .  mac  rig  Chaisil  chomadais  í  ro  léic  scire  do  na 
thir  thenn  .  airdben  a  athar  Aeiblenn.   Aeiblenn  ingen  Ghuaire  ghil .  a  brug 
maic  indOc  adbail  í  is  uaidi  sein  ar  sine  .  atberar  sliab  nEibline.   Eocho  ocus 
Aeiblenn  nena  .  imgabsat  maith  Maireda  í  élait  do  lár  chaisil  Chais  .  co  brug 
meic  innOc  amnais.   nir  b'uathud  do'n  dédiu  dil .  cona  almaib  d'innilib  Í  mile 
for  mór  máidit  rainn  .  scuirset  cen  brón  oc  Bóainn      Page  234 :— (ii)  loch 
nEchach  [etc.]   Ri  mac  Maireda  ocus  Eocho  mac  Maireda  do  lodar  andes  a 
Irluachair  a  ndfs  for  imirce  ocus  ro  degailset  a  ndis  og  beluch  da  liag.  luid 
indalanái  sair  \nis,  siar]  .i.  Eocho  go  ro  gab  for  brugh  meic  in  Og.  do  luid- 
sein  chucu  irriocht  brughad  ocus  a  gherrán  ina  láim  ocus  dlomais  dóib  co  na 
beidis  isin  brug.   atbertadar  fris  nad  bái  acu  cumaing  do  imarchur  in  elma 
ellaig  bái  acu  Sjns.  oga]  gen  chaipliu.    cuiridhsi  ol  sé  lán  in  maige  itáidh 
do  eirib  conanirsib  ar  in  gerránsa  ocus  beiridh  lib  go  maigin  i  laigfe  fóa.   do 
chódar  as  iarum  go  rángadar  Liathmuine  .  laighid  leo  an  gerrán  i  suidfaiu 
ocus  dobeir  a  mun  ann  conderna  tobar  de  go  tánic  tairsiu  .  conid  é  loch 
nEchach  .i.  Eocho  in  ri  ocus  fual  a  eich  ro  leth  ann.   do  luid  imorro  Rib  féin 
timchell  siar  gor  gab  i  maig  finn  .  ba  hedh  on  tir  cluichi  Midhirocus  meic  in 
Og.   luid  fó'n  innas  cétna  Midir  cucu  ocus  capall  cengalta  lais  gonrallsat  a 
crodh  fair  gonosrug  leo  gorigi  mag  nairbthen  forsatá  in  loch,   laigid  in  gerrán 
ann  ocus  dobeir  a  mhun  gor  bo  thiprat  gor  muidh  tairsib.   Ribh  ainm  in  rig. 
baiter  in  Rib  .  unde  loch  Ri  ocus  loch  nEchach  nominata  sunt :  báidis  Aengus 
Eocho  uais  .  tré  fhual  a  eich  go  nathluais  í  do  luidh  Midir  brigh  ronlen  .  gor 
báid  Ribh  i  maig  Dairbthen      (iii)  loch  i^i  [etc.]    Rii  mac  Muireda  ocus 
Eochaid  mac  Muireda  do  lodar  andes  a  h Irluachair  for  imirge  .  ocus  ro  ded- 
laigset  oc  beluch  da  liag  ocus  luid  Eocho  for  Bregu  co  brug  meic  in  Og  ocus 
araile.   luid  imono  Ri  siar  co  ra  gaib  i  maig  finn  ocus  ba  sonn  tir  cluichi 
Midir  ocus  Aengusa.   do  luid  Midir  chucu  i  riocht  briugad  ocus  airech  cen- 
galta ina  láim  ocus  dlomais  doib  ar  na  beidis  for  a  fhérghurt.   ni  dema  didiu 
[R(]  fair,   ataid  Midir  iarum  tri  plágha  foraib  .i.  a  mbu  's  a  ndamu  in  chét- 
tráth  ocus  a  nechraid  in  tráth  tánaiste  .  ocus  do  luid  Midir  chucu  fó'n  innas 
cétna  ocus  a  ech  cengalta  ina  láim  ocus  fuacraidh  doib  imtecht  no  nosmair- 
fedh  uili.   ni  fail  acunn  ni  bérus  linn  ar  libedain  ar  Rii.   atá  limsa  ar  Midir 
sunna  dáib  ech  bérus  óg  for  máine.   ocus  in  baile  in  anfaide  ni  tiucfa  a  fiial 
ocus  ni  dherna  a  imarchur  ocus  legar  a  srian  leis  mo  a  chenn  .  ocus  bidat 
aithrechsa  mina  raib  sic,   ro  imthig  Rii  co  riacht  mag  nairbthen  .i.  co  hairm 
i  fail  loch  Ri .  ocus  tuc  in  tech  a  fual  ocus  dorigne  in  tech  a  imarchor  ocus 
forfágaib  a  srian.   rogab  didiu  ||  in  fual  fotho  fo  talmain  cor  bo  éicen  clár  fo 
dlutad  uasu  ocus  musgni  Rii  a  tech  na  timchell  ocus  a  lepaid  uasu.   tricha 
bliadan  do  i  suidiu  coroerennid  aidchi  luain  in  lugnasaide  co  ro  báided  Rii 
cona  mnái  ocus  cona  chlaind  ocus  cona  muintir  .  ocus  lethaid  dar  mag 
nairbthen  uile  .  unde  loch  Rii.   bliadain  ar  a  deich  ar  chét  iar  ngein  Crist 
ann  sin     Page  237: — (iv)  A.D.  558.   isin  mbliadainsi  ro  gabad  an  muirgheilt 
.i.  Liban  ingen  Echach  meic  Muireda  for  trácht  Ollarba  i  lion  Beoáin  meic 
Inii  iascaire  Chomgaill  bhennchair     (v)  Liban  .i.  muirgein  ingen  Echach 
meic  Maireda  .m.  Caired  .m.  Bresail    .    .    .m.  Tigernmais  .m.  Fhallaig  .m. 


XIV.  i— iii]  Text  of  Extracts.  485 

Eithriéil  .m.  liaireoil  .m.  Eiremóin  [.m.  Miled]  (vi)  a.  sliab  Mis  unde  nomt- 
natur,  .ni.  Mis  ingen  Maireda  siur  Echach  meic  Maireda  ro  an  do  éis  a 
himirgi  dia  luid  la  Congainchnes  mac  nDedad  .  ocus  issed  forba  ocus  atharda 
forsarir  a  fini  ocus  a  haicmi  in  sliab  út :  miannais  Mis  combniachaib  bla .  ingen 
mórglic  Maireda  í  d'éis  a  himirgi  cen  ches  .  in  sliab  nir  bo  chongainchnes 
b.  sliab  Mis  [etc.]  Mis  ingen  Maireda  ben  Chóimgin  chongainchnis  meic 
Dhedaid  is  di  tugad  sliab  Senaig  ghairb  meic  Dedaid  ina  tochur  ocus  ar  || 
airiseim  co  a  fiur  dar  éis  a  himirge  dia  táinic  Eochu  ocus  Rib  da  mac  Maireda 
a  quibus  loch  nEchach  et  loch  Rii .  conid  sed  foirb  fors  roir  Mis  atharda  in 
tsléibe  ucut .  unde  sliab  Mis.  <z/r>r  sliab  [mis]  .i.  sliab  mifis  ar  inni  ba  mifhis 
in  sluag  dolbtha  frith  ann  la  Fótlai  ocus  Banba  ocus  Eirinn 

XIV.   Page  238 : — (i)   senchas  sfl  Ir  fo  Eirinn  in  so.    Ir  octauus  filius 
Miled  .  qui  cum  uentssent  filii  Mfled  in  Hibemiam  mortuus  est  et  in  Sceiliuc 
postea  sepultus  est .  de  quo  tertia  pars  regalis  generis  Hibemie  nata  est,    Ir 
autem  unum /ilium  habuit  id  est  Eber.   Eber  filius  Ir  qui  ante  omnes  Scottos 
campum  Lini  et  quintam  partem  Hibemie  tenuit .  da  mac  la  hEber  .i.  Artri 
ocus  Ebric  .  dorochair  Eber  la  Palap  mac  Eremóin.   Ebric  mac  Ebjr  da  mac 
leis  .i.  Cermna  ocus  Sobairche  .  da  chét  rí  Eirenn  a  hUltaib  .  acu  dorónta 
na  da  dun  .i.  dun  Cermna  ocus  dun  Sobairche.   Eocho  mac  Conmáil  am- 
Mumain  ro  marb  Cermna  ina  dun  no  in  bello  .  Eocho  echchenn  ri  Fomore 
ro  marb  Sobairche  .  ni  innister  clanna  Cermna  ocus  Sobairche.    Art  mac 
Ebir  oenmac  leis  .i.  Sétna  ardrf  Eirenn  .  conidromarb  a  mac  ut  alii  dicunt 
.1.  Fiacha  finscoithe  .i.  Rothechtaid  mac  Maine  meic  Oengusa  ollmucada 
do  shfol  Eiremóin  ro  marb  Sétna  [mac]  Airt  i  Cruachan  etir  di  láim  Fiachacb 
finscoithe  a  meic  fodésin  .  conid  aire  sin  ro[s]marb  Fiacha  finscoithe  indigail 
a  einig.    OUam  fótla  mac  Fiachach  finscoithe  meic  Shétnai  .m.  Airt  .m.  Ebir 
.m.  Ir.m.  Miled  espáin  is  leis  dorónad  féis  Temrach  ar  tús  ocus  is  leis 
dorónad  múr  nOlloman  i  Temraig.   OUam  trá  bái  .xl.  bliadan  irrige  Eirenn 
ocus  gabais  mórfeiser  dia  cfalaind  rige  Eirenn  cen  nech  etarru.    011am  .iv. 
meic  leis  .i.  Cairpre  ocus  Finnachta  .  Slánoll  ocus  Cede.    Rudraige  mac 
Sithri  .m.  Duib  .m.  Fomoir.m.  Argatmáir  .m.  Sirlaim  .m.  Finn  .m.  Blatha 
.m.  Labrada  .m.  Choirpri  .m.  Olloman.    Argatmár  ua  do  Cimbaeth  mac 
Fintain  meic  Argatmáir.  Aedh  ruad  mac  Báduim  meic  Argatmáir.  Dithorba 
mac  Dimmain  meic  Argatmáir  is  uad  Rige  cona  chlaind.   Rudraige  itiatso 
a  meic  .i.  Congal  cláringnech  .  dá  mac  Congail  .i.  Uislenn  athair  Ainle  ocus 
Noeisen  ocus  Ardáin  .  Cathbadh  drúi .  Bresal  bódibad  secundum  quosdam 
quidam  dicunt  eum  esse  Lagnensem  .  mac  Rosa  mac  Rudraige  .i.  Fergus 
mac  Rosa .  Ferfiled  mac  Glais  meic  Rosa .  Celtchair  mac  Uithechair  meic 
Fothaid  .m.  Firfhiled  .m.  Glais  .  Fercheirtne  file  mac  Oengusa  béldeirg. 
Iliach  mac  Loegaire  buadaich  meic  Chonaid  .m.  Iliach.    Mál  mac  Rochride 
lett .  Fergus  mac  Léite  .  Illann  mac  Fergusa  .  Geirgenn  athair    .    .     Cas 
cujus  filius  Fachtna  fáthach  .  Briere  mac  Carbad  meic  Chais  .  Aithime  mac 
Athchló  .  Eirrge  echbél.   cóic  rig  fhichet  de  Ultaib  ro  gab  rige  Eirenn  cen- 
mothát  na  secht  rig  ro  gabsat  de  dál  Fiatach    (ii)  A.M.  4981.   iar  mbeith 
sechtmogat  bliadan  i  rige  Eirenn  do  Rudraige  mac  Sithrige  [etc.]  atbail  in 
Airgetghlinn    (iii)  a.  Fiacha  finscothach  .i.  scotha  ffona  ina  fhlaith  ocus  no 
fáiscthi  comba  mil  ocus  fion  dobeirthea  eistib  co  cuirdis  a  Ian  i  lestraib  diob 
b,  Geidhe  ollgothach  .i.  binnither  téda  bennchrot  \nts.  menn  =  benn]  guth 
ocus  amar  gach  duine  ina  fhlaithius    c,  Bresal  bódhíbadh  .i.  dith  tháinic  ar 


486  Text  of  Extracts.  [xv.;  xvii.  i 

buaib  Eirenn  ina  reimes  co  ná  témó  acht  teora  samaisci  diob.  is  de  sin  atá 
glenn  samaisci  in  Ulltaib  .i.  i  Cuailgne  ocus  imlech  fhir  aendairti  i  Laignib. 
in  tres  dairt  i  cliu  Mail  d,  Oengus  olmucaidh  .i.  ól  Mogaetha  leis  .i.  Mo- 
gaeth  mórólach  mac  Mofeibis  is  é  as  mo  ól  do  bi  re  lionn  ro  bói  ina  aimsir 
is  do  ro  b'ingen  ben  Fiachach  labrainni  máthair  Aengusa  olmucada  .i.  61 
Mogaetha  e,  Feidlim  fholtlebar  ocus  Aeife  ingen  Oililla  meic  Mata  muirsci 
da  mnái  Laegairi  buadhaig  f,  Finnabair  ocus  Daniamna  ingen  Choncobair 
ocus  Bribethach  tri  mná  Cheltchair  meic  Uithechair  Page  252: — (iv)  a. 
Róch  ingen  Echach  meic  Choirpri  máthair  Fhergusa  meic  Rosa  ocus  tSualt- 
aig  shfgaide.  Flidais  ingen  Aililla  duib  meic  Fidaig  ben  Aililla  finn  meic 
Domnaill  dualbuide  .  ocus  fa  ben  do  Fergus  iartain  (v)  Uladh  .i.  ollsháith 
.i.  sáith  oil  do  ratsat  do  na  filedaib.  no  Ulaid  .i.  oU-leth  Eirenn  iad  im 
chocad  ocus  im  irghail.  no  Ulaid  .i.  uil-léith  .i.  ulchada  liatha  leo  i  cath 
aenaig  Macha  .i.  olann  fhionn  ro  cengladh  dia  smechaib.  no  Ulaid  .i.  uille 
léith  \tns,  do  leith]  leo  sin  chath.  no  Ulaid  ó  OUomain  fódla  mac  Fiachach 
finscothaich  .  ut  dicitur :  Eocho  mumó  mó  gach  ngeis  .  ri  Eirenn  mac  Mo- 
febeis  '  is  uadh  ainm  Muman  amuig  .  ainm  Ulad  ó  Ollomuin.  no  Ulaid  .1. 
oll-letha  [.i.]  ro  gabsad  leth  Eirenn  ar  tus  .  dianebradh  :  clanna  Fachtna  nf 
fuil  faill .  fri  gach  foidche  chatha  chuill  í  ainmnigthi  diob  mad  anall .  Ulaid 
obdar  uil-léith  uill  (vi)  Eochaid  múmhó  .i.  mó-mó  .i.  a  ghnim  ocus  a  ghreit 
ocus  a  chumachta  oldás  each  ri 

XV.  Page  253  : — (i)  a.  Art  aenfir  cid  diatá.  .ni.  ar  nf  bái  mac  fa  deoid 
ag  Conn  acht  eisium  ar  dorochair  Connla  ocus  Crinna  le  hEochaid  iionn 
ocus  la  Fiacha  suighde  .  dianebairt  in  fili :  da  bráthair  Chuinn  gan  chur  de. 
Eochaid  finn  Fiacha  suighde  *  do  marbsad  Connla  is  Crinna  .  da  mac 
Cuinn  da  cáimgilla.  Eochaid  fionn  fa  fuath  le  hArt .  a  haithli  mharbtha  a 
da  mac  i  Art  aenfir  in  tainm  rosgab  .  a  haithli  bháis  a  bhráthar.  no  is  é 
aenmac  toghaide  b6i  ag  Conn  .  ar  dorochair  Crinna  la  hEochaid  fionn  ocus 
la  Fiacha  ocus  do  luid  Connla  for  echtra  le  mnái  side  co  sid  mBodaighi  (stc) 
amail  innister  in  echtra  Chonnla  sin  .  dianebairt  in  fili  :  do  bhás  Chrinna  la 
Eochaid  .  d'echtra  Chonnla  mo  ndeochaid  í  do  luid  an  gráidfher  tar  ler  .  de 
ro  ráidedh  Art  aenfer  ó,  Fiacha  suidghe  .i.  soghuidhe  .  árba  hurusa  a  etar- 
ghuide  ar  a  mhfne  (ii)  Medhb  lethderg  ingen  Chonáin  chualann  do  Laignib 
ben  Airt  aenfir  meic  Chuinn  .  ocus  is  uaithi  ainmnigther  ráith  Medbha  i 
Temraig.  Echtach  ingen  Urcaidhe  gobann  máthair  Chormaic  ú  Chuinn. 
ocus  fa  ben  do  Lughna  fertri  mac  Aengusa  meic  Echach  finn  fuath  nAirt  co 
rue  tri  maca  do  .  ocus  fa  ben  eile  do  Lugna  Coinne  chichech  ocus  rue  si  tri 
meic  do  ocus  is  uaithi  ainmnigter  cenél  Coinni  Page  256: — (iii)  Cleitech 
unde  nomtnatur,  .ni.  Cleitech  mac  Dedad  meic  Sin  atbath  ann.  no  Cleitech 
.i.  cleithe  ach  Eirenn  fé  daigin  na  haccóini  dorigensat  fir  Eirenn  ann  ac 
cóiniud  Chormaic  meic  Airt.  no  cleithe  tech  nEirenn  ra  loisced  ann  for 
Muirchertach  mac  Erca 

XVII.  Page  258:— (i)  belach  Gabráin  [etc.]  Gabrán  có  Failbe  flainn  do 
dechaid  for  lurg  Lurgan  .i.  muc  bái  in  druim  Almaine .  ocus  nf  fuair  a  hinadh 
leis  condechaid  fo  talmain  i  monaid  Almaine  .  conid  de  asberar  Lurgan  i 
mónaid  Almaine.  uair  na  tarraid  in  cu  in  fiad  ocus  náronélae  nach  fiad  riam 
dia  ndergad  no  dia  ngarad  imsói  dia  tigh  ar  culu  co  roeimid  ann  forsin 
belach  .  unde  dicHur  belach  Gabráin  :  inmain  dam  in  Gabrán  glan  .  ecmaing 
sunn  ar  sliocht  Lurgan  '  ni  ronteclai  fiad  dar  fraech  .  acht  mad  oenmuc  liath 


XVIII.  i]  Text  of  Extracts.  487 

lethchaech.  cechaing  na  luirg  láthar  nglé  .  co  crích  inuair  Almainé  í  co  rue 
niathar  fo  thalmain  .  in  muc  uathmar  imarsaid.  imsói  dia  thig  iar  scfs  glé. 
iar  mbeith  fo  mur  mithissé  '  inna  shidi  dian  mardaig  .  a  chridi  cian  ra 
chnómaid.  ann  conaclad  fo  thalmain .  isin  belat  bladadbail  >  frisnapar  Gabrán 
congail .  in  sluag  armruad  is  inmain  Page  263 : — (ii)  a.  Core  duibinne  mae 
Cairbri  míísg  [meic  Chonaire  ehaeim  .m.  Moga  lama  .  .  .m.  Chonaire 
móir  .m.  Etirscéil  .  .  .m.  Luigdech  .m.  Itha  .m.  Bhreogoin]  athaircorco 
Dhuibinne  b.  Core  duibni  .i.  Duibfionn  ainm  a  máthar  a  quo  corco  Dhuibni 
.i.  ingen  Chairpri  muse  Í  oeus  mae  do  in  Core  r.  Cairbre  muse  oeus  Cairbre 
baschain  oeus  Cairbre  rígfhada  eid  dianabar  na  Cairbri  friu.  .ni.  dia  tardad 
eath  eh  inn  Abrat  etir  Lugaid  maceon  oeus  Eogan  mae  Aililla  óloim  ro 
marbsat  Neimed  mae  Sraibeinn  ri  Erann  far  a  máthar  etir  a  di  láim  féisin. 
agá  fhóirithin  ro  báiside  oeus  iadsom  ie  óiríthin  Eogain  .  eonad  de  sin  ad- 
berar  Coirpre  .i.  eorbaire  .i.  lueht  eorbaid  iad.  Coirpre  múse  .i.  mó  aisee 
nó  míaisce  é  nád  na  bráithri  eili .  áir  is  é  do  ehuaid  eo  Duibinn  eo  [a]  deirb- 
shiair  diandemaidh  Core  duibne  fria.  Coirpre  rígfhada  .i.  rígthi  foda  bói 
oco  .  nó  ríge  i  bfad  dorinne  .i.  toeht  in  Albain  eonad  uada  dál  Riata  thair. 
Coirpre  bascain  .i.  báseháin  áir  is  é  aenfer  do  ehuaid  do  bás  fri  hadart  díob 
é.  dianebrad  Aengus  ar  Chairpre  múse  .  Eoeho  ar  Chairpre  riata  .  Oilill  ar 
Chairpre  mbascain  .  ocus  is  de  ro  ehet :  Aengus  ar  Chairbre  múse  mbinn. 
Eoeho  ar  Chairbre  riada  ó'n  rínn  í  gairge  san  bfoirínn  eonáib  .  Oilill  ar 
Chairbre  mbáseháin  d,  A.D.  165.  iar  mbeith  oeht  mbliadna  i  ríge  Eirenn 
do  Chonaire  mae  Moga  láma  torchair  la  Neimid  mae  Sruibginn.  tri  meie 
laisan  gConaire  isin  .  Cairbre  músg  ó  ráiter  Músgraide  .  Cairbre  baseain  ó 
dtád  Baisenig  i  georea  Baisginn .  oeus  Cairpre  riata  6  bfuilit  dál  Riata.  Sáraid 
íngen  Chuinn  ehédchathaig  máthair  na  maesa  Conaire  mete  Moga  láma 

XVI II.  Page  276:— (i)  A.D.  15 10.  O  Domhnaill  (Aodh  mae  Aodha  maid) 
do  dhol  do'n  Róimh  dia  oilithre  .  oeus  an  geéin  do  bái  amuigh  bádar  a  rannta 
oeus  a  charaid  i  mbrón  ocus  i  ndogailsi  oeus  i  ndoimenmain  ina  ndedhaid. 
ecus  Maghnus  O  Domnaill  a  mhae  d'fágbáil  dó  ag  iomehosnam  an  tire  an 
gcéin  no  biadh  ina  fégmais  13 12.  O  Domnaill  (Aedh  mae  Aedh  ruaid)  do 
thoidecht  ó'n  Róim  iar  bforbad  a  oilithre  ar  mbeith  sé  seehtmaine  dég  i 
Londain  ag  dol  soir  oeus  sé  seehtmaine  dég  eile  ag  teeht  anoir.  fuairsiomh 
dna  onóir  oeus  airmidin  ó  rig  Saxan  KingHanri.  tánie  iarum  slán  eo  hEirinn 
oeus  baoi  le  hathaid  i  biiabrus  san  Mide  .  oeus  iar  bfaghbáil  sláinte  do  táinig 
dia  thig  ocus  ba  subach  forbfaoilidh  eella  oeus  tuatha  dia  thoidecht  1537. 
O  Domnaill  (Aodh  mae  Aoda  ruaid)  [etc.]  tigema  tire  Chonaill .  innsi  Eogain. 
eenéil  Moain  .  fer  manaeh  oeus  ioehtair  Chonnacht  .  .  ni  faeus  a  bhuaid 
agá  bhiodbaib  oeus  ni  thard  troig  teiehidh  re  nuathad  na  re  soehaide  .  . 
fer  na  ro  léig  nert  gall  ina  thir  budéin  uair  ro  chengail  sidh  oeus  earadrad  le 
rig  Saxan  ódchonnairc  ná  tardsat  Gaoidil  cennas  d'aon  uaidib  budéin  aeht 
an  taos  eairdesa  oeus  eoimfialasa  i  bfrithbert  friaroile  .  fer  congbála  a  nem- 
thenachais  iama  choir  d'úrdaib  ocus  d'egalsaib  d'filedaib  ocus  d'ollamnaib. 
an  tO  Domnaill  rémráite  (Aodh  mac  Aoda  ruaid)  d'ég  ^^  Julii  dia  dardaoin 
do  shonrad  i  mainistir  Diiin  na  ngall  iar  ndol  i  naibid  san  Fróinséis  iar  geaoi 
a  chionad  ocus  a  thurgabáil  iar  naithrige  ina  pheethaib  ocus  tairmteehtaib. 
oeus  a  adhnacal  isin  mainistir  ehédna  eo  nonóir  ocus  eo  nairmidin  móir  amail 
ba  dhior.  Maghnus  O  Domnaill  d'óirdnedh  ina  ionadh  la  comarbaib  Choluim 
chille  do  ehed  oeus  do  chomairle  maithe  cenéil  Chonaill  etir  thuaith  ocus 


488  Text  of  Extracts.  pcxv  i— ni 

eglais  Page  282: — (ii)  A.D.  1536  .  O  Conchobairdo  ghairm  do  Thadg  óg 
mac  Taidg  meic  Aoda  .m.  Toirrdclbaig  charraig  úi  Chonchobair .  ocus  ba 
hésidhe  cédduine  dar  goiredh  O  Conchobair  in  (ochtar  Chonnacbt  do  shliocht 
Bhriain  luighntg  .  óir  ba  mac  Domnaill  meic  Muirchertaig  ainm  in  ti  biadh  i 
gcennus  no  i  gcumachta  in  tslechta  sin  co  sin  .  ocus  ba  ar  dáig  onóra  ocus  do 
dersgugad  do  na  tigemaib  reime  doróinesium  an  caomchludh  anma  sin 

XX.   Page  296: — (i)  a,  A.D.  976.    Mathgamain  mac  Cinnéidigh  áirdrí 
Eirenn  uile  do  erghabáil  do  Dhonnabán  mac  Chathail  tigerna  ua  bFidhgeinte 
tria  thangnacht .  co  tarad  do  Mhaolmuaid  mac  Bhrain  tigerna  Desmuman 
conid  ro  marbsaide  dar  erthach  naom  ocus  flreon     977.   cathraoinedh  ria 
m Brian  mac  Cinnéidig  for  ghallaib  Luimnigh  ocus  for  Donnabán  mac  Cath- 
ail .  du  i  dtorchratar  goill  Luimnigh  ocus  in  ro  ládh  a  nár.   cath  belaig  lechta 
eidir  Bhrian  mac  Cinnéidig  ocus  Maolmuaid  tigerna  Desmuman  .  ocus  tor- 
chair  Maolmuaid  ann  ocus  ar  fer  [nDes]muman    (ii)  A.D.  1014.   iomaireg 
eidir  uib  Echach  feisin  .i.  eidir  Chian  mac  Maoilmuaid  ocus  Domnall  mac 
Duibdáboirenn  .  co  dtorchair  ann  Cian  Cathal  ocus  Roghallach  tri  meic 
Maoilmuaid  co  nár  mór  impu     Page  297 : — (iii)  a,  Brian  boraime  Béibionn 
ingen  Eochada  mheic  Mhurchada  .  m.  Mhaonaig  .i.  ri  iarthair  Chonnacbt  a 
mháthair  .  ut  dixit  poeta  :  mac  Bébinn  an  bheoil  chumra  .  gér  bheg  a  lucbt 
lenumna  í  nír  smuain  go  gcroibnertfa  a  cenn  .  go  bfuair  oig^echt  na  hEirenn. 
Gormfhlaith  fliionn  ingen  Mhurchaid  meic  Fhinn  ri  Laigen  máthair  Dhonn- 
chaid  meic  Bhriain  bhoraime  ocus  Shitric  meic  Amiaoib  cuarán  ri  gall  Atha 
cliath  ocus  Conchobair  meic  Mhaoilsechlainn  ri  Eirenn.     Brian  boraime 
imorro  sé  meic  leis  .i.  Murchad  Conchobar  ocus  Flann  an  triar  ó  nar  siolad 
diob  .  Mór  ingen  Eidhin  meic  Chléirig  .m.  Edálaig  .m.  Chumascaig  do  úib 
Fiachrach  aidhne  máthair  an  trír  sin  .  ut  dixit  poeta  :  Mór  ingen  Eidin 
áluinn  .  máthair  Mhurchaid  fa  maith  sgiam  í  a  chiste  ruin  nir  dhermad  •  rug 
si  triur  degmhac  do  Bhrian.  tuig  go  rabadar  dias  derbsethar  ag  Bébinn  .i.  ag 
máthair  Briain  .i.  Caoinech  agus  Crescha  .  Caoinech  a  qua  clann  Chosgraig 
.i.  muinter  Aoda  na  Corcaige  ocus  Crescha  a  qua  clann  Mhaoilruanaid  amail 
adeir  an  duan  darab  tosach  :  Cianóg  ingen  Chiocaráin.   is  (  an  Ghormflaith 
so  do  remráidsem  .i.  ingen  Murchaid  meic  Finn  ro  ling  na  tri  léimenna 
oirderca  dianebrad  :  tri  léimenn  ro  ling  Gormlaith  .  ni  lingfidh  [aoinjben  go 
bráth  Í  léim  in  Ath  cliath  i  Temraig  .  i  gCaisiol  carmnaig  ós  each,   óir  do  bí 
an  Ghormlaith  so  ag  Amiaoib  cuarán  dá  ngoirti  ri  gall  Atha  cliath  no  go  rug 
si  Sitriuc  mac  Amiaoib  .  do  bi  sí  ag  Maolsechlainn  ri  Eirenn  no  go  rug  si 
Conchobar  mac  Maoilscchlainn  ocus  do  bi  si  ag  Brian  boraime  no  go  rug 
Donnchad  mac  Briain .  ocus  di  táinic  an  esaonta  dar  tionnscnad  cath  Chluana 
tarb    b.  A.D.  1014.   slóigedh  la  gallaib  ocus  la  Laignib  i  Mide  ocus  iar  sin  i 
mBregaib  co  ro  oirgset  termonn  Féichene  ocus  rugsat  brait  iomda  ocus  innile 
dí-áirmigte.   slóighed  la  Brian  mac  Cinnéitig  meic  Lorcáin  la  rig  Eirenn  ocus 
la  Maolsechlainn  mac  Domnaill  la  rig  Temrach  co  hAth  cliath.  ro  thinóilset 
goill  iarthair  Eorpa  in  nagaid  Bhriain  ocus  Mhaoilshechlainn  ocus  dobertsat 
deich  gcéd  lúirecha  Ico.   fechar  cath  cróda  etorra  da  na  frith  samail  isin  aim- 
sir  sin  i  gCluain  tarbh  isin  aoine  ria  gcáisg  do  shonnrad.   torchair  isin  gcath 
sin  Brian  mac  Cinnéidig  áirdri  Eirenn  isin  ochtmad  bliadain  ar  cheithre 
iichtib  a  aoisi .  Murchad  mac  Brian  rigdamna  Eirenn  isin  tres  bliadain  sescat 
a  aoisi .  Toirdclbach  mac  Murchaid  meic  Bhriain  .  Conaing  mac  Duinnchuan 
mac  bráthar  do  Bhrian  [etc.] 


XXI. ;  XXII.  i,  ii]  Text  of  Extracts.  489 

XXI.  Page  306: — (i)  a,  mag  Corainn  unde  nomtnatur,  .nl.  Corann  cruitire 
side  do  Diancecht  mac  in  Dagdai  co  rogairside  assa  chruit  caelchéis  .i.  muc 
de  mucaib  Drebrinni.  ro  raith  fo  thuaid  anniurt  a  cnám  .  ro  raithset  dana 
[anniurt  retha]  laechrad  Chonnacht  ocus  a  cuanart  ina  degaid  corice  céis 
Corainn  .  unde  céis  Chorainn  ocus  mag  gCorainn.  unde  poeta  :  Corann  crui- 
tire crethach  .  mac  in  Dagdai  diainbrethach  í  ro  gart  in  muic  fri  séis  slainn. 
triana  chruit  co  céis  Corainn  b,  Corann  [etc]  .ni.  Corann  cruitire  Dian- 
cecht meic  Echtaig  esairg  co  tucsat  tuath  de  Danann  ferann  ar  shepainn  do 
i  mag  Corainn  unde  Corann  notninatur,  céis  Chorainn  imorro  dia  ro  shemsat 
muca  Drebrinne  ised  ro  siacht  in  cóiged  muc  i  caelchéis  Chorainn  conid  ann 
rosmert .  unde  céis  Chorainn  nominatur  c,  Eile  ingen  Echach  ben  Fhorgaill 
meic  Matamuirsce  do  feraib  Olnégmacht .  ocus  Dreibne  ingen  Echach  feidlig 
6  ráiter  muca  Drebrinni 

XXII.  Page  306: — (i)  a.  geinelach  Dairine  .i.  sfl  Lugdach  meic  Itha. 
Duach  mac  Maicniad  meic  Meicchon  .m.  Luigdech  laigde  .m.  Dáire  sfr- 
chrechtaig  .m.  Lugdach  .ni.  Itha  .m.  Breogoin.  cóic  [leg  sé]  meic  Dáire 
sírchrechtaig  .i.  Lugaid  laigde  diatát  corco  Laigde .  Lugaid  cál  diatát  Cal- 
raige  [Bolcban  brethnach  máthair  Luigdech  cal .  Lasair  ingen  Laegaire  meic 
Néill  ben  Luigdech  cal]  .  Lugaid  oircthe  diatát  corco  Oircthe  .  Lugaid  laiges 
[diatá  Laiges  laigen]  .  Lugaid  corp  [diatá  dál  Mescorb  laigen]  .  Lugaid  cos- 
caire  diatát  Coscraige  lasna  Déisib  diambái  Danél  mac  Fathaig  b,  de 
gheinelach  chorco  Láide  ann  so  ar  tús.  Lugaid  laighe  a  quo  corco  Laige  mac 
sidein  Dairi  sírdréchtaig  [no  doimthig]  .  ainm  eile  do  sen  Lugaid.  mac  do 
Lugaid  eile  .i.  Maccon  .  ocus  do  bo  Lugaid  ainm  Daire  mas  flor  do  droing 
do  na  filedaib.  Macniadh  gnáthainm  Luigdech  laige  .  mac  oireghda  ag  Mac- 
con  .i.  Macniadh.  clann  maith  ag  Macniadh  [mac  Meicchon]  .i.  Aengus  gai- 
fuilech  ocus  Duach  c,  Calraige  .i.  caltroige  .i.  eland  Luigdech  cáil  nam 
troige  eland  no  ceinél .  no  Calrige  .i.  rige  cail  .i.  Luigdech  cdil  (ii)  Lugaid 
laige  ei  cetera,  is  é  seel  foraithmentar  ann  in  ni  diatát  na  tuillte  anmann  for 
macaib  Daire  doimthig  .i.  cúic  [leg  sé]  Lugada  ocus  caide  adbar  Lugaid  for 
gach  mac  dib.  .ni.  ro  bái  i  tairmgire  co  ngébad  mac  dia  macaib  rigi  nEirenn 
ocus  comad  Lugaid  a  ainmside  .  conad  aire  sin  ro  bái  Lugaid  for  gach  naen- 
mac  dib.  ro  mórad  tra  aenach  Tailten  la  Daire  ocus  ro  fersat  a  meic  a 
ngraifne  ann  .  ocus  adbert  Daire  frisin  ndrái  :  cia  mac  gébus  tar  m'éisi. 
tiucfaid  laeg  niamórda  isan  aenach  ar  in  drái .  ocus  in  mac  gébus  in  laeg  is 
é  gébus  dod  téis.  ocus  doroich  in  laeg  órda  \i\r  sin  ocus  lodar  fir  Eirenn  ina 
diaid  .  ocus  luigid  na  meic  fris  ódá  sin  co  beinn  Edair  ocus  adagar  ceo  dráid- 
echta  etarru  ocus  fir  Eirenn.  lodar  meic  Dairi  ina  diaid  ódá  sin  co  dál  Mes- 
corb i  Laignib  ocus  tairisis  Lugaid  laige  .i.  Macniadh  in  laeg  ocus  coscrais 
Lugaid  in  laeg  .  conad  de  atá  Lugaid  cose,  ocus  ferais  sneehta  mór  dóib  iar 
sin  go  mba  hobair  dóib  a  nairm  do  ehongbáil  ocus  téid  mac  dib  d'iarraid  tige. 
fuairteeh  mór  ann  ocus  teine  m6r  ocus  biad  ocus  linn  co  himda  .  ocus  miasa 
airgdidi  ocus  toilg  fhindiiiine  ocus  eaillech  aduathmar  isin  tig.  a  maeáim 
cid  ehuinnehe  ar  side,  lebaid  iarraim  co  maidin.  ocus  adbeir  si :  dia  tis  im 
choimlebaid  innocht  adfia  .  ocus  adbert  in  mac  na  dingned  ocus  luid  [co  a] 
bráithrib.  ro  thcipis  flaithes  ocus  rigi  ar  si.  lodar  na  meic  i  ndiaid  araile 
issin  tech.  ro  fiarfacht  d'fiur  dib  cid  dorala  do.  ore  allaid  ol  sé  ocus  aduadas 
am  aenur.  bid  Lugaid  ore  th'ainm  god  chinél  ar  si.  ro  fiarfacht  dono  d'fiur 
eile  in  cétna.  ni  tarla  ni  dam  ar  sé  acht  collad  dorónas.  is  callda  sin  ar  si. 

2  L 


490  Text  of  Extracts.  [xxii.  iii— vin 

bid  Lugaid  cal  tb'ainm  cod  chinél.  ro  fiarfaig  dono  d'fiur  eile  in  cétna. 
adrulla  laeg  allaid  uaim  ar  sé.  bid  Lugaid  laeghas  th'ainmsiu  cod  chinél  ar 
si.  ro  fiarfaig  d'fiur  eile  in  cétna.  in  nf  ro  láidset  na  fir  eile  uathaib  is  edh  ro 
chaithes  ar  sé.  bid  Lugaid  corb  t'ainmsiu  ar  sí .  is  coirpthe  in  ro  chaithis. 
luid  Lugaid  laige  fa  deoid  isin  tech  beos  .  ocus  adbert  in  chaillech  in  cétna. 
dorala  ||  dam  laeg  allaid  ocus  aduadas  m'acnur.  bid  Lugaid  laeghde  th'ainm 
cod  chenél  ol  s( .  conid  de  ro  lensat  na  hanmanna.  fáidis  Lugaid  laegde  lei 
tar  cenn  bid  ocus  lenna  iar  sin  .  luid  imorro  in  chaillech  isan  toilg  finndruine 
ocus  luid  Macniad  ina  degaid  isin  toilg  ocus  anndar  leis  ba  grian  ic  turgabáil 
i  mis  mái  soillse  a  gnúisi  ocus  ba  sainalta  leis  a  bolad  fri  lubgort  cumra  .  ocus 
téid  ina  gnáis  iar  sin  ocus  asbert  ris  :  maith  do  thurus  ar  si .  ar  is  roisi  in 
flaithes  ocus  gébasu  fiaithes  Eirinn.  ocus  fogabaid  iar  sin  nua  bid  ocus  sen 
lenna  ocus  cuirn  ina  naenur  ic  dáil  dóib  ocus  fáiis  frisin  flaithes.  ocus  is 
amlaid  ro  bádar  gan  tech  gan  teini  arna  márach  acht  mag  coimréid  comard 
ocus  a  coin  i  gcengul  dia  slegaib.  lodar  rompo  iar  sin  co  haenach  Tailten 
ocus  innisid  a  nechtra  ocus  scáilid  fir  Eirenn  as  an  aenach  .  unde  dixerunt  sé 
Lugada  Page  311 : — (iii)  Gemlorg  ingen  Choncobair  abradniaid  ben  Luig- 
dech  lágha  is  uaithi  ainmnigter  glenn  Gemluirg  i  mbregaib  Page  312: — 
(iv)  a,  A.D.  186.  a  haon  fichet  d'Art  mac  Chuinn  chétchathaig  i  r(ge  Eirenn. 
cath  chinn  Fhebrat  ria  macaib  Oililla  úluim  ocus  riasna  tri  Coirbrib  clann 
Chonaire  meic  Moga  lama  for  Dadera  drái  for  Neimid  mac  Sroibchinn  ocus 
for  deiscert  Eirenn  .  dii  i  dtorchair  Neimid  ri  Ema  muman  ocus  Dadera 
druth  Dairine.  docher  dna  Darera  la  hEogan  mac  Oililla  .  docher  Neimid 
la  Cairbre  n'gfhoda  mac  Conaire  i  ndfogail  a  athar  .i.  Conaire  budéin  .  ro 
ghon  Cairbre  muse  Lugaid  .i.  Maccon  ina  cholptha  gur  ba  bacach  iarum.  is 
é  fáth  an  foranma  sin  mar  do  b(  Lugaid  taithncmach  do  choin  do  bi  ag 
biathad  a  coilén  i  dtig  a  oidedh  ocus  do  ibedh  as  ballán  na  con  remráite  gur 
len  mac  con  de  b.  Maccon  .i.  cu  ro  bói  ac  Ailill  úluim  .  Elóir  derg  a  hainm. 
an  tan  dono  bói  Maccon  ina  náidin  i  tig  Oililla  ro  eltadh  ar  a  lámhacán  dia 
saigid  ocus  ro  thimairgedh  an  cii  ina  glotain  é  ocus  ni  féta  a  thesargain  ar  in 
coin  cen  tocht  do  dia  saigid  Page  314:— (v)  mag  Mucruime  [etc]  .ni. 
mucca  druidechta  doriacht  a  huaim  Chruachan  co  hOilioll  is  co  Meidb  co  ro 
mhillset  ith  ocus  bliocht  in  gach  maigin  imbídís  ocus  ní  chumgaitís  fir  Eirenn 
a  riomh  na  a  dtarrdarc  in  gach  maigin  imbidis  .  co  táinic  Oilill  ocus  Medb 
do  shernad  a  selga  co  Fraechmág  ocus  co  ro  thafann  co  belach  na  bfert .  conid 
ann  sin  tarraid  Medb  muc  dib  ar  chois  co  fargaib  a  lethar  ina  láim  ocus  co 
ro  rimed  iar  suidiu  isin  maigin  sin  .  undc  mag  muicrima  (vi)  Croichen  chró- 
dherg  inailt  Edáine  máthair  Mhedba  ó  ráiter  mág  Cruachna  .  nó  Clófhionn 
a  máthair  fós.  Medb  chruachna  máthair  na  sccht  Máinedh  ocus  Orlaim  mcic 
Oililla  ocus  Fhinnabrach  ocus  máthair  trí  mac  Fergusa  .i.  Ciar  ocus  Core 
ocus  Conmac  .  ocus  comad  í  máthair  Illainn  ilairchlesaig  meic  Fergusa  (vii) 
ráth  Chruachan  [etc.]  .m.  Cruachu  no  Croichenn  croderg  inailt  Etáine  do 
dechaid  for  aithiud  la  Midir  bri  léith  as  Fhremainn  a  haenuch  Aengusa.  ba 
chara  didiu  do  Midir  Sinech  sidi  Chruachan  .  taraill  iarum  ar  a  dili  dia 
hagallaim  i  suidiu  fri  nái  tráth.  doruimenair  didiu  Etáin  comba  la  Midir 
indsid  sin.  in  i  do  threb  in  so  ol  Etáin.  ac  so  ol  Midir .  is  nesu  do  thurgabáil 
ghréine  mo  thrcbsa  indás  so  ar  Midir.  cest  cia  buaid  duinni  tadall  in  tsidasa 
ocus  in  maige  didiu  ol  Croichenn.  biaid  t'ainmsiu  air  illog  th'aistir  a  Chroi- 
chcnn  ol  Midir.   luid  iarum  Midir  co  bri  léitli  conid  ann  ro  toglad  fair  [la] 


xxiiL  i— iii]  Text  of  Extracts.  49  r 

Eochaid  airemain.  tosach  tochmairc  Etáine  inn  sin  dinnsenchus  rátha  Chni- 
achan  (viii)  a.  mag  nAi  [etc.]  .nl.  Ai  mac  Allghubai  in  cethramad  mogh 
fichet  tucsat  meic  Miled  leo  is  é  conataig  cosna  moigidib  sin  co  ro  slechtaitfs 
mag  leis  .  conid  iad  sin  no  shlechtsat  mag  nAi  fair  i  ceitrib  uairib  fichet 
corusgaid  Ai  iar  scur  dóib  im  dilsi  in  maigi  sin  do  ocus  mo  a  ainm  fair,  unde 
mag  nAi  dicitur  b.  loch  Néill  unde  nomitiatur,  .ni.  Niall  mac  Ennai  aignig 
meic  Oengusa  tuirbig  is  é  ro  bo  thuisech  dibergach  Eirenn  i  ilaith  Chonaill 
chromdeirg  meic  Labrada  luchta .  do  dechaid  for  lurg  muc  nDrebrinni  dia 
lotar  assfd  Chollomracb  condasfuair  in  Dairiu  tarbgai.  imrachtatar  na  muca 
remib  etir  chonu  ocus  daeinc  ar  fut  maige  Ai .  fo  dáig  rop  ainm  con  Ennai 
aignig  .i.  ai.  feib  ráncatar  in  loch  .i.  loch  con  Ennai  aignig  ro  báided  Nell 
ann  ocus  a  choin  ocus  a  dibergaig  .  unde  poeta  :  ro  báided  Nell  cétaib  cenn  í 
for  lurg  do  mucca  Drebrenn  í  ro  [bo]  primchelgach  tor  tenn  .  tóisech  diber- 
gach Eirenn  (ix)  Moncha  ingen  Trethain  meic  Bhiceda  ben  Eogain  mhóir 
meic  Oililla  óloim  Page  318: — (x)  A.D.  195.  iar  mbeith  tricha  bliadan  i 
rige  Eirenn  d'Art  mac  Chuinn  chétchathaig  torchair  i  gcath  maige  Mucraime 
la  Maccon  gona  allmarchaib  .  .  Liogaime  lecanfhoda  mac  Aengusa  bailbh 
meic  Echach  finn  fuathnairt  ro  imbir  lama  for  Art  isin  chath  sin  iar  dtocht 
do  i  sochraide  Meiccon  225.  iar  mbeith  tricha  bliadan  i  rige  Eirenn  do 
Lugaid  .i.  mac  con  mac  Maicniad  torchair  do  láim  Feirchis  meic  Chomain 
eicis  iarna  innarbad  a  Temraig  do  Chormac  ua  Chuinn  (xi)  a.  Ailill  ulom  ar 
ni  raibe  craicenn  na  feoil  for  a  chluais  iarna  lomad  do  Aine  ingin  EoghabaiL 
no  aulom  .i.  aulo  lom  .i.  lom  a  ulo  .i.  a  rigdai  gan  fial  tairisi  ar  a  beodacht 
b,  Echtach  ingen  Eimir  máthair  Oililla  úloim  c,  A.D.  234.  a  hocht  do 
Chorbmac.   Ailill  61om  mac  mogha  Nuadhat  d'ég 

XXI II.  Page  319: — (i)  a,  Eithne  thaebfhota  ingen  Chatháir  móir  ben 
Chormaic  úi  Chuinn  máthair  Chairbri  lifechair .  no  ingen  Dúnlaing  rig  Laigen 
CO  firinnech  \m5.  co  firindindach]  mar  do  gabar  i  lebraib  nemthruaillichte. 
[no]  comad  i  Feidil  in  banchumal  do  Laignib  a  máthair .  no  comad  i  Ciamait 
cumal  Chormaic  ocus  is  d'Eithne  rob  ainm  Ciamait  b,  Ciamait  ingen  rig 
Chruithnech  thucsat  Ulaid  ar  éigin  i  mbroid  tar  muir  ocus  tar  mórfhairge. 
ocus  atchuala  Cormac  ua  Cuinn  sin  ocus  ro  chuingid  uad[aib]  i  ocus  tucad 
do  da  thig  i.  ben  as  áille  ocus  as  cóime  ro  búi  isin  doman  i  gcomaimsir  fria 
f .  ocus  bui  i  cáirdes  fri  Cormac  ocus  rob  adbal  met  a  gráda  leis  .  co  cuala 
Eithne  ollamda  ingen  Chathaeir  móir  a  beith  aici  ocus  ro  raid  na  beidis 
aroen  aici.  ocus  rob  éigen  a  tabairt  ar  chumus  Eithne  .  ocus  do  rat  Eithne 
dáire  fuirri  ocus  rob  Í  in  dáire  .i.  nái  méich  arba  do  bleith  cech  lái.  co  tarrla 
Cormac  ocus  sisi  ar  oentaeib  fo  leith  corrustoirrchestar  ocus  nir  fhét  bleith. 
CO  rusairchis  Cormac  ocus  tug  saer  muilinn  tarfairgi  ocus  dorónadh  muilenn 
lais  d'anocal  Chiamaite  .  conid  de  sin  aspert  in  file  :  Ciamat  cumal  Chormaic 
choir .  mór  cét  do  biathad  a  bróin  Í  nái  méich  cech  lái  lé  do  bhleith  .  nir 
b'obair  dhuine  d'éinmeith.  tarrustair  uirri  in  rí  rán  .  ina  thig  na  haenarán  5 
CO  rustoirrchestar  fo  leith  .  iar  sin  co  nár  fhét  róbleith.  airchisis  uirre  ua 
Cuinn  .  tug  saer  muilinn  tar  mórthuinn  í  cétmuilenn  Cormaic  meic  Airt .  ro 
bo  chabair  do  Chiarnait  (ii)  a.  Fergus  bód  for  Bregaib  .i.  teine  for  Bregaib 
Page  329: — (iii)  clanna  Eibir  illeith  Chuinn  Gailenga  tair  is  tiar.  Cian- 
NACHTA  tes  is  tuaid  .  Luigne  tair  is  tiar  ocus  na  ceithri  Delbna  .  Delmna 
mór  ocus  Delmna  bcc  imMide  .  Delmna  cthra  in  iarthur  Mide  ocus  Delmna 
tire  da  locha  i  Connachtaib.    Gailenga  didiu  ocus  Ciannacht  eland  Taidc 


492  Text  of  Extracts.  [xxiii.  iii 

meic  Chéin  meic  Aililla  óluim  [Finnchaem  ingen  Chirb  ben  Chéin  meic 
Oililla  óluim  máthair  Thaidg  meic  Chéin].  Sadb  didiu  ingen  Chuinn  chét- 
chathaig  máthair  secht  mac  Aililla  úluim  .  is  dibsaide  Cian  athair  Taidc  .  is 
iat  ro  marbtha  i  cath  Mucnma  la  Lugaid  mac  con  ocus  la  Lugaid  lága  mac 
moga  Nuadat  .i.  bráthair  anathar .  isseside  ro  marb  Art  mac  Cuinn  i  cath 
Mucrima.  Béinne  brit  imorro  isse  ro  marb  Eogan  mac  Aililla  .  conid  ro 
marb  Lugaid  lága  fo  chétóir.  trícha  cét  amMumain  ro  bói  Maccon  ocus 
tricha  cét  alleith  Chuinn  ocus  tricha  cét  a  Bretnaib  im  mac  rig  Bretan  .i. 
Béinne.  trí  méich  fo  thrí  do  ghrannaib  catha  tucsat  leo  dar  muir.  gabais 
Lugaid  mac  con  trá  ríge  Eirenn  .  bái  secht  mbliadna  fichet  irrige  co  ronin- 
narb  Cormac  mac  Airt .  ocus  gabaisside  rige  Eirenn  co  tánic  nert  Ulad  fris 
CO  roninnarbsat  é  i  Connachtaib  iar  mbrith  a  ngiall  ocus  iar  ndénam  na  ileidi 
dóib  do  Chormac  i  tuaisciurt  maige  Breg  .  dia  tarat  gilla  rig  Ulad  in  chaindel 
fo  fholt  Chormaic  co  ronloisc  co  mór.  trí  meic  Imchada  meic  Fhinnachta 
.m.  Ogomain  .ni.  Fiathach  .i.  Fergus  dubdetach  ocus  Fergus  casfhiaclach 
ocus  Fergus  foltlebor.  luid  Cormac  co  Tadg  (sic)  mac  Céin  ara  tisad  leis  do 
thabairt  chatha  do  Ultaib.  tabar  ferann  damsa  aire  ar  Tadc.  doberthar  duit 
ar  Cormac  inatimchellfa  do  cliaipat  chaidche  iar  mbrisiud  in  chatha  do  maig 
Breg.  gébatsa  ar  Tadcg  {sic) ,  éirgsiu  ar  Tadc  co  Lugaid  Idga  ocus  tuc  Iat  é 
do'n  chath  ocus  braithimse  duit  in  baile  i  fuigbe  é  ina  chotlud.  ocus  luid 
Cormac  co  fuair  é  ina  chotlud  ocus  impais  rinn  in  ghai  ria  chride.  cia  dogni 
seo  ar  Lugaid.  Cormac  sunna  ar  sé.  dlíge  ar  Lugaid  mcise  .  is  me  ro  marb 
th'athair.  a  éraic  damsa  ar  Cormac.  cenn  rig  a  cath  duit  ar  Lugaid.  gébatsa 
ar  Cormac  cenn  rig  Ulad  .  Fergusa  dubdctaich.  dobdrsa  ar  Lugaid.  lotar  na 
slóig  combátar  imbrug  meic  intlOc  ocus  Ulaid  i  Crinna  chinn  chomair  doib. 
ocus  ni  arlaic  Tadg  in  cath  do  thabairt  co  matain  arna  bárach.  imtriallait  co 
moch  ocus  ni  ro  leiced  Cormac  issin  cath  .  bái  ar  chúl  in  cliatha  i  clud  ocus 
a  ghilla  OS  a  chiunn  ocus  ilo  rat  Cormac  a  eirred  imme  ocus  bái  in  gilla 
irriucht  Chormaic.  dobeir  Lugaid  cenn  leis  ocus  taiselbaid  do'n  ghillu.  ni  he 
ar  in  gilla  cenn  in  rig  acht  cenn  a  bráthai*.  dobeir  cenn  aile  lais.  ni  he  ar  in 
gilla  acht  cenn  a  bráthar  aile.  dobeir  leis  in  tres  cenn.  inné  seo  ar  Lugaid. 
is  é  ar  in  gilla.  dobeir  buille  de  do'n  ghillu  conid  ro  marb  co  torchair  féin 
ocus  CO  ro  laig  nél  fair,  ocus  co  ro  bris  Tadc  secht  catha  for  UUo  in  laa  sain 
CO  ránic  glais  Nera  i  taeib  droma  Inasclainn  .  uftde  Flannacán  cecinit :  Tadc 
mac  Céin  tuaid  irráith  chró  .  ro  bris  secht  catha  in  oenló  Í  for  Ulto  co  rinna 
réim  .  ótá  Crinna  co  hard  Céin.  cath  in  Airgctros  lathach .  cath  i  Conach  garg 
baethar  '  cath  Crinna  cid  dianid  clu  .  cath  i  Sithbiu  ba  saethar.  cath  droma 
Fuait  fuaim  fonnmar .  cath  Cairge  cruaid  conarmghail  í  for  cert  Chonchobair 
chlaidbig  .  condaté  c^  secht  samlaid.  luid  iar  sain  Tadc  ina  charpat  iar  ndul 
na  tri  ngai  trit  ocus  gilla  leis  ocus  a  máthair  in  ghillai  do  leith  Moga  combad 
é  bad  fhiad  do.  ba  nél  imorro  do  Thadc  each  ra  nuair  co  ránic  iar  sein  co 
Ath  cliath  II  ocus  nir  fescor  cid  annsaide.  ann  sin  atraacht  Tadc  assa  niul 
dedenach  conid  ann  atbert  Tadc  :  cid  táncamar  a  ghillai  or  sé.  táncamar 
mór  ar  in  gilla.  in  tucsam  Temraig  linn  ar  Tadc.  ni  thucsam  ar  in  gilla, 
atnaidh  Tadc  builli  do  conid  ro  marb  .  unde  Cinaeth  cecinit  :  forsindoen- 
chloich  irráith  chró  .  tuitim  na  tri  Fergusó  Í  dianerbairt  Cormac  is  glé  .  ni 
chél  a  doe  ar  logé.  ré  Tadc  ro  memaid  in  cath  .  is  ó  Chormac  dorrogradh  Í 
im  sé  chatha  congail  géir  .  ótá  Crinna  co  ard  Céin.  nenaisc  Tadc  a  chor  iar 
sein  .  for  Connac  rechta  rógheil  í  má  chuit  i  mBregaib  cen  brath  .  dia  temad 


XXIV.  i— iii]  Text  of  Extracts.  493 

as  in  mórchatlL    mani  throethad  a  ara  .  ro  festais  a  mórghala  •  ropad  re 
Temraig  [in]  tir .  reisfed  carpat  adarith.   iar  sin  doberar  dias  eorna  la  Cormac 
i  crécht  dia  chréchtaib  ocus  duirp  i  crécht  aile  ocus  gac  i  crécht  aile  co  ro 
chnesaig  tairsiu  ocus  combái  bliadain  isseirg.   luid  Lugaid  lága  uad  ar  chenn 
indfáthlega  sin  Mumain  .  ticside  cona  thrib  daltaib  leis  co  cualatar  éigem 
indfír  ic  tiachtain  dóib  dochum  in  tige.   cia  héigim  seo  ar  in  liaig.   cnet  do 
chulg  ar  in  dalta  toesech.   créat  so  doridisi  ar  in  liaig.   cnet  do  mil  beo  ar  in 
dalta  aile.   créat  so  dana  ar  in  liaig  risin  tres  cneit.   cnet  do  rinn  ar  in  tres 
dalta.    dogni  in  liaig  a  leiges  ocus  oslaicid  na  créchta  ocus  dobertar  baic 
tairis  .  ocus  dergthar  coltar  iar  sain  i  teinid  ocus  dobeir  in  liaig  amus  de  for 
broinn  indfir .  co  tánic  in  dias  eorna  ocus  in  duirb  met  lochad  ocus  in  gai 
ocus  cech  ambái  ann  ar  chena.   luid  Tadc  imMumain  ocus  triallais  cath  do 
Chormac  ocus  dogniat  sid.   Tadc  dana  da  mac  leis  .i.  Coiyila  ocus  Cormac 
Cormac  sen  Ciannachta  tes  ocus  tuaid  ocus  sen  éile  Muman  .  Cormac  gaileng 
sen  Gaileng  tair  ocus  tiar  ocus  na  Saithne    (iv)  a.  Cormac  gaileng  .i.  gae 
lang  .i.  gai  meblach    b,  Gaileng  .i.  lang  gua  .i.  Cormac  gailenga  .i.  Cormac 
gaileng  mac  Taidc  meic  Chéin  .m.  Oililla  óluim  rug  gai  a  athar  leis  dochum 
na  mbroc  co  tángadar  ar  [a]  einech  amach  ocus  gur  marb  Cormac  iat.   do 
chuaid  didiu  Tadg  do  chaithem  ileidi  iar  sin  do  thig  Chormaic  gaileng  ocus 
ro  ghráin  a  aicne  ic  61  na  fleidi  ocus  ro  fhidir  a  einech  do  choll  do'n  mac. 
conid  é  fotha  innarbtha  Chormaic  ó  Thadg  .  unde  gaileng  nomincUus  .i.  gai 
lang  .i.  cac  ar  einech.   <i///i/r  gaileng  nominatus  Cormac  gailenga  diciturpro 
habitaiione  ejus,    c.  Cormac  gaileng  mac  Taidc  uair  rue  gai  Taidc  leis  do- 
chum nambroc  co  táncatar  for  einech  Taidc  immach  .  unde  Gailenga  nomi- 
nantur.  ego  autem  puto  eos  itPtmdnitate  fúmi  caloris  igniti  cogenteforas  tunc 
uenisse .  et  nee  mirum  si  gentiles  putarent  eosdem  foras  prceclari  illius  ueritate 
eos  uocatos  esse,  et  postquam  foras  egressi  sunt  et  statim  Cormacus  eos  occi- 
dit  et  ideo  exul /actus  est  a  suo  patre  .i.  Tadc.  hinc  prouerbium  uenit  ejus 
gentis   c,  Sciath  ingen  Luigdech  meic  Aengusa  finn  .m.  Fergusa  duibdédaig 
ben  Taidg  nieic  Chéin  máthair  Chormaic  ghaileng 

XXIV.  Page  326: — (i)  a.  Eocho  mugmedón  .i.  cerchaill  bói  mo  a  medón 
amail  chlicht  fir  cholnaig  remair .  medóin  fir  remair .  unde  dicitur  mugmedón 
b.  Eochaid  muigmedóin  .i.  medon  mogad  lais  didiu  .  ro  diall  a  chenn  frisin 
rig  ocus  ro  diall  a  medon  frisin  mog  .i.  fri  Mungata.  cosa  óigthigcm  lais  .i. 
Echtigern.  no  muine  .i.  muinél  remar  lais  .  nam  muin  muinél  no  braighe 
r.  A.D.  365.  an  tochtmad  bliadain  d'Eochaid  muigmedóin  mac  Muiredaig 
tirig  OS  Eirenn  conerbailt  i  dTemraig  d  Muirenn  ingen  Fiachrach  amMu- 
main  máthair  Echach  muigmedóin  (ii)  a,  Moingionn  ingen  Fidhaig  meic 
Oililla  do  érnaib  Muman  siur  Chriomthainn  ocus  Cairenn  chasdub  máthair 
Néill  náigiallaig  atiat  sin  dá  mnái  Echach  muigmcdóin.  Moingionn  máthair 
Briain  ocus  Aililla  ocus  Fergusa  ocus  Fiachrach.  tri  ingena  in  Scáil  bailb  rig 
Saxan  Cairenn  chasdub  máthair  Néill  ocus  Cairell  ben  Dáire  sircherdaig 
máthair  Luigdech  cál  a  quo  Callraide  [ocus  Cairbech  máthair  Timine  ótáid 
corco  Timine  i  Laignib].  Coirpche  ingen  Echach  muigmedoin  b,  geinelach 
ua  Timin.  Eocho  timin  ocus  Bresal  enechglas  [.i.  comartha  glas  bá  ar  a 
agaid]  ocus  Ros  failge  ocus  Dáire  buadach  ocus  Crimthannán  meic  oen  má- 
thar  in  sin.  ina  chotlud  ro  bái  [Eocho]  in  tan  dobreth  ferann  do  na  bráithrib 
ocus  sé  foeindelta  .  conerbairt  in  Bresal ;  is  tim  sin  a  Eochaid  .  conid  de  sin 
ro  len  timin  de    Page  327;— (iii)  A.D.  573.  an  dechmad  bliadain  d'Aodh 


494  "^^i  of  Extracts.  [xxvi.  i— vu 

[mac  Ainmirech].  S.  Cairech  dergain  ógh  ó  chluain  Boirenn  d*ég  90  Fehru^ 
arii  Page  330: — (iv)  A.D.  981.  dál  gCais  d'orgain  do  Mhaolsechlainn  mac 
Domnaill  ocus  bile  aonaig  maige  hAdhair  do  thesgad  iarna  tochailt  a  talmain 
cona  frémaib  1022.  maidm  átha  buide  Tlachtga  ria  Maolsechlainn  for  ghall- 
aib  átha  cliath  dú  i  dtorchradar  ile  .  dia  nebradh  :  a  chosgar  derg  déidenach. 
fescor  oc  an  áth  mbuidhe  •  trkha  laithe  léimennach  .  ó  sin  co  cenn  a  uidhe. 
mi  dho  ina  bethaid  iar  sin.  Maolshechlainn  mór  mac  Domnaill  meic  Donn- 
chada  tuir  ordain  ocus  oirechais  iarthair  domain  do  eg  i  gcró-inis  locha 
Aininn  iar  mbeith  tri  bliadna  cethrachat  i  rige  uas  Eirinn  madh  iar  lebar 
cluana  meic  Nóis 

XXVI.  Page  331:— (i)  A.D.  378.  iar  mbeith  tri  bliadna  dég  ina  rig  ós 
Eirinn  do  Chriomthann  mac  Fiodhaig  atbail  do  dig  neime  tug  Moingfhionn 
a  shiur  féisin  do  Page  333  : — (ii)  a,  cam  Feradaig  [etc.]  .ni.  Feradach 
mac  Rochuirb  meic  Golláin  .m.  Chonmaeil  .m.  Eibir  dorochair  ann  la  Tig- 
emmus  mac  Follaig  .  ocus  is  la  Tigernmus  dorochair  Conmael  i  cath  aenaig 
Macha  .  ocus  ro  marb  Rochorb  mac  GoUáin  i  cath  Elle  .  ocus  ro  marb  Fer- 
adach iartain  i  cath  chairn  Fheradaig  .  ocus  is  é  in  sin  fert  Feradaig.  unde 
cam  Feradaig  nominatur  b.  A.M.  3579.  iar  mbeith  deich  mbliadna  fichet 
do  Chonmael  mac  Eimir  i  rige  Eirenn  torchair  i  cath  aonaig  Macha  la  Tig- 
ernmus mac  Follaig  3656.  is  i  an  bliadainsi  an  sechtmad  bliadain  dég  ar  tri 
fichtib  do  Tigemmus  ina  rig  ós  Eirinn.  is  lais  ro  brisedh  na  catha  so  for 
shiol  nEimir  ocus  for  araill  d'Eirennchaib  ocus  d'echtaircheinélaib  oile  cén- 
motátsomh.  atiad  so  na  catha  ishin  .  cath  Elle  i  dtorchair  Rochorb  mac 
Golláin  .  cath  chairn  Fheradaig  i  dtorchair  Feradach  mac  Rochuirb  meic 
Gholláin  Ó  ráiter  cam  Feradaig  [etc.]  (iii)  A.D.  465.  Criomthann  mac  Enna 
ceinselaig  ri  Laigen  do  mharbad  láf  mac  a  ingine  budéin  .i.  Eochaid  g^uinech 
do  úib  Bairrche  (iv)  A.D.  523.  an  fichetmad  bliadain  do  Muirchertach  [mac 
Erca].  Beoaidh  espug  Arda  cama  d'ég  an  tochtmad  la  do  Márta  Page 
334 : — (v)  a,  Inniu  ingen  Lugach  ben  Néill  náighiallaig  máthair  dá  Conall 
ocus  Eogain.  nó  gomad  i  Rignach  a  máthair  amail  asbert  in  fili  :  ro  bo  fáilid 
ríg  nach  réid  .  iar  mbreith  Laegaire  meic  NéiU  í  Enna  Maine  monar  nglé. 
Eogan  dá  Chonall  Cairpré.  Innecht  ingen  Luigdech  ben  Chruinn  badraide 
b.  Rignach  ingen  Medaib(?)  meic  Rosa  .m.  Trithem(?)  ben  Néill  náigiallach 
máthair  Laegaire  ocus  Enna  ocus  Maine  ocus  Eogain  ocus  da  Conall  ocus 
Cairbri.  Inniu  ocus  Indecht  da  ingin  Luigdech  ó  bfuil  glenn  Indecht  ocus  glenn 
Arad .  Inniu  ben  Néill  máthairFiachach  .  Innecht  ben  Chruinn  badrái  máthair 
Chaelbaid  meic  Chruinn  badrái  c,  A.D.  357.  iar  mbeith  aoinbliadain  i  rige 
nEirenn  do  Chaolbadh  mac  Cruinn  badhrai  docher  la  hEochaid  muigmedóin 
(vi)  inis  Domghlais  ro  ghab  Crimth[ann]  mac  Fidaig  for  macaib  Echdach 
m[uigmedóin].  do  chuatar  meic  Echdach  muigmedóin  for  [sluaiged]  iartain 
imMumain  iar  néc  Crimthainn  meic  Fidaig  co  tardad  cath  dó[ib]  .i.  cath  corad 
Caenraige  .  cor  [maided  rempu]  siar  ocus  co  ro  gonad  Fiachra  mac  [Echdach] 
acus  is  é  rosgon  Mage  meschor[ach]  conerbailt  i  Forói  co  ro  hadnach[t  inte]. 
coeca  giall  tucsat  meic  Echdach  aniar  iar  mbrisiud  in  chath[a].  i  ciunn  mis 
iarsin  chath  ro  bo  m[arb  Fiachra]  co  ro  hadnacht  na  géill  beo  [timchiull  firt] 
indrig.  is  iar  sain  ro  gabad  [dun]  dabróc  i  cáille  Gaileng  for  Brian  acus  Ailill. 
corrucad  Ailill  i  ngiall  acus  co  ro  marbad  Ailill  ann  lasin  rig  Page  335 : — (vii) 
tf.  A.M.  5089.  iar  dtochaithem  cóig  mbliadan  i  rige  Eirenn  d'Eidirscél  mac 
Eogain  meic  Oihlla  dorochar  la  Nuada  necht  in  Aillinn.    5090.   iar  gcaithem 


XXVII. ;  xxviiL  i— vii]    Text  of  Extracts.  495 

lethbliadna  i  ríge  Eirenn  do  Nuada  necht  mac  Sédna  sithbaic  torchair  i  gcath 
Chliach  in  uib  Dróna  lá  Conaire  mór  b,  Nuada  necht  .i.  Nuada  álainn  nam 
necht  álainn  no  gel  dicitur 

XXVII.  Page  343: — (i)  a,  A.M.  5192.  aoinbliadain  do  Choncobar  abrad- 
mad  mac  Finn  filed  meic  Rosa  maid  .m.  Fergusa  fairrghe  i  rige  Eirenn  go 
dtorchair  laCrimthann  mac  Luigdech  sriab  nderg  b,  Conchobar  abradmad 
.i.  rose  CO  máilgib  mada  ro  thecht .  nam  mala  abhra  dicitur  Page  352; — 
(ii)  ro  bith  OS  la  Tadg  mac  Céin  .  Tadg  mac  Céin  la  hos  ro  bfth  \  la  hos  ro 
bith  Tadg  mac  Céin  .  Tadg  mac  Céin  ic  ros  na  righ 

XXVIIL  Page  359: — (i)  Tuathal  techtmar  .i.  is  é  ro  ben  a  cinnu  do 
chuicedaib  Eirenn  ar  tús  .i.  fir  Mide.  no  ar  imad  a  selb.  no  ar  thechtad 
cacha  maithesa  re  a  reimhis  in  Eirinn.  no  ar  techtadh  cáich  co  coitchenn 
dosom  .  ar  nir  fhácaibsium  in  foidin  fóghlas  in  Eirinn  gen  rechtge  fiatha 
(ii)  a.  Fiacha  finnolaidh  .i.  finna  urmór  bo  Eirenn  ina  reimhes  b,  Eithne 
ingen  rig  Alban  ben  Fhiachach  f  hinnulaid  máthair  Tuathail  techtmair  (iii) 
a,  Feradach  [finn]fechtnach  .i.  ar  fechtnaigi  a  fiatha  ar  is  ina  aimsir  ro  bái 
in  tidh  Morainn.  Eithne  emna  ben  Morainn  meic  Main  is  uimpi  dorónad  in 
tfdh  b,  Nár  thuathchaech  ingen  Lotain  do  Chruithentuaith  ben  Chrimthainn 
niadnáir  máthair  Feradaig  finnfechtnaig  (iv)  a,  Cremthann  nianáir  [mac 
Luigdech  sriab  nderg]  .i.  trénfer  Náirí  .i.  Nár  thuathcaech  a  sidaib  no  do 
Chruithentuaith  a  ben  iside  rug  eisium  in  echtra  b.  Béfina  ingen  Chrem- 
thainn  ben  Fhinn  meic  Fhinnlogha  máthair  Echach  feidlig  ocus  Echach 
airemhan  .  máthair  Aililla  meic  Fhinn  nf  fhedar  innf  seo  c.  Clóann  ingen 
Airtig  uchtlethain  ben  Echach  feidlig  máthair  na  tri  finn  emhna  ocus  Cloth- 
rainni .  ocus  d'aentoirbert  mead  a  cethrar  iat.  Onga  ingen  eile  Airtig  máthair 
Mumaine  ocus  Eithne  d  tri  finn  emna  .i.  Bres  ocus  Nár  ocus  Lothar  tri 
meic  Echach  feidlig  is  aire  adberar  na  trf  finn  emna  ar  is  d'aentoirbirt  rue 
ben  Echach  iad .  air  gid  dias  no  triar  berar  in  aenfecht  is  emuin  friu  e.  Cloth- 
ra  ingen  Echach  feidlig  máthair  Luigdech  riab  nderg  [meic  na  tri  finn  emna] 
ocus  fa  hi  sin  máthair  Chremthainn  meic  Luigdech  [riab  nderg]  (v)  a,  Lu- 
gaid  riab  nderg  .i.  da  réib  derga  bádar  tairis  .i.  crios  tar  a  mhedón  ocus  crios 
mo  bhraigit.  a  chenn  fri  Nár  ro  dhiall .  a  bhruinne  fri  Bres  .  ó  shin  sios  fii 
Lothar  b,  Daréra  ben  Rumail  rig  Laigen  is  iat  ro  alt  Lugaid  riab  nderg. 
Derborgaill  ingen  rig  Lochlann  ben  Luigdech  riab  nderg  c,  Rumal  dériar 
.  i .  ri  Laigen  is  é  cétna  ro  gab  do  Laignib  6  Bhóinn  co  Buaighnig .  idon 
[dériar]  dicitur  ar  a  nert  dognidh  réir  a  dé  .  ocus  Derra  a  ben  ro  alt  Lugaid 
riab  nderg  ocus  aide  múinte  gaiscid  do  Choinchulainn  \€\  .  is  aire  aderar 
conid  aide  do  Lugaid  Cuchulainn  (vi)  Fidir  ocus  Dáirine  dá  ingin  Tuathail 
techtmair  .i.  da  mnái  Echach  ainchinn  rig  Laigen  ocus  is  tritha  tucad  in 
borama  ó  Laignib  (vii)  a.  Aine  ingen  Finn  meic  Chumaill  máthair  Echach 
doimlén.  Oilech  ingen  Ubthairi  fhinn  rig  Alban  ben  Echach  doimlén  máthair 
na  tri  Colla  b,  Eochaid  doimlén  .i.  rodamh  ar  lén  gan  ni  d'Eirinn  d'inn- 
saigid  ar  ni  ro  léig  Fiacha  roibtine  [do]  .  dianebairt  in  fili :  Eochaid  rodam 
lén  ré  linn  .  gan  ni  d'innsaigid  d'Eirinn  í  athair  na  tri  Colla  cian  .  or  chinnset 
rigrad  Oirgiall.  no  Eochaid  [doimlén]  .i.  domus plena  .i.  tech  Ian  do  ghiall- 
aib  occa  c.  Fiacha  sraiptine  .i.  sraib  teined  tucad  ina  longaib.  no  in  uib 
Sraibtine  i  Connachtaib  ronalt  no  dono  frossa  teined  ticdis  ina  re.  no  roib- 
tine .i.  gairge  .  Fiacho  roiptine  .i.  Fiacho  garg    d,  A.D.  276.  Oengus  gaib* 


49^  Text  of  Extracts.  pcxviii.  viii— xviii 

uaibtech  do  mharbad  an  bliadainsi  la  cloinn  Chairbre  lifechair  .i.  Fiacha 
sraibtine  ocus  Eochaid  doimlén  Page  362: — (viii)  Feidlimid  rechtada  .i. 
bretha  rechta  no  fhoghnad  do  .  uair  talio  no  bidh  oco  .i.  simile  uindictunt 
.i.  indechad  cosmail  .i.  suil  i  sail  ocus  cos  i  cois  ocus  lam  i  láim  et  cetera  sic, 
ar  a  meid  dono  no  fhognadais  do  bretha  rechta  is  aire  atberthea  Feidlimid 
rechtada  fris  (ix)  «.  Bresal  beolach  .i.  beolaech  .i.  laech  beo  .  no  is  bél  mór 
bái  oco  b.  A.D.  435.  an  sechtmad  bliadain  do  Laegaire  [mac  NéiU]  .  Bresal 
bélach  mac  Fiachach  aiceda  meic  Chathaoir  móir  rí  Laigen  d'ég  Page 
369: — (x)  A.D.  241.  orgain  na  hingenraide  isin  chlaoinferta  i  dTemraig  la 
Dúnlaing  mac  Enna  niad  ri  Laigen.  tricha  Hgingen  a  lion  ocus  céá  ingen  la 
gach  ingin  diob.  da  rig  dég  do  Laignib  rosbi  Corbmac  ac  galaib  aoinfir  i 
ndfogail  na  hoirgne  isin  amaiUi  re  foshnaidm  na  borama  cona  tórmach  iar 
dTuathal  (xi)  A.D.  405.  iar  mbeith  secht  mbliadna  fichet  ina  rig  ós  Eirinn 
do  Niall  niiigiallach  mac  Echach  muigmedóin  dorochair  la  hEochaid  mac 
Enna  chennselai;^  oc  muir  nicht  .1.  an  muir  edir  Franc  ocus  Saxan  Page 
370: — (xii)  a,  Brigit  ingen  Chobthaig  meic  Aililla  do  Laignib  arda  Ladhrann 
ben  Ainmirech  meic  Shenna  máthair  Aeda  meic  Ainmirech  [ocus  Teigine 
ocus  epscuip  Aedáin]  b.  Lann  in^^en  Aeda  ghuairi  no  Mell  ingen  Aeda 
ghuairi  rig  Oirgiall  ben  Aeda  meic  Ainmirech  mathair  Maeilchoba  chléirig 
ocus  Domnaill  meic  Aeda .  [ba  hi  in  Lanu  >io  niáthair  Faelchon  fuamain 
meic  Airmedaig  rig  Midi]  (xiii)  Feidelm  ingen  Feidlimid  íinnléith  meic 
Chobthaig  .m.  Dathi  .m.  Fiachrach  máthair  Brand  nib  meic  Echach  ocus 
Aedáin  meic  Ghabrain  Page  yjA-. — (xiv)  belach  Conghlais  [etc.]  .ni.  Glas 
in  sechtmad  mac  Duinn  desa  dalta  do  Etirsceol  mór  do  rig  Eirenn  .  ocus  i 
Temraig  ro  alt  in  Glas  ocus  is  c  ba  thóisech  conairte  la  Etirscél  ocus  la 
Conaire.  in  tan  iarum  do  chuadar  a  braithre  for  dibeirg  co  hlngcél  luidsium 
lia  chonu  i  mag  Temrach  comtarla  fiadmi'.c  do  condechaid  remi  fo  des  cusin 
belach  muccud  co  toichair  ann  in  muc  ocus  in  chonart  ocus  Glas .  unde belach 
Conghlais.  secht  meic  Duinn  desa  didiu  .i.  Fer  gair  fri  faircsin  .  Fer  lee  fri 
cloistecht .  Fer  .  .  fri  hairdmes  .  Lonma  fri  druthacht .  Fer  rorogair  fri 
nascu  niad  .1.  fri  galu  trénfer .  Fer  gel  fri  galuib  áinfir .  Fer  glas  fri  conchuru. 
ut  dicitur  de  nominibus  et  moiribus  et  fiuiis  eorum  isin  duil  sluinnti  Laigen 
Page  378 : — (?a')  geinelach  ua  Mail.  Maine  mal  mac  Feidlimthi  firurghlais 
bráthair  do  Chatháir  mar  .i.  da  mac  Feidlimthi  diblinaib  Page  379: — (xvi) 
A.D.  582.  a  cúig  dég  d'Aodh.  Feradach  mac  Duaich  tigema  Osraige  do 
mharbad  la  a  mhuintir  féin  Page  381 : — (xxvii)  A.D.  594.  iar  mbeith  secht 
mbliadna  fichet  i  rige  Eirenn  d'Aodh  mac  Ainmirech  meic  Sétna  torchair  la 
Brandiib  mac  Echach  i  gcalh  Dhuin  bholg  il Laignib  ar  ndol  d'Aodh  do 
thobach  na  boroma  ocus  do  dhigail  a  meic  Chumascaig  forra.  torchratar 
aroile  saorchlanna  isin  chath  sin  belaig  Diiin  bholg  im  Beg  mac  Cuanach 
tigerna  Airgiall.  is  do  bhas  Aoda  do  raided  :  i  niBuac  on  i  mBuac  .  ferns  in 
tonn  fri  bruach  ;  atfct  scéla  cia  fa  scith  .  Aodh  mac  Ainmirech  ro  bith.  ben 
Aodha  cecinit :  batar  inmuine  tri  taoib  .  fris  nach  freisge  aitherrach  *  taobán 
Taillten  taob  Temra  .  's  taob  Aoda  meic  Ainmirech  (xviii)  A.D.  601.  cath 
Slaibre  ria  nuib  NclU  for  Brandub  mac  Echach  ri  Laigen  .  ocus  Brandub 
mac  Echach  do  mharbad  la  [Sarán  saebdherc]  airchinnech  senboithe  Sine 
ocus  la  a  derbfine  budéin  (xix)  a.  Aedh  uairidnach  .i.  uar  a  idhna  .i.  a 
ghai .  ar  sluaiged  geimrid  no  ghnáthaigedh.   no  uara  einig  thicdis  do  co  tidh- 


XXIX.  i— xiii]  Text  of  Extracts.  497 

naicfedh  in  doman  diambcith  fo  mamas  do.  no  uara  thicdfs  do  ina  chodlad 
conad  edh  asbeiredh  :  crech  coirm  crech  coirm  b,  Brigh  ingen  Forcha  meic 
Charthainn  ben  Domnaill  ilchelgaig  máthair  Aedha  uairidnaig 

XXIX.  Page  390:  —  (i)  a.  Suibne  menn  .i.  for  minne  bái  ina  urlabrad 
b,  A.D.  610.  iar  mbeith  teora  mbliadan  i  rige  Eirenn  do  Maolchoba  mac 
Aodha  meic  Ainmirech  do  cher  la  Suibne  menn  i  gcath  sléibe  Toadh  Page 
391 : — (ii)  a,  A.D.  526.  Cairell  mac  Muiredaig  muindeirg  ri  Ulad  d'ég  585. 
Baedán  mac  Cairill  ri  Ulad  d'ég  592.  Aodh  dubh  mac  Suibne  ri  Ulad  do 
mharbad  la  Fiachna  mac  Baedáin.  is  laisin  Aedh  ndubh  sin  torchair  Diar- 
maid  mac  Cerbaill  596.  cath  Cuile  caol  ria  bFiachna  mac  Baotáin  for 
Fiachna  mac  Demain  .  ocus  ro  mebaid  an  cath  for  Fiachna  mac  Demain 
b,  Cáintigern  máthair  Mhongáin  ben  Fhiachna  meic  Bhaedáin  (iii)  a.  A.D. 
551.  Fergna  mac  Aongusa  ri  Ulad  do  mharbad  i  gcath  droma  cleithe  la 
Déman  mac  Cairill  ocus  la  hiiib  Echach  narda  565.  Deman  mac  Cairill  .m. 
rig  Ulad  meic  Muiredaig  muindeirg  do  mharbad  la  bachlachaib  Boirne  b. 
Garb  ingen  Néilline  do  chenél  Eogain  máthair  Fiacha  meic  Demain  rig 
Ulad.  ocus  Cumain  dub  ingen  Furudráin  meic  Beice  rig  fer  Tuirtri  ben 
Fiachna  mac  Demain  máthair  Duibi  da  lacha .  is  iside  ben  Mongáin  meic 
Fiachna  máthair  Chonaill  ocus  Cholmáin  dá  mac  Mongáin  Page  392  : — 
(iv)  A.D.  620.  Mongán  mac  Fiachna  lurgan  do  mharbad  do  chloich  la  hArtur 
mac  Bicair  do  Bhretnaib  .  conid  de  do  raid  Begboirche  :  is  uar  an  gaeth  dar 
He  .  dofail  occa  i  gCiunn  tire  Í  dogensat  gnim  namhnus  de  .  mairbfit  Mongán 
mac  Fiachnae  [etc.]  Page  393 : — (v)  A.D.  622.  cath  lethed  Midinn  i  nDruing 
ria  bFiachna  mac  Demain  tigema  dál  bFiatach  for  Fiachna  mac  mBaodáin 
rig  Ulad.  ro  mebaid  in  cath  for  Fiachna  mac  Baodáin  ocus  cher  ann  624. 
cath  arda  Chorainn  la  Connaid  cerr  tigema  dáil  Riada  .  airm  in  ro  marbad 
Fiachna  mac  Demain  ri  Ulad  Page  394: — (vi)  A.D.  623.  iar  mbeith  tri 
bliadna  dég  do  Suibne  mhenn  i  bilaithes  Eirenn  do  cher  la  Congal  gclaon 
mac  Scannláin  i  dtráig  Bhréna  (vii)  Dúinsech  ben  Domnaill  meic  Aoda 
.m.  Ainmirech.  ni  fedar  mnái  Maeilchaba  ná  Suibne  minn  (viii)  Dathnad 
ainm  mná  Chellaig  meic  Mhaeilechaba  (ix)  A.D.  640.  an  chédbliadain  do 
Chonall  chaol  ocus  do  Chellach  da  mac  Maoilchoba  meic  Aoda  .m.  Ainm- 
irech OS  Eirinn  i  rige.  Scannlán  mór  mac  Cinnfaolaid  tóisech  Osraige  d'ég 
(x)  A.D.  617.  cath  Cinngubha  no  cinn  Bughba  ria  Ragallach  mac  Uada  for 
Colmán  mac  Cobthaig  athair  Guaire  aidhne  .  airm  in  ro  marbad  Colmán 
budesin  Page  395  : — (xi)  Muirenn  ingen  Maeildtiin  meic  Shuibne  .m.  Aeda 
.m.  Garbáin  .m.  Tuathail  maelghairb  ben  Ragallaig  meic  Uadach  máthair  a 
thri  mac  .i.  Fergus  .  Cellach  ocus  Cathal.  ba  ben  do  Diarmaid  mac  Aeda 
sláine  in  Mhuirenn  sin  Page  396 : — (xii)  a.  geinelach  rig  gConnacht.  Ro- 
gellach  mac  Fuatach  meic  Aeda  .m.  Echdach  .m.  Fergusa  .m.  Muiredaig 
mail  .m.  Eogain  sreim  .m.  Duach  galaig  .m.  Briain  .m.  Echdach  muig- 
medóin  b.  A.D.  645.  Ragallach  mac  Uatach  ri  Connacht  do  mharbad  la 
Maolbrighde  mac  Mothlacháin  dia  domnaig  do  shunnrad  .  dianebrad  :  .  . 
mo  chuitse  i  gcuma  cháich  .  diogail  Ragallaig  ro  faith  í  ííl  a  ulcha  liath  im 
láim .  Maoilbrigdi  meic  Mothlacháin  r.  Cacht  ingen  Máilbrigde  meic  Moth- 
lacháin  ben  Mhuiredaig  mhuillethain  máthair  a  chuic  mac  .i.  Innrechtach 
ocus  Cathal  ocus  Conchobar  ocus  Connmach  ocus  Fothad.  Medb  ingen  Inn- 
rccht  aig  meic  Muiredaig  máthair  Néill  chaille  (xiii)  Deog  ingen  Fhingen 
[meic  Aeda]  ocus  Moire  muman  ben  Laignéin  meic  Cholmáin .  ocus  ba  ben 

2  M 


498  Text  of  Extracts.  [xxix.  xiv— xxin 

do  Ghuaire  aidne  [mac  Cholmáin]  iarum.  Cred  ingen  Ghuaire  aidne  máthair 
Muiredaig  mcic  Fergusa  .  ba  ben  dana  do  Marcán  mjic  Domain  do  rig  ua 
Maine  in  Chred  sin.  Gelghéis  ingen  Ghuaire  aidne  ben  Chonchoingeilt. 
Adhamair  dheilgnech  do  Thradraide  máthair  Ghuaire  aidne  (xiv)  a,  Brca 
ingen  Cholmáin  meic  Nemainn  ó  dhún  Suine  máthair  Cholmáin  bic  meic 
Diarmada  [.m.  Cherbhaill].  Eithne  ingen  Bhrénainn  daill  do  Chonnachtaib 
máthair  Cholmáin  móir  meic  Diarmada  [.m.  Cherbhaill].  Eithne  ingen 
Brénainn  daill  do  Chonnachtaib  ben  Aeda  sláine  máthair  a  sé  mac  .i.  Diar- 
maid  .  Dunchad  .  Maelbresail .  Maelodhair  .  Congal .  Oilill.  Eithne  inghen 
Brénainn  daill  máthair  Aeda  sláine.  Rónait  ingen  Aeda  sláine  ben  Cholmáin 
máthair  Oililla  ocus  Maeilduin  b.  Eithne  ingen  Brenainn  daill  máthair  Choi- 
main  móir  mcic  Diarmada  ruanaid  ó'n  abar  clann  Cholmáin  ocus  ben  Aeda 
sláine  máthair  a  sé  mac  .i.  Diarmait  ruanaid  ocus  Dunchaid  ocus  Maeilbre- 
sail  ocus  Maeilodair  ocus  Congail  ocus  Oililla.  Lann  máthair  Chonaill  ocus 
Blathmaic  da  mac  eili  Aoda  sláine.  Ronnat  ingen  Aeda  sláine  máthair 
Máilidúin  ocus  Oililla  Page  397: — (xv)  A.D.  645.  cath  cairn  Chonaill  ria 
nDiarmaid  mac  Aoda  sláine  for  Guaire  .  du  in  ro  marbad  an  da  Cuán  .i. 
Cuán  mac  Enna  ri  Muman  ocus  Cuán  mac  Conaill  taoisech  ua  bFidgeinte 
ocus  Tolamhnach  taoisech  ua  Liatháin  .  ocus  ro  mebaid  for  Guaire  a  hinadh 
an  chatha  Page  401: — (xvi)  A.D.  661.  S.  Cummine  fota  mac  Fiachna 
epscop  cluana  ferta  Brcnainn  d'ég  in  dara  la  dég  do  Nouember  662.  Guaire 
.i.  Aidne  mac  Colmáin  ri  Connacht  d'ég.  rob  inann  máthair  do  Ghuaire  ocus 
do  Chaimmine  insi  Ccltra  amail  asberar  :  Cumman  ingen  Dallbrónaig  .  má- 
thair  Chaimmín  is  Ghuairi  í  móirshciser  ar  scchtmóchait  .  issedh  ro  genair 
uaithi  (xvii)  a,  Ocna  ú  Loigsi  mac  Beraig  meic  Domongairt  .m.  Bairr  .  .  .m. 
Luigdech  loigsi  .m.  Loigsig  chennmóir  .m.  Chonaill  chcrnaig  b,  A.D.  569. 
S.  Oenna  mac  ú  Laighise  abb  cluana  meic  Nois  d'eg  Page  404 :— (xviii)  Der- 
borgaill  ingen  Chonaing  meic  Oililla  do  Laignib  ocus  Concann  ingen  Chongail 
chennfhoda  do  Ulltaib  mná  Fhinachtaig  flcdaig  meic  Dunchada  .m.  Aeda 
sláine  Page  406: — (xix)  A.D.  693.  iar  mbeith  fiche  bliadan  i  rige  Eirenn 
d'Finachta  fledach  mac  Dunchada  do  cher  la  hAodh  mac  nDluthaig  meic 
Aililla  .m.  Aoda  sláine  tóisech  Fer  gcúl  ocus  la  Congalach  mac  Conaing  meic 
Chongaile  .m.  Aoda  sláine  i  gcath  oc  grellaig  DoUaith.  dorochair  beos  Brcsal 
mac  Finnachta  isin  chath  isin  araon  ria  a  athair  (xx)  geinelach  rig  gceinéil 
Chonaill.  .  .  Loingsech  mac  Oengusa  meic  Domnaill  .m.  Aeda  .m.  Ain- 
mircch  .m.  Shétnai  .m.  Fhergusa  .m.  Chonaill  ghulban  .m.  Neill  náigiallaig 
Page  407 : — (xxi)  A.D.  743.  Muirenn  ingen  Chcllaig  chualann  ben  Irghalaig 
d'ég  Page  408:— (xxii)  A.D.  681.  an  tochtmad  bhadain  d'Fionachta,  Dun- 
chad  muirisgc  mac  Maolduib  ri  Connacht  do  mharbad.  cath  Corainn  dú  inar 
marbadh  Colga  mac  Blathmaic  ocus  Fergus  mac  Maoilediiin  toisech  ceinéil 
Chairbre  701.  iar  mbeith  ocht  mbliadna  i  rígc  Eirenn  do  Loingsech  mac 
Aongusa  meic  Domnaill  dorochair  i  gcath  Chorainn  la  Cellach  locha  Cime 
mac  Ragallaig  [meic  Fhuatach].  torchratar  tra  a  thri  meic  i  mailli  ris  .  Art- 
ghal  .  Connachtach  ocus  Flann  gergg.  ro  marbait  didiu  da  mac  Colcen  ann 
ocus  Dubdibcrg  mac  Diingaile  ocus  Fergus  forcraith  ocus  Conall  gabra  ocus 
aroile  saerchlanna  cenmotátside.  Conall  menn  mac  Cairbre  ro  raid  na  roinnsi 
ocus  ba  heisiden  fochanii  an  chatha  [etc.]  Page  409 : — (xxiii)  A.D.  703. 
Cellach  mac  Ragallaig  ri  Connacht  iar  ndul  do  fa  chuing  cléircechta  d'ég. 
Adamnán  mac  Rónáin  abb  lae  Choluim  chille  d'eg  an  .23.  do  September  iar 


XXXI.]  Text  of  Extracts.  499 

mbeith  sé  bliadna  iichet  in  abdaine  ocus  iar  secht  mbliadna  sechtmogad  a 
aoise.  ba  maith  tra  an  ti  naomh  Adamnán  do  réir  fhiadnaisi  naoim  Béda, 
óir  ba  dérach  .  ba  haithrigech  .  ba  hinneithmech  .  ba  haointech  ocus  ba 
mesarda  .  dáig  n(  loingedh  do  shior  acht  dia  domnaig  ocus  dia  dardaoin 
namá.  doróine  mogh  de  féin  do  na  subáilcibsi .  ocus  beos  ba  hegnaid  eolach 
illéire  tuicsiona  an  naoimscriptura  dhiada  (xxiv)  A.D.  705.  sloigedh  la 
Congal  cinn  mhaghair  mac  Fergusa  fánat  for  Laignib  co  dtarat  a  réir  uadaib 
Page  413: — (xxv)  A.D.  708.  iar  mbeith  secht  mbliadna  i  rige  Eirenn  do 
Chongal  chinn  magair  mac  Fergusa  fánat  ro  thathaimh  do  bhedg  aonuaire 

XXXI.  Page  416: — (i)  A.D.  539.  dichennadh  Abacuc  in  aonach  Thailten 
tre  miorbailib  de  ocus  Chiaráin  .i.  luige  néithigdo  radsomh  fo  láim  Chiaráin 
CO  ro  gab  aillse  for  a  mhuinél  .i.  is  for  a  muinél  ro  fuirimh  Ciarán  a  lam  co 
dtorchair  a  chenn  de 


I.  i-vi] 


Translation  of  Extracts. 

I.  Page  i  : — (i)  S.  Kieran's  pedigree  in  ten  generations  to  Angus  osrethi: 
LL.  352/3,  357  :  8  (ii)  "  March  5:  Kieran,  bishop  and  confessor.  He  is  of 
the  race  of  Angus  osairge^  of  the  race  of  Labraid  loingsech  a  quo  *  Leinster,' 
of  the  seed  of  Heremon.  An  ancient  vellum  book  which  we  have  quoted 
under  *  Bridget,'  f^bruary  i,  states  that  in  ethics  and  life  Kieran  resembled 
Pope  Clement :"  MD  (iii)  "  Here  begins  the  genealogy  of '  the  seed  of  Bern' 
i.e.  the  men  of  Ossory,  who  [to  go  higher]  are  the  seed  of  Bresal  brec  s.  of 
Y\?íq)cí2í  fobhrec  etc.,  as  wc  have  written  in  Leinster's  genealogies  [Bresal  breeds 
pedigree  in  seventeen  generations  to  Ugaine  mor-.  LL.  378«].  Now  this 
Bresal  had  two  sons :  Lugaid,  progenitor  of  Leinster ;  Connla  cacpnh,  of  Ossory ; 
yet  is  not  the  designation  *  Leinster'  more  appropriate  to  clan-Lugaid  than  it 
is  to  clan-Connla.  In  which  Bresal  brec''s  time  the  first  murrain  was  in  Ireland, 
and  left  there  but  three  heifers,  red  ones,  as :  one  in  Clinch^  one  in  Une^  one  in 
Cuailgne  (whence  the  local  name  Iftilcch  fir  aendartadha)  and,  as  some  say, 
it  is  from  the  cow-prey  then  brought  by  Bresal  into  Ireland  that  Bennchor^ 
'Bangor,'  in  Ulidia  is  named.  Laegaire  bern  buadach^  whose  m.  was  d.  of 
Moghruith's  br.  Delbacth  the  magician,  was  s.  of  Crimthann  mór\  and  Uaire 
mac  Dedadh's  d.  Cennait,  that  *kept  Crimthann  company,'  she  was  Angus's 
m.  [here  nine  generations  to  Bresal  brcc  above]:"  LL.  339a  (iv)  "  Osraighe 
*  Ossory'  =  oséirghe  '  deer-pace,'  i.e.  'twas  the  pace  of  deer  they  shewed  in 
flight  before  the  Decies  when  they  voided  the  country  in  which  to-day  the 
Decies  are  seated.  Or  again:  osraighe  =  osfhrlihe  \osrithe]  *  deer-waif,'  i.e. 
it  was  amongst  wild  deer  that  Angus,  progenitor  of  *  Ossory,'  was  picked 
up  : "  K.  4  :  I  (v)  "  Laigin^  *  Leinster,'  whence  so  called  ?  Laigin  being 
quasi  lagaifiy  it  is  from  the  lagain  or  *  broad  spears'  which  the  Danes  brought 
from  over  seas  when  with  Labraid  loingsech  they  came  hither,  their  leader 
being  the  k.  of  Denmark's  s.  ErnoU.  From  which  Labraid's  time  to  this, 
Leinster  are  endowed  with  heroism,  inspiring  horror,  fear  and  terror;  whence 
the  poet:  'Labraid  loingsech  (all-sufficient  were  his  numbers),  by  whom 
Cobthach  was  slain  at  Dinn  righ,  came  with  a  spear-bearing  host  across  the 
sea's  expanse,  and  from  them  the  I^iigin  have  their  title.  Previously  tuaim 
Tenba  had  been  the  name  of  that  hill  on  which  the  massacre  was  wrought ; 
dinn  rfgh  or  *hill  of  kings'  'tis  ever  since,  from  the  slaughter  of  the  princes 
there.  Two  score  and  two  hundred  strangers  that  brought  over  spears  wide 
in  the  head — from  such  these  lagain  or  *  broad  spears,'  then  introduced, 
Leinster  now  have  the  name  of  Laigin  .^^^  LL.  1 59  a  (vi)  "  Gailion  and  Domh- 
nann^  these  two  (as  is  told  in  the  tain  bo  Cuailgne)  are  names  for  Leinster. 
Along  with  Labraid  loingsech  their  protege  there  came  to  Ireland  a  band  of 
galls  or  'strangers'  and  sacked  Dinn  righ  etc.;  from  whom  are  called  the 
Gailion^  quasi  gall-lion  or  'stranger-multitude,'  whose  posterity  long  time 
endured  in  the  land,  ^'xXxi^ss  Dun  gailion  among  the  ddl  Meisi  corb-J*  LL. 


I.  vii— xxi]  Translation.  50 1 

311a  Page  3: — (vii)  According  to  some,  Eile  had  its  name  from  Eile, 
seventh  from  Connla  s.  of  Teigue  mac  Cein :  LL.  336  : 8  Page  4 : — (viii) 
"September  12:  Ailbhe  of  Emly,  abp. ;  A.D.  541  it  was  when  he  resigned 
his  spirit.  He  is  of  the  race  of  Fertlachtga  s.  of  Fergus  mac  Rosa  .m.  Rury ; 
Sant  was  his  mother's  name.  It  was  he  that  composed  the  metrical  rule 
beginning :  *  in  my  behalf  say  to  mac  Saran^  and  Cuimin  of  Connor  that  sang : 
*Ailbe  loved  guest-hospitality  [etc.]':"  MD  (ix)  (x)  pedigrees  of  Ailbe:  LB. 
16:3,  LL.  349  :  3  (xi)  "  May  23 :  Ibar,  bishop,  was  of  the  seed  of  I  rial  s.  of 
Conall  cernachy  and  Lassar  (of  the  Decies  of  Bregia)  was  his  mother;  her 
church  is  [on]  Begéire  or  *  little  Ireland,'  an  island  in  the  sea  off  Hy-Kinsela 
in  Leinster.  404  years  his  age  was  when  he  resigned  his  spirit,  A.D.  500. 
An  ancient  vellum  book  in  which  are  found  the  Martyrology  of  Tallacht  and 
the  lists  of  synonymous  saints  of  Ireland  states  that  bp.  Ibar  possessed  a 
similarity  of  life  and  ethics  to  John  Baptist:"  MD  (xii)  "Ibar,  bp.,  s.  of 
Lughna  .m.  Core  .m.  Corb  .m.  Cairbre  .m.  Niall  s.  of  Echaid  a  quo  the  /// 
Echach  of  Ulidia:"  LL.  348  :  4  (xiii)  "'The  clans  of  Conall  cemach^  are  the 
Dalaradians,  the  ///  Echach  ulad^  the  Conaille  of  Murthemny,  and  *  the  seven 
Soghans':"  LL.  331  : 3  (xiv)  "July  24:  Declan  of  Ardmore,  s.  of  Ere  mac 
Macnia,  bp.  and  conf.,  of  the  race  of  Eochaid  Jinn  fuathairt  [s.  of  Felim 
rechtmar  s.  of  Tuathal  techimar\  to  which  S.  Bridget  belonged ;  his  mother's 
name  was  Deitsin ;  it  was  bp.  Colman  that  baptised  him.  That  church  of 
Ardmore  is  in  the  Decies  of  Munster,  and  there  he  wrought  many  miracles 
and  wonders:"  MD  (xv)  Declan's  pedigree  in  eight  generations  to  Art  s.  of 
Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles,  and:  "Colman  of  eastern  Femen  was  own 
brother  to  Declan:"  LB.  15  :  4  Page  6:— (xvi)  "November  10:  Aedh  s.  of 
Brec,  of  Killare  in  Meath  and  of  Slieveleague  in  tlr  Boghaine  in  Kinelconall, 
bp.  ;  Christ's  Age  when  he  resigned  his  spirit  to  Heaven  was  588  :"  MD 
(xvii)  "bp.  Aedh  s.  of  Brec  mac  Cormac  .m.  Crimthann  .m.  Fiacha  s.  of 
Niall  of  the  IX  Hostages:"  LL.  347/3,  LB.  13  :  5  (xviii)  Another  bp.  Aedh, 
s.  of  Murtough,  descends  fr.  Tuathal  iechttnar^s  grandson  Fiachra  suighcU : 
LL.  348  ^  (xix)  "  Genealogy  of  the  Eoghanacht  of  Cashel :  Angus  s.  of 
Nadfraech  mac  Core  .m.  Lugaid  .m.  01ío11^íí«/i  beg  .m.  0\\q\\  flann  mar 
.m.  Fiacha  Broad-crown  .m.  Eoghan  mar  [a  quo  the  Eoghanacht]  s.  of  Olioll 
ólom  :"  LL.  320/3.  Anghus  ingen  Chairpri  doimh  argot t  ben  Nadfraich  ma- 
thair  Aengiisa  meic  Nadfráich  .  no  gomad  i  Foechain  ingen  rig  Bretan  tna- 
nann  a  máthair  i.e.  "Cairbre  damh  argaifs  d.  Anghus^  w.  of  Nadfraech,  was 
Angus  mac  Nadfraech's  mother ;  or  it  may  be  that  his  m.  was  Foechain^  d. 
of  the  k.  of  Britain  and  Man:"  BB.  285a  Page  8:— (xx)  "A.D.  158:  first 
year  of  MoghlámcCs  s.  Conaire  in  rule  over  Ireland  165 :  Conaire  having 
ruled  Ireland  for  eight  years,  he  fell  by  Neimhid  s.  of  Sruibghenn.  Three 
sons  he  had  :  Cairbre  músc^  a  quo  the  Aíúscraidhe  are  called ;  Cairbre 
baschaein^  a  quo  the  Baiscinn  in  corco  Bhaiscinn  ;  Cairbre  ricuia^  a  quo 
dál  Riada,  Sáraid,  d.  of  Conn  of  the  100  B.,  was  m.  of  these  sons  of 
Conaire's:"  IV  M  (xxi)  "  Genealogy  of  the  ií/iíJíra/V^ //r^ :  CdÁrhrt  muse 
s.  of  Conaire  caemh  s.  of  Moghlama  [here  five  to]  Conaire  mór  s.  of  Eter- 
sccH  [here  five  to]  Ir  s.  of  Ith  s.  of  Breogon,  in  which  last  coalesce  this  line 
and  the  seed  of  Milesius'  sons :  Heber,  a  quo  the  Eoghanacht  of  Munster; 
Hercmon,  a  quo  'Conn's  Half  and  Leinster.  Ith  had  two  sons,  Lughaid 
and  Ir:  Lughaid  seated  with  Heber  in  the  south;  I r  with  Heremon  in  the 


502  Translation.  [i.  xxii— xxvUi 

north.  From  Ir  come  the  dál  Músca^  dál  Baiscinn  and  dál  Duibne ;  for  in 
the  time  of  OlioU  ólom^s  sons  those  tribes'  progenitors :  Cairbre  muse  s.  of 
Moghlama,  Olioll  baschaein  (cui  et  alterum  nomen  Cairbre)  s.  of  Angus  s.  of 
Moghlama,  [and  Angus  himself  qui  et  Cairbre\  pervaded  Munster.  Some 
however  say  that  the  three  Cairbres  were  brothers  indeed,  but  sprang  from 
different  fathers ;  others,  that  they  were  [full]  brothers,  being  three  sons  of 
[Conaire  ntór  s.  of  Eterscel  and  his  w.]  Mesbuachalla,  Be  this  all  as  it  may 
their  remoter  origin,  as  we  said  before,  is  identical :"  LL.  323  : 6,  324  a  (xxii) 
"A.M.  3503:  second  year  of  Heremon's  rule  over  Ireland.  Eruption  of  nine 
Brosnachs',  rivers  of  Ely,  of  nine  Righes-.  rivers  of  Leinster,  and  of  three 
Uinsenns'.  [rivers]  of  the  úi  Oiliolla^  in  the  same  year:''  IV  M  Page  9: — 
(xxiii)  "Genealogy  of  the  úi  chennselaig\  why  are  the  seed  of  Labraid  laidhech 
s.  of  Bresal  bélach  so  called  ?  It  was  the  battle  of  Cruachan  claenta  that 
by  Leinster  was  won  against  Eochaid  muigmedóin  k.  of  Ireland,  and  Céttuidach 
his  poet  was  taken  there.  Whom  when  they  [after  quarter  given]  had  raised 
aloft  on  their  shields  to  save  him,  Enna  came  the  way  in  the  battle  and, 
thrusting  a  spear  into  him,  laughed.  Then  Cetnadach  said :  *  that  is  a  foul 
laugh,  Enna,  and  for  ever  thy  name  shall  be  Enna^f«  salach  i.e.  'Enna  foul- 
laugh.'  Hence  the  úi  Ghenselaig,  Eight  sons  Enna  had :  Crimthann,  Felim, 
Eocho,  Ere,  Trian,  Conall,  Cairbre ;  and  Crimthann  it  was  that  at  Rath  biiech 
believed  in  Patrick,  who  left  a  blessing  on  him  for  ever.  Crimthann's  d. 
Eithne  uathach^  w.  of  Angus  mac  Nadfraech  k.  of  Munster,  was  m.  of  Bresal 
and  Senach,  his  two  sons.  This  Eithne  and  Angus  her  man  it  was  that  with 
the  Hy-Kinsela  went  to  contest  the  rule  of  Leinster  against  Illann  s.  o{  Dun- 
langs.  of  Enna  nia^  father's  br.  to  Enna  censelach,  Illann,  accompanied  by 
Murtach  mac  Erca  and  the  north  of  Ireland,  proceeded  against  Munster 
and  the  Hy-Kinsela,  and  they  met  in  the  battle  of  Cenn  losnadha  in  Moyfea 
(i.e.  it  was  the  losnadh  or  'flitch'  of  mac  Dáthás  pig  that  was  divided  there) 
where  Eithne  and  Angus  her  husband  perished,  with  a  great  carnage  of  their 
host  besides.  Embrann^s  three  daughters :  Mell^  Belóc  and  Cinniu^  of  the 
Decies,  were  Crimthann  mac  Enna's  three  wives.  As  for  Cinniu,  in  the  way 
of  children  she  owned  but  one  daughter:  Eithne  uathach\  the  reason  for 
which  she  was  called  uaihach^ '  horrible,'  being  that  'twas  children's  flesh  had 
been  given  her  that  she  might  the  more  speedily  grow  up,  wherefore  children 
felt  a  horror  for  her ;  and  their  flesh  was  given  her  to  accelerate  her  growth, 
because  their  seers  had  told  the  Decies,  who  fostered  her,  that  for  her  bride- 
price  they  should  have  land:"  LL.  3i6i3  (xxiv)  "A.D.  527:  Murtach  [mac 
Erca]  s.  of  Muiredach  s.  of  Eoghan  s.  of  Niall  IX  H.  having  been  twenty-four 
years  in  Ireland's  rule,  on  samhain-tMt.  he  was  burnt  in  the  House  of  Cleitech 
over  the  Boyne  after  being  first  drowned  in  wine:"  IV  M  Page  ii  : — (xxv) 
"August  1 1 :  Liadain,  widow,  Kieran  of  Saighir's  mother  and  first  abbess  of 
Ireland's  holy  virgins:"  MD  Page  12: — (xxvi)  "Odhran,  the  master,  in 
Leitrecha  in  the  ///*  Daighre^  and  Medhran  of  Saighir,  two  sons  of  Maccraith 
s.  of  Trochall  .m.  Esaman  daighre  .m.  Nuada  neimnech^  from  the  land  of 
cenn  Febhrat-,^^  LL.  350  :  5  (xxvii)  a.  "  October  2 :  Odhran  of  Letir,  i.e.  the 
master,  that  is  of  the  race  of  Conaire  caemh  s.  of  Moghlama"  b,  "  November 
26:  Odhran  ka leitrecha  Odhráin  in  Múscraighe  tire^^  c.  "July  6:  Medhran, 
probably  Medhran  of  Saighir  that  is  of  the  race  of  Conaire  monarch  of  Ire- 
land, of  the  seed  of  Ith  s.  of  Breogon :"  MD    (xxviii)  "  Kieran  mcic  an  tsaoir 


II.  i-vi]  Translation.  503 

in  Clonmacnoise ;  Kieran  s.  of  Luaighne,  and  Carthach,  in  Saighir:"  ibid. 
(xxix)  "  March  5 :  Carthach,  bp.,  pupil  of  Kieran  of  Saighir.  Of  his  *  civitates' 
was  Druim /ertáin^  which  is  in  Carbury  of  the  ui  Chiardha\  his  too  are  Inis 
uachtair  in  loch  Sheelin,  and  cill  Charthaigh  in  Banagh  in  Kinelconall ;  son 
to  Angus  mac  Nadfraech  in  Munster  he  was:"  ibid.  Page  16: — (xxx)  a. 
Baeithin's  pedigree  in  thirteen  generations  to  Conall  cernach  :  LL.  349 : 6 
b,  "  May  22 :  Baeithin  s.  of  Finnach,  of  inis  Baeithin  in  the  E.  of  Leinster, 
he  was  of  the  race  of  [Lughaid  laighse  s.  of]  Lughaid  Unnmhór  s.  of  Conall 
cernach.  Trea  d.  of  Ronan  mac  Colman  .m.  Cairbre,  i.e.  of  the  k.  of  Lein- 
ster, was  his  mother:"  MD  Page  17: — (xxxi)  "December  12:  Finnian  of 
Clonard  in  Meath,  in  wisdom  a  sage,  tutor  of  Ireland's  contemporary  saints, 
he  is  of  the  race  of  Celichar  s.  of  Uiihechar  and  [therefore]  of  the  race  of 
Milcsius'  son  Ir.  An  ancient  vellum  book  states  that  in  life  and  ethics 
Finnian  resembled  Paul  the  Apostle:"  ibid. 

II.  Page  18: — (i)  a.  Molasius'  pedigree  in  thirty  generations  to  Conall 
cerncich :  LL.  332  :  i,  348  :  7,  LB.  15:3  (ii)  "September  12:  Molasius  s.  of 
Nadfraech,  abbot  of  Devenish,  he  was  of  the  race  of  Conall  cernach's  son 
I  rial;  his  mother's  name  was  Monua.  In  the  poem  beginning:  'Patrick  of 
port  Mocha  loved,'  Cuimin  of  Connor  states  that  Molasius  delighted  to  be 
himself  in  a  stone  dungeon,  but  to  maintain  a  guest-house  for  the  benefit  of 
all  Ireland.  Kieran  of  Cluain's  life,  ch.  47,  states  that  Molasius'  order  was 
one  of  the  eight  that  were  in  Ireland ;  it  may  be  however  that  'tis  of  some 
one  of  his  synonymous  saints  that  he  speaks.  After  completing  thirty  years 
he  went  to  Heaven  A.D.  563.  According  to  brother  Michen,  'tis  on  the  fif- 
teenth day  of  this  very  month  that  his  own  parish  and  termonn  keep  Molasius' 
holy-day  in  belach  Michéin.^^  MD  b.  "January  6:  Muadhnat^  virgin,  whose 
*  civitas'  is  named  Cáille  in  Carbury  of  Drumcliff ;  Tcdulla^  abbess  of  Kildare ; 
Osnaty  virgin;  sisters  to  Molasius  these  three  were:"  ibid,  (iii)  a.  "A.D. 
1070 :  A  Hill  O  hAirretaichy  successor  of  Kieran  of  Cluain,  died  on  a  pil- 
grimage at  Clonard.  Of  the  corca  Raidhe  his  race  was"  b.  "  1 185 :  Maelisa 
O'Daly,  poet-in-chief  of  both  Ireland  and  Scotland,  supreme  chief  of  corca 
Raidhe  and  of  corca  Adain^  one  that  excelled  in  verse,  in  hospitality  and 
nobility,  died  on  a  pilgrimage  at  Clonard:"  IV  M  Page  21: — (iv)  "A.D. 
664:  in  this  year  there  occurred  in  Ireland  a  huge  plague  called  the  buidhe 
chonnaily  of  which  the  following  saints  died :  Feichin,  abbot  of  Fore,  Feb- 
ruary 14;  Ronan  mac  Berach,  Aileran  *of  the  wisdom,'  Cronan  mac  Silne, 
Manchan  of  Liath,  Ultan  mcu:  ú  Chunga  abbot  of  Clonard,  Colman  cos  of 
Cluain  and  Cuimine  abbot  of  Cluain.  After  eight  years  in  [joint]  rule  of 
Ireland,  Aedh  of  Slaine's  sons  Dermot  and  Blathmac  perished  of  the  same 
pestilence ;  died  moreover  Maelbresal  s.  of  Maeldun,  Ctt  gan  máthcUr  k.  of 
Munster,  and  Angus  of  Ulidia;  besides  all  which,  very  many  in  Ireland  (of 
both  Church  and  laity)  died  of  the  same  plague.  Eclipse  of  the  sun  on  May 
3:"  IV  M  (v)  Feichin  of  Fore's  pedigree  in  twelve  generations  to  Tuathal 
techlmar:  LL.  3S^'-7  (vi)  "January  20:  Feichin  of  Ballyfore  in  Meath, 
abbot  of  Fore,  A.D.  664.  He  too  it  was  that  blessed  the  lomcUdh :  an  island 
in  the  W.  of  Connacht,  in  O' Flaherty's  country,  where  (as  appears  from  his 
own  life,  in  which  are  read  many  miracles)  Feichin  has  a  church.  According 
to  the  poem :  *  Hagiology  of  Innisfail,'  he  is  of  the  race  of  [Tuathal  techtmat^s 
grandson]  Felim  fucUhairt^  of  which  S.  Bridget  is.     Cuimin  of  Connor  says 


504  Translation.  [ii.  vU— xiii 

that  Feichin  never  put  any  clothes  [bed  or  body]  between  his  side  and  the 
bed  or  'career'  where  he  lay.   An  ancient  vellum  states  that  in  life  and  ethics 
Feichin  resembled  the  monk  Antony:"  MD     (vii)  "December  29:  Ereran 
[=  Aileran],  lector  of  Clonard  i*'  ibid,     PAGE  24 : — "  November  13 :  Finnchad 
of  cill  Fhorga ;  whom  I  suppose  to  be  bp.  Finnchad  of  Killargy  in  Brefny, 
who,  according  to  the  latter^s  life,  ch.  18,  foretold  Molasius  :"  ibid,      (viii) 
"Ninnidh  lámhidan^  *  purchanded,'  s.  of  Eochaid  mac  Ellann  .m.  Aedh  .m. 
Laegaire  s.  of  Niall  IX  H. ;  and  Eochaid's  d.  Cere  was  sister  to  him"     b, 
"  Ninnidh  the  apostle,  s.  of  Fergus  mac  Caemac  .m.  Enna  s.  of  Niall  IX  H*. :" 
LL.  347:4      (ix)  "January  18:  Ninnidh,  bp.,  on  loch  Erne;  and  that  was 
Ninnidh  saebhruisc.      He  was  of  the  race  of  Enna  s.  of  Niall  and,  so  far 
as  I  know,  'twas  he  had  the  title  of  *purehanded':  see  Bridget's  life,  ch.  41. 
The  Book  of  Hymns  too  says  that  it  was  Ninnidh  s.  of  Eochaid:"  MD     (x) 
a.  Columba  the  apostle's  pedigree:  LL.  351  :  4    ^.  "  December  13:  Columba 
of  Terryglass,  s.  of  Ninnidh,  he  is  of  the  race  of  Cahir  mór\i.  of  Ireland,  who 
is  of  the  race  of  Labraidh  lore  s.  of  Hugony  mór\  Minehloth^  sister  to  Caei- 
mell  d.  of  Cennfinnan  s.  of  Ceis  mac  Lugair,  was  his  mother.    He  it  is  whom 
Angus  the  Culdee  calls  Colum  mae  Crimthainfty  and  other  authors  mcu:  úi 
Chremthannáin ;  and  who  gave  Finnian  of  Clonard  his  last  Communion,  for 
he  was  disciple  to  Finnian.   Moehadme  of  Terryglass  and  Odhran  it  was  that 
conveyed  his  relics  to  Inishcaltra,  as  Kicran  of  Saighir  (in  his  own  life,  ch.  6) 
had  foretold ;  Moehaemóg  also,  when  he  baptised  Odhran  :  see  *  Odhran,' 
October  2  :"    MD     (xi)  a.  Cainnech's  pedigree  in  thirteen  generations  to 
Fergus  mac  Roich :  LL.  348  :  8,  LB.  16  a    ^.  "  October  1 1 :  Cainnech,  abbot, 
he  is  of  the  race  of  Ciar  s.  of  Fergus  mac  Rosa  .m.  Rury.    Aghaboe  is  his 
chief  church,  and  he  has  a  chapel  at  S.  Andrew's  in  Scotland.     An  ancient 
vellum  says  that  in  life  and  ethics  he  resembled  Philip  the  Apostle ;  but  I 
find  not  anything  whereby  to  distinguish  the  Cainnech  of  whom  this  descrip- 
tion is  given  and,  if  this  be  not  he,  and  that  in  ignorance  I  be  mistaking  one 
for  the  other,  I  crave  pardon  of  the  Saint  to  whom  it  really  does  apply.     In 
his  own  life  Columbkill  often  mentions  a  Cainnech,  and  'tis  of  him  that  was 
in  Keenaght  he  speaks  likely.     Eighty-four  his  age  when  he  dismissed  his 
spirit  to  Heaven,  A.D.  598;  and  that  'tis  he  was  in  the  Keenaght  of  Glen- 
given  in  Ulidia  you  would  suppose  from  this  verse:  *  O  Cainnech  of  the  rule, 
not  foolish  is  that  thou  doest :  in  Aghaboe  thou  art  lively,  and  thy  fame  grows 
more  and  more ;  in  Keenaght  I  have  heard  tell  of  thy  divinity,  of  thy  renown.' 
Here  too  is  what  Cuimin  of  Connor  says :  '  Cainnech  of  the  piety  loved  to  be 
in  a  rude  forest  wilderness ;  saving  the  wild  deer  only,  none  used  to  cherish 
him.'    There  are  three  other  Cainnechs,  and  we  know  not  to  which  one  of 
them  all  this  description  belongs:"  MD     (xii)  a.  mac  Cairthinn's  pedigree: 
LL.  348  :  3,  LB.  15:2    A  "September  15  :  Aedh,  bp.,  i.e.  bp.  mac  Cairthinn 
of  Clochar;  dSiáfer  dd  ehriochy  *  man  of  two  countries,'  was  another  name  he 
had  when  at  the  first  he  was  abbot  of  Dairinis,  as  is  understood  from  these 
quatrains:  *  Aedh,  that  was  his  name  [etc.].'     Bp.  mac  Cairthinn  was  S.  Pat- 
rick's *  strong  man,'  and  used  to  carry  him  over  all  rough  places.     His  pedi- 
gree is  traced  to  Eochaid  mac  Muireda,  and  from  him  to  Hcremon:"  MD 
c.  "October  6:  Aedh,  and  perhaps  this  is  bp.  mac  Carthainn  of  Clochar;  or 
it  might  be  Aedh  s.  of  Aedh,  of  the  race  of  Eochaid  muighme doings  son 
Fiachra,  that  belongs  to  this  day:"  ibid,     (xiii)  "August  19;  Mochta  of 


II.  xiv— xviii]  Translation.  505 

Louth,  bp.,  300  years  was  his  age  when  he  went  to  Heaven  A.D.  534;  during 
which  time  he  never  spoke  lying  nor  ignorant  word ;  never  ate  a  bite  that 
was  fat,  or  that  contained  succulence  of  richness ;  wherefore,  as  well  as  to  set 
forth  how  there  were  in  his  house  three  score  ancients  that  did  no  human 
labour  at  all,  but  supported  themselves  on  psalms  and  prayer,  this  was  said 
of  him:  *  Mochta's  tooth,  its  ways  were  good:  for  300  years  (a  lengthy  task) 
no  erring  word  passed  by  it  upwards,  nor  delicate  morsel  downwards  [etc.] ;' 
and  Cuimin  of  Connor  says  that  Mochta  was  for  100  years  without  eating  a 
bit  of  *  kitchen.'  This  Mochta  foretold  Columbkill  200  years  before  his  birth :" 
ibid,  (xiv)  a.  Tighernach's  pedigree  in  seven  generations  to  Dáire  barrack 
s.  o{ QdihiT  mar :  LL.  351  :  4  b,  the  same:  LB.  19:3  c.  "April  4:  Tigher- 
nach,  bp.,  of  Clones  in  Fermanagh  ;  or  it  may  be  that  Clones  is  [on  the 
border]  betwixt  Fermanagh  and  Oriel.  He  is  of  the  race  of  Cahir  mór 
monarch  of  Ireland,  of  Leinster;  and  Derfraech  d.  of  Eochaid  mac  Crim- 
thann  k.  of  Oriel  was  his  mother,  t  A.D.  548:"  MD  (xv)  a,  "Becan  of 
Cluain  ardj  s.  of  Murrough  mac  Muiredach  .m.  Dermot  .m.  Eoghan  s.  of 
OHoll  alom:^*  LL.  350:4  b,  "April  5:  Becan  mac  Cula,  in  imlech  Fiaich 
among  the  Fir  chúl  of  Bregia,  seems  to  have  been  of  the  race  of  Eogan  mór 
s.  of  Olioll  álom.  When  Columbkill,  and  the  k.  of  Ireland  (Dermot  s.  of 
Fergus  cerrbeoil)  after  he  had  slain  Bresal  his  son,  came  to  where  Becan 
was,  it  was  thus  they  found  him :  in  act  of  erecting  a  '  cashel,'  with  a  wet 
cloak  about  him,  and  he  [at  the  same  time]  praying.  Becan  looked  aside 
and,  when  he  saw  Dermot,  cried:  *away  under  ground,  parricide!'  and  up 
to  his  knees  the  k.  sank  into  the  earth.  *  It  is  under  my  protection  he  is  come 
to  thee,  to  have  his  son  raised  for  him,'  said  Columbkill ;  so  Becan  raised  the 
king's  son  from  the  dead:"  MD  Page  27: — (xvi)  a.  Maedoc's  pedigree  to 
Eochaidh  s.  of  Colla  uais\  LL.  347: 8  b.  the  same:  LB.  14  :  5  c.  "January 
31 :  Maedoc  of  Ferns,  bp.,  his  first  name  was  Aedh^  and  he  is  of  the  race  of 
Colla  uais  monarch  of  Ireland ;  his  mother's  name  was  Eithne,  of  the  race 
of  Amalgaidh  s.  of  Fiachra  s.  of  Eochaidh  ntuighfnedóin.  Of  his  first  mira- 
cles was  this :  the  flagstone  on  which  he  was  brought  to  be  baptised,  upon  it 
as  it  were  any  ferryboat  all  men  used  to  be  ferried  out  and  home,  to  [and 
from]  the  island  in  the  loch  where  he  was  bom.  Another :  that  the  bacdn  of 
a  she-weaver's  loom  which  was  in  Maedoc's  m.  Eithne's  hand  as  she  bore 
him,  and  was  but  a  dried-up  hard  stick  of  hazel,  sprouted  afterwards  into  leaf 
and  blossom  and  good  fruit ;  which  hazel  endures  yet,  a  fresh  tree  undecayed, 
un withered,  nutladen  yearly,  in  inis  Brechmaighe,  A.D.  624  it  was  when  he 
resigned  his  spirit  to  Heaven,  and  an  ancient  vellum  says  that  in  life  and 
ethics  he  resembled  Pope  Cornelius:"  MD  Page  30: — (xvii)  "The  ramifi- 
cation of  the  men  of  Brefny :  Fergus  s.  of  Muiredach  mael  s.  of  Eoghan 
sreimh  s.  of  Duach  galach  s.  of  Brian  s.  of  Eochaid  muignudóin^  he  had  three 
sons :  Eochaid  tirmchama^  progenitor  of  siol  Muiredaigh ;  Duach  tenga 
umha,  of  clann  Choscraigh  and  of  muintir  Murchada ;  Fergna,  the  third,  of 
the  úi Briuin-:'  BB.  90)8  (xviii)  "The  men  of  Oriel,  'tis  they  that  (after 
Connacht)  are  nearest  to  the  iii  Néill^  as  thus :  Cairbre  lifechair's  s.  Fiacha 
sraibhtine  is  progenitor  of  the  iii  Néill^  who  spring  from  his  son  Muiredach 
tirech  ;  while  Cairbre  lifechair^s  s.  Eocho  doimklen  is  progenitor  of  OrieL 
He  (Eocho)  had  three  sons :  *  the  three  Collas,'  a  quibus  the  úi  mac  Uais^ 
the  úi  Crimthainn^  the  Mughdoma  and  Oriel.     It  was  upon  Fiacha  above 

2  N 


5o6  Translation.  [ii.  xviu 

that  his  brother's  sons,  the  three  Collas,  wrought  parricide ;  which  crime 
divorced  the  kingdom  of  Ireland  from  clan-Eocho.  The  circumstances  of  the 
murder  were  these :  Fiacha  sraibhtinc^  as  we  have  said,  was  k.  in  Tara  and 
had  an  admirable  son,  Muiredach  tircch^  who  was  his  lieutenant;  for  in  that 
time  it  was  the  order  that  the  king  himself  went  not  into  battle,  but  his  lieu- 
tenant in  his  stead.  In  his  father's  room  then  Muiredach  once  >\nth  a  great 
army  went  into  Munster,  the  men  of  which  gave  him  battle;  he  won  it  and 
brought  off  Munstcr's  pledges.  Meanwhile  Fiacha  sraibhtine  stayed  at  home 
in  Dubchomar  to  the  southward  of  Tara,  and  in  the  camp  where  he  lay  had 
a  host ;  another  host  his  three  nephews  too,  the  Collas,  had  upon  [another] 
hill;  but  the  whole  belonged  to  Fiacha.  When  therefore  news  came  that 
Muiredach  had  the  victor>%  in  all  men's  mouths  was  this :  *  Muiredach  tircchy 
'tis  he  is  future  king  of  Ireland!'  Then  the  three  Collas  said:  *  What  shall 
we  do  ?  Fiacha  has  the  kingdom  actually,  and  the  general  say  that  'tis  his 
son  shall  be  king  after  him.  Here  is  the  best  of  our  play:  before  Muiredach 
arrives  let  us  give  this  old  king  battle,  for  this  army  [of  his]  with  us  here  will 
desert  and  join  us ;  then,  let  but  the  other  come,  and  battle  we  will  give  him 
too.'  From  the  one  hill  to  the  other  they  send  a  message  to  Fiacha,  to  their 
father's  brother ;  and  by  them,  by  his  brother's  sons,  he  is  challenged  to  the 
fray.  Fiacha  had  a  magician,  Dubhcomair  by  name,  who  said  to  the  king : 
'  I  can  procure  thee  victor)',  but  the  case  stands  thus :  if  thou  rout  them,  upon 
thy  brother's  sons  thou  wilt  commit  parricide,  and  thou  indeed  shalt  still  be 
king,  but  of  thy  children  never  a  one  for  aye ;  if  they  rout  thee,  'tis  on  thee 
that  parricide  will  be  wrought,  and  from  thee  that  for  all  time  Ireland  shall 
have  a  ruler,  but  of  the  three  Collas  shall  be  no  prince  for  ever.  Thou  there- 
fore choose,'  said  the  wizard.  Fiacha  answered :  *  let  me  be  defeated  and  my 
seed  have  the  kingdom.'  *  I  too,'  said  the  magician,  *  will  fall  with  thee,  and 
my  name  it  is  that  the  battle  shall  bear  continually;'  wherefore  *the  battle 
of  Dubhcomar'  is  that  battle's  title.  Fiacha  is  duly  slain  in  the  battle ;  the 
Collas  with  three  hundred  men  went  to  Scotland,  flying  before  Muiredach, 
who  assumes  Ireland's  royalty.  For  their  valorous  quality  the  king  of  Scot- 
land gave  the  Collas  great  love,  and  three  years'  long  they  were  in  Scotland ; 
then  they  meditate  coming  over  to  Ireland  to  the  end  Muiredach  might 
commit  parricide  on  them,  whereby  the  reproach  that  rested  on  them  (their 
own  parricide  to  wit)  should  be  lifted  from  them.  So  all  three  Collas,  without 
either  hound  or  gilla^  set  out  and  so  reached  Tara.  The  gatekeeper  told 
Muiredach:  *the  three  Collas  are  on  the  green;  what  shall  be  done  with 
them?'  *Open  the  liss,'  said  Muiredach,  *to  see  what  they  will  do.'  The 
trio  entered  and  stood  in  the  midst  of  the  royal  house  in  Tara,  and  Muiredach 
said:  *have  ye  news?'  a  man  of  them  answered:  'for  thee  no  news  can  be 
more  grievous  than  that  which  we  have  done :  thy  father's  slaughter.'  *  Those 
tidings  we  know  already.'  Mt  is  not  to  supplicate  that  we  are  come,  mind 
you,'  the  Collas  said ;  and  the  king :  *  have  no  care  for  that,  it  shall  not  be 
avenged  on  you ;  if  it  be  to  have  yourselves  killed  ye  are  come,  it  shall  not 
succeed :  the  infamy  that  ye  have  incurred  I  will  not  thus  avert  from  you.' 
*  That  is  a  good  taunt  for  a  coward  to  make,'  answered  the  Collas ;  to  whom 
Muiredach  :  *  be  ye  not  coarsely  iiffcctcd  and  ye  shall  have  welcome  and 
peace.'  Long  time  thereafter  they  abode  in  good  brotherhood,  and  the  three 
Collas  were  they  whom  Muiredach  had  for  his  lieutenants  in  war;  between 


II.  xix,  xx]  Translation.  507 

whom  and  the  king  was  great  mutual  affection.  Muiredach  said  to  them 
eventually :  '  I  see  that  they  [our  progeny  respectively]  have  taken  greatly  to 
increase  and  ramify;  it  may  be  that  after  us  they  shall  not  live  in  peace; 
separate  we  therefore,  and  in  this  my  time  acquire  you  a  country  of  your  own.* 
The  Collas  asked :  '  what  country  dost  thou  of  thy  power  the  most  readily 
assign  us,  that  we  make  swordland  of  it?*  (for  warriors  better  than  the  Collas 
there  were  none).  Muiredach  said:  *  attack  Ulster;  they  are  not  kindly  dis- 
posed to  us.'  But  yonder  was  a  warrior  force  too  great  for  the  Collas ;  so 
they  went  to  the  men  of  Connacht,  and  became  their  proteges,  and  they 
received  them.  Subsequently  Connacht  came  with  them,  seven  battalions 
strong  all  told,  and  they  were  at  the  cairn  of  Achadh  lethderg  in  Famey,  in 
Ulster.  From  that  cairn  they  deliver  seven  battles  against  Ulster,  one  daily 
to  a  week's  end :  being  six  fought  by  Connacht  and  one  by  the  Collas.  Every 
single  day  Ulster  was  routed ;  the  Collas'  battle  was  on  the  last  day;  recreant 
failure  in  fighting  was  none  there ;  the  battle  was  maintained  for  a  summer's 
day  and  night,  till  blood  reached  shields;  hard  by  the  cairn  is  coll na  nothar 
*  Hazel  of  the  Wounded.'  [In  this  last  battle]  Ulster  gave  way  at  break  of 
the  second  day ;  the  slaughter  lasted  as  far  as  Glenree.  A  week  then  the 
others  spent  harrying  Ulster,  and  they  made  swordland  of  the  country  in 
which  are  the  Mughdorna^  the  úi  Chremthainn^  the  úi  mac  Uais^  and  up  to 
the  Oriors.  *  Conn's  Half  consists  in  the  O'Neills  of  the  N.,  the  O'Neills  of 
the  S.,  the  three  Connachts,  Oriel  and  others:"  LL.  332:  3  (xix)  a.  "Cairbre, 
called  lifechairiox  the  pitch  to  which  he  loved  Z{^;  or  Liffe  was  his  mother ; 
or  in  Liffe  she  brought  him  up:"  K.  i  ^ :  2  b,  "Colla  os^  a  quo  the  iii  mac 
Uais  and  iU  Thuiriri:  him  a  wild  doe  reared.  Colla  menn^  a  quo  the  Mugh- 
dorna :  him  Mennet  the  Pictish  woman  and  Mughdomdubh  of  Ulster  brought 
up,  viz.  Mennet  a  qua  dál  Mennet  in  Moume;  Mughdomdubh  however  is 
unknown  whence  he  is,  but  is  assigned  to  Ulster.  Colla  yí?r^ríí://,  ox  fochrí^ 
or  ochre :  and  it  was  Crinna  cercTs  w.  Eilech  that  Eochaid  doimhUn  in  lieu 
of  her  husband  got  with  child,  in  consequence  of  which  she  bore  Colla.  [The 
paternity]  she  hid  from  her  mate,  and  till  twenty  years'  end  the  boy  was 
reared  [by  them  both].  Then,  in  compliance  with  Cormac  ua  Cuinris  deci- 
sion, Eochaid  paid  her  fifty  cows  for  having  brought  him  up  as  Crinna's,  the 
rule  being :  '  to  every  cuckold  his  [reputed]  son  belongs  unless  he  be  bought 
of  him,'  wherefore  Connla  fo  chrith  is  his  name ;  or  again  Colla  fo  chriaidh^ 
because  his  mother  used  to  rub  clay  to  his  limbs  to  make  him  swart  [and  so 
to  pass]  among  the  artificer's  very  sons ;  or  perhaps  Connla  ochrae,  Ochra 
being  the  name  of  the  guardian  that  reared  him ;  from  which  Colla  are  the 
m  Chrimthainn,  Orior,  and  the  m  Métih:^^  LL.  333/3  (xx)  a,  ^^Collaidh  *the 
Collas'  =  colaighe  *the  parricidals,'  because  that  they  killed  Fiacha  sraibhtine 
[their  uncle].  Colla  os  (Cairell) :  for  his  swiftness  he  was  an  os  or  *  deer' ;  or 
it  was  a  wild  doe  that  nursed  him ;  or  he  was  an  os-  or  Jí'^^-wounder,  for  he 
practised  to  slay  deer,  the  agh  allaidh  or  *  wild  deer'  being  called  segh  also ; 
or  Colla  uais :  for  his  uaisle  or  '  nobility,'  for  'twas  he  above  the  other  Collas 
that  reigned  over  Ireland.  Colla  menn  (Aedh):  it  was  Mennad  the  Pictish 
woman  that  reared  him ;  or  a  stutter  that  he  had,  it  may  be  from  it  that  he 
had  the  name.  Colla y&  chrich  (Muiredach):  it  was  while  Crinna  cerdvfdL^ 
her  husband  that  Eochaid  doimhlen  begot  him  on  the  k.  of  Scotland's  d. 
Eilech ;  oxfo  chri  -fo  chriaidh :  'twas  clay  that  the  goldsmith's  wife  rubbed 


5o8  Translation.  [ii.  xxi— xxv 

over  him  to  darken  him ;  or  Ochrae :  name  of  the  nurse  that  reared  him ;  or 
Connla  forcraidh^  *  the  superfluous,'  for  he  is  set  down  to  Eilech's  account 
[and  is  one  more  than  she  ought  to  have  had] :"  K.  i  ^ :  2     ^.  "  Cairbre  life- 
chair  had  three  sons  :   Fiacha  sraibhtine  (a  quo  Eochaidh  muighmedéin\ 
Eocho  doimhlén,  Eochaidh,  which  latter  d.  sine  prole.     Eocho  doimhUn  had 
three  sons,  as  the  poet  said :   [the  Collas,  whose  names  before  they  slew 
Fiacha  were  Aedh,  Muiredach  and  Cairell  respectively,  as  above] :"    BB. 
109^     Page  31: — (xxi)  a,  Enan's  pedigree  in  seven  generations  to  Niall 
IX  H. :  LL.  347  :  8,  LB.  141  :  3    b.  "August  9:  Enan  of  Drumraha  in  West- 
meath,  he  is  of  the  race  of  'Eoc\i3\á\i  fnn  fuathairt  s.  of  Felim  rechtmar  s.  of 
Tuathal  techtmar,  of  which  S.  Bridget  is:"  MD     (xxii)  a.  Fraech's  pedigree 
in  thirty-one  generations  to  Conmac  s.  of  Fergus  and  Medb:  LL.  335  a,  349:  5 
b.  "  December  20 :  presbyter  Fraech  of  cluain  ChollcUng  in  muinter  Eolais^ 
he  was  of  the  race  of  Fergus  mac  Rosa  .m.  Rury's  son  Conmac:"  MD     c. 
"  February  15 :  Berach  abbot  oi  cluain  choirpthc  in  Connacht,  whose  m.  was 
Finmaith  sister  to  presbyter  Fraech  of  cluain  Chonmaicne  in  muintir  Eolais  :** 
ibid.    d.  "  Medhb's  three  sons  by  Fergus  in  lieu  of  Ailill  her  husband :  Ciar, 
Core,  Conmac  [qui  et  mogh  Dit\  i.e.  Ciar,  a  quo  the  Ciarraidhe  oi  Luachair^ 
of  Cuirchc^  of  Aei^  of  Conmenn ;  Core,  a  quo  the  Corcomruadh ;  Conmac,  a 
quo  the  Conmaicne  of  cúil  Toladh  and  oi  cenél  Dubhain:^^  LL.  331  /3    (xxiii) 
a.  Mochuda  of  Lismore,  his  pedigree  in  twenty-two  generations  to  Ciar  s.  of 
Fergus  mac  Rosa :  LL.  349  a.     "  Oirbsen  mór  [fr.  whom  Mochuda  is  twelfth] 
a  quo  loch  Oirbsen  mhóir  (for  its  name  was  tnágh  Epsen  originally),  and  the 
site  of  his  house  is  in  the  western  part  of  the  loch  (for  the  loch  has  flowed 
over  it),  also  the  simulacrum  of  Dicharr's  house:"  cod.  cit.  332  :  3,  s.  v.  cenél 
nEithne     b.  "  May  14 :  Mochuda,  bp.  of  Lismore  and  originally  abbot  of 
Rahen,  he  is  of  the  race  of  Ciar  s.  of  Fergus  mac  Rosa  .m.  Rury,  of  the  seed 
of  Ir  s.  of  Milesius;  another  name  for  him  was  Carihach,     He  it  was  verily 
that  had  the  noble  congregation,  seven  hundred  to  wit,  when  he  was  abbot 
in  Rahen ;  and  an  angel  used  to  converse  with  every  third  man  of  them. 
Cuimin  of  Connor  affirms  that  never  any  shed  half  so  many  tears  as  did  he. 
t  A.D.  636 :"  MD     Page  33 :— (xxiv)  a.  "  Doighre  dart  a  quo  Dartraighe^  s. 
of  Crunnluachra  a  quo  telach  Chruinnluachra  [here  seventeen  generations  to] 
Lughaid  cál  a  quo  the  Calraighe^  s.  of  Dáire  doimhtech  of  the  seed  of  Lughaid 
s.  of  Ith  s.  of  Breogon :"  MCS.  p.  80,  App.  B   b.  ^^ Dartraighe  i.e.  dar + troigke^ 
*  clan  or  kindred  of  Daire  doimhtech^ :"  K.  2  :  2     c.  "  Daire  called  doimhtech 
i.e.  dofnh  ^ poor^ -\- tech  'house,'  for  in  his  time  was  penury  and  great  scarcity. 
Daire  called  sirchrechtach  *the  constant  theme  of  poetry'  (for  éigis  'poetry' 
is  called  crecht  also),  it  was  for  the  quantity  of  poetry  made  on  him  that  he 
had  the  epithet :"  ibid.    d.  "  Lugaid  laige  a  quo  corco  Laighde^  he  was  Daire 
strdrechtaclCs  son:"  BB.  200a.     e.  "Daire  sirchrechtach^ s  six  sons  were  a 
band  of  many  exploits :"  ibid.  f.  "  The  tcllachs  or  '  homes'  of  the  Dartraighe 
were  the  tellachs  of  Cascháin^  Conall  and  Cacan,  sons  of  Ailghile  mac  Flann 
[here  six  generations  to]  Angus  s.  of  Lughaid  cat  a  quo  the  Calraighe,  as  the 
Book  of  Druim  sailcch  says,  and  the  Vellum  of  Druim  snechta:^^  ibid,    g, 
"Genealogy  of  the  Dairifie  i.e.  the  seed  of  Lughaid  s.  of  Ith:  Duach  s.  of 
Macnia  s.  of  Maccon  s.  of  Lughaid  laighe  son  of  Daire  sirchrechtaig  [here 
are  five  generations  to]  Eithle  s.  of  Lughaid  s.  of  Ith  s.  of  Breogon:"  LL. 
325  :  5     Page  34:— (xxv)  "The  tuatha  of  the  Partraighe  are  from  áth  na 


III.  i— v]  Translation.  509 

mallachtan  or  *  ford  of  the  curse*  to  glcUse  guirt  na  Icdnne  or  *  stream  of  the 
swordblade  field/  and  from  the  Cool  to  the  i^tf/:"  Hy-F.  p.  152  (xxvi)  a. 
Genealogy  of  the  Delbhna  beihra^  from  Trén  mac  Sigke  (through  Tdl  s.  of 
Conall  echluath)  to  Olioll  ólotn^  twelve  generations :  LL.  335  13  ^.  of  the 
Delbhna  mhór^  from  Blod  mac  Sighe  [ut  ante] :  ibid,  c,  "  Conall  echluatlCs 
s.  Gas  (now  the  cause  for  which  he  was  called  tál  or  'adze'  is  that  he  was  a 
carpenter's  fosterson)  had  thirteen  sons,  which  are  these :  Lughaid  eile^  Sedna, 
Angus  cenn  nathrach^  Blod  a  quo  the  úi  Bhloid^  Caisin^  Lughaid  delbaetk 
a  quo  the  Delbhna^  Cormac,  Garthann,  Gainnech,  Angus  cennaitin^  Aedh, 
Loiscen,  Noe.  Delbaetk^  he  was  the  second  Lughaid  mentioned  here,  a  quo 
the  seven  Delvins:"  BE.  182a  d,  ^*^ Delbaetk  =  dolb  +  €iedh  'magic-fire,'  i.e. 
it  was  a  magical  fire  he  made ;  or  delb  aeda  *  form  of  fire.'  For  when  by 
wizardry  his  own  son-in-law  Trad  mac  Tasach  banished  him  out  of  the  land 
in  which  the  Tradraighe  are  now,  he  fled  away  into  the  O'Neills'  country  and 
there  entered  into  cam  Fiachachy  in  which  he  kindled  a  magic  fire ;  out  of 
the  cairn  burst  five  torrents  of  flame,  and  in  the  direction  of  each  he  dis- 
missed a  son  of  his  [to  shift  for  himself]  ;  from  whom  are  the  five  Delvins. 
Hence  Delbaedh  =  delb  aedha  *  form  of  fire'  stuck  to  him,  his  name  having 
hitherto  been  Lughaid ;  or  delb  aedha  may  have  been  bestowed  on  him  for 
his  beauty,  for  in  appearance  he  was  ruddy-complexioned:"  K.  2b  w  (xxvii) 
**  Connachta  =  coinéchta  '  hound-slaughter,'  i.e.  when  Ailbe  slew  mac  Dáthó^s 
hound,  then  they  were  called  Connachta ;  or  Coinnichta^ichta  Chuinn  'Gonn's 
children,'  for  icht  is  *  clan'  or '  kindred' ;  or  Connachta=achta  Chuinn  *  Gonn's 
deeds'  (seeing  'twas  he  that  forcibly  made  swordland  of  Gonnacht),  for  acht 
^ gniomh  'deed.'  The  cause  for  which  they  are  called  'the  province  of 
Olnégfnacht^  is  this:  to  them  and  to  clann-Dedaidh  a  feast  was  given  in 
Doma  the  magician's  house ;  they  arrived  first,  nor  ever  paused  for  clann- 
Dedaidh^  but  served  out  the  liquor  and  drank  up  its  two-thirds.  Then  the 
wizard  said:  'this  drinking  is  outrageous;'  and  so  'province  o{ ÓI négmacht* 
or  'outrageous  drinking'  clave  to  them :"  K.  1^:1 

III.  Page  35: — (i)  a,  "Magnenn,  Tua,  Gobthach  and  Libren,  were  four 
sons  of  Aedh  s.  of  Golga  s.  of  Tuathal  cruinnbheoil  s.  of  Felim  s.  of  Fiachra 
s.  oi Z^\2i  fochrich'.^^  LL.  347  \^  b.  "December  18:  Magnenn  of  Kilmain- 
ham  by  Dublin,  abbot  and  bp.,  he  is  of  GoUa  dd  chrioch^s  seed.  Sinelly  d.  of 
Cenanndn  and  sister  of  the  old  S.  Sinchell^  was  his  mother :"  MD  (ii)  "Feb- 
ruary 7 :  Loman  of  loch  Uair  in  the  úi  mac  Uais  in  Meath,  he  was  of  the 
race  of  Gonall  gulban  s.  of  Niall  IX  H. :"  ibid  Page  36: — (iii)  cl  Finnian's 
pedigree  in  eight  generations  to  Fiatach  finn  a  quo  the  ddl  Fiatach  :  LL. 
349  *  3  ^-  "  February  1 1 :  Finnian  of  Moville,  bp.,  who  according  to  the  poem 
'  Hagiology  of  Innisfail'  seems  to  have  been  of  the  monarch  Fiatach  Jinn's 
race.  An  ancient  vellum  says  that  in  life  and  ethics  Finnian  was  like  James 
the  Apostle:"  MD  Page  37: — (iv)  a.  Pedigree  of  Molasius  of  Leighlin,  s. 
of  Cairell  cruaidh^  in  six  generations  to  Fiacha y^rwara  s.  of  Angus  tuirbech : 
LL.  349: 4  b.  "April  10:  Molasius  mac  Gairell  of  Leighlin  in  Leinster,  abbot, 
he  is  of  the  race  of  Fiatach yi>i«,  monarch  of  Ireland,  of  the  seed  of  Heremon. 
His  m.  was  Maithgemh^  d.  of  Aedh  mac  Gabhran  k.  of  Scotland;  to  certify 
which  [this  distich]  was  uttered :  '  Molasius,  that  flame  of  fire,  s.  of  Maith- 
gemh  of  S.  Andrew's' :"  MD  (v)  "  November  5 :  Finnchu  s.  of  Finnlogh,  of 
Brigown  in  the  country  of  Fermoy  in  Munster,  he  was  of  the  race  of  Brian 


5 1  o  Translation.  [iii.  vi— ix 

s.  of  Eochaid  ntuighmedóin^  Finnlogh  being  s.  of  Sedna;  and  Idhnait  d.  of 
Flann  lethderg  oí  \h^  Cianacht  of  Glengiven  was  his  mother,  according  to  the 
Book  of  Mac  Carthy-Riach.  Ailbhe  of  Emiy  that  baptised  him.  Finnchu 
was  ComgalPs  pupil,  with  him  he  studied  [divinity],  and  for  seven  years  after 
him  occupied  the  abbacy.  It  was  this  Finnchu  that  oftentimes  kept  in  a 
stone  *  career'  somewhat  higher  than  his  own  stature,  with  a  stone  overhead 
and  one  under-foot,  and  two  iron  crooks,  one  either  side  of  the  *  career' ;  on 
these  then  he  used  to  place  his  armpits  so  that  neither  his  head  touched  the 
stone  above,  nor  his  feet  the  flag  beneath.  Once  Comgall  of  Bangor  came 
his  way  and  ordered  him  to  come  out  of  that  *  career,'  loath  as  he  was  to  do 
it.  He  it  was  that  for  the  first  night  used  to  lie  in  the  grave  with  every  corpse 
that  was  buried  in  his  churchyard:"  ibid,  (vi)  [(vii)  in  text]  a,  "Enna  s.  of 
Conall  s.  of  Daimhin  s.  of  Cairbre  damh  argait  s.  of  [Eochaid]  s.  of  Crim- 
thann  [s.  of  Fiac  s.  of  Rochad  s.  of  Colla  da  chriocIt\\^^  LL.  347  :  8,  BB.  ma 
b,  "March  21 :  Enna,  abbot,  of  Aran,  Conall  dergs.  of  Cairbre  damh  argait 
was  his  father,  of  Colla  da  chrioch^s  seed.  Aeibhjionn  d.  of  Ainmire  mac 
Ronan  k.  of  the  Ardes  was  his  mother  and  Liba's ;  but  for  God's  sake  he 
abandoned  succession  to  the  chicfry  and  his  great  patrimonial  affluence,  built 
a  church  in  Aran,  and  held  its  abbacy.  Thrice  fifty  his  congregation's  num- 
ber ;  the  test  and  proof  to  which  every  noon  he  put  them  in  order  to  save 
them  from  sin  being  this :  in  a  currach  without  a  hide  at  all  on  it,  to  launch 
'  every  man  of  them  turn  about  upon  the  sea ;  should  the  occupant  be  obnoxi- 
ous to  either  crime  or  sin,  the  salt  water  would  come  in ;  were  he  pure  of  sin, 
it  would  not ;  and  Enna  the  abbot  was  the  last  one  to  enter  the  currach.  Of 
which  thrice  fifty,  save  only  Enna's  cook  Gigniat^  not  a  man  was  found  but 
came  unwetted  out  of  the  currach,  and :  *  Gigniat,  what  hast  thou  done  ?' 
Enna  asked.  He  said  that  he  had  but  made,  from  his  own  portion,  a  small 
addition  to  that  of  Kieran  mac  an  tsaoir.  Then  Enna  orders  him  to  quit  the 
island,  saying:  *here  is  no  room  for  a  pilferer;  not  yet  have  I  authorized 
that':"  MD  Page  39: — (vii)  [(vi)  in  text]  «.  Maelruain's  pedigree:  LL. 
352  : 7  b,  "July  7:  Maelruain  of  Tallacht  in  Leinster  (betwixt  Dublin  and 
Kildare  Tallacht  is),  bp.,  he  is  of  the  race  of  Eochaid  s.  of  Muiredach  of  the 
seed  of  Heremon  ;  his  mother's  name  was  Broicsech,  Brendan  of  Birr's 
mother,  Mainnsena^  came  once  to  Saighir  and  was  fain  to  go  to  oiUn  doimhle^ 
but :  *  go  not,'  said  Kieran,  *  in  Tallacht  rather  thine  own  resurrection  and  thy 
son's,  Brendan's,  shall  be.'  tA.D.  787:"  MD  Page  42:— (viii)  a,  Moling's 
pedigree  in  ten  generations,  through  Bresal  bélach^  to  Cahir  w<fr:  LL.  331  :  5 
b,  "June  17:  Moling  luachra^  bp.  and  conf,  of  tigh  Moling^  he  was  of  the 
race  of  Cahir  tnór  of  Leinster,  monarch  of  Ireland  ;  his  m.  was  Nemhnat 
chiarraighechy  or  (according  to  his  life,  ch.  2)  Emhftat  He  it  was  that  in 
three  leaps  cleared  luachair  Deghaid  when  the  spectres  were  after  him  ; 
wherefore  he  was  called  *  of  Luachair,*  though  his  original  name  was  Tair- 
chelL  His  miracles  are  «ibundant  to  relate:  [inter  alia]  one  night  he  sent 
his  fishermen  to  take  fish,  and  in  the  nets  they  caught  a  great  salmon ;  when 
he  was  split  they  got  in  his  inside  an  ingot  of  gold,  which  Moling  made  into 
three  parts :  one-third  for  the  poor,  another  for  the  ornamenting  of  shrines, 
a  third  to  provide  for  labour  and  work,  t  A.D.  696:"  MD  Page  47:— (ix) 
a.  September  10:  Finnian  of  Moville  again  :  MD  ^.  "  Now  the  ddl  Fiatach 
are  of  the  children  of  Angus  tuirbech^  while  Ulidia  and  Dalaradia  are  of 


III.  X— xiv]  Translation.  5 1 1 

OUamh  fódlcis^  and  these  latter  are  indeed  the  ver>'  Ulidians  :"  LL.  330  a 
c.  Fiac,  s.  of  Imchad  s.  of  Bresal  s.  of  Siorchad  s.  of  Fiatach  fionn  a  quo  ddl 
Fiatach^  had  four  sons  :  Trichem,  a  quo  the  ///  Thrichim ;  Trian,  a  quo  the 
úi  Thréna  ;  Brian,  a  quo  the  ///  Bhriuin ;  Eochaid  gunnai^  whose  m.  was 
called  mdthair  chaefnh^  a  quo  the  ui  Echach  of  the  Ardes.  Finnbarr,  i.e. 
Finnian  of  Moville,  was  s.  of  Cairbre  s.  of  Ailill  s.  of  Trichem,  whose  s.  Dichú 
also  was:"  LL.  331a  (x)  a,  Colman  ofEla's  pedigree  in  forty-eight  gene- 
rations to  Ethrial  s.  of  I  rial  s.  of  Heremon:  LL.  352  : 6  b,  "September  26: 
Colman  of  lann  Ela  in  Fircall,  in  Westmcath,  he  on  his  father's  side  was  of 
the  race  of  Eochaid  mac  Mairedha,  of  the  seed  of  Heremon,  and  his  m.  was 
sister  to  Columbkill,  being  Mór  d.  of  Felim  s.  of  Fergus  cennfhada  s.  of 
QoxisXS.  gulban  s.  of  Niall  IX  H.,  as  Colman's  life  says,  ch.  i.  Fifty  was  his 
age  when  he  resigned  his  spirit  to  Heaven,  A.D.  610:"  MD  (xi)  a.  Com- 
galPs  pedigree  in  thirteen  generations  to  Fiacha  raidhe^  originally  called 
Darerca^  sixteenth  from  Conall  cemach :  LL.  348  :  4  b.  "  May  10:  Comgall 
of  Bangor  in  Ulidia,  abbot,  he  was  of  the  race  of  I  rial  s.  of  Conall  cemach. 
A  man  full  of  God's  grace  and  of  His  love  this  was ;  a  man  that  trained  and 
edified  many  other  saints,  in  whose  hearts  and  minds  he  kindled  and  inflamed 
the  unquenchable  fire  of  God's  love,  as  in  Ireland's  ancient  books  is  apparent. 
Cuimin  of  Connor  says  that  [only]  every  Sunday  Comgall  took  meat.  Kieran's 
life  states  that  Comgall's  was  one  of  the  eight  orders  existing  in  Ireland;  and 
a  very  old  vellum,  that  in  life  and  ethics  he  resembled  James  the  Apostle:" 
ibid,  (xii)  "  Duilcch  s.  of  Malach  s.  of  Sinell  s.  of  Nadfraech  [here  four 
generations  to]  Fergus  mac  Rosa,  and  Mobhai  was  s.  of  Sinell  mac  Nad- 
fraech ;  so  too  was  Malan,  also  Cuman,  and  Cronan,  2Lná  Máifte  :^^  LL.  349/3 
(xiii)  "A.D.  631 :  eighth  year  of  Donall  s.  of  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech.  Carthach 
i.e.  Mochuda,  s.  of  Finnall,  banished  from  Rahen  636 :  Donall's  thirteenth 
year.  S.  Mochuda,  bp.  of  Lismore,  abbot  of  Rahen,  t  May  14.  750:  twelfth 
year  of  Donall  s.  of  Murrough  s.  of  Dermot.  Fidhmuine  O  Suanaigh^  an- 
chorite of  Rahen,  t  October  i.  1 153:  a  hosting  by  Murtough  mac  Neill  Mac 
Lachlainn  and  the  N.  of  Ireland  to  succour  Turlough  O'Brien  and  reinstate 
him  in  the  rule  of  Munster,  and  he  reached  Craobh  ieine,  Turlough  O'Conor 
mustered  Connacht  and  came  to  ntágh  lid  Phdtraic  to  oppose  the  N.,  while 
Teigue  O'Brien  with  his  forces  marched  to  Rahen-O'Suanaigh  to  help  Con- 
nacht:" IV  M  Page  48: — (xiv)  a,  "Tlachtgha  whence  named?  Moghruith 
[the  wizard's]  d.  Tlachtgha,  whom  (when  with  her  father  she  went  to  study 
magic  in  the  eastern  world)  Simon  Magus's  sons  all  three  had  to  wife,  even 
she  it  was  that  for  Trén  constructed  the  roth  rámhach^  the  flagstone  that  is 
in  Forchartha,  and  the  cauldron  in  CnámchoilL  Then  she,  bringing  with 
her  these  two  last,  returned  out  of  the  E.  and  reached  [the  present]  tulach 
Tlachtgha ;  here  she  lay  in  and  three  sons  were  bom :  Doirb,  a  quo  mdgk 
nDoirbi)  Cuma,  a  quo  fnágh  gCuma\  Muach,  a  quo  mágh  Muaich;  so  long 
as  which  names  subsist  in  the  men  of  Erin's  memory,  vengeance  of  outside 
strangers  shall  not  attain  Ireland.  She  died  in  childbed  and  over  her  the 
dun  was  erected,  whence  Tlachtgha :^^  K.  5^:2  b.  ^^ Moghruith:  either  it 
was  Roth  mac  Rigoll  that  fostered  him,  whence  magh  Ruith  'Roth's  slave'; 
or  else  mogh  roth  =  *  magus  rotarum,'  because  it  was  by  *  wheel-incantation' 
that  he  used  to  make  his  observations  [do  his  divination]:"  cod.  cit.  3:2 
c.  Moghmith  mac  Cuinesc's  pedigree  in  six  generations  to  Fergus  mac  Roich's 


5 1 2  Translation.  [iv.  i— vii 

(or  mac  Rosa's)  s.  Ciar :  LL.  326  :  5  //.  "  Cacht,  d.  of  Cathmann,  and  another 
w.  to  Fergus,  was  m.  of  Moghruith  mac  Fergus ;  *twas  Roth  mac  RigoU  that 
reared  him.  Dérdroighen  was  m.  of  Moghruith's  two  sons  Buan  and  Fercorb, 
and  m.  of  Cairbre  li/echair:^  cod.  cit.  4^:2  (xv)  "Of  Elias  and  Enoch. 
Now  as  Michael  [the  archangel],  preceding  them,  conveyed  into  Paradise  all 
the  righteous  of  the  old  dispensation :  from  Adam  to  Christ,  there  met  them 
two  tall  and  ancient  men,  rugged  of  aspect  and  gprave  withal,  so  that  the 
saints  and  righteous  all  enquired  (for  they  knew  them  not,  whether  they  had 
been  in  Hell  with  themselves),  saying:  'and  who  be  ye  that  in  Paradise  thus 
wear  your  own  [original]  bodies  ?'  Said  one  of  them :  *  I  am  Enoch,  and  'tis 
I  that  at  God's  behest  was  raised  hither  and  seated  here  in  Paradise ;  this 
man  with  me  too,  that  is  Elias  the  Tishbite,  who  in  a  fiery  chariot  was  like- 
wise lifted  hither;  neither  have  we  as  yet  tasted  death,  but  still  live  on  [with 
our  earthly  life].  For  God's  power  has  reserved  us  until  in  the  World's  latter 
age  Antichrist  come  to  contend  with  Him  in  [i.e.  by  simulating]  divine  mira- 
cles and  in  portents  manifest  and  prodigious.  After  which,  in  Jerusalem  at 
last  Antichrist  shall  slay  us ;  nevertheless,  at  the  end  of  three  days  and  a  half 
we  shall  rise  alive  and  in  clouds  be  raised  up  to  Heaven:"  LB.  226a 

IV.  Page  50:— (i)  a.  "A.D.  478:  Olioll  molt  s.  of  Dathi  s.  of  Fiachra 
having  ruled  Ireland  for  twenty  years,  in  the  b.  of  Ocha  he  perished  by 
Lughaid  mac  Laegaire  [s.  of  Niall  IX  H.],  Murtough  mac  Erca,  Fergus  cerr- 
bhil  s.  of  Conall  cremthainni^  Fiachra  mac  Laegaire  k.  of  Dalaradia,  and 
Crimthann  s.  of  Enna  cennselach  k.  of  Leinster.  On  this  occasion  *  the  Lees* 
and  earn  Eolairg  were  given  to  Fiachra  in  reward  of  the  battle:"  IV  M  b. 
"Olioll  molt\  it  was  a  longing  for  a  molt  or  *  wether'  that  took  his  mother, 
Eithne  d.  of  Conra,  while  she  carried  him ;  and  it  was  Eochaid's  d.  Fial,  the 
king's  w.,  that  gave  the  nickname:"  K.  i  :  i  r.  "  Fial  d.  of  Eochaid  feidh- 
lechy  a  qua  Cruachan  bri  éile  [=  Fhéilé]  in  Leinster,  was  w.  of  Dathi  mac 
Fiachra ;  Eithne  d.  of  Conra,  another  wife  of  his,  was  m.  of  Olioll  molt:^  cod. 
cit.  5  b  (ii)  see  ante,  1.  xxiv  (iii)  "  Donall  and  Fergus,  sons  of  Murtough 
mac  Erca,  having  ruled  Ireland  for  three  years,  they  both  died :"  ibid.  Page 
51:— (iii)  "A.D.  537:  the  b.  of  Sligo  won  by  Murtough  mac  Erca's  sons 
Fergus  and  Donall,  Ainmire  mac  Sedna  and  Nainnidh  mac  Duach,  against 
Eoghan  bél  k.  of  Connacht.  The  battle  *  burst  before  them,'  Eochaid  bél  fell ; 
on  which  was  said  this :  *  with  rage  of  edged  weapons  the  iii  Fiachrach^s 
battle  is  fought  to  overflowing ;  enemies'  kine  bellow  at  the  touch  of  spears, 
the  fight  is  extended  in  Crinner,  To  the  great  sea  Sligo's  river  swept  down 
men's  blood,  with  their  flesh ;  across  the  Ebha  triumph-shouts  were  uttered 
around  the  head  of  Eoghan  M:"  IV  M  Page  53:— (v)  Genealogy  of  the 
úi  Fiachrach  of  Aidhne^  i.e.  Guaire  of  Aidhne's  pedigree  in  eight  generations 
to  Fiacha  [or  Fiachra]  s.  of  Eochaid  muighmedóin^  a  quo  the  clan-name : 
LL.  338:7  Page  54: — (vi)  a,  "Genealogy  of  the  Luighne  of  Connacht: 
Niacorb  s.  of  Lae^  a  quo  Luighne^  s.  of  Cormac  gaileng  s.  of  Teigue  mac 
Cein:"  LL.  338:8  b.  "Genealogy  of  the  Luighne:  Eghra  faprig  a  quo 
O'Hara,  s.  of  Saergus  s.  of  Beice  s.  of  Lathgus  a  quo  clann  Lathgusa  [here 
five  to]  Ithchaire  s.  of  Art  cerb\^^  ibid,  c,  "Art  cerb  i.e.  Art  the  lopped  or 
maimed,  for  i"^^  =  [the  more  usual]  ciorrtha:^^  K.  i  :  i  d,  ^^ Luighne  ^  Laei- 
gheiney  i.e.  the  clanna  Laei  or  posterity  of  Lae  s.  of  Cormac  gaileng  s.  of 
Teigue  mac  Cein:"  cod.  cit.  3^:2     Page  55 :  (vii)  "Whence  loch  Con?    It 


V.  i— ui]  Translation.  5 1 3 

was  Manannan  mac  Lir's  hounds  and  Modh's  pack  (Modh  a  quo  innsi Modh) 
that  met  concerning  a  wild  pig  which  wasted  the  land  around  and,  unless 
that  the  hounds  might  hinder  her,  would  have  made  a  desert  all  the  way  to 
Scotland.  In  front  of  the  hounds  this  swine  sprang  into  the  loch ;  they  made 
after  her,  and  on  that  loch  she  tackled  them  in  such  wise  that  not  a  hound 
escaped  alive  but  all  were  maimed  and  drowned.  This  done,  the  muc  or 
*  swine  ^  repaired  to  an  island  in  the  same,  whence  muicinis  'pig-island,'  and 
the  poet's  dictum :  *  pack  of  Manannan  mac  Lir ;  pack  of  Modh  so  greatly 
rash;  with  her  tusk  a  swine  slew  Modh,  on  loch  Con,  at  Muicinis':"  LL. 
167  a  (viii)  a.  "Whence  Claenloch}  Claen  mac  Ingar  of  Cluain,  first  mer- 
chant that  out  of  Scotland  came  with  [wares  fit  for]  regal  presents :  where  he 
perished  was  at  that  loch.  And  in  the  one  year  occurred  the  eruption  of  these 
lochs :  loch  Dachaech,  Claenloch,  loch  Dadhall,  lochs  of  Faeife,  Ing,  Gabhar, 
Gann,  Dubh,  Dremann,  Donn,  Ceram,  and  Cam:"  LL.  169/3  b.  "Whence 
loch  Dachaech  ?  Dachaech  was  d.  of  Ciochol  grigechglún^  her  m.  being 
Fuata ;  between  whom  one  blind  d.  was  bom.  Out  of  the  dwelling  she 
absconded  from  them,  and  so  managed  to  perish  miserably  in  that  loch : " 
ibid.  Page  62 : — (ix)  "A.D.  649 :  the  b.  of  airthcr  Seola  in  Connacht  won  by 
Cennfaeladh  s.  of  Colgu  and  Maenach  s.  of  Baeithin,  chief  of  the  ui  Bhriuin^ 
in  which  Marcan  s.  of  Toimeine  was  si.:"  IV  M  (x)  tU Maine-,  a,  "Bresal 
s.  of  Maine  mór^  he  had  five  sons :  Fiachrayfí7«/i,  Dalian,  Conall,  Crimth«inn 
cael^  and  Maine  mál  a  quo  the  ///  Maine  oi  Bréntir\  Dalian  mac  Bresal  had 
three :  Duach,  Lughaid,  Loman ;  Lughaid  had  five :  two  Eoghans,  Crimthann 
ccíel^  Feradach  fionnoU ;  Feradach  hiid  three  :  Cairbre  cro9n^  Cairbre  mac 
Féichín,  Nadsluaigh  a  quo  O'Finan ;  Cairbre  mac FHchin  had  four:  Brenann 
dally  Aedh  abhla^  Aedh  guaire^  and  Lochéne^  BB.  117/3  b.  "Bresal  s.  ot 
Maine  mór  s.  of  Eochaidyi'r  da  ghiall  s.  of  Imchad  s.  of  Co\\2i /ochrich  :^^  ibid, 
c.  "  Genealogy  of  the  tii  Máijie :  Dicholla  [here  five  to]  Bresal  s.  of  Maine  s. 
of  Eochaid  s.  of  Donall  s.  of  Fiacha  sraibhtine  s.  of  Cairbre  lifechair:^^  LL. 
338  :  8  i/.  "  Lann,  d.  of  Lughaid  léna  and  w.  of  Fer  da  ghiall^  was  m.  of 
Bresal  mac  Maine:"  K.  5  ^  Page  67: — (xi)  a.  "Genealogy  of  the  in  Fiach- 
rach  of  the  North:  Maeldubh  s.  of  Elgach  mac  Fiachna  .m.  Dathi  .m. 
Fiachra  s.  of  Eochaid  muighmedóin:^^  LL.  338  :  6  b.  "Genealogy  of  the  ui 
Fiachrach  finn\  Aedh  s.  of  Finan  mac  Amhalgaidh  mac  Fiachra  yf<?//«  mac 
Bresal  mac  Maine  mór\yX  ante]:**  cod.  cit.  338  : 8  Page  68: — (xii)  "Four 
kings  of  the  children  of  Ere  caelbhuide  ruled  Connacht,  of  whom  were  Eoghan 
bél  (but  the  general  opinion  is  that  he  was  s.  to  Olioll  moli  mac  Dathi),  Aedh 
fortamhai 1 3Xiá  PáWW  inbhanda  his  br. :"  BB.  107/8  b.  Olioll  inbhanda  *the 
effeminate'  i.e.  he  was  beardless:"  K.  i  :  i 

V.  Page  7 1 : — (i)  Ruadhan  of  Lorrha's  pedigree  in  nine  generations  to 
Fiacha  Broad-crown  s.  of  Eoghan  mór  s.  of  Olioll  ólom :  LL.  350 : 6  (ii) 
Senanus  of  inis  Chathaigh^s  pedigree  in  ten  generations  to  Cairbre  baschaoin 
s.  of  Conaire  caemh  s.  of  Moghlama,  of  the  seed  of  Ith  s.  of  Breogon:  LB. 
19  a  (iii)  "A.D.  972  :  inis  Chathaigh  devastated  by  Harold's  s.  Magnus  with 
the  Lagmanni  of  the  Isles;  Ivor,  lord  of  the  Danes  of  Limerick,  taken  out 
of  it ;  whereby  Senan's  rights  were  violated  975 :  inis  Chathaigh  violated 
by  Brian  s.  of  Kennedy  against  the  Danes  of  Limerick,  in  the  matter  of  Ivor 
with  his  two  sons  :  Amlaff  and  Duibchenn.  Brian  was  then  fifty  years  of 
age:"  IV  M 

2  O 


514  TransIatio7t.  [vi.  i— ix 

VI.  Page  76: — (i)  a.  "Aedh  of  Slaine  s.  of  Dermot  s.  of  Fergus  cerrbhil 
(from  some  wryness  or  distortion  affecting  his  mouth)  s.  of  Conall  cremthainn 
(for  it  was  Cremthann  that  reared  him)  s.  of  Niall  IX  H.:"  LL.  335  : 4,  K. 
2:1  b,  "A.D.  475:  Conall  cremthainn^  a  quo  clan-Colman  and  the  seed  of 
Aedh  of  Slaine,  died  595 :  first  year  of  Aedh  of  Slaine  s.  of  Dermot,  and  of 
Colman  r/w/V/A,  over  Ireland:"  IV  M  (ii)  a,  "A.D.  528:  first  year  of  Tua- 
thal  maelgharb  s.  of  Cormac  caech  s.  of  Cairbre  s.  of  Niall  IX  H.  over  Ire- 
land:" ibid,  b,  "Tuathal  mdclgharb  or  *  rough-sconce' :  Dallbronach's  d. 
Cumain,  his  m.,  it  was  she  who  in  her  pains  as  she  bore  him  jammed  his 
head  against  an  [uneven]  stone,  which  so  made  hills  and  hollows  in  his  pate ; 
hence  the  sobriquet:"  K.  4 :  2  c,  "Dallbronach's  d.  Cumain,  S.  Bridget's 
sister,  w.  of  Cormac  caech  [above],  was  Tuathal  maelgharb^ s  m. :"  cod.  cit.  5^ 
(iii)  "Whence  móin  tire  Náir  'the  moor  of  Nar's  land'?  Nar  s.  of  Conall 
cernach  mac  Amergin  iarghiunach  (or  of  Conall's  s.  Finnchad),  'tis  he  was 
slain  there  by  Eitsen  the  Amazon  when  at  this  point  on  the  Shannon  he  had 
killed  her  two  [pet]  birds;  hence  sndmh  dd  en  and  tnóin  tire  Ndir-?^  LL. 
166/3  Page  77:— (iv)  "A.D.  538:  Tuathal  maelgharb  having  ruled  Ireland 
for  eleven  years,  at  Grellach  eillte  he  fell  by  the  hand  of  Maelmor  mac 
Argedan  (who  was  Dermot  mac  Cerball's  tutor),  and  in  requital  Maelmor 
was  killed  on  the  spot :"  IV  M  (v)  "  Whence  Tailltiu  ?  Magmor's  d.Tailltiu 
was  w.  of  Eochaid  garbh^  son  of  Duach  teimen ;  by  him  dumha  na  ngiall  *  the 
hostage-mound'  was  made  in  Tara,  and  she  was  nurse  of  Seal  balbh^s  son 
Lugh.  'Twas  she  besought  her  husband  to  clear  Caille  chuan  for  her,  that 
gatherings  might  be  held  around  her  tomb ;  she  died  on  the  following  kalends 
of  August,  and  by  Lugh  her  gubha  or  'lamentation'  and  her  nasadh  or  'fune- 
ral games'  were  held,  whence  we  say  Lughnasadh  '  Lugh-games'  i.e.  Lam- 
mastide.  Five  hundred  years  before  the  birth  of  Christ  this  was ;  that  meeting 
was  made  by  every  king  that  had  Ireland  until  Patrick  came,  and  in  Taillte 
there  were  four  hundred  such  from  Patrick  to  the  'black  gathering*  of 
Donough  s.  of  Flann  mac  Melachlin:"  BB.  403a  (vi)  "Whence  Temhuir 
'  Tara'  ?  Temhuir  =  téamhiir  i.e.  mur  Tea  '  wall  of  Tea'  d.  of  Lughaid  s.  of 
Ith  s.  of  Breogon,  w.  of  Milesius'  s.  Heremon,  for  there  she  was  buried.  Or 
again :  temair  is  from  the  Greek  verb  TEMORO  [dcwpfto]  '  I  view' ;  for  temcUr 
is  a  name  for  all  places  whence  it  is  pleasant  to  take  a  prospective  view,  unde 
dicitur '  the  /<v«íí/>of  the  country,'  and  '  the  temair  oi  the  house,'  [and  so  says] 
Cormac  mac  Cuilenan :"  LL.  159  a  Page  78:— (vii)  "  Pedigree  of  the  k.  of 
Meath:  Murrough  s.  of  Airmedach  s.  of  Conall  guithbinn  s.  of  Suibhne  s.  of 
Colman  mors,  of  Dermot  mac  Fergus  cerrbhe^l:"  LL.  335  :4  Page  79: — 
(viii)  '*A.D.  552:  the  Feast  of  Tara  held  by  the  k.  of  Ireland,  Dermot  mac 
Fergus  cerrbhel;  Colman  mér  ma.c  Dermot  slain  in  his  chariot  by  Dubhslat 
grandson  of  Trian,  of  the  Cruithnechs  596 :  second  year  of  Aedh  of  Slaine 
and  of  Colman  rimidh,  Suibne  s.  of  Colman  beg  slain  by  Aedh  at  Bridamh :'» 
IV  M  (ix)  a.  "A.D.  600:  Aedh  of  Slaine  s.  of  Dermot  and  Colman  rimidh 
s.  of  Baetan  s.  of  Murtach  [mac  Erca]  s.  of  Muiredach  having  reigned  for  six 
years,  Cohnan  fell  by  Lochan  diohnnmi ;  Aedh  by  Conall  guithbinn  s.  of 
Suibne  s.  of  Colman  mór  (or  beg)  s.  of  Dermot,  at  Lochsewdy ;  Conall's  fos- 
terbr.  Aedh  gustan  and  Baethgal  of  Bile  being  they  that  actually  slew  them. 
Conall  mac  Suibne  killed  Aedh  róin  also,  chief  of  the  in  Fáilghe^  and  Aedh 
buidhe  chief  of  the  iii  Máine^  on  the  same  day  in  which  he  had  Aedh  of  Slaine 


VI.  X— xiii]  Translation.  5 1 5 

put  to  death,  to  commemorate  which  slaughters  was  indited :  *  very  great  was 
the  sore  grief  that  afflicted  all  Ireland's  princely  ones  [etc.]':"  ibid,  b,  "Conall, 
called  guithbhinn  '  sweetvoiced'  \_gi4th  *  voice'  +  binn  *  sweet']  for  his  sweet- 
ness as  a  singer  when  afterwards  he  was  a  priest.  Acdh,  called  gustán  —  gus 
*  vigour'  +  dána  *  bold,'  because  it  was  great  vigour  for  him  to  have  killed 
three  kings  in  one  day,  i.e.  Aedh  of  Slaine  k.  of  Ireland,  Aedh  buidhe  k.  of 
Teffia,  Aedh  róin  k.  of  Offaley :"  K.  2  :  i,  2  (x)  a.  "  Beg  s.  of  Z>/the  magi- 
cian s.  of  Gnae  s.  of  Lughaid  s.  of  Dalian  s.  of  Bresal  s.  of  Maine  \inór\  s.  of 
Niall  IX  H. ;  or  Beg  s.  of  Dé  s.  of  Nae  s.  of  Conall  echluath  s.  of  Lughaid 
nunn  [fourth  fr.  Olioll  ólom^ :  LL.  347  :  3  ^.  "  Nae  s.  of  Cas  s.  of  Conall 
echluath^  a  quo  Beg  mac  Dei  i.e.  *  filius  Fumi,'  as  some  think:"  cod.  cit.  322  :  5 
c.  "  October  12 :  Beg  s.  of  Z?/s.  of  Gnae,  he  was  of  the  race  of  Colla  da  chrioch^ 
and  a  famous  prophet :"  MD  d,  "A.D.  557 :  nineteenth  year  of  Dcrmot  [mac 
Fergus].  S.  Beg  mac Dé^  a  famous  seer  died:"  IV  M  Page  80: — (xi)  Con- 
cerning Dalaradia :  a.  "  Fiacha  araidhe  s.  of  Angus  goibhuenn  s.  of  Fergus 
^ii/7//y«  s.ofTipraite  tirech  (who  si.  Conn  100  B.)  s.  of  Bresal  laoigh  (who  entered 
into  loch  Laoigh)  s.  of  Bresal  s.  of  Ferb  s.  oiMál  (who  si.  Tuathal  techtmar)  s. 
of  Rochraide  [here  six  to  Irial  s.  of  Conall  ccmacfC\'.^^  LL.  332 a  b.  "Araidhe 
bibre  the  lampoonist  (of  Munster),  he  was  rechtaire  'steward'  *majordomo*  to 
Cormac  ua  Cuinn ;  and  Cairech  his  w.  it  was  that  saved  the  life  of  Fiacha  mac 
Angus;  whence  men  say  Fiacha  araidhe^  a  quo  dál  Araidhe  *  Dalaradia':" 
cod.  cit  335,  marg.  inf.  c,  "The  ddl ox  rann  i.e.  'portion'  oi  Araidhe^  which 
is  the  airial  or  'couch'  of  the  kings  of  Ireland,  i.e.  their  legitimate  bed  [seat] 
because  it  was  an  orba  niadh  '  warrior's  land'  that  they  acquired ;  or  because 
they  are  of  a  clann  niadh  'warrior's  progeny*;  for  it  is  superfluous  for  them 
to  pass  off  under  any  genealogy  of  kings,  seeing  that  in  the  time  when  he  was 
extant  [their  parent]  Conall  cemach  mac  Amergin  was  royal  hero  of  Ireland. 
Otherwise  (and  more  truly)  Fiacha  araidhe  was  the  name  of  a  man  [k.  of  all 
Ulster  A.D.  240]  from  whom  the  ddl  AraidJie  are  styled:"  K.  2  :  i  Page 
81 : — (xii)  "April  15  :  Ruadhan  mac  Fergus,  of  Lorrha,  abbot,  thrice  fifty  that 
were  in  his  congregation ;  which  always  had  their  sufficiency  without  human 
labour,  supporting  themselves  by  continual  praying  to  and  praising  the  Lord 
of  created  things.  He  was  of  the  seed  of  Eoghan  mór  s.  of  Olioll  ólom^  and 
an  ancient  vellum  says  that  in  life  and  ethics  Ruadhan  was  like  Matthew  the 
Apostle:"  MD  Page  84:— (xiii)  "A.D.  554:  Dermot  mac  Cerbhall's  six- 
teenth year,  in  which  he,  as  k.  of  Ireland,  made  the  last  Feast  of  Tara. 
Curnan,  s.  of  Aedh  k.  of  Connacht,  si.  by  Dermot  in  despite  of  the  guarantee 
and  protection  of  Columbkill,  out  of  whose  hands  the  k.  had  dragged  him 
forcibly ;  which  occasioned  the  b.  of  cid dreimhne  555 :  Dermot's  seventeenth 
year,  in  which  the  b.  oi  cúl  dreimhne  was  won  against  him  by  Murtough  mac 
Erca's  two  sons  Fergus  and  Donall,  Ainmire  mac  Sedna,  Ainnidh  mac  Duach, 
and  Aedh  s.  of  Eochaid  tinncharna^  k.  of  Connacht.  It  was  to  avenge  the 
killing  of  this  Aedh's  son  Curnan  above,  and  he  under  Columbkill's  safeguard, 
that  the  clanna  Néill  an  tuaisceirt  or  O'Neills  of  the  North,  and  Connacht, 
gave  Dermot  the  k.  this  battle  oi  ail  Dreimhne  \  also  because  of  the  perverse 
judgment  which  as  against  Columbkill  Dermot  had  pronounced  in  re  S.  Fin- 
nian's  book  which,  unperceived  of  the  owner,  Columbkill  had  transcribed;  in 
which  matter  they  had  recourse  to  Dermot's  arbitration,  and  he  ruled  the 
celebrated  decision :  *  to  his  cow  belongs  every  calf,  and  every  copy  to  the 


5 1 6  Translation.  [vi.  xiv— xirii 

original.*  Fraechan  mac  Tenusan,  he  it  was  that  for  Dermot  concocted  the 
curbhedfuadh  or  magic  spell,  andTuathan  mac  Dimman  ,m.Sdrdn  .m.  Cormac 
.m.  Eoghan  that  flung  it  over  his  head.  Three  thousand  were  what  perished 
of  Dermot's  people,  and  of  the  other  side  one  man  only  (whose  name  was 
Maghldim)  because  it  was  he  [alone]  that  stepped  across  [the  barrier  offered 
by]  the  charm:"  IV  M  (xiv)  "  Indorb  yii?//»,  the  k.  of  Saxons'  d.,  and  w.  of 
Eoghan  s.  of  Niall  IX  H.,  was  Muiredach  mac  Eoghan's  m. ;  and  Ere,  d.  of 
Loam  k.  of  Scotland,  was  m.  of  Murtach  tnór  mac  Muiredach:"  K.  5  ^    (xv) 

a.  "  Line  of  the  kings  of  Kinel  Conall :  Aedh  s.  of  Ainmire  s.  of  Sedna  s.  of 
Fergus  cennfhada  s.  of  Conall  gulbain  son  of  Niall  IX  H. :"   LL.  338/3. 

b,  "A.D.  564:  first  year  of  Ainmire  .m.  Sedna's  reign  566:  Ainmire  having 
ruled  Ireland  for  three  years,  he  fell  by  Fergus  mac  NéilHn  568:  Ferghus 
mac  NéiUine  do  mharbad  la  hAedh  viae  Ainmirech  i  ndighail  a  athar  i.e. 
"  Fergus  mac  NéilUn  si.  by  Ainmire's  son  Aedh  to  avenge  his  father:"  IV  M 
(xvi)  a.  "  Ramifications  of  the  men  of  Brefny :  Eoghan  sreimh  i.e.  *  of  the 
membrane*  (from  a  little  cord  that  was  in  his  mouth)  s.  of  Duach  galach  s.  of 
Brian  s.  of  Eochaid  muig/unedóin^  he  had  three  sons :  Eochaid  tinnchama^ 
ancestor  of  siol  Muiredaigh ;  Duach  tenga  umha^  of  clann  Choscraigh  and 
q{  muinter  Murchada\  Feradach,  third  son,  of  the  úi  Bhriuinv'^  BE.  90^ 
b.  "  Eoghan  *  of  the  membrane' :  'twas  a  cord  he  had  in  either  his  mouth  or  an 
eye.  Duach  galach :  he  had  gal  *  suffering,'  and  uch  *  alas  1'  i.e.  both  one  and 
the  other  (which  he  had  to  suppress)  Brian's  other  sons  inflicted  on  him 
when  he  was  a  young  stripling.  Duach  tenga  umha  *  copper  tongue':  for  the 
excellence  of  his  eloquence,  or  for  the  melody  of  his  utterance.  Eochaid 
tirmchama  *  dry-flesh':  for  his  brother  Duach  tenga  umha^  k.  of  Connacht, 
never  gave  him  any  but  such  meat:"  K.  i  :  2,  2  :  i  c,  "A.D.  557:  against 
the  Cruithne  the  ///  Néill  of  the  North  (both  Kinelconall  and  Kinelowen)  won 
the  b.  of  Main  doire  lothair^  in  which  along  with  Aedh  brec  there  fell  seven 
chiefs  of  the  Cruithnechs;  and  on  this  occasion  *the  Lees'  and  cam  Eolairg 
again  fell  to  the  clanna  Néill  567 :  Baedan  s.  of  Ninnidh  s.  of  Fergus  cenn- 
fhada having  reigned  for  one  year,  he  fell  in  a  skirmish  at  ///*/;/  an  eichy  by 

the  two  Comains :  Comain  s.  of  Colman  beg  [s.  of  Dermot]  mac  Cerbhall,  and 
Comain  s.  of  Librene  s.  of  Illadhan  mac  Cerbhall.  At  Colman  beg^s  instiga- 
tion they  did  that  deed:"  IV  M  d.  "A.D.  499:  the  b.  of  Seghais  won  by 
Murtach  mac  Erca  against  Duach  tengutnha  k.  of  Connacht ;  the  cause  being 
that  'twas  Murtach  had  gone  security  as  between  the  k.  and  Eochaid  tirm- 
charna  his  br.  [for  the  safety  of  the  latter],  yet  was  Eochaid  captured  under 
Murtach's  protection.  To  certify  which  it  was  Cennfaeladh  that  uttered:  'the 
b.  of  Seghais,  it  was  a  certain  woman  that  procured  it ;  by  means  of  Duach's 
d.  Dúiscch  there  was  red  blood  on  spears.  The  battles  oíDelga^  Mucramh  and 
tuaim  Drtíbha,  vi\i\i  that  of  Segliais  (in  which  perished  Duach):' yi^r  0«- 
nachta  ro  sraoinedh  na  catha  isin  i.e.  *  all  these  were  won  against  the  men  of 
Connacht':"  ibid.  Page  87:— (xvii)  a.  "A.D.  965:  the  b.  of  Formoyle  won 
by  Kinelowen  against  Kinelconall  at  Rathbeg;  where  fell  Maelisa  O'Can- 
nanan  lord  of  Kinelconall,  and  Murtach  grandson  of  Teigue,  with  very  many 
others:"  ibid.  b.  "Whence  Rathmore  in  mágh  Une}  rath  Rogin  its  name 
was  at  first,  until  the  reign  of  Bresal  brec  mac  Brian,  k.  of  Ulidia,  and  that  he 
(on  adventure  bent)  dived  down  into  loch  Laoigh^  under  which  he  abode  for 
fifty  years.  During  that  space  [his  w.]  Mór,  d.  of  Rither  mac  Derlamh,  occupied 


VII. ;  VIII.  i— ui]  Translation.  5 1 7 

the  rath,  and  [at  last]  said :  *  I  deem  it  all  too  long  that  BresaPs  adventure 
lasts.'  A  woman  answered :  *  and  long  'twill  be  for  thee ;  for  never  again,  no, 
not  till  their  dead  shall  come  back  to  all  other  men  too,  will  Bresal  return 
from  his  adventure  to  his  bed  again!'  Mughain  died  presently,  her  name 
stuck  to  the  rath,  and  hence  Rathmore ;  but  at  the  fall  of  night  Bresal  brec 
reached  home,  as  in  echtra  Bhresail  * Bresal's  Adventure'  is  related:"  LL. 
170  i3 

VII.  Page  88 :— (i)  "A.p.  558 :  Dermot  s.  of  Fergus  cerrbhél  having  ruled 
Ireland  for  twenty  years,  at  Rath  beg  in  mágh  Line  he  fell  at  the  hands  of 
Black  Aedh  s.  of  Suibhne,  k.  of  Dalaradia.  His  head  was  carried  to  Clon- 
macnoise  and  there  buried;  his  body  was  laid  in  Connor:"  IV  M  (ii)  a. 
"  Maine's  d.  Corbach^  of  Leinster,  Fergus  cerrbhéVs  w.,  was  m.  of  Dermot  his 
son.  Concraidh  mac  Duach's  d.  Mughain^  of  Connacht,  Dermot  mac  Cer- 
bhall's  w.,  was  m.  of  Aedh  of  Slaine:"  K.  5^  b.  "Pedigree  of  Fiachra  oeli 
of  the  ui  Duach:  Angus  s.  of  Conath  s.  of  Concraidh  (to  whom  was  d.  Dermot 
mac  Cerbhall's  w.  Mughain,  a  qua  cam  Mughaine  in  Airgetros)  s.  of  Duach 
cliach  [here  five  to]  Fiacha  muillethan  s.  of  Eoghan  mór  s.  of  Olioll  ólom :" 
LL.  321  : 3  c.  "Flann  [fnaimstreck]  cecinit:  *  Mughain,  d.  of  gentle  Con- 
chraidh  s.  of  Duach  of  Desmond,  undoubtedly  she  won  [renown  of]  lavish 
generosity,  did  Dermot  mac  Cerbhall's  wife.  But  this  as  well  is  honestly  the 
opinion  of  some  antiquaries,  that  Mughain  was  of  Connacht':"  LL.  145ft 
quatt.  1, 15  Page  90 : — (iii)  a,  "  Whence  mdgh  mBregh  *the  plain  of  Bregia'? 
Bregh  was  the  name  oi  damh  Dile  *Dil's  ox,'  i.e.  it  was  Dil  a.  oi  Lughman- 
nair  that  with  Conaire  ntór  mac  Mesbuachalla's  magician  Tulchainne  came 
away  out  of  the  land  of  Failghe  \  but  at  the  one  instant  it  was  that  she  had 
been  born  and  that  (above  all  the  rest  of  the  cattle)  a  certain  cow  had  dropped 
her  calf,  so  that  for  his  birth  so  coinciding  with  her  own  the  girl  loved  him, 
and  Tulchainne  refused  to  take  her  home  [without  him] ;  she  brought  him 
with  her  therefore.  This  was  incumbent  on  Tulchainne,  for  it  was  at  the 
mórrigharís  behest  that  he  was  gone  to  fetch  the  calf  and  to  conduct  him  till 
he  should  be  in  fndgh  Eolgaide  (which  was  the  plain's  original  name) ;  hence 
the  appellation  tnágh  mBregh,  Or  again  it  may  be  from  Breoghan,  by  whom 
the  plain  was  cleared,  that  it  was  named:"  K.  i  :  i  b,  "Essa,  d.  of  Eochaid 
airemh  and  Edaein^  was  m.  of  Mesbuachalla  w.  of  Eterscel  and  m.  of  Conaire 
mór\  the  same  Mesbuachalla  was  w.  to  Conor  mac  Nessa  also  and  may  have 
been  m.  of  Cormac  conloingeSy  unless  indeed  it  were  Eochaid  feidhlech^s  d. 
Clothra:"  K.^b:i 

VIII.  Page  91 : — (i)  a.  "A.D.  630.  Dermot  s.  of  Aedh  of  Slaine  wins  the 
b.  of  aUl  Chaeláin^  in  which  were  slain  Angus  mac  Colman  mot's  two  sons 
Maelumha  and  Colgu,  with  others:"  IV  M  b,  "Temhair,  d.  of  Aedh  builg 
mac  Finghin  k.  of  the  Decies,  and  w.  of  Dermot  ruanaidh  s.  of  Aedh  of 
Slaine,  was  m.  of  Cemach  sotal :  so  called  for  his  sotal  =  uallcha  *  pride' 
'haughtiness,'  and  the  exceeding  spirit  that  he  had :"  K.  2 :  i,  5 :  ^  (ii)  "A.D. 
628 :  fifth  year  of  Donall  s.  of  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech.  The  b.  oíáth  Goan  in 
western  Liffe  won  by  Faelan  mac  Colman,  Conall  mac  Suibhne  chief  of  Meath, 
and  Failbheyf<i«;i  k.  of  Munster  [./.  Failbhe  ruadh  n^m  flann  dergnó  ruadh 
dicitur  i.e.  Failbhe  rufus,  ior flann  —  derg or  ruadh  *red':  K.  2^ :  2].  There, 
with  many  more,  was  si.  Crimthann  mac  Aedh  .m.  Senach  k.  of  Leinster:" 
IV  M     (iii)  "Whence  Dubthurt    It  signifies  the  dubthir  *  black-land'  of 


5 1 8  Translation.  [ix. ;  x.  i 

Guaire  mac  an  Daill\  so  called  because  at  Devenish  [in  loch  EmeJ  be 
wrought  fratricide  upon  Dáirín  dubchestach  mac  an  Daill  his  br.,  whom  he 
through  envy  and  malice  si.,  whereby  forest  and  scrub  overspread  his  country; 
hence  the  poet :  '  Guaire  murdered  ruddy  Daire,  shamelessly,  nor  missed 
his  stroke  ;  his  father's  son,  'twas  an  enormous  crime  the  killing  of  him 
through  evil  jealousy':"  LL.  165^ 

IX.  Page  94:— (i)  a.  "July  30:  Caenchomrac  of  Inchenagh  in  loch  Ree, 
who  at  the  first  was  bp.  in  Clonmacnoise,  his  kinship  was  of  the  muinter 
Degha ;  and  for  the  excess  of  reverence  paid  him  there  he  abandoned  Cluain, 
because  the  neighbouring  people  venerated  him  as  a  prophet ;  so  in  quest  of 
solitude  he  retired  to  loch  Ree :"  MD  <J.  "  Chief  of  the  úi  Degha :  Dubh  da 
chrioch  mac  Conamhail  .m.  Aedh  .m.  Angus  .m.  Degha  .m.  Enna  censel- 
ach'.^^  LL.  337 a  (ii)  a,  " Teftha  d.  of  Eochaid  airemh  was  w.  of  Naeise  mac 
Nechtan.  Eochaid  airemh  '  the  ploughman' :  either  because  by  him  first  were 
yokes  imposed  on  oxen,  on  their  necks ;  or  that  the  epithet  airemh=adr  uatnh 

*  excavating  of  graves,'  because  by  him  first  the  earth  was  grubbed  up  to  make 
graves.  Be  binnia^  d.  of  Cremthann  and  w.  of  Finn  mac  Finntan,  was  m.  of 
lE.oc\idÍ\á  Jinnliath  and  Eochaid  airemh:"  K.  i  :2,  4^:2  b,  "A.M.  5084: 
Eochaid  airemh  having  ruled  Ireland  for  fifteen  years,  in  Fremhain  he  was 
burnt  by  Sighmall  [of  sidh  nenn/a]:"  IV  M  c.  "Whence  Tebtha  *Teffia'? 
It  was  Eochaid  airemfCs  d.  Tebtha,  whom  Naeise  s.  of  '^^o^X^si  fionnghuala 
from  loch  Lein  loved :  her  nurse  was  Eitech,  d.  of  Lennghlas  mac  Lon  of  the 
Glomraidhe  of  trácht  Tuirbhi^  and  she  accompanied  her  charge  [when  she 
followed  Naeise].  When  Tebtha  reached  drd  Naeisen  (the  hitherto  name  of 
which  had  been  árdumha)  she  said:  'my  exit  out  of  it  will  be  a  diminution 
of  this  land's  safety;'  to  which  Naeise  replied:  *that  will  not  come  true; 
never  shall  thine  appellation  be  wanting  to  this  country  [and  that  will  suffice].' 

*  Such  indeed  is  the  very  thing  in  store,'  she  retorted ;  *but  the  mocking  word 
which  thou  Meavest  on'  [appliest  to]  the  land  will  prove  to  be  some  one's 
bane,  and  many  a  slaughter  my  journey  will  entail  on  them  that  come  after.' 
And  it  was  verified :  for  her  nurse  died  as  she  went  south,  whence  cenn  Eitig 
and  Tebtha-:'  BB.  4090  d.  "Whence  tráigh  Tuirbhi}  Tuirbhe  trághmar^ 
the  Gobdn  saer's  f.,  he  it  was  that  owned  it ;  and  from  that  ground,  [and  he] 
on  tulach  itnbela^  he  used  to  make  a  cast  of  his  hatchet  right  in  the  flowing 
tide's  face  and  forbid  the  sea,  which  then  would  come  no  farther  [than  where 
the  hatchet  fell].  His  precise  pedigree  however  is  not  known,  unless  indeed 
that  he  be  one  of  the  men  of  science  who,  being  found  defective,  fled  out  of 
Tara  before  the  scdjh  ilddnach  [i.e.  Lugh  mac  Ethlenn]  and  are  [i.e.  their 
posterity]  in  the  diamhra  of  Bregia:"  BB.  408)8 

X.  Page  96: — (i)  a.  "A.D.  157:  Conn  100  B.  having  ruled  Ireland  for 
thirty-five  years,  in  iuath  amhrois  he  fell  by  Tipraite  tirech  s.  of  Mdl  mac 
Rochraide,  k.  of  Ulidia :"  IV  M  b.  "  Conn  100  B. :  because  a  hundred 
battles  he  *  broke'  on  Munster,  a  hundred  on  Ulster,  and  three  score  on 
Leinster:"  K.  4^:2  c.  "The  k.  of  Lochlann's  d.  Una  ollchrothcuh^  w.  of 
Felim  rechtmar^  was  m.  of  Conn  cédchcUhach,  Cahir  mór^s  d.  Lennabhair  too 
was  a  wife  of  Conn's.  Ailpin's  d.  Aeife,  another  w.  to  Conn,  was  m.  of  Art 
aen/hir^  Connla  ruadh  and  Sabia ;  it  was  she  also  that  subsequently  was  m. 
of  Lughna  yirr/r/.  Lann  d.  of  Crimthann  cas  was  another  w.  to  Conn.  His 
three  d.  were  Maein,  Sabia,  Sáraiti  Sabia,  m.  of  Maccon  [Lughaid]  and  of 


X.  ii— viii]  Translation.  5 1 9 

seven  sons  of  Olioll  ólom  (to  which  last  Eogabal's  d.  Aine  was  another  w.) ; 
Maein,  m.  of  the  three  Ferguses :  F.  Blacktooth,  F.  Longhair,  F.  Fire-the- 
Bregias,  who  by  Cormac's  procurement  all  three  fell  in  the  b.  of  Crinna  ; 
Sarait,  m.  of  the  three  Cairbres :  C.  rlghfata^  C.  musCy  and  C.  baschaein^  sons 
of  Moghlama's  s.  Conaire  caemh-.^^  cod.  cit.  5  (ii)  "Fergus  Blacktooth:  it 
was  either  that  he  had  black  teeth,  or  that  he  was  black  [complexioned]  and 
had  large  teeth :"  cod.  cit.  3:2  (iii)  a,  "A.D.  267 :  one  year Eochaid gunnat 
had  ruled  Ireland  when  he  fell  by  Lughaid  menn  mac  Angus,  of  Ulidia:" 
IV  M  b,  ^^ Eochaid  gunnat'.  because  he  was  one  that  ro  ghunnataigh  =  ro 
bhegaigh  *  diminished,'  or  ro  bhloghaigh  *  broke  up,'  i.e.  by  him  it  was  that  the 
Canaille  were  [minished  and]  scattered  throughout  Ireland.  Or  again:  E. 
gunnat  =  E.  brághfada  *  longneck,'  ior  gunnat  =  [the  usual]  muinél  *  neck' :" 
K.  I  :  2  Page  97 : — (iv)  a,  "  Bresal  brec  had  two  sons :  Connla,  ancestor  of 
Ossory ;  Lughaid,  of  Leinster ;  s.  to  this  latter  was  Setna  sithbhac^  who  had 
four  sons ;  and  Nuada  necht^  the  fourth  of  them,  from  him  [proximately] 
Leinster  have  their  origin.  He  became  k.  of  Tara  [i.e.  of  Ireland]  and  by 
him  fell  Eterscel  mar  s.  of  Eoghan,  k.  of  Munster:  a  deed  which  Nuada 
wrought  to  oblige  Lughaid  riabh  nderg^  who  later  on  ruled  Ireland.  Now 
therefore  Baeiscne's  descendant  Finn  was  an  issue  of  Nuada's,  and  so  was 
Caeilte :  Finn  being  s.  of  Cumall  mac  Trenmor  .m.  Sualt  .m.  Eltan  .m. 
Baeiscne  .m.  Nuada  nechti^^  LL.  311 : 3,  378)8 inf.  b,  "Seal  balbh^s  d.  Báine^ 
w.  of  Tuathal  techttnar^  was  m.  of  Felim  rechtmar  and  of  Cumall  mac  Tren- 
mor. Muim  munchaemhy  d.  of  Teigue  mac  Nuada  necht^  was  Finn  mac 
Cumall's  m.  Cormac  ua  Cuinn's  d.  Gráinne  was  w.  to  Finn,  and  afterwards 
to  Dermot  \ua  Duibhne],  Cormac's  d.  Aillbhe  ghruaidbkrec  was  another  w. 
to  Finn ;  also  Dubhan's  d.  MuingfJUonn^  m.  of  Finn's  s.  Ulac.  Yet  another 
w.  to  him  was  Lugar  the  fisherman's  d.  Bodomar;  whom  Cahir  [;/fJr*j]  s. 
Currach  liffe  slew,  and  to  avenge  whom  Finn  si.  Currach;  w.  to  Finn  was 
Fatha  cananris  d.  Smirgat  also.  Finn  mac  Cumall's  d.  Aine  was  m.  of 
Eochaid  Íjíc7/;«A////:"  K.  5  (v)  "Sedna  sit/tbhac'.  epithet =j/í/A  ' peace' +  ^<w 
'  hindrance,'  because  continually  he  sought  to  hinder  peace,  and  made  war  for 
the  honour  of  the  thing:"  cod.  cit.  4  :  i  PAGE  98 :— (vi)  ^^Fothadk  canainnii 
*  Canann'  was  the  n.  of  a  hound  that  he  had,  and  hence  he  was  dubbed :"  cod. 
cit.  3  : 2  (vii)  "Whence  Adharca  \iuchnd\  in  Offaley ?  It  was  luchna  echbél 
the  rigbhriuga  or  *  royal  hospitaller,'  that  lived  N.E.  of  Fafann,  at  fan  an 
bhriugadh  which  to-day  is  called  machadh  mBrigkdei  his  custom  was  that 
whatsoever  was  yearly  bom  at  calving  time,  it  was  in  his  house  he  reared 
and  cherished  those  same  young  until  the  May  of  every  year,  and  so  his 
cattle  loved  him.  When  then  he  was  dead,  all. his  kine  assembled  on  the  hill 
in  question  and  there  for  three  days  and  three  nights  fought,  in  lamentation 
for  luchna,  so  that  their  horns  fell  from  them  and  [the  heaps  of  these  being 
gradually  covered  up]  there  formed  over  them  hillocks,  to  which  men  gave 
the  name  of  adharca  luchna  *  luchna's  horns.'  After  that  they  repaired  to 
the  Boyne  to  slake  their  thirst,  whence  áth  almaini  at  bun  Bóinni'.^^  LL. 
160  j8  (viii)  a,  ^^  Whence  Bóann  *  Boyne'?  It  was  Nechtan  mac  Labraid's 
w.  Boann  that  went  to  a  mysterious  well  in  the  rearward  appurtenances  of 
stdh  Nechtainx  [its  nature  being  such,  that  of]  all  who  should  visit  it  not  an 
individual  (unless  it  were  Nechtan  himself  and  his  three  cupbearers:  Flesc, 
Lesc,  and  Luam)  ever  came  away  without  having  their  two  eyes  bursten. 


520  Translation,  [xi.  i,  u 

Through  pride  therefore  once  on  a  time  Boann  (well  knowing  the  well's  virtue) 
said  that  there  existed  not  any  occult  power  able  to  deform  her  beauty,  and 
so  visited  the  spring ;  [in  addition]  thrice  she  walked  left-handed  round  it ; 
whereupon  out  of  it  three  volumes  of  water  spout  forth  over  her  and  despoil 
her  of  a  thigh,  an  arm  and  one  eye ;  then  to  hide  her  disgrace  she  turned 
away  and  fled  seaward,  the  water  following  her  to  the  estuary  of  the  Boyne. 
Now  she  was  mother  of  Angus  s.  of  the  Daghda.     Or  it  stands  thus:  BÓ  is 
the  name  of  a  stream,  the  Fionn  is  a  river  of  Slievegorey,  and  it  is  to  their 
confluence  [united  waters]  that  the  name  oi Boann  [=  bófhionn  pron.  bó-ionn\ 
is  given.     Dabhilla  was  her  lapdog's  name,  hence  cnoc  Dabhiila,  the  present 
sliabh  an  chotaigh'.^  BB.  361  a    b,  "Delbaeth  [the  wizard's]  d.  Boann  was 
m.  of  Angus  of  the  brugh^  likewise  w.  of  Nechtan  s.  of  Labraid  lesbhrec^* 
K.  4^:  I     c.  "Ireland's  three  undeniable  eminences:  dumha  na  ngiall  in 
Tara ;  mac  an  Og's  brugh,  brilliant  to  approach ;  and  Crimthann's  dun  on 
Edar:"  LL.  164,  marg.  sup.    (ix)  a,  "A.D.  283:  Cairbre  lifechairXidA  reigned 
for  sixteen  years.     Fall  of  Finn  ua  Baeiscne  by  Aichlech  mac  Duibhdrenn 
and  the  sons  of  Uirgrenn,  of  the  Luaighne  of  Tara,  at  áth  Brea  on  the  Boyne ; 
concerning  which  it  was  said :  '  Finn  was  wounded,  and  it  was  by  spears,*  i.e. 
it  was  by  fishing-spears  that  he  was  killed:"  IV  M    b.  "Finn,  that  was  a 
strenuous  man,  was  beheaded  by  his  own  warrior,  Duibdrenn's  son;  and  his 
head  was  taken  off* him  by  the  noble  sons  of  Uirgrenn:"  LL.  164,  marg.  sup. 
Page  99 : — (x)  "  Genealogy  of  the  úi  Fidhgcintidh :  Conall  (a  quo  úi  Chon- 
aill  ghabhra)  s.  of  Intat  s.  of  Daire  s.  of  Brian  son  of  Fiachra  fidhgennidh 
[a  quo  the  clan]  s.  of  Daire  cerb  s.  of  Ailill  fiann  beg  s.  of  Aililly?a««  mar  [so 
to  Olioll  ólom\     From  the  planting  of  long  na  ngiall  'twas  that  he  [Fiachra] 
was  styled  fidhgennidh^  and  he  it  was  that  made  a  wooden  horse  to  caper  in 
Colman's  'circus'  in  Liffe,     Others  affirm  that  Maine  munchaein  s.  of  Olioll 
Aann  beg  s.  oíferdá  liach  [Fiacha  muillethan\  -^2^^  fidhgennidh-,^^  LL.  321 : 8, 
BB.  177:5     (xi)  "A.D.  884:  demise  of  Maelmura,  erudite  and  most  know- 
ledgeable poet  and  accomplished  historian  of  the  Scotic  tongue,  of  whom  was 
borne  this  testimony :  *  there  never  trod  the  chosen  earth,  to  Tara  never  will 
ioumey  more,  never  again  will  wide  wrathful  Ireland  acquire,  a  man  like  mild 
and  pure  Maelmura.     There  never  drank  of  death  unhesitatingly,  ne'er  paid 
the  common  debt  and  joined  the  dead,  never  the  arable  earth  was  closed 
upon,  antiquarian  that  was  more  admirable!'"  IV  M 

XI.  ibid.\ — (i)  ^''Fianna,  a  venatione:  it  was  from  the  hunting  which  they 
used  Úi?it  fianna  was  applied  to  them ;  otherwise  fianna  —finedha  [pi.  oi  fine 
'tribe'],  for  it  was  in  tribes  and  families  they  used  to  be;  or  SLgSLin:  fianna  = 
féinnedha  [pi.  oiféinnidh  *  warrior'],  for  they  were  the  king's  fighting  men:" 
K.  2^:2  (ii)  "  Whence  Midhe  '  Meath  [in  which  is  Uisnechy  ?  Midhe  s.  of 
Brath  s.  of  Deth  it  was  that  first  in  Ireland  lighted  a  [magic]  fire  against 
clanna  Neimidh^  and  it  remained  alight  for  seven  years  ;  from  which  fire 
originally  was  kindled  every  fire  in  Ireland  (whence  Midhe's  successor  has  a 
right  to  a  sack  and  a  swine  for  every  rooftree  in  Erin),  and  the  magicians  of 
the  country  said :  *  a  mídh^  or  evil-fire  to  us  is  this  one  that  is  lighted  in  the 
land!'  Then  all  Ireland's  wizards  were  convened  into  one  house  and,  by 
Midhe's  motion,  had  their  tongues  extracted  from  their  heads ;  they  [the 
tongues]  were  buried  in  Uisnech's  ground,  and  over  them  Midhe,  Ireland's 
head  magician  and  chief  antiquarian,  took  his  seat    Here  Gumór's  d.  Gaire^ 


XII.  i— vi]  Translation.  521 

Midhe's  nurse,  said:  'here  to-night  [I  see  that]  some  people  are  atop  of 
others;'  hence  Midhe^  and  Uisnech  —  uaisneck  quasi  uas  nech  *atop  of  some 
one':"  BB.  356)8 

XII.  Page  ioi: — (i)  "A.D.  284:  Cairbre  lifechair\i^\\xi%  ruled  Ireland  for 
seventeen  years,  by  the  hand  of  Sémeon  mac  Cerb  of  the  Fotharta  he  fell  in 
the  b.  of  Gowra  at  the  hill  of  Achaill,  Fercorb  s.  of  Cormac  cos  [s.*of  Olioll 
ólom\  having  brought  the  Fianna  to  oppose  the  king  and  to  maintain  *  Mogh's 
Half  [the  South]  against  him  285 :  one  year  the  two  Fothas  had  ruled  Ire- 
land when  F.  cairpthech  fell  by  E.  cUrgthcch  ;  in  the  b.  of  Ollarbha  in  Une 
subsequently  the  latter  fell  by  Caeilte  [mac  Ronan]:"  IV  M  (ii)  "Ossian 
cecinit  (it  was  in  the  b.  of  Gowra  that  Oscar  and  Cairbre  lifechair  were  slain) : 
'  Ogham  on  stone,  stone  over  grave,  in  the  place  to  which  once  men  resorted ; 
'twas  the  k.  of  Ireland's  son  that  was  wounded  there,  over  bright  Gowra,  with 
an  envious  spear.  From  the  back  of  his  horse,  good  in  fight,  Cairbre  let  iiy 
a  desperate  cast ;  it  was  just  before  their  all  but  simultaneous  deaths  that  his 
right  hand  wounded  Oscar.  Angrily  and  furiously  as  a  lion,  Oscar  made  a 
mighty  throw ;  and  so  killed  Cairbre,  Conn's  great  grandson,  before  whom 
the  sternest  [doers  of]  battle-deeds  had  yielded.  Such  the  great  skill  of  both 
these  sons  [Cormac's  and  Ossian's]  that  of  this  contest  had  their  death  : 
shortly  or  ever  their  weapons  met,  their  dead  were  more  in  number  than  their 
living.  I  myself,  being  in  the  iight  on  the  south  side  of  glaucous  Gabhra^  did 
slay  fifty  warriors  twice  told :  'twas  I  that  killed  them  with  my  hand  .  .  in 
forest  grand  I  used  to  kill  the  boar,  and  the  keen  bird  would  despoil  of  her 
^%%.  Yon  Ogham  that  is  in  the  stone  round  which  they  that  were  fated  fell : 
were  but  Finn  with  his  scores  of  gallant  deeds  alive,  such  Ogham  long  would 
live  in  memory!"  LL.  154  a  (iii)  "Whence  sltabh  Fuaid}  It  was  Fuad  s.  of 
Bile  s.  of  Brige  mac  Breogon  who,  on  the  passage  to  Ireland,  chanced  upon 
an  island  in  the  sea:  inis  maighdena  =  mo  óghdéda  i.e.  ;/iJr* great'  +  ógh 
'perfect'  +  diadha  *  godly';  upon  the  which  if  any  set  the  sole  of  his  foot,  so 
long  as  he  should  be  there  he  never  would  tell  a  lie.  Fuad  therefore  brought 
away  out  of  it  a  fód  or  *  sod'  [gen.  /aid  quasi  fuaid\^  and  upon  that  his  judg- 
ment and  equity  were  based :  for  when  falsehood  was  uttered  the  sod  would 
turn  its  soil  uppermost,  its  grass  to  the  bottom ;  when  truth,  its  gprass  upwards ; 
which  sod  still  is  in  the  mountain,  and  upon  it  lighted  the  single  grain  that 
fell  from  S.  Patrick's  garran;  wherefore,  and  because  there  truth  is  maintained, 
from  that  time  to  this  it  is  the  resort  of  grave  elders.  Otherwise:  it  may 
have  been  after  Breogon's  s.  Fuad  personally  that  sHabh  Fuaidytzs  named;" 
BB.  404«  Page  104: — (iv)  "A.D.  447:  nineteenth  year  of  Laeghaire  s.  of 
Niall  IX  H.  *  Secundinus'  or  Sechnall  mac  ú  Báird  s.  of  S.  Patrick's  sister 
Darerca,  bp.  of  Armagh,  seventy  was  his  age  when  he  resigned  his  spirit, 
November  27:"  IV  M  Page  105: — (v)  a.  "Whence  benn  Edair  'the  Hill 
of  Howth'?  Edar,  w.  of  Gann  mac  Dela  fifth  k.  of  the  Ferbolgs,  she  was  the 
first  woman  that  here  [in  Ireland]  formerly  died  of  grief  for  her  husband,  and 
where  she  was  buried  was  on  benn  Edair,  Otherwise :  it  is  from  Edar  s.  of 
Edgaeth,  that  was  son-in-law  to  Manannan  [mac  Lir],  who  died  for  love  of 
Aine  and  whose  grave  then  should  have  been  dug  in  that  'ben':"  BB.  366a 
b,  "  Edar  mac  Edgacth's  w.  was  Marga:"  K  4^  :  2  Page  106: — (vi)  Of  the 
Erna  or  'Ernanes'  of  Munster:  a,  "A.M.  4875:  Angus  tuirmeck  of  Tara 
having  ruled  Ireland  for  sixty  years,  in  Tara  he  died.    Angus  tuirmech  he 

2  P 


52  2  Translation.  [xii.  vU— xi 

was  called  because  to  him  tuirmighter  *are  reckoned'  all  the  freebom  clans 
of  Heremon:"  IV  M  b,  "Angus  tuirmcch  *famosus':  because  he  held  the 
manner  of  his  s.  Y\KQ\\2ifermarcis\i\xÚí  to  be  an  infamy;  or  perhaps  because 
to  him  are  reckoned  [ut  ante] :"  K.  4  :  i  i*.  "  Of  the  Emanes  were  twelve 
original  tribes  and  twenty-four  'supertribes':  two  of  these  to  each  one  of 
those;"  LL.  324  :  5  Page  107: — (vii)  "Dermot's  mother  from  the  Dael^  d. 
of  Currach  s.  of  Cahir  mór\  and  Blae  dherg  from  the  rushing  Banba^  the 
formidable  Ossian's  mother.  In  a  doe's  shape  she  used  to  come  and  join  the 
outlawed  band ;  and  thus  it  is  that  Ossian  was  begotten  on  Blae  dherg  dis- 
guised as  a  doe:"  LL.  164,  marg.  sup.  (viii)  "A.M.  2550:  in  this  ^t.zx^Par- 
ihalón's  demise  in  old  Moynalty  of  benn  Edair,  In  his  time  it  was  that  the 
following  plains  were  cleared  (only  it  is  not  known  in  what  precise  year  each 
was  cleared) :  mágh  nEiirighe  in  Connacht ;  niágh  nithiu  in  Leinster ;  mágh 
U  in  the  úi  mac  Uais  of  Bregia;  mdgh  Latharna  in  Dalaradia  .2820:  in 
Edar's  old  Moynalty  died  in  one  week  nine  thousand  of  Parthalon's  people : 
of  men  five  thousand,  of  women  four;  whence  *the  táimhlecht  \támh  *  plague* 
+  lecht  'grave']  of  Partholon's  folk.'  300  years  they  had  spent  in  Ireland :" 
IV  M  Page  109:— (ix)  a,  "Eochaid  ollathatr,  i.e.  Elatha's  s.  the  Daghda 
mór^  ruled  Ireland  for  eighty  years.  It  was  he  that  had  the  three  sons : 
Angus,  Aedh,  and  Cermad  caemh  ;  upon  whom  all  four  the  men  of  Erin 
made  sidh  an  bhrogha  *the  fairy  fort  of  the  Brugh  upon  the  Boyne';"  BB. 
32  a  b.  "  Eochaid  oUaihair\j^iyaKoiraT{)p\ :  because  he  was  utile  [comp.  of  olll 
*  greater'  than  his  athair  *  father' ;  or  it  means  that  he  was  the  biggest  of  the 
tuatha  dé  danann.  Daghda  =  daigh  dé  *  ignis  dei,'  for  with  the  heathen  he 
was  a  special  god:"  K.  2  :  i,  2  d.  "the  tuatha  dé  danann  i.e.  the  men  of 
science  were  [as  it  were]  dé  'gods,'  and  laymen  andé  *  no-gods':"  cod.  cit. 
4:2  Page  iio: — (x)  a,  "the  Daghda  and  Oghma,  Alloth,  Bres  and  Del- 
baeth,  were  five  sons  of  Elatha  son  of  Delbaeth  mac  AV/V/"  \Eochaid  bres  ./. 
Eochaid  cruthach  .  dr  each  nl  caemh  ocus  each  ni  cruthach  adchiter  a  nEirinn 
is  ri  Bres  shamlaigtcr  i.e.  "  Eochaid  bres  '  formosus' :  because  everything 
comely  and  handsome  that  is  seen  in  Ireland,  'tis  to  Bres  that  it  is  likened:" 
K.  2  :  2]  b.  "  Angus  mac  an  óg^  Aedh  caemh^  Cermad  milbhél^  were  three 
sons  of  Elatha's  s.  the  Daghda"  c,  "  Midir  oi  Briléith  was  s.  of  Indae  s.  of 
Echtach . m.  Edarlamh"  d.  "Nuada  airgcthUnh  'silver-arm'  was  s.  of  Echtach 
mac  Edarlamh"  e,  "Bodhb  of  the  men  of  Femen's  sidh  was  s.  of  Eochaid 
garbh  s.  of  Duach  temen  s.  of  Bres  mac  Elathan :"  BB.  34^/3  (xi)  a.  "Whence 
Briléith  ?  Liath  was  s.  of  Celtchar :  of  a  chief  that  dwelt  in  the  j///A-regions, 
and  he  loved  Bri  bhruachbrec  d.  of  Midir  mórghlonnach  [mar  '  great'  +  glon- 
nach  adj.  ir. glonn  'deed,'  'exploit']  s.  of  Indae  mac  Echtach.  Bri  therefore 
with  her  bevy  of  women  went  io  ferta  na  ningcn  'the  girls'  graves,'  by  Tara; 
with  his  biind  of  youths  Liath  came  and  stood  on  tulach  na  hiarmaithrighe 
'  the  hill  of  subsequent  repentance' ;  but  by  reason  of  the  slingers  of  Midhir's 
sidh  the  parties  renounced  any  closer  approach,  because  their  missile  ser- 
vice came  thicker  than  the  bumble-bee  on  a  summer's  day,  and  Liath's 
gilla,  Cochlan,  was  fractured  by  them  that  he  died.  To  \sidh  Midhir  then, 
the  present]  BriUith^  the  girl  turned  back ;  there  her  heart  broke  in  her,  and 
Liath  [when  he  heard  it]  said:  'albeit  I  have  not  attained  to  the  maid,  my 
name  it  is  that  she  shall  bear:  Bri  Léith  'Liath's  Bri'  i.e.  'the  Bri  that  is 
Liath's';  hence  BriUith,  and  dinn  Cochldin  ' Codúan's  hill':"  BB.  408/3    b. 


XII.  xii— XV]  Translation.  523 

'*  Whence  mdgh  Femin  *Femen's  plain'?  Femen  and  Fera  were  two  brothers, 
sons  of  Brath  mac  Deth :  one  mattock  and  one  shovel  of  iron  they  had  between 
the  two ;  while  Femen  earthed  Fera  would  grub  up,  and  so  on  by  turns  [till 
they  had  the  plain  cleared],  whence  mdgh  Femin  and  mágh  Fera-J^  LL.  i68/3 
Page  i  12 : — (xii)  "  Whence  ftdh  Gaibhli  *  Feeguile'  ?  It  was  Gabhal glas  s. 
oi  Ethadón  s.  of  Nuadha  Silver-arm  that  took  away  the  Daghda's  d.  Ainge's 
bundle  of  twigs  that  she  had  gathered  to  make  a  tub  of  them :  for  any  tub 
that  the  Daghda  would  make,  so  long  as  the  tide  flowed  it  never  ceased  from 
leaking ;  when  the  ebb  set  in,  never  a  drop  came  from  it.  From  belach 
fualascaigh  *  the  osier  pass '  then  Gabhal  made  a  cast  of  that  bundle  ;  it 
brought  up,  and  a  wood  [sprang  up  from  it  and]  extended  itself  in  every 
direction,  whence  ^(/A  GcUbhle  '  wood  of  Gabhal.'  Or  it  may  have  been 
Gabhal  gháirechtach  *the  boisterous,'  d.  of  Goll  glas^  w.  of  Ore  mac  Ingas, 
who  in  that  river  was  drowned  after  that  by  Aedh  róirís  s.  Ailill  her  husband 
had  been  si.  at  áth  Oirc  or  *  Ore's  ford' ;  whence  the  Gabhal  river  and  dth  Oirc 
[on  the  same].  Or  again  the  river  may  be  called  Gabhal  from  the  gabhlu- 
ghudh  [=  gabhal ughudh  *  forking'  ix,  gabhal  'a  fork']  which  it  makes  at  the 
apex  of  the  two  cluains:  Clonsost  and  Clonmore:"  LL.  159«  Page  114: — 
(xiii)  a.  "Whence  Temhair  luachra  *Tara  of Luachair'?  Temhair,  daughter 
of  Ith  mac  Breogon,  wife  of  Heremon,  from  her  this  is  derived,  and  Tara 
of  Bregia,  and  every  other  Tara  in  Ireland  as  well.  As  for  Luachair  itself 
until  the  time  of  Hugon/s  sons  or,  as  some  say,  even  down  to  Conn  100 
B.'s  birth,  it  was  a  flowery  plain ;  in  which  indeed  Suir,  Nore,  and  Barrow 
had  their  source,  also  lochs  Kiach  and  Lein  in  Luachair,  and  bile  toirthen 
and  eóron  were  seen :"  BB.  376/8  b,  "Whence  loch  Lain  *  Killamey'?  Lein 
linfhiaclach  s.  of  Ban  bolgach  mac  Bannach  .m.  Glammach  .m.  Gomer, 
artificer  of  Bodhb's  sidh^  he  it  was  that  dwelt  in  the  loch  and  wrought  the 
burnished  vessels  of  Flidais'  d.  Fann.  Every  night  when  he  knocked  off  work 
he  used  to  hurl  his  inneoin  or  *  anvil'  from  him  eastwards  as  far  as  Inneoin 
of  the  Decies,  i.e.  to  the  hillock  [thence  named] ;  three  showers  he  used  to 
make  fly  [from  this  anvil] :  one  of  water,  one  of  fire,  one  of  pure  crimson 
gems  (the  same  thing  Nemannach  too  practised  when  in  the  north  he  ham- 
mered Conor  mac  Nessa's  goblets),  and  hence  loch  Léin\*^  cod.  cit.  379a 
Page  115  :— (xiv)  "Whence  crota  Cliach  *the  Harps  of  Cliach'?  Cliach, 
harper  of  Smdl  k.  of  *  the  three  dwellings,'  from  sldh  Bdine^  he  went  to  invite 
Bodhb's  d.  Conchenn  [to  an  elopement]  from  out  the  sidh  on  Femen  (or  it 
may  be  that  her  name  was  Baine).  For  a  whole  year  Cliach  played  on  that 
hill  but,  for  the  so  great  power  of  the  sidh^  neither  could  get  to  it  nor  make 
any  hand  at  all  of  the  girls ;  nevertheless  on  his  harp  he  played  away  until  under 
his  feet  the  very  ground  burst,  and  out  of  it  broke  the  dragon  whence  loch 
bél  drecon  *  dragon's  mouth  loch'  is  derived,  i.e.  it  was  a  fiery  dragon  which 
Ternog^s  nurse  once  (thinking  to  catch  a  salmon)  got  there,  and  in  the  loch 
S.  Fursa  shut  him  fast ;  and  this  is  the  dragon  prophesied  to  arise  on  S.  John's 
eve  and  to  afflict  Ireland  in  the  world's  latter  time.  Hence  crota  Cliach',''^ 
cod.  cit.  375«  Page  117;— (xv)  cl  "Whence  Berbha  *  Barrow'?  Into  this 
river  were  flung  the  three  snakes  that  were  [found]  in  the  heart  of  the  Mar- 
rigan^s  s.  Méiche  after  he  was  si.  by  Diancecht,  on  mdgh  Méichi\  which 
plain's  name  at  the  first  was  mdgh  FertaigJie,  The  three  hearts  that  were  in 
Meiche  bore  the  shape  of  three  serpents'  heads  and,  had  not  the  killing  of 


524  Translation.  [xii.  xvi,  xvu 

him  come  to  pass,  those  snakes  would  have  grown  in  his  belly  and  eventually 
left  no  animals  alive  in  Ireland.     When  he  had  slain  Meiche,  Diancecht 
burned  the  snakes  and  their  ashes  he  committed  to  that  current,  with  the 
effect  that  it  seethed  and  digested  [i.e.  boiled  to  rags]  all  living  things  that 
therein  were.     Hence  magk  Luadhat  [quasi  luaith  *  ashes*],  mdgh  Meichiy 
and  Berbha  [quasi  berbhddh  nom.  verb,  oi  berbhaim  *I  boil']:"  LL.  159/3 
Page  i  18 : — (xv)  b,  "  Whence  sHghe  Dala  *  Dala's  road'  ?    Dala  glas^  of  the 
Greeks  of  Scythia,  from  him  the  road  is  called ;  Feidhlecon's  d.  Créa^  his  w., 
from   her  ros  Créa  is  named ;   Feidhlecon's  s.  Cannan,  from  him  cluain 
Channan.    The  brughaid  cédach  Carmun  was  br.  to  Dala,  after  whose  death 
he  shaped  to  withdraw  out  of  Ireland  and  so  got  as  far  as  the  present  Carmun 
in  Liffe,  where  he  expired  of  grief  for  his  brother.     But  (according  to  some) 
Dala,  Carmun  and  Imteng,  Gláire^  Brea,  Grea  and  Cairiu,  were  seven  seers, 
sons  of  Tat  mac  Ogamon  .m.  Beamon  .m.  Sru  .m.  Esru  .m.  Gaedhel  glas^ 
and  Rafann  was  their  sister ;  who  all  by  operation  of  Dala's  loss  were  dis- 
persed, for  Dala  had  been  their '  yoke' :  Inteng  therefore  was  in  dun  Intcing^ 
where  some  have  it  that  Carmun  died ;  Glaire  over  dun  Gláire  in  Ely ;  Brea 
at  dun  Brea  among  the  ///'  Briuin  of  Cualann ;  Grea  at  dun  Grea  among  the 
úi  Gharrchon  on  Slieve-Oriel ;  Cairiu  at  dun  Cairenn ;  Rafann,  their  sister,  at 
Raeiriu  among  the  úi  Muiredcugh,    Thus  were  the  seven  seers  dispersed, 
and  from  them  those  places  are  named:"  LL.  169/3     c,  "Whence  cenn 
Febhrat  *  Febhra's  head'?  Febhra  s.  of  Sen,  br.  of  the  elder  Dedhad  mac  Sen, 
him  Derg  dualacks  s.  Caen  killed,  and  brought  his  head  to  that  mountain ; 
hence  the  name.     Then  came  Garbhán  s.  of  Dedhad  to  avenge  his  uncle 
upon  Caen,  whom  he  si.  on  sliabh  Chaein^  and  brought  his  head  too  to  cenn 
Febhrat,     Many  heroes  and  heroines  have  been  buried  with  them  there  : 
Lughaid  laighde^  Dodera  mac  Urmora,  the  poet;  Eithne,  Maer,  Mughain, 
and  others:"  BB.  375/3     d,  "Maer  and  Modar  were  drs.  of  Hugon/s  s. 
Fergus  cnae :  Maer  was  m.  of  Eochaid  mac  Luchta ;  a  Maer,  d.  of  Buidhe 
mac  Buan,  was  w.  of  Ardan  [s.  of  Uisnech].   Eithne  d.  of  Lughaid  mac  Daire, 
sister  of  Macnia,  was  m.  of  Conaire  caemh  s.  of  Moghlama  and  of  Lughaid 
Idgha  s.  of  Moghnuadhat :"  K.  4  ^  :  2,  5  a    Page  i  19 : — (xvi)  "  Genealogy  of 
the  Ciarraighe  luachra :  Usalach  s.  of  Astuman  s.  of  Ciar  [a  quo  all  the  Ciar- 
raighe]  s.  of  Fergus  mac  Rosa  .m.  Rury :"  LL.  336  :  5      Page  126: — (xvii) 
a,  "  Whence  Luininech  *the  estuary  of  the  Shannon'  ?     It  was  a  set  meeting 
that  came  off  between  Munster  and  Connacht,  to  which  the  two  kings  brought 
their  *  battle-men'  [champions],  who  were  Smucall  mac  Bacdubh's  sons  both, 
and  their  names :  Rinn  *  point,'  Faebhar  *  edge.'     The  one  placed  himself 
under  safeguard  of  Bodhb  from  sidh  Femin ;  the  other,  under  Ochall's  of  sidh 
Chruachan.    Then  the  pair  [having  entered  the  water  there  to  vie  with  each 
other]  brought  their  magic  art  into  play  and,  in  order  to  judge  betwixt  them, 
all  the  rest  (both  parties  throughout  being  cased  in  pale  weeds  of  light  grey) 
actually  pressed  into  the  tide.     But  here  came  the  flood,  which  for  the  mag- 
nitude of  the  contest  they  never  perceived,  and  the  current  swept  off  all  their 
luimne  [pi.  of  luman]  or  'wraps';  whereat  the  lookout-men  said:  *the  inver 
of  this  headland  is  luimnechda  *  cloak -bedecked.'     Or  again  :  luman  [pi. 
luitnne'\  is  another  name  for  sdath  *  shield'  and,  while  the  trial  was  afoot, 
from  the  warriors  the  tide's  race  whipped  away  their  luimne ;  from  a  spot 
commanding  the  waters  the  kings  therefore  said:  'the  headland's  inver  is 


XI  I.  xviu— xxi]  Translation,  525 

luimnechda  *  all  shield-strewn,'  and  hence  Luimnech  :**  BB.  379)8  b,  "  Whence 
\sUabh'\  Echtgha  ?  Echtgha  uaihach  d.  of  Urscothach  s.  of  lutnn  irom,  of 
the  tuatha  dé  Danann^  where  she  was  reared  was  in  Cúil  echtair  beside 
Nennta^  by  Moach  maelchenn ;  and  the  steward  of  both  Gann  and  Gann  the 
elder  sought  her  hand,  Fergus  s.  of  Ruide  lusca  béisti^  i.e.  it  was  a  biast 
[=  *bestia,*  n.  f.  gen.  béisti\  or  'reptile*  that  in  its  inside  reared  him  from  his 
lusca  or  *  infancy.'  With  him  then  the  maid  consented  to  mate,  by  reason 
that  from  the  k.  of  Connacht  he  held  a  steward's  and  cup-bearer's  land: 
from  Maenmágh  to  the  sea  namely.  He  therefore  not  possessing  any  trea- 
sure [personalty],  but  having  land  alone,  the  tionnscra  given  her  was  the 
above  mountain;  into  which  then  are  introduced  two  cows:  one  from  the 
north,  another  from  the  south,  and  the  former  yielded  one-third  of  milk  in 
excess  of  the  latter:"  LL.  167a  \Tionnscra  explained:  slabra  ocus  coibce 
ocus  tochrai  ocus  tinnscra  caide  a  ndethfir,  ut  est  macslabra  do  bócethraib 
ocus  echsrianaib  .  coibce  di  étach  ocus  gaiscedaib  .  tochrai  do  chaeirib  ocus 
mucaib  .  tinnscra  di  or  ocus  airget  ocus  umha.  tinnscra  ./.  tinne  ocus  escra  ./. 
tinne  afuilid  tri  uingi  ocus  escra  as  fiu  sé  unga  ,  ocus  is  de  sin  atd  cétchoibce 
cech  ingine  dia  hathair  i.e.  "  Slabhra,  coibche,  tochra,  tinnscra  :  what 
is  their  difference?  It  is  thus:  macshlcdfkra  *  son-portion '  is  of  kine  and 
horscbridles ;  coibche  *  covenant-gift,'  of  raiment  and  weapons ;  tochra  'dowry,* 
of  sheep  and  swine  ;  tinnscra  '  bridegift,'  of  gold  and  silver  and  copper. 
Tinftscra  =  tinne  +  escray  i.e.  a  tinne  or  '  ingot'  in  which  are  three  ounces, 
with  an  escra  or  *  cup'  worth  six,  and  herein  consists  the  first  gift  given  to  her 
father  for  every  girl :"  Harl.  5280 :  57  b]  c.  "  Whence  Maenmhdgh  '  plain  of 
Maen'?  Maen  móirghniomhach^  Milesius  his  sons'  *  man  of  shaving'  [barber], 
he  was  the  first  that  in  Ireland  used  to  shave:  after  the  Milesians'  advent, 
that  is  to  say.  Now  the  first  shaving-fee  ever  paid  in  Ireland  was  Berramhain 
[nom.  loc.  =  berradh  +  máin'\  i.e.  it  was  main  '  valuable  consideration'  paid 
in  lieu  of  berradh  'shaving.'  Maen  however  died  in  Maenmhágh:^^  LL.  167/8 
Page  129: — (xviii)  "A.D.  241 :  Cormac's  fifteenth  year:  in  which  his  battles 
won  against  Munster  were  these:  the  battles  oi Beirrcy  loch  Lein,  Limerick, 
Grian,  Clasach,  Muirisc,  the  b.  of  Ferta  in  which  Olioll  atones  s.  Eochaid 
taebh/ata  perished,  and  the  b.  of  Ard cam .^^  IV  M  Page  131 : — (xix)  "A.D. 
746 :  S.  Comán,  patron  of  ros  Cotnáin^  from  whom  '  Roscommon'  is  named, 
departed  in  this  or  in  the  following  year ;  and  it  is  written  of  him  that  he  was 
two  hundred  years  of  age.  As  to  which  year  of  the  two  was  that  in  which  he 
died,  the  annals  are  at  variance :"  lib.  cit.  Page  133 : — (xx)  "A.D.  76:  Elim 
s.  of  Conra  having  ruled  Ireland  for  twenty  years,  in  the  b.  of  Achaill  he  was 
si.  by  Tuathal  techtmar:''  ibid.  Page  137:— (xxi)  a.  "Whence  Mdgh  luirg 
'  plain  of  the  track'?  When  Conall  cernach  was  being  cherished  in  Cruachan, 
it  will  have  been  then  that  at  queen  Medhb's  behest  he  si.  Ailill  k.  of  Con- 
nacht, her  husband,  and  for  that  reason  fled  out  of  Cruachan ;  that  *  the  three 
Wolves  of  the  Mairtine^  started  on  his  trail,  the  place  from  which  [and  that 
to  which]  they  carried  it  being  from  [the  present]  Mágh  luirg  to  mdgh  Bréifne 
'  the  plain  of  Brefny' ;  that  at  Ath  na  miana^  by  Maighen, '  the  three  Wolves* 
killed  him  on  their  own  account  and  then,  as  an  offset  to  Cúrói  mac  Daire*s 
head,  carried  it  off  to  the  land  of  Beirre  in  corca  Laighde,  Such  then  is  '  the 
Cosseting  of  Conall  cernach  in  Cruachan';  whence  also  mdgh  luirg \"  BB. 
387/3    b,  "A.D.  748:  died  S.  Fursa,  of  es  mac  nEirc  upon  the  Búill^  which 


526  Translation.  [xii.  xxu— xxv 

to-day  is  es  úi Fhloinn  *Assylinn*:''  IV  M  Page  138:— (xxii)  c,  "Whence 
Es  \Acdha\  ruaidh  *Assaroe*?  It  was  Aedh  ruadh  s.  of  Badharn  [aliter 
Modharn']  of  Ulster,  k.  of  Ireland,  that  was  drowned  there  upon  seeing  his 
image  as  he  swam  the  rapid,  hence  the  name ;  and  his  sidh  is  sfdh  tiAedha 
upon  its  brink.  Otherwise  :  it  was  Maine  mihcothach^s  d.  Ruadh  *  Rufa' 
(whom  Aedh  s.  of  Labhraid  lesbhrec  s.  of  Rogha  rodamh  chose),  and  where 
she  came  from  was  out  of  the  Hatha  of  mágh  Maein^  in  the  currach  of  poet 
Abhcán  (who  came  round  with  Ireland  on  his  port  hand)  when  he  accompanied 
Gaeth  s.  of  Gaeis  ghlan  to  the  men  of  Kidhga's  convention.  The  girl  [watch- 
ing her  opportunity  when  they  were  ashore]  got  sail  on  the  currach,  and  all 
alone  entered  an  inver,  whereby  from  the  seat  which  he  occupied  Aedh  saw 
her ;  but  she  knew  not  in  what  country  she  was.  In  the  inver  then  she  heard 
mermaids'  melody  such  as  none  ever  had  heard  before,  and  said :  *  this  is  the 
noblest  inver  in  Ireland !'  She  was  lulled  to  sleep,  slipped  out  over  her  craft's 
bows,  and  so  was  drowned.  Hence  men  say  es  Ruaid  *  Rufa's  rapids' :"  BB. 
391  /3  Page  138 :— (xxiii)  "  Whence  Druim  cliabh  '  Drumcliff'  ?  There  the 
cléibh  [pi.  of  cliabh]  *  sides'  of  Curnan  cosdubh^s  currach  were  fashioned,  when 
he  went  to  destroy  Dun  bare  on  Ainle  s.  of  Lughaid  lámhfata ;  at  which  time 
he  was  for  a  year  and  a  half  at  him,  and  there  eventually  Ainle  with  his  ladies 
and  the  whole  of  his  kin  too  perished.  After  whjch  operation  Cosdubh  s.  of 
Re dhorcha  said :  *  something  indeed  is  that  thing  from  the  doing  of  which  my 
men  return  now!':"  LL.  165a  Page  170: — (xxiv)  a.  "Whence  Uamhain 
[diin  Uarnhnd]  'Dunlavin'?  Liamhain  lennchaein,  Fercharthain^  Mianach 
and  Truistiu  were  four  daughters  of  Dubthach  dubhtaire  mac  Fergna,  k.  of 
the  Decies  of  Bregia,  whom  four  sons  of  Aicher  cerr  s.  of  Eochaid  andoi  of 
the  Ernanes  of  Munster,  of  the  seed  of  Moghlama  s.  of  Lughaid  mac  Cairbre 
cromchenn^  loved.  Out  of  the  west  to  Dubthach's  house  came  those  four : 
Fer  dubhy  Fer  nocht^  Roimper  and  Fomu  their  names,  and  with  Dubthach 
for  a  year  worked  out  the  conditions  into  which  they  had  entered  with  him. 
Afterwards  therefore  they  craved  their  wages,  but  Dubthach  refused  them 
until  they  should  have  been  with  him  a  month  in  addition  to  the  year;  for 
he  it  was  that  as  against  a  year's  hire  and  stipend  [always]  contrived  to  have 
another  month.  Dubthach  went  now  upon  a  raid  into  Leinster.  In  order 
not  to  go  with  him  they  feign  sickness ;  duly  he  sets  out  [without  them]  and, 
he  being  gone,  they  make  off  with  his  four  daughters.  In  Leinster  however 
Dubthach  comes  across  them  and  kills  all  the  eight :  Fomu  being  Liamhain's 
man ;  Roimper,  Fercharthain's ;  Femocht,  Mianach's ;  Ferdubh,  Truistiu's. 
The  whole  of  them,  I  say,  were  slain :  Ferdubh  at  the  dubhatha  of  Mullach- 
mast;  Femocht  at  Fornocht\  Roimper  m  glas  Roimpir;  Fomu  on  Fomu\ 
Liamhain  on  [the  site  of]  dun  Liamhna\  Mianach  on  the  hill  oi  Achaill\ 
Fercharthain  at  Forcharthain ;  Truistiu  at  áth  Truisten  *  Truistiu's  ford.' 
From  the  westward  came  their  mother  (Luachair  bhoirennach  was  her  name, 
for  she  was  oi  Boirenn  *Burren'  in  Corcomrua)  and  learned  the  particulars 
of  her  sons'  slaughter ;  her  heart  burst  in  her,  and  hence  Luachair  bhaimech 
[=  boirnech  pro  boirennach\  Aicher  their  father  came,  and  died  on  cnoc 
dumha  Aichir  ^h'úl  of  Aicher's  tumulus'  among  the  úi Feiimedha :"  BB.  362^8 
b.  "  Genealogy  of  the  iii  Fei/medha :  the  three  sons  of  Muiredach,  s.  of  Angus 
s.  oi  Feidhlimthe  'Felim'  a  quo  the  úi  Feilmedha,  were  Eochaid,  Ailill,  and 
Eoghan  a  quo  Beg  mac  Eoghain :"  LL.  317  : 4    Page  174 :— (xxv)  "  Whence 


XII.  xxvi— xxviii]  Translation.  527 

sliabh  Cua  ?  Cua  cennmhór  *  big-head'  was  s.  of  Brocshalach  crionghlúinech^ 
fosterling  of  Boibhle  mac  Buirche.  In  Conall  cldrainecks  time  a  great '  cow- 
mortality'  [murrain]  prevailed  in  Ireland,  throughout  which  were  found  [to 
survive]  but  one  samhaisc  *  heifer'  (in  glcnn  samhaisce)  and  a  single  bull ; 
Boibhle  it  was  that  had  the  two.  To  herd  these,  each  one  of  his  pupils  [in 
turn]  was  told  off;  but  when  his  turn  of  tending  them  came  round  to  Cua 
cennmhór^  he  dealt  treacherously  with  the  rest:  the  beasts  he  carried  off, 
cooked  in  a  brothlach^  and  in  the  mountain  [of  which  we  treat]  ate  them:" 
LL.  169  a  Page  178 : — (xxvi)  a.  "  Whence  mágh  muirisce  *  plain  of  Murrisk'? 
It  was  a  muiriasc  mór  ox  *huge  sea-fish,'  such  as  is  called  rosualt  [and  ro- 
chuaid  qu.  *  rorqual']  that  the  sea  cast  ashore,  the  mystery  of  which  animal 
it  was  Columbkill  that  practised  to  declare  to  all  men,  and  it  was  this :  three 
evomitions  he  used  to  make  [in  separate  years],  and  every  one  of  them 
upwards,  viz.  with  his  flukes  in  the  air  he  would  make  one  into  the  sea :  in 
which  year  was  swamping  of  currachs  and  of  barques,  and  mortality  afflicting 
creatures  of  the  sea ;  with  his  after  end  immersed,  another  he  would  spew 
aloft  into  the  air :  in  which  year  death  raged  among  the  fluttering  beings  of 
the  atmosphere ;  yet  a  third  he  would  send  over  the  land,  and  so  bestink  it 
all :  in  which  year  destruction  fell  on  men  and  the  fourfooted.  It  will  have 
been  in  the  time  of  the  Aedhs  and  of  Columbkill  that  this  animal  used  to 
crop  up,  whence  Dalian  forgaill  sang :  *  among  the  library-provided  schools 
the  rosualVs  mysteries  thou  hast  read.*  Or:  it  was  a  tola  muiréisc  mhóir 
Mnundation  of  huge  sea-fish'  that  happened  in  Garbh  oi  Glúnraigh^s  time, 
and  filled  all  glens  and  hillsides  of  the  land  adjoining  the  sea-  Or:  it  may 
have  been  Ugaine  mór^s  d.  MuiresCy  to  whom  that  plain  was  given,  and  who 
died  there  perhaps:"  LL.  167 /3  b,  "  Matamuirsce  of  Connacht  was  mother 
of  Ross's  three  sons :  Finn,  Cairbre,  Olioll;  which  latter  it  was  that,  in  respect 
of  his  m.'s  affinity,  Connacht  adopted.  This  Muiresc  was  w.  to  Fer  da  loch 
*man  of  two  lochs,'  i.e.  Cairbre  cennderg^  to  whom  she  bore  other  sons 
besides  Cet,  Annluan,  Ailill,  Moghcorb,  Toiche,  Finn,  Scannlan:"  K.  4^:2 
c,  "  Macha,  d.  of  Aedh  ruadh  s.  of  Badharn  s.  of  Cimaith  s.  of  Finntan,  she  it 
was  that  reared  Hugony  mar  s.  of  Eochaid  buadhach,  Hugon/s  w.  Cesair 
chruthachy  the  k.  of  Franks'  d.,  was  m.  of  his  three  drs. :  Aine,  Aeife,  Mui- 
resc:" cod.  cit.  4^:  I  Page  181: — (xxvii)  "A.M.  2545:  Partholon's  s.  Rury 
drowned  in  loch  Rury,  that  loch's  eruption  having  occurred  over  him ;  hence 
its  name :"  I V  M  Page  184 : — (xxviii)  a.  "  Whence  benna  Bairchi  *the  peaks 
of  Bairche'  ?  Ross  ruadhbuidhés  herdsman  Bairche,  they  formed  his  herds- 
man's seat  [and  coign  of  vantage]  whence  equally  [i.e.  with  equal  facility,  at 
one  and  the  same  time]  he  would  herd  all  kine  even  from  Dunseverick  to  the 
Boyne,  and  never  a  beast  of  them  would  gp-aze  one  mouthful  in  excess  of 
another ;  hence  benna  Bairchi  ^  cod.  cit.  5^:1  ^.  "  Otherwise :  Bennan  mac 
Brec,  there  it  was  that  he  killed  Manannan  mac  Lir's  s.  Ibel  for  having  bor- 
rowed his  wife,  whose  n.  was  Lecon,  d.  of  Lodar;  whereby  Manannan  from 
out  his  heart  shed  three  *  drops  of  grief  [and  they  became]  loch  Ruide,  1. 
Cuan,  1.  Dachaech.  Then  upon  that  peak  of  them  which  therefore  is  called 
benn  Bennáin  he  slew  Bennan:"  BB.  403«  c,  "A.D.  730:  in  the  province 
of  Ulster  and  (to  be  exact)  in  Boirrche,  the  sea  stranded  a  whale,  which  for 
his  rarity  all  men  in  the  neighbourhood  flocked  to  inspect.  But  when  they 
came  to  cut  him  up,  in  his  head  were  gotten  tbree  teeth  of  gold :  fifty  ounces 


528  Translation,  [xii.  xxix— xxxU 

in  each  tooth  ;  one  of  which  Fiacha  s.  of  Aedh  roin  (k.  of  Ulidia)  and 
Eochaid  mac  Bresal  (chief  of  Iveagh)  sent  to  Bangor,  where  for  a  long 
period  it  lay  on  the  altar  and  was  manifest  to  all  in  general:"  IV  M     Page 
190: — (xxix)  "Whence  Gdirechl    [Formally]  it  is  [an  adj.  fr.]  gáir  *  uproar' 
of  the  great  battle  that  was  being  fought  when  Cuchullin  was  killed.     Or 
it  may  be  from  the  *  outcry'  which  the  youths  of  Emania  sent  up  around 
Cuchullin  as  he   lay  wounded  and  bathed  in  blood  ;   for  the  magnitude 
of  which  loud  lamentation  that  they  bewailing  their  foster-brother  made, 
horses  and  chariots,  arms  and  armracks,  fell  asunder  among  the  mire  of 
the  ford,  and  there  became  as  it  had  been  an  ingot  liquescent  in  a  gold- 
smith's fire  [i.e.  crucible],  in  seething  palpitating  state:"  LL.  165/3     Page 
197: — (xxx)  a,  "Whence  mdgh  Raighne  *R.'s  plain'?     It  was  Raighne  the 
Roman  who,  bringing  with  him  a  spade  and  a  mattock,  out  of  the  Roman 
countries  came  [hither]  after  that  in  the  space  of  three  days  he  had  let  out 
[drained]  the  sea-arm  at  Tours  the  fair,  in  the  Frankish  lands.     He  feared 
then  that  some  other  similar  task  would  be  laid  on  him,  and  so  fled  till  he 
reached  imlech  Meccond\  at  which  time  the  place  was  a  ridge  all  wood-grown, 
but  with  his  mattock  and  spade  he  cleared  it:"  LL.  159/3    b.  "A.D.  859:  the 
aenach^  *  convention,'  *  sports,'  of  Raighne  renewed  by  Carroll  mac  Dunghal 
lord  of  Ossory:"  IV  M  Page  198 :—  (xxxi)  "Whence  tonn  Chltodhna^Q\Q^n2i's 
Wave'?     It  was  Genann  mac  Treon's  d.  Cleena  that  with  luchna  ciabainech 
came  from  tulach  da  roth^  out  of  ntágh  mell  in  the  promised  land,  to  seek  the 
Macóg,   He  however  [luchna]  played  her  a  trick:  in  the  metal  ship  in  which 
she  was  he  made  her  a  music  to  which  she  slept ;  then  he  put  about  and 
shaped  a  direct  contrary  course  back  again,  rounded  Ireland  south  about, 
and  made  the  above-named  point  [i.e.  the  spot  where  Cleena's  Wave  is  now]. 
That  was  the  period  in  which  rose  the  illimitable  *  sea-belch'  [sudden  tidal- 
wave,  *bore']  that  spread  throughout  all  regions  of  this  present  world  (now 
Ireland's  three  great  rushes  of  water  were  Cleena's,  Ladhra's  and  Baile's ; 
but  it  was  not  at  the  one  time  they  rose,  and  Ladhra's  was  the  intermediate 
one).     So  the  [extraordinary]  tide  swelled  on  high  and  enveloped  Ireland; 
that  currach  it  reached  therefore,  where  it  was  beached  and  the  girl  asleep 
in  it,  and  there  Genann's  d.  Cleena  chruthach  was  drowned.     Hence  then 
*  Cleena's  Wave,'  as  also  in  S.  Patrick's  time  Caeilte  indited  on  the  same 
[adjacent]  hill,  in  the  course  of  that  Colloquy  which  the  two  held  anent 
Ireland's  dinnshenchas  or  *  hill-lore,'  thus:  'Cleena  Fair-head  [etc.]':"  LL. 
168 j3,  K.  2b  \\     Page  201 :— (xxxii)  Quatrains  on  druim  nAsail:  " Concern- 
ing *Asal's  hump'  be  question  posed  for  me:  whence  the  bright -surfaced 
tulacfCs  origin  ?    From  him  who  in  settling  it  forestalled  his  tribe  it  is,  from 
him  that  is  called  *Asal  mac  Umóir^    And  all  the  sons  of  Umore,  what  their 
designation  then?  their  ramifications  thenceforth  what  are  they,  excluding 
only  the  Fomorian  race  ?  A  man  of  them  tall  Asal  was,  that  sat  down  on  the 
high  and  solid  hill  in  Munster's  central  point,  triumphantly,  and  dominating 
all  cliu  Mail  mheic  Ugaine,    One  night  [in  course  of  time]  Fergus  mac  Róich 
came  to  the  house  of  Asal  mac  Umore ;  and  Asal  greeted  him  indeed  [but 
said]:  'might  we  but  do  so,  we  would  bid  thee  welcome  be.'     'Why  now,' 
said  Fergus,  'and  what  meanest  thou?  thy  spirit  wherefore  changest  thus?' 
'  Because  this  night,'  he  answered,  *  I  am  taken  unawares ;  because  the  slay- 
ing of  me  is  foreboded.'    Fergus  again :  '  I  will  not  enter  then — a  heedless 


XII.  xxxiii— xxxv]  Translation.  529 

guest  [one  that  will  not  keep  watch  for  his  host]  is  no  good :  away  on,  gilUi ! 
eastward  o'er  the  hill,  and  then  unyoke  the  chariot.'  Southerly  from  the 
tulack's  side  *the  ford  of  Fergus's  chariot'  is;  there,  but  a  little  way  in  from 
the  road  he  took  his  place,  and  [thus]  there  was  a  man  on  guard.  But  at 
midnight  comes  a  horde  from  out  the  land  which  has  *  Spain'  for  its  name  (a 
veracious  tale  this  is  to  hear) ;  and  or  ever  he  might  frame  to  rise,  in  Fergus 
thirty  spears  were  stuck.  To  his  wrath  at  all  these  crimsoned  points  then  he 
gave  play :  thirty  in  truth  he  slew  of  them  that  left  him  lying  in  his  blood. 
Thence  now  the  party  all  draw  off,  and  yonder  invest  Asal's  house;  from 
Ireland  into  Spain  with  them  they  carry  off  the  noble  Asal's  head.  In  Con- 
chenn  s.  of  Dedadh's  house  Fergus  is  tended  to  recovery;  thither  comes 
stoutly,  all  the  way  from  Frankish  lands,  Cúrói  mac  Dáire  bent  on  hearing 
news.  To  him,  to  the  hero  oi  mdgh  Mis^  Fergus  makes  fretful  plaint  of  his 
vexation ;  whereupon  the  two  set  out  for  lands  remote,  in  search  of  signal 
vengeance.  City  of  the  k.  that  brought  off  Asal's  head  the  mighty  pair 
assaulted ;  forby  the  k.  himself,  an  unexampled  countless  crowd  they  whelmed 
and  slew.  Two  heads  they  carried  back  from  Spain  to  Ireland:  the  powerful 
king's  from  out  those  eastern  parts,  and  Asal's  to  druim  nAsatl:*^  LL.  202  a 
Page  205  : — (xxxiii)  "  Whence  Raeiriu  [or  Raeiliu]  among  the  úi Muiredaigh'i 
As  some  say,  it  was  Senach  mac  Setna's  s.  Raeiriu,  k.  of  Connacht,  that  in 
battle  fell  there  by  Leinster  and  in  the  same  was  buried.  The  k.  of  Leinster's 
chief  poet  Ronan's  d.  Raeiriu  also,  to  whom  her  father  gave  tulach  Daghdadh 
[as  then  it  was  called]  in  his  own  country :  she  dwelt  there,  and  in  it  was 
buried.  From  which  two  [between  them]  then  dumha  Raeirenn  *  Raeiriu's 
tumulus'  is  styled."  BB.  368/3  Page  210: — (xxxiv)  Quatrains  on  Moyfea 
etc. :  LL.  198 a  Account  in  prose:  tnágh  Fcmen  ocus  .m.  Fera  ocus  .m.  Fea 
[etc.]  .  nl.  tri  meic  Mogaid  meic  Dachdir  do  chlaind  Bratlia  meic  Deadatha 
./'.  Femen  ocus  Fera  ocus  Fea,  tuag  ocus  bac  ocus  rama  eturru»  in  tan  no  bid 
Femen  ic  fuilged  Fera  ic  bacad  ocus  Fea  ic  tamnad .  in  tan  no  bidh  Fea  ic 
bacad  Fera  ic  fuilged  Femen  ic  tamnad .  focerded  each  uaidib  dia  chéliu  clae- 
chlud  ernaig  dar  in  magh  beus  co  russlechtsat  tri  maige  ,m,F.m.F.  m .  F, 
Aliter  dd  dam  Dili  ingine  Lugh  manrack  adbathadar  ann  Femen  a  nanmann 
ocus  unde  ,m.  Feme  ft.  Aliter  componitur  ./;/.  Fea  .1.  Fea  mac  Tortan  meic 
Srú  .m,  Esrii  .m.  Gdidhil  ./.  brdthair  athar  Párthalóin  cédna  marb  é  do 
muintir  Párthalóin  is  é  ro  adhnacht  ann  ,  unde  .;«.  Fea  nominatur  i.e. 
"Whence  Moyfemen,  Moyfera,  and  Moyfea?  Three  sons  of  Mogadh  mac 
Dachaer,  of  the  children  of  Brath  mac  Dedath,  were  Femen,  Fera,  Fea ;  an 
axe,  a  mattock,  and  a  spade  they  had  between  them.  When  Femen  was 
earthing,  Fera  plied  the  mattock  and  Fea  chopped ;  when  Fea  mattocked, 
then  Fera  earthed,  Femen  chopped  [and  so  on].  Across  the  plain  they  kept 
on  throwing  to  one  another  a  change  of  tools,  and  so  cleared  the  above  three 
plains.  Otherwise :  it  was  Lughmannair's  d.  Dil's  two  oxen  that  died  there, 
whose  names  were  Femen.  Moyfea  too  is  compounded  in  another  way :  Fea 
s.  of  Tortha  mac  Sru  .m.  Esru  .m.  Gaedel  (father's  br.  of  Partholon)  was  the 
first  that  died  of  P.'s  people,  and  there  he  was  buried ;  hence  Moyfea.  [Or 
again:  *Fea,  w.  of  Neit  s.  of  Indui,  a  woman  fair,  most  amorously  given,  d. 
of  generous  and  equitable  Elcmaire,  never  forsook  Moyfea':  quat.  6  above]:" 
BB.  373/3  Page  211:— (xxxv)  "Whence  slicdth  Bladhma  *Slievebloom'? 
It  was  Bladhma,  or  Blod,  s.  of  Cti  mac  Cas  cloithtnin^  that  si.  the  herdsman 

2Q 


530  Trans/ation.  [Xii.  xxxvi— xxxvííí 

of  Brcghmael,  smith  to  Cuirche  mac  Snithe  k.  of  the  ///  Fuada  (or  of  the 
Moy).  In  his  skiff  then  he  bore  away  till  he  gained  [the  present]  ros  Bladhma^ 
at  first  named  ros  Náir^  whence  he  betook  him  into  Slievebloom.  Or  it  was 
Breogon's  s.  Blad  that  died  there.  Or  again :  they  were  certain  bledha  mara 
'monsters  of  the  sea,'  by  name  biasta  ruisedha^  and  amphibious,  that  used  to 
dilacerate  trees  ;  hence  that  which  at  .first  was  *  Nar  mac  Edlecon's  ros^ 
became  *  Bladhma's  sliabh  bledhach^  or  *  monster-frequented  mountain':"  K. 
2^:2,  BB.  357  /3  Page  217 :— (xxxvi)  "  Whence  Maistiu  [the  fort  on  *  Mul- 
lachmast']?  Maistiu  =  tnes  +  dú  i.e.  a  dú  *spot'  in  which  is  tnes  'mast  [of 
beech  and  oak],'  whence  the  poet :  '  a  time  there  was  when  it  was  all  a  wood* 
etc.  Otherwise :  it  was  Angus  mac  Umore's  d.  Maistiu  that  Daire  derg  s.  of 
Eochaid  taebfhada  brought  out  of  Crioch  comul^  out  of  Angus's  aenach ;  in 
mid  plain  Rich  is'  d.  Gris  ban  the  worker  in  jewels  met  her  and,  conceiving  a 
jealousy  at  her,  with  imprecations  of  personal  disfigurement  so  exceedingly 
maltreated  her  that  she  died  before  her.  With  a  strength-testing  *  warrior's 
stone'  that  he  had,  Daire  let  fly  at  Gris  and  on  the  ground  made  utter  smash 
of  her  head  [the  fragments  of]  which  found  their  way  down  into  sruthair 
Snuaidhe  *  Snuadh's  stream,'  which  since  then  is  called  *  Gris.'  Or  again : 
the  same  Maistiu  was  Angus  the  mac  óg*s  embroidress,  who  first  in  Ireland 
fashioned  form  of  cross ;  in  the  breast-border  of  Angus's  tunic  it  was,  and 
it  was  at  the  place  in  question  that  he  showed  her  the  figure,  whence  mágh 
Moisten  *  Maistiu's  plain.'  Now  Angus's  s.  Conall  and  Maer  [his  sister],  a 
qua  dth  Maeire  *  Maer's  ford'  (to-day  át/t  Mara\  were  twins  and,  of  grief 
for  this  Conall  cael  mac  Angus,  Maistiu  as  well  as  Maer  died:"  BB.  3680 
Page  225  : — (xxxvii)  "  Whence  mágh  Ltffe  [or  Ltffea]  ^Liffe/s  plain'?  It  was 
Canann  curchach's  d.  Liffe  that  went  off  with  Deltbanna  mac  Druchta,  cup- 
bearer of  Conaire  mór  k.  of  Tara,  belonging  to  Bodhb's  sidh  of  Femen ;  and 
because  the  plain  over  which  she  passed  was  beautiful  in  her  eyes  she  would 
not  choose  but  to  have  it  named  with  her  name.  Until  therefore  it  was  so 
named  after  his  wife,  [at  royal  feasts]  Deltbanna  no  more  poured  liquor  for 
the  men  of  Erin.  Or  it  may  have  been  that  her  name  was  Fea^  the  //  element 
coming  from  the  fact  that  what  she  saw  she  deemed  to  be  //  =  lainn  'bright' 
*  pleasurable':"  LL.  195  a,  BB.  358  a  Page  241  :— (xxxviii)  a.  "Whence 
Fionnghlas  *  Whitestream'  in  luachair  Dedadh}  It  was  Curui's  w.  Blathnait, 
d.  of  Menn  k.  of  Falga,  that  was  paramour  to  Cuchullin,  and  trysted  him  to 
come  with  the  Ulidians  to  look  for  her ;  and  this  was  to  avenge  on  Curui  [the 
loss  of]  the  three  erca  or  ba  iuchna  *  red-eared  cows'  and  the  cauldron  carried 
off  from  the  siege  of  Falga  (to-day  innse  Gall  *  Hebrides');  also  the  shaving 
of  Cuchullin,  when  Curui  lathered  his  head  with  the  bovine  product  and 
shaved  him  with  his  sword.  Thus  she  bade  him  come  seek  her  on  samhain- 
eve,  and  that  she  would  pour  out  the  milk  of  said  cows  which,  with  the 
cauldron,  Curui  had  brought  home  (for  it  was  to  supply  this  vessel  that  the 
cows  yielded,  and  the  exact  full  of  it  that  at  a  milking  was  taken  from  them). 
So  a  whole  milking  of  the  three  she  spilt  with  the  stream  from  the  fort  down- 
wards to  Tralee,  so  that  the  glaise  *  stream'  was  Jionn  *  white'  [as  a  signal] 
that  then  the  Ulidians  should  come  up,  storm  the  fort,  and  slay  Curui :"  LL. 
169/3  b.  "Conor  [mac  Ncssa's]  d.  Blathnat  was  w.  of  Curui  mac  Daire;  so 
too  was  Blathnat  d.  of  Menn  k.  of  the  men  of  Falga  :"  K.  5  c.  "  Morann 
mhanannach  d.  of  Ir  s.  of  Uinnsidhe^  or  it  may  have  been  Eochaid  echbel's 


XII.  xxxix— xi]  Translation.  531 

sister  Uinnside,  was  Curui's  m. :"  ibi(L  Page  256: — (xxxix)  a,  "Whence 
Adharca  *the  Horns'  in  Offaley,  [and  Almha]}  It  was  luchna  echbél^  qui  et 
luchna  céibjionn^  a  chief  hospitaller  dwelling  on  fin  an  bhriugadh  N.E.  of 
Fafann,  whose  custom  it  was  [personally]  to  rear  and  bring  up  till  they  were 
yearlings  all  the  young  stock  of  his  own  house ;  wherefore  his  cattle  loved 
him.  When  he  lay  dead  his  kine  congregated  to  him,  and  around  his  body 
spent  three  days  and  three  nights.  Because  he  comes  not  away  with  them, 
in  Tua  they  one  and  all  come  into  collision  ;  with  their  horns  they  rend 
luchna  in  pieces  [discerpunt],  and  their  fight  is  continued  until  in  the  Tuacha 
they  [forcibly]  shed  their  horns,  the  which  [falling  in  heaps  and  eventually 
being  covered  with  soil]  become  a  series  of  tumuli,  to  which  the  name  of 
Adharca  is  given.  Then  to  satisfy  their  thirst  they  repair  to  the  Boyne ;  from 
which  they  are  dispersed  to  [the  place  since  then  called]  Almha^  because 
there  they  perished  in  their  almha  or  *  herds.'  But  again :  an  Almha,  d.  of 
hospitaller  Becan,  was  w.  of  luchna  céibhfionn\  and  he  being  dead,  she  fol- 
lowing her  alamh  *herd'  [pi.  almhd\  returned  to  her  father's  place  and  there, 
for  grief  of  Iuchna*s  death  and  loss  of  her  kine,  died;  so  that  from  her  too 
Almha  is  named :"  BB.  359«  b,  "Whence  Aillennl  It  was  Cremh  niárda 
that  ravished  away  the  d.  of  Lughaid  k.  of  Leinster :  Aillenn  was  her  name, 
and  Ailbe  her  lapdog's.  She  being  in  Cremh's  possession  died  of  shame,  and 
up  through  her  grave  grew  an  apple-tree ;  hence  we  say  abhall  Ailinne  ' A.'s 
apple-tree' ;  after  her  died  her  lapdog,  and  up  through  him  a  yew-tree  came: 
whence  iubhar  Baile  *  B.'s  yew,'  Baile  being  an  anagram  of  Ailbe,  Art  tnes- 
delmun  mac  Setna  was  the  first  that  in  Ailenn  excavated  an  earthwork  [built 
a  fort];  Fiach,  Buirech  and  Ururus,  were  the  last  [i.e.  he  began,  these  finished 
it]  ;  but  Buirech  it  was  that  out  of  the  cutting  pitched  up  the  great  stone 
which  [still]  is  in  Ailenn,  whereat  one  said:  ^ ail  ann  [a  stone  is  there!],  and 
that  [=  ailenn^  is  the  name  that  it  [the  fort]  shall  have.'  Its  names  however 
have  been  many,  as  some  one  has  indited  [etc.] :"  cod.  cit.  359/3  Page 
2^1  : — (xl)  a.  Derivation  oi  Fothaidh  [pi.  oi  Fothadh]:  K.  4:2  (defective 
in  first  part);  leg.:  iri Fothaidh  ./.  tri  fóshuiihi  J,  sotha  maithi  iad.  nófo- 
thaidh  ./.  fotha  sotha  iad ,  ár  rob  iad  cétchlann  Fhuinchi,  no  fothaidh  ./'. 
fo  thaithi  .  dr  is  fo  chleith  doróinne  Alacniadh  re  Fuinchi  iad  ./'.  Fuinche 
ingen  Náir  incic  Fhirmora.  no  fothaid/t  .i,  fótháidhe  ./.  táidhe  maiíh  iad: 
BB.  254/3  (corrupt  in  second  part;  leg.  as  printed  ante).  Render  the  whole: 
"the  three  Fothaidh  =  Xhx^Q  fóshuithi  KaXoyivvniiaTa^  i.e.  they  were  sotha 
maithi  [pi.  of  soth  maith  ykwrma  icaXóv];  or  they  vitxt  fotha  *firstfruits'  of 
soth  [gen.  sotha]  'progeny,'  being  Fuinche's  firstborn.  Again:  fothaidh  —fo 
tháidhe  vito  «Xott^c  [perhapsy??/^/////^  vicoKKoini]  because  it  was  on  the  sly  that 
Macniadh  had  them  by  Nar  mac  Firmora's  d.  Fuinche ;  oxfothaidh=fótháidhe 
Ka\ÚK\(fifia,  because  they  were  a  táidhe  maith  xXífifia  roXóv,  for  every  secret 
[illicit]  cohabitation  is  stolen  goods;  hence  it  was  that  the  magician  said:  *a 
propitious  theft  was  that  from  which  the  three  proceeded  thus,'  and  from  his 
dictum  the  name  stuck  to  them:"  codd.  citt.  ubi  supra  b,  "Fuinche  of  the 
triple  breasts,  d.  of  Firmora  of  the  men  of  CliUj  was  m.  of  the  three  Fothas, 
of  Cahir  mar's  s.  Currach,  and  of  Macniadh's  [other]  s.  Teite,  a  quo  aenach 
Teiti-y  K.  5  c,  "Whence  ard  Fothaidh  *F.'s  eminence'?  It  was  Fotha 
airgthech  who,  being  on  his  adventures,  to  the  sound  of  Bairche's  hen  fell 
asleep  there  for  nine  months:"  cod.  cit.  4^:2     //.  " Eochaid  airgtech  [=iiir- 


532  Translation.  [xiii.;Xiv.  i 

getach  fr.  airget  *argentum'],  because  by  him  first  were  silver  shields  made 
in  Ireland;"  cod.  cit.  \b\\  Page  265 : — (xli)  a,  "  *  On  signal  act  of  parricide 
intent  Eogabhal's  s.  of  the  lofty  brae  set  out :  Tuagh  of  the  joy-inspiring  form 
he  carried  off,  d.  of  Conall  collamrach,^  Concerning  which  also  was  indited 
this  poem:  *[the  wave  called]  Tuagh  of  t'he  inver,  beautiful,  glaucous,  wise, 
is  its  dinnsenchas  known  to  you  ?  know  ye  without  the  least  defect  the  ancient 
lore  of  whitewaved  Tuagh  ?  .  .  all  Ireland's  three  waves  are :  Cleena's,  and 
Rury's,  and  the  wave  that  drowned  Tuagh,  w.  of  Manannan  mac  Lir,  upon 
the  strand  at  Tuagh  inbhir-,^^  K.*4 :  i  b.  "Tuagh,  d.  of  Conall  collamrach 
[br.  of  Conaire  mór  k.  of  Ireland],  was  w.  of  Eogabhal's  s.  Fer  hi  [or  Ferjf\ 
of  the  tuatha  dé DanannJ*^  K.  4^  :  2  c,  "A.M.  4880:  Conall  collamrach  (s. 
of  Eochaid  m'ltleihah's  s.  Eterscel  of  Tara)  having  ruled  Ireland  for  five  years, 
he  was  cut  off  by  Nia  seghaniain  4887:  the  said  Nia  s.  of  Adhamar  having 
reigned  for  seven  years,  he  fell  by  Enna  aighnech.  It  was  in  king  Nia's  time 
that  cows  and  the  wild  does  alike  stood  to  be  milked:"  IV  M 

XIII.  ibid,  (i)  Quatrains:  "Were  there  but  one  whose  memory  served  [he 
would  tell  how]  there  was  a  time  when  Bann  was  but  a  little  stream,  which 
women  and  small  boys  did  jump  across,  before  loch  Neagh's  eruption.  Eocho 
it  was,  s.  of  the  comely  Mairedh,  s.  of  Cashel's  fitting  king,  for  whom  his 
father's  high-placed  wife  Aeibhlenn  permitted  herself  to  feel  desire.  Aeibh- 
lenn,  d.  of  Guaire  gcal^  from  the  brugh  of  prodigious  Angus  mac  an  óg\  from 
her  according  to  precedence  sliabh  Eibhlimie  or  *Aeibhlenn's  mountain'  is 
derived.  Eocho  and  Aeibhlenn  of  the  wave  renounced  all  Mairedh's  wealth 
and  rank ;  from  out  the  midst  of  Cas's  Cashcl  they  steal  off  to  the  brugh  of 
wondrous  mac  an  óg.  The  loving  couple  with  their  herds  of  cattle  made  up 
not  a  few :  a  thousand  grown  men  (so  quatrains  affirm)  they  were  that  pros- 
perously brought  up  at  the  Boyne:"  LL.  152^3  Page  266: — (ii)  "Whence 
loch  nEchach  Moch  Neagh'?  [etc.]:"  K.  4 :  2  (iii)  "Whence  loch  Ri  Moch 
Ree'?  [etc.]:"  BB.  390a  Page  268:— (iv)  "A.D.  558:  in  this  year,  on  the 
strand  of  Ollarbha  and  in  the  net  of  Comgall  of  Bangor's  fisherman  Beoán^ 
was  taken  the  *  sea- wanderer'  Liban,  d.  of  Mairedh's  son  Eocho:"  IV  M 
(v)  "  Liban  *the  sea-birth,'  d.  of  Eocho  s.  of  Mairedh  s.  of  Cairedh  s.  of  Bresal 
[here  twelve  to]  Tighernmas  s.  of  Fallach  s.  of  Ethrial  s.  of  Irial  s.  of  Heremon 
s.  of  Milesius :"  LL.  352  :  4  (vi)  "  Whence  sliabh  Mis  *  Mis's  mountain'  ?  It 
was  Mairedh's  d.  Mis,  sister  of  Eocho  his  s.,  who  when  she  went  off  with 
Congainchnes  mac  Dedadh  remained  behind  her  people  that  were  on  the 
move ;  and  that  mountain  was  the  land  and  patrimony  for  which  she  bartered 
away  her  family  and  people :"  LL.  168  a  b,  "  Whence  sliabh  A/is?  Mairedh's 
d.  Mis,  w.  of  Caeimghen  of  the  congainchnes,  s.  of  Dedadh :  to  her  Senach 
garbh  mac  Dedadh's  mountain  was  given  for  her  tochar,  and  in  consideration 
of  her  tarrying  with  her  husband  behind  her  people  that  removed  what  time 
Mairedh's  two  sons,  Eocho  and  Ribh  (a  quibus  loch  Neagh  and  loch  Ree), 
set  forth.  Such  was  the  consideration  for  which  Mis  gave  them  up,  viz.  the 
patrimony  of  that  mountain ;  hence  *  Slievemish.'  Otherwise  sliabh  Mis  = 
sliabh  mi/his  [pron.  mi-is],  because  the  factitious  host  found  there  by  [the 
tuatha  dt'  Danann  ladies]  Fodla,  Banba  and  Eire,  were  a  mere  hallucination :" 
BB.  376)3 

XIV.  Page  269 : — (i)  Of  the  clanna  Rudhraighe  or  *  clans  of  Rury ' :  "  Here 
is  the  old  story  of  the  seed  of  Ir  throughout  Ireland.    Ir  was  Milesius'  eighth 


X IV.  ii,  iu]  Translation.  533 

s.,  who  when  M.'s  sons  all  were  come  to  Ireland,  died  and  then  was  buried 
on  Sceilg  nthór  4he  great  Skellig*;  from  him  springs  one-third  of  Ireland's 
royal  race.     Now  Ir  had  one  son;  Heber,  and  of  all  the  Scoti  he  first  occu- 
pied fndgh  Ufte  and  possessed  a  fifth  part  of  Ireland.   Two  sons  Heber  had: 
Art  ri  and  Ebric,  and  he  fell  [A.M.  3501]  by  Heremon's  son  Palap  [sL  A.M. 
3579].     Heber's  s.  Ebric  had  two  sons :  Cermna  and  Sobhairche,  by  whom 
were  made  the  two  duns :  dun  Cermna  and  dun  Sobhairche  '  Dunseverick' ; 
it  was  Eocho  mac  Conmael  that  in  his  dun  (or  in  war)  si.  Cermna,  and  Eocho 
echchenn  k.  of  the  Fomorians  that  si.  Sobhairche ;  their  progeny  is  not  handed 
down.     Heber's  s.  Art  had  one,  Setna  monarch  of  Ireland,  whom  (as  some 
say)  his  s.  Fiacha  flnscoithe  killed,  as  thus :  in  Cruachan,  and  in  his  own  s. 
Fiacha's  arms,  Setna  mac  Art  had  slain  Rothechtaid  s.  of  Maine  s.  of  Angus 
ollmucaidh^  of  the  seed  of  Heremon ;  wherefore,  in  vengeance  of  his  honour 
[wounded  thus],  Fiacha  in  turn  killed  him.     Ollamhfódla  s.  of  Fiacha  s.  of 
Sedna  s.  of  Art  s.  of  Heber  s.  of  Ir  s.  of  Milesius  of  Spain:  by  him  first  the 
Feast  of  Tara  was  held,  and  Ollamh's  niúr  or  *  court '  constructed  there. 
Ollamh  reigned  for  forty  years,  and  of  his  posterity  seven  without  an  interval 
ruled  Ireland;  four  sons  he  had:  Cairbre,  Finnachta,  Slanoll  and  Geidhe. 
Rury  [a  quo  the  clans]  was  s.  of  Sithrighe  s.  of  Dubh  s.  of  Fomor  s.  of 
Argatmár  [here  five  to]  Cairbre  s.  of  Ollamh  above.    Grandson  to  Argatmar 
was  Cimbaeth,  s.  of  Fintan  mac  Argatmar.    Aedh  ruadh  [a  quo  *Assaroe' 
ante]  was  s.  of  Argatmar's  s.  Badham.     Dithorba  s.  of  Argatmar's  s.  Dim- 
man,  from  him  come  Righe  and  his  clan.     Rury's  sons  [and  descendants] 
are  these :  Conall  cláiringnech  (who  had  two :  Cathbadh  the  magician,  and 
Uislenn  f.  of  Ainle,  Naeise,  Ardan),  Bresal  bódhíbhadh  (according  to  some, 
but  others  say  that  he  was  of  Leinster),  Ross  (a  s.  of  whom  was  Fergus  mac 
Rosa  mac  Rury;  Ferfiledh  being  s.  of  Glas  mac  Rosa,  and  Cellchair  s.  of 
Uithechar  s.  of  Fothadh  s.  of  Ferfiledh) ;  Fercheirtne  the  poet  s.  of  Angus 
bélderg^  Iliach  s.  of  Laeghaire  buadach  s.  of  Conadh  s.  of  Iliach;  Afdls,  of 
Rochride  let,  Fergus  mac  Uite,  Illann  s.  of  Fergus,  Geirgenn  f.  of   .    .    Cas 
whose  son  Fachtna  fáthach  was,  Bricre  s.  of  Carbad  s.  of  Cas,  Aithirne  son 
of  Athchloy  Eirrge  cchbéL     Twenty-five  kings  that  ruled  all  Ireland  there 
came  of  Ulster,  exclusive  of  the  seven  kings  that  reigned  of  the  ddl  Fiatach :" 
LL.  329  :  5     (ii)  "A.M.  4981 :  Rury  mac  Sithrighe  having  ruled  Ireland  for 
seventy  years,  he  d.  in  Airgetghlenn : "  IV  M     (iii)  a,  "Fiacha  caW^á flnsco- 
thach,  because  in  his  reign  were  scotha  [pi.  of  5coth\  *  flowers,'  fina  [gen.  of 
fhi\  *of  wine'  [i.e.  viniferous  blossoms],  such  that  it  was  honey  and  wine  that 
used  to  be  expressed  from  them,  of  which  then  people  would  store  up  a  quan- 
tity in  vessels:"  K.  3 :  i     b,  "Geidhe  called  ollghothach  [oil  *very  great'  or 
*  abundant'  +  gothach  adj.  fr.  guth  'voice'  gen.  gotha\  because  in  his  reign  all 
men's  voice  and  melody  were  sweeter  than  angular  harps'  strings:"  cod.  cit. 
3^:1      i".  "  Bresal  called  bódhíbhadh,  it  was  a  murrain  which  in  his  time 
afflicted  Ireland's  kine,  so  that  there  escaped  of  them  but  three  heifers:  one 
m  Glenn  samhaisci  in  Ulster  (in  Cuailgne  to  wit) ;  one  in  Imlechfir  aendairti 
in  Leinster,  and  a  third  in  Cliu  mail .^^  cod.  cit.  1:2    d,  "Angus  called  oltnu- 
cazdh,  i.e.  he  was  endowed  with  61  Mogactha  *Mogaeth's  drinking  powers'; 
for  Mofeibhis's  s.  Mogaeth  mórólach  *the  greatly -bibulous,'  who  had  the 
greatest  capacity  of  any  that  in  his  time  made  ale-drinking  [so  to  speak] 
their  profession,  to  him  was  d.  she  that  was  w.  of  Fiacha  labhrainni  and  m. 


534  Translation.  [xv.;  xvii.  i 

of  Angus  olmuccddh  =  61  Mogaetha'?^  cod.  cit.  4:1  e,  "Feidlim  the  long- 
haired, and  Aeife  d.  of  OlioU  s.  of  Matamuirsci,  were  Laeghaire  buadach^s  two 
wives:"  cod.  cit.  4^:2  f,  "Finnabhair,  Conor  [mac  Nessa's]  d.  Daruamna, 
and  Bribethach,  were  Celtchair  mac  Uithechar's  three  wives:"  ibid.  Page 
285 : — (iv)  CL  "  Eochaid  mac  Cairbre's  d.  Róch  was  m.  of  Fergus  mac  Rosa 
[otherwise  mac  Róich]  and  Sualtach  the  siogaidhe,  Flidais  d.  of  Ailill  dudh 
mac  Fidach  was  w.  of  Ailill  ^onn  s.  of  Donall  dualbhuide^  and  afterwards  to 
Fergus  mac  Rosa:"  ibid,  (v)  Fanciful  etymologies  of  Uladh  'Ulster':  cod. 
cit.  4:2;  see  also  LL.  329:  5, 11.  25 — 29,  not  printed  in  (i)  ante  (vi)  "  Eochaid 
múmhó  [a  quo  Mumha  *  Munster':  mentioned  in  (v)]  =  E.  mómhó  [compar. 
and  superl.  of  mórmhór  fiiyaXofiiyac]^  meaning  that  his  achievement,  valorous 
accomplishments  and  power,  were  more  than  those  of  all  other  kings:"  cod. 
cit.  1^:1 

XV.  Page  286 : — (i)  a,  "  Why  was  Art  called  aenfhirt  Because,  excepting 
him.  Conn  100  B.  in  the  end  had  not  a  son  left,  Connla  and  Crinna  being 
fallen  by  Eochaid  Jionn  and  Fiacha  suighde ;  whence  the  poet :  '  Conn's  two 
brothers  (we  may  not  minimise  the  matter),  E.  Jionn  and  F.  suighde^  were 
they  that  si.  Connla  and  Crinna :  Conn's  two  sons,  a  pair  of  gentle  lads. 
After  the  killing  of  his  [Conn's]  sons  both,  to  Art  then  E.  Jionn  became  a 
Juaih  'object  of  hatred'  [hence  his  additional  sobriquet /í/<?/í4  Airt^  Juath 
nAirí\ ;  and  after  his  brethren's  d.  Art  became  A.  aenjhiry  or  one-man  A.* 
Or :  [ultimately]  he  was  not  only  the  best,  but  the  only  s.  that  Conn  had ;  for 
Crinna  fell  by  the  above  two,  and  with  a  fairy  woman  Connla  went  off  on 
adventure  to  sidh  Bodaiglie^  as  in  the  tale  oí echtra  Chonnla  is  related:"  K. 
1^:1  ^.  "  Fiacha  called  suighde  =  soghuide  *  of  easy  prayer'  '  placabilis,' 
because  that  for  his  gentleness  he  was  easy  to  intercede  with:"  cod.  cit.  3^:  i 
(ii)  "  Medhb  lethderg  Conan  of  Cualann's  d.,  of  Leinster,  was  w.  of  Conn's  s. 
Art  a€njhir\  from  her  rath  Afedhba  in  Tara  is  named.  Urcaidhe  the  smith's 
d.  Echtach  was  m.  of  Conn's  grandson  Cormac,  and  afterwards  w.  to  Lughna 
Jertri  s.  of  Angus  s.  oiYsOQ\i?\á  Jionn  Juath  nAirt^  to  whom  she  bore  three 
sons ;  another  w.  to  him  was  Coinne  chichcch^  who  brought  him  three  sons, 
and  from  whom  the  cinél gCoinne  have  their  name :"  cod.  cit.  5  Page  289 : — 
(iii)  "Whence  Cleiteach  'Cletty'  [on  the  Boyne]?  It  was  Cleiteach  mac 
Dedadh  mac  Sen  that  d.  there.  Or:  cleiteach  —  cleitlie  ach^  'the  ridgepole' 
[highest  pitch,  ne  plus  ultra]  of  Ireland's  mourning  ejaculations  {ach^  och^  uch\ 
because  of  the  lamentation  which  the  men  of  Erin  bewailing  Coniiac  mac  Art 
made  then.  Or :  there  it  was  that  the  cleithe  tech  '  [supreme]  ridgepole  of  all 
Ireland's  houses'  was  burnt  over  Murtough  mac  Erca:"  LL.  166 /3 

XVII.  Page  293: — (i)  "Whence  bealach  Gabhrdin  'Gowran's  pass  or 
Way'  ?  It  was  Failbhe  Jlann^s  hound  Gabhran  that  followed  the  trail  of 
Lurgan  i.e.  a  wild  pig  haunting  druint  Almhaine^  nor  ever  overtook  her  until 
that  in  main  Almhaine  'the  bog  of  Allen'  she  dived  underground;  hence 
'  Lurgan'  nom.  loc.  in  that  same  moss.  Then  because  the  hound  failed  to 
run  into  the  quarry,  whereas  no  game  that  ever  was  *  reddened'  and '  warmed* 
[killed  and  cooked]  had  at  any  previous  time  gone  away  from  him,  he  returned 
to  his  home  and  on  the  above  bealach  his  heart  burst  in  him ;  hence  bealach 
Gabhrdin  [and  the  poet's  words] :  *  Dear  to  me  good  Gowran  was,  that  here 
hit  upon  Lurgan's  track;  except  this  grey  and  one-eyed  swine,  across  the 
heather  no  quarry  ever  had  distanced  him  [etc.]' :"  BB.  369)8,  LL.  i960     Page 


XVIII.  i,  ii]  Translation.  535 

297: — (ii)  a,  "  Core  duibhinne  s.  of  Cairbre  mftsc  [of  the  race  of  Lughaid  s.  of 
Ith  mac  Breogon]  was  father  of  the  corca  Dhuibhinne  \*^  BB.  146  b,  "Core 
(called  duibhne  [pro  duibhfinne  gen.  of]  his  m.'s  name  Duibhfionn)  a  quo  corca 
Dhuibhn€\  Duvinna  autem  filia  Carbraei  muse  cui  et  filius  Core  noster:"  cod. 
cit.  250a  c,  "C.  músc^  C,  baschain^  and  C.  Hgjhada:  why  are  they  called 
*  the  Cairbres'  [i.e.  why  was  the  n.  of  Cairbre  bestowed  on  each]  ?  Because 
that,  when  the  b.  of  cenn  Febhrat  was  fought  between  Lughaid  mac  con  and 
Eoghan  mór  s.  of  Olioll  ólom^  in  her  own  arms  they  slew  their  mother's  hus- 
band Neimedh  mac  Sruibehenn  k.  of  the  Ernanes ;  for  he  was  succouring 
Lughaid,  while  they  succoured  Eoghan  mar.  Hence  then  they  were  dubbed 
coirbre  [cairbre]= corbatre  [pers.  deriv.  of  corb],  because  thus  they  were  people 
of  corbadA  *  incestuous  or  parricidal  crime.'  Coirbre  called  mtisc  =  mó-aisge 
or  ml'Oisge^  because  in  his  aisge  'prayer'  'request'  [desire]  he  was  mo  'more 
exorbitant'  or  mi  'unbecoming'  than  the  other  brethren;  is  enim  fuit  qui  ad 
Duvinnam  ad  suam  ipsius  germanam  ingressus  est,  quo  facto  de  ea  procreavit 
Corcum  duibhne  dictum.  Coirbre  called  rig/hada^  because  he  had  righthe 
[pi.  o  righ  'forearm']  that  v/^r^ /ada  'long';  or  else  because  he  made  righe 
'a  realm'  / b/ad^ídLV  away'  i.e.  by  going  to  Scotland,  so  that  from  him  come 
the  eastern  dál  Riata  [quasi  rigfhata\.  Coirbre  called  baschain  quasi  bás 
' death '+  i-tf^/w  'gentle,' '  peaceful,'  because  he  was  the  only  man  of  them  that 
'had  death  on  pillow'  [died  in  his  bed].  Of  whom  it  has  been  said:  'Angus 
was  C.  músds  [real]  name ;  Eoeho  was  C.  riato^s ;  C.  bascain^s  Olioll,'  and 
the  poet  sang  besides  [etc.]:"  K.  2  :  2    d,  see  ante,  I.  xx 

XVIII.  Page  311:— (i)  "A.D.  1510:  O'Donnell  (Hugh  mac  Hugh  Rua) 
went  to  Rome  on  pilgrimage ;  and  so  long  as  he  was  abroad  his  partisans 
and  friends  were  in  grief,  in  sorrow  and  discouragement,  after  him.  He  left 
Manus  O'Donnell  his  son  to  defend  the  country  [Tirconall]  while  he  might 
be  away  from  them  15 12:  O'Donnell  (Hugh  mac  Hugh  Rua)  returned  from 
Rome  after  completion  of  his  pilgrimage,  having  spent  sixteen  weeks  in 
London  as  he  went  eastwards  and  other  sixteen  as  he  came  westwards  back. 
From  Henry  [VIII]  k.  of  England  he  had  honour  and  respect  and  so  returned 
safe  to  Ireland,  but  in  Meath  for  some  time  lay  in  a  fever.  Upon  recovery  of 
health  he  reached  his  house,  and  all  (both  church  and  lay)  were  rejoiced  at  his 
advent  1537 :  O'Donnell  (Hugh  mac  Hugh  Rua),  supreme  lord  of  Tirconall, 
of  Innishowen,  of  Kinelmoan,  of  Fermanagh  and  of  lower  Connacht :  victory 
over  whom  was  never  seen  with  his  foe,  and  who  never  gave  back  a  foot  in 
the  way  of  flight  before  either  few  or  many;  a  man  that  suffered  not  the 
English  power  to  enter  his  own  countr>',  because  (when  he  saw  that  to  any 
one  of  themselves  the  Gael  would  not  concede  supremacy,  but  that  kith  and 
kin  were  in  opposition  to  each  other)  he  made  fast  peace  and  friendship  with 
the  k.  of  England ;  a  man  that  to  churchmen  regular  and  secular,  to  poets 
and  to  Ollaves,  maintained  their  privileges  according  to  the  right ;  the  afore- 
said O'Donnell  (Hugh  mac  Hugh  Rua),  I  say,  d.  on  Thursday  July  5,  in  the 
monastery  of.  Donegal,  after  assumption  of  the  habit  of  S.  Francis,  after 
mourning  his  offences.  Upon  penance  done  for  his  sins  and  transgressions 
he  was  carried  up,  and  in  the  same  monastery  [his  body]  as  was  meet  was 
with  honour  and  great  worship  buried.  By  the  representatives  of  S.  Columb- 
kill,  by  counsel  of  the  gentles  of  Kinelconall  (lay  and  cleric),  Manus  his  s. 
was  inaugurated  'O'Donnell':"  IV  M     Page  318:— (ii)  "A.D.  1536:  Tcigue 


536  Translation.  [xx.;xxi.  i 

6g  mac  Teigue  .m.  Hugh  .m.  Turlough  carrach  O'Conor  was  inaugurated 
*  O'Conor' ;  and  he  was  the  first  man  of  Brian  luighneach^s  race  to  have  that 
title  in  lower  Connacht;  for  *  Mac  Donall  mac  Murtach'  was  the  name  that 
hitherto  had  appertained  to  the  headship  and  power  of  that  tribe,  and  it  was 
for  honour's  sake,  and  with  a  view  to  outdo  the  chiefs  his  predecessors  that 
he  effected  that  change  of  title:"  ibid, 

XX.  Page  332: — (i)  "A.D.  976:  Mahon  s.  of  Kennedy  (monarch  of  all 
Ireland)  captured  by  Donovan  s.  of  Cathal  (lord  of  the  úi Fidhgeinte)  through 
envious  spite ;  he  was  then  handed  over  to  Maelmuaidh  s.  of  Bran  (lord  of 
Desmond)  who  killed  him  despite  all  guarantee  of  saints  and  righteous  men 
977 :  the  Danes  of  Limerick  and  Donovan  mac  Cathal  routed  by  Brian  s. 
of  Kennedy ;  in  which  defeat  Maelmuaidh  perished,  and  there  was  general 
slaughter  of  the  men  of  Desmond :"  ibid,  (ii)  "A.D.  1014 :  dissension  among 
the  iii  Echach  themselves :  betwixt  Maelmuaidh's  s.  Cian  and  Duffdavoren's 
s.  Donall ;  in  this  fell  Cian,  Cathal  and  Roghallach,  Maelmuaidh's  three  sons, 
and  with  them  a  great  carnage:"  ibid,  (iii)  a.  "Brian  [s.  of  Kennedy]  called 
boraimhe  [and  boirmhe^  both  gen.  of  boraviha\  *of  the  Boromean  tribute': 
his  m.  was  Béibhfionn^  d.  of  Eochaid  mac  Murrough  mac  Maenach  k.  of  W. 
Connacht,  as  the  poet  said  [etc.] ;  Gormley  the  fair,  d.  of  Murrough  mac  Finn 
k.  of  Leinster,  was  m.  of  Brian's  s.  Donough,  of  Sitric  s.  of  AmlafF  rwdtríí»  k. 
of  the  Danes  of  Dublin,  and  of  Conor  mac  Melachlin  monarch  of  Ireland. 
Now  Brian  boraimhe  had  six  sons,  of  whom  the  three  that  left  issue  were 
Murrough,  Conor,  Flann ;  the  m.  of  which  three  was  More,  d.  of  Eidhen  s. 
of  CUireck  s.  oí  Eddlach  mac  Cumascach  of  the  Hy-Fiachrach  Aidhne,  as 
the  poet  said  [etc.].  Understand  that  Beibhfionn  above  (Brian's  m.)  had 
two  sisters,  Caeinech  and  Crescha :  Caeinech  a  qua  c/ann  Chosgraigh  or  the 
O'Heas  of  the  Corcach ;  Crescha  a  qua  clann  Mhaeilruanaidh^  as  the  poem 
states  which  begins:  ^Ciocarán^s  d.  Cianóg,^  This  Gormley  aforesaid  (d.  of 
Murrough  mac  Finn)  it  was  that  took  *the  three  famous  leaps'  anent  which 
was  said  [by  the  poet] :  *  three  leaps  they  were  that  Gormley  took,  such  as 
no  women  will  ever  jump  again :  a  leap  in  Dublin,  in  Tara  one,  and  (one  that 
profited  above  them  all)  a  leap  in  Cashel.'  For  first  Amlaff  Cuarán  (that 
was  styled  k.  of  the  Dublin  Danes)  had  her  to  w.,  and  she  bore  Sitric  mac 
Amlaff;  Melachlin  monarch  of  Ireland  had  her,  and  she  bore  Conor  his  s. ; 
Brian  boraimhe  had  her,  and  she  bore  Donough  mac  Brian ;  and  from  her 
proceeded  the  disagreement  in  pursuance  of  which  the  b.  of  Clontarf  was 
undertaken:"  H.  1.18:5^  b,  "A.D.  1014  :  a  hosting  by  the  Danes  and 
Leinster  into  Meath  and  Bregia,  when  they  harried  termonn  Féichin  and 
lifted  many  captives,  with  cattle  innumerable.  A  hosting  by  Brian  s.  of 
Kennedy  mac  Lorcan  (monarch  of  Ireland)  and  Melachlin  mac  Donall  (k.  of 
Tara)  to  Dublin.  All  the  Danes  of  Europe's  western  part  [Ireland]  mustered 
against  Brian  and  Melachlin,  and  brought  ten  hundred  coats  of  mail  [mail- 
clad  men].  Between  the  parties,  at  Clontarf,  is  fought  a  hardy  battle  for 
which  in  that  time  no  similitude  was  found ;  in  it  fell  Brian  the  king  in  the 
eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age ;  Murrough  mac  Brian,  heir  of  Ireland,  in  the 
sixty-third  of  his  ;  Turlough  mac  Murrough  [aged  fifteen],  Conaing  mac 
Donnchuan  [etc.]:"  IV  M 

XXI.  Page  343 : — (i)  a,  "Whence  mágh  Corainn  ^Corann^s  plain'?  Corann, 
he  was  harper  to  the  Daghda's  s.  Diancecht,  and  by  virtue  of  his  caelchéis 


XXII.  i,ii]  Translation.  537 

harp  alone  summoned  thither  one  of  the  muca  Dreihrinni  or  *  Drcbrenn's 
swine,'  which  then  (resorting  to  her  strength  of  limbs)  sped  northwards  away; 
after  her  with  their  hounds  ran  the  laechs  of  Connacht  (trusting  in  their  speed), 
and  so  to  céis  Chorainn ;  hence  the  hill  so  called,  and  the  above  plain,  are 
named:"  LL.  165  a  b.  "Whence  [plain  and  hill  of]  Corann}  It  was  Corann, 
Diancecht  mac  Echtach's  harper,  who  importuned  until  for  his  playing  the 
tttatha  dé  Danann  gave  him  land  in  Moycorran,  whence  that  name.  But 
Keshcorran  is  derived  thus :  when  Drebre*s  swine  dispersed,  the  fifth  pig 
reached  [the  present]  céts  Chorainn  and  there  perished:"  BB.  389a  c,  **Eile 
d.  of  Eochaid  \JeidhlecK\  was  w.  of  Forgall  s.  of  Matamuirsce  of  Connacht ; 
Drebre  also,  from  whom  the  muca  Dreibrinni  are  named,  was  his  d. :" 
K.  4  ^  :  2 

XXII.  Page  347 :— (i)  a,  "Genealogy  of  the  Dairine  [Dair/hine]  i.e.  the 
seed  of  Lughaid  mac  Itha:  Duach  s.  of  Macnia  s.  of  Maccon  s.  of  Lughaid 
laeighde  s.  of  Daire  sirchrechtach  s.  of  Lughaid  s.  of  Ith  s.  of  Breogon.  Daire 
had  six  sons :  Lughaid  laeighde^  a  quo  Corca  laeighde ;  L.  cál^  a  quo  Calraighe 
[whose  m.  was  Bolcbhán  the  British  woman,  his  w.  being  Lasair  d.  of  Niall 
IX  H.'s  s.  Laeghaire  the  k. :  K.  5  ^] ;  L.  oircthe^  a  quo  Corca  oircihe ;  L. 
laeigheSy  a  quo  Laet'ghes  *  Leix*  in  Leinster ;  L.  coscaire^  a  quo  the  Coscraighe 
(of  whom  was  Daniel  s.  of  Fathach)  in  the  Decies:"  LL.  325/3,  BB.  196:  5 
b.  "  Here  first  of  all  concerning  the  genealogy  of  Corca  laeighde-,  the  Lughaid 
of  whom  they  come  was  s.  of  Daire  sirdréchtach  or  doimthech^  called  also  *  the 
old  L.' ;  and  to  him  was  son  another  L.  i.e.  Maccon  (indeed,  if  it  be  true  for 
certain  of  the  poets,  L.  was  Daire's  right  name  as  well).  L.  laeighd^s  com- 
mon name  was  Macnia ;  and  Maccon  had  an  illustrious  s.,  who  also  was  a 
Macnia.  This  last  had  good  sons :  Angus  gafhuilech  *  of  the  bloody  spear,' 
and  Duach:"  BB.  198/3  c.  ^^ Calraighe  =  caltroighe  i.e.  clan-Lughaid  cál^  for 
troighe-clann  *  children'  *  clan,'  or  cinél  *  genus'  [as  opposed  to  ^«/*  species']. 
Or  the  "worá^^ cálríghe  VrfZ-kingdom'  i.e.  L.  cáPs:^^  K.  2 :  i  (ii)  "  L.  laeighde 
etc.  The  tale  which  here  is  brought  to  mind  [recorded]  gives  the  origin  of 
that  superfctation  of  names  [sobriquets]  which  distinguishes  Daire  doimthecfCs 
sons,  the  six  Lughaids.  What  too  is  the  reason  for  which  every  one  of  them 
was  called  Lughaid  ?  It  stood  in  prophecy  that  of  Daire's  sons  a  son  should 
reign  over  Ireland,  and  his  name  be  Lughaid ;  which  name  therefore  they 
severally  bore.  By  Daire  the  Convention  of  Taillte  was  held,  and  there  his 
sons  raced  their  horses ;  then  their  f.  said  to  his  magician :  *  which  son  will 
succeed  me?'  The  sorcerer  answered:  *into  the  meeting  will  come  a  fawn, 
bright  with  the  colour  of  gold ;  and  the  son  that  shall  take  him,  he  it  is  that 
shall  succeed  thee.'  Duly  came  the  golden  fawn,  and  the  men  of  Ireland 
went  after  him.  Thence  even  to  Ben-Edar  the  six  lads  press  him  hard,  and 
betwixt  them  and  all  the  rest  [at  last]  a  magic  mist  is  interposed.  From  that 
point  onward  yet  to  dál  Mescorb  in  Leinster  Daire's  sons  stick  to  him ;  there 
L.  laeighe  collars  the  laegh  or  *  fawn'  [whence  the  nickname],  another  L.  does 
his  coscar  or  *  breaking  up,'  and  hence  L.  cose  [or  coscaire  as  ante,  *  the  breaker 
up'].  Then  great  snow  pelts  down  on  them,  so  that  it  was  work  for  them  to 
keep  a  hold  of  their  arms,  and  a  lad  of  them  goes  off  to  seek  a  house.  He 
found  there  a  great  house  with  a  big  fire,  with  victual  and  liquor  in  plenty ; 
silver  dishes,  bedsteads  of  the  white  bronze,  and  [above  all]  a  fearsome  coil- 
leach  or  *hag,'  were  in  the  mansion.     'Youth,'  she  said,  *what  cravest  thou?' 

2  R 


53^  Translation.  [xxii.ííí— v 

*A  bed  till  morning.'    *  Which  thou  shalt  have,  if  thou  but  come  into  the 
same  one  with  myself.'    The  youngster  however  said  that  he  would  not,  and 
so  back  to  his  brethren.     *Thou  hast  missed  of  princedom  and  royalty!'  she 
cried  [as  he  went].     One  after  other  the  [remaining]  lads  entered  the  house, 
and  of  the  first  she  enquired  what  he  had  met  with.     *An  ore  allaidh  [wild 
pigling]  he  replied,  *  and  I  ate  him  to  my  own  share.'    *  L.  ore  thy  name  shall 
be  with  thy  race.'    The  same  she  enquired  of  another.   *  In  my  way,'  he  said, 
*  came  not  anything,  but  I  took  a  eolladh  [or  ealladh  *  sleep'].'    *And  a  eallda 
'drowsy'  act  it  was ;  thy  race  shall  name  thee  L.  eál,^    Of  a  third  she  sought 
the  same.     *  A  laegh  allaidh  *  fawn'  got  away  from  me.'    *  Thy  race  shall  dub 
thee  L.  laegh-as  'fawn-away'.'    A  fourth  she  questioned.     *That  which  the 
others  threw  away  I  ate.'    *  L.  corb  thy  name  shall  be :  that  which  thou  hast 
eaten  is  a  disgrace.'    Last  of  all  entered  yet  L.  laeighe^  and  the  hag  made  the 
same  query.     *A  laegh  allaid  fell  to  my  lot,  and  alone  I  ate  him.'    *  To  thy 
race  thou  shalt  be  L.  laeigh-de  [L.  of-the-fawn-because-of-it].'     Hence  the 
names  clave  to  them.     In  lieu  of  meat  and  liquor  L.  then  consents  to  sleep 
with  her :  into  the  white-bronze  bed  goes  the  old  woman,  in  with  the  young 
fellow  after  her;  and  [of  a  sudden],  so  it  seemed  to  him,  the  light  of  her 
countenance  was  the  very  sun  rising  in  the  month  of  May ;  the  scent  of  her 
he  found  to  be  that  of  a  fragrant  flower-garden.     He  loved  her  in  fact,  and 
she  said  to  him :  *  thine  is  an  auspicious  journey ;  for  I  am  *  Royalty,'  and 
thou  shalt  have  Ireland's  rule.'    Then  they  have  meat  of  the  freshest,  liquor 
of  the  oldest  (drinking-horns  of  themselves  [i.e.  automatically]  pouring  to 
them),  and  of  *  Royalty'  so  he  makes  his  own.     On  the  morrow  the  six  found 
themselves  without  house,  without  fire,  without  anything  but  the  open  plain, 
smooth  and  level,  and  their  wolfdogs  tied  to  their  spears ;  they  return  to 
Taillte,  tell  their  adventure,  and  the  men  of  Erin  disperse  out  of  the  Conven- 
tion.    Thus  then  people  said  *the  six  Lughaids':"  BB.  252/3    Page  349: — 
(iii)  "  Gemlorg  d.  of  Conor  abhradhruculh^  w.  of  Lughaid  Idgha :  from  her 
Glen-Gemlorg  in  Bregia  is  named:"  K.  5     Page  350: — (iv)  a.  "A.D.  186: 
Art  s.  of  Conn  100  B.  had  ruled  Ireland  for  twenty-one  years;  the  b.  of  eenn 
Febhrat  is  won  by  Olioll  ólom^s  sons  and  *  the  three  Cairbres,'  sons  of  Conaire 
mac  Moghlama,  against  Dodera  the  magician,  Sruibchenn's  s.  Neimidh,  and 
[the  rest  of]  the  S.  of  Ireland.    Therein  perished  said  Neimidh  k.  of  the 
Emanes  of  Munster,  and  Dodera  magician  of  the  Dairine :  Dodera  falling  by 
the  hand  of  Olioll's  s.  Eoghan  mór\  Neimidh  by  Conaire's  s.  Cairbre  riata^ 
in  vengeance  of  said  Conaire  his  f. ;  while  Cairbre  muse  wounded  Lughaid 
(called  mae  con)  in  the  calf,  whereby  ever  afterwards  he  was  lame.   The  origin 
of  which  nickname  is  that  L.  [when  a  little  child]  took  the  fancy  of  a  wolfdog 
bitch  that  in  his  guardian's  house  nursed  her  pups,  and  from  her  teat  used 
to  drink;  hence  mac  eon  *s.  of  a  cú  or  wolfdog'  stuck  to  him:"  IV  M     b, 
**  Maccon :  it  was  a  wolfdog  bitch  that  Olioll  ólom  had  (her  name  being  Elóir 
derg\  and  when  Maccon  was  a  baby  in  Olioll's  house  he  would  steal  away 
and  on  all  fours  creep  to  her ;  she  then  used  to  gather  him  to  her  belly,  nor 
was  it  found  possible  to  keep  him  from  the  bitch  that  he  should  not  make  his 
way  to  her:"  K.  3^ :  2     Page  353: — (v)  "Whence  mágh  Mucramha}    Cer- 
tain eldritch  swine  they  were  that  out  of  Cruachan's  cave  emerged  to  Ailill 
and  Medhb  and,  wheresoever  they  were,  used  to  blight  both  com  and  milk 
[i.e.  both  land  and  kine] ;  nor  could  the  men  of  Ireland  anywhere  either  count 


XXII.  vii— x]  Translation.  539 

them  or  even  keep  their  eyes  fixed  on  them.  Once  however  A.  and  Mt  with 
a  view  to  hunting  operations  came  to  Fraechmágh,  whence  they  coursed  these 
swine  to  belach  na  bhfert ;  here  M.  caught  one  of  them  by  the  leg,  but  it  left 
its  *  leather'  [entire  pelt]  in  her  hand.  Thereupon  in  this  spot  they  were 
counted,  and  hence  mdgh  muicrimha  'plain  of  pig-enumeration*:"  BB.  3860 
(vi)  Of  Cruachan :  "  it  is  from  Cróichenn  chródherg  handmaid  of  Medhb's  m. 
Edaein  (if  indeed  her  m.  was  not  Clófhionn)  that  mdgh  Cruachna  is  named. 
Medhb  of  Cruachan  was  m.  of  *  the  seven  Maines,'  of  Orlamh  s.  of  Ailill,  and 
of  Fionnabhair  [children  of  her  husband] ;  m.  of  Fergus  mac  Rosa's  three 
sons:  Ciar,  Core,  Conmhac;  perhaps  of  his  s.  Illann  ilairchlesach  also:"  K. 
4^:2  [Medhb  chruachan . /.  Cráichenn  chródherg a  sídaib  a  mdthair  is  uaithi 
ro  gab  a  kainmneghadh  i.e.  "  M.  of  Cruachan :  Cr.  chr.  out  of  the  sidhes  was 
her  m.,  from  whom  also  her  appellation  obtained :"  K.  3^:  2]  (vii)  "  Whence 
rath  Chruachan  *Rathcroghan'?  It  was  Cruachu  or  Croichenn  chródherg^ 
handmaid  of  Edaein  that  with  Midir  of  Briléith  eloped  out  of  Fremhainn, 
from  Angus's  aenach.  Now  Sineach  of  the  sidh  of  Cruachan  was  a  *  friend* 
[relative]  to  Midir  and,  for  the  love  he  bore  her,  thither  he  came  to  discourse 
her  [which  he  did]  for  nine  days.  Edaein  in  the  meantime  supposing  this 
sidh  to  have  been  Midir's,  she  enquired :  *  is  this  thy  dwelling  ?*  and  he  said : 

*  not  it ;  mine  is  nearer  to  the  rising  of  the  sun.'     Here  Croichenn  intruded : 

*  the  question  is  what  profit  have  we  of  visiting  this  sidh  and  its  plain  at  all  ?' 

*  Croichenn,'  said  Midir,  *  in  guerdon  of  thy  trip  hither  the  sidh  shall  bear  thy 
name.'  Then  he  went  on  to  Briléith^  which  then  by  [Edaein's  f.]  Eochaid 
airemh  [the  k.]  was  demolished  over  his  head.  Thus  the  dinnsenchas  of 
Cruachan  furnishes  the  beginning  [and  end]  of  *the  Wooing  of  Edaein':" 
BB.  384a  (viii)  Of  mdgh  nAei  mheic  Allghuba  in  which  Cruachan  is:  a, 
"Whence  mdgh  nAei  'A's  plain'  ?  Allghuba's  son  Aei  was  the  twenty-fourth 
slave  whom  Milesius'  sons  brought  over,  and  he  it  was  that  to  those  serfs  [his 
twenty-three  mates]  preferred  a  request  that  with  him  they  would  clear  a 
plain.  They  therefore  were  those  who,  to  do  him  a  good  turn,  in  twenty-four 
hours  cleared  mdgh  nAei  [now  machaire  Chonnacht  *  plain  of  Connacht']; 
and  when  they  knocked  off,  A  further  prayed  them  [the  Milesians  their 
masters]  that  the  fee-simple  should  be  his,  and  the  plain  carry  his  name:" 
BB.  386  a  b.  "Whence  loch  Neilfi  Niall  s.  of  Enna  aighnech  s.  of  Angus 
iuinnechy  'tis  he  that  in  the  reign  of  Conall  cromdherg  mac  Labhraid  luchta 
was  chief  of  Ireland's  outlaws;  he  followed  the  track  of  Drebrenn's  swine 
when  they  issued  from  the  sidh  of  Collomhair,  and  got  them  in  Daire  tarbhga. 
Away  across  mdgh  Aei  (for  it  is  supposed  that  A.  was  the  name  of  Enna's 
wolfdog)  they  sped  before  them,  both  hounds  and  men ;  when  they  reached 
the  loch :  loch  con  Enna  aighnigh  [1.  of  Enna's  hound,  *loch  Con']  Niall,  his 
hounds,  and  his  outlaws  all  were  drowned  in  it ;  whence  the  poet :  *  Niall  with 
a  hundred  head  [i.e.  others]  was  drowned  pursuing  Drebre's  swine  [etc.]':" 
LL.  167«  Page  354:— (ix)  "Moncha  d.  of  Trethan  mac  Bicidh  was  w.  of 
Olioll  alones  s.  Eoghan  mar:''  K  :  5  Page  359:— (x)  "A.D.  195:  Art  s.  of 
Conn  100  B.  having  reigned  for  thirty  years,  by  Maccon  and  his  foreigners 
he  fell  in  the  b.  of  Mdgh  mucramha.  It  was  Liogaime  lecan/hada  *  long- 
cheeks'  s.  of  Ang^s  balbh  *the  stutterer'  s.  oi  l^ochdÁá /ionn  /ucUhnairt^  he 
being  come  in  Maccon's  host,  that  in  the  battle  actually  operated  on  Art 
225 :  Macnia's  s.  Lughaid  mcu:  con  having  ruled  for  thirty  years,  after  his 


540  Translation.  [xxiii.  i— ííí 

expulsion  from  Tara  by  Conn's  grandson  Cormac  he  perished  by  the  hand  of 
Ferches  mac  Coman  the  poet :"  IV  M  (xi)  a,  "  Olioll  called  ohm  [6  *ear'  + 
lorn  *  bare']  because  upon  his  ear  [i.e.  the  place  where  it  ought  to  have  been] 
was  neither  skin  nor  flesh  after  Eogabhal's  d.  Aine  had  cropped  it ;  or  ulom 
[quasi  ulloni]  =  ulalom  i.e.  his  ula  *  elbow'  was  lorn  *bare,'  meaning  that  for 
his  *  liveliness*  [high  spirit]  his  forearm  was  always  bared:"  BB.  249  a  b, 
"  Ember's  d.  Echtach  was  Olioll's  m. :"  K.  5  c,  "A.D.  234 :  Cormac's  eighth 
year;  Olioll  ólom  s.  of  Moghnuadhat  [Eoghan  mór  I.]  died :"  IV  M 

XXIII.  Page  349:— (i)  «.  "Cahir  mór's  d.  Eithne  thaebhfada,  w.  of  Cor- 
mac ua  Cutnrty  was  Cairbre  lifechair^s  m. ;  or  (according  to  some  uncorrupted 
books)  it  will  in  reality  have  been  the  d.  of  Dunlang  k.  of  Leinster ;  or  it  may 
have  been  the  she-slave  Feidhil,  of  Leinster,  that  was  his  m. ;  or  again  it 
may  have  been  Cormac's  [own  particular]  she-slave  Ciarnait  (which  however 
was  perhaps  another  name  for  Eithne):"  K. :  5    b,  "  It  was  the  k.  of  Picts' 
d.  Ciarnait  that  Ulster  forcibly  brought  away  captive  from  over  seas ;  Cormac 
heard  this  and  craved  her  of  them,  so  she  was  conveyed  to  his  house  to  him. 
Now  she  was  the  most  beautiful  woman  and  the  gentlest  that  at  the  one  time 
with  herself  was  in  the  world ;  and  she  was  in  friendship  with  Cormac,  whose 
love  for  her  was  passing  great.     But  Cahir  mór^s  d.  Eithne  ollamhda  heard 
that  he  possessed  her,  and  declared  that  he  should  not  have  them  both. 
Needs  must  then  that  Ciarnait  be  delivered  up  to  Eithne,  and  she  imposed 
on  her  a  certain  slavish  task :  that  daily  she  should  grind  [at  the  quern]  nine 
sacks  of  wheat.     Yet  did  Cormac  and  she  make  shift  to  meet  privily,  and 
soon  her  state  was  such  that  she  might  no  more  grind.     Cormac  therefore 
succoured  her :  across  the  sea  he  imported  a  millwright,  and  for  Ciamait's 
relief  had  a  mill  made;  on  which  the  poet  indited  [etc.]:"  Eg.  17S2,  44^  :  2 
(ii)  "  Fergus  called  bod  —  tetne  *  ^xe!*  for  Breghaib  *  upon  [all  over]  the  regions 
of  Bregia':"  K.  3  :  2     Page  368:— (iii)  Battles  of  M.m.  and  Crinna:  "The 
clanna  Eibhir  *  children  of  Heber'  in  Conn's  Half  are :  the  Gaileanga  E.  and 
W. ;  the  Cianachta  N.  and  S. ;  the  Luighne  E.  and  W. ;  and  the  four  Dealbhna 
*  Delvins,*  as :    Delvinmore  and  Delvinbeg  in  Meath,  T>e\\\n-Eihra  in  W. 
Meath,  Delvin  of  iir  da  locha  in  Connacht.     Of  these  the  Gaileanga  and 
Cianacht  were  children  of  Teigue  s.  of  Cian  s.  of  Olioll  ólom  [Teigue's  m. 
being  Cian  mac  Olioll's  w.  Fionnchaemh  d.  of  Cerb :  K.  5  b\    Sabia  d.  of 
Conn  100  B.  was  m.  of  those  seven  sons  of  Olioll's  of  whom  was  Teigue's  f. 
Cian :  they  that  in  the  b.  of  M.m.  were  slain  by  Lughaid  mac  con  and  their 
father's  br.  Lughaid  lágha  s.  of  Moghnuadhat,  which  latter  also  it  was  that 
in  the  same  b.  killed  Conn's  s.  Art  the  k.     Now  Béinne  the  Briton,  he  it  was 
that  si.  Eoghan  [mar  IL]  mac  Olioll ;  for  which  Lughaid  killed  him  presently. 
Maccon's  numbers  were :  3000  out  of  Munster,  3000  from  *  Conn's  Half,'  and 
out  of  Britain  3000  led  by  their  king's  s.  Beinne ;  thrice  three  sacks  o{  gránna 
catha  these  last  had  brought  over.     Then  L.  mcic  con  assumed  Ireland's  rule 
and  reigned  for  twenty-seven  years,  until  Cormac  mac  Art  banished  him 
from  Tara].    Cormac  ruled  until  Ulidia's  whole  strength  *came  against  him* 
opposed  him],  whereby  in  turn  they  expulsed  him  into  Connacht  when  he 
had  just  taken  their  pledges  and  made  them  a  feast  in  the  N.  plain  of  Bregia; 
on  which  occasion  it  was  that  the  k.  of  Ulster's  gilla  held  a  candle  to  Cormac's 
hair  and  so  scorched  him  sadly.   Three  sons  of  Imchadh  mac  Finnachta  .m. 
Ogamhan  .m.  Fiatach  were  Fergus  blacktooth,  F.  crooktooth,  F.  longhair  [of 


xxiii.  iv]  Translation.  5  4 1 

whom  anon].  Cormac  went  to  Teigue  mac  Cein,  that  he  should  come  with 
him  and  give  battle  to  Ulidia,  and :   *  give  me  land  for  it,'  quoth  Teigue. 

*  There  shall  be  given  thee  so  much  as,  after  the  battle  won,  thy  chariot  shall 
encompass  of  mágh  Bregh,^  Teigue  said :  *  I  will  take  it ;  thou  therefore  go 
now  to  L.  lágha  and  bring  him  for  the  battle ;  I  will  discover  thee  the  place 
in  which  thou  shalt  find  him  asleep.'  Cormac  went,  got  him  so,  and  at  his 
heart  held  the  spear's  point.  *  Who  does  this  ?'  asked  L.  [roused].  *  Cormac 
that's  here!'  L.  said:  *I  am  owing  to  thee;  'twas  I  that  sL  thy  father.'  'I 
require  his  eric'     *  I  offer  thee  a  king's  head  taken  in  battle.'    Cormac  said : 

*  I  will  accept  the  k.  of  Ulidia's  head :  F.  blacktooth's.'  *  I  will  give  it,'  an- 
swered L.  The  army  marched  and  took  position  at  the  brúgh  of  Mtu  in  óg^ 
Ulidia  lying  ready  for  them  at  Crinna  of  Cenn  comair\  but  until  the  morrow's 
mom  Teigue  suffered  not  to  deliver  the  battle.  At  early  day  they  go  to  work ; 
Cormac  however  was  not  allowed  into  the  battle,  but  in  a  trench  well  to  the 
rear  was  stowed  away  with  his  gilla  standing  over  him ;  which  servitor  he 
had  tricked  out  in  his  own  armature,  so  that  the  gilla  was  in  the  k.'s  sem- 
blance. L.  brings  along  a  head  and  shews  it  to  the  gilla^  who  says :  *  that 
is  not  the  Ic's  head,  but  his  brother's.'  He  brings  another  head :  *  nor  is  that,' 
says  the  gilla^  *  but  his  other  brother's.'  A  third  head  he  brings,  and :  *  is 
this  it  ?'  asks  L.  The  other  answers:  *  it  is.'  Then  L.  dealt  him  a  blow  of  it 
and  killed  him,  at  the  same  time  himself  falling  down  and  swooning  away. 
That  day  Teigue  seven  times  routed  Ulidia,  as  far  as  gltis  Nera  hard  by 
druim  Inesclainn ;  whence  Flannacdn  sang :  '  Teigue  mac  Cein  at  Rath  chró 
in  the  N.  [etc.].'  Teigue  now  (after  three  spears  had  passed  through  him) 
got  into  his  chariot  and  took  with  him  a  gilla  whose  m.  was  of  *Mogh's  Half,' 
in  order  that  he  above  others  should  be  witness  for  him.  Teigue  had  a  suc- 
cession of  dead  faints  until  at  last  he  reached  Dublin,  and  even  then  it  was 
not  evening  [which,  had  the  charioteer  dealt  fair,  should  have  been  long  past]. 
Here  he  rose  out  of  his  last  swoon,  and  enquired :  *  what  have  we  travelled, 
gillaV  *We  have  travelled  a  deal,'  he  answered.  *Have  we  brought  off 
Tara?'  *  We  have  not.'  Hence  Cinaeth  sang:  *  Upon  the  one  stone  at  Rath 
chró  [etc.].'  By  Cormac  afterwards  a  barley-awn  was  inserted  into  one  of 
Teigue's  wounds,  some  kind  of  worm  into  another,  and  into  the  third  a  spear- 
head ;  over  these  the  skin  formed,  and  for  a  year  the  patient  lay  in  a  wasting 
sickness.  L.  lágha  went  from  him  into  Munster  to  fetch  the  profound  phy- 
sician ;  with  his  three  pupils  he  came  and,  as  they  neared  the  house,  they 
heard  a  man  cry  out.  *  What  cry  is  this  V  said  the  physician.  *  Plaint  caused 
by  colg^  said  the  first  pupil.  *But  what  is  this  again?'  the  master  asks. 
'  Plaint  caused  by  creature,'  answers  another  pupil.  *  And  this  ?*  at  the  third 
groan.  *  Plaint  caused  by  weapon-point,'  said  the  third  disciple.  The  leech 
treats  him :  he  opens  the  wounds,  a  set  of  bandages  are  passed  over  Teigue 
[to  keep  him  in  situ] ;  then  a  coulter  is  reddened  in  the  fire  and  at  the  man's 
belly  the  operator  makes  a  feint  of  it,  whereby  there  came  away  the  barley- 
awn,  the  worm  (size  of  a  mouse),  the  spearhead  and  all  else  [noxious]  that 
was  in  him.  Teigue  retired  into  Munster  and  went  about  to  war  upon  Cor- 
mac, but  they  make  peace.  Now  Teigue  had  two  sons,  Connla  and  Cormac : 
the  former,  grandfather  of  the  Cianacht  N.  and  S.,  as  of  the  Munster  Ely; 
Cormac,  of  the  Gaileanga  E.  and  W.,  as  of  the  Saithne;"  LL.  328/8  (iv)  a. 
"  Cormac  called  gaileang = gai  *  spear'  +  long  *  deceit '  i.e.  *  of  the  treacherous 


542  Translation.  [xxiv.  i— ív 

spear^"  BB.  250«  b,  "  Gaileang  i.e.  lang^gua  'a  lie,*  referring  to  Cormac 
of  the  Gaileanga ;  for  it  was  Teigue's  s.  Cormac  that  for  a  token  carried  his 
father's  spear  to  the  brocks ;  they  trusting  to  Teigue's  honour  [so  pledged] 
came  out,  and  Cormac  killed  them.  Duly  Teig^e  proceeded  to  Cormac's  to 
enjoy  a  banquet  [for  which  the  brocks  had  been  murdered] ;  but  as  he  partook 
of  the  feast  his  nature  *  skunnered,*  and  he  knew  that  the  son  had  forfeited 
his  [father's]  honour;  this  was  the  cause  of  Cormac's  banishment  by  Teigue, 
and  hence  he  was  called  gaileang = gat  +  lang  i.e.  *qui  honorem  concacavit.' 
Further :  Cormac  being  sumamed  gaileanga  for  his  tribe  the  term  Gaileanga 
is  used :"  cod.  cit.  253)8  c.  "Teigue's  s.  Cormac  g.,  because  to  the  brocks  he 
took  his  father's  spear,  and  on  Teigue's  honour  they  came  out ;  hence  the 
Gaileanga  (but  I  [that  write]  opine  it  to  have  been  under  compulsion  of  the 
enormous  smoke  arising  from  fire  kindled  [by  Cormac]  that  they  emerged ; 
yet  is  it  no  ways  wonderful  though  the  gentiles  should  have  supposed  them 
to  issue  out  as  being  summoned  on  the  faith  of  that  famous  man's  integrity). 
For  this  thing  Cormac  was  exiled  by  Teigue  his  father,  and  hence  his  nation's 
common  byname:"  LL.  329  :  3  d,  "Sciath  d.  of  Lughaid  s.  oí PiXigas  Jionn 
s.  of  Fergus  blacktooth,  w.  of  Teigue  mac  Cein,  was  Cormac  g.'s  m. :" 

XXIV.  Page  368: — (i)  a.  TdLaciiwX  ^Xymo\o^  oí  muighmedaini  LL.  333, 
marg.  sup.  b.  "  Eochaid  m .  m .  quasi  mogh  *  slave*  +  medhón  *  middle,'  mean- 
ing that  he  had  a  slave's  waist ;  for  his  head  favoured  the  king,  his  middle 
part  Mungata  the  slave,  while  he  had  a  gentleman's  legs,  Eichtighem's  to 
wit :"  BB.  249/3  c.  "A.D.  365 :  eighth  year  of  Muiredhach  tirech^s  s.  Eochaid 
m.m.  over  Ireland,  and  he  d.  in  Tara:"  IV  M  ísí  "  Fiachra's  d.  Muirenn,  of 
Munster,  was  Eochaid  m.m.'s  m. :"  K.  5  (ii)  "Crimthann's  sister  Moing- 
ionn,  dau.  of  Fidhach  mac  Olioll  of  the  Ernanes  of  Munster,  and  Cairenn 
chasdubh  m.  of  Niall  IX  H. :  they  were  Eochaid  m.m.'s  two  wives;  Moing- 
ionn  was  m.  of  Brian,  Ailill,  Fergus  and  Fiachra.  The  k.  of  Saxons'  three 
drs.,  ScalbalbKs^  were  Cairenn  m.  of  Niall  IX  H.;  Cairell,  w.  of  Daire  sir- 
cherdack,  m.  of  Lughaid  cál  a  quo  the  Calraighe\  [and  Cairbech,  m.  of  Timine 
a  quo  the  corco  Timine  in  Leinster:  BB.  285a].  Eochaid  m.m.'s  d.  was 
Coirpche\^^  ibid,  b.  "  Genealogy  of  the  ///  Thimin.  [Cahir  mar's  sons]  Eocho 
timin^  Bresal  einechglas  [i.e.  it  was  a  livid  mark  that  he  had  on  his  face :  K. 
I  :  2],  'Rosfailghe^  Daire  buadhach  and  Crimthannan,  one  mother's  sons  they 
were.  'Tis  fast  asleep  Eocho  was  (he  being  a  flighty  careless  fellow)  when 
[by  their  father]  lands  were  assigned  to  his  brethren,  and  Bresal  said :  *  that 
was  a  tim  [weak]  thing,  Eocho :*  hence  it  was  that  iitnin  'weakling'  stuck  to 
him:"  LL.  3150  Page  370:— (iii)  "A.D.  573:  tenth  year  of  Aedh  mac  Ain- 
mirech.  S.  Cairech  Dergain  of  Cloonburren,  virgin,  t  February  9:"  IV  M 
Page  372 :— (iv)  "A.D.  981 :  the  Dalcassians  [Thomond]  ravaged  by  Melach- 
lin  mac  Donall ;  the  Tree  of  aenach  maighe  Adhair  chopped  up  after  being 
gabbed  out  of  the  earth  roots  and  all  1022 :  rout  of  áth  buidhe  *  the  yellow 
ford'  of  Tlachtgha  inflicted  by  Melachlin  on  the  Danes  of  Dublin,  and  many 
perished  there ;  on  this  was  indited :  *  His  last  red  slaughter  was  wrought  at 
evening,  by  the  Yellow  Ford ;  thirty  bounding  [swift-flying]  days  passed  from 
that  time  to  his  journey's  end.'  He  lived  in  fact  for  one  month  afterwards, 
[and  then]  Melachlin  wJr  mac  Donall,  tower  of  the  westernmost  world's  [Ire- 
land's) dignity  and  pre-excellence,  after  a  reign  of  forty  years,  d.  in  Cra-ims 
of  loch  Aininn  (according  to  the  Book  of  Clonmacnoise  at  least) :"  ibid. 


XXVI.;  XXVII.  i,  ii]  Translation.  543 

XXVI.  Page  374:— (i)  "A.D.  378:  Fidhach's  s.  Crimthann  having  ruled 
Ireland  thirteen  years,  he  d.  of  a  poisonous  draught  given  him  by  his  own 
sister,  Moingionn:"  IV  M  Page  375:— (ii)  a,  "Whence  cam  Feradaigh'i 
It  was  Feradach  s.  of  Rochorb  s.  of  Gollan  s.  of  Conmael  s.  of  Heber  that  by 
Tighemmas  mac  Follach  fell  there.  By  which  Tighemmas  also  Conmael 
fell  in  the  b.  of  aenach  Mocha ;  in  the  b.  of  Elle  he  si.  Rochorb ;  lastly 
Feradach  [ut  supra],  whose  tomb  that  cairn  is:"  BB.  379«  b,  "A.M.  3579: 
Conmael  mac  Heber  having  ruled  Ireland  for  thirty  years,  in  the  b.  o{  aenach 
Mocha  he  fell  by  Tighemmas  mac  Follach  3656 :  seventy- seventh  year  of 
Tighemmas*  reign.  By  him  the  following  battles  were  won  against  the  seed 
of  Heber,  besides  others  both  of  the  Irish  and  of  extem  kindreds :  the  b.  of 
Elle  in  which  Rochorb  fell;  that  of  cam  Feradaigh  [etc.]:"  IV  M  Page 
376 : — (iii)  "A.D.  465 :  Crimthann  mac  Enna  cennselach^  k.  of  Leinster,  si.  by 
his  own  daughter's  s.  Eochaid  ^/«^rA  of  the  úi  Bairrche:^  ibid,  (iv)  "A.D. 
523 :  twentieth  year  of  Murtach  mac  Erca.  Beoaedh,  bp.,  of  Ardcarne, 
t  March  8:"  ibid,  (v)  Race  of  Niall  IX  H.:  a,  "Lughaid's  d.  Inniu,  w.  of 
Niall  IX  H.,  was  m.  of  two  Conalls  and  one  Eoghan  (or  it  may  have  been 
Righnach)  as  the  poet  said :  *  Turbulent  kings  were  rejoiced  after  the  birth  of 
Laeghaire  mac  Neill ;  [there  were  besides]  Enna,  also  Maine,  Eoghan,  two 
Conalls  and  a  Cairbre.*  Lughaid's  d.  Innecht  was  w.  of  Cruinn  bcuihraei:^ 
BB.  285  a  b.  "  Righnach  d.  of  Medabh  s.  of  Ross  mac  Trithem,  w.  of  Niall 
IX  H.,  was  m.  of  Laeghaire,  Enna,  Maine,  Eoghan,  two  Conalls  and  Cairbre. 
Inniu  and  Innecht,  a  quibus  Gleninnecht  and  Glenara,  were  Lughaid's  drs. 
both:  Inniu,  Niall's  w.,  was  Fiacha's  m. ;  Innecht,  Cruinn  badhraei^s  yf.^  m. 
of  Caelbadh  mac  Cruinn:"  K.  5^  c,  "A.D.  357:  Caelbadh  mac  Cruinn 
having  reigned  for  one  year,  he  fell  by  Eochaid  m.m.:"  IV  M  (vi)  "It 
was  inis Domghlais  that  Crimthann  mac  Fidhach  had  taken  'upon*  Eochaid 
m.m.'s  sons;  after  his  death  therefore  these  went  on  a  hosting  into  Munster, 
and  battle  was  given  them :  the  b.  of  cora  Chaenraighe  *  the  weir  of  Kenry.' 
They  routed  their  foes  however,  and  drove  them  to  the  westward ;  yet  was 
Eochaid  m.m.'s  s.  Fiachra  wounded  (he  that  did  it  being  Maighe  meschorach\ 
so  that  in  Foraei  [by  and  by]  he  d.  and  there  was  buried.  Fifty  pledges  that 
Eochaid's  sons  brought  back  out  of  the  west :  it  was  at  a  month's  end  after 
the  b.  that  Fiachra  was  dead,  and  around  the  k.'s  g^ave  the  pledges  were 
buried  alive.  Then  dun  Dobroc  in  the  Gaileang  country  was  taken  over  the 
heads  of  Brian  and  Ailill,  the  latter  being  captured  and  there  si.  by  the  king:* 
LL.  190:3  Page  378:— (vii)  a,  "A.M.  5089:  Ederscel  s.  of  Eoghan  mac 
Olioll  having  spent  five  years  in  mling  Ireland,  by  Nuadha  necht  he  fell  in 
Ailinn  5090:  when  Sedna  siihbac^s  s.  Nuadha  necht  had  passed  a  half-year 
in  governing  Ireland,  by  Conaire  mar  [s.  of  Ederscel]  he  perished  in  the  b. 
of  Cliach  among  the  úi  Dhrána:^  IV  M  b.  " Nuadha  neacht  i.e.  handsome 
N. ;  for  neacht  =  dlainn  *  handsome'  or  geal  *  brilliant' :"  K.  3^:2 

XXVII.  Page  385:— (i)  a,  "A.M.  5192:  one  year  Conor  abhrodruadh  s. 
of  Finn  the  poet  s.  of  Ross  ruadh  s.  of  Y&:g\isfairrghe  had  reigned,  when  he 
fell  by  Lughaid  sriobh  nderg's  s.  Crimthann :"  IV  M  b,  "  Conor  abhrodruadh 
i.e.  because  he  had  an  eye  gamished  with  red  lashes,  since  mala  [strictly 
'eyebrow']  is  said  for  abhra  *  eyelash'  too:"  K.  2  :  i  Page  395:— (ii)  Quat- 
rain on  Teigue  mac  Cein's  death :  "A  deer  was  stricken  by  Teigue  mac  Cein, 


544  Translation.  [xxviii.  i— vii 

and  Cians*s  s.  Teigue  was  stricken  by  a  deer ;  'twas  by  a  deer  that  Tciguc 
mac  Cein  was  stricken:  Cian's  s.  Teigue,  at  Rosnaree:"  Eg.  1782,  53^ :  i 

XXVIII.  Page  401 : — (i)  "Tuathal  techtmar:  so  called  because  he  it  was 
that  began  with  cutting  of  their  heads  off  the  provincial  kings  of  Ireland,  i.e. 
the  men  of  Meath.     Or :  for  the  multiplicity  of  his  possessions  [techíl     Or : 
for  the  universal  possession  {techtadk\  of  all  kinds  of  wealth  in  his  period. 
Or :  because  he  held  and  possessed  [had  tecktadh  of]  all  others  in  general ; 
for  a  single  little  greenish  plot  in  Ireland  he  left  not  without  royal  legality 
enforced  there  [i.e.  its  tenure  had  to  be  according  to  law] :"  K.  4  :  2     (ii)  €u 
"  Fiacha  fionnolcddh  {.^fionn  *  white*  +  foladh  *  substance'  *  cattle'] :  because 
in  his  time  by  far  the  greater  part  of  Ireland's  kine  were  white :"  cod.  cit.  3 :  2 
b,  "  The  k.  of  Scotland's  d.  Eithne,  w.  of  Fiacha  f ,  was  Tuathal  t.'s  m. :"  cod. 
cit.  5    (iii)  "  Feradach  finnfhechtnach :  because  of  Xh^  fechtnaighe  *  prosi>erity * 
of  his  reign,  seeing  that  in  his  time  the  idh  Mórainn  *  Morann's  collar'  was. 
Eithne  of  Emania,  w.  of  Morann  mac  Maen,  it  was  on  her  account  that  the 
collar  was  made:"  cod.  cit.  3:2     b,  "Lotan's  d.  Nár  thucUhchaech^  of  the 
Pict-people,  w.  of  Crimthann  nianáir^  was  Feradach  Jinn/hechtnach^s  m. :" 
cod.  cit.  5     (iv)  a.  "  Crimthann  nianáir  [s.  of  Lughaid  riabh  nderg  *  of  the 
red  stripes'],  meaning  *  War's  champion':  because  Nar  thuathchaech  out  of 
the  sidhes  (or  of  the  Pict-folk),  his  w.,  she  it  was  that  took  him  off  on  an 
adventure:"  BB.  2500    b.  "Crimthann's  d.  Befina,  w.  of  Finnlogh's  s.  Finn, 
was  m.  of  Y.o(^2A^  feidhlech  and  of  Eochaid  airemh\  whether  she  were  m.  of 
Finn's  s.  Ailill  I  know  not :"  cod.  cit.  283/3  c,  "Airtech  uchtlethaffs  d.  Clóann^ 
w.  of  IL.  feidhUch^  was  m.  of  the  three  Jinnemhna  *fair  twins'  [sons]  and  of 
Clothra  [a  d.] ;  at  a  birth  they  were  bom  all  four.     Onga,  another  d.  of  Air- 
tech's,  was  m.  of  Muman  and  Eithne:"  K.  4^  :  2    d,  "The  three  Fair  Twins 
[otherwise  *the  three  Finns']  were  Bres,  Nar,  Lothar,  sons  of  E, /eid/t/^cA^ 
and  the  reason  of  their  being  so  called  was  that  at  the  one  birth  E.'s  w.  had 
them ;  for  be  they  two  or  be  they  three  that  are  bom  at  once,  emhain^  [which 
in  strictness  means  but]  *  twins,'  applies  to  them :"  cod.  cit.  4:2    ^.  "  Eochadii 
f.  filia  Clothra  mater  Lugadii  riabh  nderg^  qui  trium  Finnoram  filius ;  ipsa 
quoque  mater  Cremthanni,  qui  et  ejusdem  Lugadii  iilius :"  cod.  cit.  4^:2 
(v)  a,  "  Lughaid  *  of  the  red  stripes,'  meaning  that  on  his  person  he  had  two 
such :  one  as  girdle  round  his  middle,  another  as  necklace  round  his  neck. 
His  head,  'twas  Nar  it  favoured ;  his  upperworks,  Bres ;  from  that  down- 
wards he  smacked  of  Lothar:"  cod.  cit.  3^:1     ^.  "  Darera  w.  of  Rumal  k.  of 
Leinster  [and  her  spouse],  it  was  they  that  reared  Lughaid  the  Striped ;  his 
w.  was  the  k.  of  Denmark's  d.  Dervorgil:"  cod.  cit.  5     c,  "Rumal  dériarV, 
of  Leinster,  he  first  of  Leinster  acquired  from  the  Boyne  to  the  Buaidhnech  ; 
his  sobriquet  (=  dia  +  riar)  he  had  from  the  vigour  with  which  he  wrought  the 
riar  *will'  dé  *of  his  god.'     Derra  his  w.  it  was  that  reared  Lughaid,  he 
[Rumal]  himself  being  instmctor  of  arms  to  Cuchullin;  whence  then  'tis  said 
that  even  such  a  tutor  Cuchullin  in  turn  was  to  Lughaid:"  BB.  254/8    Page 
402 : — (vi)  "  Fidir  and  Dairine  were  Tuathal  t.'s  two  drs.,  and  wives  of  Eochaid 
ainchenn  k.  of  Leinster;  through  them  the  Boromha  was  lifted  from  Leinster:" 
K.  5     (vii)  a,  "  Finn  mac  Cumall's  d  Aine  was  Eochaid /^/w////«'j  m.   Ailech 
d.  of  Ubthairc  y?/w/i  k.  of  Scotland,  w.  of  Eochaid  d.,  was  m.  of  the  three 
Collas:"  cod.  cit.  5     b,  "Eochaid  doimh-  daimh-Un\  for  by  not  attempting 


XXVIII.  viii— XV]  Translation.  545 

any  portion  of  Ireland  for  himself  (for  Fiacha  his  br.  never  suffered  him  to 
do  so)  ro  damh  *he  consented'  *  yielded'  to  have //«*  sorrow';  whence  the 
poet  [etc.].  Or :  domh-len  =  domxxs  pl/nsL,  meaning  that  he  had  a  house  full 
of  pledges :"  K.  i  :  2  i*.  "  Fiacha  called  sraiphtine  i.e.  it  was  a  sraibh  *  blaze' 
teinedh  *  of  fire'  [flash  of  lightning]  that  struck  his  ships.  Or:  it  was  among 
the  úi  Sraibhtine  in  Connacht  that  he  was  reared.  Or :  they  were  showers 
of  fire  that  used  to  occur  in  his  time.  Or:  roiphtine  ^  gairge  *  roughness' 
*  fierceness,'  so  that  F.  r.  =  F.  the  fierce :"  cod.  cit.  3:2  ^.  "  A.D.  276 :  Angus 
*of  the  reckless  spear'  slain  this  year  by  Cairbre  lifechair^s  sons  i.e.  Fiacha  s. 
and  Eochaid  d.:"  IV  M  Page  404:— (viii)  "Felim  rechtcddh  'the  legist' 
or  rechtmar  adj.  *  the  jurisprudent'],  meaning  that  sentences  based  on  law 
as  distinguished  from  the  rough  and  ready  kind]  were  what  served  his  turn 
i.e.  he  would  have  nought  else];  for  hitherto  it  had  been  *talio  [lex  talionis]' 
with  them,  i.e.  identical  vengeance,  as :  eye  for  eye,  foot  for  foot,  hand  for 
hand,  and  so  on.  For  the  extent  therefore  to  which  juridical  sentences  com- 
mended themselves  to  him  he  had  that  byname  of  Megist':"  K.  5  (ix)  a, 
"Bresal  beolach  =  heo  *  lively'  +  laech  *  warrior';  or  [adj.  bélach  *  mouthed'] 
because  he  had  a  large  ^íV  *  mouth':"  cod.  cit.  2^:2  b.  "A.D.  435 :  seventh 
year  of  Laeghaire  s.  of  Niall  IX  H.  Bresal  bélach  s.  of  Cahir  mór's  s.  Fiacha 
aicidhy  k.  of  Leinster,  died:"  IV  M  Page  407: — (x)  "A.D.  241:  massacre 
of  the  maids  at  Claenfheria  in  Tara,  by  Dunlang  mac  Enna  nia  k.  of  Lein- 
ster; thirty  royal  maidens  their  number,  and  a  hundred  girls  with  each  of 
them.  Twelve  great  chiefs  of  Leinster  did  Cormac  in  vengeance  of  that 
massacre  smite  in  single  combat,  together  with  stringent  reimposition  of  the 
Boromean  tribute,  plus  its  increment  after  Tuathal :"  ibid,  (xi)  "A.D.  405 : 
Niall  IX  H.  s.  of  Eochaid  m.m.  having  ruled  Ireland  for  twenty-seven  years, 
by  the  hand  of  Eochaid  s.  of  Enna  cennselach  he  fell  at  muir  niocht  *  the 
Iccian  sea' :  that  which  is  betwixt  France  and  England :"  ibid.  Page  408 : — 
(xii)  a,  "  Bridget  d.  of  Cobhtach  mac  Ailill  of  ard  Ladhrann^  of  Leinster,  w. 
of  Ainmire  mac  Setna,  was  m.  of  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech,  of  Teigine  and  of  bp. 
Aidan : "  BB.  285  /3  b.  "  Either  Lann  or  Meall,  d.  of  Aedh  guaire  k.  of  Oriel 
and  w.  of  A.  mac  Ainmirech,  was  m.  of  Maelcobha  the  cleric  and  of  Donall 
mac  Aedh  [and  that  Lann  was  m.  of  Faelchu  fuamain  s.  of  Airmedach  Ic  of 
Meath:  BB.  285/8]:"  K.  5  b  (xiii)  "Feidelm  d.  oiY^Wm  finnliaih  s.  of  Cobh- 
tach s.  of  Dathi  s.  of  Fiachra  [s.  of  Eochaid  m.m.]  was  m.  of  both  Brandubh 
s.  of  Eochaid  and  Aidan  s.  of  Gabhran :"  ibid.  Page  41 1 : — (xiv)  "  Whence 
bealach  chon  nGlais  '  Baltinglass'  ?  Glas  was  seventh  son  of  Donn  desa^  and 
fosterling  to  Ederscel  mark,  of  Ireland;  in  Tara  he  was  reared,  and  both 
Ederscel  and  his  s.  Conaire  had  him  as  master  of  the  hounds.  When  after- 
wards his  brethren,  on  outlawry  bound,  were  gone  to  join  Ingcél,  he  with  his 
hounds  proceeded  to  the  plain  of  Tara ;  here  there  came  in  his  way  a  wild 
pig,  which  went  southwards  away  before  him  and  on  to  bealach  muccudy  where 
swine  and  hounds  and  Glas  [in  the  final  rally]  perished  all ;  hence  the  name. 
Seven  sons  of  Donn  desa  they  were :  Fergair  for  sight ;  Ferlei  for  hearing ; 
Fer  .  .  for  judgment ;  Lonma  for  comic  business ;  Ferrogair  for  champions' 
feats ;  Fergel  for  single  combat ;  Ferglas  above  for  handling  of  hounds ;  as 
in  the  great  book  of  Leinster's  patronymics  is  recorded  concerning  their 
names,  their  habits,  and  their  deeds:"  BB.  3690  Page  415: — (xv)  *' Gene- 
alogy of  the  ///  Mháil  *  Imale' :  Maine  t9tál  mac  YtWmfioriirghlas  was  br.  to 

2  S 


54^  Translation.  [xxix.  i-ix 

Cahir  mar  i.e.  they  both  were  sons  to  the  same  Felim:"  LL.  317  :  5  Page 
416: — (xvi)  "A.D.  582:  fifteenth  year  of  Aedh.  Feradach  mac  Duach  lord 
of  Ossory  slain  by  his  own  folk:"  IV  M  Page  418: — (xvii)  "A.D.  594: 
Aedh  s.  of  Ainmire  s.  of  Setna  having  reigned  for  twenty-seven  years,  by 
Brandubh  s.  of  Eochaid  he  fell  in  the  b.  of  Dunbolg  in  Leinster,  whither  he 
was  come  to  lift  the  Tribute  and  to  avenge  Cumascach  his  s.  on  them.  In 
said  b.  of  Dunbolg  there  perished  with  Beg  mac  Cuanach,  lord  of  Oriel,  cer- 
tain other  saerchlanna  *free'  i.e.  *  noble  progenies'  as  well.  It  was  of  Aedh's 
death  that  by  the  poet  was  uttered  [etc]:"  ibid,  (xviii)  "A.D.  601 :  the  b.  of 
Slaibre  won  by  the  úi  Néill  against  Eochaid's  s.  Brandubh  k.  of  Leinster, 
who  by  Saran  saebhderc^  Herenach  of  [the  church]  of  senboth  Sine  *  Temple- 
shanbo,'  and  by  his  oi\n  very  tribe,  was  si.  there :"  ibid,  (xix)  a.  "Aedh 
uairiodhnach :  because  his  iodhna  *  spears'  were  uar  *  cold' ;  for  it  was  winter 
hostings  that  he  practised.  Or:  they  were  uara  *  fits'  einigh  *  of  generosity* 
that  used  to  attack  him,  in  which  he  would  have  given  away  the  world  and 
all  had  he  but  had  it  at  his  discretion.  Or  again,  uara  they  were  that  came 
on  him  in  his  sleep,  when  he  would  keep  on  saying:  creach  *prey,'  coirm 
*ale':"  K.  i  :  i  b,  "Forcha  mac  Carthann's  d.  Brigh,  w.  of  Donall  ilcheal- 
gach^  was  m.  of  Aedh  uairiodhnach  i^^  cod.  cit.  5^ 

XXIX.  Page  424: — (i)  "Suibhne  tfuann  *the  stutterer':  it  was  a  mintie 
'impediment'  he  had  in  his  utterance:"  K.  4 :  i  b,  "A.D.  610:  Aedh  mac 
Ainmirech's  s.  Maclcobha  having  reigned  for  three  years,  in  the  b.  of  Slievetoa 
he  fell  by  Suibhne  meann-J^  IV  M  Page  425 :— (ii)  a.  "A.D.  526:  Muire- 
dach  muindearg's  s.  Cairell  k.  of  Ulidia  died  585 :  Cairell's  s.  Baedan  k.  of 
Ulidia  died  592 :  Suibhne's  s.  Black  Aedh  k.  of  Ulidia  si.  by  Baedan's  s. 
Fiachna ;  by  which  Black  A.  it  was  that  Dermot  mac  Cerbhall  the  k.  fell 
596 :  the  b.  of  Cúil  chael  won  by  Fiachna  mac  Baedan  against  Fiachna  mac 
Deman,  the  latter  being  routed  utterly:"  ibid,  b,  "  Caintighcm  m.  of  Mongan 
was  Fiachna  mac  Baedan's  w. :"  BB.  285^3  (iii)  a,  "A.D.  551 :  by  Deman  mac 
Cairell  and  the  úiEchach  of  the  Ardes  Fergna  mac  Angus  k.  of  Ulidia  was  si.  in 
the  b.  of  Drumclief  565 :  Deman,  s.  of  Cairell  k.  of  Ulidia,  si.  by  the  bachlachs 
*  churls'  of  Boirenn :"  I V  M  ^.  "  Garbh  d.  oiNéiUin  of  the  Kinelowen  was  m. 
of  Fiachna  mac  Deman  k.  of  Ulidia ;  whose  w.  Black  Cumain,  d.  of  Furudran 
mac  Beice  chief  of  the  men  of  Tuirtre^  was  m.  oiDubh  da  locha ;  this  last  being 
w.  of  Mongan  mac  Fiachna,  and  m.  of  his  two  sons  Conall  and  Colman:" 
BB.  285)8  Page  426: — (iv)  "A.D.  620:  Mongan  s.  of  Fiachna  lurgan  si. 
with  a  stone  by  Arthur  s.  of  Bicar,  of  the  Britons ;  whence  Beg  of  Boirche 
indited:  *cold  over  Islay  sweeps  the  wind  which  reaches  them  then  at  Can- 
tyre;  by  means  of  this  they  will  do  a  heinous  deed:  will  kill  Fiachna's  s. 
Mongan  [etc.]':"  IV  M  Page  428:— (v)  "A.D.  622:  b.  of  leithed Midinn 
in  Drung  won  by  F.  mac  Deman  lord  QÍdál  Fiatach  against  F.  mac  Baedan 
k.  of  Ulidia ;  in  which  the  latter  was  utterly  routed,  and  perished  624 :  by 
Connadh  cerr  lord  of  ddl  Riada  is  won  the  b.  of  Ardcorran,  in  which  F.  mac 
Baedan  k.  of  Ulidia  is  si.:"  ibid,  (vi)  "A.D.  623:  Suibhne  tneann  having 
reigned  thirteen  years,  by  Scannlan's  s.  Congal  claen  he  fell  on  trdigh  Bréna 
*B.'s  strand':"  ibid,  (vii)  ^^ Dúinsech  was  w.  of  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech's  s. 
Donall ;  Maelcobha's  w.,  and  Suibhne  meanrís^  I  know  not :"  BB.  286 
(viii)  "the  name  of  Cellach  mac  Maelcobha's  w.  was  Dathnat:"  ibid,  (ix) 
"A.D.  640:  first  year  of  Conall  cael2Síá  Cellach,  sons  of  Aedh  mac  Ainmirech's 


XXIX.  X— xviii]  Translation.  547 

s.  Maelchoba,  over  Ireland.   Scannlan  mors,  of  Cennfaeladh,  chief  of  Ossory, 
died:"  IV  M     Page  429: — (x)  "A.D.  617:  b.  oiCenngubha  (or  Cennbughba) 
won  by  Raghallach  s.  of  Uada  against  Guaire  aidhn^s  f.  Colman  mac  Cobh- 
tach,  and  Colman  himself  was  si.  there:"  ibid.    Page  430: — (xi)  "Muirenn 
d.  of  Maeldun  mac  Suibhne  .m.  Aedh  .m.  Garbhan  .m.  Tuathal  nuulgharbh^ 
w.  of  Raghallach  s.  of  Uada,  was  m.  of  his  three  sons :  Fergus,  Cellach, 
Cathal.     The  same  was  w.  to  Dermot  s.  of  Aedh  of  Slaine  as  well :"  BB. 
285a     Page  431: — (xii)  a.  "Pedigree  of  the  k.  of  Connacht:  Raghallach 
mac  Fuata  [Uada]  .m.  Aedh  .m.  Eochaidh  .m.  Fergus  .m.  Muiredach  mdl 
.m.  Eoghan  sreimh  .m.  Duach  galach  .m.  Brian  .m.  Eochaid  m.m.:"  LL. 
383  :  6    b,  ''A.D.  645 :  Raghallach  s.  of  Uada,  k.  of  Connacht,  si.  by  Moth- 
lachan's  s.  Maelbrighde  on  a  Sunday  precisely;  whence  [by  the  poet  speaking 
for  the  slayer]  was  said:  '.  ,  like  all  the  rest  I  have. my  share  (for  vengeance 
on  Ragh^Iach  is  a  thing  accomplished) :  his  grey  beard  is  in  my  hand,  in 
Maelbrighde  mac  Mothlachan's :"   IV  M      ^.  "  Maelbrighde  mac  M.'s  d. 
Cacht  was  Muiredach  muilUthat^s  w.,  and  m.  of  his  five  sons:  Innrechtach, 
Cathal,  Conor,  Connmach,  Fothadh.     Innrechtach's  d.  Medhb  was  m.  of 
Niall  caille  [s.  of  Aedh  oirdnidhe  k.  of  Ireland;  N.  reigned  832 — 844]:"  K. 
5  b    (xiii)  "  Deog,  d.  of  Finghin  mac  Aedh  and  More  of  Munster,  was  w.  of 
Laighnen  mac  Colman  and  afterwards  w.  to  Guaire  aidhne  mac  Colman. 
Guaire's  d.  Credh  was  w.  of  Muiredach  mac  Fergus,  and  again  to  Marcan 
mac  Doman  k.  of  Hy-Many.     Guaire's  d.  Gelgheis  was  Cuchongeilt's  w. 
Guaire's  m.  was  Adhamar  dheilgnech  of  the  Tradrctighe  [in  Thomond] :"  BB. 
285  i3  sq.    (xiv)  a,  "  Brea  d.  of  Colman  mac  Nemann  from  dun  Suine  was 
m.  of  Dermot  mac  Cerbhall's  s.  Colman  beg,    Eithne  d.  of  Brenann  doll  of 
Connacht  was.  m.  of  Dermot's  s.  Colman  mór,     Hsec  quoque  Ethnea  uxor 
Aedi  de  Slania  et  sex  ejusdem  filiorum  mater  fuit,  quorum  nomina  Diarmaid 
[cui  ut  supra  Ethnea  peperit  Colmanum  magnum],  Dunchad,  Maelbresail, 
Maelodair,  Congal,  Ailill.    Sed  et  ipsius  Aedi  de  Slania  mater  Ethnea  nostra 
Brendani  caeci  filia.  Aedh  of  Slaine's  d.  Ronat,  Colman's  w.,  was  m.  of  Olioll 
and  Maelduin:"  ibid,    b,  "Ethnea  f.  Brendani  caeci,  mater  Colmani  magni  f. 
Diarmitii  ruanaidh  dicti,  necnon  Aedi  de  Slania  uxor,  mater  ejusdem  filiorum 
sex  [ut  ante].    The  m.  of  Conall  and  Blathmac,  two  other  sons  of  Aedh  of 
Slaine's,  was  Lann.     His  d.  Ronnat  was  m.  of  Olioll  and  Maelduin:"  K.  5^ 
Page  433: — (xv)  "A.D.  645 :  b.  of  Camconall  won  by  Dermot  against  Guaire; 
in  which  were  si.  the  two  Cuans :  C.  mac  Enna  k.  of  Munster,  and  Cuan  mac 
Conall  chief  of  the  t'n  Fidhgeinte ;  Tolamhnach  also,  chief  of  the  úi  Uatháin ; 
and  Guaire  was  driven  from  the  battle-field:"   IV  M      Page  436: — (xvi) 
"A.D.  661  :   S.  Cuimin  fada  mac  Fiachna,  bp.  of  clucUn  ferta  Bhrénainn 
*  Clonfert,'  died  on  the  twelfth  d.  of  November  662 :  Colman's  s.  Guaire  of 
Aidhne,  k.  of  Connacht,. died.    The  same  m.  Guaire  and  Caeimin  of  Inish- 
caltra  had,  as  was  indited:  * Cuman  daughter  oi Dallbhrónach  was  Caeimin's 
mother,  Guaire's  too ;  seventy  and  seven  children  they  were  that  of  her  had 
their  birth':"  ibid.     Page  437: — (xvii)  a,  "Oena  [Aenna,  Enna]  ú  Laighse 
,  m .  Berach  .  m .  Domongart .  m .  Barr  [here  eight  to]  Lughaid  laighse  ,  m . 
Laighsech  cennmhór  s.  of  Conall  cernach:^^  LL.  349:4     b,  "A.D.  569:  S. 
Oenna  mac  ú  Laighse^  abbot  of  Clonmacnoise,  died:"  IV  M     Page  440: — 
(xviii)  "  Dervorgilla  d.  of  Conaing  mac  Olioll  of  Leinster,  and  Conchann  d. 
of  Conghal  cennfhada  of  Ulidia,  were  wives  of  Finnachta  y2f/^A  s.  of  Dun- 


548  Translation.  [xxxi. 

chadh  s.  of  Aedh  of  Slaine :"  K.  5^  Page  441 :— (xix)  "A.D.  693 :  Finnachta 
F.  [etc.]  having  reigned  for  twenty  years,  by  Aedh  s.  of  Dluthach  s.  of  Ailill 
s.  of  Aedh  of  S.,  chief  of  the  Fir  chúl^  and  by  Conghalach  s.  of  Conaing  s.  of 
Congbal  s.  of  Aedh  of  S.,  at  greallach  Dolluidh  he  fell  in  battle ;  wherein 
Finnachta's  s.  Bresal  likewise  perished  with  his  f. :**  IV  M  (xx)  "Pedigree 
of  the  k.  of  Kinelconall :  .  .  Loingsech  .m.  Angus  .m.  Donall  .m.  Aedh  .m. 
Ainmirech  .m.  Setna  .m.  Fergus  .m.  Conall  gulban  .m.  Niall  IX  H. :"  LL. 
338)8  Page  442 : — (xxi)  "A.D.  743 :  Cellach  of  Cualann's  d.  and  Irghalach's 
w.,  Muirenn,  died:"  IV  M  Page  443: — (xxii)  "A.D.  681:  eighth  year  of 
Finnachta.  Dunchadh  of  Murrisk  s.  of  Maeldubh,  k.  of  Connacht,  slain.  The 
b.  of  Corann,  in  which  were  si.  Blathmac*s  s.  Colga,  and  Fergus  mac  Maeldun 
chief  of  Kinelcarbery  701 :  Loingsech  .m.  Angus  .m.  Donall  having  reigned 
for  eight  years,  in  the  b.  of  Corann  he  was  si.  by  Cellach  of  loch  Cime^  s.  of 
Raghallach  mac  Fuada.  With  him  fell  his  three  sons :  Artghal,  Connachtach, 
Flann  gerrg ;  there  were  killed  Colcen's  two  sons  also,  with  Dubhdibherg 
mac  Dunghal,  T trgvis  /orcraifh^  Conall  gabhra  [a  quo  the  Hy-Conallgaura], 
and  other  noble  scions  besides.  It  was  Conall  meann  mac  Cairbre  that 
indited  these  quatrains,  which  were  proximate  cause  of  the  battle  [etc  as  in 
text]:"  ibid.  Page  444:— (xxiii)  "A.D.  703:  Raghallach's  s.  Cellach  k.  of 
Connacht,  after  he  had  embraced  a  religious  life,  died.  Adamnan  s.  of 
Ronan,  abbot  of  Columbkill's  lona,  t  September  23  after  being  twenty-six 
years  abbot  and  having  completed  seventy-seven  years  of  age.  And  a  good 
man,  according  to  the  venerable  Bede's  testimony,  the  holy  Adamnan  was : 
for  he  was  given  to  tears  and  penance,  was  diligent,  a  faster,  temperate ;  for 
excepting  on  Sunday  and  on  Thursday  he  never  took  meat  at  all.  To  these 
virtues  he  made  a  slave  of  himself,  and  moreover  was  wise  and  skilled  in 
complete  understanding  of  the  holy  scripture:"  ibid.  Page  445: — (xxiv) 
**A.D.  705 :  Conghal  of  Kinnaweer  s.  of  Fergus  of  Fanad  having  ruled  Ire- 
land for  seven  years,  he  died  of  a  one  hour's  sudden  attack  of  illness :"  ibid. 

XXXI.  Page  453:~(i)  "A.D.  539:  beheading  of  Abacuc  in  the  Conven- 
tion of  Taillte,  by  miracle  of  God  and  S.  Kieran.  It  was  perjury  he  uttered 
under  Kieran's  hand,  and  an  ulcer  broke  out  in  his  neck  (for  there  it  was  that 
Kieran's  hand  had  lain)  and  his  head  fell  off  him:"  IV  M 


Notes  and  Corrections, 

p.  V,  Ir.,  1.  7,  for  dúithche  leg.  dúthaig\  1.  25,  for  /  ndéidhetudghe  ddn  16  leg. 
ddn  16  i  nddidhenaighe, 

P.  vi,  In,  1.  37,  after  béarla  leg.  gan  bhlas, 

P.  vii,  Ir.,  1.  9,  after  neamhshuim  leg.  dd  ndéantaoi\  1.  10,  after  do  chúiteamh 
leg.  go  flúirsectch ;  1.  27,  for  in  Lebar  brec  leg.  /f^ar  BaiU  in  mhata, 

P.  viii,  Ir.,  11.  8,  9,  for  in  Lebar  brec  leg.  /.?^ar  Bcdle  in  mhóta, 

P.  1, 1.  5,  for  eastern  leg.  western, 

P.  2,  L  22.  [Celestinus  I.]  Germanum  antisiodorensem  episcopum  in  Britan- 
niam  mittit,  qui  de  turbatis  haereticis  insulares  ad  catholicam  fidem 
redigeret ;  misit  et  ad  Scothos  Christi  fidem  optantes  Palladium  quern 
et  ipse  consecrauerat.  Huius  certe  atque  suorum  opera  magna  pars 
occidentis  ad  veram  Christi  fidem  conuersa  est  (Joh.  Platina,  Hystoria 
de  vitis  Pontificum  periucunda,  Lugd. :  Gilbert  de  Villiers,  15 12)  Ger- 
manum in  Britanniam,  Palladium  in  Scotiam  et  Patricium  cum  quodam 
Segetio  in  Hybemiam,  ut  Pelagianas  haereses  extirparent,  episcopos 
misit  (Joh.  B^eus,  Acta  Romanorum  Pontificum,  Basil :  Joh.  Oporinus, 

1563). 
ibid,^  L  29,  *at  such  well  [etc.]*  i.e.  at  a  well  of  the  kind  called  uardn.    Cod. 

Kilk.  has :  adi  fontem  in  medio  Hibemise,  in  confinio  australium  et  aqui- 

lonensium  Hibemensium,  qui  vocatur  Fuaran. 

P.  3,  1.6.  Quod  cymbalum  *Bardan  (forte  bodhrán  i.e,  mutum)  Kierani' 
vocatur  (Jbid.). 

ibid,^  1.  16,  evidently  some  words  have  fallen  out  here.  Fons  vero  ille  in  con- 
finio prouinciarum  {alias  partium)  Hibemiae  constat ;  sed  tamen  in  aus- 
trali  piaga,  et  regione  Mumeniae  {sic\  videlicet  in  plebe  quas  vocatur 
Hele  {ibid.). 

P.  4,  L  5,  for  *was  instant'  leg.  'constrained'  or  'forced';  where  cod.  Kilk.  is 
fuller :  Haec  sciens  pater  Kieranus  alium  monachum  vel  discipulum,  i.e. 
Broccum,  post  vulpem  in  eremum  misit  ut  fratrem  ad  locum  suum  redu- 
ceret.  Broccus  autem  cum  esset  peritus  in  sylvis  ad  verbum  magistri 
sui  illico  obediens  perrexit  et  recto  itinere  ad  speluncam  fratris  vulpis 
peruenit ;  et  veniens  ad  eum  volentem  ficones  domini  comedere  duas 
aures  eius  et  caudam  abscidit  et  pilos  eius  carpsit,  et  coegit  secum  venire 
ad  monasterium  suum  ut  ageret  paenitentiam  ibi  pro  facto  sua 

ibid.^  lin.  penult.,  *  chief  of  Hy-Fiachrach'  wanting  in  cod.  Kilk. 

ibid,y  1.  24,  for  *  Braus'  of  ms.  leg.  *  Ibarus.* 

P.  5, 1.  6.  Nisi  in  sequentis  diei  initio  vox  ciconiae  excitauerit  me  a  somno  .  . 
nutu  Dei  ciconia  in  castello  cantabat  (cod.  Kilk.).  Si  per  vocem  cuculi 
me  mane  eras  de  sompno  feceris  excitari  .  .  ecce  cuculus  vociferat  in 
culmine  cujusque  domus  (cod.  Salm.  808). 

ibid,^  L  29,  *  earthly,'  i.e.  fleeting  (ind.  B  s.  v.  ialmaidhe), 

P.  7, 1.  5,  for  'summoned'  leg.  'threatened.' 

P.  6,  Ir.,  11.  10,  14,  here  and  elsewhere  for  bhérfaidh  leg.  bhéraidh. 


550  Notes  and  Corrections. 

p.  8, 1. 35.  Die  quadam  S.  Kieranus  expandit  syndonem  mundum  supra  vcprem 
moros  multum  habentem  (cod.  Kilk.)  Uno  enim  dierum  aptumnalium 
veprem  quandam  mora  pulcerrima  ferentem  conspiciens  mundo  velamine 
lini  circumdedit  (cod.  Salm.  811). 

P.  10,  I r.,  1.  II,  here  and  elsewhere  for  dibferg\t%,  diberg, 

P.  II,  1.  25,  for  Abacus  and  India  of  ms.  leg.  Abacuc^  Judea :  Erat  autem 
Habacuc  propheta  in  Judaea  .  .  dixitque  Angelus  Domini  ad  Habacuc : 
fer  prandium  quod  habes  in  Babylonem  Danieli  qui  est  in  lacu  leonum 
.  .  et  apprehendit  eum  Angelus  Domini  in  vcrtice  ejus,  et  portavit  eum 
capillo  capitis  sui,  posuitque  eum  in  Babylone  supra  lacum  in  impetu 
spiritus  sui  (Daniel,  xiv.  32,  33,  35)  Nam  angelus  earn  [Lasram  vir- 
ginem]  sursum  tanquam  alterum  Abacuc  levavit  atque  ad  suam  perduxit 
regionem  (cod.  Salm.  202)  £t  ecce  angeli  venientes  elevaverunt  eum 
[sanctum  Edanum]  instar  Abacuc  prophete  (466)  Et  sic  tanquam  alterum 
Abacuc,  non  tamen  cum  pulmento  sed  cum  lapide  grandi,  defenint  eum 
[sanctum  Cuannetheum]  per  aera  usque  ad  terre  sue  nativa  litora  (931) 
Qui  [i.e.  Deus]  Abachuc  prophetam  ad  solatium  Danielis  a  Judea  in 
Babilonem  transmisit  .  .   .   (935). 

P.  16,  Ir.,  1.  20,  defective ;  leg.  tré ghrddh  oil  nd  daoinechta^  or  some  such. 

P*  '9»  !•  35»  leg.  *she  brought  forth  at  Airedh  bairr^  MD  mentions  eight 
places  called  Airedh  (gen.  airidh^  dat.  airiudh\  seven  being  distinguished 
by  a  dep.  gen.,  and  one  by  an  adj.  (ind.  B). 

P.  20,  Ir.,  1.  23  (also  p.  21, 1.  17),  for  Chonailly  ms.  contiaill^  leg.  chontudL 

P.  20, 1.  6,  supply  *to  excess' ;  the  reading  is  inmar  \inmár\  certainly. 

ibid,^  1.  21.  Min  *'m&2\i  fuinim  *I  knead,'  are  exemplified  in  the  familiar 
adage :  is  furus  fuinedh  inaice  na  mine  i.e.  *  'tis  easy  kneading  alongside 
the  meal.' 

P.  21,  1.  16.  *  Half  and  one  over'  is  a  stock  phrase  meaning  *  fully  half' ;  often 
used  in  collocations  similar  to  this. 

P.  21,  Ir.,  lin.  ult,  ms.  is  ba  maith  [etc.]. 

P.  25,  Ir.,  IL  13,  15,  for  ibhair  leg.  Ibhair\  1.  25,  TSis./risi  nabar. 

P.  25, 1.  20,  after  '  taken  from  him'  add :  'As  for  the  same  king,  it  was  people 
he  had  leading  him  to  shew  him  the  way  until  he  reached  his  house.' 

P.  26,  Ir.,  1.  40,  ms.  léig  dam  inferann  gan  imshniom, 

P.  27,  Ir.,  1.  2,  ms.  CO  roibe, 

P.  28,  In,  L  4,  ms.  dognidy  leg.  dognith\  1.  23,  ms.  dorighni, 

P.  29,  Ir.,  L  34,  ms.  roither, 

P.  32,  Ir.,  1.  31,  in  duinebádh  omit  accent 

P.  31,  L  20,  after  bacldmh  add:  *  Dermot  mac  Cerbhall's ^/7/«.* 

P.  32, 1.  1 1,  leg.  *  nor  for  a  distance  of  seven  feet  from  it  in  every  direction.' 

P.  35,  Ir.,  lin.  ult.  of  poetry,  íorbiathra  leg.  briathra\  1.  36,  for  4/^/r  leg,  bfert\ 
lin.  ult.  for  chaba  leg.  chába. 

P.  36,  Ir.,  1.  29,  ni  mo  [etc.]  is  corrupt,  but  the  meaning  is  evident;  leg.  per- 
haps ni  mo  ind  sgabhala  rdinic  leo  do  dhénam  i  noeninadh  acu, 

P.  37,  Ir.,  1.  14,  delete  *(j/V)';  1.  34,  leg.  lethchoss\  lin.  penult.,  ms.  indainm. 

P.  37>  !•  8,  lit.  *  poverty  would  need  succour.' 

P.  39,  Ir.,  1.  9,  leg.  reithe\  L  11,  ms.  immuin, 

P.  40,  Ir.,  1.  5,  leg.  raithin;  rdithin  is  'a  little  rath,'  raithin  *fem,'  *a  ferny 
place.' 


Notes  and  Corrections.  5  5 1 

p.  38, 1.  17,  *how  near  [etc.]*  i.e.  now  that  I  have  seen  thee  I  care  not  how 
soon  I  die ;  1.  23,  leg.  Raithin^  Rahen. 

P.  40,  Ir.,  1.  30,  ms.  an  bid  aine\  1.  36,  ms.  dicLdndechaid, 

P.  41,  Ir.,  1.  17,  leg.  saethar\  1.  18,  mo  lái  is  a  guess;  the  whole  page  is  more 
or  less  corrupt  and  defective. 

P.  42,  Ir.,  1.  9,  leg.  seinUandn ;  lin.  ult.  defective. 

P.  42, 1.  14,  *  is  a  mere  [etc],*  lit.  *is  but  a  booley  that  is  betrayed/  a  figure 
taken  from  the  old  predatory  life  (ind.  C  s.  v.  buodle), 

P.  43,  Ir.,  L  II,  leg.  andiu\  1.  24,  {or  otharcongal  oi  itis.  leg.  ótfhorcomul\  lin. 
antepen.,  ms.  nacoimiinoL 

P.  42,  lin.  penult.,  for  *even  though  [etc]*  leg.  'because  from  this  thine  obli- 
gation [thus  laid  on  me]  I  may  not  be  freed,  exempted.* 

P.  45,  Ir.,  1.  18,  leg.  dc^n;  1.  23,  for  nac  leg.  nock, 

P.  46,  Ir.,  1.  24,  leg.  mo  nuall\  1.  32,  leg.  in  ni\  lin.  ult.,  leg.  ris. 

P.  45,  lin.  penult,  *the  tokens  [etc.]*:  Quindecim  signa  ante  diem  iudicii. 
leronimus  in  animalibus  libris  hebreorum  inuenit  .xv.  signa  .xv.  dierum 
ante  diem  iudicii,  sed  vtrum  continui  futuri  sint  sicut  dies  illi  an  inter- 
polati  non  expressit.  Prima  die  eriget  se  mare  .xl.  cubitus  super  altitu- 
dinem  montium,  stans  in  loco  suo  quasi  mums.  Secundo  tantum  descend- 
et  vt  vix  videri  possit.  Tertio  marine  bestie  apparentes  super  mare  dabunt 
rugitus  vsque  ad  celum.  Quarto  mare  ardebit  et  aque.  Quinto  ruent 
edificia.  Septimo  petre  adinuicem  coUidentur.  Octavo  generalis  fiet 
terremotus.  Nono  equabitur  terra.  Decimo  exibunt  homines  de  cauemis 
et  ibunt  velut  amentes  et  non  poterunt  loqui.  Undecimo  surgent  ossa 
mortuorum  et  stabunt  supra  sepulchra.  Duodecimo  cadent  stelle.  Tertio 
decimo  morientur  homines  viuentes  tunc,  vt  cum  mortuis  resurgant. 
Quartodecimo  ardebit  celum  et  terra  secundum  superficies  terre  et  aeris. 
Quintodecimo  fiet  celum  nouum  et  terra  noua  et  resurgent  omnes ;  vnde 
Gregorius  in  omelia  illius  euuangelii:  erunt  signa  et  prodigia  etc.  .  . 
(Speculum  Christianorum  multa  bona  continens,-  Parisius :  Claude  lau- 
mar,  1497,  f.  xlvi  b), 

P.  46, 1.  3,  after  *body*  add:  *on  that  day,  and  in  the  place  where  shall  be 
neither  opposition  [dissension]  nor  ending;*  1.  12,  caire  of  ms.  is  more 
likely  to  stand  for  coire  *  cauldron*  than  for  cuire  *  band,*  *  gang,*  cf.  e  cont. 
boile  (frequent  in  northern  mss.)  for  bodle  *  town,*  not  for  buile  *  madness.* 
That  a  utensil  of  the  kind  is  apposite  here,  the  following  (told  to  me  long 
ago,  with  much  else,  to  lighten  a  mile  or  two  of  the  road)  will  show :  a 
beggar  of  the  right  old  sort  on  circuit  enters  the  parson*s  kitchen  and, 
after  seating  himself,  demands  a  refection  as  of  right ;  the  servant-girl 
conveys  the  message,  and  the  parson,  who  is  at  dinner  but  forgets  that 
*tis  Friday,  sends  down  to  the  duine  bocht  uasal  or  *poor  gentleman*  a 
cut  from  his  joint  On  theological  grounds  this  is  returned  peremptorily, 
and  the  parson  commissions  the  girl  with : — 

B  eir  sgéla  uaim  go  dti  an  nduine  sin 

OS  tu  as  deirionaighe  bhi  ag  labhairt  leis. 
N  ach  Í  an  fheoil  théidheann  go  hiffemn 

acht  na  croidhtheacha  bhios  fallsa  í 

i.e.  "  From  me  to  that  man  (since  you  it  was  that  last  had  speech  of 


552  Notes  and  Corrections. 

him)  convey  the  intelligence  that  not  the  flesh  meat  is  that  which  goes 
to  Hell,  but  such  hearts  as  are  false.'' 

The  bacach  sends  her  back  immediately  with  the  stanza  completed : — 
B  eirse  sgéla  uaimse  go  dtf  an  ministir 

OS  duitse  as  usa  labhairt  leis. 
G  o  bfuil  coire  mór  i  nifemn 
ag^s  ministridhe  ag  damhsa  ann 

i.e.  "  From  me  to  the  minister  (since  for  you  'tis  the  most  easy  to  have 
speech  of  him)  aoyou  convey  the  news  that  in  Hell  there's  a  big  cauldron 
and  ministers  a-dancing  in  it  [i.e.  on  the  boil]!" 

Such  is  freagra  an  bhacaig  ghaodhlaig  ar  an  ministir  *  the  Irish 
beggar's  retort  on  the  minister.' 
P.  46,  L  13.  With  the  state  of  things  predicted  here  cf.  a  burlesque  on  comh- 
airle  na  bardscolóige  dá  mhac  *  the  Poet -farmer's  advice  to  his  son,' 
otherwise  an  teagasc  riogdha  *  the  royal  doctrine '  as  it  is  humorously 
called  sometimes  (see  Cormac  mac  Airt's  to  his  son  Cairbre,  LL.  543^)  • — 

S  machtaig  t'athair  i  nam. 
na  tuig  gur  fearr  é  na  thu  féin  Í 
aonfhocal  ar  a  mbiadh  bias  na  greann. 
na  tigeadh  amach  as  do  bhéal 

i.e.  "  Discipline  your  father  in  good  time ;  never  suppose  him  to  be  better 
than  yourself;  a  single  well-savoured  word,  or  one  fraught  with  wit,  never 
let  such  a  thing  issue  from  your  mouth." 

ibid.^  1.  3'»  leg*  *  perfections.' 

P.  47,  1.  33,  leg.  *  Rahen.' 

P.  47,  Ir.,  1.  21,  leg.  raithin. 

P.  48, 1.  14,  after  *  chaste,'  add:  *yea,  though  but  once  she  visited  a  priest  it 
were  a  great  sin ;'  the  orig.  is  defective  here,  but  that  seems  to  be  the 
sense  of  no  dono  aenadall  sacairt  standing  isolated. 

P.  48,  Ir.,  1.  22,  here  collus  is  obscure;  the  whole  paragraph  is  damaged. 

P.  49, 1.  25,  *Thus  Antichrist  [etc.]':  De  antichristo.  Antichristus  in  magna 
Babilone  de  meretrice  generis  Dan  nascetur.  In  matris  vtero  replebitur 
diabolo ;  in  corporeis  maliciis  nutrietur ;  vniuerso  orbi  imperabit.  Totum 
genus  humanum  sibi  quatuor  modis  subiugabit.  Uno  modo  nobiles  sibi 
diuiciis  arcessct  que  sibi  maxime  affluent,  quia  omnis  abscondita  pecunia 
erit  sibi  manifesta.  Secundo  modo  sibi  vulgus  subdet  terrore,  quia 
maxima  scuicia  in  dei  cultores  furiet.  Tertio  modo  sapientia  et  incredi- 
bili  eloquentia  clerum  obtinebit,  quia  omnes  artes  et  omnem  scripturam 
memoriter  sciet.  Quarto  modo  mundi  contemptores,  vt  sunt  monachi, 
signis  et  prodigiis  fallet.  Facict  enim  stupenda  signa  et  prodigia,  vt 
videretur  ignem  descendere  et  aduersarios  coram  se  consumere,  et  mor- 
tuos  surgere  et  sibi  testimonium  dare ;  sed  non  suscitabit  mortuos  vere, 
sed  diabolus  eius  malcficio  corpus  alicuius  mortui  damnati  intrabit  et 
illud  apportabit  et  per  illud  loquetur  quasi  viuum  videatur,  ut  dicitur :  in 
omnibus  signis  et  prodigiis  mendacibus.  Hunc  ludci  ex  toto  orbe  veni- 
entes  summo  loco  suscipient;  sed  per  prcdicationem  Enoch  et  Helie  ad 
christianam  religionem  ibunt,  et  omnes  pene  durum  martinum  subibunt. 
Hie  monarchiam  pertres  annos  et  dimidium  obtinebit,  deinde  tentorium 


Notes  and  Corrections.  553 

suum  ad  expugnandum  iustos  in  monte  Oliucti  extendet,  in  quo  inueni- 
ctur  subita  morte  mortuus,  spiritu  oris  domini  et  iussu  dei  interfectus,  ut 
dicitur:  prsecipitabit  dominus  inclitum  vniuersi  orbis  in  monte  sancto 
(Spec.  Christ,  f.  xlvi). 

P.  50, 1.  22,  *to  the  sword's  edge*  lit.  'under  mouth  of  sword,*  an  idiom  which 
it  hardly  seems  needful  to  account  a  Hebraism  derived  through  the  Latin 
scriptures,  as :  Fugavitque  Josue  Amalec  et  populum  ejus  in  ore  gladii 
(Exod.  xvii.  13).  Presently  the  edge  of  an  axe  is  béal  tuaighe^  its  *  mouth* ; 
the  back  is  cul iuaighe^  its  'poll* ;  the  flat,  slinn  tuaighe  (ind.  C  s.  v.). 

P.  50,  Ir.,  1.  16,  meirgedha  'standards*;  John  0*Donnell  of  Athlacca,  county 
Limerick  (tin  late  fifties),  writing  Teigue  0*Conor*s  elegy  in  1807  says, 
St.  14:  is  dochim  san  leirg  chugham  meirge  an  éaga  i.e.  "and  Death's 
standard  I  discern  toward  me  in  the  way.*' 

ibid,^  1.  25.  In  med.  MSS.  imrim  lámh  *  I  ply  hand,'  5Ím9n  lámh  *  I  put  forth 
hand,*  are  the  regular  phrases  for  *I  operate  surgically*;  1.  36,  here  ni 
gébcU  fri  cath  does  not  admit  of  lit.  tr. ;  it  has  the  same  meaning  as  in 
nocho  ragaib  Finn  rd  ech  (Finn  and  the  Phantoms,  quat.  81),  where 
render:  *Finn  never  took  a  pull  at  his  horse.*  To  'pull*  a  horse  in  a 
race,  and  to  '  pull  him  up,*  are  quite  two  things. 

P.  52,  Ir.,  L  25,  leg.  comadctnn  sin  idnaic, 

P*  53i  Ii*'»  1*  14)  leg*  acallaim, 

P.  54,  Ir.,  1.  34,  deirrid  'private,*  'secret*:  with  Irish  physicians  the  short 
tract  called  'Arcanum  Hippocratis*  or '  Hippocratis  Capsula  Ebumea* 
is  deirredas^  diorradas^  Ifocráit  (Ir.  Cat,  p.  265  sq.). 

P.  58, 1.  36,  leg.  'the  red  hound  [i.e.  mighty  wolf].*    This  bit  (Ir.  p.  56, 1.  21), 
in  which  for  brécaire '  deceiver*  leg.  ^r^^a/r^  'yelper*  as  printed  originally, 
is  illustrated  by  some  glosses  given  in  P.  O'Connell's  MS.  Ir.  Diet. :  (i) 
^^brecaire  J.  senach^  a  name  given  to  a  fox,  signifying  'a  barker*  or 
'yelper,*  ex.  tánaic  ó  dhrom  fnaic  Dair  \an\  breccUre  ./.  an  cú  ruadh  do 
blodhfaphort  na  hinnsex  Old  Vellum**  [our  passage,  from  LB.  presum- 
ably]   (ii)  "  brecairecht^  the  barking  or  yelping  of  a  fox,  [exx.]  a.  mate 
tire  ag brecairecht  ,i.  logóirecht  [i.e.  'wolves  yelping,  making  ululation*] 
/3.  senaig  bhega  ag  brecairecht  chugam  agus  uaim  teichimse  re  a  b/uaim 
[i.e.  as  little  foxes  advance  on  me  and  then  retreat,  with  yelping  all  the 
time,  at  their  noise  I  flee  away] :  buile  Shuibne  [S.*s  Madness,  a  tale].'* 
The  reasons  for  which  in  the  face  of  this,  and  oi  ruadh  'red,*  the  animal 
has  been  taken  = '  wolf,*  not '  fox,*  are  briefly  these :  adj.  breac  as  applied 
to  sound  means  of  a  broken,  jerky,  tripping  or  staccato  character,  suit- 
able therefore  to  either  fox  or  wolf  (ante  ii  a/3) ;  «/,  cú  allaidh^  cú  allta^ 
faelchú^  mean  'wolf,*  never  'fox';  while  use  of  ruadh  'rufus*  (either  in 
composition  or  otherwise)  in  the  secondary  sense  of  *  strong,'  '  mighty,* 
'fierce,*  is  manifold  and  frequent  where  it  does  not  and  cannot  mean 
actual  colour  (ind.  C  s.  v.),  and  this  springs  from  the  medieval  association 
of  '  red  *  with  the  notion  of  strength,  courage,  etc.  (abundant  in  med. 
works).  Sometimes  it  is,  like  dubh  'black,*  a  mere  intensitive,  cf.  Hibemo- 
eng.  'the  black  North*  =  'le  fin  fond  du  Nord*;  'a  black  Tory,'  'a  black 
Whig,*  and  so  on.     Lastly :  it  is  evident  that  the  cú  ruadh  of  p.  59, 1.  16 
(Ir.  p.  57, 1,  i),  stands  neither  in  apposition  nor  as  a  parallel,  but  in  con- 
trast, to  the  immediately  preceding  sionnach  'fox*  (ind.  C  s.v.  coinfiadh). 

2  T 


554  Notes  and  Corrections. 

p.  57,  In,  1.  1 6,  for  ms.  dat.  (Tfior  idan  metre  demands  %^n,fir  tdatn. 

P.  58,  Ir.,  1.  4,  here  prep. /7r=*  for  the  sake  oV\  1.  39,  leg.  cdrdEogain. 

P.  59,  Ir.,  I'm.  penult.,  leg.  Idimsen, 

P.  60,  Ir.,  1.  8,  mac  Sláine  is  very  unusual;  1.  29,  leg.  oca  hiarratd, 

P.  61,  Ir.,  1.  34,  for  oea  leg.  ocd. 

P.  61,  IL  19,  23,  *is  as  good  [etc.],'  leg.  *  shall  fall.* 

P.  63,  Ir.,  lin.  ult,  defective,  leg.  sidh  do  detmrn  da  mhuintir  ocus  Dúrlas  nice 

féin^  or  the  like. 
P.  64,  Ir.,  lin.  antcpen.,  leg.  insedaib, 
P.  65,  Ir.,  1.  21,  leg.  chocmChellaig. 
P.  66,  1.  32,  or  leg.  *  'tis  blithe  to  think  of  them.* 

P.  68, 1.  12,  leg.  *  a  parricidal  deed  of  treachery*  (ind.  C  s.v.  a/7/) ;  1.  22,  *  back- 
ward houses'  i.e.  he  was  no  solitary  banqueter  and  toper. 
P.  69, 1.  8,  leg.  *  churches  shall  fall.* 

P.  66,  Ir.,  1.  28,  glaslaith  *  young  men,*  more  lit.  *  green  hands,*  a  fern,  noun 
of  number  formed  from  glas  *  green,'  as  from  en  *bird*  comes  enlaitky 
gen.  na  hénlaiihe ;  glasradh  on  the  other  hand,  of  a  more  usual  collec- 
tive formation,  means  *  greenstuff,'  'vegetables.'     In  IV  M  ad  an.  1256 
O'Donovan  renders  ^/oj/a/'M  by  *  recruits.* 
ibid.^  1.  30  sqq.,  for  Seanán,  expanded  from  ms.  Sean-  and  inadvertently 
allowed  to  stand,  read  Scanach ;  and  the  excuse  must  be  that,  whereas 
for  many  years  S.  Senan's  tutelage  was  extended  to  me  in  the  parish  of 
cill  tSendin  léith  *  Kiltannanlea,'  I  have  had  no  dealings  with  S.  Senach. 
The  former  Saint's  name  having  been  printed  however,  some  notice  of 
him  could  not  well  be  omitted  from  the  Extracts. 
P.  67,  Ir.,  1.  22,  a  niurt  —  as  niurt^  not  /  niurt, 

P.  68,  Ir.,  1.  7,  beithcr  (see  p.  75, 1.  14)  is  impers.  fut.,  passive  in  form,  of  verb 
subst. :  pres.  atáthar^  pret.  ro  bds ;  and  betth  fútha  (lit.  *  to  be  under 
them')  =  *to  i/zi^rtake  them,'  *  become  responsible  for  them.' 
P.  72,  Ir.,  in  quat.,  for  Sreath  leg.  sreath ;  for  rib^  Rib. 
P.  71,  1.  36,  'adjuring  [etc],'  lit.  *  after  the  steward  had  implored  God's  name 

against  him.* 
P.  74,  1.  I,  *the  thigh  [etc.],*  a  phrase  frequent  in  MSS.,  seems  to  indicate  a 

kneeling  on  one  knee  in  presence  of  a  superior. 
P.  76, 1.  29,  after  *  cleric*  add  *then.* 

P.  77, 1.  9,  *  Hy-Conall*  is  merely  a  convenient  rendering  of  the  scribe's  fancy 
Conallaib^  dat.  pi.  of  no.  pro.  Conall^  in  lieu  of  collective  Conaille  *the 
race  of  Conall  {cernacJiY  settled  in  Muirtheimne;  1.  22,  lit.  *he  [the  k.] 
himself  comes  against  him  to  cnoc  Bracdin  [not  Brecdin  as  printed]  and 
there  tarried,  whence  [etc.]';  where  icomnaidhe  must  be  an  economical 
(not  necessarily  careless,  nor  ignorant)  writing  of  ic  comnaidhe^  like  laisin 
-  lais  sin^  p.  81  lin.  ult. ;  this  latter  meaning  *in  the  act  of  tarrying'  or 
*  halting,'  while  the  former  means  *  always,'  e.g.  the  common  adage :  mas 
cam  direch  sd an  bófhar  mór  as  mó  comhgar  i gcomhnaidhc  i.e.  "crooked 
or  straight,  'tis  the  high  road  that's  the  shortest  cut  always."  A  third  use 
is :  bim  am  chomhnaidhe  -  comhnaighim  *  I  dwell,'  bionn  sé  ina  chomhn- 
aidhe  *  he  dwells,'  etc. 
ibid,^  1. 19,  for  ms.  inbacucc  leg.  Ambacuc  =  Abacuc ;  cf.  tombac  of  the  northern 
half  and  Highlands,  as  against  tobac  of  Munster,  accent  as  in  germ. 


Notes  and  Corrections.  555 

*tabak*;  1.  31,  lith  =  leith  (as  bith  =  beith^  lis  =  leiSy  etc.)  represents  the 
northern  half  s  utterance :  a  peculiarity  the  great  age  of  which,  and  of 
many  others  (flexional  and  phonetic)  characterising  various  districts,  it 
would  be  easy  to  demonstrate  from  MSS.  Here  however  the  much 
decried  native  would  have  to  come  in,  and  scientific  theorists  pure  and 
simple  would  find  themselves  on  slippery  ground. 

P.  79,  1.  25,  for  lit  *in*  leg.  rather  *at'  bruidhen  Dáchoga  *D.'s  fort,*  and 
understand  *  on  the  site  of  it,*  which  was  in  W.  Meath ;  the  tale  bearing 
that  title  belongs  to  Conor  mac  Nessa*s  cycle,  its  period  circ.  A.D.  33. 

P.  75,  Ir.,  1.  10,  leg.  marbadsom\  1.  24  sq.,  the  matter  in  []  is  simple  oflfspring 
of  scribal  sportiveness,  and  absolutely  devoid  of  all  interest  whether 
philological  or  phonetic,  unless  indeed  one  grasp  at  the  solitary  micro- 
scopic fact  that  dirie  gives  the  aspirationless  northern  pron.  of  áirithe. 
Some  bits  of  the  kind  are  much  longer  and,  where  contextual  help  is 
little  or  nil,  constitute  veritable  puzzles ;  this  one  is  a  very  mild  affair, 
the  only  word  left  dubious  (and  that  purposely,  through  abbreviation) 
being  qur-^  where  the  snake  in  the  grass  apparently  is  a  play  on  curadh 
(ind.  C  s.  V.  cur)  and  cú  ruadh  as  printed.  The  Gillariach  mac  Teigue 
O'Clery  (Harl.  5280),  fl.  1460,  and  Donall  0*Davoren  (Eg.  88)  a  century 
later,  were  great  hands  at  this  game.  Of  the  same  kind* is  a  feature  in 
some  pieces  of  (inter  alia)  Eg.  1782 :  the  substitution  of/  for  a  in  certain 
collocations  specified  in  Irische  Texte  III.  i,  p.  234.  Here  is  no  trace 
whatever  of  dialect ;  the  raison  d'etre  lies  in  what  Zimmer  calls  the 
'  stark  expiratorischer  accent,*  which  can  be  traced  back  so  far,  and  so 
early  was  at  work  fusing  and  obliterating  case-endings,  etc  Thus  in 
the  scribe's  time,  and  long  before,  def.  art.  in  had  in  common  parlance 
become  an ;  prep.  /,  a ;  he  then  (to  amuse  himself)  reversed  the  process 
and  in  divers  junctures  wrote  /  for  a^  where  the  scientists  are  implored 
*ergebenst*  to  believe  that  since  Ireland  was  Ireland  no  man  ever  pro- 
nounced so,  unless  perchance  the  Gael  may  have  possessed  some  proto- 
type of  Dick  Swiveller  with  his  famous :  "  is  the  old  min  friendly  ?** 

P.  76,  Ir.,  1.  I,  leg.  con  toidecht  =  co  dtoidecht;  where,  as  in  so  many  cases 
(p.  81, 1.  8),  interchange  of  ^  and  d\s  merely  phonetic,  shewing  that  the 
writer  aspirated  the  letter ;  thus  incorrect  (or  skittish)  scribes  will  put  a 
ghún  for  a  dhún  *his  fort,*  a  dhort  ior  a  ghort  *his  field,*  but  not  a  gun 
for  a  dun  '  her  fort,*  nor  a  dort  for  a  gort  *  her  field.* 

ibid.^  1.  15,  no  need  to  read  nom.  Senach^  but  gen.  Senaigh  for  ms.  Senaidh 
(see  prec.  rem.).  After  epscop  this  gen.  of  the  name  (as  it  were  *epis- 
copus  Johannis*  for  *episcopus  Johannes')  is  freq.  in  LL.,  etc.  This  is 
an  extension  of  that  idiom  (much  used  by  the  people  in  speaking  English) 
which  g^ves  amadánjir  *a  fool  of  a  man'=  *a  foolish  fellow,*  togha  mar- 
caigh  *a  choice  of  a  horseman*  =  *a  choice  horseman,*  and  so  on;  cf. 
fam.  fr.  *  une  dróle  d'histoire,*  *  farceur  de  Jacques.*  etc 

P.  Tjy  Ir.,  1.  24,  leg.  scithlim.  Dermot's  vision  above  recalls  Nebuchadnez- 
zar*s,  Dan.  iv. 

P.  79,  Ir.,  1.  II,  a  cinaidh  =  i gcinaidh. 

P.  81,  Ir.,  1.  6,  ms.  noeghoidechta^  bad  spelling  for  noeighedechta\  1.  9,  accord- 
ing to  Irische  Texte  III.  i,  p.  223,  tar  mo  shdrugad  is  *an  idiomatic 
phrase* ;  add  this  explanation :  sárcughim^  the  fundamental  notion  of 


556  Notes  and  Corrections, 

which  is  'excess*  (cf.  fr.  *excéder'),  means  *I  override,'  'outrage,'  'vio- 
late,* whether  physically  in  any  way,  or  by  disregard  of  another's  rights 
and  privileges;  verbal  noun  sárugJiadh^  sárachadh^  coupled  with  poss. 
pron.  or  dep.  gen.,  means  such  outraging  etc.  of  a  person,  sanctuary,  or 
any  thing  capable  of  being  so  treated ;  when  therefore  by  A  a  given  end 
cannot  be  attained  without  doing  a  sárughadh  of  some  sort  on  C,  such 
necessary  violence  is  conceived  of  as  an  obstacle  in  A's  way  and,  should 
he  nevertheless  persevere  to  success,  he  is  said  to  do  so  darsarughadk  C 
'over  [in  spite  of]  violence  to  C,'  where  simple  prep,  i&r  'trans'  conveys 
the  notion  of  iw^rcoming,  Ji/rpassing,  /reversing,  as  Leander  did  the 
Hellespont  and  a  French  'sportmans'  does  his  'banquette  Irlandaise' 
(see  p.  86,  lin.  antepen.).  A  common  saying  is:  ni  féidir  an  seanfhocal 
do  shdrughadh  i.e.  "you  cannot  go  beyond  a  proverb,"  or  "it  is  not 
possible  to  beat  a  proverb." 

P.  ^T^  1.  35,  for  *  Dermot  said  now  [etc.]'  leg.  'True  it  is,  said  Dermot:  Beg's 
prophecy  and  the  magicians'  was  uttered  for  my  violent  death,  and  on 
me  complete  penance  is  inflicted:  this  is  indeed  my  house.  Out  with 
us,  young  men ! 

P.  82,  Ir.,  in  foliation  of  MS.  for  '52^ :  i'  leg.  '52a';  1.  9,  leg.  chlaoinferta\ 
1.  20,  cdra  —  córa  *  rights,'  as  tndra  =  mora, 

P.  ^2,^  Ir.,  in  foliation  of  MS.  for  *  52^  :  2'  leg.  '52 /3';  1.  22,  leg.  Bric\  1.  26, 
com  chirtisea  or  cotnchirtisea  it  stands  in  the  facs. ;  presumably  Windisch 
gets  comchirtsea  from  the  MS.;  one  is  about  as  obscure  as  the  other: 
the  meaning  is  evident,  but  what  is  the  construction  ? 

ibid.y  1.  35,  for  ms.  methla  leg.  m^fethla, 

P.  90, 1.  15,  'by  me  a  use  [etc.]':  a  stopgap,  leg.  'by  me  my /ethals  [reliqua- 
ries, shrines,  and  such]  shall  be  made  of  him';  1. 17,  fbr  'and  in  addition 
[etc.]'  leg.  'and  he  shall  excel  [lit.  increase  over]  his  brethren';  in  note, 
for  'fourteen'  leg.  'fifteen.' 

P.  86,  Jr.,  1.  26,  for  ms.  innis  leg.  tnis;  the  nn  of  gen.  innse  (recte  tnse)  merely 
marks  a  nicety  of  pronunciation,  as  //  in  gallra  pi.  oi galar '  disease.' 

P.  Zy^  In,  1.  II,  minn^  recte  mionn^  in  secondary  sense  means  a  'relic'  (as 
being  generally  enclosed  in  some  costly  case  or  shrine),  and  hence  again 
'  an  oath,'  i.e.  sworn  on  such  relics.  A  much  used  adage  is :  tar  éis  na 
mionn  as  fearr  na  mnd  i.e.  "  'tis  after  their  oaths  that  the  women  are  at 
their  best,"  meaning  that  the  harder  they  swear  not  to  do  a  thing  the 
harder  they'll  do  it,  and  vice  versa. 

P.  90,  Ir.,  1.  34,  for  ms.  ó  hoin  leg.  6  shoin, 

P.  91,  Ir.,  1.  7,  leg.  i  nútb\  1.  15,  scribe  means  adibios^  ibios^  recte  atibes^  ibes\ 
and  I.  2^y/eimiun,  teimiuL 

P.  92,  Ir.,  1.  13.  A  certain  phonetic  similarity  between  the  words  aghaidh 
'  face,'  adhaigh  '  night,'  aidhedh  '  violent  death,'  tempted  some  scribes  to 
ring  the  changes  on  them ;  quite  as  though  one  should  print :  '  would  it 
be  write  for  a  playrite  to  right  a  book  on  the  wrights  of  the  Church  ?' 
Our  joker  makes  his  colophon  read  (to  the  eye) :  '  the  above  is  Cormac's 
Panegyric  and  Finn's  Face ;'  1.  24,  leg.  mutr\bfif]he, 

P.  97, 1.  14,  for  'former'  leg.  'latter.' 

P.  93,  Ir.,  1.  6,  cradd is  a  purely  arbitrary  writing  for  crandy  crann  'tree.' 

P.  94,  Ir.,  1.  16,  for  á  leg.  a. 


Notes  and  Corrections.  557 

p.  95,  Ir.,  1.  II,  senrua  metri  gratia  for  senruadh^  meaning  here  *old  and 
rusty*  in  sense  of  *time-  and  weather-worn*;  1.  33,  demhna  as  nom.  pi. 
for  demhain^  cf.  copána  for  copáin  (p.  97,  L  i),  and  ethra  for  ^Ma/r*  boats* 
(L.  of  S.  Senan :  ed.  Stokes,  1.  2227). 

P.  96,  In,  1.  9,  lochtobar^  rendered  lit.  *  loch- well,*  means  a  spring  that  deve- 
lops a  considerable  pool;  tobar  fuaráin  *a  cooling -well*  is  one  such 
sufficing  for  cattle  to  stand  in  it  up  to  their  bellies  in  summer. 

P.  97,  Ir.,  1.  5,  áláin  ddn  lionn  lit.  *their  [the  horns*]  respective  fulls  of  ale': 
the  universal  expression  *  give  me  the  full  of  it,*  and  such  like  (applied  to 
measures  of  capacity),  always  seems  to  divert  the  English  very  much, 
their  idiom  here  being  *  give  it  to  me  full,*  *  let  me  have  it  full.*  Else- 
where however  they  make  a  similar  use  of  the  adj.,  e.g.  *  he  was  in  the 
thick  of  it,*  'he  fired  into  the  brown  of  them*  i.e.  let  drive  into  the  still 
compact  covey,  instead  of  waiting  to  pick  his  bird. 

P.  98,  Ir.,  1.  2,  for  cánas  here  and  there  leg.  either  canas  or  can  <w;  the  first 
(representing  present  quantity)  should  be  written  cd  nas  as  pronounced, 
quite  differently  from  can  as, 

P.  99,  Ir.,  1.  6,  to  Nemhna,  where  the  vellum  is  gone,  add  (within  the  bracket) 
inn  (see  p.  no,  1.  30). 

P.  1 01,  Ir.,  11.  10,  13,  for  meic  leg.  mac  (in  app.  with  Scannldn). 

P.  103,  Ir.,  1.  14,  na  nabusach^  obscure  to  me. 

P.  104,  Ir.,  1.  26,  for  corra  *  round*  one  would  have  expected  the  usual  corcra 

*  red,'  meaning  the  rich  colour  of  fiill-ripe  hazel-nuts  and  filberts. 

P.  105,  Ir.,  1.  14,  forms,  a^kcud  ^  ÍSíce*  leg.  adÁatg- ^  nighV ;  context  and  trans^ 
lation  together  sufficing  to  secure  the  reader  against  misconception,  such 
further  cases  of  this  uninteresting  interchange  as  have  to  the  disfigure- 
ment of  the  text  been  allowed  to  stand  will  not  be  noticed  in  detail. 

P.  109,  Ir.,  1.  27  (p.  118, 1.  7),  for  ti  Móir  leg.  Umatr, 

P.  114,  Ir.,  1.  10,  ms.  brecaire^  but  the  accent  has  been  added  because  the 
context  indicates  that  this  stag  used  to  exercise  a  brécairecht  on  the 
Fianna,  inasmuch  as  he  lured  or  wheedled  them  away  on  a  wild-goose 
chase;  those  who  prefer  brecaire  may  refer  to  note  ad  p.  56, 1.  21. 

ibid,^  Hath  has  been  preferred  to  ms.  luath  because  that  is  the  deer's  name 
p.  1 1 5, 1.  3,  where  unfortunately  the  metre  does  not  decide  which  is  right ; 
1.  36,  observe  yir  for  ace.  ^LJira^/era^  according  to  spoken  language,  in 
which  there  is  absolutely  no  trace  of  an  ace.  form,  whether  sing,  or  pL, 
masc.  or  fem. 

P.  116,  Ir.,  1.  3,  Idn  a  ghlcuce  deise^  here  again  'the  full  of  his  right  hand*  for 

*  his  right  hand  full.' 

P.  119,  Ir.,  1.  8,  after  mdg minadbul  qu.  leg.  Breogoint  L  23,  rather  leg.  assi- 
thal^  the  s  being  doubled  after  prep,  a  \as\  *  ex.* 

P.  120,  Ir.,  1.  8,  iofndinim  *  I  drive*  is  now  restricted  to  the  game  of  'hurling, 
otherwise  'goaling,*  the  primary  notion  being  expressed  by  its  cpd. 
tioniáinim ;  nom.  verb,  iomdin  (as  in  text)  fem.,  gen.  iomdnoy  is  the  game 
itself;  ionidnaidhe^  one  that  plays  it;  the  proverb  (levelled  at  critics  that 
do  nothing  themselves,  but  can  put  every  one  else  to  rights)  says :  is 
maith  an  Homdnaidhe  cm  fear  bhios  ar  cm  gcladh  i.e.  "  the  man  on  the 
ditch  [spectator  standing  on  a  fence]  is  a  good  hurler  always;"  L  19, 
after  slógaib  delete  point 


; 


558  Notes  and  Corrections. 

p.  122,  Ir.,  1.  14,  for  in  chat  ha  .  sin  leg.  in  chatha  sin. 

P.  124,  Ir.,  1.  4,  ro  addá  *he  kindled'  [etc. J;  ro  chuir  si  teinidisin  mbruidin 
would  be  *  he  set  fire  to  the  fort* 

P.  127,  Ir.,  1.  28,  leg.  barrghlais, 

P.  128,  Ir.,  1.  13,  leg.  scothach. 

P.  131,  Jr.,  1.  28,  gid  beg  mar  *be  it  little  or  be  it  much,'  a  very  common 
omission  of  the  disjunctive ;  is  Cormac's  ex.  s.v.  eel  (Calcutta  ed.,  p.  36) : 
gar  cian  co  tisfor  ceal  i.e.  "  be  it  short  or  be  it  long  till  thou  shalt  go  to 
Heaven"  of  this  kind?  also  lin.  ult.  of  Finn's  *  rhetoric'  in  the  house  of 
Mael  Mac  Moma  {Féilire  of  Angus  the  Culdee,  ed.  Stokes,  p.  clxxiii 
supra) :  gar  cian  co  tic/a  i.e.  "  be  it  short  or  be  it  long  till  he  shall  come?" 
These  exx.  being  on  the  face  of  them  identical,  their  versions  too  must 
be  so ;  whereas  those  printed  in  libb.  citt  not  only  differ,  but  either  com- 
pletely bars  the  other:  "a  long  old  age  till  thou  shalt  go  to  Heaven"  [a 
wish :  Cormac];  "short  the  time  till  he  shall  come"  [a  proposition:  Angus]. 
Both,  I  think,  are  incorrect ;  but  granted  for  a  moment  that  the  first  is 
sound  (as  stated  in  note  ad  loc,  ed.  cit.  p.  x),  then  is  the  quotation  *  serus 
redeas  in  coelum,'  if  not  *  a  literal  translation'  (O'Reilly  following  O'Flana- 
gan),  at  least  an  apposite  illustration.  Except  as  mere  *  belegstelle'  of 
cian  the  citation  bdtarfor  [etc.]  in  not.  cit.  has  no  bearing  on  the  matter, 
which  is  one  of  syntax,  not  of  the  vocables;  for  of  these,  bating  verbal 
form  tis  for  ticfair^  every  one  is  lively  at  the  present  writing,  and  in  its 
old  sense  (ind.  C  s.vv.  cel^  cian).  The  true  Horatian  parallel  io  gar  cian 
would  be  (order  inverted)  *serius  ocius';  while  owv  gid  beg  ntór^  Irish 
in  these  collocations  favouring  the  positive  and  Latin  the  comparative 
degree,  has  its  equivalent  in  *sit  plus  minus,'  according  to  context. 
Exactly  the  same  as  cian  gar  \^  fad gairit^  p.  139,  1.  36;  cian  mór{cétn 
ntáir)  and  gar  beg  are  different.     But  this  does  not  exhaust  the  subject. 

P.  134,  Ir.,  1.  18,  forms,  arbitin  leg.  ar  bithin  nom.  prep.  *  because  of;  at 
present  (in  Munster  at  least)  do  [de]  bhUhin,  with  dep.  gen.  as  in  text 
and,  before  verb,  with  go^  as :  do  bhithin  go  raibh  *  propterea  quod  erat.' 
Owing  to  sinking  of  asp.  M,  the  northern  half  would  comparatively 
lengthen  the  first  /,  and  our  scribe  was  given  to  reproducing  methods  of 
pronunciation  then  as  now  alien  to  Mac  Carthy-Riach's  country  of 
Carbery. 

P.  135,  In,  11.  31,  35,  leg.  dioghbaigh, 

P.  137,  Ir.,  1.  21,  ms.  bhunaid^  in  view  of  which  aspiration  it  will  be  better  to 
fill  the  lacuna  thus:  d[amhsa  crit  i  an  chúis\  and  tr.  as  printed  p.  1501, 
lin.  penult. 

P.  138,  Ir.,  1.  7,  for  I  bficuiUi  ms.  has  fl/io^iM!, /dotted;  1.  17,  leg.  dofacth^  cuill\ 
1.  36,  ms.  duin  for  dún^  to  detriment  of  metre,  and  this  the  scribe  knew 
at  the  very  least  as  well  as  I  do ;  lin.  penult.,  for  so  leg.  ro^ 

P.  151,  1.  40.  Here  we  have  the  answer  of  Garadh's  children;  in  tr.  add 
single  inverted  commas,  and  read :  *  by  gentle  Moma's  children  shall  fall 
the  virile  Fintan  .  .,  Banbh,  Sinna,  Sciathbrec  .  .,  and  Finn  More  son 
of  Cuan.'  But  whether  instead  we  should  render :  *  Banbh  of  the  Shannon 
[ind.  B  s.  V.  Sinnay  or  again  *  Sinna  sciathbrec^  is  not  perhaps  very  easy 
to  determine  on  the  merits  of  this  one  passage. 

P.  140,  Ir.,  1.  21,  natives  need  not  to  be  told  that  in  do  Chonall  prep,  do  is  not 


Notes  and  Corrections.  559 

for  de ;  the  people  would  render :  *  there  were  seven  times  twenty  feet  for 
Conall/  but  the  tr.  (p.  154,  1.  19)  had  to  be  more  in  accordance  with 
English  idiom. 

P.  140, 1.  26,  for  ms.  ollarda^  written  doubtless  under  influence  oi  ollarba  (ind. 
B  S.V.),  leg.  ollamda^  as  also  tr.,  p.  154, 1.  27. 

P.  141,  Ir.,  1.  14,  leg.  résiu]  1.  29,  ms.  treicibhsa:  there  is  no  saying  how  far 
back  this  aspiration  of  O-Ir.  B-fut.  extends. 

P.  142,  Ir.,  lin.  ult.,  ms, /agad  wiiYi  dotted/=  bfagcuiiox  bfaghbadh. 

P.  146,  Ir.,  1.  6.  We  know  that  for  several,  know  not  but  that  for  many  cen- 
turies ingnadh  =.  iongnadh  *a  wonder*  has  not  (except  metri  gratia, 
whether  universally  in  the  *  classical'  or  occasionally  pro  re  nata  in  the 
mod.  accentuated  measures)  been  pronounced  as  written,  but  according 
to  the  utterance  of  to-day :  {oghnadh  for  the  northern  half,  tughnadh  for 
Munster,  generated  by  the  natural  tendency  to  facilitate  rapid  enuncia- 
tion. Here  our  scribe,  who  writes  ignad^  appears  rather  to  indicate  the 
northern  pronunciation  as  exemplified  in  these  touching  lines : — 

A  n  briste  sin  Sheoin  n(  hiongna  a  bheith  fann. 
bionn  san  ló  ar  a  thóin  is  san  oidhche  ar  a  cheann 

which  Goldsmith  might  have  turned : — 

*  Friend,  never  let  it  puzzle  you,  nor  me, 
John's  smallclothes  in  such  feeble  plight  to  see ; 
For  they're  compelled  a  double  debt  to  pay, 
A  quilt  by  night,  a  pair  of  breeks  by  day.* 

If  they  be  read  Munster  fashion,  the  important  internal  assonance  of 
iongnadh  \ioghnadH\  with  oidhche  is  lost;  the  rest  holds.  In  one  of  hi» 
sportive  marginalia  (Eg.  ZZ)  Donall  O'Davoren  writes  únadh  crudely 
and,  qua  phonetics,  correctly ;  but  when  e.g.  the  def.  art.  comes  into  play 
{an  tiongnadh  *the  wonder*),  the  /  asserts  itself;  see  ind  C  s.v.  eolas, 

ibid.y  do  théiged  [etc.]  is  not  quite  literally  rendered  with  *the  stalk  alone 
reached  to  Dermot's  knee,*  p.  161, 1.  29,  where  leg.  *  Dermot's  knee  went 
into  the  stalk  of  each  sprig  of  them,*  i.e.  his  leg  from  the  knee  down  was 
contained  in  it  (as  say  four  *goes  into*  five),  with  a  bit  of  stalk  over.  In 
Ireland  we  should  say  *  used  to  go,*  which  as  understood  there  has  a  dis- 
tinct force  of  its  own;  but  the  Irish  tenses  of  habit  (present  and  past) 
cannot  always  be  expressed  according  to  correct  English  use. 

P.  162, 1.  30,  leg.  *brooklime  of  the  Flesk.* 

P.  147,  Ir.,  1.  9,  ms.  no  go  nosl-  with  /  under  the  dash,  which  is  placed  as  in 
type,  not  halfway  up  the  /;  a  dash  occurring  in  the  latter  position  either 
stands  alone,  or  has  a  letter  superscribed  (never  subscribed).  The  abbre- 
viation certainly  denotes  pass,  os iaict hi  {noi  act.  oslaiced 2iS  hastily  printed), 
and  as  such  has  been  translated  (p.  163, 11.  2,  3).  The  description  of  this 
wonderful  chain  is  rather  obscure,  and  we  have  not  space  to  discuss  it. 
By  Mocked'  understand  merely  'fastened,*  'closed,*  not  'padlocked.* 

P.  148,  Ir.,  1.  22,  for  ms.  cennac  (two  strokes  over  end  c\  isingl-  (dash  at  mid  /), 
leg.  cenn  i  cenn^  isin  glenn\  1.  39,  ms.  atáithe  *ye  are,*  ^TÍtten  fancifully 
to  represent  accentuation  of  regions  other  than  Munster,  where  alone  (I 
imagine)  this  form  is  still  in  use,  correctly  pronounced  táthaoi^  aiáthaoi\ 
older  orthography  táthái^  atáthái\  cf.  taoim^  ataoim  '  I  am,*  taoir^  ataoir 


56o 


Notes  and  Corrections. 


n  of  Brian," 
I  murtka)  a 


.  poem  addressed 


'thou  art,'  freq.  metri  gratia  for  the  current  táim,  aiáim,  and  iAir,  aidir, 
an  interchange  which  in  later  MSS.  of  the  northern  half  (Ulster  espic- 
cially)  is  by  an  abuse  extended  to  3rd  p.  sing.,  where  it  has  no  raison 
d'etre,  vii.  taai,  ataoi,  for  Cf,  atd. 

P.  149,  Ir.,  L  z6,  ms./Bi/,  against  metre. 

P.  165, 1.  5,-*  it  was  a  king  [etc.],'  see  the  use  made  of  these  fects,  perhaps  of 
this  very  passage,  by  Eochy  O'Hosey  in  cathaig  red  mhenma  a  mhie 
BhriazH  i.e.  "  Do  battle  with  thy  spirit,  si       '  ~        '" 
to  Teigue  son  of  O'Rourke  (Sir  Brian  t. 
after  1591 :  see  Ir.  Cat.  pp.  412,  4S7. 

P.  150,  Ir.,  lin.  aniepen.,  in  I'ilhal  delete  accent 

P.  170, 1.  6,  for  'and  a  rushing  [etc.]'  leg.  'with  a  nishing  [etc].* 

P.  154,  Ir.,  I.  6,  ms.  acalduim. 

P.  170, 1.  4,  leg. '  being  risen  out  of  his  fiery  zone,'  where  MS.  has  ccatl  (first 
c  surmounted  by  the  J-mark  denoting  er),  the  scribe  by  using  fem.  gend. 
having  made  a  confusion  between  cerchall  ■ATAcercal\^circal\.  ind  C  s.vv, 

P.  155,  Ir.,  I.  28,  Sadkb  'Sabia,'  'Saby,'  'Sara,'  common  enough  down  10 
end  of  18th  cent,,  was  pronounced  '  Saw'  (consonantal  -w,  not  like  eng. 
'saw')  in  the  northern  half;  'Syve'  in  Munster,  as  e.g.  Brian  Merriman 
writes :  a  bfeictann  tu  a  Shadhb  iriu  luigheamh  a  ghéaga.  Here  we  have 
two  ways  of  evading  the  guttural  dh:  (i)  it  becomes  a  litcra  prolotiga- 
tionis  to  a  short  vowel  (ii)  it  coalesces  with  the  same  and  forms  a  diph- 
thong; cf.  SCO.  'nOchl,'  eng.  'nought'  pron.  to  rhyme  with  'taught'  and, 
provincially,  with  'stoul';  sco.  'llcht,'  eng.  'light.' 

P.  173, 1.  10,  for  '  Conan'  leg.  '  Conaing.' 

P.  176,  1.  z8,  leg.  '  Luachair,'  '  Luachra'  being  the  gen. 

P.  177,  I.  34,  it  will  be  seen  that  eight  ecclesiastical  Hours  are  made  out  by 
including  Sunday's  daybreak. 

P.  179,  I.  t7  (Ir.,  p.  161, 1.  ts),  leg.  ollamdha  for  ms.  oll-dha. 

P.  180,  1.  29,  for  'Edinburgh'  leg.  '  S.  Andrew's." 

P.  181, 1.  5,  'that  neither  ihey  [etc.].'  lit.  'that  want  whether  of  meal  or  of 
liquor  affected  them  not,  besides  our  guests ;'  the  change  of  person  (them 
— our)  is  as  awkward  in  the  original  as  in  English. 

P.  182,  I.  33,  lit.  'for  of  you  [all]  not  a  fugitive  shall  escape  in  life.' 

P.  168,  Jr.,  I.  22,  delete  [tf  ],  superfluous ;  the  idiom  (see  p.  313, 1.  16)  equals 
less  correct  gtuh  ni  a  dtdngais  d'iarraidli,  or  da  iarraidÁ,  and  they  differ 
much  as  do :  '  the  thing  for  which  you  came  to  ask,'  and  '  the  thing  which 
you  came  to  ask  for  it.' 

P.  188, 1.  21,  'manifest  to  view'  lit.  'without  concealment,'  according  to  a  use 
(much  wider  in  Irish  than  in  English),  which  for  emphasis  expresses 
positives  by  negation  of  their  opposiies,  and  vice  versa,  so  that:  'there 
will  be  many  a  dry  eye  after  him,'  and  (to  a  clumsy  horseman)  'many  a 
good  horse  you  never  rodel'  arc  held  more  elegant  than:  'few  will  weep 
for  him,'  and  '  you  have  not  ridden  many  good  horses.'  As  for  cleith,  our 
forefathers'  wisdom  says :  ni fhuil  cleilh  ar  an  ok  acht  gun  a  dUananUi 
i.e.  "there  is  no  concealment  for  evil  but  not  to  do  it." 

P.  171,   Ir.,  1.  30,  ms.  ua  mlieitk  iiiacha  leg,  lit  Mhiith  matka;   L  33,  ms, 

P.  194,  L  17,  'what  hast  thou  to  ofler'  lÍL  'what  hast  thou  for  us.' 


L 


Notes  and  Corrections.  561 

p.  195, 1.  3,  *  between  the  one  [etc.]*  i.e.  within  the  interval  between  the  one 
canonical  hour  and  the  same  of  next  day :  twenty-four  hours. 

P.  177,  In,  1.  21,  after  maith  the  following  three  quatt.  occur  in  an  i8th 
cent,  paper  MS.  (Eg.  175,  f.  50)  containing  a  fragment  of  the  Colloquy : — 
In  triar  atámaoid  ar  tuinn  .  fuil  sinn  i  náit  égcomluinn  í  mór  an  baoghal 
beith  mar  sin  .  agus  gan  bás  dár  mbithrinn  Mise  is  an  dias  ar  muir .  go 
lion  ghoile  is  ghaiscid  í  dámad  i  gcath  chédach  chró  .  dhingébmís  céd  do 
dhegshlógh  O  roichem  an  tonn  so  thes  .  is  mór  cheilios  dár  naimhles  í 
is  mór  in  brón  fuil  dár  dtriath  .  ar  nég  a  dó  dias  go  dtriar 

Spoken  by  Ciabhan ;  quite  as  old  as  our  text,  but  modernised. 

P.  179,  In,  1.  18,  ms.  mairg  dadhar  in  long  dá\  1.  20  (tr.  p.  201,  1.  35),  ms. 
mac  úrmoir^  leg.  mac  Umatr. 

P.  183,  In,  1.  6,  ms.  thaimsenann, 

P.  185,  In,  1.  17,  ocus  do  bi  d'/ebus  [etc.],  here  the  scribe's  attention  wandered 
a  little ;  the  sentence  is  defective. 

P.  210,  1.  20,  *with  thee  [etc.],'  leg.  *in  guerdon  of  which,  thine  be  the  burial- 
place  [etc.];'  lin.  antepen.,  *it  was  Scáithdearc  [etc.],'  as  given  here  this 
story  is  very  obscure ;  my  *  odd  apple-tree'  is  a  guess,  for  instead  ofcorr- 
abhall  n.  f  the  reading  may  be  corra-bhall  n.  m.  *  odd-place' ;  and  corr 
has  several  other  meanings. 

P.  212, 1.  16,  *  inasmuch  [etc.]'  leg.  inasmuch  as  to  thee  .  .  it  is  befallen  to 
meet  with  me  and  to  gain  God's  good  things  [etc.].* 

P.  213,  1.  29,  *  I  after  my  only  son  [etc.]'  lit.  *  I  am  wind  against  an  only  tree, 
i.e.  I  represent  a  case  of  wind  maltreating  a  lonely  tree,  or  (to  be  more 
English),  of  such  a  tree  battered  by  the  gale. 

P.  216, 1,  I,  for  *past'  leg.  *over';  1.  2,  say  *  wide-channelled  swords.* 

P.  192,  1.  6,  mhóir^  sic. 

P.  218, 1.  33,  *  white  buckler.'  The  Irish  covered  their  targets  with  leather, 
which  they  pipeclayed ;  hence  frequent  allusions  of  this  kind,  and  to  the 
cailc  *  chalk'  knocked  out  of  them  in  battle :  see  tr.  p.  356, 1.  14. 

P.  219, 1.  27  sqq.,  a  flagrant  plagiarism  from  Hhe  Battle  of  Moytura  of  the 
North.' 

P.  197,  In,  1.  28,  colba  chiuil.  In  a  limited  number  of  words  beginning  with 
s  followed  by  ea^  eo^  eoi^  iu^  iui^  that  letter  when  aspirated  is  pronounced 
as  is  ch  in  the  like  position,  a  peculiarity  which  modem  scribes  often 
reproduce  thus :  for  a  SheacUn  *  O  John,'  they  write  a  chSeaain ;  for  do 
shiubhal  *to  walk,'  do  c}isiubhal\  iox  a  sheol^  a  shiul  *his  sail'  (gen.  a 
sheoily  a  shiuil)^  a  chseol  etc.  =  a  ckeoly  a  chiul '  his  music,'  gen.  a  cheoil^ 
a  chiuily  and  (since  seol^  siul  means  *  bedstead'  as  well)  we  have  colba 
chiuil  for  colba  shiuil  explained.  The  mind  would  not  be  deceived,  but 
the  eye  would  enjoy  a  ridiculous  combination  (see  n.  to  In  p.  92, 1.  13); 
had  the  gen.  oicrann  ciuil  *  musical  instrument'  offered  itself  (ind.  C  s.v.), 
doubtless  it  would  have  been  made  croinn  shiuil  *  a  ship's  mast* 

P.  198,  In,  1.  15  sq.,  here  dotted /represents  bhf, 

P.  199,  In,  1.  2,  add  (.)  at  end ;  1.  25,  supply  perhaps  doithber, 

P.  201,  In,  1.  I,  ms.  sin  for  sinn^  perperam;  1.  21,  tar  romainn  is  a  pregnant 
construction  including  both  tar  romat  (2nd  p.  sing.)  and  ticmis  romainn 
(ist  p.  pi.) ;  tar  *  come  thou*  is  the  present  spoken  form  in  Munsten 

P.  202,  In,  1. 9,  after  ocus  delete  (0;  !•  3i>  ionnrámh^  delete  accent ;  1. 32,  leg.  no, 

2  U 


562  .Notes  and  Corrections. 

p.  204,  Ir.,  1.  7,  in  Adiiuaill  delete  i. 

P.  233,  I.  1,  'of  the  three  [etc.]'  lii.  'the  third  Uvely  fire  upon  which  at  the 
Inst  in  Ireland  prosperity  [luck]  shall  be.' 

P.  208,  Ir.,  1.  3,  leg.  ráilhin;  1.  20,  " scítnh,  scemhgail  q.  dr.  amkastriuh" ; 
P.  O'C.  This  last  is  frcquentive  from  amhastar  'a  barking  at,'  both 
common  words;  in  a  humorous  invective  against  a  petty  thief,  Nicholas 
Hiiyes  of  Cahir  Guillamore  wrote  :  do  mhaithjinn  gach  amkoitar  dar 
cheapas  i.e.  "[were  the  ariicle,  a  headstall,  relumed]  I  would  reinit 
everj-  objurgation  that  I  have  concocted";  I.  26,  erraidk,  ms.  err-. 

P.  239, 1.  23, '  fitr  'tis  not  [etc.],'  the  people  would  say :  '  for  it  isn't  to  trust  to 
our  hounds  hunting  we  will  lo-night.' 

P.  2(4,  Ir.,  I.  33,  dacnm/inái  \^  an  idiom  which  hitherto  has  eluded  the  purely 
speculative  scholar,  who  would  render  e.g.  luc  sé  i  do  mhnái  by  '  he  took 
her  to  wife';  very  neal  no  doubt,  but  quite  erroneous.  Here  prep.  do  =  df, 
as  in  fr.  'il  a  celade  bon,'  'tout  ce  qu'il  portait  sur luid'argeni';  'to  wife' 
in  the  English  sense  is  ' dockum  mná' 

P.  Z17,  Ir.,  1.  18,  here  maighe  tid  Uiighe,  germ,  'weder  des  felds  noch  des 
hauses,'  are  dep.  gens.,  but  are  often  found  adverbially  used  =  imuigh  nd 
istigh  'indoors  or  out,'  being  exactly  Sir  David  Lindsay  of  (he  Mount's: 
"  Sir,  I  sail  baith  in  bnich  and  land  With  diligence  do  your  command 
Upon  ray  awin  expcns"  {The  Thrie  Esiaitis,  ed.  David  Laing;  Paterson, 
Edinb.  1879,  1.  1802). 

P.  218,  Ir.,  I.  22,  \k%.  foclionn. 

I'.  2 19,  Ir.,  1.  37,  bliiidain  undecl,  after  ordinal ;  present  practice,  but  of  long 
standing. 

P.  220,  Ir.,  I.  17,  for  ras.  rabhais  leg.  rabhair. 

P.  222,  Ir.,  1.  13  sqq.  (ir.  p.  252,  11.  9  sqq.),  ro  scéestar  [etc.],  ubi  emunctioris 
sivc  Britannici  dixerim  nasi  genii  parcere  statuimus ;  quum  tamen  im- 
pnvidos  fraudarc  pandilas  omnino  nolimus,  curationis  hujus  cursum 
paucis  e.xponemus :  prima  igitur  eademque  viridis  vomitio  purgamentum 
*  est  laborum  a  Ronanide  olim  in  torrencibus  amnibus  a;s(uariis  (ranatan- 
dis  necnon  in  primi  diluculi  vcnalionibus  cxceplorum;  rubra  securida, 
purgatum  significans  omne  bastarum  gladiorumque  in  pugnis  per  vitam 
inlixonini  quasi  virus;  fusca  tertia,  doloris  prfe  nmissis  commilitonibus 
et  Finno  capitanco  fiex  noxia ;  flava  quaria,  vulnerorum  non  lotum  adhuc 
cxpulsum  pra'dictum  sedimenlum  ;  quinlum  haustum,  quern  perquam 
invitus  ncc  nisi  instanter  hortanle  maga  sorbet  heros,  vomitio  seqiiitur 
cui  sanguincu  quidcm  superlicles,  omnicolor  pars  reliqua.  Incredibiles 
nisus  in  advcrsis  collibus  montibus  scopulis  incitato  cur.-io  superandis 
prsstitos  h^c  signilicat ;  ilta,  qua?  et  saluti  proxima,  sui  ipsius  corporis 
infectum  sanguinem.     Quibus  pcractis  bibcndum  lac  porrigit  mulier. 

P.  253,  1.  33,  'plunged  in  and  disported  himself,' all  implied  in  mescadh. 

I'.  224,  Ir.,  I.  29,  ms.  mhailhe. 

P.  235,  Ir.,  11.  3  sq.,  octis  ni  ihuirfeiUa  [etc.],  where  the  readings  of  two  MSS. 
are  dovetailed,  regrettably  because  (as  it  turns  out)  unnecessarily. 
Scrutiny  with  better  light  shews  Lismore  to  read :  ecus  ni  chuirfe  \i  nes\ 
nd  a  nabhuinn  he  am  tic/a  dilmaiii.  crét  dog^nasa  a  Fhir  mhaisi  .  m, 
Eogabail  ar  Cdilte  .  beilh  isin  Hid  so  ar  eisium  \  the  Franciscan  version 
on  paper  (MS.  12,  p.  79  :  i,  1.  7)  is;  ocut  ni  cuirfeasa  a  neas  né  a  ninnber 


«/I 

c 


00 

a 
o 


Notes  and  Corrections.  563 


\<^'i 


«  «<i  /  nabaind  é  ara  ticf-folufn  na  dilmain  [etc.]  dodcn  beith  isin  tsidh  ann 
g-  so  areisium ;  while,  except  that  it  reads  ni  chuirfeá  and  before  beith  has 
^  dogeHy  Laud  6io  (f.  144  :  i,  1.  13)  agrees  with  Lismore. 
oP.  254,  1.  30,  *he  about  whom  it  is'  is  too  lit.,  leg.  *he  whom  it  wraps,'  *he 
%  that  wears  it';  1.  33,  *  which  thou  couldst  .  .  somewhat,'  a  stopgap  with- 
:S  out  pretence  of  closely  rendering  this  obscure  passage  (see  preceding  n.), 
qu.  does  it  even  paraphrase  it  ?  The  matter  is  too  long  for  this  place, 
but  see  ind.  C  s.v.  dilniain, 

P.  255, 1.  9,  *  concerning,'  the  prep,  might  also  be  rendered  *at.' 

P.  226,  Jr.,  lin.  ult.  for  bus  leg.  ibus, 

P.  257, 1.  6,  *have  it':  not  the  vat,  but  the  hypothetical  object  of  his  desire, 
i.e.  a  twelvemonth's  hospitality. 

P.  227,  Ir.,  11.  18,  20,  baiglenn  supplied  from  Fr.  MSS.,  which  also  has  na 
baigUnni\  Laud  610  has  (as  Lismore  no  doubt  had)  both  bangUnn  and 
na  banglinne, 

P.  228,  Ir.,  1.  21,  preceding  rig  being  gen.  pi.,  delete  {sic)\  1.  31,  in  rachaid 
duitsc  i  the  second  and  third  word  together  are  the  subject  of  the  verb ; 
the  concision  and  particular  shade  of  expression  cannot  be  rendered  in 
English. 

P.  229,  Ir.,  1.  21,  \s gnathal ?L,  proper  name? 

P.  233,  Ir.,  1.  25,  supply  perhaps  do  6{éradh  c/ainn']. 

P.  234,  Ir.,  1.  14,  for  densat  (perpcram)  fcs.  has  dersat^  worse;  leg.  dernsat, 

P.  266,  1.  7,  *  would  have  turned  [etc.]'  more  lit.  *  served  on  them  a  notice  to 
clear  out  of  the  country.' 

P.  235,  Ir.,  O'Beime-Crowe's  readings  are:  1.  3,  ar  dion  sceng\  11.  8,  9,  dine- 
tan\  1.  14,  allinn  iáich  nech  lethan  gim\  where  g/ais  must  be  msiáeg/uis 
as  pron.  in  Munster;  11.  35,  36,  a/be/say  rothecht\  1.  41,  scaradfrietal. 

P.  238,  Ir.,  1.  10,  luc/tra,  lupracán.  The  divers  names  borne  by  these  little 
people  both  in  MSS.  and  in  ore  populi  are  modifications  oílúchorpán 
*  wee-body' : — Do  scnchas  na  torothar  ocus  luchrupán  ocus  fomorach  ann 
so  sis.  fectas  bói  Noe  na  thabernacuil  ina  chodlud  iar  nól  fhfna  ocus  sé 
lámhnocht  co  tánic  a  mac  cuicc  .i.  Camh  colach  a  ainm.  do  bái  is  con- 
dernai  gáire  imme  ocus  cor  indis  dia  bráithrib  amail  do  bái  Nae  .i. 
d'lafeth  is  do  Semh  .  ocus  do  dechatar  is  a  cul  rompu  na  haictís  féile  a 
nathar  ocus  do  ratsat  a  étach  tairis.  adaghair  Noe  iar  sain  ocus  do 
foillsigeadh  do  Camh  da  focuitbiudh  ocus  ro  mallach  he  iar  sin  ocus  ro 
bennach  in  dis  ele.  conid  he  Camh  de  sin  cét  duini  ro  mallachadh  iar 
n[d]ilind  .  ocus  conidh  uadha  ro  genedar  luchrupáin  ocus  fomhoraigh 
ocus  gaborchind  ocus  each  écasc  dodealbdha  fil  ar  dáinibh  .  ocus  conaire 
sin  tucadh  dilgeand  for  Cannanachaibh  ocus  tucadh  a  fearanda  do 
macaib  Issrahel  i  comharta  na  mallachtan  cétna  ár  ropo  do  sil  Caimh  do 
na  Candandaibh.  conid  he  sin  bunadh  na  torothar  ocus  ní  do  sfl  Cain 
dóib  amhail  atiiadait  na  Goedhil  ar  nirro  mair  ní  dá  sfl  iar  nilind  .  ar  ro 
ba  é  fochainn  na  dilend  do  bádadh  clainde  Cain,  ocus  ro  báitea  gid 
clanda  Seith  uile  imaille  friu  acht  Nae  cona  a  trí  macaibh  ocus  cona  a 
cetri  mnáib  amail  indiseas  Máissi  mac  Amhra  in  Genesis  indrechta  .  ocus 
dia  féin  do  rat  indrecht  do  Máisse  i  sléibh  Sinaa  ocus  issé  ro  scribh  cona 
a  lámhaibh  féin  i.e.  "  Here  follows  concerning  the  history  of  the  Mon- 
sters, of  Pigmies  and  of  Fomores  :  Once  upon  a  time  when  (after 


564  Notes  and  Corrections. 

drinking  of  wine)  Noah  lay  asleep  in  his  tabernacle  and  he  stark-naked, 
there  came  to  him  his  son,  whose  name  was  *  wicked  Ham.'  He  was  so 
that  he  made  a  laugh  of  his  father,  and  to  his  brethren  (to  Japheth 
and  to  Sem  to  wit)  told  how  Noah  was.  That  they  should  not  see  their 
father's  shame  these  came  *  with  their  poll  before  them  *  [i.e.  walking 
backwards]  and  threw  his  raiment  over  him.  By  and  by  Noah  woke  up, 
and  it  was  revealed  to  him  that  Ham  h«id  jeered  at  him ;  him  accordingly 
he  cursed,  and  blessed  the  other  two.  Ham  therefore  was  the  first  that 
was  cursed  after  the  Deluge,  and  from  him  sprang  the  *  Wee-bodies  * 
[pigmies],  Fomores,  *  Goatheads '  [satyrs],  and  every  other  deformed 
shape  that  human  beings  wear.  Hence  too  it  was  that  extermination 
was  inflicted  on  the  Canaanites  and  that  their  lands  were  given  to  the 
sons  of  Israel,  viz.  in  token  of  that  same  curse;  for  the  Canaanites  are 
of  the  seed  of  Ham.  Such  then  is  the  origin  of  the  Monstrosities  [the 
species  recited  above],  which  are  not  (as  the  Gael  relate)  of  Cain's  seed ; 
for  of  his  seed  nothing  survived  the  Flood,  the  very  originating  purpose 
of  the  same  being  the  drowning  of  clan-Cain.  Why  (Noah  with  his  three 
sons  and  the  four  wives  of  them  only  excepted)  even  all  the  clans  of  Seth 
were  drowned  with  them,  as  Moses  mac  Amra  relates  in  Genesis  of  the 
Law ;  which  Law  it  was  God  Himself  that  on  Mount  Sinai  gave  it  to 
Moses,  He  having  written  it  with  His  own  hand"  (Rawl.  486,  f.  49 :  2 ; 
cf.  LU.  2  a). 

P.  240,  Ir.,  1.  15,  ms.  coirpxi  (ind.  C  s.  v.);  in  quatt,  infra,  a  few  readings  are 
doubtful. 

P.  241,  Ir.,  1.  2,  for  usa  leg.  tusa. 

P.  270, 1.  31,  *  copper's  resonance'  refers  to  timpan-  and  harp-strings  of  cop- 
per wire. 

P.  242,  Ir.,  1.  16,  better  dd  ndechsa, 

P.  243,  Ir.,  1.  32,  for  ms.  gabar  leg.  gobar. 

P.  244,  Ir.,  11.  16 — 22 ;  p.  246, 11.  4 — II,  20 — 24.  Prisci  saporis  facetiores  tres 
hie  habemus  locos,  quorum  reginiculai  primus,  pygmsei  regis  argutias 
reliqui  tradunt  quasdam,  nee  hercle  aliter  quam  apud  Tranquillum  Vibius 
ille  Crispus  muscicidam  irridet  Domitianum,  haud  ita  absurde.  Monente 
tamen  debita  severioris  notae  lectoribus  reverentia,  talia  punctis  notare 
(vers.  angl.  pp.  277  sqq.)  quam  vel  latine  reddere  praetulimus.  Indigenis 
perspicuus  sermo;  quern  peregrinarum  docti  stirpium  ipsi  sibi  per  me 
quaeso  liceat  dictionariis  innisi  concoquant. 

P.  245,  Ir.,  1.  34,  for  ms.  na  [etc.]  \^%.fem  na  hurbaidb} 

P.  276, 1. 1 1  sqq.  *  of  which  horse :'  an  animal  that  would  have  suited  the  Shah 
exactly;  in  Maelbrighde's  beautiful  Latin  gospels  (Harl.  1802),  written 
at  Armagh  in  1139,  a  symbolical  miniature  gives  an  equally  gaudy  Lion 
of  S.  Mark. 

P.  278,  1.  15,  the  willow  furtiished  harps  and  osier  beehives;  1.  19,  of  ash 
were  made  chariot-wheels  and  spear-shafts,  and  the  *  ash-plant'  is  still  a 
favourite  with  horsemen ;  1.  29  would  refer  to  phantom  hosts  conjured  up 
sometimes,  as  in  the  Brislech  tnhór  (paper  copies).  The  other  trees  must 
be  left  to  abler  and  less  hurried  expositors. 

P.  248,  Ir.,  1.  8,  for  ro  co  leg.  co  ro. 

P.  249,  Ir.,  1.  17,  before  rochoilcte  ms.  has  is. 


Notes  and  Corrections.  565 

p.  253,  Ir.,  1.  18,  leg.  asbert  ria\  1.  24,  do  fea  [etc.]  looks  like  scribe's  play 
again :  leg.  dofeac  ar  allamna  *  she  gave  herself  up  to  her  pains.' 

P.  256,  In,  1.  I,  for  ms.  hicheiltech  leg.  i  cleitech. 

P.  289, 1.  21,  after  'hospitaller'  add  *at  Cletty.' 

P.  257,  Jr.,  1.  31,  for  mac  Airt  mac  leg.  mac  Airt  meic. 

P.  259,  Ir.,  1.  23,  for  ms.  dron  dubh  leg.  dromdubh  ? 

P.  260,  In,  IL  16,  17,  leg.  either  iomchar  or  cirrbadh, 

P.  272,  In,  1.  20,  in  taóisech  delete  accent 

P.  273,  In,  1.  16,  leg.  détsholus^  and  after  Duibne  add  /. 

P.  312,  1.  17,  leg.  "whence  comest  thou,  unknown  young  man?"  "At  St. 
Andrew's  in  the  k.  of  Scotland's  town  I  slept  last  night,"  said  the  kern : 
"  my  use  and  wont  [etc.]." 

P.  277,  In,  1.  28,  for  Boirche  leg.  ms.  Boirinn, 

P.  278,  In,  1.  15,  leg.  dob  ail 

P.  280,  In,  L  16,  Fiacha  saidbtris  a  scribe's  error;  the  pedigree  is  a  fancy 
one,  cf.  Goll's,  p.  308, 11.  2  sqq. 

P.  281,  In,  1.  8,  for  ms.  laignib  leg.  legaib  i.e.  physicians,  the  táithlega  being 
surgeons ;  1.  22,  after  cos  add  (.). 

P.  283,  In,  1.  9,  for  xiis.friut  rather  leg./arrat, 

P.  324, 1.  4,  more  likely  the  a'//  Scire  in  Fermanagh  is  meant;  for  both,  MD 
Man  24. 

P.  292,  In,  1.  9,  leg.  dochum, 

P.  293,  In,  lin.  antepen.,  for  cor  leg.  cóir\  p.  294, 1.  17,  id 

P.  330,  lin.  antepen.,  *was  opened  out  [etc.]'  lit.  *was  opened  out  under  the 
carle'  =  eng.  *was  laid  for  him.* 

P.  296,  In,  1.  10,  for  Bhriain  leg.  Bhratn^  as  printed  originally. 

P.  298,  In,  1.  16,  leg.  mac  Briain. 

P.  343, 1.  8,  *  Kyleconor's  woods,'  my  own  anglicising  (for  the  reader's  con- 
venience) of  coillte  Chonchobair  *  Conor's  woods,'  a  once  thickly  forest 
district  between  the  rivers  Feorish  and  Arigna,  county  Roscommon 
(IV  M  ad  an.  147 1,  O'Donovan's  note);  * Keiltyconor'  would  be  better. 

P.  308,  In,  1.  5,  ms.  Saidbe  is  wrong  of  course. 

P.  348,  lin.  antepen.,  *  horses  and  bridles,'  the  acceptance  of  which  (and  of 
other  matters)  implied  that  the  recipient  recognised  the  donor's  supe- 
riority, and  that  he  was  *his  man.' 

P.  312,  In,  1.  I,  in  ma  beith  ni  the  beith  is  no.  verb,  of  verb,  subst,  in  nom., 
and  ni  its  dep.  gen. ;  in  English  the  people  would  say :  *  if  it  is  a  thing 
that  I  fair  or  *must  fall';  much  more  emphatic  than  simple  *if  I  fall.' 

P.  350,  1.  9,  lit.  *that  'tis  thou  art  fallen  there';  1.  11,  so  far  as  this  tale  goes, 
the  allusion  to  Maccon's  calves  is  left  obscure,  nor  does  the  account  (not 
a  version  of  this  tract)  in  Laud  610,  f.  94^ :  2  clear  it  up. 

P.  353, 1.  II.  What  the  ellén  trechenn  *  three-headed  ellén^  was,  I  am  not  in 
a  position  to  explain. 

P.  356, 1.  33,  *  flung  prostrate'  is  too  weak;  lit.  *was  sent  over  [his]  head,'  i.e. 
was  made  turn  a  somersault ;  tuitim  i  ndiaidh  a  chinn  *  to  fall  after  his 
head,'  i.e.  headlong ;  teackt  is  a  chúl  roime  ^  to  come  with  his  poll  before 
him,'  i.e.  to  come  (or  go)  backwards  (ante  p.  564, 1.  5). 

P.  317,  In,  1.  13,  leg.  ingra\  1.  21,  Xe^.focer  lige, 

P.  320^  In,  1.  29,  leg.  tUr  bHdslá[n  do\tinch&isc\  1.  50,  leg.  tosach^  deintL 


566  Notes  and  Corrections. 

p.  323,  Ir.,  1.  16,  for  teine  ms.  has  tea  (open  a,  subscribed)  =  tean\  1.  27,  ms- 
ál\  lin.  ult.,  leg.  ard. 

P.  324,  Ir.,  L  10,  n\s.  fcgt hair, 

P.  327,  Ir.,  1.  6,  leg.  airmitnech\  1.  32,  for  eland  {ms.  el-)  leg.  cluana, 

P.  330,  Ir.,  ár  nir gab  [etc.]  is  corrupt,  untranslateable  in  fact;  the  meaning 
is  obvious  however,  and  is  rendered  tr.  p.  372, 1.  34. 

P.  333,  Ir.,  1.  29,  recte  Reoaedh  *  lively  fire,'  and  tr.  p.  376, 1.  13. 

P.  334,  Ir.,  1.  37,  leg.  senehaid. 

P»  377»  !•  9»  *  after  which  [etc.],'  with  this  barbarous  proceeding  cf.  Merlin's 
prediction  of  his  own  death :  "  but  I  may  wel  be  sory,  said  Merlyn,  for  I 
shalle  dye  a  shameful  dcth,  to  be  put  in  the  erthe  quycke"  (Morte 
d' Arthur:  D.  Nutt,  1889,  p.  67). 

P.  338,  Ir.,  1.  30,  leg.  d^innsin. 

P.  341,  Ir.,  1.  20,  leg.  nathehumad\  when  iomdha  is  thus  predicated  the  noun 
is  in  the  sing.,  but  the  pronouns  relating  to  it  are  pi.,  as  in  the  case  of 
mór  (sing,  and  neut.)  with  dep.  gen.  pi,  e.g.  tnór  bfer  [multum  virorumj 
eU>  ehaill  a  neieh  ann  *  many  men  they  were  that  lost  their  horses  there.' 

P.  346,  Ir.,  1.  10,  fill  up  \tnenn\ghor^  airl\eogach\ 

P.  347,  Ir.,  1.  18,  ms.  seellborb. 

P.  348,  Ir.,  1.  4,  metre  does  not  decide  whether  to  read  na  ngabal  *of  the 
generations,'  or  na  ngabdl  *of  the  invasions'  *colonizings';  either  word 
suits  the  passage  and  leaves  it  *  all  the  same  in  the  end.' 

P.  351,  Ir.,  1.  12,  leg.  na  tribhóit. 

P.  352,  Ir.,  1.  15,  gaeh  fosad  [etc.]  lit.  *good  in  our  eyes  is  every  causc-of- 
stoppage  and  delay  that  shall  be  on  [i.e.  affect]  you,'  which  can  be  ren- 
dered only  as  in  tr.  p.  394,  1.  33,  *  the  longer  [etc.]' ;  so  gcuh  mionca  dd 
dtéighedh  sé '  every  oftenness  that-he-used-to-go'  i.e.  the  oftener  be  went ; 
the  idiom  abounds  in  med.  MSS. :  gaeh  deirge  bhios  ann  *  every  redness 
that-does-be  in  him  [it]'  i.e.  the  redder  he  becomes,  or,  according  as  he 
gets  redder,  context  deciding  which. 

P.  354,  Ir.,  1.  13,  gusin  ngabail.  The  n.  f.  gabhal  is  pron.  variously:  let  a 
German  say  *gauel'  (an  Englishipan  *  trowel')  and  he  has  its  sound  in 
the  counties  Cork  and  Kerry ;  in  the  neighbouring  county  Limerick,  and 
elsewhere  in  Munster  (except  Clare),  it  =  germ.  *giiel':  cf.  h-germ.  [eng.] 
*haus,'  1-germ.  [sco.]  'hus' ;  in  Thomond  and  the  northern  half  it  rhymes 
with  germ.  * goel,'  eng.  'Joel' :  cf.  h-germ.  * haupt' '  laufen,'  netherl.  * hoofd' 
*  loopen.'  The  diminutives  are  gabhlóg,  gab/tatlin,  gaibhlin  (=  germ. 
'gaulog'  or  'guldg,'  *gauilin'  or  *golin,'  'gailín'),  2iná  gabhaiiin  is  phon. 
góilln  of  Clare  (O'Don.  supp.);  úiftx^  gabhdil  too  (but  only  when  strictly 
verbal)  sounds  *guil.' 

P-  355»  ir-i  1-  9»  i^^s.  dhib-ec]  1.  10,  \<tg.  Jia/raigsei. 

P.  356,  Ir.,  1.  4,  leg.  ihús\  1.  15,  adhám  bráthair, 

P.  358,  Ir.,  1.  9,  leg.  Condn. 

^'  359»  ir.,  1.  15,  for  Fergusa  leg.  Feradaig. 

P.  401,  lin.  ult.,  leg.  *the  brightly.' 

P.  402, 1.  36,  after  *for  grief  add  'then  the  washing  of  them  was  performed, 
and  all  men  said :  this  is  a  cruel  washing !  whence  the  garbthanaeh  or 
[place  of]  cruel  washing  has  its  name.' 

P.  404, 1.  13,  CÚ  chorb^  s.  oiMogh  corb^  and  grandson  of  k.  Conor  abhratruadk 


Notes  and  Corrections.  507 

*  of  the  red  eyebrows,'  who  after  one  year's  reign  was  si.  by  Lughaid  riabh 
nderg's  s.  Crimthann,  A.M.  5192.  Conor  was  s.  of  Finn  the  poet  s.  of 
Ros  ruadh^  and  nephew  therefore  to  Fergus  mac  Roich  of  the  Tain, 

P.  363,  Ir.,  1.  15,  dúthcha  (by  progressive  assimilation  for  dúithche-.  ind.  C 
s.vv.  dabach  moch)  is  comp.  of  adj.  duihaigh  *  peculiar/  'special,'  'natural 
to,'  *  own,'  used  (in  MSS.  passim  and  ore  populi)  chiefly  as  a  noun  in 
derived  sense  of  'country':  Eire  mo  dhúthaigh  'Ireland  my  country' 
says  John  Collins  of  Myross  in  his  admirable  version  of  Campbell's 
'  Exile ;'  and  this  meaning  having  quite  prevailed  over  the  primary,  the 
latter  is  expressed  by  deriv.  n.  m.  dúthchas  '  that  which  naturally  is  in- 
herent in,'  or,  in  virtue  of  that,  'incumbent  on'  one:  ba  dhúthchas  do  a 
dhénamh  ' it  was  nature  for  him  to  do  it';  ba  dhúihchas  dóibh  a  bhfuil  6 
Chorcaigh  mhóir go  Cinn  tsáile  'nature  to  them  was  all  that  is  from  the 
city  of  Cork  to  Kinsale,'  i.e.  that  scope  of  country  was  theirs  by  natural, 
hereditary,  and  indefeasible  right.  Here  we  have  noun  for  adj.,  as  so 
common  in  Irish:  fuaih  Horn  i<  'he  is  a  hatred  [hateful]  to  me,'  grddh 
letn  attain  i  '  love  to  [beloved  of]  my  soul  she  is,'  where  adjj.  fuaihmar^ 
grádhach^  grádhmar^  cannot  be  substituted ;  and  in  English  we  say  over 
there:  "tis  a  disgust  to  me,'  "tis  a  weariness  to  me,'  etc.  etc. 

P.  404,  lin.  ult.,  *  kinder,'  an  idiom  perhaps  not  familiar  to  English  readers, 
but  in  Ireland  as  common  now  as  it  was  when,  in  his  Dialogue  devoted 
to  Hibemo-anglicisms,  Dean  Swift  ridiculed  it:  'and  kind  father  for 
him'  he  says,  i.e.  it  was  bred  in  him,  and  to  be  expected  of  him;  'the 
cat  has  stolen  the  cream;  whip  herl'  might  say  one,  and  counsel  for 
puss  answer:  'sure  'twas  kind  for  the  creature,  what  made  you  leave  it 
where  she  could  get  it!'  cf.  'cat  after  kind';  in  mala  parte  'kind  mother 
for  her'  =  'elle  chasse  de  race.'  Here  the  Irish  constr.  is :  '[quod  fecisse] 
non  [practer  te]  cuivis  peculiarius  [essct]  qui  veniret  ad  molestum  hoc 
tributum  a  Lageniensium  provincia  abigendum.'  Synonymous :  ba  chinél^ 
ba  chinélta^  ba  dhú  is  ba  dhual^  but  especially  ba  dhilis^  so  that  in  our 
passage  ni  diise  can  take  the  place  oí niditthcha\  'a  kindly  Scot'  (appli- 
cable only  by  one  such  to  another)  is  albanach  cinélta  or  dilis^  in  sense 
of  fam.  fr.  'pays,'  'payse';  but  with  ref.  to  race,  not  to  place. 

P.  364,  Ir.,  1.  I,  here  ninth  has  not  to  do  with  material  'poison';  the  people 
always  render  it  by  ' venom,'  and  adj.  nimhnech  with  '  venomous,' as :  'he 
put  great  venom  in  the  stroke'  (say  at  billiards) ;  *  he  put  in  great  venom 
coming  at  the  fence ;'  where  it  merely  denotes  high  energy,  determination 
(not  disposition),  and  is  convertible  with  the  equally  common /uinneant A 
(ind.  C  s. v.).  In  the  famous  song  of  'Jack  and  his  leather  Breeches'  the 
hero  says  of  the  young  lady  (eventually  his  wife)  smitten  with  him  at 
sight  on  the  racecourse :  is  do  chuirsi  ninth  a  súl  i  gciufnhais  mo  bhriste 
leathair  i.e.  "and  the  'venom  of  her  eyes'  [keenest  glances]  she  clapped 
upon  my  leather  breeches'  waistband."  But:  'he  had  venom  in  for  him 
this  long  time'  =  'he  had  long  had  a  stone  in  his  sleeve  for  him.* 

ibid.y  11.  28  sq.,  nothing  wanting  here. 

P.  366,  Ir.,  1.  41,  ex.  OÍ iongnadh  pron.  as  written:  car bhHongnadh  duine  dod 
cháil .  do  thuitim  i  Idr  na  haindeise  i.e.  "  what  wonder  for  a  man  of  your 
kind  to  fall  into  the  depths  of  misery"  (song  by  Uilliam  dall,  county 
Tipperary). 


568  Notes  and  Corrections. 

p.  368,  Ir.,  lin.  antepen.,  in  tsecbtmad,  note  gender  observed  with  ordinaL 

P.  369,  Ir.,  I.  I,  tromlach  ('the  weight,'  'the  weighty  part,'  as  the  people  say 
for 'the  bulk')  is  a  deriv.  ailrom  'lie.n7'  by  Ihe  sune  process  that  makes 
erioslaih  'a  limit,'  te^hlath  'household,'  Ullack  [ieitiacA]  'hearth,'  md- 
Ikarlack  'womb,'  turlach  'a  loch  dry  in  summer,  wet  in  winter,'  from 
crios  'girdle,'  legk  'house,'  teiiie  'fire,'  wirf/Aiwy  mother,'  iur  'dry' :  see 
Zeuss'  p.  855,  s. V.  -loch;  where  ddach  is  not  in  point,  being  (as  well 
understood  lo-day)  a  compound  Sclaick,  utill  pron.  áglách  (whence  also 
ógláchiis);  as  macdmk  for  maeoimk  'a  youth,'  cdrthann  for  caertAatttt 
'  the  rowan-tree."  Note  by  the  way  that  in  ckatlach  inna/er  {ibid.)  is  lit. 
1)  rSiv  avl^f  Ka6o\tKÍi  (being  made  fem.  for  neut.,  to  imitate  '  universitas'), 
wherefore  non  hue  periinct ;  ciiikliuk,  cathlackd^  -  '  catholicus.' 

P.  370,  Ir.,  I.  6,  !  have  taken  the  Latin  marginale  as  referring  to  k.  Failghe's 
byname  rc/k ;  anywhere  else  in  sentences  it  would  be  otiose  dictum. 

P.  372,  Ir.,  I.  31,  here  the  poem  is  inserted  from  the  place  to  which  be  reTers: 
LL.  47^,  lin.  ult. 

P.  373,  Ir.,  I.  30,  to gkuidimse  add  (.] ). 

P.  376,  Ir.,  1.  34,  is  amhiiii  atchonmiic  [etc.],  here  the  people  would  render 
this  ever-recurring  idiom  ;  "lis  the  way  he  saw  L.  and  U,  was  round  the 
vat  and  ihcy  drinking  it ;'  much  used  also  where  neither  ma.nner  nor 
comparison  come  in:  is  amklaiiik  do  bkius  agcaitkeamkmo pkroinneach 
la  ligiis  —  '  'tis  the  way  I  was  eating  my  dinner  one  day,  and  — ,'  having 
much  the  same  force  as  pop.  fr.  '  v'lk-t-il  pas  qu'un  jour  je  [etc.] ' ;  it  also 
assigns  reasons;  'why  did  you  do  it?  'tis  the  way  he  told  me  to  do  it' 
=  'dest  qu'i!  m'a  dit  de  le  faire,'  'it's  as  how  he  told  me  to  do  it.' 

P.  413,  1.  17,  'full-grown  men  nf  war'  is  a  guess. 

P.  377i  Ii".,  I.  5,  dotkaigc  in  bar  scdiiii  i.e.  "  in  the  stories  of  you  [in  your 
rccord|  is  renown ;"  where  dotkaigi  is  abstract  noun  formed  in  the  usual 
way  from  í'latkack,ácT\\-.  adj.  oiclolk  'fame,'  'victory';  ci./aebraige  from 
fiiibrack,  p.  363.  1.  S  ;  ficktmiige  from  fecktnack,  p.  395,  L  6 ;  coscraige 
from  coscriich,  p.  397,  I.  16. 

P.  378,  1.  7,  to  this  day  /car  ionaiil  an  righ  (or  na  banrioghna)  means  the 
Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland;  I.  21,  siUhclui  foi  satkaigke,  coiap.  of  tit/AatA 
'sated,'  *  full' (n.  ad  p.  363,  I.  15),  as  in  the  proverb:  nlor  tkuig  an  sdlkack 
íámii  an  SiUing  ariitmk  i.e.  "the  comfortable  fellow  with  his  belly  full  never 
yet  understood  [sympathised  with]  the  Hnedrawn  [hunger-pinched]  man." 

P.  416, 1.  24,  '  the  slaughter  [etc.]'  lit.  '  the  slaughter  [with]  which  thy  people 
arc  being  slain  is  unendurable.' 

P.  382,  Ir.,  1.  24,  for  {m/íííjrfleg.  rind;  1.  25,  for  di  leg.  Anrf (Lee). 

P-  3831  If-i  '■  7.  for  turcda  leg.  tore  dar  {ibid.). 

P.  384,  Ir.,  II.  i7sqq.,  leg.  Túllclunn\\\a..w\%..,\c%.eonní^chroibidisdáclíirechi 
noi-ninitddib.']  gabiiis  rdme  \araba  Moiling co  ráinic  teck  ««]  rig  (cod.  cit.). 

P.  385,  Ir.,  L  1,  \t%.  fuair\c0iiiuHrgi  and.  dercais  for  in  sfuag}  ocus  6a  Mdr 
Ids  {can  comérgi  d'/agbúil .  ocus  dockonnairc  sin  Colca]  mae  JI.  {ibid.)  • 
1.  8,  asaadh  exemplified  :  lagann  osnadk  in  mo  chroidhe  an  tiair  cMm 
natk  tt'anann  sibh  .  dlighe  na  luiigaihe  as  dilnt  m/in  i.e.  "  grief  occupies 
my  heart  when  I  see  that  ye  follow  not  the  law  of  ihat  Church  which 
has  the  most  beautiful  intentions"  (John  O'Donnell's  song  against  (action- 
fighting,  circ.  iSio). 


Notes  and  Corrections.  569 

P.  386,  Ir.,  1.  18,  here  (to  return  to  subject  of  note  to  Ir.  p.  131, 1.  28)  we  find 
cian  gairit  co  bráth  *be  it  long  or  be  it  short  till  Doom';  again,  dan 
gairit  tic/ait  náim  cum  *.  .  till  saints  shall  come  hither':  ante,  p.  365, 
lin.  antepen. ;  the  same  words :  p.  366,  1.  6 ;  cid  mór  laighct  dobérasa  ddn 
fhiur  *  be  it  much  or  be  it  little  thou  shalt  give  to  the  man' :  p.  402, 1.  28 ; 
lastly,  in  Molling*s  invocation  we  have  disjunctive  expressed,  cid  cian  cid 
gairit  ár  techt .  do  sfirut  nár  cotnaitecht  *  whether  far  or  whether  near 
[long  or  short]  our  travel  be,  may  thy  spirit  be  our  convoy':  p.  389,  1. 12. 

P.  388,  Ir.,  1.  I,  leg.  baegul'y  I.  15,  leg.  conic  ar  cúl  Finnachta  (Lee). 

P.  423,  1.  22,  *  May  ye  be  [etc.].'  These  lines,  every  way  obscure,  seem  to 
invoke  on  the  Saint's  opponents  frustration  and  impotency :  oaks  do  not 
bear  rocks ;  waves  are  restless,  dash  themselves  to  spray,  subside ;  belfries 
are  noisy  and  uprear  themselves,  the  church  is  the  power. 

P.  391,  Ir.,  1.  18,  leg.  atchonnaic. 

P.  392,  Jr.,  lin.  penult.,  leg.  saerchlannaibne. 

P.  395,  Jr.,  11.  II  sq.,  tiocfaidter  ris^  ret  rath  (impers.  fut);  this  use  of  ticim 

*  I  come '  with  prep,  fri^  riy  re^  is  very  frequent,  meaning  I  *  oppose,' 

*  thwart,  *give  a  check  to';  in  his  Dialogue  already  referred  to,  Swift 
brings  in  the  idiom :  "  I  cam  agin  you  there,"  i.e.  I  was  one  too  many 
for  you,  I  spoilt  your  game. 

P.  430, 1. 15,  for  'privily'  leg.  *  zealously,'  *  with  best  endeavour';  1.  35,  *  swim- 
ming': Elizabeth's  commanders  in  Ireland  reported  that  this  art  was  as 
general  among  the  women  as  the  men  there,  and  they  as  skilful. 

P,  401,  Ir.,  1.  6,  leg.  Mockuta;  lin.  antepen.,  leg.  Scc/t-. 

P.  439,  1,  16,  *I  will  [etc.]'  lit.  *this  [accident]  will  [etc]';  but  evidently  the 
text  ought  to  be  as  rendered, 

P.  444, 1.  35.  *  The  Tonsure  of  Simon  Magus,'  distinctive  of  the  Celtic  Church 
before  she  accepted  the  Roman  rule,  was  a  shaven  strip  of  certain  width 
extending,  over  the  crown,  from  one  ear  to  the  other. 

P.  410,  Ir.,  1.  7,  ms.  ndmat. 

P.  447,  1.  22,  *town,'  and  1.  26,  *fort,'  lit.  *  castle'  [caistia//];  but  in  Cuan's  day 
there  was  not  such  a  thing  in  Ireland,  nor  for  long  after. 

P.  448, 1.  6,  *  sweet  the  sound  [etc.],'  lit.  *  beautiful  the  sound  of  the  watching 
party  [wakcrs]  around  Cuan  the  Doublcr^s  head.' 

P.  412,  Ir.,  lin.  ult.,  conndfbairt  (see  p.  411, 1.  5)  is  typical  of  a  whole  class  of 
'scriptiones'  in  which  there  is  apparent  arbitrary  doubling  of  a  letter, 
but  this  is  not  so:  there  is  no  such  thing  as  conn  for  conj.  con^  and  it 
never  ought  to  be  printed  so ;  but  (to  take  our  case)  either  as  in  the  text, 
or  con  ndcbairt.  The  scribe's  object  is  to  satisfy  etymology  by  writing 
the  primary  form  con^  and  by  ndebairt  to  indicate  the  pronunciation  of 
his  day  (and  ours)  which,  transporting  the  //,  made  co  ndcbairt. 

P.  414,  I r.,  1.  15,  for  do  leg.  do\  1.  22,  leg.  dobéram. 


Text  of  Extracts, 

I.  iii,  1.  15,  for  birn  leg.  bern\  1.  17,  isi\  iv,  1.  i,  Osraighi\  xxi,  1.  2,  Conaire 

chaeim\  xxiii,  1.  8,  la  Enna\  xxix,  1.  2,/ertáin. 

II.  i,  1.  I,  leg.  *(i)  a.';  viii«.,  L  i  sq.,  BB.  2x6/3  has  Xinnid  lighan^  and  for 

2  X 


5  70  Notes  and  Corrections. 

Cerc^  Eirc'y  x\a.,  I.  4,  leg.  Ciar;  xiii,  1.  8,  for  suas,  s/os;  x^'iii,  1.  18,  rrf/VA ; 
1.25,  ac/t/  (ltd  so  de-^  mais  void  ce  qui  en  est' ;  1.  35,  leg.  in  taire^  which 
here  and  8  11.  further  on  has  been  taken  to  be  tdire  *  disgrace,'  *  reproach' ; 
lin.  antepcn.,  Criputhainn ;  leg.  *  (xix)  a,^ ;  1.  4,  b.  Colla ;  1.  10,  de  refers  not 
to  the  man,  but  to  what  he  did;  1.  11,  leg.  Crinnain\  1.  12,  each  fuiche 
[etcl,  see  B.  of  Aicill,  p.  310;  1.  15,  leg.  Ctimthainn;  xxiv,  1.  4,  domh- 
tcch\  xxvi,  1.  18,  delete  atá  [ms.^  and  (]);  1.  17,  delete  {sic). 

III.  vi,  vii,  transpose  these,  see  tr. ;  after  (xii)  delete  a.;  before  (xiv)  insert 
*  Page  49: — ' ;  x'wd.,  1.  2,  for  ms.  Dcr  ocus  Droigen  leg.  Dérdroigen, 

IV.  ii,  a  repetition  of  I.  xxiv;  to  (viii)  add  a. 

VI.  iii,  1.  3,  complete  ms.  reading:  iarginn\aig\\  iv,  1.  2,  leg.  Airgedáin 

1.  7,  from  ms.  reading  omit  la  each ;  to  *  (xi)'  add  a, ;  1.  2,  delete  a, ;  xi  r., 
cf.  HB.  251/3, 1.  42 ;  xviíT,  1.  13,  after  big  leg.  \tneic  Dhiarmata], 

VII.  iir.,  1.  2,  leg.  meic  Duach. 

IX.  ii «.,  1.  3,  here  air  is  gen.  sing,  of  ar^  and  uamh  a  gen.  pi. ;  ii  r.,  1.  9,  lilt 
[etc.]  is  corrupt. 

X.  (p.  474,  1.  13)  for  (iv)  leg.  (v),  and  increase  remaining  figures  by  unity; 

ix  ^.,  1.  3,  leg.  ánaib ;  x,  1.  4,  for  ms.  ina^  inna ;  xi,  1.  4,  tairche^  (rmar, 

XI.  ii,  1.  7,  ffiide  i.e.  midt\  cf.  LL.  199/3, 1.  47. 

XII.  ii,  1.  4,  leg.  do  muin  a  mairc\  iii,  1.  5,  after  condeisid  2iáá  [</];  vi,  1.  5,  for 

Eirenn  (ms.  rr-)  leg.  Eiremóin\  xia.,  1.  2,  \q^.  Jlatha  [as  cáimé]  bái :  cf. 

O'Curry,  MC  III.  p.  356,  note;   1.  8,  first  cen  having  puncta  delentia 

(faint),  leg.  atbcrt  Liath  :  ccn  co  ro  osa  [rósa^ ;  xii,  1.  ^^  ffiualascaig  \  xiii  a.^ 

1.  2,  Temair  brcga\  1.  6,  qu.  leg.  eo  rón\  xiii^.,  1.  i,  for  ms.  bolgaid  leg. 

bolgaig\  xiv,  1.  2,  mirus?  where  BB.  242/3  has  /m  tri  ross\  oi.  MS.  Mat., 

App.  CLII.;  xxiii.,  1.  4,  na  tri  ruadchoin  *the  three  strong  wolves'  of 

Mairtine  are  better  known  as  na  tri  ruaidchinn  *the  three  red-heads'  of 

Munster:  cf.  MS.  Mat.  App.  III.  n.  33;  1.  6,  qu.  leg.  dóibféine\  1.  9,  leg. 

es  mac  nEirc\  xxi^.,  1.  5,  is  as  A/////V  [etc.],  the  people  always  render: 

*'tis  where  he  came  from  was  out  of — ';  xii,  1.  3,  IMii-  Lughaidh^  better 

Luighdcch  in  gen. ;  xxv^.,  1.  12,  dia  tucad di^  the  common  mod.  pleonasm 

with  the  rel.  pron. ;  xxix^i.,  1.  3,  leg.  glain ;  xxxi,  11.  i,  2,  diatA  =  de  aid ; 

1.  7,  diatdi  =  do  a/di;  1.  14,  scriptio  plena  o(  didiu;  1.  18,  dia,  poss.  pron. 

refers  to  Fergus;  xxxiii,  1.  6,  mcd  [mcdh  n.  f]  natn  *  balance  of  times* 

(put  absolutely  for  adv.),  i.e.  in  equal  periods ;  xxxiv,  lin.  ult.,  add  ( ] ) ; 

XXXV,  1.  4,  leg.  ingcn;  1.  10,  eamun\  xxxixrt.,  1.  i,  see  tr. ;  1.  5,  forms,  chin 

leg.  chinn\  xh/.,  1.  4,  dlainn\  Ixr.,  *A.M.' 

XIV.  i,  1.  9,  leg.  {no  in  bello);  1.  26,  forms.  Magnensem,'  Mageniensem';  1.  31, 
for  *filius,'/7/;/j;  ibid.,  Bricre;  in  *(iv)  a:  delete  a, 

XVII.  \\c,  1.  5,  iihcr /hoirithin  qu.  supp.  Luigdech, 

XVIII.  i,  1.  5,  leg.  tnac  Aodha, 

XX.,  in  '  (i)  a:  delete  a. ;  iii  </.,  1.  8,  leg.  ó  ndr  siolad;  1.  18,  /  cassel  cammaig 
in  LL.  345  :  5,  1.  28. 

XXI.  i  b.,  1.  2,  qu.  leg.  pncic  échtaig  Esairg. 

XXII.  Page  306,  leg.  310;  ii,  1.  10,  afagar;  1.  15,  an  tech  mar  *the  great 
house'  was  the  mod.  designation  for  a  gentleman's  place,  in  both  English 
and  Irish;  the  owner  being  an  fear  mar 'the  big  man,'  or  simply  s///in 
*  himself,'  e.g.  *what  took  you  there  at  all.?'  *  himself  that  sent  me  there' 
=  *  c'est  le  patron  qui  m'y  a  dépéché.' 


Notes  and  Corrections.  5  7 1 

XXIII.  \a.y  1.  3,  note  Scottish  form  nemthruaillichte  \  in  *  (ii)  «.' delete  a.\ 
before  *(iii)'  leg.  329;  for  ivr.  bis,  leg.  cL 

XXIV.  iii,  1.  I,  leg.  *A.D.  577.' 
XXVI.  vii,  I.  3,  after  Ailinn  delete  (.). 

XXVIII.  ivi/.,  11.  I  s(\.y  Jinn  epnna^  better  ^nnemna ;  x,  1.  3,  leg.  ar  galaib\ 
following  *(xvi)/  for  *(xxvii)'  leg.  *(xvii).' 

XXIX.  ix,  1.  4,  mac  Uada  merely  represents  weakened  northern  pron.  oi  mac 
Uadach^  as  does  Temra  that  of  Temrach^  gen.  of  Temair  *  Tara,'  etc.  etc. 


Translation  of  Extracts, 

I.  V.  Dinn  righ  *  mound  of  kings,*  otherwise  dumha  Slainghe  *  tumulus  of  S.* 
[mac  Dela,  who  died  there  A.M.  3267],  is  just  S.  of  Leighlin-bridge  on 
the  Barrow,  and  the  spot  well  known  still.  Here,  in  the  fort  hitherto 
called  bruidhen  iuama  Tenbath^  Maen  mac  OlioU  aim  (alias  Labraid 
loingsech\  massacred  Cobthach  the  king,  s.  of  Ugaine  mór^  and  with  him 
thirty  chiefs  assembled  there,  A.M.  4658.  The  earthen  remains  of  this 
stronghold  have  a  circumference  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  yards 
at  base,  are  sixty-nine  feet  high  from  the  Barrow's  level,  and  a  hundred 
and  thirty  feet  in  diameter  at  top  (IV  M  ad  ann.,  O'Donovan's  notes). 

ibid,^  xiii.  There  is  a  curious  legend  of  the  ConaiUe^  or  descendants  of  Conall 
cemach: — Conaille  Murtheimne  do  chlaind  Chonaill  chemaich  dóib  .i. 
dál  Runtar  ocus  dál  nimda  i  Cuailngiu  ocus  Glasraige  .i.  Glas  ocus 
Runtar  ocus  Imda  tri  meic  Chonaill  chostomail.  a  ingen  féin  rue  do  na 
txi  meic  sain  .i.  Creidne  banfhéinnid  ingen  Chonaill  chostomail  ammá- 
thair.  ba  rf  dana  cóicid  Chonchobair  in  Conall  costomail.  ba  aithis 
imorro  lais  a  ingen  do  breith  nammac  do  .  bretha  na  meic  uad  in  immull 
a  fheraind  ocus  a  cheiniuil.  is  móiti  dana  ra  chuir  uad  ar  ecla  na  rfgna 
.1.  a  mná  féin  .i.  Aife  a  hainm  na  rigna.  bái  dana  cocad  mór  etir  in 
rigain  ocus  Creidne  .  luid  Creidne  iar  sain  for  feinnidecht  d'fogail  for  a 
hathair  ocus  for  Aife.  dobert  a  meic  sechtar  bunad  a  ceiniuil  ar  ulc  ra 
nathair  .  tri  nónbair  di  for  longais  .  culmong  fuirri  .  cuma  no  fhiched  de 
muir  ocus  tir.  secht  mbliadna  di  for  longais  etir  Eirinn  ocus  Albain. 
dogni  iartain  sid  fria  hathair  ocus  atbertside  fria  tré  fháistini  .i.  in  tfr  i 
rucait  do  meic  bid  acut  ocus  bid  rit  chlaind  co  bráth  .  ocus  issed  on  ro 
fíorad.  Conall  costomail  mac  Fhianchada  meic  Oengusa  .m.  Gaith  .m. 
Enbláith  .m.  Rochada  .m.  Iriéil  ghlúnmair  .m.  Chonaill  chemaig  .m. 
Amairgin.  Caulnia  ocus  Connluan  emon  rue  Lebarcham  ingen  Oe  ocus 
Adairce  do  Choinchulainn  is  diob  corco  Caullainn  ocus  dál  Cualni  i 
Cruithniu  i.e.  "  Conallides,  sive  Conallica  de  Murthemnensi  regione  gens, 
e  Conalli  illius  cognomine  cemach  'triumphatoris'  progenie  sunt,  qui  fere 
hi  exstant:  ^Runtari  portio' [Runtarides],  Mmdai  portio'  [Imdaldes]  in 
Cualgnensi  terra,  *Glasrigia*  [Glassides] ;  Conalli  vero  costomail  *jur- 
giosi'  dicti  tres  filii  Glassius  Runtarus  Imdaus.  Hos  tres  sua  ipsius  patri 
suo  nata  peperit ;  scilicet  quorum  mater  Crednea  amazon  fuit,  Conalli 
costomail  Conchobari  provincial  [Ulidiae]  regis  filia.  Rex  deinde  cum 
pro  ignominia  haberet  filiam  ipsi  suam  dictos  tulisse  pueros,  hi  in  extrema 


572  Notes  and  Corrections. 

ternc  et  generis  ejus  confinia  ab  eo  deportati  sunt ;  quos  eo  magis  able- 
giivit  prcC  reginae  uxoris  metu  propria^,  cui  Aifia  nomen.  Credeam  inter 
et  reginam  ingens  quidem  exstitit  discordia ;  amazonem  actura  patrem 
Aifiamque  pncdatura  ilia  demum  evasit;  quo  ipsorum  patri  molestiam 
cicret,  extra  generis  sui  peculiare  ab  origine  solum  abduxit  natos.  Ter 
novem  in  exsilio  habcbat  socios,  defluentem  post  terga  ca;sariem ;  mari 
tcrraque  pugnabat  a?qualiter ;  pirata  per  septem  annos  inter  Caledoniam 
et  lernen  versata  est.  Posthac  cum  patre  init  pacem,  et  mulieri  dixit 
ille  per  pnesagium:  terra  in  quam  devecti  sunt  filii  tui,  tua  eadem  et 
sobolis  tuit  erit  in  setemum.  Quod  quoque  verificatum.  [Gencalogia 
sequitur:]  Conall  costomail  filius  Fianchadii  filii  Angussii  .f.  Gaethi  .f. 
Enblathi  .f.  Rochadii  .f.  Iriali  .f.  Conalli  cenuic/t  .f.  Amargini.  [Nota:] 
Caulnia  et  Connluanus  fratres  erant  quos  Cuchullano  geminos  tulit 
[Conchobari  regis  nuntia]  Lebarchama  ;  a  quibus  cofco  ChauIIainn  et 
diil  Cualni  inter  Pictos  dictiE  stirpes"  (LL.  318 :  3).  Respecting  ^Conalls' 
however  (ante  ad  tr.  p.  'JT^  1.  9)  we  find:  dd  Chonall  Emna  mcuho  ./. 
Conall  cerpiach  .;//.  Atnorgin  ocus  Conall  anglond  .m.  Ircoil  ghltinmáir 
.;//.  Choftaill  chcrnaig  i.e.  "the  two  Conalls  of  Emania  were  Conall 
ccrnach  mac  Amcrgin,  and  Conall  anglonn  son  of  Irial  Big-Knee  s.  of 
Conall  ccrnach^'  (Eg.  1782,  f.  41  :  i). 

XII.  ii,  1.  13,  *with  my  hand*:  what  follows  is  obscure  to  me;  for  *(xxii)i'' 
(p.  526, 1.  i)  leg.  *(xxi)  r/  «md  diminish  subsequent  numbers  by  unity. 

il>id.,  xxxi,  1.  3,  for  *From  him  [etc.]'  leg.  *['tis  named]  from  the  man  who  in 
settling  on  it  forestalled  all  his  tribe,  [the  tribe]  of  whom  is  [that  same 
man,  called]  Asal  mac  Um6ir\^  the  notion  of  forestalling  lies  in  prep.yi^r 
\at\  which  expresses  dat.  both  commodi  and  incommodi ;  xxxvi,  I.  3, 
we  have  another  denizen  of  this  famous  sidh:  Fiatnain  viae  Forái  .i. 
Fiamain  mac  Buidb  dcirg  ?neic  an  Dagda  a  sidh  fer  Fcmhin  i.e.  "  Fiam- 
ain  s.  of  Foraei,  that  is  to  say  s.  of  Bodhb  derg  s.  of  the  Daghda,  out  of 
the  sidh  of  Femcn"  (mem.  in  Harl.  5280,  f.  57^). 

XVII.  i,  1.  3,  *nor  ever  overtook  [etc.]'  lit.  *nor  ever  found  her  place  with 
himself.' 

XVIII.  i.  Probably  few  readers  will  have  any  notion  at  all,  much  less  a 
clear  one,  of  either  *kem'  or  *gallowglass';  some  excerpts  from  a  letter 
addressed  by  Sir  Anthony  Sentleger  to  Henry  VIII  (from  Maynooth, 
6th  April  1543)  will  explain  the  matter: — "After  my  mostc  humble  and 
obedient  duetie,  yt  may  please  your  moste  excellent  maiestie  to  be 
aduertiscd  that,  although  the  brute  hath  here  ben  long  of  warre  to  be 
commenced  bctwene  your  maiestie  and  the  Scotts  and  Frenchemen  \he 
proceeds  to  suggest  Irish  auxiliaries^  who  can  go  to  Scotland  for  mere 
expense  of  transport^  But  in  case  your  maiestie  will  use  their  servyce 
into  Fraunce,  your  highnes  muste  then  be  «it  soom  charge  with  them, 
for  yt  ys  not  in  their  possibilitie  to  take  that  iorney  without  your  helpe; 
for  thcr  is  no  horsemen  of  this  lande  but  he  hathe  his  horse  and  his  two 
boyes  and  two  hackeneys,  or  one  hackeney  and  two  chicflfe  horse  at  the 
leste,  whose  wage  muste  be  according ;  and  of  themselves  they  haue  no 
rychcs  to  furnyshe  the  same.  And  assuredly  I  thinke  that  for  ther  feate 
of  warre  [style  of  fighting],  whiche  is  for  light  scoorers  [scourers],  ther  ar 
no  properer  horsemen  in  christen  grounde,  nor  more  hardie  [fr.  *  hardi'], 


Notes  and  Corrections.  5  73 

nor  yet  that  can  better  indure  hardenesse.  And  as  to  ther  footemen, 
they  have  one  sorte  which  be  harnessed  in  niayle  and  bassenetts ;  haue- 
ing  euery  of  them  his  weapon,  called  a  sparre,  moche  like  the  axe  ot 
Towre,  and  they  be  named  Galloglasse ;  and  for  the  more  part  ther  boyes 
beare  for  them  thre  dartes  a  piece,  whiche  darts  they  throwe  or  they 
come  to  the  hand  stripe.  These  sorte  of  men  be  those  that  doo  not 
lightly  abandon  the  fielde,  but  byde  the  brunte  to  the  deathe.  The  other 
sorte,  called  Kerne,  are  naked  [unarmoured]  men,  but  only  ther  sherte 
and  small  cotes ;  and  many  tymes  whan  they  come  to  the  bycker  but 
bare  nakyd  saving  ther  shurts  to  hyde  ther  prevytics ;  and  those  haue 
dartes  and  shorte  bowes.  Whiche  sorte  of  people  be  both  hardy  and 
delyver  [active]  to  serche  woddes  or  mareshes  [bogs],  in  the  whiche  they 
be  harde  to  be  beaten"  (Sta.  Pa.  Ir.,  Henry  VIII,  xi  no.  2).  *  The  divine 
Spenser'  (Edmund),  who  knew  them,  after  bestowing  on  their  ethics 
some  abuse  which  to  a  hair  fits  his  own  Elizabethans  in  Ireland  (masters 
and  men)  as  well,  says  of  kern  and  gallowglass : — "  Yet  surely  they  are 
very  valiant,  and  hardy ;  for  the  most  part  great  indurers  of  cold,  labour, 
hunger,  and  all  hardiness  [hardship] ;  very  active  and  strong  of  hand, 
very  swift  of  foot ;  very  vigilant  and  circumspect  in  their  enterprises, 
very  present  in  perils,  very  great  scorners  of  death"  (View  of  the  State 
of  Ireland). 

XX.  iiiiz,  1.  7,  leg.  *that  left  no  issue*;  the  three  that  did  so  were  Teigue, 
Donough,  Donall  (LL.  332  : 6,  1.  16  infra);  modem  criticism  has  rightly 
reduced  Brian's  age  at  death  to  seventy-three  years,  and  his  son  Mur- 
rough's  to  fifty-  or  even  forty-three  (IV  M  ad  an.  1013,  O'Donovan's 
note  g). 

ibid.^  1.  12,  muintcr  Aodha  'people  of  Aedh'  may  mean  either  the  sept  of  O 
hAodha  (angl.  O'Hea,  Hayes,  in  the  S. ;  Hay,  Hughes,  in  the  N.),  or 
\\\7iX.oi Mac  Aedha  (should  be  angl.  *Mac  Hea,'  but  now  always  Mackay, 
Mac  Hugh);  clann  Choscrai^h  was  tribe-name  of  the  latter  (who  were 
seated  just  east  of  Galway  Bay),  therefore  for  *  O'Heas'  leg.  *  Mac  Hughs.' 
These  are  of  the  race  of  Brian  s.  of  Eochaid  m,m.  (ante,  pp.  368,  373); 
the  northern  sept  oí  Mac  Aodha  [Mdg  Aodha  *M'Gee'],  e  quibus  the 
late  bishop  of  Peterborough,  descend  from  Coiia  uais  (ante,  II.  xviii,  xix  ^, 
XX  a).  A.D.  1062,  O'Conor  (Hugh  *  of  the  gapped  spear'),  k.  of  Connacht, 
won  over  the  O'Flahertys  of  the  West  a  battle  in  which  eighty  men  of 
the  Mac  Hughs  fell  on  the  losing  side  (IV  M  ad  an.,  and  O'Donovan's 
note  a).     The  Scots  say  Mac  Aoidh  *  M'Kay,'  *  M'Coy.' 

ibid,^  1.  13,  ^Ciocarán!s  dr.  Cianóg?  Here  is  a  mem.  on  Brian  Bom's  maternal 
descent:  —  Cianóg  inghen  Chicharáin  .i.  airchinnech  Etarghabla  \ms. 
etarghuala]  criche  Lughna  máthair  Osnaide  ingine  Chrechain  meic 
Anguile  ocus  máthair  Máilmithim  meic  Chrechain  uair  ba  mithem  in  tan 
ro  túis[m]edh.  uair  ba  haimrit  Cianog  no  gur  throisc  re  Cairell .  is  ann 
sin  do  thóg  Cairell  a  chenn  diar  troisced  fa  tri  fris  co  rug  iar  sin  Cianog 
mac  ocus  ingen  do  Chrechan  .i.  Maelmithim  ocus  Osnad  .  conustoch- 
mairc  Urchad  mac  Murchada  meic  Moenaig  ri  iarthair  Chonnacht. 
tucad  iar  sin  Osnad  d'Urchadgurro  thuisim  ocus  rue  ingen  Bébinn  ingen 
Urchada  ocus  tug  Cinnéidid  mac  Lorcáin  do  mnái  Í  .i.  ri  dál  Cais  .  ocus 
is  ann  ro  fháidset  \tns.  f háidhsid]  ag  áth  meic  Finn  gur  toirrched  in  ingen 


5  74  Notes  and  Corrections. 

gu  rue  mac  .i.  Brian  mac  Cinnéidid  do  ghab  righi  nEirenn  .  ocus  dob  Í 
in  Bébinn  sin  máthair  Máilsechlainn  rí  Corcomruadh.  ingen  aile  d'Ur- 
chad  ocus  d'Osnaid  Cainech  máthair  Ruaidri  meic  Choscraig .  ocus  is 
do  breith  Osnaide  ba  marb  Cianóg  i.  e.  "  Cianog,  dr.  of  Ciocharan 
(Herenach  of  Addargoole  in  Lughna's  country),  was  mr.  of  Crechan  .m. 
Anguile's  dr.  Osnat,  and  of  his  s.  Maelmithim  [i.e.  *  dedicated  to  June,' 
and  so  called]  because  it  was  June  when  he  was  conceived.  For,  until 
she  fasted  at  S.  Cairell,  Cianog  was  barren ;  but  when  he  had  thrice  been 
fasted  at,  Cairell  raised  his  head  [i.e.  took  notice  of  and  blessed  her], 
after  which  she  bore  Crechan  a  son  and  a  daughter :  Maelmithim  and 
Osnat  aforesaid;  which  latter  Urchad  .m.  Murchad  .m.  Maenach,  k.  of 
W.  Connacht,  wooed.  Eventually  Osnat  was  given  to  Urchad ;  so  she 
conceived  and  bore  a  daughter,  Urchad's  dr.  Bebhinn,  whom  Kennedy 
.m.  Lorcan,  k.  of  the  Dalcassians,  took  in  the  way  of  a  wife.  Where 
they  passed  their  wedding  night  was  at  áth  meic  Finn  *  the  ford  of  Finn's 
son' ;  the  young  woman  proved  fruitful  and  had  a  son,  Brian  .m.  Kennedy, 
who  became  Ireland's  ruler;  and  this  Bebhinn  also  was  mother  of  Mel- 
achlin  k.  of  Corcomrua.  Another  daughter  [bom]  to  Urchad  and  Osnat 
was  Cainech,  mr.  of  Rory  .m.  Coscrach,  and  [to  hark  back]  it  was  of 
bringing  Osnat  forth  that  Cianog  above  died"  (Eg.  1782,  f.  42^:1,  infra). 
In  this  passage  gttala  is  phon.  {or  gab/t la  ^ro  gaib/tle^  gen.  oi gabhal  (ad 
tr.  p.  363, 1.  15),  as  daibche^  dabcha^  from  dabach ;  muiche,  mucha,  from  adj. 
moc/t]  aibhle,  abhla,  from  abJia//;  and  meitheamh^  mitheanth^  mcitheamh 
an  tsamhraidh^  is  the  correct  and  living  Irish  for  the  month  of  June. 

XXII.  ii,  1.  13,  lit.  *a  magic  mist  rises.* 

XXIII.  i  ^,  I.  5,  *  whose  love  [etc.]'  lit.  *  ingens  apud  eum  fuit  magnitudo  ipsius 
[sc.  mulieris]  amoris';  iii.  p.  541,  1.  6,  *and  at  his  heart  [etc.]'  lit.  *and 
turned  the  spear's  point  against  his  heart';  ibid.^  1.  35: — Cia  cétliaigh  ro 
bui  in  nEirinn  ar  tus  riam  ocus  cia  cétshaer  ocus  cia  cét  iascaire  .  amail 
ispert :  Caffo  re  leighius  nir  lag .  re  reimes  ro  bui  comnart  í  Luasat  in 
saer  glic  cose  .  ocus  Laighne  in  tiascairé.  Eba  in  bainnliaigh  táinic  aroen 
re  Cesair  in  liaigh  tánaiste  .  Slánga  .m.  Parrthalóin  [in  tres  liaig  táinic]  i 
nEirinn .  Fergnea  ú  Crithinbéil  in  cethramad  liaigh  táinic  araen  re  Neimid 
a  nEirinn.  legha  fcr  mbolg  diu  .i.  Dubda  dublosach  ocus  Codhan  com- 
chisnech  ocus  Fingin  fisicda  ocus  Maine  .m.  Grisach  ocus  Aengus  an 
térnamach.  legha  thuaithc  dé  Danann  iar  sin  Diancecht  ocus  Airmedach 
ocus  Miach.  tuatha  dé  Danann  is  iat  tug  muca  i  nEirinn  (no  Mumain) 
ar  tús  i.e.  "  Who  were  the  first  original  physician,  carpenter,  fisherman, 
that  ever  came  to  Ireland  }  [They  were)  as  the  poet  said :  *  Caffa  [Cath- 
bad  ?J,  potent  he  to  cure,  who  in  his  time  was  firmly  set;  Luasat  the 
cunning  carpenter,  while  Laighne  was  the  fisherman.'  Eba  the  she- 
physician,  that  came  with  Cesair,  was  the  second ;  Partholan's  s.  Slangha, 
the  third ;  Fergnea  ua  Crithinbel,  that  came  in  with  Nemidh,  the  fourth. 
The  leeches  of  the  Firbolgs  too  were :  Dubhda  dublosach^  Codhan  coim- 
chisnech^  F'lngin  Jisicda,  Maine  .m.  Grisach,  Angus  an  f/rnamacA.  Those 
of  the  tuatha  dé  Danann  subsequently :  Diancecht,  Airmedach,  Miach ; 
and  the  t.  d  D.  were  they  that  first  introduced  swine  into  Ireland  (or 
Munster)"  (Eg.  1782,  f.  42  :  i).     For  in  nEirinn^  ad  I r.  p.  412. 

XXVI 11.  xiv.     IV  M  (ad  an.  1560,  p.  1578  infra)  have  belach  Conglais  *road 


Notes  and  Corrections.  575 

of  Conglas/  and  strangely  transpose  the  place  from  the  county  Wicklow 
to  W.  Munster;  BB.  however  plainly  has  belach  con  MG/at's  *road  of 
Glas's  hounds,'  as  printed  in  tr.,  and  this  is  essential  to  the  legend. 
XXIX.  xvi.  There  is  another  account  of  S.  Cuimin's  parentage: — Run  ingen 
Fiachna  .m.  Gairine  .m.  Duach  iarlaithe  .m.  Maine  .m.  Chairpri  .m.  Chuirc 
.m.  Luigdech  máthair  Chumain  fota  .m.  Fiachna  .  ocus  Comgair  .m.  Da- 
cerda .  ocus  Guairi  .m.  Cholmáin  .  ocus  Crimthainn  chualann  .m.  Oeda 
chirr  rig  Laigen  .  ocus  Chuana  .m.  Chailcine  .i.  laech  Liathmuine  .  ocus 
Brecáin  dairinnsi  i.e.  "Fiachna's  dr.  Runa  was  mr.  of  Cuimin  yíí<&  .m. 
Fiachna,  of  Comhgan  .m.  Dacherda,  of  Guaire  .m.  Colman,  and  of 
Crimthann  of  Cualann,  s.  of  Angus  cerrk.  of  Leinster;  of  Guana  .m. 
Cailcine,  laic  of  Liathmuine;  also  of  Brecan  of  Dairinis"  (£g.  1782, 
f.  42  :  i). 


Fer  gan  ainm  xc,  cT  O  Chiamtaic, 

I     mthús  Aine  innis  dam  .  in  bfuil  sunn  nech  lé'n  cumann  Í 

[i]n  cnoc  as  ferr  tarrla  trell .  fil  ós  iath  amra  Eirenn 
[A]  ibinn  in  cnoc  Aine  fhuar  .  i  tathaigdfs  ilar  sluag  í 

fá  mór  a  mbáire  's  a  mblad  .  im  Aini  is  im  Eogabal 
U  ainide  is  Eogabal  ard  .  maic  do  Dhonn  uisnech  imard  Í 

gabuis  Donn  uisnech  gan  eill .  d'iarraid  inaid  fa  Eireinn 
L    [od]ar  co  teg  Nechtain  náir  .  ar  co  fesadh  in  drái  dáib  í 

[c]áit  i  ngébdais  mór  in  mod  .  dá  fhios  is  dá  fhoiUsechod 
[L    in]gid  ar  Nechtain  co  nim  .  co  nertmar  tar  bar  naimtibí 

CO  druim  collchoilli  na  clad  .  fil  ós  mairtine  Muman 
M  aith  an  loc  gus  tiagtai  siar  .  as  as  ferr  tar  a  luig  grian ' 

mochen  no  soised  gan  on  .  da  roised  a  réidechod 
C    uic  tuatha  mon  chnoc  gan  chol  .  issed  do  geibdis  connodí 

Dilraige  is  Margraige  de  .  Sibenraige  is  Callraige 
F    a  Ghargraige  in  cúigmed  tuath  .  do  bi  mon  chnoc  nf  son  guach  í 

lodar  amach  borb  in  bann  .  do  throid  re  tuaith  de  Danann 
D  ingébatsa  ar  Aine  f  hionn  .  na  cuig  catha  do  bar  cionn  Í 

is  sloinnter  uaim  in  cnoc  cain  .  re  re  shil  Eba  is  Adaim 
A    ingen  is  mór  in  mod  .  ar  Uainide  ar  Eogabol  Í 

dingbáil  na  ciiic  cath  co  cert .  acht  minasfóired  dráidecht 
I     ar  sin  do  luid  Aine  amach  .  gabus  ac  delb  na  cóic  cath  í 

sráinis  fá  lergaib  Luachra  .  is  scáilis  na  scntuatha 
S    uidit  im  in  chnoc  gan  chair  .  ocus  ronnait  é  ar  cethair  i 

dogniat  na  caeinfir  cróda  .  cetra  cuibrinn  commóra 
U   ainide  isin  leith  bud  tuaid  .  ar  inchaib  Uisnig  adfuairi 

is  Fer  fi  sin  leith  bud  des  .  a  thcg  isin  cham  choimdes 
E  ogabal  isin  chionn  tiar  .  is  amlaid  sin  atá  riam  í 

ocus  Aine  sin  chionn  tair  .  atá  in  cnoc  itir  chardaib 
C    acht  rigan  Eogabail  áin  .  Eimer  ac  Uainide  in  áigí 

Eiter  ghruaidderg  ac  Fer  fi .  ocus  Aine  i  naentuimi 
B    enait  each  a  coill  da  cuid  .  gur  ba  choimréid  críoch  in  chnuic  Í 

bentar  druim  collchoille  de  .  ocus  roslen  ainm  Aine 


576  Notes  and  Corrections. 

A    ine  a  hainm  6  an  rig  co  bráth  .  itir  gnáth  ocus  ingnáth  Í 

mochen  [thaebus]  ris  gach  tan  .  is  adba  rig  is  rigan 
A   ithesc  gilla  garbáin  géir  .  aisti  ro  gab  [Cijar  [co  céill]í 

[ro  gab]  Cuan  calma  in  fer  .  aisti  rogab  [uair]  Fergel 
[A   isti  ro]  gab  [Eogan]  ard  .  ocus  Amalgaid  imard  í 

dochuala  is  ni  m[isde  in  mod] .  aisti  do  gab  Eolchobor 
[A  g  sin  a  nanmann  gan  chol] .  each  rig  d'an  dual  [in  degchnoc]i 

ocus  a  flaithes  coUeic  .  a  fhirglain  cháim  a  Chiairmeic 
A    Chiairmeic  chliach  a  cliu  Mháil .  a  ógláig  oirdnide  áin  Í 

Aine  fa  deoid  is  ar  tus  .  is  dim  dlegar  a  himthús 

i.e.  "  Knockany's  history  tell  to  me — is  there  here  one  that  remembers  it  ? 
best  hill  (a  time  there  was)  that  stood  on  Ireland's  wondrous  land.  A  pleasant 
hill  the  cool  Knockany  is,  which  once  hosts  many  and  various  did  frequent ; 
great  was  their  triumphing  and  their  renown,  with  Aine  and  with  Eogabal. 
Uainidhe  and  tall  Eogabal  were  sons  of  Uisnech's  lofty  Donn ;  whom  Donn 
of  Uisnech  set  in  motion  to  go  in  quest  of  room  [a  settlement]  somewhere  in 
Ireland.  To  the  honourable  Nechtan's  house  they  went,  in  order  that  of  his 
knowledge  and  revealing  power  the  sorcerer  should  impart  to  them  where 
they  must  settle  down.  Says  Nechtan  to  them  then  with  *  venom':  *by  main 
strength  leap  ye  now  athwart  your  enemies,  even  to  rampart-girt  Drom  coll- 
choille  that  dominates  the  Munster  tribes  called  Mairfine,  An  excellent  place 
is  that  to  which  ye  progress  westwards ;  thence  fairest  seems  all  that  on  which 
the  sun  does  shine ;  happy  I  deem  them  that  should  win  thither,  and  whose 
privilege  it  were  to  clear  it*  Five  tribes  surely  dwelt  about  the  hill,  and 
there  they  got  their  firewood :  the  Dilraighc  and  the  Margraijrhe^  the  Siben- 
raighe^  the  Calraighe,  The  Gargraighe  were  the  fifth  tribe  that  were  round 
about  the  hill,  and  this  is  no  false  utterance ;  all  which  (and  a  senseless  act 
it  was)  turned  out  to  shew  the  tuath  dé  Danann  fight.  Said  fair-haired  Aine : 
*  of  those  five  battalions*  stress  I  will  relieve  you,  and  for  all  duration  of 
Eve's  seed  and  Adam's  let  the  charming  hill  have  its  name  from  me.'  *  Girl, 
'tis  a  huge  task,'  said  Uainidhe,  said  Eogabal,  *  successfully  to  fend  off  those 
five  battles,  unless  indeed  that  magic  come  to  help  against  them.'  There- 
upon Aine  sallies  forth,  and  falls  to  operate  by  spells  upon  those  battles 
five ;  throughout  all  Luac/tair^s  ways  she  routs  them,  and  scatters  wide  the 
ancient  tribes.  [She  and  hers]  then  sit  down  around  the  hill  and  quarter  it: 
the  brave  and  gentle  men  make  of  it  four  equal  portions.  Uainidhe  was  to 
the  north,  right  facing  chilly  Uisnech ;  Fer-fi,  he  was  to  the  south,  with  his 
dwelling  in  a  comely  cairn.  Eogabal  was  in  the  western  end,  and  thus  it 
has  ever  been ;  while  Aine  was  at  the  eastern  point,  and  so  the  hill  is  shared 
'mongst  friends.  Cacht  was  the  queen  of  noble  Eogabal ;  Emcr^  of  bellicose 
Uainidhe  ;  Fer-fi  had  red -checked  Eter,  and  Aine  lived  in  spinsterhood. 
Each  cleared  his  own  share  of  its  wood,  so  that  the  hill's  precinct  was  smooth ; 
druim  collchoille  *  ridge  of  the  hazel  wood'  is  abolished,  and  Aine's  name  has 
stuck  to  it  {cnoc  Aine].  Ai'/ie,  bestowed  by  the  king,  is  its  name  for  ever, 
both  ordinary  and  extraordinary;  oh  well  for  them  that  continually  resort  to 
it:  an  abode  of  kings  and  queens  it  is!"  (Eg.  92,  f.  37^). 


Index  A.      Personal  and  Tribal  Names. 


Abacuc  the  perjurer,  78,  453,  XXXI.  i  c. 

Al)acus  [Abacuc],  a  prophet  of  Judea,  11. 

Aball  ruisc,  of  the  sfdh  of  Cletty,  225. 

Al>can,  poet,  XII.  xxir. 

Abraham,  the  patriarch,  48. 

Abiron,  313;  see  Dot  haft. 

Achtani  mr.  of  k.  Cormac  mac  Art,  355. 

Adam,  his  four  drs.,  their  domiciles,  392. 

Adamnan,  al^bot  of  lona,  421  sqq.,  439 
sqq. ;  dies,  445,  XXIX.  xxiii;  his  cha- 
racter, ibiii. 

Adaraair,mr.  ofGuaire  aidhne^  XXIX.  xiii. 

Adamar,  XII.  xl^. 

Adnuall,  Finn*s  wolfdog,  189. 

Aedh,  dwarf  and  poet  of  Ulidia,  272  sqq. 

Aedh  (t.  d.  d.),  227. 

Aedh,  king,  26. 

Aedh,  k.  ol  Ossory,  2H. 

Aedh  mac  Ainmirech,  k.,  407  sq.;  si.,  418; 
428;  his  peil.  and  death,  VI  xv;  XXIV. 
iii ;   his  mr.,  XXVIII.  xii  a  ;   his  w., 

XXVIII.  xii  ^,  xvii;  si.,  ibid. 

Aedh  .m.  Brec,  bp.,  6;  jied.,  I.  xvi,  xvii., 

Aedh  .m.  Bri,  bp.,  89. 

Aedh  .  m .  Cedach,  239. 

Aedh  .  m .  Colgan,  fr.  of  .S.  Magnenn,  35. 

Aedh  .m.  Conor,  378. 

Aedh  .ra.  Dluthach,  44. 

Aedh  .m.  Eochaid,  k.  of  Leinstcr*s  s.,  204; 

kidnapped  and  recovered,  212  sqq. 
Aedh  .m.  Eochaid  tirmcharua^  84. 
Aedh  .m.  Fidach,  k.  of  Connacht,   127; 

his  two  sons,  181  sqq. 
Aedh  .ra.  Labraid  Usbhrcc^  XII.  xxi^. 
Aedh  .m.  Muirchertach,  bp.,  I.  xviii. 
Aedh  .m.  Muirchertach  .m.  Erca,  130. 
Aedh  .m.  Muirchertach,  k.  of  Connacht, 

243- 
Aedh  ahhlay  IV.  ma. 

Aedh  álainn  s.  of  Bodhb  (t.  d.  d.),  171. 

Aedh  baclamhy  31,  70 — 76. 

Aedh  beg  If,,  of  Finn  and  Aine,  155,  181. 

Aedh  buidhe,  k.  of  Tcffia,  79,  VI.  ix  b, 

Aedh  donn  s.  of  Fergus  k.  of  Ulidia,  127. 

Aedh  dubh  s.  of  Araidhe,  74. 

Aedh  dubh  s.  of  Suibhnc,  75,  VII.  i;  si., 

XXIX.  \\a. 

K^A\i  guaire^  81,  IV.  x  «. 
KitfWi  guairCy  k.  of  Connacht,  31. 
Aedh  guaire  of  Kinelfechin,  70,  80. 
A^áhgustan^  79,  VI.  ixa^. 
Aedh  na  nabuscuh  (t.  d.  d.),  no,  196. 
Aedh  minbhrec  s.  of  the  Daghda  (t.  d.  d.), 
141 ;  and  his  seven  sons,  225. 


Aedh  róin^  413,  VI.  ix  a^. 

Aedh  ruadh  s.  of  Bad  ham  or  Modharn 

(t.d.d.),  a  quo  Assaroe  and  sidh  Aedha^ 

XII.  xxir,  XIV.  I. 
Aedh  sláine^   yi,  78 ;  birth  of,  88—91 ; 

VI.  i ;  six  sons,  XXIX.  xiv ;  si.,  VI.  ix  a, 
Aedh  uairidfiachy  418,  XXVIII.  xix. 
Aedhan,  bp.  of  Glendaloch,  half  br.  of 

Aedh  .m.  Ainmirech,  410;   his  mr., 

XXVIII.  xii«. 
Aedhan  .m.  Gabran,  XXVIII.  xiii. 
Aedhan  .m.  Mellan,  poet,  348. 
Aei,  Finn's  dr.,  244;  see  Aeift. 
Aei  .m.  Allghuba,  XXII.  viii. 
Aeibellan,  an  angel,  108. 
Aeibliu,  Aeible,  Aeiblenn,   Guaire  gfVs 

dr.,  XIII.  i. 
Aeife,  see  Mider. 
Aeife,  si.,  256. 

Aeife,  k.  of  Ulster's  dr.,  raised  to  life,  130. 
Aeife,  Ailpin  k.  of  Scotland's  dr.,  189,  X.  if. 
Aeife,  Blaihmac's  dr.,  63. 
Aeife,  Finn's  dr.,  247  ;  see  Aei. 
Aeife,  dr.  of  Manannan's  oUave,  200. 
Aeife,  Olioll's  dr.,  XIV.  iii  i*. 
Aeife,  Scoa's  dr.,  w.  of  Mai  mac  Aiel, 

214  sqq. 
Aeife,  Ugaine  mór^s  dr.,  XII.  xxvr. 
Aei  .m.  Dergdubh,  slays  Ferches,  129. 
Aenda,  Aenna,  sec  Enna. 
Aicher,  k.  of  Ossory,  211. 
Aicher  r^rr,  XII.  \\\\\a, 
Aichlech  .m.  Druibrenn,  98,  X.  ix  a. 
Aicill  mac  tnogha^  name  of  a  fish-hook,  254. 
Aidan,  see  Aedhan, 
Aidhne,  375. 
Aldus,  see  Aedh. 
Aiel,  k.  of  Scotland,  214. 
Ailbe,  see  Mider, 
Ailbe,  si.,  256. 

Ailbe,  a  lapdog's  name,  XII.  xxxviii  b, 
Ailbe,  k.  of  Scotland's  dr.,  189. 
Ailbe  of  Emly,  bp.,  4;  ped.  etc,  I.  viii — x. 
AWha  ghrtdaidbreCf  Cormac  mac  Art's  dr., 

154,  229  sq. ;  her  well,  259;  X-  iv^. 
Aileran  the  Wise,  S.,  21. 
Ailill,  a  dr.  of,  373. 
Ailill,  k.  of  Connacht,  si.,  XII.  xxi  a. 
Ailill  .m.  Aedh  róiUf  XII.  xii, 
Ailill  .m.  Dunlaing,  k.  of  Leinster,  408. 
Ailill  .m.  Eochaid  m.m.,  368 sqq.;  hewn 

in  pieces,  377. 
Ailill  .m.  Scannlan,  k.  of  Decies,  swal* 

lowed  by  the  earth,  210. 
Ailill  banda^  see  A,  inbanda. 


2  Y 


578 


Index  A . 


AilillyZf7W«  beg^  X.  X. 

Ailill  flann  mór^  X.  x. 

Ailill  inbanda^  416,  IV.  yxiab, 

Ailill  7nolt^  etc.,  sec  OlioU. 

Aillen  of  Uenn  Hoirche,  144. 

Aillcn  .m.  Eogabal  (t.  d.  d.),  196. 

Aillen  .m.  Mider  (t.  d.  d.),  142  sqq. 

Aillenn  ilchrothach  (t.  d.  d. ),  243. 

Aillenn,  Lughaid's  dr.,  XII.  xxxviii  b, 

Aillmhe,  wise  man,  166. 

Aine,  Eogabal's  dr.  (t.  d.  d.),  196,  348, 

X.  i  c. 
Aine,  Finn's  dr.,  X.  iv^,  XXVIII.  vii a. 
Aine,  Modharn's  dr.,  iii. 
Aine,  Ugaine  mor^s  dr.,  XII.  xxvf. 
Aine,  mr.  of  two  sons  to  Finn,  181. 
Ainge,  the  Daghda'sdr.  (t.d.d.),  XII.  xii. 
Ainlc,  see  UisUnn. 

Ainle,  Lughaid  lámfcuia^s  s.,  XII.  xxii. 
Ainnscleo,  fr.  of  Cuinnscico,  140,  235. 
Ainmire  (gen.  Ainmirech)  .m.  Setna,  k.  of 

Kinclconall,  84. 
Airblhiu  (gen.  Airblhenn),  see  Magh  A, 
Airblhiu,  266. 

Airemh  .m.  Ferchaegat,  234. 
Airgialla,  see  Oriel. 
Airin  (gen.  Airenn),  Curnan's  w ,  266. 
Airnelach,  k.  of  Leinstcr's  s.,  128. 
Airnelach,  k.  of  Ossury,  409. 
Airnelach  .ni.  Cein,  385  sqq. 
Airtech  uchthihan^  sec  Cloann» 
Aithechtuatha,  402. 
Aithirne  .m.  Athchlo,  XIV.  i. 
Alasc  .m.  Angus,  k.  of  Scotland,  263. 
Alb  .ni.  Scoa,  k.  of  Lochlann,  214. 
All>anachs,  380. 
Aliusa,  Adam's  dr.,  392. 
Allchad  .m.  Abartach,^//^  dtcair^  3oSsqq. 
AUghuba,  XXII.  viiia. 
Allmarachs,  132,  241. 
Almha,  Uecan's  dr.,  XII.  xxxviii  a. 
Almha,  Bracan's  dr.,  131. 
Amalgaid  s.  of  Fiachra .  m.  Eochaid  m.  m., 

376. 

Amall.  166. 

Ambaciic  see  Abacuc. 

Amergin  iurthumMch,  Conall  cemacKs 
fr.,  269,  353. 

Amlaf  r//a/'(i/i,  k.  of  Danes,  XX.  iii  a. 

Anacjin  .  m .  Corr,  378. 

Anghalach,  Finn's  drinking-horn,  102. 

Angus,  s  of  the  Daghda  (t.  d.  d.),  other- 
wise Angus  óg^  in  mac  6c y  mac  ituióc, 
III,  167,  171 ;  and  his  seven  sons,  225, 
266,  300 ;  see  brtigh  tta  Boinne. 

Angus  and  Dobarchu,  of  I#cinstcr,  2 1 1. 

Angus  .  m .  Airmedach.  409. 

Angus  .m.  Crimihann  .m.  Enna,  408. 

Angus  .m.  Eochaid,  k.  of  Ulidia,  187. 

An^^us  .m.  Nadfraech,  k.  of  Munster,  6,  9. 

Angus  beldergy  XIV.  i. 

Angns  gabhuaibiechy  sL,  XXVIII.  viid, 

Angus  gq/Zttii/ecAf  XXII.  ib. 


Angus  olimucaidf  XIV,  i,  iii  d. 

Angus //;w^  .m.  Ferchorb,  173,  378. 

Angus  tuirbechy  tuirmech,  167,  III.  ix^, 
XII.  vifl^. 

Antichrist,  advent  of,  49,  III.  xv. 

Araidhe,  VI.  xi  ^ ^ ;  see  Agdh  dubh  .m»  A, 

Ardan,  see  clann  UisUnn. 

Argatmor,  XIV.  i. 

Arist,  k.  of  Romans,  103. 

Art,  k.  of  Ossory,  211. 

Art,  k.  of  Connacht's  s.,  182. 

Art,  k.  of  Scotland's  s.,  211. 

Art  s.  of  Conn  100  B.,  otherwise  Art  aen- 
fhir,  286,348;  si.,  357;  lifted  Borama, 
404;  X.  ir,  XV.  \a\  si.,  XXII.  x. 

Art  mesdelmunn^  XII.  xxxviii^. 

Artghal  .m.  Cellach,  si.,  XXIX.  xxii. 

Arthur,  of  the  Norse-Gael,  212. 

Arthur  s.  oi  Beine  k.  of  Britons  105. 

Arthur  s.  of  iSicar,  a  Briton,  XXIX.  iv. 

Artrach  s.  of  Bodhb  (t.  d.  d.),  171. 

Asal  s.  of  Umor,  201,  XII.  xxxi. 

Astunian  .m.  Ciar.m.  Fergus,  XII.  xvi. 

Augustus,  Cormac  .ni.  Art  compared  to,  97. 

B. 
Bacuc,  see  Abacuc. 
Badharn,  XII.  xxt<-. 
Badharn  .m.  Argatmor,  XIV.  i. 
Baedan,  k.  of  Ulidia,  424,  XXIX.  iia. 
Baedan,  s.  of  Garb  k.  of  Corcaguiney,  108. 
Baeithin,  a  monk,  16. 
Baeithin  (Baithenus),  S.,  I.  xxx. 
Baghna,  a  sorcerer,  a  quo  sliabh  B,y  166. 
Baillghel  of  Cletty  (t.  d.  d.),  225. 
Bainbhsech,  Banbhan's  w.,  74. 
Baine,  the  Seal  balbh^s  dr.,  X.  iv  b. 
Bairche,    Ross  mmWs  herdsman,   XII. 

xxvii  a. 
Bairche,  see  fíoirche, 
Balbhs,  the  three,  293. 
Banbh,  the,  a  nickname,  95. 
Banbha,  XIII.  vi^. 
Banbhan.  74. 

Barrae  (Barra),  k.  of  Lochlann's  s.,  211. 
Be  drecain.  Iruath's  dr.,  247. 
Bebindia.  IX.  ii  a. 
Bebinn,  k.  of  Connacht's  dr.,  219. 
Bebinn,  dr.  of  Alasc  k.  of  Scotland,  w.  of 

Dcrmot  mac  Ccrbhall,  263. 
Bebinn,  Cuan  k.  of  Connacht's  dr.,  204. 
Bebinn,  Elcmar's  dr.,  251. 
Bebinn,  Muiredach  k.  of  Connacht's  dr., 

153- 
Bebinn,  Treon's  dr.,  238  sqq. 

Bebinn,  Brinn  Boru's  mr.,  XX.  iii  a. 

.  Bebo,  queen  of  the  Luchra,  270  s(|q. 

Becan  the  stockmaster,  216. 

Becan  of  Chmard,  S.,  ped.  etc,  II.  xv. 

Becan  .m.  Culu,  31. 

Becan  .m.  Fergus,  churlishness,  fate  of, 

"3- 
Bede,  the  venerable,  445,  XXIX.  xxiii. 


Index  A. 


579 


Beelzebub,  41,  48,  313. 

Befina,  XXVIII.  iv  ^. 

Beg,^7/a,  139. 

Beg  of  Boirche  quotetl,  XXIX.  iv. 

Beg  .m.  Beg  (of  the  Luchra),  270. 

Beg  .m.  Cuanach,  lord  of  Oriel,  418;  si., 

XXVIII.  xvii. 
Beg  .m.  De,  a  prophet,  74;  his  wit,  79; 

84;  his  prognosis  of  latter  times,  85; 

ped.  etc.,  VI.  x. 
Beg  loingsech^  Arist  k.  of  Romans'  s.,  103. 
Begfola,  wooing  of,  91 — 93  ;  derivation 

of  the  name,  91. 
Begnat,  the  she-hospitaller.  14S. 
Beine  b  it^  k.  of  Britons,  129,  355,  357. 
Bel  drecain,  XII.  xiv. 
Belat,  S  ,  see  cill  Bélat, 
Beloc,  see  MelL 

Ben  mebhla,  Ronan's  dr.  (t.  d.  d.),  258. 
Beneoin  =  Benignus  q.  v. 
Benignus,  113,  124,  128,  133,  192. 
Bennaidh,  she-hospitaller  in  Tara,  288. 
Bennan.m.  Brec,  XII.  xxvii  ^. 
Beoacdh  of  Ardcarne,  bp.,  XXVI.  iv. 
Beoaedh  of  Ros  cam^  376. 
Beoan  .m.  Innle,  267. 
Berach,  abbot,  II.  xxii^. 
Bemghal  bóchéíachj  230. 
Berrach  bhreCj  Cas  Cuailgne's  dr.,  1 54  sqq. 
Biac  (gen.  Beice),  XXIX.  iii  ^. 
Bile,  s.  of  Bile  .m.  Breogon,  XII.  iii. 
Binn,  Modharn's  dr.,  her  two  tubes,  243. 
Binne,  chief  steward  of  Tara,  136. 
Bith,  391. 
Blud  =  Blod,  a  quo  di  Bhloid  [Bh/aid]  in 

Thomond,  II.  xxvi  ^r. 
Bladhma  [Blodhma]  .m.  Con,  XII.  xxxiv. 
Blai  [Blaei],  Uerc's  dr.,  102. 
Blai  dherg^  Ossian's  mr.,  XII.  vii. 
Blath  hrecdhorn^  162. 
Blathach,  Aedh .  m.  Ainmirech's  master  of 

horse,  414. 
Blathmac  the  stockmaster,  255. 
Blathmac  and  Dcrmot,  Dermot  .m.  Cer- 

bhall's  sons,  21,  57,  63;  lifted  Borama, 

419,  428;  death  of,  437. 
Blathnat,  w.  of  Cniideireoil^  117, 230, 242. 
Blathnat,  Conor's  dr.,  see  Cur  Si .  /// .  Dai  re. 
Blod  =  Blad  n.v. 
6Iodh  =  Bladhma  q.  v. 
Blood,  name  of,  in  Clare,  see  Blad. 
Boand,  mr.  of  Angus  of  the  brugh^  X.  viiL 
Bochna,  see  Finlan. 
Bodamar,  Lugar's  dr.,  262,  X.  iv.  b, 
Bodhb  derg^  the  Daghda's  s,  (t.  d.  d.), 

106,  iio;  his  three  sons,  171 ;  himself 

and  seven  sons,  225 ;  his  dwelling  and 

ped.,  XII.  XÍ. 
Bodhbchad,  Dermot  ruanaicts  s.,  444. 
Boirche,  144;  see  Bairche. 
Bolcbhan  of  Britain,  Lughaid  caVs  mr., 

XXII.  \a\  see  Cairell, 
Borbchu,  Trenlamach*s  s.,  259. 


Borbraide  of  Ulster,  the,  403. 

Bracan  (t.  d.  d.),  131. 

Braen,  405. 

Bran  .m.  Derg,  k.  of  Munster,  123  sq. 

Bran,  Finn's  favourite  woLfdog  230,  343. 

Bran  beg  ua  Buacacluíin^  246. 

Brand ubh.m.  Kochaid, k.of  Leinster,4o8; 

his  w.,  409;  his  mr.,  XXVIII.  xiii;  xvii, 

xviii. 
Bratan,  from  sidh  of  Cletty  (t.  d.  d.),  222. 
Braus,  4 ;  perperam  for  Ibarus  q.  v. 
Brea,  sec  ind.  B.  s.  v.  áth  Brea, 
Brea,  mr.  of  Col  man  beg  q.  v.,  XXIX. 

xiv  a\  —  Breo  q.  v. 
Brefny,  men  of,  their  genealogy,  II.  xvii, 

VI.  xvi. 
Bregh,  VII.  iii  a. 

Breghmael,  Cuirche's  smith,  XII.  xxxiv. 
Brenainn  *  Brendan,'  of  Birr,  S.,  71  sqq., 

81  sqq. 
Brenainns,  the,  of  Birr  and  of  Clonfert, 

2,  14,  47. 
Brenainn  dall,  Eithne's  fr.,  89,  IV.  x  a, 
Breo,  Colman  .m.  Neman's  dr.,  mr.  of 

Col  man  bcg^  89 ;  =  Brea  q.  v. 
Breogon,  race  of,  99. 
Bres.m.  Elathan,  XII.  xtf. 
Bres  .m.  Eochaid /rtVM/<'M,  XXVIII.  iv</. 
Bresal .  m .  Eirrge,  si.  mac  Lugach,  263. 
Bresal  .m.   Finnachta,  si.,  440,  XXIX. 

xix. 
Bresal  .m.  Maine,  IV.  inab, 
Bresal  bélach  . m.  Fiacha  aicidh  or  baicidh^ 

k.  of  Leinster,  404  sqq.,  XXVIII.  ix. 
Bresal  bAHbadh,  k.,  XIV.  i,  iiir. 
Bresal  bráthairchcnn,  403. 
Bre.sal  brec^  X.  w  a, 
Bresal  einechglas^  XXIV.  ii  ^. 
Bresal  laeigh^  a  quo  loch  Laeigh,  VI,  xi  a, 

xvii  b. 
Bri  bhruaichbrec^  XII.  xi  a. 
Brian  and  Ailill,  Eochaid  m.m.'s  sons, 

XXVI.  vi. 
Brian  s.  of  Eochaid  m.m.,  children  of,  30^ 

368  sqq.;  his  dr.,  373;  si,  376. 
Brian  of  the  Tribute  '  B.  Boru,'  332  sqq., 

372,  XX.  i,  iii,  573. 

Bri!>ethach,  Lugaid  buadach^s  w.,  XIV. 
...  >. 
in/. 

Brigh,  Forcha'sdr.,  XXVIII.  xix 3. 

Brighit,  Cobthach's  dr.,  XXVIII.  xua. 

Brighit  'Bridget,'  S.,  Dallbronach's  dr., 

28  battles  won  by  her  intercession,  408 ; 

invoked,  423. 
Britons,  408,  426,  443,  XXIX.  iv. 
Brocan,  S.  Patrick's  scribe,  115  sqq.,  122, 

127,  132,  190. 
Brocalach,  see  following. 
J^rocsh^A^ich  crhftgh hit ne<h^  XII.  xxiv. 
Broicsech,  S.  Maelruain's  mr.,  III.  vi  ^. 
Bruinnech,  virgin.  4,  5. 
Bruinsech,  see  precetling. 
Boacachan,  240. 


r 


58o 


Index  A. 


Buan,  Moghruith*s  s.,  III.  xiv  d, 
Buirech,  XII.  xxxviii^. 

C. 

Cacht,  dr.  of  Maelbriphde  q.  v.,  XXIX. 

xii  c. 
Cacht,  dr.  of  Cathmann,  Fergus  .m.  Roich's 

mr.,  III.  xiv</. 
Caeilte  coscair  rivhy  138. 
Caeilte  (of  the  Fianna),  see  Mac  Rofiáin. 
Caeimghein  cont^avuhíies^  XIII.  vi  ^. 
Caeimin,  S.,  of  Inishcaltra,  433 ;  his  mr., 

XXIX.  xvi. 
Caein  .m.  Dergdualach,  a  quo  sliabh  C, 

XII.  XV  Í. 
Caeinech,  a  qua  clann  Choscraigh^  mr.*s 

sis.  to  Brian  Boru,  XX.  iii  a. 
Caeintighern,  Mongan's  mr.,  XXIX.  \\b» 
Gael,  Kuadhnat,  S.  Ruadhan's  sisters,  81. 
Gael  an  iarainn^  the  k.  of  Thessaly*s  s,, 

adventures  of,  324 — 331. 
Cnéí  ua  A'im//mimn,  106,  119;  drowned 

at  the  b.  of  Vcntry,  121,  219. 
Caelbad  .m.  Cruinn  badrái,  si.,  XXVI.  vr. 
Caemh  cktieis^hel^  Finn's  dr.,  347. 
Caemhog,  Cuillenn  ntaidchenn^  lariian, 

the  three  witches  of  Keshcorran,  345  sqq. 
Caenchomrac,  disappearance  of,  94 — 9Í6; 

IX.  i  a. 
Caenraighe,  the,  XXVI.  vi. 
Cahir,  see  Cathcuir  niár. 
Caimin  =  Caeimin  q.  v. 
Cainan  .m.  Failbhe,  129. 
Cainche,  Finn's  s.,  106,  197,  228. 
Cainncch  'Canice,'  S.,  a  (\wq  cili  Chat nnichf 

31,47;  ped.  etc.,  II.  xi. 
Cainnclsciath,  magician,  261. 
Caintc,  s.  Cian  .m.  C. 
Cairbech,  the  Scif/fia/fi/i^súr.,  XXIV.  iia. 
Cairbrc,  k.  of  Ciarraighe  luachra,  x  19. 
Cairbre,  poet,  166. 
Cairbrc,  of  Leinsicr,  thief,  li. 
Cairbre,  wise  man,  166. 
Cairbre  .m.  Rosa,  XII.  xxv^. 
Cairbrc,  the,  of  Drumcliff,  23,  243. 
Cairbrc  boschaein^  see  Cairbres. 
Cairbrc  cennderg  and  sons,  XII.  xxv  b» 
Cairbre  daimhin  damhargaitf  416. 
Cairbre  garbshrón^  245, 
Cairbrc  illadach^  408. 
Cairbre  Uftchair^  Cormac  .  m .  Art's  son, 

263,  3(50;  attempted  the  Borama,  404; 

his  three  sons  si.,  406;  deriv.  of  by- 
name, II.  xix^;  hiss.,  II.  xx^;  sL  XII. 

•       •  • 

I,  11. 
Cairbre  muse,  see  Cairbres. 
Cairbre  riata^  see  Cairbres. 
Cairbres,  the   three,  I.   xx,  xxi,  X.   ir, 

XVII.  xvcd. 
Cairech,  S.,  virgin,  XXIV.  iii. 
Cairech,  w.  of  Araidhe  q.  v. 
Caircll  =  Colla  uaisy  II.  xx. 
Cairell,  S.  Molasius  of  Leighlin's  fr.,  37. 


Cairell,  Trenmor's  fr.,  167. 

Cairell,  Lughaid  call's  mr.,  XXIV.  \\a\ 

see  Bolcbhan. 
Cairell  .m.  Conbhran,  shield  of,  151. 
Cairell,  k.  of  Ulidia,  XXIX.  iia. 
Cairell,  see  tia  Baeiscne. 
Cairenn  chasdubh^  k.  of  Saxons' dr.,  mr. 

of  Niall  IX  H.,  368  sqq.,  XXIV.  ii  a. 
Cairidh  .m.  Finnchaem  (his  mr.),  Dermot 

mac  Cerbhall's  poet,  84. 
Cairiu  (gen.  Cairenn),  ind.  B.  s.  v.  dun  C, 
Caithne  (t.  d.  d.),  sidh  of  Drumderg,  225. 
Calpurnius,  S.  Patrick's  fr,,  103. 
Calraighe,  the,  II.  xxiv/,  XXII.  \ac, 
Callraighe,  the,  575. 
Camha,  the  lady,  loi  sq. 
Canice,  S.,  aquo  '  Kilkenny,*see  Cainnech, 
Cannan  .m.  Kidhlecon,  XII.  xv/;. 
Carman,  132. 

Carmun,  Dala'sbr.,  XII.  xv^. 
Cartacus=Carthach  q.  v. 
Carthach  =  Mochuda  q.  v. 
Carthach  of  Saighir,  bp.,  S.  Kieran's  pupil, 

7  sq.,  II,  13,  I.  xxviii,  xxix. 
Casoi  Cuailgne,  Fian-chief  of  Ulidia,  154, 

190,  246. 
Cas  .m.  Cannan,  166. 
Cas  corach  .  m .  Cainchinn,  ollave  of  t.  d.  d. 
and  minstrel  of  the  Fianna,   188,  190, 
205,  247,  251, 258  sq.;  his  farewell,  261. 
Catarnach  of  Drumderg  (t.  d.  d.).  225. 
Calhaeir  mJr,  his  sons,  XXIV.  ii  b. 
Cathal,  Conan,  k.  of  Munster's  sons,  173. 
Cathal,  Crimlhann,  k.  of  Leinster's  sons, 

173- 
Cathal  .m.  Raghallach,  XXIX.  xi. 

Cathbadh,  magician,  166,  XIV.  i. 

Cathmann,  k.  of  Fresen's  br.,  386,  397. 

Catti,  the,  in  the  N.,  189. 

Cechtraighe,  the,  33. 

Ce<lach  cródherg^  239. 

Celestinus  II.,  Pope,  4. 

Cellach    and    Conall    cael^    Maelcobha's 

sons,  joint  kings  of  Ireland,  XXIX.  ix. 

Cellach  of  Braenbhile,  168. 

Cellach,  S.,  of  Killala,  50—76. 

Cellach  .m.  Dnbh  déd,  235. 

Cellach  .m.  Maelcobha,  lifted  Borama, 

419»  428. 
Cellach  of  lock   Cime,  k.   of  Connacht, 

443  ^^V\'t  XXIX.  xi,  xxii,  xxiii. 
Cellach  cae/  .n\.  Fiacha  .m.  Conga,  405. 
Celtchair .  m.  Uitcchair,  XIV.  i;  his  wives, 

inf. 
Cenn  con,  nickname,  235. 
Ccnnfacladh,  13. 
Cennfaeladh  .m.  Crunnmael, king,  si., 4 19, 

437- 
Ccrbhall,  deriv.  of  name,  88. 

Cermad  (gen.  Cermada),  the  Daghda's  s. 

(t.d.d.).  XII.  xb. 

Cermna  .m.  Ebric,  XIV.  i. 

Cemo,  k.  of  Hebrides,  211. 


Index  A. 


581 


Cemabroc,  k.  of  Hebrides,  ibid, 

Cernach  soiail,  VIII.  \b. 

Cesair  (gen.  Cesrach),  a  lady  of  t.  d.  d., 

390  sq. 
Cesair,  dr.  of  Noah's  s.  Bethra,  391. 
Cesair,  k.  of  Franks*  dr.,  XII.  xxv  c. 
Cesarnn,  Cormac  .  m .  Art's  poet,  360. 
Cet  .m.  Magach,sl.byConallí^ír;/a^//,  345. 
Ciabhan .  m .  Eochaid  airmdhtrg^  198,  2CX), 

201,  394. 
Cian  (t.  d.  d.),  of  Scotland,  225. 
Cian  .m.  Cainte,  166. 
Cian  .m.  Maelmuaidh,  332,  XX.  ii. 
Cian  .m.  Mahon,  332. 
Cian  .m.  Olioll  olonty  fr.  of  Teigue,  347. 
Cianachta,  the,  347,  XXIII.  iii. 
Cianog,  Ciocharan's  dr.,  XX.  iiia,  573. 
Ciar  .  m .  Fergus,  see  Medhb,  her  sons, 
Ciaran,  see  Kieran. 
Ciarnat,  she-slave,  XXIII.  ab, 
Ciarraighe,  the,  II.  xxii  d. 
Ciarraighe  luachra^  the,  XII.  xvi. 
Cichol  grigechglufiy  IV.  viii  ^,  573. 
Cimbaeth  .m.  Fintan,  XIV.  i. 
Cinaeth  'Kenneth  O'Hartagan,*  poet-in- 
chief  of  Ireland  t975,  XXIII.  iii. 
cinel  Cairbre,  XXIX.  xxii. 
cinel  Coinni,  see  Cointie, 
cinel  Conaill,  170,  214,  Vl.xvii ;  see  Conall. 
cinel  Eoghain,  212,  424;  see  Eoghan, 
cinel  Feichin,  70. 
cinel  Fiachach.  5. 
cinel  Moan,  XVIII.  i. 
Cinncididh,  Brian  Boru's  fr.,  XX.  iii  b, 
Cinniu,  see  Mell. 

Circall,  si.  by  Dermot  ua  Duibhne^  244. 
Cithriiadh  .m.  Ferchaecat,  179,  231;  and 

seven  men  of  science,  234. 
clann  Baciscnc,  344;  three  hundred  men 

of,  382. 
clann  Cholmain,  32,  79,  XXIX.  xiv  b. 
clann  Chonnla,  417. 

clann  Choscraigh,  VI.  xvia;  see  Caeinech, 
clann  Deghad,  241. 
clann  Duibdhiorma,  378. 
clann  Fannan,  95. 

clann  Fiachrach  of  the  Moy,  51,  416. 
clann  Fiachrach  of  Aid  hue,  375. 
clann  Maeilruanaidh,  see  Crescha, 
clann  Morna,   155,  219;  Caeilte's  meed 

of  praise  to,  247,  256,  344,  383. 
clann  Righe,  see  Righe. 
clann  Ronain,  the  three  best  men  of,  193. 
clann  Uisnech  [Uislenn],  i.e.  Ainlc,  Ardan, 

Naeise,  XIV.  i. 
clanna  Eibhir,  see  Heber^  children  of, 
clanna  Morna,  see  clann  M, 
clanna  Rudraighe,  269 ;  see  Rudraighe, 
clanna  Smoil,  344,  378. 
Cliach,  harper,  XII.  xiv. 
Clidhna,  200,  394.  sec  ionn  Chlidhna, 
Cloann,  XXVIII.  \vc. 
Clofhionn,  (qu.  Medhb's  mr.  ?),  XXII.  vi. 


Clothra  (gen.  Clothrann),  Eochaid  feidh' 

lech's  dr.,  VII.  iii  ^,  XXVIII.  vfce. 
Cnu  deireoil  (t.  d.  d. ),  Finn's  dwarf  harper, 

115;  his  wedding,  117;  230,  240,  242. 
Coban  (t.  d.  d.),  of  Scotland,  225. 
Ccbthach,  S.  Magnenn's  br.,  35. 
Cobthach  .m.  Colman,  420. 
Cobthach  roj,  k.  of  Munster'ss.,  271. 
Cochlan,  ^7/<z,  XII.  xirt. 
Coimghin  =  Caeimghein  q.  v. 
Coinne  chichech,  XV.  ii. 
Coirell  ua  Conbran,  379. 
Coirpche,  Eochaid  m.m.'sdr.,  XXIV.  iia. 
Coirpre  =  Cairbre  q.  v. 
Colgu  (gen.  Colgan)  .m.  Blathmac,  two 

sons  of  si.,  444 ;  si.,  XXIX.  xxii. 
Colgu  .m.  Macnach,  420  sq. 
Colla=Connla,  II.  xx. 
Colla,  Caeilte's  s.  100,  228. 
Col  la,  see  Conn, 
Collas,  the  three  (C.  menn^  C.  uaisy  C. 

da  crlochff0crich)i  II.  xviii ;  deriv.,  xx; 

XXVIII.  ^úab. 
Colman  and  Conall,  Mongan'ssons,  XXIX. 

nib, 
Colman  ela^  S.,  176;  his  ped.  etc..  III.  x. 
Colman  .m.  Coblhich,  XXIX.  x. 
Colman  beg  .m.   Dermot  .m.   Cerbhall, 

89,  VI.  xvi  c, 
Colman  mar  .m.  Dermot  .m.  Cerbhall, 

I.  vu,  vni. 
Colman  rlmidh^  lifted  Borama,  418;  VI, 

i  ^,  ix  a. 
Colmans,  the  two,  47. 
Columba,  S.,  of  Tcrryglass,  ped. etc.,  II.  x, 
Columbkill,  S.,  31,  79  sq.,  84  sqq. ;  his 

cowl,  416  sq. ;  VI.  xiii,  XII.  xxv<7. 
Comaein,  see  Cumain. 
Comaeins,  the  two,  VI.  xvi  c, 
Conmn f  gillOf  135. 

Coman,  S.,  a  quo  'Roscommon,'  XII.  xix. 
Comgall,   S.,  of  Bangor,   267,  426  sq., 

III.  xi. 
Conaran  .m.  Imidel  (t.  d.  d.),  of  Kesh- 

cor  ran,  306. 
Conaille  Muirtheimne,  77,  I.  xiii,  571. 
Conaing  .m.  Donnchuan,  XX.  iii  ^. 
Conaing.m.  Dubh,  173. 
Conaing. m.  Eochaid,  266. 
Conaire  caemh  .m.   Moghlama,  k.,  lifts 

Borama,  362 ;  si.,  XVII.  ii  d';  see  Cair- 

bres. 
Conaire  Wr,k.,i67,XXVI.viia,  XXVIII. 

xiv. 
Coi\Vi\\  =  citt^l  gConaill^  412,  414,  418  sq. 
Conall  and  Eoghan,  sons  of  Niall  IX  H., 

XXVI.  w  ab. 
Conall  .  m .  Angus,  k.  of  Connacht,  108. 
Conall  .m.  Labhraid  luchta^  XXII.  viii  b, 
Conall  .m.  Neill,  sec  Conall mór, 
Conall  .m.  Suibne,  79,  VIII.  ii. 
Conall  cael^  see  Cellcuh, 
Conall  cael  .m,  Angus,  XII.  xxxv. 


582 


Index  A. 


Conall  ííul  .m.    Maelcobhn,   k.,   lifted 

Borama,  419,  428. 
Conall    cerncuhj    167 ;   his   swordstroke, 

345;  race  of,  I.  xiii;  at  Cruachan  in 

his  old  age,  XII.  xxi/x. 
Conall  clarainechy  XII.  xxiv. 
QoTi'aW  collomrach  .m.   Eterscel,  k.,  XII. 

TfXac. 
Conall  cnmthainii^  VI.  \ab, 
Conall  (ierg  .m.   Daimhin,   k.,  24,  III. 

vii  b. 
Conall  gabhra^  X.  x,  XXIX.  xxii. 
Conall  ^«íM^'««,  VI.  vii,  xxab. 
Conall  menn  .m.  Cairbre  quoted,  XXIX. 

xxii. 
Conall  mJr  .m,  Neill,  k.  of  Kinelconali, 

152,  159»  170. 
Conan  .m.  Liath  /uachra,  193. 

Conan,  see  Cathal, 

Conan  codcUtchenn,  400. 

Conan  cualann^  XV.  ii. 

Conan  mael^  see  Mac  Aloma, 

Conbeg,  favourite  hound  of  Finn's,  1 57« 

Conchann,  Conghal  cenn/hadá'sái.,\.'S.  I X. 

xviii. 
Conchenn  .m.  Dedhad,  XII.  xxxi. 
Conchinn,  Bodhb's  dr.  (t.  d.  d.),  XII.  xiv. 
Conchobar,  see  Conor, 
Conchraid,  k.  of  Ossory,  9. 
Conchraid  .m.    Duach,   k.  Dermot  .m> 

Cerbhall's  fr.-in-law,  78. 
Congha,  see  Fiacha. 
Conghal,  see  Conn. 

Conghal  cláiringnech^  Uislenn's  fr.,  XIV.  i. 
Conghalach,  441. 
Congheilt,  the,  a  monster,  6a 
Congna,  si.  by  Oscar,  244. 
Conmac,  see  Medhb^  sons  0/. 
Conmaicne,  II.  7Lx\iabc\  o(  cúil  ialadhy 

ioladh,  375. 
Conn  (t.  d.d.),  of  Scotland,  225. 
Conn,  Conghal,  Colla,  k.  of  Ulidia's  sons, 

250. 
Conn  100  B.  (k.  A.D.   123—157),   167; 

lifts  Borama,  404 ;  X.  i,  XV.  i  a. 
Conn  .m.  Corr,  378. 
Conna  buidhe .  m .  Iliach,  269. 
Connachtach . m .  Cellach, si..  XXIX.  xxii. 
Connadh  r^rr,  lord  of  Dalaradia,  XXIX.  v. 
Connla,  see  Co//a. 
Connla  .  m .  Bresal  brec^  X.  iv  a, 
Connla  derg  of  Cftoc  den,  1 29. 
Connla  rtiadhy  Conn  icx)  B.'s  s.,  393,  X. 

i  f,  XV.  i  a. 
Conor,  Brian  Boru*s  s.,  XX.  ill  a, 
Conor  .m.  Fachtna,  his  dream,  413. 
Conor  .m.  Melachlin,  k.,  XX.  iiia. 
Conorai^rfl/ft<a^,k.,XXIII  iiLXXVII.a^. 
Conra  (gen.  Conrach),  see  Eilim, 
Conra  .m.  Derg.  k.  of  Connacht,  402. 
Conus,  k.  of  Loch  Ian  n,  182. 
Corbach,  Der.  .m.  Cerball's  mr.,  VII.  iia. 
Corbchach  .  m .  Eoghan  mór  II,  355. 


Core,  see  Medhb,  sons  of. 

Core,  s.  of  Dairine  k.  of  Corcaguiney,  198. 

Core  duibhinne^  XVII.  ii  a  b. 

corca  Duibhne,  the,  108,  XVII.  ii. 

corca  Laighde,  the,  i,  347,  349,  416,  428, 
II.  xxiv  i/,  XXII.  i^. 

corca  Modhruad,  Corcomruadh,  the,  II. 
xxii  d. 

corca  Oiche,  the,  99. 

corca  Oircthe,  the,  XXII.  i  a. 

corca  Raighe,  the,  18. 

Cormac  .  m .  Art,  k.,  pan^yric  of,  96  sq. ; 
disappears  for  four  months,  96 ;  is  de- 
posed, ibid. ;  was  a  wise  man,  166, 
229;  birth  of,  286  —  289;  his  d.  and 
burial,  289;  his  birth,  359;  boyish 
judgment  of,  357,  359  sqq.;  his  battles, 
XII.  xviii. 

Cormac  cas^  Olioll  ólonís  s.,   129,    139, 

347,  361. 
Cormac  jj^aiUng,  Teigue  mac  Cein*s  s., 

XXIII.  iii,  iv;  his  mr.,  iw e. 
Corr  and  four  sons,  378. 
Coscrach  na  gcéí^  hospitaller,  207. 
Coscraighe,  the,  XXII.  '\a. 
Craebghlasach,  the,  Finn's  sword,  157  sq. 
Crea,  a  qua  *  Roscrea,*  XII.  xv  ^. 
Credh,  (juaire  aidhnes  dr.,  XXIX.  xiii. 
Creidhe,  Cairbre's  dr.,  119. 
Cremthann,  see  Criniihann. 

Crescha,  mr.'s  sis.  to  Brian  Boru,  XX.  iii  a. 

Crichid,  see  Crithid. 

Crimall,  CumhalTs  w.,  166. 

Crimthann,  see  Cathal. 

Crimthann,  9. 

Crimthann  .m.  Aedh,  91. 

Crimthann  .m.  Enna  censelachy  sL,  376, 

408,  XXVI.  iii. 
Crimthann  .m.  Fidach,  k.,  death  of,  375, 

XXVI.  i,  vi. 
Crimthann  .m.  Lughaid,  XXVIII.  ivr. 
Crimthann  cael^  fr.  of,  122. 
Crimthann  roj,  290. 

Crimthann  nianáir,  XXVIII.  iii  ^,  iva. 
Crimthannan,  a  quo  úi  Chrimihanmiin 

XXIV.  ii^. 

Crinna,  Conn  100  B.'s  s.,  XV.  i  a. 
Crithid,  a  perverse  child,  15. 
Croichen  chróderg{i.  d.  d.),  XXII.  vi,  viL 
Cronan,  S.  Kieran's  friend,  13. 
Cruinn  badhrái^  k.,  XXVI.  v. 
Cruithne,  the,  *  Picts,*  VI.  viii,  xvir. 
Crunnchu,  see  Mac  Rónáin, 
Cu  corb,  404. 
Cua  cefinmór^  XII.  xxiv. 
Cuach  smera  puill,  name  of  a  goblet,  24a 
Cuan,  of  Knockany,  576. 
Cuan  .m.  Conall,  XXIX.  xv. 
Cuan  .  m  .  Fintan,  k.  of  Connacht,  204. 
Cua.n  JííAisc,  a  Leinster  brave,  446  sq. 
Cuana,  Cuanu  (gen.  Cuanach),  418. 
Cuanaidhe,  k.  of  Leinster's  s,  story  of, 
218  sq. 


Index  A, 


583 


Cuchongeilt,  see  GelghHs, 
Cuchongeilt,  origin  of  the  byname,  60. 
Cuchulainn,  167,  XII.  xxxviio,  XXVIII. 

s  c, 
Cuil,  Nechtan's  w.,  118. 
Cuillenn,  345 ;  see  Ca€mhóg. 
Cuillenn,  k.  of  Munster's  dr.,  238. 
Cuillenn,  Dubthach's  dr.,  218. 
Cuiminyoi/ii,  S.,  432  sqq.,  XXIX.  xvi. 
Cuinche,  S.  Kieran*s  nurse,  11. 
Cuinnscleo  .m.  Ainnscleo,^f//a,  140,  235. 
Cuirche  .m.  Snithe,  XII.  xxxiv. 
Cumain  dubh^  Fiachna  mac  Demands  w., 

XXIX.  iii^. 
Cumain  (or  Cuman)  wa/;i^,  Dallbrunach's 

dr.,  mr.  of  Tuathal  mculgharb^  VI.  ii  be, 
Cumhall .  m .  Trenmor,  Finn's  ir.,  142, 166 ; 

his  mr.,  X.  iv  b, 
Cumascach  .m.  Aedh  .|m.  Ainmirech,  408, 

XXVIII.  xvii. 

Curnan  .m.  Aedh,  84;  si.,  VI.  xiii. 
Curnan.m.  Eochaid.m.  Mairedha,  the 

fool,  266. 
Curnan  casdubh^  his  currach,  XII.  xxii. 
Curoi  .m.  Daire,  241,  XII.  xxxi,  xxxvii  a. 
Currach  ctUn,  262. 
Currach  ii/e^  Cahir  mar's  s.,  si.,  X.  i\  b\ 

his  dr.,  XII.  vii;  his  mr.,  XII.  xxxix  b. 

D. 

Dachaech,  IV.  viii  b. 

Daghda  mar  (t.  d.  d.)  the,  s.  of  Elatha, 

106,  XII.  ixa^,  nab;  three  sons  of, 

%b. 
Dai,  Uaci,  Daoi  (gen.  Duach  q.  v.)galachy 

Daighre  dairt^  Q.q\ioDartraige^  II.  xxiv  a  b. 
Daighres,  the  two,  harpers  to  the  Fianna, 

116,  242. 
Daimhin  damh  argait^  k.,  see  Cairbre, 
Daire  .  m.  /;/  dailh  si.,  VIII.  iii. 
Daire  buadach^  XXIV.  ii  b, 
Daire  dcrg^  114,  XII.  xxxv. 
Daire  doimiluch^  k.,  II.  xxivi". 
Daire  sirchrechtach^  sirdhréchiach^  II.  xxiv. 

ce\  his  six  sons,  XXII.  \a. 
Dairfhinc.  Dairine,  the,  402,  II.  xxiv^, 

XXII.  i  a. 
dal  nAraidhe,  the,  *  Dalaradia,'  176,  III. 

ix  by  VI.  xi. 
dal  mBuan,  the,  206. 
dal  gCais,  the,  '  Dalcassians,*  332,  347, 

XXIV.  iv. 
dal    bFiatach,   the.   III.  ix^i,   XIV.   i, 

XXIX.  V. 

dal  Maeilruain,  the,  in  Connacht,  84. 
dal  Riata,  the.  '  Dalrendini,'  *  Dalriads,* 

of  Scotland,  seei  Cairbres. 
dal  Sailne,  the,  266. 
Dala  .m.  Umoir,  118. 
Dala  (Dalo)^/tíí,  of  Scythia,  XII.  xv^. 
'DzWznforgaill^  poet,  XII.  xxva. 
Dallbronach,  S.  Bridget's  fr.,  VI.  'úbc. 


Damhargait,  see  Cairbré, 
Damh  dtU^  dilmn,  131,  VII.  iii  a, 
Danes,  b.  betw.  them  and  t.  d.  d.,  248 ; 

tribute  from,  379 ;  of  Limerick,  XX.  i ; 

of  Dublin,  iii  a  b. 
Daniel  .m.  Fathach,  XXII.  \a, 
Darera,  Rumal's  w.,  XXVIII.  v*. 
Darerca,  see  Fiacha  araiahe. 
Dartraighe,   the,  their  wanderings,    33; 

II.  xxiv  a  b/, 
Daruamna,  Conor .  m .  Nessa'sdr.  XIV.  iiiy. 
Dathan  and  Abiron,  48. 
Dathchaein  .m.  Sciathbrec,  221. 
Dathi  ( =  Nathi)  .ra.  Fiachra  .m.  Eochaid 

m.m.,  k.,  375. 
Dathnat,  k.  Cellach's  w.,  XXIX.  viii. 
Davoren,  see  ZHibA  dd  bhoirenn, 
Decies,  see  Déise. 
Declan,  sons  of,  21. 
Declan,  S.,  4 ;  ped.  etc.,  I.  xiv,  xv. 
Degha,  Enna  unselach^s  s.,  IX.  i  b. 
Deghaid,  241. 

Deghog,  three  sons  of,  Fian-chiefs,  246, 
Deilenn,  the  k.'s  magician,  si.,  364. 
Deise,  the,  4;  of  Tara,  112,  168,  293. 
Delbaeth,  deriv.  of,  II.  xxvir/. 
Delbaeth  (t.  d.d.),  Boann's  fr.,  X.  viii^. 
Delbaeth  (t. d.d.)  .m.  Elathan,  XII.  xa. 
Delbaeth  (t.  d.  d.)  .m.  Neid,  XII.  xa, 
Delbhna  *the  Delvins,'  34,  II.  xxvi;  D. 

mór^  beg^  dá  loch,  XXIII.  iii. 
Dellbanna  .  m .  Druchta,  k.  Conaire  mar's 

cup-bearer,  XII.  xxxvi. 
Deman  .m.  Cairell,   k.  of  Ulidia,  424, 

XXIX.  iii  a. 
Deog,  w.  to  ()uaireaiV/ii;<^and  toLaighnen 

his  br.,  XXIX.  xiii. 
Der,  see  ua  Daighre. 
Derdroighen,  mr.  of  Cairbre  lifer  hair,  and 

of  Moghruith's  two  sons,  III.  xiv  d, 
Derdubh,  195. 
Derfraeich,  bp.  Tigernach  of  Clones'  mr., 

II.  xiv  c. 
Dergréine,  Fiachna  .m.  Retach's  dr.,  291. 
Derbforgaill.  see  Den'orgilla. 
Derg  (t. d.d.),  from  sidh  of  Ikn-Edar. 
Dtrgdianscothaeh,  102,  139,  145. 
Dergcroiche  .ni.  IJodhb  (l. d.d.),  390. 
Dcrgod,  k.  of  Britain,  236. 
Dermot,  see  Blathmac,  ua  Duibhne. 
Dermot  .m.  Aedh  rain,  413. 
Dermot  ruanaidh  .m.  Aedh  sláine,  k.,  91, 

430,  XXIX.  xi. 
Dermot . m .  Cerbaill(  =  Fergus cenbél)^  k., 

31.  35  sc|.,  70—76;  death  of,  76—88; 

si.  and  buried,  VII.  i. 
Dermot  .m.  Donn  .m.  Donough,  179. 
Derra  (Darera),  XXVIII.  y  c. 
Dervorgilla,  k.  of  Lochlann'sdr.,  XXVIII. 

v^;  Conaing's  dr.,  XXIX.  xviii. 
Dian  .m.  Dilenn,  118. 
Dianchecht,   the  Daghda's  s.,  physician 

of  t.  d.  d.,  166,  XII.  XV  a,  XXI.  i  a  b. 


584 


Index  A. 


Diarmaidy  see  Dermot. 

Dil,  dr.  of  Lughmannair  (gen.  Lughmann- 

rach),  VII.  iii  a. 
Dil  .m.  Dachreca,  140. 
Dil .  m .  u  Creca,  354 ;  see  Moncha, 
Dilraighe,  the,  575. 
Dima,  chief  of  chu^l  bFiachach^  5;   see 

Donotigh  .  m .  Z>.,  Flann  .  m .  /?. 
Dithorba  .m.  Diman  .m.  Argatmar,  XIV.  i. 
Diure,  a  quo  'Jura  insula/  k.  of  Loch- 

lann's  s.,  211. 
Dobarchu  .m.  Angus,  211. 
Dobhran  of  the  Duffry,  1 70,  225. 
Dodera  .m.  Umiora,  Maccon's jester,  349; 

buried  on  Slicveriach,  XII.  xv  r. 
Doimhlcn,  see  Eochaid  doimhlin. 
Doirenn,   Bodb's  dr.   (t.  d.  d.),   221 ;  sec 

Midir. 
Domhnall,  see  Donald^  Donall. 
Donald  of  the  Fleet,  k.  of  Scotland's  fr., 

214. 
Donall  .m.  Aedh  .m.  Ainmirech,  k.,  408. 
Donall  .m.  Dulxlabhoirenn,  XX.  ii. 
Donall  and  Fergus,  sons  of  Muirchertach 

.m.  Erca,  joint  kings  of  Uddia,  50,  84, 

IV.  iii. 
Donall  ilchelgach,  XXVIII.  xix  b, 
Donn,  see  Dubh, 

Donn  of  the  Dabhach  (t.d.d.),  225. 
Donn  of  the  Island  (t.  d.  d.),  225, 
Donn  of  Uisnechy  575. 
Donn  .m.  Corr,  378. 
Donn  .m.  Midir  (t.  d.  d.),  247. 
Donn  désa  and  seven  sons,  XX VII I.  xiv. 
Donnabhan  (a  quo  *  O' Donovan')  .m.  Ca- 

thal,  XX.  i. 
Donnan  donn^  k.  Dermot's  confidential, 

71.81. 
Donnchadh,  see  Donough. 
Donnchracbach,  the,  a  shield,  242. 
Donnchuan,  br.  to  Brian  Boru,  XX.  iii  b. 
Donnghilla  .m.  Finnachta,  420. 
Donough  .m.  lirian,  XX.  iii^z. 
Donough  .m.  Dima,  6. 
Dontjvan,  see  Donnabhan, 
Dornbuidhe,  201. 

Drcbne,  Drebrc,  Drebrenn  =  Zír^^rr//  q.  v. 
Drebriu  (gon.    Drebrcnn,   often  used  as 

noin.,   with  gen.   Drebrinne),  Kochaid 

feidklecJis  dr.,  XXI.  i,  XXII.  viii  b, 
Drecan  (t.  d.  d.),  from  sidh  of  Ben-Edar, 

225. 
Drithliu  (gen.  Drithlenn),  magician,  37550]. 
Druimderg  of  Derry,  211. 
Druimderg  ddna,  202. 
Duach,  gen.  of  Dai  q.v.,  often  used  as 

nom.,  with  or  without  gen.  Duaich. 
Duach,  the  seed  of,  6. 
Duach  ,í>aíachy  VI.  \v\ab\  see  Dai, 
Duach  /fnga  umha^  VI.  xvi. 
Dubh  and  1  )onn,  sons  of  Eirrge,  146. 
Dubh  .m.  Angus  firfch,  173. 
Dubh  .m.  Treon,  186. 


Dubh  da  bhoirenn  ( -bfoirenn)  'Davoren,* 

XX.  ii. 
Dubh  da  crioch,  IX.  i  b, 
Dubh  da  det,  of  Kinelconall,  211. 
Dubh  da  lacha,  wife  of  Mongan,  XXIX. 

ni  b. 
Dubh  det,  235. 

Dubh  dithre,  Fian-chief  of  Ossory,  151. 
Dubh  duin,  k.  of  Oriel,  415,  418. 
Dubh  duin,  of  the  Carberys,  437. 
Dubhan,  of  the  Erna  of  Munstcr,  106, 
Dubhan  .m.  Cas,  166. 
Dubhanach,  chief  of  the  ///  Mdil  q.  v. 
Dubhtach  .m.  Lughaid,  269. 
Dubhlach  of  the  Duffry,  chief  of  the  Z^íVj^ 

breghy  XII.  xxiii/z. ;  see  Dubthar,  ind.  B. 
Duibhdeichelt,  of  Connacht,  202. 
Duibhdiberg  .m.  Dunghal,sl.,444,XXIX. 

xxii. 
Duibhdiorma,  188. 

Duibhdrenn,  fr.  of  Aichlech,  X.  \\\\ab. 
Duibhfionn,  a  qua  carca  Duibhne^  XVII, 

\\abc. 
Duibhrenn  .m.  Uirgrenn,  si.  Finn,  98. 
Duibhrinn,  of  Kinelconall,  214. 
Duinsech,  w.  of  k.  Donall  .m.  Aedh  .m. 

Ainmirech,  XXIX.  vii. 
Duisech—  Duaisech,  Duach'sdr..VI.  xvii/. 
Dunchadh,   and    Dunchadh   of  Murrisk, 

joint  kings  of  Connacht,  443 ;  D.  of  M. 

si.,  XXIX.  xxii. 
Dunlaing.m.  Enna  nia^  k.,  lifted  Borama, 

407. 
Dunlaing  k.  oi  Leinster,  his  dr.  a  wife  of 

Cormac  .m.  Art,  XXIII.  i  a. 
Durghabal  (t.  d.  d.),  Eoghabal's  fr.,  348. 

E. 
Ebha,  Geibtine  Mac  Morna's  dr.,  138. 
Ebric  .  m .  Eibher,  fr  of  Cernina  and  So- 

bairche  q.  v.,  xiv,  i. 
Ecertach,  see  Eoghan, 
Echbel,  see  Eirrge^  Kochaid. 
Echchenn,  see  Eochaid. 
Echna,Muiredachk.ofConnacht'sdr.,257, 
Echtach,  dr.  of  Urcaidhe  the  smith,  nir. 

of  Cormac  mac  Art,  X  V^.  ii ;  sec  Achtan. 
Echtach,  Ember's  dr.,  mr.  of  Olioll  ólom^ 

XXII.  xi  b. 
Echtgha  uathachy  XII.  xvii  b. 
Echighe,  Echtgha,  see  sliabh  E, 
Echtigcrn,  XXIV.  \a. 
Edaein,  Bacdan  k.  of  Dalaradia'sdr..  197. 
Edaein,  P'inn  btin  .m.  Bresal's  dr.,  255; 

si.,  256 ;  sec  Aii/gj  Ailbhe. 
Edaein  Fair-hair,  of  Ben-Edar,  200,  238. 
Edar  (a  quo  'Ben-Edar')  .m.  Edgaeth, 

105,  324,  XII.  y  a. 
Edgaeth,  fr.  of  Edar  q.  v, 
Edna  =  Enda,  Enna  q.  v. 
EilKjr,  see  lieber. 
Eibles  Eibliu  (gen.  Eiblcnn,  used  as  nom. 

with  gen.  Eiblinne),  Guaire's  dr.,  265. 


Index  A. 


585 


Eidhen,  k.  of  the  úi  Fiachrach  aidhruy 

XX.  iii  a, 
Eidlecar,  see  Smól, 
Eidlecon,  Crea's  fr.,  XII.  xv  b, 
Eile,  EochaidyiriV/AA'fA'j  dr.,  i  c, 
Eilech,  Oilech,  k.  of  Scotland's  dr.,  II.  xx, 

XXVIII.  viifl. 
Eimer,  575. 

Eiremhon,  see  Heremon, 
Eirennachs,  132,  389. 
Eirnemach,  k.  of  Ulidia,  365. 
Eirrge  anghlonnack^  146. 
Eirrge  echbél^  XIV.  i. 
Eirgen  .m.  Amergin,  269. 
Eiriu,  Eire  (gen.  Eirenn,  dat.  ace.  Eirinn), 

XIII.  vi^. 
Eisirt  .m.  Beg,  poet  of  the  Luchra,  270; 

his  visit  to  Emania,  272  sqq. 
Eitech  (a  qua  cenn  Eitigh  q.  v.),  IX.  ii  r. 
Eiter,  575. 
Eithne,  k.  of  Scotland's  dr.,  mr.  of  Tuathal 

/£ff///war,  XXVIII.  ii/^ 
Eithne  *  Ethnea/  Brenainn  dalCs  dr.,  mr. 

of  Colman  ní6r<\.  v.,  89,  XXIX.  jXs  ab. 
Eithne,  Daire  dubfCs  d.,  mr.  of  Feradach 

finn^  165. 
Eithne, Lughaid  .m.  Daire' s dr., XII.  xv</. 
Eithne,  Morann  .ra.  Maen'sw.,  XXVIII. 

iii  a. 
Eithne,  Olioll  molfs  mr.,  IV.  i  b. 
Eithne  ollamdha^  Cahir  mór^s  dr.,  w.  of 

Cairbre  lifeckair^  1 54,  1 79,  230,  293 ; 

buried  on  Slieveriach,  XII.  xvr ;  XXIII. 

i  ab, 
Eitill,  pious  woman,  12. 
Elatha  (gen.  Elathan),  fr.  of  Bres  and  the 

Daghda  mar  (t.  d.  d.),  XII.  ix;  his  five 

sons,  X  a. 
Eleran  (  =  Aileran  q.v.),  II.  vii. 
Elias  and  Enoch,  advent  of,  49,  III.  xv. 
Elim  .m.  Conrach,  k.,  402;  si.,  XII.  xx. 
P'liusa,  Adam*s  dr.,  392. 
Eloir  derg^  name  of  a  wolfdog,  XXII.  iv  b. 
Emhnat,  Moling  luath*s  mr.,  III.  viii  b. 
Enan,  S.,  of  Druim  raiihe^  31 ;  ped.  etc., 

II.  xxi. 

Enan  tta  huarboithty  vision  of,  406. 
Encherd  béra^  beirre^  106 ;  his  three  sons, 

189,  246,  293. 
Enda  =  Enna  q.  v. 
Enna  of  Aran,  abbot,  38 ;  his  ped.  etc., 

III.  vii. 

Enna,  Aenna,  Oenna,  mac  ú  Laighse^ 
fosterbr.  to  k.  Dermot,  77,  437;  his 
ped.  and  death,  XXIX.  xvii^i^. 

Enna  aighnechy  XII.  xl  c, 

Enna  cennselach  (a  quo  the  iii  Chennselaig 
q-v.),  9»  376,  407.  Í-  xxiii. 

Enna  emalach  .ra.  Brian  .m.  Eochaid 
m. m.,  37^« 

Enoch,  see  Elias. 

Eochaid,  see  Lughaid  menn, 

Eochaid,  a  holy  man,  8. 


Eochaid,  bp.,  19. 

Eochaid,  k.  of  the  Catti,  189. 

Eochaid,  of  the  Lemhan  (ind.  B.),  si., 

444. 
Eochaid  .m.  Bresal,  XII.  xxvii  b, 

Eochaid  .m.  Crimthann  niory  376. 

Eochaid  .m.  Daire,  k.  of  Thoraond,  402. 

Eochaid. m.  Enna  cennsdachy  XXVIII. 

xi. 
Eochaid  .m.  Eochaid  eUnchentty  205. 
Eochaid  .m.  Ek>chaid  doimhUny  king  of 

Leinster,  402. 
Ex>chaid  .m.  Luchta,  XII.  vt d, 
Eochaid  .m.  Marcadh,  166. 
Eochaid  .  m .  Sail,  290. 
Eochaid  abhratruadhy  k.  of  Ulidia,  129. 
Eochaid  ainchetiHy  k.  of  Leinster,  cause 

of  the  Borama,  XXVIII.  vi. 
Eochaid  airemh  (gen.  airemhan)^  288  sq.; 

his  mr.,  see  Befina\  si.,  IX  «Í,  XXIII. 

vn. 
Eochaid  airmdherg  .m.  Cathmann,  397 

sqq. 
Eochaid  amhlabhar  (W.  ajlafar)y  his  dr.*s 

lament,  291. 
Eochaid  doimhUny  402,  II.  xviii,  XXVIII. 

vii  abd, 
Eochaid  echbily  XII.  xxxvii  r. 
Eochaid  echchenuy  k.  of  Fomors,  XIV.  i. 
Eochaid faebairdherg^  \TJ. 
Eochaid  feidhUchy    his   drs.,    see    EiUy 

Drebriu ;  his  mr.,  see  Befina ;  his  w., 

see  Cloattu'y  his  sons,  XXVIII.  \\ d, 
Eochaid  finn   .m.    Mairedha    (gen.    of 

Mairidh)^  story  of,  265 — 269;  his  drs. 

Airiu  and   Liban,  267,   VIII.  i ;  his 

ped.  etc.,  XIII.  v. 
Eochaid  yí«/f//VíM,  IX.  ii  a. 
'Eoch9.\(\  Jinn  fuath  nAir/,  XV.  ia, 
Eochaid  guinech,  XXVI.  iii. 
Eochaid  gunnat^  96,  III.  ix  Cy  X.  iii. 
Eochaid  leithdergy  k.  of  Leinster,  1 59. 
Eochaid  muighmedSn  [E.  m.m.],  k.,  story 

of  his  five  sons,  368 — 373 ;  dies,  373 ; 

XXIV.  i. 
Eochaid  muindergy  by  whom  si.,  250. 
Eochaid  mumho^  XIV.  v,  vi. 
Eochaid  ollathairy  name  of  the  Daghda 

mar,  XII.  ix  a^. 
Eochaid  timin  .m.  Cahir  mOTy  XXIV.  ii b, 
Eochaid  tirmchamay  84,  VI.  wibd, 
Eocho  =  Eochaid  (gen.  Echach)  q.v. 
Eoghabal  .m.  Durghabal  (t.  d.  d.),  of  cnoc 

Aine,  his  four  sons,  225,  348,  575. 
Eoghan  (  =  cinel  Eoghain  q.v.),  412,  414, 

418  sq. 
Eoghan,  see  Lochan, 
Eoghan,  royal  hospitaller,  148,  191. 
Eoghan,  seer,  foretells  Cacilte*s  d.,  249. 
Eoghan  and  Ecertach,  sons  of  Aedhacan 

of  úi  MdinCy  95. 
Eoghan  of  the  Bright  Spear,  188. 
Eoghan  .m.  Aedh,  of  Connacht,  182. 

Z 


586 


Index  A. 


Eoghan  .m.  Ailill  Sraun,  k.  of  W.  Mun- 

stcr  {larmumha)^  402. 
Eoghan  .m.  Angus  .m.  Nadfracicb,  k.  of 

Munster,  232. 
Eoghan  airnidherg,  k.  of  Ulidia's  s.,  108. 
Eoghan  bél^  k.  of  Connacht,  50  sqq.,  IV. 

Eoghan  coscrack,  br.  to  Teigue  mac  Cein, 

385  sqq.,  400. 
Eoghan  UthiÚTg  ,m..  Angus,  k.  of  Mun- 
ster, 117  s(j.,  159. 
Eoghan  Wíír,  k.  of  Danes,  si.  by  Goll,  381. 
Eoghan  mór  I.,  fr.  of  Olioll  óiom,  347;  see 

mogh  Nuadhat, 
Eoghan  mór  II.,  s.  of  Olioll  ólom^  286, 

347  sqq.;  si.,  357,  XVII.  \\c, 
Eoghan  sreimhy  VI.  xvi. 
Eoghanacht,  the,  347;  of  Cashel,  18, 1,  xix. 
Eoghanan,  a  student,  176. 
Eolar,  ^///a,  261. 
Eolchobar,  of  Knockany,  576. 
Eolus,  k.  of  ( J  recce's  s.,  199. 
Eolus,  k.  of  Lochlann's  s.,  247. 
Ere  (gen.  Erca),  k.  of  Scotland's  dr.,  mr. 

of  Muirchertach  mór^  VI.  xiv. 
Ere  (gen.  Eire)  .  m .  Kochaid,  403. 
Ereran  =  Aileran  (|.  v. 
Ema  mumhan  *  Ernanes  of  Munster,*  the, 

106,  108,  XII.  vi^,  xxiiia. 
Emmas,  22J. 
Err,  Caeilte  s  horse,  220. 
Essa,  Mesbuachalla's  rar.,  VII.  iii  h, 
Etan,  Ulcacha's  dr.,  286  sqq. ;  see  Achtan, 

Echtach, 
Eterscel  m6r  (a  quo  O  hEtersceoil  * 0'L)ris- 

colD,  k.,  si.,  378,  X.  ivfl,  XXVI.  viitf, 

XXVIII.  xiv. 
Ethadon .  m .  Nuadha  airgetUimk^  XII.  xii. 
Ethledan,  of  the  Kianna,  406. 
Etrom  .m.  Lughaid,  258. 

F. 
Yz.z\)Xii2ifáíhach,  XIV.  i. 
Faebardci^,  chief  of  úi  Chenselaig^  167. 
Faelan  of  Fimiloch^  211. 
Faelan,  k.  of  Leinster,  445  sqq. 
Faelan  .m.  Caeilte,  228;  and  Colla,  246. 
Faelan  .m.  Colgan,  k.  of  Leinster,  419. 
Faelan  .m.  Colman,  VIII.  ii. 
Faelan  .m.  Finn,  155,  382. 
Faelchu  .m.  Airmedach,  k.   of  Meath, 

XXVIII.  xii  i^. 
Faelchu  .m.  Fer  crom,  135. 
Failbhe,  138. 

Failbhe  .m.  Cahir  wJr,  408. 
Failbhe. m.  Flann,  108. 
Failbhe  and  Uainchonn,  sons  of  k.   of 

Dalaradia,  108. 
F'ailbhe  //(f/;///,  k.  of  Munster,  VIII.  ii. 
Fainnle  .m.  Eoghabal  (t.d.  d.),  225. 
Falarlach  of  /><///  gaibhU\  112. 
Fann,  dr.  of  Flidais,  XII.  xiii^. 
Fatha  canantt,  98,  189,  261,  X.  ix. 


Fea,  Elcmar*s  dr.  (t.  d.d.),  XII.  xxxiii, 

xxxvi. 
Fea  .m.  Inogach,  XII.  xxxiii. 
P'ebhra  (  =  Abhra)  .m.  Sen,  XII.  xvf. 
Fed  .m.  Goll,  sec  Mac Monia, 
Fcichin  (a  quo '  Ecclefechan'),  S.,  of  Fore, 

21,  31,  430;  pcd.  etc.,  II.  V,  vi. 
I'eidelin,  Brandubh's  nir.,  XXVIII.  xiii. 
Fcidil,  of  Leinster,  she-slave,  XXIII.  \a, 
P'eidlecon  =  Kidlecon  q.  v. 
Vii\^\\vs\fholtUbary  XIV.  iii  ^. 
Feidlimid  rechtmar^  19;  rechtaidt^o^\  his 

mr.,  X.  iv^;  XXVIII.  viii. 
Femen,  XII.  xi  ^. 
Fer  corb  .m.  Cormac  raj,  XII.  i. 
P'er  corb  .m.  Moghruith,  III.  xivi/. 
Fer  da  liach  ( =  Fiacha  tnuilUthan)^  354, 

X.  ix. 
Fer  da  loch=Cairbre  cenmi€rq  q.  v. 
Fer  dedh  *vir  fumi,'  the  fireman,  272. 
Fer  dubh  .m.  Aicher  cerr^  XII.  xxiiia. 
Fer  fi  .m.  Eoghabal  (t. d. d.),  349,  359, 

575,  XII.  \\ab\  =  Fer  cut  q.  v. 
Fer  glas,  see  Donn  dcsa. 
Fer  lee,  see  Donn  desa. 
VtT  nocht  .m.  Aicher  cerr,  XII.  xxiii^z. 
Fer  aei  (  =  y^i'r//q.  v.),  225. 
Fer  tuinne  .m.  Troghan  (t.  d.  d.),  Modh- 

arn's  minstrel,  ill. 
Fera  .m.  Mogabh,  XII.  xi^,  xxxiii. 
Feradach,  k.  of  Ind's  s.,  299. 
Feradach  .  m .  Duach,  lord  of  Ossory,  416 ; 

si..  XXVIII.  xvi. 
Feradach  .m.  Kidgha,  169. 
Feradach  .m.  Rochorb,  XXVI.  \a. 
Feradach  fechttiach^  Jinufhcchtnach^  k., 

164  sq.,  205,  401,  XXVIIl.  iii  a  b, 
Fercharlhain  (gen.  Fercharthana)  *  Man- 
love,'  Dubhtach's  dr.,  XII.  xxiiid. 
Fercheirtne,   poet   fl.  A.M.   3950,    166, 

XIV.  i. 

Ferches  .ra.  Coman,  seer  to  Olioll  alom, 

129.  348,  358. 
Ferdoman  .  m .  Bodhb  derg  (t.  d.  d.),  106, 

135»  173. 
Ferdoman  .m.  Urmora,  211. 

Fergair,  see  Donn  dcsa, 

Fcrghar  of  Forbraith  si.,  444. 

Fergna,  seed  of,  30. 

Fergna   .m.    Angus,   k.   of    Ulidia,    si., 

XXIX.  iii  a. 
Fergus,  see  DonalL 
Fergus  of  Fanat,  XXIX.  xxiv,  xxv. 
P'ergus  of  Febhal,  k.  of  Ulster,  402. 
Fergus  of  Meelick,  268. 
Fergus  .m.  Crimthann  .m.  Enna,  408. 
Fergus  .m.  Eochaid  m.m.,  368  sqij. 
Fergus  .m.  Flaiihri,  k.  of  Tulach  óg^  418. 
Fergus  .m.  Leide,  k.  of  Ulidia,  story  of, 

269—285,  XIV.  i. 
Fergus  .m.  Raghallach,  XXIX.  xi. 
Fergus  .m.  Rosa  ruaidh^  or  .m.  Koich, 

foretold,   285;    his  swordstroke,  345, 


Index  A. 


587 


XII.  xxxi,  XIV.  i ;  his  mr.  and  w.,  iv ; 

his  sons  by  qu.  Medhb,  XXII.  vi. 
Fergus  .m.  Ruide  lusca  béisíe,  XII.  xvii  b. 
Fergus  Black-knee  {gltinduhh\  96. 
Fer^s  Blacktooth  (duibdédach\  k.  of  Uli- 

dia,  359 ;  lifted  Borama,  404,  X.  ii. 
Fergus  Fire-Bregia,  359,  XXIII.  ii. 
Yox^sforcraidh,  si.,  XXIX.  xxii. 
Fergus  Long-hair  {fuiliUbhar),  359. 
Fergus  Truelips  (/innbhél)^  sage  and  seer 

of  the  Fianna,  179,  183,  230,  300,  310, 

344,  379»  383. 
Ferguses,  the  three,  X.  i  c. 

Fer  maise  .m.  Eoghabal  (t. d.  d.),  248. 

Ferna  .m.  Cairell,  168. 

Fethnaid,  Fidach's  dr.,  she  •  minstrel  of 

t.  d.  d.,  224. 

Fiach,  XII.  xxviii^. 

Fiach  .m.  Congha,  his  spear,  142  sqq., 

405. 
Fiacha  .m.  Aedh  rain,  k.  of  Ulidia,  XII. 

xxvii  c. 
Fiacha,  see  Lughaid  menn,  Ttiathal. 
Fiacha  aicidh^  baicUih  (gen.  aicedkat  bake- 

dha\  .m.  Cahir  mór,  404. 
Fiacha  fl/'í//<///f,  III.  xi,  VI.  rXac, 
Fiacha  yirr  mara^  XII.  vi  b. 
Fiacha  finnfolaid,  Tuathal  techtmat's  fr., 

401,  XXVIII.  ii  ab\  fintiolcuh,  205. 
YxtichzL /inscoithe,  Jifiscothach,  k.,  XIV.  i, 

•  •  • 

Ml  a. 
Fiacha  labhrainne,  XIV.  iii  d. 
Fiacha  muillethan,    129,    140,   233;   his 

birth,  354,  361 ;  see  Fer  da  Uach. 
Fiacha  raiphtiiu^  sraiphtitte,  406,  II.  xviii, 

XXVIII.  vii^íí/. 

Fiacha  suigJtde,  Conn  100  B.'s  br.,  XV.  \ab. 
Fiachna  .m.  Baetain,  k.  of  Ulidia,  424  sqq.. 

XXIX.  ii  a  ;  si.,  v. 

Fiachna  .m.  Dcman,  lord  oi  ddlbFiatach, 

424  sqq.,  XXIX.  iii,  V. 
Fiachna  .m.  Retach,  sldh  of,  290  sq. 
Fiachra,  his  dr.,  373. 
Fiachra  .m.  Dathi,  376. 
Y\2ic\\r2i/olíshn<JÍthech  .  m .  Eochaid  m .  m ., 

368  sqq.,  376 ;  his  death,  377. 
Fiajzhra  Jid/igfMmd  (a  quo  1//  Fidhgeinte)^ 

X.  ix. 
Fiadhraor .  ra .  Arist,  k.  of  Scotland,  243  sq. 
Fial  (gcp.  Feil)  .m.  Du]>h,  186. 
Fial  (gen.  Feilc),  \v.  of  Dathi,  IV  be. 
Fianna,  of  Ireland  and  Scotland,  234. 
Fianna,  378  sqq. ;  inarch  to  lift  Borama, 

.405. 
Fidach,  k.  Crimlhann's  fr.,  dies,  375. 
Fidach  .m.  Fintan,  127. 
Fidir  and  Dairine,  drs.  of  Tuathal  leehtmar^ 

tragic  fate  of,  402,  XXVII.  vi. 
Finn,  see  Mac  Cumhaill. 
Finn  of  Fomioyle,  sorcerer,  166. 
Finn  .m.  Abratruadh,  Fian-chief,  245. 
Finn  .m.  Cuan,  239. 
Finn  .m.  Fimilogha,  XXVIII.  iv^. 


Finn  .m.  Fogaeth,  Fian-chief,  245. 

Finn  .m.  Forgach,  313. 

Finn  .m.  Rosa, -XII.  xxv^. 

Finn  .m.  Temenan,  Fian-chief,  245. 

Finn  .m.  Urgna,  Fian-chief,  245. 

Finn  ban .  m .  Bresal,  Fian-chief,  133,  246 ; 

his  three  drs.  si.,  255  sq.,  293  sq. 
Y\ny\feran  champair,  Fian-chief  of  Scot- 
land, 180,  246. 
Finn  tnór  .m.  Cuan,  Fian-chief,  245. 
Finnabair  (gen.  Finnabrach),  XIV.  iii/"; 

Medhb'sdr.,  XXII.  vi. 
Finnachta  y7(ffi/(r2r^,  k.,  lifts  Borama,  419; 

his  s.,  420,  438  sqq. ;  si.,  440,  XXIX. 

xviii,  xix ;  his  wives,  xviii. 
Finnbarr  of  Knockmaa  and  seven  sons, 

225. 
Finnchad  of  Killargy,  bp.,  23,  II.  vii. 
Finnchad.m.  Dermot,  138. 
Finnchaem,  Cairidh's  mr.,  84. 
Finnchaem  of  Scotland,  224. 
Finnchaem,  T.  mac  Cein's  mr.,  XXIII.  iii. 
Finnchas,  she-minstrel,  236., 
Finnchu,  S.,  of  Brigown,  38,  III.  v. 
Finndruine,  she-minstrel,  236. 
Finnemhna,  the  thiee,  XXVIII.  'vwcde^ 

\  a, 
Finnian,  S.,  of  Clonard,  17,  24,47,  !•  xxxi. 
Finnian,  S.,  of  Moville,  36,  89 ;  pcd.  etc., 

III.  iii,  ix  ae. 
Finnians,  the  two,  47. 
Finninghen,  she-minstrel,  236. 
'Fintan,  whose  name  was,'  insert  after 

'country,'  6,  1.  27. 
Fintan  .m.  Bochna,  384,  391. 
Fir  chcll,  the,  34,  293. 
Fir  chul  of  Bregia,  the,  288. 
Fir  falga,  k.  of  the,  XII.  xxxviii  a. 
Fir  fulgha,  the,  XII.  xxi  f. 
Fir  maighe,  k.  of  the,  see  Loehan, 
Fir  manach,  the,  XVIII.  i. 
Fir  rois,  k.  of  the,  438  sqq. 
Fir  tuirtri,  the,  XXIX.  iii  b, 
Firbolgs,  the,  391. 
Fithal  the  Wise,  166,  383. 
Fithir  and  Dairine,  story  of,  205. 
Filhir,  402. 
Flaithcs,  152. 
Flaithes  nafidchille,  133. 
Flaithri,  383. 

Flaithri  .m.  Fithal,  wise  man,  166. 
Flann  of  Buitc.  76. 
Flann  dr.  of  Flidais,  her  bath,  252. 
Flann  s.  of  Brian  Boru,  XX.  iii  a. 
Flann  .m.  Dima,  77. 
Flann  .  m .  Fedaig,  92  so. 
Flann  .m.  Fergus,  of  Kmclconall,  108. 
Flann  .  m .  Lonan,  the  poet,  436. 
Flann ////7ift/z  (t.  d.  d.). 
Flann ,4V;'^  .m.  Celiach.  XXIX.  xxii. 
Flannacan,  poet,  XXI 11.  iii. 
Flidais,  w.  of  Fergus,  XIV.  iv. 
Fodla  (I. d. d.),  XIII.  vi/;. 


588 


Index  A. 


Fomorachs,  their  origin,  563. 

Fomu  .m.  Aicher,  XII.  xxiiia. 

Forgall  .m.  Matamuirsce,  XXI.  ir. 

Fothadh  airgthech,  XII.  i. 

Fothadhs,  the  three,  XII.  i,  xxxix. 

Fotharta,  the,  263,  XII.  i. 

Fraech,  presbyter,  31 ;  ped.  etc,  II.  xxii  ab, 

Fraech  .m.  Feradh,  136. 

Fraechan  .m.  Teniisan,  wizard,  84. 

Franks,  k,  of,  335  sqq.,  XII.  xxv  r. 

Fuagartach  .m.  NeiU,  k^  444. 

Fuat,  XII.  iii. 

Fuata=Uata,  Uada  q.v. 

Fuathairt,  see  Eochaiayf«»^ 

Fuinche?=Liban  (q.v.),  269. 

Fuinche,  dr.  of  Firmora,  XII.  xxxix  a  ^. 

Fulartach,  k.  of  Bregia,  108. 

Furbaidhe,  13. 

Fursa,  S.,  of «  nuu  nEirc^  XII.  xiv,  xxi^. 

Furudran  mac  Beice,  chief  of  Fir  tuirtri, 

XXIX.  iii  <^. 

G. 
Gabha  s.  oX  Encherd  beirre^  189. 
Cí7iXi\i2X  gdirechtachy  dr.  of  Goll^/oj,  XII. 

xii. 
Gabhal^/oj  .m.  Ethladon,  XII.  xii. 
Gabhran  of  Scotland,  physician,  166. 
Gabhran  .m.  Aedh  .m.  Aininn,  408. 
Gabhran,  a  hound,  XVII.  i. 
Gailcnga,  the,  XXIII.  iii. 
Gailcoin,  Gailion,  the,  99,  I.  vi. 
Gainc,  Gaeine=maf  Lughach  q.  v. 
Gairriasc  glúnraighe—  Garb  gl.  q.  v. 
Gallgaeidil,  k.  of  the,  his  three  sons,  212. 
Ganns,  the,  old  and  young,  XII.  xvii  b, 
Garadh,  see  Mac  Moma, 
Garb,  k.  of  Lochlann*s  s.,  247. 
Garb,mr.  ofFiacha.m.  Deman,XXIX.iii^. 
Garb  glunraigJie,  XII.  xxv  a. 
Garban  .m.  Dedaid,  XII.  xvr. 
Garbchronan,  alarmist  of  the  Fianna,  179. 
Garbdaire  .m.  Angus,  153. 
Garbraighc,  the,  99. 
Geidc  ollgoihcuh,  XIV.  i,  iii  b, 
Gelghcis,  Guaire*s  dr.,  67  sqq.,  XXIX.  xiii. 
Gcmlorg,  Lugaid  laghcCs  w.,  XXII.  iii. 
Genann  .m.Treon,  XII.  xxx. 
Ger  s.  oi  Encherd  beirre^  189. 
Germanus,  bp.,  3. 
Germanus,  pilgrim,  13. 
Gilla  de,  318. 
Gilla  decair,  the,  and  his  horse,  293—31 1, 

322. 
Gigniat,  S.  £nna*s  cook,  III.  vii  b, 
Glas,  the  two,  of  Hdk  Ghlais^  225. 
Glas  .m.  Donn  desa,  XXVIII.  xiv. 
Glas,  k.  of  Lochlann*s  s.,  131. 
Glas  s.  OÍ  Encherd  beirre,  106,  176,  189. 
Glasdamh,  lampoonist,  409. 
Glomraidhe,  the,  IX.  ii  c, 
Glunraidhe,  the,  XII.  xxv  a, 
GoU  mar,  see  iif(u  Moma, 
Goll  .m.  Dalbh,  290. 


Goll  gulban^  Fian-chief,  190,  246,  378. 

Gormflaith,  w.  of  Brian  Boru,  XX.  iii  a. 

Gothnia,  390. 

Grainne,  dr.  of  k.  Cormac,  X.  iv  b, 

Grec  .m.  Arodh,  287. 

Grecraighe,  the,  287. 

Greeks,  304 sqq.;  wicked  girl  of, 449 — 452; 
of  Scythia,  XII.  xv  ^. 

Gregory,  Pope,  267. 

Grian,  dr.  of  Finn,  126. 

Griph,  k.  Dermot's  horse,  434. 

Grisban  liccherd^  XII.  xxxv. 

Guaire,  a  ^f//a,  135. 

Guaire  .m.  an  Daill,  VIII.  iii. 

Guaire  .m.  Colman,  53  sqq. 

Guaire  of  Aidhne,  k.  of  Connacht,  431  sqq. ; 
his  fr.,  XXIX.  X ;  his  mr.,  see  Adhamar\ 
his  w.,  see  Deog ;  t  XXIX.  xvi. 

Guaire  ^ir/(t.d.d.),  XIII.  i. 

Guaire  ^í?//  *  blind,'  133. 

H. 
Harold,  k.  of  Scotland's  s.,  211. 
Heber,  s.  of  Milesius,  XIV.  i;  si.,  ibid,\ 

children  of,  XXIII.  iii. 
Henry  VIII,  king.  XVIII.  i. 
Ileremon,  s.  of  Milesius,  167. 
Hugony,  see  Ugaine. 
Ily-Conall-Gaura,  see  úi  Chonaill, 
Hy-Fiachrach,  see  úi  Fiachrach, 
Hy-Many,  see  úi  Maine, 

I. 

larnan  of  Keshcorran  (t.  d.  d.)  345  sqq. 

I  bar  of  Emly,  bp.,  4;  ped.  etc.,  I.  xi,  xii. 

Ibel,  Manannan  s  s.,  si.,  XII.  xxviii  b, 

Ida,  k.  of  Lochlann's  s.,  211. 

Idhnait,  S.  Finnchu's  mr.,  III.  v. 

Ilbrec  of  Assaroe,  141. 

Ildathach  and  sons,  drowned,  201. 

Iliach,  s.  of  k.  Laegaire  buadachy  XIV.  i. 

Illann,  s.  of  Dermot  na  mban^  138. 

Illann,  s.  of  Dunlang,  9. 

Illann,  s.  of  Fergus  .  m.  Rosa,  XIV.  i. 

Illann,  s.  of  Aine  and  Finn,  181. 

Illann  diihesachy  k.  of  Frcsen's  s.,  400. 

Illann,  s.  of  Fergus  and  Medhb,  XXII.  vi. 

Imhar,  see  Ivor. 

Inbeir,  of  the  Norse-Gael,  212. 

Inchiquin,  house  of  the  baron  of,  328. 

Inderb,  k.  of  Saxons'  dr.,  VI.  xiv. 

Ingcel,  XXVIII.  xiv. 

Innecht,  w.  of  Cruinn  badrái^  XXVI.  v  ab, 

Innell,  Caeilte's  horse,  220. 

Inniu,  w.  of  Niall  IX  H.,  XXVI.  yab, 

Ir,  s.  of  Milesius,  XIV.  i ;  see  sfol  Ir, 

Irarus  =  Urarus,  q.  v. 

Irgalach  .m.  Conaing,  442,  XXIX.  xxi. 

Iruath  .m.  Ailpin,  k.  of  Scotland,  his  drs., 

189. 
Iruath,  s.  of  Dermot  na  mban,  138. 
lubhar,  k.  of  Ossory,  211. 
lubhdan,  k.  of  the  Pigmies,  269 — 285. 


Index  A. 


589 


luchna  (firbolg),  131. 

luchna  céihjionn^  citibainech^  echbél^  X.  vii, 

XII.  XXX,  xxxviiiiz. 
Iveagh,  see  úi  Echach  ulad, 
Ivor  .m.  Crimthann,  378. 

J. 

John  s  Eve,  S.,  XII.  xiv. 
ohn  of  Desmond,  Sir,  314  sqq. 

K. 
Kieran,  S.,  of  Clonmacnoise,  13 — 16,  47, 

50-69,  76  sqq.,  147,  453. 
Kieran  the  elder,  S.,  of  Saighir,  life  of, 

I — 17;  ped.  etc.,  I.  i,  ii. 
Kinel-,  sec  cinil. 

L. 
Labar,  dr.,  of  Milesius,  241. 
Labraidh,  s.  of  Bresal  bélach,  407. 
Labraidh  láimdherg^  166. 
Labraidh  lesbrec  *  loin-spotted,*  X.  viii  b, 
Labraidh  loingsech  *  the  exile,*  I.  v. 
Labraidh  lorc^  166. 

Ladra  (t.  d.  d.),  391 ;  see  ard  Ladrann. 
Laegaire,  resuscitation  of,  6. 
Laegaire  .m.  Crimthann,  290. 
Laegaire  .m.  Ugaine,  210. 
Laegaire  buadacky  k.,  s.  of  Niall  IX  H., 

407,  XIV.  i.;  his  wives,  iii^;  XXVIII. 

ix^. 
Laegaire  loingsech,  424. 
Laeighes  (a  quo  *Leix'),  XXII.  ia. 
Laighne,  S.  Kieran's  fr.,  i . 
Laighnen  .  m .  Colman,  see  Deog^  Credhy 

Gel^héis, 
Lamhiuath,  258. 
Lanlaidir,  of  the  Fianna,  246. 
Lann,dr.  ofAedh.m.Ainmirech, XXVIII. 

xii  b. 
Lann,  dr.  of  Crimthann  roj,  X.  i  c. 
Lann,  mr.  of  Blathmac  and  Conall,  q.  v. 
Lann,  mr.  of  Bresal  .m.  Maine,  IV.  x  d. 
Lasair  *  lightning- flash,'  dr.  of  Laegaire 

buadach^  q.  v.,  XXII.  i  a. 
Lecon,  dr.  ofLodar,  XII.  xxvii  ^. 
Leidmech,  of  the  P'ianna,  246. 
Lein  llnjiaclach  (a  quo  loch  LHn\  XII. 

xiii  b. 
Lenn  .m.  Faebar,  k.  of  Leinster,  218. 
Lennabair  (gen.  Lennabrach),  X.  i  c, 
Lepracanes,  the,  see  Luchra. 
Lergan  luaih  of  Luachair,  Fian-chief,  246. 
Letiusa,  dr.  of  Adam,  392. 
Leyney,  see  Luighru. 
Li,  s.  of  Oidhremail,  241. 
Liadain,  S.  Kieran*s  mr.,  I,  4 ;  a  virgin  of 

her  familia,  1 1 ;  I.  xxv. 
Liag,  dr.  of  Cuamait,  118. 
Liagan  (perp.  for  Liathan),  297. 
Liamain  Unnchaem,  1 70;  see  diinLiamhna. 
Lianan,  S.,  of  Kinvarra,  41. 
Liath  of  Luachair,  166;  his  s.,  172. 


Liath  .m.  Celtchair,  XII.  x\a. 
Liathan  luath  (see  Liagan)^  293,  297. 
Liban,  Eochaid*s  dr.,  266  sqq.,  XIII.  iv,  v. 
Liban,  Eoghan  .m.  Ailill's  dr.,  184. 
Liban,  Teigue  .m.  Cein*s  w.,  386,  396  sq., 

401. 
Libren,  br.  of  S.  Magnenn,  35. 
Life,  Canann  curchach^s  dr.,  XII.  xxxvi. 
Ligairne  .m.  Angus  balbh,  XXII.  x. 
Ligairne  licon^  139. 
Linne  .m.  Lighne,  127. 
Lir,  Caeilte  slays,  145  sq. 
Lir  OÍ sidh  Finmhaid,  ill,  141,  225. 
Liubra  (t.  d.  d.),  physician,  228. 
Loam,  k.  of  Scotland,  VI.  xiv. 
Lochan,  Eoghan,  sons  of  k.  oiFirmaighe^ 

125. 
Lochlann,  k.  of,  his  sons  drowned,  211. 
Lodan  .m.  Lir,  118;  ste  sHcUfh  Lodáin. 
Lodan,  k.  of  India's  s.,  199. 
Loichin  lonn^  410. 
Loingsech,  see  Labraid. 
Loingsech  .m.  Angus,  k.,  441 ;  his  ped., 

XXIX.  XX ;  si.,  444,  XXIX.  xxii. 
Loman,  S.,  oí  loch  Uaivy  35,  III.  ii. 
Lonan,  410. 
Lonan  of  Munster,  10. 
Lonma,  see  Donn  cUsa. 
Lothar,  s.  o^Eochaidfeidlech^  XXVIII.  xsd. 
Luachair,  Aicher  cert^s  w.,  XII.  xxiii  a. 
Luaighne  of  Tara,  the,  98. 
Luath,  of  the  Fianna,  246. 
Luaths,  the  two,  of  Magh  life^  225. 
Luchra,  or  Pigmies,  the,  269 — 285 ;  their 

forms  of  vengeance,  279  sqq.,  563. 
Luchta  oídíhfema,  k.  Dermot's  fosterbr., 

77- 
Lucifer,  46,  48. 

Lugh  (gen.  Lughach,  dat.  ace.  Lughaigh), 

Finn's  dr.,  see  fnac  Lughach. 
Lugh  .m.  Cein,  166. 
Lugh  .m.  Eithne  (qu.  Eithlenn),  167. 
Lugh  .m.  Eithlenn,  his  chain,  150,  153. 
Lughaid  .  m .  Bresal  brec^  X.  iv  a. 
Lughaid  .m.  Itha,  XII.  xiii^z. 
Lughaid  .m.  Laegaire,  408. 
Lughaid  .m.  Macnia,  see  Mcucon. 
Lughaid  lagha^   167,  349  sq.,  361,  367, 

XII.  XV  i/;  his  w.,  XXII.  iii. 
Lughaid  laighde^   II.  xxiv</,   XII.  xvf, 

XXII.  ia^ii. 
Lughaid  laimdhergy  his  *swordland,'  378. 
Lughaid  rnenn  .m.  Angus //r^r^,  109,  378, 

.  in. 
Lughaid  riabh  nderg,  XXVIII.  ivi/,  v  abc. 
Lughaids,  the  six,  XXII.  \ab^  iL 
Lughna yi-r/r/  of  Corann,  286  sqq.;  his 

sons,  288 ;  X.  i  Í ;  his  wives,  XV.  ii. 
Luighne,  the,  247,  343,  IV.  vi,  XXIII.  ii; 

the  k.  of,  54. 
Lupra,  Lupracan  =  Luchra,  q.v. 
Lurga  lorn  *  bare-shin,'  214. 
Lurga,  a  magic  swine,  XVII.  i. 


590 


Index  A. 


M. 

Mac  Aedha  (M'Hugh,  Mackay),  seec/ann 
Choscraigh, 

mac  an  larla,  set  John  of  Desmond,  Sir. 

mac  Cairthiim,  Carthainn,  bp.,  31 ;  ped. 
etc.|  II.  xii. 

Mac  Carthy-Riach,  Bk.  of,  II L  v. 

Maccon,  129, 189, 286,  347,  350;  sL,  359 ; 
XVII.  iii,  XXII.  iviz^x. 

mac  CoDgair,  a  bad  monk,  14. 

Mac  Cumaill,  Finn,  ped.,  eulogy  and  death 
of,  96 — 99 ;  his  people,  list  of,  99 — 10 1 ; 
loi — 265  passim ;  his  sons,  106,  155, 
245;  enters  the  Fianna,  142;  his  fos- 
tersons,  155 ;  his  sword,  157 ;  his  equity, 
163;  is  poet  and  physician,  166;  lives 
230  years,  ibid. ;  as  warrior,  167 ;  de- 
mented by  magic  potion,  221;  disap- 
pears into  sidA  9ia  mbany  223;  one  of 
nis  virtues,  239 ;  his  origin,  245 ;  292 — 
311  passim ;  his  prerogatives,  292 ;  324 
sqq-»  343—347;  his  dr.,  347;  378  sqq., 
404;  ped.,  X,  iva;  mr.  and  ^dves,  iv  ^; 
sL,  ix ;  see  mac  Lughach, 

Mac  deoraidh,  see  Maeldeorcddh, 

Mac  Dcrmots,  see  clann  Maelruanaidh. 

Mac  Donall  mac  Murtach,  see  (/Conor- 
Sligo. 

Mac  Eochaid,  see  ATKeogh, 

mac  Erca,  9 ;  his  two  sons,  50. 

mac  indOc,  see  Angus^  Mac  ag» 

mac  Lir,  Manannan,  232  n.,  300;  see  loch 
Con, 

mac  Lughach,  112;  why  so  called,  114; 
Finn's  counsel  to,  115;  167,  176,  214 
sqq. ;  a  Fian-chief,  246 ;  in  sidh  na 
mban,  223 ;  263,  344,  378  sqq. 

Mac  Moma,  Aedh  .m.  Garadh,  150. 

Mac  Morna,  Art,  156,  256,  293. 

Mac  Moma,  Banbh,  151. 

Mac  Morna,  Beith,  316. 

Mac  Morna,  Conan  mael,  147 ;  character 
of,  155;  24s,  256,  293  sqq.,  311,  343, 

381. 
Mac  Morna,  Cuillcnn,  118. 

Mac  Morna,  Daighre,  155,  166,  229. 

Mac  Morna,  Donn  .m.  Aedh,  150. 

Mac  Moma,  Fed  .m.  Goll,  347. 

Mac  Morna,  Finn  mar  .m.  Cuan,  151. 

Mac  Moma,  Garad  glándubh^  his  address 

to  the  women,  134;  151,  155, 166,  230. 
Mac  Moma,  Garbfoltach,  382. 
Mac  Morna,  Geibtine,  138. 
Mac  Morna,  Goll  mór^  his  two  spears, 

151;  166;  his  w.,  205;  229,  239,  246, 

293»  305»  243-347;  his  ped.,  345;  his 

sword-cut,  ibid. ;  378  sqq. 
Mac  Morna,  Meccon,  256. 
Mac  Moma,  Sciathbrec,  151. 
Mac  Moma,  Sinna,  151. 
Mac  Murrough-Kavanagh,  322  sqq. 
Mac  na  Cretra,  23. 
Mac  niadh,  XII.  xv  </,  XXII.  i  a  b. 


Mac  og,  the,  XIII.  ii,  iii ;  see  Angus. 

Mac  Ronan,  Aedh  rinuy  193. 

Mac  Ronan,  Aedh  .m.  Aedh  rinn^  193. 

Mac  Ronan,  Eobhran  .m.  Aedh  nV/»,  193. 

Mac  Ronan,  Eoghan  ,m,  Aedh  rinn^  193. 

Mac  Ronan,  Caeilte  .m.  Crunnchu,  100, 
loi — 265  passim;  his  historical  lore, 
165;  his  spear- trimming,  219;  his  hard- 
est two  days,  221 ;  in  sidh  na  mban, 
222  sqq. ;  his  problem  to  S.  Patrick, 
242  ;  cured  by  the  t.  d.  d.,  250  sqq.  ; 

293»  325.  378  sqq. 
Mac  Ronan,  Goth  gaeithe,  246. 
mac  Smaile,  152. 

mac  Tail  of  Kilcullen.  S.,  invoked,  423. 
M'Gee,  see  Mac  Aedha. 
M*Hugh,  see  Mac  Aedha, 
M'Kay,  Mackay,  see  Afac  Aedha. 
M'Keogh,  chief  poet  of  Leinster,  316. 
Macha,  Aedh  .m.  Badham's  dr.,  XII. 

XXV  i. 

Maedog  of  Fems,  S.,  27,  31 ;  foretold  by 
Caeilte,  168;  408;  ped.  etc.,  II.  xvi. 

Maein,  dr.  of  Conn  100  B.,  X.  i  c, 

Maelan  oi  tech  cruinfi,  218. 

Maelbrigde .  m .  Mothlachan,  XXIX.  xii  b, 

Maelcoba  cUirech^  s.  of  Aedh  .m.  Ain- 
mirech,  k.,  408 ;  lifts  Boroma,  418 ;  his 
mr.,  XXVIII.  xii^;  sL,  XXIX.  i^  be. 

Maelcroin,  56  sqq. 

Maeldalua,  56  sqq. 

Maeldeoraidh,  56  sqo. 

Maeldoit,  k.  Cormac  s  charioteer,  366. 

Maelduin  of  Kinelcarbery,  XXIX.  xxii. 

Maelibair,  fr.  of  Maelsenaigh,  59. 

Maelmor,  k.  Dermot's  fosterbr.,  77. 

Maelmor  .m.  Airgedan,  VI.  iv. 

Maelmuaidh  .  m .  Bran,  XX.  i ;  his  three 
sons  si.,  XX.  ii. 

Maelmuirir  .m.  Dubhan,  steward  oi  Tara, 
264. 

Maelmura  othna^  chronicler,  99,  X.  xi. 

Maelruain  of  Tallaght,  S.,  39;  ped.  etc, 
III.  vi. 

Maelsechlainn,  see  Melachlin, 

Maelsenaigh,  56  sqq. 

Maen,  the  barber,  XII.  xvii  c. 

Maer,  buried  on  Slieveriach,  XII.  xv  c. 

Maer,  dr.  of  Fergus  cnaei^  XII.  xVi/. 

Maer,  w.  of  Ardan  .m.  Uislcnn,  XII.  xv d. 

Maer,  dr.  of  the  Afac  og,  XII.  xxxv. 

Magnenn  of  Kilmainnam,  S.,  35 — 49 ; 
ped.  etc.,  III.  i. 

Mahon,  Brian  Bom's  br.,  k.,  XX.  i, 

Maige  mescorachy  376,  XXVI.  vi. 

Maighinis  [Maighneis],  Garadh  Mac  Mor- 
na's  dr.,  230. 

Maighnenn,  see  Magnenn. 

Maine,  k.  of  Scotland's  s.,  211. 

Maine  miU  (a  quo  í/í  3/^/7),  XXVIII.  xv. 

Maine  milscoihach,  XII.  xxir. 

Maine  mar  (a  quo  úi  Máine\  IV.  xab, 

Maincs,  the  seven,  XXII.  vi. 


Index  A. 


591 


Maircnn  mhael^  89  sq.,  430. 
Mairid  (gen.  Maireda),  k.  of  Miinster,  265. 
Mairtine  of  Munster,  the,  XII.  xxi  a, 
Maistiu  (gen.  Maisten),  Angus. m.  Umor's 

dr.,  XII.  XXXV. 
Mai  .m.  Aiel,  214  sqq. 
Mai  .m.   Rochraide,   165,   204,  X.  xa, 

XIV.  i. 
Malemantus,  a  devil,  41,  45. 
Manann,  see  Man^  I.  of. 
Manann,  released  from  Hell,  22. 
Manannan,  see  mac  Lir. 
Marcan,  k.  oiúiMáine^  62,  IV.  ix,  XXIX. 

•  •  • 

Xlll. 

Marga,  Edar's  w.,  XII.  v  b» 

Martin,  S.,  of  Tours,  27. 

Mata  muirsce,  XII.  xxv^. 

Medhb  of  Cruachan,  201 ;  her  sons  by  Fer- 
gus, II.  xxii  d\  her  children,  XXII.  vi. 

Medhb,  Innrechtach's  dr.,  XXIX.  xiir. 

Medhb  Uthderg^  Conn  100  B.*s  w.,  XV.  ii. 

Medhraige,  the,  62. 

Medhran,  S.,  of  Saighir,  12,  I.  xxvi,  xxvii 
ac, 

Meille  .m.  Lurga  lom,  214. 

Melachlin  .ra.  Donall,  k.,  372,  XX.  iii  ^, 
t  XXIV.  iv. 

Mell,  Beloc,  Cinniu,  Embrann's  drs.,  I. 
xxiii. 

Menn,  k.  ofyfr  Falga^  XII.  xxxvii  a. 

Mes  buachalia  (gen.  Meisi  buachalla), 
Conaire  vtór^s  mr.,  VII.  \\\ab. 

Mesgedhra,  brain  of,  163. 

Miach  (t.  d.  d.),  s.  of  the  MSrrlgan,  phy- 
sician, 166,  XII.  XV  a. 

Mianach(gen.  Mianaighe,  Miancha),  Dub- 
thach's  dr  ,  XII.  xxiii  a. 

Mide  {midhé),  XI.  ii. 

Mider  of  Brlléith^  s.  of  the  Daghda,  1 10 ; 
his  drs.,  ibid. ;  his  sons,  223 ;  224,  XII. 
xr,  xio,  XIII.  ii,  XXII.  vii. 

Midlogh,  Monoa's  fr.,  18. 

Midna  (t.  d.  d.),  142. 

Miichu,  k.  of  Dalaradia,  197. 

Milidh  '  Milesius,'  sons  of,  390. 

Milidh  .m.  Trechosach,  216  sq. 

Mis,  Mairidh's  dr.,  XIII.  vi. 

Mobhai,  Mobhi,  S.,  47,  III.  xii. 

Mochta  —  Caenchomrac,  94. 

Mochta,  S.  and  bp.,  of  Louth,  31,  II.  xiii. 

Mochuda,  S.,  of  Rahen  and  Lismore,  31, 
38, 47, 436 ;  ped.  etc.,  II.  xxiii ;  III.  xiii. 

Mod  (a  quo  innse  Modh)y  IV.  vii. 

Modharn,  his  dr.  and  his  minstrel,  III. 

Modharn,  k.  of  Scotland,  180  sq. 

Mofeibis,  XIV.  iii</. 

Mogaeth.m.  Mofeibis,  XIV.  uid. 

Moghcorb  .m.  Muiresc,  XII.  xxv  ^. 

Moghnuadat,  see  Eoghan  mór  I. 

Moghruith,  poet  and  wizard,  166,  III. 
xiv  abed. 

Moingfíonn,  Fidach's  dr.,  Eochaid  m.m.'s 
w.,  368  sqq.,  373,  XXIV.  ii  a. 


Moingfionn,  Finn's  w.,  114,  X.  iv^. 
Molasius  ^Molaise^  S.,  of  Devenish,  life 

of,  18—34;  93;  ped.  etc,  II.  i,  ii. 
Molasius,  S.,  of  Leighlin,  37;  ped.  etc., 

III.  iv. 
Moling,  S.,  42  sq.;  foretold  by  Finn,  169; 

419  sqq.;  ped.  etc.,  III.  viii. 
Moling  luath^  168,  405. 
Moncha,  Dil's  dr.,  354. 
Moncha,Trethan .  m .  Bicid's  dr.,  XXII.  ix. 
Mongan,  425  sq.,  XXIX.  ii  ^,  iii  ^,  iv. 
Monoa,  S.  Molasius'  mr.,  18. 
Mor,  Bresal  laeigh^s  w.,  VI.  xvii^. 
Mor,  Brian  Boru's  w.,  XX.  iii  a, 
Mor  Afuman  XXIX.  xiii. 
Moma,  his  twenty-nine  sons,  344. 
Morann,  Ctinii^ s  mr.f  XII.  xxxvii  r. 
Morann  .m.  Maen,  XXVIII.  iii  a. 
Moriath,  k.  of  Greece's  dr.,  102. 
Moma,  Caeilte's  s.,  166, 
Morphopa/if/>a,  38. 
Morrigan,  the,  Emmas'  dr.,  225. 
Mothairen,  423. 
Muchua  .m  .  Lonan,  162. 
Mughain,  k.  Dermot's  w.,  73  sqq.,  78,  89 

sq.,  VII.  uabc,  XII.  xvr. 
Mughdoma,  the,  II.  xviii. 
Mughna  mucraesachf  132, 
muinter  Aedha,  XX.  iii  a, 
muinter  Dega,  IX.  iab. 
muinter  Diughra,  197. 
muinter  Murchada,  VI.  xvi  a. 
Muirchertach,  see  Murtach. 
Muiredach  =  Colla  fo  chrich,  II.  xx. 
Muiredach,  k.  of  Connacht,  137,  159. 
Muiredach. m.  Eoghan,  162. 
Muiredach  .m.  Eoghan  bél^  51  sqq. 
Muiredach  .ra.  Fiacha,  266. 
Muiredach  .m.  Tuathal,  207. 
Muiredach  mar .  m .  Finnachta,  k.  of  Con- 
nacht, 126. 
Muiredach  muillethan^  XXIX.  xii  c. 
Muiredach  muinderg^  XXIX.  ii  a,  iii  a. 
Muiredach  tirech^  II.  xviii, 
Muirenn,  Fe^  Mairenn. 
Muirenn,  Cael  ua  Nemhnainn's  nurse,  119. 
Muirenn,  Eochaid  m.m.'s  mr.,  XXIV.  i  d. 
Muirenn,  Irgalach*s  w.,  442,  XXIX.  xxi. 
Muirenn,  Muiresc's  dr.,  178. 
Muirenn,  Raghallach's  w.,  XXIX.  xi. 
Muirenn  macha^  her  sword,  151. 
Muirenn  mongchacm^  142;  see  Muirn. 
Muiresc,  k.  of  Scotland's  dr.,  189. 
Muiresc,  Ugaine  mar's  dr.,  XII.  \xv  ab, 
Muirn,  Finn's  mr.,  X.  iv^;  see  Muirenn 

mongchaem, 
Muirae  (see  Muirenn)  munchaemf  245. 
Mungata,  a  slave,  XXIV.  i  a, 
Murchad,  see  Afurrough. 
Murrough  s.  of  Brian,  319,  334,  XX.  iii  ab, 
Murrough  .m.  Donall,  453. 
Murrough  .m.  Finn,  k.  of  Leinster,  XX. 

iii  a. 


592 


Index  A, 


Murtach  mSr  .  m .  Erca,  I.  xxiv,  IV.  i «, 

VI.  xvi  d,  XV.  iii,  XXVI.  iv. 
Muscraige,  the,  8 1 ;  see  Cairbres^  th€. 
Muscraige  tire,  the,  8. 

N. 

Nadfraech,  S.  Mobhi's  fr.,  47. 

Nadfraech,  S.  Molasius*  fr.,  19. 

Naeise  .m.  Nechtain,  IX.  \\ac\  see  Uis- 

Unn. 
Nar  (gen.  Nair) .  m .  Conall  cemachy\.  iii. 
Nar  .m.  Eochaidy«V//írí-/í,  XXVIII.  \y  d. 
Nar  .m.  Guaire,  54. 
Nar  (gen.  Nairi)  thuathchcuch^  Lotan  the 

Pict's  dr.,  XXVIII.  iii  b,  iv  a. 
Nalhi  =  Dathi,  q.  v. 
Nathnach,  hughna. /fríH's  son,  288. 
Nechtan  .m.  Labraid,  X.  viii. 
"Sechlan  Jinn^hua/af  IX.  iic, 
Neimed,  391. 

Neimed  .ra.  Firchoga,  54. 
Neimed  .m.  Sruibchenn,  XVII.  ii cd. 
Neit  .m.  Indui,  XII.  xxxiii. 
Nemannach,  k.  Conor*s  ctrdf  XII.  xiii^. 
Nemnann,  his  sons,  344 ;  see  6W/. 
Nemnat,  see  Emhnat. 
Nenta,  see  sidh  Nennta, 
Nia  seghamairiy  k.,  XII.  xlc. 
Niall,  the  children  of,  30. 
Niall  .m.  Enna  aighnech^  XII.  viii  b, 
NialUa///^,  XXIX.  xiir. 
Niall  IX  H.,  birth  of,  368  sqq. ;  374;  si , 

407 ;  his  sons  and  wives,  XXV I.  \ ab\ 

si.,  XXVIII.  xi. 
Niamh,  dr.  of  Aedh  donn^  k.  of  Ulidia,  126. 
Niamh,  Angus  t {reek's  dr.,  178. 
Niamh,  Borbchu's  dr.,  259. 
Ninnidh  Idimidhan,  S.,  bp.,  24,  47;  ped. 

etc.,  II.  viii,  ix. 
Noise  =  Naeise,  q.  v. 
Norse- Gael,  the,  see  Gallghaeidil. 
Nuada(gen.  Nuadat,  dat.  Nuadait),  wizard, 

132. 
Nuada  cdrgetlámh  (t.  d.  d.),  XII.  x  d. 
Nuada  tucht^  k.,  X.  iva;  sL,  XXVI.  vii. 

ab. 

O. 
O  hArtagain,  see  Cinaeth, 
O'lkiens,  XXIV.  iv. 
O'Cein,  Cathal,  317. 
O'Conor,  Maurice,  of  Cork,  scribe,  17. 
O'Conor-Sligo,  318. 
O'Conor-Sligo  (Teigue  6g  mac  Teigue), 

XVIII.  ii. 
O'Cronagan  of  Coirell,  332  sqq. 
O'Crugadan,  Teigue,  a  gallowglass,  312. 
O'Donnell  (Black  Hugh  .m.  Hugh  Rua), 

311  sqq.,  XVIII.  i. 
O'Donnell  (Manus  .m.  Hugh),  XVIII.  i. 
O'Donellan  (Shane),  323,  note;  324. 
O'Dory,  see  ua  Doighre. 
O'Duartane,  Duartane,  315. 
0*Flahertys,  see  muinter  Murchada, 


0*Gillagan,  Dermot,  gallowglass,  312. 

O'Kieragan,  Cormac,  gallowglass,  312. 

O'Kelly  of  Hy-Many  (Teigue),  320  sqq. 

O'Meath,  see  tii  Méith, 

O'Neills  of  the  North,  see  úi  Néill. 

O'Neills  of  the  South,  see  ui  NéilL 

O'Rafferty,  Conan,  gallowglass,  312. 

Ochomon,  Lughnayi'r/Wj  s.,  288. 

Odhran,  S.,  12,  I.  xxvi,  xxviia^. 

Oena,  Oenna,  see  Enna, 

Oesan,  k.  of  Scotland's  s.,  chaplain  to 
S.  Patrick,  112. 

Oghma,  XII.  x  a. 

Oidhremail  *icy,*  241. 

Oilech,  see  Eilech, 

Oilell,  see  Olioll. 

Oirbedh  =  Oirmiach  (t.  d.  d.),  physician, 
168,  574. 

Oirbsen  (a  quo  loch  Oirbsen\  II.  xxiii  a, 

Oirgialla,  see  Oriel, 

Oism,  see  Ossian. 

Olc  Acha,  the  smith,  355 ;  see  Ulc^  Ur- 
caide, 

Olioll,  k.  of  Cashel  [Munster],  10,  13. 

Olioll  .ra.  Matamuirsce,  XIV.  iii  ^. 

Olioll  .m.  Rosa,  XII.  xxv^. 

Olioll  molt  .m.  Dathi,  371,  407,  IV.  i. 

Olioll  olonty  129,  347  sqq.;  deriv.  of  by- 
name, his  mr.,  his  death,  XXII.  xi. 

OUamh  Fodhla,  XIV.  i. 

Onga,  Airtech's  dr.,  XXVIII.  \\  c. 

Ore  .m.  Ingas,  XII.  xii. 

Oriel,  30,  415,  417  sq.,  II.  xviii. 

Orlamh,  k.  of  the  Fotharta,  263. 

Orlamh,  s.  of  Ailill  and  Medhb,  XXII.  vi. 

Oscar,  his  first  battle,  126;  in  sldh  na 
mbany  223;  344,  378 sqq.;  si.,  XII.  ii. 

Osraighe,  the,  see  Ossory, 

Ossian,  165;  his  well,  139;  in  sldh  na 
mban^  223 ;  his  four  sons,  245;  his  testi- 
mony to  an  enemy,  263 ;  292 — 31 1  pas- 
sim; 378 — 385;  poem  by,  XII.  ii;  his 
mr.  (whence  his  name),  XII.  vii. 

Ossory,  the  men  of,  i,  4,  I.  iii,  iv. 

P. 

Palap,  Heremon's  s.,  XIV.  i. 

Partholan,  391,  XII.  viii. 

Partraige,  the,  34,  II.  xxv. 

Partry,  see  Partraige. 

Patrick,  S.,  2,  101 — 265  passim;  his  fee 
for  curing  a  flux,  124;  his  words  to 
Aillenn,  243 ;  his  decision  in  a  matri- 
monial cause,  ibid, ;  his  garran,  XII.  iii. 

Pluto,  48. 

Pope,  the,  38. 

R. 

Radubh  .m.  Dubh,  247. 

Raeiriu  (gen.  Raeirenn,  dat.  Raeirinn), 
Caei he's  sis.,  GoU  Mac  Moma's  w.,  205. 

Raeiriu,  poet  Ronan's  dr.,  XII.  xxxii. 

Raeiriu,  Senan  .m.  Setna's  s.,  XII.  xxxii. 

Rafann,  Dala's  sis.,  XII.  xv  b. 


Index  A. 


593 


Ragallach.m.  Uadach  [Fuadach],  k.  of 

Connacht,  428  sqq.;  sL,  431;  ped.  and 

sL,  XXIX.  rXxah. 
Ragamain,  see  Téite. 
Raighne,  Finn's  s.,  106,  197,  228. 
Raighne  the  Roman,  XII.  xxix. 
Re  dorcha,  Curnan's  mr.,  XII.  xxii  (ubi 

perperam  dhorcha  in  tr. ). 
Redheads,   the  three,   of  Munster,   see 

Ruadchoin. 
Ri,  Ribh  (a  quo  loch  Rl)^  Mairidh's  s., 

265,  XIII.  li. 
Righe,  desc.  of  Dithorba,  XIV.  i. 
Rignach,  Niall  IX  H.*s  w.,  XXVI.  v a*. 
Roch,  Fergus  .m.  Rossa's  mr.,  XIV.  iv. 
Roichet,  Dian*s  dr.,  118. 
Roimper  .m.  Aicher,  XII.  xxiiia. 
Ron  cerr,  418. 
Ronat,  Ronnat,  Aedh  slditu^s  dr.,  XXIX. 

xiv  a  b, 
Ronan,  of  Scotland,  180. 
Romans,  k.  of,  see  Arist. 
Vsusfai^he  (a  quo  úiFailghe\  XXIV.  ii  b, 
Ross,  the  men  of,  see  fir  Rots. 
Rossa  [ruad'\  .m.  Rudhraide,  XIV.  i. 
Rothechtaid  .m.  Maine,  XIV.  i. 
Ruadh,  Maine's  dr.,  XII.  xxi  c. 
Ruadhan,  S.,  of  Lorrha,  16,  31,  47,  71 

sqq. ;  ped.,  V.  i ;  VI.  xii. 
Ruadchoin,  the  three,  XII.  xxi  a. 
Ruadchu,  pi.  Ruadchoin^  q.  v. 
Ruadhnat,  see  Cael. 

Ruadhrach  (t.  d.  d. ),  Bodhb  d^^ss.,  390, 
Ruaidchinn,  see  Ruadchoin. 
Rudhraige,  Partholan's  s.,  XII.  xxvi. 
Rudhraige  .  m .  Sithrige  (a  quo  clanna  R. ), 

XIV.  i,  ii. 
Ruide  .m.  Lugaid  menn^  109. 
Rumal,  k.  of  Leinster,  XXVIII.  \  be, 
Rury,  see  Rudhraige, 

S. 
Sab  ildÁnach,  the.  IX.  ii  d, 
Sabia  (t.  d.  d.)  Finn's  w.,  172. 
Sabia,  Conn  100  B.'s  dr.,  129,  154,  347 

sqq.,  X,  i  r,  XXIII.  iii. 
Sadb  (gen.  Said  be,  Sadba,  dat.  Saidb),  see 

Sabia. 
Saithne,  the,  XXIII.  iii. 
Salbuide  .m.  Feidlecar,  128. 
Salemas,  a  devil,  41. 
Salt  ran  sálfhada^  2i  gilla^  135,  24a 
Samaisc,  a  Norse-Gael,  212. 
Saran  saebdherc,  XXVIII.  xviii. 
Sarat,  Conn  100  B.'s  dr.,  X.  i  c^  XVII.  ii  d. 
Satyrs,  563. 

Saxall  balbh,  k.  of  Saxons,  368. 
Saxons,  k.  of.  his  s.,  40;  dr.,  352 ;  VI.  xiv. 
Scaithderc,  Cumall's  dr.,  210. 
Seal  .m .  Eoghan,  the,  138. 
Seal  balbh^  VI.  ii,  v,  X.  iv  b. 
Seal  b<Ubh,  k.  of  Saxons,  his  drs.,  XXIV. 

ii  a. 


Scannal,  see  ua  Liathdin, 

Scannlan  mar  .m.  Ailill,   k.  of  Ossory, 

108,  428,  XXIX.  ix. 
Sceolaing,  Finn's  wolfdog,  343. 
Sci  .m.  Eoghan,  117. 
Scialh  'shield,'  Teigue  mac  Cein's  w., 

XXIII.  iv  d, 
Sciathbrec  mac  Dalhchaein,   151,   246; 

his  s.,  221;  293. 
Scoa,  a  Dane,  214. 
Scoithniamh  (t  d.  d.),  Bodhb  cUrg^s  dr., 

203. 
Scotland,  k.  of,  see  Ailpin^  Loam, 
Sechnall,  S.,  bp.,  104,  XII.  iv. 
Sechnasach,  k.,  437. 
Secundinus,  S.  —  Sechnall^  q.v, 
Selbach  .m.  Dermot  na  mban,  138. 
Semenn  sacaire^  139. 
Semeon,  si.  Cairbre  lifer hair^  XII.  i. 
Senach,  S.,  bp.  {Senan  perperam),  71, 81. 
Senach,  see  ua  Daighre. 
Senach  .m.  Dedaid,  XIII.  vi^. 
Senach  .m.  Maeilchron,  125. 
Senach  .  m .  Onga.  of  Scotland,  374. 
Senan,  S.  *  Senanus,*  ped.,  V.  ii ;  iii. 
Senuath,  poet,  97. 
Sercach,  Dermot  na  mbaris  s.,  138. 
Setna  sithbcu^  166,  X.  iva,  v;  si.  XIV.  i. 
Sighmall,  his  torque,  152,  IX.  ii  b, 
Sinech,  the,  of  Lochrury,  284. 
Sinech,  of  sidh  Cruachan^  XXII.  vii, 
Sinech  chra,  hag,  431  sq.,  434. 
siol  nDuach,  see  Ducuhy  seed  of. 
siol  nir,  XIV.  i. 

Sithchenn,  magician,  his  test,  369 ;  373. 
Sitric  .m.  Amlaf,  Dane,  XX.  iii  a, 
Slad  (t.  d.  d.),  Bodhb  derg^s  dr.,  204. 
Slainghe  .m.  Dela,  his  w.,  390. 
Slangha  .m.  Partholan,  158,  160,  574. 
Smaile.m.  Dubdithre,  151. 
Smirdubh  .m.  Smail,  XII.  xiv. 
Smirgat,  Finn's  w.,  98,  195,  X.  iv.  b, 
Smol  .m.  Eidlechar,  114,  211. 
Sobairche  .m.  Ebric,  XIV.  i. 
Soghans,  the,  in  Meath,  493. 
Soichell,  bp.,  S.  Patrick's  dispenser,  191. 
Solomon,  King,  96. 
Solusbrethach,  an  Angel,  108. 
Spclan  .m.  Dubhan,  hospitaller,  216, 289. 
Spre  aithinne,  the  k.'s  runner,  132. 
Stocan  .m.  Core,  sorcerer,  166. 
Suanach  .m.  Senach,  minstrel,  229,  313. 
Suanach  .  m .  Senchenn,  minstrel,  229. 
Suibne .  m .  Colman  wi^,75,79;  si.  VI.  viii. 
Suibne  menn.  k..  lifts  Borama,  418;  424; 

si.  428;  XXIX.  ifl^,  vi. 

T. 
Tadhg,  see  Teigue. 

Tailchenn.in  Colloquyzna  Tribute^  passim. 
Tailltiu,  mac  Umor's  dr.,  162 ;  ind.  B.  s.v. 
Tsiise  (haebghelf  k.  of  Greece's  dr.,  307  sqq, 
Tal  =  Cas  .m.  Conall  eehlttath,  II.  xxvi  r. 


3  A 


594 


Index  A. 


Tat  .m.  Eogamain.  XII.  xv  ^. 

Tebtha,  Eochaid  airemh*s  ár.<^  IX.  'úac. 

Teigine,  bp.  Aedh's  br.,  xii  a, 

Teigue  .m.  Cein,  359—368,  385—403; 

his  death  foretold,  395;  his  w.,  XXIII. 

iii,  iv  d'y  XXVII.  ii. 
Teigue  .m.  Nuadhat,  245. 
Teite  .  m .  Macniadh,  his  mr.,  XII.  xxxix  b. 
Teite  bhrec^  Ragamain's  dr.,  200. 
Temair,  Dermot  ruanaidh^s  w.,  VIII.  \b. 
Tibraide  tirechy  X.  i  a. 
Tigemach,  bp.,  of  Clones,  31 ;  ped.  etc., 

II.  xiv.    . 
Tigemach  .m.  Conn,  247. 
Tigemmas  .  m .  Kollach,  XXVI.  ii  a  b, 
Timin,  see  Eochaid  tindn. 
Tine  .m.  Triscall,  k.  of  Danes,  381. 
Toa,  br.  of  S.  Magnenn,  35. 
Toirdelbach,  see  Tur lough. 
Tolamnach,  XXIX.  xv. 
Tollchenn,  poet,  of  cluain  ena,  420  sq. 
Torainnchlesach,  the,  a  spear,  242. 
Torathair  '  monstrosities,'  the,  563. 
Toma  /ig€S,  369. 

Tradraige,  the,  II.  xxvi  d,  XXIX.  xiii. 
Trega,  his  w.,  132. 
Trechosach,  k.  of  the  continent,  216. 
Tredhorn  *  triplefist,'  245. 
Trenbrugaid  .m.  Treon,  164. 
Tniistiu   (gen.  Truisten,    dat.  Truistin), 

Dubthach's  dr.,  XII.  xxiii  a. 
Tuagh  (a  qua  ionn  Tuaighe)y  XII.  xl  a, 
Tuatan  .m.  Dim  an,  85. 
Tuath  ua  mBuilc,  293. 
Tuatha  de  Danaan,  the,  loi — 265  passim ; 

differ  from  mortals,  203 ;  slain  of  the, 

226;   Fianna    allied    with    the,    248; 

women  of,  si.  by  clan-Moma  257;  to 

be  banished  by  S.   Patrick,  260;  297, 

391,  XII.  ixf,  574,  575. 
Tuathal  niaelgharb^  76,  VI.  ii,  iv. 
Tuathal  iechtmar  and  Fiacha,  Feradach*s 

sons,  165. 
Tuathal  techtmar^  205,  401,  404;  his  w., 

X.ivii;XII.xx,XXVIII.i;hismr.,ii^. 
Tuile,  artificer,  120. 
Tuirbe  trághniar,  IX.  ii  d. 
Tuire  tortbuillech,  397  sqq. 
Tulchainne,  magician,  VII.  iii  a. 
Turlough   .m.    Murrough,  Brian  Boru*s 

grandson,  sL,  XX.  iii^. 

U. 

u,  see  ««,  úi. 

ua  hArgata,  Maclmor,  77. 

ua  Haeiscne,  Bresal,  see  Finn  ban, 

ua  Baeiscne,  Trenmor,  166. 

ua  Daigrc  (Doighre).  Dcr,  minstrel,  229. 

ua  Daigre,  Senach,  minstrel,  1 16,  229, 313. 

ua  Duibhne,  Diarmaid  na  mban^  D.  dét- 
sholuSy  his  six  sons,  138;  176;  in  sidh 
na  mban,  223;  246,  293  sqq.,  378  sqq. 

ua  Laighse,  see  Entta, 


ua  Liathain,  Scannal,  234,  246. 

Uada  =  Fuada  (gen.  -ach),  see  RagcUlach, 

Uai,  k.  of  Isla,  drd.,  211. 

Uainchenn,  see  Failbhe. 

Uaine,  Fial's  dr.,  185  sqq. 

Uainebuide,  she-minstrel,  253. 

Uar  .m.  Indast,  his  three  sons,  242. 

Uath  .m.  Dermot  na  mban,  138. 

Ubthaire/i?««,  k.  of  Scotland,  XXVIII. 
vii  a. 

Uchtdelb,  Manannan  .m.  Lir's  w.,  196. 

Ugaine  mar  *  Hugony,*  167. 

ui  Bairrche,  XXVI.  iii. 

ui  Blaid,  Bloid,  see  B/ad, 

ui  Briuin,  the,  431. 

ui  Briuin  chua/ann,  the,  XII.  xv  b, 

ui  Briuin  seo/a^  the,  co.  Galway,  375. 

ui  Chairbre  aebda,  the,  co.  Limerick,  376. 

ui  Chennselaig,  k.  of,  his  three  drs.,  236. 

ui  Chennselaig,  the,  Leinster,  41 1, 1,  xxiii. 

ui  Chonnaill^/za^m,  the,  co.  Limerick,  33, 
315,  X.  X. 

ui  Chonaing  (aquibus  the  Gunnings),  chief 
of  the,  268. 

ui  Chuanach,  the,  co.  Limerick,  1 18, 

ui  Drona,  the,  co.  Carlow,  XXVI.  vii. 

ui  Duach,  the,  co.  Kilkermy,  VII.  i  b. 

ui  Kchach  arda^  the,  co.  Down,  XXIX. 
iii  a^  III.  ix  c,  XII.  xxvii  c;  see  iii  E. 
ulad. 

ui  Echach  mumhan^  the,  co.  Cork,  XX.  ii. 

ui  Echach  ulad^  the,  co.  Down,  I.  xiii. 

ui  Faelain,  the,  co.  Kildare,  420. 

ui  Failghe,  the,  cos.  Kildare,  King's,  and 
Queen's,  245. 

ui  Feilmeda,  the,  cos.  Carlow  and  Wex- 
ford, XII.  xxiii  b. 

ui  Fiachrach  aidhnt  (southern  ui  F. ),  the, 
CO.  Galway,  4  (?),  67,  IV.  v,  XX.  iii  a. 

ui  Fiachrach  of  Fore,  in  Meath,  376. 

ui  Fiachrach  of  the  Moy  (northern  ui  F.\ 
the,  COS.  Mayo  and  Sligo,  67,  IV.  xi  a. 

ui  Fiachrach^//»,  the,  co,  Tyrone,  IV. 
xi^. 

ui  Fiachrach  chualann,  co.  Wicklow,  4  (?). 

ui  Fidhgeinte,  the,  co.  Limerick,  99,  X. 
X,  XX.  i,  XXIX,  xv. 

ui  Gharrchon,  the,  in  Oriel,  XII.  xv  b, 

ui  Liathain,  the,  co.  Cork,  XXIX.  xv. 

ui  mac  (or  mic)  Uais.  the,  in  Bregia,  Meath* 
and  Oriel,  II.  xviii. 

ui  Mail,  the,  in  *  Imale,'  co.  Wicklow, 
XXVIII.  XV. 

ui  Maine,  the,  cos.  Galway  uid  Ros- 
common, IV.  ix,  X. 

ui  Meith  macha,  the,  in  Oriel  (near 
Armagh),  192, 

ui  Muiredhaig  of  Leinster,  the,  co.  Kil- 
dare, 205,  XII.  XV  ^. 

ui  Neill,  the  northern,  in  Ulster;  see  Kind- 
conalif  Kinelowen, 

ui  Neill,  the  southern,  in  Meath ;  see  clan" 
Colman, 


Index  B. 


595 


ui  Sraibhtine»  the,  in  Connacht,  XXVIII. 

viif. 
ui  Tairrsigh,  the,  in  Leinster,  99,  134,  245. 
ui  Timin,  the,  in  Lcinster,  XXIV.  ii  b. 
ui  Tuirtri  \tuatha  of  Tort],  the,  in  Antrim, 

sec  Jir  Tuirtri. 
Uillenn,  k.  of  the  Catti,  189. 
ViWcnn  fa^baird/urgf  Finn's  s.,  155. 
Uinside,  Cunii's  mr.  (?),  XII.  xxxviir. 
Uirgrenn,   Finn  slays,  98;   sons  of,   X. 

ixa^. 


Uislenn  (Uisnech)  .m.  Conghal,  XIV.  i. 
Uladh,  deriv.  of,  285,  XIV.  v. 
U  Ic  Atha,  the  smith.  286 ;  see  Olc,  Urcaide. 
Urcaide  =  01c,  Ulc  Atha,  XV.  ii. 
Urmora=Firmora,  Irmora,  q.v. 
Ururus,  XII.  xxxviii  b. 

V. 

Veniusa,  Adam's  dr.,  392. 


Index  B.      Nantes  of  Places. 


A. 

Abhann  deise,  188. 

Abhann  na  hechraide,  33. 

Achadh  bo  *Aghaboe,*  118. 

Achaill,  by  Tara,  XII.  xxiiitf. 

Adare,  sec  dth  dara. 

adharca  luchna,  in  Offaley,  98,  X.  vii, 

XII.  xxxviii  iZ. 

aenach  Aengusa,  XXII.  vii. 

aenach  Cuile,  118. 

aenach  Drithlenn,  376. 

aenach  locha  Gile,  52. 

aenach  maighe  Ad  hair,  XXIV.  iv. 

aenach  Kaighne,  XII.  xxix  b. 

aenach  Teiti,  XII.  xxxix^. 

Africa,  k.  of,  his  s.,  306. 

Aidhne,  53. 

Ail  fionn,  202. 

Ailech,  85,  410,— «z  rlgh^  316. 

ailcch  Mairinne,  430. 

Aiil  an  bhruic,  145. 

Aillenn,  403,  XII.  xxxviii  b, 

Aine  cliach,  293 ;  see  C9ioc  Aim. 

Airbre,  XII.  xxxviii  a. 

Airgetghlenn,  XIV.  ii. 

Airm,  an,  245. 

Aithne,  cathair  na,  see  Athens, 

Alba  (gen.  Allan,  dat.  Al bain ),  see  iíro//(íZ«</. 

Almha,  98,  131  sq.,  XII.  xxxviii  a. 

Almhain,  292,  XVII.  i. 

Ara  (gen.  Arann,  dat.  Arainn)  *  Aran,'  Ir., 

see  Enna  no.  pr. 
Ara  *Arran,'  Sco.,  109. 
Ard  an  fhostada,  222  sqq. 
Ard  an  ghaiscid,  160. 
Ard  an  phroiccpta,  218. 
Ard  na  macraide,  175,  217. 
Ard  na  teinedh,  144. 
ard  mBresta,  411. 
ard  Corainn,  XXIX.  v. 
ard  Cuanaidc,  218. 
ard  Cuillinn,  218. 
ard  Feice,  217. 
ard  Fothaid,  XII.  xxxix  c. 
ard  Ladhrann  (gen.  of  I^dhra,  no.  pr.), 

XXVIII.  xii  a. 


ard  Naisen,  IX.  ii  c. 

ard  Patraic,  see  tulach  nafeinne. 

Ard  umha,  IX.  ii  c, 

Ardchaillidh,  411. 

Assaroe,  68,  252,  315,  421. 

Ath  an  chomraic,  138. 

Ath  an  daimh,  208. 

Ath  an  daimh  ghlais,  138. 

Ath  an  fhostada,  222,  228. 

Ath  an  inathair,  365. 

ath  na  Boinne,  136. 

Ath  na  gcarpat,  161. 

ath  Almainc,  X.  vii 

ath  Blathachta,  414. 

Ath  blathcha  (for  bláthaighé)  «buttermilk 
ford,'  by  folk-etymology  for  the  preced- 
ing, 414. 

ath  Brea,  on  Boyne,  X.  ix  a. 

Ath  cliath,  in  óg  Bethra^  356. 

Ath  dara,  on  Barrow,  407. 

Ath  dcrgtha  an  daimh,  208. 

Ath  ferna,  168. 

ath  Guill,  161. 

Ath  isel,  129;  see  dth  tuisil, 

ath  Laeghaire,  424. 

ath  Loiche  *Athlo,'  230. 

Ath  luain,  34,  46. 

ath  Maeire,  XII.  xxxv. 

Ath  mara,  XII.  xxxv. 

Ath  mogha,  204. 

Ath  mor,  204. 

ath  Nemthenn,  on  Suir,  354. 

Ath  ore,  XII.  xii. 

Ath  salach,  15. 

Ath  truim,  91. 

Ath  tuisil,  129;  see  ath  Isel. 

Athens,  309. 

B. 

Baei  bera,  119;  =Buidhe  bera  q.  v. 

baeth  Ebha,  411. 

baile  chuil  Fabhair,  see  Fore, 

bairc  Bresail,  403. 

Eallyhoura,  the,  Hills,  see  cenn  Febhrat. 

Ballyshannon,  see  bél  atha  Senai^h. 

Baliysadare,  sec  eas  dara. 

Baltinglass,  see  belach  Conghlais. 


596 


Index  B. 


Banaghar,  see  ros  bennchuir, 

Banna,  river,  XIII.  i. 

Barrow,  river,  see  Berbha, 

bas  Patraic,  a  spring,  196. 

Beirbhe,  the  city  of,  381. 

Beirre  =  Bera  q.  v. 

bel  atha  Senaigh,  311  sqq. 

Belach  atha  hi,  stone  of,  126. 

belach  Conghlais,  408, 41 1,  XXVIII.  xiv. 

Belach  da  liag,  265,  XIII.  iii. 

Belach  dubthaire,  408,  411. 

Belach  duin  bolg,  411. 

Belach  fualascaigh,  XII.  xii. 

belach  Gabhrain,  263,  293,  XVII.  i. 

Belach  lechta,  XX.  i. 

Benn  bhan  in  relha,  237. ' 

benn  Bennain,  XII.  xxviia. 

benn   (benna)    Boirche,    144,    1 84,    251, 

XII.  xxviia. 
Benn  boirinn,  313. 
benn  Edair,  35,  105,  167,  214,  298,  324 

sqq.,  XII.  va,  XXI I.  ii. 
Benn  ghulbain  *Benbulbin,*  138. 
benn  Osna,  19. 
Bera,  385 ;  =  Baei  bera  q.  v. 
Berbha,  river,  139,  405,  All.  xv<i. 
Berehaven,  see  Baei  beray  Bera. 
Bema  na  gcet,  137. 
Bema  na  sciath,  412,  418. 
Bema  chabair,  297. 
Berramain,  119,  140,  XII.  xviif. 
Boand  =  Boinn,   408,   X.    vii,    XIII.    i, 
XXVIII.  v  a. 

Boirenn,  in  Clare,  XII.  xxiii  a. 

Boirinn,  in  Ulidia,  XXIX.  iii  a. 

Both  chno,  150. 

Boyle,  river,  see  Búili. 

Bojrne,  river,  see  Bóand, 

Braenbhile,  168. 

Bregh  *Bregia,'  63,  64,  103,  211. 

Breicshliab  '  Brick  lieve,*  244. 

Breicthir,  126;  =tir  Maine,  q.v. 

Breifne,  343. 

Bretain,  see  Britain. 

Bri  darah,  VI.  viii. 

bri  Eile,  XII.  xxxviii«;  see cruacAan b,  E, 

Bri  gobhann,  see  Finnchú^  S, 

bri  Leith,  XII.  xi  a. 

Britain,  211,  352. 

Brosnach  'Brosna,*  river,  10,  293. 

brugh  na  Boinne,  1 10. 

brugh  Aengusa,  162,  265,  X.  viii  ^,  XIII.  i. 

Brugh  righ  *Bruree,'  348. 

Bruiden,  261. 

Bruiden  bheg  na  hAlmaine,  378 — 385. 

Buac  =  dun  buaice  q.v. 

Buaidghen,  403. 

Baighnech,  river,  XXVIII.  vf. 

Buidhe  bera  =  ^rtrt  ^.  q.  v. 

Buill,  river,  XII.  xxi  b, 

bun  Aeife,  415. 


C. 

Caeilesna,  the,  a  hill,  216. 

Caenraighe  '  Kenry,*  376. 

Caerthann  ban  fionn,  i6a 

Caerthann  cluana  da  darah,  i6a 

caille  Gaileng,  XXVI.  vi. 

Caisel  *  Cashel,*  232. 

Caladh  truim,  437. 

Cantabric  *  Canterbury,  *  445. 

Cantire,  see  cenn  tire. 

Cam  an  fheinneda,  105. 

Cam  na  gcurad,  205. 

Cam  na  finghaile,  257. 

cam  Airenn,  268. 

cam  Conaill,  XXIX.  xvt 

cam  Curnain,  267. 

cam  Eolairg,  VI.  xvir. 

cam  Feradaigh,  375,  XXVI.  \\a, 

cam  Fraeich,  136. 

earn  Gairbh  daire,  153. 

cam  I.uigdech,  193. 

cam  Manannain,  196. 

cam  Ruidhe,  202. 

Cam  soghradach,  203. 

Carraig  an  fhomorach,  245. 

carraig  Almhaine,  256. 

carraig  Chonluain,  114. 

carraig  Chuinche,  11. 

carraig  Ghuill,  151. 

Cas,  the,  a  stream,  407. 

Cathair  daimh  deirg,  148. 

cathair  meic  Aililla,  140. 

Ceite,  the,  86. 

ceite  ua  gCairbre,  33. 

ceis  Chorainn,  137,  315,  325,  343—347» 

XXI.  i. 
Cell  =  rt7/ q.v. 
cell  Chaeimin,  245. 
Cell  tulach,  245. 

cenn  Abhrat  =  cenn  Febhrat  q.  v. 
Cenn  coradh,  see  Kincora. 
cenn  Eitigh  *  Kinnity/  IX.  ii  c. 
cenn  Febhrat,  118,  123,  XII.  xvr. 
Cenn  maghair,  see  Kinnaweer. 
Cenn  mara  *Kinvarra,*  41. 
Cenn  tire,  312  sqq.,  XXIX.  iv. 
cill  Belat  •  Kilbaylet,'  412,  415. 
cill  Challain  *  Kilcallan,'  61. 
cill  Chuillinn,  seeKilculUn. 
Cill  losnadh  =  cill  osnadh  q.  v. 
cill  mhac  Duach,  see  Kilmacduagh, 
Cill  osnadh,  9. 
cill  Kannairech,  410. 
cill  Scire,  324. 

ciocha  Anann  *lhe  Paps,*  Kerry,  120. 
claenfherta     Temrach,     86,     288,    407, 

XXVIII.  X. 
Claenloch,  the,  55,  IV.  viii  a, 
Claenrath,  the,  in  Kerry,  241. 
Cleire  *Cleare  Island,'  i,  119. 
Cleitech,  XV.  iii ;  see  sidh  C.,  ucht  C. 
cliu  Mail,  XIV.  iiir. 
Cloch  na  narm,  207. 


Index  B. 


597 


Clochan  cinn  chait,  299,  311. 

Clochar,  see  Senchlochar, 

Clones,  see  Cluain  eoais. 

Clonmacnoise,  see  cluain  nteic  N6is, 

Clontarf,  see  Cluain  tairbh. 

Cluain  chaein  na  fairche,  208. 

cluain  Channan,  XII.  xv  b, 

cluain  Chesain,  praises  of,  113. 

Cluain  da  chaillech,  91. 

Cluain  da  damh,  19a 

Cluain  ena,  420. 

Cluain  eo,  58. 

Cluain  eoais,  31. 

Cluain  f  halach,  209. 

Cluain  imdcr^tha,  247.^ 

cluain  Iraird,  II.  iii. 

cluain  meic  Nois,  94. 

Cluain  na  ndanih,  247. 

Cluain  na  damraide,  245. 

Cluain  tairbh,  XX.  iii  b. 

Cnamhros,  404. 

Cnoc  an  air,  137,  178. 

Cnoc  an  eolais,  261. 

Cnoc  an  fhomorach,  148. 

Cnoc  an  nuaill,  255. 

cnoc  an  Scail,  167. 

Cnoc  na  haeire,  123. 

Cnoc  na  caindle,  417. 

Cnoc  na  dechmaide,  218. 

Cnoc  na  laechraide,  175. 

Cnoc  na  naenbar,  262. 

Cnoc  na  righ,  217. 

cnoc  Aeife,  214. 

cnoc  Aine,  225,  293,  314,  318,  575. 

Cnoc  ardmhulla  *Ralhlin,*  no,  196. 

cnoc  Brecain,  77. 

Cnoc  den,  129. 

cnoc  Maine,  123. 

Cnoc  medha  siuil,  225. 

cnoc  Raffann,  335. 

cnoc  uachtair  Erca,  158. 

cnuic  Maeldoit,  366. 

Codhnach,  river,  53. 

Coill  an  chosnama,  210. 

Coin  na  mbuidhen,  138. 

Coill  choiméta.  134. 

coill  Muadhnatan,  138. 

coillte  Chonchobair,  343. 

coirell  ui  Chronagain,  332. 

coirrleim  na  Feinne,  137. 

Coirrshliab,  260, 31 5 ;  sttsliabh  na  Seghsa. 

CoUchoill,  see  Drom  collchoilli. 

Comar  na  dtri  nuiscedh,  139,  168. 

Connacht,  chiefs  of,  submit  to  S.  Patrick, 

126:    royal   visitation   of,   348;    orig. 

limits  of,  378;  derivation  of,  II.  xxvii. 
Conn's  Half,  403 ;  see  leth  Chuinn. 
Coonagh,  barony  of,  see  ui  Chuanach, 
Corann,  river,  260,  XXI.  i. 
Corcach,  the,  in  Connacht,  XX.  iii  a, 
Corcaguiney,  see  corca  Dhuibne. 
Corrabhall,  the,  by  sliabh  Smóil^  211. 
Corcach  o{  magh  Ulculh^  Kerry,  241. 


Corroga  na  cnamchoille,  118. 

Craeibcch,  the.  287. 

Cretshalach  *  Cratloe,*  see  Fidh  na  gcuan, 

Sliabh  suidke  an  righ. 
Crinna,  362. 

Crioch  comal,  XII.  xxxv. 
Cro-inis,  in  loch  Aininn^  XXIV.  iv. 
Croidhe  eise  (oise),  hill,  395. 
Cromghlinn  *  Crumlin,*  262. 
cros  Moling,  423. 
crota  Cliach,  115,  XII.  xiv. 
Cruachan,  co.  Roscommon,  68,  315;  cave 

of,  202,  353 ;  see  rath  C. 
Cruachan  br{  Eilc,  King's  co.,  IV.  i  c, 
Cruadhaball,  the.  415. 
Cruithentuath  *  Pictland,'  XXVIII.  nib, 
cuaille  Chepain,  126. 
Cuan   dor  *  Glandore  harbour,'  on  west 

coast  of  Cork,  201. 
Cuil  dreimhne,  84  sq.,  VI.  xiii. 
Cuil  echtair,  XII.  xvii  b, 
Cuil  radhairc,  255. 
Cuil  sibrinne,  84. 
Cuil  taladh  (tola),  see  Conmaicnt, 
cuil  ua  bPinn,  255. 
cuillenn  ua  gCuanach,  118. 
cuillios  na  Feinne,  150. 
Cuire,  in  Scotland,  160. 
cul  Fabhair  *  Fore,'  376. 
Curlicu  Hills,  see  Coirrshliabh. 
Currach  na  miolchon,  150. 
Currach  cuan,  150. 

D. 

Dabhach  (gen.  dabhaighe,daibhche,dabh- 
cha,  dat.  dabhaigh)  *  Dough,*  the,  nr. 
Lahinch,  in  Clare,  225. 

Dael  (gen.  Daeile),  river,  1 19,  XII.  vii. 

Daimhne,  411. 

Daire  in  chogair,  242. 

Daire  na  damhraide,  138. 

Daire  na  finghaile,  208. 

Daire  da  dos,  122. 

daire  Guill,  150. 

Daire  lothair,  VI.  xvii". 

Daire  mór^  118. 

Daire  tarbdha.  155,  XXII.  viii^. 

Daleb,  island  of,  391. 

Damchluain,  375  sq. 

Dermagh,  durmagh  *  Durrow,'  117. 

Derry,  see  daire^  dot  re. 

Desmumha  'Desmond,*  293,  XX.  i. 

Doire  =  daire  q.  v. 

Downpatrick,  see  Ddn  dd  lethglas. 

Dren,  324. 

Dreollann  *  Scandinavia  *^?)  335  sqq. 

Drobhaeis  *Drowes,'  river,  68. 

Droiched  atha  'Drogheda,'  see  inber  Big. 

Drom  collchoille,  293;  o.Xi.o{  cnoc  Aine  i\.\. 

Dromore,  see  Druim  mar. 

Drong,  XXIX.  v. 

Druim  na  mna  mairbe,  242. 

druim  Almaine,  XVII.  i. 


598 


Index  B. 


druim  Asail,  XII.  xxxi. 

druim  Bregh  '  dorsum  Bregiae/  98. 

druim  Caein,  122. 

Druim  clethchoir,  23. 

Druim  cliabh  *  DrumclifF,'  138,  XII.  xxii. 

Druim  criadh,  o.  n.  of  Kildare,  117. 

Druim  da  leis,  122. 

Druim  da  tren,  122. 

Druim  derg,  o.  n.  of  Druim  cliabh,  138, 

210. 
Druim  derg,  in  Scotland,  182. 
Druim  derg,  see  Rath  dherg. 
Druim  derg  na  damhraidc,  208. 
Druim  diamhair,  147. 
druim  Dil,  354. 
druim  Fuaid,  365. 
druim  Laeghairc,  408. 
Druim  lethan,  208. 
druim  meic  Dair,  58. 
Druim  mor,  61. 
druim  Nair,  157. 
druim  Silenn,  the  hind  of,  122. 
Druim  tibrat,  site  of  Clonmacnoise,  76. 
dubatha  Maisten,  XII.  xxiii/i. 

Dubthair  'the  Duffry,'  92,  258,  VIII.  iii; 
see  Duibthir, 

Duibhfidh,  the,  222,  258. 

Duibshliabh,  the,  195. 

Duibthir  (  =  Dubthair  q.  v.),  170. 

Dumha  na  con,  257. 

Dumha  na  ngiall,  in  Tara,  X.  viii  r. 

dumha  Aichir,  407,  XII.  xxiii  a. 

dumha  Deilenn,  365. 

Dun  na  mbarc,  co.  Cork,  152,  157,  170. 

Dun  na  ngall  'Donegal,*  XVIII.  i. 

dun  Aillinne,403,4i9 :  secAi/Unnno. pro. 

Dun  ar  sleibh,  129. 

Dun  bare,  co.  Sligo,  XII.  xxii. 

Dun  bolg,  see  Be  loch  d.  b, 

dun  Brea,  XII.  xv  b. 

dun  Buaice  (  =  dun  Buichet),  co.  Wick- 
low,  411. 

dun  Buichet  (Bucat,  IV.  M)  *Dunboyke,* 
409. 

Dun  buidhe  *  Dimboy, '  praises  of,  1 1 1. 

dun  Cairenn,  on  Dunkerron  Head,  XII. 
XV  ^. 

dun  Cermna,  on  Old  Head  of  Kinsale, 
XIV.  i. 

dun  Cremthainn,   on    Hill    of   Howth, 
X.  viii  c. 

Dun  da  lethghlas.  38. 

dun  Dabroc,  XXVI.  vi. 

Dun  daire,  378. 

dun  Delgain  *  Dundalk,*  see  trágh  BhaiU, 

dun  Fidhne,  65. 

dun  Glaire,  in  Ely,  XII.  xv  b. 

dun  Grea,  XII.  xv^. 

dun  Inteing,  XII.  xv.  b. 

dun  Liamna  'Dunlavin,'  170,  Xll.xxiiia; 
see  Liamhain  no.  pr. 

Dun  maighe  mell,  291. 

dun  meic  Fanai,  421. 


Dun  monaidh,  righmonaidh,  i.e.  St.  An- 
drew's, in  Scotland,  180,  318. 
Dun  mon,  245. 
dun  Rosarach,  72,  1 31. 
dun  Saltrain,  245. 

dun  Sobairche  *  jSunseverick,'  198,  XIV.  i. 
dun  Siiaine,  Suine,  89,  XXIX.  xiv  a. 
Dun  tri  Hag,  co.  Limerick,  130. 
durlas  Guaire,  54,  68. 
Durmagh  =  Dermagh  q.  v. 

E. 
Ebha,  the  land  betwixt  Benbulbin  and 

the  sea,  138. 
Echlais  banghuba,  109. 
echlasc  ech  gConchulaiim,  161. 
Edardhruim,  25. 
Eglais  bheg,  76. 
Eile  *  Ely,'  3,  I.  vii. 
El  pa,  120;  see  sliahh  E, 
Elphin,  see  Ailfionn. 
Emhain  '  Emania,*  276. 
Emly,  see  Imlech  iubhair. 
Enloch,  in  magh  nAei  q.  v.,  290. 
Es  na  finghaile,  255. 
es  Aedha   ruaidh,   see  es  Ruaidh^   and 

Aedh  ruadh  ,m.  Badhaim  no.  pr. 
es  Cronain  .m.  Buidhb,  255. 
es  Dara,  co.  Sligo,  138. 
es  mac  nEirc,  on  the  Boyle  q.  v. 
cs  meic  Modharn,  138;  =es  Dara  q.  v. 
es  meic  Nera,  137. 
cs  Ruaidh,  on  the  Erne,  XII.  xxi  r. 
Esa,  403. 

Escandra,  island  of,  392. 
Etan,  411 ;  see  bcnn  E, 
Ethach,  184. 

F. 
Fabhar  *  Fore,'  431 ;  see  ctll  Fabhair, 
Faeide  *Whiddy  i&land,*  119. 
Faendruim,  403. 
Fafann,  X.  vii. 
Fan  an  bhriugaid,  X.  vii. 
Fan  na  ncch,  34. 
Fanat   *  Fanet,'    in    Tirconnell,    XXXI. 

Xxiv,  XXV. 

Fe,  in  Lcinster,  411. 

Febhal  (loch  Febhail)  •  Foyle,'  402. 

Feic,  see  Fiac. 

Fcoir  (gen.  Feorach),  river,  see  Note, 

Fermanagh,  see  Fir  mhanach  no.  pr. 

Fermoy,  see  Fir  mhaigi  no.  pr. 

Fert  an  druadh,  on  sliabh  na  niban^  226. 

Fert  na  ndruadh,  in  Tara,  109,  229. 

fert  Chaeil,  at  Ventry,  121. 

fert  Fiadmoir,  in  mag/i  nAei^  243. 

fert  Raeirinnc,  co.  Kildare,  205. 

Fiac,  on  the  Boyne,  162. 

Fidh  cuan,  na  gcuan,  o.  n.  of  Cratloe,  126. 

Fidh  dorcha.  222. 

Fidh  enaigh,  147. 

fidh  Gaibhlc  'Feeguile,*  112, 117,  XII.  xii. 


Index  B. 


599 


Fidh  omna,  iii. 

Fidhrinn,  119. 

Finn,  river  in  sHabh  Guaire  q.  v.,  X.  viii  h. 

Finncharn,  in  sUahh  Fuaid  i\.v.,  316  sqq. 

Finnghlas,  stream,  in  Leinster,  168  ;   in 

Kerry,  XII.  xxxviia. 
Finninis,  123. 

Finnloch,  376 ;  see  loch  Cera. 
Finnlochlann  *  Norway,'  380. 
Finnmagh,  see  magh  Finn, 
Finntulach,  praises  of,  1 18. 
Fithart,  403. 

Flesc,  river,  in  Kerry,  162. 
fochard  Muirtheimne,  160. 
Foma  (gen.  Foman,  dat.  ace.  Fomain),  in 

Leinster,  XII.  xxiiia. 
foradh  na  Feinne,  187. 
Forai,  foraci,  foroi,  XXVI.  vi. 
Forcharthain,  in  Leinster,  XII.  xxiii  a. 
Formaeil  *Formoyle,*  166,  VI.  xviia. 
Fornocht,  423,  XII.  xxiii  a. 
Forrach,  in  ///  meic  Uais,  377. 
Fraechmagh  (  =  magh  Fraeich),  XXII.  v. 
France,  211,  335  sqq. 
Fremainn  *Frewin/  408,  IX.  ii^,  XII. vii. 
Fresen,  land  of,  385  sqq. 

G. 
Gabhair  (gen.  Gabhra),  stream,  XII.  ii. 
Gaethlach  *the  Mseotic  marsh,'  341. 
Gailian,  prov.  (  =  Leinster),  211,  374,  406. 
Gaillimh  •  Galway/  river,  260. 
Gairech,  XII.  xxviii. 
Gal  trim,  437 ;  see  caladh  truim, 
Gannmagh  ( =  magh  Finn),  92. 
Garbhros,  138. 
Garbthanach,  -thonach,  the,  205, 403, 406 ; 

see  Rath  imil, 
Garmna,  38. 
Germany,  211. 

giusach  Finn,  the,  hunting  ground,  167. 
Glaise  na  bfer,  1 72. 
glaise  Bolgatn,  245. 
Gland  ore,  see  Cuan  dor, 
Glenn  an  bhrait,  bhruit,  144. 
glenn  an  Scarl,  197. 
Glenn  na  caillighe,  204. 
glenn  Aradh,  see  Inniu  no.  pr. 
glenn  Dallain  'Glencar,'  343. 
glenn  Gemluirg,  see  Gemlorg  no.  pr. 
glenn  Innecht,  see  Inniu  no.  pr. 
glenn  mac  u  Arann,  64. 
glenn  Righe  '  Glenree,*  see  Righe^  river, 
Glenn  samhaisce,  XII.  xxiv,  XIV.  iiif. 
Gort  an  fhosdoidh,  202. 
Gowra,  see  Gabhair, 
Greece,  199,  337,  339. 
Grellach  eillte.  at  foot  of  Slievegamph,  77. 
Gris,  river,  XII.  xxxv. 
Guala,  403. 

H. 
Hebrides,  the,  211,  263. 
Hell,  313. 


Hesperides,  garden  of  the,  106,  172. 
Howth,  CO.  Dublin,  see  benn  Edair, 

I. 

I,  island  of,  see  lona, 

larmumha,  see  Alunsfer,  W, 

Iccian  sea,  the,  407,  XXVIII.  xi. 

He.  see  Isla. 

imaire  Comgaill,  453. 

imaire  .m.  Chonrach,  133. 

Imale,  co.  Wicklow,  see  úi  Mail  no.  pr. 

Imlech  iir  acndartadha,  XIV.  iii^. 

Imlech  iubhair,  4 ;  see  Ibhar  no.  pr. 

Inber  na  bfer,  260. 

inber  Big  loingsigh,  o.  n.  of  Drogheda,  102. 

inber  Dubloingsigh,  169. 

inlier  Ollarba,  128,  268;  sec  tráigh  O. 

Inchenagh,  in  loch  Y.^^^%^tinis  aendaimh, 

India,  II,  199,  211,  299. 

Inis  aen-  en-daimh,  95,  IX.  \a, 

inis  Chathaig,  in  Shannon,  V.  iii. 

Inis  chellra,  in  loch  Derg,  see  Caeimin^S, 

Inis  choimeta,  25. 

Inis  derglocha,  390  sq, 

inis  Dornghlais,  XXVI.  vi. 

inis  Eoghain  *Inishowen,'  XVIII.  i. 

inis  Fidaigh  meic  an  daill,  93. 

inis  mac  Nesain,  443. 

inis  Muiredhaig,  coast  of  Sligo,  41. 

Inis  serine,  247. 

Inishmurray,  see  inis  Muiredhaig. 

Inneoin,  now  mullach  inneona,  co.  Tip- 

perary,  167,  408,  XII.  xiii  ^. 
Innse  gall,  see  Hebrides, 
Innsc  ore,  see  Orkneys, 
lona,  445. 

Ireland,  Tuathal  and  Fiacha  divide,  165. 
Ireland's  Eye,  see  inis  mac  Nesain, 
Irluachair,  XIII.  iii. 
Iruath  *  Norway,*  233. 
Isla,  312  sqq.,  XXIX.  iv;  see  Uaino.  pr. 
Isle,  the  black  watery,  392. 
Isperda,  the,  see  Hesperides. 

K. 
Keshcorann,  co.  Sligo,  see  cHs  Chorainn, 
Kilbaylet,  co.  Wicklow,  see  cill  Rhélat. 
KilcuUen,  co.  Kildare,  see  cill  Chuilinn, 
Kilkerran,  in  Cant  ire,  see  Kieran, 
Kilkevin,  see  cell  Chaeimin. 
Ki Harney,  great  lake  of,  see  loch  LHn, 
Kilmacduagh,   co.  Galway,  see  cill  meic 

Ducuh. 
Kilmainham,  co.  Dublin,  see  cill  Mhaig- 

nenn. 
Kilmore  of  the  Moy,  co.  Sligo,  see  cill  mar, 
Kilskeer,  -skeery,  Fermanagh  and  Meath, 

see  cill  Scire. 
Kiltullagh,  see  Cell  tulach. 
Kincora,  in  Clare,  see  Cenn  corculh. 
Kinnaweer,co.  Donegal,  see  TíWw  maghair, 
Kinvarra,  co.  Galway,  see  Cenn  mara. 
Knockany,  co.  Limerick,  see  cnoc  Aine, 


:l. 


600 


Index  B. 


Knockgraflfon,   co.   Tipperary,   see   cnoc 

Rafann, 
Knockmaa,  co.  Gal  way,  see  Cncc  niedha, 

L. 

Laharthonn  (gen.  'thuinne),  see  inbfur  L. 

Lagan,  the,  of  Leinster,  318. 

Laighen,  see  Leinster, 

Lasses,  the  land  of,  see  tlr  na  nittghtn, 

lathach  bo  Lodain,  1 18. 

Lathair  luinge,  241. 

lathrach  Chaein,  211. 

lathrach  Muiredaig,  419  sq. 

Latteragh,  see  Uitrech, 

Lee,  na,  *  the  Lees,*  VL  xvi  c, 

Lebadh  an  chon,  235. 

lebadh  Dhiannada,  138. 

Lee,  see  Lie. 

Lee  na  gced,  232. 

Lee  turscair,  on  the  Moy,  66. 

Lecht  na  macraidhe,  172. 

Lecht  na  muice,  138. 

Lecht  chinn  chon,  189. 

Leim  an  fheinneda,  118. 

leim  Eitille,  13. 

Leinster,  L  v,  X.  iv  a,  and  passim. 

leitir  Laeigh,  122. 

leitrech  Odhrain,  12. 

Leix,  L  xiii;  see  Laightsno.  pr. 

Lemhan  'the  Laune'  (sco.  'Leven'),  river, 
in  Kerry,  444. 

Lerg  mna  fíne,  419. 

leth  Chuinn  *Conn*s  Half,*  i.e.  the  half 
of  Ireland  north  of  line  from  Dublin 
to  Galway  bay,  407,  411,  IL  xviii. 

Lethdumha,  403. 

Lia  na  narm,  209. 

Liathmuine,  in  Ulidia,  266,  XIIL  ii. 

Lie  an  fhomorach,  259. 

Lie  na  ndniadh,  263. 

Lie  chomairt  (chomaig)  chnamh,  412, 418. 

lie  Gnathail,  259. 

lige  an  leith  Macha,  161. 

Lmn  an  tairbh,  25. 

linn  Feic,  103. 

Linnmhuine,  119,  266. 

Limerick,  see  Luimnech. 

Lios  an  bhnntrachta,  285. 

Lios  na  mban,  257. 

Lios  na  ileidhe,  235. 

Lios  na  laechraide,  232. 

Lios  na  morrigna,  217. 

Lios  na  neiges,  171. 

lios  Callain,  61. 

Loch  an  daimh  deirg,  in  Dalaradia,  176. 

Loch  an  ein,  134. 

Loch  na  bo  girre,  126. 

Loch  na  gcruitiredh,  8. 

Loch  na  neilltcdh,  245. 

Loch  beil  drecain,  XII.  xiv. 

Loch  bo,  123  sq. 

Loch  cam,  IV.  viii  a, 

loch  Cera  '  L.  Carra,*  247. 


loch  Cerainn,  IV.  viii  a. 

loch  Cime  •  L.  Hackett,*  XXIX.  xxiL 

Loch  con,  60,  IV.  vii ;  see  loch  NeiiL 

loch  Corrib,  see  loch  Oirbsen. 

loch  Croine,  126. 

Loch  cuan  *  Strangford  loch,'  XII.  xxvii  6, 

loch  Cuilinn,  60. 

Loch  cuire,  119. 

loch  da  Conn,  122. 

Loch  da  en,  228. 

loch  Dachaech,  IV.  viii  a  ^,  XII.  xxvii  3. 

loch  Dadall,  IV.  viii  a. 

loch  Dremainn,  IV.  viii  a. 

loch  Duinn,  IV.  viii  a. 

loch  nEchach  *L.  Neagh,'  267,  XIIL  ii, 

vi  b. 
loch  Faeife,  IV.  viiirt. 
loch  Gabhair  '  L.  Gower,*  *  Logore,*   in 

Meath,  IV.  viii/i. 
loch  Gair(Guir) 'L.Gur,' CO.  Limerick,  1 40. 
loch  Gann,  IV.  viii  a, 
loch  Gile  *  L.  Gill,'  co.  Sligo,  52. 
loch  Greine,  in  Clare,  126. 
loch  ning,  IV.  viii  a. 
loch  Laeigh  *  Belfast  loch,'  VI.  xvii  b, 
loch  Lein  '  Great  Lake  of  Killamey,'  1 14, 

IX.  ii  c,  XII.  xiii  b. 
loch  Linngaeth,  126. 
loch  Luchra,  199. 
loch  Lurgan,  210. 
loch  Neagh,  see  /.  nEchack, 
loch  Neill,  XXII.  viii  b\  see  ioch  con, 
loch  Oirbsen,  Coirbsen,  II.  xxiii  a. 
loch  Ribh  (Ri)  'L.  Ree,*  266,  XIII.  iii,  vi^. 
loch  Rudhraide  *  Dundrum  bay,*  265,  284. 
loch  Ruide,  XII.  xxvii  b. 
Loch  seimhdide  (seimhdile)  *  L.  Sewdy,* 

in  W.  Meath,  79,  VI.  ix  a. 
loch  Uair  *  L.  Owel,*  in  W.  Meath,  35. 
Lochlann  'Denmark,'  131,  182,  214,  338 

sq.,  X.  if,  XXVin.  v^. 
Loingsech,  the,  119. 

Lothra  (pi.  o{  lothar)^  'Lorrha,*  co.  Tip- 
perary, 81,  VI.  xii ;  see  Ruadhan  no.  pr. 
Louth,  see  Lughmauih, 
Low  countries,  the,  see  tlrfó  thuinn. 
Luachair,  XII.  xiii  a. 
luachair  Bregha,  407. 
luachair  Deghaid,  145,  152,  176,  293. 
Luathmagh,  420. 
Luchra-land,  the,  282. 
Lughbarta  (  =  lughgorta)  bana,  the,  loi. 
Lughmadh  'Louth,*  loi. 
Luimnech,  now  =  Limerick  city,  formerly 

=  estuary  of  the  Shannon,  378,   XII. 

xvii  a. 
Luimnech  uladh,  126. 

M. 
Maaree,  co.  Galway,  see  Medhraige, 
Macha  =  Ardmacha,  192. 
machadh  Brighde,  X.  viL 
machaire  an  Scail,  243. 


'  \ 


Index  B. 


60 1 


machaire  Laighen,  210. 

machaire  Li,  241. 

Maels,  the  three,  of  Meath,  345. 

Maenmagh ,  O'  Kelly's  country,  co.  Gal  way, 

XII.  xvii  c, 
Mseotic  marsh,  the,  see  GcuthUuh, 
Magh  an  trin,  218. 

magh  nAdhair  *  Moyre,'  in  Clare,  XX IV.  iv. 
magh  nAei  [mic  Allghuba],  now  machaire 

Chonnacht^  290,  315,  XXII.  viiitf. 
magh  nAillbe,  on  Barrow-side,  407. 
magh  nAirbthenn,  266,  XIII.  iii. 
Magh  bile  '  Moville,'  co.  Down,  36. 
magh  Bregh,  VII.  iii  a. 
Magh  Breogain,  293. 
magh  Carna,  26. 
magh  Claraigh,  42a 
magh  Cliach,  354. 
magh  Corainn,  XXI.  i  a  b, 
magh  Cuma,  III.  xiva. 
magh  nDoirbi,  III.  xiva. 
magh  nEchain,  42a 

magh  nEithrighe,  in  Connacht,  XII.  viii. 
magh  nElta  *  Moynalty,'  co.  Dublin,  107. 
Magh  neo  *Moynoe,*  in  Clare,  118. 
Magh  faithlcnn,  173,  275. 
magh  Fea,  9,  210. 

magh  Femin,  167,  293,  XII.  xi  by  xxxiii. 
magh  Fera,  XII.  xi  ^,  xxxiii. 
magh  Finn,  130,  265. 
magh  nithiu,  in  Leinster,  XII.  viii. 
magh   Lathama  '  Lame,*   in   Dalaradia, 

XII.  viii. 
magh  Li,  in  ///  meic  Uais  q.v.,  XII.  viii, 
magh  Life,  273,  XII.  xxxvi. 
magh  Line,   in  Dalaradia,   XIV.  i;    see 

inber  Ollarba^  rath  btg^  rath  mar. 
magh  Luadhat,  in  Tyrone,  XII.  xva. 
magh  luirg  an  Daghda,  1 37, 3 1 5,  X 1 1,  xxi  a. 
magh  Maeiu,  XII.  xxi^. 
magh  Maisten,  see  Maistin  no.  pr. 
magh  Meichi,  XII.  xv<7. 
Magh  mell,  fairy  region  of,  290. 
magh  Muaich,  III.  xiv/i. 
magh  Mucramha,  315,  353,  375,  XXIL  x, 

XXIII.  iii. 
magh  Muirsce,  co.  Mayo,  also  co.  Sligo, 

445,  XII.  XXV  a. 
magh  Nuadhat  *  Maynooth,'  403. 
Magh  ochtair,  408. 
magh  Raighne,  197,  XII.  xxix  a. 
Magh  rath  •  Moira,'  co.  Down,  169,  177. 
magh  Rechet  =  following, 
magh  Roichet  *  Morett,*  Q.'s  co.,  118. 
Magh  slecht,  in  Brefny,  XII.  xxia. 
ma^h  Uladh,  in  Kerry,  241. 
Maigh  (gen.  Maighe,  Magha)  'Maigue,* 

river,  co.  Limerick,  348. 
mainistir  Buite  'Monasterboice,'see/7a;fM 

no  pr. 
Maistiu,  Maiste  *  Mullaghmast,*  217,  403, 

XII.  XXXV ;  see  Maistiu  no.  pr. 
Man,  Isle  of,  312  sqq. 


Martra,  bridge  of,  51, 
Maynooth,  see  magh  Nuadhat, 
Men,  the  land  of,  see  tir  na  bfer, 
Midhe  *  Meath,'  ped.  of  k.  of,  VL  vii; 

derivation  of,  XI.  ii. 
Miliuc  *  Meelick,'  in  0*Madden's  country, 

CO.  Galway,  268. 
Moin  an  tachair,  245. 
Motn  na  fostadha,  245. 
moin  Almhaine  *  bog  of  Allen,'  XVII.  i. 
moin  Chumascaigh,  410. 
moin  tin  Nair,  VI.  iii. 
Moira,  see  Magh  rath, 
Moume  mounts.,  see  benna  Boirche, 
Moville,  see  Magh  bile, 
Moy,  see  Muaidh, 
Moyre,  inauguration  spot  of  *  O'Brien  of 

Thomond,'  see  magh  nAdhair, 
Muaidh,  river,  co.  Sligo,  66,  260,  374. 
Muinichin,  411. 
Muintech,  411. 
muir  an  Scail,  341. 

muir  Gaimiach,  inver  of,  in  Britain,  105. 
muir  nicht,  see  Iccian  sea, 
Muircsc,  443 ;  see  magh  M. 
Muirtheimne,  147;  ^tfochard M, 
Mullach    inneona,     co.    Tipperary,    see 

Inneoin. 
Mullaghreelion,  co.  Kildare,  see  Raeiriu. 
MuUin's,  S.,  see  tech  Moiifig, 
Munster,    both    provinces   of,    374;  N. 

Munster,   see    Thomond;  S.   Munster, 

see  Desmond  \  W.  Munster,  402. 
Murrisk,  see  Muiresc, 
Muskerry,  there  were  six  territories  of  the 

name,  all  in  cos.  Cork  and  Tipperary ; 

see  Mtiscraighe^  the,  no.  pr. 


N. 


Naas  {an  Nds),  co.  Kildare,  403. 

New   Ross,    CO.   Wexford,  see   res  meic 

Thriuin. 
Nore  [an  Fheoir\  river,  139. 


O. 

Ocha,  407. 

Odhba  (obsolete),  tumulus  of,in  Meath,403. 

og  Bethra,  353. 

Oil,  see  Ail. 

oilen  Etgair,  55. 

Ollarba,  in  magh  Line  q.v.,  XII.  i;  see 

inbher  O. 
Olnecmacht  (  =  Connacht),  II.  xxvii,  XII. 

xvii  b. 
Omna  gabtha,  24. 
Orkney,  338  sq. 

Osmctal,  hill,  co.  Limerick,  123. 
Ossory,    378,    I.    iii,    iv,    X.    iva;  see 

Osraighe  no.  pr. 
Owles,  the,  barony,  see  UmhalL 


3B 


602 


Index  B. 


p. 

Paps,  the,  of  Anann,  in  Kerry,  see  ciocha 

Aininne, 
Patmos,  island  of,  391. 
poll  Ruadhain  *  PoUruane,*  co.  Tipperary, 

71,  81. 
Port  grencha,  76. 
Promise,  land  of  (Manannan  mac  Lir*s 

realm,  not  the  biblical),  see  tlr  tarnn- 

gaire, 

R. 
Rachrainn  'Raghcry,'  island  of,  1 11.  196, 

312  sqq. 
Rae  na  gcarpat,  190  ;  =roe  q.  v. 
Raeiriu,  403 ;  sec  Kaeiriu  no.  pr. 
Raithin  na  naenbar,  237. 
Raithin  na  niongnadh,  in  maf^h  Femin^  233. 
raithin  O  Suanaigh,  38,  III.  xiii. 
Rath  an  mhail,  216. 
Rath  na  gcacrach,  241. 
Rath  na  macraidhe,  241. 
Rath  na  sciath,  181. 
rath  Aei,  202. 

rath  Aine,  in  Ulidia,  179  sqq. 
rath  Artrach,  in  Tirconnell,  170  sq. 
Rath  bheg,  co.  Down,  74,  88,  VI.  xviia. 
Rath  bhilech,  I.  xxxiii. 
rath  Branduibh,  on  Slaney,  411. 
rath  Brenainn,  68,  131. 
rath  Chais,  247. 

Rath  chinn  chon,  in  Dalaradia,  178. 
Rath  chinn  chon,  in  ma^h  Femitiy  235. 
rath  Chobthaig,  1 11. 
rath  Chonaill,  247. 

Rath  chro,  near  Slane,  in  Meath,  135,  202. 
rath  Chruachan,  co.   Roscommon,    231, 

XXII.  vi,  vii. 
Rath  droma  deirg,  X05. 
rath  Duibh,  187. 
rath  Ghlais  =  rath  Brenainn  q.v. 
Rath  imil,  185,  402  sq.,  406;  see  Garb- 

thonach, 
rath  Meilba,  in  Tara,  201,  XV.  ii. 
rath  Mongaig,  171. 
Rath  mhor,  co.  Down,  VI.  xvii  b. 
Rath  mhor,  co.  Carlow,  210, 217, 219, 232. 
rath  Spelain,  in  Bregia,  171,  216. 
rath  ua  Fiachrach,  52. 
Rathain  =  raithin  q.v. 
Rathlinn,  see  Rachrainn. 
Remas  na  righ  *  Kheims,'  335  sq. 
Righe,  river,  in  Lcinster,  408,  411,  I.  xxii. 
Rinn  chana,  241. 
Rinn  da  bare,  122. 
Rinn  dciscirt,  404. 
rinn  Dubhain  ailithir,  404. 
rinn  Ebha,  138  ;  see  Ebha. 
Rock  of  Cashel,  232. 
Rodhba  *  Robe,'  river,  co.  Mayo,  53. 
roe  carpat  Fergusa.  132;  sec  rae. 
Rome,  2,  27  sq  ;  XVIII.  i. 
Ros  an  churadh,  o.  n.  of  Roscrea,  1 18. 
Ros  an  fheinneda,  114. 


Ros  na  hechraide,  202. 

Ros  na  finghaile,  130. 

Ros  na  macraide,  245. 

Ros  na  righ.  on  Boyne.  1 36, 289 ;  see  rosack. 

Ros  bennchuir,  K.'s  co.,  11. 

ros  Bladhma,  XII.  xxxiv;  sec  sliabh  B. 

Ros  broc,  168,  405,  419. 

Ros  cailledh,  136. 

Ros  cam,  376. 

ros  Crea,  118,  XII.  xv^. 

Ros  ech,  77. 

Ros  enaigh,  163. 

ros  meic  Nair,  XII.  xxxiv. 

ros  meic  Thriuin  'New  Ross,*  1 1 2. 

ros  Temrach  =  ros  cailledh  q.  v, 

Rosach  na  righ,  118. 

S. 

saighir  Chiarain  *Seirkieran,*  K.*s  co.,  3. 

Saxonland,  211,  380. 

Scad  hare,  411. 

Scatlery  island,  see  inis  Chathaig, 

Sceichin  na  gaeithc,  51. 

Scotland,  81,  211,  225,  263,  352,  374, 
379,  XXVIII.  viitf ;  see  Ailpin,  Lotwn, 
no.  pr. 

senboth  Sine  *  Templeshanbo,*  co.  Wex- 
ford, XXVIII.  xviii. 

Scnchlochar,  118. 

Sidh  na  mban  fionn,  115,  173, 

sidh  Aedha,  139,  XII.  xxii. 

sidh  Almhaine,  225. 

sidh  Baine,  XII.  xiv. 

sidh  beinne  Kdair,  225. 

sidh  Buidhb,  XII.  xiii  ^,  xxxvi. ;  =  sidh 
Fcmin  q.v. 

sidh  Cleitigh,  102,  225. 

sidh  Collomrach,  XXII.  viii  ^. 

sidh  Cormaic,  287. 

sidh  Creidhe,  1 19. 

sidh  Criiachan,  Cruachna,  see  rath  chr. 

sidh  Duim  buidhe,  201,  253. 

Sidh  droma  deirg,  225. 

.Sidh  dumha,  in  Leyney,  co.  Sligo,  247. 

sidh  Kogabail  'Knockany,*  225,  348,  575. 

sidh  Femin,  co.  Tipperary,  XII.  x^;  see 
sidh  Buidhby  magh  F. 

sidh  Fiachna,  290  sq. 

sidh  Finnchaid,  1 1 1,  141  sq  ,  142, 144, 225. 

sidh  Cilais,  in  Ossory,  225. 

sidh  Liamhna,  204,  213,  225;  see  Liamh' 
ain  no.  pr. 

sidh  Midhir,  224  sqq. 

sidh  Monaidh,  in  Scotland,  225. 

sidh  Nechtain,  407,  412. 

sidh  Nenla,  XII.  xvii  b. 

Sina  (gen.  Sinann),  .Sinann  (gen.  Sin- 
ainne,  dat.  ace.  of  both:  Sinainn)  'Shan- 
non,' 77,  119,  318  sq.,  430,  432,  44a 

Siuir  *Suir,*  river,  139,  293. 

Slaibre,  408,  XXVIII.  xviii. 

Slaine  *  Slaney,'  river,  220,  411. 

Sliabh  an  chotaigh,  414.