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Book of Leinster
orignal translation by christian monksBook of Leinster
1150 A.D. (with some variant readings from the Book of Formoy) Irish Texts Society First redaction (R1) [ ] = glossarial matter
in text 1. In principio fecit Deus Cawlum et Terram, i.e.,
God made Heaven and Earth at the first, [and He Himself hath no beginning
nor ending]. 2. He made first the formless mass, and the light
of angels, [on the first Sunday]. He made firmament [on the Monday]. He
made earth and seas [on the Tuesday]. He made sun and moon and
the stars of Heaven [on the Wednesday]. He made birds [of the
air] and reptiles [of the sea on the Thursday]. He made beasts [of
the earth] in general, and Adam to rule over them, [on the Friday].
Thereafter God rested [on the Saturday] from the accomplishment
of a new Creation, [but by no means from its governance]. 3. [Thereafter] He gave the bailiffry of Heaven
to Lucifer, with the nine orders of the Angels of Heaven. He gave the bailiffry
of Earth to Adam [and to Eve, with her progeny]. [Thereafter]
Lucifer sinned, so that he was leader of a third of the host of angels.
The King confined him with a third of the host of angels in his
company, in Hell. And God said unto the Foe of Heaven: [Haughty is this
Lucifer], unite et confundamus consilium eius. 4. Thereafter Lucifer had envy against Adam, for
he was assured that this would be given him [Adam], the filling of Heaven
in his [Lucifer's] room. Wherefore he [Iofer Niger] came in the form
of the serpent, and persuaded [Adam and] Eve to sin, in the matter
of eating of the apple from the forbidden tree. Wherefore Adam was expelled
from Paradise into common earth. 5. Thereafter the Lord came to them, and He said
unto Adam, Terra es et in terram ibis [i.e., of earth was he made and
into earth shall he go]. In sudore uultus fui comedes panem tuum [i.e.,
he shall not obtain satisfaction without labor]. He said further unto
the woman: Cum dolore et gemitu paries filios tuos et filias
tuas [i.e., it shall be with ... insufferable pain that thou shalt bring forth
thy sons]. 6. The progeny of Adam sinned [thereafter], namely
the elder of the sons of Adam, Cain the accursed, who slew his brother
Abel ... [through his jealousy?] and through his greed, with the bone
of a camel, as learned men say. [In this manner?] began the kin-murders
of the world. 7. As for Seth, one of the three sons of Adam
[who had progeny], of him are the men of the whole world. Noe s. Lamech s. Mathusalem s. Enoch s. Iared
s. Malalahel s. Cainan s. Enos s. Seth s. Adam For it is Noe who is the second Adam, to whom
the men of all the world are traced. For the Flood drowned the whole
seed of Adam, except Noe with his three sons, Sem, Ham, Iafeth,
and their four wives Coba, Olla, Oliva, Olivana. Afterwards, when God brought a Flood over the
whole world, none of the people of the world escaped from the Flood
except it be the people of that ark - Noe with his three sons, and the
wife of Noe, the wives of his sons. Ut dixit poeta, A host that a wintry death would not subdue Noe, there was no hero's weakness, A story with horror has been made clear with keenness Sem, Ham, and Iafeth. Women without evil colour, great excellences,
above the Flood without extinctions, Coba, vigorous was the white swan, Olla, Oliva, Olivana. 8. Now Sem settled in Asia, Ham in Africa, Iafeth
in Europe - Sem settled in pleasant Asia; Ham with his progeny in Africa noble Iafeth and
his sons, it is they who settled in Europe. Sem had thirty sons, including Arfaxad, Assur,
and Persius. Ham had thirty sons, including Chus and Chanaan. Iafeth
had fifteen including Dannai, Gregus, Hispanius, Gomer. Or it is twenty-seven
sons that Sem had. Thirty sleek sons, a brilliant fact, they sprang from Ham, son of Noe twenty-seven who are from Sem, and fifteen from Iafeth. 9. [With regard to] Iafeth [son of Noe], of him
is the northern side of Asia - namely Asia Minor, Armenia, Media, the People
of Scythia; and of him are the inhabitants of all Europe. Grecus s. Iafeth, of him is Grecia Magna, Grecia
Parva and Alexandian Greece. Espanus s. Iafeth from whom
are the Hispani. Gomer son of Iafeth had two sons, Emoth and Ibath.
Emoth, of him is the northern people of the world. Ibath
had two sons, Bodb and Baath. Bodb, who had a son Dohe. Elinus son of Dohe had three sons, Airmen, Negua,
Isacon. As for Airmen, he had five sons, Gutus, Cebidus, Uiligothus,
Burgundus, Longbardus. Negua had three sons, Saxus, Boarus,
Uandalus. Isacon, moreover, one of the three sons of Elenus, he
had four sons, Romanus, Francus, Britus, Albanus. This is that Albanus who first took Albania, with
his children, and of him is Alba named: so he drove his brother across
the Sea of Icht, and from him are the Albanians of Latium of Italy.
10. Magog, son of Iafeth, of his progeny are the
peoples who came to Ireland before the Gaedil: to wit Partholan s.
Sera s. Sru s. Esru s. Bimbend (sic) s. Magog s. Iafeth; and Nemed s.
Agnomain s. Pamp s. Tat s. Sera s. Sru; and the progeny of Nemed, the
Gaileoin, Fir Domnann, Fir Bolg and Tuatha De Danann. As the poet said,
Magog son if Iafeth there is cerainty of his progeny;
of them was Parthalon of Banba -decorous was his achievement.
Of them was noble Nemed son of Agnomain, unique;
of them were Gand and Genand, Sengand, free Slaine. The numerous progeny of Elada, of them was Bres,
no untruth: son of Elada expert in arms, son of Delbaeth son
of Net. S. Inda, s. Allda -Allda who was s. Tat, s. Tabarn
s. Enda, s. Baath, [son of] pleasant Ibath. S. Bethach s. Iardan s. Nemed grandson of Paimp:
Pamp s. Tat s. Sera s. Sru s. white Braiment. Of Braiment s. Aithecht, s. Magog, great in reknown:
there happened in their time a joint appearance against
a Plain. 11. Baath, [one of the two sons of Ibath] s. Gomer
s. Iafeth, of him are the Gaedil and the people of Scythia. He had a son,
the noble eminent man whose name was Feinus Farsaid. [It
is he who was one of the seventy-two chieftains who went for the building
of Nemrod's Tower, whence the languages were dispersed.] Howbeit, Nemrod himself was son of Cush s. Ham
s. Noe. This is that Feinius aforesaid who brought the People's
Speech from the Tower: and it is he who had the great school,
learning the multiplicity of languages. 12. Now Feinius had two sons: Nenual, [one of
the two] whom he left in the princedom of Scythia behind him; Nel, the other
son, at the Tower was he born. Now he was a master of all the languages;
wherefore one came [to summon him] from pharao, in order to
learn the multiplicity of languages from him. But Feinius came out of Asia
to Scythia, whence he had gone for the building of the Tower; so
that he died in the princedom of Scythia, at the end of forty years,
and passed on the chieftainship to his son, Nenual. 13, At the end of forty two years after the building
of the Tower, Ninus son of Belus took the kingship of the world. For
no other attempted to exercise authority over the peoples or to bring
the multitude of nations under one had, and under tax and tribute,
but he alone. Aforetime there had been chieftains; he who was
noblest and most in favour in the community, he it was who was chief
counsellor for every man: who should avert all injustice and further
all justice. No attempt was made to invade or to dominate other
nations. 14. Now that is the time when Gaedel Glas, [from
whom are the Gaedil] was born, of Scota d. Pharao. From her are the Scots
named, ut dictum est Feni are named from Feinius a meaning without
secretiveness: Gaedil from comely Gaedel Glas, Scots from Scota.
15, It is Gaedel Glas who fashioned the Gaelic
language out of the seventy- two languages: there are their names, Bithynian,
Scythian, etc. Under poeta cecinit The languages of the world, see for yourselves
Bithynia, Scythia, Cilicia, Hyreania, Gothia, Graecia, Germania,
Gallia with horror, Pentapolis, Phrygia, Palmatia, Dardania.
Pamphylia, Mauretania, populous Lycaonia, Bacctria,
Creta, Corsica, Cypros Thessalia, Cappadocia, noble Armenia,
Raetia, Sicilia, Saracen-land, Sardinia. Belgia, Boeotia, Brittania, tuneful Rhodos, Hispania,
Roma, Rhegini, Phoenicia, India, golden Arabia, Mygdonia,
Mazaca, Macedonia. Parthia, Caria, Syria, Saxones, Athenae, Achaia,
Albania, Hebraei, Arcadia, clear Galatia, Troas, Thessalia,
Cyclades. Moesia, Media, Persida, Franci, Cyrene, Lacedaemonia,
Langobardi, Thracia, Numidia, Hellas (?) - hear
it! Lofty Italia, Ethipia, Egypt. That is the tally of languages without tarnish
out of which Gaedel cut Gaedelic: known to me is their roll
of understanding, the groups, the manifold languages.
16. Now Sru s. Esru s. Gaedel, he it is who was
chieftain for the Gaedil who went out of Egypt after Pharao was drowned [with
his host in the Red Sea of Israel]: Seven hundred and seventy years
from the Flood till then. Four hundred and forty years from that time in
which Pharao was drowned, and after Sru s. Esru came out of Egypt,
till the time when the sons of Mil came into Ireland, to wit, Eber
and Eremon: whereanent [one] said - Forty and four hundred of years - it is no falsehood
-from when the people of God came, be ye certain over
the surface of Mare Rubrum, till they landed in Scene from
the clear sea, they, the Sons of Mil, in the land of Ireland.
17. Four ships' companies strong went Sru out
of Egypt. There were twenty-four wedded couples and three hirelings
for every ship. Sru and his son Eber Scot, they were the chieftains
of the expedition. [It is then that Nenual s. Baath s. Nenual s. Feinius
Farsaid, prince of Scythia, died: and] Sru also died immediately
after reaching Scythia. 18. Eber Scot took [by force] the kingship of
Scythia from the progeny of Nenual, till he fell at the hands of
Noemius s. Nenual. There was a contention between Noemius and Boamain
s. Eber Scot. Boamain took the kingship till he fell at the
hands of Noemius. Noemius took the princedom till he fell at the
hands of Ogamain s. Boamain in vengeance for this father. Ogamain
took the kingship till he died. Refill s. Noemius took the kingship till
he fell at the hands of Tat s. Ogamain. Thereafter Tat fell at the hands
of Refloir s. Refill. Thereafter there was a contention for the princedom
between Refloir [grandson of Noemius and Agnomain s. Tat, until
Refloir fell at the hands of Agnomain. 19, For that reason was the seed of Gaedil driven
forth upon the sea, to wit Agnomain and Lamfhind his son, so that they were
seven years on the sea, skirting the world on the north side. More
than can be reckoned are the hardships which they suffered. [The reason
why the name Lamfhind was given to the son of Agnomain was,
because not greater was the radiance of candles than his hands, at
the towing.] They had three ships with a coupling between them, that
none of them should move away from the rest. They had three chieftains
after the death of Agnomain on the surface of the great Caspian Sea,
Lamfhind and Allot and Caicher the druid. 20. It is Caicher the druid who gave the remedy
to them, when the Siren was making melody to them: sleep was overcoming
them at the music. This is the remedy which Caicher found
for them, to melt wax in their ears. It is Caicher who spoke to
them, when the great wind drove them into the Ocean, so that they suffered
much with hunger and thirst there: till at the end of a
week they reached the great promontory which is northward from the Rhipaean
Mountain, and in that promontory they found a spring with the
taste of wine, and they feasted there, and were three days and three
nights asleep there. But Caicher the druid said: Rise, said he, we
shalal not rest until we reach Ireland. What place is that 'Ireland' said
Lamfhind s. Agnomain. Further than Scythia is it, said Caicher. It is
not ourselves who shall reach it, but our children, at the end of three
hundred years from today. 21. Thereafter they settled in the Macotic Marshes,
and there a son was born to Lamfhind, Eber Glunfhind: [white marks
which were on his knees]. He it is who was chieftain after his father.
His grandson was Febri [Glunfhind (Sic)]. His grandson was Nuadu.
22. Brath s. Death s. Ercha s. Allot s. Nuadu
s. Nenual s. Febri Glas s. Agni find s. Eber Glunfhind s. Lamfhind s. Agnomain
s. Tat s. Agnomain s. Boamain s. Eber Scot s. Sru s. Esru s. Gaedel
Glas s. Nel s. Feinius Farsaid: It is that Brath who came out of the Marshes along
the Torrian Sea to Crete and to Sicily. They reached spain thereafter.
They took Spain by force. 23. As for Agnomain s. Tat, he is the leader of
the Gaedil who came out of Scythia. He had two sons, Lamfhind and Allot.
Lamfhind had one son, Eber Glunfhind. Allot had a son, Eber Dub, at
the same time as the sojourn in the Marshes. They had two grandsons
in joint rule, Toithecht s. Tetrech s. Eber Dub, and Nenual s.
Febri s. Agni s. Eber Glunfhind; there was also Soithecht s. Mantan
s. Caicher. Ucce and Occe, two sons of Allot s. Nenual s.
Nemed s. Allot s. Ogamain s. Toithecht s. Tetrech s. Eber Dub s. Allot.
24. Four ships' companies strong came the Gaedil
to Spain: in every ship fourteen wedded couples and seven unwed hirelings.
Brath, a ship's company. Ucce and Occe, two ships' companies:
[Two brethren were they, the sons of Allot s. Nenual s. Nemed s.
Allot s. Ogamain], Mantan [s. Caicher the druid s. Ercha s. (Coemthecht)]
a ship's company. So they broke three battles after going into Spain:
a battle against the Tuscans, a battle against the Langobardi, and
a battle against the Barchu. But there came a plague upon them, and
four and twenty of their number died, including Occe and Ucce. Out
of the two ships none escaped, save twice five men, including En
s. Occe and Un s. Ucce. 25. Brath had a good son named Breogan, by whom
was built the Tower and the city - Braganza was the city's name. From
Breogan's Tower it was that Ireland was seen; an evening of a day of
winter Ith s. Breogan saw it. Unde Gilla Coemain cecinit - Gaedel Glas, of whom ar the Gaedil, son was he
of Nel, with store of wealth: he was mighty west and east,
Nel, son of Feinius Farsaid. Feinius had two sons - I speak truth -Nel our
father and Nenual, Nel was born at the Tower in the east,
Nenual in Scythia, bright as a shield. After Feinius, the hero of ocean, there was great
envy between the brethren: Nel slew Nenual, who was
not gentle; the High King was expelled. He went into Egypt through valour till he reached
powerful Pharao; till he bestowed Scota, of no scanty beauty,
the modest, nimble daughter of pharao. Scota bore a son to noble Nel, from whom was born
a perfect great race: Gaedel Glas was the name of the man
-green were his arms and his vesture. Fierce Esru was son to him, who was a Lord with
heavy arms: the son of Esru, Sru of the ancient hosts to whom
was meet all the fame attributed to him. Sru son of Esru son of Gaedel, our ancestor, rejoicing
in troops, he it is who went northward to his house,
over the surface of the red Mare Rubrum. The crews of four ships were the tale of his host
along the red Mare Rubrum: in his house of planks, we may
say, twenty- four wedded couples. The prince of Scythia, it ws a clear fact, the
youth whose name was Nenual, it is then he died yonder in
his house - when the Gaedil arrived. Eber Scot of the heroes assumed [the kingdom]
over the progeny of Nenual unashamed, till he fell, with
no gentle kindness, at the hands of Noemius son of Nenual.
The strong son of Eber thereafter, who had the
name Boamain, of perfect purity, to the shore of the Caspian
Sea was he king, till he fell by the hand of Noemius. Noemius son of Nenual of the strength settled
in Scythia, chequered like a shield: the perfect fair prince
fell by the hand of Ogamain son of Boamain. Thereafter Ogamain was prince after Noemius of
good strength: till he died in his territory, unchurched: after
him Refill was king. Thereafter Refill fell by the hand of Tait son
of Ogmain: Tait fell, though he was not feeble,' by the hand of
Refloir son to Refill. Refloir and Agnomain without blemish, seven years
were they in contention, till Refloir fell with tumult by
the victorious hand of Agnomain. Noinel and Refill with a [spear] point two sons
of Refloir son of Refill, they drove Agnomain out over the raging
sea, great and green Good were the chieftains, it was sufficient, who
came out of Scythia; Agnomain, Eber without blemish, the two
sons of Tait son of Ogamain. Allot, Lamfhind of the green hand, conspicuous
the two sons of very bright Agnomain, Caicher and Cing, fame with
victory the two good sons of Eber of the red-steed. The number of their ships, three ships coming
over heavy waves; three score [the crew] of every ship, a
clear saying, and women every third score. Agnomain died, it was no reproach in the islands
of the great Caspian Sea. The place where they were for a year
they found very secret. They reached the full Libyan Sea, a sailing of
six complete summer days; Glas son of Agnomain, who was not
dspicable, died there in Cercina. A fair island found they there on the Libyan Sea
of warrior- blades: a season over a year, with fame, their
sojourn in that island. They sail on the sea, a brilliant fact both by
day and by night: the sheen of the hands of lustrous Lamfhind
was like to fair candles. Four chieftains had they who were not despicable,
after coming over the Libyan Sea: Allot, Lamfhind wsift
over the ocean, Cing and his brother Caicher. Caicher found a remedy for them yonder for the
melody of the Sirens: this is the remedy that fair Caicher found,
to melt wax in their ears. They found a spring and a land at the Rhipaean
headland with great might, having the taste of wine thereafter:
their thirst overcame them mightily. Soundly, soundly they slept to the end of three
days without sorrow, till Caicher the faithful druid wakened
the noble men impatiently. It is Caicher, (a brilliant fulfilment!) who made
a prophecy to them, at the Rhipaean Mountains with a headland
-"We have no rest until Ireland." "In what place is lofty Ireland?" said Lamfhind
the violent warrior. "Very far" said Caicher then, "It is
not we who reach it, but our children." They advanced in their battalion with venom, southward
past the Rhipaean headlands; the progeny of Gaedel,
with purity, they landed at the Marshes. A glorious son was born there to Lamfhind son
of Agnomain; Eber Glunfhind, pure the gryphon, the curl-haired
grandfather of Febri. The family of Gaedel, the brisk and white, were
three hundred years in that land: they dwelt there thenceforward,
until Brath the victorious came. Brath, the noble son of Faithful Death came to
Crete, to Sicily, the crew of four ships of a safe sailing, right-hand
to Europe, on to Spain. Occe and Ucce without blemish, the two sons of
Allot son of Nenual; Mantan son of Caicher, faithful Brath,
they were the four leaders. Fourteen men with their wives made the crew for
every ship full of warriors, and six noble hirelings; they
won three battles in Spain. Lofty the first battle - I shall not conceal it
-which they won against the host of the Tuscans; a battle against
tyhe Bachra with violence, and a battle against the Langobardi.
It was after the sinister battle that there came
to them a plague of one day: the people of the ships of
the sons of Allot without fault were all dead except ten persons.
Un and En came out of it, two noble sons of the
strong chieftains: thereafter was Bregon born, father
of Bile the strong and raging. He broke a great number of fights and battles
against the many-coloured host of Spain: Bregon of the shouts
of valorous deeds, of the combats, by him was built Brigantia.
Bregon son of Brath, gentle and good, he had a
son, Mil: the seven sons of Mil - good their host -including
Eber and Eremon. Along with Dond, and Airech with battle, including
Ir, along with Arannan, including Armorgen with bright countenance,
and along with Colptha of the sword. The ten sons of Bregon without falsehood, Brega,
Fuat, and Murthemne, Cualnge, Cuala, fame though it were,
Ebleo, Nar, Ith, and Bile. Ith son of Bregon with tuneful fame came at the
first into Ireland: he is the first of men who inhabited
it, of the noble seed of the powerful Gaedil. 26. Let us cease [at this point] from the stories
of the Gaedil, that we may tell of the seven peoples who took Ireland before
them. Cessair, d. Bith s. Noe took it, forty days before the Flood.
Partholon s. Sera three hundred years after the Flood. Nemed s.
Agnomain of the Greeks of Scythia, at the end of thirty years after Partholon.
The Fir Bolg thereafter. The Fir Domnann thereafter. The Gailioin
thereafter [al., along with them]. The Tuatha De Danann thereafter.
[The sons of Mil thereafter as Fintan said]. Unde Fintan cecinit,
Ireland - whatever is asked of me I know pleasantly,
Every taking that took her from the beginning of the
tuneful world. Cessair came from the East, the woman was daughter
of Bith; with her fifty maidens, with her three men. Flood overtook Bith in his Mountain, it is no
secret; Ladra in Ard Ladrand, Cessair in her Nook. But as for me, He buried me, the Son of God, above
[the] company; He snatched the Flood from me above heavy
Tul Tuinde. I had a year under the Flood in strong Tul Tuinde;
I found nothing for my sustenance, an unbroken sleep were
best. I was in Ireland here, my journey was everlasting,
till Partholon reached her, from the East, from the
land of Greeks. I was here in Ireland and Ireland was desert,
till the son of Agnomain reached Nemed, brilliant his fashion.
The Fir Bolg and Fir Gailian came, it was long
ago; the Fir Domnann came, they landed on a headland in the
west. Thereafter the Tuath De came, in their masses
of fog, so that there was sustenance for me though it was a long
lifetime. The sons of Mil came from Spain, from the south,
so that there was sustenance for me at their hands, though they
were strong in battle. A long life fell to my lot, I shall not conceal
it; till Faith overtook me from the King of Heaven of clouds.
I am Fintan the white son of Bochna, I shall noot
conceal it; after the Flood here I am a noble great sage.
27. Incipit de The Takings of Ireland. Thereafter
Cessair daughter of Bith s. Noe took it, ut poeta dixit, forty days
before the Flood. This is the reason for her coming, fleeing from
the Flood: for Noe said unto them: Rise, said he [and go] to the western
edge of the world; perchance the Flood may not reach it. 28. The crew of three ships arrived at Dun na
mRarc in the territory of Corco Daibne. Two of the ships were wrecked. Cessair
with the crew of her ship escaped, fifty women and three men:
Bith s. Noe, of whom is Sliab Betha (named) - there was he buried,
in the great stone-heap of Sliab Betha; Ladra the pilot, of whom is Ard
Ladrand - he is the firsst dead man who went under the soil of Ireland;
Fintan s. Bochra, of whom is "Fintan's Grave" over Tul Tuinde. Cessair
died in Cul Cessrach in Connachta, with her fifty maidens.
29, These are their names, ut Fintan cecinit A just division we shared between us, myself and
Bith and bold Ladra; for peace and for reason was it done,
in the matter of the fifty magnificent maidens. Seventeen women I took, including Cessair -Lot,
Luam, Mall, Mar, Froechar, Femar, Faible, Foroll, Cipir, Torrian,
Tamall, Tam, Abba, Alla, Baichne, Sille: that is the tale
which we were there. Seventeen Bith took, with Bairrfhind - Sella,
Della, Duib, Addeos, Fotra, Traige, Nera, Buana, Tamall, Tanna,
Nathra, Leos, Fodarg, Rodarg, Dos, Clos: be it heard -those
were our people further. Sixteen thereafter with Ladra: Alba, Bona, Albor,
Ail, Gothiam, German, Aithne, Inde, Rodarg, Rinne, Inchor, Ain,
Irrand, Espa, Sine, Samoll: that was our fair company. None of the seed of Adam took Ireland before the
Flood but those. 30. Now Ireland was waste [thereafter], for a
space of three hundred years, [or three hundred and twelve, quod uerius est]
till Partholon s. Sera s. Sru came to it. He is the first who took Ireland
after the Flood, on a Tuesday, on the fourteenth of the moon, in Inber
Scene: [for three times was Ireland taken in Inber Scene]. Of the
progeny of Magog son of Iafeth was he, [ut dixi supra]: in the sixstieth
year of the age of Abraham, Partholon took Ireland. 31. Four chieftains strong came Partholon: himself
and Laiglinne his son, from whom is Loch Laighlinne in Ui mac Uais of
Breg; Slanga and Rudraige, the two other sons of Partholon, from
whom are Sliab Slanga and Loch Rudraige. When the grave of Rudraige
was a-digging, the lake there burst forth over the land. 32. Seven years had Partholon in Ireland when
the first man of his people died, ti wit, Fea, from whom is Mag Fea; for there
was he buried, in Mag Fea. 33. In the third year thereafter, the first battle
of Ireland, which Partholon won in Slemna of Mag Itha against Cichol clapperlag
of the Fomoraig. Men with single arms and single legs they were,
who joined the battle with him. 34. There were seven lake bursts in Ireland in
the time of Partholon: Loch Laighlinne in Ui mac Uais of Breg, Loch Cuan and
Loch Rudraige in Ulaid, Loch Dechet and Loch Mese and Loch Con
in Connachta, and Loch Echtra in Airgialla; for Partholon did not
find more than three lakes and nine rivers in Ireland before him -
Loch Fordremain in Sliab Mis of Mumu, Loch Lumnig on Tir Find, Loch Cera
in Irrus; Aba Life, Lui, Muad, Slicech, Samer (upon which is Ess Ruaid),
Find, Modorn, Buas, and Banna between Le and Elle. Four years
before the death of Partholon, the burst of Brena over the land. 35. Four plains were cleared by Partholon in Ireland:
Mag Itha in Laigen, Mag Tuired in Connachta, Mag Li in Ui mac Uais,
Mag Ladrand in Dal nAraide. For Partholon found not more than one
plain in Ireland before him, the Old Plain [of Elta] of Edar. this
is why it is called the "Old Plain" for never did branch of twig of a
wood grow through it. 36. And it is there that Partholon died, five
thousand men and four thousand women, of a week's plague on the kalends
of May. On a Monday plauge killed them all except one man tantum
- Tuan son of Starn son of Sera nephew of Partholon: and God
fashioned him in many forms, and that man survived alone from the
time of Partholon to the time of Findian and of Colum Cille. So he
narrated to them the Takings of Ireland from the time of Cessair, the
first who took, to that time. And that is Tuan son of Cairell son of Muiredach
Muinderg. Of him the history-sage sang the following song - Ye scholars of the Plain of fair, white Conn,
of the land of the men of Fal, as I relate, what company, after the
creation of the world, first lighted upon Ireland? Ireland before the swift Flod, as I reckon her
courses, knowing, pure-white kemps found her, including
Cessair daughter of Bith. Bith son of Noe of the many troops, though he
overcame with a trench-achievement, he died in warlike Sliab
Betha; Ladra died in Ard Ladrann. Fintain went on a journey of weakness, his grave
was found, it ws a leap of impetuosity; he was not in haste
into the trench of a churchyeard, but a grave over Tul
Tuinde. To Dun na mBarc for a separation-festival faring
without scale of reckoning brought them; at the stone-heap,
beside a fruitful sea Cessair died in Cul Cessrach. Forty days full-scanty the slender and graceful
troop arrived in their ship, before the noise of the Flood they
landed on a place of the land of Ireland. He rose on a journey for truth-deciding by the
might of the King whom he used to adore; Fintan, who was a
man with tidings for lords, for mighty ones of the earth.
Three hundred years, I boast of it, I speak through
the rules which I reckon, pleasant Ireland, I proclaim it
against the soothsayers was waste, after the Flood. Partholon the eminent came, a royal course across
an oar- beaten sea: his quartet of heroes, fair and faithful
-among them was the free-born Slanga. Slanga, Laiglinne the brilliant, boardlike, noble
and strong was his canoe; these were his ready trio of chieftains,
along with the lordly Rudraige. Plains were cleared of their great wood, by him,
to get near to his dear children; Mag Itha southward, a hill
of victory-head, Mag Li of ashes, Lag Lathraind. Seven lake-bursts, thouugh ye measure them, with
renown of name, though ye should set them forth they filled,
amid the fetter of valleys, insular Ireland in his time.
Loch Laiglinne, bold Loch Cuan, the Loch of Rudraige,
(he was) a lord without law-giving, Loch Techet, Loch
Oese abounding in mead, Loch Cou, Loch Echtra full
of swans. Over Ireland of beauty of colour, as I relate
every foundation on the fortress of Bith he found not more than
three lakes before him. Three lakes, vast and tideless (?) and nine rivers
full of beauty: Loch Fordremain, Loch Luimnig, Findloch
over the borders of Irrus. The river of Life, the Lee let us mention, which
every druid humms who knows diana senga; the history of the
old rivers of Ireland has demonstrated the true height of
the Flood. Muad, Slicech, Samer, thou dost name it, Buas,
a flood with the fame-likeness of a summit, Modorn, Find with fashion
of a sword-blade (?) Banna between Lee and Eille. He died after pride, with warriors, Partholon,
of the hundredfold troop: they were cut down with possessions,
with treasures, on the Old Plain of Elta of Edar. This is why it is the forutnate Old Plain It is
God the fashioner who caused it: over its land which the
sea-mouth cut off no root or twig of a wood was found. His grave is there according to men of truth,
Although he had no power among saints: Silent was his sleep under
resting places which are no pilgrimage-way for our scholars.
Three hundred years, though ye should know it,
over lands secret to the exalted, had the troop, brightly
tuneful and lasting, over age-old, noble Ireland. Men, women, boys and girls, on the calends of
May, a great hindrance, the plaguing of Partholon in Mag Breg
was no unbroken summer-apportionment of peace. It was thirty lean years that she was empty in
the face of war-champions, after the death of her host throughout
a week, in their troops upon Mag Elta. Let us give adoration to the King of the Elements,
to the good Head, the Fortress of our people, whose is every
troop, every generation, whose is every head, every scholarship.
I am Ua Flaind who scatters truths; an apportionment
with kings hath he chosen; may everything whatsoever
he may say be a speech of grace, may it accord with holiness,
ye scholars! 37. It was the four sons of Partholon who made
the first division of Ireland in the beginning, Er, Orba, Fergna, Feron. There
were four men, namesakes to them, amoung the sons of Mil, but
they were not the same. From Ath Cliath of Laigen to Ailech Neit,
is the division of Er. From Ath Cliath to the island of Ard Nemid, is
the division of Orba. From Ailech to Ath Cliath of Medraige, is the
division of Feron. From that Ath Cliath to Ailech Neit, is the division
of Fergna. So that is that manner they first divided Ireland. 38. Partholon had four oxen, that is the first
cattle of Ireland. Of his company was Brea, son of Senboth, by whom were
a jouse, a flesh [cauldron], and dwelling first made in Ireland.
Of his company was Samailiath, by whom were ale-drinking and suretyship
first made in Ireland. Of his company was Beoir, by whom a guesthouse
was first made in Ireland. As the poet saith Partholon, whence he came to Ireland, reckon ye!
on the day when he reached across the sea, what was the land
from which Partholon came? He came from Sicily to Greece -a year's journey,
with no full falsehood: a month's sailing from Greece westward,
to Cappadocia. From Cappadocia he journeyed, a sailing of three
days to Gothia, a sailing of a month from white Gothia,
to three- cornered Spain. After that he reached Inis Fail, to Ireland from
Spain: on Monday, the tenth without blemish one octad took
Ireland. He is the first man who took his wife in the time
of Partholon without falsehood: Fintan, who took the woman
through combat -Aife, daughter of Partholon. Parthlolon went out one day, to tour his profitable
land: His wife and his henchman together he leaves behind
him on the island. As they were in his house, the two, a wonder unheard-of,
she made an advance to the pure henchman, he made
no advance to her. Since he made her no answer promptly the henchman,
stubborn against an evil intention, she doffs
her in desperation -an impusive action for a good woman!
The henchman rose without uncertainty, a frail
thing is humanity -and came, a saying without pleasure,
with Delgnat to share her couch. Insolent was the prank for a pleasant henchman
which Topa of tuneful strings wrought: to go by a rough trick,
a happiness without pleasure, with Delgnat, to share her couch.
Partholon, who was a man of knowledge, had a vat
of most sweet ale: out of which none could drink aught
save through a tube of red gold. Thirst seized them after the deed, Topa and Delgnat,
according to truth: so that their two mouths drank their
two drinks (?) in the tube. When they did it, a couple without remorse, there
came upon them very great thirst; soon they drank a bright
coal-drink, through the gilded tube. Partholon arrived outside, after ranging the wilderness;
there were given to him, it was a slight disturbance,
his vat and his tube. When he took the straight tube, he perceived upon
it at once, the taste of Topa's mouth as far as this, and
the taste of Delgnat's mouth. A black, surly demon revealed the bad, false,
unpleasant deed: "Here is the taste of Topa's mouth" said he, "And
the taste of Delgnat's mouth." Then said the sound son of Sera, the man called
Partholon: "though short the time we are outside, we have
the right to complain of you." The man smote the woman's dog with his palm -
it was no profit -he slew the hound, it was a treasure that
would be slender; so that is the first jealousy of Ireland.
Degnat answered her husband: "Not upon us is the
blame, though bitter thou thinkest my saying it, truly,
but it is upon thee." Though evil thou thinkest my saying it to thee,
Partholon, its right shall be mine: I am the 'one before one'
here, I am innocent, recompense is my due. Honey with a woman, milk with a cat, food with
one generous, meat with a child, a wright within and an edge[d
tool] one before one, 'tis a great risk.' The woman will taste the thick honey, the cat
will drink the milk, the generous will bestow the pure food,
the child will eat the meat. The wright will lay hold of a tool, the one with
the one will go together: wherefore it is right to guard them
well from the beginning. That is the first adultery to be heard of made
here in the beginning: the wife of Partholon, a man of rank,
to go to an ignoble henchman. He came after the henchman and slew him with anger:
to him there came not the help of God upon the Weir of
the Kin- murder. The place where that was done, after its fashioning
certainty - great is its sweetness that was there of a day
in the land of Inis Ssaimera. And that, without deceit, is the first judgement
in Ireland so that thence, with very noble judgement, is "the
right of his wife against Partholon." Seventeen years had they thereafter, till there
came the death of that man; the battle of Mag Itha of the combats
was one of the deeds of Partholon. Further of the voyaging of Partholon - Good was the great company that Partholon had:
maidens and active youths, chieftains and champions. ' Totacht and strong Tarba, Eochar and Aithechbel,
Cuaille, Dorcha, Dam, the seven chief ploughmen of Partholon.
Liac and Lecmag with colour, Imar and Etrigi,
the four oxen, a proper group, who ploughed the land of Partholon.
Beoir was the name of the man, with his nobles
and with his people, who suffered a guest in his firm house,
the first in Ireland's island. By that Brea son of Senboth a house was first,
a cauldron on fire; a feat that the pleasant Gaedil desert not,
dwelling in Ireland. By Samaliliath were known ale-drinking and surety-ship:
by him were made thereafter worship, prayer, questioning.
The three druids of Partholon of the harbours,
Fiss, Eolas, Eochmarc: the names of his three chamions further,
Milchu, Meran, Muinechan. The names of the ten noble daughters whom Partholon
had, and the names of his ten sons-in-law I have aside,
it is a full memory. Aife, Aine, lofty Adnad, Macha, Mucha, Melepard,
Glas and Grenach, Auach and Achanach. Aidbli, Bomnad and Ban, Caertin, Echtach, Athchosan,
Lucraid, Ligair, Lugaid the warrior, Gerber who was not
vain of word. Beothach, Iarbonel, Fergus, Art, Corb, who followed
(?) without sin, Sobairche, active Dobairche, were the five
chieftains of Nemed, good in strength. Bacorb Ladra, who was a sound sage, he was Partholon's
man of learning: he is the first man, without uncertainty,
who made hospitality at the first. Where they ploughed in the west was at Dun FInntain,
though it was very far: and they grazed grass of resting
in the east of Mag Sanais. Bibal and Babal the white, were Partholon's two
merchants: Bibal brought gold hither, Babal brought cattle.
The first building of Ireland without sorrow,
was made by Partholon: the first brewing, churning, ale, a
course with grace, at first, in good and lofty Ireland. Rimad was the firm tall-ploughman, Tairle the
general head- ploughamn: Fodbach was the share, no fiction is
that, and Fetain the coulter. Broken was the name of the man, it was perfect,
who first wrought hidden shamefulness: it waas destroyed
with a scattering that was not evil, Partholon thought
this to be good. So these are the tidings of the first Taking of
Ireland after the Flood. 39. Now Ireland was waste thereafter, for a space
of thirty years after Partholon, till Nemed son of Agnomain of the Greeks
of Scythia came thither, with his four chieftains; [they were
the four sons of Nemed]. Forty-four ships had he on the Caspian Sea for
a year and a half, but his ship alone reached Ireland. These are the
four chieftains, Starn, Iarbonel the Soothsayer, Annind, and Fergus Red-Side:
they were the four sons of Nemed. 40. There were four lake-bursts in Ireland in
the time of Nemed: Loch Cal in Ui Niallain, Loch Munremair in Luigne, Loch
Dairbrech, Loch Annind in Meath. When his grave [of Annind son of Nemed]
was being dug and he was a-burying, there the lake burst over
the land. 41, It is Nemed who won the battle of Ros Fraechain
against Gand and Sengand, two kings of the Fomoraig, and the twain
were slain there. Two royal forts were dug by Nemed in Ireland,
Raith Chimbaith in Semne, Raith Chindeich in Ui Niallain. The four
sons of Matan Munremar dug Raith Cindeich in one day: namely,
Boc, Roboc, Ruibne, and Rotan. They were slain before the morrow in
Daire Lige by Nemed, lest they should improve upon the digging. 42. Twelve plains were cleared by Nemed in Ireland:
Mag Cera, Mag Eba, Mag Cuile Tolaid, and Mag Luirg in Connachta:
Mag Seired in Tethba; Mag Tochair in Tir Eogain; Mag Selmne in Araide;
Mag Macha in Airgialla; Mag Muirthemne in Brega; Mag Bernsa
in Laighne; Leccmag and Mag Moda in Mumu. 43. He won three battles agains the Fomoraig [or
sea-rovers]: the battle of Badbgna in Connachta, of Cnamros in Laigne, of
Murbolg in Dal Riada. After that, Nemed died of plague in Oilean Arda
Nemid in Ui Liathain. 44. The progeny of Nemed were under great oppression
after his time in Ireland, at the hands of More, s. Dela and of
Conand s. Febar [from whom is the Tower of Conand named, which to-day
is called Toirinis Cetne. In it was the great fleet of the Fomoraig].
Two thirds of the progeny, the wheat, and the milk of the people
of Ireland (had to be brought) every Samain to Mag Cetne. Wrath and
sadness seized on the men of Ireland for the burden of the tax. They
all went to fight against the Fomoraig. They had three champions,
Semul s. Iarbonel the Soothsayer s. Nemed, Erglan s. Beoan s. Starn
s. Nemed, Fergus Red- Side s. Nemed. Thirty thousand on sea, other thirty
thousand on land, these assaulted the tower. Conand and his progeny
fell. 45. So, after that capture, More son of Dela came
upon the, with the crews of three-score ships, and they fell in a mutual
slaughter. The sea came up over the people of Ireland, and not one
of them fled from another, so severe was the battling: none escaped
but one ship, in which there were thirty warriors. They went forth,
parting from Ireland, fleeing from the sickness and taxation:
Bethach died in Ireland of plague; his ten wives survivied him
for a space of twenty- three years. Ibath and his son Baath went into
the north of the world. Matach and Erglan and Iartach, the three
sons of Beoan, went to Dobar and Iardobar in the north of Alba. 46. Semeon went in the lands of the Greeks. His
progeny increased there till they amounted to thousands. Slavery was imposed
upon them by the Greeks; they had to carry clay upon rough
mountains so that they became flowery plains. Thereafter they were
weary of their servitude, and they went in flight, five thousand
strong, and made them ships of their bags: [or, as the Quire of
Druim Snechta says, they stole the pinnaces of the king of Greece
for coming therein]. Thereafter they came again into Ireland, their
land of origin: that was at the end of two hundred and thirty years after
Nemed. These are their five chiefs, Gand, Genand, Rudraige, Sengand
and Slaine. 47. As for Fergus Red-Side and his son, Britain
Mael of whom are all the Britons in the world, they took Moin Conain and
filled with their progeny the great island, Britannia Insula: till
Hengist and Horsa, the two sons of Guictglis, King of the Old Saxons,
came and conquered them: and they drove the Britons over the borders
of the Island. These are the adventures of the progeny of Nemed
after the taking of Conand's Tower: unde the Historian cecinit Great Ireland which the Gaedil regulate, I tell
some of her concerns: Great chiefs spear-armed took her, of
the proud race of Adam. From Adam the truly tuneful, the ruthless, to
the Flood, a tumult that was prepared, none warmed her very
powerful household except Cessair of the fifty maidens.
Except Bith and Ladru - let us relate it -Fintan,
with darkness of the land, no man found it, who revealed
the stately superiority of Ireland, before the time
of the Flood. After the Flood of secret going three hundred
years, whoso relates it, he who was a bright crown for
deeds of valour, Partholon son of Sera, comes. Notwithstanding every stately psalm-canon, the
people of Partholon the sinner -dead was the whole tally
of his household, upon the Old Plain, in the course of
a week. Six fives of years without increase, without a
guard, it was dark obscurity, Desert was every side to the proud
sea; Not a person took it save Nemed. Nemed with wrath (?) of them all, with store of
feters and valour, he possessed the land of the warring of
hosts, after the destruction of the other companies.
He used to effect victory without hazards, Nemed,
with pride and intelligence: the son of Agnomain with
haughtiness, although his troop was weak, it was
stately. Starn, who fell at the hands of Mac Faebuir, Iarbonel
the Soothsayer, who was joyous, Ainnind with fetters
of leather, were the three venemous chieftains of
Nemed. Nemed who paid them in the matter of securities,
it was a pestilence of fire over a death-doom; in his time,
with a great noise of rushing, there was an outburst
- four lakes. Loch Munremair, a pleasant sea, of broad-ridged,
firm fury; Loch Dairbrech over a hedge of a king (?) Loch
Cal and Loch Ainnind. Vigorously there were dug by his host two forts
with strength and firmness, Raith Cindeich in which
he apportioned weapons, Raith Cimbaeith in Semne.
Cleared by him, it was a road of pleasure, twelve
plains of good eye (-prospect), Mag Cera in Connachta of
mists, Mag Moda and Mag Eba. Strong Mag Tochair was cleansed, Leemag of the
great plain of Muma, Mag Bernsa with a mystery of great
graces, Mag Cuile Tolad, Mag Lugad. Mag Sered of drying-up of a river, Mag Semne of
lightness of colouring, Mag Luirg of little darkness of
side, Mag Muirthemne, Mag Macha. The routs - a work to recount them - which he
broke against the warriors of Fomoire of much sharpness;
the battle of huge Morbole of great sharpness the
battle of Badgna, and the battle of Cnamros. In the territory of Liathan by Muma, the dark
lord of slaughter died of plague: with the rude company
of clean grass in Oilean Arda Nemid. They were not in security as regards oppression
-the progeny which Nemed fertilised -at the hands of
Conaing with hard body and at the hands of More son of
Dela. Two-thirds of their shapely children, it was not
generous against military weakness -a lasting tax through
ages of the world -two-thirds of corn and of milk. To hard Mag Cetna of weapons, Over Eas Ruaid of
wonderful salmon, it was prepared against help,
against feasting (?) for them, every Samain eve. Semeon son of joyful Iardan, Fergus pure and generous,
an effort of pride, Erglan son of warlike Beoan,
were the three freemen for their hosts. The host of Ireland with her troop came - it was
steppings of power -a warrior-band who had blood through
the body, westward to the capture of Conaing's tower. Conaing's tower with store of plunder of a union
of the crimes of hundreds of rapine, a fortress of assembly
of the art of the rage of the Fomoire of the sea. The men of Ireland after its capture, with the
great valour of the courses before them, of these, tidings
of loss, none escaped except thirty of the children of Nemed.
They were not at peace regarding their inheritance,
that host with great valour of despair; of the thirty
noble warriors, every chieftain went his ways. Into the land of Greeks, the remnant of the troop
went Semeon, it was a road of happiness: with wisdom
over the pre-eminent division went Fergus into Moin Conain.
Britan Mael son of the prince free the multitude
of tracks over streams, son of Lethderg from Leemag from
whom are the Britons of the world. Bethach under steps of forms of fame died in Ireland
according to truthfulness: his ten wives behind
him, thereafter, for a space of twenty-three years.
Hundreds sprang from Semeon, the Greeks thought
them a numerous legion: they were not accepted by the
warriors but were enslaved by the Greeks. This was the order of the chieftains, Carrying
round bags - it was not fraught with fame -[of] clay upon
a rocky stony mountain so that it was a plain rich in
flowers and flocks. They departed with no treacherous covenant upon
the wrathful very black sea, out of the captivity
of hard fosterage with ships and with bags. These were their names of pride, of the kings,
spirited, with agility, Gann, Genann with choice men of
good divisions, Rudraige, Sengann, Slanga. The seed of Semeon of a row of spear-divisions,
a deed of pure will of purity of action-deeds; The Galioin,
men of the very scanty orderings, The Fir Bolg and the Fir
Domnann. Two hundred years, whoso relates it, after Nemed,
lustrous his deeds of valour, till the Fir Bolg took the
tuneful land of Ireland, from the sea-pool of ocean. Their sending, their measuring-out, endures; they
divided into five, without religion -without a falling
for their slender-sided sept -pleasant Ireland, from Uisnech.
Let us give adoration to most righteous Christ
Who hath subdued the strongest floods; His is the world
with its generation, His is every territory, His is Ireland.
The capture of Conaing's tower with valour against
Conaing the great, son of Faebar: the men of Ireland came
to it, three brilliant chieftains with them. Erglan son of Beoan son of Starn, Semeon son of
bitter Iardan, before exile went the warrior of the plains,
the son of Nemed, Fergus Lethderg. Three score thousands in brilliant wise over land
and over water, that is the tally who went from home, the
children of Nemed, to the capture. Torinis, island of the tower, the fortress of
Conaing son of Faebar; by Fegus himself, a fighting of valour,
Conaing son of Faebar fell. More son of Dela came there, it was for a help
to Conaing: Conaing fell previously, More thought it grave
tidings. Three score ships over the sea was the tally with
which More son of Dela came; there encountered them
before they came to land, the children of Nemed with powerful
strength. The men of all Ireland in the battle, after the
coming of the Fomoraig, the sea-surge drowned them all,
except thrice ten men. Erglan, Matach, Iartacht the noble, the three
sons of Beoan son of Starn, white his girdle, Bethach, Britan
after the battle, Baath the glorious, and Ibath. Bechach, Bethach, Bronal, Pal, Goirthigorn, German,
Glasa, Ceran, Gobran, Gothiam pure, Gam, Dam, Ding and
Deal. Semeon, Fortecht, bright Gosten, Grimaig, Guillius
with cleverness, Taman, Turrue, and Glas, Feb, and
Feran curl- haired. Three tens on the tuneful sailing went afterwards
from Ireland: in three they made divisions after the
capture of Conaing's Tower in the west. The third of Bethach the victoriuous, tuneful
fame, from Toirinis to Boinn: it is he who died in Inis Fail,
two years after Britan. The third of Semeon son of noble Erglan to Belach
Conglais with horror; the third of Britan, saith Ua Flaind,
from that to Conaing's Tower. The children of Israel on a journey at that time,
out of Egypt; and the children of Gaedel Glas, were a-voyaging
to Scythia. O Christ fair, with beauty of appearance, O KIng,
apportioner of the haven of Paradise, Into Thy
heaven, famous the place, O King of the workd, mayest
thou choose me! 48. Now as for the Fir Bolg, they brought five
chieftains with them, ut dixi supra, to wit, Gann, Genann, Rudraige, Sengann,
Slanga: those were the fivce sons of Dela. Their fivce wives next,
Anust, Liber, Cnucha, Fuat, Etar: [unde dicitur] Fuat, wife of Slanga, you do not think it crooked,
Etar wife to Gann with valour, Anust wife of Sengann
of the spears, Cnucha who was wife of pure Genann. Liber wife of Rudraige of the Road, a people sweet,
that was not narrow: Rudraige, master of wiles, I suppose,
Fuat was his wife. 49. The Fir Bolg separated into three. With Slanga
s. Dela s. Loth his third [landed] in Inber Slaine: his Fifth is from Inber
Colptha to Comar Tri nUisce; a thousand men his tally. The second third
landed in Inber Dubglaisi with Gann and Sengann: two thousand
were their tally, Gann from Comar Tri nUisce to Belach Conglais, Sengann
from Belach Conglais to Luimneach - that is, over the two Fifths of
Mumu. Genann and Rudraige with a third of the host, they landed
in Inber Domnann: [whence they are called Fir Domnann}. Genann it
is who was king over the Fifth of Medb and Ailell; Rudraige over the
Fifth of Conchobor - other two thousand were his tally. Those are the
Fir Bolg, the Fir Domnann, and the Gailioin. As to the Fir Domnann, the creek takes its name
from them. The Fir Bolg - they were named from their bags. The Gailioin,
from the multitude of their javelins were they named. They made one Taking and one princedom, for they
were five brethren, the five sons of Dela s. Loth. And in one week
they took Ireland, [though the days were different]. On Saturday,
the kalends of August, Slanga landed in Inber Slaine. On Tuesday Gann
and Sengann landed. On Friday Genann and Rudraige landed: and thus
is it one Taking, though they were differently styled. The Gaileoin,
from Slanga were they named. From Gann and Sengann were the Fir
Bolg named. The Fir Domnann were named from deepening the earth:
they were Genann and Rudraige with their followers. For they are
all called Fir Bolg, and thirty-seven years was the length of their
Lordship over Ireland. The five sons of Dela were the five kings of the
Fir Bolg, i.e., Gann, Genann, Rudraige, Sengann, Slaine. 50. [Now these men, the Fir Bolg, were the progeny
of Dela.] Slanga was the eldest, s. Dela s. Loth s. Oirthet, s. Tribuat
s. Gothorb s. Gosten s. Fortech s. Semeon s. Erglan s. Beoan s. Starn
s. Nemed s. Agnomain. No king took, who was called "of Ireland," till
the Fir Bolg came. Nine kings of them took Ireland. Slanga, one year
- it is he who died of the Fir Bolg in Ireland at the first. Rudraige,
two years, till he died in Brug Bratruad. Gann and Genann, four years,
till they died of plague in Fremaind. Sengann, five years, till
he fell at the hands of Rindail s. Genann s. Dela. Rindail, six years,
till he fell at the hands of Fodbgenid s. Sengann s. Dela in Eba Coirpre.
Fodbgen, four years, till he fell in Mag Muirthemne at the hands of
Eochu s. Rindail s. Genann s. Dela. Eochu son of Erc, ten years. There
was no wetting in his time, save only dew: there was no year without
harvest. Falsehoods were expelled from Ireland in his time.
By him was executed the law of justice in Ireland for the
fist time. Eochu son of Erc fell at the hands of three sons of Nemed s.
Badra: he is the first king of Ireland who received his death-wound in
Ireland. [Unde Colum Cille cecinit "Dean moresnis a mic,"etc.] 51. The Fir Bolg gave them [the Tuatha De Danann]
battle upon Mag Tuired; they were a long time fighting that battle. At
last it broke against the Fir Bolg, and the slaughter pressed northward,
and a hundred thousand of them were slain westward to the strand
of Eochaill. There was the king Eochu overtaken, and he fell at the
hands of the three sons of Nemed. Yet the Tuatha De Danann suffered
great loss in the battle, and they left the king on the field, with
his arm cut from him; the leeches were seven years healing him. The
Fir Bolg fell in that battle all but a few, and they went out of Ireland
in flight from the Tuatha De Danann, into Ara, and Ile, and Rachra
and other islands besides. [it was they who led the Fomoraig to
the second battle of Mag Tuired]. And they were in [those islands]
till the time of the Provincials over Ireland, till the Cruithne drove
them out. They came to Cairbre Nia Fer, and he gave them lands; but
they were unable to remain with him for the heaviness of the impost
which he put upon them. Thereafter they came in flight before Cairbre
under the protection of Meldb and Ailill, and these gave
them lands. This is the wandering of the sons of Umor. [Oengus son of
Umor was king over them in the east], and from them are named those
territories, Loch CIme from Cime Four-Heads son of Umor, the Point
of Taman in Medraige from Taman son of Umor, the Fort of Oengus
in Ara from Oengus, the Stone-heap of Conall in Aidne from
Conall, Mag Adair from Adar, Mag Asail from Asal in Mumu also. Menn son
of Umor was the poet. They were in fortresses and in islands of
the sea around Ireland in that wise, till Cu Chulaind overwhelmed
them. 52. Those are the kings of the Fir Bolg and their
deaths; unde poeta cecinit The Fir Bolg were here for a season in the great
island of the sons of Mil; the five chiefs which they brought
with them from over yonder I know their names. A year had Slanga, this is true, till he died
in his fine mound; the first man of the Fir bolg of the peaks
who died in the island of Ireland. Two years of Rudraige the Red, till he died in
Brug Brat- ruaid, four of Genann and of Gann, till plague
slew them in Fremaind. Five years of Sengann - they were reposeful -till
Fiachu son of Starn slew him; five others - it was through
battle -Fiachu Cendfhindan was king. Fiachu Cendfhindan before all, his name endures
for ever; whiteheaded all, without reproach, were the kine
of Ireland in his presence. Till he fell at the hands of red Rindail, he got
six [years] with his free host; The grandson of Dela fell
then in Eba, at the hands of Odbgen. Four to noble Odbgen till the battle of Murthemne
of the nobles: Odbgen died without reproach at the hands
of the son of Erc, of lofty Eochu. Ten years to Eochu son of Erc, he found not the
border- line of weakness: till they slew him on the battlefield,
the three sons of Nemed son of Badra. TIll Rinnal grew, there was no point at all upon
a weapon in Ireland; upon harsh javelins there was no fair-covering,
but their being rushing-sticks. In the time of Fodbgen thereafter there came knots
through trees: the woods of Ireland down till
then were smooth and very straight. The pleasant Tuatha De Danann brought spears with
them in their hands: with them Eochu was slain, by
the seed of Nemed of strong judgement. The names of the three excellent sons of Nemed
were Cessarb, Luam, and Luachra: it is they who slew
the first king with a point, Eochu son of Erc, in Ireland.
Thereafter the Tuatha De fought for the Fir Bolg,
it was a rought appearance. They took away their goods
and their lordship from the Men. 53. Fintan cecinit of the division of the Provinces
- The five parts of Ireland between sea and land,
I entreat the fair candles of every province among them.
From Drobais swift and fierce, is the holy first
division to the Boyne white and vast south from white Bairche.
From the Boyne, tuneful and whitely-glowing with
hundreds of harbours To the Meeting with sound
of assembled waves of the cold Three Waters. From that same Meeting with nimble ..... From
the Bel of the brave Cu who is called 'glas.' From Lumnech of huge ships -broad its surface
-To Drobais of armed multitudes, pure, on which a
sea laugheth. Knowledgeable prostration, pathways are related,
perfection in the matter of correction towards a road into
five. The points of those provinces to Uisnech did they
lead, Each of them out of its .... ..... till it was
five. The progeny of Semeon were all the Gaileoin and
Fir Domnann. Thirty years after Genann and Rudraige, the Tuatha De
Danann came into Ireland. 54. Thereafter the progeny of Bethach s. Iarbonel
the Soothsayer s. Nemed were in the northern islands of the world, learning
druidry and knowledge and prphecy and magic, till they were
expert in the arts of pagan cunning. 55. So that they were the Tuatha De Danann who
came to Ireland. In this wise they came, in dark clouds. They landed on
the mountains of Conmaicne Rein in Connachta; and they brought
a darkness over the sun for three days and three nights. 56. They demanded battle of kingship of the Fir
Bolg. A battle was fought between them, to wit the first battle of Mag Tuired,
in which a hundred thousand of the Fir Bolg fell. Thereafter
they [the TDD] took the kingship of Ireland. Those are the Tuatha
Dea - gods were their men of arts, non-gods their husbandmen. They knew
the incantations of druids, and charioteers, and trappers, and
cupbearers. 57. It is the Tuatha De Danann who brought with
them the Great Fal, [that is, the Stone of Knowledge], which was in Temair,
whence Ireland bears the name of "The Plain of Fal." He under whom
it should utter a cry was King of Ireland; until Cu Chulainn smote it,
for it uttered no cry under him nor under his fosterling, Lugaid, son
of the three Finds of Emain. And from that out the stone uttered no
cry save under Conn of Temair. Then its heart flew out from it [from
Temair] to Tailltin, so that is the Heart of Fal which is there. It was
no chance which caused it, but Christ's being born, which is what
broke the owers of the idols. 58. Now Nuadu Airgetlam was king over the Tuatha
De Danann for seven years before their coming into Ireland, until
his arm was hewn from him in the first battle of Mag Tuired. Eidleo
s. Alldai, he was the first man of the Tuatha De Danann who fell in Ireland,
by the hand of Nercon ua Semeoin, in the first battle of Mag
Tuired. Ernmas, and Echtach, and Etargal, and Fiachra, and Tuirill
Piccreo fell in the same battle. Bress s. Elada took the kingship of Ireland
post, to the end of seven years, till the arm of Nuadu was healed:
a silver arm with activity in every finger and every joint which
Dian Cecht put upon him, Credne helping him. 59. Tailltiu daughter of Mag Mor king of Spain,
queen of the Fir Bolg, came after the slaughter was inflicted upon the Fir
Bolg in that first battle of Mag Tuired to Coill Cuan: and the wood was
cut down by her, so it was a plain under clover-flower before the end
of a year. This is that Tailtiu who was wife of Eochu son of Erc king
of Ireland till the Tuatha De Danann slew him, ut praediximus: it
is he who took her from her father, from Spain; and it is she who
slept with Eochu Garb son of Dui Dall of the Tuatha De Danann; and Cian
son of Dian Cecht, whose other name was Scal Balb, gave her his son
in fosterage, namely Lug, whose mother was Eithne daughter of Balar.
So Tailltiu died in Tailltiu, and her name clave thereto and her grave
is from the Seat of Tailltiu north-eastward. Her games were performed
every year and her song of lamentation, by Lug. With gessa and feats
of arms were they performed, a fortnight before Lugnasad and a fortnight
after: under dicitur Lugnasad, that is, the celebration (?)
or the festival of Lug. Unde Oengus post multum tempus dicebat, "the nasad
of Lug, or the nasad of Beoan [son] of Mellan." 60. to return to the Tuatha De Danann. Nuadu Airgatlam
fell in the last battle of Mag Tuired, and Macha daughter of Ernmas,
at the hands of Balar the strong-smiter. In that battle there
fell Ogma s. Elada at the hands of Indech son of the De Dmnann, king of
the Fomoire. Bruidne and Casmael fell at the hands of Ochtriallach
s. Indech. After the death of Nuadu and of those men, Lug took the
kingship of Ireland, and his grandfather Balar the Strong-smiter fell
at his hands, with a stone from his sling. Lug was forty years in the
kingship of Ireland after the last battle of Mag Tuired, and there
were twenty-seven years between the battles. 61, Then Eochu Ollathair, the great Dagda, son
of Elada, was eighty years in the kingship of Ireland. His three sons were Oengus
and Aed and Cermat Coem; the three sons of Dian Cecht, Cu
and Cethen and Cian. 62. Dian Cecht had three sons, Cu, Cehten and
Cian. Miach was the fourth son though many do not reckon him. His daughter
was Etan the Poetess, and Airmed the she-leech was the other
daughter: and Coirpre, son of Etan was the poet. Crichinbel
and Bruidne and Casmael were the three satirists. Be Chuille and Dianann
were the two she- farmers. The three sons of Cermad son of The Dagda were
Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, Mac Griene: Sethor and Tethor and Cethor were
their names. Fotla and Banba and Eriu were their three wives. Fea and Nemaind were the two wives of Net, a quo
Ailech Neit. Flidais, of whom is the "Cattle of Flidais"; her
four daughters were Argoen and Be Chuille and Dinand and Be Theite.
The two royal oxen were Fea and Femen, of whom
are the Plain of Fea and the Plain of Femen. Those were two faithful
oxen. Torc Triath was king of the boars, from whom is
Mag Treitherne. Cirba was king of the wethers, from whom is Mag Cirba.
Math son of Umor was the druid. Badb and Macha and Anand, of whom are the Paps
of Anu in Luachar were the three daughters of Ernmas the she-farmer.
Goibniu the smith, Luicne the carpenter, Creidne
the wright, Dian Cecht the leech. 63, Delbaeth after The Dagda, ten years in the
kingship of Ireland, till he fell, with his son Ollom, at the hands of Caicher
s. Nama, frater of Nechtan. Fiacha s. Delbaeth took the kingship
of Ireland after his father, other ten years, till he fell, along with
Ai s. Ollom, at the hands of Eogan Inbir. Twenty-nine years had the grandsons
of The Dagda in the kingship of Ireland, to wit Mac Cuill, Mac
Cecht, and Mac Greiene: they divided Ireland into three parts. To them
came the Gaedil to Ireland, so that they fell by the hands of three
sons of Mil, avenging Ith, Cuailnge, and Fust, of the three sons of
Breogan. 64, Nuadu Airgetlam s. Echtach s. Etarlam s. Ordam
s. Aldui s. Tat s. Tavarn s. Enda s. Baath s. Ebath s. Bethach s. Iarbonel
s. Nemed s. Agnomain s. Pamp s. Tat s. Sera s. Sru s. Esru s. Braimend
s. Rathacht s. Magoth s. Iafeth s. Noe. Neit s. Indui s. Alldui s. Tat Fiachna s. Delbaeth s. Ogma s. Elada s. Delbaeth
s. Net Ai s. Ollam s. Delbaeth s. Ogma s. Elada. Lug s. Cian s. Dian Cecht s. Esarg s. Net s. Indui
s. Alldui, he is the first who brought chess-play and ball-play and
horse-racing and assembling into Ireland, unde quidam cecinit Lug son of Ethliu, a cliff without a wrinkle,
with him there first came a lofty assembly: after the coming
of Christ, it is no idle proclamation Conchobar the wise and
violent died. Caicher and Nechtan, the two sons of Nama s. eochu
Garb s. Dui Temen s. Bres s. Delbaeth s. Net. Siugmall s. Corpre Crom s. Eremair s. Delbaeth
s. Ogma. Oengus mac Oc nad Aed Caem and Cermait Milbel,
those are the three sons of the Dagda. Corpre the poet s. Tuar s. Tuirell s. Cait Conaichend
s. Orda s. Alldui s. Tat Galia s. Oirbsen s. Elloth s. Elada s. Delbaeth
s. Net Orbsen was the name of Manannan at first, and
from him is named Loch Orbsen in Connachta. When Manannan was being buried,
it is then the lake burst over the land, [through the burial].
The six sons of Delbaeth s. Ogma s. Elada s. Delbaeth
s. Net, were Fiachra, Ollam, Indui, Brian, Iucharba, Iuchar.
Donann the daughter of the same Delbaeth was mother of the three last,
Brian, Iucharba and Iuchar. These were the three gods of Danu, from
whom is named the Mountain of the Three gods. And that Delbaeth
had the name Tuirell Bicreo. Tuirill s. Cait moreover was the grandfather of
Corpre the poet, and Etan d. Dian Cecht was mother of that Tuirill.
The three sons of Cermait, moreover, ut diximus;
Mac Cuill - Sethor, the hazel his god; Mac Cecht - Tethor, the ploughshare
his god; Mac Greine - Cethor, the sun his god. Fotla was wife
of Mac Cecht, Banba of Mac Cuill, Eriu of Mac Greine. Those were the
three daughters of Fiachna son of Delbaeth. Ernmas daughter of Etarlam
s. Nuada Airgetlam was mother of those three women, and
mother of Fiachna and Ollom. Ernmas had other three daughters, Badb and Macha
and Morrigu, whose name was Anand. Her three sons were Glon
and Gaim and Coscar. Boind daughter of Delbaeth s. elada. Fea and Neman, the two wives of Net s. Indiu,
two daughters of Elemar of the Brug. Uillend s. Caicher s. Nuadu Airgetlam. Bodb of the Mound of Femen, s. Eochu Gab s. Dui
Temen s. Bres s. Elada s. Delbaeth s. Net. Abean s. Bec-Felmas s. Cu s. Dian Cecht, the poet
of Lug. En s. Bec-En s. Satharn s. Edleo s. Alda s. Tat
s. Taburn. At Tat s. Tabourn the choice of the Tuatha De
Danann unite. Of that the historian sang - Ireland with pride, with weapons, hosts spread
over her ancient plain, westward to the sunset were they
plunderers, her chieftains of destruction around
Temair. Thirty years after Genand goblin hosts took the
fertile land; a blow to the vanquished People of Bags
was the visit of the Tuatha De Danann. It is God who suffered them, though He restrained
them - they landed with horror, with lofty deed, in their
cloud of mighty combat of spectres, upon a mountain of
Conmaicne of Connacht. Without distinction to descerning Ireland, Without
ships, a ruthless course the truth was not known beneath
the sky of stars, whether they were of heaven or of earth.
If it were diabolic demons the black-cloaked agitating
expedition, it was sound with ranks, with hosts:
if of men, it was the proteny of Bethach. Of men belonging to law (is) the greeborn who
has the strong seed: Bethach, a swift warrior-island (?)
son of Iarbonel son of Nemed. They cast no assembly or justice about the place
of Fal to the sunset: there was fire and fighting at last
in Mag Tuired. The Tuatha De, it was the bed of a mighty one,
around the People of Bags fought for the kingship: in their
battle with abundance of pride, troops of hundreds of thousands
died. The sons of Elada, glory of weapons, a wolf of
division against a man of plunder: Bres from the Brug of
Banba of wise utterance, Dagda, Delbaeth, and Ogma. Eriu, though it should reach a road-end, Banba,
Fotla, and Fea, Neman of ingenious versicles, Danann, mother
of the gods. Badb and Macha, greatness of wealth, Morrigu -
springs of craftiness, sources of bitter fighting were the
three daughters of Ernmas. Goibniu who was not impotent in smelting, Luichtne,
the free wright Creidne, Dian Cecht, for going roads
of great healing, Mac ind Oc, Lug son of Ethliu. Cridinbel, famous Bruinde, Be Chuille, shapely
Danand, Casmael with bardism of perfecdtion, Coirpre son
of Etan, and Etan. The grandsons of the Dagda, who had a triple division
(?) divided Banba of the bugle-horns; let us tell
of the princes of excellence of hospitality, the three
sons of Cermat of Cualu. Though Ireland was multitudes of thousands they
divided her land into thirds: great chieftains of deeds
of pride, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, Mac Greine. He swept them clean from their land, did the Son
of God, from the royal plain which I make manifest: for
all the valour of their deeds, of their clear division,
their seed is not over Ireland. It is Eochu without enchantment of leapings who
fashions the distinction of his good quatrains; but knowledge
of the warriors when he relates it, though he enumerates
them, he adores them not. Adore ye the name of the King who measured you,
who apportions every truth which he (Eochu) narrates:
who hath released every storm which we expect, who
hath fashioned the pleasant land of Ireland. Tanaide cecinit The Tuatha De Danann under obscurity, a people
without a covenant of religion; whelps of the wood that
has not withered, people of the blood of Adam's flesh.
Nobles yonder of the strong people, people of
the withered summit, let us relate, in the course in which
we are, their periods in their kingdom. A space of seven years oq Nuadu noble-stately
over the fair-haired compnay, the rule of the man large-breasted,
flaxen-maned, before his coming into Ireland.
In Mag Tuired, heavy with doom, where fell a champion
of the battle, from the white defender of the world
-his arm of princedom was lopped off Seven years of Bres, which was not a white space,
through its fair prospect for the song-abbot, in the princedom
over the plain, generous in nuts, till the arm of Nuadu
was healed. Nuadu after that twenty years, he brought the
fairy-folk a-hosting, till Lug the spear-slaughterous was
made king - the many-crafted who cooled not. Forty to Lug - it was balanced -in the kingship
over the Palace of Banba; he reached no celestial bed of
innocence; eighty to The Dagda. Ten years to vehement Delbaeth till one wise in
course and royal (?) arrived, faultness over the brink of
the ocean - ten other to Fiachna. Twenty-nine years, I have proclaimed it, over
every peace- land of Ireland, in the kingdom over Banba eduringly
great had the grandons of The Dagda skilled in denseng.
Thereafter the sons of Mil came, they arrived
to redden them -children of the great hero who burst out
of Spain without growing cold. Till the deedful Gaedil wounded them, without
a troop, through their cunning, it is not a matter of fable
or of folly that small was the weakness of the Tuatha.
Fland Mainstrech cecinit Hearken, ye sages without sorrow, if it be your
will that I relate the deaths yonder, with astuteness, of
the choie of the Tuatha De Danann. Edleo son of Alldai yonder, the first man of the
Tuatha De Danann who fell in virgin Ireland, by the hand
of Nerchon grandson of Semeon. Ernams, high her valour, fell, Fiachra, Echtach,
Etargal, Tuirill Picreo of Baile Breg in the first batle
of Mag Tuired. Elloth with battle fell -the father, great and
rough, of Manannan -and perfect, fair Donand, at the hands
of De Domnand of the Fomoraig. Cethen of Cu died of horror in Aircheltra; Cian
far from his home did Brian, Iucharba dn Iuchar slay. Of a stroke of the pure sun died Cairpre the great,
son of Etan: Etan died over the pool of sorrow for white-headed
Cairpre. In Mag Tuired, it was through battle Nuadu Airgetlam
fell: and Macha - that was after Samain -by the hand
of Balar the strong-smiter. Ogma fell, without being weak at the hands of
Indech son of De Domnann: breasted Casmael the good fell
at the hands of Oichtriallach son of Indech. Now of painful plague died Dian Cecht and Goibnenn
the smith: Liughne the wright fell along with them
by a strong fiery dart. Creidne the pleasant artificer was drowned on
the lake-sea, the sinister pool, fetching treasures of noble
gold to Ireland from Spain. Bress died in Carn ui Neit by the treachery of
Lug, with no fullness of falsehood: for him it was a cause
of quarrel indeed drinking bog-stuff in the guise of milk.
De Chuille and faithful Dianann, both the farmeresses
died, an evening with druidry, at the last, by gray
demons of air. He fell on the strand eastward in the trenches
of Rath Ailig, Did Indui the great, son of pleasant Delbaith,
at the hands of Gann, a youth bold, white-fisted. Fea, lasting was his fame, died at the end of
a month after his slaying at the same stronghold - we think
it fitting - for sorrow for Indui the white-haired. Boind died at the combat at the wellspring of
the son of noble Nechtan: Aine daughter of the Dagda died
for the love that she gave to Banba. Cairpre fell - remember thou! by the hand of Nechtan
son of Nama: Nechtan fell by the poison at the hands
of Sigmall, grandson of Free Midir. Abean son of cold Bic-felmais, the bard of Lug
with full victory, he fell by the hand of Oengus without
reproach in front of Midir of mighty deeds. Midir son if Indui yonder fell by the hand of
Elemar: fell Elemar, fit for fight, at the hands of Oengus
the perfect. Brian, Iucharba, and Iuchar there, the three gods
of the Tuatha De Danann were slain at Mana over the bright
sea by the hand of Lug son of Ethliu. Cermait son of the divine Dagda Lug ... (?) wounded
him it was a sorrow of grief upon the plain in the reign
of Eochu Ollathair. Cermat Milbel the mighty fell at the hands of
harsh Lug son of Ethliu, in jealousy about his wife, great
the fashion, concerning whom the druid lied unto him. by the hand of Mac Cecht without affection the
harper fell: moreover Lug fell over the wave, by the hand of
Mac Cuill son of Cermat. Aed son of The Dagda fell at the hands of Corrchend
the fair, of equal valour; without deceit, it was
a desire of strictness, after he had gone to his wife iniquitously.
Corrcend from Cruach fell -the harsh very swift
champion, by the stone which he raised on the strand over
the grave of shamefaced Aed. Cridinbel squiting and crooked fell -the chief
spell-weaver of the Tuatha De Danann -of the gold which he
found in the idle Bann, by the hand of The Dagda, grandson
of Delbaeth. As he came from cold Alba he, the son of The Dagda
of ruddy form, at the outlet of Boinn, over here,
there was Oengus drowned. The only son of Manannan from the bay, the first
love of the aged woman, the tender youth fell in the plain
at the hands of Idle Bennan, on the plain of Breg. Net son of Indui and his two wives, Badb and Neman
without deceit, were slain in Ailech without blame
by Nemtuir the Red, of the Fomoraig. Fuamnach the white (?) who was wife of Midir,
Sigmall and Bri without faults, In Bri Leith, it was full
vigour, they were burnt by Manannan. The son of Allot fell, with valour, the rich treasure,
Manannan, in the battle in harsh Cuillend by the
hand of Uillend of the red eyebrows. Uillend with pride fell at the hands of Mac Greine
with pure victory: the wife of the brown Dagda perished
of plague of the slope in Liathdruim. The Dagda died of a dart of gore in the Brug -
it is no falsehood -wherewith the woman Cethlenn gave him
mortal hurt, in the great battle of Mag Tuired. Delbaeth and his son fell at the hands of Caicher,
the noble son of Nama: Caicher fell at the idle Boinn,
at the hands of Fiachna son of Delbaeth. Fiacha and noble Ai fell before sound Eogan of
the Creek: Eogan of the cold creek fell before Eochaid the
knowing, hard as iron. Eochaid of knowledge fell thereafter at the hands
of Ed and of Labraid: Labraid, Oengus, Aed, fell at
the hands of Cermat of form all fair. Eriu and Fotla with pride, Mac Greine and Banba
with victory, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht with purity in the
battle of Temair of clear wave. Mac Cecht at the hands of noble Eremon: Mac Cuill,
of perfect Eber: Eriu yonder, at the hands of Suirge
thereafter: Mac Greine of Amorgen. Fotla at the hands of Etan with pride, of Caicher,
Banba with victory, Whatever the place wherein they
sleep, those are the deaths of the warriors; hear ye. Those are the adventures of the Tuatha De Danann.
[I have been unable to locate the R1 redaction
of the final section of the Lebor Gabala Erren as published
by the Irish Texts Society. The following tract is a much later
redaction by O'Clery - but it does give the end of the tale,
in which the Sons of Mil sail to Ireland, conquer the Tuatha
de Danaan and divide the island between themselves.] After the death of Mil, as we have said, Emer
Donn and Eremon, his two sons, took rule and chief government of
Spain between themselves. There was a father's brother of Mil, Ith son of
Bregan, with them; he was expert and accomplished in knowledge
and in learning. Once when Ith, of a clear winter's evening
was on top of Bregan's Tower, contemplating and looking over
the four quarters of the world, it seemed to him that he
saw a shadow and a likeness of a land and lofty island far away
from him Me went back to his brethren, and told them what he had
seen; and said that he was mindful and desirous of going to see
the land the had appeared to him. Breg son of Bregan said that
it was no land he had seen but clouds of heaven, and he was hindering
Ith from going on that expedition. Ith did not consent
to stay, however. Then Ith brought his ship on the sea, and came
himself with his son Lugaid son of Ith, and others of his people
in it. They sailed toward Ireland, and their adventures on
sea are not related, save only that they took harbor in Bentracht
of Mag Itha. The neighbors went to the shore to interview
them, and each of them told news to the other in the Irish language.
Ith asked them the name of the land to which he had come,
and who was in authority over it. "Inis Elga," they said; "Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, and Mac Greine are the names
of its kings". It happened in that day that there were many chieftains
and nobles o Ireland in Ailech Neid, making peace
between Mac Cuill and his brethren; for they said that he had an
excess of the goods of Fiachna son of Delbaeth, who had died
previously. When Ith heard that, he went with his son and with
two-thirds of his people to Ailech. The kings welcomed him when
he reached the assembly, and after he was a while among them,
they told him the matter about which they were in opposition and
contention between them. And he said to them: "Do just righteousness. It is fitting for you
to maintain a good brotherhood. It is right for you to have
a good disposition. Good is the land and the patrimony
you inhabit; plenteous her harvest, her honey, her fish, her
wheat, and her other grain. Moderate her heat and her cold. All
that is sufficient for you is in her." Then he took farewell
of them and went to his ship. The nobles plotted to kill him, in jealousy for
Ireland, and for the testimony of praise he gave to their island;
and they sent a great number to follow him, so that he
was wounded to death in Mag Itha, and from him the plain took
its name. He reached his ship wounded and bleeding, by the
valor and bravery of his people; and he died with them in his ship
on the sea. Then they reached Spain and showed the body of
Ith to his brethren, and they were anguished and sorrowful
at his dying thus. Then the sons of Mil and the posterity of
Gaedel in general thought it was fitting and proper for them to
go and avenge their brother on the Tuatha De Danann. They decided
on this at last: they collected their warriors and their men of
valor from every place where they were, through the lands and the
districts, until they were in one place in Brigantia, numerous
and fully assembled. Then the sons of Mil, with their brethern
and kinsmen, and their people in general, brought their ships
on the sea to go to Ireland to avenge their bad welcome on the
Tuatha De Dannann. Three score and five ships was the number of the
expedition; forty chiefs the number of their leaders, with
Donn son of Mil at their head. These are the names of their chiefs.
Emer Donn ,Eremon,Eber Finn, Ir, Amergin, Colptha,
Airech Febra, Erannan, Muimne, Luigne, Laigne, Palap, Er. Orba,
Feron, Fergin, Eber son if Ir, Brega, Cuala, Cooley, Blad, Fuad,
Buirthemne, Eblinne, Nar, Lugaid, Lui, Bile, Buas, Bres, Buaigne,
Fulman,mantan, Caicer, Suirge, En, Un, Etan, Sobairce, Sedga,
Goisten. To commemorate the names of those chiefs and leaders,
this was said; Flann Mainistrech (Poet died A.D.1056) composed
it: The chiefs of the voyage over the sea By which the sons of Mil came, I have in recollection during my life, Their names without lie. Donn Eremon, noble Emer, Ir, Amergin without [partiality, Colptha, Airech, Febra the keen, Erannan, Muimme fine and smooth. Luigne, Laigne, Palap the lucky, Er. Orba Feron, Fergin, Eber son if Ir. Brega, I shall say, Cuala, Cualgne, Blad rough and strong. Fuad and Muirthemne with fame, Eblinne, Nar, Buas with battle, Bres, Buaigne, and Fulman. Mantan, Caicer, slender Suirge, En, Un and rigid Etan, Sobairce, Sedga of spears, And Goisten the champion. The conquered noble Ireland Against the Tuatha De of great magic, In vengeance for Ith of the steeds- Thirty, ten, and one chieftain. As for the sons of Mil, they sailed in a great
expedition on the sea to Ireland, and did not pause in the course
until they saw at a distance the island from the sea. And
when they saw Ireland, their warriors made a contention of rowing
and sailing to their utmost in their eagerness and anxiety
to reach it; so that Ir son of Mil advanced a wave before every
other ship by reason of his strength and valor. So Eber Donn
son of Mil, the eldest of them, was jealous and said: It is no good deed Ir before Ith to proceed- That is before Lugaid son of Ith, for Lugaid had
the name Ith. Then the oar that was in the hand of Ir split,
so that Ir fell backwards across the thwart and broke his
back there He died on the following night, and they preserved his
body so long as they were on the sea, and buried it afterwards
in Scellic of Irras Desceirt of Corco Dibne. Sorrowful were
Eremon, Eber Finn and Amergin at the death of their brother; and
they said, as it were out of one mouth, it was right that Eber
Donn should not enjoy the land about which he was envious of his
brother, that is of Ir. The sons of Mil advanced to a landing in Inber
Stainge. The Tuatha De Danann did not allow them to come to
the land there, for they had not held parley with them. By their
druidry they caused it to appear to the sons of Mil that the
region was no country or island, territory or land at all, in
front of them. They encircled Ireland three times, till at last
they took the harbor at Inber Scene; a Thursday as regards the
day of the week, on the day before the first of May, the seventeenth
day of the moon; the Year of the World 3500. Then they came at the end of three days thereafter
to Sliab Mis. Banba met them in Sliab Mis, with the hosts
of druidry and cunning. Amergin asked her name. " Banba," said
she, "and it is from my name that Banba is given as
a name for this country." And she asked a petition from them,
that her name should remain always on the island. That
was granted to her. Then they had converse with Fodla in Eblinne,
and the poet Amergin asked her name of her in like manner.
"Fodla," said she, "and from me is the land named." And
she prayed that her name might remain on it, and it
was granted to her as she requested. They held converse with
Eriu in Usnech of Mide. She said to them, "Warriors," said she,
" welcome to you. It is long since your coming is
prophesied. Yours will be the island forever. There is not better
island in the world. No race will be more perfect than your
race." "Good is that," said Anergin, "Not to her do we give thanks for it," said Donn, "but to our gods and to our power." "It is naught to thee," said Eriu; "thou shat have no gain of this island nor will thy children.
A gift to me, O sons of Mil and the children of Bregan, that
my name may be upon this island!" "It will be its chief name for ever," said Amergin, "namely Eriu(Erin)." The Gaedels went to Tara. No Drum Cain was its
name at that time among the Tuatha De Danann, Liathdruim was
its name among the Fir Bolg. There were there kings before them
in Laithdruim; namely, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht and Mac Greine. The
sons of Mil demanded a battle or kingship or judgment from
them. They adjudged to the sons of Mil that they should
have possession of the island to the end of nine days
,to depart, or to submit, or to prepare for battle. "If my advice
were carried out," said Donn son of Mil, "it is a battle
it would be." The sons of Mil did not grant the respite
they sought to the Tuatha De Danann.. "We give," said the kings, "the judgment of your own poets to you, for if they give a false
judgment against us they will die on the spot." "Give the judgment, Amergin; "said Donn. "Speak it," said Amergin. "Let the land be left to them till we come again to take it by force."
"Whither shall we go?" said Eber Donn. "Over nine waves," said Amergin; and he said this:
The men you have found are in possession: Over the nine green-necked waves Of the sea advance ye: Unless by your power then be planted, Quickly let the battle be prepared. I assign the possession Of the land ye have found: If ye love concede this award, If ye love not concede it not- It is I that say this to you. " If it were my counsel that were followed," said Donn son of Mil, "battle it would be." Nevertheless
the sons of Mil went by the advice and judgment of
Amergin from Liathdruim to Inber Scene, the place where they
had left their ships, and passed over nine waves. "Let us trust
to the powers," said the druids, " that they may never
reach Ireland." With that the druids cast druidic winds
after them, so great was the story; so that the storm
took them westward in the ocean until they were weary. "A
druid's wind is that," said Donn son of Mil. "It is indeed
said Amergin, "unless it be higher than the mast; find
out for us if it be so." Erannan the youngest son of Mil
went up the mast, and said that it was not over them. With
that he fell on the planks of the ship from the mast, so that
they shattered his limbs. "A shame to our men of learning is it," said Donn, "not to suppress the druidic wind." "No shame it shall be," said Amergin, rising up;
and he said: I invoke the land of Ireland. Much-coursed be the fertile sea, Fertile be the fruit-strewn mountain, Fruit-strewn be the showery wood, Showery be the river of water-falls, Of water-falls be the lake of deep pools, Deep pooled be the hill-top well, A well of the tribes be the assembly, An assembly of the kings be Tara, Tara be the hill of the tribes, The tribes of the sons of Mil, Of mil be the ships the barks, Let the lofty bark be Ireland, Lofty Ireland Darkly sung, An incantation of great cunning; The great cunning of the wives of Bres, The wives of Bres of Buaigne; The great lady Ireland, Eremon hath conquered her, Ir, Eber have invoked for her. I invoke the land of Ireland. Immediately a tranquil calm came to them on the
sea. Said Donn, "I will put under the edge of spears and swords
the warriors that are in the land now, only let me land." The
wind increased on them thereupon, so that it separated
from them the ship in which was Donn; and he was drowned at
the Dumacha. Twenty-four warriors of valor, twelve women, and
four mercenaries, with their folk are the number that
were drowned with Donn in that ship. After that Donn was buried
in the Dumacha; so that from him "Tech Duin" is called,
and there is his own gravemound and the gravemound
of everyone who was drowned of the chieftains of his people with
him, in that place. Now Dil daughter of Mil, Eremon buried
her, " for the love he had for her, so that he said in putting
a sod on her, " This is a sod on a "dear one" (dil)"said he. These are the chieftains who were drowned
with Donn at that time: Bile son of Brige, Airech Febra, Buss, Bres,
and Buagne. Ir was buried in Scellic of Irras, as we have said
above, Erannan died in the creek after going to contemplate the
wind, and after breaking his bones on the deck. Eight chieftains
were their losses among their nobles up to then. In the night in which the sons of Mil came to
Ireland was the burst of Loch Luigdech over the land in West Munster.
When Lugaid son of Ith was bathing in the lake and Fial daughter
of Mil his wife was bathing in the river that flows out of
the lake, Lugaid went to the place where was the woman, he being
naked; and when she looked on him thus she died of shame at once,
and from her is named the river with its creek. Downcast was Lugaid
after the woman's death, so that he said: Sit we here over the strand, Stormy the cold; Chattering in my teeth,--a great tragedy Is the tragedy that has reached me. I tell you a woman has died Whom fame magnifies' Fial her name, from a warrior's nakedness Upon the clean gravel. A great death is the death that has reached me,
Harshly prostrated me; The nakedness of her husband, she looked upon
him Who rested here. Six woman of their nobles were their losses on
the sea and land from their setting out from Spain till then.
These are their names; Buan wife of Bile; Dil wife of Donn; Scene,
he woman-satirist, wife of Amergin White-Knee (she
died with them on the sea while they were coming to Ireland; so
that Amergin said, "The harbor where we land, the name of Scene will
be on it". That was true, for from her is named Inber
Scene); Fial wife of Lugaid son of Ith; the wife of Ir and
the wife of Muirthemne son of Bregan, were the other two.
When the sons of Mil reached the land in the creek
we have mentioned, and when they had buried the troop
of their nobles who had died of them, Eremon and Eber Finn divided
the fleet with their chieftains and servants in two between them.
After that Eremon sailed with thirty ships, keeping Ireland
on his left hand, and he landed in Inber Colptha. These are
the chieftains that were with him: Eber son if Ir, Amergin the
poet, Palap, Muimne,Luigne, laigne, Brega, Muirthemne, Fuad,
Cualgne, Colptha, Goisten, Sedga, Suirge, and Sobairce. The three
last were champions. These are the slaves that were with
Eremon: Aidne, Ai, Asal, Mide, Cuib, Cera, Ser, Slan, Ligen, Dul,
Trega, Line. On putting his right foot on the shore at Inber
Colptha, it was then Amergin spoke this rhapsody: I am a wind on the sea I am a wave of the ocean I am the roar of the sea, I am a powerful ox, I am a hawk on a cliff, I am a dewdrop in the sunshine, I am a boar for valor, I am a salmon in pools, I am a lake in a plain, I am the strength of art, I am a spear with spoils that wages battle, I am a man that shapes fire for a head. Who clears the stone-place of the mountain? What the place in which the setting of the sun
lies? Who has sought peace without fear seven times?
Who names the waterfalls? Who brings his cattle from the house of Tethra?
What person, what god Forms weapons in a fort?
In a fort that nourishes satirists, Chants a petition, divides the Ogam letters, Separates a fleet, has sung praises? A wise satirist. He sang afterwards to increase fish in the creeks:
Fishful sea- Fertile land- Burst of fish- Fish under wave- With courses of birds-- Rough Sea- A white wall-- With hundreds of salmon- Broad Whale- A port song- A burst of fish. As for Eber Finn son of Mil, he stayed in the
south with thirty ships with him, until they came in the
hosts of the battles that were fought between them and the
Tuatha De Danann. These are the chieftains that were with Eber;
Lugaid son of Ith, Er. Orba, Feron, Fegana the four sons of Eber,
Cuala, Blad, Ebleo, Nar, En, Un Etan, Caicher, Mantan, Fulman.
The six last,-En, Un, etc. Were champions. These are the
slaves that were with him; Adar, Aigne, Deist, Deala, Cliu, Morba,
Fea, Liffe, Femen, Feara, Meda, and Obla. When the sons of Mil reached their landing-place
they made no delay until they reached Sliab Mis; and the battle
of Sliab Mis was fought between them and the Tuatha De Danann,
and the victory was with the sons of Mil. Many of the Tuatha De
Dannan were killed in that battle. It is there that Fas wife
of Un son of Uicce fell, from whom is named Glen Faise. Scota
wife of Mil fell in the same valley; from her is named " Scota's
Grave", between Sliab Mis and the sea. The sons of Mil
went afterwards to Tailltiu, and another battle was fought between
them and the Tuatha De Danann there. Vehemently and whole-heatedly
was it fought, for they were from morning to evening
contending, bonehewing , and mutilating one another; till
the three kings and the three queens of Ireland fell there- Mac Cecht
by Eremon, Mac Cuill by Eber Finn, Mac Greine by Amergin, Eriu
by Suyirge, Banba by Caicer, and Fodla by Etan. Those were the deaths
of their chiefs and princes. After that the Tuatha De Danann
were routed to the sea and the sons of Mil and their host
were a long time following the rout. There fell, however two noble
chiefs of the people of the sons of Mil in inflicting the rout,
namely, Fuad in Sliab Fuait, and Cualgne in Sliab Cualgne, together
with other warriors besides, who fell together on both sides.
When the Tuatha De Danann were crushed and expelled in
the battles that were fought between them, the sons of Mil took
the lordship of Ireland. After that there arose a contention between the
sons of Mil about the kingship, that is between Eremon and
Eber, so that Amergin was brought to make peace between them.
He said that the inheritance of the eldest, of Donn, should go
to the youngest, to Eremon, and his inheritance to Eber after him;
Eber did not accept that, but insisted on dividing Ireland.
Eremon agreed to do so. Accordingly Ireland was divided in two
between them, the northern half to Eremon, from Srub Brain to the
Boyne, the southern half to Eber, from the Boyne to Tonn
Clidna. There were five chieftains in the division of each of them.
With Eremon first, Amergin, Sedga, Goisten, Suirge, and Sobairce.
Now in that year these forts were dug by Eremon and his people:
Rath Beothaig, above the Nore in Argat Ros; Rath Oinn,
in the territory of Cula, by Eremon; the Causeway of
Inber Mor, in the territory of Ui Enechglais, by Amergin; the building
of Dun Nair, in Sliab Modoirn, by Goisten; the building of
Dun Delginnse, in the territory of Cuala, by Sedga; the building
of his fort by Sobairce in Morbolg of Dal Riada; the building
of Dun Edar by Suirge. These are the forts built by Eber and
these the chieftains that were with him: Etan, Un, Mantan,
Fulman, and Caicer were his five chieftains. Rath Uaman, in
Leinster, was dug by Eber; Rath Arda Suird by Etan son of Uicce;
the building of Carrig Blaraige by Mantan; the building of Carrig
Fethnaide by Un son of Uicce; the building of Dun Ardinne by Caicer;
the building of Rath Riogbard, in Muiresc,by Fulman. So that for the commemoration of certain of the
aforesaid matters this was said: Expeditions of the sons of Mil over sea From Spain of clear ships, They took , it is no deed of falsehood, The battle-plain of Ireland in one day. This is the tale that they went on sea, With multitude of wealth and people, To a brave show God brought them, With sixty-five choice vessels. They landed at the noble creek Which is called the White Rampart; It was a cause of sickness, and attempt without
failure, From the sight of the warrior Lugaid. From thence it is from that out The creek of Fail of generous bands; From the day she died in white Banba-- Fial daughter of Mil of Spain. At the end of three days, brilliant preparation,
The Tuatha De fought The battle of Sliab Mis, --glory that was not
failure, Against the great sons of Mil. They won, a saying without reproach, The battle against fair-headed Banba, Where died Fas woven in verse, With the very fair daughter of Pharaoh. Before the end of a year, it was lasting fame,
Among the chieftains of the heavy hosts, Into twice six divisions, a pleasant course, They afterwards divided Ireland. Over the north side a progress without sorrow, Eremon was taken as high prince; From Srub Brain, which verses adorn, Every tribe to the Boyne. These are the five guardians of control Whom he accepted to accompany him; Amergin, Sedga also, Goisten, Sobairce, Suirge. Eber, son of Mil grace-abounding, takes the southern half, From the eternal Boyne, choice the share, To the wave of the daughter of Genann. These are the five, with hundreds of exploits,
The chiefs who were subordinate to him; Etan, and Un of joyous rule, Mantan, Fulman, and Caicer. In this same year The royal forts were dug, By the sons of Mil,--honor of pledges, After the full division of Ireland's island. Rath Oinn, Rath Beothaig here, By Eremon in Argat Ros; In Sliab Mis, after a series of omens, The building of Dun Nair by Goisten. Suirge wide-extended, who displayed valor, Built the high Dun Edar; And the sounding, glorious achievement, Of his fort by Sobairce. By Eber of bright valor, was dug Rath Uaman in the plain of Leinster; Rath Arda Suird, it enriched him, Was dug by Etan son of Uicce. Rath Carraig Fetha thus, Was made by Un son of Uicce; And by Mantan,--glorious deed, The founding of Carrig Blaraige. Rath Rigbard in good Muiresc, Very keen Fulman built it; Caicer of battles, a pleasant fulfilment, Took Dun Inne in the west of Ireland. These are their deeds of valor, Of the clear, glorious, great royal host; It was a great achievement, after battle , without
stain; Theirs was every profit, every expedition. Of the adventures of the Gaedels from the time
when they went from Scythia till they took Ireland and the division
of Ireland between them, with their chieftains, the poet
Roigne Roscadach son of Ugaine Mor said to Mal son of Ugaine his
brother, when Mal questioned him: "Sing thy description in the great
knowledge of Ireland, O Roigne," Roigne answered him and
said: O noble son of Ugaine, How does one arrive at knowledge of Ireland, The conquest of its company? Before they overflowed Scythia They reached the host-king of Shinar; They approached Egypt, Where Cingeris was extinguished, So that a great troop was destroyed, Who died in the Red Sea. They flowed through a space very faithful, With Pharaoh fought; Niul contracts with Scota, The conception of our fathers. They took the name "Gaedels," The name "Scots" spreads, The fair daughter of Pharaoh. They overspread lands, Burst into Scythia, Determined long combat-- The Children of Nel and Noenbal. Golam was a young lord, Who slew the son of Neman, Escaped to Egypt, Where was Nectanebus. Pharaoh was welcoming To Golam; gave A marriage Nectanebus, Scota was at cot's head; A name was changed from them. They advanced past Africa, Good was the man under whom they trembled; Fenius Farsad, the keen, Well he spread for us a lasting name. They approached Spain, Where was born a numerous progeny, Donn, Airech, Amergin, Eber, Ir, Colptha himself, Eremon, Erannan, The eight sons of Golam. Mil's renown came upon them, The sons of Mil wealthy; Their scholars resolved, Divided ships, The Men returned from the burial of Fial. They divided Ireland, In twice six, an inheritance of chieftains. Seek the truth of every law, Relate sharply the inquiry , O Son! After Eremon and Eber had divided the chieftains,
they had two distinguished artists who had come into their
company from the east, namely, a poet and a harper. Cir son of
Cis was the poet, Cennfinn the harper. They cast a lot on them to
know which of them should be with each of them; so that, through
the decision of the lot, the harper went southward to Eber
and thence melody of music and harmony followed in the Southern
Half of Ireland. The poet went to Eremon, and knowledge of poetry
and song followed him in the North ever after. To commemorate
this it was said: The two sons of Mil, famous in dignity, Took Ireland and Britain; With them there followed hither A gentle poet and a harper. Cior son of Cis, the bright poet, The name of the harper Cennfin; With the sons of Mil, of bright fame, The harper sounded his harp. The princes, with many battles, Took the kingdom of Ireland; They did it with brightness, merry the sound,
Eber and Eremon. They cast a lot swiftly About the great men of art; So that there fell to the lot of the southerner
The harper, just and fair. Melody of music more beautiful than any company
Is from the southward in the south of Ireland;
It was thus it will be to the fortunate Judgment
With the famous seed of Eber. There fell to the lot of the northerner The man of learning with great excellence; Hence the tribes who brought him boast Knowledge of poetry and learning. |
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