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CELT document G301037

The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes

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Preface

It is a remarkable accident that, except in one instance, so very few copies of the death-tales of the chief warriors attached to King Conchobar's court at Emain Macha should have come down to us. Indeed, if it were not for one comparatively late manuscript now preserved outside Ireland, in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh, we should have to rely for our knowledge of most of these stories almost entirely on Keating's History of Ireland. Under these circumstances it has seemed to me that I could hardly render a better service to Irish studies than to preserve these stories, by transcribing and publishing them, from the accidents and the natural decay to which they are exposed as long as they exist in a single manuscript copy only.

In the well-known list of Irish tales preserved in the Book of Leinster and elsewhere, under the title oitte, i.e. “tragical or violent deaths”, eight death-stories of Ulster heroes are enumerated as follows: the deaths of Cúchulinn, of Conall (i.e. Conall Cernach), of Celtchar, of Blái the Hospitaller, of Lóegaire, of Fergus (mac Róich), of King Conchobar himself, and of Fiamain.

The Death of Cúchulinn forms an episode in the story called Brislech Mór Maige Murthemne; and extracts from the version in the Book of Leinster have been edited and translated by Whitley Stokes, in the Revue Celtique, vol. III., p. 175 ff. It is curious that, apart from this twelfth-century version, we have no copies older than the eighteenth century. These modern copies are enumerated by Prof. D'Arbois de Jubainville in his Catalogue de la Littérature Épique de l'Irlande, p. 15. The Death of Conall Cernach is told in a tale, the full title  p.vi of which is The Cherishing of Conall Cernach in Cruachan, and the Death of Ailill and of Conall Cernach. It has been edited and translated by me, from the only two existing manuscripts, in the first volume of the Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie, p. 102 ff.

The Death of Celtchar son of Uthechar is found in a very fragmentary and illegible condition in the Book of Leinster, p. 118b. Fortunately there exists a second complete copy in the Edinburgh MS. xl, pp. 9–11. 1  It has not hitherto been edited or translated.

The Death of Blái the Hospitaller has been preserved only in the Edinburgh MS., where it occupies pp. 11–13. It is here for the first time edited and translated.

Of the Death of Lóegaire Búadach we have only one ancient copy, again in the Edinburgh MS., pp. 8–9, hitherto unpublished. There is a shorter and later version, which is practically that of Keating's History, contained in two eighteenth-century mss. in the Royal Irish Academy, numbered 23. B. 21, p. 176, and 23. G. 21, p. 142, respectively. Copies of these I owe to the kindness of Mr. R. Irvine Best.

The Death of Fergus mac Róich is also preserved in a single copy only, again to be found in the Edinburgh MS., p. 5. Our only source hitherto has been Keating's version.

The only tale among those enumerated above which has reached us in fairly numerous copies is that of the Death of Conchobar. Prof. D'Arbois de Jubainville, l.c., p. 13, enumerates four manuscripts 2  in addition to Keating's account, which is also that of 23. G. 21, and 23. B. 21. To these a fifth must be added, the version in the Edinburgh MS. XL, pp. 1–3, which is unfortunately illegible at the beginning. 3  Mr. Edward Gwynn has  p.vii kindly supplied me with a transcript of the version contained in the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum; and Mr. R. I. Best has copied, and placed at my disposal, the version in 23. N. 10, a MS. in the library of the Royal Irish Academy. The tale last mentioned in the list, that of the Death of Fiamain, seems now lost. At least, so far as I know, no copy of it has yet been discovered; nor does Keating give any account of it. Fiamain mac Forrói is mentioned in Tochmarc Emire as one of those Irish youths who were learning feats of arms with Scáthach in Britain when Cúchulinn came there for the same purpose (see Zeitschr. III., p. 250, paragraph 67); and in the poem at the end of that tale (ib., p. 262, l. 8) a Fiamain is enumerated among the young warriors in the Cráeb Rúad at Emain Macha. But whether this was Fiamain mac Forrói or some other Fiamain is doubtful. The only other references to the former that I can find are–first, one in Cináed húa Hartacáin's poem on the deaths of some of the nobles of Erin, which has been edited and translated by Whitley Stokes in Revue Celtique, vol. xxiii., p. 303 ff. Here he is said to have been slain at Dún mBinne, 4  a fort that has not been identified. A battle of Duma Beinne is mentioned in Cath Maige Rath, p. 211. The other reference to Fiamain mac Forrói occurs in a poem in that tale, p. 213: “Seven battles around Cathir Conrói, the wrecking of Fiamain mac Forói, the wrecking of Cúrói, together with the seventeen sons of Deda.”

In addition to these Ulster death-tales, the Edinburgh manuscript contains an account of the death of the redoubtable Connaught warrior Cet mac Magach. Of this story, as it has not hitherto been published, I add an edition and translation.

K. M.

unknown

Edited by Kuno Meyer

The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes

 p.4
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1. The Death of Conchobar

We possess, as stated on page vi, five manuscript copies of Aided Chonchobuir, apart from the account contained in Keating's History. They all differ materially, so that it seemed desirable to print them in extenso. The version in the Edinburgh MS. xl is partly illegible but it appears to be identical in its opening with that of the Book of Leinster.

As is common in the tradition of the oldest Irish tales, these five manuscripts either represent different versions of various ages, or attempts to bring these versions into harmony with each other. We can distinguish the following three different accounts of the events which led to Conchobar's death.

Once when the men of Ulster were at a gathering, the sun was darkened and the moon turned into the colour of blood. On Conchobar's question as to the cause of this disturbance, the druid Cathbad tells the story of the Crucifixion, dwelling on the fact that Conchobar and Christ were born on the same night. Compare the Compert Conchobuir, Revue Celtique, vi., p. 180. This is the account contained in the third version of the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum (paragraph 4). Slight variants of this version are to be found in the account of the Book of Leinster (paragraph 11), where an earthquake takes the place of the eclipse of the sun, and where the druid' s name is not mentioned, and in the Edinburgh account (paragraph 11), in which Conchobar addresses his question to all his druids.

A second version places the gathering at Muirthemne. There, on a certain day, Bachrach, a Leinster poet, arrives from abroad, 5  and on the question for news tells the story of the Crucifixion which he  p.3 has heard on the Continent or in Great Britain. This is the account given most fully in the first version of the Liber Flavus (paragraph 1), mentioned briefly in the Stowe manuscript (paragraph 1), and given as a variant in the Book of Leinster (paragraph 13).

In a third version, the Roman consul Altus visits Conchobar, either with presents from Tiberius (23. N. 10, paragraph 1, and Liber Flavus, paragraph 2), or to exact tribute for Octavian (Book of Leinster, paragraph 14), and being himself a Christian, relates the story of the Crucifixion.

All versions end very nearly alike; only the account in the Book of Leinster breaks off shortly without mentioning Conchobar's death. The other versions say that Conchobar's pity roused him to fury; he uttered a rhetoric beginning “Ba aprainn,” seized his weapons, and rushed madly about, either as far as the sea (Lib. Flav., paragraph 4) or cutting down the wood on Lettir Lámraige (Edinburgh and Stowe version); Mesgegra's brain starts out of his head, and he dies a Christian, the blood gushing from his head being his baptism.

Two late versions—those in the Edinburgh and in the Stowe manuscripts—add the further history of Mesgegra's brain, the existence of which is revealed by God to Buite mac Brónaig, abbot of Monasterboice (died ca. A.D 520), who uses it as a pillow, whence it is known by the name of adart Buiti. In support of this, the Stowe version quotes a poem by Cináed húa Hartacáin, a poet who died in A.D. 975, another copy of which may be found in the Book of Leinster, p. 150 a, l. 26.

Lastly, in the Edinburgh version, the incident of Cenn Berraide, who, in all other accounts, carried the king on his back after he had been wounded by Cet at the Ford of Daire Dá Báeth, is shifted and added on at the end, where it is quite out of place.

 p.4
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2. Aided Chonchobuir: Version A from the Book of Leinster, p. 123b, and the Edinburgh MS. XL, p. 2.

Version A from the Book of Leinster, p. 123b, and the Edinburgh MS. XL, p. 2.

[1] Bāi mesca mór for Ulto fecht n-and i nEmain Macha. Do-curidar didiu immarbāga móra ⁊ comrama eturro .i. etir Chonall ⁊ Coinculaind ⁊ Lōegaire. “Tucaid dam-sa” ar Conall “inchind Meissgegra co ro-acilliur ócu na comram.” 6  Ba bēs d' Ultaib ind inbaid sin cach curaid nomarbdais ar galaib ōeṅfir nogatta a n-inchind assa cendaib ⁊ commesctha āel airthib co ndēnad līathrōite crūade díb. Ocus intan nobītis i n-immarbāig nō chomramaib dobertis dōib co mbītis inna lāmaib.

[2] “Maith, a Chonchobuir,” ar Conall, “na co ndernat ōic na comram ēcht fōn innas-sa ar galaib 7  óiṅfir, nīdat tūal̇ngi comram frim-sa.” “Is fīr ón,” ar Conchobur.

[3] Doratad īarum forsin forud fora mbíd dogrēs ind inchind. Luid cách a lethi arnabārach dia cluchiu. Dolluid dano Cet mac Matach do chūairt ectra la Ulto. Bēist ass andsam robói i nHērinn in Cet. Ised dolluid-side dar faidchi na hEmna ⁊ tri lāechcind leis do Ultaib.

[4] Intan bátar na ónmite 'co cluchiu do inchind Meisgegra, issed atbert ind ónmit fri araile. Rocluinedar Cet aní sin. Ethaid side in n-inchind al-láim indala n-ái ⁊ berid leiss, ō rofitir Cet robói i taṙngere do Messgegra a dīgail iarna écaib. Cach cath ⁊ cach irgal nobíd do Chonnachtaib fri Ulto dobered Cet in n-inchind inna chriss dús in tetarthad écht n-amra d' Ultaib do marbad di.

 p.6

[5] Fecht and didiu dolluid-seom intí Cet sair co tuc tánai ̇mbó a Feraib Ross. Donarraid i n-īarmōracht Ulaid ina diaid. Doriachtatar dano Connachtai dond leith aile dia thessarcain-seom. Fechair cath eturro. Dolluid Conchubur féin issin cath. Conid andsin gādatar mnā Connacht do Conchobur tuidecht for leith do dēscin a delba dóib. Fobíth nī rabi for talmain delb duini amail deilb Conchobuir .i. etir chruth ⁊ deilb ⁊ dechelt, etir mét ⁊ córe ⁊ cutrummae, etir rosc ⁊ ̇folt ⁊ gile, etir gáis ⁊ álaig ⁊ erlabra, etir erriud ⁊ áne ⁊ écosc, etir arm ⁊ immad ⁊ orddan, etir gnāis ⁊ gaisced ⁊ chenēl. Nīrbo lochtach tra intí Conchobur. A comairli immorro in Cheit rogabsat na mná ailgis do Chonchobur. Luid īarum for leth a óinur dia dēscin dona mnāib.

[6] Dolluid Cet immorro co mbúi etir na mná immedón. Nos-indlethar Cet inchind Mesgegra isin tábaill ⁊ nosteilc conidtarla i m-mullach Conchobuir co mbátar a dā trīan inna chind ⁊ co torchair-seom isa cend 8 , co tarla fri lár. 9  Focherddat Ulaid chuci 10  conidrucsat ō Chet. For brú Átha Daire Dā Báeth is and dorochair 11  Conchobar. Atá a lige and 12  baile i torchair ⁊ corthe fria chend ⁊ corthe fria chossa. 13 

[7] Maidid tra for Connachta 14  co Sciaig 15  Aird na Con 16 . Dobertar Ulaid sair doridisi 17  co Áth Daire Dā Báeth. “Mo 18  brith-se ass!” ar Conchobur. “Dobér ríge nUlad do neoch nombéra connici mo thech.” “Notbēr-sa,” ar Cend Berraide, ar a gilla fadéi̇n. Dobeir-side lomain imme ⁊ nombeir for a muin co Arddachad Slēbe Fuáit. Maidid a chride isin gillu. Conid de sin atá “ríge Cind Berraide for Ultaib” .i. in rí for a muin leth ind lái.

[8] Conócbad trá in debaid ón trāth co araile dar éis in ríg. Co rāimid 19  for Ulto īarsin.

 p.8

[9] Doberar tra a liaig co Conchobar .i. Fingen. Iss ēside nȯfinnad don dīaid nothēiged 20  don tig in lín nobíd i ̇ngalur 'sin tig ocus cech galar nobíd and. “Maith,” 21  or Fingen, “dia taltar 22  in chloch as do chind biat marb 23  fo chétōir. Mani tucthar ass immorro, not-ícfaind ⁊ bid athis duit.” 24  “Is asso dún” ar Ulaid “ind athis oldás 25  a éc-som.”

[10] Ro-īccad 26  īarum a chend 27  ⁊ rofūaged co snáth 28  óir 29 , ar ba cumma dath fuilt Cȯnchobuir ⁊ dath inn óir. Ocus asbert in liaig fri Conchobar co mbeth i fomtin .i. ar nā tísad a ̇ferg dó ⁊ nā digsed for ech ⁊ nā etraiged mnāi ⁊ ná rocaithed biad co anfeta ⁊ nā rethed. 30 

[11] Robói dano 31  isin chuntabairt sin céin 32  robo beō .i. secht mbliadna ⁊ nīrbo ėngnamaid, acht a airisium inna suidi nammā .i. naco cūala Crīst do chrochad do Iudaidib. 33  Tānic and side 34  crith mór forsna dūli 35  ⁊ rochrithnaig nem ⁊ talam la mēt 36  in gníma darónad and 37  .i. Isu Crīst mac Dé bí do chrochad cen chinaid. 38  “Crāet so?” ar Conchobur fria drūid. “Cia olc mór dognīther isind lathiu-sa indiū?” “Is fír ōn ém,” ar in drúi. “Is mór in gním sin,” ar Conchobur. “In fer sin dano” ar in drúi “i n-óenaidchi rogein ⁊ rogenis-siu .i. i n-ocht calde Enair cen cop inund bliadain.” 39 

[12] Is andsin rochreiti 40  Conchobar. 41  Ocus issé sin indara fer 42  rochreti 43  do Dīa i nHērinn 44  rīa tiachtain creitmi é .i. Morand 45  in fer aile. “Maith tra,” ar Conchobar. 46  “Ba hapraind nadáil cuardríg  p.10 nar nagg atumbeoir irricht chrūadchurad cichtis cichtis mo beoil. concichlais crúas mór miled. maidm nitha muáid nimslóig serbairlech. sordnifed soerchobair la Crīst cȯngénaind. gáir báeth baruléim for leth amlan Chomded lanscél céchointir crochad ríg ba moo coirp arí ardrach adamrai. tumcichthe ingním itinol tairisem treóin uasal i Coimded coimthecht cȯngnam cáin bé la Dia dīlgadach dia chobair. cáin forlund fóbenaind. cáin comlund crothfind Crīst arnemthuir. nipu scíth ce chéssaitís coirp chriad. ciarbo ar Crīst cáid cumachtach cia dú dún nadrochem rád dúr derchōinte runortar inarmen mona miad nadríg roachtmar roncráidi crochad Crīst ma chotóchaimmis ba hassu nadbemmis iar n-ardrach ēcomnart ūasal rí rocés croich crūaid ar dōine digmaig dia ráith ragaind-se bás achtu flaith for leccaind fochil n-éca nabuni nemthuir necht remiteised dochoimrid mo chride clúas in ardrach ̇nguba ar mu dia indscib nadríg roacht co fír fortacht fritumthá brón báis conatbiur ar omun dom dul druib. cen dūlemain dīgail.”

[13] Is and doringni Conchohar in rethoric se dia ro-innis Bachrach drúi de Lagnib do Chonchobur Crīst do chrochad, dia ra-iarfaig Conchobar: “Ciata airde i̇ngantacha so?” ⁊c.

[14] Nō dano co mbad é Altus in consul dodechaid ō Ochtauīn do chungid in chīsa co Gāēdelaib no-innised do Chonchobur Crīst do chrochad.

 p.12
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3. Version B from MS. 23. N. 10 (R.I.A.), p. 1

 1

[1] Bāi Conchobar mac Nesai fechtus n-ann. Atfēt dō Altus crochad Crīst. Altus immorro is hē dothathaiged co clōemclōdaib sēd ō Tibir mac Augaist rīg Rōmān co Conchobar mac Nesa. Ar ba cuma bātar rechtairea rīg Rōmān in n-aimsir sin for medōn in uetha ⁊ for indsip fuinid ⁊ turcbālai, co mba comderb isin mbith nach sgēl n-airdirc forcumcad ann.

[2] Ba derb 'diu la Conchobur fon n-innus sin in cruth forcūaid crochad Crīst. Ar atfēt dō Altus ba hē C rīst dorosat nem ⁊ talmain ⁊ is airi arfōit colainn ar tathcreicc in cineda dōenai. Ba cretmech Altus, is aire atfēd cech maith im crochad Crīst.

[3] Concreid Conchobur do Chrīst ⁊ is īarum aṡmbert Conchobur rofestais fir in betha a chumang oc cathugud fri hIudaidi crochsiti Crīst, ma nubeth hi comfogus do Chrīst. Is de ismbert Conchubar: “Ba haprainn nandāil cuart rīg narnaic atum fir hi richt crōad-churad cichtis mo beōil conciuchlis crūas mār militha maidm netho mōith n-imdai slūag searbairlech soistnefeit soircobur la Crīst congaib geanam gāir bāith for leth enæ lan Coimdid ba rolanscel cichointir crochath fir ba inmoo mo corp canæ n-artrīg n-adamrai n-airerni atumcichtæ gnīm fir hi tinōl tairisem triun uaisib in Coimded chāith cumachtaigh can be ein lam dee ndīlgodag do cobur can forlonn foabeaba rinn cach comlann croithfinn la Crīst arnenitir nī bu scīth cichestæ ar Crīst cāth cumachtoch cid dudamr dun dercōinti din reil rochuinem nadnea nderagam.i. dīgal duir choirp crochsiti rīg dorearoosat ronort 47  inni menman med nadrig roachta mar roncrāide crochad Crīst ma chutooccaibmis atbelmais ba hasa artrag ēcomnart hōasal rī rocēs croich coirtar doine ndicmairc diasait noregainn hi mbās atumflait for leicib fa chel necombaine inmain artriun do comrath mo chridea cloas imartrach atguhai arumeda inscibin na roacht fīr furtacht Crīst fritombrōn bāis cuadhair airomun airimud tomdrub cen duileman dīgail.”

 p.14

[4] Is iar sin cotnoscrastur amail bid oc techt hi rōi cathai ar bēlaip Crīst co sesceand asa chinn an inchinn Meisgedra ⁊ conidebilt ind ar sin. Ised isberat dee iarum is ē cēt-gentlide 48  docōid hi flaith nimea, fobith robad hathais dō ind fuil donescmacht 49  ⁊ rocreit ē do Chrīst.

Finit. Amen.

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4. Version C from the Liber Flavus Fergusiorum, fo. 105 a 1

[1] Budh dāil mōr la hUlltu a Muigh Muirthuimni. Doluidh 50  iarum Bochrach fili ⁊ drāi 51  do Loighnibh docum na dāla iar toidhicht dō a Laighnibh iar foghluim filidechta. Fiafraiges 52  Concubur scēla Alban ⁊ Leatha Mogha dō.

[2] “Atā sgēl mōr ēimh” ol sē, “dorōnnadh isin bith thoir .i. crochad rīgh neimhi ⁊ talman la hIubhdaibh ⁊ is ē rotirchansat fāidhi ⁊ drāidhthi. Do īc ⁊ do teasraguin dāini an domuin do phecadh Ādhaim dodeachaid ō næmneimh co roēt coluinn ō Muiri ōighinghin cen lāthair freasguil, cor'luidh 53  a crand croichi la hIudhaib do īcc an ceineōil dænna. Imon cāisc docūaidh ūainn ⁊ atraacht isin treas lō iarna cēsadh” .i. roinnis dono Altus, iss ē tiged 54  co n-aitheasguibh ⁊ cu sēdaibh ⁊ co māinibh ō Tibir Sesair Aughuist rīgh Rōmān ⁊ ō rīg an domhuin co Concubur mac Neasa do Eamhuin Macha. Ar ba cuma bādar reachtuireadha rīgh an domuin isinn aimsir sin for meadhōn an beatha ⁊ a n-innsibh fuinidh 55  grēine ⁊ turgabāla, co mba comhderbh isin bith uili nach sgēl airderc 56  foscumadh ann.

[3] Ba derbh le Conchubhur fōn innus sin an cruth forcūaidh crochadh Crīst. Ar ro-innis Altus dō ba hē Crīst dorinni 57  neamh ⁊  p.16 talumh. Et is aire arroēt colann ō Muiri ōigh ar taithchreich an ceineōil dænna. Ba creidmheach dono Altus fēin. Is aire atfēt arsgēla Crīst co maith. Concreid Concubur a Crīst.

[4] Nō is amlaid so atcæmnacair hē. Budh 58  Concubur i ndāil ⁊ maithi fer nĒirenn uime an lā rocrochadh Crīst. 59  Antan dodechaidh teimheal forsin ngrēin ⁊ rosūi 60  ēsga a ndath fola rofiarfaigh 61  Concubur immorro do Cathbad 62  dūss cid rombādar na dūile. “Do comhalta-sa,” ar sē, “in fer rogēanair a n-ōenaidchi frit, anosa martar docuirthi(?) fair ⁊ doradadh a croich 63  hē ⁊ isē sin chanuid anní sin.” Atraigi trath Concubur sūas la sodhuin 64  ⁊ gabaid a gaisgedh fair ⁊ atbert: “Is ē sin ēimh” ol sē, “mo comalta-sa ⁊ mo comāis ⁊ is ē rogēanair a n-ænoidchi frium” ⁊ rogob iarum deargail ōtā sin co ro-acht isin fairrgi ⁊ cur'luidh 65  innti conruigi a fiacuil. Is oc in deargail iarum rogobh Concubur an lāid 66  si: “Ba aprainn na hIdhuil co hard iar n-ēguibh righ” ⁊ rl.

[5] Ocus as iarsin asbert Concubur: “Rofeasdais fir in beatha mo cumang ac cathugud fri 67  hIudaidhibh 68  tre crochad Crīst dia mbeinn a comfogus dō.” Is iarsin attraacht ⁊ rosgobh forsin deargail cur' sceinn incinn Mesgeagra 69  as a cinn ⁊ conearbailt Concubur fochētōir. Conadh desin adberat na Gæidhil 70  conadh hē Concubur cēt-geinntlide 71  docōidh docum neimhi a nĒirinn, fobīth robo baithis dō in fuil dobidg 72  asa cinn. Et as annsin rucadh ainim Concobuir a n-ifrinn gu comraiced 73  Crīst fria 74  ac te:uir 75  na broide a hifrinn, co tuc Crīst leis anim Concabair docum neimhi.

Finid.

 p.18
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5. Version D from the Stowe MS. D. 4. 2, fo. 54a3.

Incipit do oidhedh Concubuir mic Nessa annso sīs.

[1] Ceat mac Mādach rotheilg in cloich .i. inchind Miscedhra rīgh Laighen for Concubur hic Āth Dhaire Dá Bhæth. Finghen fāthliaig Concobuir is é ná rolēig in cloich do thabairt asa chind. Muma immorro in cerd iss é dorat cumdach impe ria cenn amuich. Bacrach file do Laighnibh ro-indis do Chonchubar Crīst do chrochad. I Maigh Lāmrighe atchūaidh dó. Is annsin dorochair Concobar ac glanadh in mhaighe. Trí traighthi sechtmogat ina fot. Cōica traiged immorro i fedh Taidhg mic Céin, ut dixit poeta .i. Flann Mainistrech:—

  1. Cōica traighedh tōlaibh tlacht […] fa slōghaib saiṅfear srianbalcc
    fad in airdrīgh inar' 76  lēir gart, 77  […] Taidhg mic Cēin ótāit Cianacht.
  2. Concobur, cloithech a celg, […] mac noithech Nessa nīabdherg,
    airdrīgh Ulad, rodlecht de, […] dia roslecht lerg Lāmraidhe.
    Ina lecht, nī laimthi liacc, […] fūair trī traighthi sechtmogat.

[2] Is don cloich sin romudaig 78  Conchobur rochan in fili:—

  1. A chloch thall for elaid 79  ūair […] Buite būain maic Brōnaig bāin,
    ropsa 80  mind i tressaib tóir […] dia mba i cind 81  maic Nessa nāir.
  2. Ciapsat 82  náma dó rot-chelt, 83  […] secht mbliadna lána rot-alt: 84 
    dia luid 85  do dīgail Ríg recht, […] is and fo-frīth 86  a lecht latt.
  3. Láech frisralais co mbúaid 87  chain […] fúair lat loimm 88  tonnaid īar sin:
    for mac Cathbath, cóinsit fir, […] dális dig di 89  nathrach 90  neim.
    4.  p.20
  4. Neimnech dotuc 91  Cet an-dess […] a tress ard Ailbe fria aiss,
    cenn ríg Emna orgsi leiss, […] a inchinn Meis-gegra glaiss.
  5. Dotarlaic 92  dar ārach ūad 93  […] Cet mac Māgach 94  fri gliaid ngáeth 95 
    ón muni rofitir cách […] co Ath ic 96  Daire Dá Báeth.
  6. Scoiltis dít, ba mór in 97  gním, […] mullach in ríg rígi gíall,
    ar is é ba ferr do láech […] darsa taitned gáeth is grían.
  7. A ndor-airngred 98  duit ót áis, […] mairg Laignech irraba 99  gnáis,
    nīr' scarais 100  frisin rīg rāin […] co rosfargbais 101  i ndáil 102  báis.
  8. For Lettir Lāmraigi luimm […] rotgīallsat 103  druing na fīan find,
    do 104  gleō frit chomthach ba gand […] co torchar 105  and assa chinn.
  9. Fotroilsig 106  Rí rodelb nem […] do mac Brōnaig ūas brí 107  Breg,
    i ndún daingen i n-rotail 108  […] i fail ilar 109  angel ngel.
  10. Ó chonattail fritt cen brath […] Buti co rath rúamnai cloth,
    tairnit duit in tslúaig 110  for ruth 111  […] co rochlōemchlais 112  cruth, a chloch.
    A.
  11. Inchind Meiss-gegra 'sin chath, […] ropo gleō fri demna 113  troch,
    adart Buti co tí bráth […] bud 114  é th'ainm la cách, a chloch.
    A.

Finit.

 p.22
‍

1. Aided Lōegairi Būadaig: Version A from the Edinburgh Ms. XL, p. 8.

Version A from the Edinburgh Ms. XL, p. 8.

 8

Cid diatā Aided Lōegairi Būadaig? Nī hansa.

[1] Āed mac Ainninne dochomraic re Mughain  9 Aitinchairchech ⁊ ben Conchobair in Mugain 115  sin. Fili Conchobair in tĀed. Rofes forro a mheith amlaid.

[2] Iarsin rohergabad la Conchobar in fili ⁊ rochuinnig 116  in fili comad hī a aided a bādud 117  ⁊ ro{⬌} 118  Conchobar dō inní sin ⁊ nobertha iarsin dia bādud dochum gach locha a nĒrinn ⁊ nocanad som bricht forsan usci, go mbenta gach trāig ⁊ co nach bīd banna ann, co nā raibi a nĒrinn abann 119  nā loch nobāidfed, co ndechus lais do Loch Lái a ndorus tighe Lóegairi. Rofēimid som in hricht forsin loch. Antan didiu robás ac a bādud, as ann doriacht rechtairi Lōegaire asin lis amach. “Fē amai, a Lōegaire!” or sē, “ní frīth a nĒrinn baile a mbāitea in file co rāinic in baili si.” Atracht intí Lōegaire ⁊ geibid a chlaidem ina lāim ⁊ ac lēim dó imach benaid a mullach imon fordorus go ruc in leth iartharach do cloicenn de, co mbōi sprethach a inchinde for ab rot ⁊ romarb som iardain trīchait do lucht in bāiti ⁊ roēlo Aod ūatha ⁊ atbath Lōegairi iartain. Conid hī Aided Lōegairi connuici sin.

‍

2. Version B from Mss. 23. B. 21, p. 176, and 23. G. 21, p. 142 (R.I.A.)

An t-ádhbhar fá ttáinig bás Láoghaire Bhuadhaig.

 120 

[1] File imoro do bhí aig 121  Conchubhur dá ngoirthidhe 122  Aodha mac Aininn; ⁊ do ligheadh air Mhaghán bean Connchubhuir é: ⁊ air na ̇fionnachtain sin do Chonchubhar as í breith rug air a chur 123  dá bháthadh go Loch Laoghaire; ⁊ tangadar drong ris air ̇fógradh an ríghe gusan loch dá bháthadh; ⁊ air na ̇faicsin sin do reachtaire Laoghaire Bhuadhaigh tēt go Laoghaire ⁊ adúbhairt nách raibh áit a nEirinn ina mbáithfidhe an file acht ina dhoras-sin; leis sin loingios Láoghaire amach ⁊ tarla fárdhorus an tighe re cúl a chinn gur bhris a seicne ⁊ gur fóireadh an file leis, ⁊ éagas féin air an láthair sin: gonabh í 124  sin Críoch Láoghaire Bhuadhaigh.

 p.24
‍

1. Aided Cheltchair maic Uthechair from the Edinburgh Ms. LX, p. 9, and the Book of Leinster, p. 118a.

Cid diatá Aided Cheltchair maic Uthechair?

[1] Ní hansa. Fer amra robúi de Ultaib 125  .i. Blāi briuga. Secht n-airgeda leis. 126  Secht fichit bó cecha airgi ⁊ seisred 127  cecha airgi. Tech n-óiged 128 {⬌} Ba geiss dó 129  dano 130  ben for dāmrud dia thig 131  cen feiss dó-som 132  le, meni beth a fer ina fochair. Doluid didiu 133  Brīg Brethach ben Cheltchair 134  dia thig-som. 135  “Ní maith a ndoronais, 136  a ben,” ar Blāi briuga. “Is geiss dam-sa do thuidecht chucum 137  amal táncais.” “Is fer trúag,” ar in ben, 138  “loites 139  a gessi féin. 140 ” “Is fír. Isim senóir-si ⁊ acum gressacht atái dano,” 141  ar se. Fóid lee 142  in aidchi sin.

[2] Dofitir Celtchar inní sin ⁊ doluid for iarair a mná. 143  Luid Blāi briuga co mbái for lethláim Conchobair isin rígthig. 144  Luid dano Celtchar ina diaid co mbói for lár in rígthige. 145  Is and robái Conchobar ⁊ Cúchulaind ac imirt fidchille ⁊ robái bruinne Blai briugad tarsin fidchill etarru ⁊ clannaid Celtchar in gái trit co mbái isin cleith iarna cúl, co táinic hanna do rind in gái co mbái forsin fidchill.

[3] “Amin, a Chúchulaind!” ar Conchobar. “Amin dano, 146  a Chonchobair!” ar Cúchulaind. Toimsither 147  in fidchell ón banna anunn ⁊ ille 148  dús cia díb diarbo foicsi. 149  Foicsi in hanna dano 150  do Chonchobur ⁊ rob siadi co dígail 151  íarsin. Atbath immorro 152  Blai briuga. Atrulla 153  Celtchar co mbúi isna Déisib Muman tess. 154 

 p.26

[4] “Is olc so, a Chonchobair!” ar Ulaid “Is toitim Déisi annso. Ropo lór in fer marb diar n-esbud 155  ⁊ ticed Celtchar 156  da tír,” ar Ulaid. “Ticed dano,” 157  ar Conchobar, “⁊ eirged 158  a mac for a cend ⁊ téiged i commairge fris.” 159  Ní 160  gebtha dono cin ind athar forsin 161  mac iná 162  cin in maic forsin athair ac Ultaib in tan sin. Luid sidein didiu dia gairm 163  co mbói thess. 164 

[5] “Cid dia tutchaidh, a macáin?” or sé “Condigid siumh don tír,” uar in gilla. “Cisse comairce dotaot frim?” ol sé “Misi,” ol in gilla. “Fír,” ol sé. “Is séimh in muin doberat 165  Ulaid ummum-sa techt for muin mo mic.” “Bid séimh a ainm ⁊ ainm a cheneóil,” 166  ar in drúi. “An-sa, a gilla!” for sé, “⁊ ragat-sa anunn.” 167 

[6] Dogníther ón ⁊ is de atá Semuine isna Déisib.

[7] Isí immorro 168  éraicc conattecht 169  im Blāi briugaid, na trí fochaide ata annsom 170  doticfad 171  la Ultu ina remes 172  do dingbáil díb.

[8] Doluid didiu Conganchnes mac Dedad do dígail a bráthar for Ultu .i. Cúrúi 173  mac Daire maic Dedad. Rȯfásaigestar Ultu co mór. 174  Níngeibtis  175  gái nó chlaidib, acht noscendis ass amal de chongnu. 176 

[9] “Dīngaib dín in fochaid seo, 177  a Cheltchair!” ar Conchobar. “Maith ám,” ar Celtchar, ⁊ luid dia acallaim in Chonganchnis laa n-óen 178  co tard muin uime, 179  gur gell a ingin dó .i. Níab 180  ingen Cheltchair ⁊ proind cēit cecha nóna dia tairiuc. Co tard 181  in ben bréic uime co n-epert fris: “Innis dam-sa,” ar sí, “amal marbthar tū.” 182  “Bera derga iarnaidi do tapairt im 183  bonnaib ⁊ tria mo luirgnib.”  p.28 Co n-epert si 184  riana hathair co ndernta dá bir móra lais ⁊ co tardta bricht súain fair ⁊ co tarcumlad slóg mór cuici. ⁊ dorónad amlaid. Et docóas ar a tarr co tardad na beru co n-ordaib ina bonnaib ⁊ sechnóin a smera con dorchair lais, co tall a cend de, co tardad carn for a cend .i. cloch cacha fir tánaic ann.

[10] Et isí fochaid tánaise iarsin .i. in luch donn.i. cuilén fúair mac na baintrebthaigi a cúas omna ⁊ ronalt an bantrepach co mba mór. Fadeoigh dono dofell ar cóerchu na bantrebthaigi ⁊ romarb a bú ⁊ a mac ⁊ romarb feisin hí féin ⁊ docóid iarsin co Glenn na Mórmuici. Les gach n-aidchi nofásaighedh la Ultu ⁊ ina cotlud cach dia. “Dīngaib dín, a Celtchair!” ar Conchobar, ⁊ téit Celtchar a fidbaid co tuc cep ferna as ⁊ gur ro- 11clas comfada a lama ⁊ gur roberbh a lusaib tuthmara ⁊ a mil ⁊ a mbeoil gur bo bog righin. Tēit Celtchar dochum na derca a cotlad in luch dunn ⁊ gabaid isin derc moch siu tísad in luch dond iarsan orcuin. Tic side ⁊ a srón a n-airde la tuth in croinn ⁊ lēicid Celtchar in crann tarsan derc amach cuici. Gabaid in chú ina beolu co tard a fiacla inn ⁊ rolen na fiacla isin maidi righin. Srengaid Celtchar in crann cuici ⁊ srengaid in chú isin leth anaill ⁊ donbeir Celtchar a lāim iarsin cep co tard a chridi tar a bēl, co raibi ina dorn ⁊ ruc a cend lais.

[11] Ocus in lā a cinn bliadna iarsin bātar būachailli a tāib cairn Congoncnis, co cūaladar iachtad na cuilén isin cairn ⁊ rotochladar in carn ⁊ fūaradar trī cuiléna ann .i. cū odur ⁊ cū minbrec ⁊ cū dub. Rucad in cū minbrec a n-ascaid do Mac Dāthó do Laignib ⁊ is impi dotuit sochaidi do feraib Ērenn a tig Maic Dāthō ⁊ Ailbi ainm na con sin, ⁊ co mad do Culand cerda dobertha in chú odur ⁊ in chú dub Daolcú  p.30 Celtchair feisin. Nī lēiced side a gabāil do duine acht do Celtchar. Fecht ann nī bāi Celtchar abus ⁊ do lēiced in cú amach ⁊ forfēimditer 185  in muinter a gabāil ⁊ dosāi forsna cethra ⁊ forna hindili ⁊ nomilled bī gach n-aidchi la Ultu fo deoid. 186 

[12] “Dīnguib didiu in fochaid 187  ut, a Celtchair!” ar Conchobar. Luid Celtchar dochum in glenna 'na mbōi in cú ⁊ cét laoch lais ⁊ gairmid in coin fo thrī, co facadar in coin cucu ⁊ nosdīrgenn co Celtchar co mhōi ac lige a cos. “Is trūag ām ann-dognī an cú,” ar cách. “Nī bīu-sa fot cinaid nī bus mō,” ar Celtchar ⁊ atnaig builli don lūin Celtchair, co ruc a cride trithi ⁊ co fūair bás īarsin. “Fé amai!” ar cách. “As fīr,” ar sē la turgbāil an gāi sūas, gur fēimid brōen fola d'fuil na con cuici ar fut an gāi co ndechaid trīt co talmain, co mbo marb de. ⁊ rolaad a gāir guil ⁊ rotōgbad a lia ⁊ a lecht ann. Conid hī sin Aided Blāi Briugad ⁊ Congoncnis ⁊ Celtchair maic Uithechair.

Finit.

 p.32
‍

1. Aided Fergusa Maic Rōich from the Edinburgh MS. XL, p. 5.

Cid diata aided Fergusa maic Rōich? Nī hansa.

[1] Būi Fergus for luinges i Connachtaib iarna sārugud im maccuib Usnech, ūair is ē in tres comairci tucad friu ⁊ Dubthach Dōeltenga ⁊ Cormac Conlonges mac Conchobair. Bātar dono uili tīar forsan loingis co cend cethri mbliadna déc ⁊ nī an dono gul nā crith leo a nUltaib, acht gul ⁊ crith gach n-oidhchi. Is ē romarb Fiachraig mac Conchobair ⁊ is ē romarb 188  Geirgi mac nIlleda ⁊ as ē romarb Eogan mac Durthact. Is lais tucad in tāin 189  .i. la Fergus. Mōr tra do gnīmaib dorine sium a tegluch Ailello ⁊ Medba ⁊ ba minca nobīd som ⁊ a muinter ar fot in tīre cena nā isin tegluch. Trīcha cēt rob ē līn na loingsi ⁊ is ē roba fer cumtha dō-som a tegluch Ailello .i. Lugaid Daillēigis .i. brāthair do Oilill in Lugaid sin.

[2] Bātar ann iar ngnīmaib acon loch ar Mag Āi. Dūnad mōr leo .i. cluichi 190  ⁊ cēti ann. Laa n-aon ann dono luid in slōg uili isi n loch dia fothrucad. “Erg sīs, a Fergus,” ar Ailill “⁊ bāid na firu!” “Nīt maith a n-usci,” ar Fergus. Luid-som sīs ar ái sin. Nīr ̇fulaing a cridi do Meidb co ndechaid isin loch. Mur docūaid Fergus isin loch dorala ana mbui do grenaig ⁊ do clochaib a n-īchtar an locha co raibi for ūachtar uli. Luid Medb didiu co raibi for a bruindi-sium ⁊ a gabla ime ⁊ co taircell-som in loch annsin ⁊ rogab ēt Ailill. Doluid didiu sūas Medb.

[3] “Is ālaind a ndognī 191  an dam, a Lugaid, ⁊ an eilit isin loch,” ar Ailill. “Cid nach gontar?” or Lugaid ⁊ nī tuc urcor n-imraill rīam. “Teilg-su dūn orchur forru!” ar Ailill. “Impō m'agaid 192   p.34 cuctha,” or Lugaid, “⁊ tabraid gāi dam.” Robūi Fergus aca nige asin loch ⁊ a bruinni fria ⁊ tucad a carpat docum Oilello co mbūi ina farrad ⁊ do teilc Lugaid urcor don gāi co mbōi triana druim sīar sechtair. 193   6 “Doriacht an t-urchur!” ar Lugaid. “Is fīr on,” ar cāch, “atāt bruindi Fergusa.”

[4] “Trūag sin,” ar Lugaid, “mo chomalta ⁊ m' fer cumtha do marbad dam-sa cin cinaid.” “Mo carpat dam-sa!” ar Ailill. Tēit in slōg uili for teiched, cach fer a leth fri tīr etir luinges ⁊ Connachta. Gataid Fergus 194  an gāi as ⁊ teilcid a ndiaid Ailello co ndechaid tresin milcoin būi etir dā fertas in carpait. Luid Fergus īarum asin loch ⁊ nusdīrgenn forsan tulaig a taeib in locha ⁊ luid a anum as focētōir ⁊ atā a lige ann fōs.

Conid hī Aided Fergusa connuici sin.

 p.36
‍

1. The Death of Cet mac Mágach: Version from the Edinburgh MS. XL., p. 7.

Version from the Edinburgh MS. XL., p. 7.

 7

Cid diatā aided Ceit maic Māgach? Nī hansa.

[1] Luidh Cet fecht ann a crīch nUlad do chuinghid gona duine, inní ba minic lais .i. Ulaid do goin, ūair nī dechaid asa nōendin rīam cen guin Ultaig.

[2] Luid sium sīar īarum ⁊ trī nōi 195  cinn do Ultaib lais ⁊ docuredh īarum Conall Cernach for a lurg co Brēfni Connacht. Laad snechta an gemrid do sunnrad, co fūair Conall a fāstig hē ac fuine a chotach 196  ⁊ a ara. Bātar tra na eochu fōn carpat amuich.

[3] “Is ē Cet so,” ar Conall, “⁊ nī fīu dūin comrac fris ar a doilghi ⁊ ar a crōdacht. Is amnus in fer fil and,” ar Conall. “Fē amai!” ol in t-ara, “nī maith tig tar do beōlu, in pēist fil for dīgail Ulad cen gabāil tige fair ⁊ nī meabal tra comtuitim duit fris, oir atā dia beōdacht 197  connuic so.” “A athair,” ar Conall, “nī tibur m' anum do lāith gaili fer nĒrenn ⁊ dobēr tra comartha forsna eochu.” Gadaid Conall dūal a muing na n-eoch ⁊ dobeir andlochtan a cinn in carpait ⁊ tēit as sair co hUltu.

[4] “Fē, a Ceit!” ar an t-ara. “Nī fē,” ar Cet, “is maith in t-anocul tuc for na heocha. Conall so,” ar sē, “⁊ biaid caradrad de ⁊ bid maith hē.” “Fē amae!” or in t-ara, “in fer rolá ár Connacht do tabairt mēla fort ⁊ nī toircēba t'ainm co bráth can a bás nó can a rūacad a fescur.” “Maith ám,” ar Cet. Lotar ina diaid co hĀth Ceit.

 p.38

[5] “Amin, a Chonaill!” ar Cet. “Cid sin, a Ceit?” ar Conall. “Nī racha as aniu, a clóain,” or Cet. “Dōig lem,” or Conall ac intód 198  cuici ⁊ nothūairgenn  8 cāch dīb a chēili co clos fon dīthrub uli a ngnīthech ⁊ a mbolcfadach ⁊ gāir na scur ⁊{⬌} 199  an anr- 200  ac lāigedh na lāth ngaili robātar isin āth, co torchair cechtarde anunn ⁊ anall. Marb immorro Cet fo cētōir ⁊ dororchair Conall a nēl.

[6] Ocus dūscid Conall asa nēl. “Ber lat na hechu co hUltu,” or sē, “ar nā romaigset Connachta cetus.” Farofēimid in gilla tra a tōcbāil-som ina carpat ⁊ ceilebraid in gilla dō īarum ⁊ luid dia tig. “Olc so tra,” or Conall, “aonfer do Connachtaib ⁊ rogellus-sa ām,” ar sē, “nacham muirfed aonfer do Chonnachtaib ⁊ robo ferr lem mā rīge in domuin nech do Chonnachtaib dom athguin co nā bad for aon fer do Chonnachtaib nobeith mo marbad.”

[7] Bélchu Brēfni tra, is ē tānic ar tús. “Cet so,” or sē “Conall dono sunna,” ar sē “⁊ bid 201  maith an Ēriu festa,” or sē, “ō dotorchair in dā árchoin so doloitsitar an Ēiriu eturra,” la tabairt airlaindi a tsligi for Conall. “Fair t'irlaind dīm, a athair!” or sē. “At beō,” ar Bēlchū. “Nī buide 202  frit ōn,” ar Conall, “am beō-sa.” “Fīr, a Conaill,” ar Bēlchū, “ac cuincid do gona atāi form-sa ⁊ nī dingēn-sa, oir is marb cena tū.” “Nī lēmtha cid mo brat do goin,” ar Conall, “a caillech trūag!” “Nītmairbfet-sa 203  tra, acht atā nī cena,” ar sē. “Notbēr lem dom tig ⁊ not-īcfaiter acum ⁊ madat 204  slān immorro caithfet frit.”

[8] Iarsin tra tōcbaid for a muin ⁊ a leth ina diaid, co rāinic a tech ⁊ dobeir leaga cucui gur bo slān. “Bid fīr,” ar Bēlchū fria maccaibh, “raga in fer sa ūaim ⁊ nī dingna ar les. Marbaid in fer resiu dech 205   p.40 ūain. Tigid iarum cucui uili amārach d'agaid, co facar-sa in airecul fosclaicthi ar bar cinn ⁊ marbaid é ina lebaid.” Rofitir fer in imnid ⁊ an uile mōir .i. Conall in mīdūthracht robōi dō.

[9] “Dūn in tech!” ar Conall fri Bēlcoin. Tēit sair ⁊ fácaid in tech fuslaicthi. “Maith didiu, a Bélchú,” ar Conall, “tarr am lebaid-sa!” “Nī tō,” or Bélchū. “Do cenn dít-sa,” ar Conall, “mina tísi isin lebaid.” “Bid ēicin,” ar Bélchu. Dūnaid 206  didiu Bélchú in tech. Iar cotlud do Bélchoin fuslaicid 207  Conall an tech. Dothecait maic Bélchon dochum na imdaidi a mbāi a n-athair ⁊ doberait a tri sligi trit gur marbsat ⁊ eirgid Conall īarsin ⁊ imrid a claidem forra co mbōi spreathach a n-incinni im na fraighthaib ⁊ beridh a ceithri cinnu lais sair, co rīacht a thech rēsiu roba matin. Conid hī Aided Ceit ⁊ Bélchon Brēfni cona maccaib in sin.

‍

2. Version B: From MSS 23 G 21, p. 140, and 23 B 21, p. 174 (RIA)

From MSS 23 G 21, p. 140, and 23 B 21, p. 174 (RIA)

Ag so síos do bhás Cheit mic Mághach.

[1] Ba tréiṅfear an Ceat so ⁊ fa biodhbha biotḣfoghlaidh air Ulltaibh é feadh a ré. Lá n-aon dá ndeachaidh an Ceat so a nUlltaibh ag deanamh díḃfeirge amhuil fá gnáith leis go ttárla sneachta mór fán am sin ann; ⁊ ag tille do ⁊ trí ceinn laoch air gad aige do marbadh leis 'san turras 208  sin, thig Conall Cearrnach air a lorg gur chuir fá ghreim é ag Áth Cheat, gur chomruic siad le chéile, gur thuit Ceat 'san chomhlann ⁊ gur tromghoineadh Conall féin, gur thuit a néal air an láthair iair ttréigion iomaid fola do. ⁊ leis sin tig Béalchú Bréifne, tréiṅfear eile do Chonnachtaibh do láthair. Mar fuair Ceat marbh ⁊ Conall a ccrothaibh báis adubhairt gur mhaith an sgéal an dá onnchoin sin dá ttáinig aighmhille Éireann do bheith isna hannrachtaibh sin.

[2] “As fíor sin,” air Conall, “⁊ a ndíol a ndearrna mise d'ulc air Chonnachtaibh riamh marbh-sa me!” As uime adubhairt Conall sin do brígh go madh fearr leis ná flaithios Éireann laoch eigin eile 209  dá  p.42 ghoin ionnus nach beth clú a mharbhtha air aonlaoch amháin do Chonnachtaibh. “Ní mhuirfid,” air Béalchú, “oir as geall re bheith marbh dhuit an riocht ina bhfuile. Gidheadh, béar liom thú ⁊ cuirfead leighios ort ⁊ más téarmóidh 210  ód othrus 211  duit, do dhéan comhrac áeṅfir leat go ndíoghaltar liom ort gach dochar ⁊ gach díth dár himreadh leat air Chonnachtaibh.”

[3] Agus leis sin cuirios iomchar faoi ⁊ beirios leis dá thig féin é, gur chuir leighios air ann go beth dá chréachtaibh cneasda. Mar do mheas umorro Béalchú eision ag tearnó ⁊ a neart féin a teacht arís ann, do ghabh eagla ré Conall é ⁊ ollmhuighthear triur laoch da chlainn ré Béalchoin re marbhadh Chonaill tré ̇feall 'san oidhche air a leabaidh. Gidheadh, fuair Conall dóigh air chogar 212  na ceilge sin, ⁊ an oidhche do bhí a bharra 213  fán ccloinn teacht ag déanamh na feille, adubhairt Conall le Béalchoin go ccaithfeadh malairt leaptha d' ̇fághail uaidh no go muirfeadh. ⁊ leis sin luigheas Béalchú gér leisg é a leabaidh Chonaill ⁊ do luigh Conall ina leabaidh sin, go ttángadar an triur laoch sin fá chlainn do Bhéalchoin d' ionsuighe na leaptha ina mbíodh Conall, gur mharbhadar a n-athair a riocht Chonaill.

[4] Mar do mhoithigh Conall iad sin iar marbhadh a n-athar ina riocht féin, do ling ortha ⁊ marbhthar leis iad a ttriur ⁊ díthcheanntar leis iad mar aon lena n-athair, go rug airnamháireach a ccinn dá ccomh-mhaoidheamh go hEamhuin. Gonadh ag muidheamh an ghníomha sin atá an file 'san rann so:

  1. Fá do chearrdaibh Conaill Chearnaigh
    ionnradh Manann, mór an modh,
    is goin trí mac Béalchón Bréifne
    iar ngoin 214  athar 215  na ttrí ccon.
Gonadh é sin marbhadh Ceit mic Mághach ⁊ Bhéalchon gona thriur mac go roich so; gidheadh as iomdha éacht adhbhal eile do féadfaidhe do chomhmhuidheamh air Chonall ̇fuigfiom don chur so gan cur síos ann so.

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Title statement

Title (uniform): The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes

Author: unknown

Editor: Kuno Meyer

Responsibility statement

Electronic edition compiled by: Beatrix Färber

Proof corrections by: Hilary Lavelle and Beatrix Färber

Funded by: University College, Cork and The HEA via the LDT Project and PRTLI 4

Edition statement

1. First draft, revised and corrected.

Extent: 9590 words

Publication statement

Publisher: CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College, Cork

Address: College Road, Cork, Ireland—http://www.ucc.ie/celt

Date: 2010

Distributor: CELT online at University College, Cork, Ireland.

CELT document ID: G301037

Availability: Available with prior consent of the CELT programme for purposes of academic research and teaching only. This book is available for purchase from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (School of Celtic Studies).

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Source description

Manuscript sources: Death of Conchobar

  1. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, MS C I 2, f 5va–8rb.
  2. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 N 10, p 16.
  3. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, MS 23 O 48 (Liber Flavus Fergusiorum), vol. II, f 52ra–b.
  4. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, MS 1223 (olim Stowe MS, D. 4. 2), f 54a3.
  5. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 B 21, p 176.
  6. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 G 21, p 142.
  7. Dublin, Trinity College, MS H 2 18 (cat. 1339) (Book of Leinster or Leabhar Laigneach, formerly Leabhar na Núachonbála), p 123b–124b. For the edition, Meyer used the Facsimile.
  8. Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, MS V, f 7v–8r.
  9. Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, MS XL, p 1–3.

Manuscript sources: Death of Lóegaire Búadach

  1. Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, MS XL, I, f 4v–5r.
  2. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 B 21, p 176.
  3. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 G 21, p 142.

Manuscript sources: Death of Celtchar mac Uthechair

  1. Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, MS XL, I, f 5r–6r (Meyer p 9).
  2. Dublin, Trinity College, MS H 218 (cat. 1339) (Book of Leinster or Leabhar Laigneach, formerly Leabhar na Núachongbála), p 118b (2nd part missing).

Manuscript sources: Death of Fergus mac Róich

  • Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, MS XL, I, f 3r–3v.

Manuscript sources: Death of Cet mac Mágach

  1. Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland, MS XL, I, f 4r–4v.
  2. (=G) Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 G 21, p 140.
  3. (=B) Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 23 B 21, p 174.

Literature

  1. Henri d'Arbois de Jubainville (ed.), Essai d'un Catalogue de la littérature épique de l'Irlande (Paris 1883).
  2. Kuno Meyer, 'The Edinburgh Gaelic manuscript XL', Celtic Magazine 12 (1887) 203–18.
  3. Kuno Meyer, 'Goire Conaill Chernaig i Crúachain ocus aided Ailella ocus Conaill Chernaig' ['The Cherishing of Conall Cernach in Cruachan, and the Death of Ailill and of Conall Cernach'], Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 1 (1897) 102–111.
  4. Whitley Stokes, 'Tidings of Conchobar mac Nessa', Ériu 4, pt. 1 (1908) 19–39.
  5. Rudolf Thurneysen, Die irische Helden- und Königsage bis zum siebzehnten Jahrhundert. Teil I und II. Halle/Saale 1921.
  6. Proinsias Mac Cana, The Learned Tales of Medieval Ireland. (Dublin: DIAS 1980).
  7. Ruth P. M. Lehmann, 'Death and Vengeance in the Ulster Cycle', Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie 43 (1989)1–10.
  8. Johan Corthals, 'The Retoiric in Aided Chonchobuir', Ériu 40 (1989) 41–59.
  9. Seán Duffy (ed.), Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages) (London 2004).
  10. John T. Koch (ed.), Celtic culture: a historical encyclopedia (Santa Barbara 2005).

The edition used in the digital edition

Meyer, Kuno, ed. (1906). The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes‍. 1st ed. vii + 35 pp., v–vii Preface, 1–42 Text and Translation, 43–45 Notes, 46 Index Nominum, 47 Index Locorum, 48–52 Glossary, 53 Further Addenda and Corrigenda. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy.

You can add this reference to your bibliographic database by copying or downloading the following:

@book{G301037,
  title 	 = {The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes},
  editor 	 = {Kuno Meyer},
  edition 	 = {1},
  note 	 = {vii + 35 pp., v–vii Preface, 1–42 Text and Translation, 43–45 Notes, 46 Index Nominum, 47 Index Locorum, 48–52 Glossary, 53 Further Addenda and Corrigenda.},
  publisher 	 = {Royal Irish Academy },
  address 	 = {Dublin},
  date 	 = {1906},
  UNKNOWN 	 = {seriesStmt}
}

 G301037.bib
‍

Encoding description

Project description: CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts

Sampling declarations

The present text represents the editor's preface (v–vii), introduction (2–3) and even pages 4–42 of the translation. The editor's addenda and corrigenda have been integrated.

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Correction: Text has been checked and proofread twice, all corrections and supplied text being tagged. Expansions are marked ex. Footnotes are incorporated and numbered sequentially.

Normalization: The electronic text represents the printed text.

Hyphenation: When a hyphenated word (hard or soft) crosses a line break, the break is marked after the completion of the hyphenated word. There are no instances of hyphenated words crossing a page break.

Segmentation: div0=the group of tales; div1=the section comprising one or more versions of the tale; div2=the individual (version of a) tale; paragraphs are marked p. Poems are treated as embedded texts, with stanzas marked lg and metrical lines tagged l.

Interpretation: Names of persons (given names), places and group names are not tagged. Direct speech is rendered q; except where it cannot be nested within or outside the apparatus; then it is rendered '.

Reference declaration

A canonical reference to a location in this text should be made using “tale”, eg tale 1.

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Profile description

Creation: By unknown scribes in medieval monastic scriptoria.600–900

Language usage

  • The text is in Old and Middle Irish. (ga)
  • The editor's preface and introduction, and some footnotes are in English. (en)
  • Some words and phrases are in Latin. (la)

Keywords: Death of Conchobar; Aided Chonchobuir; Death of Lóegaire Búadach; Aided Lóegairi Búadaig; Death of Celtchar mac Uthechair; Aided Cheltchair maic Uthechair; Death of Fergus mac Róich; Aided Fergusa maic Róich; Death of Cet mac Mágach; Aided Cheit maic Mágach; prose; medieval

‍

Revision description

(Most recent first)

  1. 2010-10-07: Footnotes, addenda and corrigenda added. Header modified. File re-parsed, SGML and HTML versions created. (ed. Beatrix Färber)
  2. 2010-10-06: File proofed to end (2); file parsed. (ed. Beatrix Färber)
  3. 2010-10-04: Header created, file proofed (2) to p. 20; structural and content markup added. (ed. Beatrix Färber)
  4. 2010-08-13: Editor's preface and introduction scanned and proofed. (data capture Beatrix Färber)
  5. 2006-07: Text proof-read (1). (ed. Hilary Lavelle)
  6. 2006: Irish text scanned and basic XML markup applied. (text capture Data capture company)

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T301037: The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes (in English Translation)

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G301037.xml

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  1. For a full account of the contents of this manuscript, one of the most valuable in the Edinburgh collection, see my article in the Celtic Magazine for 1887, pp. 208–218. 🢀

  2. The Stowe MS. cited by him is now marked D. 4. 2. The copy of Aided Chonchobuir is found on fol. 54a2. 🢀

  3. Another copy of this version is in the Stowe MS. C.I. 2. fo. 5b–8a. 🢀

  4. Forbais Dúin Binni is the title of a tale mentioned in the list in the Book of Leinster, p. 189c; but no copy of it is known. 🢀

  5. The manuscript, indeed, says (Lib. Flav., paragraph 1) that he came from Leinster, though it makes Conchobar ask him for news of Alba (i.e. Great Britain) and Leth Moga (the southern half of Ireland), for which we should unquestionably read Letha (i.e. the Continent). For from meaning either Latium or Brittany, Letha has practically come to denote the Continent. 🢀

  6. chomram Fcs. 🢀

  7. galam Fcs. 🢀

  8. Here the Edinburgh MS becomes legible. 🢀

  9. roime a talmain Ed. 🢀

  10. reithit na fir cuici iarsin Ed. 🢀

  11. adorchair Ed. 🢀

  12. ata a lecht ann ⁊ a ligi Ed. 🢀

  13. ⁊ fria bonn Ed. 🢀

  14. srainter Connacht Ed. 🢀

  15. sciaid L. 🢀

  16. siar add. Ed. 🢀

  17. maidid diu for Ultu soir Ed. 🢀

  18. From here to the end of the paragraph Ed. omits. 🢀

  19. muigid Ed. 🢀

  20. .i. Fingin eisidein ⁊ ise trath nofinded in diaid notiged Ed. 🢀

  21. tra add Ed. 🢀

  22. tucthar Ed. 🢀

  23. asa cend in cloch bid marb Ed. 🢀

  24. rohicfaither ⁊ biaid athais do Ed. 🢀

  25. andas Ed. 🢀

  26. rohicad Ed. 🢀

  27. in cenn Ed. 🢀

  28. snaithi Ed. 🢀

  29. e add. Ed., omitting the rest of the sentence. 🢀

  30. co mbeith a foiditin .i. co na tisad ferg fair ⁊ na tisad for ech ⁊ na tisad co mnái ⁊ na rocaithed biad co hanfeta Ed. 🢀

  31. om. Ed. 🢀

  32. in cein Ed. 🢀

  33. acht tairisim ina suidi amain cusin uair rocrochad Crist la Iudaidib Ed. 🢀

  34. annsin Ed. 🢀

  35. duilib Ed. 🢀

  36. meit Ed. 🢀

  37. donither isin laithiu si aniu Ed. 🢀

  38. d' Iudaidib amairsecha Ed. 🢀

  39. cid so? or C. fria druidib ⁊ cia gnim mor donither annso aniu? Is fir or na druidi is gnim mor donither and .i. Crist mac De bi do chrochad la Iudaidib .i. fer rogenair a comais frit-si. Bachrach fili do Lagnib ise ro-indis do Chonchobur Crist do chrochad Ed. 🢀

  40. dochreit Ed. 🢀

  41. do Christ add. Ed. 🢀

  42. toisech add. Ed. 🢀

  43. dochreit Ed. 🢀

  44. om. Ed. 🢀

  45. mac Main add. Ed. 🢀

  46. From here to the end Ed. differs, as follows: “Dofaetsat mile fer n-armach lim-sa ac tesarcain Christ.” Roling iarsin 'chum a di gai ⁊ rusbertaig co tenn gurromuigiter ina dorn ⁊ rogab iarum a chlaidem ina laim ⁊ rogab don caillid uime co ndernaig mag don caill .i. Mag Lamrigi a Feraib Rus ⁊ ised atbert: “is amlaid so do digolainn-si Crist for Iudalaib ⁊ for in lucht rochroch he da roisind iat.” Lasin feirg sin roling incinn Miscegra asa cinn co tainic a incind fein fair gurbo marb de ⁊ conid aire sin aderait cach: “is nemedach Conchobar trit an durtacht doroine Conchobar.” Ise in dedenach adubairt Conchobar: “gidbe nombera-sa cin tairisium fam connuici mo tech,” ar se (p. 3) {⬌} ardrigi nUlad nob {⬌} lam uime ⁊ berith go hArdachad tSlebi Fuait for a muin {⬌} isin gilla conid de ata rige Ceinn Beriti for Ultaib .i. in ri for a muin leth in lai. Ro foillsig Dia do Búiti mac Bronaigh incind Miscegra conid hi is adart Buiti aníu ⁊is nemedach gach aen fora racha incind Miscegra ic dol fria bás ⁊ ata briathar a breth fodes a Lagnib ⁊ fortamlus doib iarsin. Conid hi aided Conchobair connuici sin. 🢀

  47. This curious form, which seems to mean “who has created us,” also occurs in Imram Brain, paragraph 48: “ónd ríg dorearoasat.” 🢀

  48. geit rinsin MS. See Version B. 🢀

  49. leg. donescmart. Cf. ar écnairc inna fola doescmart erond, Otia II., p. 97, paragraph 30. 🢀

  50. doluigh MS. 🢀

  51. draigh MS. 🢀

  52. fiabraidhus MS. 🢀

  53. corluigh MS. 🢀

  54. tigi MS. 🢀

  55. fuinigh MS. 🢀

  56. airdrech MS. 🢀

  57. dorinnidh MS. 🢀

  58. buidh MS. 🢀

  59. rcr with overstroke MS. 🢀

  60. rosuigh MS. 🢀

  61. rofiarfaidh MS. 🢀

  62. Cathbaidh MS. 🢀

  63. croid MS. 🢀

  64. soghuin MS. 🢀

  65. curluigh MS. 🢀

  66. laig MS. 🢀

  67. frith MS. 🢀

  68. hiughaidhbh MS. 🢀

  69. Mesgeadhra MS. 🢀

  70. ghæidhil MS. 🢀

  71. geinntlighi MS. 🢀

  72. doluidgh MS. 🢀

  73. comfraicead MS. 🢀

  74. friadha MS. This spelling of the disyllabic 'fria' “versus eam” is evidently intended to distinguish it from 'fria' “to his (her, its).” 🢀

  75. leg. tabairt? 🢀

  76. leg. 'nar. 🢀

  77. In margin: nō gairg. 🢀

  78. romughaid MS. 🢀

  79. elaigh D. 🢀

  80. robsat D ropsa L. 🢀

  81. mbái a cind D. 🢀

  82. ciapsam D. 🢀

  83. rodotcelt C. 🢀

  84. roalt D. 🢀

  85. doluidh D. 🢀

  86. forríth L. 🢀

  87. commaid L. 🢀

  88. lom L fuair in tonnaigh D. 🢀

  89. dít D. 🢀

  90. nathraig L. 🢀

  91. dothucc D. 🢀

  92. dotharlaic D. 🢀

  93. ruagh D. 🢀

  94. Matach L. 🢀

  95. nglóed L. 🢀

  96. om. L. 🢀

  97. om. L. 🢀

  98. ann dorighnedh D; ndoraiṙngered L. 🢀

  99. mairg a lagnech imba L. 🢀

  100. ni rascarais L. 🢀

  101. cofargbais L. 🢀

  102. bain add. L. 🢀

  103. rogiallsat D. 🢀

  104. dot L. 🢀

  105. torcair L. 🢀

  106. rothoillsidh D. 🢀

  107. brig D. 🢀

  108. inattail L. 🢀

  109. in ̇fail hilliu D. 🢀

  110. in sluagh D. 🢀

  111. rath D. 🢀

  112. o rachloais D. 🢀

  113. demnu L. 🢀

  114. is D. 🢀

  115. Magain 🢀

  116. rochoinnig 🢀

  117. bad7 🢀

  118. Two or three letters cut off with the edge of the page. Read either “dámair” or “āem”. 🢀

  119. Perhaps “aba”. 🢀

  120. No title in G. 🢀

  121. ag G. 🢀

  122. goirthí G. 🢀

  123. ccur B. 🢀

  124. gon í G. 🢀

  125. fer amra do Ultaib E. 🢀

  126. om. E. 🢀

  127. seisr E With horizontal stroke over r and dot over the stroke. 🢀

  128. om. E. 🢀

  129. dosom E. 🢀

  130. om. E. 🢀

  131. dochom a thige L. 🢀

  132. om. E. 🢀

  133. om. E. 🢀

  134. for oi gidecht add. E. 🢀

  135. dochum a thaige L. 🢀

  136. ndernus E. 🢀

  137. thecht cucum E. 🢀

  138. ar in ben om. E. 🢀

  139. goittes L. 🢀

  140. a geis for mnai E. 🢀

  141. om. E. 🢀

  142. ⁊ faidid le E. 🢀

  143. dolluid side diarra na mna L. 🢀

  144. co mbai etir Chonchobur ... in c. Batar ... desciurd ó Emuin Macha L. 🢀

  145. co mbui i coṁfocus ... L. 🢀

  146. om. E. 🢀

  147. foimister E rottomsed L. 🢀

  148. alle E ille ⁊ inund L. 🢀

  149. cia da bad faicsi E. 🢀

  150. om. E. 🢀

  151. siad cosin dic ... L. 🢀

  152. tra L. 🢀

  153. ⁊ docuaid E. 🢀

  154. aness E. 🢀

  155. et as lór aoinfer do esbaid oirn E. 🢀

  156. tabhartar Cealtchair E. 🢀

  157. dino E. 🢀

  158. eirched E. 🢀

  159. bí a comairci fair E. 🢀

  160. ni tei ... L. 🢀

  161. for in L. forsan E. 🢀

  162. nó 🢀

  163. di gairm Cheltchair L. 🢀

  164. aneas E. 🢀

  165. doberait E. 🢀

  166. chini E. 🢀

  167. om. L. 🢀

  168. tra L. 🢀

  169. conaitced E. 🢀

  170. annso L. 🢀

  171. tic ... 🢀

  172. ina remes om. 🢀

  173. Conrui E. 🢀

  174. Ulto commor L. 🢀

  175. ni gapdis ... he E. 🢀

  176. noscingtis de amal bid codna nobendais E. 🢀

  177. sin E. 🢀

  178. laa and E. 🢀

  179. tarad breit (leg. breic) frise L 🢀

  180. Niam E. 🢀

  181. co tarat L. 🢀

  182. co n-erbairt frie in n-innas no mair ... L. 🢀

  183. bera iairn it eat derga tri ... here the fragment in L ends. 🢀

  184. erpert E. 🢀

  185. forfeimgiter E. 🢀

  186. deoid E. 🢀

  187. fochaidi E. 🢀

  188. romarb- MS. 🢀

  189. antain intain MS. 🢀

  190. cl-ti MS with dot over stroke. 🢀

  191. anndogni MS. 🢀

  192. mad- MS. 🢀

  193. sechtduir MS. 🢀

  194. Fergusa MS. 🢀

  195. The MS has the ordinary compendium for “nó”, with a dot or small “i” over it. 🢀

  196. a acotach MS. 🢀

  197. beogachta MS. 🢀

  198. intógh MS. 🢀

  199. Here the MS is illegible. 🢀

  200. An leg. a n-arad? 🢀

  201. bit MS. 🢀

  202. buige MS. 🢀

  203. nitmuirbebsom MS. 🢀

  204. magat MS. 🢀

  205. dech- MS. 🢀

  206. dunaig MS. 🢀

  207. fusłi 🢀

  208. turruis B. 🢀

  209. om. B. 🢀

  210. teárnoidh B. 🢀

  211. tothrus G; tfothras B. 🢀

  212. chogair B. 🢀

  213. bhara B. 🢀

  214. bhéil add. BG. 🢀

  215. athair BG. 🢀

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