Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])

poem 37

Mag Femin II

  1. Femen, though it be deserted to-day
    there was one whose dwelling it was:

  • For him were shed showers of tears
    after Lugaid, son of Oengus.

  • 5] Why was lamentation meet for the land
    on account of that king more than any king?

  • Because he it is that is the best king
    in guarding his honour.

  • What great deed of honour did he do
    10] O son of the king from Tibre?

  • The driving of the foreigners over sea,
    and a victory over the line of Irial Glunmar.

  • Is there another deed that he did
    before he gained martial prowess?

  • 15] The subduing of Banba (fame for a king's son),
    in the fight about the wild beast.

  • The battle at Luchut he fought
    against Leth Cuind, against Connacht:

  • The northern part of Munster, after its partition,
    20] is the southern part of his territory.

  • The carn that is at faultless Lotan,
    rememberest thou, O Comgan?

  • A stone for each man that came into the battle
    along with active Lugaid.


  • p.203

  • 25] The king's carn — was it known what king it is
    to whom it belongs — best his brave deed!

  • A king who seized Munster — great exploit —
    Lugaid Red-hand of the long locks.

  • A raid was made to Munster
    30] so that Lugaid made reprisals:

  • His ships were on the sea:
    he was fond of racing over Femen-mag.

  • Seven kings held sway over Munster
    between Ailill and Lugaid.

  • 35] No king of them was the flower of kings:
    nobler to my mind was Lugaid in Femen.

  • Thirty victorious kings are counted
    of the race of Corc together.


  • [...]
    Cashel;
    40] strangers shall inhabit Mag Femin.

  • Forget not the king with whom thou art,
    and forget not his wife!

  • May they sit in heaven hereafter,
    Mor and Fingen of Femen.

  • 45] Best of the women of Inis Fail
    is Mor daughter of Aed Bennan.

  • Better is Fingen than any hero
    that drives about Femen.


  • p.205

  • Wherever we have gone about till now
    50] through the country of bright-swarded Banba,

  • We have not found a plain and a man
    like Fingen and Femen.

  • The oxen of Dil appeared
    on the plain by Loch Silend.

  • 55] These are their names, Fe and Men:
    from them is Femen called.

  • Thou art Mac da Cherda, in the flesh,
    and I am Cumine.

  • This shall be our reward for the two of us — heaven!
    60] and Femen shall be deserted.


  • p.207