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

poem/story 3

DRUIM CLIAB

  1. Here dwelt sturdy Caurnan making ready well-fitted boats: a year and a half, a noble design, Caurnan worked in secret for a raid.
  2. Caurnan black-foot, dark of hue, son of Ré Doirche, son of Dibad, a man of valour beyond all poetic praise, wrought a cunning foray.
  3. Thrice fifty boat-frames—famous muster—here in Druim Cliab of the hides, to sack Dun Barc, haunt of whales, did Caurnan assemble, that fugleman of fight.
  4. The blameless son of Leo lam-fota was Áinle the renowned, the glorious, a weakling without force for foray, prince of deadly-hurling Dun Barc.

    5. p.11

  5. Áinle, who had no grip in battle, the son that Leo the Thrower left, suffered by a grim vengeance, with his consort, in the famous dún.
  6. ‘Good is every tryst that men keep,’ said downright Caurnan: ‘Áinle is slain, he and his womankind, but we continue undivided.’
  7. Caurnan grew in pride through the sack of ever-during Dun Barc: he cleared of reproach, from west to east, the story of steadfast Druim Cliab.
  8. Hence comes the famous title, the name of Druim Cliab of the trophies: it is a lasting tale, without noisy tongue-valiance, that I have framed here for its folk.
  9. Grant me my two wishes, O King, O Creator of the lively-coloured world! bring me to thee, into thy kingdom after long and happy life in this place.
  10. Hence comes the name, Druim Cliab, on the western slope of this ridge, even from the boat-frames with their load of spears, that were built at leisure here.

    11. p.13