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The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes

Author: unknown

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Kuno Meyer

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

1. First draft, revised and corrected.

Extent of text: 9590 words

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CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College, Cork
College Road, Cork, Ireland—http://www.ucc.ie/celt

(2010)

Distributed by CELT online at University College, Cork, Ireland.
Text ID Number: G301037

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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).

Sources

    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
  1. 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
  1. The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes. Kuno Meyer (ed), First edition [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.] Royal Irish Academy Dublin (1906) . Todd Lecture Series. , No. 14

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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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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 '.

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Created: By unknown scribes in medieval monastic scriptoria. Date range: 600–900.

Use of language

Language: [GA] The text is in Old and Middle Irish.
Language: [EN] The editor's preface and introduction, and some footnotes are in English.
Language: [LA] Some words and phrases are in Latin.

Revision History


Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition: G301037

The Death-Tales of the Ulster Heroes: Author: unknown


p.v

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 manuscripts2 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.

p.4

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

Aided Chonchobuir

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

¶1] Bái mesca mór for Ulto fecht n-and i nEmain Macha. Do-curidar didiu immarbága móra & comrama eturro .i. etir Chonall & Coinculaind & Lóegaire. ‘Tucaid dam-sa’ ar Conall ‘inchind Meissgegra co ro-acilliur ócu na comram.’6 Ba bés d' Ultaib ind inbaid sin cach curaid nomarbdais ar galaib óenfir nogatta a n-inchind assa cendaib & commesctha áel airthib co ndénad líathróite crúade díb. Ocus intan nobítis i n-immarbáig nó chomramaib dobertis dóib co mbítis inna lámaib.

¶2] ‘Maith, a Chonchobuir,’ ar Conall, ‘na co ndernat óic na comram écht fón innas-sa ar galaib7 óinfir, nídat túalngi comram frim-sa.’ ‘Is fír ón,’ ar Conchobur.

¶3] Doratad íarum forsin forud fora mbíd dogrés ind inchind. Luid cách a lethi arnabárach dia cluchiu. Dolluid dano Cet mac Matach do chúairt ectra la Ulto. Béist ass andsam robói i nHérinn in Cet. Ised dolluid-side dar faidchi na hEmna & tri láechcind 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, ó rofitir Cet robói i tarngere do Messgegra a dígail 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-íarmóracht Ulaid ina diaid. Doriachtatar dano Connachtai dond leith aile dia thessarcain-seom. Fechair cath eturro. Dolluid Conchubur féin issin cath. Conid andsin gádatar mná Connacht do Conchobur tuidecht for leith do déscin a delba dóib. Fobíth ní 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 gnáis & gaisced & chenél. Nírbo lochtach tra intí Conchobur. A comairli immorro in Cheit rogabsat na mná ailgis do Chonchobur. Luid íarum for leth a óinur dia déscin dona mnáib.

¶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 dá trían inna chind & co torchair-seom isa cend8, co tarla fri lár.9 Focherddat Ulaid chuci10 conidrucsat ó Chet. For brú Átha Daire Dá Báeth is and dorochair11 Conchobar. Atá a lige and12 baile i torchair & corthe fria chend & corthe fria chossa.13

¶7] Maidid tra for Connachta14 co Sciaig15 Aird na Con16. Dobertar Ulaid sair doridisi17 co Áth Daire Dá Báeth. ‘Mo18 brith-se ass!’ ar Conchobur. ‘Dobér ríge nUlad do neoch nombéra connici mo thech.’ ‘Notbér-sa,’ ar Cend Berraide, ar a gilla fadéin. Dobeir-side lomain imme & nombeir for a muin co Arddachad Slébe 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 tráth co araile dar éis in ríg. Co ráimid19 for Ulto íarsin.


p.8

¶9] Doberar tra a liaig co Conchobar .i. Fingen. Iss éside nofinnad don díaid nothéiged20 don tig in lín nobíd i ngalur 'sin tig ocus cech galar nobíd and. ‘Maith,’21 or Fingen, ‘dia taltar22 in chloch as do chind biat marb23 fo chétóir. Mani tucthar ass immorro, not-ícfaind & bid athis duit.’24 ‘Is asso dún’ ar Ulaid ‘ind athis oldás25 a éc-som.’

¶10] Ro-íccad26 íarum a chend27 & rofúaged co snáth28 óir29, ar ba cumma dath fuilt Conchobuir & dath inn óir. Ocus asbert in liaig fri Conchobar co mbeth i fomtin .i. ar ná tísad a ferg dó & ná digsed for ech & ná etraiged mnái & ná rocaithed biad co anfeta & ná rethed.30

¶11] Robói dano31 isin chuntabairt sin céin32 robo beó .i. secht mbliadna & nírbo engnamaid, acht a airisium inna suidi nammá .i. naco cúala Críst do chrochad do Iudaidib.33 Tánic and side34 crith mór forsna dúli35 & rochrithnaig nem & talam la mét36 in gníma darónad and37 .i. Isu Críst mac Dé bí do chrochad cen chinaid.38 ‘Cráet so?’ ar Conchobur fria drúid. ‘Cia olc mór dogníther isind lathiu-sa indiú?’ ‘Is fír ón 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 rochreiti40 Conchobar.41 Ocus issé sin indara fer42 rochreti43 do Día i nHérinn44 ría tiachtain creitmi é .i. Morand45 in fer aile. ‘Maith tra,’ ar Conchobar.46 ‘Ba hapraind nadáil cuardríg


p.10

nar nagg atumbeoir irricht chrúadchurad cichtis cichtis mo beoil. concichlais crúas mór miled. maidm nitha muáid nimslóig serbairlech. sordnifed soerchobair la Críst congénaind. 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 congnam cáin bé la Dia dílgadach dia chobair. cáin forlund fóbenaind. cáin comlund crothfind Críst arnemthuir. nipu scíth ce chéssaitís coirp chriad. ciarbo ar Críst cáid cumachtach cia dú dún nadrochem rád dúr derchóinte runortar inarmen mona miad nadríg roachtmar roncráidi crochad Críst ma chotóchaimmis ba hassu nadbemmis iar n-ardrach écomnart úasal rí rocés croich crúaid ar dóine 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 dúlemain dígail.’

¶13] Is and doringni Conchohar in rethoric se dia ro-innis Bachrach drúi de Lagnib do Chonchobur Críst do chrochad, dia ra-iarfaig Conchobar: ‘Ciata airde ingantacha so?’ &c.

¶14] Nó dano co mbad é Altus in consul dodechaid ó Ochtauín do chungid in chísa co Gáédelaib no-innised do Chonchobur Críst do chrochad.


p.12

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

{MS page 1}

¶1] Bái Conchobar mac Nesai fechtus n-ann. Atfét dó Altus crochad Críst. Altus immorro is hé dothathaiged co clóemclódaib séd ó Tibir mac Augaist ríg Rómán co Conchobar mac Nesa. Ar ba cuma bátar rechtairea ríg Rómán in n-aimsir sin for medón in uetha & for indsip fuinid & turcbálai, co mba comderb isin mbith nach sgél n-airdirc forcumcad ann.

¶2] Ba derb 'diu la Conchobur fon n-innus sin in cruth forcúaid crochad Críst. Ar atfét dó Altus ba hé C ríst dorosat nem & talmain & is airi arfóit colainn ar tathcreicc in cineda dóenai. Ba cretmech Altus, is aire atféd cech maith im crochad Críst.

¶3] Concreid Conchobur do Chríst & is íarum asmbert Conchobur rofestais fir in betha a chumang oc cathugud fri hIudaidi crochsiti Críst, ma nubeth hi comfogus do Chríst. Is de ismbert Conchubar: ‘Ba haprainn nandáil cuart ríg narnaic atum fir hi richt cróad-churad cichtis mo beóil conciuchlis crúas már militha maidm netho móith n-imdai slúag searbairlech soistnefeit soircobur la Críst congaib geanam gáir báith for leth enæ lan Coimdid ba rolanscel cichointir crochath fir ba inmoo mo corp canæ n-artríg n-adamrai n-airerni atumcichtæ gním fir hi tinól tairisem triun uaisib in Coimded cháith cumachtaigh can be ein lam dee ndílgodag do cobur can forlonn foabeaba rinn cach comlann croithfinn la Críst arnenitir ní bu scíth cichestæ ar Críst cáth cumachtoch cid dudamr dun dercóinti din reil rochuinem nadnea nderagam.i. dígal duir choirp crochsiti ríg dorearoosat ronort47 inni menman med nadrig roachta mar roncráide crochad Críst ma chutooccaibmis atbelmais ba hasa artrag écomnart hóasal rí rocés croich coirtar doine ndicmairc diasait noregainn hi mbás atumflait for leicib fa chel necombaine inmain artriun do comrath mo chridea cloas imartrach atguhai arumeda inscibin na roacht fír furtacht Críst fritombrón báis cuadhair airomun airimud tomdrub cen duileman dígail.’


p.14

¶4] Is iar sin cotnoscrastur amail bid oc techt hi rói cathai ar bélaip Críst co sesceand asa chinn an inchinn Meisgedra & conidebilt ind ar sin. Ised isberat dee iarum is é cét-gentlide48 docóid hi flaith nimea, fobith robad hathais dó ind fuil donescmacht49 & rocreit é do Chríst.

Finit. Amen.

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

¶1] Budh dáil mór la hUlltu a Muigh Muirthuimni. Doluidh50 iarum Bochrach fili & drái51 do Loighnibh docum na dála iar toidhicht dó a Laighnibh iar foghluim filidechta. Fiafraiges52 Concubur scéla Alban & Leatha Mogha dó.

¶2] ‘Atá sgél mór éimh’ ol sé, ‘dorónnadh isin bith thoir .i. crochad rígh neimhi & talman la hIubhdaibh & is é rotirchansat fáidhi & dráidhthi. Do íc & do teasraguin dáini an domuin do phecadh Ádhaim dodeachaid ó næmneimh co roét coluinn ó Muiri óighinghin cen láthair freasguil, cor'luidh53 a crand croichi la hIudhaib do ícc an ceineóil dænna. Imon cáisc docúaidh úainn & atraacht isin treas ló iarna césadh’ .i. roinnis dono Altus, iss é tiged54 co n-aitheasguibh & cu sédaibh & co máinibh ó Tibir Sesair Aughuist rígh Rómán & ó ríg an domhuin co Concubur mac Neasa do Eamhuin Macha. Ar ba cuma bádar reachtuireadha rígh an domuin isinn aimsir sin for meadhón an beatha & a n-innsibh fuinidh55 gréine & turgabála, co mba comhderbh isin bith uili nach sgél airderc56 foscumadh ann.

¶3] Ba derbh le Conchubhur fón innus sin an cruth forcúaidh crochadh Críst. Ar ro-innis Altus dó ba hé Críst dorinni57 neamh &


p.16

talumh. Et is aire arroét colann ó Muiri óigh ar taithchreich an ceineóil dænna. Ba creidmheach dono Altus féin. Is aire atfét arsgéla Críst co maith. Concreid Concubur a Críst.

¶4] Nó is amlaid so atcæmnacair hé. Budh58 Concubur i ndáil & maithi fer nÉirenn uime an lá rocrochadh Críst.59 Antan dodechaidh teimheal forsin ngréin & rosúi60 ésga a ndath fola rofiarfaigh61 Concubur immorro do Cathbad62 dúss cid rombádar na dúile. ‘Do comhalta-sa,’ ar sé, ‘in fer rogéanair a n-óenaidchi frit, anosa martar docuirthi(?) fair & doradadh a croich63 hé & isé sin chanuid anní sin.’ Atraigi trath Concubur súas la sodhuin64 & gabaid a gaisgedh fair & atbert: ‘Is é sin éimh’ ol sé, ‘mo comalta-sa & mo comáis & is é rogéanair a n-ænoidchi frium’ & rogob iarum deargail ótá sin co ro-acht isin fairrgi & cur'luidh65 innti conruigi a fiacuil. Is oc in deargail iarum rogobh Concubur an láid66 si: ‘Ba aprainn na hIdhuil co hard iar n-éguibh righ’ & rl.

¶5] Ocus as iarsin asbert Concubur: ‘Rofeasdais fir in beatha mo cumang ac cathugud fri67 hIudaidhibh68 tre crochad Críst dia mbeinn a comfogus dó.’ Is iarsin attraacht & rosgobh forsin deargail cur' sceinn incinn Mesgeagra69 as a cinn & conearbailt Concubur fochétóir. Conadh desin adberat na Gæidhil70 conadh hé Concubur cét-geinntlide71 docóidh docum neimhi a nÉirinn, fobíth robo baithis dó in fuil dobidg72 asa cinn. Et as annsin rucadh ainim Concobuir a n-ifrinn gu comraiced73 Críst fria74 ac te:uir75 na broide a hifrinn, co tuc Críst leis anim Concabair docum neimhi.

Finid.

p.18

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

Incipit do oidhedh Concubuir mic Nessa annso sís.

¶1] Ceat mac Mádach rotheilg in cloich .i. inchind Miscedhra rígh Laighen for Concubur hic Áth Dhaire Dá Bhæth. Finghen fáthliaig Concobuir is é ná roléig 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 Críst do chrochad. I Maigh Lámrighe atchúaidh dó. Is annsin dorochair Concobar ac glanadh in mhaighe. Trí traighthi sechtmogat ina fot. Cóica traiged immorro i fedh Taidhg mic Céin, ut dixit poeta .i. Flann Mainistrech:—

    1. Cóica traighedh tólaibh tlacht     fa slóghaib sainfear srianbalcc
      fad in airdrígh inar'76 léir gart,77     Taidhg mic Céin ótáit Cianacht.
    2. Concobur, cloithech a celg,     mac noithech Nessa níabdherg,
      airdrígh Ulad, rodlecht de,     dia roslecht lerg Lámraidhe.
      Ina lecht, ní laimthi liacc,     fúair trí traighthi sechtmogat.

¶2] Is don cloich sin romudaig78 Conchobur rochan in fili:—

    1. A chloch thall for elaid79 úair     Buite búain maic Brónaig báin,
      ropsa80 mind i tressaib tóir     dia mba i cind81 maic Nessa náir.
    2. Ciapsat82 náma dó rot-chelt,83     secht mbliadna lána rot-alt:84
      dia luid85 do dígail Ríg recht,     is and fo-fríth86 a lecht latt.
    3. Láech frisralais co mbúaid87 chain     fúair lat loimm88 tonnaid íar sin:
      for mac Cathbath, cóinsit fir,     dális dig di89 nathrach90 neim.

    4. p.20

    5. Neimnech dotuc91 Cet an-dess     a tress ard Ailbe fria aiss,
      cenn ríg Emna orgsi leiss,     a inchinn Meis-gegra glaiss.
    6. Dotarlaic92 dar árach úad93     Cet mac Mágach94 fri gliaid ngáeth95
      ón muni rofitir cách     co Ath ic96 Daire Dá Báeth.
    7. Scoiltis dít, ba mór in97 gním,     mullach in ríg rígi gíall,
      ar is é ba ferr do láech     darsa taitned gáeth is grían.
    8. A ndor-airngred98 duit ót áis,     mairg Laignech irraba99 gnáis,
      nír' scarais100 frisin ríg ráin     co rosfargbais101 i ndáil102 báis.
    9. For Lettir Lámraigi luimm     rotgíallsat103 druing na fían find,
      do104 gleó frit chomthach ba gand     co torchar105 and assa chinn.
    10. Fotroilsig106 Rí rodelb nem     do mac Brónaig úas brí107 Breg,
      i ndún daingen i n-rotail108     i fail ilar109 angel ngel.
    11. Ó chonattail fritt cen brath     Buti co rath rúamnai cloth,
      tairnit duit in tslúaig110 for ruth111     co rochlóemchlais112 cruth, a chloch.

      A.

    12. Inchind Meiss-gegra 'sin chath,     ropo gleó fri demna113 troch,
      adart Buti co tí bráth     bud114 é th'ainm la cách, a chloch.

      A.

Finit.

p.22

Aided Lóegairi Búadaig

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

{MS page 8}Cid diatá Aided Lóegairi Búadaig? Ní hansa.

¶1] Áed mac Ainninne dochomraic re Mughain {MS page 9} Aitinchairchech & ben Conchobair in Mugain115 sin. Fili Conchobair in tÁed. Rofes forro a mheith amlaid.

¶2] Iarsin rohergabad la Conchobar in fili & rochuinnig116 in fili comad hí a aided a bádud117 & ro[...]118 Conchobar dó inní sin & nobertha iarsin dia bádud dochum gach locha a nÉrinn & nocanad som bricht forsan usci, go mbenta gach tráig & co nach bíd banna ann, co ná raibi a nÉrinn abann119 ná loch nobáidfed, co ndechus lais do Loch Lái a ndorus tighe Lóegairi. Roféimid som in hricht forsin loch. Antan didiu robás ac a bádud, as ann doriacht rechtairi Lóegaire asin lis amach. ‘Fé amai, a Lóegaire!’ or sé, ‘ní fríth a nÉrinn baile a mbáitea in file co ráinic in baili si.’ Atracht intí Lóegaire & geibid a chlaidem ina láim & ac léim dó imach benaid a mullach imon fordorus go ruc in leth iartharach do cloicenn de, co mbói sprethach a inchinde for ab rot & romarb som iardain tríchait do lucht in báiti & roélo Aod úatha & atbath Lóegairi iartain. Conid hí Aided Lóegairi connuici sin.

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 aig121 Conchubhur dá ngoirthidhe122 Aodha mac Aininn; & do ligheadh air Mhaghán bean Connchubhuir é: & air na fionnachtain sin do Chonchubhar as í breith rug air a chur123 dá bháthadh go Loch Laoghaire; & tangadar drong ris air fógradh an ríghe gusan loch dá bháthadh; & air na faicsin sin do reachtaire Laoghaire Bhuadhaigh tét 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 í124 sin Críoch Láoghaire Bhuadhaigh.


p.24

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 Ultaib125 .i. Blái briuga. Secht n-airgeda leis.126 Secht fichit bó cecha airgi & seisred127 cecha airgi. Tech n-óiged128[...] Ba geiss dó129 dano130 ben for dámrud dia thig131 cen feiss dó-som132 le, meni beth a fer ina fochair. Doluid didiu133 Bríg Brethach ben Cheltchair134 dia thig-som.135 ‘Ní maith a ndoronais,136 a ben,’ ar Blái briuga. ‘Is geiss dam-sa do thuidecht chucum137 amal táncais.’ ‘Is fer trúag,’ ar in ben,138 ‘loites139 a gessi féin.140’ ‘Is fír. Isim senóir-si & acum gressacht atái dano,’141 ar se. Fóid lee142 in aidchi sin.

¶2] Dofitir Celtchar inní sin & doluid for iarair a mná.143 Luid Blái 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. Toimsither147 in fidchell ón banna anunn & ille148 dús cia díb diarbo foicsi.149 Foicsi in hanna dano150 do Chonchobur & rob siadi co dígail151 íarsin. Atbath immorro152 Blai briuga. Atrulla153 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-esbud155 & ticed Celtchar156 da tír,’ ar Ulaid. ‘Ticed dano,’157 ar Conchobar, ‘& eirged158 a mac for a cend & téiged i commairge fris.’159160 gebtha dono cin ind athar forsin161 mac iná162 cin in maic forsin athair ac Ultaib in tan sin. Luid sidein didiu dia gairm163 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 doberat165 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 immorro168 éraicc conattecht169 im Blái briugaid, na trí fochaide ata annsom170 doticfad171 la Ultu ina remes172 do dingbáil díb.

¶8] Doluid didiu Conganchnes mac Dedad do dígail a bráthar for Ultu .i. Cúrúi173 mac Daire maic Dedad. Rofásaigestar Ultu co mór.174 Níngeibtis 175 gái nó chlaidib, acht noscendis ass amal de chongnu.176

¶9] ‘Díngaib dín in fochaid seo,177 a Cheltchair!’ ar Conchobar. ‘Maith ám,’ ar Celtchar, & luid dia acallaim in Chonganchnis laa n-óen178 co tard muin uime,179 gur gell a ingin dó .i. Níab180 ingen Cheltchair & proind céit cecha nóna dia tairiuc. Co tard181 in ben bréic uime co n-epert fris: ‘Innis dam-sa,’ ar sí, ‘amal marbthar tú.’182 ‘Bera derga iarnaidi do tapairt im183 bonnaib & tria mo luirgnib.’


p.28

Co n-epert si184 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. ‘Díngaib dín, a Celtchair!’ ar Conchobar, & téit Celtchar a fidbaid co tuc cep ferna as & gur ro-{MS page 11}clas comfada a lama & gur roberbh a lusaib tuthmara & a mil & a mbeoil gur bo bog righin. Téit 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 & léicid 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 láim iarsin cep co tard a chridi tar a bél, co raibi ina dorn & ruc a cend lais.

¶11] Ocus in lá a cinn bliadna iarsin bátar búachailli a táib cairn Congoncnis, co cúaladar iachtad na cuilén isin cairn & rotochladar in carn & fúaradar trí cuiléna ann .i. cú odur & cú minbrec & cú dub. Rucad in cú minbrec a n-ascaid do Mac Dáthó do Laignib & is impi dotuit sochaidi do feraib Érenn a tig Maic Dáthó & Ailbi ainm na con sin, & co mad do Culand cerda dobertha in chú odur & in chú dub Daolcú


p.30

Celtchair feisin. Ní léiced side a gabáil do duine acht do Celtchar. Fecht ann ní bái Celtchar abus & do léiced in cú amach & forféimditer185 in muinter a gabáil & dosái forsna cethra & forna hindili & nomilled bí gach n-aidchi la Ultu fo deoid.186

¶12] ‘Dínguib didiu in fochaid187 ut, a Celtchair!’ ar Conchobar. Luid Celtchar dochum in glenna 'na mbói in cú & cét laoch lais & gairmid in coin fo thrí, co facadar in coin cucu & nosdírgenn co Celtchar co mhói ac lige a cos. ‘Is trúag ám ann-dogní an cú,’ ar cách. ‘Ní bíu-sa fot cinaid ní bus mó,’ ar Celtchar & atnaig builli don lúin Celtchair, co ruc a cride trithi & co fúair bás íarsin. ‘Fé amai!’ ar cách. ‘As fír,’ ar sé la turgbáil an gái súas, gur féimid bróen fola d'fuil na con cuici ar fut an gái co ndechaid trít co talmain, co mbo marb de. & rolaad a gáir guil & rotógbad a lia & a lecht ann. Conid hí sin Aided Blái Briugad & Congoncnis & Celtchair maic Uithechair.

Finit.

p.32

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

Cid diata aided Fergusa maic Róich? Ní hansa.

¶1] Búi Fergus for luinges i Connachtaib iarna sárugud im maccuib Usnech, úair is é in tres comairci tucad friu & Dubthach Dóeltenga & Cormac Conlonges mac Conchobair. Bátar dono uili tíar forsan loingis co cend cethri mbliadna déc & ní an dono gul ná crith leo a nUltaib, acht gul & crith gach n-oidhchi. Is é romarb Fiachraig mac Conchobair & is é romarb188 Geirgi mac nIlleda & as é romarb Eogan mac Durthact. Is lais tucad in táin189 .i. la Fergus. Mór tra do gnímaib dorine sium a tegluch Ailello & Medba & ba minca nobíd som & a muinter ar fot in tíre cena ná isin tegluch. Trícha cét rob é lín na loingsi & is é roba fer cumtha dó-som a tegluch Ailello .i. Lugaid Dailléigis .i. bráthair do Oilill in Lugaid sin.

¶2] Bátar ann iar ngnímaib acon loch ar Mag Ái. Dúnad mór leo .i. cluichi190 & céti ann. Laa n-aon ann dono luid in slóg uili isi n loch dia fothrucad. ‘Erg sís, a Fergus,’ ar Ailill ‘& báid na firu!’ ‘Nít maith a n-usci,’ ar Fergus. Luid-som sís ar ái sin. Nír fulaing a cridi do Meidb co ndechaid isin loch. Mur docúaid Fergus isin loch dorala ana mbui do grenaig & do clochaib a n-íchtar an locha co raibi for úachtar uli. Luid Medb didiu co raibi for a bruindi-sium & a gabla ime & co taircell-som in loch annsin & rogab ét Ailill. Doluid didiu súas Medb.

¶3] ‘Is álaind a ndogní191 an dam, a Lugaid, & an eilit isin loch,’ ar Ailill. ‘Cid nach gontar?’ or Lugaid & ní tuc urcor n-imraill ríam. ‘Teilg-su dún orchur forru!’ ar Ailill. ‘Impó m'agaid192


p.34

cuctha,’ or Lugaid, ‘& tabraid gái dam.’ Robúi Fergus aca nige asin loch & a bruinni fria & tucad a carpat docum Oilello co mbúi ina farrad & do teilc Lugaid urcor don gái co mbói triana druim síar sechtair.193 {MS page 6} ‘Doriacht an t-urchur!’ ar Lugaid. ‘Is fír on,’ ar cách, ‘atát bruindi Fergusa.’

¶4] ‘Trúag sin,’ ar Lugaid, ‘mo chomalta & m' fer cumtha do marbad dam-sa cin cinaid.’ ‘Mo carpat dam-sa!’ ar Ailill. Téit in slóg uili for teiched, cach fer a leth fri tír etir luinges & Connachta. Gataid Fergus194 an gái as & teilcid a ndiaid Ailello co ndechaid tresin milcoin búi etir dá fertas in carpait. Luid Fergus íarum asin loch & nusdírgenn forsan tulaig a taeib in locha & luid a anum as focétóir & atá a lige ann fós.

Conid hí Aided Fergusa connuici sin.

p.36

The Death of Cet mac Mágach

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

{MS page 7}Cid diatá aided Ceit maic Mágach? Ní hansa.

¶1] Luidh Cet fecht ann a crích nUlad do chuinghid gona duine, inní ba minic lais .i. Ulaid do goin, úair ní dechaid asa nóendin ríam cen guin Ultaig.

¶2] Luid sium síar íarum & trí nói195 cinn do Ultaib lais & docuredh íarum Conall Cernach for a lurg co Bréfni Connacht. Laad snechta an gemrid do sunnrad, co fúair Conall a fástig hé ac fuine a chotach196 & a ara. Bátar tra na eochu fón carpat amuich.

¶3] ‘Is é Cet so,’ ar Conall, ‘& ní fíu dúin comrac fris ar a doilghi & ar a cródacht. Is amnus in fer fil and,’ ar Conall. ‘Fé amai!’ ol in t-ara, ‘ní maith tig tar do beólu, in péist fil for dígail Ulad cen gabáil tige fair & ní meabal tra comtuitim duit fris, oir atá dia beódacht197 connuic so.’ ‘A athair,’ ar Conall, ‘ní tibur m' anum do láith gaili fer nÉrenn & dobér tra comartha forsna eochu.’ Gadaid Conall dúal a muing na n-eoch & dobeir andlochtan a cinn in carpait & téit as sair co hUltu.

¶4] ‘Fé, a Ceit!’ ar an t-ara. ‘Ní fé,’ ar Cet, ‘is maith in t-anocul tuc for na heocha. Conall so,’ ar sé, ‘& biaid caradrad de & bid maith hé.’ ‘Fé amae!’ or in t-ara, ‘in fer rolá ár Connacht do tabairt méla fort & ní toircéba t'ainm co bráth can a bás nó can a rúacad a fescur.’ ‘Maith ám,’ ar Cet. Lotar ina diaid co hÁth Ceit.


p.38

¶5] ‘Amin, a Chonaill!’ ar Cet. ‘Cid sin, a Ceit?’ ar Conall. ‘Ní racha as aniu, a clóain,’ or Cet. ‘Dóig lem,’ or Conall ac intód198 cuici & nothúairgenn {MS page 8} cách díb a chéili co clos fon díthrub uli a ngníthech & a mbolcfadach & gáir na scur &[...]199 an anr-200 ac láigedh na láth ngaili robátar isin áth, co torchair cechtarde anunn & anall. Marb immorro Cet fo cétóir & dororchair Conall a nél.

¶6] Ocus dúscid Conall asa nél. ‘Ber lat na hechu co hUltu,’ or sé, ‘ar ná romaigset Connachta cetus.’ Faroféimid in gilla tra a tócbáil-som ina carpat & ceilebraid in gilla dó íarum & luid dia tig. ‘Olc so tra,’ or Conall, ‘aonfer do Connachtaib & rogellus-sa ám,’ ar sé, ‘nacham muirfed aonfer do Chonnachtaib & robo ferr lem má ríge in domuin nech do Chonnachtaib dom athguin co ná bad for aon fer do Chonnachtaib nobeith mo marbad.’

¶7] Bélchu Bréfni tra, is é tánic ar tús. ‘Cet so,’ or sé ‘Conall dono sunna,’ ar sé ‘& bid201 maith an Ériu festa,’ or sé, ‘ó dotorchair in dá árchoin so doloitsitar an Éiriu eturra,’ la tabairt airlaindi a tsligi for Conall. ‘Fair t'irlaind dím, a athair!’ or sé. ‘At beó,’ ar Bélchú. ‘Ní buide202 frit ón,’ ar Conall, ‘am beó-sa.’ ‘Fír, a Conaill,’ ar Bélchú, ‘ac cuincid do gona atái form-sa & ní dingén-sa, oir is marb cena tú.’ ‘Ní lémtha cid mo brat do goin,’ ar Conall, ‘a caillech trúag!’ ‘Nítmairbfet-sa203 tra, acht atá ní cena,’ ar sé. ‘Notbér lem dom tig & not-ícfaiter acum & madat204 slán immorro caithfet frit.’

¶8] Iarsin tra tócbaid for a muin & a leth ina diaid, co ráinic a tech & dobeir leaga cucui gur bo slán. ‘Bid fír,’ ar Bélchú fria maccaibh, ‘raga in fer sa úaim & ní dingna ar les. Marbaid in fer resiu dech205


p.40

úain. Tigid iarum cucui uili amárach d'agaid, co facar-sa in airecul fosclaicthi ar bar cinn & marbaid é ina lebaid.’ Rofitir fer in imnid & an uile móir .i. Conall in mídúthracht robói dó.

¶9] ‘Dún in tech!’ ar Conall fri Bélcoin. Téit sair & fácaid in tech fuslaicthi. ‘Maith didiu, a Bélchú,’ ar Conall, ‘tarr am lebaid-sa!’ ‘Ní tó,’ or Bélchú. ‘Do cenn dít-sa,’ ar Conall, ‘mina tísi isin lebaid.’ ‘Bid éicin,’ ar Bélchu. Dúnaid206 didiu Bélchú in tech. Iar cotlud do Bélchoin fuslaicid207 Conall an tech. Dothecait maic Bélchon dochum na imdaidi a mbái a n-athair & doberait a tri sligi trit gur marbsat & eirgid Conall íarsin & imrid a claidem forra co mbói spreathach a n-incinni im na fraighthaib & beridh a ceithri cinnu lais sair, co ríacht a thech résiu roba matin. Conid hí Aided Ceit & Bélchon Bréfni cona maccaib in sin.

Version B

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

Ag so síos do bhás Cheit mic Mághach.

¶1] Ba tréinfear an Ceat so & fa biodhbha biothfoghlaidh air Ulltaibh é feadh a ré. Lá n-aon dá ndeachaidh an Ceat so a nUlltaibh ag deanamh díbfeirge 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 turras208 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, tréinfear 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 eile209


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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 téarmóidh210 ód othrus211 duit, do dhéan comhrac áenfir 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 chogar212 na ceilge sin, & an oidhche do bhí a bharra213 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 ngoin214 athar215 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.