The Fitness of Names
H.3.18, p. 565a
1. Mumu 'Munster', whence was it named? Not hard (to say); a nomine alicuius regis, that is from the name of a king who ruled it, to wit, Eochaid Mumo, son of Nia Febis was he.
Eochaid Mumo, whence is it? Not hard (to say). Eochaid mó-mó 'greater-greater'; for greater were his strength and might than the strength and might of every one in Erin who lived at the same time as he. From him Mumu 'Munster' is named.
Or Muma, that is mó 'greater' its ána 'wealth' than the wealth of every other province in Erin; for in it was worshipped the goddess of prosperity, whose name was Ána, and from her are named the Two Paps of Ána over Luachair Degad.
2. Muimnig 'Munstermen', then, that is greatest of any, for each of them was greater than any one else in Erin at that time.
3. Enna Airgthech, son of Eochaid Mumo, that is, Enna Airgdide 'silvery'. 'Tis for him that silvern shields were made in Airget-ross. On him was conferred the leadership of Erin.
4. Modgaeth Mór-ólach 'greatly bibulous', one of the two sons of Nia Febis. 'Tis he whose fill cost most in his time, for he always desired a superabundance of drink. Or Modgaeth Mór-óilech 'great-cheeked', for great were his óile, that is his two cheeks.
5. Conmhael i. e. con-mhál: mál, that is, king, i. e. king of the hounds (con); for he was the king that was fondest of hounds, and 'tis he that possessed (all) the hounds that were in Erin.
6. Eochaid Faebur-glas, 'blue-edged', that is, blue and keen-edged were his two javelins and his sword.
7. Nuada Deg-lámh, that is, Nuada the good-handed, i.e. good and strong were his two hands.
8. Glas, son of Nuada Deglám, that is blue (glas) were his face and his countenance usually. Anbechtach was his name at the beginning of his life, until Glas was put upon him.
9. Cas Clothach, son of Fer Arda: cloth i.e. hospitality, for 'tis he whose generosity was greatest and best as to everything that anyone asked of him.
10. Muinemon, son of Cas Clothach: 'tis he that of old in Erin was first to put round men's throats a golden necklace, that is, a chain of gold. Hence he is called Muinemon, that is muin-máin, that is, a treasure (máin) on muinéoil 'necks'. Now 'Maine the Great' was his first name, till Muinemon was put upon him.
11. Fail-derg-dóit, 'Ring-red-arm'. 'Tis by him that first in Erin rings of red gold were made round arms: for red and very beautiful was every arm round which the rings were put at that time. Whence Fail-derg-dóit, 'Ring-red-arm', was said of him. 'Aed the Red' was his other name.
12. Roan rí Oilech i.e. a king (rí) that put rocks (aile) of stones into menhirs, and he got the name Aillech from the rocks of stones which were put by him into menhirs. Hence Aillech 'rocky' was said of him.
13. Rothechtaid Rotha, son of Roan Rocky King, 'tis he that of old first had (rothecht) small wheels (rothána) on four-horse chariots: he had the name Án-roth . án i.e. true, and it is from the little wheel of the chariot that Án-roth is said of him. Eochaid Úrchain was Rotha mac Roam's first name; and from the habit of frequently saying the nickname to denote him, the nickname supplanted the original name.
14. Eochaid Úrchain i.e. úr 'fresh' and cáin 'beautiful' was he so long as his life lasted.
15. Failbe Fál-choirthech. 'Tis the first person by whom of old in Erin a menhir was erected to be set in a boundary. Or Failbe Ilchórach from the abundant peace (córa) which in his time every one enjoyed.
16. Cass Cét-chuimnech, that is, Cass Cét-coimgneech: 'tis he that of old first began histories (coimgneda) and poetry at Tara.
17. Elim Oll-fín-ṡnechta 'great-wine-snow', that is, from a great snow (snechta) of wine (fín) which fell in his reign he is called Elim Oll-fín-ṡnechta. Or Elim Ól-étechiaide, that is, he used to take an irregular (étechtaide) draught (ól), that is, huge was his fill of liquor: s(udet) q(ui) l(egat).
18. Art Imlech (or Art Inḟlig), that is from the imlech (land near water) of the Man of one Heifer in Cliu. 'Tis there was his fortress at first, and thence Art Imlech is said of him.
19. Bres rí 'king', that is, he was a king for royalty: i.e. royal was his action and his honour and his reign, and he routed the Fomorians in many battles, expelling them from Ireland.
20. Sétna Indarraid, son of Bres. 'Tis he that of old first gave wages (indarrad) to soldiers in Erin. Wherefore Sétna Indarraid is said of him.
21. Énna Derg, son of Dua Finn: red (derg) was his face, wherefore (the name) Énna Derg 'Red Enna' clave to him.
22. Lugaid Láigde, that is, in Corco-Láigdi he was reared. Or Lugaid Láigde, from the cutting-up of the fawn (lóeg), and from boiling it, Lugaid Láigde was said of him.
23. Lugaid Iardonn: dark (iar) and brown (donn) he was, for iarn means darkness.
24. Rechtaid Rig-derg, that is, a red (derg) forearm (rig) he had. Or Rechtaid Ríg-derc, that is, great and royal (rígdai) were his two dercs, that is, his two eyes.
25. Adammair Flidaise Foltcháin, that is, Flidais the queen, (one) of the Tuath Dé Danann, 'tis she was wife of Adam-mair son of Fer cuirp; and from her Buar Flidaise ('F.'s kine') is said, and from her Adammair Flidaise Foltcháin ('Flidais Fairhair's Adammair') is said of the king.
26. Nia Ségamain, that is, ség 'deer' is a máin 'his treasure'; for during his time cows and does were milked in the same way every day, so to him beyond the other monarchs great was the treasure of these things. And it is that Flidais (above-named) who was mother of Nia Ségamain son of Adammair; and in Nia Ségamain's reign those cattle were milked, that is, double cattle, cows and does, were milked in the time of Nia Ségamain, and it was his mother that gave him that fairy power. Of him the poet sang:
Good was the chief with the greatness of his treasures,
Which old Nia Ségamain made.
'Tis for him that does were cows,
For Nia Ségamain the siabra,
that is, 'enchanted' or 'streamy' was he. Or it is the fairy-folk that constrained the does to be milked in his reign.
27. Lugaid Luaigne, that is, in Luaigni of Tara he was reared, and he is the first by whom of old spears and enamel were made in Erin.
28. Cairbre Losc, son of Lugaid Luaigne. Hence had he the name Cairbre Losc. Once upon a time the king of Ireland, Congal the Flatnailed, son of Rudraige, after he had killed Lugaid Luaigne, went to take the hostages of Munster. Cairbre, Lugaid Luaigne 's son, was then king of Munster. The battle of Carn in Ḟéineda, to the west of Rossach Ruaig, was then fought between them. In that battle the Munstermen were routed and slaughtered. Forthenn son of Cerb wounded Cairbre in the fight, so that he was lame as long as he was alive: wherefore he is called Cairbre Losc, that is, Cairbre the Lame.
29. Duach Dallta Degaid, whence is it? Easy to say. Cairbre the Lame had two sons, named Duach and Degad. Between them was a great contest concerning the kingship, for as regarded form and action each of them was fit to be king of Ireland. There was not in Erin a pair that was fairer or purer-coloured than those two sons of Cairbre's. Degad was the younger, and he was outrunning Duach for the kingdom. Duach misliked that, so he sent envoys to his brother where he abode. Then Degad went to the place where Duach was dwelling, and there Degad was seized by his brother, who struck his eyes out of him, so that he became blind. Hence he is called 'Duach Dallta ('Blinded') of Degad'. And that is the first blind man in Erin. 'Tis of him the poet sang:
Degad was seized in his house
By Duach, by his own brother,
And swiftly blinded was
That Degad, though it was a wicked trick.
Duach Dalta Degaid, the second explanation of it: to wit, Degad, a son of the Ernai of Munster, 'tis he that reared Duach, and hence (the name) Duach Degad's dalta ('fosterling') clave to him.
30. Eochaid Uar-ches, whence is it? Easy to say: uara 'fresh' cesa 'skiffs' he had in his fleets when he attacked Greece; and 'tis in the prows aud poops of his vessels he kept all that he had seized on all sides throughout the world.
Eochaid Uar-ches, that is, 'having fresh spears'; for cess means 'spear', and he was for two years banished to sea.
31. Eochaid Fer Fuirme, son of Dua, that is, a man (fer) on whom was inflicted fuirmed 'abasement'; for he was greatly weakened and lessened and deprived of power. They that caused this abasement were the clan of Degad son of Sen. When Duach Dalta Degaid fell by the Ulstermen, the Érnai and the clans of Degad abased Eochaid son of Dua. Wherefore Eochaid Fer Fuirmi was said of him thereafter.
32. Muredach Muchna, that is, in Muchna he was reared, and Muredach was called The Gray of Dairbre, the island Dairbre in the sea; and into coastal (?) points and into the islands of the sea the clans of Degad banished him, so that in them Muredach Muchna became gray, for Munster's points and borders were the land of the Clann Ebir after they had been banished into them by the Children of Degad.
33. Enna Munchain 'Bright-neck': a beautiful neck he had. Muin means 'neck', and a lovely neck he had. A necklace of gold used to be round his throat: hence he was Muin-cháin 'Bright-neck'.
34. Dergthene 'Red-fire', son of Enna Munchain. Not redder (dirgu) was a fire after its sparks had been put from it than the radiant, shining glow that he had. And he was (also) called Corb Ó-lomm 'Bare-ear', for his ear was stript from his head, for there was no ear on his head when he was born. Therefore, then, he was (called) Corb Ó-lomm. And he himself and his son, Derg mac Dergthini, were called 'the Dergs'.
35. Mog Néit, that is, Net was the name of the foster-father who reared him: and when he was young he was usually in attendance on his fosterer. Hence he was called Mog-Néit 'Nét's slave'. Oengus was his original name, and he was more usually spoken of by the nickname than by the proper name: as the poet said:
Oengus was Mog Néit's first name
At his life's beginning, without a lie,
And Mog Néit was his name afterwards,
Until active Goll, son of Morna, killed him.
36. Eogan, son of Mog Néit, had four names, to wit, Eogan Mór ('Great'), and Eogan Fidḟeccach ('wood-bending'), and Eogan Táidlech ('splendid'), and Mog Nuadat ('Nuada's slave'). Whereof the poet said in the Elucidation:
Four names without grief
Were on Eogan Mór:
Eogan Fidḟeccach the generous-hospitable,
Eogan Táidlech, (and) Mog Nuadat
37. Eogan was his name from parental origin, that is, eo-genesis i.e. good birth, for eó is εὐ bona, but genesis (γένεσις) is Eogan's generatio. Of Eo-gan then, bona generatio is the analysis.
'Tis from this that Eoganacht is said of them (scil. his descendants), in virtue of the blessings which the men of Erin bestowed upon him for his hospitality and generosity towards them, and for rescuing them from the famine in which they were. From this (comes) Eoganacht i.e. bona actio, i.e. a good act (it was) for him (Eogan) to save the men of Erin from starvation.
[Or] Eoganacht i.e. Eogan-icht, i.e. Eogan's protection to the men of Erin. Or Eogan-necht, that is Eogan's necht: necht 'children', that is the seven Eoganachts are Eogan's children.
Thence then had he the name of Eogan Mór ('Great'), because he was great above every one, and (so were) his children and his kindred after him.
38. Eogan Táidlech 'splendid', was (also) said of him. Once upon a time Eogan Mór went into Spain on a visit. He who was then king of Spain was Éber the Great, son of Midna. Now Eogan on that journey meet with great affection in Spain. The king had then a stately unmarried daughter, named Bera daughter of Éber, and because of the great reports of Eogan she had given him 'love in absence' before he went into Spain. So then Eogan wedded the maiden, and she bore him noble offspring, even a wondrous son, Ailill Ólomm, and a brace of daughters named Scothniam and Caimell.
At that time there used to come in every year a lovely varicoloured salmon from the River of the Elements in Paradise to the river Tiber, and from Tiber to the river Ebro in Spain. Thus was that salmon, with a covering of most beautiful wool, and a kind of every colour through it. Now while Eogan was in Spain that salmon was caught by Éber and that woollen covering was stript from from it, and that wool was given to Éber's daughter. Now of the covering which had been on the salmon the damsel made for Eogan a splendid shining mantle; and 'tis that mantle which Eogan wore when he came (back) to Ireland. Conn of the Hundred Battles was then in the kingship of Erin. Splendid and shining was the brightness abiding on Eogan from that mantle. Wherefore the name Eogan Táidlech 'Splendid' clave to him.
39. Eogan Fidḟeccach, he was (also) called, why was this? Easy to say. Eogan had three fortresses, and the name of each was Fidḟecc. Now Eogan was setting and bending and weaving the wood at each: wherefore he is called Eogan Fidḟeccach, from bending (feccad) the wood (fid) in setting it: or Figfecc, from weaving (fige) the same wood.
40. Mog Nuadat, whence is it? Easy to say. Dáire Barrach son of Catháir Mor, 'tis he that reared Mog Nuadat, that is, Eogan son of Mog Néit. Once upon a time the fortification of Dún Aillinne was undertaken by Dáire Barrach. Now there was then in Erin a famous rath-builder, Nuada Long-heel, son of Oengus, son of Fer dá chrích in the district of Cualnge. In him was the strength of a hundred, and he would eat the fill of fifty. This slave was brought to Dáire to fortify Dún Aillinn. When they were in the trench, a-digging it, they came upon a huge stone in the trench, and the slave was unable to raise it. The youths of the fortress, and among them Eogan, were on the dyke of the earthwork, watching the slave flinching from the effort. The slave asked the youths to put the stone out of the trench. This the youths, save only Eogan, refused. Then Eogan entered the trench, and clasped his two arms round the stone, and he alone lifted it up, and hurled it into the southern angle of the fort And there it remains thenceforward.
Then said the druid to the slave: "Noble is thy slave today, O Nuada!" quoth the druid. Wherefore Mog Nuadat, 'Nuada's Slave', clave to Eogan, and from Nuada he was named, according to this version (of the story).
41. Ailill Ó-lomm 'Bare-ear', why was he so called? Easy to say. Because there was neither skin nor flesh on his ear after it had been stript off by Áine, Eogabal's daughter, on Druim Eogabail. Now Ailill was asleep when the damsel stript his ear from his head, and of his ear she left on Ailill only the skin of the ear. Then Ailill awoke from his sleep, and perceived clearly that his ear had been stript off by the damsel, and it seemed to him very grievous. Said Ailill: "Sharp is that kiss, O damsel!" says Ailill. "Bare hast thou left mine ear on my head!" Said Áine to Ailill: "Thou hast killed my father to-night, O Ailill", even Eogabal of the Elfmound—"and there on thee, O Ailill, is my share of vengeance for my father; and Ailill Bare-ear shall be thine appellation for ever". Wherefore the name Ailill Ólomm clave to him.
Or Ailill Aulomm, that is (the au stands for) Aula regis 'the king's palace', and lomm 'bare' was his aula, i.e. his regal habitation, i.e. his king-house, for because of his courage there was no covering over it, that is, by reason of the fear of him in which every one stood there was no fence nor fortification around his house.
Ailill, whence is it? Easy to say. Ailill was wroth with Áine daughter of Eogabal for the disgrace which she had inflicted upon him, and very sore he deemed his half -head after his ear had been stript off. So he thrust his five-barbed spear at her and drove it through the girl to the ground, and the fifth barb struck on a stone and thus became bent. It was a geis ('tabu') of that spear to strike it on a stone. Three tabus were on that spear of Ailill's, to wit, there was a tabu to strike it on a stone: another tabu to place it under a tooth in order to straighten it: another tabu to kill a woman therewith. All those tabus were broken by Ailill at that time, for (after killing Áine and striking the stone), to straighten the barb which was bent on that spear he placed it under one of his teeth. The poison and the irk which lay in the barb of the spear entered Ailill's tooth. That thing seemed evil to Ailill; and it did him great harm, for it corrupted his breath, and it blackened his tooth, and (while he slept) the girl had stript the ear off his head. Those were Ailill's three disgraces so long as he was alive. This is why he was called Ailill, that is, Ail-oll, that is, great (oll) the dishonour (ail) that there is on the man. Every one after that called him Ailill Bare-ear. Mais, son of Mog Nuadat, had been his name till then. Hence, too, was the poisonous tooth in Ailill thereafter. The venom that lay in the barb of the spear entered Ailill's tooth and putrefied his breath. Then the evil of that tooth visited Ailill greatly, for he often went mad from the venom thereof, and at last he became blind.
42. Fiacha Muillethan, whence is it? Easy to say. Munchai daughter of the druid Dil greatgrandson of Crecca, was the mother of Eogan's son. Now Munchai became pregnant by Eogan son of Ailill before he went to the battle of Mag Muccruma. On the night before she brought forth her burden she went into the Suir and sat down on a boulder on the brink of the river. For her father had said to her that she would bear a son, and that if she brought him forth on that night he would be (only) a worthy druid; but if she brought him forth on the morrow he would be a king, and his children and his kindred after him would be kings over Munster's two provinces. Then Munchai answered: "Unless he come through my side, he will not come the proper way (till tomorrow)". The girl said sooth. She remained sitting on the stone for the space of the night till the morrow morning. Then at daybreak the damsel brought forth the boy, and the crown (mullach) of his head broadened (ro-lethnaig) against the stone. Hence Fiacha Muill-lethan 'Broad-crown' clave to him.
43. Fiacha Fer dá liach was (also) said of him. (Why?) Easy to say. Liach means 'tale' or 'sad', that is, sad for the little boy were the two tales that were told him when he was born, to wit, 'Thy father hath been killed to-day, thou little son, in the battle of Mag Mucraime, and thy mother is dead from bringing thee forth'. Therefore Fiacha Fer da líach ('Man of two sorrows') was said of him.
44. Ailill Flann Becc and Ailill Flann Mór, that is Ailill the Little and Ailill the Great. Since flann means 'red' those two sons of Fiacha Muillethan were so named.
45. Nat-Fráich and Mac Brocc and Mac Iáir, whence come those names upon them? Easy to say. Nat-Fráich, at Áth Fráich 'Fraech's Ford' he was born, and thence he was named. Mac Brocc 'son of badgers': in the warren of the badgers he was bom: thence he was named. Mac Íair: íar is everything final, and he is the last son that the queen conceived. Thence he was named.
46. Crimthan Sréb 'Stripe'. There were red stripes round his neck when he was born. Or Crimthan Srem, for he was streamy.
47. Aed Flann Cathrach 'Red Aed of the Town', for flann means 'red', and in the town of Dún Iascaig on the Suir was his residence. Or two names were on him, to wit, Aed and Flann.
48. Cú cen máthair 'Hound without mother': to wit, wailing for his mother was he when the mother perished: Cú cen máthair 'motherless Cú', was his name thereafter.
49. Cairbre Crom, son of Crimthann Srem. In Cell Cromglaise ('the Church of the Crooked Stream'), in Mag Femin was he reared: thence was he named.
50. Fedlimith Uillethan, that is, Fedlimith Ua-Liathain, that is in Húi Liathain he was reared. Hence he was named Fedlimith Uillethan. Or Fedlimith Ollethan i.e. huge (oll) and broad (lethan) was he: thence he was named.
51. Fergus Scandal, that is, a quarrel (scandal) was raised about him the night he was born, to know which of them (the bystanders) should foster him.
52. Cairbre Cruithnechán ('Pictling'). In Scottish Pictland he was born and reared. Mongḟind, daughter of Feradach Fenct king of Alba, was Cairbre the Pict's mother. From this he was named Cairbre Cruithnechán, from án, an additional syllable which was put on him to lengthen the name.
53. Cairbre Luachra 'of Luachair': in Luachair Degad was his residence and his dwelling.
54. Conall Corc, whence is it? Easy to say. Once when the king, Lugaid son of Ailill Flann the Little, was in his house on Femen, there came to the king's house a she-satirist, named Bolc Ban-bretnach—a she-satirist of the Britons. The satirist made an urgent request of the king to he with her. To this the king consented, and he went into the same bed as the she-satirist. She then became pregnant by the king, and bore him a son, even Conall son of Lugaid. Láir the Red, daughter of Mothaire, son of Clithaire, of the Corco-Oiche from Húi Fidgente, and Torna Éces the aforesaid poet, 'tis they that fostered Corc son of Lugaid. And from that Láir he is called Corc mac Láire. There was a sister of that Láir, Feidlim daughter of Mothaire. She was a witch (?), and she went to the king's house on the night that Corc was bom. All the [other] witches of Munster came to the house on the same night that Conall was brought forth. These witches used to be attacking (?) and destroying little boys. And one of them was Feidlim the witch, daughter of Mothaire. All that were within were much alarmed when they heard the other witches at the door. The little boy was put by every one in hiding under the mouth of the caldron that was in the house and under the safeguard of Fedlim the witch. The witches were entitled to proof from her that she did not take protection against them in what place soever they should meet with each other. For that reason Feidlim the witch directed the little boy to be put under the caldron in order to conceal him from the witches. That, however, was revealed to them, and one of them said: "Whom would ye destroy if he be within?" Said her comrade: "Him who is in hiding under the caldron". After that a certain one of them darts a flame of the fire on the little boy, and burnt his ear, and reddened it. Hence Corc 'red' is said of him.
55. Fiacha Fer Mara, whence is it? Easy to say. Oengus Tuirmech through drunkenness, after drinking wine greatly, begot that Fiacha on his daughter. This seemed very hard to Oengus—his own daughter to bear a son to him. This is the counsel which Oengus framed, to conceal the boy well, so that he might not be (known for) a son of his, and thus was it done. The little boy was then put to sea in a one-hide boat, but with the insignia of a king's son therein, to wit, a purple cloak, and a cup of gold. Afterwards the king of Scotland's fishermen found him on Tráig Braena, under the .... Wherefore (the name) Fiacha Fer Mara 'man of the sea', clave to him afterwards. And his children obtained the kingship of Erin and Alba after himself, to wit, Eterscél Mór, great-grandson of Iár, and Conaire son of Eterscél, and Conaire son of Mog Láma, Conn's son-in-law, etc.
56. Ailill Érann, son of Fiacha Fer Mara, that is, Ailill Érna. In the Érna of Munster Ailill was fostered. Hence he was named Ailill Érann.
57. Cairbre Cromm-chenn. There was a great stoop in his neck, so that, from the stoop of his head his chin was on his breast Hence he was called Cairbre Crommchenn 'Cairbre of the Bowed Head'.
58. Lugaid Alldathach, i.e. Lugaid Ildathach 'many-coloured': many colours used to come to his countenance at every time.
59. Eochaid Ilchrothach 'Multiform', i.e. many shapes used to come because of his comeliness, even as was Lugaid Alldathach. And Eochaid llchrothach was called Mog Láma, for he was a fosterling of the king of Leinster, and when he was young he used to be pouring water over the king's hands (láma) and waiting on him. Hence he was named Mog Láma 'hand's servant'.
60. Conaire Cóem, son of Mog Láma; for his beauty beyond every one in his time he was so called.
61. Cairbre Musc and Cairbre Báscháin and Cairbre Rigḟota, why were they called the Cairbres, and whence was each of their additional names? Easy to say. When the battle of Cenn Abrat (Febrat) was fought between Lugaid Mac con and Eogan, son of Ailill Bare-ear, the Cairbres killed Nemed, son of Sraibchenn, king of Erin, the husband of their own mother, between her two arms. For Nemed was helping Mac con, and they were helping Eogan, son of Ailill. Wherefore they are called the Cairbres, that is corbairi 'polluted ones': wicked folk were they, the polluted ones. Hence 'the Cairbres' is said of them.
62. Cairbre Musc, that is, greater (mó) was his disgrace (aisc) than are (those of) his other brothers, for 'tis he that went in unto his own sister Duibḟind, daughter of Conaire, when he begat Corc Duibne upon her.
63. Cairbre Rigḟota, that is a long (fota) forearm (rig) had he. Or rig ḟota, that is he made a stretching-out (rigid) afar (hi fota), to wit, getting Ireland and invading Scotland, so that afterwards from him Dál-Riatai in Scotland (is named).
64. Cairbre Bás-cháin, that is a gentle (cáin) death (bás) he met with. For this is why he is called Cairbre Báscháin, being the only one of them who went to death on a pillow.
65. Oengus (was the original name) for Cairbre Muse, Eochu for Cairbre Rigḟota, Ailill for Cairbre Báscháin. Hence the poet sang:
Oengus for melodious Cairbre Muse,
Eochu for Cairbre Rigfota from the point —
Fierceness in the troop with beauty —
Ailill for Cairbre Báscháin.
66. Corc Duibne, that is Core of Duibḟind, for on Duibḟind, daughter of Conaire, Coirbre Musc begat him, and from his mother he was named, even Corc Duibḟinde.
67. Dáire Sír-chrechtach 'Daire the ever-wounded', that is, greatly was he wounded (ro crechtnaigthe) in the battles which he used to deliver. Or Daire Sír-drechtach, that is, 'ever-songful', for drecht means 'poem'. Or sír-chrethach, 'ever poetic': creth i.e. poesy, from the great quantity of poetry composed by him 'tis therefore he was called Dáire Sír-chrethach, for creth means 'poesy'.
68. Dáire fine, moreover, that is, duar-ḟine 'word-tribe' i.e. tribe of words, for duar means 'word'. Duar-fine, a tribe that is putting words in order. Or Dáir-fine, the fine 'tribe' of Daire son of Dega are they. And the children of Dáire son of Dega are not more properly called Dáirḟine than the children of Dáire Doimthech, for those are another Dáirḟine.
69. Dáire Doimthech i.e. dommatech 'pauperised', for there was poverty and great scarcity of food ia his time.
70. Daire Doimthech's five sons, to wit, the five Lugaids. Whence did the additional names come upon them, even Lugaid Láigde, a quo Corco-Láigdi, Lugaid Cal, from whom are the Calraige, Lugaid Core, from whom are the Corcraige, Lugaid Corb from whom are the Dál Mescorb of Leinster, and Lugaid Cose, from whom are the Coscraige of the Dési?
This is why Dáire gave the name of Lugaid to each of his sons. Because it had been foretold to him that a son of his would obtain the sovranty [sic] of Erin and that 'Lugaid' would be his name. Then said Dáire to his druid: "Which of my sons will take the kingdom after me?" The druid replied: "A fawn with a golden lustre upon it will come into the assembly, and the son that shall catch the fawn is he that will take the kingdom after thee".
Thereafter the fawn entered the assembly, and the men of Erin together with Dáire's sons, pursued it till they reached Benn Étair. A magical mist is 'set between them (Dáire's sons) and the (rest of the) men of Erin. Thence on after the fawn went Dáire's sons to Dál Moscorb in Leinster, and Lugaid Láigde caught the fawn, and Lugaid Cosc broke it up (coscrais)—so the name Lugaid Cosc clave to him. Lugaid Láeghḟes cooks it, that is, (makes) a feast (fes) for them of it — so that hence he bore (the name) Lugaid Láegḟes 'fawn-feast'.
Lugaid Orcde went for water, taking with him a pitcher, whence he is called Lugaid Orc.
All that was cooked of the fawn Lugaid Láigde would eat, and all the leavings that he put away, Lugaid Corb would consume them. Whence (the name) Corb clave to him. Corb-the 'polluted' thereby.
Lugaid Cál slept—hence he took his appellation.
Thereafter they hunt in the wilderness. A great snow fell upon them, so that it was a labour to hold their weapons. One of them goes to look for a house, and he finds a wonderful house with a great fire therein, and ale, and abundance of food, and silvern dishes, and a bed of white bronze. Inside he discovers a huge old woman, wearing a frontlet (?), and her spears of teeth outside her head, and great, old, foul, faded things upon her. She said to the youth, even Lugaid Corb: "What askest thou?" quoth she. "I seek a bed", he answered. "If thou come and lie with me", quoth she, "thou wouldst have one". "Nay", said the youth. He went back to his brothers and told them that he had not found a house. Each of them went, one after another, into the house, and the same (reply) was got from them. At last went Lugaid Láigde. The hag said the same to him. "I will sleep alone with thee", says Lugaid. The hag entered the bed, and Lugaid followed her. It seemed to him that the radiance of her face was the sun rising in the month of May. A purple, bordered gown she wore, and she had beautifully coloured hair. Her fragrance was likened to an odorous herb-garden. Then he mingled in love with her. "Auspicious is thy journey", quoth she. "I am the sovranty, and the kingship of Erin will be obtained by thee".
Lugaid went to his brothers and brings them to the house; and there they get the freshest of food and the oldest of ale, and self-moving drinking-horns pouring out to them.
She said to one of them: "What hast thou met with?" quoth she. "I met with a fawn (loeg)", he answered, "and I alone devoured it". "Lugaid Láigde ('Fawny') shall be thy name with thy kindred", said she.
Then she asked another of them what he had met with? "A wild boar", he answered, "and I alone devoured it". Lugaid Orcdae ('Piggish') shall be thy name with thy kindred", quoth she.
Then she asked the same thing of another man. "I met with nothing at all", says he; "but I fell asleep". "That is drowsy", quoth she: "Lugaid Cál ('sleep') shall be thy name from that".
She asked the same thing of another. "What the other men threw away", said he, "that I consumed". "Lugaid Corb ('corruption') shall be thy name, for corrupted is what thou hast consumed". From him (descend) the Corbraige.
Again she asked the same thing of another. "A fawn escaped from me", quoth he. "Lugaid Loegh-ḟes, i.e. Lugaid Loeg-ḟás ('fawn-empty') shall be thy name", quoth she.
So thence the additional names clave to the Lugaids.
"Let one of you sleep with me to-night", quoth she.
"I will sleep with thee", says Lugaid Láigde, "for to me it is a great favour".
So that night Lugaid slept with her. 'Tis then they were seen of his brothers, with a purple garment over the damsel and Lugaid, and golden-yellow hair upon her; and she was the most loveable of women.
"Who art thou, O damsel", say they.
"I am the Lady of Erin", quoth she; "and I shall be wavering from hill to hill; and the kingship of Ireland shall be taken by thee, O Lugaid".
Thus were Dáire's sons on the morrow: on a level, houseless plain—with their hounds asleep, fastened to their spears. Thereafter they fare forth to the Assembly of Teltown, and then they tell their tales and adventures to the men of Erin. After that the men of Erin disperse from the assembly.
Daire dies afterwards, and Conn of the Hundred Battles took the kingship of Erin, and Eogan Táidlech took the kingship of Munster, and Lugaid Láigde took the crown-princedom of Munster, and so forth.
71. Mac con, whence is it? Easy to say. There lived a hound named Eloir the Red in the house of Ailill Bare-ear, when Mac con was a babe in Ailill's house. Now the babe crept on its hands and knees to seek the hound, and the hound would squeeze the little boy against its belly, and it was impossible to keep him from going to visit the hound. Hence Mac con 'son of the hound' is said.
72. Eochu Apthach, because of the greatness of the mortality in his time, namely, a pestilence every month, that is, twelve pestilences in the year. Whence is said Eochu Apthach 'deadly'; and he himself died of the pestilence.
73. Eochu Étgudach. 'Tis by him that embroidery was first put upon garments in Erin. Whence is said Eochu Etgudach 'Eochu of the raiment'.
74. Eochu Fiadmuine, that is máine feda 'treasures of the forest', to wit, wild beasts, he used to hunt.
75. Dartraige, that is, Dáiri traigi, i.e. Daire's offspring. For traig means children or kindred, and they, the Dartraige, are the kindred of Dáire Doimthech.
76. Connachta, whence is it? Easy to say. A contest in wizardry took place between two wizards of the Tuath dé Danann, named Cithnellach the druid and Conn the druid. Conn brought a great snow all round Connaught, so that from then till today the name Connacht clave to the province, that is, Cuinn snechta, the druid Conn's snow.
Or Connachta, that is coin-echta, i.e. écht con 'the slaughter of the hound'. 'Tis they, the Connachta, that killed Ailbe the hound of Mac da thó ('son of two silent ones'). Hence they were named Connachta. Or Connachta i.e. Cuinn-achta, that is achta Cuinn 'the deeds of Conn', for 'tis he that forcibly made swordland of Connaught, for acht and 'deed' mean the same.
77. Cóiced Olnécmacht 'the Province of Olnecmacht' was said of them (the men of Connaught. Why so?). Easy to say. A banquet was prepared for them and for the Children of Dega in the house of Domma the druid, and the men of Connaught came (thither) first, and they shared not the ale and the food fairly with the Children of Dega, but drank up two thirds of it mightily. Wherefore the druid then said: "Uncomradelike (?) is this drinking (ól) ye do", quoth he, that is, it is écumachta, i.e. écumtha. Therefore from that to this (the name) Province of Olnécmacht clave to the province of Connaught.
78. Eremon son of Míl, 'tis he was called Gede Ollgothach 'Gede of the Mighty Voice.' Gede Ollgothach, whence is it? Easy to say. 'Tis he whose utterance was greatest in Erin, and the sweetness and sound of his voice resembled the strings of lutes. For in his reign in Erin there was peace and rest and pleasant converse and friendship between one person and another. And they say that in his reign every one in Erin had a mighty voice. Hence he was oll-gothach 'mighty-voiced'.
79. Irél Fáith: he was a prophet (fáith) he was a champion, and he was king of Ireland afterwards. And 'tis he that was the Nuada Airgetlám ('Silverhand') of the sons of Mil, and we know not whence it is.
80. Fiacha Labrainne. As the first memorable event of his reign was the outburst of (Lake) Labrainne through the land, he is hence called thereafter Fiacha Labrainne.
81. Oengus Ollmuccaid, that is, Oengus oll-mucca 'great-swine'; for large were the boars of the king, etc.
82. Ailill Oll-cháin, that is, great (oll) and beautiful (cáin) was he. Or Ailill Ól-cháin, i.e. at the drinking (ól) he was sweet-tempered (cáin) and affectionate more than anyone. In the early part of his life, Nuada Find Feimin was his name, that is, in Findmag Feimin he was reared, and hence he was named.
83. Nuada Find Fáil thereafter. He was a fair (find) man, and he used often to visit the Stone of Fál, playing with it and courting; for the prophets had foretold to him that he would be king of Ireland: wherefore he was called Nuada the Fair of Fál thereafter.
84. Aedán Glas ('the Blue'), why is he (so) called?
85. Símón Brecc, why is it? Easy to say. Freckle-faced was he, that is, he had a freckled (brecc) face from the high fervour. Hence (the name) Simon Brecc clave to him.
86. Muiredach Bolgrach.
87. Fiacha Tolgach: 'tis by him that a tolg 'couch' was first made.
88. Doach (.i.e. do-aig?) Ladgrach ('quick-avenging'?) i.e. of the swift (luath) pleading (agra). 'Tis he that would not give delay to anyone who did injustice, but he sued him at once.
89. Sírna Saeglach, (was so called) because of the length of his life (saegul) beyond the men of the time in which he lived, that is, 150 years was the length of his life. Therefore Sírna Saeglach 'long-lived' was said of him.
90. Eochu Buadach 'the Victorious'.
91. Ugaine Mór. He was great (mór) beyond the kings of the time at which he lived, and he seized the kingship of the west of Europe from the Ictian sea westward to Erin, and Erin itself.
92. Cessair Chruthach 'the comely', daughter of the king of France. 'Tis she was wife to Ugaine afterwards, and bore him the aforesaid children, to wit, twenty sons and three daughters. Ugaine 'the Great' was he afterwards, because of the greatness of his lordship and because of his own greatness.
93. Cobthach Coel Breg, whence is it? Easy to say. A violent wasting disease attacked him through hatred and envy of his elder brother, Loeguire Lore, son of Ugaine. Loeguire Lore was then king of Ireland, and Cobthach Coel was in the crown-princedom. Cobthach envied Loeguire because he was king and Cobthach (only) crown-prince. Hence a violent disease attacked Cobthach on the Plain of Bregia, and greatly did he waste away, so that his blood and his flesh left him, and he became meagre after that great illness in which he abode. Wherefore he is called Cobthach the Meagre of Bregia.
94. Méilge Molbthach ('Praiseworthy'), why is he (so) called?
95. Iaruungléo Fáthach. Prophetlike, shrewd and wise was he; and he was king of Erin. And that man was prophetic. Hence he is called Iarunngléo Fáthach.
96. Connla Cruaid-chelgach ('hardy-treacherous').
97. Ailill Cass-ḟiaclach ('of the Twisted Teeth').
98. Eochaid Alt-lethan ('the broad-jointed').
99. Oengus Turbech. A shame (torbech) he deemed the son whom he begat on his daughter, even Fiacha Fer Mara. Or Oengus Turmech, for up to him are reckoned (turimter) the nobles of the race of Erimon son of Mil. Therefore he is called Oengus Turmech.
100. Énna Aignech, that is, complete (óg) was his hospitality (enech) , i.e. lavish was his hospitality. For of all the wealths of the world he loved none more than another. Or Énna Aignech, that is ágh 'battle', nech 'any one', i.e. he was warlike beyond the warriors of the time at which he lived.
101. Esomain Emna, that is, in Emain Macha he was reared. Hence he is called Esomain Emna ('the Fearless one of Emain').
102. Eochaid Feidlech. 'Tis in his reign that a yoke (fedel?) for an ox was first invented in Erin. Or Eochaid Fedil-ḟích, ḟich i.e. land, i.e. his land he held lastingly. Or Eochaid Fedil-uch, that is, 'long sigh' — feidil .i. fada—that is, greatly and often he sighed: for since his sons were slain by him in the battle of Druim Criad, the pain never went out of his heart till he himself died. So for that reason he is called Eochaid Feidlech.
103. Eochaid Airem, that is Eochaid ar-dam 'on one ox': 'tis by him that a yoke was first put upon the necks of oxen, for till then the pull used to be against their foreheads. Or Eochaid ar-uam 'ploughing of graves', for he was the first to dig the ground to make a grave there in.
104. Three Find-emna, namely Bres and Nár and Lothar, three sons of Eochaid Feidlech. This is why they were called the Find-emna, because Eochaid's wife bore them to him at one birth; for whether it be two or three that are born at once eman is said of them. [Aliter] eman, that is am-oen 'not-one': am- for negation; not one, but two or three.
105. Lugaid Réo nderg, that is, a red (derg) stripe (sriab). Two red stripes were over him, to wit, a circle round lus throat and circle over his waist His head resembled Nár's, his breast that of Bres; from the belt downwards he was like Lothar.
106. Crimthan Nía-Náre: nía 'champion', that is 'Nár's champion.' For Nár the witch, from the elfmounds, was Crimthan's wife. 'Tis she that took Crimthan with her on the famous adventure from Dún Crimthain on Howth.
107. Feradach Fechtnach 'the Righteous', because of the fechtnaige 'righteousness' of his reign over Erin. For fechtnach means righteous: that is, for the truth of his reign he was called Feradach Fechtnach. For in his time was the Collar of Morann and Morann himself. 'Tis that Collar of Morann that used to declare truth to every one. Therefore the agnomen (Fechtnach) was given to Feradach.
108. Fiacha Find-ḟolaid, that is Fiacha of the White Cows, for folad means 'cow'. In his reign the greater part of the cows of Erin were white.
109. Tuathal Techtmar, (so called) from the abundance of his possessions (techtada). Or from the coming (techtad) of every good thing into Erin during his reign he is called Techtmar. Or from the jurisdiction (techtad) over every one in general which he exercised; for he did not leave the pettiest act of plundering in Ireland without the royal discipline.
110. Fedlimid Rechtaid, that is, he used to deliver judgments of the Law (of the Old Testament), for he had talio: that is, similis vindicatio, 'identical retribution', was enforced by him, i.e. eye for eye, and foot for foot, and hand for hand, et caetera sic. From the frequency with which he used to follow the judgments of the Law (rechta) he was called Fedlimid Rechtaid.
111. Conn Cét-chathach, why is he (so) called? Easy to say. In a hundred (cét) battles (cath) he defeated Munster: in a hundred, Ulster; and in sixty, Leinster: whereof the poet said:
A hundred battles on great Munster
Conn Cétchathach the just broke,
A hundred battles on beard -brave Ulster,
Sixty battles on the Lagenians.
112. Art Óenḟer ('Only-man'), whence is he so called? Easy to say. Because at last Conn had no son save Art alone, for Connla and Crinna, Conn's other sons, had fallen by Eochaid Find and by Fiacha Suigde. Whence the poet said in the Elucidation:
Conn's two brothers, whom he had not put from him.
Eochaid Find, Fiacha Suigde,
Killed Connla and Crinna,
Two sons of Conn, two deal- boys.
Eochaid Find was a horror (fuath) to Art
After the killing of Conn's two sons.
Art Oenḟer was the name he got
After the death of his two brothers.
Or, again, Art was the only choice son which Conn had, for Crinna fell by Eochaid Find and Fiacha Suigde, and Connla went on an adventure with a fairy woman to Síd Boadaig, as is related in the Échtra (Adventure) of Connla himself. Whereof the poet said:
From Crinna's death by Eochaid,
From the adventure of Connla who departed well.
The loveable man went over sea —
Hence Art Óenḟer was said.
113. Cormac Ulḟota, that is, he had a long (fota) beard (ul). Or Ult-ḟota, that is, 'tis he that drove the Ulaid afar, banishing them over sea for the space of sixteen years. Or Cormac Cúl-ḟota, that is, there was a long (fota) back (cúl) upon him, even as his aforesaid ancestors were before him.
114. Cairbre Lifechair, (so called) because he loved the Liffey so greatly. Or in Liffey was his mother, even Ethne, daughter of Catháir the Great. Or Cairbre Lifechair, in Liffey of Leinster he was reared. Hence he was called Cairbre Lifechair. Of him saith the poet:
Three sons of children that went not from him
Had Cairbre who loved Liffey,
Fiacha Srabtine of the blessings,
Eochaid and Eochaid Doimlén.
115. Fiacha Sraibtine, that is, a stream (sráib) of fire (tened), which was cast into his ships when he was at sea in the eastern world. Or in Dún Sraibtine in Connaught he was reared. Or, again, showers of fire used to come in his reign. Or Fiacha Roibtine, that is, rough was he. Fiacha Roibtine then i.e. Fiacha the Rough. Or Fiacha Srabtine, that is streams (?) of fire used to break out of the red arrows which they had when they burnt the fortress on the Continent in the east
A sraftine ('helmet') which was anyone's protection
Mider wore around his face:
From this is called the king
Whose name is Fiacha Sraftine.
116. Muredach Tírech son of Fiuclia Sraiftine, 'tis he was battle-striker in lieu of his father when taking land by force for him. Hence he was Tírthech 'landed'.
117. Eochaid Muigmedon, that is he had the waist (medón) of a slave (mogad), Eochaid Mog-medón, his head and his breast resembled the king's: his middle like the slave, namely Mingadach. Young nobles' legs he had. Or Muin-medón, that is, he had a thick neck, that is, the middle of his neck was thick. For muin means neck or throat
118. Níall Nói-gíallach 'nine-hostaged', that is nine (nói) hostages (géill) he had, to wit, five out of Erin and four out of Alba. Thereof the poet said
Eochaid's son, high the dignity,
Níall, modest in every high fame,
Took troops (?) of the kingdoms
Of Erin and Alba.
He had a hostage for every fifth
Throughout the land of lofty Erin:
He brought at will without separation
Four hostages out of Alba. So that it was he who was . .
In crowds (?) of .... champions,
Against the course of the gracious (?) kings
Warlike Niall the Nine-hostaged.
Now Niall went to Letavia and Italy to seek a kingdom: Wherefore he was called 'Nine-hostaged', that is (he had) five hostages of Erin, and a hostage for each of Alba, England, Wales and France etc. This little bit is from the Book of Glendalough.
119. Nía Nói nGrainde 'of the Nine Grainnes', that is, nine hills that are in Corca Tri, and Grainne is the name of each of them; and from them he was named.
120. Domnall Ilchelgach 'many-wiled'.
121. Aed Uar-idnach, that is, cold pangs (uara idna) used to visit him, so that (to be relieved of them) he would have given the world, were it in his power. Or Aed Uaridnach, that is, cold his weapons (idna) to wit, his spears, for he used to make warlike expeditions in winter. Or again, cold fits used to come to him in his sleep, so that he would say: "Wine, ale, a cup, a harp"!
122. Aed Ollán, that is, great (oll) was the full (lán) of the sea, that is, the full spring-tide, when he was born. Or Aed Allán, that is, Alltan, the name of the place in which he was reared. Or Aed Allán, that is, Aed Il-dán, that is, many (ili) arts (dána) were professed by him. Hence the agnomen is said.
123. Aed Ordnide, that is, Aed Dorndine 'Suckfist'. He used to suck his fist after he had been weaned. Hence he is called Aed Suckfist.
124. Niall Frassach ('Showery'). At his birth fell three showers: a shower of silver on Othan Mór: a shower of wheat on Othan Becc, and a shower of blood on Glenn Laigen. Hence Niall Frassach is said.
125. Niall Caille, whence is he so called? Easy to say. One day Niall Caille went with a great horse-host towards the river named Caille. There was then a great spate in the river. A young lad of the king's household went ahead to sound the river, and the river at once drowned him. The king told every one to go and succour the lad, but he got naught from any. So the king himself, still on his horse, went to succour him. But when the forefeet of the horse struck the river-bank, they broke it, and the river swept the king away and drowned him. Now that had been foretold to him, his drowning in the Caille. Hence 'Niall of the Caille' is said; and some one sang:
Curse on thee, thou cruel Caille,
Thou stream like mist over a mountain!
Thou hast pressed a flood from every side
On Niall's heroic, bright-pure face.
126. Conall Err Breg that is, champion of Bregia. Or Conall Err Brecc 'speckled tail', that is, when he was young there was a speckled wing (sleeve? collar?) in his mantle. Hence the agnomen clave to him.
127. Conall Cremthainne, that is, in Cremthainne in Oriel he was reared. Or, again, he bore two names, to wit, Conall and Crimthann. Hence the name clave to him.
128. Conall Guthbind. He is called Guth-bind 'sweet-voiced', because he was an excellent chanter. He was a cleric and priest of Clonard.
129. Conall Grant, that is, Conall the Grey, for grant is usually said of all things grey: as, for instance, cront ṡaile 'phlegm' i.e. grant-seile, grey or blue spittle.
130. Cernach Sotal. For his pride and for the greatness of the spirit in him he was called Sotal 'proud'.
131. Fergus Cerrbél 'Wry-mouth': cirre, that is, crookedness which was in his mouth (bél). Or Fergus Gerrbél: girra 'shortness' which was in his mouth. Hence the old name clave to him.
132. Finachta Fledach: from the abundence of the preparations of banquets (fleda) in his reign, and he himself was feastful and fond of giving banquets.
133. Aed Sláine, why is he so called? Easy to say. Diarmait son of Cerball had a delightful wife, even Mugain daughter of Concrad, son of Duach, from Airgetross. Now that Mugain was barren, and bore no children to the king. Wherefore Diarmait was forsaking the queen.
Then the queen went to Finnén of Mag Bile and to bishop Aeda son of Brecc, and lamented her barrenness. So the clerics blessed water for her, and she drank a draught thereof, and became pregnant. Of that pregnancy this is what she brought forth, a white lamb. "Woe is me for this!" quoth Mugain, "to conceive a four-footed thing!" "Tis not that which will be there", says Finnén. "This is only a consecration of thy womb, the likeness of the sinless Lamb that was offered up for the human race." The cleric blessed another water for her, and thereby she became pregnant. This is what she conceived: a silvern salmon with fins of gold. "Woe is me for this!" quoth Mugain, "and I am the worse of what the clerics do for me; for this tale will be noised abroad among the men of Ireland." "'Tis not that which will be there," says the cleric; "but thou wilt bear a son, and I will take the salmon with me, and I will make reliquaries thereof, and in its place thou wilt bear a son, and his brothers will increase, and more kings over Erin will descend from him than from the other sons." "I am glad," says Mugain, "provided this be fulfilled." "It will be fulfilled", says the cleric. Finnén and bishop Aeda bless the queen, and bless the offspring which she was to bring forth, and bestow water on the queen, and she drinks a drink thereof, and bathed therein; and thereby the queen became pregnant, and she brings forth a son, and the name 'Aed' was given to 1dm, and he was Aed Sláine, that is, he was healed (ro slánaiged) by the unnatural things which the queen produced before his birth. Wherefore he is called Aed Sláine.
Good was the son who was born there afterwards, and good were his children and his kindred after him, that is, the men of Bregia.
Others say that Aed was born on the river named Sláine: whence Aed Sláine was named. Or maybe it is from Aed Sláine himself that the river called Sláine is named.
134. Diarmait Ruanaid, that is, Diarmait the Red, for ruán is a plant that produces a colour on the face so that it becomes red, wherefore (he that uses it) is called ruanaid. Or Ruanaid, that is, ro-ḟeinnid 'great champion', for he (Diarmait) was heroic when he lived. Again, Diarmait Ruanaid (was so called) because when the sons of Aed Slane banished (Saint) mo-Chuta from Rathen they were asking Diarmait (to go) with them. "I will not go", says Diarmait, "for I will do no evil to mo-Chuta". Then said his brothers to Diarmait: "That is ruanaid i.e. royal (?) O Diarmait!" say they. So therefore, according to this version, he is called Diarmait Ruanaid.
135. Colmán Rímid was so called, because he used to count by their feet (footmarks?) the number of horses at the assembly of Teltown. For in his time there was no one in Erin that could count as he did. Two own-brothers were Aed Sláne and Colmán Rímid. Four years were they together in the kingship of Erin.
136. Duach Galach, that is, gal 'warfare' and uch 'alas' had he, that is, the other sons of Brian, son of Eochaid Muigmedón, would make war upon him and cause him to moan when he was a young lad.
137. Enna Emalach son of Brian and Conall Oirinse, and Sen son of Brian, and Erc Derg son of Brian, whence do they bear these additional names?
138. Duach Tenga Umai: because of the melodiousness of his voice he was called Tenga Umai 'Tongue of brass'. To every one it seemed that there was a tongue of brass in his head, for all men thought the sound of strings in a harp no sweeter than the sound of his utterance.
139. Own-brother to Duach was Eochaid Tirmcharna 'Dry -flesh'. This is why he had the name. When he was banished by Duach Tongue-of-brass he ate no bacon, but dry flesh, and drank neither ale nor mead.
140. Or Eochaid Muin-fethan, that is, there was a circle round his waist like the girdle of a fleshy man, as thick as the man's waist. Hence he was called Eochaid Muin-methain, that is, methain(?) that used to be round his waist because of its size.
141. Eochaid Doimlén i.e. Dam-lén, for he suffered (ro-damair) woe (lén) from not attaining any part of Erin. For of Erin Fiacha Sraiftine left him not a single bit to be taken by him. For that Fiacha was senior to Eochaid, and Eochaid was (only) crown-prince of Ireland so long as he lived. Of him the poet said:
Eochaid suffered sorrow in his time,
Without attaining aught of Erin:
The father of the three distant Collas
From whom the tribe of Oriel descended.
Or Eochaid Dom-plén, that is, domus 'house', plena (i.e. of hostages) that is, he had a house full, of hostages to wit. Hence he was named Eochaid Domplén.
142. The three Collas, whence are they? Easy to say. They are the colaig, 'the sinful ones', for it was a great sin (col) for them to kill their father's own-brother, even Fiacha Sraftine. In ancient books Coll-ní is said: (yet) it is not right to say Coll-ni at length sed corrupte, but it is right to say the name shortly, that is, na Collai, 'the Collas'.
Colla Uais, that is Cairell: (so colled) for his uaislc, 'nobility'; for he, rather than the other Collas, obtained the kingship of Erin. Or Colla Oss, since he was an oss 'stag' for his swiftness. Or it was a doe (oss banséguinn) that reared him. Or oss-sédguine a deerslayer, was he: wild deer he would have slain, for séd means 'deer'.
Colla Menn (that is, Aed), because Mennait the Pict fostered him. Or it is because he suffered from dumbness, got 'stammering' and menn meaning the same. Hence he was named Colla Menn.
Colla Fo chri (that is, Muredach). Under (fo) Crinenn the wright (i.e. while Crinenn was her husband) he was begotten by Eochaid Domlén on the king of Alba's daughter Ailech. Or, again, fo chrí i.e. under cre, that is, clay wherewith the wright's wife covered him to disguise him. Or Colla Oichre: Oichre being the name of the place in which he was reared. Or Connla Forcraid 'excess', for he is accused (of lying with) the wife of Crínrad the wright of Sláine, ut est in Rathann. Let him who reads sweat
143. Conaing Becc-fiada 'of the little tooth', or Becc-ecla 'Little-fear', that is, an hour of dread or fear never visited him. For he was a champion in every combat: whereof the poet said, confirming this:
Conaing son of Congal, a pure rod,
A king that never dreaded anyone:
Hamlets he wasted on every side.
Till Art, son of Lugaid, killed him.
144. Aergialla, that is, daer gialla 'base hostages', that is, the kindred of Eogan son of Niáll, from the battle of Beithecham they were subjected to a base tribute. Or Aergialla that is, saer-gialla, for they were noble beyond every one else; For the king of Tara has no right to put bond (?) or fetter upon their hostages, though he may on every other hostage in Erin. Whereof the poet said:
Nine hostages to Fodla's king after an expedition
The king of Oriel once granted,
Into the hand of the king of Tara of the troops
Without bond (?) and without fetter.
Airgialla then, that is, ar gialla, 'for hostages', i.e. for hostages to them from the king of Tara and hostages from the king of Tara to them. Thereof said the poet:
Hostages for hostages to the king of Oriel
From the king of Tara through a hero's might.
For their nobleness, for their majesty,
For their hardihood in giving battle.
145. Fiacha Foltṡnáithech, 'Hair-threaden'. Likened to golden thread was the long, full-beautiful hair that was on him; for lengthy and . . . fine was his hair. Wherefore (the names) Fiacha Foltṡnáithech and Foltlcbar 'Long-hair' clave to him.
146. Dathí. Feradach, son of Fiacha, was his first name. And when he obtained the kingship of Erin he went into the world eastward to gain a realm, and he gained the kingship of the west of Europe up to the Alps.
Now at that time there dwelt in the heart of the Alps a righteous man named Fer-ménia. He had a strong, impregnable tower. So Feradach, son of Fiachra, with his army began to destroy Fer-ménia's tower, and they could do nothing to it. The king swore that he would not leave the tower until he had taken it. The hosts began energetically to destroy the tower and to shoot at every one who was therein. Whatsoever the hosts would shoot against the tower, whether stones or weapons, would scarcely reach the ground past the king, when lie caught them in his hands and himself distributed them again to every one. Wherefore all said of him: "Active is the way the king seizes the weapons"! "True indeed", says the druid, "and Dathi 'active' shall be his name from this work". Wherefore (the name) Dathi clave to him thenceforward. But the king died there through his pride and through his injustice to the faithful man. For a flash of lightning came to him from heaven and burnt and killed the king. As the poet said:
He had not taken according to his wish the holy man's building
When a thunderbolt burnt Dathi
147. Ailill Molt 'Wether': his mother, Ethne, daughter of Connra, (when she was big with him) felt a longing for the flesh of a wether (molt). And Fial, daughter of Eochaid, the king's consort, afterwards gave him that nickname. Or Ailill Molt i.e. mó a ḟolt 'greater his hair', for the hair on him was more than on his other brothers.
148. Ailill Inbanna 'Womanly': his appearance was like a woman's, for so long as he lived he was beardless.
149. Tuatha Dé, i.e. Danann, that is, dée were the poets and an-dée the husbandmen, as Cúchulainn said on the Cattlespoil of Cualnge, when he was weary and sore athirst after killing Lóch, son of Mofebes. When Cúchulainn was engaged in that combat with Lóch, there came to him out of the elfmounds the Mor-rígan, daughter of Ernmas, in an uncouth shape, to check Cúchulainn in the combat. So Cúchulainn made a cast at the Morrígan, and shattered one of her eyes. Again she came, in the shape of an old woman, to attack Cúchulainn, and she milked, in his presence, a cow with three teats. Why she came was to be succoured by Cúchulainn, because no one whom Cúchulainn had wounded could recover until he himself had a share in his cure. Cúchulainn after the fury of thirst asked her for the milk. She gave him the milk of (one) teat "May this be safe to me from poison!" quoth Cuchulainn. Then one of the queen's eyes was cured,—for Cúchulainn had previously shattered one of her eyes. Cúchulainn asked her for the milk of another teat She gave it to him. "May the giver be safe from poison!" says Cúchulainn. He asked for a third drink, and she gave him the milk of (the last) teat. "The blessing of gods and non-gods be on thee, O damsel!" says Cúchulainn. These were their gods, the magicians, and their non-gods were the husbandmen. And the queen was whole thereafter.
150. Dagda, that is dag dé 'fire of god'. He was a beautiful god of the heathens, for the Tuatha Dé Dananu worshipped him: for he was an earth-god to them because of the greatness of his (magical) power.
151. Eochaid Oll-athair, that is, greater (uilliu) was he than his father (athair). Or Oll-athair, a great (oll) father (athair) to the Tuatha Dé Danann was he.
152. Ruad Ro-ḟessa 'of the great science', that is, 'tis he that had the perfection of the heathen science, and 'tis he that had the multiform triads.
153. Eochaid Bres, that is, Eochaid the Shapely, for everything fair and every thing shapely that is seen in Erin is likened to Bres, to wit, Bres, son of Eladu, son of Delbaeth, is so called, and Eochaid is another name of his.
154. Nuada Airgetlám 'Silver-hand', whence is it? Easy to say. Sreng, son of Sengann, cut off Nuada's right hand in a combat at the battle of Mag Tured Cunga, when the Tuatha Dé Danann invaded Erin. The leeches of the Tuatha Dé Danann put on Nuada a hand of silver with complete motion of every hand (therein). Therefore he was afterwards called Nuada Airgetlám 'Silverhand'.
155. Tuirenn Becc-grenn, i.e. 'twas a little (becc) beard (grenn) that was on him, that is, his beard was small. Delbaeth was another name of his, and his children were the children aforesaid, namely the clann Tuirinn, Bríán and Eochaid and Iucharba.
156. Manannán Mac lir. Oirbsen was his name, a marvellous chapman who dwelt in the Isle of Mann; and 'tis he that was the best pilot at sea in the west of the world. He knew by his sky-knowledge, that is, by looking at the appearance of the sky, i.e. the air, the time that the good weather and the bad weather would be, and when each of them would change the other. Therefore the Britons and the men of Erin deemed that he was the god of the sea, and he was called Mac Lir, that is, Son of the Sea. Manannan, also, he was called from the (Isle of) Mann.
157. Dian-cecht the name of Erin's sage of leechcraft, 'the god of the powers', for cecht means 'power'. Hence Nede son of Adnae said: "We have mastered eyes with a rebound of rock-splinter", that is, we have mastered an ailcne, that is, a splinter which broke from the rock, so that it pierced his eye, and he became bliad, that is, he exercised his power. Cechtsam does not mean caechsam 'we have blinded', as the ignorant assert. Or dian, that is deus 'god', caech i.e. ..., as he is deus salutis.
158. Maccecht, that is, a son (macc) that committed the cruelest homicide (écht), for he killed in combat his own brother, even Tinne son of Connra. Now Tinne was at that time king of Connaught, and Monodar, son of Connra, killed him, whereupon for that homicide which Monodar had perpetrated (the name) Macc-echt was given him. Conodar was his proper name.
159. Delbaeth, that is delb aeda 'shape of fire'. Or delb-aed, that is, 'magic fire', which he made when his own son-in-law, Trad, son of Taissach, by art magic banished him out of the land in which the Tradraige are today. He went in flight into the Húi Néill's country. He went into Carn Fiachach meic Néill, and there he kindled a magic fire, and out of it burst five streams of fire, and with each of these streams he sent forth a son of his, and from them (the sons) are the five Delvins. Hence the name Delbaed, that is, delb-aeda 'form of fire' clave to him. Lugaid had been his name till then. Or Delb-aed, that is, a form (delb) of fire (aeda) upon him, because of his beauty, for his form was distinguished.
160. Ól ngualai. This is a vat of copper. 'Tis this that Conchobar mac Nessa brought out of the fortress of Gerg Faeburdel, after sacking the fort and killing Gerg. It was called Ól nGualai 'Coal-vat', because there used to be a fire of coal inside in Emain Macha, when men drank thereout. From it Loch nGualai, in Daim-inis in the country of Ulster, was named, because it stands to-day under that lake in secret places. Gerg, son of Faeburdil, etc.
161. Fergus Folcthech, that is, Fergus the Toothless. Or he was ... toothed.
162. Aed Gnái Fer in gái lethain 'the Man of the broad spear', that is, a broad spear he owned, that is, broad-great lances he had. Aed Gnái was his original name, but n was taken out, so that it became Aed Gái. Aed Gnái had three names to wit, Fedlimid and Aithinbleith and Fergna. Two sons were the two Aithinbleiths at Dáil Medruaid, that is, Aithinbleith, son of Aed Gnái, and Aithinbleith, son of Medruad.
163. Conall Ech-luath, that is, Conall Ech-luaid, i.e. horses (eich) he often drove (no luaided) when he was young.
164. Mac táil was the fosterling of a wright. Therefore he was called Mac táil 'Son of Adze'. Cass was his original name, but the additional name superseded it. From his inheritance from his grandfather Cormac Cass, son of Ailill Ólomm, (the name) Cass was given him.
165. Cormac Cás, that is, Cormac the cruel, because of his cruelty. Or Cormac Cass, that is, swift, for he was swifter than anyone in his time. And (we have) an example of this word when a certain harper teaching his pupil said to him : "play it co cass", that is, quickly.
166. Fotharta, that is fuath arta 'form of a god', for art means 'deus', as is said Eochaid Find Fuath n-airt 'Eochaid the Fair of form divine' (θεόμορφος).
167. Eochaid Find Fuath n-airt, that is, a god's form upon him. (This was said) because of his loveliness: for art and deus 'god' mean the same. For Eochaid Find was a beautiful shapely man. Or Eochaid Find fuath n-Airt 'Art's hatred', for Art son of Conn hated him since he killed Connla and Crinna Art's two brothers.
168. Fiacha Suigthi, that is, so-guiti 'easily entreated', for because of his gentleness it was easy to supplicate him; and he was constantly agreeable and always pleasant.
169. Déissi, that is dí-ḟoissi 'unresting ones', since for long spaces of time they had no resting-place, but were wandering from one stead into another. Or Déissi, that is, duaisi 'gifts', for after they left Mag Breg land was given to them as a woman's dowry, that is, as the bride-price of Ethne the Horrible, daughter of Crimthann, son of Ende Cennselach, who was their fosterling, for 'tis the Déissi that reared her. Oengus, son of Natfraich, king of Munster, 'tis he that gave the Déissi, as the bride-price of Ethne the Horrible, the land on which they are now settled.
170. Ethne Uathach 'horrible', why so called? Easy to say. When the Déissi took the girl to rear her they used to give her the flesh of children (to eat) so that she might the more rapidly grow up (and be married). For it had been determined that they would get land and a settlement as her bride-price. Or, again, she used to cut off the ends of the little-fingers of her own children so that they might be the longer-lived: for at first no children were left to her, (but all died prematurely). For that cause the children felt a great horror for her. Wherefore she is called Ethne the Horrible.
171. Art Cerb, that is, Art the maimed or lacerated, for cerb means laceration, and he was lacerated. Hence was (the name) Art Cerb.
172. Fiacha Tort 'cake', that is, Fiacha the Cakey, for tort means 'cake', and of old he was the first by whom a cake was shapen.
173. Fiacha Tuirtri, the same man. Tis he that fastened throughout Erin the tortgdbáil (cake-taking?) of Conaille Muirthemne.
174. Laigin 'Leinster', why is it said? From the broad blue lances which the Black Foreigners, Labraid Loingsech's people, brought into Ireland, when they came along with Labraid to Cobthach Coel's house at Dind Ríg. Two thousand two hundred foreigners was their number. So Cobthach Coel was killed by them and the kings were destroyed. And from the huge lances (laigin) which they brought at that time they are called Laigin 'Leinstermen' thenceforward. Whereof the poet said:
Two hundred and two thousand foreigners
Having broad lances (came) hither.
From those lances without reproach
They were called Laigin.
175. Labraid Loingsech 'the Exile'. That is, he continued in longas 'banishment' for a long time after he had been banished (from Ireland) by Cobthach Coel. Labraid Ollda 'great' was his name at first. Labraid Maen 'dumb' after settling. Labraid Loingsech 'exile' after that, when he went into banishment. S(udet) q(ui) l(egat)! 'Tis of him that the poet Ferchertne said:
Labraid (called) Loingsech, Ollda (and) Maen,
Son of unique Ailill Áine.
176. Loegaire Lorc, that is Loeguire the Fierce, for lorc means 'fierce'. Or lorc 'rapacious', for (the Latin) lurco means 'rapax deuorator'. Loegaire Lorc, then, i.e. parricidal, for lorc (also) means 'parricide', and Loegaire killed Badbchad, son of Eochaid the Victorious, when contending for the kingship of Erin with him and Cobthach Coel, son of Ugaine, son of Eochaid the Victorious, 'tis he whom Loegaire Lorc killed when contending with him for the kingship. A son, namely Ailill, was born to Loegaire Lorc, and his birthplace was Tipra da ech Áine 'the Well of Áine's two steeds'. Hence he was called Ailill Áine.
177. Ailill Braccáin, whence is it?
178. Oengus Ollam. He was an ollam 'doctor' in poetry, and afterwards king of Erin. Hence he was named Oengus Ollam.
179. Fergus Fortamail 'prevailing'. That man was heroic (and) prevailing as regards every one who chanced (to come) against him.
180. Fedlimid Forthrén 'mighty'. He was a champion, i.e. aliant, in every battle and in Erin's contests.
181. Cremthann Coscrach 'triumphant', because of the extent to which he would carry off triumph (coscor) and victory in every battle in which he was engaged, and in every other position in which he was.
182. Mog Airt 'Art's servant'. He used to be serving and attending on his son when he was young, even Art, son of Mog Airt; for Art was dearer to him than any other.
183. Nuada Fullón. Fullon was the name of the druid who reared him, and Fullon was the first druid who cast a spell on a wisp so as to send [thereby] a human being a-flying. Hence dlui fulla 'madman's wisp' is said by the Irish from that time to this. Or fullon is a name for 'beauty'. Hence Nuada Fullon, that is, Nuada the beautiful.
184. Bressal Brecc. His countenance, that is, his face, was speckled (brecc). Hence he was called Bressal Brecc.
185. Lugaid Lóth-find, that is, lóth is a name for sweat, i.e. change (?) of a skin that has been perspiring. Or lóth-find 'white-bearded', for lóth is a name for a beard, and a white beard was on him.
186. Sétna Sithbacc, that is, síd-bacc 'peace-hindrance', tor he was always preventing and hindering peace, and promoting mutual war among men.
187. Ethne Ṡithbacc, that is, síd-bacc, a hindering (baccad) of peace (sída) she used to effect, that is, this Ethne was preventing peace between her own children, to wit, Cairbre Cluithech, son of Cú-corb, and Láidir Ara, son of Cú-corb, for both of these were Ethne's children. Or bacc sídha, 'hook of peace', (Ethne) usually keeping peace between her children, and continually preventing warfare.
188. Nuada Necht, that is, Nuada nicht, from nix 'snow'. Or from nox 'night', that is, a man who used to march at night, for Nuada was the first to plunder by night in Erin. From nox comes Nuada Necht. Or from nix, because Nuada Necht was as white as snow.
189. Fergus Fairge 'of the sea', from one of the two expeditions which he made to sea or to seize the kingship. Or Fergus Fairge, from the exile in which he long abode. Or it is at sea (fairge) that he was born. Hence he is called Fergus Fairge.
190. Conchobar Abrat-ruad 'of the Red Eyebrows', that is, a red eye with red eyebrows he had, for bra means 'eyebrow'.
191. Cú corb from the corb 'basket' of the chariot in which he lay. Or it is because he was long unbaptised that he was polluted (coirbthe). Or corb because cerb means 'cut'. Or Cú corb, that is cúi corb, that is, the coirb 'basket' of the chariot in which he lay broke under him when he was a little child, and the child began to cry (cúi) at the basket that was broken. When his father beheld the boy a-crying he himself put the basket into the chariot. From the service he (then) did to the child he is called Mog Corb, and the other Cu chorb, that is, Cúi chorb.
192. Nia Corb, nía 'valiant', and from the heritage of his father and grandfather the additional name clave to him.
193. Messin corb. He judged (ro-mesemnaig) that (sin) greatly, and he himself did the like. Hence he is since called Messin corb.
194. Cairbre Cluithechair: that is, from Cluithre Clíach and from Mag Clíach, where he set up after leaving the country of Leinster, and he afterwards inhabited it by his mother's tribe.
195. Clothrén, in Mag Cliach he is: from him is Cluithre Cliach.
196. Fedlimid Fer urglass or iarglas, that is (there was) grey (glass) hair upon him. Hence he is called Fedlimid Fer urgías: íar, i.e. hair.
197. Cormac Gelta Gaeth: we do not know at present (the origin of this name).
198. Fiacha Baicida son of Catháir the Great, why was he so called? Easy to say. When the battle of Mag Ága took place between Catháir the Great and Conn son of Fedlimid Rechtaid, Catháir's son Fiacha and Ailill Gabra of the Tribes of Tara met in the battle. Ailill wounded Fiacha, severing a sinew of his leg, so that he became lame (bacach). Hence he was called Fiacha Baicida. He was (also) called Fiacha Aicida, because he lived near (i n-aici) his brother Ross Failge, having got no land because of his youth. Hence Fiacha Aicida was said of him.
199. Lugaid Rúamna, son of Catháir, whence is it? Easy to say. In the battle befell a contest between Cétgein of Cruachain, son of Conall, and Lugaid son of Catháir. Rent and reddened (rúamanta) was Lugaid from that contest with Cétgein. So therefore he was called Lugaid Rúamna.
200. Eochaid Cupa, son of Catháir, why was it said of him? Not hard. In the same battle a combat took place between him and Assal Échtach son of the champion. Assal wounded Eochaid seriously in the combat, and a wave of foam of the blood of his body came through his battle-garb. Wherefore he is called Eochaid Cupa 'Foam'.
201. Bressal Ainech-glass son of Cathair. That is, blue (glass) was his countenance, that is, he had a blue visage. There were always blue marks on his face. Hence he was Bressal Ainech-glass 'Blue-faced'.
202. Eochaid Timine, son of Catháir, whence is it? Easy to say. When Catháir gave land to his children Eochaid was asleep. His brothers went to the place where he lay, and they waken him out of his sleep. Then said every one to him: "That is spiritless (tim), O Eochaid", say they: "slothful is the sleep in which you are". Hence (the name) Eochaid Timine clave to him.
203. Oengus Nic. son of Catháir, whence is it? Easy to say. When Oengus was asking Catháir for a heritage. "Nay!" (nic) quoth Catháir to him. "There shall be no land for thee,O Oengus!" And Catháir said to him when bequeathing land to his other sons:
Nay (nic), thou shalt not own an ancient heritage, etc. So therefore he is called Oengus Nic.
204. Ailill Cethach son of Catháir. Cethach means strokeful, that is, given to blows, for great were his strokes in battle and in conflict. Therefore he is called Ailill Cethach.
205. Forgall Monach, that is 'he was featful. From mon 'a feat', for he was a man with magical power, and he used to shift into many shapes. For every man who used to perform a feat was named monach; as the poet sang:
Of Cairbre Nía-fer's province
(Was) Forgall Monach, a soldier's work.
Every featful one who performed a trick
Was monach in the Old-Gaelic.
206. Bressal Breg-oman, thai is, fear (oman) of him (lay) on Bregia. Or Bressal Breg-main, he whose were the treasures (máini) of Bregia.
207. Bressal Bélach, that is, Bressal Beodlaech, i.e. a vigorous (beóda) warrior (laech): for his vigour he was called Bressal Beolach. Or it was a big mouth (bél) that he had: hence he is called Bressal Belach.
208. Bressal Bronncháin, that is, bright (cáin) was his breast (bruinne). Or Bressal Bronn-cáin from the extent to which be used to spend (do-bronnad) his royal rent (cáin) on every one.
209. Énda Cennselach, whence is it? Easy to say. A battle was fought between Eochaid Muigmedón and Labraid, son of Bressal Bélach, to wit, the battle of Cruacban Claenta. Therein Eochaid was routed, and his wise man, Cétnathach the poet, was captured. The poet was spared by every one, till Énda came to him. Then Énda thrust his spear through the poet and laughed at him. But the bystanders said: "Foul is the smile that thou smilest after outraging us, O Énda". "This shall be his name", said the wise man, "Énda of the foul (salach) smile (gen)". Hence this agnomen clave to him thenceforward, even Énda Gen salach.
210. Énda Bóguine, that is, slaughter (guin) of the kine (bó), that is, the cattle of his mother and his father which he killed. He was asking land of his father when he killed them.
211. Rumul Dériar, that is, Dec-riar is said because of the extent to which he performed the will (riar) of his gods (dée). 'Twas he and his wife Dera that fostered Lugaid Reo nderg, and the tutor that taught him martial exercise was Cúchulainn: hence it is said that Cúchulainn was Lugaid's tutor. Now that Rumul was king of Leinster, and he was the first king of Leinster that ruled from the Boyne to Buaidnech.
212. Gaileoin (that is, Leinstermen), i. e. Galleóin, for Labraid Loingsech, from whom the Leinstermen descend, was a fosterling of foreigners (gaill). Or Gailíoin, that is, galleoin, i.e. famous, for gall means 'famous', because of the abundance of the fames and the victories of Leinster over the men of Erin they are called Gailioin from that work.
213. Ossairge 'Ossory', that is, oss-éirge, that is, their rising-up (éirge) like wild deer (ossu) as they fled before the Déissi, when they left the land on which the Deissi are settled today. Or Ossairge, that is, oss-fríthe 'deer-waif, i. e. among wild deer (ossaib) was found (fríth) Oengus Osairge, the ancestor of the Ossorians. When his mother Cennḟind, daughter of Daire mac Dega, was about to bring forth her child, she escaped at night from the girls who were in her company, guarding her. Then every one pursued the damsel to the place in which she was staying, and where she was found was among the wild deer, just after she had borne a son among the deer (ossu). And the name of Oengus was bestowed upon him; and he is the Oengus Ossairge from whom Ossory's kingfolk descend.
214. Cú Cerca, whence is it? Easy to say. There was a holy nun of the Húi Loscain Midmine at Noite (?). Cerc was her name. Once upon a time Findchad, son of Faelán, the king of Ossory's son, went to hunt near the nun's church. The dogs then put up a hare. The nun possessed a hound and he killed the hare. Thereupon Findchad's hound killed the nun's. "Alas, O Finnchad, quoth the nun, "thou hast killed my guardian hound, and I will, as his eric, deprive thee of heaven." "Do not take heaven from me", says Finnchad. "I will be thy guardian hound till a year's end, as an eric for thy hound". "I accept", says the men, "and Cú Cerca 'Cerc's Hound' shall be thy name". "I assent", says Findchad. And so it was. 'Tis therefore, then, he was called Cú Cerca.
215. Laignech Fáelad, that is, he was the man that used to shift into fáelad, i.e. wolf-shapes. He and his offspring after him used to go, whenever they pleased, into the shapes of the wolves, and, after the custom of wolves, kill the herds. Wherefore he was called Laignech Fáelad, for he was the first of them to go into a wolf-shape.
216. Beccne Caech, son of Laignech Faelad, i.e. a little (becc) thing (ní), he was a little man. Eochaid was his name at first, and Beccnechach, that is, Becne Caech, afterwards.
217. Ruamann Duach .i. Eochaid was his name at first, and we know not why he was also called Rúamann Duach.
218. Loegaire Birnn Buadach: we know not at present.
219. Rónán Rígḟlaith, that is, he was a king (rí) and a lord (flaith), and royal (rígda) was his lordship (flaithius) over every one.
220. Three Fothads, that is, three fó-suithi, i.e. good offsprings, were they. Or Fothaidh, i.e. fotha suith 'foundation of offspring' were they, being Fuinche's firstborn. Or Fothaidh, i.e. fo thaidhe 'by stealth', i.e. surreptitiously Mac niad, that is, Mac con, begat them on Fuinche daughter of Bénne Brit, king of Britain. Or Fothaidh, that is fi 'evil', aed 'fire', i.e. a virulent fire were they, destroying clans and kindreds. Or Fothaidh, i.e. fó-thádi, good thefts are they, for every [illicit] copulation is a theft. Thence the wizard then said: "Welcome the theft whence the trio sprang thus." Wherefore (the name) Fothaidh clave to them.
Oendia ('one god') and Tréndia (strong god) and Caendia (fair god) were their names. Oendia was the herdsman, Tréndia the charioteer, Caendia was Fothad Canainne. At one birth did Fuinche bear them to Mac con. Fuinche brought forth Oendia at nightfall—the name was given to him because, owing to the goodness of the luck, he had no king: Tréndia at midnight—the name was given to him because of the strength (trésse) of the luck with the gods there: Caendia in the morning. Because of the delightfulness and beauty of the red light (?) of the morning, therefore Caen-dia was given him for a name. Fothad Cananne was so called from Canann a hound that ho had. Hence Dinn Chanann on Mag Lin. Or Fothad Cainidae, that is fair (cáin) and beautiful were the gods (dée) when he was born.
Fothad Airgthech 'the moneyed', hence it is said, because it is wealth that was dearest to him, for thence was his champion's bracelet and his two lings, and his necklace of gold and his hound and his horse.
'Fothad, of the Chariots', was so named, for this is the portion that he used to give his sons, horses with their chariots. He was also called Fergus Dolus.
'Fergus Dolus', that is non-manifestation, unenlightenment, that is, a man wont to wander in dark nights. Hence Fergus do-lus 'obscure' was said of him.
221. Fenius Farsaid, i.e. the divider, for 'tis he that divided the school throughout the many kindreds of the world, to learn the many languages. For fariseus and farsaid are the same. It is a Greek word, divisio is its interpretation in Latin.
222. Fianna, from the venatio, i.e. from the hunting, which they used to practise fianna was said of them. Or fianna i.e. fineda for it is in their fini (families) and in their tribes they used to be. Or fianna, i.e. féinnedha ('champions') of the king of Ireland they were.
223. Fercheirdne, that is, fer cerda (an artisan), ái i.e. of poetry; for ái means aircetal. Or Ferchertne, that is, fír-chetal ('a true singing) n-ái, that is, of custom, for he delivered only true judgments. Or fer-chert-ní, that is, fír-cert-nái 'a truly just person', for nái means human being.
224. Fir Bolg, that is, from the bags in which they dragged mould on their backs to cast it on bare flags and on crags of stones in the lands of the Greeks, so that they might be as flowerful plains. So that from those bags they were called Fir Bolg, 'men of bags.'
225. Fir Domnann, that is, fir damnann, from the binding (damnad) and from the bondage inflicted upon them by the Greeks they were named Fir Domnann, as the poet said:
Sémíath went eastward on his way to the fair lands of the men of the Greeks.
The Greeks imposed an angry tribute upon him—carrying of mould in bags.
From those strong bags of the children of Semiath, son of gentle Starn,
They are called Fir Bolg with fame, and Fir Domnann from the binding.
Fir Domnann, now, that is, fir domain-ḟonn 'men of deep fonns, men who deepened the earth, for it was deep they went into the earth bringing water thereout to' cast upon the rough mountains in Greece.
226. Gaileóin, then, from the spears they were named, i.e. gái-lín, by the number (lín) of their spears (gái) they were reckoned. Or Gaileóin, i.e. gail-ḟíann, 'champions' of valour, for it is they that expelled the two other thirds. Or gáel-ḟiann, that is, the champions of the kindred (gáel) of the folk of slavery.
227. Maine Aithremail 'father-like', that is, he resembled his father, even Ailill son of Máta.
228. Maine Máithremail 'mother-like', that is, he resembled his mother, even Medb daughter of Eochaid.
229. Maine mar condagaib uile, 'as he combines them all', that is, he had the form of his father and of his mother, for he resembled them both.
230. Maine Tái, that is, Maine the Mute, for he was not talkative more than every (other Maine).
231. Maine Antái, that is, Maine non-mute, the an being a negative, that is, he was talkative always, and he is (also called) Maine mó a eipert 'greater his speech', that is, his talk was more than that of every other Maine.
232. Maine Míngar, that is gentle piety (mín-gaire) towards his mother he used to shew at all times.
233. Maine Mórgar, that is, piety (gaire) towards his father he used to shew greatly (gu-mór).
234. Fomoraig, that is, fo-muiride, folk who are robbing and reaving on the sea, to them is the name.
235. Fer Níad mac Damáin, that is, a valiant man, for nia means valiant. Or Fer díad, that is, dé-iath 'two-lands', for he was born at the meeting of two lands, therefore (the name) Fer díad was given him. Even so is said Fer dá chrích 'man of two districts'.
236. Fergus Andót, that is, Fergus of the Short Hands, for an- means non, and dóit means hand. An-dóit, i.e. non-handed, for his two hands were short.
237. Lugna Fer trí n-og 'Man of three eggs', that is, he had three testicles. Or Fer Trí 'Trí's husband', for Trí was the name of his wife, i.e. Trea daughter of Tadg, son of Cían.
238. Luigni, that is Lái-geine, they were the children of Lai, son of Cormac Gaileng.
239. Galenga, from goa 'falsehood' and lang 'treachery'. Cormac, son of Tadg, son of Cían, shewed falsehood to the badgers, to wit, having Tadg's spear he went to the badgers that they might come out of their warren (trusting) to Tadg's honour and his spear as a token thereof. So the badgers came out to Cormac and he killed them. Thereafter Tadg went to partake of the feast that Cormac held, and while banqueting he felt a loathing, and knew that his honour had been spoiled by his son. So then Tadg exiled his son from the province; and that is the cause of Cormac's banishment by Tadg. Hence Cormac Gaileng and Gaileng are so named, to wit, gae lang 'dung on honour.'
Aliter: Gaileng is the name of a territory, so Cormac Gaelang is so called on account of his habitation.
Cormac Gaileng, then, i.e. gai lang, i. e. a treacherous spear, because he shewed falsehood to the badgers and (thus) killed them.
240. Cáinte 'lampooner', from canis 'hound', for a dog's head is on a lampooner when objurgating. Hence Crithenbél cáinte.
Crithenbél, that is, critherbél i.e. bél 'mouth' of the sparks (crithir), from the virulence and the fieriness of the words from him, for the words of the poem are virulent. Or Cridenbél that is, his heart (cride) in his mouth (bél), i.e. his secret in his lips, for he would not withhold a secret if he heard it. Or Critherbél, that is, mouth (bél) of the sparks (crithir), for he is the first lampooner that put out a royal torch by his tongue.
241. Cairbre Cinn cait 'of the Cat's head', since it was a cat's head, that is, the form or shape of a cat, that was on his god. Or there were two cat's ears upon him, as said the poet, even Eochaid hua Floinn:
Thus was Cairbre the cruel
Who seized Erin south and north,
(With) two cat's ears on his fair head,
(And) a cat's fur through his ears.
Or, again, Cairbre cenn Cathraige 'head of the Cathraigi', for 'tis they that reared him, and he was head over them. Others say that he was of the Luaigni of Tara, and that his genealogical origin was of the Fir Bolg. Whereof the poet said:
Cairbre of the Fir Bolg without treachery,
The warrior of the Luaigni of Tara,
The name of his mastership without doubt
He got from the Cathraigi of Connaught.
242. Callraige, that is, Cal-traige, i.e. children of Lugaid Cal were they, for traige means children or kindred. Or Cálrige, that is, kingdom (ríge) of Cál, i.e. of Lugaid Cal, son of Daire Doimthech.
243. Elga i.e. Ireland. In the ancient Gaelic elg is a name for 'pig', and this name was given to Ireland because it wore the semblance of a pig when Ith son of Breogan saw the island out of Spain from the top of Breogan's tower.
244. Aed Gusdan, that is, Aed Gus ('deed') dána ('bold'): for great was that deed of his, killing on a single day the three kings, Aed Sláne, king of Ireland, and Aed Roin, king of Hui Failgi, and Aed the Yellow, king of Tebtha. In ancient Gaelic gus means 'deed'.
245. Ulaid, whence where they named? Easy (to say). Ulaid, that is, oll saith, that is, great (oll) wealth (saith) which they gave the poets. Saith means 'wealth', and (here is) an example of this, as saith the Amra (Choluimchille):
On a Wednesday Judas transgressed (his) order
In the Devil's track, a fierce revenge:
On a Wednesday he felt desire for wealth:
On a Wednesday he betrayed noble Jesus.
Or Ulaid, that is, they have the great (oll) half (leth) of Ireland, as regards warfare and battle.
Or Ulaid, that is, 'great-gray', that is, they had gray beards in the battle of Oenach Macha, i.e. they tied gray wool to their chins in the same battle, that is. in the battle they had grey beards.
Conchobar, son of Fachtna Fathaeh, and his brethren, 'tis they that fought the battle of Oenach Macha with Daball of the Vehement Blows, son of the overking of Lochlnnn. Innumerable, now, was the army that was then along with the king of Lochlann's son, invading the province of Ulster in order to conquer Ireland. There they first encamped, and they afterwards marched on to Mag Macha.
The clans of Rudraige gathered round Conchobar against the foreigners, to deliver battle to them. Then said Genann Bright-cheek, son of Cathbad, to his people: "Scanty are your hosts, ye Ulaid!" quoth he, "and each of you is young and beardless". "What shall we do therefore, O Genann?" says every one. "Do this, ye warriors", quoth Genann. "Take plenty of gray wool, and tie the wool fast to your faces, and thence the horror and fear of the foreigners will be the greater, as if ye were kingly champions". So the Ulaid—at least all who were beardless—acted on Genann's advice. Then the battle was fought, and the foreigners were routed, and their slaughter was inflicted therein. Wherefore from that battle of Oenaeh Macha the Ulaid were (so) called, as the poet said:
Fachtna's clans, no fault have they
Against every ... of battle . . .
From them are named . . .
The Ulaid, since they were gray-bearded, mighty.
Or Ulaid, from Ollam Fodla, son of Fiacha Fínscothach .i.e. Ulaid, a great spreading (oll-lethad) of Ollam, that is, greatly did the Ulaid spread and descend from Ollam Fodla. Or Ulaid, i.e. oll ai ollam is said in another place. For he was a wonderful poet, and therefore is he called Ollam Fodla, and from him the Ulaid are veritably called, as, for example:
Ollam Fodla . . .
From him the Ulaid were named.
The feast of Tara of the households truly
By him (as) leader was ordained.
246. Fiacha Fínscothach, that is, (there were) flowers (scotha) of wine (fína) in his reign, so that they were squeezed into vessels of glass out of which wine or honey was (then) taken.
247. Ollam Fodla's four sons, namely, Cairbre Condelg, Fínachta, Slánoll and Géde Ollgothach, whence are these names?
Cairpre Condelg, not (known to me at present).
Finnachta i.e. fín-snechta 'wine-snow', for a great snow of wine poured down in his reign upon Erin, so that the grass or the young corn was not seen over it, and every one in Ireland who would drink it became drunk.
Slán-oll, that is, great (oll) was the health (sláinte) of every one in his kingdom, for there was neither plague nor sickness during his reign, and nobody knows what disease carried off (the king) himself.
Gede Oll-gothach, 'the strong-voiced', that is, great was the voice of every one in his kingdom, and the strings in a harp seemed to all no sweeter than the voice and song of every one in Erin during his reign.
248. Sír-lám 'Long-hand': sír 'long', that is, he had long arms, for his two hands (láim) would reach the floor while he was standing up.
249. Dál (i.e. division) Araide, i.e., Dál n-airéle 'the division of the bed', for they (the Dalaradians) had the king of Ireland's airél or bed; that is, it is their proper bed (i.e. seat), because they acquired a champion's heritage, and of a champion's clan are they. It was superfluous for them more than any one to be descendants of a king of Ireland, seeing that in his time Conall Cernach, son of Amargen, was royal hero of Ireland because of his valour, and every one (of them was) of Conall Cernach's progeny. For these are the Dalaradians, and 'tis from Conall Cernach the kingfolk of Dalaradia descend from that time to this.
Dál n-Araide, whence is it? Easily said. Fiacha Finscothach had two noble sons, namely Eochaid (also called Ollam Fodla) and Araide. Now Eochaid was a marvellous poet, and Araide, he was a wonderful wizard. Then Eochaid took the kingship of Erin, and gave a goodly estate to Araide, namely, the part of the province which is called Dál n-Araide, and from that Araide, son of Fiacha Finscothach, the Dalaradians are so called from that time to this.
250. Fiacha Araide, whence is it? Easy to say. Araide Bibrae of Munster, the lampooner, and Cairech his wife, fostered Fiacha, son of Oengus Goibniu, and from Araide the lampooner he is called Fiacha Araide.
251. Conall and Cernach, whence are they said? Easy to answer. Findchoém, Cathbad's daughter, Amargein's wife, suffered from 'hesitation of offspring', so that she bore no children. But a certain druid met her and said "If my fee were good", quoth he, "you would bear a noble son to Amargein". "That will be true", quoth she: "good shall be thy fee from me". So the druid said: "Come to the well tomorrow, and I will go with thee". So on the morrow the twain fare forth to the well, and the druid sang spells and prophecies over the spring. And the druid said: "Wash thyself therewith, and thou wilt bring forth a son, and no child will be less pious than he to his mother's kin, to wit, to the Connaughtmen".
Then the damsel drank a draught out of the well, and with the draught she swallowed a worm, and the worm was in the hand of the boy (as he lay) in his mother's womb, and it pierced the hand and consumed it.
When his mother's brother, Cet mac Magach, heard this, that his sister would bear a child that would slay more than half the Connaughtmen, he continued protecting his sister till she should bring forth her boy. The damsel's time arrived, and she bore a son. Druids came to baptise the child into heathenism, and they sang the heathen baptism over the little child, and they said : "Never will be born a boy who will be more impious than this boy towards the Connacians; and not a night will he be without a Connaughtman's head on his belt, and he will slay more than half the Connacians". Then Cet drew the little child towards him, and put it under his heel, and bruised its neck, but did not break its spinal marrow. "Whereupon its mother exclaims to Cet: "Wolfish (conda) is the treachery (fell) thou workest, O brother!" "'Tis true", says Cet. "Let Conall (or con-ḟeall) be his name henceforward". And he gave her son (back) to her. Whence he is called Conall Clóen-bráigtech 'wry-necked' Cernach.
Conall Cernach, also, from a cern 'angle' out of his half-head that was as big as the boss of a shield, when he had been smitten in Scotland concerning the ownership of a woman. Hence in that wise he became cernach 'angular.'
252. Conall Cernach, lastly, i.e. Conall cern-niadh, that is, champion, for cern means 'man' and niadh 'valiant'. Or it (cernach) comes from (the Latin) cerno 'I see', for he used to see as well by day as by night, with the bright eye wliich lay in his head. Or Conall Cernach, that is, Conall the Victorious, for cern means 'victory', since great was his victory beyond every one.
253. Amargein Iargiunnach ('dark-haired'), that is, Amargein the dark-haired, for iarn means 'darkness' and iar 'dark', and giunnach 'hair'. That is, he had black hair, and hence he was Amargin Iargiunnach.
254. Findoll Caisirni, that is, cisternae i.e. earth-rending, for he is the first person by whom of old the earth was dug to make a pit in which water was found at every time.
255. Furbaide, now, his excision, that is, his cutting-out, from his mother's womb was wrought after she had been drowned in the river called Glais Berramain; and 'tis from that Ethne, Eochaid Feidlech's daughter, the river Ethne is so called today, for in it Ethne was drowned. And Furbaide, son of Conchobar, was afterwards called Diarmait, son of Conchobar.
256. Furbaide Fer-benn 'man-horn', that is, two horns of silver and a horn of gold were out of his helmet, and hence he is called Furbaide Ferbenn.
257. Fedelm Nói-chruthach 'nine-shaped', that is, nine shapes would come to her whenever she was looked at. Or Núa-chrothach 'fresh -formed', that is, because of her beauty a fresh form upon her was displayed to every one. Or Núa-chraidech 'fresh-hearted' was she because of her friendliness.
258. Fiachna Lurgan, that is, his fosterer's name was Lurgan, from whom are the Clan Luirgíne in Dalaradia. Hence he is called Fiachna Lurgan.
259. Fergus Fogae. Fogae was his mother's name: from her he was named. Or Fergus Oiche, that is, Oiche was his mother's name: from her he was named. Or Fergus Fogae 'small spear', for 'tis he that of old invented the small spear beside the great spear.
260. Fergus Dub-détach 'Black-toothed'; that is, black teeth he had. Or he himself was black and he had large teeth, that is black and great-toothed was he.
261. Fergus Folt-lebar 'the Long-haired', that is, long hair was on him, for his hair would reach downwards over his girdle outside.
262. Fergus Bót tar Bregaib i.e. Fire over Bregia, for bot means fire, that is, the fire that he brought over Mag Breg, so that he consumed it.
263. Dubthach Dael-tengthach 'chafer-tongued', for he was virulent and bitter-worded in tongue. Even as the dael seems black and virulent to every one, so Dubthach was to every one virulent and bitter-worded in speech. For hurtful in word and noisy was he to all; and some say that he blackened his tongue in his head by his noisiness, quod in proverbium apud Scotos against every noisy person, i.e. this is what is said of such a person by the Irish, that word above which was uttered against Dubthach: for daelos in Greek (is) formido in Latin, for in the Greek tongue daelos is the same as formica, that is 'ant', in the Latin ; and as to be bitten by an ant seems virulent to every one, so to every one Dubthach seemed virulent.
264. Dubthach Dael ulad, that is, (it was) a horror to the Ulaid to see him when he had killed their maidens in Emain Macha; and as every one deems it a horror to see the insect called the dael, so the Ulaid held it a horror to see Dubthach since he killed the maidens in Emain.
265. Cruind Badrui, that is, Cruinn who was (ba) a druid (drui), for he was small, and he was a druid, and at the beginning of his time (career?) he was a poet; and from him descend the kingfolk of Dalaradia.
266. Cú Chulainn, whence is he (so) called? Easy to say. For 'tis he that killed the hound that belonged to Culann the artisan. Conchobar's artisan was Culann and to him belonged the hound that fell by Cú-Chulainn. This hound was brought over sea, a rough, surly mastiff1 that was taken out of Spain; and as one of his Boyish Deeds Cú-Chulainn killed it, and he himself became as a hound guarding Culann the artisan's fort and cattle. Hence he was called Cú Chulainn, 'Culann's Hound', as the poet said:
The artisan's hound, haughty the tower,
Was furious, aggressive, over the green sea.
When the great man slew him over the water.
Thence Cú-chulainn was (so) called.
Or again, it is from Cuillinn of (the district called) Murthemne he was named.
267. Oidbgein, son of Sengad [leg. Sengann?]. Eochaid was his name at first until he was called Oidbgein, for in his time knots (oidb) first came through trees in Erin. Whereof the poet said:
In the time of Odbgen without disgrace
Knots came through trees.
Erin's trees before that
Were smooth and very straight
268. Rindal, that is, rend-ail 'point-weapon', i.e. ail-renna 'weapon-points'; for by him of old points were first put on weapons. Whereof the poet said:
Till Eindal grew there was no point
On weapon of old in Erin,
On rough spears without fair covering—
They were only like wooden bars.
269. Bressal Bó-díbad. During his reign destruction came upon the kine of Erin, so that of those kine none escaped without perishing, save three heifers, to wit, a dairt (a two-year-old heifer) in Cualnge—from her is Glenn Samaisce in Cualnge—the second dairt in Cliu—hence is Imbliuch fir oendairte in Line—and the third dairt in Cliu Mail maic Ugaini.
270. Eochaid Ronn, king of Húi Maini, lived in the time of Ailill and Medb. There was a royal mane golden-yellow, dark-long upon him, so that it would be on the sides of the steed whereon Eochaid was riding. There was a tie (ronn) of red gold in that hair: it was a golden chain the weight of which was seven ounces. Hence he was named Eochaid Ronn.
271. Satni, that is Sat-ḟine, family of Satan .i. e. the Devil. For Satan was in the company of Lula Littenach from whom the Satni (descend). From him they were called Satni.
272. Senchán Torpest, i.e. Senchán whom a péistor monster profited when the spirit of wisdom appeared under a hideous form. At the time that Senchán went on a circuit into Scotland the spirit of poetry came in the shape of a loathly monster to meet him on his road, and conversed with him in the obscurity of poetry. Hence he was so named.
273. Tuathal Mael-garb, whence is he (so) called? Easy to say. Cummain, daughter of Dall Brónach, Tuathal's mother, rested his head against a stone, just after she bore him, when she was waiting for a lucky hour for him, and the stone made hollows and lumps in his head, so that he was bald. Hence he is called Tuathal Mael-garb 'Bald-rough'.
274. Medb of Cruachu and Cruachu itself, whence are they? Easy to say. Cruachu, that is Cróchen the Red-skinned, the handmaid of Medb's mother Etáin, 'tis from her that Medb of Cruachu and Cruachu itself got their names.
275. Cormac Conloinges, whence is it? Easy to say. 'Tis he that was head at the exile, and was chief of the Black Exile with Fergus son of Roich, when Fergus went in exile into the province of Connaught. For Cormac was one of the guarantors for the sons of Uisnech. And he was afterwards called Cormac the Champion of the Cairn. Thereof said the poet:
Cormac Conloinges, the Champion of the Cairn,
Hence he got that mighty name,
He was conn (head) of the loinges (exile) without disgrace.
He caused woe to the Ulaid.
276. Nia in Chairn again to mention. The White Cairn of the Watching, 'tis at that cairn he was champion, protecting his own province; for the four other provinces were in a warlike alliance against Conchobur and the province of Ulster, and Cormac Conloinges was champion of the five provinces at yon cairn. Hence was Cormac (called) Nia in Chairn.
Some of the learned assert that every place wherein there may be five stones, or any other five things, or the five provinces of Ireland, is properly called a cairn. So that hence Cormac was Nia in Chairn, that is, champion of the five provinces, etc.
277. Munremur mac Eirrcind. Whence is it? Easy to say. Once upon a time Cet mac Magach entered the province of Ulster. A cry about him is raised. Mac Eirrginn answered the champion Cet. Cet made a spearcast at Mac Eirginn, and struck him in his neck. The neck (munél) swelled up so that it became thick (remur). Hence he bore (the nickname) Munremur.
278. Sál-cholg 'Heel-sword' and Mend ('Dumb') his son, whence are these additional names upon them? Easy to say. Cet mac Magach entered the province of Ulster on a foray. A cry about him is then raised. Sál-cholg answered him, and his son Mend. Cet gave a cast of a spear to Mend, striking him in the gullet and through the root of his tongue, so that he was dumb (mend) thereafter, and he gave a blow of his glaive, that is, of his sword, to Sál-cholg over his leg, and cut off his heel, so that he was lame thereafter. Wherefore the nicknames, Mend and Sál-cholga, were conferred upon them.
279. Cuscraid Mend Macha ('the Dumb of Macha'), whence in it? Easy to say. This was a custom of the Ulaid. Every young son of theirs who first took arms used to enter the provnce of Connaught ou a foray or to seek to slay a human being. So once upon a time Cuscraid, son of Conchobar, entered the province of Connaught. A cry is raised around him. Then Cet answered him. Cet wounded Cuscraid through his mouth, and shore off the point of his tongue, so that he was dumb (mend) thereafter.
280. Lám Gábaid 'Hand of Danger', whence is he (so) called? Easy to say. Once Cet mac Magach invaded the province of Ulster. A cry is raised around him. Lám answered him, and the twain then encountered. Cet gave the champion a sword-blow in the conflict, and struck off one of his hands, so after that he was forced to retreat from Cet. Hence then he is called Lám Gábaid ('Hand of Danger'), for it was a great danger (gábud) to him to have his hand (lám) cut off, and he himself to be then forced to retreat from Cet.
281. Fiacha, son of Fer Feba, whence is it? Easy to say. Feb, daughter of Conchobar mac Nesa, was Conall Cernach's wife, and she bore him a son, and he is Fiacha son of Fer Feba ('Feb's husband'), and he was son of Conall Cernach.
282. Fergus son of Roích, whence is it? Easy to say. Roich, daughter of Eochaid son of Daire, his mother, from her he was named. Or maybe Roch, daughter of Ruad, son of Derg Dath-ḟola, from the elfmounds, was the mother of Fergus mac Roich and the mother of Sualtach mac Roich, and 'tis she that bestowed on Sualtach the magical might of an elf, and from her he was called Sualtach Síde 'of the elfmound'.
283. Cíar son of Fergus, that is Mog Taeth. Corc the Red, son of Fergus, that is Fer Deoda. Cú, sou of Fergus, that is, Conmac was his name, and Lugaid Conmac was another name of him. Mog Ruith, son of Fergus, Tigernach was his name at first. Cíar, that is, dark (odar) was his face beyond the other sons. Another name of Ciar was Mog Táeth, that is, servant of Taeth, i.e. Taeth, son of Dega son of Sen, of Munster, who fostered him, and from him he is called Mog Taeth. Whereof the poet said in the Elucidation:
Teth son of Dega, a man with spirit,
To him was servant a young son of Fergus.
From him (came) the Aes Teth for stay of judgement,
In Tír Tri Ross Roduibni.
284. Corc, i.e. crimson (corcra) was his face, that is, he was red and ruddy. Fer deóda, now, was another name of Corc, for it was deóda, that is, it was later, that Medb bore him than Ciar and Conmac. Conmac 'son of the hounds', for more than the other sons was he fond of hounds.
285. Fer Tlachtga, son of Fergus. Tlachtga, daughter of Mog Ruith, was his wife. Tis from her he is called Fer Tlachtga 'Tlachtga's husband'.
286. Dichmairc .i. Láidir ara. This is why he is called Láidir-ara 'strong charioteer'. He was charioteer to Cu corb, son of Mod corb, king of Leinster; and strong and valiant in every battle was this Láidir ara. For that cause Láidir ara was said of him.
287. Mog Ruith, whence is it? Easy to say. Roth, son of Rígoll fostered him. A famous druid was that Roth. Hence he was (called) Mog Ruith 'Roth's servant. Or Mog ruith, that is 'magus rotarum', for 'tis by wheels that he used to make his magical observation. Since Mog Ruith did service to that Roth son of Rigoll, he was called Mog Ruith. Tigernach was his name at first till Mog Ruith was put upon him.
Extracts from the Book of Lecan.
288. Ailill Diabulgai, that is, spear (gai) doubled (diabalta); for by him first was made a small spear to be along with a large spear.
289. Balar Balcbéimnech 'of the mighty blows', because of the strength of his blows.
290. Cormac Gaileng, that is, gai lang, i.e. a treacherous spear.
291. Dáire Cerba, that is, in Methos Cerba in Bregia he was reared.
292. Eber Glúnḟind 'white-knee', i.e. white marks were on his knees.
293. Eochaid Gunnata, he was a very little man. Or Eochaid Gunnata, i.e. he broke up (ro-gunnataich), for 'tis by him that the Conailli were scattered through Ireland. Or Eochaid Gundḟota, that is, Long-neck, for gund means gullet or neck.
294. Eogan Srém, i.e. there was a string (sreng) in his mouth or in his eye.
295. Failbe Fland, that is, Failbe the Ruddy, for fland means red or ruddy.
296. Fergus Caechán, i.e. Caechán was the name of his fosterer.
297. Muiredach Muillethan: the crown of his head (mullach) was broad (lethari), whence (he was called Muillethan).
298. Suibne Mend 'the mute', that is, (there was) great dumbness in his speech.
Stokes, Whitley. "Cóir Anmann (Fitness of Names)." Irische Text mit Wörterbuch. Dritte Serie, 2 Heft. Leipzig: Verlag Von S. Hirzel, 1897. p. 288-411.