by Irish Myths
I and my readers owe special thanks to those good workers in
the discovery of Irish literature, Professor Kuna Meyer and Mr
Whitley Stokes, translators of so many manuscripts; and to my
friend and kinsman Standish Hayes O'Grady, for what I have
taken from that wonderful treasure-house, his Silva Gaedelica.
IV. THE PRONUNCIATION
This is the approximate pronunciation of some of the more difficult names:
Adhnuall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ai-noo-al
Ailbhe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alva
Almhuin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All-oon or Alvin.
440
IRISH MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Aobh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aev, or Eev.
Aodh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ae (rhyming to "day") .
Aoibhill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evill.
Aoife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eefa.
Badb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bibe.
Beltaine, or Bealtaine . . . . Bal-tinna.
Bladhma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bly-ma.
Bodb Dearg . . . . . . . . . . . . Bove Darrig.
Caoilte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cweeltia.
Cam Ruidhe . . . . . . . . . . . Com Rwee.
Ciabhan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kee-a-van.
Cliodna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cleevna.
Coincheann . . . . . . . . . . . Kun-Kann.
Crann Buidhe . . . . . . . . . . Cran bwee.
Credha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crae-a.
Cumhal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coo-al.
Deaghadh . . . . . . . . . . . . . D'ya-a.
Dubhthach . . . . . . . . . . . . Duffach.
Duibhreann . . . . . . . . . . . Dhivran.
Duibhrium . . . . . . . . . . . . Dniv-rinn.
Dun
Doon.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Eimher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aevir.
Emhain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Avvin.
Eochaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eohee.
Eoghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Owen.
Fionnchad . . . . . . . . . . . . Finn-ach-a.
Fodha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6la.
Fodla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fola.
Gallimh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gol-yiv.
Glas Gaibhnenn . . . . . . . . Glos Gov-nan.
Leith Laeig . . . . . . . . . . . . Leh Laeg.
Loch Dairbhreach . . . . . . Loch Darvragh.
Lugaidh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loo-ee, or Lewy.
Lugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loo.
Magh an Ionganaidh . . . . Moy-in-eean-ee.
NOTES
+ H
Magh Cuillean . . . . . . . . . Moy Cullin.
Magh Feabhail . . . . . . . . . Moy Fowl.
Magh Macraimhe . . . . . . . Moy Mucrivva.
Magh Mell . . . . . . . . . . . . Moy Mal.
Magh Rein . . . . . . . . . . . . Moy Raen.
Magh Tuireadh . . . . . . . . . Moytirra.
Manannan . . . . . . . . . . . . Mananaun.
Midhe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mee.
Midhna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Med-na.
Mochaomhog . . . . . . . . . . Mo-cweev-og.
Muadhan . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moo-auun.
Murchadh . . . . . . . . . . . . . Murachu.
Nemhnain . . . . . . . . . . . . Now-nin.
Niamh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nee-av.
Og . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Og.
Rath Medba,
or Meadhbha . . . . . . . . Ra Maev-a.
Rudraighe . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rury.
Samhain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sow-in.
Scathniamh . . . . . . . . . . . Scau-nee-av.
Sceolan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skolaun.
Searbhan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharavaun.
Sidhe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shee.
Slieve Echtge . . . . . . . . . . Sleev Acht-ga.
Tadg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teig.
Teamhair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T'yower, or Tavvir.
Tuatha de Danaan . . . . . . Too-a-ha dae Donnan.
Tuathmumhain . . . . . . . . Too-moon.
I have not followed a fixed rule as to the spelling of Irish
names; I have taken the spelling I give from various good authorities, but they vary so much that, complete accuracy not being easy, I sometimes look to custom and convenience. I use , for
instance, "Slieve" for "Sliabh," because it comes so often, and a
mispronunciation would spoil so many names. I have treated
442
IRISH MYTHS AND LEGENDS
"Inbhir" (a river mouth) in the same way, spelling it "Inver," and
even adopting it as an English word, because it is so useful. The
forty scholars of the New School of the Old Irish will do us good
service if they work at the question both of spelling and of pronunciation of the old names and settle them as far as it is possible.
V. THE PLACE NAMES
Accuill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Achill, Co. Mayo.
Aine Cliach . . . . . . . . . . . . Cnoc Aine,
Co. Limerick.
Almhuin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near Kildare.
Ath Cliath . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dublin.
Athluain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Athlone.
Ath na Riogh . . . . . . . . . . Athenry.
Badhamain . . . . . . . . . . . . Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Baile Cronin . . . . . . . . . . . Barony of Imokilty,
Co. Cork.
Banna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Bann.
Beare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Berehaven.
Beama na Eadargana . . . . Roscommon.
Beamas Mor . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Donegal.
Beinn Gulbain . . . . . . . . . Benbulban, Co. Sligo.
Beire do Bhunadas . . . . . . Berehaven.
Bel-atha-1 Senaig . . . . . . . Ballyshannon.
Belgata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In Connemara.
Benna Boirde . . . . . . . . . . Source of the Bann
and Mourne Mountains.
Berramain . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near Tralee.
Bhas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . River Bush.
Boinn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . River Boyne.
Bri Leith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Longford.
Cairbre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carbury.
NOTES
44 3
Cairgin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Three miles south of
Londonderry.
Carrthach River . . . . . . . . River Carra, near
Dunkerrin Mountains.
Ceanntaile . . . . . . . . . . . . Kinsale.
Ceiscorainn . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Sligo.
Cill Dolun . . . . . . . . . . . . Killaloe, Co. Clare.
Cliodna's Wave . . . . . . . . . At Glandore, Co. Cork.
Cluantarbh . . . . . . . . . . . . Clontarf.
Cnoc Aine . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Limerick.
Cnoc-an-Air . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Kerry.
Cnoc na righ . . . . . . . . . . Co. Sligo.
Corea Duibhne . . . . . . . . . Corcaguiny, Co. Kerry.
Corrslieve . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carlow Mountains.
Crotta Cliach . . . . . . . . . . Galtee Mountains.
Cruachan . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Roscommon.
Cruachan Aigle . . . . . . . . Croagh Patrick.
Doire a Cairn . . . . . . . . . . Der
rycam, Co. Meath.
Doire-da-Bhoth . . . . . . . . In Slieve Echtge.
Druim Cleibh . . . . . . . . . . Co. Sligo.
Druim Lis . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near Loch Gill.
Druimscarha . . . . . . . . . . . Near River Arighis,
Co. Cork.
Dun Sobairce . . . . . . . . . . Dunsevenh, Co. Antrim.
Durlas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thurles.
Ess Dara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near Sligo.
Ess Ruadh . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assaroe, Co. Donegal.
Fidh Gaible . . . . . . . . . . . Fergill, Co. Sligo.
Finntraighe . . . . . . . . . . . . Ventry.
Fionn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Finn.
Fionnabraic . . . . . . . . . . . Kilfenna, Co. Clare.
Fionntutach . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Limerick.
Fleisge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Kerry.
Gabhra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near Tara.
444
IRISH MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Gaibh athna na Fiann . . . River Leamhar, flows
from Killamey.
Gairech and Ilgairech . . . Hills near Mullingar.
Gallimh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Galway.
Gleann na Caor . . . . . . . . Co. Cork.
Gullach Dollairb . . . . . . . Barony of Rathconrath.
Hill of Baimech . . . . . . . . Near Killamey.
Hill of Uisnech . . . . . . . . . Co. Westmeath.
Inver Cechmaine . . . . . . . East coast of Ulster.
Inver Colpa . . . . . . . . . . . Drogheda.
Inver Slane . . . . . . . . . . . . N .E. of Leinster.
Irrus Domnann . . . . . . . . Erris, Co. Mayo.
Island of Toraig . . . . . . . . Tory Island, Co. Donegal.
Laoi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . River Lee.
Leith Laoi . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leitrim.
Linn Feic . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near Slaney.
Loch Bel Sead . . . . . . . . . . Co. Tipperary.
Loch Ce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Roscommon.
Loch Dairbhreach . . . . . . Loch Derryvaragh,
Co. Westmeath.
Loch Deirg Dheire . . . . . . Loch Derg on the
Shannon.
Loch Eime . . . . . . . . . . . . Loch Erne.
Loch Feabhail. . . . . . . . . . Loch Foyle.
Loch Lein . . . . . . . . . . . . . Killamey.
Loch Orbson . . . . . . . . . . Loch Corrib.
Loch na-n Ean . . . . . . . . . In Co. Roscommon.
Lough Neatach . . . . . . . . . Loch Neagh.
Luimneach . . . . . . . . . . . . Limerick.
Maev Mhagh . . . . . . . . . . Plain about Loughrea.
Magh Cobha . . . . . . . . . . Iveagh, Co. Down.
Magh Cuilenn . . . . . . . . . Moycullen, Co. Galway.
Magh Femen . . . . . . . . . . Co. Tipperary.
Magh Larg . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Roscommon.
Magh Leine . . . . . . . . . . . King's County.
NOTES
445
Magh Luirg . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Roscommon.
Magh Maini . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Wexford.
Magh Mucraimhe . . . . . . Near Athenry.
Magh Nia . . . . . . . . . . . . . Same as Magh Tuireadh.
Magh Rein . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Leitrim.
Magh Tuireadh . . . . . . . . . Moytura near Sligo, scene
of great battle, and Moytura, near Cong, scene of
first battle.
March of Finnliath . . . . . . River Lee, near Tralee.
Midhe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meath, west of Ardagh.
Mis Geadh . . . . . . . . . . . . In Bay of Erris.
Muaid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . River Moy.
Muc-inis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Muckinish,
off Connemara.
Nas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Naas.
Nern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Nern.
Oenach Clochan . . . . . . . Morristown, Co.
Limerick.
Osraige . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ossory.
Paps of Dana . . . . . . . . . . Co. Kerry.
Ponlairge . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waterford.
River Maigh . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Limerick.
Ros da Shioleach . . . . . . . Limerick.
Ruirlech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liffey.
Samair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R. Cumhair,
runs through Bruff.
Sionnan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . River Shannon.
Siuir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . River Suir, Co. Tipperary.
Siuir and Beoir
and Berba . . . . . . . . . . . Suir and Nore and Barrow.
Slieve Baisne . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Roscommon.
Slieve Bladmai . . . . . . . . . Slieve Bloom.
Slieve Buane . . . . . . . . . . . Slieve Banne, Co.
Roscommon.
446
IRISH MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Slieve Conaill . . . . . . . . . . Border of Leitrim and
Donegal.
Slieve Crot . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Tipperary.
Slieve Cua . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Waterford.
Slieve Cua and
Slieve Crot . . . . . . . . . . In Galtee Mountains.
Slieve Cuailgne . . . . . . . . . Co. Louth.
Slieve Echtge . . . . . . . . . . Co. Galway.
Slieve Fuad . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Armagh.
Slieve Guaire . . . . . . . . . . Co. Cavan.
Slieve Luchra . . . . . . . . . . Co. Kerry.
Slieve Lugha . . . . . . . . . . Co. Mayo.
Slieve Mis . . . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Kerry.
Slieve Muice . . . . . . . . . . . Co. Tipperary.
Slieve-nam-Ban . . . . . . . . Co. Tipperary.
Sligach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sligo.
Srub Bruin . . . . . . . . . . . . In West Kerry.
Sruth na Maoile . . . . . . . . Mull of Cantire.
Tailltin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telltown.
Teamhair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tara, Co. Meath.
Teunhair Luchra . . . . . . . Near Castle Island,
Co. Kerry.
The Beith . . . . . . . . . . . . . River Behy, Barony of
Dunkerrin.
The Beoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Berba.
The Islands of Mod . . . . . In Clew Bay.
The Lemain . . . . . . . . . . . River Laune, Co. Kerry.
The Muaidh . . . . . . . . . . . River Moy, Co. Sligo.
Tonn Toime . . . . . . . . . . . Toines, near Killamey.
Traigh Eothaile . . . . . . . . . Near Ballisodare.
Tuathmumain . . . . . . . . . . Thomond.
Ui Chonaill Gabhra . . . . . Co. Limerick.
Ui Fiachraih, Fiachraig . . Co. Mayo.
Wave of Rudraighe . . . . . Bay of Dundrum.
Document Outline
Covers
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Contents Preface by William Butler Yeats
PART ONE: The Gods Book I. The Coming of the Tuatha de Danaan Chapter 1. The Fight with the Firbolgs
Chapter 2. The Reign of Bres
Book II. Lugh of the Long Hand Chapter 1. The Coming of Lugh
Chapter 2. The Sons of Tuireann
Chapter 3. The Great Battle of Magh Tuireadh
Chapter 4. The Hidden House of Lugh
Book III. The Coming of the Gael Chapter 1. The Landing
Chapter 2. The Battle of Tailltin
Book IV. The Ever-Living Living Ones Chapter 1. Bodb Dearg
Chapter 2. The Dagda
Chapter 3. Angus Og
Chapter 4. The Morrigu
Chapter 5. Aine
Chapter 6. Aoibhell
Chapter 7. Midhir and Etain
Chapter 8. Manannan
Chapter 9. Manannan at Play
Chapter 1
0. His Call to Bran
Chapter 11. His Three Calls to Cormac
Chapter 12. Cliodna's Wave
Chapter 13. His Call to Connla
Chapter 14. Tadg in Manannan's Islands
Chapter 15. Laegaire in the Happy Plain
Book V. The Fate of the Children of Lir
PART TWO: The Fianna Book I. Finn, Son of Cumhal Chapter 1. The Coming of Finn
Chapter 2. Finn's Household
Chapter 3. Birth of Bran
Chapter 4. Oisin's Mother
Chapter 5. The Best Men of the Fianna
Book II. Finn's Helpers Chapter 1. The Lad of the Skins
Chapter 2. Black, Brown, and Grey
Chapter 3. The Hound
Chapter 4. Red Ridge
Book III. The Battle of the White Strand Chapter 1. The Enemies of Ireland
Chapter 2. Cael and Credhe
Chapter 3. Conn Crither
Chapter 4. Glas, Son of Dremen
Chapter 5. The Help of the Men of Dea
Chapter 6. The March of the Fianna
Chapter 7. The First Fighters
Chapter 8. The King of Ulster's Son
Chapter 9. The High King's Son
Chapter 10. The King of Lochlann and His Sons
Chapter 11. Labran's Journey
Chapter 12. The Great Fight
Chapter 13. Credhe's Lament
Book IV. Huntings and Enchantments Chapter 1. The King of Britain's Son
Chapter 2. The Cave of Ceiscoran
Chapter 3. Donn, Son of Midhir
Chapter 4. The Hospitality of Cuanna's House
Chapter 5. Cat-Heads and Dog-Heads
Chapter 6. Lomna's Head
Chapter 7. Ilbrec of Ess Ruadh
Chapter 8. The Cave of Cruachan
Chapter 9. The Wedding at Ceann Slieve
Chapter 10. The Shadowy One
Chapter 11. Finn's Madness
Chapter 12. The Red Woman
Chapter 13. Finn and the Phantoms
Chapter 14. The Pigs of Angus
Chapter 15. The Hunt of Slieve Cuilinn
Book V. Oisin's Children
Book VI. Diarmuid Chapter 1. Birth of Diarmuid
Chapter 2. How Diarmuid Got His Love-Spot
Chapter 3. The Daughter of King Under-Wave
Chapter 4. The Hard Servant
Chapter 5. The House of the Quicken Trees
Book VII. Diarmuid and Grania Chapter 1. The Flight from Teamhair
Chapter 2. The Pursuit
Chapter 3. The Green Champions
Chapter 4. The Wood of Dubhros
Chapter 5. The Quarrel
Chapter 6. The Wanderers
Chapter 7. Fighting and Peace
