‘And what do the forsaken lands of Fir Ros hold? There is no settlement there that I have ever heard of.’
‘It is nomadic territory. Under the leadership of Gleor Red-Hand. He was once a friend and ally to my father before they had a falling out. Now he disassociates himself of any interaction with Clann Baoiscne but he and I remain on positive terms.’ She pursed her lips in silent reflection. ‘There is also a matter of a debt that is owed, one on which I must now call. When Ráth Bládhma returns to strength, I will accompany you there myself. I will solicit his assistance.’
From the hostility of her expression, it was clear that Muirne was unhappy with the proposed arrangement but she was not foolish enough to ignore the determined set to the faces surrounding her. There would be no alternative. She looked coldly at Bodhmhall. ‘As a refugee,’ she said, bitterness tainting her voice, ‘I am dependent on your goodwill and have little say in the decision. Very well. We will travel with you to Fir Ros.’
Bodhmhall returned the Flower of Almhu’s glare with a stony expression.
‘You misunderstand, Muirne. You will be travelling to Fir Ros. The babe remains at Ráth Bládhma.’
Muirne Muncháem’s eyes widened then flared in wrath. ‘No! An Cailleach Dubh! Crone of treachery!’
The bandraoi displayed no emotion at the other woman’s outburst. ‘You must see reason, Muirne. Your enemy seeks a woman and a young babe living amongst strangers. Even far to the north-east they can locate you by that simple description and can then send their lackeys to confirm any suspicion. We will take you east towards Dún Baoiscne and you will carry a blanket formed to resemble the babe. When sufficient word had spread of your passage we will discard the blanket, amend your appearance and veer north. I have herbs that will change the colour of your hair.’
But Muirne was not listening. She had risen to her feet and stood to confront Bodhmhall with unconcealed fury. ‘If my child does not accompany me then I do not travel to Fir Ros. If you withdraw your offer of sanctuary I will return to Dún Baoiscne.’
‘That option no longer remains either, cousin. You are not of Clann Baoiscne. Tréanmór will give you and the babe to Clann Morna in an instant if he can make advantage of the matter. They will kill the babe. You know this. It is why you came to Ráth Bládhma in the first place.’
Muirne’s hands formed fists of desperation and she trembled with rage but nothing could refute what Bodhmhall had told her.
‘You intend to steal my child. You cannot have a brat of your own so you would steal the babe of a defenceless woman.’
‘Come, Muirne. You sell yourself short. You are hardly defenceless woman. Consider the death that follows in whatever place you tread.’
With that, the bandraoi got to her feet. It was clear that for her at least the discussions were finished. She made to head for the roundhouse where Liath Luachra and the other wounded still awaited her but then paused to look back at the white-faced Flower of Almhu. ‘Muirne Muncháem, I warned you once that there would be a price to pay for the survival of your child. At the time you indicated your willingness. Now we know with certainty the price that you must pay.’
***
The story will continue in Book Two, Fionn: Traitor of Dún Baoiscne.
Thanks for taking the time to read Fionn: Defence of Ráth Bládhma. If you enjoyed the story I’d really appreciate if you could take the time to leave even a 1-2 sentence review. Reviews are critical for niche authors like me and every one of them helps enormously.
Basic Pronunciation Guide:
Characters :
Muirne Muncháem:
This is pronounced roughly as ‘Mir-neh’ and ‘Mun – cawm’ in English. I’d recommend checking the audio guide at irishimbasbooks.com.
Bodhmhall ua Baoiscne:
This is pronounced ‘Bough-val’ (the ‘mh’ in Irish produces a ‘v’ sound). There’s really no easy way of pronouncing ‘Baoiscne’ for non–Gaelic speakers. Please just check out the audio guide at irishimbasbooks.com
Aodhán
Aodhán is pronounced ‘ay-dawn’ in English (‘ay’ as in ‘hay’). The ‘á’ in Irish usually has an ‘aw’ sound (see also Ráth Bládhma below).
Bearach:
Bearach is roughly pronounced ‘Bar-uk’ in English (‘uk’ as ‘yuck’)
Liath Luachra:
This is pronounced ‘Lee-ah’ (the ‘th’ is silent) and ‘Luke-rah’ in English
Fiacail mac Codhna:
This is pronounced as ‘Feek-ull mack Cow-nah’ in English.
Place names
Ráth Bládhma:
This is pronounced ‘Raw Blaw-mah’ in English (the ‘th’ and the ‘dh’ are silent. Irish speakers love long silences – not!)
Dún Baoiscne:
‘Dún’ sounds like ‘Dune’ in English. Again, for ‘Baoiscne’ I’d recommend you go to the audio guide at irishimbasbooks.com.
Seiscenn Uarbhaoil:
Again, quite difficult for non-Gaelic speakers. Seiscenn sounds like ‘shesh-ken’ but best to check this out at the website pronunciation guide.
Historical and Creative Note:
When I first started writing the Fionn mac Cumhaill series, one of my key goals was to try and recreate – as far as possible – the constant sense of danger or menace that people of second century Ireland (the approximate period within which the Macgnímartha Finn activities take place) would have had to live with. A key part of getting that across was to include a sense of the overwhelming impact of the environment (the Great Wild) on a pre-technology people.
In the time period in which the story is set, the population of the country was substantially smaller then it is at present. Significant parts of the country were unoccupied and much of it was extremely difficult to traverse due to great forests, bogs and waterways. The country was infested with wolves, and although there is some evidence of trade with current day Great Britain, Europe and even Mediterranean countries, many people – particularly those towards the interior of the country – would have had little knowledge of the world beyond their immediate surroundings. Their lives were full of danger not only from the environment but also from the biggest risk of all – other people. Hence, the development of defensive habitats such as the ráth (pronounced ‘raw’ in English).
Essentially, ráth were circular settlements enclosed by one or more earthen banks and ditches. The banks were usually constructed using upcast dirt from the ditch; an effective way of creating a second defensive structure for the effort of a single one. On occasion, the inner bank was also topped with a timber palisade which made entry even that much more difficult.
Because of their relative simplicity in terms of design and construction, the ráth was a common defensive structure for those with the necessary resources in terms of manpower and there are more than 60,000 surviving examples of them identified in Ireland alone. The vast majority of the recorded ráth date back to a period between 500 and 900 A.D. so setting a ráth siege situation towards the end of the second century (as in Defence of Ráth Bládhma) might be considered to stretch the truth a little. In fact, it’s not too much of a stretch as there’s some clear evidence of much earlier prehistoric ráth activity (as well as substantial later re-use of the structures into the late and post-Medieval periods).
Some people may be familiar with other terms for ráth. In the west of Ireland, for example, where stone was much more prevalent and the rocky soil made ditches that much harder to dig, stone versions of the ráth (called caiseal) were used. These generally consisted of a large circular stone wall with huts at the interior and a number of supporting external buildings. Sometimes, in modern Ireland, people refer to a ráth as a lis (lios) but this actually refers to the enclosed circular courtyard.
Ráth were probably preceded in most cases by open settlements which became more defensive as the population grew and the need for protection became necessary. Although sometimes known as a ‘ringforts’ this is really a poor description as the
y were usually agricultural settlements as opposed to martial structures. The defensive structures tended to defend the inhabitants and their cattle – their most prized possessions – against predators such as wolves and occasionally (if they were unlucky) raiders. They certainly weren’t designed for warfare.
The inhabitants of a ráth were largely self-sufficient and it is wasn’t uncommon in the early medieval period (when the population had increased substantially) to have neighbouring ráth who would trade with each other. The traces of iron and bronze workings found through archaeological excavation also so suggest that some ráth had very specific uses (in terms of manufacturing centres) while others were multifunctional.
With the passing of centuries, the basic facts about ráth became lost or confused. Later generations in Ireland – particularly those in the deeper countryside – could see these significant structures within their local area and, not knowing what they, came up with alternative rationales to explain them (usually as sidhe or fairy rings/fairy forts).
Brian O’Sullivan
If you’re interested in progress on the next book in the series (and others), aspects of the creative process, bits and bobs on Irish mythology and other articles, please feel free to sign up to my monthly newsletter Vóg at Imbas Newsletter.
Other Books by Brian O’Sullivan
See Brian’s blog and website at irishimbasbooks.com for contact details and updates on new and upcoming titles.
Beara: Dark Legends
[The Beara Trilogy – Book 1]
Nobody knows much about reclusive historian Muiris (Mos) O’Súilleabháin except that he doesn’t share his secrets freely.
Mos, however, has a “sixth sense for history, a unique talent for finding lost things”.
Reluctantly lured from seclusion, Mos is hired to locate the final resting place of legendary Irish hero, Fionn mac Cumhaill. Confronted by a thousand year old mystery, the distractions of a beguiling circus performer and a lethal competitor, Mos must draw on his knowledge of Gaelic lore to defy his enemies and survive his own family history in Beara.
Beara: Dark Legends is the first in a trilogy of unforgettable Irish thrillers. Propulsive, atmospheric and darkly humorous, Beara: Dark Legends introduces an Irish hero like you’ve never seen before. Nothing you thought you knew about Ireland will ever be the same again.
A sample of what the reviewers say:
“A great tale with all the elements of a "Who dunnit" all woven into modern and ancient Irish history and mythology.”
“Fantastic book – couldn’t put it down. A 'MUST' read! original Irish thriller, historical novel, mystery novel, best book I’ve read in years.”
“O’Sullivan has done an amazing job of introducing a culture that many would say is dying and using it as the basis for a unique and exciting thriller. I think I‘ve learned more about Irish history and the Irish language in this one book than I have in many years of school and television, without it once feeling forced or jaded.”
“A great mixture of a strong story and strong characters, dark (some very dark) themes and wonderfully evocative descriptions of the wild Irish landscape, interspersed with ancient Irish lore running throughout the book.”
“Excellent story, very well throughout, many twists and turns that weren't expected. Thoroughly enjoyed the main character Mos and his no nonsense-take no crap attitude to life, he says what most of us often probably think but are too polite to say, highly entertaining!”
“O'Sullivan's cast of international characters enliven this tale of archaeological intrigue, magic, murder and sex, set mainly in West Cork, Ireland. Dual story lines, across different time zones, reveal secrets of Irish spirituality, ancient lore and language.”
Available HERE
Fionn: Traitor of Dún Baoiscne:
[The Fionn mac Cumhaill Series – Book 2]
Ireland: 198 A.D. Six years have passed since the brutal attack on the community of Ráth Bládhma. The isolated valley of Glenn Ceoch is at peace once more but those who survived still bear the scars of that struggle.
Now, new dangers threaten the settlement.
Troubling signs of strangers have been discovered in the surrounding wilderness. Disgraced druid Bodhmhall fears a fresh attempt to abduct her talented nephew. A summons from the fortress of Dún Baoiscne sets them on a perilous traverse of the Great Wild where enemies, old and new, await them.
And Muirne has returned to reclaim her son.
Come what may, there will be blood.
Based on the ancient Fenian Cycle texts, the Fionn mac Cumhaill Series recounts the fascinating and pulse-pounding tale of the birth and adventures of Ireland’s greatest hero, Fionn mac Cumhaill.
A sample of what the reviewers say:
“An impressive follow on from the first of the series. Once again I love the descriptive scenery, you walk but mostly run with the characters through the Great Wild.”
“I slipped back into the story of Fionn mac Cumhaill as though I had never been away. Again such a strong sense of place, culture, and magic, woven together with wonderful characters, both good and evil, and an un-put-downable plot. I can't think of anything else I've read that so successfully makes the fantastic so believable.”
“Like the first volume, this book delivers edge-of-your-seat thrills and is written in a welcoming style meant to draw you in from the first page. O'Sullivan transports us back to the misty beginnings of Ireland, a land of forest and bog and sea, of druids and superstition, supernatural happenings and warring tribes sequestered in hill forts.”
“The yin and yang relationship between the two female protagonists in these books is particularly captivating. Liath Luachra, the warrior woman, plays foil to Bodhmhall, the wise and considered leader, as they face violent and uncertain times.”
Available HERE
Liath Luachra: The Grey One
[The Irish Woman Warrior Series: Book One]
Ireland 188 A.D. A land of tribal affiliations, secret alliances and treacherous rivalries. Youthful woman warrior Liath Luachra has survived two brutal years with mercenary war party “The Friendly Ones” but now the winds are shifting.
Dispatched on a murderous errand where nothing is as it seems, she must survive a group of treacherous comrades, the unwanted advances of her battle leader and a personal history that might be her own undoing.
Clanless and friendless, she can count on nothing but her wits, her fighting skills and her natural ferocity to see her through.
Woman warrior, survivor, killer and future guardian to Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhaill – this is her story.
“Dark, dangerous and strikingly original.”
A sample of what the reviewers say:
“A fast-paced traverse through bush trails and battles with a female heroine who is commanding and fascinating.”
“In the legends of Fionn mac Cumhaill, Liath Luachra is an intriguing name with minimal context, but in Brian O'Sullivan's adaptions she becomes a most fascinating and formidable character in her own right. Her backstory is a great read; brigands and bloodshed, second-guessings and double-crossings. This is an Ancient Ireland that is entrancing and savage, much like Liath Luachra herself.”
“The plotting is riveting – full of twists and turns – and the action is full on, hell for leather. If you like Games of Thrones style dramas with a strong splash of Celtic culture, this is a book you’ll enjoy.”
“A fantastic read I couldn't put down. The warrior woman Liath Luachra is truly a woman of strength and courage with an amazing will to survive. A story with bloody battles and an in-depth look into the brutal lives of clans which I found fascinating and compelling. It had a great twist and has made me want to read more about this truly remarkable woman and what she does next.”
Available HERE
or reading books on Archive.
Fionn- Defence of Ráth Bládhma Page 33
