Along the Duhallow Way you will find signs with fragments of Irish bardic poetry about specific places along the walk. This page is for those who are curious to experience the full poems in Irish and their English translations. Duhallow is home to an ancient and ongoing bardic tradition. Our poetry contains rich descriptions of prehistory, the beauty of the landscape, and the hardships of living in a warrior society. Our poetry sustained us and reminds us who we are and where we came from, it is a compass in rough seas. Though several attempts were made to outlaw the craft our ancestors tended poetry as an act of defiance and resilience.
Gofraidh Fionn Uí Dhálaigh, Ballydaly, and Claragh Mountain
Gofraidh Fionn Uí Dhálaigh was a poet of the highest order in the 14th century. He was from the Ballydaly Baile Uí Dhálaigh area named after the hereditary bardic family that trained bards in poetry schools for centuries in the area. The great poets of Ulster would often recite his works to impress their noble audiences and referred to him has ‘prophetic Gofraidh… weaver of perfect artistry.’ Based on evidence from his poetry and local oral tradition, it is believed that his home was in the Ráth (Ringfort) pictured above to the West of Claragh Mountain.
Is mé Gofraidh mac meic Thaidhg,
A-ndeas ó Mhumhain Mhíonaird;
Tearc trá ón lios i luighim
gá dtá fios a bhfiafruighim.
I am Gofriadh, son of the son of Tadhg,
from the south, from a smooth green height in Munster; there are few who know the answers to what I ask, from the lios where I lie!
Gofraidh had lands in the present-day townlands of Ballydaly and Claraghbeg at the time when the Uí Chaoimh were the lords in Ballydaly and the surrounding area of Claragh. Gofraidh would have been trained in the Gaelic bardic order and trained for 12 years, moving up the 7 grades of Filí (poet) to become an Ollamh. Uí Dhálaigh would have served Gaelic chiefs and Anglo-Norman lords. In the Annals of the Four Masters Gofraidh is mentioned as Ollam Érenn. “M. 1387 Godfrey Finn O’Daly, Chief Poet of Ireland Died.”
Gofraidh composed a poem about The Hill of Claragh after his close friend died in a battle on the mountain. He references the body of Irish mythology that he would have been trained to memorise, and an 8th century Old Irish poem entitled Reicne Fothaid Canainne which involves a battle that happened at Féic, the sloped nook to the NE from the summit at the base of Claragh’s cliff. Although he is saddened by the sight of the mountain the poem uses honorific language to address the mountain directly indicating he is speaking to the mountain as a living being.
A chnuic thoir re traoibh Ealla | O Hill Yonder Near Duhallow
by Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh.
Gaelainn
1.
A chnuic thoir re taoibh Ealla
fa dtáid aicme Oilealla,
giodh ’mud bhruach do hoileadh inn,
fuath dot oirear im inntinn.
2.
Is tú cnoc na ndéar dhúin-ne,
a thulac ard fhéarnúide;
is mó théid ar dhéaraibh dhamh
t’fhéaghain iná ar mhéid mean man.
3.
Ni guth oram dimbriogh dhuit,
a Cláraigh Ealla orrdhruic;
a-taoi ar n-am chrádh, a chnoic thoir,
do bhaoi i ndán duit a dhéanaimh.
4.
A Cláraigh, is tú an tulach
mar thuit an Fionn Forbharach;
mo grádh nó gur thuit red thaoibh,
a chnuic a-tám do thathaoir.
5.
Mac Diarmuda -Dia do chor-
do tairngireadh go dtiocfadh
dá lot as bhrú do bhearna;
is tú cnoc na cinneamhna.
6.
An lá tugadh thort a ndeas
an chreach ler ceileadh m’áineas
frioth basgadh id chuim, a chnuic,
is trasgradh do chloinn Chormuic.
7.
Don turbhaidh thug ar an dtóir
i n-ucht Cláraigh i gceadóir
marbhthair ‘gun ghéig gach nar ghabh
gabhthair an méid nar marbhadh.
8.
Diobhraigis duine don tóir
mac riogh Mis-mairg dar chusbóir
- gur bháidh inn tar a déis dairt
d’éis an áir thinn do thabhairt.
9.
Éanghoin duaibhseach na dairte
ni feas fear a diobhraichte;
torchair lé flaithbhile Fáil
achd ré n-aithrighe d’fhagháil.
10.
Aithghin an té thorchair ann
achd an flaith Fathadh Canann
nior thuit tiomchall do ghleanna,
a chnuic fhionnchlann Óilealla.
11.
Ar ngabháil ghiall an domhain
dó go hÉirinn n-éarlamhaigh
‘mud chaomhachadh, a chnuic thall.
do thuit caomh Fhathadh Canann.
12.
Do thuitsead re taoibh th’imil
Fathadh agus Féidhlimidh;
tugais d’Éirinn, a chnuic,
cor ‘nar thuit Féilim is Fathadh.
13.
Féidhlimidh mac mheic Domhnaill
fuair goin ‘n-a guin anfhorlainn
ar an bhfánaidh uaid i-le,
a Chláraigh, ‘s a ruaig roimhe.
14.
Fathadh Canann ceann an tsluaigh
ar an uilinn uiad sor-thuaidh
do thuit ar gcaithimh a chleath,
a chnuic, le maithibh Muimhneach.
15.
Beann Oilill airdriogh Mumhan
- toisg dá dtáinig mórphudhar -
rug Fathadh - ni feis gan bhrón -
leis ar athadh ‘s ar éalódh.
16.
Táinig is an gcnuc ad-chi
i n-a aghaidh an t-airdri;
do bhaoi brath ‘gun fhoirinn air
gur laoi is Oilill cath Cláraigh.
17.
Caoga mac riogh na rosg mall
leathtrom é d’Fhathadh Canann
gér chalma neart flatha Fáil
‘s na seacht gcatha ‘n-a chomhdháil
18.
Gá dú achd fuair Fathadh Canann
bás ann d’éis a mhórtharann;
ni dhó gér dhluigh a chaoine
as mhó fhuil ar n-eagcaoine.
19.
Do bhi i ndán i n-a dhiadh soin
an dara gleo ar ghurt Cláraigh;
an céadchath nior theo gér the
iná an gleo éachtach eile.
20.
Fear croidhe náraigh neimhmin
mac na flatha Féidhlimidh;
fachain anfaidh d’fhás ar loch
bás I Charthaigh I gClárach.
21.
Dursan leam a los Fhéilim
na tréidhe tá ar seinÉirinn;
milleadh fás a craobhchall gcuir
bás a saórchlann ‘ma sliabhaibh.
22.
Re bás an churadh Con Raoi
ar Sléibh Mis- mana déarchaoi -
bás an fhéil chreachnáraigh dhuinn
ar Sléibh seanChláraigh samhluim.
23.
Ar Sléibh fuaid fuair a roghuin
Cúmhsgraidh Meann mhac Conchobhair;
Do thuit ionnshamhail an fhir
Ar fhionnghaidh chnuic Chláraigh.
24.
Diarmuid ar Beann Ghulban Ghuirt
do thuitim re péisd bpriomhthuirc
[cointinn] is géirrinn dá ghoin
Féilim ar chnoicbheinn Chláraigh.
25.
Muircheartach Mór mhac Earca
is Féidhlimidh finnEachtgha
frioth a n-árach leath ar leath
im Chlárach is im Chleiteach.
26.
Ri Éireann dar b’ainm Dá Thi
marbh ar Sléibh Alpa an t-airdri
frioth oilbhéim re samhluigh soin
ar coirrShléibh challghoin Chláraigh.
27.
Tri meic Tuireann - tearc nar chaoin -
tuitsead im Chnuc mac Miodhchaoin;
mó chaoinim do thuitim thoir
ar maoilinn chnuicfhinn Chláraigh.
28.
Créad fa mbeinn ar bruach t’imil,
A chnuic thall, d’éis Fhéidhlimidh?
San chnuc thealghlas nó gur thuit
Nior deaghlas rut, a rochnuic.
29.
Do shiol Bhriain do bhuing Teamhraigh
lucht marbhtha mheic Thoirdhealbhaig;
tug fhás ar orchradhaibh slóigh
bás Conchobhair i gCaolmhóin.
30.
Go dtorchair tighearna an chnuic
Art Ó Caoimh cneas mar bhánchuip
frioth an-allan bruit is ba
it fharradh, a chnuic chéadna.
31.
A Cláraigh, ceileabhradh dhuit;
ag súd mé uait, a ardchnuic,
fear nach seachnann comhlann cleath.
go Domhnall gcleathchorr gCairbreach.
32.
Gé taoi, a ThéaGhaimh, a chnuic thiar,
eadrainn is an fhionn foiltfhiar
go hEoghan dleaghair dola
leomhan Bhealaigh Bhóromha.
33.
A chnuic thiar ga dtá Buadhach,
is tú an dumha deaghdhuanach;
samhail Chrot gCliach ar chaoimhe
an cnoc ós iath Fhormhaoile
34.
A chnuich ós chionn Locha Léin
gá bhfuil Tadhg na dtreas n-aigmhéil,
gar dhuit is dóigh mo thochta
a chnuic mhóir, a Mhangarta.
35.
Sealbh Dhileas Domhnaill I Chaoimh
tú, a chnuic uaine an fheoir bharrchlaoin;
mo chean duit tre robhaidhbh rath,
a chnuic dan comhainm Clárach
36.
A Shléibh Luachra don leith thuaidh
i riacht Mór min an bhanshluaigh,
id ghoire ’s dóigh mo dhola
tre Mhóir Mhoighe Mhucromha.
37.
Freagarthar linn lion ar slóigh
o shlóighheadh go Sliabh Si-óin;
Mhichéal oirn bhus fhear garma
seadh ’n-a mhoirn ni miotharbha.
A chnuic
English
1.
O hill yonder near (Duh)allow around
where the scions of Aillill dwell,
though we have been reared close to you
my mind is full of hatred of you.
2.
O lofty grassy hillock, you are the hill
of tears for us. The sight of you cause
tears to me instead of giving me an uplift.
3.
O illustrious Clara of (Duh)allow, I am not to be blamed if I show you no respect;
O hill in the east, you have tormented me -
that was your destiny.
4.
O Clara, you are the hillock where
Fionn Forbharach fell;
now that my love fell at your side,
O hill, I complain you.
5.
It was foretold that the sons of Dermot
- mishap enough - would come to be
slain in the middle of your gap!
You are the hill of destiny.
6.
The day that the “creach” which clouded my happiness came about you from the south,
destruction occurred in your embrace,
O hill, and the family of Cormac was laid low.
7.
In front of Clara at first the youth by
his attack killed all whom he did not
seize; all who were not killed were captured.
8.
When the bloody slaughter had been
wrought, one of the rout shot a dart at
the son of the King of Mis, and the
driven dart overwhelmed us.
9.
By the one accursed wound of the dart
- nobody knows who shot it
– 14 the princely scion of Inis Fáil fell,
with only time to do penance.
10.
O hill of the fair family of Aillill,
nobody like the one who fell,
save only Fotha Canann,
ever fell about your glen.
11.
Beautiful Fotha Canann brought hostages
from all over the world to Ireland
of the patrons, and yet he fell in your fair field, O yonder hill.
12
Fotha and Feilim fell at your side;
you tricked Ireland,
O hill, by the fall of
Feilim and Fotha.
13
Feilim,
the grandson of Donall was wounded grievously,
on the slope his side of you,
O Clara, as he pursued the enemy
14
Fotha Canann, the leader of the host,
in the nook north east of you,
fell having cast his javelins,
O hill, at the hands of the Munster nobles.
15
Fotha carried off the wife of Aillill,
High King of Munster-a sorrowful
assignation-with him for some time;
great misfortune resulted.
16
The High King came to fight him
on the hill you see; He had been
betrayed by his enemies;
He and Aillill fought the battle of Clara.
17
There came in seven battalions to
meet him, fifty sons of the king of steady eye;
It was an unequal contest for Fotha Canann,
though the warrior of Fail was brave.
18
To cut the story short - Fotha Canann fell,
having been severely wounded.
Though he deserves lament, he is not the chief object of my weeping.
19
Thereafter another battle
was due on Clara’s field; though the first battle was hotly contested,
not hotter was it than the other
20
The son of the Prince Feilim was a man of modest heart, yet doughty the death
of the son of O’Carthach at Clara
caused tempest on the lake.
21
Because of Feilim, I am saddened by the three accomplishments of old Ireland - destruction, the laying waste of its hazel branches and the death of its noble families on its mountains.
22
I compare the death of the noble generous swarthy, one on the hill of old Clara
to the death of Cú Raoi on Sliabh Mis
- token of woe.
23
Cúmhsgraidh Meann, son of Conor,
was seriously wounded on the Fews.
one like him fell
on the fair surface of Clara hill.
24.
Diarmuid fell on Benbulben’s slopes by the monster primal boar.
Feilim fell on the mountainside of Clara, having been wounded by a sharp point.
25
Muircheartach, son of Earc
and Feilim of bright
Aughty fell, respectively,
at Clara and at Cletech.
26
Dáithi, High King of Ireland, died on the Alps:
A similar blow occurred
on the jagged mountain of
Clara with its fair hazels.
27
Few have not lamented the death of the three sons of Tuirenn on the hill of the son of Midchaoin. I lament more earnestly the one who fell on the slope of the fair eastern hill of Clara.
28
After the death of Feilim, why should I linger at your borders, O yonder hill? I never parted from you, O noble hill, till the lamented fell on your green mossy slope.
29
The killers of the son of Torlough were of the seed of Brian who razed Tara; The death of Conor at Caolmhóin increased the havoc wrought on multitudes.
30
Till Art O’Caoimh, of skin froth
- white fell, raiment and kine
were 15 available close by you,
O hill already mentioned.
31
O Clara, I salute you;
I am off away from you,
O high hill, off to one who does not refuse battle, Dónal of the polished spears of Carbery.
32
Though you are, O western hill,
O winter Tara, between us and the fair sleek-haired one, I have to go to Eoghan,
the lion of Ború’s path.
33
O western hill, where Buadach resides,
you are the well sung abode,
the like of Crot Cliach, for beauty,
you hill which dominated the land of Formhaoil.
34
O hill above Lough Léin, by which Tadgh of the valorous feats resides,
O mighty mountain,
O Mangerton, I hope to reach you.
35
O green hill of the leaning verdure,
you are the rightful property of Dónal O’Keeffe,
hail to thee with many prayers,
O hill named Clara.
36
O Slieve Luacra to the north in the region of Mor of the female hosts;
I may go to thee through
the expanse of the Plain of Mucroimhe.
37
Let us answer the call to the muster of Mount Sion in full number. (St) Michael (The Archangel) will be the one to call us! To answer his call is most profitable.
A Bardic Education
The training of poets of the highest class was twelve years. There were 7 grades of Poet with 3 lower grades. This training would involve seven years of study to achieve the status of ollamh; the highest rank, but at this stage there was still more to learn. The curriculum involved five years of advanced study. A poet had to master advanced grammar, a great deal of Irish case law, the basic teachings of Christianity and the most poetical Bible themes, place lore (dindshenchas), an immense trove of traditional stories (the fully-equipped poet had to know 350 of them), countless model poems, a boundless complex field of metrics, diction, music, recitation, books of advanced language resources , and the historical culture of senchas.
A typical poetry school, like the Uí Dhálaigh School in Ballydaly, had a set of distinct buildings:
Teach Meabhraigh | The House of Memorisation This house was used as a study hall.
Teach Luighe | The House of Reclining These were often windowless dark huts with beds that were partitioned so students could lay while composing. The darkness was a form of sensory deprivation meant to aid the student in seeing with the mind’s eye.
Teach Breithibh | The House of Assessment It was in these houses that students would recite their exercise poems and the master would point out some of their faults.
A trained poet was expected to recite a vast body of poems and sagas of various genres seen below:
Old Irish | Modern Irish | English
tochmarca | tochmhairc | wooings
immrama | iomraimh | voyage tales
uatha | scéalta uafáis | terrors
forbassa | forbhais | sieges
airgne | ár | plunderings
fessa | féile | feasts
aitheda | athaidh | elopements
togla | toghail | destructions
aite | oidhe | deaths
tana | tána | cattle raids
catha | cathanna | battles
echtrae | eachtraí | adventure journeys
Crédé and Cael. The Great Roundhouse at Shrone
Long ago in the age of rainforests and wolves when the Fianna roamed freely, there was a round house that belonged to the most beautiful woman in Ireland, Crédé. She had many suitors that would visit to try to woo her but she would only speak with a man who could compose a poem of praise to her roundhouse. With the help of Crédé’s handmaids, Cael of the Fianna was able to compose such a poem. Excerpts of the poem can be read below. He described a roundhouse 100ft wide, green houseposts with silver carved inlay in the door mantle. The roof was thatched with bird wings of blue, yellow, brown, and crimson. A Grianán or sunny chamber with couches of silk and gold, silver and crystal posts. The home had red gold goblets, a bronze cauldron with an apple tree dropping apples into the brew. There were fairy birds singing from the eaves and lulling even wounded men to sleep. Crédé loved the poem, and so the two fell in love & lived happily together- until Cael fell at the battle of Ventry on the Dingle Peninsula, which is another story for another day.
Gaelainn
1.
Turas agam Dé hAoine
(Cé dtéim, is i m’fhíoraoidhe)
Go teach Chrédé (ní sníomh suaill)
Le hucht an tsléibhe anoirthuaidh.
2.
Atá i gcinneadh dom le dul ann,
Go Crédé i gCíochaibh Anann;
Go rabhad ann fá dheacraibh
Ceithre lá agus leathscheachtain.
3.
Aoibhinn an teach in atá
Idir fheara is mhaca is mná;
Idir draoi agus aos ceoil;
Idir dháileamh is dhoirseoir.
4.
Idir ghiolla scoir nach scinn
Agus ronnaire le roinn;
Atá a gcumas sin uile
Ag Crédé fhinn fholtbhuidhe.
5.
Budh aoibhinn domsa ‘na dún,
Idir chuilce agus chlúmh;
Más áil do Chrédé - do chlos -
Budh aoibhinn dom mo thuras.
6.
Síothal aici a sil sú subh
As ngníodh a braoi dubh;
Dabhcha gloine gan deasca;
Cupáin aici is caomheascra.
7.
An dath amhail dath an aoil,
Cuilce eatarthu agus aoin;
Síoda eatarthu ‘s brat gorm;
Deargór eatarthu ‘s glanchorn.
8.
A grianán ag Loch Coire
D’airgead agus d’ór buidhe.
Tuighe dhroimneach gan dochma
D’eitíbh donna ‘s deargchorcra.
9.
Dhá ursain uaine do chím
A comhla ní dochraid í;
D’airgead eachta - cian do chlos -
An crann ‘tá na fhardoras.
10.
Cathaoir Chrédé do d’láimh chlí,
Ba suairce ‘s ba suairce í;
Easair aici d’ór Alpa
Fá chosaibh a caomhleapa.
11.
Leaba luchair go gcaoine
Tá os cionn na cathaoire;
Do rinneadh ag Tuile thoir
D’ór buí is de líg lóghmhair.
12.
Leaba eile do d’láímh dheis
D’ór is d’airgead gan éisleis;
Go bpuball go mbriocht mbutha,
Go gcaomhshlataibh cré-umha.
13.
Ag teaghlach atá ‘na tigh,
Is dóibh is aoibhne do chin;
Ní glasa slioma a mbrait
Is fada fionna a bhforfhoilt.
14.
Do chodlóidís fir ghona,
Gona dtaoscaibh tromfhola,
Le héanaibh sí ag sianán
Os bordaibh a glanghrinán.
15.
Más buíoch nisa den mhnaoi -
De Chrédé dá ngaireann caí -
Mairfid níos sia a laoithe
Do mhaíomh a comaoine.
16.
Más áil le hinín Chairbre,
Ní chuirfidh mé ar cairde:
Go n-abra féin liom abhus,
‘Is mo mhórchean do d’thuras!’
17.
Céad troigheadh i dtigh Chrédé
Ón gcoirr go roich a chéile;
Is fiche troigheadh tomhais
I leithead a dea-dhorais.
18.
A hudhnacht is a tuighe
D’eitíbh éan ngorm is mbhuidhe;
A hurscar thoir ag tobar
De ghloine ‘s de charrmhogal.
19.
Ceithre uaithne um gach leaba
D’ór is d’airgead comheagair;
Geam gloine i gcionn gach uaithne
Ní hiad na ceanna anshuairce.
20.
Dabhach ann de chruan flatha
As a sil sú suaircbhracha;
Abhaill os cionn na daibhche
Go n-iomad gach tromthoirthe.
21.
An uair líontar corn Chrédé
De mheá na daibhche déine,
Titid insa chorn go ceart
Ceithre úlla in éineacht.
22.
An ceathrar úd do áiríodh,
Insa fhriotháileamh;
Éiríd Tugaid do cheathrar anonn
Deoch gach fir agus ubhall.
23.
An té ‘g a bhfuil sin uile -
Idir thráid agus tuile -
Rug Crédé a Tulchaibh trí mBeann
Ea urchair de mhnáibh Éireann.
24.
Laoi sonn chuici (ní crodh cas,
Ní dreas luite go luathbhras),
Go Crédé chruthaigh abhus -
Budh luchair léi mo thuras!
The sorrowful story of Cael and Créde (ll. 742-871)
Source: From around 1200 AD Acallam na Senórach
English
1.
A journey I make on Friday
And should I go I shall be a true guest
To Crede’s mansion not small the fatigue
At the breast of the mountain on the Northeast.
2.
It is destined for me to go there,
To Creded at the Paps of Anann;
That I be there, awaiting sentence
Four days and half a week.
3.
Happy the house in which she is,
Between men, women and children;
Between druids and musical performers;
Between cup-bearers and door-keepers.
4.
Between equerries without fear
And distributors who divide (the fare)
And over all those the command belongs
To fair Crede of the yellow hair.
5.
It would be happy for me to be at her dún,
Among her soft and downy couches;
Should Crede deign to hear (my suit)-
Happy for me would be my journey.
6.
A bowl she has whence berry juice flows
By which she colours her eyebrows black;
(She has) clear vessels of fermenting ale;
Cups she has and beautiful goblets.
7.
The colour (of her dún) is like the colour of lime,
Within it are couches and green rushes;
Within it are silks and blue mantles;
Within it are red gold and crystal cups.
8.
Of its Grianán (sunny chamber) the corner stones
Are all of silver and yellow gold.
Its thatch in stripes of faultless order
Of wings of brown and crimson red.
9.
Two door-posts of green I see,
Nor is its door devoid of beauty;
Of carved silver long has it been renowned
Is the lintel that bears the door.
10.
Crede’s chair is on your left,
The pleasantest of pleasant it is;
All over a blaze of Alpine gold
At the foot of her beautiful couch.
11.
A gorgeous couch in full array
Stands directly above the chair;
It was made by (at) Tuile in the east
Of yellow gold and precious stones.
12.
There is another bed on your right hand
Of gold and silver without defect;
With curtains, with soft (pillows)
And with graceful rods of golden bronze.
13.
The household which are in her house,
To the happiest of conditions have been destined;
Grey and glossy are their garments
Twisted and fair is their flowing hair.
14.
Wounded men would sink to sleep,
Though ever so heavily teeming with blood,
With the warbling of fairy birds
From the eaves of her sunny chamber.
15.
If I am (have I cause to be) thankful to the woman=
To Crede for whom the cuckoo sings-
In songs of praise she shall ever live
If she but repay me for my gift.
16.
If it please the daughter of Cairbre,
She will not put me off until another time;
She will herself say to me here,
‘To me your journey is greatly welcome!’
17.
One hundred feet spans Crede’s house
From one angle to the other;
And twenty feet are fully measured
In the breadth of its noble door.
18.
Its portico is thatched
With wings of birds both blue, and yellow;
Its lawn in front with its well
Of crystal and of carmogal.
19.
Four posts to every bed (there are)
Of gold and silver finely carved;
A crystal gem upon each post
They are not of unpleasant heads.
20.
There is in it a vat of royal bronze
Whence flows the pleasant juice of malt;
An apple tree stands over head the vat
With an abundance of its weighty fruit.
21.
When Crede’s goblet is filled
With the ale of the noble vat,
There drop down into the cup directly
Four apples at the same time.
22.
The four attendants (distributors) that have been named,
Arise and go to the distribution;
They present to four of the guests around
A drink to each man and an apple.
23.
The master of all these things
Including ebb and flood
Has placed Crede of the twin pointed hill
A spear’s cast beyond the women of Éireann.
24.
Here is a poem for her, no mean present,
It is not a hasty rash composition
To Crede now it is here presented-
May my journey be brightness to her!
Translation by Dan Cronin, in In the Shadow of the Paps 2001.
The road to the Bardic Court at Shrone
During the penal era, bards from around Muskerry, Duhallow, and Catharach Mór would gather in secret for ‘Court’. The Bardic Court was a clandestine institution where Irish poets and intellectuals preserved and passed on traditional Gaelic culture, serving as a form of resistance to the cultural oppression imposed by the Penal Laws. The gathering would involve different poets assuming the role of ‘sheriff’, ‘bailiff’, ‘Ollamh or Judge’, ‘Filí’ or ‘Poet’, ‘Satirists’, and ‘Hosts’. Poets throughout the region would speak their poetry (like Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin) before the court and spectators. These courts were key in maintaining Irish identity, particularly in areas like Munster, where they were the heart of literary and oral traditions. The Slyguddal Pass and the Bridle Path (where the Duhallow way follows to The City of Shrone) would have been the roads taken by these poets to these gatherings. The tradition lives on in Muskerry with the annual Dáimh Scoil Mhúscraí Uí Fhloinn, and the Éigse Dhiarmuid Uí Súilleabháin. Éigse is the Irish word for Bardic Court. To this day there are still people who walk 20 km to Bealtaine Mass at Shrone from Baile Mhúirne every May.
The Battle of Féic at Claragh, Resting Place of Fothaid Canainne and Ailill Mac Eoghain
There is place below the cliffs of Claragh near Millstreet which is the site of a tragic battle between two Fianna leaders Fothaid Canainne (Connacht) and Ailill Mac Eoghain (Munster). The two men were Rígfhéinnid (Chiefs of Fianna). The battle was the result of a love affair between Fothaid and Ailill’s un-named wife. The two lovers agreed they would meet after the battle, however Fothaid and Ailill dealt fatal blows to each other. Ailill’s wife goes to the site of the battle and is greeted by Fothaid’s severed head which recites this Old Irish poem to her about his death and how all of his favourite belongings will go to her including an ornate Fidchell set. The Old Irish poem is entitled Reicne Fothaid Canainne. The exact etymology of ‘Reicne’ is still contested by scholars, but it often appears in relation to extemporaneous elegy poetry relating to someone’s death and their deeds. The full poem and its English translation by Kuno Meyer can be read below.
Reicne Fothaid Canainne
Gaelainn
1
A ben, náchamaicille!
ní friot atá mo menmo
atá mo menma colléic
isind imairiuc oc Féic.
2
Atá mo corpán crúach
i taobh Letrach dá mbrúach,
atá mo cenn cen nighe
eitir fiena for garbhslighe.
3.
Dochta do neoch dáles dáil
fácbas dáil n-éco fri láimh;
in dál dálto co Clárach
tuárnect im robánadh.
4.
Rodelbad dún, trúagh ar fecht,
for Féic doroirnedh ar lecht,
imouróiraid, bág ma liúin,
totim la hóga aniúil.
5
Ní me m’aonar im-múr thol
docóid fordal i ndáil ban,
ni ar aithbiur cid ditt ágh,
Is duáigh ar ndedhendál.
6.
Do céin doroácht do dáil,
bái gráin for mo choicne máir,
ma dofesmais bid amne,
bá assa ní tairiste
7.
Bá ó Fothud ‘na huthair
bertis co húair dorochair,
Cidh amne, níth fri fochaidh,
ní cen folad guin Fothaid.
8.
Nímrumart-sa mamasrad
fien gormainech goburglas,
a techt i nhúire adba
Dirsan dond eóchaill amra!
9.
Matis éisium batis bí,
rofestais a tigernai,
mainbad tairbad báis dímair,
lem ní bud fien cen dígail.
10.
Co a tigdáil batar lúaith,
Atcosnatis bidbad búaidh,
Foscantais raind, trom a ngáir,
Cinsit do chlaind ruirech ráin.
11.
Be hé fiallach seng subaid
Gusin aimsir hirrubaidh,
Arusfóet caill duleglass,
Ropo coigne uleamhnas.
12.
Domhnall dereedige armach,
Ba hé Lug ua fian fadbach;
Isind áth, ba dúire daol,
Is leis docer Congal Cáel.
13.
Na tri Eogain, na tri Flainn,
Batir allata éelainn,
Dorochair cethrur cech ae,
Nírbo cuibrenn drochlaige.
14.
Trait donroíg Cú Domua
Oc ascnamh a comanmo,
Faigébthair colaind Flaind Bic
I telaig inn imairic.
15.
Táthud daith comhul,
Is díograis do Choncobur,
Díograis totim nEogoin Rúaid
Frisin abaind anairthúaidh.
16
Táthud ochtar la suidiu
Airm hi fail a crólighe,
Ciarbo airmeirb lend aithli
Aithforgaibh maic Mugairni.
17.
Ni meirb dofich Falbe Flann,
Frisloic fiena a thébann,
Ieblaing Fercorb, gorm a chlí,
Co rohuice secht cétguini.
18.
Comrac Mugairnd fri Mugna,
Batar dá chuilén cholma,
Nianistísedh fien forbar,
Ropad inir a congal.
19.
Foceird a n-oman cach túaith
Cain dothfasuith Falbe Rúaidh,
Immusapthatar, gann glé,
Re cách ar ndá deogbaire.
20.
Seath már fri luga dige,
Bitsearadh fri tromthuile,
Domuiniur domruís féin
Céini rogalta in féin.
21. Dá laoch deacc tul fri tul
Bátar frim i n-imarguin,
Ní fil eidh óenfer de sin
Nátt fárcbainn i tinorguin.
22.Iarsin imcuirsim dá sleig
Meisi is Oilill mac Eogoin,
Cectar náthar díbh atbath
Amhainsi dá thenn forgabh,
Imaptha dún, ciarbo bóeth,
Ba hé comrac dá ndeglách.
23.
Ná tuinithe aidehe úath
Illeircc cter lectaibh cúan,
Ní fiu cobraim fri fer marb,
Fodruim dot daim, ber lat m’fadb
24.
Atotfugéra cech dóin
Ní bu hétach nach diehóimh,
Fúan corcra ocus léine geal,
Criss arcait, ní haiede mer.
25.
Mo sleg cóicrind, gae co fí,
Diemtar mence eétguini,
Cóicriuth co mbúale umae
Darsnatoingdis derbhlugae.
26.
Astóidfa frit, sét collí,
Finnchuách mo deogbairi,
M’órnasc, m; folaig, seóid cen táir,
Dusmbert dar muir Niá Náir.
27.
Éubá Cáilti, delg co mbail,
Ba dia aicdibh adamhraib,
Dá chonn arccait im ehoun óir,
Is acde maith ciasa fóil.
28.
Crib fódaroinn, fola fuin,
Forfleisc créduma fam muin;
Atá uile, is fodb sóer,
In t-airm i torchair mo thaobh.
29.
Is dúal deit-si, sét nách lag,
M’ fithchell, adarella lat,
Bruinnit fuel sóer for a bil,
Ni cien di sonn indasfail.
30.
Is mór colla cúan rinnech
Sán chán immo deircinnech,
Dosneim do dlúith dairpri rúaidh
I taob inn firt iniertúaith
31.
Oco cuinehid duit dolléir
Ní rob mór nolabrathar,
Ní tharla celtair talman
Dar dúil badit n-amhrathor.
32.
Leath a foirne ór buidhe,
Alaile is fiondruine,
A hindech do margarét,
Brecht la certa cía rét.
33.
Cetheoir coinnle, soillsi bán,
Ni meirv forosnat a clár,
Beuil in na tein, scél nád gó,
Ní randath na roidhmethau.
34.
A ferbolc, is amra sceúil,
De ór imdernta a beúil,
Glas forfácoibh fair in súi
Náchunursloicce nach dúi
35.
Criól chetharchuir, is fóil,
Roces de dúalaib dergóir,
Dron forfuirmedh i suide
Cét uinge do fionndruine.
36.
Ar is de dúal dergóir druin,
Dobert Dionoll cerd dar muir,
Cid óen a siball namá,
Mesa fri secht láichesa.
37.
Imostúarusbat cumni
Is di prímhaicdib Turbe,
I n-aimsir Airt, bá rí tét,
Is ann dogníth Turbi trét.
38.
Rofecht impe mór ngretha
La ríg Rómhán il Letha,
Iar n-ól fiona, ba mesc linn,
Is ann foillsighti do Find.
39.
Nícon deirgensat cerda
Aicde frisa samhlathar,
Glé lim ní forlaig híriu
Oc ríg sét bat n-amradar.
40
Dia mba trepar imma lóg,
Glé lim do chlann ni ba trógh,
Ma duscoisis, aicde druit,
Ni bo cres nach cinél duit.
41.
Atá at immunn san chan,
Mór fodb asa fordercc bol,
Dreman inathor dimar,
nodusnigh an Mórríoghan
42.
Donárlaith do bil óige,
Isí cotanasóide,
Is mór do fodboibh nigius,
Dremhan an caisgen tibhes.
42. Rolá a moing dar a hais,
Cride maith recht nodaais,
Cid gar di sund úan i mbé,
Ná fubthad uaman do gná.
44.
Mad cose dam fri gábud,
Nimgaibthi frim idsnádhud,
A banseál, nogabtha for,
Cáin bláth fa roscarsamur.
45.
Scarfat fri daonacht don mud
‘Sin madain íer maccánrud,
Airc dot daim, sonn ní ainfe,
Dofil deóidh na haidchi.
46.
Imusráidhfi neach nach ré
Reicne Fothaid Canainne,
Mo chobrad frit ní hinglae
Má imráite mo thimna.
47.
In dul bidh coimtig mo lecht
Rosáiter mai, menn in fert.
Ní hescor sáitha atchí
Dot fochuid íer t’inmuini.
48.
Scarfid frit céin mo chorp toll,
M’anum do pícnadh la donn,
Serc bethu cé is miri,
Ingi adradh Rígh numhi.
49. Is é in lon teimhen tibius
Imchomar cáich bes hires,
Síabra mo chobra, mo gné,
A ben, náchamaicillé!
A bhen.
Death Poem of Fothaid Canainne
English
1
Hush, woman! Do not speak to me!
My thoughts are not with thee.
My thoughts are still
in the encounter at Féic.
2
My bloody corpse lies
by the side of the Slope of two Brinks,
my head all unwashed is
among warrior-bands in fierce slaughter.
3
It is blindness for anyone making a tryst
to set aside the tryst with death:
the tryst that was made at Clárach
has been kept by me in pale death.
4
It was destined for me,—unhappy was my journey!—
at Féic my grave had been marked out;
it was ordained for me—sorrowful fight! to fall by warriors of another land.
5
'Tis not I alone who in the fulness of desires
have gone astray to meet a woman—
no reproach to thee, though it was for thy sake—
wretched is our last meeting!
6
I have come from afar to the tryst with thee;
there was horror upon my noble companion.14
If we had known it would be thus,
it had been easy not to persist.
7
Men were wont to bear away gifts from Fothad
who is now on his bed of death to the very hour in which he fell: even thus—a fight against fate!
the slaying of Fothad is not without benefit.
8
The noble-faced grey-horsed warrior-band
has not betrayed me [gap: meaning unclear]
Alas for the wonderful yew-forest
that they should go into the abode of clay!
9
If they had been alive,
they would have revenged their lords:
had mighty death not intervened,
this warrior-band had not been unavenged by me.
10
To their very end they were swift;
they strove ever for victory over their foes.
They would sing a stave—heavy their shout—
it was from a noble lord they sprang.
11
That was a joyous lithe-limbed band
to the very hour when they were slain:
the green-leaved forest has received them,
it was an all-fierce slaughter.
12
Well-armed Domnall, he of the red draught,
he was the Lug of the well-accoutred hosts:
by him in the ford—it was doom of death—
Congal the Slender fell.
13
The three Eogans, the three Flanns,
they were renowned outlaws;
four men fell by each of them,
it was not a coward's portion.
14
Swiftly Cú Domna reached us,
making for his name-sake:
on the hill of the encounter
the body of Flann the Little will be found.
15
Thou wilt find [...] —a ready union—
it is hard for Conchobar!
a hard fall that was of Eogan the Red's
to the north-east of the river.
16
With him where his bloody bed is
thou wilt find eight men:
though we thought them feeble,
the leavings of the weapon of Mugairne's son.
17
Not feebly fights Falbe Flann,
the play of his spear-strings withers the host;
Fercorb of radiant body leapt upon the field
and dealt seven murderous blows.
18
The combat of Mugarn with Mugna,—
two brave whelps were they;
if the puissant fian had not come to them,
their contest had been dour.
19
It casts every tribe into dread,
the fair brood of staunch Falbe the Red:
before all the rest our two cup-bearers
perished by each other's hand.
20
O great distress from lack of drink,
the parting for ever from copious plenty!
I thought thou wouldst have come to me,
though thou hadst not promised the fian.
21
Front to front twelve warriors
stood against me in mutual fight:
not one of them all remains
that I did not leave in slaughter.
22
Thereupon we exchanged spears,
I and Ailill, Eogan's son: we both of us perished thereof—Oh, the fierceness of these two stout thrusts! we perished mutually, though it was senseless; it was the encounter of two heroes.
23
Do not wait for the terror of night
on the battle-field among the resting-places of the hosts; one should not hold converse with a dead man, betake thee to thy house, carry my spoils with thee!
24
Everyone will tell thee
that it was not the raiment of a churl:
a crimson cloak and a white tunic,
a belt of silver, no paltry work.
25
My five-pronged spear, a lance with venom,
whose slaughters were many;
a shield with five circles, with a boss of bronze,
by which they used to swear binding oaths.
26
The white cup of my cup-bearer,
a shining gem, will glitter before thee;
my golden finger-ring, my bracelets, treasures without a flaw,
Nia Nár24 brought them across the sea.
27
Cáilte's brooch, a pin with luck,
it was one of his marvellous treasures:
two heads of silver round a head of gold,
it is a good piece, though it is small.
28
Quickly unclasp it—there was the end of blood-shedding!— the bronze coil around my neck:
all this—they are noble spoils—
is in the place where I fell on my side.
29
My fidchell-board, no mean treasure,
is thine; take it with thee!
Noble blood drips upon its rim,
it is not far hence where it lies.
30
Many a body of the spear-armed hosts lies
here and there around its crimson woof:
the dense bush of the ruddy oak-wood conceals it
by the side of the grave north-west.
31
As thou carefully searchest for it,
thou shouldst not speak much:
earth never covered
anything so marvellous as it.
32
One half of its figures are yellow gold,
the others are white bronze;
its woof is of pearl;
it is the wonder of smiths how it was wrought.
33
Four candle -sticks, a white light,
not feebly do they illumine its board;
grease in their fire, no false story,
[gap: meaning unclear]
34
The bag for its figures—'tis a marvel of a story—
its rim is embroidered with gold;
the master-smith has left a lock upon it
which no ignorant person can open.
35
A four-cornered casket—it is tiny—
it has been made of coils of red gold;
one hundred ounces of white bronze
have been put into it firmly.
36
For it is of a coil of firm red gold,
Dínoll the gold-smith brought it over the sea;
even one of its clasps only
has been priced at seven lay-women.
37
Memories describe it
as one of Turbe's master-works:
in the time of Art,—he was a luxurious king,—
'tis then Turbe, lord of many herds, made it.
38
Many a skirmish has been fought about it
by the king of the Romans in Latium;
after a banquet of wine,—'twas an intoxicating drink,— tis then it was revealed to Find.
39
Smiths never made any work
to which it can be compared;
earth never has hidden
with a king a jewel that is so marvellous.
40
If thou be cunning as to its price,
'tis plain to me thy children will not be miserable;
if thou hoard it, a close treasure,
no race of thine will be in want.
41
There are around us here and there
many spoils whose luck is famous;
horrible are the huge entrails
which the Mórrígan washes.
42
She has come to us from the edge of a bile (sacred tree) 'tis she who has egged us on;
many are the spoils she washes,
horrible the hateful laugh she laughs.
43
She has flung her mane over her back,
a stout heart [gap: meaning unclear] that hates her; though it is near us here where she is,
let not fear attack thy shape.
44
If hitherto I have been in peril,
[gap: meaning unclear] for my salvation;
O woman,[gap: meaning unclear]
fair was the aspect under which we parted.
45
I shall now part from all that is human,
in the morning after the band of youths.
Go to thy house, do not stay here,
the end of the night is at hand.
46
Some one will at all times remember
the reicne of Fothad Canainne;
my discourse with thee shall not be unrenowned, if thou consider my bequest.
47
Since my grave will be frequented,
let a burial mound be placed, a conspicuous tomb; no loss of labour thou seest
from thy trouble after thy love.
48
My riddled body must part from thee awhile,
my soul to be pecked by Donn.
Save for the worship of Heaven's King,
love of this world is folly.
49
It is the dusky ring ouzel that laughs
a greeting to all the faithful:
my speech, my shape are spectral—
hush, woman, do not speak to me!