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Luid Art Mac Cuind Cetchathaich

Chuaigh Art mac Coinn Chéadchathaigh

Art son of Conn of the Hundred Battles went

do thabairt catha Mucrama

le cath Mucramha a thabhairt

to fight the battle of magh mucramha

i n-aigid Meic Con.

in aghaidh Mhic Con.

against Maccon.

Is ed luid co mor-sluagaib fer n-Erenn dar Sinaind siar.

Is ann a ghabh sé le mórshlóite fir Éireann thar Sionainn siar.

Westwards over Shannon he marched with the general hosting of all Ireland,

Ro·fear didiu a aighidheacht in aidchi sin riasin cath

Chaith sé an oíche roimh an gcath *, más ea,* mar aoi

and *indeed* the night before the battle he passed as a guest

hi tig Huilc Acha in gabann.

i dteach Oilc Aiche, gahha.

in the house of Olc Acha the smith.

Batar mithurusa ocus drochraiti ann aidchi sin occo.

Bhí míthuara agus drochráite aige ann an oíche sin.

That night they had unpleasant converse and ill speeches:

Bai Olc Aichi iga rad fri Hart

Bhí Olc Aiche á rá le hArt

Olc Acha saying to Art

that for his giving battle to Maccon

narb imaircidhe ocus nar cumdid do

nach raibh sé níba chuí ná níba chirte dó

there existed no reason more convenient or fitter

cath do thabairt do Mac Con

cath a thabhairt do Mhac Con

no do Eoghan Mac Ailella Uluim

ná d’Eoghan mac Ailealla Óloim,

than there was for his engaging Olioll Olom’s son Eoghan;

ocus rob olc a fola fris

agus gurbh olc an chúis a bhí aige ina choinne siúd

that as against the former his cause moreover was bad,

ar [r]o·dlig Lugaid fiacha de.

mar go raibh fiacha ag Lughaidh (Mac Con) air.

for that Lughaid [surnamed Maccon] had certain rightful claims upon him.

“Cia met do cloind facbai-siu, a Airt?” ar in goba.

“Cé méid clainne atá á fhágáil agat, a Airt?” arsan gabha.

“What amount of children leavest thou?” the smith enquired of Art,

“Ni·forfedar,” ol Art,

“Ní fheadar éinne,” arsa Art,

who answered: “I know not of any

“acht oen-mac nama.”

“ach aon mhac amháin.”

but one son only.”

“Robec son,” olse.

“Róbheag sin,” ar sé;

“That is too little,” the smith said:

“Fæd lam ingin-sea anocht, a Airt,” ol in goba,

“luigh le m’iníon-sa anocht, a Airt,” arsan gabha,

“*Art,* this night wed thou my daughter,

“ar ata i tairrngiri dam-sa

“mar tá i dtairngire domsa

for it is prophesied for me

ordan mor do geineamain uaim.”

onóir mhór a ghiniúint uaim.”

that from me some great dignity must spring.”

Ba fir on.

Ba fhíor sin dó.

A thing which was verified,

Ba mor int ordan i. Cormac Mac Airt Meic Cuind Chetchathaich.

Ba mhór í an onóir .i. Cormac mac Airt mhic Coinn Chéadchathaigh.

for a great dignity Cormac son of Art son of Conn of the Hundred Battles was.

Faidhidh iarum in ri la Hetain ingin Uilc Achi in aidchi sin.

Ansin luigh an rí le hEadan iníon Oilc Aiche an oíche sin.

That night the king mated with Ulc Acha’s daughter Etan,

Is ann con·compred Cormac.

Is ann a coimpreadh Cormac.

and then it was that Cormac was conceived.

As·bert Art fria no·berad mac

Dúirt Art léi go mbéarfadh sí mac

Art told her that she would bear a son

ocus ro-badh ri Herenn

agus go mbeadh ina rí ar Éirinn

and that he would be king over Ireland.

ocus is ann ad·fed dí cach folach forfolaich dia tharbugud in meic

agus d’inis sé di faoi gach seoid a bhí i bhfolach aige ar mhaithe leis an mac;

Then too it was that he imparted to her all secret instructions for the boy’s behoof,

ocus as·bert fria no·mmuirfidhe arna marach

agus dúirt léi go marófaí é féin arna mhárach.

and declared to her that on the morrow he would be slain.

ocus celebraid di iar sain ocus as·bert fria:

D’fhág sé slán aici ansin agus dúirt léi:

[In the morning] he said bade her farewell, saying:

“Beir do mac for altrom co charaid do Connachtaib .i. Lugna Fir Tri hi Corann.”

“Beir do mhac leat ar altram go dtí a chara ar Chonnachta .i. Lughna Fear Trí i gCorann”.

“take thy son to his friend of Connacht, to Lughna *Fir Trí* in Corann, there to be fostered”;

Marbthar in ri iarum isin chath amal ad·fet fen.

Maraítear an rí ina dhiaidh sin sa chath mar a deir sé féin.

and as he had himself premised the king afterwards was killed in the battle.

Ba torrach didiu Etan

Bhí Eadan torrach, más ea,

Accordingly Etan proved to be with child,

ocus tanic for menmain di imtheacht co teach Lugna

agus rith sé chuici ina haigne imeacht go teach Lughna

and [in due time] it occurred to her to repair to Lughna’s house

comad ann no·thusmead in gein bai foa bruindi.

go mba ann a bhéarfadh sí an ghin a bhí ina broinn.

in order that in the same she should bring forth the offspring which she carried.

Luid iarum ina carput

D’imigh sí ansin ina carbad,

*Then she got into her chariot,

ocus oen-bean le

agus aon bhean amháin léi,

taking one maid with her,

da saighid Lughna co Corand.

go Corann ag triall ar Lughna.

and set off for Lughna in Corann.*

O ranic iarum in tir

Ach nuair a shroich sí an dúiche sin,

But so soon as she arrived within that country

do·feacaid ella idan

tháinig íona tuiste uirthi,

her pains took her,

ocus tairblingis asa carput

tháinig sí anuas dá carbad

she came down out of her chariot

ocus arsisbis mac.

agus rug sí mac.

and gave birth to a son.

Luid inn inailt ocus beanaid fidnaig fothi

Chuaigh a hionailt agus bhain fiodhnacha (brosna) fúithi

Her maid went off and pulled twigs, which she strewed under her:

conid de ata Fidnacha i Corann.

ionas gur uaidh sin atá Fiodhnacha i gCorann.

hence fiodnacha or ‘twigs,’ ‘brushwood,’ i.e. ‘Feenagh,’ in Corann.

Do·deachaid torann-bresim mor isinn ær la gen in meic.

Ghabh toirneach mhór tríd an aer le breith an mhic.

At the boy’s birth a report as of thunder boomed through the air,

As·bert Lugna ic [c]loisteacht in delma:

Dúirt Lughna ag clos an torainn:

and Lughna upon hearing the sound uttered:—

“Delm toraind,

“Deilm torainn;

“Noise — thunder

gen rig,

Gin rí,

— birth of king

tormach n-etha,

Tórmach síl,

*— increase of descendants

dibad ngua,

Scrios éithigh,

— destruction of false judgements

fermac n-ane,

Mac glórmhar,

— prosperous son

erus ceilli,

Suí céille,

— seat of wisdom

adnad fir,

Adhnadh fírinne

— inspiration of truth

dubad nach innsci.

Dubhadh ráitis.

— dark every speech.

Ticfa ith sceo blicht

Tiocfaidh arbhar agus bainne

Corn and milk will come

d’echtra Airt do thig Uilc

de thoradh eachtra Airt go teach Oilc

from Art’s journey to the house of Olc

is do gen a meic moir.

agus de ghiniúint a mhic mhóir.

and the birth of his great son.

Ad·fet neam failti suba

Fograíonn neamh fáilte shúch

The sky proclaims a joyful welcome,

ar ba sognasaig soacallma in mal mor

mar is sobhéasach so-agallaimh an mál mór

for well-mannered and affable is the great prince

is a mac.

arb é a mhac é.

who is his son.

Do·rorba nem a comaidim

Shroich a chómhaíomh neamh

His celebration has reached the sky,

dian·rocht cor ndelma.”

as ar tháinig tuairt na deilme.”

from which came the crash of thunder.”*

“Fir”, ar Lugna,

“Fíor,” arsa Lugna,

He went on: “even so:

“is e mac na fir-fhlatha Cormac Mac Airt

“is é mac an fhírfhlatha Cormac mac Airt

the true prince’s son, Cormac son of Art,

ro·genair anosa

a rugadh anois,

it is that is born now;

ocus tegam fora iarair”, arse,

agus téimis á iarraidh

let us go to seek him,

“ar is frim ro·hearbad a chomet

mar is faoi mo chúramsa a fágadh é le coimhéad

for to me it is committed to keep him

comad infhorba.”

nó go mbeidh sé inoidhreachta.”

until he shall be fit to rule the land.”

Ro·chodail

Chodail

imorro Etan a haithli na seola

Eadan, áfach, tar éis na seola

After her childbed Etan, *however,*

ocus erbais risin inailt comet in meic

agus d’fhág cúram an mhic faoin ionailt

having first enjoined her maid to mind the boy

co·roiscedh leo imtheacht.

nó go dtiocfadh leo imeacht.

till they should be able to proceed,

slept.

Cotlais didiu an inailt

Thit a codladh, áfach, ar an ionailt

The maid too slept however,

ocus do·roich chucu sad meictiri

agus tagann soith mic tíre *chucu*

and a she-wolf coming to them

ocus berid in mac le

agus beireann sí an leanbh léi

ravished the child

co hairm i·mbadar a cuilenu

go dti an áit ina raibh a coileáin,

to the spot in which were her whelps:

ocus cusan uama clochi

go dtí an uaimh cloiche

to the stone cave

fil i Cind Craibigi i Conachail.

atá i gCeann Craobhaí i gConachail.

that is hard by craeibhech or ‘locus ramosus,’ i.e. ‘Creevagh,’ at the achail

Is [s]i-side Uaim Cormaic anniub.

Sin í Uaimh Chormaic inniu.

in that which today is sídh Chormaic or ‘Cormac’s sídh.’

Diuctrais in bean iar suidiu

Dhúisigh an bhean ansin

By-and-by the woman started out of her sleep

ocus do·beir a mairg esti ar na·fuair in mac.

agus chuir mairg aisti nuair nach bhfuair sí a mac.

and, because she found not her son, cried out lamentably.

Do·roich didiu Lugna chuici

Tháinig Lughna chuici, más ea,

Here Lughna came up to her, *however,*

ocus imba·focht dib cid dia·mbadar.

agus d’fhiafraigh díobh cad a bhí orthu.

and asked them what they were about.

Raidis in ingen fris uli

D’inis an bhean óg gach ní dó,

The woman told him all:

conid dia saighidh fen do·deochaid

gur chuige féin a tháinig sí

that it was towards him she had been on her way,

ar is fris ro·hearbad in mac da altrom.

mar gur faoina chúram a fágadh an mac le altram.

for that to him it was entrusted to foster the child.

Berid Lugna les iar sin dia thig in mnai

Rug Lughna an bhean leis chun a thí ansin

Then Lughna conveyed her to his dwelling

ocus as·bert

agus dúirt sé

and gave out that,

ceb e fo·gabad do fis no forus forsin mac

cibé a gheobhadh fios nó faisnéis faoin mac

whosoever he should be that procured knowledge of and a clue to the infant,

co·tibread a itchi fen do.

go dtabharfadh sé breith a bhéil féin dó.

he would grant his own prayer [i.e. would let him name his own reward].

Bai Grec Mac Arod i n-aroili lo ig cuartugud inn feraind

Bhí Greag mac Arad lá ag gabháil timpeall an fhearainn

Now one Grec mac Arodh as he ranged the country of a day

conus·tarla forsann uama

agus tháinig ar an uaimh

came by chance over a cave,

co·faca na cuilenu ic aine i ndorus na huama

go bhfaca na coileáin ag súgradh os comhair na huamha

in front of which he saw the wolf-cubs gambol

ocus in blaicne meic eturro fora lama.

agus an bhunóc mic ag lámhacán eatarthu.

and among them a little urchin on his hands [i.e. on all-fours].

“Fir”, arse.

“Is fíor é,” ar sé.

“Just so,” he said,

Luidh iarum co hairm i·mbai Lugna

D’imigh sé ansin mar a raibh Lughna

and went off to Lughna;

ocus naiscis fair a coma

agus dhaingnigh a mhargadh leis

then bound him to his terms

madia·fagbad do mac in righ.

dá bhfaigheadh sé mac an rí dó.

if he should get him the king’s son.

Fæmais Lugna in[n]i sin

Réitigh Lughna leis

To this Lughna assented,

conid de do·radad do in ferand

ionas gur dá bharrsan a tugadh dó an fearann

and hence were given to Grec the lands

forsa·tad Grecraidi

ar a bhfuil Greagraighe

where the Grecraighe or ‘Grec-posterity’ are established:

[i] logh fagbala Cormaic do Grec.

i ndíol ar Ghreag a fháil Chormaic.

the guerdon of Grec’s finding of Cormac.

Lotar iar sin Lugna ocus Grec cusan n-uama

Chuaigh Lughna agus Greag go dtí an uaimh

This done Lughna and he took their way to the cave,

ocus do·berad in mac ocus na cuilenu leo esti

agus thug siad an leanbh agus na coileáin leo aisti

and by them boy and the cubs both were taken out of it;

conid ann ro·chachain Lugnai in-so ic tairchetal do:

gur ansin a chan Lughna é seo ag déanamh tairngreachta dó:

at which point Lughna prognosticating for him uttered:—

“Mo chean Cuind comarba

“Fáilte roimh chomharba Choinn,

“Conn’s victorious representative I hail,

gen buadach

Gin bhuach

*A victorious birth

firfes firindi ina cirt fri dala deithbiri.

A fhíorfaidh fírinne ina ceart i ndála cuí.

That will provide full truth in the just court.

Bid ergnaid ngaisi,

Beidh sé eolgaiseach i ngaois,

He will be discerning in intelligence,

bid sobraid,

Beidh bríomhar,

He will be vigorous,

bid saithech,

Beidh sáitheach,

He will be flourishing,

bid fendid,

Beidh ina fhéinní,

He will be a warrior,

bid gartaich,

Beidh fial,

He will be generous,

bid sognasaich

Beidh soghnásach,

He will be well-mannered,

fo fer.

Beidh sé ina fhear maith.

He will be a good man.

Ni-ba mera mor-gnima.

Ní bheidh a mhórghníomha baoth.

His great deeds will not be rash.

Bid fo mam

Is faoina chuing

He will be under authority,

midethar d’il-sluagaib

A bheartaíonn sé d’ilsluaite

He strikes many hosts,

cengat cach ba.

A chéimnaíonn gach slí fhónta.

He paces every path.

Firfaid find-chlesa

Fearfaidh fionnchleasa

He will perform wonderful feats

fri hulu errudu

Le gach uile earra

With every type of weapon

dia·mbia dibad

As a mbeidh scrios

From which will come the destruction

a ruirech roruanaid.

A fhoríthe ródhána.

Of his too-powerful subordinate kings.

Con·leicfi longes

Scaoilfidh sé loingeas le chéile

He will launch a fleet of ships

dia·mbia a tesbaid fri re n-æ mis.

As a mbeidh siad ar iarraidh ar feadh naoi mí.

Which will be missing at sea for nine months.

Firfaid cairpthiu co ndathrindi tau bodbdai.

Fearfaidh carbaid go ndathchaolach ciorcail chatha.

He will drive chariots with deadly coloured spears.

Ar·dibiba sluaga di Luaignib.

Scriosfaidh sé sluaite de Luaighne.

He will destroy hosts from Luaigni.

Con·certfa cæn-recht for iathu Banba.

Cuirfidh caoinreacht i bhfeidhm ar iatha Banban.

He will promulgate a just law in the land of Ireland.

Biaid ærecht for Erenn-mag.

Beidh a reacht ar chlár Éireann.

His will rule the land of Ireland.

Con·coicertar a mor-breatha

Beidh a mhórbhreatha i bhfeidhm

His great judgements will be in place

isin indsi seo co forceann in betha.

san inis seo go foirceann an bheatha.

in this island till the end of time.

Cuirfid Banba a bron digairsi

Cuirfidh Banba di a brón díograise nuair

Ireland will put away her deep sorrow

dia·mba inorba in ruiri rothaigthi.

a bheidh an rí rothghnúiseach inoidhreachta.

when the round-faced prince is fit to rule.

Bid ri Temrach co bo tri.

Beidh sé ina rí Teamhrach faoi thrí:

He will be the king of Tara three times.

Con·bebabat siabra iar caithim

Rachaidh síofraí ar ceal ar chaitheamh

Spectres will fade away after spending

.xl. i righi for cathair Coraind

daichead bliain i réim ar chathair Chorainn,

Forty years in power in the fortress of Corann,

conan·eber fris Temair,

go n-abra Teamhair leis:

Until Tara says to him:

‘A Chuind comarba is mo cean.’

‘A chomharba Choinn, fáilte.’ ”

‘Conn’s victorious representative I hail’.”*

Mo chean a Chuind.”

Ailither iar sin in mac oc Lugna

Oileadh an leanbh iar sin le Lughna

In the sequel the same boy was nurtured by Lughna,

ocus ni·lamthai a slonnud

agus ní leomhthaí a shloinne a lua

and none dared to provoke him

fria eascairdib a athar.

le heascairde a athar.

against his father’s enemies [i.e. against Lughaid Maccon and his faction].

Ba ‘hingealt sul’ sochaidi didiu in mac

Ba ‘féarach súl’ dá lán *, cinnte,* an macaomh

The lad verily was ‘a pasture of the eyes’ of many:

.i. eter delb ocus dechelt

idir chló agus éide

for form namely and for vesture,

ocus cori ocus cutrumæ

agus chóra agus chothroime

for propriety and for proportion,

ocus errlabra ocus ainius

agus urlabhra, agus lúcháir,

for ready speech, for gaiety,

ocus aibnius ocus maisi

agus aoibhneas, agus mhaise,

*for beauty,* for comeliness,

ocus miadamlacht ocus bruth

agus dhínit, agus bhruth,

for pride, for fire,

ocus brig ocus barainn.

agus bhrí, agus fhuinneamh.

for strength and for high spirit;

Is ed ainm do·berthea do didiu la Lugna .i. Corpmac

Is é ainm a tugadh air ag Lughna, Corbmac, *áfach,*

and the name that was conferred on him *however,* by Lughna was corbmac,

ar is ed for·facaib Art do thabairt fair.

mar sin é d’fhág Art le huacht le tabhairt air.

just as Art had left that it should be given to him.

Bai-seom Cormac ocus meic Fhir Tri .i. Ochomon ocus Uathnach oc aine feacht ann.

Bhí seisean, Cormac, tráth agus mic Fhir Trí .i. Ochomhon agus Uathnach ag súgradh.

Once upon a time Cormac and Lughna’s sons: Ochomon and Nathnach, were at play.

Buailis-seom fear dib.

Bhuail sé fear díobh.

He struck one of them and:

“Fa,” or e-side,

“Fa,” ar seisean,

“oh dear,” cried the patient,

“rom·buail in fer

“bhuail an fear seo mé,

“there has stricken me a fellow

na·fes clann no cenel,

fear nach fios a chlann ná a chineál,

whose clan and race are unknown,

acht a beith turigin cen athair.”

ach é a bheith tabhartha gan athair.”

except that he is a gentleman without a father,”

Luid Cormac iarum fa bron ocus duba co hairm i·mbai Lugna

Chuaigh Cormac ansin go dubhach dobrónach mar a raibh Lughna

whereupon Cormac in great dejection sought out Lughna

ocus cainis fris a imchained.

agus chaoin os a chomair mar a cáineadh é.

and recited to him how he had been reviled.

“Ni fir sin,” or Lugna.

“Ní fíor sin,” arsa Lughna,

“That is not true,” his guardian said:

“As tu mac na fir-fhlatha

“is mac an fhíorfhlatha thú

“thou art the very prince’s son,

.i. mac Airt meic Cuind Cetchathaich

.i. mac Airt mhic Coinn Chéadchathaigh

son of Art son of Conn of the Hundred Battles,

ocus is duit ata i tairrngiri

agus is duit atá i dtairngire

and for thee it stands foretold

stiuir th’athar do luamairecht

stiúir d’athar a luamhaireacht

to hold thy father’s helm;

nor so long as he [that now sits there] lords it in Tara

ar ni·bia ith na blicht

mar ní bheidh arbhar ná bainne,

will corn, or milk,

na mes na muir-torad

ná meas, ná toradh mara,

or mast, or sea-fruit [i.e. yield of fish]

na sin i core

ná síon ina cheart

or seasons come aright.”

cein co ro·be-siu hi Temraig i tigernus.”

nó go beidh tusa i dtiarnas i dTeamhair.”

“Tiagam didiu,” ol Cormac,

“Téanam, más ea,” arsa Cormac,

“Come we therefore,” said Cormac,

“coro·aileam ar n-eolus

“nó go ndéanfaimid ár dtuairisc a chur

“that we may visit, and bide our time in,

i tig ar n-athar i Temraig.”

i dTeamhair i dteach ár n-athar.”

our father’s house in Tara.”

“Tiagam didiu,” ar Lugna.

“Téanam feasta,” arsa Lughna.

“Let us even go,” Lughna answered.

Lotar iarum

D’imigh siad leo ansin

Then the two went their way:

.i. Lugna ocus Cormac cona conaib

.i. Lughna agus Cormac lena gcoin

Lughna, and Cormac accompanied with his wolves,

ocus Fir Chul lais do chethirnib·

agus Fir Chúil mar cheithearnaigh;

he having also a body-guard of kerne *of the firchúl*

which from the time of Eochaid Airemh to that present

Batar a Corann

bhí siadsan i gCorann

had been in Corann;

o aimsir Echach Aireman conici sin

ó aimsir Eachach Aireamh go dtí sin

ar is iad ro·marb Eochaid Aiream

mar is iad a mharaigh Eochaidh Aireamh

for it was they who slew Eochaid *Airemh*:

.i. cis trom do·berthea forro.

(cíos trom a leagadh orthu).

too heavy a rent namely had been imposed on them.

Is iad sin Fir Chul Breg indiu

Is iad sin Fir Chúil Breá inniu

They are the firchúl Bregh of today,

.i. Cormac da·rad in ferann tair doib

.i. Cormac a thug an fearann thoir dóibh

*(Cormac gave them the land in the east

ocus rechtus na Temrach

agus reachtaireacht na Teamhrach,

and the stewardship of Tara),*

ar is iad lotar do chomaideacht lais.

mar is iad a chuaigh le bheith ina choimhdeacht.

[and are there] because that by way of comradeship they came with Cormac thither.

Tiagaid didiu co·rangadar Temraig

D’imigh siad leo, más ea, nó gur tháinig siad go Teamhair

So they held on till they gained Tara,

ocus feraid Mac Con failti friu

agus d’fhear Mac Con fáilte rompu

where welcome was accorded them

ocus gabais Cormac o mudh daltusa.

agus ghlac le Cormac ar bhonn daltachais.

and Cormac received on the footing of a dalta [i.e. a protégé and pupil].

Bai ban-brugaid a Temraig inn inbaid sin .i. Beannaid.

Bhí banbhrughaidh i dTeamhair an t-am úd .i. Beannaidh.

At which time there was in Tara a she-hospitaller: Bennaidh,

Lotar a cairig-side

Chuaigh a caoirigh-se

whose roaming sheep came

co·nduadar glaisin na rigna.

agus d’ith siad glaisin na banríona.

and ate up the queen’s crop of woad.

Berar in riar co Lugaid.

Chuaigh an bhreith faoi bhráid Lughaidh.

The case was referred to Lughaid [Maccon the king] for judgment,

As·pert-side na cairigh i n-ic na glaisne don rigain.

Dúirt seisean na caoirigh a dhul don bhanríon i ndíol na glaisne.

and his award was: the queen to have the sheep in lieu of the woad.

“Acc,” ol Cormac,

“Ní hea,” arsa Cormac,

“Nay,” Cormac said:

“leor lomrad na cærach

“ach is leor lomradh na gcaorach

“the shearing of the sheep is a sufficient offset

hi lomrad na glaisne

ar lomradh na glaisne

to the cropping of the woad;

ar asfaid dib linaib.”

mar fásfaidh siad araon.”

for both the one and the other will grow again.”

“Is si in fhir-breth”, ar cach.

“Sin í an fhíorbhreith,” arsa cách.

“That is the true judgment,” all exclaimed:

“Is e mac na fir-fhlatha

“Is é mac na fhíorfhlatha

“a very prince’s son it is

ruc in breith.”

a thug an bhreith.”

that has pronounced it.”

Luid fon all leth don tig

Chuaigh leath an tí

The one half of that house

i·rucad in gu-breth.

inar tugadh an ghóbhreith

in which the false judgment had been given

le haill.

slid down the steep declivity [on which it stood],

Meraid samlaid co brath

Mairfidh sé amhlaidh go brách

and will so abide for ever:

conid si in clæn-fhearta Temrach.

i dtreo gurb í sin Claonfhearta Teamhrach.

whence claenfherta Temrach or ‘the sloping mounds of Tara.’

Ni-bo maith, imorro, righi Meic Con.

Níor mhaith é flaitheas Mhic Con go deimhin.

Maccon’s rule in sooth was not good:

Dlomsad fir Erenn do iarum

Dhíbir fir Éireann é dá bhrí sin

the men of Ireland warned him off therefore,

ocus do·beraid rigi do Cormac.

agus thug siad an flaitheas do Chormac.

and bestowed it on Cormac.

Ba lan in bith do cach maith iar sin cen bai Cormac beo.

Bhí an bhith lán de gach maith ansin fad bhí Cormac beo.

After which, and so long as Cormac lived, the world was full of all good things.

Badar, imorro, a choin la Cormac iar tain

Bhí a choin le Cormac feasta go deimhin

His wolves also Cormac continued to have with him *, however*;

ocus as ead fod·era in cadus mor

agus is é faoi deara an urraim mhór

and the reason of that great esteem

bai la Cormac for conaib

a bhí ag Cormac do choin,

which Cormac bore to wolves

.i. dia oileamain do chonaib.

de bharr a oiliúna ag coin.

was that wolves has fostered him.

Con·rotacht didiu in Temair do athnuidhed lais

Tógadh agus athnuadh Teamhair leis *, cinnte,*

By him was effected the renovation and decoration of Tara, *indeed,*

amal na·roibi ro[ime]

mar nach raibh sí riamh roimhe sin

as before him she never had been,

eter taigi

idir thithe

in respect of both houses

ocus claidi

agus chlaíochta

and ramparts,

ocus cumdaigi ol-cheana,

agus fhoirgnimh eile,

and of all other edifices:

eter loech-thigib ocus griananaib

idir laochthithe, ghrianáin

both laech-houses and ladies’ bowers,

ocus tigib talman.

agus thithe talún.

and ‘houses of the earth’ [i.e. underground storehouses, cellars, etc.].

Ba maith tra bai Eri fri lind in rig sin.

Ba mhaith í Éire leis le linn an rí sin * go deimhin*.

Well off too Ireland was in that king’s time:

for the multiplicity of her fish

Ni·feta usceda abann d’ol

Níorbh fhéidir uiscí abhann a ól

the river waters might not be forded,

fri slimrad a heisc.

le húsc a héisc.

Ni·heta a caillti co hurusa d’imtheacht

Níorbh fhéidir dul go furasta trí na coillte

nor her woods traversed easily

fri himad a mesa.

le hiomad a measa.

for the exuberance of their mast;

while for the quantity of their honey

which by reason of his righteous rule

was vouchsafed from heaven

Ni-ba reid imteacht a maighed

Níorbh réidh é taisteal a machairí

the travelling of her plain countries was no ready matter.

fri himad a mela

le hiomad a meala

iarna tidnocol do nim do

a deonadh ó neamh dó

tria fhirindi a flaithiusa.

trí ionracas a fhlaithis.

D’fhóirfeadh iomad a fiamhíol

The numbers of her wild creatures of the chase too were such as,

though they should have had nor tilth nor reaping,

Nos·foirfead do biud ocus da shasad a daine

ar a daoine mar bhia agus mar shásamh

would have comforted her people with meat in sufficiency.

imad a fhiad-mil

cenco·beth ar na buain acco.

cé go mbeidís gan treabhadh ná buain.

Bai Cormac ina rigi iar sin a Temraig

Bhí Cormac i réim iar sin i dTeamhair

So Cormac continued to reign in Tara,

ocus is les con·rotacht iar sin in cumdach is æregdu

agus is leis a tógadh ina dhiaidh sin an foirgneamh is uaisle

and by him in due time was constructed  the noblest building

do·ronnad riam a Temraig

a rinneadh riamh i dTeamhair;

that ever was erected there;

nor though he was opposed by Ulster

ocus niro·scarad fri flaitheamnus he

agus níor scaradh é riamh lena fhlaitheas,

was he ever divorced from his kingdom,

ce thancas fris o Ultaib

cé gur chuir Ulaidh ina choinne,

co·fuair bas i raith Sbealain in brugad hi Cletech

nó go bhfuair bás i ráth Spealáin, brughaidh, i gCleiteach

but in the house of Spelán the hospitaller died

dia ro·len cnaim bratan ina bragaid

nuair a ghreamaigh, ina bhráid, cnámh bradáin

when in his throat there stuck a salmon’s bone

ro·fuinead triasin cruithneacht

a fuineadh tríd an gcruithneacht

which had been kneaded up among the wheat

do·radad do

a tugadh dó;

given to him [in the form of bread].

conid de a bas.

agus uaidh sin a fuair bás.

Such was the cause of his death.

Is ed ro·facaib Cormac ica æs grada

Is é a d’fhág Cormac le huacht ag a aos grá,

Now what Cormac bequeathed to his confidentials,

ocus ro·athain da æs grada

agus a d’aithin sé dóibh,

and enjoined on them, was this:

gan a adhnocol isin Brug

gan é a adhlacadh sa Bhrú

not to bury him in the brugh,

ar nir hinand Dia ro·adair sin ocus in lucht ro·hadnaiced isin Brugh

mar níorbh ionann an Dia a d’adhar seisean agus an dream a adhlacadh sa Bhrú;

because it was not one and the same god that he and they that were sepulchred therein adored;

ocus is·pert a adnocol i Ros Na Rig

agus dúirt é a adhlacadh i Ros na Rí

but he prescribed his burial in Rosnaree,

ocus a aigead soir cach ndireach fria turcbail ngrene

agus a aghaidh soir gach ndíreach i dtreo éirí gréine;

with his face set eastwards to the rising of the sun.

dia·n-ebert:

is de sin a dúirt:

*About which was said:

“Dlom Mac Airt iath Meic Inn Oc;

“Dhiúltaigh mac Airt d’iath Mhic an Óig.

“Mac Airt refused burial at the place of Mac Inn Oc.

Guid fot fair i Ros Na Rig.

Ghuigh fód air i Ros Na Rí.

He asked for burial at Ros Na Rig.

Bretha le slog na mBrug mBreag

Tugadh é le slua Brúnna Breá

He was brought by a host from Brug Breag,

Co·n-erracht re ucht Boann Brig.”

Gur éirigh ina choinne Bóinn le brí.”

But the river Boann rose violently against him.”*

Finit. Amen.

Finit. Amen.

Finis. *Amen.*

Tánic tra bás dia innaigidseom

Tháinig an bás dá ionsai, más ea,

*Then death came to assault him, however,

hi Tig Cletig

i dTigh Chleitigh

in the house of Cletach,

isin bliadain tanaise ar coll a roirc

sa dara bliain thar éis choilleadh a roisc

in the second year after his eye had been damaged,

íar nglenamain cnáma bratan ina bragit.

nuair a ghreamaigh cnámh bradáin ina bhráid.

when a salmon bone stuck in his throat.

Ro ráidseom im[murgu] fria muintir cena adnacul issin Brug

Dúirt sé, áfach, lena mhuintir gan é adhlacadh sa mBrú,

However, he said to his followers not to bury him in the Brug,

daig ní hinund Día ro adairseom

mar nárbh ionann an Dia a d’adhar seisean

because he did not adore the same God

ocus cech oen ro adnacht issin Bruig

agus gach aon duine a adhlacadh sa mBrú,

as every one of those who were buried in the Brug,

acht a adnacol i rRos na Ríg

ach a adhlacadh i Ros na Rí,

but bury him in Ros Na Rig,

ocus a aiged sair.

agus a aghaidh soir.

with his face towards the east.

Fúairseom bás iar sin

Fuair sé bás ansin

Then he died

ocus ro ferad comarli oca áes gráda

agus thug a aos grá comhairle faoi.

and his followers took council.

ocus iss ed ro chinset a adnacol isin Bruig

Is é an socrú a rinneadar ná é a adhlacadh sa mBrú,

They decided to bury him in the Brug,

áit i mbátar ríg Temra romiseom.

áit a raibh ríthe Teamhrach roimhe curtha.

where the kings of Tara had been buried before him.

Ro tócbad iarom corp ind ríg fo thri dia breith issin Bruig

Tógadh corp an rí faoi thrí ansin chun é a bhreith isteach sa mbrú

Three times they took his body to bring it into the Brug

ocus hitracht in Boand fó thrí i n-arda

agus d’éirigh an Bhóinn in airde faoi thrí

and three times the river Boann rose up

conná fétais a techt

le narbh fhéidir dul ann.

so that they were unable to go there.

Co tucsat día n-uid

Thugadar faoi deara ansin

They understood then

cor tíachtain dar breith flatha

gur sháru bhreith an Tiarna

that it would be against the judgement of the Lord

techt dar timna in rig.

dul i gcoinne thiomna an rí.

to go against the testament of the king.

Ferait a fert iarom i rRos na Ríg

Rinneadar a fheart ansin i Ros na Rí

They buried him in Ros na Ríg

amal asbert féin.

mar a dúirt sé féin.

as he himself had asked.*