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Dia mbúi Diarmait mac Fergusa ceirrbeoill for loingius ó Thuathal maelgarb

Tráth dá raibh Diarmaid mac Fhearghasa Ciorrbheoil ar díbirt ag Tuathal Maolgharbh

It was when by Tuathal Maelgarb once Fergus Cerrbeoil’s son Dermot was driven into banishment

for loch rib ocus for Sinainn .

ar Loch Ríbh agus ar an tSionainn,

on Loch Ree and on Shannon: —

isin aimsir sin tra [ms. trath] do luid Ciarán mac in tshaoir

tháinig Ciarán mac an tSaoir an uair sin

Now in that same time it was that Ciaránmac an tSaoir came

go Droim Tiobrad,

to Druim Tibrat

do gabáil a mainistrech

co druimm tibrat

áit a fil cluain macc Nóis inniudh.

mar a bhfuil Cluain Mhac Nóis inniu,

(the spot where Clonmacnoise stands to-day)

chun a mhainistir a bhunú.

to found his monastery.

ochtar for loch do théigedh (.i. do chuaid) Ciarán

Bhí Ciarán ag teacht le hochtar ar an loch

With eight upon the loch Kieran travelled,

ocus dá chét déc for tír.

agus dhá chéad déag ar tír.

but with twelve hundred on land.

ataiter teni oc na cléirchib.

D’adaigh na cléirigh tine.

A fire is kindled by the clergy.

Is ann búi Diarmaid ina loingius ic snám dá eon for Sinainn

Is é áit ina raibh Diarmaid, agus é ar díbirt, ag Snámh Dá Éan ar an tSionainn

Where Dermot in his banishment was just then was at Snámh Dá Én *on the Shannon*

.i. dá én ro marb Nár mac Finnchad micc Conaill cernaigh

(.i. dhá éan a mharaigh Nár mac Fionnchaidh mhic Conaill Chearnaigh

(that is to say: two birds that Nar son of Conall Cernach’s son Finncha killed

for gualainn Eistine banfhéinnedha [ms. b-fheinnighi] ann

ar ghualainn Eistíne, banfhéinní, ansiúd

there on Eistine the Amazon’s shoulder,

conad de ráiter snám dá én.

agus is dá bharrsan a thugtar Snámh Dá Éan air).

whence it is named Snámh Dá Én, i.e. ‘two birds’ swimming-place’).

atbertsat a dráidhi fri Diarmait:

Dúirt a dhraoithe le Diarmaid:

Said his wizards to Dermot:

“in ní dia fataigter in teni út anocht ní báidfigter” ar siat.

“Tá a leithéid de chúis le hadú na tine seo anocht nach múchfar í choíche.”

“the purpose for which yon fire is kindled to-night is such that it never will be quenched.”

“bud hinnoss ón” or Diarmait

“Anois a dhéanfar sin,” arsa Diarmaid

“Verily it shall be even now [that the quenching will be done],” Dermot said,

oc tiachtain na luingsi co port ngrencha

agus an loingeas ag teacht go Port Greancha

as the boats came to Port-grencha,

áitt a bfuil tipra Fhingin andiu [ms. innidh].

mar a bhfuil Tiobra Fhinín inniu.

where Tipra Finghin is to-day.

Is ann sin búi in clérech ic sádhud eculsa in tan sin.

Bhí an cléireach ag sá-bhunú eaglaise ansiúd ag an am.

There it was that the cleric was in act to plant a church.

“cissi hopair dogní?” or Diarmait.

“Cad tá ar siúl agat?” arsa Diarmaid.

“What is the work thou doest?” Dermot asked.

“eglais beg do chumtach” ol Ciarán.

“Ag tógáil eaglaise bige,” arsa Ciarán.

“To build a little church,” Kieran answered.

“cumma dono gid edh a hainm” ar Diarmait: “eclais bec.”

“Níor mhiste gurbh é sin, Eaglais Bheag, a hainm,” arsa Diarmaid.

“That might as well be its name: Eglais Bheg, i.e. ‘little church.’ ”

“sáid in cleith lium” ol Ciarán fri Diarmait:

“Sáigh an chleith liom,” arsa Ciarán le Diarmaid,

“Thrust in the upright with me,” Kieran said to Dermot,

“ocus léic mo lám uas do láim

“agus lig do mo lámh a bheith anuas ar do lámhsa

“and [as we do it] suffer my hand to be put over thine;

ocus biaid do lámsa ocus do righi

agus beidh do lámhsa agus do réimeas

so shall thy hand and thy royal rule

for feraib Erenn sul bus tráthsa nach noirrther.”

ar fhir Éireann roimh an tráth seo amanathar.”

ere this time after to-morrow have been imposed on the men of Ireland.”

“cinnus dogéntar ón?” ar Diarmait:

“Conas a dhéanfar sin?” arsa Diarmaid,

“How will that be effected;

“ár atá Tuathal i righi nErenn

“mar tá Tuathal ina rí ar Éirinn

for Tuathal rules over Ireland

ocus atúsa for innarba.”

agus táimse ar ionnarba.”

and I am driven out?”

“is folaidh dia in nísin” ol Ciarán.

“Sin é gnó Dé,” arsa Ciarán.

Kieran replied: “that is a matter for God.”

luidh Mael mór ú hArgata comalta Diarmata

Chuaigh Maol Mór ua hArgada, comhalta Dhiarmada,

Dermot’s foster-brother, Maelmór ú Argata, went [at the time predicted]

co hairmm immbúi Tuathal oc grellaigh eilti fri ross ech inairdes

mar a raibh Tuathal ag Greallach Eilte lastoir theas de Ros Each,

to the place where Tuathal was, at Grellach-eilte south-east of Ros-ech,

ocus ro sáidh in tsleg immbruinni Thuathail

agus sháigh a shleá in ucht Thuathail

and into Tuathal’s breast drove a spear

co farcaib cin anmain .

agus d’fhág ar lár marbh é.

so that he left him lifeless:

marbtar dono Moel mór fó chétóir inn

Maraíodh Maol Mór ar an toirt;

a deed for which Maelmór is himself killed presently,

conad de ráiter echtra Máil móir .

is uaidh sin an scéal Eachtra Mhaoil Mhóir.

and hence the tale called Echtra Mhaeilmhóir, i.e. ‘the romance of Maelmór’

do conallaib Murtemne dono Moel mór .

Ba de Chonaille Mhuirtheimhne, más ea, Maol Mór.

(now Maelmór was of the Hy-Conall of Murthemny,

rop é sin in tress comalta do Diarmaid

Ba dhuine de thriúr comhalta do Dhiarmaid é,

and third foster-brother to Dermot:

.i. Luchta átha ferna ocus Enna mac ú Laigsi in dá comalta ali.

Luchta Áth Fearna agus Éanna mocu Laoise an dá chomhalta eile.

Luchta of Ath-ferna and Enna mac ú Laighse were the others).

ro rígsat iarum fir Eirenn in tí Diarmaíd siu ro bo cenn sechtmaini.

Rinne fir Éireann ansin Diarmaid a ríogadh sula raibh an tseachtain slán.

Hereupon, before it was a week’s end, the men of Ireland inaugurated
Dermot king.

Dogníther mórdáil Uisnig la Diarmait ocus la firu Erenn um beltaine .

Tionáladh Mordháil Uisnigh le Diarmaid agus le fir Éireann um Bealtaine,

By Dermot and by the men of Ireland the great congregation of Usnach is held now at Beltane;

ár roptar iat trí harddála Erenn issin aimsir sin

mar ba iad trí ard-dála Éireann an t-am úd ná

for at that time Ireland’s three high gatherings were these:

.i. dál Uisnig um beltaine .

Dáil Uisnigh um Bealtaine,

the congregation of Usnach, at Beltane;

ocus aenach Taillten im lugnassa .

Aonach Tailtean um Lúnasa,

the convention of Taillte, at Lammas;

ocus féiss Temrach im shamfhuin .

agus Feis Teamhrach um Shamhain

the feast of Tara, at samhain [All-Hallows];

ocus cid bé no ticedh tairrsib sin ó feraib Erenn

agus cibé d’fhir Éireann a choillfeadh iadsan,

and whosoever of the men of Ireland should have transgressed these,

ba bidba báis in tí no milledh in cáin sin.

a bhrisfeadh an dlí sin, bhí breith bháis air.

the same [I say] that should have violated this their ordinance, was guilty of death.

ticc fiss ó Diarmait co Ciarán do techt isin dáil .

Chuir Diarmaid fios ar Chiarán teacht chun an tionóil,

From Dermot to Kieran comes a message procuring him to join the gathering,

ocus ticc féin co cnoc mBracáin ina agaid

agus tháinig sé féin go Cnoc Bracáin ina choinne

and the king himself proceeds to Cnoc-brecáin to receive him;

ocus búi i comnaide and .

agus rinne sos nó cónaí ann

there he made halt to wait,

conad de sin dogarar tilach na comnaide.

agus is uaidh sin atá Tulach na Cónaí mar aimn air.

whence Tulach na Comnaidhe [i.e. ‘hill of halting’] is denominated.

luid iarum Ciarán dia shaighid.

Chuaigh Ciarán chuige ansin.

Kieran repaired to him accordingly.

“cid fil and tra” ar Diarmait:

“Sea, anois, más ea,” arsa Diarmaid,

“Why, how now,” Dermot said:

“ár is ann so ro cétcomraicseam

“ós rud é gur anseo a chasamar ar a chéile don chéad uair

“since here it is that, for the first time

iar ngabáil ríghe damsa triat bennachtainsi

tar éis dom an ríocht a bhaint amach trí do bheannachtsa,

since I by thy benediction attained to the kingdom,

we are met now;

in mag so amail atá

bíodh an machaire seo mar atá,

be this stretch of land as it is

cona damaib ocus cona buaib duitsi a fót fri haltóir.”

lena dhaimh agus lena bha, agat mar fhód altóra.”

(with its oxen and with its kine) made over to thee by way of ‘altar-sod.’ ”

bái náma do’n rígh isin magh

Bhí namhaid don rí ar an machaire

But in this same plain was one that was an enemy to the king:

.i. Flann find macc Díma

.i. Flann Fionn mac Dhíoma,

Flann *Find*, son of Dima

ó a ráiter telach Díma nó tilach Fhloinn .

ónar tháinig an t-ainm Tulach Dhíoma, nó Tulach Fhlionn.

(from whom Tulach Dhíma or Tulach Fhlainn is named).

loiscter a thech oc an rígh

Loisc an rí an teach

The king [finding himself in the neighbourhood] has Dima’s house burnt,

ocus gontar astigh é.

agus goineadh Díoma istigh ann;

and within it the owner is wounded sore;

luid in tóglaech i ndabaig fotraiccthi búi isin tigh

d’imigh an laoch isteach i ndabhach folctha a bhí sa teach

which warrior [seeking to evade the flames] gets into a bathing-vat that is in the dwelling,

conad innti fuair bás.

agus is inti a fuair bás.

and there expires.

“is luath tánacais tar do thimna” ar Ciarán fri Diarmait

“Is luath a choill tú do thiomna,” arsa Ciarán le Diarmaid,

“Right soon thou hast transgressed thy covenant,” Kieran said to Dermot,

“ár sárgud mun ferann tucais dúind .

“dár sárú maidir leis an bhfearann a thug tú dúinn.

“seeing that in the matter of the land thou grantedst us thou hast already done us violence.

cid fil ann tra” ar sé “acht ní
benubsa nem ná talam fort féin ná for do clainn .

Ach, fág sin,” ar sé, “ní bhainfidh mé neamh ná talamh díot féin ná de do chlann,

Yet in any case,” he went on, “nor from thyself nor from thy children will I take either Heaven or Earth [i.e. joys of the one, temporal possessions of the other];

acht in aidhed [ms. aig.] do fuair sin letsa

ach an íde a fuair seisean uaitse,

but the violent death which he there hath gotten by thee,

bid sí sin aidhed do gébasa

gurb í sin an íde a gheobhaidh tusa

that shall be the very one which thou too shalt have:

.i. guin ocus bádud ocus losccad.”

.i. goin agus bá agus loscadh.”

to be wounded, and drowned, and burnt.”

“atagat a chlérigh” ar Diarmaid

“Tá scanradh orm, a chléirigh,” arsa Diarmaid,

“Cleric,” said Dermot, “I am terrified:

“do óighriar duit.”

“breith do bhéil féin duit.”

thine own assessment I award thee in satisfaction of the deed.”

“nító” ol in clérech: “in turchur tuccassa [ms. tucusa]

“Ní ghlacfaidh mé leis sin,” arsan cléireach. “An t-urchar a thugas,

“Nay,” the cleric answered: “the missile that I have delivered,

rotngona de mina tegba samlaid.”

gur de a ghoinfear mé mura dtarlaíonn amhaidh.”

by that same I may myself be hurt to death if it fall not out so.”

conad de do rat bás Diarmata amail ro tarrngairedh.

Uime sin a thug sé bás Dhiarmada chun críche mar a tairngreadh.

And hence it was that Dermot’s death was indeed brought about as had been promised.

Lotar diblínaib in rí ocus in clérech

Chuaigh siad araon, an rí agus an cléireach,

The two of them, king and cleric, repaired

i comdáil fer nErenn co hUisniuch

go comhdháil fhir Éireann in Uisneach

to Usnach, joined the congregation of the men of Erin,

ocus bátur coicdighis ann.

agus bhí siad coicís ann.

and there they were for a fortnight.

dusfic tart mór dóib isin dáil

Tháinig triomach mór orthu sa tionól

In which meeting a mighty thirst [i.e. drought] afflicted them;

gur bo guasacht dá ndaoinib

i dtreo go raibh na daoine féin i mbaol mór

so that their human were in strait peril,

ocus gur bó marb a cetri co mór.

agus gur cailleadh a lán dá n-eallach.

and their four-footed perished largely.

lotar iarum a muinigin Chiaráin im fhurtacht dóib.

Ansin chuaigh siad i muinín Chiaráin le cabhair a fháil.

Then they had recourse to Kieran,
to find them succour.

dogni Ciarán irnaigthi ocus tic flechad ann sin

Rinne Ciarán guí agus tháinig báisteach ansin

Kieran made prayer, and there came then a wet [i.e. rain]

dofarcaib dá prímglaisi déc an Erinn i comarta na mírbaile .

rud a d’fhág dhá phríomhshruthán déag in Éirinn mar chomhartha na míorúilte.

that in token of the miracle left twelve main streams in Ireland;

conid de sin dlighis Ciarán in chána choitcinn fó Erinn.

Is dá bharr sin is dual do Chiarán an cháin choiteann ar fud Éireann.

whence it is that Kieran is entitled to a general cess throughout Ireland.

ro slécht Diarmait do Chiarán ann sin a fiadnaise fer nErenn

Shléacht Diarmaid do Chiarán ansin i bhfianaise fir Éireann

In presence of the men of Ireland there Dermot made obeisance to Kieran,

ocus do rat a maincine ocus mainchini a chlainni do tré bithu.

agus thug a sheirbhís féin agus seirbhís a chlainne dó go brách.

and settled on him his own service and his children’s for ever.

Búi dono Ciarán i naenach Taillten im lugnasa iar sin

Bhí Ciarán, más ea, in Aonach Tailtean um Lúnasa ina dhiaidh sin

Following which again at Lammastide Kieran was in the convention of Taillte,

ocus doróine firta imda ann ocus mírbaili aidhble [ms. aible].

agus rinne a lán fearta agus míorúiltí móra ann.

where he worked wonders many, and
miracles exceeding great.

is and sin imorro dorónad in firtsa

Is ansin freisin a rinne sé an mhíorúilt seo

There too it was that this prodigy was operated,

.i. duine tuc luigi néithig fó láim Ciaráin

.i. thug duine leabhar éithigh faoi láimh Chiaráin,

viz. a man that took a perjured oath *under Kieran’s hand*:

co raibi bainne aillsi for a muinél

agus tháinig ailse bhraonach ar a muineál

and in consequence there came a running ulcer in his neck,

condechaid a chenn de .

agus thit an ceann de;

whereby his head fell off him;

co mbái i fiadnaisi fer nErenn oc imtecht ocus sé gan chenn isindaenoch .

agus bhi sé ansiúd i radharc fhir Éireann agus é ag imeacht faoin aonach, gan ceann air.

so that in presence of the Men of Ireland he went about in the gathering and he without a head.

conad é sin in bacucc búi i gcluain fri tréimsi fota .i. fri ré secht mbliadan oc na manchaib.

Ba é siúd an bacach a bhí i gCluain ar feadh tamall fhada (.i. ar feadh seacht mbliana) ag na manaigh.

Which man was the bacuc whom for a length of time (for seven years, that is to say) the monks had in Cluain.

bói Diarmait iar sin i ríghi nErenn fri ré fota.

Bhí Diarmaid tréimhse fhada ina dhiaidh sin ina rí ar Éirinn,

After this, for a long period Dermot reigned in Ireland;

ocus ní tánic isna haimseraib sin rí

agus níor tháinig san am úd rí

neither came there in those times a king

bud áiniu ná bud óirdnigi

ba ghlórmhaire, b’onóraí,

that was grander, that was more revered,

ná bud ferr cruth nó delb nó ergna nó innscni nó ríge innás.

ná b’bhearr cruth nó deilbh nó eagna, nó urlabhra, nó réim ná é.

or that in figure and in face, in wisdom, in speech, in royal rule, was more excellent than he.

Fechtas do Diarmait i Temraig oc fledugud .

Bhí Diarmaid tráth ag caitheamh fleá i dTeamhair.

It was once upon a time that Dermot feasted:—

Mugain ingen Concraidh mheic Duach do Eoghanacht chaissil for a láim

Bhí Mughain iníon Chonchraidh mhic Dhuach d’Eoghanacht Chaisil láimh leis;

Mughain, daughter of Concraidh mac Duach of the Eoganacht of Cashel, was at his hand

.i. máthair Aedha mheic Diarmata .

ba ise máthair Aodha mhic Dhiarmada,

— she that was mother of Dermot’s son Aedh,

torrach annsin dono for Aedh
sláine .

agus bhí sí ag iompar Aodh Sláine ag an am.

which same Aedh Slaine she carried at the time.

do lotar dono ammach forsin faithchi in líon ro bátar oc in ól dia ninnfhuaradh.

Amach ar an bhfaiche leo, a raibh ann díobh, ag ól, is é sin, á bhfionnuaradh féin.

They then, so many as had been at the carouse, stepped abroad upon the green to cool themselves

ambátar ann confhaccatar cucu [ms. qq] ua Diarmata isin faithchi .i. Suibne mac Colmain móir.

Agus iad ansiúd chonaic siad chucu ar an bhfaiche garmhac Dhiarmada .i. Suibhne mac Colmáin Mhóir.

and, as they were there, saw draw near them on the sward Dermot’s nephew, Suibne son of Colman More.

cét marcach ro b’é a líon .

Céad marcach líon a shlua.

A hundred riders, that was his number:

tii dubglass[a] co lúbáin (sic) airccit imm leith in dírma

Bhí fallaingí dúghlasa le siogairlíní airgid ar leath an díorma,

dark grey mantles with clasps of silver wrapped one half of the troop,

ocus lenna corccra imman lith anaill co corrtaraib óir ocus arccait .

agus brait chorcara le scothóga óir agus airgid ar an leath eile.

and about the other were crimson cloaks with fringes of gold and silver;

eich dubglasa fó leith in tslóig .

Eich dhúglasa faoi leath an tslua,

under one half of the band were dark grey horses,

gabra geala fó’n leith ale .

agus capaill gheala faoin leath eile;

and white under the other;

caeca mílcon co slapradaib créduma forro .

bhí caoga mílchú acu agus slabhraí créumha orthu;

fifty greyhounds they had with bronze
chains on them,

scéith copradacha foraib uile.

sciatha cabhraíocha á gcosaint uile.

and all had bossy shields slung.

amail do riacht Suibne issin airecht

Agus Suibhne ag teacht isteach sa chomhthionól,

Even as Suibne entered the assembly,

géisis brú na mná .i. Mugaine

lig broinn na mná, .i. Mughain, béic aisti

the woman (Mughain namely) uttered a loud inarticulate cry

co clos fá’n airecht uili.

agus chualathas í faoin gcomhthionól go léir.

that was heard throughout all the company.

“cid so a ben?” ol Diarmaid:

“Cad é seo, a bhean?” arsa Diarmaid,

“Woman, what may this be?” Dermot asked:

“in ar an ngilla atá th’ aire?”

“an ar an ógánach atá aird agat?”

“is it on the lad just come thy mind is bent?”

“ní tú in fáid” ol Becc mac Dé:

“Ní tú an fáidh,” arsa Beag Mac Dé,

Said Beg mac Dé: “thou art indeed no prophet;

“atá fáid occut.”

“ach tá fáidh agat.”

but thou hast a seer.”

“finntasa dono” ar Diarmaid “órot fáid.”

“Faighse amach, más ea,” arsa Diarmaid, “ós fáidh tú.”

“Discover the matter then, since thou art a prophet.”

“rotfetarsa dono” or Becc: “in mac fil i mbroinn na mná

“Tá a fhios agam,” arsa Beag; “an mac atá i mbroinn na mná

“I know it,” said Beg: “the son that the woman carries,

is é muirfius in gilla nucut.”

is é a mharóidh an t-ógánach úd.”

he it is that shall slay yonder stripling.”

ba fíor son .

B’fhíor dó.

That was true:

ro marb Aed sláini Suibne.

Mharaigh Aodh Sláine Suibhne.

Aedh Slaine did [afterwards] kill Suibne,

ro fhácaibsen mac .i. Conall mac Suibne

D’fhág sé mac .i. Conall mac Shuibhne

who left a son (Conall mac Suibne)

conad é sín ro marb Aed sláini doridisi .

agus eisean a mharaigh Aodh Sláine arís.

and he again slew Aedh Slaine.

is de ro chet in rann:—

Is faoi sin a canadh an rann:

It was concerning this that a quatrain was uttered: —

“Ní fó airmirt in araile .

“Ní fónta eagar an áirimh

“Not aright do some of the young men

do na hócaib a tuirme;

A dhéanann cuid de na laochra;

cast up their accounts:

Conall rombíth Aed sláini .

Is é Conall a mharaigh Aodh Sláine;

it was Conall that slew Aedh Slaine

Aed sláini rombíth Suibne”

Is é Aodh Sláine a mharaigh Suibhne.”

because Aedh Slaine had slain Suibne.”

.i. Conall mac Suibni issé ro marb Aed sláine oc loch semdidhe.

Is é sin gurb é Conall mac Shuibhne a mharaigh Aodh Sláine ag Loch Seimhdí.

That is to say: Conall mac Suibne, he killed Aedh Slaine at Loch Sewdy;

Aed gustan comalta Conaill

Aodh Gusdan, comhalta Chonaill,

Aedh Gustan, *Conall’s foster-brother,*

is é ro marb Aedh buidhe rí Teftha a mbruidin dá choco ocus Aedh róin rí ua Foilghe i noenló.

is é a mharaigh Aodh Buí rí Theafa i mBruíon Dá Choga agus Aodh Róin, rí Ua bhFailí san aon lá amháin.

he in the one day slew Aedh Buie king of Teffia, and Aedh Róin king of Offaly in Bruidhen Dáchoga;

conid í cétfhingal clainni Colmáin ocus síl Aedha sláini ann sin

Sin é ansin céad fhionaíl chlann Cholmáin agus shíol Aodh Sláine

and this was the first fratricide of clan-Colman and of Aedh Slaine’s seed,

.i. Aedh sláine do marbad a bráthar .i. Suibne mic Colmáin .

.i. Aodh Sláine a mharú a bhráthar .i. Suibhne mac Colmáin,

i.e. Aedh Slaine to kill his kinsman, Suibne son of Colman;

ocus mac Suibni .i. Conall dia marbad som ann sin.

agus mac Shuibhne .i. Conall á mharú-san dá bharrsan.

and Suibne’s son Conall to kill him in lieu of it.

In Becc mac Dé sin dana is é fáid as ferr bái ina aimsir .

Beag Mac Dé a luadh, ba é sin an fáidh is fearr a bhí ann lena linn.

Now that same Beg mac Dé, ’tis he was the best seer that was in his time;

is é adubairt frisin triar iar tiachtain dóib a dúnadh Themrach amach.

Is é a thug freagra ar an triúr ar theacht as Teamhair amach dóibh.

he too it was that to certain three just issued out of Tara said a cunning thing:

“maith thra” ol in triar:

“Sea, más ea,” ar siad triúr,

“good now,” the three had said,

“Becc chugainn amne .

“seo chugainn Beag.

“so hither Beg comes to us;

abéram fris .

Déarfaimid rud éigin leis.

we will e’en say something to him:

fochen a Bicc.”

Fáilte romhat, a Bhig.”

Beg, all hail.”

“maith” ar Becc.

“Gurab amhlaidh daoibh,” arsa Beag.

“Tis well,” quoth Beg.

“cia hairet beithir isin dúnad?” ol fer díob.

“Cé chomh fada is a bheidh cónaí ar dhaoine sa dún?” arsa fear díobh;

“How long will there be dwellers in the fort out of which we come?” asked the first man of them.

“cia doimne in abann?” ol araile.

“cé chomh domhain is atá an abhainn?” arsa fear eile.

“What is the river’s depth?” said the second.

“cia tige na sailli a mbliadna?” ol in
tres fer.

“cé chomh ramhar is atá saill na muice i mbliana?” arsa an tríú fear.

“What is the thickness of bacon-fat this year?” asked the third man.

“pas go tóin amarach” ar Beg.

“Bás go tóin amárach,” arsa Beag.

“Pas go tóin amárach,” answered Beg.

is é ro aiglestar in naenmhur

An fear céanna a d’agaill naonúr

He it was that spoke with nine at once,

ocus dobert aenaithesc dóib

agus thug an t-aon fhreagra amháin orthu

and delivered them a single discourse

gonusícc na noe naithesca.

agus a d’fhreagair leis sin a naoi ráiteas.

that satisfied [i.e. answered and resolved] their nine discourses
addressed to him.

is é dono ro ráidh fri Diarmait mac Cerpaill isin Temraig

Is é leis a labhair le Diarmaid mac Cearbhaill i dTeamhair

Yet again he it was that in Tara enunciated to Dermot son of Cerbhall

dia mbátar in taes admolta ag molad in righ ocus a shídha ocus a shobés .

nuair a bhí lucht a mhórtha ag moladh an rí agus a shíthe agus a shobhéas;

(what time the official panegyrists lauded the king, his peace and his good ways) as thus:

ro bói Aed dubh mac Suibne mac ríg dál nAraidhi for bélaib Bic meic Dé .

bhí Aodh Dubh mac Shuibhne mac rí Dhál Araidhe os comhair Bhig Mhic Dé;

Black Aedh son of Suibne, i.e. son of the king of Dalaradia, was in front of Beg mac Dé

ocus Diarmait ro marb in Suibne sin

agus is é Diarmaid a mharaigh an Suibhne sin,

(now it was Dermot that had slain that Suibne,

ocus ro gab Diarmait in mac for altrum .i. Aedh dub mac Suibni .

agus thóg Diarmaid an mac ar altram .i. Aodh Dubh mac Shuibhne

and taken his son Aedh mac Suibne to rear),

condebairt Bec: “atchiusa in coin conamail loitfios in síd sainemail.”

agus dúirt Beag: “Feicim an cú conúil a loitfidh an sídhún sainiúil.”

and Beg said: “I see the gallant wolfdog that shall spoil the brilliant mansion.”

“a Bic cia cú?” ar Aodh.

“A Bhig, cén cú?” arsa Aodh.

“What hound is that, Beg?” asked Aedh.

“cú ruad cú áirithe bés is tú” ol Bec [ms. hipic ciæ quo araoth qur. quairie pes is tua alpec].

“Cú rua, cú áirithe — b’fhéidir gur tú,” arsa Beag.

“A cú ruadh [wolf] — some cú or other — it might well be thyself,” Beg replied.

“caide amae?” ol Diarmait.

“Conas sin?” arsa Diarmaid.

“How could that be?” queried Dermot.

“ní annsa. in lámsa amne Aodha duib” ar Bec:

“Ní ansa. Lámh seo Aodha Dhuibh,” arsa Beag,

“Easily said: that hand of Black Aedh’s

“is é dobéra dhigh thondaigh it beola a tigh Banbáin brughaid

“is í a thabharfaidh deoch bháis i do bhéal duit i dteach Bhanbháin, brughaidh,

it is in sooth that in the house of Banbhan the hospitaller shall make a poisoned draught to enter thy mouth,

ocus léne oenroisni immut

agus beidh fallaing ó aon síol lín umat

there being about thee at the same time a shirt derived from a single flax-seed,

ocus bratt oenchaerach .

agus brat d’olann aon chaorach;

with a mantle produced from a single sheep;

ocus cuirmm oenghráinne it curn .

i do chorn beidh cuirm aon ghráinne;

in thy horn: ale brewed from a single grain of corn;

ocus saill muicci ná ro genair for do méis .

agus saill muice nach rugadh riamh ar do phláta;

on thy plate: bacon of a pig that never was farrowed;

ocus issí ochtach in tighi .i. féicc thuitfios it chenn

agus is í maide mullaigh an tí, na frathacha, a thitfidh ar do cheann

while ’tis the main beam of the house — the ridgepole — that

iar th’ airlech ód naimtib.”

tar éis do do naimhde eirleach a imirt ort.”

(after thy foemen shall have as good as done thee to death)

shall fall on thy head.”

“Aedh Dub do marbad” or cách.

“Maraítear Aodh Dubh,” arsa cách.

“Black Aedh to the slaughter,” all cried out.

“nató” ol Diarmait: “acht dlomfaiter do as indErinn amach chena ocus ní taidheolla céin bám beosa.”

“Ná déantar,” arsa Diarmaid, “ach díbrítear as Éirinn amach é agus fad is beo dom ní thriallfaidh sé ar ais uirthi.”

“Not so,” said Dermot: “but be he removed forth out of Ireland, and
so long as I live he shall not revisit it.”

cuirter iar sin Aedh dub i crích nAlban for innarba la Diarmait.

Ansin cuireadh Aodh Dubh ar ionnarba le Diarmaid go críoch Alban,

By Dermot thereupon Black Aedh is in exile relegated to the land of Scotland

ocus nír léiced indErinn iartain céin bái Diarmait i ríghi.

agus níor ligeadh ar ais go hÉirinn é ina dhiaidh sin fad a bhí Diarmaid i réim.

nor, so long as Dermot lived, was he re-admitted into Ireland.

Bái tra cáin ocus smacht ocus recht Diarmata fó Erinn co coitchenn .

Bhí dlí agus smacht agus reacht Dhiarmada i bhfeidm ar fud Éireann go coiteann.

Dermot’s tribute, and discipline, and law prevailed in Ireland generally:

bátar a maeir ocus a rechtaireda ocus a fhianna for coinnmedh sechnón [ms. sethnon] Erenn.

Bhí a mhaoir, a reachtairí, agus a fhianna ar coinmheadh ar fud Éireann.

his stewards and his managers, also his regular soldiers in their billets, were throughout Ireland up and down.

lotar i crích Connacht in inbaid sin máir ocus baccláim ocus callaire [ms. cuallaire] in rígh i mailli fris .

Chuaigh sé, faoin am sin, agus maoir agus bacaigh, agus callaire an rí farais, go críoch Connacht;

At this particular time the king’s stewards and sergeants accompanied him into Connacht;

ocus is éisidéin no bíodh [ms. bith] ic irfhócra rompo

an callaire a bhíodh rompu á fhógairt

also the king’s herald, that used to precede them and to make proclamation

do’n tigh dia téighdís for oedhoighecht (sic) .

don tigh chuig a dtéidís ar aíocht.

to any such house at which in quest of guestly entertainment they arrived.

is amlaid dogníodh in callaire a irfócra

Is mar seo a dhéanadh an callaire a fhógra:

And thus it was that the crier heralded them,

.i. dorus in bali ocus in chaisteoill a rachtáis a minugud rempu

doras an áitribh agus an chaisleáin ina rachaidís a leagan rompu

viz. to the effect that the town’s gate, or the castle’s, into which they had to pass must be demolished before them

ocus contoigecht gái Diarmata tarsno inn .

agus fad ga Dhiarmada a bheith de leithead ann.

so that Dermot’s spear should pass in athwartwise;

ní lámtha la hómun indríg cin a dhénum sin rompo.

Ní leomhthaí, le eagla an rí, gan sin a dhéanamh rompu.

a thing which (for the king’s fear) there was none dared but to perform before them.

diabal imorro is é ro ling isin challaire do fhasluch in uilcc sin fair

Diabhal, áfach, is ea a phreab sa challaire ag áiteamh an oilc sin air

But Diabolus — he it was that violently possessed [lit. ‘jumped into’] the crier now to urge the following evil thing upon him,

ar dáigh cu ro fhásad olcc budh mó de.

le súil go bhfásfadh olc níos mó as.

to the end evil greater yet should come of it.

Lotar fecht ann do thegh Aedha guaire

Chuaigh siad tráth go teach Aodh Ghuaire

For they came once to Aedh Guaire’s house

i crích Máine i Connachtaib

i gcrích Mhaine in gConnachta,

in the land of Hy-Many in Connacht,

ocus rop égen a chaistiall sin do brisiud rempo ocus ria ngái in ríg.

agus b’éigean a chaisleán a briseadh rompu agus roimh gha Dhiarmada.

whose castle must needs be breached before them and the king’s spear.

rusgab iarum ferg in tí Aedh ocus marbus gilla in gái .i. in callaire .

Tháinig fearg ansin ar an rí Aodh agus mharaigh sé giolla an gha .i. an callaire

Then anger took Aedh; he slew the ‘lad of the spear’ (the crier namely)

ocus do chóid for teichem Diarmata iar sin i crích Músgraidi

agus d’imigh ar a theitheadh ansin ó Dhiarmaid go críoch Mhúscraí

and anon, to escape Dermot, fled into the land of Muskerry

for comaircci espoic Senaigh .

ar choimirche an easpaig, Seanach;

and under protection of bishop Senach,

ár dá derbshiair máthair espoic Senaigh ocus máthair Aedha guairi.

mar beirt deirféar ab ea máthair an easpaig, Seanach, agus máthair Aodh Ghuaire.

for the bishop’s mother and Aedh Guaire’s were two sisters.

tánicc espoc Senach leis iar sin co Ruadhán lotra

Tháinig an t-easpag Seanach leis *iar sin* go Ruán Lothra,

Subsequently Senach the bishop brought him to Ruadhan of Lorrha

ocus do rat ar chomairce Ruadáin é.

agus chuir faoi choimirce Ruáin é.

and committed him to his safeguard;

dá shiair ro bátar oc Ruadán .i. Coel ocus Ruadhnat .

Beirt deirféar a bhí ag Ruán .i. Caol agus Ruanat.

for two sisters that Ruadhan had: Cael and Ruadhnait,

ocus is iat sin ro oil espoc Senach [ms. Senaidh].

Iadsan a d’oil an t-easpag Seanach.

it was they that had reared bishop Senach.

ro hidhnaiccedh imorro Aedh guaire la Ruadán co Bretnu

Sheol Ruán, áfach, Aodh Ghuaire go dtí an Bhreatain

By Ruadhan Aedh Guaire was bestowed among the Britons however,

ár ní ro fhét beith indErind la Diarmait.

mar nár fhéad sé fanacht in Éirinn le Diarmaid.

for by reason of Dermot he might not be anywhere in Ireland.

bái iarum do méd smachta Diarmata
ocus a neirt for chách co nár fhét beth in Albain ná i mBretnaib oca .

Ach, *faoi dheoidh,* bhí an oiread sin smachta agus cumhachta ag Diarmaid ar chách nár fhéad sé fanacht in Albain ná sa Bhreatain dá bharr.

But such was Dermot’s influence and power over others that because of him Aedh ultimately could not be either in Scotland or with the Britons;

co tánic indErinn doridissi co Ruadán

Tháinig sé go hÉirinn arís go Ruán

so that he returned to Ireland to Ruadhan,

gur foilgedh i talmain oc Ruadán.

agus chuir Ruán i bhfolach sa talamh é.

who had him hidden under ground.

is ann búi Ruadán in tan sin áit a fuil
poll Ruadáin innidh.

Is é áit ina raibh Ruán an uair sin mar a bhfuil Poll Ruáin inniu.

Where Ruadhan was then was at the spot in which Poll Ruadháin [i.e. ‘Ruadhan’s Pit’] is to-day.

ocus a beith i bhfoluch i talmain oc Ruadán.

agus a bheith a bhfolach sa talamh ag Ruán.

and that Ruadhan held him concealed in the earth.

Luid Diarmait iarum do shaighid Ruadáin iar sin

Chuaigh Diarmaid ansin ar thóir Ruáin iar sin

Then Dermot repaired to Ruadhan,

ocus ro chuir a ara carpait uadh do thabairt Aedho guairi ar écin amach ó Ruadán .

agus chuir sé a ara carbaid uaidh le hAodh Ghuaire a bhreith ar éigean amach ó Ruán.

and despatched his charioteer to recover Aedh Guaire from him forcibly.

do chóid imorro in gilla isin regles ocus berar a ruscc uadh fó cétóir.

Chuaigh an giolla isteach sa séipéal agus baineadh a radharc de ar an toirt.

The young man entered into the sanctuary, but on the instant was deprived of his eyes.

rosgab ferg imorro in rí de sin

Tháinig fearg, más ea, ar an rí dá bharrsan

The king being now wroth at this,

ocus tánicc féissin co hairm ambúi Ruadán

agus tháinig féin mar a raibh Ruán

he came to Ruadhan

ocus ro fiarfaig do Ruadán

agus d’fhiafraigh de Ruán

and enquired of him

cia hairm ambúi Aedh guaire .

cá raibh Aodh Ghuaire,

ár ro fhidir ná habrad Ruadán brég.

mar bhí a fhios aige nach n-inseodh Ruán bréag.

(for he knew that Ruadhan would not tell a lie)

where was Aedh Guaire.

“ní fhetarsa” or Ruadán “cia hairmm atá

“Ní fheadar cá bhfuil sé,” arsa Ruán,

Ruadhan made answer: “verily I know not where he is,

acht minab fil fout áit atái.”

“mura bhfuil sé fút mar a bhfuil tú.”

if he be not under thee even where thou art.”

do chóid in rí ass in regles amach iartain

D’imigh an rí as an séipéal amach ansin

The king departed out of the sanctuary then,

ocus ní tard dia óidh andébairt in clérech.

gan aird a thabhairt ar a ndúirt an cléireach.

nor any more heeded that which the cleric had said;

ro athchuimnig ann sin ina menmain andébairt Ruadán

Ach ina dhiaidh sin rinne sé athmhachnamh ina aigne ar a ndúirt Ruán

but in his mind afterwards he recalled to memory Ruadhan’s utterance,

ocus forfetair conad i talmain fói ro búi Oed guaire.

agus bhí a fhios aige gur sa talamh faoi a bhi Aodh Ghuaire.

and recognised that in the ground under him where he had stood Aedh Guaire was.

tánicc Diarmait doridisi issin regles

Tháinig Diarmaid arís isteach sa tséipéal

*Dermot returned to the sanctuary,

ocus atchonnaircc in choinnill for adhnad issin talmain fói

agus chonaic sé an choinneal ar lasadh faoi sa talamh

and he saw a lighted candle beneath him in the ground

áit ambúi Oedh guaire.

mar a raibh Aodh Ghuaire.

where Aedh Guaire was.*

ocus ro chuir Diarmait fer dia muir .i. Donnán a ainm do shaigid Aedha .

Chuir Diarmaid duine dá mhuintir, dárbh ainm Donnán, ag triall ar Aodh

He deputed a man of his people (Donnan was his name) to go down to Aedh,

ocus ro gab for tochuilt in talman fair

agus chrom seisean ar an talamh a thochailt os a chionn

over whose head the same fell to dig away the earth;

ocus ro benad a sedh fó chétóir as a lámaib.

ach baineadh a neart as a lámha ar an toirt.

but his arms were reft of their power presently.

tánicc co Ruadán iar sin ocus ro shlécht dó

Tháinig sé chun Ruáin ansin agus shléacht dó

Thereupon he came to Ruadhan and made obeisance to him;

ocus ro slécht in fer do dallad remi .

agus shléacht an fear a dalladh roimhe sin dó;

the man also that previously was blinded made obeisance,

ocus ro bátar a fail Ruadáin iar sin

d’fhanadar ina dhiaidh sin fara Ruán,

and thenceforth they abode with Ruadhan:

ocus is iat ata naeim a poll Ruadáin inidh.

agus is iadsan na naoimh atá (faoi onóir) i bPoll Ruáin inniu.

which two it is that to-day are reputed saints at Pollruane.

tánic dono Diarmait féisin issin rigles .

Ach tháinig Diarmaid féin chun an tséipéil

Now came Dermot himself into the church

ocus do rat féin Oedh guairi as in talmain

agus rug sé féin Aodh Ghuaire leis as an talamh

and took Aedh Guaire out of the hole in the ground,

ocus is é sin poll Ruadáin aniud.

ar a dtugtar Poll Ruáin inniu.

which to-day is called Pollruane.

ructha laisin rígh Oedh a forcomul co Temraig

Thug an rí Aodh i ngeimhlibh leis go Teamhair

By the king Aedh was brought in bonds to Tara,

co ro crochta oca é isin glés doróine.

le go gcrochfaidís é in éiric na cleasaíochta a rinne sé.

where in recompense of all his contrivance Dermot would have had him hanged.

Do chóidh Ruadhán co Brénainn mbirra ar sin

D’imigh Ruán ansin go Bréanann Bhiorra

Ruadhan in the mean time had sought out Brendan of Birr

dia breth i ndeoidh a chomaircci

lena bhreith leis ar lorg an té a bhí faoina choimirce.

for the purpose of taking him with him to retrieve his protégé,

ocus lotar diblínaib co Temraig .

Chuaigh siad araon go Teamhair.

and the pair went on to Tara.

bátar iar sin ac iarair a comairci ar in rígh .

Bhí siad ansin ag lorg an té a bhí faoin gcomairce ar an rí.

There they demanded of the king to have him whose safety Ruadhan had guaranteed;

ispertsom nár dlecht do’n eglais comairce do dénum forsin tí no millfed in recht rígda .

Dúirt seisean nár chóir don Eaglais comairce a thabhairt don té a mhillfeadh reacht an rí,

but Dermot answered that to him who should have infringed royal law the Church had no right to extend immunity,

ár búi sárugud dé ocus daoine ann.

mar gur bhain sárú Dé agus daoine leis sin.

for that in so doing a violation of right both human and divine was inherent.

ro gabsat na cléirigh iar sin salmu escaine

Ghabh na cléirigh ansin sailm na mallacht

The clerics chanted psalms of commination now,

ocus ro bensat a cluco forsin rígh.

agus bhuail a gcloig in aghaidh an rí.

and rang their bells against the king.

atbathatar dá mac rígh déc i noenuair i Temraig indoidhci sin .i. dá dalta déc do’n rígh .

Fuair dháréag mac rí, dháréag dalta leis an rí, bás san aon uair i dTeamhair an oíche sin.

That night, and in the one instant, died in Tara twelve sons of chiefs that were twelve in pupilage to the king;

táncatar a naidedha do shaidin na cléirech

Tháinig a n-oidí chun na gcléireach

whose respective guardians came to the clergy

ocus bátar ocá [ms. oco a] nertugud im tathbeoghugud na mac.

agus bhí siad á ngríosadh na hóganaigh a athbheoú.

and with persistence exhorted them to resuscitate the youths.

rogníset irnaighthi ocus ro tathbeogadh na micc.

Rinne siadsan urnaí agus tháinig an t-anam arís sna h-ógánaigh.

The saints prayed, and the lads were recalled to life.

Bliadain lán dóib iar sin oc escaini Diarmata

Chaith siad bliain iomlán ina dhiaidh sin ag eascainí ar Dhiarmaid

For a full year after this they anathematised Dermot

ocus oc imirt mírbul fair .

agus ag déanamh míorúiltí ina aghaidh,

and plied him with miracles,

ocus dobeired Diarmait firt for araile dóib.

agus thugadh Diarmaid feart ar fheart dóibh.

he giving them back prodigy for prodigy.

nír chuimgiset iarum nach ní dó

Níor fhéad siad aon lámh a dhéanamh air *faoi dheoidh*

But in the long run they prevailed nothing over him

nó cor gellsat nem do’n ferthigis

nó gur gheall siad neamh don stíobhard

until to the house-steward,

conaprad fria Diarmait na cléirig do chaithem [ms. chathaim] a cotach.

ach go ndéarfadh sé le Diarmaid gur chaith na cléirigh a gcuid bia.

by way of procuring him to tell the king that now at last the clergy partook of a refection,

they made promise of Heaven.

luid in feirtighis co Diarmait

Chuaigh an stíobhard go dtí Diarmaid

The house-steward went to Dermot

ocus innisid dó na cléirig ac caithem a cota .

agus inseann dó go raibh na cléirigh ag caitheamh a gcoda,

and told him that the clergy ate a meal,

conad amlaid sin fuaratar boeghal troiscci fair.

agus ar a tslí sin fuair siad buntáiste troscaidh air.

so that in this wise [for it was not true] they in the matter of fasting won an advantage over him.

atchí Diarmait aislingthi in oidhci sin

Feiceann Diarmaid aisling an oíche sin

That night Dermot saw a dream:

.i. crann mór do beith i Temraig

.i. crann mór a bheith i dTeamhair

that in Tara was a great tree,

ocus a barr do rochtain co neola nime

agus a bharr ag sroicheadh néalta neimhe

the top of which reached to the clouds of heaven

ocus a fhoscudh tar Erinn uili.

agus a scáth thar Éirinn uile.

and its shade over all Ireland.

atchí caecait [ms. .l.] ngall ocus dá gall aireghda atorro ac tescad in croinn .

Feiceann sé caoga Gall, agus beirt Ghall uasal ina measc ag teascadh an chrainn.

Fifty foreigners he saw (and among them two leading strangers) that felled the tree,

ocus cach ní no bendáis de no ícadhsom fó cétóir

Agus gach a dteascaidís de cuireadh seisean ar ais slán ar an toirt;

but all that which they chopped from it was continually made good again *by him* forthwith;

cur chuirset [in] oenfecht eisim ó’n chrann ocus cur trascuirset é .

ach chuir siad, le chéile, ón gcrann é agus threascair an crann,

*together* they put him from the tree and laid it prostrate,

conad é fuaim in chroinn ac tuitim ro dúisig eisim.

agus ba é fuaim an chrainn ag titim a dhúisigh é.

so that it was the falling tree’s crash that awoke him.

“fíor ón” ol Diarmait: “misi in crann

“Is fíor seo,” arsa Diarmaid. “ Mise an crann

“Even so,” Dermot said: “I am the tree;

ocus is iat na gaill oca letradh na cléirigh oc timdibe mo shaegail .

agus is iad na cléirigh ag giorrú mo shaoil na Gaill ag leadradh an chrainn.

the foreigners that chop it are the clergy cutting short my life,

ocus is leo ro thuitessa [ms. thuitisa].”

Agus is leo a thitfidh mé.”

and by them also am I fallen.”

Atracht in rí iarna márach ocus do chóid co hairmm a rabatar na cléirig.

D’éirigh an rí lá arna mhárach agus chuaigh mar a raibh na cléirigh.

On the morrow the king rose and went to the place where the clergy were:

“olc a ndernsabair” ar sé

“Is olc a rinne sibh,” ar sé,

“ill have ye done,” he said,

“mo fhlaithessa [ms. fhlaithiusa] do lot ar bithin dam oc díten na fírinni.”

“mo fhlaitheas-sa a lot toisc mé a bheith ag cosaint na córa.

“to undo my kingdom for that I maintained the righteous cause.

“cid fil ann” ar Diarmait

Cibé scéal é,” arsa Diarmaid,

At all events,” he went on,

“corop sí cétfairche millter indErinn t’fhairchese a Ruadáin . ocus do mhanaig dot fhácbál!”

“gurab i d’fhairche-se, a Ruáin, an chéad fhairche a mhillfear in Éirinn, agus go dtréige do mhanaigh thú!”

“be thy diocese the first one that is ruined in Ireland and, Ruadhan, may thy monks desert thee!”

“gu rab scíth lim co luath ar do rígise” ar Ruadán.

“Gura luath do réim ar feo liom,” arsa Ruán.

The saint retorted: “may thy kingdom droop speedily.”

“bud fás do chathairse a Ruadain” ar Diarmait .

“Beidh do mhainistirse folamh, a Ruáin,” arsa Diarmaid,

Dermot said: “thy see shall be empty,

“ocus toichélait mucca a reilci.”

“agus déanfaidh muca a reiligí a thóch.”

and swine shall root up thy churchyards.”

“bud fás Temair dono” ol Ruadán

“Beidh Teamhair tréigthe, más ea,” arsa Ruán,

“Tara shall be desolate,” Ruadhan said,

“ocus ní bia áitreb co bráth innti.”

“agus ní bheidh áitreabh inti go brách.”

“and therein shall no dwelling be for ever.”

“go rab aithis for do chorpsa” ol Diarmait .

“Go raibh aithis ar do chorpsa,” arsa Diarmaid,

Dermot said: “may shameful blemish affect thy person,”

ocus ro mebaidh lethroscc Ruadáin fó cétóir.

agus phléasc leathshúil Ruáin ar an toirt.

and straightway one of Ruadhan’s eyes burst.

“go ro cirrtar do chorpsa ó naimdib” ar Ruadán .

“Ciorrú ar do chorpsa ag naimhdibh,” arsa Ruán,

Ruadhan said: “be thy body mangled by enemies,

“ocus co ro scáilter do boill ó chéile co ná fagbaiter i noeninad.”

“agus go scaiptear do bhaill ó chéile i dtreo nach bhfaighfear san aon áit iad.”

and thy limbs disintegrated so that they be not found in the one place.”

“go tí torc allaid dono” ar Diarmait

“Go dtaga torc allta, más ea,” arsa Diarmaid,

Dermot said: “may there a wild boar come

“co ro thochla in tilaig inadnadhnaiccfiter

“an tulach ina gcuirfear thú go dtócha sé,

that he grub up the hill on which thou shalt be buried,

co ro scáilter do thaissi .

go scaiptear do thaisí;

and that thy relics be scattered;

ocus co rab conuall con allta fót reilic gach nóna ocus éigem gacha etarthratha innti .

agus go raibh conuall con allta ar fud do reilige gach nóin, agus béiceach gach eadartha inti;

also at nones continually be there in thy churchyard howling of ‘wild hounds’ [i.e. wolves], and the alarm-cry every evening;

ocus nárab [ms. nar rab] iat a manaig féin áitrébait innti.”

agus nárbh iad a manaigh féin a bheidh ag áitreabh inti.”

neither be they its own monks that shall dwell in it.”

“in glún ná ro tócbadh remomsa dono” ar Ruadán

“An ghlúin seo nár ardaíodh romhamsa,” arsa Ruán,

Ruadhan said: “the knee that was not lifted in reverence before me,

“ná ro hadhnaicter frit chorpsa é.”

“nár adhlactar le do chorp í.”

be not the same sepulchred with thy body.”

is ann sin atchuingid Ruadán in dubthemell isin tellaig

Ansin ghuigh Ruán an dúscamall ar an teallach

Then upon the royal hearth Ruadhan imprecated the blackness of darkness:

co ná bia dé do chlethi i Temraig co bráth.

ionas nach mbeadh deatach de mhaide mullaigh i dTeamhair go brách.

that nevermore in Tara should smoke issue from roof-tree.

Is ann sin ro bái Diarmait oc déchsain chleithi in tighi.

Ansin díreach bhí Diarmaid ag féachaint ar mhaide mullaigh an tí.

Just then it was that Dermot looked at the ridgebeam *of the house*.

“is bidba duit in cleithe úcut

“Is namhaid duit an maide mullaigh úd,

“That beam is hostile to thee;

ciadonéchnagtar” or Ruadán:

cé go bhfuil tú ag féacaint air,” arsa Ruán;

“is é in cleithe sin dobibar it étan

“is é an maide mullaigh seo a bhuailfear san éadan ort

that roof-tree it is that shall yet be hurled upon thy face

as thou lookest up at it,

iar do chláidedh do allmarchaib.”

ar do theascadh lena gclaimhte ag allúraigh.”

after that by them from over sea thou shalt have been stricken down.”

“t’óigriar duit a chléirig” ar sé.

“Breith do bhéil féin duit, a chléirigh,” ar sé.

“Cleric, take all thy will,” the king cried.

lecar in cimid dóib ass iar sin ocus dogniat síd.

Ligtear an cime saor leo ansin agus rinne siad síocháin

Then their prisoner is enlarged for them, and both parties make peace;

conad ann aspert Diarmait in so:—

go ndúirt Diarmaid ansin mar a leanas:

whereupon Dermot said this: —

“Mairg thochrus fri cléirchib cell .

“Mairg a throideann cléirigh na gceall,

“Alas for him that to the clergy of the churches showeth fight;

mairg nó iarrann tenn i tenn;

Mairg a lorgann déine comhraic;

woe to him that would contend, with giving cut for cut;

biaid Temair de co fás fán .

Beidh Teamhair go fás ar fán,

through this — through my dissension and Ruadhan’s —

dom thocharsa ocus Ruadhán”

Ó mo chointinn-se le Ruán.”

Tara shall be desolate and clean swept.”

“Olc a ndernsabair a chliarcha” ar sé

“Is olc a rinne sibh, a chléireacha,” ar sé,

He went on: “evil is that which ye have worked, clerics

“mo fhlaithessa do milliudh.

“mo fhlaitheas-sa a mhilleadh,

— my kingdom’s ruination;

ár ní bia Eire issna haimseraib déidhencha [ms. déigenco] ní bus ferr anás amail ro búi anossa .

óir ní bheidh Éire sna haimsirí déanacha níos fearr ná mar a bhí go dtí anois.

for in the latter times Ireland shall not be better off than at this present she will have been.

acht cidh fil ann” ar sé

Cibé scéal é,

But in any wise

“acht co ndernat drochríga ocus rígdamnada [ms. domno] ocus cuitchetharna

níl i gceist ná go ndéanfadh drochríthe agus rídhamhnaí, agus tiarnaí i bhfreasúra,

may it be so that bad chiefs, their heirs-apparent, and their men of war

coinnmed for bar cellaibse ann sin .

coinmheadh ar bhur gcealla ansin,

shall quarter themselves in your churches then;

ocus gurab iat féin benfus a mbróga díob in bar tighib

agus gurb iadsan féin a bhainfidh a mbróga díobh i bhur dtithe

and be it their own [i.e. the inhabitants’] selves that in your houses shall pull off such people’s brogues for them,

ocus ní raibe do chumang acaib a gcur uaib.”

agus nach mbeadh sé ar bhur gcumas agaibh iad a chur uaidh.”

ye being the while powerless to rid yourselves of them.”

Lotar na cléirig dia tigh ocus a cimidh leo

Abhaile leis na cléirigh ansin agus a gcime leo

The clergy (their prisoner with them) started for home,

co ráncatar poll Ruadáin .

nó go dtáinig siad go Poll Ruáin.

and so to Pollruane;

ocus atchiat trícha ech ndubghlass co ndealbaib derrscaighthecha forro oc tiachtain ass in muir cucu

Chonaic siad *ag teacht* chucu as an muir tríocha each dúghlas i gcló dearscnach;

but first they perceived thirty dark-grey horses, super-excellent in shape, that issued from the sea and came to-
wards them.

ocus do radsat do’n righ iat .

thug siad don rí iad;

These they presented to the king;

ocus ro fromad iat imm a rith

promhadh iad maidir lena rith

their running was tried [against his other horses]

ocus robtar luatha iat .

agus fuarthas mear iad.

and they proved the speedier;

ocus do chótar na heich issin riocht cétna doridissi bail as a táncatar.

Ach d’imigh na heich, sa riocht céanna ina raibh siad, ar ais go dtí an ball as ar tháinig siad.

but said horses then re-assumed the identical form [which they had worn in the sea] and so returned to the same place out of which at first they came.

batar sídaigh iar sin Diarmait ocus na cléirig.

Bhí síocháin idir Diarmait agus na cléirigh ansin.

After which Dermot and the clergy were at peace.

A mbúi Diarmait i narali oidhci ocus atchí dias dia shaighid.

Bhí Diarmaid ansiúd óiche agus feiceann sé beirt chuige.

It was when Dermot was of a night, and he sees two draw near him:

andar leiss écosc cléirigh forsin dara fer

Measann sé go raibh dealramh cléirigh ar dhuine acu

the one man, as he deems, wears a cleric’s semblance;

ocus écoscc láich for araile.

agus dealramh tuata ar an duine eile.

the other one a layman’s.

tecait dia shaigid ocus benait a miond ríg de

Tagann siad chuige agus baineann siad a choróin rí de

They come up to him, take off his king’s diadem,

ocus dogniat mionn cechtar de .

agus déanann siad coróin an duine di;

make of it a diadem apiece

ocus búi a leth o[c] cach fior díb ocus rannat atorro amlaid sin .

bhí a leath ag gach fear díobh agus roinneann siad eatarthu mar sin í.

(either man of them having one half, for so they divide it between them),

tiaghait uadh la sodhain.

D’imigh siad uaidh ansin.

and with that depart from him.

diuchrus Diarmait as a chotlud iar sin ocus innissid a fhís.

Dhúisigh Diarmaid as a chodladh ansin agus inseann a fhís.

Dermot starts out of his sleep then, and tells his vision.

“fíor” ol Bec mac Dé ocus ar Cáiridh mac Finnchaeime .i. fili Diarmato:

“Fíor dhuit,” arsa Beag Mac Dé agus arsa Cáiridh mac Fionnchaoimhe (.i. file Dhiarmada):

“Just so,” said Beg mac Dé and said Cairidh son of Finnchaemh [his mother] that was Dermot’s poet:

“atá lindi breth th’aislingi duit .

“tá ciall do thaibhrimh againn duit;

“thy dream’s interpretation we have for thee:

táirnic do fhlaithes” ar sé “ocus is
deired dot righe

tá do fhlaitheas thart agus tá deireadh le do ríogacht;

Thy kingdom is determined, of thy reign there is an end,

ocus do bíth do greimm flatha festo for Erinn

tá do ghreim flatha ar Éirinn teasctha feasta;

and for the future thy princely grasp of Ireland is cast off:

.i. roinn etir chill ocus tuaith issedh bias ann festa .

roinn idir cill is tuath, is é sin a bheidh ann feasta.

division between Church and Lay namely, that is what shall subsist now;

ocus issedh tirchanus roinn do minn rígsa

Agus is é a thairngríonn roinnt do chorónach rí-se

and that which thy royal diadem’s partition forbodes

.i. roinn fhlaitheasa [ms. ruinnd flaithisa] Erenn etir thuaith ocus eglais .

.i. roinnt flaitheas Éireann idir tuath agus Eaglais.

is even such another apportioning of Ireland’s sovereignty betwixt Church and State.”

acht chena” ar sé “tiuccfo aimser bus doer eglaiss do thuaith

Ach,” ar sé, “tiochfaidh an t-am nuair a bheidh an eaglais ina daor ag an tuath

He proceeded: “a time will come when Church shall be enslaved by State,

co ná bia neimtheas egulsa

i dtreo nach mbeidh pribhléid fearann cille ann

and when privilege of church-lands shall not exist;

acht a beith fo chuinnmedh cáich .

ach é a bheith ag teacht faoi choinmheadh cách.

but they shall be obnoxious to free quartering at the hands of all.

tiuccfa dono olcc do’n tuaith ann sin

Leanfaidh drochiarsma as sin ar an tuath

In lieu of this, however, evil shall overtake the State:

co commuirfi do’n mac ocus do’n athair ocus do’n bráthair fri araili

i dtreo go maróidh mac athair agus bráthair gaoil a chéile

so that the son, the father, the kinsman [of what degree soever], shall kill each other,

coma[dh] derga airmm cáich as a fuilib .

agus beidh arm gach duine dearg as créachta a chéile;

and every man’s weapon be red with another’s blood.

conbebaid talam ocus mess crann ocus torad uisci tria ainfhíor cáich.”

tré éagóir chách millfear talamh agus meas na gcrann agus toradh an uisce.”

By perfidy of all men [fruits of] the earth shall perish, and mast of trees, and produce of the waters.”

Dogníter féiss Temrach la Diarmait iarsin.

Comórtar Feis Teamhrach le Diarmaid ina dhiaidh sin.

Tara’s festival is held by Dermot now:

marbaid Curnán mac Oedho mic Echach tirmcharna

Curnán mac Aodha mhic Eachach Thirmcharna

at the actual banquet Curnan (son of Aedh son of Eochaid Tirmcharna,

ó [a] fuilit síol Máilruain la Connachto

— óna dtagann Síol Mhaoilruain i gConnachta —

a quo Síol Maeilruain in Connacht)

duine ocon fleidh .

mharaigh sé duine ag an bhfleá,

kills a man,

ocus luid for comairce dá mac
Muirchertaigh mic Ercca .i. Fergus ocus Domnall.

agus chuaigh faoi choimirce bheirt mhac Mhuircheartaigh mhic Earca .i. Fearghas agus Dónall.

and places himself under protection of Muirchertach mac Erca’s two sons: Fergus and Donall,

cuirit sin ar comairce Choluim chilli é.

Cuireann siadsan faoi choimirce Cholm Cille é.

who in turn put him under Columbkill’s guarantee.

marbthar oc an rígh é a cinaidh a
écóra.

Maraítear ag an rí é in éiric a éagóra. 

The king has him slain in expiation of his misdemeanour,

sóait Connachtaig for Diarmait a cinaid mic in rígh do marbadh .i. Churnáin.

D’iompaigh Connachta ar Dhiarmaid in éiric mac an rí a mharú .i. Curnán.

and Connacht turns on Dermot: impleading him for slaughter of their king’s son Curnan.

luid Diarmait do innrad Connacht

D’imigh Diarmaid ag ionradh ar Chonnachta

Dermot proceeds to ravage Connacht,

co ránicc cúil sibrinne .i. a ngar do dreimne.

gur tháinig go Cúil Sibhrinne i gcóngar Chúil Dreimhne.

and reaches Cúil Sibrinne hard by Cúil Dreimne.

tinólaid Colum cilli ú Néill ín tuaisceirt

Tionólann Colm Cille Uí Néill an tuaiscirt

do dighail a chomairci for Diarmait.

chun a té a bhí faoina choimirce a dhíolt ar Dhiarmaid.

In order to avenge on Dermot his violated guarantee,

Columbkill gathers clan-Neill of the North.

Tagann leis go Connachta, más ea,

tecait leis dono Fergus ocus Domnall dá mac Muirchertaigh mic Ercca.

Fearghas agus Dónall, beirt mhac Mhuircheartaigh mhic Earca,

Along with him Fergus and Donall (Muirchertach mac Erca’s two sons),

ocus Ainmire mac Sédna rí chiniuil Conaill .

agus Ainmhire mac Shéadna, rí Chinéil Chonaill,

Ainmire son of Sedna king of Kinel-connell,

ocus Nindidh mac Duach .

agus Ninnidh mac Dhuach,

Muiredach mac Duach,

ocus Aed mac Echach tirmcharna

agus Aodh mac Echach Thirmcharna.

and Eochaid Tirmcharna’s son Aedh,

co Connachtaib laiss.

proceed into Connacht.

doghní tra Fraechán mac Tenesáin drái Diarmata airbri druadh etir in dá shluagh .

Déanann, áfach, Fraochán mac Thineasáin, draoi Dhiarmada, fál druadh idir an dá shlua.

But between the two armies Frechan son of Tenesan (Dermot’s wizard) set up ‘a magic barrier,’

is ann atbert Colum cilli:

Ansin is ea a dúirt Colm Cille:

and then it was that Columbkill uttered:—

“a dia cid nach ndingma itir in ceo ciachsa in Erind ar líon in tslóigh do boing bretha díob?”:—

“A Dhia, cumá nach gcosnaíonn tú an slua ar an gceo seo in Éirinn trína ndiúltaítear ceart dóibh?”

“Wherefore, O God, dost Thou not fend off from us *this mist in Ireland through which justice is denied them?”

“Slóigh do ching a timchioll chairn .

“Téann slóite timpeall cairn

“A throng circles around a grave;

’s macán bithi nodusmairn;

Is ógánach básaithe a bhraitheann siad;

it is a dead youth that they see;

is é mo drái ní méra .

Is é mo dhraoi nach mairfidh;

it is my magician that will not live;

mac dé is ferr nach congéna

Is fearr nach gcabhródh Mac Dé.

it is better that God’s Son would not help.

Is álainn ferus alluag .

Is álainn a bhaineann sé éiric

It is beautiful how he exacts reparation

gá [mbíth] Baetán rissin sluag;

As Baothán a mharú ag an slua;

for Baetán’s murder by the throng;

fola Baetán fuilt buidhi .

Béarfaidh mé éiric ar a son,

I will exact reparation for her,

bérad a héraic fuirri”

Créachta Bhaotháin fhoilt bhuí.”

the wounds of Baetán of the yellow hair.”*

Ticc Tuatán mac Dímáin mac Sharáin mic Chormaicc mic Eogain mic Néill

Tháinig Tuatán mac Dhíomháin mhic Sharáin, mhic Cormaic, mhic Eoghain, mhic Néill

Tuatán (son of Dímán son of Sarán son of Cormac son of Eoghan son of Niall) comes then,

ocus cuiridh in airbri ndruadh tar a chiond

agus cuireann an fál druadh tóin thar ceann

capsizes the barrier

ocus lingid tairsi .

agus léimeann thairis,

and clears it at one jump;

ocus benaiss in gái do’n leth anaill inn ocus marbtar é .

ach bhuail ga ón taobh thall isteach ann agus maraítear é.

but on the other side a spear meets him, enters him, and he is killed.

Ocus is hé oeinfer namá ránicc bás do muir Choluim chilli.

Is é amháin, áfach, de mhuintir Cholm Cille a fuair bás.

Now of all Columbkill’s people he was
the only man whom death reached.

muidhidh for Diarmait iar sin.

Briseadh ar Diarmaid ansin.

Then Dermot is defeated.

“isfri féine ndremain” ar Colum cilli .

“Is in aghaidh féinní dhreamhain é,” arsa Colm Cille.

“It is fri féinnidh ndremain, i.e. a case of [a barrier] opposed to a warrior that would not be denied,” said Columbkill;

conad de ro lil in ainm ann .i. cúil dremne nó dreimféne.

Is uaidh sin a lean an t-ainm ann .i. Cúil Dreimhne nó Dreimhfhéinne.

whence the name Cúil Dreimne, otherwise Cúil Dreimfhéinne, has
prevailed.

Luidh Diarmait co Temraig ocus aspert fri Beg doridisi:

Chuaigh Diarmaid go Teamhair agus dúirt le Beag arís:

Dermot went to Tara and again said to Beg:

“a fhioss deimin cissi haidhed nombérad.”

“Bíodh a fhios go deimhin agam cén oidhe a sciobfaidh léi mé.”

“let me have certain knowledge what manner of death it is that shall carry me off.”

aspert Beg: “ní cunntabairt són:—

Dúirt Beag: “Níl amhras faoi sin:

Beg said: “that is not matter of doubt:—

Cichse a Temair .

Céimneoidh tú as Teamhair,

*Thou wilt go from Tara,

tar fert .

Thar feart,

across a mound,

a fert fogamraig .

As feart torthúil

from a fertile mound,

a fód . a muir .

As fód, as muir,

from land, from sea,

for iláthaib Bóinne .

Ar thuamaí na Bóinne,

on the graves of the Boyne,

seoch lecco mic Mani .

Seach Leaca Mhic Mhaine,

past Leca mic Maine,

for Sadhb .

Ar Shadhbh,

on Sadb,

for Sadhbrann .

Ar Shadhbhrann,

on Sadbrann,

seoch Fhorbrech .

Seach Forbhreach

past Foibrech,

for carnn dreimni .

Ar Charn Dreimhne

on Carn Dreimne,

for Dollad .

Ar Dholladh

on the river Dollad,

for Daboll .

Ar Dhabholl,

on the river Daboll,

for Daiblíne .

Ar Dhaibhlíne

on the river Daibline,

for Callainn .

Ar Challainn

on the river Callan,

for Macho .

Ar Mhacha

on Armagh,

for Tórainn .

Ar Thórainn

on the river Torrent,

for Aiss .

Ar Ais

on Aiss,

for Foidhne .

Ar Fhoidhne

on Foidne

etir Challainn ocus loch .

Idir Callainn agus Loch

between Callan and

do fomna Déissi .

Do fhomna Déise.

Loch Dofomna Déise.

do lith áinfir .

Mar shéan aonair

For a solitary omen,

foilcfid Macha do chenn .

Nífidh Macha do cheann.

Macha will wash thy head.

atcifi bu bairrne .

Feicfidh tú ba Bhoirne.

Thou wilt see the cows of Burren.

íba dhigh do duirb .

Ólfair deoch de chruimh.

Thou wilt drink a drink with a worm in it.

génaid fer dub tuathchaech muicc nduib a ceandaib mucc .

Maróidh fear dubh ar leathshúil chlé muc dhubh as príomh-mhuca.

A dark one-eyed man will kill a black pig from the best of pigs.

cichsi domni .

Céimneoidh tú doimhne.

Thou wilt plumb depths.

atcí éclaind fó mindaib .

Feiceann tú díbheargach faoi chorónacha.

Thou seest a brigand under a crown;*

íba brachdig oenghráinne a ráith Bic .

Ólfair deoch bracha aonghráinne i Rath Bheag.

in Beg’s rath thou shalt drink a malt-drink of a single grain;

ann notcurthar a Diarmait.”

Is ann a chuirfear thú, a Dhiarmaid.”

and there it is that thou shalt be laid, Dermot.”

“Mo fhlaith dom éisi cia cruth ambia?” ol Diarmait.

“Mo ríocht i mo dhiaidh — cén chaoi ina mbeidh sí?” arsa Diarmaid.

“My kingdom after me — after what fashion shall it be?” asked Dermot;

Is ann cachain Bec so:—

Is ansin a chan Beag é seo:

and then it was that Beg enunciated this: —

“Olc bith aromthá .

“Is olc an saol atá chugam;

“An evil world is now at hand:

daera fir .

Beidh fir daor,

in which men shall be in bondage,

saera mná .

Mná saor,

women free;

mess fás .

Meas crann folamh,

mast wanting,

fidh cáin .

Coill caoin,

woods smooth,

olcc bláth .

Bláth olc,

blossom bad;

ili gáith .

Gaotha iomadúil,

winds many,

samh fliuch .

Samhradh fliuch,

wet summer,

ith nglass .

Arbhar glas,

green corn;

immat buar .

Iomad bó,

much cattle,

terc ass .

Bainne tearc.

scant milk;

midhbuidh tromm in gach tír .

Beidh muirir trom i ngach dúiche,

dependants burdensome in every country,

caeil tuircc .

Toirc seang,

hogs lean,

uilcc ríg .

Ríthe olc,

chiefs wicked;

fíor nolcc .

Ceart éagórach.

bad faith,

guin gnáth .

Beidh bású ina ghnás.

chronic killing;

bith críon .

Beidh an bhith ar feo.

a world withered,

líon ráth .

Beidh rátha líonmhar.

raths in number.

atiat flaithi dodufiucfat .

Is iad na ríthe a shroichfidh í i do dhiaidh:

These be the princes that shall succeed thee: —

ó Niall co Niall .

Ó Niall go Niall,

[The kingdom shall revolve] from Niall to Niall,

ó bruidhi co bruidhi .

ó fhearann go fearann,

from land to land:

Niall i muir .

Niall i muir,

a Niall by sea;

Niall i nguin .

Niall i mbású,

a Niall in slaying;

Niall i tein .

Niall i dtine,

a Niall in fire;

Niall dia .

Niall i ndé.

*a Niall by day;*

Niall fuba in cach naidhigh .

Niall le fogha gach oíche

a Niall to hew down in every night,

iar coscradh Ailigh.”

ar thoghail Ailigh.”

after the wrecking of Ailech.”

“Tabar chucainn ár ndráithe [ms. ndraidhiu]” ar Diarmait

“Tabhair chugainn ár ndraoithe,” arsa Diarmaid

“Be our magicians brought to us,” Dermot said,

“co finnam an inann ní contirchanat dúinn ocus Becc.”

“féachaint an ionann a dtairngreacht dúinn agus tairngreacht Bhig.”

“that we ascertain whether it be the one thing that they and Beg forbode for us.”

“amarus dogní foromsa” ol Becc.

“Tá amhras air fúmsa,” arsa Beag.

“He doubts me does he,” says Beg;

luidh Bec as iarum tria luinne ocus
ainnseirrg ó Diarmait .

D’imigh Beag leis ó Dhiarmaid ansin faoi fhearg agus faoi fhíoch

and thereupon in great anger and in vindictive dudgeon goes out from Dermot,

sluag már ina deoidh oc cuincid fháistine fair .

agus slua mór ina dhiaidh ag iarraidh fáistine air,

having after him a great crowd that begged of him a prophecy,

conacca Colum cilli ar a chionn .

nó go bhfaca sé Colm Cille as a chomhair.

and so on until he saw Columbkill that awaited him.

bennachais dó.

Bheannaigh dó.

He saluted him,

“is amra in fháistine” ar Colum cilli:

“Is iontach í an fháistine,” arsa Colm Cille,

and Columbkill said: “it is a marvellous prophecy;

“is ó dia atá in fioss mórsa tucad duit.”

“is ó Dhia an fios mór seo a tugadh duit.”

from God comes this great foreknowledge that is vouchsafed thee.”

“atlóchamar do Dia” ol Becc.

“Beirimid a bhuíochas le Dia,” arsa Beag.

“God we thank for the same,” Beg answered.

“in fetarais lá do báis féin?” ar
Colum cille.

“An bhfeadar tú lá do bháis féin?” arsa Colm Cille.

Columbkill enquired then: “knowest thou thine own death’s day?”

“rotfetar ám a chléirig” ar Bec: “atát secht mbliadna dom shoegal.”

“Tá a fhios sin agam, a chléirigh,” arsa Beag, “tá seacht mbliana de mo shaol agam.”

“Cleric, I know it well,” quoth Beg: “there are yet seven years of my life.”

“is amra sin” ar Colum cilli “dia ndéntar friss .

“Is iontach sin,” arsa Colm Cille, “don té dá ndéantar amhlaidh leis,

“That is a grand thing for him to whom it is so done;

má fíor dono” or Colum cilli.

más fíor sin go deimhin,” arsa Colm Cille.

if indeed it be true,” said Columbkill.

“ní fíor” or Bec: “ní fil acht secht
míosa dom shaegul.”

“Ní fíor,” arsa Beag, “níl ach seacht mí de mo shaol agam.”

“It is not true,” Beg said: “there are but seven months of my life.”

“iss maith más fíor” or Colum cilli.

“Is maith más fíor,” arsa Colm Cille.

“Good again, if it be true,” said Columbkill.

“ní fíor” ar Bec: “ní fil acht secht nuaire in lái dom shaegul .

“Ní fíor,” arsa Beag, “níl ach seacht n-uaire an lae de mo shaol agam.

“It is not true,” Beg said: “there are of my life but seven hours of the day

comman ocus sacarbic dom co luath!”

Comaoineach agus sacraimint dom go luath!”

— speedily let me have communion and the sacrifice!”

is iar sin ro berr in cléirech é

Ansin thug an cléireach bearradh baithis dó,

Then the cleric tonsured him,

ocus do rat commun ocus sacarfic do

agus thug comaoineach agus sacraimint dó

gave him communion and sacrifice,

ocus do chuaid dochum nimi.

agus d’imigh sé ar neamh.

and he went [presently] to Heaven.

ro bói i tarrngairiu do Bhiuc trí góa [ms. do big .3.a goo] do radha ria techt do écaib .

Bhí sé i dtairngreacht do Bheag trí bréaga a rá roimh dul in éagaibh,

Now it had stood prophesied for Beg that before he attained to death he must utter three falsehoods [as above];

ar nidébairt gaoi riam gusan uair sin.

mar ní dúirt sé bréag riamh go dtí an uair sin.

for up to that hour he never had told a lie.

ar oenlus iarum do dechaid Colum cilli ar a chionnsom .

Tháinig Colm Cille d’aonghnó ina choinne

For the same reason also it was that Columbkill sought him out,

ár ro fhitir a ég isin ló sin fó chétóir.

mar bhí a fhios aige go raibh sé ag fáil bháis ar an toirt an lá sin.

for he knew that in that day he had to die incontinently.

Tuccaid iar sin a dráithe gu Diarmait

Tugadh a dhraoithe ina dhiaidh sin go Diarmaid

His magicians [as aforesaid] were *then* brought to Dermot,

ocus ro fhiarfaig díob cissi bás no ragad.

agus d’fhiafraigh sé dóibh cén bás a gheobhadh.

and he enquired of them what manner of death he should encounter.

“marbodh” ol in cétna drái:

“Bású,” arsan chéad draoi,

“Slaughter,” said the first magician:

“ocus léne oenroisne

“agus is fallaing d’aon síol lín,

“and ’tis a shirt grown from a single flax-seed,

ocus brat d’olainn oenchoerach

agus brat d’olann aon chaorach

with a mantle of one sheep’s wool,

bias umat a naidhci do báis.”

a bheidh umat oíche do bháis.”

that on the night of thy death shall be about thee.”

“uruso lium a sechna” ol Diarmait.

“Is furasta dom é sin a sheachaint,” arsa Diarmaid.

“A light matter it is for me to evade that,” Dermot said.

“bádhud” ol in drái ali:

“Bá,” arsan dara draoi,

“Drowning,” said the second magician:

“ocus cuirmm oengráinde

“agus is corm aon ghráinne

“and it is ale brewed of one grain of corn

rusfáidfe in adhaigh sin.”

a sheolfaidh anonn thú an oíche sin.”

that thou shalt despatch that night.”

“losccud” ol in tress drái:

“Loscadh,” arsan tríú draoi

“Burning,” quoth the third wizard:

“ocus saill muicci ná ro genair

“agus is saill muice nach rugadh

“and bacon of swine that never was farrowed

issedh bias for do méis.”

a bheidh ar do phláta.”

— that is what shall be on thy dish.”

“is écsamail [ms. exsamail] sin” ar Diarmait.

“Ní dócha sin,” arsa Diarmaid.

Dermot said: “all this is unlikely.”

Luid Diarmait iar sin for a cuairt rígi deissil Erenn .

D’imigh Diarmaid ina dhiaidh sin ar a chuairt rí deiseal Éireann,

Then on his regal circuit Dermot [set out and] travelled right-handed [i.e. south and west about] round Ireland,

ár iss amlaid no caithedh rí Temrach Erinn

óir is mar seo a chaitheadh rí Teamhrach féile Éireann

*for thus it was that the king of Tara toured Ireland,*

.i. a Temraig illaighnib .

.i. ó Theamhair go Laighin,

that is to say: from Tara into Leinster;

ocus a sidéin a Mumain .

agus as sin go Mumhain,

thence into Munster;

ocus as sin i Connachtaib .

agus as sin go Connachta

thence into Connacht,

ocus for cóicedh Ulad fó deoidh .

agus i gCúige Uladh faoi dheoidh

and *finally* athwart Ulster’s province;

contoirched co Temraig i gcionn úidhe na bliadna forsin samfuin

nó go sroicheadh Teamhair i gclabhsúr thuras na bliana um Shamhain

so that at the end of a year’s progress he would by samhain again reach Tara

do fritháilim na samhna ocus fer nErenn im féiss Temrach.

le freastal ar Shamhain agus ar fhir Éireann um Fheis Teamhrach.

in time to perform his samhain-tide office and to meet the men of Ireland at Tara’s festival.

Dia mbái Diarmait laa nann forsinn cuairt sin

Lá dá raibh Diarmaid ar an gcuairt sin,

One day then as Dermot was on this circuit,

confaco in laech cuice issintech.

chonaic sé an laoch chuige isteach.

he saw a warrior enter the house to him

“can do dechais?” or Diarmait.

“Cad as a tháinig tú?” arsa Diarmaid.

and: “whence comest thou?” he asked.

“ní do chéin” ar sé.

“Ní ó chéin,” ar sé.

“Not from any distance,” he replied:

“tair liumsa” ol in tóglaech “co tórmala adhaigh noeghoidhechta lium.”

“Tar liomsa,” arsan t-óglach, “go gcaithfidh tú oíche aíochta liom.”

“come along and spend with me a night of guestly entertainment.”

“maith” ol Diarmait: “abair fri Mugain.”

“Tá go maith,” arsa Diarmaid, “abair sin le Mughain.”

“Good,” said Dermot, “tell Mughain.”

“nitó” ar Mugain:

“Ní hamhlaidh a bheidh,” arsa Mughain,

“Not so,” she answered:

“ní raghatsa [ms. radhatso] for cuiredh [ms. cuirith] céin bam beo .

“ní rachaidh mé ar cuireadh fad is beo dom.

“so long as I live, never will I go on an invitation;

ocus is tar mo shárughad dia nísairsi (sic)

Agus má chaitheann tusa béile, is do mo shárú-sa a dhéanfaidh tú sin,

and if thou eat [with him], it is in my despite:

ár is drochscél duit tocht for cuiredh.”

mar is drochscéal duit dul ar cuireadh.”

for to go upon an invitation will [so ’tis prophesied] have an ill event for thee.”

Téit Diarmait la Banbán do ráith bicc.

Chuaigh Diarmaid le Banbhán go Ráth Bheag.

With Banbhan [that bade him] Dermot goes to Rathbeg,

ó ro deissedar ann issin tigh

Nuair a shuigh siad chun boird ann sa teach,

and when they were set down in the house

confaccatar ógmnái gcoeim co nerrad nderrscaighthe istech.

chonaic siad ógbhean chaomh in éide dhearscnach chucu isteach.

they saw a graceful young woman enter, with raiment that was rarely fine.

“can do’n mnái?” ol Diarmaid.

“Cad as don bhean?” arsa Diarmaid.

“Whence the woman?” Dermot queried.

“inghen damsa” ol Banbán

“Iníon domsa,” arsa Banbhán,

Banbhan made answer: “a daughter to me she is

“ocus fáidfidh latsa innocht ar ulccaib ri Mughain [ms. ria Mumain] ór ná tánicc liumsa.”

“agus luífidh sí leatsa anocht mar olc ar Mhughain mar nár tháinig sí liomsa.”

and, to spite Mughain because she came not with me, the girl shall this night be thy wife.”

“is maith lium” or Diarmait.

“Tá go maith,” arsa Diarmaid.

“I am well pleased,” quoth the king.

dergaiter [ms. degoiter] leabaidh dóib co róisc taisealbadh bíd.

Cóiríodh leaba dóibh nó gur réitíodh bia os a gcomhair.

Pending the preparation of meat a bed was made for them, and [the meal being now ready]

“Maith a ben” ol Banbán fria a ingin: “in fil étach lat do’n rígh?”

“Sea, a bhean,” arsa Banbhán lena iníon, “an bhfuil éadach agat don rí?”

Banbhan said *to his daughter*: “Well, girl, hast thou brought raiment for the king?”

“fil” ol indingen.

“Tá,” arsan iníon.

“I have,” she said,

dobeir léne as in crieol (sic) ocus [bra]t .

Thóg sí fallaing agus brat as a ciseán

and handed shirt and mantle,

ocus nusgaib in rí uimmi.

agus chuir an rí an fhallaing uime.

which the king took and put on.

“is maith in léne” or cách.

“Is maith í an fhallaing,” arsa cách.

“Tis a good shirt,” said all.

“is dingbhála [ms. dinmalo] duit” ol Banbán “in léne oenruaissni .

“Fallaing do dhiongbhála,” arsa Banbhán, “is ea an fhallaing aon ghráinne lín seo.

“It is one worthy of thee,” said Banbhan, “being the shirt of one flax-seed:

ingen imtholtanach lium inningen uccut .

Iníon dúilmhear liom an iníon úd.

a fanciful girl is that one there,

issí dorinne [inn]oenróissne do chur co nderna scuab de .

Ise a chuir an t-aon ghráinne lín go ndearna punann de;

and she it was that sowed a single seed of flax and made a strike of it,

comlán immaire eiséin.”

lán iomaire é sin.”

which then became a ridge-full.”

“is maith in brat” or cách.

“Is maith é an brat,” arsa cách.

 “Tis a good mantle,” cried all.

“is maith” ol Banbán: “d’olainn oenchaerach dorónad.”

“Is maith,” arsa Banbán, “d’olann aon chaorach a rinneadh.”

“Good it is,” said Banbhan: “of a single sheep’s wool ’tis made.”

Tucad iar sin biadh ocus lionn dóib.

Tugadh bia agus lionn dóibh ansin.

Then meat and liquor were supplied to them,

“is maith in tsaill [ms. in shaill] muici nad ro genair” or Banbán.

“Is maith í saill na muice nár rugadh riamh,” arsa Banbhán.

and said Banbhan: “the bacon that never was farrowed is good.”

“cinnus?” or Diarmait.

“Conas?” arsa Diarmaid.

“How so?” asked Dermot.

“ní annsa . muc[a] ainighi ro gabtha scena dóib

“Ní ansa. Muca troma ar imríodh sceana orthu

“*Easily said.* It was pigs that were with young: they took knives to them

co tucta a noircc eistip até beoa

gur tugadh a mbanbhaí astu beo

so that their piglings (and they alive) were extracted from them,

ocus gurro biata.”

agus gur beathaíodh iad.”

and fattened afterwards.”

“is maith in choirm” ar cách.

“Is maith í an chuirm,” arsa cách.

“Tis good ale,” said all.

“iss maith” or Banbán: “is coirmm oengráindi.

“Is maith,” arsa Banbhán, “is cuirm aon ghráinne í.

“Good it is,” said Banbhan, “ale brewed of a single grain of corn:

laa do chuadassa [ms. chódusao] amach do deiscin m’arathair ocus ro marbas ferán eighinn

Lá dá ndeachaigh mé amach ag féachaint ar m’ithir, mharaigh mé colúr;

it was one day that I went out to survey my tillage, and I killed a ringdove;

fríth grainne ina egán ocus ní fess cid arbar.

fuarthas gráinne síl ina eagán, ach níorbh eol cén t-arbhar é.

in whose crop was found one grain, but of what cereal was unknown.

ro laad i cionn imaire co tucadh serrmír de .

Cuireadh in iomaire é agus baineadh lán corráin de.

It was committed to a ridge however, and its yield was a sickle-full.

ro cuiredh iarum conad é a arbar ocus a chuirmm in so [ms. ann so].”

Cuireadh arís é ionas gurb é seo a ghrán agus a chuirm.”

This again was sown, and this is its produce in the shape of ale” [lit. ‘this is its corn and its ale.’]

Ro déch iar sin Diarmait suas.

D’fhéach Diarmaid in airde ansin.

After this Dermot looked upwards,

“is nua íochtar in tighi” ar Diarmait “ocus ní hóg a uachtar.”

“Is nua íochtar an tí,” arsa Diarmaid, “ach ní óg a uachtar.”

and said: “the lower part of the house is new, but its upper-work is not recent.”

“fechtas do chuamarne [ms. comarne]” ar Banbán “i curchaib do gabáil éisc

“Chuamar tráth,” arsa Banbhán, “i gcurach ag gabháil éisc

Banbhan answered: “it was once upon a time that in currachs we went to take fish,

conaccamar cleithe in tige cugainn do’n fairge .

agus chonacamar maide mullaigh tí chugainn de dhroim na farraige.

and we saw towards us the ridgebeam of a house that floated on the sea.

dorónad liumsa ar a ingantus tech de.”

Le barr iontais faoi, rinnead teach de liomsa.”

For the curiosity of the thing I had a house made with it.”

“is fíor” olse Diarmaid: “dobretha fáistini Big ocus na ndruadh dom oidhidse ocus dobretha aithrigi co léir .

“Is fíor,” arsa Diarmaid, “mar a tugadh fáistine Bhig agus na ndruadh faoi m’oidhe-se, agus tá athríogadh déanta go cruinn.

Dermot said now: “truthfully was Beg’s prophecy *and that of the druids concerning my death and the end of my rule* uttered.

is é so mo techsa” ar Díarmait .

Is é seo mo theachsa,” arsa Diarmaid.

*This is the house appointed for me,” said Dermot.

“amach dún a óga” ol sé.

“Amach linn, a laochra,” ar sé.

“Out of the fort, warriors,” he said,*

lais sin [ms. laisin] lingidsium féisin do dul amach.

Leis sin cuireann sé féin léim as le dul amach.

and with that *he himself* sprang to get out.

“Acc! is í so do shlige [ms. shligid]!” ar Aed dub a ndorus in tighi

“Féach! Is é seo an tslí!” arsa Aodh Dubh i ndoras an tí

“*No!* This is thy way!” said Black Aedh in the doorway *of the house*,

ac tabairt in gái ina bruinni co ro éimid a druim tríd.

agus é ag cur ga ina ucht gur bhris a dhroim tríd.

giving him at the same a spear in the breast that pierced him through and so broke his spine.

sóaidh issin tech iar sin .

D’iompaig Diarmaid ar ais isteach sa teach;

Then Dermot turns back into the house;

gabsat Ulaid amuig immon tech

thimpeallaigh Ulaidh an teach lasmuigh

on the outside, Ulster surrounds the dwelling,

ocus loiscter iarum in tech forru .

agus loisceadh ansin an teach sa mhullach orthu.

and the same is burnt upon them [that are in it].

luidsium in tí Diarmaid issin dabaigh chormma co ro thuit féicce in tighi ina chionn [ms. cn.] comba marb de.

Chuaigh Diarmaid isteach so dabhach cuirme gur thit maide mullaigh an tí ar a cheann agus d’fhág sin marbh é.

Dermot himself [seeking refuge from the flames] entered the ale-vat, and anon the mansion’s roof-tree fell on his head so that he died [lit. ‘so that he was dead of it.’]

Marbtar ocus loiscter corp in rígh ann a négmais a chind.

Maraítear agus loisctear ansiúd corp an rí, seachas a cheann.

Thus perished the king; and his body was consumed all but the head,

dobretha iar sin a chend ocus a thaissi co cluain mac Nóis

Tugadh a cheann agus a thaisí go Cluain Mhac Nóis

which with his relics was carried to Clonmacnoise

cor hadhnaicedh isin chlaoin ferta nó isin céiti .

agus adhlacadh iad sa Claonfhearta, nó sa Chéide,

and buried in [the slope called] the Claen Ferta or otherwise the Céite;

ár is ann ro thogh féin a adnacal

mar is ansin a thogh sé féin é a adhlacadh

for there it was that he

in tan do throiscc i neglais bicc

nuair a throisc sé san Eaglais Bheag

(what time he fasted in Eglais Bheg,

dia ro híccadh do’n chenngalur

arna leigheas ón ngalar cinn

whereby he was healed of his head-sickness

iar fertain a throsci fri noemaib Erenn

tar éis dó a throscadh a dhéanamh in aghaidh naoimh Éireann

after he had done his fasting against the saints of Ireland,

ocus iar néimded a ícca co riacht sin.

agus gur diúltaíodh a leigheas gur tháinig ansin.

his cure having previously been denied him)

had elected to be laid.

is do’n aidhid so ro canadh so:—

Is den oidhe seo a canadh é seo:

Concerning which death it was that this was pronounced:—

“Indóin dítin i ráith Bic .

“Ar an aoine i Ráth Bheag,

“The spell of shelter in Rathbeg

díth Diarmata fa muiric;

Díthíodh Diarmaid ba cheannaire;

— loss of Dermot that was  .  .  .

díbdath flatha ilar cath .

Íde flatha — iolar cath —

— extinction of a prince — abundance of battles —

mairg fairccfi a imbrath.”

Mairg a sholáthróidh a mhórbraith.”

alas for him that shall contrive his utter destruction.”

Conid í aidhed [ms. ag.] Diarmata mic Cerbaill in so

Gurab é sin oidhe Dhiarmada mhic Cearbhaill

And this is the death of Dermot son of Cerbhall

.i. cerrball .i. cerrbeol .i. bél cerr.

.i. cearr bhall .i. cearrbheol .i. béal cearr.

(which is as much as to say cerrbhall, i.e. ceirrbheol, i.e. bél cerr).

.Finit.

Finit.

Finis.