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Rí ro ghab for Connachtu

Rí oirirc ághmhar uasal a ghabh ard-ríghe Chúige Chonnacht,

A king that ruled over Connacht:

.i. Eogan bél mac Cellaig

Eoghan Béal mac Ceallaigh

Eoghan Béal, son of Ceallach

meic Oililla muilt meic Nathi

mhic Oilealla Moilt mhic Daithí

son of Oileall Molt son of Daithí

meic Fiachrach meic Echach múigmedoin.

mhic Fiachrach.

son of Fiachra son of Eochaidh Moyvane:—

ro airced cach cúiced in Erinn

D’argadh sé gach cúige in Éirinn

Every province in Ireland he used to ravage,

ocus ticced co mbuaid ocus a crech leis

agus d’fhilleadh (sé) go buach agus a chreach leis;

and would return victorious, bringing his prey with him;

ocus ní beirthea crech uad as a cúiced

agus ní bheirtí creach uaidh as a chúige féin,

neither out of his own province was prey ever driven from him successfully,

uair ba raen remi do grés.

óir bheireadh sé maidhm ar gach creach a mbeireadh sé uirthi ina chríoch féin,

for it was in front of him the defeat was always.

ocus in tan nach beired for a creich

agus an uair nach mbeireadh uirthi,

But when he might not (before it actually left his confines) overtake such prey attempted on him,

dogníthea crech lessium in lá sin for in tír

dhéantaí creach leis-sean an lá sin ar an tír

then would he on that very day provisionally harry the self-same country

a mbeirthea a crech.

a dtabharfaí a chuid féin inti.

into which his prey was lifted.

cid diu bat riaraig do Muimnig ocus Laignig

Cibé scéal é, ba umhal dó Muimhnigh agus Laighnigh,

Why, even Munster- and Leinstermen obeyed him

ocus dognítís tuillem buide friss

agus dhéanaidís a thoil i gcónaí

and were fain to court his favour,

ar mbreith a mbuar co menic dá naindeoin.

i ndiaidh gur rugadh a n-eallach go minic uathu dá n-ainneoin.

their kine having now many times been borne off, in spite of them.

Acht aenní dorála conblicht mór iter Eogan ocus chlanna Néill

Ach tharla comhlann mór agus cogadh fíochmhar idir Eoghan agus Clanna Néill

At all events, betwixt this Eoghan and the children of Niall a great feud fell out;

co mbátar in dá chúiced i cend in cúicid .i. Connachta ocus Ulaid

ar chaoi go raibh an dá chúige, Cúige Chonnacht agus Cúige Uladh, i gcionn a chéile.

till not these only but the whole two provinces *stood opposed, province to province*: Connacht and Ulster.

acht ní ba comlín a ndál

Níorbh ionann a ndálta, áfach,

Their conditions were unequal however,

ór nír brissed cath for Eogan bél riam

óir níor briseadh cath ar Eoghan Béal riamh

inasmuch as never had Eoghan Béal suffered loss of a battle,

ocus nír benad de.

agus níor baineadh a chreach dá ainneoin de,

nor was salvage ever had of him;

ocus ní fhil nuimir

agus níl uimhir chinnte

the frequency was beyond counting

for menci a chrech ocus a chathréimenn for Conall ocus Eogan ocus Oirgialla.

ar a mhinicí a dhéantaí creacha leis ar Chonall agus ar Eoghan agus ar Oirialla,

of his preys taken and triumphs won of Conall, and of Eoghan, and of Oriel,

uair ní denta lá sída céin ba beo

óir ní dhéanadh sé aon lá síochána an fhaid a bhí beo,

for so long as Eoghan Béal lived never a day’s peace was made with them,

acht a gcrechadh cacha mís ocus cacha ráithi

ach a gcreachadh gach mí agus gach ráithe

but every month and every season, he raided them

ocus a gcur fó ghin claidim.

agus a gcur faoi ghion gae agus claidhimh.

and put them to the sword’s edge.

ba decair ocus ba doilig lá clannaib Néill

Ba chreach agus ba nimh le Clanna Néill

Thus then the children of Niall deemed it a hard thing, and a grevious, in this wise

beith oc fulang anforráin Eogain bél ocus cloinni Fiachrach ocus Connachta olchena forru.

bheith ag fulaingt gach anfhorlann dá n-imríodh Eoghan agus Clanna Fiachra agus Connachta chomh maith orthu.

ever to endure violence of Eoghan Béal and of Fiachra’s progeny; the remainder of Connacht too being all upon them.

conad hí comairle dorónsat Ulaid uli

Is í an chomhairle a rinne siad

So that all Ulster, therefore, *was resolved*

do thinól ocus crechsluaiged do mórad

tionól mór agus creachshlua a bhailiú

on muster and preparation for a foray in full numbers,

ocus crích Connacht d’innsaigid.

agus críoch Chonnacht a ionsaí.

and so fell upon the land of Connacht.

Dá ríg bátar forru in inbuid sin

Dhá rí a bhí ar Ulaidh,

There were two kings that at this time ruled them (Ulster):

.i. Fergus ocus Domnall dá mac Muircertaig meic Erca

Fearghas agus Domhnall, dhá rí Chonaill agus Eoghain,

Fearghas and Domhnall, Muirchertach mac Earca’s two sons;

dorónsat sin crecha móra for Connachtu

agus rinne siad creacha móra ar Chonnachta agus ghabh mórán eallaigh

on Connacht now these made great preys,

co ro airgset rompu co Muaid co léir lángrind

agus d’arg rompu go habhainn na Muaidhe go léir lán-ghrinn.

and all before them to the Moy ravaged completely, utterly:

ocus bátar cúic catha do shochraiti oc dénam na gcrech sin.

Cúig catha de shochraide a bhí ag déanamh na gcreach sin.

they were a gathering of five battalions, making these forays.

ro triallad tra tóraigecht forru ó ghasraid cloinni Fiachrach ocus Chonnacht ar chena.

Thug Clann Fiachra fúthu go dian dásachtach le buíonta eile Chonnacht,

Clann Fiachrach and Connacht’s warriors set out indeed to pursue,

cér b’ead nír benad bó díb

ach, mar sin féin, níor baineadh bó dá n-ainneoin díobh

but never a cow was taken from the others

ocus nír maelad forru

ná níor maoladh claíomh orthu riamh

nor a *sword* dulled on them

nó co ruc lucht tige Eogain ocus a mhuinter forru ic drochat martra.

go dtí go rug lucht tí Eoghain orthu ag Droichead Martra,

until, at the bridge of Martra, Eoghan’s family and household overtaking them

ocus do fásatar sin debaid díchra forru

agus bhí ag cur go crua orthu i ndeabhaidh díochra,

pressed them hard and sore in fight,

nó co ruc Eogan féin forru beos oc sceichín na gáithe.

nó gur rug Eoghan féin orthu freisin ag Sceichín na Gaoithe.

and at Sceichín na Gaoithe Eoghan himself too caught them up.

otchonnaircsium tra in slóg mór

Nuair a chonaic Eoghan an tsochraid mhór,

He, seeing the so great host,

do chuir techta do lucht éicsi ocus eladan uad co Fergus ocus co Domnall ocus co maithib in chúicid archena

chuir sé teachtairí de lucht éigse agus ealaíon uaidh go Fearghas agus Domhnall agus go maithe eile an chúige

despatched ambassadors from the men of learning and art, to Fearghas, Domhnall, and Ulster’s nobles

dá rád friu in chrech cona hóige d’fhácbáil

á rá leo an chreach a fhágáil

who should bid them abandon the prey in its integrity

ocus imthecht imshlán iarum.

agus imeacht abhaile,

and so depart in peace,

ocus mina dernsatsom sin cath do fógradh i cétóir forru.

agus, mura ndéanfaidís sin, cath a fhógairt láithreach orthu.

or otherwise be challenged presently to battle.

tiagait co hairm a mbói Fergus ocus Domnall co maithib Ulad archena

Tháinig na teachtairí áit a raibh Domhnall agus Fearghas

The envoys sought Fearghas, Domhnall, and Ulster’s nobles,

ocus sloinnit dóib aithesc Eogain bél.

agus d’inis dóibh caint Eoghain Bhéil,

to whom they delivered Eoghan’s mandate;

nír fhaemsat aisiuc itir ar ba menmnach suilbir iat do chur in chatha ocus a gcrech rompu.

ach níor thoiligh siad sin aon aisíoc agus ba soilbhir ullamh iad chun cuir an chatha, óir bhíodar mór-aigeantach líonmhar agus a gcreach rompu.

but they, as having their prey in front of them and being therefore high in spirit and cheery to abide the fray, denied all restitution.

cúic catha cloinni Néill ocus Ulaid ocus Oirgialla ann sin.

Cúig catha Chlann Néill agus Oirialla agus Uladh ansin.

Of Clann Néill and of Ulster there were five battalions, with them Oriel added;

aenchath adbal do chloinn Fhiachrach ocus dírmada do ghasradaib in chúicid archena

Aon chath mór maith Chlann Fiachra agus díormaí de fhir an chúige leo

one huge battalion of Clann Fiachrach, and Connacht’s braves besides in their own separate companies,

fá Eogan bél mac Cellaig.

faoi Eoghan Béal mac Ceallaigh mhic Oilealla Moilt.

under Ceallach’s son Eoghan Béal.

Tairlingis Eogan ann sin oc éistecht re haithescu a fhiled ó chlannaib Néill in uair sin.

Thuirling Eoghan an uair sin ag éisteacht le freagraí na bhfilí ó Chlanna Néill.

When Eoghan heard that which from Clann Néill his poets brought him back, he dismounted;

do innisetar do comad chath a choma do’n turus sin.

D’insíodar dó go raibh siad socair ar chath a thabhairt don turas sin,

for they told him that for this time war was his one alternative,

ocus nach fuighbead bó ar aba in chatha do chur.

agus nach bhfaigheadh sé aon bhó de thoradh an chatha.

nor should he ever — no, though he stood the battle — win back a single cow.

cid tra acht do éidetar Connachta iat

D’éidigh Connachtaigh iad féin

Then Connacht armed

ocus do insaigetar clanna Néill co hobann éscaid aniarmartach.

agus d’ionsaíodar Clanna Néill go tobann éasca éadrócaireach.

and, sudden, swift, unsparing, charged upon Clann Néill.

ótchonncatar Ulaid onchú Eogain ocus na meirgeda ruc a gcrecha co menic do intótar.

Nuair a chonaiceadarsan onchú Eoghain agus na meirgí a rug a gcreacha go minic roimhe uathu, thiontaíodar,

At sight of Eoghan’s standard and of the banners that so many a time had had their preys, Ulster turned:

ocus do ghráinetar ocus do chrithnaigetar dochum a chéili

agus do chreathnaigh an dá shlua le tréan fuatha i dtreo a chéile.

either side in hate quivering to reach the other,

co tucad cath Slicigh eturru ann sin.

Tugadh cath Shligigh eatarthu ansin

and between them there the battle of Sligo was delivered.

do brissed for tuaiscert Eirenn in cath sin

agus briseadh ar thuaisceart Éireann ann.

It was won against the North of Ireland:

ocus do marbad Fergus ocus Domnall ann

Maraíodh Fearghas agus Domhnall,

Fearghas and Domhnall were killed *there*;

ocus do benad beos a gcrech díob

baineadh a gcreach díobh

and their plunder was captured from them,

ocus ár dí-áirmithe leiss forru.

agus tugadh ár dí-áirithe orthu.

and an innumerable slaughter made on them.

ocus tromghontar Eogan bél ann

Trom-ghoineadh Eoghan Béal ann

Eoghan Béal was heavily hurt there,

conad for crannu sleag ro himairced hé.

ionas gur ar chrainn sleá a hiompraíodh é.

so that it was upon spears’ shafts he was borne away.

trí tráth do beo doréir foirne

Bhí sé beo le trí lá de réir insinte amháin,

For three days (as some say) he lived on,

ocus sechtmain doréir dreimi eili.

agus seachtain de réir insinte eile,

or (as yet others have it) for a week;

maithe in chúicid chuige ocus uada.

agus maithe an chúige chuige agus uaidh,

to and from him the nobles of the province went and came,

adbal diu méid a acáine accu.

agus b’ábhal mar chaoin siad é.

Great was their lamentation for him.

Iar sin tra ro himred lámu for in ríg for Eogan

Lean na lianna ag déanamh cúraim dó,

Upon the king, then, upon Eoghan *Béal, the surgeons* plied the hand;

co mbí ina chinnte bás d’fhaghbáil do.

go dtí go raibh ina chinnte go bhfaigheadh sé bás.

but in the end it was a thing assured that he must die,

ocus bátar clanna Fiachrach ica chomairle friss

Ghlac maithe Chlann Fiachra comhairle leis ansin

and the children of Fiachra sought counsel of him

cia ro rigfatáis ina inad.

faoi cé de a ndéanfaidís rí ina ionad.

who they should crown in his place.

“is decair atá bar ndáil” ar Eoghan bél: “atát dá mac ocumsa

“Is deacair atá ár ndáil,” ar Eoghan Béal, “tá dhá mhac agamsa,

Eoghan Béal said: “your plight is difficult; two sons I have:

.i. Cellach in cléirech dalta Ciaráin Cluana

Ceallach an cléireach, dalta Chiaráin Chluana,

Ceallach, the cleric, disciple to Ciarán of Clonmacnoise

ocus Muiredach in mac óc

agus Muireadhach, macaomh óg

and Muireadhach the younger son

nach inrígtha ar a óice co sé.

nach bhfuil in-ríthe fós de bharr a óige,

that by his youth is not as yet fit for inauguration.

ocus is í mo chomairle díb

agus is í mo comhairle daoibh:

My counsel to you is this therefore:

insaigid do chluain co Ciarán airm a bfil.

Téigí go Cluain Mhic Nóis go dtí an áit a bhfuil Ciarán

repair to Cluain, to Ciarán where he is,

cuinchid fair ocus cedaigid dó Cellach do léicean lib dá rígad

agus iarraigí d’achainí air Ceallach a scaoileadh chugaibh do ghabháil na ríghe,

and entreat him to allow that Ceallach be dismissed with you to be crowned,

ó nach fil adbar ríg eili ocaib.

mar nach bhfuil ábhar rí eile agaibh

seeing that ye have none other that is fit.

ocus guidid cu mór hé fá in adbar sin.”

— agus cuirigí guí láidir leis an iarratas sin.”

In which matter be careful to beseech him instantly.”

iar sin atbert Eogan a adnacal ocus a gae derg ina láim isin mhuig: “ocus mh’aiged for in tuaiscert ocus ar taeb nairceat .i. ua Fiachrach ann sút.

Dúirt Eoghan é a adhlacadh sa mhaigh agus a gha dearg ina lámh — “Agus tabhair m’aghaidh ar an tuaisceart ar thaobh an rátha,

This done, Eoghan prescribed the manner of his burial in the open field: “with my face towards the North, on the border of our enemies, the Clann Fiachrach, *with my spear red in hand*,

ocus in oiret rabursa ocus mh’aiged forrusom

agus an fad a bheas mé agus m’aghaidh ar an tuaisceart

ní gébat fri cath inaghaid Connacht

ní bhrisfidh an tuaisceart cath ar Chonnachta

against Connacht they shall not endure in battle,

ocus aigead m’uaige forru.”

— fad a bheas aghaidh m’uaighe-se orthu

for as long as my grave confronts them.”

[ro cuired] budéin innte fór in órdugud sin.

agus mé féin inti ar an gcóiriú sin.”

Thus he was laid accordingly,

ro comailned co fíor in s[in uile]

Agus comhlíonadh go fíor an scéal sin,

*and the rest which he prophesied* was accomplished veritably:

uair cach inad a tecmad clanna Néill dá chéili ocus Connacht[a iar sin

óir gach ionad a dteagmhaíodh Clanna Néill agus Connachta le chéile,

for wheresoever afterwards Clann Néill and Connacht chanced to meet,

is] maidm do [bíodh for sluag] cloinne Néill ocus for in tuaíscert ann.

cuirtí maidhm ar Chlanna Néill agus ar an tuaisceart ann.

it was defeat that fell on Clann Néill and on the North.

conid hí comairle dorónsat clanna Néill ocus tuaiscert Eirenn

Is í an chomhairle a rinne siadsan faoi dheireadh

Wherefore Niall’s children and the North were determined thus:

techt co sluagud mór co ráith ua Fiachrach

teacht slua mór go Ráth Uí Fhiachrach

that with a great host they would come to Ráth ua Fiachrach,

ocus Eogan do thócbáil

agus Eoghan a thógáil as a adhlacadh

lift Eoghan

ocus a bhreith leo tar Sligech bud thuaid.

agus a thaise a thabairt leo thar Sligeach ó thuaidh.

and carry him off northwards over Sligeach.

ocus ro hadnaicedh hé thall i naenach locha Gile

Is mar sin a hadhlacadh thall é in Aonach Locha Gile

So they did, and away there in the flat land of Loch Gile [lough Gill] he was buried

ocus a bhél fri lár .  .  .

agus a bhéal le lár

with his mouth downwards.

ionas nach mbeadh ina chonair chinnte teite dóibhsean roimh Chonnachta.

Acht aenní chena. táncatar clanna Fiachrach mar do tecaisc Eogan bél dóib dul co cluain meic Nóis

Pé scéal é tháinig Clanna Fiachra, mar chomhairligh Eoghan Béal dóibh, go Cluain Mhic Nóis,

But as Eoghan Béal had instructed them to go, so too Clann Fiachrach went to Clonmacnoise

co hairm a mbói Ciarán oc érnaigte.

áit a raibh Naomh Ciarán ógh oirirc inti.

and to the place where Ciarán was in prayer;

ocus ó ráncatar ferais Ciarán fáilte friu

Ar theacht dóibh chuir Ciarán fáilte rompu

and when they arrived, Ciarán bade them be welcome,

ocus cuiris i tech leptha iat.

agus sheol i dteach leapa iad,

and bestowed them in a cubicle.

ro frestlad co maith in oidche sin iat.

agus freastalaíodh go maith iad an oíche sin.

That night they were well provided,

do innisetar do Chiarán a dtosca

D’insíodar do Chiarán na tosca a thug ann iad

and to Ciarán showed their errand;

ocus nír fhaem Ciarán itir a dhalta dóib.

agus níor thoiligh an naomh ar chor ar bith a dhalta a scaoileadh leo.

but his disciple he denied them utterly.

ocus cin cor fhaem

Nuair nár thoiligh,

Nevertheless, and for all he thus refused their prayer,

do ansatsom in dara agaid i cluain

d’fhanadar an dara oíche i gCluain

in Cluain they tarried yet a second night

co táinic Cellach for cuairt chuca.

agus tháinig an macaomh, Ceallach, ar cuairt chucu,

and until Ceallach came to visit them.

ro aicletarsom é

agus bhí comhrá acu leis.

They conferred with him,

ocus do guidetar um thecht leo

Ghuigh siad agus d’agair siad air

and supplicated him that he should go with them;

ocus do fhaem iarum dul leo.

nó gur thoiligh sé dul leo,

so that in the end he yielded to bear them company,

ocus d’imthig iarum abárach

agus d’imigh sé arna mhárach

and departed on the morrow

cen céilebrad dá oite itir.

gan ceadú agus gan ceiliúradh dá oide.

nor of his spiritual master took farewell at all.

do hinnised do Chiarán sin

Insíodh do Naomh Ciarán

The thing was told to Ciarán:

.i. a dhalta do élód uad cen comairle frissium.

mar a bhí a dhalta i ndiaidh éalú gan a chead a fháil.

how that without counsel had of him his disciple thus was stolen away.

“má d’imthig” ol Ciarán

“Má d’imigh,” ar Ciarán,

Ciarán said: “if he be gone indeed,

“nárab soraid do in roga ruc

“nárab sonasach an rogha a rug,

then may the choice that he hath made not thrive with him,

ocus beiread mallachta leisin comairli doróine.

agus tabharfaidh sé leis mallacht i ndiaidh na comhairle a rinne;

but with that he undertakes let him have curse:

ocus gurab drochdiach bérus fá deoidh

go raibh droch-chríoch leis faoi dheireadh,

so may it be that, at the last, pernicious grief come to him,

ocus gurab bás do rinn nosbéra.

agus gurab bás de rinn a thógfaidh sé,

and ‘death by point’ be that which shall displace him.

fácbaim fós a hucht mo thigerna .i. rí nime ocus talman

agus geallaim anois in ainm mo Thiarna, rí neimhe agus talaimh,

I, acting for my Lord that is Heaven’s King and Earth’s, bequeath moreover,

cach aen fhúicbios a légend choidche

gach éinne a thréigfidh a léann cráifeach

whosoever that thus deserts his student-life,

gurab bás do rinn bérus can chabair can chuntabairt é.”

gur bás de rinn a thógfaidh sé, gan chabhair gan chlis.”

may it be a death by point that shall take him, without help or doubt.”

dála Cellaig tra berait clanna Fiachrach leo é

Dála Cheallaigh, ámh, thug Clanna Fiachra leo é

As for Ceallach: he was lead away by Fiachra’s children,

co tucsat rige ua bFiachrach dó

agus rinne rí Ó Fiachra de,

and was made king of Clann Fiachrach

.i. ó Ródhba co Códnaig.

is é sin ó Róba go Cónaigh.

from the Rodhba to the Codnach.

bói seal innte mar sin

Bhí sé seal ina rí mar sin,

For a while he held it,

ocus ní ba maith lais a bhetha

agus níor shámh leis a bheatha ar chor ar bith,

and the life misliked him,

ótchuala a oite dá escaine.

ó chuala eascaine a oide.

when he heard that his preceptor cursed him.

Is amlaid tra bói Guaire mac Colmáin ann sin ar néirghi a nóis ocus a einig fá Eirinn

Ag an am sin bhí clú agus oineach Guaire mhic Colmáin i ndiaidh éirí ar fud Éireann,

At which same time Colmán’s son Guaire was so that throughout Ireland his fame and honour now excelled:

ocus úi Fiachrach Aidne uli aice for ferannus.

agus Uí Fhiachra Aidhne ar fearannas aige,

Clann Fiachrach of Aidhne being by way of territory all his own.

ocus ní ba maith eturra i cétóir ina bferannus

agus ní go maith a bhí an scéal eatarthu ar chor ar bith.

Thus, and without delay, things *in respect of land tenure* went ill between the pair,

ocus adfess forru cor ba miscais leo a chéile.

Bhí sé amuigh orthu gurbh fhuath leo a chéile,

in whom anon it was notorious that either hated other.

ocus gér b’ead dorónsat coinne ocus comdáil cor shidhaighset re chéili.

ach mar sin féin rinne siad coinne agus comhdháil agus bhunaigh síocháin.

Yet even so they trysted, and set a meeting at which they made peace;

ocus bói celg i cuit Guaire do’n tshíd sin

Ach bhí cealg i gcuid Ghuaire den tsíth,

but of Guaire’s part guile entered into this their pacification,

uair do fhellsom ar Cellach

óir rug sé ar Cheallach ann

and towards Ceallach he acted traitrously:

ocus do marb uli cach aen ar a ruc dá muintir ann sin.

agus mharaigh a bhfuair sé dá mhuintir,

killing there all so many as he might lay hold on of his people,

do chuaid Cellach ocus trí nónbair dá muintir fá láimh as in longport amach.

agus chuaigh Ceallach féin agus trí naonúir leis ar teitheadh as an longfort.

Ceallach with thrice nine of his following escaping forth out of the camp privily.

Dála imorro Cellaig do bói bliadain lán fo choill as a aithli sin

Bhí sé bliain faoi choill ina dhiaidh sin

Now was he for a full year ‘under wood’ [i.e. a fugitive and outlaw in the forest],

nó cor líon toirse

nó gur ghabh tuirse mhór é

weariness filling him

ocus aithrechas é fóna légend d’fácbáil

agus aithreachas faoina léann a fhágáil

and remorse that ever he forsook his student-life,

ocus im thuilleam doróine Ciarán fair.

agus faoin eascaine a thuill sé ó Chiarán.

as well as for much good that Ciarán had done for him.

Rinne sé eolchaire mhór ann

co mbói oc imaithber fair féin

ag aifirt go fad-mhinic air féin

Continually he rebuked himself,

for doilgi leis na comairle dorála do.

agus ag caoi doilí na comhairle a tharla dó.

so grieved he was for that which it was befallen him to do.

“is mairg damsa” ol sé

“Is mairg domsa,” ar sé,

“Woe is me,” he cried,

“dá tárla in chomairle

“an chomhairle a thug orm

“for the advice given me,

dar thréices mo légend ocus mo naemoite

mo léann agus mo naomh-oide a thréigean

to quit my learning and my master

ar thuatacht in tsaegail dímbuain truaigse”

ar thuatacht an tsaoil díomuain trua seo,”

for grossness of this wretched fleeting world,”

ut dixit:—

agus dúirt sé an laoi seo ann:—

and then he said:—

“Mairg thréicios cléirchecht ar cheird

“Mairg (dó) a thréigeann cléiriúlachas ar cheird

“Alas for him that for any of the vile rude World’s estates

do cherdaib in domnáin deirg;

de ceirdeanna an domhain deirg;

forsakes the clerkly life;

mairg tréicios róghrád dé dil

mairg (dó) a thréigeann ró-ghrá Dé dhil

— woe to him that for a transient world’s royalty

ar ríge in domnáin duthain!

ar ríghe an domhain duthain!

gives up a faithful God’s great love!

Mairg ghabus arm for bithcé

Mairg (dó) a ghabhann airm na beatha seo

Alas for him that in this life takes arms,

mina derna aithrigé;

mura mbíonn iontu aithreach;

unless that for the same he shall do penance;

ferr do neoch libair bána

fearr do dhuine leabhair bhána

better for one are the white-paged books

leisangabar salmthrátha

lena gcantar salm-thrátha.

with which canonical psalmody is chanted.

Acht cid maith in ceard gaiscid

Cé gur maith an cheird ghaisce

Grand as may be the art of arms,

bec tuillim is mór naistir;

is beag tuillimh, is mór aistir;

’tis yet of slender profit and fraught with heavy toil;

betha bithsheng beidhther de

beatha shíor-sheang bheas de

of it one shall have but a most brief live,

do gabar iffern aiste

a bhfaightear Ifreann aisti.

which in the end must be exchanged for Hell.

Diogha cerdi cerd gaite

Díogha ceirde ceird ghadaí,

But of all callings, robbery *is the worst*:

siblech luigdech luathbraide;

siúlach longach an luath-bhradaí;

sneaking, perjured, nimble thieving;

acht cid maith in té doní

bíodh gur maith an té a dhéan(ann),

he that commits it, though at one time he have been ne’er so good,

tar a héis bud drochduiní

ina dhiaidh is droch-dhuine.

thenceforward is but as a wicked one.

Is mór do cach ulc díob sain

Is mór de gach olc díobh sin

Of all which evil things a large portion

do fuair Cellach mac Eogain;

a bhfuair Ceallach mac Eoghain;

is fallen to Ceallach son of Eoghan now:

sechnad cera ó cheirn do cheirn

ar fuad Ceara ó chearn go cearn

from table to table, all over Ceara,

ac imthecht le droichcetheirn

a rinne iad le droch-cheithirn.

he wanders with a gang of villains.

Mairg tréicios neam naemda naem

Neamh naofa, iosta na naomh,

Alas for him who abandons Heaven, blest abode of saints,

for iffern ndub ndorcha ndaer;

ar Ifreann dubh dorcha daor,

to have black murk servitude of Hell,

a Chríst a choimsid na tres

a Chríost, a Cheannaire na dtreas,

O Christ, O Ruler of Battles,

in mórchoimde is mairg thréices” 

an mór-Choimdhe is mairg (dó) a thréigeann.”

woe to him that deserts his mighty Lord.”

Ocus a haithle in aithrechais móir sin rosgab Cellach is í comairle doróine

I ndiaidh an aithreachais mhóir sin is í an chomhairle a rinne Ceallach

This great fit of penitence having taken Ceallach, the plan upon which he hit was

na trí nónbair bói ina fharrad for in cocud imthecht

imeacht leis agus na trí naonúir a bhí ina fhochair le linn an chogaidh

that the nine his companions in the late war with Guaire should seek out

co hairm a mbói a oite .i. Ciarán cluana.

go dtí an áit a raibh a oide, Ciarán Cluana.

Ciarán of Cluain his tutor;

ocus ba hédána leis taeb fri Ciarán

Ba leisce leis dul i muinín Chiaráin

he himself being shy of trusting to Ciarán,

arna aimréir roime

tar éis a aimhréire féin,

by reason that previously he had disobeyed him.

ocus d’fuirig allamuig do chluain.

agus d’fhan sé taobh amuigh den bhaile

Outside of Cluain he waited therefore,

nó co fuair dreim dá chomdhaltaib ocus dá chléirchib allamuig do chluain.

nó go bhfuair dream dá chomhaltaí agus de chléirigh Chiaráin ansin é.

and until there he met with certain of his condisciples and fellow clerics.

do fersat sin fáilte frissium ocus do phócsat é iarum

D’fhearadar fáilte leis agus phógadar é,

They bade him welcome and kissed him;

tánaic isin mbaile leo

agus tháinig sé sa bhaile leosan

into the town he entered with them

co mbí in adaig sin ann cen fhios do Chiarán.

agus d’fhan siad ann an oíche sin, gan fhios do Chiarán.

and, all unknown to Ciarán, that night abode there.

ocus táncatar maithe in tshámaid leis arna mhárach

Tháinig maithe an tsámhtha leis arna mhárach

Along with him on the morrow the heads of the community went

co hairm a mbói Ciarán

go Ciarán,

to the place where Ciarán was,

d’iarraid shída ocus trócaire air

ag iarraidh síthe agus trócaire air.

to supplicate for peace and mercy;

ocus sléchtais dá oite ann sin.

Shléacht sé dá oide,

and to his master there he bent the knee.

acht gér mór móit Chiaráin ris roime

agus cé gur mhór móid Chiaráin leis

Then, though his first displeasure had been so great,

do fhaem a shíd iarum

d’fhaomh sé a shíth

*Ciarán* vouchsafed him peace.

ocus ba haithrech leis in escaine dorighne fair.

agus b’aithreach leis an eascaine a rinne sé air:

and he was repenting of the curse which he had laid on *Ceallach*.

“a meic” ol sé “dá bfédainn

“A mhic,” ar sé, “dá bhféadfainnse é

“My son,”he said, “if I could,

do chuirfinn t’escaine for cúlu.

chuirfinn an eascaine ar ceal,

thy curse I would revoke;

ocus ó nach fédaim

ach ó tharla nach bhféadaim,

which since I may not,

nárab misde dia fritsa í

nára crua Dia leatsa dá bharr

God never be for that less favourable to thee,

ocus nírab lugaide t’inad for neam a dénam dam.”

agus nára lú de d’ionad ar neamh é bheith ráite agam.”

nor for my utterance of such be thy place in Heaven cut off.”

Is ann sin tánaic rath in spirta naeim ocus grád na trínóiti i Cellach

Is ansin a tháinig rath an Spioraid Naoimh agus grá an Choimdhe i gCeallach níos mó ná mar bhí roimhe,

The Holy Spirit’s grace, and love of the Trinity, entered into Ceallach then;

ocus atbert fria muintir imthecht ina bfrithing

agus dúirt sé leis na trí naonúir de Chlanna Fiachra a bhí ina fhochair imeacht rompu as sin

and he enjoined his people to go back

co hairm a mbói Muiredach a dherbráthairsium.

go dtí an áit a raibh Muireadhach a dheartháir

to the spot in which Muireadhach his brother was

is ann bói in maccaem óc in tan sin i tig a oite .i. ríg Luighne.

— is é ionad a raibh an macaomh óg i dteach a oide, Eoghan rí Luighne —

(and where the youth chanced to be at the time was in the king of Luighne’s house):

“bíid ina fharrad” or Cellach

“Agus bígí ina fharradh,” ar Ceallach,

“be with him,” Ceallach said,

“ocus lenaid do do ghrés.”

“agus leanaigí de gach áit agus gach conair a dtéann sé.”

“and cleave to him continually.”

do imthigset rompu mar do thecaisc Cellach dóib

D’imíodar rompu mar dúirt Ceallach leo,

As Ceallach prescribed to them, so they went their way

ocus bátar ina muintir oc Muiredach iarum.

agus bhíodar ina muintir ag Muireadhach ar feadh i bhfad ina dhiaidh.

and became thenceforth people of Muireadhach’s.

Imthúsa Cellaig tra chromais a chenn dochum a légind co díchra

Maidir le Ceallach ansin, chrom sé a cheann go díochra chun a fhoghlama

As for Ceallach, zealously he bent his head to study,

ocus bói oca dénam co sanntach fríochnamach.

agus bhí sé ag déanamh a léinn go dian dícheallach,

pursuing it strenuously, with circumspection;

ocus cach bisech bói for a légiund

agus gach biseach a bhíodh ar a léann

and for each degree of increment in his learning,

bói a trí coibéis for a crábud

bhíodh a thrí oiread sin ar a chráifeacht,

thrice so much his piety,

ocus for a déirc

ar a dhéirc,

his almsgiving,

ocus for a ghenmnaigecht

ar a gheanmnaíocht

his charity,

ocus for a dhegbésaib archena.

agus ar a dhea-bhéasa eile.

and all other his good works

progressed.

do éirig clú a crábaid for Eirinn.

Mhéadaigh ar a chlú agus a chráifeacht ansin,

Fame of his piety overspread Ireland,

tucsat cách uli comgrád do

agus thug gach éinne comh-ghrá dó,

everyone have him equal  love,

ocus ba buidech a aite .i. Ciarán de uair bói doréir a chomairle.

agus ba bhuíoch go mór a oide Ciarán de gur ghníomhaigh sé do réir a chomhairle agus a theagaisc.

*and, Ceallach in all things* acting according to his preceptor’s word, Ciarán was well pleased with him. 

tucad iarum gráda sacairt fair ocus bói fó na grádaib sin co cian.

Tugadh grádha sagairt air, agus bhí sé sna grádha sin go ceann scathaimh.

Priest’s orders were conferred upon him now, in which long time he rested;

ar sin táncatar cléirig a airechta féin chuice

Ina dhiaidh tháinig cléirigh a oireachta féin agus a thíre dúchais chuige

but then came the clergy of his tribe

ocus do thogsat é dochum espocóiti

agus thógadar é chun easpagóideacht.

and elected him to a bishopric:

ocus tucad gráda espuic fair

Tugadh grádha easpaig air,

episcopal orders were laid on him,

ocus cell Alaidh do chathraig espuic do.

agus Ceall Alaidh a tugadh mar chathair easpaig dó.

and for a bishop’s see he had Killala.

do thathaig in espocóite már

Dhéanadh sé freastal ar an easpagóideacht,

This greater bishopric of his henceforth he administered indeed,

ocus menci no bíodh i cluain meic Nóis ná ina fhairchi féin.

ach is minicí a bhíodh sé i gCluain Mhic Nóis ná ina fhairche féin,

but for the most part was in Clonmacnoise rather than in his diocese.

acht ní bói in Eirinn aenduine

agus ní raibh in Éirinn éinne

In all Ireland was none

ba mó clú einig ocus crábaid ocus cléirchechta oldás.

ab fhearr clú oinigh agus cráifeachta agus cléiriúlachais,

of more renown for honour, for piety, for clerkly bearing;

ocus frisa mó grád aesa eladan.

agus is é ba shíothúla agus is mó a raibh grá aos ealaíon aige,

none whom the erudite cherished more dearly,

is é sin lucht scealaíochta agus aos gach oirfide.

ocus no bíod cach drong díob ina lenmain.

Bhíodh mórán daoine á leanúint.

and all denominations of them adhered to him.

Fecht naen ann táinicsium marcshluag cléirech for cuairt espocóiti

Uair amháin tháinig sé le marcshlua mór de chléirigh ar chuairt easpagóideachta

He once upon a time, on episcopal visitation bound, with a great company of clerics mounted came

co cill móir Muaide.

gur shroich Ceall Mhór Muaidhe.

to Kilmore of the Moy;

is ann tárla Guaire mac Colmáin in lá sin i nDúrlus

Tharla Guaire an lá sin i nDurlas

and where Guaire son of Colmán chanced to be that day was in Dúrlas (i.e. “Fort”),

co mórán dá aes gráda mar aen friss.

agus mórán de aos grádha maraon leis.

his confidentials (many in number) with him.

do bói Nár mac Guaire a mhac ina fharrad ann

Bhí Nár mac Guaire, a mhac féin, ann

In his immediate fellowship were his own son Nár mac Guaire too;

ocus Nemed mac Firchoga dalta nemelach do Ghuairiu.

agus Neimheadh mac Fir Chogtha, dalta neimhéalach do Ghuaire.

and Fearchoga’s son Neimeadh, an uncontaminated [i.e. utterly devoted] fosterling to Guaire,

adubairtsen .i. Nemed fri Guaire:

Dúirt seisean leis an rí:

to whom this man Neimeadh said:

“is nemhmuinterda miscnech do chuaid Cellach in tespoc sechainn.”

“Is neamh-mhuinteartha a chuaigh Ceallach an t-easpag tharainn.”

“in guise unfriendly, and ill-disposed of mien, Ceallach the bishop hath given us the go-by.”

“cuma ón” ol Guaire

“Cuma sin,” ar Guaire,

Guaire made answer: “it matters not;

“cuirfetsa techta ina dhiaidh dá rádha fris techt dom acallaim”

“cuirfidh mé teachtaire chuige á rá leis teacht chun cainte liom.”

I will send after him messengers to bid him come speak with me,”

ocus fóidis fer dá aes gráda co hairm a mbói Cellach.

Chuir sé fear dá mhuintir go Ceallach.

and so despatched to Ceallach a man of the confidentials,

nóin in tsathairn do shunnrad ann sin.

Nóin an tSathairn an t-am díreach,

the precise time then being noon of a Saturday.

atbert in fer sin:

ach mar sin féin dúirt an fear:

To the bishop the envoy said:

“is diumdach Guaire díot” ol sé “tria thecht tairis.

“Is díomaíoch Guaire díot ar dhul thairis,

“in that ye passed him by *a while ago* Guaire is but ill pleased with thee;

acht tar anois dia acullaim.”

ach tar anois uait le labhairt leis.”

yet come even now and speak with him.”

“ní rach tra” or Cellach: “is esparta ann

“Ní rachaidh mé,” ar Ceallach, “tá tráth easpartan ann agus oíche Shathairn

“I will not go,” Ceallach returned: “ ’tis vesper-time,

ocus ní dénaim tairmthecht domnaig.

agus ní dhéanaimse taisteal Domhnaigh.

and no transgression of the Lord’s-day do I;

acht doghén mo thrátha ocus m’oiffrend imáirech

Ach déanfaidh mé m’easpartana agus mo thrátha sa chill seo agus léifidh mé Aifreann an Domhnaigh amárach,

but here to-morrow I will say my hours and will say Mass, 

ocus mad áil dosom ticed dia éistecht

agus, más áil leis, tiocfaidh sé chun éisteacht leis an Aifreann

the which (if it so please him) let him come to hear,

ocus do chomrád frimsa

agus chun comhrá liomsa,

and afterwards confer with me;

uair is gairit uada.

óir is gairid uaidh é,

he has no long way to come.

ocus minab áil

agus murab áil

But, should he not care to do this,

rachatsa dia luain airm a mbiasom mad áil leis.”

rachaidh mé ag caint leis Dé Luain cibé áit a mbíonn sé.”

then, on Monday, if he wishes, I will go to him.”

Imthigis a thechtaire co hairm a mbí Guaire

D’imigh an teachtaire ar ais go dtí Guaire,

Back again to Guaire the messenger departed,

ocus imat na haithesca ro chan Cellach ro innis do Ghuaire.

ach ní hí an chaint a rinne Ceallach a d’inis sé do Ghuaire.

and repeated to him all Ceallach’s utterance;

ocus atbert beos gur fhéimid Cellach techt lais

Dúirt sé gur dhiúltaigh Ceallach theacht leis

in addition he set forth that Ceallach had refused *peremptorily* to come with him,

ocus do innis fair co nach roibe grád Guairi itir oc Cellach.

agus gur léir nach raibh grá Guaire ina chroí.

and accused him that to Guaire he bore no love at all.

téit ferg mór trít sin i nGuairiu

Tháinig fearg mhór ansin ar Ghuaire

By reason of this, great anger entered into Guaire

ocus atbert frisin techtaire:

agus dúirt sé leis an teachtaire:

and he said to his emissaries:

“éirig co Cellach ocus fócair do m’ferannsa d’fhácbáil anocht

“Téigh go dtí Ceallach agus fógair dó an fearann seo a fhágáil,

“return to Ceallach; warn him that this night he quit the country;

ocus mina ndéna

agus mura bhfágann sé anocht féin

if he go not,

loiscfither in chell a bfil ina chenn.

an chill ina bhfuil sé loiscfear os a chionn í,

then shall the church in which he is be burnt upon him:

í cona muintir uli.”

agus marófar eisean lena mhuintir uile.”

it and his people all.”

iar sin téit in techtaire cétna co Cellach

Ansin chuaigh an teachtaire céanna go dtí Ceallach,

The same messenger then, having again sought Ceallach,

ocus nír cheil fair aithesc Guairi

ach, más ea, níor cheil sé air aon chuid de ráite Ghuaire.

disclosed Guaire’s message fully.

“dia etramsa ocus in tanfhírén” or Cellach.

“Dia idir mise agus an t-ainfhíréan,” ar Ceallach.

“God betwixt me and the unrighteous,” he replied,

ocus gér bh’ead nír fhác in baile co maitin in luain.

Ach mar sin féin níor fhág sé an baile go dtáinig an Luan,

and up to Monday’s morning never left the spot.

ocus téit as sin co ráinic oirer locha con.

agus chuaigh sé ansin siar gur shroich oirear Loch Con.

Out of it he departed then and came into the borders of Loch Con,

bói iarum adaig ann sin.

Bhí sé tamall ansin,

where he spent the night;

ráinic iarum cusin loch frisa ráiter claenloch indiu

agus chuaigh as go Loch Claon, ar a dtugtar Claonloch inniu,

next he went ro the lake which men to-day call Claonloch [i.e. Rinn Loch],

ocus bói oc décsain in lacha co bfaca oilén uad immach

agus nuair a bhi sé ag féachaint ar an loch chonaic sé oileán amach uaidh,

and gazed upon it until forth before him in the loch he saw an island,

.i. oilén Etgair a ainmsium.

Oileán Éadghair.

Eadghar’s Island is its name,

ocus tádbas do timthirecht aingel co mór ós cionn in oiléin sin.

Taispeánadh dó timireacht na n-aingeal os cionn an oileáin;

over which it was revealed to him that much angelic ministration was performed.

téit ann as a aithle

chuaigh sé isteach ann mar sin

He drawing near

cor fhiarfaig an roibe bendachad naem ann.

agus d’fhiafraigh an raibh beannú naoimh inti,

enquired whether there *in the island* were any benediction of some saint;

atbertsat co nár bendaig naem riam ann.

agus dúradh leis nach raibh beannú naoimh inti riamh.

but they *of the country* said that never had saint conferred a blessing on it.

“is fíor” or Cellach

“Is fíor mar sin,” ar Ceallach,

Then Ceallach said: “even so;

“is innte atá damsa díthrubacht do dénam.”

“gur inti atá i ndán domsa díthreabhacht a dhéanamh agus mo naomhú féin.”

here it is that ’tis ordained for me to be a hermit.”

bátar diu a mhuinter oc fonómat faeisium

Agus bhí a mhuintir ag fonóid faoi

His people jeering at him

ocus trell eile oca dhímolad do smuaintiugud anta isin oilén.

agus ag dímholadh dó smaointiú ar fhanacht san oileán.

and, again, dissuading him from all project of abiding in the island,

“is cinnte anad damsa ann” bar Cellach

“Is cinnte go bhfanfaidh mé anseo,” ar Ceallach,

he rejoined: “that I must stay here is decreed;

“ocus dénaidsi imthecht” bar Cellach

“agus imígí romhaibh

but take ye your departure,

“uair is imda bar ninata im espocóitisea.”

óir is iomaí ionad maith atá agaibh i mo easpagóideacht.”

for in my bishopric your *own appoimted*  places are many *and are various*.”

Ba head sin tra dorónsat cér ba lesc leo.

Sin mar a rinne siad,

Loath as they were they did so

ro fhácsat Cellach ann sin ina aenur acht cethrar do chléirchib óca ina fhail

agus fágadh Ceallach ansin gan ina fhochair ach an ceathrar cléireach óg,

and, saving four clerics in his company, left  Ceallach all alone;

.i. Maelcróin ocus Maeldálua

Maol Cróin, Maol Dá Lua,

which four were Maol Cróin, Maol Dá Lua,

ocus Maelsenaig ocus Macdeoraid

Maol Seanaigh agus Mac Deoraidh.

Maol Seanaigh, and Mac Deoraidh,

ocus comdhaltada do Chellach beos iatséni.

Ceallach’s condisciples once.

bátar diu ó init co cáisc oc dénam a dtráth ocus a nduthrachta do dia.

Bhíodar ann aimsir an Charghais ag déanamh a dtráth agus a n-urnaithe,

From Shrovetide until Easter they continued in performance of their office, serving God zealously;

do hairdercad fá Eirinn uli

agus craobhscaoileadh ar fud Éireann uile

through Ireland the noise went forth

.i. Cellach mac Eogain bél in tespoc naem do beith i ndíthrub iar bfácbáil a espocóiti do.

go raibh Ceallach mac Eoghain i ndíthreabh ar fhágáil a easpagóideachta dó.

that holy bishop Ceallach son of Eoghan Béal, his bishopric abandoned, lived a hermit’s life;

táinic tráth na cásc ann sin

Tháinig tráth na Cásca ansin

then Easter-time came round

ocus do bói Muiredach mac Eogain bél a bráthair oc athaige co menic chuicesium

agus bhí Muireadhach ag teacht go minic chuige,

and his brother Eoghan Béal’s son Muireadhach visited him often,

ocus ní dénad ní acht doréir comairli Cellaig.

agus ní dhéanadh aon ní ach do réir a chomhairle.

nor, but by his counsel, did anything at all.

Otchuala Guaire in scél sin ro lín dásacht ocus miscais Cellaig é

Chuala Guaire sin agus líon fearg agus mór-mhioscais do Cheallach é,

All which when Guaire heard, rage possessed him and enmity to Ceallach;

ocus gér b’olc remi eturru

agus cé gurbh olc mar a bhí roimhe eatarthu

so that, ill as things stood between them previously,

ba mesa co mór dá éissi.

ba mheasa dá éis,

now they were worse by far;

ór ba hecal lais ríge do ghabáil do Mhuiredach

óir ba lán-eagla leis go ngabhfadh Muireadhach mac Eoghain an ríghe

for he feared that Muireadhach would grasp at the kingship,

tria thecosc Cellaig a bhráthar

trí theagasc Ceallaigh

through prompting of his brother Ceallach,

ocus for a fhebus féin

agus trína fheabhas féin

as well as for his own inherent qualities,

ocus for a mhéit ro thuiced cor b’adbar ríg é féisin.

agus ar a mhéid a tuigeadh gurbh ábhar rí Chonnacht é.

and cognisance of being himself apt matter of a chief.

bói tra Nar mac Guairi ocus Nemead mac Firchoga

Freisin, bhíodh Nár mac Guaire agus Neimheadh mac Fir Chogtha.

Over and above which, his son Nár, and Neimeadh son of Fearchoga,

ocus do bítís oc cumadh mísceoil itir lá ocus oidche do Ghuaire for Cellach.

Bhídís ag insint bréag agus míscéalta uathu féin idir lá agus oíche do Ghuaire,

were daily and nightly plying Guaire with forged and wicked tales of him.

do chumsat tra celg eturru féin

ionas gur chumadar eatarthu

A treason they contrived between them then,

.i. Cellach do thochuiredh chucu

cuireadh a thabhairt do Cheallach

which was: to bid Ceallach come visit them,

ocus neim do dénam fá a chomair.

agus nimh a dhéanamh faoina chomhair,

and to have poison all ready made against him;

uair cér fuath le Guaire é

óir cé gurbh fhuath le Guaire Ceallach,

for hateful as he was to Guaire,

nír lainn leis airm d’imirt fair ina fhiadnaise.

níorbh áil leis go n-imreofaí airm ina fhianaise air.

yet would the king not that in his very presence weapons were used upon him.

ba hamlaid dorónsat.

Is amhlaidh sin a rinne siad,

So they did:

do chumsat neim fá chomair Chellaig

with intent on Ceallach they prepared poison,

ocus curthar techta for a chenn cosin inis a mbói for a loch.

agus cuireadh teachtaire ar chionn Cheallaigh go hOileán Éadghair ar Loch Con,

then to the island where he was in his loch sent messengers

ocus ro aithniged díob dia bféimdhed Cellach tuidecht

agus hordaíodh dóibh, dá ndiúltódh Ceallach teacht chun na fleidhe,

with charge that, Ceallach refusing,

a rádha fria dhaltadaib techt co Guaire

a rá lena cheithre daltaí teacht go dtí Guaire

they should invite his condisciples to repair to Guaire

co ndernaitís techtairecht tairise eturru ocus Cellach in cléirech.

ionas go ndéanfaidís teachtaireacht idir Ceallach agus é.

in order that hither and thither *between the two* they might do friendly message-bearers’ office.

cid tra acht ráncatar na techta sin co hairm a mbói Cellach ina oilén

Pé scéal é tháinig na teachtairí sin go dtí Ceallach

 In his isle these envoys lighted upon Ceallach

ocus do bendachtsat do ocus sé oc dénam a thráth ann sin.

agus bheannaigh siad dó agus é ag deanamh a thráth ann,

and saluted him while he read his hours.

bendaigios Cellach dóibsium.

agus bheannaigh Ceallach dóibhsean.

He greeted them,

adbertsat fris corub for a chend táncatar ó Ghuaire

Dúradar leis gur ar a chionn a thángadar ó Ghuaire

and they told him that from Guaire they came to fetch him,

dochum fledi móiri bói aice fá a chomair

le cuireadh chun na fleidhe móire a bhí aige faoina chomhair

both to a great feast which the king had for him,

ocus dá acallaim co huaincech.

agus le go mbeadh comhrá príobháideach aige leis.

and to speak with him privately.

“ní rachsa ann sin festa” bar Cellach

“Ní rachaidh mé chun a fhleidhe,” ar Ceallach,

“No more will I go thither,” Ceallach said,

“óir ni thréiciub mo thrátha

“óir ní thréigfidh mé mo thrátha

“for I shall not neglect my hours

for aba fhledóil nó múirne dímáinighe in domnáin duthain.”

ar son fleadh óil ná muirne díomhaoine an tsaoil díomuain.”

for sake of the perishable poor world’s feast or favour.”

“cin in chomairli” bar na daltada bátar oc Cellach:

“Olc an chomhairle,” ar na ceithre daltaí a bhí ag Ceallach,

“Never do their bidding,” the condisciples cried,

“is doirb do Ghuairiu a chreitem do bheithsi i ndegaicniud do de sin.”

“agus is deacair do Ghuaire a chreidiúint go bhfuil tú i ndea-aigne dó.”

“and in Guaire it is but fondness to imagine that by things such as these thou mayest be drawn to love him.”

“massad” ar na techta “léic do dhaltada linne

“Más ea,” ar na teachtairí, “lig do dhaltaí linne,

The envoys said: “suffer then that thy condisciples come with us;

ocus bud buide Guaire díot

agus beidh Guaire buíoch díot,

so shall Guaire be well pleased with thee,

ocus dosbérat chucat cach comrád ocus cach comairli deirrit bias aice chucatsa.”

agus bhéarfaidh siad chugat gach comhrá agus gach comhairle dheiridh a bheas ag Guaire.”

and whatsoever privy errand he shall have to send thee they will convey.”

“ní bhacub ocus ní fhuráiliub forru” bar Cellach.

“Ní bhacaim díobh agus ní fhoráilim orthu,” ar Ceallach.

Ceallach said: “I will not hinder them, nor yet constrain them to it;”

oca chloistecht i cétóir do Maelcróin ocus do’n triar eili

Chomh luath agus chuala Maol Cróin agus an triúr eile an méid sin,

and when Maol Cróin with the others heard him,

do insachsat ina gcethrar foraen frisna techtaib

d’imíodar leo chun an eathair leis na teachtairí.

all four together accompanied the envoys in their return

Thugadar an t-eathar leo gan chur isteach ó Cheallach, agus thángadar as sin gan fhuaradh gan fhanacht

co hairm a mbói Guaire i nDúrlus.

chuig an áit a raibh Guaire i nDurlas.

to Guaire, where he was in Dúrlas.

ferais Guaire fáilte friu ocus ba maith a dtecht chuige.

Chuir Guaire fáilte rompu go súch agus ba mhaith leis go dtáinig siad chuige.

He gave them welcome and rejoiced to see them come;

do frestlad co fríochnamach iat do biad ocus dig.

Freastalaíodh go haireach iad de bhia.

with meat and drink they were provided sedulously.

Oirecthar iar sin tech nóla uaincech fá a gcomair

agus cóiríodh teach óil faoi leith ag Guaire

Then a banquetting-house apart was set in order for them,

co tucad in deoch is ferr bói isin dúnad chucu inn.

inar tugadh an deoch is fearr a fuarthas sa bhaile chucu.

and thither for their use the fort’s best liquor was conveyed.

córaigther dias do cach táib do Ghuairiu díob.

Socraíodh beirt díobh ar gach taobh de Ghuaire,

On Guaire’s either side were set two of them

gelltar iarum comada aidble dóib ar Chellach do thréicen

gealladh bronntanais mhóra dóibh,

and, with an eye to win them that they should quit Ceallach, great gifts were promised them:

.i. tír nAmalgaid uli

tugadh fearann Tír Amhalaidh uile dóibh

all the country of Tirawley;

ocus na cetri mná aentuma dobertís féin isin chúiced

agus na ceithre mná aontumha a thoghfaidís féin sa chúige

four spinster women such as themselves should choose out of the province,

cona ndáithin bó ocus each.

chomh maith lena leordhóthain bó agus each.

with these their wives’ sufficient complement of horses and of kine,

do nascad dóib for cura na comada sin

Rinneadh conradh go bhfaighidís na bronntanais sin

such gifts to be by covenant secured to them;

ach Ceallach a mharú, agus thoiligh siad é sin a dhéanamh,

ocus tucad fós a ndáithin airm uli dóib.

agus tugadh claidhimh agus tuanna agus airm dóibh.

and of arms a present adequate equipment to be furnished to each one.

bátar ann in oidche sin

Bhiodar ann an oíche sin

That night they bode there,

ocus d’fhaemsat co haentadach for cédlongad Cellach do mharbad.

agus tar éis bricfeasta

and at the morning’s meal with one accord consented to kill Ceallach.

do ghluaisetar rompu ó tá sin cu loch con.

ghluais siad leo go Loch Con

Thence they departed to Loch Con;

fuaratar in tethar isin inad ar fhácsat é

agus fuair an t-eathar san ionad ar fhág siad é.

where they had left the boat there they found it,

co ráncatar as co hairm a mbói Cellach.

Ansin thánagadar chuig an áit a raibh Ceallach

and then pulling off reached Ceallach.

is amlaid bói cona shaltair ina fhiadnaise oc gabáil a shalm

agus is amhlaidh a bhí agus a shaltair ina fhianaise agus é ag gabháil a shalm.

He was thus: his psalter spread before him as he said the psalms;

acht ní ro labair friu.

Níor labhair sé leosan

he never spoke to them;

no táirnic do a shailm do gabáil.

nó go raibh sé réidh leis na sailm,

he made an end of psalmody

dercais forru iarum

ach d’fhéach sé orthu ansin.

and, looking on them,

co bfaca a súile for crith ina gcennaib

marked their eyes unsteady in their heads

ocus lí na finghaile forru ann.

and clouded with the hue of parricide.

“olc bar ngnee a óca” bar Cellach:

“Suígí, a óga,” ar Ceallach,

“Young men,” said Ceallach, “ye have an evil aspect;

“ro chlaechlobar aicned ar ndul uaimse

“tháinig sibh ar mhalairt aigne i ndiaidh dul uaimse,

since ye went from me your natures ye have changed,

ocus dosbeirim aichne forraib co ro fhaem sib mo marbadsa do Ghuairiu.”

agus aithním oraibh gur thoiligh sibh mo mharúsa do Ghuaire.”

and I perceive in you that for *king* Guaire’s sake ye are agreed to murder me.”

nír shénsat a bhec fris.

Níor shéan siad é.

Never a tittle they denied,

“olc in chomairle” bar eissium

“Olc an chomhairle sin,” ar seisean,

and he went on: “an ill design it is; 

“acht ná dénaid bar naimles ní bus mó

“ná déanaigí bhur n-aimhleas níos mó

but follow now no longer your own detriment,

ocus do gébthar uaimse féin comada

agus gheobhaidh sibh uaim féin bronntanais

and from me shall be had gifts

bus ferr díb inás ar ghell Guaire.”

níos fearr ná ar gheall Guaire díbh.”

which far beyond all Guaire’s promises shall profit you.”

“ní diongnam itir” bar iatsom “do chomairlisi a Chellaig

“Ni dhéanfaimid do chomhairlese ar chor ar bith, a Cheallaigh,

They rejoined: “by no means, Ceallach, will we do as thou wouldst have us,

ór ní bfuighbimís ár ndíon in Eirinn ar Ghuaire di sin.”

mar nach bhfaighimis ár ndíon in Éirinn ar Ghuaire dá ndéanfaimis sin.”

seeing that, if we acted so, not in all Ireland might we harbour anywhere;”

cuma ro bátar oca ráda ocus do

sháidseat a slega i naenfecht i Cellach

Le linn dóibh bheith á rá sháigh siad in éineacht ar Cheallach

and even as they spoke, into Ceallach they plunged their spears in unison;

ocus ro tharrangsat leo iarum dochum in ethair é

agus tharraing siad leo chun an eathair é.

then they dragged him with them to the boat;

ocus do chuirsium a shaltair eturru ocus a chubal.

Chuir seisean a shaltair idir é féin agus a ionar

yet he made shift to thrust his psalter in between him and his frock.

do cóirgedsom i medón in ethair

agus leagadh é i meán an eathair.

They stowed him in the boat amidships,

ocus dias díobsom ina thosach

two of themselves in the bow,

co ráncatar cu port mar sin

Shroich siad port

and so gained a landing-place;

ocus rucadarsom fó diamair in fheda móir ocus na coille é.

agus rugadh faoi dhoircheacht an fheá mhóir agus i ndiamhair na coille é.

thence they carried him into the great forest and into the dark recesses of the wood.

“Dar lemsa ám a óca” bar Cellach

“Dar liomsa,” ar Ceallach,

Ceallach said:

“is olc darírib in comairle do b’áil lib do chríochnugud.

“is olc an chomhairle atá fúibh.

“this that ye would accomplish I esteem to be a wicked work indeed,

ocus do gébthái bar ndíon i cluain meic Nóis co bráth ar Ghuaire

Gheobhadh sibh bhur ndíon i gCluain Mhic Nóis go brách ar Ghuaire,

*the which would ye even now renounce* in Clonmacnoise ye might shelter safe from Guaire for ever;

ocus dámad fherr lib dul co

Bláthmac ocus Diarmait

nó dá mb’fhearr nó dá mb’oiriúnaí libh é dul go dtí Bláthmhac agus Diarmaid,

or should it please you to resort rather to Bláthmhac and to Diarmaid,

dá mac Aeda sláine

dhá mhac Aodha Sláine,

the two sons to Aodh Sláine,

ocatá ríge nEirenn.”

a bhfuil ríghe Éireann acu,”

now ruling Ireland *with them ye would be secure*;”

ut dixit Cellach:—

agus rinne sé an laoi ann:

then he indited:—

“A óca romuaimnigios

“A óga is fíor gur uaimhníos —

“O ye young men that terrify me,

olc uabar ac ríg nime;

ba olc uabhar ag rí na bhflaitheas —

to Heaven’s high King pride is abominable;

cid saeb suidiugud bar súl

cé gur saobh suíomh bhur súl

distorted as your eyes are,

is mesa rún bar cride

is measa an rún faoi bhur mbaitheas.

the secret of your hearts is more perverted still.

Ro faemsabar orumsa

Óir thoiligh sibh domsa —

As against me ye have consented

cinnead cruaid nach téit taithlech;

cinneadh crua nach bhfaigheann maithiúnas,

— cruel resolve without penitence;

bud fota díb a dhimblad

fada a bheas sibh faoina mhícháil —

the shame of it shall long endure to you,

fell is fingal bud aithrech

feall agus fionghal i dtiocfaidh aithreachas.

treachery and parricide bring you repentance yet.

Cid sib ní sib chreidimse

Cé sibh ní sibh, creidimse,

Ye being they that kill me are not, as I believe,

mharbus misi béim mbraite;

mharós mise le béim braide —

*those* who kill me with a plundering strike;

is mó as loscad sin iaráig

is measa a loiscfidh bhur mí-ádh —

— a burn is hottest in the after-pain,

acht osnad Chiaráin m’aite

ach osna Chiaráin m’oide.

Ciarán’s curse, my tutor’s, *strikes me*.

Cid olc damsa in escaine

Bíodh gur trom toradh na heascaine,

The curse is very bad for me,

ní shechnaim martra foram;

ní sheachnaim martra orm;

yet seek I not to shun my butchering;

bud í in phláig díbse is a bedg

beidh ina phlá díbh is ina mhairg

but to you it shall be a plague and a consternation

in lám derg d’imbert oram

as lámh dhearg a imirt orm.

that on me ye ever plied the bloody hand.

Atá acum airithe

Tá agamsa bua áirithe —

A certain One I have upon my side,

nocho nfil a macsamla;

níl agaibh a macasamhla —

the like of whom existeth not:

is dlúith fri Críst mo chaingean

is dlúth le Críost mo chaingean,

with Christ my cause is bound up closely,

bud neam na naingeal m’adba

ar neamh na naomh bheas m’adhbha.

the angels’ Heaven shall be my dwelling-place.

Cinnead acaibse ba fhell

Cinneadh eile agaibhse

Treason it was when ye were

orum réim nachas córa;

faoin bhfeall-bheart seo nach cróga:

determined to fall on me unrighteously;

bás do rinn do bar bfodbad

bás de rinn do bhur lomadh,

but death by point shall in the end work your destruction

iffern orlam a óca.”

is Ifreann láithreach, a óga.”

and, O ye young men, Hell awaits you.”

“Is dímáin comairle dúinne festa” bar iatsom “im in adbar sin

“Is díomhaoin duit comhairle a thabhairt dúinn feasta faoin ábhar sin,” ar siadsan,

“Farther to advise us in the matter is but idle,” they retorted;

uair ní dingneam fort í.”

“óir ní dhéanfaimid ort í.”

“we will not do it [i.e. thy bidding] for thee.”

“massa” bar Cellach

“Más ea,” ar Ceallach,

“Well then,” he pleaded,

“tabraid cáirde na haidche anocht ar dia damsa.”

“tabharaigí cairde na hoíche anocht dom gan mo mharú.”

“this one night’s respite grant me for God’s sake.”

“dobéram diu acht cid lesc linn a

tabairt.”

“Béarfaidh mar sin, cé gur leisc linn,” ar siad.

 “Loath though we be to concede it, we will yield thee that,” they said;

do thócsat na cloidme bátar fó a nétaigib i bfolach ocu.

Thógadar na claimhte a bhí i bhfolach faoina n-éadaí

then raised the swords which in their clothes they carried hidden,

gabaid ecla mór Cellach oca fhaicsin sin.

agus ghabh eagla mhór Ceallach ar iad a fheiceáil.

and at the sight of them a mighty fear took Ceallach.

do shirset iarum in choill co bfuaratar cuas darach innte

Chuardaigh siad an choill nó go bhfuair siad dair mhór chuasach inti.

They ransacked the wood until they found a hollow oak

ocus éndorus cumang fair

Bhí doras cúng amháin ar an gcuas

having one narrow entrance,

ocus do cuired Cellach ann anunn.

agus cuireadh Ceallach siar ann

and to this Ceallach was committed,

do shuidsetsom fá in ndorus oc faire Chellaig co matain.

agus shuigh siadsan timpeall an dorais ag faire air.

they sitting at the hole to watch him till the morning.

mar sin dóib co ham deirid oidche.

Mar sin dóibh go dtáinig deireadh oíche

They were so to the hour of night’s waning end,

tánaic iarum mian codalta dóibsium

agus go dtáinig mian codlata dóibh

when drowsy longing came to them

co ro thuit a suan trom forru ann.

ionas gur thit a dtromchodladh orthu gan mhoill.

and deep sleep fell on them there.

ní ro chotail itir Cellach fri himshním a oideda.

Níor chodail Ceallach ar chor ar bith le himní

Ceallach, in trouble for his violent death, slept not at all;

ocus bói for a chumus ann sin élód dámad áil leis

agus bhí ar a chumas éalú a dhéanamh ansin dá mb’áil leis.

at which time it was in his power to have fled , had it so pleased him,

ocus atbert ina mhenmain comad drochchreidem do imgabáil ar thoicib dé bí.

Ach dúirt sé leis féin gurbh olc an creideamh dó cinniúint Dé a sheachaint

but in his heart he said that it were misbelief in him to moot evasion of the living God’s designs.

ocus do sháil fós co mbértáisseom fair dá ndernad in nélód

agus dar leis go mbéarfaidís sin air dá n-éalódh sé uathu,

Moreover he reflected that even were he so to flee they must overtake him,

ór ba seng tróg meirtnechsom a haithle in chorgais.

mar bhí sé seang trua-mheirtneach i ndiaidh an Charghais

he being after Lent *just passed* but poor and feeble.

acht bói in matan ann sin ac soillsiugud forru

agus bhí an mhaidin ag soilsiú cheana féin.

Morning shone on them now,

druitidsium in dorus ann sin for ecla na maitne d’faicsin do for óman in báis.

Dhruid sé an doras le heagla roimh an mhaidin a fheiceáil

and he (for fear to see it and in terror of his death) shut to the door;

agus chonaic ansin réaltaí geala trí mhionphoill eile a bhí sa chuas.

“is olc in creidem dam” ol sé “imgabáil breithi dé

“Is olc an creideamh a ním,” ar sé, “breith Dé a sheachaint

yet he said: “to shirk God’s judgment is in me a lack of faith,

ocus Ciarán m’oite ar ngellad in bháisse do thecht am chenn.”

agus breith Chiaráin m’oide, agus a rá gur gheall sé an bás a theacht i mo chionn.”

Ciarán my tutor having promised me that I must meet this end;”

cuma do oca ráda ocus do scáil dorus in crainn.

D’oscail sé doras an chuasáin ansin

and as he spoke he flung open the tree’s door.

do ghair in fiach ocus in fhennóc

agus ghair an fiach agus an fheannóg

The raven called then, and the scallcrow,

ocus in dreán ocus na heoin archena ann sin

agus an dreoilín agus na héanacha uile,

the wren, and all the other birds;

tánaic diu seirrfhiach ibair chluana eo

agus tháinig cúr Iúir Chluain Eo

the kite of Cluain-Eo’s yew-tree came,

ocus cú ruad droma meic Dáir

agus cú rua Dhroim mhic Dáir,

and the ‘red hound’ [wolf] of Druim mic Dair,

.i. in brécaire

an bréagaire beag

the brécaire [i.e. the deceiver’]

no bíodh fá port na hinsi do ghrés.

a bhí lámh le port an oileáin,

whose lair was always by the island’s landing-place.

mar atá an sionnach.

“is fíor tra mh’aislinge adaig cétáine do chuaid” or Cellach

“Is fíor an aisling a chonaic mé oíche Chéadaoine seo caite,” ar Ceallach,

“My dream of Wednesday’s night last past was true,” says Ceallach:

“.i. ceithre coin allta dom rébad

“ceithre cúnna allta am réabadh

“that four ‘wild dogs’ rent me,

ocus mo bhreith dóib triasin raithnig

agus am bhreith tríd an raithneach,

and dragged me through the brackens;

ocus mo thuitim i nallt mór

mé ag titim in alt mór

that down a precipice I fell then,

ocus cen mh’éirghe itir as.”

agus gan éirí dom as.”

nor evermore came up;”

ut dixit in láidsi:—

Ansin a dúirt sé an laoi:

and he pronounced this lay:—

“Is mochean in maiten bán

“Fáilte romhat, a mhaidin bhán,

“Hail to the Morning fair

no taed for lár mar lasán;

le teacht ar lár mar lasán —

that as a flame falls on the ground

is mochen do’n té rusfói

fáilte roimh an tÉ a luath

— hail to Him too that sends her —

in maiten buadach bithnái

an mhaidin bhuach shíor-nua.

the Morning many-virtued ever new.

A mhaiten bhán co nuaille

A iníon óg na huaille,

O Morning fair so full of pride

a shiur na gréine gluaire;

a shiúr na gréine gluaire,

— O sister of the brilliant Sun —

is mochen a maiten bán

fáilte romhat, a mhaidin bhán,

hail to thee, beauteous Morning,

foillsigios orm mo lebrán

a fhoilsíonn orm mo leabhrán.

that lightest my little book for me.

Atchí aiged cach tige

Is tú a chíonn aoi gach tí,

Thou seest the guest in every dwelling

soillsigios tuath is fine;

a shoilsíonn tuath is fine;

— shinest on every tribe and kin —

is mochen a muinghel mas

fáilte romhat, a mhuinéal mhín,

hail O thou white-necked, beautiful,

acainn a órcháin amnas

againn, a ainnir ór-chaoin.

here with us now — O golden-fair and wonderful.

Atbeir frium mo lebrán brec

Deir liom mo leabhrán breac

My little book with chequered page

ní fhil mo shaegal erchóir;

nach bhfuil mo shaol ar cóir;

tells me my life hath not been right;

Maelcróin is cóir dam a uaman

roimh Mhaol Cróin is cóir dom sceon,

Maol Cróin — ’tis he whom I do well to fear:

é tic dom bualad fá deoid

is é a bhuailfidh mé faoi dheoidh.

he it is that comes to smite me at the last.

A eannach ón a eannach

A fheannóg ón a fheannóg,

O scallcrow and O scallcrow,

a énín bhratghlas bhennach!

a einín bhrat-ghlais bheannach!

grey-coated, sharp-beaked, paltry fowl!

léir dam forcla do mhana

léir dom ar chlú do mhana

the intent of thy desire is apparent to me,

nírsat cara do Chellach

nach cara thú do Cheallach.

no friend art thou to Ceallach.

A fhiaich dogní in ngragarnaig

A fhiaich dhéanann an ghrágarsach,

O raven, thou that makest croaking,

másat acaraig a eoin;

más ocrach thú gan lón,

if hungry thou be now, O bird,

ná héirig sunna do’n ráith

ná héirigh anseo den ráith

from this same rath depart not

co netha do sháith dom fheoil

go n-íosfaidh tú sáith dem fheoil.

until thou have a surfeit of my flesh.

Seirrfhiach ibair chluana eo

A chúir Iúir Chluain Eo,

Fiercely the kite of Cluain-Eo’s yew-tree

freigéraid co garb in gleo;

freagróidh go garbh an gleo;

will take part in the scramble;

béraid lán a ingan nglas

bhéarfaidh lán a iongan glas,

his horn-hued talons full he’ll carry off,

riumsa ní bud min scéras

liomsa ní go mín a scarfas.

he will not part from me in kindness.

In sinnach fil sin choill chéir

An sionnach tá sa choill chiar,

To the blow *that fells me* the fox that’s in the darkling wood

freicéraid co luath in béim;

freagróidh go luath an bhéim;

will make response at speed;

ísaid ní dom fhuil’s dom fheoil

íosfaidh ní dem fhuil is dem fheoil

shall devour my flesh and blood

i críochaib uara aineoil

i gcríocha fuara aineoil.

in cold and trackless confines.

In cú ruadh fil isin ráith

An cú rua atá sa ráith

The wolf that’s in the rath

i noirther droma meic Dáir;

in oirthear Droma Mhic Dáir,

upon the eastern side of Druim mic Dair:

tic chucum fri head nuaire

tig chugam ar feadh uaire

he on a passing visit comes to me,

comad táisech caemchuaine

mar thaoiseach na caomh-chuaine.

that he may rank as chieftain of the meaner pack.

Atchonnarcsa aislinge

Chonaic mé aisling,

I saw a dream

adaig cétaine do chuaid;

oíche Chéadaoine a chuaigh,

on Wednesday’s night last past

coin allta dom comtharraing

coin allta am chomh-tharraing

as one the wild dogs dragged me

sair siar trésin raithnig ruaid

soir siar tríd an raithnigh ruaidh.

eastwards and westwards through the russet ferns.

Atchonnarcsa aislinge

Chonaic an aisling —

I saw a dream:

mo breith dóibseom i ngleann glas;

mo bhreith dóibh i ngleann glas;

that into a green glen men took me;

is cethrar acom breith inn

ceathrar am bhreith ann,

four they were that bore me thither,

andar linn nimthucsat as

dar liom níor thug siad as.

but (so meseemed) ne’er brought me back again.

Atchonnarcsa aislinge

Chonaic mé aisling —

I saw a dream

mo dhaltáin dom breith dia dtig;

mo dhaltáin am bhreith dá dtigh:

that to their house my condisciples led me;

do dáilsetar formsa dig

dháil siad ormsa deoch,

for me then they poured out a drink,

ocus atibset form dig

agus ormsa d’ó1 cothrom na dí.

a draught too they quaffed off to me.

A dreolláin cusin eirr máil

A dhreoilín leis an ruball maol

O tiny wren most scant of tail,

is truag thairngirios tu in láidh;

is trua a thairngir tú an laoi,

dolefully thou hast piped prophetic lay;

masad tánacais dom brath

má tháinig tú do mo bhrath,

surely thou art come to betray me,

’s do tharraing mo shaegulrath

do ghiorrúchán mo bhliain-shreath.

and to curtail my gift of life.

Cid fá a mbiad dam Macdeoraid

Cén fáth a mbeadh Mac Deoraidh

Wherefore should Mac Deoraidh,

oc fell orm ní gním dreolaid?

d’fheall ormsa ná dom bheo-ghoin?

dealing treasonably, seek to hurt me?

dá derbráthair m’athairse

is dhá dheartháir m’athair

a monstrous act: for brothers two my father

ocus athair Meicdeoraid

agus athair Mhac Deoraidh.

and Mac Deoraidh’s father were.

Cid fá a mbiad dam Maeldálua

Cén fáth a mbeadh Maol Dá Lua

Why should Maol Dá Lua go about to injure me,

do fhell form ocus ní gua?

d’fheall ormsa le bás rua?

he that of a truth hath shewn me treachery?

dá deirbsiair mo máthairse

dhá dheirfiúr mo mháthairse

for sisters twain my mother

ocus máthair Maeildálua

agus máthair Mhaoil Dá Lua.

and Maol Dá Lua’s mother were.

Cid fá a mbiad dam Maelsenaig

Cén fáth a mbeadh Maol Seanaig

Why should Maol Seanaigh lust to harm me,

do fhell orm isin mebail?

d’fheall orm ins an mheabhail?

he that in the conspiracy hath used me guilefully?

dáig is macsom d’fior idan

mar is mac é fir umhail

for well I wot that he is a pure man’s son

Maelsenaig mac Maeilibair

Maol Seanaigh mac Maoil Iúir.

— Maol Iúir’s son Maol Seanaigh.

A Maeilchróin ón a Maeilchróin

A Mhaoil Chróin,

O Maol Cróin and O Maol Cróin,

do chinnis gním nár ba choir;

chinn tú gníomh nár choir:

thou art resolved on a deed that is iniquitous;

ní léicfedh mac Eogain t’éc

ní ligfeadh mac Eoghain do éag

Eoghan’s son had ne’er consented to thy death

ar deich cét do thinnib óir

ar fhiche céad d’uingí óir.

for ten hundred golden ingots.

A Maeilchróin ón a Maeilchróin

A Mhaoil Chróin,

O Maol Cróin and O Maol Cróin,

maith do ghabais com bithfeill;

is tú a bhí glic san fheill;

you took well to my betrayal;

do gabais ar cend tsaegail

ghabh tusa slí an tsaoil,

for this World’s sake thou hast accepted it,

do gabais ar cend iffeirn

ghabh tusa bealach Ifrinn.

accepted it for sake of Hell.

Gach séd maith do geibinnse

Gach séad maith a gheobhainnse

All precious things that ever I had

ocus cach óicech sleman;

is gach óg-each seang sleamhain,

— all sleek-coated young horses —

do Maelchróin dobeirinnse

do Mhaol Chróin a mbéarfainnse

on Maol Cróin I would have bestowed them

co ná dernad orm mebal

le nach ndéanfadh orm meabhail.

that he should not do me this treason.

Conamfiadusa friumsa

Go ndeire an Tiarna liomsa —

Thus he addresses speech to me,

mac mór Muire ós mo chiunnsa;

Mac mór-Mhuire os mo chionnsa —

Mary’s great Son up above me;

‘rotfia talam rotfia neam

‘beidh agat talamh, beidh agat neamh,

‘thou must have earth, thou shalt have Heaven;

duit a Cheallaig is mochean.’ ”

is ort, a Cheallaigh, atá mo chion.’ ”

welcome awaits thee, dear Ceallach.’ ”

Ar sin tra ro tócbad Cellach accu as in chrunn amach

Thóg siadsan Ceallach as an gcuasán ansin.

By them now Ceallach was lifted out of the tree,

ocus ro buail Macdeoraid i tús é

Bhuail Mac Deoraidh ar dtús é

and first of all Mac Deoraidh struck him;

ocus do buail Maeldálua ocus Maelsenaig ocus Maelcróin fá deoidh é

agus bhuail an triúr eile leis é

afterwards Maol Dá Lua, Maol Seanaigh and Maol Cróin in order struck him;

co ro marbsat ann sin in tespoc naem

gur maraíodh ann an t-easpag naofa

and in such fashion there they did to death the holy bishop,

.i. Cellach mac Eogain bél

.i. Ceallach mac Eoghain Béil

Eoghan Béal’s son Ceallach;          

ocus táncatar rompu a haithli a noidi ocus a dtigerna ocus a naembráthar do mharbad

I ndiaidh a n-oide agus a dtiarna agus a mbráthair a mharú

then after their master, their lord, their sacred kinsman murdered,

co rancatar airm a mbí Guaire.

tháinig siad áit a raibh Guaire

went their ways to Guaire.

ba faeilid Guaire friu cin cor chóir a ndernsat.

agus ba fháilteach eisean rompu, cé nár chóir an t-éacht a rinne siad.

Guaire met them right joyously, for all their deed was heinous.

Tancatar iarum fiaich ocus fennóca ocus ethaite na coilleadh chuice uli

Tháinig fiaich agus feannóga agus mic tíre agus feithidí chuige,

To him *Ceallach* the ravens, and the scallcrows, and the forest’s several preying things flocked together

amail do thairrngir féin dóib

amhail a thairngir sé féin dóibh

as he himself had presaged for them,

ocus aduadarsom ní dá fheoil ocus dá fhuil.

agus d’itheadar ní dá fheoil mar a tairngríodh.

and of his flesh and blood consumed somewhat;

cach ethaid tra aduaidh bec ná mór de atbathatarsom fó chétóir a mírbuil dé ocus Cellaig.

Agus ghabh galar gach feithide a d’ith a bheag nó a mhór dá fhuil nó dá fheoil agus fuair siad uile bás.

but every preying creature whatsoever that much or little ate of him died at once by a miracle of God and Ceallach.

Dála imorro Muiredaig meic Eogain bél bráthar Cellaig in naemespuic

Dála Mhuireadhaigh mhic Eoghain, deartháir Cheallaigh,

Regarding, then, holy bishop Ceallach’s brother Muireadhach, son of Eoghan Béal:

ránaic in lá sin d’fios a bráthar

tháinig sé ar cuairt chuig a bhráthair

that same day he came looking for his brother,

mar do théiged co menic do chomrád ocus do chomairli fris

mar théadh go minic le comhrá agus comhairle bheith aige leis,

even as many a time before he came for speech with him and to have counsel of him,

óir ní dénad ní

óir ní dhéanadh sé aon ní ar domhan

for he did nought

acht do chomairli Chellaig

murarbh le comhairle Cheallaigh é,

seeing that but by Ceallach’s precept

ór ba hé a oite múinte ocus a bráthair ocus a athair spirtálta ule é.

mar ba é a oide múinte agus a dheartháir agus a athair spioradálta é.

as he was his teacher, his brother and his spiritual father all in one.

tánaic diu co port na hinse amail ticed cach nuairi

Tháinig sé go port na hinse mar a thagadh gach uair,

When therefore he came as he used ever to the island’s ferryport,

acht ní chuala comrád ná fáscad gotha Cellaig thall isin oilén

ach níor chuala sé fuaim ná comhrá san oileán.

yonder in the island he heard nor speech nor chant of Ceallach.

fuair in nethar isin purt

Fuair sé an t-eathar sa phort

The boat indeed they got at the port,

ocus tiagat isin inse ocus fuaratar falam í

agus chuaigh lena mhuintir san oileán, ach fuaireadar folamh é.

but the isle when they were come into it they found all void:

.i. cen Chellach itir innte.

Ceallach not there at all.

ráncatar amach co luath

Thángadar amach arís

In haste they returned,

ocus tug Muiredach aichne ótchuala na cléirig óca do dul co tech Guairi

agus nuair a chuala Muireadhach go ndeachaigh na cléirigh óga go teach Ghuaire d’aithin sé

and so soon as Muireadhach heard that the young clerks had been to Guaire’s house, he knew

corub é Cellach do foirgled forru do mharbad ann sin.

gur ordaíodh dóibh Ceallach a mharú.

that there Ceallach had been pointed out to them to slay.

ocus is í slige ránaicseom

Is í slí a chuaigh sé ansin,

The way that he took now was

co hairm a mbói in choingelt itir loch con ocus loch Cuilinn

go dtí an choinnealt (.i. talamh coiteann) idir Loch Con agus Loch Cuilinn,

by the spot where the Coinneilt dwelt, between Lough Cullin and Lough Conn.

ocus d’éirig onchú neimi for in coingeilt dóib

agus d’éirigh onchú nimhneach a bhí ar an choinnealt os a gcomhair

To guard which Coinneilt a raging beast opposed them, presently

co ro marb nónbar dá mhuintir ina fhiadnaise ann sin.

agus mharaigh naonúr dá mhuintir ina fhianaise féin.

and before his face killing nine of his people.

cáinis a chomdhalta .i. Conall mac Eochaidh eisium trít sin

Cháin a chomhalta, Conall mac Eochaidh, eisean ansin

Eochaidh’s son Conall, his condisciple, rebuked him for this,

ocus atbert friss cor mídlach mac ríg do léic a mhuinter do mharbad do’n bhéist ina fhiadnaise.

agus dúirt leis gur droch-mhac rí a lig do phéist a mhuintir a mharú ina fhianaise.

and said that a king’s son enduring thus to view his people slaughtered by the beast could be but recreant.

téit Muiredach iar sin for iarmoracht na piasta

Chuaigh Muireadhach ansin ar lorg na péiste,

In quest of the monster Muireadhach went forth then

foronfoisse fá’n loch

thum sé faoin loch.

and dived into the lough,

acht nísfuair do’n cét fecht í.

Ní bhfuair don chéad uair í

but the first time found her not;

téit in tánaiste

ná don dara uair,

a second time he went,

ocus in tres fecht fuair slicht na péiste

ach an triú uair fuair sé sliocht na péiste

and at the third hit her track,

ocus ro lean í as in loch anís

agus lean í as an loch aníos

and up out of the lough followed her

conusfuair ina suan í ann ocus í sáithech.

agus fuair ina codladh sách í.

till he came on her where she slept gorged.

sáidis in claidem tríthe co lár

Sháigh sé a chlaíomh tríthi go talamh,

Through her and into the earth he thrust his sword;

rucside a léim isin loch ocus in claidem aiste

agus rug sí léim sa loch agus an claíomh aisti,

she with the weapon stuck in her took a leap into the lough.

lenais Muiredach í for a lurg cor comraic fria.

agus lean seisean í agus rinne comhrac léi.

Muireadhach followed by the track and fought with her;

créchtnaigther co mór Muiredach isin gleod sin ocus marbais in péist post.

Chréachtaigh sí go mór é, ach mharaigh sé í

in which fight he was hurt grievously, but in the end killed the beast,

beiris tra a cenn di for tír co hairm a mbói Conall a chomdhalta ocus a mhuinter archena.

agus rug a ceann leis suas ar tír chuig a chomhalta,

took her head, and to Conall his condisciple with his folk in general carried it ashore.

atbert Conall tra: “is cróda in comrac sin doronais a meic

agus dúirt a chomhalta leis: “Is buach an comhrac a rinne tú

Conall said: “a gallant fight is that thou’st fought, my son:

.i. cú na coingeilti do marbad

agus cú na coinneilte a mharú,

to slay the Coinnealt’s monster;

ocus bud cúchoingelt t’ainmsiu de sin.”

agus is é Cú Choinnealt an t-ainm a bheas ort feasta fhaid a bheas tú beo.”

whence also thy name shall be ‘Cú Choinnealt’ ”

conad de ro lil in tainm é .i. cúchoingelt do rada fris.

Agus lean an t-ainm é, .i. Cú Choinnealt a cuireadh air.

and so the practice grew of calling him Cú Choinnealt.

Tancatar amach iarum

Ina dhiaidh sin tháinig siad amach arís

Away they came,

co ro lensat slicht in chóicir for fhut na coillead fásaig

agus fuair rian an chúigir ar fud na coille fásaigh,

and through the wild wood followed on a track of five:

do lensat co fríochnamach é

agus lean siad go dícheallach é

followed zealously,

co bfuaratar a lorga mar ar fhácsat iat.

go bhfuair siad na lorga san áit ar fágadh iad.

until they found the clubs where those had left them.

“fíor sin” ol Muiredhach

“Is fíor leoga,” ar Muireadhach,

“Even so,” said Muireadhach:

“is mar amru tucad na lorgasa do marbad Chellaig ó Ghuairiu

“gur ó Ghuaire a tugadh na lorga seo mar airm le Ceallach a mharú.

“for a token to slay Ceallach these clubs were brought from Guaire.

tréicid na lorgasa” ol sé “ocus co lenmáis lorg na fedna.”

Fágaigí na lorga agus leanaigí go maith sliocht na bhfear seo.”

Let them lie, and follow we the traces of the band.”

ar sin dóib for a lurg co bfuaratar in crann

As sin leo ar an rian nó go bhfuair siad an cuas

Again they went upon the trail, and so found the tree

ocus corp Cellaig ann iar nithe de do na piastaib

agus corp Cheallaigh ann ar n-ithe cuid de do na péiste.

with Ceallach’s body there: part eaten by the creatures.

do luid co mór for Muiredach in técht sin. ut dixit:—

Luigh sin go trom ar Mhuireadhach agus rinne sé an laoi ann:

The gruesome deed lay heavy upon Muireadhach, and he said:—

“Inmain cách is a chorp so

“Ionúin an té ar leis an corp seo —

“Dear was he whose body this is:

samlaim rem éc in téc so;

samhlaím fein lem éag an t-éag seo;

to mine own death his death I liken;

acht dar lium is lán dá fhuil

uch, dar liom is lán dá fhuil

I see drenched in its own blood,

corpán Cellaig meic Eoguin

corpán Ceallaigh mhic Eoghain.

the corpse of Eoghan Béal’s son Ceallach.

Farír! ní bfuil deirbshiur dam

Faraor! Níl deirfiúr dom

Sister for me is none, alas!

i niaith Eirenn nó Alban;

in iath Éireann ná Alban;

in Ireland’s nor in Scotland’s land;

marb m’athair is mo máthair

marbh m’athair is mo mháthair,

my father is dead, dead my mother,

domrat dia cen derbráthair

is d’fhág Dia mé gan deartháir.

now God hath left me brotherless.

Mina bfuil oc Gelghéis glain

Muna bhfuil ag Geilghéis ghlain,

If it be not with pure Geilghéis,

nó ac Conall mac Eochaid;

is ag Conall mac Eochaidh,

or else with Conall, Eochaidh’s son,

ní fhetar má atá ac duine

ní fheadar má tá ag aon duine

I know not whether with any now

m’einechras ná mh’inmuine

mo chineáltas nó m’ionúine.

kindness there be or yet dear love for me.

A loch chlaein ón a loch chlaein

A Loch Chlaoin, ón, a Loch Chlaoin,

O Rinn Lough, and O Rinn Lough,

festa nocha bfuil do mhaein;

ní bheidh agat feasta do mhaoin,

henceforth thou prosperest no more,

ó nár aincis ar a ghuin

ó nár chosain tú ar a ghoin

for not from slaughter savedst thou that which

corpán Cellaig meic Eoguin

corpán Ceallaigh mhic Eoghain.

now is but the corpse of Eoghan’s son Ceallach.

Do thréicis cetharna de

A Cheallaigh, thréig do cheithearna

Thy bands of kerne thou, *Ceallach*,

ar salmchetla co soillse;

ar shalmcheadal go soilse;

didst renounce to follow psalmody with light;

do thréicis gníma gaile

do thréigis gaiscí ghaile

valour’s deeds thou gavest up

ar leabraib go lánghlaine

ar leabhair go lán-ghlaine.

for books full of all purity.

Do thréicis tige nóla

Is thréig tú tithe óla

The feasting-house thou didst desert

ar aithighe altóra;

ar chleachtadh na haltóra;

for frequentation of the altar;

do léicis uait císa a fhir!

is lig tú uait cíos, a fhir!

tributes thou didst forego, O man!

tucais grád d’Isa inmhain

thug tú grá d’Íosa ionúin.

in Jesus the Beloved didst place thy love.

Dofaeth liumsa Macdeoraid

Titfidh liomsa Mac Deoraidh

Mac Deoraidh is as good as slain by me

i ndígail meic airdeogain;

i ndíoghal mhic ard-Eoghain;

in vengeance of high Eoghan’s son;

biaid Macdeoraid lán dá fhuil

beidh Mac Deoraidh lán dá fhuil,

lapped in his own blood shall Mac Deoraidh lie,

do cherb mac Eogain inmhuin

a chiorraigh mac Eoghain ionúin.

that butchered thus dear Eoghan’s son.

Fa maith a chléirchecht chrábaid

Ba mhaith a chléirceacht chrabhaidh

His pious clerkly life was good

na chill álainn iubránaig;

ina chill álainn iúránaigh;

in his beautiful yew-shaded church;

inmain foltán co finne

ionúin a fholt le finne,

dear was his head of hair so fair,

is corpán co ninmaine

is corpán le hionúine.

dear is his corpse and well-beloved.

Dofaeth Maeldálua dom láim

Titfidh Maol Dá Lua dom lámh

Maol Dá Lua is as good as fallen by my hand

i ndígail Chellaig chnesbáin;

i ndíol Cheallaigh chneasbháin —

in vengeance of the white-skinned Ceallach;

ocus dofaeth Maelsenaig

agus titfidh Maol Seanaigh,

in this foul treason if Maol Seanaigh

má do bhí con mórmhebail

ó bhí ag an mhór-mheabhal;

had a part, he, too is fallen.

ar Mhaelchróin co garb dá ghuin

ar Mhaol Cróin go garbh dá ghoin

As for Maol Cróin — rare as the gold is,

dobérainn ór cid inmhuin”

thabharfainn ór, gidh ionúin linn.”

I would give it to have the ruthless slaying of him.”

Iar sin do thócsat corp Cellaig leo co druim mór frisa ráiter turlach

Ina dhiaidh sin, tógadh corp Ceallaigh leo go Droim Mór ar a dtugtar Turlach,

This done, they lifted Ceallach’s body to Dromore, that is called Turlough now;

acht nír leicset muinter turlaigh a adnacal occa for ecla Guairi.

ach nuair a d’aithníodar sin é, níor ligeadar a adhlacadh acu ar eagla Ghuaire.

but for Guaire’s fear *that was on them* they of the Turlough would not suffer that it should be laid with them.

ráncatar assein co lis Calláin

Chuadar as sin go cill eile bhí gairid uathu, mar atá Lios Calláin,

They came to Liscallan;

ocus d’féimdigset muinter cille Calláin a adnacal beos for ecla Guairi

agus dhiúltaíodar sin a adhlacadh acu ar eagla Ghuaire.

but the familia of Killcallan, as dreading Guaire, endured not to have him laid with them.

ba holc la Coinchoingeilt sin

B’olc le Cú Choinnealt sin

Cú Choinnealt being vexed at this

ocus atbert co ndigélad forru a néradh fair.

agus mhallaigh sé do lucht na cille agus dúirt go ndíolódh sé orthu é.

said that he would be avenged on them for their denial;

ní cian tra ó’n chill do chuatar

Ní cian a chuadar ón mbaile

nor were they gone far from the church

ocus Cellach leo

agus corp Ceallaigh á iompar acu

and Ceallach’s body with them

in tan atchonncatar in chell tria theinid aird .i. do nim

nuair a chonaiceadar an chill trí thine ar dearg-lasadh, agus ba tine í a tháinig de nimh

when they beheld the same ablaze with fire (fire fallen from heaven) that flamed on high,

oca loscad ó nár leicset corp Cellaig innte

dá loscadh de bhrí nár lig siad corp Ceallaigh a adhlacadh acu,

and in combustion because they yielded not to take in Ceallach’s body.

ocus nísfil áittreb innte dia éis co bráth.

agus níl áitreabh sa chill sin ó shin.

Since which time there is not any human inhabiting of the spot.

A mbátar ann iarum atchonncatar dá dham allaid chucu

Agus iad mar sin chonaiceadar dhá dhamh allta chucu

They being yet there saw towards them two wild deer

ocus fén co coimniurt oca imorchur eturru

agus cróchar á iompar eatarthu,

with a wain, which with great effort they drew between them

co ránaicset comárd frisin corp

agus nuair a thángadar fad leis an gcorp

till they came abreast of the body.

do léicset a bfén for lár immedón na ceitheirne

ligeadar an cróchar ar lár i gceart-mheán na buíne.

Amid that company the stags laid their bier upon the ground,

ingnad lá cách inní atcess

B’ionadh leo sin,

and to all of them that which they saw enacted thus seemed passing strange;

ocus ba subach iat ó’n mírbuil móir dorigne dia for Cellach in naemespoc.

ach ba mhaith leo go ndearnadh an mhíorúilt.

but at the miracle which for holy bishop Ceallach’s sake was wrought by God they were rejoiced exceedingly.

cuirit iarum in corp isin cróchar bí for na damu allta sin

Cuireadh corp Ceallaigh sa chróchar a bhí idir na daimh

On the bier which the two stags had borne they laid the corpse,

iomaircset tra é

agus d’iompair siad as sin é

then moved it on

co ráncatar eiscrecha aniar.

nó gur shroich siad na hEascracha aniar.

until they gained the Eskers in the west;

atchonncatar cell ann sin ocus durrthech innte

Chonaiceadar cill ansin agus dairtheach maith inti

there they perceived a church with a cell contiguous,

do léicset na daim in corp díb i ndorus in durrtige

agus lig na daimh an corp ar lár i ndoras an dairthí.

at which cell’s door the deer laid the body from them

do bensat cluig na cille uathaib féin ann sin

Baineadh cloig an bhaile

and the church-bells pealed of themselves.

táncatar na cléirig ós cionn in chuirp

agus tháinig na cléirigh os cionn an choirp,

The clergy, being come forth and standing over the body,

co ro fiarfachsat cuich é.

agus d’fhiafraíodar cérbh é,

enquired whose it might be;

iarna fhios dóibseom

iarna fhios dóibhsean,

and when they learned it,

do chansat na salmu co sanntach for a anmainsium

chanadar na sailm go santach ar a ainmse

for his soul’s rest they sang the psalms with zeal

ós cionn a uaige ocus a adnacail.

os cionn a uaighe agus a adhlactha.

over his grave and his sepulchre.

ocus do thórainn cró aingel beos

Agus rinneadh cró aingeal uime ann

A bevy of angels likewise,

do nim oc onórugud a anma ocus a adnaicthe i talum.

ó neamh ag onórú a ainm agus a adhlactha i dtalamh.

coming down from Heaven, did honour to his soul and to his place of sepulture on earth.

tictís tra na daim sin cach lae co mbítís oc trebad mar na damu eili

Is dhearbhaíodh an scéal sin; bhíodh an dá dhamh *allta* ag treabhadh mar na daimh eile

Farther: the same deer came daily and, like the oxen, ploughed.

tictís d’éis a nair cach nóna co mbítís oc lige uaige Cellaig.

agus thagaidís ag lí na huaighe gach oíche.

Their ploughing done, at noon then they frequented Ceallach’s tomb to lick it.

tánaic Cúchoingelt iar sin co mbói ós cionn uaige a bhráthar co nepert:—

Tháinig Cú Choinnealt ansin os cionn

uaighe Ceallaigh agus dúirt ann:

Now came Cú Choinnealt and, standing at his brother’s grave, said:—

“Truag toirrsech atusa sunn

“Trua tuirseach atáimse ann,

“After my brother that cherished me,

d’éis mo bhráthar bói im chomunn;

d’éis mo bhráthar bhí im chumann;

sorrowing and wretched I stand here;

budesta ní rach dá thaig

feasta ní rachad dá theach

from the day in which Eoghan’s son ceased to live,

ó’n ló ná mair mac Eogain

ón lá a cailleadh mac Eoghain.

no more I seek his dwelling-place.

Bud olc do’n tí ro fell fort

Is olc don té a d’fheall ort,

To him that shewed this treason shall be evil,

bud fás dá éisi a ardport;

fás dá éis a ardphort;

and his high abode be but a desert after him;

biaid in tí rotletair thair

beidh an té a leadair thú thoir

he that in the eastward butchered thee,

for lecaib dorcha diabail

ar leaca dorcha an diabhail.

upon the Devil’s black flagstones he shall lie.

Mairg dobeir taeb friu cá dtaig

Mairg a bheir taobh leo ina thigh —

Woe to him that reposes trust in them to go into their house,

fri cloinn Cholmáin meic Chobthaig;

le clann Cholmáin mhic Chobhthaigh;

or that confides in the children of Cobhthach’s son Colmán;

in gním dorigne Guaire

ón ghníomh a rinne Guaire

the deed procured by Guaire

dombeir fá brón bithtruaige”

táim faon faoi bhrón síor-thruaighe.”

shall subject him to woe of misery eternal.”

Iar sin tra tinólait lucht bága ocus caratraid Cellaig cu Coincoingelt as cach áird do Chonnachtaib

Ina dhiaidh sin, thionóil lucht bá agus cairdis Cheallaigh go Cú Choinnealt as gach aird

Out of every airt in Connacht they that had loved Ceallach and had been friends to him gathered themselves to Cú Choinnealt now,

go dtí go raibh ceithearn mhór aige.

co mba hé a lín uile trí cét bfear narmach i naeninud.

Is é líon a bhí ann trí chéad fear armtha.

so that in one spot they were in number three hundred armed men together.

is í tra a chomairle ó nach fuair conair chogaid for Guaire 

Ó nach bhfuair sé faill chogaidh ar Ghuaire

He, seeing that against Guaire he might not as yet find favourable path of war, was resolved

dol dó co Marcán airm a mbói

chuaigh sé roimhe go dtí an áit a raibh Marcán mac Cillín,

that he would go to Marcán,

.i. rí ua Máine ocus Medhraige eisside

rí Uí Mhaine agus Meadhraí.

king of Uí Mhaine and of Meadhraí;

ór bói comairce bliadna aice ó feraib Erenn.

Is amhlaidh a fuair sé coimirce bhliana ó fhir Éireann,

from whom accordingly he had guarantee of protection against all Ireland.

tuc tra Cúchoingelt a lám ina láim sen

agus thug sé a lámh i lámh Marcáin,

Cú Choinnealt struck his hand in his,

ocus tuc Marcán coinnmead bliadna dá mhuintir

agus thug seisean coinmheadh dá mhuintir,

and for twelve months Marcán billeted his people;

ocus bói féin i tig Marcáin frisin ré sin

agus d’fhan sé féin i gcuideachta Marcáin.

Cú Choinnealt himself for that space of time being in Marcán’s house,

co nonóir móir

Fuair sé onóir agus tairise go ceann bliana,

and with great honour shewn him.

co nepert Marcán iar mbliadain:

agus i gcionn bliana sin dúirt Márcán:

But now, the year run out, Marcán said to him:

“déna imthecht imbárach a Chúchoingelt

“Déan réiteach le himeacht amárach, a Cú Choinnealt.

 “to-morrow, Cú Choinnealt, depart;

acht ní doichell dosbeir sin do ráda fritsa

Ní doicheall a bheir orainn a rá leat,

yet is not churlishness the cause that this is said to thee,

ór ní lamait oc Guaire do chongbáil nís mó acainn.”

ach ar eagla Ghuaire ní leomhaimid do chothú níos faide againn,”

but that on Guaire we may not presume so far as to retain thee longer by us;”

ut dixit Marcán:—

agus rinne sé an laoi ann:

and Marcán uttered:—

“Is maith do thurus im thaig

“Is maith do thuras chugam,

“Good is thy visit to my house,

a Chúchoingelt meic Eogain;

a Chú Choinnealt mhic Eoghain;

Cú Choinnealt son of Eoghan;

do bhisech atá ar tuili

do bhiseach atá ar tuile,

thine increase swelleth as a flood,

a meic Eogain fholtbuidi!

a mhic Eoghain an fhoilt bhuí!

O yellow-haired Eoghan’s son!

Eirig reomat imárach

Éirigh romhat amárach

At morning’s prime to-morrow

tús na maitne co bágach;

tús na maidne go buaíoch (.i. bagrach);

go on thy way bravely,

ocus bí bliadain maille

agus bí bliain maille

and for a year abide with them

oc cloind Aeda meic Sláine

i gclainn Aodha shaoir Sláine.

— with Aodh Sláine’s noble sons.

Rop soirb in turus téigi

Gurb soirbh an turas a théann tú,

Prosperous be the path thou takest,

a meic Eogain co bféili!

a mhic Eoghain na féile!

O son of Eoghan, generous one!

ó thig Marcáin co réim raith

i dteach Marcáin go mór-rath

from Marcán’s house propitious progress have thou,

do thurus budéin as maith”

do sheal féin ba ró-ghar.”

so shall thy journey’s end be good.”

Imthigit rompu iarum a dtrí cét tar Sinainn sair co ráncatar Temair

Ina dhiaidh sin imíonn na trí chéad rompu thar Sionainn soir chun na Mí gur shroicheadar Teamhair,

Eastward over Shannon they held their course: three hundred men all told; and on to Tara

airm a mbói Bláthmac ocus Diarmait ruanaid dá mac Aeda sláine

áit a raibh Bláthmhac agus Diarmaid, dhá mhac Aodha Sláine,

where Diarmaid was, and Bláthmhac, Aodh Sláine’s sons,

uair is accu sin bói Eire in tan sin.

óir is acu bhí ríghe Éireann an t-am sin.

for they were ruling Ireland at that time,

ferthar fáilte friu iarum

Aithníodh iad agus fearadh fáilte rompu

and they found welcome.

do coinnmead iar sin muinter Choncoingelt for thuathaib Breg ocus Mide

Cú Choinnealt’s folk were quartered abroad over the tuatha of Bregia and Meath;

ocus bói budén i coimitecht Bláthmaic ocus drem dá aes gráda maille fris co nonóir adbail.

agus tugadh onóir agus grá dóibh ann.

while he and a part of his confidentials were of Bláthmhac’s own companionship, and high in honour.

ingean uallach aentuma oc Bláthmac .i. Aife a hainmside

Bhi iníon álainn aontumha ag Bláthmhac, arbh ainm di Aoife,

Now Bláthmhac had a proud maiden daughter (Aoife by name)

co tarla suirghe eturru ocus Cúchoingelt mac Eogain bél.

agus tharla suirí idir í sin agus Cú Choinnealt

between whom and Cú Choinnealt a wooing-match began:

tucsat araen grád díchra d’aroile

agus thug siad grá dá chéile,

either to other gave a mighty love,

ocus is uathad oca mbí fioss a suirge ann sin.

ach is beag duine a raibh fhios aige go raibh suirí eatarthu.

and they were very few that at the time had any inkling of the courtship.

laa ann dia mbói Cúchoingelt oc imbert fidchille

Lá amhain nuair a bhí Bláthmhac agus Cú Choinnealt ag imirt fichille,

But Cú Choinnealt chancing of a day to play chess *with Bláthmhac*,

ocus tánaic Aife ingen Bláthmaic ós a cionn

tháinig Aoife isteach agus bhí ag féachaint orthu.

the daughter came and, standing over her father,

ocus in cluiche oca bhreith for Choincoingelt

Bhí an cluiche á bhreith ar Chú Choinnealt,

and as the game was going hard against Cú Choinnealt

tecascaid sí bert chluichi for a hathair ann.

agus thaispeáin sise beart dó ionas gur baineadh an cluiche ar a hathair.

to his disadvantage prompted the other to a move.

rodfhéch Bláthmac co féig fuirri ocus atbert:

D’fhéach an t-athair go géar uirthi agus dúirt:

Bláthmhac scanning her keenly said:

“is díchra do thecaiscis form a ingen” ol sé

“Is díochra do chomhairle im éadan, a iníon,

“thou art zealous to prompt against me, daughter,

“uair rucais in cluiche uaim

agus rug tú an cluiche uaim,

and the game hast taken from me;

ocus is fíor suirge etrat ocus Cúchoingelt.”

agus is fíor go bhfuil suirí idir tusa agus Cú Choinnealt.”

truly between thee and Cú Choinnealt there is courtship.”

“ní cheilim” bar isse.

“Ní shéanaim é,” ar sise,

She made answer: “nor seek I to conceal it.”

“má admhaíonn seisean.”

“Admhaím go deimhin,” ar seisean.

“mad atmai” bar Bláthmac “cid nár chedaigebar damsa?”

“Cad chuige nár chuir sibh i mo chead é?” ar seisean.

“Wherefore then, seeing thou acknowledgest the thing, sought ye not my license?”

“ní dernsam cin beos” ar Cúchoingelt

“Ní dhearnamar cion le chéile go fóill,” ar Cú Choinnealt,

Cú Choinnealt said: “as yet we have done no wrong,

“ocus ní dingneam acht dot chetsa.”

“agus ní dhéanfaidh, murab áil leatsa.”

nor, but by thy leave, will act at all.”

“massad” bar Bláthmac “ní thiciubsa etraib ocus bar ngrád.

“Más ea,” ar Bláthmhac, “ní chuirfidh mé bac ar bhur ngrá,

“That being so, I will not come between you and your love,

ocus dusbér duitsi í

agus béarfaidh mé duitse mar bhean í

I will give her to thee as a wife:

cid iomda fir oca hiaraid

— gidh gurb iomaí fear uasal á hiarraidh —

though many young men seek her,

uair is dingbála lium do chliamain tú.”

óir is diongbháil liom de chliamhain thú.”

I hold thee to be a son-in-law sufficient for me.”

do fhaeidetar in oidche sin iar ndénam a mbainnse

Rinneadh a mbainis an oíche sin agus chodlaíodar le chéile,

The wedding-feast was held that night; they slept together,

ocus ba maith eturru fria head naimsire

agus ba mhaith mar bhí

and between them for a space all was well;

co tarla cáin comráid aen d’oidche ann itir Aife ocus Cúchoingelt

go dtí gur tharla caoin-chomhrá oíche amháin eatarthu

until one night, Aoife and Cú Choinnealt discoursing *gently*,

co nepert sí frisseom:

agus gur dhúirt sise:

she said to him:

“cid maith do dhealb ocus t’einech

“Cé gur maith do dhealbh agus do chlú,

“brave though thy bodily presence be, and thy renown,

is mór in locht duit

is mór an locht ort

it is a great fault in thee

olcas t’engnama ocus do dhímbeodacht.”

olcas do laochtacht agus do mhí-bheocht.”

yet that thy valour is so poor, thy hardihood so puny.”

“cid dia fil acut a ingen?” ar Cúchoingelt.

“Cén fáth atá agat le sin a rá, a iníon?” ar Cú Choinnealt.

“Whence hast thou that?” he asked.

“atá diu” ol sí “ar a olcas díglair do bráthair ar in lucht rotmarb.”

“Tá seo,” ar sise, “ar a olcas a dhíoghlann tú do bhráthair ar an cheathrar a mharaigh é.”

“From”, she said, “thy negligence to exact vengeance of them that slew thy brother.”

“fíor a nabrai a ingen” bar Cúchoingelt

“Is fíor dhuit, a iníon,” ar Cú Choinnealt,

“Thy speech is good, young woman,” he rejoined,

ba nár leis tra a nepert in bean fris ann sin.

agus ba náir leis ar dhúirt Aoife leis ansin.

and then conceived shame for that which his wife had uttered to him.

éirgis co moch iarnabárach

D’éirigh sé go moch ar maidin

Cú Choinnealt rose early on the morrow

ocus cuirid fios folaig uad for cédaib a muintire

agus chuir fios folaigh uaidh ar a mhuintir,

sent to his people a privy message;

co táncatar as cach áird chuice iarum

agus thángadar uile as gach aird ann.

out of all quarters they flocked in to him

do éirigseom eturru as in baile amach

D’éirigh seisean eatarthu agus chuadar rompu as an mbaile amach,

and, he surrounded by them thus, they marched out of the town.

tánaic tra Bláthmac co maithib in dúnaid dia fhastad

agus tháinig Bláthmhac agus maithe an bhaile dá fhostú.

With the design to stay him, Bláthmhac and all the gentles of the fort were there;

acht nír fhaem anad fair.

yet would not *Cú Choinnealt even to do him pleasure* halt.

do chuir sin brón mór for Aife

Luigh brón mór ar Aoife

In Aoife this bred woeful grief,

co mbói oca furáil for cách

agus bhí sí ag tathant ar mhaithe an bhaile

and on all men she enjoined

cen imthecht do léicean do Choinchoingelt:

gan ligint dóibh imeacht,

that they should hinder him of setting forth:

“uair dá bfaicet mná Connacht é

“óir dá bhfeicfeadh mná Chonnacht anois é,” ar sise,

“for if Connacht’s women see him

dobérat a ngrád dó

“bhéarfaidís grá dó,

they will love him,

ocus ní fhaiciubsa doridise co bráth.”

agus ní fheicfinn go brách arís é.”

and never shall I see him more.”

ocus ba trom lé a craide ó ar chan friss

Bhí an t-aithreachas á marú faoinar dhúirt sí leis,

Her heart was heavy for what she had said to him,

ó nár fhét a fhastad

óir dhiúltaigh sé fanacht,

because she might not restrain him,

ut dixit:—

agus rinne sí an laoi ann:

she indited:—

“Aitheach in ní do ráides

“Aithríoch an ní a dúirt mé —

“Matter of grief is that which I spoke:

fer do cháines cen cinaid;

fear a cháin mé gan chionta;

I have reproached a crimeless man;

ní hé mac dé ro deonaig

ní hé Mac Dé a dheonaigh

’tis not God’s Son *but mine own petulance*

mac Eogain dochum sibail

Cú mac Eoghain chun imeachta.

that hath sent Eoghan’s son to roam.

Romlín i cétóir cuma

Líonadh mo chroí de chumha —

Straightway then sorrow filled me,

bisech ní bia ar mo rónert;

biseach ní bheidh ar mo ain-neart;

my strength no more shall know increase;

ferr lium ná beith i mBregmaig

faide liom bheith i mBreá-Mhaigh

rather than abide in Bregia

dol i lenmain Choncoingelt

ná ag leanúin Chú Choinnealt.

I would depart to follow after Cú Choinnealt.

Ecal lemsa in fer fócrach

Eagal liomsa an fear fógra

The man of challenges — prize-taker in all conventions —

beirios báire ar cach cuaini;

a rug báire ar gach cuain —

I fear for him; *fear* that,

dá ró ina thír féin timchell

dá sroichfeadh a thír féin timpeall —

even though by a circuit he reach his country,

a bheith fó indell Guairi

a bheith faoi ghaiste Guaire.

to Guaire’s snares he must be obnoxious still.

Ní dingén áines festa

Ní dhéanfad feasta áineas —

Pleasure I will no more practise

ro líon cuma mo chraide;

mar líon an cumha mo chroí —

— sorrow *henceforth* hath all my heart;

táisce mo bás cen deibe

túisce mo bhás gan amhras

to me my death undoubtedly is nearer

ná le nech eile laige

ná le haon fhear eile luí.

than to another is *mere* debility of sickness.

Dursan a thoisc co Temraig

Dursan a thoisc go dTeamhair —

Alas that ever he came to Tara:

fri hainnrib is mín maithmech;

le hainnire is mín maiteach —

he that to maidens is gentle and benign;

cid éscaid co tír nGuairi

gidh éasca é go tír Ghuaire,

and readily as he sets out now for Guaire’s country,

biaid ar nuairi bhus aithrech.”

beidh ar bhfuaire dó aithreach.”

the time will come when he shall know repentance.”

Imthúsa Chonchoingelt cona muintir

Maidir le Cú Choinnealt agus a mhuintir

Touching Cú Choinnealt and his people:

ráncatar siar fó’n samla sin for fut tuath mBreag ocus Mide

chuadar siar ar fud Thuath Bhreá agus Mí

westwards they travelled athwart the tuatha of Bregia and of Meath,

ocus tar Sinainn for fhut Connacht

agus thar Sionainn agus ar fud Connacht

over Shannon, through Connacht,

co tír nAmalgaid

nó gur shroich siad Tír Amhalaidh,

and so into Tirawley:

.i. a fhlesca fírdúiche féin

a fhíor-dhúthaigh féin.

his very own and proper lands,

ocus ba doirb dóib mar do bói a ndál isin chrích i cétóir

Ba dona mar bhí a ndáil sa chríoch gan mhoill,

where straightway their plight was one of hardship;

.i. a nimat innus nár fétsat a gcleith

óir bhí mórán acu ann agus ba doiligh iad a cheilt.

for their numbers were such that they might not shift to hide themselves,

ocus cen biad ina bfocus.

Níorbh fhada áfach a d’fhulaing siad gan bhia

and no meat at hand.

rucsan eolas iarum co tech ro b’aithnid do reimi

go dtug seisean go teach ab aithnid dó roimhe

Cú Choinnealt headed for a house known to him of yore

i ngliunn meic ú Arann tiar

i nGleann Mac Árann thiar,

in Glenn mac Arann in the west,

co ro thuillset uili ann in oidche sin

agus bhí fairsinge ann dóibh an oíche sin.

into which house that night they fitted all;

ocus tánaic Cúchoingelt a aenar uathaib do chuardugud na críche i comfochraib.

Chuaigh Cú Choinnealt ina aonar ag cuardach na críche a bhí lámh leis,

and in it Cú Choinnealt left them while he went out alone to scour the country nearby.

ní cian tánaic in tan atchonnairc in mórthréd muc

agus ní fada a chuaigh nuair a chonaic sé an tréad mór muc.

He was not gone far when there he saw a mighty herd of swine,

ocus bí cá bfégad co bfaca torcc trom dígna ina fhocus

D’fhan sé ag féachaint orthu, agus nuair a chonaic sé an torc mór gránna

and considered them until he spied a lusty and a weighty hog;

ocus tuc urchar slegi ind cor marb é.

thug sá dá shleá air gur mharaigh é.

then propelled a javelin into him, and so killed him.

tánaic an muccaide chuice ina rith ocus atbert:

Tháinig aoire na muc chuige ina rith agus dúirt leis:

Now came the swineherd running to him, and enquired:

“cid imar marbais in muc nach leat a dhuine?” ol sé.

“Cad chuige ar mharaigh tú an mhuc, a dhuine?”

“man, wherefore hast thou killed the swine that was not thine?”

“mian a marbtha tánaic dam” ar Cúchoingelt “uair atá acoras form.”

“Mian a mharfaigh a tháinig dom,” ar Cú Choinnealt, “óir tá ocras orm.”

“A longing to slay him that came over me, for I hunger,” Cú Choinnealt answered;

“bud aithrech sin” ol in muccaide “in gním dorónais.”

“Beidh aithreachas ort as an ngníomh a rinne tú.”

but the swineherd said: “the deed that thou hast done will breed thee penitence yet.”

“druit bec chucainn co ndernsam comrád” or Cúchoingelt.

“Gabh i leith anseo go ndéanfaimid comhrá le chéile,” ar Cú Choinnealt.

“Step now this way awhile and let us speak together,” said Cú Choinnealt,

bói tra in gilla oca imgabáil acht ní ránaic leis

Bhi an giolla ar tí a sheachaint ach níor éirigh leis.

whom the young man for his part sought to shun, but could not compass it.

co mbíseom for cumas Choncoingelt

Nuair a bhí sé ar a chumas ag Cú Choinneal

He being then in Cú Choinnealt’s power,

cor fhiarfaig iarum de:

d’fhiafraigh seisean de:

this latter questioned him:

“cuich na mucasa?” ol sé

“Cé leis na muca seo?

“whose are these swine?

“an le nech isin chríchse iat?”

An le fear sa chríoch seo iad?”

is he of this country that owns them?”

“ingnad leam”

“Is ionadh liom,”

“Strange it seems to me,”

ol in muccaid

ar an muicí,

the swineherd answered,

“más do chrích Olnégmacht duitse

“más de Chúige Chonnacht thú

“if thou be indeed of Connacht’s province,

cen a fhios acut in chethrair oea fil in tírse

gan fhios agat an ceathrar a bhfuil an chríoch seo acu,

thou knowest not the four whose is this land:

.i. Maelcróin ocus Maeldálua

Maol Cróin, Maol Dá Lua,

Maol Cróin, Maol Dá Lua

Maelsenaig ocus Macdeoraid

Mac Seanaigh agus Mac Deoraidh,

Maol Seanaigh and Mac Deoraidh,

ceitri daltada Cellaig meic Eogain bél

ceithre daltaí Cheallaigh mhic Eoghain.

condisciples four to Ceallach son of Eoghan Béal;

ór do chuala cách uile is uada tucad in ferannsa dóib.”

Chuala gach éinne agus is eol dúinn go maith an t-ábhar faoinar tugadh an fearann seo dóibh.”

for all in general have heard how by him this country was made over to them.”

“Is fíor a gcanai” bar Cúchoingelt

“Is fíor sin,” ar Cú Choinnealt.

“Thy words are true,” Cú Choinnealt said;

ocus bói in muccaid co fríochnamach oca fhégad Choncoingelt.

Bhí an muicí ag breathnú an laoich go géar.

but he, the swineherd, stood and with scrutiny examined him.

“cid dia dtái ocam shilled mar sin?” bar Cúchoingelt.

“Cén fath a bhfuil tú ag stánadh orm mar sin?” ar Cú Choinnealt.

“Why starest thou at me so?” said Cú Choinnealt.

“más fíor dam” ol in mucaid

“Más ceart mo chuimhne,” ar an mucaí,

“If I be right,” said the swineherd,

“is tú Cúchoingelt mac Eogain bél

“is tú Cú Choinnealt mac Eoghain,

“thou art Eoghan Beal’s son Cú Choinnealt,

cid cian ótchonnarc roime seo.”

cé gur fada ó chonaic mé roimhe seo thú.”

though it is long since that I last looked on thee.”

“is deimin in aithne” bar Cúchoingelt.

“Is fíor an aithne sin,” ar Cú Choinnealt.

“The recognition is a sure one,” assented Cú Choinnealt,

iadais in gilla a di láim im a bhrágait iarum co tuc teora póca do.

Rug an giolla barróg air agus thug trí póga dó.

round about whose neck the young man clasped his arms and kissed him thrice;

“in tabraise aichne ormsa?” ol in mucaid.

“An aithníonn tú mise?” ar an muicí.

then asked: “and know’st thou me?”

“ní thabraim fós” ar Cúchoingelt.

“Ní aithním go fóill,” ar Cú Choinnealt.

“Not as yet,” said Cú Choinnealt.

“mise in daltán bec atchítheása oc Cellach ocot bhráthair féin” bar eisium

“Is mise an daltán beag Dé a d’fheicteá ag Ceallach.

“I am that little boy whom thou wert wont to see with thine own brother Ceallach;

“ocus atlóchur do dia t’urmaise formsa i tús isin chríchse

Buíochas le Dia gur sheol sé chugam i dtosach sa chríoch seo thú.

and God I thank that to me first of all men in this country he hath guided thee.

acht an fil ceithern acut?”

Agus an bhfuil ceithearn nó muintir agat?”

But hast thou a company?”

“atat diu” ar Cúchoingelt

“Tá muise,” ar Cú Choinnealt,

“I have so,” siad Cú Choinnealt,

“ocus d’iarraid bíd dóib tanacsa ann so.”

“ag iarraidh bia dóibh a tháinig mé anseo.”

“and in search of food for them I came hither.”

“cia a líon?” ol in mucaid.

“Cad é a líon?” ol in muicí.

“What is their number?” asked the swineherd.

“trí cét ar galaib énfhir ann” bar Cúchoingelt.

“Trí chéad ar ghaile aonair ann,” ar Cú Choinnealt.

“Three hundred that as one man are skilled in arms, and valiant.”

“ró bec dóib sin aen muc” ol sé

“Ba bheag dóibh muc amháin,” ar an giolla.

“And for whom a hog is all too little,” said the herd:

“acht tabairse eolas dóib chucumsa

“Tabhair dream díobh chugamsa

“but lead them to me hither,

co mbérat leo cuit na cétoidche do na mucaib

le cuid na hoíche anocht de na muca a mharú,

that of the swine they may e’en take a night’s sufficiency for all.

ór is it fhailse biad ó shunn immach

óir is id fhochairse a bheidh mise as seo amach.

Henceforth I am of thy part,

ocus atlóchur do dia t’faicsin

Is buí liom tú a fheiceáil

and I thank God to see you

agus déanfaidh mé scéala duit

is mise stiurfus tu budesta” ol in gilla “isin chríchse

agus is mise a stiúrfaidh feasta thú sa chríoch seo

and am he that for the time to come will guide thee,” said the lad, “in this land,

ocus doghén brath na críche duit

Déanfaidh mé fiosrú duit

and will deliver it into thy hand,

ocus baegal in cethrair rotmarb Cellach do bráthair

agus gheobhaidh mé baol an cheathrair a mharaigh Ceallach.”

and instruct thee how thou shalt reach the four that slew Ceallach thy brother;

“Conas sin?” ar Cú Choinnealt.

uair atat i ndún fhidne

“Tá siad i nDún Fhíne

for they are in Dún Fíne

ocus bruiden arna dénum acu ann ocus ceithri dorais fuirri

agus bruíon arna dhéanamh dóibh ann a bhfuil ceithre doirse uirthi,

where newly they have made a fort with four doors to it,

.i. dorus i comair cach fhir díob

doras i gcomhair gach duine acu,

a door for every man of them:

.i. Maeldálua ocus Maelsenaig

Maol Dá Lua, Maol Seanaigh.

Maol Dá Lua, Maol Seanaigh,

ocus Maelcróin ocus Macdeoraid

Maol Cróin, agus Mac Deoraidh;

Maol Cróin, and Mac Deoraidh;

ór bátar a noirechta ina nagaid cusandiu

óir bhí na hoireachta ina n-aghaidh go dtí inniu.

whom up to this day their assemblies have opposed.

ocus bératsa na mucasa chuca for banais a mbruidne

Tá ormsa na muca a thabhairt chucu dá marú chun bainse na bruíne,

For this their fort’s inauguration then I will convey to them the swine,

ocus bert luachra lium fós

agus tá orm freisin beart mór luachra a thabhairt liom.

and take likewise a store of rushes;

acht marbaidsi in ní as lór lib díob beos.”

Idir an dá linn maraígí sibhse an méid is áil libh de na muca.”

none the less kill of the porkers so many as shall seem sufficient.”

“mise leat” ar Cúchoingelt

“Rachaidh mé féin leat,” ar Cú Choinnealt,

Cú Choinnealt answered: “I will go with thee;

“ocus is mé imoircios do bhert.”

“agus is mé a iompróidh an beart.”

and thy load of rushes, ’tis I will carry it.”

“is mochen” ol in mucaid.

“Is mochean,” ar an muicí.

“I am well pleased,” said the herd.

Ráncatar rompu fá’n samlaid sin

Chuadar rompu mar sin.

Away they went then in this manner,

ocus do ráid Cúchoingelt fria mhuintir

D’ordaigh Cú Choinnealt dá mhuintir,

but previously Cú Choinnealt bade his people,

techt ina dhiaid acht co ndorchaiged agaid forru iar caithem a bpróinde

ach go gcaithfidís a ndóthain d’fheoil na muc, teacht ina dhiaidh faoi dhorchadas an tráthnóna

their meal well finished, follow after him; *first they must let the night grow dark upon them*,

i raenaib diamra dó-eolais co dún fhídne.

i slite diamhra doiléire in aice le Dún Fhíne.

and then (but by lone and tangled paths) on to Dún Fíne.

do imthig in mucaid do’n dún cona mucaib

Is amhlaidh sin a rinne siad agus rugadar na muca uile leo.

The swineherd with his hogs made for the fort,

ocus Cúchoingelt lais cona phurt luachra for a mhuin

Ghabh Cú Choinnealt an beart ar a dhroim

Cú Choinnealt being his companion: with his rush-load on his back,

ocus a ghaisced i nimfolach fó a étach uime

agus a lúireach uime i bhfolach agus a chlaíomh is a shleá faoina éadaí,

his weapons girt about him and well hidden in his clothes.

cach nech diu no fhiarfaiged do’n mucaid:

agus gach duine a fhiafraíodh den mhuicí:

To such as questioned him:

“cia so fó’n mbert?”

“Cé hé seo faoin mbeart?”

“who’s that under the load?”

issed atbeiredsom:

is é deireadh sé:

the herd would answer:

“compánach mucada damsa sin” ol sé.

“Compánach dom,” agus “Muicí eile a bhfuair mé.”

“ ’tis a fellow-herd of mine.”

ráncatar muinter Choncoingelt iarum iar toitim in lái comfhocus in dúnaid

Thángadar i ngar don dúnadh le titim na hoíche,

Day being ended now, Cuchongeilt’s people  *marched, and in time* attained the fort’s vicinity,

acht ní ro marbad a bhec do na mucaib ann sin

ach níor maraíodh a bheag do na muca ansin.

where as yet none of the swine were slaughtered.

ocus bátar cách uili oc ól ocus áines

Bhí an mhuintir istigh ag ól is ag aoibhneas

Inside the company carousing were in highest glee;

ocus dorus ag cach fer díobsom cona mhuintir do’n chethrar bátar innte.

agus doras i gcomhair gach fir agus a mhuintir den cheathrar a bhí ann.

and for himself and for his people each man of the four that occupied the fort had an especial door.

téit Cúchoin­gelt iarum isin mbruidin ocus étach in mucada uime cona mhucaid maraen friss

Tháinig Cú Choinnealt isteach sa bhruíon agus an muicí leis

Cú Choinnealt,  having about him raiment of the swineherd and accompanied by him, entered into the fort,

ocus cuirid a bhert de for lár in tige

agus chuir a bheart de ar lár an tí.

and on the floor of the building cast down his bundle;

suidit araen i mesc in lochta frithólma ocus téit Cúchoingelt uadasom for lár in tige.

Shuigh siad síos ar an urlár i measc an lucht friotháilte.

then in the midst of the building and among the ministers of the feast they sat down.

tuc in mucaid corn co nór i láim Choncoingelt

Thug an muicí corn dósan

Into Cú Choinnealt’s hand the swineherd thrust a golden drinking-horn;

conusib dig móir as

agus d’ól sé deoch mhór

he drank a great draught out of it,

ocus bói co fuirechair oc feichem a escarat sechnón in dúnaid.

agus bhí ag breathnú a eascarad ansin sna ceithre hairde a rabhadar i ndoirse na bruíne.

and then throughout the dwelling studied his foes curiously.

atbertsom tra frisin mucaid:

Ansin dúirt sé leis an muicí:

He said to the swineherd:

“ní rachsa diu as in tigse amach anocht

“Ní rachaidh mise amach as an teach seo anocht,

“forth of this house I issue not to-night;

acht éirigse for cenn ár muintire ocus tabair leat iat

ach téigh thusa faoi dhéin mo mhuintire,

but depart thou and fetch our people, bring them,

uair is mescda míchéillidh na slóigse uili.”

óir is slua meisce meadhar-chaoin míchéillí iad seo ar fad.”

for these all are foolish now and merely drunken.”

do éirig iarum in mucaid mar do thecaisc Cúchoingelt do

Rinne an giolla mar d’ordaigh Cú Choinnealt

Even as Cú Choinnealt charged him, so the herd went away;

co tuc cách leis cosin mbruidin.

agus thug sé cách leis chuig an mbruíon.

and back to the fort led the others,

acht aenní. nír mothaiged iatsom do’n turus sin

Dada níor mhothaigh lucht na bruíne

who as they came up were never marked at all

co ro lingset na ceithri dóirse i naenfecht anunn isin mbruidin

go dti gur léim muintir Chú Choinnealt thar na ceithre doirse in éineacht.

till at the four doors at once they stormed into the fort.

ocus do gabad ann occu i cétóir in cethrar rosmarb Cellach mac Eogain

Gabhadh acu gan mhoill an ceathrar a mharaigh Ceallach,

On the spot were taken the four that once slew Ceallach son of Eoghan:

.i. Maelcróin ocus Maeldálua

Maol Cróin, Maol Dá Lua,

Maol Cróin, Maol Dá Lua,

ocus Maelsenaig ocus Macdeoraid.

Maol Seanaigh agus Mac Deoraidh,

Maol Seanaigh and Mac Deoraidh.

do marbad tra a naes gráda uili umpu ann sin

agus maraíodh a n-aos grádha uile ina bhfianaise.

Round about whom their confidentials all were slain;

ocus do fócrad do’n airecht

D’fhógraíodar áfach don oireacht

but to the general it was proclaimed

gan cor a chur díobh,

anad ina ninadaib óil ocus áinesa

ach fanacht mar a rabhadar ag ól na fleidhe,

that they should continue in their several carousing seats,

ór ba carait do Choinchoingelt iatsom uili.

óir bhí fhios ag Cú Choinnealt gurbh fhearr leo é féin ná iadsan.

seeing that all were friends to Cú Choinnealt .

suidis Cúchoingelt cona mhuintir i cumasc cáich

Shuigh siad uile

Up and down among them he and his people sat

co mbátar oc ól ocus oc áineas co madain

agus chaith an fhleadh an oíche sin.

and until morning drank and made merry with them,

iar ndíth a námat.

iar ndíth a naimhde.

after their enemies were destroyed.

do éirigset co moch iarnabárach

Arna mhárach

At early morn they rose *from the banquet*,

co tucsat aniar for fut in tíre in cethrar sin craipilte

tugadh aniar leo ar fud na tíre an ceathrar sin craplaithe

and westwards through the country carried off the four in bonds:

co ráncatar dúrlas nGuairi

gur shroich siad Durlas Ghuaire

till they reached Dúrlas Guaire,

ocus tar lic turscair lám dess fria Muaid murghlóraig athach nár bh’fota

agus thar Leac Tuscair is lámh dheas le Muaidh, achar nárbh fhada.

past (but not very far past) Leac Turscair, with their right hand to the sea-resounding Moy.

tucad ceithri suinn fhota remra chuca

Ansin fuarthas ceithre soinn fhada ramhra,

Thither four posts, long and thick, were brought to them;

ocus cuirthear iatsom forru sin

agus cuireadh iadsan orthu sin,

the four were laid on these

cor ciorrad a mbaill uili díob ocus iat beo

agus ciorradh iadsan agus baineadh a mbaill uile díobh agus iad beo

and, they being yet alive, *all* their limbs lopped from them.

ocus do crochad a gcolna as a aithle sin

agus crochadh a gcolla ansin

The trunks were hung up then,

ocus do riagad iat

agus riaghadh iad

and they so choked to death;

conad árd na riag ainm in inaid sin dá éisi ut dixit:—

ionas gurbh é Ard na Riagh ainm an ionaid dá éis — agus dúradh:

whence Ard na Riagh [i.e. Height of the Executions] is ever since the designation of that place: as one said:—

“Is inbaid na héchtasa

“Is ionú na héachta seo,

“Opportune are these executions,

a Chúchoingelt meic Eogain!

a Chú Choinnealt mhic Eoghain!

O Cú Choinnealt son of Eoghan!

Maeldálua is Maelcróin cain

Maol Dá Lua is Maol Cróin ansin,

of Maol Dá Lua, of Maol Cróin,

Maelsenaig is Macdeoraid

Maol Seanaigh is Mac Deoraidh.

Maol Seanaigh, and Mac Deoraidh.

Cidead éirlig anabaid

Oíche uafásach anabaí

Death violent and mutilating and untimely,

is a gcolna do chrochad;

is a gcorplaigh a chrochadh;

and the hanging up then of their carcases

a dé is mochean a nimrád

bíodh acu a n-iomrá —

— my God ’tis blithe to speak of it,

is dingbála dóib dochar

is diongbháil dó an dochar.

for torment was their rightful due.

Nó co tí in bráth béimennach

Nó go dtí an brách béimeannach

Until advent of stroke-dealing Doom,

bud fota dóib a dhimblaid;

is fada orthu a míchlú;

long shall their shame endure to them;

a nanmanna co diabal

a n-anam chun an diabhail,

their souls are with the Devil,

a riagad sunn is inbaid.”

a riaghadh anseo is ionú.”

and to strangle them was opportune.”

A haithli in chethrair sin do chrochad dóib

I ndiaidh an cheathair a chrochadh,

The four being hanged by them thus,

ránaic Cúchoingelt roime i tír Fhiachrach

chuaigh Cú Choinnealt roimhe i dTír Fiachra

Cú Choinnealt entered into Uí Fhiachrach’s land

co ro gab bráigde ocus nert forru

agus ghabh (sé) bránna agus neart na tíre

and assumed power over them and took their hostages,

iar ndíth móráin dia ndáinib

agus mharaigh morán dá muintir.

after many of his people were slain.

ba mór tra a chlú einig ocus engnama iar sin

Ba mhór a cháil agus clú a oinigh,

Henceforth his generosity’s and his valour’s fame increased mightily,

ocus gér mór allad Guairi

agus cé gur mhaith oineach Ghuaire

and, great as Guaire was,

ba hannsa le haes cacha dána in Eirinn Cúchoingelt oldás.

b’fhearr le lucht ealaíon Cú Choinnealt.

to them of all arts and sciences throughout Ireland Cú Choinnealt was dearer yet than he.

cid fil ann acht ro gab Cúchoingelt ríge ua nAmalgaid ocus ua bFiachrach in tuaiscirt uili ann sin

Ar aon nós ghabh sé ríghe Ó Amhalaidh is Ó Fiachra,

Over Tirawley and Uí Fhiachrach of the North he there and then made himself supreme;

ocus Guaire for úib Fiachrach aidhne theas.

agus Guaire lena linn i dTír Fiachra Aidhne.

while in the south Guaire was lord of Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne.

do éirig coinbhliocht cocaid i cétóir itir Guaire ocus Coinchoingelt

D’éirigh cogadh mór láithreach eatarthu,

Between the two conflict of war broke out forthwith,

acht nír budh éidir a fhaisnéis

agus ní bheadh sé furasta a fhaisnéis

nor were it feasible to set forth

a mhét d’ulc ocus d’anforrán

an méid d’olc

all violence and evil

do imred Cúchoingelt for Guaire

a rinne Cú Choinnealt ar mhuintir Ghuaire

that by Cú Choinnealt was executed upon Guaire:

de chreacha, de ghreasa agus de loiscthe,

acht ba suail ná ro chuirset do láthair in dá oirecht eturru

agus is beag nár chuireadar de láthair an dá oireacht,

in fine, between them both it wanted but little of both courts extinction,

ocus forba in chóicid archena.

agus fuílleach an chúige chomh maith.

or even of the whole province brought to an end.

Is amlaid tra bói Gelghéis ingen Guairi ina lennán grádach do Choinchoingelt

Is amhlaidh a bhí Geilghéis iníon Ghuaire ina leannán grách do Chú Choinnealt,

Now Guaire’s daughter Geilghéis was deep in love with Cú Choinnealt,

ór ní ro fhaem sí féis le fer riam for a grádsom.

mar nár thoiligh sí luí le haon fhear eile le grá dósan.

for which love’s sake she ever had refused to lie with man.

arna toirrsiugud do leith for leith do’n chogad .i. Guaire ocus Cúchoingelt

Agus iad ag tuirsiú leath ar leath den chogadh

And as they, Guaire and Cú Choinnealt, wearied with the war,

do bí Cúchoingelt oc iarraid a ingine for Guaire

bhí seisean ag iarraidh a iníne ar Ghuaire

Cú Choinnealt pressed Guaire for his daughter:

acht nír b’áil le Guaire itir a tabairt dosom

agus níorbh áil le Guaire í a thabhairt dó,

whom Guaire however would by no means yield to give him,

ocus gér b’ead do fhaem for impidhib ocus erchosc in chocaid

ach mar sin féin d’aontaigh sé de bharr impíocha i gcomhair síochána agus sos cogaidh.

and though it were difficult for him to accept intercessors and an antidote to the war,

is amlaid tra do fhaem

Thoiligh Guaire ar an acht

it is on *these conditions* he agreed to *peace*:

ocus é budéin do dénum a mbainnse

go ndéanfadh sé féin an bhainis

himself to make the wedding-feast,

ocus Cúchoingelt do techt dia thigsium.

agus go dtiocfadh Cú Choinnealt go dtí a theach.

and Cú Choinnealt to come to his house.

ní ro fhaem Cúchoingelt itir in ní sin

Ní aontódh Cú Choinnealt go brách leis sin.

Cú Choinnealt would not in any wise agree to this,

co mbátar co cian immar sin oc cur chocaid fria céli

Ar feadh i bhfad eile bhíodar mar sin ag cur cogaidh ar a chéile,

so that for a great while they made war on one another still,

nó cor b’éicen do Ghuairiu fá deoidh do dénam dia mhuintir uile Dúrlais aice féin

go dtí gurbh éigean do Ghuaire lear mór tearmainn a dhéanamh dá mhuintir uile timpeall Durlais.

and up to such time as Guaire (in order to please the great bulk of his people) must needs make peace.

ocus iarna thoirsiugud mar sin

Nuair a tuirsíodh mar sin iad

He then thus wearied out,

do hídhlaiced Gelgéis cu Coincoingelt

tugadh Geilghéis do Chú Choinnealt,

Geilghéis was made over to Cú Choinnealt

co mbói co grádach eturru

agus bhíodar go grách le chéile,

and things went lovingly between them;

ocus ba mór ann clú einig Choncoingelt fá Eirinn uili in inbaid sin

agus móradh clú a n-oinigh ar fud Éireann.

his generous reputation at this time standing high in Ireland.

acht gér ba maithmechsom do mhuintir Ghuairi

*ach cé gur mhaitheach eisean do mhuintir Ghuaire*,

But, though he was placable to Guaire’s folk,

dobeiread cella in tíre uili i bfásach

*leag sé cealla na tíre uile i bhfásach*

the churches of his land he desolated ever,

ocus ba holc lá Guaire in ní sin.

*agus ba holc an lá le Guaire an ní sin.*

which in Guaire’s sight was an evil thing.

is í tra celg dosgní Guaire ann sin

Ach mar sin féin rinne Guaire cealg.

Therefore the treason that Guaire put in practice was this:

tocht co hairm a mbói Ciarán cluana mac Nóis cona chléir

Tháinig sé áit a raibh Ciarán agus a chléirigh,

to seek the spot where just then Ciarán of Clonmacnoise was with his clergy;

ocus a fhuráil for Ciarán dol co Coincoingelt ocus a thabairt leis dochum shída ocus caratraid

ag iarraidh air dul chuig Cú Choinnealt agus é a thabhairt leis chun síochána a dhéanamh.

whom he would enjoin to go and bring back Cú Choinnealt, for to their mutual peace and amity;

do gellad rigi beos friss i mbeol Chiaráin acht co tísad i tech Guairi.

Gealladh ríghe i mbéal Ciaráin dó, ach go dtiocfadh sé go teach Guaire.

in Ciarán’s mouth also was put a promise to Cú Choinnealt: that would he but come into Guaire’s house, he should unopposed be chief of his own country.

iar sin tra ránaic Ciarán co hairm a mbói Cúchoingelt

Ina dhiaidh sin tháinig Ciarán naofa leis an teachtaireacht go dti an áit a raibh Cú Choinnealt

Ciarán found Cú Choinnealt accordingly,

ocus bói ocá fhuráil fair cen ríge Connacht do léicean uad

agus bhí ag tathant air gan an ríghe a ligint uaidh,

and strenuously exhorted him not to let slip the power of Connacht:

ar aba thaebtha fria Guaire.

fiú má bhí air taobhú le Guaire.

what though he must adventure himself with Guaire.

ocus bói diu Gelgéis oca fhuráil fair

Fós bhí Geilghéis á thathant air,

Geilghéis as well persuading him;

ór bói a fhios aice nach roibe celg oc Ciarán

mar bhí fhios aici nach raibh cealg ar siúl ag Ciarán

for well she knew that Ciarán nursed no treachery,

ocus do sháil beos nach dingnead Guaire celg fria Ciarán.

agus shíl sí nach leomhfadh Guaire cealg a imirt ar an naomh.

nor could she surmise that Guaire would deal guilefully with the saint.

do fhaem Cúchoingelt dul i nagaid a aicenta le Ciarán ann

Thoiligh Cú Choinnealt ansin dul in aghaidh a thola in éineacht le Ciarán,

Against his natural propensity Cú Choinnealt *in the end* consented to bear Ciarán company thither,

ór ba hiomda aen oca fhaslach fair

mar b’iomaí duine á iarraidh air,

they also being many that entreated him to it

ut dixit:—

agus rinne sé an laoi ann:

and he uttered:—

“Leasc liumsa dola for sét

“Leisc liom dul sa bhealach,

“Loath I am to set out on the way,

acht cé triallaim ann fó cét;

cé go bhfuil sibh am mhealladh;

although I be escorted with a hundred;

cidead is córa dam dul

ach is cóir dom dul siar,

but it is more fitting that I go,

cé roiser cin co roisiur

fillim nó nach bhfillim aniar.

whether I come back or come back not.

Atchonnarc aislinge nolc

Is chonaic mé aisling olc —

An evil vision I have seen:

muca meic Colmáin dom lot;

muca mhic Cholmáin am lot;

that swine of Colmán’s son tore me;

bud olc damsa in ní bias de

is olc dúinne an ní bheas de

for me (should the dream prove a true one)

dá bfíortha in aislinge

má fíortar ann m’aislingse.

the matter will have ill event.

Atchonnarc aislinge nolc

Is chonaic mé aisling olc —

An evil vision I have seen:

muca meic Colmáin dom lot;

muca mhic Cholmáin am lot;

that swine of Colmán’s son rent me;

má dia bfaghbainnse bás de

dá ngeobhainn féin mo bhás de

but though thereby I get my death,

dá fhios ní dingninn leisce”

dá fhios ní dhéanfainn leisce.”

yet will I not be slack to visit him.”

(Oidead Choncoingelt iarum cen fhaghbáil ocus ní dár ndeoin).

(Oidhe Chon Choinnealt anseo gan fháil - agus ní dár ndeoin).

Here Cú Choinnealt’s death is not forthcoming, but that is not purposely on our part [scribe’s note]:—

A haithle na laoidhe sin ránaic Ciarán in cliar ocus Cúchoingelt go dúrlas Guaire.

I ndiaidh an laoi sin tháinig Ciarán agus Cú Choinnealt go Durlas Ghuaire.

With a company of which Cú Choinnealt too was one, Ciarán came to Dúrlas,

ro freasdlad ocus ro fritháiled ann iad co cenn teora haidchedh

Freastalaíodh agus friotháladh ann orthu go ceann trí oíche

where for three nights they were ministered to and cared for;

ocus dorónad cengal ocus caradradh eidir Guaire ocus Coinchoingelt i bfiadnaisi Chiaráin.

agus rinneadh ceangal agus cairdeas idir Guaire agus Cú Choinnealt i bhfianaise Chiaráin.

and then in Ciarán’s presence a bond of peace between Guaire and Cú Choinnealt was entered into.

fágbhus Ciarán in baile iar sin

D’fhág Ciarán an baile ansin

But Ciarán having now left the town,

ocus is í comairle ar ar chinn Guaire co grodúrlamh ina dheoid sin fingal aille do dénam

agus is í comhairle ar ar chinn Guaire go gairid ina dhiaidh sin fionaíl a dhéanamh

shortly after that what Guaire plotted was to execute a parricidal deed

ar a bhráthair ocus ar a chliamhain

ar a bhráthair is ar a chliamhain.

on his kinsman, on his son-in-law,

ar chétna naem Eirenn.

and on a foremost saint of Ireland.

cid tra acht do críochnaiged in comairle sin le Guaire mac Colmáin meic Echach i ndúrlas Guairi

Is mar sin a críochnaíodh an chomhairle le Guaire mac Colmáin i nDurlas Ghuaire,

In Dúrlas therefore, and by Guaire son of Colmán, son of Eochaidh, was wrought out a design

co ro básaiged leis Cúchoingelt mac Eogain bél do’n chur sin  .  .  .  .  .  .   

gur básaíodh Cú Choinnealt mac Eoghain Bhéil don chor sin,

following which Eoghan Béal’s son Cú Choinnealt was there and then put to death   .   .   .   .   .   .

ut dixit:—

agus dúradh de:

as one said:—

Fás anocht áittreb Eogain

Fás anocht áitreabh Eoghain

Eoghan’s dwelling-place is void tonight,

ór is é dia do deonaig;

óir is é Dia a dheonaigh,

God having permitted it;

nír fás ó shoin crann ná clach

níor fásaíodh riamh crann ná cloch

whether of timber or of stone, no house is sprung up there;

beid esbadaig na fásach

ba chóimheas ann d’fhásach.                            

a lonely wilderness it shall be ever.

Cé easpach áitreabh Eoghain

(Though Eoghan’s abode is lacking

a fheiceáil mar atá faoi dheoladh  

(.i.dola),

seeing it, as it is,in distress,

mó is dubhach Eoghan gan oil

sorrowful is blameless Eoghan

ar feadh a thaoibh sa talamh.

as long as his side *lies* in the earth).

Ba cend degban is deorad

Ba cheann dea-bhan is deoradh

A protector of women and of children

in laechmílid cen leonad;

an laoch-mhílidh gan leonadh,

the unconquered hero-warrior was

ba cend ceithern ocus cliar

ba cheann ceithearn agus cliar,

— a leader of armed bands, of bardic companies —

nír b’ingnad cách cá chomriar

níorbh ionadh cách a chomhriar.

well might all men obey him.

Maith é ac cumdach a charat

Maith é ag cosaint a charad

He was good to serve his friends’ necessity,

nír ghell aimless escarat;

is ag déanamh aimhlis eascarad;

he never shirked from doing harm to enemies;

laemscar fá innmas d’filid

scaipeadh ionnús go fial d’fhilí,

— of largesse to the poets he was prodigal —

nír ib cuirm i cúltigib

ní ólfadh coirm i gcúltithe.

no ale-drinker in backward houses.

Mian leis ceol téd in cach than

Mian leis gáir théad in gach am,

At all times he desired music of the strings

ba binn leis gotha gadar;

ba bhinn leis gutha gadhar;

— the cry of hounds was melody to him —

mian leis sluag mór fá medaib

mian leis meidhir ar shluaite fear,

in a great mead-carousing company he had delight,

nír fhaem ól ar insedhaib

fuath leis ól in uatha.

nor e’er consented to a feast in islands.

Tan ruc a mháthair cen lén

Tráth rug a mháthair gan léan

When first the mother happily brought forth

ua Oilella Eogan bél;

ua Ailealla, Eoghan Béal,

Ailill’s grandson Eoghan Béal,

do bhíodh risin sulgorm seng

d’fháiltigh leis an tsúl-ghorm sheang

the little blue-eyed thing was welcomed

bél cach tuaithi ina thimchell

béal gach tuaithe ina thimpeall.

by the mouth [i.e. the acclamation] of every county round about.

Aire do len Eogan bél

Uaidh sin lean Eoghan Béal

Therefore it was that (as I now proclaim)

do lennán Chonnacht ní chél;

ar leannán Connacht i gcéin;

the name of Eoghan Bél adhered to him;

bél cach flatha ina lenub

aire gach fhlatha ina leanbh

to Connacht’s favourite, and to Fiachra’s grandson of the flowing hair,

ar ó Fiachrach foltlebur

ar ua Fiachra fholt-fhada.

the suffrage of all chiefs was given.

I cionn a sé mbliadan déc

I gceann a shé mblian déag

With sixteen years completed

do ba lór do’n mhac a mhét;

ba leor don mhac a mhéid;

the stripling’s bulk sufficed him;

ní lámthai ó shoin immach

ní leomhfaí as sin amach

no man adventured raid or robbery,

crech ná faghal ua bFiachrach

foghail Ó Fiachra ná a gcreach.

upon Uí Fhiachrach thenceforth.

A mhenma ar Mide meic Fhlainn

A mheanma ar Mhí mhic Fhlainn,

His mind inclined to Meath, the portion of Flann’s son

a dhess fri ráith mbuig mBrénainn;

a dheas le Ráth bog Bréanainn,

— his right hand was towards Bréanainn’s fertile Rath

a cháin re Cruachain cliaraig

a chaoin le Cruachan cliarach,

— his ‘smooth side’[i.e. his amity] towards Cruachan of poetic companies

a escáin re hOirghiallaib

a eascaoin le hOirialla.

— his ‘rough side’ [i.e. his enmity] turned to them of Oriel.

Mian leis Oirgialla ána

Mian leis Oirialla ána

He revelled in the attack made

do chothugud a chána;

do shíor-chothú a chána,

to enforce his tribute upon Oriel’s noble men

ocus síol Eogain d’argain

agus síol Eoghain a orgain,

— in despoiling of Eoghan’s seed,

ocus cosc a chomardaig

agus dian-chosc a gcomhardaidh.

and in checking of their federation.