Irish Sagas at UCC University College Cork

CDI
CELT

 

Immram Brain

Sections in the text

§1

§2

§3

§4

§5

§6

§7

§8

§9

§10

§11

§12

§13

§14

§15

§16

§17

§18

§19

§20

§21

§22

§23

§24

§25

§26

§27

§28

§29

§30

§31

§32

§33

§34

§35

§36

§37

§38

§39

§40

§41

§42

§43

§44

§45

§46

§47

§48

§49

§50

§51

§52

§53

§54

§55

§56

§57

§58

§59

§60

§61

§62

§63

§64

§65

§66

 

 

 

 

Complete file (PDF)

 

Section 1

Cóeca rand ro-gab in ben a tírib ingnad

Caoga rann a ghabh an bhean as tíortha inghnáthacha

’Twas fifty quatrains the woman from unknown lands sang

for lár in t(a)ige do Bran mac Febail

ar lár an tí do Bhran mhac Feabhail,

on the floor of the house to Bran son of Febal,

óro-boí a rígthech lán di rígaib,

uair a bhí an rí-theach lán de ríthe,

when the royal house was full of kings,

a nnád-fetatar can do-lluid in ben

nárbh eol dóibh cá has a dtáinig an bhean,

who knew not whence the woman had come,

óro-bátar ind liss dúntai.

ó tharla na leasa dúnta

since the ramparts were closed.

Back to top

 

Section 2

Is ed tossach in scéoil.

Is é tosach an scéil:

This is the beginning of the story.

Im-luid Bran láa n-and a oenur i comocus dia dún.

Bhí Bran ag siúl thart leis féin lá amháin i ngar dá dhún,

One day, in the neighbourhood of his stronghold, Bran went about alone,

Co-cúalai a céol íarna chúl.

nuair a chuala sé an ceol ar a chúl.

when he heard music behind him.

A ndon-écad tara éssi

Gach uair a bhreathnaíodh sé siar

As often as he looked back,

ba íarna chúl béus no-bíth a céol.

ba ar a chúl a bhíodh an ceol i gcónaí.

’twas still behind him the music was.

Con-tuil asennad frissa céol ara bindi.

Fá dheireadh chodail sé le binneas an cheoil.

At last he fell asleep at the music, such was its sweetness.

A ndo-foisich asa chotlud

Nuair a dhúisigh sé as a chodladh

When he awoke from his sleep,

co-accai in cróeb n-aircit fua bláth fhind ina fharrud,

chonaic sé an chraobh airgid fána bláth fhionn ina fharradh

he saw close by him a branch of silver with white blossoms,

na-pu hasse etarscarad a blátha frissin croíb.

agus níorbh fhurasta a bláth a idirdhealú ón chroabh sin.

nor was it easy to distinguish its bloom from that branch.

Do-bert íarom Bran in croíb ina láim dia rígth(a)ig.

Thug Bran an chraobh ina láimh ansin do dtí a rí-theach.

Then Bran took the branch in his hand to his royal house.

Óro-bátar inna sochaidi isind rígth(a)ig

Faoin am a raibh an chuideachta bailithe sa rí-theach

When the hosts were in the royal house,

co n-accatar in mnaí i n-étuch ingnad for lár in t(a)ige.

chonaiceadar an bhean in éadach neamhghnáthach ar lár an tí.

they saw a woman in strange raiment on the floor of the house.

Is and cachain in caecait rand-so do Braun,

Is ann a chan sí an caoga rann seo do Bhran,

’Twas then she sang the fifty quatrains to Bran,

arron-chóalai in slóg, ocus ad-condarcatar uili in mnaí.

agus chuala an slua agus chonaiceadar uile í:

while the host heard her, and all beheld the woman.

 

 

And she said:

Back to top

 

Section 3

“Cróeb dind abaill a hEmain,

“Craobh den abhaill as Eamhain

“A branch of the apple-tree from Emain

do-fet samail do gnáthaib,

a thig mar shamhail dá gnátha,

I bring, like those one knows;

gésci findarc(a)it forra

géaga fionn-airgid uirthi,

Twigs of white silver are on it,

abrait glana co mbláthaib.

fabhraí gloine fá bhlátha.

Crystal brows with blossoms.

Back to top

 

Section 4

Fil inis i n-etarcéin

Atá inis i bhfad i gcéin

There is a distant isle,

imma-taitnet gabra réin,

fána dtaitneann caiple séin;

Around which sea-horses glisten:

rith find friss toíbgel tonnat

rith fionn lenar taobh-gheal tonn

A fair course against the white-swelling surge, —

cethrar cossa fos-longat.

ina suí go socair ar cheithre shonn.

Four feet uphold it.

Back to top

 

Section 5

Is lí súile, sreth íar mbúaid,

Is lúcháir súl, is sreath fá bhuaidh

A delight of the eyes, a glorious range,

a mmag for-clechtat in tshlúaig;

an mhagh seo ina gcleachtann sluaigh;

Is the plain on which the hosts hold games:

consna curach fri carpat

coimhlint ann idir curach is carbad

Coracle contends against chariot

isin maig des Findarcat.

insan mhaigh theas sin, Fionnairgead.

In southern Mag Findargat.

Back to top

 

Section 6

Cossa findru(i)ne foë;

Cosa bán-fhiondruine faoi

Feet of white bronze under it

taitni tria bithu gnóë;

ag lonradh tré aoise gnaoi;

Glittering through beautiful ages.

caín tír tria bithu bátha

tír chaoin tré bhiotha lána

Lovely land throughout the world’s age,

for-snig inna hilblátha.

ar a sníonn na hilbhlátha.

On which the many blossoms drop.

Back to top

 

Section 7

Fil and bile co mbláthaib

Áta ann bile fá bhlátha

An ancient tree there is with blossoms,

fors-ngairet éoin do thráthaib,

ar a gcanann éin na trátha;

On which birds call to the Hours.

is tre cho(i)cetal is gnáth

is tré chomhcheol is gnáth

’Tis in harmony it is their wont

con-gairet uili cach tráth.

a chanaid uile gach tráth.

To call together every Hour.

Back to top

 

Section 8

Taitnet líga cach datha

Taitneann liaga ar gach aon lí.

Splendours of every colour glisten

tresna maige moíthgnatha;

trísna maighe mín-chuimhne;

Throughout the gentle-voiced plains.

is gnáth sube, sreth imm chéul,

is gnách subha, ceol is séan

Joy is known, ranked around music,

isin maig des Arcatnéul.

insan mhaigh theas, Airgidnéall.

In southern Mag Argatnél.

Back to top

 

Section 9

Ní gnáth ecoíniud ná mrath

Ní gnách éagaoineadh ná brath

Unknown is wailing or treachery 

i mruig deanda etargnath;

insan oileán lúcháireach;

In the familiar cultivated land,

ní-bí nach guth garc fri cró(a)is

ní bhíonn ann gairge ná cruas

There is nothing rough or harsh,

acht mad céul mbind friss-ben cló(a)is.

ach binneas ceoil le n-éisteann cluas.

But sweet music striking on the ear.

Back to top

 

Section 10

Cen brón, cen dubai, cen bás,

Gan brón, gan dubha, gan bás,

Without grief, without sorrow, without death, 

cen nach galar, cen indgas:

gan aon ghalar ná cruachás;

Without any sickness, without debility,

is ed etargnae nEmnæ,

sin é comhartha Eamhna,

That is the sign of Emain —

ní comtig a comamræ.

ní coiteann a comh-amhra.

Uncommon is an equal marvel.

Back to top

 

Section 11

Caíne tíre adamrai

Caoine tíre rí-amhra

A beauty of a wondrous land,

ata comgnú(i)si cadli,

ina bhfuil comhghnúise niamhdha;

Whose aspects are lovely,

asa rodarc find fiä,

feabhas a radharc, finne a ceo,

Whose view is a fair country,

ní frithid boith i ciä.

ní bhfuarthas riamh comh-mheas leo.

Incomparable is its haze.

Back to top

 

Section 12

Má ad-cetha Aircthech íar tain

Dá bhfeicthí Airgtheach ansin,

Then if Aircthech is seen,

for-snig dracoin ocus glain,

ar a sníonn cloch bhua is criostail;

On which dragonstones and crystals drop

do-snig a mmuir fri tír toinn,

scuaibeann muir le tír ina toinn,

The sea washes the wave against the land,

trillsi glana asa moing.

trilse criostal as a mhoing.

Hair of crystal drops from its mane.

Back to top

 

Section 13

Moíni, dússi cach datha

Maoine is seoda gach datha

Wealth, treasures of every hue,

i Ciúin, cani-étatha?

is i gCiúin a thiocfá orthu;

Are in Ciuin, a beauty of freshness,

étsecht fri céul co mbindi,

éisteacht le ceol fá aoibhneas,

Listening to sweet music,

óol fíno cen ingrindi.

ól scoth fíona ar suaimhneas.

Drinking the best of wine.

Back to top

 

Section 14

Carpait órdi íar Maig Réin

Carpaid órtha ar Mhagh Réin

Golden chariots in Mag Réin,

taircet la tu(i)le don gréin;

a éiríonn le tuile don ghréin;

Rising with the tide to the sun,

carpait aircit i Maig Mon

carpaid airgid i Magh Mon

Chariots of silver in Mag Mon,

ocus crédum(a)i cen on.

is carpaid cré-umha freisin.

And of bronze without blemish.

Back to top

 

Section 15

Graig óir buidi and for srath,

Groigh ór-bhuí ann sa tsreath,

Yellow golden steeds are on the sward there,

graig aile co corcardath,

groigh eile ar chorcar-dhath;

Other steeds with crimson hue,

graig aile olaill tar aiss

groigh eile thar dhroim mhara,

Others with wool upon their backs

co ndath nime uileglaiss.

ar ghlas na spéire iadsan uile.

Of the hue of heaven all-blue.

Back to top

 

Section 16

Do-feith la turcbáil ngréne

Tig ann le héirí gréine

At sunrise there will come

fer find for-osndi réde;

fear fionn a shoilsíonn réidhe;

A fair man illumining level lands;

rédid mag find friss-mben muir,

siúlann magh fhionn ara mbuaileann muir,

He rides upon the fair sea-washed plain,

mesc(a)id fo(i)rci co-mbi fuil.

meascann farraige go mbí ina fuil.

He stirs the ocean till it is blood.

Back to top

 

Section 17

Do-fet in slóag tar muir glan,

Tig an slua thar mhuir ghlain,

A host will come across the clear sea,

don tír don-aidbri imram;

is féachann an tír an t-iomramh;

To the land they show their rowing;

imrat íarom dond liic léur

iomrann siad leo don líg mhóir

Then they row to the conspicuous stone,

asa-comérig cét céul.

as a n-éiríonn céad ceol.

From which arise a hundred strains.

Back to top

 

Section 18

Can(a)id airfitiud dond tshlóg

Seinneann ceol tré bhith síor

It sings a strain unto the host

tre bithu sír, nád-bí tróg;

don tslua uile le siansa fíor;

Through long ages, it is not sad,

tormaig céol co córib cét,

ardaíonn fuaim le córa céad,

Its music swells with choruses of hundreds —

ní-frescat aithbe ná éc.

ní dán dóibh aife ná éag.

They look for neither decay nor death.

Back to top

 

Section 19

Emnæ ildelbach fri rían,

Eamhna ildealbhach chois mara,

Many-shaped Emne by the sea,

bésu ocus, bésu chían,

pé gairid uainn nó fada,

Whether it be near, whether it be far,

i fil ilmíli brecc mban;

mar a bhfuil ilmhílte áille ban,

In which are many thousands of motley women,

immus-timchella muir glan.

is ina timpeall an mhuir ghlan.

Which the clear sea encircles.

Back to top

 

Section 20

Márod-chó(a)la ló(a)d in chiúil,

Má chluineann neach ceol na bhfuaim,

If he has heard the voice of the music,

isnach énán a hImchíuin,

guth na n-éan as Imchiúin,

The chorus of the little birds from Imchiuin,

do-fet banchuire di á

chífidh sé ag teacht ón ard

A small band of women will come from a height

cusa cluichemag i-tá.

buíon bhan don chluiche-mhaigh.

To the plain of sport in which he is.

Back to top

 

Section 21

Do-fet soíre la slá(i)ni

Tiocfaidh saoirse le sláine

There will come happiness with health

don tír friss-ferat gá(i)ri;

sa tír i bhfeartar gáire;

To the land against which laughter peals,

is i nImchíuin co n-ó(a)gi

is in Imchiúin na hóighe

Into Imchiuin at every season

do-fet bóane la há(i)ni.

a bheas áineas le buaine.

Will come everlasting joy.

Back to top

 

Section 22

Is la suthaini síne

Is le suthaine síne

It is a day of lasting weather

do-snig arcat i tíre;

a scaipeann airgead ar thíortha;

That showers silver on the lands,

aill érfind for idna réin

aill fhor-fhionn ar imeall mara

A pure-white cliff on the range of the sea,

foa-feid a grís a gréin.

a gheibh ón ngréin loinnir teasa.

Which from the sun receives its heat.

Back to top

 

Section 23

Graibnid in slóg íar Maig Mon,

Cúrsaí capall thar Mhagh Mon,

The host race along Mag Mon,

clu(i)che n-álaind nád indron;

cluiche álainn nach anbhann;

A beautiful game, not feeble,

i mbruig mbrecht óas ma(i)sse mét,

sa tír aoibhinn fá mhaise séad

In the variegated land over a mass of beauty

ní-frescat aithbe ná éc.

ní dán dóibh aife ná éag.

They look for neither decay nor death.

Back to top

 

Section 24

Étsecht fri céul in[d] adig

Éisteacht le ceol san oíche

Listening to music at night,

ocus techt i nIldathaig;

agus teacht in Ildathaigh —

And going into Ildathach,

mbruig mbrecht, liig óas ma(i)sse mind,

fearann breac ar áilleacht mhionn

A variegated land, splendour on a diadem of beauty,

asa-taitni in nél find.

as a dtaitneann an néall fionn.

Whence the white cloud glistens.

Back to top

 

Section 25

Fil trí coícta inse cían

Atá trí chaoga inse cian

There are thrice fifty distant isles

isind oceon frinn aníar;

insan aigéan uainn aniar;

In the ocean to the west of us;

is mó Érinn co fa dí

is mó ná Éire gach ceann díobh

Larger than Erin twice

cach aí díïb nó fa thrí.

fá dhó b’fhéidir nó fá thrí.

Is each of them, or thrice.

Back to top

 

Section 26

Ticfa mórgein íar mbethaib

Tiocfaidh mór-ghin d’éis tréimhse

A great birth will come after ages,

nád-biä for forclethaib;

nach mbeidh de chéim na huaisle;

That will not be in a lofty place,

mac mná nád-festar céle,

mac mná nach fios a céile

The son of a woman whose mate will not be known,

gébaid flaith na n-ilmíle.

gabhfaidh flaitheas na n-ilmhíle.

He will seize the rule of the many thousands.

Back to top

 

Section 27

Flaith cen tossach cen forcenn,

Flaith gan tosach, gan foirceann

A rule without beginning, without end,

do-rósat bith co coitchenn;

a chruthaigh an saol go coiteann;

He has created the world so that it is perfect,

dos-roirbe talam ocus muir,

dhealbhaigh sé talamh is muir,

Whose are earth and sea,

is mairc bíäs foa étuil.

mairg a bheas faoina dho-thoil.

Woe to him that shall be under His unwill.

Back to top

 

Section 28

Is é do-rigni nime,

Is é féin a chruthaigh neamh,

’Tis He that made the heavens,

cé(i)n-mair dia-mba findchride;

moladh buan lena fhaoiseamh;

Happy he that has a white heart,

glainfid slúagu tre linn nglan,

glanfaidh slua faoi linn ghlain,

He will purify hosts under pure water,

is é ícfas for tedman.

is é a íocfas bhur ngalair.

’Tis He that will heal your sicknesses.

Back to top

 

Section 29

Ní dúib uili mo labræ,

Ní díbh uile mo labhra

Not to all of you is my speech,

ci ad-fes a mmóramræ;

cé gur ríomhadh a ciall amhra;

Though its great marvel has been made known:

étsed Bran de betho bró

éisteadh Bran i measc na slua

Let Bran hear from the crowd of the world

a ndi ecnu ad-féat dó.

lena n-insim d’eagna dó.

What of wisdom has been told to him.

Back to top

 

Section 30

Ná tuit fri lige lescæ;

Ná tit siar a luí leisce,

Do not fall on a bed of sloth,

nachid-throíthad do mescæ;

nárab lag thú de mheisce,

Let not thy intoxication overcome thee,

tinscan imram tar muir glan

tionscain iomramh thar mhuir ghlan

Begin a voyage across the clear sea,

dús in-rísta Tír na mBan.”

d’fhios an sroichfeá tír na mban.”

If perchance thou mayst reach the land of women.”

Back to top

 

Section 31

Luid in ben úadaib íarom,

D’imigh an bhean uathu ansin

Thereupon the woman went from them,

a nnád-fetatar cia-luid,

go nárbh eol dóibh cá háit a ndeachaigh,

while they knew not whither she went.

ocus birt a croíb lee.

agus thug sí a craobh léi.

And she took her branch with her.

Leblaing in chroíb di láim inna mná co mboí for láim Brain,

Léim an chraobh de láimh Bhrain go raibh sí ar láimh na mná

The branch sprang from Bran’s hand into the hand of the woman,

ocus ní-boí nert i lláim Brain do gabáil inna croíbe.

agus ní raibh neart ina láimh siúd lena coinneáil.

nor was there strength in Bran’s hand to hold the branch.

Back to top

 

Section 32

Luid Bran íarom ara bárach for muir.

Ansin arna bhárach chuaigh Bran ar muir.

Then on the morrow Bran went upon the sea.

Trí nónbuir a lín.

Trí naonúir a bhí siad ann.

The number of his men was three companies of nine.

Oínfher forsna trib nónburaib dia chomaltaib ocus comaísib.

Fear amháin dá chomhaltaí agus chomhaoise os cionn na dtrí naonúr.

One of his foster-brothers and mates was set over each of the three companies of nine.

Óro-boí dá láa ocus dí aidchi forsin muir

Nuair a bhí siad amuigh dhá lá agus dhá oíche,

When he had been at sea two days and two nights,

co n-acc(a)i a dochum in fer isin charput íarsin muir.

chonaiceadar chucu thar an mhuir an fear sa charbad.

he saw a man in a chariot coming towards him over the sea.

Canaid in fer ísin tríchait rand n-aile dó,

Chan an fear sin tríocha rann eile dó

That man also sang thirty other quatrains to him,

ocus sloindsi dó,

agus shloinn sé é feín *dó*

and made himself known to him,

ocus as-bert ba hé Manannán mac Lir,

agus dúirt gurbh é Manannán mac Lir é.

and said that he was Manannan the son of Ler,

ocus as-bert boí fair tuidecht i nÉrinn íar n-aimseraib cíanaib,

D’inis sé go raibh air teacht go hÉirinn tar éis cianta fada

and said that it was upon him to go to Ireland after long ages,

ocus no-gigned mac óad, .i. Mongán mac Fiachnai,

agus go nginfí mac uaidh, Mongán mac Fiachna

and that a son would be born to him, even Mongan son of Fiachna

is ed forid-mbíad.

— sin an t-ainm a bheadh air.

— that was the name which would be upon him.

Cachain íarom in tríchait rand-so dó:

Ansin chan sé an tríocha rann seo dó:

So he sang these thirty quatrains to him:

Back to top

 

Section 33

“Caíne amræ lasin mBran

“Caoine amhra dar le Bran

“Bran deems it a marvellous beauty

ina churchán tar muir nglan;

ina churachán thar mhuir ghlan,

In his coracle across the clear sea:

os mé im charput do chéin,

domsa im charbad de chéin

While to me in my chariot from afar

is mag scothach imma-réid.

is magh scothach ar a dtéim.

It is a flowery plain on which he rides about.

Back to top

 

Section 34

A n-as muir glan

É sin is muir ghlan

What is a clear sea

don noí bro(i)nig i-tá Bran,

don bhád bhraineach a bhfuil Bran,

For the prowed skiff in which Bran is,

is mag meld co n-immut scoth

is magh mhaiseach go n-iomad scoth

That is a happy plain with profusion of flowers

damsa i carput dá roth.

domsa i gcarbad dhá roth.

To me from the chariot of two wheels.

Back to top

 

Section 35

At-chí Bran

Chíonn Bran

Bran sees

lín tonn tibri tar muir glan;

líon tonn bhriste thar mhuir ghlan;

The number of waves beating across the clear sea:

At-chiú cadéin i mMaig Mon

is é chímse féin i Magh Mon

I myself see in Mag Mon

scotha cennderca cen on.

scotha ceann-dearga gan ainimh.

Red-headed flowers without fault.

Back to top

 

Section 36

Taitnit gabra lir i sam

I samhradh taitneann caiple geala

Sea-horses glisten in summer

sella roisc ro-shiri Bran;

fhaid is léir do Bhran roimhe

As far as Bran has stretched his glance:

bru(i)ndit scotha srúaim de mil

spréann srutha sruaim de mhil

Rivers pour forth a stream of honey

i crích Manannáin maic Lir.

i gcrích Mhanannáin mhic Lir.

In the land of Manannan son of Ler.

Back to top

 

Section 37

Lí na fairci fora-taí,

Lí na farraige ar a bhfuilir,

The sheen of the main, on which thou art,

geldod mora imme-raí,

gile mara faoi do rámha,

The white hue of the sea, on which thou rowest about,

ros-sert buide ocus glass:

síneann uait glas is buí,

Yellow and azure are spread out,

is talam nád écomrass.

is talamh é dá shíor-shnoí.

It is land, and is not rough.

Back to top

 

Section 38

Lingit ích bricc ass de brú

Léimeann bradáin bhreaca as broinn

Speckled salmon leap from the womb

a mmuir find for n-aicci-siu;

faoi do shúil as an mhuir fhinn,

Of the white sea, on which thou lookest:

it loíg, it úain co ndagdath,

is laoigh iad, is uain le dáimh,

They are calves, they are coloured lambs

co cairdi, cen imarbath.

le cairdeas, is gan iomarbháigh.

With friendliness, without mutual slaughter.

Back to top

 

Section 39

Cé ad-chetha oínchairpthech

Cé nach follas ach aon chairbdeach

Though (but) one chariot-rider is seen

i mMaig Meld co n-immud scoth,

i Magh Meall go n-iomad scoth,

In Mag Mell of many flowers,

fil mór d’echaib fora brú

is mór d’eachaibh atá ar a broinn

There are many steeds on its surface,

cen suide, nád aicci-siu.

bíodh gur léir nach bhfeicir sin.

Though them thou seest not.

Back to top

 

Section 40

Mét in maige, lín in tshlóig,

Méid na maighe, líon an tslua,

The size of the plain, the number of the host,

taitnit líga co nglanbóaid;

taitnid liaga le glan-bhua;

Colours glisten with pure glory,

findruth aircit, drep[p]a óir,

fionnsruth airgid, sreabha óir,

A fair stream of silver, cloths of gold,

táircet fáilti caich imróil.

táirgid fáilte gach tionóil.

Afford a welcome with all abundance.

Back to top

 

Section 41

Clu(i)che n-aímin n-inmeldag

Cluiche aoibhinn de shonas lán

A beautiful game, most delightful,

aigdit fri find-imborbag,

imrid le finn-iomarbháigh

They play (sitting) at the luxurious wine,

fir is mná míne fo doss

fir is mná míne faoi dhos

Men and gentle women under a bush,

cen peccad cen immarboss.

gan peacadh, gan iomarbhas.

Without sin, without crime.

Back to top

 

Section 42

Is íar mbarr fedo ro-sná

Thar bharr coille insan tsnámh

Along the top of a wood has swum

do churchán tar indrada,

téann ós iomairí do churachán;

Thy coracle across ridges,

fil fid fo mess i-mbí gnóe

tá toradh na gcrann i mbíonn ngaoi

There is a wood of beautiful fruit

fo braine do beccnoë.

faoi bhraine do bháidín.

Under the prow of thy little skiff.

Back to top

 

Section 43

Fid co mbláth ocus torad

Coill fá bhláth agus toradh

A wood with blossom and fruit,

fors-mbí fíne fírbolad,

ar a sníonn milse fíon-bholadh,

On which is the vine’s veritable fragrance,

fid cen erchra[e] cen esbad

coill gan orchra, gan easpa,

A wood without decay, without defect,

fors-fil du(i)lli co n-órdath.

ar a bhfuil duille fá órdhath.

On which are leaves of golden hue.

Back to top

 

Section 44

Fil dún ó thossuch dú(i)le

Is amhlaidh sinn ó thosach dúile

We are from the beginning of creation

cen aíss, cen forbthe n-ú(i)re,

gan aois, gan foirceann úire;

Without old age, without consummation of earth,

ní-frescam de mbeth anguss,

ní heol dúinn bheith gan ghlaine gan ghus,

Hence we expect not that there should be frailty,

nín-táraill int immarbuss.

níor shroich sinn an t-iomarbhas.

The sin has not come to us.

Back to top

 

Section 45

Olc líth do-lluid ind nathir

Olc an lá a tháinig an nathair

An evil day when the Serpent went

cosin n-athair dia chathair,

chuig an athair ina cathair;

To the father to his city;

saíbsi sec[h] recht i mbith ché

saobhadh an saol thar reacht Dé

She has perverted the times in this world,

co-mbu haithbe nád buë.

go mba dreo nárbh eol roimh ré.

So that there came decay which was not original.

Back to top

 

Section 46

Ron-ort i croís ocus saint

Maraíodh sinn i gcraos is saint

By greed and lust he has slain us,

tresa-nderbaid a shoírchlaind,

lenar dhíscigh Ádhamh a chlann;

Through which he has ruined his noble race:

ethais, corp crín, cró péne

chuaigh corp críon i gcró na péine

The withered body has gone to the fold of torment,

ocus bithaittreb rége.

is in áitreabh na síor-réighe.

And everlasting abode of torture.

Back to top

 

Section 47

Is recht óabair i mbith ché

Sa tsaol abhus is reacht uabhair

It is a law of pride in this world

cretem dú(i)le, dermat nDé,

dearmad Dé, creideamh dúile;

To believe in the creatures, to forget God,

troíthad galar ocus aíss,

traothadh galar é agus aois,

Overthrow by diseases, and old age,

apthu anma[e] tria togaís.

díothú anma trí ró-bhaois.

Destruction of the soul through deception.

Back to top

 

Section 48

Ticfa tessarcon úasal

Tiocfaidh orainn teasargain

A noble salvation will come

ónd Ríg do-reä-rósat,

ón rí uasal a chruthaigh sinn,

From the King who has created us,

recht find fo-glóisfe[a] muire,

reacht fionn a ghluaisfeas thar mhara,

A white law will come over seas,

sech bid Díä, bid duine.

beidh ina nDia, is ina dhuine.

Besides being God, He will be man.

Back to top

 

Section 49

In delb é no-fethi-su,

An dealbh seo a fhéachas tú

This shape, he on whom thou lookest,

ro-icfa it lethi-su,

tiocfaidh i do chríochasa;

Will come to thy parts;

arum-thá echtra[e] dia taig

tá orm eachtradh go Magh Líne

’Tis mine to journey to her house,

cosin mnaí i lLinemaig.

chuig an bhean a chónaíonn inti.

To the woman in Line-mag.

Back to top

 

Section 50

Sech is Monindán mac Lir

Is mhínigh Manannán mac Lir

For it is Moninnan, the son of Ler,

asin charput cruth ind fhir,

as an charbad cruth an fhir:

From the chariot in the shape of a man,

biëid dia chlaind densa i ngair

beidh dá chlainn ag tionscnamh a ré

Of his progeny will be a very short while

fer cain i corp criäd-glain.

fear caoin i gcorp geal cré.

A fair man in a body of white clay.

Back to top

 

Section 51

Con-lé Monand macca Lirn

Luífidh gan leisc an Manannán

Monann, the descendant of Ler, will be

lúthlige la Caíntigirn,

in aon leaba le Caointighirn;

A vigorous bed-fellow to Caintigern:

gérthair dia mac i mbith gnó,

an mac óna n-imeoidh Manann i gcéin

He shall be called to his son in the beautiful world,

atn-didma Fiachna[e] mac ndó.

aithneoidh Fiachna ina mhac dó féin.

Fiachna will acknowledge him as his son.

Back to top

 

Section 52

Moíthfed sognáiss cach síde,

Bhéarfaidh aoibhneas do aos gach sí,

He will delight the company of every fairy-knoll,

bid tretel cach dagthíre,

beidh ina mhuirnín ag gach tír,

He will be the darling of every goodly land,

ad-fí rúna rith ecni,

nochtfaidh rúnta i rith eagna

He will make known secrets —a course of wisdom—

isin bith cana ecle.

insan bhith gan aon eagla.

In the world, without being feared.

Back to top

 

Section 53

Biäid i fethol cech míl

Beidh sé ann i gcruth gach míl

He will be in the shape of every beast,

itir glasmuir ocus tír,

idir ghlas-mhuir agus tír,

Both on the azure sea and on land,

bid drauc re mbuidnib i froiss,

ina dhraig roimh bhuíonta i dtreis,

He will be a dragon before hosts at the onset,

bid cú allaid cech indroiss.

ina chú allaidh gach fionn-rois.

He will be a wolf of every great forest.

Back to top

 

Section 54

Bid dam co mbennaib aircait

Ina dhamh fá bheanna airgid,

He will be a stag with horns of silver

i mruig i n-agtar carpait,

sa chrích i gcúrsann carbaid,

In the land where chariots are driven,

bid ecne brecc i llind lán,

ina bhradán bhreac i linn láin,

He will be a speckled salmon in a full pool,

bid rón, bid ela findbán.

ina rón is ina eala fhionnbháin.

He will be a seal, he will be a fair-white swan.

Back to top

 

Section 55

Biäid tre bithu síri

Beidh sé fá chuimhne shíoraí

He will be throughout long ages

cét mblédne i findrígi;

céad blian i bhfinn-ríghe;

An hundred years in fair kingship,

silis lerca lecht imchéin,

sleachtfaidh sluagha, leacht imchian,

He will cut down battalions, — a lasting grave —

dercfed róï roth imréin.

deargfaidh maighe, roth thar rian.

He will redden fields, a wheel around the track.

Back to top

 

Section 56

Imm ríga la fénnidi

Ina laoch gaile ag féinnithe,

It will be about kings with a champion

bid láth gaile fri haicni,

le haigne ag cosaint ríthe;

That he will be known as a valiant hero,

i ndirthach mbroga for á

teilgfidh bithiúnach cloch thar toinn

Into the strongholds of a land on a height

fo-cicher[r] airchent a Íli.

a leagfaidh Mongán in ard a fhoinn.

I shall send an appointed end from Islay.

Back to top

 

Section 57

Art ara-ngén la flaithi

Cuirfead mar fhlaith in airde é —

High shall I place him with princes,

gébth(a)ir fo mac n-imra(i)gni,

titfidh le mac míchomhairle —

He will be overcome by a son of error;

sech bid Monindán mac Lir

óir is é Manannán mac Lir

Moninnan, the son of Ler,

a ath(a)ir, a fhithithir.

a oide is a athair.

Will be his father, his tutor.

Back to top

 

Section 58

Bíëd bes ngairit a ré

Beidh sé, is gairid a thréimhse,

He will be — his time will be short —

coícait mblédne i mbith ché,

caoga bliain abhus sa tsaol seo,

Fifty years in this world:

oircthi ail dracoin din muir

arm a oidhe cloch dragain de mhuir

A dragonstone from the sea will kill him

isind níth i Senlabuir.

insan bhruín ag Seanlabhair.

In the fight at Senlabor.

Back to top

 

Section 59

Timgéra dig a lLoch Láu

Lorgfaidh deoch as Loch Ló

He will ask a drink from Loch Ló,

in tan friss-seill sidán cráu,

tráth a fhéachann caise cró,

While he looks at the stream of blood,

gébtha[i] in drong find fu roth nél

tógfar suas é faoi roth néall

The white host will take him under a wheel of clouds

dund nassad nád-etarlén.

don chomhthionól nach eol dóibh léan.

To the gathering where there is no sorrow.

Back to top

 

Section 60

Fossad air sin imrad Bran,

Socair mar sin iomradh Bhrain,

Steadily then let Bran row,

ní cían co Tír inna mBan,

ní cian go tír na mban;

Not far to the Land of Women,

Emnæ co n-ildath féle

Eamhna go n-ildath féile

Emne with many hues of hospitality

ricfe re fuiniud ngréne.”

sroichfir roimh fhuineadh gréine.”

Thou wilt reach before the setting of the sun.”

Back to top

 

Section 61

Luidi Bran óad íarom con[d]a-accai in n-insi.

D’imigh Bran uaidh ansin agus chonaic an inis.

Thereupon Bran went from him. And he saw an island.

Im-raad immecúairt ocus slóg mór oc gignig ocus gáirechtaig.

D’iomair sé timpeall uirthi, agus slua mór ag stánadh agus ag scairtigh.

He rows round about it, and a large host was gaping and laughing.

Do-écitis uili Bran ocus a muintir,

Bhí siad uilig ag breathnú ar Bhran agus a mhuintir,

They were all looking at Bran and his people,

ocus ní-ant(a)is fria n-acaldaim.

ach ní fhanaidís le labhairt leo.

but would not stay to converse with them.

Ad-aigtis treftecha gáire foo.

Thigeadh trithí gáire orthu fúthu.

They continued to give forth gusts of laughter at them.

Foídis Bran fer dia muintir isin n-insi.

Chuir Bran fear dá mhuintir insan inis.

Bran sent one of his people on the island.

Reris lea chéliu

Chuir seisean é féin i measc lucht na hinse

He ranged himself with the others,

ocus ad-acht ginig foo amal doíni inna hinse olchene.

agus thosaigh ag stánadh *orthu* chomh maith *le daoine eile na hinse*.

and was gaping at them like the other men of the island.

Im-raad in n-inis immecúairt.

Lean siad ag iomramh timpeall *na hinse*.

He kept rowing round about the island.

In tan do-téged a fher muintire sech Bran

An uair a théadh a fhear muintire thart le Bran

Whenever his man came past Bran,

at[n]-gla(i)tis a chocéli.

ghlaodh a chomrádaithe air.

his comrades would address him.

Nís n-aicilded-sa immurgu

Ní labhradh sé leo ámh

But he would not converse with them,

acht dosn-écad nam[m]á ocus ad-aiged gin(a)ich foo.

ná ní dhéanadh éinní ach stánadh orthu agus a bhéal ar leathadh.

but would only look at them and gape at them.

Is ed ainm inna hinse-so Inis Subai.

Is é ainm na hinse seo Inis Subhae.

The name of this island is the Island of Joy.

Fan-ácabsat and íarom.

D’fhág siad ann é *iar sin*.

Thereupon they left him there.

Back to top

 

Section 62

Ní-bu cían íar sin co-ráncatur Tír inna mBan.

Níorbh fhada ina dhiaidh sin gur shroicheadar tír na mban

It was not long thereafter when they reached the Land of Women.

Co n-accatar braine inna mban isin phurt.

agus go bhfacadar taoiseach na mban sa phort.

They saw the leader of the women at the port.

As-bert toísech inna mban:

Dúirt sí leo:

Said the chief of the women:

“Tair ille isa tír, a Brain maic Febail.

“Tar i leith sa tír, a Bhrain mhic Fheabhail.

“Come hither on land, O Bran son of Febal.

Is fochen do thíchtu.”

Tá fáilte roimhe do theacht.”

Welcome is thy advent.”

Ní lám(a)ir Bran techt isa tír.

Níor leomhaigh Bran dul i dtír.

Bran did not venture to go on shore.

Do-cuirethar in ben certli do Braun tara gnúis cach ndíriuch.

Chaith an bhean ceirtle chuige díreach thar a aghaidh.

The woman throws a ball of thread to Bran straight over his face.

Fo-ceird Bran a láim forin certli.

Chuir sé a láimh ar an cheirtle

Bran put his hand on the ball,

Lil in certle dia dernainn.

agus ghreamaigh sí dá bhois.

which clave to his palm. 

Boí in sná(i)the inna certle i lláim inna mná.

Bhí snáithe na ceirtle i láimh na mná,

The thread of the ball was in the woman’s hand,

Con-sreng in curach dochum poirt.

sa chaoi gur tharraing sí an curach chun poirt.

and she pulled the coracle towards the port.

Lotar íarom i tegd(a)is máir.

Chuadar ansin i dteaghais mhór.

Thereupon they went into a large house,

Ar-ránic imdai cecha lámamn(a)e and

Bhí ioma ann i gcomhair gach lánún,

in which was a bed for every couple,

.i. trí noí n-imdæ.

seacht gcinn is fiche acu.

even thrice nine beds.

In praind do-breth for cech méis

An bia a tugadh ar gach mias

The food that was put on every dish

ní(r)-airchiú[ir] díib.

níor imigh sé díobh.

vanished not from them.

Ba blédin don-árfas-sa dóib boith and.

Bliain dar leo a bhí siad ann

It seemed a year to them that they were there,

Ecmaing bátir ilblédni.

— tharla gurbh iomaí bliain.

— it chanced to be many years.

Nís-tesbi cach mblass.

Ní raibh in easnamh orthu blas ar bith.

No savour was wanting to them.

Back to top

 

Section 63

Gabais éolchaire fer ndíib .i. Nechtan mac Collbrain.

Tháinig uaigneas ar fhear díobh, Neachtán mac Collbhrain.

Home-sickness seized one of them, even Nechtan the son of Collbran.

Atáigh a chenél fri Bran ara-tíasad leis dochum nÉrenn.

Bhíodh a ghaolta ag impí ar Bhran dul go hEírinn leis.

His kindred kept praying Bran that he should go to Ireland with him.

As-bert in ben ro-bad aithrech ind fhaball.

Dúirt an bhean go mba aithreach leo an t-aistear.

The woman said to them their going would make them rue.

Da-lotar cammæ

Chuadar mar sin féin,

However, they went,

ocus as-bert in ben arná-tuinsed nech díib a tír

agus dúirt an bhean leo gan cos a chur i dtír

and the woman said that none of them should touch the land,

ocus ara-taidlitis leu in fer fon-ácabsat i nInis Subai tar éssi a chéli.

agus an fear a d’fhág siad in Inis Subhae a thabhairt leo in ionad a chomrádaí.

and that they should visit and take with them the man whom they had left in the Island of Joy.

Back to top

 

Section 64

Do-llotar íarom conda-tornachtatar in dáil i Srúib Brain.

Chuadar ar aghaidh go dtángadar i láthair dála a bhí i Sruibh Bhrain.

Then they went until they arrived at a gathering at Srub Brain.

Íarmi-foachtatar-side dóib cía do-lluid íarsin muir.

D’fhiafraigh siadsan *dóibh* cé bhí ag teacht ón mhuir.

The men asked of them who it was came over the sea.

As-bert Bran: “Messe Bran mac Febail.”

D’fhreagair an fear: “Mise Bran mac Feabhail.”

Said Bran: “I am Bran the son of Febal,” saith he.

“Ní-beram aichne inní sin,” ol a chéli didiu.

“Ní haithnid dúinn é sin,” arsa an fear eile, *amh,*

However, the other saith: “We do not know such a one,

“Atá i ssenchassaib linni chenae Imram Brain.”

“cé go bhfuil Iomramh Bhrain inár seanchas *cheana féin*.”

though the Voyage of Bran is *already* in our ancient stories.”

Back to top

 

Section 65

Do-cuirethar úadaib in fer asin churuch.

Léim Neachtán amach as an churach uathu.

The man leaps from them out of the coracle.

Amal con-ránic-side fri talmain inna hÉrenn,

Chomh luath is theagmhaigh sé le talamh na hÉireann

As soon as he touched the earth of Ireland,

ba ló(i)thred fo chétóir

ba luaithreach é *láithreach*

forthwith he was a heap of ashes,

amal bid i talam no-beth tresna hilchéta blíadna.

ionann is dá mba sa talamh a bheadh sé leis na céadta blian.

as though he had been in the earth for many hundred years. 

Is and cachain Bran in rand-so:

Is ansin a chan Bran an rann seo:

’Twas then that Bran sang this quatrain:

 

 

 

“Do mac Collbrain ba mór baíss

“Do mhac Collbhrain ba dhíol baoise

“For Collbran’s son great was the folly 

tárcud a láme fri haíss,

a láimh a thógáil i gcionn aoise;

To lift his hand against age,

cen nech do-rratad toinn (.i. uisci) glain

go gcuirtear libh tonn uisce ghlain

Without any one casting a wave of pure water 

for Nechtan for mac Collbrain.”

ar Neachtán, ar mhac Collbhrain.”

Over Nechtan, Collbran’s son.”

Back to top

 

Section 66

Ad-fét íar sin Bran a imthechta ó thossuch cotici sin do lucht ind airechtais,

D’inis Bran ansin a imeachta uile ó thosach do dtí sin do lucht an oireachtais,

Thereupon, to the people of the gathering Bran told all his wanderings from the beginning until that time.

ocus scríbais inna rundnu-so tre ogum,

agus scríobh sé na ranna seo in Ogham.

And he wrote these quatrains in Ogam,

ocus celebrais dóib íar sin,

Ina dhiaidh sin cheiliúir sé dóibh,

and then bade them farewell.

ocus ní-fessa a imthechta ónd úair sin.

agus ní fios a imeachta ó shoin.

And from that hour his wanderings are not known.

Back to top