Cover art is ‘Giant’s Causeway’ by an unknown artist, public domain
Notes: This is a complex genealogical and mythological poem dealing with several interlocking themes:
The Fothairt were a people of Leinster whose origin-legend traced them to a conflict between Eochaid Fuath Airt and Art mac Cuinn (Art son of Conn Cétchathach). The name Fothairt was understood to derive from their being separated (terbad) from the main body of Leinster expelled for the offense of Eochaid against Art. This is the classic Irish origin-legend pattern a people’s name and separate identity explained through a mythological act of crime, punishment and exile.
The rowan-beam episode is a fascinating mythological fragment a poisoned or blood-soaked beam of rowan wood (caithend) brought into the royal house at Tara as an act of magical assassination, with the head of a slain man placed upon it to intoxicate and defile the royal feast. The druid Mac Dá Chúr reveals the treachery and Art the king neutralizes it.
The Déisi whose origin-legend is closely parallel are also referenced: Óengus, Eogan, Rus and Fothud, the sons of Fiacha Suidge, expelled from their original territory for killing Cellach son of Cormac mac Airt, and settling in Munster where they became the Déisi Muman (the People of Munster).
The personal stanzas are particularly touching the poet interrupts the genealogical material to invoke his personal protectors: Brigit on his right hand, Colm Cille on his left — a lovely expression of personal devotion woven naturally into what is ostensibly a historical and genealogical poem. This blending of the personal, the devotional, and the historical is very characteristic of Irish learned poetry.
The Fothairt over the Settlements of Conn Corb
- The Fothairt over the settlements of Conn Corb — king of Temair — why were they separated? Eochaid Fuath Airt — noted for the deed of a knee — against Art son of Conn seized fury.
- When his company was divided into nine at the woman’s [house] — so long the king would not protect the Leinstermen according to their full number of men — the son of the king of Brega from the hill of the Boyne.
- Brigit was of his children in time — I will declare like the clear sun her beauty — the grandson of Eochaid was worthy of a king — of them was Fintan the enduring, the generous.
- Brigit and fair Fintan — they look at me here and yonder; from the golden fear — greater than my tower — from them between root and summit.
- My sister, my living brother — the staying of their flame against every path — my sense sought friendship with them; moreover it was generous, it was worthy, it was good.
- Why did Eochaid of Brega go from his land — he would deceive me of brightness; son of Feidlimid Rechtaid the red — of the harbor of strong Tuathal Techtmar.
- By necessity he went out — Eochaid — before the battle whose fame was concealed. By him was brought against the settled rows — the beam of rowan-wood into the house of Temair.
- The head of a man was placed upon the beam — under the shadow of the shield — it was a fine betrayal; certain to him it was this — it would intoxicate the feast around the lord.
- After that the druid spoke to him — Mac Dá Chúr — who did not speak lies: “A beam of rowan-wood was brought with gore — through envy — into the house where you are.”
- In response to the druid the truth was declared — Art, the one king of Ireland, said: “Whoever of the host has defiled the house — in what place is the beam — let us hear from you.”
- The beam blazed with gore — he protected the house — it was no harm to him — the druid, though he was certain of it — his left side — the fire suppressed the venom beneath.
- Eochaid Fuath Airt and Conn — Fiacha Suidge — fairy-mound of the fine deed — I am not negligent in declaring them — they were the sons of fair Feidlimid.
- A hard brother for a fort against their knowledge — the children of Fiacha Suidge — bitter strength; three lions who went southward — Óengus and Eogan and Rus.
- Since wise Óengus had ruined the birth — the eye of the king of Temair from his tears — he then performed a bold deed — to kill Cellach son of Cormac.
- They were expelled from Brega, from the Hill, from Slemain, from Sliabh Trí nDé — they settled Femen with its tillage — until they made it their rightful land.
- The Déisi of Munster — many a lamb-battle — their origin in famous companies; Óengus, Eogan — fierce ardor — Rus and Fothud with his foundation.
- Colm Cille was a pure birth — a dear brother to me — except my concealment — Colm with devotion, with fervor — to protect me after age in heaven.
- Brigit on my right — there and here — Colm to my left — it is no cry of refusal for him — of the seed of Crimthann Niad Náir — king who encompassed the men of good Fál.
- Galenga, Delmna — I do not go beyond them — Ciannacht around Cenn — it is no lie — to the Battle of Crinna — head against height — whereby Tadg was delivered from the men beneath.