Caithreim Cellachain Caisil : the victorious career of Cellachan of Cashel, or, The Wars between the Irishmen and the Norsemen in the middle of the 10th century

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Mor's warning to Cellachan near Ath Cliath

   Dublin · city · Dublin

   Sitric's wife Mor, daughter of Aed son of Echu, overheard her husband's plot to capture Cellachan and left the town in disguise to warn him on the road before Ath Cliath. She revealed the plot and her love for him, having fallen for him at Port Lairge.

   Read the passage

   ig. That night there happened to be a discourse between Sitric, the son of Turgeis, and his wife. And his wife asked him why he gave his sister to Cellachan, as it was he who had destroyed the Lochlannachs. lie answered that is was not out of kindness to him, but in order to capture himself and to slay his people. The w^oman arose early the next morning, and put a bondmaid's dress round her. For this discource which she had heard was grievous to her as she herself greatly loved Cellachan. She left the town, and came upon the road where she supposed that the Munstermen would come. And as she stayed there she beheld Cellachan approaching, and the woman told this news to him. Cellachan asked her who she herself was. »AIor, daughter of Aed, son of Echu, am !,<.< said the woman, »daughter of the king of the Islands of the Foreigners (i. e. the Hebrides), and my husband is Sitric, son of Turgeis, of the Fair Lochlannachs. And I fell in love with you the day I saw you at Port Lairge.« And she recited the song; but there is nothing in this song but a repetition of the story. ^)

   ^) The poem is found in full in tiie papercopies of the Royal Irish Acadcmy (— Tf , p. 681, and of Egerton 106, p. 89. The text being very

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 37

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, you are near Ath Cliath, where Sitric son of Turgeis once plotted to capture Cellachan of Cashel. Sitric had given his sister to Cellachan, and when his wife Mor asked him why, he told her it was not kindness but a trap to seize him and slay his people. Mor was the daughter of Aed son of Echu, king of the Islands of the Foreigners, the Hebrides. She loved Cellachan herself, having fallen for him the day she saw him at Port Lairge. The next morning she put on a bondmaid's dress, left the town, and waited on the road where she supposed the Munstermen would come. When she saw Cellachan approaching, she warned him of the plot. He asked her who she was, and she told him her name and her husband's name, and that she had loved him since that day at Port Lairge. She recited a song to him, though the book says the song only repeats the story she had already told.

2. Battle of Clontarf and death of Brian Borumha

   Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

   Brian Borumha, king of Munster and monarch of all Ireland, was slain in the battle of Clontarf in 1014; the last portion of the parallel Saga of Brian describes this battle and its causes.

   Read the passage

   The Saga of Cellachan of Cashel corresponds in manyrespects to the Saga of Brian Borumha, king of Munster and subsequently monarch of all Ireland, who was slain in the battle of Clontarf, A.-D. 10 14.') Both Sagas especially de-^ scribe the wars between the kings of Munster and the Norsemen in Ireland. The Saga of Cellachan extols the Eoghanachts of Kerry, to which race Cellachan belonged; the Saga of Brian praises the Dal Cais (in the county of Clare), whose head king Brian was. The Saga of Brian consists of several distinct portions. Ch. I— XXXIX of this Saga consists of Fragments of Annals. The real Saga begins with ch. XL, describes the youth of Brian and the earlier portion of his reigTJ, until he became monarch of all Ireland. The last portion of the Saga (from ch. LXXX) is a description of the battle of Clontarf and its causes.

   The second portion of the Saga of Brian bears especially a strong resemblance to the Saga of Cellachan. It begins, like § 3 of our Saga, with a description of the extent of the Norse oppression. Ch. LXXX (»After the banishment of the foreigners out of all Erin« etc.) corresponds to § 27 of our Saga. The poem printed § 24 in the present work ( Uathad sin a clanna Cuirc) has the same beginning as a poem in Cogadh Gaedhel (XLVI), w-here king Mathgamhain of Munster adresses his brother Brian : Uathadh sin a Brian Banha (»Alone art thou, O Brian of Banba!«).

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 1

3. Cormac son of Cuilennan killed at the Battle of Ballaghmoon

   Ballaghmoon · townland · Kildare · 907–908

   Cormac, son of Cuilennan, the famous king-bishop and scholar, was killed in AD 907/908 at the Battle of Belach Mugna, now Ballaghmoon, in south Kildare about two and a half miles north of Carlow town.

   Read the passage

   Cormac, son of Cuilennan, is the famous king, bishop, and scholar, who has written a still existing glossary. According to Chronicum Scotorum. he was killed A. D. 907 (908) in the Battle of Belach Mugna, i. e. Mugain's Road, now Ballaghmoon, in the south of the county of Kildare, about two miles and a half north of the town of Carlow. ^) Other Authorities (e. g. the list of Mun.'jter-kings in the Book of Leinster) call the place of this battle Mag Ailbe^) As professor Kuno Meyer points out to me, the Three Fragments (p. 204) mention Droichet Leithglmne ;>the Bridge of Leithglenn<; and Leithglcnn (now Leighlin) as places in the neighbourhood of the battlefield. Cafh Leithlinde is therefore probably an erroneous form of cath Leithglinde.

   Lorcan, son of Connligan, began to reign A. D. 922.*)

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 55

4. Burning and sack of Waterford

   Waterford · city · Waterford

   The Munster champions leapt into Waterford and slaughtered the Danes and Norsemen in crowds. Sitric fled the town by ship with only one hundred fugitives escaping, and the race of Eogan burned the town and plundered the district.

   Read the passage

   Donnchad, and Suilleban, and Ribordan, and the quick, valiant soldiers of Munster leapt into the town. And the Danes were slaughtered in crowds by them, and the Norsemen were cut into pieces. Sitric left the town and went on board his ship, and his wife with him. And only one hundred fugitives of them reached their ships. The race of Eogan burned the town and plundered the district. And they proceed thence to the country of the Deisi, and take hostages and pledges of Domnall son of Faelan. There was concluded a matrimonial alliance and made friendship with him, and Gormflaith, the daughter of Buadachan, was given to him. Thence they proceed into the territory of the Ui-Mic-Caille and the Ui Liathain, and took hostages from them. And they brought the host of these territories with them into the district of the Eoganachts of Loch Lein and plundered the country. They brought these spoils with them into Muscraige, and the Eoganachts came up with them there, and the king of the Eoganachts was slain there, viz. Aed, son of Scannal, and 500 Eoganachts. They brought the same spoils with them to the two kings of Aes Isde, and took hostages from them, and they went themselves with them into the territory of West Munster, viz. to Aes Irrais. Congal, son of Annrathan, gave battle to the van of the army, and 200 were killed there. When Cellachan and the nobles of the race of Eogan reached the battle, Congal was captured by them, and a multitude of his people was slain. They plundered the district and stayed there for a fortnight. And they released Congal and took hostages from him. 23. Afterwards they went into the territory of Ciarraige and plundered the district. The inhabitants of Ciarraige and the Lochlannachs who previously had escaped from them in the battle of Limerick assembled against them and they w^ent to them at Glenn Corbraigi. They fought with them there and made a great havock of the descendants of Eogan. But though they did so, they left the battlefield to them, and Conchubar, the king of Ciarraige, was captured by them. And their forces were greatly diminished after that battle. On that day Flannabra, son of Ciarmacan, king of Ui Conaill, a.ssembled

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 35

5. Cellachán's Year-and-a-Half Reconnaissance of Munster

   Cashel · townland · Tipperary

   Cellachán spent eighteen months disguised as a poor cleric, secretly surveying every fort, stronghold, wood, and waterway held by the Norsemen throughout Munster to gain military knowledge. He visited every landholder's stead to learn the names of villages, tribes, and lords before eventually returning to Cashel.

   Read the passage

   - tories of Munster were not freed, except what the nimblesworded Cellachan did to defend them. For that was the man who spent a year and a half in searching Munster, both wood, and hill, and gentle valley, both stream, and lake, and full river, both harbour and smooth strand and seaport, both fort and strong fortress and the broad land of every Norseman, seeking charity in every fortress, and shelter in every town, poorly for his melodious clerical offices, and with his mottled bag round his neck, spying out every place, and making a close examination of every stronghold, in order that he might get knowledge of its lands, its waterfalls, and its fresh woods, when it should be laid upon him to fight for its territory. So that he did not leave one stead of a landholder or purveyor in the two provinces of Munster unvisited, in order that he might know the name of every village and of every tribe and have knowledge of every lord of the country. And after searching the territories he came to Cashel. For it is there his mother was, and she, the noble queen, was the wife of the coarb of Cashel. And Cellachan had been begotten in violation of her marriage with him. And during the year and a half that Cellachan was traversing the country, she was herself collecting arms, and clothes, and treasures, and retaining companies of foot-soldiers and gentle household-troops. And this is the number of those who were fed (?) by and fully bound to her, viz. 500 armed men. 5. The day on which Cellachan came to Cashel after he had obtained this host, was the day on which there was a great host of the two provinces of Munster at Glennamain of Cashel electing a king. And according to their opinion it was Cennedig, son of Lorcan, whom they would make king. For this is the arrangement of the high-kingship that was between the descendants of Eogan Mor and the descendants of Cormac Cas: The man who was the senior of the gentle clans, his was the kingship. If the high-king was of the descendants of Eogan, the tanist-ship belonged to the descendants of Cormac Cas. And if the noble king was of the descendants of Cormac, the tanist-ship went to the descendants of Eogan iVIor. The kingship not to go to any of them, unless he were

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 29

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Cashel, Cellachán spent a year and a half searching all of Munster. He went in disguise as a poor cleric, with a mottled bag round his neck, seeking charity in every fortress and shelter in every town. He searched wood and hill and valley, stream and lake and river, harbour and strand and seaport, every fort and fortress of the Norsemen, spying out every place and examining every stronghold to learn its lands, waterfalls, and fresh woods for when he would have to fight. He left no stead of a landholder or purveyor unvisited in the two provinces of Munster, so he would know the name of every village, every tribe, and every lord. After that searching he came back to Cashel, where his mother was. She was the noble queen, wife of the coarb of Cashel, and Cellachán had been begotten in violation of her marriage. While he spent his year and a half traversing the country, she was collecting arms, clothes, and treasures, and retaining companies of foot-soldiers and household-troops. The number of armed men bound to her was 500. The day Cellachán arrived back at Cashel with this host was the very day a great gathering of the two provinces of Munster was meeting at Glennamain to elect a king. They intended to make Cennedig, son of Lorcan, king. The kingship alternated between the descendants of Eogan Mor and the descendants of Cormac Cas: the senior of the gentle clans held the kingship, and the tanistship went to the other line.

6. Cellachan dies a laudable death at Cashel, 952 AD

   Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 952

   After campaigns against the king of Cenel Conaill, a raid on Tara, and a refused fight with Donnchadh son of Flann Sinna, the Munster men returned to Cashel where lands were divided among the nobles. Cellachan of Cashel died peacefully at Cashel in 952 AD.

   Read the passage

   100. However, when all the fierce Lochlannachs were drowned, and when the noble lords of Munster had fallen, Cellachan went on land, and the minds and spirits of the high chieftains rejoiced before him. Cellachan sent people to burn the bulk of the fleet which had not gone down in the salt sea. And the resolution the champions came to, was to attack the king of Cenel Conaill, for it was he who had sent messengers (as we have told before) to Armagh to the Lochlannachs, to tell them to bring Cellachan to Dundalk. Muirchertach did not show himself before them, although they raided and plundered the whole country. After that they came to Tara, and sent messengers to proclaim battle against Donnchadh, son of Flann Sinna, king of Erin, for he had previously permitted that Cellachan was taken prisoner in Ath Cliath. Donnchadh refused to fight with them, and when he had refused, they plundered the territory of Tara. After this they came to Cashel in Munster, and the territories were divided suitably by Cellachan among the nobles. And thenceforward they spent the time peacefully and tranquilly, until Cellachan of Cashel, the son of Buadachan, died a laudable death at Cashel Anno Domini 952.

   ^) Here the stoiy ends abruptly. The last chapter is translated from the paper manuscript -73 in the Royal Irish Academy, p. 87—88.

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 54

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here at Cashel, Cellachan, son of Buadachan, died a laudable death in 952. His final days followed a long season of campaigns. After the Lochlannachs were drowned and their fleet burned, Cellachan led his champions against the king of Cenel Conaill, who had sent messengers to Armagh telling the Lochlannachs to bring Cellachan to Dundalk. That king, Muirchertach, did not show himself, though they raided and plundered the whole country. From there they came to Tara and sent messengers to proclaim battle against Donnchadh, son of Flann Sinna, king of Erin, because he had previously permitted Cellachan to be taken prisoner in Ath Cliath. Donnchadh refused to fight, and when he refused, they plundered the territory of Tara. After this they came back to Cashel in Munster, and the territories were divided suitably by Cellachan among the nobles. And thenceforward they spent the time peacefully and tranquilly, until Cellachan of Cashel died a laudable death at Cashel, in the year 952.

7. Feidlimid usurps Armagh abbacy and plunders Clonmacnois

   Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 846–847

   Feidlimid, son of Crimhthan, king of Munster, usurped the abbacy of Armagh for a year, preaching to the people every Sunday, and in 846 plundered lands belonging to the monastery of Clonmacnois. He died the next year of a disease popularly believed to be inflicted by St Ciaran in punishment for his sacrilege.

   Read the passage

   Feidlimid, son of Crimhthan, seems to have been a profligate. He usurped the abbacy of Armagh, where he remained a whole year, during which he preached to the people every Sunday. In 846 he plundered the lands belonging to the raonostery of Clonmacnois. The next year he died of a disease which was supposed to have been miraculously inflicted by St. Ciaran of Clonmacnois himself, in punishment of his sacrilege. Other authorities also tell that he reigned 27 years, aud that he was one of the five kings of Munster who obtained the monarchy of all Ireland, subsequently to the introduction of Christianity. *)

   See'") (later: Sciach] Nechtain was a place near Castle- Dermot, county of Kildare. This battle, which took place A. D. 847 or 848, is also mentioned in Cogadh Gaedhel (p.

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 55

8. Lochlannach council at Ath Cliath plots against Cellachan

   Dublin · city · Dublin

   The defeated Lochlannachs gathered at Ath Cliath (Dublin) under leaders including Sitriuc son of Turgeis to hold counsel. They devised a plan to lure Cellachan to Dublin with a false marriage promise in order to capture and kill him.

   Read the passage

   27. When Cellachan had made order in the districts and destroyed his enemies, the direction the Lochlannachs took was to Ath CHath, and they hold counsel there. The following were the foremost of them at that time, viz. Sitriuc son of Turgeis and his brothers, namely Tor, Magnus and Turgeis, and the Lochlannach Ladach, and the Lochlannach of the blades, and old Amlaib, and Linn-Turmun of the journey, and Linn-Turmun na Pers, and the son of the king of Fair Lochlann, and the son of the king of Cold Lochlann. And that is what they decided, namely to send messengers to Cellachan, and to promise him Bebinn, the daughter of Turgeis, and to tell him to go to Ath Cliath to marry her, and [to inform him] that they leave him the territory of Munster without contest. The reason, why they did this, was the hope of capturing Cellachan and of killing those who accompained him. They made known the plan that w^as formed in the bosom of the Lochlannachs to the king of Erin. viz. to Donnchad, son of Flann, king of Tara.

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 36

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, you are moving through Ath Cliath, where the defeated Lochlannachs gathered to hold counsel after Cellachan had restored order and destroyed his enemies. Sitriuc son of Turgeis was foremost among them, along with his brothers Tor, Magnus and Turgeis, and old Amlaib, and the son of the king of Fair Lochlann, and the son of the king of Cold Lochlann, and others. What they decided was this: to send messengers to Cellachan promising him Bebinn, the daughter of Turgeis, and to tell him to come to Ath Cliath to marry her, and that they would leave him the territory of Munster without contest. The reason they did this was the hope of capturing Cellachan and killing those who accompanied him. They made this plan known to the king of Erin, Donnchad son of Flann, king of Tara. So a marriage offer was the bait, and the trap was set here in this city.

9. Munstermen storm and sack Limerick

   Limerick · city · Limerick

   After the Lochlannachs were defeated in battle, they fled into Limerick to shut themselves up, but the Munstermen pursued through the rear gates before they could be closed. The champions were killed in the houses and towers, and the town's people, gold, silver and riches were captured.

   Read the passage

   riion 1-ochlanii and Ribordan engaged in battle before Cellaclian, and Locblann inflicted very sharp, terrible wounds on Ribordan. Wlien the hero was wounded, and the champion pierced through, and when he perceived that his arms took no effect upon the veteran who was before him, Ribordan made a heroic rush upon Lochlann, and left liis sword, and his longbladed spear, and he put in mind his sharp iron-blue mail-coat and laid dexterously hold of the lower part of the cuirass of the Lochlannach with his left hand, and gave the champion a sudden pull, so that he maimed the broad bosom of the hero, and that his bowels and entrails fell out of him. And he beheaded the champion and lifted his head in triumph. Nevertheless there fell these four valiant champions of the Lochlann heroes, and the (other) heroes left their places, and the soldiers were overthrown and made for Limerick to shut themselves quickly up there. And it was through the rear of the Lochlannachs that the nobles of Munster went into the town, so that the Lochlannachs were not able to close the gates, and the champions were killed in the houses and in the towers. They brought their wifes, and children, and people in captivity to the nobles of Munster, and collected the gold, silver and various riches of the town, and brought the heads, trophies, and battle-spoils of the heroes to Cellachan, and the heads of the four who were the most noble of the Lochlannachs were exhibited to him. Therefore to testify to this the poet sang the following words in relating the slaughters and triumphs, and in enumerating those who were killed of the great Lochlannachs and those who were slain of the Munstermen in this great battle, and he said :

   Valiant are you, o descendants of Eogan, And fierce are your lions.

   Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft

   As the companion tells it

   You are coming through Limerick now. In the middle of the 10th century, this city was where the Lochlannachs ran after they were broken in battle. Ribordan had fought their champion Lochlann face to face. Lochlann wounded him sharply, but Ribordan rushed him, dropped his sword and his long-bladed spear, grabbed the lower part of Lochlann's cuirass with his left hand, and pulled so hard the hero's bowels and entrails fell out. Then he beheaded him and lifted the head in triumph. Four valiant champions of the Lochlannachs fell there. The rest abandoned their places, the soldiers were overthrown, and they made for Limerick to shut themselves quickly inside. But the nobles of Munster came in through the rear of the fleeing Lochlannachs, so the gates could not be closed. The champions were killed in the houses and in the towers. The Munstermen took their wives, their children, and their people in captivity. They collected the gold, the silver, and the various riches of the town. They brought the heads, the trophies, and the battle-spoils to Cellachan of Cashel, and the heads of the four most noble Lochlannachs were exhibited to him. A poet marked it with words: "Valiant are you, o descendants of Eogan, and fierce are your lions."

10. Amlaib Cenncairech captured at Lough Ree

    near Lough Ree · lake or lakes · Westmeath · 936–937

    Amlaib Cenncairech (Olaf Scabby-head), lord of Limerick, plundered Roscommon and the north-east, reached the Shannon on Christmas-eve 936 and stayed seven months, but was captured at Loch Ree by Amlaib son of Godfrey, lord of Dublin, on Lammasday 937, and carried off to Dublin.

    Read the passage

    § 8. The city of Limerick [LuimnccJi] was at the time of Cellachan in the power of the Norsemen. According to Dr. Steenstrup (Normannerne III, pp. 128 — ^132), it was in the beginning of the loth century that Limerick became a viking-settlement. The town soon gained a considerable power, and was the rival even of Dublin. In our saga, Amlaib of Limerick is represented as the lord of Limerick. — Amlatb is = O. N. 0/«/r, which name has originally contained a nasal before the / [Anlaf).. — There is some confusion as to the chiefs or kings of Limerick. At some periods, the town seems to have had more than one chieftain. From A. D. 933 to 937 Avilaib Cenncairech (Olaf Scabby-head) is mentioned by the Four Masters and by the Ulster Annals as the lord of Limerick. He plundered in Roscommon, and in the north-eastern parts of Ireland. On Christmas-eve 936 he reached the Shannon, where he and his men stayed for 7 months. But on Lammasday 937, he was captured at Loch Ree by Amlaib, son of Godfrey, lord of Dublin, and carried off to Dublin.^) — The Norsemen of Dublin were preparing an expedition to England. — In the year 968 Amlaib, son of Amlaib, is mentioned as one of the lords of Limerick. He and Ivar of Limerick were banished by Mathgamhain, and Amlaib was skilled by the king of Britain« the year after. ^) We see from this that Amlaib was a common name among the Norsemen of Limerick. I think it most likely that our »Amlaib of Limerick« is the same as Amlaib, the father of Amlaib mac Amlaib, who was banished A. D. 968.

    Besides this Amlaib our saga mentions other vikingchieftains in Limerick, namely the Clan Connra (the descendants or sons of Connra). Cogadh Gaedhel (p. 106) mentions the battle of Fan Conrach »the Slope of C.«, or Fan mic Conjirach »the Slope of the Son of C.«, or Du7i Fain

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 60

11. Cellachan and Donnchuan captured and brought to Ath Cliath

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    After overwhelming Norse forces pressed the Munster champions, Cellachan and Donnchuan were captured and brought to the green of the town of Ath Cliath (Dublin), where Cellachan was shown the severed heads of his slain companions.

    Read the passage

    Then an overwhelming number of the Norse champions pressed upon the champions of Munster. Cellachan and Donnchuan were captured by them, and brought to Ath Cliath. And when they reached the green of the town, Cellachan saw a man coming towards him, with a

    Od-

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you are on ground where Cellachan and Donnchuan were brought in chains. Overwhelming Norse champions pressed the men of Munster, captured the two of them, and brought them to Ath Cliath. On the green of the town, Cellachan was shown the severed heads of his slain companions.

12. Clan Eogan Marches to Burn Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Cellachán directed clan Eogan to make war, and they advanced a thousand men to Limerick intending to burn it, sending messengers demanding that the Norse leaders Amlaib, Morann, Magnus and Lochlann surrender the town or give hostages.

    Read the passage

    8. However, Cellachan addressed the clan Eogan and told them to make vahant war with him, and they said they would do it. And they said that they would advance, ten hundred men in number, to Limerick to burn it. And when they arrived, they sent word to the heroic Amlaib of Limerick, and to the clan Connra, namely to Morann, and to Magnus, and to great Lochlann, to tell them quickly to leave Limerick or to give hostages to them.

    When the messengers came to the heroes of Limerick, they began to deride them, and this is what they expected, that never would Munster or even Limerick be contested against them. And they said that they would give battle.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 31

    As the companion tells it

    The road is taking you through Limerick now. Back in the middle of the 10th century, Cellachan of Cashel told the clan Eogan to make war, and they marched a thousand men here, meaning to burn the town. They sent messengers to the Norse leaders, Amlaib, Morann, Magnus and Lochlann, demanding they leave Limerick or give hostages. The Norsemen derided the messengers and said they would give battle, never expecting Munster or even Limerick would be contested against them.

13. Donnchad recounts Cellachan's fifteen battles for Munster

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Donnchad son of Caem lists the fifteen battles Cellachan fought against the Danes in defence of Munster, naming Limerick, Cork, Sliab Crot, Thurles, Cashel, Port Lairge, Muscraighe, Ard Osraighe, Glenn Corbraighe, Senguala Cladard of Ui Conaill, and Cromad among the sites.

    Read the passage

    to remember the promise they had made the day Cellachan left them, and he told them that Cellachan was being carried to Armagh to be there in close custody. When Donnchad, the son of Caem, heard those words, he told the clan of Cormac Cas to form an alliance, and the descendants of Eogan to go in search of their king, and the clan of Cairbre to arise, and the clan of Lugaid to show full valour, and the descendants of Fergus to show true nobility, and the descendants of Cellachan to show devotion, and the descendants of Tadg to make a powerful defence, and the descendants of Fiachu Suigde muster in full. »Indeed«, said Donnchad, »if it were your brave men and your chieftains who were in the power of the Lochlannachs, Cellachan would collect an army in search of you and give battles to rescue you. For he has fought fifteen battles with the Danes in your defence, viz. the first of these battles at Limerick, the second battle at Core, the third battle at Sliab Crot, the fourth at Thurles, the fifth at Cashel, the sixth at Port Lairge, the seventh at Muscraighe, the eighth at Ard Osraighe, the ninth at Glenn Corbraighe, the tenth at Senguala Cladard of Ui Conaill, the eleventh at Cromad. and four battles against the men of Leinster and Ossory. And all this will be concealed by the champions of Lochlann if Cellachan goes with them without being rescued.

    48. Then they deliberated in council how to begin that hosting, and they settled to be a fortnight from that day at Magh Adhar, those of them who were on land, and those of them who were on sea to be at Bel Atha Laighin. Well, the day they had promised that their hosts should be at these places, they were there, as they had promised. This was the number that came to Magh Adhar, namely four battallions of equal size. And Cennedig, son of Lorcan, and the Dalcassian nobles also arrived there, and Cennedig entertained them that night.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 43

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Limerick, you are where Donnchad son of Caem placed the first of fifteen battles Cellachan fought against the Danes in defence of Munster. Donnchad heard that Cellachan was being carried to Armagh, to be held there in close custody. He called on the clan of Cormac Cas to form an alliance, the descendants of Eogan to go in search of their king, the clan of Cairbre to arise, the clan of Lugaid to show full valour, the descendants of Fergus to show true nobility, the descendants of Cellachan to show devotion, the descendants of Tadg to make a powerful defence, and the descendants of Fiachu Suigde to muster in full. Donnchad told them that if it were their brave men and chieftains in the power of the Lochlannachs, Cellachan would collect an army and give battles to rescue them. He had fought fifteen battles with the Danes in their defence. The first of these, the second at Cork, the third at Sliab Crot, the fourth at Thurles, the fifth at Cashel, the sixth at Port Lairge, the seventh at Muscraighe, the eighth at Ard Osraighe, the ninth at Glenn Corbraighe, the tenth at Senguala Cladard of Ui Conaill, the eleventh at Cromad, and four battles against the men of Leinster and Ossory. Donnchad said all this would be concealed by the champions of Lochlann if Cellachan went with them without being rescued. They deliberated how to begin the hosting and settled to be a fortnight from that day at Magh Adhar, those on land, and those on sea at Bel Atha Laighin. On the day they had promised, they were there. Four battalions of equal size came to Magh Adhar. Cennedig son of Lorcan and the Dalcassian nobles also arrived, and Cennedig entertained them that night.

14. Mor's secret love for Cellachan at the summerhouse

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    The wife of Tora plotted to tell Mor, daughter of Aedh, that Cellachan and the Munstermen were slain, hoping she would die of grief and cause a Munster rout. Mor rejected the false story, declaring she received news of Cellachan every night in her bed even though not his wife.

    Read the passage

    93. Then the wife of Tora, son of Turgeis, namely Mor, the daughter of Donnchadh, said: »I know«, said she, »a plot that will result in the death of Cellachan and in the destruction of the Munstermen : Let us even go to the summerhouse where Mor, the daughter of Aedh, son of Echu, is, the woman, who loves Cellachan, and tell her that Cellachan has perished, and that the Munstermen are slain, and she will die from grief for Cellachan, and he himself will die from grief for her, and the Munstermen will be routed, when he has died.« »Let this be done«, said the women, and they told the young woman these tidings. »It is not true for you, O women, « said Mor, »and it would be better for you if that story were true. And it is certain that Cellachan would die, if I should die. But I get news of him every night in my bed, and yet I am not his wife«, said the woman.

    94. Then the van of the Munster army reached the town, and they collected the cows and cattle-droves of the town, and its gold, and silver, and many riches, and brought the women and young men of the town together. Mor, daughter of Aedh, son of Echu, and Bebinn, the daughter of Turgeis, were brought to Cellachan, who said to Donnchuan, son of Cennedig, that he should take Bebinn to his wife. And so it was done by them, and

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Dublin now, where one of the old tales places a summerhouse and a secret love. The wife of Tora, son of Turgeis, whose name was Mor, daughter of Donnchadh, plotted to destroy Cellachan and the Munstermen. Her plan was to go to the summerhouse where Mor, daughter of Aedh, loved Cellachan in secret, and tell her that Cellachan had perished and the Munstermen were slain. She believed the young woman would die of grief, and Cellachan would die of grief for her, and the Munstermen would be routed. The women told Mor these tidings, but Mor rejected them. "It is not true for you, O women," she said, "and it would be better for you if that story were true." She declared that Cellachan would die if she should die, and said, "I get news of him every night in my bed, and yet I am not his wife." After this, the van of the Munster army reached the town, gathering its cattle, gold, silver, and riches, and bringing the women and young men together. Mor, daughter of Aedh, and Bebinn, daughter of Turgeis, were brought to Cellachan, who told Donnchuan, son of Cennedig, to take Bebinn as his wife, and so it was done.

15. Battle Arrays Formed Before Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Before the battle, the descendants of Eogan arrayed themselves around King Cellachán in tunics and shields near Limerick, while the Norse under Amlaib, Lochlann, Morann, and Magnus formed a rampart of coats of mail and iron shields, each of the four Norse battle-heroes accompanied by four hundred men.

    Read the passage

    Then towards the battle arose the descendants of Eogan fiercely, prudently, bravely around their gentle king, around Cellachan. And there was arrayed bravely by the heroes an ever beautiful, very strong, fold (?) of battle, surrounded by standards, and a solid, very thick pallisade of spears, and a strong, princely-ensigned tower of chiefs, and a skilful phalanx of blue blades, and a handsome (?), strong enclosure of linen cloth around the heroes. For the heroes had neither blue helmets nor shining coats of mail, but only elegant tunics with smooth fringes, and shields, and beautiful, finely wrought collars to protect bodies, and necks, and gentle heads. Then there was arrayed by the heroes of Lochlann a solid, skilful and firm rampart of strong coats of mail, and a thick, dark stronghold of black iron, and a greenpolished, hard-sharp city of battleshields, and a strong enclosure of stout shafts around the heroic Amlaib, and around Lochlann, and jVIorann, and Magnus. For these were the four battle-heroes of the Lochlann champions, and four hundred accompanied each hero of them.

    [3. Then the valorous descendants of Eogan placed themselves at the upper end of the plain in high spirits around their gentle king Cellachan, and they put the hooks of their shields over each another, and they made »championknots« by attaching their broad belts to each other, and they arrayed the seventeen brave men who were the most noble of the high lords around their royal prince to protect him well. Great spirit arose in their king, and anger in their champions, and courage in their soldiers, and fury in their heroes, and valour in their gallant men and fierceness in their youths.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 31

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Limerick, this is where the descendants of Eogan drew up for battle around their king, Cellachán. They had no helmets, no coats of mail. They wore tunics with fringes, carried shields, and had finely wrought collars to protect their necks and heads. They hooked their shields over one another and made what the old text calls champion knots, fastening their belts to each other. Seventeen of their noblest lords stood close around Cellachán to guard him. Facing them were the Norse of Lochlann. Amlaib, Lochlann, Morann, and Magnus were their four battle-heroes, and 400 men accompanied each one. They formed a rampart of strong coats of mail, a stronghold of black iron, and a wall of battle-shields. The Irish side had spears and blue blades and linen cloth around their heroes. The Norse had mail and iron. Both armies stood here, ready, before the fighting began.

16. Battle of Armagh: Deisi battalion clashes with Norse circle

    near Armagh · town · Armagh

    The Danes of Armagh formed a deathbringing circle of combatants and attacked the battalion of the Deisi first; after a hard battle, the Norse nobles fell and were driven northward through the centre of Armagh.

    Read the passage

    55. As to the Danes of the fortress, they assembled in one place. Lagmann addressed the champions, and this is what he said : »We are not sufficient in number to cope with them, as they do not come from one side. But let us attack one battallion of them, and give battle to them. And if a part of them is routed, it is likely that they will be so all of them. That advice was adopted by them, and they arranged themselves into a glittering, deathbringing circle of combatants. Then they attacked the battallion nearest to them, namely the battallion of the Deisi. There was fought a hard, stubborn battle between them, so that soldiers were destroyed and champions w^ounded by them, and skins were lacerated. Nevertheless the nobles of the Norsemen fell, and the Norse heroes were forcibly driven from the battlefield northward through the centre of Armagh, until they met the battallion of the Ui Cairbre who came bending their standards and battleflags against them from the north, so that the Norsemen were turned westward in full derout, until the battallion of the Dal Cais

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 44

17. Cellachan holds court at Cashel and exacts tribute from Ossory

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary

    The men of Munster assembled at Cashel after expelling the Danes from the towns, where Cennedig son of Lorcan received the tanistship. Messengers demanded tribute from Ossory, unpaid for 151 years under Danish control, leading to plundering and four battles against Leinster.

    Read the passage

    26. However when Donncliad came to speak with thfMii, the battle was stayed, and C'ellachan went to Cashcl. The men of Munster assembled to meet him after the expulsion of the Danes and the base Norsemen from the towns and fair fortresses. He who arrived first there was Cennedig, son of Lorcan, with the nobles of Dal Cais, and the tanist-ship of Munster and its kingship after Cellachan was given to him. They consumed the banquets of Cashel happily and calmly there, and they sent messengers to demand their tributes and taxes ot the people of Ossory, viz. from Donnchad son of Cellach. For it was a long time when this tribute had not been exacted by the champions of Munster, viz. seven score and eleven years, while the territory was in the power of the Danes. The people of Ossory did not give them tribute, and because they did not give it, they plundered the country. And they gained four battles over the men of Leinster during that year, and in the fourth battle Donnchad, son of Cellach, was captured by them, and the people of Ossory gave hostages afterwards.

    27. When Cellachan had made order in the districts and destroyed his enemies, the direction the Lochlannachs took was to Ath CHath, and they hold counsel there. The following were the foremost of them at that time, viz. Sitriuc son of Turgeis and his brothers, namely Tor, Magnus and Turgeis, and the Lochlannach Ladach, and the Lochlannach of the blades, and old Amlaib, and Linn-Turmun of the journey, and Linn-Turmun na Pers, and the son of the king of Fair Lochlann, and the son of the king of Cold Lochlann. And that is what they decided, namely to send messengers to Cellachan, and to promise him Bebinn, the daughter of Turgeis, and to tell him to go to Ath Cliath to marry her, and [to inform him] that they leave him the territory of Munster without contest. The reason, why they did this, was the hope of capturing Cellachan and of killing those who accompained him. They made known the plan that w^as formed in the bosom of the Lochlannachs to the king of Erin. viz. to Donnchad, son of Flann, king of Tara.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 36

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Cellachan came to Cashel after a battle was stayed. The men of Munster assembled to meet him, after the Danes and the base Norsemen had been expelled from the towns and fair fortresses. The first to arrive was Cennedig, son of Lorcan, with the nobles of Dal Cais. The tanist-ship of Munster, and its kingship after Cellachan, was given to him. They consumed the banquets of Cashel happily and calmly, and they sent messengers to demand their tributes and taxes of the people of Ossory, from Donnchad son of Cellach. This tribute had not been exacted by the champions of Munster for seven score and eleven years, while the territory was in the power of the Danes. The people of Ossory did not give them tribute. Because they did not give it, the men of Munster plundered the country. They gained four battles over the men of Leinster during that year. In the fourth battle, Donnchad son of Cellach was captured by them, and the people of Ossory gave hostages afterwards. When Cellachan had made order in the districts and destroyed his enemies, the Lochlannachs took the direction of Ath Cliath and held counsel there. Sitriuc son of Turgeis and his brothers Tor, Magnus and Turgeis were foremost among them, with old Amlaib and others. They decided to send messengers to Cellachan, to promise him Bebinn, daughter of Turgeis, and to tell him to go to Ath Cliath to marry her. They said they would leave him the territory of Munster without contest. Their real hope was to capture Cellachan and kill those who accompanied him. They made this plan known to the king of Erin, Donnchad son of Flann, king of Tara.

18. Cellachán's Mother Raises an Army at Cashel

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary

    While Cellachán traveled Munster, his mother, wife of the coarb of Cashel, secretly gathered arms, clothes, treasures and retained companies of foot-soldiers, amassing 500 armed men bound to her at Cashel.

    Read the passage

    - tories of Munster were not freed, except what the nimblesworded Cellachan did to defend them. For that was the man who spent a year and a half in searching Munster, both wood, and hill, and gentle valley, both stream, and lake, and full river, both harbour and smooth strand and seaport, both fort and strong fortress and the broad land of every Norseman, seeking charity in every fortress, and shelter in every town, poorly for his melodious clerical offices, and with his mottled bag round his neck, spying out every place, and making a close examination of every stronghold, in order that he might get knowledge of its lands, its waterfalls, and its fresh woods, when it should be laid upon him to fight for its territory. So that he did not leave one stead of a landholder or purveyor in the two provinces of Munster unvisited, in order that he might know the name of every village and of every tribe and have knowledge of every lord of the country. And after searching the territories he came to Cashel. For it is there his mother was, and she, the noble queen, was the wife of the coarb of Cashel. And Cellachan had been begotten in violation of her marriage with him. And during the year and a half that Cellachan was traversing the country, she was herself collecting arms, and clothes, and treasures, and retaining companies of foot-soldiers and gentle household-troops. And this is the number of those who were fed (?) by and fully bound to her, viz. 500 armed men. 5. The day on which Cellachan came to Cashel after he had obtained this host, was the day on which there was a great host of the two provinces of Munster at Glennamain of Cashel electing a king. And according to their opinion it was Cennedig, son of Lorcan, whom they would make king. For this is the arrangement of the high-kingship that was between the descendants of Eogan Mor and the descendants of Cormac Cas: The man who was the senior of the gentle clans, his was the kingship. If the high-king was of the descendants of Eogan, the tanist-ship belonged to the descendants of Cormac Cas. And if the noble king was of the descendants of Cormac, the tanist-ship went to the descendants of Eogan iVIor. The kingship not to go to any of them, unless he were

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 29

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cashel, Cellachan's mother was gathering an army. Cellachan had spent a year and a half searching Munster, every wood and hill and gentle valley, every stream and lake and full river, every harbour and smooth strand and seaport, every fort and strong fortress and the broad land of every Norseman. He sought charity in every fortress and shelter in every town, poorly performing his melodious clerical offices, with his mottled bag round his neck, spying out every place and making a close examination of every stronghold, so that he would know its lands, its waterfalls, and its fresh woods when it fell to him to fight. He did not leave one stead of a landholder or purveyor in the two provinces of Munster unvisited. He learned the name of every village, every tribe, and every lord of the country. Then he came to Cashel, where his mother was. She was the noble queen, wife of the coarb of Cashel, and Cellachan had been begotten in violation of her marriage with him. While Cellachan spent that year and a half traversing the country, she was collecting arms and clothes and treasures, and retaining companies of foot-soldiers and gentle household-troops. 500 armed men were fed by and fully bound to her. The day Cellachan came to Cashel after obtaining this host was the day a great host of the two provinces of Munster was at Glennamain of Cashel electing a king. They intended to make Cennedig, son of Lorcan, king. The high-kingship was arranged between descendants of Eogan Mor and descendants of Cormac Cas. The man who was senior of the gentle clans, his was the kingship. If the high-king was of the descendants of Eogan, the tanist-ship belonged to the descendants of Cormac Cas.

19. Cork founded by Vikings with fortified castle

    Cork · city · Cork · 866

    Corcach (Cork) is identified as founded by Vikings in the mid-ninth century. The Three Fragments record Norse hosts coming from the harbour of Cork where their chief had a fortified castle, the earliest recorded notice of a Norse castle in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    § 20. Corcach is the Irish name of the city of Cork, in Munster. The city of Cork has probably been founded by the vikings in the middle of the ninth century. The Three Fragments (A. D. 866) mention the Norse hosts [sloigli Lochlann) who »came from the harbour of Cork« [0 PJiurt Corcaighe), where their chief had »a fortified castle « [castail daingen\ the earliest notice of a Norse castle in Ireland. ^) In the beginning of the loth century new settlers came to Cork, and to other parts of southern Ireland under Ragnali (i. e.

    ^) Three Fragments of Irish Annals, ed. O' Donovan, pp. i66 f.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 64

    As the companion tells it

    Cork goes back to the Vikings, who probably founded the city in the middle of the 9th century. The earliest notice of a Norse castle in Ireland comes from the year 866, when the Three Fragments record Norse hosts who "came from the harbour of Cork," where their chief had "a fortified castle." New settlers arrived in Cork in the early 10th century under Ragnall, along with other parts of southern Ireland.

20. Diarmaid and Baiscenn avenge Scattery Island's violation

    Scattery Island · townland · Clare

    The descendants of Cairbre and Baiscne fought the Berserk fleet in vengeance for the violation of Senan and the plundering of Scattery Island. Diarmaid and Baiscenn boarded the Norse ship and slew the champion Lenn Turmun, though Diarmaid himself fell.

    Read the passage

    80. Then the descendants of Cairbre which are called Baiscne and the fleet of the Berserks met to attack each another. But they remembered their recent enmities and their hostility, and the noble hosts especially laid to the charge of the cruel fleet the violation of Senan and the plundering of Scattery Island. Diarmaid and Baiscenn skilfully streered their barque, they hurled their arrows and spears against each other, went upon their stout oars of strong ash, and dealt hard blows to each other.

    80. However, this eager, indomitable couple, namely Diarmaid and Baiscenn, rushed in their fierce onset into the ship of the Norseman, and slew the champion in the very middle of his ship, viz. Lenn Turmun of the Berserks. Diarmaid fell in the black ship, but Baiscenn struck off the head of the fierce Norseman, and exhibited it in triumph, as the poet has said:

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 51

21. Naval battle between Irish and Norsemen in Dundalk Bay

    Dundalk · town · Louth · 934–954

    The saga contains a detailed description of a naval fight between the Irish and Norsemen in the bay of Dundalk, considered by the editor to give new historical details of Viking-era conflict in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    The tale which forms the text of the present work describes Cellachan's battles with the Norsemen in Munster, in Dublin, and in Ulster. It gives many new details as to the history of the Viking-settlements in Ireland. We hear about the Vikings of Limerick, of Cork, and ot southern Munster. and get a most interesting description of a naval fight between the Irish and the Norsemen in the bay of Dundalk.

    The Saga of Cellachan of Cashel has never before been edited or thoroughly studied, but it is incidentally mentioned by autiiors such as O' Donovan and O" Curry. They seem to think that the Saga is only a semi-historical tale. I cannot agree with this. The Saga of Cellachan of Cashel must be historical like .The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill< . It cannot be the fabrication of an Irish author of the 12th or 13th century, when the Saga tells us that among the Norsemen of Limerick there was a chieftain from the Hebrides, ;^Morann, son of the fleet-king (i. e. O. N. sakonungr) of Lewis«. In the loth century there was really a close connection between Limerick and the distant Hebrides (cf. Steenstrup, Normannerne III, p. 213, and the notes to >^ 16 of the present work). It cannot be the fabrication of an Irish saga-teller, when the poem § 44 mentions the Norwegian king Erik Bloody-Axe, who actually came to Ireland about the time of the battle of Dundalk, and who is nowhere else mentioned by the Annals. And how might it be possible for an Irishman to mention Berserks in the arm}^ of the Dublin king, if Berserks had not really existed in Dublin ! ^>

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 1

22. News of capture brought to Cashel

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary

    Aistrechan proceeded to Cashel where the champions of Munster were gathered, and told them that Cellachan and Donnchuan had been captured and the eighty men accompanying them slain.

    Read the passage

    After this Aistrechan proceeded to Cashel, where the champions of Munster were, and he told them these news, namely that Cellachan and Doimchuan were captured, and that the 80 men who had accompained them were slain. They were sorrowful, heavy in mind and sad on that account, when they heard that Cellachan their noble king was captured and their young men slain. Aistrechan addressed them and related the admonitions Cellachan had given in his song, namely to redeem him by the power of blades, and armour, and broad shields, and not to allow Munster to be put into slavery or servitude by Danes or ignoble Norsemen. He told them

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 42

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Cashel, where the champions of Munster were gathered when Aistrechan arrived with grim news. He told them that Cellachan and Donnchuan had been captured, and that the 80 men who had accompanied them were slain. They were sorrowful and heavy in mind to hear that their noble king was taken and their young men dead. Aistrechan then relayed the admonitions Cellachan had given in his song, namely to redeem him by the power of blades and armour and broad shields, and not to allow Munster to be put into slavery or servitude by Danes or ignoble Norsemen.

23. Sack of Limerick after the Battle of Sulcoit

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 968

    Cogadh Gaedhel describes how after the battle of Sulcoit in 968 the attackers followed the defenders into the fort at Limerick and slaughtered them on the streets and in the houses.

    Read the passage

    § 18. gtir marbad una tigibh 7 isna toraibh na treinfhtr, »so that the champions were killed in the houses and in the towers«. Before the English conquest the city of Waterford was not only surrounded by walls, but it also contained several towers of which the celebrated Reginald's Tower still exists.^) Cogadh Gaedhel has (p. 78) a similar description of the sack of Limerick after the battle of Sulcoit (A. D. g68) : »They followed them also into the fort {dim), and slaughtered them on the streets and in the houses [ar na srathaib ocus isna taigib)'^. The Irish srdth (pi. sraitde)^) is probably borrowed, not directly from the Latin [via'\ strata^ but from the Norse strcBti.

    Cunadli da fJioirgiidl sin do can in fili na focuil si. » Therefore to testify to this, the poet sang the following words «. Cogadh Gaedhel (ch. 54) uses the same expression: Ocus do roine an file aii laidh aga foirgell, »and to testify to this the poet made the following poem«.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft

    As the companion tells it

    The city of Limerick is all around you now. In 968, after the Battle of Sulcoit, attackers followed the defenders into the fort here and slaughtered them in the streets and houses. The Cogadh Gaedhel records that a poet made a poem to testify to this.

24. Sack of Limerick and division of Norse spoils

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Cellachan's forces broke through the Norsemen's defences at Limerick, killing the men in the houses and towers and taking the women and household folk captive. Gold, silver and many treasures of the town were gathered and brought to Cellachan along with heads and trophies of the slain.

    Read the passage

    7 romheabhuidh dona xmXedaih 7 innsddgedar co Luimntr// da luath-cowmhail. Ocus is tre dQiridh na Lochlannac/^ do chuatar maithi na ^Immrxech isin mbaili. cu nach rai/zic o/za \,och\annch.atb na doirrsi do dun^^ gur marb«^ isna tighibh 7 isna toraibh na tmnfhir 7 tuccait a mna 7 a m«6-caemha 7 a muint^ra a mbroid gu maithibh na Mui;//- rxech 7 ro ti??oilset or 7 airgt^^ 7 ilmhai7?e in baili 7 tuc^'z/ cin/z 7 coscatr 7 cathfhaidhbh na curad gu Ceallac/iaji 7 ro taispen«^ cinn in cethr«/r fa huaisli dona. 'LochXanitchaib dho. Cuiiadh da fhoirgiull sin do can \n fili na focuil si ag inmsi na n-echt 7 na n-aithes 7 ac tw\ni7i ar marb^fl^ dona morLochlannch<2/<5 7 ar mill^*?' dona Muimhnechaz/^ isin morchath c<7;?debhairt

    ig. [150 a., c. i] Crodha sin a clAainn 'Eogam. isat lonna hzir leomazn. caemh bhur righ ac techt on chath. CeaXlac/ian cr<9dha coscrach.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where Cellachan of Cashel's forces struck at the Norsemen in the middle of the 900s. His warriors broke through the town's defences, killing the Norse men in the houses and towers, and carried off the women and household folk captive. They gathered the gold and silver and many treasures of the town and brought the spoils and the heads of the slain to Cellachan. A poet then praised the victory, calling Cellachan a brave and victorious warrior.

25. Sitric's arrival and defeat at Waterford

    Waterford · city · Waterford

    Sitric son of Turgeis arrived at Port Lairge with six ships just as the Munster army reached the city. The Danes closed the gates to defend the town but were overwhelmed by the arriving Munster champions.

    Read the passage

    22. Donnchad however accepted these conditions from Cellachan, and it is thus he accepted them, namely that the burden of the battle of Cashel should be left on him, and that Cellachan should not go into it. The battle v/as fought by Donnchad, and it was gained over the Danes, and 300 were slain there by them. They were that night in Cashel, and consumed the feasts and prepared food of the Danes and Dark-Lochlannachs. The next morning they made up their mind, namely to proceed to Port Lairge, the place where the women and families of the Lochlannachs were, and to burn the town. And they proceed to the green of Port Lairge. But on the same day Sitric son of Turgeis arrived at Port Lairge with a division of six ships and a hundred on each ship of them. But they had not reached the land when the van of the host of Munster arrived at the city. The Danes closed the gates and began to defend the town. However, it was useless for them to engage in combat with the champions; for Cellachan, and gentle

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 34

26. Suilleban's Rallying Speech Before the Battle of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Suilleban addressed the nobles of the Eoganacht before the battle of Limerick, urging them to fight bravely against the Lochlannachs, warning that victory would secure Limerick, Cashel, and all Munster for their heirs, while defeat would mean total destruction.

    Read the passage

    yourselves, and for your prosperity, and your positions. Limerick will be in your hand, and Cashel in your succession, and Munster will be in the possession of your nobles, if yours is the victory in this battle to day. And if it is not yours, I do not see land or dwelling-place loft to your nobles, but only defeat on your soldiers, and destruction upon your heroes on this very day. Hence it behoves you to contest it and to fight bravely against the champions of Lochlann. And the following lay was made to urge them on.

    ID. Come to Limerick of the ships,

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 31

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming near Limerick, the city of ships. Before a battle here in the middle of the 10th century, Suilleban rallied the nobles of the Eoganacht against the Lochlannachs. He told them that victory would put Limerick in their hand, Cashel in their succession, and all Munster in the possession of their nobles. But defeat, he warned, would leave no land or dwelling-place to their people, only destruction upon their heroes that very day. He called on them to fight bravely against the champions of Lochlann, and a lay was made to urge them on.

27. Battle in Muscraige and death of Eoganacht king

    near Muskerry · street · Cork

    The Munster army brought spoils into Muscraige where the Eoganachts caught up with them and fought. The king of the Eoganachts, Aed son of Scannal, was slain there along with 500 Eoganachts.

    Read the passage

    Donnchad, and Suilleban, and Ribordan, and the quick, valiant soldiers of Munster leapt into the town. And the Danes were slaughtered in crowds by them, and the Norsemen were cut into pieces. Sitric left the town and went on board his ship, and his wife with him. And only one hundred fugitives of them reached their ships. The race of Eogan burned the town and plundered the district. And they proceed thence to the country of the Deisi, and take hostages and pledges of Domnall son of Faelan. There was concluded a matrimonial alliance and made friendship with him, and Gormflaith, the daughter of Buadachan, was given to him. Thence they proceed into the territory of the Ui-Mic-Caille and the Ui Liathain, and took hostages from them. And they brought the host of these territories with them into the district of the Eoganachts of Loch Lein and plundered the country. They brought these spoils with them into Muscraige, and the Eoganachts came up with them there, and the king of the Eoganachts was slain there, viz. Aed, son of Scannal, and 500 Eoganachts. They brought the same spoils with them to the two kings of Aes Isde, and took hostages from them, and they went themselves with them into the territory of West Munster, viz. to Aes Irrais. Congal, son of Annrathan, gave battle to the van of the army, and 200 were killed there. When Cellachan and the nobles of the race of Eogan reached the battle, Congal was captured by them, and a multitude of his people was slain. They plundered the district and stayed there for a fortnight. And they released Congal and took hostages from him. 23. Afterwards they went into the territory of Ciarraige and plundered the district. The inhabitants of Ciarraige and the Lochlannachs who previously had escaped from them in the battle of Limerick assembled against them and they w^ent to them at Glenn Corbraigi. They fought with them there and made a great havock of the descendants of Eogan. But though they did so, they left the battlefield to them, and Conchubar, the king of Ciarraige, was captured by them. And their forces were greatly diminished after that battle. On that day Flannabra, son of Ciarmacan, king of Ui Conaill, a.ssembled

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 35

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Muskerry, the Munster forces met the Eoganachts in battle. Donnchad, Suilleban, and Ribordan led the soldiers of Munster into a town where they slaughtered the Danes and cut the Norsemen to pieces. Sitric fled to his ship with his wife, and only 100 fugitives reached the ships. The race of Eogan burned the town and plundered the district. They went on to the Deisi and took hostages from Domnall son of Faelan. A matrimonial alliance was made, and Gormflaith, daughter of Buadachan, was given to him. They pressed into Ui-Mic-Caille and Ui Liathain and took hostages. They brought that host into the country of the Eoganachts of Loch Lein and plundered it. They carried these spoils into Muscraige, and the Eoganachts came up with them there. The king of the Eoganachts was slain there, Aed son of Scannal, and 500 Eoganachts with him. They brought the spoils on to the two kings of Aes Isde and took hostages. They went into West Munster, to Aes Irrais. Congal son of Annrathan gave battle to the van of the army, and 200 were killed. When Cellachan and the nobles of the race of Eogan reached the battle, they captured Congal and slew a multitude of his people. They plundered the district and stayed a fortnight, then released Congal and took hostages. They went on to Ciarraige and plundered it. The people of Ciarraige and the Norsemen who had escaped from the battle of Limerick gathered at Glenn Corbraigi and fought them. They made great havoc among the descendants of Eogan, but left the battlefield to them, and Conchubar, king of Ciarraige, was captured. Their forces were greatly diminished after that.

28. Cellachán and earls taken to Dundalk

    Dundalk · town · Louth

    A former chief prophet of Armagh, now a doorkeeper, tells Donnchadh that Cellachán and the ten earls captured with him were removed to Dundalk, where the Norse ships lay. Donnchadh vows to pursue them there.

    Read the passage

    .57. (He answered): ;>It is I who was chief prophet of Armagh, before the Lochlannachs arrived; but now I am doorkeeper here.« »Have you any news of the king of Mun.ster?'< said Donnchadh, »I have«, said he. »The night you were at Ess Ruaid, there came messengers from the king of Cenel Conaill to this town to tell news of you. And Cellachan and the ten earls who were around him, when he was captured, were removed to Dundalk, the place where their ships are.« »Let us march after them!« said Donnchadh, »for we shall not leave a Norse stronghold in Ireland which we shall not reach, in fulfilment of our word.«

    i)_» I AIUIKKLM CEALLACHAIN CAISIL.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 45

29. Limerick 'of the riveted stones' and its walls

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 968

    A stanza describing Limerick as 'of the riveted stones' suggests ancient Limerick was surrounded by a stone wall, though probably not until the 11th century; Cogadh Gaedhel describes Mathgamhain and Brian Boru burning the town in 968, reducing the fort and town to smoke and fire.

    Read the passage

    § 10, first stanza, gu LuimnecJi na clock cengail »to Limerick of the riveted stones<;. This seems to show that ancient Limerick was surrounded by a stone wall, though probably not at the time of Cellachan, but later, in the i ith century, at the time when the saga was composed. Limerick was, I believe, originally fortified by an earthen or wooden wall, else it would have been impossibly for Mathgamhain and Brian Borumha to burn the town in 968. Cogadh Gaedhel tells (p. 80) : »The fort and the good town they reduced to a cloud of smoke and to red fire afterwards«.

    Stanza 6, blathbJiuaigh leg. blathbhuaidh.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, an old stanza called this place 'of the riveted stones,' hinting at stone walls around the city. In 968, Mathgamhain and Brian Boru burned the town, reducing the fort and the town to smoke and fire.

30. Norse Defiance and Derision of Munster Messengers at Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    When the messengers arrived at Limerick, the Norse heroes derided them, confident that Munster or Limerick would never be successfully contested against them, and declared they would give battle rather than submit.

    Read the passage

    When the messengers came to the heroes of Limerick, they began to deride them, and this is what they expected, that never would Munster or even Limerick be contested against them. And they said that they would give battle.

    9. When the clan Eogan heard this, Suilleban of the noble hosts addressed them, and told them to i.fight a brave and hardy battle against the Lochlannachs and vahantly to guard their king in this onslought. And he said to the nobles of the Eoganachts: »Let not the clan of Cormac Cas hear of (any) conditions in your deliberations, let not clan Echach hear of weakness in your princes, but proceed together to the battle, and give your first battle valiantly in defence of your own country against the Danes. If there be defeat and rout of battle before you upon the heroes, it will be all the better for

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 31

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where Munster messengers once faced the Norse settlers who held the city. The Norse heroes derided the messengers when they arrived, confident that neither Munster nor Limerick itself would ever be successfully contested against them, and declared they would give battle rather than submit. Word of this defiance reached the clan Eogan, and Suilleban of the noble hosts urged the Eoganacts to fight a brave and hardy battle against the Lochlannachs and to guard their king in the onslaught. He told them not to let the clan of Cormac Cas hear of any conditions in their deliberations, nor the clan Echach hear of weakness in their princes, but to proceed together and give their first battle valiantly in defence of their own country against the Danes.

31. Vikings burn Lambay Island in 795

    Lambay Island · townland · Dublin · 795

    The Viking invasions of Ireland are said to have begun in 795, when Vikings burned the Island of Rechru, now identified as Lambay Island north of Dublin.

    Read the passage

    The invasions of Ireland seem actually to have begun in the year 795. In this year the Vikings burned the Island of Rechru (now Lambay island, north of Dublin), and pillaged

    *) Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh (The Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gaill), ed.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft

32. Amlaib and Ivar banished from Limerick, Amlaib slain

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 968–969

    In 968 Amlaib, son of Amlaib, was one of the lords of Limerick; he and Ivar of Limerick were banished by Mathgamhain, and Amlaib was slain by the king of Britain the following year.

    Read the passage

    § 8. The city of Limerick [LuimnccJi] was at the time of Cellachan in the power of the Norsemen. According to Dr. Steenstrup (Normannerne III, pp. 128 — ^132), it was in the beginning of the loth century that Limerick became a viking-settlement. The town soon gained a considerable power, and was the rival even of Dublin. In our saga, Amlaib of Limerick is represented as the lord of Limerick. — Amlatb is = O. N. 0/«/r, which name has originally contained a nasal before the / [Anlaf).. — There is some confusion as to the chiefs or kings of Limerick. At some periods, the town seems to have had more than one chieftain. From A. D. 933 to 937 Avilaib Cenncairech (Olaf Scabby-head) is mentioned by the Four Masters and by the Ulster Annals as the lord of Limerick. He plundered in Roscommon, and in the north-eastern parts of Ireland. On Christmas-eve 936 he reached the Shannon, where he and his men stayed for 7 months. But on Lammasday 937, he was captured at Loch Ree by Amlaib, son of Godfrey, lord of Dublin, and carried off to Dublin.^) — The Norsemen of Dublin were preparing an expedition to England. — In the year 968 Amlaib, son of Amlaib, is mentioned as one of the lords of Limerick. He and Ivar of Limerick were banished by Mathgamhain, and Amlaib was skilled by the king of Britain« the year after. ^) We see from this that Amlaib was a common name among the Norsemen of Limerick. I think it most likely that our »Amlaib of Limerick« is the same as Amlaib, the father of Amlaib mac Amlaib, who was banished A. D. 968.

    Besides this Amlaib our saga mentions other vikingchieftains in Limerick, namely the Clan Connra (the descendants or sons of Connra). Cogadh Gaedhel (p. 106) mentions the battle of Fan Conrach »the Slope of C.«, or Fan mic Conjirach »the Slope of the Son of C.«, or Du7i Fain

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    The road is bringing you through Limerick. In the time of Cellachan, this city was in the power of the Norsemen. Limerick became a Viking settlement in the beginning of the 10th century, and it soon gained considerable power, enough to rival even Dublin. The saga represents Amlaib of Limerick as the lord of the city. There is some confusion as to the chiefs or kings of Limerick. At some periods the town seems to have had more than one chieftain. From 933 to 937, Amlaib Cenncairech, Olaf Scabby-head, is mentioned by the Four Masters and by the Ulster Annals as the lord of Limerick. He plundered in Roscommon and in the north-eastern parts of Ireland. On Christmas-eve 936 he reached the Shannon, where he and his men stayed for 7 months. But on Lammasday 937 he was captured at Loch Ree by Amlaib, son of Godfrey, lord of Dublin, and carried off to Dublin. The Norsemen of Dublin were preparing an expedition to England. In the year 968, Amlaib, son of Amlaib, is mentioned as one of the lords of Limerick. He and Ivar of Limerick were banished by Mathgamhain, and Amlaib was slain by the king of Britain the year after. Amlaib was a common name among the Norsemen of Limerick. The author of our saga thinks it most likely that the Amlaib of Limerick in the saga is the same as Amlaib, the father of Amlaib mac Amlaib, who was banished in 968.

33. Call to muster the men of Munster to rescue Cellachan

    near Armagh · town · Armagh

    Cellachan, through Aistrechan, calls on the descendants of Eogan and various Munster chieftains to muster and march north to Armagh within a month to rescue him from the Norsemen before he is taken overseas.

    Read the passage

    Unless the hosts come hither Northward at the end of one month, Until they reach molodious Armagh, They will not find us in Erin.

    Let the descendants of Core be assembled, The Eoganachts of Cashel of the pleasant dykei>, Before they carry away over the sea Their valiant triumphant king.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 41

34. Cashel as capital of Munster, held by Norsemen

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 900–950

    Cashel, now in County Tipperary, was once the capital of Munster and chief residence of its kings. The word caisel signifies a circular stone fort; at the time of Cellachán the city was in the possession of the Norsemen.

    Read the passage

    ij V Caiscl, now Caslicl, in the county of Tipperary, was once the capital of Munster, and the chief residence of its kings. The word caiscl signifies a circular stone fort, and is probably a derivation of the Latin castelhini. The city of Cashel was at this time in the possession of the Norsemen.

    GloDidaviaiu is in the next chapter written Glcn- )iamaiti (gen. Glennainnach)^ which is probably the right form of the name. — Glennamhain is derived from abJiaiiui abounding in rivers«, and signefies »the watery or marshy glen«.-) The place is now called Glanworth, and is situated in the barony of Fermoy, in the county of Cork. I should think that in Munster there has also been another Glennamain. near Cashel, since our Place is called »Glennamain of Cashel «. In the barony of Coshmore and Coshbride, in the county of Waterford, there is a valley called Glenn- Damliain 'the valley of the young bull« "^); but this is probably not the place mentioned in our saga.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cashel, you are near a place that was once the capital of Munster and the chief residence of its kings. The word caisel signifies a circular stone fort, and is probably a derivation of the Latin castellum. In the time of Cellachán, in the first half of the 10th century, the city of Cashel was in the possession of the Norsemen. The saga also speaks of a place called Glennamain of Cashel. The name Glennamain is derived from abhainn, rivers, and means the watery or marshy glen. That place is now called Glanworth, in the barony of Fermoy, County Cork. The writer thought there may have been another Glennamain nearer to Cashel, since the saga calls it Glennamain of Cashel. There is a valley called Glenn-Damhlain, the valley of the young bull, in the barony of Coshmore and Coshbride, County Waterford, but this is probably not the place mentioned in the saga.

35. Cellachan's peaceful reign and death at Cashel

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 954

    After returning to Munster, Cellachan divided the territories fittingly among the nobles and the land enjoyed peace until his death at Cashel in the year 954.

    Read the passage

    sin g"o Venmair, 7 cuirid uata d'fograd catha ar Don//- (.hadh M^/c Floin// Sion//a .i. Righ Eirean, oir do cheadaicc se Ceailach;in roimc sin do gabhail an Atfh] Cliath. ro diiiltaicc Donnch^/r/ ca.t\\ugh(id/i riu, 7 6d diultaidh, ro ohroacsad Tuatha Tea;//rach. Rangad«r as sin go Caisiol Mumhan, 7 do roxnnrc/// na Criocha go cuhha/'d// le Cealh/i//:in idcr na huaislibli, 7 ro chaithsiad in aimsz'r go suaimhneach siolhchanta o sin anon//, go hhhxair Cheallach^m Caisil Mac Ruadii|a|chain bas ionmholta a cCaisiol An//o Df>////ni i)5J.

    The battle-career of Cellachan of Cashel, here.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 28

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Cellachan of Cashel came home to Munster after his wars. He divided the territories fittingly among the nobles, and the land had peace and quiet after that. Cellachan, son of Buadachan, died at Cashel in 954.

36. Cliodhna's Rock and the wave that foretells a monarch's death

    near Glandore · population centre · Cork

    Cliodhna was the name of a rock in the harbour of Glandore, a bay in the county of Cork, upon which beats a wave called Tonn Chliodhna. This wave was said to utter a plaintive sound when a monarch of the south of Ireland dies.

    Read the passage

    Tinm Cliliodfnia^ i. c. »the wave of Cliodhnav. Cliodhna was the name of a rock, in the harbour of Glandore, a bay in the county ot Cork. In this bay is the rock called Cliodhna's rock, upon which beats a wave called Tonn Oiliodhna, said to utter a plaintive sound when a monarch of the south of Ireland dies« (War of the Gaedhil, p. CLIX,

    n. 3^-

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 77

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Glandore in Cork, the harbour holds a rock called Cliodhna's Rock. A wave beats upon it, known as Tonn Chliodhna, the wave of Cliodhna. It is said to utter a plaintive sound when a monarch of the south of Ireland dies.

37. Congal's battle at Aes Irrais and capture

    Iraghticonnor · barony · Kerry

    Congal son of Annrathan gave battle to the vanguard of the Munster army in Aes Irrais, killing 200 men. When Cellachan and the nobles of the race of Eogan arrived, Congal was captured and a multitude of his people slain; the district was plundered for a fortnight before Congal was released.

    Read the passage

    Donnchad, and Suilleban, and Ribordan, and the quick, valiant soldiers of Munster leapt into the town. And the Danes were slaughtered in crowds by them, and the Norsemen were cut into pieces. Sitric left the town and went on board his ship, and his wife with him. And only one hundred fugitives of them reached their ships. The race of Eogan burned the town and plundered the district. And they proceed thence to the country of the Deisi, and take hostages and pledges of Domnall son of Faelan. There was concluded a matrimonial alliance and made friendship with him, and Gormflaith, the daughter of Buadachan, was given to him. Thence they proceed into the territory of the Ui-Mic-Caille and the Ui Liathain, and took hostages from them. And they brought the host of these territories with them into the district of the Eoganachts of Loch Lein and plundered the country. They brought these spoils with them into Muscraige, and the Eoganachts came up with them there, and the king of the Eoganachts was slain there, viz. Aed, son of Scannal, and 500 Eoganachts. They brought the same spoils with them to the two kings of Aes Isde, and took hostages from them, and they went themselves with them into the territory of West Munster, viz. to Aes Irrais. Congal, son of Annrathan, gave battle to the van of the army, and 200 were killed there. When Cellachan and the nobles of the race of Eogan reached the battle, Congal was captured by them, and a multitude of his people was slain. They plundered the district and stayed there for a fortnight. And they released Congal and took hostages from him. 23. Afterwards they went into the territory of Ciarraige and plundered the district. The inhabitants of Ciarraige and the Lochlannachs who previously had escaped from them in the battle of Limerick assembled against them and they w^ent to them at Glenn Corbraigi. They fought with them there and made a great havock of the descendants of Eogan. But though they did so, they left the battlefield to them, and Conchubar, the king of Ciarraige, was captured by them. And their forces were greatly diminished after that battle. On that day Flannabra, son of Ciarmacan, king of Ui Conaill, a.ssembled

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 35

38. Munster fleet arrives at the harbour of Traigh Baili

    Dundalk · town · Louth

    The powerful clans of western Erin arrived from the wave of Cliodhna in the south to the harbour of Traigh Baili in pursuit of their captive king Cellachán, preparing to fight the Norse and free him from the mast where he was bound.

    Read the passage

    67. However, when those redarmed chiefs of Western Erinn, namely the powerful, very brave, noble clans, arrived from the whitebodied wave of Cliodhna in the south to the ever pleasant harbour of Traigh Baili in pursuit of their champion and their lord, and to fight for their heroic king and deliver him from the strait in which he was, when they saw him bound and fettered to the mast of the Norse ship, the senses, and feelings, and thoughts of the heroes underwent a change, their aspect became troubled, their colour changed, their looks became threatening, and their lips grew pale. And to defend Cellachan there was bravely arranged by the heroes a strong and

    CAITHREIM CEALLACHAIN CVISIL. gg

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 48

39. Opening Clash of the Battle of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    The youths and champions of both armies came to the front near Limerick to hurl stones, arrows and spears, after which the warriors of Lochlann and the soldiers of Munster met at close quarters, striking with battle-clubs and swords in a fierce, one-sided initial encounter.

    Read the passage

    14. However, when their youths, their champions and their proud, haughty folk came to the front of the battle to throw their stones and slender arrows and pointed spears from each side of the heroes, the ground of the plain was left to the soldiers, and the battle-field to the heroes, and the place of slaughter to the veterans. And when the noble warriors of Lochlann and the soldiers of Munster arrived at the place of defence they began to smite their battle-clubs heroically and to .strike their swords on each another. However this full encounter was one-sided. For the bodies and skins and hearts of the bright champions

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 31

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where the opening clash of a great battle was fought in the middle of the 10th century. The youths and champions of both armies came forward first, hurling stones, arrows, and spears at one another across the plain. Then the warriors of Lochlann and the soldiers of Munster met at close quarters, striking with battle-clubs and swords. The old account says this first encounter was one-sided, though the passage breaks off before telling who fell.

40. Battle and feasting at Cashel after defeat of the Danes

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary

    After Donnchad accepted terms from Cellachan and joined forces with him, a battle was fought at Cashel in which the Danair were broken and many were slain. The Munster forces spent the night in Cashel feasting on the provisions and stores of the Danair and black Norsemen.

    Read the passage

    Donnchad 7 do hri'sed for Danaruibh he 7 do7/ia.rhadcci:. acu ann 7 do bhatar in oighthi si?? i Caisiul 7 do chaithedar flegha 7 fureca. na n-Danar 7 na-n-Dublochlannac/z. Oacs dorowad cowairli leo isin mhaduiw a.vr\a.mhavack .i. in7isa'igid gu Port Lairgi air;;/ a rabhato;' mna 7 muin^zttra na Y^ooXannach 7 in baili do losc^o'. 7 tiaghait gu faighthi Phuirt Lairgi. Ocus ba hesiw la do riacht Sitrz'uc vs\ac Tuirgeis gu Port Lairgi lucht se long 7 C. an gach lui;/g dhibh 7 ni riachtadar acht an tir i;ztan rosiacht tosach sloigh tinman isin morbhaili. Ro hiadhaid na doirsi ag na Danaruibh 7 ro fhobrrtdar m calhraig do cosna/;///. Cid tra nir tarbha tachar risna treinf heruibh or do \mg CeaWachan 7 cae;;;- 'Dounch.ad 7 Suilk<5a;2 7 Rib^rdan 7 mil^afa m^ra moirghnimacha Mum«;z isi/z nnbaili. Oc?^,? ro dluthmharb^^' na DanrtzV leo 7 ro l^a^rad na Lo^/2la;zn«2^ 7 ro fhaguib Sitrzuc in baili 7 ro innsaigh a lui^zg 7 a ben leis. Ocus ni riacht rt^/z/ einced eshadach leo ina longaibh. Oa^j ro loiscedar sil EogrtzV? i;? baili 7 ro cr^achsat an crich. Ocus tiaguit assi;/ i crich na n-Deisi 7 gabhuit geill 7 aid^r/ Do»maill m^zc Fhaelain Ocus doronsat clea7/znas 7 cardiArad irh 7 tz^cadh GormlazV// \ngen Buad«c/;ai;z do. Ocus tiaghuid as sm i crz'ch hua m^z'<; Caille 7 hua Liathain 7 rogabsai a mbr^igdi. C^^z/jj rucs«^ slogh na c;'/<?h si;/ leo a cr/ch Eogani^<:/;/a Locha Lein 7 do creachs^/' an cn'ch Ocus xuc&at na cr^acha si;/ leo a Mz^i'crrtidhi 7 rucs«/ na h-Eoga««t/z^?rt orro an;z 7 do marb^^ ri 'Eoganachta. ann .i. Aed m«^ Sca;;72ail 7 V. C. d'Eogan^c/;/ 7 tucsaf na crecha [150 b., c. 2] cetna leo cu da righ Aesa hisde 7 tucsat geill doibh 7 tancatar fei;? leo i crich Iarmum«;/ .i. a n-Acs Irrais Ocus Uic Conghal mac Annrathain ri Irrais deab^z"^ do thosack in tsl^z^ 7 do ma.rbad CC. a.i\n.'^) O dho riacht CealW^^i^ 7 saercla;272a sil 'Eogam isin cath do gabadh Conghsil leo 7 domarb<7fl^ moran da muinz/tz)' 7 do cr^achsat in crich 7 do bat«;^ in;zti cu cen^z caeichdighis 7 doleicset C^;zgal amach 7 roghabhs«^ brdghdi uaidh. 23. Tecaid iarsi;/ i crich Ciarr^z^i 7 do ronsat crcac/ia na cr/che. Tinolsat Ciarraz^i na coin;2e 7 na Lochlannuigh

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 7

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cashel, a night of feasting and a morning of war once followed each other. Donnchad made terms with the Danair, and that night they were in Cashel, consuming the feasts and provisions of the Danair and the black Norsemen. In the morning they took counsel to march on Port Lairge, where the women and households of the Norsemen were. Sitriuc son of Turgeis came with 7 ships and 100 in each. The vanguard reached the great fort. The Danair closed the doors and posted warriors to defend them. But it was no use against them. Cellachan and Donnchad and Saerbrethach and Ribhardan and many other brave men of Munster pressed into the fort. They killed the Danair and the Norsemen. Sitriuc fled with his ship and his wife. They had no armor in their ships. They burned the fort of the descendants of Eoghan and ravaged the territory. They went into the land of the Deisi and took pledges and tribute from Domhnall son of Faelan. They made alliance, and Gormlaith daughter of Buadachan was given. They went into the territory of Ua mCaille and Ua Liathain and took their hostages. They brought that territory's army into Eoghanacht Locha Lein and ravaged the land, carrying spoils to Munster. The Eoganachta attacked them, and their king Aed son of Scannlan was killed, and 5 of the Eoganachta with him. They brought the spoils to their king, gave pledges, and came into Iarmuman, to Aos Irrais. Ua Conghal son of Annrathan, king of Irrais Deagh, assembled forces and killed 200. Cellachan and the free-born of Eoghan came to battle, took Conghal, killed many, and went home with great spoils.

41. Battle for Waterford against Sitric son of Turgeis

    Waterford · city · Waterford

    The Danair at Port Lairge shut their gates and defended the town against Cellachan's forces on the very day that Sitric mac Turgeis arrived with a fleet of six ships. Despite the defence, the Munster champions overcame the town's resistance.

    Read the passage

    Donnchad 7 do hri'sed for Danaruibh he 7 do7/ia.rhadcci:. acu ann 7 do bhatar in oighthi si?? i Caisiul 7 do chaithedar flegha 7 fureca. na n-Danar 7 na-n-Dublochlannac/z. Oacs dorowad cowairli leo isin mhaduiw a.vr\a.mhavack .i. in7isa'igid gu Port Lairgi air;;/ a rabhato;' mna 7 muin^zttra na Y^ooXannach 7 in baili do losc^o'. 7 tiaghait gu faighthi Phuirt Lairgi. Ocus ba hesiw la do riacht Sitrz'uc vs\ac Tuirgeis gu Port Lairgi lucht se long 7 C. an gach lui;/g dhibh 7 ni riachtadar acht an tir i;ztan rosiacht tosach sloigh tinman isin morbhaili. Ro hiadhaid na doirsi ag na Danaruibh 7 ro fhobrrtdar m calhraig do cosna/;///. Cid tra nir tarbha tachar risna treinf heruibh or do \mg CeaWachan 7 cae;;;- 'Dounch.ad 7 Suilk<5a;2 7 Rib^rdan 7 mil^afa m^ra moirghnimacha Mum«;z isi/z nnbaili. Oc?^,? ro dluthmharb^^' na DanrtzV leo 7 ro l^a^rad na Lo^/2la;zn«2^ 7 ro fhaguib Sitrzuc in baili 7 ro innsaigh a lui^zg 7 a ben leis. Ocus ni riacht rt^/z/ einced eshadach leo ina longaibh. Oa^j ro loiscedar sil EogrtzV? i;? baili 7 ro cr^achsat an crich. Ocus tiaguit assi;/ i crich na n-Deisi 7 gabhuit geill 7 aid^r/ Do»maill m^zc Fhaelain Ocus doronsat clea7/znas 7 cardiArad irh 7 tz^cadh GormlazV// \ngen Buad«c/;ai;z do. Ocus tiaghuid as sm i crz'ch hua m^z'<; Caille 7 hua Liathain 7 rogabsai a mbr^igdi. C^^z/jj rucs«^ slogh na c;'/<?h si;/ leo a cr/ch Eogani^<:/;/a Locha Lein 7 do creachs^/' an cn'ch Ocus xuc&at na cr^acha si;/ leo a Mz^i'crrtidhi 7 rucs«/ na h-Eoga««t/z^?rt orro an;z 7 do marb^^ ri 'Eoganachta. ann .i. Aed m«^ Sca;;72ail 7 V. C. d'Eogan^c/;/ 7 tucsaf na crecha [150 b., c. 2] cetna leo cu da righ Aesa hisde 7 tucsat geill doibh 7 tancatar fei;? leo i crich Iarmum«;/ .i. a n-Acs Irrais Ocus Uic Conghal mac Annrathain ri Irrais deab^z"^ do thosack in tsl^z^ 7 do ma.rbad CC. a.i\n.'^) O dho riacht CealW^^i^ 7 saercla;272a sil 'Eogam isin cath do gabadh Conghsil leo 7 domarb<7fl^ moran da muinz/tz)' 7 do cr^achsat in crich 7 do bat«;^ in;zti cu cen^z caeichdighis 7 doleicset C^;zgal amach 7 roghabhs«^ brdghdi uaidh. 23. Tecaid iarsi;/ i crich Ciarr^z^i 7 do ronsat crcac/ia na cr/che. Tinolsat Ciarraz^i na coin;2e 7 na Lochlannuigh

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 7

42. Battle near Sliab Crot against billetted soldiers

    near Slievenamon · mountain or mountain range · Tipperary

    As the Munstermen passed the corner of Sliab Crot, the men of Fermoy, the Ui Cuanach, and Lochlannach billetted soldiers assembled against them. The Munstermen won the battle, killing 400 of the billetted soldiers and their host.

    Read the passage

    tight with llioni. The battU> was v-ained on the Danish Black Gentiles, and the town was wrecked by the champions, and they brought away with them their hostages from llie captivity in which they were. The men of Munster were that night in Cork consuming their banquets and provisions {?), and they stayed three days in the city and then made up their mind to proceed to C'ashel. When they were passing the corner of Sliab Crot, the men of Fermoy, and the Ui Cuanach, and the billetted soldiers of the Lochlannachs assembled against them, and gave them battle. And the battle was gained by the men of Munster, and 400 were killed of the billetted soldiers and their host. And of the ten hundred, who were of Clan Eogan at the battle of Limerick, no more than three hundred were alive on this day. They march on plundering each district, until they reached Thurles. The northern and the southern Eile assembled at Thurles to meet them to give them battle, and the Danes of the fortress along with them. When the Ui Luigdech and the Eoganachts heard this, they assembled to join Cellachan, with Cuilen, son of Aindiaraid, son of Dunadach, the lord of their country, and these two tribes with their champions with spears and swords, 500 in number, reached Cellachan. A battle is fought between them and the people of Ely. And they captured the king of Ely on that day, and the billetted soldiers of the Lochlannachs were slain by them, and 200 of Clan Eogan fell on that day. They plundered the country, but did not burn the town. And they go forward to Cashel, 600 in number. Donnchad son of Caem arrived at Cashel to meet them. Cellachan addressed him and reminded him of their friendship and promised him his turn [i. e. the alternative right] of Munster and to reward him properly, and he recited the lay:

    21. Welcome! bold Donnchad,

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 33

43. Cellachán plunders Clonmacnois

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 934–936

    Cellachán of Cashel and his men plundered Clonmacnois, an event recorded in Chronicum Scotorum for the year 935 (936) and also noted in the Four Masters under 934.

    Read the passage

    § 4. Cellachan is in the Annals usually called »Cellachan of Cashel« [Cellachan Caisil), probably not because of his being king of Cashel, the official title of the kings of ]Munster, but because he conquered Cashel from the Danes. The first time he is mentioned is in Chronicum Scotorum, in the year 935 (i. e. 936), when he and his men plundered Clonmacnois. This plundering is also mentioned in the Four Masters (A. D. 934). According to the list in our saga, Cellachan must have begun his reign in the year 926 or 927. According to the Book of Leinster, however, his predecessor Lorcan reigned 7 years, in consequence of which Cellachan must have begun his reign A. D. 934, which is probably the right date. According to the same authority, Ccllachan's reign lasted ten years. Cellachan"s father, Buadachan, was not king of Munster, but belonged to the royal race of the Eoganachts. He was not married to the mother of Cellachan. For a pedigree of Cellachan of Cashel, see The Battle of Magh Rath, ed. O' Donovan (the Geneological Table).

    There is a close resemblance between the early career of Cellachan and that of Brian Borumha. When Mathgamhain, the brother of Brian, had made a truce with the Norsemen, Brian was unwilling to make peace, but »went back again to the forests, woods and deserts of north Munster with the nobles of the Dal Cais.«^) The Anglo-Saxon king Alfred the great also sustained similar tribulations. »Mit wenigen Aethelingen, Dienstmannen und Kriegern, unter denen wir Aethelnoth, den Ealdorman der Sumorsaten, kennen, brachte

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 57

44. Cormac mac Cuilennain slain by Leinstermen at Leithglinn

    Leighlinbridge · town · Carlow

    Cormac, son of Cuilennan, king over Munster for seven years, was killed by the Leinstermen in the battle of Leithglinn, an event later cited as an unavenged wrong against Munster.

    Read the passage

    Cormac, son of Cuilennan, 7 years, and the Leinstermen killed him in the battle of Leithglinn.

    58 ( AIlllKiaM CEAl I \< 11 AIN CAISII,.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 28

45. Donnchad made king in Cellachan's absence

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare

    Cennedig, recognizing the host lacked a king to lead them, proposed that Donnchad son of Caem be made king in Cellachan's place until his rescue, and put his hand in Donnchad's in front of the men of Munster.

    Read the passage

    remain and protect the country. < >^If that is so< , said Cenncidig-, since I shall not myself go there, I shall send two thousand men with you, and I myself shall riMuain with the same number to defend Munster, and I shall send my three brothers with you.^< He told a young nobleman of his people to go to seek his brothers, and ho said to him: ^Let Coscrach, and Lonngarcan, and C'ongalach come, with two-thousand men. Let Assid, son of Assid, come, and 500 of the descendatits of Cairthenn along with him. Let ])eghadh, son of Domnall. son ot Donn, come and 500 of the men of Ely with him. And 1 know, said Cennedig, a thing which, I expect, will cause you to be defeated, namely that you have no king to lead you, who might give you counsel and contest the battlefield for you. And since there is none, let Donnchad, son of Caem, be made king by you. and if Cellachan is rescued, let his kingship be given to him. Cennedig put his hand in the hand of Donnchad in presence of the men of Munster, and they did so all after him.

    50. Cennedig began to tell Donnchad to act bravely and to relate to him, how many kings there were of his family, who had obtained the kingship of Munster before him^ namely Airtri, and Cathal, and Finguine, and Cathal, and Cu-gan-mathair, and Cathal, and Aed, and Flann, and Cairbre, and Crimthan, and Eochaid, and Aengus son of Natfraech, from whom the nobles branched off. so that from Aengus to Donnchad there were eleven kings, who obtained the kingship of Munster, and the length of their reigns was 52 years, and in order to verify this the historian has made the following song: »Enjoy thy noble kingship «, etc.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 43

46. Limerick becomes a Viking settlement and rival of Dublin

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 900–940

    According to Dr Steenstrup, Limerick became a viking settlement in the early 10th century and soon grew powerful enough to rival even Dublin. In the saga, Amlaib of Limerick is represented as its lord.

    Read the passage

    § 8. The city of Limerick [LuimnccJi] was at the time of Cellachan in the power of the Norsemen. According to Dr. Steenstrup (Normannerne III, pp. 128 — ^132), it was in the beginning of the loth century that Limerick became a viking-settlement. The town soon gained a considerable power, and was the rival even of Dublin. In our saga, Amlaib of Limerick is represented as the lord of Limerick. — Amlatb is = O. N. 0/«/r, which name has originally contained a nasal before the / [Anlaf).. — There is some confusion as to the chiefs or kings of Limerick. At some periods, the town seems to have had more than one chieftain. From A. D. 933 to 937 Avilaib Cenncairech (Olaf Scabby-head) is mentioned by the Four Masters and by the Ulster Annals as the lord of Limerick. He plundered in Roscommon, and in the north-eastern parts of Ireland. On Christmas-eve 936 he reached the Shannon, where he and his men stayed for 7 months. But on Lammasday 937, he was captured at Loch Ree by Amlaib, son of Godfrey, lord of Dublin, and carried off to Dublin.^) — The Norsemen of Dublin were preparing an expedition to England. — In the year 968 Amlaib, son of Amlaib, is mentioned as one of the lords of Limerick. He and Ivar of Limerick were banished by Mathgamhain, and Amlaib was skilled by the king of Britain« the year after. ^) We see from this that Amlaib was a common name among the Norsemen of Limerick. I think it most likely that our »Amlaib of Limerick« is the same as Amlaib, the father of Amlaib mac Amlaib, who was banished A. D. 968.

    Besides this Amlaib our saga mentions other vikingchieftains in Limerick, namely the Clan Connra (the descendants or sons of Connra). Cogadh Gaedhel (p. 106) mentions the battle of Fan Conrach »the Slope of C.«, or Fan mic Conjirach »the Slope of the Son of C.«, or Du7i Fain

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are moving through a city that was a Viking settlement. According to Dr Steenstrup, Limerick became a viking settlement in the beginning of the 10th century, and it soon gained considerable power, becoming the rival even of Dublin. In the saga, Amlaib of Limerick is represented as its lord. The name Amlaib corresponds to the Old Norse name Olaf, originally Anlaf. There is some confusion as to the chiefs or kings of Limerick. At some periods the town seems to have had more than one chieftain. From 933 to 937, Amlaib Cenncairech, meaning Olaf Scabby-head, is mentioned by the Four Masters and by the Ulster Annals as the lord of Limerick. He plundered in Roscommon and in the north-eastern parts of Ireland. On Christmas Eve 936 he reached the Shannon, where he and his men stayed for 7 months. But on Lammas Day 937, he was captured at Loch Ree by Amlaib, son of Godfrey, lord of Dublin, and carried off to Dublin. The Norsemen of Dublin were at that time preparing an expedition to England. In the year 968, Amlaib, son of Amlaib, is mentioned as one of the lords of Limerick. He and Ivar of Limerick were banished by Mathgamhain, and Amlaib was killed by the king of Britain the year after. Amlaib was a common name among the Norsemen of Limerick, and the saga's Amlaib of Limerick may be the same as the father of Amlaib mac Amlaib. The saga also mentions other viking chieftains in Limerick, namely the Clan Connra, the descendants of Connra.

47. Munster army plunders route from Dundalk to Ath Cliath

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    The Munster men set out on their march, plundering each territory and burning every fortress and town they met on their straight way from Dundalk to Ath Cliath (Dublin).

    Read the passage

    92. Then the men of Munster set out on their way, and journey, and expedition orderly, bravely, and prudently. They plundered each territory, and burned each fortress and town that they met on their straight way from Dundalk to Ath Cliath. There came a message before them to the royal town, and it was told to the women of the Norsemen that their husbands were slain, and that Cellachan was taken from them by force.

    93. Then the wife of Tora, son of Turgeis, namely Mor, the daughter of Donnchadh, said: »I know«, said she, »a plot that will result in the death of Cellachan and in the destruction of the Munstermen : Let us even go to the summerhouse where Mor, the daughter of Aedh, son of Echu, is, the woman, who loves Cellachan, and tell her that Cellachan has perished, and that the Munstermen are slain, and she will die from grief for Cellachan, and he himself will die from grief for her, and the Munstermen will be routed, when he has died.« »Let this be done«, said the women, and they told the young woman these tidings. »It is not true for you, O women, « said Mor, »and it would be better for you if that story were true. And it is certain that Cellachan would die, if I should die. But I get news of him every night in my bed, and yet I am not his wife«, said the woman.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    As the road approaches Dublin, you are nearing the end of a route the Munster army once plundered in the middle of the 10th century. The men of Munster marched in order from Dundalk straight to Ath Cliath, Dublin, burning every fortress and town along the way. A message reached the royal town ahead of them, and the Norsemen's women were told their husbands were slain and Cellachan taken by force. Mor, daughter of Donnchadh and wife of Tora son of Turgeis, proposed a plot to the other women. She said they should go to Mor, daughter of Aedh son of Echu, the woman who loved Cellachan, and tell her Cellachan had perished and the Munstermen were slain. She would die of grief, and Cellachan would die of grief for her, and the Munstermen would be routed. The women agreed and told the young woman these tidings. But Mor daughter of Aedh answered, "It is not true for you, O women," and said it would be better for them if that story were true. She told them Cellachan would certainly die if she died, but she said, "I get news of him every night in my bed, and yet I am not his wife."

48. Munster army sacks the Norse town, takes women and riches

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    The Munster army's vanguard reached the town, seized cattle, gold, silver and riches, and brought the women and young men together. Mor and Bebinn, daughter of Turgeis, were brought to Cellachan, who gave Bebinn to Donnchuan as wife; the town was burned as they departed.

    Read the passage

    94. Then the van of the Munster army reached the town, and they collected the cows and cattle-droves of the town, and its gold, and silver, and many riches, and brought the women and young men of the town together. Mor, daughter of Aedh, son of Echu, and Bebinn, the daughter of Turgeis, were brought to Cellachan, who said to Donnchuan, son of Cennedig, that he should take Bebinn to his wife. And so it was done by them, and

    8

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you're on ground where the vanguard of the Munster army once reached the town in the mid-10th century. They seized the cattle, gold, silver, and many riches, and gathered the women and young men together. Mor, daughter of Aedh son of Echu, and Bebinn, daughter of Turgeis, were brought before Cellachan. He told Donnchuan, son of Cennedig, to take Bebinn as his wife, and so it was done.

49. Norse council at Dublin plots against Cellachan

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    Following his campaigns, Cellachan directed his course toward the Norsemen at Ath Cliath, where the leading Norse chiefs of the time held a council and devised a plan to lure and capture him by offering him Bebinn, daughter of Turgeis, in marriage.

    Read the passage

    Cid tra o dho riacht Do//n Cuan da n-acallui/// do locadh in cath 7 do chuaidh Cea.\\ac/mn gu Caisiul 7 ro tbinoilset tir Mhuni^/// na comhdhail ar n dichur na n-Da.nar 7 na n-diicvhoch]a N nac// asa cathraclia/<^ 7 asa caemdui/ztibh. ISe rai//ic ar-tus an// i. Cein/zeid/^ mac Lorcai;/ gu ///aithib Dail-Cais 7 tucadh tanaisdeact Me^wan 7 a righi tareis Cea\\(2c//a//2. Do caithseat flegha Caisil cu soinmheach socair an//sin Ocus do cuiredar feasa uatha dh'iara/^[i5i a., c. 2] a cisa 7 a cana rt;r Osraidi .i. ar Do//nch«^ mac CeaWa/o-// Octis ba fada do bhi in cis soi/2 gan tabhuch o mhi]c(/aid Muma// i. aen-bliada/'w dec 7 Vll. XX. hh'aclain. \n cei/z do bhui an crich ag Danaruibh. Ni tucsat Osraidhi cis doibh 7 o nach tucsat ro c/'^'achsat so/w an crich Ocus ro br/setar llll. catha for Laignibh isin hXx^dain sin (^f/^i" isin c^///ramad cath do gabhudh Donncha^af vcvac Ceall<7/^// leo 7 Xucs>2X Osraidhi br<2gdi da eis. Ar certugflfl^na cn'ch do Ce^iWacham 7 ar n-dith a bhidhbudh as e eolus do in//saigh<r</rt/'na Lochlan//a/^// co hAth CUath 7 doniat com«/>U an?z 7 as iat ba ferr dibh an tan sin. Sitr/uc mac Tz^rgeis 7 a braitre i. Tor 7 ^la.^mis 7 T/^rgeis 7 in Lochl«////^c// ladhuch 7 in \.och\annaQ.h na Ian;/ 7 Sean-Amlaibh 7 Wwn-Turvcwxn na huidhi 7 Lin^^-T/^rmun na Pers 7 mac righ Findlochl*^/'//?/ 7 m^t righ Ywarlochla///?/ Ofz^j- as i comairli doronsao? techta do cur co Q^dWachain 7 Bebin?2 \ngin Turgeis do gheallaa^ dho 7 a radh ris dul co hAth QMath da tabairt 7 co leicfidis siu//z crich Mum«// gan imchosnu/// dho (9f//j- is aire doro//sat siw ar daigh (Z^dXiachain do ghabhail doibh 7 do mh^rbhudh ar c\\uatd leis C^t/^i- ro leicset in co///airh re righ Eir^//// a hucht na 'Lochlannach i. Donncha^ mac Floi//d ri Temr«^/z

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 8

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Dublin, the old Norse stronghold of Ath Cliath. After his victories, Cellachan turned back toward Cashel, and the men of Munster gathered there to plan the expulsion of the Danes and the foreigners from their territory. Cennedigh son of Lorcan came first with the nobles of Dal-Cais. They held feasts at Cashel, and then sent messengers to demand tribute and cattle-rent from the Osraige, from Donncha son of Cellachan. That tribute had gone unpaid for thirty-one years. The Danes held that district. The Osraige gave no tribute, and when they refused, the Norse attacked the territory and broke three battles on the Leinster men that year. In the third battle they took Donncha son of Cellachan, and the Osraige were left in fetters after him. Then Cellachan set his territory in order and went after his enemies. word came that the Norsemen of Ath Cliath were holding council. The leading Norse chiefs of the time gathered and took counsel together. They were Sitriuc son of Turgeis and his brothers Tor and Imais and Turgeis, the fierce Lochlannach and the Lochlannach of the ships, Sean-Amlaibh, Amlaibh son of Turgeis of the Ae, Amlaibh of the Persians, the son of the king of Find-Lochlainn, and the son of the king of Iar-Lochlainn. Their plan was to send messengers to Cellachan and to promise him Bebinn, daughter of Turgeis, in marriage. They would tell him to come to Ath Cliath and that they would yield the territory of Munster to him without opposition. But this was devised so they could seize Cellachan and put him to death. They made this plan together with the king of Ireland, Donncha son of Flann, king of Tara.

50. Sitric's ransom demand naming Munster fortress towns

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary

    Sitric demands as ransom that Cork, Limerick, Port Lairge and Cashel be restored to Norse possession as fortresses, along with hostages from every chieftain in Munster.

    Read the passage

    with Thomar the earl, an eric for each man of them, and spoils for spoils. Cork, Limerick, Port Lairge and Cashel to be our fortresses, as they were in our possession before. A son of each king and of every chieftain in Munster to be given to us as pledges for this.« This is what Cellachan replied: »Let me and Donnchuan have

    A triumph for you is the slaying of the head Of the brave son of the beautiful Ribardan. Many were the graves from the hands of his father Throughout Munster of the great lights.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 40

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Cashel, one of four places the Norse leader Sitric demanded back as a fortress, along with Cork, Limerick and Port Lairge. He wanted them restored, as he said, "as they were in our possession before," and a son of every king and chieftain in Munster given as a pledge. Cellachan's reply was not surrender but defiance, and the fighting went on. This was the struggle between the Irish and the Norse in the middle of the 10th century.

51. Turgeis, founder of Dublin, drowned in 845

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 840–845

    Turgeis, the famous founder of Dublin who lived about the year 840 and was the first king of the vikings in Ireland, is mentioned by Giraldus Cambrensis and was drowned in 845.

    Read the passage

    The name of Sitric or Sitriuc is, as we have heard, the Irish form of the Norse Sigtryggr. The name of Turgeis is probably not the Irish form of 'porgisl, but as suggested by Dr. Whitley Stokes, the Irish form of the Norse porgestr. Sitric and his brothers are called clann Turgeis »the descendants of Turgeis«. ^) From this we may perhaps infer that Turgeis has not been the father, but the ancestor of Sitric. If so, we must necessarily think of the famous Turgeis, the founder of Dublin, who lived about the year 840 and who was the first king of the vikings in Ireland. Turgeis 's name was well known in after times; he is mentioned by Giraldus Cambrensis. Turgeis, who was drowned in 845, was probably succeeded by Zain and largna, the two halfkings {leithri) of the Norwegians, who in 851 were slain by the Danes. ^) In the year 853 the Norwegian power was reestablished by Amlaib Coming^ son of the king of Lochlann (i, e. Norway), the same king whom the Icelandic Sagas call Olafr Jiviti (Olav the white). His descendants, or rather the descendants of his brother Ivar were for a long time kings of Dublin. In this family the uncommon name of lercne or Iar[n)gna (i. e. Idrnkne, Iron-knee) and its Irish translation Gliniiaran are often used. Thus the lord of Dublin about 890 — 895 has the name Gluniaran. His son was probably Oittir mac larngna, who fell in 918.^) This seems to show that there has been some family-relationship between the

    ') The circuit of Muirchertach, ed. by Dr. Hogan, V. 12 — 13.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 70

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you are moving through a city whose Viking roots run back to Turgeis. His name is probably the Irish form of the Norse porgestr, as Dr. Whitley Stokes suggested. He was the famous founder of Dublin, who lived about the year 840, and he was the first king of the vikings in Ireland. His name was well known in after times. He is mentioned by Giraldus Cambrensis. Turgeis was drowned in 845. He was probably succeeded by Iargna and Iain, the two half kings of the Norwegians, who in 851 were slain by the Danes. In the year 853 the Norwegian power was reestablished by Amlaib, son of the king of Lochlann, that is Norway, the same king whom the Icelandic Sagas call Olafr hviti, Olav the white. The descendants of his brother Ivar were for a long time kings of Dublin. In that family the uncommon name of Iargna, Iron-knee, and its Irish translation Gluniaran were often used. The lord of Dublin about 890 to 895 had the name Gluniaran. His son was probably Oittir mac Iargna, who fell in 918. Sitric and his brothers were called clann Turgeis, the descendants of Turgeis, which suggests Turgeis was not the father but the ancestor of Sitric.

52. Sack of Waterford: champions killed in houses and towers

    Waterford · city · Waterford

    Before the English conquest, Waterford was surrounded by walls and contained several towers, of which the celebrated Reginald's Tower still exists; the saga describes champions killed in the houses and in the towers during an attack.

    Read the passage

    § 18. gtir marbad una tigibh 7 isna toraibh na treinfhtr, »so that the champions were killed in the houses and in the towers«. Before the English conquest the city of Waterford was not only surrounded by walls, but it also contained several towers of which the celebrated Reginald's Tower still exists.^) Cogadh Gaedhel has (p. 78) a similar description of the sack of Limerick after the battle of Sulcoit (A. D. g68) : »They followed them also into the fort {dim), and slaughtered them on the streets and in the houses [ar na srathaib ocus isna taigib)'^. The Irish srdth (pi. sraitde)^) is probably borrowed, not directly from the Latin [via'\ strata^ but from the Norse strcBti.

    Cunadli da fJioirgiidl sin do can in fili na focuil si. » Therefore to testify to this, the poet sang the following words «. Cogadh Gaedhel (ch. 54) uses the same expression: Ocus do roine an file aii laidh aga foirgell, »and to testify to this the poet made the following poem«.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft

53. Ard Fothaig Brenaind burned by the son of the king of Fair Lochlann

    Ardfert · town · Kerry

    Conchubar, king of Ciarraige Luachra, claims the right to fight the son of the king of Fair Lochlann because that Norseman had burned Ard Fothaig Brenaind, vowing to avenge it in the coming battle.

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    64. ;> Another reason^, said Failbe, »is that we have given our word that there shall not be on sea or on land a place where we see them that we shall not reach to attack them. ; Which of you<, said Duinechad, »will engage the son of the king of Fair Lochlann?« »Let him be left to me<;, said Conchubar, king of Ciarraige Luachra, »for he has burned Ard Fothaig Brenaind. But I shall avenge that upon him to-day. < » Who will engage in battle with Lenn Turmun na Pers (i. e. of the Berserks) ?« said Duinechad. »Let him be left to me< , said Diarmaid and Baiscinn, the two kings of Corcobaiscinn. »For they have plundered Inis Cathaig, and we have not overtaken them before to-day. »Who will engage in battle with the king of Cold Lochlann?" said Duinechad. »It is in his ship that Donnchuan is, and he bound fast.« »Let him be left to us<;:, said the two kings of Corcamruadh, :;for they went to Arann, and it was plundered by them, and we shall avenge it upon them to-day. «

    65. How shall the ships recognise each another ?« said Duinechad. For the shields and ensigns you have are not those that are known to them.« »That is easy «, said Failbe the Fair, ->for they know the situation of our territories belonging to our houses, namely Corcolaighdi furthest to the south, and the Ui Echach next to them. Corcoduibne next to them. Ciarraige next to them. Corcobaiscinn next to Ciarraige. Corcamruaid next to Corcobaiscinn. And let us arrange our fleet according to our lands, and let them come to meet us.« Duinechad [then] went to the Norse fleet, and related those answers to the children of Turgeis. »This has fallen out prettily «, said Sitric, »for these are the very opponents Ave have chosen. <; Duinechad went ashore and told the Munstermen of these engagements. And the sagaman said the lay.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 48

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up along Ardfert now. This is the place the old story calls Ard Fothaig Brenaind. A Norseman burned it, the son of the king of Fair Lochlann, and that burning set in train the events the record tells. Before a battle against the Norse, Failbe gave the Irish their reason to fight. He said they had given their word that there would not be on sea or on land a place where they saw the Norsemen that they would not reach to attack them. Duinechad then asked which of them would engage the son of the king of Fair Lochlann. Conchubar, king of Ciarraige Luachra, spoke up. He said, "Let him be left to me, for he has burned Ard Fothaig Brenaind. But I shall avenge that upon him to-day." Duinechad went on asking who would fight the other Norse leaders. Diarmaid and Baiscinn, the two kings of Corcobaiscinn, claimed Lenn Turmun of the Berserks, because the Norse had plundered Inis Cathaig and the kings had not overtaken them before that day. The two kings of Corcamruadh claimed the king of Cold Lochlann, in whose ship Donnchuan lay bound fast, because the Norse had gone to Arann and plundered it. Then they worked out how the ships would recognise each other, since their shields and ensigns were not the known ones. Failbe the Fair said to arrange the fleet according to their lands: Corcolaighdi furthest south, Ui Echach next, then Corcoduibne, Ciarraige, Corcobaiscinn, and Corcamruadh. Duinechad went to the Norse fleet and related these answers to the children of Turgeis. Sitric said, "This has fallen out prettily, for these are the very opponents we have chosen." Duinechad went ashore and told the Munstermen, and the sagaman said the lay.

54. Armagh's name derived from the goddess Macha

    near Armagh · town · Armagh

    Armagh, called 'the Height of red-haired Macha' in the poem, is discussed with reference to the tradition that the town's name derives from one of three legendary women called Macha, most likely Macha of the golden hair who founded Emania and was buried there.

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    St. 6. Ard Macha mongruaidhi^ »the Height of redhaired Macha«, i. e. Armagh. Dr. Joyce says (Irish Place Names, 4th ed., p. 78): »It is a fact admitting of no doubt that Armagh received its name from some remarkable woman named Macha, and the ancient writer in the Dinnsenchus mentions three, from one of whom the name was derived, but does not decide which. The first was Macha, the wife of Nevvy, who led hither a colony about 600 years after the deluge ; the second, Macha of the golden hair, who founded the palace of Emania, 300 years before the Christian era; and the third, Macha, wife of Crunn, who lived in the reign of Conor Mac Nessa in the first century. The second Macha is recorded to have been buried there; and as she was by for the most celebrated of the three, she it was, most probably, after whom the place was called «. The author of our Saga is clearly of opinion that Armagh derives its name from Macha of the golden hair. In my own opinion Armagh derives its name from Macha, the sister of Badb, the ancient goddess of war.

    § 88. ar deredh in sceoil^ »at the end of the story «, i. e. which finishes our story. The author, in other words, says that the poem printed in § 8g finishes the Saga. The following paragraphs must consequently be later additions. This conclusion is also forced upon us by other considerations. The version in the Book of Lismore states that Cellachan and his men went to Dublin, carried off its riches, and burned the town. This story is no doubt taken from the War of the Gaedhil (ch. LXVIII— LXIX), where it is told that king Brian Borumha after the battle of Glenmama (A. D. 1000) plundered and burned the Castle of Dubhn. The Lis- 11

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 82

55. Battle at Thurles against the Eile and Danish garrison

    Thurles · town · Tipperary

    The northern and southern Eile assembled at Thurles along with the Danes of the fortress to give battle to the Munstermen. Reinforcements from the Ui Luigdech and Eoganachts joined Cellachan, and the king of Ely was captured with many billetted soldiers slain.

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    tight with llioni. The battU> was v-ained on the Danish Black Gentiles, and the town was wrecked by the champions, and they brought away with them their hostages from llie captivity in which they were. The men of Munster were that night in Cork consuming their banquets and provisions {?), and they stayed three days in the city and then made up their mind to proceed to C'ashel. When they were passing the corner of Sliab Crot, the men of Fermoy, and the Ui Cuanach, and the billetted soldiers of the Lochlannachs assembled against them, and gave them battle. And the battle was gained by the men of Munster, and 400 were killed of the billetted soldiers and their host. And of the ten hundred, who were of Clan Eogan at the battle of Limerick, no more than three hundred were alive on this day. They march on plundering each district, until they reached Thurles. The northern and the southern Eile assembled at Thurles to meet them to give them battle, and the Danes of the fortress along with them. When the Ui Luigdech and the Eoganachts heard this, they assembled to join Cellachan, with Cuilen, son of Aindiaraid, son of Dunadach, the lord of their country, and these two tribes with their champions with spears and swords, 500 in number, reached Cellachan. A battle is fought between them and the people of Ely. And they captured the king of Ely on that day, and the billetted soldiers of the Lochlannachs were slain by them, and 200 of Clan Eogan fell on that day. They plundered the country, but did not burn the town. And they go forward to Cashel, 600 in number. Donnchad son of Caem arrived at Cashel to meet them. Cellachan addressed him and reminded him of their friendship and promised him his turn [i. e. the alternative right] of Munster and to reward him properly, and he recited the lay:

    21. Welcome! bold Donnchad,

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 33

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Thurles, this is where the northern and southern Eile gathered to give battle to Cellachan and his Munstermen, with the Danes of the fortress alongside them. Before this, the men of Munster had won a battle against the Danish Black Gentiles, wrecked a town, and brought back their hostages from captivity. They spent three days in Cork, then set out for Cashel. At the corner of Sliab Crot, the men of Fermoy, the Ui Cuanach, and billetted soldiers of the Lochlannachs assembled against them. The men of Munster won that battle and killed 400 of the billetted soldiers and their host. Of the ten hundred of Clan Eogan who had been at the battle of Limerick, no more than 300 were alive on that day. They marched on, plundering each district, until they reached the town. The northern and southern Eile had assembled to meet them in battle, and the Danes of the fortress stood with them. When the Ui Luigdech and the Eoganachts heard this, they assembled to join Cellachan. Cuilen son of Aindiaraid son of Dunadach, the lord of their country, came with them. These two tribes and their champions, 500 in number with spears and swords, reached Cellachan. A battle was fought between them and the people of Ely. They captured the king of Ely that day. The billetted soldiers of the Lochlannachs were slain, and 200 of Clan Eogan fell. They plundered the country but did not burn the town. Then they went forward to Cashel, 600 in number. Donnchad son of Caem arrived at Cashel to meet them. Cellachan addressed him, reminded him of their friendship, and promised him his turn of Munster and to reward him properly, and recited a lay.

56. Burial of Munster chieftains at church north of Dundalk

    Dundalk · town · Louth

    After the sea battle, the Munstermen carried their highest chieftains and nobles to a church on the northern side of Dundalk, where they were placed in four graves. Donnchadh son of Caem then recited a lay recounting their triumph.

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    88. Then they brought the nobles of their people into the town to bury them. And they were greatly sorrowful and exhausted after the battle during that night: They arose early next morning in order to bury their people, and they carried the highest of their chieftains and the nobles of their people with them to the church on the northern side of Dundalk. Their chieftains were placed in four graves, and Donnchadh son of Caem came before them and began te relate their triumph. And he made the lay at the end of the story [i. e. which finishes our story].

    89. Seven score ships on the sea Came with the chieftains;

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 52

57. Cennedig, head of Dál Cais, slain 949

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 949

    Cennedig, son of Lorcan, was head of the Dál Cais and heir apparent of Cashel; according to Cogadh Gaedhel he was slain in the year 949.

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    Cennedig, son of Lorcan, was the head of the Dal Cais; to his race belonged the hereditary kingship of Thomond, in northern Munster (the County of Clare). Cennedig had three sons, Donnchuan who is also mentioned in our saga, Alathgamhain, king of Munster (murdered A. D. 976), and the famous Brian Borumha, who fell in the battle of Clontarf 10 14. In our saga (§ 26) it is said, that »the tanistship of Munster, and its kingdom after Cellachan« was given to Cennedig. He was in other words »heir apparent of Cashel «, as he is called in Cogadh Gaedhel. According to Cogadh Gaedhel (pp. 42 — 45), he was slain in the year 949.

    The Eoganachts of Cashel, as well as the Dal Cais, both descended from Ailill Olom, the first of the family of

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Cennedig, son of Lorcan, met his end. He was head of the Dál Cais, the people who held the hereditary kingship of Thomond in northern Munster. The saga calls him the heir apparent of Cashel, saying the tanistship of Munster and its kingdom after Cellachan were given to him. Cennedig had three sons: Donnchuan, Alathgamhain who was king of Munster and was murdered in 976, and Brian Borumha. According to the Cogadh Gaedhel, Cennedig was slain in 949.

58. March on Dublin to avenge Cellachan and Mor

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    Cellachan and Donnchadh mac Caeim resolved to march straight to Ath Cliath, where the wives, sons and people of the Lochlannachs remained, to avenge Cellachan's earlier capture and the killing of Mor daughter of Aedh.

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    90. A haithli a muin/ztiri do roc/ifain an a.emmad do thinoilset a longa fein 7 long-a na l^oclamiach 7 do loiscset uili iat 7 do loiscset an baili Ocus do bhi dream 'ga radha in tslighe a n-gebhdais do thoirismhedh 7 dream oca fiafraig^^ ca ragdais d'ascna?;? a tirifein. [156 b., c. 2] an tslighi bhud des co dir^<;,^ ar dream acu. Ni ba hi ar CeaWachan- 7 ar Donnchad mac Caeim acht in^zsaighium gu hAth Ch'afk air;// a bhfuileat meic 7 mna 7 muin;zt^ra na 'LocXannach 7 in b(?// tre«r gabhudh CediWachan 7 trear m^rbad ar rattmter .i. Mor '\ngen Aedha vaeio. Echach 7 do rinni in \aid.

    gi. Denaidh comhairle crodha.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 27

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin lies ahead, the old Norse stronghold of Ath Cliath. After burning the Lochlannach ships, some among Cellachan's men argued for going south, but Cellachan and Donnchadh mac Caeim would have none of it. They resolved to march straight for Ath Cliath, where the wives, sons, and people of the Lochlannachs remained. They sought to avenge Cellachan's earlier capture and the killing of Mor, daughter of Aedh. Their counsel was to act boldly.

59. Munster army plunders Tara after Donnchadh refuses battle

    near Tara · hill or hills · Meath

    The Munster champions came to Tara and sent messengers proclaiming battle against Donnchadh, son of Flann Sinna, king of Erin, because he had permitted Cellachan's capture at Ath Cliath. When Donnchadh refused to fight, they plundered the territory of Tara.

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    100. However, when all the fierce Lochlannachs were drowned, and when the noble lords of Munster had fallen, Cellachan went on land, and the minds and spirits of the high chieftains rejoiced before him. Cellachan sent people to burn the bulk of the fleet which had not gone down in the salt sea. And the resolution the champions came to, was to attack the king of Cenel Conaill, for it was he who had sent messengers (as we have told before) to Armagh to the Lochlannachs, to tell them to bring Cellachan to Dundalk. Muirchertach did not show himself before them, although they raided and plundered the whole country. After that they came to Tara, and sent messengers to proclaim battle against Donnchadh, son of Flann Sinna, king of Erin, for he had previously permitted that Cellachan was taken prisoner in Ath Cliath. Donnchadh refused to fight with them, and when he had refused, they plundered the territory of Tara. After this they came to Cashel in Munster, and the territories were divided suitably by Cellachan among the nobles. And thenceforward they spent the time peacefully and tranquilly, until Cellachan of Cashel, the son of Buadachan, died a laudable death at Cashel Anno Domini 952.

    ^) Here the stoiy ends abruptly. The last chapter is translated from the paper manuscript -73 in the Royal Irish Academy, p. 87—88.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 54

60. Munster dead buried in church north of Dundalk

    Dundalk · town · Louth

    After the sea battle, the nobles of Munster brought their dead to a church on the north side of Dun Dealgan for burial, mourning them with great ceremony before Donnchadh mac Caeim recounted the slaughter.

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    88. Is and sin tucsat maithe a muinnU'ri isin mbaili anund da n-adlacadh 7 do hadar gu crodha cumthach caithesbach re hedh na hoightisin 7 ro eirghedar gu moch arnamharach d'sLnnlacad a muinntiri 7 rucsat uaisli an-oirri^ 7 maithi a muin//tzn leo g^^j-in cill don taeibh thuaidh do Dun Dealg«// 7 docuir^d a ceat//ra huaghaib a n-oirr/^a 7 taiwic Don;zchadh mac Caei;/? osa cinn 7 ro ghabh ag inwisi a coscair 7 dorinni in Irtzlt/ ar dcredli in sceoil.

    8g. Seact bhfichit long ar in muir.

    Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 26