Read the copy these stories were drawn from on the Internet Archive.
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The stories, best first
page 3 of 3 · 141 in all
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.
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Arrangement of the Munster fleet by territory
Corkaguiny · barony · Kerry
Failbe the Fair explains how the ships of the Munster nobles will be recognisable to the Norse by arranging the fleet according to the geographical order of their home territories, from Corcolaighdi in the south through Ui Echach, Corcaduibne, Ciarraige, Corcobaiscinn, and Corcamruaid.
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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.
Relate, O Duinechad the Dun, [etc.] ^) To us, who are they, the couples
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 48
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Scattery Island as Norse stronghold
Scattery Island · townland · Clare · 900–999
Inis Cathaigh, now Scattery Island at the mouth of the Shannon, is repeatedly mentioned as a stronghold of the Norsemen during the tenth century. It was also the site of St Senán's monastery, of which he was patron and founder.
Read the passage
Iiiis Cathaigh^ now Scattery Island, at the mouth of the Shannon, is several times mentioned as a stronghold of the Norsemen in the loth century.
Ara, gen. Arann^ is here probably the Island of Aranmore, in the bay of Galway.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 82
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Viking settlement in fortified towns of Tipperary
Thurles · town · Tipperary
The descendants of the Vikings settled in many places in the county of Tipperary, occupying especially the fortified places and towns such as Thurles and Cashel.
Read the passage
We see from this chapter that the descendants of the Vikings have been settled in many places in the county of Tipperary, and that more especially they occupied the fortified places and the towns, e. g. Thurles and Cashel.
§ 21. Stanza 2. Ua Echach^ i. e. the descendant of Eochaid, king of Munster. Ua Mogha^ i. e. the descendant of Mog Corb, who Avas not, however, the direct ancestor of Donnchad.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 67
As the companion tells it
As you pass through Thurles, you are passing through one of the fortified towns where descendants of the Vikings settled in Tipperary. The record tells us they occupied places like Thurles and Cashel, part of the wider Norse presence in Ireland in the 10th century.
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Clear Island and the O'Driscoll harbour claim
Clear Island · island or archipelago · Cork
Inis Cléire (Clear Island) lies in the bay between Cape Clear and Mizen Head in south Cork. The O'hEidirsceoil (O'Driscoll) family are said to have assumed possession over the harbour of Cléire.
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Inis Clere^ i. e. Clear Island, an Island in cuan Cleire, the harbour of Cler, i. e. the bay between Cape Clear and Mizen Head, in the south of the County of Cork. The O' h-Eidirsceoil » assumed possession over the harbour of Cler« (Irish Topogr. Poems, p. 105).
Flann, Cobhthach and Eidirscell are here called kings of Corca Duibhne ; this is an error for Corca Laighde.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 82
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Death of Flannabra Ua Dunadhaig, king of Ui Conaill
Glin · town · Limerick · 901
Glenn Corbraighi, now Glin on the Shannon in county Limerick, was associated with the Ui Conaill Gabhra tribe. Their king Flannabra mac Ciarmacain was son of Ciarmacan, son of Flannabra Ua Dunadhaig, who died in 901.
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Glenn Corbratghi, now Glin, on the Shannon, in the county of Limerick. — Ui Conaill; this trib was otherwise called Ui Conaill Gabhra, and occupied the present barony of Connello, in the county of Limerick. Their king, Flannabra mac Ciarmacain, was the son of Ciarmacan, son of Flannabra Ua Dunadhaig, who died A. D. 901 (Four Masters).
Donncuan mac Ceinneidig was the elder brother of the celebrated Munster kings, Mathgamhain and Brian Borumha.^)
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 68
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Donnchad son of Dubdaboirenn dies at Cashel
Cashel · townland · Tipperary
Donnchad, son of Dubdaboirenn, ruled for four years and died a natural death at Cashel, according to the list of kings who held the kingship there before Cellachan.
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Donnchad, son of Dubdaboirenn, 4 years, and he died a natural death at Cashel.
Dublachta, son of Maelguala, 7 years, and he died of pestilence in his banqueting house.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 28
As the companion tells it
Close to Cashel, Donnchad, son of Dubdaboirenn, held the kingship for 4 years. He died a natural death here, according to the old list of kings who ruled before Cellachan.
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Dublin called a 'dún' - a fortified walled city
Dublin · city · Dublin
The text explains that Ath Cliath (Dublin) is called a dún because the city was fortified and surrounded by walls. A poem stanza describes a night spent at 'bonny Ath Cliath' where there was a woman in the strong fortress.
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i^ jS. Ath Cliath (Dublin) is called a dini^ because the city was fortified and surrounded by walls [ditn N. eine umwalltc Stadt, Windisch). Cf. Moirthimchell Eircnn uile dorigne Muirchertach mac Neill (ed. E. Hogan), stanza 1 1 : » A night we were at bonny Ath Cliath ; it was not handsome towards the Galls (Norsemen); there was a woman in the strong fortress* {is in duin troiii).
§ 29. Mdr is a common Irish female name.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 73
As the companion tells it
As you pass through Dublin, it was called a dún, a fortified walled city, in old Irish texts. A poem stanza tells of a night spent at bonny Ath Cliath. It says it was not handsome towards the Galls, the Norsemen, and that there was a woman in the strong fortress.
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Eachmarcach usurps the kingdom of Dublin
Dublin · city · Dublin · 1035
Mor, daughter of Eachmarcach son of Ragnall, king of the Foreigners, was mother to several notable figures; Eachmarcach himself usurped the kingdom of Dublin in the year 1035.
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Briain >/ Behind ingine Taidg\ i. e. »Mor, the daughter oi Eachmarcach, son of Ragnall, king of the Foreigners, mother of Donnchadh, and of Aralaib, and of Domnall, son of Tadg, grandson of Brian, and of Bebinn, daughter of Tadg«. — Eacmarchach usurped the kingdom of Dubhn in the year
I035- —
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 82
As the companion tells it
Dublin here was a prize fought over more than once. In 1035 a man named Eachmarcach, son of Ragnall, king of the Foreigners, seized the kingdom of Dublin for himself. His daughter Mor became mother to several notable figures, including Donnchadh, Aralaib, and Bebinn.
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Foraging as far as the Muaidh river
near River Moy · river · Mayo
The Munster host sent out foragers as far as the river Muaidh, and spoils were collected and brought back to their camp.
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S2. They sent out foragers as far as the Muaidh, and spoils were collected by them to be brought to their camp.
CAITHREIM CEALLACHAIN CAISIL. 89
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft
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Glennamhain identified with Glanworth
Glanworth · town · Cork
The place called Glennamain in the saga's next chapter is identified as Glanworth, in the barony of Fermoy, County Cork, derived from a word meaning 'the watery or marshy glen'.
Read the passage
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.
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.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 58
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Kings of Cashel Enumerated
Cashel · townland · Tipperary
The text lists the succession of kings who ruled over Cashel and their length of reign, establishing Cashel as the central seat of Munster kingship before Ceallachan's time. This king-list forms the backdrop for the rise of Ceallachan as defender of Munster.
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1. [Fol. 148 a, col. i] Airdri oirrdhirc airdmhenmwach roghahhzistar flazthius 7 forlamus for dha coig<?d Muman dar a.\nm Airtri mi^c Cathail mez'c Fingui;ze. IS re lin;?- rogabator I^ochlannaig nert artus for Eir/?2«. Acht rof huaradar catha 7 coinblichta o aiwsir Az'rtri gu caemaimsir Cheallachai?z. Oozis ba hiat so na righa robhatar for Chaisiul fri'sKn re si;z 7 fad a bhflaithiusa 7 na hoigt^da rue iat.
2. Airtri m<2c Cathail .XX. bliad^zVz. 7 ecc atbath. Fezlimzizf m^^ Crimthain VII. mbl/a^//;2« XX. for MhumrtzV? 7 for YAxinn 7 d'ec do chuaidh tre escaine Chiarai;? moir meic in tsaeir. Olchobar vc\ac Ci/zaedha iiii \AiadJina. IS e robris cath Sceith Nechtai;z ar ghallaibh inar marb^^ da C. X, dhibh um Thomar iarla 7 d'ecc dho (sic) chuaidh. ^laolguala Tc\ac Dunghaile Vll rah\iadhna 7 goill do mharbh he. Cea.nn{a.e\adk mac MochtigzVri vii mbhad/ma. 7 d'eg do chuaidh. Donjichad/i mac Duibh-dha-boirenn ce-dt/ira \Aiadhna. 7 d'ecc do chuaidh a Caiseal. Dublachta vc\ac Mhaeilguala VII mbliadhna 7 a ecc da thamh ina choirmthigh. Finguine mac Laegwz're VII mhh'ad/izza 7 a \>rd\thre f^\n da mharb«^/z tre leathol fleghi. (Zoxn\ac vc\ac QnWennatn vii xnhltadhna 7 Laig/« da mhsivhadh a cath Leithli;zde. Flaithb^rtach mac Inmsanem vil vnblmdh^ia. XXX. 7 d'ec do chuaidh. Lorcan mac Coin;zligai;z hh'adhain gu leith 7 d'ec dochuaidh.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 2
As the companion tells it
Somewhere around here, Cashel was the seat of the kings of Munster, and the old record lists a line of kings who ruled from here during a time when the Norse were pressing hard on Ireland and meeting battles from the days of Airtri through to Ceallachan's time. Airtri mac Cathail ruled 20 years and died of illness, and after him Feidlimid mac Crimthainn held Munster and Ireland for 20 years and died under the curse of Ciaran the Great, and Olchobar mac Cinaedha ruled 4 years and broke the foreigners at the battle of Sceith Nechtain, killing 210 of them including Tomar the earl. Laoguala mac Dunghaile ruled 7 years until the foreigners killed him, Ceallachan mac Mochtigern ruled 7 years and died, and Donnchad mac Duibh-dha-boireann ruled 4 years and died in Cashel. Dubhlachta mac Maelguala ruled 7 years and died of illness in his own house, Finguine mac Laegaire ruled 7 years until his half-brother killed him by treachery, and Domnall ruled 7 years until the Laigin killed him at the battle of Leithlinn. Flaitbheartach mac Inmhaen ruled 30 years and died, and Lorcan mac Coinligain ruled half a year and died.
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Tomar mac Elgi lands at Inis Sibhtonn, Limerick harbour, 922
Limerick · city · Limerick · 922
The annals record another chieftain named Tomar, Tamar mac Elgi (Thore, son of Helge), who landed at Inis Sibhtonn in the harbour of Limerick in the year 922. He appears to have died a short time afterwards.
Read the passage
It is an anachronism when Sitric requires ransom for the men who fell in this battle, which took place in the year 847 (War of the Gaedhil, p. 21). The reason is probably that the annals know another chieftain of the name of Tomar, viz. Tamar mac Elgi (Thore, son of Helge), who in the year 922 landed at Inis Sibhtonn, in the harbour of Limerick. He seems to have died short time afterwards (War of the Gaedhil, pp. CVI, 39).
Ard Mac ha, »the Height of Macha«, i. e. the present city of Armagh, in Ulster, seat of »the Successor of Patrick«, and one of the most holy places of Ireland. The town was in the year 943 plundered by the Norsemen, and can at the time when Cellachan was captured only a few years have been in their power (Annals of Ulsters, A. D. 942, Four Masters, A. D. 941).
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft
As the companion tells it
As you pass through Limerick, you are near the harbour where a Norse chieftain called Tamar mac Elgi, Thore son of Helge, landed in the year 922. He came ashore at Inis Sibhtonn, an island in the harbour. The annals say he seems to have died a short time afterwards, though they give no detail of how. The same name, Tomar, appears elsewhere in the records attached to an earlier battle, but scholars believe this is the man the Limerick landing belongs to.
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Death of Domhnall, lord of the Deisi
Decies · electoral division · Dublin · 995
According to the Four Masters, Domhnall, son of Faelan, lord of the Deisi (the baronies of Decies in county Waterford), died in the year 995.
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Deist, i. e. the present baronies of Decies-within-Drum and Decies-without-Drum, county of Waterford. According to the Four Masters, Domhnall, son of Faelan, lord of the Deisi, died A. D. 995.
Ui Mac Cat lie, now the barony of Imokilly, county of Cork.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 67
As the companion tells it
As you pass through the Decies area, this was the territory of the Deisi, the old name for the baronies of Decies-within-Drum and Decies-without-Drum in county Waterford. According to the Four Masters, Domhnall, son of Faelan, lord of the Deisi, died here in 995.
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Deisi of Waterford ruled by Domhnall mac Faolain around 980
Decies · electoral division · Dublin · 980
The Ui Faelain mentioned in the saga are identified as lords of the Deisi in the present county of Waterford. Domhnall mac Faolain was king of the Deisi around the year 980 according to the Leabhar Oiris.
Read the passage
ford). Domhnall mac Faolain was king of the Deisi (Leabhar Oiris § 2, Eriu I, p. 78) about 980.
Magh-da-c/ioji, plain of the two hounds. The name is now anghcized Mayacomb, a parish in the barony of Rathvilly, in the county ot Carlow, and extending into the barony of Shillelagh, in the county of Wicklow. The O' Neills of this territory are mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, A. D. 1087; ct. Irish Topographical Poems, ed. by J. O' Donovan, p. 92. It must be through a mistake that the O' Neills are mentioned in our Saga. The O' Neills were a Leinster, and not a Munster tribe, and they did not, as far as we know, belong to the Desies or Decies {Deissi) of Munster {Deissi Mumhan). The territory of this tribe is represented by the districts now called Decies, in the county of Waterford, and by the Northern Desies, in the county of Tipperary. In the fifth century, Aengus Mac Natfraeich, king of Munster, granted the Deissi the plain of Magh Feimhin, in the county of Tipperary; but they were driven from thence by the Eoghanachts (Topogr. Poems, n. 528).
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 74
As the companion tells it
You're passing through Decies, the country of the Deisi, a territory that once covered districts of Waterford and Tipperary. Around the year 980, Domhnall mac Faolain was king of the Deisi, according to the Leabhar Oiris. The Deisi had been granted the plain of Magh Feimhin in Tipperary in the fifth century by Aengus Mac Natfraeich, king of Munster, but were later driven from there by the Eoghanachts. The saga of Cellachan of Cashel mentions the O'Neills in this territory, but that appears to be a mistake, as the O'Neills were a Leinster tribe and not part of the Munster Deisi.
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The cataract of Esdara at Ballysadare
Ballysadare · townland · Sligo
Esdara, meaning the cataract of the oak, is the ancient name for the beautiful rapid on the Owenmore river at Ballysadare in Sligo. A bridge called Droichet Matra was said to have crossed this cataract.
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§ 53. Esdara, i. e. the cataract of the oak, the ancient name of the beautiful rapid on the Owenmore river, at Ballysadare in Sligo (Joyce. Irish place-names, 4 ed., p. 460).
DroicJiet Matra, i. e. the bridge of Matra. This bridge seems to have crossed the cataract of Esdara, which was otherwise called Martra (Joyce, Place-names, second ser., p. 435). The bridge of Matra is mentioned in Silva Gadelica, ed. O" Grady (translation), p. 51.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 79
As the companion tells it
Somewhere around here on the Owenmore river is the cataract of Esdara, which means the cataract of the oak. A bridge called Droichet Matra, the bridge of Matra, was said to have crossed these rapids. The cataract was also known as Martra, and the bridge is mentioned in Silva Gadelica.
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Glenn-Damhain valley in Coshmore and Coshbride
Coshmore and Coshbride · barony · Waterford
In the barony of Coshmore and Coshbride, County Waterford, there is a valley called Glenn-Damhain, meaning 'the valley of the young bull', though it is likely not the place named in the saga.
Read the passage
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.
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.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 58
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Bruree identified as Dun-Eochair-Mhaighe
Bruree · town · Limerick
The fort on the bank of the river Maigue, called Dun-Eochair-Mhaighe in the saga, is probably identical with the present-day town of Bruree in County Limerick.
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Stanza 4. Dun-Eochair-Mhaighe (or »the fort on the bank of the [river] Maigue«, in the county of Limerick), probably now Bruree (War of the (jaedhil, p. CLX n.).
Uighne seems to have been situated somewhere in Munster, probably in the southern part of it. I am not able to identify this place.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft
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Cathal slain at Croom by Cellachan
Croom · town · Limerick
Cromad, now Croom on the River Maigue in county Limerick, was the seat of the chief of the Ui Cairbre Aebhdha. O'Donovan records that it was Cathal, son of Uainighe, who was slain at Croom by Cellachan.
Read the passage
Cromad, now Croom, on the River Maigue, in the county of Limerick, was the seat of the chief of the Ui Cairbre Aebhdha. 1) O' Donovan (B. of Magh. Rath, Gen. Table) says that it was Cathal, son of Uainighe, who was slain at Croom by Cellachan.
Corcainrnadh, now Corcomroe, in Thomond.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 69
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Cellachán's death recorded at variance with the Annals
Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 952–954
The paper-copy of the saga states that Cellachán died in the year 952, but the actual year of his death according to the Four Masters was 954.
Read the passage
The paper-copy says that Cellachan died in the year 952. The actual year of his death, however, is 954, (Four Masters, A, D. 952).
Index of Persons.*)
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 82
As the companion tells it
Somewhere close to Cashel, Cellachán met his end. The saga's paper-copy says he died in 952, but the Four Masters place his death in 954. He was a king of Cashel who fought the Norsemen, and even the record of when he died can't agree with itself.
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The Drowis river and Bun-drowes near Donegal
Bundoran · town · Donegal
The river Drobais, now called the Drowis, rises in Loch Melvin and flows into the sea at Bun-drowes, near the town of Donegal.
Read the passage
Drobats^ now the Drowis, which rises in Loch Melvin, and falls into the sea at Bun-drowes, near the tOAvn of Donegal.
Magli 71-Eiie^ now Moy. a plain in Donegal.
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 79
As the companion tells it
As you pass through Bundoran, the river you are near is the Drowis, called Drobais in old records. It rises in Loch Melvin and flows into the sea here at Bun-drowes, near the town of Donegal.
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Dundalk formerly called Trdig Baili
Dundalk · town · Louth
The text notes that Trdig Baili was another name for the town of Dundalk.
Read the passage
§ 67. Trdig Baili was another name of Dundalk.
§ 70. Lugaidh Luain, i. e. Lugaidh of Luan? Is Ath Luain (Athlone) meant? Cf. Cogadh, p. 112, 1. 51, dream Danar luahi (Luain?). Flann is called Ua Luigdech on account of his descent from Lugaidh Mac Ithu, the uncle of Milesius of Spain. His race were the O' Driscolls, whose territory was also called »the land of Ith« (Topogr. Poems,
Internet Archive caithreimcellach00norsuoft, Chapter 82
This book is in the public domain; how the books' rights are judged. The passages are quoted as the scan has them, spelling and all; a story's place is the gazetteer's best reading of the text and can be wrong.