The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge Part 83

[4-4] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.

[5-5] YBL. 53a, 26-28.

[LL.fo.104b.] Then turned the Brown of Cualnge on the women and youths and children of the land of Cualnge, and [6]with the greatness of his fury and rage[6] he effected a great slaughter [7]amongst them.[7] He turned his back to the hill then and his heart broke in his breast, even as a nut breaks, [8]and he belched out his heart like a black stone of dark blood.[8] [9]He went then and died between Ulster and Ui Echach at Druim Tairb. Druim Tairb ('Bull's Back') is the name of that place.[9]

[6-6] H. 1. 13 and Add.

[7-7] Translating from Stowe.

[8-8] Stowe, H. 1. 13 and Add.

[9-9] YBL. 53a, 28-29.

[1]Such, then, is the account of the Brown Bull of Cualnge, and the end of the Tain by Medb of Cruachan daughter of Eocho Fedlech, and by Ailill son of Maga, and by all the men of Ulster up to this point.[1] [2]Ailill and Medb made peace with the men of Ulster and with Cuchulain. For seven years there was no killing of men amongst them in Erin. Finnabair remained with Cuchulain, and the Connachtmen went to their own land, and the men of Ulster returned to Emain Macha with their great triumph. _Finit. Amen._[2]

[1-1] Translating from H. 1. 13 and Add.

[2-2] YBL. 53a, 29-33.

[W.6206.] A blessing be upon all such as shall faithfully keep the Tain in memory as it stands here and shall not add any other form to it.[a]

[a] With this the Irish text concludes: What follows is in Latin.

I, however, who have copied this history, or more truly legend, give no credence to various incidents narrated in it. For, some things herein are the feats of jugglery of demons, sundry others poetic figments, a few are probable, others improbable, and even more invented for the delectation of fools.

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INDEX AND p.r.o.nUNCIATION OF THE MORE FREQUENTLY OCCURRING PLACE AND PERSONAL-NAMES.

It will simplify matters for the English reader if the following points respecting the p.r.o.nunciation of proper names in medieval Irish, are borne in mind:

Each _simple_ word is accented on the first syllable.

p.r.o.nounce:

a (long), as in _aught_; a (short), as in _hot_.

c with slender vowels (e, i), as in _king_; never as _s_.

c with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _car_; never as _s_.

ch with slender vowels (e, i), as in German _Ich_; never as in _church_.

ch with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in German _Buch_; never as in _church_.

d with slender vowels (e, i), as in French _dieu_.

d with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _thy_.

e (long), as in _ale_; e (short), as in _bet_.

g with slender vowels (e, i), as in _give_; never as _j_.

g with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _go_; never as _j_.

gh with slender vowels (e, i) is slender ch _voiced_.

gh with broad vowels (a, o, u) is broad ch _voiced_.

i (long), as in _feel_; i (short), as in _it_.

mh and bh intervocalic with slender vowels, as _v_.

mh and bh intervocalic with broad vowels, as _w_.

o (long), as in _note_; o (short), as in _done_.

s with slender vowels (e, i), as in _s.h.i.+ne_; never as _z_.

s with broad vowels (a, o, u), as _s_.

t with slender vowels (e, i), as in _tin_.

t with broad vowels (a, o, u), as in _threw_.

th, like _h_.

u (long), as in _pool_; u (short), as in _full_.

The remaining consonants are p.r.o.nounced almost as in English.

Aed: to rime with _Day_

Aed Ernmas: the father of the Morrigan

Ai: _see_ Mag Ai

Aidne: a district comprising the barony of Kiltartan, in the south-west of the County Galway

Aife: one of the three women-teachers of Cuchulain and Ferdiad (p.r.o.nounced _Eefe_)

Aile: north-east of Baile, on Medb's march from Cruachan into Ulster

Ailill: king-consort of Queen Medb, dwelling in Cruachan Ai (p.r.o.nounced _Ayeleel_)

Ailill Find Miltenga: one of the chief heroes of Ulster

Ailill macMailchlo: father of Sencha

Aine: _see_ Cnoc Aine

Airne: north-east of a.s.se

Alba: Scotland

Amargin Iarngiunnach: a leading Ulster hero; father of Conall Cernach and brother of Iliach (p.r.o.nounced _Avergin_)

Ane: a district in which is Knockaney in the County Limerick