De Maccaib Conaire


The Cycles of the Kings
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Kings Home Updates The Sagas The Kings The Dynasties Copyright Information Early Irish Literature Links D. Wiley Homepage Hastings College Contact	De Maccaib Conaire "Concerning the Sons of Conaire" Editions L. Gwynn (ed & tr), 'De Maccaib Conaire', Ériu 6 (1912) 144-153. Manuscripts The Book of Leinster (fcs. p. 292a) Date I see no reason not to date this to the Old Irish period, despite the use of a few later forms. Characters Cairpre Músc, Cairpre Baschaín, and Cairpre Rigfota, the three sons of Sárait ingen Chuinn Óenláma Gába and Conaire Mór mac Eterscéla or Conaire mac Moga Láma. Conaire Mór is regarded as the ancestor of various Érainn peoples throughout Ireland, including the Múscraige, Corco Duibne, Corco Baiscinn, and Dál Ríata. Conaire mac Moga Láma, who may be a doublet of Conaire Mór, is also associated with the Érainn, particularly the Múscraige. Cairpre Músc, the eponymous ancestor of the Múscraige. As the son of Conaire Mór, he is also listed in the genealogies as the ancestor of the Corco Duibne. Cairpre Bascaín, the eponymous ancestor of Corco Baiscinn Cairpre Rigfota, an ancestor of Dál Ríata Neimed mac Srobcind, a hospitaller of Érainn extraction living on the lands of the Uí Líatháin. The text says he was king of the Érainn. Éogan Már, identified in this text as the son of Eterscél mac Éogain and the brother of Conaire Incél Cáech (moccu Chonmaic), a Briton responsible for the death of Conaire Fíacha Rigfota, son of Sárait and foster-brother to ?Incél and ?Neimed. His father is not mentioned in the text. Dergthene, the eponymous ancestor of Clanna Dergthened (prehistoric ancestors of the Éoganachta) Notes As it survives in the Book of Leinster, this story is intended as a continuation to Togail Bruidne Da Derga, which deals with the accession, reign, and death of Conaire Mór mac Eterscéla, not Conaire mac Moga Láma. The two are often confused in Irish texts and may originally have been the same person. Summary The three brothers Cairpre Músc, Cairpre Baschaín, and Cairpre Rigfota were the sons of Sárait ingen Chuinn meic Óenláma Caiphe and Conaire Mór mac Eterscéla. (The three sons of Conaire mac Moga Láma and Sárait ingen Chuinn Chétchathaig had the same names.) The Incél who killed Conaire mac Moga Láma was a descendant of the Incél who killed Conaire Mór. After the death of their father at Da Derga’s hostel, the three Cairpri were at Tara, while their mother was with Neimed mac Srobcind, the king of the Érainn, in the lands of the Uí Líatháin. One day, their paternal uncle, Éogan Már mac Eterscéoil, comes to Tara and tells them that Neimed is harboring Incél Cáech. That very day, Cairpre sends Fíacha Rigfota to Neimed’s house, where he is welcomed. Incél is indeed there, and he has with him a strong man who does not let any party enter the house unless someone from that group wrestles with him. When no one comes to the house that night, Fíacha offers to wrestle with him. The match is over quickly when Fíacha throws the strong man so hard that he breaks his back. Incél is upset, but Sárait is pleased. Fíacha tells Neimed to expel Incél from his household, but Neimed says he will not be told what to do. Fíacha then tells Neimed that the sons of Conaire will meet him in battle in less than fifteen days at Belach Slige. At the appointed time, the battle is joined. Dergthene fights on behalf of the three Cairpri, who are victorious in the conflict. Neimed escapes with his life, but Incél is slain. Then, the three Cairpri take the kingship of Munster, each ruling over a different part of the province.




Copyright 2004 Dan M. Wiley. Last updated 08/04/04