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 *Éogan Mór 7 Conn Cétchathach
*"Éogan Mór and Conn Cétchathach"

Editions

  • V. Hull (ed & tr), ‘Eogan Mór and Conn Cétchathach', ZCP 19 (1931) 59-61.
  • K. Meyer (ed), 'Eogan Mór und Conn', ZCP 12 (1918) 292-293.

Manuscripts

  • The Book of Lecan (fol. 167 recto, col. a l.29-col. b 1.5)

Date

  • (early?) Middle Irish period

Characters

  • Éogan Mór (aka Mog Nuadat), king of Munster from Clanna Dergthened (prehistoric Éoganachta)
  • Conn Cétcathach, king of Ireland and eponymous ancestor of Dál Cuinn (prehistoric Connachta and Uí Néill)
  • The following kings of Munster are mentioned in the narrative but play small roles:
    • Lugaid Allathach, a king of Munster from Síl Conairi Móir (dominant Érainn dynasty)
    • Dáire Dornmar, a king of Munster from Síl Conairi Móir
    • Áengus, a king of Munster from Síl Conairi Móir

Notes

  • This narrative is part of the Cycles of Éogan Mór (i.e. Mog Nuadat, not Éogan Mór mac Ailello) and Conn Cétchathach.
  • It is more of a summary than a fully developed saga.

Summary

Éogan Mór goes to seize control of the province of Munster at a time when it is under the control of three Érainn kings--Lugaid Allathach, Dáire Dornmar, and Áengus.  In the course of three battles, Lugaid and Dáire are killed and Éogan Mór assumes the kingship.  Áengus, however, flees north to Conn and asks him for troops (sochraite) with which to confront Éogan.  Despite the six battalions Conn gives him, Áengus is killed by Eogan at Carn Nemid.  War then breaks out between Éogan and Conn.  Éogan is victorious in six conflicts, and Ireland is divided between them, the border being the ridge that runs from Áth Cliath Medraidi to Áth Cliath Duiblindi.  This state of affairs prevails until the Battle of Mag Léna, in which Conn kills Éogan.

Copyright 2004 Dan M. Wiley.  Last updated 07/03/04