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Scél Mongáin
"A Story about Mongán"

Edition

  • V. Hull (ed), 'An Incomplete Version of the Imram Brain and Four Stories Concerning Mongan', ZCP xviii (1930) 27-419 ('A Story of Mongán' pp. 418-419)
  • K. Meyer & A. Nutt (ed & tr), The Voyage of Bran.  2 Vols. (London 1895-1897) 52-55 (Vol. I).

Manuscripts

  • TCD H.4.22
  • Lebor na hUidre p. 134a
  • TCD H.2.16 (col. 913)
  • TCD H.3.18 (p. 555b)
  • Betham 145 (p. 66)

Date

  • Late tenth or early eleventh century (Meyer & Nutt, Vol. I, 5)

Characters

  • Mongán (d. 625), son of Fíachna mac Báetáin (588-626), king of Ulster from Dál nAraide.  In some stories, Mongán is said to be the son of Manannán mac Lir or to be a reincarnation of Finn mac Cumaill.

Notes

  • This narrative is part of the Cycle of Mongán mac Fíachna
Summary

One day, Mongán chances upon a student of poetry (éicsíne) at the fort of Forgoll the poet.  When he sees that the student (unnamed in the text) is poorly provided for, he decides to send him on a journey that will enrich him.  Mongán tells the student to go to the síd (otherworld mound) of Lethet Oidni by a particular route to fetch for him a certain stone.  There the student is to take for himself twelve ounces of silver.  Then, he is to go to the stream of Lethet Oidni to get nine ounces of gold to bring to Mongán along with the stone.  The student travels the specified route through various otherworld mounds to Síd Lethet Oidni, gets the requested items, and brings them to Mongán.





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