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Editions

• J. N. Radner (ed. & tr.), Fragmentary Annals of Ireland (Dublin 1978) 140-3.

• J. O'Donovan (ed & tr), Annals of Ireland: Three Fragments (Dublin 1860)

Manuscripts

• Brussels MS 5301-5320
  

Date

• In its present form, the language of the text is Early Modern Irish, but its source may date to the Viking age in Ireland (see ‘Notes’ below).
  

Characters

• Cerball mac Dúnlainge (d. 888): king of Osraige
  

• Cennétig mac Gáethíne (d. 903): king of Loíches.  Cennétig is the son of Cerball’s sister Land and, therefore, his nephew.


• Áed Findliath mac Néill (d. 879): king of Tara from Cenél nÉogain, a branch of the Northern Uí Néill


• Muiredach mac Broín (d. 885): king of Leinster from the Uí Dúnchada, a branch of the Uí Dúnlainge.

Notes

• The battle that inspired this story is an historical event that took place in 870 according to the Annals of Ulster.

• This story is found in section IV of the FA, which—along with section V—focuses to a large extent on Osraige.  Radner refers to these sections of FA as ‘the Osraige Chronicle’.  It provides invaluable information on Osraige and was possibly ‘put together within the living memory of Cerball’s reign’ (Radner xxiv).

• On the origins of the Osraige Chronicle (and thus Togail Dúin Bolg), Radner speculates that ‘possibly the Osraige Chronicle originated as a saga of Cerball and his descendants, and other stories were drawn in to fill out the historical record’ (xxv).  She goes on to say that it was likely composed during the Viking era.

• This story is not to be confused with the tale known as Cath Belaig Dúin Bolg.

Summary

In 870, when Áed Findliath mac Néill invaded Leinster from the north (either to avenge a slain warrior or to levy tribute), Cerball mac Dúnlainge, king of Osraige, and Cennétig mac Gáethíne, king of Loíches, invaded Leinster from the south.  They caused a great deal of devastation till they bivouacked at Dún Bolg.

The Laigin gathered about their king, Muiredach mac Broín, and decided it were better to march against the Osraige and Loíches first.  They attacked the side of the encampment that was guarded by Cennétig.  The battle was ferocious.  By the time Cerball arrived, Cennétig was being hard pressed, but soon the tide turned, and the Laigin beat a retreat.  Cerball and Cennétig decided not to pursue them.

Later, Cerball and Cennétig formed their troops into a tight array and marched to Gabrán, where Áed Findliath was camping with his army.  (Áed’s wife was Cerball’s sister and Cennétig’s mother.)  They told the king of Tara what had happened and then departed.

The king of Leinster did not give a good answer to Áed.  [The text breaks off here.]