Kings Home
Updates
The Sagas
The Kings
The Dynasties
Copyright
Information
Early Irish
Literature Links
D. Wiley Homepage
Hastings College
Contact
|
*Tuathal
Techtmar 7 Ríge na hÉrenn
*"Tuathal Techtmar and the Kingship of Ireland"Editions
- R. I. Best (et al. eds), The
Book of Leinster. Vol. I. (Dublin 1954) 250-251.
- W. R. Owen (ed & tr), 'Tuathal Techtmar ocus Rige na
h-Erenn', Journal of the Ivernian
Society 7 (1915) 147-155.
Manuscripts
- The Book of Leinster, 51a-51b.
Date
Characters
- Tuathal Techtmar, legendary (if not mythical) ancestor of
Dál Cuinn (prehistoric Connachta and Uí Néill)
- Feidlimid Rechtaid, son of Tuathal and father of Conn
Cétchathach.
- Fiachra Cassán, foster-father of Tuathal. In
the genealogies, Fiachra is connected with Airgialla as the son of
Colla Fo Chríth and is regarded as the ancestor of the
historical Airthir, Uí Nialláin, and the Uí
Bresail (O'Rahilly, EIHM 155). This genealogy, however, does not
fit the timeline of this story.
- Fiachu Findfolad, father of Tuathal
- Findmal, brother of Fiachra Cassán
- Éllim mac Conrach, leader of the aithechthuatha (vassal peoples) and
usurping king of Ireland
- Eochaid Ánchenn, ally of Tuathal (in this story) and
king of Leinster from the Leinster Domnainn. Elsewhere he is the
king upon whom Tuathal imposes the bóraime,
a huge fine of livestock and other goods.
Notes
- This short text is part of the Cycle of Tuathal Techtmar
and of the myth of the revolt of the aithechthuatha
(vassal peoples) against the sáerchlanda
(noble peoples) of Ireland. In this version of the myth, the
revolt is lead by Ellim mac Conrach. For other versions of the
myth, see the sagas about Cairpre Catchenn.
- Tuathal Techtmar is an important figure in Irish
literature. In some sagas, he plays roles comparable to those of
Conn Cétchathach and Cormac mac Airt as the founder of
Dál Cuinn's fortunes. He is most famous, however, for imposing
the great cattle tribute known as the bóraime
on the Laigin (Leinstermen).
Summary
Before embarking on a free-circuit (sáerchuairt)
of Ireland, Feidlimid Rechtaid, the son of Tuathal Techtmar, pays a
visit to Fiachra Cassán, his father's foster-father.
Fiachra tells Feidlimid the story of how Tuathal survived the revolt of
the aithechthuatha (subject
peoples) under Éllim mac Conrach to become king of
Ireland. Tuathal, Fiachra says, was the only noble to survive
when the aithechthuatha
massacred Clann Úgaine Máir (the noble Goidelic peoples
of Ireland). During the uprising, Tuathal's mother (unnamed in
the text) brought her son to Fiachra who protected him, for at that
time, Fiachra was the leader (toísech)
of one hundred and fifty mercenaries employed by Éllim mac
Conrach, leader of the rebels and subsequent king of Ireland. To
conceal his identity, Fiachra placed his charge among his men and
called him Tuathal Amus or "Tuathal the Mercenary." However, one
day when Éllim was holding a feast at Tara, Tuathal went to
court and demanded to be given a drink. (Although the word for
"drink" in the text is deog,
the implication is that Tuathal is asking for the ale (laith) of sovereignty (flaith).) After being refused
admittance, Tuathal went to Fiachra who dressed him in a royal cloak
and told him to gather troops to claim his birthright (i.e. the
kingship of Ireland). This done, Tuathal, Fiachra, Findmal
(Fiachra's brother), and Eochaid Ánchenn (presumably king of
Leinster) marched against Éllim and killed him and his people at
the battle of Achaill.
|