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Dinnshenchas of Áne Chlíach

  • Middle Irish
  • prose
  • Dinnshenchas Érenn, dinnshenchas

An episode in Cath Maige Mucrama which tells of Ailill Ólomm's hostility towards two inhabitants of the síd-mound Áne Chlíach and of the blemish and curse he incurred on account of this. It gives an explanation of Ailill's nickname as well as the name of the hill.

Context(s)The (textual) context(s) to which the present text belongs or in which it is cited in part or in whole.
Summary

§ 3. One Samain night, Ailill pastures his horses on top of the hill that would come to be known as Áne Chlíach and spends the night there. On two such occasions, the hill is miraculously stripped bare, apparently while Ailill is asleep, but the third time, another Samain night, he is joined by Ferchess, a poet, warrior and seer. Ailill falls asleep, but Ferchess stands aside to watch the hill (síd). Ferchess sees Éogabul, the king of the síd, and his daughter Áne coming out of the hill and kills Éogabul with a cast of his spear. Ailill rapes Áne (explicitly in NLI MS G 7 version), who sucks the flesh and skin off his ear, hence the nickname Ó-lomm (‘Bare-ear’) would stick to him ever since.

§ 4. Áne reproaches the king for his and Ferchess’ crimes, promising that great harm will come to him and denying him any property (athgabáil).

§ 5. The hill is named after Áne.

Manuscripts
Language
  • Middle Irish
Form
prose (primary)
Textual relationships
Related: Cath Maige MucramaCath Maige Mucrama

Classification

Dinnshenchas Érenn
Dinnshenchas Érenn
id. 6712

The Dinnshenchas Érenn is a compilation of literary compositions, in prose or verse, on lore surrounding the prominent places of Ireland. These texts usually offer origin legends which purport to explain how a well-known place in Ireland, such as a certain hill, plain or lake, received its present or former name. The genesis of this collection is usually dated to the late Middle Irish period (11th and 12th centuries).

dinnshenchasIrish narrative literature, onomastic lore and learning, topographical literature
dinnshenchas
id. 32607

Subjects

Ailill Ólomm
Ailill Ólomm
(time-frame ass. with Irish legendary history)
king of Munster; reputed ancestor of the Éoganacht and Dál Cais; a prominent figure in various king-tales, such as those revolving around the Battle of Mag Mucrama.
See more Ferchess mac Commáin
Ferchess mac Commáin
No short description available
See more Éogabul mac DurgabuilÉogabul mac Durgabuil
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.
See more Áne ingen ÉogabuilÁne ingen Éogabuil
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.
See more
Cnoc Áine
Cnoc Áine ... Knockainy
County Limerick
Now a village.
See more

Keywords

Barren landBarren land
...
OtherworldOtherworld
...
Soporific musicSoporific music
...

Sources

Primary sources Text editions and/or modern translations – in whole or in part – along with publications containing additions and corrections, if known. Diplomatic editions, facsimiles and digital image reproductions of the manuscripts are not always listed here but may be found in entries for the relevant manuscripts. For historical purposes, early editions, transcriptions and translations are not excluded, even if their reliability does not meet modern standards.

web page identifiers
Contributors
Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
November 2012, last updated: January 2024
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