Texts

Dinnshenchas of Druim Criaich
verse beg. Druim Criaich, céte cét cuan

  • Middle Irish
  • verse, prose
  • Early Irish poetry, Dinnshenchas Érenn, Ulster Cycle, dinnshenchas

Poem and prose text on the dinnshenchas of Druim Criaich (Drumcree, Co. Westmeath), which is here said to have been known as Druim Cró and Druim n-úar nAirthir. In the Book of Leinster, the poem is attributed to Cuán ua Lothcháin (d. 1024). The poem falls into two sections. The story of the first is that of the quarrel between Eochu Feidlech, high-king of Ireland, and his three sons known as the three Findemna. On the night before the battle of Druim Criaich, in which the brothers are killed, their sister Clothru sleeps with each one of them in order to produce royal offspring. She later gives birth to Lugaid Riab nDerg, high-king of Ireland.

First words (verse)
  • Druim Criaich, céte cét cuan
Context(s)The (textual) context(s) to which the present text belongs or in which it is cited in part or in whole.
Author
Ascribed to: Cuán ua Lothcháin
Cúán úa Lothcháin
(d. 1024)
Early Irish poet.

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The poem is ascribed to Cuán ua Lothcháin in the Book of Leinster.
Language
  • Middle Irish
Form
verse, prose (primary)
Length
Number of stanzas: 54

Classification

Early Irish poetryEarly Irish poetry
...

Dinnshenchas Érenn
Dinnshenchas Érenn
id. 6712
Early Irish poetryEarly Irish poetry
...

Ulster Cycle
Ulster Cycle
id. 1797
dinnshenchasIrish narrative literature, onomastic lore and learning, topographical literature
dinnshenchas
id. 32607

Subjects

Eochaid Feidlech
Eochaid Feidlech
in Irish legendary history, high-king of Ireland, descendant of Labraid Lorc and father of multiple daughters and sons, including Medb ruler of Connacht, Clothru and the triplets known as the three Findemna.

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Clothru [daughter of Eochaid Feidlech]
Clothru ... daughter of Eochaid Feidlech
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
No short description available

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The three Findemna
The three Findemna
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
In Irish legendary history, three triplet sons of Eochu Feidlech, who  slept with their sister Clothru on the night before the battle of Druim Criaich.

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Lugaid Ríab nDerg
Lugaid Ríab nDerg (Reóderg)
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
legendary high-king of Ireland; said to have been born out of an incestuous relationship between the three Findemna (sons of Eochaid Feidlech) and their sister Clothru

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Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
(d. 1022)
King of Mide and high-king of Ireland from the Clann Cholmáin branch of the Uí Néill.

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Druim Criaich
Druim Criaich ... Drumcree
County Westmeath
No short description available

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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.

[ed.] [tr.] Gwynn, E. J., The metrical dindsenchas, 5 vols, vol. 4, Todd Lecture Series, 11, Dublin: Hodges, Figgis, 1924.
CELT – edition: <link> CELT – translation: <link> Internet Archive – vol. 4: <link>  : View in Mirador
42–59 [id. 13. ‘Druim Criaich’] Poem. direct link direct link direct link
[ed.] [tr.] Stokes, Whitley, “The prose tales in the Rennes dindshenchas”, Revue Celtique 16 (1895): 31–83, 135–167, 269–312, 468.
TLH – edition (III, 31-83): <link> TLH – translation (III): <link> TLH – edition (IV, pp. 135-167): <link> TLH – translation (IV): <link> Celtic Digital Initiative – PDF: <link> Internet Archive: <link> Internet Archive: <link>
148–150 [id. 140. ‘Druim Criaich’] Prose. direct link

Secondary sources (select)

Gwynn, E. J., The metrical dindsenchas, 5 vols, vol. 4, Todd Lecture Series, 11, Dublin: Hodges, Figgis, 1924.
CELT – edition: <link> CELT – translation: <link> Internet Archive – vol. 4: <link>  : View in Mirador
384–388 [id. 13. ‘Druim Criaich’] Notes. direct link
Contributors
C. A., Dennis Groenewegen, Patrick Brown
Page created
June 2011, last updated: January 2024