Par IV: Usnach

ll. 2252-2703.

ll. 2252-2311: Hill of Uisnech, day 1

Beg. ⁊ lotar rompa co ráncadar Cnoc Uachtair Erca, re n-abar Uisnech isin tan-so, i m- Midi medoin do ló.

Dooley & Roe: 70-75 (Ch 4). Patrick, Díarmait mac Cerbaill, Oisín, Muiredach son of Finnachta, Eochaid Lethderg and other rulers and nobles convene at the hill of Uisnech -- Oisín is present while Caílte is on business elsewhere -- Conall (Gulban) mac Néill pays homage to Patrick, grants him the pitcher, receives his blessing, etc. -- Oisín then tells of another treasure, Finn's sword (Greyish wand). -- being a descendant of Morna, Donn son of Áed son of Garad easily grasps the hilt of the sword -- he gives the sword to Patrick and obtains the chieftaincy of the Fíana, with Caílte’s and Oisín’s approval, then holding it for 27 years. -- Sow of healing. -- Prompted by Conall, Díarmait says he would invite Caílte and Oisín to a night of hospitality.

Items: 4

ll. 2312-2378: Usnach, day 2 (1)

Caílte’s travel on the horses given to him by Conall, with a description of his itinerary up to the Mount of Brega. -- After thirst overcomes Díarmait mac Cerbaill, Oisín goes to look for water, with the cloak of invisibility about him, reaches the Spring of Usnach, In Finnflescach, and returns with a basin of water, with salmon in it -- Caílte’s itinerary continued -- Caílte reaches Usnach and rejoins Patrick -- identifies pedigree of Mochua s. of Lonán (2 qq) -- meets the king -- Oisín says he will share the eight salmon from the spring -- Caílte grants the chain of Lug to Díarmait.

ll. 2379-2458: Usnach, day 2 (2)

In response to Díarmait, Caílte praises Cormac and his son Cairpre Lifechair as well as Finn and his son Oisín -- in response to Eochaid Lethderg, tells of a monster not killed by the Fían, i.e. a quarter of the brain of Messgegra which turned into a lake monster -- Here related to a story about Finn and his lover, Úaine (daughter of Modarn) from the síd. [Cf Cáemgein. Episode and its hagiographic sources have recently been discussed by Dooley.] -- Taman Trénbrugaid arrives for the feast. As announced, Caílte and Oisín are hospitably provided for.

ll. 2459-2703: Usnach, day 3

Dooley & Roe: 76-82 (Ch 4 cont'd): Meeting in the royal tent -- Story of the two sons of Finnfhechtnach and a lengthy poem -- incl. a note about recording the tale -- Stories on the request of Finn son of Fáebarderg, king of Uí Chennnselaig: Caílte's story of the 'Pine Forest of Finn', referring to the killing of a warrior called Fern and the coming of St Máedóc to Ferns -- Story of Cellach Bráenbile, Moling Lúath and the Forest of Badgers -- River Taídiu; Moling, Suibne Geilt and the Battle of Mag Rath -- The company dissolves again -- Ref. to "Converse of the Elders" (Corub h-í Accallaim na Senorach ac in chartha a Mullach Uisnig sin, etc.).

Part V: Ulster

ll. 2704-4178.

ll. 2704-2763

Dooley & Roe: Ch. 5, pp. 83-84. Caílte and Conall mac Néill reach Ráith Artrach (Cenél Conaill), near Ráith Mongaig -- Story concerning the quarrel between Bodb Derg and his sons Artrach of Ráith Artrach, Áed Álaind (ass. with poets) of Les na nÉices, and Aengus Ilclessach of Ráith Mongaig -- arbitrated by Cormac mac Airt -- [...] -- followed in Patrick's time by the uncovering of treasure.

ll. 2764-2877

Rooley & Roe: 84-88. Caílte identifies three hills and a stream for Conall Derg mac Néill -- A story concerning Sadb (d. of Bodb Derg) and Finn, betrothed at Mag Femin, part of the bride-price being that he stays with her half of the time. -- One day, Finn is away for a painfully long time, and so sends her four fosterbrothers as messengers to her -- Sadb goes with them -- Glaise na Fer (Stream of the Men) is created when she becomes thirsty -- Finn is not present at the appointed place, having instead gone to the Mourne Mnts (Peaks of Boirche) -- Battle with Goll and other sons of Morna -- Women die of terror at Mound of the Womenfolk -- Burial (with ref. to Ogam), hence Tomb of the Warriors and Tomb of the Boys -- Poem -- Finn’s gessa -- Another poem -- Feast.

ll. 2878-3041: Loch nDaim Derg

Dooley & Roe: Ch. 5, 88-92/3. Loch nDaim Derg (Dál nAraide): Caílte meets the clerics Colmán Éla and Éoganán, and explains the placename for them. Caílte recovers the antler for them -- On the next day, clerics present the antler to Eochaid Fáebarderg, king of Ulster, who happens to be nearby. -- Caílte learns from Colmán about his daily routine; with poem -- Tipra in Bantrachta/Banchuire (Spring of the Company of Women) and Cnocc ind Áir (Hill of the Slaughter): Níam, d. of Aengus Tírech, king of Munster, elopes with Oisín -- Consequence: war between Aengus and the Fían; -- Níam dies of shame and sorrow, further igniting the war; -- one Muirenn sent to announce war to Finn at the Fort of the Dog's Head (Dál nAraide) -- Garb Crónán sent off to inform the Fían -- Fergus Fínbél tells Finn the war against a grieving king is unjust -- Finn proposes to let Cormac and others intervene, sending off Smirgat d. of Ábartach, who is promised a number of sureties (e.g. Oscar) in return -- [...] -- Eochaid Fáebarderg invites Caílte [...].

ll. 3042-3106: Ráith Áine

Dooley & Roe: Ch. 5, 93-94. Story of Áine d. of Modarn (k. of Scotland)

ll. 3107-3335

Dooley & Roe: Ch. 5, pp. 94-97-101. Tonn Rudraige (Dundrum Bay): story of Art and Eógan, sons of Áed mac Fidaig, k. of Connacht -- members of the Fían, keep watch and encounter sons of the k. of Lochlann out to seek revenge on Finn -- outnumbered -- Finn's vision -- Only Art and Eógan survive the attack, but die of their injuries. -- Their weapons are recovered from the mound -- [...] Prized bit of fían-lore", though little is written down (but see ch. 6). -- A hunt the next day at Slíab Boirche (Mourne Mts) [...] -- story of Lí Bán (d. of Eochaid m Eógain, k. of Ireland), near Tonn Rudraige: ... -- Úaine d. of Fíal and her half-quatrain -- Story of Dub mac Tréin and his son Fíal mac Duib, both noted for their generosity (much to the jealousy of the TDD) [...] -- Aengus s. of Eochaid Fáebarderg x Úaine. See e.g. Parsons, Acallam na senórach as prosimetrum, PHCC 24/25.

lll. 3336-3436

Dooley & Roe: Ch 5, pp. 101-104. Forad na Féinne: a hunt -- Cas Corach (TDD musician) arrives from the síd of Bodb Derg to learn lore from Caílte. Caílte recites an elegiac poem about the loss of friends in the Fían -- ghost-territory -- [...] Tulach in Trír and Abann Déisi: story of the three daughters of Irúath k. of Scotland and their affairs with three of the Fían -- men died during Finn's war with Fothad Canánn -- avenged -- Tomb of the Hound's Head: [...] -- Coll and Cas: [...].

ll. 3437-3637

Dooley & Roe: Ch. 6, pp. 105-110. Preliminary -- Ráe na Charpat 'Race-course of the chariots', a summit of the Fews, with referecen to Gáirech (Garhy near Mullingar, Co. Westmeath), etc.: Patrick and Caílte (w Cas Corach) meet again; Cas Corach plays music for the clerics in return for heaven. -- Eógan's fort: Eógan, Díarmait's high hospitaller (ard-briugaid), approaches them. Soichell, Patrick's steward, suggests they go to his land to celebrate the Eve of Samain. 'Descendants of the Fat One of Macha' (Uí Méith Macha) -- Cold winter. The company arrives to find themselves hospitably received. No water nearby, but Caílte knows the prehistory of the place -- Story of Cónán s. of In Líath Lúachra, who had done much wrong to Finn, meets Finn at the Cairn of Lugaid (west Munster) -- make peace under special conditions. Cónán dies of a worm in his head. -- Áed mac Find, etc. [...] -- A well lies to the south -- Poem -- [...] -- Caílte finds the well ('Palm of Patrick'), while Patrick makes sure the spring does not overflow.

ll. 3638-3688

Dooley & Roe: Ch. 6, 110-112. Áed son of Áed nAmsach appears and asks about the Cairn of Manannán. -- Story of M. in love with Áine ingen Éogabáil, and Aillén mac Éogabáil in love with Manannán's wife with Uchtdelb [...] -- Patrick exclaims that story-telling is an "intricate business". etc. [...] -- Farewell.

ll. 3689-3725: Glenn in Scáil, 1

Dooley & Roe: 112-113; Stokes ll. 3689-3725. The company reaches Glenn in Scáil (Valley of the Hero), where Patrick had been in bondage to Miliuc maccu Bóin, k. of Dál nAraide. -- Explanation of two placenames, Mag Raigne and Slíab Caince, both referring to sons of Finn -- Étain Fholtfhinn, d. of Baetán k. of Dal nAraide, pays homage to Patrick. --

ll. 3726-3853: Glenn in Scáil, 2

Dooley & Roe: 113-116. Caílte’s story of Ciabán Casmongach, Manannán and Clidna.

ll. 3854-3958

Incl. the stories of Gort ind Fhostáid and Scothníam daughter of Bodb Derg.

ll. 3959-4053

Concerning Glenn na Caillige and Berrobol.

ll. 4054-4178

Incl. the stories of Senach ua Daigre (framed) and Áed son of Eochaid Lethderg, king of Leinster.

Part VI: Leinster

ll. 4179-5383.

ll. 4179-4462: Coscrach na Cét (1)

Day 1.

ll. 4463-4498: Coscrach (2)

Day 2. Story of the arm-ring at Clúain Falach.

ll. 4499-4522: Coscrach (3)

Eochaid Lethderg meeting Patrick at Suide Pátraic.

ll. 4523-4599: Coscrach (4)

Story concerning Tipra na Scáthdeirc and Loch Lurgan.

ll. 4600-4645: Coscrach’s banquet for Eochaid

Eochaid addresses Patrick about his missing son (Áed).

ll. 4646-4752: Tulach in Máil and Cnoc Aífi

A hunting trip which forms the occasion for Caílte’s tale about Mál, son of the king of Scotland, his mother Aífe and Mag Lugach.

ll. 4753-4789: hospitallers of Ráith Speláin and Ráith in Máil, and Milid mac Trechossaig

Two brief items of place-name lore, one concerning two hospitallers in the reign of Cormac mac Airt, the other concerning Milid mac Trechossaig, king of the world from the East.

ll. 4790-4812: Ráith Móir Maigi Fea and Ard Féigi

Dooley & Roe: 134. How Cas Corach’s servant (Áed, still not recognised) extinguishes a fire.

ll. 4812-4839: Maistiu and places in the vicinity

A hunting expedition, Patrick’s sermon at Ard in Procepta and a banquet at Tech Cruinn.

ll. 4840-4882: Ard Cuillind and Ard Cúanaide

How Caílte inadvertently killed his foster-brother, Cúanaide son of Lenn son of Fáebar.

4883 (Ráith Mór Maige Fea)

Dooley & Roe: 136-137; Stokes l. 4883ff. Ráith Mór Maige Fea (Fort of the Plain of Fea) -- Story of Cas Corach's servant, featuring Bé Binn -- Caílte rivets a spear shaft.

... (Ard in Fhostada)

Dooley & Roe: 137-139; discussed by Nagy.

... (Slíab na mBan)

Sliáb na mBan (Slievenamon). One of the longer narrative episodes, tr. Dooley & Roe: 139-149; discussed by Nagy; + epilogue, p. 150.

Part VII: Munster

ll. 5384-6358.

ll. 5384-5440: Caisel na Ríg

tr. Dooley & Roe: p. 151ff (beg. of chapter IX); discussed by Ann Dooley, ‘The deployment of some hagiographical sources in Acallam na senórach’ in The Gaelic Finn tradition... (2012).

Patrick goes to Cashel (Caisel na Ríg), then called Lis na Laechraide (‘Rampart of the Warriors’), where he is met by Éogan Lethderg mac Óenguso, king of Munster, and his army. The nobles of Munster show fealty towards the saint, accepting his authority over their territory.

On behalf of Patrick, Benén mac Áeda asks Éogan for a gospel-fee (screpall soiscéla) consisting of land and territory. Éogan Lethderg grants Cashel to Patrick, with the surrounding lands stretching as far as Patrick's eyes can see from the Cloch na Cét (‘Stone of the Hundreds’). When Patrick steps on the stone, 11.000 demons flee from it, and he bestows on it a blessing as well as the special quality of providing good counsel: clerics can submit requests by fasting on it. A note is added that the rock is the place of the third perpetual fire of Ireland, after those of Brigit and Colum Cille.

Éogan Lethderg welcomes Caílte and asks him why Cloch na Cét is thus called. According to Caílte, Finn sat on the stone when he first put his thumb on his ‘tooth of wisdom’ (dét fis). Finn received knowledge of God, Heaven and the advent of Patrick and other saints. The royal fortress with the surrounding rampart was built by Fiachu Muillethan mac Éogain, king of Munster (two provinces of Munster).

Patrick then recites the prophetic poem beg. 'In cloch-so a h-ainm Cloch na Cét', describing the future Cashel as a flourishing religious centre. Éogan applauds him on his knowledge.

ll. 5441-5631. Ráithín na nIngnad

Beg. Ocus ro badur in sluag uili annsin ... a n-dala-sin conici sin

Story of the three gifted youths from Irúaith and their hound, etc., ed. Whitley Stokes, ‘Acallamh na senórach’ in Irische Texte mit Wörterbuch... (1900): lines 5441–5631 (Ocus ro badur in sluag uili annsin ... a n–dala–sin conici sin); tr. Ann Dooley • Harry Roe, Tales of the elders of Ireland (1999): 152–158.

Items: 7

More…

ll. 5632-5725

Dooley & Roe: pp. 158-160. Benn mBán in Retha (White Peak of the Run) -- has poem beg. Mar thangamar don Beind Bain (7 qq).

ll. 5725-

Dooley & Roe: 160-165; also tr. by Stokes: p. 248ff. In the territory of the Uí Cúanaig -- Story of Fer Óc, son of Cuillenn and Callann. -- Allusions are made to the Ulster Cycle.