Chapter 2

[19]Or, perhaps, 'good cheer.'

7.The Sport of Ireland—Kells.

8. The Two Eyes of Ireland—Tallaght and Finglas.

9. The Sanctuary of Ireland—the House of Cairnech upon the Road of Asal.[20]

[20]A road running from Tara westward into Westmeath.

10. The Purity of Ireland—Scattery Island.

11.The Abbey-church of Ireland—Glendalough.

12. The Jurisprudence of Ireland—Cloyne.

13.The House of Wages[21]of Ireland—Ferns.

[21]Or 'hire.'

14.The Singing the Litany of Ireland—Lismore.

15.The Lore of Ireland—Emly.

16.The Legal Speech of Ireland—Cork.

17.The Learning of Ireland—Roscarbery.

18.The Wantonness of Ireland—Terryglas.

19.The Spiritual Guidance of Ireland—Clonfert.

20.The Curse of Ireland—Lorrha.

21. The Judgment of Ireland—Slane.

22.The Severity of Piety of Ireland—Fore.

23. The Delight of Ireland—Ardbrackan.

24.The Simplicity[22]of Ireland—Roscommon.

[22]Or 'uprightness.'

25.The Welcome of Ireland—Raphoe or Drumlane.

26.The Charity of Ireland—Downpatrick.

27. Trichtach Hérenn Dairchaill.

om.BM techtach E Durcaill N Darachill L

28.Fossugud Hérenn Mag mBile.

Mag Mile L

29. Martra Hérenn Tulen.

om.L

30.Ailbéimm Hérenn Cell Rúaid.

aulbeimnech L Ruadh N Ruadain L

31.Genas Hérenn Lann Ela.

32.Trí tairleme Érenn: Daire Calgaig ⁊ Tech Munna ⁊ Cell Maignenn.

om.HBM

33.Tri aithechpuirt Hérenn: Clúain Iraird, Glenn Dá Locha, Lugbad.

aithich Lec heathachbuirg M Lugmag NBM

34.Trí clochraid Hérenn: Ard Macha, Clúain Maic Nóis, Cell Dara.

clothraige BM clothrai N clochraid L clochraidi Lec

35. Trí háenaig Hérenn: áenach Tailten, áenach Crúachan, áenach Colmáin Ela.

haenaigi L Colman MSS

36.Trí dúine Hérenn: Dún Sobairche, Dún Cermna, Cathair Chonrúi.

duin NBM

37.Trí slébe Hérenn: Slíab Cúa, Slíab Mis, Slíab Cúalann.

sleibte BM

38. Trí haird Hérenn: Crúachán Aigli, Ae Chúalann, Benn mBoirchi.

hard N cích Cualann L benna LN

39. Trí locha Hérenn: Loch nEchach, Loch Rí, Loch nErni.

Rib BM Rig N

40. Trí srotha Hérenn: Sinann, Bóand, Banda.

41. Trí machairc Hérenn: Mag Midi, Mag Line, Mag Lifi.

maige HBM

42.Trí dorcha Hérenn: úam Chnogba, úam Slángæ, dercc Ferna.

doirchi L uaim Chruachan NL uaim Condba B uaim Cnodba HM Slaingai BM Slaine N Slaine ⁊ uaim Chruachan nó dearc Fearnaadd.H

43. Trí díthruib Hérenn: Fid Mór hi Cúailgni, Fid Déicsen hi Tuirtri, Fid Moithre hi Connachtaib.

dithreba BM Fid Dexin N

44.Trí dotcaid Hérenn: abbdaine Bendchuir, [A] abbdaine Lainne Ela, ríge Mugdorn Maigen.

dotchaid LHLec [A] .i. ar imad argain air L abdaine Sláne nó Colmain Ela BM Laind Ela BM

27. The ... of Ireland—Dairchaill.

28.The Stability of Ireland—Moville.

29. The Martyrdom of Ireland—Dulane.

30.The Reproach of Ireland—Cell Ruaid (Ruad's Church).[23]

[23]'Ruadan's Church,' L.

31.The Chastity of Ireland—Lynally.

32.The three places of Ireland to alight at: Derry, Taghmon, Kilmainham.

33.The three rent-paying places of Ireland: Clonard, Glendalough, Louth.

34.The three stone-buildings of Ireland: Armagh, Clonmacnois, Kildare.

35. The three fairs of Ireland: the fair of Teltown, the fair of Croghan, the fair of Colman Elo.

36.The three forts of Ireland: Dunseverick, Dun Cermna,[24]Cathir Conree.

[24]On the Old Head of Kinsale.

37.The three mountains of Ireland: Slieve Gua,[25]Slieve Mis, Slieve Cualann.[26]

[25]i.e.the Knockmealdown mountains.

[26]The Wicklow mountains.

38. The three heights of Ireland: Croagh Patrick, Ae Chualann,[27]Benn Boirche.[28]

[27]'The Liver ('Pap,' L.) of Cualu,' either the Great Sugarloaf or Lugnaquilla.

[28]i.e.Slieve Donard.

39. The three lakes of Ireland: Lough Neagh, Lough Ree, Lough Erne.

40. The three rivers of Ireland: the Shannon, the Boyne, the Bann.

41. The three plains of Ireland: the plain of Meath, Moylinny, Moy-Liffey.[29]

[29]i.e.the plain of Kildare.

42.The three dark places of Ireland: the cave of Knowth, the cave of Slaney, the cave of Ferns.

43. The three desert places of Ireland: Fid Mór (Great Wood) in Coolney, Fid Déicsen (Spy-wood) in Tuirtri,[30]the Wood of Moher in Connaught.

[30]The Húi Tuirtri were settled in the four baronies of Upper and Lower Antrim, and Upper and Lower Toome in county Antrim.

44.The three unlucky places of Ireland: the abbotship of Bangor, the abbotship of Lynally, the kingship of Mugdorn Maigen.[31]

[31]Now Cremorne barony, county Monaghan.

45.Trí huilc Hérenn: Crecraigi, Glasraigi, Benntraigi.

Grecraigi HBM

46. Trí cáemnai Hérenn: abbdaine Lusca, ríge trí Cúalann, secnabbóite Arda Macha.

ríge fer Cualann NL sechnap L segnab-i nArdmachai N

47. Trí trága Hérenn: Tráig Ruis Airgit, Tráig Ruis Téiti, Tráig Baili.

trachtai L

48. Trí hátha Hérenn: Áth Clíath, Áth Lúain, Áth Caille.

49. Trí sligid Hérenn: slige Dála, slige Asail, slige Midlúachra.

sligthi MSS

50. Trí belaige Hérenn: Belach Conglais, Belach Luimnig, Belach Duiblinne .i. Átha Clíath.

belaig L Conglaisi N Luimne N .i. Átha Clíathom. N

51.Trí drommanna Hérenn: Druimm Fingin, Druimm nDrobeoil, Druimm Leithe.

om.HBM

52. Trí maige Hérenn: Mag mBreg, Mag Crúachan, Mac Liphi.

53. Trí clúana Hérenn: Clúain Maic Nóis, Clúain Eois, Clúain Iraird.

54. Trí tellaige Hérenn: tellach Temrach, tellach Caisil, tellach Crúachan.

Temair Crúachu Caisel HBM

55. Trí hessa Hérenn: Ess Rúaid, Ess Danainne, Ess Maige.

56.Trí fothirbi Hérenn: Tír Rátha Laidcniáin, Slíab Commáin, Slíab Mancháin.

om.HBM fothairbe N

57. Trí tiprata Hérenn: Tipra na nDési, Tipra Húarbeoil, Tipra Úaráin Garaid.

tiubrai N tipra Cuirp N nDési HBM tipra Uarainn Garaid HBM t. Uaran nGarad N Breifene N tipra Braithcleasan Brigdi H Braichleasan Brigde BM

58. Trí haimréide Hérenn: Breifne, Bairenn, Bérre[A].

haimreid L Boirind M [A] Beandtraigi H

59. Trí hinbera Hérenn: Inber na mBárc, Inber Féile, Inber Túaige.

60.Trí hairderca Hérenn: Léimm Conculaind, Dún Cáin, Srub Brain.

hirrdraici H oirrdirc M

45.The three evil ones of Ireland: the Crecraige,[32]the Glasraige, the Benntraige.[33]

[32]A tribe settled in the barony of Coolavin, county Sligo, and in the adjacent part of county Roscommon.

[33]Either Bantry in county Cork, or Bantry in county Wexford.

46. The three comfortable places of Ireland: the abbotship of Lusk, the kingship of the three Cualu,[34]the vice-abbotship of Armagh.

[34]'Of the men of Cualu,' NL.

47. The three strands of Ireland: the strand of Ross Airgit,[35]the strand of Ross Teiti, the strand of Baile.[36]

[35]A territory in the barony of Upper Ormond, county Tipperary.

[36]Now Dundalk.

48. The three fords of Ireland: Ath Cliath (Hurdle-ford), Athlone (the Ford of Luan), Ath Caille (Wood-ford).[37]

[37]Perhaps Áth Caille Rúaide on the Shannon.

49. The three highroads of Ireland: Slige Dala,[38]Slige Asail, Slige Luachra.[39]

[38]The great south-western road from Tara into Ossory.

[39]A road running northward from Tara.

50. The three mountain-passes of Ireland: Baltinglass, the Pass of Limerick, the Pass of Dublin.

51.The three ridges of Ireland: Druim Fingin, Druim nDrobeoil, Druim Leithe.[40]

[40]In Breffny.

52. The three plains of Ireland: Moy Bray, Moy Croghan, Moy Liffey.

53. The three meadows of Ireland: Clonmacnois, Clones, Clonard.

54. The three households of Ireland: the household of Tara, the household of Cashel, the household of Croghan.

55. The three waterfalls of Ireland: Assaroe, Eas Danainne,[41]Eas Maige.

[41]On the Shannon opposite Dunass, co. Clare.

56.The three fields (?) of Ireland: the land of Rathlynan, Slieve Comman, Slieve Manchain.

57. The three wells of Ireland: the Well of the Desi, the Well of Uarbel,[42]the Well of Uaran Garaid.

[42]Probably nearSescenn Uarbéoilin Leinster (Mountseskenn?).

58. The three uneven places of Ireland: Breffny, the Burren, Beare.

59. The three estuaries of Ireland: Inver na mBarc,[43]Inver Feile,[44]Inver Tuaige.[45]

[43]Dún na mBárcis in Bantry Bay.

[44]The estuary of the Feale.

[45]'The axe-shaped estuary,'i.e.the mouth of the Bann.

60.The three conspicuous places of Ireland: Cuchulinn's Leap,[46]Dunquinn, Sruve Brain.[47]

[46]i.e.Loop Head.

[47]In the west of Kerry (i n-iarthar Hérenn, YBL. 123b31).

61. Trí gnátha Hérenn: Tráig Lí, Lúachair Dedad, Slíab Fúait.

gnath N gnáith HM Líí N

62. Trí hamrai la Táin Bó Cúailnge: .i. in cuilmen dara héisi i nÉrinn; in marb dia haisnéis don bíu .i. Fergus mac Róig dia hinnisin do Ninníne éicius i n-aimsir Corbmaic maic Fáeláin; intí dia n-aisnéther, coimge bliadna dó.

om.HBMLec coimde N

63. Trí meinistri fer Féne: .i. cích, grúad, glún.

64.Trí dotcaid duine: deog therc d'uisci, ítu i cormthig, suide cumang for achad.

dotchaid L dodcaid BM luige dige BM luige re dig H

65.Trí dotcaid threbtha: gort salach, iarmur cléithe, tech drithlennach.

dotchaid L dodcaid B iarmor B

66.Trí hairgarta ecalse: caillech fri clocc, athláech i n-apdaine, banna for altóir.

hairgairt L hairgair H hurgoirt B ina habdaine B bainne NM bæn̄ for a haltoir B

67. Trí fáilti co n-íarduibi: fer tochmairc, fer gaite, fer aisnéise.

fochmairc NHBMLec aisneidsi N

68. Trí bróin ata ferr fáilti: brón treóit oc ithe messa, brón guirt apaig, brón feda fo mess.

is ferr H ita ferr L at ferr N broin MB ac aipgiudud BM ig messrugud H

69. Trí fáilti ata messu brón: fáilti fir íar ndiupairt, fáilti fir íar luga eithig, fáilti fir íar fingail.

measum B iar ndiubairt N iar mbreith diubarta BM iar mbreith a dibirta H failte fir luga eithig B firom.BM failte fir iar marbad a bráthar a[c] cosnom a ḟeraind fris BM

70. Trí fiada co n-anḟiad: gréss i n-óentig fri muintir, uisce rothé dar cosa, bíad goirt cen dig.

fiad L anbfiad N tri fiaidaichi ad mesa H greasa BM for cosaib HM dar cosaib NB biad goirt doib B

71.Trí dotcaid maic athaig: clemnas fri hócthigern, gabáil for tascor ríg, commaid fri meirlechu.

dotchaid L dodca d B hoigthigearna MN tarscur BM tascor (nó tarcor) N tairrseach (!) L

72.Trí dotcaid threbairi: tarcud do drochmnái, fognam do drochḟlaith, cóemchlód fri drochḟerann.

dodchaidh B targad BM drochlaith M drochlaech H claechlud H caemclodh M drochírind B

73. Trí búada trebairi: tarcud do degmnái, fognam do degḟlaith, cóemchlód fri dagḟerann.

trebtha N targad B deadlaech H claechmod H deigferand HM degthigern (!) B

61. The three familiar places[48]of Ireland: Tralee, Logher, the Fews.

[48]Or, perhaps, 'places of common resort.'

62. Three wonders concerning the Táin Bó Cúailnge; that thecuilmencame to Ireland in its stead; the dead relating it to the living, viz. Fergus mac Róig reciting it to Ninníne the poet in the time of Cormac mac Fáeláin; one year's protection to him to whom it is recited.

63. The three halidoms of the men of Ireland: breast, cheek, knee.

64.Three unfortunate things for a man: a scant drink of water, thirst in an ale-house, a narrow seat upon a field.

65.Three unfortunate things of husbandry: a dirty field, leavings of the hurdle, a house full of sparks.

66.Three forbidden things of a church: a nun as bellringer, a veteran in the abbotship, a drop upon the altar.

67. Three rejoicings followed by sorrow: a wooer's, a thief's, a tale-bearer's.

68. Three sorrows that are better than joy: the heaviness of a herd feeding on mast, the heaviness of a ripe field,[49]the heaviness of a wood under mast.

[49]'Of a ripening field,' BM.

69. Three rejoicings that are worse than sorrow: the joy of a man who has defrauded another, the joy of a man who has perjured himself, the joy of a man who has committed parricide.[50]

[50]'Of a man who has slain his brother in contesting his land,' BM.

70. The three worst welcomes: a handicraft in the same house with the inmates, scalding water upon the feet, salt food without a drink.

71.Three unfortunate things for the son of a peasant: marrying into the family of a franklin, attaching himself to the retinue of a king, consorting with thieves.

72.Three unfortunate things for a householder: proposing to a bad woman, serving a bad chief, exchanging for bad land.

73. Three excellent things for a householder: proposing to a good woman, serving a good chief, exchanging for good land.

74.Trí hóenaig eserte: célide hi tig gobann, célide hi tig ṡáir, dul do chennuch cen áirche.

hænaigi nasearta B neiseirti H haonaige neserte N esertai Lec airrdhe N

75.Trí cóil ata ferr folongat in mbith: cóil srithide hi folldeirb, cóil foichne for tuinn, cóil snáithe dar dorn dagmná.

foloingead imbith B is ferr isin mbith N sreibe LLec srithide B srithide foildeirb N

76.Trí duirn ata dech for bith: dorn degṡáir, dorn degmná, dorn deggobann.

for doman BM dorn sair dorn gabonn dorn daim N degdaim BM

77.Tréde conaittig fírinne: mess, tomus, cubus.

tri conaitig B

78. Tréde conaittig brethemnas: gáis, féige, fiss.

a tri conaitig B

79.Trí túarascbála étraid: osnad, cluiche, céilide.

osnaid N miad LBM

80.Tréde ara carthar escara: máin, cruth, innraccus.

a tri BM treidi H gnás alaig erlabra HM airdearcus B

81.Tréde ara miscnigther cara: fogal, dognas, dímainche.

treidi H a tri M tri L fogail H dimainecht HM

82. Trí buirb in betha: óc contibi sen, slán contibi galarach, gáeth contibi báeth.

contib BM contibe N gallrach BM gallrai N bæth contib gæth BM

83.Trí buidir in betha: robud do throich, airchisecht fri faigdech, cosc mná báithe do drúis.

urchuidme ria foidhech N ærcuidmed fri foigeaeh B mná druithi B

84.Trí cáin docelat éitchi: sobés la anricht, áne la dóer, ecna la dodelb.

doceilead eitig B handracht B dodealb B dodeilb N

85.Trí héitich docelat cáin: bó binnech cen as, ech án amlúath, sodelb cen tothucht.

doceiled BM beinnech N

86.Trí óible adannat seirc: gnúis, alaig, erlabra.

haibne adannaid searc B adanta serce N alaid N

87.Trí haithne co fomailt: aithne mná, aithne eich, aithne salainn.

haithneada Lec tomailt B ṡalainn L

88.Trí búada téiti: ben cháem, ech maith, cú lúath.

teite N buadnasa tétnai HBMLec

89.Trí ségainni Hérenn: fáthrann, adbann a cruit, berrad aigthe.

segaind M tri comartha segainn N segraind B Hérennom.MB fatraind B fadbann N fadhbond MB aigtheom.BM a cruitom.MN

74.Three holidays[51]of a landless man[52]: visiting in the house of a blacksmith, visiting in the house of a carpenter, buying without bonds.

[51]Or, perhaps, 'fairs, foregatherings.'

[52]Or 'vagrant.'

75.Three slender things that best support the world: the slender stream of milk from the cow's dug into the pail, the slender blade of green corn upon the ground, the slender thread over the hand of a skilled woman.

76.Three hands that are best in the world: the hand of a good carpenter, the hand of a skilled woman, the hand of a good smith.

77.Three things which justice demands: judgment, measure, conscience.

78. Three things which judgment demands: wisdom, penetration, knowledge.

79.Three characteristics of concupiscence: sighing, playfulness,[53]visiting.

[53]Or 'dalliance.'

80.Three things for which an enemy is loved: wealth, beauty, worth.[54]

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