Classic Poem

Which are the four families of Teamhair from among the progeny most noble in history, i.e. from among the fresh, curly-headed progeny of Conn, to whom Ireland from sea to sea is a natural right? The Sons of Aodh Slaine from the hill of Cnodhbha, the Sons of Colman whom poets love; a family that protects every stranger, the Race of Conall, the Race of noble Eoghan. There are two households in the north by the side of Aileach of the race of Niall, that do my advantage; of the fierce Sons of fair Niall by Teamhair in the south there are two noble successions of kings. Conall, Eoghan of the fair of Tailtiu, are the two households of Teamhair in the north; they are an unquenched glowing ember; with them, the two brothers, resides every quality. As for the progeny of Aodh Slaine and the Sons of Colman, there is debility upon the branches of Teamhair; nothing separated the noble band from their ancient prosperity but the Foreigners about Teamhair in the south. Equally noble with the Kindred of Eoghan is the race of Conall that poets love; the princes of dark, swift Eas Ruaidh are armies equal to high Aileach. Equal their jurisdiction throughout Ireland, equal their tribute and their tax, equal the weight of their laws and their dominion; exactly equal is the honour due to each of them. When the king of Conall has the kingship, (pleasant the injunction to the Sons of Eoghan) the king of the Eirne is entitled to nothing from Eoghan except that he rise up with him as a valiant warrior. The chief of Aileach, when he goes on an expedition, is entitled to the same from Conall; what is yielded him by the host of Daol involves no great affliction nor servitude. Let them affirm brotherhood, let them have a single king, the two noble houses of Inis Fail; as their own horses are wont to be under them, to be together is as natural to them. Six kings in excess over Ireland were of the race of Eoghan, if what they say is true; the manner of Conghal of great, dark Ceann Maghair was to avail in counterbalance to them. Whoever of us has been chosen, let us both make him our high king; the goodly assembly of nobles will bring about from our number alternation of the kingship again. No man of Breifne nor of Airghialla of Inis Liag is entitled to the hostages of Ireland; not until great Brian of Munster did a host from the west or the Ulaidh get them. No Leinsterman from the time of the Adzehead has been entitled to come to Teamhair, though he be strong; though that man should take her with a few soldiers, the king of Cruachain is not entitled to her tribute. A king of the blood of Conall ruling over the Sons of Eoghan by virtue of his nobility, would be a wise notion; why would not all people be more fitting subjects to a man junior in rank if he enjoyed such great popularity? It is a pity they do not bring this about: to be united under one king; when there is a pact to unite them, they will be firmer in battle than a whitewashed fortress. Long ago Conall and Eoghan of the bright weapons used to foster harmony; every man to whom his fellow would be more fitting as subject, our own Leath Cuinn was under his sway. O Domhnaill, it is to him that the leadership of Ireland would be due for every reason, to the king who is best at the two occupations: firmness in peace, firmness in battle against all comers. He is best to sustain prosperity, a man who would not lay his own people low; it is best that their straits should be borne by him, so that he might tolerate their misfortune for a long time. Right it is that the holding together of the world should be given to him; he is the most perfect to act as instructor to a host; he is the man from whom regions do not hide their fruit, the most excellent cook of kingship that we can provide. More fitting would the leadership of the Irish be to him because of his charm, his goodly apparel and his beauty; he it is who was chosen rather than a younger king; it is he whose prowess has been most tried. It would not be right for other kings to swear by the increase in the extent of their prosperity; the great prince has done according to his boast, he has withheld the payment of honour from every young hero. When O Domhnaill closed the circle of defence about the land of Fodla so that it acquired cohesion, through the power of the prophecy of Colum Cille he encircled everyone with the binding plant of the kings of Conall. There is wont to be about the hero of the Race of Lughaidh a breastplate to protect us and a guard for his prosperity, a garment of war about the hero's body in battle, the words of prophecy of Colum Cille. His fleet acquired Loch Eirne from shore to shore so that he got the kingship; even though Loch Uachtair is farther afield, the pick of the troop of Conn paid it a visit. I cannot for every reason mention his warring against the Sons of Eoghan; I dare not speak of anything — he performs deeds of valour against everyone and excels us. The son of ├ëigneachan put forth his wing towards the territory of every king adjacent to him beyond his borders; he stretched his spear-points along his ..., he put forth his steps from Tir Chonaill. Domhnall of Doire is an oak above the forest, a golden vessel about a heady wine, a firm foundation of the noble, courageous Sons of Lughaidh, a branched fruit-bearing tree, apple-covered and high. The fragrant apple-tree of the Sons of Seadna, the brilliance of the moon over the bay, the nut-tree of the Sons of Dalach is the hero of great and oar-plied Eas Ruaidh. The king of Conall is a wave in flood, a honeycomb in the middle of the hive, an antediluvian ox against which no man is protection; his countenance is his written claim to be king of the Irish. Domhnall son of ├ëigneachan of Fanaid, the one supporting prop of Inis Fail, the firm support of the household of Conall, was blessed by the mouth of Colum Cille.