29:
258:
found her as she awoke from a dream. She told Naisi of her dream - in it she sees Naisi and Illann headless, but Buinne not with them. Next the party went to Ard na
Sailech. Again Deirdre had premonitions, envisioning a 'cloud of blood' over Naisi, Ainle, and Ardan's head. She counselled that they should go to DĂşn Delgan (Dundalk) and stay until Fergus could join them, or seek CĂşchulainn as escort, but the brothers were not worried, and did not follow her advice.
306:
enchantment on the escapees, stating that if he did so he would not harm the. Cathad conjured water to prevent them. Concobar then called for someone to kill Naisi but none from Ulster would. However one Maine Red-hand from Norway, whose father and brothers had been killed by Naisi, was willing to do the beheading.
282:
and Naisi threw a chess piece at him so well he lost an eye - he returned to
Conchobar and told him "The woman whose form and feature are loveliest in the world is there, and Naisi would be king of the world if she were left to him." Conchobar became enraged and ordered an assault on the Red Branch house.
269:
At Emain Macha they knocked, and on telling the doorman who it was
Concobar said to send them to the Red Branch house. Deirdre suggested they leave, but the men would not, lest they be called timid. They entered the house of the Red Branch, and were served with great food and drink - all the servants
240:
bringing honey in their beaks but returning with blood in their beaks - she interpreted this as meaning that the messenger came with a false promise of peace. Nevertheless, they greeted Fergus warmly, and he then told him of his task as envoy, to make them return to Ulster. The exiles spoke of their
192:
One snowy day when she saw her foster father kill a calf, on which a raven fell to drink the animals blood - she said she wanted a husband who had in him the three colors she saw - hair the color of the raven, cheeks red like the calf's blood, and skin the color of snow. She was told that such a man
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A the house
Conchobar and his men, and the Naisi and his exchanged words, then fighting began. Buinne slew many of Conchobar's men, but Conchobar asked his price, and bribed him with land, and he deserted his companions. The Illann came forth and killed many of Conchobar's men, and would not take a
281:
Conchobar sent messengers to tell him of
Deirdre's appearance twice more. Then he spoke to Tréndorn saying "do you know who killed my father (and three brothers)?" - Tréndhorn replied it was Naisi - then Conchobar sent him report on Deirdre's appearance. As he spied through a window he was spotted,
212:
Conchobar was at another feast with his people, and asked them if they wanted for anything. They replied they had no want, except the loss of their kinsmen Naisi, Ainle, and Ardan - because of the woman
Deirdre. Having heard this Conchobar decided to send an envoy. However Naisi was prohibited from
208:
Thus Naisi and his two brothers, Ainle and Ardan, together with and one hundred and fifty warriors, went to
Scotland and entered the paid service of the King of Scotland. The Scottish King heard of Deirdre's great beauty and too tried to get her for himself, on which Naisi and his brothers left for
257:
The exiles left
Borrach's place. Deirdre counseled Naisi to stay at the island of Cuilenn, but Fergus's sons (Illann the Fair, and Buinne the Ruthless Red) spoke against it. Then they went to the White Cairn of Watching on Slaib Fuad, but Deirdre fell behind, and fell asleep. Naisi turned back and
232:
in Alba (Scotland), and found the hunting lodges of the Naisi and his two brothers, but there was no recent sign of them. Fergus then went to the harbor and made a loud call for them, which was heard by Naisi and
Deirdre. Naisi said he had heard an Irish voice, and so had Deirdre, but she lied and
305:
Ardan defended the Red Branch house on the first night, slaying many; the next night Ainle defended; on the third night Naisi defended, also killing many attackers. The three then formed a shield around
Deirdre, and leapt outside the walls of Emain. Concobar told his druid Cathbad to put an
261:
They then went straight to Emain Macha. On reaching it Deirdre foretold a way they could tell whether or not Concobar would do them ill - if they were invited into Cochobar's house they were safe, but if they were invited into the house of the
302:) and killed Illann. Wounded, Illann asked who had done it, and told them he was there to guard Naisi and his brothers - on hearing this Conall was sorry, and killed Fiacha in revenge. Illann called Naisi to the fight, then died.
648:
Hemming, Jessica. "Red, White, and Black in Symbolic Thought: The Tricolour Folk Motif, Colour Naming, and Trichromatic Vision." Folklore 123, no. 3 (2012): 310–29. Accessed June 20, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/41721562.
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depending on source). The whole event leads to considerable strife between Ulster and Connacht, the disinheritance of Conchobar and his descendants to the title King of Ulster, and the destruction of Emain Macha.
316:
Cathbad cursed Emain Macha because of the evil of that day, and said that neither Conchobar nor his descendants would ever possess it again. Fergus came the next day, and saw the disaster, and (together with
205:. She asked that she might speak with him, in secret. Naisi met with her, and she declared her love for him, and asked to elope, which he agreed to, though he was tardy to carry out, for fear of Conchobar.
117:
their protector and escort, as well as Naoise and his brothers' repeated disregard for Deirdre's prophetic warnings) and the treachery of Conchobar brought on by his desire for Deirdre, leads to tragedy.
313:
himself, to Maine, and Maine killed all three with it, in one blow. Deirdre kissed her dead husband and drank his blood, and sang a long lament. She then flung herself into Naisi's grave and died.
233:
said she thought it was a Scottish voice. Fergus called again, and the same happened; and then a third time, and Naisi became sure it was Fergus' voice and asked Ardan to go and meet him.
107:, and so the lovers go with Naoise's two brothers into exile in Scotland (Alba). Eventually, Conchobar seeks to get them to return, but a series of unfortunate events (including a
189:
prevented it and decided to have her brought up in seclusion, and that when she was old enough, he would marry her. She grew up to outshine other women of the time in beauty.
241:
missing Ireland, but Deirdre still did not wish to go out of worry - Fergus promised he would give them his protection against any in Ireland, and so Naisi agreed to return.
290:, born on the same night as Illann. He gave Fiacha his arms, but after a hard fight, Illann won. Conchobar's shield made a great sound when its wielder was in distress, and
244:
On the way they came to the fort of Borrach (son of Annte). Borrach welcomed them, and offered a feast (as Conchobar had instructed him to do), but placed Fergus under a
254:
on the same day that they returned to Ireland. Fergus decided to stay at the feast and send his own two sons with the returning exiles back to Emain Macha.
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673:
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named her, and prophesied that she would cause much trouble and strife - on hearing this the assembled lords would have had her killed then, but king
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134:
274:) to be brought so they could play - at the same time Conchobar inquired of Deirdre, asking if she was still so beautiful. Concobar's envoy (
236:
Deirdre confessed that she had recognized the voice, but concealed the truth as she had a vision the previous night, of three birds from
250:
not to leave the feast until it was finished. Fergus became flustered, telling Borrach that he had promised to bring the three back to
331:) gave battle to Conchobar, brought the destruction of Emain Macha, together with Conchobar's women. Fergus then sought aid from
666:
640:
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Ardan said he should die first, as the youngest, but Ainle offered himself; Naisi gave his exceptional sword, which was from
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drank and ate and became merry, but the exiles would not eat or drink. Naisi then called for Concobar's chessboard (the
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heard it, thinking Conchobar was in need, and came - seeing the scene of the battle he took his spear (
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the queen. Much of Ulster was raided or destroyed, with hostilities continuing for several years.
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Naoise appears in many interpretations of the story of Deirdre and the sons of Uisnech, such as
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278:) returned and told him who was there, and that Deirdre was changed from when she left.
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Naoise carrying Deirdre, along with his two brothers. Illustration by
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133:. Ultimately the sons of Uisnech are killed in one blow delivered by
103:, a woman of great beauty, who is also desired by the king of Ulster
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The tale is also found in the "Glenmasan manuscript" version of the
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existed in the house of Conchobar - named Naisi (Naoise), son of
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Gantz, Jeffrey, ed. (1981), "The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu",
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an island in the sea, after many battles with the king's men.
157:(Cattle raid of Cooley), in the story part sometimes entitled
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409:- "the Height of the Willows", now known as Armagh, from
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bribe like his brother. Conchobar asked for his own son
161:. The following summary is based on the translations of
80:(or Uisliu). He is mentioned in the tale known as the
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169:), Naoise here rendered as Naisi in the text :
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266:without Concobar then evil was intended for them.
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88:, usually found within the set of stories in the
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458:. Oxford: The Clarendon Press. 1911. pp. 48-60.
225:. Conchobar chose Fergus to go fetch for them.
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151:Naoise's and Deirdre's story appears in the
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660:
159:"The Tragical Death of the Sons of Usnach"
454:"Deirdre and Naisi". In: Thomas, Edward.
609:"The Cuchullin Saga in Irish Literature"
389:In some manuscripts this is Rachline ie
213:returning to Ireland except with either
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413:- "the height of Macha". Footnote in (
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121:The tale climaxes with battle at the
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82:Tragic Tale of the Sons of Uisnech
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137:son of the King of Norway (or by
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1:
1156:Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend
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86:Exiles of the Sons of Uisnech
16:Irish mythological character
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631:Early Irish Myths and Sagas
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165:and O'Flanagan edited in (
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1246:
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1058:
957:
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68:) was the nephew of King
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1332:Togail Bruidne Dá Derga
428:Eogan, son of Durthacht
21:Naoise (disambiguation)
335:King of Connacht, and
41:
944:Conganchnes mac Dedad
31:
1344:part of a series on
1297:Serglige Con Culainn
1059:Supernatural figures
635:, Penguin Classics,
228:Fergus journeyed to
19:For other uses, see
1262:Compert Con Culainn
1005:Éogan mac Durthacht
736:Cethern mac Fintain
701:Conchobar mac Nessa
355:Cultural references
139:Éogan mac Durthacht
105:Conchobar mac Nessa
70:Conchobar mac Nessa
1255:Aided Ă“enfhir AĂfe
949:Lugaid mac Con RoĂ
847:Dubthach DĂłeltenga
842:Cormac Cond Longas
60:(modern spelling:
42:
38:Celtic Fairy Tales
1353:
1352:
1030:Lugaid Riab nDerg
995:Dáire mac Fiachna
706:Amergin mac Eccit
642:978-0-140-44397-4
590:, pp. 48–49.
578:, pp. 44–48.
566:, pp. 43–44.
554:, pp. 40–43.
542:, pp. 39–40.
530:, pp. 36–39.
506:, pp. 33–35.
426:In other sources
368:. For others see
199:Conall Flatnailed
1373:
1346:Celtic mythology
1311:Táin Bó Flidhais
1304:Táin Bó Cúailnge
1290:Scéla Conchobair
1276:Mac Da ThĂł's Pig
1187:LĂşin of Celtchar
1116:Manannán mac Lir
852:Fergus mac RoĂch
801:LĂłegaire BĂşadach
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349:Táin Bó Flidhais
311:Manannán mac Lir
154:Táin Bó Cúailnge
146:Mythic biography
115:Fergus mac RĂłich
90:Táin Bó Cúailnge
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46:Irish mythology
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1316:
1309:
1302:
1295:
1288:
1281:
1274:
1267:
1260:
1253:
1223:DĂşn Flidhais
1151:Finnbhennach
1126:The MorrĂgan
815:
687:Ulster Cycle
630:
615:, no. 8
612:
583:
571:
559:
547:
535:
523:
511:
499:
487:
475:
463:
455:
450:
430:. Footnote (
422:
410:
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365:
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327:
321:conloinggeas
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120:
108:
98:
94:Ulster Cycle
89:
85:
81:
61:
57:
53:
49:
43:
37:
25:
980:Conaire MĂłr
873:Ailill Finn
796:Leabharcham
751:CĂş Chulainn
716:BlaĂ Briugu
362:W. B. Yeats
252:Emain Macha
238:Emain Macha
127:Emain Macha
1283:Mesca Ulad
1233:Magh Meall
1020:Fir Fálgae
442:References
328:daelultach
264:Red Branch
230:Loch Etive
215:CĂşchulainn
177:was born,
123:Red Branch
113:placed on
1196:Locations
1177:Fragarach
1172:Caladbolg
1140:Creatures
918:Mac CĂ©cht
903:Findabair
893:Etarcomol
781:FindchĂłem
761:Deichtine
746:Cruinniuc
588:Hull 1898
576:Hull 1898
564:Hull 1898
552:Hull 1898
540:Hull 1898
528:Hull 1898
516:Hull 1898
504:Hull 1898
492:Hull 1898
480:Hull 1898
468:Hull 1898
432:Hull 1898
415:Hull 1898
411:Ard Macha
395:Hull 1898
326:Dubhtach
276:Levarcham
272:Cennchaem
201:, son of
197:, son of
187:Conchobar
167:Hull 1898
125:house at
1360:Category
1238:Teamhair
1213:Cuailghe
1208:Cruachan
1182:Gáe Bulg
1045:Scáthach
1035:Mesgegra
975:Bláthnat
861:Connacht
786:Furbaide
776:Fedlimid
756:CĂşscraid
731:Celtchar
300:Culghlas
78:Uisneach
1165:Weapons
1096:Flidais
1050:Uathach
932:Munster
908:Flidais
898:Ferdiad
826:SĂşaltam
766:Deirdre
726:Cathbad
721:Bricriu
711:Athirne
598:Sources
370:Deirdre
366:Deirdre
319:Cormac
296:Amargin
294:son of
179:Cathbad
175:Deirdre
101:Deirdre
40:(1892).
1218:Dealga
1131:Nemain
1101:LĂ Ban
1071:BĂ©binn
1066:Aengus
1015:Fedelm
990:Connla
965:Achall
958:Others
939:CĂş RoĂ
913:Fráech
883:BĂ©lchĂş
821:Sencha
816:Naoise
806:Mugain
771:Fedelm
694:Ulster
685:: the
639:
333:Ailill
292:Conall
288:Fiacha
195:Usnach
131:Fiacha
74:Ulster
62:Naoise
58:Noisiu
1247:Texts
1121:Midir
1111:Macha
1086:ÉtaĂn
1081:Dáire
1076:Boann
377:Notes
364:1907
337:Maeve
247:geasa
221:, or
183:druid
173:When
84:, or
54:NoĂse
50:Naisi
1149:and
1091:Fand
1000:Emer
970:AĂfe
923:Nera
868:Medb
811:Neas
791:Láeg
637:ISBN
324:and
181:the
110:geas
1106:Lug
72:of
56:or
44:In
36:in
1362::
611:,
351:.
217:,
96:.
52:,
48:,
675:e
668:t
661:v
372:.
23:.
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