Daughter of Allill,

Daughter of Etar,

Daughter of the King of the cavalcade of the Sith,

Daughter of Dian Cecht,

Wife of Eochaidh Feidlech,

Wife of Eochaidh Airem,

Wife of Midhir,

Wife of Cormac Cond Longas,

Beloved of Ailill Anguba,

Devoted of Aonghas Og,

Mother of Esa,

Mother of Cairpre,

Mother of Oghma Sun-faced, Shining-Sage

Mother of Mes Buachalla,

Grandmother of Cerna Cass MacCairpre,

Mother of poets,

Nurse of heroes.

 

She of the bright brows,

Bright indolent lady, whitely radiant,

She of the golden tresses,

Fairest maiden of Ireland,

Fair Lady,

She who is sung of in the land,

Attended by fifty, likeness of fifty.

 

Little passion,

Wanderer care-worn,

She who trysts before dawn,

Desire that overcomes character,

Delight of company without desire,

Strong in virtue,

Enmity of Fuamnach,

 

Noble festive one,

Not meek of mood,

Worth of twelve plains,

Value of twelve rivers,

Bride-price of gold and silver,

Equal to the world’s abundance,

 

Horse-rider,

Cause of full many a war,

Cause of destruction of Sith-mounds,

Sight that nourishes hosts and gatherings in camps,

Envoy of the Cath Maighe Tuiread Cunga, 

 

Ward of sleepers,

Healer of the king’s eye,

She of the crystal bower,

Sweeter than harps and pipes, her voice,

Fragrance that turns away hunger,

She who thrives on goodly precious herbs,

Bloom that turns away thirst,

Spray of wings that cures sickness and disease,

She who regains colour at night,

She who turns virtue for healing,

Gift of cup-bearing. 

 

© Robert J. Smith, 2022,London