Matheson Collection > Aislinge Meic Conglinne

148 Notes.
Page 114.
[In order to enable those students of folk-lore who do not
know Irish to compare the two versions for themselves, I subjoin
a translation of that of H. 3, 18, omitting only those portions
which agree with Lealliar Bruac, or which I am unable to un-
derstand.]
Cathal Mac Findguine, a great king of Munster, with the greed
of a hound, with the appetite of a horse. A demon of gluttony
was in his inside ; Satan consumed his food with him.
Aniar Mac Conglinne, of the people of great Fahan-Mura,^ a
splendid scholar. He went from Fahan the round of Ireland, into
Tyrone, into Oriel, to Armagh, across the Fews Mountains,
across the plain of Louth, into Criifan, into Crioch Rois, to the
hill of Teltown. He had one attendant with him, Mac-na-Cairre
(the Scabbed Youth). They went to Kells, and spent the night
without food in the stone-church. On the morrow Mac C. said
in the presence of the congregation :
"My lad.
Why should we not have a duel in quatrains ?
Make thou a quatrain on the bread,
I will make one on the relish."
" We need it," said the Scabbed Youth, " having been left fast-
ing by the comnninity here last night." Before evening enough
for twenty came to them of drink and food. On the next day
they went through Meath, across the hill of Usnech, to Durrow
of Columcille in Tir Néill, across Slieve Bloom, into Ely (O'Car-
roU) westward, across the plain of Munster, across Machaire na
Cliach, into Luachair Dedhad,
There were the men of Munster in their bands going to Cork
for the festival of St. Barre and St. Nessan, in order to fast. " I
would give you good advice," said the Scabbed Youth to Mac C.
' ' that we may get food in Cork. Let us say that you are a poet
and they will not dare to let us be without food." Mac C.
1 Now Fahan, co. Donegal, " where St. Mura, the patron saint
of the Cinel-Eoghain, was held in the highest veneration"
a Don. FM., 1101.