12.07.2015 Views

Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

CHAPTER III: THE IRISH INVASION MYTHS 95resource <strong>the</strong> sons <strong>of</strong> Turenn accomplish one by one all <strong>the</strong>ir tasks,but when all are done save <strong>the</strong> capture <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cooking-spit <strong>and</strong><strong>the</strong> three shouts on <strong>the</strong> Hill <strong>of</strong> Mochaen, Lugh, by magical arts,causes forgetfulness to fall upon <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y return to Irel<strong>and</strong>with <strong>the</strong>ir treasures. These, especially <strong>the</strong> spear <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> pig-skin,are just what Lugh needs to help him against <strong>the</strong> Fomorians; buthis vengeance is not complete, <strong>and</strong> after receiving <strong>the</strong> treasureshe reminds <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> what is yet to be won. They, in deepdejection, now begin to underst<strong>and</strong> how <strong>the</strong>y are played with, <strong>and</strong>go forth sadly to win, if <strong>the</strong>y can, <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eric. After longw<strong>and</strong>ering <strong>the</strong>y discover that <strong>the</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> Finchory is not above,but under <strong>the</strong> sea. Brian in a magical “water-dress” goes downto it, sees <strong>the</strong> thrice fifty nymphs in <strong>the</strong>ir palace, <strong>and</strong> seizes <strong>the</strong>golden spit from <strong>the</strong>ir hearth. The ordeal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hill <strong>of</strong> Mochaenis <strong>the</strong> last to be attempted. After a desperate combat which endsin <strong>the</strong> slaying <strong>of</strong> Mochaen <strong>and</strong> his sons, <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs, mortallywounded, uplift <strong>the</strong>ir voices in three faint cries, <strong>and</strong> so <strong>the</strong> ericis fulfilled. The life is still in <strong>the</strong>m, however, when <strong>the</strong>y returnto Irel<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir aged fa<strong>the</strong>r, Turenn, implores Lugh for <strong>the</strong>loan <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> magic pig-skin to heal <strong>the</strong>m; but <strong>the</strong> implacable Lughrefuses, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r die toge<strong>the</strong>r. So ends<strong>the</strong> tale.The Second Battle <strong>of</strong> MoyturaThe Second Battle <strong>of</strong> Moytura took place on a plain in <strong>the</strong>north <strong>of</strong> Co. Sligo, which is remarkable for <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong>sepulchral monuments still scattered over it. The first battle, <strong>of</strong>course, was that which <strong>the</strong> Danaans had waged with <strong>the</strong> Firbolgs,<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Moytura <strong>the</strong>re referred to was much fur<strong>the</strong>r south, inCo. Mayo. The battle with <strong>the</strong> Fomorians is related with an [117]astounding wealth <strong>of</strong> marvellous incident. The craftsmen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Danaans, Goban <strong>the</strong> smith, Credné <strong>the</strong> artificer (or goldsmith),<strong>and</strong> Luchta <strong>the</strong> carpenter, keep repairing <strong>the</strong> broken weapons<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Danaans with magical speed—three blows <strong>of</strong> Goban'shammer make a spear or sword, Luchta flings a h<strong>and</strong>le at it <strong>and</strong>

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!