Family Tree
Meadb of Cruachan, daughter of Eochaid Feidleach, another of Conchobar’s wives, mother of Amalgad, Conchobar’s son, so that Conchobar was Meadb’s first husband, and Meadb forsook Conchobar through pride of mind, and went to Tara, where was the High-King of Ireland. The reason that the High-King of Ireland gave these daughters to Conchobar was that it was by Eochaid Feidleach that Fachtna Fathach had fallen in the battle of Lettir-ruad in the Corann, so that it was as his eric these were given to him, together with the forcible seizure of the kingship of Ulster, over Clan Rudraidhe: and the first cause of the stirring up of the Cattle-raid of Cuailnge was the desertion of Conchobar by Meadb against his will.
Excerpt from Medb's Men, or, The Battle of the Boyne
Book of Lecan, 351b-353a
Book of Lecan, 351b-353a
ParentsEochaid Feidleach, Father, Former King of Connacht, High King of Ireland
Crochen/Cruachú Crobh-Derg, Mother, Handmaid to Etain Husbands and Partners Conor/Conchobar mac Nessa, King of Ulster Tinne mac Conri, chieftain, later King of Connacht Eochaid Dála, chieftain, later King of Connacht Ailill mac Máta, prince of Leinster, later King of Connacht Fergus mac Róich, formerly king of Ulster, exile. |
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Why were seven of her sons called Maine?
Medb had long harboured a hatred of Conor mac Nessa, the Ulster king, and she asked a druid which of her sons would kill Conor in vengence for her, and he replied, "Maine". She didn't have a son called Maine so she decided to rename all her sons as follows:
Medb also had daughters, Findabair/Finnabair and Cainer. Findabair has her own tragic and complicated story. She is often equated with Guinivere, the wife of King Arthur. Medb and Ailill held out the promise of marriage to Findabair to some of their more reluctant allies to persuade them to take up single combat against the mighty CuChullain.
- Fedlimid became Maine Athramail ("like his father")
- Cairbre became Maine Máthramail ("like his mother")
- Eochaid became Maine Andoe ("the swift")
- Fergus became Maine Taí ("the silent")
- Cet became Maine Mórgor ("of great duty")
- Sin became Maine Mílscothach ("honey-speech")
- Dáire became Maine Móepirt ("beyond description")
Medb also had daughters, Findabair/Finnabair and Cainer. Findabair has her own tragic and complicated story. She is often equated with Guinivere, the wife of King Arthur. Medb and Ailill held out the promise of marriage to Findabair to some of their more reluctant allies to persuade them to take up single combat against the mighty CuChullain.
Cruachu Crobh-Dearg
Cruachú Crobh-Dearg (the spelling varies, as ever) is usually given as Medb's mother even though she is not the given wife of Eochaid, (who is Cloithfhionn, daughter of Eochaidh Uichtleathan), or the mother of any other of Medb's siblings. She is remembered as a handmaiden or even sister of Etain, appearing as part of the love story of Etain and Midir. Her name is associated with the royal site and with the colour red, which could give her an older sovereignty or tribal Goddess function in the region, which is being remembered and carried through the later legends. Medb used her as part of her 'rightful claim' to rule Connacht, much as Ailill uses 'mac Máta, his mother name, as part of his claim, (his mother was said to come from the west coast of Connacht). Some of Cruachú Crobh-Dearg's story, and associations with Cruachan (Rathcroghan, in Co. Roscommon) remains in the text quoted as follows...
Rath Cruachan
Listen, ye warriors about Cruachu!
with its barrow for every noble couple:
O host whence springs lasting fame of laws!
O royal line of the men of Connacht!
O host of the true, long-remembered exploits,
with number of pleasant companies and of brave kings!
O people, quickest in havoc
to whom Erin has pledged various produce!
Manly in battle-rout multitudinous
is the seed of noble Brian, with their strong fleets:
in express submission to them have been sent
hostages from all Europe to Cruachu.
If we stay to recount its fame for every power,
we shall not be able to pour out the lore of noble science
for Cruachu, holy without austerity,
whose foemen are not few.
Known to me by smooth-spoken eulogy
is the designation of powerful Cruachu:
not slight the din, the uproar,
whence it got its name and fame for bright achievement.
Eochaid Airem — high career!
when the fierce, generous man was at Fremu,
the man who cherished feats of skill,
holding a meeting for horse-fights,
There came to them noble Midir
(he was no favourite with the gentle prince)
to carry off Etain in dreadful wise,
whence came lamentation of many tribes.
Ill-favoured was the man who bore off
Etain and hardy Crochen
the queen and her handmaid,
who was right lowly, yet ever-famous.
Westward Midir bore the fair captives
after boldly seizing them as booty,
to Sid Sinche of the ancient hosts,
because it was noble Midir's hereditary possession.
Till three days were out he stayed
in the radiant noisy Sid:
after fruitful enterprise it is custom
to boast at board and banquet.
Then said strong Crochen
What fine house is this where we have halted?
O Midir of the splendid feats,
is this thy spacious dwelling?"
The answer of the famous man of arts
to Crochen blood-red of hue:
' Nearer to the sun, to its warmth,
is my bright and fruitful home."
Said Cruachu the lovely,
in presence of the spacious tribes,
"O Midir, yet unconquered,
shall my name be on this Sid?"
He gave the fine dwelling as reward for her journey
to Crochen, a fair recompense:
by Midir, report says, northward at his home,
by him her name was given to it as ye hear.
Hence men say Cruachu,
(it is not hidden from kindly tribes,)
since Midir brought (clear without falsehood)
his wife to Sinech of the Side.
As for Midir, he was no sluggard thereafter,
he went to Bri Leith maic Celtchair:
he carried with him the bright indolent lady, whitely radiant,
whom he bore off by force from Fremu.
Eochaid at the head of the numerous ranks
of his brave troop,
...was on the track of Midir, the great champion.
Said his druid to Eochaid,
"Thou shalt not be fortunate all thy life long:
lamentation for evil has come upon thee
for the loss of Etain of the golden tresses:"
"Come from the judgment-seat of Fotla
without warning, without royal proclamation;
bring with thee thereafter to Bri Leith
thy host — no cowards they — to sack it."
"There shalt thou find thy wife
in noble beauty, beyond denial:
be not faint-hearted for long, O warrior;
bring her with thee by consent or by force."
This is a beginning, with famous perils,
for the proud Wooing of Etain,
though it be a pithy tale to hear,
the tale when men came to Cruachu to listen to it.
It was Crochen of pure Cruachu
who was mother of Medb great of valour:
she was in Cruachu — it was an open reproach-
awhile with Etain's spouse.
Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem 63 - Rath Cruachan
The Metrical Dindshenchas (Author: [unknown])
poem 63 - Rath Cruachan