U

Uaithne

[I] Sometimes Uathe. The harp of the Dagda. An enchanted instrument that would only sound when summoned to do so by the Dagda. It was stolen by the Fomorii, but the Dagda traced it to their feasting house and called to it. It leapt forward, killing nine Fomorii, and began to sing a paean of praise to the Dagda. Uaithne was also the name of the Dagda’s harpist, who had an affair with Boann. They had three sons, Goltrade, Gentrade, and Suantrade, who played such sad music that it was said twelve men once died listening to it and weeping for sorrow.

Uaman

[I] The name of the Connacht sídhe ruled by Ethal Anubhail, father of Cáer, with whom Aonghus Óg, the love god, fell in love.

Uan

[I] One of the six servers of the High King at Temuir (Tara).

Uar

[I] “The Cruel.” He and his sons, “Ill-Omen,” “Damage,” and “Want,” dwelt in Munster but appear to be Fomorii. They clashed with Fionn Mac Cumhail. Uar’s three sons were described as “three foemen—lame thighed . . . left handed, of the race of wondrous evil, and from the gravelly plain of Hell below . . . venom on their weapons, and venom on their dress, and on their hands and feet and on everything they touched.”

Uarad Garad

[I] Sometimes Uarán Garaid. A river in Connacht where Conall Cearnach (in some versions, Mac Cécht) fills his cup to take water back to Conaire Mór at the time of the “Destruction of Da Derga’s Hostel.”

Uathach

[I] Daughter of Scáthach, the female champion who ran a school of martial arts in Alba. The name means “spectre.” She is usually referred to as “Uathach of the Glen.” When Cúchulainn arrived at Scáthach’s fortress, it was Uathach who let him in. While she was serving food to him, Cúchulainn forgot his strength and broke her finger in taking the dish from her hand. Her scream brought Cochar Crufe, her lover, to champion her. He challenged