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[I] The seat of the kings of Ulster, which features prominently in the Red Branch Cycle. It is the best known of royal residences after Temuir (Tara). It is identified with Navan, a phonetic rendering of ’n Emain, two miles west of Armagh, where there are still the remains of circular ramparts. It was founded by Macha Mong Ruadh, who is said to have marked out the boundaries of the city with her brooch and forced captive enemies to build it. A fascinating echo of the myths here is the townland of Creeveroe, which is the Anglicised form of Craobh Ruadh, the Red Branch, the élite warriors who were the bodyguards to the kings of Ulster who resided at Emain Macha.
[I] The wife of Cúchulainn. She was the daughter of Forgall Manach. Their courtship was stormy and all was not “smooth” in their subsequent relationship, for Cúchulainn was loved by many women, including Fand, the wife of the sea god. Just before Cúchulainn’s death at the Pillar Stone he had a vision of Emer’s body being tossed from the flaming ramparts of Emain Macha. He hurried to his fortress and found her alive and well—it was a warning of his own impending doom. Emer tried to persuade him to stay with her, but he set off on the road that would lead him to his doom.
[W] Sometimes occurring as an alternative name for Snowdonia.
[W] The daughter of a chieftain fallen on evil days who is wooed by Geraint. He doubts her loyalty to him and treats her spitefully, but in bitter tests she proves her love and loyalty. She is best known to the English-speaking world in Tennyson’s “Enid.”
[W] A Welsh verse in strict metre in three or four lines with one rhyme. Since the thirteenth century most englynion use the four-line system.
[I] The name signifies “horse,” and it is argued that the English word “jockey” comes from this word, which is pronounced “y’ockey.” No less than fifteen major characters named Eochaidh appear in the Irish myths, including Eochaidh Mac Erc, a king of the Firbolg whose daughter was Tailtu and who was defeated by the Dé Danaan at the first battle of Magh Tuireadh. There was Eochaidh Airemh, the High King who outwitted Midir the Proud to retain his wife Étain, the daughter of Etar, journeying to the Otherworld to rescue her. Then there was Eochaidh Allmuir of the
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