[I] There are several of this name but the most famous is the king of Ulster who married Nessa, daughter of Eochaidh Sálbuidhe. Conchobhar Mac Nessa was brought up as his son, although the tradition has it that he was the natural son of the druid Cathbad, who had an amorous affair with Nessa.
[I] The Pearl of Beauty, wife of the sea god Manannán Mac Lir. When Manannán left her, she was attacked by three Fomorii warriors. Her brother-in-law sent her sister Lí Ban to bring Cúchulainn to the Land of Promise to protect her on condition that Fand would reward him by becoming his lover. Cúchulainn arrives, defends Fand from her enemies, and becomes her lover. He then returns to Ulster, where Emer, his wife, finding out about the affair, attempts to kill Fand when she makes an assignation to see Cúchulainn again. Manannán arrives and demands that Fand choose between him and Cúchulainn. She chooses her husband and Manannán shakes his cloak between Fand and Cúchulainn, thus ensuring they will not see each other again.
The ritual fast, in Irish troscad, or hunger strike, frequently occurs in the sagas and myths. It is an ancient custom laid down by law as a means of compelling justice and establishing one’s rights. It has a parallel in the Hindu practice of dharnia. In Welsh the ymprydio (fast) held the same intent. The person wishing to compel justice would notify the person complained against and would then sit before the door and remain without food until the wrongdoer accepted the administration of justice. The hunger strike or fast as a means of political protest has remained part of the Irish tradition into modern times.
[I] A country of diminutive people to whom even dwarfs appear as giants. It was ruled over by Iubdan and Bebo.
[I] A festival. The word also occurs in Manx and Scottish Gaelic.
| |