#mythologymonday

#MythologyMonday #Celtic: There were two monsters fighting in the sea one time, the Curruid and the Coinchenn their names were, and at the last the Coinchenn made for the strand to escape, but the other followed him and killed him there. Then Bolg, son of Buan, a champion of the eastern part of the world, found the bones of the Coinchenn on the strand, and he made a spear with them. And he gave it to a great fighting man, the son of Jubar, and it went from one to another till it came to the woman-champion, Aoife. And Aoife gave it to Cuchulain, and he brought it to Ireland. And it was with it he killed his own son, and his friend Ferdiad afterwards. Source: Cuchulain of Muirthemne by Lady Gregory

#MythologyMonday #Celtic: In no wise could the sons of Turenn direct their magic boat to the Isle of Finchory, and a quarter of a year they traversed the seaways and never could get tidings of that island. At last Brian fashioned for himself by magic art a water-dress, with a helmet of crystal, and into the depths of the sea he plunged. Source: Project Gutenberg eBook of „The High Deeds of Finn, And Other Bardic Romances of Ancient Ireland“ by T. W. Rolleston

#MythologyMonday #Celtic: While Fergus mac Róich lived in exile, his comrade in Ailill’s household was Lugaid the blind poet, to wit, a brother of Ailill’s was that Lugaid. Once after deeds of valour Fergus and Medb went swimming [i.e. in Lough Findloch (= Lough Carra)] on Mag Ai. And jealousy seized Ailill. “It is delightful what the hart and the doe are doing in the lake, O Lugaid,” said Ailill. “Why not kill them?” said Lugaid, who had never missed his aim. “Do thou have a cast at them!” said Ailill. “Turn my face towards them,” said Lugaid, “and bring a lance to me.” Fergus was washing himself in the lake, and his breast was towards them. And his chariot is brought to Ailill, so that it was near him; and Lugaid threw the lance, so that it passed out through his back behind. “The cast has gone home!” said Lugaid. “That is true,” said all; “it is the end of Fergus.” “How sad,” said Lugaid, “if I should have killed my foster-brother and comrade innocently”. Source: https://iso.ucc.ie/Aided-fergusa/Aided-fergusa-text.html

#MythologyMonday #Celtic: Ciabhan went on in the curragh, and great white shouting waves rose up about him, every one of them the size of a mountain; and the beautiful speckled salmon that are used to stop in the sand and the shingle rose up to the sides of the curragh, till great dread came on Ciabhan, and he said: "By my word, if it was on land I was I could make a better fight for myself" And he was in this danger till he saw a rider coming towards him on a dark grey horse having a golden bridle, and he would be under the sea for the length of nine waves, and he would rise with the tenth wave, and no wet on him at all. And he said: "What reward would you give to whoever would bring you out of this great danger?" "Is there anything in my hand worth offering you?" said Ciabhan. "There is," said the rider, "that you would give your service to whoever would give you his help." Ciabhan agreed to that, and he put his hand into the rider's hand. With that the rider drew him on to the horse, and the curragh came on beside them till they reached to the shore of Tir Tairngaire, the Land of Promise. They got off the horse there, and came to Loch Luchra, the Lake of the Dwarfs, and to Manannan's city, and a feast was after being made ready there, and comely serving-boys were going round with smooth horns, and playing on sweet-sounding harps till the whole house was filled with the music. Source: Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory