In this wise fell Calatin Dana (’the Bold’) at the hands of Cuchulain, together with his seven and twenty sons and his grandson Glass macDelga [1]and the two sons of Ficce with them, two bold warriors of Ulster who had come to use their strength on the host.[1] So that for evermore in the bed of the ford is still the rock whereabout they had their strife and struggle [2]and their slaughtering of each other;[2] and the mark of their sword-hilts is in it and of their knees and their elbows [3]and their fists[3] and the butt-ends of their spears. [4]And their nine and twenty standing stones were set up there.[4] Hence Fuil Iairn (’Blood of Iron’) to the west[b] of Ath Firdead (’Ferdiad’s Ford’) is the name of the ford.  It is for this it is called Fuil Iairn, because of the ’blood over weapons’[c] that was there.

    [1-1] YBL. 2194-2196.

    [2-2] Stowe.

    [3-3] YBL. 2198.

    [4-4] YBL. 2198.

    [b] ‘South,’ YBL. 2184.

    [c] See page 208, note a.

Thus far then [5]this exploit on the Tain,[5] the Combat of the Clann Calatin [6]of his children and his grandson with Cuchulain,[6] [7]when they went to do battle with Cuchulain.[7]

    [5-5] YBL. 2196.

    [6-6] Stowe.

    [7-7] YBL. 2196-2197.

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[Page 217]

XX

THE COMBAT OF FERDIAD [1]AND CUCHULAIN[1]

[2]The four grand provinces of Erin were side by side and against Cuchulain, from Monday before Samain-tide[a] to Wednesday after Spring-beginning, and without leave to work harm or vent their rage on the province of Ulster, while yet all the Ulstermen were sunk in their nine days’ ‘Pains,’ and Conall Cernach (’the Victorious’) sought out battle in strange foreign lands paying the tribute and tax of Ulster.  Great was the plight and strait of Cuchulain during that time, for he was not a day or a night without fierce, fiery combat waged on him by the men of Erin, until he killed Calatin with his seven and twenty sons and Fraech son of Fiadach and performed many deeds and successes which are not enumerated here.  Now this was sore and grievous for Medb and for Ailill.[2]

    [1-1] Stowe and YBL. 2200 and Eg. 106.

    [2-2] Eg. 106.

    [a] See note p. 182.

[W.3001.] Then the men of Erin took counsel who would be fit [3]to send to the ford[3] to fight and do battle with Cuchulain, [4]to drive him off from them[4] at the morning hour early on the morrow.

    [3-3] YBL. 2203.

    [4-4] YBL. 2202.