This adoption was done by an author who made a text which may be regarded as the common original of the two versions; in his tale the supernatural character of Flidais was retained.  The author of the L.U. version cut out the supernatural part, and perhaps the original embassy of Bricriu; it may, however, be noted that the opening of the older version comes from the L.L. text, which is throughout shorter than that in L.U., and the lost opening of L.U. may have been fuller.  The author of the Glenn Masain version kept nearer to the old story, adding, however, more modern touches.  Where the new character of Bricriu comes from is a moot point; I incline to the belief that the idea of Bricriu as a mere buffoon is a later development.  But in neither version is the story, as we have it, a pre-Christian one.  The original pre-Christian idea of Flidais was, as in the Coir Annam, that of a being outside the Ulster Cycle altogether.

THE DRIVING OF THE CATTLE OF FLIDAIS

FROM THE LEABHAR NA H-UIDHRI (ELEVENTH-CENTURY MS.), THE BEGINNING AND A FEW ADDITIONS FROM THE BOOK OF LEINSTER (TWELFTH CENTURY)

A land in West Roscommon, as Kerry known of old, Was ruled by Ailill Fair-haired; of him a tale is told:  How Flidais,[FN#80] Ailill’s[FN#81] consort, each week, and near its end, To Ro’s great son, to Fergus, her herald still would send; ‘Twas Fergus’ love she sought for; the deeds by Fergus done, In glorious tales recited, had Flidais’ fancy won.

[FN#80] Pronounced Flid-das.

[FN#81] Pronounced Al-ill.

When Fergus fled from Ulster, and Connaught’s land he sought,
To Ailill, king of Connaught, this tale of love he brought: 
“Now give me rede,” said Fergus, “how best we here should act,
That Connaught’s fame and honour by none may stand attacked;
Say, how can I approach them, and strip thy kingdom bare,
And yet the fame of Ailill, that country’s monarch, spare?”
“’Tis hard indeed to teach thee,” cried Ailill, sore perplexed;
“Let Maev come nigh with counsel what course to follow next!”

“Send thou to Ailill Fair-haired to ask for aid!” said Maev,
“He well may meet a herald, who comes his help to crave
Let Fergus go to crave it:  no harm can there be seen;
And better gifts from Ailill shall Fergus win, I ween!”

So forth to Ailill Fair-haired went Fergus, son of Ro;
And thirty, Dubhtach[FN#82] leading, he chose with him to go;
And yet another Fergus his aid to Fergus brought;
Mac Oonlama[FN#83] men called him; his sire one-handed fought.

[FN#82] Pronounced Doov-ta.

[FN#83] Spelt Mac Oenlama, son of the one-handed one.