#mumhain

[toinghaeilge]

Desmond, the Great Rebel

The Desmond Rebellions occurred in the late 1500s, led by the Earl of Desmond.  So, who’s Desmond, how did he lead two rebellions almost fifteen years apart, and what was his problem?

As it turns out, Desmond was an anglicisation of Deas-Mhumhain: South Munster. Thus, the Desmond rebellions refer not to a lone ruffian lord itching for a fight as most stories in history would go, but rather the South Munster rebellions.

The Kingdom of Desmond originated in 1118 following the Treaty of Glanmire, where the Kingdom of Munster was divided into the Kingdom of Desmond and the Kingdom of Thomond.

Thomond was, similarly, an anglicisation of Tuadh-Mhumhain: North Munster.

[gorogues]

Desmond

Desmond • Current frequencies: GB 1649, Ireland 1465

• GB frequency 1881: 549

• Main GB location 1881: London; Monmouths

• Main Irish location 1847–64: Cork

Irish: from Ó Deasmhumhnaigh ‘descendant of the man from south Munster’, from deas ‘south’ + Mumhain ‘Munster’, an ancient Irish kingdom that was named after Mumhu , one of its early kings.

Early bearers Donogh O'Deason, tailor, 1573 in Fiants Elizabeth §2241 (Knocknymanagh, Cork); JohnFitz Gerald alias O'Desmonde, knight, 1583 in Fiants Elizabeth §4193; Donogh mcAwlife O'Dasshowne, 1585 in Fiants Elizabeth §4764 (Tullevohelie, Cork); Donogho mcShane Y Dashowne, smith, 1585 in Fiants Elizabeth §4781 (Killnyhomyny, Cork); Dermod O'Dassuny, 1600 in Fiants Elizabeth §6467; Donell mcAwliffe O'Dassanie, yeoman, 1601 in Fiants Elizabeth §6505 (Knockvillie); Dermod mcAwlie O'Dassunie, yeoman, 1601 in Fiants Elizabeth §6505 (Knockvillie); Awliffe O'Dassunughe, 1601 in Fiants Elizabeth §6540; Dermod O'Dassuny, tailor, 1601 in Fiants Elizabeth §6571 (Killnehemny, Cork).

[toingaeilge]

Seefin, Co. Everywhere

There are a good few places in Ireland named Seefin, most notably the highest peak of the Ballyhoura Mountains bordering Limerick and Cork. Its Irish name is Suí Finn (pre-reform spelling Suidhe Fionn), meaning “Seat of Fionn”. It is said that Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fianna stopped here in their travels around the country. 

Dúchas.ie records include Seefin in Mayo being described as one of Fionn Mac Cumhaill’s resting places. He and the Fianna clearly had a great many resting places, because the placename occurs just about everywhere. 

Aside from the townlands in Cavan, Galway, Offaly, Westmeath and Mayo, all remaining Seefins are hills. There is a hill named Suí Finn in counties Waterford (Mullach Suí Finn or “Ridge/peak of Finn’s Seat”), Wicklow, and Kerry. Two such hills are in Cork. Suidh Fhinn is also a hill on the isle of Skye (Scotland). 

Suí Finn is anglicised as Sheefin in Westmeath. 

[diarmaidocadhla]

Best seat in the house! Déise Mumhain -v- The Rebels #CLG #GAA #CorkVWaterford (at Semple Stadium) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb27w2XMqJ0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[imagine-loki]

A Warrior’s Life

TITLE: A Warrior’s Life

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter Sixty-Two AUTHOR: wolfpawn ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Viking Loki coming to your village, raiding, and pillaging, before deciding there is something about you that intrigues him and deciding to take you back to Asgard with him. There, you are forced to learn a new life and language, and though you hate what has happened to you, you learn that Loki is not as bad as you think.

RATING: Mature

NOTES: Set a month or so after the previous chapter. 

“You cannot be serious.” Loki jumped to his feet in anger.

“I am, this has to be done Loki,” Thor stated in return, far calmer than his brother.

“I refuse to do it.”

“Loki…”

“No Thor, you cannot honestly think to make me do such a thing.”

“I understand your concerns with regards to Maebh and how ill she has been, but she has mother now.” Thor attempted to sound diplomatic.

“She is still ill, you have heard Eir and you have heard from Volstagg and his wife, I have to be close to her, if she were to lose the baby, or…” he could not complete the sentence.

“You are being over worrisome Loki, and in doing so you are not thinking of your role,” Thor stated in a dismissive tone.

Loki glared at his brother, coming over and into his face, his index finger pointed directly at the older man. “Do not dare suggest for one moment that I am not loyal to you or dismissive of my position.” He hissed. “I nearly died protecting the future king of my land, I nearly left my heavy pregnant wife a widow and my sons fatherless to protect my land, and you dare suggest I do not think of my role.” His voice rose to a roar as he spoke. “I am the reason you are alive, why you stand here today to speak this way to me, I could easily have let you be slain in front of me, but I did not, did I? I risked my life for you.” Thor looked at him guiltily. “You owe me this, brother. I did not get to be there for Maebh when Vali was born, but if I have to fight the Great Odin himself, I will witness the birth of my next child. You will not get to preside over the naming of another of my children.” With that, he turned and stormed from the building, ignoring the worried faces of Sif, Volstagg, Fandral and Hogun, as well as others as he grabbed the reins of his horse, mounting it before turning it to head to his home, and kicking it hard with his heels, causing it to rear before galloping out of the village.

*

“I am going to explode, wait and see, I will rupture before this child is born.” Maebh groaned, the baby had moved within her during the night and the new manner in which it rested meant it was high, pressing against her ribs, making her feel far bigger than she physically was.

“You are being oversensitive Maebh, it is just going into position, you heard Eir only a week ago, it was the wrong way around, it will settle head down and you will be far better then.” Frigga soothed, knowing the sensation that Maebh was feeling, having experienced it herself with Loki.

“Could you imagine having to birth a child legs first?” Maebh shuddered at the thought. “It cannot be good for you.”

“Many a woman has suffered great exhaustion before her child is even halfway out. Getting the head out first is most certainly optimal.” Frigga agreed. “Wait and see, soon it will be head down, you will be able to breathe and eat again without feeling as though it is in your chest, though it will be kicking you incessantly.”

“That is not particularly comforting either it must be said. With Vali, I felt as though I had Sleipnir within me, nothing but legs kicking everywhere.”

Frigga laughed. “It is good to see you embrace all that is of Asgard so well my dear; I often forget you are not born of here.”

Maebh gave a small smile. “I suppose that is good, though some days I wish to remember my roots more too if that makes sense. Not that I am unhappy with how I am here.”

“There is no need to try to explain, for there is nothing to explain. You are of Midgard; Vali is half so, as is that little one you carry now. They will be born here, but that does not take what you are from you, or indeed them. The day will come when they will wish to know how their parents came to be wed, meaning how you came to be here will arise, and then too, their curiosity in themselves. Not to mention, your sense of identity is a part of that also.”

Maebh felt better knowing Frigga understood her perspective, she rubbed her stomach, which was no longer able to hide her growing child, but showing the world once more, that a child flourished within her. “I’m scared.”

“Darling?”

“What if I am not strong enough to carry this child.”

“Maebh…”

“I am still ill, longer than is usual, daily, it is not normal.” She explained.

“Sweetheart, you are not yet halfway. As Eir explained, the child is badly positioned and slightly larger than Vali, so that is the reason for your increased size, and your illness, sadly it lasts a tad longer in cases where women are struck with it, you do not need to fret.” She tried to calm her, knowing she was more worried than she should be, something that Eir had warned to prevent.

Maebh inhaled deeply, “You are right, you are right.” She stated. “I am sorry, I am just so frustrated. I am not sleeping very well, I feel too uncomfortable, I am trying not to get angry at everything, yet I want to be, and I want eggs, duck eggs, chicken eggs, even a damn goose egg, but I can have none of them because they make me ill, and I can only eat at certain times a day because otherwise I will be ill, and I wish I could be of use.”

Frigga raised her hand to silence her. “Sweetheart, you are very much of use, you are carrying a child, the future of our family line, while also feeding one and rearing two others, you have the most essential of roles within this family at present, bar Thor, please do not think otherwise.” She stated adamantly. “You deserve more credit than you give yourself. Being tired and being irritable are completely comprehensible, and that is fine, I know not to take offence, I understand.” She smiled.

“Thank you,” Maebh smiled meekly back.

“Now, why do we not go and take a small walk with Vali, you need to get some fresh air, so nowhere too far.”

Rising from her seat, Maebh smiled brightly at the idea, elated at the idea of not being inside, the weather of late having been slightly wetter than usual. “I cannot voice enough my agreement to such an idea.” Vali gurgled against her. “Apparently neither can you.” She grinned, looking at the baby, who returned her bright smile happily.

“Then I will take this young man, you just look after you, if you feel ill, let me know.” Frigga took Vali, who willingly went to his grandmother.

The day was dry but overcast, and there was a chill, so they brought an extra pelt for the baby. “I cannot put into words how grateful I am for everything you have done these past few weeks that you have been here Frigga. I would not have recovered as much as I have but for you.”

“I am only too happy to be of assistance. With Thor's rule and Loki’s aid, I was beginning to feel useless, but with helping you raise your family, I feel as though I have a purpose once more.”

“We would never think you useless, you know that.”

“No, but I would feel it, besides, I miss having my family around. When it was just Odin and myself, it felt lonely also, but now, seeing my grandchildren every day, knowing soon there will be another one to dote on.” She smiled lovingly as she looked to Maebh’s stomach.

“You mean another one to wake you at night crying, to not give you any peace. I feel somewhat guilty, you have reared your children, I feel bad for shouldering some of the care of mine on you also.”

“On Midgard, did you have any of your family close by?”

Maebh took a moment before answering, not out of hesitation, but to recall, having not thought of her life there for a significant time. “My mother was born to a formidable family in Mumhain, a land far south of where my father was heir to, so we did not see her parents, I do not know if they even live still. My father’s father, my grandfather, died when I was young, I think Daire was not a year old at the time, and because my father did not wish for his mother to be alone, he insisted she move to our home.”

“So it is similar to what has occurred here so, no wonder you were so at ease with the idea.”

“I fear my father’s mother was not as good as you, though; crass is the term I would use to describe her. She had no issue with voicing her thoughts, however, good or bad they would be. She was ridiculing of my mother, thinking her nothing near good enough for her son, though her family were of good blood also. I was not too sorry when she died. I recall my mother saying once that she was the reason there was so long between Daire and Síofra.” Frigga listened intently. “It was she that promised me to Maedhbh of Connacht’s son. She had made that arrangement with her without consulting my father, and when it came to light, my father either had to agree or face a very formidable foe.”

“So he was displeased?”

“By then, much to my mother’s and grandmother’s chagrin, I was already showing signs of being the better-suited heir to my father. Daire, though I loved him greatly, was not as level-headed, or battle smart, and my father knew that.”

“What do you think would have occurred should your brother have fought you for the stake in the thrown?” Frigga asked.

Maebh knew well she was comparing her and Daire to Loki and Thor, though thankfully, Loki had never tried to overthrow his brother. “I do not know, we would have had to battle, and I know I would have been victorious, so it would have probably have cost me, my brother, be it that he would have been alive and defeated, or slain, neither something I would want. I think he too knew I was better suited, he never contested me, not properly, obviously, he would argue with me sometimes, but do not all siblings do such?”

“Oh yes, I had a sister, she died in childbirth many moons ago, but she and I used bicker incessantly. I am surprised my parents did not throw us both to the wolves.” Frigga smiled, fondly recalling her childhood.

Maebh was going to reply when she stood open-mouthed, listening. She heard it not a moment before she saw the cause of the sound; Loki’s horse’s hooves pounding the ground before turning the corner far too hurriedly to stop should he come across something. Thinking quickly, she threw Frigga and Vali to the side, herself with them, one hand protecting her growing stomach and the other around Frigga’s back, making sure she and Vali did not crash to the ground too heavily. Luckily, the older woman and young child landed in the grassy ditch, which though sodden, cushioned their fall. With both her hands occupied, Maebh landed harshly, but in a manner that her unborn child was cushioned, her head colliding painfully with a large uncovered tree root.

Loki had been so consumed by anger at Thor's words; he had not been focusing too greatly on his surrounds. It was only when he saw a flash of colour and heard Vali’s cry did he pull on his horse’s reins and look around. Immediately he pulled for the horse to turn and rushed back. “Mother, what are you…Maebh!” the sight of his wife, looking at him with her eyes clearly not in focus from the ground and with a hand to her head to stem the flow caused Loki to freeze.

[toinghaeilge]

Éire-tymology: Éire

Four Provinces

The anglicised names of Leinster, Munster and Ulster are said to be a combination of their Irish nomenclatures and tír, with the Norse genitive S before the Irish tír. Alternatively, it is believed to have been derived from their respective Irish nomenclatures and the Norse suffix -ster, meaning ‘place’. 

Meath

The word cúige originally meant "one fifth", as in a fifth of Ireland. This included the four provinces that we know today and Meath, the fifth province. Meath was the seat of the High King of Ireland, who took his seat at the Hill of Tara.  

Meath merged into the province of Leinster due primarily to the development and importance of 'The Pale'; an area around Dublin that was the centre of Anglo-Norman commercial activity and tight rule.

It contained today’s counties Meath (still referred to as the Royal Country), Westmeath and some parts of surrounding counties in and around today’s Leinster.  

[toinghaeilge]

Seefin, Co. Everywhere

There are a good few places in Ireland named Seefin, most notably the highest peak of the Ballyhoura Mountains bordering Limerick and Cork. Its Irish name is Suí Finn (pre-reform spelling Suidhe Fionn), meaning “Seat of Fionn”. It is said that Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fianna stopped here in their travels around the country. 

Dúchas.ie records include Seefin in Mayo being described as one of Fionn Mac Cumhaill’s resting places. He and the Fianna clearly had a great many resting places, because the placename occurs just about everywhere. 

Aside from the townlands in Cavan, Galway, Offaly, Westmeath and Mayo, all remaining Seefins are hills. There is a hill named Suí Finn in counties Waterford (Mullach Suí Finn or “Ridge/peak of Finn’s Seat”), Wicklow, and Kerry. Two such hills are in Cork. Suidh Fhinn is also a hill on the isle of Skye (Scotland). 

Suí Finn is anglicised as Sheefin in Westmeath. 

[toinghaeilge]

Charleville, Co. Cork

The signs in Charleville, Co. Cork translate the town’s name to quite a few different Irish names, primarily Ráth Luirc and An Ráth. 

Ráth an Ghogánaigh

Ráth an Ghogánaigh: Cogan’s Ringfort

There are people who refer to the town by an older name: Rathcogan (later spellings include Rathgogan or Rathgoggan). 

Ráth an Ghogánaigh refers to the ringfort of the family of Miles de Cogan, an Anglo-Norman knight. When the town was acquired by the 1st Earl of Orrery in 1661, it was renamed Charleville in honour of Charles II. 

In Dúchas.ie’s collection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in the 1930s, it is written that Charleville is within Rathgoggan:

[Charleville] is in the parish of Rathgoggin barony of Orrery and Kilmore County Cork.

Afterwards, the town’s Irish name was shortened by Irish speakers to An Ráth, or “The Ringfort”. 

Ráth Luirc

Ráth Luirc: Lorc’s Ringfort 

In a collection of 18th century poems, Ráth Loirc was interpreted by Conchúbhar Máistir Ó Ríordáin as referring to Charleville. Not everyone agreed with this interpretation however, offering ideas of Ráth Loirc being a poetic name for Ireland as a whole, or as a town somewhere in Muskerry. 

Prior to 1989 when “Charleville” became the official English name, official documents denoted the town as “Rathluirc (Charleville)”.

An Ráth

An Ráth: The Ringfort

Based on the fact that the most commonly used name for the town by local Irish speakers was An Ráth, it was made its legal Irish name in 1975. 

[toinghaeilge]

Ballyvourney and Crow Island, West Cork

In the Gaeltacht area of Ballyvourney, West Cork, there is Saint Gobnait’s Holy Well and burial mound. According to Félire Óengusso, 6th century Saint Gobnait features as the patron saint of ironworkers. 

The name Gobnait derives from the Old Irish Gobhann – which means smith.

Perhaps coincidentally, about an hour and a half’s drive away from Ballyvourney, off the coast of the Beara Peninsula, Oileán Ealbhach (Crow Island) is associated with the ancient Celtic smith God Goibhniu. In the legends, Goibhniu makes weapons for the Tuatha Dé Danann. 

Baile Mhúirne (also spelt Baile bhúirne) is translated officially as “town of the beloved”. 

Oileán Ealbhach is given by Dinnseanchas (Imleabhar 6, 22,1974) “island of broods or flocks”. 

[toingaeilge]

Charleville, Co. Cork

The signs in Charleville, Co. Cork translate the town’s name to quite a few different Irish names, primarily Ráth Luirc and An Ráth. 

Ráth an Ghogánaigh

Ráth an Ghogánaigh: Cogan’s Ringfort

There are people who refer to the town by an older name: Rathcogan (later spellings include Rathgogan or Rathgoggan). 

Ráth an Ghogánaigh refers to the ringfort of the family of Miles de Cogan, an Anglo-Norman knight. When the town was acquired by the 1st Earl of Orrery in 1661, it was renamed Charleville in honour of Charles II. 

In Dúchas.ie’s collection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in the 1930s, it is written that Charleville is within Rathgoggan:

[Charleville] is in the parish of Rathgoggin barony of Orrery and Kilmore County Cork.

Afterwards, the town’s Irish name was shortened by Irish speakers to An Ráth, or “The Ringfort”. 

Ráth Luirc

Ráth Luirc: Lorc’s Ringfort 

In a collection of 18th century poems, Ráth Loirc was interpreted by Conchúbhar Máistir Ó Ríordáin as referring to Charleville. Not everyone agreed with this interpretation however, offering ideas of Ráth Loirc being a poetic name for Ireland as a whole, or as a town somewhere in Muskerry. 

Prior to 1989 when “Charleville” became the official English name, official documents denoted the town as “Rathluirc (Charleville)”.

An Ráth

An Ráth: The Ringfort

Based on the fact that the most commonly used name for the town by local Irish speakers was An Ráth, it was made its legal Irish name in 1975. 

[toingaeilge]

Buttevant and Killmallock

The neighbouring towns of Buttevant (Co. Cork) and Killmallock (Co. Limerick) on the Cork-Limerick border provided a wee head scratcher for us recently: the Irish name for Buttevant is Cill na Mullach—incredibly similar to the anglicised Killmallock. 

However, we found that Cill na Mullach ("church of the hilltops") was quite different from Killmallock: the latter is Cill Mocheallóg in Irish, or "Church of (Saint) Mocheallóg". 

[toingaeilge]

Ballyvourney and Crow Island, West Cork

In the Gaeltacht area of Ballyvourney, West Cork, there is Saint Gobnait’s Holy Well and burial mound. According to Félire Óengusso, 6th century Saint Gobnait features as the patron saint of ironworkers. 

The name Gobnait derives from the Old Irish Gobhann – which means smith.

Perhaps coincidentally, about an hour and a half’s drive away from Ballyvourney, off the coast of the Beara Peninsula, Oileán Ealbhach (Crow Island) is associated with the ancient Celtic smith God Goibhniu. In the legends, Goibhniu makes weapons for the Tuatha Dé Danann. 

Baile Mhúirne (also spelt Baile bhúirne) is translated officially as “town of the beloved”. 

Oileán Ealbhach is given by Dinnseanchas (Imleabhar 6, 22,1974) “island of broods or flocks”. 

[toinghaeilge]

The Old Man of the Forest

Having previously discussed madra rua, we now look into sionnach, another term for ��fox’: 

Sanas Cormaic suggests that the old Irish word sinnach (also sindach) is derived from sen-nech—‘old person’. The suggestion could have been prompted by the white beards that red foxes have. 

Several placenames carry this word, namely Inis Sionnach (Haulbowline) in Co. Cork and Carraig na Sionnach (Carricknashanagh) in Co. Louth. Sionnach is often anglicised in placenames as shanny, shannagh, and shinnagh. In Co. Roscommon, Cluain Sionnach is simply anglicised as 'Foxborough'.

[toingaeilge]

The Old Man of the Forest

Having previously discussed madra rua, we now look into sionnach, another term for ‘fox’: 

Sanas Cormaic suggests that the old Irish word sinnach (also sindach) is derived from sen-nech—‘old person’. The suggestion could have been prompted by the white beards that red foxes have. 

Several placenames carry this word, namely Inis Sionnach (Haulbowline) in Co. Cork and Carraig na Sionnach (Carricknashanagh) in Co. Louth. Sionnach is often anglicised in placenames as shanny, shannagh, and shinnagh. In Co. Roscommon, Cluain Sionnach is simply anglicised as 'Foxborough'.

[toinghaeilge]

A Grave Situation

The Irish sleacht, a predominantly Ulster form of leacht, comes from the Latin loanword lectus, meaning bed. As such it comes as no surprise that sleacht refers to a grave, grave-mound, or monument.

Its anglicisation Slaught, Slatt or Slaght is often seen in placenames, notably Slaghtneill and Slaghtmanus, Co. Derry; Slaght, Co. Wexford and Slaght, Co. Kerry. In Slaght, Co. Antrim, there is no longer any trace or record of a burial monument. 

However hilarious, it should not be confused with sléacht, which means “slaying”. 

[toingaeilge]

A Grave Situation

The Irish sleacht, a predominantly Ulster form of leacht, comes from the Latin loanword lectus, meaning bed. As such it comes as no surprise that sleacht refers to a grave, grave-mound, or monument.

Its anglicisation Slaught, Slatt or Slaght is often seen in placenames, notably Slaghtneill and Slaghtmanus, Co. Derry; Slaght, Co. Wexford and Slaght, Co. Kerry. In Slaght, Co. Antrim, there is no longer any trace or record of a burial monument. 

However hilarious, it should not be confused with sléacht, which means “slaying”.