Archives: The Nationalist

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 

Old stories and happenings in bygone days 


http://archives.tcm.ie/carlownationalist/2006/03/15/story27368.asp


"One that has many stories told about its early days is the fort of Dinn Righ. Stories are told of how it was captured 
by the attackers playing sleep music and putting the garrison to sleep. There are many other stories about Dinn Righ 
but one of the oldest, if not the oldest, comes partly from the ‘Book of Leinster’ and other books. It is probably 
based about the 4th century. Ugany Mor, owner of Dinn Righ, was High King of Ireland at that time. He had two 
sons, Cobhtach and Laoghaire. The brothers grew up to be skilled warriors and were very jealous of each other. 
When Ugany died it was discovered that Laoghaire had been left his fathers title and possessions. This sent 
Cobhtach into a rage and he conspired with his Druid to kill his brother. Their plan was simple. Cobhtach would 
pretend to be dead. He would be laid out and his relations would come to pay their respects. When Laoghaire bent 
over him to say goodbye in the ceremonial manner of the time Cobhtach would stab him when he was least 
expecting it. 

Laoighaire went to his brothers house as soon as he was informed of his death. Along with him was his Druid, a bard, 
his son and young grandson. When Laoghaire bent over his brother to give him the ceremonial kiss on the forehead 
Cobhtach stabbed him. In the meantime Cobhtach’s Druid had given poison to Laoghaire’s son and he died within 
the house. His son, Laoghaire’s grandson, was so traumatized by everything that was happening that he became 
dumb. It was this dumbness that saved his life because of his affliction he was no longer eligible for the kingship 
and was sent to live with his two tutors, Ferchne, a philosopher and Croftnie, a bard, in is fathers home Dinn Righ 
where he grew to be a strong intelligent man despite his handicap. 

He was hurling one day and received a knock from another player, he lost his temper and in his excitement his 
speech returned. Up to this he had been Maen because of his dumbness but from then on he was called 
Labhraidh Maen (Maen speaks). When Cobhthach heard that Maen could speak and was now heir to the throne 
he sent his men out to kill him. Maen fled, with his tutors to Scoriath, the King of West Munster. 

Now this King had a beautiful girl named Miria. Every nobel youth in the south had tried to make Miria his bride but 
because of her beauty her parents kept a close watch on her and only allowed her to go where they thought she 
would be safe. Maen was staying in the house with this family and it was not long before he too fell in love with 
Miria, but he could do little but declare his love for her. Then one night the King gave a feast to all his under lords 
and chiefs and while everyone was feasting and drinking Maen and Miria stole out into the night. Croftnie, Maen’s 
bard, played the magical music of the ‘slumber sleep’ on his harp and one by one the King, Queen and all the 
guests were soon asleep. Meanwhile the two lovers had found a fairy glen where they danced a druid dance of 
love. Back in the court, Croftnie over-come by his own spell drifted into a deep sleep, and when the music stopped 
the people began to awake. The Queen was one of the first to awaken and saw her daughter slipping back into her 
seat. 

The Queen turned in anger to the King and called on him to awake and find out who was out with their daughter. 
The Queen told the King ‘Look upon your daughter now, no more has she the breathing of a maid’. The King 
vowed to kill whoever was with his daughter, but Miria refused to give a name. The King now threatened to kill 
the Bards and Druids. Maen asked Croftie to tell in song so that all could hear it but the Bard played a laughter 
spell instead and soon had the whole court laughing and in good spirits. Maen then went to the King and Queen 
and told them the whole true story. They were pleased with his straight-forwardness and brought him into the 
family as a son-in-law. 

The King gave Maen a large army with which he won back Dinn Righ. For a while all went well then Cobhtach 
gathered a huge force and won back the castle and Maen had once more to go to West Munster. Cobhtach 
sent his troops there after him, but to save the people of Munster, Maen left Ireland and went to France where 
he fought for the French against the English and any other country with which France was at war. After some time 
Miria began to pine for his love and asked his bard to go to France and ask him to come home. Maen had made 
such an impression as a soldier and a leader that the King of Menapia gave him an army with which to recover 
his property. (Menapia was the name given to Wexford by the first people to land there in the early years.) Maen 
and his men defeated Cobhtach and his men and put them to death. After his triumph in Battle Maen became King 
of Ireland and with Miria as his Queen lived in Dinn Righ for years."