ark 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.

* * * * *

[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.

[5]With one accord[5] they declared that it should be Ferdiad son of Daman
son of Dare, the great and valiant warrior of the men of Domnann, [6]the
horn-skin from Irrus Domnann, the irresistible force, and the battle-rock
of destruction, the own, dear, foster-brother of Cuchulain.[6] [W.3005.]
[1]And fitting it was for him to go thither,[1] for well-matched and alike
was their manner of fight and of comb