Buaine ioná a aois iomrádh Taidhg: dán do Thadhg Mac Con Mara (†1678)

Abstract

This poem, Buaine ioná a aois iomrádh Taidhg, was composed in the first half of the seventeenth century by Somhairle Mac an Bhaird for Tadhg (son of Domhnall Riabhach) Mac Con Mara of County Clare. Tadhg became a ward of the Earl of Thomond in 1609 following the death of his father in 1607. He was an active participant in the rebellion of 1641. In this praise poem, Tadhg is celebrated for coming to the fore at an opportune time. In an apologue, Tadhg is likened to Cú Chulainn taking arms for the first time. This is one of two surviving poems for Tadhg. The other, beginning Rug cabhair ar Chloinn gCoiléin, was composed by Maol Muire Ó Móirín. Diplomatic editions of both poems have already been published in ABM (poems 75 and 405). Buaine ioná a aois iomrádh Taidhg is edited here from Maynooth manuscript CF 23 with readings from Royal Irish Academy manuscript 23 H 25 (710).