''Cath Gabhra'' (
English: ''The Battle of Gabhair'' or ''Gowra'') is a narrative of the
Fenian Cycle of
Irish mythology
Irish mythology is the body of myths indigenous to the island of Ireland. It was originally Oral tradition, passed down orally in the Prehistoric Ireland, prehistoric era. In the History of Ireland (795–1169), early medieval era, myths were ...
. It tells of the destruction of the
fianna and the deaths of most of its warriors in a battle against the forces of
High King Cairbre Lifechair. It is notable for depicting the fianna, the heroes of the cycle, in a negative light.
[MacKillop, p. 78.]
''Cath Gabhra'' exists in many versions, and is referenced often in other works, including poems about Cairbre Lifechair in the
Book of Leinster and in the long narrative ''
Acallam na Senórach''. Cairbre's daughter Sgiam Sholais is betrothed to Maolsheachlainn, prince of the
Déisi, whose father Oengus has been killed by Cairbre's sons
Fíacha Sroiptine and Eochaid Doimlen. However, the fianna and
Fionn mac Cumhaill demand a large tribute for the marriage, and Cairbre decides their power has corrupted them. He raises a vast army from
Ulster
Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...
,
Leinster, and
Connacht
Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...
, which is joined by the faction of the fianna loyal to Fionn's enemy
Goll mac Morna. Fionn and the fianna are aided by the men of
Munster
Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...
and the Déisi. Cairbre starts the final battle by killing Fionn's servant Ferdia, and the armies meet at Gabhair for the final confrontation. The fianna's greatest warrior, Fionn's grandson
Oscar (the son of
Oisín), slays Cairbre, but dies of his wounds, thereby sealing the fianna's fate. In some versions, Fionn himself is slain by Aichlech while he weeps over the death of his grandson. Cairbre's forces ultimately triumph, and the only survivors of the fianna are Oisín and
Caílte mac Rónáin, who live long enough to recount their tale to
Saint Patrick two centuries later, according to ''Acallam na Senórach''.
The location of the battle varies from text to text. Gabhra is generally considered identical to the modern
Garristown,
County Dublin
County Dublin ( or ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland, and holds its capital city, Dublin. It is located on the island's east coast, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. Until 1994, County Dubli ...
, but other texts place it in Glenn Gabhra, situated between the hills of
Tara and
Skryne,
County Meath
County Meath ( ; or simply , ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. It is bordered by County Dublin to the southeast, County ...
.
Some chronicles give the date of battle as 284.
Notes
References
*MacKillop, James (1998). ''Dictionary of Celtic Mythology''. Oxford. .
* {{cite book , title=The Battle of Gabhra: Garristown in the Country of Dublin, Fought A.D. 283. For the first time edited, from an original Irish manuscript, with introduction, literal translation, and notes. , url=https://archive.org/stream/transactionsofos01ossi , series=Transactions of the Ossianic Society , editor-first=Nicholas , editor-last=O'Kearney , volume=1853 vol. 1 , year=1854 , location=Dublin , publisher=John O'Daly for the Council of the
Ossianic Society
Fenian Cycle
Texts in Irish
Early Irish literature