The article below was published in An tUltach in December 1959. I found it in the McClay Library at Queens University. I have to thank An tUltach and the McClay Library for their generous assistance in locating it, and especially Brendan Magee for his beautiful translation.
It seems to me we have lost so much understanding of our own places and traditions. By writing this lovely, evocative piece about a trip up Knock Iveagh at Beltane, the author has helped to reinforce and preserve some of the simple truths which are sadly so often missing from official records. Hopefully by sharing this article in digital form it will help to fill in a few of the gaps which have opened up over the last few decades.
Cnoc Uibh Eachach - by Brian Mac Threinfir
& kindly translated by Brendan Magee
Published in An tUltach, December 1959
'I went up to the top of Cnoc Uibh Eachach on the second of May this year. I had often promised myself that I would go up, and this particular morning I happened to be in the neighbourhood, since I had an hour or two to spare and since the sun was shining brightly, I said to myself: “here’s your chance now. Up you go!”
There was a strong north-west wind which had dispersed any clouds, leaving me, as I reached the top, the renowned view which can be enjoyed from this ancient hill on a day such as this.
Cnoc Uibh Eachach is in the centre of South County Down: 788 feet high, on your right as you travel the main road from Banbridge to Rathfriland. The barony of Uibh Eachach once belonged to the powerful Mac Aonghusa clann and the chieftain of the clann, who would have lived in the principal dwelling of the clann in Rathfriland Castle a couple of miles away, was inaugurated on this hill. And where would you find a better site for the ceremony since, from this position, the new chieftain, should he cast his eye about, would be able to view all his territory – just as I viewed it on that May morning.
The barony is saucer of land in the centre of which “the Knock” (as the locals call this famous hill), stands. I felt I could do no better this morning, as I stood atop the hill, than to take in the district which comprises the rim of the “saucer”, beginning in the south west with Sliabh Fathaigh (Slieve Foy, Carlingford Mountains) in County Louth and turning to the right from there. Sliabh Cuilinn (Slieve Gullion) and Sliabh Camlocha (Camloch mountain) were the next pieces of the rim.
Northwards from there was the quarry of Coill Gabhrai (Goraghwood) where the important train station is, a large grey hole in the hills of South Armagh. West from me I could see Banbridge and the bright new houses of Primrose Park sparkling in the sun.
Looking beyond the Bannside town towards the horizon, I am told I could see Lough Neagh itself, had I a pair of binoculars. In the north east the mountains of Drom Bearach (Drumbaragh) stood solid and dark. Also in that direction (and closer) was Sliabh Dea-coimeadta (Dechomet mountain), which is named from the practice of keeping watch from its summit in times of conflict long ago. Then, looking south east, the most beautiful sight of all, the picturesque mountains of Crioch Mhudhoirn (The Mournes) - the “Beanna Boirche, ag bagairt a gcinn thar dhruim a cheile”, as the poet said. (Mourne Mountains; BjM)
There was strong light from the sun on those beautiful mountains this morning and each peak raised its head in stately majesty in the sparkling sky. There was Sliabh Domhanghoirt (Slieve Donard), the tallest mountain in Ulster, at the top of which the Saint who gave it its name had a small cell. Sliabh Coimeadta (Slieve Commedagh) between me and Sliabh Domhanghoirt (Slieve Donard), so that you would think that they were one mountain. Sliabh Bearnach the next peak in this wonderful line picture: like some fantastic sea monster, mouth open, terrible teeth displayed. Then, the beautiful cone of Sliabh Maol Beag (Slieve Meel Beg) which looks, you would think, so perfectly shaped that some giant craftsman had formed it.
This is one place on earth where a small (beag) thing is bigger than a big (mor) one, for Sliabh Maol Beag is bigger, by 73 feet, than Sliabh Maol Mor! (This last peak is a short distance behind the wonderful line I mentioned previously – between me and Sliabh Bearnach.) Sliabh Sionnach (Slieve Loughshannah), Sliabh Cairn (Carn Mountain), Sliabh Muc (Slieve Muck) and, behind these, Sliabh Binnin (Slieve Binnian) are the three other peaks in this part, known as Beanna Arda Boirche (high Mournes). Between the Beanna “Arda” and the Beanna “Lair” (middle/central) and the Beanna “Isle” (low), reaching south west from the river to the horizon and meeting, you would think, Sliabh Fathaigh (Slieve Foy) - where I started.
Below me on the “floor” of the saucer were the broad plains of county Down – green grass, new-planted crops, brown marshes: dotted here and there with bright sparkling lochs. Out from me on a hill stood the town of Rathfriland, its streets like custard poured on a pudding and running down the sides in uneven streams. On the top of this hill the chieftain of the clann Mhic Aonghusa lived in the castle which was destroyed in 1641. The remains of the castle can still be seen behind a garage in the centre of the town.
This district (Uibh Eachach) took its name from Eachach Cobha who tended the steeds of one of the kings of Ireland in the 3rd century. It was also known, from the same character, by the name given to it later, Magh Cobha. (Magh:plain BjM) From this same Eachach is descended Clann Mhic Aonghusa who came to power in the area around 800 years ago. According to the story, “Uibh Eachach” and “muintir Eachach”, that is the district of muintir Eachach, are the same; thus, in Irish tradition the name of the clann owning an area is given to the area itself. (Note that dative case “Uibh” is used instead of “Ui” and that “Eachach” is used adjectivally, just as we refer to the “Hogan Stand”.
The ancient hill on top of which I stood on this spring morning is often called “the Carn” because there is a carn, that is an ancient burial site, there. The carn is from the pagan era in Ireland and it was people of importance who were buried in such tombs. Places such as these, beside a carn, were popular for games among the young at certain important times of the year* and older people also took this chance to organise their affairs. When Christianity arrived, it was practice to alter the day of such gatherings to coincide with a Christian festival and make it a local holy day; the church understood the social merit of such gatherings. And note how the townland (Edenagarry) in which Cnoc Uibh Eachach stands is called by a name derived from sport and entertainment.
Around me on this morning the larks soared and sang, rising and descending, the white edges of their wings sparkling in the morning light. How airy and supple they were; how beautiful; how utterly wonderful! I did not hear the linnets, which surprised me because I knew that they are very common there. It is said that they will not be heard when rain is approaching and, sure enough, after I descended the hill I noticed the north west sky darken and a heavy shower of hail began and, then, the rain.'
*It is worth noting that a tradition of Easter-Egg rolling on the upper slopes of Knock Iveagh exists amongst local people right up to the present day.
Комментарии