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A version of De Gabáil in t-Shída – ‘Concerning the Seizure of the Fairy Hill’ – Translation by Vernam Hull. Zeitschr. f. celt. Phil. xix. 53-58, 1931 (provided here for online accessibility only).
There was a famous king over the Túatha Dé in Ireland. His name (was) Dagán [the Dagda]. Great, then, was his power, even though it belonged to the Mac Míled after the conquest of the country, for the Túatha Dé destroyed the corn and the milk round about the Mac Míled until they made the friendship of the Dagda. Afterwards, he saved their corn and milk.
Now when he was king at first, his might was vast, and it was he who apportioned out the fairy mounds to the men of the Túatha Dé, namely Lug Mac Ethnend in Síd Rodrubán, (and) Ogma in Síd Aircelltraí, but for the Dagda himself Síd Leithet Lachtmaige, Oí Asíd, Cnocc Báine, (and) Brú Ruair. As, however, they say, he had Síd In Broga from the beginning.
Then Mac Oac came to the Dagda in order to petition for land after it had been distributed to each one. He was, moreover, a fosterling to Midir of Brí Léith and to Nindid, the seer.
“I have none for thee,” said the Dagda. “I have completed the division.”
“Therefore let be granted to me,” said the Mac Ooc, “even a day and a night in thy own
dwelling.” That then was given to him.
“Go now to thy following.” said the Dagda, “since thou hast consumed thy (allotted)
time.”
“It is clear,” said he, “that night and day are (the length of) the whole world, and it is that
which has been given to me.”
Thereupon the Dagda went out, and the Mac Ooc remained in his Síd. Wonderful, moreover, (is) that land. Three trees with fruit are there always, and a pig eternally alive, and a roasted swine, and a vessel with marvelous liquor, and never do they all decrease.
(For a more up to date version of De gabáil in t-shída, ‘The taking of the síd-mound’, from the Book of Leinster, I recommend picking up either John Carey’s translation in The Celtic Heroic Age Here, or Morgan Daimler’s translation in Through the Mist Here.)
[…] or ‘the Seizure of the Fairy Hill’, from the Book of Leinster. You can find a version Online Here, but I recommend picking up either John Carey’s translation in The Celtic Heroic Age Here, or […]