The Eircs and the foundation legend of Scottish Dál Riata

Abstract

The article examines one of the surviving variants of the foundation legend of Scottish Dál Riata, emphasising the version described in “Senchus Fer n-Alban” (The History of Men of Scotland). Identifying the extent to which Irish historical sagas (“The seed of Conaire” and “About the sons of Conaire”), “The Life of Saint Féichín”, as well as fragments of Yellow Book of Lecan influenced the genealogical introduction to “Senchus”, the author shows how this lore was adapted to the version of the legend presented there. The adapted version excluded any personification connected with both the sons of Eirc and with Fergus Mór himself. It is exclusively centered round the idea of exodus of part of Dál Riata from Ireland and round the proof of the ethnic and political homogeneity of both parts of the kingdom. The notion of the links between Dál Riata and the Eircs cannot have originated before the Alpínid dynasty took interest in their Irish descent. It was only within this context that Fergus himself and his brothers were invested with the features necessary for their functionally essential role as the first Irish colonists who had set foot on Scottish lands. Thus, the monarchy with which the Alpínid kingdom was directly associated turned out to be Irish. Therefore, the key figures who determined the links of Kenneth MacAlpin’s descendants with territorial political groups of Ireland were: firstly, Conaire Mór and the whole tradition originating from him; secondly, Fiachu Fer Mara, a legendary ancestor of the royal dynasty of Dál Fiatach, the rulers of Ulaid; thirdly, Oengus Tuirmech, one of the most prominent ancestors of the royal family of Ui Néill; forth, Ugaine Már, one of the common ancestors for all of the most influential Irish royal lineages; and finally Míl Espáine, one of the legendary characters of Irish epics. Refs 33.