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Deirdre (/ˈdɪərdrə,-dri/DEER-drə, -dree,Irish:[ˈdʲɛɾˠdʲɾʲə];Old Irish:Derdriu[ˈdʲerʲðrʲĭŭ]) is atragic heroine in theUlster Cycle ofIrish mythology. She is also known by the epithet "Deirdre of the Sorrows" (Irish:Deirdre an Bhróin).
Deirdre is a prominent figure in Irish legend. American scholarJames MacKillop assessed in 2004 that she was its best-known figure in modern times.[1]
Deirdre was the daughter of the royal storytellerFedlimid mac Daill. Before she was born,Cathbad, the chiefdruid at the court ofConchobar mac Nessa, king ofUlster, prophesied that Fedlimid's daughter would grow up to be very beautiful, but that kings and lords would go to war over her, much blood would be shed because of her, and Ulster's three greatest warriors would be forced into exile for her sake.[2]
Hearing this, many urged Fedlimid to kill the baby at birth, but Conchobar, aroused by the description of her future beauty, decided to keep the child for himself. He took Deirdre away from her family and had her brought up in seclusion byLeabharcham, a poet and wise woman, and planned to marry Deirdre when she wasold enough. As a young girl, living isolated in the woodlands, Deirdre told Leabharcham one snowy day that she would love a man with the colours she had seen when a raven landed in the snow with its prey: hair the color of the raven, skin as white as snow, and cheeks as red as blood.
Leabharcham told her she was describingNaoise mac Uisneach, a handsome young warrior, hunter and singer at Conchobar's court. With the collusion of Leabharcham, Deirdre met Naoise and they fell in love. Accompanied by his brothers Ardan and Ainnle (the other two sons ofUisneach), Naoise and Deirdre fled to Scotland. They lived a happy life there, hunting and fishing and living in beautiful places; one place associated with them isLoch Etive. Some versions of the story mention that Deirdre and Naoise had children, a son, Gaiar, and a daughter, Aebgreine,[3] who werefostered byManannan Mac Lir.[4]
However, the furious, humiliated Conchobar tracked them down. He sentFergus mac Róich to them with an invitation to return and Fergus's own promise of safe conduct home. On the way back toEmain Macha, Conchobar had Fergus waylaid, forced by his personalgeis (an obligation) to accept an invitation to a feast.
Fergus sent Deirdre and the sons of Uisneach on toEmain Macha with his son to protect them. When they arrived, Conchobar sent Leabharcham to spy on Deirdre, to see if she had lost her beauty. Leabharcham, to protect Deirdre, told the king that Deirdre was now ugly and aged. Conchobar then sent another spy, Gelbann,[1] who managed to catch a glimpse of Deirdre but was seen by Naoise, who threw a gold chess piece at him and put out his eye.
The spy managed to get back to Conchobar, and told him that Deirdre was as beautiful as ever. Conchobar called his warriors to attack theRed Branch house where Deirdre and the sons of Uisneach were lodging. Naoise and his brothers fought valiantly, aided by a few Red Branch warriors, before Conchobar invoked their oath of loyalty to him and had Deirdre dragged to his side. At this point,Éogan mac Durthacht threw a spear, killing Naoise, and his brothers were killed shortly afterward.
Fergus and his men arrived after the battle. Fergus was outraged by this betrayal of his word, and went into exile inConnacht. He later fought against Ulster forAilill andMedb in the war of theTáin Bó Cúailnge (the Cattle Raid of Cooley), sometimes referred to as "the IrishIliad".
After the death of Naoise, Conchobar took Deirdre as his wife. After a year, angered by Deirdre's continuing coldness toward him, Conchobar asked her whom in the world she hated the most, besides himself. She answered "Éogan mac Durthacht", the man who had murdered Naoise. Conchobar said that he would give her to Éogan. As she was being taken to Éogan, Conchobar taunted her, saying she looked like a ewe between two rams. At this, Deirdre threw herself from thechariot, dashing her head to pieces against a rock.
There are many plays and other stage productions based on Deirdre's story, including:
Novels about her includeDeirdre (1923) byJames Stephens,The Celts (1988) by Elona Malterre,On Raven's Wing (1990) byMorgan Llywelyn andThe Swan Maiden by Jules Watson.
Music about her includes the albumA Celtic Tale: The Legend Of Deirdre (1996) byMychael Danna &Jeff Danna.[6] and the songOf The Sorrows from the albumThe Wanderlings Volume Two by Leslie Hudson.[7]
LÉ Deirdre, a ship in theIrish Naval Service from 1972 to 2001, was named after her.[8]
A version of Deirdre appears in the showMystic Knights of Tir Na Nog as the main character (played byLisa Dwan), and she is the daughter of King Conchobar and an unknown woman (believed to be a Goddess).
Deirdre public domain audiobook atLibriVox
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