- Lugaid Laigdech
Lugaid Laigdech, son of
Eochu mac Ailella , was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, aHigh King of Ireland . He helpedDui Ladrach overthrowAirgetmar , and later killed Dui to take the kingship himself. He ruled for seven years, until he was killed by Airgetmar's grandsonÁed Rúad . The "Lebor Gabála" synchronises his reign with that ofArtaxerxes III of Persia (358-338 BC). [R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), "Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V", Irish Texts Society, 1956, p. 261] The chronology ofGeoffrey Keating 's "Foras Feasa ar Éirinn" dates his reign to 537-530 BC,Geoffrey Keating , "Foras Feasa ar Éirinn" [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100054/text037.html 1.27] ] that of the "Annals of the Four Masters " to 738-731 BC. ["Annals of the Four Masters " [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/text015.html M4462] - [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/text016.html 4469] ]Keating refers to a story that Lugaid, when hunting, once met a hideous hag wearing a magic mask. When he slept with her he took off her mask, and dreamed that she became a beautiful young woman. Keating interprets this as an allegory of Ireland, meaning that Lugaid first endured toil and torment, and then enjoyed pleasure, over her. He also tells a story from the "Cóir Anmann" ("fitness of names") about a certain Lugaidh Laighdhe, one of the five sons of Dáire Doimhtheach, all of whom were called Lugaidh. A
druid prophesied to Dáire that one of his sons would rule Ireland. When Dáire asked which one, he was told to take all five toTailtiu and pursue a beautiful fawn which would appear to them there, and the one who outran it would be king. They chased it from Tailtiu toHowth , where a magical mist obscured all five from the men of Ireland. The son who caught and killed the fawn was Lugaidh Laighdhe. However, as this Lugaidh has a different father, Keating does not believe he is the same man.References
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