Usnach

Also known as: Usna · Family: Ulstermen · Role: father of three sons mentioned in the song · First appears: Mac Datho's Boar · Part 2

Usnach is named as the father of Naisi, Ainnle, and Ardan in The Exile of the Sons of Usnach. In the Book of Leinster version, his sons agreed to return to Erin with Fergus mac Rog as their surety. As they continued toward Emain, Conor delayed Fergus with an ale-feast, and ordered Eogan and his warriors to kill the sons before they could reach the king. The slaughter across the meadow left none alive who escaped the weapons.

Relationship record

Life events

• In the Book of Leinster version, The sons of Usnach agreed to return, with Fergus named as their surety.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2)
  • With: Fergus mac Rog Conor Naisi Ainnle Ardan Deirdre
  • “we will indeed come, and let Fergus come as our surety”
• In the Book of Leinster version, Conor's scheme delayed Fergus while the sons of Usnach continued toward Emain.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2 · 📍 Erin)
  • With: Conor Fergus mac Rog Naisi Ainnle Ardan
  • “Fergus was pressed to join in an ale-feast, while the sons of Usnach were pledged to eat no food in Erin, until they had eaten the food of Conor.”
• In the Book of Leinster version, Conor and Eogan's warriors were charged to kill the sons of Usnach before they could reach the king.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2 · 📍 Emain)
  • With: Eogan Conor Naisi Ainnle Ardan
  • “to him, and to the warmen of Conor, the charge was given that they should slay the sons of Usnach, in order that they should not come before the king.”
• In the Book of Leinster version, The slaughter across the meadow left none alive who escaped the weapons.(The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2 · 📍 the meadow)
  • With: Naisi Ainnle Ardan
  • “Then there began a murder throughout the meadow, so that none escaped who did not fall by the points of the spears, or the edge of the sword”

The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 1

• child: Naisi “Yonder is he in the burg which is nigh; and the name of him is Naisi, the son of Usnach.”
• child: Ainnle “And the sons of Usnach hurried out in order to hold back their brother.”
• child: Ardan “And the sons of Usnach hurried out in order to hold back their brother.”

The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 2

• child: Naisi “When Usna's sons came home to me,”
• child: Ainnle “On Aindle's stately back the wood;”
• child: Ardan “On Ardan's ox, or goodly boar.”

The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Glenn Masain Version · Part 1

• child: Naisi “These Ardan, Ainnle, Naisi were, who came of Usnach's race;”
• child: Ainnle “These Ardan, Ainnle, Naisi were, who came of Usnach's race;”
• child: Ardan “These Ardan, Ainnle, Naisi were, who came of Usnach's race;”

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Extracted from the original text of Heroic Romances of Ireland. Made with Rho MD.