Ilbrec

Also known as: Ilbhrec / Ilbrec of Ess Ruadh / Ilbrec the Many Coloured / the Many-Coloured · Family: Tuatha de Danaan · Role: son of Manannan · First appears: The Fianna · Finn, Son of Cumhal · The Coming of Finn · Part 1

Ilbrec, son of Manannan, was the sweetheart of Aoife, whose skin was changed into that of a crane through jealousy. At Ess Ruadh, he was at war with Lir of Sidhe Fionnachaidh. When Caoilte came to the hall, he knocked down a destructive bird with a copper rod; Ilbrec gave him the Spear of Fiacha, recalling that Finn had used it to kill Aillen, who burned Teamhair, and told him to keep it in case Lir came to avenge the bird.

After the army was beaten, Ilbrec took its spoils for his people and gave Caoilte the enchanted spear, nine rich cloaks, nine gold-hilted swords and nine hunting hounds. At that time, Caoilte and his comrades also drove away the red birds that were destroying the grass.

Relationship record

Life events

• War breaks out between Lir and Ilbrec.(The Fianna · Huntings and Enchantments · Ilbrec of Ess Ruadh · Part 1 · 📍 Ess Ruadh)
  • With: Lir
  • “It was at that time, now, there was great war between Lir of Sidhe Fionnachaidh and Ilbrec of Ess Ruadh.”
• Caoilte knocks down the destructive bird with a copper rod.(The Fianna · Huntings and Enchantments · Ilbrec of Ess Ruadh · Part 1 · 📍 Ess Ruadh)
  • With: Caoilte Derg
  • “Then Caoilte put his hand within the rim of his shield, and he took out of it a copper rod he had, and he made a cast of it at the bird, that brought it down on the floor of the hall.”
• Ilbrec gives Caoilte the Spear of Fiacha, used by Finn to kill Aillen.(The Fianna · Huntings and Enchantments · Ilbrec of Ess Ruadh · Part 1)
  • With: Caoilte Fiacha Congha Finn Aillen Midhna
  • “Then Ilbrec took down a sharp spear, having thirty rivets of gold in it, from its place, and he said: ‘That is the Spear of Fiacha, son of Congha, and it is with that Finn made an end of Aillen, son of Midhna, that used to burn Teamhair. And keep it beside you now, Caoilte,’ he said, ‘till we see will Lir come to avenge his bird on us.’”
• Ilbrec gave Caoilte the enchanted spear of Fiacha, rich cloaks, swords, and hounds.(The Fianna · Huntings and Enchantments · Ilbrec of Ess Ruadh · Part 2 · 📍 Ess Ruadh)
  • With: Caoilte
  • “And there was great rejoicing in the hill at Ess Ruadh, and Ilbrec took the spoils of the beaten army for his people, and to Caoilte he gave the enchanted spear of Fiacha, together with nine rich cloaks and nine long swords with hilts and guards of gold, and nine hounds for hunting.”
• Caoilte and his comrades drove away the red birds that destroyed the grass.(The Fianna · Huntings and Enchantments · Ilbrec of Ess Ruadh · Part 2 · 📍 the hill of the Sidhe)
  • With: Caoilte
  • “Then Caoilte and his comrades took up three stones and threw them at the flocks and drove them away.”