Deirdre

Family: Ulstermen · Role: daughter of Feidlimid's wife; wife of Naisi · First appears: The Exile of the Sons of Usnach · Book of Leinster Version · Part 1

In the Book of Leinster version, Deirdre was born to the unnamed wife of Feidlimid, and Conor decreed that she should be brought to him and reared to become his wife. She grew up under the care of her foster-father and foster-mother, with no other men allowed into the house where she was raised. When Naisi agreed to take her with him, she left Ulster with him and his company that same night. They later fled to an island after learning that the men of Alba planned to destroy them.

After Naisi and his brothers agreed to return under Fergus mac Rog’s surety, Deirdre was brought to Conor and bound. She remained in his household for a year without laughter, food, or sleep; Conor then gave her to Eogan for another year. At the festal plain of Macha, she struck her head against a stone and died.

In the Glenn Masain version, Deirdre gave Naisi three kisses before he was laid in his grave. She stayed with Conor for a year after the sons of Usnach were slain, and when he ordered her to go to Eogan, she leapt from the chariot and struck her head on the rocks, dying there.