Death, women, and power: theme and structure in Reicne Fothaid Canainne

Abstract

This study is a thematic analysis of two understudied Old Irish texts, a poem entitled Reicne Fothaid Canainne and a short prose narrative, describing the death of Fothad Canainne, a leader of a Connacht fían, who, after being killed in battle by Ailill mac Éogain, his rival in love and war, posthumously recites the Reicne from his grave-mound to Ailill's wife. These texts are the most important extant sources for the figure of Fothad Canainne, and give insight into the early Fenian tradition. A Middle Irish prose narrative that expands on the Old Irish prose text is also briefly considered.