GLOSSARY OF NAMES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
All pronunciations of these names are approximations given the vagaries of time and dialects. Some of the characters listed here are historical personages; most are fictional. Some names refer to specific places rather than people.
Achill (AHK-il) an island off the northwest coast of Ireland
Aed (AY) the name of a brehon (judge) in ancient Ireland
Aegyptus (ee-JIP-tus) one of Claudians Roman soldiers
Aeibhell (EE-vil) a banshee of Muma
Aidan (AYD-in) a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Ailbe (AL-vee) a druid present at the discovery of Finegas
Ailill (AL-eel) the second son of Niall by Mongfind
Aill na Mirenn (AL-nuh-MEER-uhn) The Stone of the Divisions which separated the provinces of Ireland
Ailleann (AL-en) personal name of The Brid
Alba (AHL-buh) a name the ancient Irish used for Scotland
Albinius (ahl-BIN-nee-uss) a druid from Alba who became a Christian
Aengus (ANG-us) a druid of the Cruithni
Anrothan (AWN-ro-han) one of the warriors of Donal
Aodhach (EE-ock) a male warrior set in place by Conaire to guard the Crannog of the Women
Aoife (EE-fee) a bondwoman in the household of Conaire
Ard Righ (ARD-ree) the high king of Ireland
Arddruid (ARD-droo-id) the highest druid in Ireland
Bairced (BAR-ked) the father of the poet Laidcenn
Baothan (BAY-hawn) a druid assisting in the name challenge between Conaire and Conall
Banba (BAN-va) a name for ancient Ireland
Bannavem Taburniae (BAN-a-vem tuh-BUR-nee-ay) home of Magonus Succatus in Roman Wales present-day Banwen in west Glamorgan, Wales
Bardan (BAR-dawn) a druid present at the discovery of Finegas
Bear the nickname of Art, teller of these tales, and fosterson of Conall
Beltaine (BELL-tin-uh) May 1, the beginning of the Irish summer
Bennchuir (BAN-uh-heer) an area on the north coast of Ireland known for its pinnacles
Blamec (BLAW-muck) a warrior friend of Fergus
Boudica (BOO-dih-kuh) a Celtic queen and leader of the Icenian revolt against the Romans in Britannia in 60 CE
Bran (BRAN) a druid in the search for renegade druids
Breac (BRAK) a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Brian (BREE-an) the first son of Niall by Mongfind
Brid (BRID) the title of the leader of the Serpent sect
Britannia (breh-TAN-yeh) the Roman-controlled part of present-day England, Wales and Scotland
Bru na Boinne (BREW-nuh-BOW-ee-nuh) a neolithic necropolis along the Boyne River
Caelestius (kay-LESS-tee-uss) a former druid scholar from Bennchuir who became a Christian but disagreed with that church on the doctrine of Original Sin
Caenraighe (KEN-rye) an area of Muma
Cairenn (KEER-in) the mother of the Ard Righ, Niall
Cairbre (KAR-bree) a son of Niall
Calpurnius (Kal-PUR-nee-us) the father of Magonus Succatus
Carnutus (kar-NU-tus) a druid from Gaul
Carthach (KORhock) a male warrior set in place by Conaire to guard the Crannog of the Women
Cassius (KASS-ee-us) one of Claudians Roman soldiers
Cathal (KAH-hal) the father of Saran and litigant against the family of Fergus
Cauldron of the Dagda (DAH-dah) from Irish mythology, a huge vat in which a pig was always cooking and whose contents were said to inspire the poet and revive the dead
Cernunnos (ker-NUN-nohs) a druid from Gaul named for the god of the same name
Ceat (KAT) a druid from Alba
Chair of Aynia (AWN-ya) lunatics who sat on this stone three times were incurable
Ciarmhac (KEER-vack) the leader of the outlaws
Ciarrai (KEER-ee) a people of Muma
Claudian (KLAW-dee-yin) the chief assistant to Fergus in the Roman army
Cliodhna (KLEE-uh-nah) a banshee of Muma
Coelbren (KOY-luh-bren) a Roman auxiliary fort with a marching camp along the Sarn Helen Road in south Wales
Colga (KULL-gah) a druid assisting in the name challenge between Conaire and Conall
Colla (KULL-ah) of the Bright Sword a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Collar of Morann (MUR-an) a trial by ordeal, a garrotte which compelled truth-telling
Conaire (KON-a-ree) the Arddruid High Druid of all of Ireland
Conan (Koh-nuhn) son of Febal
Connachta (KUH-nuh-tah) the people of the province of Connacht
Constantine (KON-stan-teen) a Roman emperor from 306-337 CE who legalized Christianity
Conall (KON-uhl) a druid second-in-command to the Arddruid Conaire, fosterfather of Art, and fosterbrother of Fergus
Corc (KURK) a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Cormac mac Airt (KUR-muck- mack ART) the Irish High King from c. 226-266 CE
Crimthann mac Fidaig (KREE-in mack FEE-dig) the Irish High King from 365-379 CE and predecessor of Niall
Crimthann (KREE-in) (another Crimthann) a son of Enna Ui Chennselaigh
Criofan (KREE-fan) a druid in the search for the renegade druids
Cromm Cruach (KROM-kroo-uck) an idol in the Plain of Prostrations in present-day County Cavan, Ireland
Cruithni (KROO-nee) the ancient Irish name for the Picts of Scotland and northeast Ireland
Cumman (KUM-in) a woman of the Serpent sect
Dairbhre (DOR-vreh) modern-day Valentia Island in County Kerry, Ireland
Daire (DAW-ree) a druid assisting in the name challenge between Conaire and Conall
Dathal (DAW-hal) the father of Donal, friend of Fergus
Daghan (DAG-awn) a cousin of Niall
Damascus (dah-MASS-kus) a city in Syria well-known in ancient times for its manufacture of swords
Declan (DECK-lin) a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Dee (DEE) a river on the east coast of Ireland
Diarmuid (DEER-mit) a druid trainee who lives in the household of Conaire the Arddruid
Dichu (DEE-koo) one of the men rowing the curragh of Fergus
Donal (DOH-nal) the returning raider whose curragh tows that of Fergus to Eriu
Donn (DUN) the outlaw who negotiates with Art at the fair
Dorbha (DOR-vuh) a brewy or hosteller, an innkeeper
Dicuill (DEE-kil) the brother of Saran and son of Cathal
Dubhthach (DOOV-ick) a poet and friend of Laogaire
Dubhan (DOO-awn) a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Dunlaing (DOON-lang) a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Dunseverick (DOON-sev-rick) on the north coast of Ireland, the terminus of a royal road from Tara
Dyfed (DUV-ed) a large coastal area of western and southwestern Wales
Earc (ARK) a druid postulant, brother of Finegas, another druid acolyte
Eavan (EE-vin) the smith of The Brid
Echen (ECK-en) a druid assisting in the name challenge between Conaire and Conall
Emain Macha (OW-in MOCK-uh) the compound of kings of remote antiquity located in northeast Ireland
Emer (AY-ver) a female servant in the household of Guaire Emlyn (EM-lin) a druid from Gwynnedd, present-day north Wales
Enan (AY-nawn) a druid assisting in the name challenge between Conaire and Conall
Enna (EN-nuh) the leader of the Ui Chennselaigh
Enda (EN-duh) a finalist for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Eochu (OCK-ee) a son of Enna Ui Chennselaigh
Eochu Mug Medon (OCK-ee-moo-VANE) father of the Ard Righ, Niall
Eogan (OWN) the father of Fergus
Erca (ARK-uh) a female name; here, a horse
Eriu (AYR-uh) a name used by the ancient Irish for Ireland
Ethne (EHN-yeh) a female name; here, a horse
Fe (FEH) a rod kept in graveyards to measure graves and corpses; it was handled only by an appointed official
Febal (FAYV-el) a close relative of Conaire
Ferdiad (FUR-dee-id) a famous warrior in Irish mythology
Fergus (FERG-us) exiled fosterbrother of Conall who has returned from service in the Roman army after nine years
Fergus (FERG-us) this Fergus is the third son of Niall by Mongfind
Fiachra (FEE-ack-ruh) the fourth son of Niall by Mongfind
Fidaig (FEE-dig) the father of the righ, Crimthann
Finegas (FIN-eh-giss) a druid postulant, brother of Earc
Fintan (FIN-tin) one of the final nine for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Finnabair (FINN-a-ver) a member of the Serpents
Fionnuala (fin-OOL-a) a daughter of Conaire
Flaithri (FLAY-ree) a druid and seer
Flann (FLAWN) father of Aed, the brehon
Fodla (FOH-la) a name for ancient Ireland
Glas (GLOSS) of the People of the Dog a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Galicia (gah-LEE-cee-a) present-day Portugal
Gaul (GAWL) a Roman-controlled European province known today as France
Garbhan (GAR-vawn) a servant in the household of Guaire
Guaire (GEER-ee) the father of Conall, fostergrandfather of Art, fosterfather of Fergus
Gwent (GWENT) a section of southeast Wales
Gwyddyl (GWID-el) the Welsh form for Gavidheal (GAWD-el) a name used by the Irish for themselves
Gwynnedd (GWIN-eth) an area along the coast of northwest Wales
High Fish Jerome (c.340-420CE) a scholar of the early Christian church, canonized a saint, author of the Latin Vulgate, Doctor of the Church
Hill of Ushnagh (ISH-nuh) site of an ancient fair and the Stone of the Divisions at which begins the delineation the provinces
Iarlaith (YAR-la) a wealthy cattle lord suspected of harboring two Fish (Christian) fugitives
Iberia (ee-BEER-ee-uh) present-day Spain
Iceni (I-SEE-nee) a Celtic tribe in Britannia
Ierne (YER-na) a name used by the Romans for ancient Ireland
Imbolc (IM-bulk) February 1, the beginning of the Irish spring
Inber Bann (IN-ver BANN) on the north coast of Ireland, the mouth of the Bann River in present-day County Derry, Ireland
Inber Caerlinn (IN-ver-KAH-hur-linn) on the east coast of Ireland in present-day County Louth, Ireland
Inber Dee (DEE) on the east coast in present-day County Louth, Ireland
Island of Mannanan (MAH-nah-non) the present-day Isle of Man located in the Irish Sea
Julius (JOO-lee-uss) one of Claudians Roman soldiers killed at the battle of The Ford of Two Stones
Laidcenn (LEE-ken) the Court Poet of Niall
Laigin (LEE-gin) the southeast province of Ireland known as Leinster today
Laogaire (LAIR-ee) a son of the Ard Righ, Niall
Lia Fail (LEE-yuh-fawl) a stone on the Inauguration Mound of the Hill of Tara said to roar when a rightful king set foot on it
Lochan LOCK-awn) a druid and medical assistant of Conall
Lugaid (LOO-ee) a warrior chief and friend of Fergus
Lugne (LOO-nuh) a druid present at the discovery of Finegas
Lughnasa (LOO-nuh-suh) the Irish autumn which begins with the month of August
Maelcenn (MAYL-ken) an alias for Pelagius
Maenach (MAY-nock) a druid and seer
Maeve (MAYV) a famous queen in early Irish tales
Magonus Succatus (MAH-goh-nus su-CAT-us) the slave encountered by Art in the oak wood
Marcellus (mar-SEL-us) one of the Roman soldiers of Claudian
Marcus (MAR-kuss) one of the Roman soldiers killed at the battle of The Ford of Two Stones
Middle Sea the Mediterranean Sea
Midhe (MEE-eh) originally said to be the Hill of Ushnagh and regarded as the center of Ireland, it was composed of tracts of land from present-day provinces of Ulster, Connacht and Leinster. It is known today as County Meath, Ireland.
Miliucc (MIL-yuck) the master of Magonus Succatus
Mobhi (MOH-vee) a servant in the household of Guaire
Mogh Ruith (MOH-ree) a well-renowned druid of Muma
Molua (muh-LOO-uh) of the Green Vale a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Mona (MOH-nuh) an island off northwest Wales known today as Anglesey
Mongfind (MUNG-in) paramount wife of Eochu Mug Medon
Muiredach (MEER-ick) a warrior
Mura (MURR-uh) a shipwright, a builder of curraghs
Muma (MOO-muh) the ancient southwest province and known as Munster today
Murlinn (MER-lin) the nickname of Conall, son of Guaire
Naithi (NAH-ee) a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Niall (of the Nine Hostages) (NIGH-ul) Irish High King from 379-405 CE
Niamh Land (NEE-uv-lawn) a radiant, flat crescent of gold worn around the neck or over the forehead
Nidum (NEE-dum) a Roman auxiliary fort near present-day Banwen in west Glamorgan, Wales
Oceanus Hibernicus (oh-SEE-uh-nuss hi-BUR-neh-kuss) the Latin name for the Irish Sea
Octavius (ock-TAY-vee-us) one of the Roman soldiers of Claudian
Ogam (OH-um) an ancient mysterious language carved on rocks and on wood
Oisin (USH-een) a servant in the household of Guaire
Orla (OR-la) a woman of the Serpents
Osan (US-awn) of the Fort of the Foreigners a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Pannonia (pah-NOH-nee-uh) present-day Hungary
Parisius (puh-REE-see-us) a druid from Gaul, present-day France
Pelagius (pel-LAY-jee-uss) (c.350-c.420CE) a native of the British Isles who was a well-educated Christian theologian and teacher whose ideas on Original Sin and grace, among others, ran counter to those of Jerome
Pluto (PLU-toh) the Roman god of the dead
Potitus (POH-ty-tus) grandfather of Magonus Succatus
Powys (POH-wis) a large area in central and eastern Wales
Rechru (RECK-roo) present-day Rathlin Island on the north coast of County Antrim, Ireland
River of the Provinces the Shannon River
Ronan (ROH-nawn) a trainer of eagles
Ruairi (ROO-uh-ree) a medical assistant of Conaire
Rufus Festus Avienus (ROO-fus FES-tus av-ee-EN-us) a Roman writer of the late fourth century CE
Samhain (SOW-in) November 1, the beginning of the Irish winter
Saran (SAW-awn) a cattle raider
Sarn Elen (SARN-ell-in) a Roman road in Wales now called the Sarn Helen which stretches from the south coast to the north of Wales
Scoti (SKOH-tee) a name for the Irish (one from which the name Scotland derives)
Seanan (SHAN-awn) a druid acolyte and nephew of Cathal
Severn River the river boundary between southeast Wales and southwest England
Sithchenn (SEE-ken) a druid and a smith
Stilicho (STIL-uh-koh) a Roman general of Vandal origin, a Patrician and a Consul of the Western Roman Empire
Tadhg (TEEG) the husband of Emer
Tailltenn (TAL-tenn) one of several sites in Ireland where fairs were held from antiquity
Tairbeart (TAR-bert) a Shannonside town in northeast County Kerry, Ireland
Tara Tara [gen: teamhrach] (TAHR-uh) a hillfort of great antiquity in County Meath, Ireland
Tighernach (TEER-nah) a druid assisting in the naming
challenge of Conaire and Conall
Titus (TY-tus) a Roman soldier who forms a friendship with Art
Tola (TOH-luh) a druid assisting in the naming challenge of Conaire and Conall
Tonn Cliodhna (tun-KLEE-uh-na) off Roscarbery Bay in present-day County Cork, Ireland
Tonn Ruairi (tun-ROO-uh-ree) located in the Bay of Dundrum, on the east coast off present-day County Down, Ireland
Tonn Tuaithe (tun-TOO-ih-huh) located at the mouth of the River Bann on the north coast of Ireland
Torna (TOR-nuh) a legendary scholar and poet, the last great bard of the fifth century CE
Tuatha De Danann (TOO-hu-day-DON-un) an early mythological people of Ireland
Tuirn (TOO-eern) a poet and son of the poet, Torna
Turcan (TUR-kawn) a nominee for the Ceremony of the Cakes
Ui Chennselaigh (ee-KEN-sel-luh) a tribe from Laigin, the southeast province of ancient Ireland
Ui Dunlaing (ee-DOON-lang) a tribe from Laigin, the southeast province of ancient Ireland
Ulaid (UHL-ee) a people of northeastern Ireland
Wicker Man a tall, man-shaped, hollow, wooden structure of some forty or fifty feet in which sacrifices were placed to be consumed by fire
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