Buile Shuibhne

Buile Suibne [' bul ʴ e' huv ʴ n ʴ e] ( " Suibnes madness " ) is the name of a story from the Historical Cycle of Irish mythology. The legend probably dates from the 12th century and survives in three manuscripts from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Content

The plot is in time and substance related to the two narratives Fled Dúin na nGéd ( " The Feast of Dun na nGéd " ) and Cath Maige Rátha ( "The Battle of Mag Rath "). Suibne, king of Dál nAraide in Ulster in the north- east of Ireland murdered a companion of the holy abbot Rónán. He was so angry about the bells of the monastery church, that he kills the monk with his spear and wounded the saints, and is then cursed by this. In the battle of Mag Rath Suibne loses his mind, runs away and wanders for years in the woods of the island. He finally finds refuge in a monastery where he a soup is served on behalf of the Abbot of the cook every night. The reason jealous husband, a pastor of the monastery, kills him in anger.

The flight Suibnes through the woods is described mythically exaggerated, he touches with his feet more and more rare the ground until he finally just longer lives in the treetops and there sings poems. This poetry is counted from Helmut Birkhan the finest examples of Irish nature poetry.