Labraid Loingsech

Labraid [' Lavrið ʴ ], also Labraid Moen ( " the dumb speak " ), Loingsech ( " the exile " ) and Lore ( " the Grim ") is the name of a king from the Historical Cycle Celtic mythology of Ireland.

Mythology and Etymology

Labraid should have reigned in the 3rd or 4th century over the province of Leinster and as high king of Ireland.

In the story Orgain Denna Rig ( " The killing of Dinn Rig " ) is reported, how he came to his nickname. After he was silenced because of the terrible things that had been done to him by his uncle Cobthach Coel Breg, he was given the name Moen ( " the dumb one "). Since he was injured one day and cried, " I have hurt me ," why he ( " the dumb speak " ) from then on Labraid Moen was called. Due to its banishment to Munster he was called also Loingsech ( " the exile "). The cruel revenge that he held to his uncle and all co-conspirators, he eventually nicknamed Lore brought a ( " the Grim ").

In a more recent version of the popular saga of Labraid Moen is told that he had horse's ears. To keep it a secret that he has had any barber executed after the haircut. One day a widow asks him imploringly to the sparing of her son, he makes this alive. The Son can but the secret does not keep to himself and told a pasture as he recommends a druid. The pasture is later cut down and carved out their woody harp, which always sings now: " Labraid has the ears of a horse! " So the secret of the king is finally aired yet.

This legend is based on the assumptions of Bernhard Maier on the ancient story of King Midas with donkey ears, which could be reached over Britain in the narrative repertoire of Irish poets.