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deidre abbots
 
deidre abbots
One of the most well-known tragic Irish legends is the story of Deirdre of the Sorrows.
Deirdre of the Sorrows...
n the day of Deirdre's birth the High King of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa was at a feast. During the meal a scream was heard, it was so loud that all of the knights rose to their feet with weapons ready. The source of the sound was the Unborn Child.
Cathbad the druid, stood with arms raised to interpret the omen. He walked into the night and observed the clouds, moon and stars, his vision became clear and he rejoined the others in the Great Hall. Cathbad in a trance said, “This child is like no other.
 
 
She shall have golden hair and green eyes and be the most beautiful woman ever born.” Immediately the guest began to raise their voices in excited cheers.
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Cathbad continued, never leaving his trance, “Her name will be Deirdre. But from her great beauty will rise a sword strong enough to split apart the Tree of Ulster.”
Cheers were replaced with cries for the death of this unborn child. Shouts of, “Kill the child” were repeated until the king raised his voice with his decree.
Conchobar said, “This unborn child, is the child of my harper and friend, Feidlimid and his wife Elva. It is not right for me to bring pain upon the lives of any of my people, especially a true friend like Feidlimid. I believe the prophecies of Cathbad are true, but I will never sacrifice this innocent child. I will take Deirdre as my ward and raise her in a secluded estate, when she is of age I will marry her and make her my wife. She can cause no rivalry among the people of Ulster so the prophecy will be defeated. This is my word.”
As he finished speaking, a cry came from the women’s quarters letting everyone know that the beautiful child was born to Elva. The rest of the evening was spent in celebration.
Before Deirdre was a year and a day old she was brought to a small house on a hilltop. Three people would live here with her, foster parents and Levorcham who was a trusted member of the King's court. Levorcham was a storyteller and healer; and she and Deirdre were like mother and daughter.
As Deirdre grew she was free to wander in the meadows and hillsides inside the walled confinement. Deirdre's skills with herbs and flowers grew, as did her beauty. Another skill Deirdre possessed was the gift of premonition.
The summer of her 15th year was to be when she would wed King Conchobar. When Deirdre heard this she was melancholy and filled with hopelessness. She stopped enjoying the change of seasons. During the winter before her wedding she suddenly stopped short in her tracks and stared at the white snow, stained red with blood and colored black with feathers from a fallen Raven. She went into a trance with visions of a young man with white skin, black hair and blood red lips. Deirdre told her nurse that a man fitting this description would be the man she married. Levorcham said, “This description is used to describe a young champion, whose name is Naoise. He and his 2 brothers are knights of the king, and they will be your protectors when you marry the king.”
Deirdre replied, “I will not marry the King - Naoise is the man I love!” She continued to implore her friend, “If you love me you will bring Naoise here to take me away. Tell them to come here to hunt and I will find a way to join my true love.” Levorcham was torn between her love of the girl and her loyalty to the King. Love won and she arranged a secret meeting. When Deirdre saw them approaching - she rushed to hug her friend goodbye and ran off with the 3 young men.
The 3 brothers and Deirdre fled to Scotland and found themselves filled with joy and happiness, this continued for 7 years.