batch.motif.celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg-l10617-l10737
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg-l10617-l10737
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
passage_locator:
label: LITERAL TRANSLATION / THE RAID FOR DARTAID'S CATTLE / INTRODUCTION / THE
RAID FOR DARTAID'S CATTLE; lines 10617-10737
start: '10617'
end: '10737'
translation: Heroic Romances of Ireland
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Eocho Bec, a ruler in Clew and foster-father of princely wards, receives
a night vision from a fairy woman of the Shee dwelling in the Fairy Mound of Coolny.
She promises him a splendid troop of fifty riders with horses and equipment, saying
this aid is fitting because he guards their land. At dawn the horses, garments,
bridles, and riding gear appear, and Eocho rides with his foster-children to Ailill
and Maev at Croghan. Ailill asks Eocho for milking-cows to support the raid for
Cualgne's cattle; Eocho agrees to send tribute. On the homeward journey Eocho
and his forty foster-sons are attacked by the sons of Glaschu and killed. Later
Ailill dreams of a youth and woman called Conquest and Defeat; the fairy woman
says Dartaid's forty cows can be won by sending Orlam, whom Dartaid loves, with
forty Connaught youths, and promises them the garments of the recently slain princes.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Eocho Bec reigns in Clew, dwells in Coolny's fort, and fosters sons of Munster
princes.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Forty cows provide milk for Eocho's wards, and other cattle support his people.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: obs:3
text: Maev and Ailill summon Eocho, and Eocho says he will come in seven days.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: During the night Eocho sees a vision of a fairy woman attended by a youthful
squire.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: The fairy woman says she and her people dwell with the Shee in the Fairy Mound
of Coolny.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The fairy woman offers Eocho counsel and noble gifts that will bring renown
and worship.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The fairy woman specifies fifty horsemen, black horses, precious reins and
bits, and equipment suitable for fairies.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The fairy woman says the promised aid is given because Eocho guards their
soil and country in battle.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: At dawn Eocho's people see fifty horses and ornate riding equipment fastened
or placed at the gate.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Eocho and his company ride in the fairy-provided array to Croghan, where the
Connaught men marvel at the splendor of the troop.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: Ailill asks Eocho for milking-cows to help maintain the men of Ireland for
the raid for Cualgne's cattle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Eocho agrees to send cows as tribute after Ailill promises protection from
harmful foes in battle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: On the homeward ride, Eocho and his company are attacked by the sons of Glaschu
at the isle of O'Canda.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: Eocho and the forty foster-princes die in the battle, and widespread lamentation
follows.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:15
text: Ailill later dreams of a youth and woman, identified as Conquest and Defeat.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:16
text: The fairy woman in Ailill's dream says Dartaid's forty cows can be won by
sending Orlam, whom Dartaid loves, with forty Connaught youths.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:17
text: The fairy woman promises bright garments for Orlam's company, specifically
garments that had adorned the recently slain princes.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Eocho Bec
description: Son of Corpre, ruler in Clew, dwelling in Coolny's fort, foster-father
of princely wards, recipient of a fairy vision, and later slain in battle.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Fairy woman of the Shee
description: A fairy woman appearing in Eocho's vision, associated with the Shee
and the Fairy Mound of Coolny, who gives counsel and promises gifts.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Youthful squire
description: An attendant accompanying the fairy woman in Eocho's night vision.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Maev
description: A ruler who, with Ailill, sends heralds to summon Eocho and hosts him
at Croghan.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Ailill
description: King of Connaught who summons Eocho, asks him for cows, promises protection,
and later receives a vision concerning Dartaid's cattle.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Eocho's foster-children / forty sons of Munster princes
description: Royal foster-wards of Eocho who travel with him and are killed in battle.
role_refs:
- role:10
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Sons of Glaschu
description: Men from western Donnan who attack Eocho's returning company.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Conquest and Defeat
description: A youth and woman appearing to Ailill in a dream; the passage identifies
them as Conquest and Defeat.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Dartaid
description: Eocho's daughter, owner of forty cows, and beloved of Orlam.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Orlam
description: Ailill's princely son, loved by Dartaid, proposed as the one to send
to gain her cattle.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Forty Connaught youths
description: Forty youths from Connaught, each a prince's heir, proposed as companions
for Orlam.
role_refs:
- role:16
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
roles:
- id: role:1
label: king or ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Eocho is described as reigning in Clew and dwelling in Coolny's fort.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: foster-father of royal wards
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage states that Eocho fostered sons of princes and used cows' milk
to rear them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: role:3
label: vision recipient and doomed leader
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Eocho receives a night vision, travels with his wards, and is killed in battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:9
- id: role:4
label: otherworldly visitor
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The woman is called a fairy and says she dwells with the Shee in the Fairy
Mound of Coolny.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: giver of counsel and gifts
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: She says she has come to bring counsel and promises horses, equipment, and
other gifts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: vision attendant
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The youthful squire attends the fairy woman in Eocho's vision.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: royal summoner and host
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: Maev and Ailill send heralds for Eocho and later receive him at Croghan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: requester of cattle tribute
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Ailill asks Eocho for milking-cows to support the cattle raid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: dream recipient
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: A vision comes to Ailill while he sleeps.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:10
label: royal foster-wards
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They are sons of Munster princes fostered in Eocho's household.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:7
- id: role:11
label: slain youthful chiefs
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The forty princes perish in battle, and Ireland laments them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:12
label: attackers
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The sons of Glaschu meet Eocho's returning company and attack them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:13
label: personified dream figures
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: A youth and woman appear in Ailill's vision and identify themselves as Conquest
and Defeat.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: role:14
label: cattle owner and beloved maiden
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The passage says Dartaid owns forty cows and loves Orlam, or is loved by
him as stated by the fairy's counsel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: role:15
label: beloved envoy proposed to gain cattle
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The fairy advises Ailill to send Orlam, whom Dartaid loves, to gain Dartaid's
cattle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: role:16
label: princely companions
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The fairy says forty Connaught youths, each a prince's heir, should accompany
Orlam.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: milk for fosterage
literal_form: Milk from forty cows used to rear royal foster-wards.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- milk
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: cattle tribute
literal_form: Milking-cows requested by Ailill and promised by Eocho as tribute.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: Fairy Mound of Coolny
literal_form: The dwelling place of the Shee named by the fairy woman.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: fairy horses and riding gear
literal_form: Fifty horses and ornate bridles, bits, garments, chains, and whips
provided at dawn.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: black and white horses with red markings
literal_form: Black horses are promised; at dawn the array includes black horses
and white horses with red ears, reddish-purple tails, and manes.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: garments of the slain princes
literal_form: Bright garments promised for Orlam's company, identified as those
that had decorated the princes slain in battle.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:8
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: sym:7
label: Dartaid's forty cows
literal_form: Forty cows owned by Dartaid and targeted in the second dream counsel.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Eocho's household and summons
summary: Eocho rules in Clew, fosters royal wards with the milk of his cows, and
is summoned by Maev and Ailill.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Fairy vision and promised troop
summary: In a night vision, a fairy woman from the Fairy Mound of Coolny offers
Eocho counsel, renown, and a troop of fifty horsemen with fairy equipment because
he guards her people's land.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: Dawn appearance of the fairy equipment
summary: At dawn Eocho's people find the promised horses, garments, reins, bits,
chains, and whips ready at the gate.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Journey to Croghan and cattle request
summary: Eocho's splendid troop rides to Croghan and is welcomed; Ailill asks Eocho
for milking-cows to support the raid for Cualgne's cattle.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Tribute bargain
summary: Ailill promises battle protection if Eocho yields a cow for each follower,
and Eocho agrees that the cows shall come to Croghan as tribute.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Ambush and deaths at O'Canda
summary: On their return, Eocho's company is attacked by the sons of Glaschu; Eocho
and the forty foster-princes are killed, causing lamentation.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:7
label: Ailill's dream of Conquest and Defeat
summary: Ailill dreams of a youth and woman named Conquest and Defeat, and the fairy
woman advises how Dartaid's cattle may be won through Orlam and forty Connaught
youths.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Otherworldly dream-visitor gives counsel and material aid
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: A fairy woman from the Shee appears in Eocho's sleep, gives counsel, promises
splendid horses and equipment, and explains the aid as fitting because Eocho guards
her people's soil and country.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the fairy's aid literally, but the broader taxonomy
label is approximate; no explicit ritual exchange is described.
- id: motif:2
label: Marvelous troop equipped by fairy gifts
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage enumerates fifty horses, ornate bridles, bits, garments, chains,
and whips promised by the fairy and found at dawn before the journey to Croghan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly names this motif.
- id: motif:3
label: Cattle as tribute for military alliance
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Ailill asks for milking-cows to sustain the men of Ireland for a raid and
promises to protect Eocho in battle if he gives cows as tribute.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is political and martial; the sacred or ritual dimension
is not explicit in the passage.
- id: motif:4
label: Fatal return after royal visit
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: After feasting at Croghan, Eocho and his foster-sons ride home and are attacked
and killed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the passage does not frame the homeward
journey as a mythic return cycle.
- id: motif:5
label: Personified dream figures foretell conquest and strategy
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ailill dreams of a youth and woman named Conquest and Defeat, and the fairy
woman tells him how Dartaid's cows may be won.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives a direct dream scene but does not provide additional
explanation of the figures' status beyond their names.
- id: motif:6
label: Beloved used as envoy to obtain cattle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The fairy advises Ailill to send Orlam, whom Dartaid loves, to obtain Dartaid's
forty cows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
confidence: high
cautions: The passage excerpt stops before the result of this strategy is shown.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: 'Within the excerpt, two sleep-visions serve a similar narrative function:
each introduces otherworldly counsel connected with cattle acquisition or military
success.'
claim_level: same_function
target: Repeated dream-vision counsel pattern within this passage
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:10
- ev:11
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This is an internal pattern comparison only; it does not establish
historical contact, common inheritance, or a broader tradition-level claim.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 10617-10624
quote_or_summary: Eocho Bec, son of Corpre, reigns in Clew, dwells in Coolny's fort,
fosters sons of princes, and has forty cows whose milk rears his wards.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 10625-10627
quote_or_summary: Maev and Ailill send heralds to summon Eocho, who replies that
he will come in seven days.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 10628-10638
quote_or_summary: While Eocho sleeps at night, he sees a fairy woman attended by
a youthful squire; she says her people dwell with the Shee in the Fairy Mound
of Coolny.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 10639-10650
quote_or_summary: The fairy woman says she brings counsel and noble gifts, including
a stately troop of fifty horsemen, black horses, gold and silver reins and bits,
and fairy equipment.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 10651-10655
quote_or_summary: The fairy woman says the horses will be provided at dawn, tells
Eocho to take his foster-children, and explains that they help him because he
guards their soil and country in battle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 10656-10670
quote_or_summary: At dawn Eocho's people see fifty horses and ornate equipment at
the gate, including black horses, white horses with red ears and reddish-purple
tails and manes, silver bits, bronze chains, and findruine whips with golden handles.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 10671-10696
quote_or_summary: Eocho and his troop ride to Croghan; the Connaught men marvel
at their splendor; Ailill welcomes them and asks Eocho for milking-cows to maintain
the men of Ireland for the raid for Cualgne's cattle. Eocho explains his own cows
support foster-sons, herdsmen, and people.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 10697-10702
quote_or_summary: Ailill promises to guard Eocho in battle if Eocho yields a cow
for each follower with a farm; Eocho tells him to keep his vow and says the cows
will come to Croghan as tribute.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 10703-10716
quote_or_summary: After three days and nights of feasting, Eocho's party rides home,
is attacked by seven times twenty sons of Glaschu at the isle of O'Canda, and
Eocho with all forty foster-princes is killed; lamentation spreads through Ireland.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 10717-10724
quote_or_summary: Ailill has a sleep-vision of a fair youth and woman, and the fairy
identifies them as Conquest and Defeat; Ailill says he shuns Defeat and welcomes
Conquest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 10725-10737
quote_or_summary: The fairy woman tells Ailill that Dartaid's forty cows may be
won by sending his son Orlam, whom Dartaid loves, with forty princely youths from
Connaught; she promises them bright garments that had decked the recently slain
princes.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: Literal sequence and figures are clear in the supplied passage. Motif-family
taxonomy assignments are limited because the available taxonomy does not include
specific categories for fairy visions, cattle raids, or magical equestrian equipment.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Long quotations avoided in favor of public-domain summaries.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg__l10617-l10737
passage_sha256=3053440ea8ab5415aa8cadc35a85d25563dca6abf299782b395c80f7fe3f4a08