batch.motif.celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg-l9726-l9866
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg-l9726-l9866
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
passage_locator:
label: THE RAID FOR THE CATTLE OF FRAECH / TAIN BO FRAICH / Part I / LITERAL TRANSLATION;
lines 9726-9866
start: '9726'
end: '9866'
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: Fraech, a beautiful Connaught hero with a mother from the Side, is renowned
in Ireland and Alba and loved by Findabair. After discussing a possible dialogue
with the maiden, he seeks wondrous clothing and gifts from his mother's sister
Boand. He travels to Cruachan with a splendidly equipped retinue, animals, musicians,
and entertainers. A watchman marvels at the approaching company; the people of
the dun crowd to see them, and some die in the crush. Fraech's party alights,
releases the hounds, and the hounds and youths hunt animals before sitting near
the chief rath.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Fraech is identified as son of Idath of Connaught and of Befind from the Side,
who is sister to Boand.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Fraech is described as the most beautiful hero among the men of Eriu and Alba,
but not long-lived.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Fraech's mother gives him twelve white-eared cows from the Sid.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Fraech keeps house for eight years without taking a wife, with fifty sons
of kings in his household who are of similar age, form, and instruction to him.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Findabair, daughter of Ailill and Medb, loves Fraech because of the stories
about him.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Fraech decides to seek a dialogue with the maiden and discusses the matter
with his people.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: Fraech is advised to request wondrous robing and gifts from his mother's sister
among the Side.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Fraech goes to Boand in Mag Breg and obtains richly described cloaks, tunics,
shields, lances or spear-fittings, swords, horses, caparisons, whips, hounds,
trumpeters, jesters, and harp-players.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: The spear-fittings or points are described as lighting the night like the
sun's rays.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: Fraech and his company depart for Cruachan in their splendid appearance.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: A watchman at the dun of Cruachan sees the approaching company and declares
that no more beautiful or splendid multitude has come since Ailill and Medb assumed
sovereignty there.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: The watchman says the young hero throws his pole a shot's distance and the
seven hounds catch it with their seven silver chains before it reaches the ground.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:13
text: The hosts come from the dun to view the party, and sixteen men die as the
people in the dun crush one another while watching.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: Fraech's party alights, tents the horses, releases the hounds, and the hounds
and youths kill groups of deer, foxes, hares, wild boars, and otters before sitting
near the chief rath.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Fraech
description: Son of Idath and Befind; a beautiful, renowned hero of Connaught connected
through his mother to the Side.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Idath
description: Fraech's father, described as a man of Connaught.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Befind
description: Fraech's mother from the Side and sister to Boand; she gives Fraech
twelve white-eared cattle from the Sid.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Boand
description: Sister of Befind and Fraech's maternal aunt; Fraech goes to her in
Mag Breg and receives wondrous equipment and gifts.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Findabair
description: Daughter of Ailill and Medb who loves Fraech because of stories about
him.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Ailill
description: Parent of Findabair and sovereign at Cruachan with Medb.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Medb / Maev
description: Parent of Findabair and sovereign at Cruachan with Ailill.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Fifty sons of kings
description: Fraech's household companions, co-aged and similar to him in form and
instruction.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Seven chase-hounds
description: Hounds with silver chains, golden apples between them, bronze greaves,
and many colors; they catch Fraech's thrown pole and later hunt animals.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Watchman at Cruachan
description: The person who sees Fraech's approaching company from the dun and describes
its splendor and Fraech's play.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Trumpeters, jesters, and harp-players
description: Performers accompanying Fraech's party, equipped with rich ornaments,
instruments, and garments.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: hero
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage explicitly calls Fraech a hero and emphasizes his beauty and
renown.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: renowned beloved or suitor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Findabair loves Fraech because of stories about him, and he considers dialogue
with her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: recipient of otherworldly gifts
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Fraech receives cattle from the Sid through his mother and later obtains
wondrous gifts associated with the Side through Boand.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:4
label: father of hero
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Idath is named as Fraech's father.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:5
label: otherworldly mother
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Befind is identified as Fraech's mother from the Side.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: giver of fairy-cattle
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Fraech's mother gives him twelve white-eared cows from the Sid.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: maternal aunt and provider of wondrous equipment
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Boand is Befind's sister, and Fraech goes to her for wondrous robing and
gifts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: maiden who loves the hero
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Findabair is said to love Fraech for the stories about him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:9
label: sovereign parent
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: Ailill and Medb are named as Findabair's parents and as rulers who assumed
sovereignty at Cruachan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: royal companions
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The household contains fifty sons of kings, co-aged and similar to Fraech.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:11
label: marvelous hunting animals
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The hounds are richly adorned, catch Fraech's thrown pole, and hunt multiple
animals.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: role:12
label: observer and announcer
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The watchman sees the approaching party and speaks about its beauty and Fraech's
action.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:13
label: ceremonial attendants
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The trumpeters, jesters, and harp-players accompany Fraech's party with splendid
attire and instruments.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Side / Sid fairy mound
literal_form: The Side or Sid is named as the origin or dwelling connected with
Befind and the twelve white-eared cattle.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: twelve white-eared fairy-cattle
literal_form: Twelve cows from the Sid, white-eared, given by Fraech's mother.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: wondrous robing and gifts from the Side
literal_form: Rich cloaks, tunics, shields, weapons, horse-gear, whips, and other
equipment associated with the Side.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: radiant precious fittings
literal_form: Carbuncle and precious-stone points or fittings that light the night
like the sun's rays.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: seven chase-hounds with silver chains and golden apples
literal_form: Seven hounds in silver chains with a golden apple between each, bronze
greaves, and many colors.
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: Cruachan dun and rath
literal_form: The dun and chief rath of Cruachan, where the company is observed
and where the hunt concludes.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Fraech's lineage, beauty, household, and beloved
summary: Fraech is introduced as the son of Idath and Befind from the Side, famed
for beauty and renown, owner of white-eared cattle from the Sid, surrounded by
royal companions, and loved by Findabair because of stories about him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Acquisition of Side-associated finery
summary: Fraech discusses approaching Findabair and is advised to seek wondrous
robing and gifts from his mother's sister. He goes to Boand at Mag Breg and receives
richly described clothing, weapons, horses, hounds, performers, and ceremonial
equipment.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:3
label: Arrival at Cruachan and public marveling
summary: Fraech's party approaches Cruachan. The watchman marvels at the beauty
and splendor of the company and at Fraech's play with his pole and hounds. The
people crowd to see the arrivals, and sixteen die in the crush.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:4
label: Hunting display before the rath
summary: After alighting before the dun, Fraech's company releases the hounds. The
hounds and youths pursue and kill sets of animals and bring otters before the
chief rath, where the company sits down.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Hero with otherworldly maternal lineage
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_parent_child
basis: Fraech's mother is from the Side, and this maternal connection gives him
access to fairy-cattle and other wondrous resources.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage says Befind is from the Side, not explicitly that she is a
deity; the taxonomy reference is approximate and should be reviewed.
- id: motif:2
label: Otherworldly gifts equip a courtship mission
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: Before going to Cruachan in connection with Findabair, Fraech seeks and receives
wondrous robing and gifts from his mother's sister among the Side.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage describes acquisition of gifts but does not state a reciprocal
exchange or formal ritual transaction.
- id: motif:3
label: Splendid arrival of the hero's retinue
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Fraech's richly equipped party arrives at Cruachan, and the watchman and
hosts marvel at their unmatched beauty and splendor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy family directly matches this display motif.
- id: motif:4
label: Marvelous hounds and numbered hunt
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Seven hounds catch Fraech's thrown pole before it falls, then pursue and
help take repeated sets of seven animals near Cruachan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The numerical pattern is literal in the passage, but no broader symbolic
meaning is stated.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: quote
locator: lines 9726-9734
quote_or_summary: Fraech is introduced as son of Idath of Connaught and Befind from
the Side, sister to Boand; he is the most beautiful hero of Eriu and Alba, but
not long-lived.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 9734-9765
quote_or_summary: Fraech's mother gives him twelve white-eared cows from the Sid;
he keeps house eight years without a wife, has fifty royal companions, and Findabair
loves him because of stories about him.
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: quote
locator: lines 9766-9773
quote_or_summary: Fraech considers dialogue with the maiden; his people advise a
message to his mother's sister so that wondrous robing and gifts from the Side
may be given to him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 9773-9790
quote_or_summary: Fraech goes to Boand in Mag Breg and carries away fifty dark-blue
cloaks with gold brooches, white tunics with gold ornament, silver shields, and
brilliant spear or lance fittings that shine at night like sun rays.
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: lines 9795-9810
quote_or_summary: The company has gold-hilted swords, soft-grey mares with gold
bits and silver plates with gold bells, purple caparisons with silver and gold,
whips of findruine, and seven colorful chase-hounds with silver chains, golden
apples, and bronze greaves.
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: lines 9811-9824
quote_or_summary: Seven trumpeters, three jesters, and three harp-players accompany
the party with rich garments, ornaments, instruments, shields, and staves; the
company departs for Cruachan in this appearance.
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: lines 9825-9838
quote_or_summary: A watchman sees the multitude coming toward the dun of Cruachan
and says that since Ailill and Medb assumed sovereignty no more beautiful or splendid
company has come to them.
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: lines 9839-9844
quote_or_summary: 'The watchman describes the young hero''s play: he throws his
pole a shot''s distance, and before it reaches earth the seven chase-hounds catch
it with their seven silver chains.'
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: lines 9845-9848
quote_or_summary: The hosts come from the dun to view the company, and the people
crowd each other so severely that sixteen men die while watching.
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: lines 9849-9866
quote_or_summary: The company alights before the dun, tents the steeds, releases
the hounds, and hunts seven deer, seven foxes, seven hares, seven wild boars,
and seven otters before sitting near the chief rath.
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: high
notes: Literal figures, objects, and scenes are explicit in the passage. Motif taxonomy
links are cautious because the passage's Side/fairy terminology does not always
map directly to the available motif families.
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: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not make or clearly support a cross-textual comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg__l9726-l9866
passage_sha256=def0cf84042ecdc6a4f2b4690b47a39400cebadd631a062848ee0bba7b3b605e