batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l8940-l8986
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l8940-l8986
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
passage_locator:
label: THE GREAT ROUT ON THE PLAIN OF MURTHEMNE FOLLOWETH HERE BELOW / THE SCYTHED
CHARIOT / XVIII / HERE NOW IS TOLD THE MISTHROW AT BELACH EOIN.; lines 8940-8986
start: '8940'
end: '8986'
translation: The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage gives two explanations for the name Imroll Belaig Eoin, the
Misthrow at Bird-pass. In one, spear casts by Doche and Fiacha strike their own
companions or kinsmen. In the alternate account, Diarmait and Mane parley over
demands concerning the cattle and bulls; after Medb refuses, Diarmait proposes
an exchange of arms, both men cast spears and die, and their forces clash with
heavy losses.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Fiacha Fialdana of the Ulstermen comes to speak with Mane Andoe of the Connachtmen,
identified as the son of his mother's sister; Dubthach Doel accompanies Fiacha,
and Doche macMagach accompanies Mane.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Doche macMagach hurls a spear at Fiacha Fialdana, but it goes through Dubthach
Doel, who is Doche's own friend.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Fiacha Fialdana hurls a spear at Doche macMagach, but it goes through Mane
Andoe, Fiacha's own friend and near relation.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: The men of Erin call the event a mishap in throwing, because each man killed
his friend and nearest relation, and the place-name Imroll Belaig Eoin is explained
from this event.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:5
text: In the alternate account, the hosts go to Belach Eoin, their two troops wait
there, and Diarmait macConchobar comes from the north requesting that Mane come
with one man for a parley.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Diarmait says he comes from Conchobar with commands for Ailill and Medb to
release the cows, make good the harm done, and bring the western bull to meet
the other bull because Medb has pledged it.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:7
text: Mane reports to Medb and Ailill and then states that Medb will not grant the
demand.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Diarmait proposes a fair exchange of arms; Mane agrees, and each casts his
spear at the other so that both die.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: After the two men die, their forces rush upon one another and three-score
of each force fall; the name Ard in Dirma is explained from this.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Fiacha Fialdana
description: An Ulsterman called 'the Generous and Intrepid' who comes to speak
with Mane and later throws a spear that kills Mane.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Mane Andoe
description: A Connachtman called 'the Unslow,' identified as the son of Fiacha's
mother's sister; in the first account he is killed by Fiacha's spear, and in the
alternate account he parleys with Diarmait and dies in mutual spear-casting.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Dubthach Doel
description: An Ulsterman called 'the Black Tongue' who accompanies Fiacha and is
struck by Doche's spear.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Doche macMagach
description: A companion of Mane who hurls a spear at Fiacha but strikes Dubthach.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Men of Erin
description: A collective group who interpret the event as a mishap in throwing.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Diarmait macConchobar
description: An Ulsterman who comes from the north, requests a parley with Mane,
carries commands from Conchobar, proposes an exchange of arms, and dies in mutual
spear-casting.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Conchobar
description: Named as the sender of commands delivered by Diarmait to Ailill and
Medb.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Ailill
description: One of the recipients of Conchobar's commands concerning the cows,
compensation, and the bull.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Medb
description: One of the recipients of Conchobar's commands; Mane reports that the
demand cannot be had of Medb.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Two forces or troops
description: The opposing forces that wait at Belach Eoin and later rush upon one
another, with three-score from each force falling.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
roles:
- id: role:1
label: kinsmen or parley counterparts
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:2
basis: Fiacha comes to speak with Mane, who is identified as his close maternal
relation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: spear-thrower whose cast kills an ally or relation
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:4
basis: Doche's spear strikes Dubthach, and Fiacha's spear strikes Mane.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: misstruck companion or relation
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
basis: Dubthach and Mane are killed by spear casts intended for others.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: parley participant
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:6
basis: Diarmait asks that Mane come with one man to parley, while Diarmait will
go with another.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: event namers or interpreters
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The men of Erin state that a mishap in throwing has happened and the passage
links this to the title.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: message bearer from Conchobar
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Diarmait says he has come from Conchobar with commands for Ailill and Medb.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: mutual spear-caster who dies
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:6
basis: After the proposed exchange of arms, each casts his spear at the other and
both die.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: command sender
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Conchobar is named as the source of the commands Diarmait delivers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:9
label: rulers receiving demands
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: Ailill and Medb are the named recipients of the commands to release cows,
make compensation, and bring the bull.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:10
label: refuser of demand
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Mane reports that the requested settlement cannot be had of Medb.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:11
label: opposing battle forces
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The two troops wait at Belach Eoin and later rush upon one another, with
losses on each side.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: spear
literal_form: Thrown spear used in both accounts of the fatal misthrow or mutual
casting.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: sym:2
label: Belach Eoin / Bird-pass
literal_form: Named pass where the misthrow or mutual spear-casting is said to occur
and from which Imroll Belaig Eoin is explained.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: cows and paired bulls
literal_form: Cows to be released and two bulls to be brought together, including
the western bull and the other bull identified in notes as the White-horned and
the Brown of Cualnge.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: Ard in Dirma / Height of the Troop
literal_form: Place-name explained after the forces clash and three-score from each
force fall.
associated_figures:
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: First explanation of the Misthrow at Bird-pass
summary: Fiacha comes to speak with Mane, but spear throws by Doche and Fiacha strike
Dubthach and Mane instead; the men of Erin call this a mishap in throwing and
the title is explained from it.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Parley and settlement demand
summary: In an alternate account, the hosts reach Belach Eoin, Diarmait requests
parley with Mane, and delivers Conchobar's demand that Ailill and Medb release
the cows, make compensation, and bring the bull to meet the other bull.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Refusal, exchange of arms, mutual death, and troop clash
summary: Mane reports Medb's refusal, Diarmait proposes an exchange of arms, Diarmait
and Mane cast spears at each other and die, and their forces then clash with three-score
deaths on each side.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: misthrown weapon kills ally or kin
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The first account centers on spear casts aimed at enemies but striking the
throwers' own friend or near relation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the action as a mishap; it does not explain whether
the misthrows are accidental, fated, or caused by external powers.
- id: motif:2
label: parley breaks down into mutual killing
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The alternate account begins with a parley over restitution; after refusal
and a proposed exchange of arms, the two parleying men cast spears and both die.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not present the parley as a formal truce with explicit
protection, only as a meeting to speak.
- id: motif:3
label: violent event explains a place-name
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Both accounts explain Imroll Belaig Eoin from deaths by spear-casting, and
the subsequent troop losses explain Ard in Dirma.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The extraction treats the naming as a literary etiological pattern, not
as historical toponymy.
- id: motif:4
label: failed cattle restitution demand before renewed violence
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Diarmait's message demands release of cows, compensation for harms, and the
meeting of the bulls; Medb refuses, after which lethal violence follows.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage does not narrate the larger cattle-raid context beyond the
demands stated here.
- id: motif:5
label: exchange of arms becomes fatal exchange
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Diarmait proposes a fair exchange of arms, and the exchange is realized as
mutual spear-casting that kills both participants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The phrase may denote an agreed martial exchange rather than an exchange
of weapons as gifts or property.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: 'The passage preserves two alternative explanations for the same Bird-pass
naming event: one through mistaken spear throws killing companions or kin, and
another through mutual spear-casting after a failed parley.'
claim_level: same_function
target: alternate account of Imroll Belaig Eoin cited to LU and YBL 2114-2128
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This is a passage-internal comparison between variant explanations
supplied by the text and note; no external historical relationship is inferred
beyond the cited alternate source tradition.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 8940-8955
quote_or_summary: 'First account: Fiacha comes with Dubthach to speak with Mane;
Doche throws at Fiacha but strikes Dubthach, and Fiacha throws at Doche but strikes
Mane. The men of Erin call this a mishap in throwing, explaining Imroll Belaig
Eoin.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted at length.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 8956-8969
quote_or_summary: 'Alternate account begins: the hosts proceed to Belach Eoin; Diarmait
asks Mane to parley and says he comes from Conchobar with commands for Ailill
and Medb to release the cows, repair harms, and bring the western bull to meet
the other bull.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted at length.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 8970-8977
quote_or_summary: Mane reports that Medb will not grant the demand. Diarmait proposes
a fair exchange of arms; Mane accepts; each casts his spear at the other and both
die, giving the place its name.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted at length.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 8978-8980
quote_or_summary: Their forces rush upon each other; three-score of each force fall,
explaining the name Ard in Dirma, 'the Height of the Troop.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted at length.
- id: ev:5
type: note
locator: lines 8982-8986
quote_or_summary: The alternate passage is noted as LU and YBL 2114-2128; notes
identify the bulls as the White-horned and the Brown of Cualnge.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized rather than quoted at length.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The literal sequence and named figures are clear in the passage. Motif labels
are descriptive and use no unsupported taxonomy IDs. The comparison claim is limited
to the passage's own alternate explanation and citation note.
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 available taxonomy symbol refs were applied because none of the listed symbol terms are literal in this passage. No broad motif-family taxonomy refs were applied because the available families do not directly match the passage-level pattern without interpretive expansion.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg__l8940-l8986
passage_sha256=cf6325ef5d29c958c6888d8d3ae6fd89c9a9f5a3ac84041f56b479b62d4a6418