enjoined upon him. For all there were [5]of
Ulstermen[5] to the east of Emain and to the west of Emain and to the north
of Emain set out at once for the field of Emain in the service of their
king, and at the word of their lord, and to await the recovery of
Conchobar. Such as were from the south of Emain [6]waited not for
Conchobar, but[6] set out directly on the trail of the host and on the
hoof-prints of the Tain.

[5-5] Stowe.

The first stage the men of Ulster marched under Conchobar was [7]from
Emain[7] to the green in Iraird Cuillinn [W.4932.] that night. "Why now
delay we, ye men?" Conchobar asked. "We await thy sons," they answered;
"Fiacha and Fiachna who have gone [1]with a division[1] from us [2]to
Tara[2] to fetch Erc son of thy daughter Fedlimid Nocruthach ('Nine-shaped'),
son also of Carbre Niafer [3]king of Tara,[3] to the end that he should
come with the number of his muster and his troops, his levy and his forces
to our host at this time. [4]Until these two divisions come to us, no
further advance will we make from this place."[4] "By my word," exclaimed
Conchobar; "I will delay here no longer for them, lest the men of Erin hear
of my rising from the weakness and 'Pains' wherein I was. For the men of
Erin know not even if I am still alive!"

[6-6] Stowe.

[7-7] Stowe and YBL. 45a, 24.

[1-1] YBL. 45a, 26.

[2-2] YBL. 45a, 27.

[3-3] Stowe.

[4-4] YBL. 45a, 29.

Thereupon Conchobar and Celtchar proceeded with thirty hundred
spear-bristling chariot-fighters to Ath Irmidi ('the Ford of
Spear-points'). And there met them there eight-score huge men of the
body-guard of Ailill and Medb, with eight-score women [5]of the Ulstermen's
women[5] as their spoils. Thus was their portion of the plunder of Ulster:
A woman-captive in the hand of each man of them. Conchobar and Celtchar
struck off their eight-score heads and released their eight-score
captive-women. Ath Irmidi ('the Ford of Spear-points') was the name of the
place till that time; Ath Fene is its name ever since. It is for this it is
called Ath Fene, because the warriors of the Fene from the east and the
warriors of the Fene from the west encountered one another in battle and
contest man for man on the brink of the ford.

[6]Touching the four grand provinces of Erin, they encamped at Slemain Mide
('Slane of Meath') that night, and[6] Conchobar and Celtchar returned that
night to the green in Iraird Cuillinn hard