The Celtic Riddle

Eventually, the Sons of Mil went to Uisnech ofMide. Uisnech you see was, and still is, if only we knew it, the sacred center of Ireland. It sits within the mystical fifth province-the Irish word for province is coiced, don't you know, and that means a fifth. Now that causes problems for some amongst us. Because there are only four provinces, you see: Ulster, Connacht, Leinster, and Munster. Oh, they argue it away by saying that at one time or another Munster was actually two provinces, but those who hold the ancient stories in our hearts know there were five, and the fifth is called Mide-the place where the other four provinces come together.

And so Mide and Uisnech are a very special place. From there, on Uisnech Hill, you can see a ring of mountains all round. The whole of Ireland, if you had the vision, can be seen from there: the sacred sites and political centers of the other four provinces in olden times, Rathcroghan in Connacht; Emain Macha in Ulster; the Hill of Allen in Leinster; and Aine's Hill and Lough Gur in Munster, all lining up across the moun-taintops. And just across another hill, Tara, Seat of the High Kings of Ireland.

And in the old days, the Beltaine fires lit at Uisnech could be repeated on the mountaintops all round, and seen from all of Ireland. Yes, Uisnech is the eye of the fire of the gods. And on its slopes sits Aill na Mireann, the Stone of Divisions, a huge stone cleft in four, yet still together. Just like Ireland. It was a magical place for a long, long time, until St. Patrick cursed its stones and the magic disappeared.

But that was much later. Who would Amairgen and the Sons of Mil meet at such a special place? The goddess Eriu, none other, the third goddess. Eriu, Fotla, Banba, three goddesses in one, like the shamrock or the holy Trinity. She welcomed them to the island, telling them it had been prophecised that they would come and hold the island, the best place in the world, forever. And she asked that her name remain on the island. Amairgen made a solemn promise that hers would be its chief name forever. 'Tis too, as Erin.

Next, they went to Tara, where the three Tuatha de kings, Mac Cuill, Mac Cecht, and Mac Greine, husbands of the three goddesses reigned. The Sons of Mil gave the three kings three choices: Give us a battle, the kingship of Ireland, or a judgment of some kind, they said. The kings chose the judgment and they asked that Amairgen himself deliver it.