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MacRitchie, David, 1861-1925

"Fians, Fairies and Picts"

"[91] It would appear that the ruling dynasty of the Tuatha Dea
had ended in a female, both on account of Nar's action in this matter,
and because her husband became known by her name--as Nianar
(_Niadk-Nair_) or "Nar's Champion."
This Nar is a very interesting personage in the present connection.
Because, being one of the Tuatha Dea, she was a _siabhra_, or woman of
the _sidhs_; otherwise, a _bean-side_ (modernised into "banshee"). This
is plainly stated in two other Irish manuscripts, with an additional
explanation which is very apposite. It is said that Crimthann was called
Nar's Champion "because his wife Nar _thuathchaech_ out of the _sidhes_,
or of the Pict-folk [_a sidaib no do Chruithentuaith_], she it was that
took him off on an adventure." A companion statement is that made in
another manuscript to the effect that "Nar _thuathchaech_, the
daughter of Lotan of the Pict-folk [_Nar thuathchaech ingen Lotain do
Chruithentuaith_], was the mother of Feradach _finnfhechtnach_," or "the
brightly prosperous"--a king of Ireland.[92]
Incidentally, therefore, in considering the Brugh of the Boyne and the
people most associated with it, we find very distinct confirmation of
the main part of the contention in the foregoing treatise.


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