DEIRDRE
by Unknown · from Celtic Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once upon a time. A very beautiful baby girl was born. Her name was Deirdre. A wise man looked at her. He felt very sad. He said, "This girl brings much sadness."
King Con heard the sad words. He took Deirdre away. She lived in a quiet, lonely house. He wanted her to be his wife. He wanted her when she grew up. She was all alone there. She felt very lonely.
One day, Deirdre met Naoise. He was a kind, strong young man. Naoise had two brothers. Their names were Ardan and Ainle. Deirdre liked Naoise very much. She loved Naoise at once. Her heart felt happy.
Deirdre and Naoise wanted to be together. They wanted to run away. They went away. Naoise's brothers went too. They went to a new, far-off land. This land was very far away.
They lived in the new land. They were very happy there. Many good years passed. King Con was still very angry. He did not forget them. He remembered Deirdre.
King Con sent a good, trusted man. His name was Fergus. Fergus went to the new land. He made a promise. He told them, "Come home. It is safe now. The King will be kind."
Deirdre felt very worried. She had bad, scary dreams. She warned Naoise. Naoise trusted Fergus. He trusted the King's promise. He said, "We must go home. It is time."
They went back home. King Con broke his promise. He was not kind. He was very unkind. Naoise and his brothers were taken away. They were taken far, far away. Deirdre was left alone.
Deirdre was left all alone. She felt very, very sad. Her heart was broken. She missed Naoise so much. She missed his brothers. Deirdre cried many tears. She sang a very sad song. It was for Naoise. It was for her lost joy. It was a song of sorrow.
Her heart was truly broken. She missed Naoise so much. She closed her eyes. She fell into a deep, long sleep. She never, ever woke up. Her sadness was too great.
Time passed. Much time passed. Two trees grew. They grew from the ground. Their branches touched. They grew together. They showed their love. Their love never ended. It grew forever.
Original Story
IX. DEIRDRE.
Source.—Celtic Magazine, xiii. pp. 69, seq. I have abridged somewhat, made the sons of Fergus all faithful instead of two traitors, and omitted an incident in the house of the wild men called here "strangers." The original Gaelic was given in the Transactions of the Inverness Gaelic Society for 1887, p. 241, seq., by Mr. Carmichael. I have inserted Deirdre's "Lament" from the Book of Leinster.
Parallels.—This is one of the three most sorrowful Tales of Erin, (the other two, Children of Lir and Children of Tureen, are given in Dr. Joyce's Old Celtic Romances), and is a specimen of the old heroic sagas of elopement, a list of which is given in the Book of Leinster. The "outcast child" is a frequent episode in folk and hero-tales: an instance occurs in my English Fairy Tales, No. xxxv., and Prof. Köhler gives many others in Archiv. f. Slav. Philologie, i. 288. Mr. Nutt adds tenth century Celtic parallels in Folk-Lore, vol. ii. The wooing of hero by heroine is a characteristic Celtic touch. See "Connla" here, and other examples given by Mr. Nutt in his notes to MacInnes' Tales. The trees growing from the lovers' graves occurs in the English ballad of Lord Lovel and has been studied in Mélusine.
Remarks.—The "Story of Deirdre" is a remarkable instance of the tenacity of oral tradition among the Celts. It has been preserved in no less than five versions (or six, including Macpherson's "Darthula") ranging from the twelfth to the nineteenth century. The earliest is in the twelfth century, Book of Leinster, to be dated about 1140 (edited in facsimile under the auspices of the Royal Irish Academy, i. 147, seq.). Then comes a fifteenth century version, edited and translated by Dr. Stokes in Windisch's Irische Texte II., ii. 109, seq., "Death of the Sons of Uisnech." Keating in his History of Ireland gave another version in the seventeenth century. The Dublin Gaelic Society published an eighteenth century version in their Transactions for 1808. And lastly we have the version before us, collected only a few years ago, yet agreeing in all essential details with the version of the Book of Leinster. Such a record is unique in the history of oral tradition, outside Ireland, where, however, it is quite a customary experience in the study of the Finn-saga. It is now recognised that Macpherson had, or could have had, ample material for his rechauffé of the Finn or "Fingal" saga. His "Darthula" is a similar cobbling of our present story. I leave to Celtic specialists the task of settling the exact relations of these various texts. I content myself with pointing out the fact that in these latter days of a seemingly prosaic century in these British Isles there has been collected from the lips of the folk a heroic story like this of "Deirdre," full of romantic incidents, told with tender feeling and considerable literary skill. No other country in Europe, except perhaps Russia, could provide a parallel to this living on of Romance among the common folk. Surely it is a bounden duty of those who are in the position to put on record any such utterances of the folk-imagination of the Celts before it is too late.
Story DNA
Moral
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Plot Summary
Deirdre is born with a prophecy of doom due to her beauty, leading King Conchobar to raise her in seclusion to be his wife. She falls in love with Naoise and elopes with him and his brothers to Scotland, living happily for years. Conchobar, feigning forgiveness, lures them back to Ireland, only to betray and murder Naoise and his brothers. Deirdre, heartbroken, laments her loss and ultimately takes her own life, her tragic love immortalized by intertwining trees growing from their graves.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to sorrow
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale is part of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, featuring King Conchobar mac Nessa and the Red Branch Knights. It reflects ancient Celtic societal structures, values, and the role of prophecy and fate.
Plot Beats (12)
- A druid prophesies at Deirdre's birth that her beauty will cause great sorrow and destruction in Ulster.
- King Conchobar takes Deirdre to be raised in isolation, intending to marry her when she comes of age.
- Deirdre encounters Naoise, son of Uisnech, and his two brothers, Ardan and Ainle, and falls deeply in love with Naoise.
- Deirdre convinces Naoise to elope with her, and they flee to Scotland with his brothers.
- They live happily in Scotland for several years, but King Conchobar's anger and desire for revenge persist.
- Conchobar sends Fergus, a trusted warrior, to Scotland with a promise of safe return and forgiveness for Deirdre and the sons of Uisnech.
- Deirdre has prophetic dreams of betrayal and warns Naoise against returning, but Naoise trusts Fergus's word.
- Upon their return to Ireland, Conchobar breaks his promise and orders the ambush and murder of Naoise and his brothers.
- Deirdre is forced to watch Naoise and his brothers being killed.
- Overcome with grief and rage, Deirdre sings a lament for Naoise and her lost happiness.
- Deirdre refuses to live with Conchobar and eventually takes her own life, often by striking her head against a stone.
- Two yew trees grow from their graves, their branches intertwining, symbolizing their eternal love.
Characters
Deirdre
A woman of extraordinary beauty, slender and graceful, with a delicate build. Her skin is fair, almost luminous, and her movements are fluid and captivating. She is noted for her striking appearance, which is both a blessing and a curse.
Attire: She wears garments typical of ancient Celtic nobility, likely made of fine wool or linen. Her dresses would be long, flowing tunics, possibly in shades of deep blue, green, or crimson, adorned with intricate Celtic knotwork embroidery at the hems and cuffs. She might wear a simple brooch to fasten her cloak or dress, and perhaps a delicate gold torc around her neck or wrists.
Wants: To live freely and love Naoise, to escape the predetermined fate set by Conchobar, and to protect her beloved and his brothers.
Flaw: Her beauty, which makes her an object of desire and conflict; her deep love for Naoise, which makes her vulnerable to manipulation and grief.
She transforms from an innocent, isolated maiden into a passionate lover who defies a king, then into a tragic figure consumed by grief and loyalty, ultimately choosing death over a life without her beloved.
Loyal, passionate, sorrowful, determined, perceptive.
Naoise
A tall and powerfully built warrior, one of the three handsome sons of Uisnech. He possesses a strong, athletic physique, indicative of his prowess in battle and hunting. His movements are confident and agile.
Attire: He wears practical yet finely crafted warrior attire. This would include a tunic of sturdy wool or leather, possibly in earthy tones like forest green or deep brown, over which he might wear a leather jerkin or a simple cloak fastened with a large, ornate brooch. He would have leather bracers on his forearms and sturdy leather boots. His attire would allow for freedom of movement.
Wants: To be with Deirdre, to live freely with his brothers, and to uphold his honor.
Flaw: His deep love for Deirdre, which leads him to defy a king and ultimately to his doom; his trust in Fergus.
He begins as a respected warrior, becomes a defiant lover and an exile, and ultimately faces his tragic fate with courage, dying for his love and honor.
Brave, honorable, passionate, loyal, protective.
King Conchobar
A powerful and imposing king, likely in his mature years, with a commanding presence. He is well-built, reflecting his status and authority, though perhaps showing signs of age. His movements are deliberate and authoritative.
Attire: He wears the rich attire of a Celtic king. This would include a long, flowing tunic of fine wool or silk in royal colors like deep purple, crimson, or gold, possibly embroidered with gold thread. Over this, he would wear a heavy, fur-lined cloak fastened with a magnificent gold brooch. He might wear a simple gold circlet or a more elaborate crown, and rings on his fingers.
Wants: To possess Deirdre, to maintain his authority as king, and to exact revenge on those who defy him.
Flaw: His overwhelming pride and jealousy, which blind him to reason and lead him to cruel acts; his inability to forgive or let go of what he believes is his.
He remains largely unchanged, his pride and jealousy driving him to commit increasingly cruel acts, culminating in the betrayal and murder of Naoise and his brothers, leading to his own kingdom's sorrow.
Proud, jealous, vengeful, authoritative, possessive.
Fergus Mac Róich
A seasoned warrior and nobleman, strong and imposing, with a presence that commands respect. He is likely well-muscled from years of battle and leadership. His movements are deliberate and powerful.
Attire: He wears the attire of a respected Celtic chieftain or warrior. This would include a sturdy wool or leather tunic, possibly in a deep blue or green, over which he might wear a heavy, woven cloak fastened with a significant brooch. He would have leather bracers and sturdy boots, and possibly a sword at his hip.
Wants: To uphold his word, to protect those under his care, and to maintain peace and justice.
Flaw: His strong sense of honor, which can be exploited by others; his inability to foresee the depth of Conchobar's treachery.
He begins as a loyal servant of Conchobar, but his honor is deeply wounded by the king's betrayal. He becomes an avenger, ultimately leaving Ulster in disgust and seeking retribution.
Honorable, loyal, courageous, trustworthy, principled.
Locations
King Conchobar's Royal Dún
The royal residence of King Conchobar in Emain Macha, likely a large circular timber dún (fort) with a central feasting hall, possibly featuring carved wooden pillars and a large hearth. The architecture would be early Celtic, characterized by wattle-and-daub walls, thatched roofs, and defensive earthworks.
Mood: Initially grand and authoritative, later becomes a place of foreboding and tragic pronouncements.
Deirdre is born here, and the prophecy of her beauty causing great strife is made. It is also where Conchobar intends to keep her until she is of age.
Secluded Cottage in the Wilderness
A small, isolated dwelling deep within a remote, wild area, likely a simple wattle-and-daub or stone cottage with a thatched roof, hidden from view. It would be surrounded by dense, ancient forests typical of early Ireland, perhaps with a small clearing.
Mood: Secluded, innocent, a place of growth and hidden beauty, but also of confinement.
Deirdre is raised in isolation here by her nurse, away from the world, until she grows into a beautiful young woman.
The Forest of Glen Etive
A wild, untamed forest in Glen Etive, likely characterized by ancient Caledonian pine trees, birch, and oak, with rugged terrain, possibly near a river or loch. The ground would be covered in heather, ferns, and moss, with exposed rocks and roots.
Mood: Wild, free, a place of refuge and passionate love, but also of constant vigilance and eventual sorrow.
Deirdre and Naoise, along with the sons of Uisnech, live here in exile, hunting and enjoying their freedom before being lured back to Ireland.