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án Ele) on their left and Slíab nEblinni ingine Gúare on their right, across Findsruth (today called Aband Úa Cathbad), into Machare Már na Muman, through Lár Martini and the territory of the Smer-tani, with the bright crags of Loch Gair on the right, across the rush of the Máig and into Clíu Máil maicc Úgaine, into Crích na Dési Bice, into the land of Cú Ruí son of Dáre. Every hill over which they travelled they levelled, so that flat glens were left behind; in every wood through which they passed the iron wheels of their chariots sliced through the roots of the great oaks, so that level plains were left behind; in every stream and ford and estuary they crossed, their horses’ knees splashed the water out, so that for a great distance and for a long time afterwards the streams and fords and estuaries were left bare-stoned and bone dry.

At that time, Conchubur, king of Ulaid, said ‘Never before have we taken this route from Dún Dá Bend to Dún Delga.’ ‘Indeed not,’ said Bricriu. ‘But a whisper is clearer to us than a shout is to anyone else: in fact, we seem not to be within the borders of Ulaid at all.’ ‘We give our word,’ said Senchae son of Ailill, ‘that we are not.’ ‘We give our word, as well,’ said Conall. At that, the Ulaid charioteers tightened the bits in the mouths of their horses, from first chariot to last, and Conchubur said ‘Who will find out for us what territory we are in?’ ‘Who but Cú Chulaind,’ said Bricriu, ‘for he has boasted that there is no district in which he has not slaughtered one hundred men.’ ‘I am responsible, Bricriu,’ Cú Chulaind said, ‘and I will go.’

Cú Chulaind thus went down to Druimm Collchailli, which is called Áne Chlíach, and he said ‘Tell me, friend Lóeg, do you know what territory we are in?’ ‘Indeed, I do not,’ said Lóeg. ‘Well, I do,’ replied Cú Chulaind. ‘Cend Abrat and Slíab Caín to the south, there, and Slíab nEblinni to the north-east. The large, bright pond yonder is Lind Luimnig. Druimm Collchailli is where we are now – it is called Áne Chlíach and lies in Crích na Dési Bice. To the south of us is the host, in Clíu Máil maicc Úgaine, in the territory of Cú Ruí son of Dáre son of Dedad.’

While Cú Chulaind and Lóeg were talking, a tremendous, heavy snow fell upon the Ulaid, and it was as high as the shoulders of the men and the shafts of their chariots. Extra work was performed by the Ulaid charioteers in erecting stone columns to shelter their horses from the snow, and these ‘Stables for the Horses of the Ulaid’ survive still. And they prove the story.

After that, Cú Chulaind and Lóeg returned to the Ulaid. ‘Well,’ said Senchae son of Ailill, ‘what territory are we in?’ ‘We are in Crích na Dési Bice, the land of Cú Ruí son of Dáre, in Clíu Máil maicc Úgaine,’ replied Cú Chulaind. ‘Woe to us, then,’ said Bricriu, ‘and woe to the Ulaid.’ ‘Not so, Bricriu,’ said Cú Chulaind, ‘for I will show the Ulaid how we can retrace our way and arrive in front of our enemies before dawn.’ ‘Woe to the Ulaid.’ said Celtchair son of Uthechar, ‘that ever was born the sister’s son who gives such advice.’ ‘We have never before known you to offer the Ulaid a plan of weakness and cowardice, Cú Chulaind,’ said Fergnae son of Findchóem, a royal hospitaller. ‘Alas that a person who gives such advice should escape without our making him a place of points and edges of weapons,’ said Lugaid Lámderg son of Léti king of the Dál nArade. ‘What would you prefer, then?’ asked Cú Chulaind, and Celtchair answered ‘This, that we spend a day and a night in this territory, for to leave it would signify defeat, and we have not left so much as a fox’s track in land or desert or wilderness.’ ‘Then tell us, Cú Chulaind,’ said Conchubur, ‘where we ought to encamp for a day and a night.’ ‘Óenach Senclochar is here, and this rough winter season is not fair-time,’ said Cú Chulaind. ‘And Temuir Lúachra lies on the slope of Irlúachair, and there there are buildings and dwellings. ’ ‘It would be right to go to Temuir Lúachra, then,’ said Senchae.

So they went straight on to Temuir Lúachra, and Cú Chulaind showed them the way.