The Five Munsters
1.
[There are] five Munsters in great Munster (= all Munster
is subdivided into five), as I hear from every bardic
company. I know how it is divided—indeed I ought to
know—yonder in your wise valiant country.
2. Thomond [a territory] not scanty in battalions [extends]
from Cuchulinn’s stony Leap to Slighe Dála of the steeds—;
there chances to be at its side a lake.
3. The breadth of Thomond from the north I shall relate to
them in a laudatory poem: from Sliabh Aichtghi to noble
Sliabh Eibhlinne, such is the distribution of it as
compared with the whole of Ireland.
4. From pleasant Bernán Eile Ormond [extends] to Oilén Hi
Bhric, [and] from Gabhrán to beautiful Cnámhchoill—there is
the clearly and cleverly delimited well-known division.
5. From Cnámhchoill to full-landed Luachair [extends] Mid
Munster, the constant winner of victories, [and] from where
Sliabh Eibhlinne is pleasantly situated to Sliabh Caoin of
the difficult passes.
6. Desmond [extends] from Sliabh Caoin of the clans to the
sea beside the waves, [and] West Munster from Luachair west
wards to the valley in the west at which Drong is.
7. Breasal O’Treasaigh, from whom are sprung the Ui
Treasaigh—they are not a backward race—; the celebrated
majestic-haired scion of great size, ‘tis he that
discovered the division into five.