Three historical poems on Tuathal Techtmar and the "bórama" from the Book of Lecan

According to medieval (from a modern perspective entirely fictional) Irish tradition, Tuathal Techtmar is a pre-Christian king of Ireland, grandfather of Conn Cétchathach and thus ancestor of Leth Cuinn. Two major traditions are associated with this legendary figure: his recon-quest of Ireland through a series of battles, and eventual restoration of the legitimate kingship, after a revolt of the provincial kings; and the imposi-tion of the bórama tribute upon the Laigin, subsequently to be levied by Tuathal Techtmar's successors over a period of several generations. The best-known sources for these traditions are the réim rígraide para-graph dealing with Tuathal Techtmar included in R. A. S. Macalister's edition of Lebor Gabála and the Bórama tale as preserved in the twelfth-century Book of Leinster (Dublin, Trinity College MS 1339). This book adds to the available source material in providing a first edition, with translation and commentary, of the three anonymous Middle Irish poems Augaine ar n-athair uile, Teamair teach Tuathail trēin intech, and Cid toīseach dia·roibi bōroma Laigen. The poems are solely preserved in the Book of Lecan (Dublin, Royal Irish Academy MS 23 P 2), a manuscript produced in the scriptorium of Clann Fhir Bhisigh in the early fifteenth century, there forming part of a version of the réim rígraide which is interwoven with a copy of the Bórama tale. Both Augaine ar n-athair uile and Teamair teach Tuathail present versions of the list of Tuathal Techtmar's battles. They are complemented by a diplomatic edition of two copies, found in the same manuscript, of the hitherto unedited Old Irish poem Fland for Ērind, which also contains a version of the battle list. Cid toīseach dia·roibi bōroma Laigen and the final part of Augaine ar n-athair uile deal with the bórama matter. The texts published here bear witness to the variance of medieval traditions, differing in detail, displaying peculiarities and treating of aspects not found in the better-known sources.