Cormac,the Silver Branch and the Cup of Truth

Cormac mac Airt was a mythical High King of Ireland. He was described in the annals of Clonmacnoise as being "absolutely the best king that ever reigned in Ireland", that he was "wise,learned,valiant and mild, not given causelessly to be bloody as many of his ancestors were" and that he "reigned majestically and magnificently" His reign was in the time of the great heroes including Fionn mac Cumhaill. However he had not always been the ideal sovereign; he learned to be wise after a unique experience.

                                             the silver branch that banishes all sorrow 
                                             and the cup of Truth that reveals falsehood

Looking out from his ramparts one day, the king saw a stranger approach his castle carrying a silver branch with three red gold apples on it. The stranger had an aura of peaceful tranquillity about him and was invited into the castle. Cormac offered generous hospitality to his guest and the two men talked together for many hours. The stranger said he was from "a country where there is nothing but truth and where there is neither age nor withering away, nor heaviness, nor sadness, nor jealousy nor pride" When the visitor took the silver branch and shook it gently, the most haunting, beautiful melody filled the room. "This branch will banish all sorrow & sad memories from your mind " announced the stranger "you will completely forget the troubles of the world"  Cormac eagerly requested to have the branch as a token of their new friendship.
He was given the magic branch but his guest said he had a condition; three wishes must be granted him. "Yes,yes" said Cormac, too pleased to care what they might be.
"I shall return in one year to ask my first wish" said the visitor on leaving.
   When the stranger returned a year later it was to make a shocking demand. The king was told to hand over his daughter Aille. Cormac protested strongly but the man with the charismatic aura said reassuringly "shake your silver branch and all sadness will fade away"
Aille then disappeared with her mystery abductor.
One month later the returning figure that Cormac now dreaded was demanding the king"s son Carpre Lifeca and he too was taken away.
When soon after the Visitor announced he had come for Cormac"s wife Eithne, the king was in despair. He struggled with his opponent but realised he was dealing with a being of supernatural strength. Cormac vowed to follow his wife as she was led out of the castle, across the plain into the mist.
Alone and lost, Cormac heard an unusual sound, growing louder, closer- like the sound of millions of bees humming.Then out of the mist emerged The Riders of The Sidhe.
The cavalry of the Otherworld swept up Cormac and carried him away from Ireland, over the sea. The horses galloped over the waves like they were traversing fields of golden grass. They passed enchanted islands and finally beyond the sea came to land at a shimmering white castle.Led inside, Cormac saw two figures sitting on gold thrones, A queen on one throne addressed Cormac "you have come to the Isle of Apples. This is where your family is now."
Cormac recognised her as the goddess Áine. Beside her sat the man who had given him the magic branch but he looked different now, more regal. It was the sea god Manannan mac Lir.
Cormac pleaded to stay here, in this strange place with his family, for ruling in Tara without them was unbearable for him. Manannan spoke "you have been led here to learn that your task from now on is to rule your kingdom justly, wisely. I give you back your family-for you now know how to value them. I give you also to keep- the cup of Truth. If 3 falsehoods are spoken it will break in 3 pieces but if 3 truths be spoken it will become complete again."

                                           The Broighter gold boat (1st century bc)
                                            offering to Manannán. National Museum of 
                                            Ireland. Wikimedia commons.


So the family returned to Ireland and Cormac mac Airt ruled wisely and was remembered in the Annals of Clonmacnoise. I will finish with some lines by W.B.Yeats that must be inspired by the magic branch given by Manannán.

There was a green branch hung with many a bell
When her own people ruled this wave-worn and tragic Eire;
And from its murmering greeness, calm of Faery
A druid kindness, on all hearers fell.
It charmed away the merchant from his guile
And turned the farmers memory from his cattle,
And hushed in sleep the roaring ranks of battle:
And all grew friendly for a little while,
For all who heard it dreamed a little while.

picture of the king with cup & branch by Nicholas Kinney.

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