Irish Myth: Historical Cycle

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Which of the following is NOT an element of Cobthach's ascension to the high throne of all Erin (memory-jog: Cobthach ended up taking some heat for this)? Feigned his own death. Married his aunt. Stabbed his brother. Poisoned his nephew.

2. True or false? After many trials and tribulations, sweethearts Baile mac Buan and Ailinn ni Lugaid were finally united in their love for one another? true, and they lived happily ever after false, they were imprisoned with a wall between them false, their families kept them apart true, but they both died first

3. What happened to Conla, son of Conn of the Hundred Battles? Disappeared in a crystal boat with a fairy woman, never to be seen again Murdered by his own father for sleeping with his father's young bride Slain by a 'wondrous beast' that could revolve within its own skin Turned into a flying, poetry-writing madman by a priest's curse

4. Which of the following is NOT an element of the story behind the nickname 'Bare-Ear' given to King Ailill of Munster? Strange phenomenon involving livestock on an ancient 'fairy mound' The vengeful nature of a fairy harpist with quick hands and a sharp knife Murder of a fairy king Violation of a fairy princess

5. Cormac mac Art was the most celebrated of all the Irish High Kings. Which of the following is NOT an element of the story of his youth before he was brought to Tara to be fostered by Lugaid mac Con? He was born a bastard. He lived among wolves, one of which suckled him. He learned to play the harp so as to induce magical slumber. His druid grandfather placed five protective spells upon him.

6. Which of the following is NOT an element of the story of Cormac's ascension to the throne? Cormac issued a Solomonic judgment. Cormac slew the pretender king in single combat. Half the palace at Tara collapsed. A drought miraculously ended.

7. Who was Cormac's queen? Tlachtga, daughter of Mog Roith Olwen, daughter of Yspaddaden Cailleach Bheur, daughter of Grianan Eithne daughter of Cathaer Mor

8. Which of the following was NOT an outcome of the (637 AD) Battle of Moira (Magh Rath)? Scottish kingdom of Dal Riada lost its Irish territories Cennfaelad developed eiditic memory Suibne the Madman went mad Congal Claen of Ulster slew Domnall mac Aedh of the Gaels

9. The Historical Cycle preserves a number of imrama, or sea-going voyage-tales, of which an important one is the voyage of Maeldun mac Ailill. Maeldun set out to find the reavers who slew his father, (whom he had never known, having been raised by a queen after his nun-mother gave birth to him, after having been impregnated when violated by Ailill Battle-Edge). Which of the following is NOT an element of his fantastic voyage? Visit to an island of giant ants Visit to an island of carnivorous horses Visit to an island of psychedelic fruit Ends with the slaying of his father's killers

10. Anier mac Conglinne was condemned to die by the Abbot Manchin of Cork Monastery for satirizing the Abbott's meager generosity. Which of the following is NOT an element of how the resourceful Anier saved his own life? Anier satirized the Abbott of the neighboring monstery still more severely. Anier exorcised a demon of voracity from King Cathal of Munster. A miraculous vision appeared to Anier in a dream. Anier made his 'last meal' last nine days and nights