“ He it was that first and violently grasped the land of Tuadh-Mumha [i.e. the modern county of Clare]—for which reason it is called Lugaid Red-hand’s rough sword-land, seeing that the countries which the men of Mumha acquired by main force were two, viz., Osraighe in eric for Edirsceol whom the men of Laigen slew, and Tuadh-Mumha in eric for Crimthann, son of Fidach.
but Crimthann from the north, progressing towards his own country, gained Sliabh-suidhe-in-rig (the mountain of the King’s sitting) near Creatalach beyond the Sinainn, and there he died (A.D. 379).
Howbeit Mongfionn’s treachery and her choice of death for herself, served her purpose not at all, for Niall of the Nine Hostages succeeded Crimthann, and ruled all Eire (379-405).+ Lugaid gained seven battles over the Connachta, killed seven kings, and drove them with only hirelings and boys from Carn Feradaig to Áth Lucait.
He guarded his newly acquired territory so well ‘ that not even a leveret escaped northward.’ Thus he made good his claims, and thus was that land annexed to Leth-Mogha, to which half of Eire it nominally had belonged, lying as it did southward of the frontier set up by Conn and Eoghan: but it was not entirely subdued till about the beginning of the fifth century, for Connachta’s kings made many attempts to recover possession of it.
“ And the Dal-gCais had it free without rent, without taxing from the Kings of Eire.”* When Lugaid attained in due course the Kingship of Mumha, he invaded Wales and exacted its tribute, and sailing northward carried his forays into Alba, where he was likewise victorious.