Under blanket stone and frosted earth,
The mire of men untold.
In emerald lands, on Erin's throne,
She killed for all their worth.
Of all the great queens and ladies of Ireland, there was one Queen of many talents, who outshone many others, famous and quite capable in her own right. This great Queen, of whom Ireland rightly boast's, was Macha Mong Ruad (the Red-Haired) who reigned over the land in approximately 300 B.C. Her father, Aod Ruad (Red Hugh) was one of a triumvirate consisting of his brothers ~ Dithorba and Cimbaoth ~ who by mutual agreement took turns at seven year intervals in reigning. Aod Ruad was the first of the brothers to govern but met his death by drowning at Eas-Aod-Ruad (Assaore) ~ now known as Ballyshanny.
At the death of Aod Ruad, his daughter, Macha stepped forth to claim her right to wear the crown, and refused to give up the realm, thereby becoming the first Milesian Queen of Ireland. But for this right, she had to battle her father's two brother's ~ which she willing did, conquering and slaying first Dithorba; then with equal skill and mastery she deftly turned her attention towards her father's remaining brother, first defeating Cimbaoth and then compelling him to wed her, thereby confirming her right to rule all of Ireland as queen. Which, had the anticipated result of settling everything.
