I’ve arrived in Finea just now. It’s east of Granard and the place where Fergus turned the army southwards. This aroused suspicions - was he leading the army astray - into an ambush perhaps. “Hang on” thought Meave “where is the Ulster army””Fergus come here” she said #CattleRaid
I passed a few interesting roadside memorials. Here’s one about an ambush near Ballinalee near Granard #CattleRaid 
And another memorial here in the lovely village of Finea, to Myles “the Slasher” O’Reilly, a hero of the Irish Confederate War 1641 - 50. #CattleRaid
I think I walked nearly 50km today. I’m on the road since 7am just arrived in Finea an hour ago. “Don’t be complaining” said Meave “just tell us why there is no sign of the Ulster army” #CattleRaid
The reason the Ulster army has not mustered is quite simple and understandable, if you understand the nature of ancient curses in Celtic society. “We’re listening” said the Men of Ireland “go on” #CattleRaid
“There was a farmer” said someone “whose name was Cronn. His wife died. He came home one day to find a strange woman in his house. “Howya” “Howya”. Soon she was pregnant. #CattleRaid
“I’m going to the fair at a, as yet, unnamed place” said Cronn. “Grand” says his newly pregnant, but mysterious partner (whose name was Macha) “do me a favour; don’t go making any stupid boasts””No bother” says Cronn #CattleRaid
Cronn went to the Ulster races. The kings horses were winning everything “Yipee” said the king “there’s nothing faster than my horses”. Cronn raised his hand “Yes Cronn” said the king “I know something faster than your horses” said Cronn #CattleRaid
“Faster than my horses” said the incredulous king “What could possibly run faster than these horses?””I have a pregnant wife at home” said Cronn “who could easily beat your finest horses in a race” #CattleRaid
“OK”....said the king “ We’d better let your pregnant wife prove herself”. Poor Macha lined up against the King’s champion horse “Howya”. The race set off .. “they are around the third .. etc” Macha easily won #CattleRaid
But as she crossed the finishing line, she fell down in labour- shamefully none of the Ulstermen came to her aid. And in labour poor Macha gave birth to twins, and in labour she died #CattleRaid
But as she died, Macha, brilliant to the last, put a curse on the Ulstermen “In the time of your greatest danger, you, Ulstermen, will be reduced as helpless as a woman in labour” and so they were #CattleRaid
As Maeve’s army was leaving Connaught, all the warriors in Ulster began to feel a bit queasy” “in the morning I feel a little sick” said the Ulstermen “oh you poor thing” said thier wives “you’d better stay in bed” #CattleRaid
So, the nearer Meave’s army approached Ulster, the closer the danger came, and the closer the danger came the more debilitated the Ulstermen came “youch” they said. “Deep breaths” said thier wives #CattleRaid
As you know, I’m always looking for followers because the more followers the further the story goes. I’d be delighted if you could ask your followers to follow me #CattleRaid #Folklore
I forgot to say that as poor Macha died giving birth to twins, they, thoughtfully, named the Ulster capital after her - Emann Macha - the Twins of Macha #CattleRaid
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