Pictish Mystic · Lore · Fomorians
Loch Half-green: the Fomorian Poet Who Walked Away Alive
Loch Half-green was the poet of Indech son of Dea Domnann, king of the Fomorians, at the second battle of Mag Tured. When the battle was lost, he was the Fomorian who begged Lugh for quarter, bought his life, and was left to count the dead. This is his story, told from the Fomorian side.
Who He Was
The Second Battle of Mag Tured names him as the poet of Indech son of Dea Domnann, king of the Fomorians. The text says he was green from the ground to the crown of his head, which is how he got his name.
The Fomorian Host
On the day of the battle every Fomorian chief wore a hauberk, a helmet, a broad spear, a heavy sword and a firm shield. To attack the Fomorian host that day, the text says, was “striking a head against a cliff,” was “a hand in a serpent's nest,” was “a face up to fire”.
The Cast
“Lugh and Balor of the Piercing Eye met in the battle.” The lid was raised from Balor's eye, and Lugh's sling-stone “carried the eye through his head while his own army looked on.” The stone fell on the Fomorian host, “and thrice nine of them died beside it, so that the crowns of their heads came against the breast of Indech son of Dea Domnann, and a gush of blood sprang over his lips.”
The Summons
Indech called for his poet: “Let Loch Half-green my poet be summoned to me!” Loch went to the king. “Make known to me,” said Indech, “who has flung this cast on me.” The translation does not give Loch's answer.
The Quarter
Then the Morrigu, daughter of Ernmass, came and heartened the Tuatha Dé. “Thereafter the battle became a rout, and the Fomorians were beaten back to the sea.” Ogma son of Ethliu and Indech the king fell in single combat. “Loch Half green besought Lugh for quarter.”
“Give me my three wishes,” said Lugh. “Thou shalt have them,” said Loch. “Till Doom I will ward off from Ireland all plundering by the Fomorians, and, at the end of the world, every ailment.” So Loch was spared, and he sang to the Gael the “decree of fastening.”
The Nine Chariots
Because of the quarter he had been given, Loch said he would name Lugh's nine chariots, and Lugh told him to name them. The original gives the list of chariots, charioteers and their gear, but the translation leaves it out.
Counting the Dead
“What is the number of the slain?” said Lugh to Loch. Loch could count the Fomorian lords, nobles, champions, kings' sons and over-kings, down to Balor himself, who is called Net's grandson elsewhere in the same text. But the “half men” and those who never reached the heart of the battle “are in no wise numbered till we number stars of heaven, sand of sea, flakes of snow, dew on lawn, hailstones, grass under feet of herds, and Manannan mac Lir's horses (waves) in a sea storm.”
From Their Side
This part is a reading, not the text: Loch is the Fomorian who walks away alive. He bought his life by binding his own people to leave Ireland alone, and he was left to count their dead.
Sources
- The Second Battle of Mag Tured, Mary Jones, Celtic Literature Collective: https://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/2maghtured.html
Story told by John.
These are legends from medieval manuscripts, not recorded history.
First shared on TikTok @johnshaw333.
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