PREFACE.

The setting for this preface, firstly, is Druimm Ceta modern: Drumcet, near Limavady, for it was there that the great meeting of Druimm Ceta was held. However, the body of the hymn was composed in a different place from then on, as appears later. It was composed in the time of Aed, son of Anmere Aed mac Ainmuirech, High King of Ireland r. 586–598. The author was Dallan Forgaill of the Masraige of Mag Slecht The Masraige were an ancient tribe in County Cavan. The purpose was to reach heaven for himself and for others through this work.

Now, there were three reasons why Colum Cille Saint Columba came from Alba Scotland to Eriu Ireland at that time:
1. For the release of Scanlann Mór, son of Cend Faelad, king of the Osraige Ossory, for whom he had acted as a legal guarantor.
2. For the retention of the poets in Ireland. They were facing banishment because of their burdensomeness; for there used to be thirty people in the company of each Ollom term: a master poet of the highest rank, and fifteen in the company of each Anrad term: a poet of the second-highest rank.
3. For the pacification between the men of Ireland and of Scotland regarding the territory of Dal Riata.

And it is said that Colum Cille did not actually see Ireland at that time, for there was a bandage over his eyes. This was because he had previously promised when leaving the country that he would never look upon Ireland again, saying:

There is a grey eye
That will look back at Ireland:
But never again will it see
The men of Ireland or its women.

Colum Cille then came to the assembly, and several people rose up to welcome him. According to another tradition, however, no one rose up before him except Domnall, the king's son; for the king had commanded that no one should stand for him. The king knew the reasons for the saint's arrival, and his coming was not viewed favorably.