Fráech Mac Idath , in the Irish Celtic Mythologie is a heroic warrior of the Connaught, wire of Idach and Befinn the queen of the fairies and the sister of the goddess Boand. Its name means “Heather, wire of yew”. It appears mainly in two texts of the Cycle of Ulster: Táin Bó Fráich (the Raid of Fraich) and Táin Bó Cúailnge (the Raid of the cows of Cooley). It is related with the Fir Domnann.

Táin Bó Fráich

According to this account, Fráech is the most beautiful man of Ireland and of Scotland, fifty wire of kings compose his house. Learning that Findabair, the girl of the king Ailill and the queen Medb, is in love with him, it decides to meet her and goes as a sumptuous crew to the court (castle of Cruachan) where it is well accommodated. During three days and three nights, he plays failures with the queen then the court feasts during three other days. One night, it meets Findabair close to the fountain, it proposes to him to remove it, but she judges that is not suitable. Finally, the parents accept the union, but require a strong dowry and its promise to take part in the raid of the cows of Cooley; Fráech refuses to pay the sum. Ailill and Medb then decide to eliminate the applicant by making it bathe in a lake inhabited by a monster. The animal is rolled up around its body, Findabair removes its clothing quickly and throws itself to water, with the sword of Fráech which decapitates the monster. After a general reconciliation, the marriage is accepted.

From return to him, Fráech learns that its cattle its three sons and his wife were removed and taken along in the the Alps, except for three cows which are at the Pictes, in Scotland. Accompanied by “three neuvaines of men”, it meets Conall Cernach, which proposes its assistance to him. They cross the England, the sea of Wight , the Lombardy, and arrive in the Alps. They attack and plunder the fortress where the hostages are retained, then turn over to Ireland.

Táin Bó Cúailnge

In accordance with the made promise with Medb and Ailill, Fráech takes part in the raid of the cows of Cooley. This war against the Ulster results from an argument between the sovereigns of Connaught, in connection with their reciprocal richnesses and thus of precedence that induces. It proves that Ailill has a bull moreover than Medb; not being able to amicably adapt the magic bull of Daré, it decides to invade the close kingdom.

The kingdom of Ulster is defended by the warlike relentless Cúchulainn, which pushes back all the attacks. Fráech dies drowned, at the time of a singular combat against the hero. Its body was carried per a hundred and fifty Bansidh, vétues of green dresses.

Its name remains associated with the tumulus with Carnfree (near Tulsk in the Comté of Roscommon), under the toponym of “Carn Fraoich”.

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