The story of "Mad Sweeney" has always been and intriguing and mystical legend that, to me, does have some truth. I hope to start a forum for discussing Irish legends so myself and others can benifit from the translations and insights of other, more educated individuals than I, so I shall begin by telling the story of "Shivna" as I know it, followed by my only question about the legend.
Suibhne was the king of a small county of Ulster and was very happy and content but somehow shadowed by something within himself. Later in his reign, he went to war in support of the provincial king to which he was loyal, but did so without the Church's blessing and with a dark cloud of doom over his head for having abused a monk, the Saint Ronan (I appologize for the lack of accents in the Irish names! My keyboard doesn't allow me to place them over letters!). Just as Suibhne was about to make war, the monk he insulted, St. Ronan, moved into the field and sought for peace between the armies. Angered as before, Suibhne mistreated the saint once more, and afterwards, slew one of the clerics standing near the monk cruelly. Insensed morally, Ronan cursed Suibhne for his crimes against God and left the battlefield.
The moment the conflict began, Suibhne turned into a madman and fled the war scene. He was so possessed that he took himself to be a bird and climbed into a Yew tree to nest. After a time, he took flight as the bird he supposed himself to be would, and leaped about greatly for a time as a crazed lunatic flapping his arms. Through his jumping, he arrived at the town of Rosharkin and there, now somewhat calmed for a time, met with a hag. The Hag--who was a relative disguised as a Hag--brought Suibhne to his old castle and into the throne room. Showing him his articles and wealth, the Hag reminded him of his old position as lower king and how as the crazed king, he used to jump about wildly believing himself to be a bird. Remembering this past madness of his sent poor Suibhne into a newly crazed state again, and he leaped with the Hag. Wherever she jumped, he jumped farther, and then she would jump beyond, and he would out do her.
Eventually, he jumped into a great forest, and upon exploring it whilest leaping discovered another madman named Alladhan. After a short time of being together, Suibhne's "friend" attempted to go through a waterfall and died painfully on a rock below. This sight cured Suibhne from a portion of his madness, and, for a time, he went peacably about the land. He did not go to his old castle for fear of capture for his desertion at the battle, and instead went away lamenting loudly. Wandering the Irish country side for years alone, he came one day to a monestary and lodged there for a few days. During his stay, he recited his tale to the Saint Molling, who in turn wrote them down. Tragically, Suibhne was slain. This happened when the husband of the chapel's cook became envious of the relations between his wife and the handsome king Suibhne and took revenge. So died the madman Suibhne.
My only question about the story is what motivated Suibhne to desert the battlefield. Was it the monk's curses, or the terror and carnage of war? I have heard several conflicting opinions, and hope that my readers and fellow Talk Irish members could give their opinions upon the matter. Thanks in advance for reading my rendition and for participating!!