Loth – Valiant and wise

After some time, loth son of Breoghan, learned in the sciences, was sent from Spain to explore Ireland. Landing in Ulster with thrice fifty chosen warriors, he was approached by the natives who addressed him in Gaelic or Scoitbhearla. He and they spoke a common tongue, loth explained, because Gaedheal had been teaching the public schools in Scythia before their ancestor Neimheadh left that country for Ireland.

Loth then proceeded, with two-thirds of his ship’s company,   to  Aileach  Neid.    There  he  was welcomed  by  the three sons of Cearmad Milbheoil, who at that juncture held the sovereignty of the country alternately.    Having assured them that he was driven ashore by stress of weather, and did not intend to delay, they asked him to adjudicate in a contention about the valuables of their ancestors.    In giving judgment, he took occasion to reproach them for their dispute and to praise their country for its profusion of fruit, milk,  honey,  grain   and  corn,   and  its  temperate  climate. He had no sooner taken leave of them than the sons of Cearmad suspected from his praise that there was danger of his returning with a vast host to conquer Ireland.    So they pursued him, and so wounded him in a conflict at Magh Iotha that he died at sea.    In due course his body was exhibited in Spain to incite the sons of Milidh to come and avenge his death.