The Saints Against The Druids
Above: Aoife, only daughter of Lughaidh
Aoife, only daughter to Lughaidh son of Cas ancestor of the Dal gCais, was married to Trad, a druid and chief who had little land. A numerous family having been born to them, Aoife suggested to her father that it would be well if they could have more territory. Lughaidh having consulted his oracles said to his daughter : "If thou shouldst order anyone to leave the country, he must depart without delay."
Depart thou then," she replied, " and leave us the land in perpetuity."
Lughaidh complied, and with his six sons crossed the shannon. Arriving at Cam Fiachach in Westmeath, he target tire which he ignited by his druidic power. From fire five flames burst forth in different directions. He commanded his five elder sons to follow the fiery streams, one said that they would lead to their future inheritance.
The Tuatha de Danann having landed, turned their ships and covered themselves. Thus they escaped the notice, reached Sliabh an Iarainn, the Iron.
By similar means they prevented the landing of the Milesians at Wexford Harbour, and 1 I dispersed the Milesian fleet on the Kerry coast. A di I in competition with Patrick at Tara brought snow on ■ plain and darkness over the earth, but was unable to disl either. The two druids who instructed Laoghaire‘s daughther in Connacht at the time of Patrick’s arrival there broughM dense darkness over Maigh Ai for three days. But Patrick prayed so that in the end only the druids themselves enveloped in the darkness, all the other people being immB from its influence. These are not the only examples :
We read in the Lives of the Saints of a magic wall plan by Diarmuid‘s druid between the two armies at the bat of Cul Dreimhne. " My God," said Columcille, " why we not released from this mist ? " And they were, and Diarmuid was vanquished. At a later period Broicheanen druid to king Brude of Scotland threatened to prevent Columcille’s voyage on Loch Ness, as he returned from ■ Highlands. "Thou wilt not be able," said the druid, "I will make the wind contrary to thee, and I will bring great darkness over thee." And he gave effect to, but Columcille defeated him by prayer.
