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LEGEND OF DEIDRA, QUEEN OF THE IRISH
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A century after the Norman Conquest of England at the Battle of Hastings, Henry II, the Norman King of England began his campaign to conquer Celtic Ireland.
The Ard-Righ (High King) was Roderick (Rory) O'Conner of Connaught. From 1167AD until Rory's abdication of the Celtic throne in 1183AD, the quest to retain Celtic dominance was futile. Political infighting and indifference, self-centered interests of the various Irish chieftains, and the overwhelming strength, brutality, and discipline of the Norman military led to the eventual English victory.
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The Treaty of Windsor in 1175AD seemingly recognized Rory's High Kingship, but was only a stopgap on the way to total Norman conquest. Late in the century, Rory's son, Conner of Maenmagh, was crushed and slain after he tried in vain to resurrect the Irish power.
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After his abdication, Rory spent his last remaining years cloistered in the Abbey of Cong in Mayo. He died in 1198AD, the last of the Celtic Irish kings. He was buried in the ancient cemetery of Clonmacnios.
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During his seclusion in the Abbey, a young handmaiden served the Ard-Righ keeping him fed and tending to his elderly needs. History relates nothing of this maiden, yet legend says this was Rory's secret daughter, Deidra, sister of Conner of Maenmagh.
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With her brother's death, she became the rightful heir to the Celtic Irish throne. In danger from the brutal Norman warriors who ravaged many young Irish lasses, especially royalty, she led a secret life disguised as a commoner. Realizing early that the mighty Normans would eventually take over Ireland, her father had never revealed that he had a daughter.
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Deidra was a beautiful princess and loyal to her father and her Celtic Irish lineage. On his deathbed, Rory passed on the wisdom of the ages to Deidra. "Only you," he said, "or a namesake born of you many generations removed will return as Queen of Ireland when the Normans are finally removed from our soil."
As Rory gasped his dying breath he said, "I promise Tara will be rebuilt; the glory of the Irish, the blessings of St. Patrick, and the golden age of Celtic fame will come again."
Deidra wept privately as Rory joined all of the Celtic Irish Kings who had preceded him. However, she mourned only as a handmaiden and refused to mourn publicly as a daughter or to reveal the prophecy made known to her by her father. Her family and descendents remained commoners under the harsh Norman rule.
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The song of the Tara Stone is heard only when it is the touched by the rightful heir to the Celtic throne. Someday, a Deidra, namesake and descendent of Rory's daughter will touch the Tara Stone. The people will hear the song, bow, and acknowledge their rightful Queen. She will lead the true Celtic Irish people to their destiny. Are you that Deidra?
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Copyright 2009, Pete Smith
More information about the Legend of Deidra, Queen of the Irish
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