Corc mac Luigthig

Corc mac Luigthig, Corcc mac Luigdech. [Ir. corcc, heart]. Also known as Conall Corc, Conall mac Luigthig. Traditional founder of the kingship of Cashel, the fortress of Co. Tipperary, and ancestor of many kings of Munster, about whom many legends have gathered. A swineherd foretells his coming to Cashel and to the kingship. During an initiation rite by his foster-mother Fedelm (3) his ear becomes magically singed, giving him his name, Corc, which some early writers mistakenly thought meant ‘red’ or ‘crimson’. Later he is sent to the king of the Picts in Scotland, with a secret ogham message on his shield that he should be killed. Fortunately, a scholar whom Corc had rescued from slavery alters the characters so as to provide a favourable introduction. Corc is warmly received and later marries the daughter of the Pictish king. On his return to Ireland he founds two dynasties, first at Femen, second and more importantly at Cashel. According to tradition Corc, while trapped in a snowstorm, beholds a vision of a yew bush growing over a stone with angels flying up and down before it. His druids tell him that the person who kindles a fire on that stone will be king of Munster forever. The kingship of Cashel is controlled for many centuries by the Eóganacht [the people descended from Eógan, he who was born of the yew].