O cathasaigh, Tomas2010-03-262004Ó Cathasaigh, Tomás. 2004. Sound and sense in Cath Almaine. Ériu 54: 41-47.0332-0758http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:3746569Cath Almaine, a tenth-century tale on the battle of Allen, presents a remarkable sequence of verbal and vocal acts. They include pledges and promises, curse and prophecy, narrative before the battle and after it, a cry of victory given by the men of Leinster and one given by the war-goddess, the Fool's roar that memorializes the battle, sweet music heard by the slain warriors and a piteous warrior-chant heard by the victors. The tale points to the necessary interaction of word and deed, and to the absolute futility of warfare as an instrument of social order.en-USJournal Article