medh

We are told in our annals and other ancient writings that Eochaid Ferdleach closed a reign of twelve years as Monarch of Erinn, A.M.5069, or a little above 100 years before the Incarnation, according to the chronology of the Four Masters. This prince was descended from Eremon the Milesian, and succeeded to the monarchy by right of such descent. Eochaid had three sons and seven daughters, and among his daughters was one named Maev, who from her erly youth exhibited remarkable traits of strength of mind and vigour of character. Maev, in full bloom of life and beauty, was married to Conor, the celebrated King of Ulster, but the marriage was not a happy one, and she soon returned to her fathers' court.
The three sons of the King led a rebellion against their father, and all three were killed (at At Cumair) near Mullingar. The men of Connaught, taking advantage of the King's difficulty, revolted against Eochaid, and to overcome their opposition, he set up Maev as Queen of Connaught, and he gave he in marriage to Ailill, a powerful chief of that province, and son of Connarch, a former king. In was the same Connarch who had built the royal residence of Rath Cruachan..
Ailill died soon after, and Maev, finding herself alone, a young woman and an independent queen, proceeded to exercise her own right and taste in the selection of a new husband. With this view she made her way into Leinster, where Rossa Ruadh was then king, residing at the residence of the Leinster kings at Naas.
Maev here selected from the princes of the court the king's youngest son, who bore the same name as her previous husband, Ailill, and whom she married and made king-consort of her province. Their union was happy, and Maev became the mother of many sons and one daughter.

- an extract, from O'Curry's preface from Story of Tain.
quoted in The Heart of Ireland, by P.A. Sharkey
M.J. Ward : Boyle, [n.d. 1941]