CROM (CENN) CROICH OF MAG SLECHT
(Croich also spelled Cruach, Cruaitch, etc.) 
  by Micheal O'Duingeannain.

While the problems presented by the legend of Crom Cruach and his sub-gods twelve are many and complex... so much so that complete analysis would be wholly out of place here the medieval sources are fairly readily disposed of. This little offering therefore aims at bringing them together in convenient form, supplying or emending translations briefly assessing their value as evidence and pointing out the conclusion to which they themselves point.

These sources fall into two groups, a Patrician and a literary. It will simplify matters to clear the stage by taking the latter first.

The literary source... Lebor Gabala (Book of Invasions) in its oldest form is mainly a prose rendering of a number of historical poems by Gilla Caemain, one of which dates from the year 1072, but introduces a few other sources…    

'Tigernmas, son of Fallach (or Ollach) took the kingship of Ireland after that... and he died in Mag Slecht with three fourths of the Men of Ireland about him, one Samain eve, while adoring Crom Croich--for he was the king-idol of Ireland... and only one fourth of the Men of Ireland escaped thence… from these bowings is said to come the name, Mag Slecht.

"Here used to be a high idol with many fights, whose name was that of 'Bent One of the Hill…he caused every tuath to be without peace....”

Sad the secret, the keen Goidil used to adore him… from him they used lawlessly to ask for their satisfaction as regards the hard world.  

He was their god, the wizened Bent One with many glooms (mists?)… the people who believed in him over every harbor, the eternal Kingdom shall not be theirs.

For him ingloriously they slew their wretched firstborn with much weeping and distress, to pour out their blood around the Bent One of the Hill.

Milk and corn they used to ask of him speedily in return for a third of their whole progeny... great was the horror and outcry about him.

It is to him the bright Goidil used to bow…it is from his worship… many the slayings… that the plain bears the name Mag Slecht.

Thither came Tigernmas, prince of Tara long ago, one Samain Eve, with all his host... the journed (action?) was a source of sorrow to them.

They stirred evil, they beat palms, they bruised bodies, wailing to the demon who had enslaved them they shed showers of tears, prostrate their tears pouring.

Dead were the men (ie men died) void of sound strength the hosts of Banbha around ravaging Tigernmas in the north, though adoring (the) Bent One on the Hill…woe betide them!