Diwrnach Wyddel: a Cymric Mabinogion god, (Fierce Irishman)

Synonyms: Dyrnwch Gawr
Cym: Fierce Irishman

Dyrnwch Wyddel (the Irishman) is a figure from the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen. He is the owner of a magical cauldron that Culhwch must obtain to prepare the wedding feast for his marriage with Olwed. Diwrnach being the steward of Odgar the son of Aedd, king of Ireland. Initially Arthur sends an embassy to Odgar asking for Diwrnach's cauldron. Odgar commands Diwrnach to give-up the cauldron but the giant refuses and the embasy is sent home empty-handed. Thus Arthur, with a small retinue embarks to Ireland on his ship, Prydwen. They dined with Odgar, allowing him to see their strength of arms and once more Arthur demanded Diwrnach's cauldron. Again Diwrnach refuses so Bedwyr raises from the feast and seizing the handle of the cauldron he passed it to the hand of Hygwwy Arthur's servant. One of Arthur's companions seized the sword Caledfwlch and brandished it as he advanced on Diwrnach Wyddel who was slain along with his entire company. The Irish came to do battle with them and when Arthur's men had routed them and put them to flight they returned to their ship, carrying with them the cauldron and the Irish treasure contained within.

In the Trioedd Ynys Prydain, in appendinx III that mentions the thirteen treasures of the Island of Britain, treasure 7 is the Cauldron of Dyrnwch Gawr (the giant) which would only cook the meat of a hero, never a coward, and thus it would distinguish the brave from the craven. It would seem that Dyrnwch is at least etymologically related to Diwrnach and they may indeed be the same consideration, especially considering that most of the foes encountered in Culhwch ac Olwen are giants. The cauldron is also a recurring emblem within native Arthurian mythology, such as the cauldron which is the treasure of the Preiddeu Annwfn (the Spoils of Annwfn). In this context one should also consider the cauldron in the Mabinogi of Branwen ferch Llŷr; which had the power of healing. Taken together these cauldrons posess the magical properties of the cauldron of the Irish Dagda and it is interesting that in all these tales the cauldrons originate either in Ireland or in the netherworld and may well represent the Dagda's magical cooking pot. The same cooking pot that is represented with the Gaulish Dis Pater.

I tentatively propose 'Fierce' as the meaning of the giant's name. Both forms Diwrn- and Dyrn- are, undoubtedly derived from the Cymric word dwrn (fist). However, in Old Cymric the form dyrnig means 'fierce' and other forms with the stem dyrn- mean 'to beat', 'to thrash' or 'to thresh'. Thus I suggest 'fierce' as a mening, suggesting a warrior who beats with his fists.

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