The Celtic Literature Collective

The Five Munsters RIA MS 23 no.10, p.101

1. [There are] five Munsters in great Munster (= all Munster is subdivided into five), as I hear from every bardic company. I know how it is divided—indeed I ought to know—yonder in your wise valiant country.

2. Thomond [a territory] not scanty in battalions [extends] from Cuchulinn’s stony Leap to Slighe Dála of the steeds—; there chances to be at its side a lake.

3. The breadth of Thomond from the north I shall relate to them in a laudatory poem: from Sliabh Aichtghi to noble Sliabh Eibhlinne, such is the distribution of it as compared with the whole of Ireland.

4. From pleasant Bernán Eile Ormond [extends] to Oilén Hi Bhric, [and] from Gabhrán to beautiful Cnámhchoill—there is the clearly and cleverly delimited well-known division.

5. From Cnámhchoill to full-landed Luachair [extends] Mid­Munster, the constant winner of victories, [and] from where Sliabh Eibhlinne is pleasantly situated to Sliabh Caoin of the difficult passes.

6. Desmond [extends] from Sliabh Caoin of the clans to the sea beside the waves, [and] West Munster from Luachair west­wards to the valley in the west at which Drong is.

7. Breasal O’Treasaigh, from whom are sprung the Ui Treasaigh—they are not a backward race—; the celebrated majestic-haired scion of great size, ‘tis he that discovered the division into five.

SOURCE
Lloyd, J.H. "The Five Munsters." Eriu. v.2 pp.49-54.