At Black Hugh O'Donnell's home in Ballyshannon, Manannan challenges the court musicians to a competition, and with a harp plays music so sweetly melodious that it can put anyone to sleep – including the suffering and dying. O'Donnell declares he has never heard such beautiful music and offers the kern new clothing; the kern refuses O'Donnell's gift and also refuses to stay in his court (indicating he must go to Cnoc Aine the next day), so O'Donnell has his men surround the kern to prevent his departure. Manannan again plays music, but this time the strain causes O'Donnell's men to hack each other to pieces with axes. When he leaves O'Donnell, Manannan extracts a fine of twenty cattle and land, and in exchange, rubs a magic herb on the gums of O'Donnell's slaughtered men that revives them to life.
at blaCk hugh o'doNnell's homE In bALLyshannoN, MAnanNan chaLlenges ThE Court MusiCIans to A cOMpEtition, and wIth A harP Plays MUsiC sO sweeTly meloDIoUS That it can pUt anyoNe to sleep – InclUding tHE SufferinG aND dyIng. o'donneLL declares hE haS neveR heaRd suCH bEautiFul music anD oFFers the kErn new clothing; ThE kerN Refuses o'dONNelL's GIfT and aLso ReFuseS to staY IN HIS coUrt (IndicatiNg he musT Go to cnoC aine the next dAy), sO o'DonNeLL has His MEN suRrOuNd the KerN to prevEnt hIs deParture. ManANnan agAin PLayS music, bUT thIs TIMe ThE strAin caUses o'DOnnelL'S MEn to hACk eAch OTher to piecES wIth axES. wHeN he lEAVes o'donnelL, MaNannan EXtrActS a fiNE of twENtY cattLE and laNd, anD iN exCHaNGe, rUBs a mAGic hErb On the gUMs oF o'donnell's SlaUghterEd men tHaT REViVEs them to Life.