Fionn mac Cumhaill: The Legendary Warrior

Written by Ben Kesp 

Fionn mac Cumhaill 

Fenian Cycle 

The Fenian Cycle, the third cycle in early Irish Literature, focuses on the Fianna, followers of Fionn mac Cumhaill, who took centre stage in this cycle and was a legendary mythical warrior. Fionn was the son of Cumhall, leader of the Fianna, and his mother was Muirne. However, before his birth, his parents were not allowed to share their lives even though they were in love with each other. Muirne’s father, the druid Tadg mac Nuadat, refused Cumhall to have his daughter in marriage, so Cumhall kidnapped her. What else could he do if he was in love with her? A battle ensued between the High King, Conn of the Hundred Battles, and Cumhall. Cumhall was killed by Goll mac Morna and Goll became the new leader of the Fianna. By now, Muirne was pregnant, and her father Tadg ordered that she be burned. The High King Conn would not allow it and had her placed in protection. She gave birth to Fionn, or Deimne, as was his birth name. 

Fionn’s mother left him in fosterage to Bodhmall, and a warrior woman named Liath Luachra taught him the art of war and hunting and reared him in secret in the forest of Sliabh Bladma. Even as a child, his enemies were great. Growing up, he tried to take employment with local kings, however once they discovered who he was, they feared having him around. 

Many tales have been written of Fionn, from his boyhood into adulthood, such as the encounter he had with the druid Finn Eces who caught the Salmon of Knowledge from the river Boyne, a salmon that would give all the knowledge of the world to whoever ate it. Finn Eces successfully caught it, and while Fionn was cooking, he burned his thumb, and while placing his finger into his mouth to numb the pain, a part of the salmon went into his mouth and Fionn could henceforth call on world knowledge by sucking his thumb. 

Another story tells the tale that for every year at Samhain, Aillen, the fire breathing fairy, would put all the people of Tara to sleep and burn the palace to the ground. When Fionn arrived at Tara, he kept himself awake and killed Aillen and was declared leader of the Fianna. 

Issues with love always brought problems, and for Fionn, it was no exception. Before meeting his wife Sadhbh, she had been turned into a deer by a druid because she had refused to marry him. When Fionn was out hunting, his companions recognised she was human and he spared her life. She transformed into a beautiful woman once stepping onto Fionn’s land. They married and Sadhbd was soon pregnant. However, life was not to be happy ever after as the druid returned and once more turned her into a deer and she disappeared. Distraught, Fionn spent seven years searching for her, however never found her. Later in life, he did meet with his son Oisín who would turn out to be a great Fianna warrior. 

A love story in the Fianna cycle that captivates readers is the love triangle between Fionn, Gráinne and Diarmuid. Fionn was promised by the High King Cormac mac Airt his daughter Gráinne in marriage. Gráinne was a very beautiful woman who had many admirers, from princes to kings. However, she fell in love with a Fenian warrior named Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. She told him she was in love with him, however being loyal to Fionn, Diarmuid would not return her affection. She cast a spell on him and he fell in love with her. Diarmuid and Gráinne fled Tara and ran west towards the River Shannon with Fionn in pursuit. The Tuatha Dé Danann God Aengus, god of love and youth, who was Diarmuid’s foster father, assisted them flee from Fionn. All across Ireland they ran over hills, through valleys, hiding in caves and over mountains. Gráinne eventually fell pregnant, however shortly afterwards, the young lovers stumbled across a giant boar which charged at them. Diarmuid protected Gráinne and wrestled the boar killing it, however received substantial injuries in the process. 

Diarmuid later died from his wounds. Fionn could have saved him as his hands had the power of healing; however, by the time he reached him it was too late. This is a famous tale that today transcends generations and the lovers’ trail of escape throughout Ireland. 

How did Fionn die? Or is he dead? Myths and legends state that he is not dead but asleep in a cave beneath Ireland, waiting to be called when needed along with the rest of the mighty Fenian warriors. It has also been suggested that his body lies in a crypt in Lund Cathedral in Sweden. 

Fionn has also been associated with a giant who is claimed to be responsible for forming the Isle of Man. He picked up a part of Ireland to hurdle at an enemy and missed causing it to land in the Irish Sea. Legend also has him responsible for the Giant’s Causeway in Antrim, Northern Ireland. These he built as stepping stones so he would not get his feet wet while crossing to Scotland. 

Today, Fionn mac Cumhaill has his place in literature, music and media like the other great legends of ancient mythical Ireland, especially in modern Irish literature. He appears in works by James Joyce and Flann O’Brien. A hero of immense proportions, his stories and legends will forever remain immortal. 

Images: [1] Irish History [2] Clarke Woodcarving [3] Flickr