Fenian Cycle
Encyclopedia
The Fenian Cycle also referred to as the Ossianic Cycle ˌ after its narrator Oisín
, is a body of prose and verse centering on the exploits of the mythical hero Fionn mac Cumhaill
and his warriors the Fianna
. It is one of the four major cycles of Irish mythology
along with the Mythological Cycle
, the Ulster Cycle
, and the Historical Cycle. Put in chronological order, the Fenian cycle is the third cycle, between the Ulster and Historical cycles. The cycle also contains stories about other Fianna members, including Caílte
, Diarmuid
, Oisín's son Oscar
, and Fionn's enemy, Goll mac Morna
.
of Ireland
formed the Fianna
, a coalition of clans, for the protection of the kingdom. The Fianna was dominated by Clan Bascna, led by Cumhal
, and Clan Morna, led by Goll
, with Liath Luachra
, the treasurer
. After the Battle of Knock, Cumhal is killed by the Morna, and Clan Bascna's treasure bag is stolen. Cumhal's wife, Muirne
, runs away and has a son, Demna, who is cared for by two warrior women, Liath
and the druidess Bodhmall
. Muirne marries the king of Kerry
.
, Fionn accidentally eats the Salmon of Wisdom
, and is admitted to the court of the High King at Tara, after passing three strenuous tests. After he was admitted, Fionn became the leader of Clan Bascna.
, the phantom Aillén mac Midgna, or Aillén the Burner, would terrorize Tara, playing music on his harp that left every warrior helpless. Using a magic spear that rendered him immune to the music, Fionn killed the goblin. As a reward, Fionn was made the leader of the Fianna, replacing Goll, who had to swear fealty to him.
, who had been transformed into a fawn by the druid Fer Doirich. The spell had been broken by the Dun of Allen, Fionn's base, where, as long as she remained within she was protected by the spell. They were married. Some while later, Fionn went out to repulse some invaders and Sadbh stayed in the Dun. Fer Doirich impersonated Fionn, tempting Sadbh out of the Dun, whereupon she immediately became a fawn again. Fionn searched for her, but all he found was a boy, who he named Oisín, who had been raised by a fawn. Oisín became famous as a bard, but Sadbh was never seen again.
wants to destroy the Fianna, because he does not like paying the taxes for protection that the Fianna demanded, so he raises an army with other dissatisfied chiefs and provokes the war by killing Fionn's servant. Goll sides with the king against Clan Bascna at the battle. Some stories say five warriors murdered Fionn at the battle, while others say he died in the battle of the Ford of Brea, killed by Aichlech Mac Dubdrenn. In any case, only twenty warriors survive the battle, including Oisín and Caílte.
Seventh century:
Late eighth or early ninth century:
Ninth century:
Tenth century:
Eleventh century:
Twelfth century:
Thirteenth and fourteenth centuries:
Late Fifteenth and early Sixteenth centuries:
Seventeenth century:
Eighteenth century:
Nineteenth century:
Twentieth century:
Oisín
Oisín , also spelt in English Ossian or Osheen, was regarded in legend as the greatest poet of Ireland, and is a warrior of the fianna in the Ossianic or Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology...
, is a body of prose and verse centering on the exploits of the mythical hero Fionn mac Cumhaill
Fionn mac Cumhaill
Fionn mac Cumhaill , known in English as Finn McCool, was a mythical hunter-warrior of Irish mythology, occurring also in the mythologies of Scotland and the Isle of Man...
and his warriors the Fianna
Fianna
Fianna were small, semi-independent warrior bands in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology, most notably in the stories of the Fenian Cycle, where they are led by Fionn mac Cumhaill....
. It is one of the four major cycles of Irish mythology
Irish mythology
The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branch and the Historical Cycle. There are...
along with the Mythological Cycle
Mythological Cycle
The Mythological Cycle is one of the four major cycles of Irish mythology, and is so called because it represents the remains of the pagan mythology of pre-Christian Ireland, although the gods and supernatural beings have been euhemerised into historical kings and heroes.The cycle consists of...
, the Ulster Cycle
Ulster Cycle
The Ulster Cycle , formerly known as the Red Branch Cycle, one of the four great cycles of Irish mythology, is a body of medieval Irish heroic legends and sagas of the traditional heroes of the Ulaid in what is now eastern Ulster and northern Leinster, particularly counties Armagh, Down and...
, and the Historical Cycle. Put in chronological order, the Fenian cycle is the third cycle, between the Ulster and Historical cycles. The cycle also contains stories about other Fianna members, including Caílte
Caílte mac Rónáin
Caílte mac Rónáin was a nephew of Fionn mac Cumhail and a member of the fianna in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He could run at remarkable speed and communicate with animals, and was a great storyteller...
, Diarmuid
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne
Diarmuid Ua Duibhne or Diarmid O'Dyna is a son of Donn and a warrior of the Fianna in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He is most famous as the lover of Gráinne, the intended wife of Fianna leader Fionn mac Cumhaill in The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne...
, Oisín's son Oscar
Oscar (Irish mythology)
Oscar is a figure in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He is the warrior son of Oisín and the fairy woman Niamh, who also bore his sister, Plor na mBan. Oisín, in turn, was the son of the epic hero Fionn mac Cumhail...
, and Fionn's enemy, Goll mac Morna
Goll mac Morna
Goll mac Morna was a member of the fianna and an uneasy ally of Fionn mac Cumhail in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He had killed Fionn's father, Cumhal, and taken over the leadership of the fianna, but when Fionn grew up and proved his worth Goll willingly stepped aside in his favour.His...
.
Plot summary
Cormac mac Art, the High KingHigh King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
formed the Fianna
Fianna
Fianna were small, semi-independent warrior bands in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology, most notably in the stories of the Fenian Cycle, where they are led by Fionn mac Cumhaill....
, a coalition of clans, for the protection of the kingdom. The Fianna was dominated by Clan Bascna, led by Cumhal
Cumhal
Cumhall son of Trénmór is a figure in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology, a leader of the fianna and the father of Fionn mac Cumhaill....
, and Clan Morna, led by Goll
Goll mac Morna
Goll mac Morna was a member of the fianna and an uneasy ally of Fionn mac Cumhail in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He had killed Fionn's father, Cumhal, and taken over the leadership of the fianna, but when Fionn grew up and proved his worth Goll willingly stepped aside in his favour.His...
, with Liath Luachra
Liath Luachra
Liath Luachra, the "Gray of Luachair", is the name of two characters in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. Both appear in The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn, which details the young life and adventures of the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill....
, the treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
. After the Battle of Knock, Cumhal is killed by the Morna, and Clan Bascna's treasure bag is stolen. Cumhal's wife, Muirne
Muirne
Muirne or Muireann Muncháem was the mother of Fionn mac Cumhail in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology.She had many suitors, but her father, the druid Tadg mac Nuadat, had foreseen that her marriage would lead to the loss of his home on the hill of Almu, so he refused them all. But one of them,...
, runs away and has a son, Demna, who is cared for by two warrior women, Liath
Liath Luachra
Liath Luachra, the "Gray of Luachair", is the name of two characters in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. Both appear in The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn, which details the young life and adventures of the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill....
and the druidess Bodhmall
Bodhmall
Bodhmall or Bodmall is one of Fionn mac Cumhaill's childhood caretakers in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. She is a druidess and the sister of Fionn's father Cumhal, and both she and her associate Liath Luachra are known as great warriors....
. Muirne marries the king of Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
.
Fionn's rise
Demna got the name Fionn because of his fair hair, and as soon as he came of age he set off for revenge. He kills Liath Luachra, and retrieves the treasure bag, which he then gives to the survivors of the Battle of Knock. While studying with the poet Finn EcesFinn Eces
Finn Eces is a legendary Irish poet and sage, according to the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He is the teacher of Fionn mac Cumhaill, according to the tale The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn. For years he tries to catch the Salmon of Wisdom, a fish that will grant all the world's knowledge to whoever...
, Fionn accidentally eats the Salmon of Wisdom
Salmon of Wisdom
The Salmon of Knowledge is a creature figuring in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. This salmon was sometimes called Fintan, or Finntan, in ancient times and is sometimes confused with Fintan mac Bóchra who was also known as, "The Wise" and once transformed into a salmon...
, and is admitted to the court of the High King at Tara, after passing three strenuous tests. After he was admitted, Fionn became the leader of Clan Bascna.
Fionn and Aillén
Every SamhainSamhain
Samhain is a Gaelic harvest festival held on October 31–November 1. It was linked to festivals held around the same time in other Celtic cultures, and was popularised as the "Celtic New Year" from the late 19th century, following Sir John Rhys and Sir James Frazer...
, the phantom Aillén mac Midgna, or Aillén the Burner, would terrorize Tara, playing music on his harp that left every warrior helpless. Using a magic spear that rendered him immune to the music, Fionn killed the goblin. As a reward, Fionn was made the leader of the Fianna, replacing Goll, who had to swear fealty to him.
Fionn and Sadbh
Fionn was hunting a fawn, but when he caught it, his hounds Bran and Sceolang wouldn't let him kill it, and that night it turned into a beautiful woman, SadbhSadbh
In Irish mythology, Sadhbh was the mother of Oisín by Fionn mac Cumhail. She is either a daughter of Bodb Derg, king of the Síd of Munster, or may derive in part from Sadb ingen Chuinn, daughter of Conn of the Hundred Battles....
, who had been transformed into a fawn by the druid Fer Doirich. The spell had been broken by the Dun of Allen, Fionn's base, where, as long as she remained within she was protected by the spell. They were married. Some while later, Fionn went out to repulse some invaders and Sadbh stayed in the Dun. Fer Doirich impersonated Fionn, tempting Sadbh out of the Dun, whereupon she immediately became a fawn again. Fionn searched for her, but all he found was a boy, who he named Oisín, who had been raised by a fawn. Oisín became famous as a bard, but Sadbh was never seen again.
The Battle of Gabhra
Between the birth of Oisin and the Battle of Gabhra is the rest of the cycle, which is very long and becomes too complicated for a short summary. Eventually the High King Cormac, dies and his son Cairbre LifechairCairbre Lifechair
Cairbre Lifechair , son of Cormac mac Airt, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland. He came to the throne after the death of Eochaid Gonnat...
wants to destroy the Fianna, because he does not like paying the taxes for protection that the Fianna demanded, so he raises an army with other dissatisfied chiefs and provokes the war by killing Fionn's servant. Goll sides with the king against Clan Bascna at the battle. Some stories say five warriors murdered Fionn at the battle, while others say he died in the battle of the Ford of Brea, killed by Aichlech Mac Dubdrenn. In any case, only twenty warriors survive the battle, including Oisín and Caílte.
Associated works
In the introduction to his Fianaigecht, Kuno Meyer listed the relevant poems and prose texts between the seventh and fourteenth centuries and further examples can be adduced for later ages:Seventh century:
- poem attributed to Senchán TorpéistSenchán TorpéistSenchán Torpéist, Gaelic-Irish poet of Ireland, -Background:Seanchan Torpest was the Chief Poet of Connacht in 598 AD when he succeeded Dallán Forgaill as Chief Ollam of Ireland...
, along with Finn’s pedigree, in a genealogical tract of the Cocangab Már ‘The Great Compilation’ (Rawlinson B 502 and the Book of Leinster).
Late eighth or early ninth century:
- "The Quarrel between Finn and Oisin"
- "Finn and the Man in the Tree"
- Reicne Fothaid Canainne
Ninth century:
- "How Finn obtained knowledge and the Death of the Fairy Culdub"
- Bruiden Âtha Í
- "Find and the jester Lomnae"
- Cormac's Glossary, entry for rincne: Finn as member of Lugaid Mac Con’s fian,
- "Ailill Aulom, Mac Con and Find ua Báiscne"
- Poem ascribed to Maelmuru Othna in the dindsenchasDindsenchasDindsenchas or Dindshenchas , meaning "lore of places" is a class of onomastic text in early Irish literature, recounting the origins of place-names and traditions concerning events and characters associates with the places in question...
of Áth Liac Find, where Finn is called 'mac Umaill'. - Poem ascribed to Flannacán mac Cellaig, king of Bregia, in the Yellow Book of Lecan (125a), on Finn's death on Wednesday.
- Story according to which Mongán was Finn.
Tenth century:
- Triads of Ireland: anecdote about Finn and the boar of Druimm Leithe.
- Poem ascribed to Cináed úa Hartacáin on the cemetery of the Brug on the Boyne: on Finns death.
- Two poems on the dindsenchas of Almu.
- Poem on the dindsenchas of Fornocht
- Poem on the dindsenchas of Ráith Chnámrossa
- Poem ascribed to Fergus Fínbél on the dindsenchas of Tipra Sengarmna
- "Finn and GráinneFinn and GráinneFinn and Gráinne is a short, probably Middle Irish anecdote of the Finn Cycle about Finn mac Cumaill and his wooing of and eventual divorce from Gráinne, daughter of King Cormac mac Airt.-Date and provenance:...
" - "Finn and the Phantoms" (prose)
- Poem on Leinstermen and their expeditions against the Leth Cuinn
- Poems on winter and summer
- Poem ascribed to Erard mac Coisse
- Tochmarc Ailbe
- Aithed Gráinne ingine Corbmaic la Díarmait húa mDuibni (lost)
- Úath Beinne Étair
- Úath Dercce Ferna or Echtra Fhind i nDerc Ferna (lost)
- "The Death of Finn" (fragment).
Eleventh century:
- Poem by Cúán úa Lothcháin on the dindsenchas of Carn Furbaidi and Slíab Uillenn
- Treatise on Irish metrics, on Finn as one of twelve famous poets.
- Fotha Catha Cnucha (Lebor na hUidre)
- Poem "Finn and the Phantoms"
- Poem on the birth of Oisín (two quatrains in LLBook of LeinsterThe Book of Leinster , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, under the shelfmark MS H 2.18...
) - Notes on Félire Óengusso
- Text on Irish Ordeals
- Poem by Gilla Coemain, "Annálad anall uile" (first line)
- Annals of TigernachAnnals of TigernachThe Annals of Tigernach is a chronicle probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish....
, AD 283, on Finn's death.
Twelfth century:
- Tesmolta Cormaic ui Chuinn ocus Aided Finn meic Chumail
- Boróma
- Prose Dindsenchas
- Poem in LLBook of LeinsterThe Book of Leinster , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, under the shelfmark MS H 2.18...
on a hound from Irúaith - Poem on the dindsenchas of Snám Dá Én
- Poem attributed to Finn on the dindsenchas of Róiriu i nHúib Failge
- Macgnímartha Finn, "The Boyhood Deeds of FinnThe Boyhood Deeds of FionnThe Boyhood Deeds of Fionn is a medieval Irish narrative belonging to the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. As its title implies, it recounts the boyhood exploits of Fionn mac Cumhaill, the cycle's central figure...
" - Poem attributed to Oisín
- Poem by Gilla in Chomdéd
- Poem by Gilla Modutu
- Bannsenchas Érenn
- Story of Mac Lesc mac Ladáin and Finn
- Poem attributed to Finn on the dindsenchas of Mag Dá Géise
- Poem ascribed to Oscur on the battle of Gabair Aichle
- Poem attributed to Cáilte, written in the so-called bérla na filed 'the poets' language'.
- Poem attributed to Oisín on the conversion of the fiana
- Poem attributed to Cáilte on the dindsenchas of Tonn Clidna.
- Áirem muintire Finn
- FianṡruthFianshruthThe title Fianṡruth refers to two alphabetically arranged Middle Irish lists of names associated with the Finn Cycle, preserved only in the Yellow Book of Lecan and probably datable to the twelfth century. The lists A and B are preceded by almost identical introductions...
- Poem attributed to Finn on the deeds of Goll mac Mornai Glinne Garad.
Thirteenth and fourteenth centuries:
- Acallam na SenórachAcallam na SenórachAcallam na Senórach is an important prosimetric Middle Irish narrative dating to the last quarter of the 12th century...
- "The Chase of Slieve na mBan"
Late Fifteenth and early Sixteenth centuries:
- Cath FinntrághaCath FinntrághaCath Finntrágha is an Early Modern Irish prose narrative of the Finn Cycle. It dates probably to the 15th century in its current form, but apparently relied on older material...
("The Battle of Ventry") - "Book of the Dean of Lismore" (Scottish)
Seventeenth century:
- Duanaire Finn, book of miscellaneous poems written by Aodh Ó Dochartaigh.
- Tóraigheacht Dhiarmada agus Ghráinne, "The Pursuit of Diarmuid and GrainneThe Pursuit of Diarmuid and GráinneThe Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne is an Irish prose narrative surviving in many variants...
"
Eighteenth century:
- Collections made in the Scottish Highlands by Alexander Pope, Donald MacNicol, Jerome Stone, James McLagan, and others
Nineteenth century:
- Further collections in Scotland and Ireland
Twentieth century:
- Tape recordings collected in the Scottish Highlands by Hamish Henderson, John Lorne Campbell and others, of sung performances as well as prose tales.
Primary sources
- Campbell, J.F., Leabhar na Feinne. 1872
- Mac Neill, Eoin and Gerard Murphy (ed. and trans.). Duanaire Finn: The Book of the Lays of Fionn. 3 vols. Irish Texts Society 7, 28 and 43. London, 1908-53.
- Meyer, Kuno (intro, ed. and tr.). Fíanaigecht, being a Collection of Hitherto Unedited Irish Poems and Tales Relating to Finn and his Fiana, with an English Translation. Todd Lecture Series 16. Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1910.
- Ross, Neil, Heroic Poetry from the Book of the Dean of Lismore. Scottish Gaelic Texts Society, 1939
Secondary sources
- Carey, John (ed.). Duanaire Finn: Reassessments. Irish Texts Society Supplementary Series 13. London, 2003.
- Dooley, Ann. "The Date and Purpose of Acallam na Senórach." Éigse 34 (2004): 97-126.
- McCone, K.R. "Werewolves, Cyclopes, Díberga and Fíanna: Juvenile Delinquency in Early Ireland." Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies 12 (1986): 1-22.
- MacCana, Proinseas. "Fianaigecht in the Pre-Norman Period." Béaloideas 54-55 (1986–87): 75-99.
- Meyer's introduction in Fianaigecht (see above).
- Murphy, Gerard. The Ossianic Lore and Romantic Tales of Medieval Ireland: Fianaíocht agus Rómánsaíocht. Cork, 1955. Revised by Brian Ó Cuív (2d edn), Irish Life and Culture 11. Cork, 1971.
- Nagy, Joseph Falaky. The Wisdom of the Outlaw: The Boyhood Deeds of Finn in Gaelic Narrative Tradition. Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1985.