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The Many Faces of Fionn Mac Cumhaill
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Different aspects of the most famouis mythical Gaelic hero
Everybody knows Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn Mac Cool) in at least one of his many guises. He is perhaps best known as the hero of the Fenian Cycle, head of Clan Baiscne (Baoisgne) and leader of the Fianna Eireann. He is one of the most widely portrayed figures in Gaelic oral traditions and modern literature, whether he is hunter, warrior, seer, magician, poet, giant, or bumbling old fool. He is almost always depicted as a shining example of pre-Christian Irish nobility - courageous, strong, handsome, skilled in the martial arts as well as in poetry and visionary wisdom. He transcends the boundaries of the stereotypical Irish warrior through his many-sided persona which has consistently held one of the highest places in Gaelic lore, from the pre-literary age of oral traditions until the present day.
No images of Fionn have survived from his time except in words. Descriptions of him are always the same. He was tall and fair-haired. broad-shouldered and broad-browed, athletic, strong, and handsomely featured. His territory was eastern Ireland, centered in the area which is now County Kildare in Leinster, especially the Hill of Allen which is the base of most of his adventures. It is easy to imagine Fionn roaming this land with the fianna and his favorite hunting companions, the dogs Sceolan and Bran, stalking boar or deer. Fionn carried a spear that never missed and a sword called Mac an Luin, Son of the Waves. When he was not wielding these weapons, the legendary strength of his bare hands and keen wits served him just as well. With all of the stories put together, he has probably slain serpents in every lake in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. He has been credited with carving out mountain passes, hollowing out caves, and chiseling strangely formed stones throughout the land. The uniquely formed Giant's Causeway was supposed to have been made in just a few tosses of rocks when Fionn decided he wanted to bridge the sea between Ireland and Scotland. His monumental effect on the country's landscape shows the depth, breadth and endurability of this legendary figure. Who was Fionn Mac Cumhaill? It is likely that he did exist, even if not in the mythical proportions that grew in his wake. Although his birth date and even his exact parentage are unproven, his name appears in Leinster genealogy as far back as the sixth century. His father was killed before he was born, and this puts events into motion that set the stage for Fionn's career. The identity of his father's slayer differs from one account to another. Conn of Hundred Battles is a prime suspect, possibly murdering Cumhaill in revenge for the abduction and pregnancy of his daughter Muirenn Munchaem. Goll MacMorna, according to the Cause of the Battle of Cnucha, is another possible culprit, as this would have sown the seeds of the lengthy and notorious clan rivalry between Morna and Cumhaill. Two other names often connected with Cumhaill's death are Liath Luachra, keeper of the crane bag, and from the Scots traditions the trickster fisherman Arca Dubh. At any rate, from the literary evidence that has been passed down, we know that the death of Cumhaill and birth of Fionn happened during the reign of Cathair Mor, who died at the Battle of Moigh Acha in Meath sometime in the middle of the second century AD. "It is quite a mistake to suppose him to have been a merely mythical character. Much that has been narrated of his exploits is, no doubt, apocryphal enough; but Finn himself is an undoubtedly historical personage; and that he existed about the time at which his appearance is recorded in the annals, is as certain as that Julius Caesar lived and ruled at the time stated on the authority of the Roman historians." (Eugene O'Curry, MS. Materials) Fionn is also described as a "son of Trenmor" (big and strong), son of Sualt, son of Ealtan, and son of Baiscne. His mother was Muirenn Munchaem and from her side he claims a family tie with Nuada Airgetlam, a king of the Tuatha de Danaan. We know little of Fionn's early childhood except that after Cumhaill's death, his mother, Muirenn, left Fionn to be nursed by her sister Bodhmall, a druidess. He was fostered by Fiacclach mac Conchinn, who gave him that famous spear that never missed. His foster brother was Moling Luath, and two other brothers are named as Fithel and Feinnidh. He was tutored in the martial arts by Buanan (known as "the nurse of warriors" and "the mother of the fianna") and Cethern mac Fintain, the veteran Connacht warrior who carried only a silver spike as a weapon. One important event stands out in Fionn's childhood sets him apart from all other Celtic heroes by giving him an added dimension - that of a seer. How he acquires this wisdom is an interesting tale. As a boy, he was apprenticed to the druid Finneces, ostensibly to learn the art of poetry. Finneces had been living by the River Boyne for seven years, watching for the salmon of wisdom of which it was said whoever ate the flesh would become wise in every way. After Finneces caught the salmon, he instructed his apprentice to roast it on a spit but under no circumstances should he have a taste. While Fionn was turning the sizzling salmon he burned himself and put his thumb in his mouth, taking in the divine knowledge that was supposed to be for Finneces. This was how Fionn acquired not only the gift of imbas forosnai or poetic inspiration, but also the visionary sight that he could tap into from that moment on merely by chewing on his thumb. It is interesting to note that Imbas Forosnai is described as wisdom taken in directly from teacher to student, as it were "by word of mouth." In Cormac's Glossary the process of acquiring imbas forosnai is described in further detail. First, the aspirant must chew a piece of meat, set it on a doorstep, and invoke the gods. After that, the eyes are covered with both palms and a deep sleep or trance is undertaken for as long as nine days. This is reminiscent of Fionn's tasting the salmon or chewing on his thumb. Fionn is always described as winner of many battles but few have been actually recorded. The most well known account is the Battle of Ventry (Cath Fionntragha) where he averts an invasion. Fionn's opponents in Ireland usually come from Connacht, based on his father's disagreement with Conn of the Hundred Battles. The most often mentioned is Goll MacMorna. Fionn's battles against Otherworldly foes are retold in more detail - especially Aillen mac Midna the Tuatha De Danaan musician who came every year at Samhain and burned Tara. He played so well that he charmed everyone to sleep, then he would blow fire out of his nose and set fire to Tara, year after year, until Fionn finally skewered the menace on his own poisonous spear. The least appealing of Fionn's many faces is shown in The Pursuit of Diarmaid and Grainne, where plays the role of an aging warrior set on wedding the unwilling Grainne, who runs away from him to be with the more appealing young fianna, Diarmaid. In this tale, we see a cruel and wanton side of Fionn. Not only does he seem to have an unhealthy obsession with Diarmaid but he throws a temper tantrum and threatens to hang the entire Navan Clan when they lose Grainne's trail and later stonily refuses to use his healing powers to help when Diarmaid is gored by a boar. Fionn's death - if he was really mortal at all - is appropriately shrouded in myths. After the King Cormac's reign ends, Fionn's Fianna begin to disintegrate, torn apart by conflicts of allegiance. Cairbre Lifechair kills Fionn's servant Derdia and this sets off the Battle of Gabhair/Gowra. According to some accounts, five men murder Fionn at Garristown, Co Dublin. In Aided Finn (The Death of Fionn) Aichlech mac Dubdrenn slays Fionn at Ath Brea, the Ford of Brea on the Boyne while other stories place Fionn in mortal combat with Goll MacMorna at that same site. Fionn's remains, which have never have been proven found, may rest at Ard Caille in County Cork or Luachair Dedad, County Kerry. He may have been reincarnated as Mongan. My favorite ending for the many tales of Fionn mac Cumhaill is that he is part of the Sleeping Army who rests in a remote cave. like King Arthur and other heroes of nations, waiting until his peoples' time of greatest need to return once again. "Three things we lived by: truth in our hearts, strength in our hands, and fulfilment in our tongues." (motto of the Fianna) Useful references: Wars of the Irish Kings - David Willis McCullough Dictionary of Celtic Mythology - James MacKillop Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom - Caitlin and John Matthews |
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