Fionn mac Cumhaill, (pronounced Fee Un Mac Coo), is a semimythical character said to have been the greatest leader of Fianna, the military elite of ancient Ireland who's responsibility was for protecting the High King.
The Fianna warriors were founded somewhere around 300 BC by the High King Fiachadh. Until Fionn mac Cumhaill implemented a code of honor among them, the Fianna were an unruly and arrogant band . Fionn challenged the Fianna to become the champions of the people and to make of themselves models of chivalry and justice.
Some argue that the tales of the Fianna are the basis of the legends for the Knights of the Round Table.
(Another one of the things the English & Irish argue about)
Fionn's father, Cumhaill, was slain by Urgriu for the position of Chieftain of the Fianna. He left behind a pregnant wife, Muirne, who gives birth to a beautiful 'Fair Haired Boy'. In fear for her sons life at the hands of Urgriu, she sends him to the forest to be raised by Bodhmal the Druidess her sister & the warrior Liath Luachra. In years later another tale is told about the druid Finegas (one of the small men) who catches the Salmon of Knowledge and gives it to Fionn to cook. Fionn burns himself while touching the fish, then sucks his thumb to cool the pain, thus acquiring the gift of prophecy, which he uses to ensure his survival, bring peace to his homeland and inspire the Fianna to greatness.
Fionn gains command of the Fianna by saving the life of the High King Cormac mac Airt, who later promises his daughter Grainne (grahnya) to him in gratitude for a lifetime of service. Grainne, however, loves another man, with whom she flees. A large part of ballads and legends of Fionn concern his sixteen year pursuit of Grainne and her lover. Eventually he makes peace with them, they house near Fionn and have 4 sons and a daughter.
He has a series of adventures involving hunting, fighting, sorcery, love, and passion. Fionn has many romances but it is with the goddess Sadb that he begets his famous son, Oisin (Osheen).
In one legend, he is the creator of the Giants Causeway, a peculiar series of volcanic rock formations on the coast of Ireland. One day, Fionn grows angry when he hears that a Scottish giant is mocking his fighting ability. He throws a rock across the Irish Sea to Scotland; the rock includes a challenge for the giant. The Scottish giant quickly throws a message on a rock back to Fionn, stating he can't take up the challenge because he can't swim to reach Ireland. Fionn doesn't let the Scottish giant off so easily. He tears down great pieces of rock that lay near the coast and stands the pieces upright, making them into pillars that form a causeway that stretches from Ireland to Scotland. The giant now has to accept the challenge. He comes to Fionn's house. Fionn, masquerading as Fionn's large baby, bites the Scottish giants finger off, thus chasing him back to Scotland, being that if the baby is this powerful what could his father be like! Flinging huge lumps of earth after him. One of the large holes he creates fills with water and becomes Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Ireland. One large lump of earth misses the giant and falls into the Irish Sea; this lump is now known as Isle of Man.
There are varying accounts of Fionn's death. One tale is that he is killed while stopping a fight between members of Fianna. Another version is that he in fact is not dead at all, but is asleep in a cave, waiting to awaken and defend Ireland in her greatest hour of need.
Fionn mac Cumhaill
Warrior & Protector of Erin'
