Irish Myths & Legends
All of these stories are ancient myths and legends which were handed down from one generation to the next.
Fionn Mac Cumhall is one of the most famous warriors in these stories. His father, Cumhall, was killed in battle. His mother sent him to live with two wise, old women to keep him safe. They lived close to the Sliabh Bloom mountains. They showed him how to hunt animals and how to fight using a shield, spear and sword. He became so skillful at hunting that he could run faster than a hare and strike a flying bird with a stone from a sling. However, there was one other skill he needed to learn before he could become leader of the Fianna. He had to learn twelve books of poetry by heart!
The Salmon of Knowledge (An Bradán Feasa)
Long ago in Ireland there were no schools. Instead children were sent to learn from wise men who taught them how to read and write poetry and tell tales. The following story is the story of what happened when Fionn was sent to live with a wise man.
Long ago in Ireland there were no schools. Instead children were sent to learn from wise men who taught them how to read and write poetry and tell tales. The following story is the story of what happened when Fionn was sent to live with a wise man.
Long ago when Fionn Mac Cumhaill was a boy he was sent to live with a famous scholar called Finnéigeas. Finnéigeas was a very learned man. However, he wanted to know more. There was rumoured to be a very old and wise salmon living in the river Boyne. Finnéigeas had been trying to catch him for years but the salmon had managed to evade him.
One day to his great surprise Finnéigeas the salmon took his bait. The salmon struggled to get away but Finnéigeas had caught him now. Eventually Finnegas managed to get the huge fish onto the bank of the river.
He told Fionn to build a fire immediately. Fionn built a fire while Finnéigeas cleaned and gutted the fish. Finnéigeas was so exhausted after his struggle with the fish that he decided to lie down for a rest. He told Fionn to keep an eye on the fish and when it was cooked to call him.
Fionn turned the spit so that the salmon would not burn but after a while he saw a blister developing on the skin of the fish. He pressed it down with his thumb. The fish was very hot. He had burned his thumb. He stuck his thumb in his mouth to cool it down.
Just then Finnéigeas arrived. He saw that Fionn had his thumb in his mouth. He asked him why he had his thumb in his mouth. Fionn told him what had happened. Finnéigeas was broken-hearted. He knew then that Fionn had tasted the salmon first and so that he was now the one with all the knowledge that he craved. He told Fionn to go home, that there was no longer anything he could teach him.
All Fionn had to do from then on was to stick his thumb in his mouth and he could answer any question asked of him. He left Finnéigeas and soon became the leader of the Fianna.
One day to his great surprise Finnéigeas the salmon took his bait. The salmon struggled to get away but Finnéigeas had caught him now. Eventually Finnegas managed to get the huge fish onto the bank of the river.
He told Fionn to build a fire immediately. Fionn built a fire while Finnéigeas cleaned and gutted the fish. Finnéigeas was so exhausted after his struggle with the fish that he decided to lie down for a rest. He told Fionn to keep an eye on the fish and when it was cooked to call him.
Fionn turned the spit so that the salmon would not burn but after a while he saw a blister developing on the skin of the fish. He pressed it down with his thumb. The fish was very hot. He had burned his thumb. He stuck his thumb in his mouth to cool it down.
Just then Finnéigeas arrived. He saw that Fionn had his thumb in his mouth. He asked him why he had his thumb in his mouth. Fionn told him what had happened. Finnéigeas was broken-hearted. He knew then that Fionn had tasted the salmon first and so that he was now the one with all the knowledge that he craved. He told Fionn to go home, that there was no longer anything he could teach him.
All Fionn had to do from then on was to stick his thumb in his mouth and he could answer any question asked of him. He left Finnéigeas and soon became the leader of the Fianna.
The Fianna
The Fianna were warriors. They lived at Tara and protected the High King. Their motto was: strength in our limbs, truth on our lips, purity in our hearts.
To become a member of the Fianna young men had to pass a series of tests. Some of the tests were as follows:
1. They had to be able to jump over a branch as high as themselves.
2. They had to be able to run under a branch as low as their knees.
3. They had to be able to pick a thorn from one of their feet as they ran.
4. They had to be able to recite poetry by heart.
5. They had to be able to run through a wood without breaking a twig.
6. They had to be able to fight off nine men while standing in a hole in the ground.
The Fianna were warriors. They lived at Tara and protected the High King. Their motto was: strength in our limbs, truth on our lips, purity in our hearts.
To become a member of the Fianna young men had to pass a series of tests. Some of the tests were as follows:
1. They had to be able to jump over a branch as high as themselves.
2. They had to be able to run under a branch as low as their knees.
3. They had to be able to pick a thorn from one of their feet as they ran.
4. They had to be able to recite poetry by heart.
5. They had to be able to run through a wood without breaking a twig.
6. They had to be able to fight off nine men while standing in a hole in the ground.
When Fionn left Finnéigeas he went straight to Tara to speak to Cormac Mac Airt. It was Hallowe'en. A feast was being held at Tara for Samhain. Fionn entered the fort. When Cormac knew who he was he welcomed him.
Every year a wicked fairy caused mischief in Tara. No one could stop him because they all fell under the spell of his magic harp. Fionn decided that he would try to stop the fairy that year. Fionn was given a magic spear and told to press it against his temple when he heard the fairy music. As soon as he heard the magic music he pressed the spear to his head. Once free of the spell he threw the spear at the fairy who disappeared instantly.
Fionn became the leader of the Fianna that night.
Every year a wicked fairy caused mischief in Tara. No one could stop him because they all fell under the spell of his magic harp. Fionn decided that he would try to stop the fairy that year. Fionn was given a magic spear and told to press it against his temple when he heard the fairy music. As soon as he heard the magic music he pressed the spear to his head. Once free of the spell he threw the spear at the fairy who disappeared instantly.
Fionn became the leader of the Fianna that night.
The Giant's Causeway
Long, long ago there was a giant named Fionn. One day he was walking along the beach when he saw an enormous giant coming across the sea from Scotland. He ran home and told his wife to tell the giant that he was Fionn’s baby. They quickly dug out a hole in the floor and Fionn wrapped himself up in blankets and lay into the hole beside the fire as if he was a real baby.
"I am Angus," announced the giant when the walked through the door.
He saw the baby lying beside the fire. He asked Fionn’s wife why the baby wasn’t in a cradle. She said that the cradle would have been too big to bring into the house.
"I am Angus," announced the giant when the walked through the door.
He saw the baby lying beside the fire. He asked Fionn’s wife why the baby wasn’t in a cradle. She said that the cradle would have been too big to bring into the house.
Fionn’s wife started to make Angus something to eat. While she was preparing the food she told Angus not to worry, that it wouldn't be long before Fionn returned home. Angus started getting nervous because he thought that if the baby was that big the father must be huge. He made his excuses to Fionn’s wife and left the house. He ran towards the beach. Fionn hoped out of his make-shift bed and followed him. He lifted up a huge rock and threw it after him. Fionn lifted up more and more rocks and gradually made a path to follow the Angus. The path Fionn was making was getting nearer and nearer to Scotland.
He went home and swore he would never set foot in Ireland again. To this day there are rocks to be found on the coast of both countries. This is what they look like:
The Beggar with the Drab Coat
Fionn and the Fianna were out hunting in Howth one day. In the distance the could see a ship sailing towards the shore. The went down to the beach to await the arrival of the ship. A tall, strong man jumped out of the boat. He said that his name was Caol an Iarainn and that he was the son of the king of Thessaly. He said that he had come be high king of Ireland.
"However, if you can find someone who can beat me in a race, in a fight or in a wrestling match I will leave these shores immediately," he announced.
Fionn rushed off immediately to find Caoilte Mac Rónáin as he was the fastest runner in the Fianna. As he was going through a forest he came across a beggar. The beggar was a huge giant who had legs as big as tree trunks with ships for feet. He wore a long drab coat. Every step he took could be heard for miles around. He asked Fionn where he was off to in such a hurry. Fionn explained to him that he needed to find Caoilte to run a race against Caol an Iarainn.
"I have heard of Caol an Iarainn and I am the only man in Ireland who can beat him. I will run against him," the beggar said.
The beggar and Caol an Iarainn decided that the race should be run from Sliabh Luachra to Howth. They headed down to Sliabh Luachra that night so that they would be ready for the race in the morning. The beggar suggested to Caol an Iarainn that they build a hut so that they would be more comfortable but he said they should save their energy for the race the following day. The beggar decided to build the hut anyway.
The beggar then caught a wild boar and roasted the meat. He ate half the boar that night. The next morning Caol an Iarainn tried to wake the beggar but he complained that he had not had enough sleep and to start without him. The beggar got up later that morning, ate the rest of the boar and headed off. It was not long before he had caught up with Caol an Iarainn. He passed him on the road but stopped to pick some delicious blackberries. Caol an Iarainn passed him but the beggar kept eating his berries. When he had finished his berries he set off again and passed Caol an Iarainn not long after.
Not far from Howth he saw some more black berries so stopped to pick them. This time he took off his coat. He filled it will blackberries and flung it over his shoulder. As he approached Howth the look-out saw him but mistakenly told the Fianna that he was Caol an Iarainn with the beggar over his shoulder. They were terrified. However, when arrived at Howth the realised that it was a mistake and were delighted.
The beggar threw his coat down on the ground and ate the blackberries while he waited for Caol an Iarainn to arrive. Caol an Iarainn was so angry when he saw the beggar eating the blackberries that he pull out his sword and ran towards him. The beggar picked up a handful of blackberries and threw them so hard that it knocked Caol an Iarainn over. He tied him up and threw him into the boat. Caol an Iarainn promised to send Fionn the rests from the Land of Thessaley every year.
When the beggar removed his disguise the Fianna recognised him instantly. He was Manannán Mac Lir, the god of Rath Cruachain.
Fionn and the Fianna were out hunting in Howth one day. In the distance the could see a ship sailing towards the shore. The went down to the beach to await the arrival of the ship. A tall, strong man jumped out of the boat. He said that his name was Caol an Iarainn and that he was the son of the king of Thessaly. He said that he had come be high king of Ireland.
"However, if you can find someone who can beat me in a race, in a fight or in a wrestling match I will leave these shores immediately," he announced.
Fionn rushed off immediately to find Caoilte Mac Rónáin as he was the fastest runner in the Fianna. As he was going through a forest he came across a beggar. The beggar was a huge giant who had legs as big as tree trunks with ships for feet. He wore a long drab coat. Every step he took could be heard for miles around. He asked Fionn where he was off to in such a hurry. Fionn explained to him that he needed to find Caoilte to run a race against Caol an Iarainn.
"I have heard of Caol an Iarainn and I am the only man in Ireland who can beat him. I will run against him," the beggar said.
The beggar and Caol an Iarainn decided that the race should be run from Sliabh Luachra to Howth. They headed down to Sliabh Luachra that night so that they would be ready for the race in the morning. The beggar suggested to Caol an Iarainn that they build a hut so that they would be more comfortable but he said they should save their energy for the race the following day. The beggar decided to build the hut anyway.
The beggar then caught a wild boar and roasted the meat. He ate half the boar that night. The next morning Caol an Iarainn tried to wake the beggar but he complained that he had not had enough sleep and to start without him. The beggar got up later that morning, ate the rest of the boar and headed off. It was not long before he had caught up with Caol an Iarainn. He passed him on the road but stopped to pick some delicious blackberries. Caol an Iarainn passed him but the beggar kept eating his berries. When he had finished his berries he set off again and passed Caol an Iarainn not long after.
Not far from Howth he saw some more black berries so stopped to pick them. This time he took off his coat. He filled it will blackberries and flung it over his shoulder. As he approached Howth the look-out saw him but mistakenly told the Fianna that he was Caol an Iarainn with the beggar over his shoulder. They were terrified. However, when arrived at Howth the realised that it was a mistake and were delighted.
The beggar threw his coat down on the ground and ate the blackberries while he waited for Caol an Iarainn to arrive. Caol an Iarainn was so angry when he saw the beggar eating the blackberries that he pull out his sword and ran towards him. The beggar picked up a handful of blackberries and threw them so hard that it knocked Caol an Iarainn over. He tied him up and threw him into the boat. Caol an Iarainn promised to send Fionn the rests from the Land of Thessaley every year.
When the beggar removed his disguise the Fianna recognised him instantly. He was Manannán Mac Lir, the god of Rath Cruachain.
Oisín in the Land of Youth (Oisín i dTír na nÓg)
Oisín was out hunting with his father, Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the rest of the Fianna one day. He noticed a beautiful woman with long blonde hair coming towards him on a white horse. She stopped beside Oisín and spoke to him. She told him that her name was Niamh Chinn Óir and that she wanted Oisín to go home with her to the Tír na nÓg. Oisín said goodbye to his father and his friends and climbed on the back of the horse. The horse ran across the sea back to the Tír na nÓg with Niamh and Oisín on his back.
Oisín was very happy with Niamh but after three days began to feel homesick. He told Niamh he wanted to go home to see his friends and family. She didn't want him to go at first but she eventually agreed. She told him that she would lend him her horse. She warned him that he would have to stay on the horse because he was never to set foot on Irish soil again. Oisín promised that he would not get off the horse.
When Oisín arrived back in Ireland he realised that he had been gone for a lot longer than three days. It had really been three hundred years. Everything had changed. His friends and family were now all dead. He was heart-broken. He was on his way back to the beach when he saw a group of men trying to lift a rock out of the road. They were struggling so he offered to help. He reached down to lift up the rock when the stirrup broke. He fell off the horse and to the ground. He instantly changed into an old man. He was more than three hundred years old.
When the horse returned to Tír na nÓg Niamh understood immediately that Oisín had died and would not be returning to her. She was broken-hearted.
Oisín was very happy with Niamh but after three days began to feel homesick. He told Niamh he wanted to go home to see his friends and family. She didn't want him to go at first but she eventually agreed. She told him that she would lend him her horse. She warned him that he would have to stay on the horse because he was never to set foot on Irish soil again. Oisín promised that he would not get off the horse.
When Oisín arrived back in Ireland he realised that he had been gone for a lot longer than three days. It had really been three hundred years. Everything had changed. His friends and family were now all dead. He was heart-broken. He was on his way back to the beach when he saw a group of men trying to lift a rock out of the road. They were struggling so he offered to help. He reached down to lift up the rock when the stirrup broke. He fell off the horse and to the ground. He instantly changed into an old man. He was more than three hundred years old.
When the horse returned to Tír na nÓg Niamh understood immediately that Oisín had died and would not be returning to her. She was broken-hearted.
The Children of Lir (Clann Lir)
Long ago there was a chieftain named Lir. He and his wife had four children, Conn, Aodh, Fiachra and Fionnuala. Lir's wife tragically died and Lir was broken hearted. They all took care of each other but as the children got older Lir thought that they needed a new mother so he married Aoife, his wife's sister.
Aoife got more and more jealous of the children. She thought that Lir loved his children more than he loved her. She decided to get rid of them. The following day she took the children for a swim in the nearby lake. It was a hot day so the children were delighted. When the children were busy playing Aoife took out a magic wand. Suddenly there was a flash of lightening and a crack of thunder. The children had disappeared and in their place were four swans.
Aoife told them that they would be swans for nine hundred years. She told them that they would spend the first three hundred years in Lough Derravaragh, the second three hundred years in the Sea of Moyle and the last three hundred years on the Western Sea. When Lir passed the lake on his way home he stopped to admire the beautiful swans. They children spoke to him and told him what had happened. Lir was broken hearted. When he went back to the fort he turned her into a demon of the sky. She disappeared into the sky and was never seen again. Lir went to visit his children every day until the day he died.
When the three hundred years had passed they moved to the Sea of Moyle. Life was hard here. There were often strong storms at sea and food was scarce. Eventually they moved to the Western Sea. Life was very difficult here too. One morning, years later, they heard the sound of a bell. It was St. Patrick ringing the bell. When they came ashore they turned back into people. They were now over nine hundred years old. They told St. Patrick their sad tale. He felt very sorry for them. He offered to baptise them. As he sprinkled them with holy water each one of them fell on the ground and died.
Aoife got more and more jealous of the children. She thought that Lir loved his children more than he loved her. She decided to get rid of them. The following day she took the children for a swim in the nearby lake. It was a hot day so the children were delighted. When the children were busy playing Aoife took out a magic wand. Suddenly there was a flash of lightening and a crack of thunder. The children had disappeared and in their place were four swans.
Aoife told them that they would be swans for nine hundred years. She told them that they would spend the first three hundred years in Lough Derravaragh, the second three hundred years in the Sea of Moyle and the last three hundred years on the Western Sea. When Lir passed the lake on his way home he stopped to admire the beautiful swans. They children spoke to him and told him what had happened. Lir was broken hearted. When he went back to the fort he turned her into a demon of the sky. She disappeared into the sky and was never seen again. Lir went to visit his children every day until the day he died.
When the three hundred years had passed they moved to the Sea of Moyle. Life was hard here. There were often strong storms at sea and food was scarce. Eventually they moved to the Western Sea. Life was very difficult here too. One morning, years later, they heard the sound of a bell. It was St. Patrick ringing the bell. When they came ashore they turned back into people. They were now over nine hundred years old. They told St. Patrick their sad tale. He felt very sorry for them. He offered to baptise them. As he sprinkled them with holy water each one of them fell on the ground and died.
The Hound of Cúlann (Cú Chulainn)
This is the extraordinary story of a young boy and a hound. Conor Mac Neasa was the boy's uncle. He was the king of Ulster and lived at Eamhain Mhacha. A group of boys called the Macra were training to join the Red Branch Knights. Setanta wanted to become a member of the Macra but his mother thought he was too young. She eventually let him go. He walked all the way from Dundalk to his uncle's fort with his sword, shield, spear, hurley and sliotar. He hit his sliotar into the air and ran to hit it again before it hit the ground. When he arrived at the Conor's fort he saw the other boys playing hurling. He ran in among them and caught the ball in the air. The other boys were furious. They attacked him but he fought back easily. When Conor saw how brave he was he let him join the Macra.
This is the extraordinary story of a young boy and a hound. Conor Mac Neasa was the boy's uncle. He was the king of Ulster and lived at Eamhain Mhacha. A group of boys called the Macra were training to join the Red Branch Knights. Setanta wanted to become a member of the Macra but his mother thought he was too young. She eventually let him go. He walked all the way from Dundalk to his uncle's fort with his sword, shield, spear, hurley and sliotar. He hit his sliotar into the air and ran to hit it again before it hit the ground. When he arrived at the Conor's fort he saw the other boys playing hurling. He ran in among them and caught the ball in the air. The other boys were furious. They attacked him but he fought back easily. When Conor saw how brave he was he let him join the Macra.
Later that year Conor and the Red Branch Knights were invited to a feast by Culann. Culann was great smith who made swords and spears for the Red Branch Knights. Setanta was also invited to the feast but he was busy playing hurling with his friends. Setanta told Conor that he would follow him to Culann's fort as soon as the game was over.
After the game was finished Setanta headed off to Culann's fort. As he walked along he hit his sliotar into the air and ran to catch it before it hit the ground. Eventually he saw Culann's fort.
However, Conor had forgotten to tell Culann that he nephew was coming and Culann had let out his hound to guard the fort. As Setanta walked towards the gates of the fort he saw a huge wolfhound bounding towards him. The hound was barking savagely. He knew the hound was there to guard the fort and would kill him if it reached him. He hit the sliotar as hard as he could into the hound's mouth. It went into the back of the wolfhound's throat and killed him instantly.
The crowd inside had heard all the commotion and Conor suddenly remembered Setanta. He was sure the boy had been killed. Everyone ran outside to find Setanta standing over the wolfhound. Culann was relieved that Setanta was alive but heart-broken that his wonderful guard dog had been killed.
"Who will guard my fort now?" he asked.
"I will until you can train another hound," replied Setanta.
From that day on Setanta became known as Cú Chúlainn (The Hound of Culann).
After the game was finished Setanta headed off to Culann's fort. As he walked along he hit his sliotar into the air and ran to catch it before it hit the ground. Eventually he saw Culann's fort.
However, Conor had forgotten to tell Culann that he nephew was coming and Culann had let out his hound to guard the fort. As Setanta walked towards the gates of the fort he saw a huge wolfhound bounding towards him. The hound was barking savagely. He knew the hound was there to guard the fort and would kill him if it reached him. He hit the sliotar as hard as he could into the hound's mouth. It went into the back of the wolfhound's throat and killed him instantly.
The crowd inside had heard all the commotion and Conor suddenly remembered Setanta. He was sure the boy had been killed. Everyone ran outside to find Setanta standing over the wolfhound. Culann was relieved that Setanta was alive but heart-broken that his wonderful guard dog had been killed.
"Who will guard my fort now?" he asked.
"I will until you can train another hound," replied Setanta.
From that day on Setanta became known as Cú Chúlainn (The Hound of Culann).
The Cattle Raid of Cooley
Queen Méadhbh and her husband Ailill ruled Connaught at the same time as Conor ruled Ulster.
Queen Méadhbh and her husband Ailill ruled Connaught at the same time as Conor ruled Ulster.
She immediately set about finding out if there were any bulls as good as Fionnbheanach anywhere in the country. She was told that Dáire of Cooley had a wonderful brown bull that was even better than Fionnbheanach. She told her messenger to bring a message to Dáire in which she asked to borrow the bull. She promised to return the bull after a year. She would also give Dáire 50 cows. Dáire agreed.
That night at a feast the messenger let slip that Méadhbh would have attacked Dáire's fort with her army had he not agreed to her terms. Dáire was furious when he heard this. He told the messenger to return to Méadhbh without the bull and tell Méadhbh that he would never lend it to her. She was furious and called her army together.
Her druid cast a spell on Conor's army so that they would not be able to fight. Only Cú Chulainn was able to fight. He began to fight. He killed so many men that eventually Méadhbh decided that Ferdia, her best warrior, should fight him. Ferdia did not want to fight Cú Chulainn because they had grown up together but Méadhbh insisted on it. They fought for days. They were well matched but eventually Cú Chulainn defeated Ferdia.
He was brokenhearted. Conor's army had recovered at this stage and drove Méadhbh's army back to Connaught.
Méadhbh took the Brown bull back with her. The Brown Bull fought Fionnbheanach and won. Fionnbheanach died and the Brown Bull ran all the way back to Cooley. It was exhausted when it arrived and dropped down dead. Ailill regretted what had happened but Méadhbh was furious. She vowed that she would find a way to repay Cú Chulainn.
Her druid cast a spell on Conor's army so that they would not be able to fight. Only Cú Chulainn was able to fight. He began to fight. He killed so many men that eventually Méadhbh decided that Ferdia, her best warrior, should fight him. Ferdia did not want to fight Cú Chulainn because they had grown up together but Méadhbh insisted on it. They fought for days. They were well matched but eventually Cú Chulainn defeated Ferdia.
He was brokenhearted. Conor's army had recovered at this stage and drove Méadhbh's army back to Connaught.
Méadhbh took the Brown bull back with her. The Brown Bull fought Fionnbheanach and won. Fionnbheanach died and the Brown Bull ran all the way back to Cooley. It was exhausted when it arrived and dropped down dead. Ailill regretted what had happened but Méadhbh was furious. She vowed that she would find a way to repay Cú Chulainn.
Eventually she found a way. Cú Chulainn was tricked into going to Eamhain Mhacha. Here he was attacked with magic spears. He was hit in the side with the spear. He knew that he was dying so dragged himself to a standing stone. He tied himself to the stone.
Méadhbh's army were so terrified of him that they were afraid to go near him. A raven landed on his shoulder and only then did Méadhbh's army know he was dead. |
Deirdre of the Sorrows
This is a story that takes part in Ireland and in Scotland:
Long ago there was the king in Ulster named Conor Mac Neasa. One day a beautiful little baby was born in the village. She was called Deirdre. When the druid saw her he was horrified. He said that thousands would die because of her. He told Conor to have her killed but Conor refused. Instead Conor built a fort in the woods far from the village and he put Deirdre there. He asked an old woman to take care of her until she was old enough to get married.
One day when Deirdre had grown up into a lovely young woman she was looking out the window. She saw a raven drinking some spilt blood on the snow.
"When I fall in love it will be with a man whose skin is as white as snow, cheeks as red as blood and hair as black as a raven?"
"I know a man like that," said the old woman. "His name is Naoise."
"Deirdre sent for Naoise and when they met they fell in love. The got married but they knew that Conor would be furious because he had intended to marry Deirdre himself. They fled to Scotland.
This is a story that takes part in Ireland and in Scotland:
Long ago there was the king in Ulster named Conor Mac Neasa. One day a beautiful little baby was born in the village. She was called Deirdre. When the druid saw her he was horrified. He said that thousands would die because of her. He told Conor to have her killed but Conor refused. Instead Conor built a fort in the woods far from the village and he put Deirdre there. He asked an old woman to take care of her until she was old enough to get married.
One day when Deirdre had grown up into a lovely young woman she was looking out the window. She saw a raven drinking some spilt blood on the snow.
"When I fall in love it will be with a man whose skin is as white as snow, cheeks as red as blood and hair as black as a raven?"
"I know a man like that," said the old woman. "His name is Naoise."
"Deirdre sent for Naoise and when they met they fell in love. The got married but they knew that Conor would be furious because he had intended to marry Deirdre himself. They fled to Scotland.
Naoise's friends begged Conor to let them return to Ireland. Eventually Conor agreed. However, he was still furious that Deirdre and Naoise had gotten married. When he saw how happy they were he got very angry and told his soldiers to kill Naoise and bring Deirdre to him. The soldiers killed the brothers. They took Deirdre but on the journey back to the castle she jumped out of the chariot and died.
Labhraí Loingseach
Labhraí Loingseach had a secret. He had ears like a horse. They were hidden under his long hair. He only had his hair cut once a year but the barber who cut his hair was put to death. One year a widow's son was asked to cut Labhraí's hair. His mother begged for his life and Labhraí repented. The barber was so worried about the secret that he became ill. A druid suggested that he tell a willow tree his secret so that he could get it off his chest. He did as he was told. He felt a lot better.
One day a harp maker went to the forest to find a suitable tree. He found the willow and chopped it down. He made a beautiful harp. At a feast in Labhraí fort the harpist began to play. Suddenly the harp began to sing: Labhraí Loingseach has horse's ears. Everyone started laughing. Labhraí lifted his hair to show everyone his ears. They were very shocked. From then on in no barber was killed after they cut Labhraí's hair.
One day a harp maker went to the forest to find a suitable tree. He found the willow and chopped it down. He made a beautiful harp. At a feast in Labhraí fort the harpist began to play. Suddenly the harp began to sing: Labhraí Loingseach has horse's ears. Everyone started laughing. Labhraí lifted his hair to show everyone his ears. They were very shocked. From then on in no barber was killed after they cut Labhraí's hair.
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