The Salmon of Knowledge

Long ago when Fionn mac Cumhaill, the great leader of the Fianna of Ireland, was still a young boy he was sent to live with a very wise man named Finnegas. Finnegas was a poet who lived on the banks of the river Boyne and was renowned throughout Ireland for his vast knowledge. As well as being renowned for his skills in composing and reciting poetry Finnegas knew more about the ways of the world, including the secrets of the birds and animals and plants and stars, than any other man in Ireland. It was because of his vast knowledge that Fionn had been sent to learn from Finnegas. Fionn loved to listen to the old mans wonderful stories and his many words of wisdom which he too, in time, would learn to recite. In exchange for the wisdom Finnegas would pass on to him Fionn would help about the house, cooking, cleaning and fishing for the old man. However, despite Finnegas vast knowledge, he did not know everything and there were times when Fionns endless curiosity got the better of him, and he was left unable to answer the young boys questions. Is there a way to know everything? Fionn asked him. This was a question that Finnegas had asked once too and was the very reason why he now lived next to the river Boyne. It had been told by the druids of old that living in a still, dark pool in the shade of the overhanging hazel trees was the Salmon of Knowledge. It was as result of eating the nuts of these magical hazel trees that the Salmon had acquired all the knowledge of the world. And so it was that, according to prophecy, the one who would eat the Salmon would gain the knowledge for themselves. Finnegas had been living on the edge of the river for several years now, attempting to catch the Salmon and gain such wisdom. It so happened that one day, not long after Fionn had come to study under him, that Finnegas went fishing and finally caught the Salmon. Ive caught it! Ive caught it!, he cried happily. He immediately reeled it in and ran up to Fionn with the Salmon in his arms. You must cook it straight away! Finnegas ordered Fionn, dancing and skipping with excitement. As Fionn began to set up the fire and spit in order to cook the Salmon, Fi nnegas warned him, Cook it, but whatever you do, do not eat a single bit of it! Fionn nodded and went about cooking the Salmon while Finnegas went to fetch some extra firewood. Upon his return Finnegas found the Salmon laid out and ready to eat. He looked at Fionn and thought he saw something different about him, as though the light of wisdom now shone in his eyes. Have you eaten any of the Salmon? he asked Fionn anxiously. I have not! Fionn replied. Have you tasted its skin? he continued to enquire . I have not! Fionn replied, but when I was turning it on the spit I burned my fingers, so I put my thumb into my mouth to ease the pain. Finnegas heart sank. Thats enough! he told Fionn, You have tasted the Salmon of Knowledge; in you the pro phecy is fulfilled. You are the one who has gained all the knowledge of the world. He then ordered Fionn to eat all of the Salmon. However, when Fionn was finished he realised he didnt feel much different nor did he feel any wiser than before. When he told this to Finnegas, Finnegas replied, If it was your thumb you first burnt, then place it in your mouth. Fionn did as Finnegas suggested and immediately all the knowledge of the world rushed into his head. You must go now! There is nothing more I can teach you, Finnegas informed him, You are destined to become a wise poet, warrior and leader. And so it was that when Fion n grew up, he did indeed become a wise poet, warrior and leader. He became a great leader of the Fianna, the greatest band of warriors Ireland has ever known.

How Cuchulainn got his name

Long ago, a king called Conor MacNessa had warriors called the Red Branch Knights. He trained them to be strong men and fierce warriors. King Conor also had a nephew called Setanta who wanted to be a Red Branch Knight. From a very early age he showed god-like qualities of wisdom, warfare, magic and poetry. One night he said to his mother, I want to be a Red Branch Knight. But she said he was too young. Setanta was a happy child who played hurling with his friends. Hi s team always won because he was such a great player. When Setanta was ten he said to his father, I want to join the Red Branch Knights. His father said he was still too young. So he stayed on milking cows, carrying water to his house and chopping wood to help his parents.

One night a travelling man came to the house to tell stories. He told a lot of stories about King Conor and his knights and Setanta was very interested in them. That night, while everyone was asleep, Setanta got his hurl and sliotar and left for King Conors castle. It was a long trip but when he got there, a hurling match was on. Setanta joined in immediately and the other boys did not like it because it was not the custom for strangers to join in. They fought with him but he fought each of them off on his own. When everyone realised he was the kings nephew and he was such a good fighter and hurler he was allowed to stay. Some days later, the king said to Setanta, I am going to a feast at the home of Culain, do you want to come? Setanta replied, I will come later as I am playing a hurling match. Later that night he set off. It was a long trip. He got to the fort late and the door was closed because his party had forgotten he was coming. He found a fierce wolfhound guarding the fort. In order to fight off the hound Setanta used his hurl and sliotar. He hit the ball into the huge hounds mouth and killed it. The men heard the dogs cry and ran out. Culain was angry at first. He then became sad but also relieved when he learnt the truth that Setanta was Conors nephew and was protecting himself. He said, I am sorry to see my dog die but glad you are okay. But who i s going to guard my house now? Setanta replied Ill be your guard dog until you can rear another and replace the one I killed. Ill be the Hound of Culain ["CuChulain"],. This is the story of how Cuchulainn got his name. He guarded Culains fort very well and later became one of the Red Branch Knights. He became the most famous and best Red Branch Knight ever known.

The Children of Lir

There was a time in ancient Ireland when the people believed in magic and in druids and spells. These were the days of the Tuatha De Danann tribe, the Goddess Danu and of Lir, the lord of the sea. Lir's wife, Eva, had given him four beautiful children- Fionnula, Aodgh, Fiachra and Conn but she herself had died in childbirth. As the children grew Lir's spirits declined because he missed his wife until one day he met Aoife, the sister of his wife. Aoife was possessed of magical powers and soon enough she and Lir married. The new family thrived under the influence of their new mother but not for long as guilt and jealousy about the children's real mother took its toll on Aoife. Aoife changed and one day suggested that she and the children should visit their grandfather. On the journey they stopped by a lake and she encouraged the children to go for a swim. The four children played happily in the water, not noticing that their stepmother was now standing at the waters edge wearing her father s magic cloak. 'For too long you children have stood between our father and I, but not for much longer!' she cried. 'We cannot be killed by you...' Aodh replied, '...we are the Children of Lir and if you harm us our ghosts will haunt you!' 'Im not going to kill you.....' she shouted'......but I am going to change you!' At this she bowed her head and started an incantation. The children looked at each other in fear as they saw a red and gold circle envelope them on the water. A fireball hit the water and caused masses of steam to rise about the children and they soon lost all feeling in their legs, arms, shoulders and head. They soon regained their sight only to see Aoife laughing at them. Aodh tried to attack her and flailed his arms about furiously but nothing happened except the splashing of water. He turned to look at his brothers and sister only to see that they had all been turned into the most beautiful swans ever seen. Aoife scowled at them again and told them that they were to spend nine hundred years as swans, three hundred on Lough Derravaragh, three hundred on the Straits of Moyle and three hundred on the Isle of Inish Glora. To end the spell they would have to hear the bell of the new God. 'I leave you with your voices however, and the most beautiful singing ever heard so that you will bring your sorrow to those who hear you' she said. Lir searched for his children but Aoife lied and told him that they had been attacked and killed by wild boars. One day Lir came to the lake and heard the swans singing. Fionnuala, now in swan form, approached her father and told him what Aoife had done. Lir was furious and banished Aoife into exile. Lir faithfully visited his children and the power of his love ensured that their time on the lake was one of bliss. After 300 years the swans had to leave for the Straits of Moyle, never to see their father again. Their time on the Northern Straits of Moyle were not so joyous, with frequent storms separating them. Another 300 years passed but they had survived together. They departed the cold straits and made their way towards Lough Derravaragh. They flew over the land, hoping to find their father's fort, but it was now nothing more than ruins. They wept because they knew the time of the Tuatha De Danann was gone. They travelled West to the waters of Inish Glora and found refuge on a small saltwater lake where time passed slowly. One day an old man named Mochua visited the lake and the children enquired of him if he was a follower of the new God. The startled man asked if they were the children of Lir and they told him that they were. The children knew that to break the spell that they would have to hear the bell of a new God toll in their own land. Mochua told them all about his new God and all about Saint Patrick who had brought his faith to their country. The children became excited as they knew that this was the new God their stepmother had told them of. They stayed with Mochua who gave them sanctuary in a small chapel, which he had built. He intended to make a bell and collected old swords, shields and other metal to make it. The bell was now completed and was about to be rung when another disaster occurred. A Warrior dressed in armour entered the chapel. He had come for the swans for the Kings wife because they were famed for their wonderful singing. Fionnuala looked at Mochua and then said that they would agree to go away with this King.They were being loaded onto a carriage when suddenly, the church bell tolled loudly. Time seemed to stand still, but in another instant a great white mist had been blown off the nearby lake and enveloped the children as it had done 900 years before. The children were at last transformed back into human form. Mochua baptized the beautiful children who had begun to age rapidly and so it was that the children of Lir, the last of the Tuatha De Danann died soon afterwards, their legend to live on forever.