#MythologyMonday #Celtic: The rain descended in torrents, but #Fionn still walked on. Soon he came to a dark and gloomy valley while dark thoughts plagued him. `There was small hope that Ireland and the Fianna would escape, unconquered as they had hitherto been.
It was unusual for Fionn to feel despondent, or to have doubts as to the result of anything in which he and his Fians might engage; but with each step that he took along the gloomy road he felt an increasing certainty that Cael would overcome Caeilte in the forthcoming contest of speed, unless some one or something unforeseen came to the aid of the Fians. Then a strange thumping sound in the distance attracted his attention, and raising his head he saw a gigantic man of most extraordinary appearance striding along the road towards him.
…A tunic of a dirty grey-brown colour covered him to the middle of his legs, and the tails of
this were ornamented up to his waist with a thick layer of mud. As he moved these tails
knocked and flapped against his legs with such force that the noise they made could be heard fully half-a-mile away, and with each step that he took Fionn could hear the mud and water squelching in his shoes, and could see how it squirted up and over him. Yet in the midst of all this mass of ugliness and dirt Fionn was surprised to observe, as the giant drew nearer, how beautiful were his eyes, which shone like two clear, deep - blue stars in his yellow face.`
Source: Heroes of the Dawn by Violet Russel
Here’s the backstory: https://hear-me.social/@NeuKelte/116556214122470766

#Wyrdwednesday #LegendaryWednesday #Celtic: Fionn refused the love of Miluchra, a woman of the Sidhe. This was the beginning of #Fionn’s affection for her sister.
He did not particularly want a wife just then.
"Think again, Fionn, before you reject our love," said Miluchra; "and remember it is better for you to have the friendship of the Sidhe than their enmity. I can offer you, too, unbounded wealth and power."
Fionn's determination not to marry one of the faery race wavered as he looked in Aina's soft brown eyes, and, though he felt that by choosing Aina he would probably rouse her sister's enmity, he said: "For your sake I will break through old customs, and I choose you, Aina, to be my wife."
Source: Heroes of the Dawn by Violet Russel

#MythologyMonday #Celtic: `On a bitterly cold winter day, #Fionn and his men, weary from travel, sought shelter from the harsh weather. Amidst heavy hailstorms and falling snow, they pursued a fawn until it vanished near Slieve-na-man. In the growing darkness and biting cold, they discovered the great house of Donn mac Midir. The Fians feasted on Angus Óg’s magical swine, the golden apples from Manannan’s hidden Isle of Youth, and nuts from wisdom-bearing hazel-trees. This enchanted meal bestowed enduring strength, valor, and wisdom.`
Source: Heroes of the Dawn by Violet Russel

#StandingStoneSunday: `In a field near #DunollieCastle stands Clach a Choin, the “Dog Stone”. Legend has it that this was where the ancient heroic warrior of #Celtic #mythology #Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Fingal) would chain his massive dog #Bran. As it circled and struggled it wore a groove around the base of the stone with its colossal chain and they say you can still hear its ghostly howls.`
Source: Snippet from a plaque near the site

#WyrdWednesday #LegendaryWednesday #Celtic: `The snow had ceased and the stars were shining now; the wind had dropped, and only occasionally sounded in weird murmurings through the giant oak-trees on one side of the rath. For a few minutes #Fionn stood gazing upwards at the starry sky, wondering at the curious exultation and sense of power which possessed him; then, as he felt a slight touch on his arm, he started, and looking down saw a man of the Fianna standing by his side, with spear and shield in his hands.`
Source: Heroes of the Dawn by Violet Russel

#FolkloreThursday #Celtic: `In this episode the creators of www.candlelittales.ie continue the Fianna Saga with a story about #Fionn‘s encounter with an #Otherworldly woman, who wants things to be all on her own terms, and what happens when she doesn’t get her way.
Please note the content of these stories may be triggering for some listeners. This story contains mentions of compulsion, verbal abuse, and abandonment.`
Please take care of yourself as you listen to my source: https://on.soundcloud.com/RI17s3WdeIVWHyX3Qt

#FairyTaleTuesday #Celtic: The boy #Fionn answered Conn the Hundred-Fighter that #Samhain night: "I will guard Tara this night, O king, and I pledge my word that no hurt shall happen to it."
A ripple of laughter rang through the hall when the boy stood up and spoke so bravely, taking upon himself the defence of Tara, which not even the most courageous man there would do that one particular night of the year.`
Source: Heroes of the Dawn by Violet Russel