From Demna to Finn

Below is the account of Finn's birth and early adventures, ending with him winning the captaincy of the Fianna.

• Birth of Finn

• Training of Finn

• Rise to Captaincy of the Fianna

Birth of Finn

Although Muirenn lived quite a distance away from the battlefield, she knew that her husband Cumhaill had been killed. Her power as Danann allowed her to see the battle in her vision.

She did not waste her time in grief, for she knew that she and her unborn child were in immediate danger. With two old nurses, Muirenn fled and hid in a large, densely wooded forest around the hills, known as Sliab Bladma (Slieve Bloom).

Here, she gave birth to a son whom she named Demna. As soon as she recovered from the delivery of her child, Muirenn knew that her son was still in danger from Goll's warriors. She left Demna in the care of the two nurses, while she tried to lead her enemies away from her son. Muirenn fled to Munster, where she would later marry its king.

Demna grew up, learning how to survive in the woods by his two nurses. One of the nurses was said to be the druidess Bodhmall, the sister of Muirenn. The other nurse was named Liath Luachra or Liathluchra.

Demna was so swift of feet that he could chase down any wild animal. Demna learned how to hunt, and became surprisingly strong for a young boy. One of his nurses named him Finn, which means "Fair One", because he had his father's and mother's beauty, particularly Muirenn's hair. Demna would be forever remembered by his nickname.

Muirenn returned to take her son with her to Munster, since she had married a king strong enough to protect her and her son from their enemies. However, one of the nurses refused to let Muirenn even see her own son. This nurse adamantly wanted Finn to take his father's place as chieftain of Clan Baiscne, and restore their honour, possibly avenging their defeat. Muirenn was left without choice but to let the nurse have her way. Muirenn returned sadly to Munster without her son.

Training of Finn

One nurse taught Finn how to run, hunt and have courage, while the other nurse taught him how to treat other people with respect and courtesy, especially females. Both nurses also taught him about Clan Baiscne and their history, encouraging Finn to take his father's place as the leader of the clan.

The nurses knew that they could teach Finn very little in the art of fighting and being a warrior. So when he was old enough, he was sent out into the world to find training. To become a Fian warrior, particularly a chieftain, Finn would have to undergo several rigorous tests. But not all the tests had to do with fighting.

In his journey, Finn killed Lia, lord of Luachar, in combat. Finn took the Treasure Bag of the Fianna from Lia. Finn then met his uncle Crimmal and some other survivors of the clan war. From his uncle, Finn learned that he had avenged his father's death when he killed Lia, and that Lia had taken the Treasure Bag from his father. Crimmal and the others trained the youth in martial arts, and in the history and rules of the Fianna.

Crimmal then told his nephew that to become a clan chieftain, Finn would also have to learn to be a bard and poet. To this end, Finn must seek out and learn from the great druid Finneces (Finegas).

Finn also learned that the best time to present his case (about being Fian chieftain) to the king and the Fian captain, without being arrested by Goll's men, was during the Great Fair. Crimmal and others of Clan Baiscne would meet Finn in Tara at the appointed time.

However, Finneces (Finegas) wanted to catch the "Salmon of Knowledge", called Fintan, and refused to teach anyone. Finneces had a change of attitude towards Finn when after twenty years, Finneces finally caught the magic salmon on the bank of Boynne River.

The Salmon of Knowledge had eaten some nuts from the Tree of Knowledge. Anyone who caught and ate the salmon would be given wisdom.

Finneces thought that the youth was lucky. Finneces agreed to teach poetry to Finn, in return for the youth cooking the salmon for him. Finneces warned Finn that he must not eat any part of the salmon.

As Finn cooked the salmon, the youth tested to see if the salmon was ready by pressing his thumb to the fish side. The hot juice burned Finn's finger, which he placed his thumb in his mouth.

When Finn served fish to the druid, Finneces asked if the lad ate any part of the salmon. Finn replied no, but when he burnt his thumb he had placed it in his mouth. Finneces realised he was not destined to eat the "Salmon of Knowledge", and told the young hero to eat the fish. Finneces saw no need to teach Finn and sent him off.

So whenever Finn sought knowledge, all he had to do was place his thumb in his mouth, and that knowledge would come to him.

However, there was an older version of how Finn gained his mystical wisdom, found in a text of the 8th century. Finn was pursuing Culdub into the sidh at Sliab na mBan, when the door slammed into his thumb.

(There are many similar tales where heroes gains knowledge just by sucking their thumb. In the legend of Taliesin, Gwyon Bach sucked the three scalding drops from the cauldron of Ceridwen, known as the Cauldron of Inspirations, from his thumb. Gwyon Bach was actually a reincarnation of Taliesin, the legendary bard. In the Icelandic saga, Volsunga Saga, the Norse hero Sigurd also sucked his thumb, when a drop of blood from the dragon's heart landed on his thumb.)

Finn arrived in Tara during the festival of the Great Fair. The Great Fair, held every three years, was established during the reign of Ollav Fola, an early Milesian high king. Here, at the Great Fair, no man could be arrested and anyone could present their cases or disputes before the Great Assembly. Among those who attended the Assembly was the high king, the kings of four provinces, the chieftains, druids and bards.

Finn stood before the Great Assembly and introduced himself to the king, then told them that he wished to become a Fian warrior, leading his father's clan as chieftain. The king agreed.

To become chieftain of Clan Baiscne, Finn had to undergo a series of tests arranged by Goll Mac Morna, the Fian captain. The first test was that he would be buried up to his hips. With a stout stick and a shield, he would have to avoid the slightest wound from the spears of nine spearmen. Each spearman would stand fifty paces from him, and could hurl the spear at any time. Nine spears were hurled at him and Finn successfully deflected the spears, without receiving a nick.

The second test, Finn had to avoid being captured by Fian warriors while traversing the forest outside of Tara. Finn had to avoid any injury in this test. Finn, who had spent all his life in the woods of Slieve Bloom, was very swift and agile. Finn easily outran the Fian warriors.

Finally, Finn had to demonstrate his ability with poetry in the last test. Finn, who had the gift of knowledge and poetry from the magic salmon, had no problem with this task.

Having succeeded in all his tests, Finn Mac Cumhaill swore his fealty to the high king, taking up services to Ireland and its ruler. Clan Baiscne was restored to Fianna and Finn became the chieftain of his clan.

Rise to Captaincy of the Fianna

A few months later, Finn learned that every eve of Samhain, a goblin or demon would come to Tara, causing destruction in part of the city with his magic. No one had been able to kill the goblin, because the haunting music the creature played on his harp would cause any defender to fall into a helpless trance.

Finn asked for the captaincy of the Fianna from the high king, if he could kill the goblin called Aillén Mac Midgna, better known as Aillén the Burner. The king agreed.

One of his warriors named Fiacha had a magic spear, but this warrior did not know how to use it. Because Finn had eaten the "Salmon of Knowledge", the hero learned how to use the spear. By holding the blade of the spear against his head, he would become immune to the goblin's music from magic harp.

On the night of Samhain's Eve, Finn confronted the Aillén, dispelling the magic from the music, and killed the goblin.

All of Tara rejoiced when a hero had killed the goblin. The high king awarded Finn Mac Cumhaill the Captaincy of the Fianna. Goll had no choice but to step down from the captaincy. Goll was the first to swear loyalty to Finn.