IRISH MYTHOLOGY

The Celtic lands are rich in mythology and ancient lore.

From distant past come tales of gods, giants and heroes to equal those of Homeric fame.

The bards of Ireland, Scotland and Wales told stories beside peat fires in great halls and village hovels, which have been passé down fron generation to generation over many hundred of years.

Ancient Irish history and legends have three main sources, known in modern times as the Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle (also known as the Ultonian or Red Branch Cycle) and the Fenian or Fianna Cycle. The ancient bards didn't categorise the stories this way. Instead, they divided them according to topic, such as births, adventures, voyages, battles, feasts, courtships, cattle raids, invasions, destructions, slaughters, expeditions, violent deaths, sieges, etc.

The Mythological Cycle

The term "Mythological Cycle" is a collective term applied to the stories in Irish literature which describe the doings of otherworldly characters. The central story of the group was concerned with the battles between supernatural groups invading Ireland successively. These series of invasions are described in the Lebor Gabála or Book of Invasions. The supernatural groups were the Partholonians, the Nemedians, the demonic Fomhóire and the Fir Bholg, the divine Tuatha Dé Danaan, and the Milesians.

The Milesians, the fictional but first human ancestors of the Irish people, defeated the Tuatha Dé Danaan at the battle of Tailtiu, after which Ireland was in their possession. They divided it into two parts, with Éireamhóin ruling in the north and Éibhear in the south. Among the names in the stories of the Mythological cycle are Bodb Derg, Dagdha, Lir, Aonghus, Partholan, Erannan, Lugh and Balor.

The Fenian Cycle

This is considered to be much older than the tales of the Ulster Cycle, as the main occupation is that of hunting. The Fenians, or Fianna, are a legendary band of heroes who defended Ireland and Scotland and kept law and order. Their leader was the mythical Fionn mac Cumhaill, the truest, wisest and kindest of the Fianna. He had two sons, Fergus of the Sweet Speech and Ossian, who is credited with a series of poems known as the 'Ossianic Ballads'. Ossian went to the Land of Youth with Niamh. His mother was Sadb, who was changed into the shape of a deer by a druid. The warrior Caoilte was Fionn's right hand man, who is reputed to have conversed with St. Patrick many centuries later in the 'Dialogue of the Elders', extolling the virtues of the Fianna to him. Other notable Fenians include Oscar, the greatest warrior, Conan, Goll mac Morna, and Diarmait O'Duibhne, who eloped with Fionn's betrothed Grania. The tales of the Fianna are heroic and fantastic, incorporating much interaction with the gods. Through the deeds of the Fianna we can see their divinity shining through. From this cycle come Oisín, Oscar, Diarmaid and Gráinne.

The Ulster Cycle

This cycle comprises a large body of heroic tales in Irish literature, based on the Ulaidh, an ancient people from whom the province of Ulster got its name. The central, and structurally the basic, story in the cycle is Táin Bó Cúailnge (The cattle raid of Cooley). Other names in the stories of this cycle are characters like Cúchulainn, Conchobhar, Fergus, Caoilte and Deirdre. Cúchulainn is Ulster's greatest hero. His father was said to be the solar deity Lugh, and he trained in arms under the formidable female warrior Scathach. His greatest deeds are told in the Táin.

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