Gaelic guide for learners

The Fianna in Kintail

Some of the oldest and most prevalent Gaelic traditions concern the legendary Fianna warriors (collectively, An Fhèinn). Their exploits are recorded both in ballads and prose narratives.

In one episode Fionn, leader of the Fianna, pursues his sister’s son (mac-peathar) Diarmad and wife Gràinne, who have eloped. After some time, Fionn feigns forgiveness and invites Diarmad on an expedition to hunt the great Torc Neimh (poisonous boar). They kill the beast, and Fionn asks Diarmad to measure its length by walking over its back, hoping that his foot would be pierced by one of its poisonous barbs (gathan), which is exactly what happens! He beseeches Fionn to give him a drink of water from a nearby well which will cure him. Fionn twice hesitates, and when he finally decides to save Diarmad his nephew has already succumbed to the wound.

In Kintail, there are placenames which support a local tradition that this story took place in the area: Tobar an Tuirc (the boar’s well) in Gleann Lichd, and ancient sites known as Uaigh Dhiarmaid (Diarmad’s grave) and Dùnan Diarmaid (Diarmad’s fortlet) by the head of Loch Dubhthaich. lsabhal Mòr Ostaig offers Gaelic learning opportunities at the College and by distancelearning www.smo.uhi.ac.uk