Browse — Fenian Cycle

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The Fenian Cycle (or Ossianic Cycle) follows Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna — wandering bands of warrior-poets.

12 entries.

Irish	Ogham	How to say it	English	Source	Note
Acallam na Senórach	᚛ᚐᚉᚐᚂᚂᚐᚋ ᚅᚐ ᚄᚓᚅᚑᚏᚐᚉᚆ᚜	AK-uh-lum nuh SHAN-or-ukh	colloquy of the old men	CELT — Acallam	Acallam na Senórach — the medieval framing-text in which the surviving Fenian heroes explain Ireland’s place-lore (Dindshenchas) to Saint Pádraig. The hinge between pagan and Christian Ireland.
amhrán na bhFiann	᚛ᚐᚋᚆᚏᚐᚅ ᚅᚐ ᚁᚆᚃᚔᚐᚅᚅ᚜	OW-rawn nuh VEE-un	amhrán na bhfiann	CELT — Acallam	Amhrán na bhFiann — The Soldier’s Song, Ireland’s national anthem. The fianna of the title invokes the Fenian warriors.
Caílte	᚛ᚉᚐᚔᚂᚈᚓ᚜	KEEL-chuh	caílte	CELT — Acallam	Caílte mac Rónáin — fastest of the Fianna; in Acallam na Senórach, he tells the surviving lore of the Fianna to Saint Pádraig centuries after they died.
Diarmuid	᚛ᚇᚔᚐᚏᚋᚒᚔᚇ᚜	JEER-muj	diarmuid	CELT — Acallam	Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. Hero of the Fenian Cycle; eloped with Gráinne (Fionn’s promised bride). Diarmuid agus Gráinne is one of the great Irish romances.
fianna	᚛ᚃᚔᚐᚅᚅᚐ᚜	FEE-un-uh	the fianna	CELT — Acallam	The Fianna — wandering bands of warrior-poets in the Fenian Cycle. Led by Fionn mac Cumhaill.
Fionn	᚛ᚃᚔᚑᚅᚅ᚜	fyun	finn	CELT — Acallam	Fionn mac Cumhaill. Hero of the Fenian Cycle; leader of the Fianna, the wandering warrior-poets.
Goll mac Morna	᚛ᚌᚑᚂᚂ ᚋᚐᚉ ᚋᚑᚏᚅᚐ᚜	GUL muk MUR-nuh	goll mac morna	CELT — Acallam	Goll mac Morna — one-eyed Fenian hero, sometimes Fionn’s friend, sometimes his rival.
Gráinne	᚛ᚌᚏᚐᚔᚅᚅᚓ᚜	GRAW-nyuh	gráinne	CELT — Acallam	Gráinne. Promised to Fionn but eloped with Diarmuid. Gives English-speakers the name Grace.
Niamh Chinn Óir	᚛ᚅᚔᚐᚋᚆ ᚉᚆᚔᚅᚅ ᚑᚔᚏ᚜	NEE-uv khin OR	niamh of the golden hair	CELT — AcallamCELT — Lebor Gabála	Niamh of the Golden Hair. Daughter of Manannán; took Oisín to Tír na nÓg for three centuries.
Oisín	᚛ᚑᚔᚄᚔᚅ᚜	USH-een	oisín	CELT — Acallam	Son of Fionn mac Cumhaill, poet of the Fianna. Spent three centuries with Niamh in Tír na nÓg.
Salmón an Eolais	᚛ᚄᚐᚂᚋᚑᚅ ᚐᚅ ᚓᚑᚂᚐᚔᚄ᚜	SAL-mun un OH-lish	salmon of knowledge	CELT — Acallam	The Salmon of Knowledge. Ate the hazelnuts of wisdom that fell into the Pool of Connla. Caught by Fionn, who tasted his thumb and gained all wisdom.
Sliabh na mBan	᚛ᚄᚂᚔᚐᚁᚆ ᚅᚐ ᚋᚁᚐᚅ᚜	SHLEEV nuh man	slievenamon	CELT — Acallam	Slievenamon — Mountain of the Women, Co. Tipperary. Where Fionn watched the women race; he chose the swiftest, Gráinne, as his bride.

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