Finn Mac Cummal
In ancient Irish romance, captain of the Fianna warrior
band and the center of the Ossianic tales. His father, Cumhal,
chief of the clan Basena, was slain at Castle Knock by the rival
clan Morna, but his mother succeeded in saving him from the
enemy. He was brought up in hiding and given the name of
Finn from the clearness of his skin.
He learned science and poetry from the druid Finegas, who
lived on the river Boyne. The druid had been unable to catch
the salmon of knowledge until Finn became his pupil, and
when he did succeed in catching it, he told Finn to watch it
while it was cooking but not to partake of it. Finn, however,
burned his fingers as he turned the spit and put one of them
in his mouth. Seeing this, Finegas bade him eat the salmon and
he became filled with the wisdom of all ages.
Afterward Finn took service with King Cormac, to whom he
revealed his name and lineage. Cormac promised him the leadership
of the Fianna if he succeeded in killing the fire-blowing
demon that came yearly to set Tara in flames. Finn slew the
demon and carried its head back to Tara. The Fianna were
Findlay, J. Arthur Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology 5th Ed.
562
therefore ordered to swear allegiance to Finn as their captain.
Under Finn the Fianna rose to great eminence that at length
became tyrannical, and they were defeated at the battle of
Bowra.
Finns death is shrouded in mystery. According to popular
tradition he and his great companions lie sleeping in an enchanted
cave and will arise in the hour of their countrys need,
like Arthur, Barbarossa, and Charlemagne.
