School: Bearnas Mór

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1. Ancient Stories

   

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   The Fenians of Eireann were ruled by Fionn Mac Cool and they were the most renowned fighters which came after the Red Branch Knights. Fionn’s wife was named Grannie and Oisin was Fionn’s son.

   One day Fionn and Oisin were out hunting on the shore of Lough Lein. They heard a little bird singing sweetly and they followed it. In a little while a lovely maiden came riding on a swift white horse. On her head she wore a brown silk crown with stars of in it. She had long curley hair hanging down over her shoulders. Her horse was also very beautiful because it was pure white. He had a golden saddle and golden shoes on him.

   When the lady came up to Fionn she said Prince of the heroes long and weary is the journey I have taken to day” and Fionn answered. What is your name and where do you come from.” She answered “I am Niamh of the Golden Hair. I have come here to ask Oisin to go with me to my country and be my husband. When Oisin looked at the maiden, he took her hand and welcomed her.

   Then Oisin mounted the white horse and he went away the Golden Haired Niamh to Tir na Nog and he spaint three hundred years there. In that countary the people never grew old. One day Oisin told Niamh that he wanted to back to Ireland to see his friends. She told him he could go but made him promise to come back. Then Oisin mounted the white and did not get off him till he landed in

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Nora Martin

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Clarcam, Co. Donegal

   Informant

   Mr Martin

   Relation

   Parent

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Clarcam, Co. Donegal