The Oisín Stone, Glen na Smól
The stone that Oisín lifted is called the Oisín Stone and can still, 1,500 years later, be seen in Gleann na Smól (the valley of the thrushes). The Oisín Stone is only a good walk from Seefin to the lower valley.
The Fiannachta tales also described how Fionn would look across the Dublin bay to Beann Eadair (Howth) from Seefingan and that he would hunt in Gleann na Smól with his favourite wolfhounds Bran & Sceolán. All this is so true, romantic and magical.
We also must remember that while the Fianna warriors walked Seefin some 2000 years ago; they were New Age in comparison with the people who built and worshipped on these mountain peaks some 5000 years ago and 2000 years before the pyramids were built. The Seefin Passage Grave was archaeologically investigated in the 1940s and a service was held there to continue the spiritual nature of the site.
The Fianna – From the Fiannachta tales recorded c.600AD
The Fianna were a Celtic warrior class (The Heroes of the Dawn) or mercenaries of noble character and demeanour from about the time of Christ. They were divided into three divisions corresponding to 3 provinces of Ireland, i.e. The Leinster, Connaught and Munster Fianna. The Leinster and Connaught Fianna were rivals and offered their services to the reigning Kings of Leinster and Connaught. The chief of the Connaught Fianna was Goll Mac Morna who killed Cumhaill (Fionn’s father) in single combat at the battle of Cnoca (present day Castleknock).
Fionn and the Salmon of Knowledge
Fionn’s mother, Muirne, sent her young son to the chief druid Aonghus at Brú na Bóinne (the Fort on the magical river Boyne) to learn the secrets of life and combat. Aonghus was a wise teacher and druid. At that time Aonghus was seeking to catch a special salmon from the river Boyne. The Salmon of Knowledge (an Bradán Feasa) was known to have all knowledge including that of the future. Aonghus wanted to get the Salmon’s knowledge so that he, Aonghus, would be the most knowledgeable High priest in all of Ireland.
Aonghus caught his prize and built a fire on which to cook his salmon of knowledge and thereby learn all things useful to man. Young Fionn, the student, was with Aonghus for about a month when he caught the special salmon. Having lit the cooking fire beside the river Boyne, he had to go away for a little time. He left Fionn in charge of the cooking – Fionn knew nothing of the secret of the salmon. During the cooking of the salmon Fionn saw a big blister of skin rise on the salmon’s back. He decided to put his thumb on the blister to press it back down. Fionn’s thumb got burnt from the heat and he quickly stuck his thumb into his mouth to reduce the pain. Immediately all the wisdom and knowledge of the salmon flooded into young Fionn’s brain. When Aonghus returned he immediately figured out what had happened – he was saddened at his loss and said to Fionn he could teach him no more and he could go home and he would be a great leader of men and a man of great wisdom. Fionn went on to become the greatest leader and warrior that Ireland had known up to then – helped by the Salmon of Knowledge from the River Boyne.
Fionn in Love – Tóraíocht Dhiarmada agus Gráinne
Late in life Fionn fell in love with a beautiful young woman whose name was Gráinne. She spurned his love and eloped with Diarmuid Ó Duibhne. The saga is written as ‘Toraíocht Dhiarmada agus Gráinne’ (the hunt for the young couple). The result we don’t know – we hope Diarmuid lived on to old age.