The Great Calamity of the Fenians

Once, when Patrick had no psalms to sing but had leisure for feasting and conversation, he went to the house of Oisín, son of Finn, whose words were pleasing to his ears. Patrick said, "Greetings, undaunted elder, and we have come to visit your dwelling, valiant ruddy-faced hero, who has never refused a request. We wish to hear from you, O grandson of Cumhal with the sturdy sword, a tale of the greatest calamity that befell the Fianna since you first began to follow their footsteps."

Oisín said, "I will gladly tell you, O Patrick of sweet psalms, of the greatest calamity that ever befell the Fianna since the heroes of Finn first appeared.

Finn, in the age of heroes, forgot to invite to the feast at Al-maine, on the red hill, several Fianna who were inflamed with anger and indignation. 'Since you did not deem us worthy of the feast,' said Mac Rónáin the sweet-voiced, 'I and noble Ailte will take a year's leave from serving Finn.' As they departed, they silently placed their shields and swords on the sides of their ships. The two noble leaders set out for Lochlann, the kingdom of shining men.

For a year, the handsome warriors were friends of the king—the sharp-armed son of royal Connchar and Ailte, who never refused a request. The queen of Lochlann, the land of brown shields, was overcome with a strong passion she could not hide for the long-haired warrior Ailte. With him, she carried out her desire and strayed from the king's bed.

This was an act that spilled blood. The queen and Ailte then set out across the sea to Al-maine of the heroes, the dwelling of Finn. At that time, the king of Lochlann was a man who had achieved victory in every contest—Ailgen, son of Ainnir, king of ships, highly skilled in the art of weaponry. The king gathered his army and a fortress of ships, abundantly supplied. Nine lords united their forces into a bold army of Lochlann's men. They swore they would not return from their voyage, leaving Finn behind them. But every sword is good until tested in battle.

They boldly directed their ships to the coast of Ireland and stationed their forces near where Finn was, surrounded by his warriors. A message came to Finn, a dire news that caused grief for many—a challenge to the leaders of Inisfail on the northern shore.

We sent to them a princess, blue-eyed and white-toothed, and with her, a hundred horses, the best that had ever been guided by reins, and on them, a hundred riders clad in satin, shining like the sun.

When she descended to the shore, she left the horses behind and walked forward to meet the men of Lochlann. Two golden apples were in her right hand, and on the sleeves of her dress, a tree was embroidered.

Ailgen asked, 'What news from the people of Finn, O maiden of curled locks?' The maiden said, 'Since your wife has broken her marriage vow and is guilty of a dishonorable deed, Finn offers you his friendship. You shall receive me as a pledge of the deed's fulfillment, and if you accept the offer, you shall receive friendship and a hundred horses, the best that have ever been guided by reins, and on them, a hundred riders clad in satin, shining like the sun. You shall receive this and a hundred belts—sickness shall not strike those who gird themselves with them; they stop pain and torment; a fine gift for pregnant women. You shall receive this and a hundred dishes that have been set before the kings of the world—he whose food is prepared on them shall enjoy eternal youth. You shall receive this and a hundred ships that cut through the waves with increasing speed, with seasoned sailors, happy in every battle. You shall receive this and a hundred warriors who exact tribute in fierce combat. You shall receive this and a hundred swift hawks, victorious in the air. You shall receive this and a hundred fertile mares, and as much white cattle as a valley can hold. Having received these gifts, take your wife and make peace with us.'

Ailgen said, 'I will not make peace with Ailte or the noble Fianna until I make Finn my prisoner and drive his cattle to the shore.'

The maiden replied, 'I tell you, Ailgen, according to my judgment in this matter, that no matter how great your strength, you shall never make Finn your prisoner or drive his cattle to the shore. But since my offers are foolishly rejected, I return, and so farewell.' Ailgen said, 'Do not go, O maiden of curled locks, noble princess with a sweet voice; you shall receive precious stones, and I shall bind myself to your side forever.' The maiden answered, 'I return, O leader of these hordes, for I cannot quell the fury of your vengeance, nor can I obtain forgiveness for the reckless pair.' The princess turned and rode to her father's palace. Many silk banners were raised, and soon the Fianna formed their battle lines. Seven times twenty of our finest warriors, and Ailte himself in the front ranks, fell at the hands of the great Ailgen, against whom the troops had risen. When Finn, who had long remained silent, saw the destruction of his army, he was enraged. He did much to rally the Fianna. 'Who will strike down Ailgen in battle, or shall we leave him this triumph over us unavenged?' Then Goll, the most indomitable of warriors, answered, 'Let me face Ailgen in battle, and test the hero's valor.'

Finn said, 'Take Mac Anlúta and dark-haired Diarmaid, the handsome Ciarán and Mac Anléigh, to protect yourself from the warrior's wounds—take them in pairs as shields on each side.'

For eight days without pause, the slaughter of our troops continued. On the ninth day, Goll took the head of the king of Lochlann with the brown shield. No one escaped the blade of the sword, and no one returned from the battle rejoicing. From the ranks of the king of Lochlann, none returned home to their native land. Four times twenty and five thousand men of glory fell at the hands of Tara and Goll, and two thousand at the hands of Oscar of brave deeds and fair-skinned Cairell. I swear by the name you gave me, O Patrick of sweet psalms—there fell by Finn and by me as many as by those four. In that battle, nearly half of the Fianna were slain on the southwestern shore; and by sunset, no more than a third of them remained."

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The Great Calamity of the Fenians

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