The Fionn Cycle —Míchealín Ní Dhochartaigh Initially, the character of Finn, like that of Cú Chulainn, probably developed out of the solar cult of Lugh. (See photos of Armagh Cú Chulainn mural.) The emphasis on Finn, however, is not emphasised until the twelfth Century, following the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland and the vogue at the time for Arthurian romances. The warriors of the Fianna were the Irish Knights of the Round Table, or vice versa. Some believe that, for example, that the name Camelot is derived from the name of Finn's father, Cumhal. The stories of Finn and the Fianna were
written over a long period of time, and thus there is some disparity between
the young hero Finn and the older, jealous husband, Finn. Later stories display the Fianna as giants, evidence of which can be found in the story of Osin in Tir na nÓg and in the story of the Giant's Causeway, in which Finn is a giant who builds a faery bridge joining the Irish coast with Fingal's Cave, on the Island of Staffa (See photos of the progression of sunset at the Giant's Causeway. There is also a change of tone in some of the tales. Cú Chulainn and the Ulsterman were mainly involved in adventure, whilst the deeds of the Fianna are also given a Christian twist. Many of the aged warriors in the story, however, look back nostalgically to wild youth and vanquished paganism. It is also interesting to note that the word 'Fenian' is thought to be derived from 'Fianna'. The adventures of Fionn mac Cumhail, recorded in long narrative poems by Ossian and in many ballads, are called Fenian ballads after the Fenians, or Fianna, professional warriors. See Also: Sources:
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