Fionn mac Uail, a renowned leader of the Fianna, is depicted as both a soldier and a poet, drawn to adventure and the unusual. His companions, including Conán and his loyal hounds, accompany him on a hunt near Cesh Corran. Unbeknownst to Fionn, Conaran, the king of the Shí of Cesh Corran, watches him with malicious intent, seeking to ensnare him and his men. Conaran's three daughters, described as grotesque and fearsome, are summoned to assist in capturing Fionn. They conspire to use their enchantments to render him and his companions powerless. As Fionn approaches the cave where the sisters dwell, he and Conán are quickly ensnared by the hags' magic, losing their strength and becoming bound. One by one, members of the Fianna, drawn by the hunt, fall victim to the enchantment and are captured by the sisters, who revel in their triumph. The dogs, sensing danger, remain outside, howling in distress as their masters are taken. Goll mac Morna, a formidable warrior, arrives and confronts the hags. In a fierce battle, he defeats two of the sisters, but the third manages to escape and vows revenge. She demands a combat against Fionn, but the warriors of the Fianna, paralyzed by fear, refuse to fight her. Fionn, determined to protect his men, prepares to face her himself, but Goll intervenes, insisting on taking the fight due to his prior conflict with the sisters. The battle is intense, with Goll ultimately emerging victorious by slaying the last sister. As the Fianna celebrate their freedom, Fionn offers Goll his daughter in marriage, acknowledging the complex relationship between them, marked by both rivalry and camaraderie. The narrative concludes with a reflection on the intertwined fates of Fionn and Goll, illustrating the intricate dynamics of loyalty, conflict, and mutual respect within their world.
By James Stephens · First published 1917 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure · 6 chapters