IRISH FAIRY TALES And Folklore

IRISH FAIRY TALES By James StephensIllustrated by Arthur Rackham

THE STORY OF TUAN MAC CAIRILLTHE BOYHOOD OF FIONNTHE BIRTH OF BRANOISIN’S MOTHERTHE WOOING OF BECFOLATHE LITTLE BRAWL AT ALLENTHE CARL OF THE DRAB COATTHE ENCHANTED CAVE OF CESH CORRANBECUMA OF THE WHITE SKINMONGAN’S FRENZY

THE STORY OF TUAN MAC CAIRILL

CHAPTER I

Finnian, the Abbott of Moville, went southwards and eastwards in great haste. News had come to him in Donegal that there were yet people in his own province who believed in gods that he did not approve of, and the gods that we do not approve of are treated scurvily, even by saintly men.

He was told of a powerful gentleman who observed neither Saint’s day nor Sunday.

“A powerful person!” said Finnian.

“All that,” was the reply.

“We shall try this person’s power,” said Finnian.

“He is reputed to be a wise and hardy man,” said his informant.

“We shall test his wisdom and his hardihood.”

“He is,” that gossip whispered — “he is a magician.”

“I will magician him,” cried Finnian angrily. “Where does that man live?”

He was informed, and he proceeded to that direction without delay.

In no great time he came to the stronghold of the gentleman who followed ancient ways, and he demanded admittance in order that he might preach and prove the new God, and exorcise and terrify and banish even the memory of the old one; for to a god grown old Time is as ruthless as to a beggarman grown old.

But the Ulster gentleman refused Finnian admittance.