May 30, 2005
Sí Beag - The end of the chase
Hammer of the Gods - Sledgehammer in front of Sí Beag, reputed burial place of Fionn Mac Cumhaill.
When Fionn Mac Cumhaill saved Tara, ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, he became leader of the Fianna, a legendary band of warriors. His king, Cormaic Mc Airt also promised him another reward - his daughter Grainne (though he had to wait until she grew up first). Alas, Fionn was an aging warrior when he laid eyes on Grainne and decided to claim his prize, and she had already fallen in love with the most handsome of the Fianna, Diarmuid. They eloped, and Fionn's pursuit, Toraíocht Diarmuid agus Grainne became one of Ireland's most enduring legends. The path of true love took the couple across the country but not to happiness. Diarmuid was mortally wounded during a hunt, and Fionn failed to save him. Grainne was returned to Fionn but killed herself from grief soon after. She was buried on Sí Beag, on a hill near the village of Keshcarrigan, Co. Leitrim. When Fionn died, he was buried beside her.
According to Cary Meehan's Sacred Ireland, when this site was escavated, two skeletons (side by side) were found.
If Fionn was alive today, he'd drive an Impreza...Across from Sí Beag is Sí Mór, the site of another cairn (though a Cristian cross marks the top now) . Though the hill at Si Beag has the same sort of atmosphere as that of Tara, I visited just as some of the locals were clearing up after a clay-pidgeon shoot. Both pictures taken on Sunday 29th May 2005.
Posted by Monasette at May 30, 2005 11:19 PM