2. Diarmuid and Grainne The Chase

3. Diarmuid and Grainne b b Fionn was leader of the Fianna. b b Cormac, High King of Ireland, was afraid that the Fianna might some time turn against him. b b While this was going on, Fionn was sad because his two wives had died and he wanted to re-marry.

4. Diarmuid and Grainne b b He heard what Cormac thought. b b When he was advised to marry Grainne, Cormac’s daughter, he was delighted.

5. Diarmuid and Grainne b b So Fionn sent a message to Cormac asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage. b b It was agreed because now Cormac knew that Fionn would never turn against him. b b But Grainne didn’t want to marry Fionn because Fionn was too old.

6. Diarmuid and Grainne b b But Cormac made Grainne do as she was told. b b Cormac sent a message to Fionn saying he would let his daughter marry Fionn. b b Grainne was angry. b b She wanted to wait until she met someone younger that she really loved.

7. Diarmuid and Grainne b b There was a wedding feast prepared at Tara. b b On the night of the feast Grainne sat sadly among the crowd. b b Then she saw Diarmuid. b b j She went to him merrily and said “ Diarmuid O’Duibhne, my heart is filled with love for you.”

8. Diarmuid and Grainne b b Diarmuid looked at Grainne the same way. b b But he said “ No man of Fionn’s would ever betray him” b b Grainne said “Do as you shall Diarmuid but if do not you shall leave here a dishonoured man”.

9. Diarmuid and Grainne b b Then Diarmuid grew pale. b b “ Very well” he said. b b So that night when everyone was asleep the two of them sneaked out.

10. iarmuid and Grainne Diarmuid and Grainne b b Next day, and for many days they ran away, b b The Fianna were after the two of them for a long time. b b Sometimes Diarmuid even thought he recognised coming behind them the scent of Bran or Sgeolan, Fionn’s hounds.

11. Diarmuid and Grainne b b Diarmuid’s foster father, Aengus Og, sometimes rescued them when the Fianna were very close.

12. Diarmuid and Grainne b b Some while later Aengus want to Fionn and asked him would he give up the chase, for Fionn was growing old. b b He said “ yes as long as Diarmuid stays away from Almhain.”

13. Diarmuid and Grainne b b Next Aengus went to Cormac and asked the same. b b Cormac wasn’t pleased that daughter had run away with one of Fianna but he still said “yes”. b b Diarmuid built a house on his father’s land.

14. Diarmuid and Grainne b b A long time after Diarmuid asked Fionn and the Fianna to come hunting for a boar, Diarmuid had a dream of the boar and wanted to kill it. b b The Fianna came to hunt for the boar but they were not able to kill it. b b One night Diarmuid went to kill the boar.

15. Diarmuid and Grainne b b He saw Fionn. Diarmuid asked “ Have you come to kill me?” b b Fionn answered “One of the hounds escaped in the night, we are looking for it, there is a great boar? It has already killed two of our hounds. You should go home.” Diarmuid did not go home.

16. Diarmuid and Grainne b b He heard something moving behind him in a bush, it was the boar. b b It ran for Diarmuid and Diarmuid ran towards the boar. b b Diarmuid stuck a spear in it but also the boar hit Diarmuid. b b The rest of Fianna came with Fionn.

17. Diarmuid and Grainne b b Diarmuid asked Fionn for some water out of his hand for Fionn had the power heal anyone by giving them water out of his hand. b b The rest of the Fianna wanted Fionn to give him the water out of his hand.

18. Diarmuid and Grainne b b Fionn was just letting the water drop out of his hand deliberetly. b b At the end he was going to give Diarmuid water but it was too late. b b Diarmuid was already dead.

19. Diarmuid and Grainne