FIONN MAC CUMHAIL, fin (0. I. Find Mac Cumhail, Fionn, son of Co hal), Irish epic hero, leader of the Fianna, or Fenian, a band of professional warrior` and hunters of the 2d or 3d century of ill Christian era. In Scotland he is often called Fingal, which is variously interpreted as Float the Gael (Fionn Gaeclhal) or Stranger (Fionn Gall), which would indicate an alien origin. As in all ancient sagas, is much of myth in the story of his life aid exploits, but there appears no reason to doubt of his having actually existed and to have the leader of a band of warriors. His Cumhal, mac Trenmoir, was uncle of Coss Ceadcathach. Ardri of Ireland, who died 157. Cumhal was a prominent leader of the warriors of Leinster but was slain by Gol mac Morna, leader of the Connacht warriors, in revenge for his having carried off Murna gunchaem, the daughter of a druid. Fionn was 3orn after his father's death and on reaching manhood became leader of the Fianna, sup Gol mac Morna, who assumed the Leadership after the death of Cumhal. Fionn's headquarters were generally located at Almhain (Allen), in Kildare. But he often led the forces of the Fianna in other parts of Ireland in repelling invaders on the coast, etc. His
wooing of Grainne, daughter of Cormac, and her elopement with Diarmuid form the subject of one of the most celebrated sagas of the so-called Fenian cycle. Fionn at length overcame Diarmuid and became the husband of Grainne. The sagas have much to say of his principal aides, of whom the most important were his son Oisin (Scottish Ossian), his grandson Oscar, Cailte mac Ronain, and the aforemen tioned Diarmuid. The sagas also dwell on the magnificence of Fionn's abode, his hospitality, the chivalry of his followers and even give lists of his hounds, the most celebrated of which was Bran. Fionn is said to have come to his death by treachery in 252 or 283 A.D. Tales of Fionn and his warriors are told to this day in Scotland and Ireland. (See CELTIC LITERATURE; MACPHERSON, DAMES; OSSIAN ) Consult Hull, E., of Irish Literature' (2 vols., Dublin 1910) ; Hyde, Douglas, His tory of Ireland' (London 1906) ; Maclean, (Literature of the Celts' '(ib. 1906).