Celtic myth- The pursuit of Diarmaid and Grainne

Finn Mac Cool was the leader of the Fianna tribe and was growing old. Despite his age he decided to get married and he chose to marry Grainne who was the daughter of the High King at Tara. Grainne did not want to marry an old man and could not find it in her heart to love him. At the wedding feast her eye caught sight of a ravishing warrior called Diarmaid. As quickly as she could she ordered that a sleeping potion be given to all of the guests, except Dairmaid, and as soon as they were asleep, she begged him to taker her away from her unwanted marriage.

Diarmaid did not want to be disloyal to Finn but he weakended under the pleading of the beautiful Grainne. The couple ran to the stables and stole a cart and pair of horses and made their escape whilst Finn and the others were still sleeping.

Finn woke up and was full of rage. Not only had he lost his wife before he had consummated the marriage, but he had also lost his trusted lieutenant and one of his best soldiers. Finn ordered that all the men of the tribe and their dogs, should search through the land looking for the missing couple. The tribe were not far behind the missing pair, and neither stopped for refreshments or sleep. Chancing upon Diarmaid's foster father they received succour in the form of a magic cloak which made them invisible and let them sleep, eat and drink. The couple used the cloak for sixteen years, sleeping rough and taking food and drink from where they could find it.

Finn Mac Cool was still alive and when approached by Grainne's and Diarmaid's families he agreed to stop the hunt as long as the couple agreed to return and Grainne was not flaunted in front of him. A feast was held to make their return and Diarmaids lands were returned to him and peace and prosperity returned to the kingdom. Outwardly Finn had forgiven Diarmaid, but inwardly he was still seething with anger. Finn received a prediction that Diarmaid would die if he hunted for the Boar of Boann Ghulban. Telling no one of this prediction Finn asked Diarmaid to lead an expedition to capture the Boar.

The prediction was fulfilled and Diarmaid lay dying. Finn was blessed with magic powers. If he cupped his hands, filled then with water and gave it to a dying man, then he could save their life. Finn made two attempts to carry the water back from the stream but each time he managed to trip and spill the water. On his third trip Finn was given support and not allowed to trip, but by the time he got to Diarmaid he was dead. The old man had extracted his revenge on the warrior without anyone noticing.