#Celtic#FairyTaleTuesday: When the word given by #Fionn mac Cumhaill had been set aside by Donn and Dubhan, the hound of the three wonder-working princes of Norway rose, and suddenly assuming its gigantic size breathed hard in the direction of the brothers. Each breath was like a strong rushing wind; with one breath their shields were blown from their shoulders into the rampart of fire, with another their weapons were wrenched from their hands and destroyed also. Then the three princes attacked Donn and Dubhan, who having no arms to defend themselves with, were killed. "Breathe on them, hound, and make them as though they had never lived," said the men.The hound blew a fiery breath on the bodies of Donn and Dubhan, and immediately they were burned into little heaps of ashes, which were blown hither and thither by the wind.
Source: Heroes of the Dawn by Violet Russel
#Celtic#FairyTaleTuesday: Prince Ruadh Mac Righduinn got stuck in the middle of the Irish sea. He peered over the side of his coracle but could find no obstruction, so he leapt overboard and swam below to see what could be seen.
To his surprise he discovered none of rock, reef or rope, but instead nine beautiful women waving at him alluringly from where they sat in three coral currachs, the most beautiful of the Merrow race! With a kiss he was granted the gift of breathing the deep waters as though they were fresh mountain air, and he dove to their kingdom for nine nights, to the consternation of his men above.
Many wonders did he see, touch and taste in the garden of the women far below the ocean, rich and abounding with delights, and he spent one night with each of the women.`
Source: https://emeraldisle.ie/the-naming-of-inbher-oillbine
#Celtic#FairyTaleTuesday: Although one of the mermaids was got with child due to his attentions, Prince Ruadh Mac Righduinn was allowed to depart from their land far below the ocean if he promised to stay with them on the way back. He spent seven years with his foster brother in Scotland, but he returned to Ireland by a different route, for he had no wish to spend his life beneath the sea with the Merrow race. Furious, the nine women of the ocean went looking for him, bringing with them his son, who had been born while he was elsewhere. They swam up the river to the very walls of his Dún near to the mouth of the river Delvin, but his warriors would not grant them access. In rage and despair the mother of the child slew the boy, her own son, with a seashell knife and threw his head on the shore to haunt Ruadh's memory forever more. Everyone who saw this was appalled and spoke as if with one mouth, saying “is oilb bine!,” which means, it is an awful crime! And so came to be the ancient name Inbher Oillbine for the river Delvin.
Source: https://emeraldisle.ie/the-naming-of-inbher-oillbine
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