Na Fianna, also known as the Fianna Éireann, were a legendary group of warriors in Irish mythology. They were said to be skilled hunters, warriors, and protectors of the high king of Ireland.
The leader of the Fianna was Fionn Mac Cumhaill, a legendary figure who was said to have acquired great knowledge and wisdom by sucking his thumb as a child. Fionn was known for his bravery and cunning, and his ability to overcome challenges and enemies.
Other prominent members of the Fianna included Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, who was known for his beauty and his love affair with the high king’s wife, Gráinne; and Caoilte MacRonan, who was said to have lived for hundreds of years and to have witnessed many historical events.
The Fianna were known for their loyalty to their leader, their bravery in battle, and their strong connection to nature. They were said to have had a code of honor that emphasized fairness, generosity, and respect for the land and its creatures.
Many stories and legends have been told about the Fianna over the centuries, and they remain an important part of Irish mythology and folklore today.
The initiatory process for a young man to join the Fianna was an arduous one. The process involved a series of tests and challenges designed to assess the young man’s skills, strength, and character.
The first step was for the young man to seek out the Fianna and request to be tested. If he was deemed worthy, he would be given a series of challenges to complete. These challenges could include feats of strength, endurance, and bravery, as well as tests of skill in hunting, tracking, and survival.
Once the young man had completed these challenges, he would be required to swear an oath of loyalty to the Fianna and to its leader, Fionn Mac Cumhaill. This oath involved a binding commitment to uphold the Fianna’s code of honor and to protect the land and its people.
After taking the oath, the young man would be accepted as a member of the Fianna and would be given a place among its ranks. He would be expected to participate in the Fianna’s activities, including hunting, training, and defending the land against threats.
Overall, the initiatory process for joining the Fianna was a rigorous and demanding one, designed to ensure that only the most skilled and honorable young men were accepted into its ranks. It was seen as a great honor to be chosen to join the Fianna, and those who were successful in completing the challenges were regarded as some of the finest warriors and protectors in all of Ireland.
Artwork by Lynn Kirkham titled: “Fionn and His Hounds“, is located on a roundabout near Newbridge, County Kildare.
This public artwork was commissioned by Kildare County Council for a number of reasons, it was to mark the contribution of the work of the army at the Curragh Camp, to mark the significance of Fionn and na Fianna in Kildare and to initiate a key piece to be included in the Public Art and Heritage Trail in Newbridge. The piece is located on a roundabout at exit 12 of the M7 for Newbridge South and The Curragh. The artwork was paid for from ‘paid parking’ in Newbridge.
Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fianna are genuine historical figures whose deeds and life stories have been embellished through time, myth and legend. There are many tales of their acts of bravery and magic. They were hunters and warriors, the bravest, the swiftest, the strongest and made the wild places of Ireland their demesne. Fionn, their last leader, was larger than life and always accompanied by his two hounds, Bran and Sceolan, who were actually his nephews transformed into hunting dogs by evil sorcery. The Hill of Allen was the home of Fionn MacCumhaill and the headquarters of the Fianna, it can be seen from the site of the sculpture.
Fionn and his Hounds are a powerful symbol of strength and protection and they now stand guard once again in County Kildare. The commission gave the artist an opportunity to work large scale and to express her interest in Irish Folklore and mythology. The artist constructed the sculpture by shaping and bending the metal pieces herself.
