Fiachra 1975

Description

Fiachra, Son of the King of the Breton Fianna

Pen and ink. 1975.

The Battle of the White Strand was one of the greatest battles fought by the Fianna Éireann under Fionn Mac Cumhall. It was fought to keep the enemies of Ireland from taking the island and putting it under tribute. On one side was assembled the largest army to attack Ireland up to that time and on the other, the Fianna with a confederacy of Dé Dananns, Sidhe Finnachaidh, and Ulstermen. At a critical point in the battle, a large fleet arrived offshore, and Fionn thought they had come to help the foreigners. But Oisin looked at them and reassured him:

“It is seldom your knowledge fails you, Fionn, but those are our friends: Fiachra, son of the King of the Fianna of the Bretons, and Duaban Donn of the Tuatha-mumain.”

Not long after landing, however, Fiachra was dead—but not before he had slain one of the foreigners’ greatest and most fearsome champions, Mongach of the Sea.