Celtic Gods, Heroes, and Mythology

Celtic Gods, Heroes, and Mythology — page 1 — CHAPTER ONE

Celtic Gods, Heroes, and Mythology — page 2 — GIANT'S CAUSEWAY Fionn MacCumhaill also known as Finn MacCool is probably the most famous hero of Irish legend Tales of this gentle giant and great warrior leader are told in Scotland too Finn studied under the tutor Finnegas Finnegas had spent years fishing for the Salmon of Knowledge This fish could give a person all the knowledge in the world At last Finnegas caught the mythical creature He gave it to Finn to cook Finn burned his thumb on the hot fish When he put his thumb in his mouth to soothe the burn he accidentally tasted some of the fish and gained wisdom After that whenever he had a problem Finn Finn right was married to Oonagh

Celtic Gods, Heroes, and Mythology — page 3 — would stick his thumb in his mouth in order to know the answers Finn was a giant but he was not a very big one Another giant KING ARTHUR The story of King Arthur has its roots in Celtic mythology It may have originated in Wales or northern Britain Arthur may have been based on a real life figure But his story changed over time as it was retold again and again Some early stories present him as a hero of war Later stories show him as a great king Christians also retold the Arthur legend adding new details so it is hard to know for certain the original tale of Arthur Benandonner lived across the sea from him The two giants shouted boasts and threats at one another Each challenged the other to prove who was stronger But no ship could carry the heavy giants At last Finn threw rocks into the water to create a bridge so they could meet in battle After creating the bridge Finn was worn out from the work He fell fast asleep

Celtic Gods, Heroes, and Mythology — page 4 — Oonagh Finn's wife heard Benandonner approaching She saw that he was much larger than Finn and knew he would beat Finn in a fight Thinking quickly she covered the sleeping Finn in a blanket and put a bonnet on his head The giant arrived and demanded to know where Finn was Oonagh shushed him She told him he could wait for Finn but he had to be quiet so he would not wake the baby Benandonner not realizing the baby was Finn in disguise panicked If Finn's baby was that big then Finn must be enormous He ran away in fear His retreat destroyed the bridge creating a jumble of rocks in the water Today this rock formation can still be seen along the coastline of Northern Ireland It is known as the Giant's Causeway It is a favorite spot for tourists CELTIC HISTORY The Celts were a people who lived in western Europe from 500 BCE to 500 CE They were not just a single people or class They were groups of people connected

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