The Bald Man of Bulben

County Sligo

Finn MacCool and his mighty army, the Fianna, were hunting deer on Ben Bulben. However, they were having an unusual off-day, therefore they decided to play a game of dice. It was evening and they were feeling especially hungry, when a bald man approached them as they were playing.

"Good evening, Bald Man," said Finn. The bald man explained that it was not a good evening because his wife had left him, Finn agreed. But the bald man said not all was lost, because he still had his children and twenty litters of pigs.

"That is good, Bald Man," said Finn.

"That is good," agreed the bald man, "because one of the litters is fat and ready to eat, and I invite you and your men to feast with me." Finn gladly accepted the kind invitation, and enquired where the bald man lived. "There are four ends to the world," the bald man replied, "and whichever one you choose, you shall arrive at my door."

Finn and his trusted army set off. After many hours of walking they arrived at a wood, where they saw a light, which led them to the bald man's house. The bald man opened his door and said, "The pig litters are all sleeping. You must kill the litter on which we shall feast without waking the old sow, or any of the piglets."

The Fiaana thought of this challenge as particularly simple. What followed was try as they might none of the Fianna could kill the pigs, in the end the bald man had to kill them himself. The pigs were then cooked and served up at the table. Finn and the Fianna agreed it was an excellent feast. "That is good," said the bald man, "as long as you can keep it from those now entering at the door."

The Fianna looked towards the door. They then looked back at the feast. Shockingly the feast had vanished and they found themselves back on Ben Bulben playing dice, and feeling starved as ever!

They had been tricked. Whilst making there way home, they agreed unanimously never to accept an invitation from a bald man on Ben Bulben again!