Diarmuid and Gr‡inne

Traditional

The early Irish kings were crowned in Tara, County Meath. In those days there lived a pretty princess by the name of Gr‡inne, who was the daughter of the High King of Ireland.

The great hero Finn MacCool was growing old. Finn decided to remarry, so that he could he could spend his remaining days together with his new wife. Finn asked the High King of Ireland for permission to marry Princess Gr‡inne.

Gr‡inne had no intention to marry the now old Finn, but she respected her father's wishes and agreed to the proposal. Hence a great dinner was arranged to celebrate the engagement, with Finn's army, the Fianna also attending. Diarmuid O'Duibhne, one of the bravest in the Fianna saw Gr‡inne and immediately fell in love with her.

Gr‡inne also felt the same way about Diarmuid. However, Diarmuid was a faithful soldier and his loyalty to Finn stopped him from taking any further action towards Gr‡inne. Hence, the only action open to Gr‡inne was to elope with Diarmuid. The elopement would be a solid bond which could not be broken.

The party atmosphere continued, and Gr‡inne continued to pour drinks for everyone except Diarmuid. Those whose glasses were empty were purposely topped up to the rim. Soon those who had drunk too much from the hands of Gr‡inne were drowsy, and promptly fell asleep.

With the help of four friends, the chance had arisen for Gr‡inne and Diarmuid to be together. They fled to the banks of the Shannon, where Diarmuid carried the princess across the cold river. Diarmuid built a small house from wood, to which Gr‡inne and he would reside.

Eventually Finn awoke, and it quickly became obvious to him that Gr‡inne and Diarmuid had eloped together. Finn sent out his finest tracking warriors from his Fianna army to find the young lovers. Seven years later ...