Conan

Also known as: Bald Conan / Conan the Bald · Family: Sons of Morna · Role: warrior · First appears: The Fianna · Finn, Son of Cumhal · The Coming of Finn · Part 2

Conan, called the Bald, was a son of Morna and brother of Goll. At the Battle of the White Strand, he remembered the harm his kindred had done to the sons of Baiscne and fought bravely for Finn’s people, hoping to make amends. Later, he agreed to give Finn his daughter in marriage and prepare a wedding-feast. But in the story of Diarmuid and the Hard Servant, Conan quit Finn and the Fianna; Gilla Decair carried him and other men away on a horse, and Conan shouted and reproached those who let it happen.

At Cnoc-an-air, Conan struck off Liagan the Nimble’s head before their fight had begun. At Ailne’s dun, the Grey Man wounded him, leaving his back bare when Conan leapt from an enchanted seat. Ailne covered his wounds with a sheepskin that grew to him, and the Grey Man spared him, saying, “you can stop with myself to the end of your life.” When the Grey Man left, Conan secretly used an enchanted cup to restore Finn, Osgar and the Fianna; he then called to Osgar for help, and Osgar killed the Grey Man.

After Goll’s death, Conan was angered and asked Garraidh to go with him to Finn to seek satisfaction. He declared that he would take the lives of Oisin, Osgar, Caoilte and Daire of the Songs, and would show no respect for Finn. Earlier, Conan had also fought Cairell after Cairell struck him.