Lugaidh's Son

Family: Fianna · Role: warrior · First appears: The Fianna · Finn, Son of Cumhal · The Best Men of the Fianna · Part 1

By twelve, Lugaidh's Son, of Lugaidh’s blood and one of the best of the Fianna, had been reared by Duban’s daughter. He then went to Finn, Son of Cumhal at Chorraig Conluain and the mountains of Slieve Bladhma, where Finn welcomed him and he pledged his service. When the Fianna later complained about him at the Point of the Fianna, Finn advised him how to become a good champion: “be quiet in a great man's house; be surly in the narrow pass.” Lugaidh’s Son changed his ways and gained renown among the poets of Ireland and Alban.

Aoife (daughter of the King of Lochlann), who had heard the poets praise him, loved him and came to him, though she was married to Mal. Finn gave her to Lugaidh’s Son with a warning that she brought war and battles; she stayed with him for “a month and a year” without being asked for. At the Hill of the Poet, Lugaidh’s Son fought and killed Mal, and Aoife thereafter belonged to him and became the mother of his children. He also loved Aoife (daughter of Manannan), whose affection for him sparked a dispute with Aine.

In the Fianna’s defense of Ireland, Credhe equipped them, accompanied them, and cared for their wounded through a battle lasting a year and a day. Lugaidh’s Son joined Caoilte, Oisin, Conn Crither and Glas in attacking the strangers who had come ashore, and later killed Tocha in a fight. In other adventures he went with Finn, Diarmuid and Oisin; at Beinn Gulbain, he and Osgar and Caoilte covered Diarmuid’s body with their cloaks. He also rewarded Fergus of the True Lips after Fergus sang before Finn.