hurts he had received at the battle of Gabhra, he failed to make the leap and was killed. You remember, however, that Fionn's mother, Muireen, belonged to the Tuatha de Danann—or Sidhe (Shee) as they are now called—and it is more likely that Fionn was not killed at all, but went away to join his kindred in one of their pleasant invisible dwelling-places. Indeed it is recorded that Mongan, a king of Ulster who lived at the beginning of the seventh century, was in reality Fionn, who had returned to earth in a different body.
Now for Caeilté the homes of men became unendurable. He, too, had suffered many griefs and losses during the past year: at the battle of Gabhra his sons were all killed, Oscur the brave was dead, Oisin had gone with a faery maiden to an enchanted land, and now Fionn had passed from him, and he was left alone and desolate.
He called the Fians to him, and said:
"My comrades, the power of the Fianna is broken, nor do I think it will evermore attain to its former might. We have still many powerful friends scattered throughout Ireland,
