Home | Athenry Mythology | Book | Biography | Archaeology, Education, Folklore

Membership of the FiannaThere were certain skills needed to become a member of the Fianna.

• While standing in a hole as deep as his waist, with only a shield and a hazel rod as weapons, the candidate had to be able to defend himself against nine warriors.
• The candidate had to escape from nine warriors by running through the forest without breaking a twig under his feet or tearing his clothes on brambles.
• The candidate had to be able to jump over a branch as high as himself and run under another as low as his knee.
• While running at top speed through the forest the candidate had to be able to pick a thorn from his foot without stopping.
• The candidate had to learn twelve books of poetry by heart and also know many of the old legends and stories.
• The candidate should not to take a dowry with a wife.

There is a townland called “Tobar na bhFiann” just beside Carnaun National School and this is one of the resting places of the Fianna when they visited the area. Goll Mac Mórna, a leader of the Fianna lived at “Cloghar Goill” on the “Hill of Carnaun”, near the school.

– –

Written by Finbarr O'Regan

Published here 05 Feb 2021 and originally published 2012

Page 005 of Athenry Mythology

– –

Athenry Mythology

Athenry Mythology

Athenry has a place in Irish mythology! Pictures used in this “Irish Mythology”… Here some recent records:

Explore

Chronicle

The New Community Project of the Brothers of Charity in Athenry
The Brothers of Charity are located in Co. Galway since 1953. They act… by Kelga Klein, Project Manager
Athenry Journal Archive | Community, Education, Health

Contribute

Many thanks to all our writers, researchers and contributors who have made this collation of writing a meaningful historical record. If you would like to add an article, news, thoughts, opinions, photos or anything else to the Athenry.org Library please contact our Editor, Finbarr O’Regan at: oreganathenry@gmail.com
Contact
About

About the project

Find out how it all began and meet the editor.

Read
Links

Community links

Links to our pick of local community places.

Search
Links

Other publications

Recommended good reads by other local writers.

Browse
Letters

Letters to the editor

Comments, reviews and letters from readers.

Read
Carnaun School Athenry

Carnaun school

The legacy website created by Finbarr’s students.

Visit
© 2021 O’Regan’s Athenry Archive | Copyright | Contributors | Privacy | Cookies | Login | A Follyfox Design