One of the most popular of the Irish legends, the story of Oisín, Niamh and the land of Tír na nÓg (land of youth). Oisín was the son of the great Fionn, leader of the Fianna and one day, while he was hunting, a beautiful woman arrived on a white horse. She had long golden hair to her waist and immediately the young Oisín was smitten. She was Niamh the daughter of the King of Tír na nÓg and she invited Oisín to come with her. Tír na nÓg was a magical place where time passed at a different pace and three hundred years appeared as three. Oisín was happy as he made a new life for himself but deep down, he began to yearn to see his home place once more. Niamh was reluctant for him to leave but relinquished in the end with one condition; he was to take her horse and never once set foot on home soil. He agreed and headed across the waves to see his father and friends once more. However, when he arrived, he was met with a land he did not recognize. He asked for his father, but was told that Fionn had died many, many years ago. Feeling extremely sad he began the journey home but along the way he passed a few men attempting to move a huge boulder. Being young and strong, he immediately offered his services and reached down to help. Unfortunately, he lost his balance and fell to the ground, his feet touching home soil. At once, his youth left, as three hundred passed in an instant and Oisín became a feeble old man. It was said that he was baptized by a Christian saint (often quoted as St. Patrick), though monks may have added this ending in later years.
Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna
Prints |
Dimension (L x W x H) | 305 x 60 x 60 Millimetre |
Weight | 160 Gram |