Acallam na Senórach

Acallam na Senórach [' agaLav na ' ʃeno rax ː ] (" The conversation with the old man " ), in modern Irish Agallamh na Seanórach, is the name of the most comprehensive narrative in the Finn cycle. The work is written partly in prose, partly in verse. Two rudimentary preserved manuscripts that have arisen around 1200, and four edits from the 13th to 16th century are still present today.

Content

The Irish patron saint St. Patrick and his companions encounter the ancient legendary hero Oisín and Caílte mac Rónáin, both descendants of Fionn mac Cumhaill ( Oisín the son Caílte the nephew ). Together ( in a version along with some other survivors of the Fianna ) accompany the aged heroes the Saints on a hike through Ireland. They tell him there the legends and myths that make at important places, where Caílte the main rapporteur. Most legends deal with the adventures of Fionn and his Fianna until the decisive battle at Gabhra ( Cath Gabhra ). These individual narratives that originate from a variety mythical worlds are held together only by the frame story. A similar structure and intent ( power over the country through knowledge of history ) as the Dindsenchas can be seen here.