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A summary of the Irish Fenian cycle myth, The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne (Tóraigheacht Dhiarmada agus Ghráinneld) as told by Tom Peete Cross and Clark Harris Slover in 1936’s Ancient Irish Tales.
At the wedding feast of the aging leader Finn mac Cumaill, the princess Grainne looked upon the gathered warriors and felt only despair at being wed to a man older than her father.
Her gaze fell instead upon Diarmuid O’Duibne, the “best lover of women in the world,” distinguished by the beauty spot on his forehead.
Using a druidic chalice, she drugged the assembly into a deep slumber, leaving only a few champions awake.
Grainne approached Diarmuid and placed him under heavy geasa—sacred bonds of honor—commanding him to take her away that night.
Though torn by his loyalty to Finn, Diarmuid could not break his vows.
With the help of his companions, he leaped over the ramparts of Tara and fled into the darkness with the princess.
For sixteen years, they lived as fugitives in the forests and caves of Ireland.
They were pursued relentlessly by Finn’s trackers, yet protected by the god Angus Óg, who spirited Grainne away whenever the net drew too tight.
In the early years, Diarmuid left uncooked bread and meat at their campsites to signal to Finn that he remained chaste, but eventually, their love became a true union.
A fragile peace was finally brokered, allowing the couple to live in the district of Kesh Corann.
But Finn’s jealousy remained a “burning coal” in his heart.
He invited Diarmuid to a hunt on the slopes of Benn Gulban, knowing well that the warrior was fated never to hunt a wild boar.
During the chase, a monstrous, enchanted boar emerged, and Diarmuid, armed only with his lesser weapons, stood his ground.
The beast ripped Diarmuid open with its tusks, though he managed to strike it dead with the hilt of his broken sword.
As Diarmuid lay dying, Finn arrived. Finn possessed the magical power to heal any wound with a drink of water from his hands, but twice he let the water trickle through his fingers, intentionally dwelling on his lost bride.
By the time his grandson Oscar threatened him with a blade to show mercy, the water reached Diarmuid’s lips too late.
The hero was gone, and the long pursuit ended in the silence of the mountain.