Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER VI: TALES OF THE OSSIANIC CYCLE 249and of crude theology, resembling those of an English miracleplayrather than any Celtic product that I am acquainted with.St. Patrick in these ballads, as Mr. Nutt remarks, “is a sourand stupid fanatic, harping with wearisome monotony on thedamnation of Finn and all his comrades; a hard taskmaster to thepoor old blind giant to whom he grudges food, and upon whomhe plays shabby tricks in order to terrify him into acceptance ofChristianity.” Now in the “Colloquy” there is not one word of allthis. Keelta embraces Christianity with a wholehearted reverence,and salvation is not denied to the friends and companions of hisyouth. Patrick, indeed, assures Keelta of the salvation of several [290]of them, including Finn himself. One of the Danaan Folk,who has been bard to the Fianna, delighted Patrick with hisminstrelsy. Brogan, the scribe whom St. Patrick is employing towrite down the Fian legends, says: “If music there is in heaven,why should there not be on earth? Wherefore it is not right tobanish minstrelsy.” Patrick made answer: “Neither say I any suchthing”; and, in fact, the minstrel is promised heaven for his art.Such are the pleasant relations that prevail in the “Colloquy”between the representatives of the two epochs. Keelta representsall that is courteous, dignified, generous, and valorous inpaganism, and Patrick all that is benign and gracious inChristianity; and instead of the two epochs standing over againsteach other in violent antagonism, and separated by an impassablegulf, all the finest traits in each are seen to harmonise with andto supplement those of the other.Tales of DermotA number of curious legends centre on Dermot O'Dyna, whohas been referred to as one of Finn mac Cumhal's most notablefollowers. He might be described as a kind of Gaelic Adonis, atype of beauty and attraction, the hero of innumerable love tales;and, like Adonis, his death was caused by a wild boar.The Boar of Ben Bulben“Transactions of the Ossianic Society.”