Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

—
6o Irish Druids,
Grainne, the heroine of an elopement with the beautiful
hero Diarmuid, or Dermot, fell into her trouble through a
Druid named Daire Duanach MacMorna. She was the
daughter of King Cormac, whose grave is still shown at
Tara, but she was betrothed to the aged, gigantic sovereign
Fionn the Fenian. At the banquet in honour of the
alliance, the Druid told the lady the names and qualities of
the chiefs
assembled, particularly mentioning the graceful
Diarmuid. She was smitten by his charms, particularly a
love-mark on his shoulder, and readily agreed to break her
promised vows in order to share his company. When she
fled with him, Fionn and his son pursued the couple, who
were aided in their flight by another Druid named Diorraing,
styled a skilful man of science.
A fine poem The Fate of tJie Son of Usnach—relates
the trials of Deirdri the Fair. Dr. Keating has this version :
" Caffa the Druid foreboded and prophesied for the daughter
(Deirdri, just born), that numerous mischiefs and losses
would happen the Province (Ulster) on her account. Upon
hearing this, the nobles proposed to put her to death forthwith.
'
Let it not be done so,' cried Conor (King), ' but I
will take her with me, and send her to be reared, that she
may become my own wife.'" It was in her close retreat
that she w^as seen and loved by Naisi, the son of Usnach,
and this brought on a fearful war between Ulster and
Alba.
The Book of Leinster has the story of one that loved the
Queen, who returned the compliment, but was watched
too well to meet with him. He, however, and his fosterbrother,
were turned, by a Druidic spell, into two beautiful
birds, and so gained an entrance to the lady's bower,
making their escape again by a bird transformation. The
King had some suspicion, and asked his Druid to find out
The next time the birds flew, the King had his
the secret.