Angus Óg

The god of love and youth. Angus (Oengus) was the son of Dagda and Boann. He was known as Angus the Young or Mac Óc. Angus lived at Brugh na Bóinne.

Angus appeared as Mac Oc in the Book of Invasions and the Second Battle of Mag Tuired, where his wisdom saved Dagda from starving to death. See Tyranny of Bres.

The best known story about Angus was the Aislinge Oenguso (Dream of Angus). Angus fell in love with a beautiful maiden that he had seen in his dream, near a lake, surrounded by fifty companions. He became ill with his longing for this unknown girl. His parents were concerned with his health, and sought the identity of the girl.

Her name was Caer Iborméith (Caer Ibormeith), daughter of Ethal Anbúail, the Danann king in Connacht. Angus found out that Caer could take on the form of a swan in one moment and a human shape the next. Angus went to the lake to declare his love for her. He was transformed into a swan where they flew off together. Obviously, Caer accepted his love.

In the Fenian Cycle, Angus was the foster father of the Fenian hero Díarmait, who was the son of Don and the friend of Finn Mac Cumhaill. Twice when Diarmait and Grainne were trapped by Finn's men, Angus had spirited Gráinne away while Diarmait made his escape on his own heroic skills. However, in the end, Angus couldn't save his foster son when Diarmait was mortally wounded by a wild boar, as the prophecy or geis had predicted. Angus took the body away with him, where it was preserved from decay and would occasionally talk to Angus.