Colloquy of the Ancients

Also known as The Interrogation of the Old Men (Acallam na Senórach), the story told how the heroes Caílte Mac Ronan and Oisín, the son of Finn, met St Patrick. Though it was probably first composed in 1200, Acallam na Senórach survived only in the 16th century manuscript known as the Book of Dean Lismore.

Caílte and Oisín were the only two heroes who survived the Battle of Gabhra. They emerged from the woods of the Fews Mountains; each hero accompanied by nine old warriors. They decided to part company after visiting Finn's nurse, Cáma. Oisín set out to visit his mother Blai, daughter of Derg Díanscothach (Quick of Speech), at the Sid of the Breast of Cleitech, in Co. Meath.

On his journey, Caílte decided to stop by Finn's burial mound. There the hero encountered St Patrick and his followers. The priests were frightened by the strange appearance of these warriors with huge hounds. Patrick sprinkled holy water on these warriors, exorcising the demons from them.

Patrick was seeking pure water to baptise the people. Caílte decided to accompany Patrick on his missionary journey throughout Ireland. At each dun, road, woods, and river they passed by, Caílte told Patrick of the brave deeds of his former comrades that took place in each place. Some of the adventures involved battle, the great hunt, and feasting. There were even a few adventures involving journeys to the Otherworld. At first, Patrick cringed at Caílte's pagan history; but two angels appeared one night, telling him to have them recorded. St Patrick had two of his priests to act as scribes, faithfully recording the pagan adventures of the Fianna.

Finally, they arrived in Tara and met Oisín. Diarmait Mac Cerbaill was high king at the time, and he was holding a feast known at the Great Fair of Tara (Feis Temrach). There, both heroes told Patrick more adventures of Finn and their former Fian comrades.

The number of adventures they related are too many to list here, so I decided to leave them out. Unfortunately, the full narrative was incomplete.