Page 56 - Demo

56 Stephen Dunford: The Journey of The IrIsh
the Irish warriors, were soldiers in time of war-the first real Irish army, and also, a national police force, the progenitor of An Gárda Siochána, in time of peace.
A candidate who wished to join the Fiann had first to show that his family was willing to accept life or death for him in the course of his daily hazards. This done, the candidate next had to pass several very severe tests in order to prove both his mental and physical fitness. As a result, the entire Fiann corps was made up of the best and bravest young men who excelled in fighting, in hunting, and in learning. When a candidate had passed the tests and was approved as fit for this heroic band, there were four geasa (vows of chivalry) laid upon him, as the final condition of his admission into the ranks. The vows were as follows:
1. He shall marry his wife without portion, choosing her for her manners and her virtues. 2. He shall be gentle with all women.
3. He shall never reserve to himself anything which another person stands in need of. 4. He shall stand fight to all odds, as far as nine to one.
Unsurprisingly their motto was: Glaine ár gcroí (Purity of our hearts), Neart ár ngéag (Strength of our limbs) Beart de réir ár mbriathar (Action to match our speech)
All these requirements and conditions give a clear picture, not only of the greatness of the ancient Irish warriors, but also of the high ideals of the people from whom such noble men were drawn, so its no wonder then that foreign princes often came to Ireland to seek the privilege of training in the ranks of the far-famed Fiann host.
There were three cathas or battalions of the Fiann, each one numbering 3,000 men in time of peace. In times of war, there were three times seven battalions-63,000 men. The Fiann moved all over Ireland, training and hunting, and when need be, fighting. They lived in encampments during the summer half of the year, from Bealtaine (May-day) to Samhain (Hallow-day) Halloween, and in winter, from Samhain to Bealtaine, they were quartered upon the noble people. It is told that they ate only one meal a day, the evening meal, and that they couched and slept beneath fragrant branches-on the three beddings of the Fiann-first, green boughs, over that green moss, and finally green rushes.
Famed in story and song, the most celebrated member of the Fiann was their leader and champion, the gallant Fionn mac Cumhail-‘Fionn the Achilles of Ireland,’ as he is sometimes called, who lived in a beautiful mansion on the Hill of Almhain, near the present-day Cur-
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