Diarmuid Ua Duibhne
'Diarmuid, grandson of Duibne'), also known as Diarmuid of the Love Spot, is a hero and demigod in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology, traditionally thought to be set in the 2nd to 4th century.
[4] He grows up to be a skilled warrior and a well-liked, valued member of the Fianna who on one occasion saves Fionn and his band by single-handedly slaying over three thousand enemies in battle.
His mother is Cochrann, Cróchnat or Crochnuit, daughter of Cathaír Mór and close relative of Fionn's herself.
He kills the steward's son, Congus, when no one is looking, but is eventually identified as the murderer through magical means.
He is given a place among the Fianna and accomplishes many great deeds in their service, on one occasion fighting a wild ox for seven consecutive days and nights.
[10] After one of their hunting trips, Diarmuid and his companions discover they have ventured so far they are unable to get back home for the night.
Aimlessly walking through the woods, they encounter a dwelling inhabited by an old man, a young girl, and a cat.
She does mark Diarmuid with the ball seirce, a magical love spot that makes him irresistible to any woman who lays eyes on him.
[3][13] One snowy winter night an unkempt and repugnant woman, "very wild and ugly", appears at the lodge of the Fianna and requests to share one of the men's bedsteads.
She makes additional demands on the group's hospitality, which Diarmuid points out are impertinent given her appearance but grants regardless.
[16] The following two days, the Fianna convince the woman to give away the remaining two pups, and Diarmuid again brings up her former ugliness.
[19] With the assistance of a mysterious "low-sized, reddish man", Diarmuid reaches the dun of the King of the Plain of Wonder and demands the cup.
The kings sends multiple waves of fighting men, whom Diarmuid slays in many hours of battle.
He further warns Diarmuid not to accept the "great riches" the King will offer him for healing his daughter but to ask only for a ship to bring him home to Ireland.
[citation needed] Fionn has been without female companionship since the death of his wife Maighneis, daughter of Black Garraidh.
[23] Cormac leave the decision to Gráinne, who at first accepts but develops second thoughts when she meets Fionn and notices his advanced age.
[25] Diarmuid is magically compelled to leave the party, Gráinne in tow, knowing full well that Fionn will hunt the two of them down.
The trackers, many of them loyal friends of Diarmuid's, declare themselves unable to carry the track across the Sionnan until Fionn threatens them with execution.
The kings, who have been summoned by Fionn to catch Diarmuid, are travelling with twenty hundred good fighting men and three invulnerable magical hounds.
[39] In the centre of the Forest of Dubros were magical berries from the rowan tree that could restore the youth of an old person, guarded by the giant Searbhan on the instructions of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
Fionn gathered the Fianna and travelled to the wood where he had a fidchell board set up, and played his son Oisín.
Oscar, Fionn's grandson, warned that anyone who harmed Diarmuid would face his anger, and escorted the couple safely away through the forest.
Diarmuid was hunting in the forest beside the river Boyne and Bodhmall flew through the air on a flying water-lily and hurled poisoned darts that could penetrate his shield and armour.
Gráinne persuaded Diarmuid to invite their friends and relations to a feast, including Fionn and the Fianna.
After Diarmuid's death, Aengus took his body back to the Brugh, where he breathed life into it whenever he wished to speak with the hero.
[42] Manannán mac Lir, a sea god,[43][44] presents Aengus Óg with an invincible magical sword named either Móralltach[45] or Nóralltach, the Great Fury.
