Fionn mac Cumhaill

Fionn mac Cumhaill (pronounced approximately "FIN muh-KOOL") is a legendary figure central to Irish mythology who later appears in Scottish and Manx folklore as well. Known in anglicized form as Finn McCool or MacCool, he stands as one of the most prominent heroes in Celtic tradition.

As leader of the Fianna, a band of elite warrior-hunters who roamed the Irish wilderness, Fionn embodied the ideals of courage, wisdom, and leadership. Beyond his martial prowess, he possessed remarkable abilities as both a seer and poet. His legendary wisdom came from his magical thumb—when placed in his mouth after having touched the Salmon of Knowledge, it granted him access to profound insights and foresight.

Fionn is typically portrayed accompanied by his faithful hounds Bran and Sceólang, wielding his signature spear and sword with unmatched skill. His adventures, along with those of his Fianna companions, comprise the Fenian Cycle (an Fhiannaíocht), a significant body of Irish mythological tales. Many of these stories are narrated through the voice of his son Oisín, himself a renowned poet.

The name Fionn mac Cumhaill appears in various forms throughout Celtic language traditions, including Old and Middle Irish (Find or Finn mac Cumail/Umaill) and with distinct pronunciations in Ulster, Connacht, Munster, and Scottish Gaelic dialects.