Irish Fairy Tales · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens.
Fionn mac Uail
major
Also known as Fionn, little Fionn, great Fionn, proud Fionn, young Fionn, Fionn mac Uail
Legendary hero and leader of the Fianna, central to many tales in this collection.
Mongan
major
Also known as Mongan Tender Blossom
A magical king and son of Manannán, known for his shape-shifting and adventures.
Goll mac Morna
supporting
Also known as Morna, Goll Mor mac Morna, Goll, Goll mor mac Morna, Goll Mor, Goll mac Morna
A fierce warrior of the Fianna and rival to Fionn, often clashing with him.
Becfola
supporting
A beautiful woman who becomes involved in a mysterious and romantic tale.
Tuan mac Cairill
supporting
Also known as Tuan, Cairill, Tuan mac Cairill
An ancient survivor who recounts Ireland's history through multiple animal reincarnations.
Cael
supporting
Also known as Cael of the Iron
A warrior of the Fianna, known for his strength and tragic love story.
Becuma
supporting
A pale-skinned woman from the Otherworld who brings trouble to the court.
Fergus Fionnliath
supporting
Also known as Fergus
A warrior and companion of Fionn, often involved in battles and quests.
Mac an Dáv
supporting
Also known as mac an Dáv, mac, Dáv
A mysterious figure who appears in tales of challenge and transformation.
Duv Laca
supporting
Also known as Duv Laca of the White Hand, young Duv Laca
A woman of the Fianna, known for her beauty and tragic fate.
Cormac mac Art
supporting
Also known as Cormac, Art, young Art
A legendary High King of Ireland, known for his wisdom and justice.
Conn
minor
Also known as II, II Conn
A king or warrior, often appearing in tales of the Fianna.
Uct Dealv
minor
Also known as Uct Dealv (Fair Breast)
A beautiful woman from the Otherworld, sought after by heroes.
The Carl of the Drab Coat
supporting
Also known as the Carl, Carl, the Drab Coat
A mysterious, powerful figure who tests heroes in disguise.
Aillen mac Midna
minor
Also known as Aillen, Midna
A supernatural being who terrorizes Tara with his fiery breath.
Finegas
minor
A poet and sage who mentors the young Fionn in wisdom.
Branduv
minor
A warrior of the Fianna, known for his dark hair and fierce nature.
Conán the Swearer
supporting
Also known as Conán, bald Conán
A loud, boastful member of the Fianna, often comic relief.
Fiachna Finn
minor
Also known as Fiachna
A warrior and ally of the Fianna, involved in various adventures.
Manannán mac Lir
supporting
Also known as Manannán, Lir
The sea god and Otherworldly king, often aiding or testing heroes.
Crimthann
minor
Also known as Crimthann mac Ae
A king or warrior in tales of the Fianna and Irish legend.
Tibraidè
minor
A character appearing in the tales, possibly a warrior or king.
Segda
minor
A minor figure in the Fianna stories, likely a warrior.
Fiachna Duv
minor
Also known as Fiachna Duv mac Demain, Fiachna
A dark-haired warrior of the Fianna, involved in conflicts.
Muirne
minor
Mother of Fionn, a central figure in his origin story.
Dermod
minor
Also known as Dermod mac Ae, Ae, Ae the Beautiful
A handsome warrior of the Fianna, often in romantic tales.
Brótiarna
minor
A minor character in the Fianna cycle, possibly a servant or warrior.
Uail mac Baiscne
minor
Also known as Uail, Baiscne
Father of Fionn, a leader of the Fianna before his death.
Fiacuil mac Cona
minor
Also known as Fiacuil
A warrior of the Fianna, known for his strength and loyalty.
Iollan Eachtach
minor
Also known as Iollan
A warrior of the Fianna, often in battle scenes.
Delvcaem
minor
A beautiful maiden from the Otherworld, sought by heroes.
The Fianna
supporting
Also known as the Fianna - Finn, the victorious Fianna
The legendary band of warriors led by Fionn, central to many tales.
Morgan
minor
A character in the Fianna stories, possibly a warrior or king.
Caelte mac Ronán
minor
Also known as Caelte, Caelte mac Ronán, Ronán
A swift warrior of the Fianna, known for his speed and skill.
The Black Hag
minor
A malevolent supernatural figure who appears in various tales.
Cairell Whiteskin
minor
Also known as Cairell
A warrior of the Fianna, known for his pale complexion.
Conaran
minor
Also known as This Conaran
A minor figure in the Fianna cycle, possibly a foe.
Ivell of the Shining Cheeks
minor
Also known as Ivell
A beautiful queen of Connaught, married in a tale.
Oscar
minor
A grandson of Fionn and a mighty warrior of the Fianna.
Cuillen
minor
A minor character in the Fianna stories, possibly a servant.
Cromdes
minor
A druid or wise figure in the tales of the Fianna.
Lugaidh
minor
A warrior or king appearing in the Fianna cycle.
Bran
minor
Fionn's magical hound, famous for his loyalty and size.
Tuiren
minor
A woman transformed into a hound in a tale of enchantment.
Caevóg
minor
A minor female character in the Fianna stories.
Cairidè
minor
A warrior or figure in the Fianna tales.
Conán Mael mac Morna
minor
Also known as Conán mac Morna
A member of the Fianna, possibly related to Goll.
The Ard-Rí
minor
Also known as the Ard - Rí
The High King of Ireland, a recurring authority figure.
Saeve
minor
A woman transformed into a deer, mother of Oisín.
Fergus True-Lips
minor
Also known as Fergus
A truthful warrior or poet in the Fianna cycle.
Partholon
minor
An early mythical settler of Ireland, mentioned in tales.
Oisín
minor
Son of Fionn and Saeve, a poet and warrior of the Fianna.
Sceólan
minor
One of Fionn's loyal hounds, often mentioned with Bran.
Eolgarg
minor
Also known as Eolgarg Mor
A giant or monstrous figure in the Fianna tales.
Credè
minor
A beautiful woman in the Fianna stories, often a love interest.
Ben Edair
minor
A warrior or figure associated with the Fianna.
Rough Hair mac Morna
minor
Also known as the Rough mac Morna, Morna
A member of the Morna clan, often an antagonist.
Iaran
minor
A minor character in the Fianna cycle.
The Lochlannachs
minor
Also known as the Lochlannachs
Viking-like invaders who appear in some tales.
Flann
minor
A minor warrior or king in the Fianna stories.
Brotar
minor
A minor figure, possibly a servant or warrior.
Tara
minor
The ancient seat of the High Kings, personified in tales.
Clann-Morna
minor
Also known as Morna, the clann - Morna
A rival clan to Fionn's Baiscne, often in conflict.
Flahri
minor
A minor character in the Fianna tales.
Starn
minor
Also known as Tuan mac Starn
An ancient figure in Irish myth, father of Tuan.
Beothach
minor
A minor figure from early Irish legend.
Bovmall
minor
A minor character in the Fianna cycle.
Deimne
minor
An early name for Fionn in his youth.
Feehal
minor
A minor warrior in the Fianna stories.
Tibraidès
minor
A minor character, possibly a variant of Tibraidè.
