Diarmuid Ua Duibhne

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne or Diarmid O'Dyna (also known as Diarmuid of the love spot) is a son of Donn and one of the most famous Fianna's member in the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology (traditionally set in the 2nd to 4th century). He is most famous as the lover of Gráinne, the intended wife of Fianna leader Fionn mac Cumhaill in The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne. Aonghus Óg or Aengus is Diarmuid's foster father and protector. Diarmuid is a highly skilled warrior and well-liked and much valued member of the Fianna, he single-handedly slew 3400 warriors in a battle and he saved Fionn and the Fianna.

Aengus owned a deadly sword named Moralltach or Nóralltach, it translates as the great and fierce one, given to him by Manannán mac Lir. In The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne it is said of Moralltach that it left no stroke nor blow unfinished at the first trial. Aonghus gave this sword to his foster-son Diarmuid, in addition to a sword named Beagalltach, the Little Fury. Along with these two swords, Diarmuid is known to have wielded two spears, Gáe Buidhe ("Yellow Spear") and Gáe Dearg ("Red Spear"), which caused wounds that could not be healed. Diarmuid used Gáe Dearg and Moralltach for adventures which were matters of life and death. Diarmuid also used Gáe Buidhe and Beagalltach for lesser adventures.

Vicious curse His father, Donn, was a warrior of the Fianna. At a dinner party, Donn, feeling jealous because of the attention given to the son of Aengus' steward, killed the steward's son when no one was looking. Aengus resurrected the steward's son in the form of a boar, but the steward still required Fionn to find out the truth and, upon learning the truth, put a curse upon Diarmuid: He was to be killed by the steward's transformed son.

Magical love spot Diarmuid is also famed for his love spot, a birthmark, that makes him irresistible to women. Diarmuid, while hunting one night, met a woman who was the personification of youth. After sleeping with him she put a magical love spot on his right cheek that caused any woman who looked at it to fall in love with him.

Loathly Lady and Cup One freezing winter's night, the Loathly Lady brazenly entered the Fianna lodge, where the warriors had just gone to bed after a hunting expedition. Drenched to the bone, her sodden hair was snarled and knotted. Desperate for warmth and shelter, she knelt beside each warrior and demands a blanket, beginning with their leader Fionn. Despite her rants and temper tantrums, the tired men only rolled over and ignored her in the hope that she would leave. Only young Diarmuid, whose bed was nearest to the fireplace, took pity on the wretched woman, giving her his bed and blanket. The Loathy Lady noticed Diarmuid's love spot and said that she had wandered the world alone for 7 years. Diarmuid reassured her and told her she can sleep all night and he that he would protect her. Towards dawn, he noticed that she had become a beautiful young woman.

The next day, the Loathly Lady rewarded Diarmuid's kindness by offering him his greatest wish—a house overlooking the sea. Overjoyed, Diarmuid asked the woman to live with him. She agreed on one condition: he must promise never to mention how ugly she looked on the night they met. After 3 days together, Diarmuid grew restless. The Loathy Lady offered to watch his greyhound and her new pups while he went hunting. On three separate occasions, Diarmuid’s friends, envious of his good luck, visited the lady and asked for one of the new pups. Each time, she honoured the request. Each time, Diarmuid was angry and asked her how she could repay him so meanly when he overlooked her ugliness the first night they met. On the third mention that he had promised never to speak of, the Loathly Lady and the house disappeared and his beloved greyhound died.

Realizing that his ungratefulness has caused him to lose everything he valued, Diarmuid set out to find his lady. He used an enchanted ship to cross a stormy sea. Arriving in the Otherworld, he searched for the lady through green medows filled with brightly coloured horses and silver trees. Three times he spied a drop of ruby-red blood and gathering each drop into his handkerchief. When a stranger revealed that the King’s gravely ill daughter had just returned after 7 years, Diarmuid realised it must be his lady. Rushing to her side, he discovered she was dying. The 3 drops of blood Diarmuid collected were from her heart, spilled each time she thought of Diarmuid. The only cure was a cup of healing water from the Plain of Wonder, guarded by a jealous king and his army. Diarmuid vowed to bring back the cup.

His quest for the healing cup nearly ended at an impassable river. Diarmuid was stumped until the Red Man of All Knowledge, who had red hair and eyes like glowing coals, helped him cross the river and then guided him to the king of the healing cup’s castle. There, Diarmuid called out that the cup should be sent out to him, or else champions to fight with him should be sent out. It was not the cup was sent out, but twice eight hundred fighting men; and in three hours there was not one of them left to stand against him. Then twice nine hundred better fighters again were sent out against him, and within four hours there was not one of them left to stand against him.[1] Impressed, the king gave him the cup of healing. On the return trip, the Red Man advised Diarmuid on how to heal his lady. He also warned the young hero that when her sickness ended, Diarmuid’s love for her would end as well. Diarmuid refused to believe the prophecy, but indeed, it come true. The lady sadly understood that Diarmuid’s love for her had died. She couldn't live in his world any more than he could live in hers.

Diarmuid boarded an enchanted ship to return to the Fianna, where he was greeted by his friends and his greyhound, which the lady had returned to life as her final gift to him.

To hear the story of Diarmuid and Grainne, please play the podcast.

Source: Wikipedia