Cona'n

"By my hand," said Cona'n, "we have never heard of a warrior, however great, but his peer was found in Ireland, and the funeral songs of all such have been chanted by the women of this land."

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

Fionn's brother Cairell struck Cona'n mac Morna, that Goll's two sons came to help Cona'n, that Oscar went to help Cairell, and with that

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

Of Cona'n Mael mac Morna his brother, gruff as a badger, bearded like a boar, bald as a crow, and with a tongue that could manage an insult where another man would not find even a stammer.

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

"Come on, Goll," he would say to his stag, or, lifting it over a tussock with a tough grip on the snout, "Are you coming, bald Cona'n, or shall I kick you in the neck?"

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

"Separated!" said Cona'n, with a grin that made his beard poke all around his face.

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

Cona'n the Swearer and Garra mac Morna grumbled irritably to each other and at their neighbours, even Caelte, the son of Rona'n, looked down into his own lap, and Goll Mor sipped at his wine without any twinkle in his eye.

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

"He had eleven hundred killed," said Cona'n amiably, "and you may call that the rights of it if you like."

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

Fionn would have heard much of them, and it is likely that he practised on a nettle at taking the head off Goll, and that he hunted a sheep from cover in the implacable manner he intended later on for Cona'n the

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

"And it was you that commenced it," Cona'n continued.

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916

"It would be the queer wife would neglect that run," Cona'n growled.

Irish Fairy Tales James Stephens 1916