Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 259

This Irish boar began its life as the fosterson of Angus mac Og. The Fenian hero Duibhne quarrelled with Angus mac Og and killed the boy, refusing to pay the eric or compensatory fine for his death because Duibhne had learned the boy was the offspring of his own wife by a mere shepherd. The shepherd picked up the crushed body of his son, reviving him by the touch of a hazel wand and changed him into a boar. At the same time, the shepherd imprinted into the boar the instruction that he must forever pursue Diarmuid, Duibhne’s true-born son. The fortunate Diarmuid lived a life of great heroism and joy until he finally succumbed to the beauty of Grainne. The lovers eloped, bringing on themselves the vengeance of Fionn mac Cumhail who in his old age had become betrothed to Grainne. While they were hiding from Fionn, Diarmuid went out hunting a mysterious boar that had been spotted near the height of Ben Bulbain, despite Grainne’s warnings. He was fatally gored by the boar but Grainne begged Fionn to use his magical powers and heal her lover. Filled with jealousy, Fionn allowed the healing waters to trickle through his fingers three times before they could touch Diarmuid’s venomous wound. As Diarmuid died, so the slain son of the shepherd had his final vengeance.