Oisin and Tir na nOg

Oisin was one of a group of legendary heroes called the Fianna who were led by the larger than life figure of Finn Mc Cool, sometimes a giant, sometimes a warrior sometimes a figure of fun.
Oisin fell in love with the beautiful Niamh, who led him away to Tir na nOg where he remained for many years. But eventually Oisin became homesick. Niamh granted him permission to return to Ireland on condition that he remained on his magical white horse at all times and never at any point set foot on Irish soil.

On his return to Ireland Oisin discovered to his dismay that several hundred yers had passed in Ireland. All the legendary heroes known to him were dead and forgotten, and a new discipline Christianity was now in vogue.
However before Oisin had time to return to Niamh in Tir na nOg he stopped to help some men who were trying to lift a large stone, as he strained with the large stone the strap of his saddle broke and Oisin fell to the ground. As soon as he touched Irish ground he instantly became a feeble old man.

As Oisin lay dying, St Patrick passed by the two great men began to talk, discussing the relative merits of their respective civilisations. This story was faithfully recorded by the munks, there by consigning the heroic era of Celts to history and marking the triumph of Christian era...

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