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 THE FAERY WOMAN

had two wise and swift hounds, called Bran and Sgeolan, that he loved beyond all else, and this is how he gained possession of them.

One summer when he was at his dún on the Hill of Allen, his mother Muireen, accompanied by her young and beautiful sister Tuirenn, came to visit them. At this time some captains of the Ulster Fianna were also visiting Fionn, and among them was one named Illan Echta. Illan thought that never before had he seen any one so fair as Tuirenn, with her eyes blue as the speedwell, and hair the colour of ripe corn, and before all things in the world he loved her and wished to marry her, so that she might be always with him. After some days he went to Fionn, and said to him:

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