Tale Summary
Finnian, the Abbot of Moville, discovers one day that someone in his province still believes in gods, rather than the Christian God. He sets off to change this person’s mind because he finds this appalling. Tuan, the man who believes in gods, does not wish to speak to Finnian and refuses him entrance. Finnian remains determined so he fasts outside of Tuan’s home in order that Tuan will have to offer him hospitality and food. This works, and once Finnian enters his home, Tuan begins telling his story to explain why he believes in gods.Ìý
Tuan describes how he was alive when people first moved to inhabit Ireland, which shocks Finnian, as he has grown up hearing stories of these ancient times. Tuan came to Ireland many years before with a famous man named Partholon who had numerous offspring there. A plague came upon his offspring and everyone except for Tuan passed away. After this, Tuan was destined by the gods to inhabit the body of many creatures such as a stag, hawk, boar, and a salmon.
Finally, after living as various animals, Tuan is caught and eaten by the queen when he is in the body of a salmon. He is then born as her child, thus explaining how he came to be the person Finnian was conversing with. The story ends with Tuan being reborn once again in the name of the Lord. After this, it is unclear whether he finally passes away or remains in Ireland where he has always lived.
Fairy Tale Title
The Story of Tuan MacCairill
Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)
James Stephens
Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)Ìý
Arthur Rackham
Common Tale TypeÌý
Ìý
Tale Classification
Ìý
Page Range of TaleÌý
pp. 3-31
Full Citation of TaleÌý
"The Story of Tuan MacCairill." Irish Fairy Tales, Stephens, James, London: Macmillan, 1920, pp. 3-31.
Original Source of the Tale
Ìý
Tale Notes
There are five illustrations in this tale which vary in their style and depictions. Some are very intricate and realistic while others depict people as almost grotesque caricatures. It is written towards an audience of any age and gives a historical account through the lens of a fairy tale of part of the history of Ireland. The Story of Tuan MacCairill depicts the historical differences over time of Irish religion. Overall, the lesson is that one’s ultimate path in life is to find God and be born again just as Tuan is.
Research and Curation
Stephanie Virts, 2022
Book TitleÌý
Irish Fairy Tales
Book Author/Editor(s)Ìý
James Stephens
Illustrator(s)
Arthur Rackham
Publisher
Macmillan
Date Published
1920
Decade PublishedÌý
1920-1929
Publisher City
London
Publisher Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Rights
Public Domain
Digital Copy
Book Notes
None