Irish mythology is a wild brew of magic, warriors, and the supernatural - where heroes rise, villains scheme, and nature itself plays a vital role. Few legends embody this better than the tale of Fionn mac Cumhaill and his two legendary hounds, Bran and Sceolan. But these weren’t just any hunting dogs - these were hounds with a past as strange and fated as Fionn himself.

Fionn, leader of the mighty Fianna warriors, was gifted with wisdom, strength, and a fate intertwined with myth. His hunting companions, Bran and Sceolan, were known for their intelligence and fierce loyalty, but their origins were nothing short of magical. Their mother, Tuiren - Fionn’s own aunt - had been cursed by a jealous fairy woman, Uchtdealb of the Sidhe, and transformed into a dog. Though she was eventually freed from the spell, it was too late - she had already given birth to two pups. And so, Bran and Sceolan remained hounds, but hounds with the souls of humans.

Their legendary bond with Fionn would be tested when they encountered something truly extraordinary in the forest - Sadhbh, a beautiful woman trapped in the form of a deer by the dark sorcerer Fear Doirich. As elite hunters, they should have brought her down. But with their human understanding, they saw the truth in her eyes. Instead of attacking, they led Fionn to her, recognising a kindred spirit. Fionn, sensing the magic in her, brought her home, and their love story began. Sadhbh regained her human form, and for a time, all was well.

But as in all great myths, happiness is fleeting. When Fionn was called away to battle, Fear Doirich struck again, tricking Sadhbh into leaving the safety of Fionn’s fortress. Once outside, she was transformed back into a deer and disappeared into the wild. Heartbroken, Fionn searched for her for years, never giving up hope, his loyal hounds by his side.

Seven years later, during one of these desperate searches, Bran and Sceolan stumbled upon a young boy raised in the wilderness. The way the hounds protected the child - just as they had once shielded Sadhbh - made Fionn realise the truth. This was his son, Oisín (Little Fawn), the child of his lost love. He took the boy home, raising him among the Fianna, where Oisín would grow to become one of Ireland’s greatest warriors and poets.

Fionn never found Sadhbh again, but Bran and Sceolan remained steadfast to the very end - more than just hounds, they were legends in their own right, woven into the fabric of Irish myth. Their tale is a reminder that loyalty, courage, and a deep connection to the wild are qualities that stand the test of time.

So raise a glass to Bran and Sceolan - the faithful guardians of Ireland’s most legendary warrior. In every hunt, every chase, and every pint poured in their honour, their spirit lives on.