An old Druid named Finnegas lived by a pool near the banks of the river Boyne. Many young apprentice druids came to train under his guidance. He was known throughout the land to be a great teacher and mentor. His hut was built close to the pool on a slightly elevated knoll. From here he could easily draw fresh water for all his needs and also closely observe the movements and ripples of the pool as it rose and fell with the changing seasons. He watched the seven hazel trees surrounding the pool, as they produced new buds and leaves each springtime. He watched the hazelnuts grow in their green clusters, change colour to a rich brown and drop from their branches into the pool below. The stillness and beauty of this place was transfixing but it was not the only reason Finnegas was drawn here. Its greatest hidden secret lay in the dark depths of the pool.
At the beginning of each autumn a solitary salmon would swim up river and enter the pool surrounded by the seven hazel trees. Slowly and purposefully he would feast on the nuts.
Legend has it that the one who caught and ate this particular salmon would receive the unbounded knowledge of all things within the three realms*. The old druid knew that this was not an easy task. He had been outwitted by the fish many times before. In fact so many times that he had built up such a respect for the salmon, he had come to know him as a brother. Although he tried his best to catch him, he was unsure about what the outcome might be if he did.
The hazel is known as the druid’s tree, the poet’s tree and the tree of knowledge. During the different seasons the knowledge is stored within the various parts of the tree. In spring and summer, within its leaves; in late summer and autumn in its nuts and in winter within its trunk and branches. That is why it is always best to cut a hazel staff in the winter time.
So it may be fair to say that there was already a deep and established connection between the druid, the salmon and the tree. Somehow it came to be that the salmon knew in his heart that he must offer himself up to the druid, in order that the circle might be closed, and so he did.
Just about this time Finnegas had a new Druí Feasa or trainee druid. He was the son of a great and powerful chieftain leader of the Fianna who were devoted in service to the high king. His name was Demne and although young in years he was already an accomplished warrior.
So eventually, with a mixture of sadness and gladness, having caught the fish, Finnegas the old Druid carefully prepared it and placed it over the fire to cook. Having told Demne to watch but not to eat any part of the salmon he wandered over to the pool to offer gratitude for his gift. As he walked back to the fire a strange energy came over him. He saw the fish still cooking on the fire and Demne standing over it, his thumb in his mouth. Immediately the young Druí feasa explained,
“I did as you told me master, but as I was watching, a blister arose on the skin of the fish. I couldn’t resist, so I pressed the blister with my thumb. My thumb burned so I put it in my mouth to cool.”
Immediately Finnegas knew just by looking at the boy that the gift of knowledge had already passed to him. He humbly told Demne, he must now eat the rest of the fish, so the transformation would be complete.
So it came about, that the gift of knowledge was passed.
On receiving the gift, the boy’s hair turned white and his name was changed from Demne to Finn (the white haired one). Each time a question was to be answered, the young Finn would put his thumb in his mouth and the right answer would be revealed.
He spent a while longer in learning with Finnegas, delving deeply into the mysteries of life, and then one spring morning he was gone.
Finnegas remained by the stillness of the pool and welcomed friend and stranger alike. From time to time he would hear of the stories and adventures of Finn and how his knowledge was used for the good of all mankind.
