Finvarra (Art by HRFleur)
Finvarra, also called Finvara, Finn Bheara, Finbeara or Fionnbharr, is a king of the Daoine Sídhe of western Ireland in Irish mythology. In some legends, he is also the King of the Dead.
Description[]
Finvarra is a benevolent figure who ensures good harvests, a master at chess, strong horses, and great riches to those who will assist him. He loved the forest, though it was dark and dangerous in many parts; and enjoyed hunting and feasting among the trees with his people.
Even though he was distrustful of strangers for the most part, he was able to make frequent dealings and negotiations with men, but more alarmingly is that he is also known to frequently kidnap human women; said negotiations with me might be related to his kidnapping of their wives and kinfolk. Despite this act, Finvarra only takes them to have them become part of the Sídhe where they will live in merry and eternal youth.
Overview[]
He is said to reside upon the hills of Knockmaa, near Tuam, in County Galway with his queen Oona (or Oonagh, Una, Uonaidh, etc). There is a ruin on the hill marked on Ordnance Survey maps as "Finvarra's castle". It is mentioned in manuscripts stretching back many centuries. As he is dubbed the King of the Dead, he would often take those who perished to the Otherworld, most notably during the time when the Sídhe would parade through the mortal lands and sing the Song of Lament.
Finvarra's early life is not recorded though it is implied that he was among the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Celtic gods who founded Ireland. As the Age of Man would advance, the Tuatha Dé Danann would soon begin to make their abode underground with Finvarra alongside them as well. He is among the ruling bodies of the Fae Courts with him acting as the chieftain of the Summer Court. He was perhaps the Sídhe who would venture out into the mortal world the most as he loved its forests. He is quite well known among the mythical inhabitants outside of his realm as well, as he was known to play cards with the Leshy.