The Wanderings of Oisin
William Butler Yeats
About Tír na nÓg
Tír na nÓg, (literally "Land of the Young") is the Irish fairyland. It is, more or less, the Irish version of the English fariyland Avalon or Welsh Annwn. The most important Irish story about Tír na nÓg is the story of Oisin. Oisin, son of the great mythical hero/god Finn Mac Cool, was a bard and a poet.
The fairy princess Niamh of Tír na nÓg fell in love with Oisin because of his poetry. She traveled to Ireland and took Oisin (who went willingly) away on her great white horse that could ride over the ocean to Tír na nÓg, where he lived with her in bliss for 300 years.
Then, being reminded of the Fennians by a branch that washed ashore on Tír na nÓg, he begs Niamh to let him return to visit Ireland. She lends him her great white horse, warning him that he must not touch the ground, or he will never return to her. Well, you can guess what happens. He touches earth by accident, and suddenly all his 300 years come upon him, and he is unable to return to Tír na nÓg and Niamh.
In outline this is a familiar story told in many cultures. In America we have Rip Van Winkle, and in Japan there is Urashima Tarou. The story of Oisin distinguishes itself from other nations' stories I have read in being more detailed.
The Wanderings of Oisin is W.B. Yeats's verse retelling of the story. Yeats, however, does not name Tír na nÓg. It's not generally regarded as one of Yeats's best. But it's still Yeats.
I am writing a short story in which my characters visit Tír na nÓg, so I read this for background. I enjoyed it. I don't promise to be faithful, however, I am tempted to mix a little Urashima Tarou into my story.
Great review! 💯
Sounds like an excellent story; and that’s unfortunate that he accidentally touched the ground, but I suppose that that was a risk that he knew existed, and the potential reward does not always outweigh the potential risk. ⚖️
Thank you for sharing this review with us readers! 🙏