Irish Fairy Tales · Character

Conán the Swearer

A bald, loud-mouthed warrior of the Fianna whose boasts and oaths outrun his courage, forever supplying the comic friction that keeps heroic company honest.

supporting

Also known as Conán, bald Conán

First appearance: the boyhood of fionn

As a supporting figure in Irish Fairy Tales, Conán the Swearer is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Conán is referenced as 'bald Conán' in Fionn's playful taunts while hauling a deer.

In the storyVIIOpen this moment free

Conán belongs to the Fianna, the roving warrior band whose exploits and quarrels fill these tales, and he is the member most likely to be talking when he should be fighting. His bluster is his flaw and his function: he swears great oaths, claims great deeds, and generally gets the better of no one but himself, which sets him at odds with quieter, deadlier comrades. He matters because his noise throws the band's real courage into relief, and because a company that tolerates him is a company we can believe in.

See Conán the Swearer in VII Book page

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Character Web

23 connections

A slice of how Conán the Swearer sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Core Fianna and rivals
Protagonist
Fionn's descendants

+18 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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In the story

Conán the Swearer appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VII
Conán is referenced as 'bald Conán' in Fionn's playful taunts while hauling a deer.
XII
Grumbles irritably with Garra mac Morna during the tense silence.
III
Reproaches Fionn for leaving the feast and grumbles about love as a disease.
The Little Brawl at Allen
Involved in the brawl, known for his contentious nature.
I
Bickers with Cairell but makes peace, then accompanies him to the school.
II
Goll's brother who retaliates against Cairell and fights Oscar during the brawl.
I
Present at the camp; comments on Cael's boast and laments Caelte's absence.
VII
Conán triumphantly claims to see a dust and later roars that there is a man.
The Enchanted Cave of Cesh Corran
Member of the Fianna, known for his sharp tongue.
I
Present with Fionn on the hunting-mound at Cesh Corran.
III
Conán is also affected by the enchantment; he expresses reluctance and disgust toward the daughters of Conaran.
IV
Conán is captured and bound, unable to give the warning whistle.
V
Released from enchantment after Goll's victory.
VI
Refuses the combat, terrified by the hag's appearance.

Chapter companion notes

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See Conán the Swearer in the boyhood of fionn

See Conán the Swearer in VII