# Conán the Swearer — Irish Fairy Tales character guide

> Conán the Swearer in Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Conán, bald Conán

**First appearance:** 0014-the-boyhood-of-fionn

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/vii)

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

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xii)

Grumbles irritably with Garra mac Morna during the tense silence.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iii)

Reproaches Fionn for leaving the feast and grumbles about love as a disease.

### [The Little Brawl at Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-little-brawl-at-allen)

Involved in the brawl, known for his contentious nature.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/i)

Bickers with Cairell but makes peace, then accompanies him to the school.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ii)

Goll's brother who retaliates against Cairell and fights Oscar during the brawl.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/i)

Present at the camp; comments on Cael's boast and laments Caelte's absence.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/vii)

Conán triumphantly claims to see a dust and later roars that there is a man.

### [The Enchanted Cave of Cesh Corran](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-enchanted-cave-of-cesh-corran)

Member of the Fianna, known for his sharp tongue.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/i)

Present with Fionn on the hunting-mound at Cesh Corran.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iii)

Conán is also affected by the enchantment; he expresses reluctance and disgust toward the daughters of Conaran.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/iv)

Conán is captured and bound, unable to give the warning whistle.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/v)

Released from enchantment after Goll's victory.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/chapters/vi)

Refuses the combat, terrified by the hag's appearance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/characters/conan_the_swearer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/irish_fairy_tales_se/characters