It's the very same with place names. Have you ever wondered why your town/city/village is called the way it is, what could be the story behind it? - I have! The place where I live is called Fintown, and it has an amazing story behind it's name. But not just the village itself, all the little townlands around are woven into the fabric of this story, and to know why the places are called what they are you have to go back- a long long time ago...
Many people are very interested about their family names and their ancestry stories behind it. A name can reveal so much once you start "digging" and questioning and researching a bit.
Finn was the son of Cumhaill, king of Leinster; he served the high king Conn, who reigned at Tara. Cumhaill was head of the Fianna, an elite band of warriors. Men seeking admission to this band had to pass a test of skill, such as fending off six men with spears, armed only with a shield and a stick. All members had to swear an oath of allegiance to the high king. If one of the Fianna was killed, the dead man's relatives were supposed to let the Fianna avenge him. Fin himself became the leader of the Fianna.
The Fianna often visited Leithín, spending their time hunting through the hills and fishing the lakes. In those days wild boar used to live in the hills and woods.
On one occasion when the Fianna were leaving to go home, Fionn asked Leithín's permission to bring Feardhomhain with them for a year and a day so he could learn all their skills. Permission was granted and off they went - Feardhomhain and the Fianna, or Finn himself.
After a year when the time came for Feardhomhain to return home, the Fianna presented him with three hounds: Graffy (An Grafadh), Meenagrubby (An Griobach) and Darahan (An Dearachán). As he was saying goodbye, Fionn advised him not to go the way of the wild boar. Little did poor Feardhomhain realise that he was in fact under a spell - and would do anything he was advised not to do.
When he came near his home he got very hungry and what did he find but wild boars nest which was filled with little piglets, the mother of them off getting food. His hunger was so great that he slaughtered them all enjoying a nice big meal. - When mother boar returned and saw the slaughter, she was indeed very furious. Picking up Feardhomhain's scent she took off after him. When Feardhomhain saw her coming, he released the hound called Graffy. They fought, but the wild boar won, and the place where the slain hound fell is since known as An Grafadh (Graffy).
Finngheal, his sister, who was at home in Gleann Leithín, heard his shouts and said to her father: "Isn't today the day that Feardhomhain is due home? I think I heard him crying for help - he's captured and we must assist him at once!"
Nowadays there are no wild boars left in Ireland, except for, well except for a hissing and steaming beast huffing along the shores of Lough Finn in the summer. - It's a lovely restored historic train called: Pilleadh An Muc Dubh, "The return of the wild Boar". And if you ever come to Fintown you can enjoy a ride along Loch Finn. And then walk up the road which leads you around the lake into the hills to visit the stone monument of Muck Dubh, enjoy the breathtaking view over the lake to Aghla mountain and think of an old, old story of bygone days.