Findabair is a character from Irish mythology. Daughter of Queen Medb and King Ailill Mac Mata, her story is told in numerous writings such as “The Cooley Cow Raid”(Táin Bó Cúailnge).
is described as a young woman of great beauty, as sweet as she is desirable. Her name is said to mean “The White Fairy”, and derives from the first name Guinevere.
According to the writings, Findabair fell in love with Fráech Mac Idath, a great Connaught warrior. He hears the news and wants to meet her at court. There he met King Ailill Mac Mata and his wife, Queen Medb. He then spent 3 days playing chess with his sovereigns, spending many happy hours in their company, before finally meeting Findabair one evening.
Fráech Mac Idath immediately fell under Findabair’s spell, and offered to take her away with him that very night. She refuses, asking that the wedding be held in accordance with tradition. Findabair and Fráech Mac Idath ask Findabair’s parents for permission to marry. They agreed, but demanded in return his participation in the Cooley cow raid, as well as the payment of a dowry so large that Fráech Mac Idath eventually refused to pay.
Outraged by this refusal, the rulers of Connaught seek revenge by inviting him to bathe in a lake inhabited by a bloodthirsty monster. Findabair flies to his rescue, rescues him and finally persuades his parents to accept the idea of getting married. After their wedding, Fráech Mac Idath fulfills his obligation to take part in Cooley’s cow razzia. However, he died after a fierce battle with Cúchulainn.
Findabair is now in the grip of a terrible grief. Her Machiavellian mother begins to use her daughter to seduce the disheartened warriors taking part in Cooley’s cow raid. In exchange for a few nights with her, these warriors must then carry out missions in the interests of Queen Medb. She was promised to Rochad Mac Fathemain, then to Ferdiad.
Findabair couldn’t stand it any longer, tried to protest, but ended up dying of shame when she learned that she had been promised to more than 10 Munster kings.
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