The Tooth-Fight of Fintan Summary

Fintan, Cethern's father, comes to avenge his son. He brings one hundred fifty men with him, and they all kill three times that number of Irish. The Irish, however, also kill all of Fintan's men except another of his sons. On the battleground, the bodies of each army are found locked at the jaws from fighting so closely. The Irish name this site the tooth-fight. Medb and Ailill tell Fintan that if he withdraws and promises not to fight them until the great battle foretold by the sorcerers, they will release his son. Fintan accepts and retreats to his home.

The Tooth-Fight of Fintan Analysis

This fight seems to function as a suspense builder and a reminder that there is to be a great battle between the armies. It is an alert that the Ulstermen might soon...