The Irish myth of Diarmuid’s betrayal - Iseult Gillespie

Dig into the Irish myth of lovers Gráinne and Diarmuid, and follow their journey as they flee from her betrothed, Fionn.
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Gráinne, princess of Tara and bride-to-be, was furious. She had thought she was betrothed to a young soldier, bold and brilliant enough to be her equal. Yet it soon became clear she was expected to marry Fionn, a warrior far past his prime. Not willing to suffer this insult, Gráinne decided that before the wedding she would exact her revenge. Iseult Gillespie shares the Irish myth of Fionn's fury.
Lesson by Iseult Gillespie, directed by Efa Blosse-Mason.
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View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/love-vs-ho...
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Animator's website: www.efabmanimation.com and paolorussoanimation.weebly.com
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Ana Maria, Exal Enrique Cisneros Tuch, Tejas Dc, Khalifa Alhulail, Martin Stephen, Dan Paterniti, Jose Henrique Leopoldo e Silva, Elnathan Joshua Bangayan, Jayant Sahewal, Mandeep Singh, Abhijit Kiran Valluri, Kris Siverhus, Devin Harris, Pavel Zalevskiy, Karen Goepen-Wee, Filip Dabrowski, Barbara Smalley, Megan Douglas, Tim Leistikow, Ka-Hei Law, Hiroshi Uchiyama, Mark Morris, Misaki Sato, EdoKun, Boytsov Ilya, SookKwan Loong, Bev Millar, Lex Azevedo, Noa Shore, Michael Aquilina, Jason A Saslow, Dawn Jordan, Prasanth Mathialagan, Samuel Doerle, David Rosario, Dominik Kugelmann - they-them, Siamak H, Ryohky Araya, Mayank Kaul, Christophe Dessalles, Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora Slydell, Noel Situ and emily lam.

[@ephemeral_ephemeris]

"And the embers of rage that long burned inside him were finally quenched by tears" Profound and beautiful 🌞

[@CharlieQuartz]

my tears followed his

[@joshuataylor3550]

I think Diarmuid has borderline personality disorder.

[@ephemeral_ephemeris]

@@joshuataylor3550 Uh...hahaha Or Maybe you just overthought about his emotions

[@mantidream8179]

The ending of this tale was a truly sorrowful, human moment. Long-buried resentment can rear up and strike even after friendship is restored, and deeply wound both parties.

[@KxNOxUTA]

Yes, because burying is irresponsible to start with. Such things must be processed very throughly. And our decency must be well trained to not get irritated by any scraps poking here n there eventually, while still at it.

[@Dontreadmycomment151]

Fairy tale and Myth are often made to wash away the harsh reality just like grim tale. The grim and realistic part of this story is that king killed him for revenge for getting cucked.

[@themaskedman221]

@@Dontreadmycomment151 _The grim and realistic part of this story is that king killed him for revenge for getting cucked._ 🤣🤣

[@syneffo9942]

Now this was good, having to choose between putting desires of love for yourself and your partner over bonds with people you were with for many years. This is a good myth.

[@joshuataylor3550]

I think Diarmuid has borderline personality disorder.

[@dye4na]

Not a myth where I live

[@nai1729]

probably has happened once or twice irl

[@smil431]

0:09

[@KxNOxUTA]

People who are abusive are not people who have any right to insist on something as social as loyalty. 😑 People who go and want to force way younger people into marriages are to be throughly educated by everyone around them regardless of any power dynamics!

[@joshuagordon7354]

So cool to hear an accent from the region we're talking about Would love to see more of this in future videos

[@alimc169]

That’s not a real, or good Irish accent

[@Hjernespreng]

@@alimc169 Irish and British people seem to have in common that any less known regional accent they hear in media is "a bad accent".

[@Pg-rp9ju]

I mean most of them are like this right?

[@Pg-rp9ju]

@@Hjernespreng I mean if you look at the name of the person you’ll that are Irish themselves, although I’m also Irish and I can confirm that the accent sounds Irish enough

[@eoincampbell1584]

@@alimc169 You know our accent has like 50 variations across the island right? Plus he's clearly doing a bit of a presentorial voice, so it's not going to sound the same as in normal conversation. You can tell he's really Irish by the fact he pronounced all the names right, unlike previous Irish mythology videos from TED-Ed

[@ieatbananaskins7926]

It is important to note that Fionn was also a badass, he’s just a bit older in this

[@JB-mh5xy]

Yeah, they made it sound like he was just some crusty, old fart that sat around all day reminiscing about being good at sports when he was a teenager.

[@Xman34washere]

yeah no he's still incredibly cool

[@ananth227]

"The embers of rage that long burned inside him were finally quenched by tears" that's the most poetic thing I have heard in a long while..

[@StevieObieYT]

As an Irishman, I must say that story was perfectly told. It was brilliantly narrated. And there was epic artwork to go with it. I could easily watch a thousand more episodes like this. Keep up the good work... 😏 Tiocfaidh ár lá 🇮🇪

[@generalnawaki]

I would watch a thousand more and a thousand after that just to learn more about Irish myth and the Fae folk.

[@oksowhat]

one question, since Ireland is Christian, and multiple gods are not allowd, then how can god of love exist?

[@oksowhat]

@Weasel ohh, thanks for telling

[@generalnawaki]

@@oksowhat good question, it was not always and the people kept their myths and gods alive. also saint Patrick's day is Irish and is about driving none christians out of Ireland.

[@ireland776]

@@oksowhat These myths are pre-Christian. 4th century AD give or take

[@ilertargenthorne4639]

Ancient Culture: Exists Eloping with the King's Bride: _Allow me to introduce myself_

[@rihanajan9798]

it is a human archetype, the man who steals another one's lover and betrays the covert contracts that exists between men, it has surfaced across almost all cultures through folklore, religious script, and ancient stories. Interesting

[@huntress44]

I only knew of Diarmuid because he's one of the characters in an anime called Fate/Zero 😅 glad to hear the more detailed backstory

[@bhowmikranjan8841]

Lancer ga Shinda

[@masta4088]

That's the first thing I thought too looking at the title! Was tryna spot the mole haha

[@GentleFD25]

LOL YEP one of my fav charas from zero

[@rasgeleisim]

@@bhowmikranjan8841 No that was the Irish Hercules. But yes both of them was lancers. And both of them brave and respectable warriors. Though Diarmuid was my favorite since I am such a drama queen.

[@oldcowbb]

@@rasgeleisim that phrase works on many lancers anyway

[@angusyang5917]

Fun fact: Another man, the king of Leinster, Diarmaid mac Murchadha, actually decided to pull off what happened in the myth in 1152 by abducting one of the wife of the king of Breifne, Tiernan O'Rourke. In response, the high king Ruadhri Ua Conchobhair deposed him in 1167, and he in response, called over the Norman leader Richard de Clare, aka Strongbow, to invade Ireland, marrying his daughter to him. Diarmaid got back his throne, while Strongbow got a large chunk of Leinster. In response, Henry II was forced to invade himself so that Strongbow and any other Norman lords didn't become too powerful, and established the Lordship of Ireland, beginning English rule of Ireland.

[@joshuataylor3550]

I think Diarmuid has borderline personality disorder.

[@sublimefermion2205]

Are you depicting CK3 campaign or is it a real life story?

[@angusyang5917]

@@sublimefermion2205 It's a real story.

[@Ikajo]

@@sublimefermion2205 Glad I'm not the only one to know those names from the game 😅

[@Aegis---]

@@sublimefermion2205 its a real story lol

[@l.n.3372]

The animation is funny, and the narration is humorous and witty. Such a tragically poetic myth. One moment's hesitation over past grudges can lead to tragedy. Also, I always enjoy Irish mythology because it gives me the chance to learn just how badly I've been pronouncing the names in my own head xD

[@williamhogrider4136]

Dude... The ending gave me chills, tbh if I was in Fionn's place, my hands would have trembled too. I can feel it.

[@l.n.3372]

@@williamhogrider4136 I was surprised that the king hesitated, if they had become such good friends over the years. But it definitely highlights the fact that as humans, sometimes we can't always control our lingering regrets or grudges. And the King's lingering resentment sadly caused the hesitation that cost his friend's life.

[@ieatbananaskins7926]

I wouldn't trust TedEd's pronounciation, they can get it wrong at times - I wouldn't pronounce McCumhaill that way at all Or maybe it's correct but in a different dialect to the one I speak

[@l.n.3372]

@@ieatbananaskins7926 How do you pronounce it?

[@pepsiman4065]

@@l.n.3372 Just Mcool

[@amogus8647]

As a person from Africa it's nice to see other cultures stories.

[@yxcineee.c]

Where in Africa are you from? I’m from Senegal so just curious

[@nialldean9791]

@@yxcineee.c Senegal 🇸🇳😍 congratulations on winning the African cup! I hope to visit someday. The largest mosque in Africa and the Island of Gorée are two places in which I hope to pay respects to.

[@OYJluv]

We need to know more about yours tho. Occidentalists have parched us from the history of Africa.

[@hiiamjustacoolrandomuser168]

Indeed

[@melissabadaoui986]

Hello! Me too and I'm from Algeria

[@JaybeePenaflor]

Another very beautifully narrated and animated story from TED-Ed!

[@Amr-H]

They are the best ❤️❤️

[@joshuataylor3550]

I think Diarmuid has borderline personality disorder.

[@JaybeePenaflor]

@@Amr-H They simply are! Great story-telling supported by engaging animations.

[@Norikoavalon96]

Bring back good memories. Took a class on Irish Myths back in the day with some good friends. Lovely retelling of one of my favorite myths.

[@RobsRetinue]

Having grown up in Ireland with these stories and remaining here still! it’s both incredible and beautiful to see the work put in to bring our mythology to wider audiences! I look forward to many more of these!

[@Simp_Zone]

Great animation as always, and a fascinating story. As an Irishman I appreciate learning more about our myths and legends

[@tegandumpleton3360]

Everyone: Aw, true love! Me: Um. She pull a Hades and cast a binding spell on him?

[@mysticdragoon5789]

We Irish love our tragedies, The Enchanted Deer, Deirdre of the Sorrows, the Children of Lir, this and Oisín and Tir na hÓg. We have it all!

[@Kisamon]

Not an Irish, but I love the story of Cu Chulainn.

[@REElondoner]

love this series but i hope we get more from lesser known mythologies like from Africa, the Pacific Islands or those from Asia aside from Japan, China and India.

[@june_rain_video_game_company]

read about Ekalavya , a story about student and guru.

[@thessalibramonte8867]

The Philippines has so many beautiful myths, too!

[@Bellerophon17]

I can't really remember a myth/legend that we have that ends happily. Everyone is always getting killed in battle, murdered for love, cursed to live as an swan for 900 years... and of course, enter stage left : priest who baptises them at the very end

[@Kisamon]

>The story start >The story reaching climax >The story end *Achievement unlocked: (Alternate Ending: Baptised by a Priest)* What a good story.

[@SolinoOruki]

There's plenty of such love triangles in myths around the world but this one was one of the most unique ones with surprisingly multidimensional characters.

[@bobcharlie2337]

Wow, that was a great story. Loved the ending even though it was sad, it was very intimate (?) with the self evaluation of suppressed resentment caused him to lose someone he became freinds with again. More pkease!!

[@piiiii15]

Brilliant animation and beautifully told Irish tale… it was a pleasure to watch this gem, and I would love to watch a thousand more like this!

[@agenti4734]

What's even sadder is that Diarmuid isn't totally to blame here. He was hesitant but it was Grianne's geas that made sure he would stick with her.

[@lunasaffron556]

this is my fav one from all the myths. the narrator sounds perfect and the story really hit my heart. thank you

[@Coffee_crafts0510]

This was a sad but a really inspiring story! Love your videos Ted Ed!

[@kyleoliver5783]

These Irish tales with narration are just so enchanting

[@dreamsteddybearsmaster]

Its great to hear an actual Irish narrator telling us an Irish folktale!

[@_im_stupid_]

**Fate Zero flashbacks**

[@dropkickcorpse]

"Pride rests on the Blade of Chivalry!"

[@_im_stupid_]

@@dropkickcorpse **suddenly commits sucide**

[@amberisabellamacrohon404]

im glad you uploaded a new video!😊

[@StarBoundFables]

Wow, this series is so beautiful. I'm looking forward to the next instalment 😄🙏🏽

[@ron8732]

Iseult Gillespie one of the best narrators/speakers ever !

[@fairylights6906]

i love the little animation details- the smoke twisting into triskelions was beautiful

[@abdulmalikishakbinmadihi2171]

He is betrayed by his Master, Kayneth Archibald El Melloi as well due to Kiritsugu Emiya's machination.

[@ilanao5824]

I love your content so much, oh my god this was beautiful! 💟💟

[@karmimaying4248]

My favorite Mythic series 👌👌. Please do continue to share more...

[@keiji7602]

That ending paragraph tp the story was truly heart wrenching.

[@megaman2050]

I started watching Fate Zero just yesterday and he was the only spirit whom i don't know his legend

[@_im_stupid_]

Spoiler alert: He has a happy ending

[@anaiya8975]

I LOVE how this was narrated in Irish accent. It makes it more fun.

[@twentyone4546]

Like the Irish accent that the narrator perfectly nailed.

[@YourNameThankYou]

Irish storytelling and mythology is fantastic... more please

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

I know right?!!!

[@darshitagarwal7085]

Your Narration and Animation never fails to impress me

[@RdeneckTech]

I haven't really taken the dive into my Irish roots to be able to pass on the legacy to my children, but after this fable, I will do better. I am German, Irish, and Native American Sioux. My wife is Irish, Dutch, and French. I feel it important to teach the history of our ancestors to our children. This video helped a father strive to be a better man. Cheers from Texas.

[@saoirsedeltufo7436]

Something tells me neither of you are those, and you're both yanks...

[@sparkymularkey6970]

Irish history and legend is such an untapped treasure trove of beautiful myths and lessons. I'm honestly surprised they're not talked about more among the Western world.

[@iammesowhat8973]

Ted ed i want to say that I'm in love with your myths

[@quentinquarantino8261]

best intro ever. please never change it

[@yanadhandharia4781]

Beautiful story , ❤ ♥ loved it ❤ ♥ 😍

[@DomForgot]

Excuse me is that a Irish accent, on my favourite narrator. I am shook and very very pleased ❤️

[@crazysasha1374]

Awesome story! It should be made into a movie

[@Kisamon]

Please no. It's quite short. And a short story that got adapted to a movie always forced to be long enough to watch. Even if it means adding aliens or Cthulhu to it.

[@krutibhavsar9534]

I eagerly wait for Iseult Gillespie's videos❤️ However, Iseult, I am expecting a video on Iseult & Tristan from Ted ed (by you :p) ❤️

[@Kisamon]

Boy! Didn't expect to see another Isseult Gillespie's fan ❤️

[@krutibhavsar9534]

@@Kisamon I like her work! 🙂

[@danielqiu7812]

Poor Lancer can never catch a break.

[@peterandcorriebubik7005]

love it more irish myths plzz

[@katherine_art05]

I love Ireland. Its culture, accent, history, myths... everything. Thank you. I love your accent too.

[@cauldronofcreations6138]

Who did the art/animation? It's so beautiful! This is one of my favorite stories, and the narration is absolutely flawless! Big greetings from Mexico 🙌🏻

[@arthurdomq]

Really love the pronunciation! And the accent haha!

[@davidharutyunyan1353]

Dear Ted-Ed, I wonder, if you could make videos about Armenian mythology and folklore. We have many interesting stories as well.

[@snakey934Snakeybakey]

This wouldn't be the last bad thing to happen to Diarumid. Just wait until he gets summoned in the holy grail war!

[@ultimatebishoujo29]

I love this!!!!

[@jamiegreenberg8476]

yayyyy!!!!! more myths!!!!

[@eoincampbell1584]

Oh thank God you got an Irish narrator this time.

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

Nice video.

[@kuitaranheatmorus9932]

This video was very interesting but very good

[@dr.quackenbacker5247]

Absolutely incredible pronunciation of the Irish names.

[@redarrow2036]

He was the Irish version of Sir Lancelot of the Knights of the Round Table. In an adaptation, he had some friendly banter with King Arthur but a Japanese red head who loves swords and can cook really good beat him to it

[@JoshLianLegend]

This needs to be made into a movie

[@paddycrackhead]

These are the best

[@heyd6824]

as an Irish person i really thank ted ed for getting an actual Irish person to voice over it!!TY💕

[@OYJluv]

My friend called my with a long list of mistakes i made in our friendship. I felt betrayed because she forgiven me when I asked for forgiveness and also while i tried to be a better person. Seems like that my efforts werent good enough for her and when she argued me with the list of things i made wrong the friendship ended. Id been fuming for days hurting myself with the anger... the ending of this story made understand that anger and resentment can ruin our lives and the lives of others arround. I preffer to understand that she might have some issues to work on and that me holding on to anger is not benefiting me in the long run. We might not be friends anymore but i dont have ill will towards her. I wish her the best.

[@iosonoxkrxmovxi]

This beautiful myth deserves a beautiful film

[@KQueen39]

I felt like I was a child again listening to one of my grandparents' stories

[@Panda_Roll]

What I heard:- Girl is promised to old man. She runs away with the first young-ish man she sees. Puts the young man under her spell just incase. Old man finally lets her go and even reaches out to broker peace. Old man is at fault for not saving the life of the person that stole his wife-to-be and humiliated him in front of his own men. ... You know, in Greek mythology this would have been seen as divine retribution. The boar would have been sent by Zeus and Hera would have planted the seed of hesitation in his heart to make the water slip. The entire pantheon would have been on it!

[@amycox5733]

Ok yeah but you need to remember that Gráinne had been promised a young warrior, and had found a man years older than her. She was pretty central to he story. She kinda just wanted to have a nice husband and accidentally started a feud

[@lananajib6057]

Zeus fcked anything and anyone with a whole. Not to mention Gráinne was promised to someone young.

[@kenzmulheir8575]

Now THIS would be a fantastic Disney movie

[@emmavrijburg6676]

Ted Ed is one of those channels with videos you can just click on without ever being disappointed. Doesnt matter what they're about

[@NakMuayPhilippines]

Awesome!

[@user-ql1jv1dw8s]

Excellent video. Can we have some Welsh mythology please?

[@murphygreen8484]

Reminds me of the stories of King Arthur/Lancelot/Marian and the stories of Menelaus/Paris/Helen

[@DB-me7ol]

He swallowed his rage but could not digest it :(

[@oroontheheels]

I love this story because there’s no clear villain. At least in this version hehe. I heard one where Fionn had 0 regrets about killing Diarmuid. Your version is better.

[@Rosemary_bae]

The animation is so pretty

[@fajartirta4934]

Thanks Fate for telling me about other region myth and character

[@Jobe-13]

I love how this is told with an Irish accent. Awesome. 😂

[@gregorysaugustine5236]

There's no mention of Diarmuid's cursed love spot which cause Graine fall in love with him.

[@sareawok]

Hey guys, love your videos! How about an animation based on the legend of Iron John? It is said that versions of this story may have even 6000 years!

[@medardbitangimana4580]

It's like most of the stories about the Irish are dark and emotional at the same time

[@kingmunch7252]

Guys, could you do the story of the Johor king killed by the admiral? Its a cool southeast story to share, would really appreciate this story being told

[@luisandrade2254]

Irish mythology is the best mythology even as a Latin I have to admit it

[@Kh-True]

Good idea video 😘

[@nishakchan9828]

Do the Rajah with Fangs! It’s a good story from Malaysia with motifs of vampirism

[@oakeemiel3080]

The pain expressed after great rage, a battle of man and mag(i).

[@Xcallion]

Poor Lancer sure does have E ranked Luck.

[@vickytaspartan]

Their story reminded of Lancelot and Guinevere, and Arthur's wrath when he found out both of them were lovers.

[@freya12255]

It's because that story was inspired by Diarmuid and Gráinne.

[@gudakoalter]

Lancer ga shinda!!

[@GenerationX1984]

I'd like to see Ted-Ed cover Scottish myths too.

[@uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhidk]

For a moment I read the title as “Love Vs Irish”

[@moonstonepearl21]

Well that was a sad ending :( Also he was literally put under a spell, so no one should be mad at him.

[@OYJluv]

Is not about the spell is more about human emotions and how they drive us to good or to bad.

[@moonstonepearl21]

@@OYJluv True. But it's a logistical detail that's hard for me to turn my brain off from.

[@Mkharis257]

And Kiritsugu ordered him take his own life. Thanks, Fate series, for the history lessons.

[@purble3536]

Wounds heal but scars remain :(

[@alexandriamathers4065]

Is there a part 2 of this story?

[@juicy3545]

This man gets no breaks

[@unscoopyfirefall1953]

So this is how the dude ended up in the fate series