The sound, the restlessness, the calm, the savour and the infinite of the sea, live in a host of these stories; and to cap all, the sea itself and Mananan its god sympathise with the fates of Erin.

When great trouble threatens Ireland, or one of her heroes is near death, there are three huge waves which, at three different points, rise, roaring, out of the ocean, and roll, flooding every creek and bay and cave and river round the whole coast with tidings of sorrow and doom.

Later on, in the Fenian tales, the sea is not so prominent.

Finn and his clan are more concerned with the land.

Their work, their hunting and adventures carry them over the mountains and plains, through the forests, and by the lakes and rivers.