Finn MacCool

Long ago there lived a giant named Finn MacCool. He lived on the North coast of Ireland with his wife Sadb and his son Oisin. They were happy there, except for one annoyance. There also lived, across the sea, another giant called Benandonner. He was a Scottish fellow who shouted insults to Finn every time he saw him. One day the string of insults was just too much for Finn so he grabbed a clump of dirt and flung it at Benandonner. Unfortunately he missed and now that clump of dirt is the Isle of Mann.

Benandonner laughed at Finn's attempt, and told him he was lucky that there was a sea separating them, else he would get a proper lesson. That was the last straw for Finn. He began taking huge columns from the cliffs and drove them into the sea. After a week's hard work he had created a path to Scotland and went in search of Benandonner.
He was tired though after all that hard work and thought that he should use the element of surprise to his advantage. So, he snuck up to Benandonner's house and peered in the window. There he saw a giant that was even bigger than himself. He realised that he would be throughly schooled by this fellow so he beat a hasty retreat .

Finn's boot in the fore front

He ran back over the causeway he had built and as he was making his way back to his house he fell and lost his boot. Benandonner heard this and ran to his own shore, and seeing what Finn had made, he laughed and began crossing.

Finn ran to his house and told his wise wife about the size of Benandonner. She told Finn to quickly put on Oisin's baby cap, take his rattle, and lie under a blanket. She told him to wait for her signal, a cough, and to shake the rattle when he heard it.

Benandonner arrived and pounded on the door demanding Finn MacCool.
Sadb calmly answered and told Benandonner that Finn was out hunting, but that he was sure to return shortly. She invited him in for a cup of tea while he was waiting.

Benandonner accepted and came into the house. He quickly grew impatient and again asked where Finn was. Sadb coughed and repeated that he would be back soon. Finn heard her cough and shook his rattle. Benandonner heard this demanded to see if Finn was hiding in the house. Sadb smiled and told him that it was only their son Oisin, but he was welcome to have a look. Benandonner stormed into the room next to the kitchen and there he saw Finn MacCool dressed as a baby.

Benandonner paused and thought to himself...if this is the baby, how big is the father??!! Finn waved his arms like a baby and struck the wall, shaking the entire house. That decided Benandonner and he turned tail and ran.

Fearing that Finn would cross the causeway to get him he also destroyed the causeway behind him.