'Finn Eces' ('Finneces', 'Finegas', 'Finnegas') is a legendary
Irish poet and sage, according to the
Fenian Cycle of
Irish mythology. He is the teacher of
Fionn mac Cumhaill, according to the tale ''
The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn''. For years he tries to catch the
Salmon of Wisdom, a fish that will grant all the world's knowledge to whoever eats it. He is unsuccessful until he takes the young Fionn as his charge, but when Fionn cooks for him, he burns his thumb and puts it in his mouth. He therefore receives the fish's knowledge, which he can access by putting his thumb in his mouth again.