The titular character of The Wanderings of Oisin (1889) is an ambassador for a pagan, heroic past, who is feared and condemned by St. Patrick as he might embolden a country with his ancient memories. In many ways, this standard-bearer of an ancient tradition was a stand-in for Yeats who, like his fellow Revival-era writers, sought to bring the Promethean spark from Ireland’s ancient past into its present day. Oisin, through his wanderings, has miraculously preserved his youth, and The Wanderings of Oisin bespeaks a wider project of restoring vigour and confidence to Irish culture. In this quest, Yeats presents wandering not as a symptom of illness or weakness, but as a source of strength.