Cúchulainn and The Ulster Cycle
The Ulster Cycle is a series of medieval Irish heroic legends and sagas which tell the story of the Ulaid, a people that lived in eastern Ulster and Northern Leinster, specifically in the areas of modern day Armagh, Down and Louth. The stories are written in Old English and Middle Irish prose and verse in manuscripts of the12th to 15 centuries although it is thought that some of the events and characters may date back to the 7th century.
As to the historical veracity of the stories, academic opinion is divided. Some believe that the stories are in essence historical while others see the tales as purely mythological. Many of the stories seem reminiscent of Celtic societies such as Gaul and Ancient Britain; druids advise the kings, chariots are used in battle and the custom of preserving the head of slain enemies is in evidence. Yet other scholars dispute this appraisal and claim to note similarities with early medieval Irish society and an undercurrent of influence from classical literature.
The Ulster Cycle features many different stories and characters, perhaps the best known tale being the tragedy of Deirdre. But the most predominant character in the cycle, who also features in Scottish and Manx legends, is the hero Cúchulainn. Possessed of superhuman fighting skills, brought to the fore when his ríastrad, or “battle frenzy” is upon him, Cúchulainn mainly fights against the people of Connacht, led by their queen Medb, her husband Ailill and their ally, an exiled former king of the Ulaid, Fergus mac Róich.
Cúchulainn is of godly and noble stock. His mother is Deichtine, sister of the king of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa, and his father is the principal deity in Celtic mythology, Lugh. When he was born he was named Sétanta and, as was the tradition in Celtic society, was fostered out at a young age, being fostered by several of the Ulster nobles who would provide him with different skills. He was brought up in Muirthemne Plain in what is modern day County Louth.
Whilst living at his parent’s house, Sétanta wants to join the boy-troop at Ulster’s capital Emain Macha (modern day Navan Fort near Armagh) but his mother Deichtine thinks that he is too young. Sétanta decides to go to Emain anyway and when he gets there he runs onto the playing field without asking the other boys for their protection, which Sétanta doesn’t know is very much against custom.
The other boys take this as an insult and attack him but he has a battle-frenzy and beats them all easily. His uncle, the King Conchobar, arrives to clear up the misunderstanding but Sétanta is having none of it, and demands that the other boys put themselves under his protection.
A smith named Culaan invites the king to a feast at his home but before Conchobar goes he sees his nephew playing hurling in a field and so impressed is he with Sétanta’s performance that he asks him to accompany him to the feast. Sétanta wants to finish his game so he agrees to come to the feast later but when Conchobar arrives he forgets to tell Culann that Sétanta will be arriving shortly.
When Sétanta comes to the feast he is attacked by Culaan’s massive guard dog which he manages to kill, in one version of the tale driving a hurling ball down the dog’s neck with his hurley. Culaan is understandably devastated by the loss of such a impressive guard dog so Sétanta promises he will rear a replacement dog for Culaan and until it is old enough to take on the role of guard dog, Sétanta will do the job himself and guard Culaan’s home. A druid called Cathbad announces that Sétanta will now be known as Cú Chulainn (Gaelic for “Culaan’s Hound”).
story:
