CÚ ROÍ’S TEST
The warriors of Ulster still had no clear winner for the champion’s portion, despite all previous trials. To settle the matter once and for all, they were sent to Cú Roí mac Dáire, a great magician and judge who travelled the world in search of wisdom and wonders.
No matter where he roamed, Cú Roí always knew what was happening in his homeland, for he had cast a powerful enchantment over his fort. Every night, his stronghold spun like a mill wheel, hiding all its entrances until dawn.
Since Cú Roí was away on his travels, the warriors were welcomed by his daughter, Bláthnat, who followed her father’s instructions on how to test them.
Each warrior—Lóegaire Búadach, Conall Cernach, and Cú Chulainn—was given the same challenge: stand guard over the fort for one night.
THE FIRST TWO NIGHTS
On the first night, Lóegaire took his place as guard.
When the fort sealed itself with magic, everything was calm—until a giant emerged from the sea, carrying a bundle of stripped oak trunks. He hurled them at Lóegaire, who dodged and fought back with his spear. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not land a single blow on the giant.
Then, with one massive sweep of his hand, the giant grabbed Lóegaire as if he were an infant and hurled him over the fort, sending him crashing to the ground beyond.
Those inside heard the sound of his fall and assumed he had leapt over the walls to prove his prowess. Lóegaire, too ashamed to admit the truth, let them believe it.
The second night, Conall Cernach took the watch—and met the same fate. He, too, was thrown over the walls, and he, too, said nothing when morning came.
CÚ CHULAINN’S TURN
On the third night, it was Cú Chulainn’s turn to guard the fort.
He did not stand alone for long. Soon, nine torches appeared on the hill, carried by nine warriors.
“If you are friends, stay back,” he called. “If you are foes, come forward and be killed.”
The warriors attacked, and he slew them all, stacking their heads in a pile.
Twice more, nine warriors came against him—and twice more, he cut them down, adding to his grim pile of trophies.
Only then did the giant appear, hurling his great oaken logs at Cú Chulainn.
But when the giant reached out to seize him, Cú Chulainn did something neither Lóegaire nor Conall had dared—he ran up the giant’s arm, leapt onto his shoulder, and hacked off his head.
But that was not enough.
To prove himself equal to the other warriors, Cú Chulainn decided he must also leap over the fort.
He ran at the walls, jumping halfway up, but fell back to the ground. He tried again and again, failing each time.
Frustrated, he entered his battle frenzy—his hero-light blazed around him, and he unleashed his salmon leap, soaring over the fort at last.
At dawn, Bláthnat declared Cú Chulainn the victor, but Lóegaire and Conall protested, claiming Cú Chulainn had received supernatural aid.
The matter was still not settled.
THE STRANGE CHALLENGER
Not long after, at a great feast in Emain Macha, a tall, fearsome stranger strode into the hall.
He wore a cowhide around his waist and carried a massive axe.
“I am Uath of the Stranger,” he announced. “I have travelled all of Ireland seeking a man of honour, and I have found none.”
He turned to the warriors and declared:
“All I ask is this: One man must strike off my head with my axe. But tomorrow, I shall return the favour.”
Lóegaire was the first to step forward.
Uath knelt, placing his neck on the block.
Lóegaire swung the axe with all his strength, slicing through Uath’s neck and into the wood beneath.
Blood gushed from the wound—but to everyone’s horror, the stranger stood up, picked up his severed head, reattached it, and walked out of the hall.
The next morning, Lóegaire was nowhere to be found.
THE TEST CONTINUES
When Uath returned, he mocked the Ulstermen.
“Are all the men of Ulster cowards? Does no one keep their word?”
Unable to bear the insult, Conall Cernach stepped forward to take the challenge.
As before, he cut off Uath’s head, but the stranger simply stood up, picked up the pieces of his head, and left.
The next morning, Conall had disappeared.
Now furious, Uath taunted the warriors:
“Is there no man in Ulster with honour?!”
At this, Cú Chulainn leapt up.
“I will take your test!”
Once more, Uath knelt, and Cú Chulainn struck off his head, hurling it into the rafters.
But just as before, Uath stood up, retrieved his head, and walked away.
CÚ CHULAINN’S FINAL TRIAL
The next morning, Cú Chulainn sat in silence.
He did not want to die, but he had given his word—and his word was his honour.
The people of Ulster wept for him, trying to convince him to flee, but he refused.
“I do not wish to die,” he said. “But I will not break my word.”
Uath arrived and asked:
“Will you uphold your end of the bargain?”
Cú Chulainn knelt before the block, placing his neck on the wood.
“Stretch out your neck,” Uath ordered.
“Stop tormenting me and do what you must!” Cú Chulainn snapped.
Uath raised his great axe—and brought it down.
But instead of cutting off Cú Chulainn’s head, he turned the axe and struck the ground beside him.
Cú Chulainn looked up—and saw that Uath had transformed.
Before him stood Cú Roí mac Dáire.
“This was my final test,” Cú Roí said. “And you have passed.”
“From this day forward, you are the Champion of Ulster, with the rights to the Champion’s Portion. And your wife is the first woman in Ulster, above all others.”
He turned to the warriors and declared:
“Anyone who dares deny this will answer to me. And I vow to kill anyone who keeps Cú Chulainn from what is rightfully his.”
And so, at last, the Champion’s Portion of Ulster was decided.
