Bard Mythologies

Discovering Ireland's Deep Forgotten Wisdom

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About us
    • An Evolution
    • The Mythic Method
    • Why Myth Matters
  • The Stories
    • Ulster Cycle Stories
    • Fenian Cycle Stories
    • King Cycle Stories
    • Mythological Cycle Stories
    • Archetype Test
    • Bard Reading List
  • Myth and Modernity
    • Immersion 1 – Nine Waves – Introduction to Irish Myth, The Cycles and Silver Branch Perception
      • Wave 1: The Voyage Of Bran
      • Wave 2 – The Cesair Journey
      • Wave 3 – Fintan and the Hawk of Achill
      • Wave 4 – The Settling of the Manor of Tara
      • Wave 5 – Cú Chulainn: Romantic Cultural Hero
      • Wave 6 – Cú Chulainn as a Tragic Hero
      • Wave 7 – Amhairghin and the Arrival of the Sons of Mil
      • Wave 8 – Conaire Mór: The Exemplary King
      • Wave 9 – Niall of the Nine Hostages
    • Myths of the Civil War
    • Immersion 2 – Nine Waves – Myths of the Chosen and Not Chosen People
      • Wave 1 – Birth and Boyhood Deeds of Fionn MacCumhail
      • Wave 2 – Fionn and the Fianna
      • Wave 3 – Oisin and Niamh
      • Wave 4 – Diarmuid and Grainne
      • Wave 5 – Parthalon
      • Wave 6 – Nemed and the Fir Bolg
      • Wave 7 – Balor of the Evil Eye
      • Wave 8 – Cormac MacAirt
      • Wave 9 – Mongan
    • Immersion 3 – Exile, Migration and Return
      • Wave 1 – Deirdre of the Sorrows
      • Wave 2 – Midir and Etain
      • Wave 3 – The Children of Lir
      • Wave 4 – The One Jealousy of Emer: Cuchulain and Fand
  • Mythic Matters
    • Global Survey of Irish Mythology
    • Mythic History
    • Mythic Minds
    • Mythic Voices
  • Book an Event
  • Contact

Naoise

By Bard Mythologies

Overview
Naoise was one of the three sons of Uisneach, and his tale forms part of the Ulster cycle. He figures in the story of Deirdre, who was foretold as the cause of great sorrow to Ulster before she was born.

Stories of Naoise:
It was said that she would be very beautiful but that she would lead to trouble and strife among the men of Ulster. In order to forestall this, the King of Ulster, Conchobar, had her hidden away and raised in seclusion in order that he might marry her himself when she came of age. Deirdre was not so willing to be married to such an old man, and on seeing a stag killed in the snow, and a raven drinking the blood, she commented that she wished she could marry a man with hair the colour of the raven, cheeks the colour of the snow and lips the colour of the blood. While walking in the woods one day after this she was attracted by the sound of beautiful harp music and came across Naoise playing by a river. He was of exactly the colouring mentioned above, and Deirdre fell instantly in love with him. She pressured him to elope with her. At first he resisted, because he knew of the prophecy surrounding her, but eventually gave in to his own love for her, and the two fled to Scotland accompanied by Naoise’s brothers. They lived there happily for a time, but Naoise grew homesick of Ireland, and when a message came from Conchobar that he had relented and wanted them to return, Naoise was only too glad to do so, despite Deirdre’s foreboding. On returning to Ireland, Naoise and his brothers quickly realized they had been trapped. They made a valiant last stand and may in fact have won had not Conbhobar engaged sorcery on his side. The three brothers were slaughtered, and on seeing their bodies lying in the snow, Deirdre threw herself on top of Naoise and died of grief. However, in the conflict, many of the finest men of Ulster had lost their lives, thus fulfilling the prophecy.

Conclusion:
Naoise is a romantic figure, willing to risk all for his love and fight to retain it. He is depicted as well loved by all and as a mighty warrior in his own right. However, he does not exist outside of this story, and his function is to show the futility of defying prophecies. He is remembered best for his extremely good looks sand his readiness to die for the woman he loved.

Related posts:

Conaire Mor Cuchulainn: The Wooing of Emer Cuchulainn’s Training With Scathach Deirdre of the Sorrows

Filed Under: Irish Character Profiles Tagged With: Ulster Cycle

Join Our Newsletter

Listen To The Stories

Useful Links

Stories
Character Profiles
Ulster Cycle
Fenian Cycle
Mythological Cycle
Kings Cycle

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact

Copyright Bard Mythologies © 2021