Background: Deichtre was the mother of Cuchulainn and the sister of the King of Ulster Concobhar Mac Nessa. Stories of Deichtre: One day Deichtre collected fifty maidens and left Ulster without telling the King. The men of Ulster looked for them for three years but could not find them. It was said that the women… [Read More]
Conor MacNessa
Overview: Tradition implies that Conchobhar was the son of the High King of Ireland Fachtna Fathach and that the Druid Cathbhadh was his guardian. Fearghus mac Rioch; King of Ulster fell in love with his mother Neasa who consented to be his wife if he allowed her son to reign instead of him for a… [Read More]
Connla
Overview: Connla was the only son of Cuchulainn. His mother, Aife, a famed warrior queen was the arch enemy of Scathach who had trained Cuchulainn as a champion. When Cuchulainn stood against Aife on behalf of Scathach she made a promise to bear him a son. She was pregnant when he left her and swore… [Read More]
Cathbad
Overview: The term druid means ‘very knowledgeable’ and druids were seen as members of an exclusive occupational class. It is generally accepted that the druid was a sort of intermediary and had direct connections with the otherworld. A druid’s opinion was always sought on matters of law and tradition. They could identify thieves, interpret dreams,… [Read More]
Bricriu of the Poison Tongue
Background: Bricriu of the Poison Tongue, aptly named for his abuse of his masterful arts. His satires broke peoples reputations, and likely as not, livelihoods, and his dry, cruel sense of humor much feared across the land of Erin. His saving was his sparkling wit and the fact that he was tremendously, fabulously wealthy. He… [Read More]
Ailill
Background: Ailill was just a boy when he was brought to Meadhbh’s court. He grew to be a fine champion and Meadhbh deserted her third husband to make him her fourth. All stories of Ailill seem to be in connection with Queen Meadhbh. Stories of Ailill: Meadhbh would only take a husband on three conditions:… [Read More]
The Bulls
Background White Horned was connected with brightness, illumination and wisdom. The personification has a story attached to it of a boy emerging from mystical waters already physically mature in striking ways. Like having grown hair bright in colour and speaking in verse. His babyish way of sucking his thumb was a sign of his wisdom…. [Read More]
Scathach
Background: Scathach was a warrior queen whose name meant “The Shadowy One”. She lived in Western Scotland and ran a training academy for young warriors. Scathach: educator of warriors The great Ulster warrior Cuchulainn was Scathach’s most famous student. He sought her out because the father of the woman he wished to marry, Emer, had… [Read More]
The Son of Cuchulainn
When Cuchulainn was training with Scathach, he had a love affair with a warrior woman called Aoife. And as he was leaving, she told him she was with child, and that it was going to be a boy. Cuchulainn told her to name him Connla, and give him a red-gold ring he took from his… [Read More]
The Sickbed of Cuchulainn
(or The Only Jealousy of Emer) One year, at Samhain, the people of Ulster gathered in Emain Macha. All the warriors of the Red Branch were there, with their wives and families. It was the tradition in Ulster to gather together and have each person tell stories of their bravery, and because Samhain was the… [Read More]