Cuchulainn

Also known as: Cu-chulainn / Cuchulainn Mac Sualtaim / Culann's Hound / Riastartha / Setanta Mac Sualtaim · Family: Ulstermen · Role: warrior · First appears: This is the Story in Order · Part 1

In Fergus’s account in “Here are His Boyish Deeds · Part 1,” Cuchulainn, son of Sualtaim and Dechtere, asked Conchobar for protection from the boys at Emain. After they struck him, he overthrew fifty, and peace was made between them. Fergus also recounted that Cuchulainn lifted Conchobar from a trench, brought him a pig, and carried the wounded Cuscraid to Emain Macha. In Conall Cernach’s account, Cuchulainn killed Culann’s watch-dog and promised to defend Culann’s cattle; Cathbad named him Cu-chulainn. In Fiacha Mac Fir-Febe’s account, Conchobar gave him arms and a chariot, and Cuchulainn broke the weapons and several chariots before taking the king’s chariot. In “This is the Story in Order · Part 3,” Fergus says Cuchulainn learned arms and feats with Scathach in his sixth year, took arms in his seventh, and was seventeen during the raid.

At the opening of the raid, Fedelm prophesied to Medb that Cuchulainn would make the host very red. In “This is the Story in Order · Part 2,” his withe halted the host until someone could throw another like it, and he excepted his friend Fergus. At Ath Gabla, he beheaded Eirr, Indell, Foich and Foclam, placing their heads on a fork in the stream. He fought the advancing forces repeatedly: among his deeds were drowning thirty horsemen of Mane (son of Ailill and Medb)’s retinue, killing groups of warriors at the fords, and refusing offers from Ailill to exchange his allegiance for compensation. Loeg served as his charioteer, and Cuchulainn granted Lugaid Mac Nois a truce on conditions that included tokens, an oath to preserve life, and nightly provisions.

Across the fighting, Cuchulainn killed many opponents, including Orlam, Fraech, Cuillius, Etarcomol, Nadcrantail, and Bude Mac Bain. In “The Death of Ferbaeth,” he and Ferbaeth faced one another despite their foster-brotherhood and covenant; Cuchulainn struck Ferbaeth with a spear, and later agreed to pay for his death. In “The Combat of Larine Mac Nois,” he spared Larine after Lugaid asked him not to kill his brother. The Morrigan declared her love and threatened to oppose him in animal forms. At Ath Darteisc, the eel tripped Cuchulainn during his fight with Loch, who wounded him; Cuchulainn later killed Loch with the gae-bolga. In “The Healing of the Morrigan · Part 1,” the Morrigan, disguised as an old hag, gave him milk, and his blessings healed her injuries. Lug identified himself as Cuchulainn’s father from the síd and healed his wounds while he slept.