Conchobar

Also known as: Conchobar Mac Nessa · Family: Ulstermen · Role: king · First appears: This is the Cattle-Raid of Cualnge

In “Here are His Boyish Deeds · Part 1,” Fergus’s account places Conchobar at Emain, recognizing Cuchulainn’s request for protection against the boys and then recognizing Cuchulainn’s own undertaking to protect them. Cuchulainn was the son of Dechtere, Conchobar’s sister, and his foster-son. Fergus also recounts the Ulstermen’s defeat in battle against Eogan Mac Durtacht, which left Conchobar on the field.

In Fergus’s account in “Here are His Boyish Deeds · Part 2,” Cuchulainn lifted Conchobar out of a trench and brought him a roast pig, which Conchobar ate. He also carried the wounded Cuscraid Mac Conchobair, Conchobar’s son, to Emain Macha with Conchobar. In Conall Cernach’s account, Conchobar invited Cuchulainn to Culann’s feast; the boy said he would come later. In Fiacha Mac Fir-Febe’s account in “Here are His Boyish Deeds · Part 3,” Conchobar gave Cuchulainn weapons, whose strength he tested by breaking the household’s armour, and a chariot, after he had broken twelve others. In “Here are His Boyish Deeds · Part 5,” Fiacha’s account says Mugain, Conchobar’s wife, met Cuchulainn with the women of Emain. She clothed him, and he sat at Conchobar’s knee, where he thereafter had his couch.

In “This is the Long Warning of Sualtaim,” Conchobar confirmed Sualtaim’s report that Cuchulainn had been in the foray from the Monday night of Samain to the Monday night of Candlemas. In “The Muster of the Ulstermen,” he declared that he had awaked from his sickness; he and Celtchar brought heads from Ath Airthir Midi and sent them to the camp. In “The Muster of the Men of Ireland Here · Part 1,” Fergus struck Conchobar’s shield and aimed a blow at him, while Cormac Condlongas, Conchobar’s son, urged him to leave.