#connacht cycle

[alternativeulster]

more people need to know about irish mythology. it's just balls to the walls insane. if you thought greek mythology was wild let me introduce you to:

nessa and her 12 gay dads

queen medb cheating on everything and everyone, starting a war over a cow, ruining innumerable lives and then getting killed by cheese

fionn gets raised by 2 random lesbians

fionn kills a guy for stealing his girlfriend, drops the magic healing water several times on purpose

oisín goes to live in the immortal fairy land with his immortal fairy wife, misses ireland, comes back to visit, falls off his horse and fucking dies (may or may not have gotten in a fight with saint patrick before dying)

fuck them kids, they're swans now

guy accidentally gets job of "being the king's dog" at age 5, changes name to dog

#irish mythology #ulster cycle #fenian cycle #connacht cycle #fionn mac cumhaill #cú chulainn

[dailydemonspotlight]

Day 16 - Queen Mab

Race: Night

Alignment: Neutral

April 11th, 2024

Irish folklore is a strange rabbit hole to plunge down, filled with legendary heroes and strange villains, but the story of Cu Chulainn, the protagonist of the Ulster Cycle, is one that has always caught my interest. This story was the originator of many a trope, many a book series, and its main antagonist, the menacing Queen Medb, is an incredibly fun example of a femme fatale and a warrior queen.

Medb was the queen of the kingdom Connacht, a woman who had many lovers and was famous for her promiscuity... and trickiness. Cunning and ruthless, and with a propensity for manipulation, she served as the ultimate enemy of Chulainn, at first trying to seduce him with her daughters until eventually realizing that the plan wouldn't work, likely due to Chulainn's fealty towards his wife (or, alternatively, his asexual swag.) According to irish folklore, Medb could also be very, very similar, if not the same as Medb Lethderg, goddess of sovereignty in the irish Kingship of Tara.

Medb came to power in the story 'Cath Bóinde,' wherein she was born under the care of High King Eochaid Feidlech, a man who was purported as having killed the former king to take his place. Medb was married off to the king of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa, and in spite of them having a daughter, the marriage soon fell apart. They left, yet Medb held a grudge, and seeing that Eochaid had given Conchobar another one of his daughters, Medb went ballistic. She slaughtered her while still pregnant, leaving the child to be born via a medieval C-section. The king of Connacht was also desposed of around this time, and Eochid put Medb back in her rightful spot, now as Queen of Connacht.

After all of this, several marriages and kids, and a rise to power, Medb felt on top of the world. In her bloodlust with all of the power she gained, she soon grew jealous of her husband being richer than her... albeit only by one bull's price. Since the person who held onto this bull, Dáire mac Fiancha, rejected her offer, she went to take it by force, landing her in her first major conflict with the wandering teenaged warrior Cú Chulainn.

Ever since this very first conflict, their storied rivalry encompasses many a tale, eventually ending in Cú Chulainn's death, in which the warrior ties himself to a stone to keep fighting, even as his life comes to an end. I'll go more into this in the future during my Sentana/Cú Chulainn analysis, but needless to say, Medb's involvement in the Ulster Cycle makes for a fascinating deep-dive into Irish folklore.

As far as her design goes, the epithetical Warrior Queen has a rather strange appearance in the SMT series, almost appearing like a punk rocker such as a member of KISS- albeit with much more color. However, I have a personal theory as to why this may be- and it all has to do with cultural perceptions.

Queen Medb was seen as deviant, a cruel woman who rose to power with her own overwhelming strength, and while she was a bastard, a bit of the hatred felt towards her could be due to a sort of misogyny common in the middle ages. This is all purely conjecture, of course, but a controlling and domineering woman could've been something seen to be feared...

Much like how punk-rockers were seen as satanic in the 90's. During the satanic panic, a lot of people outside of regular circles were ostracized as being demonic in some way, shape, or form. Metal bands were especially targeted by this moral crusade, and it may just be where the influence for her design came from!

Past my own pet-theory, though, the rest of her design is rock-solid. A helmet-esque mask, steel breastplate, and long blade all play well into the 'Warrior Queen' quality she's well known for, and her gloves appear as snakeskin or even latex at first glance, playing into her domineering and controlling role. All in all, while Queen Mab wasn't my favorite demon at first, the research into her folklore has led me to finding an all new appreciation for the Ulster Cycle's main antagonist.

#shin megami tensei #smt #megaten #persona #daily #smt nocturne #queen medb #queen mab #ngl i'm very proud of this one #the ulster cycle is unironically great #like its almost like a fuckin shonen

[raionmimi]

I love your art of Setanta and Medb Lily, is there any evidence of them actually being childhood friends in the Ulster Cycle?

Short answer: Not exactly, it was just me piecing together timelines that are extremely vague and plot points that would make way more sense if fleshed out more. So I started making comics based on my childhood and kids I know for a surreal idealization that would be the catalyst for their problems when they fight in the war

Long Answer:

All that I know is that Fergus is 20-ish years older than Conchobar. Conchobar is older than Medb, who would have to have been in the 10~16 range and been officially married at 15-16. (I’m assuming she’d be about 17-18 when divorced because she was forced to bear an heir) Cú was 5 when he came to Ulster and about 7-10 when he left, but it’s never mentioned that the two talked to each other at that time since it’s not relevant to the story

But it would make sense that they met considering their relationship to Conchobar, who was Medb’s betrothed and Cu’s uncle. Even further, Cu’s warp spasm when he was 7 was stopped by Mugain, who was Medb’s sister. Meaning, Medb was probably there when it occurred, but there wasn’t a reason to mention her

Then in one story, Cú and his friends decide to get Medb and Ailill to be judges for their “Who’s the best warrior” competition. They figured they’d be the most fair, but this was prior to the war. How would they be familiar with the Connacht rulers since Cú doesn’t really spend much time with official political shenanigans? All three had to have known of Medb and Ailill before this event. Since Medb often hosted people from other kingdoms, namely Ulster, they probably have all visited her nation before

It all kind of leads back to Cú knowing Medb personally, which could give more emphasis and weight as to why he listened to all her demands/schemes and refused to harm/fight her in the war. It’s unknown if he knew what abuse was happening to her when she was married to his uncle or what his uncle did to her after they got divorced. BUT we do know his uncle directly confronted Cú and demanded him to kill Medb, and Cú said he refused to his face

Then you have Fate’s interpretation. Medb is treated more like a troublesome neighbor rather than a threat. Cú lets her off with a slap on the wrist more than anything. He tells you in a voiceline that Medb is one of the women he broke a promise to so he wants to be more reliable this time. Fate has never mentioned what promise he made Medb, even though you can guess what he probs promised Emer, Scathach, and maybe Morrigan. Medb says she wants to dominate Cú but she never does much to actually do that because there’s some invisible line drawn that she herself put down

In my brain, it makes sense that there is something connecting the two with an unsaid past. One that drives Medb to having mixed feelings about Cú (both hating him but not being able to leave him alone) and Cú to feeling like he has to be there for Medb. Something that neither really wants to talk too much about, and especially not with each other

The easiest connection would be them being friends at a young age when they met in the Ulster kingdom. They’re both lowkey unwelcomed as Conchobar abuses Medb for her refusal to yield to him, and he didn’t even want Setanta to join his army at first. He kind of hates and fears both of them. Makes sense for them to just be regular kids together to set up the dynamic change for later.

A shattered friendship is one of the most devastating things that could happen to a child growing up, and could easily warp to an obsessive hatred and lingering guilt. Leads to feelings like “You betrayed me,” “Why didn’t you take me with you?” or “I wasn’t there for you, I need to make up for it.”

I like tragicomedies a lot, so I think it’s the best foundation for both causing and healing the severe rift between them when they’re older

So no, there’s no actual source material that would outright say that they’re childhood friends, it’s just something that would make the most amount of sense when you go back and align the dots. At least to me in my brain

#tain bo cuailnge #magical college girl medb #retained memories #long post #i hope that makes sense #rip mobile users #I like creating happy memories of Lily and Setanta #because it makes Cú and Medb that much more tragic and angst ridden #like it’s one thing to be angry that a warrior won’t take you seriously in a fight #it’s another when it’s your old friend who pities you and won’t let you take out your anger on him because he cares about you too much #it just gives them more depth and clarity for their actions #they’re kind of a cautionary tale that parallels rin and shirou in a way I guess

[neomedievalist]

if whatsapp was in the ulster cycle😂😂😂😂😂😂 Fergus mac Roich: You should kill yourself NOW!! Queen Medb: You should kill yourself NOW!! Culann: i NEED my hound back Emer: i NEED COCK Cuchulainn Laeg: i NEED COCK Cuchulainn Ailill: Medb has 100 BILLION dollars. The population of Connacht is… Scathach: can you juggle 9 apples

#iwas told to post this.its not funny #i fucking read the tain while i was gone #this literally isnt even a fate post its a irish literary tradition post #data

[misneachsblr]

The Táin rebound as a hardback book

The Táin Bó Cuailgne (TBC) is an 8th Century Old Irish story. It is considered the closest thing in early Irish literature to a "national epic". It's central to the Ulster Cycle body of stories. The story centres on a war between the kingdoms of Connacht and Ulster over the Donn Cuailgne, a bull which seems to have magical or supernatural significance.

My old paperback copy was getting pretty worn from being read over and over! I decided to make a new hardback binding for it. Paperback books will never have the same lifespan as hardbacks unfortunately, but this should make the book last longer too. This edition is the famous Thomas Kinsella translation of 1969. I decided that it should be bound in red, white and black, as these appear several times in the text. This is most notable in the story of the Sons of Uisliu:

I copied the image on the cover from the original arrwork by Louis LeBrocquy. It depicts the Morrigan in crow form. She is a war goddess who manipulates other characters to her own ends throughout the story.

The title design on the spine is a bit abstract; the T and N are supposed to resemble bulls. This reflects one of the last episodes in the story, in which the Donn Cuailnge fights his Connacht counterpart, Findbennach.

The back cover contains a quote from the prophet Fedelm. She prophesies the outcome of the war to the Connacht queen Medb; needless to say, her prediction of disaster comes true. The quote is in both the original Old Irish and in English translation.

I also made homemade headbands and a ribbon bookmark.

#bookbinding #irish history #irish mythology #the tain

[oddnub-eye]

Fanservant: Laeg Mac Riangabra (Rider)

Picture Made in This: https://picrew.me/ja/image_maker/19158 Picrew

Laeg Mac Riangabra

Class: Rider/ “Grand Buddy”

Title: The King of Charioteers 

Gender: Male

Source: Irish Mythology (Ulster Cycle)

Region: Europe (Ireland)

Alignment: Neutral Good

Height: 186cm

Weight 70kg

Natural Enemy: Enkidu

Parameters

Strength: C+

Endurance: B

Agility: C

Mana: D

Noble Phantasm: B

Luck: E (By Association)

Class Skills

Riding A++

The most renowned Charioteer in Irish Mythology - he can operate any kind of vehicle or creature, including dragon kind. 

Magic Resistance B+

While Laeg's magic resistance is not as "effective" in regards to canceling spells outright (in that respect, he only has Rank C Magic Resistance) but he possesses a borderline sixth sense for detecting magic and magecraft, and that talent allows him to avoid magic and magecraft incredibly easily.

Personal Skills

King of Charioteers A+

The idea that Laeg was the greatest charioteer in Irish legend. It allows him to perform all the functions of a charioteer perfectly. While this primarily takes the form of an exponential increase to his riding skill (he’s treated as having two “Riding A++” skills that multiply with each other) it also enables him to effectively store weapons and instantly gain a lay of the land.

Hero’s Sidekick B

The ability to effortlessly work alongside a Hero. When forming a partnership with another heroic spirit (or even a mortal being worthy of the title “hero”), Laeg gains the ability to perfectly synchronize with them. He will not be able to fight alongside them as a “partner” but he will be able to support and fight around them flawlessly. Laeg would even become able to ferry around a rampage Berserker in his chariot with ease.

Incitement (Taunting Words) C

A skill that typically serves to incite the masses with words. In Laeg’s hands, it becomes a skill that targets a specific individual, mocking them until they get worked up enough to put their all into something. This skill works best on individuals Laeg has partnered with through [Hero’s Sidekick].

Noble Phantasms

Búainid Carbat: Circuit of VictoryRank: B

Classification: Anti-Army

The scythed chariot of Cú Chulainn, pulled by the horses Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend, and driven by the King of Charioteers Laeg Mac Riangabra. A Noble Phantasm quite similar in function to [Trioas Tragodia: Tempestuous Storm Chariot] where it gains speed and power the longer it is deployed. By announcing the true name of this Noble Phantasm, Laeg can deploy a second ability of the Noble Phantasm, the “circuit of victory” - derived from the three charges Cú Chulainn and Laeg made against the Connacht army in retribution for the Boy Troop of Ulster, and the three charges Liath Macha against the conspiracy to kill Cú Chulainn after being fatally wounded.

Once activated, a “route” is selected, and Laeg must circle this route three times. Within this route, [Búainid Carbat] becomes “unstoppable”, gaining increased speed, power, and destructive ability. Not even destroying the land [Búainid Carbat] is traveling on will interrupt this rampage. During this rampage, Laeg gains the equivalent of an A-Rank [Battle Continuation] (although if he is fatally wounded during his ride, he’ll immediately die following its completion). The most effective way to stop the Circuit of Victory is to force its end by facing Laeg head on and destroying the chariot. Good luck.

Like many things about Laeg, his Noble Phantasm is stronger when partnered with another hero. If Laeg uses [Búainid Carbat] while partnered with a “hero” via [Hero’s Sidekick], the skillset of the Hero partnered with Laeg will be enhanced by Circuit of Victory’s effects, gaining all the benefits he does, as well as “custom” buffs to allow them to take the stage.

This Noble Phantasm will instantly fail if used against any Cú Chulainn aside from Cú Chulainn (Alter), as Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend will refuse to attack him.

Personality

Laid-back and brimming with dry humor, Laeg is a man content to let others take the spotlight. He is, in essence, a “sidekick”, someone who is more comfortable in a supporting role, yet not taking a backseat entirely. If the role of a healer is to support a hero from the backline, Laeg is best suited to supporting a hero from right at their side.

While laid-back in attitude, in nature, Laeg is as bloodthirsty and proud as his best friend. He takes his role as a charioteer, and in particular, the best of the best of them, very seriously. Given someone to fight alongside, Laeg will never turn down the opportunity for a fight, and he will never turn down an opportunity to show off.

Laeg’s penchant sarcasm and dry-wit comes from his perception of himself as the smartest person in the room at any given time. Whether this perception is actually true depends wildly on who he’s surrounded by at the moment.

Motive and Attitude towards Master

Laeg’s motive for fighting is more or less to “show off”. He doesn’t have any real desire for the Holy Grail, just so long as he gets to show off his talent with charioteering. This can potentially cause friction with his master, as he’s fundamentally more focused on demonstrating his skill than actually winning, but thanks to Laeg’s laid-back nature and preference for playing “second-fiddle”, he can work with most master’s easily enough.

That being said, he’s not afraid to turn his wit on his master.

“Come on Master, you summoned a charioteer -- a sidekick. If you were really trying your damnedest to win, you would have just summoned Cúcuc, right? Exactly. So just hold on tight and let me take you for a ride!”

Bond Craft Essence

Rejected Brindle

They'd never done it before. Even though they were Cúcuc's horses, they felt like mine. So when Liath Macha refused to allow himself to be harnessed that day...something felt wrong. But Cúcuc got ‘em harnessed and I ignored it. Willfully. Everyone knew why Liath Macha was refusing to be harnessed, everyone was trying to keep Cúcuc from riding out that day. Well, everyone except me. Does that make me a bad friend? To see the writing on the walls, to know why everyone was trying to restrain Cúcuc that day, and to ignore it all? To treat it as if it'd be just another day, another ride, another battle? I'd say it wouldn't, but I'm a biased party. But sometimes, when it's late at night, and my gut hurts, even though there's no possible way it could still be wounded...I'm happy to have driven Cúcuc out that final time. I'm happy it was at least able to start as just another ride for us. 

Historical Depiction

Cú Chulainn’s charioteer, and best friend (there is a man with horny skin who would contest this assertion). The greatest charioteer in Irish Mythology, earning the title of “King of Charioteers”. He accompanied the Hound of Ulster on practically all of his adventures, with the only one he was not involved with in some way being the Hound’s training at Dun Scaith. Once Cú Chulainn returned home and they officially became partners, however, they were a practically inseparable duo. Be it retrieving Emer from her father’s lands, traveling to the realm of Fand to fight her enemies, battling Queen Medb during the Tain Bo Cúailnge, or even his final battle, Laeg was always at his friend’s side.

During Cú Chulainn’s final battle, Laeg was speared by the first spear thrown by Lugaid Mac Cú Roi, which would prove to be a fatal blow for the King of Charioteers. Although Cú Chulainn attempted to order Laeg back to Ulster, Laeg remained to watch the rest of the battle. After Cú Chulainn tied himself to a standing stone for his final stand, he caught sight of Laeg and made one final plea to his friend to return to Ulster, if only to tell Emer of the news. Laeg reluctantly agreed, arriving back at Ulster to deliver the news, and pointing Conall Cernach in the direction of the battle, before finally passing away.

Relationships

Cú Chulainn - Laeg’s best friend and partner. In spite of his familiarity with Cú Chulainn, Laeg mocks him relentlessly, their banter being filled with good natured ribbing and put-downs. Faultlessly loyal to Cú Chulainn, Laeg stood by his friend until the very end, even until his death. Truly, they could be said to be the personification of “Ride or Die” (or, for these two, maybe it would be more accurate to say “Ride and Die”).

Cú Chulainn (Alter) - Although Cú Chulainn Alter is not the Cú Chulainn Laeg knows, Laeg has decided that he is Cú Chulainn nonetheless, and shall not be spared Laeg’s barbed tongue. It is not an uncommon sight to find Cú Chulainn Alter enduring comments about “trying a little too hard” and grumbling empty threats of violence in return.

Queen Medb - Laeg holds no ill-will towards Medb for organizing the conspiracy that led to his death, but he will never forgive for getting Liath Macha killed in the process.Achilles- A hero Laeg notes as being incredibly similar to Cú Chulainn, Laeg is often spotted hanging out with the Hero of the Trojan War in his off time.

Art of Cu and Laeg

#fanservant #fanservant; laeg mac riangabra #fgo #fate grand order #laeg mac riangabra

[caemthe]

Post Nimhe Eire | Berserker of Victory

     During the Nimhe Eire Lostbelt, the spirit core of Conall Cernach from Proper Human History was shattered, erasing his existence from the Throne of Heroes. Therefore, there was a general shock among the people when Chaldea’s summoning system picked on a familiar yet distinct readings. And so once again the wolf rose.

Height: 1.79m / 5′11ft Source: Celtic Mythology, Ulster Cycle Region: Midluachair Alignment: Chaotic Evil Gender: Female

     ‘She who is as strong as a wolf’      No one was a brave as Conall Cernach, who never went a day without beheading a Connacht warrior in battle. So terrible was her rage that each night she slept with a severed head under her knee. No land had not felt the fury of her slaughter. There was not a man of Connacht, whose son, brother or father she had not slain.

     While her deeds, looks and personality are essentially the same as the Berserker that was previously summoned, the life and experiences led were heavily influenced by the fact that she was a woman in the Iron Age. She had the same ‘miraculous’ birth and prophecy of slaughter as her Proper Human History counterpart but, instead of almost being assassinated upon birth, her uncle Cet requested King Conchobar to marry her to a faraway land so she wouldn’t be able to fulfill the prophecy. King Conchobar agreed to keep the ‘peace’ between Connacht and Ulster and arranged a marriage between the Ulster princess and a Pictish king.

     The marriage didn’t last long as, years later, Conall would return with the severed head of her husband tied to her belt and her four infant sons. While usually that would mean that she would go back to being the property of a male family member, she insisted that she still followed her husband’s commands and answered only to him. If one wished to defy the word of the severed head man. they would’ve to talk on equal terms, which meant become a severed head themself or suffer the consequences of defying his authority.

     While a mercenary leader rather than an Ulster warrior, Conall often aided Ulster in war and, true to the prophecy, killed more than half of Connachta during her lifetime. And just like her Proper Human History counterpart, she had 6 wives (technically, they were married to the severed head tied to her belt) and her four sons became kings, earning her the title of Mother of Kings.

     Once in Chaldea, she was quickly asked to not walk around with the severed head of her husband tied to her belt as it was a grotesque sight.

tag:: au. º ( máthir. )

- - visual reference under the read more - -

#conall. º ( berserker. ) #au. º ( máthir. ) #oc art.º #/ i am weak and biased but tbh fate should've added a feral female warrior that actually looks like a feral warrior long ago #/ anyway the main differences in design between male/female conall is that her war paint is more feminine and she doesn't hide her- #/ heterochromia. but yeah still 100% enemy of shirts and annoyingly loud. sorry not sorry

[trans-cuchulainn]

to continue the Táin discourse going on, got a question: is this like fanfiction of the old days? or were they shipping real people there? like did those kings n all actually exist? and did they just make up that they got laid a couple times or some shit?

there's no genuine historical evidence for the existence of most of the ulster cycle characters, with the possible exception of medb (there's a very early inscription that includes her name and which is found at crúachán, which is meant to be the royal seat of connacht in the texts, but that's all, and i'm not sure what the current consensus is on how that should be interpreted). they're writing stories set in an imagined past, from the point of view of (mostly) 9th-12th century authors, with a cast of recurring characters. some of these characters get incorporated into the family trees of various kin groups but this shouldn't be taken (uncritically) as evidence for their existence as people traced descent to mythical and biblical figures all the time in the medieval period – a lot of kings take their family trees all the way back to adam and eve

some of the characters may have been euhemerised gods, but that's the kind of thing that's very hard to prove one way or another. but certainly if the characters predated the stories it would be in the mythological rather than historical realm, as far as current scholarship is concerned

there was a period where people thought the texts offered a "window on the iron age" and contained genuine historical evidence, but this is widely disproved now, and they're significantly literary productions with a lot of influence from classical material etc, so anything that is in there would have been filtered through that anyway, making it functionally impossible to discern with any certainty now

#tain bo cuailnge #answered #anonymous

[lastromanticist]

The Sqaubble over the Champions portion at Donns house

This prosimetrum piece is an entry for week 1 of Maythology2023, though very late.

Plot synopsis: After Osgar Mac Oisins death at the battle of Gabhra, he is ushered to the house of Donn where he is presented with a feast. Several figures from the Ulster cycle sit at one side of the table before him whilst figures from the fenian cycle sit on the other. The issue of the champions portion is risen after a brief discussion of the hero's and their feats the champions portion is brought by Manannan mac lir. A quarrel breaks out between Oscar and Cu over who gets the feast.

Oscar, son of Osin and Son of Fionn, had died at Gavra, but here he was. Sat in a burdensome Hall and presented a seat at a table burdened with food. Around its oakwood glimmer sat men and women familiar and strange. The familiar men sat to his side and in their ranks were brothers in arms. Brown hatred Diarmuid, son of Donn, sat to his left by what he assumed was his host. To his right was Goll, the one-eyed flame of Morna's sons who shone bright. Beyond him taking up nearly two seats, his rather dimmer brother bald Conan. Absent Oscar thought were his grandfather's, brothers, and cousins. The men sat opposite to him were curious in appearance with hair of many colours and skin painted in dress clearly that of older men. Suddenly, a man familiar to them all spoke up.

At Gavra Oscar mac Oisin fell , the fenne wept and he would head to hell

Known for his vigour that friend of deer. No one is alike him in feats it was so claimed.

The house of Donn where his ancestors eat, in front of the brown, he takes seat.

The warriors beside him not unlike ,My son fair Diarmuid of the love spot favoured of feats at Ventry to his left.

Aside from his right is Aedh, the fire of morna. One-eyed Goll was his name after Castle knock feats.

Cools slayer so-called. These men of Fianna. Fighters of Ireland presented before me in my house, and as guests,

Their deaths are recent yet I rally them here with heroes of old.

Donn so spoke as elegent as amargin himself, but his art was interrupted. A guest from Mag Mells planes spoke aloud, "Donn oh Dark one who amongst them would you find willing of this feast , a champions portion." The voice crept so rudely from the red lips of Mananaan son of Lir. The trickster magician of the sea had brought with him a prized pork loin that knowing him was probably someone's wife. He offered to the room it presented on a golden vessel with a hundred rivets and engravings of blue and silver at the tables centre. Donn spoke again. "I am unable to decide so candidly and would like to leave the portion to whoever was bold enough to claim it." It was then that the virulent champion, Fergus mac Roich, recited this verse.

Can the feats of any man opposite my Foster sons and I

Compare in valour or in wealth , Cunning or in Bile

For they look nothing to my eye , have they anything to compare to raiding Flidhais's cattle

Have they fought a brother at Ford or killed great Rowan Tree beasts.

I can surely say men of Emania have done more as I heard at many a feast.

Fergus words incited those sat around him to cheer and those opposite him to scorn. The heroes of Ulster and Connacht from the time before the coming of Fionn seemed confident, and they began to list their deeds in order of ascent. First to speak was Fraech, son of Idach, who mentioned his quest for cattle , training with Scathatch, and courtship of Findabair the fair. Next was Ferdiad Mac Domain, who listed similar events. Their boasts were easily defeated. However, when Dubthatch the beetle tounge spoke, "Yet Cu Culann killed you both." The next few boasts of warriors included Fergus and Connal Cernach, who both in manliness exceeded Fráech and Ferdiad, but yet again were their defeats at the hand of the smith's Hound a blockage on their claim as champion of the feast. It was after this display that Cu Finally boasted his own feats in this verse.

"As a youth I killed mangy at this table. Friend turned foe and Foe Turned friend

My son , my friends, by my hands, they faced defeat, it is true

I can claim that meat for many a man I killed , whilst Noble Ullaid' cried

With spear of Scathatch in alba gained. From Uathach feats the city secured

In Alpine heights, my name spread for Amazon's further than Cu Roi tread

And he I slayed amongst many an absentee man. Amongst others

To what can a Fian with no name present that trumps these feats?

Did they defend Muirthemne's planes from the morrigan and Medb.

Could they pursue Emer or Gruadh over sea

Would they face alone combat at Ford or watch the walls of the men of falegaes fortress.

Have they placed their head for cutting games or killed kings like Caipre Nia Fer.

For I have and no man in this room who witnessed or wained against me.

Could deny and not face dishonour. "

Conan mac morna, the brother of Goll and famous oaf looked red with anger. His mouth ran as fast as Caoilte had when collecting Conn Cetathatchs rabble. His words came out lurid and strongly slurred but still ever so venomous. "You dusty old heroes of time past know nothing of my " averse to say friends Conan paused " Brother and our companions". His red face seemed to get redder like a smith's crucible as he carried on. "Take this one boasting," he pointed towards Cu Chulain. "Though he looks as if his bones are porridge and muscles are boiled cabbage, he claims these feats , I bet he couldn't even take Grainne in a ". Before Conan could finish insulting Cu Chulains honour, he had a plate smash into his face and send his apple red head plummeting. Immediately, the heroes of Emania cheered, and heroes of clan morna seemed posied to fight. It was at this moment that Young Osgar mac Oisin finally stood up. There was a bowl of soup in his hands, which he proceeded to drink loudly. Despite his youth, his presence commanded a quiet in the room. Grown warriors watching a young man enjoy his favourite food. Osgar then spoke this verse.

"I need no champions portion at this feast, for soup is my delight

Had Fionn been here we would simply hand the feast to him

For any man amongst you who claims comparison to my grandfather

Is as oafish as my friend. I do delight in poetry of feats, so let me raise you my pedigree

I am the slayer of Caibre at Gabhra Ford and the killer of a million men at the world kings strand

I am the champion of Alba who I conquered with Aeneas sword

I am the savour of the hostels , a world King slayer, many a God I have felled

Yet my feats are the feats of my Fianna , Goll threw the whole world

Conan dragged Fionn from Demons halls , and Diarmuid pursued and slew dog heads and Demon Boars

I delight in soup and verse and don't shy from the suggest we exchange more

Yet I have yet another, rather than whisper vague verses , why don't we fight?"

Oscars words coincided with his chair being kicked back by his leap forward. The bowl he had drank from had its clay shattered on the Hound of ulster's head. Inspired by Osgars feat, the men of Baosinge and Morna began to take bones and plates to their enemies. The ultonian and Connact men responded in kind, and the little brawl at Donns House began. Fergus, on the sweet lips, began to sing of the hero of Fionns clans feats. Cu chullain responded to Osgars' attack with kind and smote him with a goblet for wine as the two premier heroes battled. All of this delighted the son of Lir, who mused upon the brawl.

"So surprising how even dead they squabble, does battle have delight even now?

Do you wish your descendants honour your hall like this ? With butterknife sword and chicken leg flail?

Bludgeoned by Turkey and beaten by qauil?"

The tricksters words, however, fell on death ears as the chaos before him was without reprive. Donn was himself involved in the brawl. After all other than his friend Fraech, his loyalty stored squarely with his sons allies, and he was currently helping defend his son's wife Grainne from Connachtmen with a serving plate shield. The aforementioned wife was throwing knives, and at fianna, she had recognised as her pursuers. Had fionn been there, she may have even killed him a second time. Goll was wrestling Fergus mac Roich, and the two seemed matched in strength and manliness. Diarmuid himself was facing Conall Cernach with roasting spit and winning, piercing his eye with it. This was, unfortunately, a bad decision as Cu Chulain upon hearing his Foster brothers' cries of pain began to frenzy. The halo of a warrior rose on his head, and he smote Oisin's son of the reddened weapons across the room before sweeping against the Fianna and inflicting heavy losses. Fergus of the true lips seeing this and not wanting the Fianna to lose rushed to Osgar and spoke this war vaunt verse.

"Rise up Osgar of the Bloody Spear

Rise up hero of ventry harbours year

Rise up, oh lad, who loved soup and supper

Rise up oh Noble youth who died to Caibre

Rise up, oh Slayer of Osgar Mac Garadh

Take shield and sword and defend your father's clan and friends honour"

Fergus ended the war vaunt with a heartfelt sayingto his nephew"You are our Noble hero, and your sacrifice hurt us , even here in the hall of our death, your deeds enumerate more than any other and your loss will be mourned around the world" upon hearing this Osgar himself wore the Halo of battle and with Fearless eyes he stared at what the Hound of Ulster had become and with a swift rush and salmon leap he had head of Cu Chulain swept off using nothing but a chair leg. He held the ulster heroes head by its long flowing fiery strands and claimed the champions portion for all the Fianna. Yet as they sat in the house of Donn Cu Chulain would not die a second time so his head was discarded, and through Mananaans wizardry, his form restored, and the feast resumed till Fionn would join them and the entire quarrel would begin again.

Mananaan composed this verse on the events.

"Is it better to die for others or for personal glory ?

Be gone too soon or end a story?

To be an Oscar or to be a Cu

Donns feast waits for all yet heroes still fight and slay

All that matters at the end, I suppose, is that these memories remain till present day"

#folklore #medieval #irish mythology #poetry #diarmuid ua duibhne #May-thology2023

[legend-collection]

Cú Chulainn

Cú Chulainn (koo-KUL-in), sometimes known in English as Cuhullin, is a warrior hero and demigod in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore. He is believed to be an incarnation of the Irish god Lugh, who is also his father. His mother is the mortal Deichtine, sister of king Conchobar mac Nessa.

Born Sétanta, he gained his better-known name as a child, after killing Culann's fierce guard dog in self defence and offering to take its place until a replacement could be reared, hence he became the "Hound (cú) of Culann". He was trained in martial arts by Scáthach, who gave him the spear Gáe Bulg. It was prophesied that his great deeds would give him everlasting fame, but that his life would be short. At the age of seventeen he defends Ulster single-handedly against the armies of queen Medb of Connacht in the famous Táin Bó Cúailnge ("Cattle Raid of Cooley"). He is known for his terrifying battle frenzy (ríastrad), in which he becomes an unrecognisable monster who knows neither friend nor foe. He fights from his chariot, driven by his loyal charioteer Láeg and drawn by his horses, Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend.

Cú Chulainn's wife is Emer, although he has many other lovers. With Aífe he has a son named Connla, whom Cú Chulainn tragically kills. Cú Chulainn himself is said to have died in battle, binding himself to a standing stone so he can die on his feet.

His birth name, Sétanta, may be linked to a Celtic tribe, the Setantii, who dwelt on the west coast of Celtic Britain. His later name Cú Chulainn, is usually translated "Culann's hound", and was explained in the tale whereby he stood in for Culann's guard dog. Although cú literally means "hound", it was also a common figurative term for a warrior in early Irish literature, thus can also mean "Culann's warrior". Folklorist Dáithí Ó hÓgáin speculated that the second part of the name could come from an old Irish word for a chariot, cul, thus meaning "chariot-warrior".

There are a number of versions of the story of Cú Chulainn's miraculous birth. In the earliest version of Compert C(h)on Culainn ("The Conception of Cú Chulainn"), his mother Deichtine is the daughter and charioteer of Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster, and accompanies him as he and the nobles of Ulster hunt a flock of magical birds. As snow begins to fall, Ulstermen seek shelter in a nearby house. As the host's wife goes into labour, Deichtine assists in the birth of a baby boy, while a mare gives birth to twin colts. The next morning, the Ulstermen find themselves at the Brug na Bóinde (the Neolithic mound at Newgrange)—the house and its occupants have disappeared, but the child and the colts remain. Deichtine takes the boy home and begins raising him as her own, but the boy falls ill and dies. The god Lug appears to her and tells her he was their host that night, and that he has put his child in her womb, who is to be called Sétanta. Her pregnancy turns into a scandal as she is betrothed to Sualtam mac Róich, and the Ulstermen suspect Conchobar of being the father, so she aborts the child and goes to her husband's bed "virgin-whole". She then conceives a son whom she names Sétanta.

In the later and better-known version of Compert Con Culainn, Deichtine is Conchobar's sister, and disappears from Emain Macha, the Ulster capital. As in the previous version, the Ulstermen go hunting a flock of magical birds, are overtaken by a snowstorm and seek shelter in a nearby house. Their host is Lug, a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, but this time his wife, who gives birth to a son that night, is Deichtine herself. The child is named Sétanta.

The nobles of Ulster argue over which of them is to be his foster father, until the wise Morann decides he should be fostered by several of them: Conchobar himself; Sencha mac Ailella, who will teach him judgement and eloquent speech; the wealthy Blaí Briugu, who will protect and provide for him; the noble warrior Fergus mac Róich, who will care for him and teach him to protect the weak; the poet Amergin, who will educate him, and his wife Findchóem, who will nurse him. He is brought up in the house of Amergin and Findchóem on Muirthemne Plain in modern County Louth (at the time part of Ulster), alongside their son Conall Cernach.

In another version, the child is named Sédana, and the name is given to him by Ceat mac Mágach. Ceat takes Sédana into fosterage and gives him to his own foster parents, Srían and Gabur, to nurse; they are the parents of Láeg, Cú Chulainn's charioteer, and so the pair grow up together from infancy.

The County Louth town of Dundalk has the motto Mé do rug Cú Chulainn cróga (Irish) "I gave birth to brave Cú Chulainn".

The stories of Cú Chulainn's childhood are told in a flashback sequence in Táin Bó Cúailnge. As a small child, living in his parents' house on Muirthemne Plain, he begs to be allowed to join the boy-troop at Emain Macha. However, he sets off on his own, and when he arrives at Emain he runs onto the playing field without first asking for the boys' protection, being unaware of the custom. The boys take this as a challenge and attack him, but he has a ríastrad and beats them single-handed. Conchobar puts a stop to the fight and clears up the misunderstanding, but no sooner has Sétanta put himself under the boys' protection than he chases after them, demanding they put themselves under his protection. "Cuchulain Desires Arms of the King", illustration by Stephen Reid in Eleanor Hull's The Boys' Cuchulain, 1904

Culann the smith invites Conchobar to a feast at his house. Before going, Conchobar goes to the playing field to watch the boys play hurling. He is so impressed by Sétanta's performance that he asks him to join him at the feast. Sétanta has a game to finish, but promises to follow the king later. But Conchobar forgets, and Culann lets loose his ferocious hound to protect his house. When Sétanta arrives, the enormous hound attacks him, but he kills it in self defence, in one version by smashing it against a standing stone, and in another by driving a sliotar (hurling ball) down its throat with his hurley. Culann is devastated by the loss of his hound, so Sétanta promises he will rear him a replacement, and until it is old enough to do the job, he himself will guard Culann's house. The druid Cathbad announces that his name henceforth will be Cú Chulainn—"Culann's Hound".

One day at Emain Macha, Cú Chulainn overhears Cathbad teaching his pupils. One asks him what that day is auspicious for, and Cathbad replies that any warrior who takes arms that day will have everlasting fame. Cú Chulainn, though only seven years old, goes to Conchobar and asks for arms. None of the weapons given to him withstand his strength, until Conchobar gives him his own weapons. But when Cathbad sees this he grieves, because he had not finished his prophecy—the warrior who took arms that day would be famous, but his life would be short. Soon afterwards, in response to a similar prophecy by Cathbad, Cú Chulainn demands a chariot from Conchobar, and only the king's own chariot withstands him. He sets off on a foray and kills the three sons of Nechtan Scéne, who had boasted they had killed more Ulstermen than there were Ulstermen still living. He returns to Emain Macha in his battle frenzy, and the Ulstermen are afraid he will slaughter them all. Conchobar's wife Mugain leads out the women of Emain, and they bare their breasts to him. He averts his eyes, and the Ulstermen wrestle him into a barrel of cold water, which explodes from the heat of his body. They put him in a second barrel, which boils, and a third, which warms to a pleasant temperature.

#Cú Chulainn #ireland #europe

[whencyclopedfr]

Cúchulainn

Cúchulainn (prononcez Koo-kul-in), également écrit Cú Chulainn, est l'un des plus grands héros de la mythologie celtique irlandaise, en particulier du cycle d'Ulster. Fils d'un autre héros culturel, Lugh, Cúchulainn est un puissant guerrier dont l'arme est le Gáe Bolga, une lance terrible qui inflige 30 blessures à sa cible en un seul coup. Cúchulainn est impliqué dans de nombreuses aventures telles que la défense de l'Ulster contre une armée de Connacht, des liaisons amoureuses avec des reines guerrières et des fées, et le meurtre tragique de son propre fils Connla. Cúchulainn est connu pour son agilité et ses compétences exceptionnelles, mais il est finalement vaincu par la sorcellerie et tué par un autre héros, Lugaid mac Con Roi.

Lire la suite...

#LaMorrigan #LeDagda #Newgrange

[rowan-blood]

Deirdre and Naoise

Deirdre

Deirdre (/ˈdɪərdrə, -dri/ DEER-drə, -⁠dree, Irish: [ˈdʲɛɾʲdʲɾʲə]; Old Irish: Derdriu [ˈdʲerʲðrʲĭŭ]) is a tragic heroine in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She is also known by the epithet "Deirdre of the Sorrows" (Irish: Deirdre an Bhróin).

Deirdre was the daughter of the royal storyteller Fedlimid mac Daill. Before she was born, Cathbad the chief druid at the court of Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster, prophesied that Fedlimid's daughter would grow up to be very beautiful, but that kings and lords would go to war over her, much blood would be shed because of her, and Ulster's three greatest warriors would be forced into exile for her sake.

Hearing this, many urged Fedlimid to kill the baby at birth, but Conchobar, aroused by the description of her future beauty, decided to keep the child for himself. He took Deirdre away from her family and had her brought up in seclusion by Leabharcham, a poet and wise woman, and planned to marry Deirdre when she was old enough. As a young girl, living isolated in the woodlands, Deirdre told Leabharcham one snowy day that she would love a man with the colours she had seen when a raven landed in the snow with its prey: hair the color of the raven, skin as white as snow, and cheeks as red as blood.

Leabharcham told her she was describing Naoise, a handsome young warrior, hunter and singer at Conchobar's court. With the collusion of Leabharcham, Deirdre met Naoise and they fell in love. Accompanied by his brothers Ardan and Ainnle (the other two sons of Uisneach), Naoise and Deirdre fled to Scotland. They lived a happy life there, hunting and fishing and living in beautiful places; one place associated with them is Loch Etive. Some versions of the story mention that Deirdre and Naoise had children, a son, Gaiar, and a daughter, Aebgreine, who were fostered by Manannan Mac Lir.

A painting of Deirdre in A book of myths (1915), by Helen Stratton.

However, the furious, humiliated Conchobar tracked them down. He sent Fergus mac Róich to them with an invitation to return and Fergus's own promise of safe conduct home. On the way back to Emain Macha, Conchobar had Fergus waylaid, forced by his personal geis (an obligation) to accept an invitation to a feast.

Fergus sent Deirdre and the sons of Uisneach on to Emain Macha with his son to protect them. When they arrived, Conchobar sent Leabharcham to spy on Deirdre, to see if she had lost her beauty. Leabharcham, to protect Deirdre, told the king that Deirdre was now ugly and aged. Conchobar then sent another spy, Gelbann, who managed to catch a glimpse of Deirdre but was seen by Naoise, who threw a gold chess piece at him and put out his eye.

The spy managed to get back to Conchobar, and told him that Deirdre was as beautiful as ever. Conchobar called his warriors to attack the Red Branch house where Deirdre and the sons of Uisneach were lodging. Naoise and his brothers fought valiantly, aided by a few Red Branch warriors, before Conchobar evoked their oath of loyalty to him and had Deirdre dragged to his side. At this point, Éogan mac Durthacht threw a spear, killing Naoise, and his brothers were killed shortly afterward.

Fergus and his men arrived after the battle. Fergus was outraged by this betrayal of his word, and went into exile in Connacht. He later fought against Ulster for Ailill and Medb in the war of the Táin Bó Cúailnge (the Cattle Raid of Cooley), sometimes referred to as "the Irish Iliad".

Deirdre's Lament, drawing by J. H. Bacon, c. 1905

After the death of Naoise, Conchobar took Deirdre as his wife. After a year, angered by Deirdre's continuing coldness toward him, Conchobar asked her whom in the world she hated the most, besides himself. She answered "Éogan mac Durthacht", the man who had murdered Naoise. Conchobar said that he would give her to Éogan. As she was being taken to Éogan, Conchobar taunted her, saying she looked like a ewe between two rams. At this, Deirdre threw herself from the chariot, dashing her head to pieces against a rock.

_________________________

Naoise

In Irish mythology, Naisi, Noíse or Noisiu (modern spelling: Naoise [ˈn̪ˠiːʃə]) was the nephew of King Conchobar mac Nessa of Ulster, and a son of Uisneach (or Uisliu). He is mentioned in the tale known as the Tragic Tale of the Sons of Uisnech, or Exiles of the Sons of Uisnech, usually found within the set of stories in the Táin Bó Cúailnge, part of the Ulster Cycle. In the tale he becomes the lover of Deirdre, a woman of great beauty, who is also desired by the king of Ulster Conchobar mac Nessa, and so the lovers go with Naoise's two brothers into exile in Scotland (Alba). Eventually, Conchobar seeks to get them to return, but a series of unfortunate events (including a geas placed on Fergus mac Róich their protector and escort, as well as Naoise and his brothers' repeated disregard for Deirdre's prophetic warnings) and the treachery of Conchobar brought on by his desire for Deirdre, leads to tragedy. The tale climaxes with battle at the Red Branch house at Emain Macha, with many dead including Naoise, his brothers Ainle and Ardan, and Conchobar's son Fiacha. Ultimately the sons of Uisnech are killed in one blow delivered by Maine Red Hand son of the King of Norway (or by Éogan mac Durthacht depending on source). The whole event leads to considerable strife between Ulster and Connacht, the disinheritance of Conchobar and his descendants to the title King of Ulster, and the destruction of Emain Macha.

Naoise's and Deirdre's story appears in the Táin Bó Cúailnge (Cattle raid of Cooley), in the story part sometimes entitled "The Tragical Death of the Sons of Usnach". The following summary is based on the translations of Whitley Stokes and O'Flanagan edited in (Hull 1898), Naoise here rendered as Naisi in the text :

When Deirdre was born, Cathbad the druid named her, and prophesied that she would cause much trouble and strife - on hearing this the assembled lords would have had her killed then, but king Conchobar prevented it and decided to have her brought up in seclusion, and that when she was old enough, he would marry her. She grew up to outshine other women of the time in beauty.

One snowy day when she saw her foster father kill a calf, on which a raven fell to drink the animals blood - she said she wanted a husband who had in him the three colors she saw - hair the color of the raven, cheeks red like the calf's blood, and skin the color of snow. She was told that such a man existed in the house of Conchobar - named Naisi (Naoise), son of Usnach, son of Conall Flatnailed, son of Rury the Great. She asked that she might speak with him, in secret. Naisi met with her, and she declared her love for him, and asked to elope, which he agreed to, though he was tardy to carry out, for fear of Conchobar.

Naoise carrying Deirdre, along with his two brothers. Illustration by John D. Batten in Celtic Fairy Tales (1892).

Thus Naisi and his two brothers, Ainle and Ardan, together with and one hundred and fifty warriors, went to Scotland and entered the paid service of the King of Scotland. The Scottish King heard of Deirdre's great beauty and too tried to get her for himself, on which Naisi and his brothers left for an island in the sea, after many battles with the king's men.

Conchobar was at another feast with his people, and asked them if they wanted for anything. They replied they had no want, except the loss of their kinsmen Naisi, Ainle, and Ardan - because of the woman Deirdre. Having heard this Conchobar decided to send an envoy. However Naisi was prohibited from returning to Ireland except with either Cúchulainn, Conall Cernach, or Fergus mac Ross. Conchobar chose Fergus to go fetch for them.

Fergus journeyed to Loch Etive in Alba (Scotland), and found the hunting lodges of the Naisi and his two brothers, but there was no recent sign of them. Fergus then went to the harbor and made a loud call for them, which was heard by Naisi and Deirdre. Naisi said he had heard an Irish voice, and so had Deirdre, but she lied and said she thought it was a Scottish voice. Fergus called again, and the same happened; and then a third time, and Naisi became sure it was Fergus' voice and asked Ardan to go and meet him.

Deirdre confessed that she had recognized the voice, but concealed the truth as she had a vision the previous night, of three birds from Emain Macha bringing honey in their beaks but returning with blood in their beaks - she interpreted this as meaning that the messenger came with a false promise of peace. Nevertheless, they greeted Fergus warmly, and he then told him of his task as envoy, to make them return to Ulster. The exiles spoke of their missing Ireland, but Deirdre still did not wish to go out of worry - Fergus promised he would give them his protection against any in Ireland, and so Naisi agreed to return.

On the way they came to the fort of Borrach (son of Annte). Borrach welcomed them, and offered a feast (as Conchobar had instructed him to do), but placed Fergus under a geasa not to leave the feast until it was finished. Fergus became flustered, telling Borrach that he had promised to bring the three back to Emain Macha on the same day that they returned to Ireland. Fergus decided to stay at the feast and send his own two sons with the returning exiles back to Emain Macha.

The exiles left Borrach's place. Deirdre counseled Naisi to stay at the island of Cuilenn, but Fergus's sons (Illann the Fair, and Buinne the Ruthless Red) spoke against it. Then they went to the White Cairn of Watching on Slaib Fuad, but Deirdre fell behind, and fell asleep. Naisi turned back and found her as she awoke from a dream. She told Naisi of her dream - in it she sees Naisi and Illann headless, but Buinne not with them. Next the party went to Ard na Sailech. Again Deirdre had premonitions, envisioning a 'cloud of blood' over Naisi, Ainle, and Ardan's head. She counselled that they should go to Dún Delgan (Dundalk) and stay until Fergus could join them, or seek Cúchulainn as escort, but the brothers were not worried, and did not follow her advice.

They then went straight to Emain Macha. On reaching it Deirdre foretold a way they could tell whether or not Concobar would do them ill - if they were invited into Cochobar's house they were safe, but if they were invited into the house of the Red Branch without Concobar then evil was intended for them.

At Emain Macha they knocked, and on telling the doorman who it was Concobar said to send them to the Red Branch house. Deirdre suggested they leave, but the men would not, lest they be called timid. They entered the house of the Red Branch, and were served with great food and drink - all the servants drank and ate and became merry, but the exiles would not eat or drink. Naisi then called for Concobar's chessboard (the Cennchaem) to be brought so they could play - at the same time Conchobar inquired of Deirdre, asking if she was still so beautiful. Concobar's envoy (Levarcham) returned and told him who was there, and that Deirdre was changed from when she left.

Conchobar sent messengers to tell him of Deirdre's appearance twice more. Then he spoke to Tréndorn saying "do you know who killed my father (and three brothers)?" - Tréndhorn replied it was Naisi - then Conchobar sent him report on Deirdre's appearance. As he spied through a window he was spotted, and Naisi threw a chess piece at him so well he lost an eye - he returned to Conchobar and told him "The woman whose form and feature are loveliest in the world is there, and Naisi would be king of the world if she were left to him." Conchobar became enraged and ordered an assault on the Red Branch house.

A the house Conchobar and his men, and the Naisi and his exchanged words, then fighting began. Buinne slew many of Conchobar's men, but Conchobar asked his price, and bribed him with land, and he deserted his companions. The Illann came forth and killed many of Conchobar's men, and would not take a bribe like his brother. Conchobar asked for his own son Fiacha, born on the same night as Illann. He gave Fiacha his arms, but after a hard fight, Illann won. Conchobar's shield made a great sound when its wielder was in distress, and Conall son of Amargin heard it, thinking Conchobar was in need, and came - seeing the scene of the battle he took his spear (Culghlas) and killed Illann. Wounded, Illann asked who had done it, and told them he was there to guard Naisi and his brothers - on hearing this Conall was sorry, and killed Fiacha in revenge. Illann called Naisi to the fight, then died.

Ardan defended the Red Branch house on the first night, slaying many; the next night Ainle defended; on the third night Naisi defended, also killing many attackers. The three then formed a shield around Deirdre, and leapt outside the walls of Emain. Concobar told his druid Cathbad to put an enchantment on the escapees, stating that if he did so he would not harm the. Cathad conjured water to prevent them. Concobar then called for someone to kill Naisi but none from Ulster would. However one Maine Red-hand from Norway, whose father and brothers had been killed by Naisi, was willing to do the beheading.

Ardan said he should die first, as the youngest, but Ainle offered himself; Naisi gave his exceptional sword, which was from Manannán mac Lir himself, to Maine, and Maine killed all three with it, in one blow. Deirdre kissed her dead husband and drank his blood, and sang a long lament. She then flung herself into Naisi's grave and died.

Cathbad cursed Emain Macha because of the evil of that day, and said that neither Conchobar nor his descendants would ever possess it again. Fergus came the next day, and saw the disaster, and (together with Cormac conloinggeas and Dubhtach daelultach) gave battle to Conchobar, brought the destruction of Emain Macha, together with Conchobar's women. Fergus then sought aid from Ailill King of Connacht, and Maeve the queen. Much of Ulster was raided or destroyed, with hostilities continuing for several years.

#derdriu #deirdre #naoise #naisi #myths #wikipedia #reference #Deirdre of the Sorrows #Deirdru of the Sorrows #conchobar #connor mac nessa

[a-zalea-garden]

A little thing I noticed while reading

Valentine says in his diary that:

Now, using the origin of his first name, which is an Irish (Gaeilge) name meaning “little dark one.” Looking at the fact his name is Irish, and (given his age) he would have been born c. 410 (c. 23 years before St Patrick started his conversion), we can relate him to the Ulster Cycle with little issue.

I doubt the Monster High team dug this deep, but Kieran’s line can be seen as a parallel (or just a reference to) to a feature of the warrior queen, Mebh of Connacht. She is called a sexual goddess and her name means “entrancing” or “she who intoxicates.”

It is said that Mebh could only be satisfied in bed by 7 men, or Fergus mac Róich (another character) once. Garrett Sander said that Kieran would be able to thrive off of true love, which is where Spelldon comes in.

We can compare that to the line above by saying the 2000+ women he’s charmed (yes I did the math) couldn’t satisfy his needs as an emotional vampire, but Spelldon could once.

Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.

#monster high #kieran valentine #spelldon cauldronello #ulster cycle #queen maeve #gay #lgbtq

[the-unseelie-court-official]

Would you tell me what you think of my name? My mum told me she named me after a Fae. It's Maeve

Medb, queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle. A woman who knows how to run a cattle raid, who started the Táin Bó Cúailnge as a show of her sovereignty. She who intoxicates.

[honourablejester]

Celtic Pantheon/Campaigns (5e D&D)(Long Post)

Okay, so I’m just going to get this out there, because every time I glance at the Celtic Pantheon in the PHB I do giggle a bit. Mind you, it’s not anyone’s fault, but a couple of centuries of academics bundling stuff together under ‘Celtic’ has mightily confused just about everything, and it really shows here.

(Note: I have no academic qualifications regarding Celtic mythology/history/folklore whatsoever, I’m just Irish and grew up with a lot of the Irish myths and legends as a kid. This also means I know very little about the Welsh and other Celtic myths, just to say that in advance. This is all just what I’m familiar with from growing up and a little bit of research, and might have errors)

This post is also brought to you by my idly scanning lfg posts for Celtic campaigns and seeing a lot of historically inspired Celts-vs-Romans campaigns which is … doubly funny to me if they’re using the PHB pantheon list. This is because, as you’ll see in a minute, the majority of the PHB list uses the Irish gods and we … didn’t have those. Romans. We didn’t have them. So. Heh.

(We had Roman traders, especially around the Waterford area, it’s a relatively quick hop over from Wales/Cornwall, and we have evidence of Roman … tourists, probably? There are Roman offerings at various Irish prehistoric religious sites, in the Midlands especially. So we did have Romans, in the sense of we met them, but we didn’t have Romans, in the sense of invasion by the Roman Empire)

So. The thing about the PHB ‘pantheon’. It’s kind of borrowing gods from several different Celtic pantheons. ‘Celtic’ covers a lot of distinct regional cultures that are believed (I think for primarily linguistic and archaeological reasons) to be descended from an original proto-Celtic culture. For extra fun, there aren’t many primary historical sources for most of them, as in Celts writing about themselves and their faiths. Most of the texts we have are either medieval Christian (a lot of the Irish and Welsh) or Roman (a lot of the Gaulish, Iberian, Germanic, Brythonic), so there’s a lot of cross-cultural influence and interpretation muddling it up in there before you ever get to celtic-vs-celtic.

So they’re all Celtic, but they’re all very distinct in terms of stories, culture and the attributes of their gods. There are some gods that were broadly shared under similar names between various of the regional pantheons (Lugh and Brigantia are two examples), although they could be very different in portrayal between, say, the Irish and Gaulish stories. (Where the PHB uses one of these, I’m going with what name they’re using for guidance)

(The various attributes given to them by the PHB are a different muddle of influences again, with I think a lot of it being straight D&D invention, but that’s its own story)

So, to have a look at the D&D breakdown:

5e PHB Celtic Pantheon

Arawn  (Welsh)

Belenus  (Gaulish/Romano-British)

Brigantia  (Gaulish/Romano-British)

Diancecht  (Irish)

Dunatis (???)(Can’t find or remember this guy at all. Only thing I’ve got is that the Irish for ‘fort’ is ‘dún’, so maybe Irish?)

Goibhniu  (Irish)

Lugh  (Irish)

Manannan Mac Lir  (Irish)

Math Mathonwy  (Welsh)

Morrigan   (Irish)

Nuada  (Irish)

Oghma  (Irish)

Silvanus  (???)(Don’t know at all. I’m going to guess continental because I think ‘silva’ is the latin for ‘forest’, hence ‘Transylvania’ or ‘Beyond the Forest’, so the dude has a latin name)(… looking this up, he’s actually straight-up a Roman god, okay then)

The Daghdha  (Irish)(I usually see it spelled ‘Dagda’, mind)

This all shakes out as follows:

Irish: Daghdha, Diancecht, Goibhniu, Lugh, Manannan, Morrigan, Nuada, Oghma

Not Sure/Maybe Irish?: Dunatis

Welsh: Arawn, Math Mathonwy

Gaulish/Romano-British: Belenus, Brigantia

Straight Roman: Silvanus

So that’s more than half the list being figures from Irish mythology. And that … there’s nothing wrong with using them for an Asterix-and-Obelix Romans-vs-Celts sort of campaign. I mean, it’s your own private fantasy game, not a history lesson. Go nuts! It just … reads oddly to me. Heh. Historically speaking, very few people with Irish names calling on Irish gods would have had much cause to fight Romans. Not on any large scale, anyway.

Campaign Inspirations:

I’m going to just say, though. If you want a more historical and/or mythological feeling Celtic campaign. You have a couple of options. I’d say the easiest thing is to just look up the specific pantheons and cherry-pick your gods from there (there’s a handy Wikipedia list here)

If you want continental Romans vs Celts a-la Asterix and Obelix, use the Gaulish/Brythonic list.

If you want Romans vs Celts more along the lines of various modern interpretations of King Arthur, use the Gaulish/Brythonic and/or Pictish lists.

If you want Celtic more along the lines of full Arthurian, Excalibur, BBC Merlin, ‘dragons, druids, knights and romance’, a lot of actual Arthurian legend used Welsh myths as a base, so it’s a nice start, then throw some Brythonic on top (particularly if you want to do an 80s Robin Hood on it and throw in Cernunnos/Herne the Hunter in). If your setting is more of a fully mixed ‘Medieval England’ sort of setting, Robin Hood, King Arthur, etc, you can mix and match a whole bunch of folklore and mythology of various sources, Welsh, Roman, Norse, etc. (Alan Garner is a fantasy author who does this very well, if you want a high-fantasy example)

And if you want Celtic as in Irish myth to match the names …

If you’re going relatively low-fantasy for a more historical feel, use the Irish pantheon, and the sources you want to inspire the setting would be the Cattle Raid of Cooley and the Fenian Cycle/stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fianna. The Five Kingdoms of Ireland (Ulster, Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Meath, with the High King sitting at Tara in Meath) makes a pretty good setting.

If you’re going more high fantasy, like the Arthurian example, use the Irish pantheon, and you want the Book of Invasions and the Battle of Magh Tuireadh as inspiration. Setting elements you can have here are the Five Kingdoms of Ireland, the Four Cities that the Treasures of Ireland came from, Tir na nOg, and the Otherworld. (Note on the four cities and their treasures: they were each guarded by a legendary bard (poet/scholar/mage), so you could go classic archmage wizard or you could throw in some high level NPC bards for fun)

There’s some very cool magic items in Irish myth too, like the aforementioned four treasures, the magic pigskin (waterskin) Lugh had the sons of Tuireann quest for (heals all wounds, but charges of various healing spells per day would probably work), the sword Fragarach (I think other D&D editions had a version, but I’m particularly interested in its sword of truth aspect that forces anyone threatened by it to tell the truth), Cuchulainn’s Gae Bolg spear, aka Belly Spear (which is made from a bone of a sea monster and is nasty – it basically grows barbs/spines once it’s in someone’s body), and basically every item ever owned/gifted by Manannan Mac Lir, who is basically the Irish god of giving away cool magic items (as well as sea god, trickster god, elder god, and the god often in charge of starting quests). If you need a quest-starter god or a god to litter magic items around your world, Manannan Mac Lir is your dude.

If you want a fantasy author that I quite like who does great loosely-based-on-Irish-myth high fantasy, I would say Michael Scott, particularly (from my reading) the De Danaan tales and Tales of the Bard. I also grew up reading Cormac Mac Raois’ Giltspur trilogy, which is an awesome kid’s portal fantasy involving some Wicklow kids winding up in Tir na nOg and fighting the forces of the Morrigan, but that’s pretty much impossible to get outside Ireland, I think.

And I promise I’m not only saying this because I personally feel like a low-fantasy ‘historical’ campaign is about the least interesting thing you could do with any of the Celtic pantheons. Honest.

#d&d #dnd #5e #celtic mythology #irish mythology #history #inspirations #fantasy

[irelandseyeonmythology]

Is there any timeline around for when surviving versions of the Ulster Cycle's stories were written? I wonder if they were more or less clustered in time compared to tales of the Fianna.

Okay, so this is actually interesting! Because I’ve been dealing a bit with Fenian material recently and it’s something that me and one of my lecturers have talked a fair bit about. I apologize in advance for the lack of sources -- I’m currently away from my books for the holiday. Also I should probably start this off with the reminder that the idea of “Cycles” is very much our classification for the sake of convenience -- in the Middle Ages, there was some notion of stories of the Fianna VS stories of Cú Chulainn, etc., but it was very.....loose. They were more likely to sort these things into categories like “Wooings”, “Death-Tales”, “Courtships”, “Cattle-Raids”, etc. Again, doesn’t mean that they had NO concept of these things, just means that it’s something to keep in mind.

The Ulster Cycle was REALLY prominent early on. You have the Táin and the assorted remscéla (Fore-Tales, prequels), Aided Con Roí (9th century?),Echtra Nerai (10th century), Síaburcharpat Con Culaind (10th century), etc. Meanwhile, the Fenian Cycle, while we have some material on them from the 8th/9th centuries, gets off to a slow start. It’s been speculated that the church did not particularly like the Fianna and that, essentially, the Fianna only became safe to consume after the actual, real-life bands of warriors had died out. Think of it -- You have these groups of aristocratic young men with nothing else to do roving around outside the boundaries of law and order, living in the wilderness, bound to a single leader. Basically...a toss-up between a gang and a frat house. 

Meanwhile, Cú Chulainn, great hero of Ulster...well, he’s not what anyone would call particularly child friendly, but he isn’t THAT kind of threat to law and order.

But, into the 10th-11th centuries, we see this BURST of Fenian material, while the Ulster Cycle, while it never DIES (it was thought that that happened for some time, but we have Ulster Cycle material being written down well into the Early Modern period -- a particular favorite is “Toruigheacht Gruaidhe Griansholus, which is estimated to be 17th century and is BREATHTAKINGLY chivalric. 

And there are a variety of reasons we think this might have happened -- Part of it might very well be that, simply put, the Ulster Cycle was centered in Ulster. Yes, Connacht can get in the game with Medb and Aillil, which is where you get some positive depictions; Munster can even get in the game a little with Cú Roí, but overall, the Ulster Cycle is about....Ulster. Conall Cernach (who actually shows up in more texts than The Other One), Cú Chulainn, Conchobar, Emer, etc. Why would the other provinces care about some teenaged twink’s exploits? They have their own heroes to prop up. 

Meanwhile, the Fianna could be everywhere -- The tradition isn’t anchored anywhere, which allowed their exploits to be taken up by anyone, especially in the folk tradition. There’s a reason why there are so many locations in Ireland that are labelled “the bed of Diarmaid and Gráinne” and it’s because they all adapted the legend as it suited them. Finn and his band could have been anywhere, at any time, sleeping, hunting, fighting. Much easier to localize, essentially. And so you have the oral tradition supporting the manuscript tradition and vice versa (people often seem to think of them as two separate traditions -- they weren’t. It wasn’t uncommon for a manuscript to, say, be read out loud.) Sometimes, you even get Cú Chulainn and Fionn facing off in the oral tradition -- I recall one example where, for example, Cú Chulainn takes the place of the Scottish giant that Fionn was going to fight when Giant’s Causeway was formed. In general, though, WHILE there is an oral tradition around the Ulster Cycle, it was massively eclipsed by that of the Fianna. 

#The Fenian cycle #The Ulster Cycle