From the mist of Irish history and myth, rises a man of unique ability and character: Cu’ Culainn. His presence threads itself through the story in my book. “Gates of Erin.”
He was the hero of the “Tain” the Irish equivalent of the Greek “Illiad”. It is the story of a great battle fought over a bull desired by Queen Medb. Ultimately, it was a war about land and who would serve as the High King of Ireland. Cu’Culainn fought the war single handedly an still Queen Medb lost badly.
Cu’Culainn appeared in many of the Irish stories and myths. My favorite is “Bricrui’s Feast” where skilled warriors fought for the champion’s portion of the generous banquet. It is typical of the feasting and bragging that marks Irish myth.
Cu’Culainn was a demi-god, son of the Irish god of light, Lugh, and a human woman, Deichtine. He was fostered out to train at a very young age with Sca’thach, a renowned Scottish warrior woman at her fortress, Du’n Sca’ith on the Isle of Sky. He was diligent and trained hard, surpassing even Sca’thach’s own children. No one came close to his dedication and determination.
Service to others was a hallmark of almost all of his great deeds. Not being perfect, he slayed the hound of a famed smith, Culainn. In remorse, he proclaimed he would become Culainn new hound, thus his name: Cu’Culainn or Culainn’s hound. He was a loyal friend, fighting fierce battles in defense of his brothers-in-arms. He battled on a speeding chariot with two mighty horses, Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend. His charioteer, Laeg, was skilled and brave, never abandoning Cu’Culainn even in unwinable situations.
Passion drove everything Cu’Culainn did. His love for Emer drove him to complete heroic acts assigned by her father, Forgall. He crossed the plain of ill luck, where the ground grabbed at travelers’ feet, and the forest of peril beyond it. He crossed the Bridge of Leaps — which threw every warrior who tried it into the abyss — by using a salmon-leap to clear it in one bound. Forgall, still wouldn’t allow the marriage. Enraged, Cu’ Culainn lept over the three walls of Forgall’s fortress and killed everyone inside. Forgall fell from the ramparts and died. Emer and Cu’Culainn finally wed.
Skill on the battlefield was his most defining feature. The heat of battle brought on his ríastrad, or the torque, a fit of rage and almost supernal skill that made him an unbeatable opponent. We would call him a beserker now. So renowned and feared, his old enemy, Queen Medb from the “Tain” hired three witches to vex and weaken him, but it wasn’t enough to quell his skill and strength. When that did not stop him, Medb sent an army, three druids and Lugaid Cu’ Roi, a bitter rival. After a prolonged battle, Lugaid struck Cu’Culainn with his own spear. Cu’ Culainn, knowing he was mortally wounded, tied himself upright on a tall rock so that he would die on his feet. His loss was deeply mourned by all of Ulster. His story still resonates with Irishmen today, who see him as the embodiment of the Irish spirit.