Cuchulainn

Sketch depicts Cuchulainn in full flight.

Cuchulainn

Cuchulainn

Sketch depicts Cuchulainn in full flight.

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Cuchulainn is a key character in Irish mythology. Legend has it that he was born in the North of Ireland at Eamain Macha. Emain Macha, situated in what is today, Co. Armagh, was the site of the Royal house of Ulster and appeared in a second century map by Potelemy. Cuchulainn was originally called Setanta, but got the name Cuchulainn after he killed the hound of Culan. In the tails he is said to have had a fierce temper and was a mighty warrior. In one story it is described that three vats of ice cold water were required to cool down his temperature. For part of his training as a warrior he went to Scotland and later returned to Ireland. There he defended the Brown Bull of Ulster from Queen Meabh of Connaught. This part of mythology is known as An Táin.