The Hounds of Cuchulain Workout

This epic battle is a central event in Cuchulain’s story. The tale, recorded as early as 620 AD, is also known as “The Cattle Raid of Cooley.” It tells of Queen Maeve of Connacht’s attempt to steal the prized Brown Bull of Cooley from Ulster. When her request was refused, Connacht and Ulster went to war. A prophecy foretold Cuchulain’s role, warning of great destruction.

Due to a curse, the warriors of Ulster were incapacitated for nine days, leaving Cuchulain to defend the province alone. Entering a superhuman battle frenzy known as the “ríastrad,” he became an unstoppable force, holding off armies and defeating renowned warriors.

All seemed lost for the forces of Connaught but Medb had one last ace up her sleeve. She sent Ferdia (Cuchulain’s childhood friend and training partner) to confront him.  Despite their friendship, they engaged in a fierce duel. Cuchulain emerged victorious but at the cost of losing his beloved friend. Their duel is a poignant reminder of the complexities of loyalty and honour in Irish mythology.

After Ferdia’s death, Cuchulain continued to defend Ulster until the warriors of the Red Branch Knights recovered. They then joined the battle, driving Queen Maeve’s forces from the field and securing Ulster’s victory.

Over the years, Cuchulain had gathered together quite a list of enemies. Sons and daughters of murdered fathers who all wanted their revenge.  The family of Cuchulain’s great enemy Cú Roí mac Dáire (a powerful Munster king) was one of these. Cuchulain had managed to slay his foe years earlier, but his family had not forgotten.  Furthermore, during the Táin Bó Cúailnge, Cuchulain had slain many enemies sent by Cú Roí’s descendants and allies. 

The culmination of the feud reached its peak when Lugaid mac Con Roí (Cú Roí’s son) challenged the hero to a duel.  Unbeknownst to Cuchulain, Lugaid has conspired with other forces to ensure that this time Cuchulain will not survive.

En route to the duel, Cuchulain encounters an old hag by the roadside who offers him food and drink. Since one of his Geis (obligations) is never refusing hospitality from a stranger, Cuchulain partakes of her offerings out of politeness. However, as soon as he consumed the food and drink, he was overcome by a weakness that rendered him powerless. The woman had served him dog meat (making him break another of the geis). The old hag reveals herself to be the Morrigan (the shape-shifting goddess associated with fate and prophecy) who mocks Cuchulain for his vulnerability. In some versions of the story the hag turns out to be queen Maeve, seeking revenge on the hero who destroyed her army.  Either way, it results in a weakened Cuchulain.

The duel that led to Cuchulain’s death involved multiple participants and treachery. Cuchulain faced Lugaid mac Con Roí, son of Cú Roí mac Dáire, and three other warriors. Ambushing him together, each wielded spears cursed by a druid. The first warrior wounded Cuchulain, piercing his abdomen, but he continued to fight. Lugaid then struck the fatal blow, hitting Cuchulain in the chest.

Mortally wounded, Cuchulain tied himself to a standing stone to die on his feet, facing his enemies. Lugaid, wary of a final act of vengeance, refused to approach him. Only when the Morrigan, in the form of a raven, landed on Cuchulain’s shoulder to signal his death did Lugaid dare to advance. His enemies then decapitated him, taking his head as a trophy and fulfilling their quest for vengeance.