Birth of Cúchulainn Breith Cúchulainn
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Birth of Cúchulainn Breith Cúchulainn |
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| Cúchulainn's Grandfather | Cúchulainn's Father | Cúchulainn's Mother | Cúchulainn's Human Father | A Magical Birth. |
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On his mother's side Cúchulainn was the grandson of the Dagda, whose name simply means 'the good god'. The Dagda was one of the first gods of the Celts. He was a giant who was very strong and powerful. This giant liked to go out with good looking women, both human and godesses. Legend tells us that he was always hungry. He was not remembered very well by later generations. Suas go dtí barr an leathanach!
We are told that Cúchulainn's father was Lugh Long Hand. His name literally means 'Light', and it is probable that this was a direct link to the the ancient Celtic sun god. Suas go dtí barr an leathanach! The mother of Cúchulainn was Dechtire, who was a half sister to King Conchobar. King Conchobar was the king of Ulster. Suas go dtí barr an leathanach! Sualtam, an Ulster chieftan was the human father of this legendary hero. Suas go dtí barr an leathanach! Like many hero's, Cúchulainn had a semi-magical birth. His mother Dechtire was sitting at her wedding feast, about to be married to Sualtam. Into her cup of wine flew a may-fly, which she swallowed without noticingits presence. Soon she fell into a deep sleep in which the sun-god lugh appeared to her as if in a dream. Lugh told her that it had not been a mayfly she had swallowed, but himself. After delivering this revelation, Lugh transformed Dechtire and her fifty maidens into the shape of a beautiful flock of birds, and so they disappeared without trace. After monthes had passed, the warriors of Eamhain Mhachawere lured out to hunt, drawn by the appearance of a flock of birds. Riding in theri chariots unil nightfall, pursuing the elusive flock, the men of Ulster soon realised that they had been lured to Brugh na Boyne which was the home of the gods and godesses of the land. Before the warriors arose a splendid hall, of a beauty and size such as they had never before seen. a tall and handsome chieftain, very richly attired, came out of the hall and welcomed them, offering them hospitality. When the warriors entered this marvelous place, they found seated there a beautiful womanand fifty lovely maidens; uopn the table was set a feast of meat and wine, such as that would grace the hall of great king. The Ulster warriors rested for the night, during their rest they heard the cry of a new born babe. In the morning Lugh revealed his true name to them and told them that the woman was no other than the half sister of Conchobar, and that she had given birth to a child who was to be taken back to grow up among the Warriors at the Ulster court. thus the mother, the baby boy and the maidens returned; all the heros, Druids , poets and lawgivers of Ulster gave the best of their skills and wisdom to the infant as instructed! Ní h-ionadh mar sin go raibh an fear seo an Laoch is cáiliúla in Éireann! Suas go tí barr an leathanach!
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