Queen Méabh could not forget how Cúchulainn had beaten her army.  For seven years she planned on getting her own back.  At last she collected all the people who were jealous of him and with this army she set out for Ulster.   She sent her druids ahead into Ulster to visit Cúchulainn. They went to see him and put spells on him.  These spells made him believe that Ulster was in danger and that he had to go and protect his home.  His friends tried to stop him but he would not listen to them.  He ordered Laeg, his charioteer, to harness his two best horses, the black horse of the Glen and the Grey of the Battle.

Just as they were ready to go, Cúchulainn's mother, Deachtaire, came out to see him off.  She offered him a cup of wine.   Cúchulainn took the wine but as soon his lips touched the wine, it turned to blood.  'Do not go Cúchulainn,' his mother cried 'That is a bad sign, I am afraid you will not come back.'  But still Cúchulainn would take no notice.  They drove off and after a few miles they come to a stream.  There they saw a young girl washing a blood stained tunic in the water.  'That is my tunic' said Cúchulainn in suprise, 'it is the tunic I am weraing.'  'That is a warning Cúchulainn' saig Laeg.  'She is the Washer of the Ford, she washes the clothes of the people who will be killed in battle.   Let us go back Cúchuliann, I am afraid!' begged Laeg.  'No' said the hero 'Ulster is in danger. We must go on'. 

They drove until they met Méahb's army at the edge of the lake.  Cúchulainn drew out his three magic spears.  He had been told that each of them would kill a king.  He threw the first spear at Maebh's army, but it hit no one.  One of the soldiers picked it up and threw it back.  It flew straight at Laeg, who had often been called king among charioteers, and it killed him.  Then Cúchulainn threw his second spear, but it fell to the ground without reaching Maebh's army.  A soldier ran out and picked it upand threw it back.  It killed the Grey of Macha, who was the king among horses.  Cúchulainn threw his last spear, but there was no kings in Maebh's army and this spear fell without hurting anyone.  the enemies threw the spear back and it flew straight to the heart of the king of Heros, and Cúchulainn feel down. 

Although he was dying, Cúchulainn pulled himself up.   He stumbled to the lake and washed the blood from his wound.  Beside the lake was a big rock.  Cúchulainn made a last great effortand pulled himself over to the rock and stood against it.  But the ehhort was too much and with a sigh he leaned his head against the rock and died.  His enemies watched for a while until they were sure that he was dead, but even then they were still afraid of him.  At last one brave mancame over to cut Cúchulainn's head off.  He put out his hand to make sure the hero was dead, but, as he did, the spear fell out of the hero's chest and cut off his hand.  After that no-one dared to go near him and no-one dares to touch him until the Ulstermen came and took his body.  they carried it in a great processionover the plains until they came to Armagh, and there weeping and wailing, they burried him with great honour.