- published: 05 Jun 2015
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Cú Chulainn, also spelled Cú Chulaind or Cúchulainn ([kuːˈxʊlˠɪnʲ] ( listen)) Irish for "Culann's Hound"; and sometimes known in English as Cuhullin ( /kəˈhʊlɨn/), is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore. The son of the god Lug and Deichtine (sister of Conchobar mac Nessa), his childhood name was Sétanta.
He gained his better-known name as a child after he killed Culann's fierce guard-dog in self-defence, and offered to take its place until a replacement could be reared. At the age of seventeen he defended Ulster single-handedly against the armies of queen Medb of Connacht in the epic Táin Bó Cúailnge ("Cattle Raid of Cooley"). It was prophesied that his great deeds would give him everlasting fame, but that his life would be a short one. This is the reason why he is compared to the Greek hero Achilles. He is known for his terrifying battle frenzy or ríastrad, (translated by Thomas Kinsella as "warp spasm" and by Ciaran Carson as "torque") in which he becomes an unrecognisable monster who knows neither friend nor foe. He fights from his chariot, driven by his loyal charioteer Láeg, and drawn by his horses, Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend. In more modern times, Cú Chulainn is often referred to as the "Hound of Ulster".
The Hound of Culann,The Hound of Ulster,
He is of the otherworld,
His father is God Lugh Lamheada,
His mother Dectire is mortal.
Culann the smith was holding a feast,
For the Ard Ri Conchobhar,
His mighty Hound had been unleashed,
To guard the fortress' mighty door.
Setanta arrived late at the gates,
He did not know of Culann's Hound,
The Hound attacked and met its fate,
It lay there dead upon the ground.
Culann was nagered when he learned,
His favorite Hound was no more,
But Setanta swore he'd stay at night,
To guard the fortress' mighty door.
He took up arms on that day,
Which Cathbad declared auspicious,
He who took up arms on that day,
Would become famous but short lived.
His body begins to twist and turn,
His flesh revolves within his skin,
His features turn red one by one,
And the slaying then begins.
He returned to Eamhain Macha,
And threatened to destroy the town,
The naked women were then brought forth,
He then began to calm down,
He fell in love with Emer,
Her father was appalled,
"No warrior shall be with her
unless by Domhnall he is called".
He went to train with Domhnall,
And learned from him all that he could,
You must go and train with Scathach,
He bowed his head and said he would.
Having learned the martial arts he
returned to claim the hand of Emer.
Her father he quickly refused,
Cuchulainn showed his battle temper
He entered the fortress and left many
of the warriors dead,
Emer's father killed himself
The two lovers then were wed.
Cuchulainn,The Hound of Culann x3
He is the Son of a God.
Cuchulainn,The Hound of Culann x3
Serpents and Dragons he fought.
Cuchulainn solely defended Ulster,
During the mighty war and tain.
When Medb of Connaught invaded,
He stood his ground despite the pain.
He is called a tragic hero'
With Caladin his Sword,
He killed his best friend Frediad
at the battle of the Ford.
Cuchulainn,The Hound of Culann x3
His is the Son of a God
Cuchulainn,The Hound of Culann x3
Serpents and Dragons he fought.
In Cuchulainns final fight,
A javelin was thrown at him,
It sliced his stomach like a knife,
and caused his innards to fall out.
He staggered to a nearby lake,
Where he took a final drink.
A raven who was drinking his blood,
tripped over his intestines.
The hero gave a last great laugh,
and tied himself against a stone,
He faced his enemies standing up,
But he knew his life was quickly going.
For three days the foe were scared,
Until A crow perched on his arm,
An otter began to drink his blood,