GEMMA GRANT continues her series on the myths and legends of Ireland

 

During the reign of Laoghaire, high king of Ireland and son of Niall of the Nine Hostages of the O’Neill dynasty, animosity arose between King Laoghaire and St. Patrick. The king refused to accept the new religion of Patrick and even arranged attacks on the life of the holy man.

St. Patrick organized a meeting with the high king at his residence in Tara. Laoghaire, on the advice of his counsellors, reluctantly agreed to meet with a man he viewed as a thorn in his side.

During discussions, the king asked Patrick if he was not content enough with the conversion of his two daughters, Eithne and Fedelma. “I have allowed my daughters to choose which gods to follow. Is this not enough for you, troublesome monk?” the king asked Patrick.
“King Laoghaire, you have pleased the one true God by allowing your daughters to come to know of Him,” Patrick said. “But for the sake of your own immortal soul, you too must come to accept the risen Christ as your one true God.”

The king, annoyed at this, drank deeply from his cup, before speaking in private to his advisors. “How will you rid me of this man?” he asked them.
One of them thought for a moment before replying. “Tell him you shall embrace his god if he can perform a certain task. Make it an impossible one. Then he shall leave you in peace.”

The king thought for a moment, before rising to speak. “Holy man,” he said. “You are as persistent as my hounds to the hunt. Once they set their sights on their prey, nothing will stop them until they bring it down. So it is with you, holy Patrick. I shall set you and your God a task. If it is performed to my satisfaction, then my soul shall be given to your God. If it is not, then you must swear to everything you hold sacred, to leave me in peace to worship the old gods and follow the old ways.”

Patrick rose to his feet to face the high king. “I accept your challenge,” he said. “Nothing is impossible for God the almighty.”

“Then, it is done,” spoke Laoghaire. “In three days time, upon this hill of Tara, I demand to see him ride forth.”
“To see who ride forth?” Patrick asked.
“One of our greatest heroes, to have ever lived. The Hound of Ulster himself – Cú Chulainn!”

A cheer vibrated around the chamber. The king’s warriors were elated at his words. Rising to their feet, they banged their goblets on the table at the expectation of seeing Ulster’s greatest champion return from the dead.

The king’s advisors relished in his impossible request, believing they would see the last of Patrick. Never, they thought, could this be achieved.
Patrick, unflinched, smiled slightly. “It shall be as you desire, King Laoghaire,” he said and took his leave of the king.

Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own