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

 

Cú Roí Mac Daire was to Munster what Cú Chulainn was to Ulster: a demi-god, and super hero. Trained in the art of war from the tender age of seven, Cú Roí, skilled in the arcane arts, rose to the status of divinity. From childhood he was never seen without an immense rock in one hand and an axe in the other.

Cú was often to the fore in ongoing hostilities between Ulster and Munster, which often brought him into close contact with the Hound of Ulster, Cú Chulainn.

On one occasion, when the Ulstermen were under enchantment, Cú trapped many of them in a hut and tried to set it on fire. Cú Chulainn, immune to the enchantment, set them free. Cú never forgot this and sought revenge on Cú Chulainn.

Once, while Cú Chulainn was raiding in Scotland, Cú, under disguise, aided him in plundering. The raiding party returned home with cattle, a magical cauldron, and a king’s daughter named Bláithíne (Little Flower). Cú, revealing his identity, informed the Ulstermen, he would take the lion’s share of the booty, including the beautiful Bláithíne.

Once more Cú Chulainn stepped forward, challenging Cú to battle. Remembering how Cú Chulainn thwarted him, by freeing the Ulstermen from the hut, Cú Roí, summoning the black arts, bettered Ulster’s champion.
He grabbed Cú Chulainn, pounding him into the ground. Adding insult to injury, he cut off Cú Chulainn’s hair with his axe and rubbed cow dung into his head – an act, Cú Chulainn would never forgive.
It was well known that Cú Roí had placed his soul in a secret location, rendering him almost invincible. Cú Chulainn swore to find the location and finally destroy Cú Roí.

Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own