The Ulster Cycle takes us from a world distinguished by intelligence and magic to one of warriors and fighting. This world is one where will-power and fearless action prevail. The cultural hero is now the physically strong young man who puts his neck on the line for the honour of his community, his tribe. The central story of this cycle is Táin Bó Cúailnge, the Cattle Raid of Cooley.
The Táin is an epic tale where the forces of the four provinces combine, under Medb’s leadership to carry off the great bull of the Ulstermen. The central figure of this cycle is the superb fighter Cú Chulainn, whose primary role is to defend his people. One key question is are we to see this figure as a hero or a tragic figure? The warrior archetype is surely still very central in the modern day figure of the sporting hero.
Stories
The Birth of Cuchulainn
Setanta Joins the Boy’s Troop
How Cuchulainn Got His Name
How Cuchulainn took up Arms
Cuchulainn: The Wooing of Emer
Cuchulainn’s Training With Scathach
Cuchulainn and the Champion’s Portion
The Champion’s Portion 2
The Champion’s Portion 3
Deirdre of the Sorrows
The Curse of Macha
The Pillow Talk of Maeve and Aillil
Ferdia at the Ford
The Son of Cuchulainn
The Sickbed of Cuchulainn
The Death of Cuchulainn
Character Profiles
Tain Bo Cuilaigne
Conor Mac Nessa
Cuchulainn
Ferdia
Emer
Deichtre
Aoife
Scathach
Bricriu
Cu Roi MacDara
Connla
Medbh
Allill
Fergus Mac Riocha
Setanta
Sleeping Ulstermen
Deirdre and the Sons
Deirdre
Naoise
Cathbad
Lavarcham
Morrigan
Macha
Fand
Sleeping Ulstermen
Trendhorn
