For questions about a body of Irish mythology dealing with traditional heroes of the Ulaid (Ulster), also known as the Red Branch Cycle.
Questions tagged [ulster-cycle]
11 questions
14
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Why isn't Súaltam disabled by Macha's curse?
In the Táin Bó Cúailnge, the men of Ulster are disabled by a curse placed upon them by Macha to feel her labor pains in their hour of greatest need, thus disabling them when the army of Connacht attacks.
Cúchulainn is immune to the curse. I've…
femtoRgon
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1 answer
Why isn't Loeg disabled by Macha's curse?
In the Táin Bó Cúailnge, the men of Ulster are disabled by a curse placed upon them by Macha to feel her labor pains in their hour of greatest need, thus disabling them when the army of Connacht attacks.
Cúchulainn is immune to this curse. As I…
femtoRgon
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9
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Where are the three Maels of Meath?
The Tain fairly often specifies specific geographical locations as the settings for its events.
In the final battle of the Tain, Fergus is convinced to turn from the battle and expend his anger on the hills, to spare the men of Ulster.
Thus it was…
femtoRgon
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How could Cuchulainn yield to Fergus?
This is closely related to a previous question: Why couldn't Cuchulainn yield to Ferdiad (or vice versa)?
It seems clear from the answer there that Cuchulainn would be bound to fight to defend the men of Ulster, regardless of any affection for his…
femtoRgon
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9
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Is there any significance to Baile's Strand as the setting for Cúchulainn's duel with his son?
Particularly geographical, historical, folkloric or linguistic connections.
I certainly can't find any such location on the map although there are a few coastal towns in Ulster that begin with "Bally", an alternate spelling. Ballycastle, for…
DukeZhou
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8
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Aoife and Cu Chulainn
In the Irish legend, did Aoife ultimately win or lose the duel with Cu Chulainn? Is it true that Cu Chualainn fell in love with Aoife?
Irish legends
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7
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Why does Cuchulainn lash himself to a standing stone with his guts?
I mean it’s totally badass, dying on your feet and still cutting off a man’s hand after you’re dead, but is there more to it than that?
DukeZhou
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Why couldn't Cuchulainn yield to Ferdiad (or vice versa)?
Earlier in the Tain Bo Cuailnge, Fergus Mac Roich and Cuchulainn meet for single combat. At this time, Fergus makes an arrangement with Cuchulainn, that if Cuchulainn yeilds to him in their single combat, Fergus will yield when they meet in battle…
femtoRgon
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Who was the swift woman from from Irish Mythology described as having backward knees?
This question got me thinking about the Irish depiction of legs in mythology.
I remember one woman, in particular, from (I believe) the Ulster Cycle, described as having backward legs, similar to a stag or horse, to connote her inhuman swiftness.…
DukeZhou
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4
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Are there recommended collection/translations of Irish mythology/folklore?
I am interested in reading Irish mythology/folklore, especially the four major cycles: The Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle, the Fenian Cycle, and the Historical Cycle - but I want to make sure I read versions based on good scholarship. Are…
Sven3B
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Citations for Fragarach in Irish Mythology?
Wikipedia has a short page on the truth-discerning sword Fragarach, passed from Lugh to Cúchulainn, and subsequently to Conn Cétchathach.
It's been a while since I last read the the Ulster Cycle so I was wondering if anyone remembers offhand where…
DukeZhou
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