The Legendary Cuchulainn

Written by  Gabriel Woods. 

Cuchulainn was an Irish folklore hero. He was born to human parents but his true father was Lugh, the Celtic Sun God who sent him to Ireland. His original name was Setanta but when he was a boy he killed the king`s gaurd dog. The hero was charged with defending his king and his knights against powerful druids and a powerful and cunning enemy Queen Meave. The king named him Cuchulainn as the dogs name was Hound of Cuchulainn. He was known for killing his enemies single handedly, sometimes up to a hundred warriors in battle at a time. Being the son of the Celtic Sun God he battled against the power of druids fearlessly and was victorious over them.

Queen Meave was one of his most formidable enemies. They clashed frequently. Over time Cuchulainn had killed her maids, her pets and any living thing dear to her until they clashed in one last battle. Queen Meave had amassed a huge army from the four corners of Ireland along with the most powerful druids. Cuchulainn lost and died tied to a rock. A raven landed on his shoulder signifying that he was truly dead. Only when the raven landed on Cuchulainn`s shoulder did his enemies approach him as they were terrified of his strength. Queen Meave was happy to be victorious but mourned the death of the warrior hero who she secretly admired for his bravery and skill in battle.

There are many comparisons in the details of the stories of Cuchulainn to Jesus. Cuchulainn was the son of the Celtic Sun God. He was born to two earthly parents. He sacrificed himself for his people. Instead of dying on a cross he died tied to a rock. He always fought for what he thought was right and just.

Statue at GPO Dublin

Cuchulainn was the hero in Irish folklore that influenced the leader of the Easter Rising 1916 Patrick Pearse. It is said that as Patrick defended himself and his men in the General Post Office in Dublin during the Easter Rising 1916 he thought of this warrior hero and his battles. When it became clear to Patrick that he was facing certain death as he walked along the stone steps into the backyard of Kilmainham gaol to be executed he thought of this warrior hero. He had faced impossible odds against the English empire and fought for the freedom of Ireland. He did what he knew was right. 

In the General Post Office in Dublin, Ireland, there is a bronze statue of a man with a raven on his shoulder. It is a statue of Cuchulainn. The GPO was also where Patrick Pearse fought against the English empire. A century later people read of his bravery and he is immortalized today in memory by those who admire his deeds just as stories are still told about Cuchulainn.

Image supplied by Author.