Ulster Cycle

Many people today can associate with the classic tale of leprechauns and a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. This tale is a recurring myth within the realm of Celtic mythology. Celtic mythology was an integral part of ancient history throughout the British Isles especially Ireland. Authors of this magnificent form of literature have created stories that were based on the events of that time period and their works have transcended to future generations up until today. Overall, Celtic mythology

The Penguing Classic Early Irish Myths and Sagas The Penguin Classic Early Irish Myths And Sagas exhibits a great cross-section of the many examples of the stories told by Iron Age Celts. These stories revolve around the customs, battles, gods, and heroes of the ancient Celts. It is said that a great deal can be learned from Irish tales about the clothing, weapons, houses, and other aspects of the material culture of the Iron Age Celts 1 and that the stories are more valuable for scholars

Background The story of how Cuchulainn got his name is one of the myths from the Ulster Cycle of ancient Ireland. It not only discusses ancient heroes, but also incorporates several historical traditions and beliefs of the Irish. The characters, such as King Conor mac Nessa, also known as King Conchobar, date from the 1st century B.C.E. (Bard). The castle of Emain Macha (located near the city of Armagh and today known as Navan Fort) is the home of King Conor mac Nessa and the headquarters of the

Heroes of Celtic and Germanic Mythology Throughout the myths of the Celtic and Germanic peoples of northern Europe tales of epic heroes and their extraordinary deeds abound. These tales depict heroes performing a variety of incredible feats; many of which appear to be magical, superhuman, and, quite honestly, utterly impossible (e.g., wading across oceans, defeating armies virtually single-handedly, and other astounding exploits). Since the Celtic and Germanic tribes of antiquity inhabited

In the short stories called the “Cuchulain Stories,” Cuchulain is an epic hero because he acts as a brave and heroic hero. Cuchulain shows that he is brave when he faces a life threatening situation. “Then, as the hound charged open-jawed, with all his strength he threw the ball right into the creature's mouth; and as for a moment the hound stopped short, choking as the ball passed down its throat, the lad seized hold of the mastiff's open jaws, grasping its throat with one hand and the back of its

Nothing can be done without a cause. Everything is caused by love. It was Fingal’s love for Brother Columban that led him to leave Bangor for Gaul, to follow him instead of God. He had come to Bangor to find God and become a monk in his service. He had found both God and Brother Columban; and had followed Brother Columban. An example of this is shown when we see how long the Abbot Comgall kept Brother Columban from leaving. Fingal followed Brother Columban all over Gaul. He would bring several

no coincidence that both Cuchulainn’s and Ferdia’s foster mother Scathach gives the gae bolga to Cuchulainn. (The Tain 72) Scathach is a prophetess and she knows Cuchulainn’s fate and his dedication to his heroic role in fighting for the honor of Ulster. (The Tain, 69) The Mabinogi, King Bendigeidfran’s wisdom and honor is depicted in the story of Branwen daughter of Llyr, when he divides the cauldron people among the land, helping them grow into good warriors (The Mabinogi 64). King Matholwch

Often, in a morally ambiguous culture, ideologies contradict one another—however, the basis of cultural values merge these various beliefs into one cohesive creed. Throughout The Tain, ideals of the morally ambiguous culture of Ireland present the considerations of its citizens and the characteristics which possess value to them. Many of the heroes, who manage to leave behind a legacy strong enough to appear in The Tain, demonstrate themselves as worthy heroes who represent principles that the Irish

Ancient Celtic society was a little bit different from those of today. They were governed by a council of nobles; the king was not the law maker, but rather law applier. Their religion and believes also differ from those of today. They had a polytheistic religion which included the existence of more than one divine-being just like Greek or Norse mythology. Women were prominent in the society, they had more rights than that time Roman and Greek women did. They lived on better conditions than most

Although the poem is written in English it contains several words from the local dialect. These words have been planted into the Ulster vernacular by English and Scottish plantation: “rigs…docken…pad”, all commonly used by both ethnicities in Northern Ireland. Thus, the Ulster dialect is not pure, and the local landscape is just as easily blemished: “The garden mould / bruised easily”. According to Corcoran, ‘Broagh’ envisages a “community of pronunciation”