Cú Chulainn

About Cú Chulainn

Known as the champion of Ireland, Cú Chulainn was the most beloved of the Celtic warriors. He was thought of as the greatest of Irish heroes, a larger-than-life figure who fought with great skill and was often aided by the war goddess Morrigan.

After training with the warrior-princess Scathach in the Land of Shadows, Cú Chulainn soon became unbeatable in combat. He and his charioteer Laeg fought many battles in defense of Ireland especially against the invading armies of Queen Medb of Connacht.

In Cú Chulainn’s final battle, weakened by a spell casted on him by the witches of Calatin and abandoned by the goddess Morrigan because he had rejected her, he single-handedly fought back the invading armies. In his final hour he lashed himself to a standing stone so he could fight with his last breath and die on his feet. Saddened by his impending death, the goddess Morrigan returned to him in the form of a black raven and sat upon his shoulder signifying his death.

To this day Cú Chulainn stands as a symbol of those who have fought for Irish Independence. A bronze statue of his image at the hour of his death with sword and raven stands in Dublin city.