11
votes
Accepted
Why isn't Loeg disabled by Macha's curse?
Láeg may have been a descendant of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His father Riangabar may have been one of the fairy folk, sidhe, a later version of the Tuatha Dé Danann. This would explain why he would be ...
- 7,646
8
votes
Accepted
How could Cuchulainn yield to Fergus?
Fergus didn't offer only to retreat in battle himself. He promised to retreat with the men of Erin in tow.
From 19. The Battle Of Fergus And Cuchulain (emphasis mine)
"...give way before me ...
- 9,108
7
votes
Where are the three Maels of Meath?
While it certainly seems to explain the existence of certain hills at the time, there isn't any known landmark to attach this event to.
The battle strongly appears to have taken place in Westmeath, ...
- 9,108
6
votes
Accepted
Why couldn't Cuchulainn yield to Ferdiad (or vice versa)?
Medb, the queen, had previously offered Ferdiad great rewards:
And when Ferdiad was come into the camp, he was honoured and waited on, and choice, well-flavoured strong liquor was poured out for ...
- 7,045
3
votes
Why does Cuchulainn lash himself to a standing stone with his guts?
I see two main reasons:
It is super-badass and Cuchulainn is an absolutely peerless warrior.
The whole cycle is filled with exaggerated feats by Cuchulainn and others. As an example, Fergus Mac ...
- 13.9k
2
votes
Accepted
Are there recommended collection/translations of Irish mythology/folklore?
Let me start my answer by saying that Irish mythology is a complete mess, not in the sense of the myths per se, but of the sources. The division in the four major cycles is a convenient cataloguing ...
- 1,624
2
votes
Aoife and Cu Chulainn
I basically answer this question from the sources in another question here so I'll modify it for your question.
Aoife is a warrior woman who Cú's teacher Scáthach seems to have an ongoing feud with:
...
2
votes
Citations for Fragarach in Irish Mythology?
Although it's Manannan's sword, Lugh wears it in the story of The Fate of the Children of Tuireann. He has Manannan's horse, lorica (breastplate) and his sword, probably because Manannan fostered him. ...
- 5,818
1
vote
Is there any significance to Baile's Strand as the setting for Cúchulainn's duel with his son?
From the entry on the Irish heroine Ailinn in Patricia Monaghan's "Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore":
One of Ireland's greatest romances revolves around this princess of the ...
- 1,624
1
vote
Why isn't Súaltam disabled by Macha's curse?
I wonder if it's because he and his "son" are in Co. Meath at the time. They were watching out for Medb's army at Iraird Cuilenn (Crossakiel, County Meath), not in Ulster.
Another explanation might ...
- 5,818
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible