Celtic
Throughout history, many heroes and gods have stood out in Celtic literature. Although many of these heroes are very important, Cuchulainn is the one that is most often represented in Irish culture today. His death is often used as a symbol, appearing on coins and statues. His deeds are repeated in literature often, and remains an important symbol to those of Celtic descent, even after all this time.
Cuchulainn
Young Cuchulainn
Born Setanta, Cuchulainn was the name that he earned after having killed Culann the smith's watchdog. After having killed his hound, he offered himself as a replacement until a new dog was able to replace the old. At age seven, Cuchulainn first bore arms upon hearing of the druid Cathbad's prophecy that anyone taking up arms on that day would have a short life, but one remembered forever.
As his life continued, Cuchulainn became such a beautiful youth that the Ulstermen feared that he would steal their wives and daughters, and thus began a search over all of Ireland for a wife for him, though he would accept none other than the daughter of Forgall the Wily, Emer. In spite of his love for her, Forgall suggested that Cuchulain train with Scathach, a famous warrior-woman who lived on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, in hopes that it would be too strenuous and kill him. Not one to give up so easily, Cuchulain took the challenge and went. After having left, Forgall offered Emer's hand to Lugaid mac Nois, who, upon hearing of Emer's love for Cuchulainn, refused.
After having gone to Scathach, Cuchulainn learned the art of war, in particular the use of the Gae Bulg, a barbed spear that is thrown with the foot, that has to be cut out of its victim. During his training, there were several others who trained with him, one of who, Ferdiad, became his best friend and foster-brother. During this time, Cuchulainn slept with Scathach's rival, Aife, leaving her pregnant.
After finishing his training, Cuchulainn returned to Scotland, where Forgall refused to allow him to marry Emer yet again. This resulted in Cuchulainn storming Forgall's fortress, taking both Emer and Forgall's treasures, killing many men, and, inadvertently, Forgall himself.
Seven years after this, Connla, Cuchulainn's son by Aife, came to Ireland in search of his father, only to be slain as an intruder by Cuchulainn himself after refusing to identify himself.
At the age of seventeen, Cuchulainn defended Ulster from the army of Connacht in the Cattle Raid of Cooley. Due to a curse, the men of Ulster were unable to respond to the threat. He challenged them to the right of single combat, defeating countless champions for months. When Fergus met with him, he agreed to yield, as long as Fergus agreed to do the same the next time they met. At the end of all this, he fought a 3-day long battle with Ferdiad. At last, the men of Ulster broke out of the curse, beginning the final battle. When Cuchulainn won his way to Fergus, he kept his word and yielded to Cuchulainn, pulling out of the battle and causing his allies to panic and flee.
Three heroes, Cuchulainn, Conal Cernach, and Loegaire Buadach were duped into a contest at the feast of Briccriu. Although Cuchulainn won every challenge, the other two would not accept him as their better in any way. To resolve this issue, Cu Roi came to each in disguise, challenging them to behead him and then allow him to return and behead them. Of the three, only Cuchulainn submitted himself to Cu Roi as promised. He was then spared and proclaimed the champion.
In the end, Cuchulainn had only one weakness, which was being unable to deny a meal offered to him and eating dog meat. The sons of the men whom Cuchulainn had slain over the years conspired together to use these weaknesses against him. Because of this ploy, Cuchulainn was weakened before the fight against Lugaid, the son of Cu Roi. After being mortally wounded by Lugaid's spear, he had himself tied to a pillar of stone in so as to remain standing. Even after he had died, his enemies did not believe it until a raven flew to his body, at which point Lugaid went to cut off his head. Upon doing this, Cuchulainn's sword fell from his hand, cutting off Lugaid's hand.
