CÚCHULAINN
Irish Hero legendary mortal
Also known as Cú Chulainn, Cuhullin, Sétanta
The Hound of Ulster
He was a champion tough-guy of many legends and adventures.
The son of Lugh and Dechtire, he performed all manner of manly heroic deeds, armed with his trusty Gae-Bholg — a rather nasty spear. Whenever it penetrated a body, thirty barbs opened up, causing irreparable damage and a horrid mess.
Cúchulainn’s original name was Setanta — but he changed it after having destroyed the guard dog of Cullan the Smith. Regretting this action, the hero offered to stand in until a replacement beast could be found.
We’re not sure if he actually crouched down on all fours and made barking noises, but he certainly kept the burglars away. From that day forth, he called himself Cúchulainn — ‘The Hound of Cullan’.
Our hero had many adventures, and in the end believed he was tough enough to beat death itself. Heroes like him didn’t need wimpish immortality bestowed, so he turned it down. The Mórrígan taught him a lesson about that...
Cúchulainn Facts and Figures
Name: Cúchulainn
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names: Cú Chulainn, Cuhullin, Sétanta
Gender: Male
Type: legendary mortal
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present
Role:
In charge of: Heroics
Area of expertise: Hero
Good/Evil Rating: GOOD, quite approachable
Popularity index: 7724
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Article last revised on May 22, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders
References: Coming soon.