Táin Bó Cúailnge

Abstract bronze sculpture beside a classical stone statue in an outdoor garden setting

The Death of Cú Chulainn: Summary and Meaning

Orin Vale

The death of Cú Chulainn is among the most enduring episodes in Irish myth, bringing the Ulster hero’s career to a tragic close through prophecy, geasa, and relentless fate. This article traces the multiple medieval versions of his final stand, including the famed image of him dying upright, and shows why the tale remains central to the Ulster Cycle.

Close-up of black buffaloes crowded together, suggesting the cattle raid in The Táin Bó Cúailnge myth

The Táin Bó Cúailnge: Cattle Raid of Cooley Explained

Orin Vale

The Táin Bó Cúailnge, or Cattle Raid of Cooley, is the central epic of the Ulster Cycle, recounting Queen Medb’s attempt to seize the famed brown bull of Cooley and the resistance led by Cú Chulainn. This excerpt explores the story’s origins, cultural meaning, and heroic themes, revealing why it remains a cornerstone of early Irish literature.

Close-up of black buffaloes crowded together, suggesting the cattle raid in The Táin Bó Cúailnge myth

The Táin Bó Cúailnge: Cattle Raid of Cooley Explained

Orin Vale

The Táin Bó Cúailnge, or Cattle Raid of Cooley, is the central epic of the Ulster Cycle, recounting Queen Medb’s attempt to seize the famed brown bull of Cooley and the resistance led by Cú Chulainn. This excerpt explores the story’s origins, cultural meaning, and heroic themes, revealing why it remains a cornerstone of early Irish literature.

Celtic Myths and Legends: The Complete Guide

Orin Vale

Celtic mythology’s greatest stories are organized into distinct cycles — the divine Mythological Cycle, the heroic Ulster Cycle, the adventurous ...