The Death Of Cúchulainn

      A long time ago when warriors still roamed free in Ireland, Cúchulainn was the greatest champion of Ireland. He had made many enemies, including Queen Maeve of Connacht. In her fury, she sent for three evil one-eyed witches, daughters of Calatin, a champion Cúchulainn had killed. The four women all wanted revenge on Cúchulainn, and together they plotted against him. The three witches went down to the under world to learn the black arts of Vulcan, the god of the under world.
A year and a day later they returned to Maeve, with three spears that Vulcan had forged for them. “A king will die by each of these spears,” they shrieked. Maeve then sent for Cúchulainn’s archenemies Erc, Luga and Cúroi and gave them each one of the enchanted spears.

Maeve then summoned her army to march towards Ulster. Meanwhile in Ulster, Cúchulainn heard of the army and he seized his weapons, and summoned his chariot-driver Laegh. As they drove towards the army, they saw a young maiden weeping by a stream. She was washing a tunic, and as she washed the water of the stream turned red as blood. Cúchulainn recognized the tunic as his own, and knew that he would not come back from the battle alive. 

     Then his enemies Erc, Luga and Cúroi advanced with the enchanted spears. Erc was first to throw his spear.  It pierced Laegh in the side. Laegh was king of chariot-drivers.  Luga was next to throw his spear, it struck Cúchulainn’s horse, The Grey of Macha.  The Grey of Macha was king of horses.  Cúroi was next to throw his spear.  This time it struck Cúchulainn.  Mortally wounded he sank to the ground.  “Let me drink at the edge of the lake,” he said. Maeve’s warriors stood aside to let him drink.
After he had drunk the water, Cúchulainn tied himself with a girdle to a pillar on the lakeside so that he would die standing up. Not until a raven came and perched on his shoulder did his enemies know for certain that Cúchulainn, the greatest of champions was dead.

By : Shauna and Hugh