Conall Cernach

Conall Cernach, Conall Cearnach [Ir., of the victories, triumphant]. A leading hero of the Ulster Cycle, approaching Cúchulainn, in power and resolve. He was a foster-brother and virtual twin of Cúchulainn, his frequent companion in adventure and whose death he avenged. Together with Cúchulainn and Lóegaire, Conall is one of the three first champions of Ulster. Conall appears in several important narratives of the Ulster Cycle, including Scéla Mucce meic Da Thó [The Story of Mac Da Thó's Pig], in which he takes a leading role; the Táin Bó Cuailnge [Cattle Raid of Cooley], where he suffers the pangs inflicted by Macha; he assists Fráech in Táin Bó Fraích, Fled Bricrenn [Briccriu's Feast], etc. Conall's father is Amairgin the poet, and his mother is Findchóem. Some commentators have suggested that Conall may be a euhemerized horned god. He was given his name in an assault by his uncle that nearly killed the boy. His usual wife is Lendabair, daughter of Eógan mac Durthacht; elsewhere Niam (1) is his consort; his son Rathend is drowned when fleeing with his father from Ercol. Fedelm Noíchrothach [the nine times beautiful] eloped with Conall, abandoning her husband Cairbre Nia Fer; their love child was Fiachna (1). Conall is capable of some extraordinary feats, such as swallowing a boar whole, one that is so large as to require sixty oxen to pull it. He can be a killer. On Medb's prompting, he kills Ailill as he is committing an infidelity. In addition, he kills Anluan and Mesgegra, whose brain he makes into the ball that Cet throws at Conchobar. In seeking vengeance on Lugaid for the death of Cúchulainn, he is especially brutal. According to oral tradition, Conall is himself killed by Connachtmen including Cet at the town of Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan, which claims to take its name from him.