Conchobar mac Nessa

Conchobar mac Nessa, Conchobar Nes. King of Emain Macha and thus of Ulster during most of the action of stories in the Ulster Cycle. In some translations, stories of the Ulster Cycle are called ‘Red Branch’ after Conchobar's principal residence or palace, Cráebruad. Although usually an attractive figure, Conchobar is the creature of unsavoury lusts in his pursuit of the unwilling Deirdre in Longas mac nUislenn [The Exile of the Sons of Uisnech]. Conchobar becomes king of Ulster through the machinations of his mother, Ness. His treatment of the Sons of Uisnech causes his son Cormac Connloinges to abandon Ulster and join the forces of Medb of Connacht in Táin Bó Cuailnge [Cattle Raid of Cooley].

The story of Conchobar's birth and boyhood fuses different early narratives that are often included as foretales or rémscéla to the Táin Bó Cuailnge. His birth and conception set him apart from other men. Conchobar's mother Ness, daughter of Eochaid Sálbuide, is impregnated by the druid Cathbad who answers her question about what the hour was lucky for; ‘Begetting a king upon a queen’ is his reply. A rival version asserts that Fachtna Fáthach is both Conchobar's father and Ness's husband. Some commentators suggest that Conchobar is named for the river where Cathbad sat, denying the more usual explanation given above. The boy Conchobar is reared by Cathbad until a new king of Ulster, Fergus mac Róich, seeks Ness for his wife. Before giving her consent, Ness asks that Fergus give up the throne for a year and allow Conchobar to reign so that he may call his son the ‘son of a king’. Conchobar becomes king, but at the end of a year Ness makes it difficult for Fergus to regain his title and so he departs. Despite his unusual access to royal power, Conchobar becomes a popular king, celebrated for his prudence and wise judgement. Following the wishes of his subjects, he sleeps with each bride of the kingdom on the first night of her marriage.

Conchobar has three residences or palaces, of which Cráebruad [Red Branch], named for a beam across the ceiling, is best known. Red implies royalty, and Conchobar sits here most often. Cúchulainn is bred here. Téte Brec [Twinkling Hoard] houses the twinkling gold of his swords and other weapons. Cráebderg [Ruddy Branch] houses severed heads and other spoils of battle.

Because Conchobar suffers from the debilitating pangs of the Ulstermen, Ces Noínden Ulad, inflicted by Macha, he recedes from much of the action in Táin Bó Cuailnge. In some variants, Conchobar may have brought about the pangs by goading Macha to race, although her husband, Crunniuc, is more often the culprit. He is almost killed by Fergus at the end of the Táin. The better-known story of his death has Cet mac Matach wound Conchobar with the calcified brain ball of Mesgegra. The wound, sewn up on the advice of physician Fíngein, is not fatal until much later, when the brain ball shakes loose. Later Christian interpolation has him dying on Good Friday after a druid tells him of the death of a just man.

Accounts of Conchobar's family are not consistent. His metronymic is ‘mac Nessa’ because Ness is always cited as his mother, but his father may be Cathbad or Fachtna Fáthach. His sisters include Deichtine, the beloved of Lug Lámfhota, and Findchóem, the mother of Conall Cernach. Among Conchobar's many wives are the four daughters of Eochaid Feidlech, first Medb [Maeve], a mismatch, Eithne (5), Clothra, and later Mugain (2), who is most often named as his wife. Conchobar's sons include the aforementioned Cormac Connloinges as well as Cúscraid Menn [the stammerer]; Furbaide Ferbend, the slayer of Medb; Follomain, his youngest, who leads the boycorps in the Táin Bó Cuailnge; and Glaisne. Among his daughters are Bláithíne, the faithless wife of Cú Roí, and Fedelm Noíchrothach [the nine times beautiful] or Noíchríde [fresh heart], the wife of Cairbre Nia Fer.

Several commentators have suggested that Conchobar may be one of many Celtic models for King Arthur. His sword is Gorm Glas [Ir., blue-green]. His chief poet and entertainer is Ferchertne (2).