Bélchú facts for kids

Bélchú (which means "dog-mouth" in Old Irish) was a famous warrior from a place called Breifne in ancient Ireland. He is part of the exciting stories known as the Ulster Cycle, which are a big part of Irish Mythology. Bélchú was known as a warrior from Connacht, one of the ancient kingdoms of Ireland.

Bélchú: A Legend from Ancient Ireland

Bélchú is a character in the ancient tales of the Ulster Cycle. These stories are like the superhero comics of ancient Ireland, filled with brave warriors, epic battles, and magical events. Bélchú's story is one of the most interesting, showing both honor and trickery.

The Story of Bélchú and Conall Cernach

One famous story tells of Bélchú finding the great hero Conall Cernach from Ulster. Conall was very badly hurt after a big fight with another warrior named Cet mac Mágach. Bélchú took Conall to his home and looked after him, helping him get better. Bélchú's plan was to fight Conall once he was strong enough again. This showed a kind of warrior's honor.

A Change of Heart and a Tricky Plan

However, as Conall slowly got better, Bélchú started to have second thoughts. He worried that Conall would be too strong to defeat in a fair fight. So, Bélchú came up with a sneaky plan. He told his three sons to kill Conall while he was sleeping in his sickbed.

But Conall was not fully asleep! He overheard Bélchú's instructions. Thinking quickly, Conall tricked Bélchú into taking his place in the bed. When Bélchú's sons arrived, they mistakenly killed their own father instead of Conall. After this, Conall then defeated the three sons. He took proof of his victory back home.

Where Can You Find Bélchú's Story?

You can read about Bélchú in old manuscripts, like The Glenmasan Manuscript. This particular story is known by a few names, such as "Argain Belcon Breifne" or "Togail Bruidne Bélchon Bréifne" (which means "Massacre of Belcu Brefne").

The Village Named After Bélchú

It is believed that the modern-day village of Belcoo is named after Bélchú. This village is located right on the border between County Cavan and County Fermanagh. While there are other ideas about how the village got its name, the connection to the legendary warrior Bélchú is a popular one. It shows how these ancient stories still connect to places in Ireland today.