Cú Roí facts for kids

Cú Roí mac Dáire (also called Cú Ruí or Cú Raoi) was a powerful king from Munster in ancient Irish mythology. He is part of the famous Ulster Cycle of stories. Cú Roí is often shown as a super-strong warrior. He could also use magic and was a master of disguise. His name likely means "hound of the battlefield." He was the son of Dáire mac Dedad, connecting him to the important Clanna Dedad family.

Cú Roí appears in many old Irish stories. These include Fled Bricrenn, Mesca Ulad, and Táin Bó Cúailnge. He often acts as an outsider or a judge. Many tales also show his rivalry with the Ulster hero Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn eventually kills Cú Roí.

Cú Roí in Bricriu's Feast

Cú Roí plays a big part in an 8th-century story called Fled Bricrenn (Bricriu's Feast). A trickster named Bricriu causes trouble. He makes three heroes, Cú Chulainn, Conall Cernach, and Lóegaire Búadach, compete for the best food at a feast. Cú Roí is one of the judges.

Like the other judges, Cú Roí picks Cú Chulainn as the winner. But Conall and Lóegaire do not agree. When the three heroes return home, Cú Roí appears to each of them. He looks like a scary, ugly man. He challenges them to a beheading game. He will let them cut off his head, then he will return to cut off theirs.

Only Cú Chulainn is brave and honorable enough to let the man cut off his head. Because of this, Cú Chulainn is declared the true champion. This story is like the "beheading game" found in later Arthurian tales. A famous example is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Cú Roí in The Cattle Raid of Cooley

Cú Roí also appears in Táin bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). This is a very long and important Irish myth.

The Fight of Munremar and Cú Roí

In one part of the Táin, Cú Roí gets involved in a fight. This happens when he learns that an Ulster warrior, Munremar mac Gerrginn, has come to help Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn is fighting the Connacht army. Cú Roí believes no one in the army can beat Munremar. So, he decides to help "his people."

Cú Roí and Munremar have an amazing stone-throwing contest. The Connacht soldiers watch as many stones fly through the air. They crash above their heads. Falling rocks force the soldiers to use their shields for safety. Cú Roí and Munremar agree to stop fighting. The area where they fought is later called Mag Clochair, meaning "The Stony Plain."

The Trance of Amairgin

Cú Roí appears again in an episode called "The Trance of Amairgin." This story also appears in Táin bó Cúailnge.

Cú Roí hears about Cú Chulainn's success against the Connacht army. He comes to fight Cú Chulainn directly. But he finds Cú Chulainn weak from injuries. Cú Roí decides not to fight him. He believes it would not be fair to fight an injured warrior.

Instead, Cú Roí faces a giant warrior poet named Amairgin. Amairgin is in a trance, throwing stones at the Connacht army. Cú Roí attacks him with stones too. Their stones meet in the air. They pause when Amairgin agrees to let the cattle pass. Cú Roí then agrees to stop fighting completely.

The story shows Cú Roí's strong sense of honor. He would not fight Cú Chulainn when he was hurt. He also insisted on a fair agreement with Amairgin.

Cú Roí's Death Story

Cú Roí's death by Cú Chulainn's hand is told in the story Aided Con Roi. There are two versions of this tale. Many stories mention the bad feelings between the two warriors. Some hint at a lost story about how their conflict began.

Tales like Forfess Fer Fálgae describe a raid on Inis Fer Falga (possibly the Isle of Man). Cú Roí and Cú Chulainn clash during this raid. They steal treasure and take Bláthnat, the king's daughter. Bláthnat loves Cú Chulainn. But when Cú Roí is asked to choose his share, he chooses Bláthnat.

Cú Chulainn tries to stop him from taking her. But Cú Roí pushes Cú Chulainn into the ground up to his armpits. He cuts off Cú Chulainn's hair before escaping with Bláthnat.

The Betrayal of Bláthnat

Later, Bláthnat (also called Blanaid) betrays Cú Roí to Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn then attacks Cú Roí's fort and kills him.

In one version of the story, Cú Roí's soul was hidden. It was inside an apple, which was inside a salmon. This salmon lived in a stream in the Slieve Mish Mountains. The salmon only came to the surface once every seven years. Bláthnat found out this secret and told Cú Chulainn. Cú Chulainn killed the fish, which allowed him to kill Cú Roí.

However, Cú Roí's poet, Ferchertne, was very angry about the betrayal. He grabbed Bláthnat and jumped off a cliff. This killed both of them.

In another version, Bláthnat is held captive by Cú Roí in his fort. She secretly talks to Cú Chulainn and they make a plan. When most of Cú Roí's men are away, Bláthnat gives a signal. She pours milk into the Fionnghlaise (a white stream, now the Derrymore River). When Cú Chulainn sees the stream turn white, he attacks the fort. He kills Cú Roí and takes Bláthnat away.

As Cú Roí's men return, Bláthnat casts a spell. This spell makes the valley walls seem to dance in front of the men's eyes. People walking up Caherconree today can still see this effect. It is caused by an optical illusion.

After Cú Roí's Death

Cú Roí's uncle, Conganchnes ("Horn-skinned"), tried to get revenge. But he was killed by Celtchar. Cú Roí's son, Lugaid mac Con Roí, later succeeds in getting revenge. He kills Cú Chulainn. This story is told in Aided Con Culainn. Lugaid himself is later killed by Conall Cernach.

Cú Roí's Family

Cú Roí belongs to the Clanna Dedad. This was a very important family group in ancient Ireland. He was a cousin to the famous king Conaire Mór.

Caherconree Castle

The old stone fort of Caherconree in the Slieve Mish Mountains keeps Cú Roí's name alive. Its name in Irish is Cathair Con Raoi, which means "Cú Roí's castle." This fort is on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.

Cú Roí in Welsh Stories

Cú Roí's name also appears in two old Welsh stories. One is the tale Culhwch ac Olwen. Here, his name is "Cubert m. Daere." He is listed with other Irish heroes as warriors of King Arthur.

His name also appears in a sad poem (an elegy) for "Corroi/Corroy m[ab] Dayry." This poem is found in the Book of Taliesin. It mentions his fight with "Cocholyn," which is Cú Chulainn.