Cúscraid facts for kids

Cúscraid (pronounced KOOS-kri) was a famous hero in ancient Irish stories. He was known as Mend Macha, which means "the stammerer of Macha". Cúscraid was the son of Conchobar mac Nessa, a powerful king from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.

Who Was Cúscraid?

Cúscraid was a prince and a brave warrior from Ulster, a region in ancient Ireland. His father, King Conchobar, was a very important figure in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, which are like epic tales about heroes and battles.

Cúscraid's First Battle

When Cúscraid was old enough to become a warrior, he went on his first big adventure. He led a group of fighters against Connacht, another region in Ireland. At the border, he met a strong hero from Connacht named Cet mac Mágach. During their fight, Cet wounded Cúscraid in the throat with a spear. This injury caused Cúscraid to have a speech problem, which is why he was called "the stammerer."

A Hero Loved by Many

Even with his speech difficulty, Cúscraid was one of the most popular heroes in Ulster. The women of Ulster especially admired him, along with two other great heroes, Cúchulainn and Conall Cernach. It's said that the women would even copy the special habits of the hero they liked best! For Cúscraid's fans, this meant they would sometimes stammer a little, just like him.

Becoming King of Ulster

After King Conchobar died, the people of Ulster needed a new king. They first asked Conchobar's oldest son, Cormac Cond Longas, to take the throne. However, Cormac was killed before he could become king. The offer then went to Conall Cernach, another famous hero. But Conall refused the crown. Instead, he suggested that his foster-son, Cúscraid, should be king. Because of Conall's recommendation, Cúscraid became the new king of Ulster.