Cairbre Nia Fer facts for kids

Cairbre Nia Fer (also spelled Corpri or Coirpre) was a legendary king from ancient Ireland. Stories say he ruled Tara, a very important place for kings in old Irish history. He belonged to the Laigin people.

Who Was Cairbre Nia Fer?

Cairbre Nia Fer is mentioned in some of the oldest Irish writings. One of the first times we hear about him is in a 7th-century text about St. Patrick. In this story, Saint Patrick finds a huge grave and brings a giant back to life! The giant says he was killed during Cairbre Nia Fer's time, about a hundred years before.

Another old text, a praise poem for Colm Cille (an important Irish saint), also mentions Cairbre. It says that Colm Cille's mother was a descendant of Cairbre. This shows that Cairbre was seen as a significant ancestor in these old family lines.

Cairbre in Ancient Legends

Later, in the 11th-century book called Lebor Gabála Érenn (which means "The Book of the Taking of Ireland"), Cairbre Nia Fer is placed in history around the time of the Roman Emperor Augustus. This means he would have lived around the time of the birth of Christ.

In these legends, Cairbre is said to have been a king of Tara. He was also a contemporary of other famous kings from different parts of Ireland, like Conchobar mac Nessa of the Ulaid (Ulster), Cú Roí of Munster, and Ailill mac Máta of Connacht.

Cairbre's Role in the Ulster Cycle

Cairbre Nia Fer plays a part in the famous stories of the Ulster Cycle. In these tales, he is often shown as the brother of Ailill mac Máta, who was the husband of Medb, the powerful queen of Connacht.

Cairbre's own wife was Fedelm Noíchrothach, who was the daughter of King Conchobar. Cairbre and Fedelm had a son named Erc and a daughter named Achall.

The Battle of Rosnaree

One of the most dramatic stories involving Cairbre is "The Battle of Rosnaree" (Cath Ruis na Ríg). In this battle, Cairbre and his brother Find mac Rossa fought against King Conchobar and the Ulaid warriors.

During the fight, the great Ulaid hero Cúchulainn used his spear to kill Cairbre from a distance. The legends say Cúchulainn was so fast that he cut off Cairbre's head before his body even hit the ground!

After the Ulaid won the battle, Cairbre's son, Erc, swore loyalty to King Conchobar. Erc then married Cúchulainn's daughter, Finnscoth, and became the new king of Tara, taking his father's place.

The Fate of Cairbre's Children

Sadly, Erc later became involved in a plot to kill Cúchulainn. After Cúchulainn's death, another hero, Conall Cernach, avenged him. Conall brought Erc's head back to Tara. When Cairbre's daughter, Achall, saw her brother's head, she was so sad that she died of grief.