Conall Cernach facts for kids

Conall Cernach (also spelled Conall Cearnach) is a famous hero from ancient Ireland. He is part of the Ulster Cycle, a collection of old Irish stories about heroes from the Ulaid people. Conall was known for having a crooked neck. His name, "Cernach," often means "victorious" or "triumphant." Some people also think it could mean "angular" or "swollen."

Conall's Amazing Life Story

How Conall Looked

Conall Cernach was described as a very handsome warrior. He wore a bright red cloak. One of his cheeks was as white as snow, while the other was reddish, like a foxglove flower. One of his eyes was blue like a hyacinth, and the other was as black as a beetle's back. He had long, very blond hair that reached his hips. It was so thick that if you poured a bag of nuts over his head, none would fall to the ground! He carried a sword with a gold handle, a red shield with shiny metal, and a long, strong spear.

Conall's Birth and Early Life

Conall was born around 50 BC. His father was Amairgin mac Echit and his mother was Findchoem. For a long time, his parents couldn't have children. So, Findchoem visited a druid (a wise person or priest in ancient Celtic times). The druid told her to drink from a special well. When she did, she swallowed a worm and soon became pregnant!

Findchoem's brother, Cet mac Mágach, who was from a different region called Connacht, protected her until Conall was born. Druids came to bless the baby. They made a prophecy (a prediction about the future) that Conall would kill more than half of the men from Connacht. When Cet heard this, he tried to kill the baby Conall, but he failed. Instead, he only managed to injure Conall, leaving him with his famous crooked neck.

The Feast of Mac Da Thó's Pig

Conall and Cet became fierce rivals throughout their lives. One time, at a big feast hosted by Mac Dá Thó in Leinster, warriors from Connacht and Ulster were competing for the "champion's portion." This was the best part of the meal, given to the bravest warrior. Cet boasted about all the battles he had won. But just as Cet was about to claim his prize, Conall arrived. Conall's own boasts were even greater than Cet's, and Cet had to admit defeat.

Bricriu's Tricky Feast

Conall also tried to win the champion's portion at a feast held by a troublemaker named Bricriu. Bricriu secretly promised the prize to three heroes: Conall, Lóegaire Búadach, and Cúchulainn. When the feast began, all three heroes' charioteers (drivers) claimed the prize for their masters, and a fight almost started! King Conchobar mac Nessa, Fergus mac Róich, and Sencha mac Ailella had to step in and stop them.

Bricriu then caused more trouble by promising each hero's wife that she would be the first to enter the feast. This almost led to another fight between the heroes. In the end, Cúchulainn proved himself the greatest hero through several challenges. Even though Conall and Lóegaire didn't want to accept it, Cúchulainn was declared the true champion.

Helping Fráech Get His Cattle Back

Conall once helped a hero named Fráech from Connacht. Fráech's wife, sons, and cattle had been stolen. Conall and Fráech tracked them all the way to Scotland, then through Great Britain, across the English Channel, and into a land called Lombardy, near the Alps mountains.

There, they met an Irish girl who told them that a group of warriors had stolen Fráech's family and cattle. She advised them to speak to the woman who looked after the cows. This woman warned them that a serpent guarded the fort where Fráech's wife was kept. But she promised to leave the gate open for them. When they attacked the fort, the serpent jumped into Conall's belt but didn't harm him. They rescued Fráech's family, took back all the cattle and treasure, and returned to Ireland.

The Battle of Howth

Conall fought Mes Gedra, the king of Leinster, in a one-on-one battle. Mes Gedra had lost a hand in an earlier fight, so Conall fought him with one hand tucked into his belt to make it fair. Conall won the fight and took Mes Gedra's head as a prize. When he placed Mes Gedra's head on his shoulder, something amazing happened: Conall's own crooked neck became straight!

Avenging Cúchulainn's Death

Conall and Cúchulainn had made a promise to each other: if one of them was killed, the other would get revenge before nightfall. When Cúchulainn was killed by Lugaid mac Con Roí and Erc mac Cairpri, Conall chased after them. Lugaid had also lost a hand, so Conall again fought with one hand. This time, he only won when his horse, named Deirg nDruchtaig (which means Dewy or Dripping Red), bit Lugaid's side.

Final Fight with Cet

Conall finally had his last big fight with Cet. Cet had raided Ulster and killed twenty-seven men. It had snowed, so Conall was able to follow Cet's tracks. He caught up with him, but he hesitated to fight. His charioteer told him not to be a coward. They met at a river crossing, and Conall killed Cet in a very fierce battle. Conall himself was almost killed in the fight.

Conall's Later Years

After King Conchobar and his son, Cormac Cond Longas, were killed, Conall was offered the chance to become the new king of Ulster. But he said no. Instead, he suggested his foster-son, Conchobar's younger son Cúscraid, who then became king.

In his old age, Conall got a skin disease called leprosy. He went to live with Ailill and Medb, the king and queen of Connacht, because they had enough food to feed his huge appetite. Conall eventually killed Ailill, getting revenge for the death of Fergus mac Róich. Conall tried to escape, but the men of Connacht chased him. They caught and killed him at a river crossing on May 7th. People believe this happened in the town of Ballyconnell in County Cavan.

Conall's Family and Descendants

Conall had several wives. His main wife was Lendabair. He also had other wives, including Aifi, Niamh, Feibe, Fedelm Noíchrothach, and Londcaidhe. Conall is special because he is mentioned in old Irish family trees as the ancestor of kings from the Dál nAraidi and Uí Echach Cobo regions. Even the legendary High King of Ireland Mal mac Rochride was said to be related to him.

Conall in Modern Stories

Conall Cernach still appears in modern Irish folklore (traditional stories). Sometimes, he is even mixed up with the Fianna, another group of famous Irish warriors. One story even says that Conall was present and saw the Crucifixion of Jesus.

|

More to Read

• The Birth of Cú Chulainn
• Tidings of Conchobar son of Ness
• The Wooing of Emer
• The Wooing of Luaine and the Death of Athirne
• The Story of Mac Dathó's Pig
• Bricriu's Feast
• The Boyhood Deeds of Cú Chulainn
• The Sick-bed of Cuchulain, and the only jealousy of Emer
• The Cattle Raid of Fráech
• The Battle of Howth
• The Battle of Ross na Ríg
• The Death of Cú Chulainn
• The Death of Conchobar
• The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel
• The Death of Cet mac Mágach
• The Death of Ailill and Conall Cernach
• Achall (from The Metrical Dindshenchas Vol 1)