Curadmír facts for kids

The Curadmír, also known as the Champion's Portion, was an old custom in early Irish literature. It meant that the bravest warrior at a big feast got special treatment. This warrior would be given the best piece of meat. Often, deciding who was the bravest led to big arguments and even fights! This custom shows up a lot in the exciting stories of the Ulster Cycle. Similar traditions were also found among the ancient Celts in other parts of Europe, as written by old historians.

What Was the Champion's Portion?

The Champion's Portion was a special honor given to the most courageous warrior at a feast. Imagine a big dinner where everyone wants to show off their bravery. The person who was seen as the bravest would get the biggest and best cut of meat. This was a huge deal because it showed everyone how important and respected that warrior was. But, as you can guess, not everyone agreed on who was the bravest, which often caused big problems!

The Story of Mac Dá Tho's Pig

One famous story from the Ulster Cycle is called Scéla Mucce Meic Dá Thó, or "The Story of Mac Dá Tho's Pig". In this tale, warriors from two different kingdoms, Ulster and Connacht, are guests at a feast. They start arguing about who deserves the Champion's Portion.

They try to prove their bravery by bragging about all the heroic things they've done. At first, Cet mac Mágach, a hero from Connacht, seems to be the bravest. Just as he's about to cut the pig, another hero, Conall Cernach from Ulster, arrives. Conall boasts even more, and Cet has to step aside. Conall then cuts the pig, but he gives the Connacht warriors such tiny pieces that a huge battle breaks out!

Bricriu's Tricky Feast

Another exciting story about the Curadmír is Fled Bricrenn, or "Bricriu's Feast". Bricriu was a famous troublemaker. He invited the Ulstermen to a feast. Before the party started, he secretly visited three heroes: Cúchulainn, Conall Cernach, and Lóegaire Búadach. He told each of them to claim the Champion's Portion.

At this feast, the Champion's Portion wasn't just a roast boar. It also included a big pot of wine and a hundred cakes baked with honey! All three heroes stood up to claim it, and a fight almost started. To stop the violence, the Champion's Portion was shared among everyone. Then, Ailill and Medb, the king and queen of Connacht, and later Cú Roí from Munster, were asked to decide who was truly the bravest.

They set up many tests of skill and courage. After each test, Cúchulainn was judged to be the winner. But Conall and Lóegaire refused to accept this decision. So, the Champion's Portion was never officially given out.

Later, when the three heroes were at Emain Macha, a giant stranger challenged them. He dared them to cut off his head, and then allow him to cut off theirs the next day. Lóegaire, Conall, and Cúchulainn all cut off the giant's head. The giant then picked up his head and left!

The next day, when the giant returned, Lóegaire and Conall were nowhere to be found. Only Cúchulainn kept his promise. He bravely stretched out his neck for the axe. But the giant spared him! The giant praised Cúchulainn's courage and honor. He then revealed himself to be Cú Roí, the judge from before. He announced that the Champion's Portion definitely belonged to Cúchulainn.

The Champion's Portion in Modern Stories

The idea of the Champion's Portion has even appeared in modern fiction!

• In the 2000 AD comic book Slaine the King, two warriors from Slaine's tribe fight over the hero's portion. One warrior, Gwalchazad the Ram, ends up stabbing Dundan Skullsmasher with his knife.
• A less violent argument over the hero's portion is shown in the comic book Asterix in Belgium. The two Belgian chiefs threaten to fight, but then an equally large piece of meat is brought out, solving the problem peacefully.