Lugaid Riab nDerg facts for kids

Lugaid Riab nDerg, whose name means "the red-striped" or "Red Sky," was a legendary High King of Ireland. He was the son of three brothers known as the findemna, who were triplets born to Eochu Feidlech. Lugaid's mother was their sister, Clothru.

About Lugaid's Name

Lugaid got his special name, "the red-striped," because he had two red stripes around his neck and waist. These stripes made him look like three different people! Above his neck, he looked like a person named Nár. From his neck to his waist, he looked like Bres. And from his waist down, he looked like Lothar.

Becoming King

Ancient Irish stories tell us how Lugaid became the High King. The book Lebor Gabála Érenn says he took power after a five-year period when there was no king, following the death of Conaire Mór. Another old book, the Annals of the Four Masters, says this gap was six years.

Lugaid's foster-father was the famous Ulster hero, Cúchulainn. When Lugaid tried to become king, the Lia Fáil (a special stone at Tara that was supposed to roar when the rightful king touched it) didn't make a sound. Cúchulainn was so upset that he used his sword to split the stone! After that, the Lia Fáil never roared again, except for one future king, Conn of the Hundred Battles.

Challenges and Conflicts

There was a prophecy that Ethne, who was Lugaid's aunt (sister of his mother Clothru), would be harmed by her own son. To try and avoid this, Ethne went to a place called Cruachan to have her baby. However, Lugaid followed her there. Sadly, Ethne died, and Lugaid then helped deliver her son, Furbaide Fer-benn. This baby was said to have two small horns on his temples.

Years later, when Furbaide was 17, he wanted to get revenge for his mother's death. He ended up harming Clothru, Lugaid's mother. Because of this, Lugaid then fought and defeated Furbaide on a mountain called Sliab Uillean.

Lugaid's Marriage

Lugaid's wife was a woman named Derbforgaill. She was the daughter of the king of Lochlann (which is what they called Scandinavia back then). Derbforgaill had heard about the great hero Cúchulainn and had fallen in love with him from afar. She traveled to Ireland with a friend, disguised as two swans connected by a golden chain, hoping to find Cúchulainn.

One day, Cúchulainn and Lugaid were by a lake called Loch Cuan (Strangford Lough) and saw the swans flying by. Lugaid encouraged Cúchulainn to shoot at them with a slingstone. Cúchulainn's shot hit Derbforgaill, and she and her friend fell onto the beach, turning back into human form.

Cúchulainn helped Derbforgaill, and she told him she loved him. However, because of how he had helped her, he couldn't marry her due to an ancient rule or taboo. So, Cúchulainn gave Derbforgaill to Lugaid instead. Lugaid and Derbforgaill got married and had children together.

The End of Lugaid and Derbforgaill

One cold winter day, the women of Ulster were having a strange competition. Derbforgaill was part of this. Lugaid noticed that the snow on the roof of Derbforgaill's house hadn't melted, which was a sign that she was very ill. He and Cúchulainn quickly went to her house. Derbforgaill passed away soon after they arrived. Lugaid was so sad that he died from grief shortly after his wife.

Cúchulainn was very angry and sad about their deaths. He took revenge on the women who had been involved in the competition, causing the house they were in to collapse, and many of them were harmed.

Other Stories About Lugaid

There are some different versions of how Lugaid Riab nDerg died. One story says he was killed by a group called the Trí Rúadchinn Laigen, or the "Three Reds of the Laigin". These same people were also involved in the death of the previous High King, Conaire Mór.

Some historians think that there might have been two different people named Lugaid. One was a King of Tara, and the other was a smaller character linked to Cúchulainn in the Ulster Cycle stories. However, other experts believe that "Riab nDerg" is just a slightly changed version of "Réoderg," which means "of the red sky," and that they are the same legendary figure.

Lugaid's Time as King

Lugaid ruled as High King for either twenty, twenty-five, or twenty-six years, depending on the old texts. The Lebor Gabála suggests his reign happened around the same time as the Roman Emperor Claudius (who ruled from AD 41–54). Other historical records, like Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn, place his reign from 33–13 BC, and the Annals of the Four Masters say it was from 33–9 BC.