Naoise facts for kids
In Irish mythology, Naoise (pronounced NEE-sha) was a brave and important warrior. He was the nephew of Conchobar mac Nessa, the King of Ulster. Naoise is a main character in a famous old Irish story called The Tragic Tale of the Sons of Uisnech. This story is often found within the larger collection of tales known as the Táin Bó Cúailnge, which is part of the Ulster Cycle.
The story tells how Naoise fell in love with Deirdre, a woman known for her amazing beauty. King Conchobar also wanted to marry Deirdre. Because of this, Naoise, Deirdre, and Naoise's two brothers had to leave Ireland and live in Scotland (also called Alba).
Later, King Conchobar tried to get them to come back. However, a series of sad events and the king's trickery led to a terrible ending. Naoise and his brothers were killed, which caused a lot of trouble between different parts of Ireland. This tragedy also led to the destruction of Emain Macha, a very important place in Ulster.
Contents
Naoise's Story in Mythology
The story of Naoise and Deirdre is a key part of the Táin Bó Cúailnge, often called "The Tragical Death of the Sons of Usnach." Here is a summary of their tale.
Deirdre's Birth and Prophecy
When Deirdre was born, a wise druid named Cathbad made a prophecy. He said that Deirdre would be very beautiful but would also cause much trouble and fighting. When the lords of Ulster heard this, they wanted to have her killed. But King Conchobar stopped them. He decided that Deirdre would be raised in secret, away from everyone. When she was old enough, he planned to marry her himself. Deirdre grew up to be even more beautiful than any other woman of her time.
Naoise and Deirdre Meet
One snowy day, Deirdre saw her foster father kill a calf. A raven then landed to drink the calf's blood. Deirdre said she wished for a husband who had three colors: hair as black as the raven, cheeks as red as the calf's blood, and skin as white as snow. She was told that such a man lived in King Conchobar's house. His name was Naoise, a son of Usnech.
Deirdre secretly asked to meet Naoise. When they met, she told him she loved him and asked him to run away with her. Naoise agreed, even though he was worried about King Conchobar's anger.
Exile in Scotland
So, Naoise, his two brothers Ainle and Ardan, and 150 warriors went to Scotland. They became paid soldiers for the King of Scotland. However, the Scottish King soon heard about Deirdre's great beauty. He also tried to take her for himself. After many battles with the king's men, Naoise and his brothers left for an island in the sea to find peace.
The Return to Ireland
Back in Ulster, King Conchobar asked his people if they wanted anything. They replied that they missed their kinsmen, Naoise, Ainle, and Ardan, who had left because of Deirdre. Hearing this, Conchobar decided to send someone to bring them back. Naoise had said he would only return to Ireland if he was escorted by Cúchulainn, Conall Cernach, or Fergus mac Róich. Conchobar chose Fergus to go and fetch them.
Fergus traveled to Loch Etive in Scotland. He found the hunting lodges of Naoise and his brothers, but they were not there. Fergus then went to the harbor and called out loudly for them. Naoise and Deirdre heard him. Naoise thought it was an Irish voice, and Deirdre knew it was, but she pretended it was a Scottish voice. Fergus called again, and the same happened. On the third call, Naoise was sure it was Fergus and sent Ardan to meet him.
Deirdre then admitted she had recognized the voice. She had hidden the truth because she had a dream the night before. In her dream, three birds from Emain Macha brought honey but returned with blood. She believed this meant the messenger came with a false promise of peace. Despite her worries, they greeted Fergus warmly. Fergus told them his mission: to bring them back to Ulster. The exiles spoke of how much they missed Ireland. Deirdre still did not want to go, but Fergus promised to protect them from anyone in Ireland. So, Naoise agreed to return.
A Broken Promise
On their way back, they stopped at the fort of Borrach. Borrach welcomed them and offered a feast, as King Conchobar had told him to do. However, Borrach placed a geas (a special promise or rule) on Fergus. Fergus could not leave the feast until it was finished. Fergus was upset because he had promised to bring Naoise and his brothers back to Emain Macha on the same day they returned to Ireland. Fergus decided to stay at the feast and sent his own two sons, Illann the Fair and Buinne the Ruthless Red, to escort the exiles back to Emain Macha.
The exiles left Borrach's place. Deirdre advised Naoise to stay on an island for safety, but Fergus's sons disagreed. As they continued, Deirdre fell behind and fell asleep. Naoise went back and found her. She told him about another dream: she saw Naoise and Illann without their heads, but Buinne was not with them. Later, Deirdre had more bad feelings, seeing a "cloud of blood" over Naoise, Ainle, and Ardan. She suggested they go to Dún Delgan (Dundalk) and wait for Fergus, or ask Cúchulainn for protection. But the brothers were not worried and did not follow her advice.
The Trap at Emain Macha
They went straight to Emain Macha. When they arrived, Deirdre told them how to know if King Conchobar meant them harm. If they were invited into Conchobar's own house, they were safe. But if they were invited into the house of the Red Branch without Conchobar, it meant trouble.
At Emain Macha, they knocked. When the doorman told Conchobar who it was, the king said to send them to the Red Branch house. Deirdre again suggested they leave, but the men refused, not wanting to seem afraid. They entered the Red Branch house and were given much food and drink. All the servants ate and drank happily, but the exiles would not touch the food or drink. Naoise then asked for Conchobar's special chessboard so they could play. At the same time, Conchobar asked about Deirdre, wondering if she was still as beautiful. Conchobar's messenger returned and told him who was there, and that Deirdre had changed since she left.
Conchobar sent messengers two more times to check on Deirdre's appearance. Then he spoke to Tréndorn, asking, "Do you know who killed my father and three brothers?" Tréndhorn replied it was Naoise. Conchobar then sent him to report on Deirdre's looks. As Tréndhorn spied through a window, Naoise saw him. Naoise threw a chess piece at him so accurately that Tréndhorn lost an eye. He returned to Conchobar and told him, "The woman whose form and feature are loveliest in the world is there, and Naoise would be king of the world if she were left to him." Conchobar became very angry and ordered an attack on the Red Branch house.
The Final Battle
At the Red Branch house, Conchobar's men and Naoise's group exchanged words, and then the fighting began. Buinne, one of Fergus's sons, fought bravely. But Conchobar offered him land, and Buinne accepted the bribe, leaving his companions. Illann, Fergus's other son, then stepped forward and fought many of Conchobar's men. He refused any bribes. Conchobar then sent his own son, Fiacha, who was born on the same night as Illann. Fiacha fought hard, but Illann won.
Conchobar's shield made a loud sound when its owner was in trouble. Conall Cernach, a great warrior, heard it and thought Conchobar needed help. He arrived at the battle and, seeing the scene, used his spear to kill Illann. Wounded, Illann asked who had struck him. He explained that he was there to protect Naoise and his brothers. Hearing this, Conall was sorry and killed Fiacha in revenge. Illann called Naoise to join the fight, then died.
Ardan defended the Red Branch house on the first night, killing many attackers. The next night, Ainle defended. On the third night, Naoise defended, also killing many. The three brothers then formed a shield around Deirdre and jumped outside the walls of Emain. Conchobar told his druid Cathbad to use magic to stop them, promising not to harm them if he did. Cathbad conjured water to block their escape. Conchobar then called for someone to kill Naoise, but no one from Ulster would do it. However, a man named Maine Red-hand from Norway, whose father and brothers Naoise had killed, agreed to do the deed.
Ardan said he should die first, as he was the youngest. But Ainle offered himself. Naoise then gave his special sword, which came from the sea god Manannán mac Lir, to Maine. Maine killed all three brothers with it. Deirdre kissed her dead husband and sang a long, sad song. She then threw herself into Naoise's grave and died.
Aftermath
Cathbad the druid cursed Emain Macha because of the terrible events of that day. He said that neither Conchobar nor his future family would ever rule there again. Fergus arrived the next day and saw the disaster. Along with Cormac Cond Longas and Dubthach Dóeltenga, he fought Conchobar. This led to the destruction of Emain Macha. Fergus then sought help from Ailill mac Máta, the King of Connacht, and Medb, the queen. Much of Ulster was attacked and destroyed, and fighting continued for several years.
Other Stories
This tale can also be found in the "Glenmasan manuscript" version of the Táin Bó Flidhais.
