Tochmarc Emire facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tochmarc Emire
"The Wooing of Emer"
"Cuchulainn Rebuked by Emer", illustration by H. R. Millar, c. 1905.

Tochmarc Emire (which means "The Wooing of Emer") is a famous story from ancient Irish mythology. It is part of a collection of tales known as the Ulster Cycle. These stories are about heroes, battles, and magic from a long time ago in Ireland.

This particular tale tells the exciting adventures of the hero Cú Chulainn as he tries to marry the beautiful and clever woman, Emer. To win her, Cú Chulainn must prove himself worthy. This involves intense training with a powerful warrior-woman named Scáthach. A "tochmarc" is a type of story in old Irish literature that focuses on a hero's journey to find a partner.

What is Tochmarc Emire About?

This story is one of the longest and most detailed tales in the Ulster Cycle. It combines adventure, romance, and lessons about bravery and skill. The main parts of the story include Cú Chulainn's quest for Emer, his training, and the challenges he faces along the way.

Why Did Cú Chulainn Need a Wife?

Cú Chulainn was incredibly handsome and strong, even when he was young. The men of Ulster (a region in Ireland) worried that if he didn't find a wife of his own, he might try to marry their wives or daughters. So, they searched all over Ireland for a perfect match for him. But Cú Chulainn only had eyes for Emer, the daughter of a man named Forgall Monach.

Forgall's Plan to Stop the Marriage

Forgall Monach did not want Cú Chulainn to marry his daughter. He came up with a clever, but dangerous, plan. Forgall suggested that Cú Chulainn should go to the land of Alba (which is now Scotland) to train with the famous warrior-woman, Scáthach. Forgall hoped that the training would be too difficult, and Cú Chulainn would not survive.

While Cú Chulainn was away, Forgall tried to marry Emer to another king, Lugaid mac Nóis. But Lugaid heard that Emer loved Cú Chulainn, so he refused to marry her.

Cú Chulainn's Training with Scáthach

Cú Chulainn accepted Forgall's challenge and went to Scotland. Scáthach taught him everything about war and fighting. She even taught him how to use a special, dangerous spear called the Gáe Bulg. This spear was thrown with the foot and had barbed points that had to be cut out of a victim.

Among Cú Chulainn's fellow students was Ferdiad, who became his best friend and foster-brother. During his training, Scáthach had to fight her rival, Aífe. Scáthach was worried about Cú Chulainn's safety because Aífe was a very skilled warrior. So, Scáthach gave Cú Chulainn a strong sleeping potion to keep him out of the battle.

However, Cú Chulainn was so strong that the potion only made him sleep for an hour! He quickly joined the fight. He fought Aífe in a one-on-one battle. They were equally matched until Cú Chulainn tricked her. He shouted that Aífe's horses and chariot, which she loved most, had fallen off a cliff. While she was distracted, he captured her.

Cú Chulainn spared Aífe's life. In return, she had to promise to stop fighting Scáthach and to have a son with him.

Returning to Ireland and Winning Emer

After leaving Aífe, who was now expecting his child, Cú Chulainn returned from Scotland. He was now a fully trained warrior. But Forgall still refused to let him marry Emer.

Cú Chulainn was not going to give up. He attacked Forgall's fortress, killing many of Forgall's men. He took Emer and also stole Forgall's treasure. Forgall himself fell from the fortress walls and died.

There was an old custom called the "right of the first night" (or coll cétingen). This meant that the king, Conchobar mac Nessa, had the right to spend the first night with any new bride in his kingdom. Conchobar was worried about how Cú Chulainn would react if he used this right with Emer. But he also didn't want to lose his power by not using it.

A wise man named Cathbad found a solution. Conchobar would sleep with Emer on their wedding night, but Cathbad himself would sleep between them. This way, the custom was followed, but Cú Chulainn would not be angered.

Other Stories Connected to Tochmarc Emire

Many other tales in the Ulster Cycle are linked to Tochmarc Emire. They often show what happened to the characters after the events of this story.

The Sad Story of Connla

One related story is called Aided Óenfir Aífe ("The Death of Aífe's Only Son"). This tells what happened to Connla, the son Cú Chulainn had with Aífe in Scotland. When Connla was seven years old, he came to Ireland to find his father.

Connla was incredibly skilled, just like his father. Because of a special rule (a geis) placed on him by Cú Chulainn, Connla refused to say who he was. This made Cú Chulainn see him as a threat. Tragically, Cú Chulainn ended up killing his own son in a single combat, using the Gáe Bulg spear.

The Fate of Derbforgaill

Another story, Aided Derbforgaill ("The Death of Derbforgaill"), is about a princess named Derbforgaill. In some versions of Tochmarc Emire, Cú Chulainn saves her from being sacrificed. Derbforgaill falls in love with Cú Chulainn.

She and her maid come to Ireland disguised as swans. Cú Chulainn and his foster-son, Lugaid Riab nDerg, see the swans. Cú Chulainn shoots Derbforgaill with his sling. The stone hits her, and to save her life, Cú Chulainn has to remove it. Because he tasted her blood, he could not marry her. Instead, he gave her to Lugaid, and they married and had children.

Later, Derbforgaill becomes ill. Lugaid realizes she is dying. He and Cú Chulainn rush to her, but she dies shortly after they arrive. Lugaid dies of sadness. Cú Chulainn then takes revenge by destroying the house with the women who were responsible for Derbforgaill's death, killing 150 of them.

Friends and Foes in Táin Bó Cúailnge

In the famous epic tale Táin Bó Cúailnge ("The Cattle Raid of Cooley"), Cú Chulainn faces many warriors in single combat. Two of these warriors, Fer Báeth and Fer Diad, were his foster-brothers and trained alongside him under Scáthach. This shows how characters from one story can appear in others, sometimes as friends, sometimes as enemies.

Modern Adaptations

The story of Tochmarc Emire has been retold in modern times. For example, it was adapted into a musical program called "Celtic Hero" for the National Public Radio series Radio Tales. This shows how these ancient stories continue to inspire new works of art today.