Description
Arranged and put into English by Lady Gregory, with a Preface by W. B. Yeats. Enter the heroic age of ancient Ireland in this magnificent retelling of the legendary sagas of Ulster, one of the great treasures of Celtic literature in the world’s foremost translation into English of the legends surrounding ancient Irish mythological folk hero Cuchulain..
In Cuchulain of Muirthemne: The Story of the Men of the Red Branch of Ulster, celebrated Irish writer Lady Gregory brings together the ancient heroic legends of Ireland in a prose narrative of extraordinary beauty and power. Drawing upon the medieval Irish manuscripts and oral storytelling traditions of the Ulster Cycle, Lady Gregory retells the adventures of Cú Chulainn and the warriors of the Red Branch in language that preserves the spirit, rhythm, and grandeur of the original tales.
Readers are transported into a mythic Ireland filled with warrior heroes, kings, druids, queens, magical beings, and fierce battles fought for honor and glory. At the center stands Cú Chulainn, the greatest champion of Ulster, whose superhuman courage, tragic destiny, and legendary feats made him one of the most enduring figures of Celtic mythology. The book recounts his youthful exploits, heroic combats, friendships, loves, and ultimate sacrifice amid the great conflicts of ancient Ireland.
Lady Gregory’s masterful retelling helped revive interest in Irish mythology during the Irish Literary Revival and introduced generations of readers to the richness of Gaelic storytelling. Her prose combines simplicity with poetic dignity, making these ancient sagas accessible while preserving their heroic atmosphere and emotional depth.
More than a collection of legends, Cuchulain of Muirthemne stands as one of the defining works of modern Irish literary culture and a cornerstone of Celtic mythological literature. It inspired writers, poets, and dramatists including W. B. Yeats and remains one of the finest introductions to the heroic traditions of Ireland.
This carefully restored reprint revives a timeless masterpiece for modern readers. Essential for lovers of mythology, Irish history, folklore, and epic literature, it remains a gateway into the legendary world of ancient Ireland.
About the author: Lady Gregory (1852–1932) was an Irish dramatist, folklorist, translator, and central figure in the Irish Literary Revival. Co-founder of the Abbey Theatre alongside W. B. Yeats, she devoted much of her life to preserving and popularizing Irish mythology, folklore, and Gaelic literary traditions.
Contents
Dedication of the Irish Edition to the People of Kiltartan
Preface
I: Birth of Cuchulain
II: Boy Deeds of Cuchulain
III: The Courting of Emer
IV: Bricriu’s Feast, and the War of Words of the Women of Ulster
V: The Championship of Ulster
VI: The High King of Ireland
VII: Fate of the Sons of Usnach
VIII: The Dream of Angus Og
IX: Cruachan
X: The Wedding of Maine Morgor
XI: The War for the Bull of Cuailgne
XII: The Awakening of Ulster
XIII: The Two Bulls
XIV: The Only Jealousy of Emer
XV: Advice to a Prince
XVI: The Sons of Doel Dermait
XVII: Battle of Rosnaree
XVIII: The Only Son of Aoife
XIX: The Great Gathering at Muirthemne
XX: Death of Cuchulain
Note by W. B. Yeats on the conversation of Cuchulain and Emer
Notes
