During a strange night, Deichtine helped deliver a boy while the Ulstermen lodged in her house, then nursed him alongside two foals before the house vanished. After his death, a creature in wine led to a second conception, making Lugh his divine father.
The Conception and Birth of Cú Chulainn
A woman went into labour during the night while a company of Ulstermen, including Briccriu and Fergus, stayed in her spacious house. Outside, a mare gave birth to two foals. Deichtine entered the house to help with the birth and brought out a boy. The Ulstermen took charge of him and gave him the foals. Deichtine nursed him at her breast.
At dawn, the house and its occupants had vanished. Nothing remained eastward of the Brug except the Ulstermen’s horses, the baby and the two foals. The company returned to Emain Macha, where Deichtine raised the boy. He was called Sétanta. He later fell ill with a fever and died. The women of Ulster lamented him, and Deichtine grieved deeply for her foster-son.
After the lamentation, Deichtine returned home and asked her servant for a drink. A cup of wine was brought to her. A tiny creature was in the drink, and she swallowed it without noticing. This creature was the means by which Lugh fathered a child. Accounts differ over whether Lugh appeared to Deichtine in human form, as a god, in a dream, or while she was in bird form. In the account of the miraculous conception, the child was later brought forth from her.
Deichtine bore a son and gave him the name Sétanta. His conception made Lugh his divine father. The heroes of Ulster disputed who should raise him, then shared responsibility for his upbringing. Each offered what he could teach or give. Fergus instructed him in the manly arts, Findchóem nursed him, Conall Cernach became his foster brother, and Conchobar became his foster father. Other accounts say that Sualtaim mac Roich was his father, or that Deichtine remained a virgin by vomiting out the child.
Cú Chulainn Takes Arms
A prophecy of glory reached Cú Chulainn, and he seized weapons. He set out in a chariot with his charioteer, Ibor, on his first outing. Ibor warned him that danger lay ahead, but the boy would not turn back. They travelled through Mag mBreg, and Ibor named the forts, fields, fords, settlements, strongholds and fortresses between Temair and Cenannos. He pointed out the fort of the three sons of Nechta Scéne.
The brothers were Fóill, Fannall and Tuachell. Their father was Fer Ulli, son of Lugaid, and their mother was Nechta Scéne. They were enemies of the Ulstermen because the Ulstermen had killed their father. They also claimed to have killed as many Ulstermen as were then living. Cú Chulainn asked to meet them. Ibor warned him against seeking such danger, but Cú Chulainn said they were not travelling there to avoid it. They released the horses where the bog met the river, and Cú Chulainn told Ibor to wake him if warriors appeared.
The three sons came down to the stream and demanded to know who had entered their land. Ibor said that a boy was there on his first outing and that he was taking him home. Fóill mocked the boy and ordered him to leave. Cú Chulainn woke and declared that no boy was there, only a man ready to fight. Ibor warned him that Fóill the Sly could not be struck after a first missed thrust. Cú Chulainn swore by the god of his people that Conchobar’s spear would not miss. He cast it at Fóill and broke his back, then cut off his head and took his spoils. He killed Fannall and Tuachell as well, taking the weapons of the three brothers.
Cú Chulainn then told Ibor to drive towards Emain Macha. He first made the charioteer circle the fortress so that the other boys could see him. When Ibor tried to return through the gates, Cú Chulainn ordered him onwards. They travelled to Sliab Fúait, where Conall Cernach was keeping watch for Ulster. Cú Chulainn claimed that he had come to relieve him. When Conall said he was too young, Cú Chulainn broke the shaft of his chariot with a stone. He then returned to Emain Macha in a battle frenzy.
The Wooing of Emer and Training with Scáthach
Cú Chulainn drove with his charioteer, Laeg mac Riangabra, to the Gardens of Lug to meet Emer, daughter of Forgall Monach. No chariot team in Ulster could match their speed. Emer was on the green with her foster-sisters, who were studying embroidery and fine stitching with her. She recognised Cú Chulainn and greeted him. He had come after a search lasting a year, during which messengers had looked throughout Ireland for a suitable wife for him without success.
Cú Chulainn and Emer became attached to one another. Emer declared that she loved him and that she was under his protection. Forgall opposed the match. He presented Emer to Lugaid, the great king of Alamiach’s son, who had come with twelve chariot-warriors to seek wives. Emer resisted the proposed marriage. She held Lugaid’s cheeks and swore by his life and honour that she loved Cú Chulainn. Lugaid feared Cú Chulainn and returned home without taking her as his wife.
Cú Chulainn then travelled to Alba, where Scáthach was at war with her rival Aífe. Scáthach trained him in supernatural combat. He underwent demanding adventures and learned the skills needed for battle. During this time he faced Aífe and defeated her. His training with Scáthach completed the trials connected with his courtship of Emer.
Cú Chulainn returned from Alba and won Emer as his wife. The courtship had taken him from the Gardens of Lug to Forgall’s opposition, then to Alba and Scáthach’s instruction. Emer’s own resolve helped preserve her bond with him, while Cú Chulainn’s journey and victory over Aífe secured his claim to marry her.
