The Legend of Cúchulainn & Ferdia |
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| As Queen Maeve's soldiers set out for Ulster, the Red Branch Knights, the warriors of Ulster, were struck by a strange weakness which wa brought about by a magic spell. They lay Helpless in their hour of danger. Only Cúchulainn, their great hero, was free of this sickness. When the warriors of Maeve arrived at the River Dee, on the borders of Ulster, Cúchulainn had to face them alone . In a shallow part of the river - called a ford - he fought nd killed the best of Maeve's heroes, one after another, in single combat | ||||
Childhood Friends At first Maeve's greatest champion, Ferdia, took no part in the fight. He had grown up with Cúchulainn and he loved him like a brother. Maeve knew this but she tried to turn him against Cúchulainn. "Cúchulainn says you are hiding in your tent because you are afraid of him" she told Ferdia. Little by little Ferdia love changed to hate and in the end he agreed to fight against his friend . |
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Cúchulainn Face Ferdia The two champions faced each other on the banks of the river. They fought for two whole days, but they were the equal of each other in skill and bravery. Each evening Ferdia sent food and drink across the ford to Cúchulainn, while Cúchulainn sent Ferdia herbs for his wounds. On the third day they fought all day long with their heavy swords. Wen the sun went down , both warriors were very weary and this time they parted without a word or sign of friendship. |
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The Ga Bolga At sunrise on the fourth day they faced each other in the middle of the shallow river. Back and forth they battled and so loud was the clash of their swords that it was like far off thunder. Soon the River was red with their blood.Laeg, wo was Cúchulainn's chariot driver, stood on the river bank and urged his master on. As he did so, Ferdia saw his chance and drove his sword into Cúchulainn's body. The Ulster hero was sorely wounded. Quickly, Laeg sent Cúchulainns magic spear, the 'Ga Bolga' floating downstream. Falling to his knees, Cúchulainn grabbed the deadly spear and he put it through Ferdia's heart. |
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The Death of Ferdia As the noble hero fell, Cúchulainn took him in is arms and carried him to the grassy bank."How sad it was, my friend, that we should part like this" sighed Ferdia, in his dying breath.Cúchulainn felt only sadness in his moment of victory and he wept bitterly.Soon afterwards, the Red Branch Knights broke free of the spell and came to help Cúchulainn. Together, they drove the forces of Queen Maeve from the borders of Ulster |
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