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HOW SETANTA GOT HIS NAME

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setanta loved.jpg (19844 bytes) Long ago in the Kingdom of Kerry lived Aille, sister of King Conor Mac Nessa and her husband Lúgha.

They had one son whom they named Setanta.

Setanta loved hurling and when aged nine went to live with his uncle King Conor at Eamhain Macha.

One day King Conor was on his way to Culainn, his blacksmith when he saw Setanta playing hurling.

Even though Setanta was playing on his own, he managed to defeat all the older boys who played on a team.

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King Conor, who saw this, said to Setanta "Come with me to the feast at Culainns house this evening".

"First I must finish my game and the I will follow you" Setanta replied.

going to the feast.jpg (13911 bytes) King Conor went on his way, and arrived at Culainns house.

When everyone present was seated Culainn asked King Conor "Is this all who have come with you?"

King Conor completely forgot his invitation to Setanta and said, "Yes, this is all."

Now Culainn had the fiercest dog in Ireland and he went out and unchained him. Soon after Setanta finished his game of hurling and set off for Culainns house playing with his hurley and sliotar as he went.
setanta kills the hound.jpg (15158 bytes) As he approached Culainn’s house the huge dog began growling, snarling and barking.

He bounded towards Setanta, his mouth gaping wide, ready to tear the boy limb from limb.

Setanta saw the danger and acted quickly.

He threw up the sliotar and drew on it with his hurley. The ball shot forward like a rocket and found the throat of the oncoming hound. The huge hound fell to the ground at Setanta’s feet.
Inside the house, King Conor had heard all the noise and the suddenly remembered his invitation to Setanta. "Quickly, quickly!" he shouted, "Call off your hound. This is my sister Aillie’s son." The men rushed outside and were amazed to find Setanta and the hound dead at his feet. driving setanta away.jpg (11103 bytes)
Cheering aloud, they lifted him shoulder high. "From now on you will be called Cúchulainn, hound of Culainn" said King Conor’s men. "The name of Cúchulainn will be famous in Ireland until he end of time" said the wise druid Cathbad who could see into the future.