Old Tales, Old Problems: The Ulster Cycle in a New Light
Most people think that the current troubles between Ulster (Northern Ireland) and The Republic of Ireland were caused by the British. And there’s no doubt that the plantation of Scots Presbyterians in most of what was the ancient Irish kingdom of Ulster didn't’t help. Nor, of course, did partition after the Republic gained independence.
But to fully understand what’s going on there now, you might want to take a look at some ancient history, as told through the tales known as The Ulster Cycle. First passed down through oral tradition, these tales—about 80 of them in all—provide insight into the historic strife between the Ulstermen and the people on the rest of the Irish landmass. The tales are thought to have originated in about 500 B.C.; the first written versions date from about the twelfth century A.D.(See more about the tales at http://www.irishmythology.com and http://www.ibiblio.org/gaelic.htm.)
At the time of the tales, wealth was measured in cattle. Fittingly, one of the most important and familiar tales in the Ulster Cycle is called “The Cattle Raid of Cooley.” This tale and “Dierdre of the Sorrows” both contribute greatly to understanding the social and political climate and dependence on the druids. One, the cattle raid story, also introduces the idea of an evil, supernatural being, The Morrigan, who appears throughout the tales of Ireland, Wales, and Cornwall, particularly.
In “The Cattle Raid of Cooley,” events are set in motion by Queen Maeve of Connaught, who quarrels with her husband about who is wealthier. It happens that her husband has a magnificent white bull, quite a display of wealth at the time. Maeve, highly competitive, sends a messenger to rent a famous brown bull. Unfortunately, the messenger reveals that if the owner wouldn’t rent the bull to Maeve, he’d just have taken it by force. This angers the bull’s owner, who then refuses to rent the bull at any price. Queen Maeve decides she must have it despite that, and sends her warriors to get it. Her druid has approved the plan. Unfortunately, a female sorceress, The Morrigan, predicts not only failure in the quest for the bull, but also destruction of other sorts. In the end, Maeve’s forces are defeated by Cuchulainn alone, the most savage fighter in Ulster’s elite troop of knights, The Red Branch.
But of course, true to tale structure from time immemorial, that’s not the end of it all. Maeve’s life is spared by Cuchulainn. And there are also the bulls to consider. The bull thing still isn’t settled.
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