Everybody needs someone they can look up to, someone who gives them hope and is a symbol of triumph in the face of adversity, a 'hero.' Such as the Irish mythological hero, CuChulainn. The son of god Lugh, CuChulainn was the greatest knight of Red Branch, gifted with seven fingers on each hand, believed to be his father's incarnation.
In a world of Supermans and Batmans, Dan O'Mahony introduces CuChulainn in an epic way in his book, The Fifth Cycle: A New Hero is Forged. The protagonist, Colin Caulfield, discovers that he is the reincarnation of CuChulainn himself and must harness his powers and unlock his potential to use them against the threat.
But before we get our hands on one of the most promising coming-of-age stories in recent times, let's verse ourselves with the Irish legend.
Origins
CuChulainn, a seasoned warrior in Scotland, trained by Scathach, a female warrior, was the result of a union between a Celtic god and a mortal princess. From the beginning, CuChulainn was set for a glorious yet short life. He was very often depicted alongside the shadow of his demise.
When he was a boy, like Colin, his name was Setanta. He acquired the name "CuChulainn," when he was on a journey to join the king of Ulster's court. Conchobar Mac Nessa, the king at that time, was busy feasting at the house of Culann the Smith. Alongside 150 troops and his fierce hound, Culann armed the door to obstruct CuChulainn's entry. He alone, armed only with his sliotar and hurley stick, destroyed the obstruction and stuck his sliotar in the savage hound's mouth.
And that is where CuChulainn got his name, which literally means "the hound of Culann."
CuChulainn Returns to Ireland
The purpose of his return to Ireland was to be the champion of Ulster in a war against Medb, the queen of Connacht, who wished to seize a bull that belonged to Ulster.
The war took a particularly tragic turn when CuChulainn had no choice but to face his foster brother and childhood friend, Ferdia. CuChulainn managed to kill him with a dart that separated into multiple barbs when entering the body.
What makes CuChulainn such a complex hero is his darker side. "Warp spasm," as it is known, describes an episode that CuChulainn experienced amid a fury of conflict. This dark side made CuChulainn go berserk, giving him a monstrous appearance. It turned him into a lethal killing machine, unable to distinguish between a friend and foe.
This very quirk is something Colin is seen to struggle with in Dan O'Mahony's The Fifth Cycle: A New Hero is Forged.
Eventually, Colin married Emer, an Irish princess, who gave him a remarkably difficult time performing before he'd tie the knot with her. They were a happy duo, all until fairy princess Fand came into the picture. She had CuChulainn transfixed, and Emer was flushed with jealousy. Fand, however, returned to her husband Mananann, who cast a potent spell that would make those involved forget about the affair.
The Legacy Continues
CuChulainn's demise came at the hands of the Connacht after Medb's trickery. But his death was very much foreshadowed through omens and the Morrigan, a death crow who sat on his shoulder during his final moments.
Even though CuChulainn passed, his legacy lives on in the hearts of every Irish boy. As for this particular thirteen-year-old in Dan O’Mahony's book, let's see if he can harness the Irish hero's powers and fulfill his goal of restoring the gods to their former glory. Grab The Fifth Cycle: A New Hero is Forged now to find out.
