Laoch na Laochra, Hero of Heroes – the Story of Cúchulainn Talk

Join local man and author Reamonn Ó Ciaráin and the Ring of Gullion team as he retells the story of the great warrior Cúchulainn in English from his book ‘Laoch na Laochra’ in Crossmaglen Library on Wednesday 8 November at 7pm.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew states, “This story-telling event is part of the Ring of Gullion Winter Solstice Festival and there will be a variety of talks happening over the next two months in the area. The story of Cúchulainn dates back to the 7th Century AD but still dominates the mythological and imaginative landscape of Ireland. I am looking forward to hearing Reamonn tell this action packed story. We are also grateful to Crossmaglen Library for providing the venue for this great talk.”

Emeritus Professor of Irish at Ulster University, Séamus Mac Mathúna said, “It is a tremendous achievement on the part of Réamonn and Dara. The book is beautifully produced. It captures the spirit of the original Irish story. It is terse and pithy on the one hand, yet expansive enough to portray the full grandeur of these epics.”

The mythological narrative tells the story of Cúchulainn, from his origins and when he first slew Culann’s beloved hound in self-defence and then agreed to be the replacement guard hound by way of recompense – to his death by Lughai’s spear. During his short but heroic life, magic, romance, betrayal and violence mark every twist and turn in the epic story of the Tain, the Cattle Raid of Cooley, as Cúchulainn defends Ulster against the entire invading army of Queen Meabh of Connaught on the Ulster borderlands.

Reamonn will be signing copies of the book for sale on the night. Booking is essential either via www.ringofgullion.org, or Crossmaglen Community Centre. Telephone: 028 3082 8590.

The stories of Cúchulainn are retold in English in Laoch na Laochra, which was written by Reamonn Ó Ciaráin with artwork by Dara Vallely and published by national organisation Gale Linn in 2015 with support from the Ultach Trust.