Conall Cernach- Celtic HeroHero"The Victorious"

Champion of Ulster

Conall Cernach was one of the foremost warriors of the Ulaid, a member of the Red Branch and a regular presence at Conchobar mac Nessa's court at Emain Macha. He was foster-brother to Cú Chulainn, a bond that defined much of his story. He boasted that not a day passed without him slaying a Connachtman, and that he never slept without the head of an enemy beneath his knee.

Bricriu's Feast and the Champion's Portion

Conall features prominently in Fled Bricrenn, the tale of Bricriu's Feast. When Bricriu the troublemaker provoked Cú Chulainn, Conall Cernach, and Loegaire Buadach into competing for the champion's portion, Conall was among the contenders who underwent a series of tests to prove his supremacy. He also competed for the curadmír in Scéla Mucce Meic Dathó, the tale of Mac Dathó's Pig, where a boasting contest among warriors of Ulster and Connacht escalated into a pitched battle.

The Brain of Mes Gegra

Conall killed Mes Gegra, king of Leinster, in single combat and took his head. He extracted the brain of his fallen opponent and mixed it with lime to form a hardened ball, a trophy kept at Emain Macha. This brain-ball would later play a role in the death of Conchobar mac Nessa himself when the Connacht warrior Cet mac Mágach seized it and slung it into Conchobar's skull, lodging it there and eventually causing his death.

Avenging Cú Chulainn

When Cú Chulainn fell in battle, overcome by the sorcery and combined forces of his enemies, Conall fulfilled his sworn oath to avenge his foster-brother. He pursued Lugaid mac Con Roí, who had delivered the killing blow, and slew him in single combat. Before the fight, Conall learned that Lugaid had lost one hand, so he bound one of his own arms behind his back to ensure a fair contest. He then hunted down the others responsible for the conspiracy against Cú Chulainn, collecting their heads as proof of his vengeance fulfilled.