Cathbad the druid fathered Conchobar mac Nessa upon Nessa, who bore the child who would become the greatest king of Ulster and lord of Emain Macha.
⚠ Some versions of the Compert Conchobuir name Fachtna F\u00e1thach as Conchobar's father rather than Cathbad, while others make Cathbad his grandfather through Nessa.
Fergus mac Róich served as Conchobar mac Nessa's champion until the king betrayed the sons of Usnech under Fergus's safe-conduct. Fergus burned Emain Macha in fury and defected to Medb's army, fighting against Ulster in the Táin.
Medb was once married to Conchobar mac Nessa, king of Ulster, but left him in fury and carried her hatred of him and his province through decades of war. The Táin Bó Cúailnge is as much her vengeance against Ulster as it is a cattle raid.
Conchobar mac Nessa ruled Ulster from Emain Macha, and Cú Chulainn served as his greatest champion — bound by loyalty and honor to defend the kingdom, even when the king's own treachery drove other warriors like Fergus into exile.
Conchobar mac Nessa raised Deirdre in seclusion to be his bride, but she fled with Naoise to Alba. When Conchobar mac Nessa lured them back under safe-conduct and treacherously killed Naoise and his brothers, Deirdre chose death over captivity.
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