Fergus mac Róich’s Family Tree

About Fergus mac Róich →

Family

• Cú Chulainn(child)— Adopted

  Fergus mac Róich took the boy Sétanta into fosterage at the court of Conchobar mac Nessa, training him in arms and the ways of the warrior before the child had even earned the name Cú Chulainn.

• Medb(spouse)— Consort

  Fergus mac Róich became Queen Medb's lover during the Táin Bó Cúailnge, and she rewarded his exile from Ulster with her bed and the command of Connacht's armies — though she also used their liaison to manipulate him throughout the cattle raid.

Enemy of

• Conchobar mac 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.

Member of

• Red Branch

  The Red Branch warriors of Ulster gathered at Emain Macha, the finest fighting men in Ireland — among them Cú Chulainn, Conall Cernach, and Fergus mac Róich, bound by honor and curse alike, for when the pangs of Macha struck them helpless, only Cú Chulainn stood to hold the border alone.

Associated with

• Cú Chulainn

  During the Táin, Fergus mac Róich fought on Connacht's side despite being Cú Chulainn's foster-father. When they met at the ford, Fergus agreed to yield, and Cú Chulainn later called in this debt at the final battle, causing Fergus to withdraw and breaking Connacht's advance.