The Ulaid or Ulaidh
were a tribe of early Ireland, at the height of their power their
terority stretched from the River Boyne in present day Meath west
to County Leitrim, and include County Down and much of Antrim. Their
capital was Emain Macha just west o Armagh City. The provence of
Ulster derives its name from the Ulaid.
The Annals of the four masters records a
battle in 331 'when the three\Collas defeated their king Fergus
Forga in the Battle of Achadh Leithdheirg in County Monaghan'. After
this battle the Ulaid terority was much reduced, it was\probably
after this battle Emain Macha was destroyed, Fergus Foga was the
last Ulaid king to rule there.It was abandoned and the Ulaid were
forced into eastern County Down where they became known as the Dál
Fiatach and the Dál nAraidi.
Cuhullain
was a legendary hero of the Ulaid, the stories of Tain in the
Irish Cycles, tells of him singlehandedly defending Ulster against
the invading armies of Maeve of
Conauht.
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