Maeve (Medb.) The legendary
Queen of  Connaught plays
the role of an anarchic goddess of war and fertility in Irish folklore
and mythology. There are many stories in which she features, these
are usually to do with the rivalry between Ulster and Connaught
and involving the great Ulster warriors Cuchulainn, Conall and Laoire.
(See also Irish Myths)
According to Irish mythology no king could
rule in Connaught unless he were married to Maeve who it was believed
held the key to the sovereignty in her person.
The illustration on the right is a panel
on the outside of the Gundrestrup Cauldron found in Denmark in 1891
It is said to be 1st century BC and represent Queen Maeve.
Maeve's most famous exploit is the invasion
of Ulster to capture the famous brown bull of Cuailbne 'Cooley'
in it she captures the bull and the Ulster hero Cuhullain is killed.
Ulster's revenge came some time later when
she is killed by Forbai son of king Conchobhar 'Connor' Mac Nessa.
Forbai discovered that Maeve bathed in a pool, he visited the pool
and measured the distance from a hiding place to where she bathed.
On returning to Eamain Macha in Ulster he practiced with a slingshot
until he could knock an apple from a pole at the same distance.
He made his way back to Galway and waited until Maeve came to the
pool, there he struck her on the forehead with a single shot, thus
Ulster was avenged. |
