Page 36 - Demo

36 Stephen Dunford: The Journey of The IrIsh
back a gilt chariot, a golden chess-board inlaid with 300 transparent gems, a sword entwined with serpents of gold, a silver embossed shield, and two large hounds leashed with a silver chain.
But it is generally agreed that during the century preceding the Christian Era, the kings of Cúige Uladh, Ulster, were the most powerful in Ireland, and the most celebrated, the famed patron of scholars and poets, the mighty warrior Ulster King, he that was renowned in song and story, was the aforementioned King Conchubhar Mac Nessa, ‘Conor son of Ness,’ who reigned about the time of Christ.
Navan Fort or Eamhain Mhacha
His residence was at royal Emain, Navan Fort, near Armagh, where flourished the famed order of the Red Branch Knights, an extraordinary body of skilled and daring Ulster war- riors, instituted by Conchubhar for his own protection.
The name of Cúchulainn features prominently in the tales told about this order. Towards the end of his reign Conchubhar became involved in a bitter war with Meadbh, the infamous warrior Queen of Connacht, his estranged first wife. The many deeds of valour performed during the battles which constituted this conflict are the subjects of the famous Irish epic tales, Táin Bó Cuailgne and the lesser known Mayo sub-plot, Táin Bó Flidhais. During the following century, Ulster gradually declined in power and Connacht began to gain promi- nence. About the same time, the Kings of Munster extended their territory and influence in the southern part of the country.
Cúige Connacht the fifth of Connacht.
Once referred to erroneously as ‘the first recorded Irish rebel’, Cairbre Cinn Cait, or ‘Cair-
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