Conall Cernach
Conall was the son of Amorigin and Findchaem (Finachoom), daughter of Cathbad and Maga. Conall was the husband of Niam. He was often called Conall Cernach - Conall the Victorious. Conall was also the cousin and foster-brother of the hero Cú Chulainn (Cu Chulainn) as well as the cousin of the sons of Uisnech (Usnech).
Next to Cú Chulainn, Conall was the best warrior of the Red Branch. Conall and Cu Chulainn had, as children, pledged to avenge the one who would die first. He was one of the supporters and champions of Conaire Mor the high king of Ireland. He was one of the warriors defending Conaire Mor, during the destruction of Da Derga's hostel. Conall was forced to withdraw from the fighting when he was severely wounded, leaving his dying king.
Conall attended the feast of Bricriu, where Bricriu held a beheading game with champions. Conall and his chief Cettmac refused to take part. Therefore, Cú Chulainn became the greatest champion of Ireland.
In another feast, both Ulster and Connacht claimed the right to possess the swiftest hound (Ailbe) that belonged to Mesroda Mac Datho, a king or chieftain of Leinster. Both Ulster and Connacht threatened Mesroda with war if he didn't give the hound to them. So Mesroda asked both Ulster and Connacht to claim the prizes. Mesroda served the boar in a feast. It was decided that the champion who done the greatest heroic deeds would have the champion's portion of the giant boar, as well as his hound. Cet Mac Maga claimed the rights, besting each Ulsterman with his tales of his adventure. It was only when Conall arrived that Cet conceded that Conall was a better warrior. But Cet claimed that had his brother come to the feast, then Anluan would be a better warrior than Conall. Conall told him that Cet's brother was already there, and produced Anluan's head. Fighting broke out between Connacht and Ulster. In the end Conall killed Cet. The hound was killed during the fighting, so in the end, neither side won the hound.
Conall was too late to save Cú Chulainn, when the hero again fought alone against Medb's host in the Slieve Fuad. When Conall found Cú Chulainn's headless body, Conall pursued his enemy and severed Lugaid's head. Conall brought Cú Chulainn's head back to Emain Macha for burial.
Conall avenged Fergus Mac Roich's death when Ailill, king of Connacht, murdered Fergus.
Later, the aged warrior retired to Cruachain, where three redheaded men from Munster ambushed Conall. His head was brought to Munster as revenge for the death of Lugaid and his father Cu Roi, who was killed by Cu Chulainn.
In the Welsh Culhwch and Olwen, Conall was equated with Corvil Bervach.
Related Information
Name
Conall Cernach ("Conall the Victorious").
Corvil Bervach (Welsh).
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By Jimmy Joe