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The Hound of Ulster |
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Ownership of the big lad
The closing decades of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th, saw writers revisiting Celtic mythology, creating stories and plays about romantic figures in the past, such as Cuchulain.
The dramatic events of many centuries ago, became the substance for creative literary minds: Cuchulain's desperate battle with his son has been revived in the final moments of Yeats's On Baile's Strand , and more recently the oaths of allegiance to Cuchulain, sworn by the McCourt brothers to their father in Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes. At the other end of the spectrum, Marvel comics` canine superhero ‘Irish Wolfhound’, is based on the Hound of Ulster. Listed under his talents are edged weapons and Irish folklore, so he probably isn’t much of a match for Spiderman!
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Thousands of years of history can easily be reduced to symbolism. An armalite or political slogan in place of the warrior's sword, has often been the image portrayed of Cuchulain when the darker side of Northern Irish history is painted on the gable walls of the province.
The mythical warrior has long been established in republican circles as one of its celebrated icons. Oliver Sheppard's bronze statue in O'Connell Street, Dublin, commemorates the Easter Rising of 1916, when Irish nationalists organised an armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland.
However, the suitability of an Ulster warrior defending the north from invading armies from the south has been questioned by some ranks of Irish nationalists. The reason behind the worship seems to be linked more to the period in history – pre modern Britain, than the story itself.
Added to this, historical revisionism is rife among Northern Irish protestants, as they search for their historical identity. Cultural societies, such as the Ulster Heritage Society, and genealogical research are more popular then ever.
Cuchulain is a mantle of resilience against invaders, depending on who you class as invaders. To some, he has been the ‘ancient defender of Ireland’ for many years. For others he is now the symbolic ‘protector of the province’. For most, he is a dramatic and heroic character who lived, loved and died in a passionate manner…even if we can`t pronounce his name.
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