Cúchulainn has two pronunciations, depending on what part of the country one comes from. The most widely recognized pronunciation is Koo-kull-in. The other pronunciation is Kuh-hull-in.

However one pronounces it, Cúchulainn’s real name was Sétanta, pronounced Seh-tan-tuh. Legend has it that Culann was the smithy for the King of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa. His forge was protected by a big, ferocious dog, which was usually chained when people were about. One evening, Culann invited the king and his retinue for dinner. When asked if there was anyone else to arrive, the king had forgotten his nephew Sétanta was yet to arrive, so Culann released the dog so that it could protect the forge. When Sétanta arrived, he was forced to kill the guard dog in self-defence. Sétanta was little more than a child, probably in his very early teens. But that he had the strength and prowess to kill such a dog foretold the legend he would create. Sétanta felt so bad that he offered to take its place until a replacement could be reared.

Cú means dog in the Irish language, thus Cúchulainn (also Cú Chulainn) translates to Culann’s dog. The name stuck with Sétanta through the rest of his life. He became Ireland’s fiercest warriors of the age. It was said that as long as Sétanta was on his feet he couldn’t be killed.

It was when he was invited to dinner at Lugaid mac Con Roí’s home that marks the fall of Cúchulainn. Lugaid was the son of the King of Munster and he sought to draw Cúchulainn to his death in retaliation for his own father’s murder, which was suspected to have been committed by Cúchulainn. While his father’s death put Lugaid on the King’s throne, his hatred of Cúchulainn went back much further — to a woman called Emer, whom he loved, but who loved Cúchulainn! It always comes down to a woman!

Cúchulainn was mislead, of course, as he thought the meeting was to make peace between their clans. Cúchulainn held many geasa’s, or taboos, and the foremost was

that it was taboo to consume dog meat, a decision made from childhood (go figure!). But the culture of the time was to never refuse ones hospitality. So when he was offered a meal of dog meat at Lugaid’s table, Cúchulainn had no choice but to accept the meal or highly offend his host. In breaking his geis he believed himself instantly weakened.

Lugaid knew he had successfully managed the first hurdle and stepped up his efforts to destroy Cúchulainn. He had three magic spears made, each for its own purpose. Lugain said that each spear would kill a king. The first killed Cúchulainn's chariot driver Láeg, the King of Charioteers. With the second he kills Cúchulainn's horse, Liath Macha, King of the Horses. With the third he hits Cúchulainn, King of the Warriors.

Cúchulainn tried to escape, but he knew he was done for. So he ties himself to a standing stone, as to make his pursuers believe that he’s still standing and thus still living. It was only when a crow landed on his shoulder that Lugaid knew Cúchulainn was dead.

Further to the story, the crow is thought to be the Celtic goddess of war, Badhbha (roughly pronounced as Boa, for which Boa Island in Northern Ireland was named). She was said to be able to take the shape of a wolf, but her favorite transformation was that of a Carrion Crow.

The statue of Cúchulainn is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Easter Rising and is located in front of the windows inside the General Post Office in Dublin City.

~ No parking on Dublin's main street
~ Working post office
~ accessable area