The Cattle Raid of Cooley: Cú Chulainn’s Legendary Battle Against a Queen’s Army

One boy stood alone against an army of thousands… But you won’t believe why. Stay until the end to find out.

What Is This Legend?

“The Cattle Raid of Cooley” (Táin Bó Cúailnge) is the most famous epic in the Irish Celtic tradition, part of the Ulster Cycle. Composed from oral tradition between the 7th and 12th centuries, it tells the story of Queen Medb, who raises a massive army to steal a legendary bull from Cooley. The only one to stand in her way is the young hero Cú Chulainn.

A War Born of Pride… and a Bull

It all began one night. Queen Medb of Connacht and her husband Ailill decided to compare their wealth. Everything was equal—except Ailill owned a magnificent bull that Medb lacked. Determined to match him, she set out to seize the legendary Brown Bull of Cooley (Donn Cuailnge), owned by the Ulster warrior Daire.

At first, she tried diplomacy, offering generous compensation. But one of her drunk, arrogant messengers blurted out that they’d take the bull by force anyway. Daire was insulted—and so began a war.

Ulster Sleeps, Cú Chulainn Stands

As Medb’s army marched north, the warriors of Ulster were rendered helpless. An old curse—known as “the sickness of the Ulstermen”—afflicted them every nine years, and now was its time. Only one stood unaffected: fifteen-year-old Cú Chulainn, not yet a full warrior by their rites.

But Cú Chulainn didn’t hesitate. Alone, he went to the border of Ulster—the ford—and challenged Medb’s army. By tradition, a challenger had to be faced in single combat before crossing into another kingdom.

So began a legendary sequence of duels, as Cú Chulainn defeated one warrior after another.

Duels and Battle Frenzy

Cú Chulainn was possessed by the ríastrad—a berserker-like battle frenzy. When it took hold, his body twisted, his eyes blazed, and his strength multiplied. He defeated Connacht’s finest: Orlam, Ethairscél, Lóeg, Mesgegra, and more. Each duel was a tale of its own. But the most tragic was his battle with Ferdiad—his foster-brother and comrade from the martial school of the warrior-goddess Scáthach.

Medb tricked Ferdiad into fighting. The duel lasted three days. Their skills and weapons matched perfectly. But in the end, Cú Chulainn used the deadly technique gáe bolga—a barbed spear-strike only he had mastered.

When Ferdiad fell, Cú Chulainn wept. It was no victory—only heartbreak.

Ulster Awakens, the Final Battle

By holding off Medb’s army for weeks, Cú Chulainn exhausted himself but gained enough time. The Ulstermen recovered from their curse.

King Conchobar rallied his forces, leading to a climactic battle between Ulster and Connacht. Medb was forced to retreat—but not before her men drove away Donn Cuailnge, the bull.

But the bull refused captivity. He fought Finnbennach, Ailill’s prized bull. Their battle was brutal. Donn emerged victorious—but died of his wounds. Even victory came at a cost.

More Than a War Tale

The Táin is more than a war epic. It is a story of honor, duty, grief, and heroism. Cú Chulainn represents the Celtic warrior ideal: powerful yet emotional, brave yet tragic. His strength brings not glory, but sorrow.

This myth was revered as sacred history in medieval Ireland, studied in monastic schools and later in literature.

Today, Táin Bó Cúailnge is translated into many languages, celebrated as a gem of pre-Christian Celtic culture. The image of Cú Chulainn lives on—in murals, films, literature, and heraldry.