Celtic Studies

Though medieval Irish literature is awash with characters described as 'heroes' by scholars and the public alike, such as Cú Chulainn and Finn mac Cumailll, what precisely is meant when we describe these characters as heroic remains uncertain. This project argues that, based on an intensive comparative study of two hundred and fifty-one medieval Irish works of heroic literature, drawn predominantly from the seventh through the fifteenth centuries, that there are six common qualities connecting medieval Irish heroes. These six qualities do not exist in a vacuum they emerged in response to cultural factors and were modified as society developed. At least two of the qualities are potentially based in ancient Celtic cultural practices described by Classical authors, while others appear to be rooted in medieval Irish aristocratic lifestyles. All six qualities change as they are influenced by historical events that shift how medieval Ireland conceptualizes aristocratic violence, such as the Norse and Norman invasions.

This thesis examines the characterisation of Conall Cernach, a hero from the Ulster Cycle of medieval Irish literature. While he is often relegated to the sidelines in scholarly discussions of the Ulster Cycle as a non-significant member of the cast of characters, this thesis establishes a remarkable consistency of his characterisation across eight centuries and over thirty saga texts. Six distinct narrative themes can be established: Conall serving as a guardian for others, Conall collecting severed heads, Conall being associated with riding on horseback, Conall visiting the rest of Europe, Conall feuding with the Connacht hero Cet mac Magach, and Conall becoming an elderly man as he searches for an honourable death. As evidenced by the presence of these themes across such a large span of time and number of texts, the original authors, compilers, and audiences of the sagas considered Conall an important character, important enough, at least, to deserve a consistent characterization. Clearly these medieval people had established views and conceptions as to how he should act, and what role he had within the narrative of the Ulster Cycle. Therefore, this thesis suggests that modern scholarship ought to reconsider its previous outlook on Conall Cernach and give him the same significance he was afforded by the original creators and consumers of the Ulster Cycle.

Though medieval Irish literature is awash with characters described as ‘heroes’ by scholars and the public alike, such as Cú Chulainn and Finn mac Cumailll, what precisely is meant when we describe these characters as heroic remains uncertain. This project argues that, based on an intensive comparative study of two hundred and fifty-one medieval Irish works of heroic literature, drawn predominantly from the seventh through the fifteenth centuries, that there are six common qualities connecting medieval Irish heroes. These six qualities do not exist in a vacuum they emerged in response to cultural factors and were modified as society developed. At least two of the qualities are potentially based in ancient Celtic cultural practices described by Classical authors, while others appear to be rooted in medieval Irish aristocratic lifestyles. All six qualities change as they are influenced by historical events that shift how medieval Ireland conceptualizes aristocratic violence, such as t...