Cú Chulainn, one of Ulster’s most famous legendary characters, is the hero of this five part cartoon series. In five action filled five-minute programmes we follow his daring deeds from his boyhood to his tragic death. This bilingual series contributes to a range of learning areas across the Northern Ireland KS1 and KS2 curricula including Language and Literacy, The World Around Us, Personal Development and Mutual Understanding and Art and Design.

The great thing about this series based on the legendary hero from the Ulster Cycle, is that the programmes have been recorded in both Irish and English, so not only do they tell kids about the legends of their past but also help in keeping the Gaelic tongue alive.

Episode 1: Growing Up

Granda is persuaded by his grandchildren to tell them one of his Irish stories.

He relates to them the story of Setanta (a.k.a. Cú Chulainn) who enjoys a happy school-free childhood until he feels that he must fulfil his destiny. An eagle informs the boy that he is special and the God Lugh has a special role for him as a warrior. He must go to Emain Macha to train and learn the skills of war. His arrival is met with consternation by the other trainees. King Conor accepts him but extracts a pledge from Setanta that he will serve the other students. “I will if they will serve me”, replies Setanta, so beginning his career as a warrior and a legend.

Watch the episode here and download the PDF notes & worksheets here.

Episode 2: The Name

The arrival and naming of a new puppy sets Granda off on another part of his Cú Chulainn story. Setanta is invited with his friends to a great feast but he starts to daydream and is left behind. By the time he arrives the feast has begun, the gates are locked and worse, the guard dog attacks him. Setanta kills the dog by driving a hurley ball (sliotar) down its throat. The host, Culann, the blacksmith is furious at the loss of the fiercest dog in Ireland. Setanta offers his services as replacement and is duly renamed, Cú Chulainn, Culann’s Hound.

Watch the episode here and download the PDF notes & worksheets here.

Episode 3: In Love and War

Cú Chulainn falls in love with Emer one of the most beautiful women in Ireland. They pledge loyalty but soon they must part as he has to continue his military studies in Scotland with Scathach. Emer gives him a love token which he promises never to part with. With difficulty he finally joins Scathach’s camp and daily improves his skills. As a test Scathach demands his love brooch. He refuses her and he is pitted against a multi-faceted enemy. His love token lost, he returns crestfallen to Ireland. Emer realises he will always put his work first and regretfully they part.

Watch the episode here and download the PDF notes & worksheets here.

Episode 4: The Great Challenge

Granda explains to the children how important cattle were to the economy of Ireland long ago and that rivalry and jealousy were as rampant then as now. Queen Maeve of Connaught wants to own the fabled Brown Bull of Cooley. She offers to buy it but the rejection of her offer angers her so much that she decides that she will own that bull come what may. Maeve lines up a formidable army against Ulster and invokes magic against the Ulstermen. Since Cú Chulainn is not a born Ulsterman he is unaffected by the spell. Single-handed our hero takes on Maeve’s men. Cute and cunning Maeve uses her wiles to make the great Ferdia jealous of Cú Chulainn. Against his better judgement Ferdia is lured into facing his friend and kinsman Cú Chulainn. Granda leaves the story to be continued.

Watch the episode here and download the PDF notes & worksheets here.

Episode 5: The Hero’s Death

The army of Connaught was making no headway against Cú Chulainn. He was picking Maeve’s men off one by one. Ferdia, foster brother of Cú Chulainn, is eventually matched against Ulster’s hero. For days they battle it out and by night they assist and nurse each other. They pledge always to be brothers but eventually Cú Chulainn kills Ferdia.

Watch the episode here and download the PDF notes & worksheets here.

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