Conlaí
Conlaí, in Irish heroic tales, son of the most prominent hero of Ulster, Cú Chulainn, and of Aife (or Aoife), a warrior-queen of a magical land across the sea. Cú Chulainn overpowered Aife and asked her to bear him a son. He told her to send this son to him in Ulster with a ring as a token—the son was not to let himself be known and not to refuse combat to anyone. When Conlaí came as an unknown youth of seven in a bronze boat, the Ulstermen tried to stop him and one by one were beaten. Even to Cú Chulainn, Conlaí refused to give his name. He won several fights against his father, who at last mortally wounded him. Only then did Conlaí reveal his identity.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Conlaí
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
18 June 2009
Access Date:
April 29, 2025