Conla

Conla (or Conlaech), in the Celtic Mythology Irish, is the son of Cúchulainn, the large hero of Ulster and Aífé, thewarlike one of Scotland. Its short life and its death, for which his/her father is responsible, are the object of the account Aided Óenfir Aífe (the Violent death of the only son of Aifé), which belongs to the Cycle of Ulster.

Cúchulainn, accompanied by his/her friend Ferdiad, had gone to Scotland, at the queen Scáthach, in order to perfect its warlike and sexual initiation. Scáthach is a magician and warlike frightening, but its preeminence is called into question by another woman: Aifé. At the time of a singular combat, Cúchulainn overcomes it and asks him to respect three wishes: to make peace with its rival, to accept the supremacy of Scáthach and to grant “the friendship of its hip to him”. From this relation will be born Conla, whose education is entrusted to his/her mother. The father entrusts a ring to Aifé and when the child is enough tall to carry it, it will have to join it in Ireland. He adds three recommendations: that it is not let divert its road, that it does not reveal its identity and that it does not refuse any combat.

At the seven years age, Conla embarks for Ireland in order to join Cúchulainn. Whereas it approaches the shore in its bronze boat, while making feats of skill with its sling, Ulates (warriors of Ulster), assembled, its prowesses admire. Frightened its capacities, Condéré is sent to its meeting to prevent it from accosting. It fails and the boy refuses to say his name. Conall Cernach (Conall the Victorious one) decides to go there, but a stone of sling makes it choir and it is found with the hand tieds.

Emer tries to dissuade Cúchulainn to meet the boy, because it knows that it is Conla, his/her son and that of Aifé, but it is the honor of Ulates which is concerned. Once again, the child refuses to say his name and attacks the warrior. Then start yourself a combat with dead which Cúchulainn leaves victorious while using the Gae bolga , the magic weapon of which it is the only one to know the handling, according to the teaching of Scáthach.

Cúchulainn recognizes his/her son, before dying Ulates pay homage to him.

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