Queen Maev, by Joseph Christian Leyendecker; 1911. 🇮🇪

Medb (“Maeve” in English”) was a legendary Irish queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle. She features most prominently as the main antagonist in the climactic saga Táin Bó Cúailnge (“The Cattle Raid of Cooley”). Medb was a daughter of High King Eochu Feidlech, and was initially married to king Conchobar mac Nessa of Ulster, in compensation for Eochu having killed Conchobar’s father Fachtna Fatach in the Battle of Leitir Ruadh. The marriage ended in divorce, and Eochu later made Medb queen of Connacht. Medb went through a series of lovers/husbands before settling for one of her bodyguards, Ailill mac Máta, who thus became her co-king. Still, for much of their marriage, she kept the banished Ulster hero Fergus mac Róich as a lover, much to Ailill’s chagrin (he eventually had Fergus murdered over the affair).

It was a contest with her husband to see who was wealthier that drove Medb to attack Ulster. Seeing that Ailill had one prized bull in his herds, the Finnbennach (“White Horned”), Medb resolved to obtain the bull’s equal: She sought to buy the Donn Cúailnge (“Brown of Cooley”) from the Ulster herdsman Dáire mac Fiachna, but he refused. She therefore assembled the armies of Ireland to attack Ulster and take the bull by force. They were ultimately able to get the bull, but the Cattle Raid of Cooley was nonetheless a fiasco: The Ulster hero Cú Chulainn slaughtered scores of Medb’s soldiers, mostly defeating them in a series of single combats. An ancient curse kept the rest of the Ulstermen sick and bedridden, but they rose up toward the end and defeated Medb’s army in battle to complete her humiliation. Only Fergus mac Róich prevented a worse slaughter, fighting a rearguard action to help the beaten host escape. Once back at the royal site of Cruachan (Rathcroghan, co. Roscommon), Donn Cúailnge began mating with Finnbennach’s cows, causing a violent fight in which both died, rendering the entire affair futile.

Years later, Medb was killed by one of Conchobar’s sons, Furbaide Ferbend. This Furbaide was Medb’s nephew, her father having given Medb’s sister Eithne to Conchobar after their divorce. Medb murdered the pregnant Eithne out of jealousy, though a physician was able to save the child. Hearing what had happened years later, the boy swore revenge. The adult Furbaide stalked Medb one day while she bathed in Lough Ree, then killed her by shooting a piece of hardened cheese at her head with his sling.

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Lugh a warrior and a deity of exceptional versatility. He is shown with a radiant golden crown symbolizing his solar associations and divine authority. The three faces suggest omniscience and mastery over multiple disciplines, a trait often linked to Lugus in Gaulish representations. He wields Gáe Assail, his legendary spear known for its unfailing accuracy and power. Tied to the butt of the spear is his sling, Tathlum, which is also a weapon of great renown. Around his hip rests Fragarach, the sword of ultimate retribution, which could cut through any defense.

The hound at his side is Failinis, Lugh's loyal companion, known for its incredible strength and unyielding loyalty. His mantle, fastened by a silver brooch, reflects denoscriptions from the Táin Bó Cúailnge, and he wears a golden torc, a symbol of his kingship and divine authority. The ornate arch and solar imagery in the backdrop further highlight his status as a paramount god in Celtic mythology and a figure of leadership and skill. - Cathal