Cuchullain
In addition to the dozen mostly short poems, the bulk of this collection is actually taken up by a play, and not even a play in verse. Instead, it is part of a series informally known as the Ulster Cycle. Titled On Baile’s Strand, it is also sometimes referred to as Cuchu'lain Plays. Cuchallain is the King of Muirthemne and this particular entry in the cycle (the first composed, but not the first chronologically) is concerned with his feud with an older monarch and the death of a young man at his hands which will prove to be more significant than he could possibly ever conceive.
Barach
The castle of King Cuchullain has a jester. Or, if one prefers—like King Lear—a Fool. Barach fulfills this role and—like Lear’s—he is less a clown than one usually associates with this role in court.
Conchubar
The old King of Ulad who is really sort of a king of kings—though not in the Christian sense. Conchubar is essentially the ultimate ruler over all other kings, Cuchullain included. It is the older king’s demand upon Cuchullain to assist in unifying Ireland that leads to the younger king’s fatal appointment with a sword.
Fintain
Fintain is a blind man, but he was not always so. When he could see, he saw the young man that Cuchullain is destined to kill in a sword fight. And he makes little secret of this knowledge.
Aoife
Fintain’s knowledge of the identity of this young man with a blade is due to his knowledge of the Scottish warrior queen (NOT just a princess!) with whom Cuchallain apparently some time before the events of the play.
Young Man
The Young Man whom Cuchullain eventually dispatches during a sword fight turns out to be the son of Aoife. After carrying out the deed, Cuchullain asserts that Aoife did not have a son when he knew her. When he left her.
