Conaire

Conaire is a historical figure in Irish mythology, most prominently featured in the Ulster Cycle. He is often depicted as a legendary High King of Ireland. The most famous tale involving Conaire is "Serglige Con Culainn" (The Sick-Bed of Cú Chulainn), where he plays a significant role, though not always in the central narrative.

According to the legends, Conaire inherited his kingship under a set of unusual circumstances and was bound by a series of geasa, or taboos. These geasa were often supernatural in nature and dictated certain actions he must avoid or undertake. His reign was marked by prosperity but also by personal tragedy and ultimately, his downfall, which was often attributed to the breaking of his geasa.

The figure of Conaire serves as an example of a tragic hero in Irish mythology, whose destiny is intertwined with fate and the supernatural. His story explores themes of kingship, fate, and the consequences of transgressing divine or mystical laws. While details of his life and reign vary slightly between different manuscript versions, his position as a significant, albeit often ill-fated, monarch remains consistent.