Culann

Culann is a figure in Irish mythology, described as a smith of Ulster who keeps a fierce guard dog. He appears in the Ulster Cycle of legends and is best known for his connection to the hero Cu Chulainn.

According to the myth, the boy Setanta—who would later be known as Cú Chulainn—visited Culann’s residence. The watchdog attacked him, and Setanta killed the dog with a single blow. Mourning the loss of his hound, Culann vowed to replace it. In gratitude for the boy’s skill and courage, Setanta offered to guard Culann’s house until he grew up, thereby serving as the new hound.

Culann’s reply to this offer gave the young hero his famous epithet. He declared that the boy’s name would be Cú Chulainn, meaning the Hound of Culann. From then on, the hero is known throughout the legends by this name, and the incident is often cited as the origin of Cu Chulainn’s identity as a premier warrior of Ulster.

The tale situates Culann within the broader narratives of the Ulster Cycle and the legend of Cu Chulainn, illustrating themes of prowess, protection, and the making of a legendary hero.