I’ve arrived at Newgrange to find that it is closed, I’m not having much luck on this otherworldly journey. Not to worry tho, what had Newgrange to do with Cuchulainn? #CattleRaid 
The Ulstermen were surprised when a flock of birds landed on the green outside Emann Macha. They were further surprised to see that each pair of birds were linked by a silver chain “Strange” they thought #CattleRaid
The birds ate all the grass “let’s chase them” thought the Ulstermen. They chased the birds all the way to Newgrange (it would take 17 hours and 26 minutes to walk it). Supposing they ran some of the way, probably 10 hours - fair play lads #CattleRaid
You won’t be surprised to hear that when the Ulstermen got to Newgrange they were entirely lost. The king, his sister and some of the nobles went inside. There they met a fellow who wined and dined them #CattleRaid
When they had finished eating and drinking their strange host said “my wife is having a baby” “right now?” Asked the Ulstermen “I’ll check .....*looks outside*...”yes, right as we speak” “holy moly” said the Ulstermen #CattleRaid
The baby was born. “He’s a lovely little fellow” said everyone. They all went to bed In the morning there was no sign of their host or his wife. They had thoughtfully left the baby behind “what do we do with a newborn baby?” Asked the Ulstermen #CattleRaid
“I’ll keep him” said the king’s sister. “OK, so” said everyone. They brought the baby back to Emann Macha. However, soon the little baby died. Dechtine, the kins sister, was heartbroken #CattleRaid
Dechtine drank some wine, unknown to her, a tiny creature was in her drink and she drank it down. That night she dreamed that she was visited by the god Lugh. In the morning she was pregnant and soon she gave birth to a son “that was quick” said everyone #CattleRaid
And so Setanta (later Cuchulainn as we say yesterday) was born. Everyone was so delighted (and if they admitted it, also amazed). The incredible birth is a common motif among heroes. Cuchulainn’s triple birth marks him out from the start #CattleRaid
@threadreaderapp unroll
