Cuchulainn, one of Ireland's greatest warriors, grew up at the court of Conor MacNessa in Emain Macha near Armagh. Conor was a powerful and well-loved king. His hospitality was well-known. There were always celebrations and feasts going on.
One night the chiefs of the Red branch had gathered in Conor's great banquet hall for a feast. They were drinking from a huge vat of wine which kept them satisfied all evening. Conall Cearnach, Fergus Mac Roi, Laoghaire, Dubhtach, Scet, all the greatest Ulster warriors were there, including the youngest, Cuchulainn. They took turns displaying their fighting skills between two ropes stretched from wall to wall. As usual, Cuchulainn outshined them all. The women of Conor's household loved to watch him do his Chariot feats. He was swift, agile, and well built; he was wise and kind; he spoke sweetly to them and was the handsomest of all men. He was prudent, unless the battle frenzy came over him. He was a good chess player and a good judge. He had all these gifts as well as the gift of foresight.
The others became jealous of Cuchulainn because he was too young, too daring, too handsome, and, most of all, too popular with the women. They figured that, if he had a wife, their wives and daughters would pay less attention to him. Besides, since it was foretold that his life would be heroic and short, it would be better that he marry soon and have a son as soon as possible.
So it was decided. Conor sent nine men into each province to look for the daughter of a king or chief who would make a worthy wife for Cuchulainn. One year later the messengers returned, and not one of them had found a girl who Cuchulainn would marry. Cuchulainn decided to take the matter into his own hands. He and his charioteer, Laeg Mac Riangabra took off to a place called the Gardens of Lugh to visit a girl Cuchulainn knew. They were going to visit Emer, the daughter of Forgall the Wily. She was the most beautiful and intelligent woman in all of Ireland.
When they arrived, Emer was sitting on the green in front of her father's rath, surrounded by the daughters of the local landowners. She was teaching the young women embroidery when she heard the drumming of hoofs, the rattle of weapons, and the clanging of metal. Sounds of a chariot in the distance approaching at full tilt.
Emer asked her sister, Fial, to see who was coming here at that reckless speed. Fial ran to the road and yelled to Emer, "I see two fine, lively horses; A black and a gray. Yoked to a high wooden chariot with wicker-work sides. Inside the chariot there is a dark, melancholy man, the handsomest in Ireland and next to him a red-haired charioteer."
Seconds later, Laeg pulled horses to a halt and Cuchulainn sprang out of the chariot. Emer lifted her face to see the visitor and saw that it was Cuchulainn. She greeted him and asked him why he was there.
Cuchulainn did not give her a straight reply. He answered her with a riddle only she could understand because he did not want the other young women to know what he was up to. Emer realized that Cuchulainn had come to court her and since she both loved and admired him, she was pleased.
Cuchulainn told her how and where he was raised and then asked Emer, "How were you brought up?" Emer replied, "I was brought up to respect the old values. I am well behaved and modest, graceful and beautiful and equal in rank to a queen. I am the most praised and admired woman in Ireland."
'We seem well matched then," replied Cuchulainn, "Why don't we join together?" But Emer wasn't going to let him off that easily. `One last question," said Emer. "Have you got a wife already?" "No!," he quickly answered. "You're the only woman I love."
Cuchulainn looked down at Emer's chest and said softly, "I see a sweet place, a sweet resting place."
"No
one rests there until he has killed a hundred men at each ford from the Ford
of Scemen to Banchuin," replied Emer.
"I see a sweet resting place," Cuchulainn repeated.
"No one rests there until he has slain a group of three times nine men while
leaving the man in the middle of each group alive," Emer told him.
"I
will rest in that sweet place."
"No one will rest there who does not stay awake from February to May and from
May to November."
"I'll do everything you've asked," Cuchulainn promised.
"If you do, then we'll join together and be like one," promised Emer.
Cuchulainn then said farewell, and he and Laeg returned to Emain Macha.
That evening, the young girls told their families about the handsome stranger and how he and Emer had spoken in riddles. The next day the girls' fathers went to Forgall and told him what had happened the day before. Forgall knew it could be no one else but Cuchulainn. While most of the men of Erin would be happy for Cuchulainn to marry their daughter, Forgall hated Cuchulainn and forbid any such marriage to take place.
Forgall and two friends went to Emain Macha disguised as messengers from the king of the Gauls bringing tributes of wine and gold to Conor Mac Nessa. There was the usual entertainment and display of fighting skills. Conor praised his champions and spoke of their bravery. Forgall agreed they were all great champions, especially Cuchulainn, but he told Conor that they could be even better.
He told Conor they should train with Donall the Destroyer in Scotland, and when he has taught them everything he knows, they can go further west to the Isle of Skye, where Scathach the Shadowy One lives. She can train them in the special fighting skills she has learnt, and reveal to them secrets of war and weaponry that only she knows.
When they heard this, Conor, Conall, Laoghaire, and Cuchulainn decided to go to Scotland. Forgall was pleased. He hoped that Cuchulainn would get involved in one of Scathach's wars and be killed in battle.
Before leaving for Scotland, Cuchulainn secretly went to tell Emer where he was going. Emer warned him that those were not Gaulish messengers, but her father in disguise. Cuchulainn thanked Emer and told her he would be careful.