Story Summary
Explore The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu, a tragic Celtic myth where Deirdre and Naoise flee the wrath of King Conchobar, leading to betrayal and Ulster's doom.
Before Deirdre was born, the druid Cathbad prophesied she would be the most beautiful woman in Ireland but would bring ruin to Ulster. King Conchobar mac Nessa, ignoring the warning, decided to hide her away until she was of age so he could marry her himself. Growing up in seclusion, Deirdre dreamed of a man with hair like the raven, skin like snow, and cheeks like blood. She found this man in Naoise, son of Uisliu, who, along with his brothers Ardan and Ainnle, fled with her to Scotland to escape the King’s wrath. For years they lived in exile until Conchobar sent Fergus mac Róich with a false promise of sanctuary. Trusting Fergus’s honor, they returned, but the King ambushed them. The sons of Uisliu were slaughtered, and Deirdre was captured. Forced to live with the man who murdered her love, Deirdre eventually took her own life, fulfilling the druid's prophecy of a kingdom torn apart by sorrow and the loss of its greatest warriors.
The Moral
Tyranny and the breaking of sacred oaths inevitably lead to the destruction of a society and its heroes.
“I would choose a man with the color of the raven in his hair, the color of snow upon his skin, and the color of blood upon his cheeks.”
Fun Fact
This story is considered one of the 'Three Sorrowful Tales of Erin' and acts as a direct catalyst for the events of the Táin Bó Cúailnge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu?
The story illustrates that fate cannot be avoided through control and that the betrayal of honor and oaths leads to national catastrophe. It serves as a warning against the destructive power of jealousy and tyranny.
Who were the sons of Uisliu?
The sons were Naoise, Ardan, and Ainnle, three elite warriors of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster. Naoise was Deirdre's lover, and their collective strength was a primary defense for the kingdom before their exile and death.
Why is Deirdre called 'Deirdre of the Sorrows'?
She earned this title because her birth was marked by a prophecy of doom, her life was defined by forced isolation and exile, and her story ends in the violent death of her lovers and her own suicide.
How did King Conchobar betray the sons of Uisliu?
He offered them a false pardon and used the respected hero Fergus mac Róich as a guarantor of safety. Once they returned to Emain Macha, he had them ambushed and killed by his mercenaries.
What happened to Ulster after the sons of Uisliu died?
The betrayal caused a civil war. Fergus mac Róich was so outraged by the King's treachery that he burned Emain Macha and defected to the rival kingdom of Connacht, significantly weakening Ulster.
How does Deirdre die in the myth?
In most versions, after a year of mourning Naoise while in Conchobar's possession, she leans out of a chariot and strikes her head against a rock to escape a life of captivity with the men she loathed.
