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Heroines
Dechtire |
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Name:
Dechtire 
Dechtine
Race: Tuatha Dé Danann
Half-Brother: Conchobar Mac Nessa
Husband: Sualtam
Consort: Lugh Lámhfada
Son: Cúchulainn
Grandfather: Aengus Mac Óg
Associated
Sites: Emain
Macha Brugh
na Boyne
The
Plain of Muirthemne
Dechtire was the mother of the famous hero Cúchulainn. King Conchobar Mac Nessa was her half-brother and Aengus Mac Óg her grandfather, making the Dagda her great-grandfather.
She was therefore partly of the divine race of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
She married the Ulster chieftain Sualtam, although on her wedding day she was abducted by Lugh Lámhfada along with her serving maidens whom he turned into a flock of birds and brought to Brugh na Boyne the home of the Gods in Co. Meath.
They made love and nine months later a baby was born who they called Setanta later to be known as Cúchulainn.
The Ulster heroes follow a flock of birds to Brugh na Boyne when they are out hunting and discover Dechtire there and her serving maidens. They return with the women to Emain Macha.
Sualtam brings up Setanta as his own son as fostering was a natural part of Celtic Culture and Dechtire lives with him on the Plain of Muirthemne.
Stories, Myths and Legends associated with Dechtire
Birth of Cuchulain by Lady Gregory
