Although Northern Ireland is only 80 years old itself it's history goes back millennia. Here are just a few of the myths that are related to Northern Ireland. There are plenty of myths here are some of the most well known national examples.

The Shamrock Sermon

St Patrick's ministry although not exclusive to Northern Ireland did have a lot of influence in the North and so a couple of legends about Patrick may have been northern but then again may not have been.

The first relates to that symbol of Ireland the Shamrock upon landing in Ireland Patrick saw the three leafed lichen growing everywhere. So following Jesus example for illustration he used it to explain one of the toughest concepts in theology the Trinity. The shamrock despite having three entirely separate leaves which can if they become separated survive and breed more all share the one stem, just as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit form the one godhead whilst being separate entities.

Of course Patrick is most famous for making Ireland a snake free zone by banishing them from the emerald isle. There have been calls by some political commentators from both sides down the years that this banishment needs to be used again to get rid of the political snakes which are entwining through and constricting Northern Irish politics.

Cuchulain

Cuchulain was the nephew of King Conor of Ulster, and is renowned as the Achilles of Ireland. Along with two other heroes, Laegire and Conall, he was put to a test by King Ailill of Connaught.

Firstly the three dined in a separate room at King Conor's court. Ailill sent in three magic beasts in the form of cats. The other two hide in the rafter's Cuchulain continued to eat until attacked, then drew his sword struck the monster as was not attacked all night. The creatures disappeared in the morning.

Laegire and Conall said this test was unfair so they were all sent to Curoi of Kerry, who was a wise man. He was to use wizardry and enchantments to determine the greatest of the heroes. They stood outside his castle but Laegire and Conall were overcome by a giant. Cuchulain withstood the giant and also a dragon and other foes. The other two still denied he was the champion.

They returned to Armagh were a stranger bearing a large axe approached King Conor and said 'Behold my axe! The man who will grasp it to-day may cut my head off with it, provided that I may, in like manner, cut off his head tomorrow. If you have no champion who dare face me, I will say that Ulster has lost her courage and is dishonoured'. Only Laegire was present and he accepted the challenge and beheaded the stranger who gathered the axe and head and left. On his return the following evening to redeem the challenge Laegire refused to come forward but Conall accepted the challenge. Only Conall did exactly the same the following evening when he head was demanded forfeit. Then it was Cuchulain's turn. On his second evening he awaited in fear to lose his head, but when the stranger turned up the fear departed and he placed his head on the block to face his fate. The axe was raised and came down but the blunt end hit the floor beside him, and the stranger revealed himself to be Curoi.

Curoi said 'Rise up, Cuchulain. There is none among all the heroes of Ulster to equal you in courage and loyalty and truth. The Championship of the Heroes of Ireland is yours from this day forth.' then promptly vanished.

There are many fables and poems about the exploits of Cuchulain and the successes he achieved he is definitely a figure of legend to rate with the greatest in Roman or Greek mythology.

The Giant of the Causeway

The Giant's Causeway is of course one of the great geological wonders of Northern Ireland but before the geologists spoiled the fun this is how the basalt columns were believed to have come into being.

Finn MacCool was the giant who lived on the North Coast he had a great rivalry with Benandonner across the sea in Scotland. After a dispute about Finn's fighting ability he grabbed a rock a threw it towards Scotland issuing a challenge to settle this claim. Benandonner responding with another rock saying he could not swim. Finn MacCool then tore slabs of volcanic rock from the plateau around him to pave a causeway to get across to his rival, the remains of which are the Giant's Causeway.

Benadonner had to accept his challenge and came across and entered Finn MacCool's house to find the comparatively small (by Giant standard's) Finn dressed as a baby. On picking up the baby, Finn bit his rival's hand and chased him back to Scotland throwing piles of dirt at him. Legend has it that one of these left a hole, now filled in as Lough Neagh, but this missed it's target and became the Isle of Man.