Cúchulainn was one of the great superheroes from the Ancient Irish Sagas. He is also known as the Hound of Ulster. He got his name when as a child he fought off Culann's fierce guard-dog in self-defence.
At the age of seventeen, he defended Ulster single-handedly against the armies of queen Medb of Connaught in the epic Táin Bó Cúailnge known as the Cattle Raid of Cooley. It was prophesied that his great deeds would give him everlasting fame, but that his life would be a short one. His fearless reputation was such that even in death the enemy did not approach until a raven landed on his shoulder.