tremendous popularity of the Red Branch or Ulster Cycle. Tradition has dated the decline of this kingdom as a significant power to the time of Cormac Mac Art (a.d. 254–277). But some records show that the change in its fortunes was brought about by the northern expansion of the family of Niall of the Nine Hostages (ca. a.d. 379), which is the Uí Néill dynasty.

Ullan

[I] Husband of Tuireann, sister of Fionn Mac Cumhail. He had an affair with a druidess who became jealous of his wife and changed Tuireann into a bitch-dog. In this form she gave birth to Sceolan and Bran, who became Fionn’s faithful hounds. Ullan promised the druidess that he would go with her if she turned his wife back into human shape.

Ulster

See Ulaid.

Ulster Cycle

See Red Branch Cycle.

Ultonia

Latin name for Ulster.

Uma

[I] Son of Remanfissech.

Umai

[I] One of the nine best pipers in the world.

Uman-Sruth

[I] The bronze stream. Cúchulainn possessed a spear named Cletiné with which he had slain many warriors and that Medb of Connacht coveted. She asked a bard to go to Cúchulainn and request the spear on the grounds that one must never refuse a gift demanded by a poet. The bard and Cúchulainn were standing by a stream when the bard made his request. Cúchulainn was so enraged that he flung the spear at the poet. It pierced the man’s head and the force broke the bronze (umal), which fell into the stream, giving it its name.

Underwater

There are several stories in Celtic myth of human beings taken underwater by the gods who were then able to return to the surface unharmed. Numerous submerged cities, fortresses, towns, and even kingdoms are a peculiar part of Celtic folklore. In the Book of the Dun Cow there is a story of the flooding of Lough Neagh by Ecca. A woman survives the flooding and lives under the waves, in her house, with her dog, for a year. Bored by the existence, she changes into a salmon and lives for three hundred years until rescued by Congall, who names her Muirgen, “born of the sea.” Ruadh and Mael Dúin also visit underwater kingdoms. The Cothulín Druith, placed on the head, enables humans to live underwater.

Underworld

See Otherworld.