The Cycle of the Kings
The Cycle of the Kings is the less-defined "fourth" cycle in early Irish literature. It consists of two groups: the tales surrounding King Cormac mac Airt and his ancestors; and the tales of other semi-legendary kings, including those surrounding Niall of the Nine Hostages, the first arguably historical ard righ of Ireland.
Historically, the stories cover a time period from about the year 200 AD to the time of Saint Patrick--roughly 475 AD or so. This is a time of transition in Irish history, moving away from the native Celtic religion towards the introduction of Christianity. We see this in the ways that the gods have fewer and fewer dealings with men; the king who recieves the most attention of the Tuatha de Dannan is Cormac mac Airt, the Arthur-like king who restored Temhair to glory and who was the employer of Fionn mac Cumhaill and his Fianna.
Otherwise, what we see are tales of revenge and murder, but mostly without the supernatural elements of the earlier cycles.
The Stories:
- The Cormac Cycle
- The Phantom's Frenzy, or, the Vision of Conn the Hundred-Fighter
- The Adventures of Connla
- The Adventures of Art son of Conn
- The Story of Eogan and the Heroic Birth of Cormac mac Airt
- The Yew Tree of the Disputing Sons
- The Battle of Magh Mucrama
- The Tale of the Ordeals: Cormac's Adventures in the Land of Promise, and the Decision as to Cuchulainn's Sword
- The Instructions of King Cormac (technically a poem)
- The Seige of Druim Damhgaire, or, the Battle of Knocklong
- The Melody of the House of Buchet
The Story of Mosaulum and Mac Con and Luigith
The Battle of Cenn Abrad
The Story of Baile of the Clear Voice
The Settling of the Manor of Temhair
The Tragic Death of Fergus mac Leide
The Adventures of the Sons of Eochaid Mugmedon
The Adventures of Niall of the Nine Hostages
The Death of Niall of the Nine Hostages
How Ronan Slew His Son
The Wooing of Becfola
The Death of Muircertach mac Erca
The Adventures of Loegairi
The Death of Mael Fothartaig mac Ronan
The Destruction of Dind Rig
Celtic Mythology & Medieval Celtic Manuscripts
Early Irish Literature Guide:
Mythological Cycle | Ulster Cycle | Fionn Cycle | Cycle of the Kings
Saints' Lives | Independent Narratives | Dindsenchas | Banshenchas