Editing Cú Roí (section)

==Death tale and fragments==
Cú Roí's death by Cú Chulainn's hand is the subject of the tale ''[[Aided Con Roi]]'', which survives in two versions. A number of tales describe enmity between the two warriors, and some allude to a lost story of its origin. Texts such as ''[[Forfess Fer Fálgae]]'' and ''[[Siaburcharpát Con Culainn]]'' describe a raid on [[Inis Fer Falga]] (possibly the [[Isle of Man]]) in which Cú Roí and Cú Chulainn come into conflict. The texts indicate that two were involved in an Ulster raid on the Fir Falgae, with Cú Roí participating again in disguise. They steal treasure and abduct [[Bláthnat]], daughter of the king of the island, who loves Cú Chulainn. But when Cú Roí is asked to choose his share, he chooses Bláthnat. Cú Chulainn tries to stop him taking her, but Cú Roí drives him into the ground up to his armpits, cuts off his hair and, according to the ''Aided Conrói Mac Dáiri'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=School of Irish Learning (Dublin |first=Ireland) |url=http://archive.org/details/riujournalschoo00acadgoog |title=Ériu: The Journal of the School of Irish Learning, Dublin |date=1905 |publisher=Royal Irish Academy |others=University of Michigan |language=English}}</ref> rubbed cow dung onto his head before escaping, taking Bláthnat with him.

===''Aided Con Roí''===
Later, Bláthnat (Blanaid) betrays Cú Roí to Cú Chulainn, who besieges his fort and killed him. In one version of the story, Cú Roí's soul was hidden in an apple in the belly of a salmon which lived in a stream in the [[Slieve Mish Mountains]], and only surfaced once every seven years; Bláthnat discovered the secret and told Cú Chulainn, who killed the fish, enabling him to kill Cú Roí. However Ferchertne, Cú Roí's poet, enraged at the betrayal of his lord, grabbed Bláthnat and leaped off a cliff, killing her and himself.

Cú Roí's uncle (or brother or nephew), [[Conganchnes mac Dedad|Conganchnes]] ("Horn-skinned"), tried to avenge him, but was killed by [[Celtchar]]. His son, [[Lugaid mac Con Roí]], later succeeds in avenging him by killing Cú Chulainn, a story told in ''[[Aided Con Culainn]]''. Lugaid is himself killed by [[Conall Cernach]].

In another version Cú Roí takes Bláthnat to the fort and keeps her captive there. Bláthnat communicates with Cú Chulainn and a plan is hatched. Taking an opportunity when most of Cú Roí's men are absent from the fort, Bláthnat gives the signal to Cú Chulainn by pouring milk into the Fionnghlaise (white stream - now the Derrymore River). Cú Chulainn, on seeing the stream become white, storms the fort, kills Cú Roí, and carries off Bláthnat. As Cú Roí's men return up the valley, Bláthnat places a spell which makes the valley walls dance in front of the men's eyes. Walkers who ascend Caherconree via the Derrymore River valley can still see this effect which is caused by an optical illusion.