Cycles of the Kings

Historical cycle or king - cycle is the modern name of some Old and Middle Irish tales.

The Irish history professor Eugene O'Curry chose this designation for historical, but also partly mythical and legendary traditions. The actions play in the period from the 3rd century BC to 11th century AD, the stories were recorded between the 8th and 14th centuries AD in the versions preserved today.

Especially the king legends are very strongly represented, what the name of the king - cycle sufficiently explained. Examples include Ailill Aulom, Cano mac Gartnáin, Cathair Mór, Conn. Cétchathach, Cormac mac Airt, Diarmait mac Aedo Sláine, Guaire Aidne, Labraid Moen, Lugaid mac Con, Muirchertach Erca mac, mac Rónán Colmain and Suibne. The plot of the story Bóruma with the main character of King Brian Boru extends over several centuries.

Some of these topics in the historical cycle overlap for the reason mentioned above with themes of mythological cycle.