The Raid is the first book in Eickhoff's three-volume, contemporary rendering of Ireland's Ulster Cycle.

As the action begins, Queen Maeve has declared war upon the province of Ulster in an effort to take possession of the Brown Bull of Cooley. Ultimately, this is an attempt to match the wealth of her husband, King Ailill of Connacht, who owns a magnificent white bull.

Only Cuchulainn, a boy warrior, stands between Ulster and certain annihilation. Supported by the Morrigan, the goddess of war, he begins a reign of terror against the Connacht warriors. In Cuchulainn's heroic stand, the reader finds the genesis of the determination of the Irish people—that is, their will to stand alone against oppression.

Praise

"This book is a joy and belongs in the library of everyone who loves Ireland."—Morgan Llywelyn, author of Lion of Ireland

"An amazing piece of work. This version has a marvelous ring of authenticity. This is what those wild pagans were really like—before the priests got to them! It's a really magical narrative—a turn-on in every sense of the word."—Thomas Fleming, author of The Officers' Wives

"A tremendous achievement. You don't have to be Irish to be entranced by Eickhoff's earthy, magical rendering of one of the world's most ancient epics."—Jeanne Williams, Spur Award-winning author of Home Again

About the Author(s)

Randy Lee Eickhoff

Randy Lee Eickhoff is a novelist, essayist, and poet who has received grants from the National Endowment for Humanities for his scholarship. He is also the author of The Fourth Horseman, The Gombeen Man, Fallon's Wake, and other books. He lives in El Paso, Texas.

Excerpt

Chapter 1
 
The Bed Argument
 
 
One night after the royal bed had been laid in Cruachaín of the Enchantments in the province of Connacht for the rulers Ailill and Maeve, known as “She-Who-Makes-Men-Drunk,” they began to argue while lying spent upon the richly embroidered pillows. In the comfortable rubble of their bedclothes Ailill nestled his head, damp from fervent lovemaking, upon Maeve’s lap, admiring her naked breasts above him.

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