Dearg Doom is the title of a song and album by the Irish rock band Horslips. Dearg is Irish for ‘red’. The phrase loosely translates as Red Destroyer. It refers to Cú Chulainn, the hero of Ulster in Irish mythology.

In that mythology, Cú Chulain was mortally wounded in battle and asked his friends to tie him to a rock so that he would die standing. A raven is alleged to have tried to drink his blood and got its beak so covered in the congealing gore that it could not open it. Cú Chulainn laughed at this as he died, thus having the last laugh on his enemy.

Mythology is strange stuff, isn’t it! Anyway, it was the starting point of the story, with Dearg Doom tied to a rock by his enemies, exposed to die, and Chrístõ desperate to save him.

If you ever visit Dublin, there is a bronze statue representing the Death of Cú Chulain in the central window of the GPO in O’Connell Street. It is a monument to the 1916 Easter Rebellion which centred on the GPO as the rebel headquarters. The connection between ancient Irish mythological figures and 20th century rebels is a tenuous one. It makes perfect sense when you stand in front of that statue, if nowhere else.

But with those images fixed in their mind, several Irish readers commented that they were reminded of another aspect of Irish history. they said that the negotiations between the rebel, Dearg Doom and the ruler of the Yataon and Ruan people, Admiral Catoa was an analogy of Michael Collins negotiating the 1920 Anglo-Irish Treaty with the British. They especially pointed to the idea that Doom was a charismatic leader who commanded the respect of his people and infuriated the enemy with his elusiveness. Very much Collins in the Anglo-Irish war. And the fact that, in accepting the offer of a truce, Doom had to come out of hiding and reveal himself. This was very true of Collins.

It wasn’t what I was thinking of when I wrote this story, but possibly it was a subconscious idea. I do know Irish 20th century history quite well. So be it. Dearg Doom is a loose analogy of some interesting modern history. You don’t have to know that to enjoy the story, but you might get more out of it if you do.

These are the original lyrics of the song, Dearg Doom. I changed them slightly, making them third person and a few other differences to fit the story. If you like rock music, or even if you don’t, check the Youtube of a live performance of it. It’s a dramatic song. And Ice Garden should definitely hear it.

My love is colder than black marble by the
sea.
My heart is older than the cold oak tree.
I am the flash of silver in the sun.
When you see me coming you had better
run...run...run...
From Dearg Doom.

You speak in whispers of the devils I have
slain,
By the fire of my silver Devil's Blade,
And still you dare to flaunt yourself at me.
I don't want you, I don't need you,
I don't love you, can't you see
I'm Dearg Doom.

And when the stars go out
You can hear me shout
"Two heads are better than none,
One hundred heads are so much better
than one".

I'm a boy who was born blind to pain
And, like a hawk, I'll swoop and
swoop again.
I am the flash of hawkeye in the sun.
When you see me coming you had
better run...run...run...
From Dearg Doom