Garb mac Stairn (also spelt Garbh, Gharbh, Garibh Mac-Starn, etc.) is a character in late (perhaps 17th century) prose narratives and poetry (duan) of the Ulster cycle; and claims Scandinavian origins,[1] or is represented as a giant from the Eastlands.[2]
He arrives in Ireland demanding tribute, only to be defeated and beheaded by Cúchulainn in a Highland verse account.[3] He also appears as an antagonist in a South Uist folkloric version of the Táin Bó Cúailnge.[4]
In a Highland popular folktale, Garbh Mac Stairn figures as a giant living in the neighborhood, from whom Cuchullin attempts to steal his fine light-coloured bull. Cuchullin impersonates a herd (herdsman) and enters the home, crawls into the bed of Garb's mistress, and she mistakes him for a wee baby.[5]
Garbh mac Starn is also said to be identical to (or be the original model of) the Suaran son of Starno, king of Lochlin, in James Macpherson's works attributed to Ossian.[6]
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