And they were a month and a fortnight abiding in that stead with gentle attendance and ministering; and at the end of that time they set out for Ireland, and took harbour and haven on Tráig na Folad in Ulster, and went thereafter to smooth-beautiful Emain Macha where Conchobar son of Fachtna Fáthach, overking of Ulster, was dwelling. And Conchobar retained them with him for the space of a year, and gave them the tribute of the province as their pay. And authors and sages recount that no king or great lord on the Continent had at that time heroes or champions or leaders as brave or as hardy as the band that was then in Ulster called the Champions of the Red Branch, such as Conall the Victorious, and Fergus son of Ross Ruad, with their children, Loegaire the Triumphant, Cormac Conloinges son of Conchobar, and those eight others who came with Cúchulainn into Ireland17.