The Táin Bó Cúailnge or Cattle Raid of Cooley is one of Ireland's most famous epic sagas. Forming a core element of the Ulster Cycle of Ireland's ancient lore, it plays out with Medb, the Mórrígan, Conchobhar and many other well known characters, one of the most interesting and engaging conflicts between provinces, Otherworldly powers, and rival rulers.
Medb is a multi-faceted figure of Irish lore, linked with priestess work in the Otherworld, the sovereignty of Ireland itself as a goddess, and the rites of judgement and right rule. The Banshenchus (the Lore of Woman) manuscript, may have described her best; "Glorious, perverse, extravagant and liberal".
The tale of the bulls of Cruachan is one of rivalry and conflict, yet there is more to learn when we look deeper. It shows us the power possessed of those who know the true meaning of words. It teaches us what can happen when a joke is not 'just a joke', and it shows that a conflict between equals can never end in anything other that ruin for both.
The Táin Bó Cúailnge or Cattle Raid of Cooley is one of Ireland's most famous epic sagas. Forming a core element of the Ulster Cycle of Ireland's ancient lore, it plays out with Medb, the Mórrígan, Conchobhar and many other well known characters, one of the most interesting and engaging conflicts between provinces, Otherworldly powers, and rival rulers.
Medb is a multi-faceted figure of Irish lore, linked with priestess work in the Otherworld, the sovereignty of Ireland itself as a goddess, and the rites of judgement and right rule. The Banshenchus (the Lore of Woman) manuscript, may have described her best; "Glorious, perverse, extravagant and liberal".
The tale of the bulls of Cruachan is one of rivalry and conflict, yet there is more to learn when we look deeper. It shows us the power possessed of those who know the true meaning of words. It teaches us what can happen when a joke is not 'just a joke', and it shows that a conflict between equals can never end in anything other that ruin for both.
