Story of Ireland’s national epic

‘I see it crimson, I see it red’ - Táin Bó Cuailnge in literature, place names and archaeology - is the subject matter of Kilbarron Terryglass Historical Society’s talk with archaeologist Daniel Curley this Friday, March 13, at 8pm in Terryglass Hall.

This talk will outline the story of Ireland’s national epic, Táin Bó Cuailnge, ‘the Cattle Raid of Cooley’. This epic story is a part of our Irish identity, and indeed the most complete version of the tale was scribed at the monastery of Terryglass in the 12th century.

Daniel will explore some of the ways in which this celebrated story of Queen Medb (Maeve) of Connacht, Cú Chulainn and the Craobh Ruadh can be considered and better understood, in terms of its relevance to Irish literature, history, place names and even the built heritage of our ancestors. For this, Co Roscommon, and in particular the Rathcroghan Archaeological Landscape, where the Táin began and ended, will be used as a case study.

Daniel is a native of Taughmaconnell, Co Roscommon.

He is a graduate of the University of Galway, most recently with a PhD in Archaeology.

The subject of this doctoral research, and recent monograph, is an identification and exploration of the archaeology of the later medieval lordly centres of the Gaelic Irish Uí Chellaig (O’Kelly) lords of Uí Maine and Tír Maine, modern south Roscommon and east Galway.

Daniel is the manager of Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Tulsk, Co Roscommon, the interpretive resource for the vast Rathcroghan Archaeological Landscape, the prehistoric and early historic ceremonial capital of Connacht.

Last March we and other local societies had the pleasure of visiting Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, organised by James Heenan.

Here we were met by Daniel and he gave us a tour of the Rathcroghan site and Oweynagat, both just a short spin from the visitor centre. Daniel gave us an insight into this amazing place, so rich in archaeology, history and folklore.

We look forward to this Friday, where he will explore this further. It should be a very interesting talk.