The Aonac Tailteann and the Tailteann games : their origin, history, and ancient associations

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1. Caoineadh dirge tradition in West Muskerry

   Muskerry West · barony · Cork

   A learned writer describes hearing an improvised dirge (Cepóg) in West Muskerry, County Cork, chanted over the body of a man killed by a fall from a horse. The chanter, the deceased's brother, recounted genealogy, eulogised family honour, and described the dead man's life from childhood through marriage before bursting into a wail taken up by bystanders.

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   • This custom, strange to say. although gradually dying out, still continues in soine of the more remote Irishspeaking districts of the south and west, where the true tradition of the ancient Cej>6g may be heard at the present day. A learned writer describing it says: " I once heard in West Muskerry, in the county of Cork, a dirge of this kind, excellent in point of both music and words, improvised over the body of a man who had been killed by a fall from a horse ; it was chanted by a young man, the brother of the deceased. He first recounted his genealogy ; eulogised the spotless honour of his family ; described in the tones of a sweet lullaby his childhood and boyhood; and then, changing the air suddenly, he spoke of his wrestling and hurling; his skill at ploughing ; his horsemanship ; his prowess at a fight in a fair ; his wooing and marriage ; and ended by suddenly bursting into a loud, piercing, but exquisitely beautiful wail, which was again and again taken up by the bystanders."

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   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 3

   As the companion tells it

   As you travel through West Muskerry in County Cork, this is a place where an old mourning custom was still heard. A learned writer left an account of it. He says he once heard a dirge in West Muskerry, excellent in music and words, improvised over the body of a man killed by a fall from a horse. It was chanted by the dead man's brother. He first recounted the genealogy. He eulogised the spotless honour of his family. He described, in the tones of a sweet lullaby, the dead man's childhood and boyhood. Then he changed the air suddenly and spoke of his wrestling and hurling, his skill at ploughing, his horsemanship, his prowess at a fight in a fair, his wooing and marriage. He ended by suddenly bursting into a loud, piercing, but exquisitely beautiful wail, which was again and again taken up by the bystanders. The writer called this a Cepóg, and said the true tradition of it could still be heard in the Irish-speaking districts of the south and west, though it was gradually dying out.

2. Hills of Separation (The Knockfyans) at Tailteann

   Teltown · townland · Meath

   Two earthen mounds about forty perches north-west of the Marriage Vale, known as the Knockfyans or Hills of Separation, still existed when examined. Newly-wedded couples who regretted their union within a year and a day could dissolve it through a pagan ceremony of ascending the mounds from opposite ends and turning their backs on one another.

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   "About forty perches north-west of the spot pointed out as the ' Vale of Marriage,' two earthen mounds, popularly known as The Knocfyans, but which tradition says constitute the 'Hills of Separation,' still exist. The distance between the bases of the two mounds, which run parallel, is about ten feet, and the gradual slope at each end of both affords an easy means of ascent and descent."

   The length of these two mounds is, roughly, about a hundred yards, and their height about thirty feet.

   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 7

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Teltown, two earthen mounds still stand, known as the Knockfyans, or the Hills of Separation. They run parallel, about ten feet apart at their bases, each roughly a hundred yards long and thirty feet high, with gradual slopes at each end for easy ascent. These mounds were the site of a pagan ceremony. Newly-wedded couples who regretted their union within a year and a day could dissolve it. Each climbed one mound from opposite ends, and they turned their backs on one another.

3. Match-making at the Marriage Vale, Tailteann

   Teltown · townland · Meath

   At the Aonach Tailteann, parents assembled at the sacred mound in the "Marriage Vale" to arrange marriages for their children, who were never consulted. Dowry amounts were specifically regulated by law according to the rank and means of the contracting parties.

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   In the meantime the parents assembled — pretty much as they foregather at the local public-house to-day after a fair — at the sacred mound in the " Marriage Vale," and made suitable, or much more likely unsuitable, matches for their children. The latter, however, were never consulted, and had to take the partners selected for them by their natural guardians. Even some of the delicate duties of the parents on such occasions, such as arranging the marriage portions, or " fortunes " as they are called, were spared them by the laws of the land. The good old laws of those days left nothing of that kind to good nature or chance, or even to the mollifying influence of a naggin of punch "; they specifically laid down the dowry in proportion to the means and relative ranks or grades of the contracting parties.

   The matches having been satisfactorily concluded, the selected couples were led forthwith to the Tulach-na-Coibche, or " Mound of the Buying," where the bride-price was duly handed over and the ceremony celebrated. 43

   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 7

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Teltown, the Aonach Tailteann brought parents together at a sacred mound in the Marriage Vale, where they arranged matches for their children. The parents gathered much as they might foregather at a local public-house after a fair, and made suitable, or much more likely unsuitable, matches. The children themselves were never consulted. They had to take the partners selected for them by their natural guardians. Even the delicate duty of arranging the marriage portions, or fortunes as they were called, was spared the parents by the laws of the land. The good old laws of those days left nothing of that kind to good nature or chance, or even to the mollifying influence of a naggin of punch. They specifically laid down the dowry in proportion to the means and relative ranks or grades of the contracting parties. The matches having been satisfactorily concluded, the selected couples were led forthwith to the Tulach-na-Coibche, or Mound of the Buying, where the bride-price was duly handed over and the ceremony celebrated.

4. Origin of Taillten and its funeral games

   Teltown · townland · Meath

   Taillten was named after Tailtiu, foster-mother of Lugh, who asked her husband Eochaidh Garbh to clear the wood of Caill Luain so an Aonach could be held around her tomb. She died on the Kalend of August, and Lugh instituted funeral rites and commemoration games there. Three prohibitions governed the place: not to pass through without alighting, not to look at it over the left shoulder, and not to cast a spear that misses its mark.

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   Taillfcen, why so called? Answer: Tailtiu, daughter of Madh M6r, the wife of Eochaidh Garbh, son of Duach Temin ; it was by him the ' Mound of the Strangers ' at Tara was made ; and she was the foster-mother of Lugaidh, son of Scol Balbh, and it was she that requested her husband to cut down Caill Luain, that there should be an Aonach around her Leacht (tomb) ; and she died on the Kaland of August after that, and her Guba (lamentations) and her Nosad (funeral rites and games) were celebrated by Lugadh. Unde Lug Nosad dicitur." Five hundred years, moreover, and three thousand before the birth of Christ this occurred ; and this assemblage was celebrated by every king who occupied Erinn till Patrick came. And four hundred years it continued to be celebrated in Taillten from Patrick to the Black Fair of Donchad, son of Fland, son of Malachy. Three prohibitions were upon Taillten, namely, to pass through it without alighting ; to see it over the left shoulder ; and to throw a cast (of a spear) in it which does not reach its mark. Unde the Fair of Taillten dicitur, of which is said the following : — I.

   You nobles of the land of comely Conn,

   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 6

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Teltown is Taillten, named for Tailtiu, daughter of Madh Mór and wife of Eochaidh Garbh, son of Duach Temin. Eochaidh Garbh was the one who made the Mound of the Strangers at Tara. Tailtiu was foster-mother to Lugaidh, son of Scol Balbh. She asked her husband to cut down the wood of Caill Luain, so that an Aonach could be held around her tomb. She died on the Kalend of August, and Lugaidh celebrated her lamentations and her funeral rites and games. The record says this occurred 3500 years before the birth of Christ. Every king who occupied Ireland celebrated this assemblage until Patrick came. From Patrick to the Black Fair of Donchad, son of Fland, son of Malachy, it continued to be celebrated at Taillten for 400 years. Three prohibitions governed the place. No one was to pass through it without alighting. No one was to look at it over the left shoulder. And no one was to cast a spear in it that does not reach its mark.

5. Aonach Carman at Wexford: Greek lady's burial and ancient fair

   Wexford · town · Wexford

   The ancient assembly of Aonach Carman was held on the site now occupied by the town of Wexford, originating in the burial of Carman, a Greek lady from Athens who came with her three sons. The Tuatha De Danaan expelled the sons but kept Carman, who died among the oaks of the firm mounds; her funeral rites inaugurated the first regular Aonach Carman, a triennial fair attended by kings and Greek merchants centuries before the Christian era.

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   The site upon which this ancient assembly was held is now occupied by the town of Wexford. Like all the other assemblies of this kind, it originated in the burial there of a famous personage several centuries before the birth of Christ.

   The circumstances under which this Aonach was originally established are interesting in many ways, not the least of which is the fact, recorded in several of our oldest manuscripts, that the Carman in commemoration of whom it was instituted was a Greek lady who came from Athens with her three sons. As recorded in the ancient MS. known as the " Book of Leinster." It runs thus : —

   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 8

   As the companion tells it

   The town of Wexford stands where an ancient assembly once gathered. It began with the burial of a Greek woman named Carman, who came from Athens with her three sons. The Tuatha De Danann expelled the sons but kept Carman. She died among the oaks of the firm mounds, and her funeral rites became the first Aonach Carman, a fair held every three years. Kings and Greek merchants attended, centuries before the birth of Christ. The story is recorded in the Book of Leinster, one of the oldest surviving manuscripts.

6. Battle of Moytura on the plains of Cong

   Cong · town · Mayo

   The historic Battle of Moytura was fought between the Firbolgs and the invading Tuatha De Danaan on the plains of Cong in County Mayo in 1896 B.C. Eochaidh Mac Ere, the last Firbolg monarch and husband of Queen Tailte, was slain in this battle.

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   She was the learned daughter of Mag Mor, a distinguished king of Spain, who reigned in the nineteenth century before the Incarnation; and her husband, Eochaidh (Aughy), was slain in the historic Battle of Moytura, fought between the Firbolgs and the invading colony of Tuatha De Danaan, on the plains of Cong, in County Mayo, in 1896 B.C.

   This, it may be remarked, is one of the oldest, if not actually the very oldest, events of which authentic records exist in ancient Irish history.

   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 2

   As the companion tells it

   Cong is where the historic Battle of Moytura was fought in 1896 before the Incarnation between the Firbolgs and the invading Tuatha De Danaan. Eochaidh Mac Ere, the last Firbolg monarch and husband of Queen Tailte, was slain in the battle. She was the learned daughter of Mag Mor, a distinguished king of Spain. This is one of the oldest events for which authentic records exist in ancient Irish history.

7. Queen Tailte's burial mound on the Loughcrew Hills

   Loughcrew · townland · Meath

   Queen Tailte selected a sunlit hillside spot covered with dense forest for her burial, and her husband had the timber cleared, taking nearly a year. She was laid to rest in her 'mighty Mur' on the Loch Crew Hills, where funeral rites and games were instituted in her honour.

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   Nor was the far-famed city of Troy, of which Homer sings in his Iliad, and the story of which has proved an interesting but tearful task to many of us in our schooldays, yet in existence. The Siege of Troy did not occur, as recent research has proved, till more than seven hundred years after Tailte was laid to rest in her mighty Mur on the Loch Crew Hills.

   The famous Olympian Games, of which we hear so much from time to time, and which, at best, were but a pale reflex of those of Tailteann, were not yet instituted in the sea-girt province of Elis, in ancient Greece, till more than four hundred years after King Lughaidh Lamhfada, or Lewy of the Long Hand, summoned "All the amen of Erinn " to celebrate the Tailteann ceremonies on the plains of Royal Meath.

   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 2

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere near here on the Loughcrew Hills, Queen Tailte was laid to rest in what the old book calls her mighty Mur. The passage places this event far back in time. The siege of Troy, which Homer sings of in his Iliad, did not occur until more than 700 years after Tailte was buried here. Her husband had chosen a sunlit hillside covered with dense forest for her grave, and the timber was cleared, taking nearly a year. After her burial, funeral rites and games were instituted in her honour. Later, King Lughaidh Lamhfada, Lewy of the Long Hand, summoned all the men of Erinn to celebrate the Tailteann ceremonies on the plains of Royal Meath. The famous Olympian Games of ancient Greece were not instituted until more than 400 years after that.

8. Aonach Colmain and the ancient Curragh races

   near The Curragh · locality · Kildare

   The Curragh of the Liffey (Kildare) hosted the Aonach Colmain, an annual assembly with horse-racing, chariot races, and intellectual competitions, established long before the birth of Christ. The ancient tale Bruden Da Derga records that Conaire, King of Ireland in the first century BC, attended the games there with four chariots. Chariot races featured elaborately decorated reins and daring charioteers, while poets, musicians, and story-tellers competed in public recitals.

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   The traditional love for horse-racing may account for this popular sport continuing its unbroken record at the Curragh since its original institution there at the Aonach Colmain, long before the birth of Christ. At what date this Aonach was originally established is not quite clear, but our ancient records (Bruden Da Derga) tell us that Conari, King of Ireland in the first century before Christ, once went with four chariots to the Cluichi, or Games, at the Cuirrech Life (the Curragh of the Liffey or Kildare).

   In olden times this famous race-course was known as the " Curragh of the Liffey," and it was then, as it is to-day, the most celebrated race meeting in Ireland. The very word Cuirreach itself, according to the ancient Glossary oj Cormac of Cashel, signifies race-course.

   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 9

   As the companion tells it

   The Curragh has hosted horse-racing without break since the Aonach Colmain, an assembly established long before the birth of Christ. The exact date of its founding is not clear, but the ancient tale Bruden Da Derga records that Conaire, King of Ireland in the first century BC, came with four chariots to the Cluichi, the games, at the Curragh of the Liffey. Chariot races featured daring charioteers, while poets, musicians, and story-tellers competed in public recitals. The very word Cuirreach, according to the ancient Glossary of Cormac of Cashel, signifies race-course. It was then, as it is today, the most celebrated race meeting in Ireland.

9. Aonach Carman commemorating a Greek lady from Athens

   Wexford · town · Wexford

   An ancient poem explains the origin of Aonach Carman (now Wexford), stating that the celebrated assembly with its ceremonies and games was instituted in commemoration of a distinguished Greek lady who travelled westward from Athens with her three sons. Greek traders also sold gold and noble clothes at the great markets there.

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   The ancient poem from which the foregoing is taken was written in explanation of the origin of Aonach Carman (now Wexford). It tells us how that celebrated assembly, with all its ceremonies and games, was instituted in commemoration of a distinguished Greek lady who, with her three sons, " From delightful Athens westward came," at a period anterior to the date given by Strabo as that of the institution of the Olympic Games. So we have it very clearly

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   Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 10

   As the companion tells it

   Wexford was once called Aonach Carman. An ancient poem says its great assembly, with all its ceremonies and games, was founded to remember a distinguished Greek lady who came westward from Athens with her three sons, at a time before the Olympic Games. The poem's words say she came from delightful Athens westward. Greek traders sold gold and noble clothes at the great markets here.

10. Tailteann Games celebrated on the plains of Meath

    Teltown · townland · Meath

    King Lughaidh Lamhfada summoned all the men of Erinn to celebrate the Tailteann ceremonies on the plains of Royal Meath. The woods of Tailteann resounded to the rush and roar of Irish chariots in their thunderous contests for the victor's crown.

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    Even the Kingdom of Athens itself, subsequently so famed for its learning, its art, and its culture, was not yet founded by Cecrops and his Egyptian colony — although it existed long before the Olympian Games began — till at least more than three hundred years after the woods of Tailteann resounded to the rush and roar of Irish chariots in their thunderous contests for the victor's crown.

    Still further away in the dim ages of the past — and perhaps this may illustrate the antiquity of our athletic festival better than all the rest — the games of Tailteann were celebrated in Ireland some three hundred and twenty-five years before Pharaoh's daughter discovered Moses on the banks of the Nile.

    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 2

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, the Tailteann Games were celebrated on the plains of Royal Meath. King Lughaidh Lamhfada summoned all the men of Erinn to the ceremonies, and the woods of Tailteann resounded to the rush and roar of Irish chariots in their thunderous contests for the victor's crown. These games were ancient beyond reckoning. The Kingdom of Athens itself, founded by Cecrops and his Egyptian colony, was not yet established until more than 300 years after those chariots raced here. Athens existed long before the Olympian Games began, yet it came generations after Tailteann. Go further back still: the games were celebrated some 325 years before Pharaoh's daughter discovered Moses on the banks of the Nile.

11. Tailte's palace and death at Teltown

    Teltown · townland · Meath

    Queen Tailte's favourite palace was located at Teltown in Co. Meath, from which her chosen burial spot on the distant hills was visible. She died at her residence near Teltown, after which King Lugh arranged her royal burial.

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    King Lugh lived at his great palace at Nas (now Naas, in Co. Kildare), and on the death of Tailte at her residence near Teltown, in Co. Meath, he had her interred in her " green circle on the distant hills." She was buried in royal state, with impressive druidical rites, on the side of Caill Cuain (now called Sliabh Caillighe) ; her Cuba was duly sung, and her Nosadh celebrated, as she had wished.

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    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Teltown stood Tailte's favourite palace, from which her chosen burial spot on the distant hills was visible. She died at her residence near here. King Lugh had her interred in her "green circle on the distant hills." She was buried in royal state, with druidical rites, on the side of Caill Cuain, now Sliabh Caillighe. Her Cuba was sung, and her Nosadh celebrated, as she had wished.

12. King Lugh's palace at Naas

    Naas · town · Kildare

    King Lugh, Tailte's foster-son who ascended the throne after the death of Eochaidh Mac Ere, lived at his great palace at Nas, now Naas in Co. Kildare. It was from here that he arranged Tailte's royal burial at Sliabh Caillighe.

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    King Lugh lived at his great palace at Nas (now Naas, in Co. Kildare), and on the death of Tailte at her residence near Teltown, in Co. Meath, he had her interred in her " green circle on the distant hills." She was buried in royal state, with impressive druidical rites, on the side of Caill Cuain (now called Sliabh Caillighe) ; her Cuba was duly sung, and her Nosadh celebrated, as she had wished.

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    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    Naas in County Kildare was once called Nas, and King Lugh kept his great palace here. Lugh was Tailte's foster-son, and when Tailte died at her residence near Teltown in County Meath, he had her buried in royal state. The old book says she was laid to rest in her green circle on the distant hills, on the side of Caill Cuain, now called Sliabh Caillighe. Druidical rites were performed, her Cuba was sung, and her Nosadh celebrated, as she had wished.

13. Knockaulin: the king's palace at the Curragh

    Knockaulin · street · Kildare

    The king's palace was built at Knockaulin on the edge of the Curragh race-course. The Ard Righ (High King) himself distributed prizes to the winners of the races at the Aonach Colmain assembly from this site.

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    Aonach Colmain was held as an annual assembly on the Curragh, and it was attended then, as it is now, by people from all parts of Ireland. The races were always formally opened by the king, or one of the princes of Leinster acting on behalf of the monarch, and they usually lasted for several days. The king's palace was built at Knockaulin on the edge of the race-course, and the Ard Righ himself distributed the prizes to the winners.

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    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 9

    As the companion tells it

    Knockaulin was the site of the king's palace, built on the edge of the Curragh race-course. Aonach Colmain was an annual assembly held on the Curragh, attended by people from all parts of Ireland. The races were formally opened by the king, or one of the princes of Leinster acting on behalf of the monarch, and usually lasted for several days. The Ard Righ himself distributed the prizes to the winners.

14. Cruachan as Fianna testing centre

    near Rathcroghan · monument · Roscommon

    Cruachan was one of the places where examinations and tests were held during the games to fill vacancies in the ranks of the Fianna Eireann. Tailteann was the most important of these centres.

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    When Finn MacCool was appointed to the command of the Fianna Eireann, it consisted of several battalions of selected warriors located in the different provinces, under their respective chiefs, who were all tried Champions of great war-like prowess. As vacancies occurred in the ranks, they were filled by examinations and tests held at Tailteann, Uisneach, Cruachan and other places, during the games held at those centres, of which Tailteann was the most important.

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    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Rathcroghan is Cruachan, where the Fianna Eireann once tested men for entry into their ranks. When Finn MacCool took command, the Fianna were several battalions of selected warriors based across the provinces, each under its own chief, all tried champions of great warlike prowess. When vacancies arose, they were filled by examinations and tests held during the games at Tailteann, Uisneach, Cruachan and other centres. Tailteann was the most important of these.

15. Mound of the Strangers at Tara

    near Tara · hill or hills · Meath

    The Mound of the Strangers at Tara was constructed by Eochaidh Garbh, son of Duach Temin, who was the husband of Tailtiu, the woman after whom Taillten was named.

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    Taillfcen, why so called? Answer: Tailtiu, daughter of Madh M6r, the wife of Eochaidh Garbh, son of Duach Temin ; it was by him the ' Mound of the Strangers ' at Tara was made ; and she was the foster-mother of Lugaidh, son of Scol Balbh, and it was she that requested her husband to cut down Caill Luain, that there should be an Aonach around her Leacht (tomb) ; and she died on the Kaland of August after that, and her Guba (lamentations) and her Nosad (funeral rites and games) were celebrated by Lugadh. Unde Lug Nosad dicitur." Five hundred years, moreover, and three thousand before the birth of Christ this occurred ; and this assemblage was celebrated by every king who occupied Erinn till Patrick came. And four hundred years it continued to be celebrated in Taillten from Patrick to the Black Fair of Donchad, son of Fland, son of Malachy. Three prohibitions were upon Taillten, namely, to pass through it without alighting ; to see it over the left shoulder ; and to throw a cast (of a spear) in it which does not reach its mark. Unde the Fair of Taillten dicitur, of which is said the following : — I.

    You nobles of the land of comely Conn,

    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    This hill carries an old story. It belongs to the Mound of the Strangers at Tara, which a man named Eochaidh Garbh built. He was the son of Duach Temin, and his wife was Tailtiu, daughter of Madh Mór. Tailtiu was the foster-mother of Lugaidh, son of Scol Balbh. She asked her husband to cut down Caill Luain so that an Aonach could be held around her Leacht, her tomb. She died on the Kalend of August after that. Her lamentations and her funeral rites and games were celebrated by Lugaidh. The record says this happened 3500 years before the birth of Christ, and that every king who occupied Erinn celebrated this assemblage until Patrick came. From Patrick to the Black Fair of Donchad, son of Fland, son of Malachy, it continued for 400 years more in Taillten. Three prohibitions lay upon Taillten: not to pass through without alighting, not to see it over the left shoulder, and not to throw a cast of a spear that does not reach its mark.

16. Tulach-na-Coibche, the Mound of the Buying at Tailteann

    Teltown · townland · Meath

    After matches were concluded, selected couples were led to the Tulach-na-Coibche, or "Mound of the Buying," where the bride-price was duly handed over and the marriage ceremony celebrated as part of the Aonach Tailteann.

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    The matches having been satisfactorily concluded, the selected couples were led forthwith to the Tulach-na-Coibche, or " Mound of the Buying," where the bride-price was duly handed over and the ceremony celebrated. 43

    Dioorce.

    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 7

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Teltown is Tulach-na-Coibche, the Mound of the Buying. After matches were concluded at the Aonach Tailteann, the selected couples were led to this mound. There the bride-price was handed over and the marriage ceremony celebrated.

17. Tailteann as Fianna Eireann testing station

    Teltown · townland · Meath

    Aonach Tailteann served as an established recruiting centre and testing station where Finn MacCool regularly attended with his officers to examine and test candidates seeking commissions in the Fianna Eireann. It was the most important of several such testing centres.

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    In this connection it may be of interest to recall the fact that Aonach Tailteann was an established recruiting centre and testing station, at which Finn MacCool regularly attended with

    * See Appendix II., page 69.

    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is the place they called Aonach Tailteann. It was an established recruiting centre and testing station. Finn MacCool regularly attended with his officers to examine and test candidates seeking commissions in the Fianna Eireann. It was the most important of several such testing centres.

18. Queen Tailte's residence at Tara

    Tara · parish · Meath

    Queen Tailte, a Spanish princess married to King Eochaidh Mac Ere, came to Ireland and took up residence in the royal palace of Tara. She won universal esteem for her beauty and accomplishments, instructing the ollamhs and druids in many arts.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Tailte came to Ireland as the queen of Eochaidh Mac Ere more than nineteen centuries before the Christian era, and took up her abode

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    Internet Archive aonactailteannta00nalliala, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    The road takes you through Tara, where Queen Tailte once lived. A Spanish princess who married King Eochaidh Mac Ere, she came to Ireland more than 19 centuries before the Christian era and took up residence in the royal palace. She won universal esteem for her beauty and accomplishments, instructing the ollamhs and druids in many arts.