Academic's Ballymore lecture to tell of area’s place in Táin Bó Cúailnge story

A Galway-based academic has uncovered historical detail which demonstrates that the area around Ballymore was the scene of both the last – and the greatest battle – in the story of An Táin Bó Cúailnge.Archaeologist Paul Gosling, of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, is to outline what his research has uncovered at a lecture in Ballymore Community Centre this Thursday, February 27

.“Many of us will be familiar with An Táin Bó Cúailnge, from our school days, Thomas Kinsella’s translation, or Louis le Brocquy’s art work”, says Melanie McQuade, Westmeath heritage officer.

“Often referred to simply as the Táin, this early epic story set about 2,000 years ago, tells of an outrageous cattle-raid on south Ulster by Queen Medb of Connacht.

It features a full cast of colourful characters (royal, animal and otherworld) as well as detail on the places where the Connacht army (and the pursuing Ulster) fought, camped and parleyed”.

According to Melanie, recent research by Mr Gosling, has revealed that an area of countryside around Ballymore was the scene of the last and greatest battle when the forces of Ulster led by King Conor MacNessa caught up with and defeated the Connacht army under Queen Medb.

Mr Gosling has written a series of Heritage Guides to the Route of Táin Bó Cúailnge, the most recent of which is “The route of Táin Bó Cúailnge in Counties Westmeath and Meath”.

This Guide was published with support from Westmeath County Council and Meath County Council and is available through Archaeology Ireland Magazine and the Heritage Offices.

It was officially launched by Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society on December 11 in The Greville Arms Hotel.

“We are delighted that, thanks to funding from Creative Ireland, Paul Gosling is coming to Ballymore to give an illustrated talk on his research,” says Melanie.

“His talk, based on medieval versions of the Táin, local folklore and the lie of the land, will seek to outline the topography and major events of the battle”

The talk will take place this Thursday February 27 at 7.30pm and admission is free. Copies of the heritage guide will be available on the night.