Westmeath battle part of ‘Threading the Táin’ tapestries

‘Threading the Táin’, an inter-­county community, visual arts project, in which five tapestries have been created to celebrate the Táin Bó Cúailnge includes Westmeath in its depictions.

In conjunction with the launch of the Táin March Festival 2022, An Táin Arts Centre co-ordinated the project, which was funded by Creative Ireland and produced by An Táin Arts Centre in association with Creative Spark.

The tapestries depict scenes from the great epic that relates to each of the five counties associated with the Táin: Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Louth.

The Westmeath panel depicts a battle scene with Queen Maedbh and other characters from the epic tale.

Measuring 3m by 1m (as do each of the five panels), it was designed by Claire Delabre of Handmade Design Studio on Mount Street, Mullingar, and she was assisted byneedlewomen Margaret Cunnane, Bridie Scally, Brigid Mayes, Trish Riding and Paula Sheridan, all of whom volunteered their time to work on the piece.

"We all feel privileged to have been able to work on such an amazing art project and are looking forward to seeing the Westmeath tapestry displayed in Mullingar," said Claire.

Melanie McQuade, the Westmeath heritage officer, added: "I have seen the Westmeath panel – it is a beautifully made textured and animated piece that really brings the epic tale of the Táin Bó Cuailgne to life! It will be great to see all five pieces together and for the artists in the each of the counties to see the work of their neighbours."

A variety of textile techniques was used in the creation of the tapestries, including dyeing, painting, felting, appliqué, faux chenille, hand embroidery, quilting and hand and machine sewing.

The project was led by Louth based artist Sophie Coyle, who worked closely with archaeologist Paul Gosling and Mel O’Loan from the Táin March Festival, to determine which parts of the epic to include in the tapestry.

The project was guided by a textile artist in each county who led groups of community crafters in creating each panel.

The artists, along with Claire Delabre in Westmeath, are Frances Crowe in Roscommon, Catherine Gray in Longford, Ina Olohan in Meath and Úna Curley in Louth.

More than 40 volunteers took part in the project and when placed together, the five tapestries portray the overall story of the Táin, while each piece stands alone as an individual artwork.

The project is a development of the relationship between An Táin Arts Centre and the Táin March Festival.

Mary Claire Cowley, of An Táin Arts Centre and project manager of ‘Threading the Táin’, said: "The project was inspired by the passion for the Táin demonstrated by Paul Gosling and Mel O’Loan and all the team at the Táin March Festival. This has been a wonderful opportunity for us as counties bound by the ties of the Táin to come together in this collaborative, historical celebration of our identity and culture through craft and we are delighted to be launching ‘Threading the Táín’ in conjunction with the Táin March Festival 2022."

Starting on June 10 in Cooley, this year’s festival will trace the route of the Brown Bull from Cooley to Connaught. Over three weekends, the festival will visit key sites in Cooley, Dundalk, Ardee, Teltown, Kells, Mullingar and will finish in Roscommon Town on June 26.

‘Threading the Táin’ will be available to view as a five-­piece artwork at An Táin Arts Centre, Crowe Street, Dundalk, until Saturday June 11, coinciding with the start of the Táin March Festival.

The tapestry will then go on display in Roscommon for the end of the festival on June 26.

Each piece will then be returned to its county to go on semi-­permanent display.

For further information, contact Mary Claire Cowley at An Táin Arts Centre: maryclaire@antain.ie: 042 9332332.