Paul Gosling (third from left), with members of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society at a talk on Fr Robert Callary in September 2022 - (from left) Tom French, Paschal Marry, Paul Gosling, Ciarán McDonnell, Aoife MhicRaghnaill Jack Conway and Julitta Clancy.

Táin Bó Cúailnge to be re-told at Moylagh Community Centre

Published: Thu 22 Feb 2024, 9:24 AM

The Moylagh Historical Society hold their annual history talk on Thursday 7 March in Moylagh Community Centre at 8pm: the subject is 'An Epic in 42 Instalments – Fr Robert Callary’s Retelling of Táin Bó Cúailnge in the Westmeath Examiner 1957-58'.

Between August 1957 and June 1958, Fr Robert Callary (1886-1961), founder member and later president of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society, published a re-telling of the famous medieval tale, Táin Bó Cúailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley).

Told in 42 parts, the tale was published at the time in various newspapers including the Westmeath Examiner and the Meath Chronicle.

Paul Gosling, archaeologist and member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, will explore the story of Queen Medb’s epic winter raid to steal a prize bull from Cooley, County Louth, as well as assessing Fr Callary’s unique and detailed re-telling of it for modern times.

A former lecturer in GMIT, Paul is currently researching the placenames and route aspects of Táin Bó Cúailnge and will share his latest findings.

The Moylagh Historical society are always keen to ‘keep it local’ - Fr Callery was from Oldcastle, where his father was a shopkeeper - and the talk will emphasise various locations around Oldcastle featured in the story.

As always, all are welcome to attend and light refreshments will be available after the talk. The Moylagh Community Centre is at Loughcrew, Oldcastle, Eircode: A82RP74. Entry is free; however, donations are welcome to assist in the running of the event.

Further information from 087 967 2435 or moylaghhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.