Táin Bó Cuailnge
Táin Bó Cuailnge is the central story of the 8th-cent. Ulster cycle of heroic tales. The earliest versions are recorded in the 12th-cent. Lebor na hUidre (Book of the Dun Cow), the 12th-cent. Book of Leinster, and the 14th-cent. Yellow Book of Lecan. Set in pre-Christian Ireland, the Táin is the tale of a cattle-raid and invasion of Ulster by King Ailill and Queen Medb of Connacht, initiated as a result of their desire to capture the Brown Bull of Cuailnge. Cúchulainn single-handedly defends Ulster until the war-band can come to his aid. When they arrive the Connacht forces are decimated and in the end the Brown Bull is found dead.
Sandra M. Dunkin
More From encyclopedia.com
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Táin Bó Cuailnge