An Táin

A culture-shaping epic of few parallels which has echoed relevant and contemporary lessons throughout the intervening period of over two millennia. An Táin has a place amongst the epic myths of the world. Set in a time of tribal allegiances, An Táin mobilises the peoples of the entire territories of Ireland in an epic tale of greed, ambition, political manoeuvring, deceit, and heroism. The driving force of the tale is the ambitious and ruthless Meadhbh, whose thirst for supremacy and wealth; represented in the pastoral Iron-Age society of Ireland by a prize bull; drags the tribes of Ireland into a bloody conflict.