Táin Bó Cúailnge

The Táin Bó Cúailnge (pronounced "tawn boh cool-nya"), also known simply as The Táin or The Cattle Raid of Cooley, stands as the cornerstone of Irish mythology. Frequently described as "the Irish Iliad," this ancient narrative differs from its Greek counterpart by employing prosimetrum—a storytelling technique blending prose with intermittent verse spoken by the characters.

At its heart, The Táin chronicles the conflict between Ulster and Connacht, sparked when Queen Medb of Connacht and her husband King Ailill launch a military campaign to capture the legendary bull Donn Cuailnge. What makes this tale particularly remarkable is that, due to a powerful curse afflicting Ulster's king and warriors, only the young hero Cú Chulainn stands against the invaders.

Set during Ireland's pagan heroic age in the 1st century, The Táin forms the central narrative of the Ulster Cycle tales. The epic has endured through three distinct manuscript versions dating from the 12th century onward: an early compilation primarily in Old Irish, a more unified Middle Irish text, and a later Early Modern Irish adaptation.

The Táin's cultural importance cannot be overstated—it has profoundly influenced Irish literature and cultural identity throughout the centuries, earning its status as Ireland's revered national epic.