We did not climb so much as ascend, with effort, the flank of Slieve Foy, a peak of the Cooley Mountains, County Louth, Ireland. The group being cousin Sean, my wife, Pam, and myself.
The ridge of Golyin Pass loomed in the mist where the path dissolved in low cloud. Sean pointed above, to the right to Barnavave, also know as Maeve’s Gap for the queen who came from the west of Ireland to take Donn Cúailnge, the Brown Bull of Cooley, by force of arms with an army behind her.
A modern rendering of Donn Cúailnge. See link at the bottom of this posting for more information.
When cousin Sean named Cú Chulainn, the champion of Maeve’s opponents, the Ulstermen, he recalled a story once lost, Táin Bó Cúailnge. A hospitable siege different from Maeve’s and mist are part of the story of the recovery of this tale.
A gathering of 150 poets, 100 pupils, and attendants strained the patience and wealth of Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin, King of Connacht, when it extended to a year and four months.
Our first and only encounter with fellow hikers. In the distance two figures appear over the next ridge, a mother and young daughter. She greeted us and challenged Sean to his knowledge of the area. Sean acquitted himself well and we continued.
On that 16th month, the king challenged the leader of his guests to the telling of a tale. Guaire demanded Seanchan Torpest, the chief poet of Connacht, to recite the whole of Táin Bó Cúailnge, known in English as the Cattle Raid of Cooley or The Táin (Cattle Raid).
Click a gallery pic for a larger view.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
In this way the king was relieved of his guests: the book of the Táin was lost before their lifetimes, rumored to be abroad. Abashed at his failure, Seanchan Torpest withdrew. Fellow poets and followers trailed out from the castle.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
Seanchan Torpest regrouped the host (an opened question is who then supported them) in conference to construct Táin Bó Cúailnge. It was a false hope as the gathering discovered while each poet knew a part of the whole, most of the story was lost. His honor, reputation and self-esteem in tatters the Chief Poet of Connacht, set off with Murgen, his son, and second cousin Eimena to return the Táin to Ireland.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
Into mists such as those Pam, Sean and I ascended, the travelers soon were lost and separated.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
Magically, Murgen finds the grave of the Uncle of Cú Chulainn in the mists, there to meet the shade of that enormous man, Fergus mac Róich is his name. In the Táin, as related in whole by Fergus to Murgen, Fergus was led by circumstances to ally with Maeve, to guide her army against the Ulstermen. As a deposed king, traitor to Ulster and Uncle to the champion Cú Chulainn, Fergus knew the tale entire.
View as we approached Goliyn Pass
It was from the mists that Murgen emerged, found his father and cousin, and returned together without the book, but with possession of the substance of the Táin.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
On June 9, 2014, Pam and Mike joined cousin Sean Mills for a walk on the Tain Trail, starting at Glenmore Athletic Club, climbing over a ridge of Slieve Foy, finishing at Carlingford. This album captures the entire trip.
Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Many thanks
History and beautiful scenes – all in one post. Thank you.
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Thanks for noticing. I will do more in that style……Happy Labor Day!!
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Sitting on the rock… resting.. looking out. I love it.
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Thanks, Louise, for the visit and appreciation. ~Mike
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What a history! Thank you for sharing this along with wonderful landscape images 🙂
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Thanks for visiting Indah. I am experimenting that the format and am encouraged by the reception.
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So interesting, and beautiful photos as well. Makes me want to go there!
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I highly recommend this destination.
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One thing about your photography. Simply stunning!
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Gee, William, thanks for the compliment and visit.
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Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
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Thank You, Ned.
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Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Many thanks
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It was a standard format available from WordPress without additional charge when I subscribed to the service.
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