One of the great tales in Irish mythology, the Táin Bó Cúailnge - or the Cattle Raid of Cooley has been recreated on a giant tapestry. The famous myth tells the tale of Queen Méabh of Connacht and her husband Ailill, who plot to steal the sacred stud bull Donn Cuailnge from Ulster. The tale traverses counties Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Louth and much of the action is focused on the efforts of Ulster teenage hero Cúchulainn to oppose the warriors of Connacht.
The tapestry ‘Threading the Táin’ was helmed by Louth based artist Sophie Coyle. It comprises five individual panels. Artists from each of the five counties (Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Louth) oversaw the work of volunteer sewers on the individual panels. A variety of textile techniques were used in the creation of the tapestry including appliqué, embroidery, quilting and hand dyeing. Claire Delabre, from Handmade Designs in Mullingar, led the Westmeath sewers; Bridie Scally, Brigid Mayes, Margaret Cunnane, Trish Riding and Paula Sheridan.
The five-piece stitch tapestry ‘Threading the Táin’ will be on display in Áras an Chontae, Mullingar Thurs 28th July – Fri 12th August.