held. The last games were held on August 1, 1169, under the jurisdiction of the last High King, Ruraidh Ó Conchobhar.

Táin

[I] A cattle raid. There are several of these tales in Irish mythology, but the two most famous ones are the Táin Bó Cuailgne and the Táin Bó Fraoch. The Táin Bó Cuailgne is the most famous epic in Irish mythology, comparable to the Iliad. The basic texts are found in Leabhar na h-Uidhre (eleventh century Book of the Dun Cow) and Leabhar Laighnech (twelfth century Book of Leinster). Both versions are incomplete and additions are found in the Yellow Book of Lecan. The saga popularly describes the campaign by Medb of Connacht to capture the famous Brown Bill of Cuailgne in Ulster. The Ulster warriors are prevented from defending themselves against her army by a strange debility placed on them by Macha, goddess of war. Only Cúchulainn is able to carry on a defence until the Ulster warriors recover. It is the longest, most elaborate and powerful of all the Irish myths, and is the central theme of the Red Branch cycle.

The Táin Bó Fraoch is the second most popular cattle raid tale. Professor C. W. von Sydow [Beowulfskalden och nordisk tradition, Arsbok, 1923] suggests that the story provided the model for the later English saga of Beowulf. There are many points of similarity between the two sagas. The story concerns Fraoch, the most handsome warrior in Ireland, who sets out to woo Findbhair, daughter of Ailill and Medb.

Taliesin

[W] “Shining Brow.” A quasi-mythical figure, said to be the greatest of the bards, living during the sixth century a.d. He is claimed as the first bard to acquire the secret of prophetic poetry. He could divine the future and strike less gifted poets dumb. In the myths he is Gwion Bach reborn and his mother is the magician Ceridwen, who swallowed Gwion Bach in the form of a grain of wheat. Taliesin is rescued from the sea by Elffin and, at the age of thirteen, is able to dumbfound Arthur’s bards. “I am old, I am new . . . I have been dead, I have been alive . . . I am Taliesin.” [Chwedl Taliesin, vol. I, Williams, Cardiff, 1957.] His song is rather similar in style and import to that of the druid Amairgin.

Taliesin, Book of

[The Book of Taliesin, ed. J. G. Evans, Llanbedrog, 1910.] A collection of poetic tradition associated with Taliesin.

Tanáiste

[I] The successor to a king or professional man elected during his predecessor’s lifetime.