Queen Medb

‘Celtic’ warrior Queen of Connacht, a sovereignty Goddess, guardian and initiator, with fierce sexual prowess and an arrogance that led her men to downfall. This is the general vernacular perception and discussion of Medb today (according to the author’s daily experience managing the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre), but what is this perception based on?  This essay will examine references to the Queen Medb character in Irish literary sources, and catalogue the recorded themes. These are by no means comprehensive listings, but an adequate sampling as space allows for the purposes of a foundational essay. Further research is needed on Medb, and particularly interesting will be that which looks at the social, political, and cultural context in which her tales were recorded, and the influence that Gaelic culture wrought on the character development of the Connacht Queen.

Much of the action of Táin Bó Cúailnge takes place on the borders of Ulster in what is now Co. Louth. This full-colour, six-page Heritage Guide re-traces the path taken by Queen Medb's forces through the county via maps, text and photographs.

It is told throughout the lands that the jealousy, spite, and arrogance, of Ireland’s Queen Medb started the great battle of the Táin Bó Cuailgne (Cattle Raid of Cooley). But is this accurate? Is this the true story of Medb?

Examining this historical and mythological figure - with the guidance of a native expert in Irish heritage and spirituality - exposes a tangled web of cultural context which is missing from most of her tales. While the commonly available stories seem to focus only on the faults and foibles of the ruler of the western province, Connacht, from her seat at Cruachan (Rathcroghan), this work takes us on a deep dive through the core aspects of the information that is available about the Irish Queen - or Goddess - Medb (Maeve), so we can see what was really going on.

Peppering the book with direct quotes and authentic snippets from the original manuscript source lore, the author also explains and expands upon these often dense and occasionally confusing texts, in ways which make the material approachable and understandable. Given this firm foundation, along with the sharing of unique and personal experiences throughout Ireland at the sites most sacred to Medb, the reader can easily follow where the author has walked. This is a path that leads to solid spiritual connection within a modern Pagan practice, guided by a native Irish Draoí.

The author’s work as an Irish Heritage Professional is about connection; to Ireland’s history, mythology, ancestry, sacred and everyday sites - all of this is communicated and passed on through Ireland’s stories.  This short ebook is a work in progress, an expression of O’Brien’s connection to 13 sites of the Rathcroghan Royal Complex, in County Roscommon - home of Queen Medb and the ancient Goddess Morrigan - and the creative and intuitional inspiration that tells a story from each of those sites.  Over 20 years of exploring Irish Spirituality, Lora O’Brien has learned to connect, and to find the story. Here she shares those stories with you - so join her, on a Rathcroghan Journey...