The Tain By Ciaran Carson

[Niamh]

For anyone whos read it or interested in reading it and discussing it!

I started reading it today. Only on to chapter two. It so much easier to read than the Thomas Kinsella translation.
Heres a Wiki about it for anyone curious as to what its about.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A1in_B%C3%B3_C%C3%BAailnge

[papayahed]

Whoo Hoo, I'll start tonight.

[NickAdams]

I will try get get a copy.

[Niamh]

Coolaboola!

[Etienne]

I will definitely get a copy next time I purchase books over the internet but I probably won't get it nearly soon enough for the discussion, unfortunately.

[Niamh]

The discussion will always be here, if and when you do get the book!:) so even if its in six months, comment away!

[Etienne]

Actually, you know what? In April I'll be going to Ireland, I can probably find it and read it there. :thumbs_up

[Niamh]

Really? well here are a few bookshops you can check for it in!
Chapters (best bookshop ever!!!) Parnell st, Dublin 1. (go to top of o'connell st, and turn left when you get to the ambassador. just up abit on hte left across from Moore St.)
Hughes and Hughes, St Stephens Green Shopping Centre, St Stephens Green, Dublin 2
Hodges Figgis
Waterstones
both are on Dawson street, Dublin 2. Street in between Grafton Street and Kildare Street where the National History Museum is...
Its still in hard back so a bit pricey! (well over €20:sick: ) but if you try Chapters, you may find it there cheaper...great bargin shop!

[Virgil]

Oh I would love to Niamh. But i'm just swamped with everything i got going on.

[LadyWentworth]

Well, I found it on Amazon. There are two translations on there. The cheaper one happens to be this one. I have to order something from there, anyway. So, I will have to get a copy of this, too.

Then again, the library has it. That would mean that I get to read it for free! :) Then I have an obligation to get it done in a certain amount of time. For some reason they have started it where a person can only renew something once. I hate the "pressure" of the library! :p

Hmmm.......
I will have to make up my mind! :D

[Niamh]

I dont believe it! It works out as about €10 cheaper that the price of it in dublin! ANd its a Hardback too!

[papayahed]

I started last night. It cracks me up that it starts off by a husband and wife comparing their wealth, they sound like a fun couple.

[Niamh]

Yeah and they start bringing everything they own in to their home to have them valued to see who is wealthier. I'm just finished the chapter about Cuchullains deeds.

[Niamh]

I'm just after the bit where the youth of ulster die trying to help Cu Chulainn. It amazes me how one man can have an intire army worried. I'm liking the easy telling of the story in this translation. Its much easier for people to understand than the Kinsella Translation.
How are you getting on Papaya?

[NickAdams]

For those who want to participate, but don't have the book:

http://adminstaff.vassar.edu/sttaylor/Cooley/

or

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T301035/index.html

[LadyWentworth]

I've yet to even begin it. I have a bunch of things that I need to get done on Wednesday. So, while I am running around to all of these places, I plan to see if anyone is selling it (and it is a fair price) before I order it. It is just too bad I will be so behind others that have alrady started it. :(

[Niamh]

What all two of us? thats not being far behind! :p join in when ever.

[LadyWentworth]

:lol: Well, that is still two people that could be quite a bit ahead of me by the time that I start!

Anyway, picked up the book yesterday and I hope to begin reading it tonight. :)

[Niamh]

Wohoo! that makes three of us!:D I'm almost finished. Dont know how Papaya is getting on...

[thom]

Isnt it just a primitive account of savages stealing each others cattle? ;)

[Niamh]

Last time i checked it was a war caused by the greed of a king and queen, trying to equal each others wealth.

[thom]

lol, thanks

[islandclimber]

I read this a couple years ago while I was in Ireland... I loved it... I wouldn't mind joining discussion when you get to that point...

cheers

[Niamh]

All we need is someone to kick start the discussion to get it going.
Did you read the Kinsella translation?

[papayahed]

I've started this book again, I'm about halfway though. I'm kinda glossing over the names of all those places, are those names in the book still in use today?

[Niamh]

the place names? or peoples names? I'm sure a few of the place names are still in existance. Muirhemhne for example is a townland found in Dundalk co. louth, but spelt Muirhevna. I'm certain many have been changed over the past 1500 or so years, and some have been anglicised, to being unrecognisable.

[papayahed]

the place names? or peoples names? I'm sure a few of the place names are still in existance. Muirhemhne for example is a townland found in Dundalk co. louth, but spelt Muirhevna. I'm certain many have been changed over the past 1500 or so years, and some have been anglicised, to being unrecognisable.

I was just wondering if it can be determined where these things actually took place, kinda like Troy.

[Niamh]

it took place mainly around the cooley mountains, Dundalk and general Co. Louth region of Ireland.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIC_enIE230IE231&q=map%20of%20co.%20louth&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl

[papayahed]

Next question: In Chap VII They find the Bull at the end it says the Cu "went up to the girl and cut off her two plaits and thrust a pillar-stone through her cloak and her tunic.....Their standing stones are still there, Finnabairs stone....Cu ..left them like that..."

What does that mean?? I assumed it meant that he killed both Finnabair and the Fool but when I got to Chapter IX Finnabair is being given to Fer Diad so now I'm lost as to the meaning.

[Virgil]

I came across the book a couple of weeks ago and bought it. But no time to read it now. It's on my reading list.

[LadyWentworth]

Well, I see that the thread has started up again. :)

I am just about finished with the book.

Niamh, I have to admit that I felt a little stupid when you told me the OBVIOUS way to find this thread again. :blush: :rolleyes: :p

[Niamh]

Next question: In Chap VII They find the Bull at the end it says the Cu "went up to the girl and cut off her two plaits and thrust a pillar-stone through her cloak and her tunic.....Their standing stones are still there, Finnabairs stone....Cu ..left them like that..."

What does that mean?? I assumed it meant that he killed both Finnabair and the Fool but when I got to Chapter IX Finnabair is being given to Fer Diad so now I'm lost as to the meaning.
yeah it does mean that finnabair has been killed. I'll have to look up my copy of it and see. But i have to find it first as it seems to have gone on a walk.

Well, I see that the thread has started up again. :)

I am just about finished with the book.

Niamh, I have to admit that I felt a little stupid when you told me the OBVIOUS way to find this thread again. :blush: :rolleyes: :p
:brow:

[papayahed]

One more question. The book keeps refering to two groups the Ulsterman and Alill and Medb's group which is called the men of Ireland. I thought they were all 'Men of Ireland"?

[Niamh]

A yes! But even back then Ulster saw itself as separate from the south! They did after all dig a ditch that ran from the cooley mountain to the coast of donegal to separate themselves back in the late Iron age, when this story is set. Its called the Dorsey or Black Pigs Dyke. Some of it is still in existance today, and i've known Archaelogists that have excavated parts of it.:) If you could imagine the Kingdom of ulster under Conner MacNassa, and then the rest of Ireland, Alill and Meave being more or less Conaught and Munster, but they themselves were below the high king seated at Tara, where Conner wasnt. Hence, Usltermen and Irish men. Also only the Ulstermen are affected by the curse.

BTW i'm still trying to locate my copy of the book to look at your last query!