THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

Read more about the RIA

Stories from the Tain

by  Osborn BerginJohn Strachan
€ 12.00

Book Details

Published by Royal Irish Academy

December 1993

Paperback / softback

Number of pages: 116

ISBN: 9781874045267

'The Táin' (meaning ‘The driving-off cows of Cooley’) is a legendary Irish tale set in the first century AD. It tells of a war against Ulster by the Connacht queen Medb and her husband Ailill, who intend to steal the stud bull Donn Cuailnge and are challenged by the Ulster hero Cú Chulainn. Written in the 12th century and set in the pre-Christian first century, the Táin is the central text in the ‘Ulster Cycle’. These stories from the Tain were edited with glossary by the Celtic, Greek and Sanskrit linguist John Strachan, also the author of ‘Old Irish Paradigms’, the ‘Old Irish Workbook’ and ‘Selections from the Old Irish Glosses’. This third edition of 'Stories from the Tain' was revised by the Irish language scholar Osborn Bergin. It is an essential text-book for beginners in Old-Irish.

About the authors

Osborn Bergin

Osborn Joseph Bergin (Osborn Ó hAimhirgín), MRIA, 1873-1950, was an eminent scholar in the field of Irish Studies. Read more about him here.

John Strachan

John Strachan (1862–1907) was a Celtic, Greek and Sanskrit linguist. He was Professor at Owens College and the Victoria University of Manchester. He was the editor of Stories from the Tain and author of Old Irish Paradigms.